RZA
Photo: Shareif Ziyadat/ Getty Images

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

Don't Sleep: Necessary Notables

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

Other Heat This Week

Triple C's and Maybach Music Group's Cannabis Cup Champions
Meek Mill's Flamers 2.5 Waka Flocka and DJ Teknikz's LeBron Flocka James

The Streets Is Talking: News and Notes From the Underground

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

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

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

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

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

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

RZA
Photo: MTV News

NEW YORK — One thing about doing an interview with Wu-Tang Clan's RZA, you have to be on your toes. He has a wide variety of projects to promote. You could be speaking to him about music, films or the literary world. On Thursday, RZA's second book, "The Tao of Wu," came out. The renaissance man was at a Barnes & Noble in Union Square signing autographs and describing his inspiration for the book.

"The word 'Tao' means 'way,' " RZA explained. "We all travel a way or path in life. What I did in this book, we broke it down to seven pillars of wisdom of different things that happened in my life that brought me to the fruition of the man I am. I think all of us are striving to be better men, and sometimes we don't have a map. Going to the 'hood, we just know the 'hood talk and the 'hood mentality or the American video game mentality."

RZA said the book's pearls of wisdom will resonate with a broad spectrum of folks.

"People of all ages, definitely young people, [will] have a little map and maybe dodge a few blows," he said. "As the great, late Mr. Magic — rest in peace, Mr. Magic — would say, when his show would go off, he would say, 'A fool can learn from his own mistakes, but a wise man learns from the mistakes of others.' That's what this book is. The things I been through and the errors I been through, you can learn from that. You don't have to touch the stove. I already touched the stove — it's hot."

RZA discusses fear in the book and, of course, hip-hop.

"One of he first pillars is 'The Call,' " he said. "My call was the call to hip-hop. It happened to me when I was 7 or 8 years old. Hearing [the Beastie Boys lyrics] 'Dip, dip, dive/ So socialize/ Clean out your ears and open your eyes.' Back then, it was just a rhyme, but listen to those words: 'Socialize' with people, 'clean out your ears and open your eyes.' See things for what they are. It's a message right there. At the time, it was just a message and a vibe. But it called me into this world of hip-hop. Through hip-hop, my whole family was saved. Many families were saved. Look at the Wu-Tang Clan, and all our families were saved."

• Wu-Tang Clan
• RZA

Adam Sandler and Aziz Ansari in "Funny People"
Photo: Universal Pictures

The Box-Office Top Five

#1 "Funny People" ($23.4 million)
#2 "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" ($17.7 million)
#3 "G-Force" ($17.1 million)
#4 "The Ugly Truth" ($13 million)
#5 "Aliens in the Attic" ($7.8 million)

The first weekend of August was one of the softest weekends of the summer box office, as the films of the top 10 brought in a measly $106 million, 25 percent less than the same time frame last year. Even Judd Apatow and his "Funny People" didn't really perk things up, as the Universal comedy debuted with a quiet $23.4 million, enough to take the top spot but not enough to deter industry criticism.

While the "Funny People" earnings put it in line with Apatow's previous efforts ("The 40-Year-Old Virgin" opened to $21.4 million, "Knocked Up" to $30.7 million), many analysts are already considering it another flop for the troubled Universal Studios. However, Apatow films generally have good legs, and the tragi-comedy could climb into the $100 million club, as "40-Year-Old Virgin" and "Knocked Up" did.

Audiences were feeling the "Funny" over horror, as Freestyle Releasing's "The Collector" fell short of making the top 10 and clung to #11 with only $3.6 million. PG-rated family fun didn't fare much better as Fox's kiddie flick "Aliens in the Attic" managed to crack the top five but had a disappointing debut of $7.8 million. The CG/live-action blend just couldn't compete with "Harry Potter" or Jerry Bruckheimer's guinea pigs, but Fox cherishes hopes that the film will enjoy a late summer surge.

One film that did see a late summer boom was "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," which stayed strong at #2 with $17.7 million. The sixth installment of the wizarding franchise enjoyed a box-office boost thanks to an expansion into 160 IMAX theaters. When the film was pushed back from fall 2008 to this summer, it was unable to book IMAX theaters because "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" owned all the available dates. It's unclear whether the delay cost "Potter" any major box-office bucks, but with a cumulative of $255.5 and rising, who's really counting?

Business was slightly more encouraging on the limited-release front, as Focus Features opened Chan-wook Park's "Thirst" in four locations for a solid $55,200. Roadside Attractions also had luck keeping things small for the eco-documentary "The Cove," which brought in $55,500 from just four locations.

Upcoming Releases

Paramount offers up action in "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" while Sony cooks up "Julia and Julia," and Universal offers R-rated horror in "A Perfect Getaway."

Check out everything we've got on "Funny People" and "Aliens in the Attic."

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

• MTV Rough Cut: 'Funny People'
• 'Funny People' Movie Clips
• MTV Rough Cut: 'Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince'

• Seth Rogen, Adam Sandler And More At The 'Funny People' Premiere in L.A.
• "Funny People"
• Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, More At "Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince" NY Premiere
• "Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince"

• Eminem
• RZA

RZA
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Thank goodness RZA spent all those years honing his freestyle talent or, as the Wu-Tang Clan would say, sharpening his sword. Obviously it has helped him in music, but to his surprise, he also needed to go off the dome recently during an acting gig.

The rap legend plays Seth Rogan's good friend Chuck in the upcoming Judd Apatow comedy "Funny People."

"Those dudes is funny, man. They do go off the script. They're comedians," RZA said about working with Rogen and his go-to director. "While we're doing the film, it's like Seth Rogen could be an MC. He freestyles his jokes."

RZA explained that during some scenes, Rogen would have a different joke for each take.

"He'll change it, then change it, then change it," the Staten Island rap legend said. "He's so witty. Those guys are not accidental talents; they are the truth."

RZA had to be spontaneous at times as well. " 'Cause I'm an MC and artist, I came off a couple of times. They were like, 'You did good.' "

Rogen and Apatow are huge fans of RZA and Wu-Tang. Who could forget ODB's "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" opening "Knocked Up"?

"Seth knew the lyrics to Bobby Digital's 'Holocaust,' " a surprised RZA revealed. "He was like, 'What happened to that kid who said, "Back-smack you so hard all your seeds will be born deformed"?' "

In "Funny People," RZA plays a stress-free underachiever.

"The movie is about comedians," he added. "One comedian, played by Adam Sandler, he's on the verge of dying. So he's reflecting back on his life. The other comedian is played by Seth Rogen. While he's trying to make it, he works at the grocery store at the deli counter. While he's working there, he has a friend, played by me, who is satisfied by his job: 'F--- trying to make it rich. I feel satisfied just making my $300 a week.' "

RZA continues to navigate through music and movies. He released the soundtrack Afro Samurai: Resurrection on Tuesday (January 27).

Check out everything we've got on "Funny People."

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

• Wu-Tang Clan
• RZA

RZA
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

The Wu-Tang Clan's current tour is winding down and, from RZA's descriptions, time has healed almost all wounds. RZA and Method Man had a personal falling-out that caused them to stop speaking to each other for at least a month, and there are still feelings of disappointment about business entanglements with Raekwon the Chef, Ghostface Killah and U-God.

"I stopped doing business with Raekwon," RZA told us recently. "I said, 'We can be brothers, but we can't do business,' because he was doubting my business judgment. You doing business, you gotta have that faith. It takes faith to do that business. Me and Ghost is family, so I don't like to speak on that situation, but he has people around him that's deluded. They make him believe something that's not real. I said this to Ghostface last week on the bus and said to U-God, 'If you try to sue me for $100,000 ... I don't owe you sh--.' Why would you say something like that? You let your lawyer gas you. I said to Ghost, 'How the f--- I owe you $2 million, God?'

"Sh-- is crazy, G. All that sh-- is really delusion," the Clan's head continued. "I got nothing but love for the Gods. We got people in our ears. I got people in my ear that said, 'Don't do the tour. You got this, you got that, you don't need that Wu-Tang sh--.' "

Despite the differences on the business end, RZA said musically he'll get down with his brothers any day and doesn't regret the tour at all. There may even be another Wu-Tang album to come out of this.

"The tour is going well," RZA said. "We're out here busting our brains and having fun. Conversations have been sparking on the bus about potentially doing some more music. It's a good thing. Once we're talking, it's a dialogue going. Once we start building, trust me, sh-- gets better for us. Sh-- gets better for everybody around us. You're dealing with scientists. We'll see if brothers get on the same wavelength. As far as us doing music together, I'm sure the other brothers are at the level I'm at — I don't care if only 10 n---as hear it now. It's medicine. That's something that I started — my style of hip-hop when I came in the game. I didn't care how people got it. I felt like MC Hammer and Young MC and all them was selling millions of records, and they was just keeping people blind. I said if 1 million people buy Wu-Tang, it's better than better than 20 million people buying [MC Hammer's] record. That's 1 million more people waking up to the light of life."

Something that may happen before an entire Wu-Tang LP, though, is the Raekwon sequel to his debut album Only Built for Cuban Linx. RZA produced a bulk of the tracks, and Dr. Dre handled the rest.

"Sh-- got a little crazy," RZA said about the album's distribution. "I don't know where it got crazy. Raekwon went back in and I think he's gonna put it out in March. I gave him all the music he wanted. He can keep the music. I think Dre is doing the same thing. We ain't gonna try to squeeze his pocket. He said it's coming out in March. He's saying that on the mic during the tour: 'Cuban Linx II is coming in March.' I hope he lives up to his word. That sh-- is fire."

• RZA
• Wu-Tang Clan

Rihanna
Photo: Larry Marano/ Getty Images

If RZA had his way, he'd have Rihanna — for his new film. The Wu-Tang Clan kingpin is co-producing a remake of the 1980s fan favorite "The Last Dragon" with Samuel L. Jackson and told MTV News yesterday he'd like the sexy Barbadian songstress to take on the role of video show host/singer Laura Charles. Popular back-in-the-day vamp Vanity originated the role in the 1985 flick, while Taimak tackled the lead character and her romantic interest, Bruce Leroy (a.k.a. Leroy Green).

"That's the one I'm rooting for," RZA said of Rihanna. "We're keeping that same concept of the girl being in the music business."

RZA explained that several female artists were being looked at for the part, but he thought Rih would be the best choice. He also noted that he and the filmmakers were in the process of finding a new-millennium Bruce Leroy but wouldn't disclose the identities any of the candidates. (Hey, how about Rihanna's pal Chris Brown?)

Late actor Julius Carry, who guest-starred on a myriad of TV shows from the "Jeffersons" to "Moonlighting" to "The Unit" during his almost-30-year career, stole the show in the first "Last Dragon" as Sho'nuff, the Shogun of Harlem. The villain's classic line was "Kiss my Converse!" Sam Jackson has been cast as the hilarious baddy in the remake. (Busta Rhymes played Sho'nuff in his video for 1997's "Dangerous.")

"I'm co-producing and I'll add my martial arts expertise and add my ideas and make a phat film from that cult classic we all loved as kids," RZA explained. "The first draft of the script is in right now. We definitely should be shooting in '09.

"We're gonna make it real classic," the Shaolin general added. "We're not gonna take it back to the '80s. We're gonna try it a few years ahead. Modern times, but a few steps ahead in the future. We got some crazy ideas, but the main thing is still finding that glow. That's still the theme of the film, to find that glow in yourself."

In the original film, black belt Bruce Leroy yearned to reach the highest level of karate training, which involved finding a mythical sensei who could teach him how to find "the glow." Leroy, after getting his butt kicked by Sho'nuff during their finale face-off, learned that "the glow" was in fact his inner strength. He rallied in the fight to knock out the tough Shogun.

Also in the original, Leroy's family was from Harlem and had the first black-owned pizzeria in town. RZA assured, "We still got it [set] in Harlem. But instead of it being a pizzeria, we got it as a Chinese restaurant. We got some elements of the old in there, but we're adding some new elements. One thing I don't think the old movie captured — because they couldn't capture it, [there] wasn't a lot of CGI — was I think some of the action sequences could've been cooler. But this one, we're not lacking that. You will definitely have some crazy action sequences."

RZA and Jackson are becoming very familiar partners. On January 27, RZA is releasing the second soundtrack to the animated TV show "Afro Samurai," titled Afro Samurai: Resurrection. Jackson stars in and executive-produced the animated series.

"He's my man, he's a cool muthaf---a," RZA noted. "Sam loves kung fu movies and exploitation films. I love the same things. I recognize Sam as the big O.G. We as hip-hop artists gotta realize something when we step into other worlds. I'm the master of my world. I'm a bad muthaf---a. I showed and proved that already. I got my footprints clear in the sand. But in Hollywood, I'm the student now. We gotta learn when we're the master and the student."

RZA's next film is Judd Apatow's comedy "Funny People," starring Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen and slated for release in July of next year. RZA plays Chuck, one of Rogen's buddies, who works with him at a grocery store.

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

• Rihanna
• Wu-Tang Clan
• RZA

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

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• The Verve

The RZA
Photo: Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images

"How can hip-hop be dead if Wu-Tang is forever?" the RZA asked over the summer. A few months later, some fans are asking if his sentiments will continue to hold true.

To the dismay of Wu-Tang fans, the Clan seem to be falling apart, and RZA is in the proverbial eye of the storm when it comes to the group's open dissention. Two of the group's most vocal, flamboyant and popular members, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, have accused the RZA of mismanaging the group's money and creative malpractice.

Rae told New York radio personality Miss Info that he and the crew craved more street-oriented beats on the new album, 8 Diagrams. Meanwhile, Ghost told MTV News that the album was "rushed," he hasn't heard good word-of-mouth about the handful of records that have leaked and, most importantly, the RZA owes him more dough than they have at your favorite pizza shop.

While others in the Clan have remained silent, one thing is for sure: The unity the group showed during the summer on the Rock the Bells Tour with Rage Against the Machine has been absent. Two weeks before what was once proclaimed to be the Clan's triumphant return December 11, the biggest buzz around 8 Diagrams has been about the group's infighting. Rae and Ghost have denounced it. There is no official single, let alone a video, and the group's promo run to push the album has been reduced to RZA telling his side of the turmoil and dragging his name out of the mud.

"It's really all good, it's just different directions," RZA told U.K. radio DJ Tim Westwood, in an interview posted online Monday. " ... Everything is back [to] peace already."

While in the U.K., the RZA also rebutted claims that he owes group members any money. "I ain't never take no money from nobody, and I don't owe nobody no money," he yelled. "Don't never say that. I pay all my bills. I work hard and pay all my bills."

In an interview with MTV Base last week, the RZA said that any discord the Wu may have is only temporary. "Over the years some of us have grown in doubt, or maybe some of us have grown creatively in different directions," he said. "But I will say that when we do come together, a lot of things just seem to evaporate. When we get on the stage together, we can have a problem 10 minutes before we get onstage. But once we're onstage, we feel like everything evaporates.

"When you read on the Internet that Ghostface is upset that his album is coming out the same day as the Wu-Tang's album, that's because after the tour, Ghost was gone for two or three months into his own world [and] we went back into our own world," RZA added. "So nobody was in synergy of what's really happening and that's what makes the problem. You've got to build every day. ... I can honestly say, though, we did come together to do this record, and it was recorded without money. Nobody got any money in the beginning to do this record — we worked the deal out later — but to sit down and do it, we were still negotiating, but every MC came to the table. Method Man came to that studio, his lawyer called him up [and said], 'Meth, don't go to the studio.' But he came. I think Method Man gave one of his most vicious, most hungriest performances in years on this album. U-God was the first one to come to the studio and said to me, 'You know brothers are trying to say that your production is on left. Let me hear what you got, brother.' I start playing the music and he was like, 'Man, we're going to be on fire. This is beautiful.' When he said that he loved the music I was producing, I knew I was on the right track, because he's the one that that really will say, 'F--- you.' I took it on face value that we all came because this is what we believe in. Now I think it's a little different, because all this flak is popping up, and it's like, 'Wow, I thought we were all on the same page.' "

That unified sentiment was the inspiration for the album's title, 8 Diagrams. RZA was watching a kung-fu movie almost 15 years ago, and the light bulb turned on. "There was a movie called 'Eight Diagram Pole Fighter,' which features a group of brothers all fighting for their country," he explained. "Their loyalty to their country and their loyalty to each other really struck a nerve to me, and when we first formed Wu-Tang Clan, we actually was called Brother Number One, Two ... Brother Number Five — that's originally how we did it. As time went on, we just took different names and abandoned that idea. For me, it's time to bring that idea back in effect, and that's what the 8 Diagrams is helping to do."

Musically, RZA's beats on 8 Diagrams were inspired by everything from the Beatles to his very own cousin, the late Ol' Dirty Bastard.

"The way I produce now is I produce more like a musician," RZA said. "In the old days, I produced more like a DJ. I didn't understand music theory at all. Now that I do understand music theory, I make my music more playable, meaning not only could you listen to it, you could get someone else to play it. Before, you couldn't even write down Wu-Tang music. I think almost 80 percent of this record can be duplicated by a band, which is important for music, because that means 10 years from now, somebody can make a whole song out of it and cover it like how I'm covering the Beatles song."

RZA's good friend, DreamWorks Records exec Michael Ostin, let the famed producer know that the Beatles' George Harrison wrote "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and Eric Clapton played guitar on the classic song. When RZA decided to redo the record, Ostin also tipped him off that Harrison's son Dhani was a huge Wu fan and would probably clear the record. Not only did the young Harrison give his sign of approval for the new interpolation — the Wu used the composition sample, not the master sample, as they did not receive permission to use the original songs as heard on the Beatles LP commonly referred to as The White Album — he played acoustic guitar on it for the RZA. Then Erykah Badu was brought in to sing vocals after Corinne Bailey Rae bowed out.

"When I heard this song, 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' ... I made this big [drug] metaphor of my own," RZA said of the Wu's version, "The Heart Gently Weeps." "It's my own imagination. I got Method Man and Raekwon to give me the illest verses. Ghostface delivered one of his best verses in years. To me, that verse is comparable to the verse on Wu-Tang Forever's 'Jamie.' I heard his best spirit in it."

You can feel the spirit of ODB on "Life Changes." The Clan pay tribute to their deceased brother, expressing how they feel about his tragic loss. " 'Life Changes' I named it because the hook is kind of saying I go through life changes," RZA said. "But really, life does change after you lose somebody so dear to you. Your whole life can change. Maybe the grass is not green anymore. Maybe the spring does not feel like the flowers are there anymore because you don't have that person there to share it with you. That's one thing that I truly miss about ODB. I think I said it in my lyric: 'It's hard to live without you.' "

"Take It Back" and "Get 'Em Out Ya Way Pa" are probably 8 Diagrams' best examples of vintage Wu wolf music — that means fans will wild out as soon as the tracks come on. But RZA insists the album isn't all about wolf music.

"I was so aggressive and so unfriendly to people at one point, and now I feel like I'm good," he said. "I can sit here, I can talk to people, I can shake hands. I feel like I'm a mature man. I think it's important for me and my crew. It's not all about making music to punch people in their face. [I want to be] making music to inspire people to stop punching each other in the face."

But how big can Wu be with a more mature, worldly sound?

"I think we're bigger than we used to be," RZA said. "I see 19-year-old kids in the audience, and I don't know how they know my music, but they're jumping up and down singing my lyrics. We did shows in 1997 — the biggest audience I've seen in front of the Wu-Tang Clan was 30,000 kids with their 'W' way up in the sky. I was real proud of that: 'Wow, we've made it.' On this last summer tour, I saw 70,000 kids do it, 100,000 kids. I mean, the biggest crowd was 115,000. So it's bigger. It's just not popular in the media. And the funny thing about that is, when Wu-Tang came out before, it wasn't popular in the media. The media totally missed it. By the time they got it, it was already platinum. I think it may happen again: By the time certain people get it, it's going to be already over here. I'm not worried. I'm feeling very confident. It's not really about the record sales, either. Record sales don't really measure the bigness or magnitude of the person. MC Hammer is the best example. He sold more records than all of us. But who wants to talk to MC Hammer?"

• Wu-Tang Clan
• RZA
• Ol' Dirty Bastard

Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon, U-God and GZA
Photo: MTV News

It might have been all so simple then, but it's not anymore.

The Wu-Tang Clan emerged in the mid-'90s with a distinct style of kung-fu-movie-inspired hip-hop. The group's architect and producer, the RZA, ushered in a gritty street sound on its albums, and the guys made history as the individual members negotiated solo deals with a range of labels, including Def Jam, Universal and Sony.

But lately, the love isn't flowing like it once did.

Wu, who are set to release 8 Diagrams — their first group effort since 2001's Iron Flag — on December 11, should be united. But member Ghostface has gone public with gripes stemming from creative and financial differences with the RZA, and now Raekwon is following suit.

Ghost fired the first dart three weeks ago when he told MTV News' Mixtape Monday of his disdain for "the hierarchy at Wu-Tang Clan." According to the Def Jam star, he wasn't properly compensated for the group's last tour, as part of Rock the Bells, and he was frustrated delays in recording 8 Diagrams resulted in the album landing on same release date as his upcoming solo album, The Big Doe Rehab.

"It's on right now," Ghost sniped. "N---as better pay my f---ing money. Matter of fact, they can keep the money — just get me out of their life right now."

The RZA told Mixtape Monday the following week that the group pushed back 8 Diagrams by one week to accommodate Ghost. But the Wu differences seem to just be beginning.

Raekwon reiterated Ghost's claims on Thursday (November 8), telling New York radio personality Miss Info of Hot 97 that he feels as if he's "being taken advantage of." The Cuban Linx rapper also revealed his desire to make a full Wu album without RZA in the future.

"A lot of times there may be a deal where we never get a chase to see the paper work," Rae said in the video interview posted on MissInfo.tv. "We like, 'Hold up, what's going on? Deliver that paperwork. Let me agree to disagree,' whatever. And it seems like mother----ers be like, 'You don't need to see nothing.'

"And that's where the bullsh-- comes," he added. "It's like you switching. One minute, you my brother, one minute we doing business. ... And that's the problem. A mother----er may know you love them because you love them like that, and then next thing you know he uses that as a weakness against you and your mind."

In a 2003 reader-generated interview with Blender magazine, Method Man designated RZA's business partner, Divine, as the #1 person on his "sh-- list" when presented with the question. Meth claimed the Wu-Tang Management associate "took something major from me that he had no intention of giving back."

A representative for the RZA, when reached by MTV News, said the RZA's only comment in regards to the financial dispute Ghostface and Raekwon are claiming was that, "It's all his fault, and he'll take the responsibility."

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

Denzel Washington in "American Gangster"
Photo: Universal

The Box-Office Top Five

#1 "American Gangster" ($46.3 million)
#2 "Bee Movie" ($39.1 million)
#3 "Saw IV" ($11 million)
#4 "Dan in Real Life" ($8.1 million)
#5 "30 Days of Night"($4 million)

Jerry Seinfeld and his bee pals swarmed multiplexes this past weekend, but leave it to a couple of old-school gangsters to put the sting back in the box office. Despite opening in nearly 1,000 fewer theaters than "Bee Movie," "American Gangster" flew past its insect competition to claim #1 with $46.3 million, in the process helping to bump the box office up 12 percent from the same weekend last year. Now that's what I call raiding the honey pot.

But forget for a second that "American Gangster" is the biggest opening ever for stars Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe (and the second-biggest opening ever for director Ridley Scott). The true story of Harlem drug czar Frank Lucas earned nearly six times as much over its opening weekend as the stars' last tag-team effort, "Virtuosity," did in 1995. Sure they've been nominated for a combined five Oscars since then — and won twice — but only now can we officially strike that flick from the record. Let us never speak of it again.

While Russell and Denzel earned an A+ for second efforts, however, "Bee Movie" was more like a C. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld's first major project since his landmark television show, the animated flick's $39.1 million was good enough for only second place ("Not that there's anything wrong with that"), within early projections but well below other CG cartoons. Rating only 54 percent positive on RottenTomatoes.com, there's no telling how well "Bee Movie" will hold up over the Festivus holiday.

In its second weekend, the twisted machinations of Jigsaw were good for third place and $11 million, bringing the fourth installment of the torture franchise to over $50 domestically. "Dan in Real Life" and "30 Days of Night" rounded out the top five.

Among other new releases, John Cusack's "Martian Child" came in seventh place with $3.7 million, while "Darfur Now" earned $24,000 in three theaters.

Next Week

It's Christmas in November when Santa's best little helper is his big brother Fred. Starring Vince Vaughn, Ludacris, Paul Giamatti and Rachel Weisz, "Fred Claus" opens in 3,400 theaters. But if anyone can give the big guy a run for his money, it's gotta be Tom Cruise, right? (Sorry, am I being glib?) The NJ native returns to the big screen from his couch-jumping hiatus to star in "Lions for Lambs" alongside Meryl Streep and Robert Redford.

Check out everything we've got on "American Gangster," "Bee Movie" "Saw IV."

Visit Movies on MTV.com for more from Hollywood, including news, reviews, interviews and more.

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

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• 'American Gangster': The Next 'Scarface'?

• "American Gangster"
• "Bee Movie"
• "Saw IV"
• "Dan In Real Life"
• "30 Days Of Night"

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• RZA

Woodie Awards 2005 Red Carpet

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Woodie Awards 2005 Winners and Presenters

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• Mewithoutyou

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

• Nas
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• RZA
• Method Man
• Raekwon

James Franco, Kanye West, Seth Rogen At "Pineapple Express" Premiere

• Kanye West
• RZA

Rosario Dawson, Kanye West, Eva Mendes, More At "Grindhouse" Premiere

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AFI, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, More At San Diego's Street Scene

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Wu-Tang Clan Reunion Show

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