User:ProjectOrganized/Ala Wrek

--ProjectOrganized (talk) 05:15, 18 August 2011 (UTC)ProjectOrganized

Ala Wrek is a Virginia born rap artist based in Oklahoma City. The founder of Project Organized Records, a certified chef, entrepreneur and contributor to the midwest music scene, Ala Wrek is best known for his 2002 album Wrekonize and his unwavering support of local music.

A Hard Knock Life
Ala Wrek (born Chris Swanson; March 22, 1978) is an Oklahoma native and a world traveler. Born into poverty and raised by a single mother, one could say that he has beaten the odds. At the age of 10 Chris was recruited into the gang life and began to be primarily influenced by the streets. Coming up in Oklahoma in the 1980s was a go hard or go hungry time and to Chris providing for his mother and sister was a challenge but, as he saw it, it was also his responsibility. Being a child in the gang life during that time meant that being introduced to crack cocaine was almost inevitable, so there were times when young Chris had to dodge both prison and death while doing his best to survive and provide. Because he was successful at keeping out of harm’s way Chris began to feel that his life was destined to be more than a statistic. He took a special interest in music, gaining his love for it from listening to artists like Michael Jackson, New Edition, L.L. Cool J. and Rapping Ron and needing the refuge it provided from his hard-knock life. During his 6th grade school year Chris and his best friend Jerry Johnson a.k.a. Ace Dog began writing and recording songs over their favorite artist’s instrumentals. Soon, others began to notice the young man and his bourgeoning talent, so when Chris’ older cousin Kevin Ealy founded Signature Ent and went on to launch the careers of some of Oklahoma’s most successful artists, including Nitro (who at that time went by the name Daddy D), he also picked up the young rapping duo Under 18. The group which was comprised of Chris and his best friend Jerry toured and performed live shows in small towns throughout Oklahoma and parts of Texas under his cousin’s tutelage.

Within a year Under 18 auditioned for a record label and was invited to come aboard Gerald Mitchell Productions. After some serious scandal and lawsuits involving the music the group learned an invaluable lesson of the music industry: protect yourself. They went on to audition for Bound By Brothers, an up and coming label founded in OKC by Tory C. which produced artists such as Buccet Loc and Low C. With the label they recorded their 1st single Time for a Change, this was a record geared toward challenging gang members to provide better influences to the youth.

The Come Up
Using his hustle money to finance his dream of being heard Chris purchased recording time with Record Bay Productions and would be there for hours watching Mica Williams make beats from his concepts. Williams respected Chris’ ambition and worked with him on his recording. By 1995 Chris had established a buzz and recognizable acceptance and after being kicked out of nearly every school in the district, he decided to pursue a solo music career full time. Living a troubled life and on his own by the age of 17, Chris continued rapping about the life he lived. After a stint in the military which broadened both his hustle and his experiences, Ala Wrek was introduced to the world in the year 2000. Battling rappers from New Jersey to Baltimore to Texas he repeatedly beat all comers, at the time it was called "wreking" – thus Ala Wrek, the god of wreking, was born. This was the same year he founded Project Organized Records and began selling CDs out of the trunk of his car, in club parking lots and locally in corner stores and barber shops. In 2001 Ala Wrek moved to Denver, CO and was signed to the independent record label Illuminated Records on a deal which allowed Project Organized to collaborate in the production of his 2nd solo album Wrekonize. The album was released July 14, 2003 and recorded 276 units sold on the 1st day and going on to sell 696 units in the first week of its release. After much local success, Ala Wrek moved back to Oklahoma to brand and rebuild the structure of his label in the place it was born. With a determined and aggressive ambition Project Organized has released several projects including: Ballin in the Streets, Vol. 1 , Kingpins , Supastarr (Documentary, mix tape and soundtrack), and the latest project Too Wrekless. Ala Wrek’s most notable accomplishment thus far is his combined CD sales which have reached a record-breaking 12,000 units. As an unsigned, independent artist this number is staggering. Also, in 2008, Ala Wrek was nominated for and won the title of “Most Known CEO” at the 2008 Street Music Awards. He has been privileged to perform, record and do cameos with big name artists the likes of Bizzy Bone, Daz Dilinger, Playalitical and The Game as well as successful local peers Chris McCain, Chop Chop of Presidential Traphouse, Young O, Big 8 and fellow P.O. label mates Young Free, J-Sweeze, Young Bugg and pop artist Tova.

The Future
An entrepreneur at heart, Wrek is engaged in other business arenas such as artist management, he is a certified professional chef, is currently developing an urban cooking show, a clothing store (Backstage Clothing) and an urban clothing line “PO Gear”. A man with determination and focus, he hopes to follow in the footsteps of successful business moguls Jay Z, Lil Wayne and Ice Cube. Ala Wrek is making noise and because of it is not hard to find.

Discography
Forever Rap (2001); Wrekonize (2003); Kingpenns Vol. 1 (2004); Supastarr soundtrack (2006); Too Wrekless (2008); RESURFACE (2011)