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MUSIC BITS: Roots' two-nighter in NY; Randolph Band at 'Superfly'; new Peas EP; Snoop's pet products; Diddy revamps 'Sean John.'
*The Roots will host a two-night concert event May 18-19 at New York's Radio City Music Hall. Nas, Common and Talib Kweli will join the group on the first night, while Erykah Badu, Mos Def, J. Davey and Angelique Kidjo will work the second gig. Other special guests are also expected. A portion of ticket sales will benefit the family of hip-hop producer and Slum Village founding member Jay Dee (aka J. Dilla), who died last month of complications from lupus.
*Robert Randolph and the Family Band will perform May 6 at the ninth annual 'Superfly During Jazzfest' concert series. The event will run concurrently with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival from April 28 to May 6 at such New Orleans venues as the Maple Leaf Bar, the Republic and the newly renovated Contemporary Arts Center. Other confirmed acts include The Meters, Galactic and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.
*The Black Eyed Peas have released an eight-song EP, "Renegotiations: The Remix," exclusively via Apple's iTunes Music Store. A seven-song version will be available at retail outlets on Tuesday (March 28), according to BEP's Web site.
*Snoop Dogg signed a worldwide licensing agreement with JAKKS Pacific to launch a line of pet products, including leashes, apparel, treats, toys and beds for dogs. "Snoop Dogg's love goes beyond people -- it is for living creatures throughout the universe," the rapper said. "How can I be Snoop Dogg and not show my love for pets?" Jennifer Richmond, senior vice president of licensing and media for JAKKS Pacific, Inc., says the line will be available at mass retailers and pet superstores later this year. "Our team is really excited to develop and market what we expect will be an urban and edgy line," she said.
*Sean “Diddy” Combs has temporarily discontinued the upscale line of women’s clothing from Sean John in favor of a less expensive line designed to attract younger female consumers. According to the New York Post, the rap mogul teamed with G-III Apparel Group for the revamped line, now called Sean Jean Women's. "We look forward to re-entering [the upscale] market at a future date," a Sean John rep stated.
*Former boxing champ Mike Tyson will host an album launch party in Brighton, England tonight for his good friend, Mark “The Mack” Morrison. The singer’s publicist tells Contact Music, "They're old friends. Mark heard that Mike was in the UK, and seeing as they were going to hook up anyway he asked him to help out with the party. I'm not sure exactly how they know each other but apparently they go way back." Ironically, both buddies have criminal records. Morrison was jailed in 1998 for sending an imposter to do his community service. Tyson received a six-year prison bid for the rape of Miss Black Rhode Island, Desiree Washington, in 1992.
