SMALL FACES

Eric B., formerly half of the key ‘80s rap team Eric B. & Rakim, has taken the role of vice president of Street Life Records, the urban label of All American Music (home of Weird Al Yankovic). The former rapper’s primary duties will be signing acts. First on his roster is Craig Mack, whose 1995 “Project: Funk Da World” was produced by Sean (Puffy) Combs and was nominated for a Grammy last year. The company also has an album coming in April from Comrads, featuring Ice Cube, Mack 10 and Westside Connection. . . .

Two interesting pairings were put together for upcoming magazine pieces. Morrissey was hired by Rolling Stone to interview Joni Mitchell, one of his big heroes. The story runs in an issue due on newsstands Feb. 18. And Motorhead’s Lemmy Kilmister interviewed L.A. female quartet L7 on the eve of its upcoming “The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum” album for Request, with the issue out in late February. . . .

The Monkees are shooting an ABC special set for late February. Written and directed by member Mike Nesmith, its premise is that the group has kept shooting TV programs weekly since its original NBC series was canceled in 1968, but without a place to air them. The special will feature both old songs and three from the recent “Justus” reunion album.