Konami publishing Def Jam Rapstar @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on April 08, 2010

News: Konami gets back into the music games business this Fall.

Konami has announced they will be teaming with Autumn Games to co-publish this Fall's Def Jam Rapstar. The PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360 game will be developed by a trio of companies including 4mm Games, Terminal Reality and Def Jam Interactive. The development teams have high hopes for Rapstar as they've described it as "the first true interactive Hip Hop music game experience for consoles."

Def Jam Rapstar will comes packed with 40 tracks (including region specific music for the UK and Europe) and will allow gamers to record themselves rhyming over the game's tracks. These videos will then be able to be uploaded to the Def Jam Rapstar website and shared with the community. Budding rappers will also be able to use the game's freestyle mode to showcase their lyrical skills over tracks by some of "the hottest Hip Hop producers."

"Hip Hop is a global phenomenon that has permeated pop culture to become the most important youth movement of our generation. We are proud to deliver the first authentic Hip Hop music experience to gamers that will undoubtedly change the way music games are played," stated Kevin Liles, President and CEO of Def Jam Enterprises. "It is an incredible opportunity to work with 4mm Games and Terminal Reality in developing Def Jam Rapstar, and by partnering with Konami we ensure that everyone around the world will have an opportunity to compete with the best of the best. So show us what you got!"

Konami and developer 4mm Games also revealed ten of the game's 40 tracks:

2Pac - I Get Around

50 Cent - I Get Money

Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg - Nuthin' But a "G" Thang

Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx - Gold Digger

Lil' Wayne - A Milli

Notorius B.I.G. - Juicy

Slick Rick - Children's Story

T.I. featuring Rihanna - Live Your Life

Wu Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M.

Young Jeezy featuring Kanye West - Put On

"Hip Hop music has for 30 years re-defined the sound, boundaries and culture of popular music," said Shinji Hirano, President of Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. "We look to bring that ambition to fruition by pushing the boundaries of music games with Def Jam Rapstar. The star power development teams of 4mm Games and Def Jam Interactive are going to bring a music game experience that no one has seen to date, which is why we are so excited to be a part of such a unique game."

We'll have more soon.