Just when it looked like Grand Hustle couldn't get any bigger, the Atlanta label, owned by T.I., added an extra boost from 6'10 NBA baller Amar'e Stoudemire, who, alongside T.I., hosted a private dinner Saturday, January 24 at Atlanta's Justin's in order to announce an official collaboration.
"What we are doing is collaborating as far as managing players," Amar'e told VIBE.com. "That's something I have a special interest in, with me being an athlete I know what it takes and how important it is to have a great management team.
Amar'e Stoudemire with his new artist, Juice
"T.I. and Grand Hustle are great from a music standpoint," Stoudemire continued. "I got a record label out called Hypocalypto Records. My artist Juice is the next project for me. T.I. wants to get into sports management and I'm already involved with that so we are just going to collaborate with both companies. We've been talking the past two weeks about making something happen. We are finally starting to get the ball rolling. It's going to be great for the upcoming athletes coming out of college or from Europe and overseas playing football and basketball, and for the upcoming rappers."
Amar'e and T.I. were joined by NFL players Deon Grant (Seattle Seahawks), Ovie Mughelli (Atlanta Falcons) and WNBA star Lisa Leslie (Los Angeles Sparks) rappers Killer Mike and Big Kuntry, producers G.K. and Drumma Boy of the Drum Squad. Former Danity Kane singer D.Woods and Bravo's Real Housewives of Atlanta star Sheree Whitfield were also in the building to celebrate the new alliance.
Guests to Saturday's event were treated to cocktails and a full course dinner, with T.I. and Amar'e jovially mingling with the crowd. The first priority for the new Hypocalypto/Grand Hustle team is Phoenix, AZ rapper Juice, who is currently in the studio with the Drum Squad.
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