Sunday 3 August 2008

Lollalohan: Lindsay Lohan Turns Out For Samantha Ronson Lollapalooza DJ Set

TMZ-land officially arrived at Lollapalooza Saturday afternoon – and you have Mr. Lolla himself, Perry Farrell to thank for it.

A mid-afternoon set at the dance tent Perry’s by Farrell and a “special guest” took on a whole different meaning when that guest was revealed to be none other than Samantha Ronson, accompanied to the endless fascination of all, by her ubiquitous gal pal, Lindsay Lohan. When we arrived to an already packed dance tent, were escorted into a predictably cluster f— of a backstage area, under a searing afternoon sun, and got even more of a celeb eyefull than we were expecting. There was Perry on stage, in a glittery black and white number, spinning and pumping up the crowd for his ‘guest DJ.’ There was LiLo, hanging with a friend and trying not to pay attention to the fact that everyone in the area was looking at her. There was Samantha, waiting to go on. And then there was the even better known member of the Ronson family, DJ and uber producer brother Mark, an attention magnet himself. And to throw a certifiable rock god into the mix, there was the man himself, Slash — yet another surprise guest for Perry to spring on the crowd.

Soon it was showtime for Sam – decked out in an Average White Band t-shirt and a fedora, she spun a 15 minute set heavy on “upbeat” tunes at Perry’s request, she told me, and with a healthy dose of ‘80’s. “Yeah, so I included some Foreigner,” she said, “some Depeche Mode, some Hot Chip. I tried to mix it up.

“I’m just psyched to see Slash,” Sam said of first Lolla experience, “Perry and Slash, I’ve never been to Lollapalooza, and after this I don’t think I need to go to another.” Samantha’s in and out of Chicago – she has to be back in LA tonight – but Mark is hanging all weekend, checking out a ton of favorites — from Black Keys and Radiohead yesterday to Rage tonight — and then playing his own set tomorrow night, on one of the festival’s biggest stages.

Radiohead Soothe Lollapalooza Crowd After Frenetic First Day Of CSS, Black Lips, Cool Kids

CHICAGO — There are basically two ways to close out the first night of Lollapalooza. You can blast off in a glowing, thumping spaceship like Daft Punk did last year, or you can get all moody and sedate like Interpol did.

Then there's Radiohead. The most anticipated act of the 2008 festival's maiden night, as usual, dug its own path, teasing the sold-out crowd of 75,000 with a mixture of pastoral ambiance and slashing guitars accompanied by a light show that felt like a digital rain shower conjured to replace the threatened storms that never materialized.

Lil Wayne, Jonas Brothers, Kanye West Among VMA Contenders For Best Pop, Hip-Hop Videos

Another week, another batch of 2008 MTV Video Music Awards nominees — handpicked by you at VMA.MTV.com and a select assembly of industry insiders. While the contenders for the Best Male Video and Best Female Video categories were revealed last week, this week brings us the five hopefuls who'll be vying for the Best Pop Video and the Best Hip-Hop Video Moonmen.

'Twilight' Mania Kicks Into Full Gear In NYC With The Release Of 'Breaking Dawn'

NEW YORK — With "Breaking Dawn," the final installment of Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" vampire series, set to hit stores at midnight (and the first night of the "Breaking Dawn" concert series set to premiere at the Nokia Theatre in Times Square), the city seemed to be filled with homemade Cullen T-shirts in support of the first vampire family of teen fiction.

And in the midst of all the excitement, one important question was on everybody's minds and lips: Edward or Jacob?

You Cover Lollapalooza: Check Out One Reader's Go! Team Report From Chicago

Three days, seven stages and well over a hundred acts… Lollaplooza 2008 is a lot of ground to cover. So we’re getting help from you. All weekend long, fans are sharing their experiences in our You R Here community, like Zach Swickey, who made the trip to Chicago from Norman, Oklahoma, and filed this report:

The Windy City is not living up to its name. It’s hot with zero clouds and only a slight hint of a breeze here on day one of Lollapalooza.

Unfortunately, my day started late due to the necessity of sleep from watching the 1 a.m. showing of “The Dark Knight” (every other showing had been sold out for days). Anyway, this was actually my first time to see the Go! Team live. They did not disappoint. I hate to be cliché, but I highly prefer their first album, and luckily for me they played a good balance of new and old songs.

There is nothing more awkward and entertaining than watching thousands of white people (and a few dozen black people) dancing to “Ladyflash.” (click here to read more from Zach)

Juelz Santana Out Of Diplomats, But Says He's Cool With Cam'ron: 'It's Still Dip Set 4 Life!'

The long-standing contractual dispute between Diplomats founder Cam'ron and protégé Juelz Santana is officially over. After months of internal fighting, Santana has been released from the 'Set's onetime fledgling label.

According to a recent blog post on MissInfo.tv, Cam'ron revealed to the radio personality weeks ago that he "sold Juelz's contract to parent label Def Jam for $2 million." Late Thursday, Juelz hit up Info, confirming the split.

"Yeah, I'm free!! And ready to do me," Juelz noted in the e-mail. "But it's still Dip Set 4 life!! It's just going to be a new chapter!!

Bandana Santana then specifically addressed his former mentor: "I have no hard feeling for Cam, after all, he did give me a chance!!! But I will say this: I was loyal to him and he took advantage."

With the Harlemite's new contract in place, Juelz will now report directly to Def Jam. The label's radio division sent out e-mails last week alerting the public that Juelz was back on the horizon after a four-year hiatus, with a new mixtape, The Reagan Era, and studio album Born to Lose Built to Win on the way.

Def Jam had no comment when reached by MTV News.

In January, Juelz joined fellow Diplomat Jim Jones when he revealed that he wasn't happy with Cam'ron and his recording contract. Santana went on to suggest that Cam had some shady business dealings up his sleeve. The "There It Go (The Whistle Song)" rapper then refused to release any music until he was released from the label that at one point dominated the East Coast rap scene.

Juelz, however, has vowed that he's still Dipset for life, most recently at Thursday's Pepsi DJ Division concert in New York, where Elz and Jim Jones performed. Santana made it clear to the crowd that "Dipset was in the building."

"I would like to say sorry to all my fans and the DJs and most of all, my city, New York. Playtime is over. I'm back. Y'all n---as know what time it is."

Bow Wow Talks About His 'First Sex Scene'

Two more albums and Bow Wow says he's ready to call it a night. The onetime teen titan says he's retiring from the rap game — maybe as early as the age of 22.

"I wanna be the next Will Smith," the 21-year-old recently said, restating his growing passion for acting while sitting poolside at L.A.'s Le Montrose Suite Hotel. "After the eighth album, I'm done. I already feel it. I love acting. I love my music like I said, but I feel it. After this one, probably one more in me and that's eight. Like, I'm one [album] behind Nas, and that's crazy."

Shia LaBeouf 's Car-Crash Injury To Be Written Into 'Transformers' Sequel, Director Says

In the original "Transformers," Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) runs, jumps, falls, races fast cars and gets tossed around like a rag doll by giant, intergalactic robots, only to end the film with nary a scratch on his body.

That won't be the case in director Michael Bay told "Access Hollywood" — not because the character is less careful, but because the actor was.

LaBeouf, who injured his hand this past weekend in a car accident, will have his injury written into the script of the blockbuster sequel to accommodate a frantic shooting schedule which leaves very little room for delay, Bay said.

"His two fingers are pretty mashed, but we're figuring out a way to shoot around it, kind of write it in the story," Bay told the TV show.

Bay's comments echo those made by "Transformers" co-star Tyrese Gibson, who told MTV News on Sunday that LaBeouf's injuries weren't drastic enough to halt filming on the eagerly anticipated sequel.

LaBeouf was involved in a collision with another vehicle at 3 a.m. Sunday and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Initially suspected to have caused the accident, the "Indiana Jones" star was since cleared by Los Angeles police.

Bay thinks LaBeouf will ultimately be cleared of the other charge as well. "You're gonna see, that's gonna go away," Bay said of the DUI charge. "He was not drunk. He was drinking hours and hours before."

Despite the momentary setback, Bay told the show he is thrilled to be working again with LaBeouf on the sequel, which will follow the Autobots' war with the Decepticons.

"He's only 22," Bay said of LaBeouf. "He's doing a great job on this movie. He's really matured since the last one, and I love working with him."

Check out everything we've got on "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen."

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

'Twilight' Creator Stephenie Meyer Talks About 'Breaking Dawn' Cover Controversy And Books' Appeal

NEW YORK — She is the brains behind the book series that's rivaling Harry Potter. She has millions of loyal Twilighters at her beck and call, many of whom would devour you in a moment if you dared to say anything bad about their Edward and Bella. She's also a very nice lady, who is every bit as cool to hang out with as you'd hope.

She's Stephenie Meyer, and just after midnight on Friday (actually 12:01 a.m. on Saturday), she will wrap things up at her New York book launch and officially invade the bestseller list again with "Breaking Dawn," the book that concludes her "Twilight" series.

Hey, Jonas Brothers Fans: The Jersey Boys' 3-D Flick Has A Release Date!

You’ve been bombarding TRL, spamming our website and screaming on FNMTV. Now you’ll be able to get up, close and personal with the Jersey boys themselves. According to Variety, the Jonas Brothers’ previously announced 3-D concert film has snagged a release date: February 27, 2009.

The currently untitled Disney flick will follow the mold of the recent Miley Cyrus smash hit, combining live concert footage with behind-the-scenes moments. Not much else is known about the movie yet, but stay tuned to the MTV Movies Blog for all your breaking Jonas Brothers movie needs.

So how excited are you guys to see the Jonas Brothers in glorious 3-D? Are you already clearing your schedules to see it opening day? Chime in below!

'The Mummy': Undead Again. By Kurt Loder

"Tomb of the Dragon Emperor," the third installment of the sub-Indy "Mummy" series, achieves a new level of subness. Along with the usual lifts from the Jonesian canon — this time, an Ark-like sarcophagus, an arrow-barrage blasting out of booby-trapped walls, a rickety rope bridge swaying over a mountain chasm, even a stage full of dancing showgirls in a Shanghai nightclub — we have an ill-omened romance between a mere man and his immortal sweetie (in the manner of "The Lord of the Rings") and a leaping trio of big, hairy Himalayan Yetis who look as if they're very late for a "Golden Compass" audition.

With Rob Cohen ("The Fast and the Furious") taking over from Stephen Sommers, who directed the first two films, "Mummy 3" is an assembly-line action movie clogged with special effects of a sort that will seem special only to those who've been bricked up in an ancient tomb for the last 10 years. It helps that the blithely likable Brendan Fraser is back as stalwart explorer Rick O'Connell, and that Maria Bello has been recruited to play his equally intrepid wife, Evie, a role previously occupied by Rachel Weisz. (Weisz presumably had better things to do; in a better world, Bello would have, too.)

In the customary prologue, set in China "long ago," the fanatical King Han (Jet Li) is wiping out a succession of provincial warlords to become emperor of all the land. Han also has a pressing interest in immortality ("I have too much to do in one lifetime"), so, after attaining royal supremacy, he dispatches a beautiful sorceress named Zi Juan (Michelle Yeoh) to find the secret of eternal life. Unwisely, when she returns with a Sanskrit spell suited to that purpose, Han double-crosses her, and she pronounces instead a curse that turns the emperor and his legion of soldiers into life-size pottery statues. (The story is based, rather closely as these things go, on the saga of the historical Emperor Qin Shi Huang, whose own long-buried — and non-magical — terra-cotta army was one of the more startling archeological finds of the last century.)

Flash forward to 1946. Rick and Evie are now retired in their mansion in the Oxford countryside, and bored stiff. When His Majesty's government offers a new assignment — transporting an item called the Eye of Shangri-La (it looks like a Fabergé Easter Egg) back to its native China — they quickly dig out their old adventuring gear and hop on a plane. Meanwhile, their son, the now-grown Alex (Luke Ford), is already in China on an adventure of his own — and he's dug up the crockery-encased Emperor Han. All of this draws the attention of the sinister General Yang (Anthony Wong Chau-Sang), who wants to seize the immobilized emperor, use the Eye of Shangri-La to lift the ancient curse off him and employ the revivified monarch as a terrifying weapon in the raging Chinese Civil War.

An awful lot of stuff transpires. There's a kick-ass ninja girl, a rather perfunctory betrayal, a mad horse-and-emperor chase through the teeming streets of Shanghai (where the movie was partly shot), a vast cavern full of those terra-cotta warriors (pretty spectacular, actually) and reams of dialogue both archly anachronistic ("You don't really believe in the concept of personal space, do you?") and simply limp ("I hate mummies — they never play fair!"). Toss in a magical dagger, a three-headed dragon and an Elixir of the Pool of Eternal Life, and you have a movie that should be more fun than it is. There's abundant action — all the usual shoot-outs, punch-ups and acres of exploding real estate — but by the second half of the film, it has congealed into rote frenzy; and it's so choppily edited (and pumped up with blaring horns and overbearing choirs) that our attention drifts away toward niggling details. How likely is it, for example, that a character of Brendan Fraser's age (39) would have a son the age of Luke Ford (who's 26)? And how odd is it that a movie called "The Mummy" should have no actual mummy in it? And why is the picture's most intriguing character — the clairvoyant Colonel Choi (Jessey Meng), a young woman with an exotic scar running the length of her face — left to languish on the sidelines of the plot?

The two previous "Mummy" movies cleaned up worldwide, but the many fans of those films may be disappointed by this one. "Dragon Emperor" cost twice as much as the first two pictures combined, partly because of its extensive Chinese location work (note the attempted synergy with the upcoming Beijing Olympics, to be televised by Universal's broadcast arm, NBC); but the result is a largely flairless clutter of digital hubbub. The "Mummy" producers might profitably take a tip from the old Indiana Jones movies they so often mine. The original Indy series came to a voluntary, graceful conclusion with its third installment. This franchise is already living on borrowed time.

Don't miss Kurt Loder's review of "In Search of a Midnight Kiss," also new in theaters this week.

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

Selena Gomez Makes It Clear: There's No Beef With Miley Cyrus

Selena Gomez wants to make things clear: She has no beef with fellow Disney teen sensation Miley Cyrus for posting YouTube videos bashing Selena and "Camp Rock" star Demi Lovato.

"Dealing with the press is something that you've gotta start getting used to," Gomez told MTV News, "and you know people want something to talk about, so they're going to have the two Disney girls — or three Disney girls — kind of feuding.

Willie Mae Rock Camp For Girls Readies Next Joan Jetts, Bjorks And Kim Deals

For a couple of weeks in the summer, the Urban Assembly School of Music and Art in Brooklyn, New York, is turned into one big rehearsal space. Amps, guitars and drum kits are lugged through the hallways as the cafeteria is readied for a rock show, and a peek inside a classroom reveals a group of preteen girls standing on chairs, belting out the words to Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend."

Britney Spears' Label Settles Lawsuit With Louis Vuitton Over Pop Star's Video

Celebrities who want to show their love for Louis Vuitton in their videos and album covers better think twice. The company has settled out of court with record label Sony BMG, which represents Da Brat, Ruben Studdard and Britney Spears — all of whom used the brand without authorization.

Louis Vuitton has won an undisclosed sum after battling the label for the past five years. The amount of the earnings is estimated to be near $300,000. The design house didn't like the use of the Louis Vuitton brand in a Da Brat video back in 2003, when the rapper was seen playing with an LV-printed beach ball.

It also didn't like two other uses of its sought-after symbol. Britney Spears rolled around in a pink Hummer with an LV-patterned dashboard in the "Do Somethin' " video. Regarding the video, the spokesperson said, "We don't make dashboards."

Meanwhile, the monogram was also used by "American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard. The R&B singer's 2006 album, The Return, displayed a jacket with the insignia printed on it.

"We believe the terms of this agreement will provide strong protection to our brand worldwide," Nathalie Moulle-Berteaux, a spokesperson for the Parisian fashion house, said in a statement. She added that the label also agreed "to educate its record labels," which include Arista, Columbia and Epic, about copyright laws.

A spokesperson for the record label declined to comment on the issue.

Miley Cyrus Rival Adam Sevani Predicts Winner Of M&M Cru/ ACDC Dance-Off

Miley Cyrus mania will hit a fever pitch when she hosts the Teen Choice Awards on Sunday in Los Angeles. And when she does, she'll have a little help from her YouTube dance rival and "Step Up 2: The Streets" star Adam Sevani. In fact, the winner of the ongoing dance-off between Miley and Mandy Jiroux's M&M Cru and Sevani and Jon M. Chu's ACDC will be declared at the show.

While the 16-year-old Sevani didn't reveal too many details about the show, which airs Monday, he did make a prediction when MTV News caught up with him at rehearsals.

"I think they're gonna win," he confessed. "Just for personal reasons, and, you know, because it's Miley and they're gonna do good. We're gonna do good too. The audience is gonna vote, so we'll see."

Sevani promised that he has "a bunch of exciting styles of dance" for his routine, but he has yet to see what Cyrus will break out with. "No, I haven't seen it — that's the fun part!" he said. "We're not gonna see it until it's live, so I have no idea."

Of course, Cyrus and Sevani have become YouTube sensations with their battles for dance supremacy, which have even led celebrities like Chris Brown, Adam Sandler and Ryan Seacrest to get involved. Eventually, it was decided that the only way to settle the score was by taking it to a bigger stage, like the Teen Choice Awards.

"Yeah, I was surprised it got so big that we had to do it somewhere like this," Sevani said. "Finally, it's here!"

Sevani is no stranger to performing at the Teen Choice Awards: He was Kevin Federline's backup dancer when Brit's ex performed on the show in 2006. He said he's filled with excitement for this year's show. "It's all building up," he said. "The tension is building up and people are getting nervous. We're gonna smoke [the audience]!"

Although he dodged Cyrus-related questions like a pro, Sevani did say that she is very humble, even though she's one of the biggest pop stars in the world. "Of course she is," he said, "What do you expect? I mean, we're real people. I have nothing bad to say about anybody."

Sevani has no date for the night, but seemed intrigued by the idea that maybe, just maybe, Cyrus might show up on his arm. "We'll see," he laughed. "We'll see."

Stars come out for MTV Asia Awards

By Ivy Sam

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - The Pussycat Dolls and British pop sensation Leona Lewis added a bit of glamour and sex appeal to MTV's Asia Awards show on Saturday, which showcased the best in global and regional music.

The Grammy-nominated Dolls, who shot to fame in 2005 with their worldwide hit "Don't Cha", strutted their stuff at Malaysia's hilltop Genting Highlands casino resort, packed with 3,000 fans and industry A-listers.

They were just one act in a star-studded line-up that included Lewis, OneRepublic, Panic at the Disco, South Korean boy band Super Junior, The Click Five and US dance crew Jabbawockeez.

Singing their latest hit "When I Grow Up", the Pussycat Dolls elicited screams from the hundreds of young fans in the mosh pit with their suggestive dance moves, but the girl group said they were not trying to be provocative.

"We are better prepared this time to perform in Malaysia and we have deep respect for the culture. It is about the music, not about sexy. We are going to respect the people of this country and the culture," said Jessica Sutta.

The group came under fire last year from Muslim authorities here for their raunchy performances and sexy attire, which earned concert promoters a 10,000 ringgit (2,700-dollar) fine.

Lewis, a former winner of the British reality show "X Factor", sang her international hit "Bleeding Love", before scooping the prize for Breakthrough Artist, beating out OneRepublic, pop singer Mika and US rockers Daughtry.

"I just have to thank everyone for helping me come so far. I've had such an amazing time in Asia," Lewis said.

Event host Jared Leto, a US actor who also fronts the band 30 Seconds to Mars, surprised the crowd by hinting that Lewis could be signing at the closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics later this month.

"I can't say anything about it yet, but there is a possibility that I will be singing there," she told a press conference after the show.

OneRepublic took home the Best Hook-up award for their collaboration with mega-producer Timbaland on "Apologize", which they performed for the shrieking crowd.

In the Asian categories, Super Junior won the honours for favourite Korean artist, while the "Knockout Award" for the artist with the most influence among Asian youth went to The Click Five.

Thailand's favourite artist was TorSaksit, while Leo Ku won for top Hong Kong artist, besting Canto-pop idol Andy Lau.

US rockers Linkin Park were named Asia's favourite international artist, while Chicosci was named the best Philippines artist. Nicholas Teo won for Malaysia and Yovie & Nuno were tops in Indonesia.

Singapore's top act was the petite Stefanie Sun, a five-time winner of the same award and Taiwan's top pick was Show Lo.

Spiky-haired songstress Li Yuchun was China's favourite artist.

Hong Kong actress-singer Karen Mok was given a special "Inspiration" award for her work as a social activist.

Bono told to retire

An online petition calling for Bono to retire has been launched. The organisers behind the initiative claim the U2 frontman is "self-righteous" and have pledged to donate all the money it raises to charity. However, they will only do so if the rock star removes himself from public life, "so he'll stop leading misguided counter-productive philanthropy efforts". "The grassroots leaders of the global fight against AIDS didn't ask for Bono to be their frontman. It's time for Bono to step down", they insist. "We will give money to Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. But we will only pay if we meet our objective", the petition states. For more information on the proposal, visit Thepoint.com. U2 are currently thought to be putting the finishing touches on their new album, a follow-up to 2004's "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb". Watch U2's music videos here... Search for the latest concerts tickets on Ticketmaster

Keane reveal comeback

The new Keane album is called "Perfect Symmetry" and will be released in October, the band have announced. The pop trio confirmed the news in a posting on their official website, revealing Madonna collaborator Stuart Price, aka Jacques Lu Cont, has produced the record. Recorded in Paris, Berlin, London and LA, the band say they wanted to "ignore the rules of good taste" with the follow-up to "Under The Iron Sea". "Perfect Symmetry" will officially be released on October 13. Watch Keane's music videos here... Search for the latest concerts tickets on Ticketmaster

Snoop drug arrests

Two members of Snoop Dogg's entourage have been arrested after his tour bus was pulled over this week. The rapper was travelling to Dallas for a show with his crew on Thursday when they were stopped by police. Texas officers were investigating an expired registration sticker but became suspicious of the smell emanating from the vehicle. Ethan Calhoun, 27, and Kevin Barkey, 26, have admitted possession of marijuana and are now free on bail. The pair face six months in jail and fines of up to $2,000 if they are convicted, after two ounces of the drug were apparently confiscated. Snoop Dogg is currently on tour with 311. Watch Snoop Dogg's music videos here... Search for the latest concerts tickets on Ticketmaster

Budgens find Daltrey passport

Roger Daltrey's passport has been found in a branch of Budgens, according to reports. The iconic Who rocker is said to have left the significant piece of documentation at a store in Kent. Daltrey, who embarks on a world tour in October, is understood to now be back in possession of the passport, which was found by a shopper in the supermarket. Lisa Gillespie apparently got in touch with Virgin radio star Christian O'Connell about the discovery, which was initially thought to be a hoax. She explained: "If I could get a message to him I would say that I didn't mean to cause such a stir. I just wanted to get the passport back to him so he could go on tour in America. "I contacted Virgin Radio because I know Christian is friends with Roger from some charity work they did together and he's not the easiest person to contact." Meanwhile, O'Connell said it was unclear if or why Daltrey, who turns 65 next year, had been in Budgens. "Roger Harry Daltrey will be a pensioner and get a bus pass next year - let's hope he doesn't lose that as well!", he told listeners. Watch The Who's music videos here... Search for the latest concerts tickets on Ticketmaster

New Kids on "The Block"

New Kids On The Block will release their comeback album, "The Block", in September, they have announced. The reformed boyband confirmed plans to get back together earlier this year and have since been working on their first new record in a decade. Ne-Yo, Akon, Pussycat Dolls, Lady GaGa and Timbaland are understood to be amongst their collaborators on the recordings. "The Block" is due to come out on September 8 and will be preceded by a single, "Sunmertime". Watch New Kids On The Block's music videos here... Search for the latest concerts tickets on Ticketmaster

Burial Mercury favourites

Burial are the new favourites to win this year's Nationwide Mercury Prize, according to reports. The anonymous dubstep producer was amongst the 12 albums nominated for the coveted award earlier this month, for his second record "Untrue". Bookmakers William Hill have now revealed that he is leading the field amongst bets placed on the ultimate winner, with Radiohead just behind. A spokesman said: "The two people we've seen real money for is Radiohead at 9/2 but Burial is very much the favourite at the moment at 3/1." The acts in the running for the prize are as follows: Adele "19" British Sea Power "Do You Like Rock Music?" Burial "Untrue" Elbow "The Seldom Seen Kid" Estelle "Shine" The Last Shadow Puppets "The Age Of The Understatement" Laura Marling "Alas, I Cannot Swim" Neon Neon "Stainless Style" Portico Quartet "Knee-Deep In The North Sea" Robert Plant And Alison Krauss "Raising Sand" Radiohead "In Rainbows" Rachel Unthank And The Winterset "The Bairns" Search for the latest concerts tickets on Ticketmaster

Jeweller sues Wyclef

A New York jeweller is demanding $300,000 from Wyclef Jean in a lawsuit filed against the star. The former Fugee is alleged to owe Jacob & Co the sum for numerous unpaid items, according to the legal challenge. The company was founded by a famed jeweller who has been name-dropped by a host of key pop culture figures, including Kanye West, The Game and Beyonce. Jacob Arabov, aka "The King Of Bling", is currently in prison after being jailed last month for lying to police in a drug investigation, reports the BBC. Wyclef has not made any comment on the allegations or lawsuit. Watch Wyclef Jean's music videos here... Search for the latest concerts tickets on Ticketmaster

Obama vs Ludacris

Barack Obama has moved to distance himself from a new song attacking his rivals by Ludacris. The US Presidential candidate has denounced "Politics As Usual", which criticises Hilary Clinton, George W Bush and John McCain, as "outrageously offensive". The rapper's attempt to align himself with the Democrat party's rising star looks to have completely back-fired, after Obama's spokesman issued a statement. In it, he expressed shock at the content of the track, which calls Bush "mentally handicapped" and says McCain "doesn't belong in any chair unless he's paralysed". Bill Burton commented: "Ludacris is a talented individual but he should be ashamed of these lyrics. "As Barack Obama has said many, many times in the past, rap lyrics today too often perpetuate misogyny, materialism, and degrading images that he doesn't want his daughters or any children exposed to". Ludacris is yet to respond to the comments from Obama, who is looking to become America's first black President. Watch Ludacris' music videos here... Search for the latest concerts tickets on Ticketmaster