Lupe Fiasco
Photo: MTV News

• Lupe Fiasco
• Ben Harper
• Amy Winehouse
• Juliette & the Licks
• Kings Of Leon

Britney Spears
Photo: Chris Jri Mat/ bauer-griffin.com

Britney Spears took over a paparazzi video camera and made her own statement over the weekend, sarcastically noting that the world is nice, the press always prints the truth and "my management totally knew what they were doing when they sent me to rehab — they're so right!" The singer did two takes of the video, posted on X17Online.com, and noted, "You have to believe everything you read, because you're smart, and I'm stupid." ...

The family of the late Notorious B.I.G. has filed another wrongful-death lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles, according to documents obtained by TMZ.com. The new suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, involves state-related claims and names two ex-police officers as co-defendants. The rapper's mother, two children and widow, singer Faith Evans, are suing for unspecified general, compensatory and punitive damages. ...

Carrie Underwood reigned at the CMT Music Awards Monday night, with her "Before He Cheats" clip nabbing trophies for female video, overall video and also video director of the year. "Thank you, fans," the former "American Idol" winner said in her acceptance speech. "I've had such an amazing, blessed two years. I started out on a fan-based show, and you guys have continued to support me throughout everything." Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts and Sugarland also won big. ... Speaking of Idols, former finalist Elliott Yamin is celebrating the #3 Billboard albums chart debut of his self-titled debut with a 25-city tour across the States. The jaunt will start May 15 in Atlanta and hit New York, Philadelphia and Detroit before winding down June 19 in Tuscon, Arizona. ...

Paris Hilton is scheduled to appear in court May 4 for allegedly driving with a suspended license, The Associated Press reports. Los Angeles city prosecutors contend that the heiress violated her probation and that it should be revoked, which could lead to a sentence of up to 90 days in jail. Hilton was arrested in September for alcohol-related reckless driving and later sentenced to 36 months' probation. ... On Monday, actor Rip Torn pleaded guilty to charges of driving while impaired, AP reports. He agreed to pay $380 and give up his license for 90 days. ... Some prospective jurors in the trial of Phil Spector are already saying that they've made up their minds about the embattled music producer, AP reports. "Honestly, I think he did it," one woman said during jury selection Tuesday in Los Angeles. Roughly 100 people are being questioned for jury service for the trial, and none of the prospective jurors have been removed from the panel yet. ...

Avril Lavigne's The Best Damn Thing dropped Tuesday (April 17), but she's making room for hubby Deryck Whibley and his Sum 41, who just put a new single, "March of the Dogs," on iTunes. The band is gearing up for the release of its fourth studio LP, Underclass Hero, which drops July 24. ... Bobby Valentino previewed songs from his forthcoming album, Special Occasion, Monday night at New York's Canal Room as part of Vibe magazine's VSessions. The Southern singer belted his current hit, "Anonymous." ... BET's "106 & Park" co-host Terrance J was joined by his co-host Rosci, DJ Clue, Joe Budden and members of the New York Giants Monday night to celebrate his birthday at night club Sol in Manhattan, New York. ...

Chuck D, DMC and Large Professor are lighting up Guitar Center's "GC Sessions" educational-forum series for musicians. The three will convene at Manhattan, New York's Guitar Center on April 26 and are slated to perform as well. ... Speaking of artists showing up at unlikely venues, Tapes 'N Tapes, Dinosaur Jr., the Rapture, Klaxons, Rogue Wave and the Ponys are among the acts who are staging free in-store shows at Urban Outfitters outlets as part of the Free Yr Radio Tour to benefit indie radio stations. The tour kicked off last week and will run through July 21. ...

Queens of the Stone Age major-domo Josh Homme gives fellow QOTSA contributor Chris Goss a boost with his Goon Moon project on its Licker's Last Leg, due May 8. The band also features Jeordie White — a.k.a. Nine Inch Nails bassist Twiggy Ramirez — and the disc also guests drummers Josh Freese of NIN and Zach Hill of Hella. ... Fishbone are coming back April 24, after six years of silence, with a new record: Still Stuck in Your Throat. The album was recorded in spurts over 2005 and 2006 with producer David Kahne, who helmed some of their earliest works. Look for the set to include "Jackass Brigade," "We Just Lose Our Minds," "The Devil Made Me Do It" and a cover of Sublime's "Date Rape." ...

Dopesnake, the first album by Hollywood Roses, will feature some of the more impressive guest stars you'll see playing with a Guns N' Roses tribute band. Even more surprising: The band also covers non-GN'R songs on the LP. Ex-GN'R member and current Rockstar Supernova axeman Gilby Clarke joins two members of Cinderella for a cover of Van Halen's "Ice Cream Man"; Rolling Stones's Mick Taylor chimes in on a cover of Thin Lizzy's "Jailbreak"; Pat Travers lends a hand on "Lights Out"; and two more former GN'R members, Tracii Guns and Teddy Zig Zag (a.k.a. Teddy Andreadis), also provide support. The LP, produced by Bradley Cook (Queens of the Stone Age, Yellowcard) drops May 15. ...

Elvis Presley's Graceland is getting a fresh marketing push, Washington Post reports. The "Discover Your Inner Elvis" campaign is the first time the company is advertising nationally on TV, radio, print and beyond. ... On a similar note, a Led Zeppelin-themed roller coaster is planned for the Hard Rock Theme Park, which is under construction in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The looping, 150-foot-tall steel roller coaster, called "Led Zeppelin - The Ride," will feature a high-fidelity onboard audio system that soars to Zep's "Whole Lotta Love." The 140-acre theme park is scheduled to open in spring 2008 and will boast more than 40 attractions for rockers of all ages.

4.16.2007

Madonna arrived in Malawi on Monday (April 16) with David Banda, the Malawian boy she is adopting, to continue her charity work in the country, Reuters reports. The visit is fueling rumors the singer wants to adopt a second child. ...

Jennifer Lopez hopes to tour in support of Como Ama Una Mujer, she told MTV Europe — and reveals that she'll have more music out before the year is up. "I have an [English-language] album that's coming out this year that I'm finishing up right now," she said. "First single in June, so it's a big musical year for me." ... Two Anna Nicole Smith diaries up for auction over the weekend failed to sell, ABC News reports. They're now available for a minimum big of $25,000 apiece at Dallas' Heritage Auction Galleries. ...

Senator Hillary Clinton isn't about to get embroiled in the Sanjaya Malakar hubbub, The Associated Press reports. When asked about the "American Idol" hopeful on a New Hampshire radio station, the Democratic presidential candidate diplomatically replied, "Well, you know, people can vote for whomever they want. That's true in my election, and it's true on 'American Idol.' " ... Kirsten Dunst, Tobey Maguire and other "Spider-Man 3" castmembers strolled down the red carpet at film's world premiere in Tokyo on Monday, Reuters reports. ...

Lil Jon even represents Atlanta on ice. He's currently blogging about his love for hockey's Atlanta Thrashers at NHL.com, and revealed that while it's his 8-year-old son that actually plays the game, Jon's got his own place on the NHL team. "[Atlanta goalie] Kari Lehtonen actually has my picture on the back of his helmet," Jon wrote in a recent post. "We always go in the locker room to say 'what's up' to him before a game." Jon admits that he hasn't been following the Thrashers' every move this season, but he's tuning back in for the playoffs — and hopes to see the team bring the Stanley Cup to ATL. The Thrashers are currently in the first round of playoffs, down 2-0 in a best-of-seven series. ...

M-1 of Dead Prez appeared on Fox News' "Your World With Neil Cavuto" on Friday afternoon to debate hip-hop's role in the Don Imus scandal. The political-minded MC said drawing a parallel between rap lyrics and the racially insensitive remarks that cost Imus his job is like "comparing apples and oranges." Cavuto countered, "If Imus uses the expression and then you use the expression, you've both said 'ho,' " but M-1 noted that he didn't use the word "ho" in his lyrics. The rapper added that there's "something wrong" with offensive language being used whether it's by Imus or in hip-hop, but asserted that there is a difference between Imus' words and rap lyrics due to the "historical relationship of oppression" between black and white Americans. ...

Barry Gibb, the former Bee Gee who in 2006 bought the Johnny Cash Tennessee house that burned down last week, says he and his wife will rebuild a new home nearby. "Linda and I have decided to build our own home on the higher ground surrounding the Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash home and the original foundations shall be kept intact and preserved for the people of Hendersonville and the people of Nashville," he said in a statement obtained by AP. ... A woman injured in a car crash involving Godsmack frontman Sully Erna has had her condition upgraded to serious, according to North Andover, Massachusetts' Eagle-Tribune. Lindsay Taylor, 25, was in a coma and on life support following Wednesday's collision. Taylor was a backseat passenger in a Toyota Camry that was struck from behind by a Hummer H3 driven by Erna, who was not injured in the accident. The crash remains under investigation by state police, but so far, no citations or charges have been filed against any of the drivers involved. ...

Nickelback have raised almost $400,000 for Amnesty International and International Children's Awareness Canada via their aptly titled new single "If Everyone Cared." ... Ben & Jerry's will be releasing a new ice cream inspired by Queen. Called Bohemian Raspberry, it's the latest in a series of music-themed flavors, including Phish Food and Cherry Garcia. Sales of the ice cream will benefit the Mercury Phoenix Trust, which was established to combat AIDS worldwide. ... DJ Clue, Ray J and Lance Armstrong were among the partygoers who helped Q-Tip celebrate his birthday in New York on Saturday. The surprise party was held at a downtown Manhattan loft. ... Richard Gere is getting some serious flak in India after kissing and hugging Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty at a recent AIDS-awareness event, AP reports. Angry throngs burned effigies of the American actor in New Delhi and Mumbai, while protests broke out elsewhere in the country. ...

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge warned prospective jurors in the trial of Phil Spector on Monday that the proceedings will not be a chance for them to have their "15 minutes of fame," AP reports. The prospective jurors were to be directly questioned by lawyers on Monday afternoon, with a focus on the questionnaire answers they provided when screened a month ago. ... The Village People's policeman is off the hook, AP reports. Victor Willis was arrested last month after his girlfriend accused him of choking and threatening her. Maria Velasquez, a spokeswoman for the San Diego City Attorney's Office, said the case would not be pursued for "evidentiary reasons." ... Don Ho, the man who came to personify Hawaiian music, died on Saturday in Honolulu at age 76. Ho, best known for his kitsch classic "Tiny Bubbles," with which he opened and closed each show, died as a result of heart failure, according to The New York Times. Ho was a tourist staple on Waikiki at the Ohana Waikiki Beachcomber hotel for more than 40 years, performing his signature song and telling jokes and hosting his own ABC variety series, "The Don Ho Show," from 1976-77. His daughter, Hoku, who released her own hit album in 2000, was often featured in his live show.

• Britney Spears
• Carrie Underwood
• Elliott Yamin
• Sum 41
• Tapes 'N Tapes

Lollapalooza 2007

• Amy Winehouse
• Ben Harper
• Cold War Kids
• Motion City Soundtrack
• Muse