Jay-Z x Fela. Jay-Z, Will Smith, and Jada Pinkett Smith present the Broadway musical “Fela!”. The trio are signed as producers for the show which is about Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s controversial life as artist, political activist and revolutionary musician. According to the New York Times, there are no widely known stars in the cast, which makes the involvement of Jay-Z and the Smiths even more of a boon for marketing purposes.

No estimates on how much the stars invested in the project but last summer the show made its world premiere off-Broadway to sold out crowds so most likely Jay-Z and the Smiths will see a large return in investment.

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written by Edwin St. Fort

The success of The Blueprint 3 is highly credited to the marketing campaign behind it and to Jay-Z’s loyal fan base. Despite the album being leaked on the internet prior to its official release, The Blueprint 3 sold 476,000 copies in its first week of sales. The achievement help Jay-Z pass Elvis Presley to become the second artist with more No.1 albums in the 50 year history of the Billboard 200. The second week of sales resulted in 301,000 copies being sold dominating the Billboard #1 spot for two weeks straight. A month and a half later, Mr. Carter goes platinum selling nearly 1.3 million copies.

Let’s recap the blueprint to the  marketing campaign that resulted in successful results. The key features to this campaign were strategic partnerships and media coverage. The release became more of an event rather than just another album on the shelf. It built anticipation and sustained momentum unlike many previous releases. To begin the buzz Jay-Z released “D.O.A” creating controversy to obtain the attention of listeners to usher in the following events.

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Rocawear’s new 2010 Spring/Summer fashion line is displayed in all of its glory in the showroom. While the majority of hip-hop artist clothing lines have shut down due to the hard economic times, Jay-Z’s Rocawear continues to go hard. Via: Roc4Life

After all the anticipation the official “Empire State of Mind” video is finally here. If the World Series makes its way back to New York no doubt they will be playing this video at Yankee Stadium. Via: TRU & OnSmash

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys make good on their promise to perform at the World Series in New York. They sang the current Yankees playoff anthem “Empire State of Mind” before Game 2. Guess they were a good luck charm since the Yanks tied the series 1-1. No word yet if Freeway will be performing in Philly for Game 3. Via: TSS

Jay-Z x Eminem x DJ Hero. The marketing and media for DJ Hero is now in full swing. Here is the new TV ad featuring Eminem and Jay-Z.

The New York Yankees have invited Jay-Z and Alicia Keys to perform “Empire State of Mind” for Game One of the World Series this Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. The performance will be part of the Pre-Game events on the field before the Yankees and Phillies battle it out.

“Thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee,” an excited Jay-Z said of the pending performance in an interview on Monday.

Hopefully this doesn’t mean Jay-Z is going to try and buy ownership of the Yankees and move them to Brooklyn as well. The Yankees have been using “Empire State of Mind” as their theme song throughout the playoffs. Unfortunatley 98% of Yankees fans who can afford to go to the World Series have no idea who Jay-Z is.

Wish I got this pic earlier so I could post with the story that DJ Hero sales projections are being cut in half. Don’t mean to be a downer though. Here is Jay himself promoting DJ Hero in New York at the Plaza Hotel earlier today. More pics after the jump…Via: Rap-Up

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Activision has just released the official Eminem & Jay-Z track listings for the upcoming DJ Hero Renegade Edition. The Renegade Edition will go for $199 and hits stores October 27th. Check the track listings after the jump. Here is the game cover which was designed by Shepard Fairey, artist of Obama’s HOPE poster.

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Trick Daddy x Magic City. Trick Daddy has been working on his upcoming autobiography “Magic City: Trials of a Native Son” for some time now but he assures his fans that it will be worth the wait. He recently revealed that the book is almost “98 percent” finished and will be released at the top of next year via MTV/Pocket Books.

“The book is my lifestyle and what I’ve seen,” Trick Daddy said of the upcoming book. “It’s like the autobiography of the whole Miami, before me and while I’m here. It’s the Scarface, The King of New York, The First 48, all the things you’ve ever heard about Miami all in a bubble. All raw, it’s real and respectable to the point it will make you think, so that’s how it was. It’s 98 percent wrapped, pressed, and ready to go.”

Aside from the autobiography Trick Daddy is also busy getting ready to release his first graphic novel about the superhero called Nann. Artists signing book deals is nothing new but recently there have been a flurry of hip-hop artists signed to major publishers to write more of these graphic novels, memoirs, autobiographies and lyric books more than ever before. Jay-Z’s recent book deal with Random House calls for three books to be published and Q-Tip is set to release “Industry Rules” later on as well.

Jay-Z and his Rocawear celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the clothing line in style. Check this video which takes us from back when Rocawear first launched to the latest plans for the future.

Last week Pharrell gave a sneak peek at one of his three sBillionaire Boys Club t-shirt collaboration with Jay-Z’s “The Blueprint 3″ album release. Now you can check all three of the shirts that are currently available in Japan (but will be making their way to the US) for $72 a pop. Here is the first (Front and back)…check the others after the jump….

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Nice to know everything is not Photochopped up these days. Here is a cool little piece on the making of Jay-Z’s album “The Blueprint III” which will be Jay’s 11th #1 album according to SoundScan. Those artists calling him old can only wish they could move a fraction of the units he does. Props to KissMyBlackAds for the video.

Of course the chances of you getting actual tickets are slim to none since they are only going to the first 200 people. Activision continues the marketing ramp up for the upcoming DJ Hero with this free Jay-Z show in New York on 9/9 which is also in partnership with MySpace. The online social networking site is a huge sponsor for the upcoming game and will continue to heavily promote DJ Hero in the online space. If you want a shot at the tix and live in NY go to MySpace.com/DJ.

Jay-Z is all over the net these days. Another TV ad for another Jay-Z event. Via: Broken Cool