I met musicians/producers/engineers Chase Clark (l) & Grant Nicholas of Black Keyz Entertainment in 2004 when they were working with an artist who I've been representing by the name of Serena Henry, and had Chase speak on an A&R/Songwriters panel at the Urban Network Summit. I was quite taken by the quality of their production and their uncanny ability to blend today's flavor with old school sounds. I shouldn't have been too surprised since they've worked alongside some incredible talent over the years, including their mentors Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Yolanda Adams, rappers Dr. Dre, Spice 1 and Rakim, in addition to R&B singers Az-Yet and K-Young, along with a host of various underground hip-hop artists.
 
Subsequently they've launched an independent label to go along with their production company, and brought in a business partner, Sean Ward (r), to handle the company's operations, which are adjacent to their Woodland Hills' studio in California, and satellite office/studio in Ocean County, New Jersey.
 
"Our goal as an independent label and production company is simply to impact the people in the market place," says Chase.
 
"And, we're not necessarily looking to sell millions upon millions of records either although it would be beautiful if we could," says Sean. "Being realistic, we're looking to create quality music, hopefully move 250,000 to 300,000 units along with creating some long-term careers— now that would be incredible."
 
"We realize that the industry has once again returned to a singles-driven business," observes Chase, "but for us, it's going to be about producing and selling great albums as a whole. We know that marketplace still exists, and we believe we have the talent to create it."
 
The company is looking to release 4-5 projects per year and is currently in negotiations with several artists from around the country. But first up is Black Keyz's launch of Latino rapper Krypto, who's made a bit of a buzz with his underground single, "You Don't Know Me," featuring Ne-Yo. The song was featured on a number of mix shows, and received a fair amount of attention on the West Coast.
 
Krypto has been on the grind recording music for numerous mix tapes, and doing opening performances for the likes of Jim Jones, Petey Pablo, college Spring Breaks, and the Lowrider Super Show in Las Vegas.
 
Krypto is wrapping up production for his debut full-length album, Ruff Draft, slated for a second quarter ‘08 release through Sony/BMG/RED Distribution.

(David A. Mitchell)