In 1980, a vinyl 12" single with a simple green label and plain white sleeve released a rap song called "Big Apple Rappin'". The label was named "Newtroit" Records, after the cities New York and Detroit, and it was the first label owned and operated by a rap artist. The label's first pressing was funded by Doris Hughes, the artist/producers Mother.


The artist on Big Apple Rappin' was none other than Hollis, Queens, New York's own Richmond Hill High School basketball star Spyder (Duane Hughes), who earned the nickname "Spyder" on the basketball playgrounds while emulating the spin move of his basketball idol, Earl "The Pearl" Monroe.


After Newtroit's initial pressing and subsequent release, which sold through it's first couple of thousand units fairly quickly, Spyder and then co-executive producer Tito Lewis was offered a distribution deal by Larchwood Music Co., which owned the pressing plant he originally ordered the first 1,000 copies from. The single went on to become one of the top 12" singles of that year, and is listed in Ego Trip's Book of Lists as one of the top rap singles of the eighties.


Thirty years later, the label celebrates a renaissance with a new distribution deal through Thompkins Media Group, who utilizes the MRI, Sony Red distribution network. Thompkins Media Group, which is headed up by industry veteran and marketing guru TC Thompkins, has a long track record of marketing hit records, including the "Off The Wall" and "Thriller" albums by Michael Jackson.


New York Hip-Hop female pioneer Sparky D heads up a strong Holy Hip-Hop contingent with her touching autobiographical "Secrets". A Holy Hip-Hop coalition is being formed at the label, with talented artists K Day (aka The Gift) from Charlotte and Blac Lite and Jus B & OP Diggy from Atlanta to headline with Sparky D, among others.


"We are also currently negotiating with funk legends Grady Thomas and Fuzzy Haskins of the original Parliament on doing all new music with guests appearances by some of today's new crop of stars, as well as trying to reunite the original band with George Clinton. They are legends and huge influences on so many of today's artists, it's only right", said Spyder from his home pre-production studio lab.


The label's first release will be a compilation of all of the artists in a mixtape style album, including songs from Spyder D's final rap recordings due out on his March, 2011 album release, ironically entitled "Legendary". Among those scheduled to appear on the debut album release are Mikey D, The Street Poets, and Butta Tones.


The first album will be a "mixtape" style full length CD/Download, and will be hosted by legendary NY DJ Kool DJ Red Alert who has been on the airwaves for an incredible 27 plus years. It is due first quarter 2011.


Digital Undergrounds' Money B, a Spyder D favorite, is among a few other legends being courted for productions and recordings. "We have a relatively young production staff, including Joey Keyz, and DJ'S Reggie Swindell, Grand Creator K Wiz, and DJ legends Ivan "Doc" Rodriguez and Infinity Machine's DJ Divine. We are old school and new school at the same time. We have analog bass heavy sounds using today's digital technology and wizardry.


For further information, please visit www.newtroitrecords.com.