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Diddy’s potential Guinness & Red Stripe beer endorsement deal
Diddy x Guiness. Diddy has been accused of cheating on his multi-million dollar Ciroc endorsement deal with Diageo in the past but now it looks like his next move in the liquor business is a little more out in the open. According to our friends over at Advertising Age, Diddy has held talks with Diageo once again but this time to work of the Guinness and Red Stripe beer brands that is also owns.
There is no indication of when the beer deal will be struck, but it will most likely focus on pushing Guinness and Red Stripe further with the African-American beer drinker and the hip-hop/urban lifestyle consumers as well. Once we hear more you know we will have the full story. It makes sense for Diageo though as they firmly believe their investment in Diddy on the Ciroc deal has been worth it and hopefully Diddy can extend the brand equity of Guinness and Red Stripe in the same manner.
PICS: Snoop Dogg Skull Candy headphones now available
Snoop Dogg x Skull Candy. The headphone company announced their partnership with Snoop back in February which included Snoop promoting the company with a tour and appearances while Snoop would get his own custom Skullcrusher headphone line. Well now the Snoop Dogg Skullcrushers are officially available for the price of $79.95 at the official site.
The headphones come in Snoop’s signature bandana design in either Crip Blue (not official name) or Ten-A-Key Black. Check em here. Do I see a Beats by Dre vs. Snoop’s Skullcrusher battle coming on?
EXCLUSIVE: Lil Wayne movie “Hurricane Season” runs out of $$$
Lil Wayne x Bow Wow x Hurricane Season. I’m sure you Wayne fans remember this movie being filmed last year and Wayne hyping it up to MTV and the press. Movie is based on the true story of a Post-Hurricane Katrina high school basketball team made up from five different schools and the coach that led them to the state championships. Bow Wow plays Gary, a 5 ft. 7 guard for the team and Weezy plays a high school punk named Lamont who bets against his own high school. Heck we even dropped the first exclusive pics of Bow Wow from the movie way back in the day.
Well now we got more exclusive news for you. Our sources here in Hollywood are telling us that the studio that owns the marketing and distribution rights to Hurricane Season literally has run out of money and will not be able to release it anytime soon. The studio is the Weinstein Company, and it all makes sense since it’s very public knowledge that they are going through big-time financial issues. Hurricane Season finished filming in mid 2008 and was set for a late 2008/early 2009 release date. Instead, it has been pushed back indefinitely.
So what does this all mean? Well you won’t be seeing Wayne playing a high school kid or Bow Wow playing a basketball player anytime soon. Either that or the producers try and buy back the rights so they can sell them to another studio….or it ends up going straight-to-DVD 50 Cent style.
VIDEO: Official Def Jam Rapstar video game trailer
So we got DJ Hero, Scratch The Ultimate DJ and now Def Jam enters the interactive hip-hop music gaming set with Def Jam Rapstar. Unlike the first two games where the user gets to play a DJ, in Rapstar you are…well…the rap star.
It’s basically a glorified rap karaoke game officially endorsed by Def Jam and their roster of artists. Here is the first official trailer featuring the music of Young Jeezy followed by an insider look at the game by one of the developers.
VIDEO: Trailer to “Bad Lieutenant” starring Xzibit & Nicholas Cage
Xzibit x Bad Lieutenant. UPDATE: The trailer is now back up. Hot off the presses here is the brand new movie trailer to Xzibit’s (ahem Alvin Joiner here in Hollywood) latest movie where he co-stars with Nicholas Cage. Movie is remake of the Harvey Keitel film with Cage playing the lead role as a corrupt, drug loving cop who must find a killer (Xzibit) but in the process ends up doing buisness with him. Movie looks refreshingly badass.
WORD ON THE STREET: Eminem back in movie biz
The latest Word on the Street (AKA - RUMOR) is that Eminem’s music is not the only thing that is back. With his #1 album released last week and his much publicized comeback from drug addiction, we are hearing here in Hollywood that Eminem and management are trying to gear up their film production deals as well.
Strike while the iron is hot is what we say. With all the hype and publicity, now is the perfect time for Eminem to start right back up where he left off in film. Eminem and manager Paul Rosenberg launched Shady Aftermath Films after the success of 8 Mile way back in 2002 but failed to green light and produce a film under the production banner starring Eminem. Back then the first film, Have Gun Will Travel was postponed since 2006 but now it looks like Em and company are looking to make the jump back into film.
No word yet on what projects Shady Aftermath Films is looking, but rumor has it they are exploring different film ideas including possibly revitalizing Have Gun Will Travel and a project loosely based on Eminem’s recent obstacles in balancing the music industry, personal life and drug use. We will have more once we hear it.
Exclusive: 50 Cent movie “Streets of Blood” goes straight to DVD (w/ new trailer & art)
We have just confirmed with movie studio Anchor Bay that they have bought the outright film distribution rights to 50 Cent’s new movie Streets of Blood. Those in the industry know though that Anchor Bay buys and distributes movies…straight to video. Yes, that’s right. WoooHa can confirm that Streets of Blood is going straight to video and will be available in stores July 28, 2009.
We have been covering Streets of Blood for sometime now. We were the first to break their sales trailer that the producers were pitching to studios months ago. But clearly no theatrical studios were interested. For those 50 fans, you might remember that this is the movie where 50 and co-star Val Kilmer formed a strong friendship…to the point that Val bought 50 a classic car.
Anyways, there you have it. All in all it’s not a good week for 50 Cent news. Earlier this week, sales numbers for his game “Blood on the Sand” were released and they were VERY VERY low and now this news about his movie going straight to DVD. The good news though is that 50 has a bunch of other movie projects coming soon including Twelve and a bunch of other projects in the works. Let’s just hope they hit theaters this time though.
Check the new trailer just cut by Anchor Bay and new DVD art as well. Remember, you saw it here first.
Common as B.A. Baracus in A-Team movie almost locked
Common x The A-Team. When word got out that an A-Team movie was in the works back in late 2008, early buzz was that Ice Cube wanted the role of B.A. Baracus since the movie was being directed by John Singleton (who he worked with on Boyz N’ The Hood). My how things have changed. Since then, Singleton has been replaced from the movie by Smokin’ Aces director Joe Carnahan and rumors were running wild that the new director still wanted a rapper/actor to play B.A…but to everyone’s surprise it wasn’t Ice Cube. No. Carnahan wants Common to take on the role.
Common might seem like an odd choice but he and Carnahan really connected while working together on Smokin’ Aces. And since Common’s latest project as The Green Lantern in Justice League: Mortal is still postponed there is a nice empty space for him to jump in the role. Finally after weeks of speculation, Common went public with the rumors surrounding him as B.A. Baracus. In an interview with IESB.net he stated the following:
ESB: Your name keeps popping up, I was at a premiere the other day and was talking to some industry friends and they are like, “[we] would love Common as a certain character in a certain Joe Carnahan movie.”
Common: (Laughing) Yeah, that would be [something].
IESB: B.A. Baracus
Common: Yeah that would be something cool, but, I mean, let’s see, I can’t speak on it yet until we know what’s going on but that would be an incredible character to play.
IESB: You worked with Carnahan before.
Common: Carnahan is my guy.
IESB: I don’t know if the mohawk is going to work on you. (Laughing)
Common: (laughing) I can’t do the Mohawk but we got to do something, we got to find something to make it work.
IESB: That is something you would like to do?
Common: I would love to, just to work with Joe is so exciting for me I just had such a great experience. I feel that he is one of the freshest directors and innovative guys and fun, he is a quality guy, quality director and man, I just want to work with him.
Word on the street is that an official statement of Common taking on the role should be expected in the coming weeks. You know WoooHa will have the updates. What do you guys think of Common as B.A. Baracus?
50 Cent’s new video game with SHOCKINGLY low sales
50 Cent x Blood on the Sand. There is no doubt that 50 has been flexing his publicity-machine muscle to promote his newest video game “Blood on the Sand.” He did in-store appearances, contests to play against others and tons of publicity. Many in the gaming industry saw it as a clear sign 50 was serious about expanding his empire into the gaming world.
Despite all the efforts, “Blood on the Sand” has sold so little that it already can be found in “dump-bins” across America. According to NPD which monitors game sales, “Blood on the Sand” has only sold 56,000 copies from when it launched in February. In comparison, 50’s first game “Bulletproof” sold over 681,000 copies during the same initial launch window, which is TWELVE times more than “Blood on the Sand.”
The “Blood on the Sand” results are so terrible that publisher THQ did not mention the game at all in their recent earnings reports. Insiders say THQ is blaming the economy and recession but others are pointing to 50 Cent’s waning popularity with gamers and the fact that “Blood on the Sand” was originally dumped by its original developer. Will these results scare off Jay-Z from moving forward with getting into the gaming industry?
Are Hip-Hop and Liquor marketing promotions over?
Liquor companies and rappers have had a long standing relationship from “Pass the Couvasier” to “Gin and Juice” to recent deals like Diddy and Ciroc or Dr. Dre and Drinks America (Check our Rappers x Liquor Company profiles for more details). One of the most recent partnerships is between Swizz Beatz and Hennessey’s new label Hennessey Black…but could the liquor and hip-hop party be over?
Moet Hennessy, parent company of the Champagne, cognac and other major spirits recently posted their first quarter 2009 results and they are not pretty. According to the statements, Moet Hennessy Champagne sales were down 35% and other premium liquor sales down as much as 25% due to the struggling economy.
With profits down, many marketers suggest cutting back on expensive marketing and promotions as the first line of defense. Will this mean the end to those extensive hip-hop artist branded liquor company websites, online shorts, exclusive concerts and multi-million dollar endorsement deals? Or do liquor companies need hip-hop support in order to survive? In the end it’s the consumer that decides…unless Diddy brainwashes us all.
50 Cent on episode of “Gossip Girl”?
50 Cent x Twelve. Although 50 is pictured here with “Gossip Girl” star Chance Crawford looking all BFF, luckily for the state of hip-hop 50 will not be guest starring on the tween girl show. These shots were actually taken yesterday in New York on the set of the new movie Twelve which also stars Crawford, Keifer Sutherland and Emma Roberts.
Movie is about a young drug dealer as his high-rolling life is dismantled in the wake of his cousin’s murder, which sees his best friend arrested for the crime. Surprisingly 50 does not play that specific main character drug dealer. He just plays a different drug dealer. Twelve does not currently have a studio attached to it so no release date is set until someone buys it up. More pics after the jump….
Milli Vanilli movie coming to a theater near you!
Word on the Street is that Bret Ratner, everyone’s favorite director they love to hate (Rush Hour franchise), is in talks to direct an official Milli Vanilli movie. The project apparently has some big time producing support as Kathleen Kennedy, the exec producer of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Munich, is exec producing this film as well.
So that means all your favorite Rob and Fab moments will be shown on the big screen including “Blame it on the Rain” and “Don’t Forget My Number.” Unfortunately, the movie will focus on the scandal behind the group as it was revealed they were fakes. Just for inspiration, I leave you with this video.
Common’s “Only The Brave” cologne ad campaign
Common x Diesel. As announced last week, Diesel has teamed up with Common to launch a cologne called “Only The Brave.” Common is the official spokesperson for the cologne and advertising and in-store displays and merchandise with Common are already hitting the malls. Diesel will back these mall ads up with in-store concerts featuring Common beginning this May. Here is a look at the current print ads with TV coming soon which we will have. ProHipHop has our backs.
Kanye West launches GURU energy drink
Kanye West x GURU. No not the member of Gang Starr. GURU is an energy drink founded in 1999 in Canada. And like all great things Canadian like….ummmm…..the Raptors….there is a major push to influence the U.S. market. And what better way to do that than to broker a multi-million dollar deal with Kanye West?
That’s right folks. Kanye West can add “Energy Drink owner” to his resume as he is now officially an equity partner with GURU Beverage Co. According to the press release, Kanye will develop an entirely new GURU drink product “inspired by his own artistic vision.” The new product has been kept under wraps but is set to launch later this year and will be fully supported by the Kanye West marketing machine.
“I express myself through music, fashion, art and design and that’s why I am excited to collaborate with GURU; because the brand values what I value, and I can put what inspires me into this new product,” said Kanye West.
Props to the GURU team for giving us the heads up. This should be an interesting business arrangement. Pretty curious to see what this product is going to be. It just leads me to one question though. Hey Kanye….do you like fishsticks?
Common officially NOT the Green Lantern in Justice League movie
Common x The Green Lantern. Last year Hollywood was filled with the rumors that Common and Tyrese were both front runners to play The Justice League superhero The Green Lantern in Warner Bros. upcoming movie. Well now word on the street is that Common has officially been ruled out for the upcoming Green Lantern movie which is slated for a Dec. 17, 2010 release and will be directed by Martin Campbell who directed the 007 film Casino Royale.
The reason why Common is officially out? At first Warner Brothers was looking into developing the script around John Stewart, who was the African-American Green Lantern. But after a series of production issues and script rewrites, the movie will be focused on Hal Jordan, who is Caucasian. Word is Chris Pine who will be starring in the upcoming Star Trek movie is the new frontrunner to play the role of Jordan. And there you have it. At least all you Common lovers can see him in the upcoming Terminator: Salvation.
Exclusive: Jermaine Dupri’s TAG Records in financial trouble
Jermaine Dupri x TAG Records. When Jermaine Dupri was booted from his job at Def Jam earlier this year, there were rumors that Dupri’s deal with TAG Records was in jeopardy as well. Fortunately for Dupri, the Def Jam and TAG Body Spray collaboration was arranged as a separate deal and Dupri kept his job as President of TAG Records…for the time being.
The bottom line though is TAG Records is not doing so hot. Rumored reports are coming in from Proctor & Gamble (TAG Body spray owners) that due to a combination of
Exclusive: The real reason 50 Cent was dropped from movie…Bloggers.
50 Cent x The Expendables. Well you should know the story by now. 50 Cent accepts movie role in Sylvester Stallone’s action flick The Expendables. One day later 50 is dropped and replaced by Terry Crews. One day after that 50 says he was the one who dropped the movie so he could concentrate on his music. But we had heard otherwise right from the beginning.
Word is that Sly Stallone was very anxious to secure 50 Cent to broaden the appeal of the movie and he was so proud when 50 verbally committed to the movie that Sly went directly to Aint It Cool News and told the site. Apparently he did not get the reaction he hoped for as news spread like wild fire and the bloggers (including us) began slamming 50 Cent and Sly’s casting choice. WoooHa heard here in Hollywood that Sly was so disturbed by the immediate reaction, especially since he thought fans would rejoice, that he panicked and quickly killed the deal with 50 Cent and found Terry Crews to replace him.
The LA Times ran a separate story that confirms our findings. The paper had contacted Avi Lerner, producer on the film who states:
