Houston, TX - When many think of hurricane relief, they think of FEMA checks and ice and water being handed out to survivors in the immediate aftermath of the storm. For those that live in hurricane-affected areas though, the reality is that the storms impact the lives of many long after the water has subsided and FEMA has cut off their support. For those people, holidays like Thanksgiving is an especially tough time; many not having either a Turkey or an oven to cook it in.

97.9 The Box's morning show host, Madd Hatta, got a first-hand taste of the economic impact of Hurricane Ike during his many days at several relief PODS, where he and the station staff, along with a few members of Houston's sports and music communities and a great team of volunteers, worked for long hours handing out much-needed survival items like diapers, formula, ice and water. People waited in line for hours, many with infants and small children and what they were going through was evident in every face. It was, for a time, the common bond that held Houston together. Most have been able to move on with their lives now that water and power have been restored to the city but for those that lost much of what they had, the need is now greater than ever.

With that in mind, Madd Hatta, has once again stepped up to help, purchasing grocery store gift-cards for 300 families in need, in time for Thanksgiving. The families that will receive this holiday blessing were chosen by Houston's Bread of Life charity organization, who themselves are putting together holiday gift baskets in which the gift-cards will be included. The baskets themselves will be distributed to the chosen families at St. John's Church (1703 Gray Street), on Monday, November 24th starting at around 11AM. Hatta himself will be personally on hand to help distribute both the baskets, and a little holiday cheer - Hatta-style.

Madd Hatta has always been known to step forward when his city needed him. On the air at The Box for over a decade, he shares a special knowledge of its streets and residents. Whether it's buying new school clothes for 100 kids for their first day of school or camping out in front of Sharpstown Mall for 3 1/2 days to register 5,000 new voters, Hatta has always used his on-air reach to make a difference.

Join Hatta, the 97.9 station staff and Bread of Life in helping ensure that even Houston's neediest have something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

Anyone wishing to make a donation themselves may contact station PD, Terri Thomas or Bread of Life Director Dena Gray at (713) 320.9159.

Media coverage at St. John's Church is welcome.

B-Real of Cypress Hill debuts his first music video off "SMOKE N MIRRORS" for his song "Don't Ya Dare Laugh" featuring Young De. Directed by Matt Alonzo. "Smoke N Mirrors" in stores February 24th, 2009 courtesy of Audio Hustlaz/Duck Down Records

http://www.youtube.com/v/wOH9XSZ0cbE&hl=en&fs=1

This idea has never been done before. Log onto http://www.trueingredients.com/ then follow these 3 basic steps!

1 Buy a pair of shades (Free international shipping)

2 Enter the unique code from your sunglasses online at http://www.trueingredients.com/

3 Download the album. It's that easy!

The True Ingredients are cooking up a musical revolution. Calling them only a band would be to miss the point. There are 33 artists including rappers, singers, beatboxers, DJ's, brass players, drummers, percussionists, keyboard players, guitarists, harpists and string players from all over the world; the UK, USA, France, Brazil, Trinidad, Sudan, Canada, Ukraine, Jamaica, Germany, Mauritius and many more.

So go on select your tints and shine they are available in many different colours!

After a 2 year delay Lil Keke drops his much awaited album today November 18^th on TF Records/Universal Motown. "Loved by few, Hated by Many" is Keke's 12^th album and his first mainstream debut album. Birdman, Slim Thug, Paul and Crys Wall all feature with production by Bangladesh and Beanz and Cornbread. This debut is poised to win over hip-hop fans nationwide.

Lil' Keke started rapping when he was just 16 years-old. His young talent was fostered by the late DJ Screw, who in the 1990s invented the chopped and screwed technique that still serves as the foundation for Houston's unique brand of hip-hop. Keke used to freestyle in Screw's makeshift studio with a group of teenagers who eventually become known as the Screwed Up Clik. On "I Miss My Boys," Keke pays respect to his Screwed Up Clik brethren, especially those who have passed, by letting them know their spirit will continue to live on through his music. Loved By Few, Hated By Many represents all sides of Keke's multi-faceted character.

Public Enemy are playing a one off show at Birmingham's Custard Factory on December 3^rd at 7.00PM. Make sure you buy your ticket early they're selling like hot cakes! Click the link below for tickets.

Rock & Pop at The Custard Factory

Gibb Square
Birmingham
B9 4AA

Check out UK compilation album Food4DaBrain ‘Second Serving' featuring Skinnyman, Kashmere, Shamless, Super Novah, Deadly Hunts, First and Last,MCD, Ghetto, Foreign Beggars, M9, Manage, Mr Ti2bs,Virus Syndicate, Terra Firma and Kyra UK.

Available now in all good stores including http://www.f4db.com/ and via download sites.

The new holiday album features soon to be "Hood Classics" featuring Jones, Skull Gang, Freekey Zeekey, Mike Epps and Much More.

Just in time for the holidays, hip hop superstars Jim Jones and Skull Gang along with Dips 730 affiliate Freekey Zeekey (and co-Executive Producers Noe and Chink Santana) join comedian and film actor Mike Epps to bring their own version of the Christmas spirit to a hood near you!

Jim Jones and Skull Gang Present: A Tribute to Bad Santa feat. Mike Epps will be released on Tuesday, November 25^th, and features 15 new Christmas bangers and hilarious new skits from Mike Epps.

Jim Jones comments, "This could be the coldest winter ever not due to the climate, but because of the recession...smoke a blunt, stay warm."

Don't Forget: CD & DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF BAD SANTA AVAILABLE BEGINNING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25^th, 2008

Kashi's new interactive webstore focuses on serving their growing global customer base.

Pittsburgh - World renowned sneaker and accessory design company Kashi Kicks is gearing up to launch a new website that is just as fun and unique as the products that they create.  To celebrate this event, they will be offering a 25% discount to anyone who purchases Kashi products from their new webstore.

For the first time ever, fans will also be able to purchase shoes and accessories straight from the designer.  While many of these styles and designs can be found at your local shops and boutiques, there will be a number of limited edition collections released to online shoppers only.  Visit this new online store directly at www.shop.kashikicks.com.  Use the coupon code "newsite" to receive 25% off your entire order.

The new www.kashikicks.com offers many features that the old website lacked.  A list of these new features can be found below:

More user-friendly interface
New "Buy Now" option
Updated store locator
Subscribe to the Kashi Kicks email blast
Stay current with news on Kashi in the "News" section
Have a hand in deciding what Kashi launches next by voting on new desings
Fully interactive social networking application including the following features:
Create your own user profiles
Post pictures of yourself and your friends
Upload and share your music
Post pictures of the kicks that you own
Trade your kicks with other users
Befriend and network with other users
Instantly chat with other users
Blog about your kicks or anything else you desire

Kashi Kicks is a lifestyle sneaker brand established in 2006, known for their detailed and dazzling sneakers and accessories as seen on the celebrity feet and arms of George Clinton, Flavor Flav, Elton John, Lil Kim, Shawty Lo, DJ Khaled, Rick Ross, and many more. 

Sadler's Wells is launching a national competition as part of the Ctrl.Alt.Shift initiative, which will give people aged 18 to 25 the chance to have their work showcased at The Peacock next year. Entrants will be invited to choreograph their own dance piece to GoldieLocks and Boy Better Know's remixed tracks.

Our mentors will choose the pieces that show the most promise and this performance will be showcased at Rumble in Sadler's Wells. Rumble is a collaboration between Sadler's Wells and London Youth Dance, giving youth dance groups and schools a chance to showcase their dancework at the 1,000-seat Peacock Theatre, Holborn. Performances take place at 7.30pm on Saturday 17th January 2009 and 5pm on Sunday 18th January 2009.

Tickets £5. Further information about the show is available at: http://www.londondance.com/content.asp?CategoryID=3090&ArticleID=32320 Clips of the best entries will be hosted on the Ctrl.Alt.Shift website before the artists select a winner. The winning entry will open the Sadler's Wells and London Youth Dance's collaboration Rumble in January 2009 and also receive a video camera.

Submissions:

• Download the artists remixed tracks you would like to use from the Sadler's Wells section of the Ctrl.Alt.Shift site: www.ctrlaltshift.co.uk/sadlerswells/#/Home
• Create your dance
• Film it
• Upload the film to YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/
• Go to http://www.ctrlaltshift.co.uk/ and click on ‘Contribute' where you will have the option to upload a video by adding your films YouTube links.
• If you are not currently a member you will have to sign up to in order to contribute at www.ctrlaltshift.co.uk/sadlerswells/#/Login
• In the description box, please explain what your piece is about (max 300 characters).
• All submissions must be uploaded by 23:59 on 4th January 2009.

The Rules:

Your submission has to be uploaded to the Sadler's Wells competition section of the Ctrl.Alt.Shift website www.ctrlaltshift.co.uk/sadlerswells/#/Home before 23:59 on 4th January 2009.

Are you an artist that has already sold records on the street and / or at retail?  Are you a budding artist that feels as if you have talent..

THEN WE WANNA HEAR FROM YA..  from wherever you are in the world. we don't discriminate..  We just want quality music!!

Either email us at info@thehiphopvillage.com and put Demo / Beat in the subject line.

Or send your demos in the post to:

RGS Entertainment
C/O The Hip Hop Village
PO BOX 5950
Milton Keynes
MK10 1GJ

don't sleep on this opportunity!!! 

WHAT CAN WE DO FOR INDEPENDENT ARTISTS AND LABELS

Physical Distribution

Within UK, Germany, France, Japan, Australia and many other territories.  To all major, online and indepedent retailers thru out distribution network.

Digital Distribution

We supply content to Itunes, Napster and ALL OTHER international digital distributors.

Manufacturing

Need CDs manufactured? - LOOK NO FURTHER - The Hip Hop Village can assist in manufacturing - basic package includes; 1000 CDs, 4 Page Full Colour Bookley and Inlay, Jewel Case and Overwrapped. These are RETAIL READY... and at a very comprehensive price.    SPECIAL OFFER FOR APRIL AND MAY... Contact us for more details..

Booking Agent

We already have a number of quality US, UK and European Hip Hop Artists available to be booked. Email us at info@thehiphopvillage.com for more details about our artists.. We are always looking for more artists for the booking agency.  All Artists hit us up so we can add you to our books.. We'll need images and biog. Email us at info@thehiphopvillage.com for more details about our services..

Promotions and Marketing

We have a promotions package totally targetted to independent artists and labels. We will attain promo on all mediums from Press, Radio, Online etc etc... Again - because we are here to assist the indies then our prices are unbelievably cheap... And for a 4 week minimum campaign you can't miss out...

Retail

The Hip Hop Village will become the home of the Newest, Freshest, pimpest hip hop in the world... Being UK based we are reppin for ther UK - so we will be profiling the newest UK Hip Hop for the world to see... So holla at us so we can get your product on site.

CHECK OUT HIP HOP VILLAGE ON MYSPACE!

We have been busy here at the village updating out presence on the worlds most powerful marketing tool - MYSPACE.  All our services and releases are listed up there... So - villagers, why not go check it out and please add us as one of your friends...  

www.myspace.com/thehiphopvillage