Disney's L.A.-based label, Hollywood Records, part of Disney's Buena Vista Music Group|, has moved into the genres of hip-hop and R&B. They signed female R&B singer Sy Smith, male rapper O, and male duo Dittamo & Ade. Under the senior VP/GMs of this division, Byron Phillips and Michael Traylor, Disney has already signed rappers O, Dittamo & Ade, and R&B singer Sy Smith.

As you might expect, Disney's regulations are strict when it comes to signing acts. "They won't sign gangsta rap," says Bob Cavallo, chairman of the Buena Vista Music Group. "I've never worked with an artist I've found objectionable and nor will I, no matter how many records they've sold." Their first release is due out on Tuesday, March 30th. It's the soundtrack to TV show The PJs, which features their own O and Sy Smith, along with new tracks by Snoop Doggy Dogg, Bizzy & Krayzie B.O.N.E., Goodie Mob, Krumb Snatcha, Infamous Syndicate, Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat, Raekwon, and more.

It might sound mildly hypocritical for Disney to release tracks by artists like Raekwon and Snoop Dogg after Bob Cavallo's aforementioned statements, but, hey, those guys've sold a lot of records. - Werner