About Wise Records Artists and Producers
Our Artists
Ghost:
Born on June 24, 1990, Ghost (born Brian Misner) came hard into the rap scene at a very young age and is a rising phenomenon today. Still considered young to many, Ghost has experienced more in life than most people his age. Growing up in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area (mainly Aliquippa and New Castle), Ghost was raised in a single-parent family by his mom. Ghost also spent some time living in Florida, resulting in a unique mixture of East Coast lyrics and a Southern tone that shows through in his rap music. Producer Dustin Wise describes Ghost as "Bar-none one of the best gangsta rap artists I've heard in a long time."
Ghost's first experience with the rap scene started with his group, L4L, now disbanded. L4L produced many songs and was hugely successful in the Pittsburgh area. Ghost has since decided to go solo. He has released a full length album, Breaking News, and has completed two mixtapes, M.O.B Volume 1 and Volume 2, both under the Wise Records label. A new mixtape is in the works, featuring friend Axe, which is due to be released before Ghost begins work on his next full length album through Wise Records.
Romance:
Do you feel that music is a dying art? Think again. Those who are looking for something new will find it in the incredible lyrical and vocal ability of Lance Sherrer, aka Romance. Romance met producer Dustin Wise when they were both attending Full Sail University, and joined the Wise Records label in 2007. Since then, Romance recorded at Dustin's home studio, where they completed the hit singles "After the Club" and "Let's Get to It." Recording these pieces was a positive experience, both artist and producer being intelligent lyricists with a common desire to create new music.
Romance is a native of Vineland, NJ, and is a young but experienced artist. Born December 3, 1988, this 20-year-old is the first R&B act to join the Wise Records family. His debut album is is soon to be released and will be featured on the newest Wise Records mixtape upon completion. Expect to hear big things from Romance. Romance will surprise you, awe you with his originality, and prove to you through his work that music is not a dying artóit is very much alive.
Our Producers
Dustin Wise:
So many words could describe a true musician, but when the smoke all fades only two words are needed. Dustin Wise. Dustin, co-founder and owner of Wise Records, is the very definition of a musician. Growing up without any music lessons, Dustin taught himself piano by listening to the sounds and chord structures. Having a love for music and for the eruption of drums, Dustin bought an MPC with the money he saved from work and from his allowance. At only 12 years old, Dustin began using the MPC to create drum loops to match his simple, but catchy piano melodies.
Dustin would later find that his love for all musical genres was something special. In 2003, he and friend Shawn "Rtist" Witmer decided to start a record label together. Each only 14 years old, they were unfamiliar with the "business" aspect of the industry. But that didnít stop them. Dustin took music theory courses his junior and senior year of high school and decided to further his education by enrolling at Full Sail University. Dustin majored in Recording Arts, which taught him about the technical side of the business. Meeting a lot of creative individuals, Dustin felt pressure to improve his music in order to stay ahead of his peers. He succeeded.
While in Florida, Dustin met R&B singer T-Pain, Hip Hop Icon DJ ProStyle, and the All Pro Records family (DJ ProStyleís label). "Learning from two of the most popular acts in the industry was a blessing for me," Dustin said. "Seeing what theyíre doing in the studio and with their ëcampí made it more obvious to me what a true Record Label needs to do." Wise Records quickly followed suit. When Dustin returned for Spring Break, he had Wise Records booming in the local community. They had received approximately 17,000 votes to push them into the 2008 Central Pennsylvania Hip Hop Awards as potential Record Label of the Year (Wise Records finished second). While attending the show, Dustin and Rtist were introduced to a lot of local artists with the same goals and passion. It was a great learning experience for them and a great networking atmosphere where they have found new talent to work with.
The future is bright for Dustin, and for Wise Records. Dustin is currently 19 years old and has joined forces with Watercourse Sound Recording Studio in Mechanicsburg, PA. He and Engineer John McGinley are helping bring Wise Records and Watercourse to the top of the local studio life. Plans are for Dustin to open his own recording studio sometime in 2009.
Rtist:
Shawn "Rtist" Witmer grew up in Greencastle, PA. Rtist and Dustin Wise have been friends since birth (their parents were lifelong friends as well). Early on, they both knew something was going to get poppin'. From the time they heard their first rap lick to the first time they purchased a beatóeverything seemed right. Eventually, Rtist and Dustin started Wise Records. Rtist took the VP role in hopes of getting their music heard locally. At first it was intimidating for him to step into the booth to record, but now the workings of the studio are second-nature to Rtist. An artist as well as a producer, he feels that rap is the perfect way to express his emotions and show others his way of life. Rtist continues to work on new material. Expect to hear his debut album, Rtistic Ability, which is sure to turn some heads when it is released.