Ll Cool J, Neyo, And Others To Headline Oxygen Concert

NEW
YORK, February 14, 2006 — LL Cool J, Def Jam Record’s premiere
multi-platinum artist and New York City’s native son returns when
Oxygen provides viewers with a one-night performance by one of
hip-hop’s sexiest and biggest names in the “LL Cool J Custom Concert
Featuring Ne-Yo and Special Guests” airing Saturday, March 18 at
10:30p.m.  Grammy® Award winning hip-hop artist and Queens, NY native
LL Cool J will join with rising Island Def Jam R&B recording artist
Ne-Yo and other special guests to perform songs from his forthcoming
12th studio album and some of his most popular hits decided on by
Oxygen viewers in a special Friday, March 3 concert taping in New York
City.

Beginning February 17, viewers can log onto www.oxygen.com
and vote to determine the hit songs LL Cool J will perform during the
show. He will also perform selections from his latest Def Jam Records
release Todd Smith, hitting store shelves on April 25th, including his
smash single “Control Myself” which features pop songstress Jennifer
Lopez. Viewers can also submit personal questions online for LL Cool J
to answer throughout the show.
 
“We love LL Cool J because he
is a hip-hop legend and a star with a huge female fan base,” says Julie
Insogna, Senior Vice President of Talent and Music Programming for
Oxygen. “It is an honor to feature an artist who has not only been
incredibly important to hip-hop and the music industry overall, but
also appeals to women across generations.”

A Queens, NY native,
LL Cool J embarked on his rap career in 1984 at the age of 16.  LL Cool
J is a music legend who has remained an innovator in the hip-hop and
rap genres for over 20 years. He is also a two-time Grammy® Award
winner in the “Best Solo Rap Performance” category for his hits “Mama
Said Knock You Out” and “Hey Lover.” LL Cool J extended his talents to
acting in recent years, appearing in his own sitcom, over 20 films and
making memorable television guest appearances.  His credits include his
mid-90s sitcom “In The House,” the hit action feature “SWAT,” the
romantic comedy “Deliver Us From Eva,” FOX’s “House,” and most
recently, the hit comedy “Last Holiday” with Queen Latifah. LL Cool J’s
12th studio album Todd Smith debuts on April 25th.
     
Island
Def Jam’s newest R&B addition, Ne-Yo began his career as a
songwriter providing songs for such accomplished performers as
Destiny’s Child, Mary J. Blige, and Faith Evans. He also wrote Mario’s
2005 breakout hit “Let Me Love You,” which went on to become one of the
most played records in radio airplay history. Currently #3 on the
Billboard Music charts for his single “So Sick,” Ne-Yo’s debut album In
My Own Words is in stores now.