PERSONALITY, CINQUE, GOES FROM BET TO THE BEATS ON HIS DEBUT ALBUM, EYES FOR THE BLIND, TO BE RELEASED ON BIG GRIP RECORDS.

CINQUE (pronounced Sin-Q), co-host of BETs award-winning Teen Summit" has completed his debut album, Eyes For The Blind. The rapper turned TV personality returns to his musical roots after co-hosting two seasons of BETs Teen Summit.

BET PERSONALITY, CINQUE, GOES FROM BET TO THE BEATS ON HIS DEBUT ALBUM,
EYES FOR THE BLIND, ON BIG GRIP RECORDS.

CINQUE (pronounced Sin-Q), co-host of BETs award-winning Teen Summit" has completed his debut album, Eyes For The Blind. The rapper turned TV personality returns to his musical roots after co-hosting two seasons of BETs Teen Summit. I went to LA with my friend who had an audition to host BETs Teen Summit, and while I was waiting, the producer for the show saw me sitting in the studio and asked me to audition. At the time, I was recording my album, Ghetto Cinema. Before I knew it, I was co-hosting the show. Music has always been my first love, so Im returning to my roots and finally putting out what I consider my debut album."

The album is titled, Eyes For The Blind, because I want my music to show people who arent paying attention, whats going on in the world," Cinque explains. There are party tracks for the clubs and radio, but if you listen closely there are lyrics with social messages that open your eyes to whats happening in our communities without being preachy. The industry has programmed hip-hop artists today to feel like they cant talk about whats going on in the world labeling those who do as conscious rappers. I believe we all have to be conscious of whats happening and aware of how we are affected by the decisions our world leaders make. I have a track on my album called Regime Change, which talks about the importance of voting and Eyes For The Blind opens up with a conversation where Im talking with a young person about how he feels about the war. We should also realize that how we live our lives today impacts our future generation. The unfortunate thing is artists who really have something to say arent heard because theyre not on the right label, down with the right click, or produced by the hitmakers."

Cinque released two regional releases, Ghetto Cinema and The Roster, which sold more than 85,000 units without radio, video, or media exposure, an impressive feat for an unsigned independent artist. Instead of following the traditional approach of selling records used by the major record labels, Big Grip will use the same method traditionally used by Southern artist to promote and sell their albums regionally before hitting the mainstream market. Big Grip Records, CEO, Darryl Patton, cites artist like Lil Jon and David Banner who released regional records which were huge in The South that are just now getting national/mainstream recognition as examples. Patton explains, Times have changed and independent labels are selling hundred of thousands of records without using the same marketing and promotion approach used by major labels. Big Grip Records plans to work this record the same way using Cinques celebrity to book shows, appearances, in-stores, radio interviews, and press regionally before competing with the major label releases nationally. Eyes For The Blind will be released regionally to mom & pop retail chains, one-stops, and Internet retail sites like Amazon.com and CDNow.com before routing a promotional tour.

An accomplished actor, Cinque, stars in upcoming independent films, Equalaris and Dont Blame It On Hip Hop where he portrays a young rapper battling the confines of the street while seeking a better life. He first appeared on the big screen in the 1999 film Nemisis 2: Prey as King Qadar. Other film credits include None Left Standing (2000), Red Herring (2001), and upcoming bio pic, Smoking Joe, where he plays boxer, Busta Mathis. The movie, which follows the life of boxing legend, Joe Frazier, is set to hit theaters in 2004.

Besides music and acting, Cinques other passion is boxing. In his amateur boxing career, he has achieved 3 Gold Gloves (1997-1999), 4 Silver Gloves (1997) and 2 Copper Gloves (1994-1995). Through boxing, Cinque learned the art of discipline, which has helped his professional career. When not ringside or in the studio, Cinque puts his boxing skills to good use in United Soldiers, a grassroots non-profit organization started by his brother, Leroy Coleman. United Soldiers is in the process of opening a boxing gym so kids with good grades can learn how to box. Cinque explains, Boxing is a physical chess game. Through it you can teach kids discipline, critical things, and build self-esteem along with confidence."