The benefits? He's also going to be releasing songs from his "impressive catalog of hits" on Rock Band.

The TV show, called Dogg After Dark, will feature interviews, sketch-comedy and musical performances. It has been picked up for a seven week run on Tuesdays and will also feature Dogg's in-house band, the Snoopeadelics.

"When Van Toffler and I sat down Boss to Boss, a global quintuple threat takeover was masterminded. As the world of entertainment keeps changing, we felt it was the right time to let Snoop Dogg back on MTV so we could continue to run thangs with music, movies, DVDs and bring Hip-Hop to Rock Band." said Snoop Dogg. "So screw ya wigz on tight and tune in on Tuesday nights for the first step to the next level of Snoop D-O double G. Dogg after Dark is the only nightclub tv show hosted by you know who. So take a journey with me through the mind, body, soul and musical mindstate of the most prolific, authentic game spitter. And tha sh*t is funny, so show me da money!"

Unfortunately, while the release goes into quite a bit of detail about the show, it doesn't say much at all about the Rock Band deal.

MTV AND SNOOP DOGG GET DOWN TO BUSINESS; UNPRECEDENTED DEAL CROSSES THE GLOBE WITH TV, ROCK BAND® AND NEW MUSIC [Thanks to everyone for the heads up]

That video up there, not suitable for work.

Snoop Dogg made my day last week when he took the few moments in the day that the English language is actually on Dutch television and made it hilarious. Unfortunately, this week Snoop got some bad PR after almost pulling out of a UNICEF charity event because there was no Xbox in his dressing room:

Despite receiving a reported $150,000 fee to appear, Snoop demanded his 10-strong entourage were flown to New York first-class and wanted extra perks. It is claimed the controversial star then threatened to pull out because the games console wasn't in his dressing room.

An insider told the New York Post newspaper: "He insisted on having an Xbox in his dressing room. We finally found someone who lent us their kids' Xbox."

Snoop was also reportedly an hour late getting onto the stage because he was too busy playing. Still, that's better than how the Pussycat Dolls faired when one of the members of the group thanked "Unicel" instead of UNICEF. Nice. Kim Phu

Snoop Dogg's Xbox Demands [Easier]

And our in-depth Snoop Dogg coverage continues. N.Y. Yankees Johnny Damon and rapper Snoop Dogg met up during Super Bowl weekend to smoke prodigious amounts of pot play some Madden and raise money for charity. Watch the clip for the mildly exciting conclusion! Brian Ashcraft

Because we can never have too much about Snoop Dogg.

Hip Hop Gaming League commissioner Dogg will be facing off against Pro Baseball Gaming League commissioner Johnny Damon to raise money for their bitches charity of choice.

The Hip Hop Gaming Leagues' Battle of the Commissioners will take place during the Super Bowl Weekend in Miami, Florida and it has nothing to do with getting Snoop free tickets to the big game.

Snoop is playing for the Snoop Youth Football League, and Damon is playing for The Wounded Warrior Project. MLB.com has added $10,000.00 in prize money for the charities — the winner's charity gets $7000, the loser's gets $3,000.

Gamertag Radio will be covering the event live from Miami. Brian Crecente

Hip Hop Gaming League Super Bowl Event In Miami, FL [Gamertag Radio]

Thirty two straight ballers from the hip-hop game and professional sports will be competing in the star-studded tournament for "bragging rights and bling" in EA's NCAA Football 07 for the Xbox 360. The HHGL commish may also throw in a couple more games like Saints Row and NBA 2K7 to mix it up. The series will culminate with the HHGL finals in Vegas on February 16th.

They'll also be competing against the public, taking on Xbox Live scrubs to earn "gaming street cred". You can check the full release after the jump for more ridiculous quotes about millionaires playing video games as if it all meant something, and where you can watch further coverage of this fantastic series of events! Michael McWhertor

GGL and Snoop Dogg Kick Off Season 2 of the Hip-Hop Gaming League

Thirty-Two Hip-Hop Icons and Pro Sports Celebrities Compete Online in an All-Star Battle Royale; GGL Gamers Compete to Win a Seat at the Star-Studded Finals in Las Vegas

MTV, Spike TV, Vibe Magazine and AOL to Broadcast and Promote HHGL Matches and Content

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ — After a wildly successful first season, the GGL and hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg today announced the official start of the Hip-Hop Gaming League (HHGL) Season 2 — an online gaming tournament featuring 32 of the biggest names in hip-hop and professional sports competing for bragging rights and bling. This season, registered GGL members can also get in on the action, competing in a parallel league for a chance to go to the HHGL Finals on February 16, 2007 in Las Vegas. Tournament registration is open now at http://www.hhgl.com .

Snoop Dogg, the Commissioner of the HHGL, hand-picked the Season 2 celebrity roster based on their video game skills and prominence in the hip-hop community. Returning players from Season 1 include Eric V, B-Real, Paul Wall, David Banner, Murs, Krazie Bone, Fredwreck, Just Blaze, Jalen Rose (Phoenix Suns) and Cobi Jones (Los Angeles Galaxy). Joining them are Yung Joc, Rick Ross, Lupe Fiasco, Lil Wayne, Birdman, DJ Maseo of De La Soul, Malice and Pusha T of 'The Clipse', DJ Revolution, Xololanxinxo, Lil Keke, Hi-Tek, Big Pooh, Warren G, Jibbs, Wish Bone, Layzie Bone, Aaron McGruder (Boondocks creator), Brandon Marshall (Denver Broncos), Darnell Bing (Oakland Raiders), Trevor Ariza (Orlando Magic) and Michael Robinson (San Francisco 49ers).

"Yo, the HHGL is slammin' this season, with some of the baddest gamers in hip-hop and pro sports," said Snoop Dogg. "This time around, the fans are gonna get into the game, going up against superstars like my main man Eric V, B-Real, David Banner, Lupe Fiasco, Lil Wayne, Warren G, Cobi Jones and so many other brothas I can't even give 'em all shout-outs. Just play the game, ya dig?"

Each HHGL celebrity player will be outfitted with an Xbox 360 and EA Sports' NCAA 07 Football, and will battle each other on the virtual gridiron to gain points and advance up the tournament ladder. Additional games, such as THQ's Saint's Row, EA Sports' Madden NFL 07, ESPN's NFL 2K7 or NBA 2K7, or others, may be added at the sole discretion of the Commissioner to spice up the league. HHGL2 celebrities also have the option to cross over and challenge the public to earn extra points and gaming street cred.

"If you want to compete against the best gamers in hip-hop and pro sports, you've got to bring your A-game or just go home," said Ted Owen, Chairman and Founder of the GGL. "Hip-hop music, celebrities, the Internet and gaming are driving and defining the alternative-to-mainstream culture for 14 to 34-year-olds today. It's tough to know which has more influence, but by bringing them all together, the GGL is at the epicenter of this cultural revolution."

Returning from Season 1, MTV will promote HHGL throughout the season, providing continuous coverage of the tournament online at http://games.mtv.com. The network previewed HHGL Season 2 during its Gamer's Week 2.0, November 13-17, 2006 with appearances by Snoop Dogg, Li'l Wayne, Lupe Fiasco and others. MTV viewers and GGL gamers will compete online for a chance to move into the playoffs and live finals event.

Spike TV's weekly Game Head program will also cover the Season 2 action and run special on-air and online segments leading up to the HHGL Finals. In addition, the HHGL Finals will be the focal point of a future Game Head episode in early March. Game Head is dedicated to everything that is happening in the world of video games. From the latest reviews, cheat codes, rumor reports, the hottest games and gaming events of the week, Game Head offers viewers an uncompromised look at the hardcore culture of video games. SpikeTV.com will also link to the HHGL Website so that Spike viewers can easily enter the tournament on http://www.hhgl.com .

GGL and AOL are extending their media partnership to cover HHGL Season 2. Beginning in mid-January, visitors to the co-branded GameDaily site (http://www.gamedaily.com/global-gaming-league ) will have access to in-depth HHGL Season 2 coverage and video features while offering gamers an opportunity to play one of HHGL's celebrities as part of the "HHGL Nite" each Wednesday.

Additional HHGL Season 2 coverage will be provided by GGL's new magazine partner Vibe Magazine and its affiliates at Vibe.com, MyVibe TV and Vibe on Demand on Comcast.

The HHGL finals hosted by Snoop Dogg, will feature two HHGL semi-final matches, the HHGL championship match, and a VIP exhibition tournament. Afterwards, all HHGL finalists and assorted VIPs will join Snoop and his crew for the HHGL Season 2 wrap party featuring live performances by the
biggest names in hip-hop.

For additional information, tournament rules or to sign up for the public HHGL tournament, please visit http://www.hhgl.com .

About GGL
GGL is the leading media company dedicated to expanding and delivering the culture of videogaming to a worldwide audience. Formerly known as the Global Gaming League, GGL engages its growing, global community of loyal videogame enthusiasts via its state-of-the-art online gaming network, its year-round live videogame tournaments and events, celebrity leagues such as the Hip-Hop Gaming League and the Professional Baseball Gaming League, and broad array of gaming-oriented content, technologies and services. These offerings put the GGL at the epicenter of the online gaming universe, creating an immersive, 360-degree entertainment experience for a rapidly growing community of connected gamers. For more information, visit http://www.ggl.com .

Fear & Respect was an "innovative action adventure game" that was to be a collaboration between Boyz N The Hood director John Singleton and rapper Snoop Dogg. In short, it was Midway's Grand Theft Auto. The game has since been canned.

Why?

"Because we have enough data-points to know the hood thing is basically dead," says Midway's chief marketing officer Steve Allison. "It would be dead before it came out," he continues. "And you don't want to come out on a dead vibe."

Ironic, because bother Snoop and Singleton have made a career off of that "dead vibe." Midway continues to work with Snoop Dogg and the filmmaker on a new game that isn't in the "hood" genre, but most likely something else entirely. Two words: rainbows and unicorns. Brian Ashcraft

Interview Here [Gamasutra] via Eurogamer

As if Snoop Dogg needed more cash or exposure, MTV has signed on to help promote the Hip-Hop Gaming League. MTV will be promoting the league, created by Snoop Dogg, through on-air and online shows and web updates.

How's this for a study in opposites:

"Who else could do it this big other than MTV, Snoop Dogg and Xbox Live," said Snoop Dogg. "How bout dat, ya dig?" "We're thrilled to partner with the Hip-Hop Gaming League as it brings a whole new level of visibility to the world of organized video game competitions," stated Salli Frattini, senior vice president, executive in charge of production. "Working with the HHGL allows us to present some of our audience's passions across MTV's multiple platforms by bringing together some of the biggest names in hip-hop to test their competitive skills on some of their favorite video games."

HHGL members includes: Paul Wall, Just Blaze, Twista, David Banner, Krayzie Bone of Grammy winners Bone-Thugs-n-Harmony, MLS Star Cobi Jones, Murs, Kaine of the Ying Yang Twins, NBA Star Jalen Rose, Fredwreck, BReal of Cypress Hill, Eric V. of the Baka Boyz and Method Man. To get in you had to have game skillz (TM), some major hip-hop pull and, at least in Snoop Dogg's case, at least a dozen "hos" at your beck and call.

The group will be having their "finals" on May 13 in L.A, which is the Saturday after E3 wraps up. The live event will feature the players and live musical performances.

This is exactly the opposite of what I hoped would happen with pro-gaming. These celebrity train wrecks need to come after a single league is established, or better still, these guys should compete against real players instead of playing around with their famous friends.