Blacksmith Records
Encyclopedia
Blacksmith Music is a record label
headed by Harlem born Corey Smyth and Talib Kweli
of Black Star
. Signees include Jean Grae
, Strong Arm Steady and Idle Warship and Kweli has stated he hopes to sign Camp Lo
and had expressed interest in Rakim
. Talib Kweli announced that there will be a 'BlackSmith TV' where people will get information about the label. The label was originally distributed through Warner Bros. Records
but split in December 2008. Talib did confirm to AllHipHop.com that Warner Bros. would still distribute Reflection Eternal
& Talib Kweli projects but not any other Blacksmith acts. It's now believed that the label has distribution through Element 9/Fontana
with Strong Arm Steady latest project and Idle Warship's upcoming debut album said to have distribution through them. http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.16776/title.idle-warship-to-release-lp-habits-of-the-heart-on-october-24th
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
headed by Harlem born Corey Smyth and Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
of Black Star
Black Star (hip hop group)
Black Star is a hip hop duo composed of Mos Def and Talib Kweli.-History:Black Star arose from the underground movement of the late 1990s, which was in large part due to Rawkus Records, an independent record label stationed in New York City. They released one self titled album...
. Signees include Jean Grae
Jean Grae
Jean Grae , born November 26, 1976 is an American hip hop artist who hails from South Africa. She rose to prominence in the underground hip-hop scene in New York City, and has since built an international fanbase.- Early life :...
, Strong Arm Steady and Idle Warship and Kweli has stated he hopes to sign Camp Lo
Camp Lo
Camp Lo is an American hip hop duo, formed in 1995, which hails from The Bronx, New York. The duo consists of rappers Sonny Cheeba and Geechi Suede , both of Muslim upbringing.-Career:...
and had expressed interest in Rakim
Rakim
William Michael Griffin Jr. , known by his stage names Rakim , Rakim Allah, R.A.K.I.M., and The Master, is an American rapper. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and most skilled emcees of all time. Eric B...
. Talib Kweli announced that there will be a 'BlackSmith TV' where people will get information about the label. The label was originally distributed through Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
but split in December 2008. Talib did confirm to AllHipHop.com that Warner Bros. would still distribute Reflection Eternal
Reflection Eternal
Reflection Eternal is a hip hop duo composed of emcee Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek. They released their first album, Train of Thought, in 2000...
& Talib Kweli projects but not any other Blacksmith acts. It's now believed that the label has distribution through Element 9/Fontana
Fontana Distribution
Fontana Distribution is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group that was launched in 2004, which deals in distribution, as well as in a range of sales, marketing, and back office support services, for a diverse roster of independent record labels and their artists. The company takes its name and logo...
with Strong Arm Steady latest project and Idle Warship's upcoming debut album said to have distribution through them. http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.16776/title.idle-warship-to-release-lp-habits-of-the-heart-on-october-24th
Artists
- Talib KweliTalib KweliTalib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
- Jean GraeJean GraeJean Grae , born November 26, 1976 is an American hip hop artist who hails from South Africa. She rose to prominence in the underground hip-hop scene in New York City, and has since built an international fanbase.- Early life :...
- Strong Arm SteadyStrong Arm SteadyStrong Arm Steady, often referred to as SAS, is a rap/hip hop group in California's underground hip hop scene. As of December 2009, the act consists of members Mitchy Slick of San Diego, California, and Phil Da Agony and probably the most visually distinct member, Krondon, who is albinistic...
(Krondon, Mitchy SlickMitchy SlickMitchy Slick is an American rapper from the Lincoln Park neighborhood of San Diego, CA. He is a member of the group Strong Arm Steady, along with rappers Phil Da Agony and Krondon. He performs solo with three albums already released in addition to many collaborations...
, Phil da Agony) - AnjulieAnjulieAnjulie is the stage of name of Anjulie Persaud, a Canadian singer/songwriter from Oakville, Ontario Canada, a suburb outside of Toronto. She was born and raised in Canada, and her parents are from Guyana of Indian descent. She is the youngest of four children. Anjulie is a self-described music...
- Idle WarshipIdle WarshipIdle Warship is a musical duo composed of Brooklyn emcee Talib Kweli and Philadelphia singer Res, Res has appeared on each Talib Kweli album since 2000's Train of Thought. They have also toured together, including on the summer 2005 MGD Flavor 2 Savor mini-tour. They released their debut mixtape,...
Releases
- 2006: Blacksmith: The Movement
- 2007: Talib KweliTalib KweliTalib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
& MadlibMadlibOtis Jackson Jr. in Oxnard, California, known professionally as Madlib, is a Los Angeles-based DJ, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, and music producer...
- LiberationLiberation (Talib Kweli and Madlib album)Liberation is a collaboration between Talib Kweli and Madlib. It was made available as a free download from Stones Throw's Rappcats website, and Kweli and Madlib's MySpace pages for the first week of 2007, beginning New Year's Eve 2007. It was removed about a week later... - 2007: Talib KweliTalib KweliTalib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
- EardrumEardrum (album)Eardrum is the fourth solo album from American hip hop artist Talib Kweli. The album was his Warner Bros. Records debut with his first album on his own label, Blacksmith Records. It was engineered by Joel Hamilton, Ryan Kennedy, Mike Houge and Dave Dar. Eardrum was released on August 21, 2007 on... - 2008: Jean GraeJean GraeJean Grae , born November 26, 1976 is an American hip hop artist who hails from South Africa. She rose to prominence in the underground hip-hop scene in New York City, and has since built an international fanbase.- Early life :...
& 9th Wonder9th WonderPatrick Douthit , better known as 9th Wonder is a hip hop record producer, record executive, DJ, professor, and lyricist from Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.A. He began his career as the main producer for the hip hop group Little Brother, and has also worked with Mary J...
- JeaniusJeaniusJeanius is a collaboration album by female rapper Jean Grae and former Little Brother producer 9th Wonder. Scheduled for release as early as 2004, the album was delayed for unknown reasons and has since been heavily bootlegged on the internet. The album was released on July 8, 2008, on Talib... - 2009: Idle WarshipIdle WarshipIdle Warship is a musical duo composed of Brooklyn emcee Talib Kweli and Philadelphia singer Res, Res has appeared on each Talib Kweli album since 2000's Train of Thought. They have also toured together, including on the summer 2005 MGD Flavor 2 Savor mini-tour. They released their debut mixtape,...
- Party Robot - 2010: Reflection EternalReflection EternalReflection Eternal is a hip hop duo composed of emcee Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek. They released their first album, Train of Thought, in 2000...
(Talib KweliTalib KweliTalib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
& Hi-TekHi-TekTony Cottrell, better known as Hi-Tek, is an American record producer and rapper from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is best known for his work with Talib Kweli on his Reflection Eternal album and on Black Star...
) - Revolutions Per MinuteRevolutions per Minute (Reflection Eternal album)Revolutions per Minute is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Reflection Eternal, released May 18, 2010, on Blacksmith Records and Rawkus Records... - 2011: Talib KweliTalib KweliTalib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
- Gutter RainbowsGutter RainbowsGutter Rainbows is the fourth solo album from American hip hop artist Talib Kweli. The album will be the first to be released by his imprint Talibra. The album was originally intended to be released in only a digital format. However, on November 16th, 2010, it was announced that Duck Down Records... - 2011: Strong Arm SteadyStrong Arm SteadyStrong Arm Steady, often referred to as SAS, is a rap/hip hop group in California's underground hip hop scene. As of December 2009, the act consists of members Mitchy Slick of San Diego, California, and Phil Da Agony and probably the most visually distinct member, Krondon, who is albinistic...
- Arms & HammersArms & HammersArms & Hammers is the third studio album by the American hip hop group Strong Arm Steady, released in February 22, 2011, on Blacksmith Records/Element 9. The production was handled by many names, like DJ Khalil, Nottz, Jelly Roll, Blaqthoven and Terrace Martin...
Upcoming Albums
- 2011: Idle WarshipIdle WarshipIdle Warship is a musical duo composed of Brooklyn emcee Talib Kweli and Philadelphia singer Res, Res has appeared on each Talib Kweli album since 2000's Train of Thought. They have also toured together, including on the summer 2005 MGD Flavor 2 Savor mini-tour. They released their debut mixtape,...
- Habits Of The Heart http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.16776/title.idle-warship-to-release-lp-habits-of-the-heart-on-october-24th - 2011: Talib KweliTalib KweliTalib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
- Prisoner of Consciousness - 2011: Jean GraeJean GraeJean Grae , born November 26, 1976 is an American hip hop artist who hails from South Africa. She rose to prominence in the underground hip-hop scene in New York City, and has since built an international fanbase.- Early life :...
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