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In the news*

*Following are clips from just some of the articles the label and our artists have been featured in. See paste-ups for full articles.

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The Evergreen State College
June 12, 2007

D. BLACK, “The Cause & Effect,” Sportin’ Life Records: If there were any questions about the Hip-Hop
scene in the Northwest, D. Black has the answer. Straight out of Seattle, D. Black is making his presence
known as one of the city’s up and coming elite rappers. Bangin’ beats, hard lyrics, and hustle to go with that
flow, The Cause & Effect is more than just a statement; it’s a movement. This dude is real about his life, his
beliefs and his craft, something we all can appreciate. A man on a mission has something to say, and he’s sayin’
it loud, “I’m Black and I’m Proud.”

The Weekly Student voice of Bellevue Community College


May 22, 2007

Swagger fest at Chop Suey

…”The best two Seattle performers were The Parker Brothaz and D.Black. They carried the best stage
presence, lyrics and flow and the coolest sound…D.Black commanded the stage and got love from the crowd. I
even felt like a long time fan, throwing up the 'L' every time he yelled "Put your hands up, put your 'L's' up." If
any Seattle rap artist should sign to a major record deal, minus the Blue Scholars, it would be the East Coast
influenced D.Black. D.Black is known around Seattle's underground as a major talent. When I asked fans
which artist they were here to see, the most common answer was "D.Black". This "concert" gave
Washingtonians the opportunity to see their fellow peers trying to break into an arena that has not been tapped
by the Northwest since Sir Mix-A-Lot. The rap genre is hard to successfully get into. You have to be extremely
diligent, street smart and incredibly talented. You need connections and a hood story. Without those key
components, longevity in the rap market is slim. Seattle artist D.Black does not lack any of these qualifiers. In
addition, unlike others that performed that night D.Black showed his talent and made a huge statement...”
Swagger Fest 2007:
Seattle's most Flossy and Fly

By Julie-C
Published May 4, 2007

“If you were in the Emerald City on May 2nd and weren't at Chop Suey for Swagger Fest, I extend my regrets to
you, because you missed some of the most dynamic, energy-packed performances Seattle has to offer. With
Vitamin D on the ones and twos, Neemah of Unexpected Arrival hosting, and an arsenal of emcees from
Soul Guerilla, Sportn' Life Records, and Union Block Teamsters, Swagger Fest did much more than
live up to its name. Setting it all off was J. Pinder, from Sportn' Life, who warmed up the young crowd at this
all-ages event with tracks from his up-coming album "Back Pack Theory." J. Pinder was followed by a short
guest appearance from Live Wire (NYC) of the Hip Hop Project. (If you haven't yet checked a screening of
the Hip Hop Project, you can catch it next Tuesday, the 8th at AMC Uptown Cinemas in Seattle). However,
things really lit up when Sportn' Life's Fatal Lucciauno hit the spotlight. With his plain hoodie concealing a
neck full of chains, and his shouts out to his mama and sister in the crowd, Fatal boasted an irresistible
charisma on the stage that was amplified by his power-packed performance. Fatal Lucciauno's debut album
"The Only Forgotten Son" hits the stores this summer….”
Friday, April 27, 2007

Music: Seattle's hip-hop scene comes into its own


By Andrew Matson
Special to The Seattle Times

“Ambition. Go to any hip-hop show in Seattle these days, and you can smell it. Or find it on your windshield. If
you parked your car recently near the Capitol Hill club the War Room, when you came out you would have
found a flier on your car advertising one of the city's many hip-hop club nights. Seattle hip-hop is blossoming.”
“…D. Black, 20-year-old co-CEO of Sportn' Life Records, sold more than 4,000 copies of his album hand-
to-hand. ..”

"It's not the same town it was 10 years ago," says Jake One, longtime Seattle independent hip-hop producer.

“…Seattle hip-hop will be on full display the next two weeks, first at Swagger Fest, with D. Black and his
Sportn' Life Records crew; Dyme Def; the Parker Brothaz; DJ Vitamin D; 8 p.m. Wednesday at Chop Suey,
1325 E. Madison, Seattle, $6 (206-324-8000 or www.chopsuey.com).”

 
D. Black: The Cause & Effect | Sportin' Life Records; April 2007
 

“I'll admit that when I first listened to D. Black's album I told myself that it was another case of a local rapper who was
better than most of the lyricists in his hometown, but upon repeat listens, I can say The Cause & Effect is a good showcase
of production and decent rhyme skills. There were very few tracks on the album I couldn't at least nod my head to, even if I
found the lyrics to be cliché. .. “What D. Black’s album proves is that he cares about his music. He allows guest stars on his
tracks, but he is never overshadowed by them. If anything, his guests seem to highlight his ability, and we realize he may
be the star of his camp. The Cause & Effect is a mix of solid musical choices that seem deliberate and well planned. There’s
no skimping on strings, piano and horns and it shows by brightening up what other artists may have turned into a
marginal local rapper release. “

- Athena Dixon

March 28, 2007


Up & Coming
This Week's Notable Shows and Parties
D. BLACK, DYME DEF, CHOKLATE, KHINGZ OF ABYSSINIAN CREOLE
(Vera Project) D. Black presently stands as the flagship artist for Seattle's premier (and nearly only) hardcore-
centric rap label, Sportn' Life Records. Undiluted and unapologetic in his forthright flow and narrow-eyed
content, D. Black spits, like rappers from here to Manila, about the grind of the drug game, servicing fiends,
surviving the harsh tokes of growing up in the hood, making and having money, and beating dudes down. Last
year's full length, The Cause & Effect, sought to set a substantial stake for D. Black by musically running the
gamut of modern commercial rap music. "Get Loose" sports a beat that aims for the same sort of inarguably
swaying pomp as the most mammoth radio rap crushers, but also sounds a little unpleasantly reminiscent of
Ice Cube's recent "comeback" single "Go to Church." "Swing," meanwhile, evokes the both sonic and conceptual
minimalism of some recent Southern singles, and ends up feeling like a somewhat less invigorated Three 6
Mafia. SAM MICKENS

Friday, February 16, 2007


Seattle's spin on hip-hop: Northwest's beat is set to break across the nation
By ATHIMA CHANSANCHAI
P-I REPORTER

Back to its roots…In a city with mixed cultural scenes that defy stereotypes and easy description, no one
wants to pin a label on local hip-hop. You got your street cats like D. Black who couldn't be more different
than your Blue Scholars (a duo that's practically branded socially conscious hip-hop), who couldn't be
more different than your Elefaders (turntablists turned four-man band -- the underground of underground
hip-hop). …

The Sound of Puget…Indie labels such as Mass Line Media and Sportn' Life Records have sprung up to
give artists a foot in the door. …

A new kingdom…It's been said that Sir Mix-a-Lot is the king of Seattle, and you can debate that from
here to the East Coast, but without a doubt there are a whole mess of young'uns ready to create a new
kind of kingdom. …Besides Blue Scholars and Common Market, there are guys such as D. Black, who
grew up in a household of hip-hop (parents were Emerald Street Boys and Emerald Street Girls)
and is now blazing on the Seattle-based Sportn' Life Records label.

I remember Daycamp Garfield to Rainier when trouble was my first love I was never scared got my ass
whooped for going to school with a gun that's when I learned that trouble wasn't fun
-- D. Black, "This is Why"

December 6, 2006
Welcome to Dope Emporium
A Review of Hiphop '06, a Look into Hiphop '07, and the Day It All Happens

By Charles Mudede

CEO, Sportn’Life

DeVon Manier
Grynch, Onry Ozzborn of encompasses an array of hiphop styles. Managed by DeVon Manier,
Oldominion, Specs One, Dyme Sportn' Life releases artists that identify with pop hiphop
Def, and BeanOne are among (D.Black), street rap (Fatal Lucciauno), and the backpacker set
the many hiphop artists that (J.Pinder). (Fatal's CD drops in late winter and J.Pinder's CD drops in
will be showing at Dope early spring.)
Emporium, and two of what
will be defining indie hiphop "Integrity and versatility is where we are at," explains Manier. "In my
labels of 2007 are also taking experience with rap labels, people tend to stick to one type of rap. If it is
part: Mass Line and Sportn' knowledge rap, that's it—that's what they do. If it's gangsta rap, that is
Life Records. what they do. We want to have different things going on. And though
we want to go national... [we] think it's better to build fans here first.
While the better known Mass You know what I mean? If D.Black is being played in Vancouver, BC,
Line mines knowledge rap then it's easy to get up there and do a show and promote. I think Mass
exclusively, Sportn' Life Line has that same attitude, which is why I respect them.”

Friday, November 10, 2006

SeattleNoise: D.Black
WHO: 19 -year-old Seattle hip-hop artist (aka Damian Black)

CAREER DEBUT: Seattle, 1999 (at age 7). D.Black was born into the local hip-hop scene. In the 1980s, his mother, father and
uncle were members of pioneering rap groups Emerald Street Boys and Emerald Street Girls. D.Black began working with local
hip-hop producer and mentor Vitamin D in the belief that if he produced his own music, performing live would be more
satisfying and rewarding. Today, he is co-owner (with CEO DeVon Manier) of Seattle's grass-roots Sportn' Life Records,
established in 2001.

SOUND: Inspired by Notorious B.I.G., Jay Z, Rakim, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and others, Black combines a hard-edged performing
style with a deep spirituality that has helped him balance a life of school and live performance. His voice has been described as "a
universal smooth sound."

RELEASES: "The Cause and Effect" (debut CD released in July on Sportn' Life Records), "Behind the Dirt" (mix tape) and
"Sportn' Life Compilation Vol. 1."

QUOTE: "It's a blessing to know that I carry on a legacy here in Seattle that was started by my parents," D.Black says. "But it's
equally as satisfying to be at the forefront of this new movement of hip-hop in our city."

WHERE TO LISTEN: myspace.com/damianblack and myspace.com/sportnliferecords.

NEXT SHOW: Tonight at 8 (with Common Market, Abyssinian Creole, Silent Lambs Project and DJ Vitamin D), Chop Suey,
1325 E. Madison St. All ages welcome. Admission: $8. Information: chopsuey.com. -- Gene Stout

October 31, 2006


My Philosophy
Hiphop Ya Don't Stop

By Larry Mizell Jr.

There's been a boom in dope street hiphop as of late, and I will be putting you up on it in the next couple
columns; first things first is definitely D. Black's The Cause and Effect. Combining Black's hunger with the
cream of the NW's production talents, this is an album you have to fuck with if you are checking for that local
heat. DeVon Manier's Sportn' Life Records enlisted the trifecta of Bean One, Vitamin D, and Jake One
(among others, including Black himself) to lace this long-awaited release.
While adept with the boasts ("Fuckin' with Me") and the narrative ("The Story of Roger") both, Black's best
moments actually come when he's at his most candid, such as the heartfelt "This Is Why," where he runs down
a formidable litany of obstacles, or the moving eulogy to his mother, "Secret Place." Somewhere in between this
vivid reporting and the sneering South End swagger is one of Seattle's best talents—the streets don't lie.

September 13, 2006


My Philosophy
Hiphop Ya Don't Stop

By Larry Mizell Jr.

What you're gonna love is "The Takeover," an all-star lineup of local hiphop at Chop Suey Tuesday, September
19, starring D.Black. Black has just dropped the long-awaited The Cause & Effect, his debut LP on Seattle's
premier hood-hop label, Sportn' Life Records. That night, Black is backed up by Macklemore, Grynch,
Dyme Def, and none other than the mufuckin' Stay High Brothers (AKA Vitamin D and Maniac Be), plus DJ DV
One. It's an all-ages event with bar, and it's free before 10:00 p.m. "Caan You Dig It"?

D. Black: "A True Product of Hip Hop"


August 11, 2006 By: Monique Carrillo

"I know it was my calling, on a spiritual tip, God placed me in this world for music." -D. Black

“…As I moved passed the crowd I opened the doors to see exactly what my purpose for going was, D.
Black. "He's hot" or "He's got the hottest album out right now" are things that people in the town were
telling me before my recent interview. Seeing him perform live on the stage was nothing less of my
expectations. Watching D. Black was like watching someone who has been performing in the industry for
years. His stage presence was very impressive and his ability to move the crowd (including myself) was
nothing less than second nature. His unique, confident, (yet humble) style is definitely like no other….”

August 9, 2006
After the Pulse
The State of Hiphop: This Is How We Do in the 2006

By Charles Mudede

D.Black

dreams. His debut CD, The Cause & Effect, was finally dropped last
month by Sportin' Life Records and critical judgment has called
For the past year or so, the it an artistic success on both levels—rap and production. Now it is
word on the street was this: up to commercial judgment to reward what is in every way a CD that
D.Black has the skill and feels and sounds much bigger than Seattle.
ambition to go supernova.
D.Black is part of the gangster school of rap, and so The Cause &
Though Seattle has his heart, Effect is packed with guns, street realism, and crass materialism. He
the national stage has all of his is not about being nice, polite, or cheerful—D.Black is aggressive,
individualistic, and fatalistic. But why should we bother listening to
music by a disagreeable claimed in "A Moment of Clarity" to have the rapping strength "to
person? Because, like carry Biggie Smalls on [his] back"; D.Black has the strength to
Eminem, the man has the gift carry both Jay and Biggie on his. The Cause & Effect also features
of gab. His hero, Jay-Z, production from The Three (BeanOne, Vitamin D, and Jake One).

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Vera Project moving to new space at Seattle Center


By GENE STOUT
P-I POP MUSIC CRITIC

"The Vera Project has a lot of big supporters on this floor, Councilmember Della included," said Tatsuo Nakata,
Della's chief of staff. "So I don't think it would be a problem at all, but it does have to go through the formal
steps of consideration and adoption."

On April 1, Vera will move from its Fourth Avenue location, site of hundreds of all-ages events in the past few
years, attracting performers from Eddie Vedder to Damian Black.

Oct 13 - Oct 19, 2005


My Philosophy
Hiphop Ya Don't Stop

By Larry Mizell Jr.

If you got a jones for some real Seattle-bred street shit—and I know you do—look no further than the young
prince of the high-powered Sportn' Life label, Damian Black. You may first have caught D Black's flow on
the original Sportn' Life compilation, back when he was known as Danger. Born into the local hiphop scene—
Black is the son of Croone from OG Seattle pioneers the Emerald Street Boys—the young MC/producer
learned his craft from such local luminaries as Vitamin D. Damian is coming hard with his new DJ B-Mello-
helmed mix tape Behind the Dirt, featuring freestyles and new joints sporting production from Vitamin, Bean
One, and D Black himself. As I type this, Sportn' Life is readying the hungry MC's eagerly awaited debut LP,
Cause & Effect—which is definitely gonna cause commotion upon its release. Do yourself a favor and don't
sleep...

SPORT-N-LIFE - 'Volume One Compilation'


10/02/2005 19:43:15
(Sport-N-Life Entertainment)
www.sportnlife.net

A good label compilation album with some real nice highlights from some emcess that show great potential to make it
big in the game. Of Seattle the label delivers twenty one tracks with the first track to grab our attention being
Narcotik's 'Chips To A Cell'. Feeling this rapper and he has a vocal tone that fills the speakers with a flow to
compliment it. More street action comes from the likes of Last Men Standing and Frame before Vitamin and K-Stiell
bounce along with a sick track about pimpin. Check for the killer '90% Of Me' sample which works really well and the
rhymes in the hook kill it to; 'It's The Pimp Of The Year/All I gotta do is get in her ear/So tell ya bitch to come to
here/I like the way she put a twist in her rear/sex ain't a past-time baby it's a career!'. Other emcess that stand out
on this CD are Hectik with 'Haters', The Block Burners collobo' with Redskin and the track by Danger. Grab a copy of
this album, it's tight.

Murder Dog
Volume 10 No. 4
Murder Dog CD Reviews
2003 Year end special
Sportn’Life Vol. 1
“If you wanna hear something different, wanna hear something knockin but don’t care where it came from—
East Coast or West Coast—these kids right here mad represent. They got some dope artists on here like
Vitamin D and Danger…”

September 2003

ON THE GRIDDLE: SPORT-N-LIFE EXHIBITS SOME SEATTLE'S FINEST IN HIP-HOP

The Sport-N-Life Compilation has hit the streets and it is nothing to blink your eye at. Featuring some of Seattle's
finest and most popular artists on the microphone, Executive Producers of the project Devon Manier and Emery
"Slim" Buford score with potent tracks like "Never Seen" by Redskin and the Blockburners (DJ B-Mello's crew), some
ism game straight out of the mouth of Vitamin D on the laid back "Pimp of The Year" that references almost
everything PIMP aside from Fillmoe Slim and the underground introspect of Seatown's Silent Lambs is present with
their ode to accountability, "It All Matters."

As a showcase of Seattle talent, Sport-N-Life does work. From kickin' that lyrics that the homeboys on the block can
vibe to and extending to the lyrics reserved mostly for a conversation with some smoke and Nag Champa, the album
hits with upscale production, diverse showcasing of artists and veterans and newcomers alike. There are not any clear
downsides to Sport-N-Life. One will have to scour underneath the fingernails of Sport-N-Life to seek and find a
flaw, because all in all it wins with its multidimensionality if it lacks originality in places. www.sportnlife.net.

September 2003

Various Artists: Sport-N-Life

“Seattle hip hop hasn't gotten a lot of shine nationally, and it's a shame, because if the new Sport-N-Life is any
indication we got talent for days. Representing a broad cross section of the different styles comin' up in the 206,
Sport-N-Life does justice showcasing everything from conscious type, political tracks, to club bangers, to straight
grimy, hustler tracks. Executive producers DeVon Manier and Emery "Slim" Buford stacked Sport-N-Life as a
showcase for both the MCs and the producers making noise up here…”

“…As with almost any compilation there are hits and misses on this, but overall this is a solid outing from Sport-N-
Life. Go cop it and give some love to your local artists.”

May 15 - May 21, 2003

The Hiphop Tip


Don't Ignore the Locals
On a more positive note, my man Samson S. wasn't playing when he said the best song of the year came from
Vitamin D. His track "Pimp of the Year" is definitely the highlight on the new Sport-n-Life compilation,
which drops at the end of the month and has too many gems to name right now, so I'll spread them out over the
upcoming weeks. I'm really excited to see the release of this album and definitely think it deserves everyone's
support when it drops--I mean it's got Narcotik on a track, for goodness sakes! It's hard to just jump out and
say this is the best Northwest compilation ever because of my allegiance to growing up on the Tribal Music
hiphop classics Do the Math, Untranslated Prescriptions, Word Sound Power, and Classic Elements, but
Devon, Emory, and the brilliant and slept-on producer Bean One definitely deserve major praise for releasing
this project. I just hope to see this record get some shine outside of the Northwest, where other compilations in
the past have not.
The Tablet
May 1-14, 2002

On the Down Low: Notes from a hip-hop know-it-all


“Sportn’Life Comp Blows the lid off Local Hip-hop”
By Samson Spears

Hey y’all, this is your guy Samfry with another edition of “On the Down Low.” I just got hold of the new
Sportn’Life Compilation, Volume 1 and can honestly say that is it probably the best local hip-hop
compilation I’ve heard. What I like most about the comp is that a lot of different styles are
represented, from local underground favorites (Old Dominion) to street/conscious rap (Candidt), which is
rare for hip hop comps. Usually, around these parts, compilations showcase a specific sound that
represents what the label or artist is doing at that time. The Sportn’Life shuns the pigeonholing by
exhibiting the diverse talent in the area…

…Another cat to worry about on the Sportn’Life LP is the 16-year-old rap prodigy named Danger (aka
Damian Black). If the two songs on the album are any indication of what’s to come on his future LP,
cats better watch out, he’s a problem. Note to Sportn’Life: don’t drop the ball; you have a diamond in the
rough, make sure you get an album out quick on this youngster. He has a lot to say, and Samfry thinks…
fuck that, Samfry knows that Danger will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.

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