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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: MAKEDA SMITH

SEPTEMBER 7, 2000

PRODUCER OJI PRESENTS RUFF ENDZ

Super Producer Reaches Back for Today’s Hottest Acts

Oji first impacted the music scene with production credits on Montell Jordan’s multi-platinum project, “This Is How We Do It.” A talented songwriter, producer and musician, Oji has since been racking up credits that run the gamut of film, television and even audio book soundtracks. In addition to Jordan, artists he has worked with include CeCe Penniston, Coolio, Changing Faces, Kenny Latimore, Anastaciia, Norman Brown and Stevie Wonder, just to name a few. A behind the scenes influence, one can never really tell when they are listening to the magic of the Oji touch.

The current success of OJI / Epic Records recording artists, Ruff Endz is a case in point. The hit-selling duo is a project that was originally developed by Oji. Their debut single “Love Crimes” reached Number One on the R&B charts.

“I first met Ruff Endz in a friend’s basement in Maryland. I was so impressed with their raw talent that I flew them to Los Angeles to begin developing them as full artists. Five months later I overnighted five packages to five different record companies. Epic saw my vision and responded. The rest, as they say, is history,” recalls Oji.

A native of Washington D.C., Oji is serious about concentrating on pooling talent from what he designates the Mid-Atlantic area, a region comprised of Washington, D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. “Dru Hill, Ginuwine and Sisqo are all from this area,” affirms Oji. “The pool of talent there is incredible. I feel it is important to reach back for as much of it as I can.”

A musician since the age of 13, Oji has music pulsing through his veins. From blues to jazz to hip-hop and spoken word, he knows no musical boundaries. Look out for his next artist, neo-soul crooner Raheem, to pop up on the musical landscape soon. He’s just one of the many projects Oji currently has under wraps.

“Every neighborhood has their local talent, their own local celebrities. It brings me great satisfaction to be able to go home and help bring another artist up,” cites Oji.

With the success of Ruff Endz, Oji continues to prove that though he is behind the scenes, his musical presence is still felt in a powerful way. From “This Is How We Do It” to “Love Crimes,” Oji delivers the music we love to groove to!