Capcom has decided to kick the video-game-soundtrack bar up a few notches by putting together the official Marvel vs. Capcom 2 Hip-Hop Mixtape. The lead single and first video from the Mixtape, “Battle Drum,” is provided by legendary Oakland Hip-Hop supergroup Hieroglyphics.

Directed by Andrew Georgopolous and Paul Trillo, the video serves a tribute to Capcom's history in the gaming industry by referencing classic Street Fighter imagery. The Hiero members beat down the bad guys in a variety of settings, including a junkyard and a dojo.

Hieroglyphics Tajai had the following to say about the video: “It's got some live action and mimics the video game itself. It's not just us rapping, it puts us inside the game." He also said that the action was so intense, in fact, that, "we had to tone it down for the final cut because it was too violent. We were really fighting behind the scenes."

The track was produced by Domino, and features verses by Tajai, Casual and the inimitable Pep Love.

The video also features cameos by Hieroglyphics members Del The Funky Homosapien, A-Plus (and his son, who features at the beginning of the video), and Phesto, as well as Capcom's own John Diamonon.

the following rap greats provided original songs inspired by MvsC2 and other fighting games to build up the soundtrack:

- Raekwon
- Talib Kweli
- E40
- DJ Qbert
- Hieroglyphics
- The Grouch and Eligh of Living Legends
- Planet Asia
- MC Supernatural
- Havoc of Mobb Deep
- DJ Toure

The soundtrack can be downloaded free on Marvel.com, Capcom-Unity.com, and the game's promo site tu4ar.com. Capcom is also exploring options for issuing the music downloadable directly to consoles, but has no plans to announce yet.

Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 is a faithful port of the 2000 original, though the new version will support a stretched-background widescreen mode, some optional graphical smoothing and custom soundtracks. All the content that shipped with the original will be in the new release.

As previously reported, Hiero's Souls Of Mischief will release their new album Montezuma's Revenge on November 10th.  The album will be produced by Prince Paul.  Souls Of Mischief also kicked off their national tour at the beginning of the month which includes stops throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.