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This is my first book written as Wilfred Kanu Jr., published on August 11th, 2009 by Soul Asylum Poetry and Publishing in Ontario, Canada nearly a year after the release of my debut album, “While I’m Still Young – The Talking Drums.” Along with publishing this book, a revamped version of my debut album entitled, “While I’m Still Young – The Talking Drums 1.2v” was released.
The album and book accompanied each other. The artwork was designed by Shane Reed of Reed Photography of Ontario, Canada. The new album features four new songs produced by JUNO Award winner Eddie Bullen. This revamped version is intended to be less explicit than the original version. The most precise song from the debut album was removed, but its lyrics are illustrated in the book.
Also, the African mask on the cover of the debut album was designed to a fiery one. The flaming mask was used on both the book and album covers. The 2009 album featured four new singles: “Look At Me Now,” “While I’m Still Young II,” “Providence” – feat. five-time Grammy Award winner Carvin Winans and “Franklin.”
Also remixed on the album were the 2008 hit singles: “City Boy,” “Strangers” and “How Would I Know” feat. Jay NY. The record is physically and digitally distributed through Ghetto Breed Entertainment and Double K Records in both New Jersey, USA and Ontario, Canada respectively. One can also download the full album through Napster, iTunes, Double K Records digital store and Amazon, Spotify and TIDAL.
Guest features include Reggae singer Winnie Culture, Rock and Roll singer David Butler, R&B singer Jay NY, JUNO award winners Diane Seaton & Liberty Silver, New Jersey rappers Filthy Rich, Quality, Chris Cruz, R&B singer S. Davis and 5 time Grammy award winner, Carvin Winans.
Concept
“My Book of Chrymes” has never been done before. Before this, no Hip Hop artist had authored a book without a ghostwriter and then released it with an accompanying studio album. So what is this book about? For those who have not read it yet, “My Book of Chrymes” is a non-fiction chronicle of my abrasive childhood experiences.
It unearthed intense life or death moments in my life that inspired the gritty lyrics which are intrinsically woven into my album, “While I’m Still Young – The Talking Drums 1.2v”. It presents readers with an insight of the inevitable pitfalls I avoided along my musical journey. The aim is to get my fans to understand the context of his lyrics.
Careful not to be categorized as just another gangster rapper but also determined to tell my street story through lyrics that often revolve around loyalty, romance, and violence, to explicate the inspiration of the album.
Background
I recalled my debut album from its previous distributors (Soulkiss Entertainment/dep/Universal Music Canada) on January 23rd, 2009 after they breach our distribution contract. Upon this recall, I established a new marketing, promotion, and distribution department (Ghetto Breed Distributions) in my record label and re-branded my imprint as Freddy Will Industries.
The branded company was now a parent company to Ghetto Breed Entertainment, Freddy Will Publishing, Ghetto Breed Distributions (including this blog and a ten-page website plus social network as our marketing and promotional avenues) and – Freddy Will Hope Foundation.
I also signed a joint publishing and distribution contract with Soul Asylum Poetry and Publishing & Double K Records in Ontario, Canada and completed my first manuscript to be published and released as this book.
Reception
Both “My Book of Chrymes” and “While I’m Still Young – The Talking Drums 1.2v” were received with positive feedback from the media, magazines and internet newspapers across the world. Many people have been very thrilled by the story in the book.
Singles
“Look At Me Now” – is the first single from the new album. It was released on March 22nd, 2009. Produced by Eddie Bullen of Thunder Dome Sounds in Toronto, Canada. This song received a substantial amount of streaming and downloads throughout the internet with radio play in the Caribbean, West Africa, Canada, Europe, and the USA.
“While I’m Still Young II” – was the second single released on July 4th, 2009. It was also produced by Eddie Bullen of Thunder Dome Sounds in Toronto, Canada with additional vocals by Aya Music. This song also received a substantial amount of streaming and downloads throughout the internet with radio plays in the Caribbean, West Africa, Canada, Europe, and the USA.
“Providence” Feat. Carvin Winans – the third single released on September 23rd, 2009, produced by Eddie Bullen of Thunder Dome Sounds in Toronto, Canada with additional vocals by five-time Grammy award winner Carvin Winans. It received a substantial amount of streaming and downloads throughout the internet with massive radio play in West Africa, Canada, Europe, and the USA.
“Franklin” – the fourth single released off “While I’m Still Young – The Talking Drums 1.2v”. on December 15th, 2009 produced by Eddie Bullen of Thunder Dome Sounds in Toronto, Canada. It is a tribute song to Franklin, New Jersey my hometown in the United States. This song also received a substantial amount of streaming and downloads through the internet with radio play in the Caribbean, West Africa, Canada, Europe, and the USA. *
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