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CY recently caught up with Troy Edwards, CEO of 3HP Records to discuss how they are doing as a label, what's good with their artists and what we can expect from them in the future. He also talks about how he got started. Check it out!
 CY: Troy with 3HP Records, whatup fam? Thanks for the opportunity. I know that you guys have been grinding for a long time and are owners of the Urban Gospel Alliance Int'l. Tell the folks at DaSouth.com how you started 3HP and why you started the label?
Troy Edwards: Well 3HP started out as the “3 Hours of Power” radio show in Baltimore, D.C. and in Minnesota markets and I started helping a lot of artists. My team back then consisted of my cousin Mike Braxton (Toni's Brother), Shawn Faulker of Killabeatzz, and Trey( IQ) Banks. We worked together to develop and promote one group called Word Up who has since moved on and is now with Disney.
CY: Tell us the name of your new projects?
Troy: Right now we just dropped the new mixtape From Da Streets to the Kingdom, which has recieved more than 10,000 downloads in the first week. Then Vol. 2 will drop soon along with Mouthpi3ce's Lost and Found, which can be found at www.mouthpi3ce.blogspot.com. In 2010 I'll be releasing 3HP Records CD Masterpi3ce Theater. I'm looking forward to it doing very well.
CY: I understand you did something at BET Hip Hop Awards. How did this transpire and tell about this venture?
Troy: I was asked to be apart of the BET Hip Hop Awards Mixtape that featured some majors artists (Jay-Z and Lil Wayne) and with Christians (Mouthpi3ce, Lisa McClendon, Majors, Seda, Whuteva, Chican George, Double, you - CY, Dice Gamble, Jaelife and Humble Tip) to make an impact to the streets and to the unchurched/unsaved kids giving them positive content to listen to. Many people get mad by what I do, but I really have to separate my feelings because I do this for the Kingdom. Also, next year everybody needs to be on the look out for some big news coming from 3HP!
CY: I know you work with many artists across the country like myself in various projects, but who are the artists signed to 3HP records?
Troy: Mouthpi3ce,Double,Young Ray, Majors (3HP family) Rai, Scott Free, IQ, Cash Hollistah, Gabriel Strong, Ream, Chauve, and coming soon Righteous 119.
CY: I’ve seen the 3HP logo on sites like Illspot and Holy Culture. What affiliation and work have you guys been doing together?
Troy: We’re just cool brothas in Christ. Those dudes show 3HP Records mad love and this is how we all should treat one another. Anonymous understands my vision and understands what 3HP is doing and the impact that we are making in the industry. I show him things that I'm doing that often times I don't share with any of my artists. I plan to kick open doors in this industry and let the whole world know there is a place for them in Holy Hip Hop and Gospel music.
CY: You guys do a fabulous job at putting out quality mixtapes. How can artists get on these mixtapes for promotional purposes?
Troy: Well, I have stated that in order to keep producing good content, I must demand the best of the best be featured on the mixtapes. Yes, I receive crazy downloads, but that's partly because I have a great database of secular and Christian folks that I have a strong desire to feed with God's music. If artists can remember that it’s about the fans and consumers, they are the ones that going to buy the artists’ music, then they will have a better chance at winning souls and consumers. Artist can submit their music to
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.
CY: Now tell us about your ministry. What you are doing besides the music?
Troy: I am continually building, growing, and forming partnerships. I'm a businessman doing Kingdom business. I strive really diligently to build relationships all day, everyday. Not too many people realize how hard I work and how many hours I invest in bringing a new market awareness to this genre. We are creating paths for all of us, it's not all about 3HP and Urban Gospel Alliance Int'l, and we do this full-time. We also help promote and build "The Saintuary"- the hottest Christian Club in the ATL, owned and operated, by Stephen and LaKeesha Gibbs.
CY: Give us the release dates of your new projects and where can people cop that.
Troy: Masterpi3ce Theater in March. I want to make CDs that sell. Too many artists put out CDs just to say they have one. We have to be honest and stop to tell these artists where their strengths and weaknesses lie and not be afraid of the truth. If we are going to takeover mainstream we need to be able to meet and exceed (which I know we do right now) industry standards!
CY: What can we expect from 3HP in the future? Any news you’d like to share?
Troy: 3HP is a power house in the music industry. We are really looking forward to having kids pack out our events to hear the Word of God. In this year we have performed over 200 shows and I really want to do more in the future. We already performed at Fed Ex Field and Turner Field Stadium. We will go to perform anywhere to get out the Word of Jesus Christ. Contact me! As far as any news well.... you'll have to wait and see.
CY: Any shout outs or last thoughts you'd like to share with the people out there?
Troy: First shout to my Lord Jesus Christ, of course, my wife Ursula Edwards, Mouthpi3ce, Double, Majors, IQ, Young Ray, Chauve, Scott Free, Chican George, Ream, Trepeace, E Hud, Rai, Righteous 119, Stephen Gibbs, YNJ, Lita G, DJ Crossfader, DJ I Rock Jesus, DJ Primo, DJ Trey O, DJ Uncle E Dorsett, DJ Bless, Troy Huff, Pleshette (3L Promotions) and the rest of the 3hp family!
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Chris C2:16 Perkins - 3HP