Hip Hop Press - Hip Hop Press Releases

Network to Air Several JAY-Z Specials Including 'Diary of JAY-Z: Water for Life,' Updates from the Upcoming 'Hangar Tour' and an Entire JAY-Z Weekend on MTV2

MTV.com Creates JAY-Z 'Video Vault Experience' at Jay-Z.mtv.com

NEW YORK, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- As JAY-Z fans eagerly await the November 21 release of his 2-disc deluxe set Kingdom Come, MTV: Music Television will bring JAY-Z fans closer than ever to their favorite artist by offering a broad spectrum of JAY-Z-related content across multiple platforms. Below are programming highlights:

  -- MTV.com today will unveil an unparalleled JAY-Z fan site at
     jay-z.mtv.com. This JAY-Z "Video Vault Experience" offers users a
     comprehensive timeline of his career through footage from MTV's
     archives including all of JAY-Z's music videos, dozens of live
     performances, every MTV interview, including never-before-seen
     interviews, and more.

  -- Fans will be able to get updates and see performance clips from JAY-Z's
     "Hangar Tour" as it happens on November 18 on both MTV and online at
     MTV.com.  Additionally, MTV will air a half-hour special at 4:00pm EST
     on November 19 featuring a tour recap and footage from MTV.com's Video
     Vault Experience.

  -- MTV2 introduces "JAY-Z DAY" on Sunday, November 19 featuring music
     videos and various programs including "Played in Full: JAY-Z" and a
     concert performance from Royal Albert Hall.

  -- "Diary of JAY-Z: Water for Life," a documentary program examining the
     world's water crisis, premieres on November 19 at 2:00pm EST on MTV2
     and will air on MTV on November 24 at 9:00am EST.

  -- JAY-Z will appear live on MTV's "TRL" to hang with fans on Monday,
     November 20, the day before Kingdom Come hits stores.

  -- Fans can enter the "The Jay-Z Platinum Experience" Contest at
     www.mtvjay-zplatinumexperience.com for a chance to live like a hip-hop
     superstar including a private helicopter trip to NYC, a private tour of
     the Island Def Jam offices, a personalized JAY-Z platinum album, NJ
     Nets tickets and more! Contest runs from November 18, 2006 through
     December 9, 2006.

MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, mtvU, VHI, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, MTV INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 12 digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Source: MTV

CONTACT: Jay Jay Nesheim, +1-212-846-7166, Jayjay.nesheim@mtvstaff.com,
or Melissa Barreto, +1-212-846-7226, Melissa.barreto@mtvstaff.com, both of
MTV

Web site: www.mtv.com/
www.jay-z.mtv.com/
www.mtvjay-zplatinumexperience.com/

NEW YORK, Nov. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Marc Ecko, founder of the world-famous rhino-branded apparel line, *ecko unltd., has found permanent homes for two Southern white rhinos recently rescued from an auction of animals held at Catskill Game Farm in Catskill, NY.

Mr. Ecko, a staunch supporter of rhino relief, successfully won Jack at the auction for $8,500. Boom Boom, however, was won by an individual from Texas who, according the Humane Society of the United States, has ties to the "canned hunt" industry. "Canned hunts", outlawed in 20 states, are instances where exotic animals are released in a restricted area for the purpose of slaughter by trophy hunters. Mr. Ecko's team collaborated with the Coalition for Catskill Game Farm Animals and local advocates to negotiate the purchase and rescue of Boom Boom, offering the original buyer double his winning bid of $5,500.

While searching for a permanent safe haven for Jack and Boom Boom, Mr. Ecko provided the resources necessary to ensure their continued stay at the Catskill Game Farm facility. After an extensive search, Mr. Ecko and his animal consultants settled on two separate locations to house the rhinos -- Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Arizona (Boom Boom) and Wildlife Safari in Oregon (Jack). Mr. Ecko donated the animals and paid the relocation costs in exchange for their lifelong sanctuary. Mr. Ecko will also provide webcams through which the rhinos can be viewed online by the thousands of children and adults who had visited the Catskill Game Farm over the years and have come to love Jack and Boom Boom.

Commenting on the purchase and relocation, Mr. Ecko stated, "While the rhino has been an integral part of *ecko unltd.'s heritage since its beginning in 1993, we are still studying this majestic animal and learning about its daily struggles. Throughout the process of finding these two rhinos a home, I was alerted to the dangers -- including the practice of canned hunting -- that rhino's face, and I'm thrilled that I was able to spare these beautiful animals from such a horrific fate."

The rhinos are members of the few remaining species of megafaunas left in the world. Rhino populations have declined 98% over the past 200 years. Rhinos are endangered creatures and have been protected by the CITES treaty since 1970s. However, poachers who sell their horns to make ornamental dagger handles and traditional Chinese medicine, as well as big game hunters who pay bounties in order to add them to their trophy walls, continue to diminish their numbers.

*ecko unltd. is taking the lead among companies using the rhino image to market products and "giving back" to the rhino by becoming the primary corporate partner of the International Rhino Foundation (IRF). It provides major funding and public awareness -- raising assistance to the North American Save the Rhinos campaign managed by IRF to support critical on-the-ground rhino anti-poaching and habitat protection measure in Africa and Asia. San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park recognized *ecko unltd.'s commitment to the campaign by naming an orphaned Indian rhino "Ecko" after Marc Ecko in 2005.

Boom Boom has settled at the Out of Africa Wildlife Park, a 104-acre preserve located in Camp Verde, AZ, which is home to more than 400 animals. The Park was created for wildlife animals to live in a setting similar to their native environment. The animals enjoy natural, spacious habitats and share unique relationships with their caregivers. The founders of the park also have developed unique and educational wild life experiences, which allow the public to share in the animals' lives.

Jack now resides in Winston, OR at Wildlife Safari, which is the only drive through wildlife park in the Pacific Northwest. Jack will roam freely with other exotic animals over 600 acres of grasslands and wooded areas, much as he would in his native habitat. Wildlife Safari is also a world renowned medical and research facility, and a nationally recognized educational facility for veterinary and biological sciences.

About Marc Ecko:

The youngest member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America's board of directors, Marc Ecko's artistic journey began in the mid-80s in a makeshift design studio and showroom located in the garage of his parent's New Jersey home. A full-fledged member of the then emerging hip-hop scene, Marc engendered interest with the generation's new cultural icons including Spike Lee and Chuck D, who wore his t-shirts with pride. These events precipitated his founding of *ecko unltd. in 1993, at the age of 20. His unique talents, coupled with an innate marketing acumen, would quickly guarantee success.

In the short period that has passed, Marc Ecko Enterprises (www.marceckoenterprises.com/) has grown to include 12 separate *ecko unltd. apparel and accessories lines, the contemporary Marc Ecko "Cut & Sew" collection, G-Unit Clothing Company, Zoo York, Avirex Sportswear, Complex magazine (circulation 330,000), and a recently launched video game and multi- media entertainment division. Over the years, he has also dedicated himself to a number of socially conscious initiatives, including significant work with underprivileged youth domestically and internationally, and a dedicated role in reversing the plight of the world's rhino population.

Source: Marc Ecko

CONTACT: Clint Cantwell of *ecko unltd., +1-917-262-1110,
clintc@ecko.com, or Keleigh Thomas of Ken Sunshine Consultants,
+1-212-691-2800, Thomas@kensunshineconsultants.com

Web site: www.marceckoenterprises.com/
www.ecko.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: A photo is available upon request

Whether it's the best of both worlds or the best of both hoods, it seems like every month or so two artists from different parts of the hip-hop world are promising their fans they're going to do a whole collaborative album together. Few of them ever happen.

But neither Ali (the founding member of the St. Lunatics, the platinum selling group that put St. Louis on the map) or Gipp (who's best known as a founding member of the Dungeon Family and a member of the much imitated, never duplicated Southern hip-hop group Goodie MOB) are the type to make false promises. "Gipp and I clicked instantly because we're both leaders of our respective collectives and because neither of us likes to talk too much," says Ali. "So when we say we gonna do a record together, we actually do a record together." The result is Ali & Gipp's CD Kinfolk, through multi-platinum superstar rapper Nelly's record label Derrty ENT., an imprint of Universal Motown Records.

A group born out of such diverging territories may be a surprise to some. One MC has defined the sound of Atlanta and the other helped define the sound of St. Louis - the artists seem to be a natural fit, and the album Kinfolk proves just how good the chemistry is between Ali & Gipp. "We got along from the jump," says Ali. "I went to college in Atlanta, and I'd see the Goodie MOB perform. Years later we'd meet through industry travels. Then in 2003 I was in LA recording the Sweat and Suit album with Nelly, and Gipp was there for some movie business. I called him and said, ‘Come holler at us.' We did a song together called "Butterfly Doors" [included on Kinfolk] and we loved it, everybody loved it, so from that point on we were just like, let's do a whole album together."

Kinfolk is the product of that unpredictable, once-in-a-lifetime magic, a complete hip hop tour de force that bangs from start to finish with a sound that's a little bit Atlanta, a little bit St. Louis, but ultimately revolutionary in its entirety. Given their individual reputations and formidable relationships with other artists, Ali & Gipp easily called on some of hip-hop's greatest talent, extending their collaboration to many of the leading stars of the South and Midwest alike. Nelly makes three stunning appearances on the album, Murphy Lee and Derrty ENT. newcomers Chocolate Tai and Avery Storm also lend a hand, with Three 6 Mafia, David Banner, Bun B and Juvenile all making guest appearances, as well as Gipp's old Goodie MOB partner (and Gnarls Barkley star), Cee-Lo. Ali & Gipp even reached out to Dungeon Family cult favorite Big Rube for one of his signature spoken word introductions. Beats are also provided from some of the most forward-thinking producers in both the Dirty and Derrty camps, including the Trak Starz, Dallas Austin and Jay E.

Before the completion of Kinfolk, Ali & Gipp joined Nelly and Paul Wall on the #1 hit single "Grillz." After the success of "Grillz", the duo fired up with "Go Head" for their own debut, featuring Chocolate Tai and produced by Trife - an updated classic club song. The single grabbed the #1 most added spot at the rhythm crossover radio format.

The song "Hood," featuring Houston legend Pimp C and Nelly is a super-engaging, near-menacing track for the Cadillac and Chevy riders, built on a screwed down UGK sample. Gipp's Goodie MOB partner Cee-Lo serves up a hook on "I Told Ya," along with UGK legend Bun B putting down a mind-blowing verse of Texas tough talk.
St. Lou super-producers Trak Starz delivers "All Night (Excuse Me)" featuring Nelly, Avery Storm and New Orleans' own Juvenile.

Super producer and Atlanta native Dallas Austin helmed the song, "No God But You," a moving exploration of the flip side of life in the South and Midwest- on which Ali and Gipp speak about spirituality, faith, and other trials and tribulations. The remainder of the album flows with spirited club anthems and trademark rider music.

With multiple successful groups and solo albums under their belts (Ali released Heavy Starch in 2002 and Gipp released Mutant Mindframe in 2003), the two stars have infused Kinfolk with a renewed vigor that separates it from many of the same-sounding hip hop fare. "We've always believed hip-hop was an innovative culture," Gipp says. "A culture where, instead of doing what people around you are doing, you take it to another level every time."

Ali & Gipp
Kinfolk
IN STORES DECEMBER 12
Derrty Ent. / Universal Motown
www.myspace.com/aliandgipp
www.ali-gipp.com

Langston Sessoms
ThinkTank Marketing
535 West 34th Street
Suite 102
New York, NY 10001
P: 646 792 2228
C: 917 974 0872
langston@thinktankmktg.com
AIM: subtitled opus
www.thinktankmktg.com

Coming to you from Houston TX is rapper and entrepreneur Rasaq.  He is dropping his mix tape titled Royal Green Street Series Volume 1 which features 50/50 Twin.  The mixtape is set to hit the streets November 21st and has all of the hottest tracks that are banging in the clubs right now.

With the influence of his big brother Chamillionaire, Rasaq has had to luxury to travel the world while being Chamillionaire’s hypeman, and helping out as an audio engineer.  Since the success of his brother he has been able to network in the business and establish relationships to help build his own career.

Dealing with many adversities in life Rasaq has come through the tough times, working hard to make a name for himself.  He began working with the legendary OG Ron C on his Wrecking Yard mixtapes and after a few stellar performances, he hooked back up with his older brother and became a member of the Color Changin Click.  That group disbanded and later was reformed as Chamillitary, of which Rasaq remained a member.

With the success of his brother Rasaq has gotten his time to shine. (TRL performance, BET Spring Bling performance, feature spot on Chamillionaire’s double platinum selling Sound of Revenge alongside Lil Wayne, a Source Magazine photo shoot, as well as various mixtape performances.)  But his hard work and business savvy ways has leaded him to start his own company Royal Green, “Where the grass is greener and the money is cleaner.”  He is determined to mirror his brother’s works but still shine on his own and help to create a double dynasty.

Rasaq Links:
www.myspace.com/rasaq
www.rasaqboy.com

Press Contact:
Amy Pickering
amy@moxiestar.net

Jive Recording Artist Huey launches YouTube Video Contest

(Brooklyn, NY November 13th, 2006) Jive Records and St. Louis emcee Huey is proud to announce the launch of a YouTube video contest in support of his breakout single "Pop, Lock & Drop It." Fans submit videos of their interpretation of the song for a chance to win a Sony HD TV surround sound system. Huey, age 19, will release his debut album, Notebook Paper, on Jive Records in early 2007.

Huey showed promise as an artist from the age of 12, when he began producing beats and writing rhymes for upcoming rappers in the infamous St. Louis neighborhood of Kinloch. Fast-forward 5 years and Huey had partnered up with local entrepreneur Angela Richardson and formed his own production company, Huey Records.  Local clubs and regional radio put "Pop, Lock & Drop It" into regular rotation, and it wasn't long before he started attracting attention at a national level. Jive Records VP of A&R Mickey "MeMpHiTz" Wright recognized Huey's young talent and signed him immediately. Wright has helped along the careers of artists such as YoungBloodZ, J-Kwon and T-Pain. Huey is now hard at work on his debut album, Notebook Paper. Why this title?  Huey explains, "Well for one, when it all comes down to it, I am making paper [money] off of a notebook. And two--I sat down, watched the streets, and placed the streets into a notebook."

Will Huey's "Pop, Lock & Drop It" be the next dance craze? From the thousands of views of fan's videos on YouTube, it looks like it may be. For complete contest info, go to www.hueymusic.com/poplockanddropitcontest/index.html.

Links
YouTube vid: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0Hc4QNPihM
Pics, streams, bio: www.audibletreats.com/download/Huey/
MySpace: www.myspace.com/hueyhitz
Huey's Official site: www.hueymusic.com/
YouTube Contest: www.hueymusic.com/poplockanddropitcontest/index.html
Huey pic: www.audibletreats.com/download/Huey/carhires.jpg

Streams
Windows Media:
www.audibletreats.com/download/Huey/poplock_dropit_96.asx www.audibletreats.com/download/Huey/poplock_dropit_64.asx
Real Audio:
www.audibletreats.com/download/Huey/poplock_dropit_96.ram
www.audibletreats.com/download/Huey/poplock_dropit_64.ram

Press Contact
Michelle McDevitt - michelle@audibletreats.com

ModernBeats.com has released two full volumes of professional
music contracts, specifically designed for today's modern
musicians. All music contracts from both volumes were drafted
and authenticated by a registered Los Angeles based Entertainment
Law Firm. The music contracts were created to provide today's
musicians with the necessary contractual forms needed to protect
music career endeavors and survive in today's Music Industry.

Music Contracts Volume 1 includes a total of 8 drafted contracts
covering all common production agreements occurring between
Producers, Artists, and Record Companies including all Royalty
& Copyright provisions considered within such agreements. Music
Contracts Volume 2 includes a total of 10 music contracts covering
Mechanical License, Synchronization License, Master Use License,
Management, Artist Development, and Work-for-Hire agreements.

Both "Music Contracts Volume 1" and " Music Contracts Volume 2"
are available in PDF format and are offered on CD-ROM or as a
Download. Prices start at just $49.95.

For more information and music contract samples, visit:
www.modernbeats.com/music-contracts.php

Press Release - New Music Contracts Products
Contact: support@modernbeats.com
Download high resolution press image here:
www.modernbeats.com/images/modernbeats-high-rez.tif
Download web resolution press image here:
www.modernbeats.com/images/modernbeats.gif

Norwalk, CT. November 16, 2006 -- After the recent success of its website launching, WikiWebGuide LLC now picks independent or upcoming artist and music site to be featured on the WikiMusicGuide's front page every week at www.wikimusicguide.com/. User nominations are welcome and votes will be tallied before posting.

The WikiMusicGuide site consists of factual information about artists, bands, songs and pages of newsworthy events in the music industry contributed and collaborated by the online music community. As the site features a NumberOneFan, an independent or new comer artist or band will also be chosen.

WikiMusicGuide will also be picking up small to medium music site to be posted on the WMG’s homepage to help and give them the extra exposure they need. Music site will be chosen in accordance to the worthiness of their contents and dedication that has significant impact in the growth of the online music community.

Interested parties may call Bienvenido David III at (203) 543-7141 or send an e-mail at press@wikiwebguide.com. Announcement for nominations will be posted on WMG’s page.

About WikiWebGuide LLC

WikiWebGuide LLC recently launched the WikiMusicGuide, the newest free music guide site that is committed in providing up-to-date and accurate information on independent artists, bands and groups of various generations and their works. Since it is wiki, users and visitors can freely edit, contribute and share facts and their own views. The site continuously grows through the active participation and contribution of the online music community. WMG is a comprehensive music resource that connects the fans and their idols together with one common passion –-music.

Contact:

Bienvenido David III
12 Camelot Drive Unit D3
Norwalk, CT 06850
Phone:(203) 846-1756
Fax:(208) 441-6119
e-mail: press@wikiwebguide.com
Website Address: www.wikimusicguide.com/

The Black Eyed Peas and Scissor Sisters Among Several International Artists to Begin Countdown to "Nokia New Year's Eve"

ESPOO, Finland, November 16/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nokia (NYSE:NOK) will welcome the New Year in unique style - by connecting millions of music lovers from around the world as they count down the final minutes of 2006. Nokia New Year's Eve, a global music event stretching across four continents, will feature a number of international artists including The Black Eyed Peas and Scissor Sisters to entertain audiences at New Year's celebrations from Hong Kong to Rio de Janeiro. Those unable to attend in person can experience the party via television or the internet. To orchestrate this unique global celebration, Nokia has enlisted the services of Harvey Goldsmith CBE, the producer of Live Aid and Live8.

Nokia New Year's Eve will travel from east to west, starting in Hong Kong's Ocean Terminal, followed by Mumbai's Andheri Stadium, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro and rounding off the night in New York.

"Living up to our promise of 'Connecting People', Nokia New Year's Eve aims to connect millions of people from around the world through music and mobility," says Jo Harlow, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Nokia. "Nokia New Year's Eve leverages the power of television, the internet, live events and the world's most exciting music artists to get people talking, sharing and celebrating on one incredible night."

Speaking about the event, Scissor Sisters' singer Jake Shears said, "We're damn thrilled to be playing Nokia's world wide music party. It should be a helluva good time."

"This is an exciting and ambitious project and the first time that New Year's Eve will be celebrated as a global music event," said Harvey Goldsmith. "Nokia New Year's Eve will feature international and local artists with live broadcasts on New Year's Eve as well as a New Year's Day TV special to be aired globally. I am delighted to be on board."

Nokia New Year's Eve looks set to be the world's biggest New Year's party of 2006 with the five events expected to have a combined attendance of 1.3 million and an anticipated global television and Internet audience of 150 million.

In the coming weeks Nokia will announce further details, including additional international and local artist announcements - artists who are sure to get people talking around the world. For the latest information, visit www.nokianewyearseve.com.

Press photos, artist info and other information for the press available at: www.nokia.com/press/nye

Broadcast material available at Nokia Broadcastroom: www.nokia.com/A4126678

About Nokia

Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations.

Source: Nokia

Media Enquiries: Nokia, Communications, Tel. +358-7180-34900, E-mail: press.office@nokia.com. Matthew Wheeler, The Outside Organisation, Tel. +44-20-7462-2918, www.nokia.com

Holt Introduces New French Curriculum, Bien dit!

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Learning the French language will be a lot easier and certainly more fun thanks to the newest French curriculum from Holt, Rinehart and Winston (www.hrw.com ). Today Holt launches Bien dit! (C)2008, a new French textbook with supplementary materials designed to immerse students in French culture, taking students to the heart of the French-speaking world, including exotic locations like Dakar, Senegal in French-speaking West Africa.

Bien dit! is a leveled language series for middle and high school students. The program is modeled after Holt's highly successful ¡Expresate! Spanish language program and includes similar resources like online books and Holt SoundBooth(TM), an online recording tool teachers use for evaluating oral proficiency. This feature of the Holt online student textbook allows students to practice, record and save spoken work so teachers can make the most of classroom time.

Students will undoubtedly enjoy Holt's newest language learning resource created especially for them: On rappe! animated music video on DVD or audio CD. This lively cartoon feature makes learning vocabulary and grammar fun. A karaoke version is also available for students who want to create their own French songs. On rappe! audio and video is also downloadable online for use with MP3 players providing students with more opportunities for practice than ever before.

Holt has also launched the next generation Teacher's One-Stop Planner(R) with lesson plans, study guides, and the ExamView(R) Version 5 Assessment Suite, which gives teachers a host of resources they can use as is or customize to fit their classroom or teaching style. This new One-Stop Planner(R) also includes an interactive teacher's edition of the textbook with hot-links that go directly to the all the corresponding ancillary pages, which makes lesson planning even easier than before.

  Bien dit! will be available in December 2006.

  About Holt, Rinehart and Winston

Holt, Rinehart and Winston is a leading publisher of textbooks and educational materials for grades six through 12 and is part of Harcourt Education, a global education provider serving students and teachers in PreK through grade 12, adult learners, and readers of all ages. The Harcourt companies are Harcourt School Publishers; Holt, Rinehart and Winston; Harcourt Achieve (including the Rigby, Steck-Vaughn, and Saxon imprints); Harcourt Assessment; Classroom Connect; Harcourt Trade Publishers; Greenwood-Heinemann; and Harcourt Education International. For further information, please call 800-992-1627 or visit www.hrw.com or www.harcourt.com .

Harcourt Education is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc. (www.reedelsevier.com ), which is a world-leading publisher and information provider. It is owned equally by Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV. The parent companies are listed on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges, under the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RUK and ENL.

See Bien Dit! in Holt's exhibit booth #715 at the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages 2006 Conference and Exposition from November 16-19 in Nashville, Tenn. www.actfl.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3283

Source: Holt, Rinehart and Winston

CONTACT: Beth Fayyad of Holt, Rinehart and Winston, +1-512-721-7812, or
beth.fayyad@hrw.com; or Jennifer Harrison, +1-916-716-0636, or
jennifer@JHarrisonPR.com, for Holt, Rinehart and Winston

Web site: www.hrw.com/