NBA ALL STAR NICK VAN EXEL LAUNCHES RAPROCK RECORDS/FILMS CO-CEO/RAPPER, SMOOT, EMERGES AS DEBUT ARTIST WITH HIP HOP STORY: THA MOVIE & SOUNDTRACK AS FIRST RELEASE

Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur, DMX, Notorious B.I.G., Xzibit and Method Man are just a Sprinkling of the Hip Hop Stars featured in Hip Hop Story: Tha Movie / Soundtrack

Demonstrating the same drive, ambition and energy we've witnessed on the court, NBA All star, Nick Van Exel has launched RapRock Records/Films, with the May 28, 2002 release date for one of hip hop's most anticipated film, Hip-Hop Story: Tha Movie, (RapRock/Urban Works/Ventura Distribution) on DVD/VHS, accompanied by the Hip-Hop Story soundtrack on RapRock/Bungalo Records which is exclusively distributed by Universal Music and Video Distribution.

Chronicling the trials, tribulations and triumphs of hip hop in the aftermath of Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G. and Eazy E, the project features some of the biggest names in hip hop including Snoop Dogg, DMX, Shaquille O'Neal, Ice Cube, P-Diddy, Warren G and Cash Money Millionaires. Rapper, co-CEO and executive producer, Smoot makes his performance debut in Hip Hop Story, positioning himself for a future solo release on the label entitled, S.M.O.O.T.

Hip-Hop Story: Tha Movie is an unprecedented delivery of dynamic performances, dazzling audio and visual entertainment along with in-depth artists interviews. An insider's peak is provided into the life and times of the biggest players in the hip hop industry. Explains Van Exel, "I've learned from basketball that strategy is everything. Therefore, I wanted to take a different approach with the launching of my company. Instead of just putting a new artist out there, we wanted to create the proper environment for his release. Hip-Hop Story: Tha Movie/Soundtrack positions Smoot within the realm of powerful industry insiders who provide a candid perspective on the past, present and future of the culture. He therefore becomes not a newcomer, but an instant player!"

Adds co-CEO, Smoot, "RapRock Records has been in the making for several years now. We've had a well-executed plan to impact the market in a certain way. With the release of Hip-Hop Story: Tha Movie/ Soundtrack, we're positioning our label as a long term winner in the hip hop game."