Legendary Producer/MC/DJ Diamond D, constituent of the seminal collective D.I.T.C. (also included Fat Joe, Big L and more), has signed a multi-album deal with Babygrande Records. His inaugural release with the label will be October 14th's The Huge Hefner Chronicles, Diamond's third official release and first offering in three-plus years.

A classic and respected talent, Diamond D. got his start as a member of D.I.T.C., but soon parlayed this success into a thriving solo career, which included the release of the widely regarded classic Stunts Blunts and Hip-Hop in 1992. His second solo offering, 1997's "Hatred, Passions & Infidelity," featured appearances from such A-list luminaries as Busta Rhymes, Phife Dawg, Pete Rock & more.

Over the years, aside from independently releasing his subsequent two LP's, Diamond has remained an active participant behind the boards, having contributed his trademark style to some of the most iconic records in hip-hop history including The Fugees' "The Score," A Tribe Called Quest's "The Low End Theory," as well as releases by Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch & many more.

With "The Huge Hefner Chronicles," Diamond returns to form, with a record that recalls the nostalgic stylings of the "golden age," while maintaining a contemporary sensibility accessible to the modern day hip-hop head.

This duality of form is on full display on the first single from the forthcoming LP, entitled "D-I-A-M-O-N-D." A vicious head-nodder, the track instantly explodes into a "golden-age" inflected beat, produced by none other than the infamous beat maestro Nottz (Notorious B.I.G., Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Scarface, J Dilla, Snoop Dogg & more). Diamond answers with the lyrical fluidity that only a vet of his stature can offer. "D-I-A-M-O-N-D" is the feel-good back-to-school jam that hits the sweet spot for both purists and modern day heads alike.