Too Short and Bun B
Photo: MTV News

Live from Scranton, Pennsylvania ... What it do, peoples? We're a little late today, but the Mixtape Daily family is a few hours from our secret headquarters in New York, checking out the Young Money Presents: America's Most Wanted Music Festival. We were with Weezy and Drizzy Drake for their rehearsal on Sunday night, and we're getting up with Soulja Boy and Young Jeezy (what up, Jade and B?) on Monday (July 27). For now, though, we're going to give you a real exclusive: two of our favorite legends, Too Short and Bun B. We chopped it up with the friends in Texas a while ago, when they were recording and giving up some good memories of performing at shows together. Totally unrelated: Kanye, that beat and your verse on Jay-Z's "Run This Town" are extremely ridiculous.

Cornerstone Credentials

Too Short and UGK are family as well as former labelmates. Short had a few years on Bun B and Pimp C when they started chopping it up and being cool back in the late '80s. Not only did Short Dog give the trailblazing duo game about how to deal with Jive Records, he also gave them jewels about performing. One thing that both Short and the Underground Kingz have in common is that both acts are of the people.

"Well, you know what, the one thing that I'll always remember that I got from UGK was I watched them," said Short, sitting next to Bun in the studio. "You know, I always been about keeping it simple in the studio. When you get on that stage, it's gonna be you and some other groups. Get in there, you gotta shine. So, I always say that when I was the OG and they were the youngsters, I'd always say to them, 'Come out, always do a good show.' But every time I'd see them, their show would get better and better. I just used to listen to the song selection and how they could take their fans [on a journey].

"You're talking about a group that had no singles, that had no video, and they're ripping every crowd they see," Short continued. "The crowd knows every word. And it was just amazing. I kinda came up the same way, but to just step outside and look at somebody doing it like me — these dudes have no single and they doing a 60-minute set, and the crowd is loving every second of it. UGK were not just superstars to their fans, those were my homies. You feel me? Like, you the fan, you're like, 'Oh, that's Pimp, that's my homie. That's Bun, that's my homie.' "

Bun says the same holds true today. He's such a man of the people, sometimes his fans don't recognize him even when he's right in front of their faces.

"People are always telling me I look like Bun B," Bun laughed. "People don't ever say, 'Bun B, what's up?' I went to the store to get some cigars. Girl behind the counter, she was laughing with her homegirl. I was like, 'What y'all laughing about?' She said, 'Nah, [we were] talking about how much you look like Bun B.' I was like, 'Yeah, right, like Bun B would come in here.' She said, 'Yeah, I bet people tell you that.' I said, 'Every day somebody tells me I look like Bun B.' "

"We're the kinda cats, man, we get offstage we go straight to the crowd," Short added. "I don't get bum-rushed. They just come to me like, 'Short, yo what's up, man? I just wanna shake a player's hand. I just want to take a picture.' "

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

• Mixtape Daily: Lil Wayne, Tony Yayo, The Game, More

• Too Short
• Bun B
• UGK

Too Short and Bun B
Photo: MTV News

DALLAS — Bun B has simple but perfect advice for all the artists in Dallas trying to blow up and put their town on hip-hop's national radar: "Just rep for your city," the Port Arthur, Texas, rapper said from Maximedia Studio.

Bun was recently working on UGK's final LP with one of the record's guests, Too Short. Bun and Short were in town working with producers Play N Skillz on different tracks.

While Dallas' support of hip-hop has been a staple, Bun said the city's artists haven't gotten their proper shine.

"Dallas has always been a big supporter of Houston hip-hop," Bun said. "A lot of us would not have broken on a major scale if Dallas hadn't been there to be that second major market to pick up on us and help break us. A lot of artists in Houston got broken in Dallas first before they got broken in Houston in a major way. A lot of people will be surprised that Dallas has always been the number-one market for UGK. Dallas has always bought 10 to 15 more copies of every UGK album than Houston."

"I probably did more [shows] in Dallas than Houston," Short added. "You can come out here every two weeks, and you gonna sell out."

Bun said part of the reason Dallas' hip-hop scene hasn't gotten bigger is that the artists have been trying to find their identity. At times, they've tried too hard to distinguish themselves from Southern neighbors Houston and have lost a bit of focus.

"Dallas' scene and the Houston scene is really only different because [of] the geography," Bun said. "[Houston] is a little closer to the water. We're a little bit more flatland. It's a different mentality that comes with that. We get a little more sunny weather, a little bit more wind. You come up to Dallas, it gets a little colder. They got a lot of hills, so they ride a little different. It's just a different mentality. Houston people and Dallas people talk different."

"Hold up, they talk a lot different," Short corrected his friend with a smile. "It's a totally different Southern slang."

"But they sound just like St. Louis people," Bun added.

Short and Bun are pleased to see that Dallas in on the upswing, with Play N Skillz winning a Grammy at the past ceremony and Trai'D and the GS Boyz signing major-label deals recently. Both acts have been fast-tracked to drop LPs this year, especially with the GS Boyz's "Stanky Leg" looking to be this year's "Crank That."

"I'm happy to see my region is showing up for them in numbers like they showed up for us," Bun said.

Dallas has a lot to offer! In the coming days, we're bringing you details on the city's burgeoning hip-hop movement — from dances to fashion to hairstyles and, of course, the music. We got it all, so keep checking back for more during Dallas Week.

• It's Dallas Week

• UGK
• Too Short

Travis Barker
Photo: Andrew H. Walker/ Getty Images

Though you would never suspect it from his heavily inked torso and past punk projects, former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker's dream is to wind up as the Buddy Rich-like leader of a great jazz big band.

"Ever since I started playing music, I had this idea of what I want to do, and it was to graduate to playing in a jazz big band, because that's what I started playing [in] when I first learned drums," said Barker, 32, of where he wants to be at age 50.

But for now, with his rock band (+44) in a holding pattern, the propeller-armed drummer has his head firmly planted in the hip-hop world. Barker recently released his latest home-brewed viral-sensation hip-hop remix video, a grainy clip for the Flo Rida smash "Low." Like last year's pounding video remake of Soulja Boy's "Crank That," a single-shot clip of Barker mercilessly beating the skins along to the bubble-gum ringtone hit that has drawn more than 10 million views on YouTube, the "Low" remix is as raw as it gets.

"Either an artist comes to me, or I'll approach an artist with a single I like and I feel I can do something with," said Barker of his MO when remixing rap tunes. His remixes typically include heavy rock guitars and keyboards laid over his dinosaur-stomp beats and cascade of cymbal crashes. "The video is really just the recording process for the remix, and the Soulja Boy one is the actual take of that recording. I just thought people would be interested in seeing how it was done, and I never thought it would get as crazy as it has." Since being posted earlier this week, the "Low" video has already racked up more than 300,000 views.

With the Flo Rida video just starting to gain traction, Barker has already staked out the next song he might rework: "Haterz," from Atlanta's B.O.B. Like the Soulja Boy remix, it will likely end up as an iTunes exclusive download at some point.

Barker has done similar remixes (without the low-budget videos) for Pharrell ("Can I Have It Like That"), Rihanna ("Umbrella") and Rich Boy ("Throw Some D's"), and he said his method is pretty simple: "When I flip something, it's usually a song where you love the original, but you say, 'Man, it could be this, or it could have a wall of guitars here and bass drops here,' and that's what I do," he said.

Barker recently performed the Soulja Boy remix with the rapper on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," and he said he likes to do at least one performance with each of his subjects if he can, but he's got much bigger plans for the future than just one-off shows. Among his many projects currently percolating is a remix album he hopes to have done by the end of the year and that would include his most famous work. It would also feature some new songs he is creating by going into the library of a major label (he can't say which one yet) and getting his hands on some instrumentals and a cappella tracks of classic tunes. His dream is to pair those remakes with a litany of songs he's currently sitting on, including new tracks he has recorded with Young Dro, Too Short, the Federation, E-40 and Keak Da Sneak.

When we caught up with Barker, he was, literally, in two places at once in his home studio. In one room he was producing songs for the "sick" new album from gutter-punk rapper Mickey Avalon, and in the other he was recording a cover of the Adolescents' "Amoeba" with former Blink partner — and (+44) bandmate — Mark Hoppus for inclusion on an upcoming Vans Warped Tour compilation. And though label issues scuttled his planned album-length collaboration with grill-master Paul Wall on their Expensive Taste side project, Barker is also producing some songs for Wall's yet-untitled upcoming album.

"I'm just doing what I love," said Barker. "But it's definitely flattering to see how many people have watched the videos. It's cool."

• Travis Barker
• Young Dro
• Too Short
• (+44)

Ghostface Killah's <I>The Big Doe Rehab</i>
Photo: Island Def Jam

The eight days of Hanukkah begin at sunset Tuesday (December 4), and in commemoration of the holiday, we've lined up the week's eight biggest new releases:

Ghostface Killah's The Big Doe Rehab
December 4 matters more to Ghost than to a lot of the artists dropping new releases this week, mainly because he actually had to put up a fight to keep the date. While he told Mixtape Monday in October that his seventh studio album had been cemented for a December 4 release date "for the longest [time]," he came to discover that the new Wu-Tang Clan album, The 8 Diagrams, had been pegged for the same date. But apparently in an effort to appease Ghost, RZA delayed the latter disc a week — which likely made him as content as he appears on his new CD's album cover. He has most of his fellow Clan along for the ride — RZA's nowhere to be found, though — as well as Beanie Sigel, Chrisette Michele and others on the follow-up to Fishscale, which was widely ranked as one of the best rap releases of 2006.

Wyclef Jean's Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant
Ghost's guest list pales in comparison to Wyclef's, which isn't just longer but runs the gamut in terms of music genres. Mary J. Blige, Lil Wayne, Serj Tankian, T.I., Norah Jones, Akon, Shakira, Chamillionaire and even Paul Simon play a role on the release, which features a bonus big name on pretty much every track. Pick up the deluxe edition for even more guest-star goodness — Weezy, 'Kon, Raekwon and more are featured on some of the extra CD's five additional tracks and three videos. The iTunes version of Carnival II has yet another bonus track, while the Best Buy edition comes with three Rhapsody Original extras.

DJ Drama's Gangsta Grillz: The Album
There's yet another red-hot guest list in the mix this week, and it's the one featured on Drama's long-overdue studio-LP debut. Diddy, Outkast, T.I., Young Jeezy, Lil Jon, Wayne, the Clipse, Yung Joc, Pharrell, Paul Wall and Nelly all piled onto the disc. The effort was delayed a few times due to Drama's much-publicized studio raid earlier this year and controversy over his well-known moniker, which left him time to come up with another banger or two. "What a better time to drop than during the holidays, a week and a half after Thanksgiving?" Drama recently told Mixtape Monday. "I call myself 'Mr. Thanksgiving.' "

Mariah Carey's "The Adventures of Mimi" DVD
Mirroring Justin Timberlake — who released his new "FutureSex/LoveShow - Live From Madison Square Garden" DVD only through Best Buy a couple of weeks ago — Mimi has stepped up with her own exclusive double-DVD release for the chain. Her first video package since 2000's "#1's" collection captures her October 8, 2006, concert in Anaheim, California, with 19 performances, behind-the-scenes clips, a tour documentary, a karaoke-style feature and more.

Nelly Furtado's Loose: The Concert
Furtado is feeling a bit more generous than Carey — the singer is not only releasing her concert set wide, she's also issuing it in both CD and DVD form. The former item finds Furtado running through 11 of her best-known songs while on her recent European and U.S. tours in support of Loose — including "I'm Like a Bird" and "Promiscuous" — while the expanded DVD has her covering Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" and chalking up a bunch more songs, including "Turn Off the Light" and "Powerless." In case fans need even more incentive to grab the DVD instead, it comes with a half-hour's worth of behind-the-scenes video footage with the pop star.

Styles P's Super Gangster (Extraordinary Gentleman)
We've been streaming for free the third solo effort from the D-Block member, a disc that has "Blow Ya Mind" (featuring Swizz Beatz) as its first single. But that's not the only guest P has in tow — he also tapped one of his December 4 competitors, Ghostface, as well as Beanie Sigel, Akon, Jadakiss and others. "I'm just trying to be the MC and come with good, old-fashioned street soul music," he recently told Mixtape Monday of the vibe of the effort, which marks his debut on Koch Records. "I really feel like the '90s era."

Godsmack's Good Times, Bad Times ... Ten Years of Godsmack
The hard-rock band has sold about 11 million albums in the U.S. since it formed 11 years ago, and with a dozen or so singles that rock radio has probably burned into your brain, a greatest-hits collection is only fitting. Also "good timing," so to speak — given Led Zeppelin's recent reunion — is Godsmack's cover of the classic-rockers' "Good Times, Bad Times," which kicks off the 16-song menu. Aficionados will likely want to grab the CD-plus-DVD edition, which features the band performing acoustically at the House of Blues in Las Vegas.

Blake Lewis' Audio Day Dream
Last but not least, the beatboxing "American Idol" alumnus steps up with his first album — for which he claimed to MTV News that he had invented a whole new genre. "I call it '2080,' because it's a mix of all the great pop music that's inspired me," he said of the disc, which blends funk, soul, rock and pop. The sixth-season finalist's album is led by the single "Break Anotha," which was co-written with and produced by Ryan "Alias" Tedder of One Republic, as well as other tracks Tedder helped craft. J.R. Rotem produced and co-wrote "What'cha Got 2 Lose?" with Lewis and fellow "Idol" finalist Chris Richardson, while none other than Lupe Fiasco — who cranks out his own new album, Lupe Fiasco's "The Cool," in a couple of weeks — is featured on "Know My Name."

That's a Rap: Hip-hop heads have a lot on their plate this week — in addition to all the above, there's also a new album from Scarface, Made, that features guest spots from (surprise!) Lil Wayne and T.I. Scarface's last album did well, reaching #12 on the Billboard albums chart and selling more than 300,000 copies, but with hardly any promotion behind his new effort, it's going to be tough for him to score a repeat performance. Also back in stores is Too Short, whose Get Off the Stage is coming under the radar as well — probably because it's the last release he's putting out through Jive. It features E-40, the Pack and more.

There's plenty more bristling on the archival front too, chiefly the new two-part The Best of 2Pac collection. The discs are being sold separately and feature one unreleased song and one new remix apiece: Part 1: Thug has "Resist the Temptation" and a new mix of "Dear Mama" featuring Anthony Hamilton, whose original version was nominated for a Grammy Award; while Part 2: Life contains "Dopefiend's Diner," which finds 2Pac using a vocal sample of the melody line from Suzanne Vega's "Tom's Diner," and an acoustic remix of "Thugz Mansion."

Mack 10, Fiend and Westside Connection are also getting some love from the vaults with best-of collections, while some of Eazy-E's most memorable guest spots were culled for Featuring Eazy-E. An expanded 20th-anniversary edition of N.W.A's Straight Outta Compton is also hitting stores — with five bonus slices, including a live performance of "Compton's N the House" by Dr. Dre and MC Ren, and covers of Compton tracks by Snoop Dogg, C-Murder, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Mack 10 and WC. And repping newer talent is TVT's Crunk Hits Vol. 4 comp, which has the latest crunk classics by T.I., Lil Jon, Chris Brown and more.

Song Title of the Week:

"Conjunctions, Conjunctions, Everybody Loves Them" from Memphis May Fire's Memphis May Fire

Album Cover of the Week:

Ex-Boyfriends' three different "Clue"-themed covers for In With

Other Notables:

Various artists' "Live Earth: The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis"
In case you weren't privy to the landmark 7/7/07 event, a little guy named Al Gore is trying to raise awareness about a little issue called global warming. Backing him up at the concerts were about 100 of the world's best-known musicians whose performances across the globe were whittled down for the two-hour broadcast captured on this two-DVD/one-CD set. The first video disc spotlights John Legend, Beastie Boys, Black Eyed Peas, Snow Patrol and more; the second one has Rihanna, Foo Fighters and the Smashing Pumpkins, among others; and the CD includes tunes by Madonna, John Mayer, Keane, the Police and others. The net proceeds from the sale of the package go to the Alliance for Climate Protection.

Daft Punk's Alive 2007
The Parisian house duo had a huge year, ruling at Lollapalooza and getting a big boost from Kanye West. Their new live album — the release of which was delayed in the U.S. due to production issues — tries to put all that energy into disc form by immortalizing the act's first show in their hometown in 10 years. The two-disc version comes as a bound book and houses an extra enhanced CD with five songs from Daft Punk's encore, as well as 50 pages of photos and a video of "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger," which 'Ye lifted for his song "Stronger."

Lamb of God's Sacrament - Deluxe Producer Edition
Not crazy about the metal titans' latest disc, the genre's top-selling album last year? Well, why not rework it yourself? That's what the guys are offering this week — a version of the disc with the studio tracks isolated, separated and prepared for use on Macs or PCs. Fans can rearrange or mix up the music at their whim, which means they'll have no reason to complain if they're still not happy with songs like "Walk With Me in Hell" and "Foot to the Throat."

New Releases:

· 4 Bonjour's Parties - Pigments Drift Down to the Brook (Mush)
· Aloha - Light Works (Polyvinyl)
· Ben's Brother - Beta Male Fairytales (Virgin)
· Bodies of Water - Ears Will Pop & Eyes Will Blink (Thousand Tongues)
· Bonde do Rolê - Marina Gasolina (EP; Domino)
· Daft Punk - Alive 2007 (limited-edition version comes with bonus CD; Virgin) [Buy Now]
· DJ Drama - Gangsta Grillz: The Album (Atlantic) [Buy Now]
Read: "DJ Drama May Lose His Name, But He'll Always Have Outkast"
· Ex-Boyfriends - In With (Absolutely Kosher)
· Food for Animals - Belly (Hoss)
· Nelly Furtado - Loose: The Concert (Geffen) [Buy Now]
· Ghostface Killah - The Big Doe Rehab (Def Jam [Buy Now]
· Isis - Holy Tears (EP; Ipecac)
· Wyclef Jean - Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant (Best Buy edition comes with three Rhapsody Original bonus tracks; Columbia) [Buy Now]
Read: "T.I. Kick-Starts Wyclef Jean's LP; Mary J. Blige, Akon Tagging Along"
· Blake Lewis - Audio Day Dream (Arista/J) [Buy Now]
Read: "'American Idol' Runner-Up Blake Lewis Creates Own Genre On A.D.D. Debut"
· Memphis May Fire - Memphis May Fire (Trustkill)
· Shane Newville - Formless (Syntax)
· Rademacher - Stunts (self-release)
· Scarface - Made (Asylum) [Buy Now]
· Chris Schlarb - Twilight & Ghost Stories (Asthmatic Kitty)
· Shipwreck - Rabbit in the Kitchen With a New Dress On (None)
· Styles P - Super Gangster (Extraordinary Gentleman) (Koch) [Buy Now]
· Tender Forever - Wider (K)
· Too Short - Get Off the Stage (Jive) [Buy Now]
· Armin van Buuren - Universal Religion 2008: Live From Armada at Ibiza (Ultra)
· Rufus Wainwright - Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall (with DVD; Geffen) [Buy Now]
· Woelv - Tout Seul dans la Forêt en Plein Jour, Avez-Vous Peur? (K)
· The Wreckers - Way Back Home: Live From New York City (with DVD; Warner Bros.)
· Various artists - Night Owls 4 - A Shot in the Dark (Syntax)
· Various artists - To the Fallen Records Presents Country: Volume I and Rock: Volume I (To the Fallen)
· Various artists - "P.S. I Love You" soundtrack (Atlantic)
· Various artists - "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" soundtrack (Columbia)

Notable Reissues and Archival Material:

· 2Pac - The Best of 2Pac: Part I - Thug and Part 2 - Life (Interscope) [Buy Now]
· Trace Adkins - Greatest Hits, Volume II: American Man (Capitol)
· Jason Aldean - Relentless (with bonus "Soundcheck" DVD; available exclusively at Wal-Mart)
· David Bowie - David Bowie Box (10-CD box set; ISO/Columbia) [Buy Now]
· James Brown - The Singles: Volume Four - 1966-1967 (limited-edition two-CD set; Hip-O-Select) [Buy Now]
· Nick Drake - Fruit Tree (box set with three CDs and one DVD; UMe/Fontana) [Buy Now]
· Eagles - Desperado; Eagles Live (two CDs); Eagles Greatest Hits: Volume 2; Hotel California; On the Border; One of These Nights; The Long Run; Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 and the two-CD The Very Best Of (Asylum) [Buy Now]
· Eazy-E - Featuring Eazy-E (Capitol/Priority)
· Fiend - The Best of Fiend: Mr. Whomp Whomp (Capitol/Priority)
· Godsmack - Good Times, Bad Times ... Ten Years of Godsmack (also available with DVD; Republic) [Buy Now]
· Billie Holiday - Rare Live Recordings 1935-1959 (five-CD box set; ESP Disk Ltd.)
· Lamb of God - Sacrament - Deluxe Producer Edition (with bonus CD of audio tracks that have been isolated, separated and prepared for use on Mac or PC; Epic)
· The Libertines - The Best Of: A Time for Heroes (Rough Trade) [Buy Now]
· Lindisfarne - The Very Best of Lindisfarne (Caroline)
· Mack 10 - The Best of Mack 10: Foe Life (Priority) [Buy Now]
· N.W.A - Straight Outta Compton - 20th Anniversary Edition (Capitol/Priority) [Buy Now]
· Westside Connection - The Best of Westside Connection: The Gangsta, the Killa and the Dope Dealer (Capitol/Priority)
· Various artists - Crunk Hits Vol. 4 (TVT)
· Various artists - 20 Years of Nuclear Blast (Nuclear Blast)

Music DVDs:

· Mariah Carey - "The Adventures of Mimi" (two DVDs; Best Buy exclusive) [Buy Now]
· Brian Eno - "77 Million Paintings by Brian Eno" (two DVDs; Hannibal)
· Nelly Furtado - "Loose: The Concert" (Geffen) [Buy Now]
· Pelican - "After the Ceiling Cracked" (with CD; Hydra Head)
· Scissor Sisters - "Hurrah: A Year of Ta-Dah" (Universal) [Buy Now]
· The Marshall Tucker Band - "Carolina Dreams Tour '77" (Shout! Factory/Ramblin'; one DVD and two CDs)
· Rufus Wainwright - "Rufus! Rufus! Rufus! Does Judy! Judy! Judy!: Live From the London Palladium" (Geffen)
· Various artists - "Live Earth: The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis" (two DVDs and one CD; Reprise)

Digital Releases:

· Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - American X: Baby 81 Sessions (limited-edition EP; available exclusively at ThinkIndie.com)
· Echo and the Bunnymen - B-Sides and Live (2001-2005) (Cooking Vinyl)
· Interpol - Interpol Live (EP; available exclusively at ThinkIndie.com)
· John Lennon - "John Lennon Video Album" (available exclusively at Starbucks via the iTunes Digital Release card; Capitol/EMI Music Marketing)
· Nassiri - Holiday Collection (self-release)
· Professor Murder - Professor Murder on a Desert Island (free EP; RCRD LBL)
· Various artists - Through the Wilderness: A Tribute to Madonna (Manimal Vinyl)

Coming Attractions:

December 11:
· Bow Wow and Omarion - Face Off (also available with bonus DVD; Columbia) [Preorder]
Read: "Bow Wow Says His Face Off With Omarion Will Mean A 'Whole Bunch Of #1 Records' "
· R. Kelly - "Trapped in the Closet, Chapters 1-22" DVD (Jive) [Preorder]
· Mario - Go (J) [Preorder]
· Wu-Tang Clan - The 8 Diagrams (Best Buy edition comes with exclusive DVD; Def Jam) [Preorder]
Read: "Wu-Tang Clan's 'First-Ever Cleared Beatles Sample' Claim Is Incorrect"

December 18:
· Christina Aguilera - "Back to Basics: Live and Down Under" (RCA) [Preorder]
· Mary J. Blige - Growing Pains (Geffen) [Preorder]
Read: "Mary J. Blige Says She's 'Just Fine' With Her New Album, Losing 'Umbrella' To Rihanna"
· Chamillionaire - Mixtape Messiah 4 (Universal) [Preorder]
· Chingy - Hate It or Love It (Disturbing Tha Peace) [Preorder]
· Rivers Cuomo - Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo (Geffen)
· Lupe Fiasco - Lupe Fiasco's the Cool (Atlantic) [Preorder]
Read: "Lupe Fiasco's Cool World: Tragedy Meets 'Mad Poppy Beats'"
· Rick Ross - Trilla (Def Jam) [Preorder]

December 25:
· Various artists - "High School Musical 2": Non-Stop Dance Party (Disney)
· Various artists - "Young Frankenstein: The New Mel Brooks Musical" (Decca Broadway)

• Ghostface Killah
• Wyclef Jean
• Mariah Carey
• Nelly Furtado
• DJ Drama

Gwen Stefani's <i>The Sweet Escape</i>
Photo: Interscope

Gwen Dolin': Gwen Stefani snagged Pharrell — not to mention Akon, No Doubt bandmate Tony Kanal and Depeche Mode's Martin Gore — for her second solo affair, The Sweet Escape. But fans who want to hear a little more of Mr. Williams had the opportunity to get the original Neptunes mix of "Wind It Up" via the iTunes preorder, which also carried live audio and video versions of the track. And if you find yourself traveling to the U.K. anytime soon, you might want to get the edition that's appearing there: It's bolstered by another bonus tune, "Orange County Girl."

Girl Power: Stefani should do a bang-up job on the charts this week, but in case she doesn't, there's another leading lady reppin': Ciara. The Evolution zeroes in on the singer as an artist, as she co-wrote and co-produced every track on the LP — though she did get powerhouse producers Rodney Jerkins, Will.I.Am, Lil Jon, Dallas Austin and Pharrell to help her grow up. In case that's not enough, the CD boasts guest spots by 50 Cent and Chamillionaire — not to mention a limited-edition bonus DVD featuring dance instructions for two tracks, behind-the-scenes action and more.

And while "Dreamgirls" is getting lots of Oscar buzz, the female-fronted flick gets an extra lift with two versions of the soundtrack, both reaching stores this week. The standard version has 20 tracks sung by Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx and even Eddie Murphy, as well as a 36-page lyric and photo book. It's nothing but a dream.

In-House Competition: Ciara is not the only challenger Gwen's facing this week: On the DVD front, she's also going head-to-head with five artists who are also on Interscope/Geffen/A&M's sprawling roster.

Black Eyed Peas have been around for a good 15 years or so, but surprisingly, "Live From Sydney to Vegas" is their first live-performance DVD. It's jammed with 70 minutes of Fergie, Will.I.Am and company phunking up Sydney, as well as a unique bonus feature that lets you toggle between the Sydney and Las Vegas performances of select songs as they play out. For good measure, the disc has two exclusive videos of unreleased Monkey Business tracks.

Pussycat Dolls' "Live From London" is the first live-performance DVD by that group too, and in addition to seven songs the ladies strutted through in the titular city, it's got five music videos and up-close-and-personal footage galore.

On the rock front, the Cure's "Festival 2005" corrals a whopping 30 performances by the unconquerable goths and includes material captured by fans. Rise Against's "Generation Lost" only has five live performances in comparison but also encompasses the career-reviewing documentary "How We Survive," four videos and two making-of clips.

Rounding out the competition is Sheryl Crow's "Wildflower Tour: Live From New York" DVD, which has 17 performances by the 44-year-old singer/songwriter.

Heavy Viewing for Your Pleasure: Video racks are getting stuffed with even more visual treats this week too, courtesy some volume-11 acts.

Metallica's "The Videos: 1989-2004" is loaded, you might say, with 20 videos by the metal titans, as well as bonus versions of two tracks. Also included is the trailer for the unforgettable documentary "Some Kind of Monster."

Slipknot's "Voliminal: Inside the Nine" is even more packed. The first disc is a 90-minute film drummer M. Shawn "Clown" Crahan caught on hand-held cameras. That DVD also has nine "rabbit holes" — a.k.a. Easter eggs. The second one has a wide range of live footage, videos and bandmember interviews, as well as an intimate look at the masks the nonet used on its most recent tour.

Look underground and you'll find Botch's "061502," which immortalizes the June 15, 2002, performance at Seattle's Showbox that marked the hardcore heroes' demise. To make matters better, there's also commentary on the gig; five additional cuts from a Bellingham, Washington, show; the video for "St. Matthew Returns to the Womb"; and a bonus CD with the Seattle stuff.

The Rap Wrap: One of the most talked-about mixtapes in ages, Eminem Presents: The Re-Up also hits stores this week. Originally envisioned as a mixtape to launch Stat Quo, Ca$his and Bobby Creekwater — not as a Proof tribute CD, as some had claimed — the all-star disc features Em himself, 50 Cent and Obie Trice.

Em was supposed to appear on Lil Scrappy's Bred 2 Die, Born 2 Live, which also streets this week, but while 50 Cent is all over it, Slim sat this one out. The crunk-a-licious sophomore also assembled Lil Jon, Three 6 Mafia, Yung Joc, Jazze Pha, Yo Gotti and Young Buck for his first Reprise release.

Project Pat tells a new tale in Crook by Da Book: The Fed Story, a 20-track narrative that begins with "I Ain't Going Back to Jail" and ends with "Been Gettin' Money." Three 6 Mafia turn up on two slices, while Young Jeezy, Beanie Sigel and Lyfe Jennings lend Pat a hand elsewhere.

Too Short's career gets a look-see with the unfortunately titled The Mack of the Century ... Greatest Hits, which makes it sound like the still-active rapper retired last decade (or just started making music during this one — also untrue). The straightforward CD cobbles together 13 hits.

Not to be overlooked is J Xavier, who dropped the "Lil' " from his name before dropping his new Young Prince of Tha South. The 14-year-old, who recently toured with Chris Brown and Ne-Yo, managed to rope in Mike Jones, Lil' Keke and even George Clinton for his LP, which features a song that's actually called "I Love My Music."

Just Wait One Second ...: 30 Seconds to Mars are celebrating the unexpected success of their second LP, A Beautiful Lie, with a deluxe version of the 2005 release. The bonus DVD has a medley of material, including footage from their "$2 Bill Concert" for MTV2 to their arrival on the MTV Video Music Awards red carpet to fan interviews and more. Neat-o, Leto.

Song Title of the Week:

"Good Googly Moogly" from Project Pat's Crook by Da Book: The Fed Story

Other Notables:

Various artists' The O.C. Mix 6: Covering Our Tracks: Lady Sovereign covering the Sex Pistols? Pinback doing Black Flag? Rogue Wave saluting Pixies? It's all right here, on this "WTF?" collection of 12 exclusive recordings. Also featured are Mates of States running through Phantom Planet's "California," MTV You Hear It First rockers Tally Hall taking on the Killers' "Smile Like You Mean It" and Rock Kills Kid chiming in with their rendition of Spoon's "I Turn My Camera On." Now that was unexpected.

Rob Da Bank & Chris Coco's Listen Again: Here's another provocative comp, this one a two-disc smorgasbord of the BBC Radio One DJs' favorite tunes of late. Taste-making tracks by José González, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Hard-Fi and Gogol Bordello brighten up the set, as do exclusive live recordings from Arab Strap, James Yorkston and King Creosote.

Tristeza's En Nuestro Desafío: Stop crying, Tristeza fans: A DVD by your favorite San Diego somnambulists has finally arrived. And better yet, it's only the corollary to a brand-new album. Moving from ambient sounds to more of a lo-fi minimalism, the CD — which the band recorded entirely in Mexico, despite many frustrating dealings with border patrol — features nine songs, including "Wearing the Blues," "Cuando Cuando Amor Amor" and "Swoop Me Up." The bonus video disc contains a 30-minute movie tracking the band, as well as a bonus video for "Stumble on Air," a song that appeared on last year's A Colores.

New Releases:

· Babyshambles - The Blinding (EP; Capitol) [Buy Now] · Drake Bell - It's Only Time (limited-edition version also available; Universal) · Cajmere vs. Green Velvet - Ministry of Sound Sessions (Ministry of Sound) · Ciara - The Evolution (comes with limited-edition DVD; LaFace) [Buy Now] Read: "Ciara Talks Single Life, Dreams Of Acting Like A Boy On Evolution" · Billy Cobham's Glassmenagerie - Stratus (MVD Audio) · David Daniell - Coastal (Table of Elements) · Danny Elfman - "Charlotte's Web" soundtrack (Sony Classical) · Chris Farlowe - At Rockpalast (MVD Audio) · James Horner - "Mel Gibson's Apocalypto" soundtrack (Hollywood) · Inner Banks - The Inner Banks (Dag) · J Xavier - Young Prince of Tha South (Noo Day/ Music World) · Lil Scrappy - Bred 2 Die, Born 2 Live (Reprise) [Buy Now] Read: "Lil Scrappy Enlists Eminem, 50, Lil Jon For 'Half Sorry, Half Party' LP" · Brian McKnight - 10 (Warner Bros.) [Buy Now] · Project Pat - Crook by Da Book: The Fed Story (Sony Urban) [Buy Now] · Psychic Ills - Early Violence (The Social Registry) · Rob Da Bank & Chris Coco - Listen Again (Ether) · Sinoia Caves - The Enchanter Persuaded (Jagjaguwar) · Gwen Stefani - The Sweet Escape (Interscope) [Buy Now] Read: "Gwen Stefani's New LP, The Sweet Escape, Set For December" · Tristeza - En Nuestro Desafío (with DVD; Better Looking) · Various artists - Eminem Presents: The Re-Up (Shady) [Buy Now] Read: "Eminem, New Shady Artists Join 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks On The Re-Up" · Various artists - The OC Mix 6: Covering Our Tracks (Warner Bros.) · Various artists - Kids Rap Radio, Volumes 1 & 2 (Music World) Read: "Beyonce's Dad Creates Hip-Hop Album Series For The Sippy-Cup Set" · Various artists - Dreamgirls soundtrack (two-CD deluxe edition also available; Columbia/ Sony Music Soundtrax) Read: "Beyonce's Triple Threat: New Album, Film, Fashion Line Before Year's End" · Various artists - "Fast Food Nation" soundtrack (Park the Van) · Various artists - "Unaccompanied Minors" soundtrack (Abacus)

Notable Reissues and Archival Material: · 30 Seconds to Mars - A Beautiful Lie (deluxe enhanced edition; Virgin) [Buy Now] · Richard Cheese - I'd Like a Virgin (Surfdog) · Patsy Cline - Sweet Dreams: The Four Star Recordings 1955-1960 (DBK Works) · Rick Derringer - Free Ride (Big3) · Freddy Fender - Classics (Fuel) · Ella Fitzgerald - The Very Best of the Song Books (Verve) · Waylon Jennings - Last Train to Lubbock: The Early Years (DBK Works) · I Love You but I've Chosen Darkness - I Love You but I've Chosen Darkness (EP; Secretly Canadian) · John Mayall - Essentially John Mayall (special-edition five-CD box set; Eagle) · Loreena McKennitt - Live in Paris and Toronto (enhanced two-CD set; Verve) · Nurse With Wound - An Awkward Pause (deluxe two-CD set; Jnana) · Too Short - The Mack of the Century ... Greatest Hits (Jive) · Yes - Essentially Yes (special-edition five-CD box set; Eagle) · Various artists - Battle of the Groups: The Ladies - A Body + Soul Collection (two CDs; Time Life) · Various artists - Gilles Peterson & Patrick Forge Present: Sunday Afternoon at Dingwalls (two CDs; Ether) · Various artists - Legends of Country: Classic Hits of the '50s, '60s & '70s (three CDs; Shout! Factory) · Various artists - Rocky: The Original Motion Picture Score (30th Anniversary Edition) (Capitol/EMI) · Various artists - Trance Nation 2 (Water)

Music DVDs:

· Abba - "Number Ones" (Polydor/UMe) · Bachman Cummings - "First Time Around" (Sony BMG) · Black Eyed Peas - "Live From Sydney to Vegas" (A&M) · Botch - "061502" (with CD; Hydra Head) · John Cage - "One and 103" (Mode) · Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint - "Hot as a Pistol, Keen as a Blade" (Hip-O) · Sheryl Crow - "Wildflower Tour: Live From New York" (A&M) · The Cure - "Festival 2005" (Geffen) · Loreena McKennitt - "No Journey's End" (Verve) · Metallica - "The Videos: 1989-2004" (Warner Bros.) · Daniel O'Donnell - "Peaceful Waters" (DPTV) · Pussycat Dolls - "Live From London" (A&M) · Rise Against - "Generation Lost" (Geffen) · Slipknot - "Voliminal: Inside the Nine" (two DVDs; Roadrunner) Read: "The Last Days Of Slipknot? Clown Explains Making Of 'Voliminal' DVD" · Gwen Stefani - "Harajuku Lovers Live" (Interscope) Read: "Gwen Stefani's New LP, The Sweet Escape, Set For December" · The Supremes - "Reflections - The Definitive Performances: 1964-1969" (Motown) · Pat Travers Band - "Hooked on Music" (MVD Visual) · Various artists - "Tower of Song: An Epic Story of Canada and Its Music" (Image)

Coming Attractions:

December 12: · Mary J. Blige - Reflections (A Retrospective) (Geffen) [Preorder] Read: "Mary J.'s Greatest-Hits LP Brings Three New Songs, Brushes Off Rumors" · Fantasia - Fantasia (J) [Preorder] Read: "Fantasia Unleashes Her Inner Rock Star: 'This Time It's My Own Vision' " · Ghostface Killah - More Fish (Def Jam) [Preorder] Read: "Ghostface Killah Warms Up Leftover Fish For Second 2006 Album" · Taylor Hicks - Taylor Hicks (RCA) [Preorder] Read: "Taylor Hicks Planning To 'Wamp' It Up With New Sound On Debut LP" · Bobby Valentino - Special Occasion (Def Jam) [Preorder] Read: "Bobby Valentino Asks Sean Garrett, Rodney Jerkins To Attend Special Occasion" · Young Jeezy - Thug Motivation 102: The Inspiration (Def Jam) [Preorder] Read: "Jeezy Waiting On Kanye For LP; Addresses Rumors Of Tour With Jay, Nas"

December 19: · Katharine McPhee - TBD (RCA) Read: "Katharine McPhee's LP: A Little Bit Pussycat Dolls, A Little Bit Mariah" · Mos Def - Tru3 Magic (Geffen) · Nas - Hip-Hop Is Dead ... The N (Def Jam) Read: "MTV News Exclusive: Nas Previews Hip-Hop Is Dead ... The N" · Styles P - Time Is Money (Ruff Ryders) · UGK - Underground Kingz (two CDs; Jive) Read: "Ex-Con Pimp C Juiced For UGK Album, Says He Has Lessons To Teach"

December 26: · N.W.A - The Best of N.W.A: The Strength of Street Knowledge (deluxe version with DVD also available; Capitol/Priority) · Omarion - 21 (Sony Urban) Read: "Boy To Man: Omarion Grows Up On The 'Personal' 21" · Switchfoot - Oh! Gravity (Columbia) Read: "Life, Death, Social Entropy? Switchfoot Get Weighty On Oh! Gravity" · Various artists - The Family Values Tour 2006 (Firm)

• Gwen Stefani
• Ciara
• Eminem
• Black Eyed Peas
• 30 Seconds To Mars

Photo: Tshombe Roberts

• Too Short
• The Pack

50 Cent
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

50 Cent didn't let his traffic-violation arrest on Friday afternoon keep him from attending the Fashion Week kickoff that evening — or get into a subsequent brawl. Decked out in a blinding diamond necklace and a black T-shirt, 50 attended the Baby Phat show at New York's Bryant Park tents, where Kimora Lee Simmons debuted her spring 2007 collection. A man asked 50's bodyguard if he could take a photo with the rapper, but the bodyguard turned him down. After that, when a member of 50's entourage arrived late looking for a place to sit, 50 asked the "fan" to move, but he refused — at which point 50 became enraged, allegedly punched the man in the face and almost threw a chair at him. Security ended the fight quickly; when MTV News asked the man what happened, he would only say, "I'm not talking, but I'm good looking." OK. ...

The lineup for the 20th Bridge School Benefit show — which helps the Bay Area school for children with severe speech and physical disabilities — will feature the Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam, Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor, the Dave Matthews Band, Death Cab for Cutie, Brian Wilson, Devendra Banhart, Gillian Welch and event organizer Neil Young. This year's shows will take place on October 21-22 at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California. ...

Diddy, Puff Daddy, Puffy — it's time for Sean Combs to come up with a new handle. The rap mogul has agreed to surrender the name Diddy in the U.K. as part of a legal settlement with London music producer Richard "Diddy" Dearlove, who sued Combs over use of the name, Reuters reported. Dearlove's legal team said Combs will "re-brand his commercial activities" in Britain and will no longer go by the "Diddy" moniker in the U.K. ...

Mariah Carey took five trophies at Billboard's 2006 R&B/ Hip-Hop Awards, held Friday in Atlanta. She was named Top R&B/ Hip-Hop Artist, Top R&B/ Hip-Hop Artist - Female, Hot R&B/ Hip-Hop Songs Artist, Top R&B/ Hip-Hop Albums Artist and was honored with the Top R&B/ Hip-Hop Album award for The Emancipation of Mimi. Kanye West also scored multiple wins, earning prizes for Top Rap Album (Late Registration) and Hot Rap Track ("Gold Digger"). "Gold Digger" collaborator Jamie Foxx was named Top R&B/ Hip-Hop Artist - Male, while Young Jeezy was awarded as the Top R&B/ Hip-Hop Artist - New. ...

Too Short is releasing "Keep Bouncin' " featuring Snoop Dogg and Will.I.Am as the second single from Blow the Whistle. "We'll see what it does on the radio but I'm not really that commercial artist that just shoves it down your throat," he told MTV News. "If you really want to appreciate some Too Short, you gotta go into the store, buy the album." ... KT Tunstall — who launched a Stateside tour over the weekend — is making the trek in a bus that runs on biodiesel fuel. The tour wraps up October 11 in Providence, Rhode Island. ... Five for Fighting are hitting the road next month to promote the recently released Two Lights. The outing begins October 5 in Minneapolis and ends November 9 in Seattle. ...

Brad Pitt has finally said that he and Angelina Jolie will get married — as soon as gay marriage is legal in the United States. "Angie and I will consider tying the knot when everyone else in the country who wants to be married is legally able," the actor told Esquire magazine. Pitt, who has hardly discussed his relationship with Jolie in public to date, also told the magazine that he "cannot imagine life" without his adopted children, Maddox, 5, and Zahara, 1. "They're as much of my blood as any natural born, and I'm theirs," Pitt said. ... An expanded edition of Korn's See You on the Other Side, featuring a chopped-and-screwed remix EP and a bonus DVD, is due September 26. The two-disc update of the 2005 LP will also contain live tracks, including from-the-stage renditions of "Hypocrites," "Somebody Someone," "Throw Me Away" and "Blind." ...

A lawsuit filed Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleges that Warner Music Group, Atlantic Records and others helped coerce a 16-year-old girl into making a pornographic rock video when the band Buckcherry advertised for extras on MySpace. According to a Los Angeles Times report, the suit alleges that Buckcherry asked fans to come to Hollywood's Key Club in October for a shoot for their song "Crazy Bitch." One participant was a minor identified as Jane Doe, and she was allegedly given alcohol and filmed exposing her breasts, kissing another female and writhing against a pole while Buckcherry performed. The video appeared online, where a "behind-the-scenes" clip was also posted that referred to the girl's first name, featured more nudity and had bandmembers saying, "It's like watching seven hours of porn." The girl's attorney says she suffered severe emotional distress, was taunted and has been forced to switch schools since the clip was circulated. The record companies and band's representatives denied any wrongdoing, saying someone was on hand to check IDs at the door and that the girl filled out release forms with false information. Once that was determined, the video was removed from the band's Web site, according to a lawyer representing the defendants. ...

Metropolis Records will reissue three of KMFDM's earliest, hard-to-find releases with extensive liner notes and rare photos of the industrial outfit. KMFDM's 1986 LP What Do You Know, Deutschland?, 1988's Don't Blow Your Top and 1989's UAIOE have all been remastered and are set to hit stores Tuesday. ... Anna Nicole Smith's 20-year-old son, Daniel, was found dead in the Bahamas on Sunday — three days after the model gave birth to a baby girl at a hospital in the Caribbean country, The Associated Press reports. "We have yet to learn the cause of death but do not believe that drugs or alcohol were a factor," a statement posted on Smith's Web site reads. "Anna Nicole is absolutely devastated by the loss of her son. He was her pride and joy and an amazing human being."

09.08.2006

Lindsay Lohan and her Hermès handbag are back together, and she's thanking the paparazzi for the reunion. Lohan's attorney said Friday (September 8) that the purse was returned with all of its contents intact — her rep said she had $1 million in jewelry inside — after photographer Darryn Lyons and a film crew caught the thief and worked with police to crack the case. "Karma may have played a role in the return of her bag today, given that the paparazzi are usually a pest to her and today they have been a godsend," lawyer Michael David Heller said. ...

Wearing a royal blue Versace gown, Fendi shoes, vintage Paco Rabanne earrings and a David Webb ring, Nelly Furtado announced plans for her world tour at Thursday's Fashion Rocks, event where she and Timbaland performed "Maneater," the second single from her LP Loose. "I'm going to be touring in the new year," Furtado told MTV News. "The U.S., Canada, Latin America, Japan, Australia, the U.K. and Europe right through to summer." She hasn't figured out who her guests will be, but does know what she wants to call it. "The tour will probably be called Loose Ends, because it's all the things I've always wanted to do in a show," she said. "I'm really going to bring the fans a unique package of all my stuff — from my Latin music to my Spanish music to my Portuguese music to my hip-hop music to my pop music, in a fusion with movement and visuals. I love theater. I love drama. So I'm going to really bring it." ...

Although Paris Hilton said on Ryan Seacrest's radio show Thursday that her arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence was "nothing," her spokesperson Elliot Mintz told New York's Daily News that the singer/heiress does "not take this matter lightly or frivolously. ... Paris regrets getting behind the wheel with even one drink." ... A Dutch priest has admitted to calling in a fake bomb threat to a Madonna concert in Amsterdam, The Associated Press reports. Prosecutors said he was hoping to prevent Madonna from performing her controversial "crucifixion" act at concert Sunday. He was arrested shortly after making the call — traced to his home phone — and faced a judge on Friday. He is expected to be sentenced to community service. "We take bomb threats seriously," prosecution spokesperson Robert Meulenbroek said, "but in this case it was clear very quickly that it was not real." ...

Community-service work might not put cash in your pocket, but the efforts of a group of youth volunteers in New York aren't going unrewarded. Rappers T.I. and Young Jeezy will join rockers Panic! at the Disco and Taking Back Sunday on September 23 to perform for up to 5,000 Boost Mobile RockCorps volunteers who logged four hours of community service each to quality for the exclusive concert at Radio City Music Hall. Nick Cannon is hosting the show, and Fabolous and Don Omar are also scheduled to appear. ... New Yorkers will also have the chance to get up close and personal with Beyoncé on Friday. The singer will be meeting fans and signing copies of B'Day from 6-8 p.m. at the J&R Express located in Macy's Herald Square. ...

To commemorate the fifth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, NFL Total Access will re-air the 2002 Super Bowl halftime show Monday at 5 p.m. ET, featuring U2, who performed "Beautiful Day," "MLK" and "Where the Streets Have No Name" while the names of 9/11 victims scrolled on a floor-to-ceiling screen. ... Arctic Monkeys have already made plans for their Mercury Prize winnings (approximately $37,000): The band will donate the money to "a worthy charity which we would prefer to keep private," according to a post on its Web site. Former Monkeys bassist Andy Nicholson "is happy with our choice," the statement read. Arctic Monkeys signed off by adding that they are "looking forward to taking a break to continue writing our new album." ...

Keane have pulled the plug on their North American tour. Keyboardist Tim Rice-Oxley posted a statement on the band's Web site explaining the group's decision to cancel all dates — postponed last month when singer Tom Chaplin entered a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program: "His doctors feel there is undue pressure on Tom to rush through rehab and get back out on the road. ... We'd like to apologize to the fans who've bought tickets, but we've done this in the best interests of our friend — which, ultimately, is in the best interests of the band too." Keane currently plan to go ahead with European shows set for October and November. ... Kenneth Cole and Jon Bon Jovi have teamed up for a menswear line, they announced at Thursday night's Fashion Rocks event. "It's a line of clothes called Jon Bon Jovi, or JBJ," said Cole, who is sitting out New York Fashion Week this time around to work on the new venture. "It's cool rock and roll jackets, but urbanized. It's about who Jon is, and it's not just about his style onstage, but who he is offstage. We've taken a lot of archival clothes that he's worn over the years, and we've made them modern." The line will be available on Bon Jovi's Web site and in Kenneth Cole stores beginning October 1. All proceeds will go to homeless organization Help USA. ...

Does Suge Knight owe you money? If so, it's time to get your paperwork in order. A Los Angeles bankruptcy judge has set an October 31 deadline for financial claims against Death Row Records and Knight. "We believe that it is vital that all parties asserting claims come forward and assert them in a timely manner so that Death Row can come out of Chapter 11 quickly," said Todd Neilson, Death Row's bankruptcy trustee. Knight and Death Row filed for debt relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in April. ... Nappy Roots are putting on a free back-to-school concert in Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday. They're trying to raise awareness of the Nappy Roots Literacy Series, a tutoring program the Grammy-nominated group created for the Jefferson County Public School system. The concert will be held at the Belvedere, and while the Roots go onstage at 8 p.m., other acts will be performing beginning at 6 p.m. ...

If you're already sweating what to get for that indie rocker on your Christmas list, Sufjan Stevens just made it easier. The prolific folk-pop singer is gathering up Christmas EPs he's recorded for friends and family over the past five years into a box set called Songs of Christmas (due November 21), which will include Stevens' versions of holiday staples "Silent Night" and "Jingle Bells," as well as quirky originals such as "Come On! Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance!," "That Was the Worst Christmas Ever!," "Did I Make You Cry On Christmas Day? (Well, You Deserved It!)" and "Get Behind Me Santa!" The box will also contain five Christmas stickers and extensive liner notes as well as short stories by Stevens, an original Christmas essay by writer Rick Moody, an animated music video and comic strip by Tom Eaton and a Christmas songbook with lyric sheets and chord charts. ... Scottish band Arab Strab are splitting up after 10 years, they announced on their Web site Friday. "There's no animosity, no drama, we simply feel we've run our course," the statement read. The band is planning a farewell tour of Europe to follow the anniversary compilation Ten Years of Tears. ...

Ellen DeGeneres has been selected to host next year's Oscars, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences announced Thursday. The 2007 ceremony will be the talk-show host's first, though she has previously held down hosting duties for both the Primetime Emmy Awards and Grammys. "Ellen DeGeneres was born to host the [the Oscars]," producer Laura Ziskin said in a statement. "I can already tell she is going to set the bar very high for herself and therefore for all of us involved in putting on the show. Now all we need is a lot of great movies." ... If he can't beat him, he might as well outlast him. According to The Hollywood Reporter, David Letterman, who has seen his number of viewers slip in recent years, has inked a four-year extension with CBS that will have the wily talk-show host remaining with the network through the 2009-2010 season. Late-night rival Jay Leno hands his "Tonight Show" reins over to Conan O'Brien in 2009. ... Former Songwriters Guild of America royalty manager Marsha Aiken admitted Thursday that she'd conspired with her daughter and nephew to steal more than $1.2 million from the organization, which aims to promote songwriters and protect copyrights. Aiken pleaded guilty to conspiracy, and could face five years in prison when she is sentenced December 18.

• 50 Cent
• Foo Fighters
• Diddy
• Mariah Carey
• Kanye West

Jessica Simpson's <I>A Public Affair</I>
Photo: Sony Music

Finally Going Public: Jessica Simpson fans better have slipped into their dance shoes a bit early in anticipation of her new album, A Public Affair. Those who preordered were rewarded with not just a collector's DVD, but also a free download of the same-named single, a preview of two more cuts and entry into the "Hang With Jessica" sweepstakes. Still, anyone who picks up the LP will be able to use it to unlock an extra tune, "I Belong to Me," as a Windows download. Although Jessica's writing contributions don't surface until later in the album, she executive produced the whole shebang with father Joe Simpson. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis produced three tracks, including "Push Your Tush," while Simpson does the throwback thing by borrowing from the Cars, Stevie Nicks and the Ohio Players elsewhere. Hot stuff.

A New Method: For 4:21 ... The Day After, Method Man dug up the ashes of Jimi Hendrix by recording in Electric Lady Studios, which the guitarist breathed more than just life into in the '70s. But this Man's effort is pure hip-hop, cemented by contributions from Lauryn Hill, Fat Joe, producer Scott Storch, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Ginuwine, Raekwon, Erick Sermon, Havoc and the RZA. Quite the party.

Reggae's Undisputed Champ?: Beenie Man is feeling pretty social these days too, ushering in a handful of R&B heavyweights for his distinctly dancehall record, Undisputed. Janet Jackson pays a visit on the Neptunes-produced "Feel It Boy," Akon helps him take care of "Girls," Scott Storch touches up "Dutty Wine Gal," and Lady Saw chimes in on "My World."

Tego to Go: While Beenie is one of reggae's biggest names these days, a pioneer of one of the genre's offshoots, reggaetón, is also checking in this week. Tego Calderón's The Underdog/ El Subestimado might seem like a bilingual effort, but it's almost all sung in Spanish, save the Buju Banton-featuring "Bad Man" and "Chillin' " with Don Omar. A sample of Jimmy Cliff's "Sooner or Later" also crops up on the record, half of which was recorded in Miami.

Blow-in' It: Too Short makes this week's competition even stronger by dropping Blow the Whistle, his first proper release since 2003's Married to the Game. David Banner bolsters "Baller," and Jazze Pha partakes in "16 Hoes," but Too Short proves he can hold his own with "I Want Your Girl," "Pimpin' Forever," "Call Her a Bitch" and other instructional songs.

Game On: With all the rap heavyweights dishing up new slices this week — there's also Young Dro (Best Thang Smokin') and Loon (No Friends) — the Roots' diverse Game Theory will be a breath of fresh air. The Philly phenoms sample the Jackson 5's "All I Do Is Think of You" on "Can't Stop This," which Jay Dee produced before he died earlier this year. And the record becomes even more eclectic as Black Thought, ?uestlove and the squad tap into Radiohead's "You and Whose Army" and Sly & the Family Stone's "Life of Fortune and Fame."

Singer/Songwriter Stew: Among all the hip-hop activity, a smattering of singer/songwriters are chiming in as well, and the truly varied crew is challenging the limitations of the term. Probably the best-known singer/songwriter of them all, Bob Dylan, tallies his first studio LP in five years, Modern Times. Fans will want to scoop up the limited-edition deluxe version, which has an expanded booklet, previously unreleased photos and a DVD with four goodies: a performance of "Cold Irons Bound" that was shot during the making of the 2003 bomb "Masked and Anonymous," a rendition of "Love Sick" from the Grammy Awards and videos for "Blood in My Eyes" and "Things Have Changed." There's also another DVD, "Bob Dylan 1966 - 1978: After the Crash," which was produced in conjunction with the well-regarded Dylan fanzine Isis and culls phone conversations, rarely seen material and interviews with his collaborators.

Fellow Columbia artist Pete Yorn — who appeared alongside Dylan on the 2001 "Bandits" soundtrack — brings to a close the three-album trilogy that launched his career with Nightcrawler, which he's been hyping with a litany of in-store and club performances. Fans who preordered were gifted with the bonus limited-edition EP Westerns, which he has said was inspired by Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison, but everyone will be able to enjoy "Bandstand in the Sky," "Policies" and "The Man," which features Dixie Chick Natalie Maines.

While Yorn's Nightcrawler is a distinctly rock record, Ray LaMontagne tones it down with Till the Sun Turns Black, produced by Ethan Johns (2004's Trouble, Ryan Adams). Expect stripped roots-folk throughout from the RCA Records artist, including "Truly, Madly, Deeply," "Barfly" and "Three More Days."

Continuing to buck the major labels is M. Ward, whose fifth record features guest spots by My Morning Jacket's Jim James, Neko Case and Saddle Creek Records production stalwart Mike Mogis. Post-War boasts "Today's Undertaking," "Neptune's Net" and "Chinese Translation."

You Hear It First artist Támar Davis injects some guitar soul into the mix with Milk & Honey, which is bound to be mixed up with John Lennon's album of the same name as it hits the record racks. "Beautiful, Love and Blessed" pits her with Prince, but people ranging from Naomi Judd to Arsenio Hall have been singing her praises.

Also stepping up to the plate is Bostonian Catie Curtis, whose 12-song Long Night Moon features Mary Chapin Carpenter and the Push Stars' Chris Trapper; Iowan William Elliott Whitmore, whose nine-track Song of the Blackbird finds him reinterpreting "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"; and New Yorker Sasha Dobson, whose Modern Romance sees her branching out into Brazilian music, folk and pop.

Song Title of the Week:

"Konichiwa Bitches" from Method Man's 4:21 ... The Day After

Other Notables:

Various artists' "Kill Your Idols" DVD: After winning the Tribeca Film Festival's rather narrow Best New York Documentary Feature honor but only getting a brief theatrical run, the underground-music film gets upped with bonus interviews and live-performance clips in the DVD version. If you've always wondered what was up with your brother's No Wave fascination, or give a hoot about Sonic Youth and the scene that spawned them, here's your chance.

The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds - 40th Anniversary: If you've been waiting to find the right time to get familiar with one of the most important pop records of all time, now's your chance. The limited-edition set, which is boosted by a DVD documentary, has four different mixes of the album, plus a photo gallery and suede digipak case. If you want to get even more authentic, look for the double-colored vinyl version, for which just 10,000 pressings are being made.

Motörhead's Kiss of Death vs. John Lithgow's The Sunny Side of the Street: This record probably won't spell doom for one of heavy metal's most enduring acts, as Lemmy and the gang hang tough with "God Was Never on Your Side," "Sucker" and "Devil I Know." Also included as a bonus is a newly recorded version of the band's 1991 punk salute "R.A.M.O.N.E.S.," further cementing Lemmy's affinity for the punk gods. Probably the most polar opposite disc to Kiss of Death is Lithgow's children's album, which immortalizes the actor's take on "Inka Dinka Doo" and "I Always Say Hello to a Flower." It's another bright move, so to speak, from the former "Third Rock From the Sun" castmember.

New Releases:

• Astronautalis - The Mighty Ocean & Nine Dark Theaters (Fighting)
  
• Beenie Man - Undisputed (Virgin)
  Buy Now: Undisputed (Virgin)
  
• Berkeley Guitar - Berkeley Guitar (Tompkins Square)
  
• Birdmonster - No Midnight (spinART)
  
• BT - This Binary Universe (with DVD; DTS)
  Buy Now: This Binary Universe (DTS)
  
• Buddhist Monks and Sakya Tashi Ling - My Spirit Flies to You (Decca)
  
• C-Note - Network'n (BCD Music)
  
• Tego Calderón - The Underdog/ El Subestimado (Atlantic)
  Buy Now: The Underdog/ El Subestimado (Atlantic)
  
• Channels - Waiting for the Next End of the World (Dischord)
  
• DJ Crazy Toones - CT Experience (BCD Music)
  
• Crossfade - Falling Away (Columbia)
  Buy Now: Falling Away (Columbia)
  
• Catie Curtis - Long Night Moon (Compass)
  
• Blag Dahlia - Nina ... and Other Delights (MVD Audio)
  
• Damage Case - Tyranny (Punkcore)
  
• Támar Davis - Milk & Honey (Universal Motown)
  Read: "Tamar Davis Missed Joining Destiny's Child — But Then Her Prince Arrived"
  Buy Now: Milk & Honey (Universal Motown)
  
• Paula DeAnda - Paula DeAnda (Arista)
  
• Dirty Dozen Brass Band - What's Going On (Shout! Factory)
  
• Sasha Dobson - Modern Romance (Secret Sun)
  
• DJ Drama - STC Reloaded (BCD Music)
  Buy Now: STC Reloaded (BCD Music)
  
• Dream Theater - Score: 20th Anniversary World Tour Live With the Octavarium Orchestra (three CDs; Rhino)
  Buy Now: Score: 20th Anniversary World Tour Live With the Octavarium Orchestra (Rhino)
  
• Bob Dylan - Modern Times (deluxe edition with bonus DVD also available; Columbia)
  Buy Now: Modern Times (Columbia)
  
• Jack Frost - Out in the Cold (Warcon)
  
• Kenny Garrett - Beyond the Wall (Nonesuch)
  
• Thea Gilmore - Harpo's Ghost (Sanctuary)
  
• Godhead - The Shadow Line (Cement Shoes)
  Buy Now: The Shadow Line (Cement Shoes)
  
• Grates - Gravity Won't Get You High (Cherry Tree)
  Buy Now: Gravity Won't Get You High (Cherry Tree)
  
• Gwar - Beyond Hell (limited-edition version with DVD also available; DRT)
  Buy Now: Beyond Hell (DRT)
  
• Hatebreed - Supremacy (Roadrunner)
  Buy Now: Supremacy (Roadrunner)
  
• Dave Holland Quintet - Critical Mass (Sunny Side)
  
• Paul Gilbert - Get Out of My Yard (Shrapnel)
  
• Jin - 100 Grand Jin (Draft)
  Buy Now: 100 Grand Jin (Draft)
  
• Killa Kyleon and DJ Storm - Drank Epidemic Volume 2 (BCD Music)
  
• Ray LaMontagne - Till the Sun Turns Black (RCA)
  Buy Now: Till the Sun Turns Black (RCA)
  
• Pop Levi - Blue Honey (Counter)
  
• John Lithgow - The Sunny Side of the Street (Razor & Tie)
  
• Locked in a Vacancy - Its Always Darkest ... (Purity)
  
• Lonesome Spurs - Lonesome Spurs (Cleopatra)
  
• Loon - No Friends (Cleopatra)
  
• Lost Trailers - The Lost Trailers (BNA)
  
• Ludacris and DJ Storm - Disturbing Tha Peace (two CDs; BCD Music)
  Buy Now: Disturbing Tha Peace (BCD Music)
  
• Method Man - 4:21 ... The Day After (Def Jam)
  Read: "Method Man Drops Diddy, Seeks Clarity On New LP, 4:21 ... The Day After"
  
• Elizabeth Mitchell - You Are My Little Bird (Smithsonian Folkways)
  
• Sam Moore - Overnight Sensational (Rhino)
  
• Motörhead - Kiss of Death (Sanctuary)
  Buy Now: Kiss of Death (Sanctuary)
  
• Old Crow Medicine School - Big Iron World (Nettwerk)
  
• Stacie Orrico - Beautiful Awakening (Virgin)
  Buy Now: Beautiful Awakening (Virgin)
  
• Persephone's Bees - Notes From the Underworld (Columbia)
  
• Prids - ... Until the World Is Beautiful (Five03)
  
• Randies - Saw the Light (Elicit/ Majestic)
  
• Red Umbrella - Wishing for Boardwalk (7spin)
  
• Roots - Game Theory (Def Jam)
  Buy Now: Game Theory (Def Jam)
  
• Salvador - Dismiss the Misery (Word)
  
• Jessica Simpson - A Public Affair (Epic)
  Read: "Jessica Simpson Album Shifts Gears Along With Personal Life"
  Buy Now: A Public Affair (Epic)
  
• Snakes & Music - Isabelle (MVD Audio)
  
• Sound of the Blue Heart - Beauty? (Triple X)
  
• DJ Starscream - The New Leader (N2O)
  
• Stefy - The Orange Album (Wind-Up)
  
• Tanya Stephens - Rebelution (with bonus DVD; VP/Universal)
  
• The Summer Obsession - This Is Where You Belong (Virgin)
  
• Ty Tabor - Rock Garden (Inside Out)
  
• Theater Fire - Everybody Has a Dark Side (Undeniable)
  
• Too Short - Blow the Whistle (Jive)
  Buy Now: Blow the Whistle (Jive)
  
• The Tyde - Three's Co. (Rough Trade)
  
• Uptown - Bonafide G (BCD Music)
  
• Pete Yorn - Nightcrawler (Red Ink)
  Read: "Dave Grohl Helps Pete Yorn Rock, Tupac Inspires Him To Be Prolific"
  Buy Now: Nightcrawler (Red Ink)
  
• Young Dro - Best Thang Smokin' (Atlantic)
  Buy Now: Best Thang Smokin' (Atlantic)
  
• M. Ward - Post-War (Merge)
  Buy Now: Post-War (Merge)
  
• William Elliott Whitmore - Song of the Blackbird (Southern)
  
• Young Buck and DJ Drama - Case Dismissed (two CDs; BCD Music)
  Buy Now: Case Dismissed (BCD Music)
  
• Various artists - A Piano Tribute to Lionel Richie (Copycats)
  
• Various artists - A Sax Tribute to Christina Aguilera (Copycats)
  
• Various artists - A Smooth Jazz Tribute to Beyoncé (Copycats)
  
• Various artists - Rockabye Baby!: Lullabye Renditions of Coldplay (Baby Rock)
  
• Various artists - Rockabye Baby!: Lullabye Renditions of Metallica (Baby Rock)
  
• Various artists - Rockabye Baby!: Lullabye Renditions of Radiohead (Baby Rock)

Notable Reissues and Archival Material:

• Bernard Allison - No Mercy (MVD Audio)
  
• America - Struttin' Our Stuff (MVD Audio)
  
• Beach Boys - Pet Sounds - 40th Anniversary (limited-edition fuzzy package with DVD; Capitol)
  
• Tony Bennett - I Left My Heart in San Francisco, MTV Unplugged, Perfectly Frank, Tony Bennett's Greatest Hits of the '50s and Tony Bennett's Greatest Hits of the '60s (RPM/ Columbia/ Legacy)
  
• Terri Clark - Definitive Collection (Hip-O)
  
• Billy Cobham - Live: Flight Time (MVD Audio)
  
• Roger Daltrey - Daltrey, One of the Boys and Ride a Rock Horse (Hip-O)
  
• Sammy Davis Jr. - Definitive Collection (Hip-O)
  
• Steve Earle - Definitive Collection (Hip-O)
  
• Humble Pie - Definitive Collection (Hip-O)
  
• James Hunter - ... Believe What I Say (Hepcat)
  
• Julio Iglesias - 1100 Bel Air Place and Tango (Columbia/ Legacy)
  
• Millie Jackson - Still Caught Up (Southbound)
  
• Waylon Jennings - Waylon Jennings Sings Hank Williams (Hip-O)
  
• Daniel Johnston - Continued Story/ Hi, How Are You and Yip/ Jump Music (High Wire)
  
• Tom Jones - Definitive Collection (Hip-O)
  
• Kingston Trio - The Essential Kingston Trio (two CDs; Shout! Factory)
  
• Leah Kunkel - Leah Kunkel (Rev-Ola)
  
• Shelby Lynne - Definitive Collection (Hip-O)
  
• Kawabata Makoto & the Mothers of Invasion - Hot Rattlesnakes (MVD Audio)
  
• Marillion - Marbles Live (MVD Audio)
  
• Dave Mason - Definitive Collection (Hip-O)
  
• Kathy Mattea - Definitive Collection (Hip-O)
  
• Rudy Ray Moore - The Best of Rudy Ray Moore and Friends (The Pen)
  
• Iggy Pop - 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection (A&M)
  Buy Now: 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection (A&M)
  
• Primitives - Buzz Buzz Buzz (United States Distributors)
  
• Queensrÿche - Q2K (Rhino)
  Buy Now: Q2K (Rhino)
  
• Diana Ross - Definitive Collection (Hip-O)
  
• Stereolab - Serene Velocity: A Stereolab Anthology (Rhino)
  
• Pete Townshend - Another Scoop, All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes, Deep End Live!, Empty Glass, The Iron Man the Musical by Pete Townshend, Psychoderelict, Rough Mix, Scoop, Scoop 3, White City and Who Came First (Hip-O)
  
• Tanya Tucker - Definitive Collection (Hip-O)
  
• Waterboys - Fisherman's Blues - Collectors Edition (limited edition with bonus CD; Capitol)
  
• Bob Willis & His Texas Playboys - Legends of Country Music: Bob Willis & His Texas Playboys (three CDs; Columbia/ Legacy)
  
• Various artists - Chill Lounge (Water)
  
• Various artists - Dave Hamilton's Detroit Funk: Rare and Unreleased Twisted Funk 1967-1973 (BGP)
  
• Various artists - The Greatest Songs Ever: Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, France, Greece, Gypsyland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Portugal, Middle East, Spain and Turkey (Petrol/ EMI America)
  
• Various artists - Highway South: Southern Rock (Time Life)
  
• Various artists - UFC: Ultimate Beatdowns, Vol. 1 (enhanced; Nitrus)

Music DVDs:

• Black Crowes - "Who Killed That Bird Out on Your Window Sill ... the Movie" (Rhino)
  
• Roger Chapman - "Family & Friends" (MVD Visual)
  
• Sandy Denny - "Under Review" (MVD Visual)
  
• Dream Theater - "Score: 20th Anniversary World Tour Live With the Octavarium Orchestra" (two DVDs; Rhino)
  
• Bob Dylan - "Bob Dylan 1966 - 1978: After the Crash" (MVD Visual)
  
• E-40 - "E-40 & the Hype on Hyphy: Town Bizness From the Yay" (Warner Bros.)
  
• Ian Gillan Band - "Live at the Rainbow 1977" (MVD Visual)
  
• Green on Red - "Valley Fever: Green on Red" (MVD Visual)
  
• The Korgis - "The Korgis DVD Kollection" (MVD Visual)
  
• Queen - "Under Review: 1980-1991" (MVD Visual)
  
• Barbra Streisand - "A Happening in Central Park" and "Barbra Streisand ... And Other Musical Instruments" (Rhino)
  
• Pete Townshend - "Psychoderelict Live in New York" (Hip-0)
  
• Various artists - "Jazz Shots From the West Coast, Vol. 1" (MVD Visual)
  
• Various artists - "Kill Your Idols" (Palm Pictures)
  
• Various artists - "Roots Daughters: The Women of Rastafari" (MVD Visual)

Coming Attractions:

September 5:

• Audioslave - Revelations (Epic)
  Read: "New Audioslave LP: 'Led Zeppelin Meets Earth, Wind & Fire' "
  Preorder: Revelations (Epic)
  
• Beyoncé - B'Day (Columbia)
  Read: "Beyonce's Triple Threat: New Album, Film, Fashion Line Before Year's End"
  Preorder: B'Day (Columbia)
  
• Iron Maiden - A Matter of Life and Death (limited edition with bonus DVD also available; Sanctuary)
  Preorder: A Matter of Life and Death (Sanctuary)
  

September 12:

• John Mayer - Continuum (Columbia)
  Preorder: Continuum (Columbia)
  
• N.O.R.E. y la Familia - Ya Tú Sabe (Roc-A-Fella)
  
• Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSounds (Jive)
  Read: "Justin Previews New Tracks At Hollywood Show With Help From Will.I.Am, Timbaland"
  Preorder: FutureSex/LoveSounds (Jive)
  

September 19:

• Clay Aiken - A Thousand Different Ways (RCA)
  Preorder: A Thousand Different Ways (RCA)
  
• Fergie - The Dutchess (Interscope)
  Read: "Fergie's Split-Pea Soup: Reggae, Jazz, Ludacris, B Real On 'Crazy' Solo LP"
  Preorder: The Dutchess (Interscope)
  
• Jesse McCartney - Right Where You Want Me (Hollywood)
  Read: "In September, Get Jesse McCartney Right Where You Want Him"
  Preorder: Right Where You Want Me (Hollywood)
  

• Jessica Simpson
• Method Man
• Tego Calderon
• Pete Yorn
• Too Short

• Snoop Dogg
• Tha Dogg Pound
• Ice Cube
• DJ Quik
• Too Short

Daz Dillinger (far left), Snoop Dogg (middle), Ice Cube (far right) and friends on the set of the "Cali Iz Active" video
Photo: MTV News

LOS ANGELES — MTV recently organized the Great Day in Atlanta, Source had its own Great Day in Houston, and on Saturday, it was a veritable Great Day in Los Angeles when Snoop Dogg called just about every artist on the West Coast to appear in Tha Dogg Pound Gangsta Clique's video for "Cali Iz Active."

"Snoop opened his little black book and called everybody up," Snoop's cousin Daz Dillinger said at the clip's Elysian Park set. "I'm asking who's coming up here."

"We're still wondering who's coming," Kurupt offered. "It's a mystery."

Shortly after the waiting and anticipation was over, cars started pulling up with the likes of Ice Cube, Too Short, Warren G, Xzibit and Strong Arm Steady, Evidence, Dilated Peoples, JT the Bigga Figga, WC, and DJ Quik.

"This reminds me of the ['Nuthin' but a] "G" Thang' video," Quik, standing next to Xzibit, said of the camaraderie, "and that video is like 12 years old."

Later, most of the guys in the video filmed a picnic scene together as well as some DPGC performance shots.

"This was how the West was one," Snoop said, surrounded by all his homies, referencing the title of his West Coast unity tour (see "Snoop And Game Beef Up Their How The West Was One Tour"). "We all love each other, we're all one movement. It's beautiful."

"We always had a lot of love for each other, but Los Angeles keeps it spread out," Cube observed. "So we coming together. We realized that it's all one coast, we need to galvanize the West Coast. Show we all need to support each other."

As to what "Cali Iz Active" means, Kurupt said, "The song represents the West Coast as a whole. We're pushing [it] as one positive thing."

"You getting busy, you in trouble, it's a lot of stuff going on," Daz added. "You've got the police situation in Cali, the race issue in California, Congress. It's time for us to step up and show what's really going on. We're letting you know it's active."

The vibe was so great during the video shoot, all the artists were talking about going on tour together. Ice Cube has started his own tour with Daz and Kurupt and the Clipse, and Snoop has been jumping on some dates.

Tha Dogg Pound Gangsta Clique's Cali Iz Active LP is due June 27. Kurupt's next solo LP, Same Day, Different Sh--, comes out June 20, and Daz's first solo LP on Jermaine Dupri's So So Def label, So So Gangsta, drops July 18.

• Snoop, Cube, More On The Set Of The "Cali Iz Active" Video, 04.22.06

• Snoop Dogg
• Ice Cube
• Xzibit
• Kurupt
• Too Short