Thug Life Army

Philadelphia-based record label and multi-media company globalizing hip hop culture through music, fashion and art - Respect The Culture, LLC, has released a hip hop song titled "Troop Song (Cause Unknown)" calling for peace and the end to the U.S. war in Iraq.

Hip hop artists Nex Millen/Retrospective and Poesh Wonder collaborated with soul songstress taragirl on the new single. The release comes just weeks before a heated Presidential primary between Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Clinton in Pennsylvania.

The "Troop Song (Cause Unknown)" chorus requests that the "Commander in Chief" bring our troops home. Its verses tell the story of three people intimately involved with the Iraq war – a child whose mother is on active duty, a soldier fighting in Iraq and a grandmother concerned about her grandson's interest in enlistment after having lost her son in the Gulf War. Throughout the song, the repeated cry is, "We''re just looking for peace Mr. / Ms. President."

The song's feature artist, Nex Millen, says, "We believe that hip hop culture has a voice in the Pennsylvania primary, other primaries and caucuses and in the general election. The song is an expression of the will of a majority of Americans, and I consider myself the ''Hip Hop Super delegate.''"

"Music has always been an important aspect of American culture and a means of political expression. ’Troop Song'' goes beyond mere politics and gets to the heart of the issues facing our troops, their families and our country-at-large," said Marci Krufka, the single's Executive Producer.

"Troop Song (Cause Unknown)" is available for purchase via Itunes, cdbaby and other distribution outlets. A free stream of the song is available on www.myspace.com/troopsong . Free mp3 files of the song are available for download to the press upon request.

Respect The Culture released the following statement regarding Troop Song: "We support our troops in Iraq and throughout the world and thank them for their hard work, dedication and service as they preserve, protect and defend the United States. But after five years, the time to end the war is long overdue. For the sake of the troops, their families and friends, and the future of our country, we ask the President and Presidential candidates to please, ''Bring Our Troops Home.'' Our country is at war. We can''t continue to ignore that our troops risk their lives every day. Nearly 4,000 U.S. troops have died and tens of thousands have been injured - not to mention all of the personal sacrifices that our military and their families have made for the sake of freedom. Tens of thousands of Iraqis have perished and continue to live with the repercussions of war daily. Yet our network news broadcasts begin nightly with politics and Hollywood antics, while updating us on the war in their last story, if at all, almost as an afterthought. Our cable news features political debates, celebrity interviews, financial news and sensational stories that get ratings. Most of us believe the war should end and our troops should come home as soon as possible."

Nex Millen/Retrospective is a Philadelphia-born hip hop artist, producer and DJ. He was a co-founder of Camden, New Jersey-based Breakbread Projects and a member the critically-acclaimed group Nuthouse. Millen has performed across the United States and throughout Europe and was the Music Coordinator for the Digable Planets 2005 Reunion Tour UK.  Formerly an engineer with Sony Studios (New York) and Sigma Sound Studios (Philadelphia) and Artist Development Representative for EMI/Capitol, he has released several recordings as an artist with former groups, produced numerous singles, albums and mix tapes for other artists and was the Music Supervisor for the very successful And1 B-ball mix tapes.

Poesh Wonder is a New Jersey-born hip hop artist. He has two solo albums, "Like This," and the recent release, "No You Haven''t And You Never Will Again (The Motion Picture). His current single, "Selectah" (El Chavo/Juno Records UK) was a featured release on Itunes Hip Hop. Poesh Wonder has made guest appearances numerous recordings including "Breakbread Radio," "Balance is Back," and "Almost Famous." His work has resulted in worldwide acclaim, resulting in featured appearances on "Historias De Q," the latest CD of Spanish hip hop phenom Quiroga and starring with Quiroga in the video for "Wah/Fuego en tu Interior."

"taragirl" is a Philadelphia-based soul artist. She has shared the stage with legendary artists, including Chaka Khan, Angie Stone, Jill Scott, Chrisette Michele, the Brand New Heavies, and Amy Winehouse. Her album, "The 26th Power," produced by Simon Illa, is currently available on Itunes.

Respect the Culture LLC is a Philadelphia-based record label and multimedia company – globalizing hip hop culture through music, fashion and art.

For more information contact Marci Krufka at Respect the Culture at 610-550-9705 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or see www.respecttheculture.com .