June 30, 2008

By By Hillary Crosley, N.Y.

Rap duo the Clipse is readying two releases: "The Clipse Present The Re-Up Gang" which hits shelves August 5 via Koch Records and "Till The Casket Drops" which is slated for November on Columbia Records.

Along with MCs Ab-Liva and Sandman, the Clipse formed the Re-Up Gang in 2004. Both Ab-Liva and Sandman gained recognition for their contributions on both Clipse' albums, "Lord Willin'" and "Hell Hath No Fury," as well as the "We Got It 4 Cheap" mixtape series. "The Clipse Present the Re-Up Gang," is spearheaded by the single, "Fast Life," which was produced by Scott Storch, and boasts three unreleased remixed tracks from "We Got it 4 Cheap Vol. 3."

"We put out the "We Got It 4 Cheap" series on our own and that kept us visible and built up the Re-Up name," says Pusha T of the Clipse. "This release gives us something fresh in the marketplace to reward Re-Up fans while we continue to work on the Clipse album."

Last year, the Clipse signed a five-year 50/50 deal with Sony/Columbia Records, which allows the pair to retain ownership of their masters and release independent records like "The Clipse Present The Re-Up Gang." "Till The Casket Drops" is the first record under the deal with Columbia.

In addition to collaborating with Columbia executive Rick Rubin for an as-yet-untitled song, The Neptunes' Pharrell Williams, Justice League, Sean C and LV, DJ Khalil Dame Grease have also contributed tracks to "Till The Casket Drops."

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