04/23/08 - LA Lakers' Lamar Odom Launches Label; Signs Ali Vegas

Black Superman · 04-23-2008, 04:22 PM

By Tai Saint Louis
Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom hopes to celebrate two career milestones this summer: not only his first NBA championship, but also the successful emergence of his label Rich Soil Entertainment and re-emergence of the label’s marquee artist, Ali Vegas.

Odom announced the forthcoming release of Vegas’ debut, Generation Gap 2: The Prequel, due out in August through a partnership with Asylum Records.

Featuring production by a number of Hip-Hop heavyweights, including DJ Premier, Scott Storch, Cool & Dre, and Midi Mafia and appearances by Akon, Styles P. and R&B songstress Deemi, Generation Gap 2 marks the culmination of nearly decade long career for 24-year-old Ali Vegas.

“One of my focuses was to get him the best music because that seems to be what captures people’s ear automatically,” Odom told AllHipHop.com of his childhood friend. “And [I’ll] just let Veg do the rest. He’s playing at a high skill level. The faith that we got in him is just… I mean I think he could take off right where Jay and Nas left off. I think he’s that talented.”

Since first appearing on the scene in the late 90s, the Queens native has released nine mixtapes, an independent album, and a DVD project, while being unsuccessfully signed to the rosters of both Trackmasters Entertainment/Columbia Records and Tommy Mottola’s Casablanca Records.

Still, Vegas feels that his experience ultimately gives him an edge, and believes that his not so new situation with Rich Soil Entertainment, where he has been signed since 2006, will ultimately lead to a win.

“I got creative control over everything,” Ali Vegas, the self-proclaimed Prince of New York, told AllHipHop.com. “It’s all on me. I got the freedom that I didn’t have in my past deals. I’m in a way better position. I got the upper hand because [most artists] don’t have the resources that I have. Plus I can make the music that I wanna make, because it’s not a money thing. So I can be the Martin Luther or Malcolm X and take a stand for Hip-Hop as a whole and make the music that needs to be made instead of just following the trends.

“I represent the gap that’s between the students and the teachers,” continues Vegas. “I sit down, I have 3-hour, 6-hour conversations with DJ Premier, Dougie Fresh. I have talks with the teachers, and they tell me how they jaded with the game, they gripes with the game today. And I can understand it, I was there. I see what they see. I seen what the game left and went to. But at the same time, the youngins look at me as their peer, not as a preacher. So I understand the students.”

For Odom, the decision to work with Vegas was the motivating factor for the launch of Rich Soil Entertainment, which shares its name with a faith-inspired clothing line also launched in 2006.

The 28-year-old South Jamaica, Queens native studied the game while observing his friend’s struggles within the industry.

Once traded to the Lakers in 2004, he saw an opportunity to make a difference.

“I always been close to rap music, because of Ali,” Odom said, while joking that he balances his two careers by sacrificing sleep. “When I got traded, I just started to get visions and ideas because of the star power that the Lakers have and because Ali is so great at what he does. I just got all these ideas, all these visions, and I just kinda thought, ‘Maybe I should do it myself.’ So I just put the right people, just found the right people to put around myself. It’s something that I wasn’t afraid to fail at, at all. I guess not being afraid to fail let me know that I can get this done.”

Though Odom does plan on developing Rich Soil’s roster in the future, right now he maintains his focus is on Ali Vegas.

“We got people that’s interested in being down with Rich Soil, people that’s good enough to get on Rich Soil,” he says. “But right now, to get Veg off is our main focus. And if we do anything else, I’d just be wasting my time. Ali is our main focus. He’s what we believe in. We understand how good he is. He’s our LeBron James. He’s our superstar.”

With an impressive contribution by Odom, who netted 17 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists, the Lakers won their first matchup with their first Playoff opponents, the Denver Nuggets on Sunday (Apr 20).

The Lakers seek to increase their Round One lead to two tonight at 10:30pm ET at the Staples Center in LA.

ahh

YTG_Bank$ · 04-23-2008, 04:23 PM

Thanks.......

PAUL CAINE · 04-23-2008, 04:59 PM

damn vegas is 28?????

thats crazy

but yea cop that shit

Lil_E · 04-23-2008, 05:15 PM

shits tight.. lakers ownin they gona beat boston in the finals just watch

KeepitthorO · 04-23-2008, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil_E

shits tight.. lakers ownin they gona beat boston in the finals just watch

not all all

Maully Da Don · 04-23-2008, 06:10 PM

lol where my nigga still real tawk??? he gone be in here soon...

Lil_E · 04-23-2008, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeepitthorO

not all all

wait till Bynum is back its over for everyone.. if lakers get to the finals bynum will be back and its game over for any1..

kobe, gasol, bynum, odom, fisher....

enough said

Clip$ · 04-23-2008, 08:05 PM

lmao, at the fact he called him the lebron of the label not the kobe

FoShizzlE · 04-23-2008, 09:20 PM

yeah....expec real tawk to say sumtin lol

propz on this but i didnt know he was 2 he looks mad young ,same with pap lol

All Ready The MVP · 04-23-2008, 09:34 PM

Ma Nigga Lamar Doin Big Like Always

KeepitthorO · 04-23-2008, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil_E

wait till Bynum is back its over for everyone.. if lakers get to the finals bynum will be back and its game over for any1..

kobe, gasol, bynum, odom, fisher....

enough said

GARNET, PIERCE, ALLEN...

need more names

Dam3ion · 04-23-2008, 11:21 PM

wait till rt see this thread...

RyanBBal22 · 04-24-2008, 12:21 AM

props props

One_Yaself_Hater · 04-24-2008, 12:28 AM

28? that kid getting old..lol hes nice though...i hope he makes it....

$STAT$ · 04-24-2008, 07:37 AM

propz nigga...check the sig.

04-23-2008, 04:22 PM	#1
Black Superman Show Time Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,588 Repped: 259 Repped 5,423 Times in 619 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 11 Times in 9 Posts	04/23/08 - LA Lakers' Lamar Odom Launches Label; Signs Ali Vegas 04/23/08 - LA Lakers' Lamar Odom Launches Label; Signs Ali Vegas By Tai Saint Louis Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom hopes to celebrate two career milestones this summer: not only his first NBA championship, but also the successful emergence of his label Rich Soil Entertainment and re-emergence of the label’s marquee artist, Ali Vegas. Odom announced the forthcoming release of Vegas’ debut, Generation Gap 2: The Prequel, due out in August through a partnership with Asylum Records. Featuring production by a number of Hip-Hop heavyweights, including DJ Premier, Scott Storch, Cool & Dre, and Midi Mafia and appearances by Akon, Styles P. and R&B songstress Deemi, Generation Gap 2 marks the culmination of nearly decade long career for 24-year-old Ali Vegas. “One of my focuses was to get him the best music because that seems to be what captures people’s ear automatically,” Odom told AllHipHop.com of his childhood friend. “And [I’ll] just let Veg do the rest. He’s playing at a high skill level. The faith that we got in him is just… I mean I think he could take off right where Jay and Nas left off. I think he’s that talented.” Since first appearing on the scene in the late 90s, the Queens native has released nine mixtapes, an independent album, and a DVD project, while being unsuccessfully signed to the rosters of both Trackmasters Entertainment/Columbia Records and Tommy Mottola’s Casablanca Records. Still, Vegas feels that his experience ultimately gives him an edge, and believes that his not so new situation with Rich Soil Entertainment, where he has been signed since 2006, will ultimately lead to a win. “I got creative control over everything,” Ali Vegas, the self-proclaimed Prince of New York, told AllHipHop.com. “It’s all on me. I got the freedom that I didn’t have in my past deals. I’m in a way better position. I got the upper hand because [most artists] don’t have the resources that I have. Plus I can make the music that I wanna make, because it’s not a money thing. So I can be the Martin Luther or Malcolm X and take a stand for Hip-Hop as a whole and make the music that needs to be made instead of just following the trends. “I represent the gap that’s between the students and the teachers,” continues Vegas. “I sit down, I have 3-hour, 6-hour conversations with DJ Premier, Dougie Fresh. I have talks with the teachers, and they tell me how they jaded with the game, they gripes with the game today. And I can understand it, I was there. I see what they see. I seen what the game left and went to. But at the same time, the youngins look at me as their peer, not as a preacher. So I understand the students.” For Odom, the decision to work with Vegas was the motivating factor for the launch of Rich Soil Entertainment, which shares its name with a faith-inspired clothing line also launched in 2006. The 28-year-old South Jamaica, Queens native studied the game while observing his friend’s struggles within the industry. Once traded to the Lakers in 2004, he saw an opportunity to make a difference. “I always been close to rap music, because of Ali,” Odom said, while joking that he balances his two careers by sacrificing sleep. “When I got traded, I just started to get visions and ideas because of the star power that the Lakers have and because Ali is so great at what he does. I just got all these ideas, all these visions, and I just kinda thought, ‘Maybe I should do it myself.’ So I just put the right people, just found the right people to put around myself. It’s something that I wasn’t afraid to fail at, at all. I guess not being afraid to fail let me know that I can get this done.” Though Odom does plan on developing Rich Soil’s roster in the future, right now he maintains his focus is on Ali Vegas. “We got people that’s interested in being down with Rich Soil, people that’s good enough to get on Rich Soil,” he says. “But right now, to get Veg off is our main focus. And if we do anything else, I’d just be wasting my time. Ali is our main focus. He’s what we believe in. We understand how good he is. He’s our LeBron James. He’s our superstar.” With an impressive contribution by Odom, who netted 17 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists, the Lakers won their first matchup with their first Playoff opponents, the Denver Nuggets on Sunday (Apr 20). The Lakers seek to increase their Round One lead to two tonight at 10:30pm ET at the Staples Center in LA. ahh __________________ HH Board's Top 5 or Better... Who Hotter Than Me? HIT DA REP OR CLICK THE GREEN

04-23-2008, 04:23 PM	#2
YTG_Bank$ Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: - Texas - Posts: 10,531 Repped: 2,788 Repped 20,058 Times in 1,825 Posts Neg Reps: 5 Neg Repped at 23 Times in 19 Posts	Thanks....... __________________

04-23-2008, 04:59 PM	#3
PAUL CAINE Pauly Soprano!! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Eastside El-Barrio Wagner P's Posts: 3,976 Repped: 1,321 Repped 633 Times in 405 Posts Neg Reps: 87 Neg Repped at 121 Times in 78 Posts	damn vegas is 28????? thats crazy but yea cop that shit __________________

04-23-2008, 06:10 PM	#6
Maully Da Don Theeeee Yankees Win! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: "Somewhere Giving Devi Dev A Full Body Massage..." Posts: 6,526 Repped: 2,292 Repped 968 Times in 336 Posts Neg Reps: 73 Neg Repped at 54 Times in 44 Posts	lol where my nigga still real tawk??? he gone be in here soon... __________________ "Shawty was da truth found out she was a cheata we was pose 2 take ova, I caught her bumpin ether. Thought shawty liked mike turned out she liked prince Thought she was Adrienne its been Rocky ever since"

04-23-2008, 09:34 PM	#10
All Ready The MVP KB24 AKA Mr.81 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: LAKERS CITY,CALI Posts: 4,213 Repped: 1,825 Repped 554 Times in 87 Posts Neg Reps: 3 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ma Nigga Lamar Doin Big Like Always __________________ STOP BEING A DICKRIDIN GROUPIE AND LITSEN TO THE MUSIC

04-23-2008, 05:15 PM	#4
Lil_E Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 943 Repped: 151 Repped 11 Times in 4 Posts Neg Reps: 4 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	shits tight.. lakers ownin they gona beat boston in the finals just watch

04-23-2008, 08:05 PM	#8
Clip$ Chris Breezy Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 5,583 Repped: 948 Repped 443 Times in 73 Posts Neg Reps: 1 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	lmao, at the fact he called him the lebron of the label not the kobe

04-23-2008, 09:20 PM	#9
FoShizzlE FaShizzy Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Born In Lisbon Livin In London Posts: 3,071 Repped: 995 Repped 261 Times in 60 Posts Neg Reps: 6 Neg Repped at 5 Times in 5 Posts	yeah....expec real tawk to say sumtin lol propz on this but i didnt know he was 2 he looks mad young ,same with pap lol

04-23-2008, 11:21 PM	#12
Dam3ion Veteran Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Orleanz, Louisiana Posts: 5,696 Repped: 801 Repped 3,024 Times in 550 Posts Neg Reps: 35 Neg Repped at 50 Times in 43 Posts	wait till rt see this thread... __________________ 9-0...Who's Gonna Beat Us...

04-24-2008, 12:21 AM	#13
RyanBBal22 Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 331 Repped: 275 Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts Neg Reps: 1 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	props props

04-24-2008, 12:28 AM	#14
One_Yaself_Hater The "B-Boy" Circa '82-'88 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In A Weed Spot!!! Posts: 5,757 Repped: 1,173 Repped 11,539 Times in 1,360 Posts Neg Reps: 148 Neg Repped at 107 Times in 98 Posts	28? that kid getting old..lol hes nice though...i hope he makes it.... __________________ "REP" or "No PROPS" DONT PUT FOOD ON MY TABLE, FUCK 'EM!!!!!! SO "REP" If U WANT, IDGAF!!! DiGiJeff (12-17-2008), J-Banks Thanked Post HAPPY BIRTHDAY One_Yaself_Hater !!!-HH411: "instead of hittin 'no props' button i'll just neg ya". - Gods Plan

04-24-2008, 07:37 AM	#15
$STAT$ Naptown throw it up! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: 3Indianapolis1Indiana7 Posts: 1,155 Repped: 61 Repped 131 Times in 25 Posts Neg Reps: 1 Neg Repped at 3 Times in 3 Posts	propz nigga...check the sig. __________________ Rims high as a midget, it switch give it the dope lean, Chop shop chevy Indianapolis Colt theme - PLK

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