
NEW
YORK (Clear Channel) - Arkansas rap artists, "Official-1" will perform
live February 26, 2005 at the Clear Channel Metroplex Event Center. The
performance is scheduled in conjunction with Clear Channel's first
all-day
Black History celebration - the Midsouth Summit
Black Expo. The
event's mission is to disseminate vital information in key areas, such
as health, business, education, and entertainment within the black
community. The University of Arkansas for Medical Services and a host
of other local sponsors have aligned together with Clear Channel to
host this historical event (see
www.fox16.com for further details).
"We'd
love to participate and give any needed help to the community that we
can", states Minthone Washington, spokesman and senior member of
Official-1 Management. Washington sees great opportunity for Arkansas'
many up and coming recording artists. He feels the Expo will give
needed attention to
Little Rock's emerging music scene. Official-1 has
been recognized nationally for producing/performing official
soundtracks for HBO, received countless top-rated reviews from local
and national publications, and has opened up shows for Jermain Taylor
(ESPN Boxing),
Lil' Jon & Tha Eastside Boys, Chingy, Tyrese, Trick
Daddy, and many others. In spite of this, the national spotlight has
yet to remain emitted in terms of music in Arkansas. Official-1 is
hoping that this year's Midsouth Summit
Black Expo will help to change
that.
Currently, Official-1 has just released the latest solo
debut CD from its artist Ball Jones, entitled, "I'm Is Ball Jones" and
an underground Official-1 mix-tape CD, both are available in local
record stores (see
www.official1records.com
for more information). In addition to CD releases, Official-1 is
also(1) negotiating a marketing deal with worldwide athletic footwear
manufacturer, Reebok, Inc., (2) creating a state-wide non-profit
children's fitness program called, "Official Kids", (3) establishing an
independent record label coalition for Arkansas-based recording artists
with respect to all music genres, (4) and spearheading a state-wide
HIV/AIDS prevention campaign, "Make It Official... GET TESTED!" in
mid-spring 2005.
Official-1 performs live February 26, 2005 at
Clear Channel's Midsouth South
Black Expo in West
Little Rock's Clear
Channel Metroplex Entertainment Center. Admission is free (see
www.fox16.com for complete details).