A Full Schedule in 2009 For Interdependent Media

(February 11, 2009 - Brooklyn, NY) With 2008 already a fading memory, there's a good chance you're going to need a fresh supply of music to hold you down in 2009. Interdependent Media has you covered with a full slate of brand new releases, including albums from Finale, Tanya Morgan, Truthlive, K'Naan, and Canibus.

First out of the gate, Detroit up-and-comer Finale is charged to set the rap world abuzz with his debut effort A Pipe Dream & A Promise. Dropping April 7, A Pipe Dream & A Promise finds Finale spitting vocal barbs over elite production from the likes of J Dilla, Black Milk, Nottz, Oddissee, and more. Following on Finale's heels is the much-anticipated sophomore LP, Brooklynati, from Tanya Morgan. Comprised of Brooklyn's Von Pea and Cincinnati's Donwill and Illyas, Tanya Morgan has received critical acclaim for their debut LP Moonlighting as well as 2008's The Bridge EP. Closing out the year are exciting new releases from Truthlive, K'Naan, and Canibus. Truthlive, the emcee work of iM founder Evan Phillips, will be releasing Patience, an album produced entirely by Jake One (50 Cent, De La Soul, Freeway), while Somalia-born K'Naan, set to release his major label debut Troubador on EMI in late February, will be releasing the live album The Dusty Foot On The Road, which documents recent performances from around the world including Paris, London, New York City, Edmonton, Brisbane, and Djibouti. Finally, iM will end the year with Canibus, one of the most ferocious emcees to touch a mic, who will make a triumphant return with The C Of Tranquility.

Interdependent Media is no ordinary record label, and iM's innovative and interactive marketing and promotion methods for 2009 continue to raise the bar. To help promote the new Finale album, iM will be releasing a Super Mario Bros. themed online video game, complete with an 8-bit version of the song “One Man Show,” produced by Black Milk. Featuring Finale as the Mario of the Hip-Hop world, players who beat the game will receive an exclusive remix track. The setup for Tanya Morgan's Brooklynati release will be driven by one of the most involved and intricate marketing campaigns ever for a hip-hop release; the virtual city of Brooklynati will become a reality. The city will have an extensive website, video newscasts, a Chamber of Commerce where fans can apply for and receive Brooklynati drivers licenses, menus to the local Chinese restaurant, and its very own fledgling record store. Finally, thanks to the amazing work of artist Jamar Nicholas, fans will have the opportunity to channel their inner-child with a brand new limited-edition coloring book featuring the label's entire roster - get those crayons ready!

About Interdependent Media:

Founded in 2006 in the Bay Area by Evan Phillips, Interdependent Media has built unique strengths in the development, production, and marketing of recorded music via new methods of marketing and promotion. Armed with a comprehensive understanding of both traditional and emerging methods of marketing, iM has successfully created multi-faceted methods of raising awareness and interest in their projects. Industry veterans Ian "ID" Davis and Dominic Del Bene head operations at iM and are credited with discovering and/or developing artists such as 9th Wonder, Little Brother, Tanya Morgan, Blackalicious, Del the Funky Homosapien, the Hieroglyphics and more. In 2009, iM will be releasing multi-media projects from artists Finale, Canibus, K'naan, Truthlive, and Tanya Morgan. For more information, please visit http://www.imculture.com

The Bodega and YUME give rising stars a chance to shine

Up and coming MC's and artists looking to land the opening spot on the main stage at The 5th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival get ready. Brooklyn Bodega, the producers and creators of The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival and YUME Music have teamed up to create "Show and Prove," a competition/showcase where artists who think they have what it takes to rock the biggest crowd in Brooklyn can show and prove their skills.

The "Show and Prove" competition will give artists from all over Brooklyn, New York City, the United States and ultimately the world a chance to open up the 5th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival on June 20th, 2009.

"Show and Prove" will take place over three months - March, April, and May of 2009. At each month's event a panel of judges including Brooklyn Bodega staff will select a winner. The three winners will become the 'Show and Prove' finalists. On June 1st the winner will be announced via email, Twitter, Facebook and on BrooklynBodega.com. The winner will open the Festival as well as win a prize pack from YUME and Festival sponsors.

Wes Jackson, Executive Director of The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival, "Just as we did last year with 'Spit 16' we want to give that struggling MC a chance to shine on the big stage. This time we wanted to make the process more transparent. Let's take it back to the roots. If you are nice it is time to hit the stage and 'show and prove.' Each month key Bodega staff will be there and you will have your chance to showcase your skills and build with the producers of the Festival. We are not sitting in an ivory tower making decisions. We are right here fighting for Hip-Hop just like you. We have a track record of breaking artists from Little Brother to Lupe Fiasco to Kids In the Hall to Blu to Mickey Factz. I can't wait to find the next one."

Michael Peterson, member of the YUME movement had this to say, "To be a great MC is one thing but to be a great performer is another ball game. I've always felt that the BHF has been one of the pioneers of melding these two disciplines, from Rhymefest jumping into the crowd freestyling, to Print performing with a six-piece band, to bringing true architects of Hip Hop like Big Daddy Kane and KRS ONE to the stage. Now artists will receive a chance to really "Show & Prove" that they belong at the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival. I believe we are creating more of an opportunity for new artists to show what they can do, as well as educating them on the evolution of the music industry today. This is a global opportunity for all walks of artists to show their skill. There is no other summer festival that gives this opportunity. This is true Hip Hop."

In order to enter artists must register at www.brooklynbodega.com. Once they are registered they will be given an email where they can send their submissions. No mp3 files will be accepted. All music submissions must either be uploads (zshare, yousendit, etc.) websites, or Myspace pages. Submissions should also include live performance footage (also via upload) and additional content including bio and images.

In line with organizers desire to create a truly world class event there are also plans to create a "Show and Prove" International contest. Ebonie Jackson, Director of Production added, "As we have said time and again the Festival is not for Brooklyn, by Brooklyn, in Brooklyn. We are not creating an insular event. We want the best talent from all over the world to come to the beautiful borough of Brooklyn."

Dates and venues will be announced next week. All interested artists are encouraged to check www.brooklynbodega.com periodically for more information.

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Brooklyn Bodega are the creators and producers of the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival. They are a collective of cultural programmers, marketing professionals, writers, designers and academics dedicated to the celebration and preservation of Hip-Hop culture. Their daily musings can be found at www.brooklynbodega.com

YUME is a multi-platformed company that looks to create avenues for independent thinkers to live and experience their dreams, by providing the very best in entertainment. Encompassing Music, Art, and Fashion, YUME strives to provide the very best products and programming while redistributing all things Music, Art, and Fashion into the YUME community. YUME also has a strong youth and adult education component.