J'can producer inks deal with Universal Music Group

In a bid to ensure that he is successful in his endeavours, Sean 'Contractor' Edwards of the Contractor Music Group based in Ocho Rios has forged a partnership with Universal Music Group. The SSMG/Universal Music Group will be responsible for the distribution of the 'Hip Hop Cruises To Jamaica' album.

Although Edwards' Tropical House Cruises To Jamaica spent time on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, the producer is convinced that the Universal deal will bring him the attention he yearns.

"It puts it (Hip Hop Cruises To Jamaica) on to way more platforms than what we had before, more digital outlets, etc. It also gives us, on the physical side, more copies to sell so that we have more units available for sale. We will ultimately be seen by more people," he said. "Our goal is to get on the Billboard Albums 200 chart, which is where the main albums in America are. Jamaican albums don't go that far up there, and we're looking to go as high up as we can and set a record as the highest any Jamaican production has gone."

The new hip-hop project was released on November 17 and includes tracks from artistes such as Jadakiss, Keith Murray, Royce Da 59, Shaggy, Bounty Killer, Master P's brother C-Murda, and Lil Nate Dogg and Capleton. There is also an Audiomack version of the album that includes two bonus tracks from Lauryn Hill and Chris Brown.

With a number of top hip-hop and dancehall acts featured on the project, Tiffany Gaines, entertainment executive of the SSMG/Universal Music Group, told THE STAR that she is excited about the partnership with Contractor Music Group.

"We saw how well the Tropical House album did - the charting, the positive feedback in the media, etc - and we became interested. It (Hip Hop Cruises to Jamaica) is a compilation that, in my opinion, represents east, west and south coasts in the States, as well as Jamaica. It's a variety of music, the perfect album, the perfect combination of music. This could be possibly a world album, a collectors' item," she said. "With the names attached to this project and the support I'm going to bring with Universal, it is going to do just as well if not better than the last one."