WHAT - mtvU, MTV’s 24-hour college network, in partnership with Definitive Jux Records, today launched the first monthly record deal competition on mtvU’s “Best Music on Campus” (BMOC) - a new online music destination offering unsigned college acts unparalleled weekly, monthly and yearly opportunities to launch their careers. mtvU and Definitive Jux are joining to discover the best dj, emcee, producer or band amongst the college audience, with the winner getting a digital EP deal and exclusive video premiere on mtvU and mtvU.com. Additionally, top Definitive Jux artist Mr. Lif will serve as mentor and appear on the winner’s lead single and music video. Interested unsigned artists are encouraged to visit www.bestmusiconcampus.com, upload original music and begin building their BMOC profile with videos, pictures, blogs, bios and more.read more

Houston based rap label Swishahouse was honored Monday (Nov. 27) by the Texas Grammy Chapter in Austin, Texas. The event was hosted by renowned actor Billy Bob Thornton and Grammy Award winning singer Ray Benson. The label, founded by DJ Michael “5000″ Watts and business partner G-Dash, was honored for its contributions to Texas music. Swishahouse has produced such chart topping rappers as Slim Thug, Chamillionaire, Paul Wall, Mike Jones and others. Other notables honored during the evening were ZZ Top, gospel singer Yolanda Adams and South by Southwest festival cofounders Nick Barbaro, Roland Swenson and Louis Black.

For the full story log on: read more

Virginia Beach, VA - November 27, 2006 - The harmonious, multi-layered
sounds of urban contemporary gospel group, 4LOVE, is enchanting
listeners everywhere this holiday season with “Tell It,” the debut single from
their freshman CD “Christmas Celebration.” “Tell It” is 4LOVE’s new,
upbeat version of the popular Christmas spiritual, “Go Tell It on the
Mountain.” With airplay already on over 200 radio stations nationwide,
4LOVE’s Christmas offering on SkyCity Records is a strong debut for four
young women just beginning their professional music careers.
(more…)

Young Jeezy and his label Corporate Thugz Entertainment are putting local Atlanta high school students to the test by offering a $1,000 scholarship to one lucky winner of an essay contest. The rapper announced the “What Inspires You” Essay contest, in honor of his upcoming sophomore release The Inspiration. High School students in the metro Atlanta area can participate by submitting a 300 word or less essay explaining where their daily inspiration comes from. The grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship, an autographed CD and poster and a pizza party for the winner’s entire senior class. CTE, which was launched in 1998 with partner Demetrius “Kinky B” Ellerbee, is also involving local Atlanta businesses that will provide goods and services to give the lucky winner the “ultimate Jeezy treatment.” Young Jeezy will personally deliver the grand prize to the winning student’s school.

For the full story log on: read more

( Nashville , Tenn. ) November 29, 2006 -Wrapping up their 35-city Don’t Conform tour with Matthew West and downhere, headliner BarlowGirl received more than 19,000 text messages from fans as part of their innovative promotion involving audience interaction. Featuring the opportunity for full-audience participation, fans sent messages via mobile phone to BarlowGirl prior to each show, which then appeared onscreen behind the band.
(more…)

Nashville, TN ­ With a reputation as a “guitarist¹s guitarist,” world-class musician Bruce Gaitsch¹s credits include writing, recording and performing with such illustrious artists as Richard Marx, Celine Dion, Amy Grant, Chicago, Michael W. Smith, Yolanda Adams and Madonna. Gaitsch¹s new album, Sincerely, releasing February 20, 2007, on Autumn Records, offers a variety of musical styles, sonic palettes and memorable melodies, featuring original instrumental compositions performed on the renowned McPherson® acoustic guitars. A family affair, the album features background vocals by Gaitsch¹s wife Janey Clewer (Harry Connick, Jr., Ray Charles, Patti LaBelle) and flute by daughter Samantha Gaitsch, in addition to harmonica by virtuoso Howard Levy (Paul Simon, Nicole C. Mullen).
(more…)

Snoop Dogg was arrested yesterday (Nov. 28) in Burbank, CA, as he was leaving NBC studios after a performance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Snoop, 35, and two associates were pulling out of NBC studios around 6pm, when police stopped their vehicle, armed with a search warrant. All three men were arrested after police found a handgun, and small amounts of marijuana and cocaine in the vehicle. Snoop was arrested for investigation of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possessing cocaine, transporting marijuana and having a false compartment in his vehicle. Also arrested were Michael Mingo, 33 and Lovell Polk, 36. According to police, both men are acknowledged gang members who are associates of the rapper. Snoop Dogg, who recently dropped his new album Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, was released on $60,000 bail. The rapper will be arraigned on the charges on Jan. 11.

For the full story log on: read more

JWANENG, BOTSWANA, AFRICA - NOVEMBER 29, 2006 - The Jwaneng Mine in Jwaneng, Botswana, the largest and richest diamond mine in the world by value, was visited by Russell Simmons and a delegation from the Simmons Jewelry Company. Simmons is on a fact-finding mission to South Africa and Botswana to explore how the diamond industry, in conjunction with Simmons Jewelry Company, can empower the lives of African people and communities where diamonds are a natural resource.
read more

ATLANTA. November 29, 2006 – HolyHipHop.com announced today, as a part of its ongoing global Digital Music Initiatives, that it has reached the 140,730 Digital Downloads’ Milestone. HolyHipHop.com prepares to implement expanded digital music initiatives in 2007 (e.g. ringtones, television/sync licensing and ringbacks) in an intensive effort to further drive grassroots, community awareness and visibility of spiritually-enlightening and uplifting Holy Hip Hop Trax, while providing expanded ministry growth opportunities for all participating label and ministry partners worldwide. Digital music platforms positioning to move rapidly to automobiles and digital home systems, via iPod and Zune portable music players further diversifying music choice and placing the power of music back in the hands of the listener and the community.
(more…)

Claim it and it’s already done was the morale of EMI Gospel artist Kevin Vasser after undergoing kidney transplant surgery in Chicago ’s Northwestern Memorial Hospital last week. The singer is reportedly at home with his family and is expected to have a healthy and speedy recovery.
(more…)