Jermaine Dupri has created a hip-hop version of the classic1960s star-studded heist, "Ocean's 11." Dupri's version is not a film, but amusical outfit including himself and six of his A-list performer, producer andsongwriter friends-Usher, Nelly, Trey Songz, Johnta Austin, Bryan-Michael Coxand Tyronne Davis.
The group's debut video "Vegas Baby" from their forthcomingalbum premiered Monday, exclusively on Yahoo! Music.
The video captures elements of "Ocean's 11." Ocean's 7 partiesin the biggest Casinos on the Las Vegas strip, wear tuxedos, and have coined a throw-backsound that incorporates elements of the Rat Pack's style.
Rat Pack members Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., DeanMartin, Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford starred in the original "Ocean's 11."
The Ocean's 7 concept derived from years of getting dressedup in Vegas to celebrate Jermaine's birthday. One year a Vegas party photo ofJermaine, Usher, and Nelly made the cover of Jet magazine and Jermaine noticedthat the three hip-hop moguls looked like a modern day version of the Rat Pack.
"We went back to Vegas and started hanging out, gettingdressed and saw how people were reacting to us," Jermaine said. "I was justtrying to embody what Vegas means to me and have a good time."
Jermaine explains the formation of the group on the "Intro" track to their Ocean's 7 mixtape which is available as a free download at his Global14.com website.
Jermaine wanted to expand his sound that has produced morethan 30 No. 1 hits for the likes of Mariah Carey, Usher and Destiny's Child,and traditionally targeted the MTV and BET audiences. "Now, I'm thinking aboutthe kids in Amsterdamwho are really fans of Jermaine," he explained. "What can I do best to makesure they see and hear what I'm doing?"
He even plans to develop a stage show. "We are coming upwith a Vegas hip-hop show with music, dance, rapping, singing, all in one,"Jermaine said.