Hip hop duo KIN4LIFE releases new track “Lone Ranger” in support of LGBTQ youth; single attracts national media attention with over 2000 downloads in 48 hours

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) December 30, 2010 -- In response to the recent wave of media attention focused on attacks and bullying targeting LGBTQ youth, hip hop duo KIN4LIFE, in collaboration with musicians Nefertiti Akinyela of NefTunes, singer/songwriter Tora Torres and internet stars Studology 101, released the new song “Lone Ranger” as a show of support and solidarity. The single, written and produced by KIN4LIFE, is available for free download at http://www.limelinx.com/files/e09064543c58aa4fb0d23002db69d063.

The nation was shocked in October 2010 when Tyler Clementi, a freshman student at Rutgers University, jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge. Despite the fact that numerous college students commit suicide each year, Clementi’s death was particularly unnerving as his death was one of four recent suicides prompted by bullying due to a student’s homosexuality or alleged homosexuality.

News of the suicide sparked outrage in the media. Television personalities including Katie Couric and Ellen DeGeneres highlighted the incident on their shows and the discussion dominated outlets such as the New York Times, Huffington Post and major television news networks. The unfortunate event has been discussed in light of the plight of gay teens generally, who commit suicide at four times the rate of straight teens, and of the growing phenomenon of cyber-bullying. At the height of this media attention Nor and IQ, collectively KIN4LIFE, decided to enlist the help of musician/poet/songwriter Nefertiti Akinyela of NefTunes and singer/songwriter Tora Torres to record a song to encourage young people who are suffering, often in silence, as a result of varying levels of attacks and isolation because of their sexual orientation. LGBT activists and YouTube personalities Pookz and DZ, known as Studology 101, joined in to illuminate listeners with the sobering facts:

-Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.
-More than 1/3 of LGB youth report having made a suicide attempt.
-Nearly half of young transgender people have seriously thought about taking their lives and one quarter report having made a suicide attempt.
- Almost all transgender students had been verbally harassed (e.g., called names or threatened in the past year at school because of their sexual orientation and gender expression).

-It is estimated that between 20 and 40 percent of all homeless youth identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender.

“Lone Ranger” has had more than 2000 downloads since the Christmas Day release. Plans are underway to use the song as rallying point for a national tour of speaking engagements and events featuring KIN4LIFE, to ensure that the issue is not forgotten once the media attention wanes.

About KIN4LIFE

Born and raised in Mt. Vernon, NY, a town known for its contribution to hip hop in the late 80s and early 90s, female hip hop/R&B duo KIN4LIFE is determined to bring hip hop glory back to their hometown, and respect back to their genre. As young entrepreneurs, IQ and Nor founded their label, Noriq (pronounced Nor-reek) Records in 2002. Under their imprint, KIN4LIFE released 2 albums--”KIN4LIFE Volume I” and “I Love KIN4LIFE” -- and the EP “Rock Star”. The video for the hit single “Make Up Girl” held a spot on the Click List Countdown on MTV’s Logo for 11 consecutive weeks, and was nominated for The Click List's Top 10 Videos of 2009 (http://www.youtube.com/tiffjones820#p/u/63/pTG-g18xgmc).

KIN4LIFE admits that their first love is emceeing, but their production and songwriting skills make them a hot commodity behind the scenes. Working with the hottest up and coming hip hop and R&B acts, KIN4LIFE has garnered comparison to Missy Elliot and The Neptunes, prompting them to form Noriq Records’ subsidiaries, Red Eye Productions and The KIN Factory (writing and production). KIN4LIFE showcased their talent as producers, winning the “King of the ATL” battle at the industry proving ground Producer’s Swap Meet in Atlanta in the fall of 2009. Their unreleased single "Money Brings Trouble" has been selected for placement in the feature film "Changing the Game" directed by Rel Dowdell and scheduled for a fall 2011 release.

Official Website: www.kin4life.com
EPK: www.reverbnation.com/kin4life
YouTube: www.youtube.com/TIFFJONES820
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KIN4LIFE
UStream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/kin4life-tv-tester
MySpace: www.myspace.com/kin4life

Press and Booking Inquiries:
Melody Forrester, Esq.
Artists First, Inc.
mforrester@artists1st.net
(267) 252-1086

bullying     free download     gay bashing     gay teens     hip hop     LGBTQ     suicide prevention     teen suicide