A kinder, gentler hip-hop

New York – Hoping to improve hip-hop’s image, the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council launched the Hip-Hop for Peace project in memory of slain Run-DMC disc jockey Jam Master Jay.

Jay, whose real name was Jason Mizell, was shot execution-style on Oct. 30 in his Queens recording studio. No arrests have been made.

The project has four elements – a code of principles for artists to follow, a mediation board to deal with conflicts between artists, a media complaint review board, and a task force for gun, prison and drug law reform.

The music industry and hip-hop artists will be asked to sign a memorandum of understanding to indicate they support the project. Economic pressure would be placed on those who don’t sign, Youth Council chairman Charles Fisher said.

“If you want us to buy the records, then you have to support our project,” he said.

Honoring the offbeat

Los Angeles – Drea de Matteo and Michael Imperioli of “The Sopranos” will be the hosts of the offbeat VH1 Big in 2002 Awards.

The Dec. 15 ceremony honors “those moments and people that captivated and inspired us in 2002,” according to the cable channel.

Categories include “Can’t Get You Out of My Head,” for the year’s most ubiquitous song, and “Been Caught Scene Stealin,”‘ which picks the most unexpected stand-out movie performance.

In the “Strange But True” category, nominees include “The Anna Nicole Show,” “The Osbournes,” “Crossing Over With John Edward,” “The Pet Psychic” and “The E! True Hollywood Story.”

Jinx brings good luck

Los Angeles – Appearing as a Bond girl has proven to be no jinx for Halle Berry, who may be in a spinoff movie featuring the character she plays in the latest 007 outing, “Die Another Day.”

MGM is seriously considering featuring Berry’s tough-talking, gadget-toting female spy character, “Jinx,” in a film of her own. It would mark the first time a Bond movie has generated a spinoff.

“Die Another Day,” starring Pierce Brosnan as James Bond, opens Nov. 22.

Berry has already agreed to reprise her role, and the film’s producers :quot; who tightly control the Bond pictures – have given their blessings, according to the trade newspaper Variety.

Dick Clark to scale ‘Pyramid’

Los Angeles – Former host Dick Clark is returning to the game show “Pyramid” – this time as a contestant.

Clark will appear later this month on the revised version of “The $100,000 Pyramid,” the trade newspaper Variety reported Monday. He was host of the program from 1973-88.

Donny Osmond is the new host of the quiz show. Stars Betty White and Coolio are set to join Clark in episodes scheduled to air Nov. 25-27.