So So Def CEO Jermaine Dupri
continues to build his brand, with the release of a new compilation of southern
artists and the formation of So So Def Entertainment, a new company that will
lead the mogul’s foray into television.
Jermaine Dupri Presents…Young, Fly & Flashy Vol.
1, is a new collection of up-and-coming So So Def artists paired with nationally
known southern Hip-Hop artists.
“Young, Fly & Flashy is the definition of
myself and the lifestyle of So So Def,” Dupri explained. “So So
Def has had a lot of success with compilations over the years when Lil Jon was
my A&R guy. He created the compilation series, but really focused more on
bass music. Young, Fly & Flashy is more about today’s hip-hop sound.
It’s heavy on the So So Def branding so people will know and recognize that
So So Def is still a strong presence in the streets – we’ll be here another
20 years."
In addition to the new So So Def artists, the album features appearances by
J-Kwon, Stat Quo, Pastor Troy, KP & Envy and Bun B.
Young Fly & Flashy…Vol.1 hits stores July
19.
In related news, Dupri has announced the formation of So So
Def Entertainment, which will serve as the film and television arm for the So
So Def brand.
Todd “Todd-1” Brown, who helped produced such seminal
shows as "Yo! MTV Raps!," "Rap City," "Source All Access,"
Interscope’s “The Next Episode” and others, will lead the
division.
"I am excited about Todd-1 joining the So Def family, I have watched the
moves that he has made throughout his career and we welcome his talents here,"
Dupri said.
According to Dupri, the new company has already developed a special that will
soon debut on BET titled “Welcome to Atlanta.”
Additionally, So So Def Entertainment is producing an untitled
special for VH1 and will soon release new projects spanning television, DVD
home movies and theatrical films.
"I look forward to the opportunity of expanding on such
a successful brand and taking it to the world of film and television which is
my specialty," Todd-1 said.