PRIORITY IN "TRAINING"
FOR HIT SOUNDTRACK

While Denzel Washington plays a corrupt LAPD nar-cotics detective in the new movie Training Day, Priority Records Sr. VP Promotion Tom Maffei calls the album "the best hip-hop soundtrack since Deep Cover 10 years ago." Washington's first performance as a villain has already generated Oscar talk.

Overseen by Priority VP/East Coast GM David Ehrlich and music supervisor John Houlihan, the soundtrack's spotlight cuts include Nelly's "#1" and Pharoahe Monch's "F*** You," both accompanied by videos featuring film footage. In addition, Dr. Dre & DJ Quik's "Put It On Me," already garnering West Coast radio play, can be heard here. The album also includes new tracks recorded especially for the movie by P. Diddy/David Bowie (a new version of the latter's "This Is Not America"), Gang Starr, Cypress Hill/Kokane, C-Murder/Trick Daddy, the Neptunes and the L.O.X. In addition, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Macy Gray all have acting cameos in the movie.

Ehrlich said he thought the soundtrack was a great fit for Priority, given the label's history of politically charged rap and the film's L.A. location: "It was a good marketing match. I was intrigued by the script, and when Denzel became attached, that piqued my interest even more. We approached artists who could write songs appropriate to the subject matter and even participate in the filming. The music was vital in telling the story and creating the film's ambience. The movie helps sell the music on the soundtrack and vice versa. It's a real marriage."

"The majority of the soundtrack is prominently featured in the movie," added Maffei. "Every artist who saw it wanted to be involved and the nature of the content really inspired their contributions."

The film's release date was pushed back from Sept. 21 to Oct. 5, but that hasn't prevented the soundtrack, which hit retail shelves Sept. 11, from starting to sell, though Maffei says the real radio and advertising push will come after the movie's premiere next Friday. Radio and TV spots all prominently tag the film's soundtrack.

Nelly's "#1" is a huge hit at both R&B and Rhythm Crossover radio, with a Top 40 push up next. There are two separate versions of the video, one incorporating film footage and one without, the latter of which will be premiered on MTV's TRL today. Because the film is rated R, the video with film excerpts will only be played by MTV after 10 p.m., though the one without movie highlights will be programmed in all day parts. View the clip, currently getting exposure in all day parts at BET, by clicking here. The song has already garnered a listening audience of more than 30 million, according to Maffei.

Pharoahe Monch's song is also available in a clean version (where it's dubbed "Got You"), with an accompanying video that can be seen here. It is currently airing on BET and will bow on MTV's DFX next week. The Training Day trailer can be accessed here.