New Record Label Started By Maryland Rapper

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Maryland rapper Michal DeAngelo Billups started his own music label called Double A Records. The name pays homage to Billups' home in Anne Arundel County.

Billups, better known as hip hop artist Michal DeAngelo, released a single on Monday to celebrate the accomplishment. Entitled "ON MY BACK," the song explores how Anne Arundel County influenced Billups.

The track references Severn, Brooklyn Park and Annapolis. It also features two other Anne Arundel County rappers, Brokeboy Swift and Litty Tay, who are both friends Billups met in school.

"We hope to bring pride, respect, & camaraderie to a region that has been so divided and underrated amongst the other previously more notable regions like PG County, Baltimore, and DC.," Billups said in an Aug. 11 press release announcing the label.

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Born in Havre De Grace in 1994, Billups moved to western Anne Arundel County in 2004. He wrote on Spotify his new home "was a rough area full of shady characters, corrupt policing & murder." The child of a military family eventually adapted and became "a pillar of the local community."

Billups is now a rising musician. He has 1,147 followers on Twitter and 876 on Instagram.

"ON MY BACK," which includes explicit language and themes, is available on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. The music video premiers Friday at this link. More information on Billups is available on his website.

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