Brooklyn-bred rapper Joell Ortiz has signed to Aftermath Records according to representatives for the rapper.
Aftermath is the label producer Dr. Dre founded after he departed Death Row Records.
In a prewritten statement, Ortiz expressed his desire to be mentioned among the other greats in the rap game.
"So far it's been great and I'm glad people are feeling me now but I know I have a long way to go before I'm running with the big boys like Jay-Z or 50 Cent," Ortiz said in a statement. "That's where I'm trying to reach, nothing less."
Prior to his signing, the rapper had been recognized in AllHipHop's Breeding Ground, The Source magazine, XXL and other Hip-Hop media outlets.
Additionally, he's recorded material with rap legends like Kool G Rap and KRS-One and newer artists like Sha Stimuli, another rapper from Brooklyn.
Ortiz landed a song called "I Mean Business" on EA Sports' NBA Live 2005 and a mixtape called Who the F**K is Joell Ortiz?
Joell Ortiz joins rappers like Eminem, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Eve and Philadelphia newcomer G.A.G.E., who are all included on Aftermath's roster.
