Saukrates has a new philosophy: independence. The 22-year-old emcee best known for mix tape burners| "Father Time" and "Play Dis," (which features Common Sense) has left Warner Brothers Records.

The Toronto-based rapper was released from his contract at the end of 1998, says Karen Lee, vice president of media relations and artist development at the label.

Saukrates was signed in December 1996 by then black music head Denise Brown. She was fired in 1997, along with the majority of her co-workers in the department.

The label, which is still in turmoil, has had trouble marketing underground artists such as the Da Bush Babees and the Jungle Brothers.

"We are [still] in the middle of total re-structuring," Lee admits. "The Sauks' project has been on hold for a while. He's a very talented guy and it wasn't fair to hold up his career [any longer]."

Saukrates recorded an album's worth of material with the label, but became increasingly frustrated with the lack of attention his project received. "I have just been sitting for the last two years," he says. "The last six-to-eight months they didn't even have a black music department. I didn't really have the time to sit and wait, I got a career to attend to. Hopefully, it's a move for the better."

He will now focus his attention on Capital Hill, a label he co-owns with his manager Chase Parsons. He plans to release an EP on Capital Hill tentatively titled Saukrates Presents... The album will feature guest appearances by Los Angeles favorite E-Rule and Heltah Skeltah. The first single "Money or Love" will be in stores in a few weeks.

Sauks is currently appearing alongside Pharaoh Monche on "Innovation" off of 2Rude's Rudimental album on I.L.L. Vibe Records. In April, his duet with The Source Unsigned Hype winner Choclair "Body Language" will hit stores. The track is featured on Da Grass Roots debut album Passage Through Time on Conception Records.

Sauks--who spoke from Los Angeles, where he is working on new music--is happy to be independent again. "It's real fresh right now [being independent again]," he says. "I wouldn't even want to mention other labels [I might sign with] yet. When it comes time to do a video and we need tour support, then we'll sign."

For the moment, though, he is enjoying life on Capital Hill. "We've always been able to do it independently." Adds his manager Parsons, "we feel like now we can now make some upward progress." -- Adam Matthews