Black Rob is the newest affiliate of Duck Down Music. The former Bad Boy, Harlem rapper is poised to release his first studio album in over five years. This past May, Black Rob was released from prison after serving four years for failing to show up to a previous sentence hearing for a grand larceny charge. Over the past seven months Black Rob has returned to the studio where he’s always felt most comfortable.

Black Rob explains the LP is a “testimony of what I stand for and how I feel. The people have been asking for true hip hop music, and that’s what I’m giving them. I stayed away from features. I’ve been away for 4 joints, so I feel the people deserve to hear me. When I came home, I went right to work, and didn’t have time to reach out to cats. On my next project you will get that. As for producers, I have some up-and-coming cats on there. I believe in giving cats a chance. As far as named producers you may hear a joint or two from Buckwild, Self Service, Bishop, Scram Jones and Pete Rock.”

On his decision to work with Duck Down Music, Black Rob reveals that he “always respected their movement and also been a fan of their music. If I’m going independent why not go with a team I respect, and they have always had a true family setting & environment.”

During the course of his career, Black Rob has recorded several successful projects. In 2000, he released ‘Life Story,’ which has sold over 1 million units & featured the well-known single, “WHOA!” Five years later, he returned with ‘The Black Rob Report,’ which surpassed sales of 100,000 units. Again, five years later, Black Rob is readying a new album entitled ‘Game Tested & Street Approved.’

Fans in New York City will get to see Black Rob perform at the Duck Down VS Blacksmith CMJ Showcase on October 19th at Le Poisson Rouge located on 158 Bleeker St (between Thompson and Sullivan) at 10PM. 18+ event. Tickets are only $20. The first CMJ Badge holders to arrive will receive free access (limited-number).

For tickets visit: http://lepoissonrouge.com/events/view/1552

Buckshot is the co-founder of Duck Down Music & the lead MC for Black Moon & Boot Camp Clik. In 2005, Buckshot reinvented himself with his group project with 9th Wonder, entitled, Chemistry. The duo released a second title, The Formula, in 2008 and are currently in the mixing process of their 3rd album, ‘The Solution,’ in stores in 2011. In 2009, Buckshot teamed with KRS-ONE for their group album, ‘Survival Skills.’

2010 marks the 15 year anniversary of Duck Down Music. Buckshot has taken his 15 year experience and has crafted a pamphlet entitled ‘The Common Knowledgy Of The Entertainment Industry.’ The pamphlet is comprised of three stages. Buckshot first educates readers on the ‘Basics’ of the entertainment industry providing his definitions for terms associated within the business. Buckshot then transitions to the ‘Framework,’ or inner-workings of a music label and answers commonly posed questions that he receives from fans & interviewers. In the final stage, Buckshot unveils ‘How It All Works,’ and illustrates the process of putting the knowledge to use & executing proposed goals.

Accompanying the pamphlet is a 13-track album provided as a download card, which can also serve as a page place-holder. The album features original Buckshot music based on the concepts from within the pamphlet.

Buckshot, along with co-owner of Duck Down Music, Dru Ha, has been the Executive-Producer of each title released by the long-standing and resilient Independent label. He’s been part of over 3 million records sold, toured the globe performing his hits & worked with greats such as: Mary J Blige, Aaliyah, Tupac Shakur, Q-Tip, Bustah Rhymes, Talib Kweli, Funk Master Flex & more. Buckshot has created original music for ESPN, The History Channel, Pizza Hut, Belvedere, HBO, Smirnoff, 2K Sports & others. He’s been a part of campaigns through Duck Down’s marketing arm, Vision, for companies such as: Coca-Cola, Mark Ecko Brand, Sketchers, 2K Sports, Scion, Olde English, Rockstar Games & more. Within the pamphlet, Buckshot provides insight on the many caps he wears, ranging from recording & performing artist, label owner & marketing executive.

Audio Download Card Track Listing:
1) What Is Entertainment?
2) What is Street Team?
3) What is a Producer?
4) What is an Executive?
5) What is Radio?
6) What is a Retail Rep?
7) How Do I Make A Record?
8) What is a Road Manager?
9) How Do Record Label’s Function?
10) How Do I Become An Artist?
11) How Do I Get My Record To A DJ?
12) What is a CEO?
13) How Do I Get My Beats To MCs?

14) How Do I Sell At Digital Retail?

15) What Is A Marketing Campaign?

16) Outro

Upcoming Buckshot Tour Dates performing alongside Pharoahe Monch,
Sean Price, Smif N Wessun, Skyzoo & Music by DJ Evil Dee:

For ticket info go to: http://www.duckdown.com/eastcoasttour/

Monday, October 11th – Tampa, FL – Club Empire

Tickets

Tuesday, October 12th – Orlando, FL – The Social

Tickets

Wednesday, October 13th – Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution

Tickets

Thursday, October 14th – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade

Tickets

Friday, October 15th – Wilmington, NC – Soapbox

Tickets

Saturday, October 16th – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle

Tickets

Sunday, October 17th – Baltimore, MD – Sonar

Tickets

Monday, October 18th – Washington D.C. – LIV

Tickets

Tuesday, October 19th – New York, NY – Le Poisson Rouge (CMJ Showcase with Talib Kweli, Pete Rock, Jean Grae, & Strong Arm Steady performing as well)

Tickets

Wednesday, October 20th – New Haven, CT – Toads Place

Tickets

Thursday, October 21st – Philadelphia, PA – TLA

Tickets

Friday, October 22nd – Providence, RI – Jerkys

Tickets

Saturday, October 23rd – Portland, ME – Asylum

Sunday, October 24th – Boston, MA – Middle East

Tickets

Pharoahe Monch is on the front lines once again and this time it’s bigger than just album talk. Monch is gearing up to release his new project W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) through a partnership with Duck Down Music, while establishing his company W.A.R. Media as a viable entertainment portal. W.A.R. is the follow-up album to Pharoahe’s “Desire” project from 2007. Fans can expect what they’ve come to love from Pharoahe on the new LP; complex rapping techniques that are both intricate and intelligent.

Monch states, “I’m incredibly excited about my upcoming release W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) and my new partnership between my company W.A.R. Media, LLC, and Duck Down Music. This album deals with conflicts and resolutions of the spirit, the soul, the government, and the industry among other things. Thus far it features Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid, Jean Grae, Styles P, Phonte, Black Thought, with more to come. It also features production from M-Phazes, Marco Polo, Mike Low, Fatin, Lee Stone, Exile and others to be announced. I am working diligently to finish the work for a summer release and I am honored to join forces with the Duck Down family during their 15 year anniversary.”

For fans and writers in Austin, TX, catch Pharoahe Monch live in concert during Duck Down’s 15 Year Anniversary SXSW Showcase at The Scoot Inn, on Friday, March 19th. Doors are open at 8PM. The Scoot Inn is located on 1308 East 4th Street.

Pharoahe Monch will also join Slaughterhouse for a Canadian Tour starting in early April.

April 3 Saint John, NB Evolution Nightclub
April 4 St. John’s, NF Club One
April 5 Halifax, NS Paragone Theatre
April 7 Ottawa, ON Ritual Nightclub
Aprill 8 Toronto, ON Venue TBC
April 9 Cornwall, ON Rangatangs Nightclub
April 10 Montreal, QC Telus Theatre
April 12 Thunder Bay, ON Roxys Nightclub
April 13 Winnipeg, MB Pyramid Cabaret
April 14 Saskatoon, SK Odeon Events Centre
April 15 Calgary, AB The Whiskey Nightclub
April 16 Edmonton, AB Starlite Room
April 17 Lethbridge, AB Venue TBC
Aprl 18 Nelson, BC Spirit Bar
April 21 Victoria, BC Element
April 22 Vancouver, BC Venue TBC