Planet Asia helped jump-start the West Coast independent hip-hop movement, releasing a slew of popular 12-inch singles on upstarts like Stones Throw and ABB Records in the late 90s that established him as one of the leaders of a crop of talent that included the likes of Dilated Peoples, Madlib, Murs, and Jurassic 5. Now a 15-year veteran, the Cali-based MC (born in Fresno, he's spent most of his career living in Los Angeles and San Francisco) shows no signs of slowing down. The first decade of the new millennium saw Asia briefly sign with major label Interscope, go independent again for his debut album The Grand Opening, release full-length collaborative projects with both Evidence of Dilated Peoples (The Medicine) and DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill (Pain Language), form his own label (Gold Chain Music), and work with everyone from Linkin Park to Bun B to Ghostface Killah. Now, Planet Asia is back with his first retail album in four years, the star-studded Black Belt Theatre, which hits stores everywhere via Gold Chain/Wandering Worx/Greenstreets on February 28th, 2012. Named after a 1980s Saturday-afternoon TV show and inspired by Planet Asia's favorite films, Black Belt Theatre combines the violent precision of classic kung-fu flicks with the calculated cool of classic blaxploitation movies. "I wanted to make the album like a movie, something you would see in a theater," says Asia. "That's why it has so many features. All the guests feel like different characters in the movie." These guests include veterans like Raekwon, Talib Kweli, Paul Wall, Ras Kass, Camp Lo, and Strong Arm Steady, as well as newcomers like Fashawn, Willie The Kid, Torae, and Nio Tha Gift. "They're basically just all people I thought were dope," says Asia. "Both young cats I'm feeling and veterans I've always admired." Unlike on his albums with Evidence and DJ Muggs, Asia also got to determine the sonic direction on Black Belt Theatre, resulting in a soul-heavy, blaxploitation-influenced sound. "It was fun because I got to reach out to guys like Oh No and Khrysis for beats, find the best tracks and put together a masterpiece," explains Asia. "It's some esoteric gangster shit…a full plate for the listener." Tracklisting and credits for Planet Asia’s “Black Belt Theatre”: 1.) “Lost And Found” (produced by Khrysis) 2.) “Grown Folks Talkin’” f/ Talib Kweli (produced by Dirtydiggs) 3.) “Tell The World” (produced by Dirtydiggs) 4.) “All Mine” f/ Paul Wall (produced by Twiz The Beat Pro) 5.) “No Apologies” f/ Raekwon (produced by Oh No) 6.) “F*ck Rapers” f/ Fashawn & Willie The Kid (produced by Dirtydiggs) 7.) “Diamond Life” f/ Camp Lo (produced by Dirtydiggs) 8.) “Furniture” (produced by Dirtydiggs) 9.) “Mach One (produced by Dirtydiggs) 10.) “Daggers And Darts” f/ Rogue Venom & Tristate (produced by Dirtydiggs) 11.) “Bruce Lee” f/ Chace Infinite & Rasco (produced by Soulprofessa) 12.) “Golden State” (produced by Dirtydiggs) 13.) “Coons” f/ Killer Ben (produced by Dirtydiggs) 14.) “The Line Of Fire” f/ Krondon, Phil Da Agony & Picaso (produced by Brisk Oner) 15.) “Big Fish” (produced by Twiz The Beat Pro) 16.) “External Motives” f/ The Jacka & Mitchy Slick (produced by Twiz The Beat Pro) 17.) “Classical” f/ Ras Kass, Torae & Jasiri X (produced by Religion) 18.) “Stay Ready” f/ Mistah Fab, Dengee & Mo The Gift (produced by Oh No) 19.) “Whirlwind Patterns” (produced by Religion) 20.) “Dogon Outro” (produced by Dirtydiggs)

Heavy is the head that wears the crown! Over the course of his now decade long-career, Copywrite has been a lightning rod of controversy, engaged in numerous beefs (some of which have lived out in real time and not just on the microphone). Yet, in life, lessons are learned, you grow and mature; and above all else life has a way of imparting upon you what’s truly important. For Copywrite, the devastation he felt from the loss of close friends and family members has heavily impacted his view of the world and his place in it. Leaders are bestowed a great deal of responsibility and they can influence those around them to do the right things, or they can lead them astray; Copywrite has chosen the former as his path. [more] Following the successes of his debut LP (“The High Exhaulted”) and his most recent sophomore album (“The Life and Times of Peter Nelson”), Copywrite found himself at a crossroad. He had first become popular in the underground scene for his battle raps and witty punch lines. With the release of “Life and Times of Peter Nelson” Copywrite found critical success (XXL Magazine, Hiphopdx.com, Thewellversed.com, URB.com etc) by being more honest and candid about his life. Some fans yearned for the Copywrite who ripped other rappers to shreds; while critics and newer fans appreciated the deeper more introspective side of Copywrite. Mix all of that in along with the deaths of a few close friends and family members that have taken place since “The Life and Times of Peter Nelson” was released a year ago emboldened Copywrite to strengthen himself in his faith to change his content moving forward. What this offers the listener is a true look into the artist, who like many of us, starts something one way, but finishes it in a different manner. With “God Save the King” Copywrite delivers another brutally honest record that reaches for new creative heights. “God Save The King” will be released on February 28th, 2012. Tracklisting and credits for Copywrite’s God Save The King: 1.) “Post-Apocalyptic Request Box” (produced by Jason Rose) 2.) “Love” f/ Tage Future of MHz (produced by Bronze Nazareth) 3.) “Swaggot Killaz” f/ Jakki Da Motamouth 4.) “Mouth of MHz” (produced by !llmind) 5.) “Sorrow” f/ Illogic & Don Jaga (produced by Stu Bangas) 6.) “Man Made” f/ Rockness Monstah of Heltah Skeltah (produced by Jason Rose) 7.) “J.O.Y.” f/ Jason Rose & Torae (produced by Jason Rose) 8.) “Union Rights” f/ MHz (produced by Khrysis) 9.) “Yo! MTV Raps! (Money for Nothing)” f/ Jason Rose (produced by Jason Rose) 10.) “Blue Ribbon” (produced by Bronze Nazareth) 11.) “Miracle” (produced by S.G. on the Traxxx) 12.) “G$K” (produced by Stu Bangas) 13.) “Workahol” (produced by Stu Bangas) 14.) “White Democrats” f/ Mac Lethal (produced by Jason Rose) 15.) “Golden State (Of Mind)” f/ Evidence, Roc Marciano & Casual (produced by Vanderslice) 16.) “Synesthesia” (produced by RJD2) 17.) “Got to Make It” f/ Tage Future (produced by Stu Bangas) 18.) “Talk With Jesus” (produced by Poetiq Beetz)

DuBose Music Group's recording artist Joshua Gunn prepares for his debut mix tape release “Faithful Struggle”! Executive VP of DuBose Music Group MC Lyte says “I'm in great anticipation for the world to hear Joshua Gunn. His lyrics cut through and are worthy of acknowledgment. I'm excited for him and his career"! “Carolina Blue” is the second leak from from the North Carolina representative’s upcoming debut mix-tape, “Faithful Struggle,” which will be dropping in early 2012 and with his beloved Tar Heels poised to make yet another NCAA title run, what better way to show his Carolina Pride then this ode to Tobacco Road.