In Motion
TVT Records Signs Bay Area Trio The A'z
Tuesday - July 11, 2006
After the success of E-40's My Ghetto Report Card, labels have begun to take notice of the hyphy movement that has been going on in the Bay for the past couple years. TVT Records is the latest to sign an act from the Bay -- the act being Oakland group, The A'z.
The group has just announced their signing with TVT, where they plan to release their untitled debut in 2007.
"The Hyphy movement has had a lot of heat, but not a real breakout hit act," said Steve Gottlieb, TVT Records President. "The A'z have exactly the kind of energy to make the movement huge. We see massive crossover potential with The A'z and this signing makes TVT's hip-hop catalogue truly full of coast-to-coast artists."
The A'z have enjoyed local success lately with their new anthem "Yadadamean," but the trio have been making noise since 1997. Hailing from the streets of North Oakland, East Oakland, and Southside Richmond, The A'z are made up of A.E., Speedy, and Ice, who all sporting the government name of Alex. They are formerly known as a group named 4 Deep, before switching to The A'z.
"We chose to go with TVT because we've seen how they really grind it out for
an artist," said Speedy. "They did their thing with Lil' Jon and crunk, and now it's time for the Bay Area to get some shine. We're about to bring the Yay to the next level."
The A'z were one of the first hyphy trios to get serious radio play in the Bay area and with their legion of young fans, popular rock group Smashmouth proclaimed them "The Beatles of the Bay."
— Allen Starbury
TVT Records Signs Bay Area Trio The A'z
Tuesday - July 11, 2006
After the success of E-40's My Ghetto Report Card, labels have begun to take notice of the hyphy movement that has been going on in the Bay for the past couple years. TVT Records is the latest to sign an act from the Bay -- the act being Oakland group, The A'z.
The group has just announced their signing with TVT, where they plan to release their untitled debut in 2007.
"The Hyphy movement has had a lot of heat, but not a real breakout hit act," said Steve Gottlieb, TVT Records President. "The A'z have exactly the kind of energy to make the movement huge. We see massive crossover potential with The A'z and this signing makes TVT's hip-hop catalogue truly full of coast-to-coast artists."
The A'z have enjoyed local success lately with their new anthem "Yadadamean," but the trio have been making noise since 1997. Hailing from the streets of North Oakland, East Oakland, and Southside Richmond, The A'z are made up of A.E., Speedy, and Ice, who all sporting the government name of Alex. They are formerly known as a group named 4 Deep, before switching to The A'z.
"We chose to go with TVT because we've seen how they really grind it out for
an artist," said Speedy. "They did their thing with Lil' Jon and crunk, and now it's time for the Bay Area to get some shine. We're about to bring the Yay to the next level."
The A'z were one of the first hyphy trios to get serious radio play in the Bay area and with their legion of young fans, popular rock group Smashmouth proclaimed them "The Beatles of the Bay."
— Allen Starbury
