iStandard event at The Highlands

We went out to The Highlands last night on Hollywood Blvd for day 1 of the iStandard Producers event where upcoming and aspiring producers showcase in front of label reps, etc. The venue was crazy! It was on the fifth floor overlooking the city. Going back tonight for day 2.

Copyright Criminals Trailer

Copyright Criminals examines the creative and commercial value of musical sampling, including the related debates over artistic expression, copyright law, and (of course) money.

Copyright Criminals from IndiePix on Vimeo.

Pots and Pans

Big Boi Signs New Deal With Def Jam

After over a year of wrangling over release dates with his label Jive Records, Antwan Patton has found a home with Def Jam and Island Def Jam Chairman/CEO L.A. Reid — the man who gave OutKast their first deal with now-defunct LaFace Records over 15 years ago. That means Big Boi’s long-awaited Sir Lucious Leftfoot: Son of Chico Dusty album — which seemed dangerously close to becoming another Detox — will finally see the light of day.

It’s scheduled for a May 2010 release.

Diddy In Talks To Purchase London Soccer Team

Sean “Diddy” Combs is aiming to branch out in the world of sports, with the purchase of The Crystal Palace soccer team.

According to U.K.’s Daily Mirror, Combs is planning to make a £360million bid for the South London Crystal Palace team, which went into bankruptcy January.

Representatives for Comb’s confirmed he has been looking into a number of teams to become involved with, but is interested in Crystal Palace, because of the name.

Combs joins fellow mogul in an attempt to gain a piece of the lucrative soccer market in Europe.

In 2005, Jay-Z was looking to purchase a stake in London’s Arsenal Gunners as well as the Chelsea Football Club.

If the deal goes through, Combs will be the first U.S. Hip-Hop mogul to own a stake in a European soccer team.

Lifestyle / Fashion : Zoo York: The East Coast's Pioneer Skate Brand

This is an interesting article about the start of the ZOO YORK brand. Launched by a small band of NYC skaters, ZOO made its mark in 1993 as the "East Coast's first true skateboard-inspired lifestyle brand" with its blend of graffiti, hip hop, punk and military style. With an abundance of pro skaters, designers, musicians and more backing the brand, ZOO continues to expand and adapt to the times, introducing new cut-and-sew pieces, clean denim and more. Read on...

Lifestyle / Fashion : Zoo York: The East Coast's Pioneer Skate Brand

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This weeks album sales

Grammy-winning rapper Ludacris' Battle of the Sexes made its way onto the charts this week opening at No. 1. According toNielsen Soundscan, the Southern emcee's compilation disc has sold 137,300 records after seven days in stores.

Animated rap group Gorillaz's Plastic Beach also debuted on the charts this week landing at No. 2. With a week in the books, the group's new album has shelled out 112,300 copies.

Renowned singer Sade's Solider of Love fell out of the Top 5 this week moving down four slots to No. 6 with 52,000. Headed into her sixth week, the singer's comeback album rests at 951,400 sold records to date.

Incarcerated rapper Lil Wayne's Rebirth remained at No. 12 this week moving 27,200. With six weeks passed, the emcee's experimental rock album now stands at 420,400 sold copies.

Music newcomer Ke$ha's Animal slid down a notch to No. 14 with 26,600. After ten weeks in stores, the singer's new album has sold 463,600 records to date.

Grammy-winning singer Rihanna's Rated R remained at No. 22 with 21,700. Moving into her 17th week, the singer's new release has sold 731,900 albums.

Grammy-winning singer Alicia Keys' Element of Freedom dropped out of the Top 20 this week moving down four slots to No. 23 with 19,600. With 13 weeks under her belt, the singer's latest effort rests at 1,146,200 sold copies.

R&B singer Raheem DeVaughn's Love & War Masterpeace took a hard hit falling 15 slots to No. 24 with 19,300. After two weeks on the charts, the singer's new album has sold 64,500 records.

R&B singer Trey Songz's Ready remained at No. 25 this week with 19,000. After 28 weeks of availability, the crooner's new album has sold 593,600 records.

Singer Jason Derulo's self-titled release fell hard moving 18 spots down to No. 29 with 16,800. After two weeks, the singer's debut rests at 59,100 sold copies.

The Queen of R&B Mary J. Blige's Strong fell one slot to No. 30 with 16,400. After three months in stores, the singer's latest effort rests at 689,200 scanned discs.

R&B singer Jaheim's Another Round dropped ten slots to No. 33 with 15,100. With five weeks under his belt, the singer's new album has sold 209,000 records.

The Young Money compilation, We Are Young Money, dribbled down three slots to No. 35 with 14,300. After three months of availability, the compilation project has moved 375,600 records.

Evening things out in Top 50 is Melanie Fiona's Bridge which dropped 13 slots to No. 50 with 11,000 copies. After 19 weeks on the charts, the Roc Nation singer's new album stands at 259,200 records.

Although Kidz in the Hall failed to chart on SoundScan's Top 200, the duo's new album Land of Make Believe reportedly sold 2,900 copies in its opening week.