Sub Pop records helped grunge explode in Seattle. Sun Studio in Memphis started rock n ‘roll. Now Chrome Studios wants to be the reason people associate the Inland Empire with hip hop.

And to do this, Montclair Chrome Studios have written over a dozen Inland Empire rappers, producers and singers to record a compilation of 11 tracks of original music called “Draft Day”.

“Be prepared, we’re coming because all of these artists are on to something individually and together. If you don’t know us by now you will, ”said Rojaynae Tillis, a 26-year-old Moreno Valley resident who raps under the name Activethegreat and is one of the artists featured in the new album, released on the 30th. July. .

The album will be followed by the August 6 release of a documentary which chronicles the recording process, which began with the studio launch in May.

“It’s not just to get as much attention as possible for the artists, but to try to get as much attention for us as a community,” said Mohammed Moussa, co-founder of Chrome Studios at Montclair. .

“The scene here should not be ignored. There are talented people here, they have their own sound and they are proud to be where they come from, ”he said.

Moussa and co-founder Nima Ghamari operate Chrome Studios in a 1,400 square foot warehouse that will not only be used as a medium to exhibit the Inland Empire hip-hop scene, but also to help local artists everywhere. genres to record music near their communities and to organize events like concerts and other gatherings.

“We want to invest in local designers. That’s all we want to do, we want to help turn their ideas into reality, ”Moussa said.

There is even a basketball tournament scheduled for August 14 at El Barrio Park in Claremont where many artists from the album will play against each other and against any member of the audience who signs up to compete.

Show what they can do

Although there were many hip-hop artists who rose to fame outside of the Inland Empire, including King Curtiss, Noa James, and Lighter shade of brownThe idea for the studio’s first project arose when Moussa noticed so many talented artists performing in garden and garage shows in the area who didn’t have much time on stage in formal music venues.

“I don’t think there is a lot of local talent that gets a chance to show what they can do, and there is definitely a lot of talent in the Inland Empire,” he said.

So they brought in local artists they knew for the album, which is a real collaboration since each song features at least two artists on each track.

These artists then spread the word to other rappers and singers of the Inland Empire, like Tillis. The album also includes A +, DBD Halo, Don Luxe, Dynasty. Eddie Teak, Fungshway J, Hannah Abrahim, LaHenny, Newell, Omod and Yace.

“The hope is that we can bring all of these people together because they’re all talented and they all have their individual audiences, and then put them in one place with the hope that throughout this process the fans will become fans of other artists on the band and they will collectively give each other a helping hand, ”Moussa said.

Tillis, who performs throughout the Inland Empire at venues such as house parties, warehouses, shisha bars and street performances, had just finished recording his own album and jumped on the opportunity to collaborate with other artists of the Inland Empire.

“One of the producers started making a beat on the spot and it was over from there. As if everyone is vibrating, writing together, making beats together, ”she said.

“It was beautiful because it wasn’t about anything other than music,” Tillis said.

Draft day

To listen to the album, visit hypeddit.com/link/o54mkt

For more information on the documentary and the basketball tournament, follow @iechrome on Instagram