Album Notes

In the summer of 1993, Sam Upton a.k.a. Uptown began writing and recording hip-hop and was soon using his music as a release from the daily stressors of growing up without a father, drug abuse within his family and everyday problems teenagers face around the world. Also a semi-pro skater, Uptown sustained a career ending shoulder injury and decided to pursue hip-hop full time. Uptowns skills as an emcee continued to grow over the years as he started performing at dozens of venues as a solo artist and as a part of the group Trackstarrs. Originally from Vallejo, CA, Uptown created a buzz around the Bay Area through four underground releases and numerous live shows in the late 1990s that eventually caught the ear of gold record producer Johnny Z of Rated Z Recordz. The two were soon collaborating, and a new formula emerged that included Zs deep bass lines and raw drums paired with Uptowns witty but serious commentary in his unique style which quickly bounces back and forth between rhyme patterns, inflections and speeds, showcasing his abilities on the microphone. The music takes a humorous approach toward drug and alcohol addiction, romances gained and lost and the contradictions of everyday life. After a year of work in the studio and hundreds of shows opening for artists ranging from DJ Jazzy Jeff to Mobb Deep, Uptown and Z decided to release a full length album in the summer of 2004 entitled No, Im Not Sponsored. After selling thousands of units, Uptown is now following up with his sophomore album Clear and Present Danger which features artists such as the Trackstarrs, Cleezi and Vallejo rap veteran Celly Cel. Uptown is currently touring, promoting this second record in the Western United States with dates on the East Coast being scheduled for this winter. Uptown recently finished the Southwest leg of his tour in Arizona and Nevada with the highlight being the Vans Warped Tour in Phoenix. "I'm the only person to have ever skated, judged and performed at the Warped Tour!" Uptown proudly proclaimed in a recent interview. The newest CD release is "The Show Must Go On" on Rated Z Recordz. Uptown takes it to the next level!
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