Activision signs on hip-hop royalty for in-game mixes, postrelease DLC for FreeStyleGames' turntable-equipped 360, PS3, PS2, Wii rhythm game; special edition revealed.

Earlier this month, Activision officially confirmed DJ Hero, the latest spin-off of its rhythm-game franchise, which ditches the guitar and melodic rock in favor of a turntable and scratch-heavy beats. Along with releasing photos of the DJ Hero Turntable Controller, the publisher said the Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation 2 game would feature hip-hop, R&B, Motown, electronic, and dance genres, as well as let players produce their own tunes.

Today, Activision announced that hip-hop heavyweights Jay-Z and Eminem will help launch the DJ Hero franchise. Both artists have signed on to lend unnamed tracks to the game, and Activision also said that both artists will be the subject of downloadable content later this year.

Further, Activision said it has partnered with Jay-Z and Eminem on a special edition of DJ Hero. The custom package will include "an advanced version of the game's turntable controller," as well as a metal traveling case that doubles as a "performance-ready DJ stand" and two exclusive CD compilations that feature original mixes from each performer.

DJ Hero is one among a sea of Guitar Hero-related rhythm games set for release in 2009. With Guitar Hero: Greatest Hits penciled in for June and Guitar Hero 5 dated for September 1, Activision also expects to release Band Hero and Guitar Hero: Van Halen later this year.