Gucci Mane Inks With Asylum/Atlantic And Forms New Label

[Damien J.]

Gucci Mane, the critically acclaimed underground rapper, has joined Asylum/Atlantic Records via a pact with his new label, So Icey and production company Czar Entertainment. The Atlanta-based artist's first album for the label, his third overall, is slated for release this summer. Among those featured on the new album are Pimp C, Rich Boy, and R&B group Silk, with production from Zaytoven, Nitty, Shorty Red, Butta, and SupaSonics.

"It was a great coup for us to land Gucci Mane," said Todd Moscowitz, President of Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group (ILG). "He's one of the most charismatic and acclaimed rappers on the street, with an extraordinary life story and the authenticity and talent to back it up."

"Gucci has been writing poetry and stories since he was ten years old, and it shows in the creativity and depth of his music. He is a brilliant rapper and a fantastic character who is injecting real originality and humor into the hip-hop landscape," said Atlantic Chairman/CEO Craig Kallman. "Since releasing his first album two years ago, he has emerged as a compelling true-life storyteller with a unique voice and undeniable star power. I am thrilled to welcome Gucci and his So Icey label into the Atlantic and Asylum family."

Born Radric Davis in Birmingham, Alabama, Gucci Mane - who inherited his name from his designer clothes-loving father, known as the original Goochie Man - began writing poems and short stories in elementary school. He moved to the tough East Side of Atlanta, Georgia with his single mother, a schoolteacher, when he was in the fourth grade. By the age of 14, he was already in the studio recording his first songs.

Gucci Mane's debut single, "Black Tee," earned local play in Atlanta, leading to a contract with Big Cat Records. His debut album, 2005's "TRAP HOUSE," hit #1 on Billboard's "Heatseekers" chart and yielded his first national hit, the hip-hop anthem "Icy" produced by long time collaborator Zaytoven. The latter featured Young Jeezy, who subsequently engaged in a well-publicized feud with Gucci. His second album, "HARD TO KILL," was released in the fall of 2006. To date, Gucci Mane has sold half a million albums.

Gucci Mane is currently hot on the streets with the buzz records "Pills," "Bird Flu," and "Freaky Gurl."

Source: www.yoraps.com