LOS ANGELES (July 26th, 2024) Hip-hop newcomer Bezz Believe released his new single “King of Ca$hville” today via Audio Chateau Records across all digital and streaming platforms. Delivering bone-rattling beats and rapid-fire bars that Bezz has become known for, the country and hip-hop inspired single marks the first reveal of music from the highly buzzed about graphic novel ‘Neon Empire,’ set for release this fall from Audio Up Media and Z2.
Created by Audio Up CEO Jared Gutstadt, ‘Neon Empire,’ centers around the fictional character Kountry Boi, a “hick-hop” star who goes from rap rags to hick-hop riches while coming to terms with his troubled past. Encompassing the world of hip-hop and country music, the story centers around a criminal enterprise set in Nashville. “King of Ca$hville” was written by Gutstadt and is performed by Bezz Believe in character as Kountry Boi.
LISTEN TO “KING OF CA$HVILLE” HERE
Timbaland will co-produce the original soundtrack to ‘Neon Empire’ along with Gutstadt, who will also write all original music. Additional features include a wide array of diverse country and hip-hop artists including critically acclaimed rapper and songwriter Colt Graves, and chart-topping songwriter and musician Clayton Johnson. A television series is also currently in development of which Timbaland will be an executive producer.
Music will be baked into the ‘Neon Empire’ graphic novel in a disruptive and immersive way, with each part of the story unlocking a unique soundtrack through specialized QR codes. Once the code is scanned, new original music will be unveiled, complementing various points throughout the story. The goal is to create not only the opportunity for innovative user engagement, but also sophisticated and dynamic marketing campaigns designed to help launch artists. Bezz Believe’s “King of Ca$hville,” performed as Kountry Boi, is a first listen into this immersive graphic novel experience.
About Audio Up Media:
Home to a world of infinite, audio-based properties, Audio Up has built an ecosystem of premium entertainment content within the music and audio space. The company is led by Audio Up CEO and Adweek’s 2020 Podcast Innovator of the Year and Podcast Producer of the Year recipient, Jared Gutstadt. From fictional scripted podcasts, which include a Marvel-like universe of musicals, to one-on-one interview formats, Audio Up has created a new and innovative form of IP. Scripted properties include season two of Make It Up As We Go with Scarlett Burke, Garrett Hedlund, Elle King, Shooter Jennings and award-winning Nashville songwriter Liz Rose among many others; Webby honoree for Best Limited Entertainment Series Podcast Halloween in Hell with Machine Gun Kelly, 24kGoldn, and iann dior; and Strawberry Spring, the first-ever adaptation of the classic short story by Stephen King, which was the number one trending podcast globally upon release, starring Garrett Hedlund and Milo Ventimiglia. Other podcast properties include AdWeeks’s 2022 “Podcast of the Year” – health and wellness podcast Maejor Frequency, and Michael Cohen’s chart-topping podcast Mea Culpa.
In 2021 Audio Up received a Clio Award for the social justice podcast Beyond28 from Golden State Warriors and Chase Bank. Gutstadt was 2019’s ASCAP Award winner for most published composer for his work on The Voice, Ellen’s Game of Games, Pawn Stars, and Project Runway, and has also scored two sports Emmy nominations for his work on LeBron James’ 89 Blocks.
