With albums slated to drop in the first half of 2008, San Francisco based, independent label, SMC Recordings continues to diversify and grow. Formed in 2005, SMC will get a further boost on May 13th with the release of Killer Mike’s ‘I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind II’.
Following it up in July is the long awaited return of Capone-N-Noreaga. At summer’s end is a third SMC release from Pastor Troy. All titles will be distributed through Fontana / Universal in the U.S. where SMC is one of the top selling urban / hip-hop labels.
“We have the best of both worlds–the flexibility and connection to the streets of an independent label and the ability to reach the masses that major label distribution affords”, says SMC co-founder Ralph Tashjian.
Tashjian’s SMC co-principals are George Nauful, who oversees business affairs and financial operations, and young A&R star Will Bronson, who heads up artist relations. “I’m proud to be in partnership with SMC”, said Ron Spaulding, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Fontana Distribution.
SMC’s partnership with Killer Mike, who first gained notoriety appearing with OutKast and had a Billboard Top 10 album debut with 2003’s ‘Monster’, also embraces an alliance with his Atlanta-based label imprint, ‘Grind Time Official’.
Killer Mike came to SMC at the urging of another SMC artist, Pastor Troy. Troy’s third album for SMC is due out in late summer 2008. His 2007 debut for the label, ‘Tool Musiq’, outsold his previous two releases.
The latest addition to the SMC roster is the legendary New York duo Capone-N-Noreaga. The tentatively titled, ‘Report The War’, is their follow-up to the gold selling ‘The Reunion’. The album is set to drop this July.
With an efficient business model that turned a profit in the company’s second year, SMC Recordings is poised for even greater success with new titles from their roster. Last year, Billboard included SMC in its list of “Indies On The Verge – Little Labels, Poised For the Big Time”. This year, SMC will prove them right.
