Jan/19/11 02:29 AM Filed in:
Bryant McKinnie(AllHipHop News) Minnesota Vikings player Bryant McKinnie will spend his time during the off-season focusing on the growth of his new label, B Major Music Group.
The Miami-based company has signed rapper Yung Berg for production and Freddy P. from the original Making The Band.
The NFL player is currently working with a stable of artists he "hand picked" due to their talent and potential success.
"I decided to start a record label because I've always had a passion for music, being a music executive has always been a career goal of mine, and with starting a label from the ground up, and working directly with the artist as well as the staff on a day to day basis," McKinnie explained to AllHipHop.com. "I honestly feel like I am well on my way to developing a concrete foundation for a first rated record label in the near future."
In addition to Yung Berg and Freddy P., McKinnie has signed a female rapper/singer named Guyana and an R&B singer named TyRell.
According to McKinnie, he is not just another athlete with a recording company.
He plans on taking the growth of the Miami
label seriously, which is one of the reasons he signed Yung Berg, who has a variety of production credits under his belt with artists like Eve, Ray J. and Sean "Diddy" Combs.
"Yung Berg came to me initially to assist with the production for my artists, he saw the working environment and immediately wanted to become a part of the family," McKinnie told AllHipHop.com.
According to Yung Berg, he signed with McKinnie's fledgling company because of the NFL player's support and trust in the producer's vision for the label's music.
“I decided to work with Bryant because he believes in me and my music expertise, with that being said I have no choice but to be a part of the BMajor Music Group movement," Yung Berg told AllHipHop.com. "I also believe that Bryant has a good ear for good quality music with value. Bryant is a true believer in the “underdog” he takes chances on people and that’s rare in music industry, even better in life….. period.”
B Major Music Group has also tapped industry power player Tony Neal, who will help with marketing and promotion for the company's upcoming releases.
"My involvement with BMajor Music Group is simple," Tony Neal explained. "Beside Bryant being very serious about his label & the artists he works with, I want to use my industry influence to show that an athlete can also have a successful situation also."
Click here to order Bryant McKinnie’s proCane Rookie Card.
(allhiphop.com)