Coolio, 2 Live Crew to Perform at 2012 AVN Awards After Party

LOS ANGELES—The 2012 AVN Awards is pleased to announce that Coolio and 2 Live Crew will perform in The Joint immediately following the AVN Awards on Jan. 21 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Each artist will perform their own set and then join together for a special encore. The post-show concert ends at 2 a.m. Coolio arrived on the hip-hop scene with his 1994 debut album It Takes a Thief on Tommy Boy Records. The album contained the single "Fantastic Voyage" which became Coolio's breakout song. It peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it one of the biggest rap singles of the year. Overall the album was certified Platinum. It was however his single, “Gangsta’s Paradise” off the Dangerous Minds soundtrack, that put Coolio into the stratosphere. The global hit reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts and earned Coolio a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance. No rap group has stirred more controversy or provoked more heated debate than 2 Live Crew. The furor over the graphic sexual content of their X-rated party rhyme—specifically their 1989 album As Nasty as They Wanna Be—was a major catalyst in making rap music a flash point for controversy and an easily visible target for self-appointed moral guardians. Regardless of whether one enjoys their sense of humor, to focus only on the controversy ignores the 2 Live Crew's musical contributions. They were responsible for popularizing the booming, hard-driving sound of Miami bass music, and they were the founding fathers of a populist, dance-oriented rap subgenre that relied on simple, explicit chants and up-tempo rump-shaking grooves, appropriately dubbed "booty rap." Tickets are available at AdultEntertainmentExpo.com for $50. Ticket holders for the 2012 AVN Awards can enjoy the concert for no additional charge. All fan, trade and press attendees may go to AdultEntertainmentExpo.com for the 2012 AVN Adult Entertainment Expo (AEE), which will be held at its new home, The Hard Rock Hotel, in Las Vegas. AEE will showcase an incredible lineup of the biggest names the adult industry has to offer, the hottest adult stars from around the world, a robust trade seminar program, stage shows, musical performances, and a first look at the cutting-edge technology behind some of the most innovative sex toys and novelties on the market today, and in the future. For the first time in its history, The Hard Rock Hotel will host all facets of the expo, as well as the 2012 AVN Awards Show. The festivities open on Wednesday, January 18 through Saturday, January 21, 2012. One of the largest adult tradeshows in the world, AEE brings together an exciting and unique experience for everyone within the adult entertainment industry. AEE trade registration includes the AVN Novelty Expo (ANE), the industry’s leading B2B trade expo for pleasure products, the AEE Trade Show, and for the first time, the AEE Fan Fest, giving fans never-before-seen access to the industry and its participants. In a first, AEE will be presenting over 12 official parties held throughout Las Vegas, where attendees of the expo have the opportunity to upgrade their tickets to attend these events. Wednesday is restricted to trade attendees only, and special “trade only” hours on Friday and Saturday will restrict access to industry professionals and the media in order to permit exhibitors to make and build business and media contacts before fans are allowed into the Expo. Trade registration provides badge holders access to all AEE and ANE seminars, the main exhibit hall during all show hours, and the AVN Novelty Expo. Special Fan Tickets are also now available at fall discount rates. The VIP Fan Package includes access to the Fan Fest featuring over 300 adult stars, separate VIP Entrance, dedicated registration area, AEE Show Directory, and a complimentary T-shirt for $100. The 2012 AVN Adult Entertainment Expo (AEE) is dramatically expanding its audience reach with the creation of  a AVN-AEE Virtual Ticket allowing registrants to view and participate in the iconic Las Vegas event from the privacy of their own home.  Wicked Pictures exclusive contract star, Jessica Drake and Mr.Skin.com founder Jim McBride will be VirtualCast hosts alongside popular Midwest radio personality ROVER. A Virtual Ticket is $19.99 and available here.  The 2012 AVN Adult Entertainment Expo sets the stage for the 29th annual AVN Awards Show, which will be held Saturday, January 21, at The Joint at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. The annual AVN Awards Show is the premier gala of adult video and recognizes titles, individuals, and companies for contributions to and excellence in the industry. Please note that a separate ticket is required for admission to the AVN Awards Show. To cover the red carpet arrivals or 2012 awards show, please email press@avnawards.com.