Album Notes

WASHINTON, DC - 2006 marked a progressive year for DC’s efforts of leaving an everlasting mark on the hip hop map. Strong contributions by Wale` (“Shake It”) and Tabi Bonney (“You” and “The Pocket”) gave the area some respectable and much deserved face time. In 2007, a versatile stable of emcees known as TEQ 9 (Top Entertainment Quality: Nothing Is Necessarily Elusive) Entertainment are on a mission to show everyone that the region is not only capable of a memorable hit, but also of an album that proves as being time well spent, as opposed to time left spent.

On Shot In The Dark (TEQ 9 Records, 2007) the TEQ9 Family (Rrice, ManClever, SanWan, Isaiah Green, PL Da Great, Meunster Emcee, Sha Val Yae, Prince Ramsey, J-Kurrupt, and crooner Roman) put together a compilation that is very well-focused and versatile in its presentation. The label members (who also hail from parts of New York and Texas) cover the gamut from being menacing ("Shot In The Dark" and "Hands Up") to comical ("Bammas" and "High Fidelity") to celebratory (I Don't Care What Yall Think" and "Shoot Out With Me") to poignant ("Scarlett Letter" and "This Song Is For You")

With guest spots from Blackkhrist da Maggus, Solomon Infinite Abdullah, Rob Shields, and Substantial, they help to add to the overall cohesiveness of the album. 13 of the 16 tracks were produced by Rrice, who does not display a signature sound in his production, but shows that he has the ability to tackle everything from making a queen sample emphatically hiphop ("I Paid My Dues") to providing a very convincing R&B track for vocalist Roman (featuring ManClever) on "Look Into The Mirror". On the title track, rapper PL Da Great sings “You only get one shot at a time/And if you miss, then your shot becomes mine.” This statement serves as the mantra throughout the album highlighting the label’s intent: seize the moment and cease to let anyone or any thing hold you back. Shot In The Dark has something for everyone who is a fan of hiphop, mainstream or underground. The label members sound comfortable in any median and definitely well-represent the Metropolitan area.

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