T.I. and Dark Gable at T.I.'s party on Wednesday
Photo: Gifted Talents/ RMG

ATLANTA — The King of the South collaborated with another King Wednesday night in Atlanta.

King magazine was one of the sponsors of a party hosted by T.I. to celebrate the birthday of his manager and business partner, Jason Geter.

The birthday boy was served a cake in the shape of a safe, complete with gray icing. Showgirls walked the venue, the Luckie Lounge, wearing sparkly blue bras and matching peacock headdresses. The NBA playoff game between the Lakers and the Nuggets played on several flat-screen TVs that hung above the crowd, but who could pay attention to Kobe Bryant with T.I. on the mic and Mannie Fresh on the turntables?

"I wouldn't miss this sh-- for the world," Tip told the audience. "What we got for him, Mannie?"

"We got a surprise, you [hear] me?" the jovial producer responded from the DJ booth across the dance floor. Seconds later, singer Keri Hilson walked through the crowd to serenade Geter with "Happy Birthday." She concluded by giving him a hug.

After the performance, Polow Da Don and Rich Boy arrived. Fergie and her heavyweight-champion-size bodyguard were part of their entourage. Polow wore a jacket that read "Thank God for Kobe" on the back — appropriate, seeing as the Nuggets were getting served by Bryant and company at that moment.

Fresh played to the ladies in the crowd with records like Frankie Beverly and Maze's "Before I Let Go" and Bell Biv DeVoe's "Poison." After T.I. left, Young Jeezy arrived. Almost on cue, Fresh spun "Love in This Club." Jeezy, dressed down in a white T-shirt and fitted cap, took pictures with fans while standing in front of his table. Chingy stopped by before the night was over.

In the wake of his arrest on weapons charges, T.I. is continuing to divide his time between community service and recording his new album, Paper Trail. Geter is included in King magazine's "Coming Kings" profile piece, which looks at some of the emerging executives and artists in music, fashion and film.

• Fergie, Polow Da Don, More At Birthday Bash For T.I.'s Manager

• T.I.
• Fergie
• Young Jeezy
• Polow Da Don
• Mannie Fresh

Baby and BG at Hot Boys Reunion In New Orleans
Photo: Ozonemag.com

A couple of the guys were missing, but it was certainly a start.

The Cash Money Millionaires reunited Sunday night at Dreams in New Orleans. Juvenile, Mannie Fresh, B.G., Baby and his brother Slim were all at the club for the last night of the Core DJs' annual weekend gathering. Hot Boy Turk is still incarcerated, and Lil Wayne, enjoying his first overseas trek, is in Europe on tour, so they were not present. Juvenile, who recently lost his daughter in a tragic murder, was said to be in good spirits.

Cash Money had planned to come back together — Turk, B.G., Mannie Fresh and Juvie left the label years ago — in February at the end of the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities, but due to a shooting at the club where the show was supposed to take place, the guys didn't get a chance to re-form.

"It was just going to be a moment in hip-hop history," B.G. said the day after the reunion was supposed to happen. "We all haven't been under the same roof together in over four years. It was gonna be a moment, and who knows what would have happened once we got in there? But due to it being Chopper City and it being New Orleans, they had a shoot-out in front of the club before we could even get there, and three people got shot, so they shut it down.

"I got a phone call saying, 'Gear up, everything is straight — we about to get ready to head out,' " B.G. added. "Then five, 10 minutes later, I got a call saying, 'They shooting around here, don't come.' Then I got a couple of more phone calls saying, 'They got yellow tape 'round here, police got it blocked off, it ain't happening.' ... I think you gonna have all us together real soon. I know it's gonna be before the end of this year."

"I knew nothing of it till I heard about it on the radio," Lil Wayne said of the would-be Cash Money homecoming. "I called [my manager. He] was like, 'Nah, we ain't going to that.' I was like, 'Why?' He said, 'Nobody paid us to go.' Simple as that. That's all I knew about it."

Hopefully Wayne will be kept in the loop once he returns to the States if the guys decide to hook up again. Meanwhile, we can definitely expect Wayne and Juvenile to appear on B.G.'s song "Ya Heard Me." The track was produced by Cool & Dre and appears on Gizzle's upcoming LP Too Hood 2 Be Hollywood. Trey Songz sings on the hook.

"It's the official Hot Boy reunion — the first time in seven years you hear Juvenile, B.G. and Lil Wayne all on the same record," Dre told us last week of his and Cool's production. "And it's crazy. It's coming out really, really soon. It's a record I'm proud of.

"They just got together," he added. "You know they all been going through some sh--. They all been through traumatic things in the past couple months. With Mannie Fresh's sister passing, and Juvenile's daughter, and with all the controversy surrounding Wayne, Birdman had a loss in his family. They lost their city to Katrina. I think this record is going to be healing for New Orleans, because they're the sons of New Orleans. They belong to that city. So when the city hears the record, they're gonna feel good. I'm just happy to be a part of it, to be honest with you. Lil Wayne is singing the hook with Trey Songz. It's just crazy."

• Hot Boys Reunite In New Orleans

• Cash Money Millionaires
• Juvenile
• Mannie Fresh

Mannie Fresh
Photo: Ray Tamarra/Getty Images

Mannie Fresh's sister, Angela Bryant, was shot and killed Wednesday night in her New Orleans home, according to local TV affiliate WWLTV. Police reportedly said the 42-year-old mother's two young children were present but not physically harmed.

Authorities said Bryant, whose body was discovered early Thursday morning, was murdered between 10 p.m. and midnight, according to WWLTV. Her black 1998 Lexus LS 400 reportedly went missing after the murder.

Bryant's husband, who had been out of town when his wife was killed, arrived at the house before noon and was distraught, according to the WWLTV report. The couple got married last month, and Bryant celebrated her birthday with family on Wednesday night, WWLTV said. Police reportedly did not elaborate on the conditions of the children, ages 2 and 7, but said they were safe and healthy.

"We are still working on the motive of this," New Orleans Police Superintendent Warren Riley told reporters. "We do have some limited information and limited information relative to leads at this time, but it's still very early at this point."

Police said they were not sure if Bryant knew the killer, but they did say that there was no sign of forced entry, according to WWLTV. Forensics swept through Bryant's house on Thursday, and relatives and neighbors also went to the residence.

"We've not drawn any conclusions," Assistant New Orleans Police Superintendent Marlon Defillo told WWLTV. "We've not made any elimination. As the day progresses, we hope to learn more, but it's a work in progress."

Mannie Fresh (real name: Byron O. Thomas) — a legendary producer who claims T.I.'s "Big Things Poppin' " as his latest hit — was reportedly on his way back to his native New Orleans from Texas.

• Mannie Fresh

T.I.
Photo: Brad Barket/ Getty Images

NEW YORK — T.I. is just about done with his T.I. vs. T.I.P. album, due sometime in late June or early July.

He's already recorded with Eminem, Nelly and Ciara among other guest stars, and the first single is ready to hit radio, officially debuting April 17 (see "T.I. Taking On T.I.P. With Help From Eminem, Justin Timberlake"). The song is another collaboration for the King of the South and Mannie Fresh and is called "Big Things Poppin' " — the clean version of the record, anyway.

"Big Sh-- Poppin' is really just me talking to these people who say things and can't back it up," T.I. said, referring to the song's title as it will probably appear on the album. "You know how some people say, 'Money talks and bullsh-- runs a marathon'? I'm saying the equivalent of that."

"Big sh-- poppin', little sh-- stoppin'/ Ball on these n---as, being broke is not an option," T.I. raps on the song's hook.

T.I. vs. T.I.P. is a concept LP on which the rapper uses both sides of himself — the suave, level-minded CEO and the 'hood-friendly former dope boy — to express his thoughts on everything from the Grammy Awards to sideways-talking bustas to making dough. Sometimes the two sides duel, and occasionally you'll catch them on the same track. More often than not, though, each personality gets his own song. "Big Sh-- Poppin' " showcases the Grammy winner rapping in his grittier T.I.P. persona.

"Dominated '06 and I'm going right back," he rhymes. T.I.P. also says he's "doing it" for his children, family and friends.

"Me and T.I. clique up and the songs are magic," said Mannie Fresh, who's in Atlanta working on a bunch of LPs that T.I. is overseeing, like B.G.'s new album. T.I.P. even has co-production credit on "Big Things Poppin'." "The songs we're doing for his album are definitely right, yes indeed."

The beat Fresh and his accomplice came up with is another energetic brouhaha in step with some of their proven street ditties such as "Top Back."

Check MTVNews.com starting on Monday for more on T.I. and some of his most popular peers from the ATL. We are launching a whole week's worth of coverage from Hotlanta.

• T.I.
• Mannie Fresh

Brooke Valentine
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images

Brooke Valentine has said she didn't think her first LP was sexy enough, so she's getting physical for her second, Physical Education. The album is slated for release in October.

"It's very urban, sultry," the singer said at last month's BET Awards. "Mannie Fresh on there, Tyrese, Jermaine [Dupri], [producer/manager] Déjô the Great — so many amazing people. I can't wait for the world to hear this album."

Brooke's 2005 debut single, "Girlfight," featured Lil Jon and Big Boi, and "Dope Girl," the first single from the new album, stars fellow Houston native Pimp C (and samples N.W.A's classic "Dopeman").

" 'Dope Girl' is about being fly, putting on the big gold chains and the gold ropes and doing your thing like that," Valentine said. "It's that girl that you crave."

While committed to her musical career, Valentine — an MTV "You Hear It First" artist (see "Don't Mess With 'Girlfight' Singer Brooke Valentine: Lil Jon And Big Boi Have Her Back") — is looking to break into acting as well.

"I'm reading some scripts," she said. "But I want to be in the right movie — I don't wanna be lookin' a crazy fool in a movie, so I want to do the right thing."

In the meantime, being dope will do just fine.

• Brooke Valentine
• Tyrese
• Mannie Fresh
• Jermaine Dupri

Mannie Fresh's <I>Mind of Mannie Fresh</i>

Even the most prolific artists need to take a little break for the holidays, which explains why there are so few albums hitting stores this week.

Mannie Fresh is one of the few artists working overtime, giving us a window into his thought process as he releases his debut solo effort, Mind of Mannie Fresh. The Big Tymers member and producer has put together a Southern-rap album that also features collaborations with David Banner and Petey Pablo.

Mannie hits the new releases list twice as hard this week with his inclusion on Hip Hop Hits Vol. 9, which also features tracks by Ludacris ("Blow It Out"), Chingy ("I Like That"), and John Legend ("Selfish").

Out Tuesday, December 21:

• Mannie Fresh - Mind of Mannie Fresh (Cash Money)
  Buy Now: Mind of Mannie Fresh (Cash Money)
  
• Hardhead - Hardhead (Big Boy)
• Alex Stealthy - Being (Pangea)
• Various artists - Chicano Sounds Radio: The Mix Tape, Vol. 1 (Thump)
• Various artists - Party 93.1 Anthems Vol. 2 (Empire Musicwerks/ VI Music)
• Various artists - The Project (Thump)
• Various artists - Hip Hop Hits Vol. 9 (Image Entertainment)
• Various artists - Soundtrack to: "A Christmas Carol - The Musical" (Jay Records)
• Various artists - Pull My Finger 2: Farts, Barfs and Belches (The Orchard/ Jingle Smells)
• DVD: Thrice - "If We Could Only See Us Now" (Island Def Jam)

• John Legend - Get Lifted (Sony)

• Mannie Fresh
• Thrice
• Hardhead

Mannie Fresh poses in Miami recording studio
Photo: MTV News

MIAMI — "Hug me, hug me, squeeze me, squeeze." Soca star Kevin Lyttle was turning plenty of girls on when he performed at Teasers Thursday night.

Meanwhile, producers Cool & Dre got to party with Mase at their new nightspot LaDea. The duo have a stake in the ownership along with Usher and Big Boi from Outkast. Mase, the flashy Bad Boy, was the guest of honor at his album-release party for Welcome Back.

Over at Crobar, Timbaland took a little time out from making his next masterpiece to chill out. On the ones and twos? None other than "the Kiiiiiiiiiiiid Capri," who kept things jumping by mixing his set with old-school and new.

And if you were driving anywhere near South Beach, you probably saw the Birdman and his flock. Cash Money Millionaires Baby and Mannie Fresh hit town on Thursday and the #1 Stunna was itching to get out on the road. He had six of his cars transported from his hometown to Miami just for VMA weekend. "I feel like I'm [still] in New Orleans right now," the platinum-mouthed king of excess said late in the evening at the famed Circle House studios, where he and Fresh were working. They both have solo albums coming soon.

8.26.2004

In Miami you can do it big, you can do it light — just don't miss the opportunity to go out and party. Pauly Shore started the night off with a screening of his upcoming film, "Pauly Shore Is Dead." Britney Spears, Pamela Anderson, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Charlie Sheen and Chris Rock were all present — in the film, that is (they all make cameo appearances). MTV News' Sway showed up in physical form to give support to his buuuuud-eee ...

Later Wednesday night and into Thursday morning, Mynt Lounge's VMA kickoff party was packed with people getting down to Tony G's set, which included everything from Jay-Z to Queen. Paris Hilton, Simon Rex, Jamie Foxx and Randy Spelling were enjoying the scene (not to mention all of the attention) from a corner table near the DJ booth. Jamie — who has been making the rounds this week — could also be found at Teasers in South Beach, where he and the sexy hometown heroine Trina co-hosted a party. At the same time, Pitbull, whose "Dammit Man" is blowing up, was waaaaaaay off in the cut at a spot he frequents called Hooligans Pub & Oyster Bar. "The women there are off the chain, for real. You don't even understand, homie," Pit said. CULO!

8.25.2004

Trick Daddy and Jacki-O held court at Oxygen Lounge in Coconut Grove on Tuesday night for the Got VMA Tickets? bash. DJ Kool G and DJ Spoon spun hip-hop, reggae and Spanish music while the party people munched on sushi, danced on tables and competed for passes to more parties this week and, of course, Sunday's big show.

8.24.2004

Even though the nightspot known as Opium may be his favorite place to club, Fat Joe's top spot to hang out while in Miami is DJ Khaled's Jerusalem studio. It's the place where he says "the magic is at," and the place he chose to occupy until early Tuesday morning. Joe was working on his collaboration tracks with Scott Storch and R. Kelly for his new album Things of That Nature, while members of the Terror Squad played "NBA Live" on a hanging flat-screen TV.

Meanwhile, Monday night's VMA party MTV @ B.E.D. hosted the likes of Jamie Foxx and former MTV VJ Pauly Shore, who made it through the throngs of people outside to enjoy themselves in the sack. Inside, among the canopied beds/dining-room tables, resident DJ Radamus spun hip-hop while nightie-clad waitresses served drinks to the nocturnal crowd.

8.23.2004

If you're coming to the MTV Video Music Awards and planning to party in Miami this week, be sure to slot enough time during the afternoon for rest. We're just a couple of days into VMA week, and the forecast is calling for after-hours shindigs all week long.

The past two nights (and mornings) have been all about the club called Opium. P. Diddy held court there during the early hours of Sunday morning, and Fat Joe and the Terror Squad got things jumping off at around 2 a.m. on Monday.

DJ Khaled was spinning everything from "Lean Back" to Lil Jon, but the star of the party was not a rapper. Jamie Foxx, who's proved that he can act, tell jokes and sing, put on a new hat at Opium: bartender. With comedienne Sommore and director John Singleton walking around at different parts of the club, Foxx danced on the bar, held a huge flashlight in one hand and a bottle of liquor in the other. The ladies were literally throwing themselves at his feet as he poured drinks in their mouths straight from the bottle. He even took time to shine the spotlight — er, flashlight — on himself and sing "Slow Jamz" on the mic.

And the week has just begun ...

The 2004 MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from Miami on Sunday, August 29, at 8 p.m. on MTV, with the "2004 VMA Pre-show by the Shore" kicking off at 6:30 p.m.

For everything we've got on VMAs past and present, including news, features, photos and more, check out MTV.com's Video Music Awards area.

• Kevin Lyttle
• Mase
• Usher
• Big Boi
• OutKast