Queen Latifah at the <i>PAPER</i> magazine party at the New York Public Library in New York City on Tuesday
Photo: Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images

NEW YORK — Paper magazine celebrated its 25th anniversary Tuesday evening with a party at the New York Public Library. Kanye West, Kid Cudi and Janelle Monae were all in attendance as Queen Latifah, the Virgins, DJ Mark Ronson and Liza Minnelli performed.

The Virgins opened the loosely enforced black-tie affair, which mixed a crowd of fashionistas, musicians and socialites. Lead singer Donald Cummings hit the stage with his face covered in what looked like black ink that had dripped from his scalp. He asked the crowd to forgive the band for not sound-checking as they proceeded to jump straight into their set.

The downtown dance-rock outfit performed a variety of songs — some of which have appeared on "Gossip Girl" — from their self-titled debut album.

Queen Latifah hit the stage next, dressed in all black with yellow Reebok Classics. The legendary MC began listing off various fellow famous New Jersey artists, including the Jonas Brothers and Bruce Springsteen, before she performed "The Light" off of her new hip-hop album, Persona.

Latifah raised the tempo with the album's first single, "Fast Car," and continued with mostly new material, though she did perform her classic "U.N.I.T.Y," much to the crowd's liking.

Broadway legend Liza Minnelli closed the show, but not before Andrew W.K. could invite Paper founders Kim Hastreiter and David Hershkovits onstage. The pair thanked everyone for their support, as they brought out a cake and asked the crowd to sing "Happy Birthday" to their magazine.

• Kanye West, Amber Rose, Queen Latifah Celebrate Paper Magazine's 25th Anniversary

• Queen Latifah
• The Virgins
• Janelle Monae
• Mark Ronson
• Kid Cudi

DJ AM
Photo: Steve Granitz/ WireImage

As DJ AM continues to recover from second- and third-degree burns he suffered in last month's plane crash in South Carolina, his fellow DJs are making sure he's getting the kind of homecoming party he deserves.

Mark Ronson, Steve Aoki, Danny Masterson and Mix Master Mike are just some of AM's friends confirmed to perform at the Welcome Home DJ AM party, to be held October 14 at Avalon Hollywood. Tickets for the event are $20, and all proceeds will go to the memorial funds established in the names of the four people who were killed in the accident.

In a statement to People.com, event organizers said that AM (born Adam Goldstein) has been "a close friend ... for many years," and that the party is being organized not just as a fundraiser, but because his friends feel they "owe him a debt of gratitude that we can never repay, but we hope this helps just a bit."

The September 19 Learjet crash claimed the lives of four people, including Travis Barker's assistant, Chris Baker, and his security guard, Charles Still, as well as pilot Sarah Lemmon and co-pilot James Bland.

Both Barker and AM escaped the crash with burns and are expected to make a full recovery. Less than a week after the crash, AM was released from Georgia's M. Still Burn Center and returned home to Los Angeles. Barker was released from the same facility last week, and recently spoke to Us Weekly about the crash, telling the magazine that he is "thankful to be alive."

If you'd like more information on the memorial funds set up to benefit Chris Baker's and Charles Still's families, visit the Famous Stars and Straps Web site.

• Travis Barker, DJ AM Escape Plane Crash

• Travis Barker
• Mix Master Mike
• Mark Ronson
• Steve Aoki

Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson
Photo: MTV News

• Lindsay Lohan
• Mark Ronson
• Perry Farrell's Satellite Party
• Perry Farrell
• Slash

Mary J. Blige
Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

Mary J. Blige "lives" again: The R&B singer belted out two songs — "Just Fine" and "Hurt Again" — along with her band and taped appearances for upcoming episodes of "One Life to Live." In the eps, slated to air February 15 and 18, Blige acts as a surprise guest at a birthday party for one of the show's characters. "It's absolutely amazing to be integrated into a soap opera I've watched since I was a little girl," she said in a statement. Blige previously performed songs on the soap in summer 2006. ...

Remy Ma's case was adjourned again on Thursday (January 17), because her lawyer is ill. The hearing for the rapper, who is facing charges of charges of gang assault and witness tampering, had originally been scheduled for January 10. ...

Universal Motown has fine-tuned its new-releases schedule, and some of the year's most anticipated albums are right around the corner. Coming down the pipe are Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III (March 18), David Banner's The Greatest Story Ever Told (March 25), Q-Tip's The Renaissance (March 11), Ashanti's The Declaration (March 25), Erykah Badu's New Amerykah (February 26) and, finally, Nelly's Brass Knuckles (June 24). ...

Christmas trees have been tossed out and menorahs packed away for next year, but Amy Winehouse and super-producer Mark Ronson — who teamed for Winehouse's lauded Back to Black album — are sketching out plans for a holiday album, according to Rolling Stone. "We're talking about making a holiday record, with Christmas songs on one side and Hanukkah songs on the other," Ronson told the mag. "She's got songs called 'Kosher Kisses' and 'Alone Under the Mistletoe.' " Winehouse and Ronson both have Jewish roots. "She's writing songs, and we talked about getting a studio," he added. "I have to finish a few other things first, but I imagine we'll go into the studio this year." One of those "things" is apparently Daniel Merriweather's yet-untitled new album, according to a separate Ronson interview with BBC News. ... BBC News. ... The pressure is on. The Directors Guild of America reached an agreement with the major studios on Thursday, turning up the heat on the Writers Guild of America to settle their walkout, which began in November, according to the Los Angeles Times. The three-year directors' contract was an improvement over what the studios had originally offered writers, and now that it is complete, there is pressure for the WGA to use the agreement as the basis for its own new contract. ...

Scarlett Johansson is the latest celeb to pay a visit to troops overseas. The "Nanny Diaries" actress will hang with soldiers in the Persian Gulf for five days, signing autographs and visiting military installations along the way, as part of a United Service Organizations/ Army Morale Welfare Recreation entertainment tour. "I've wanted to go over and visit for some time, and now my moment has arrived," Johansson said in a statement. "It's one thing to reply to a letter or extend your thanks to service members in a speech, but it's another thing to visit them and spend time with those that do so much for us back home." ... Zac Efron, Denzel Washington, Emile Hirsch, Forest Whitaker and father-to-be Matthew McConaughey will present trophies at the Screen Actors Guild Awards on January 27. The show, which has a waiver from the striking Writers Guild of America, will air January 27 on TNT and TBS. ...

John Legend sure is busy. In addition to performing at a MusiCares event on February 8 and at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo in March, the singer/pianist will also play an acoustic set mid-flight onboard Delta Air Lines' new Grammy plane. The Recording Academy, Delta and CBS — the network that is due to air the Grammys on February 10 — have put together a contest that starts Thursday, with winners flying from New York to Los Angeles for the ceremony, and also catching rehearsals beforehand. To enter the sweepstakes, which ends January 29, check out the Web site of your local CBS TV affiliate and see if it is one of the 16-plus participating stations. ... The new season of "American Idol" is under way, of course — but don't forget about last year's winner, Jordin Sparks. The 18-year-old singer is continuing to promote her self-titled debut, which was released in late November, with a chat and performance of "Tattoo" on Fox's "Talkshow With Spike Feresten" on Saturday night. Jordin Sparks has had a poor outing, barely cracking the Billboard albums chart's top 10 in its first week of release. ...

These are the worst of times for EMI. Shortly after news broke that up to 2,000 staffers at the beleaguered major label might be laid off soon, Reuters reported that one of the label's biggest veteran acts, the Rolling Stones, have inked a deal to release a film soundtrack on a different label. The one-off pact with rival Universal Music Group for the soundtrack to Martin Scorsese's upcoming documentary on the band — "Shine a Light," which is due in March — has prompted speculation that the Stones may be the latest act to jump ship from EMI. ... Your time-wasting days may be over. Hasbro, the company behind the game Scrabble, has asked Facebook to remove its popular version of the word game Scrabulous, claiming that it infringes on Hasbro's copyright. ... Clap Your Hands Say Yeah will donate the proceeds from their Tuesday concert at NYC's Bowery Ballroom to Planned Parenthood of New York City, according to Pitchfork. ...

Ginuwine still has beef with King Music Group Inc. The R&B star — who sued the record label in early October, claiming he was tricked into signing a contract with a label that didn't even exist — has filed a breach-of-contract and fraud complaint against the company and its purported founder, Michael Bourné. Ginuwine had previously reached a settlement with King Music Group, according to the complaint, but now he says the terms of that agreement have also been breached, in addition to his original contract. "King Music Group and Bourné's latest breaches have resulted in significant damages and numerous lost professional opportunities for Ginuwine, as well as his inability to record new material," the complaint states. According to Ginuwine, per the terms of his original contract, he was to receive $1.75 million, including a $500,000 advance, to record his first album for King Music. But he claims he didn't receive any payment from the label, and that there was no corporate record for King Music Group Inc. anywhere in New York, California, Florida or Tennessee. ...

While Britney Spears is "happily dating" one paparazzo, Adnan Ghalib, some others aren't so lucky. Four photographers were arrested for reckless driving after chasing the pop singer's car in Southern California on Wednesday night, according to The Associated Press. Los Angeles police offers also pulled over Spears and interviewed her, but let her go after her license checked out OK. Authorities said the four paps were following too closely behind Spears' Mercedes, were driving at unsafe speeds and made multiple dangerous lane changes, according to AP. ... Kiefer Sutherland, who started serving a 48-day jail sentence for DUI and probation violation December 5, will be released Monday, according to "Entertainment Tonight." The "24" actor celebrated his 41st birthday, on December 21, behind bars. ...

Live Nation has been slapped with a lawsuit by a man who alleges he was beat up by a member of Mötley Crüe and security during the band's concert with Aerosmith in Tampa, Florida, on November 22, 2006, according to The Tampa Tribune. Gerald Schneeman of Rockford, Illinois, reportedly claims that while standing in front of the Ford Amphitheatre stage, he was hit in the head with a guitar by a Mötley Crüe bandmember — who was not named in the suit — after which the musician leapt off the stage and took down Schneeman. The suit goes on to say that once Schneeman was on the ground, security assaulted him and dragged him from the venue. Schneeman alleges he suffered bodily injury, scarring and disfigurement, although details of his injuries were not listed in the suit, according to the Tribune.. ...

Michael Derderian, the co-owner of the Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, where 100 people were killed in a 2003 fire during a Great White show, was granted early release from prison by a state parole board on Wednesday, according to an AP report. Derderian, 46, who went to prison in September 2006, is set to be freed in October 2009, after serving more than three years of a four-year sentence. Families of some of the victims had asked the parole board to force Derderian — who has been disciplined several times for breaking rules at his work-release job and in prison — to serve his entire sentence because he ran a dangerous business and allegedly did not show enough remorse for his role in the deadly fire.

1.16.08

Jessica Simpson and John Mayer are no longer an item, obviously, but that's not stopping the smooth guitarist from coming to the actress' defense after her current boyfriend, quarterback Tony Romo, and his Dallas Cowboys suffered a big playoff upset to the New York Giants on Sunday. Over the course of the season, some Cowboys fans had blamed Simpson for Romo's poor performances, suggesting she had been distracting him. In a Tuesday post on his blog, Mayer wrote, "Dear Dallas and surrounding areas, this isn't a sports blog, and it isn't a publicity stunt. (But have at me if it feels right.) This is about doing what I think is right as a person, in this case speaking my mind. I have never known anyone to have more pride in their home state and their upbringing in it than Jessica Simpson has in Texas. I don't really follow sports, but I have played some of my biggest and best concerts in your state, and having witnessed how dynamic the spirit there is, I'm betting emotions are running high right about now. All witty barbs, blogs and fashion-policing aside, that girl loves Texas more than you know. It's one of her most defining traits as a person. So please don't try and take that away from her. (You probably wouldn't be able to, but it's less work for all involved.) I just thought it would mean something coming from the guy who has the absolute least to gain from this. And if I'm out of line in having written it, too bad. I can spare a Wednesday's worth of bad press if it means sticking up for a good soul." ...

In other Mayer news, Cosmopolitan has named him the Fun Fearless Male of the Year for its February issue, in which Mayer is featured on the inside cover. In an accompanying letter addressed "Dear Ladies," he wrote, "I'd like you all to know how much I respect your mind and how much I admire your personal values. I'm so sorry to hear about your past romantic fallouts, and I want you to know that I am nothing like that guy (whose name shall go unmentioned) who treated you like garbage for far too long. Let's get a drink soon." ...

Calling all Beyoncé fans: On Wednesday (January 16), Starwave Mobile launched a new cell phone game devoted to the pop superstar. "Beyoncé Fashion Diva" has an online social-networking component that incorporates items from the Deréon clothing line created by B and her mom, Tina Knowles. "I love fashion and used to spend hours playing 'dress up' when I was a young girl," the singer said in a statement. "As an adult, I still enjoy getting dressed up for my appearances. I believe our customers truly enjoy fashion as well and this mobile game is so much fun to play. It allows everyone to be a Fashion Diva." ...

Prognosticators had anticipated a strong showing for the seventh season of "American Idol," thanks to the dearth of fresh TV content in light of the writers' strike and some retooling on the part of the show. But even with additional help from a Borat impersonator and solid Grace Slick impressions, the new season's premiere fell short of expectations, with its viewership dropping 11 percent from last year (33.2 million watched Tuesday's show, compared with 37.4 million in '07). That news dovetails with a newly released Entertainment Weekly strike survey showing that almost half of Americans have been watching less TV since the strike began. ...

Radiohead's latest webcast is drawing a little too much attention. The band planned to play a short set of In Rainbows songs at a store in London on Wednesday and film the performance for webcast on Radiohead.tv. But due to high demand, the performance was moved to 93 Feet East, a proper live-music venue. "On the advice of the police and the local council, it was decided to change the venue to the larger one in the interests of public safety and due to the size of the crowd that turned up for the event," the band said on the Dead Air Space portion of its Web site. "Rough Trade and the band apologise for any inconvenience caused." ...

Travis Barker thinks you've been seeing a little too much of him lately. The (+44) drummer is suing Rockstar energy drink for unauthorized use of his name and likeness on its Web site, according to TMZ.com. The suit reportedly claims Barker did not give Rockstar permission or authorization to post an image of him on its site, and that he is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. ... Rick Ross will usher boxer Roy Jones Jr. into the ring on Saturday at New York's Madison Square Garden as the former champ gets ready to square off against Felix "Tito" Trinidad. Jones will be joined by a fellow Florida native in Ross, while in previous bouts, Method Man and Redman entered with Jones during fight night. ...

Well, that was quick. Eddie Murphy and Tracey Edmonds, who ceremoniously wedded in French Polynesia just over two weeks ago, have split up. In order to make their marriage legal in the States, the couple still needed to have a ceremony on U.S. soil. "After much consideration and discussion, we have jointly decided that we will forego having a legal ceremony as it is not necessary to define our relationship further," the couple said in a joint statement, according to People. "While the recent symbolic union in Bora Bora was representative of our deep love, friendship and respect that we have for one another on a spiritual level, we have decided to remain friends." ... The 3-year-old daughter of Britney Spears and Roots producer BT was located on Tuesday night, according to TMZ.com. Kaia's mother, Ashley Duffy, is reportedly in jail without bail after being taken into custody. Authorities had been looking for the child since December, and earlier this month, a warrant was issued for Duffy for out-of-state child abduction and detention from the lawful custodian, TMZ says. ...

Scott Storch owes the mother of his son Jalen outstanding child support, Dalene Jennifer Daniel claims in documents recently filed in Miami-Dade County court, according to The Miami Herald. The super-producer is allegedly supposed to pay $7,500 a month for Jalen, but he has been in arrears since December and is "habitually late," Daniel's attorney argued in a motion that seeks to hold Storch in contempt. Storch was also supposed to enroll his son in the Florida Prepaid College Plan, but the payment bounced, according to another motion. It also claims the producer hasn't, per the settlement, provided proof that he got a $1 million life-insurance policy that names Jalen as the beneficiary. ...

You better start saving up some bucks now, because the U.S. summer-festival season apparently just got even more crowded. Less than a month after the minds behind Lollapalooza (C3) and England's Reading Festival (Festival Republic) announced that they would be hosting a camping fest in Vineland, New Jersey, from August 8-10, the companies that put on the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, are reportedly set to announce their own three-day camping event in Jersey, at Liberty State Park. According to The New York Times, the AEG Live and Goldenvoice event is tentatively scheduled for — you guessed it — August 8-10 and no bands have been announced yet. A spokesperson for AEG Live would not comment on any plans at press time. ...

"American Gangster," the Denzel Washington flick that made a big critical splash last year, is now making headlines of a different variety. Three ex-Drug Enforcement Agency agents have filed a $55 million defamation suit against the owner of Universal Studios, the studio behind the flick, claiming it ruined the reputations of hundreds of agents, according to Reuters. Louis Diaz, Gregory Korniloff and Jack Toal argue NBC Universal misrepresented the events involving Frank Lucas (Washington) and the other "American Gangster" main character, Detective Richard Roberts (Russell Crowe), and falsely claimed the film was based on a true story. More specifically, the suit, which is seeking class-action status, reportedly claims that the movie erroneously says Lucas and Roberts' collaboration "led to the convictions of three-quarters of New York City's Drug Enforcement Agency" agents between 1973-85. "With this utterly false and defamatory statement, the defendant has ruined and impugned the reputations of these honest and courageous public servants in the eyes of millions of people," the suit reportedly claims. Denying the allegations, NBC Universal said in a statement that the movie "does not defame these, or any, federal agents." according to Reuters. "We believe the lawsuit is entirely without merit," the statement continued. ...

First Celine Dion tried to up her hip factor by enlisting ex-Evanescence members Ben Moody and David Hodges for her November LP, Taking Chances. Now your mom's favorite singer has hooked up with none other than Will.I.Am for a duet on her upcoming TV special, "Celine Dion: That's Just the Woman in Me." The show, which will also feature Dion singing with Josh Groban, airs February 15 at 9 p.m. on CBS. ... Paramore and 30 Seconds to Mars will co-headline the 2008 installment of the Give It a Name festival. Set to take place in May in London, the fest covers two days. More acts will be added to the bill in the coming weeks. ...

The songwriters who accused Avril Lavigne of ripping off one of their tunes are now saying the Canadian punk princess did nothing wrong. Last summer, Tommy Dunbar and James Gangwer alleged Lavigne's song "Girlfriend" sounded suspiciously like the Rubinoos' 1979 single, "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend." On Tuesday, Dunbar and Gangwer said in a statement, "We are satisfied that any similarities between the two songs resulted from Avril and Luke's use of certain common and widely-used lyrics." ... Geffen Records is planning a retrospective set chronicling the career of New Found Glory. Called Hits, the collection arrives in stores March 4. ...

According to Marilyn Manson, before bringing his old bandmate Twiggy Ramirez back, he first had to ditch collaborator Tim Skold, because there was too much tension between Skold and Ramirez. "Those two couldn't be onstage with each other, so out of respect for both of them, I decided to split with Tim for this tour," Manson told Florida's The Orlando Sentinel. "It doesn't mean that it's forever, but Twiggy's back forever. Of course, 'forever' is a very loose term when you talk about Marilyn Manson." ... The Deftones have set Eros as the title of their forthcoming sixth studio LP, the band revealed in a post on its MySpace page. The set, which the group has been working on the last few months, will hit stores later this year and follows 2006's Saturday Night Wrist. ...

Yeah Yeah Yeahs singer Karen O has tossed together some new songs for former flame Spike Jonze's upcoming movie "Where the Wild Things Are." Carter Burwell, who has worked extensively with Jonze in the past, says on his Web site, "Karen O has already written songs and other pieces of music for the film, and I'm helping with the score." ... On April 17, much-praised sister act Tegan and Sara will launch their Out of Hibernation tour, in continued support of last year's The Con. The tour kicks off at the Historic Elsinore Theatre in Salem, Oregon, then heads east, wrapping in New York on May 12. For more information — and to get your hands on pre-sale tickets — check out TeganandSara.com. ...

The "Love Shack" is opening up for business once again — the B-52's have lined up their first album of new studio material since 1992's Good Stuff. The new wave heroes constructed their Funplex with producer Steve Osbourne (KT Tunstall, New Order) and are putting it out March 25 on electronic-music label Astralwerks. ... Martin Scorsese's Rolling Stones documentary, "Shine a Light" — which has appearances by Christina Aguilera and Jack White — will open the Berlin Film Festival on February 7, according to BBC News. ... Sevendust will release their seventh studio full-length, Hope and Sorrow, April 1. The disc will feature a dozen tracks, including "Abuse Me." ... Idiot Pilot will join Avenged Sevenfold, Atreyu, Bullet for My Valentine and Bless the Fall on this year's Taste of Chaos tour.

• Mary J. Blige
• John Legend
• Jordin Sparks
• Britney Spears
• Lil Wayne

Zac Efron
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Zac Efron is doing fine after having his appendix removed Tuesday (January 15), according to People.com. The star — who recently signed on for "High School Musical 3" — was rushed to Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering from appendicitis, TMZ.com reports. "Zac had his appendix removed and is recuperating," the actor's representative, who was not named, reportedly said in a statement. ...

A very revealing photo of Heidi Montag graces the new cover of Maxim, and for the accompanying interview, she also revealed to the mag that she wants to be the next Madonna. "But it's not like with most pop artists, where they have a song sent to them that has nothing to do with their emotions or lives," she insisted about her yet-untitled, in-the-works LP. "It's all about me and my life. I'm taking my time to make sure it's a classic. I don't want to be the next pop person who's in or out. I want to be like Michael Jackson, Madonna, Stevie Wonder — all the greats." Montag also dished on new parents Nicole Richie and Joel Madden recalling that one time they "came up to [Montag's fiance,] Spencer [Pratt,] and me at the Beverly Hills Hotel [in California] and started yelling something Spencer said about Nicole in an interview, like, two years ago. ... Joel was yelling, 'You've been talking sh-- about my girl!' " ...

Madden has blogged on the Web site for his clothing company, DCMA, about arriving home with his and Richie's daughter, who was born on Friday. "Well I am finally home with my beautiful girlfriend and our brand new little daughter," the Good Charlotte frontman wrote. "Harlow Winter Kate Madden was born on January 11th 2008 at 3:13 p.m. She weighed in at 6 pounds and 7 ounces. She is 19 inches long and growing everyday already! She really is a wonderful addition to the GC/DCMA/DEADEXEC family. We are so blessed to have this beautiful little baby in our lives. I want to thank everyone for all the love and kind words they've sent our way. We apologize we weren't accepting gifts/cards/calls at the hospital, but if you'd like to send something, we'd rather you make a donation to the Richie-Madden Foundation, which we started in Harlow Winter's honor. She looks so much like her mom it's crazy! She eats like a little maniac and she's really sweet. She barely ever cries, even when daddy is changing her diaper, and believe me I suck when it comes to diapers, but I'm learning! I can't wait to show off some pictures, until then, THANKS!! and GOD BLESS... Joel." ...

From an "Umbrella" to a handbag: Rihanna has made a match with Marc Jacobs as she and the fashion designer have partnered to produce a new pair of purses named after the leggy singer. The two models are available as a part of Jacobs' spring line. ... Missy Elliott has stepped up with two new tunes for the February 5 soundtrack to "Step Up 2 the Streets." The MC's "Ching-A-Ling" — which is already sizzling in the streets — and "Shake Your Pom Pom" will appear on the soundtrack, and might resurface on her yet-untitled new LP, due in May. The soundtrack also features Cassie, who stars in "Step Up 2 the Streets," as well as T-Pain, Flo Rida, Trey Songz, Plies and Scarface. ...

Twista has inked a deal with Koch to release a project with his longtime group, the Speedknot Mobstaz. The Mobstaz's forthcoming sophomore album, Mobstability II: Nation Bizness, is set to feature Jim Jones and production by Cuzzo and China White Productions. ... The Grammys will not be getting a free pass from the Writers Guild of America. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Grammys have not asked for a special waiver to allow striking Guild employees to work on the show, but even if they did request one, it would not likely be granted. In addition, a number of top musicians who also have Screen Actors Guild cards, including Justin Timberlake and Queen Latifah, are being lobbied by the WGA not to attend the February 10 show, according to AdAge.com. ...

In a $35 million lawsuit filed on Monday, Victory Records claimed that Virgin/EMI "improperly induced" Hawthorne Heights to disregard their contract with the independent Chicago label. In a news release on the suit, Victory also claimed that Virgin/EMI paid $55,000 to the band, which used the money to fund the initial phase of a 2006 lawsuit against Victory, and helped the bandmembers search for a music-industry lawyer to help them with their legal action. "The facts alleged in this case demonstrate classic interference with contractual and business relations," Victory lawyer Robert Meloni said. "They did more than merely offer a carrot to the band, but also saddled the horse, paid for a rider to take the reins, and led it out of the barn." The suit seeks $10 million in compensation and $25 million in punitive damages for Virgin/EMI's "willful, wanton and deliberate conduct." Victory maintains that HH owe the label two more albums, but the band, which lost guitarist Casey Calvert in November after a fatal drug interaction, has vowed not to record for Victory again. ...

Rancid fans, time to grow those Mohawks back — the band started recording new material in a California studio on Monday. The punks' yet-unnamed follow-up to 2003's Indestructible is due later this year, on guitarist Brett Gurewitz's Epitaph/Hellcat label, of course. ... Tiger Army have welcomed an old comrade back into their ranks. Stand-up-bass player Geoff Kresge, who toured with the psychobilly band from 1999-2004 — and who also has a stint with AFI on his résumé — replaces Jeff Roffredo, who "left the band on good terms to pursue other interests," according to a press release from the band's publicist. Tiger Army hit the road earlier this week and have a heap of shows planned for throughout the year. ...

Now that Marilyn Manson and Twiggy Ramirez have reconciled, what better way to celebrate than with some concerts? Manson has tacked on a few more to his upcoming trek, which starts Saturday in Orlando, Florida. The newly added gigs will be staged in Phoenix (February 27); Dallas (February 29); Austin, Texas (March 1); and Houston (March 2). Veteran rock act Ours will be the opening act on the tour, according to Pollstar.com. ... Here's a novel idea: Yellowcard are giving fans who buy the rockers' Live From Las Vegas at the Palms release an early chance at getting tix to one of their upcoming shows. The iTunes exclusive will be available starting January 22, and fans who snatch it up before January 29 will get a Ticketmaster code allowing them to nab up to four tickets for the band's trek, which starts March 7 in Salt Lake City and ends April 12 in Los Angeles. From Las Vegas at the Palms immortalizes Yellowcard's show at the Palms Casino Resort's Pearl venue in October. ...

EMI — home to Coldplay, the Rolling Stones and other acts — will slash a third of its work force, or 1,500-2,000 jobs, over the course of the next months, multiple outlets reported Tuesday. According to the Web site for England's Telegraph, the reunited Verve could be the next major group to withhold its upcoming album in light of the major-label shake-up. The paper reports that the Verve may join Robbie Williams and Coldplay in threatening to hold onto their next albums unless they receive assurances about the company's financial health and how their albums will be marketed. The company's new boss, Guy Hands, was reportedly to be grilled by the managers of some of the label's top acts on Tuesday as he revealed plans for streamlining the company. ...

"American Idol" judge Randy Jackson is known for name-dropping, but his new album, Music Club Vol. 1, might finally back up some of his boasting. Jackson's upcoming solo album, due March 11, will feature pals ranging from Mariah Carey and Joss Stone to Jason Mraz, former "Idol" contestants Elliott Yamin and Katharine McPhee and country star Travis Tritt. Fellow judge Paula Abdul will be featured on "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow," her first new recording in more than a decade. Last week, TVGuide.com reported that Jackson and Abdul had been rehearsing a video for the single, and that she was in talks to perform it at the Super Bowl on February 3. Also included on the album are Van Hunt, Three 6 Mafia, Angie Stone, Richie Sambora and Keb' Mo'. ...

My Morning Jacket are going big time: The longhaired Kentucky rockers will headline a show at New York's Radio City Music Hall on June 20. The band's yet-untitled album will drop 10 days earlier. ... Noise Pop just got a bit noisier. The Walkmen, the Dodos, MSTRKRFT, Stellastarr and the Helio Sequence have climbed onto the roster for the San Francisco fest, which is happening February 26-March 2. Jamie Kennedy's comedic documentary "Heckler" — which features George Lucas, Rob Zombie, David Cross and others — will open the Film Festival portion of the event. ... Carla Bruni has been making headlines lately amid her high-profile romance with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Now the chanteuse can parlay that attention into promotion for the wide release of No Promises, an album that is currently only available Stateside on iTunes and at Barnes & Noble stores. The disc — which is being issued through Downtown Records, home to Gnarls Barkley and Spank Rock, and pays tribute to English-language literary legends — will hit retail stores nationwide February 19.

1.14.08

Nearly six years after the alleged sex tape first surfaced, the court proceedings in the R. Kelly case continue to move at a snail's pace. The prosecutors originally sought to have testimony from one expert witness, Dr. Sharon Cooper, cover several different areas — the age of the girl on the tape based on forensic pediatrics, the identification of the man on the tape based on the vein pattern on his hands, and the behavior profile of the girl based on the psychology of child sex-abuse victims. Judge Vincent Gaughan had previously ruled that Dr. Cooper could testify about the victim's age, but not the behavior profile, so prosecutors had asked him to reconsider. At a hearing on Monday (January 14), Gaughan ruled once again that Dr. Cooper would not be able to testify about why the girl in the case would deny that she was a victim, or how common denial is in sex-abuse cases. Kelly is due back in court March 12 for another pre-trial hearing, while the trial itself is slated to start on May 9. ...

And the Wu-Tang Clan infighting goes on. U-God — who complained about RZA being callous toward him in the studio nearly four years ago — is now suing Wu's label, alleging that he is owed $170,000, according to TMZ.com. U-God (born Lamont Hawkins) reportedly filed papers in a New York district court, alleging that Wu Music owes him money for services rendered dating back to March of last year. Wu Music is licensed to Universal Music. ...

Paula Abdul doesn't just have the seventh season of "American Idol" on her mind these days. "I want kids!" the singer recently told Ladies' Home Journal for its February issue. "If it doesn't happen naturally, I can always adopt." The 45-year-old Abdul opened up even more about her personal life, saying of 32-year-old boyfriend J.T. Torregiani, "I've experienced real loneliness, so I love knowing there's someone I can share the good and the not-so-good with." ... Everyone's wondering how the seventh season of "Idol" is going to fare in light of some retooling and the writers' strike, but if you ask Chris Daughtry, the show is "in a state of decline." The Daughtry frontman recently spoke with RollingStone.com about the show, adding that if it doesn't right itself, "it's probably not gonna last too much longer. I'm sure that'll be used against me, but that's the truth, you know?" He also said the show is "definitely lacking some credibility at this point." ...

White Stripes, Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon, Mark Ronson, Klaxons, Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Cheifs and recent MTV Artist of the Week Kate Nash have all landed Brit Award nominations, although Leona Lewis, Mika and Take That have scored the most, with four apiece. Rihanna, Ronson, Kaiser Chiefs, Kylie Minogue and Paul McCartney are slated to perform at the February 20 ceremony. ... R.E.M. have pulled the curtains back on a new Web site surrounding the April 1 release of their 14th studio album, Accelerate. Their NinetyNights.com Web site has daily high-definition-video snippets shot by Arcade Fire collaborator Vincent Moon ...

Björk attacked a newspaper photographer who was attempting to take her picture at the Auckland International Airport on Sunday, according to reports in the New Zealand press. The singer, who was flying in to perform at the Big Day Out concert on Friday, reportedly ripped New Zealand Herald photographer Glenn Jeffrey's shirt after he snapped a photo of her. Jeffrey told the New Zealand Press Association that he was warned by a man traveling with Björk not to take her picture, and once he did, the singer came up behind him, grabbed the back of his shirt and tore it before tumbling to the ground. In 1996, Björk attacked a reporter in an airport in Bangkok, Thailand, after she objected to being photographed. ... The Walkmen and White Rabbits will hop along the U.S. this month for nine shows. On the itinerary are Pittsburgh (Wednesday); Detroit (Thursday); Milwaukee (Friday); Madison, Wisconsin (Saturday); Chicago (Sunday); St. Louis (January 21); Columbus, Ohio (January 22); Philadelphia (January 23); and Baltimore (January 24). ...

For the first time in 25 years, former Clash members Mick Jones and Topper Headon reportedly shared the same stage at a gig by Jones' new band, Carbon/Silicon. The duo performed "Train in Vain" and "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" during the set. ... Megadeth have recruited Chris Broderick (Nevermore, Jag Panzer) to be their newest guitarist, following the recent departure of Glen Drover. Broderick will make his live debut with the band on February 4, at a gig in Finland. ...

Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali said the band will not be revived following the late November death of frontman Kevin DuBrow. In an online statement, Banali claims he had been "approached to see if I would be interested in contacting Rudy Sarzo and Carlos Cavazo and to audition singers for Quiet Riot." He said that he's even fielded an offer to re-form "the version of Quiet Riot that included Paul Shortino, Carlos Cavazo and Sean McNabb." But Banali rejected any suggestions of the band performing live. "My friendship, love and respect for Kevin DuBrow, as well as my personal love and affection for Kevin's mother and his family, makes it inconceivable for me to ever entertain any ovation to re-form or to continue Quiet Riot," he wrote. "It would also be a disrespect to the fans who have supported [the band] for nearly 25 years." ...

Roger Avary, the Oscar-winning co-writer of "Pulp Fiction," was arrested on Sunday after a fatal single-car crash in Ojai, California. According to a Reuters report, Avary, 42, was charged with vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence, and was released from jail after posting $50,000 bail. Andreas Zedini, a 34-year-old passenger in the car, died of his injuries at a local hospital. Avary's wife, Gretchen, 40, was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries after being thrown from the car.

• Heidi Montag Poses For Maxim

• Good Charlotte
• Justin Timberlake
• Queen Latifah
• Hawthorne Heights
• The Verve

Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz at the <i>Rolling Stone</i> party on Saturday
Photo: Jason Squires/WireImage

Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz had more than a VMA win to smile about Sunday night. As the band's Belvedere Suite party in the Fantasy Tower at the Palms Casino Resort got underway in the wee hours, Ashlee Simpson gave Pete a little treat — and it wasn't from the table of free breakfast goodies. Though they were roped off in the small V.I.P. section of the party (which Perez Hilton crashed around 3 a.m.), the couple weren't exactly hidden from view when they gave new meaning to displays of public affection. We tried not to stare, but it's not often you see near-expert lap dances from non-pros. It was actually somewhat instructional, and so expertly done that it made us wonder — did Ashlee take lessons? Somehow, Pete managed to DJ for awhile after that. Also caught in the act at the party: Cee-Lo mooning people (he dove into the Palms pool with all his clothes on later), and Mario Lopez apparently in an argument with a girl who stormed out. ...

(Check out photos of Diddy, Britney, Ashlee, Pamela Anderson, Kanye, Ludacris and many more tearing up the VMA party scene in Vegas — right here!)

Minutes away at Tao, Jermaine Dupri, Nelly and Travis Barker hosted a party where famous friends such as Lil Wayne, Robin Thicke, MIMS, DJ Drama, Shar Jackson, Doug E. Fresh, Fonzworth Bentley, and the Clipse kept coming in all night.

"Hey DJ, I want you to play the song that's gonna move this building!" JD said into the mic. He had a VIP section with Nelly, and both superstars had their girlfriends — Janet Jackson and Ashanti, respectively — with them.

"I'm not even gonna tell you what to play," Dupri continued. "You play the hottest sh-- right now."

On cue: "I get money, I-I get money..." The turntablist dropped 50 Cent's "I Get Money" to a raucous reaction. "OK DJ!" Dupri said a few minutes later. "I want you to drop the second hottest record right now!"

On cue again: "La, la, la, wait till I get my money right" as the DJ dropped Kanye West's "Can't Tell Me Nothing."

Later, it was time for an impromptu concert. T.I., whose own VIP section was in back of Dupri's, got on the mic and performed "ASAP," Bring 'Em Out" and "Big Things Poppin'." Not to be outdone, the one-man walking party central himself, Jamie Foxx, got on the mic and did the chorus to "Gold Digger." Nelly also got on the mic in the VIP section, and rocked his new single "Wadsyaname." Alicia Keys and Doug E. Fresh took the mic as well. ...

Over at the Hard Rock Hotel's Body English (definitely one of the most poppin' spots all VMA weekend), birthday boy Swizz Beatz would have gladly accepted a rendition of "Happy Birthday" (the Stevie Wonder version) from his good friend Eve, but the former pitbull in a skirt did give Swizzy a little something extra at his party. Eve starred in her own mini-concert to get the festivities off to a running start. Akon, Alicia Keys, the Clipse (they were making the rounds last night, weren't they?), Pharrell Williams, Angie Stone and Taye Diggs were just some who came out to congratulate "The Monster" on another year. Swizz and friends didn't hold court in a VIP section -- they stayed on an elevated dance floor. Swizz himself got on the mic and rapped along with some of the records the DJs spun, such as "Money in the Bank" and "Top Down." Funny thing, though: At certain points in the party, people were literally jumping up and down, but it wasn't to one of his signature productions like "Get Me Bodied" or "Money, Cash, Hoes." He was hyping the crowd off of dance music, like Daft Punk's "One More Time."

"It's showtime! Push it up, push it up!" Swizz yelled as people bounced into the air. Some of Swizz's VIP friends in the balcony started throwing wads of dollar bills to the dancefloor. ...

Official VMA maestro Timbaland held court over at Jet in the Mirage, where he was joined by Keri Hilson and Yung Berg, who came through with a mini entourage. The multi-platinum producer took the mic and held court, telling the DJ which tracks to play — which were mostly his own! Of course, they were all bangin', from Justin's "SexyBack" to Nelly Furtado's "Say It Right," the atmosphere felt like the show finale all over again. ...

"It's showtime! It's rain time!" Swizz yelled on the mic. One reveler in the balcony got so excited, he lit up two sparklers like it was the Fourth of July and started waving them in the air. ...

Elsewhere, in a considerably less snooty, velvet rope-heavy setting, deep in the heart of so-called "Old Vegas," in a little dive called Beauty Bar with horrifying bathrooms and free cans of Miller Lite, Video of the Year nominees Justice and Kanye West's DJ A-Trak threw an amazingly spare soiree that was short on passed hors d'ouevres (and by "short on," we mean nonexistent,) but long on sweaty grinding and fist-pumping electro. Taking the tiny stage just after 1:30 a.m., flanked by a posse that included artist So Me (who created the animation for the nominated "D.A.N.C.E." clip) and just about everyone associated with the Ed Banger record label, the dynamic duo of Justice threw "D.A.N.C.E." onto the turntables and began to systematically chop it up and break it down to its most funky elements, much to the enjoyment of blissed-out guests like Mark Ronson and the guys from Peter Bjorn and John, not to mention every single hipster in the house. Flipping expertly between pounding house and cheekier exercises in grimey bass, their set was gleefully lo-fi — just two turntables and the occasional graphic projected onto the brick walls — yet perfectly matched with the dingy couches and spare strands of Christmas lights that accounted for all of the B-Bar's decoration. They also managed to rock as hard as anything else we saw this week.

And when they wrapped things up with a remix of "D.A.N.C.E." -- one that managed to work in portions of 50 Cent's banging "I Get Money" -- that was followed by a pretty-much-verbatim rendition of the Pixies' "Where Is My Mind," it was a little bit surreal and a whole lot of fun. You know, how Vegas is supposed to be. ...

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

• VMAs 2007: The Vegas Honeymoon
• VMA Parties Heat Up Vegas!

• Paris Hilton, Diddy, Timbaland, Janet Jackson, More Hit The Vegas Party Scene
• Adrian Grenier, Nelly, Shia LaBeouf, Britney And More Stars Spotted In Vegas

• Ashlee Simpson
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• Clipse
• Akon

Wale
Photo: MTV News

It's not easy to impress Mark Ronson. After working with artists like Christina Aguilera, Amy Winehouse and Bob Dylan, the producer has seen his share of talent. Still, many undiscovered artists take a stab at stirring him, sending in music in hopes of being played on Ronson's East Village Radio podcast, "Authentic Sh--." But when the DJ stumbled across a song from mid-Atlantic hip-hop sensation Wale (pronounced wha-lay), he knew he had found a rapper with a special talent.

(Meet Wale and watch Mark Ronson rave about his new protégé in this video.)

"There's not that much hip-hop coming out that excites me," Ronson told MTV News. "Not like it was. Everything I heard from this kid, I just loved. The more and more I heard his stuff, the more excited I got."

After hearing the rapper's early tracks, Ronson met up with Wale and recruited him for his U.K. tour. Hoping to follow in the footsteps of past Ronson collaborators like Ghostface Killah and Ol' Dirty Bastard, Wale signed with Ronson's Allido Records. The self-proclaimed "ambassador of rap for the capital" aims to put Washington, D.C., on the map — just don't expect to two-step, lean back or snap to his music.

"Hip-hop right now is rappers imitating other rappers," he said. "When they sell 1.2 million ringtones and then they only sell 28,000 records their first week, you know you're not going to hear from them again. The monotony in hip-hop right now is just disgusting at this point."

So what does Wale bring to the table that other artists are lacking? That D.C. swagger and songs that combine elements of the area's native music with crafty lyricism. The blend has impressed hip-hop heavyweights from Fat Joe to Swizz Beatz, and has been moving crowds from Atlanta to Ibiza.

Ronson describes Wale's rapping style as "a mixture of Lil Wayne and Lupe [Fiasco] and Nas," and says the rapper's musical style can't be clearly defined because he hails "from D.C., where you're kind of in the middle of a lot of different regions."

D.C. isn't known as the capital of rap, but it is known for go-go music, which thrived in the '70s and '80s thanks to its godfather, Chuck Brown. Wale has embraced this style of funk and incorporated it into hip-hop beats, using go-go's live instrumentation and energy to propel his lyrics.

Wale recently dropped his latest mixtape, 100 Miles & Running, on which he showcases his versatility. He raps over go-go-influenced beats on songs like "Ice Cream Girl" and "Breakdown," as well as other artists' instrumentals, like Common's "The People" and the unexpected "D.A.N.C.E." from French electro-house group Justice. The tape also features remixes of Amy Winehouse's "Rehab" and Lily Allen's "Smile," both of which are Ronson creations (see "Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, More Do Their Versions Of Songs For DJ Mark Ronson"). There's even a Ronson remake of Q-Tip's "Let's Ride" featuring Australian crooner and Allido labelmate Daniel Merriweather.

"I couldn't have a better staff at this point," Wale said of working on his full-length studio album. "I've even got Rhymefest in my camp. Rhymefest co-wrote 'Jesus Walks' [with Kanye West]. Let's just say we've got some tricks up our sleeves for the '07 and '08.

"There's a time for everything and my time is coming," he added. "D.C.'s time is coming. A new region will come to the forefront of hip-hop."

Seen a great show? MTV News wants your photos, videos and reports from all the latest concerts for our new You R Here community. Check out the site to read, rate and comment on reviews from around the globe. We'll put the best stuff on our You R Here blog, and even in on-air news!

• Mark Ronson Protege Wale: 'My Time Is Coming'

• Mark Ronson

Lindsay Lohan
Photo: Mark Mainz/Getty Images

Lindsay Lohan is getting sued again — this time for assault and negligence by one of the passengers who was traveling in the car the actress allegedly chased last month while driving under the influence. Tracie Rice, the woman who filed the suit and was in the car driven by Michelle Peck — the mother of one of Lohan's former assistants — claims that Lohan "put me through one of the most frightening experiences of my life," according to a statement obtained by The Associated Press. "What Miss Lohan did that night was extremely dangerous and reprehensible. Someone could easily have been killed or seriously hurt because of her irresponsible decisions that evening." The suit also alleges that Lohan intentionally inflicted emotional distress upon the woman, and it seeks unspecified damages as well as payment of medical and other emotional-distress-related expenses. ...

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline's divorce lawyers were supposed to help resolve their clients' child-custody dispute at a Los Angeles Superior Court hearing on Tuesday (August 14), but instead the attorneys used the court date to try to protect the former spouses' privacy. According to a court clerk, legal representatives from Los Angeles TV news channel KNBC, "Access Hollywood" and People magazine jointly filed papers Tuesday morning to prevent court records in the former couple's child-custody battle from being permanently sealed. The move came after news outlets got wind that Federline's attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan was planning to bring to court a folder of documents "about an inch and a half thick," according to a source close to the matter. Federline's team has already subpoenaed Spears' cousin and former assistant, Alli Sims, and Spears' bodyguard Daimon Shippen; more subpoenas to give depositions about the care of the children are due to come for those close to Spears, the source said. Superior Court Commissioner Scott M. Gordon will hear the opposition to seal the records in a separate hearing on September 14, while the custody dispute will continue in court on September 17. ...

Wu-Tang Clan covering the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" ... with George Harrison's son Dhani ... and Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante playing along? That's the news the RZA spilled to RollingStone.com late last week, saying the collabo for the ages will surface on the Clan's November 13 album, 8 Diagrams. The track will sample the original George Harrison-written song, with the group rapping over the track, Frusciante wailing on lead guitar and Dhani Harrison playing acoustic. ... Amy Winehouse's touring band, the Dap-Kings; Jamiroquai's Stu Zender and other to-be-announced singers will make guest appearances with Mark Ronson when he mans the decks at the VMAs on September 9. ...

Don Imus back on the airwaves? AP reports that the shock jock has reached a settlement with CBS Radio over his contract and is in negotiations with New York's WABC-AM radio — home to another inflammatory jock, Rush Limbaugh — to return to broadcasting. The settlement would preempt Imus' threatened $120 million breach-of-contract suit, a CBS spokesperson told AP, although the terms were not disclosed. ...

Arcade Fire and LCD Soundsystem must really be enjoying each other's company these days — the tour partners are planning to release a split 7-inch while on the road, RollingStone.com reports. The record will include the Fire's cover of Serge Gainsbourg's "Poupée de Cire, Poupée de Son" and LCD's take on Joy Division's "No Love Lost." ... Perry Farrell and his Satellite Party will descend on jam-band Moe.'s eighth annual Moe.Down fest, to be held August 31-September 2 in Turin, New York. The Party will be filling in for Ryan Adams & the Cardinals, who had to bail from the fest for personal reasons. ...

The tentative track list for the soundtrack to the upcoming film "Resident Evil: Extinction" has been announced. The set will include cuts from Shadows Fall, Flyleaf, Bayside, the Bled, Chimaira, Poison the Well and It Dies Today. Look for it to hit stores September 18 and the film to hit theaters three days later. ... Gwar have been added to the Viva la Bands Tour, which will also feature Cradle of Filth, CKY and Vains of Jenna. The trek kicks off September 24 in Baltimore and runs through November 3 in Worcester, Massachusetts. ... The lineup for the Radio Rebellion Tour has been released, and extreme-metallists Job for a Cowboy and Polish death-metal specialists Behemoth will be co-headlining. Gojira and Beneath the Massacre will be the opening acts on the trek, which will hit 28 North American cities, beginning October 18 in Baltimore and wrapping November 18 in New York. ...

Lana Clarkson's mother Donna took the stand Monday in the Phil Spector murder trial, testifying about shopping with the deceased actress shortly before she was shot on February 3, 2003, the Los Angeles Times reports. Refuting claims that Lana Clarkson was despondent over a failed acting career — the defense has argued that she was driven to suicide — the prosecution attempted to show instead that she was optimistic about the future. The defense asked Donna Clarkson to testify about apparently forged documents the actress used to try to get a loan, but prosecutor Alan Jackson said the documents would only provide "a look at what kind of person she is, not who pulled the trigger." Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler has allowed the letters to be admitted. ...

Sixteen solo albums by John Lennon debuted on iTunes on Tuesday, and for the next 30 days, exclusive video content will accompany six of them — including John Lennon/ Plastic Ono Band and Milk and Honey. The albums are available in iTunes Plus, which offers DRM-free tracks, and each song costs $1.29. ...

Phil Rizzuto, the New York Yankees shortstop who later became a longtime announcer for the team and was best-known for catchphrases like "Holy cow!" and "Unbelievable!," died Tuesday. He was 89. Rizzuto, whose nickname was "Scooter," will also be remembered as the voice providing the play-by-play commentary in Meat Loaf's infamous 1977 song, "Paradise by the Dashboard Light."

08.13.07

Britney Spears' assistant was served with court papers Sunday morning to give a deposition in a legal matter between the singer and Kevin Federline. Mark Vincent Kaplan, Federline's attorney, told The Associated Press that Alli Sims will be asked to offer a statement "in connection with the Britney Spears/ Kevin Federline issue," although he didn't elaborate. He added that Sims is "believed to have relevant information" but didn't go into specifics about that either. On Wednesday, Kaplan filed documents in Los Angeles Superior Court for primary physical custody of Federline's two sons with Spears. ...

Diddy will executive produce the upcoming biopic of the Notorious B.I.G., Variety reports. "Soul Food" director George Tillman will be behind the lens for "Unbelievable: The Life, Death and Afterlife of the Notorious B.I.G.," for which an open casting call was launched nationally on Sunday. ...

Jennifer Lopez has pegged October 9 as the release date for her English-language album Brave, her second LP of the year and sixth studio disc overall. The set is highlighted by the just-released single, "Do It Well," and will be produced by J.R. Rotem (50 Cent, Christina Aguilera), among others. J. Lo's other album this year, Como Ama Una Mujer, is the best-selling Spanish-language debut LP ever. ... Amy Winehouse, who was hospitalized last week for severe exhaustion, has scrapped two planned shows in Germany opening for the Rolling Stones, RollingStone.com reports. The singer told Britain's News of the World, "I don't know how to explain what happened. ... I can't remember what I looked like. I couldn't recognize myself. It was terrifying." ...

Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters, Kid Rock and Velvet Revolver will anchor Los Angeles radio station KROQ's Inland Invasion fest — which has been renamed the L.A. Invasion, since its relocation from a venue in Devore, California, to one in Carson. Against Me!, Chris Cornell, Hot Hot Heat, Satellite Party, Paramore and Cypress Hill round out the bill for the show, which will take place September 15. ...

The French publisher of the "Harry Potter" series will not seek damages against a 16-year-old who allegedly posted online an unauthorized French translation of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," publishing house Gallimard Jeunesse said Monday (August 13), The Associated Press reports. The case is still being investigated by French authorities, who will decide whether to bring it to trial. ... Robert Smith of the Cure, Julian Casablancas of the Strokes, Frank Black and Tom Waits will judge this year's International Songwriting Competition, RollingStone.com reports. ...

Bloc Party, Múm, Of Montreal and more have been confirmed for the ninth annual Iceland Airwaves festival, set for October 17-21 in downtown Reykjavík. ... The Shins have beefed up their fall tour schedule with a smattering of new U.S. dates. After playing Seattle's Bumbershoot festival on September 1 and Chicago's Download Festival the following day, the band will take a month off, then hit the road again beginning October 5 in Berkeley, California. From there, the Shins will play more West Coast and Southwest dates before dipping down South and winding their way up the East Coast for a two-day stand at New York's Terminal Five on October 23-24. They'll cap the tour with a pair of gigs at Las Vegas' Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel on October 27-28. ...

Wilco are bumping a pair of concerts because guitarist Nels Cline has come down with the chicken pox, according to the band's site. The Tuesday night show in Duluth, Minnesota, will now be staged September 4, and a concert scheduled for Winnipeg, Manitoba, will be postponed or scrapped entirely. ... "You Hear It First" vets the Shout Out Louds will tour for a month after they drop their new album, Our Ill Wills, on September 11. The indie-pop quintet will embark at the LA Weekly Detour festival in Los Angeles on October 6 and stay on the road through a November 3 show in Dallas. ...

According to Killswitch Engage bassist Mike D'Antonio, the band will head out for a co-headlining run with Lamb of God this winter. Suicidal Tendencies and Every Time I Die are in talks to open the gigs. ... Alice in Chains have been working on its first new material in more than a decade, according to frontman William DuVall. He said working with the band has "been deeply rewarding" and the new material sounds "insane." No word yet on when the reunited grunge rockers will release their next LP. ...

"Big Lebowski" fans who incessantly re-enact scenes and dialogue from the cult flick are about to be able to make their interpretations even lifelike: action figures are on the way. Seven-inch scale figures devoted to the Dude and Walter will be available in October and can be preordered here. ... Barenaked Ladies will host another cruise in 2008 called Ships & Dip III and leaving Miami on January 27. Tickets go on sale March 22. Meanwhile, Lynyrd Skynyrd (with guests the Marshall Tucker Band) are also hosting another cruise, while Sister Hazel and Toad the Wet Sprocket are signed on for Rock Boat VIII. ...

According to the Asbury Park Press, police charged 33 people with underage drinking last week at the Family Values Tour's Wednesday stop at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey. Thirteen others were arrested on various other charges, including resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and assaulting a trooper. In all, 46 people, ranging in age from 16-47, were taken into custody during the gig, which was headlined by tour founders Korn. ... A James Brown trustee accused of misappropriating $350,000 of the late singer's money has resigned, the Chicago Tribune reports. David Cannon turned over a check for the sum at a hearing on Friday. A follow-up hearing has been slated for September 24 as wrangling continues over Brown's estate.

• Lindsay Lohan
• Britney Spears
• Wu-Tang Clan
• Mark Ronson
• Amy Winehouse

Name: Mark Ronson

Mixtape: Here Comes the Fuzz (The Mixtape)

Hometown: New York

Joints to check for: "She's Got Me" by Mark Ronson featuring Daniel Merriweather and Jay-Z; "International Affair" by Mark Ronson featuring Sean Paul and Tweet; "Scenario" remix by A Tribe Called Quest; and "Verbal Intercourse" by Raekwon featuring Nas and Ghostface Killah.

Previous mixtapes: none

The 411: We've all heard about celebrities like P. Diddy, Jay-Z and J. Lo spending an evening dancing to A-list DJ Mark Ronson at some posh nightspot. With his club cred as cemented as any of his spinning peers, Ronson is following the footsteps of fellow turntablists like Funkmaster Flex and Kid Capri, taking his wizardry with wax to the next level.

Ronson already has acts like Sean Paul, Q-Tip, Mos Def and Ghostface Killah signed, sealed and delivered for his debut compilation LP, Here Comes the Fuzz, and now Mark has his hands in the mixtape pot, putting out a street CD with the same name as his album.

"International Affairs," which also appears on his official LP, stars Sean Paul and Tweet performing over a sugary reggae beat. Paul brags about the crisp bills in his pocket, trying to attract his perspective female. Tweets eats the game up, singing, "You can take me there/ Day or night, it's all right/ I'll go anywhere." Paul answers back: "Girl, I'll take you there."

The fittingly named Robbyn Spree wants to take everything from the ladies of R&B and hip-hop on "How to Rob Pt. II." Making her debut, she invents her own version of 50 Cent's controversial classic, following the Queens MC's stickup blueprint.

Ja Rule, whom Spree calls a "diva," J. Lo, Mariah Carey, TLC and Whitney Houston are all targets of her humorous robberies — a crime spree that she says will continue "till my pockets get thicker than Ashanti's sideburns."

Ronson goes from songs that have yet to hit the radar to classics, bringing back the "Scenario" remix and Raekwon's "Verbal Intercourse" on his mixtape. But those of you living in the now will definitely recognize Outkast's collaboration with Jay-Z, "Flip Flop Rock," and Busta Rhymes' "Light Your Ass on Fire," which are currently getting spins on radio.

As an added bonus to the Fuzz mixtape, Ronson includes a second CD of him spinning 60 minutes of some of the records he plays in clubs.

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

• Mark Ronson

Mark Ronson
Photo: Elektra

Being a New York celebrity DJ is a good way to make friends and influence people. Just ask Mark Ronson, who has used his numerous contacts and a bit of cash to secure a stellar lineup of guest stars for his debut album, Here Comes the Fuzz, scheduled for release August 26.

The disc includes appearances by Sean Paul and Tweet ("International Affair"), Nappy Roots ("Bluegrass Stain'd"), Rivers Cuomo ("I Suck"), Mos Def and M.O.P. ("On the Run") and Q-Tip ("Tomorrow"). The first single, "Ooh Wee," which features Nate Dogg and Ghostface Killah, goes for official adds at radio on July 15, though some stations are already playing the track. A video will be shot in the next few weeks.

The track is upbeat and flashy, blending a beat reminiscent of the Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil" with gliding disco strings and smooth, swift wordplay. "The song has a good club life," Ronson said. "I made the track one night, and I really only thought of giving it to Ghost. If he wouldn't be on it, I couldn't even think of a runner-up."

Ronson hooked up with Ghostface through his manager, to whom he had previously been introduced. Even so, when he got the confirmation that Ghost was interested, he was ecstatic.

"He was in Miami working on his own record," Ronson said. "And when I got back word he was interested, I was over the moon. I'm paying him and stuff, but I'm still a huge fan at heart. So when he calls me to leave me a message, I save it for weeks and play it for all my friends."

As thrilled as he was by Ghost's vocal, Ronson decided he wanted another voice to provide a complementary vibe. He phoned up Sylvia Rhone, the head of his label, and asked her if she could help him hook up with Nate Dogg. It didn't take long before he had his answer, and it took even less time for the singer to record his part.

"I sent it to Nate on a Friday and he did it in his house and sent it back to me the next day," Ronson said. "It's funny 'cause I went to the studio last night to see Nate just to visit. And he was telling me, 'Man, I can't believe that record's blowing up. I hated that record.' I was like, 'Uh, gee, thanks,' and he said, 'No, man, I always hate sh--. Man, I hated "Ain't No Fun" when I first did it.' That made everything OK because 'Ain't No Fun' is one of the all-time classic five hip-hop club records ever."

• Mark Ronson
• Ghostface Killah
• Nate Dogg

DJ AM's Welcome Home Benefit Party

• DJ AM
• Hilary Duff
• Will.I.Am
• Black Eyed Peas
• Shwayze

Lindsay Lohan, T.I., M.I.A., More Come Out For Diesel's Rock 'N Roll Circus In NYC

• T.I.
• Lindsay Lohan
• Franz Ferdinand
• Paris Hilton
• Kate Nash

Lollapalooza 2008

• Duffy
• Rage Against the Machine
• Radiohead
• Katy Perry
• Raconteurs

Jay-Z, Amy Winehouse, Duffy & More Play Glastonbury Fest

• Amy Winehouse
• Jay-Z
• Richard Ashcroft
• Duffy
• Leonard Cohen

Rihanna, Amy Winehouse, Mika Rock The 2008 Brit Awards

• Rihanna
• Mika
• Ozzy Osbourne
• Kylie Minogue
• Amy Winehouse

Beyonce, Fergie, Miley, More Rock The 2008 Grammy Red Carpet

• Fantasia
• Ace Young
• The Shins
• Joey Fatone
• Mark Ronson

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

• Rihanna
• Fall Out Boy
• Timbaland
• Justin Timberlake
• Foo Fighters