RZA
Photo: Shareif Ziyadat/ Getty Images

Our top section is called "Don't Sleep," and that's a motto that Gucci Mane has lived by for the past two years. In 2009 alone, he's had about 200 of his songs on mixtapes, and none of them were his bells-and-whistles single "Spotlight," which just hit the Net on Monday. The track features Usher and finds Gucc in a zone he knows all too well. No, not his 'hood, ATL Zone 6 — the club. We're gonna give you a synopsis of his three latest street CDs (not including The BurrPrint [The Movie 3-D], which came out last week, or the upcoming Halloween release Fright Night). And right after Gucc, be sure to see how the RZA feels about Raekwon, Ghostface and Method Man making a joint album.

Don't Sleep: Necessary Notables

Mixtape Series: The Cold War (Guccimerica, Great Brrritain and BurrRussia)
Headliner: Gucci Mane
Co-Starring: DJ Drama, DJ Scream and DJ Holiday
Key Collaborations: "The Other Day," featuring Jim Jones (BurrRussia); "Party Animal," featuring Snoop Dogg (BurrRussia); "Euphoria," featuring Waka Flocka and Rocko (BurrRussia); "Street Cred," featuring Drake and Mike Bigga (Guccimerica); "In My Business," featuring Drake and Sean Garrett (Guccimerica); "I'm Expecting," featuring Juvenile (Great Brrritain)
Essential Info: A triple tape? To call that rare is an understatement. Gucci Mane is obviously in overdrive as he gets closer to his December release date of the official album The State vs. Radric Davis. On Saturday (October 17) at exactly 10:17 p.m., the Gucc dropped his Cold War series with Drama, Holiday and Scream. The flamboyant ATL chain-swinger has more than 30 songs on the three mixtapes, with appearances by everyone from Drake to Snoop Dogg. Check out the Guccimeria intro, "#6," where Gucci speaks for the first time about his placement on the Hottest MCs list. He says it's ironic that he came in at #6, and he's also from Zone 6 in Atlanta. With all the music he's been putting out lately, it's obvious Gucci is dead real about trying to move up to the list to #1.

Other Heat This Week

Triple C's and Maybach Music Group's Cannabis Cup Champions
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The Streets Is Talking: News and Notes From the Underground

"I think it's a great idea," RZA said of Raekwon, Ghostface and Method Man teaming up. "I was pushing that idea to them years ago. Back in the day, we was gonna have a branch called 'The Brothers From the Grain' that was kinda those guys right there. I'm gonna see Meth tonight in the studio to see if I could add on something to that project. Add some depth to it. They are three of the most prolific voices in Wu-Tang. Ghost would call it 'Three the Hard Way Doing Their Thing.' "

RZA says the Clan are at a point where everybody is strong individually, which makes it even greater when they combine.

"We're at a period of life, if anybody from Wu-Tang needs me, I'm there for them," he elaborated. "Everybody has grown and matured to where we don't need each other. ... Everybody is now independent, and sometimes we become what I call interdependent. We don't need each other, but it's good to work with each other and use each other's energy for the whole brand and the whole Clan. U-God reached out to me and said, 'I want you to produce my whole album.' I'm like, 'It's all good.' When I worked [on Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II] with Raekwon, he was like, 'How much you gonna charge me?' I said, 'It's on the house, baby. Just give me my publishing. My rights. But you don't have to give me no money to work with you, baby.' "

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

• Mixtape Daily: David Banner, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, RZA, Nipsey Hussle And More

• RZA
• Raekwon
• Ghostface Killah
• Method Man
• Wu-Tang Clan

Method Man
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Wu-Tang Clan member Method Man (born Clifford Smith) was arrested on Monday (October 5) for tax evasion after reportedly failing to pay almost $33,000 in personal income taxes, according to a press release from the district attorney's office in New York's Staten Island.

The rapper, a Staten Island native, turned himself in to police and was later charged with two counts of tax evasion. If found guilty, he could face up to four years in prison. The most serious charge he faces is a felony violation of repeated failure to file personal income and earnings tax. The rapper was also slapped with a misdemeanor failure to pay tax charge.

The rapper turned himself in to the DA's detective squad on his own accord to face the charges. He was investigated after it was discovered he had failed to pay personal taxes dating back to 2004 through 2007, totaling $32,799. The rapper is also on the hook for accrued interest and penalties stemming from the back taxes.

Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan said the rapper will be "aggressively investigated and prosecuted" if he's found guilty of the charges.

"Taxes are a burden that all citizens share in a civil society, whether you're an average Joe on the street or a high-profile rap artist," Donovan said in a statement. "Because of the alleged action of people like Mr. Smith, law abiding citizens face higher taxes and reduced government services."

According to the arrest report, Method Man turned himself in just after 8 a.m. and is scheduled to be arraigned later on Monday. No court date has been set yet, as of press time. The rapper has retained Peter Frankel to represent him in the matter.

• Method Man

Raekwon and Ghostface
Photo: LOUD

The O.D.: A Mixtape Daily Exclusive

We got all three to confirm it. Ghostface Killah and Raekwon told us first, and on Wednesday, during the taping of VH1's "Hip Hop Honors," Method Man co-signed what his brothers promised: All three are making an LP together.

"It feels great," Meth said about the partial Wu-Tang Clan album. "Rae got the album out, Ghost is coming with his album, and all three of us got the album together. And you hearing it here first. I ain't never said it on tape. ... Method, Raekwon, Ghostface — new album."

Behind The Beats: Havoc

After producing classic albums as a part of Mobb Deep and bone-chilling beats for the likes of Nas and 50 Cent, you can't blame Havoc for wanting to take a break.

"This time around, I'm kind of focused on my lyrics more," Hav told us recently while promoting his new mixtape, From Now On.

The Queens-bred beatsmith is still gonna make that murder music. But with Mobb Deep partner Prodigy still serving a prison bid, Hav decided it's time for him to step up his wordplay.

"I'm doing a lot of the production on the mixtape," he explained. "[But] I been so involved with production that a lot of times you kind of get lax on the lyrics, when it comes to a producer/artist. But I really wanted to focus on my lyrics, because that's where I started, and that's where my passion is at."

Good thing Havoc's pen packs a punch that hits as hard as his beats.

"What's up, P, hope all is well, I should have write you sooner/ But since our last visit, I been fighting off them rumors," he spits on "Letter P," a personal ode to his partner in rhyme. "Me and you, we not rocking like we used to/ My loyalty is strong, and I don't feel like I got to prove to you."

"That was just to clear up a couple of rumors," Hav said. "It's between me and my homie."

The two vets are still tight and have been going strong for more than 15 years. In fact, Hav said he and Prodigy plan to reunite for a new Mobb album as soon as P gets home. The duo are still signed to G-Unit, he said, and P's been writing while doing his time. Hav, though, said he wasn't sure what direction they would take on the next project just yet. That's not something that they talk about during visits.

"We're definitely gonna work on the next Mobb Deep album, I'm ready for that," Hav said. " 'Cause he's [still] a beast, lyrically. And I just miss my partner. That's gonna be one of the first things we work on. I'm not really sure [if we're gonna talk about his time away]. I can't say if that will be reflected in the next project. I do know that it's gonna be crazy. I can guarantee that."

Five-Star Stellar Hits

» Mobb Deep - "Shook Ones, Part II"
» Mobb Deep - "Quiet Storm"
» Mobb Deep (featuring Nas and Raekwon) - "Eye For an Eye (Your Beef Is Mine)"
» 50 Cent - "Fully Loaded Clip"
» Notorious B.I.G (featuring the LOX). - "Last Days"

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

• Mixtape Daily Video: Wu-Tang, DMX, Lil Wayne And More

• Method Man
• Ghostface Killah
• Raekwon

Ghostface Killah
Photo: Roger Kisby/ Getty Images

Celebrity Favorite: Ghostface Killah

Last week, we brought you Ghostface Killah talking about making an album with Mary J. Blige. This week, Ghost gets more in form with what you're used to: He's down to do an LP with his brothers.

While there's no word on an LP featuring the entire Wu-Tang Clan, Tony Starks has high hopes for a trio opus starring himself, Raekwon and Method Man.

"We ain't got no title for it, but they been wanting to do that for a while, maybe like the past two years," Ghost said recently in New York. "I was always with it. I think that right now, everybody is in that position to do it now. I think within the next two months, everybody will start collecting beats. Everybody goes in — he's got four songs, I got four songs, [Meth] has four. Start coming around like that and seeing what we can do. Make a little phat tight one. I told Meth the other day, 'It's gotta be phat and tight. We don't need 16, 19 joints on there. Nah, nah, nah — 12 phat bullets. We do it like that, and that's it.' That's gonna happen soon. It will probably be out by the end of the year or January, and that's that."

You will get a preview of what Rae, Ghost and Meth can do on the upcoming Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II LP. Ghost recorded around 10 songs for the album. (It's still not confirmed how many of the records will appear on the final LP.)

"Rae got darts," Ghost promised. "His beats were up to par. He was doing what he gotta do. It's good, man. People wanna see that. Rae's been like, 'Cuban Linx coming, Cuban Linx is coming' for years. Mutha----as was like, 'Yo, when is it coming, B?' Now he's finally finished it, and he's gonna put it out September 8."

Ghost's The Wizard of Poetry is coming out this year, but he doesn't have a concrete date yet.

"If it's not steaming," he said of his buzz, "we can't put it out until it's right."

Ghost worked with some of his favorite R&B stars from Estelle to John Legend on his new disc. The first single is "Baby" with Raheem DeVaughn.

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

• Mixtape Daily Video: Drake Ghostface, Joe Budden, More

• Ghostface Killah
• Raekwon
• Method Man
• Wu-Tang Clan

Ghostface Killah performs at the Nokia Theatre in New York City on Thursday
Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images

NEW YORK — Now there's a real rap fan: a lady wearing a dress and high-heel pumps, jumping up and down like Dwight Howard in a slam-dunk contest to the sounds of Method Man's "Bring the Pain." Thursday night at the Nokia Theatre, Meth and Redman and Ghostface Killah headlined a bill which also included Keith Murray and Duo Live.

Girls in pumps, sandals and sneakers joined an assortment of male Wu-Tang/ Def Squad fanatics at the Nokia to welcome three of hip-hop's historically dopest MCs.

The Ticallion Stallion and the Funk Doctor — who hit the stage last — started off with a bunch of new material from their current LP, Blackout 2.

Songs like "City Lights" and "Ayo" warmed up the crowd during their set. But the real action came when Meth and Red rolled out their classics. No knock to their new material, but the crowd seemed more eager to hear the songs that have stood the test of time. They were ready to embrace the classics. Even Red himself said he was ready for the "old sh--."

The set included an energetic exchange of the duo's solo hits. First Red hit hard with "Time 4 Sum Aksion." Method kept the energy level at its peak with "Method Man." Red followed up with "Tonight's Da Night," and just when you thought it couldn't get any higher, Mr. Meth dropped "Bring the Pain." The way the crowd was jumping, it felt like a vintage 1994 concert. The hits still sound fresh.

The only disappointment of Red and Meth's program was one of their biggest joint hits, "How High." Instead of running around the stage and bouncing off the walls as we've been accustomed to seeing, the two gave a very calm performance of the song, standing in place center stage doing a two-step.

"Da Rockwilder" was a more energetic end to the show.

Ghostface, who came on earlier in the night, paraded wall-to-wall hits. Special guest Raekwon came out to tag-team on the audience performing a gaggle of cherished gems like "C.R.E.A.M." and "Can It Be All So Simple."

There was a very genuine moment when Ghost hugged Rae and said, "I miss you, my brother."

"Me and this n---a made history with the 'Purple,' " Ghost added, talking about Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. Ironically Ghost's next LP, The Wizard of Poetry, and Cuban Linx II come out around the same time in early September.

Mr. Starks ended his set with "Chez Chez La Ghost" and "Back Like That."

• Ghostface, Redman, Method Man At The All Points West Kickoff Party

• Method Man
• Redman
• Ghostface Killah

Method Man
Photo: MTV News

Raekwon is readying his solo album, and Ghostface Killah will be wrapping up his next project soon, so does this mean that Shaolin's finest will be reuniting in the foreseeable future for an official Wu-Tang Clan LP?

Not exactly.

But if it's up to Method Man, some of the sharpest dart throwers in the Clan will get together for a group project. Reiterating Raekwon's remarks to Mixtape Daily on Tuesday, Meth said he, the Chef and Ghostface might join forces for a collaborative effort.

"It's in discussion right now," Method Man told MTV News. "I don't want to say it's written in stone, but it's in discussion. I want some feedback from the fans to see how they would take that. RZA produced tracks, some other outside producers, of course, and we gonna have Wu-Tang members on the album, but it'll be a Rae, Ghost and Meth album."

Method Man said getting a new deal for the entire collective would take more time compared to locking something down for arguably the three most charismatic members of the crew. At this point in Method Man's career, he's focused on making music more in a collective manner than on his own, even if it's not a full family project.

"This is the most comfortable I've been in my whole career," Meth said. "Because I don't have all those obligations that I've had before. You know, doing the Wu-Tang, then the Wu-Tang solo projects, then my project, then me and Redman. Right now, I can do it at my own leisure. Honestly, I don't want to make an album by myself, but it's something that's required, and the fans want that, so I'm gonna do that.

"But the same way with my shows, I like doing shows with brothers instead of just doing them by myself," Method Man continued. "I like to have a crowd around. And have that input to make the project better."

• Method Man
• Ghostface Killah
• Raekwon

Method Man and Redman
Photo: MTV News

LOS ANGELES — The good news for Eminem is that Method Man and Redman are coming on tour with him. The bad news? He doesn't know it yet.

"Hey, Eminem," Method Man barked into our mic recently, giving a heads-up to Sunday's MTV Movie Awards main act. "F--- that. Yo, Paul! We're on the tour, man!"

"Paul!" Redman chimed in, also addressing Em's manager, Paul Rosenberg, directly. "Hey, Paul, we're on the tour, baby!"

"You know my number," Redman said to Rosenberg. "Yo, Eminem. Yo, Paul — we on the tour, man."

"Even if he don't put us on, we're coming in through the back door, jumping onstage," he added.

Although the duo may not be fans of "Twilight," there are two things they love: Eminem and being on the road.

"We're gonna jump on Em's tour — we're putting it out there," Method Man revealed. "We do tour a lot. I'd say altogether 10, 11 months a year."

"Honestly, I'm gonna tell you exactly what that is — that's how we get our bread now," Red said. "That's how MCs make their money. Those royalty checks come like babies — every nine months.

"Plus, we enjoy doing shows," he added. "Anybody who's come to a Method Man and Redman show knows that we give 110 percent every time we're out there."

"Plus, our movie 'How High' branched us out to a different audience," Method Man agreed. "When we go around the world, the majority of our fans are a different descent than us — which is cool. I love it. That just shows we're more outgoing with our music."

And while Eminem seems to constantly be on the verge of wanting to retire, Method and Red say that they'll never get tired of touring.

"We're gonna be doing shows at 50, 55," Redman grinned.

"Redman wants to go to Vegas!" Method laughed, making reference to last year's "Soul Men," a comedy about two middle-aged musicians deciding to head back out on the road.

"I'm gonna be like Sam Jackson," Red grinned. "And he's gonna be like Bernie Mac!"

Watch Redman & Method Man gives their fans advice on MTV's Buzzworthy Blog.

• Method Man
• Redman
• Eminem

Method Man and Redman
Photo: MTV News

Redman and Method Man are finally putting out a sequel to their 1999 classic, Blackout!

"I had obligations. Doc had obligations," Method Man said, explaining why it's taken 10 years for the two of them to put out a new album. "There were things going on [with] the label. Staff changes. That's what happened."

Since that joint LP, Red and Meth have dropped solo LPs, toured together nonstop and starred in various film and TV projects, not to mention Meth's various Wu-Tang Clan albums.

"We was out venturing, starting other careers," Red said. "We can't just depend on this rap game. We did a movie, TV show — venturing out. Now we back. We ain't left. We're coming at the right time."

The duo started formulating the Blackout 2 last year when they had a stint on the Rock the Bells tour.

"A lot of it was written during the tour and the Canada tour," Meth said. "We came home and went right in. Within a month, month and a half, we had some solid joints."

"We're more advanced now than the first one," Red added. "We went in, had fun. I have my own studio now, so it's more relaxed. I engineer now. It ain't no rush for time, paying the studio and engineer. It's fun. We treated [the album] like a mixtape, really. If we really got in there and sat, it'll be a beast. But it's a beast now, and we treated it like a mixtape."

Red and Meth leaked a viral video called "Ayo" on Thursday, and a clip for "Miss International" will air soon.

"We wrote the record on the road," Redman said of "International." "It's a record we're dedicating to the women, whether you're fat, ugly, skinny — it don't matter. You're all beautiful inside."

" 'Miss International' is a state of mind," Meth added. "It's not around the way; it's around the world. You could be in a messed-up neighborhood or messed-up background — it doesn't mean you can't change for the better."

Erick Sermon and Pete Rock produced on the project, and Raekwon and UGK make appearances.

"[Red] had the record," Meth said of "City Lights," their UGK collaboration; Pimp C's voice is sampled on the chorus. "It had Pimp C's hook on it. It was only right we put Bun B on it."

Blackout 2 lands May 19.

• Method Man And Redman Go 'International'

• Method Man
• Redman

Bernie Mac
Photo: Mychal Watts/WireImage.com

A memorial service has been set for Bernie Mac, who died over the weekend at age 50 of complications from pneumonia. The comedian/actor, who is a native of Chicago, will be remembered Saturday in his hometown.

The service will be held at the House of Hope, and his family is asking that donations be made in his honor to the Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoidosis. Mac had suffered from sarcoidosis since 2005, but the inflammatory lung disease had been in remission when he died.

Despite reports that Mac (born Bernard Jeffery McCullough) had entered the hospital only a week before his passing, he had been receiving treatment a week prior to that, according to People magazine. The magazine also reported that Mac had started taking a prescription that suppressed his immune system, which may have contributed to him contracting pneumonia.

"He opened his eyes on his own and looked at [his wife] Rhonda," Mac's sister-in-law Mary Ann Grossett told People of the performer's final hours. "She called his name, and he opened his eyes and nodded to her. She smiled at him and told him, 'Don't leave me.' ... He shrugged his shoulders, and she said that's when she knew he was tired. He signaled to her that his body was tired."

Mac's daughter, Je'niece Childress, 30, told The Associated Press that she and her mom had expected Mac to recover from the pneumonia, but they were ready for the worst. "I think he will always be remembered as one of the original kings of comedy," Childress said. "I think what made him so special to people was that even though he was a celebrity, he just seemed so down to earth and so much like a part of your family.

"He was a hard man, and he made no apologies for that," Childress added. "When it came to me and my mother and my daughter, he was the softest."

Good friend Russell Simmons also opened up about Mac's loss. Before Mac was a household name, he and Simmons worked together in 1992 on Def Comedy Jam. "He represented a kind of 'hood attitude and cultural phenomenon that was under-exploited in America but had great potential," he told BBC's 1Xtra News. "He was always honest, and that honesty was what he exuded and what made him so great."

And the outpouring of sadness has continued to come out of the hip-hop community. "I give my condolences to ... his family," Method Man told MTV News. "He's one of the great ones, definitely."

Fellow Chicago native Double-O from Kidz in the Hall added: "It's a terrible loss. I mean, you need funny in your life at all times. He was definitely one who brought it, one of the best comedians I've ever really experienced, and condolences go out to everyone in his family."

Mac's comedy also resonated with A Tribe Called Quest's Phife Dawg. "It's like one of my favorite comedians," he told MTV News. "Bernie is just ridiculous with it, or he was, so God bless his family, God bless his soul. But Bernie was that dude, for real, so rest in peace, man."

Mac had four projects in post-production, including "Old Dogs" with John Travolta and "Soul Men," which featured Isaac Hayes, who also died over the weekend.

• Method Man
• Raekwon
• Kidz in the Hall

Michael Kenneth Williams
Photo: Andrew H. Walker/ Getty Images

There's not a dry eye in the 'hood today. After five seasons of keeping us intrigued, scared and excited, "The Wire" is over. It's all over: intelligent storytelling, seamless acting and out-of-nowhere plot twists. For fans of the show, TV couldn't get much better. "The Wire" ended with nothing less than what we expected, showing that political officials and law enforcement are just as corrupt as the crooks they're supposed to be policing. While a lot of us are hoping for a film adaptation, some of the show's best actors are getting recognized and will be popping up in a slew of roles soon. We did our own roll call to keep you in the know.

Character: Omar Little
Government Name: Michael Kenneth Williams
Went Out ...: With a bang! In episode eight, Omar was shot in the head, murdered by preteen corner boy Kennard while purchasing a pack of "New-paawwwwts!"
Life After: The big screen, baby. Williams has a role in Spike Lee's upcoming World War II drama "Miracle at St. Anna" alongside fellow HBO alum James "Tony Soprano" Gandolfini. And oh yeah, there's the potential summer blockbuster "The Hulk" to relaunch. "Let's just say old Omar goes toe to toe with the Hulk," Williams told MTV News. Brother Mouzone would be proud.

Character: Michael Lee
Government Name: Tristan Wilds
Went Out ...: With guns blazing. After giving one of his mentors, Snoop, an unceremonious bullet-catalyzed farewell, we thought Mike might flee to a neighboring county, like Montgomery or Prince George's, and lay low. Nah. It's not in the young'n's demeanor. He's going to be a problem, robbing the dealers' banks and stash houses just like Omar did before him.
Life After: Big things are up ahead for Wilds, who can currently be seen as one of the faces of Jay-Z's Rocawear clothing line. He's set to star alongside Dakota Fanning, Alicia Keys and Queen Latifah in "The Secret Life of Bees," due out next year. And although he wouldn't go into too many details regarding the flick (none, actually), the movie is based on Sue Monk Kidd's critically acclaimed novel of the same name. Wilds was also tight-lipped about his music ambitions (he only told us he has 'em). Guess the boy ain't no snitch after all.

Character: Chris Partlow
Government Name: Gbenga Akinnagbe
Went Out ...: Taking one for the team. You could almost hear K-Ci and JoJo singing, "Liiiiife, liiiiiife/ Liiiiiife, liiiiife." In an under-the-table deal, Chris agreed to fall on his sword and plead guilty to more than 20 homicides in exchange for his boss, Marlo, to walk. He'll never see that beautiful B-more Harbor in real life again, but his family will be well taken care of.
Life After: Akinnagbe — who also starred in the short-lived "Barbershop" television show — has parlayed his brutish allure onto the silver screen and the off-Broadway stages. He was featured in the Academy Award-nominated "The Savages," and next summer he'll star with Denzel Washington and John Travolta in the remake of "The Taking of Pelham 123." Currently, Akinnagbe can be caught in New York on a nightly basis in the play "Lower Ninth" as a New Orleans man victimized by the Hurricane Katrina disaster.

Character: Marlo Stanfield
Government Name: Jamie Hector
Went Out ...: On top. In the finale, we saw that the corner was still calling him, but "giving up the crown" wasn't even a question when the cops gave him an ultimatum: Get out of the game and walk away with all his money, or go to jail. He also handed over ties to his drug connection (for a mere $10 million, give or take $900,000). Yes, the drug lord, who spent most of his tenure with a demeanor that was even calmer than Jay-Z's, finally came around and figured out what Stringer Bell tried to tell him all those years ago: Your time as King of the Streets can only run but for so long.
Life After: As one of the show's breakout stars, you get the feeling that Hector is going to be good in anything he does. He's reported to have a part in the film "Notorious" as Notorious B.I.G.'s best friend, Damien "D-Rock" Butler. He's also in the upcoming Mos Def film "Bury Me Standing."

Character: Melvin "Cheese" Wagstaff
Government Name: Method Man (well obviously he wasn't born with that name, but that's how we all know and love him)
Went Out ...: With a headshot. Just when it looked like Cheese was going to step up and claim the streets, he was cut down in a back alley. Slim Charles finally grew a set after all this time and took Cheese out with some heavy-handed handgun revenge for Cheese setting up his own uncle, Prop Joe, to be murdered.
Life After: Tical always has his gloved hand in Hollywood. "Meet the Spartans" came out earlier this year, and "The Wackness" is still due in 2008. Johnny Blaze is also back in music mode. He's recording his next solo LP, Crystal Meth, and his long-awaited second duet album with Redman simultaneously. The hip-hop legend's rep said the Red and Meth album is dropping first, though.

Character: Namond Brice
Government Name: Julito McCullum
Went Out ...: With hope. Former policeman Howard "Bunny" Colvin took in the foul-mouthed youngster in season four, and although we only saw him once in the final season, it was on a positive note. Brice turned himself from 'hood misfit to scholastic standout. Although drug-dealing is in his bloodline (his father is Barksdale hitman Wee-Bay Brice), he didn't have to fall victim to the dark side.
Life After: If all goes well, McCullum hopes that the name "Namond" will live on long after "The Wire" concludes. The Brooklyn native plans to enter the rap world, adopting his character's name as his MC tag. McCullum said he wanted to show he could act, but also bring his unique style to rap. "There are more Will Smiths out there," he joked.

Character: Duquan "Dookie" Weems
Government Name: Jermaine Crawford
Went Out ...: As the new Bubbles. Probably the character with the saddest ending was poor Dookie, who never fit in — except with the dope fiends. In the final episode, we saw him lie in order to scam money from a teacher, and later, shoot up with a syringe.
Life After: Dookie will be trying to make a difference based on his character's experience. Crawford plans to step behind the camera to write and produce a documentary exposing teenage homelessness. While filming on the streets of Baltimore, he said he learned that art reflects real life. "Who you're playing is right beside you," Crawford explained. "That's somebody's life that you're playing." Crawford also wants to continue acting, as well as start a music career; he's won singing competitions throughout the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., area.

Character: Senator Clay Davis
Government Name: Isiah Whitlock Jr.
Went Out ...: What happens to a lot of corrupt politicians who get caught? Nothing. They get a slap on the wrist and go on to pilfer more money from other avenues. We loved Clay's snake-oil talk, though. He definitely had the series' best catchphrase: "sh------------------t!"
Life After: Whitlock has a Dunkin' Donuts commercial out right now, but that's not even a taste of what he has coming up. A handful of films are on tap, including "Under New Management" and "Choke." There's a TV pilot in development that Brett Ratner is behind, as well as the New York City Public Theater play "Unconditional." There's even a tip of the hat to Clay Davis in the production's dialogue.

Character: Malik "Poot" Carr
Government Name: Tray Chaney
Went Out ...: Kinda on the sucker side. He gave up the corner to work at Footlocker. That's not the sucker part, though: He didn't do anything to help out Dookie, who wanted a legitimate job.
Life After: Chaney is currently working on a multitude of projects, including his debut hip-hop album, set for release later this year. The uptempo lead single, "Dilemma," featuring Jaz of Dru Hill is his true-life tale of being caught between affection for two ladies, one of whom was his fiancee. Next, the former dancer said he's shooting a video for the track later this month and preparing for a role in an indie flick scheduled to begin shooting this fall. He's simultaneously trying to put out his memoir, "The Truth You Can't BeTRAY," and turn the tale into a play. Looks like his hustle didn't end at the corner.

Character: Felicia "Snoop" Pearson
Government Name: Felicia "Snoop" Pearson
Went Out ...: By the hand of her own student. Snoop was trying to set up young Michael, but she taught him too good. He caught her slippin', but even face-to-face with the barrel of a gun, she was a G all the way: "You was never one of us!"
Life After: Snoop is getting offers from Hollywood, but the one she'd love to land is a silver-screen option of her recently released autobiography, "Grace After Midnight."

Character: Gus Haynes
Government Name: Clark Johnson
Went Out ...: With his pride intact.
Life After: Johnson, who directed the last episode of the show, will also be manning the camera for his next project, "Chinese Wall," a political thriller based on the Nigerian oil industry. Johnson is also set to direct the series finale of another critically acclaimed urban show, "The Shield."

Character: Jimmy McNaulty
Government Name: Dominic West
Went Out ...: Without a job, thanks to his nonexistent-serial-killer scheme. More important, the boozing cop didn't go to jail.
Life After: West will continue to piss off the authorities in the near future, but this time, he'll be on the wrong side of the law. West is set to co-star in the upcoming "Punisher: War Journal." The movie — which hopes to reboot the Marvel Comic franchise — will feature West as the Punisher's archenemy, Jigsaw. West is scheduled to star opposite fellow British actor, Ray Stevenson, who will play the title role.

• Method Man

Ghostface, Redman, Method Man At The All Points West Kickoff Party

• Ghostface Killah
• Raekwon
• Redman
• Method Man

Nas, Wu-Tang, More 'Rock The Bells' At Jones Beach

• Nas
• Wu-Tang Clan
• RZA
• Method Man
• Raekwon

Kanye West, Alicia Keys & More Heat Up Hot 97 Summer Jam In New Jersey

• Kanye West
• Alicia Keys
• Flavor Flav
• Lil Wayne
• T-Pain

Diddy, Mischa Barton, Charlize Theron, More At 2008 Sundance Film Festival

• Chamillionaire
• Method Man
• Nick Cannon
• Maroon 5
• The Bravery

Sacked By Sapp

• Method Man

Christina, Paris, 50, Pink Greet Fans Outside The VMAs

• Christina Aguilera
• Paris Hilton
• P!nk
• 50 Cent
• Jessica Simpson

Nick Lachey, Shakira, 50 Cent, Fall Out Boy, More Arrive At The 2006 VMAs

• Shakira
• Fall Out Boy
• AFI
• Danity Kane
• New Found Glory

Jessica, 50 Cent, AFI, More Get Fashionable At The VMA Style Villa

• Jessica Simpson
• 50 Cent
• *NSYNC
• Gnarls Barkley
• Vanessa Carlton

Snoop, Pharrell, Ciara, Danity Kane, Luda, More Mingle At VMA Forum

• Snoop Dogg
• Pharrell Williams
• Method Man
• Danity Kane
• Chamillionaire

Lauryn Hill, Wu Tang Clan, Mos Def And More At Rock The Bells | 08.05.2006

• Wu-Tang Clan
• Lauryn Hill
• Mos Def
• Talib Kweli
• Method Man