EA has announced Def Jam: Icon for release on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in March 2007.

Def Jam: Icon screenshot

EA Chicago and urban lifestyle powerhouse Def Jam Interactive are said to be pushing the boundaries of game development, bringing unique and innovative content to the next generation of gaming.

Players will live out the life of a hip hop mogul, in a 'rags to riches' story. Hip hop culture will be incorporated into every aspect of the game and Def Jam: Icon promises to feature intense no-holds-barred street fighting, but with style and rhythm. Music will have an effect on how your character fights in each arena, and environment interaction will be key to a player's survival.

"Music is the cornerstone of hip-hop culture so we wanted to incorporate music and rhythm into the actual gameplay mechanics," said Kudo Tsunoda, executive producer and General Manager of EA Chicago. "In Def Jam: Icon, we are changing the way fighting games are played! We are completely innovating the role of the environments in the games, moving from the typical lifeless arenas the hip-hop celebrities are fighting in to environments that play an instrumental part in the fight where they will react to the music and interact with both characters like a third fighter."

Players will assume the role of a top celebrity, such as Ludacris, T.I. and Big Boi, and thanks to the new innovative controls will apparently feel like they are actually doing the moves themselves.

Def Jam: Icon is scheduled to ship in March 2007 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 across Europe and North America.