BLADE

Look under the word 'Independence' in the dictionary and you'll 
probably find a picture of Blade.

In 1989, unable to secure a recording deal Blade formed his own 
label '691 Influential'. Due to lack of funds to release the debut 
single 'Lyrical Maniac', the record had to be released on another 
label. The song became and instant U.K. classic selling 7,500 units 
and it helped to establish Blade as an up and coming rap artist. In 
1990 he released the single 'Mind of an Ordinary Citizen' on his own 
691 Influential label and sold a large amount of the 9,000 copies 
sold by himself on the street at hip-hop shows and train stations. A 
year later his next offering 'Rough it up' sold 6,500 units and 
Blade began to work on his new released 'Survival of the Hardest 
Working'.

With the 1992 release of 'Survival of the Hardest Working' Blade 
heralded a new approach to selling records. Not only did he use his 
usual methods of sales but he also incorporated the use of mail 
order to help sell 3,500 units. This year proved to be a hard year 
for Blade. Having to contend with the loss of his father Blade's 
apartment was burgled just one week later and Blade was now totally 
broke. The only good news was learning that he was going to be a 
father himself, but how would he provide for his child? Using his 
"son to be" as an inspiration Blade persevered and people began to 
recognize his as the hardest working man in the rap business.

In '93 Blade had yet more tricks up his sleeves. The word on the 
streets was that he needed money to record his full-length double 
album. Requesting that people send money in advance to help support 
the project with no completion or release date Blade received money 
from just under 2,000 fans and the project was underway. The album 
'The Lion Goes From Strength to Strength' was released in April of 
'93 and sold 12,000 units. At this time Blade opened up for major 
acts like Stereo MCs, Big Daddy Kane, Showbiz & AG, Afrika Bambaataa 
and Ultramagnetic MCs. This was the independence to the fullest, if 
there ever was such a thing. By the end of the year Blade 
disappeared and was now according to rumors, out of the music 
business and in the chicken farming business... 12,000 chickens sold.

Blade resurfaced in late 1995 with his independent EP 'Planned and 
Executed'. Even though he sold 7,5000 units the project did not go 
the way he had hoped. No radio airplay, no show bookings and to top 
it off he got ripped off by a German record distributor, who still 
owes Blade to this day. This in many ways left Blade crippled as he 
was depending on the earnings to fund his next project. The word was 
that he had packed it all in due to distrust and lack of faith in 
the music industry.

Disgusted with the industry Blade planed to give up his pursuit of a 
music career and his performance at the UK Fresh Fest 97 was billed 
as his last live performance. On the verge of selling his record 
collection and recording equipment Blade decided to make a one last 
phone call in the hopes of still making something happen. The call 
was overseas to the San Francisco based independent label Bomb 
Hip-Hop Records. He has been in contact with the label owner since 
late '93 and Blade decided to play his some new tracks over the 
phone. The label owner was impressed with the songs and after 
learning that Blade was preparing to retire he offered Blade a deal 
right then and there to release a three song 12" single. So now the 
independent struggle continues as the outcome in this UK / US 
connection remains to be seen. Once again Blade is back! As usual - 
no gimmicks, just lyrics.

This Blade release features
RHYME BOMB + instrumental + accapella
THE WAY IT HAS TO BE
BORN TO RULE + instrumental + accapella