Midwest hip-hop legend joins [301STUDIOS] family of artists

Midwest hip-hop legend joins [301STUDIOS] family of artists

25 March, 2008 | 6.21PM

• Section: Music News
• Written by: [301STUDIOS]

[301STUDIOS] (Independent record label, Minneapolis, MN) is proud to announce a new addition to it’s eclectic artist roster: Midwest hip-hop legend, Rek The Heavyweight (aka Spawn formerly of Atmosphere).

This signing is the fruition of long-time admiration and equal respect amongst both parties.

Future plans in this artist/label agreement include the April 1st, 2008 digital re-release of Rek’s two solo LP’s, 2001’s “The Present” and 2005’s “Timeless” (both of which are currently out of print). These two classics will also be made exclusive to beatsource.com for a limited time. Beyond this, a brand new digital EP and physical LP (which very well could be Rek’s final albums) are in the not-too-distant future. Followed of course by the obvious, touring!

Read more about Rek The Heavyweight on the front page of the [301STUDIOS] web site in the “Featured Artist” section (or in the “Artists” section) and listen to preview tracks on the pop-up [301RADIO] music player, or on the [301STUDIOS] MySpace page.

Rek The Heavyweight (Hip-Hop)

Rek The Heavyweight grew up south Minneapolis, Minnesota, in a household full of music lovers (his Mother and Father both being pianists). Music flowing through the house ranged from Duke Ellington to Earth Wind and Fire. Fast forward… Rek (Derek Turner) would become Presto, one member (along with Saddiq) of the Breakin’ Angels and would make his splash popping and breaking. 1983 would be the year that Presto would accept the moniker of Rek and pen lyrics for the first time. He, along with King IXL and another peer, Omar, would form the MC/DJ crew 3 Tuh Get Ready. The threesomes’ highlight would become performing with A Tribe Called Quest. Six years later in 1989 he and Sean Daley would become D. Spawn and Sluggo, forming Urban Atmosphere.

The two would begin performing live in 1993, brushing shoulders with Gage S. Lockhart and Brent Sayers. Eventually passion and concentrated effort between Spawn, Slug, Ant and Saddiq would result in the classic Atmosphere release, “Overcast”. Paths that lay ahead would result in Rek branching off to pursue his own artistic vision. The track “Timeless” was dug up, blown off and re-released as a homage to his past and remains moving even today. It is one of, if not the first notable track to define Rek’s ear for beats and his production style. He dove into his roots, piano, hip-hop and soul music and dedicated himself to the musical production and sound of hip-hop.


Welcome to TheFutureOfMusic.

[301STUDIOS] is an independent record label that had it’s beginnings in the year 2003, with it’s home base in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Our mission, through close artist development tactics, is to bring amazing underground music to the forefront of mainstream media with help from other small companies like ours… With your help, we can build a lasting, strong, independent music community.

• (0) Comments
• (52) Views
• Check out Rek The Heavyweight on Beatsource