Chris Rock Rolling Out New Album

08/02/2004 6:20 PM, Reuters


Comedian Chris Rock is preparing to release his first album in five years, "Never Scared," featuring a parody of OutKast's Grammy-winning anthem "Hey Ya!"

Due Aug. 31 via Geffen, the set culls material from his HBO special of the same name as well as a handful of music parodies and new comedy sketches. The "Hey Ya!" parody, dubbed "Crackers," will be the first single. The album will also include a DVD with behind-the-scenes footage from the HBO special.

"Never Scared" is Rock's first CD release since 1999's "Bigger and Blacker," which has sold more than 404,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

After a two-year hiatus from films, Rock will be heard in the 2005 animated feature "Madagascar" and seen in the remake of the football-themed "The Longest Yard," also starring Adam Sandler and rapper Nelly.

Reuters/Billboard