ALL THE HIP HOP NEWS THAT'S FIT TO PRINT
ProHipHop posts for June 29th & 30th:
Curren$y: Pilot Talk [Album Art]
The Archivist Twitter Tool: Track, Save & Analyze Tweets
Preview Big Boi's Sir Lucious Left Foot
Albums: Eminem #1, Drake #2, The Roots #6
Johnny Richter: Laughing [Album Art & Tracklist]
Air Drake Lands Safely In Toronto
Coca-Cola Will Continue as Presenting Sponsor of ESSENCE Music Festival With New Three-Year Agreement Extension
NEW ORLEANS–(June 30, 2010)–Few cities have as much heart or a spirit as resilient as New Orleans, and Coca-Cola is joining the community in a weekend full of cultural celebration and empowerment at the 2010 ESSENCE Music Festival presented by Coca-Cola. Once again, Coca-Cola is the presenting sponsor of the Festival and is tapping into the excitement to offer a lively series of activities throughout the weekend. In addition, Coca-Cola and ESSENCE are celebrating a new three-year sponsorship agreement under which the brand will continue as the Festival's presenting sponsor and official non-alcoholic beverage through 2012.
"The ESSENCE Music Festival presented by Coca-Cola continues to provide the opportunity for us to put ice-cold Coca-Cola in the hands of thousands of African Americans as they enjoy a weekend full of music and fun with friends and family," said Yolanda White, assistant vice president, African-American Marketing, Coca-Cola North America. "Over the next three years, the growth of the Festival will present new opportunities for us to effectively connect with African Americans."
This year, Festival attendees will refresh themselves with ice-cold Coca-Cola, enjoy delicious food and entertainment at the Taste the Celebration cookout hosted by DJ Biz Markie and listen to great live performances at the Coca-Cola Super Lounge by Mary Mary, Joe, Lalah Hathaway and more. Coca-Cola will also have three Happiness Stations that feature R&B and hip-hop artists like MC Lyte and Doug E Fresh, step team performances hosted by Chilli, cooking demonstrations by celebrity chef G. Garvin and more.
As a special way to honor and recognize ESSENCE Magazine's 40th anniversary, Coca-Cola has also created a commemorative glass Coca-Cola bottle for the occasion, which will be distributed at the Happiness Stations during the weekend-long activities.
Coca-Cola activities include:
Youth Outreach Program
Coca-Cola will participate with other sponsors in the Festival's youth outreach program featuring messages of empowerment. Speakers will share stories of their personal triumphs, and Coca-Cola will bring in entertainer Lil Chuckee to perform. Teens will have the opportunity to win prizes and will receive premium giveaways.
Happiness Stations
Coca-Cola will have three Happiness Stations set up throughout the convention center to refresh and excite Festival-goers. Station activities will include karaoke, DJ mix sessions, dance and step team demonstrations, cooking demonstrations by celebrity chef G. Garvin and more.
Taste the Celebration
Hosted by DJ Biz Markie, this event will allow more than 1,500 Festival attendees to enjoy delicious summer favorites and refreshing Coca-Cola beverages. The invitation-only special event includes an array of dishes prepared by local New Orleans grill masters.
Coca-Cola Super Lounge
As the host of one of four Super Lounges, Coca-Cola will provide live entertainment to attendees. Artists include Mary Mary, Irvin Mayfield and The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Joe, Rebirth Brass Band, Lalah Hathaway and Ivan Neville and Dumpstafunk.
Mainstage Moments
To keep the excitement going, Coca-Cola is hosting three "Mainstage Moments" to give fans another opportunity to enhance their experience. Each night during the concert, Coca-Cola will have a call-to-action that will allow people to win tickets to the Taste the Celebration barbecue and upgrade their seats to the front row.
Coca-Cola and ESSENCE Celebrate First Multi-Year Partnership Commitment
Coca-Cola and ESSENCE are excited to continue their relationship by extending the agreement under which Coca-Cola is the presenting sponsor and official non-alcoholic beverage of the ESSENCE Music Festival for another three years. With this agreement, ESSENCE Festival Productions, producer of the music Festival, and Coca-Cola are strengthening their long-term relationship and building for a stronger future.
"With 2010 marking the 40th Anniversary of ESSENCE Magazine, this is an exciting time for us to announce our commitment to the ESSENCE Music Festival. This is an unprecedented cultural event that we are proud to be a part of and look forward to supporting every summer," said White.
Coca-Cola has shown tremendous dedication to the music Festival as its presenting sponsor for the past 15 years. The newest sponsorship agreement includes this year's Festival and continues through 2012.
"We are excited to extend our association with Coca-Cola via the ESSENCE Music Festival's first multi-year partnership commitment," said Michelle Ebanks, President, ESSENCE Communications, Inc. "The support of Coca-Cola has been invaluable in establishing the ESSENCE Music Festival as a world-class cultural event and we will continue to work together to create one-of-a-kind experiences around music, arts and community for our loyal attendees."
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio includes 12 other billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia Coffee. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of 1.6 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.
Contacts
The Coca-Cola Company
Gorki De Los Santos, 404-676-3255
or
Wanda Yancey Rodwell, 404-676-2121
ENGLEWOOD, Colo., June 30 — DISH Network L.L.C., America's fastest-growing pay-TV provider, today launched Palladia, showcasing the best in music from the world's most popular artists. DISH Network customers who subscribe to America's Top 200 and above now receive this upgraded programming in place of Fuse.
Palladia features music-related content from its owner, MTV Networks, a division of Viacom. The channel broadcasts the best music programming from MTV, VH1 and CMT.
DISH Network also offers Palladia in HD as part of the Platinum programming package.
  For more information about DISH Network, visit www.dish.com.
  About DISH Network
DISH Network L.L.C., a subsidiary of DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) , leads the pay-TV industry in technological breakthroughs and provides more than 14.3 million satellite TV customers, as of March 31, 2010, with the highest quality programming and technology at the best value. Customers have access to the most HD channels, the most international channels, state-of-the-art interactive TV applications, and award-winning HD and DVR technology including the ViP 922 SlingLoaded DVR, the world's only DVR with TV Everywhere functionality. DISH Network Corporation is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 200 company. Visit www.dish.com.
CONTACT: Francie Bauer of DISH Network, +1-720-514-5351, press@dish.com
Grand Prize Winner to Receive Prizes Worth More Than $5000:
VIP Trip to L.A., Meet Xzibit & DJ Skee, Recording Session,
Custom Blue Microphone & Monster Gear Pack
NEW YORK, NY & LOS ANGELES, CA – June 29, 2010 – Indaba Music, the top online destination for music creation, along with Blue Microphones, DJ Skee and Monster Cable, are proud to announce today the Xzibit "Hurt Locker" Remix Contest.  The hip-hop star is providing the track's stems to his new single "Hurt Locker," to Indaba community members with the challenge to remix the song. Fans, fellow artists and producers can now visit  http://www.indabamusic.com/featured_programs/show/xzibit-remix-contest to remix the track from his upcoming project, MMX, due out later this year.  The Grand Prize winner will attend SKEETOX, which marks the kick off of Los Angeles' Sunset Strip Music Festival on August 25, record on Blue's legendary Bottle mic, featured on SkeeTV and receive a major Monster prize package and much more.
"I'm excited to see what fresh musicians, rappers and producers are out there," says Xzibit.  "I want to see what Indaba Music's community can bring to the sound."
Submission for the "Hurt Locker" Remix Contest will be accepted from June 29, 2010 through July 27, 2010 at 5:00 PM EDT. Voting will then be opened to the public until August 10, 2010. The grand prize winner will be chosen on August 13, 2010 by judges Xzibit, DJ Skee and Indaba Music's co-founder Mantis Evar.
The Grand Prize winner will receive:
·      Airfare and two nights' accommodations at the W Hotel Los Angeles for the winner and guest for two nights to attend DJ Skee's live music show, SKEETOX at the World Famous Roxy Theatre
·      VIP meet & greet with DJ Skee and Xzibit.
·      A Blue microphone customized to their sound and a tour of Blue Microphones studio headquarters, which will be filmed for Skee.TV
·      A recording session at Skee Music Studios to record winning verse on Blue's legendary Bottle microphone, along with an interview for Skee's Radio Show, Live from L.A.
·      A premium Monster Cable prize pack, with over $3,200 in gear, including instrument, mic and speaker cables, the Pro 700 Power Center, two 1000 Power Centers and the Turbine Pro Gold In-Ear headphones.
Two Runner Up winners will receive Monster Jamz Headphones (autographed by Xzibit and DJ Skee), $800 worth of Monster gear including cables and two power centers, along with the Blue Microphones Yeti, USB mic and enCORE 200 live microphone. The two runners up will also receive honorable mention on DJ Skee's Sirius/XM radio show, Live from LA.
The top ten winners from the public vote will receive Monster Jamz headphones signed by Xzibit and DJ Skee.
______________
Kristen Tambara
Publicity Coordinator
CASHMERE AGENCY
O: Direct + 1.310.686.1926 | Fax: + 1.310.695.7362
1110 North La Brea Avenue | Inglewood, CA 90302
Email: kristen@cashmereagency.com | www.cashmereagency.com
DUBLIN–(June 30, 2010)–Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/3509f6/digital_media_in) has announced the addition of the "Digital Media – Internet & Entertainment Services" report to their offering.
It has become clear that the most popular online entertainment services are gambling/gaming, online dating, online music, online video and social media. In the next few years the overall global entertainment and publishing industry (online and offline) is expected to be worth more than $2 trillion – driven in particular by a wave of growth in online video games/gambling, music, social networking/UGC, online video, etc. This report provides a global overview and brief statistics for the key online Internet and entertainment services. Please note that online gaming, gambling, movies, e-health, e-education, e-government and social media are also covered in more detail in separate reports.
Key Topics Covered:
1. Synopsis
2. Digital media and entertainment
2.1 Digital media and entertainment services
2.2 Demand for faster networks
2.3 General trends
2.4 Areas of growth through to 2012
2.5 Distribution trends
3. Key online entertainment services
3.1 Adult services
3.2 Online dating
3.3 Online gambling and gaming
3.4 Music
3.5 Social media
3.6 Online video media
3.7 Virtual worlds
4. Other key online services
4.1 Digital Economy Services
4.2 E-education
4.2.1 Virtual worlds for education
4.3 Financial services
4.4 E-government
4.5 E-health
4.6 Mapping and tracking
4.7 Online travel
5. Digital Rights Management (DRM)
Key features
    * Facebook
    * MySpace
    * Around the world
    * Wikipedia
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/3509f6/digital_media_in
Contacts
Research and Markets
Laura Wood, Senior Manager,
press@researchandmarkets.com
U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907
Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716
SAN FRANCISCO & SANTA MONICA, Calif.–(June 30, 2010)–Premier Retail Networks, Inc. (PRN), a global leader in digital place-based media services, and VH1, the music and pop culture television channel from MTV Networks, today announced a new agreement to present best-in-class music, pop culture entertainment content and tune-in messaging on PRN's TV Wall and Checkout TV® Network screens in leading retail and supermarket stores nationwide.
VH1 will provide PRN's networks with music and lifestyle content, including HD music videos, VH1 News segments, and customized original programming. This agreement is just the most recent in the relationship between the companies. Under an earlier agreement, VH1 and PRN featured an 8-week advertising campaign for Jessica Simpson's "The Price of Beauty," which included content segments and tune-in messaging.
"VH1 viewers are truly on-the-go young adults who like to shop," said Nigel Cox-Hagan, executive vice president, creative group and consumer marketing. "PRN's in-store platforms have proven to be an important part of our media plan in reaching our active demo with our tune-in messaging."
"VH1's vibrant music and lifestyle programming resonates very well with the core demographics of PRN's TV Wall and Checkout TV® Network platforms," said Jonathan Rosen, PRN vice president of content strategy and development. "We're very excited to work with VH1 across such a range of engaging content. Place-based programming is most effective when content and sponsored messaging are unified, creating a seamless consumer experience."
PRN's TV Wall and Checkout TV® Networks together deliver more than 155 million commercial viewers monthly across more than 4,330 locations.
About Premier Retail Networks, Inc.
Premier Retail Networks, Inc. (PRN) provides digital place-based media services that enable retailers and marketers to reach consumers in more than 10,000 locations across the U.S. PRN works with leading retailers, advertisers, content and technology companies to create and deliver out-of-home media that engages, informs and motivates consumers where they shop, eat and socialize. PRN's retail customers include Acme Markets, Albertsons, Associated Food Stores, Bodega Aurrera, Carrefour, Costco, Jewel-Osco, Pathmark, Sam's Club, Shaw's, ShopRite, Star Market, Target, Walmart Stores and Walmart Mexico. Through advertising sales relationships with Retail Entertainment Design, TargetCast Networks and indoorDIRECT, PRN also represents the in-venue networks located in Fred Meyer and Fry's Marketplace retail stores, and in a number of leading quick service, casual and fast casual dining venues. PRN's programming alliances include major television networks and other media properties, as well as movie studios, record labels and magazine and newspaper publishers.
About VH1
VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 95 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.
Contacts
Press Relations
Chase, Ink. PR
Jodie Chase, 415-492-3494
jodie@chase-ink.com
or
PRN
Drew Fleming, 415-808-9742
drew_fleming@prn.com
or
VH1
Toni Herron, 212-846-7528
Toni.herron@vh1.com
or
Industry Analyst Relations
Guillaume Trichard, 33141866571
guillaume.trichard@technicolor.com
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., June 30 — Randy Malinoff has been appointed to Vice President, Direct-to-Consumer eCommerce for Universal Music Group Distribution (UMGD), the award-winning sales, marketing and distribution arm of Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company. The announcement was made today by Mitch Rotter, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Product Development, Universal Music Distribution, to whom Mr. Malinoff will report.
In this position, Mr. Malinoff will be responsible for developing, executing and maximizing all UMGD direct-to-consumer (D2C) online sales initiatives. He will work closely with UMGD labels to provide strategic support in the launch of artist based D2C stores and offers as well as the D2C marketing department to ensure the successful deployment of new offers. Mr. Malinoff will also have operational oversight of UMGD's D2C platform to drive enhancements and new feature sets.
"We're excited to welcome an executive as creative and driven as Randy to Universal," stated Mr. Rotter. "His entrepreneurial background coupled with his years of dedicated eCommerce work will serve us well as UMGD continues to aggressively explore digital initiatives in order to provide music fans with the greatest ease when acquiring music."
"I'm very excited for this opportunity and am looking forward to helping UMGD gain even more traction in the eCommerce world," stated Mr. Malinoff. "Universal Music Group artists are among the world's best and with such high quality content, I'm confident we can take our D2C operations to the next level."
Prior to joining UMGD, Mr. Malinoff was Co-Founder of That's It Media Group. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Digital Marketing for Universal Studios Home Entertainment. He also worked at Ktel Records as Executive Vice President/General Manager of Ktel Online. Previous to Ktel, Mr. Malinoff was the Director of Retail Marketing for Wherehouse Entertainment.
About Universal Music Group Distribution (UMGD)
UMGD consists of four major divisions: Universal Music Distribution (UMD); Fontana, a worldwide distributor of independent music labels; Vivendi Entertainment, the largest independent DVD distribution company in the US and also a theatrical distributor; and Universal Music Christian Group. It distributes the music from such companies as Universal Motown Republic Group, Island Def Jam Music Group, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, A&M/Octone Records, MCA Nashville, Lost Highway, Mercury Nashville, Verve Music Group, Decca Label Group, Universal Music Latino, Universal Music Enterprises, Hip-O, UTV, Sanctuary Records, Disa, Machete Music, ABKCO, Concord Music Group, Hollywood, Lyric Street, Fonovisa, Walt Disney, Big Machine, VI Music, Sybersound, Hidden Beach and Palm Pictures. The company also represents a world-famous roster of artists: U2, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Elton John, Bon Jovi, Eminem, Sheryl Crow, 50 Cent, Sting, Jay-Z, Andrea Bocelli, Gwen Stefani, Shania Twain, Taylor Swift, Mary J. Blige, Sugarland, Maroon 5, Rihanna, The Black Eyed Peas, Akon, and Fall Out Boy, and many others.
CONTACT: Peter LoFrumento or Maria Ho-Burge, maria.ho-burge@umusic.com,
both of Universal Music Group, +1-212-331-2569
Las Vegas Weekly Raves "A New Kind Of Vegas Show Has Arrived"
"Jabbawockeez has gone from winning 'America's Best Dance Crew' to staking a claim on the Las Vegas Strip" – Las Vegas Sun
(Las Vegas, NV) Wednesday, June 30, 2010 – The "JabbaWockeez presents MÜS.I.C" (Muse-I-See)" continues to take Las Vegas by storm as a third run of the show has been added for August. With two sold-out runs already completed in May and June, this show is proving to be one that you definitely don't want to miss! As the first dance show to ever hit the Las Vegas strip, the show is directed by Emmy-nominated choreographers Napoleon and Tabitha and features original music produced by bay area's heavy hitters, The Bangerz. The show, described as an audio-visual story of inspiration brought to life through the harmonization of sound and movement, will be featured in the Hollywood Theatre at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino from August 19-25, 2010 at 9:30pm nightly. For more information please visit www.jbwkz.com.
Dates:
August 19, 2010 – August 25, 2010
Times:
8/19/10 – 9:30 PM
8/20/10 – 9:30 PM
8/21/10 – 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM
8/22/10 – 9:30 PM
8/23/10 – 9:30 PM
8/24/10 – 9:30 PM
8/25/10 – 9:30 PM
Company: JBWKZ, LLC
Phone: 213-249-9200
Launches Xango website
Los Angeles, California, July, 2010 –Xango Henry (pronounced Shango), Hollywood's newest fitness/mixed martial arts phenom is making an indelible imprint in tinseltown.  In this part of the world it's all about image and looking camera fit and ready for red carpet appearances and that's when Xango gets to work to mold and re-sculpt fat to fabulous, whipping stars into shape safely right before their big premiere or release engagements with his specialized training techniques.
Xango has recently launched his new website www.xangohenry.com that presents his accreditations in fitness training and also displays some of his work as an international film star.  Recently the 6'3 inch all muscle and no fat "he-man" was featured in "Nude Nuns with Big Guns" screened at this year's Cannes film fest.  Other work includes completion of a Dodge Caravan national commercial. Hollywood is calling Xango and Xango Henry is answering the call on his trusty Blackberry.
Currently Xango Henry is preparing to film a movie based on the classic film "The Defiant Ones" that starred Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis. Xango will star in the role that catapulted Poitier to stardom.
Xango has a magnificent aura and his body is his business card. One look and the guys want to look like him and the ladies know that he is credentialed, signed sealed and approved to do what he does best. At first glance at Xango Henry one may feel intimidated to speak with him but when he speaks and smiles and laughs his hearty laugh, he is really just a gentle man. Xango has great respect and love for women and feels women should be placed on pedestals. Xango says of women, "They are the hallmark of civilization.  An intelligent woman will produce intelligent children."
Celebrities that have trained with Xango Henry include the music duo Mary Mary, music producer Waryen Campbell and American Idol sensation Ruben Studdard. His roster of clients from entertainment to business executives to hip hop regents reads like a who's who but Xango respects their privacy not to divulge names.
Xango Henry is currently a fitness trainer at the premiere LA Fitness club in Los Angeles.
For more information on the phenom that is Xango Henry, contact: Eugenia Wright @ ISA Public Relations. www.isapublicrelations.com 818.552.9459
Related link: www.xangohenry.com
Club T Events teamed up with DJ Wildhairr to bring a Summer Jam Festival to D-Town. The festival scheduled on Saturday, August 21 at the Special Events Center in Garland is open to the public.
The festival line-up is taking shape, with featured national artists Pretty Ricky and Lil Twist with appearances by D-Town's finest in the industry Redd, Bougie Girlz, Tum Tum & The DCC, BMC Boyz, B-Hamp, T-Real, Yung Juice, KBZO and Young T. These artists form a collection of unique talent and will debut a blend of their top songs. The festival stellar line-up continues to get bigger and better with an aim to draw thousands of fans from not only across Texas but reaching far and wide across the nation.
Tickets are available for purchase online through the Special Events Center website. Prices range from $27 to $52 for seating and suites at $400. For additional information about tickets, arena floor plan, area accommodations and Summer Jam Festival news, visit www.clubtevents.com.
August 21 deems to mark the biggest blow out summer festivals of the year in D-Town, a night of entertainment you don't want to miss!
ABOUT CLUB T EVENTS
We are focused on providing the ultimate fan experience with mega performance lineups, delivering exclusive national and local Dallas entertainment.
Our overall entertainment emphasis will continue to be on recognizing local and national talent, shining the light on the artists signed with Club T Events, and drawing awareness to the importance of music in our culture.
PHONE 214.504.5687
EMAIL info@clubtevents.com
WEB www.clubtevents.com
SOCIAL MEDIA
twitter.com/clubtevents
myspace.com/clubtevents
youtube.com/clubtevents
facebook.com/clubtevents
Sabi’s “Where They Do That At?” Feat. Wale
Wild Heart Sabi vents on wish-washy lovers on her new song entitled, “Where They Do That At?” that features a verse from Wale. This fresh Mike Mahil-directed music video shot in Sabi’s native Inglewood is the second time of her ...
Azad Right – “Old School”
http://youtu.be/j8-tacDq6RA
WORLD PREMIERE: Oreo Jones x Action Jackson – “Black Fabio” (Video)
Action Jackson’s and Oreo Jones’s auditory saga “Black Fabio” has been given the visual treatment by director Mike Charizopoulos of Digital Rabbit Productions!
Rad Summer is proud to debut the new music video from Action Jackson and Oreo Jones for their ...
