photo by steed media service

Many up-and-coming producers dream of an opportunity to have one of their creations matched with a global superstar. In 2002, when Queens, N.Y., hip-hop producer John “J-Praize” Freeman received word that a fellow Queens rap artist 50 Cent turned his record Wanksta into a megahit, Praize was as joyful as he was confused. It didn’t occur to him that a song he’d made a year prior, would become such a colossal song for both of their careers.

“It was history from there. It went on mixtapes in New York — mixtapes around the country and internationally. It went on the 8 Mile soundtrack, which sold like five [million] and then it went on his album ... that sold God knows how many records. That’s rare because I have a lot of producer partners and their stuff goes on mixtapes and that’s all it does; goes on mixtapes. You can’t really use that or put that back out there in the market,” explains Praize.

Now that Atlanta’s booming music market is his home, Praize has centered his focus on grooming his record company Tha Cross Entertainment, to become one of the industry’s premier independent companies. His first artist, Memphis-bred, Real McCoy is eager to add to the producer’s impressive track record, Praize is confident in what the future holds for him. “We’re just gonna’ get it, take it to the next level and bring that real music back,” says Praize. –jason thompson

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