Cam'ron
Photo: Diplomat /Asylum Records

Cam'ron isn't one to bite his tongue — just ask 50 Cent — but when it comes to the 2005 Washington, D.C., shooting he was involved in, the New York rapper is quiet as kept, he tells CBS' "60 Minutes." He explained in a taped segment set to air Sunday that cooperating with police would hurt his image — even if his neighbor were a serial killer. "If I knew the serial killer was living next door to me?" Cam responded to a hypothetical question posed by Anderson Cooper. "I wouldn't call and tell anybody on him, but I'd probably move. But I'm not going to call and be like, 'The serial killer's in 4E' because ... it would definitely hurt my business, and the way I was raised, I just don't do that." ...

Simon Cowell is "blunt, but not disrespectful," Kelly Clarkson told "Extra" on Wednesday, after the entertainment show asked her to weigh in on allegations that the "American Idol" judge made light of the Virginia Tech tragedy on the show. "He would never do anything like that." ...

It isn't quite like the magical portraits found at Hogwarts, but muggle fans can now look forward to the next best thing, with news Thursday (April 19) that select scenes from "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" will be digitally converted for IMAX 3D. "Accio Prophecy!" Malfoy's summoning spell might suddenly have a whole new twist — a Warner Bros. spokesperson announced that the altered scenes will be from the last 20 minutes of the film. These converted scenes, then, almost certainly include the battle at the Ministry, Voldemort's duel with Dumbledore, and Sirius' death and fall through the Veil. Both the standard and IMAX 3D versions of "Order of the Phoenix" hit theaters July 13. ...

Forget Venom, Sandman and Doc Ock — could Spider-Man's greatest foe be ... the Phantom of the Opera? The web-slinger is heading to Broadway for a musical based on the popular Marvel character that is to be directed by multi-hyphenate Julie Taymor ("The Lion King") and scored by U2's Bono and the Edge. Aside from popular characters like Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson, a casting notice posted on Playbill.com lists "Arachne, a beautiful woman turned into a spider for her hubris" and a "geek chorus" that "ritualistically retell the Spider-Man stories." A 29-hour rehearsed reading is scheduled for July 12. ...

Gettin' some ... freedom? Rapper Shawnna recently confirmed to Miss Info of New York's Hot 97 radio that she's parted ways with Ludacris, Disturbing Tha Peace and Def Jam. The Chicago artist explained she'd most likely sign with an independent label soon and announced that plans for a group with Remy Ma and Jacki-O are officially no more. Remy later phoned into Wendy Williams and passed the blame onto Shawnna for the split, but Shawnna said internal issues were the root of the problem. ...

Tour dates for this year's Family Values Tour have been announced. The trek — featuring Korn (with Slipknot's Joey Jordison as guest drummer), Evanescence and Hellyeah — will hit Maryland Heights, Missouri (July 20); Somerset, Wisconsin (July 21); Chicago (July 22); Camden, New Jersey (July 24); Mansfield, Massachusetts (July 27); Bristow, Virginia (July 28); Hartford, Connecticut (July 29); Toronto (July 31); Clarkston, Michigan (August 1); Darien Center, New York (August 3); Burgettstown, Pennsylvania (August 4); Scranton, Pennsylvania (August 5); Saratoga Springs, New York (August 7); Holmdel, New Jersey (August 8); Noblesville, Indiana (August 10); Atlanta (August 11); Orlando, Florida (August 12); West Palm Beach, Florida (August 14); Tampa, Florida (August 15); Dallas (August 17); Woodlands, Texas (August 18); Selma, Texas (August 19); Bonner Springs, Kansas (August 22); Englewood, Colorado (August 24); Albuquerque, New Mexico (August 25); Phoenix (August 26); Bakersfield, California (August 28); Marysville, California (August 31); Concord, California (September 1); and Irvine, California (September 2). ...

Speaking of Hellyeah, the band — which features former Pantera/Damageplan drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott and members of Mudvayne and Nothingface — has parted ways with bassist Jerry Montano. An explanation has not been offered for his abrupt departure, but Hellyeah have promised they would announce Montano's replacement soon. ... And on the topic of Abbott, his late brother "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott is being posthumously venerated with a spot on Hollywood's RockWalk. The induction will be held May 17 at noon. ...

Pink is calling out to fans to share their ideas for the next chapter in the saga of Lady Delish, her character in the "U and Ur Hand" video. The contest, hosted at Brickfish.com, is accepting submissions — via audio, video, photos with descriptions or a written blog — to explain what happens next in Lady Delish's story. The grand prize winner — as chosen by online viewers — will be awarded an autographed set of Pink's leather boxing gloves from the video. ...

Romeo's college-basketball dreams are coming true. The artist formerly known as Lil' Romeo — who has since become an All-American point guard at Beverly Hills High School in California — is heading to the University of Southern California and has signed up for the school's Trojans basketball team. "I love basketball, I've been doing that since I was 2 years old," he told MTV Radio. "I've been doing it since before the music and acting. ... I try to make it so I am able to do all of them. If it gets to that point, I won't give up acting or rapping at all. I love it, my fans love it. I'm gonna be dedicated to them." Romeo is planning to major in business administration — perhaps following in the footsteps of his father, Master P — and hopes to release a new album, Gumbo Station, later this year. ...

Mya gave a sneak peek of her forthcoming album Liberation — which was due out last November but is now slated for June 26 — at the Essence/Dodge Avenger Lifestyle Lounge party at New York's Roseland Ballroom Wednesday. While partygoers checked out the 2008 Avenger, Mya sang a four-song set, including her new single "Lock U Down," which Scott Storch produced. On Tuesday, Mya was finishing up the dance-heavy video for the single, which features a guest appearance by Lil Wayne. Meanwhile, Mya is going international with her modeling career. She's already strutted down the catwalk for Heatherette in New York during Fashion Week, and now she's making her European debut modeling for the design duo at Life Ball 2007 in Vienna on May 26. ...

Queens of the Stone Age have set June 12 as the release date for their new album, Era Vulgaris. The album will feature 11 tracks, including "3's & 7's," which was just posted on QOTSA.com. The hard-rockers have also announced their first tour dates of the year, including a handful of appearances at European festivals this summer. The only U.S. gig scheduled so far is a June 8 performance at the KJEE Seaside Beach Ball in Ventura, California. ... Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan hopes to release the debut LP from his Puscifer project this fall. The record will boast guest contributions from Rage Against the Machine's Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk and Primus' Tim Alexander as well as Lustmord and Jonny Polonsky. ...

Pitbull and Nina Sky performed at the Cuervotón: Search for La Nueva Generación of Latinos in Urban Música event Tuesday night at Arena in midtown Manhattan, New York. Rappers Tru Life and Joel Ortiz also joined them for the music-appreciation festivities. ... New Janet Jackson music is coming soon, according to her boyfriend, Jermaine Dupri. Dupri posted a note on his MySpace page saying that the "Rush Hour 3" soundtrack will be released on Island Records and will feature a new Janet single. Dupri was appointed president of Island Urban Music last month. ... Rolling Stone is archiving every issue on DVD for its 40th anniversary celebration this fall, Reuters reports. "Rolling Stone Cover-to-Cover: The First 40 Years" will cost $119.99 and amass more than 1,000 issues' worth of material — more than 115,000 pages in total.

04.18.2007

Jennifer Lopez's "Bordertown" finally has a release date: August 31. The singer/actress recently spoke with MTV Trés about the film, which also stars Antonio Banderas and finds Lopez playing a reporter investigating a series of murders of young female factory workers in Mexico. "We tried to make it an interesting film, for people to wanna go see it, but at the same time, really focused on [letting] people know that [factory workers are being murdered in Mexico]." ...

In another interview — published in the May issue of Elle's U.K. edition — Lopez describes herself as "the Christopher Columbus of romance." I've been through some rough seas and had some disasters, but in the end, I found what I was looking for," she said. After a burst of laughter, she added, "Can you believe I just said that?" But while love makes her say some strange things, Lopez said it's also helped her music. Husband Marc Anthony, who worked with the singer on her Spanish-language album Como Ama Una Mujer, told her, " 'I know you can do this. Sing the words. You know what they mean. You can do it,' " she said. "I'd go into the recording booth and, for the first time ever, I'd feel as if I was flying when I was singing. He gave me the confidence to do the best work I've ever done." ...

Russell Simmons, Warner Music Group Chairman Lyor Cohen, Damon Dash and other high-powered industry executives gathered Wednesday (April 18) to discuss sexist and racist remarks in rap lyrics, The Associated Press reports. T.I. also attended the summit, which was staged in the wake of Don Imus' firing for saying racial slurs on his radio program. The meeting lasted for several hours, postponing a scheduled news conference that was to be carried out after the summit. No specific initiatives were announced after the meeting, but Simmons' publicist released a statement saying the topic is a "complex issue that involves gender, race, culture and artistic expression. Everyone assembled today takes this issue very seriously." ...

Snoop Dogg and Bun B are helping pay homage to the late Eazy-E in a new tribute video by Mike Jones. The clip for Jones' "My 64" is set to be filmed in Los Angeles on Thursday. ... Rick James will be recalled with the posthumous release Deeper Still, the last studio effort he recorded before he died in August 2004. The funk master's LP — which contains 10 songs he either wrote or co-wrote, and was produced by James — will drop May 15 and is to be preceded by "Memoirs of a Super Freak," an autobiography James wrote while in California's Folsom State Prison in 1993-'95. ...

Beyoncé told MTV News that she hadn't planned to put her cover of Des'ree's "I'm Kissing You" — which she retitled "Still in Love (Kissing You)" — on her re-released B'Day - Deluxe Edition album and video anthology, but other people insisted, telling her she'd be "crazy" not to. She might have benefited from a second opinion, since now she's being sued for copyright infringement over the track. The Royalty Network — which administers the publishing on behalf of Westbury Music, owner of the copyright for Des'ree's song — is asking for $150,000 in damages and seeks an injunction to recall the album from stores, according to a suit filed Monday in Manhattan Federal Court. A hearing to show cause has been scheduled for Monday. ...

The ubiquitous Now That's What I Call Music! juggernaut rolls on, as volume 24(!) of the pop-hits collection sold more than 89,000 copies to hold the #1 spot on next week's Billboard albums chart, according to SoundScan. Country crooner Tim McGraw was a distant second, selling more than 65,000 copies of his Let It Go. Nearly as-ubiquitous-as-Now hook man Akon landed in third, as his Konvicted album sold more than 59,000 copies. He's followed closely by the week's biggest debut, Omaha, Nebraska's own Bright Eyes, who sold more than 58,000 copies of their Cassadaga album (a number right on par with the first-week sales for each of their 2005 releases, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning and Digital Ash in a Digital Urn). Timbaland rounds out the top five, as his Shock Value also topped the 58,000 mark. ...

Chris Rock has every intention to "contribute to the support, maintenance and education" of a 13-year-old boy in Georgia — so long as the teen is really the actor's son, AP reports. Rock's attorney filed papers Monday in Bulloch County Superior Court, requesting that the court start paternity proceedings to determine whether he is the father of the boy, whose mother tried to file a paternity suit against the actor in March. ... The trust responsible for James Brown's estate owes more than $70,000 for the funeral and care involved with the singer's body, according to AP. Brown's longtime adviser, Buddy Dallas, said Wednesday that some funeral costs have been paid and that trustees have sent a check covering the balance owed to the C.A. Reid Funeral Home in Georgia. Dallas claims it "was the children that ran up a funeral bill of over $150,000, not the trustees," although a lawyer for Brown's offspring said the funeral costs are the trust's responsibility. Brown's children have filed three motions this week: one asking a judge to provide accounting records of the singer's trust and estate, one claiming Brown's trustees have been attempting to sell some of his assets against court orders, and another requesting that a judge modify his previous order that appointed two administrators to help the trustees settle the estate. ...

Fergie covers Heart's "Barracuda" for "Shrek the Third," AP reports. The soundtrack, due May 15, also features Eddie Murphy and Antonio Banderas teaming up for a cover of Sly & the Family Stone's "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again)"; Eels' "Royal Pain," which was written for the film; as well as classic tracks by the Ramones, Led Zeppelin and Paul McCartney and Wings. ... Kelly Clarkson is going country. The singer is teaming up with Reba McEntire on May 15 for a performance on the 42nd annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The show will air live from Las Vegas beginning at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. Country stars Kenny Chesney, Brooks & Dunn, George Strait and Sugarland will also perform. ... Can't get enough Dave Chappelle? How about six hours' worth of standup performance by the comedian? AP reports that Chappelle was onstage at West Hollywood, California's Laugh Factory for six hours and seven minutes Sunday night, surpassing Dane Cook's previous record-breaking, near-four-hour stretch from earlier this month. ...

Hellyeah are greasing their wheels for Fire It Up, a spring tour they're staging prior to heading out as part of this year's Family Values Tour. The band's run starts May 20 in Baltimore and hits 10 more cities before winding down June 5 in Corpus Christi, Texas. ... Pete Doherty told a judge in London on Wednesday that his friends are tired of his drug use, AP reports. "They've said it's drugs or them," the Babyshambles frontman said at a court appearance to review his drug-treatment progress. The judge praised Doherty's cooperation with the program. ... Expect to hear some new Happy Mondays material from their first album in 15 years when the band co-headlines Coachella on April 27. On the production front, the Mondays have been working with Sunny Levine — Quincy Jones' grandson — and U2 and Björk collaborator Howie B., who is mixing the LP. A title and release date have not been set. ... Actress Kitty Carlisle Hart — who starred in Woody Allen's "Radio Days," the Marx brothers movie "A Night at the Opera" and "Six Degrees of Separation," among other films — has died, AP reports. She was 96.

• Flick'd: 'Spider-Man 3'

• Cam'ron
• P!nk
• Lil' Romeo
• Mya
• Lil Wayne

Lil' Romeo and Master P
Photo: Matthew Simmons/ Getty Images

LOS ANGELES — Eight years ago this week, Master P was taking a break from running his No Limit empire to rehearse for his Video Music Awards performance.

Oh, how times have changed.

No Limit is no more, and P would be lucky to get an invite to a VMA afterparty. Still — and give the guy some credit — he's optimistic. Especially about his new boss.

"I'm working for him now," P said recently, nodding to his son and protégé, Lil' Romeo. "He's the youngest president in the game right now."

Romeo — or Cookie Monster Jr., as he sometimes goes by these days (dad would be Cookie Monster Sr.) — is the CEO of Guttar Music, home to more than 15 rappers.

"I'm gonna do just like my dad did back in the day with No Limit, just bring a lot of artists out," Romeo said. "We gonna try to drop albums every month. That's my goal."

The label is also setting out to be a trailblazer in technology, releasing DVDs along with all its albums. "Me and Romeo are preparing for the future," P said. "We just been making a lot of great music and making movies [to go along with it]."

Both Master P and Silkk the Shocker are on the label, as well as newcomers like T-Bo and Cognito. "They're from New Orleans, and they're all Hurricane Katrina victims," P said.

Guttar Music's first release will be "God's Gift," a Romeo movie with an accompanying soundtrack featuring his latest tracks. It's due November 14.

"I feel I just matured so much in these new songs," Romeo said.

"He's [17]. He's so old now," P interrupted, joking.

This fall, Romeo plans to enroll in college and play basketball.

• Lil' Romeo
• Master P

Green Day (file)
Photo: Warner Bros. Records

After a four-year absence, Green Day are finally coming around again. On Tuesday, the pop-punk trio will release their seventh studio album, American Idiot, their first since 2000's Warning.

A concept album, American Idiot dips into power pop, punk and glam rock and takes cues from the band's own earlier albums to create a rock opera featuring tracks with titles like "Jesus of Suburbia," "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," and "Wake Me Up When September Ends."

Meanwhile, another trio, hard rock band of brothers Chevelle, releases its third studio album, This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In). Bolstered by the rising success of their first single, "Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)," this type of album could secure them a high spot on the Billboard 200.

Toning the rock down about 20 or 30 notches is newcomer Skye Sweetnam. The 16-year-old Canadian pop songstress with a penchant for self-deprecating lyrics (she refers to herself on "Hypocrite" as "Avril lite," "bubblegum Britney" and "manufactured skate punk") releases her debut, Noises From the Basement.

Raven-Symoné starred as Olivia on "The Cosby Show," earned the title of youngest artist ever signed to MCA records (at age 5), and collaborated with Stevie Wonder. Now, five years after releasing her sophomore album, Raven-Symoné is claiming the present day for herself. Her third release, This Is My Time, hits stores this week.

Canadian rapper k-os releases his second album, Joyful Rebellion, the follow up to 2003's Exit. With tracks like "B-Boy Stance," about bringing hip-hop back to its simpler roots; "Papercutz," about biased journalists; and "The Man I Used to Be," about Michael Jackson, Joyful Rebellion is a new rap album for the old rap soul.

Also out this week are albums by VHS or Beta (Night on Fire), Willie Nelson and Friends (Outlaws and Angels), Elvis Costello (The Delivery Man and Il Sogno), Keb' Mo' (Peace ... Back by Popular Demand), the Cramps (How to Make a Monster), Al Franken (The O'Franken Factor Factor: The Very Best of the O'Franken Factor), and Ben Harper with the Blind Boys of Alabama (There Will Be a Light).

Out Tuesday, September 21:

• Eric Andersen - The Street Was Always There (Appleseed)
• Anti-Depressive Delivery - Feel Melt Release Escape (Laser's Edge)
• Steven Bernstein - Diaspora Hollywood (Tzadik)
• Jake Brennan & the Confidence Men - Love & Bombs (Yep Roc)
• Don Byron - Ivy-Divey (Blue Note)
• Steven Curtis Chapman - All Things New (Sparrow)
• Chevelle - This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) (Sony)
  Read: "Chevelle Get Revved About Ritalin, Ashlee And Stripping On 'TRL' "
  Buy Now: This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) (Sony)
• Client - City (Mute)
• Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains - The Big Eyeball in the Sky (Prawn Song)
• Colossal - Welcome the Problems (Asain Man)
• Converge - You Fail Me (Epitaph)
• Elvis Costello - Il Sogno (Deutsche Grammaphon)
• Elvis Costello - The Delivery Man (Lost Highway)
• The Cramps - How to Make a Monster (Vengeance)
• Willy DeVille - Crow Jane Alley (Eagle Rock)
• Don't Look Down - The Fear in Love (Nitro)
• Jimerson Douglas - White Christmas (Amerimusic)
• Paul Dunmall - I Wish You Peace (Cuneiform)
• Dwarves - The Dwarves Must Die (Sympathy for the Record Industry)
• Elevator Division - Years (Second Nature)
• Far Corner - Far Corner (Cuneiform)
• Fattburger - Work to Do (Shanachie)
• Fiver - Let It All Fall Down (Devil in the Woods)
• John Fogerty - Deja Vu All Over Again (Geffen)
• Al Franken - The O'Franken Factor Factor: The Very Best of the O'Franken Factor (Artemis)
• Jan Garbarek - In Praise of Dreams (ECM)
• The Go Find - Miami (Morr Music)
• Green Day - American Idiot (Reprise)
  Read: "Green Day: Anatomy Of A Punk Opera"
  Buy Now: American Idiot (Warner)
• Clive Gregson - Long Story Short (Gadfly)
• Ben Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama - There Will Be a Light (Virgin)
  Buy Now: There Will Be a Light (Virgin)
• Jessica Harper - Hey, Picasso (Rounder)
• Ray Herndon - Livin' the Dream (Compendia)
• Hot Water Music - The New What Next (Epitaph)
• Ironhorse - Bring It On (V-Tone/Compendia)
• Richard Leo Johnson Trio - Poetry of Appliance (Cuneiform)
• Scram Jones - Loose Cannons (Vs.)
• Jump5 - Dreaming in Color (Sparrow)
• k-os - Joyful Rebellion (Astralwerks)
  Read: K-Os Rewrites Hip-Hop's Rulebook With Joyful Rebellion
  Buy Now: Joyful Rebellion (Astralwerks)
  
• Karate - Pockets (Southern)
• Keb' Mo' - Peace ... Back by Popular Demand (Epic)
  Buy Now: Peace ... Back by Popular Demand (Epic)
• E.G. Kight - Takin' It Easy (Blue South)
• King Diamond - Deadly Lullabye Live (Metal Blade)
• Paul Krassner - The Zen Bastard Rides Again (Artemis)
• Krumbsnatcha - 11.19 the Rebirth (Golden Eyes)
• Lair of the Minotaur - Carnage (Southern Lord)
• Lil' Romeo - RomeoLand (Koch)
• Buddy Miller - Universal United House of Prayer (New West)
• Mr. Doctor - Documentary (Epidemic)
• Muffins - Double Negative (Cuneiform)
• Willie Nelson & Friends - Outlaws and Angels (Lost Highway)
• Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Welcome to Woody Creek (DualTone)
• Penny Arkade - Not the Freeze (Sundazed)
• Po' Girl - Vagabond Lullabies (Nettwerk)
• Jonny Polonsky - The Power of Sound (Loveless)
• Poster Children - On the Offensive (EP, Hidden Agenda)
• Raven-Symoné - This Is My Time (Hollywood)
  "Raven-Symone Takes On The Bad Guys"
  Buy Now: This Is My Time (Hollywood)
• Red Lights Flash - Free ... (A-F)
• Paul Rishell & Annie Raines - Goin' Home (Tone-Cool)
• River City Rebels - Hate to Be Loved (Victory)
• Riverside - Out of Myself (Laser's Edge)
• Charlie Robison - Good Times (DualTone)
• RTX - Transmaniacon (Drag City)
• Shadows Fall - War Within (Century Media)
  Buy Now: War Within (Century Media)
• Elliott Sharp - Radio Hyper Yahoo (Gaff)
• Solvent - Apples and Synthesizers (Ghostly)
• Sukilove - You Kill Me (Hidden Agenda/Parasol)
• Skye Sweetnam - Noise from the Basement (Capitol)
  Read: "Skye Sweetnam Calls Herself 'Bubblegum Britney,' So Critics Don't Have To"
• These Arms Are Snakes - Oxeneers or the Lion Sleeps When Its Antelope Go Home (Second Nature)
• Kevin Tihista's Red Terror - Wake Up Captain (Parasol)
• Chris Tomlin - Arriving (Sixsteps)
• Tsunami Bomb - The Definitive Act (Kung Fu)
• Twinemen - Sideshow (Hi-N-Dry)
• Keith Urban - Be Here (Capitol Nashville)
• Vader - The Beast (Metal Blade)
• VHS or Beta - Night on Fire (Astralwerks)
• White Willow - Storm Season (Laser's Edge)
• Gary Wilson - Mary Had Brown Hair (Stones Throw)
• Yang - A Complex Nature (Cuneiform)
• Year Future - The Hidden Hand (EP, Gold Standard)
• Various artists - 13 Ways to Live (Red House)
• Various artists - cELLAbration: A Tribute to Ella Jenkins (Smithsonian Folkways)
• Various artists - Disney Princess: The Ultimate Song Collection (Walt Disney)
• Various artists - The Late, Great Daniel Johnston: Discovered Covered (Gammon)
• Various artists - Women of Latin America (Putumayo)
• Various artists - "American Pimp" soundtrack (Shout! Factory)
• Various artists - "Star Wars Trilogy" original score (Sony)
• DVD: Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band - "2003 Tour" (Rhino)

September 28:

• Brian Wilson - Smile (Nonesuch)
• Joss Stone - Mind, Body & Soul (S-Curve)
• Hilary Duff - Hilary Duff (Hollywood)
• Queen Latifah - The Dana Owens Album (Interscope)

October 5:

• Barenaked Ladies - Barenaked for the Holidays (Warner Bros.)
• Cake - Pressure Chief (Sony)
• Good Charlotte - The Chronicles of Life & Death (Sony)
  Read: "Good Charlotte Get Serious With The Chronicles Of Life And Death"
• R.E.M. - Around the Sun (Warner Bros.)

October 12:

• Camper Van Beethoven - New Roman Times (Vanguard)
• Celine Dion - Miracle (Sony)
• Duran Duran - Astronaut (Sony)
• Chris Isaak - Chris Isaak Xmas (Warner Bros.)

October 19:

• Michael Jackson - The Ultimate Collection (Sony)
• Jimmy Eat World - Futures (Interscope)
  Read: "Jimmy Eat World Say If You Don't Like Futures Right Away, Don't Bother"
• Le Tigre - This Island (Universal)
• Elliott Smith - From a Basement on the Hill (Anti)

• Green Day
• Chevelle
• Lil' Romeo
• Raven-Symoné
• Elvis Costello

Master P (file)
Photo: Tim Alexander/Castle Studio

Just call him Mor P or Master Pheus.

Master P is developing a kids' version of "The Matrix" called "The Fusion," in which he will star as a Morpheus-like character.

"I'm like the wise man," P said recently. "I'm gonna take this to another level, even though [Laurence] Fishburne is the man. I'm gonna take a little of his work, and take it to the next level."

So who will play the Neo-like character? P's son, Lil' Romeo, of course.

"That's gonna be high-tech, a lot of action and you're gonna see us get our karate on for real," P said.

"The Fusion" marks the fourth movie in the works for Master P and Romeo.

"Uncle P," which is "like a family comedy," according to P, is due in the fall (see "Big Stretch: Master P To Play Rap Entrepreneur In New Film"), followed by "Shorty," which he calls "a hip-hop 'E.T.' " (see "Shorty Phone Home: Master P Developing Sci-Fi Flick For Romeo"). The father and son are shooting "Lil' Romeo and Lil' Juliet" this summer (see "Master P Bringing 'Lil' Romeo And Lil' Juliet' To Big Screen").

P and Romeo are also filming the second season of their Nickelodeon sitcom "Romeo!," which P said has been quite draining.

"Television is not like making records," he said. "I wanna tell all you kids, do not try this at home, 'cause it's hard. It takes a lot of hard work, a lot of practice, and a lot of different takes. You'll never see that at home, but you know what, if you ever seen the reel, how long it takes to make a TV show, you'd be like, 'Wow, I'm about to get another job.' "

Although P has so many movies in the works, he insists his New No Limit Records is going strong.

The mogul is planning to up the exposure of his recently released Good Side/ Bad Side by releasing the Lil Jon-produced "Who Them Boys," while Silkk the Shocker is nearly finished with an album that will feature P on the first single, "We Don't Dance, We Bounce."

"The New No Limit is in the building," P said. "I got some new acts that I been working on: Afficial, Currensy. ... It's gonna be a hot year."

Romeo is also in the studio and will soon release a single called "Just for You."

"It's for the girls," P said. "Romeo, you know, he's 14. He 'bout to get real wild with it these years. He's getting bigger now; he's playing basketball. They gonna be callin' him Big Romeo in a minute."

Along with movies and music, Master P is also releasing a line of watches called the Master Piece, and he has a new shoe design, the P. Miller Jumpoffs, in the works.

Visit MTV Movies for more from Hollywood, including news, interviews, trailers and more.

• Master P
• Lil' Romeo

Fabolous
Photo: Desert Storm

Fabolous, Missy Elliott, Tweet, Nate Dogg, Jadakiss and Amerie have all contributed songs to the soundtrack to the movie "Honey," but Blaque will have the honor of releasing the disc's first single, "I'm Good."

" 'I'm Good,' it's not a male-bashing song for people who have heard it and say we don't like guys," explained the group's Shamari Fears. "We love the men!"

"Girls are saying, 'We're good with you or good without you,' " her partner Brandi Williams chimed in. "We can handle our own business. If you wanna come along, we can accept your love as well. But we can pop bottles and be in the VIP and do us without the men."

"Honey" opens in theaters December 5, and the soundtrack drops November 25. In the movie, Jessica Alba plays a video choreographer who becomes a dance instructor (see "Lil' Romeo Finds Big Sis In Co-Star Jessica Alba"). Lil' Romeo and Mehki Phifer co-star, while Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, Missy Elliott, Ginuwine and Tweet play themselves.

"Honey" soundtrack track listing, according to Elektra:

• Jadakiss and Sheek Louch - "J-A-D-A"
• Yolanda Adams - "I Believe"
• Erick Sermon - "React"
• Mark Ronson f/ Ghostface Killah and Nate Dogg - "Ooh Wee"
• Missy Elliott - "Hurt Sumthin"
• Tweet - "Thugman"
• Goapele - "Closer"
• Fabolous - "Now Ride"
• Sean Paul - "Gimme the Light"
• Blaque - "I'm Good"
• Amerie - "When I Think of You"
• Nate Dogg f/ the Roc-A-Fella crew - "Leave Her Alone"

• Lil' Romeo
• Fabolous
• Missy Elliott
• Tweet
• Jadakiss

Jessica Alba
Photo: MTV News

NEW YORK — Jessica Alba worked double duty on the set of "Honey," starring as the title character in the movie and acting as a real-life big sister to co-star Lil' Romeo.

Along with helping him do his homework and that sort of thing, Alba was always there to remind him of an important fact of life: He's filthy rich.

"Romeo would come to work with all his chains and this big ol' watch with all these diamonds, all this bling," Alba recalled recently. "He's wearing the cost of my house and he's 12. Then he'd have to take it all off and he'd be [worried and have to tell himself], 'It's OK, they know [the character's] not Romeo.' I was like, 'Don't worry, Romeo, they know you're not poor. Trust me, sweetheart!' "

Alba spent quality time with the heir to the No Limit throne ("Jessica Alba Flashdances, Sneaks A Taste Of 'Honey' "), but Romeo wasn't the only rapper along for "Honey"'s sweet ride. Missy Elliott, Tweet, Ginuwine and Jadakiss all play themselves in the movie, which opens November 14.

Director Bille Woodruff, whose résumé includes Nelly's "Hot in Herre" and other videos, described "Honey" as "a hip-hop version of 'Saturday Night Fever,' but modern."

In the movie, Alba plays a video choreographer who deals with sexual advances from her mentor by leaving the business and opening an inner-city dance studio. Joy Bryant ("Antwone Fisher") and Mekhi Phifer ("8 Mile") co-star, the latter as Honey's love interest.

"It's a great date movie," Alba said. "Something for the guys, something for the girls. It's a really good story and you leave the movie just feeling good. There's a lot of negativity in the world and I wanted to do this because it's so positive. It's a feel-good movie, but it's not corny, so you don't feel like, 'Oh jeez.' "

The former "Dark Angel" star was not a dancer before the movie, so Alba trained for three and a half months before shooting. "I always wanted to be a dancer when I was kid, which is another reason I did the movie," she said. "Nobody believed me that I didn't dance before, because I was so amped. I was practicing at like level 10 at rehearsal."

Laurie Ann Gibson, who has worked with the likes of P. Diddy and Mary J. Blige, choreographed the dance scenes and also acts in the movie, playing Honey's nemesis.

"The dancing is really different from what's in other movies," Woodruff said. "[It's more like] what's going on in music videos and in the streets."

Now that "Honey" has finished production, Alba has move on to her next project, a still-untitled movie she'll produce with Universal Pictures.

"It's a psychological thriller with action. It's kind of dark, sort of 'La Femme Nikita,' 'Bourne Identity,' 'Three Days of the Condor' — sort of a hybrid of those," Alba said. "No CGI. I used a lot of that stuff on 'Dark Angel' and I don't want that on this movie. I want it to be real gritty with lots of fighting, but real good fighting."

• Lil' Romeo

Scott Weiland
Photo: MTV News

Scott Weiland was due in a Burbank, California, court to face drug charges Friday (July 11), but the case was continued until July 18 because the Stone Temple Pilots/Velvet Revolver singer is still in rehab in Florida, according to a court clerk. ... Though Marion "Suge" Knight remains in custody pending the scheduling of his parole revocation hearing, his sure-to-be-controversial memoir is moving forward. "American Nightmare/American Dream" promises to dish not just about the rap mogul, but also on Dr. Dre, J. Lo and Snoop Dogg. It's due in November through Riverhead books. ...

Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B. clothing line for LeSportsac has quietly launched, with handbags and accessories available online and in stores. Check out the items — some with woven guitar-strap handles — at LeSportsac's Web site. ... Puddle of Mudd, Trapt, MXPX and Damone will perform a the Nokia T-Mobile Ramps & Amps Invitational July 19 at Randall's Island Park in New York. The free event will feature top athletes in freestyle motocross (including Pink's boyfriend, Carey Hart), vert skateboarding and BMX. ... Björk will perform with Matmos and the Icelandic String Octet on a nine-date North American tour beginning August 8 in San Francisco. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Will Oldham (under the moniker Bonnie Prince Billy) and the Matthew Herbert Big Band will open on various dates. ...

The members of Simple Plan stood dazed and spattered in blood in a Los Angeles building on Wednesday, but they weren't injured. They were taking part in a photo shoot for the most graphic anti-fur ad yet from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The campaign, titled "From Her Back to Yours," features the group standing behind the carcass of a dead fox hanging from the ceiling. ... Master P's 13-year-old son, rapper/actor Lil' Romeo, will be starring with his dad in the TV comedy "Romeo," which debuts September 13 on Nickelodeon. Victoria Jackson, best known for her years with "Saturday Night Live," will play the family nanny. ...

Uh-oooh! Lumidee's joining Bow Wow on tour in August and DMX on a college tour later this year. Dates and other details have yet to be ironed out. ... With the Rolling Stones as headliners, tickets have neared the half-million mark for the star-studded Molson Canadian Rocks for Toronto Concert on July 30. The event — organized with the hope of boosting morale in Toronto, where tourism slumped due to a SARS outbreak — will also include Justin Timberlake, AC/DC, Rush, the Guess Who, Sam Roberts, the Flaming Lips and the Isley Brothers. ... Trapt will headline the 29-date Jim Beam Tour, set to get underway on July 22 in Boston, according to Pollstar. Rockers Smile Empty Soul and 3 Days Grace are also on the bill. ...

Jermaine Dupri and Da Brat are featured on "Miss P," the first single from Dupri's latest protégés, Cherish. The artists shot the video Monday in Los Angeles with director Darren Grant (Destiny's Child). "They have tremendously raw talent — sisters who each have the potential to be lead singers," Dupri said of the group, whose debut, The Moment, is due in the fall. "They are the new Xscape." ... Mandy Moore has set an October 21 release date for Coverage, which will feature interpretations of classics by Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Elton John and more. "I could've done a whole Elton cover record," Moore wrote on her Web site. ...

07.10.2003

Former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha has joined A Perfect Circle. Although Iha didn't contribute to the band's new album, Thirteenth Step, he'll be onstage for the band's 12-date club tour, which begins July 26 in Denver. ... Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith will play detectives in a still-untitled action comedy scheduled to begin production in early winter. Pinkett Smith's husband, Will Smith, will produce the movie. ...

Beyoncé Knowles' upcoming musical comedy, "Fighting Temptations," will now hit theaters on September 19. The film — in which Beyoncé co-stars with Cuba Gooding Jr. — was expected to arrive in August. ... 'NSYNC and Vanessa Carlton will judge the new teen category in the annual International Songwriting Competition. The winner receives a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston. ... "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell is writing "I Don't Mean to Be Rude, But ...," a book offering his insight into the music industry. It's scheduled for publication December 2. ...

Don't know why Bad Brains are often called "America's Clash"? Then hearing singer H.R.'s political lyrics rendered atop a mix of punk and reggae on the hits collection Banned in DC: Bad Brains' Greatest Riffs is essential. Banned drops July 29. ... Vanessa Carlton will sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Major League Baseball's All-Star Game on Tuesday in Chicago. Thirty-nine outs later, Amy Grant will sing "America the Beautiful" for the seventh-inning stretch of the 74th Midsummer Classic. ...

Ex-Blur guitarist Graham Coxon is finishing up a new solo album with producer Stephen Street, who worked on the first five Blur records, according to his Web site. Meanwhile, Blur start the second leg of their North American tour this weekend in Minneapolis in support of Think Thank, the Britpop band's first album since parting with Coxon. ... Gene Loves Jezebel have set an August 12 release date for their next album, Exploding Girls. The group is planning a U.S. tour for the fall. ...

Puretunes.com, a Spanish music download service launched in May that claims to abide by Spanish copyright laws, is the current focus of the RIAA's efforts to curb piracy. According to Reuters, the RIAA has filed suit against the company, claiming copyright infringement and unfair competition, and also alleges that Puretunes deceived its customers into believing the service was approved by Spanish recording artists. ... Big-name acts like the Rolling Stones, the Dixie Chicks and Cher have boosted concert ticket sales, which are up 24 percent so far this year. According to tour-industry trade magazine Pollstar, sales seem to be recovering from the slump they have been in since 2000; however, unfavorable weather may slow the outdoor concert and festival sales that are the heart of summer shows. ...

They're "feeling good, feeling great" and feeling like changing their minds. Outkast have switched up their original singles plans for the double LP Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. "She Lives in My Lap" will still be one of the first two initial offerings, but "Ghetto Musick" will be the second half of the double whammy. The album's release date has also been reset for September 9. ... "Awww baby"? More like "Awww fooey!" When Ashanti celebrated the release of her #1 album, Chapter II, at New York's Chelsea Piers on Wednesday, many of her invited guests cried foul over being forced by security to stand outside in long lines. VIPs Usher, Joe Budden, Fat Joe and Irv and Chris Gotti made it inside to partake in the revelry. ...

On August 5, A Perfect Circle drummer Josh Freese will release a jazz-influenced solo record called Strip Search on Magna Carta. Bass player Mike Elizonzo and guitarist Michael Ward join Freese on the album. ... Techno fans will have to wait two more weeks for Kraftwerk's new album, Tour de France. (After 17 years, what's another 14 days?) The LP's release date has been moved from July 22 to August 5. The electro duo's last album of new material was 1986's Electric Cafe. ... Speaking of delays, the State Property gang is still going to all be there, just a week later than expected. State Property Presents the Chain Gang Vol. II has been pushed back one week to August 12. ...

• Scott Weiland
• No Doubt
• Puddle Of Mudd
• Björk
• Simple Plan

According to a spokesperson for Ashanti, the singer will no longer be opening for Mariah Carey on the Charmbracelet tour. New dates for the trek, which has been downsized, have yet to be announced. ...

Jennifer Lopez is in negotiations to play the lead in the New Line comedy "Monster-In-Law," the story of an engaged woman whose romantic wedding plans are thrown into disarray after she meets her hellish mother-in-law. A director for the project has not yet been hired. ... Marilyn Manson canceled his show this past Saturday at the Gods of Metal festival in Mazda Palace in Milan, Italy, because he contracted a throat virus and was unable to sing. The show has been rescheduled for June 22. ...

Backstreet Boys' Howie Dorough and Kevin Richardson will meet with city officials in Huntsville, Alabama, on Thursday to discuss their interest in investing in a new hotel/entertainment complex. The two entertainers became interested in the idea of a downtown Huntsville complex a few years ago, which would have a hotel beside the city's Van Braun Center and the entertainment complex at the adjacent Market Square shopping center. A town hall-type meeting will be held at the city's Madison Square Mall around 4 p.m., where fans can ask questions about the proposal. ... Papa Roach drummer Dave Buckner got engaged on June 2 to Mia Tyler, daughter of Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler. No wedding date has been set. ...

Pint-sized heartbreaker Lil' Romeo will be featured on the June 16 episode of the PBS series "Zoom" (check local listings). The son of Master P will be interviewed by kid reporter Diane Rodriguez from Washington Heights, New York. ... Want to sit in the judge's chair? The "American Idol" office chairs used by judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson are being auctioned off to benefit cancer-related charities. Details have yet to be announced. ...

Mandy Moore is posting a new clip from her upcoming covers album, Coverage, every Friday on www.mandymoore.com. Recent additions include Elton John's "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and Cat Stevens' "Moon Shadow," which Moore described as having "a childlike quality to it, that same quality of innocence and beauty." ... BT has set an August 19 release date for his latest studio album, Emotional Technology, featuring tracks with JC Chasez, actress Rose McGowan and others. The first single, "Somnambulist," which the electronic music wiz boasts has 6,178 vocal edits, recently hit airwaves. ...

Russell Simmons continues to show success in his Def Jam afterlife. Simmons' Def Poetry Jam took home the award for Best Special Theatrical Event at Sunday night's Tony Awards. ... Infantile humorists the Bloodhound Gang have one DVD out and another on the way. "One Fierce Beer Run" documents their world tour from 1996-97, when they visited Australia, Norway, Spain, Germany, New Zealand and other countries they probably couldn't place on a map. Meanwhile, the "Hooray for Boobies" DVD is in the works and a new album is expected to drop before the end of the year. ...

Dave Rowberry, keyboardist for the Animals ("House of the Rising Sun," "We Gotta Get Out of This Place") was found dead in his East London apartment Friday. Rowberry joined the group in 1965, a year after the band formed. Animals drummer John Steel said the 62-year-old Rowberry had a heart condition. ...

The Eagles have added an eight-date West Coast leg to their Farewell I Tour. The new stretch begins August 5 in Phoenix and wraps up August 24 in Seattle. Old favorites like "Hotel California" will stand alongside new single "Hole in the World." ... Dance rockers Hot Hot Heat have added nine dates to their current tour that supports their latest album, Make Up the Breakdown. The new leg, which includes festivals and a handful of shows with Los Angeles' Moving Units, begins June 28 in Syracuse, New York, and ends July 20 in Chicago. ...

On Thursday, Verizon Communications forked over the names of four subscribers to its Internet service the recording industry suspected of illegal file-sharing, thereby infringing on its copyrights. The day before, the U.S. Court of Appeals upheld a subpoena that required the company to do so. It's not yet known what the RIAA plans to do with the names. ...

06.06.03

Though he's out of the running for the ex-Guns N' Roses band Velvet Revolver, Sebastian Bach got his GN'R fix recently when he teamed up with former Guns drummer Steven Adler. Adler's band — which also features members of Slash's Snakepit, Ratt and Faster Pussycat — is called Adler's Appetite, to reflect its penchant for playing songs off of Appetite for Destruction. Bach took the mic during the group's set at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas on May 31. ...

Speaking of ex-Gunners, founding guitarist Izzy Stradlin has finished his sixth solo album, Like a Dog. Clips of two songs, "Hammerhead" and "Bomb," have been posted on his Web site. Meanwhile, Gilby Clarke, who replaced Stradlin in GN'R, will perform with Heart on "The Tonight Show" on Tuesday. ... Former Pearl Jam drummer Jack Irons joined Eddie Vedder and his old mates onstage in Irvine, California, Tuesday for a cover of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World." Matt Cameron replaced Irons in 1998, just before the band embarked on a tour to support Yield. ...

Former Smiths singer Morrissey has begun working on his first album in five years. The Mozzer's follow-up to Maladjusted is due on the newly resurrected Attack label. ... "Creatures (For a While)" will be the first single from 311's new album, Evolver, due July 22. The song will hit the airwaves on June 30. ... Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.I.Am told the Los Angeles Times he's working on a second solo album, with appearances by KRS-One, MC Lyte and others. The project will be released on the London club label Barely Breaking Even. ... The Wallflowers will embark on an 18-date acoustic tour July 11 in San Diego. Jakob Dylan and company continue to support last year's Red Letter Days on the trek, which wraps July 27 in Boulder, Colorado. ...

Damion Hall of the R&B group Guy called in to New York radio station WBLS-FM on Friday (June 6) to dispel rumors of his demise. "I'm definitely here, I'm alive and awake," Hall said. "It's amazing how people want to make up stories to create a rumor or for them to get some steam. ... Everybody that has been worried or confused, I am here, I'm alive, I'm well." ... The first glimpse of what a reunited original lineup of Duran Duran sounds like is available online, where an unmixed demo of the new song "What Happens Tomorrow" has been leaked. Sample lyrics: "We can't wait for a savior/ Only got ourselves to blame for this behavior." The band has yet to sign a label deal but has booked a few shows this summer, including a July 16 gig at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, California, and a July 17 concert at the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas. ...

Versatile Marilyn Manson guitarist John 5 recently worked with songwriter James Michael on a song for the next Garbage album. Last year Michael and Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx co-wrote the Saliva single "Rest in Pieces." Afterward, Garbage's Butch Vig asked Michael to pen him a tune. ... "The Sopranos" star Jamie-Lynn Sigler will perform the national anthem prior to Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, while KC & the Sunshine Band will provide three songs of halftime entertainment for Game 4 on Wednesday, including the disco hits "Get Down Tonight" and "That's the Way (I Like It.)" The additions join previously announced performers Lisa Marie Presley, Jewel and Phish for the NBA Finals, which pit the San Antonio Spurs against the New Jersey Nets. ...

Four songs from the last concert John Entwistle played with the Who before he died will be released as a bonus disc of a live double-CD due July 22. The freebie will feature "I'm Free," "Young Man Blues," "Summertime Blues" and "I Don't Even Know Myself" recorded at London's Royal Albert Hall last year. The other two discs will be composed of a benefit show the band played for the Teenage Cancer Trust at Royal Albert Hall in November 2000. Guest appearances were made by Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder, Bryan Adams, Oasis' Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller and Stereophonics' Kelly Jones. ...

• Ashanti
• Jennifer Lopez
• Lil' Romeo
• Marilyn Manson
• JC Chasez

Master P. and Lil' Romeo
Photo: Johnny Nunez

Hip-hop Renaissance man Master P's Hollywood takeover is heating up. The rapper and his superstar son, Lil' Romeo, are involved in no less than seven films, all scheduled to come out over the next year or so.

The latest of the batch is an urban comedy called "Uncle P," which was written by P cohort Dallas Jackson. Bernard Gourley, who lensed the Lil' Romeo video for "True Love" featuring Solange, will direct. P will finance the project with several million dollars and will release the movie nationally through his recently resurrected No Limit Films. Shooting is scheduled to begin February 13, Jackson said.

"Uncle P" is a fish-out-of-water story about a millionaire hip-hop entrepreneur forced to temporarily leave the business world when his sister becomes ill and needs someone to take care of her three kids. So P's character heads to suburban California, where he's confronted with perplexing tasks like mowing the lawn, doing dishes and walking the dog.

Plus he has to counsel his sister's children: a boy-crazy 14-year-old girl, a 12-year-old boy (played by Romeo) desperately in need of a father figure and a 5-year-old girl who provides much of the movie's comic relief.

Tatiana Ali will play P's girlfriend, and Ben Stein and B2K will make appearances. A soundtrack will likely feature songs by P, Lil' Romeo, B2K and Mario, Jackson said.

Long before "Uncle P" comes to town, the rapper will make a showing in two major studio productions. In the dramatic MGM nail-biter "Dark Blue," opening February 21, he'll act alongside stars Kurt Russell and Lolita Davidovich. He'll play a club owner in "Hollywood Homicide," which is about a rap star who is murdered onstage and the investigation that follows (see "Master P, Kurupt, Outkast's Dre Do 'Hollywood Homicide'"). The movie, which stars Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett, recently wrapped and should be out by September, Jackson said.

P's long-in-the-works prison tale "Lockdown," starring Bill Nunn and Joe Torry, opens February 14. P is also shooting a sequel to his 1997 cinematic debut, "I'm Bout It." The flick was written by Jackson and will go straight to video on April 22 to accompany the new studio releases by Master P and the 504 Boyz, and Master P and Silkk the Shocker.

Meanwhile, Romeo is working on the films "Lil' Romeo and Lil' Juliet," "Shorties" and "Honey" as well as the Nickelodeon sitcom "Pieces of the Puzzle," which debuts in April.

For more Hollywood happenings, check out MTV's Movie House.

• Master P
• Lil' Romeo

Lil' Romeo
Photo: New No Limit

If you're going to make albums, do movies, shoot TV pilots and go on tour, you might as well have fun doing it. It's a philosophy that seems to be working for Lil' Romeo, who just dropped his second LP, Game Time.

"I'm real excited about it," the preteen rapper said recently between promotional TV engagement. And Romeo's current single, "True Love" featuring Solange Knowles, seems to be getting the youngsters excited lately.

"It was a lot of fun," Romeo said of recording with Beyoncé's younger sibling. "She's from the same hometown as me, H-Town — Houston, Texas. All the fans, I wanna thank them for making the video [a success]. My dad always thought it was gonna be big, I thought it was gonna be big. I always think big. That's what we go for."

"True Love" was one of the songs added to the album after New No Limit pushed the LP's summer release date back to the end of the year.

"I wanted to do a few more songs," Romeo said, obviously influenced by his dad's guidance. "I thought that it was better to make it as a Christmas album. This is my second album, I thought it would be a good stocking stuffer. We used that time and made it into a bigger record. [We added] the single with Solange and 'Feel Like Dancing.' It's a party song, a real fun song for the girls to dance to. And one called 'Clap Your Hands,' everybody likes that. That's just some of them."

Romeo has already shot a video for his next single, "Play Like Us." "It's a real song you can dance off of, and its featuring one of our new artists Tyron and my cousin Little D. It's a real hype song. [The video] is like a day in the life of Romeo. This song is for the girls and boys. I'm trying to have fun everywhere I go, but it's a lot of performances. We have the Harlem Shakers. It's a lot of dancing. You gonna see me dancing."

We'll also see him doing a few steps in his movie debut, next year's "Honey," which stars Jessica Alba (see "Lil' Romeo, Jessica Alba To Star In Inner-City Musical").

"It was a lot of fun; she's like a big sister to me," he said of Alba. "She told me what to do, but in a fun way. We always had little mini play fights. She was messing with me. It was real cool. My character's name is Jimmy. He's from the 'hood, he's trying to make it out.

"We had to do two months of dance rehearsal and three months of shooting," he continued. "My videos are only three days. It's a big difference. It takes patience. At first I was frustrated because I wasn't used to dancing. I wasn't really trying to do it, but then after finding out people really like it, it made me like it better. It was a lot of fun."

As for Romeo's next movie adventure, it's still a toss up between the sci-fi flick "Shorty" and "Lil' Romeo and Lil' Juliet." Romeo and his pops will hold contest to find a co-star for the latter love story in January or February (see "Master P Bringing 'Lil' Romeo And Lil' Juliet' To Big Screen"). A New No Limit tour is also in the works at the top of the year.

As for this year, Master P is probably still scratching his head as to what to get his kid for Christmas, since he already has everything, including both adult- and kid-sized vehicles.

"Mine is like a future investment," he said about his Mercedes-Benz and Range Rover. "I still live with my parents, so it's just a future investment."

But when it comes to small-scale vehicles, he gets to use actually use those.

"I have a mini-Hummer and mini-Benz," Romeo said with a smile. "I drive those more. ... We got a big ol' neighborhood, so I drive them around the neighborhood. They run on gas, it's just like a regular car but smaller."

No wonder Romeo is a little braggadocio on Game Time, which features a song called "Richie Rich." "It's like a 'I Got It Made' song. I'm telling you what I got," he said, comparing it to the Special Ed flossing classic.

Romeo still finds time to speak about what's important, though, with songs like "Wanna Grow Up."

"It's like an 'Annie' remake a little bit. She's saying, 'I don't wanna grow up.' I'm telling her she's gotta grow up. 'You gotta go to school, and you have to get your education to be the person you wanna be."

• Lil' Romeo

Kids' Choice Awards In L.A.

• Usher
• Rihanna
• Ashlee Simpson
• Fallout Boy
• Akon

Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, Nelly At Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2007

• Justin Timberlake
• Gwen Stefani
• Jack Black
• Paula Abdul
• Randy Jackson

Kanye, Rihanna, Fonzworth, More At 2006 BET Awards

• Kanye West
• Rihanna
• Fonzworth Bentley
• Bow Wow
• Paul Wall

MTV.com Exclusive: Lil' Romeo Photos 09.22.2004

• Lil' Romeo

Making the Video: Nick Cannon/3LW/Lil' Romeo "Parents Just Don't Understand"

• Lil' Romeo
• 3LW

"Honey" Photos

• Lil' Romeo
• Missy Elliott
• Tweet
• Jadakiss
• The Lox

2002 Teen Choice Awards

• Britney Spears
• Nelly
• Backstreet Boys
• Eve
• Lil' Romeo

Lil' Romeo: Photos from the Interview #1 Son

• Lil' Romeo

• Joe Budden
• Boomkat
• Justin Guarini
• Kelly Clarkson
• Michelle Branch

• Lil' Romeo