Boost Mobile RockCorps (BMRC) has announced that rappers Ludacris and Busta Rhymes will headline their annual BMRC show at Radio City Music Hall on October 6. The concert is a reward for over 5,000 community area youth across New York for executing over 60 volunteer projects to improve the state. Each student must volunteer four hours of community service in order to earn free tickets to the exclusive concert. This year students will work with on a variety of community oriented projects, including food distribution, park clean ups and more. For more information log onto http://www.boostmobilerockcorps.com.
Island Records President Steve Bartels has been promoted to President and COO of the Island Def Jam Music Group. Bartels will work with Jay-Z, president and CEO of Def Jam, Jermaine Dupri, President of Island Records Urban Music and David Massey, President of Mercury Records. Bartels will also work with record labels like Disturbin Tha Peace and Slip N Slide, lucrative labels distributed by IDJ. “This is a tremendous step forward in the evolution of our company, and there is no one more worthy to take the reins of this new position than Steve Bartels,” said Island Def Jam Music Group Chairman and CEO, Antonio “L.A.” Reid. “In the decade that we have worked together, I have always been impressed by Steve’s leadership and dedication to the smooth day-to-day running of the entire operation. He has played an integral role at Island Def Jam of breaking new artists and bringing our music to the widest possible markets. His friendship is invaluable at every level and he now has the capacity to achieve even greater heights.”
Pimp C and author Ken “Pimpin’ Ken” Ivey have teamed up to release a new DVD titled Best of Both Worlds. The DVD features real pimps from the past and present, sharing their views on the world, while intermingling with rappers like 50 Cent, Rick Ross, Bun B., T.I., Young Jeezy, Mistah F.A.B. and others. The DVD, which has been nominated for an Southern Entertainment Award (SEA) for Independent DVD Film of the Year, hits stores in December. Pimpin’ Ken, who has been featured on albums by Too $hort, Jermaine Dupri and Lil’ Jon, is featured on UGK’s #1 album Underground Kingz. He recently released Pimpology: The 48 Laws of The Game with author Karen Hunter.
Rapper Q-Tip will hit the road with Common on the 2k Sports Bounce Tour. The tour will stop in Philadelphia, Atlanta, New York, San Francisco and other cities major markets. The tour is meant to promote NBA 2K8, which features Q-Tip as a playable character. Q-Tip is also featured on the soundtrack on the song “Lightworks,” which was produced by the late J. Dilla and also features Talib Kweli. Q-Tip will feature new material from his upcoming album The Renaissance, which is due in stores in 2008 on Universal/Motown. The first single from the album is titled “WorkItOut” and is available for purchase on iTunes.
Tour dates are listed below:
9/22 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave9/24 – Toronto, ON – Kool Haus9/25 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory9/27 – Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend9/28 – Greensboro, NC – N Club9/29 – Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues9/30 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues
10/1 – Atlanta, GA – Earthlink Live10/3 – Baltimore, MD – Sonar10/5 – Washington DC – Love10/6 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium10/7 – NYC – Nokia Theatre10/8 – Norfolk, VA – Norva10/10 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent10/14 – LA, CA – The Roxy
