With Two Hot Singles, Lil' Mama Finally Ready To Drop Album

Having scored a second big hit without the benefit of an album, teenage rapper Lil Mama's debut album finally has a release date. "VYP -- Voice of the Young People" will arrive April 29.



The set has already spawned the Hot 100 hit "Lip Gloss" and this week, second single "Shawty Get Loose" featuring Chris Brown and T-Pain has already showen incredible chart gains.

"Shawty" is benefiting from further exposure in commercials for the MTV show "Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew," on which Lil Mama is a judge.

Rick Ross Gets Trilla At Top Spot On Charts

Miami rapper Rick Ross scores his second straight chart-topper on the Billboard 200 as "Trilla" debuts in the top spot.



The "NOW 27" compilation is new at 2nd spot, while Snoop Dogg's "Ego Trippin"' debuts at 3, fueled by the success of the single "Sensual Seduction."

Jack Johnson's "Sleep Through the Static" slips from 2 to 4. Alan Jackson's "Good Time," which topped the chart the previous week, plummets to 5th.

Debuting at 6 is rapper Fat Joe's "The Elephant in the Room," and Sara Bareilles' "Little Voice" holds at 7 in its 24th chart week.

Janet Jackson's "Discipline" slips from 3rd to 8th in its third week.

Erykah Badu's "New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War)" drops from the sixth rung to 9, while Miley Cyrus' "The Best of Both Worlds Concert" arrives at 10 spot.

SXSW Rocks With A Theme of War

Tom Morello, Serj Tankian, Ben Harper, Billy Bragg and others joined forces to sow some musical seeds of revolution last night at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas.



The musicians were celebrating the release of "Body of War," the new documentary about paralyzed Iraq war veteran Tomas Young, who also worked with Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder to curate the film's soundtrack.

The outspoken Morello, railing -- as is his wont -- against "an awful (presidential) administration and its awful war," -- then played a Nightwatchman set that included "Flesh Shapes the Day," Rage Against the Machine's "Guerrilla Radio," "Battle Hymns" (his contribution to the "Body of War: Songs That Inspired an Iraq Veteran" album), "House Gone Up in Flames" and a rendition of Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land" which included the often deleted final verse and found Morello trading verses with Bragg, Tankian and Mason Jennings.

Kimya Dawson closed the show with a three-song set -- including the "Juno" hit "Anyone Else But You," and some pointed political commentary of her own.

Jackson Takes Down Jackson On Album Charts

Country star Alan Jackson replaced Janet Jackson at the top of the U.S. pop album chart, while rock bands Flogging Molly and the Black Crowes cracked the top five with their latest releases.



Janet Jackson's "Discipline" slid to 3rd, while Jack Johnson's former chart-topper "Sleep Through the Static" rose one to 2nd.

Flogging Molly earned its highest charting album and its best sales week ever as "Float" started in 4th.

The Black Crowes achieved their highest charting album since 1992 as "Warpaint" debuted at 5th.

Women rounded out the top 10: "4th World War," the first half of Erykah Badu's double album series "New Amerykah," fell four spots to 6th, Sara Bareilles' "Little Voice" climbed two to 7; Alicia Keys' "As I Am" fell three to 8th; Taylor Swift's album rebounded into 9th; and Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" held at 10th spot.

Lachey and Randy Jackson Hookup With MTV...Dogg!

MTV is giving young people the chance to follow their dreams through several new music- and dance-themed projects, including an unscripted musical drama from Nick Lachey that's described as a reality version of "Fame."



The network also has greenlighted to series two singing competitions -- "Rock the Cradle," from FremantleMedia North America (Fox's "American Idol"), and the working-titled "Celebrity Music Mentor Project" -- and has renewed the dance competition "Randy Jackson: America's Best Dance Crew" for a second season.

It's Game On As Rapper Leaves Jail

Looks like it is Game On!



Los Angeles County sheriff's records show that the rapper, The Game, was released from jail just before midnight Sunday after serving eight days of a 60-day sentence.

The 28-year-old entertainer (real name: Jayceon Taylor) turned himself in March 2.

He was convicted last month of possession of a firearm in a school zone after being accused of pulling a gun on a player from an opposing team during a pickup game at a South Los Angeles school nearly a year ago.

Rhianna Bans Umbrellas; Fears Pirates For Fans

Rihanna has banned fans from bringing umbrellas to her gigs in a move based on security fears.



Fans attending the star's gig on Monday had their brollies confiscated by security guards before they got into Scotland's Aberdeen Exhibition Centre for the show.

Security guard Andy McDonald told the newspaper: "We don't normally ask people to leave an umbrella outside. But we were taking precautions over a potential accident.

"We were told that Rihanna's song features dancing with umbrellas onstage. We didn't want the crowd following her actions and someone getting their eye poked out."

Chesney Leads Country Music Nominations

Country superstar Kenny Chesney leads all comers with 11 nominations for the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, including entertainer of the year and top male vocalist.



Chesney was also nominated as an artist and producer for album of the year for "Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates" and for single of the year, song of the year and top video for "Don't Blink." If Chesney wins entertainer, which for the first time will be a fan-voted honor, it will be his fourth consecutive win in the category, tying Garth Brooks.

Meanwhile, rising star Rodney Atkins is nominated for six awards, including top male vocalist, song and album. He won top new male vocalist at last year's show. Reigning top male vocalist Brad Paisley is nominated in four categories, including entertainer, male vocalist, album and video.

Big & Rich received four nominations, including top vocal duo and single, song and video of the year. John Rich is nominated for a producer and writer award and Big Kenny Alphin is nominated for two producing awards.

Sugarland was also nominated for four awards, including duo, song single and video of the year. The duo's Jennifer Nettles received two nominations for writing and producing and Kristian Bush received one for producing.


Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift nabbed three nominations each, leading all female nominees. Both are up for album of the year.

Artists not traditionally associated with the genre were represented among the nominees. Bon Jovi picked up its second ACM nomination, this time in the vocal event category for a duet with LeAnn Rimes, "Till We Ain't Strangers Anymore." Sheryl Crow picks up a vocal event nomination for the second year in a row, this year for "What You Give Away" with Vince Gill.

The Eagles grabbed their second top vocal group nomination; the first came in 1975. Kelly Clarkson picked up her first nomination, for vocal event, with Reba McEntire, who will host the show for the tenth time.