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

NEW YORK (Virgin Records) - 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.