Free Eminem Ringtone with Collectors' Encore

A free, original Eminem ringtone is being offered to purchasers of the collectors' edition of Encore.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

VIBE Music Awards

Tavis Smiley speaks with VIBE editor-in-chief Mimi Valdes and Pharrell Williams about the VIBE Music Awards.

Unfortunately, Monday night's taping of the awards show in Santa Monica was overshadowed by what was first described as a five minute long shoving match in the audience. Gradually breaking news reveals that the fracas may have begun with Dr. Dre being punched and his bodyguards becoming involved before a man was stabbed in the ensuing turmoil. An eyewitness claimed that the original attack was aimed at Dr. Dre by a knife wielding member of Suge Knight's entourage.

The awards show is scheduled to be aired this evening on UPN and will include a lifetime achievement award for Dr. Dre.

GK Intelligent Systems to Acquire Chung King

GK Intelligent Systems has filed a letter of intent to acquire New York's Chung King Studios where many hip hop stars as well as artists from other genres have recorded. Chung King will be an additional factor in GK Intelligent Systems' RAWW (Recording Artists Worldwide, Inc.).

GQ's Men of the Year Include Hip Hop Figures

Men's magazine GQ announced their picks for 2004 Men of the Year to be featured in the December issue. Russell Simmons receives the "Activist" award while Kanye West and Danger Mouse share honors as "Culture Mulchers". Usher is also singled out as "Most Valuable Player" for "bringing the honesty of hip-hop to R&B's laments."

Pras Gains Rights to Iceberg Slim's Autobiography

Pras, who rose to stardom as a member of The Fugees, secured the film rights to Iceberg Slim's Pimp: The Story of My Life.