Raekwon, ModeNine(Nigeria), Dead Prez, Dumi Right (Zimbabwe), M.anifest (Ghana), Wanlov & M3NSA (Ghana), Arabian Knightz (Egypt), Abass Abass (Senegal), … these are just a few of the many artists Eric “Coptic” Matlock has lined up to appear on Close To My Roots, the Black Star Line project currently in the works (visit Black Star Line to see a fuller list).
Visitors to this site will know that the continent of Africa is not short of talent when it comes to hip hop and reggae, yet it's often overlooked in mainstream music coverage. Coptic's idea is to get African and American musicians together to create great music in order to bring more mainstream international attention to the continent's musicians, and to the “true” African sound.
Upon completion of the album, Coptic hopes to tour Africa, bringing American and International artists that most people only see on TV to every country on the continent. Furthermore, a portion of the proceeds made from the album will be used to purchase musical equipment for local schools in Africa.
Coptic was born and raised in Ghana, West Africa, but moved to the States when he was 13. He has produced records for The Notorious B.I.G (If I Should Die Before I Wake & Living The Life), Puff Daddy/Diddy (I Need A Girl), Jermaine Dupri (All That's Gotta Go), Ma$e, KRS-One, Shyne and many more.
SIGN UP FOR THE FREE BLACK STAR LINE MIXTAPE
While the album is in it's recording stage, Coptic is putting together a Black Star Line mixtape, hosted by DJ Black (Ghana) and Lee Kasumba (South Africa), to promote the project. Sign up to receive the link to this free download and you stand a chance to win a free t-shirt and 5 hard copies of the mixtape when it drops in early February.
