BERMUDIAN rapper Blackwolff has clinched a $3-million distribution deal with Platinum Groove Entertainment (PGE) and is preparing to release his debut album.

The 35-year-old singer, St. David's born and raised, moved to the US in the early '90s and is now based in Wellington, south Florida.

His CD Against All Odds will be released on January 27.

Blackwolff, born Neil Fox, said he had been inspired by the guitar playing and singing of his grandfather Harry Nelson Fox, who was also known as BlackWolf.

The record company he founded two years ago, Love Life Records, secured the lucrative distribution deal with PGE, which is based in Palm Beach, Florida.

"My music is reggae and hip-hop, and a bit of everything else, but it's all positive stuff," Blackwolff told the Mid-Ocean News this week.

"I send a message of redemption from a dangerous street life of guns, knives and violence. Most of these songs were inspired by a combination of desperate situations which stretched our faith in believing the impossible can happen.

"I also put together tracks about being in love and the insecurity of not knowing it's for real. I love making my music to communicate meaning. This album is full of positive vibes and heart-touching tales, all combined in a sweet pop island dance reggae vibe.

"I would say it's a combination of hip hop context with a contrast of Caribbean sounds."

Blackwolff left Bermuda at the age of 25 and was able to put his long-time love of music to good use. He is already a well-known entertainer in Florida, as he has been playing on the road at venues all over the state for the past five years or so.

In a recent interview with PGE magazine, Blackwolff talked about his early life in Bermuda, which he described in this way: "In my teens I was running with the boys and staying one step ahead of the law. I played tunes and MC at the local dance hall on weekends.

"I got in some major trouble, but nothing I couldn't get out of. Stuck running with the wrong brothers, I shouldn't have followed. Being at the wrong place at the wrong time."

His love of music evolved from early in his life and included a lot of input from his mother Sheena, as well as his grandfather.

"From an early age Mom pushed instruments into my hands that she saw in her dad Harry Nelson BlackWolf Fox," he said. "He would strum on his guitar while deep, rich tones would come out of his mouth.

"Every weekend the house would fill with music and everyone would be singing and dancing while they worked."

Blackwolff said he started rapping at the age of 12 and he felt that now the time was right to bring out an album as he had established a loyal fan base from years of live performances with his band RPI.

On the content of Against All Odds, Blackwolff said: "It's a different variety of stuff that became real- life situations about different topics in my life, using wisdom to harness my energy.

"I talk about things that most people never talk about. Hopefully, spreading a positive note of hope in this world."

l More details about Blackwolff and his music are available on the Internet at: www.soundclick.com/blackwolff