Rapper Salutes the Troops: Casino to Entertain 5,000 Service Members at the 2011 Hunter Army Airfield July 4th Celebration

Atlanta, GA, June 12, 2011 --(PR.com)-- On the heels of the release of his first independently released album, rapper Casino is quickly establishing himself as an ascending star with a blindingly bright future in the entertainment industry. And on July 2nd, as part of the military's July 4th Celebration at Hunter Army Airfield, Casino will give a two-hour concert to Service members and families at the Hunter Army Airfield that is sure to be just as spectacular as any fireworks display.

Casino is an independent rap artist who is the principal artist and the C.E.O. of the independent record label, G.C.M. Although he was born in Donalsonville, GA, he has traveled and lived throughout the U.S. --Georgia, Florida, Texas--and overseas. Casino’s sound is influenced by the places he has lived and is as universal as his growing roster of fans on Facebook and Jango.

Although a two-hour concert at a 5,000 person venue is not common for most independent artists, Casino has already performed in front of crowds of thousands while stationed in Germany with the U.S. Air Force. It was there that Casino, recognizing a void in the hip hop/rap market overseas, co-founded a three-man rap group called Thug Kingz. The group became so popular in the local clubs that, by the end of their first year performing, they had performed extensively in the German clubs, to include Berlin and Frankfurt. Casino and another member of the group even recorded "Rock With It" with Angolian recording artist Celma Ribas, which they performed as the opening act for Lloyd Banks in Cologne at Club Opera Limone.

Casino and Thug Kingz also opened for other major U.S. acts, including Lil Scrappy, Crime Mob, and 112. They were also booked by the U.S. Air Force to entertain airmen at Ramstein AFB. It was also in Germany that made his first ventures as a solo artist, releasing his first two mixtapes, the first of which was hosted by DJ Mike Fresh (CTE) who is currently the road DJ for rapper Blood Raw. However, for Casino, one of his most memorable experiences in Germany was the recording of a song called "Fight Club" for an UFC-styled German television show.

“We did that song with U.S. R&B artist Denham Smith. Smith had a song with Puffy’s recording artist, Cassie. When they shot the video that was to air at the beginning of every show, I was back in the U.S. due to an emergency and they had someone stand in and lip sync my rap verse. When you watch the video, that’s my voice but another member of Thug Kingz appears in the video lip synching to my rap,” recalls Casino.

Since returning to the U.S. and leaving the military, Casino has continued to achieve milestones in his solo, independent career. He has had a song featured on the TJs/DJs Ozone Awards Mixtape and collaborated with four-time platinum-certified rap artist Juvenile, on the single, "She Bad," which was released by Casino on his G.C.M. label in 2010.

“I originally wrote the song for an R&B artist in a well-known Atlanta-based group. We have a mutual friend who tried on a few occasions to get us together to do the song, but things never connected,” Casino recalls. “But when one door closes, another one opens. I met Juvenile at a club in Macon, Georgia, through a DJ who did my third mixtape. He was willing to listen to the song and at the end of the night, he had laid his verse. I knew what I was walking into when the opportunity presented itself and I showed up ready to make some things happen. My Plan A was still an option but, that night, I was on to Plan B,” says Casino.

The song, "She Bad," was independently released on Itunes by Casino’s independent label, G.C.M., Inc., in December 2009, and is also featured on Casino's debut album, "It's Lonely At the Top," released in March 2011. The video for the song, which was released online via youtube, WorldStarHipHop.com, and dozens of online music sites in July 2010, received nearly 100,000 views in its first week.

Casino will give a family friendly rap concert on July 2, 2011, at Hunter Army Airfield. Casino's album, "It's Lonely At the Top," is available on Digistation. Casino is available for musical performances and event hosting.

Follow Casino on twitter @kingcasino1

About:
GCM, Inc., is an independent record label founded by Casino, for the purpose of promoting independent artists. G.C.M., Inc., offers a full range of services, including recording, video production, promotion, and booking. For more information, visit www.gangstacitymafia.com.

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