Track Lacer & Phat Daddy Bu, Smooth Sailing Records BIOGRAPHY
"That's important to me, to stay relevant through these times. In hip hop, everybody gets their shot. It can be a new jack from Milwaukee tomorrow and start a whole new Milwaukee movement, so I don't like excuses. That sounds like excuses to me." - Lloyd Banks on why he thinks New York isnt hot anymore, XXL Magazine, September 06 issue.
Ironically, it took a quote from a platinum-selling artist from Queens, New York City, New York to express what knowledgeable fans have known all along: Milwaukee does have a movement. And it was inspired by its influential, yet underappreciated emcees Track Lacer and Phat Daddy Bu.
Smooth Sailing Records was started in September of 1998, when Track Lacer started taking reservations for his first album, CAPITaL DRIVE on the campus of the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. With 900 names, phone-numbers, and e-mails obtained, the ingenious marketing tactics landed Track Lacer on the cover of the Milwaukee Community Journal and a lead story in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Long-time friend Phat Daddy Bu was featured on 5 out of CAPITaL DRIVEs 10 tracks, which went on to sell 1,000 copies. (Despite frequent claims by innumerous Midwestern and Southern labels that theyve sold 10K or better, selling 1K in Milwaukees market is almost like winning a Grammy you had to work to get it!!)
The shared vision that Track Lacer and Phat Daddy Bu held carried over into: 2002s classic underground EP, Ghettocentric; 2004s statewide collaboration among three other labels coming together as the group 1848, Forward; and finally, the cumulative results of grinding independently for eight years. 2006s Ghettocentric II: The Chitlin Circuit.
Though repping for their Midwestern city with fierce loyalty, Track & Bus greatest strength may be the willingness to think beyond the limits of a 414 area code. That willingness to take chances had led to the respect of some seasoned major label veterans coming along for Ghettocentric IIs breakthrough ride. New York production duo Midi Mafia contribute to Super Bad after having blessed the boards for 50 Cent (21 Questions). Harlem production legend Dame Grease blesses Havin That Dust after birthing DMXs movement (Get At Me Dog). And the seminal, iconic, and revolutionary Chuck D of Public Enemy drops by the hood in Wisconsin for some real talk on Small Town.
Track Lacer and Phat Daddy Bu have led Milwaukees movement from far more than a mere microphone presence. Track Lacer has covered the entire rap scene in Milwaukee for two publications since 2000. Phat Daddy Bu has covered the rap scene in Milwaukee for his own local access TV show, Ghettocentric Television since 2003. Together, Track and Bu have both promoted awareness for the collective rap scene in Milwaukee on both BlackPlanet.com and myspace.com. With the dedication and intelligence of Little Brother, but the club-influenced carefreeness of Ludacris, Track Lacer and Phat Daddy Bu are planning on taking what Lloyd said..to the Banks!!!
Nephertera Skala, Publicist
FOR INTERVIEW REQUESTS, LIVE PERFORMANCE BOOKING, OR CD REVIEW REQUESTS PLEASE CALL: (414) 628-3793
