N W A

The Year was 1988, the album was "Straight Outta Compton," the group was NWA and the outcome was history making. VH1's Emmy Award-winning franchise takes a look back at the album and the group that changed the face of hip hop 20 years after its release in the new VH1 Rock Doc, NWA: The World's Most Dangerous Group." The doc will premiere on VH1, October 3 at 11pm*.

When NWA released their "Straight Outta Compton" album in late 1988 it changed the face of hip hop forever by ushering in a new genre of music called "gangsta rap." Television and radio were afraid to touch it because the lyrics were so perverse and forbidden, the politicians were quick to attack and condemn it and the FBI wanted it banned - it made history even before it became a multi-platinum selling album.

VH1's Rock Doc "NWA: The World's Most Dangerous Group" tells the story of a group of childhood friends from Compton who channeled the rage of the streets through the prism of rap music and pop culture. Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren and DJ Yella gave a powerful voice to the late-80's Compton ghetto that was on the verge of exploding, and in the process scared much of White America. Often misunderstood, NWA's raging raps about police violence, gang-land terror and drug-fueled shooting sprees gave the ultimate voice to the voiceless.

The doc features new interviews with Ice Cube, DJ Yella, Eazy-E's widow Tomica Woods-Wright, former manager Jerry Heller, Ice-T, journalist Cheo Coker, and director John Singleton. Supplemented by rarely-seen footage and interviews from the group's early days, photos, and music, the documentary will show how gangsta rap was born in late 80s Los Angeles, a city torn by drugs and violence...and how a nation grew to fear the music that emerged.

"NWA: The World's Most Dangerous Group" was written and directed by Mark Ford. Executive produced by Mark Ford and Kevin Lopez and produced by Wesley Jones for Creature Films. Brad Abramson, Shelly Tatro and Jeff Olde are executive producers for VH1. Mark Anstendig is supervising producer for VH1.

To commemorate the historic and ongoing musical and cultural influence of N.W.A, Capitol/Priority will release N.W.A And Their Family Tree on September 30. The new CD and digital collection features a cross-section of 18 genre-defining tracks by the pioneering gangsta rap group and its founders, plus Mack 10, Westside Connection, Snoop Dogg, and other N.W.A-inspired artists.

"NWA: The World's Most Dangerous Group" is the newest film in the Emmy Award winning VH1 Rock Doc franchise. VH1 Rock Docs are television's premier collection of music documentaries. Each high-end feature-length documentary reveals an untold story in the history of rock and hip-hop music, combining never-before-seen footage with a unique and unconventional narrative approach. The documentaries tell some of the most unique stories of artists and music from a wide range of genres, styles, and musical perspectives.

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 95 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

*All Times ET/PT

    Contact:

    Lori Bogin / VH1
    212-284-7131
    Lori.Bogin@VH1Staff.com


    Scott Acord / VH1
    310-752-8075
    Scott.Acord@VH1Staff.com

SOURCE VH1

http://www.VH1.com

Viewers Opportunity to Create Their Own List on VH1.com

VH1 is paying tribute to rap royalty by counting down the "100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs." This five-part compilation of beats, rhymes and lyrics is not just a countdown - it is an ultimate celebration of the greatest hip hop music - old school classics, gangsta rap and everything in between. The series will also feature new, original interviews with hip hop's biggest names, including rare and archival performances. Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Run-DMC, Salt-N-Pepa, OutKast, Eminem and Grandmaster Flash are just some of the artists to be profiled.

Each new episode of VH1's "100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs" will premiere beginning Monday September 29 -Friday, October 3 at 10PM*. The series will allow viewers to reminisce with the top 100 hip hop songs that had the greatest influence on music and pop culture. This countdown is also a nostalgic look at a time when high-top fades and shades paired with big gold chains and braids were still fresh; a time when throwing your hands in the air got the party started and it was cool to admit that you were down with "O.P.P."

VH1.com gave hip hop fans the chance to determine the outcome of VH1's "100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs" through online voting. Fans were able to go to VH1.com's "VH1 Greatest Hip Hop Songs" page to vote for their favorite hip hop songs of all time. Additionally, VH1.com will offer exclusive clips that will not be seen in the on-air version of the special.

The complete list of VH1's "100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs" is attached.

VH1's "100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs" is a production of VH1, with Hilary Spiegelman serving as Series Producer, and Bernie Kaminski, Rick Hankey, Shelly Tatro and Jeff Olde serving as Executive Producers for VH1.

*All Times ET/PT

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 90 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1 Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

Contacts: Surayyah McCarthy Candice Ashton

212-846-8433 310-752-8352

Surayyah.McCarthy@vh1.com Candice.Ashton@vh1.com

100 GREATEST hip hop songs

RANKED LIST

           rank Artist / song
             01 Public Enemy / "Fight The Power"
             02 Sugarhill Gang / "Rapper's Delight"
             03 Dr. Dre / "Nuthin But A 'G' Thang"
             04 Run-DMC ft/ Aerosmith/ "Walk This Way"
             05 Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five / "The Message"
             06 N.W.A. / "Straight Outta Compton"
             07 Notorious B.I.G. / "Juicy"
             08 Snoop Doggy Dogg / "Gin and Juice"
             09 Salt-N-Pepa / "Push It  "
             10 Kurtis Blow / "The Breaks"
             11 Jay-Z / "Hard Knock Life"
             12 L.L. Cool J / "I Can't Live Without My Radio"
             13 Wu-Tang Clan /   "C.R.E.A.M."
             14 Tupac / "I Get Around "
             15 Eminem / "Stan "
             16 Missy Elliott / "Get Ur Freak On"
             17 Sir Mix-A-Lot / "Baby Got Back"
             18 50 Cent / "In Da Club"
             19 Ice T / "Colors"
             20 Kanye West ft/ Jamie Foxx / "Gold Digger"
             21 Afrika Bambaataa & Soul Sonic Force/ "Planet Rock"
             22 Naughty By Nature / "OPP"
             23 Outkast / "B.O.B."
             24 Eric B and Rakim / "Paid in Full"
             25 Fugees  / "Killing Me Softly"
             26 MC Hammer / "U Can't Touch This"
             27 Beastie Boys / "Hold it Now, Hit it"
             28 Ice Cube / "It Was A Good Day"
             30 Digital Underground / "The Humpty Dance"
             30 Tribe Called Quest / "Check the Rhime"
             31 Kool Moe Dee / "How Ya Like Me Now"
             32 Puff Daddy & The Family ft/ Notorious B.I.G., Lil' Kim
                 and The Lox/ "It's All About The Benjamins"
             33 Bone Thugs-N-Harmony / "Tha Crossroads"
             34 Cypress Hill / "Insane In The Brain"
             35 Queen Latifah ft. Monie Love /  "Ladies First"
             36 Nelly / "Hot In Herre"
             37 Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock / "It Takes Two"
             38 Coolio / "Gangsta's Paradise"
             39 Tone-Loc / "Wild Thing"
             40 Run-DMC /  "It's Like That"
             41 Funky 4 + 1 / "That's the Joint"
             42 Roxanne Shante /  "Roxanne's Revenge"
             43 Game, The ft. 50 Cent / "Hate It or Love It"
             44 Method Man ft/ Mary J. Blige / "I'll Be There For You
                 /You're All I Need to Get By"
             45 Geto Boys / "Mind Playing Tricks On Me"
             46 De La Soul / "Me, Myself, And I"
             47 Young MC /   "Bust A Move"
             48 Nas / "One Love"
             49 Boogie Down Productions / "My Philosophy"
             50 Lil' Wayne / "Tha Block Is Hot"
             51 Doug E. Fresh & the Get Fresh Crew / "The Show"
             52 Foxy Brown ft. Jay-Z - "I'll Be"
             53 Lox ft. DMX and Lil' Kim / "Money, Power, Respect"
             54 MC Lyte / "Cha Cha Cha"
             55 Terror Squad ft/ Fat Joe and Remy / "Lean Back"
             56 Busta Rhymes / "Woo-Ha! Got You All In Check"
             57 Big Daddy Kane / "I Get the Job Done"
             58 Ludacris ft. Shawna/ "What's Your Fantasy"
             59 Ol' Dirty Bastard / "Shimmy Shimmy Ya"
             60 L.L. Cool J / "I Need Love"
             61 Slick Rick / "Children's Story"
             62 Digable Planets / "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)"
             63 Kid   'n Play / "Rollin' With Kid N Play"
             64 The Roots / "What they Do"
             65 Spoonie Gee and The Treacherous Three / "Love Rap"
             66 House Of Pain / "Jump Around"
             67 Mase / "Feel So Good"
             68 T.I. / "What You Know"
             69 Common /  "I Used to Love H.E.R."
             70 3(rd) Bass / "Pop Goes the Weasel"
             71 Whodini / "Freaks Come Out at Night"
             72 J.J. Fad / "Supersonic"
             73 Black Sheep / "The Choice Is Yours"
             73 EPMD / "You Gots To Chill"
             75 Lil' Kim ft. Lil' Cease/ "Crush on You"
             76 Big Punisher ft. Joe/ "Still Not A Player"
             77 Cold Crush Brothers / "Cold Crush Bros. at the Dixie"
             78 Arrested Development / "Tennessee"
             79 DMX / "Ruff Ryders' Anthem (Stop Drop)"
             80 Three 6 Mafia ft. Paula Campbell/ "Hard Out Here For A
                 Pimp"
             81 PM Dawn / "Set Adrift On Memory Bliss"
             82 Chubb Rock /  "Treat 'Em Right"
             83 2 Live Crew / "Me So Horny"
             84 UTFO / "Roxanne Roxanne"
             85 Black Star / "Definition"
             86 Heavy D. and the Boyz / "Now That We Found Love"
             87 Wyclef Jean ft. Refugee All Stars /  "We Tryin' to Stay
                 Alive"
             88 Jungle Brothers / "What U Waitin' 4"
             89 Cam'ron / "Oh Boy"
             90 Pete Rock & CL Smooth / "They Reminisce Over You(T.R.O.Y)"
             91 Chamillionaire ft. Krayzie Bone / "Ridin'"
             92 Yo-Yo / "Can't Play with my Yo-Yo"
             93 N.E.R.D. ft. Lee Harvey and Vida / "Lapdance"
             94 Master P ft. Sikk, Fiend, Mia-x and Mystical /  "Make 'Em
                 Say Ugh"
             95 L'Trimm / "Cars With The Boom"
             96 DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince / "Parents Just Don't
                 Understand"
             97 Eve / "Who's that Girl"
             98 Warren G ft. Nate Dogg / "Regulate"
             99 Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz ft/ Ying Yang Twins / "Get
                 Low"
            100 Biz Markie / "Just A Friend"

SOURCE VH1

http://VH1.com

Noted Dr. Dre: "Artists and producers work hard in the studio perfecting their sound, but people can't really hear it with normal headphones. Most headphones can't handle the bass, the detail, the dynamics. Bottom line: the music doesn't move you. With Beats, people are going to hear what the artists hear and listen to the music the way they should -- the way I do."

The Quest for True High Definition Headphone Sound

After endless acoustical engineering research, Monster finally achieved the kind of rich, high definition sound Dr. Dre was seeking. By combining new advanced materials, sophisticated construction, extra large drivers, and a powerful digital amplifier, Beats(TM) By Dre(TM) deliver clear vocals, detailed highs, and super low, deep bass. Furthermore, to recreate the quietness of an isolated recording studio listening experience, they also feature powered ambient noise-isolation, allowing consumers to hear all the details and nuances in their music.

Since hearing is believing, Beats(TM) by Dr. Dre(TM) headphones are exclusively available at Apple and Best Buy, which are providing special demonstration stations at select stores that give consumers the opportunity to experience the headphones for themselves.

Beats(TM) by Dr. Dre(TM) are designed to provide maximum performance when used with all of today's portable music devices -- and they're being released just in time for use with the new Apple(R) iPhone(TM) 3G. In fact, for consumers who have an iPhone, Blackberry(R), and other music-enabled phones, Beats(TM) By Dr. Dre(TM) comes with additional Monster iSoniTalk(TM) headphone cable with integrated high grade microphone and answer button.

"Dre and I have been developing these headphones for a while and in Monster we found a partner that could work with us to crystallize his vision and develop them to the quality level he expects," said Jimmy Iovine, Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records. "Beats(TM) By Dr. Dre(TM) is yet another example of Interscope's commitment to working together with its artists in developing new avenues to experience music."

Kevin Lee, VP of Product and Marketing for Monster, noted: "After three years of hard work, we're extremely excited about launching Beats(TM) By Dr. Dre(TM). This is the most advanced headphone ever built and delivers a music experience I think people will find amazing."

Beats(TM) by Dr. Dre(TM) feature a unique stylish look and fashion, and come with a convenient, hip carrying case. The wide adjustable headband, soft plush hinged ear cups and high-quality Monster cable makes the Beats listening experience unmatched for comfort and sound.

ABOUT DR. DRE

In addition to being a multiple Grammy award winning producer, Dr. Dre is an artist who helped create groundbreaking records with the group N.W.A. and landmark multi-platinum solo albums The Chronic and Dr. Dre 2001. He is currently working on his third and final album, Detox. Dre has also shaped the careers of numerous artists including Snoop Dogg and Eminem, who is signed to Dre's record company, Aftermath Entertainment. Dre has been associated in producing countless hits for a range of artists including 50 Cent, Gwen Stefani, Mary J. Blige and Eve with a combined worldwide sales total of more than 80 million records sold over the past two decades.

ABOUT JIMMY IOVINE

Jimmy Iovine is the Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records whose artists include U2, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Gwen Stefani, Fergie, Mary J. Blige, Nelly Furtado and The Black Eyed Peas. Prior to founding Interscope in 1990, Iovine was an acclaimed record producer and engineer and was twice voted Producer of the Year by Rolling Stone magazine. He produced chart-topping albums for artists including U2, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Dire Straits, Bob Seger, Patti Smith and Stevie Nicks and engineered albums for John Lennon and Bruce Springsteen.

ABOUT MONSTER

Monster, under its Monster Cable brand, is the world's leading manufacturer of connectivity solutions for high performance audio, video, car audio, computer, console and computer gaming, professional audio and sound reinforcement. Monster, under its Monster Power(R) brand, is also the leading manufacturer of high performance AC power line conditioning and protection products for audio/video systems.

Explore the world of Monster at www.MonsterCable.com.

SOURCE: Monster

DBA Public Relations
Alison Giella, 212-388-1400
agiella@dba-pr.com
or
Daniel Graham, 415-716-2795
dgraham@monstercable.com
or
CodeBlue Media
Lori Earl, 818-704-1200
codebluemediapr@gmail.com