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K.O.D./BIGG DOGG RECORDS / Press

“This interview almost didn't happen. Dre (as in 'Knock'em Out Dre, or K.O.D for short) and I keep different schedules for the most part, and he's quite a busy man, what with being official spokesman for Crunk Energy Drink and C.E.O of Bigg Dogg Records. I myself had quite a bit on my plate as well, and we kept meaning to do this interview, but never seemed to be able to match it up. Finally, though, we did, and the resulting interview is one of the best Community Profiles, in my humble opinion. Feel free to take a listen and formulate your own opinion, however. ”

“Starting in 2002, Rapid City hip-hop artist KOD rode a wave of success, first on the strength of his single, "Hear My Cry," which got significant radio play here, and later with his full album, "Rolle to the Fullest."That initial success led to major-label interest, a spot on the Billboard charts and slots opening for Afroman, 2 Live Crew,Tone-Loc and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Now, KOD is getting his second album ready and has landed a sponsorship deal with rapper Lil Jon's Crunk Energy Drink. That sponsorship has allowed KOD to build his street team of 25 people upto more than 75. But beyond the continuing flirtations with fame, the local rapper, whose name is Andre Truitt, is finding ways to give back to the community that has embraced his music. And he's starting by putting on a hip-hop workshop for kids at the Rapid City Public Library. During the two-hour workshop, KOD will cover writing....”

“Andre (K.O.D.) Truitt Title Independent Music Professional Demographic info Rapid City, South Dakota Area | Music ”

“Eliminating public funding for the arts means "saying that only people that have money should have access to the arts," and that is "cutting off your nose to spite your face," Anderson said. "All research shows access to the arts is critical to providing the kind of creative work force we're going to need in the future," she said. "In the new economies of the world, art is not a luxury." Local art grant recipients Here is a list of South Dakota Arts Council grants to Rapid City groups. There are many other arts-related groups and artists in the Black Hills area who are grant recipients, as well. •Bells of the Hills, $1,000. •Going for Baroque, $1,000, Touring Arts grant. •Hank Harris, $1,500, Touring Arts grant. •Christopher Robin Johnson, $500 Touring Arts grant. •Don Jones, $1,000, Touring Arts grant. •Graham Thatcher, $3,000, Artist Grant •Andre Truitt, $1,000, Emerging Artist Grant. ”

“Join the Rapid City Public Library and local hip hop artist KOD of Bigg Dogg Records for a workshop on September 1, 2009 at the library's downtown branch (610 Quincy St). The workshop is from 3:30 to 5:30 and open to any and all! Visit the Rapid City Public Library on the web at: www.rapidcitylibrary.org Visit KOD on the web at www.myspace.com Song: "U Ain't Hot" by KOD/Bigg Dogg Records (used with permission) Added by dipity ”

“Brief Facts: Rapid City, South Dakota. From Georgia. Held a workshop on hip-hop for kids. Name KOD stands for "Knockem Out Dre." Song: Hear My Cry ”

“Local hip-hop performer KOD (Andre Truitt) is back with “Blackhills Takeover.” The 17 songs on the “mixtape” CD are just what we’ve come to expect from KOD, who has been on the local music scene since 2002, first with his single, “Hear My Cry,” which got notable radio play here. Check it out at www.my space.com/kodbiggdoggrecords”