CURRENTLY ON NATIONAL PROMOTIONAL TOUR, AWARD WINNING RAPPER TEAMS UP WITH MICROSOFT ZUNE

(February 28, 2008) Hip Hop Legend Bun B and one half of the award winning duo UGK readies for the debut of his highly anticipated sophomore solo album, II Trill, which will be released on April 29th courtesy of Rap-A-Lot/Asylum.

Upon the heals of success with UGK’s 2007 seventh album release of the 26-song, two-CD set, UGK (Underground Kingz) which claimed the #1 spot in the country and presented the duo with two Grammy nominations for the soulful smash hit "Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You)" featuring Outkast, Bun will finally introduce the follow-up to his critically acclaimed and Gold Certified debut solo effort, Trill which was released in 2005 and peaked at #1 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums Chart.

II Trill will include guest features by artists that include the late great Pimp C, Lupe Fiasco, Lil Wayne, 8 Ball and MJ G, David Banner , Rick Ross, Z-Ro, Mya, Mike Jones, Junior Reid, Webbie, Chamillionaire , Expensive Taste ( Paul Wall , Skinhead Rob, & Travis Barker) and Slim Thug. The Houston rapper also collaborated with hitmakers Mr. Lee, Scott Storch, Jazze Pha, Bigg Tyme, Black Out Movement, Khalil, Clinton Sparks, Enigma and Chops to name a few.

Currently on a national promotional tour to promote II Trill and its first single, a JR Rotem produced track titled "That’s Gangsta" featuring Sean Kingston, Bun has partnered with Microsoft Zune on a series of promotional events and programs focused on making a more direct connection with his fans through a strong presence on the road, at retail, and on Zune digital platforms. While on the road, he will be making appearances at several Boys & Girls Clubs.  Bun is also a part of Zune Social, an online music community where he is able to share his experience on the road and interact with music lovers.

Fans can connect with Bun directly by visiting www.zune.net/bunb and http://social.zune.net/member/BunBIITrill.

Bun B tour dates are as follows (subject to change):

DATE                                     CITY                                      VENUE

Feb. 29th                 Fayetteville , NC                     The Palace

Mar. 1st                                   Richmond , VA                       High Lights

Mar. 2nd                                  Washington DC                    Platinum Night Club

Mar.3rd   - 4th                          New York , NY                        Press/Promo

Mar. 5th                                   Cleveland , OH                       Boys & Girls Club and Metropolis

Mar. 6th                                   Indianapolis , IN                     Lilly Unit Boys & Girls Club and Cloud 9

Mar. 7th                                   Detroit , MI                             Zoo Bar

Mar. 8th                                   Cincinnati , OH                       Club Annie’s

Mar. 9th                                   Round Lake , IL                      Sharkey’s

Mar. 10th                 Chicago , IL                             Press/Promo

                                                Miami , FL                               Mansion

Mar. 12th – 13th                       Austin , TX                             South by Southwest

Mar. 14th                 San Antonio , TX                   East Side Boys & Girls Club

Mar. 15th                 Houston , TX                          Club Levels

Mar. 20th                 Oklahoma City , OK               Venue TBA

Mar. 21st                 Kansas City , MO                  Venue TBA

Mar. 22nd                                St. Louis, MO                        Venue TBA

Mar. 26th-27th                        Los Angeles , CA                  Press/Promo

March 28th                             Los Angeles , CA                 House of Blues

Mar. 29th                 San Francisco , CA                Mezzanine

Apr. 4th                                   Seattle , WA                           Nuemose

ABOUT BUN B

As one half of the duo, UGK, Bun B along with his long time friend, Pimp C put the south on the map in 1988 with their first album release The Southern Way. Two decades later, the Port Arthur , TX natives and award winning pair have maintained a presence in the music world with seven major label released albums, mixtapes, indie releases and cameos on numerous prominent artists’ tracks. In 2000, they made a high-profile appearance on Jay-Z’s "Big Pimpin." In 2005, Bun released his first solo album Trill. The gold-certified CD debuted at #6 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart and peaked at #1 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums Chart. Bun is currently gearing up for his sophomore solo album, II Trill which will be released April 29, 2008. For more information on Bun B, visit www.zune.net/bunb or www.myspace.com/bunbofugk.

# # #

Press:
Tracy H. Nguyen
(212) 999-5585 main | (212) 584-4337 assist.
tnguyen@5wpr.com e-mail | www.5wpr.com web

There has never been a shortage of MC’s to step out of the New York borough that is home to the NY Mets, both the cities major airports and the thoroughfare to where the rich and famous like to rest their heads; the Hamptons.

February 28th 2008
Straight out of Queens Village steps another MC ready to ensure that his name is mentioned in the same breath as LL Cool J, Kool G Rap and Mobb Deep. Spectacula is no newbie on the scene, his history goes way back to when he was a mere 12 years old when he secured a deal with independent label Fly Spy Entertainment. Having learned from past experiences and maintaining patience, a trait which very few actually understand today, Spectacula, born Steven Rinchere is ready to put into action the past ten years of study.

Paid in Full sees the Queens native link up with the globally recognized mixtape phenomenon, DJ Noodles, who boasts a resume bursting at the seams with major Hip-Hop artists. "Fix Your Face and Pay Attention to this project, I’m always on the lookout for that next level of future industry players, and this tape right here is a great look at a young hungry artist on his grind. It was great working with him on this project, lookout for part 2!!!" enthused Noodles

This mixtape also serves as a taster for his forthcoming album. For What it’s Worth, which will be released on ITunes in late April, is a testament to this lyrical technicians undying pledge of allegiance to Hip-Hop. "The basic goal I have for this mixtape is getting people to pay attention to my lyrics. with the release date of For what it’s worth coming up I think it’s important for people to know that I’m not coming halfway. Just like with the album I put my all into this mixtape and I just want people to appreciate what I’m doing," explained Spectacula

Please click on the link for a free download of the tape.

http://www.sendspace.com/file /e5iorw

Tracklisting
1)  Paid in Full Intro
2)  MOB Stick to the Script
3)  Big Spender
4)  What it’s about – SKIT
5)  Wait til I get this $
6)  Coulda Sworn Snippet
7)  Bring the Soldiers Home
8)  Dead Men Don’t get Rich
9)  For the Worst
10) Live and Maintain – SKIT
11) Money 2 Make
12) Not Gangsta, Just Real
13) Bring it Back
14) Some People Hate
15) You Already Know
16) Too Many Chiefs Not Enough Indians
17) Click Clack
18) More Money 2 Get
19) Early This Morning
20) Outro

To read more about  Spectacula and his journey in Hip-Hop, check out his blog on www.nobodysmiling.com or stop by his myspace page www.myspace.com/spectacula1

For interviews or other media related questions please contact Melanie at CriticalMMG@gmail.com

February 28, 2008 (Miami, FL) –On the eve of the release of  "Trilla,"  the most highly-anticipated album of 2008, Rapper Rick Ross (Slip N’ Slide/Def Jam)  will  host a star-studded celebration in high style, marking the of the birth of his sophomore set. "Trilla," in stores, March 11th 2008, is poised to be the album of the year with appearances and production from Hip Hop’s elite.

With the music, entertainment industries and fans buzzing about "Trilla," people are expected from far and wide to celebrate with the ‘Boss’ on Monday, March 10th 2008. The "Trilla," release party will be at Mansion night club located at 1235 Washington Avenue on Miami’s South Beach. It is a day, which will respectfully become, the "Crowning of the New King of The South."

Rick Ross and Scarface are scheduled to headline the festivities, also taking the stage will be: Flo Rida, Brisco, T-Pain, Lil’ Wayne, Trick Daddy, DJ Khaled, Birdman and Rick Ross’ super group, Triple C  along with Poe Boy Entertainment, Def Jam Recordings and Slip N’ Slide families, with a few other surprises.

"The album is incredible," states the Boss. "I know everyone is waiting for it, and it will supersede anyone’s expectations, believe that, it a classic record!"

"Trilla," pegged to be the album of the year has  appearances by Jay-Z, R. Kelly, T-Pain, Lil Wayne, Mannie Fresh, Akon, Young Jeezy, Flo Rida, Brisco, Triple C, Trick Daddy, Floetry’s Marsha Ambrosius, Nelly and more, with production also from, Cool and Dre, The Runners, DJ Toomp, J-Rock, J.U.S.T.I.C.E League, Drumma Boy and J.R. Rotem, among others.

"Trilla," is the follow-up to Rick Ross,’ 2006 Platinum-selling debut album, "Port of Miami,"  best known for hit singles and anthem of the year, "Hustlin," "Push It," "Blow" and "White House."

The rapper also makes his Executive Producing debut on March 25th with the release of M.I.Yayo, a documentary, distributed by Traffic Entertainment. M.I.Yayo, directed by Chris Larceny, is the most accurate and vivid account of Miami’s street life counting down the 10 most notorious street runners from the 80′s and 90′s, where billions of dollars were made in the streets. The film’s trailer can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RC2VyOJ3Y4 .

For media inquires, please contact Melissa Sessoms/Sessoms PR at sessomspr@gmail.com or (305) 772-6825.

Nashville, TN (February 28, 2008) — Cory Sparks of STP Music Group and SIT Marketing has taken the Nashville-based southern hip-hop publication, Concrete Magazine, to Memphis as its first stop on the road to expansion. Sparks will serve as the Editor-in-Chief of Concrete Memphis.

With Ricardo Hunter as head of media and Tierney Hendricks as sales and creative consultant, Sparks plans to build on the success that Concrete Magazine has seen for the past four years in the Nashville area. "We decided to franchise the Concrete Magazine brand," says Sparks. "I always respected the magazine since it’s been circulating in Nashville. I figured I had to bring it to Memphis and put a spin on it." The Memphis version of the magazine will include local talent, promoters, businesses, radio stations and other features that embody the city’s edge and culture.

Bryan Deese, innovator of Concrete Magazine and Nashville Editor-in-Chief, is very optimistic about the expansion. "We are really excited. We are working with some great people," says Deese. "They are a very knowledgeable team who are in the know about trends and young America. They are very capable to make it a go. Memphis is a great market to support such a magazine." With approximately 10,000 copies distributed bi-monthly in the Nashville area, Sparks plans to carry over this concept to Memphis. The pocket-sized magazine is about 40-60 pages and free of charge. "We have to appeal to our people," says Sparks. "Memphis has a lifestyle of its own. We want people to talk about our magazine and only our magazine." With the slogan, "You Can’t Lose When The City’s Behind You," Sparks hopes the magazine will become a mascot for the city. Plans to expand the franchise publication to other cities are underway.

The inaugural issue of Concrete Memphis hits the city on April 15th with a special edition, "Kings and Queens of Memphis." Concrete Memphis will be available at over 150 locations such as nightclubs, restaurants, barber shops and beauty salons. For more information, contact: concretememphis@gmail.com

About Concrete Magazine

Founded by Bryan Deese, Concrete Magazine is a free urban publication started 2004 in Nashville, TN. Catering to males and females ages 14-33, Concrete showcases the hottest hip-hop artists, models and businesses in the South with interviews, album reviews, advertisements and lifestyle articles. Covering the hottest trends in music and urban culture, the magazine became one of the top street marketing vehicles in the southeast region and received the SEA Urban Magazine of the Year Award in 2006. Concrete Magazine is available at urban music retailers, clothing stores and college campuses in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. www.concretemag.com or  www.myspace.com/concretemag

#   #   #

CONTACT: Aerial Ellis | Urbane Imagery | 615.496.6826 | urbaneimagery@gmail.com

Sic Osyrus gets noticed by and featured in AllHipHop.com’s coveted ‘Breeding Ground’

Definitely one of the biggest looks Sic has received thus far in his career.
http://allhiphop.com/stories/breedingground/archive/2008/02/28/19356969.aspx
Make Sure You Check Out The 4 Songs Posted in The Audio Section too
Big Shout to Steve Raze, La’Juanda Knight, Grouchy, Jigsaw and J!!!

Sic Osyrus just interviewed with HipHopDX.com for their DX next section
(Big shouts to Mike, Legend, Joel and Jake for the support!!)

Check out the exclusive Sic Osyrus OfficialLastwordonline.com Interview
(Make sure your read what Superstar Jay say about Sic Osyrus)
http://www.officiallastwordonline.com/entspotlight.html

Click here to read the exclusive Sic Osyrus interview with Kai from YoRaps.com
http://www.yoraps.com/next2blow1.php?subaction=showfull&id=1202291148&archive=&start_from=&ucat=4&

Sic Osyrus ALSO just Interviewed with All Access DVD this past week
Big Shouts to Tee and Dwayne for the continued support.
Lookout for the NEW DVD with Jay Z on cover!

Keep an ear open for another MAJOR Sic Osyrus press announcement next weekl!!

SIC OSYRUS ON MIXTAPES

Check out Sic Osyrus on DJ 350′s ‘Global Warming’ Mixtape in the streets NOW! (for more info on DJ 350 (Gino Greens DJ) go to www.myspace.com/dj350)

Also Check out Sic Osyrus on Pop Off Productions ‘Heir to The Throne’ Vol 3 Mixtape Hosted by Skyzoo (for more info on Pop Off Productions go to myspace.com/popoffproductions)

Check out Sic Osyrus on ‘The Money Report’ Vol 2 Hosted by Puerto Rican Erv
(for more info go to http://www.datpiff.com/Puerto-Rican-Erv-The-Money-Report-Vol-2-mid11697.html)

MORE SIC OSYRUS NEWS

Sic Osyrus is getting ready to lace the world with the follow up Mixtape Album ‘Sic O Nomics’ Volume 2 (Hosted by Bedtyme357, Remy Ma’s Official DJ and 2007 JUST Underground DJ of The Year award Nominee) with Original Production from Drawzilla (Remy Ma, Chrisette Michele, Capone from CNN), and Raf Moses as well as Collabs with underground heavyweights Skyzoo, The League and Sha Stimuli.

Sic Osyrus’s first single off the mixtape is ‘S On My Chest’ produced by Drawzilla for Inasirkl Music Group. We are about to shoot the first phase of a very high quality video with director INFMAN (who has worked with Diddy, Jay Z, Ghostface and Just Blaze to name a few). The ‘S On my Chest’ Video will also have a part two phase which you will all know about, and be screened in late March and will be released on a limited edition of ‘Sic O Nomics’ 2.5 with several guest appearances, remixes and interviews from the last few months, and a possible additional guest host thats gonna make the hip hop world ask some major questions, like ‘Who The F*ck is Sic Osyrus?’. Also be on the lookout for DJ Mixalot’s ‘Cancel My Appointment’s’ Mixtape and DJ 1 Mic’s ‘Get Down Or Lay Down’ Mixtape Both Hosted by Sic Osyrus, as well as features on DJ Rhude’s XXL ‘State 2 State’ We Got Now Mixtape Series.

Sic has also been busy in the studio working towards his first full length album with legendary producer Buckwild (Jay Z, Pun, BIG, 50 and more) , Platinum Producer Amadeus (50, Jim Jones, Talib and more) as well as other beat bangers Drawzilla, OZ, Ryan, and Buda The Future.

So, if you havent interviewed Sic Osyrus, now is the time, contact me asap at inasirkl@gmail.com

Thanks for everyones continued support. So much more to discuss, but we’ll keep it lite this go round.

Check for Sic Osyrus show dates, updated pics, mixtape and press placements at
www.myspace.com/sicosyrus1 and www.sonicbids.com/sicosyrus1

–
J Hatch
iStandard Publicity
iStandardpublicity@gmail.com
646.358.0548
www.iStandardPublicity.com (Coming Soon)

MULTI-LABEL PROGRAM DRAWS UPON ALL FOUR KELIS ALBUMS: KALEIDOSCOPE (1999), WANDERLAND (2001, UNRELEASED IN U.S.), TASTY (2004), AND MOST RECENT KELIS WAS HERE (2006)

Collaborations with Nas, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Gnarls Barkley’s Cee-Lo Green,
André 3000 of OutKast, N.E.R.D. (the Neptunes), Too $hort, and Richard X

Liner notes essay written by Leah Rose of XXL magazine

Well-deserved collection arrives in stores March 11, 2008, on Star Trak/Jive/Legacy

Kelis – "Milkshake"
[WATCH]: http://musicbox.sonybmg.com/videos/kelis/milkshake

"Tasty’s biggest triumph, however, was the album’s first single ‘Milkshake.’ Tracked by the Neptunes, the chart-topping sing-along was an instant smash and propelled Kelis’ third LP up the Billboard Top 200; it also earned her a Grammy nomination in 2004 for best Urban/Alternative performance. Soon Tasty was certified gold, marking Kelis’ first plaque in the United States."
- Leah Rose, XXL magazine, from the liner notes to KELIS – THE HITS

Known worldwide for the Grammy-nominated "Milkshake," her 2003-2004 signature crossover hit that still earns its fair share of video and airplay in the U.S. and abroad, New York’s own Kelis – who celebrates her 10th year as a recording artist in 2008 – is a prolific singer and songwriter whose four albums are a musical treasure trove, way too deep for someone who has not yet reached age 30!
With nearly a dozen Hot 100 & R&B chart singles to her name at home, and an equal number in the U.K., the time is right to collect KELIS – THE HITS. The 14-song overview of her career is a long-overdue collection that backs up "Milkshake" with the songs that have kept her on the radio and on the road since 1999. The new album, with liner notes written by Leah Rose of XXL magazine (who penned notes for Legacy’s recent Common compilation, thisisme then) will arrive in stores March 4th on Star Trak/Jive/Legacy, a division of SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAIN¬MENT.

"Only a true artist has the ability to innovate an entire genre," writes Leah Rose. "Ever since debuting with her album Kaleidoscope nearly ten years ago, Kelis has remained on the cutting edge of both fashion and music. As one of the first major pop stars to collaborate with the Grammy award-winning production duo the Neptunes, Kelis set trends for an entire generation of hip-hop and R&B artists."
Kelis recorded four albums on three different labels: her debut Kaleidoscope (Virgin, 1999); Wanderland (Virgin, 2001, which remains unreleased in the U.S. to date); Tasty (Star Trak/Arista, 2004); and her most recent Kelis Was Here (LaFace/ Jive, 2006). KELIS – THE HITS draws from all four albums – including two star collabo¬ra¬tions apiece from Tasty ("In Public" with her husband Def Jam artist Nas; and "Millionaire" with OutKast’s André 3000) and Kelis Was Here ("Lil’ Star" with Cee-Lo Green of Gnarls Barkley; and the most recent crossover hit "Bossy" with Too $hort).

KELIS – THE HITS also tracks three equally important collabo¬ra¬tions, all on different labels as well: 1999′s "Got Your Money" with Ol’ Dirty Bastard (which pre-dates by just a few months Kelis’ own coming-out as a solo artist that same year); 2002′s "Truth Or Dare" with N.E.R.D. (the alter-ego group/band concept of her long-time producers the Neptunes, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo); and "Finest Dreams" with British producer Richard X.

Four years ago, the starmaking machinery was working overtime to capture all the "Milkshake" excitement: "It’s ‘frothy’," raved Entertainment Weekly, "saucy" said USA Today, and "the superfreakiest song on the charts this winter" summed up Rolling Stone. Tasty hit RIAA gold, and Kelis earned the opening spot on the first leg of Britney Spears’ North American tour that spring.
"My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard/ And they’re like, it’s better than yours/ Damn right it’s better than yours, I can teach you/ But I have to charge…"

In fact, Kelis was already a seasoned veteran by 2004 – seven years after graduating at age 17 from New York City’s prestigious LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and the Performing Arts (PA). She soon hooked up with a pair of up-and-coming producers based in Virginia Beach, Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams, which led to the first Kelis album on Virgin Records in 1999, Kaleidoscope. Though "Caught Out There" reached Top 10 R&B in the U.S., it was clear that British and European audiences were way out front in their attention to the young star. "Good Stuff" and "Get Along With You" further established Kelis across the Continent.

Controversy greeted the 2001 album Wanderland, her second with the Neptunes and Virgin Records. "Young, Fresh N’ New" did well on the charts in the U.K. and Germany, but when it missed the pop and R&B charts in the U.S., Virgin decided not to release the album here. The move led Kelis to part company with the label.

Although she stayed aligned with the Neptunes (appearing on one track on their long-awaited 2002 alter-ego project In Search Of…), the next Kelis album, Tasty, found her moving (along with the Neptunes’ Star Trak label) to Arista and BMG worldwide. The label encouraged Kelis to enlist a wider list of guest producers, among them Raphael Saadiq, Dallas Austin, and André 3000. But it was the Neptunes-produced "Milkshake" that jumped out and stopped traffic on both sides of the Atlantic.

"Milkshake" was rush-released before the September 30, 2003, Grammy deadline – which ensured it of a nomination. People called it "a banging club jam with a percolating groove, spacey programming and a chant-along chorus… It ranks next to OutKast’s ‘Hey Ya!’ as the grooviest song on the radio." Tasty arrived in December, and the New York Times Sunday Arts & Leisure section declared: "Throughout her appealing new album… whether she’s sighing or whispering or rapping or chanting, her voice makes a great rhythm instrument."

The timing, however, left Kelis caught up once again in a U.S. industry snafu, as Arista was dissolved in March 2004. It was a different story in the U.K., where Tasty spun off three more top-charted singles: "Trick Me," "Millionaire" (with André 3000), and "In Public" (with Nas).
When the smoke cleared in 2005, Kelis remained inside the BMG family, on the LaFace label, now an imprint of Jive Records. She began working with nearly a dozen producers on her next album and the first results hit the street in January 2006, "Bossy," featuring rapper Too $hort. With its Marc Klasfeld video, the single clocked a 6-month pop/R&B crossover chart run in the U.S. and U.K., ultimately achieving rare double-platinum certification here.

"Bossy" set the scene for the new album in August, Kelis Was Here, which brought her second Grammy Award nomination (and first for an album). The week after the Grammy ceremonies in February 2007 – more than 13 months after the album’s release – "Lil’ Star" (featuring Cee-Lo) was issued as the album’s final single. It entered the U.K. chart at #3, confirming the never-ending popularity of Kelis.

"With an ability to seek out untapped musical territories and create sounds that reach way beyond the current aesthetic," Leah Rose concludes, "Kelis has managed to bring an unbridled experimentation to the forefront of R&B. Her supreme sass is infectious and permeates throughout her work. With more style and substance than her so-called peers, Kelis is pop’s last great escape."

KELIS – THE HITS
(Star Trak/Jive/Legacy 88697 25278 2 6 – explicit)
(Star Trak/Jive/Legacy 88697 25467 2 8 – clean)

Title U.S. UK From album Label Year
1. Caught Out There R&B #9, H #54 #4 Kaleidoscope Virgin 1999
2. Milkshake R&B #4, H #3 #2 Tasty StarTrak/Arista 2003
3. Got Your Money R&B #19, H #33 #11 [N***a Please] [Elektra] 1999
(w/Ol’ Dirty Bastard)
4. Trick Me — #2 Tasty StarTrak/Arista 2004
5. Lil’ Star (with Cee-Lo) — #3 Kelis Was Here LaFace/Jive 2006
6. Get Along With You R&B #57 #51 Kaleidoscope Virgin 2000
7. Young, Fresh N’ New Dance #15 #32 Wanderland Virgin 2001
8. Truth Or Dare — – [In Search Of...] [Virgin] 2002
(w/N.E.R.D)
9. Bossy (with Too $hort) R&B#11, H #16 #22 Kelis Was Here LaFace/Jive 2006
10. In Public (with Nas) — #17 Tasty StarTrak/Arista 2005
11. Millionaire — #3 Tasty StarTrak/Arista 2004
(w/André 3000)
12. Finest Dreams — #8 [X-Factor Vol. 1] [Astralwerks] 2003
(w/Richard X)
13. Suspended — – Kaleidoscope Virgin 2000
14. Good Stuff — #19 Kaleidoscope Virgin 2000

Notes:
H indicates Billboard Hot 100 singles chart (U.S.)
– indicates single did not chart or was not issued in designated country.
Year indicates single release date, not album.

Roberto Santos
roberto@cornerstonepromotion.com

‘Diddy goes to Hollywood to pursue acting career’

NEW YORK, Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ — Sean "Diddy" Combs, made his debut in his first starring role on Monday, February 25th in the reprised role of Walter Lee in a "A Raisin in the Sun." Ratings far exceeded expectations across every demographic. "A Raisin in the Sun," which featured Sean Combs and all-star cast Phylicia Rashad, Audra McDonald, Sanaa Lathan and John Stamos, ranked #1 Monday night, allowing ABC to turn in its strongest night amongst viewers in 3 months. Raisin was TV’s highest-rated original movie since November 2005 among key demographic audiences. 12.7 Million viewers tuned in to see this revived classic.

Combs’ role received rave reviews…

"Mr. Combs is commanding and fierce." — New York Times

"The actor’s [Combs] blend of volatility, sweetness, pride, impotence and frustration registers beautifully." — Chicago Sun Times

"[Combs] turns in a heart breaking performance!" — Us Weekly (3.5 stars)

"You’ll Never Look at Sean Same Way Again!…," "Combs does a great, great job…finds his place in the sun!" — The New York Post

Combs is planning to be bi-coastal to focus on his acting career. Combs says, "This has been a life changing experience for me. I love acting. In order to make movies, I have to be where the movies are being made."

Source: Sunshine, Sachs & Associates

CONTACT: Ken Sunshine or Briele Douglass of Sunshine, Sachs &
Associates, +1-212-691-2800, douglass@sunshinesachs.com

Sunflower Entertainment signed an exclusive worldwide agreement with New York and Dominican Republic based record label Jeremy Records’ recording artist, Vakero, the #1 Dominican Hip Hop artist and leader of the Rap Dominicano movement.

New York City and San Pedro de Macorís, D.R. (Billboard Publicity Wire) February 28, 2008 — Sunflower Entertainment signed an exclusive worldwide agreement with New York and Dominican Republic based record label Jeremy Records’ recording artist, Vakero, the #1 Dominican Hip Hop artist and leader of the Rap Dominicano movement. The deal encompasses all of Vakero’s Recordings, Publishing, Digital/Mobile Marketing and Merchandising.

Jeremy Records President, Francis Belliard, upon signing the deal said, "The influence and popularity of Vakero is undeniable and what better place to grow and prosper Vakero than with Sunflower Entertainment."

Vakero is the real deal. A global star in the making
"Vakero is the real deal. A global star in the making," said Jamar Chess, co-owner of Sunflower Entertainment, who was responsible for the completion of the deal.

The Dominican Hip Hop movement is sweeping Latino communities all over the East Coast, where over a million Dominicans live. Vakero’s infectious tracks are heard at night on street corners and from open car windows in New York City, Boston and Providence. Major League Baseball stars, such as the New York Mets’ José Reyes, the Boston Red Sox’s David Ortiz and New York Yankees Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera, have all been using Vakero tracks as their "at-bat" songs.

Work on the follow-up album to the highly acclaimed "Pa Ke Te Mate" has begun featuring production from longtime collaborator Villano Sam, Salsero legend Joe Arroyo and Sunflower Entertainment artist/producer Propheta.

Sunflower Entertainment’s plans for the new album entail an aggressive digital and mobile promotion campaign along with pursuing strategic fashion partnerships to expose Vakero merchandise and branding to include clothing, footwear and accessories.

"We feel there is a vast potential for Vakero merchandise to cross over to audiences all over the world," said Juan Carlos Barguil, co-owner of Sunflower Entertainment.

Riding off a successful Zurich, Switzerland club tour, Miguel "Bombon" Taveras, Vakero’s E.U. representative, has booked upcoming shows in Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona among other large European cities to further Vakero’s worldwide presence.

The album "Pa Ke Te Mate" is currently available on iTunes and all major Digital retailers. The singles "Se Partio El Lapiz" and "Hasta Mañana Negra Linda" are currently being programmed on mun2 and mtv3. There have been over 1.6 million views on Youtube of Vakero music and promotional videos.   

About Sunflower Entertainment:
Sunflower Entertainment is the place to license both masters and publishing of some of the greatest Latin and Reggae music. The roots and experience of Sunflower come out of a relationship with the legendary Arc Music Group, the publishing division of Chess and Vee Jay Records, which was founded in 1953. The Sunflower catalog features such popular artists from the legendary Discos Fuentes catalog as Joe Arroyo, Sonora Carruseles, La Sonora Dinamita, and Fruko y Sus Tesos, as well as Bachata stars Zacarias Ferreira and Kiko Rodriguez to Merengue artists Amarifs and Orlando Conga. Also, Sunflower represents Reggae legends The Itals, The Gladiators, and Justin Hinds.   

For further information, contact Jamar Chess or Juan Carlos Barguil
212.246.3333 tel / 212.262.6299 fax
http://www.sunflower-ent.com
http://www.vakeromusic.com

Europe contact : Miguel "Bombon" Taveras
+33 664 851495 tel.
azucalazucal @ hotmail.com

‘A New Earth’ by Eckhart Tolle holds the record for the most copies ever shipped by Penguin Group (USA) in a four-week period, 3.45 million

Upcoming Webinar Attracting Readers from 125 Countries To register, log onto www.oprah.com/anewearth

CHICAGO, Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ — Since "A New Earth" was named the 61st Oprah’s Book Club selection on January 30, 2008 and Winfrey announced that she will join author and renowned spiritual leader Eckhart Tolle for the first time ever to teach a free, live interactive webinar exclusively on Oprah.com, more than 500,000 people-representing 125 countries from around the world- already have registered. This book holds the record for the most copies ever shipped by Penguin Group (USA) in a four-week period, 3.45 million.

Each weekly class will correspond to a chapter from "A New Earth," with the 90-minute discussion focusing on each chapter’s theme. During the week prior to the live Web event, students can access their personal interactive workbook-a guided online journal that complements each webinar session-that provides introspective questions as well as related exercises for awakening. The 10 weekly sessions will be webcast every Monday night from March 3 through May 5, at 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PT. To register for the class, log onto www.oprah.com/anewearth.

Brian Tart, President & Publisher of Dutton and editor of the book said, "Sales thus far have been incredible. It really has been a phenomenon and the webinar is sure to create even more sales momentum in the market."

"For the first four weeks on sale, ‘A New Earth’ is our bestselling Oprah’s Book Club title," said buyer Jules Herbert of Barnes & Noble, the largest book retailer in the country.

Penguin Group’s "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle is the #1 bestselling nonfiction trade paperback book in the nation, retaining the #1 spot on The New York Times bestseller list for four straight weeks. It currently also tops the USA Today, Publishers Weekly and Book Sense bestseller lists, among others. Plume, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), initially shipped 776,000 copies and — after only four weeks on sale — has more than 4.7 million copies in print and has shipped 3.45 million copies to date.

Readers around the world have been sharing how the book has enriched their lives, including such celebrities as:

Jim Carrey: "I think one of the most important questions that people ask in life is who am I and why am I here? This book gets as close to an answer as any book could ever get."

Russell Simmons: "When you get it, it’s like a key turning inside you. Eckhart Tolle offers that bridge from this unconscious state that we live in to the state that we are evolving towards, like it or not."

Jenny McCarthy: "What happened to me as I was reading ‘A New Earth,’ I can best describe it as someone came and woke me up out of a dream and the dream just happened to be my entire life. It definitely made me realize that I was playing a role."

Guy Ritchie: "One of the first categories of people I think should read this book is anyone who suffers any form of anxiety or any form of fear … I think, in that respect, this could be the most liberating thing they could ever read."

The upcoming webinar for "A New Earth" on Oprah.com is sponsored in part by Skype, Post-It and Chevy.

Source: Penguin Group (USA)

CONTACT: Marilyn Ducksworth of Penguin Group (USA), +1-212-366-2564; or
Angela De Paul of Harpo, +1-312-633-1182

Web site: http://www.penguinputnam.com/
http://www.oprah.com/
http://www.oprah.com/anewearth

Along With Executive Producer and Master of Ceremonies Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs on Tuesday, March 4 @ 10 PM*

Collections from Sean John, Zac Posen, Apple Bottom, Co Co Ri, and Amaya Swimwear Were Showcased on the Runway to the Musical Performances of Snoop Dogg Missy Elliot, N.E.R.D, Day 26, Trey Songz and Flo Rida Featuring T-Pain

NEW YORK, Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ — BET Networks struts their stuff on the catwalk with the fourth annual fashion and music special RIP THE RUNWAY. Executive produced by Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and hosted by rapper and featured clothing designer, Nelly and Hollywood’s newest "IT" girl, actress Lauren London, RIP THE RUNWAY premieres Tuesday, March 4, at 10:00 PM*. Expertly blending today’s hottest performances with the latest in high-end urban fashion, this year’s fashion show over delivers on its theme "Black Fashion. So Fly".

Donned as one of the best dressed hours on television, this year’s RIP THE RUNWAY features the latest collections of Zac Posen, Sean John, Respect M.E. (Missy Elliott Collection for Adidas), Apple Bottom, Qristyl Designs, Monif C, Sixx Foota, and Amaya Swimwear. It was a family affair for Snoop Dogg and his wife Shante Broadus who launched their clothing lines Rich & Infamous and Co Co Ri. "My wife got her line Co Co Ri and I got my line Rich & Infamous and we’re just trying to come out here as husband and wife and push something out there for the people, something for the males, something for the females, something for the little boys. It’s a group thing right here," Snoop Dogg told BET.com exclusively.

Celebrity models included Tocarra Jones (BET Talent, America’s Next Top Model-Cycle 3), Charlie Baltimore (female rapper), Teyana Taylor (singer/rapper Star Track Entertainment), Bianca Golden (America’s Next Top Model-Cycle 9), Camille McDonald (America’s Next Top Model-Cycle 2), Corey Webster (NY Giants), Sam Madison (NY Giants), Brandon London (NY Giants), BET’s own, Rocsi and Terrence, Brandon T. Jackson (Roll Bounce), Lil Snoop (The Wire), Cassie (Bad Boy R&B singer/model), Ezra Masters (international model), Terrell Carter (Diary of a Mad Black Woman), Camille Howard (America’s Next Top Model-Cycle 8), America’s Next Top model winner Jazlene Gonzalez, and show host Lauren London. RIP THE RUNWAY featured live performances by Missy Elliot, N.E.R.D, Snoop Dogg, Day 26 (Diddy’s latest MAKING THE BAND group), Cheri Dennis, Webbie, Trey Songz and Flo Rida featuring T-Pain.

For up-to-the-minute and archival press information including releases and photographs, visit BET’s press-only Web site at www.bet.com/pr.

  **all times ET/PT

  CONTACTS:
  Marcy Polanco                  Tricia Newell
  212-975-3327                   212-975-8230
  marcy.polanco@bet.net          tricia.newell@bet.net

  About BET Networks

BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 87 million households according to Nielsen Media Research, and can be seen in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET Digital Networks — BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Mobile, a service venture into the lucrative world of ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, an extension of BET network programming for global distribution.
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080228/NETH042
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN4
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: BET Networks

CONTACT: Marcy Polanco, +1-212-975-3327, marcy.polanco@bet.net, or
Tricia Newell, +1-212-975-8230, tricia.newell@bet.net, both of BET Networks

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