Los Angeles Business Journal: Hustler rocks

First, Hustler offered sex. Then casino gambling. And now: rock 'n' roll.

Publisher Larry Flynt's portfolio has expanded with the creation of the Hustler Hollywood Records label, which promises up-and-coming artists more creative autonomy than what major record labels traditionally allow.

The company has already signed Superunknown, a Lexington, Ky., group scheduled to release its debut compact disc on the new label in July. A six-song sampler was released last week. The sampler features Superunknown's first single, "Forever." A portion of the song's sales will be donated to tsunami victims.

Following the model of Starbucks, which retails CDs on the Hear label, Hustler Hollywood will sell its music at its eight adult-oriented retail stores. The discs will also be marketed online and in the pages of Hustler magazine.

"We've always been associated with rock 'n' roll," said Jimmy Flynt II, Larry's nephew and director of brand marketing for Hustler Entertainment, which oversees the retail and music operations. "We just wanted to do something mainstream with the stores."