SLYKAT BIO :
Miami-Once considered to be a dying city, has become the next big urban Mecca. She has birthed record labels, “Poe Boy Entertainment” and “Slip-N-Slide”, as well as successful producers, “Cool & Dre”, and “DJ Khaled”, and artists “Pitbull” and “Rick Ross”. Behold the rising Phoenix. In the midst of her rise, Miami has also raised a son, destined to be the ONE! Introducing “SLYKAT”, born Tiwan Harrell in Miami, Florida on November 30, 1981 to a young teenage mother and a pimp for a father. An amazing phenomenon would begin to take place on this very day for not just the city of Miami, but for Miami music. Throughout his teenage years, SlyKat discovered his affinity for rhymes during the post Luther Campbell 2 Live Crew era. This was indeed a time where hip-hop culture was slowly developing a distinct sound for the South. After high school, he found himself in the company of two young upstart producers by the name of Cool & Dre. Cool & Dre would inevitably produced SlyKat's first album “9 Lives & 6 Samples” for an independent label known as Heat Music. On the eve of his album's release date, Fall 2002, Heat Music unfortunately went bankrupt, therefore leaving this classic album unheard. After the failed release of his first album, “SlyKat”, found himself not only broke with the responsibility of his daughter, but it seemed that his career in music was looking as bleak as his finances. With the drug and pimp game being more accessible within his neighborhood, Sly began to participate in the fast life. After following his father's footsteps, pimping would eventually put his music career on halt. Through financial problems, several arrests, and a near-death experience from a deal gone bad, the end of Tiwan Harrell was inevitable. Fortunately, it would not be the end for “SlyKat”. A spiritual transformation would redirect his focus back to making music, and most importantly forming his own label with best friend, Hamir Michel. This label soon took on the name “City Kidz Entertainment”. "I'm here to show another side of southern rappers- to prove that we have a lyrical ability that can contend with the best of them", says Sly, who has been influenced by artists such as “Outkast”, “Jay-Z”, “Snoop Dogg”, and “Rakim”. By approaching the game with a hustler's mentality, Sly managed to get premiere features for his independent releases with “The Game”, “Chamillionaire”, “Pitbull”, “Rick Ross”, “Bobby Valentino”, “Lil Wayne”, and “Buju Banton”. After annihilating his opponents with several mixtapes like “Miami’s Best Kept Secret”, “Envy & Hate Awaits”, “Dope”, and “Credit Time Served”, a certain mystique was created behind the now infamous name “Slykat”. “SlyKat” epitomizes cool.” says “D. Baker”, producer of Mims’ smash hit single “This Is Why I’m Hot”. His appeal is not only apparent on stage, but off as well, earning him several liquor and fashion endorsement deals throughout his career. From Mr. Unsigned Hype in The Source magazine to a feature in Chamillionaire’s mixtape hosted by “DJ Whoo Kid”, Sly has slowly been recognized on a national platform. Continuing this winning streak, SlyKat's first video “Color Blind” placed first in a state wide video competition, netting him a publishing deal with Universal which he declined as well as licensing deals with the A&E program “First 48 Hours” and ESPN's 2006 NFL Draft. His latest mixtape sales of “Credit Time Served” have exceeded over 10,000 copies sold on the street. “Sly Kat” also broke a record on dsnmusic.com with over 1,500,000 downloads in less than a few months more than twice the amount of any other unsigned artist. In fact, “Slykat” can easily make one think he is a signed artist from his radio track history. Slykat’s past singles like “I'm Chillin" feat. The Game, Just Chillin’ feat. “Chamillionaire”, and “Salud” have been added to rotation on several radio stations nationwide. “The thing I was amazed by was to see that his single “Salud” hit Billboard at no. 41 in May o8’ with no marketing budget or anything wow!” says prominent L.A. engineer Josh O’ Connor. Slykat’s highly anticipated new indie release “Diamond In A Jewel Case” which includes production credit by “Cool & Dre” and “D. Baker” alongside features by The Game, Lil Wayne, and Bobby Valentino could easily put him on his way to superstardom. His latest single, “Clap” featuring Lil Wayne has already got the radio airwaves and clubs buzzing across the country. “Slykat” has strategically branded himself well by traveling to markets throughout the United States. “This is a talent that came to Vegas for a few months and now has the only hip-hop talent showcase in a major casino promoting his brand.” says Tiffani Tamayo, writer of UNLV’s “Rebel Yell” newspaper. With many people showing love and support, “SlyKat” has very little standing in his way. His new anticipated indie release “Diamond In A Jewel Case” might not only position “Slykat” in top echelon of hip-hop artist in 2010, but can also be considered as “classic material”. Not only does he have the tools for today's arduous music industry, but he has the heart as well. Miami, the pristine place for entertainment, most definitely can take pride in her bearing of an unstoppable rap artist introduced to the world