Cool & Dre Launch Epidemic, Joint Venture with Interscope

Miami-based production duo Marcello “Cool” Valenzano and Andre “Dre” Lyon have signed a joint venture deal for their Epidemic Music imprint with Interscope Records. Though Cool & Dre declined to reveal specific details, the pair says the new pact is a 50/50 joint venture, with Interscope providing distribution, promotion and marketing.

Epidemic’s first releases are slated for this fall from its first two artist signings, Don Trip and K-Rose. Originally from Memphis, 25-year-old rapper Trip is signed to Epidemic through First Family Music and has released several mixtapes in addition to his popular video on World Star Hip-Hop, “Letter to My Son.” South Florida native K-Rose is an 18-year-old singer/songwriter currently recording her debut album, a mix of R&B, pop, dance and rock. Also an actress, K-Rose co-stars in the ABC Family movie “Teen Spirit” due this summer.

Best known for previous hit collaborations with The Game (“My Life” featuring Lil Wayne, “Hate It or Love It” featuring 50 Cent) and Ja Rule (“New York featuring Fat Joe and Jadakiss), Cool & Dre are behind the new Game track “Red Nation” featuring Lil Wayne. In addition to their work on upcoming albums by The Game and Rick Ross, Cool & Dre have written and produced songs for Lil Wayne’s forthcoming ‘Carter IV.’

“We look to follow in the footsteps of other record companies we’ve had the privilege to work with like Aftermath and Cash Money,” say Cool & Dre. “Our objective is to shine the biggest spotlight on our artists utilizing the many relationships we have built throughout our career. Get ready!”