GME

From roots-rock-reggae of the 1970s, to the hot and spicy Latin-influenced sounds of meringue and the deep-bottom kick drums of booty-shaking bass, Florida has been a musical melting pot flavored with the most influential music that has inspired southern hip-hop. Whether the electro-fused funk of Disco Rick and the Gucci Crew, deep-bottom kick drums of Luke and the 2 Live Crew or the sassy and seductive sounds of Trick Daddy and Trina, the bottom of the map has held a long-standing tradition in producing good, quality music to make you move your feet.

Holding true to their musical roots are Florida’s newest native sons - GME. This multi-talented hip-hop group made up of brothers: Trouble Man (Christopher Fateen Kerr, 20), Che (Che Ali Kerr, 17), Dokes (Joshua Andrew Kerr, 16) and childhood buddies Tazz (Rakeem Kirt Alli, 18) and Y-Jay (Tyler Michael Rolchigo, 16) are turning up temperatures in the Sunshine State, dropping single after sizzling single. With a relatively small promotional push, their first song “Big Money” spread throughout Palm Beach and Miami until popular demand for it landed them in regular rotation on South Florida’s X102.3 FM.

While it may appear that their journey into the music industry happened overnight, GME was formed out of their friendship and love for hip-hop at Polo Park Middle School in Palm Beach. In between classes, the crew would battle other emcees, gradually taking their craft more and more seriously, and then officially forming GME at Palm Beach Central High School.

Trouble Man rigged up a makeshift studio through his computer and after school, they would all gather at his house to record. It happened that Trouble Man’s father was Christopher Kerr Sr., CEO of the legendary Miami-based Togetherness Records, one-time label home to famed reggae star Anthony B. After determining that GME was dedicated, Kerr signed the boys to a deal and began recording them in his state-of-the-art studio.

Togetherness Records started a grassroots campaign working their first song, “Big Money” regionally, distributing music to high-schools in the South Florida and promoting the song online through MySpace and Facebook. Their music caught on because of its carefree party vibe. After the recent release in January of their debut mixtape, The Comeup, the group is now set to take over the airwaves once again with two follow-up runaway singles, “Phone Home” and “Thinking of You,” both produced by Christopher Kerr for Togetherness Records. Trouble Man’s mild, conversational flow and Dokes’ slow, sensual style come across on “Thinking of You,” a soft and sweet song just for the females. Che’s lyrical wordplay and Y-Jay’s infectious personality invite listeners into GME’s futuristic fantasy world of money, cars and clothes on “Phone Home.”

“We’re not down with the guns, violence, and drugs. People don’t always want to hear that hardcore violence. Hip-hop came from the streets, but the audience for hip-hop has expanded. We make our music for everyone,” expresses Che. “GME’s music is recession proof,” adds Tazz. “It’s a break from the stress. If you don’t have money to go to the club, have a house party, move the couch to one side and get your dance on, right in the living room. That’s the kind of fun GME is all about. We’re coming with a fresh sounds that can only be described as ‘southern futuristic swag.’ You gotta leave your troubles behind, be down with GME to rock with it.” And with swagga to spare, these Florida boys, GME, just upped the game. - www.myspace.com/officialgme