Wu-Tang, Mobb Deep tracks become ringtones

[Nosak]

Loud Records announced Monday that it is offering new tracks from upcoming albums by Wu-Tang Clan and Mobb Deep as free ringtones for use on cell phones and two-way pagers. "Hey Luv" and "Burn" off Mobb Deep's new album, Infamy, and Wu-Tang's "Pinky Ring," "Ya'll Been Warned" and "Rules" from next week's Iron Flag have been made available at Zingy.com. The deal is reportedly the first in the U.S. to offer music for use on cell phones before the album is released. "Cell phones are so widely used that ringtones are one of the best ways to promote our music," said Loud Records chairman Steven Rifkind, who said the promotion is targeted at teenagers while citing research that claims that 82 percent of 14- to 16-year-olds own a mobile phone. Worldwide ringtone sales are expected to top $200 million this year due to their popularity overseas.