via Press Release:

May 5, 2010—Oakland, California—The only thing that surpasses DLabrie’s talent on the mic is his hustle. After years making a name for himself as the fierce, witty, and energetic emcee from the Bay, DLabrie a.k.a DLabrozia is set to drop his official debut album, MR. NETW3RK (RonDavoux Records/Select-O-Hits). The 23 track LP features M1 of dead prez, Mistah F-A-B, San Quinn, The Jacka, Zion-I, Adisa Banjoko, among others.

His diverse guests reflect his own sound. “I don’t affliliate solely with the hyphy, political or back pack music. I don’t actually believe in those terms. I’ve definitely been influenced by my home-base, but I don’t see our music as a local sound. I call my music Bay Universal (B.U.)!”

On MR. NETW3RK, Labrie creates a soundtrack for his life in the music industry; the ups and downs, life on the road, honing of the craft, the glamour & glitz, the constant adversity, and also politics as usual. On the hard-hitting “Stay Black and Die” Labrie collaborates with M1, the Jacka, Shamako SaikoDelic and Adisa Banjoko as they contemplate the future of the worldwide black struggle, the many perspectives within, and the necessity of that fight.

But just as Labrie can channel his inner Malcolm X, he can also deliver street narratives, comical rhymes and party music with ease. Take “Maniac” a humorous song about an unwelcome stalker or “Pity Patt” the rousing unofficial Bay Area Anthem. “I’m a Libra, so my music represents balance and air.”

“’Pity Patt’ is a song the g’s, backpackers, kids, old people, and the ladies love!” notes Labrie and adds that the song came about after he and his old friend super-producer Traxamillion had been talking about working together for a while. “The day I got the beat, I wrote the first and second verse and hook in my head while driving!”

DLabrie has been in the Bay Area music scene for nearly a decade, building respect among fans and fellow rappers and earning a reputation as an emcee who carves his own path. After touring in Japan and Korea early in the millennium, a big break came in 2005 when he was handpicked by KRS-ONE (out of a group cypher) to join him on a west coast tour. In 2006, he was selected for “The Clipse Online MC Battle.” In 2008, during the historic campaign, his track “Vote for Barack” was featured on CNN & NBC, and other DLabrie songs have also been played on various MTV reality shows including “Making the Band 4″ & “Life Of Ryan.”

Born and raised in East Oakland in the 80′s, Labrie came up during the golden age of hip-hop. They were also the rough years, full of drugs, violence and poverty otherwise known as the Reagan era.

“We lived in the REAL hood like the ones you hear about in movies and songs; it made me a survivor but also fueled my love for music. In ‘85 my mother took me to the Eastmont Mall to see Krush Groove,” states the emcee. “And that was it.” Labrie also attributes his knack for creativity to his mother, a singer, clothing designer, hair stylist, and community advocate. She also suffered from Schizophrenia.

“I had to grow up fast,” explains Labrie. “I’d have to contact a neighbor or 9-1-1 when she went into psychosis alot of times id have to get her to a hospital so I spent a lot of time with doctors and nurses chopping it up about philosophies and life.”

By 13, he had made his decision to become a rapper. Labrie started freestyling, writing, recording on a karaoke machine and passing out mixtapes (actual tapes) using fast dubbing on his stereo. “Back then my focus was all on lyrics I didn’t actually get into the studio to record songs til’ much later in life.”

Labrie has turned his childhood experience into something positive, explaining that community work is an important part of his daily grind: He’s played a key-role in the growth and development of Hip Hop Congress (a worldwide non-profit that works to builds bridges between Urban Arts, Education & Community Action). He’s also been involved with organizations such as the S.A.V.O.Y (Stop All Violence On Youth), the Hip Hop Chess Federation, and Marilyn King’s Olympian Thinking.

DLabrie has rocked shows domestically and overseas from N.Y and ATL to Hawaii and has shared the stage with artists such as The Roots, Black Sheep, Akil of Jurassic 5, Jon B, Too $hort, Little Brother, Slum Village, DeBarge and Knaan, among others.

When asked how he came up with the title for his record, Labrie laughs, “My former manager used to call me “Mr Network” cuz I was always connected to all kinds of people and would know cats everywhere. And it just stuck!”

Production on MR NETW3RK is shared by Traxamillion, Sean T, MG, Infinate, and EQ.

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