Taking a cue from Kiss' late-'70s solo albums, the members of R&B combo Dru Hill, including former singer Woody, have announced plans to release four separate solo albums over the next 11 months, leading up to the group's third album, due out in November 2000.

The solo albums are part of a larger deal the band has just inked with Def Soul/Def Jam Records that has created a new business venture, the Dru Hill World Order.

As part of the deal, the current Dru Hill roster of Nokio, Jazz, and Sisqo -- along with Woody, who left the group back in March (see "Woody Exits Dru Hill For Solo Career As Trio Launches Tour") -- will form four separate label imprints to be distributed via Def Soul/Def Jam.

Each of the upcoming solo albums will represent the first release on each singer's respective label, and each will be expanding his label roster to include rising new artists.

Sisqo will issue his solo album this November, followed by Woody's LP in January 2000, Jazz's in April 2000, and Nokio's in July 2000.

In related news, Dru Hill has also re-teamed with Will Smith on a new track for Smith's upcoming new album, tentatively due out in mid-October (see "Will Smith Preparing Next Album; Ali Biopic In Works").

Dru Hill and Will Smith's previous collaboration on the single and video for "Wild Wild West" has been nominated for three 1999 MTV Video Music Awards, including "Video of the Year."