Def Jam Rapstar To Be Distributed By Konami, First Tracks Announced

This morning, Konami announced that it will be distributing a new hip-hop interactive music title, Def Jam Rapstar. The game is being created through a partnership between 4mm Games, Terminal Reality, and Def Jam Interactive. While the game will feature the karaoke-style gameplay you’d expect, 4mm and Def Jam have bigger ambitions for the title, which they hope will be a springboard for aspiring hip-hop artists across the globe.

“Hip-hop is a global phenomenon that has permeated pop culture to become the most important youth movement of our generation. We are proud to deliver the first authentic Hip-hop music experience to gamers that will undoubtedly change the way music games are played,” stated Kevin Liles, President and CEO of Def Jam Enterprises. “It is an incredible opportunity to work with 4mm Games and Terminal Reality in developing Def Jam Rapstar, and by partnering with Konami we ensure that everyone around the world will have an opportunity to compete with the best of the best. So show us what you got!”

To this end, the game will allow users to become the star of the game by uploading videos of themselves rhyming (shot via the console cameras available for Xbox 360 and PS3) to the community section on the game’s website. Most impressively, the game will offer a host of exclusive instrumental tracks produced by some of hip-hop’s leading producers for users to freestyle over.

For gamers with less than perfect rhyme skills, the main portion of the game will feature a host of classic and new rap hits, with scrolling lyrics and a “bouncing ball” guide to help you with the phrasing. Def Jam Rapstar is scheduled to be release this fall.

We recently had a chance to talk with 4mm Games’ chief creative officer and co-founder Jamie King about Def Jam Rapstar and the company’s new partnership with Konami.

You just announced your partnership with Konami. How did that come about and why did you feel that Konami is a good fit for Def Jam Rapstar?
Jamie King: 
Some mutual friends introduced us to a few key people over at Konami, and from there we began talking with them about our vision and goal for Def Jam Rapstar. Konami has a history in the music and rhythm game space from DDR and Karaoke Revolution, so they understand what it takes to launch something like Def Jam Rapstar into the public, and that’s why we felt partnering with them on Def Jam Rapstar made sense.

Obviously, Def Jam is the most legendary company in hip hop history. What are some of the artists and songs they’ve been able to help you secure for the game?
Jamie King: 
Kevin [Kevin Liles, President of Def Jam Enterprises – Ed.] and his team have been incredible at locking in music. Today we confirmed 10 of the 40-plus tracks in the game, with artists and songs like Lil’ Wayne’s “A Milli”, Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy”, 50 Cent’s “I Get Money”, Wu Tang Clan’s “C.R.E.A.M.”, 2 Pac’s “I Get Around”, Dr. Dre’s “Nuthin’ but a G Thang”, Young Jeezy’s “Put On” and more. That’s some powerful music by some amazing artists right there, and that’s just in the first 10 songs we're announcing!

Here are all the tracks that have been announced so far:

2 Pac – “I Get Around”
50 Cent – “I Get Money”
Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg – “Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang”
Kanye West feat. Jaime Foxx – “Gold Digger”
Lil’ Wayne – “A Milli”
Notorious B.I.G. – “Juicy”
Slick Rick – “Children’s Story”
T.I. feat. Rhianna – “Live Your Life”
Wu-Tang Clan – “C.R.E.A.M.”
Young Jeezy feat. Kanye West – “Put On”