Needle To The Record DJ Competition celebrates the prolific history of DJ culture by taking us to its roots: head-to-head competition. This competition among highly talented DJs will expose audiences to the cutting edge of DJ artistry. There will be something to learn for seasoned hip-hop enthusiasts, new hip-hop heads, and cultural admirers and imitators. A portion of the proceeds from this inaugural annual event will benefit the Katrina efforts of Hosea’s Feed the Hungry & Homeless.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) May 30, 2006 — Needle To The Record DJ Competition will take place on Saturday, July 8, 2006 at Club Vinyl in the Earthlink Live Music Complex (1374 West Peachtree Street).

The aim of Needle To The Record (N2TR) is to restore classic, head-to-head competition among highly talented DJs, while celebrating the prolific history of DJ culture. Needle To The Record DJ Competition seeks to expose the art of DJing to an audience of new and seasoned hip-hop enthusiasts and fellow DJ performers.

12 DJs will compete throughout four rounds during the evening, with performances judged on technique, originality, musical composition, crowd response and stage presence.

The evening will also feature hip-hop performances by NEB (Never Ending Brotherhood) and MSEIZE.

Presently, special guest judges include DJ Synthesis of the progressive hip-hop group Psyche Origami, and turntable champion DJ Lord of world-renowned Public Enemy. Reese Hamilton, radio personality known from The Weekend Wrecking Crew, is hosting the competition.

“There are many MC and b-boy/girl battles going on in town, but very few DJ competitions,” says the event’s host Reese Hamilton. “ Needle To The Record seeks to fill that void and celebrate the real messengers of the music.”

Doors open at 9PM with competition beginning at 10PM. Tickets are $10 in advance and are available online (http://www.vinylatlanta.com/index.asp?showID=445) and $12 at the door. A portion of the event’s proceeds will be donated to the Katrina efforts of Hosea’s Feed the Hungry & Homeless.

Needle To The Record DJ Competition, produced by Absolutely Divine Creative Services, is sponsored in part by Erb’en Arte, ATF Records, RonOne.com, Jungle 45, Dumpsterdive, Red Reign Entertainment, and Red Bull.

For competition registration or sponsorship opportunities visit myspace.com/needletotherecord.

Austin, Texas, known as the “Live music capitol of the world” and home of the internationally renown PBS TV concert series “Austin City Limits”, will host to BWPresents “Old School House Party!”

Austin, TX (PRWEB) May 30, 2006 — Austin, Texas, known as the “Live music capitol of the world” and home of the internationally renown PBS TV concert series “Austin City Limits”, will host to BWPresents ”Old School House Party!”

BWPresents, Austin’s newest entertainment company, will bring in old school legends Kurtis Blow, Wonder Mike and Master Gee of the Sugar Hill Gang, DJ Spinderella of Salt & Peppa, DJ Wiz of Kid & Play and from the Bad Boyz of Comedy comedian/ impressionist Reggie Reg.

Event goers will hear hits like “The Breaks”, “Basketball”, “Rapper’s Delight” “8th Wonder” “Whatta Man” ” Push it” “2Hype” “Ain’t Gonna Hurt Nobody”. Comedian / Impressionist Reggie Reg will MC the event. He is known for fooling some of Denzel Washington’s closest friend’s. Reggie repertoire of voices is done to perfection.

BWPresents the “Old School House Party” on June 17, 2006 at the Travis County Expo Center in Austin Texas. Tickets can be purchased at all Texas Box office locations or online at www.Texasboxoffice.com. For more information go to www.BWPresents.com or call 512-786-0777.

The Hollywood Reporter, Esq. Set to Launch June 5

LOS ANGELES, May 30 /PRNewswire/ — On June 5, 2006, The Hollywood Reporter will introduce The Hollywood Reporter, ESQ., the first comprehensive resource for entertainment and media law news, analysis, deals and filings. The Hollywood Reporter, ESQ. will offer an online suite of services, including a daily website, a weekly digital magazine, an email news service and searchable industry databases covering talent and studio deals, litigation affecting the entertainment and media law industries, corporate transactions, intellectual property and technology, labor matters and government issues. The website will launch June 5, and the first weekly issue will be published the next day.

The Hollywood Reporter, ESQ. will be published, reported and edited by its own staff members, a number of whom are lawyers, while also utilizing the resources of The Hollywood Reporter. This marks another significant extension of The Hollywood Reporter brand into the marketplace this year, coming after the launches of its weekly “Starz The Hollywood Reporter” TV program on the Starz movie channels and The Hollywood Reporter Europe, a daily email service that serves the European market.

“New markets, new technologies and new laws are transforming the way the industry makes and distributes entertainment. As a result, one of the fastest-growing areas of legal practice is entertainment and media law,” said Tony Uphoff, Publisher and President of The Hollywood Reporter.

“We are very excited to announce The Hollywood Reporter, ESQ., our new service specifically designed to meet the needs of this fast-growing and unique market,” Uphoff added. “The Hollywood Reporter, ESQ. is a natural extension of The Hollywood Reporter brand and reflects our philosophy of providing additional rich data and transactional information to core segments of the entertainment industry that we serve around the globe.”

Filling a niche in this arena, The Hollywood Reporter, ESQ. will provide entertainment and media lawyers with a timely, complete resource that delivers industry-specific news coverage and data.

The first component of the service, hollywoodreporteresq.com, will feature breaking entertainment and media law news and three all-inclusive searchable databases, which are titled:

— Industry Dealflow – major entertainment industry transactions,
including talent deals, distribution agreements and M&A activity;
– The Hollywood Docket – recent litigation complaint filings relating to
the entertainment and media industries from jurisdictions around the
country; and
– Attorney Rolodex – contact information for practicing attorneys and
business affairs executives.

Second, The Hollywood Reporter, ESQ. Weekly Edition will provide readers with a digest-style magazine featuring an executive briefing on the week’s developments in entertainment and media law, plus analysis and commentary from industry insiders, profiles of top lawyers and a roundup of the week’s key transactions and filings. The Weekly Edition’s digital magazine format will showcase its interactive features and print-on-demand capabilities.

Third, a Daily Email News Service will deliver a morning snapshot of top law industry headlines directly to users’ inboxes.

“In today’s entertainment industry, every business transaction, controversy or new trend has a legal angle and a lawyer involved, and these lawyers are now part of an increasingly powerful, influential and expanding entertainment and media law community,” said Norah Weinstein, publisher of The Hollywood Reporter, ESQ. “This community originates in Los Angeles and New York but now reaches into virtually every corporate law firm and law school in America. At this time of dynamic growth, The Hollywood Reporter, ESQ. was created to provide tailored content for the unique needs of entertainment and media lawyers.”

The Hollywood Reporter, ESQ. is designed to serve lawyers and other professionals affected by entertainment and media law issues, including talent lawyers, studio legal and business affairs executives, in-house lawyers, agents, managers, studio executives, bankers, investors and law students. “I am looking forward to some in-depth coverage about entertainment lawyers and the issues we face,” said Ken Ziffren of Ziffren, Brittenham, Branca, Fischer, Gilbert-Lurie, Stiffelman, Cook, Johnson, Lande & Wolf LLP.

“The entertainment and media industries are such exciting and interesting areas in which to practice law, especially these days with the emergence of digital media and increasingly complex business models,” said Matthew Belloni, editor of The Hollywood Reporter, ESQ. “Our coverage will reflect a full range of practice areas — from talent deals and corporate transactions to intellectual property litigation, guild and regulatory actions and technology issues — always with a focus on the legal issues and the lawyers who are facing them head-on.”

To subscribe to The Hollywood Reporter, ESQ., visit http://hollywoodreporteresq.com/ or call 866-357-0304. The annual subscription package includes full access to all three of the products. Firm- and companywide licenses and special law school rates also are available. The service will be usable on a complimentary trial basis from June 5 through June 18.

Weinstein attended USC Law School, where she graduated Order of the Coif. She was formerly a litigator with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, in both the New York and Los Angeles offices.

Belloni also attended USC Law School and served as the Notes Editor of the Southern California Law Review. He previously practiced as an entertainment litigator at Alschuler, Grossman, Stein & Kahan in Santa Monica, where he wrote frequently about entertainment industry issues.

Serving as managing/online editor for The Hollywood Reporter, ESQ. and heading up its daily website is David Lott, who was previously Internet editor for the Los Angeles Business Journal.

The Hollywood Reporter is a must-read for entertainment’s most powerful, influential professionals. More than 175,000 key decision makers worldwide rely on the 75-year-old brand’s print and electronic offerings for intelligence that enables success in a continually evolving business and creative environment. The Hollywood Reporter is published by Netherlands-based VNU, the world’s largest organization of entertainment-related publications and services. http://hollywoodreporter.com/

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

CONTACT: Lynda Miller of The Hollywood Reporter, +1-323-525-2153,
lmiller@hollywoodreporter.com

Web site: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/
http://hollywoodreporteresq.com/

In a web ‘Exclusive’ Dr. Mutulu Shakur’s ‘Video Mixtape’ premieres on ThugLifeArmy.com.
 
ThugLifeArmy.com is pleased to premiere a new ‘Video Mixtape’ edited and mixed by Deejay Ra, released to promote Dr. Mutulu Shakur’s upcoming “A 2Pac Tribute: Dare 2 Struggle” CD release next month on June 16th, the 35th birthday of his son hip-hop culture icon and legendary rap artist Tupac Shakur (2Pac). Deejay Ra’s video mixtape also reveals the full track-listing of the album, which is listed below.
 
“A 2Pac Tribute: Dare 2 Struggle” is expected to be one of the most unique hip-hop releases of all time – in addition to half of the album’s proceeds going towards Mutulu Shakur’s inner city health and education initiatives, the CD booklet even features a track by track written commentary from Dr. Shakur and Deejay Ra about the tribute songs on the album.
 
The CD booklet also includes a preview chapter of Mutulu’s Shakur’s new historical fiction novel about Tupac (“N 2 Da Gutter”), making this the first time a book preview has ever been included in a CD release.
 
The album is also one of the first hip-hop CDs to prominently feature incarcerated rappers, such as the ‘Solitary Confinement Unit’ (S.C.U.) group and Strap. They performed collaboration tracks entirely from behind the walls with Dr. Shakur, his daughter Nzingha Shakur (an R&B vocalist), and Imaan Faith (a hip-hop and rap artist from Iran).
 
Thanks to www.CRNLive.com  for sponsoring Mutulu Shakur’s ‘Video Mixtape’, which you can download and get the full track listing for at www.ThugLifeArmy.com.
 
And be sure to keep posted to www.ThugLifeArmy.com and Dr. Shakur’s www.DareToStruggle.org web site for more updates on his highly anticipated “A 2Pac Tribute: Dare 2 Struggle” CD release with First Kut / Kent Entertainment.
 
Contact
Robert
Administrator@ThugLifeArmy.com

HOSTED BY HOT 97’s OWN DJ ENVY, ‘THE BROOKLYN MINT MIXTAPE/DVD’ FEATURES ORIGINAL SONGS AND REMIXES, AS WELL AS NEVER-BEFORE SEEN FOOTAGE FROM RAP GREATS SUCH AS- THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G., FABOLOUS, RED CAFE, MAINO, JOELL ORTIZ, AND MANY MORE.

NYC’s arguably most famous borough ‘Brooklyn’, has always had an
undoubted influence on Hip-Hop as we know it today. With storied
artists such as The Notorious B.I.G., Big Daddy Kane, Jay-Z, and Lil’
Kim, there isn’t much of a debate on what BK brings to the culture.

In continued contribution to the culture of Hip Hop, Sonny Carson of
Starting 5 Production and Reefa of ATM Production (Two up-an-coming
producers from Bedstuy, Brooklyn) decided to combine their efforts on
‘The Brooklyn Mint Mixtape/DVD’, not only as a tribute to their
renowned birthplace, but also an update to the world on what Brooklyn
Hip-Hop has been up to as of late.

Once you have experienced ‘The Brooklyn Mint Mixtape/DVD’ you will
realize its much more than your average mix tape and DVD! The project
features original production from the aforementioned Sonny Carson and
Reefa, and brand-new songs from BK’s finest, such as Fabolous, Maino,
Red Café, Joell Ortiz, Paul Cain, and many more. And to top it all
off, the album is hosted by NYC’s #1 DJ, Hot 97’s own DJ Envy!

In the DVD Portion, Sonny Carson and Reefa take you through an
exciting, behind the scenes look at the making of ‘The Brooklyn Mint
Mixtape/DVD’ including studio sessions, exclusive interviews, and
dialogue at some of Brooklyn’s famous landmarks. There are also
special guest appearances from super-producer/artist Kanye West and
rapper Lil’ Cease of Junior Mafia.

Stand up for Hip Hop, Stand up for BK, Where y’all at, make some
noise!!

All Media Inquires, Contact:

J Hatch
646.358.0548
jhatch@inasirkl.com

May 28, 2006 (Newark, NJ)

G.S. Entertainment announces the launch of the new website for their headline hip hop artist, SKRILLA. The site www.getskrilla.com, is scheduled for official release on Memorial Day Monday May 29, 2006.

The re-created website was designed by Brick House Dezines a graphics & web design firm based in New Jersey.
11 Krotik Pl. Fl #1
Irvington, NJ 07111
Tel: 973-202-8051 Fax: 973-399-7539
Email: Info@bhdezines.com

GetSkrilla.com is intended to provide it’s viewers with access to the latest of Skrilla’s music, news, events and booking information as well as furnish advertising space for Skrilla’s many sponsors.

About Skrilla:
Skrilla is a Baltimore, MD native who has been residing in Newark, NJ for close to a decade. Incorporating the fast paced New Jersey club culture with the lively comfortable easy going music style that’s common in Baltimore, Skrilla has developed and mastered a new compelling style of popular/street hip-hop music. Skrilla’s distinctive and strong commitment to his career coupled with the superb ranking of his music and performances has attracted personal & financial endorsements from KOOLS Cigarette Co., NY Hot 97 DJ’s, Russell Simmons Music Group, Interscope Records, Against All Odds Clothing Co. Skrilla’s management is currently deliberating signing offers between several major and independent record labels.
Skrilla’s management is currently deliberating signing offers between several major and independent record labels.

About Brick House Dezines LLC.:
BH Dezines caters to the total package. Offering graphics, animation and web, they also provide a variety of promotional apparel. Services can range from a basic individual promotion product to arranging a fully developed marketing concept and execution for you brand.

For more on Skrilla visit www.getskrilla.com, www.myspace.com/getskrilla www.bhdezines.com

Contact: Nikki Pyle
Public Relations Director, Skrilla Management
732-620-5032, 973- 926-2166
nikkipyle@aol.com

Noteborn Has Already Made A Difference For Countless Indie Artists

Ann Arbor, MI (PRWEB) May 29, 2006 — The road for independent artists becomes more challenging every day and the competition for drawing attention to your music is a daunting task indeed. The independent music business has many resources, so many now it can be overwhelming.

In the process of sorting out what is best for a career path, it takes companies that have their arms around what makes an artist tick and what the people want to hear. Somewhere along the line, a service like Noteborn Music Company comes in and lends a hand to help give each individual artist some direction, and mainly an opportunity to get their music into the hands of people that genuinely enjoy it and have a multitude of ways to use it.

Noteborn Music Company is an international publishing company that hand picks quality artists and music for use in movies, TV shows, advertising campaigns, and for music producers. This groundbreaking company values independent and signed artists of all styles and genres. If selected your recordings are entered into a music library for submissions to television shows, advertising campaigns, movies and more.

Noteborn has already made a difference for countless indie artists by collaborating with established media outlets such as Spike TV, On Demand cable, MTV, and national advertising campaigns. In addition to those great services, they offer artist development services in the areas of web, print, manufacturing, recording, and public relations.

It is refreshing to see companies making life easier in the complicated world of music. This will come as a welcome change because it is easy for artists to participate and submit their music for consideration. All they have to do is go to the Noteborn or Sonicbids sites to register. The best part about a service like this is that there are no hidden fees or exclusive contracts to deal with. In a world of empty promises this is a godsend and worth looking into.

http://www.notebornmusic.com/

PR Created and Distributed by MuzikReviews.com

Entertainment attorney John W. Fagerholm speaks on law at the Uplifting Minds II Conference

Los Angele, CA (PRWEB) May 28, 2006 — John. W. Fagerholm, Esq. of the Law Office of Fagerholm & Jefferson is sponsoring the June 24-25th Los Angeles “Uplifting Minds II” entertainment conference by hosting a seminar on “law tips” and by serving on the panel of judges at the conference’s national talent competition. The conference will be held at the Four-Point Sheraton at LAX (seminars) and the Westfield Foxhill Mall (competition).

John. W. Fagerholms’ practice is in entertainment and business law, including litigation. The firms’ focus is the urban market and urban products in the areas of film, television, music, print media, electronic media, fashion and nightlife. Their client list includes entertainers, producers, production companies, management companies, magazines, websites, manufacturers, designers, investors, promoters and nightclubs.

Fagerholm appeared on the Abrams Report during the Corey Clark/Paula Abdul scandal as the lawyer for Clark. John even negotiated Corey Clarks deal with Bungalo/Universal Records. He has represented Snoop Dogg’s mother, Beverly Green, for her book deal. He has drafted and negotiated deals for such clients as Snoop, David Banner, Coolio, Kanye West, Scott Storch, The Neptunes and Nina Sky, just to name a few. Fagerholm has also placed songs for clients in films, television, video games and commercials, such as Soul Plane, Carl’s Jr., The Shield, Real World, Making the Band, Howard Stern, Geraldo, Xtra and Access Hollywood.

Learn more about contract loop holes and how a lawyer can get you into the business of entertainment by attending his seminar. Other seminars include “promotions and marketing” by Kevin Black/V.P. of Interscope’s Rap and R&B’s Marketing and Promotions; “artist development strategies” from Noemi Torres, A&R for Sony/BMG International; “communication skills” from motivational speakers/authors Walt and Janet Jackson and “acting techniques” by actor/rapper Allen Maldonado (The Shield, Las Vegas).

Judges will include Fagerholm, V.P. of Interscope Records, Kevin Black; award winning jazz guitarist Vernon Neilly (Boosweet Records); syndicated radio host of Lee Bailey (RadioScope/EURWEB), actor/rapper Allen Maldonado (The Shield, The Truth Records), and A&R Rep for Sony/BMG International Noemi Torres (Kestebray Entertainment).

Hosted by 100.3 The Beat, the “Uplifting Minds II” entertainment conferences’ other sponsors include the L.A. Watts Times, EURWEB.com, Luster Products, TheSchoolTour.com, Faith FilmWorks, Inc., Ivory Pen Entertainment, Super Star Entertainment, Dedra Davis, Esq., Dr. Jamie Ballard, Alvin Williams, Kestebray Entertainment, Self Awareness Trainings, and Freelance Associates.

For more information on the “Uplifting Minds II” entertainment conference call toll free (866) 366-2160 www.upliftingminds2.com

New Album ‘Kinfolk’ Debuts Later This Summer

NEW YORK, May 26 /PRNewswire/ — Hot off the heels of their smash hit #1 single “Grillz,” Ali, of the platinum selling group St. Lunatics, and “Dirty South” impresario Goodie Mob alum Big Gipp score the #1 most added record at the rhythm crossover radio format this week with their debut single, “Go ‘Head” from their collaborative CD Kinfolk. Kinfolk, due in stores late summer ’06 is on superstar rapper Nelly’s record label, Derrty Ent., an imprint with Universal Motown Records.

“Go ‘Head,” produced by up and coming St. Louis native Trife, is an anthemic summer song that combines “midwest swing” with southern crunk. The “Go ‘Head” video was directed by newcomer Melina and will be serviced to video outlets soon.

“Gipp and I started hanging out a while back and found that we had a lot in common,” says Ali. “We’re both considered leaders in our crews, we’re fathers and even though we have different styles, we respect each other’s skills.” Gipp describes their collaborative effort as “the best of both worlds — the St. Lunatics kicked off the midwest movement and Goodie Mob helped establish southern rap, that’s why I say it’s the best of both worlds. Plain and simple.”

In that spirit, Kinfolk has a mix of songs featuring “St. Louis” kin: Nelly, Murphy Lee and Derrty Ent. newcomers, Chocolate Tai and Avery Storm; “Atlanta” kin Cee-lo and other southern all-stars include Juvenile, David Banner, Three 6 Mafia and Bun B. The album collab also contains a mix of mid- west and southern producers including the St. Louis hit-makers Jason “Jay E” Epperson and The Track Starz, Atlanta’s uber-producer Dallas Austin and other talented newcomers.

Ali made his debut on Nelly’s 9X platinum groundbreaking debut, Country Grammar (2000). The St. Lunatics member was also featured on the groups’ platinum certified album, Free City (2001). In 2002, he released his own noted solo album, Heavy Starch. Ali guested on various albums including the Longest Yard soundtrack as well as the Coach Carter soundtrack. Gipp has been one of the main cogs in the “Dirty South” movement since the mid-’90′s as a leader of the groundbreaking, platinum-plus group Goodie Mob. The thought- provoking, Atlanta based foursome broke down the wall of East Coast/West Coast dominance in 1995 with their debut album Soul Food. The pioneering group’s subsequent albums, including 1998′s Still Standing, and their steadfast alliance with fellow “Dirty South” phenoms Outkast, forever cemented their reputation as one of hip-hop’s most innovative groups. The original members began embarking on their own journeys in 2002, with Gipp releasing his first solo album, Mutant Mindframe, in 2003.

Currently, Ali & Gipp are gearing up for promotional performances, details to follow.

Source: Universal Motown

CONTACT: Shirronda Sweet, +1-212-841-8622, shirronda.sweet@umusic.com,
or Wendy Washington, +1-212-373-0702, wendy.washington@umusic.com, both of
Universal Motown Records

Web site: http://www.universalrecords.com/

World renown authentic reggae clothing brand Cooyah, will host its second celebration of Jamaican culture and entertainment, with the stylish and star studded Cooyah XL 2006 at Morgan’s Harbour, Port Royal, Jamaica on Saturday June 10th during Caribbean Fashion Week 2006

Kingston, Jamaica (PRWEB) May 26, 2006 —- On Saturday June 10th, world renowned authentic reggae clothing brand Cooyah, will host its second celebration of Jamaican culture and entertainment, with the stylish and star studded Cooyah XL 2006 at Morgan’s Harbour, Port Royal, Jamaica.

Last year the highly lauded Cooyah XL extravaganza was described by Trace magazine as, “a five-star party in the rainforest of Kingston…which took party patrons to the dizziest heights in fashion entertainment.”

Promising to outdo itself this year, the ultra all inclusive Cooyah XL event will feature celebrities such as, Rapper Mike Jones, UPN Half & Half’s Lamon Rucker, and many more to be confirmed.

At midnight super models and international celebrities will strut the moonlight runway featuring the latest from the Cooyah collection. Spinning the best in party music will be Upsteper China’s leading selector, Ed Lover from NY’s Power 105, Kirk Riley, Renaissance, Coppershot, Walshire Killer and Razz & Biggy.

Regarded universally as the original Jamaican roots wear, Cooyah has represented reggae artistes by designing promotional clothing and has marketed original designs that reflect Jamaica’s cultural heritage since its founding in 1987.

A favourite among international entertainers, Cooyah’s strong brand acclaim is visible on media outlets including MTV’s Tempo, and Jamaica’s CVM TV Hype TV, RETV, TVJ and Music + and is a praised fashion trendsetter in print publications including Ecko-Complex, and Touch (UK).

Cooyah XL 2006 is sponsored by CVM TV, Hype TV, Tempo, TVJ, RETV, Pulse, 94 FM, Hitz 92 FM BWIA, Roots Malta, Appleton Jamaica Rum and The Courtleigh Hotel, and is a Jamaica Tourist Board and JAMPRO endorsed event. For more on Cooyah visit www.cooyah.com

Publicity Contact to secure media credentials & VIP/Celebrity guest passes:

US: Trea Davenport/treaday.com
Cool Shades PR a division of Trea Day Management & Publicity
Phone: 678 570-6317 INTERNATIONAL
Phone: 876 841-3402 JAMAICA

Jamaica: Odessa Chambers
Odessa Chambers Media / OCM
Phone: 876 361-1581 JAMAICA
Phone: 646- 358-4482 INTERNATIONAL