Drew "Dru Ha" Friedman

Drew "Dru Ha" Friedman
Occupation	Co-CEO of Duck Down Music Inc. and 3D Distribution / Director of Urban Music at Cornerstone Promotion
Website
Dru Ha Facebook

Drew "Dru Ha" Friedman is an American Music and Marketing Executive based in NYC. Friedman is Co-CEO of Duck Down Music Inc., 3D Distribution and Director of Urban Music at Cornerstone Promotion. Born and raised in White Plains NY, he is a graduate of Syracuse University's New House School of Communication where he studied advertising.

Background

During summer breaks at Syracuse University, Friedman interned at SBK Records under Rob Stone (Co-Founder Cornerstone Promotion and Fader Media). There Friedman worked College Radio Promotions for multi-platinum acts Vanilla Ice & Arrested Development.^[1] Shortly after graduating Syracuse, Friedman began working at independent label Nervous Records where he became head of the companies Hip Hop department. He Executive Produced projects from Black Moon, Funkmaster Flex, Smif-N-Wessun and KRS-One's prodigy: Mad Lion. While working as a manager, promoter and marketer, Friedman was also featured as a guest rapper on Black Moon's Enta Da Stage album on the song "U Da Man" under the name Big Dru Ha.

Duck Down Mgmt. & Duck Down Music Inc.

In 1994 Friedman along with his partner Kenyatta Blake (Buckshot) formed Duck Down Management to formally manage the groups Black Moon and Smif-N-Wessun.^[2] In 1995, Dru & Buckshot founded Duck Down Entaprizes (eventually modifying the name to Duck Down Music Inc). to which they signed hip hop groups Heltah Skeltah and O.G.C. In 1996 Duck Down inked a deal with Brian Turner and Priority Records (home to Ice Cube, N.W.A. and Master P's No Limit Records) for label distribution.^[3]

Late in 1996, Tupac Shakur invited Dru and his Artists: Buckshot, Tek & Steele (Smif n Wessun) to work on the never released One Nation, an album that would attempt to show solidarity between the East and West Coasts.^[4] Under Drew's direction at Priority, Duck Down Artists worked with various Hip Hop Artists including collaborations with Mary J. Blige (Smif N Wessun - "I Love You" RMX), Tupac (BCC - "Better Days"), Method Man (Heltah Skeltah - "Gunz N Onz"), Spike Lee (Buckshot - "Crooklyn Dodgers"), Wyclef (Cocoa Brovaz - "Where's the Party"), and fallen songbird Aaliyah who recorded "Nightriders" with the Boot Camp Clik. In 1997 Dru witnessed an unsigned Eminem at a NYC's Lyricist Lounge and attempted to sign Em to Duck Down via parent company Priority Records.^[5] Duck Down has sold over 3,000,000 albums which Friedman Executive Produced.^[6]

In 1998, Friedman along with partner Buckshot, launched Vision Marketing. The agency provided promotion and cross marketing opportunities for Duck Down Album releases for Companies such as Eckō Unltd.,^[7] Sketchers, LRG and others. In 2002, Friedman and Duck Down signed a distribution deal with Koch Records (now E1). Under this deal the label retained full ownership of their Masters, manufactured their own product and were responsible for all the Artists promotion. Duck Down has a direct deal with iTunes for digital distribution.^[8]

In 2006, in addition to still running Duck Down Music, Friedman accepted position at Cornerstone Promotion as Director of Urban Music.^[9] He has worked on campaigns such as Nike's "Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been)" with Rakim, KRS-One, Nas, and Kanye West. The track was nominated for the Grammy Award for "Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group." In late 2010, Pepsi's Chief Engagement Officer hired Cornerstone to do the creative on the brand's campaign, Pepsi Max NFL Audible, due to the firm's history of creating successful urban marketing campaigns. TV spots aired during January 2011 NFL playoff games and online, featuring rappers Big Boi, Lupe Fiasco, B.o.B^[10] and Talib Kweli.

In 2010 and 2011, Duck Down partnered with 2K Sports to present a unique opportunity for aspiring producers and MCs. This involved an open call for submissions for original sample-free compositions for a chance to receive placement in the NBA 2K's game soundtrack (NBA 2K11 and NBA 2K12) and a trip to NYC to perform at Duck Down's CMJ Showcase.^[11]

References

1. ^ Arora, Moe. "Talking With Dru Ha". MoeArora.com. http://moearora.com/talking-with-dru-ha/. 
2. ^ Lindstrom, Al. "Feature: The Indie Series Presents: Dru Ha". AlLindstrom.com. http://allindstrom.com/2010/11/feature-the-indie-series-presents-dru-ha/. 
3. ^ Serwer, Jesse. "Duck Down 15 Year Anniversary". http://newyork.timeout.com/music-nightlife/music/75079/duck-down-15-year-anniversary. 
4. ^ Bernard, Adam. "Dru Ha Interview Pt. 1". RapReviews.com. http://www.rapreviews.com/interview/druha06_1.html. 
5. ^ Bernard, Adam. "Dru Ha Interview Pt. 2". RapReviews.com. http://www.rapreviews.com/interview/druha06_2.html. 
6. ^ Delaini, Jasper. "Duck Down Label Honcho Buckshot Celebrates 15 Years in Business With a Tour". Broward Palm Beach New Times. http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/2010-10-07/music/duck-down-label-honcho-buckshot-celebrates-15-years-in-business-with-a-tour/. 
7. ^ Starbury, Allen. "Duck Down Records Readies Three-CD Triple Threat Box Set". BallerStatus.com. http://www.ballerstatus.com/2009/11/17/duck-down-records-readies-three-cd-triple-threat-box-set/. 
8. ^ Firecloud, Johnny. "Duck Down Makes Direct Deal With iTunes". CraveOnline.com. http://www.craveonline.com/music/articles/142034-duck-down-makes-direct-deal-with-itunes. 
9. ^ Kayser, Brian. "Duck Down Records Update". HipHopGame. http://hiphopgame.ihiphop.com/news.php3?id=1389. 
10. ^ Gensler, Andy. "Watch B.o.B.'s Pepsi Ad for Falcons vs. Packers Game". Billboard.com. http://www.billboard.com/news/watch-b-o-b-s-pepsi-ad-for-falcons-vs-packers-1004139126.story#/news/watch-b-o-b-s-pepsi-ad-for-falcons-vs-packers-1004139126.story. 
11. ^ "NBA 2K11 x Duck Down Records hold MC/producer contest". WoooHa.com. 8 March 2010. http://woooha.com/2010/03/nba-2k11-x-duck-down-records-hold-mcproducer-contest/. 

External links

• Dru Ha Facebook

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