DJ Hero is a video game that was made by FreeStyleGames and Activision. The game features a turntable with buttons that acts as the controller. The objective of the game is to “scratch” and mix music when in order to match the beats. There is music and avatars in the game featured that include Eminem, Jay-Z, DJ Shadow, Z-Trip, DJ AM, Cut Chemist, J.Period, Grandmaster Flash, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Daft Punk. The game is actually dedicated to DJ AM who passed away earlier this year.

Eminem and Jay-Z both worked as consultants for the game. In return the gaming companies dedicated an edition for the two rappers called the Renegade Edition. The Renegade Edition features unreleased singles and tracks by the two rappers. Above is a video of Eminem behind the scenes discussing the game.

DJ Shadow has made an agreement with Universal Music Group to sell his whole digital and physical catalog through his website. Through this deal DJ Shadow will be able to maintain artist independence and Universal Music Group will be able to keep their artist happy.

“Obviously, there are plenty of artists with digital-download stores, but Universal has never done this before,” stated DJ Shadow.  DJ Shadow is also known as Josh Davis.  “The store is basically a break-even proposition. But I want to take care of people from the moment they click on the site to the moment they leave. And now if you are a major-label artist, you can do it, too. We have all the contracts in place.”

The DJ Shadow website will be redesigned and will have major content updates.  There will be two new sections called “Guide to Collect DJ Shadow” and “DJ Shadow Handmade Series.”  DJ Shadow is also going to be featured in the DJ Hero game.

[via Wired]

DJ Hero is going to be one of the most exciting games to play when it launches. Jay-Z and Eminem have agreed to have their beats and names used in the game and the controller pictured below feels like a real turntable (pictured below). Now there is an official trailer for the game and it is embedded above. I need to get myself this game when it comes out.