Classic Crew Records is an independent record label owned by Faction Media. Based in southeastern Virginia, the label was founded in 2007 and is headed by CEO Kenny Harrell. Classic Crew Records seeks talent from various entertainment sources. Artists, producers, choreographers, designers, comics, models, poets, and personalities are sought out by the label to help create awareness and visibility along with opportunities for both parties. Hip Hop and RnB/Soul are the labels two primary genres with Gospel being its tertiary genre. When recuriting talent Classic Crew Records will not initially look to sign an artist. Believing in independence and artistic control, the label will provide artists and other independent labels information and education on cross branding, content ownership, and the primary services needed to function within their genre. By offering joint ventures to their carefully selected recruits will give both parties the opportunity to build budgets, fan bases, and sales to later branch out on their own. Situated in Virginia, Classic Crew Records is in the thick of it all. A ten hour drive or two hour flight either direction makes it easy for the label to reach out to various regions and major markets like Atlanta, GA and Detroit, MI or vital college routes such as the Carolinas to the Tri-State. Primarily looking to uphold Virginia's reputation as a hotbed for trendsetting styles and music, CEO Kenny Harrell is looking to test international waters also. He has already collaborated with rap artists from Russia and plans to turn to the overseas market for budding talent and product placement.
Harrell plans to set the pace for the label as an artist with the first two installments of the label's mixtape series, "Sixteens Or Better". The first vol., Pay ya Dues, is K. Harrell's way of showing his lyrical ability while simutaneously upping the ante for word play, and showcasing various deliveris. The second volume, "The New Industry Standard" the budding CEO will continue to taunt competitors with more braggadocious rhymes. It's obvious to see that K.Harrell has a distinct voice and style, but his influences stem from a variety of artists. Of course all the greats, as well as underrated underground stars such as Big L, AZ, Mac Mall, Yukmouth, all peaked his intrest in Hip Hop. Rather than continuing to adlib his favorite bars from various hip sources, K. Harrell would begin to craft his own lyrics. Keeping his hidden passion for rhyming to himself, he would turn to Hip Hop for motivation and inspiration to fuel his first love which was basketball. Although K.Harrell usually found himself within arms length of the streets he remained focused to have a successful college basketball career. Like any young male black, white, or latino, he would have minor brushes with the law. Drawing from his life expierences and relationships with people of all walks, look for K.Harrell to execute more conceptual records that will touch on popular topics as well as unexplored issues that the average rap artists fail to address. Fully aware that location is everything, look for Harrell to seemlessly fit in from up top, to down bottom, all the way to the left coast. Growing up in Newport News, VA ("Bad Newz") exposed him to different styles of hip hop from back beating 808's to the swinging triplet kicks and snare smack of east coast rap. Having an ear for music, look for co-production, songwriting, and original arrangement from this multi-faceted talent. Out of necessity the VA native wil sport the emcee hat for a short stint, before quietly fading to the background as his artist roster and label brand grows.
