Fans: 2,326
What is for most a long and arduous journey to celebrity in the music industry, seemed to happen quite effortlessly to 22-year-old Sin, who enjoyed almost immediate success with the release of his debut mixtape. While many artists fail to strike a balance between commercial success and mixtape celebrity, Sin is already making a big name for himself in the game with credibility on both levels, having received media spotlights and acclamations in US and Canadian features ranging from XXL magazine to MTV. His transformation into the mainstream should not be a difficult one given the success of his new single “Boom” (off of The Supreme Poet), which used for a dance routine on the season finale of the #1 rated FOX show “So You Think You Can Dance” and viewed by over 13.7 million households in US and Canada, with expected airings by international syndicates in late September. Sin is also featured on numerous major mixtapes in New York, including Big Mike, Nu Jerzey Devil, the Diplomats, to name a few, and all major radio stations across Canada; he receives extensive play in the US and Europe as well, most notably on Raw 66 XM Satellite Radio (a first for a Canadian rapper). Sin is also saturating the Serbian market with cover appearances on both the September 2006 Kisobran and June 2006 Objektiv magazines, recent features in Vesti and Huper, as well as exposure in publications in the German, French, and Australian markets.
Given his current popularity, it is no wonder that Sin is looking forward to a bright future with his highly anticipated mixtape project If He's King Then I'm God (Hosted by Lil’ Wayne & DJ Khaled), scheduled for release in late 2008. This mixtape coupled with his two latest double-disc installments in his mixtape series The Supreme Poet (Hosted by Gucci Mane) and Kosovo, Vijetnam (Hosted by Sasa Pavlovic), both released on 8/08/2008, will also serve as the basis for Sin’s evolution from an underground star to a professional career in the mainstream, when he releases his two upcoming studio albums, Design & Origin of Stars and Vavilon, expected to be released 2009 in the Western and Serbian markets, respectively, with the latter being a Balkan pop album.
Born Filip Filipi in Belgrade, Serbia, Sin came to Canada fifteen years ago as a refugee of the civil war in the former Yugoslavia. Although initially an aspiring athlete who received offers from universities to play basketball, an injury 6 years ago sidelined his hoop dreams and he decided to focus his drive, ambition, and talent on the rap game instead.
Sin stepped out in the music scene in 2005 with the launch of 1389 Records and the Sizzerb movement, and subsequently signed fellow artists Crood, Cade, Folk and Stress, to name a few, and producers Legend, Da Zombeez, Lokken Load, and Karafa to the label. Sin’s signature is a simple beat complemented by rich lyrical content; he justifies his preference for simple beats in a recent interview—Sin explains that beats merely serve supporting roles in his music, while his masterful lyrics dominate the forefront. Sin effortlessly picks up the slack on creativity and character of style where the majority of his Canadian counterparts fail with their predictable attempts at mimicry of American hip-hop.
Not only an up and coming rap icon, Sin is a businessman; he is CEO and founder of his independent label Sizzerb, Inc., and also oversees several business ventures including Sizzerb’s latest expansion projects into Sizzerb Clothing, Sizzerb Films, Sizzerb Productions, 4AM Graphics, and Sizzerb International.
Sin is also actively involved in philanthropy in his community, including the successful “Save Viktor” campaign that was aimed at raising funds for the transfer of five-and-a-half-year-old stage 4 neuroblastoma cancer patient Viktor Tomasevic to Munster, Germany from Bosnia and Herzegovina for treatment. “We thank everyone who helped out in the fight and encourage you to pray for Viktor and keep up with events at www.saveviktor.com. If you have donated and wish to send in your name for mixtapes you can still contact us at saveviktor@sizzerb.com.” In addition, Sin has donated the proceeds of the sales of Kosovo, Vijetnam (Hosted by Sasa Pavlovic), for the restoration efforts of Serbian monasteries desecrated by Albanian extremists in Kosovo.
Coming off of a string of successful mixtapes, Sin is far from a rookie to the game despite only being in it for the past 3 years; his debut Sizzerb Vol. 1 Presented by DJ Vlad, which was released in July 2005 and pushed 12,000 units, made history by becoming the best selling mixtape in Canada and being featured as a top pick on MTV Mixtape Mondays. Sin’s hits on the album include, “Angels (Djurdjevdan 2005)” feat. Balkanski Plagijat, “Thanks To Me” feat. Cam'ron & Bezel,” and “Vecnost” feat. Suid.
His sophomore album, Big Mike, Nu Jerzey Devil & Watsman Present: Sizzerb Mixtape Vol. 2 - Sin's City released in March 2006 and moved 9,000 units in a mere 4 months, further solidified his grasp on the underground hip-hop scene and produced the popular hits “If God Close The Gate,” “Vision,” “How Gangstas Do”- feat. Cam'ron, Bezel & Purple City, “50 Lions” feat. Crood, and “Journey Through My Mind’s Eye (Rane)” feat. Crood. After the release of Sin’s City, str8hiphop.com ranked Sin the #22 artist to look out for in 2006, for working the international circuit like no other artist in 2005 after his successes in Serbia, Canada, and the US.
In addition to the witty lyrics and versatile flow that has led to much of the success of his first two mixtapes, Sin incorporates his heritage and experiences coming from a war torn nation in his music by combining tales of hardships and current political tensions plaguing his country to produce vivid imagery and powerful and tantalizing music. His subsequent mixtape 1389 Records/Bassivity Music Present: Rane Mixtape Vol. 1, is a collaboration with Serbia’s best selling rap group VIP, and was released in March 2006; it debuted at number 19 on Serbian domestic charts only to rise higher later and features the hits “Upoznaj Srbiju” feat. VIP, “Kazu mi” feat. VIP, and “Sta ima” feat. Struka and Rexxxona. The collaboration further illustrates Sin’s dedication to his roots by encapsulating Balkan ridden themes, incorporating carefully sampled Serbian folk songs, and combining Serbian and English verses.
His project and one of his most compelling albums to date, Team Invasion, DJ Kurupt & DJ Scream Present: Sizzerb Mixtape Vol. 3 - Opium Garden was released in November 2006, with German and Australian Editions released in partnership with K1X and Obese Records, respectively. Popular hits off the album include “My Life (Djurdjevdan 2006),” “If I Could Go Back” feat. Andres, “Upoznaj Srbiju (Part II)” feat. Rexxxona, Lud, Roleks & Crood, “I'm The Truth” feat. Young Jeezy, Sam Scarfo, Lil Weavah, Smitty, Agallah, Acafool, DK & Mike Knox (G-Unit), and “Keep Cookin” feat. JR Writer, Taj Mahal, Balance, NOE (Byrd Gang) & Knight.
His latest releases and some of the most compelling double-disc albums to date are without a doubt The Supreme Poet (Hosted by Gucci Mane) and Kosovo, Vijetnam (Hosted by Sasa Pavlovic). The Supreme Poet contains a slew of hot tracks including “Boom”, “Camouflaged” feat. Lil’ Wayne, “Blood In My Eyes” feat. Opera Steve, which truly embody his vision and potential for commercial success and marketability, as well as prove it with the success of “Boom.” While Kosovo, Vijetnam uses the formula of mixing the classic with the new by combining his previous Serbian hits “Upoznaj Srbiju I, II, and III” and “Kazu mi”, with new ones “Perzijska princeza” feat. Boban Rajovic, “Mandoline”, and “Zasto nema nas”, Delfagor’s tribute to Kosovo.
In total, Sin, with Sizzerb Inc., has been able to independently sell 50,000 units, and through the creation of Sizzerb International, has distributed his music in nineteen different countries. As far as officially signing to a major label, Sin has received several offers but is still looking for the best fit, and what he perceives to be a quality deal. Although whom he ultimately chooses to sign with remains to be seen, one thing is certain, Sin’s talents combined with his unquenchable appetite for success will undoubtedly reveal him as a hip-hop force to be reckoned with very soon. One can only imagine what’s to be expected when Sin releases his studio albums in 2009, as he keeps pushing the envelope of success and taking the rap game to the next level. As Allhiphop.com writes, “With a talented team of producers and a full functioning company behind him, Sin hopes to take them to a higher place and with the drive, ambition and talent this guy possesses, that shouldn't be too hard a challenge.”
For booking, please call 1.347.922.1764, or email management@sizzerb.com. Additional information about Sin and the Sizzerb movement can be found on the web at www.sizzerb.com and www.myspace.com/sizzerbsin.
The following is more on what publications have to say about Sin and his work:
"MIXTAPE BIBLE" REVIEW OF VOL 3 - It's good to see Sin back up in the mix. I think dude has a hell of a lot of talent and a unique sound. He's def not an MC that's gonna front on the MIC. He's got a serious co-sign this time out with Team Invasion, DJ Kurupt and DJ Scream. I see a lot of features on this CD and that can be really good or really bad. Let's see what poppin'. - SIN at rapmullet.com
SIN FEATURED ON ITUNES RADIO SHOW (MIXTAPE EPISODE 41)
Sin Sizzerb - If God Close the Gate. Sin once again brings some fairly complex lyricism. Not complex like Ghostface, say, but more like complex like when you were in English class and your teacher would make you interpret poetry and shit. A lot of Sin's more recent shit seems to have a lot of symbolism going on, which I can hardly argue with. Dude comes off as a pretty well-read individual, aside from having a unique-ass flow. Anyone interested in hearing a Sin Sizzerb interview up here? Hit up the comments and let me know. sizzerb.com.
http://mixtapeshow.net/0624/mixtape-episode-41-the-religion-episode/
SIZZERB VOL. 2 SIN'S CITY REVIEW BY RAPMULLET.COM -Ok, on to Sin. The first track caught my ear from jump, good shit, always gotta get that heat off in the first few tracks to hold the listeners ear. "If God Close The Gate" has the illest beat and sample. The hook is potent and Sin rides this beat like he was one with it. I almost didn't want to listen to the rest of the CD after this, true story, the song is pure cocaine. The way Sin rides the fence between death in the struggle through hometown angst and raw violence is crazy. The subject matter in "Vision" is gun play all day with some pitching from the block, throw in some word play for good measure and it's a wrap. The most insightful and descriptive track is by far "50 Lions".
SIN FEATURED ON ITUNES RADIO SHOW -Sin Sizzerb - Black Helicopters (Kill Like America 2). Sin is kinda new to me, but his latest mixtape made him the Official Favorite Mixtape Show Rapper of the moment. I’m going to lay off the praise and state simply that this song is my favorite one on this entire episode, which given the undeniable quality of everything I’m bringing to the table this week, should say a lot. Sin himself is doing some real interesting things - really all them boys out there have a good movement going. Please check this shit out, and listen to it at least twice. Check out Sizzerb.com. Damn!!!
HUPER MAGAZINE REVIEW OF RANE - "Jednostavno, Sin poseduje onu sirinu i kreativnost u izrazu koju domaci izvodaci vecinom jos nisu dosegli, sto je na ovom albumu u nekoliko numera vrlo primetno, a jezicka barijera nije problem da bi se uvidelo."
