S. Samuel
Bad Boy Records' CEO Diddy appears set to release his artist Red Cafe's long-awaited Shakedown debut album as the project is slated to hit store shelves this winter.
According to Cafe, the LP will finally be available in time for Valentine’s Day.
“February 14, Valentine’s Day,” Red said in an interview. “I wanted to tag it with that big holiday and just give something that the people could give as a gift — his or hers, it’s all good — We’re in a good place. I’m excited about the album. I’m happy with what we have and where I’m at musically. I’m happy with the growth…I’m really, really excited. I got some big features on there, I got some big producers as well — I’m just ready to go. I can’t wait for the tour, I can’t wait for the release. I’m just ready for everything.” (MTV)
In 2009, Diddy spoke on recruiting Red to his Bad Boy label.
“He’s a well-respected lyricist and emcee in the whole New Yorkhip-hop scene,” Diddy said in an interview about Red. “But he’s not the average New York rapper. He has something special. That’s why we signed him…We thought it would be a great idea to collaborate, to put our forces together, to ensure the success of Red’s career…He’s been hustling on the scene for, like, seven years now. Maybe longer than that. He’s just now coming into his own. It’s a 50/50 split. It’s no secret to the deal. That’s the best way to do partnerships with your friends and family. Hopefully, we can join our forces together and take Red to the place he needs to be taken to.” (MTV)
Puffy previously spoke with radio personality Jenny Boom Boom about the significance of adding Red to his label.
“As far as my track record, I’ve only worked with the best in the game,” Diddy explained. “Whether it’s from Biggie to Jadakiss to The Lox to Jay-Z, KRS-One, LL [Cool J], that’s who I’m used to working with. And so at Bad Boy, we haven’t really signed a lot of hip-hop acts. And this year, when that ball dropped, I was like focused and said I really need to find somebody that speaks the same language as Bad Boy and I can throw all this muscle behind…I’ve known him for a while and seen him mature and evolve and grow, he just has the Bad Boy attitude. He hasn’t stopped…I called Akon up, who he still has a deal with, and I tried to get some stuff together…East coast hip-hop hasn’t been up to par. What I’m saying is when it’s done right, it’s nothing like Red Cafe, it’s nothing like Biggie, it’s nothing like Nas, it’s nothing like KRS-One and Rakim, it’s nothing like that.” (Jenny Boom Boom)
Widely known on the underground market, Red built a buzz off of mixtape collaborations and a close association with DJ Envy.
Despite the label ups and downs, he was able to maintain a consistent presence in New York through its mixtape circuit, collaborating with DJ Whoo Kid, DJ Envy, Craig G, and Clinton Sparks. In 2007, the Brooklyn rapper joined rising star Akon’s boutique label Konvict Muzik. He first dropped the DJ Envy-hosted mixtape The Co-Op. (All Music)
Check out some recent Red Cafe footage below:
