Island Def Jam Music, Brilliant Digital Entertainment and Digital HipHop Release Ja Rule's ''6 Feet Underground'' 3-D Interactive Animated Online Music Video

"Def Jam's agreement with Digital HipHop is just part of a strategy to help further broaden the appeal of our artists over the Internet," stated Lyor Cohen, president of The Island Def Jam Music Group. "Their innovative 3-D programming provides a valuable opportunity for music fans to connect with our artists in a very different and exciting way.

"Def Jam has long been a leader in the arena, and we are committed to consistently upping the ante in terms of what defines the musical experience for the new millennium."

The "webeo" will be distributed on selected sites via Brilliant's online syndication network, which reaches more than 300 sites including VH-1, Yahoo!, Warner Bros. On-line, Roadrunner, USA Networks and Lycos.

The "webeo" is interactive, challenging visitors to locate objects. By interacting with the animated music video the viewer can win a bevy of Ja Rule branded merchandise including, CD's, posters and framed autographed pictures.

Digital HipHop has commenced production on soon-to-be-released Island Def Jam titles: Ludacris, "Ho"; Redman & Lady Luck, "Come and Get It." The format for these videos will include 3-D animation with interactivity in fluid, real-time streaming audio and video with additional e-commerce and promotional components.

Regarding the joint venture agreement with Digital HipHop, Simmons stated, "Stan and I chose to work with Brilliant Digital because they're well established, and they're leaders in the development of 3-D animation. Marrying their technology with our creative team will put us firmly in the center of young american culture. We intend to create the animated heroes of the future."

Lathan continued, "Digital HipHop will offer users on the Internet a new level of participation by allowing them to move and interact in a breathtaking 3-D environment. The Brilliant Digital technology also allows us to render material at a quality suitable for broadcast television."

Kevin Bermeister, president of Brilliant, said, "This reflects the future for music programming on the Web. Online communities are actively seeking interactive experiences along the lines that we are creating. The Ja Rule `webeo' is a lot of fun and we can only see these getting better with each successive production. We are very happy to be working with the folks at Def Jam, they go out of their way to bring artists together with their fans using the Web."

About Island Def Jam Music Group

The Island Def Jam Music Group consists of three separate and distinct labels, Island Records, Def Jam Records and Def Soul Records. The Island Def Jam Music Group's artist roster includes such acts as Bon Jovi, DMX, Ja Rule, Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Lucinda Williams, Melissa Etheridge, Mikaila, PJ Harvey, Shelby Lynne, Sisqo and Willie Nelson, among others.

Def Jam Records (and its associated labels Rock-A-Fella and Murder Inc.) is home to top artists such as LL Cool J, Jay-Z, DMX, Foxy Brown and more. Def Jam is the rap and hip hop arm of The Island Def Jam Music Group, which is part of the Universal Music Group. Def Jam, combined with its R&B arm, Def Soul, has the highest market share of urban music in the United States. The Island Def Jam Music Group itself is one of the top label groups within the Universal Music Group.

About Digital HipHop

Brilliant Digital Entertainment, Russell Simmons and his partner, Stan Lathan, established Digital HipHop as a joint venture studio for the creation of Internet content. Together the studio will produce and distribute full screen music content for deployment on the Web, utilizing a five year Alpha level license to Brilliant Digital's b3d production tool suite. The studio is based in Los Angeles and headed by Stan Lathan.

Stan Lathan is widely recognized as a leading producer and director of cutting edge, urban entertainment. He is the executive producer and director of "The Steve Harvey Show." He co-created and executive produced "Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam" for HBO. Lathan also directed the pilots for such series as, "Moesha," "The Parkers," "Martin," "South Central," and many others.