Cincinnati, Ohio readers can listen to Lil Playy's songs on 101.1 WIZF.
Sometimes artists get linked up with well connected people in the music game. Sometimes, artists get attached to really well connected people in the game, and then a few artists align themselves with heaver hitters out of the gate. You can put new rapper Lil Playy in the last category.
Lil Playy has very recently inked a deal with super producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, and Suzanne de Passe, who helped run Motown Records along with Berry Gordy (while discovering acts like the Jackson 5). In fact, the two musical titans were so taken with Lil Playy's music, Jerkins and de Passe formed a joint partnership (Darkchild Productions and de Passe Jones Entertainment) to release Playy's music. When asked about the arrangement, and his incredible luck, Play remarked, " It's the greatest thing ever, workin' with these two. They push you all the time. They push you to be a better 'you'. I love it."
The Houston, Texas raised rapper started his career at the age of 15. He moved Northward (but still staying in the South) and ended up in Atlanta, Georgia, dropping songs and performing shows at a nightclub called the Royal Peacock. Playy talked a little about his time in Atlanta, " Atlanta's music scene was fast. I was dropping tracks at a young age. I did a lot of shows. Things went uphill from there." While performing at a show at the club, Playy caught the attention of media executive Madison Jones. Jones soon became Playy's manger, along with Larry Layfield. Just to show how long Lil Playy's been grinding, he made some noise on BET's "Hot 16 Challenge", which was produced by none other than Jermaine Dupri.
Based on the buzz in the South that the young spitta was generating, Lil Playy's management team introduced him to a producer to create a song that would be known as "My Chick Bad". As hip-hop heads know (and Top 40 fans), the song ended up being rapped by the superstar Ludacris who won a bid for the song. Playy talked about the details of the song, "I wrote the hook for the song. That was my first industry check. " The song was a huge success, and was even nominated for a Grammy earlier this year.
The success of "My Chick Bad" made Lil Playy someone to look out for, and his management team did just that. Madison Jones set up a meeting with his business partner, Suzanne de Passe. Lil Playy was then signed to the de Passe Jones Entertainment roster. Soon afterwards, de Passe Jones introduced Lil Play to none other than Rodney "Darkchild" Perkins. For those not in the know, Jerkins was the sonic architect for many of Brandy's albums, and has produced hits for Whitney Houston, Jennifer Lopez, and most recently Lada Gaga ("Telephone"). "The first day I met Rodney Jerkins, we did seven songs. Then Rodney wanted to sign me. I was 20", says Lil Playy. When asked about Jerkins hit making abilities, Play said, "Rodney finds the talent, and then makes the hits".
Those seven songs quickly multiplied to 30. The songs were then heard by Jimmy Iovine, the legendary head of Interscope Records. And guess what? Jimmy Iovine signed Lil Playy to his label as well.
Since having his (again) incredible run of luck with management and labels, Lil Playy has been very busy. His new mixtape, "Tour Bus Muzik", is available online. Playy filled in with the details " The mixtape is on my Twitter page, Facebook, and Dat Piff.com. It's been out a week and a half. The response has been crazy". He's also featured on Kelly Rowland's upcoming album on a song called "Work It Man". When asked about the Kelly collabs, Playy said, " We are on each other's albums. I’m on hers, and she has a song on mine". His debut full length album should be out "by Fall". The first official radio/digital single will be "Birthday Dress", which drops Thursday this week on YouTube's Vevo music channel. Playy even has his eye on the big screen as well. "I'm reading a film script right now", said Lil Playy. "I’m also workin' on my own clothing and hat line."
But, ultimately, what Lil Playy want's to do is "Take over the world". Lil Playy expanded on his thoughts. "I'm just trying to put on for my city. I’m flexible. There's nothing I can't do. I can do pop. I can do hardcore rap. I rap on Rodney Jerkins produced pop songs! I want people to know I can do anything".
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