Chris Brogan & Julien Smith: Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust

Chris Brogan & Julien Smith - Trust Agents

Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust, by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith, is due in the States August 24th via Wiley.

You can get an early take on what they're exploring with a ChangeThis manifesto released last year, Trust Economies: Investigation into the New ROI of the Web: "in the Trust Economy, communities are king, and ROI stands for Return on Influence."

Chris Brogan and Julien Smith both shared early thoughts on their blogs.

Julien Smith recommends 5 Books To Read Before Trust Agents.

Inverse: So Far Music Video

Inverse - So Far

MySpace: Inverse

Vibe Magazine Shuts Down

Vibe magazine is reportedly shutting down today or, by now, is closed:

"The June/July issue will be its last and the Web site will remain open for one more month, but without new content, said the spokesperson."

I've had a love/hate relationship with Vibe but I sure hate to see it go out over the servicing of debt.

The above linked article includes the full text of the official memo to Vibe staff from Vibe Media Group CEO Steve Aaron. AllHipHop has a few comments from Danyel Smith, former Editor in Chief at Vibe.

Method Man & Redman: Mrs. International Music Video

Method Man & Redman - Mrs. International

Off Blackout! 2.

Michael Jackson: Jumps in Radio Play & Album Sales, Possible Jackson Family Tour?

Not only has Michael Jackson's radio airplay jumped 1,735% but three of his albums, Number Ones, The Essential Michael Jackson and Thriller, are reported to have sold around 100,000 copies each last week.

A tribute/reunion tour featuring Janet Jackson and the Jackson Brothers is rumored to be in the works.

LL Cool J & Rachel Roy Pay It Fashion Forward

LL Cool J & Rachel Roy @ Pay It Fashion Forward

LL Cool J, with special guest Rachel Roy, presided over festivities at the 2nd Annual Pay It Fashion Forward event including honoring multiple individuals and organizations doing good while creating fashion.

LL Cool J Throws Psychic Gang Signs

2009 Pay It Fashion Forward Honorees:

--  I/denti/tee started through a partnership with Edun Live, creating music t-shirts profiting African workers as well as publishers and song writers. The t-shirts are made from local, African-grown cotton and feature licensed lyrics produced by African artists.
--  Linda Loudermilk started a luxury and eco lifestyle brand where her fine designs are all made from sustainable fabrics that she has researched and developed.
--  Philanthropist boutique, founded by Jessica Moment and Sally Fowler in 2008 in San Francisco, donates 100% of its sales directly to charities that combat poverty in the bay area.
--  Chloe Jo Berman of Girlie Girl Army is a fashion personality who is spreading her eco-friendly lifestyle message to the masses through her eco-friendly fashion blog.
--  JONES APPAREL GROUP was recognized for its charitable contributions including Jones New York in the Classroom, Shoes on Sale, JAGreen, and Anne Klein's involvement with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation

[Photos: PRNewsFoto/Fashion Delivers]

Lil Jon I Do Rapper Contest Video

Lil Jon I Do Rapper Contest

Michael Jackson Business News

We've already glanced at the promotional push by tribute sites and services in the wake of Michael Jackson's death though I only just now found out about Billie Tweets [via TechCrunch].

Sales of Michael Jackson's music are way up with chart-topping action on iTunes and total clearance of physical copies from many retail outlets.

Jackson is dominating UK charts and poised to dominate U.S. charts.

I'm hoping to avoid the topic of custody and esatate battles.

PaidContent:
Jackson’s Long Tail Will Mean Chart-Topping Pay Day For Music Sites

Harvard Business Publishing:
How Michael Jackson Became a Brand Icon

Reggaeton: Edited by Raquel Rivera, Wayne Marshall, Deborah Pacini Hernandez

Reggaeton

Reggaeton, a selection of academic essays edited by Raquel Rivera, Wayne Marshall and Deborah Pacini Hernandez, was released in April by Duke University Press.

Via Hip Hop Research.

Drake Signs With Young Money Records

Drake signs with Lil Wayne's Young Money Records in a "joint venture between Young Money and Cash Money, with Universal Republic distributing. Drake's management was adamant that he should be viewed as an independent artist, although Universal will distribute the project."

Jay-Z: D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune) Music Video

Jay-Z - D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)

This is getting a little old (and the video feels a bit padded) but I still love those sections he warbles.

Via The Rap Up.

Mr. Del: Thrilla Album

Mr. Dell - Thrilla

Mr. Dell's Thrilla is due June 30th on Dedicated Music Grp.

MySpace: Mr. Del

Hip Hop Album Releases for Jun. 30: Ace Hood, Blaq Poet, Kurious, Maino, Mr. Dell, Tash, Willie Isz, Wu-Tang Clan

Kurious - "II"

To receive this Weekly Hip Hop Albums report separately each week, please sign up for our free weekly newsletter delivered every Monday with Tuesday's releases.

The following new releases are available from Amazon.

6/30
Ace Hood - Ruthless
Blaq Poet - Tha Blaqprint
Kaz-well - Fish Outta Water
Kurious - "II"
Maino - If Tomorrow Comes
Messy Marv - The Best of Messy Marv
Mr. Dell - Thrilla
Naledge - Chicago Picasso
Now That's What I Call Music! 31
Sick Jacken - Stray Bullets
Sir Mix-A-Lot - Playlist: The Very Best of Sir Mix-A-Lot
Sleep - Hesitation Wounds
Tash - Control Freek
TLC - Playlist: The Very Best of TLC
Traum - Mad Dreamz
Willie Isz - Georgiavania
Willie Isz - Georgiavania [LP]
Wu-Tang Clan - Chamber Music
Wu-Tang Clan - Playlist: The Very Best of Wu-Tang Clan

For a database of upcoming and past releases with updates,
please see Hip Hop Albums @ netweed.

Playlist: The Very Best of TLC

Playlist: The Very Best of TLC

Playlist: The Very Best of TLC is due June 30 on Sony Legacy.

Hypebot: MTV & MySpace Cuts, Beyonce, Eventful, Amanda Palmer, Kyle Bylin, Dalton Conley, Niches

Music industry news from Hypebot:

More job cuts at MTV last week, but they made room for Jessica Simpson.

Is Beyonce really helping the hungry with a new campaign or is she just helping herself?

Do you use Eventful? They've passed 10 million users and 75,000 performers.

How indie artist Amanda Palmer made $19,000 in 10 hours on Twitter: The Friday Freaks story and an Amanda Palmer video interview.

YouTube is reporting a 1700% jump in mobile video uploads. They've also made six improvements and are upgrading the channels feature, but if you use it (and you should), you may need to do some repair work.

More cuts at MySpace. 66% of international staff were let go.

ReverbNation teamed with Microsoft Windows for a big indie song giveaway and with Bandzoogle for a d.i.y web site builder.

Kyle Bylin on "Killing Itself to Live: How the Record Industry Conceived It’s Own Demise"

New study show that Twitter users want to discover and will actually pay for music.

Videos interviews from NARM: Future Of Digital,  Four Major Label VP's On The State Of The Industry,  Topspin's Ian Roger's On Music Marketing, Video: Techdirt's Mike Masnick Offer Hope, Bill Wilson, NARM's Dr. Of Biz Dev. & Digital Strategy, Interview with author Dalton Conley of "Elsewhere, U.S.A."

How to post music to Twitter using Soundcloud.

Here are the kind of music startups one venture capitalist would like to fund.

Bruce Houghton on "Looking Beyond The Music Industry" for inspiration and a short essay "Music Success Begins In The Niche"

A2IM & AIM: Two Indie Trades Groups Join Forces

See ProHipHop's Hypebot Industry News category for past roundups.