Heather Hunter, the former adult star who has become a pop culture icon, is set to release her first CD as a rapper next month on Blo Records. Street date for The Unexpected is July 12.
David Copeland, the star’s longtime manager, told AVN.com that the album is getting a “great response” from record stores, radio stations and deejay pools all over the country. “We’re having a good experience in the record business,” he said excitedly.
Hunter recorded a couple of dance music singles on the Island and Tommy Boy labels in the ‘90s, but The Unexpected is her first full CD.
“The product is really diverse,” Copeland said. “There are L.A. tracks, Miami tracks, AOR crossover numbers and nasty hardcore raps. It can compete completely with what’s out there now.”
He emphasized that the star has developed considerable rapping skills, comparing her to artists like Lil Kim. “She delivers,” he said. “She can be part of this [music business] legitimately.”
On The Unexpected, Hunter, who is also known in the music world as “Double H,” collaborated with topflight producers Scott Storch, DJ Premier and Aaron “Freedom” Lyles. “These are platinum producers who are making the hits you hear on the radio today,” Copeland said.
Hunter entered adult in 1988 and had the distinction of being the first African-American Vivid Girl. Although she stopped performing in the late ‘90s, her movies, almost all on the Vivid label, are still sought after by fans.
Over the years, Copeland said, Hunter has branded herself so successfully in the marketplace that “she’s like water: say her name and they know who you’re talking about.
“There is a whole universe of people who are Heather Hunter fans. Her demographic is [ages] 16 to 65. She is a black celebrity icon who has crossed over into urban culture.”
Hunter’s appearances in mainstream movies and television shows, often alongside superstars such as Denzel Washington and Pam Grier, have, according to Copeland, have heightened her visibility with the mainstream African-American audience.
And, having been referenced in countless rap and hip-hop songs, “she has the love and respect of the hip-hop community. Her credibility is flawless.”
Hunter’s music video, from the first single, “So Serious,” was produced by Gyiles Frances and features an appearance by hip-hop star Wyclef Jean.
The album may be previewed and sampled at www.blorecords.com. For more on Hunter, visit www.heatherhunter.com.
For distributor and sales inquiries, call Dave Copeland at 888.866.6969.
