America Online Debuts New Summer Jams from Hip-Hop Heroes; Nelly and 213 Reveal Their Newest Songs Exclusively Through AOL First Listen

Business Wire, June 7, 2004

Entertainment Editors/Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 7, 2004

It's getting hot on AOL(R) Music as America Online, the world's leading interactive services company, today announced that two of the most anticipated Hip-Hop songs of the summer are debuting exclusively for AOL(R) members at AOL(R) Keyword: First Listen. Available today, AOL members can be the first to hear the song "Groupie Luv," by 213, featuring Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg and Warren G. Then tomorrow, the reigning king of summer anthems, Nelly, will offer up his next surefire hit with a First Listen debut of the single, "Flap Your Wings."

"We are thrilled that Nelly, Snoop and their respective labels chose our First Listen program to unveil their newest work to the world," said Evan Harrison, Vice President and General Manager of AOL Music. "Both songs are unique in their own right, and will certainly speak to millions of music fans on AOL."

Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg and Warren G originally formed 213 as teenagers, prior to establishing their renowned solo careers. The group's name, 213, comes from the area code of their hometown, Long Beach, CA. Beginning today, AOL Music will exclusively premiere 213's first music in over a decade, titled "Groupie Luv." The song is the first single from the group's highly anticipated debut full-length album, The Hard Way, scheduled for release on August 10 on TVT Records. "Groupie Luv" will be available exclusively on AOL for 24 hours.

AOL members that eagerly look to Septmember's same day release of two new Nelly albums, titled Sweat and Suit, can check out AOL tomorrow for the debut the St. Louis rapper's brand new single. Having exclusively premiered "Hot in Herre," in the summer of 2002, AOL Music will be the first place for Nelly fans to hear the multi-platinum selling artist's latest summer jam, "Flap Your Wings." Following up his previous string of hits, including "Shake Ya Tailfeather," "Hot In Herre" and "Ride Wit Me," "Flap Your Wings" is the first single from Sweat, and will be available exclusively on AOL for 24 hours. Both of the anticipated albums will be released on September 14th from Universal Records.

The First Listen program features the debuts of the most eagerly anticipated songs by the biggest names in music, before they are available anywhere else. Since the program's launch in January 2002, AOL members have had the first opportunity to hear exclusive world premieres from top artists across various musical genres, including hit songs from Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, Usher, Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay, 50 Cent, Dixie Chicks, Beyonce and more. AOL Music's First Listen received the first annual MidemNet Innovation Award in January 2003. The prestigious award was established by Midem, which is recognized as the world's leading international music market, to honor the most innovative marketing program in the digital music industry.

AOL Music reaches the largest audience of online music fans in the world through a rich array of programming, products and services that make it easy to discover, experience, listen to and buy music online. Each month, the network of AOL Music channels reaches an audience of over 17 million visitors who stream up to four million songs and videos every day(1). AOL Music's offerings, which include AOL(R) for Broadband features such as Broadband Rocks(TM) weekly concert series and Sessions@AOL Full Set, are available as part of the number one Internet music destination(2), the AOL Music Channel, and throughout AOL's family of Web brands including Netscape(R), CompuServe(R), AIM(R), ICQ(R), Winamp(R) and SHOUTcast(R).

About America Online

America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.

(1) AOL Music Network includes the AOL Music Channel, Winamp.com, Netscape Music and Radio@Netscape, AOL.com Music, SHOUTCAST.com, Compuserve Music and ICQ Music.

(2) comScore MediaMetrix, April 2004