Block Starz Music Launches First Online TV Network

Block Starz Music LLC, best known for distributing and promoting early independent releases by platinum-selling Rostrum/Atlantic Records artist Wiz Khalifa, gold-certified Bad Boy/Interscope Records artist MGK, and Raeda of VH1’s Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta, has launched The BlockStarz.Tv Network, a film and television production company that distributes online video.The company, which was founded by award-winning new media veteran and Block Starz Music LLC chairman Bayer Mack, has partnered with various independent publications and websites, including Faygoluvers, The HYPE Magazine, Rap Reviews, Tattle Tailzz, and Music Industry News Network, to develop, promote, and distribute online television specials and original web series.”This is something Jameelah Wilkerson and I talked about doing a few years ago, but the marketplace and consumer technology wasn’t ready,” says Mack, who was also a founding member of Loud/SRC Records founder Steve Rifkind’s fledgling AKA Music Network in the late 90’s with his website HOT 104.com. “Now, with the rise of the mobile web and the prevalence of smartphones and tablets, we can finally give small businesses and independent content producers, like ourselves, a cost-effective way to reach targeted consumers whenever and wherever they are.”Block Starz Music, which has licensed online video content by its artists to MTV’s Ridiculessness and TruTV’s Upload w/ Shaquille O’Neal, is the first record label to launch a television network and already has several shows in development, including AMERICAN UNDERGOUND, a half-hour web series, created by the editorial staff at popular music website Faygoluvers.net, that will profile underground music artists, eateries, and hang outs in different American cities and MODEL CONFESSIONS, co-produced by women’s lifestyle website TattleTailzz.com, which features interviews and profiles of fashion models who recount experiences and offer cautionary tales about the pitfalls of the industry.”Throughout its history, Block Starz Music has establid a reputation for identifying new talent and cultural trends first,” says Mack, who is credited with signing early independent releases by Machine Gun Kelly (MGK), Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, Rhymefest, Raheem DeVaugn, Fashawn, and the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes. “By maintaining our long-standing professional relationships and developing new strategic business alliances with rising consumer brands like Kas’tell Vodka and Sodiem Lifestyle Apparel, we feel The BlockStarz.Tv Network has a unique competitive advantage in our marketplace.”The BlockStarz.Tv Network will give viewers and media buyers a sneak peak on Wednesday, May 1st at 9pm EST with pilot episodes of American Underground and other web series before launching its full programming lineup, which will air on Monday and Wednesday nights 9pm-12am, on August 26.