For Immediate Release
Cristol releases new remix to Tampa Bay Rays’ anthem “It’s Our Season”
featuring Big Gill & Bay Boi
Tampa Bay, Fla.-If you happened to participate in any of the Tampa Bay Rays’ 2008 World Series-winning festivities, you surely got an earful of the team’s official adrenaline-pumping anthem “It’s Our Season” which helped inspire them to national dominance.
For every win after home running win, the song kept fans on the edges of their seats in Tropicana Field as they cheered their home team onto a captivating season. Now as the Rays battle with the New York Yankees for first place position, St. Petersburg native and lifelong Rays fan Cristol turns the momentum up to the maximum with “It’s Our Season 2010 Remix” in hopes of stimulating the team back into the number one spot.
Featuring fellow rappers Big Gill and Bay Boi, the newest version of the song is even more dynamic with added lead guitar riffs and amped-up production.
“The song had an impact on everyone,” says Cristol. “We had 80 year old women coming up to us saying I don’t listen to rap but I love your song. And this year, we plan on recapturing the essence of that winning year.”
Even before Cristol landed mainstream appeal with “It’s Our Season” two years ago, he already had heads turning amongst his Hip Hop fans. He stepped onto the scene just five short years ago with his DJ Trans-produced debut hit single “Whatcha Drinkn On” featuring Strizzo and Sojo and came back in 2007 with follow-up club banger “My Pockets Swoll” featuring Baton Rouge bad boy Lil Boosie.
The singles along with heavy Internet traffic garnered Cristol a chance to produce and feature on the official team song for the Tampa Bay Rays, “It’s Our Season.” And he kept his name ringing with the stellar Hussch Boy Productions-released mixtape Famous and Broke 1.5 featuring exclusive tracks with gold and platinum superstars Rick Ross, Lil Boosie, 2 Pistols and Gucci Mane.
Never letting up an inch, he hopes to provide the musical motivation that will encourage a season as flawless as the Tampa Bay Rays’ 2008 World Series win. Let’s go, Rays!
Press Contact
Amber Craft
Urban Addiction Entertainment Group
Office: 786.361.6131
Email: Press@Addicted2Florida.com
St. Petersburg native Cristol sets streets ablaze with new mixtape
Famous and Broke 1.5
Tampa, FL August 13, 2010 - Fueled by his latest mainstay mix show single “Smack It Up” featuring Sekay, St. Petersburg, Fla.-based recording artist Cristol has kept summer months scorching hot with the recent release of his highly anticipated mixtape Famous and Broke 1.5.
Featuring exclusive tracks with gold and platinum superstars Rick Ross, Lil Boosie, 2 Pistols and Gucci Mane, the mixtape has already garnered much love across the Sunshine State and quickly catching on like wildfire throughout the rest of the South.
“You won’t hear me rapping about shooting, killing or flipping bricks because I don’t do that,” Cristol explains. “But I might be in a situation where all of that is around because I’m from the streets. So you gone get the streets from a different point of view.”
Cristol stepped onto the scene just five short years ago with his DJ Trans-produced debut hit single “Whatcha Drinkn On” featuring Strizzo and Sojo. He came back two years later with follow-up club banger “My Pockets Swoll” featuring Baton Rouge bad boy Lil Boosie.
The singles along with heavy Internet traffic garnered Cristol a chance to produce and feature on the official team song for the Tampa Bay Rays, “It’s Our Season” featuring fellow Florida rappers Big Gill and Bay Boy in 2008.
With the Rays excelling to the Number 1 spot that season, Cristol got more attention than he ever dreamed. However, life wasn’t all sweet for the aspiring entertainer.
“From me doing the Rays song, I’m number one of the radio. I was famous but I didn’t make no money,” he confesses. “I’m staying with my momma and at the time, she was losing her house. It didn’t make no sense for me flossing on my mixtape because I didn’t have that.”
Other certified heat seekers are cuts such as “Ahh Ahh”, “She Don’t Give A Damn,” and “Swag So Mean.”
Most recently, Cristol made a cameo appearance on international reggae artist Da’Ville’s remix single Wine U A Wine. With a career already taken off, Cristol is set to blow beyond the stratosphere. “When we got the phone call to do the record, I wasn’t very hip on the reggae market,” says Cristol. “Come to find out, Da’Ville has a big name.”
No matter the genre or audience, Cristol has the versatility that represents the sound of tomorrow. “I got that charisma and personality that you can’t teach an artist to have,” he says. “I can go inside the most gutter, gangsta club and adapt to that crowd and do a good performance. Then I can go to a white club, adapt and do a good show with the same music.”
Track Listing for Famous & Broke 1.5
1. SMACK IT UP/ FLIP IT UP FT SEKAY PRODUCED BY MYDO MUSIC
2. BOTTLES POPPIN FT GUCCI, SKROODLE, BJ PRODUCED BY HUSSCH BOY PRODUCTION
3. AHH AHH FT LIL KEE PRODUCED BY KEEZONE
4. MY POCKETS SWOLL FT LIL BOOSIE PRODUCED BY KRITIKAL
5. DON’T TRUST YA FT SKROODLE & BJ
6. CROSS 9 – CROSS TRE 4 FT SKROODLE & BJ PRODUCED BY FINGERZ
7. HATERS ANTHEM FT RICK ROSS, 2 PISTOLS & SEKAY PRODUCED MYDO MUSIC
8. WHAT DA GAME NEED FT SIMITTY SAM PRODUCED BY BOOMKLAT
9. FUSS N FIGHT PRODUCED BY HUSSCH BOY PRODUCTION
10. FREAKY THINGS FT BLACK BOI PRODUCED BY FINGERZ
11. FREAK BITCH FT SHAWTY T & HEATHER MARIE PRODUCED BY DJ TRANS
12. SHE DON’T GIVE A DAMN FT STRIZZO PRODUCED STRIZZO
13. SWAGG SO MEAN FT TRAXX PRODUCED BY HUSSCH BOY PRODUCTION
14. SO MANY HOES FT BAY BOI & TRAXX PRODUCED BY FINGERZ
15. TRIFFLING PRODUCED BY HUSSCH BOY
16. SUCKA FREE PRODUCED BY HUSSCH BOY PRODUCTION AND FINGERZ
17. IN THIS LIFE PRODUCED BY FINGERZ
18. THIS STRUGGLE FT BAY BOI & SIMS PRODUCED BY HUSSCH BOY PRODUCTION
19. MAN OF MY CITY PRODUCED BY HUSSCH BOY PRODUCTION
Download Links:
I-Tunes Link for Smack It Up: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/smack-it-up/id362508266
Download / Listen: Link for Famous & Broke 1.5: http://www.datpiff.com/MJA7_Management_Urban_Addiction_Entertainment_Gr.m106363.html
Direct Download Link: http://www.box.net/shared/fpx5hi1bul
Press Photos: http://www.box.net/shared/xmthb41pb2
Booking & Info
MJA7 Management: Micah Anderson 727.410.6995
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Press Contact
Amber Craft
Urban Addiction Entertainment Group
Office: 786.361.6131
Email: Press@Addicted2Florida.com
JULY 29, 2010
Tampa Bay Tribune Soundcheck
Artist of the Day
April 2010
Interview with Da Streez Magazine
MIAMI- St. Pete’s spotlight artist Cristol, is turning heads everywhere and he is being recognized as one of Florida’s hottest entertainers. Cristol’s raspy but unique sound has grabbed the attention of many music lovers. He is currently impacting the Tampa Bay area streets and clubs while creating a major online buzz. He has recently released his new mixtape “Famous & Broke 1.5”. It features artists like Rick Ross, Lil Boosie, Gucci Mane, Skroodle, and many more. Among the many great collabos, Cristol has recently released his first single of 2010, “Smack It Up” featuring Sekay. DJs and fans are taking a huge liking to this new single. We visited Tampa recently and heard the song being played in a few clubs. We also had a chance to talk with Cristol and get some inside information on the Tampa Bay music market and the 411 on his new project.
DSM: Cristol, introduce yourself and tell us what you represent.
Cristol: What's up? This ya boy Cristol. Straight out of St. Pete. I’ve been reppin the Burg since 81. I rep my hood, 8th St. I rep my city, St.Pete aka Da Burg. I rep my county, Pinellas aka Pine County. I rep the Bay and I rep the whole state of Florida baby.
DSM: What’s a typical day like for Cristol?
Cristol: Ima keep it real with ya homie. I still have a job. My typical day is waking up at 6:30 a.m. to be at work from 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. I work at a homeless shelter for teenage boys. I have been there since 2006. From there I go to the gym for about two hours. After the gym, I hit the crib and get something to eat. Sleep for bout 2 hours, wake up and head out to the club. Usually hit about 3 clubs a night. I got to network with djs and promote my music. Around 3:00 a.m. I head home. Probably with a bad female. Flip her and go to sleep, lol. I’m just keeping it 100. Then I wake up to the same shit and do it all over again.
DSM: Well, it’s definitely nice to hear that an independent artist is out here working with homeless teenagers for their day job and doing something positive in the community. Have you ever been a street nigga?
Cristol: I was raised in streets but I wasn’t in the streets. This has enabled me to market a variety of music and maintain my respect. I can rap and write about anything. If I haven’t done it then someone close to me has.
DSM: Tampa Bay is a very large music market known as Jook City. Do you classify yourself as a “Jook” artist?
Cristol: I am a product of my environment. So, to a certain extent I might be one, but I don’t consider myself a “Jook” artist. I make all kinds of music. In the market I live in sometimes u have to make “Jook” music to be heard.
DSM: What’s your opinion on the music market in the Bay area?
Cristol: It’s not like most, lol. A little harder than most markets. If u put in the foot work, it’s a cool market. I put in the foot work. So I’m good.
DSM: What are you doing that is grabbing the attention of the djs and fans from this area?
Cristol: Im doing me and not trying to be like the rest. I make music that the clubs and streets can fuck with. I don’t pretend to be a drug dealer to get the streets. The streets love me for being 100 with them. That’s a nigga who get hoes, clubs a lot, chills with nothing but street niggas and has a job. Just being me. Not who they want you to be.
DSM: It sounds like you are a busy guy. What are you currently working on?
Cristol: My new single, "Smack it up" ft Sekay, is our main focus. Of course I’m still recording and making music. Shit, I’m getting ready to pop. I’m also working on a new mixtape and an album. Currently getting ready for a movie I’m starring in about a rapper growing up in the hood.
DSM: We heard your new single “Smack It Up” in a few of the clubs we visited in Tampa. Do you think this single is the one that’s going to open the door for you nationally?
Cristol: I really do think its the one. It has a smooth cross over sound and women are loving this record from all over. Even the niggas are saying that it’s the jam. It has what it takes. We just have to do our job. As long as the djs continue to support us, it'll break. I know it.
- Amber Craft, Da Streetz Magazine Writer
St. Pete Times
ST. PETERSBURG — The bloated payroll teams never heard the beat, were too arrogant to listen to the sound of the Rays cruising to glory. But here in St. Petersburg, it's the tune everyone's been talking about; a sweet melody of victory that's been reverberating through the domed ceiling of Tropicana Field as the Rays rose from dead last to No. 1.
Rays fans not only heard the beat, they lived it. One line said it all:
Let me get a handclap for the Tampa Bay Rays, let me get a handclap for the Tampa Bay Rays!
When the packed crowd heard that last weekend, the Trop erupted in applause. The fans wildly clapped the Rays toward their first playoff appearance ever. That "handclap line," as it's now known, is the catchiest lyric in a new Rays-themed rap song, appropriately titled It's Our Season. The beat embodies what Rays fans have been waiting for since the franchise was established.
James "Bay Boi" Peoples, 20, Davie "Big Gill" Gill, 31, and Herman "Cristol" Grant, 27, three St. Petersburg rappers, put the song together earlier this year. Since then, the tune has been broadcast repeatedly at the stadium and has coincided with the Rays' increasing win-to-loss ratio.
"Before they first played the song a few months back, the Rays were on a seven-game losing streak. Then they played It's Our Season during the seventh-inning stretch, and I swear the next guy hit a home run," boasted Grant. "We definitely did something, because since then, they've just been winning."
The Rays management loved the song and discovered the trio through an in-house DJ at Tropicana Field.
"The DJ noticed them performing at the (Push Ultra Lounge) club nearby," said Darcy Raymond, vice president of branding and fan experience for the Rays. "We heard the song and thought it had a really catchy beat, so we started playing it at games about two months ago. The players are into it and really appreciate it and the fans love it."
The Rays then asked the rappers to produce a music video to go along with the song. The roughly four-minute video, now on YouTube, features the three rapping inside and around Tropicana Field. According to Darcy, the song "embodies what it means to be a Rays fan."
The main lyrics capture the self-assured way the Rays marched to the playoffs: "Tampa Bay, it's our season. You think it ain't? Come try and beat 'em!" Peoples, who wrote those lines, explained, "The main hook just came to me like magic when I heard the beat."
The song also incorporates the names of Rays players and celebrates the team's very fast rise.
The idea originated with Gill, a 6-foot-9, 345-pound bouncer who works at Push Ultra Lounge. "I've been a die-hard fan since the Rays started as the Devil Rays," he said. "I knew this would be the year."
Since Gill is admittedly not a skilled rapper, he went to his friend Grant, a frequent performer at Push. "My boy Big Gill just came up to me and said, 'If the Rays have a good season, we'll have to make a song for them,' " Grant said.
From there, Gill and Grant added Peoples to form a trio and began recording at a makeshift studio in Grant's mother's house. "I made the beat. When you come up with the beat, the beat will tell you what to say," Grant explained. "The beat was telling me that this is Rays time, it's our time finally! That had to come through."
Since then, the three have become favorites at Tropicana Field. Fans eagerly await the famous "handclap line" toward the end of the song, when they "really get wild," Grant said.
For Gill, the reaction from friends has been mostly positive, but many were surprised by his involvement. "All my friends are like, 'Since when can you rap? I didn't know you can rap.' "
The tune also caught the attention of radio station WILD 98.7 FM (now Wild94.1), where it's getting airplay.
"We backed up the song because we wanted to support the team," said Orlando Davis, program director for WILD. "We play it whenever we mention the Rays or when they do well."
The success of It's Our Season was totally unexpected, said Grant. "I never really imagined the song being played at the stadium. I thought the song would just be played at the clubs where the Rays go to."
The rappers made the video solely to inspire the players and entertain fans of their favorite team, but in the end they received an unexpected reward — free front-row tickets to the last few games of the season. "When I used to see the Rays years ago, I had the nosebleed seats. Now I'm sitting up-close, dugout range," Grant said. The group is optimistic about obtaining playoff tickets as well.
And don't think you've seen the end of Bay Boi, Cristol and Big Gill. Just as they wrote Rays fans' enthusiasm into energetic rap lyrics, they may do the same for another local team.
"A lot of my friends have been asking us to make a song for the Buccaneers," hinted Grant. "I'm a Bucs fan; we just might make that happen."
-Matt Albucher, Times Staff Writer
