R&b/hip-hop Confab Panelists To Include Rah Digga; Krs-one Exits As Reprise Vp

CONFERENCE CALL: FlipMode/Elektra's Rah Digga, Sisqó manager Kenneth Crear, Violator/AMG principal Chris Lighty, RuffNation's Chris Schwartz, and Mandalay-Proliance Entertainment president Jeff Clanagan are among the confirmed panelists for the upcoming Billboard/BET R&B/Hip-Hop Conference, Aug. 16-18 at the New York Hilton. The three-day affair promises to be a can't-miss event. So if you haven't registered yet, please punch up the Web site at billboard.com/events/rb. See you there.

INDUSTRY BRIEFS: KRS-One (aka Kris Parker) has exited as VP of A&R at Reprise. He was named to the post in October 1998; a successor has yet to be announced. Two Parker-initiated projects, Mad Lion and Lady Red, are slated for the fourth quarter and early 2001, respectively . . . A DreamWorks spokeswoman confirms that female rap quintet Deadly Venoms is no longer with the label . . . Columbia's Destiny's Child is now a trio with the departure of Farrah Franklin; she and Michelle Williams joined original members Beyoncé Knowles and Kelly Rowland in February.

NEVER TOO LATE: That's the mantra of Big Bub (aka Frederick Lee Drakeford), who's banking that his newest project, "Never Too Late"—his first for Flavor Unit Records—will re-ignite his solo career. "That's why I chose that title," says the self-billed "real R&B singer," "because it's never too late to blow up. I'm still in the game after 13 years despite all the ups and downs."

As the former lead singer of Motown quartet Today, Bub racked up the No. 1 R&B song "Girl I Got My Eyes On You" in 1989 and the top 10s "Why You Get Funky On Me" and "Him Or Me." As a solo artist, he hit top 20 in 1992 with "I Don't Mind" on EastWest. It's been almost three years since his last album, "Timeless," on Kedar/Universal, which peaked at No. 15 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

He wrote most of the "Never" album (in stores July 18) with Today colleague Larry Singletary; the first single is "Material Girl." Notes Bub, "I was in a different zone when I did this album. I just wanted to write and sing about everyday life—relationships, love, clubbing—because the younger crowd relates to that." Between albums, Bub has stayed busy writing, co-writing, or producing for such acts as Mary J. Blige, BLACKstreet, and Case. And while he's currently doing songs for K-Ci & JoJo's next project, he doesn't rule out a Today reunion.

"I'd love to get back together because we got the short end of the stick," he says. "Plus R&B isn't where it's supposed to be because other groups are taking and running with our [R&B groups'] style and dancing ability. I respect them, but I'm tired of it. R&B groups need to step it up."

KEEP AN EAR OUT FOR: "Lead The Way," the Oct. 3 sophomore set by TWDY (The Whole Damn Yey!) on Thump Street/Thump Records. Ant Banks produced a new TWDY lineup with Dolla Will, Captain Save'm, and others; guests include Too $hort, Ice-T, and Kurupt. The title track is already out as a single . . . Erykah Badu's highly anticipated second album is coming Sept. 19 . . . LaFace group OutKast's long-awaited "Stankonia," which is now slated for release Oct. 24 . . . As is the debut of Sunday, a five-girl vocal group from New Jersey co-managed by Robyn Crawford and Whitney Houston through Angelway Artists. The fivesome's first single, "I Know"—produced by Warryn Campbell for Better Place Records in association with Capitol—arrives in September.

BLUES FOR KIDS: Producers Kashif (Whitney Houston), Lester Chambers (Chambers Brothers), and Lee Oskar (War) are participating in a special blues compilation/fund-raiser CD under the aegis of the Los Angeles-based Sir Charles Blues Lab. The nonprofit organization—named for Florida blues musician Sir Charles Atkins—is seeking to raise money for musical instruments and instruction for inner-city L.A. high school students. The ultimate goal is to take the project national. For more info, contact Norman Winters at 323-469-3434.

SAVE THE DATE: The fourth annual Urbanworld Film Festival (urbanworld.com) takes over New York Aug 2-6. Special presentations include the world premieres of "Backstage," the documentary about Jay-Z's Hard Knock Life tour, and Spike Lee's "Kings Of Comedy." A digital conference and film panels round out the event.