It’s officially official. SC artist Lil Ru has been signed to Def Jam. Last week when Randy Exclusive and I did Where Is Hip Hop? Episode 6 we talked about the recent explosion of Carolina artists getting signed to major label deals:
Kaze (NC)–SRC/Universal Motown
Yung Daze (SC)–Collipark Music
& now Ru (SC)–Def Jam/Stupid Dope Moves (Charlamange Da God’s brand)…

Plus I’d heard last week and reported where Grand Hustle may be looking to sign femcee Mica Swain(NC) who’s been on her grind hard for the past couple years.

Well I just so happened to talk with Mica last night where she didn’t deny the rumors but did confirm that she’s worked with Grand Hustle producers Nard & B, plus Rico Barrino on past and upcoming projects. Tune into tomorrow morning’s show where Mica calls in for a full interview and give more details about that.
Mica will be performing at the Women of Hip Hop event on this coming Saturday as well.

Oh yeah, and don’t think ya girl is just recently riding the Carolina explosion.

I knew it was coming—remember Night of the Living Grind part II back in September and Night of the Living Grind part III in October where I played NC & SC artists exclusively all night? The phone lines where going crazy those nights, Kooley High (Rapsody, the female emcee in the group is signed to producer 9th Wonder’s ‘It’s A Wonderful World’ label) did a live in studio interview with a dope freestyle and that was only the beginning.