POP MUSIC

Stat Quo

Rapper

Appearing on an Eminem album has to be among the best jump-starts a rapper could hope for. That was the case for Stat Quo, the talented Atlanta rapper who appeared on “Spend Some Time,” on Eminem’s 2004 “Encore” album, and who is the only act besides 50 Cent signed to the Shady/Aftermath/Interscope label.

With impressive wordplay, a vast vocabulary and vivid imagery, the husky-voiced, street-centered rapper has one of the most anticipated rap releases of 2006 with his debut album, “Statlanta.” Interscope has the album scheduled for a first-quarter release.

Taken with Stat Quo’s distinctive voice and his engaging lyricism, which blends an increasingly rare mix of introspection and menace, Eminem and Dr. Dre signed him as they had 50 Cent. In 2004, Stat Quo delivered a sizzling appearance on Young Buck’s song “Walk With Me” before appearing on “Encore.”

In 2005, he had an opening slot on the Anger Management Tour, released the popular “Big Business” mix tape with Chamillionaire and appeared on the drug-dealing anthem “Come See Me” on the Ludacris-fronted “Disturbing Tha Peace” album. With all this, as well as production from Dr. Dre and Eminem, “Statlanta” should be prime musical real estate.