Mr Ozwald 'The Yearbook' album

One of the most anticipated albums of the year and we won’t be able to enjoy it all at once. Over the past decade the music business has been in a downward spiral and continues to follow an out of date model to sell music. Away with the archaic forms of listening to music; we have seen the demise of A Tracks, Vinyl’s, cassettes and now most recently, Compact Discs. We welcome the MP3s and other digital music formats.

CEO of Crown Digital Records and current featured artist, Mr. Ozwald has capitalized on the innovative musical trends with the introduction of “The Yearbook.”

“With album sales dropping every year, I've decided to focus on digital distribution and release new music every month via iTunes and other online stores.” claims Mr. Ozwald

Mr. Ozwald’s new album "The Yearbook" will consist of 12 songs, released a month at a time, as he records them throughout the year. First single off the album, “The Best” was released on all major online stores January 15th, 2008. The title rightfully merits the song, a genial mix of Hip Hop, Funk and Pop with an intoxicating head bopping beat.

The 25 year-old wears many hats, rapper/producer and CEO of Crown Digital Records; as well as, the executive producer of highly rated online radio show: Wi-Fly Radio and owner of Hands Down productions. Recently, started working with Murder Inc. producing and songwriting. Mr. Ozwald is an accredited producer with music placed on TV score of popular MTV reality shows Run’s House, Rob and Big amongst others.

biography
He is not your average rapper. Mr. Ozwald is an unstoppable force in the entertainment industry. The 6’7” rapper from West Hartford, CT is an accredited producer, lyricist, songwriter, CEO of both his own record label, Crown Digital Records and Hands Down Productions (HDP) and Executive Producer of highly rated online radio show, Wi-Fly Radio.

At eighteen, Mr. Ozwald (a.k.a “Oz”) left his home base of CT, destined for success in the competitive music industry. Oz moved to New York City and slowly began his grind in Brooklyn, NY. Oz gained acclaim for his lyrics, rhyme ability and remarkable production skills.

He quickly hit the streets hard, making thousands of hand to hand sales WITHOUT a street team - also creating a strong online buzz through music blogs and online stores. His current album Road to Riches is quickly becoming well-known on the streets of New York. Oz’s popular songs, “I Know” and “Look at them Birds” will have you hooked and bopping your head.

Oz has compiled an exceptional resume including production credits for hit MTV shows Rob and Big, and Run's House, as well as assisted in the score of Warren Miller's Off The Grid. This budding rapper has performed at SOLD OUT shows with recent performances alongside Hip Hop legend, Ghostface Killah.

Oz presently finds himself locked in the studio working alongside Murder Inc executives’ Irv and Chris Gotti as an in-house producer-- he has most recently jumped in the “booth” and started recording.

Oz has been “rocking the mic” for years, now at 25, his drive and passion for music has crafted him into an astute businessman. The prodigious and multifaceted rapper/producer, Mr. Ozwald will undeniably have a focal impact on the entertainment industry. He will soon join the ranks and recognition of versatile Hip Hop artist and producers’—the likes of Kanye West, Timberland and Pharell. Oz prides himself on hard work and is taking no short cuts to success--it’s not hard to see why the masses are beginning to play close attention.

“I am always in the studio and I hardly sleep; time is a luxury, and I haven't earned it yet" explains Mr. Ozwald.

Mr Ozwald Interview
question 1: For people who may not have heard some music from you yet... what can someone who's never heard of you expect from your music?

People can expect something different. I try not to make songs that all sound the same or too much like what’s already out there. The majority of my music is based on my own experiences and stuff I go through. Depending on what the song is about people can usually find something they’ll relate to.

question 2: Your new album, ‘The Yearbook’ is your first digital release that will be released track-by-track. Tell us about it.

Since album sales are dropping every year, I figured it would be a good idea to release singles instead of a full album all at once. Most people online are only buying one or two songs off an album, so I figured releasing 12 singles, one for each month of the year would be a good idea. Off to a good start so far :)

question 3: Which song on "The Yearbook" took the longest to complete? Why?

Well, being that I’ve only recorded through March so far, I’ve only got 3 records to choose from off “The Yearbook” album. Nothing has really taken me too long to complete, but my January release “The Best” did give me a little trouble. When I went to the studio to record, I added a new element to the production (talk box), which changed the entire vibe of the record. It made it sound much stronger and brought the whole track to life, and it made me want to go in a completely new direction with the song; I actually ended up rewriting everything last minute. At the time it definitely made my life a lot more difficult, but in the end it was all worth it… the record came out really hot.

question 4: What is the meaning behind the title, "The Yearbook"?

Initially, the project was going to be called “The Documentary”, but that sounded boring to me. I didn’t want to make an album that just documented my life throughout the year, I wanted to make hot songs and document the process behind each record. Since each song will have it’s own artwork, there will be 12 different songs with 12 different covers… By the end of the year, between the blog, music, and artwork, it’ll be like a story with a book of pictures. Hence, the name "The Yearbook".

question 5: When creating a track, do you have a set theme and pre-written lyrics, or do you start with an idea or the music first?

When I write a song I almost always start with making the beat first. By the time I’m done producing the track I usually have an idea or a direction I want to go with the lyrics. Music is a vibe so I just roll with whatever comes out. I try not to over think it because as soon as I try to force something it doesn’t come out right.

question 6: What made you choose the producers for "The Yearbook"?

Well, this guy Mr. Ozwald makes some pretty hot beats, so I figured I’d just have him do all the production :)

I do all the beats.

question 7: Rapper, producer and CEO/owner. You have a lot of activities. You can create, produce and promote all with your own companies. In what way do these companies cooperate with each other? Do you have any other activities in mind for the future?

Everything pretty much goes hand in hand… It’s all a way for me to create and get my name out. My newest venture (Wi-Fly Radio) is an Internet radio show I co-own with DJ Yose. With that in place, I can take a record I’ve released and hit a much wider audience. The Internet is great for that… you can really get your name out to a lot people if you take advantage of everything it has to offer.

question 8: What artists are you listening to at the moment?

I listen to a lot of Funk and Rhythm & Blues from the 70’s. Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, Aretha Franklyn, Steevie Wonder … all the greats.

question 9: Lately, artists have been releasing albums/singles through the Internet (i.e., Radiohead). "The Yearbook" will also be released track-by-track through the Internet. Will Internet be your primary source of music sales? If so, what other ways will music(-sales) change in the (near) future?

Go digital. That’s my motto. The music business is still trying to fight this download thing when you simply can’t. People want music right a way, they don’t want to wait 6 months for an album to drop when they can download it now on Limewire. If you ask me, the focus should be on digital sales and ringtones first, then CDs.

question 10: What is your favorite part of your radio show?
For the most part, I’m behind the scenes on Wi-Fly Radio. I like that. DJ Yose and Chris H. (our host) are the faces of the show. I like the business aspect of things… I’m not trying to be a radio personality too.

question 11: Do you think success and credibility are mutually exclusive?

I don’t think so. I think a lot of artists have a difficult time achieving both, however. You have someone like Jay-Z who is very successful and very credible while other artists may have to “sell-out” to obtain that kind of success. Success is all relative too. For me, being successful is longevity and making a good living whereas success to someone else may be being famous. It all depends on how you look at it.

question 12: Which songs could fans look out for in the future (next couple of months)? Any collaborations?

No immediate collabs but I just finished the March release… that should be out towards the end of the month. It’s called “Life” and there isn’t anything out that sounds like it. Its really dope.

question 13: Do you have an idea or concept for your next album?

Not at all. I’m just working on these “Yearbook” records throughout the year… After December when the project is complete, I’ll get to work on my next album.

question 14: Recently, what is a typical day like for you?

Well, I spend entirely too much time on myspace and craigslist. When I’m not messing around on the Internet though, I’m either making music or thinking of ways to push my records. That’s pretty much it.

question 15: Final words?

Thanks for the interview. Make sure you check me out on iTunes, Hit me up on www.myspace.com/mrozwald and visit wiflyradio.com.

Peace!

-oz

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Mr Ozwald - The Yearbook