Do college rappers have X-factor?

A COLLEGE record label is going from strength to strength as it plans to release not one, but two, compilation CDs.

SNC Recordings was set up at South Nottingham College last year and released a compilation of student material called Mechanical Evolution.

The students are producing two compilations – and artists are being picked up by national radio.

Student James Ellis, of Beechdale, known as Truth on Wheels, is one of the label's newest rap stars in the making.

The 19-year-old was born and raised in New Jersey and moved to England in 2003.

"There aren't too many well-known hip-hop stars in wheelchairs as far as I know but my aim is to encourage others to follow their dream," he said.

"I am really excited, as every artist wants to have their material released to a wider audience. This is a great project to be involved in and we are lucky to be part of it."

James, who was born with cerebral palsy, is also handling promotion of the label.

James agrees with course-mate, Lucila Smith, 20, that releasing two compilations will help with marketing the new releases.

Lucila, from Chilwell, said: "One of the CDs will be metal and rock music and the other will be urban and electronic music.

"We want each CD to appeal to people who like that sort of music.

"Last year it was one CD with a mixture of music on but we thought splitting the genres into two parts would be more successful."

Lucila and James are members of a production group with Danny Patrick, 20, along with this year's label manager Theo Harris, 18.

All four are second year BTEC music technology students and are working on urban styles for next year's CD.

Joe Fox, 20, is working on rock and metal music for the release with Lewis Adcock, 19, both from Clifton.

Joe is also working in sales for the label and Lewis is working on events management.

"We're trying to get funding at the moment and we are also trying to sort out a distribution deal for our material," Lewis said.

"But at the moment when you call someone and let them know you are a college record label they are less interested. Getting the deal is the biggest challenge at the moment."

The two compilations will be launched at two live gigs in Nottingham in June.

The project is being overseen by tutor Trevor Bamford, who runs local label Nightbreed Recordings and has released 57 albums to date.

"This new group of students have to try and make this venture their own, building on last year's success," he said.

"It was their decision to produce two albums worth of material and they are working hard to get tracks ready.

"All the recordings are written and performed by the students and I am hoping there may be a few pleasant surprises on the album.It would be great to get another success like Tony Cook on this year's album."

Tony, a student of 2008 and known as Cookie Monsta, has attracted interest from major labels including Warner Brothers and several tracks have been played on local and national radio.

Tracks from Mechanical Evolution are now available to download from ITunes and Napster.

For more information on digital downloads visit www.stormingthebase.com

The college's music department's Myspace page can be seen at http://www.myspace.com/sncrecordings

michael.greenwell@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk