I'm Promoting You LLC

When you’re independent grind is successful in a major way, and your songs are ruling radio, major labels will take notice. Such was the case with 23-year-old Baltimore-native Travis Holifield, a.k.a. BOSSMAN. After selling 10,000 CDs in stores in only three weeks, major labels started calling. But it was Jermaine Dupri and his new Virgin Records powerhouse that beat the competition and signed BOSSMAN only 30 minutes after their introduction. Pulling his CD off shelves, BOSSMAN is now back in the studio, readying the release of his major label debut, LAW & ORDER.

 “I’m calling the album LAW & ORDER because the #1 law in Hip-Hop is to be original and be yourself,” explains BOSSMAN. “That’s missing in music and I’m trying to bring that back. Then everything will fall into order. You will get what you want if you stick to the script.” Injecting his true feelings into every song, BOSSMAN lives by the #1 rule. “That’s what glues you to somebody. I want to sell me, not just my music.”

And that’s exactly what he did when he wrote and released his no-holds-barred joint, “Off The Record” from his first CD. Speaking his mind freely about controversial celebrities like R. Kelly, Biggie and Tupac, BOSSMAN gained widespread notoriety in Baltimore, DC, Delaware, Virginia and Philly. Add to that sales of 25,000 mix tapes in B-more alone, and two more local radio favorites, “O” and “I Did It,” and BOSSMAN is credited with opening doors in his area for other Hip-Hop artists. And it doesn’t stop as BOSSMAN continues his radio presence with “Untouchable,” a leaked record powered by the attention-grabbing, Biggie-assisted hook.

Growing up in Baltimore, Maryland meant 24/7 struggles. BOSSMAN had to constantly fight the people trying to pull him down as he started his climb to the top. But as history has shown, most great leaders have overcome obstacles, which have only pushed them to succeed. So in spite of his hardships endured as a youth – his father was heavy in the streets and both his mother and father spent time in jail – BOSSMAN insists it’s possible to make it another way. Watching the harmful effects of the game firsthand on his family, BOSSMAN decided to take the road less traveled in B-more. While his music can be called street, he’s not glorifying the life. He takes a negative and makes it a positive. As he sees it, there are no excuses for failure. 

After all he’s been through; BOSSMAN knows all too well not to take life for granted. That his baby girl was born not breathing is just one example. Pulling from his arsenal of life experience, he’s pouring everything he has into his debut, and in doing so he’s raising the bar for rap lyricists. 2005 Hip-Hop needs BOSSMAN more than ever. “The last time we had quality music was when Biggie and Tupac were around,” he relays. “Nas was bringing another side of rap, and Wu-Tang was bringing originality.” For BOSSMAN, the goal is simple: To prove that underground and commercial music can meet, a style that he claims only Jay-Z has mastered. One minute with BOSSMAN and you’ll be convinced he’s up to the task. Stay tuned for BOSSMAN: LAW & ORDER.

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