Shyne speaks at Wesley College in Belize City
Photo: 7 News Belize

On Monday in Belize, Shyne made his first public appearance since being deported to his native country last week. The former Bad Boy rapper had been detained by immigration officials for nearly four weeks after serving close to nine years in prison for his involvement in 1999's Club New York shooting, for which Diddy also stood trial but was acquitted.

The press conference was held at the high school Shyne attended briefly in 1993, Wesley College in Belize City, where he spoke to students as well as reporters, according to 7NewsBelize.com and footage of the appearance that has hit the Internet.

Shyne, who changed his name from Jamal Barrow to Moses Michael Leviy while in prison, said that he did not convert to Judaism, as has been reported, but was inspired by Biblical figures.

"In life, you are what you are and this is what I am," he said. "I don't want to be like Michael Jordan. I want to be like Moses or King David or King Solomon. Those are the guys I aspire to be like. I didn't want to be like the kingpin on my block; I wanted to be like the guy who parted the sea, that's why I chose that name."

Shyne also said he's returning to music and he will not allow his messages to be watered down.

"I make music about life," he said. "One of the greatest musicians was Bob Marley. There was nothing misogynistic about him. But his music, he talked about some harsh realities some time. He was tough. I would like to make that type of contribution, that kind of Marvin Gaye contribution, you dig? But at the same time we curse, at the same time life is violent, life is troublesome sometimes — so don't expect my music to be sanitized. I am just going to talk about what's going on in the world."

But Shyne also talked about the importance of education for young people, noting that it was advice he'd spurned from his father, Dean Barrow, the Prime Minister of Belize.

"I came up on the streets with guys that gangbanged and were into criminal activity, and those tools never worked," he said. "Those tools, you either end up spending the rest of your life in prison or sleeping in a grave. But with the tools that you are getting here as far as education is concerned, that is the ultimate tool and with that tool you can transcend any situation because I am just like you, you dig. I grew up on Curassow Street. When I was coming up we didn't even have toilets. But one of the things my Uncle Finnegan and my father, Prime Minister Barrow, implored upon me was education, education, education, education.

"What I do have to say is not, 'Listen man, I am on a gangster roll,' " he continued. "No, listen: Look what gangster roll got me. Look where it led me. And I am not telling you what to do because I am not a preacher and I am not everybody's father, but I am exhibit A of what's going to happen if you don't stay in Wesley College, you dig? If you don't go to that sixth form, if you don't try to go to the university you're going to spend the rest of your life in the cooker or you're going to be in the grave. That is what this is about.

Shyne says at first he didn't take the advice to heart, but has since learned to appreciate the value of education.

"I didn't really get that, I was like, 'Yo, well, education, whatever,' " he continued. "But as I came up, my music, being Shyne and being able to go from Curassow Street [to the] United States and sell millions of records, the only way I was able to do that. I used to be at my Uncle Denys' house and I used to be in the corner reading a dictionary. I was very into my English. I would fail my other classes but when it came to English, I would pay attention. And if it wasn't for that, I would have never sold any records. I wouldn't have been able to call Jay-Z on my iPhone and I wouldn't be able to live the life that I live."

• Photo Timeline Of Shyne's Legal Troubles

• Shyne

Shyne (file)
Photo: Doug Kanter/ Getty Images

Shyne was released from the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) on Wednesday (October 28) and has "temporarily accepted deportation" to the country of Belize, according to his attorney Oscar Michelen.

The former Bad Boy rapper had been detained by immigration officials for nearly four weeks after serving close to nine years in prison for his involvement in 1999's infamous Club New York shooting, for which Diddy also stood trial but was acquitted. Representatives for the rapper told MTV News following his detainment that Shyne was expected to be released on October 6. A short time later, however, Hot 97's Angie Martinez reported that his deportation was imminent after speaking with the rapper privately.

At press time, the exact reason why Shyne was detained and ultimately deported remained unclear. A spokesperson for I.C.E. would not release any information pertaining to Shyne's case when contacted by MTV News last week. Citing homeland security, the spokesperson would only reveal that Shyne was being held at a facility in western New York for an immigration law violation.

"We would never discuss any individual or group of individuals if we had a deportation operation under way, for security reasons," spokesperson Michael Gilhooly said.

The Brooklyn-based rapper was born in Belize, where his father is currently the prime minister and is set to welcome his estranged son. Shyne was raised stateside by his mother, who reportedly is based in New Jersey after relocating from New York following her son's trial in 2001. Michelen said it came down to Shyne making the decision to either "fight from detention or fight from freedom," and he chose the latter.

Harvard Professor Charles Ogletree was assisting the rapper in his immigration case and as of press time is expected to continue to represent Shyne. Shyne will continue to fight for his return to the U.S., where he hopes to resurrect his once-promising music career. He was most recently signed to Def Jam Records after splitting with Diddy in the aftermath of their separate trials.

• This Week's Biggest News

• Photo Timeline Of Shyne's Legal Troubles

• Shyne

Shyne
Photo: MTV News

Shyne's deportation appears imminent, according to a conversation Hot 97's Angie Martinez recently had with the detained rapper off-air.

The Belize-born former Bad Boy recording artist has been held in custody by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement since completing his prison sentence on October 6 for his role in the infamous 1999 Club New York shooting also involving Diddy and his then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez.

Shyne served nearly nine years of a 10-year sentence after pleading guilty to first-degree assault among other charges in 2001.

Immigration officials detained the rapper, and members of his camp told MTV News at the time that Shyne's immigration status was being evaluated. Speculation about whether the rapper would be deported swirled; Shyne has been in a federal facility for weeks now in Buffalo, New York, awaiting his fate.

Hot 97 news director Miss Info reported Martinez's conversation with Shyne's on her Web site. Martinez said that Shyne believes he'll be relocated soon to Belize, where he will then continue to fight for a pardon from New York's Governor David Paterson. It remains unclear exactly why Shyne is being detained and ultimately deported as of press time.

A spokesman for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told MTV News on Wednesday (October 21) that Shyne was still in custody, but would not release details pending his case.

"We would never discuss any individual or group of individuals, if we had a deportation operation under way for security reasons," Michael Gilhooly said.

Gilhooly confirmed a Shyne is being held in custody for violation of an immigration law, but he would not identify which law.

In the past, Governor Paterson stepped in to stop a deportation attempt on rap veteran Slick Rick by pardoning the England-born star. However, the "Children's Story" MC had been free for a number of years before officials attempted to deport him. Shyne's case differs in that the rapper was immediately detained following completion of his jail sentence.

Although the matter at hand seems to be whether a non-born resident can continue to live in this country after having committed a violent crime, immigration laws are difficult to grasp.

According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Web site, a child born outside the country to a parent of American citizenship can become a citizen, but the circumstances around the law vary depending on birthday.

"Whether someone born outside the United States to a U.S. citizen parent or parents is a U.S. citizen depends on the law in effect when the person was born," the information reads.

Shyne's father resides in Belize, but his mother currently lives in the States. The rapper was raised in Brooklyn, New York, and often represented the borough in many of his songs. He reportedly is attempting to return to a living situation with his mother and grandmother.

Shyne has retained noted Harvard professor Charles Ogletree to assist him in his fight against immigration. An inquiry made by MTV News to a publicist and lawyer for Shyne has not been returned as of press time.

• Shyne

Shyne
Photo: MTV News

Shyne's expected release date from prison came and went Tuesday as the rapper remained in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in New York. Word of his delayed release surprised many and caused a stir about his whereabouts as conflicted reports were filed by media outlets.

"Shyne is currently in federal custody while his future immigration status is determined," a Shyne rep told MTV News in an e-mail message.

An I.C.E. spokesman then told the New York's Daily News on Wednesday (October 7) that Shyne was being detained for violation of U.S. immigration law.

No further explanation was given, however.

Although the former Bad Boy rapper repped Brooklyn on his tracks, Shyne was actually born in Belize, where his father is prime minister. It's unknown as of press time if the rapper's mother is a U.S. citizen. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Web site, a child born outside the country to a parent of American citizenship can become a citizen, but the circumstances around the law vary depending on birthday.

"Whether someone born outside the United States to a U.S. citizen parent or parents is a U.S. citizen depends on the law in effect when the person was born," the information reads.

At question in this matter, it seems, is whether the MC can be deported back to his native country as a result of his violent crime.

Rap legend Slick Rick faced a similar quandary when Department of Homeland Security officials nabbed the Bronx lyricist in 2002 after a cruise-ship gig and attempted to deport him back to England, where he was born. The difference in the two rappers' cases, though, was that Rick was released from prison and led a productive life for years that saw him put out an album, serve as a landlord and stay on the right side of the law after his debt to society was paid.

Shyne's recent activity was just as peaceful if not very productive, due to his circumstances. The rapper was sentenced to prison in 2001 following a conviction on first-degree assault, among other lesser charges. And there was no indication he was anything but a model prisoner, as he was on track to be released this week, his mandatory release date of October 6.

In the case of Slick Rick, New York Governor David Paterson stepped in to help by pardoning the rapper's crime, thus eradicating his criminal record. Without the mark against him, the "Children's Story" star was free to walk. High-profile stars such as Will Smith and Chris Rock also helped petition in his favor.

Shyne's jail stint might have come to an end, but he was still on the hook for post-release supervision. In August, a judge ruled that the rapper would have to serve two years of probation, essentially. Previously, the rapper was set to be released from prison and free to return to his life with no strings attached.

Since word of Shyne's federal detainment, there has been speculation that the rapper will be deported by the end of the week and his family has been notified.

Oscar Michelen, a lawyer representing Shyne, wouldn't confirm the information, only telling MTV News "[I] don't know where that came from or if it's true."

• Shyne

Shyne
Photo: MTV News

It looks like Shyne's homecoming is on hold for the moment.

The former Bad Boy rapper (born Jamal Barrow) was scheduled to be released from prison Tuesday (October 6) after serving almost nine years of a 10-year sentence in connection with the 2001 Club New York shooting involving Diddy and Jennifer Lopez.

But his release is now under review, as representatives for the rapper revealed to MTV News that the Brooklyn MC is being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at an unspecified facility in western New York State. Officials are determining whether or not to deport the rapper, who was born in Belize, a rep explained.

"Shyne is currently in federal custody while his future immigration status is determined," the rep said in a message to MTV News. Shyne attorney Oscar Michelen emphasized to MTV News on Tuesday afternoon that Shyne has not been released, contrary to media reports.

In August, a lawyer for Shyne said the rapper was "90 percent of the way home" after a judge ruled on his post-release supervision. The rapper received two and a half years of post-release supervision (probation, essentially) stemming from his conviction on first-degree assault and a host of other lesser charges. At the time of his sentencing, an official with the Department of Correction confirmed to MTV News that Shyne would have to complete at least eight years and seven months of his prison sentence.

For years, though, Shyne's release date has been the subject of much confusion. Michelen acknowledged the subject had become urban legend, as the rumors started yearly that his client would be released. Michelen told MTV News in August that he believed a clerical error led to the incorrect assumptions.

"I think [the basis for the rumor] was created by a computer," he explained, "because the Department of Corrections has a Web site where you can do an inmate lookup. And if you have the information, it will show you that [Shyne's] earlier release date was originally April [of this year] and then June. And we don't now how that was in there. But it showed that. And then what would happen is before a release date, [an inmate] would get produced before a parole board, and in the institution, there would be rumors that [Shyne] was up for parole. I guess inmates or guards would spread the rumor."

At press time, the status of Shyne's release from prison remained unclear.

• Shyne

Shyne
Photo: Courtesy of Bad Boy/Arista Records

It looks like Shyne is coming home. After many false release dates swirled around over the past few years, a judge has set October for Shyne's release from prison after serving eight years. Obviously, the first thing his fans can hope for is that Shyne finds peace and tranquility in his personal life while he gets acclimated back into society.

Then, there's his music career.

Before Shyne was incarcerated, the young Brooklyn rapper was one of hip-hop's blue-chip MCs: sharp lyrics, distinctive voice, a captivating presence, respect from his peers and a major powerhouse behind him, Bad Boy Records. Shyne left Bad Boy years ago to go to Def Jam (a company that was one of many to woo him for his first recording contract). Godfather Buried Alive was released on the label in 2004.

So what happens next for Shyne's career? Rahman Dukes and I contemplated Shyne's next move. Rahman feels that aligning with Jay-Z and Roc Nation is a can't-miss. Rah says the Brooklyn connection could be unbeatable, seeing that Jay's reach and influence is so vast.

I see it a little differently. While you cannot argue that anything associated with Young Hov will be successful, I'm thinking of Shyne partnering up with another heavyweight: Kanye West. Yes, Kanye.

Kanye is arguably the best producer in the game today. Shyne will have a helluva story to tell, he has the credibility and hopefully his flow will still be intact. Lyrically, he told me five years ago that he's written 10 albums in prison. All he needs are some beats. There's no producer in the game right now whose track will make a more beautiful marriage with Shyne's vocals. Me and Rahman also look forward to Just Blaze, Swizz Beatz and Cool & Dre working with Shyne if we had our wish — check out the video for the full conversation.

What do you think Shyne should do with his music career? Is hooking up with Kanye the right move? Sound off below!

• Shyne

Shyne
Photo: Robert Mecea/Newsmakers

Now that Shyne is "90 percent of the way home" from prison, as his lawyer told MTV News earlier this week, the rapper's October 6 release date from prison will be as highly anticipated as a blockbuster album release date.

But fans also might wonder if Shyne is really getting out of jail this time.

After a number of rumored release dates over the years, fans have grown wary about the possibility of the rapper's return after being imprisoned following a guilty verdict in 2001 for his involvement in the Club New York shooting case, which also involved Diddy and his then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez. Every year, word spread that the Brooklyn MC would be sprung from jail, and then nothing happened.

So what's the deal?

Shyne's attorney, Oscar Michelen, spoke to MTV News on Thursday (August 5) and explained that his client's release date was never in question.

When the rapper was sentenced in June 2001, a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Corrections confirmed to MTV News that Shyne would not be eligible for release until he served eight years and seven months of jail time. At the time of the sentencing, Shyne had already served two months in New York's Rikers Island. A simple calculation with that public information reveals Shyne's release date was always set for October 2009.

The rumored release dates over the years, Michelen believes, were a result of misinterpretation of legal filings and, at one point, a computer error.

"I'll tell you what happens, I think [the basis for the rumor] was created by a computer," he explained, "because the Department of Corrections has a Web site where you can do an inmate look-up. And if you have the information it will show you that [Shyne's] earlier release date was originally April [of this year] and then June. And we don't now how that was in there. But it showed that. And then what would happen is before a release date [an inmate] would get produced before a parole board, and in the institution there would be rumors that [Shyne] was up for parole. I guess inmates or guards would spread the rumor."

But Michelen said Shyne has never actually been before a parole board.

"To my knowledge he was never actually physically presented to a parole board, because there was no decision to be made," he said. "It was clear when he would be getting out — he would be getting out the earliest he could — so what would he discuss, really?"

The June date that was listed in the electronic database of the DOC, Michelen explained, was Shyne's minimum early release date. It was a date Shyne could have been released with good behavior, at the discretion of officials, but due to the violent nature of the rapper's crime, Michelen said all parties involved pretty much knew the true release date would be the maximum early release date in October of this year. There's only a small degree of subjectivity involved with granting the earlier April date over the October date, Michelen said, if Shyne served with good behavior, after laws enacted in the past by former New York Governor George Pataki eliminated a larger leeway judges previously held in sentencing offenders.

To further complicate matters, Michelen said that when his client filed a motion a few years ago challenging the constitutionality of his conviction, he believes people assumed the potential release date if the motion was granted became Shyne's new release date.

The rumors took on such a life of their own that Michelen said people took them as fact — at one point, he said, Shyne himself was just as confused. However, he is now clear to be released on October 6.

"People love rumors," he said. "They hear things and then they think it's gospel. [Shyne] even called me and asked, 'Am I getting out in June?' "

• Shyne

Shyne
Photo: Robert Mecea/Newsmakers

NEW YORK On Tuesday (August 4), a Manhattan judge signed an order that will see former Bad Boy recording artist and onetime Sean "Diddy" Combs protégé Jamal "Shyne" Barrow receive two-and-a-half years of post-release supervision stemming from his 2001 conviction and sentencing in the infamous Club New York case.

An attorney for Shyne — born Jamal Barrow but now going by Moses Levi after converting to Judaism while in prison — said that the order marked one of the last remaining hurdles in the way of his client's release from prison in October.

"He's about 90 percent of the way home now," attorney Oscar Michelin told MTV News following the hearing.

The district attorney's office had recommended Shyne receive the maximum amount of five years of post-release supervision (essentially probation), due to the violent nature of his crime. In June of 2001, Shyne was sentenced to 10 years in prison — the most serious charge he was found guilty of was first-degree assault, after a patron in the club was shot in the face following a melee that started between a group of clubgoers and Diddy's entourage, which included his then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez and Shyne. Shyne brandished a gun and fired shots into the air to break up the argument.

The December 1999 shooting resulted in charges being brought against both Shyne and Diddy, with both of them going to trial. The high-profile incident produced plenty of headlines, from Diddy's red-light running, high-speed exit with Lopez following the shooting to an alleged bribery plot. Shyne was a rising talent at the time, with his husky baritone reminding many in the music industry of legendary Bad Boy Records artist Notorious B.I.G. Diddy signed the youngster and was set on molding him into hip-hop's next superstar before their relationship crumbled after the trial, in which Diddy was acquitted on all counts.

In court, Michelin presented a memo he prepared in Shyne's defense, which was a combination of previous law examples that were similar to his client's case, talk of the rapper's good behavior and testimony from scholars and business executives who support the Brooklyn native's release.

"I'm grateful," a calm Shyne told the judge.

The rapper was hoping to be re-sentenced as a way to avoid post-release supervision, telling the judge that the supervision equates to "extra jail time." It was a strategy he and his lawyer proposed but the judge quickly dismissed, citing a recent court of appeals decision that changed the nature of assigned post-release supervision in New York. As a result of the ruling, a number of previous dependents in cases, including Shyne, have been issued extra supervision following their jail sentences. The judge acknowledged the rules were not in effect when Shyne was initially sentenced, but cases all over the state are now being reexamined as a result of the ruling.

In April, Shyne appeared in court for a parole hearing, hoping to be released early after serving eight years in prison — but the rapper was denied any lenience. Now the rapper has a mandatory release scheduled for October 6 of this year. The date will mark eight years and seven months served; he began his sentence in April of 2001, when he was 22 years old.

Shyne will serve the rest of his sentence at the Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg, New York.

• Shyne

Sean "Diddy" Combs (file)
Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images

After nearly two years, Sean "Diddy" Combs completed his deposition last week in the $130 million civil lawsuit stemming from the 1999 Club New York shooting that sent the Bad Boy CEO's former protégé, Shyne, to prison, MTV News has learned.

Natania Reuben, who filed the suit, claims the Bad Boy CEO and Shyne (Jamal Barrow, who changed his name in 2006 to Moses Michael Leviy in honor of his Jewish heritage), among others, are responsible for the injuries she suffered that night as a result of the gunfire. Reuben was shot in the face during the melee.

According to Shyne's legal counsel, Oscar Michelen, Diddy completed his deposition on Wednesday, which now puts the wheels in motion for a trial date to be set, possibly as soon as early 2009.

Diddy's busy schedule, along with litigation from the charges against Shyne, resulted in the hip-hop mogul's deposition being stretched out over time. Bad Boy employee Derek Ferguson is the next and last party scheduled for deposition, Michelen said.

Diddy — who signed Shyne to Bad Boy Entertainment — was acquitted of all charges in the criminal trial.

On the night of December 27, 1999, Shyne, Diddy, Diddy's then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez and others were at the now-defunct Club New York. A man named Matthew "Scar" Allen approached Diddy's crew and then tossed a wad of money toward them, taunting the Bad Boy top dog. Reports conflict over what exactly happened next. Shots were fired and three people were hit, causing patrons to hurriedly exit the night spot. Clubgoers fingered Shyne as the shooter, but the rapper argued that a member of Allen's entourage fired first. Diddy and Lopez escaped the scene in a car, and their driver ran several traffic lights while getting away.

The civil trial could be the first time Shyne, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty on five charges — including assault in the first degree — would testify about the events that took place that night, Michelen revealed. During the criminal trial, Shyne declined to take the stand.

At the center of the deposition, according to Michelen, is whether Shyne acted independently when he pulled a gun and fired shots that night — or as a part of the Bad Boy collective.

Lawyers for Reuben — and Michelen himself, he said — questioned Diddy about the incident, his relationship with Shyne and the criminal trial.

Michelin referenced an article in New York's Civil Practice Law & Rules in which a plaintiff can seek 100-percent payment from one person, even though share of the blame could legally be shared among all parties. A judge still needs to decide which parties will stand trial, if any, during the civil lawsuit, based on the evidence. A jury would then later decide who is responsible and for what.

However, a situation could result where Diddy would have to pay up and then seek financial compensation from his one-time recording artist Shyne. The club management and the security firm were also named in the civil lawsuit, as was Bad Boy Entertaintment, in addition to Diddy and Shyne.

When contacted by MTV News, Diddy's attorney in the civil case, Kenneth Meiselas, issued a statement through a publicist maintaining his client's innocence.

"Mr. Combs was acquitted by a jury of all charges related to this 1999 incident and we are confident that he will prevail in this civil lawsuit," an e-mail sent to MTV News read.

Shyne could be released as early as this year or next year, according to his attorney. A parole hearing date has not been set, but the rapper has served eight years of his 10-year sentence after being convicted on March 16, 2000.

Currently, the rapper is in the Sullivan Correctional Facility in Woodburn, New York (he was previously incarcerated in the Clinton Correctional Facility). His lawyer acknowledged the facility is full of "short timers," meaning inmates who will not serve long sentences at the prison.

• Diddy
• Shyne

Madonna
Photo: Chris Jackson/ Getty Images

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04.26.06

Angelina Jolie opens up about expecting a child in an interview with NBC News, scheduled to air Thursday at 7 a.m. on "Today" and Sunday at 7 p.m. on "Dateline." Jolie's sit-down took place in Namibia, where she's currently focused on a new venture — and it's not delivering a baby (Jolie says she her pregnancy is not yet eight months along). The actress/activist is promoting Global Education Week, an effort to ensure that education is available to all of the world's children, millions of whom do not have the opportunity to go to school. The actress, who says she knows the sex of her baby, did answer questions about Brad Pitt during the rare interview, saying, "I don't talk about our, my, relationship in public. But we also don't talk about it at home. You know, it's one of those funny things that like just happens, you live your life and you're a family. But you never actually discuss [it]. ... So that's why I giggle about it. I just don't know how to address that kind of thing." ...

John Legend and John Mayer are among the acts scheduled to perform at the fifth annual Jazz at Lincoln Center Spring Gala benefit at New York's Apollo Theater on June 5. Tracy Chapman, Joe Cocker and Natalie Merchant are also on the bill and Bernie Mac is hosting. ... After announcing a lawsuit against New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Monday, designer Marc Ecko just released the bill for his second annual Save the Rhinos Benefit Concert, to be held in New York on June 8. Rakim, Common, newcomer Lupe Fiasco and Rhymefest are among those tapped for the event. ...

Dave Matthews Band want to help New Orleans recover, so they're offering a $1.5 million challenge grant to help build the New Orleans Habitat Musicians' Village, which would consist of Habitat for Humanity-constructed homes and feature the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music. "After [Hurricane Katrina] first struck, we were shocked by the destruction, and we knew we wanted to help," DMB said in a statement. The grant money comes from a fundraising concert in Denver that also featured the Neville Brothers and the John Butler Trio. "Many people donated their time and resources to keep costs to a minimum so we could maximize the donation," DMB said. "This is our way to get the word out that there is more work to do, and ask people to step up to the challenge and make a donation to help." Contributions, which can be made online at Habitat-NOLA.org, will be matched dollar-for-dollar through the grant, raising the total donation potential to $3 million. ... Shinedown are doing their own part to help rebuild the Crescent City. The Jacksonville, Florida, rock band will take a day off from touring in New Orleans next week to team with Habitat and help rebuild homes. Singer Brent Smith recently wrote "New Orleans" on the front of his shirt for two national television performances of their current single, "I Dare You," as a reminder that work still needs to be done in the city. ...

Mandy Moore is a home-wrecker on the season finale of "The Simpsons," voicing a character named Fiona, the sexy singing wife of a struggling second baseman who seeks marital advice from Homer and Marge. In an episode called "Homer and Marge Turn a Couple Play," airing May 21 at 8 p.m. on Fox, Moore's character seems to be getting back on track with her husband, Buck (voiced by Stacy Keach) — until Buck catches Homer giving Fiona a post-show neck massage, causing both couples to separate. ... Tom Petty's also in for some voiceover action when he returns to "King of the Hill," resuming his role as Lucky in an episode called "Edu-Macating Lucky." On the show's season finale, airing May 14 at 7:30 p.m. on Fox, Lucky gets schoolteacher Peggy to tutor him for his GED, which Peggy hopes will prod him to take a job far away from Luanne — but when she discovers he's planning to propose to Luanne, she purposely teaches him incorrect material. ...

Producer Jazze Pha has put together an R&B quartet called Cherish. The group's debut, Unappreciated, is due August 1, but single "Do It to It," featuring a guest rap from Sean Paul of Youngbloodz and produced by Don Vito, was just released. ... 30 Seconds to Mars, actor Jared Leto's band, recently shot a video for "The Kill" that he is calling an homage to "The Shining." Leto will debut a portion of the video during an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on May 2, the night before the band performs on the show. ... Ben Folds recently helmed the soundtrack for "Over the Hedge," the animated comedy featuring the voices of Bruce Willis and Steve Carell. The album is due May 16. ...

A new Web site — NationalDayofSlayer.org — is calling on all metalheads worth their salt to celebrate the legendary thrashers on June 6. According to the site, "6/6/06 isn't a date that comes around very often ... and while plenty of stupid horror movies and terrible albums will be released for the hype value of the day that bears 'the number of the beast,' [we've] decided that this would be a perfect day for Hessians across the country to come together and engage in something upon which we can all agree — listening to Slayer." The site suggests that Slayer fans honor a National Day of Slayer by listening to the band's albums "at full blast" in their cars, homes, workplaces and in public because "national holidays in America aren't just about celebrating; they're about forcing it upon non-participants." The site also suggests staging a "Slay-out" by staying home from work and listening to Slayer all day. ...

Mick Jagger has signed on for a sitcom pilot for ABC's fall schedule, with a working title of "Let's Rob Mick Jagger." The Rolling Stones singer shot his scenes for the pilot last week in an Auckland, New Zealand, hotel room, although the show would take place in New York. In the series, the janitor for Jagger's building would try to rob his apartment over the course of a 24-episode season. If the pilot is picked up, Jagger would appear occasionally, but not in every episode, as the plot revolves around the would-be thieves. Meanwhile, the Stones deny reports that they refused to give up their reservations at the Imperial Hotel in Vienna, Austria, to accommodate President Bush this June. The band's camp issued a statement saying that no one associated with Jagger, other members of the Stones, the tour director or those responsible for travel arrangements for the tour were ever contacted by the Imperial Hotel, Bush or anyone on his behalf requesting them to change their reservation. ...

Counting Crows and Goo Goo Dolls are joining forces this summer for a 45-city North American tour. The jaunt, which kicks off June 17 in Las Vegas and wraps up September 9 in Dallas, marks the first time the two bands are heading out on the road together. They'll hit cities including Denver, Detroit, Atlanta and Boston, as well as the Crows and Dolls' respective hometowns, San Francisco and Buffalo, New York. ... The Lemonheads have been playing reunion shows since they re-formed last year, and now the Boston alterna-folk rockers are making it official by signing to a new home, emo/punk label Vagrant Records. The band is currently putting the finishing touches on what will be its eighth studio album, due in the fall. The record was self-financed and co-produced by Lemonheads impresario Evan Dando and drummer Bill Stevenson (Descendents, Black Flag). The band is rounded out by bass player Karl Alvarez (Descendents).

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Photo Timeline Of Shyne's Legal Troubles

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