SUPERSTAR RAPPER FLO RIDA TO HOST STAR STUDDED ALBUM RELEASE PARTY ON MIAMI BEACH MARCH 16TH 2008

Elevating his way to  superstardom, rapper, Flo Rida (Poe Boy Music Group/Atlantic Records)  will celebrate the release of his debut album, “Mail on Sunday,” on Sunday March 16^th 2008 at Cameo Theater in Miami’s South Beach. Hosting the star-studded bash is Model and Television Personality Melyssa Ford along with Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat. Expected celebrities whom will be in attendance include tastemakers, movers and shakers from the music, entertainment and professional sports industries. Special invited and confirmed guests include: Rick Ross, Brisco, Lil’ Wayne, Baby, Sean Kingston, DJ Khaled, Trey Songz, T-Pain, Cool N Dre, Scott Storch, Trina, Trick Daddy, Yung Joc, Will.I.am, Plies, Pitbull, Lupe Fiasco, Nelly, Timbaland  and many more.

The chart-topping rapper has set a new standard in Hip Hop and has increased the anticipation of his debut, “Mail on Sunday,” in stores on March 18^th. On the Nielsen digital sales charts, Flo Rida’s single, “Low,” broke the record for most consecutive weeks as the No. 1 ringtone in the country on the Nielsen RingScan chart, with 13 weeks in the top spot. “Low” is also the first-ever debut single from a rap artist to top the CHR/TOP 40 Chart in history. Additionally, Flo Rida is the first debut artist with two Top 10 digital singles.  His second single, “Elevator “featuring Timbaland is steadily climbing the charts.

“Mail on Sunday,” hits stores on Tuesday, March 18^th 2008 with appearances by, Rick Ross, Brisco, Lil’ Wayne, Birdman, Sean Kingston, Trey Songz, T-Pain, Yung Joc, Will.I.Am,. T-Pain  and more. Production by,  Javon “4mill” Thomas, J.R Rotem, Kane for Kane Beatz, FatBoi, Timbaland, Will.I.Am, Frank E., Gorilla Tek Drum Majorz, Da Honorable C.N.O.T.E., Hit-Boy & Chase-N-Cashe, and DJ Montay.

Cameo Theater is located at 1445 Washington Avenue in South Beach (Miami, FL). Doors will open at 11p.m. on Sunday March 16^th 2008. Flo Rida will perform live with Brisco, Rick Ross, Triple C, the Poe Boy family among others.,

Ice Cube Announces New Album; Teams w/Microsoft Silverlight at SxSW

Following a triumphant return to the mic after 6 years in 2006 with the critically acclaimed release of Laugh Now, Cry Later, which debuted at #2 on the R&B/Hip Hop sales chart and #4 on the Top 200 sales chart, making it the years highest selling independent release in hip hop, the Godfather of Gangsta Rap, Ice Cube is ready to take center stage once again with his ninth solo effort.  The highly anticipated new album, titled Raw Footage will be released on June 17th courtesy of his own independent imprint, Lench Mob Records.

Raw Footage is expected to include guest features by artists such as Musiq Soulchild, Nas, Scarface and Dub C. The hip hop legend also collaborated with producers Maestro, Emile, DJ Crazy Toones, Fred Wreck, Palumbo Beats, and Teak “Da Beatsmith” Underdue and Dee Underdue to name a few.

Currently in the studio, putting the final touches on Raw Footage, Cube is also gearing up for his own headlining concert at this year’s South by Southwest (SxSW) festival in Austin, TX on March 15th at 8pm CST/9pm EST. Performing for an expected crowd of 20,000 plus fans, Cube will carry out crowd pleasing, classic material along with current hits, which includes the controversial, breakout record, “Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It” featured on his forthcoming new album.

For those not able to attend the free event, Cube has partnered up with Microsoft Corp. to live stream the performance exclusively on UVNTV.com utilizing their groundbreaking, Silverlight technology, a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in for delivering richer user experiences on the Web. Co-created by Cube and hip hop legend DJ Pooh, UVNTV is the world’s first real-time streaming television network online, complete with individual channels broadcasting unique content, a TV channel guide and broadband social network.

“We are excited to partner with UVNTV.com and SxSW to bring this live concert into the homes of people globally, using our Silverlight technology which delivers the high-def experiences that Ice Cube’s fans will love,” said Rob Pulciani, Microsoft’s senior marketing manager.  To download Silverlight and watch Cube perform live at SxSW, visit www.uvntv.com. For more information on obtaining tickets to the concert, visit www.sxsw.com.

About Ice Cube

Known to be one of the Most Important figures in rap history, Ice Cube began his career with the Notorious West Coast Gangsta Rap Group N.W.A two decades ago. At the height of the group’s success, Ice Cube broke away to start his own solo career. His initial release, “Amerikkka’s Most Wanted” (Priority, 1990) sold over a million copies. His sophomore solo effort, “Death Certificate” (Priority, 1991), a concept album about the fall and rise of the black man, debuted at #1 on the R&B Album chart, #2 on the Top 200 album chart and went on to sell over two million copies. His impressive musical career also includes the multi-platinum success of both his double album “War and Peace,” and hit albums “Lethal Injection,” “Bootlegs & B-Sides,” “The Predator,” and the gold certified, independently released “Laugh Now, Cry Later.” Ice Cube has sold over 10 million albums to date.

About Lench Mob Records

Launched in 2005 by Ice Cube and his management company The Firm, Lench Mob Records is independently owned and operated by Ice Cube. 

About UVNTV.com

Launched in early 2008 and co-created by Ice Cube and DJ Pooh, UVNTV.com is the world’s first real time streaming television network online.  UVNTV revolutionizes television with delivery via the internet utilizing Microsoft Corps’s groundbreaking Silverlight platform, a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in for delivering richer user experiences on the Web. Through UVNTV’s patent pending database, UVNTV rivals cable and satellite television. Beyond real-time transmission (the first on the net) UVNTV’s channels are capable of full screen DVD quality resolution, Dolby surround sound and comes complete with a channel guide with video window. Over 2 years in the making, founded by entertainers for entertainers and fans alike, UVNTV is home to the next generation of filmmakers, music makers, and onscreen talent.  UVNTV is more than Broadband Television; it is a Broadband Social Network.

About Silverlight™

Microsoft® Silverlight™ is a cross-browser, cross-platform technology for delivering the next generation of media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web.

5 Questions With….. Dana Dane

1. What is your outlook on the current Hip-Hop scene and where do you see it heading?

The Hip Hop culture is still thriving and expanding what was once created for the inner city is a viable commercial entity.  Hip Hop has come a long way and I knew back then that it was something that could bring together all races, creeds, backgrounds, genders and colors.  As long we continue to educate the new generation about Hip Hop, there will be no limit to the positive effect the culture can bring about globally. 

2. Of course things have changed a lot over the past 20 years in the music industry, if there were some things you can bring now (from the past) to this industry that is not here today, what would it be and why? 

Could someone find some original Bally shoes ha ha ha… Need those!  I’d like to have Scott La Rock, Jam Master Jay, Biggie, Tupac, Cowboy, etc., our fallen soldiers of Hip Hop back. I miss their creativity, dedication to excellence and presence in the culture.  We also need to hear more music from the artist who created the sound of the culture.  They/we still have something to say and contribute to the industry. 

3. Being on Sirius radio, how do you feel about ‘free’ radio versus satellite in terms of the music being played and the politics behind such music being played? 

Of course Satellite radio offers more variety due to the fact they have so many channels with almost every format you can imagine.  It’s really hard to get bored listening to Satellite Radio.  With that said, there are still some of the same politics in place when it comes to getting new music played.   

4. I’ve heard you are getting, or should I say, have gotten into filmmaking recently, what made you decide to do that and do you have any projects you are currently working on or gearing up for? 

My move into the film industry was part creative and part evolution.  Creatively just writing rhymes wasn’t fulfilling my creative drive, I needed something more.  I first began writing short stories then turn that into screenplays.  As people we must continue to change and explore new ventures and as a creative person, it seemed to be the next natural step for me. From there my interest in the film industry was sparked and as fate would have it, I met an aspiring Director, writer and producer and he gave me an opportunity to expand my film knowledge by working with him on a mini-series now in production call “DA Stuy”.   I have also had one of my screenplays “Fella”,  my take on the Cinderella story optioned by Regina King’s (227, Poetic Justice, This Christmas) Royal Ties Film Company.  In addition I am working on a TV pilot for a cooking show.   

5. If you could do anything over again, what would it be?   

Maybe read and understand my record contracts better.  Other then that it is what it is! The time is now!

PLIES SET TO RELEASE SOPHOMORE ALBUM

Big Gates/Slip-N-Slide/Atlantic recording artist Plies has announced early details of his hugely anticipated new album, entitled “DEFINITION OF REAL.”  The collection – which features the buzz track, “Bust It Baby, Pt. 1,” and his first official single, “Bust It Baby, Pt. 2” – arrives in stores and at online retailers on June 24th.

“Bust It Baby, Pt. 1” is already stirring things up at radio and throughout the hip-hop underground.  This week, the Ft. Myers, Florida-bred rapper personally presented “Bust It Baby, Pt. 2,” the second installment of the double single – featuring a special guest appearance from Ne-Yo – to radio stations across his homestate of Florida.

“DEFINITION OF REAL” arrives hot on the heels of Plies’ 2007 debut, “THE REAL TESTAMENT,” which has received RIAA gold certification.  The album – featuring the blockbuster hit singles, “Shawty (Feat. T-Pain)” and “Hypnotized (Feat. Akon)” – entered the Billboard 200 at #2 upon its release last summer and continues to run strong, coming in this week at #10 on Billboard’s “Top Rap Albums” ranking.  In addition, “THE REAL TESTAMENT” has spawned a series of blockbuster ringtones, with a minimum of five tracks from the album present on Nielsen Ringscan’s “Top 200 Mastertones” chart for the last 23 consecutive weeks.

Plies is currently featured on the cover of Don Diva Magazine, heralding their partnership on the upcoming “Plies/Don Diva Prison Tour.”  Further details of Plies’ historic pairing with the “Original Street Bible” will be announced shortly.

In other news, Big Gates Records – the label co-owned by Plies with his brother, Big Gates – recently signed its first new artist, marking the rapper’s entry into the music industry’s executive class.  An official announcement unveiling Plies’ new protégé will be made in the coming weeks.

For up-to-the-minute news and information, visit www.pliesworld.com or www.myspace.com/plies.

ATLANTIC WANTS YOU TO “MEET THE BROWNS”

 Atlantic Records has announced the release of “TYLER PERRY’S MEET THE BROWNS – MUSIC FROM AND INSPIRED BY THE MOTION PICTURE,” the musical companion to the upcoming film TYLER PERRY’S MEET THE BROWNS.  Due in stores and online March 18th, the album features tracks from a stellar array of top R&B and soul artists, including Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott, Kelly Rowland, Brandy, and the legendary Chaka Khan.  The Lionsgate film TYLER PERRY’S MEET THE BROWNS opens in theaters nationwide on March 21st.

The album’s first single will be “People Everyday (Metamorphosis Mix),” performed by Atlantic’s own Musiq Soulchild, accompanied by labelmate and British hip-hop sensation, Estelle.  Other highlights of “TYLER PERRY’S MEET THE BROWNS – MUSIC FROM AND INSPIRED BY THE MOTION PICTURE” include tracks from such luminaries as Atlantic recording artist Wynter Gordon, Deborah Cox, Kelly Price, Ledesi, Tamela Mann (who also co-stars in the film), and the late, great Gerald Levert (see attached tracklisting)

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A funny, moving romantic drama about the power of love and family, Lionsgate’s TYLER PERRY’S MEET THE BROWNS marks another winning portrayal of life by writer/director/actor Tyler Perry (DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN, MADEA’S FAMILY REUNION) and features a return to the big screen by Madea, the indomitable, law-breaking, fun-loving grandma.

A single mother living in inner city Chicago, Brenda has been struggling for years to make ends meet and keep her three kids off the street.  But when she’s laid off with no warning, she starts losing hope for the first time – until a letter arrives announcing the death of a father she’s never met.  Desperate for any kind of help, Brenda takes her family to Georgia for the funeral.  But nothing could have prepared her for the Browns, her father’s fun-loving, crass Southern clan.  In a small-town world full of long afternoons and country fairs, Brenda struggles to get to know the family she never knew existed…and finds a brand new romance that just might change her life.

Based on the popular stage production of the same name, TYLER PERRY’S MEET THE BROWNS is a charming story about the joys of family, and the possibility of second chances.  TYLER PERRY’S MEET THE BROWNS was written and directed by Tyler, and produced by Reuben Cannon.

TYLER PERRY’S MEET THE BROWNS opens in theaters nationwide on March 21st.