Wu-Tang Clan member Method Man has joined the cast of Hunting and Fishing, a spoof of the hit movie 300. The movie is being produced by writing duo Jason Friedberg and Alan Seltzer, who have penned such spoofs as Date Movie, Epic Movie and Remembering the Titans On Any Given Sunday Gives Me The Varsity Blues. In addition to Method Man, who plays a Persian emissary, the movie also stars Jim Piddock, Kevin Sorbo, Diedrich Bader, Tim Connolly and others. The movie recently started shooting in Louisiana.
Dogg Pound Daz Dillinger is preparing to release a new solo album titled Gangsta Party on September 25. Gangsta Party features guest appearances by rappers DPG members Snoop Dogg and Kurupt, as well as E-40, Young Noble, Jagged Edge, Redman, Spice 1, Jayo Felony, Keak Da Sneak, Yukmouth and others. The album is the first solo release from Daz since he left Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def label as an artist. Gangsta Party hits stores September 25 on High Powered Records/Koch.
Up and coming rapper Maino has signed with major label Atlantic Records and is in the studio working on his new album, Death Before Dishonor. The Brooklyn native, who has worked with artists like 50 Cent, Lil’ Kim, and Mya, has been creating a buzz on the mixtape circuit since 2005, appearing on mixtapes by top DJ’s like DJ Clue, Kay Slay, Funk Master Flex, Cut Master C, and others. Maino, who won DVD Magazine’s Most Consistent Artist on A DVD Award in 2006, is also the CEO of Hustle Hard Entertainment. He also hopes to make his mark in the book world with Hustle Hard Publishing, which will produce and release its debut book, Gangstas Dont Die in Fall 2007. No release date was available for Death Before Dishonor.
The Retro Television Network recently acquired the broadcast rights to the Emmy nominated children’s show “Hip Hop Harry.” “Hip Hop Harry,” which is produced by C to the B Productions, is a musically based live action program that educates and informs pre-school aged children. The show received an Emmy nod this year in the “Outstanding Pre-School Children’s Series” category. “I’m very pleased that RTN will be making ‘Hip Hop Harry’ accessible to children across the country,” said Claude Brooks, CEO of C to the B Productions and Creator and Executive Producer of “Hip Hop Harry.” “We are excited to be airing on a network that is clearly dedicated to excellent programming.” RTN is available in markets like Denver, Buffalo, Salt Lake City, St. Louis, Las Vegas and a number of other cities.