Album Notes

“IT SHOULDN'T TAKE DEATH TO APPRECIATE LIFE”
Debut Album Sets Standard for Industry

Gaithersburg, MD – Alive and Free Records (AFR) – a division of The Youth Development and Research Fund, the nation's pioneering youth policy and advocacy firm, releases its anticipated debut project: Strength of a Nation,Vol 1. - a totally clean, hard hitting compilation album designed to uplift America's youth. Strength of a Nation is setting a standard of responsibility and concern in the hip-hop community – will others be real and follow?

As the operators of the charitable arm of The Source – the world's leading hip-hop publication, Derrick Dolphin and Edward DeJesus, label owners and album's executive producers felt a responsibility to create music which does not promote violence, materialism and/or misogyny. “We love hip-hop and got tired of all the violence and materialism,” says label co-owner Edward DeJesus.” We wanted to create something that would uplift and educate youth." Strength of a Nation is the first totally clean, hard core educational hip-hop album. With 14 positive, inspirational tracks about real issues, Strength of a Nation is sure to be an egg in the face of many in the hip-hop industry.

“Why do we have to hear about how much bling bling rappers have; why do we have to hear about Nas dissing Jay Z or DMX dissing Ja-Rule; or why does it take the death of Jam Master Jay, Tupac or Biggie to give the industry a temporary sense of responsibility,” says DeJesus. “We are sick of it. The Industry needs to come clean. Real knows real.” With limited funds, The Youth Development and Research Fund made this major investment out of a desire to combat a lot of the bad information, examples and instruction that comes out of the hip-hop music. “Funding was not available to back this project. We knew it had to be done so we reached into our own pockets and made the commitment. We are even giving 15% of the profits from the sale of the album to the foundation so it can continue it's work, “ says label co-owner Derrick Dolphin.

SON is a compilation CD of positive hard core hip-hop music designed to be used as a learning tool with youth/workforce development participants. With tracks addressing the issues of drug dealing, HIV/AIDS, gun violence and the importance of education, SON is not only a hot “cd,” it is an educational tool for schools, programs and households genuinely interested in reaching out to youth, from a youth perspective, about issues that greatly affect their lives, freedom and future economic opportunity. A special discussion guide was created to facilitate dialogue among youth and adults about issues addressed in the album. The discussion guide is free and made available to all purchasers of the SON compilation album. To get a copy of the discussion guide hit up YDRF @ Ed@ydrf.com.

Youth Development and Research Fund, Inc. (YDRF), established in 1995, is a company that improves the lives of the hip-hop generation through advocacy , research and training. YDRF also a consultant to the Source Youth Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by The Source Magazine. YDRF takes their programs and strategies to juvenile justice systems, schools, community-based organizations, foundations, corporations and government agencies to help maximize successful outcomes for youth and youth service providers. 15 percent of the profits form the sale of the album will go to support youth programs under the foundation.