A free, original Eminem ringtone is being offered to purchasers of the collectors’ edition of Encore.
November 16, 2004
Xzibit to be Featured on NFL Street 2 Cover
Both Xzibit and Jeremy Shockey will be on the cover of the video game NFL Street 2. Xzibit, as a new character in the game, also explains the rules and does voiceovers on the new game.
November 16, 2004
MSN Music and Garageband.com To Cooperate
Microsoft has announced a partnership between MSN Music and Garageband.com, a music website providing services to independent musicians. The agreement currently focuses on a Garageband page at MSN Music that features the most popular Garageband.com artists. Garageband.com has sections for both hip hop and rap artists.
November 16, 2004
ODB’s Passing to Monetize Grief
As the passing of ODB quickly becomes the battle for ODB’s estate, the business ramifications of his death are widespread. Hip hop blogger Hashim Warren maintains, in a post regarding the Winners and Losers, that “those who loved ODB the most will receive the least from his passing.” However, BeKay, an up and coming rapper from Brooklyn, will benefit from ODB’s interest and participation in his work.
November 16, 2004
Need for Speed Underground 2 Features Snoop Single
Electronic Arts’ release of Need for Speed Underground 2 also premieres Snoop Dogg’s version of Riders on the Storm made with surviving members of The Doors plus Morrison’s outtake vocals. Yesterday’s New York Times ran a feature on Electronic Arts that discussed both this release and the creation of Next Level Music, a joint music publishing venture with Cherry Lane Music Publishing, which was officially announced today. In addition to focusing the current use of music at EA, this joint project will also “license EA’s existing music assets to commercials, films, film trailers, ring-tones and other commercial media.”
The release of Need for Speed Underground 2 comes at a time of continued growth and acquisitions for Electronic Arts. However, this growth has not come without controversy as the company faces a lawsuit regarding alleged nonpayment of overtime.
November 16, 2004
Shortlist Awards on XM Satellite Radio
Last night, XM Satellite Radio aired a live broadcast of the 2004 Shortlist Music Awards from Hollywood’s Avalon Theater. Grand prize finalists were nominees from a variety of musical genres including hip hop artists Dizzee Rascal, Ghostface and The Streets.
November 16, 2004
Clear Channel Radio to Introduce New Format
Houston’s KLOL 101 is the first Clear Channel station to flip to a newly created format designed to reach Latino youth. The Hurban/CHR (Hispanic/Urban/CHR influence) format combines Spanish Hip-Hop, Reggaeton and Pop/Dance playlists.
November 16, 2004
GTA: San Andreas October Sales Top 2Mil
According to NPD Funworld, October sales of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas exceeded 2 million copies. Current estimates of worldwide sales are over 4 million.
November 16, 2004
Fans and Bloggers Remember ODB
Fans worldwide have been expressing their feelings at the ODB tribute site, Rest In Peace ODB. Hip hop bloggers are also sharing their perspectives and creating artistic responses from Hardly Art, Hardly Garbage’s personal comments to Jay Smooth’s ODB Memorial John McLaughlin Mashup.
November 16, 2004
Russell Simmons to Launch New Label
Russell Simmons is leveraging the power of his personal brand with the development of a new record label called The Russell Simmons Music Group. Simmons has already signed acts to RSMG.
