Root's group member Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson is making his first foray onto the small screen and has signed on to be Music Supervisor for "Street Time," an original series on Showtime.

"As a big fan of Street Time, it's a thrill to be able to bring my talent to the show," Thompson. "This is the perfect situation for me to get involved in television. What the producers want is to authenticate the sound to reflect a real street feeling and that's what we plan to do. Street Time will sound like no other show."

Black Thought will make an appearance in episode three in the upcoming season of "Street Time."

The rapper, who is making his television acting debut, will star as a parolee struggling with the strict terms of his probation.

The series premieres Wednesday, August 6 at 10:00 PM ET/PT.

________________________________Veteran rapper LL Cool J has re-signed with Def Jam Records, it was announced today by Def Jam Founder Russell Simmons and Chairman Lyor Cohen.

LL, who has been with the label since it was founded by Rick Rubin and Simmons in the early 80's, had been shopping other deals asking for a purported $20 million dollars.

"When LL Cool J put out his first single on the independent record label Def Jam, the whole hip-hop movement was viewed as a passing trend that many said would sell a few records, but would never succeed in the long run, Simmons said.

"LL Cool J is a shining example of the longevity and power of hiphop In fact, he is the embodiment of hiphop He is one of the architects of the Def Jam culture. I am privileged to work with a man who is both a pioneer and a legend."

LL, who has sold over 20 million records for Def Jam, said that he was proud to re-sign with the label.

"We paved the way for an entire Hip Hop community and I am blessed to continue to call Def Jam my home."

"The entire Island Def Jam family is thrilled to have the opportunity to continue working with such a visionary and charismatic talent as LL Cool J," Cohen added. "There simply would be no Def in Def Jam without him."

___________________________________
Jay Z`s last album "The Black Album" will have 12 tracks by 12 producers. They are untitled for now, but this is the producers that will make them

1. Neptunes
2. Just Blaze
3. Dr Dre
4. Dj Premier
5. Rick Rubin
6. Swizz Beats
7. Kanye West
8. Track Masters
9. Eminem
10. Dj Quik
11. Ski
12. Timbaland

The album will be released on 11/28-03.....