AMERICAN GANGSTA INTRODUCES NEW MUSIC FROM BOYZ N DA HOOD, YUNG JOC, GORILLA ZOE AND JODY BREEZE

04.03.07

Block Enterprises Russell "Block" Spencer has teamed up with The Aphilliates and DJ Drama for the Hottest Mixtape to come out of the South, American Gangsta: Gangsta Grillz Special Edition. American Gangsta is the first release from Atlanta-based Block Enterprises' renewed joint venture with Diddy's Bad Boy South Records and will introduce the newest Block Enterprises signing, Gorilla Zoe. Zoe, the newest member of the hip hop supergroup Boyz N Da Hood, makes his Block Enterprises debut on American Gangsta with a self-titled track featuring the man himself, Russell "Block" Spencer.

American Gangsta features tracks from the new Boyz N Da Hood album "Back Up N Da Chevy", including "Everybody Know Me," and "Bite Down". (due out June 12), Yung Joc's new album Hustlenomics (due out in July 10), a solo track from Jody Breeze and hard-hitting features from Rick Ross, Jeezy, Big Kuntry and T.I.

The Atlanta-based Block Enterprises and Bad Boy South first joined forces for the 2005 release of the debut album from Boyz N Da Hood, which premiered at #1 on both Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts, while entering the Billboard 200 at #5.

With the success of Boyz N Da Hood under their belts, the two labels formalized their partnership in early 2006. The new joint venture made an impressive premiere with the smash debut album from Yung Joc, "NEW JOC CITY," which also scored the #1 spot on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts, while debuting at #3 on the Billboard 200. Now nearing the RIAA platinum mark, "NEW JOC CITY" includes the #1 singles, "It's Goin' Down" and "I Know You See It."

A native of Atlanta, Russell "Block" Spencer first made his mark at Suave House Records, where he oversaw projects for 8Ball & MJG, Tela, and Crime Boss. Following a lengthy stint as head of A&R for Noontime Records, he and producer Jazze Pha established ShoNuff Records, home of crunk R&B sensation Ciara. Block's impeccable ear for new talent and boundless creativity in artist development caught the attention of Diddy as Bad Boy set its sights on the South. Block soon became Diddy's right hand man below the Mason Dixon line. The success of hip-hop super group Boyz N Da Hood introduced Block Enterprises to the mainstream and also catapulted the career of rapper Young Jeezy, who has enjoyed phenomenal success since the release of Boyz N Da Hood's debut album in 2005.

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