World Renowned Hip-Hop Icon Doug E. Fresh To Perform Hip Hop Mogul Andre Harrell to Host the Evening
Other Hip-Hop Guests Will Include Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, Aqueelah McCummings, JT Money, Pretty Ricky, Abebe Lewis of Miami's Circle House Studios, and Syndicated Radio Host from Phoenix, Jerome Carter
Microsoft Joins Launch As Official HipHopSodaShop Supporter
Watch Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Live @ www.H3inc.com 12:00pm EST
NEW YORK, Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- H3 Enterprises, Inc. (Pink Sheets: HTRE), the world's first publicly traded Hip-Hop company, announced today that it had expanded its celebrity line up with the additions of multi platinum selling artists Busta Rhymes and Cassidy. H3 Enterprises will be launching the nation's first HipHopSodaShop today in Tampa, Florida. The HipHopSodaShop franchise is the backbone of the H3 related businesses and encapsulates not only the numerous revenue streams that the company has developed, but also embodies the "community conscious" approach that H3 applies to all of its endeavors.
Dr. Benjamin Chavis, CEO and President, stated, "H3 Enterprises is proud of the fact that we have reached a major milestone today. The opening of the HipHopSodaShop is a landmark event for the culture of Hip-Hop. It is also a new global business model that we intend to replicate not only in the major cities across America, but also in the major market places throughout the world. In fact, business leaders as well as celebrities are arriving in Tampa from cities across America today to witness how to develop and launch a HipHopSodaShop franchise in their respective communities."
The HipHopSodaShop comes complete with a healthy quick service menu, merchandising, a state of the art recording studio, 30 giant LCD screens, the latest Xbox 360 live video games, and a large area dedicated to competitive on-line video gaming. The first HipHopSodaShop is over 11,000 sq ft and is a modern day cultural arts center where many forms of Hip-Hop can be expressed by patrons and embraced by the community.
It's a recipe for success: combine popular music with healthful dining options and flavor with socially-responsible capitalism. The eclectic menu includes limited fried foods and no monounsaturated or polyunsaturated (trans) fats. The shop will feature "rap" sandwiches with few carbohydrates and a beverage line made with antioxidant-rich white tea and sweetened with chicory syrup instead of sugar. Clever monikers, sprinkled throughout the menu, are geared to strike a chord with diners while encouraging financial literacy.
The venue, which is less than a mile from the University of South Florida which has over 40,000 students, is located at 1241 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida. The 11,000-square-foot space has undergone renovations to become a full-service, conceptually-chic restaurant. It is equipped with a recording studio, multiple 4'x 5' video screens, tableside video-gaming apparatuses and a DJ/MC booth with surround sound. Targeted to a youthful demographic, aged 13-35, the restaurant will hold special events like open mic nights, live HD sportscasts, live outdoor concerts and cyber gaming. The store will also carry clothing, MP3 players and recorded music.
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
7:00am Live Radio interview with Dr. Benjamin Chavis on WCBS
WILD 98.7
Dr. Benjamin Chavis speaks about the Grand Opening of
the HipHopSodaShop.
*** WCBS Wild 98.7 will be broadcasting live all day
from the HipHopSodaShop ***
12:00pm Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony (broadcast live on www.h3inc.com)
Local officials and dignitaries will participate in
this special event to mark the Grand Opening of the
first HipHopSodaShop.
4:00pm Every One's Youth United Marching Band, St Petersburg, FL
A special performance by a group of talented, local
young musicians.
5:00pm Red Carpet Ceremony
With various hip-hop celebrities and artists.
6:00pm until ... Special Performance by Doug E. Fresh
Dubbed the "World's Greatest Entertainer" for his
unrivaled ability to rock a crowd, Harlem and the
originator of the human beat box, Doug E. Fresh is
best known for the two-sided, multi-platinum hits "The
Show" and "La Di Da Di." Fresh has embraced hip-hop
activism and used his voice to speak out against a
variety of social ills.
Hosted by Andre Harrell
Former president of Motown Records and founder of
Uptown Records, this multi-talented music and
entertainment entrepreneur has established a
reputation in the industry as one of the most astute,
progressive and creative executives in the business.
As a music and film producer, Harrell has helped
launch the careers of such acclaimed artists as
Jessica Alba, Halle Berry, Mary J. Blige, Jodeci,
Heavy D and the Boyz, 98 Degrees and mentored Sean
"Puffy" Combs.
All Day Celebration Tent
Complimentary food samples and soda fountain items
from the HipHopSodaShop menu will be provided to the
general public. A tent will be provided for outdoor
viewing of all performances, with first-come first-
served access as well as video screens both inside and
outside the tent that will provide live screening of
all performances. There will also be limited
complimentary access to video gaming and a variety of
HipHopSodaShop exclusive merchandise will be available
for purchase.
Celebrities!
Hip-Hop superstars including Jim Jones, Juelz Santana,
and Max B from Harlem's legendary Dipset, along with a
host of Southern rap stars will be in attendance to
show their solidarity with H3, Dr. Ben and the
HipHopSodaShops. MTV Real World stars Shauvon Torres,
Isaac Stout and Johanna Botta will also be attending.
The entire Celebrity List will be announced in full on
Monday.
All activities are open to the General Public on a first-come, first- served basis.
Directions: Phone:
1241 E. Fowler Ave. (813) 977-1200
Tampa, FL 33612
(1/8 of a mile east of Interstate 275 at the Fowler Ave exit and 3/4 of a
mile west of the University of South Florida)
Press Availability:
Please contact The T.A.S.C. Group regarding issuance of press passes and to schedule interviews with the leadership of the HipHopSodaShop and the participating Hip-Hop celebrities.
About H3 Enterprises, Inc. and the HipHopSodaShop:
H3 Enterprises, Inc. is the parent company of the HipHopSodaShop, with its corporate headquarters located at 116, John Street, New York, NY 10036. As the first publicly traded Hip-Hop company, H3 Enterprises, Inc. is dedicated to the mission of empowering young people through investment, education and economic development.
Source: H3 Enterprises, Inc.
CONTACT: Media, Larry Kopp, +1-646-723-4344, or Cell, +1-917-282-2357,
larry@thetascgroup.com, or Erin Morris, both of The T.A.S.C. Group, LLC, or
Investors, Tania Munro, +1-818-987-7582, all for H3 Enterprises, Inc.
Web site: http://wwwh3inc.com/
