Rihanna at the BMI awards on Thursday
Photo: Walik Goshorn

NEW YORK — You know it's a going to be a good night when a big, thuggish-looking man with a scar going down half his face comes into the party singing Rihanna's chorus to "Run This Town."

Now imagine being at that same party and the DJ announces that Rihanna is actually in the building. Too crazy. Thursday night in New York City, if you weren't rehearsing for the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall, or part of Raekwon's CD-release show at S.O.B.'s, then you had to be at the M2 Ultra Lounge.

	Rihanna Keri Hilson, Big Boi, More At BMI Awards

Rihanna, Katy Perry, Devyne Stephens, DJ Clue, newcomers Jay Fresh Kicks and Jeremih, Keri Hilson, Bad Boy artist Janelle Monáe, Outkast's Big Boi, the legendary Bootsy Collins, Sammie, Goodie Mob members Cee-Lo and Big Gipp, producers Danja, Jim Jonsin and Bryan-Michael Cox, model Tyson Beckford and others attended the Hennessy Black-sponsored event that doubled as the BMI Awards afterparty.

DJ Mick Boogie spun, mixing Young Money's "Every Girl" with Gucci Mane-featuring cuts such as the "Obsessed" remix and "Make Tha Trap Say Aye."

Polow Da Don took over the mic in the DJ booth for a short time, letting Mario and famed songwriter Sean Garrett perform their club smash "Break Up." Mario started off rapping Gucci Mane's part: "Now baby girl had dumped me/ She no longer wants me/ I'm no longer hired, she said that I've been fired/ On to the next one, more fish in the sea/ Girls are like buses, miss one, next 15, one comin'."

The singer then held down his own part of the record, crooning, "Don't I make your earlobe freeze?/ Don't, when I dive, I dive deep?"

Garrett then got on the mic with his verse: "Baby, don't leave me till tomorrow/ Tonight we gon' get a lil' tipsy with a bottle."

When it came to the celebrities at the event, some mingled and some just danced in their own VIP section. Rihanna wore black shades and a black hood and seemed to really be enjoying the reggae. Meanwhile, you could see Keri Hilson walking around in the upstairs VIP, while Katy Perry made her way through the crowded dance floor downstairs.

The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards air live this Sunday, September 13, at 9 p.m. ET, but New York is celebrating the VMAs all week long! Stay tuned for party coverage, concert reports, behind-the-scenes updates and more.

• Rick Ross, Keri Hilson, Big Boi, More At BMI Awards

• Rihanna
• Katy Perry
• OutKast
• Cee-Lo
• Keri Hilson

Andre 3000
Photo: Michael Loccisano/ FilmMagic

Outkast's Andre 3000 (real name: Andre Benjamin) was arrested near Atlanta Saturday for driving his 2007 Porsche Carrera at such a high speed that police called him "an accident waiting to happen," according to Atlanta's WSB-TV, TMZ and AllHipHop.com.

A police officer told the station that the MC was clocked at 109 MPH on Saturday morning, significantly over the 65-mph speed limit, on Interstate 75, and was arrested for the danger he posed.

"Traveling that fast along 75, you're passing people as if they're standing still," Henry County Police Captain Jason Bolton told the station. "It's an accident waiting to happen."

The MC was released after posting $1,200 bail, according to TMZ. He is scheduled to appear in court on April 29.

Reps for Benjamin had not responded to MTV News' requests for comment at press time.

The arrest comes as State Representative Jim Cole is lobbying for a new "Super Speeder" bill to be passed in the state of Georgia. The law will force violators to pay an additional $200 fine for driving at more than 85 miles an hour on highways and four-lane roads. Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue has said he supports the bill and intends to sign it into law in the coming months.

Representative Cole told WSB that he hopes Benjamin will help rally support behind the bill.

"He might be willing to help us market it," Cole told the station.

• OutKast

Outkast's Big Boi
Photo: MTV News

Big Boi knows the ins and outs of the ATL. Having moved there as a child, he attended Tri-Cities High School, where he discovered hip-hop, met a fellow student named André Benjamin and formed Outkast, who would go on to become the biggest hip-hop act in the city — and the world, for that matter.

So this is his city. Which is why, with Atlanta Week wrapping up, we figured there would be no one better to give us a tour of ATL's hot spots than the man himself. When we caught up with Big Boi, we just had to ask him about some of Atlanta's best spots — and why, after all these years, the city has become the hip-hop mecca of the South.

"Man, Atlanta's been a hot spot since we came out. We got a lot of people moving to Atlanta because of Outkast, that's what they tell us," he laughed. "It's the people, man. The Southern hospitality, the way we treat people down in the South. The cost of living is below an L.A. or a New York, so you can come get yourself something real nice in the A for the low-low."

When he's back at home, where does he like to go? Well, there are just too many spots to mention — though there are three areas in which ATL excels: restaurants, shopping ... and strip clubs.

"[We] do a little bit of everything," Big said. "R. Thomas is this nice little joint on Peachtree — 24-hour health-food joint, organic," he explained. "We also got Walter's, where you can go get fresh in there, get all your fresh Dickies, all the fly sneakers straight off the rack, before they even come out. A lot of nice clubs, pubs and strip joints, you know?"

We know.

Check out our previous Atlanta Week stories, featuring T.I., Young Jeezy, Shawty Lo, Gucci Mane, B.o.B and more.

• It's Atlanta Week!

• OutKast

Outkast's Big Boi with Ludacris
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images

While rumors continue to swirl about which artists will play at President-elect Barack Obama's official inaugural ball, it sounds like two of the Illinois senator's biggest hip-hop supporters, Ludacris and OutKast's Big Boi, have already locked down some of the performers for their Urban Ball, part of the American Music Inaugural Balls taking place in Washington, D.C.

On January 20, D.C.'s Marriott Wardman Park Hotel will hold two American Music events. Luda and Big Boi will co-host the Urban Ball, which is reportedly slated to include appearances from David Banner, Bobby Valentino, Lil Jon, T-Pain, Cedric the Entertainer, the Cheetah Girls, Fantasia and Monica. A number of former NBA players will also reportedly be on hand, including Jalen Rose, Kenny Smith and Alonzo Mourning. Tickets for the ball will run you $350. Spokespeople for Luda and Big Boi could not be reached for comment at press time.

The lineup for the Legends Ball, co-hosted by Dionne Warwick and Yolanda Adams, is slated to feature appearances by Chaka Khan, George Clinton, Kirk Franklin, Harold Melvin & Blue Notes, the Temptations with Dennis Edwards, Isaiah Washington and Reggie Miller. Tickets for this event will cost $450.

Speculation has continued to swirl over which artists will play Obama's official ball, with Shakira's name the latest celebrity in a mix that already included an offer to perform from Beyoncé and a denial from the Obama camp that fellow Chicagoan Jennifer Hudson had been tapped to sing at the ball. One thing is for sure: MTV will be hosting its own "Be the Change Inaugural Ball," co-hosted by ServiceNation, to celebrate the massive youth-voter turnout in this year's presidential election.

• Ludacris
• OutKast
• Big Boi

Outkast's Big Boi
Photo: MTV News

ATLANTA — Big Boi is getting his second solo album, Sir Lucious Leftfoot: The Son of Chico Dusty, back on the good foot. The street-embedded member of Outkast says that despite a delay, his record is still coming.

"The South got something to say, and we gonna keep on talking," he told us recently in Atlanta. The roll-out plan for his LP seems to coincide once again with that of his partner, Andre 3000, and the 'Kast have been putting their heads together in preparations.

"Me and 'Dre were on the conference call [recently]," Big explained. "He's working on his album; my album is done. We're gonna wait until the top of the year — January or February — to put it out. Then 'Dre is gonna come hit y'all, and [then] we're gonna do the Outkast album. So y'all gonna get three records from the 'Kast next year."

Besides being holed up in the studio working on these records, Daddy Fat Sacks has also been spending time on the set — he's due to appear on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" next Tuesday, November 25. He plays a rapper — Gots Money — who gets greedy. Instead of just relying on the loot he gets as an artist, he decides to get involved with an animal-smuggling ring — when the cops catch him, he turns sides and works undercover for the authorities.

Now, we have heard about the 'Kast pulling a trifecta of albums before, and it hasn't materialized — but it might actually happen this time. Andre 3000 told MTV News' Mixtape Monday in September he had finally started work on his album.

"To be honest, I work best when people doubt me," 'Dre explained. "Our whole Outkast career has been built on people doubting us. [Hip-hop fans] up North hated on us from the get-go. We wouldn't be Outkast if people didn't understand what people would call weird. You know, none of that would've happened. Actually, if you see me, tell me I'm wack. That's the best thing you can do for me. You know, if you want a greater album, say that. Say that!"

• OutKast
• Big Boi

Andre 3000
Photo: MTV News

Picture this: Eminem vs. Andre 3000 in a dream face-off of legendary lyricists. Put the whole thing on film, shoot it in the home of grunge rock and call it "8 Mile 2: The Battle in Seattle."

OK, not quite.

But the Outkast rapper did think his agent was handing him a script for a musical of sorts when he first heard about his upcoming film.

"When I saw the title 'Battle in Seattle,' I thought it was catchy," André Benjamin told us last week. "I thought, 'Hey, this may be some kind of rap movie.' You know, they want some kind of battle. They want me to do the kind of '8 Mile' battle thing. 'Cause that's the roles they give to rappers anyway. So once I read it, I was like, 'Hey, OK, this is something serious.' And then, the bigger picture, it was something I didn't know about. I knew if I didn't know about it, I knew a lot of people didn't know about it. So I said, 'Let me bring this to the world ... through my people, through people in the rap world.' So at that point, I felt like I was doing a good deed bringing light to it."

The film centers on the 1999 Seattle riots, which started out as peaceful protests against the World Trade Organization and turned into full-scale chaos. Benjamin stars with Ray Liotta, Woody Harrelson and Charlize Theron, among others.

"I was kinda ashamed that I didn't know anything about it," Benjamin explained. "I just felt like me being a part of it would bring a certain audience to it. It's about the riots that took place in '99, when pretty much the whole world protested the WTO. They pulled it off. They were strategic about it. They called it a riot because there were a couple of things that went down that were unfortunate. But pretty much everything was not breaking the law, and they did it smartly.

"I play a protester by the name of Django," he added. "He's pretty much bringing light to the subject. I guess people look at protesting and feel like, of course, it's heavy. You got issues and all this kind of stuff. But my character is the person that keeps everybody on the up-and-up and alive and laughing. Even when we're locked up, I'm always making jokes and trying to keep it together."

"Battle in Seattle" is headed to theaters September 19. Andre 3000's next album is coming to stores on ... well, that's yet to be determined.

"On the movie front, right now I'm reading scripts," he said. "I've been spending a lot of time working on the next music project, which will be my album. I can say I don't know what it's going to sound like. I can say I know what the message is already. I know what the vibe is. I'm just now really getting into it. Right now, I'm in support of Big Boi's album coming out right, Sir Luscious Left Foot. Go pick it up. Then after that, if God's willing, we'll do another Outkast album. I've been overseas working on this new, exciting clothing company called Benjamin Bigsby that's in stores right now. And that's been taking a lot of my time. But I'm really passionate about it, and I love doing it. It's been one of the most challenging things I've ever done, but I've loved clothes since I was a kid."

Check out everything we've got on "Battle in Seattle."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

• Andre 3000 Teaches 'Seattle' History

• OutKast
• Andre 3000

Andre 3000
Photo: MTV News

Artist: T-Pain

Representing: Naaaappppyyyy Booooyyyy!

Mixtape: Pr33 Ringz

411: T-Pain wants it all. He's sung on everybody's hook, and now he's coming for that MC money. Now that the world is jockin' his melodies, he wants them to sweat his rhymes.

"Pr33 Ringz is just a warning before the Thr33 Ringz,," he said of his street CD, which lands October 28, a couple of weeks before his third official album hits stores. (Pain's slogan for his official album is "Four Ones, Thr33 Ringz," in a nod to its November 11 release date.) "It's not so much letting you know what you need to get ready for. It's letting you know what you need to know about. A lot of people don't know me as a rapper. I'm rapping a lot on there. I got a couple of R&B tracks on there, all original beats. None of the beat-jacking or remixing. None of that. All brand new stuff. Twenty-one songs I'm just giving away."

Pain — who recorded all of his material in just four days — got beats from a few of his friends (he only produced one track) and said he's just as passionate about being an MC as he is about being a singer.

"I been doing it ever since," Pain said of his raps. "It's just that a lot of people haven't been accepting it. I do everything. I always rapped, I always sang. People are more attracted to the singing part than the rapping part. I'm forcing the issue. Free songs — here it is."

He's still writing and producing for a slew of artists, including Ciara, and just might have more on his plate now that Pr33 Ringz is circulating.

"A lot of my people been calling me asking for the actual songs," he explained. "They wanna put my mixtape song on their album. I'm like, 'How you gonna solidify that? How you gonna take a mixtape song and put it on your album?' They don't even care. A lot of people just say, 'I'll figure out a way to do it. Just give me something. Give it to me.' "

Joints To Check For

"Up & Down." "It's so different," the dread-head said, describing the song. "It was so strong. It's one of two R&B songs on the mixtape. I did it on my tour bus. I was in a different environment. The other R&B song is nothing but a verse and hook. It's one of one and a half R&B songs. 'Up and Down' is the emotions of this girl that keeps confusing me. It's a relationship — that's how it goes."

"Like I Outta." "I'm going in. It's a rap track," Teddy said. "It's pretty much me doing everybody else like how everybody is doing me. On the second verse I rap like E-40, Soulja Boy, Shawty Lo. I rap Jeezy, Ross, Wayne. I go in on everybody.

"Ain't no dissing occurring, but it's me going in, showing people I can do more than Auto-Tune," the 23-year-old continued. "I can do more than rap. I can do their people too. Y'all could do me — let me do somebody else."

"Somebody Tell Em." "I want people to know the truth," Pain demanded. "How things go. It ain't easy doing all these records. When people come and get these records, they don't know the drama behind them. Managers fighting — I may get into an altercation with another artist because my hook is overpowering his verses. It's not just doing a hook and somebody puts it out and it happens. It's a lot going on behind the scenes. I need you to know."

Don't Sleep: Other Notable Selections This Week

» DJ Woogie, DJ Ian and Freeway - Freeway Is Back
» Big Mike and Maino - Maino Is the Future
» DJ Kool Kid - That Hard White
» DJ Warrior, DJ Muggs and Planet Asia - Pain Language
» DJ Barry Bee - Hood Legendz 17
» DJ Skee and Charles Hamilton - Death of the Mixtape Rapper
» DJ Papa Smirf and Rain - Freestyle Kronicles

'Hood's Heavy Rotation: Bubbling Below The Radar

» Ne-Yo (featuring Fabolous and Jamie Foxx) - "She Got Her Own" ("Miss Independent" remix)
» E-40 (featuring Akon) - "Wake It Up"
» Stat Quo - "Dear Summer Pt. 2"
» T.I. (featuring Usher) - "My Life, Your Entertainment"
» DJ Kay Slay (featuring Papoose, Tony Yayo, Jim Jones, Junior Reid, Uncle Murda and Sheek Louch) - "Don't Take It There" remix
» Ciara (featuring T-Pain) - "Go Girl"

The Streets Is Talking

The hottest chick in the streets right now isn't from New York, Philadelphia or L.A. She wasn't even born in the U.S. Yet, everyone from 50 Cent to Jim Jones to Kanye West is so in love with her music, they've jumped on her track or sampled her voice. Guess what? Her popularity is finally resonating in the mainstream as well, thanks to the "Pineapple Express" trailer.

"Um, I wasn't paying attention when it happened," M.I.A. said last week via phone from her native London about the rise of "Paper Planes." The record is more than a year old, yet it's still popping up daily on mixtapes. 50, Jones, members of State Property and others have inserted their verses on unofficial remixes. Meanwhile, Kanye West sampled her vocals while making the track for T.I.'s "Swagger Like Us."

"I think it's cool when you bring all these rappers and artists like the Clash together," she said. "It's cool that they support it. It's so many people that be like, 'I don't know what you're talking about.' It's kind of like 'This is the sh--, and we think it's hot.' It's great, especially coming from London.

"The song wasn't ... made with marketing blah, blah, blah," the spunky performer added. "It was something organic. It's nice to make something creative and have people like it. Somebody told me it was #3 or 4 on iTunes. iTunes! I beat the Jonas Brothers. I was like, 'What's going on?' Charts don't really compute with me. It's an interesting thing I'm learning. It's kinda nice to have the support."

M.I.A. told us that one of her big supporters has been the Louis Vuitton Don.

"Kanye e-mailed me back in, like, Christmas and told me he listens to 'Paper Planes' every day," she said. He recently hit her up with an early version of "Swagger Like Us."

"I thought it was really hot. He e-mailed the demo version to me. I think T.I. rewrote his verse. It sounded even better once it was done. Kanye just took one sentence and made a whole thing out of it. I'll probably end up doing something with Kanye one day. We have a lot of respect for each other."

M.I.A. also said she was interested in working with Jones' Byrd Gang. The pretty Brit also just started her label, N.E.E.T. (Not in Education, Employment or Training). The first artist is Baltimore rapper Rye Rye. If you want to hear more about M.I.A.'s label and her thoughts on retirement, come on back to MTV News later in the week. ...

Andre 3000 is trash! C'mon, everybody, repeat it. Three Stacks is gah-bage! Truck juice.

Obviously no one in their right mind believes that, but if it will inspire the musical great to give us that album, hey, let's put it on billboards. Just don't say he can "save hip-hop."

"To be honest, man, I really appreciate that people appreciate what I do, but I don't like that type of pressure," he said last week of the assertion. "Like, I hate it, to be honest. ... I cannot save no whole rap game. I mean, the rap game has to save itself. Everybody's saving it. I mean, people like Lil Wayne is saving it. He's bringing energy to it.

"You cannot put that all on one man," he added. "Especially me. I write a verse every year. You can't do me like that. To be honest, I work best when people doubt me. Our whole Outkast career has been built on people doubting us. [Hip-hop fans] up North hated on us from the get-go. We wouldn't be Outkast if people didn't understand what people would call weird. You know, none of that would've happened. Actually, if you see me, tell me I'm wack. That's the best thing you can do for me. You know, if you want a greater album, say that. Say that!"

'Dre's solo album doesn't look likely to materialize soon; he still says he's "early on" in the production of it. But Mr. Benjamin did say he's going to be amping up Big Boi's Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty album whenever he gets the chance. With such long stretches between LPs, 'Dre credits his portable and home studios for keeping his phone ringing.

"I just did a cut with a new Pussycat Dolls single," Stacks divulged. "And I think it's called 'Baby,' so check it out. I've been doing remixes here and there, and let me tell you, thank God for remixes. I wanna tell everybody who's been checking out the remixes and things like the John Legend song ["Green Light"]: In this day and age, those are the things that have kind of been keeping me alive. Because it takes me a while to record albums. I have to kind of build up something to say."

For other artists featured in Mixtape Monday, check out Mixtape Mondays Headlines.

• Mixtape Monday Video: T-Pain, Andre 3000, & More

• OutKast
• Andre 3000
• Kanye West
• M.I.A.
• T-Pain

Rihanna arrives at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards
Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

For almost 25 years now, there's been no better place for the famous to "Step and Repeat" than the MTV Video Music Awards — and they've rarely disappointed, whether their finery is triumphant or tragic.

We're sure to see plenty of both at this year's VMAs — which take place on Sunday, September 7. But we took a look back with the help of Tim Gunn, Tyson Beckford, Lauren Conrad and others, at some of the best and, er, less best moments on "Step & Repeat: The Best & Worst of VMA Fashion." Hang on tight! Here's who we think holds it down when they hit that carpet ...

At #10 is "Transformers" megawatt hottie Megan Fox, who sure lived up to her last name when she showed up in a hot-pink mini bandeau dress by Harve Leger at the 2007 VMAs in Las Vegas. In fact, we'd even bet that this appearance played no small role in taking Ms. Fox from action-movie eye candy to red-carpet starlet.

Outkast may be at #9, but they've proved time and time again that they know how to stand out in the crowd — especially with Andre at the helm of this fashion ship. From his orange overalls in 2003 to his classy pink and green golfer combination in 2001, he and Big Boi turn it out for every carpet under the sun. As Big Boi himself said, "We coolin'!"

RuPaul, who comes in at #8, worked it hard in 1993, proving that stunning style can come in very large packages. In a sequined, black, floor-length Pamela Dennis gown, the nearly 7-foot-tall drag queen brought some old-Hollywood glamour to the ceremony. She was quick to point out that despite the fabulous exterior, "Underneath it all, I'm just a simple girl!"

Seven is a lucky number for Justin Timberlake, who hit the 2006 VMAs in New York in a snappy three-piece suit, showing the world that the man wasn't just singing about bringing sexy back.

Coming in at #6 is 50 Cent, who surprised everyone in 2003 by looking more gangster than gangsta in a pinstripe suit. Nuzzling in at #5 is Jessica Simpson, who makes the grade for her white-hot Miami-heat dress and short, windblown tresses in 2004. Kanye West, who went for classic glamour in a tuxedo in 2007, slides in with style at #4.

Never one to shy away from taking a risk, Rihanna rocked the carpet last year in a hot-pink, low-cut bodice gown that finds her sashaying into our #3 spot.

At #2 is the Bad Boy himself, Diddy, who made a grand entrance and looked hot doing it in 2004 in Miami. He said, "You know we gotta make a grand entrance" — and he certainly did that, disembarking from a giant yacht in a white tuxedo (with Bruce Willis rather inexplicably in tow).

And shining at #1 is the queen of style herself — and the newly minted mother of two — Gwen Stefani, who has transformed herself from SoCal ska siren to full-on pop goddess. This hot momma has described getting ready for these events as being "so exciting, still!" But really how can anyone doubt the woman who started the hip L.A.M.B. line and has said, "It's like playing Barbie, but with giant, huge, full-grown models!"

OK, those were the triumphs. And now, the moment we know you've all really been waiting for: the non-triumphs ...

At #10, Chris Brown went for McDonald's chic in 2006, wearing what appeared to be a uniform for the hamburger chain. On the carpet he said, "You know, I'mma let 'em have that right quick, right?" Maybe he meant fries?

In at #9 is Paris Hilton, who decided that rocker chicken would be a hot look for the 2006 VMAs. It had too much of everything: too much fluff, too much black, too much white — and she even rocked ankle boots and gloves. Eighties prom queen, anyone?

A love triangle (har har!) of questionable fashion choices comes up next. At #8 is Kid Rock, whose fringed cowboy style left many stylists singing the blues. He is followed by 2007 sparring partner Tommy Lee, whose flasher getup in 1999 earns him the #7 spot. It's always more appropriate to wear clothes under your trench coat, Tommy.

But it's their shared former flame Pamela Anderson (in at #6) who tops off this unholy trinity with her 1998 getup, especially her peculiar accessory: a top hat that puts both of those guys' looks to shame. She said the look was "so off the hook," but really the look was more, well, off.

Former "House of Style" host Rebecca Romijn comes in at #5 with her animalistic 1998 outfit: a hairy black gown that screamed "Mortia" more than style icon. "It's horse hair," she said. "Somewhere there's a bald horse running around in a field." All we have to say is, it looked better on the horse.

In 1997, our #4 choice Busta Rhymes opted for a Far East superhero look, and then topped himself two years later with what can only be described as a yellow halter onesie.

At #3 is reformed fashion offender Christina Aguilera, who in 2003 was nearing the end of her bad-girl phase — but that pink Cavalli dress she wore that year still leaves a bad taste. "I just loved the pink off-setting the black," Christina said — too bad nobody else did.

Lil Mama probably had a case of the terrible twos before getting ready for last year's VMAs — which makes her a fitting #2 on our countdown. The rapper showed up in one of the most bizarre outfits ever to hit the red carpet: She was dressed like a baby, pacifier and all.

And finally, is anyone who remembers her 1999 getup surprised to see that Lil' Kim tops our list? Let's just say that the rest of her shirt wasn't the only thing missing from that outfit. Kim said she "just wanted to do something that would say, 'Look at her!' " She accomplished that many times over.

Will these looks be topped at the 2008 VMAs? Bet on it — and tune in to find out on September 7!

It's a wrap! Now that the 2008 VMAs have come and gone, check out all the winners, the most surprising moments, the best red-carpet fashions and more at VMA.MTV.com.

• Step & Repeat: The Best & Worst Of VMA Fashion

• VMA: The Best And Worst Of VMA Fashion

• Gwen Stefani
• Lil' Kim
• Lil Mama
• Christina Aguilera
• Busta Rhymes

Rick Ross and T-Pain perform at the <i>Ozone</i> Awards on Monday in Houston
Photo: Ben Rose/ Getty Images

HOUSTON — You know you're in for a memorable awards show when fists are thrown, the police are called in and somebody gets (mildly) injured before one award is announced or anybody gets to perform. On Monday night at the George R. Brown Convention Center, the third annual Ozone Awards began with a physical altercation between H-Town MCs Mike Jones and Trae that took place while some audience members were just getting to their seats. The show hadn't even started.

After the scuffle, Trae was escorted out of the main hall by police, but later returned. Jones — who has lost a considerable amount of weight in recent months — was taken away for minor medical assistance.

Host DeRay Davis was obviously unaware of the clash as he began his opening monologue, telling the audience that everyone came in peace and no one was fighting. Some audience members immediately retorted that he was wrong.

"Did I miss an ass-whoopin' or somethin'?" he asked.

"Yeah!"

"Damn!" the comedian responded with surprise.

Once the show finally started, artists from the South and the West Coast did show strong unity, especially during a moving tribute to UGK's late Pimp C, in which MCs joined forces for covers of some of Pimp's famous verses. Too Short came out and did C's rhyme from Jay-Z's "Big Pimpin'," David Banner followed with bars from UGK and Outkast's "Int'l Players Anthem," to which Big Boi added his own verse. Webbie was next, rapping Pimp's lines from "One Day." Bun B closed it out backed by a full choir for "Angel in the Sky."

Shortly after the tribute, T-Pain beat out Pimp and others for the TJ's DJ's Tastemaker Award, which goes to the person who sets standards in music, fashion and style. T-Pain's victory was clearly an anticlimactic moment: The crowd had anticipated a win by their hometown hero, even yelling out "Pimp C! Pimp C!" in the anxious moments before the winner was announced. Pain later forked over his award, saying C deserved it.

No one was upset by Shawty Lo winning Breakthrough Artist. The MC, who performed a medley beforehand, brought his daughter and a female companion onstage with him to accept the honor.

DJ Khaled took home best DJ honors, and wouldn't you know it? Mike Jones showed shades of Paul Pierce in this year's NBA finals, coming from the back of the room with a small bandage across his nose, to announce the nominees in the category.

Co-presenter Alfamega — who's signed to T.I.'s Grand Hustle label — asked him, "Are you all right?"

"What don't kill me makes me stronger," Jones said. He apologized to the crowd for the preshow scuffle, saying, "We don't get down like that in H-town," but also had words for Trae: "If you gonna get me, get me straight up."

As for Khaled, he and his Florida collective had the performance of the show, closing out with a medley. The entire crowd got on its feet as Khaled, Rick Ross, T-Pain and Ace Hood went through "The Boss," "Cash Flow," "I'm So Hood" and "Out Here Grindin."

"Ozone Awards are so big," Ross said backstage before performing. "This is something major for the streets! A lot of people who didn't or who don't normally get love from other outlets can count on Ozone to shed some light on them."

Ross won Best Rap Album for Trilla; Snoop Dogg won Best Rap Album (West Coast). The coveted lyricist of the year nod went to Lil Wayne.

The awards took over the city for the weekend, filling H-Town with revelry fitting such a major event. MCs both established and on the rise came out for the celebration: At clubs around town, you'd see familiar faces like T.I., Young Jeezy, even Nelly and the Game, and Rick Ross performed on Saturday night.

Despite a brief scuffle between DJ Vlad and a member of Rick Ross' entourage, having a good time and networking was the focus.

"The weekend is big for the South," Jeezy said backstage at his show on Saturday. "It's big for hip-hop, period."

Ozone magazine was started by journalist Julia Beverly and is dedicated to providing coverage to acts from the South and West who were overlooked or undiscovered by more mainstream publications. The awards followed in the spirit of the magazine honoring up and coming acts as well as artists who have broken through.

"After all these years, the only award I've ever received was a Ozone award," the legendary Mannie Fresh said backstage. "So I love the show. It's the third year, it keeps getting better."

The complete list of Ozone Award winners:

Best Rap Album
Rick Ross Trilla

Best Rap Artist
Lil Wayne

Best R&B Artist
Chris Brown

Best Rap Group
UGK

Best Lyricist
Lil Wayne

Breakthrough Artist
Shawty Lo

Best Rap/R&B Collaboration
Usher (featuring Young Jeezy): "Love in This Club"

Club Banger of the Year
Webbie (featuring Lil Boosie & Lil Phat): "Independent"

Mixtape Monster
Trae

Most Slept-On Artist
Z-Ro

Pimp C Award (Trillest Artist) [Editor's note: i.e. "not afraid to speak their mind"]
David Banner

TJ's DJ's Hustler Award
DJ Khaled

TJ's DJ's Tastemaker Award
T-Pain

Best Video
UGK (featuring Outkast) "Int'l Players Anthem"

DJ of the Year
DJ Khaled

Best Mixtape/ Street Album
Tie: DJ Drama and B.G.: Gangsta Grillz: Hood Generals
Chamillionaire: Mixtape Messiah 3

Best Producer
Polow Da Don

Best Rap Artist (West Coast)
The Game

Best Rap Group (West Coast)
D.P.G. (Dogg Pound)

Best Rap Album (West Coast)
Snoop Dogg: Ego Trippin'

Living Legend
J Prince

Patiently Waiting: Florida
Brisco

Patiently Waiting: Georgia
B.O.B.

Patiently Waiting: Texas
Lil Will

Patiently Waiting: Mississippi
Lil C

Patiently Waiting: Alabama
Jackie Chain

Patiently Waiting: Louisiana
Mack Maine

Patiently Waiting: Tennessee
All Star

Patiently Waiting: Carolinas
Snook Da Rokk Star

Patiently Waiting: Kentucky
Hurricane

Patiently Waiting: California
The Jacka

Patiently Waiting: Arizona
Willy Northpole

• T-Pain, Rick Ross, More At '08 Ozone Awards

• Rick Ross (Hip-Hop)
• T-Pain
• David Banner
• OutKast
• Mike Jones

Big Boi
Photo: MTV News

• 50 Cent
• OutKast

Soulja Boy, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg And More At The 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards

• Soulja Boy Tell'em
• Ludacris
• Snoop Dogg
• Goodie Mob
• OutKast

Chris Brown, Rihanna, Ne-Yo, More At 2008 BET Awards

• Rihanna
• Alicia Keys
• Rick Ross (Hip-Hop)
• Flo Rida
• DJ Khaled

Amanda Bynes, Will Ferrell, Benjamin Andre, More At The "Semi-Pro" Premiere

• Andre 3000
• OutKast

Andre 3000, Big Boi, Slim Thug, More On The Set Of UGK's "International Players Anthem" Video

• OutKast
• Slim Thug
• Three 6 Mafia
• UGK

Dakota Fanning, Andre Benjamin, More At "Charlotte's Web" Premiere

• Andre 3000
• OutKast

"Class of 3000"

• OutKast

Lil' Jon, Big Boi, Rza And More At VH-1's 2006 Hip Hop Honors

• Lil Jon
• OutKast
• Salt-N-Pepa
• Wu-Tang Clan
• Remy Ma

Jack Black, Lil' Kim, OK Go, Paris Hilton And More Highlight The Big Show

• Justin Timberlake
• Jack Black
• Lil' Kim
• 50 Cent
• LL Cool J

Fashion Scrapbook: ANDRE 3000

• OutKast
• Andre 3000

Andre Benjamin, Big Boi, Terrence Howard, More At "Idlewild" Premiere

• OutKast
• Macy Gray
• Sleepy Brown