Snoop Dogg
Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/ Getty Images

Celebrity Favorites

"Everyday is the same thang, I creep in/ It's like 'True Blood,' I sink my teeth in/ I gotta have it."

Vampire Bill, look out — fellow bloodsucker Eric Northman may not be the only fanged man in Bon Temps, Louisiana, that has his eyes on your beloved Sookie Stackhouse. Snoop Dogg says he wants to swoop into town and cause some havoc.

"You know I'm down with it," Snoop said of name-checking the popular HBO series on his new single, "Gangsta Luv." "I love that show. I wish I could be on it. I'd be a hell of a vampire, don't you think? So what's happenin'? 'True Blood,' get at me — Snoop Dogg wants to be a vampire."

We can see it now: The Dogg facing off in a fight to the death with Lafayette in a season finale.

The Streets Is Talking: News & Notes From the Underground

We still call him Killer Kill when we see him! Mike Bigga (a.k.a. Killer Mike) told us recently he definitely jumped at the chance to get on the record "Street Cred" with Gucci Mane and Drake. But don't think he got sheepish for one second rapping alongside two of the guys that made this year's Hottest MCs in the Game list. Mike has got down with the elite from the beginning of his career, from Outkast to T.I. (Mike is signed to Grand Hustle) and now with Gucc and Drizzy.

"Gucci called me. He said, 'I wanna get you on a song.' It's me, him and Drake — go figure. I love it.

"Everybody is different on 'Swagger Like Us,' everybody is different on 'Forever,' " he added about the variety of styles you get on "Street Cred." "I'm murderville a track. I'm going spazzmatic. You know what I'm doing. I'm rapping like my jugular is popping out my throat. That's what I do. I'm like, [look out for] that and a song with me and Tip that No I.D. produced."

Mike, who released the Underground Atlanta compilation in late August, says 2010 is going to be his year, especially with a solo album coming out on Grand Hustle.

"I think next year I'mma make sure the sleepers ain't sleeping," he added. "I'm here. I appreciate the artists who have recognized it — from Gucci to Tip, to Dro to Kuntry — that have helped me put the mashed down and just let them know I'm finnin' to have my hand pressed firmly against the game's neck next year."

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

• Snoop Dogg
• Killer Mike
• Gucci Mane
• Drake

Snoop Dogg
Photo: MTV News

Snoop Dogg says he's not getting in the ring to grapple, but we all know the West Coast icon has a pimp hand that's long and strong. On Monday night's "WWE Raw," Snoop will join a long line of stars — such as Jeremy Piven, Rev.Al Sharpton, Ben Roethlisberger and Shaquille O'Neal — who have served as guest hosts of the show, a staple of wrestling programming for over a decade and a half.

Snoop got an early start on his job — during last week's show, he got to oversee a match between two of the company's top stars, John Cena and Triple H.

"I'm going hard in the yard with the WWE," said Snoop, who's been an avid follower of wrestling since he was child. "I'm a big fan of wrestling. They want me to take over the show, so I'm going to take over the show and do what I do. In the meantime in-between time, I'm setting up the biggest match ever, Triple H versus John Cena. Oooh weee!"

When asked if he would in fact step inside the ring to participate in his own match, the Doggfather said that was a negative.

"I don't do no fighting, baby — not me," he laughed.

Snoop does know how to fight, however. A couple of years back at "WrestleMania XXIV" in Orlando, Florida, the legendary rapper jumped in the ring and clotheslined Italian superstar Santino Marella.

"WWE Raw" will air Monday night live from Jacksonville, Florida, on the USA Network. Along with making the wrestling rounds, Snoop is also pushing his next album, Malice N Wonderland, which hits stores December 8. The video for the first single, "Gangsta Luv," officially debuts Tuesday.

"Me and Paul Hunter shot the video," Snoop explained. "The video is us in a big ol' Cadillac riding through the city ... just being driven where we can come up on you. It's just a fun and exciting video. Snoop Dogg is known for making fun and exciting videos that last, and you wanna see them over and over again. I wanted to get back to the spirit of doing that, and that's what I did in this video."

• Snoop Dogg

Justin Timberlake performs in Las Vegas, NV
Photo: Bryan Haraway/ PictureGroup

LAS VEGAS — When it comes to attracting big names for charity, Justin Timberlake has no trouble. Saturday night in Las Vegas saw the wide reach of JT's star power, with a diverse lineup of artists from Snoop Dogg to Taylor Swift taking part in his second annual Justin Timberlake & Friends Concert, benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children at Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino. While last year's show boasted many onstage collaborations, Justin had high hopes for this year's event — which included the aforementioned Doggfather and country queen, plus Alicia Keys, TLC, Timbaland, Ciara and Jay Sean.

"There were a lot of acts this year that weren't able to get here till today, so there weren't as many collabs as I had in my brain," Timberlake told MTV News during rehearsals. "But I think that's always the case, it's kind of like [when] you do an album and you write, like, 40 songs, and then 12 of them make it. ... But still, just having everyone out and getting to see them do their set — there are a couple of things that have never been performed onstage. There's a new song from [Timbaland] tonight, from his record that we did together. I think Snoop's doing a new song from his new record. So it's kinda cool for them too, because it's like perfect test marketing."

The night saw Justin wearing many hats (including a fedora) — acting as emcee, performer and maestro. He even kept the crowd updated with the Yankees/Angels score in between sets. But the fans were there for music, and they sure got their money's worth.

Jay Sean kicked off the night's performances, accompanied by U.K. beatbox champion MC Zani. The duo took a different take on the British singer's current hit, "Down," starting off with a beatbox intro and acoustic guitar, until launching into a full version of the song with Justin's band — which served as the house band for the whole evening.

Next up was Taylor Swift, and Justin assured everyone that there would be no Kanye-style stage crashing on his watch. "Don't worry, guys, I got security on the sides, so no one can come up and ruin her set," Timberlake told the crowd.

As soon as Swift hit the opening notes of "You Belong With Me," she had the crowd on their feet. Her raucous set was full of hair tosses and hip swings, impressive for the silver dress she performed in, dripping with what looked like diamonds. Her set got even more dazzling when she strapped on a shimmery acoustic guitar for "Love Story."

Justin introduced the next artist as "one of the greatest musicians of my generation." Alicia Keys then strutted across the stage in a stunning pair of red pumps, and took a seat at her piano to belt out "Doesn't Mean Anything." After the song, Alicia addressed the crowd.

"I wanna tell you a little about myself, where I'm from," she said, launching into the hook from "Empire State of Mind" then going right into "Fallin'," which sounded even more impressive with the house band's backup singers. The Mandalay Bay Events Center could barely contain the energy.

For the next performance, JT told the crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen, asses up, give it up for the one and only, legendary T-L-C!" Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozanda "Chilli" Thomas' first performance in six years sent the crowd into a frenzy, as the duo tore through a barrage of hits — "FanMail," "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg," "What About Your Friends," "Baby Baby Baby," "Creep," "Waterfalls" and "No Scrubs." While founding member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes is no longer with us, her presence was still in the room as her vocals were filled in by live performance footage on the screen.

	Justin Timberlake & Friends Perform In Las Vegas, NV

The next performance brought the night's first on-stage collaboration. After Justin got the crowd moving to "Señorita," he welcomed Ciara onstage for "Love Sex Magic." The crowd stayed on their feet for the rest of Ciara's set — "Goodies" and "1, 2 Step."

Next up was Snoop Dogg, who performed "Drop It Like It's Hot," "What's My Name" and new single "Gangsta Love." Continuing the night's collaborations, Snoop told the crowd, "Since my homeboy Justin asked me to come out here tonight, I'm gonna ask him to come out right now." The guys broke into "Signs," doing a little two-step action.

Justin took the reins, jumping into a medly of "Summer" and "Chop Me Up," with Timbaland coming out to do his verse on "Chop." Tim stayed on stage for "Give It to Me," which had girls spilling into the aisles to dance. The duo then broke into the brand-new song that Justin had promised, the title of which they never announced. It features an anthemic chorus with the lyrics "Turn me on now" and a breakdown that repeats "What's your name?/ What's your number?/ I'm glad I came, so you can take my order."

Two hours into the show, it was time for Justin to take over. JT launched into an acrobatic mash-up of hits — both his and other artists'. It started with an acoustic rendition of "Like I Love You," then transitioned to Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" during the "Like I Love You" chorus. Next was Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody," mixed with the lyrics of "Cry Me a River," then going back to the KOL chorus. "Lovestoned" followed, blended with Coldplay's "Viva la Vida."

The night seemingly was coming to an end as Justin sat down at a piano for a heartfelt performance of "What Goes Around ... /... Comes Around," but although he announced it was his last song, he changed his mind.

"I'm in the mood," he told the Vegas crowd. He shouted to his band to freestyle on the next song, and they settled on "Until the End of Time."

The show ended just shy of midnight, capping off another successful year for Justin and his charity. Honors are especially due for Justin's bandmembers, who spent nearly three hours on stage backing up the night's performers.

• Justin Timberlake Takes Over Las Vegas

• Justin Timberlake & Friends Perform In Las Vegas, NV

• Justin Timberlake
• Taylor Swift
• Alicia Keys
• TLC
• Timbaland

Snoop Dogg
Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images

ATLANTA — Snoop Dogg's video for "Gangsta Luv," featuring The-Dream, should be out soon, and his next LP, Malice N Wonderland, is ready for a December release.

"I start off with so much malice in my heart when the record kicks in," Snoop explained Friday night at T.I.'s Grand Hustle Studios; the Dogg was in town for the BET Hip-Hop Awards. "By the time I get to the end of the record, I'm in Wonderland. I'm feeling good about life. I'm celebrating, happy about my wife, my kids, life in general. It's just a roller coaster of what I'm going through as I speak.

"I've always juggled the line: 'Should I make a gangster record? 'Cause I could kill all you rappers if I wanted to,' " Snoop continued. "Then I have to sit back and say, 'I'm a business, so I'm gonna make records that can help me in this business.' I have to make radio records, but when I don't care, y'all in trouble."

Snoop is juggling his role as an artist and newly appointed exec at Priority Records.

"I haven't started off trying to sign no new acts right now," he said. "My main focus is making sure my record comes through that channel the appropriate way so I can set a standard. It's like what we did with Death Row back in the day. We knew how dope everybody was, but until we got [Dr. Dre's] Chronic album off the ground, that was the foundation. This Malice N Wonderland is my Chronic album to get this foundation off the ground. Once we do that, we'll look to see if there's somebody worth signing or somebody that's blowing up on the West Coast like Nipsey Hussle or somebody doing their thing that might need to be taken under my wing. That's what I'm gonna provide."

• Snoop Dogg

Ice Cube arrives at the 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images

ATLANTA — At the Atlanta Civic Center, Young Jeezy — who often has high-profile guests to join him onstage — pulled off a huge move during the BET Hip-Hop Awards, kicking off the show by bringing out surprise guest Jay-Z. Hov and Young opened the show with "As Real As It Gets," with the two hip-hop heavyweights going back and forth on verses. With the audience on their feet by song's end, Jeezy said, "Welcome to Atlanta."

Jay later took home the MVP of the Year award, beating out such popular peers as Lil Wayne and Drake. Hov dedicated his win to Mr. Magic, Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube. "Brooklyn, we did it again," he said at the conclusion of his brief speech.

Other big winners announced during the show were Drake for Rookie of the Year and DJ AM for DJ of the Year.

Busta Rhymes stood in for the turntable great, who passed away in August. "I'm honored to accept this," he said. Rhymes also saluted his recently deceased personal DJ, Roc Raida, and pioneer Mr. Magic who formatted his New York radio show with 100 percent hip-hop in the 1980s.

DJ Drama was the house DJ, with DJ Khaled serving as the show's MC. Mike Epps, the show's host, did a short stand-up routine as he cracked the mic, clowning on everyone from Lil Mama to Snoop Dogg. And after Faboulous performed "Throw it in the Bag" and its remix with The-Dream, the crowd was treated with some throwback flavor.

As Fonzworth Bentley and the New Boyz announced the nominees for Rookie of the Year, legendary hip-hop duo Kid 'N Play made their way onstage. The Boyz had proclaimed to be rap's first two-man team to dance as well as rock the mic, prompting Kid 'N Play's entrance to "Rollin' With Kid and Play" to perform their signature dance.

One of the standout stars of the show was ATL's Gucci Mane, who performed several times throughout the night, changing into outfits that included his snow-white fur and jewelry pieces like his outrageous iced-out egg beater. Gucci first came out with Mario for "Break Up" and then took over the stage, bringing out Plies for "Wasted." Gucci also appeared with Soulja Boy, OJ Da Juiceman and a umbrella-toting Shawty Lo for "Gucci Bandana." Mr. Mane's night ended with Wale as they performed the stage debut of "Pretty Girls."

Snoop Dogg also logged multiple stage appearances, debuting his own new record, "Gangsta Luv," with The-Dream (transitioning into a finale of "Gin and Juice") and keeping the crowd on their feet during a surprise highlight, Dorrough's "Ice Cream Paint Job" remix — a remix that included the song's star as well as Jim Jones, Soulja Boy and Nipsey Hussle.

Ice Cube was honored with the I Am Hip-Hop award, with an introductory video that included a voice-over from Dr. Dre. "From that first rhyme he spit for me, I knew Cube was a star," Dre said. The award was presented to the former N.W.A member by Young Jeezy and Cube's favorite MC, Chuck D.

	The 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards

"Without Chuck D, we'd be on a real bad collision course," Cube said in his speech. The legendary trailblazer also called for the hip-hop nation to do "what we feel" and encouraged old b-boys to "keep doing your music" and not let anybody push them out. "As long as you got a tongue, you're not too old to rap," he added.

During breaks, BET showed videotaped packages of their now-famous "cypher" rap sessions. DJ Premier played a beat while three sets of MCs rapped. The first set included KRS-One and Wale, while the second set showcased Joe Budden and Nicki Minaj. The rhyme of the night went to Eminem, however — his session included Black Thought and Mos Def. Em hit a rapid-fire flow that addressed everything from sex to Barack Obama.

Veterans the Goodie Mob ended the night with powerful, high-octane renditions of their classics "Cell Therapy" and "Get Rich to This." It was the group's first televised reunion after nearly a decade apart and had the entire audience singing along in their hometown.

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

• Ice Cube
• Young Jeezy
• Jay-Z
• Lil Wayne
• Drake

Young Jeezy performs in Cincinnati on Thursday
Photo: Gil Kaufman / MTV News

CINCINNATI — From the screams and shout-back lyrics in the near-capacity crowd at Riverbend Amphitheater on Thursday night, you'd think Lil Wayne had never visited the Queen City. In fact, Weezy was here earlier this year, playing the local arena to an equally enthusiastic audience. And, as if further proof were needed that he's "the best rapper alive," as he frequently reminded his faithful in neon letters on the big screen above the stage, even a surprise appearance by Snoop Dogg couldn't steal the spotlight from Weezy F. Baby on this night.

With just a handful of dates left on the America's Most Wanted tour, Wayne's 90-minute show provided ample proof that even if his long-rumored "rock" album, Rebirth, doesn't end up riff-packed as advertised, the New Orleans-bred MC still has plenty of love for headbanging and guitar slangin'.

	Weezy And Yeezy Perform In Cincinatti

For much of the show, Wayne was backed by his hard-hitting four-piece band, which grinded out power chords that would do a metal-loving bar band proud, particularly on the (literally) explosive opening tune, "A Milli," which was accompanied by showers of sparks, flash bangs and Kiss-worthy pyro.

The show opened much more quietly several hours earlier with brief sets from Jeremih and Pleasure P, who warmed the stage up for Soulja Boy Tell'em. The teenage rapper stormed out with his four man S.O.D. Money crew, dressed in camo shorts and matching green Ed Hardy shirt, his coaster-size watch and diamond studded globe chain nearly blinding everyone in the first 10 rows.

With each tune punctuated by tooth-rattling samples of gunshots, Soulja Boy largely ignored his older hits in favor of tracks like "Gucci Bandana," getting the largely female crowd teetering back and forth in unison to the molasses-thick, rib rattling bass thump of "Turn My Swag On."

He took the stage solo for "Kiss Me Through The Phone," but curiously ignored the tune that made him famous, "Crank That."

Young Jeezy was next, augmented by a single hype man and a DJ for trunk rattlers like "My Hood" and "Trap or Die," occasionally dropping out the beat entirely and pushing through his street-smart lyrics in just his hoarse holler.

And then Snoop Dogg came out. The surprise appearance by the Doggfather — who was hanging backstage with Cincinnati legend/Parliament-Funkadelic bassist Bootsy Collins earlier in the night — drew hollers from the crowd. Dressed in a powder-blue tracksuit, Snoop took the mic for a few verses of "Gin and Juice" before leaving in a puff of smoke as Jeezy rolled into "Put On," during which his black-clad band bounced out, black bandanas covering their faces.

Now backed by a guitar, bass, keyboards, a drummer and a three-piece horn section, Jeezy worked through the hook of "Love in This Club" (warning "this ain't no motherf---ing R&B show") before sliding into the more thug-riffic "Imma Do Me." How large is Jeezy? As the strains of this year's unofficial inaugural anthem, "My President," boomed out, Jeezy saluted, thanked the crowd and walked off stage without dropping a single lyric from the tune.

By the time Wayne came out, the amphitheater — which was nearly empty when the show began — was packed with girls in their micro-mini, gladiator-sandal finest and the suburban dudes grinding right behind them. They joined Wayne in pointing to the east and west during "Got Money," looked up to the clear night sky for "Phone Home" and shouted along to Weezy's verse on "Swagga Like Us," which was accompanied by rolling drums and a squealing guitar solo.

With barely a moment to breathe, Wayne dove right into "Mr. Carter" during an opening barrage that played like one of his mixtapes, as hot jam after jam was rolled out by DJ 4our 5ive, who kept things moving briskly. As you might expect, giant, face-flushing flames shot up during the nearly-metal take on "Fireman" before Wayne took a moment to pay homage to a trio of rap greats — Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur and Jay-Z — with verses from each. He, of course, added himself to the hip-hop triumvirate, as "the best rapper alive" blazed across the on-stage screens and he strapped on a Gibson Les Paul guitar for a shambling rumble through Aerosmith's "Walk This Way."

"Prom Queen" turned into a trip to a Vegas-worthy strip club as four dancers with pom-poms shook it while Wayne's guitarist blasted out an Eddie Van Halen-worthy solo amid synchronized stripper pole routines. In case you didn't get it, the stage filled with huge clouds of green smoke for "Kush," as a half dozen fog geysers accompanied a Cypress Hill-like woozy bass thump.

Wayne's "daddy," Birdman, did his nightly cameo on "We Takin' Over," "Run This City" and "Always Strapped," before the show hit a bit of a lull as Weezy brought out the Young Money All-Stars one at a time for some shine. Though Nicki Minaj made eyeballs pop with her liquid leather pants and a silver-and-blue bustier during her speed-rap spotlight (and despite a co-sign from Baby), up-and-comers like Lil Twist, Lil Chuckee and Gudda Gudda got polite applause.

Finally, nearly an hour into the show, Weezy dipped deeper into songs from Tha Carter III, grinding through the dark dirges "3 Peat" and "Let the Beat Build" and gladly getting cuffed by four sexy cops during "Mrs. Officer." The stripper poles came out again for "Lollipop," which rocked like Travis Barker had gotten his thunderpaws on it, though it was hard to know what to watch as Wayne thrust at Minaj while flames shot up and scantily clad dancers tossed money at each other.

At the end of the night, Wayne stood center stage surrounded by his extended Young Money family, but you can be sure all eyes were on Mr. Carter.

• Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne At America's Most Wanted Stop In Cincinnati

• Snoop Dogg
• Young Jeezy
• Lil Wayne

Michael Jackson in 1990
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

Just hours after news broke that Michael Jackson had died of cardiac arrest, several artists — Sheryl Crow, Snoop Dogg, Timbaland and Fat Joe — and two reverends — Al Sharpton and Rev Run — called in to MTV to talk about the singer's life and legacy for the show, "Michael Jackson: A Tribute."

"I knew Michael since the mid-'70s," Al Sharpton recalled. "But we got tight in the '80s because by then James Brown had kind of adopted me as a son, and Michael was a James Brown fanatic. He used to always come to see James Brown ... I remember though, the thing that was kind of spooky to me this afternoon, I remember I got a call in the middle of the night before James Brown's last funeral, and it was the mortician saying that Michael wanted to visit the funeral home. ... He viewed the body and we convinced him to stay for the funeral and he spoke at the funeral.

"He talked about how he hopes that as a legend James Brown will get the due in death he never got in life, and I felt the same way about Michael. I hope now the genius and humanity of Michael Jackson gets its due."

Timbaland, who sounded very upset when he spoke on the show, said, "He was just a fabulous guy. Phenomenal. I watched him as a kid and I was like, 'Man, he works very hard.' His music was incredible. Everybody from Chris Brown to everybody who started dancing — he influenced all of that."

Fat Joe called in to remember the effect that Jackson's music had on him in his youth. "This is probably [among] the top three worst days of my life. MJ — you know I'm a gangsta rapper so we always got that hard edge, but at the end of the day, the king is the king.

"I can go down the list: there wouldn't be no Usher, there wouldn't be no Chris Brown. There wouldn't be nobody without MJ. There wouldn't be no Justin. He was just harmony on Earth. I never think MJ ever did anything wrong in his life. He was just a beautiful soul on this earth."

Rev Run and Snoop Dogg both called in to the show and recalled Jackson's strong sense of pride in his career and with his fans. "The thing that went through my mind was that he lived so big. He just worked it so hard. He was such a big imagination. He danced, he sang, he pushed so hard to entertain us," Rev said. "He was so driven that it was really amazing. I think the best thing that Michael will leave is his ability to captivate people. He captivated us."

Snoop Dogg added, "I feel like his music will never die and his spirit will never die, because he influenced so many if us. He gave us a lot of hope that we feel like we can be big. He was very inspiring and up close and personal with his fans. That to me was special. That's one of the things that I loved about Mike. When I got a chance to meet him, that's the feeling and spirit that I got from him."

MTV will be paying tribute to MJ throughout the weekend with music videos, exclusive performances and calls and tweets from celebrity admirers and friends. For everything we've got on the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit "Michael Jackson Remembered."

Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below.

• Michael Jackson's Video Legacy
• Remembering Michael Jackson
• Michael Jackson: A Tribute
• A Celebration Of Michael Jackson On MTV

• Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos
• Fans Mourn The Loss Of Music Icon Michael Jackson

• Michael Jackson
• Fat Joe
• Timbaland
• Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg (file)
Photo: Scott Gries/ Getty Images

Snoop Dogg has denied striking a fan — who is suing the rapper for millions of dollars — with a brass-knuckle microphone at a 2005 Seattle concert.

In a Santa Monica, California, court on Monday, Snoop (real name: Calvin Broadus), claimed he went straight to his tour bus immediately after Richard Monroe Jr. rushed the stage at the performance, according to The Associated Press.

Monroe has claimed that he was attacked and had alcohol poured on him during Snoop's performance of "Gin and Juice." According to the rapper's lawyers, Snoop's bodyguards thought the MC was being attacked when Monroe jumped onstage. A video was played in court, and Snoop identified the people involved in the scuffle as being security staff employed by the Game (who also performed at the concert).

That part of the trial brought a moment of levity to the proceedings: When one person on the screen was difficult to identify, Snoop said to his attorney, "Man! I can't [make] it out — a lot of bald heads."

Monroe claimed he was hit by a microphone and attacked by bodyguards while onstage, and woke up nude, in a pool of blood, after the incident. He said he had gone onstage after what he thought was a request for audience members to join the performers.

Snoop testified that he did not hit the fan, and responded to the claims by telling the courtroom, "The best way for the injuries not to have occurred was for him to stay in his seat and enjoy the show like the rest of the fans."

Monroe's lawyers claimed that the rapper did not have a clear recollection of the events that evening, but the judge did not allow them to ask Snoop if he had used drugs during the concert.

Monroe, who initially brought the case to court in 2006, is seeking $22 million in damages. A 12-person jury will determine whether he receives any money; the trial is expected to last throughout the week.

• Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg with his wife, Shante Broadus
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images

In the wake of a confusing report on TMZ.com speculating that Snoop Dogg's wife, Shante Broadus, might be dead — which spread rapidly across the Internet on Friday morning (April 10) — the rapper's manager dismissed the report to MTV News as "ridiculous."

TMZ reported that an anonymous tipster called into the California Highway Patrol, which later posted the tip on the CHP Web site, saying that Snoop "has the dead body of his wife in his basement." The incident appeared as a "possible fatality" on the Web site.

The tipster called in at 3:19 p.m. Thursday afternoon to report the "fatality," while Snoop was hosting a show on the Internet. According to TMZ, the Highway Patrol did not forward the report to the L.A. County Sheriff's Department.

Snoop Dogg (real name: Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr.), 37, married Shante Taylor Broadus, in June 1997; the two had been high school sweethearts. Seven years into the marriage, Snoop filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences, but the couple reconciled and renewed their wedding vows in January 2008.

"I thought I was the man, and I was willing to give up what I had at home for that," Snoop told The Associated Press in 2007, "until I realized that what I had at home was irreplaceable. So I gave that up to go back home."

The pair have three children together, Corde, Cordell and Cori, all of whom star along with the couple on the reality show, "Father Hood."

"Sometimes you lose focus because this Hollywood entertainment world can throw you off track," he told the AP. "That's why you see me doing things like this television show and my own football league, and the positive things I do, because I'm back aware again."

• Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg and T.I. on the set of "Day Dreaming"
Photo: MTV News

HOLLYWOOD — While T.I. loves DJ Drama, that doesn't mean Dram gets any preferential treatment.

"Drama is Grand Hustle," Tip said on the set of Drama's "Day Dreaming" video. "Grand Hustle is me all day. I don't do Drama's records for him more than I do any of my other artists' records for them. If it's a record they have an idea for me being on, I wait for them to do all their [other] records. The record they approach me and say, 'Hey, this the one I think I need you on,' I listen. At the end of the day, I defer to their comment. 'Is this the one? OK.' And we do it."

Tip joins Akon and Snoop Dogg on the record with vocal performances.

"Drama called me up and was like, 'Yo, 'Kon, what's the deal?' " Akon recalled of how he got on the song. "I said, 'What's up, bro?' He said, 'I ain't talking to you no more. Can I get my record?' I stopped everything I was doing to make sure he got it."

Akon was on tour in Canada at the time, so he took awhile laying his part for "Day Dreaming," but Drama got it right on time.

"It's a big song," Drama boasted during lunchtime on the set. "Three international superstars, so we definitely had to make it major. It's about when you might see a young lady and you get some thoughts in your head or some visions or some dreams."

"It's pretty much about being enticed by a go-go dancer," Akon elaborated. "There's always that one [you see in the club] that makes you be like, 'Why is she in here? I wanna take care of that one.' So it's that vision of what that is right there.

"This is nothing like what [Drama] is normally pushing [on Gangsta Grillz mixtapes]," Akon continued. "I think he's at the stage now where he realizes that as a DJ, he has to grow and take himself to the next level."

Drama is feeling very presidential these days. In the video, he sports his new "Barack O'Drama" iced-out piece.

"I've been calling myself that since about February '07," Drama said. "It's a beautiful thing that I can rock the name proudly, and Barack Obama is president of the United States right now.

"I'm the mixtape president," he added. "I've been the king. There have been other kings, but after what I went through with the raid situation and what I accomplished in the mixtape game and what I've done since then, I feel I need to be the president. I may not be the last. Right now, I'm in office and I'm standing in front of you moving the mixtape game forward."

Drama's official LP, Gangsta Grillz 2: The Album (The Mixtape President), is in stores May 19. In addition to Snoop, T.I. and Akon, it features guest spots from Lil Jon and Dram's Aphilliates Music Group family, such as La the Darkman and Willie the Kid.

• Akon On The Set Of DJ Drama's 'Day Dreaming'

• T.I.
• Snoop Dogg
• Akon
• DJ Drama

Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Calle 13, More At Los Premios MTV

• 50 Cent
• Snoop Dogg
• Calle 13

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

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

Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne At America's Most Wanted Stop In Cincinnati

• Lil Wayne
• Young Jeezy
• Snoop Dogg
• Soulja Boy Tell'em

Nine Inch Nails, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Many More At Bonnaroo 2009

• Nine Inch Nails
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• Erykah Badu
• Snoop Dogg
• MGMT

On The Set Of DJ Drama's "Daydreamin' " Video Shoot

• DJ Drama
• T.I.
• Akon
• Snoop Dogg

Total Finale Live: Performances

• Beyoncé
• Fall Out Boy
• 50 Cent
• Snoop Dogg
• Ludacris

Total Finale Live: Rehearsals

• Fall Out Boy
• Snoop Dogg
• Ludacris
• Nelly

Total Finale Live: Show Highlights

• Taylor Swift
• Snoop Dogg
• Justin Timberlake
• Kid Rock

VMA: Rap Royalty

• Jay-Z
• Kanye West
• 50 Cent
• Snoop Dogg
• Eve

Miley Cyrus, Snoop Dogg, Jonas Brothers, More At KIIS-FM's Wango Tango 2008

• Miley Cyrus
• Snoop Dogg
• Jonas Brothers
• Flo Rida
• Danity Kane