RUSSELL SIMMONS' BRILLIANT WEB CAREER

Internet content provider and converging media developer Brilliant Digital Entertainment (BDE) has teamed with Russell Simmons' hip-hop Web site 360HIPHOP.com to establish a joint venture studio to produce 3-D and 2-D hip-hop content for www.360hiphop.com and its affiliated Web sites. Using BDE's production tools and B3D Internet format, the L.A.-based studio will be the first dedicated to producing hip-hop content for Internet and broadband distribution.

Through this venture, BDE will extend its animation technology into the world of music video. B3D will most likely lead to the creation of a branded player that allows Web viewers to collect and view digital animations of their favorite artists. Simmons says, "This venture is going to rock the foundations of the world of urban content and music video on the Web. BD3 is to video what MP3 is to music. So we're looking forward to controversial litigation as our initial PR strategy." Long-time Simmons associate and 360HIPHOP.com advisor Stan Lathan will head the studio.

And you thought Ol' Dirty Bastard was already a cartoon character.