TOPAZ STUDIOS, INC. LAUNCHES UNIQUE VARIETY TELEVISION SHOW FOR INDEPENDENT ARTISTS

Unique variety show gives independent artists exposure in nightclubs and on television. Now independent artists have access to the greatest resource in the advancement of their career, television.

FORT LAUDERDALE, August 3 -- Topaz Studios, Inc. launches the Hip-Hop Drive Urban Music Variety Television Showcase, dubbed the 'Hip-Hop Unplugged Tour to give independent artists tour exposure in nightclubs and on television. The tour kicks off in Hollywood, Florida on August 16th at Club Deco Drive on Harrison Street with each show being videotaped for broadcast on select cable channels. The tour is slated to hit popular nightclubs in major cities across the United States, with each city showcasing some of its most popular independent artists. The ongoing showcase will feature independent artists and groups that largely fall into the Hip-Hop, R&B, and Rap music categories with some Reggae and Caribbean artists performing as well. The artists chosen to perform on the tour are selected based on the quality of their music as judged by the Hip-Hop Drive internal A&R staff, the demonstration of their professionalism and readiness to advance to the next level, the popularity of their songs at online services such as the MP3.com music website, and the dynamics of live show performances.

The tour will kick off with South Floridas very own Kedash as the featured artist (www.mp3.com/kedash). This R&B diva enjoys a loyal fan base on-line and among South Floridas club goers. Her current CD 'Real Life Situations boasts a distinctive sound with influences from Mary J. Blige and Whitney Houston. Other featuring acts at the event include White Russian who is a Hip-Hop artist with the University of Miami Hip-Hop Club along with the Hip-Hop group ProFresh of Florida International University (www.mp3.com/umhiphopclub). Also performing on the show will be the popular South Florida Hip-Hop/Rap group Suai Bridge. Suai Bridge has developed quite a following with their music being played on local mainstream radio and their song "My Miami" selected as the opening song at the Miami Heat games. Suai Bridge is also in negotiations with a number of major record labels for the record deal that best suits them. Heating up the set will also be the Miami-Latin rap group The Pocalik Klan (www.mp3.com/ThePocalikKlan). This 5-member rap group of Latin decent has been featured on the local Fox TV affiliate entertainment program Deco Drive and in the local entertainment magazine Street Miami. Other acts performing at the inaugural show include Krush, F.C.J., Lady Dice, Yisro, Young Money Makers and Gabriel. The emceed for the evening will be comedian Benji Brown who has appeared on BETs comic view and numerous other engagements.

David Johnson, A&R manager with the show says that This tour will give independent artists that extra exposure that is required to attract major label attention and build a solid fan base by placing them in front of thousands of new fans that turn out or tune-in to watch the shows." David Johnson further provides that This is a show whose time has come for the independent artist. We have been offered a deal to provide content for a national cable and satellite network on a weekly basis. We have also been approached by major promotion consultants who want to provide strong independent and newly signed major label artists with that extra exposure that only television can provide." Tickets to see the inaugural show are available at the Club Deco Drive box office on the day of the event for $12 each or $10 in advance thru the See-U-There on-line event management and ticketing service at express.seeuthere.com.

HipHopDrive.com is presently accepting applications from Hip-Hop, R&B, Rap, Reggae and Caribbean artists from around the United States that wish to be a part of this unique tour. The showcase will offer independent artist the opportunity to perform at nightclubs and appear on the television shows that are created from the nightclub performances. Artists will also be given a chance to sell their CDs and merchandise via the HipHopDrive.com website and will have their videotaped performances submitted to record label execs for review. Initial venues for the tour will cover the state of Florida with the tours road trip direction from there being determined by the submissions received from artists around the country. Artists wishing to sign up for consideration and possible inclusion in the tour can visit the HipHopDrive.com website or call the artist Hot-Line at (954) 337-0301.

Companies wishing to support the tour will be provided with several online and offline promotions, including an innovative email campaign designed to reach thousands of internet users. Additionally, multimedia CDs featuring the music and video of artists on the tour will be made available. Music fans can listen to great music from selected artists on MP3.com and view a customized page on the HipHipDrive.com website that will serve as the hub of activity for the Hip-Hop Drive Television Show at www.HipHopDrive.com or email: info@hiphopdrive.com.