Rapper SunN.Y. Turns Bet Freestyle Rhyme Victory Into Recording Deal At Virgin Records

Rapper SunN.Y. Turns Bet Freestyle Rhyme Victory Into Recording Deal At Virgin Records

Signing is Virgin Urban Music President Jermaine Dupri's First at Label

Debut Single Coming Soon; Debut Album OVERNIGHT CELEBRITY Coming In Summer 2005

NEW YORK, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Rochester, NY rapper SunN.Y. has just completed a stunning seven-week winning streak on BET's popular "106 & Park" 'Freestyle Fridays' segment by becoming the first artist signed to Virgin Records by Virgin's new President of Urban Music, Jermaine Dupri. The 22-year-old rap artist, who has lived in Atlanta for the last year, will announce the signing with Dupri on "106 & Park," which airs today from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm EST (check local listings).

"Now is the time for some new faces in rap," said Dupri. "Even if he would have lost on BET, we still would have signed him. I thought SunN.Y. adapted well to the format of the show. He was prepared for any beat that DJ Enuff threw on, or whatever rhymes his opponents came with. He brings a freshness to hip-hop."

SunN.Y. will immediately go into Dupri's Southside Studios in Atlanta, where the two will collaborate on his debut album, OVERNIGHT CELEBRITY, which will be released this summer. A single will be on the streets within the next three to four weeks.

As an independent producer, Dupri produced three Number One hits from the top-selling album of 2004, LaFace/Arista artist Usher's Confessions. He also helmed Usher's massive take-off in 1997 with his productions of "My Way," "You Make Me Wanna ... " and the Billboard pop Number One hit "Nice & Slow." In addition, Dupri produced and co-wrote the Number One pop smash "U Got It Bad" from Usher's 8701 album.

SunN.Y. is handling all the attention and rapid succession of events well: "This is all like a dream come true; like waking up on Christmas morning," he said. "I feel like I'm going from high school to the pros. If there's a chance for my voice to be heard, I want to do it." He names the following as some of his musical influences -- Nas (whose classic Illmatic album inspired him to write his first rhymes); Beastie Boys (whose beats he used to rhyme over as a child in Rochester); Jay-Z and P. Diddy.


Source: Virgin Records

CONTACT: Marlynn Snyder, +1-212-786-8318,
marlynn.snyder@virgin-records.com; or Patti Conte, +1-212-786-8350,
patti.conte@virgin-records.com both of Virgin Records

Web site: http://www.virginrecords.com/


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