Lupe Fiasco, Trey Songz to Perform Collabo at 2011 MTV Movie Awards

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Rapper Lupe Fiasco is set to perform at the 2011 MTV Movie Awards with R&B singer Trey Songz for what is being billed as the first-ever televised performance of their collaboration “Out of My Head.”

Fiasco will also perform his single “The Show Goes On,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.  Both songs are from Fiasco’s album “Lasers.”

They are the first performers to be announced for the event, airing live June 5 from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City.

Jason Sudeikis hosts, and Mark Burnett (“Survivor,” “Celebrity Apprentice”) is the executive producer.

Video: Wendy Williams Breaks Down When Remembering Her Drug Past

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Wendy Williams got a little personal and quite emotional on her show the other day when she spoke of Whitney Houston’s recent rehab check-in. She mentioned that the rehab could be a way of clearance to participate in the “Waiting to Exhale” sequel.

While speaking, Wendy reminisced about her drug past, which brought up some tears.

“Have you ever tried drugs?,” she asked her viewer-co-host.  “Well I have. It’s been many years, I can laugh about it now, too. It’s the stupidest thing I ever did in my life, you know, but I am familiar with every form of cocaine including crack and that whole bit. And I have to tell you, when I saw this picture right here, show that other picture of Whitney.

“[Begins crying] I remember that girl, sweaty, hair in the face, grown…I remember that girl very well, [points to herself] I wrote the book and everything. I can own up to my mistakes. Whitney, you need more than outpatient, and furthermore, I’m going to tell you right now because I’ve said it before: I don’t believe that you were sober on ‘Oprah,’ I don’t believe that you went into rehab voluntarily this time[…]On ‘Inside Edition’ they said that Whitney just signed on for ‘Waiting to Exhale 2.’ Well you know what happens with these Hollywood people, you have to be insurable and bankable. Nobody’s insuring [points to photo] this. So clean it up!”

Video: Common Performs at White House; No Mention of Controversy, Plus Actual Poem He Read

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Courtesy of Whitehouse.org

Without mention of the controversy surrounding rapper Common’s participation, President Obama welcomed an audience to the White House’s “Evening of Poetry” Wednesday night, revealing that he, too, considers himself a poet.

“I have actually submitted a couple poems to my college literary magazine and you will be pleased to know what that I will not be reading them,” President Obama joked from the East Room of the White House Wednesday evening.

The president also spoke about the emotion of poetry.

“The power of poetry is everybody experiences it differently. There are no rules on what makes a great poem,” Obama said. “Instead, a great poem is one that resonates with us and challenges us and teaches us something about ourselves.”

Some critics of the participation in the White House event by Common were upset that the rapper and actor — who has recently appeared in a romantic comedy opposite Queen Latifah and contributed to a Jonas Brothers song — has previously slammed former President George W. Bush in his poetry.

During Wednesday’s celebration, Common recited lyrics to a rap song in poem form, which tipped his hat to the nation’s first African American president and started and ended with words of Martin Luther King playing over the loud speaker.

Here’s the poem in its entirety:

“I woke up with the sunshine. A sunshine I had never seen. There was light at the end of it. Reminded me to forever dream. I was dreaming I walked into the White House. With love on my sleeve. And love for each and every one of you. Reminding you to believe. These are the words of a believer achiever. Leader of the globe, feed the souls of those in need.  I bleed the blood of the struggle. Walking over troubled puddles. The hustle is in my chest. No hustle no progress. Extremities of life in this process. The birth of a son. The death of another. With love I caress both mothers. And told ‘em whose in control is the one that’s above is. I walk where money talks and love stutters. The body language of a nation. Going though changes. The young become dangerous. Spent into anger. Anger gets sent through the chamber. It’s tough when your own look like strangers. We are the sons of gangsters and stone rangers. If he could how would Ernie Barnes paint us? Look at the picture. It’s hard not to blame us. But time forgives in the shy where the young die often. Do they end up in a coffin because we haven’t taught them? Is it what we talkin’, we really ain’t walking. Dudes, hustlers, paid. How much did it cost them? I find myself on the same corner that we lost them. Real talkin’ in their ear like a walkman. My thoughts been around the corner to the world. So when I see them I see my baby girl. The Lord lives among us. The youngest hunger, recover. Means to get it by anyways necessary under pressure. Children feeling lesser with the spill upon the dresser. Killer, willer aggressors. Destiny’s children, survivors, soldiers.  In front of buildings their eyes look older. It’s hard to see blessings in a violent culture. Face against rappings. Sirens holsters – that ‘aint the way that Langston Hughes wrote us. So controllers on the shoulders of Moses. And Noah. We go from being precious to Oprah. Cultivated to overcome. Ever since we came over. Seize the day in the way that you can see the determined. The soul that keeps burning. Shorty’s know to keep learning. Lessons in my life are like stripes that we earning.  I took Grant’s advice that Christ is returning. Like a thief in the night. I write for beacons of light. For those of us in dark alleys and park valleys. Street hits spark valleys of the conscience. Conquerors of a contest . Even the unseen know that God watches. For one King’s dream he was able to Barack us. One King’s dream he was able to Barack us. One King’s dream he was able to Barack us.”

“Thank you and God bless,” Common said at the end of his poem, without referring to the controversy. “I appreciate being here.”

After Steve Martin’s band played following Common’s performance, President Obama stood up, clapping, and then brought everyone back onstage, thanking all of the performers by name.

Before exiting the stage, Obama gave Common a big hug.

Definitely, making a copy of this poem! Real, true, deep stuff!! Gotta love it!

Lil Wayne To Be ‘Unplugged’ On MTV This June

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Rapper Lil Wayne will be the latest artist to be featured on MTV’s Grammy/Emmy Award winning music series “Unplugged” this June.

Lil Wayne will perform acoustic versions of different songs from his lengthy discography for the “Lil Wayne: Unplugged” special that will premiere on June 12th on MTV2, MTV and MTV.com.

“Lil Wayne is an amazing choice for Unplugged as he is at hip-hop’s forefront – leading a new generation of artists whose appeal spans across music genres and playlists,” Amy Doyle, EVP, Music and Talent, MTV told Hip Hop Weekly in a statement.

“Lil Wayne’s skills, influence, and catalog are a powerful addition to the legacy of artists who have rocked the Unplugged stage,” Doyle said.

Lil Wayne joins artists like LL Cool J, Jay-Z, Mariah Carey, Bob Dylan, Lauryn Hill, Hole, Alicia Keys and Korn, who have all performed on “Unplugged.”

Lil Wayne, who is putting the final touches on his 9th studio album Tha Carter IV, will on “Unplugged” on Sunday, June 12th at 9 PM ET.

Celebs hit up Maxim 100 Party

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Maxim Magazine held it’s annual Hot 100 Party last night at Eden Nightclub in Hollywood.  Kelly Rowland, Keri Hilson, Amber Rose, and others came out to celebrate.

Kelly Rowland Unveils New Album Title

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Via: Billboard.com

Ascending to No. 3 this week on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs with “Motivation” featuring Lil Wayne, Kelly Rowland has revealed the title of her upcoming album to Billboard. Her third solo project and first for Universal Motown will be called “Here I Am.”

In addition, “Motivation” thus far marks the singer/songwriter’s second-biggest hit since being featured on Nelly”s 2002 single “Dilemma.” The song perched atop the Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for 10 weeks and nine weeks, respectively.

“I was talking to my product manager,” recalls Rowland, who’s currently working in Los Angeles. “I said I wanted people to know that this is the record, the sound I¹ve been working toward… that here I am. And she said,that’s the title. It just connected with my heart and the music as well. It stands for everything I’ve gone through and thought about for this record as a woman. It’s very strong.”

Rowland plans to pinpoint the album’s fall release date by the end of this week. The former Destiny’s Child member is collaborating with a host of producers and songwriters, including Dr. Luke, Stargate, RedOne, Tricky Stewart and Rodney Jerkins. “Motivation” was produced by Jim Jonsin and written by Rico Love.

Commenting on Beyonce being honored with the Billboard Millennium Award at the Billboard Music Awards on May 22, Rowland says, “I’m so excited for my sister. Nobody deserves it more than she does. Ever since we were kids, we’ve worked hard, and she’s carried that into her solo career.

Amber Rose opens up in ‘King Magazine’

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Amber Rose opens up about her relationship with Wiz Kahlifa, the difference between Kanye, and misconceptions about her in the new issue of KING Magazine.  Check the interview out below:  Interview conducted by Sean A. Michael.

What do you think is the perception of Amber Rose?

I spoke to people, asking why do I constantly get ridiculed. Is it because I was a stripper?

Well that doesn’t help that perception much.

But they said, “No, people don’t care about that, it’s that they think that you’re with all these men, when you’re not.” I’m only taking that from certain people that I spoke to. Maybe it’s that too, or that I’m very comfortable with my body. I can be topless on Miami Beach, that doesn’t make me a whore. That’s an everyday thing on Miami Beach. It’s just such a big deal because I’m in the public eye.

If you’re cognizant of these things, why go from one public relationship into another one with Wiz Khalifa?

Let’s put it like this, I promised myself that I would never in my life ever again deal with a man in the music industry…ever!

But?

I met him to give him a pair of sunglasses from my company. You know, he’s from PA, I’m from PA—I wanted to look out for him. We exchanged numbers over Twitter…

There’s something to be said about Twitter hookups. Continue.

[Laughs] Yeah, but it was strictly business for me to give him the shades. He calls and tells me he’s in LA and can he come and get the shades. I told him I’m about to go to Runyon and work out and I’ll contact him after. He says he has the day off and I told him he could come to Runyon with me because I’m going by myself. It would be cool to have some company. He said, cool.

You guys connected during that workout session, then?

We hung out, we were friends. That’s when I posted that picture [on Twitter] saying, “me and my little brother Wiz.” ‘Cause I was like, “I’m not dealing with no young rapper.”

So when did that relationship turn into incest?

[Laughs] I chilled with him for two weeks. We didn’t kiss or nothing. Then he left for Pittsburgh and when he left I was so lost without him. He has to come back, I just miss him, and I don’t look at him like a little brother.

Why is that?

He’s just so positive. He’s one of those people that in any situation he can always see the brighter side to something. And he always has a smile on his face, he’s never in a bad mood, he’s super talented and smart, he’s a boss. Just being around him I realized he’s not no little boy like I thought he was. He’s a grown man about his business. His music alone, he’s not in the same circle as those other dudes, he’s on some other shit. So when he left we just talked on the phone constantly and that’s when we realized we were really falling for each other. And I was like when this young boy gets back from Pittsburgh; he is definitely getting some…definitely [laughs].

Points awarded for honesty. Does it make sense to ask who made the first move?

[Laughs] Ah shit, it was mutual. It was that energy and that feeling, we really fell for each other really hard really fast.

What’s the difference between this relationship with Wiz and your last with Kanye?

The thing of it is…how can I say this without sounding crazy or mean? I’m sorry.

No need to apologize, the floor is yours.

There’s no comparison in personalities. You know when people say how do you go from Kanye to Wiz Khalifa, that’s a downgrade. But the only question I can ask them is: have you ever dated Kanye? Because I have, and believe me, I did not downgrade at all. Not in any aspect, at all.

**Magazine hits store May 31st.

Rihanna Is the New Face of Vita Coco Coconut Water

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Rihanna is quenching her thirst with her latest endorsement. The island gal has been tapped as the new spokeswoman for Vita Coco, the nation’s best-selling coconut water.

The “S&M” singer will be featured in the company’s national advertising campaign launching this summer. “I love Vita Coco! It’s real coconut water from hand-picked coconuts,” stated Rihanna. “It’s delicious and so good for you!”

Rihanna, who is also Nivea’s current brand ambassador, joins Vita Coco’s famous family including Madonna and Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis, both of whom are investors in the company.

“Rihanna is a natural fit for the Vita Coco brand and I’m so happy to have her on the team,” said Madonna.

Movie Company picks up Tupac’s “Live 2 Tell” Screenplay

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The rights to “Live 2 Tell,” the only screenplay written by rapper Tupac Shakur have been acquired by Nstar Studios. “Live 2 Tell” is the screenplay Tupac wrote while he was serving 11 months in prison in 1995, on a gun charge. The movie revolves around a college student who becomes a drug boss. Afeni Shakur is executive producing the movie, which will begin production in 2012 with an $11 million dollar budget.