Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.9

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("AGREEMENT"), dated as of April 11, 2000,
between CDBEAT.COM, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), and ELLIOT
GOLDMAN (the "EXECUTIVE"):

                               W I T N E S S E T H

         WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive, and the Executive
desires to accept such employment, on the terms and conditions set forth herein,

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises,
representations and warranties set forth herein, and for other good and valuable
consideration, it is hereby agreed as follows:

         1. EMPLOYMENT. The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive, and
the Executive hereby accepts such employment, upon the terms and conditions set
forth herein.

         2. TERM. Subject to the provisions of Section 8 hereof, the initial
term of the Executive's employment under this Agreement shall commence on the
date hereof (the "COMMENCEMENT DATE") and shall end on the third anniversary of
the Commencement Date; provided, however, that at the end of the initial term
and each subsequent anniversary thereafter (each, a "RENEWAL DATE"), the term
shall be automatically extended by one (1) additional year unless, at least one
hundred twenty (120) days prior to any such Renewal Date, the Company shall
deliver to the Executive or the Executive shall deliver to the Company written
notice that the term will not be further extended. The initial term of
employment, as the same may be renewed or extended, is referred to herein as the
"TERM".

         3. POSITION AND DUTIES. (a) The Executive shall serve as the Chief
Operating Officer of the Company. In his capacity as the Chief Operating
Officer, the Executive shall be in charge of all of the day to day business
operations of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, 32 Records LLC,
including, but not limited to, the hiring of staff, securing facilities, working
with outside consultants, building and developing the Company's software,
developing sales, marketing and strategic relationships, public relations and
investor relations. The Executive shall also provide assistance in analyzing
potential acquisitions and investments by the Company and will participate in
the Company's capital raising activities.

            (b) During the Term, the Executive shall perform and discharge the
duties that may be assigned to him by the President and Chief Executive Officer
and Board of Directors of the Company (the "BOARD") from time to time,
consistent with the provisions of Section 3(a) of this Agreement, and the
Executive shall devote his best talents, efforts and abilities to the
performance of his duties hereunder.

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            (c) During the Term, the Executive shall perform his duties
hereunder on a full-time basis. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive
shall be permitted to continue his outside consulting practice, provided that:
(i) all consulting engagements must be approved by the Board, (ii) no consulting
engagement may be competitive with the business of the Company, and (iii) the
time spent by the Executive on such consulting maters shall not materially
interfere with the performance of his duties hereunder. The Company hereby
approves the service by the Executive as a consultant to E-Superstars. In
addition, the Executive shall, upon the prior written consent of the Board, be
permitted to serve on the board of directors of any outside company or other
entity that is not competitive with the business of the Company.

            (d) During the Term, the Company agrees to nominate the Executive
for election to the Board and agrees to use its reasonable commercial efforts to
support the Executive's election to the Board.

         4. COMPENSATION. For the Executive's services hereunder, the Company
shall pay the Executive an annual salary equal to the following (as the same may
be increased from time to time, the "BASE SALARY"):

            (a) $200,000 in the first year of the Term;

            (b) $225,000 in the second year of the Term; and

            (c) $250,000 in the third year of the Term.

         The Base Salary shall be payable semi-monthly in accordance with the
customary payroll practices of the Company, and shall be subject to such
increases or bonuses as the Board shall authorize in its discretion; provided,
that, if the Board establishes a bonus plan for the executives of the Company,
the Executive shall be entitled to participate therein on the same basis as
other executives.

         5. BENEFITS. During the Term, the Company shall provide the Executive
with the following benefits:

            (a) STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT AND LOCK-UP. On the date hereof, the
Executive and the Company have entered into a Stock Option Agreement pursuant to
which the Executive has been granted an option to purchase 500,000 shares of the
Company's common stock, $.001 par value per share, at an exercise price of $1.28
per share. In addition, on the date hereof, the Executive has executed and
delivered to the Company a Lock-Up Agreement pursuant to which the Executive is
prohibited from disposing of securities of the company upon the terms therein
set forth until March 31, 2001.

            (b) MEDICAL AND HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS. The Company shall, at its
own expense, provide the Executive and his eligible dependents with medical,
health and dental insurance coverage generally provided by the Company to its
other executive employees.

            (c) 401(K) PLAN. If the Company establishes a 401(k) Plan or other
retirement or pension plan, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in
such plan in accordance with its terms and conditions.

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            (d) OTHER BENEFITS. The Company shall make available to the
Executive any and all other employee or fringe benefits (in accordance with
their terms and conditions) which the Company may generally make available to
its other executive employees.

         6. REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES. During the Term, the Company shall pay or
reimburse the Executive for all reasonable travel, entertainment and other
business expenses incurred or paid by the Executive in the performance of his
duties hereunder upon presentation of expense statements and/or such other
supporting information as the Company may reasonably require of the Executive.

         7. VACATIONS. The Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of paid
vacation during each full calendar year of the Term (and a pro rata portion
thereof for any portion of the Term that is less than a full calendar year).
Unused vacation for one year may be carried over to the next successive year.

         8. TERMINATION. The employment hereunder of the Executive may be
terminated by the Company prior to the expiration of the Term only in the manner
described in this Section 8.

            (a) TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY FOR GOOD CAUSE. The Company shall
have the right to immediately terminate the employment of the Executive for Good
Cause (as such term is defined herein) by written notice to the Executive
specifying the particulars of the circumstances forming the basis for such Good
Cause.

            (b) TERMINATION UPON DEATH. The employment of the Executive
hereunder shall terminate automatically upon his death.

            (c) VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION BY THE EXECUTIVE. The Executive shall have
the right to voluntarily resign his employment hereunder for other than Good
Reason (as such term is defined herein) by written notice to the Company.

            (d) TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY WITHOUT GOOD CAUSE. The Company shall
have the right to terminate the Executive's employment hereunder without Good
Cause upon ninety (90) days prior written notice to the Executive.

            (e) TERMINATION UPON DISABILITY. If the Executive becomes physically
or mentally disabled (a "DISABILITY") during the Term so that he is unable to
perform the services required of him pursuant to this Agreement for a period of
three successive months, or an aggregate of four months in any twelve-month
period (the "DISABILITY PERIOD"), the Company may, at its option, terminate the
Executive's employment hereunder by giving written notice thereof to the
Executive. During the Disability Period, the Executive shall continue to receive
his full compensation and other benefits provided herein.

            (f) RESIGNATION BY THE EXECUTIVE FOR GOOD REASON. The Executive
shall have the right to terminate his employment for Good Reason by written
notice to the Company specifying the particulars of the circumstances forming
the basis for such Good Reason.

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            (g) TERMINATION DATE. The "Termination Date" is the date as of which
the Executive's employment with the Company terminates. Any notice of
termination given pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall specify the
Termination Date.

            (h) RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS. For a period of twelve (12) months
following the termination of this Agreement, the Executive shall not, in the
geographic area in which the Company conducts its business (i.e., New York
City), directly or indirectly, as a partner, officer, employee, director,
stockholder, proprietor, other equity owner, consultant, representative, agent
or otherwise, own or operate any business or Person, or otherwise become or be
interested in, or associate with or render assistance to, any Person (other than
the Company), engaged in a business which is in direct competition with the
business of the Company; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the foregoing restrictions
shall not apply if the Executive's employment hereunder is terminated pursuant
to paragraph (d) or (f), above. The foregoing shall not, however, prohibit the
Executive from making passive investments.

            (i) CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, the
following terms shall have the following meanings:

                (i) "PERSON" means any individual, corporation, partnership,
association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, joint
venture, entity, court or government (or political subdivision or agency
thereof).

                (ii) "CHANGE OF CONTROL" with respect to the Company, means the
occurrence of any of the following: (A) the acquisition directly or indirectly
(in one or more related transactions) by any Person (other than the Executive,
Robert Miller, Cakewalk LLC or Dylan LLC), or two or more Persons (other than
the Executive, Cakewalk LLC or Dylan LLC) acting as a group, of beneficial
ownership (as that term is defined in Rule l3d-3 under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934) of more than 20% of the outstanding capital stock of the Company
entitled to vote for the election of directors ("VOTING SHARES"); PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the consummation of the transactions contemplated in that certain
Contribution Agreement, dated as of October 29, 1999, between Cakewalk LLC and
the Company shall not constitute a Change of Control for purposes of this
Agreement; (B) the merger or consolidation of the Company with one or more other
corporations as a result of which the holders of the outstanding Voting Shares
of the Company immediately before the merger hold less than 80% of the Voting
Shares of the surviving or resulting corporation; (C) the sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company; (D) the Company or any of its
shareholders enters into any agreement providing for any of the foregoing and
the transaction contemplated thereby is ultimately consummated; or (E)
individuals who as of the date of this Agreement constitute the Board of
Directors of the Company cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority
thereof, unless the election, or the nomination for election by the Company's
stockholders, of each new director was approved by a vote of a majority of the
directors then still in office who were directors as of the date of this
Agreement.

                (iii) "GOOD CAUSE" shall exist if, and only if, the Executive
(A) willfully or repeatedly fails in any material respect to perform his
obligations hereunder as provided herein, provided that such Good Cause shall
not exist unless the Company shall first have provided the Executive with
written notice specifying in reasonable detail the factors

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constituting such material failure and such material failure shall not have been
cured by the Executive within 30 days after such notice or such longer period as
may reasonably be necessary to accomplish the cure; or (B) has been convicted of
a crime which constitutes a felony under applicable law or has entered a plea of
guilty or nolo contendere with respect thereto.

            (iv) "GOOD REASON" means the occurrence of any of the following
events:

                 (A) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent
in any material respect with the Executive's then position (including status,
offices, titles and reporting relationships), authority, duties or
responsibilities, or any other action or actions by the Company which when taken
as a whole results in a significant diminution in the Executive's position,
authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose any isolated,
immaterial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied
by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;

                 (B) a material breach by the Company of one or more provisions
of this Agreement, provided that such Good Reason shall not exist unless the
Executive shall first have provided the Company with written notice specifying
in reasonable detail the factors constituting such material breach and such
material breach shall not have been cured by the Company within thirty (30) days
after such notice or such longer period as may reasonably be necessary to
accomplish the cure;

                 (C) the Company requiring the Executive to be based at any
location other than within New York, New York, except for requirements of
temporary travel on the Company's business to an extent substantially consistent
with the Executive's business travel obligations existing immediately prior to
the date of this Agreement;

                 (D) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement;

                 (E) a Change of Control of the Company, provided that the
Termination Date occurs no later than one year following such Change of Control;

                 (F) a modification by the Company of the indemnification
provisions set forth in the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws
that would have a material adverse effect on the protection afforded to the
Executive thereunder; and

                 (G) Failure of the Company to provide and maintain directors'
and officers' insurance for the Executive to the same extent provided and
maintained for other executives of the Company.

         9. OBLIGATIONS OF COMPANY ON TERMINATION. Notwithstanding anything in
this Agreement to the contrary, the Company's obligations upon termination of
the Executive's employment shall be as described in this Section 9, and the
Executive shall not be entitled to any payment or benefit unless specifically
set forth herein.

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            (a) OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY IN CASE OF TERMINATION FOR DEATH,
DISABILITY OR FOR GOOD CAUSE. Upon termination of the Executive's employment
upon death, disability or for Good Cause, the Company shall have no payment
obligations to the Executive, except for the payment, within thirty (30) days of
the Termination Date (or such shorter period as may be prescribed by law), of
any accrued and unpaid Base Salary, bonus and the reimbursement of any
unreimbursed expenses owed to the Executive through the Termination Date.

            (b) OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY IN THE CASE OF TERMINATION WITHOUT
GOOD CAUSE OR RESIGNATION BY THE EXECUTIVE FOR GOOD REASON. Upon termination of
Executive's employment by the Company without Good Cause or as a result of
Executive's resignation for Good Reason, the Company shall provide the Executive
with the following:

                 (i) Two times (2x) the sum of Executive's Base Salary and last
year's bonus, if any;

                 (ii) The Company shall, at its sole expense, provide the
Executive (and his dependents) with coverage under (and in accordance with the
terms and conditions of) the Company's medical and health insurance plans, as in
effect from time to time, for the otherwise remaining duration of the Term;
provided that to the extent such coverage may be unavailable under such medical
and health insurance plans due to restrictions imposed by the insurer(s) under
such plans, the Company shall take such action as may be required to provide
equivalent benefits from other sources;

                 (iii) The Company shall provide to the Executive, during the
twelve (12) month period commencing on the Termination Date, at the Company's
expense, executive outplacement services (commensurate with such services
customarily utilized by similarly situated persons of the Executive's title or
position).

         10. EXCISE TAXES. In the event that any payments made and/or benefits
provided to the Executive under this Agreement (including, without limitation,
the Options) (hereinafter called the "Payments") are subject to any excise
taxes, including, without limitation, excise taxes imposed by Section 4999 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") (the "EXCISE TAXES"),
the Company shall pay the Executive such additional cash payment(s) (hereinafter
collectively called the "GROSS UP PAYMENT") such that the net amount that the
Executive would retain after deduction and/or payment of any Excise Taxes on the
Payments, and any interest and/or penalties assessed by the Internal Revenue
Service with respect to the Excise Taxes, and taking into account the tax
consequences of all additional cash payments made by the Company pursuant to
this Section 10, shall be equal to the aggregate value of Payments. The
determination of whether such Excise Taxes are payable and the amount thereof
shall be based upon the opinion of counsel selected by the Executive and
acceptable to the Company. Any such additional cash payment by the Company shall
be paid by the Company to the Executive in one lump sum cash payment within
thirty (30) days following the date such opinion of counsel is rendered. If such
opinion is not accepted by the Internal Revenue Service, then the Executive
shall determine and notify the Company of the appropriate adjustments in the
Gross Up Payment (taking into account any and all Excise Taxes, interest,
penalties and the tax consequences of all additional cash payments made by the
Company pursuant to this Section 10) and the Company shall pay the Executive the
difference between the final amount of the Gross

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Up Payment and the amount previously paid, if any, to the Executive by the
Company pursuant to this Section 10 (hereinafter called the "ADJUSTMENT
PAYMENT"). Any such Adjustment Payment shall be paid by the Company to the
Executive in one lump sum cash payment within ten (10) days following such
notification.

         11. MARKET "STAND-OFF" AGREEMENT. Executive agrees, if requested by an
underwriter or placement agent of the Company, that he will not sell, pledge or
otherwise dispose of any securities beneficially owned by him in the Company for
a period not to exceed 270 days following the effective date of a Registration
Statement filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission or
the closing of a private placement, as the case may be, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
Executive shall only be required to enter into a written stand-off agreement to
the extent and on the same terms and conditions as the other executives of the
Company are required to do so. The Company may impose stop-transfer instructions
with respect to the securities of the Executive subject to the foregoing
restriction until the end of the stand-off period.

         12. SEVERABILITY. Should any provision of this Agreement be held, by a
court of competent jurisdiction, to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity
or unenforceability shall not render the entire Agreement invalid or
unenforceable, and this Agreement and each other provision hereof shall be
enforceable and valid to the fullest extent permitted by law.

         13. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. (a) This Agreement and all rights under
this Agreement are personal to the Executive and shall not be assignable;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any rights to compensation upon Death or Disability
hereunder shall inure to the benefit of the Executive's heirs, personal
representatives, designees or other legal representatives, as the case may be.

             (b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the Company and its successors and assigns. Any Person succeeding to the
business of the Company by merger, purchase, consolidation or otherwise may
assume by contract or operation of law the obligations of the Company under this
Agreement.

         14. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with
and governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the
conflicts of laws thereof.

         15. NOTICES. All notices, requests and demands given to or made upon
the respective parties hereto shall be deemed to have been given or made three
business days after the date of mailing when mailed by registered or certified
mail, postage prepaid, or on the date of delivery if delivered by hand, or on
the date of delivery by Federal Express or other reputable overnight delivery
service, addressed to the parties at their addresses set forth below or to such
other addresses furnished by notice given in accordance with this Section 15:
(a) if to the Company, to CDBeat.com, Inc., 29 W. 57 St., 9th Floor, Attention:
Robert Miller, President, with a copy to Baer Marks & Upham LLP, 805 Third
Avenue, New York, NY 10022, Attn: Ivan W. Dreyer, Esq. and (b) if to the
Executive, to Elliot Goldman, 3 Chester Drive, Rye, New York 10580, with a copy
to Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt LLP, 900 Third Avenue, New York,
New York 10022, Attn: Joel S. Hirschtritt, Esq.

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         16. WITHHOLDING. All payments required to be made by the Company to the
Executive under this Agreement shall be subject to withholding taxes, social
security and other payroll deductions in accordance with applicable law and the
Company's policies applicable to employees of the Company.

         17. COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING. Except as expressly provided below, this
Agreement supersedes any prior contracts, understandings, discussions and
agreements relating to employment between the Executive and the Company, and
constitutes the complete understanding between the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof. No statement, representation, warranty or covenant has
been made by either party with respect to the subject matter hereof except as
expressly set forth herein.

         18. MODIFICATION; WAIVER. (a) This Agreement may be amended or waived
if, and only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case
of an amendment, by the Company and the Executive or in the case of a WAIVER, by
the party against whom the waiver is to be effective. Any such waiver shall be
effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing.

             (b) No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power
or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single
or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or
the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

         19. HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of
this Agreement.

         20. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be signed in any number of
counterparts, (which may be transmitted by facsimile) each of which shall be an
original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon
the same instrument. This Agreement shall become effective when each party
hereto shall have received counterparts hereof signed by the other party hereto.

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         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Executive have signed and
delivered this Employment Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

                                        CDBEAT.COM, INC.

                                        By: /s/ Robert Miller
                                           ------------------
                                            Robert Miller,
                                            President

                                        /s/ Elliot Goldman
                                        ------------------
                                        Elliot Goldman

                                       9<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.10

                                CDBEAT.COM, INC.

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

                  STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (the "AGREEMENT"), dated as of April
11, 2000, between CDBeat.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"),
having an address at 29 W. 57th Street, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10019 and
Elliot Goldman, having an address at 3 Chester Drive, Rye, New York 10580 (the
"GRANTEE"):

                               W I T N E S S E T H

                  WHEREAS, concurrently herewith, the Company and the Grantee
have entered into an employment agreement (the "EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT") and,
unless otherwise defined herein, all defined terms in this Agreement shall have
the meanings ascribed to them in the Employment Agreement,

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set
forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the Company and the
Grantee hereby agree as follows:

                  1. GRANT. The Company hereby grants to the Grantee a stock
option (the "OPTION") to purchase all or any part of an aggregate of 500,000
shares of the Company's common stock, $.001 par value per share (the "SHARES").

                  2. NUMBER OF SHARES. This Option shall be for an aggregate of
500,000 Shares.

                  3. EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price shall be $1.28 per share
(the "EXERCISE PRICE").

                  4. MEDIUM AND TIME OF PAYMENT. The Option shall be exercised
by a written notice signed by the Grantee which identifies this Agreement and
states the number of Shares then being purchased (the "EXERCISE NOTICE"),
delivered to the attention of the Company's Secretary at the Company's principal
office in New York. The exercise date shall be the date such notice is received
by the Company. The Exercise Notice shall be accompanied by the Exercise Price,
which is payable either by: (i) cash payment or certified check equal to the
Exercise Price; or (ii) a certificate representing Company stock owned by the
Grantee, if not subject to any restrictions, with a Fair Market Value equal to
the Exercise Price; or (iii) a cashless exercise, pursuant to which the Grantee
shall be issued that number of Shares as is determined by multiplying the number
of Shares being purchased hereunder by a fraction, the numerator of which shall
be the difference between the then Fair Market Value of the Company's common
stock and the Exercise Price, and the denominator of which shall be the then
Fair Market Value of the Company's common stock; or (iv) by a combination of the
methods described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above. The Exercise Notice
shall state the method or methods being utilized by the Grantee to purchase
Shares hereunder. "Fair Market Value" of a share of common stock of the Company
as of a specified date shall mean the closing price of a

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share of the common stock on the principal securities exchange (including but
not limited to the Nasdaq Stock Market or the Nasdaq National Market) on which
such shares are traded on the day immediately preceding the date as of which
Fair Market Value is being determined, or on the next preceding date on which
such shares are traded if no shares were traded on such immediately preceding
day, or if the shares are not traded on a securities exchange, Fair Market Value
shall be deemed to be the average of the high bid and low asked prices of the
shares in the over-the-counter market on the day immediately preceding the date
as of which Fair Market Value is being determined or on the next preceding date
on which such high bid and low asked prices were recorded. If the shares are not
publicly traded, Fair Market Value of a share of common stock shall be
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors (the "BOARD") of the Company.
In no case shall Fair Market Value be determined with regard to restrictions
other than restrictions which, by their terms, will never lapse. Upon acceptance
of the Exercise Notice and receipt of payment in full, the Company shall cause
to be issued a certificate representing the shares of common stock so purchased.

                  5. TERM AND EXERCISE OF THE OPTION. Subject to earlier
termination as set forth in this Agreement, the Option shall be exercisable, in
accordance with the vesting schedule set forth below, commencing on the date
hereof and continuing until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 10, 2006
(the "EXPIRATION DATE"). The Option may be exercised in whole or in increments
in accordance with the following schedule:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

       ON OR AFTER                      THIS OPTION SHALL BE EXERCISABLE AS TO:
       -----------                      ---------------------------------------

<S>                                             <C>
(i)   Date of Grant                             25% of the Shares
(ii)  April 10, 2001                            An additional 25% of the Shares
(iii) April 10, 2002                            An additional 25% of the Shares
(iv)  April 10, 2003                            An additional 25% of the Shares

</TABLE>

                  6. NONTRANSFERABILITY. The Option may be transferred only by
will or the laws of descent and distribution, and the Option may be exercised
during the Grantee's lifetime only by the Grantee (or by the Grantee's legal
representative under the circumstances described in Section 7 hereof).

                  7. RIGHTS IN THE EVENT OF THE GRANTEE'S DISABILITY. If the
Grantee's employment with the Company and any parent or subsidiary corporation
(within the meaning of Section 424(e) and (f) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (each an "AFFILIATE")) is terminated on account of Disability,
the Grantee or the Grantee's legal representative (or the Grantee's estate if
the Grantee dies after termination of employment) may exercise the Option, to
the extent exercisable on the date of the Grantee's termination of employment,
at any time within ninety (90) days after termination of employment but in no
event after the expiration of the term of the Option. The Grantee's "estate"
means the Grantee's legal representative or any person who acquires the right to
exercise the Option by reason of the Grantee's death.

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                  8. RIGHTS IN THE EVENT OF THE GRANTEE'S DEATH. If the Grantee
dies while an employee of the Company or any Affiliate but while he still has
the right to exercise this Option, his estate may exercise the Option, to the
extent exercisable at the date of the Grantee's death, any time within one (1)
year after the Grantee's death, but in no event after the expiration of the term
of the Option.

                  9. RIGHTS IN THE EVENT OF TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. If
Grantee's employment with the Company or any Affiliate is terminated
involuntarily for "GOOD CAUSE" (as such term is defined in the Employment
Agreement) or if Grantee should resign without "GOOD REASON" (as such term is
defined in the Employment Agreement), the Grantee's Option shall expire as of
the date of termination of employment. If the Grantee's employment is terminated
(i) by the Company without Good Cause, or (ii) by the Grantee for Good Reason,
then all of the Grantee's Options shall be immediately vested and exercisable
and shall remain exercisable until the Expiration Date. If the Grantee's
employment is terminated for any reason other than death, disability, or as
described in the preceding sentences of this Section, the Grantee (or the
Grantee's estate, if the Grantee dies after the termination) may exercise the
Option, to the extent exercisable before the termination, within ninety days
after the termination, but in no event after the expiration of the term of the
Option.

                  10. EXTENSION IF GRANTEE SUBJECT TO SECTION 16(b) OF THE 1934
ACT. Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraphs 7, 8 and 9, if the exercise of the
Option within the applicable time periods set forth above would subject the
Optionee to suit under Section 16(b) of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended,
the Option shall remain exercisable to the extent permitted by law until the
earliest to occur of (i) the 10th day following the date on which the Grantee
would no longer be subject to such suit; (ii) the 190th day after the Grantee's
termination of employment; provided such termination was not for cause; or (iii)
the Expiration Date; provided that no additional vesting of the Option shall
occur during such periods. The Grantee agrees to consult with the Grantee's own
tax advisors as to the tax consequences to the Grantee of any such delayed
exercise.

                  11. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GRANTEE. (a) Grantee
represents and warrants that this Option is being acquired by Grantee for
Grantee's personal account, for investment purposes only, and not with a view to
the distribution, resale or other disposition thereof.

                      (b) Grantee acknowledges that the Company may issue Shares
upon the exercise of the Option without registering such Shares under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 ACT"), on the basis of certain
exemptions from such registration requirement. Accordingly, Grantee agrees that
his or her exercise of the Option may be expressly conditioned upon his or her
delivery to the Company of an investment certificate including such
representations and undertakings as the Company may reasonably require in order
to assure the availability of such exemptions, including a representation that
Grantee is acquiring the Shares for investment and not with a present intention
of selling or otherwise disposing thereof and an agreement by Grantee that the
certificates evidencing the Shares may bear a legend indicating such
non-registration under the 1933 Act and the resulting restrictions on

                                       3
<PAGE>

transfer. Grantee acknowledges that, because Shares received upon exercise of an
Option may be unregistered, Grantee may be required to hold the Shares
indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered for resale under the 1933
Act or an exemption from such registration is available.

                      (c) Grantee hereby acknowledges that, in addition to
certain restrictive legends that the securities laws of the state in which
Optionee resides may require, each certificate representing the Shares may be
endorsed with the following legend:

                   THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS
                   CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER
                   THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933; THEY HAVE BEEN
                   ACQUIRED BY THE HOLDER FOR INVESTMENT AND MAY
                   NOT BE PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED, SOLD OR
                   TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE
                   REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE 1933 ACT AND
                   ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAW OF
                   RECEIPT BY THE ISSUER OF AN OPINION OF
                   COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER THAT
                   REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT AND APPLICABLE
                   STATE LAW IS NOT REQUIRED.

                  12. ADJUSTMENT IN THE SHARES AND EXERCISE PRICE. If the
Shares, as presently constituted, shall be changed into or exchanged for a
different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company or of
another corporation (whether by reason of merger, consolidation,
recapitalization, reclassification, split, reverse split, combination of shares,
or otherwise) or if the number of Shares shall be increased through the payment
of a share dividend, the Grantee shall receive upon exercise of the Option the
number and kind of shares or other securities into which each outstanding Share
shall be so changed, or for which each such Share shall be exchanged, or to
which each such Share shall be entitled, as the case may be. The exercise price
and other terms of the Option shall be appropriately amended to reflect the
foregoing events. If there shall be any other change in the number or kind of
the outstanding Shares, or of any shares or other securities into which the
Shares shall have been changed, or for which the Shares shall have been
exchanged, then, if the Board of Directors shall, in its sole discretion,
determine that such change equitably requires an adjustment in the Option, such
adjustment shall be made in accordance with that determination. Notice of any
adjustment shall be given by the Company to the Grantee.

                  13. STOP-TRANSFER NOTICES. Grantee understands and agrees
that, in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein,
the Company may issue appropriate "stop-transfer" instructions to its transfer
agent, if any, and that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may
make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.

                  14. NO LIMITATION ON RIGHTS OF THE COMPANY. The grant of this
Option shall not in any way affect the right or power of the Company to make
adjustments, reclassifications, or changes in its capital or business structure
or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate, sell, or transfer all or any part
of its business or assets.

                                       4
<PAGE>

                  15. RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. The Grantee shall have the rights
of a shareholder with respect to the Shares covered by the Option only upon
becoming the holder of record of those Shares.

                  16. COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to cause to be issued
or delivered any certificates for Shares pursuant to the exercise of the Option,
unless and until the Company is advised by its counsel that the issuance and
delivery of such certificates is in compliance with all applicable laws,
regulations of governmental authority, and the requirements of any exchange upon
which Shares are traded. The Company shall in no event be obligated to register
any securities pursuant to the 1933 Act (as now in effect or as hereafter
amended) or to take any other action in order to cause the issuance and delivery
of such certificates to comply with any such law, regulation or requirement. The
Board may require, as a condition of the issuance and delivery of such
certificates and in order to ensure compliance with such laws, regulations, and
requirements, that the Grantee make such covenants, agreements, and
representations as the Board, in its sole discretion, considers necessary or
desirable.

                  17. NO OBLIGATION TO EXERCISE OPTION. The granting of the
Option shall impose no obligation upon the Grantee to exercise the Option.

                  18. AGREEMENT NOT A CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT. This Agreement is
not a contract of employment, and the terms of employment of the Grantee or the
relationship of the Grantee with the Company or any Affiliate shall not be
affected in any way by this Agreement except as specifically provided herein.
The execution of this Agreement shall not be construed as conferring any legal
rights upon the Grantee for a continuation of employment or relationship with
the Company or any Affiliate, nor shall it interfere with the right of the
Company or any subsidiary thereof to discharge the Grantee and to treat him
without regard to the effect which that treatment might have upon him as a
Grantee.

                  19. WITHHOLDING. The Company shall have the right to deduct
and withhold from payments or distributions of any kind otherwise due to the
Grantee any federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be so
deducted and withheld with respect to any shares issued upon exercise of the
Option. Subject to the prior approval of the Company, which may be withheld by
the Company in its sole discretion, the Grantee may elect to satisfy such
obligations, in whole or in part by (i) causing the Company to withhold Shares
otherwise issuable pursuant to the exercise of the Option, (ii) delivering to
the Company shares of common stock already owned by the Grantee, or (iii)
delivering to the Company cash or a check to the order of the Company in an
amount equal to the amount required to be so deducted and withheld. The shares
delivered in accordance with method (ii) above or withheld in accordance with
method (i) above shall have a Fair Market Value equal to such withholding
obligation as of the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be
determined. The Grantee who has made (with the Company's approval) an election
pursuant to method (i) or (ii) of this Section 19 may only satisfy his or her
withholding obligation with shares of common stock which are not subject to any
repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                  20. NOTICES. All notices, requests and demands given to or
made upon the respective parties hereto shall be deemed to have been given or
made three business days after the date of mailing when mailed by registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, or on the date of delivery if delivered by
hand, or on the date of delivery by Federal Express or other reputable overnight
delivery service, addressed to the parties at their addresses set forth below or
to such other addresses furnished by notice given in accordance with this
Section 20: (a) if to the Company, to CDBeat.com, Inc., 29 W. 57 St., 9th Floor,
Attention: Robert Miller, President, with a copy to Baer Marks & Upham LLP, 805
Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022, Attn: Ivan W. Dreyer, Esq. and (b) if to the
Executive, to Elliot Goldman, 3 Chester Drive, Rye, New York 10580, with a copy
to Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt LLP, 900 Third Avenue, New York,
New York 10022, Attn: Joel S. Hirschtritt, Esq.

                  21. GOVERNING LAW. Except to the extent preempted by Federal
law, this Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and
governed by, New York law, without regard to the conflicts of laws thereof.

                  22. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains all of the
understandings and agreements between the Company and its Affiliates, and the
Grantee concerning this Option and supersedes all earlier negotiations and
understandings, written or oral, between the parties with respect thereto. The
Company, its Affiliates and the Grantee have made no promises, agreements,
conditions or understandings either orally or in writing, that are not included
in the Agreement.

                  23. HEADINGS. The headings of Sections and subsections herein
are included solely for convenience of reference and shall not affect the
meaning of any of the provisions of the Agreement.

                  24. AMENDMENTS. The Agreement may be amended or modified at
any time by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.

                  25. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be signed in any number
of counterparts (which may be transmitted by facsimile), each of which shall be
an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were
upon the same instrument. This Agreement shall become effective when each party
hereto shall have received counterparts hereof signed by the other party hereto.

                                       6
<PAGE>

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Grantee have duly
executed this Stock Option Agreement as of the date first written above.

                                        CDBEAT.COM, INC.

                                        By:/s/ Robert Miller
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Robert Miller
                                           President

                                           /s/ Elliot Goldman
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Elliot Goldman, Grantee

                                       7

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