50 Cent Makes a Video Cam' Ron Diss on YouTube!

Now if that's not being creative marketing wise, i don't know what else is noways for hip-hop!

'48 Laws' Author Robert Greene Working with 50 Cent on New Book, QD3 On New Film

G-Unit front man 50 Cent is putting his pen to work for his second literary endeavor.

The rapper is teaming up with author Robert Greene for a new book, titled The 50th Law.

The hardcover MTV/Pocket Books release will "capture and create a visible parallel between street life and corporate America standard and structure," according to 50 Cent,

Greene is best known as the writer behind The 48 Laws of Power, a best selling book that has become a staple in the Hip-Hop community with its instructions and advice.

"We are living through chaotic times; the standard models for success in business and life don't work so well anymore," Greene said. "50, as the consummate strategist of the street and boardroom, exemplifies the new entrepreneurial spirit required for the 21st century. The 50th Law will reveal the secret to his success and how we can all apply this to our lives."

The 50 Cent alliance comes on the heels of plans to bring The 48 Laws of Power to film.

Noted filmmaker/producer QD3 recently revealed plans to turn the book into a feature with Greene, saying the film will offer a different take on the book, while maintaining its essence.

"We're gonna base it off 48 laws in Hip-Hop," QD3 told AllHipHop.com. "The book was like an Art of War for today's times. It's not as esoteric, it's pretty concrete.

QD3 cited a connection between the book's lessons and the Hip-Hop community as the reason why "a lot of Hip-Hop heads, executives, and artists took to the book."

"It's kind of like a self-defense manual, because it teachers you to be more strategic and not think based on your emotions," said the filmmaker, who speculated that the book's message may have triggered a different outcome in the infamous feud between deceased rapper Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur.

"One of the things I always say is if Tupac and Biggie had read this book, maybe they would have dealt with the beef in a different way. It's more strategic versus physical force. This book teaches you to counter your intuitions and actually go with what works."

The 50th Law is scheduled to be published in February 2008, while QD3's project is still in development.

SOURCE: ALLHIPHOP

Ebro Named Program Director at New York's HOT 97

Emmis Communications-New York today announced that Ebro Darden has been promoted to Program Director at the "#1 Station for Hip Hop and R&B" HOT 97 (97.1, WQHT-FM).

"Ebro's involvement has been fundamental to the success of HOT 97," Emmis- New York Market Manager Dan Halyburton said. "His product knowledge, commitment and passion for winning make him the perfect person to lead HOT 97."

Darden, 32, joined the station as Music Director and Assistant Program Director in 2003 after previous radio experience in Sacramento and Portland, Oregon. He also serves as host of MTV2's Sucker Free countdown.

HOT 97 is the world's #1 radio hip-hop brand and perennial leader in the desirable 18-34 demo.

Darden replaces John Dimick, who has served as PD of HOT 97 since November 2004 and has accepted a position as VP of Programming & Operations for Lincoln Financial.

After several weeks of transition, Ebro will begin his new duties in early March.

SOURCE: EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS

HIDING IN HIP HOP: DOWN LOW BROTHER

According to Myra at the Panache Report Former MTV producer Terrance Dean has written a memoir titled "Hiding in Hip-Hop: "Confessions of a Down Low Brother in the Entertainment Industry," which will chronicle "the author's life as a closeted homosexual working in the film and music industry and his relationships with other closeted gays --- film stars, "rap artists," and music producers.


A spokesperson for the publisher told that the book will not name Dean's closeted exes 'but that they will be easy to identify," adding, "Let's put it this way - you'll know who they are. It's a no-holds-barred look at Hollywood and hip-hop and who's living on the down low." The book was reportedly sold to Atria last week and should be released next year.

SOURCE: RADARONLINE

ESSENCE MAGAZINE AND BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC ANNOUNCE SECOND TEEN HIP-HOP SONGWRITING CONTEST

Essence's Take Back the Music campaign, along with Boston's Berklee College of Music, are once again looking for the next generation of hip-hop stars. ESSENCE's Take Back the Music Campaign, an in-depth examination of the ways in which Black women are depicted in popular music and videos, was first announced in January 2005, and continues its effort to promote balance in mainstream hip-hop's messages as the two groups announce their second hip-hop songwriting contest. The contest deadline is March 9 and three winners will attend a high school music program at Berklee this summer, while runners up get a free course at Berkleemusic.com. Complete details are posted at www.ESSENCE.com and www.Berklee.edu.

“ESSENCE is pleased to partner with the Berklee College of Music once again to expose new voices in hip-hop that otherwise might not be heard, and give new talent the opportunity to develop through music education,” said Angela Burt-Murray, Essence editor-in-chief.

The 10 finalist songs from last year’s contest were posted on both www.ESSENCE.com and www.Berklee.edu, and were heard by more than a quarter of a million listeners. Two of last year’s winners have also applied to the college for full-time study.

Students 15 to 18 who are unsigned songwriters and/or producers have until March 9, 2007, to submit their original songs. Five winners will be selected by a panel of hip-hop celebrity judges and Berklee music scholars: Chuck D (legendary rapper, co-founder of Public Enemy), Spinderella (former Salt-N-Pepa DJ, co-host of the syndicated classic hip-hop radio show The Backspin), Jean Grae (rapper, songwriter, producer), Berklee professors Susan Kean Cattaneo (songwriting), Prince Charles Alexander (music production and engineering), Danielle Scott (ensemble), and student Ryan Williamson (contemporary writing and production major, founder of Rykeyz Productions).

Judging will be based on clever, innovative lyrics, as well as melody and composition of songs. Three winners will be admitted into the 2007 Berklee Five-Week Summer Performance Program that immerses students in all aspects of performance, music theory, and the latest innovations in music technology, while electives focus on songwriting, music synthesis, and the music business. For complete contest rules and an entry form, visit essence.com/takebackthemusic or berklee.edu.

The contest includes: Grand Prize: Two winners will be admitted into the 2007 Berklee Five-Week Summer Performance Program and receive a full scholarship, including tuition and room and board (each valued at $6,480); Second Place: One winner will receive a tuition-only scholarship (valued at $3,895); Runners-Up: Two runners-up will each receive one online music course at BerkleeMusic.com (valued between $595 and $1,250).

SOURCE: ESSENCE

Jay-Z's Superbowl Budweiser Commercial

As if overseeing Rocawear, running a record label, part-owning the New Jersey Nets, and coming out of retirement wasn't enough, Jay-Z is also now co-brand director for Anheuser-Busch's Budweiser Select, which hopes his celebrity and entrepeneurial expertise will influence young adults to choose the beer over other brands.
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"He's got great appeal," Marlene Coulis, the company's vice president of brand management, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch according to the AP, adding that Jay-Z can help Anheuser-Busch "reach people in groundbreaking ways."

Anheuser-Busch officials said Jay-Z would help in development sessions but wouldn't give other details on his role.

The rap icon has already been spotted in a Bud Select commercial - set to his new song, "Show Me What You Got," and featuring Jay-Z, NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Indy Racing League driver Danica Patrick - that ran this week during Monday Night Football on ESPN.

SOURCE: VIBE

Nas Talk About "Where Are They Now" Remixes, His Plans on a Solo Tour, and More.

Nobody can deny Nas when he says, "It's like a holiday ... A rap holiday." Esco and his team scoured the entire country and found some of our favorite hip-hop legends that we haven't heard from in way too long for three remixes of his "Where Are They Now." The lineups read like the roster of a Fresh Fest concert or something.

"It was just me being real curious with the song [the original 'Where Are They Now']," he said of why he wanted to gather all these legends in the first place. "As the song goes, it's just my curiosity. I'm a fan. I had to go find these guys who were driving these cars and buying these planes before I even thought about it. It was about me being excited as a fan."

Below, Nas gives his take on all three remixes:

"Where Are They Now" '80s remix (featuring Dana Dane, MC Shan, Raheem of the Furious Five, Doctor Ice and Kangol Kid of UTFO, the Funky 4 + 1's Sha Rock, Just Ice, the Fearless Four's Devastating Tito, Grandmaster Caz of the Cold Crush Brothers, Kool Moe Dee and Lin Que, who's better known as Isis of X-Clan). "The first and second VH1 Hip-Hop Honors was mind-blowing. The last one, it could have been tighter. When it comes to awards, we never get the love. All of us new artists — new compared to them — it never gets shown in the right light," Nas said. "I love the '80s, especially because I'm a '80s baby. Them dudes made the '90s n---as wanna do it. Especially Shan, he was reppin' my 'hood before I could even stay out past 8 p.m. When I heard Sha Rock, I was blown out my socks. I love Sha Rock. I saw her in 'Beat Street' and started loving her. Then I found out about the Funky 4 + 1."

"Where Are They Now" '90s remix (featuring Redhead Kingpin, the Original Spinderella, Rob Base, Father MC, Monie Love, Mike Gee of the Jungle Brothers, EST of Three Times Dope, Positive K, Das EFX, Doitall of Lords of the Underground, Dres from Black Sheep and Chip Fu of the Fu-Shnickens). "The people we hear from, we know where they at. The KRS Ones, people like that will pop up here and there. That wasn't the point of my song," Nas explained. "The point of my song was about people who have not been talked about, that some people don't even know about, but were real serious on the scene. My team contacted them. I heard the verse of Redhead Kingpin, I was blown away. Das EFX? Blown away!"

"Where Are They Now" West Coast remix (featuring Breeze, Kam, King Tee, Candyman, Threat, Ice-T, Sir Mix-A-Lot and the Conscious Daughters). "I was a fan and I was paying attention to everybody on all coasts. It don't matter where you from. You could be MC Shy D from the South, MC Breed from the West. I'm a fan. My curiosity was so crazy."

So will we see a video for any of the remixes or all three? Nas is thinking on a much larger scale.

"First we wanted to get it out to people and just enjoy it," he explained. "Now we're thinking about going in on a TV show to find out where them n---as was at. I wanna see. These muthaf----s ain't old to me. And if they are old, that's nothing to take away from them. Man, these muthaf---s are interesting people. They're part of the whole foundation. They are the blocks, them big boulders underneath the pretty surfaces. They need to be looked at like that. Even if it's for a second, let's be real, you can't expect all these n---as to drop new albums, but it's good to see that they still here. They ain't gotta come out and go platinum, they can do different sh--. It's just good to show love."

Nas also says he's planning a tour, but it may not be what you think. There have been rumors going on for months about a tour called "The Takeover" that would include basically all the big dogs from Def Jam, including Jay-Z, Young Jeezy, Ludacris and Rick Ross. "I'm not on any tour called 'Takeover,' " Nas insisted. He did say he definitely is going out by himself though. "So far it's tentatively titled 'Nas: One Man, One Mic, One Night.' It's in every city and every country in the world." ...

SOURCE: MTV