Koch Records Still Going Strong

On deck are new albums by

• Slim Thug’s Boss Hogg Outlawz
• Dubb Union (Presented by Bigg Snoop Dogg)
• Disturbing tha Peace member, I-20
• Big Pokey

One of Houston’s most popular underground hip-hop groups, Slim Thug’s Boss Hogg Outlawz are back with the release of their second Boss Hogg Outlawz album, Back By Blockular Demand (Serve & Collect 2). This album is the follow-up to 2007’s Serve & Collect. The new studio album features Slim Thug, original Boyz N Blue members PJ Tha Rap Hustla, Sir Daily, Chris Ward and Killa Kyleon, plus newer members J-Dawg, and Young Black. 

The album’s first National single “Keep It Playa,” featuring Killa Kyleon, PJ Tha Rap Hustla and (KOCH Records/Knockout Entertainment label-mate) Ray J had 20 adds first week out at urban radio.  A new video for the track (directed by Mr. Boomtown) was recently shot in Houston and will be serviced everywhere shortly.

Comprised of 3 members, Damani (from Inglewood), Bad Lucc (from Watts), Soopafly (from Long Beach), Dubb Union is the latest group in a long line of emerging artists to come out of the Doggystyle Records camp. As its chief A&R, Snoop Dogg has long prided himself in discovering and nurturing local talent and Dubb Union is no exception.

Having already appeared on Snoop’s albums Tha Blue Carpet Treatment and The Big Squeeze, the group has cultivated an underground following that’s had L.A. buzzing. With a debut album packed full of West Coast bangers and appearances by Snoop Dogg, Daz, Kurupt, and others Dubb Union is ready for its debut.

The first single, “Westurn Union” features Daz and BJ, and is shipping to radio now. A video for the single was shot and directed by Rik Cordero (The Roots, Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z) and will be serviced to networks soon.

“The most aggressive, highly-underrated MC in the game” – Ludacris

I-20 has one of the deepest and most imposing voices in hip-hop. He met a pre-stardom Ludacris in 1997, which led to his membership in the multi-platinum rapper’s Disturbing tha Peace collective. A featured spot on the Ludacris-led single “Move B****” proved to be a crucial moment for deep-voiced Southern rapper. I-20 quickly went to work on and released his debut solo album, Self Explanatory, the following year. The album scanned over 100,000 units.

With his second solo endeavor Blood In The Water, I-20 showcases his distinct baritone voice and southern hardcore wit.  Powered by the lead single and video, “Down South,” I-20 is back and once again taking his place among the best of Atlanta’s hardcore rappers.

Big Pokey hooked up with DJ Screw in the early ’90s and started dropping rhymes on the DJ’s many mixtapes. His first full-length album, Hardest Pit in the Litter, appeared in late 1999. Big Pokey returned a year later with D-Game 2000, another album of mid-tempo 808-driven beats featuring several of his Houston peers as guests. In 2001 he collaborated with the Wreckshop Wolfpack for Tha Collabo. In 2005, he was featured on “Sittin’ Sidewayz” by Paul Wall which reached #93 on Billboard Top 100.

Big Pokey’s new album Evacuation Notice features Lil Keke, Paul Wall, Slim Thug, Z-Ro, Trae, Big Moe and Bun B.  Evacuation Notice is the prequel to Pokey’s next KOCH Records release, Hurricane Sensei, due later this year.