Team Blackout

The feel-good vibe of the hip-hop crew Team Blackout sounds like a throwback to the golden age of hip-hop, and it has a lot to do with member JoJo Simmons' family tree. With his father being Rev Run from the legendary Run-D.M.C., JoJo not only grew up in a musical household but in his late teens he was featured heavily on MTV's Run's House, a reality television show that focused on the Simmons family. Viewers watched JoJo plus his friends Zach and Reggie develop this group, which was formed during and named after the 2003 New York City blackout. The show premiered in 2005, and two years later the group was signed to the indie label Latchkey Entertainment. In 2008 they released the pop-rap single "J5 on Em'," featuring guests DJ Webstar and Boogie Black. That same year their debut album, Lights Out, arrived with Rev Run as executive producer. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide If you've been following the hit MTV reality series Run’s House starring Reverend Run (of Run-DMC), then you already know about the hip-hop trio Team Blackout. Team Blackout consists of Rev Run’s teenage son JoJo Simmons and his childhood friends Zach, and Reggie. The Queens / Long Island natives have been rhyming together since the 7th grade, but it wasn’t until the 2003 New York City Blackout that JoJo, Zach and Reggie decided to officially unite and form Team Blackout – hence the name. Since then, they’ve been honing their craft, in the studio, on stage and even on TV. For the past four-years, millions of Run’s House fans have watched Team Blackout develop, on-air, into a full-fledged group to look out for. In 2007, they landed their first record deal with NY / LA based indie label Latchkey Recordings (distributed via Koch Entertainment). Team Blackout immediately hit the studio to record their debut album, Lights Out, in stores 8/19/2008. Lights Out was produced entirely by upcoming production duo Chris n Teeb (Danity Kane, Salt N Pepa), Grammy award winning producer Rockwilder and Ron Browz. Rev Run serves as the LP’s executive producer. Lyrically, Lights Out is fun and carefree, bringing back a feel good vibe that’s been missing in today’s hip-hop music. Sonically, Chris n Teeb, Rockwilder and Ron Browz deliver a heavy dose of slick, futuristic sounds – perfect for the radio and clubs. JoJo Simmons states “we’ve got hot music, so it’s gonna be hard for people to say we only got a break just because I’m Reverend Run’s son. People are gonna be surprised.” Season 5 of MTV’s Run’s House kicks off this summer, with more of Team Blackout’s steady rise in the music biz. Keep an eye open for Team Blackout’s upcoming video for “Billion Dollar Boyfriend” and be sure to check out their internet buzz video “J5 On ‘Em”, produced by Ron Browz (Nas, G-Unit), featuring DJ Webstar and Boogie Black. Fans of Run’s House loved the J5 dance from season four and continually sent messages asking for more, so Team Blackout hit them with a summer dance anthem for the kids. With Team Blackout’s drive and Rev Run as mentors, JoJo, Zach & Reggie have a bright future ahead. But in the meantime, get ready for them to put your lights out this summer.