by Ryan from Ohio » Sun Mar 13, 2005 8:59 pm
http://www.dailytimesleader.com/article ... news04.txt
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Local Hip-hop artist signs with Jive Records Friday
By: CLAIRE STONE, Daily Times Leader
Hip-hop history was made Friday as local rap artist Michael Angelo Thomas, 28, signed with Jive Record's Zomba Recording Corporation during a press conference held in West Point.
Thomas thanked his friends at LoKee Entertainment, LLC, Carlos Walker and the late Derrick Brantley, his parents and God as he signed the contract. He also expressed his thanks to Randolph Walker Jr. who, along with attorney Julian Haffner of Washington, D.C., negotiated the contracts for him.
"I'm a little nervous," Thomas humbly stated Friday. "I've never done anything like this before, but I want to say that I'm blessed. I'm just thankful for all of the people who supported me and helped to make this happen." Randy Walker stated, "This is a great day for both Clay County and Mississippi. We are now officially on the map when it comes to the hip-hop industry."
Thomas' abilities as a rapper were discovered by LoKee Records creator Brantley and his friend Carlos Walker in 1997. Following Brantley's untimely death in 2001, Walker chose not to let his friend's dream die and continued pushing forward with Thomas. LoKee Records went on to sell over 50,000 units of their various projects, making them the most successful underground rap label in Mississippi. Thomas is now serving as co-CEO of Lokee Records alongside Walker. The son of Angelo Gilliyett and Mary Blair, Thomas is best known for such local radio hits as "My Mississippi" and "Ganksta Walk." Thomas now joins Usher, Justin Timberlake, R. Kelly and Britney Spears in the Jive family.
Thomas and Walker invite the community to celebrate the signing on Aug. 14 at Marshall Park for the First Annual LoKee Entertainment Kids Day.
[url]http://www.dailytimesleader.com/articles/2004/08/09/news/news04.txt[/url]
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Local Hip-hop artist signs with Jive Records Friday
By: CLAIRE STONE, Daily Times Leader
Hip-hop history was made Friday as local rap artist Michael Angelo Thomas, 28, signed with Jive Record's Zomba Recording Corporation during a press conference held in West Point.
Thomas thanked his friends at LoKee Entertainment, LLC, Carlos Walker and the late Derrick Brantley, his parents and God as he signed the contract. He also expressed his thanks to Randolph Walker Jr. who, along with attorney Julian Haffner of Washington, D.C., negotiated the contracts for him.
"I'm a little nervous," Thomas humbly stated Friday. "I've never done anything like this before, but I want to say that I'm blessed. I'm just thankful for all of the people who supported me and helped to make this happen." Randy Walker stated, "This is a great day for both Clay County and Mississippi. We are now officially on the map when it comes to the hip-hop industry."
Thomas' abilities as a rapper were discovered by LoKee Records creator Brantley and his friend Carlos Walker in 1997. Following Brantley's untimely death in 2001, Walker chose not to let his friend's dream die and continued pushing forward with Thomas. LoKee Records went on to sell over 50,000 units of their various projects, making them the most successful underground rap label in Mississippi. Thomas is now serving as co-CEO of Lokee Records alongside Walker. The son of Angelo Gilliyett and Mary Blair, Thomas is best known for such local radio hits as "My Mississippi" and "Ganksta Walk." Thomas now joins Usher, Justin Timberlake, R. Kelly and Britney Spears in the Jive family.
Thomas and Walker invite the community to celebrate the signing on Aug. 14 at Marshall Park for the First Annual LoKee Entertainment Kids Day.