Ludacris and Chingy on the set of "Gimme Dat"
Photo: MTV News

Water under the bridge, no tears over spilt milk, it's all 'hood.

However you want to phrase it, Chingy and Ludacris have let bygones be bygones and are excited to be working with each other again. The once-estranged friends shot the video for their latest collaboration, "Gimme Dat," recently in L.A. It's the second video from Chingy's Disturbing Tha Peace second coming, Hate It or Love It.

"We figured we'd move forward and reunite," Chingy said, sitting next to Ludacris during a long pause in filming. "We need more unity."

Chingy said his album title refers to how people will feel about his bond with DTP being re-formed. He thinks feelings will range from one extreme to the next. "It feels like I never went nowhere," Ching said. " 'Cris is like a brother to me, and I'm glad to be back and handling business with everyone."

It's business as usual for DTP's leader, Ludacris. He has movies, another solo album and, of course, record-label-CEO business to attend to this year.

"We are officially bigger than the old Wu-Tang used to be," he joked, referring to the Clan's reported 195-person-plus roster (both on and off the mic) back in the day. "Disturbing Tha Peace: We don't die, we multiply. It's a lot of members we got. A lot of artists are dropping in 2008. We got singers, rappers — it's a little bit of everything."

Luda's Theater of the Mind is dropping in the coming months (he declined to reveal who he's been working with but said he's at the midway point), while Bobby Valentino — who is also featured on "Gimme Dat" — has almost completed his Underground Love.

"My album is pretty much down right now," Bobby said. "It's called Underground Love because I feel like I have an underground cult that love Bobby Valentino, that enjoy what I do. It's for all those fans. I hope I gain new fans, but this album is different than all other R&B albums."

Outside of his camp, Luda has been all over the country doing guest spots with various artists. The one artist 'Cris has had the most success with is Usher. A new record by the two, "Dat Girl Right There," leaked a few weeks ago, though it is still up in the air whether the song will make Usher's new LP.

"It got leaked early, way before it got mixed or anything," Luda said of the collaboration. "I'm not sure exactly what the status is of that particular song, but I do know Usher is working hard, and his album will be dropping in 2008. That's the homie. Regardless if that song is gonna make it or not, because it got leaked way too early, we're always down to make history again."

On the movie front, 'Cris has three under his belt: "Game" with Gerard Butler (he doesn't expect that until 2009 though), "Ball Don't Lie" and "RocknRolla."

"Guy Richie [directed] 'RocknRolla,' " Luda said of the flick, which also stars Thandie Newton. "It's incredible. Another gangsta flick done in the U.K. 'Ball Don't Lie,' [it's about a kid] who's a part of an orphanage, but the one talent he had was basketball growing up his whole life, and that molded him into a man. I kind of help him."

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• Chingy And Ludacris On The Set Of 'Gimme Dat'

• Ludacris
• Chingy

Marilyn Manson
Photo: Vince Bucci/ Getty Images

Marilyn Manson has fired back at Stephen Gregory Bier Jr. — known to fans by his stage name, "Madonna Wayne Gacy" — by countersuing his former keyboardist for breach of contract, according to The Associated Press. In court papers reportedly filed in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Manson claimed Bier did not fulfill his obligations to take part in master recordings, concerts and the selling of his band's merchandise. The suit came in response to a breach-of-contract suit Bier filed against Manson back in August that sought more than $20 million in damages. Bier charged Manson shorted him on salary and medical support, and instead used the band's profits to fund his lavish lifestyle. The suit claimed Manson used the money to pay for his lavish lifestyle, drug habit and the production of his upcoming film, "Phantasmagoria: The Visions of Lewis Carroll," among other things. According to Manson's countersuit, the pair's business partnership was dissolved in 1996, once Manson became the clear leader of the band. While Bier has been paid income for CD sales, live gigs and merchandise sales, the suit alleges he had "failed to render services to the best of his ability and in a practical and cooperative manner." The suit further claims Bier was often tardy for band recordings, performances and promotional appearances, and that he had provided confidential band information to the media and other people without Manson's consent. Manson's suit seeks unspecified general and special damages, and he's also seeking a court order to prevent Bier from releasing more confidential band information. ...

Chingy recently shot the video for his second Hate It or Love It single, "Gimme That," in Los Angeles. The track feature fellow Disturbing Tha Peace members Ludacris and Bobby Valentino. "Gimme That" follows the Amerie-assisted "Fly Like Me," the lead track on his recently released album. "It's a club song, about partying, having fun and just kicking it," the St. Louis rapper told MTV News. "Just one of them type of songs." ... DMX, who once considered changing his name to Dog, will release his next two albums through Bodog Entertainment, according to Billboard.com. The rapper recently inked a deal with the Canadian online gaming company's music division and plans to put out both discs, Walk With Me Now and You'll Fly With Me Later, next year. Bodog recently nabbed the international distribution rights for the new Wu-Tang Clan album 8 Diagrams. ...

Yung Berg was arrested Friday in Miami Beach, Florida, on the set of Ray J's video shoot for "Sexy Can I." The upstart rapper is featured on the track and, according to his rep, he was taken into police custody after authorities discovered him smoking marijuana. A publicist for Berg confirmed to MTV News that he is still in custody and is waiting to be released on bail. ...

Jordin Sparks, Mario, Backstreet Boys, Teddy Geiger and others have teamed with mobile-media company Mozes for "Voices of America," a campaign that allows people to send well-wishes to soldiers overseas via voice messages. People can call the toll-free number 888-312-2612 to send messages to troops, who will have access to them through Armed Forces Entertainment. Hinder, Five for Fighting, Switchfoot's Jon Foreman and others are also participating in the campaign. ... Kid Rock busted out a cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama," a song that appeared on his recent Rock'n'Roll Jesus LP, for 500 U.S. troops as part of a United Service Organizations tour stop staged Thursday in Kabul, Afghanistan. Robin Williams, Lance Armstrong and Lewis Black also participated in the all-star event, which was part of a six-day, 14-show tour. ...

Amy Winehouse is finally getting some good news — Back to Black is likely to become the year's best-selling album in the U.K., according to BBC News. The effort, which was issued in the U.S. in March, actually dropped across the pond late last year. Back to Black also recently helped the troubled singer earn six Grammy Award nominations. Leona Lewis' Spirit and Mika's Life in Cartoon Motion currently follow behind Winehouse's album in terms of 2007 sales, BBC News says. ... Rap rules ringtones, according to AT&T. The cell phone provider released its best-selling list for the year-end and hip-hop artists accounted for eight of the top 10 numbers. Shop Boyz's "Party Like a Rockstar," Mims' "This Is Why I'm Hot," and Soulja Boy's "Crank That" topped the list. Nickelback's "Rockstar" and Akon's "Don't Matter" rounded out the top five. Also making the cut were T-Pain, Hurricane Chris, Sean Kingston, Huey and Fergie. ...

Feist, Eddie Vedder, the Arcade Fire, Björk and M.I.A. are on the long list of nominees for the seventh annual Shortlist Prize, with the announcements of the finalists and winner to be made early next year. Wilco, Animal Collective, Against Me!, Klaxons, Puscifer, PJ Harvey, Spoon, the Hives, Of Montreal, LCD Soundsystem and Serj Tankian are also among the 54 artists who are in the running. Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody and the Killers' Ronnie Vannucci are on the panel that picked the nominees. ... Dwight Schrute is taking over the Spirit Awards — Rainn Wilson, who plays the power-hungry character on "The Office," will host the indie-film-hailing ceremony on February 23. The ceremony will be held the day before the Oscars and feature writing contributions from Wilson, even though he is a member of the Writers Guild of America. The WGA, which is on strike, granted a waiver to the Spirit Awards organizer to hire writers for the event. ...

In some crumbelievable news for Stephen Colbert, newspaper editors and broadcast producers have voted him as AP's Celebrity of the Year, the news service announced Friday. He beat out J.K. Rowling, Al Gore, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, Judd Apatow and Kanye West. "In receiving this award, I am pleased that I was chosen over two great spinners of fantasy — J.K. Rowling and Al Gore," Colbert, who launched a presidential bid earlier this year, told AP. "Best of all, this makes me the official front-runner for next year's Drug-Fueled Downward Spiral of the year. P.S. Look for my baby bump this spring." "The Colbert Report" and "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" will start up production again on January 7, albeit without their writers, it was announced Thursday. ...

Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco is getting pressure from members of the Congressional Black Caucus to pardon the Jena Six, according to AP. In a letter that was reportedly mailed to the governor this week, Texas Representative Sheila Jackson Lee said Mychal Bell, the other teens and their families "have suffered enough, as has the State of Louisiana and the town of Jena." According to AP, Blanco's press secretary said Friday that she cannot grant a pardon or commutation without the state Pardon Board, which has its next meeting on January 17, recommending to do so. Blanco leaves office three days before that. Lee is joined by 14 other members of the caucus who are asking Blanco to support releasing Bell, who was sentenced to 18 months in a juvenile facility after a plea deal was struck earlier this month. ...

Score one for Nick Lachey — the choir he put together from his Cincinnati hometown won NBC's "Clash of the Choirs" contest Thursday night. "I've been blown away by my choir's poise," Jessica Simpson's ex said on the show. "It's made up of amateur singers. They've never done this before." The 20 singers are taking home a quarter-million dollars for the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. ... Megadeth have heart — the metal band's frontman, Dave Mustaine, and his wife recently organized a Toys for Tots donation drive for families affected by the wildfires in his native Southern California. The toys were delivered to Camp Pendleton, the North Coast Church — which the Mustaines go to — and the town of Fallbrook. "We live in a little town, and this is nothing any neighbor wouldn't do for another neighbor," he said in a statement. ... Eddie Van Halen's divorce with Valerie Bertinelli, his wife of 25 years, has been finalized. The ex-spouses have one son, Wolfgang, who is touring with the reunited Van Halen.

12.20.2007

Remy Ma's European tour plans appear to have fizzled — a New York judge has denied her request to travel overseas for a trek that was supposed to begin December 31 in Paris, The Associated Press reports. A lawyer for the rapper (real name: Remy Smith) argued Thursday (December 20) that his client needed to tour to earn money because she hasn't been getting enough bookings in the U.S. since she was arrested in July for allegedly shooting a friend over missing money, but the judge said she couldn't leave the country due to the seriousness of the charges. Remy Ma was ordered earlier this month to stand trail on charges of gang assault and witness tampering. She is due in court on January 3 for adjournment where prosecutors will decide whether to admit DNA evidence in the case. ...

Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert fans can breathe a sigh of relief — "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report" will start up production again on January 7, albeit without their writers, AP reports. In a joint statement, the pair reportedly said, "We would like to return to work with our writers. If we cannot, we would like to express our ambivalence, but without our writers we are unable to express something as nuanced as ambivalence." Stewart and Colbert are the most recent late-night hosts to announce their return to the airwaves amid the ongoing writers' strike, joining the likes of Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien, who will return January 2. ...

So what's really going on between Rihanna and Josh Hartnett? The singer addresses the rumors in the January issue of Allure, saying there isn't much truth to them. "I went to [New York club] Pink Elephant, and he came by," she said. "All of a sudden, the next day I'm seeing that we were kissing and hugging up each other. You can't even go out with a friend who's a celebrity and have a good time without people making sh-- up ... well, at least he's good-looking, right?" Rih Rih also talked with the mag, which calls itself "The Beauty Expert," about — what else? — beauty. "While in America beautiful is skinny, in Barbados it's thick — girls with huge butts and nice curves," she said, contrasting the U.S. with her homeland. In other Rihanna news, she — as well as My Chemical Romance, Good Charlotte, Timbaland, Rufus Wainwright and many others — have partnered with Designers Against AIDS to create men's and women's lines called "Fashion Against AIDS." The lines will be available exclusively at H&M stores beginning in February, with one-fourth of the proceeds from the sales going to YouthAIDS, an HIV/AIDS prevention initiative that serves 60 countries worldwide. ...

Jennifer Hudson and Queen Latifah will star in the silver-screen adaptation of the best-selling book "The Secret Life of Bees," and Alicia Keys and Dakota Fanning are also in negotiations to star in the flick, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Keys and Latifah are due to play beekeeping sisters who take in Hudson's and Fanning's characters after they run away from home. Production will reportedly begin in January for the movie, which is targeting a 2008 theatrical release. ... Rick Ross is blaming clearance issues for the delay of his second album, Trilla, according to Billboard.com. He said a DJ Toomp-produced song called "This Me" was one of the tracks in question. Ross is reportedly considering "Boss" (featuring T-Pain) as his second single. ...

Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet for My Valentine, Bless the Fall and Atreyu lead the lineup for next year's Taste of Chaos trek, which will launch February 29 in Denver and continue through April 6 in El Paso, Texas. An Internet presale begins January 5 on the tour's Web site, with tickets going on sale nationally January 12. ... Death Cab for Cutie have posted on their Web site a new video teasing their next album. The clip features a portion of a song that will presumably appear on the group's yet-untitled LP and announces that the effort will be out in May. According to the video, the album was recorded in 44 days at three studios, in Seattle; Portland, Oregon; and San Francisco. ...

"Into the Wild" got some critical love Thursday as Sean Penn's flick scooped up four Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, including best lead actor for Emile Hirsch. Ryan Gosling, Cate Blanchett, Angelina Jolie, Viggo Mortensen and George Clooney all got nods, although "Atonement" — which dominates the list of Golden Globe contenders with seven noms — was shut out altogether. ... South by Southwest is taking a walk on the wild side — Lou Reed will be the keynote speaker at the music conference and film festival, which will take place March 12-16 in Austin, Texas. The Velvet Underground-er will speak March 13 at the Austin Convention Center in conjunction with a screening of Julian Schnabel's new documentary, "Lou Reed's Berlin," which revolves around the rock legend's 1973 album. Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates and composer Steve Reich will also give talks at SXSW. ...

Pennywise have cooked up an interesting album-release scheme with MySpace Records: The punks will make their yet-untitled new album available for free DRM-free download on MySpace for two weeks, starting March 25. That day will also see the release of an enhanced CD/DVD version of the effort for sale at retail outlets. To download the album for free, users have to add promotional partner "Textango" as their MySpace friend. "We know that this will piss off a lot of people in the music industry," guitarist Fletcher Dragge said in a statement. "And what do we say to that? 'Who cares?' " Cameron Webb (Social Distortion, Sum 41) will produce and mix the effort. ... Are the Eagles too good for the Super Bowl? Apparently so — according to AP, the group turned down an offer to perform at the annual football extravaganza. As for a potential opportunity to play at the Grand Ole Opry, however, bandmember Don Henley said, "That would be an honor." ...

Live Nation has sewn up a deal with a German company that will allow the concert promoter to create its own ticketing service, according to Variety. The new service will reportedly allow Live Nation, which ended talks with Ticketmaster in August, to have more control over customer data, increasing sponsorship opportunities. There's another plus for Live Nation in the deal: It will reportedly allow the company to get the fees charged to customers over the listed ticket prices. ... A report issued Thursday determined that there were no violations in Paris Hilton's jailing in June but did find that three Los Angeles County sheriff's employees violated policy when Mel Gibson was arrested last year for misdemeanor drunk driving in Malibu, California, according to AP. The sheriff's employees have reportedly since been disciplined. The news service also said the report found that a sheriff's supervisor considered holding back details about the actor's anti-Semitic rant from an arrest report, but a captain eventually overruled him. ...

As he awaits a retrial, disgraced record producer Phil Spector has filed suit again in an attempt to get a refund of the $1 million fee he paid to former attorney Robert Shapiro, according to AP. Five years after his arrest in the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson, Spector filed a second lawsuit Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming that Shapiro cheated him and used their personal relationship to enrich himself unjustly. In December 2005, Spector dropped an earlier suit against Shapiro, the first lawyer to represent Spector after his arrest, with the provision that he could refile at a later time. The new suit makes similar allegations that Shapiro "took unfair and unscrupulous advantage of his friendship and position of trust with Mr. Spector, and decided to use Mr. Spector's arrest as an opportunity to make a financial windfall and garner publicity for himself." It also named Shapiro's law firm as a defendant, claiming it "stood behind and vouched for Shapiro's work." The suit alleges that Spector was under tremendous stress following his arrest and had not taken his medication for mental problems at the time he agreed to Shapiro's $1 million retainer fee. ...

Being an "American Idol" finalist ain't what it used to be. For proof, look at the depressed mug on curly haired season-six wonder Chris Sligh, 29, who is the main attraction for the alcohol-free First Night Westerly New Year's Eve celebration in the tiny Rhode Island town. After a day of face-painting, extreme sports video-gaming, karate demos, magicians, mimes, hayrides and swing-dance lessons, Sligh is slated to take the stage at the YMCA gym just before midnight. ... Chuck D, Lil Boosie and, oddly enough, Buckethead will salute James Brown by performing at a tribute show on Saturday in Covington, Kentucky, Billboard reports. Bootsy Collins, who was mentored by the late legend, is putting on the concert, and proceeds will go to the future launch of a museum and the rebuilding of Brown's early recording home. Brown's most recent band, the Soul Generals; members of his original backing group, the JB's; and MC Danny Ray will also play at the event. ... The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions will take place in Cleveland in March 2009 — which is fitting, since the Rock Hall is located in the city. For the past decade, the event has been held in New York.

• Marilyn Manson
• Chingy
• DMX
• Yung Berg
• Jordin Sparks

Mary J. Blige at her album release party in New York on Tuesday
Photo: MTV News

NEW YORK — Royalty reigned Tuesday night at the Soho Grand Hotel as Mary J. Blige celebrated the release of her eighth studio album, Growing Pains, with Fabolous, John Legend, legendary R&B singer Patti LaBelle and others.

"Wow," Mario marveled at the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul's longevity. "She's staying true to herself, her life, and knowing every day is a new revelation. That's why I'm a fan."

LaBelle and Blige shared a few laughs on the red carpet beforehand while photographers flashed away at the legendary pair's exchange.

Chingy — whose album, Hate It or Love It, was also released Tuesday — was also in attendance. The St. Louis rapper didn't stay long as he had his own album-release event to attend at another New York club, Sol. Before he made his exit, the DTPer extended an invite to everyone.

"Make sure y'all stop by," he shouted.

Tank, J. Holiday and "American Gangster" actor Idris Elba were also in attendance. Tank recalled his first tour experience, with Aaliyah and Ginuwine, as a part of a Blige-headlined tour.

"I'm forever grateful for the experience," he said.

Alicia Keys' producer Kerry "Krucial" Brothers and Melyssa Ford stopped by, and D-Nice manned the turntables at the swank hotel penthouse, which had flat-screen TVs lining the walls.

Blige was all smiles throughout the night.

She arrived shortly after 10 p.m., wearing cream pants and a matching turtleneck and fur coat. Her husband, Kendu Isaacs, escorted her on the red carpet and stayed by her side all night.

Having started her career singing about her pain and heartache, Blige turned more upbeat beginning with 2001's No More Drama and continuing with 2005's The Breakthrough. Though Growing Pains preaches positivity, she said she can still draw plenty of material from her own life.

"As long as I'm not perfect, you're gonna be hearing from me," she said.

• Mary J. Blige
• Fabolous
• John Legend
• Chingy
• Patti Labelle

Mary J. Blige's <i>Growing Pains</i>
Photo: Geffen Records

This is it, ladies and germs — the last batch of new releases you'll be able to buy leading up to all the gift-swappage a week from now. We know you've got some last-minute shopping to do, so without further delay, here's what's in store(s) this week:

Mary Christmas: Mary J. Blige doesn't really need to worry about competition — after all, every one of her studio releases has gone platinum, most more than once. One of her biggest successes was her last one, The Breakthrough, which has sold roughly 3 million copies since its December 20, 2005, release. Fitting to its handle, the follow-up, Growing Pains, bumped from mid- to late November, then settled on this December date — which, given her past success in the month, can't be a bad thing. But what's really up with the album name, especially given that we're talking about an artist who has been making music for more than 15 years? The normally proud Mary humbly told MTV News in October — without referring to herself in the third person! — that, "it's going to take probably a lifetime to get to a point in my life where I'm like, 'Oh, I'm perfect.' I don't think that will ever happen. So as long as I'm a human being and I'm not perfect, I'm able to say I'm having some growing pains." Look for production contributions from Ne-Yo, The-Dream and the Neptunes, as well as featured appearances by Usher ("Shake Down") and Ludacris ("Grown Woman"). Fans who preordered the singer's eighth studio disc got a download of her new single, "Just Fine," plus a bonus track "Mirror" (featuring Eve) and digital booklet.

Lupe on Ice?: Blige's smoking Pains is sure to cause Lupe Fiasco's "The Cool" some harm on the charts — the Chicago rapper's last effort, Lupe Fiasco's Food and Liquor, opened at #8 on the Billboard albums chart, while Blige's Breakthrough debuted at #1. Still, Lupe does have Snoop Dogg on his side — courtesy a guest appearance on the song "Hi-Definition" — and he's got a fresh Grammy nomination in his pocket too, as his tune "Daydreamin' " (featuring Jill Scott) is up for Best Urban/Alternative Performance. Referring to a conversation he had with esteemed Princeton University professor Cornel West, he told MTV News in September that, "cool things are what's destructive and what's got us down and depressed. And if you can make it hip to be square, you might really affect some actual social change in the world. So this is like my attempt, very blatant, over-attempt [at that], by naming the album The Cool." Fans who preordered the album were treated to a limited-edition autographed vinyl, if they went the digital-download route, or a free T-shirt if they bought the physical album ahead of time.

Cha-Chingy: While Mary and Lupe are, for the most part, hoping to carry their new albums on their own strengths, Chingy has armed himself with a battalion of fellow rappers to help him storm the charts. Ludacris, Rick Ross, Ice Cube, Trey Songz, Amerie, Bobby Valentino, Anthony Hamilton and producers Cool & Dre all lend their skills on Hate It or Love It. You read that right: Ludacris. Chingy recently made peace with Disturbing Tha Peace, declaring to MTV News over the summer that he was "back with DTP like I ain't never went nowhere. It's all good." His hopeful collabo with Kanye West, on the other hand, apparently didn't pan out.

Big Seller In The Making?: Despite Lupe and Chingy's new releases, Blige might actually face the stiffest competition from Jaheim and his fourth effort, The Making of a Man — after all, its predecessor, Ghetto Classics, topped the Billboard albums chart upon its release in 2006. Likely to give the New Jersey R&B singer a big boost are collaborations with R. Kelly, Babyface and Keyshia Cole; as well as covers of Luther Vandross and Bobby Womack classics. "Being a man means to walk like Christ," Jaheim said in a press release. "You have to want that change. If you sacrifice, He'll give you everything you are looking for. When you're taken through the storm, the only thing you can do is write about it ... get your pain off. So I'm going to take this story and change somebody's life." Jaheim's own life has seen some changes lately too — according to the release, he has "adopted a new lifestyle through healthy eating and exercise habits," bought a new house and "for the first time in his life, he finds himself truly in love."

Silver-Screen Sounds: "There Will Be Blood" and "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" have been getting lots of love as the film world delves deep into awards season, with both titles scooping up Golden Globe nominations last week. As it turns out, soundtracks for both sinister movies are hitting stores this week — via the same label, Nonesuch. One of the most unusual aspects of Tim Burton's "Sweeney Todd" seems to be the singing performances by Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen, all of which are captured on the musical accompaniment. But Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood might grant the soundtrack for Paul Thomas Anderson's flick even greater commercial success, as he wrote the instrumental score. "I tried to write for the scenery and the story rather than specific 'themes' for characters," Greenwood said in a statement. "Only a couple of the parts were written for specific scenes — I was happier writing lots of music for the film/story."

Raw Appeal: Stores are crazy enough as it is, with all the holiday shopping going on — but they might get a little more violent this week as wrestling fans clothesline each other on their way to the cash registers, with copies of "WWE Raw" - Greatest Hits: The Music in their mitts. The disc teems with the theme songs for the Rock, John Cena, Chris Jericho and other beefcakes — and the project is nothing to scoff at, given that five WWE Music Group releases have debuted in the top 10 on the Billboard albums chart. Plus, Rick Rubin was involved in the project, oddly enough. "I've been a lifelong fan of WWE," he revealed in a statement.

Another Kiss: While we're on the subject of guys who like to dress up and wear makeup, Kiss are breaking out the last installment in their "Kissology" series this week. The massive, four-disc "Volume Three 1992-2000" is loaded with 10-plus hours of material from the rock titans, including a November 1992 show in Detroit; their 1995 "MTV Unplugged" performance and accompanying behind-the-scenes material; another Detroit gig, from '96; five songs as part of their 1996 VMA performance; a 1998 show at Los Angeles' Dodger Stadium; songs they performed at the '99 premiere of the movie "Detroit Rock City"; a 2000 show in New Jersey; and, for good measure, the famed Coventry 1973 gig in New York that marked their first show in makeup that was captured on camera. Talk about a never-ending Kiss.

A Shorter Tool: Unlike Kiss, Tool aren't taking the exhaustive approach with their new DVD. The band's long-awaited "Vicarious" disc has an extended cut of the video for the title track, crack commentary from comedian David Cross, a making-of featurette and some live clips.

Rivers' Deluge: Weezer wouldn't be a band without Rivers Cuomo, of course — for proof, look no further than Alone - The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo, a compilation of his demos that provided the foundation for the band's material. "By Christmas 1990, I had wheedled my mother, finally, into co-signing for a credit card and bought a Tascam 688 home-recording unit and began a steady stream of demo-making that has continued in various forms, on various machines and in various locations around the world until the present time and place, October 2007. In my home in Los Angeles, I make my demos on the Dell laptop computer which I am now writing," he wrote in the package's extensive liner notes. Among the 16 demos are "Buddy Holly," "Dude, We're Finally Landing" and "I Was Made For You."

Song Title of the Week:

"Go Go Gadget Flow" from Lupe Fiasco's "The Cool"

Album Cover of the Week:

Bram Tchaikovsky's Strange Man, Changed Man

Other Notables:

Keller Williams' 12
You'll never guess how many releases the guitarist has put out over the course of his 20-plus-year career. We'll give you a clue: It's a number between 11 and 13 and has something to do with the title of his latest disc. For the innovative 12 — which Williams called his "hitless greatest hits" comp in a statement — he cherry-picked one song from each of his previous releases and chalked up one newly recorded track.

Doug Levitt's Diaries: Eastbound Edition
A guy decides to spend six weeks touring on a Greyhound Bus so he can get better acquainted with common folk and tell their stories. That's, in a nutshell, this singer/songwriter's Greyhound Diaries: Eastbound Edition project, which surfaced in the form of a series of videos on the Web starting December 10, and a four-song iTunes EP that came out Monday. Expect a related full-length album in the spring.

The Dig's Good Luck and Games
The New York band actually has this up on the group's Web site or MySpace page as a free download, but after Thursday, you'll have to resort to buying the release, which will also be available at CD Baby. The effort — which was produced by Pavement and Ramones collaborator Bryce Goggin — was preceded by the rock group's prior to LPs, Boston Rock 'N Roll and Quiet Parade. Dig it.

New Releases:

· Mary J. Blige - Growing Pains (Geffen) [Buy Now]
Read: "Mary J. Blige Says She's 'Just Fine' With Her New Album, Losing 'Umbrella' To Rihanna"
· Chingy - Hate It or Love It (Disturbing Tha Peace)[Buy Now]
· Kirk Franklin - The Fight of My Life (Gospocentric)
· Jonny Greenwood - "There Will Be Blood" soundtrack (Nonesuch)
· Jaheim - The Making of a Man (Atlantic/ Ghetto Hoodz)
· Lupe Fiasco - Lupe Fiasco's "The Cool" (Atlantic) [Buy Now]
Read: "Lupe Fiasco's Cool World: Tragedy Meets 'Mad Poppy Beats'"
· Various artists - "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" soundtrack (Nonesuch)

Notable Reissues and Archival Material:

· Rivers Cuomo - Alone - The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo (Geffen) [Buy Now]
· Bram Tchaikovsky - Strange Man, Changed Man (Hip-O-Select)
· Trisome 21 - 25 Years (limited-edition two-CD set; Alfa Matrix)
· Keller Williams - 12 (Sci Fidelity)
· Various artists - Def Jam Sessions, Vol. 01 (Def Jam)
· Various artists - "WWE Raw" - Greatest Hits: The Music (Columbia/ WWE Music Group)

Music DVDs:

· Chuck Berry - "Maybellene - Impact: Songs That Changed the World" (SRO Entertainment) [Buy Now]
· Vivian Campbell - "Lead Master Class" (Music Sales)
· Aretha Franklin - "Respect - Impact: Songs That Changed the World" (SRO Entertainment) [Buy Now]
· Kiss - "Kissology: The Ultimate Kiss Collection, Vol. 3: 1992-2000" (five-DVD box set; VH1 Classics) [Buy Now]
· The Moody Blues - "The Moody Blues Live: Lovely to See You" (HD DVD; Image Entertainment)
· Roy Orbison - "Black & White Night" (HD DVD; Image Entertainment)
· Chuck Rainey - "The Legendary Bass of Chuck Rainey" (Music Sales)
· Three 6 Mafia - "Adventures in Hollywood" (Columbia)
· Tool - "Vicarious" (Jive) [Buy Now]
· Shania Twain - "Any Man of Mine - Impact: Songs That Changed the World" (SRO Entertainment) [Buy Now]
· Various artists - "Band Aid: Do They Know It's Christmas? - Impact: Songs That Changed the World" (SRO Entertainment)

Digital Releases:

· Benzos - Coup d'état (free self-release )
· Michael Brook - "Into the Wild" score (available exclusively on iTunes; Lakeshore)
· The Dig - Good Luck and Games (EP) [Buy Now]
· Eisley - Like the Actors (Warner Bros./ Reprise; available exclusively on iTunes)
· Doug Levitt - Diaries: Eastbound Edition (digital e-book with four-song EP; available on iTunes)
· Ozomatli - Live From SoHo (available exclusively on iTunes)
· Silverchair - The Greatest View EP (available exclusively on iTunes) [Buy Now]
· Gordon Withers - Jawbox on Cello: A Benefit for Cal Robbins (; Ioda)

Coming Attractions:

December 25:
· Various artists - "High School Musical 2": Non-Stop Dance Party (Disney)
· Various artists - "Young Frankenstein: The New Mel Brooks Musical" (Decca Broadway)

January 1:
· Radiohead - In Rainbows (TBD/ATO) [Preorder]
· Various artists - "Elvis: Viva Las Vegas" soundtrack (Sony)

January 8:
· Sia - Some People Have Real Problems (Monkey Puzzle) [Preorder]
· Testament - Demonic and Hammer of the Gods reissues (Prosthetic) [Preorder]
· Various artists - ... And All the Pieces Matter: Five Years of Music From "The Wire" (Nonesuch)

• Mary J. Blige
• Lupe Fiasco
• Chingy
• Tool

• Ludacris
• Chingy

Avril Lavigne
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

It might not seem so at first, but packing your bags for Las Vegas is a logistical nightmare. How many pairs of gambling shoes should you take? Do you stuff a copy of your birth certificate in with your toothbrush, just in case you're in the mood for a quickie wedding? Should you bring large bills for bail, or do you go the Pacman Jones route and just fill a garbage bag with $81,000 worth of singles to make it rain?

Clearly, these are all very important questions, ones you probably haven't answered yet. A properly packed suitcase is the key to having maximum fun in Vegas, and the last thing you want to be is ill-equipped for anything the town decides to throw at you. So to help you prepare for your fantastic voyage, we've turned to a panel of celebrity experts to find out what's in their Louis Vuitton rucksacks when they hit Sin City.

From designer sunglasses and Speedos to comfy pajamas and condoms, here's what the stars bring to have the time of their lives. (And you thought packing for Vegas just meant tossing some socks and skivvies into an old gym bag.)

(Watch Ludacris, Avril Lavigne, Bow Wow and more tell you what to pack for Sin City.)

Avril Lavigne: "Going-out clothes and sweats for being hungover the next day. And a bathing suit to go out to the pool and a really cute outfit for the next night."

Lauren Conrad ("The Hills"): "Something with sequins!"

Audrina Patridge ("The Hills"): "Sunblock, lip gloss, eyeliner, hot clothes. Flashy, sparkly things. It's Vegas — you gotta dress fun!"

Ludacris: "Usually when I go to Vegas, I hit the town as soon as I get there, so I don't pack anything. There's a lot of good shopping there, so I'll just go pick something up. ... But you gotta have some money in your pocket to gamble, of course."

Jordin Sparks: "You gotta look cute, you gotta look good in Vegas, so ... bring a couple of tank tops. Also, definitely bring your cell phone and your friends. And comfortable shoes, because there's a lot of walking."

Keke Palmer ("Akeelah and the Bee"): "I think you just have to have a banging outfit for the whole trip. ... What you need to do is just go there with designer clothes and sunglasses and just do it up like you're famous, even if you only have one dime."

Chingy: "You gotta bring a 12-pack of Magnum [condoms], and have your entourage with you at all times."

Emmy Rossum ("The Phantom of the Opera"): "Bring suntan lotion. You definitely need to bring suntan lotion."

Sophia Bush ("One Tree Hill"): "When you pack for Vegas, you gotta have a great pair of shoes that are comfortable, because if you're gonna be dancing to the DJs till the wee hours, the last thing you want to do is take off your shoes in a nightclub."

Corey Haim: "I just bring sunscreen and a Speedo. No, clogs and a purse. [He laughs.] I'm not going [to Vegas] to gamble. ... I prefer going to Cirque du Soleil."

Bow Wow: "I keep my [American Express] Black Card with me, so all you other big rappers and ballers, you better come to Vegas with your Black Card. Believe that!"

Shop Boyz: "You don't go to sleep in Vegas, man! You do not sleep. So basically all you need is money. That's the number one thing: You gotta have money. You can get everything else there."

So are the VMAs hot or what?! But there's much more Vegas riches to share: For a wealth of updates and info on performers, presenters and voting, check out www.VMA.MTV.com. For reports, photos, video and much, much more from previous VMAs, dive into the VMA archives.

• Vegas VMAs: Packing It All In
• VMAs And Vegas: A Match Made In Heaven

• The 2007 MTV Video Music Award Nominees
• 50, Kanye, Diddy, Lil Wayne, Eve, Adam Levine Set For 2007 MTV Video Music Awards

• Avril Lavigne
• Ludacris
• Bow Wow
• Chingy
• Shop Boyz

Ludacris performs at Anaheim, California's Powerhouse 2007 on Saturday night
Photo: MTV News

On Saturday night, it was all about peace in the Disturbing Tha Peace camp. Chingy talked to MTV News for the first time about rejoining the crew while Ludacris divulged plans for a new album.

"It's still a beautiful thing," Chingy said backstage at Los Angeles radio station Power 106's annual Powerhouse concert at the Honda Center in Anaheim. "Back with DTP like I ain't never went nowhere. It's all good."

The reunion has been known for weeks (see "Chingy Is 'Back With The Crew' On Ludacris' Disturbing Tha Peace Label") but this was the first public display. Chingy left the posse amid harsh words late in 2004 (see "Ludacris Declares That 'All Respect Is Lost' For Chingy" and "Chingy Fires Back At Nelly And Luda, Drops New Dis Track").

Ching-a-Ling has been recording with Ludacris and company on the new DTP compilation Strength in Numbers, and will be putting out his next solo project, Hate It or Love It, at the end of the year.

"November or December," he said about the projected release date. "I just worked with Cool and Dre, Scott Storch, [I'll] probably go in with Timbaland, Kanye West. A couple of people, a lot of people."

And of course Luda will be on the album. 'Cris himself said that his latest LP, Release Therapy, isn't dead. He's going to be putting out more records from his opus and has been crafting its follow-up.

"We got many singles coming, but I'm also working on a new album," he said right before he went onstage. "The next one is Theater of the Mind. Understand, when you listen to music, sometimes you have to envision what's being said. That's what it's all about."

Soon after, Fergie came by to crack a joke, but Luda let her know, "We got to go on," with his signature grin.

"Hey, it ain't loud enough! We might as well take our ass home!" he shouted through the mic to the crowd while still standing backstage.

Onstage, 'Cris had the audience getting rowdy as Fergie, Chingy and the rest of his DTP family paraded onstage. Game, the night's headliner, also had major impact during his set with big guests Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, WC and Tha Dogg Pound.

Earlier in the night, Bow Wow tag teamed with Omarion to build anticipation for the duo's album and Akon came out to join Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Other performers included Lil Wayne, Lloyd and T.I.

• Snoop, Lil Wayne, Ludacris, More Live At Powerhouse 2007

• Ludacris
• Chingy
• Game
• Snoop Dogg
• Kanye West

Chingy
Photo: Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images

Ludacris has been in Atlanta for months working on Strength in Numbers, the next compilation by his Disturbing Tha Peace record label.

More surprisingly, not only are the two making music together, they are back to doing business together. According to DTP, Chingy is back with the camp. At the end of 2004, Chingy's split from the imprint seemed irreparable (see "Ludacris Declares That 'All Respect Is Lost' For Chingy").

"It's a contract thing," the St. Louis MC had told MTV News of his defection. "I don't want to get into that. Me and the management had our differences. Plus, I'm trying to develop my business mind. Ain't nobody going to do for me like I'mma do for me. Ain't nobody gonna look out for me like I'mma look out for me. I had to step aside, start my own thing. Now I'm watching what's going on, giving my opinion and word. If something gets messed up, then blame it on me."

Ludacris had a harsher stance. "This is the first time we hear about his accusations [of financial wrongdoing], in a tabloid or through different media outlets, so all respect is lost," 'Cris responded to MTV News. "He keeps saying it's cool. It's not cool. ... It's completely over. ... We don't want anybody representing the crew who's gonna make false accusations like that. We have no respect for this individual, basically."

On Thursday, Chingy confirmed the reunion in his own words when a new song called "Make That Money" hit the Net.

"Was gone for a minute, back with the crew/ Who? DTP, so if you on top, we came to move you," he raps.

There is no word yet if Chingy, who put out three albums on Capitol, will join 'Cris at Def Jam. A title and release date for the DTP compilation has not been released yet.

And while Ludacris might be gaining one member, he lost another. Shawnna recently went public with her amicable split from the label family.

• Chingy
• Ludacris

Chopper
Photo: Scott Gries/ Getty Images

When Chopper (a.k.a. Young City), formerly of Da Band, was debating which label to sign with after leaving Bad Boy, his decision came down to one thing. When he was down and out, Chopper said, fellow New Orleans native Baby of Cash Money Records provided for him.

The "Making the Band 2" alum explained he was upset by what he perceived as Diddy's lack of support for him when Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans last year.

"I believe if I'm working with you, you are me," Chopper said. "You're a part of me if we're getting this together."

Chopper said he felt he deserved more based on what he had done for the label up to that point, including paying for his videos out-of-pocket and waiting patiently for his turn in the spotlight as a solo artist.

"Puff is a multimillionaire, I'm a thousand-naire at that time, grinding," Chopper said. "I shot the ['I See You Lil' Daddy'] video and the remix with Lil Wayne and Jody Breeze without him even giving me an advance check. I did that thinking it was all love. [Then] Katrina hit, boom, took away my house, my mama's house, took away a lot of stuff from my family.

"When that happened, I didn't get no phone call [from Diddy]," Chopper continued. "He didn't call me and say, 'Are you all right?' He didn't say, 'I got these Sean John clothes and can make sure your family at least has clothes on its back.' He didn't do none of that. So at the end of the day, I felt played. That's why I wanted to disband myself from the Bad Boy situation."

Keesha Johnson, a spokesperson for Diddy, disputed Chopper's claims. She said Diddy promoted Chopper as the first breakout artist from Da Band (see "Da Band's New Reality: Solo Albums And Movie Deals") and that Bad Boy and its distributor, Atlantic Records, funded both of Chopper's videos. While Johnson did not respond specifically to Chopper's comments regarding Hurricane Katrina, she noted that Diddy, along with Jay-Z, made a monetary contribution to the American Red Cross. In September 2005, the two artists announced they were combining checkbooks to donate $1 million (see "Jay-Z, Diddy, Others Reach Out To Disaster Victims; Kanye West Attacks Bush During Telethon").

Diddy also responded to Chopper: "[He] is a former disgruntled artist of Bad Boy who obviously has an ax to grind. We wish him well in his future career," he said in a statement released to MTV News.

A little more than a month ago, Chopper officially joined forces with Cash Money co-founder Baby. Their discussions began when Chopper was visiting New Orleans and ran into Baby, who inquired about his status with Bad Boy. Chopper explained he had parted ways with Diddy and, according to the rapper, Baby quickly offered a spot on the Cash Money roster and put some money in his pocket.

"I told Baby the story [about his Katrina losses], and he was like, 'Look here, at the end of the day, we always wanted to sign you,' " Chopper recalled. "And I told them they was the reason I started rapping in the first place."

The 21-year-old has been in Miami prepping his forthcoming solo debut, Fast Life, which is set to feature collaborations with Cash Money artists Lil Wayne and his Young Money crew, as well as appearances from Chingy, Soulja Slim, and Princess of Crime Mobb. Chopper hopes the album will help him move beyond his reality-TV past and showcase his abilities as a legitimate artist.

"I'm really one of the coldest guys in this game, rap-wise," he said. "It's time to show the world that, and that's why this Cash Money situation is gonna be a great for me. I'm a grown man now — you ain't talking to a little kid no more."

Chopper is currently facing 90 years in prison, according to his lawyer Paul Gardner, for an armed-robbery charge (which also includes two counts of first- and second-degree assault), stemming from an incident in Baltimore in 2001. He was pulled over for speeding on July 31 and detained when authorities noted that he had an outstanding warrant on the armed robbery charge. Chopper's hearing is now scheduled for February 28.

• Chopper
• Diddy
• Lil Wayne
• Chingy
• Da Band

Justin Timberlake's <i>FutureSex/ LoveSounds</i>
Photo: Jive

Based on the earliest sales projections, it seemed as though Justin Timberlake's chart-topping tenure would be ended by a Clay Aiken coup. But reports of the "American Idol" runner-up's triumph were a tad premature.

Aiken did give Timberlake a run for his money, with the collection of covers A Thousand Different Ways falling about 17,000 copies shy of the Billboard albums chart crown. Clay's Ways netted 211,000 scans its first week in stores — but even with sales of Timberlake's FutureSex/ LoveSounds taking a 67 percent hit, Aiken couldn't hit the mark.

According to the latest SoundScan totals, Justin's FutureSex/ LoveSounds sold more than 228,000 copies to spend a second-straight week at #1 on Billboard's albums sales chart. Aiken's 2003 debut, Measure of a Man, opened at #1 with close to 613,000 sales, but he'll settle for a #2 debut this time around.

In at #3 is The Dutchess, the inaugural solo offering from the Black Eyed Peas' Fergie, which sold 158,000-plus copies its first week out. Country star Kenny Chesney's latest, Live: Live Those Songs Again, debuts at #4 with sales of nearly 146,000. John Mayer's Continuum slides three spots to #5 after moving 134,000 copies, a 55 percent drop from its first-week sales. Beyoncé's B'Day follows at #6, selling 93,000 units.

Billboard's top 10 features six new releases in all, including Diana Krall's From This Moment On, which finishes in the #7 spot with 85,000 in sales. Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor bows at #8 with close to 81,000 scans, while St. Louis rapper Chingy's Hoodstar opens at #9, with 77,000 copies sold during the disc's first week in stores. Hinder's Extreme Behavior falls three spots to #10 with 70,000 units scanned.

A total of 26 new releases will manage to crack Billboard's top 200, including Jesse McCartney's Right Where You Want Me, which debuts at #15 with 53,000 copies sold; and Elton John's The Captain & the Kid, which takes the #18 slot with 44,500 sales. New Found Glory's Coming Home opens at #19 with sales reported at more than 38,000, just in front of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's Thug Stories, in at #25 with 30,000 copies sold.

Paulina Rubio's Ananda debuts at #31 with 26,000 copies sold, while Jonny Lang's Turn Around takes #35 with nearly 23,000 sales. Aaron Neville's Bring It on Home ... The Soul Classics opens at #37 after selling more than 22,000 copies, and Julio Iglesias returns to the chart at #43 with his Romantic Classics moving more than 19,000 units. The Indigo Girls bow at #47 with Despite Our Differences selling nearly 19,000 copies, while the latest offering from Mushroomhead, Savior Sorrow, ranks at #50 with 18,000 copies sold. DJ Shadow's Outsider opens at #77, with more than 12,000 scans, while Kasabian's Empire opens at #114 with 8,300 sales.

Ben Kweller's self-titled disc debuts in the #115 spot with 8,200 sales, and Jedi Mind Tricks' Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell spends week one at #140 with 6,900 units scanned. Fear Before the March of Flames' The Always Open Mouth, in the meantime, claims the #153 opening, with 6,200 week-one sales. Crunchy Black's On My Own surfaces at #163 with more than 5,800 scans while Forever Diamondz, the new Bratz release, opens at #184. A collection of Jane's Addiction's biggest hits, Up From the Catacombs: The Best of Jane's Addiction, opens at #188 at with 4,800, while Bonnie Prince Billy's Letting Go follows at #194 with nearly 4,500 copies sold.

This week's initial SoundScan totals reflected inaccurate sales numbers, which resulted in erroneous chart placement for several of the new releases appearing on the chart. The sales discrepancy was due to the omission of returns from an unnamed retailer that was unable to report earlier in the week. SoundScan amended the chart Friday afternoon (September 29).

Check out "Justin's Future Shock" for more on Timberlake's new sound. And watch "MTV News RAW: Fergie In L.A." to get personal with the queen Pea.

This story was orignally published at 8:54 am ET on 09.27.2006

• Justin Timberlake
• Clay Aiken
• Fergie
• Kenny Chesney
• John Mayer

Rihanna, Janet Jackson, Chingy, More Celebrate Ne-Yo's Birthday In New York

• Ne-Yo
• Rihanna
• Janet Jackson
• Jermaine Dupri
• Chingy

Fergie, Lauren Conrad, Chingy, Kelly Clarkson, More On The 2007 Teen Choice Awards Red Carpet

• Kelly Clarkson
• Fergie
• Chingy
• Bow Wow
• Omarion

Jennifer Hudson, Rosario Dawson, Omarion And More At The 2007 Soul Train Awards

• Jennifer Hudson
• Yung Joc
• Mario
• Omarion
• Chingy

Gwen, T.I., Pharrell, Luda And More Hit The 2006 Billboard Music Awards

• Gwen Stefani
• Pharrell Williams
• Ludacris
• Janet Jackson
• Chris Daugherty

Best of 2006: The Red Carpet

• Fall Out Boy
• Beyoncé
• Gwen Stefani
• Gavin Rossdale
• Sean Paul

Sucker Free on MTV: Fall 2006

• 50 Cent
• Hot Rod
• Lloyd Banks
• Chingy
• Jibbs

Spankin' Free TRL Rewind Photos

• Diddy
• Nelly Furtado
• Tenacious D
• AFI
• The Killers

Jessica Simpson, Dane Cook, Kevin Federline And More At The 2006 Teen Choice Awards

• Jessica Simpson
• Dane Cook
• Kevin Federline
• Fall Out Boy
• Ludacris

MTV.com Exclusive: Chingy Photos 07.07.2006

• Chingy

• Chingy