Snoop Dogg starts elite gaming league

One story that slipped through the cracks last week was that rapper/actor Snoop Dogg has founded his own gaming organization. The Hip-Hop Gaming League was unveiled at a self-described "massive press conference in Hollywood." "I'm an initiator, you dig?" said Dogg, who will act as "Da Commissioner" of the League. "This is something I've been cultivating in my mind for some time."

What exactly is the Hip-Hop Gaming League? Something the average gamer isn't allowed to enter, apparently. "The HHGL will be open only to an A-list of musicians, athletes, producers, and other entertainers personally selected by him. Among the biggest names: Method Man, Denver Nugget Carmelo Anthony, soccer's Cobi Jones, and Cincinnati Bengal Chad Johnson," League organizers said in a statement.

The League's season kicked off on Saturday at one of the parties associated with the NBA All-Star Weekend. In the League's own words: "New R&B sensation Chris Brown, former Ms. USA/actress Kenya Moore and radio personality Steph Lova all breezed through the plasma screen and velvet couch-laden gaming lounge to watch party-goers go head-to-head in EA Sports' Madden '06 and a basketball game, all delivered on high-definition screens courtesy of Microsoft's Xbox 360, the HHGL platform of choice." The release did not specify whether the basketball game was NBA Live '06 or NBA 2K6, who exactly played the game, or who the winners were.

Those interested in learning more about the Hip-Hop Gaming League should visit the association's official Web site. Everyday gamers not allowed into the organization will still be able to play with Snoop Dogg in Midway's upcoming action game Fear & Respect, which he stars in.