Citty

Two weeks ago, Island/Def Jam signed a distribution deal with Slip-N-Slide, a Miami rap label whose stars include Trick Daddy and Trina. The latest in another series of high-profile moves by Island/Def Jam President Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, it automatically turned relatively unknown Bankhead rapper Citty into an artist to watch.

"It's a good feeling, man. I didn't think I was going to be a part of Def Jam," says the cornrowed 22-year-old. Ironically, Citty is sitting in a conference room at WEA/Atlantic's Southeast office, one of the companies that unsuccessfully competed for his talents last fall. One of his managers, Ric Ross, is also a promotions manager for Atlantic.

Citty estimates he's performed more than 300 times in the past two years, rocking mics at clubs like the Peacock Lounge, 20 Grand and many others (often with rap partner Shock), and touring around the South with Field Mob. "I ain't even got a mix tape. I outperform artists," he says. His breakout song is "Cookie Man"; "cookie" is slang for a highly coveted item, whether it's drugs or food stamps. "It's not just a song about selling drugs. It's about selling anything you can to get money," he says. Leaked to DJs and industry folk last spring, it earned airplay on local stations like Hot 107.9 (WHTA-FM), and drew interest from several major labels, including Atlantic, Sony and So So Def/Virgin. In the end, Citty signed a deal with Slip-N-Slide.

After the interview, Citty dips into manager Ross' office and plays several tracks intended for his upcoming album. Many of them are rough and unpolished, and Ross cautions that they're demos, not radio-ready songs.

Still, Citty's lyricism is evident, belying the aphorism that Southern rappers can't rap. On "Cookie Man," he rhymes, "If you want some gold teeth, I'm a send your ass to Eddie [of Eddie's Gold Teeth in downtown Atlanta]/No discount, no bargain, no debit, no credit/Whatever you need, nigga, I got it, it's on deck/I got love in these streets, but I'm paid for my respect."