Artist Profile: William Cooper (Hip Hop / Rap)

TMD proudly presents a founding member of Black Market Militia: William Cooper

SOURCE: MySpace

"Comfort is the enemy of progress... these are the priceless words that the New Jersey Rapper/Producer/A&R, William Cooper AKA Booth has adopted as his slogan and constant reminder to always keep pushing his way to the top.

In 2001, the hungry entrepeneur earned a valuable internship at Steve Rifkind's New York based Loud Records. During this time Loud was the home to hip hop giants like Wu-Tang Clan, Big Pun, Three 6 Mafia, Mobb Deep and Dead Prez. Booth soon found himself working in Loud's A&R department under Arlene Delvalle. Here is where the driven Rapper/Producer/A&R learned the ins and outs of the record business and built valuable relationships. Unfortunately, later in 2002, Loud Records was bought out by Sony and it was back to square one for Booth

Not even missing a beat, Booth teamed up with legendary rapper Tragedy Khadafi (Juice Crew, Capone-N-Noreaga) to A&R and produce the critically acclaimed "Still Reporting" LP in 2003. The record featured Hip Hop greats Havoc (Mobb Deep) & Capone (Capone-N-Noreaga). This album recieved overwhelmingly positive reviews and has sold over 20,000 copies to date through Solid/25 To Life Records.

Later in 2005, Booth was the A&R of Starr Blazz's debut LP "The Way Of The Bullet". The record featured Capone (Capone-N-Noreaga), Nature (The Firm) and Peedi Crack (Roc-A-Fella Records). "The Way Of The Bullet" also hit the Billboard Charts with it's first single/video "Padlock".

Knowing that timing is everything, Booth did not hesitate to show that he was much more than a seasoned Producer/A&R. He began showcasing his MC abilities which led to the formation of the supergroup "Black Market Militia". Black Market Militia is a five member group that consist of: William Cooper AKA Booth, Killah Priest (Wu-Tang), Tragedy Khadafi (Juice Crew, Capone-N-Noreaga), Hell Razah (Sunz Of Man) and Timbo King (Royal Fam). The group went on to release two street mixtapes that were followed by their worldwide self-titled debut LP "Black Market Militia" on Nature Sounds Records. The LP received praise from the Hip Hop world and was considered the best Independent release of 2005.

One year later in March 2006, Nature Sound released "Natural Selection" which featured a DJ Absolut remix of Black Market Militia's "GemStars".

In 2008, William Cooper AKA Booth produced "The Bottom Line", which was the lead single/video on Killarmy's 9th Prince "Prince Of New York" LP. The record was released on Babygrande Records and will be followed by the "Revenge Of The 9th Prince" LP due to be released later in 2009. William Cooper appears on "Revenge Of The 9th Prince" rapping alongside Shyheim (Wu-Tang) on the BP produced track "Sour Diesel".

Presently, William Cooper has been perfecting his solo debut masterpiece "Beware Of The Pale Horse" and starting up his own record label "Gemstarr Regime". Booth has spent many years putting this debut together cutting no corners in every aspect of this LP. "Beware Of The Pale Horse" features Hip Hop heavyweights Kool G Rap (Juice Crew), Killah Priest (Wu-Tang), 9th Prince (Killarmy), Hell Razah (Sunz Of Man), Nature (The Firm), Ill Bill (La Coka Nostra), Blue Raspberry (Wu-Tang), Bloodsport, Stoneface and Majesty.

Black Market Militia Presents... William Cooper "Beware Of The Pale Horse" is the first release on Booth's own label "Gemstarr Regime" and dropped on October the 20th, 2009. It is distributed worldwide by Traffic/Orchard Entertainment."

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