Austin Brown: Nephew of Michael Jackson, Future Star

Austin Brown, a nephew of Michael Jackson and son of MJ's sister Rebbie Jackson, is looking to carry on the family legacy with his debut album 85. The California native plays guitar, keyboards, bass and drums, all at the age of 24.

Here's a little background on the King of Pop's nephew, via People ...

Wanting to improve his life performances, Brown started taking gymnastics. "I told [producer] Rodney [Jerkins], 'I'm going to flip.' He was like, 'You're out of your mind.' So I started taking footage of it and I was like, 'Look I can do a back flip.' "


Aunt Janet Jackson "is the person that I talk to the most in my family," he says. "She knows everything about me. If I couldn't tell my mom, I would tell her. She would take drives with me and talk to me like I was a normal person."

"When you're a kid it's cool to talk to a relative who doesn't look at you like a kid. She took the time to spend with me and be a support system. I would call her about problems at school and she would give me sound advice. She's a great listener."

Raiding the CDs of older sisters Stacy and Yashi, "I would listen to their music like Depeche Mode, Eurythmics, Billy Idol and Tears for Fears, who I loved."

He'd love for Rihanna to remake "Centipede," a hit for his mom Rebbie, written by Michael. [MJ] told me it was one of his favorite songs that he ever worked on," Brown reflects. "I wish somebody would redo it, like Rihanna."

He's working with acclaimed producer Rodney Jerkins (who has worked with Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga and others) on his new material.

Kanye West on SNL: A Power Performance

If you watch only one video from this weekend's Saturday Night Live, make it the Miley Cyrus Show. If you watch another, make it Kanye West's performance of "Power."


Taylor Swift incidents and Twitter rants aside, Kanye is an artiste, a groundbreaking one who will not shy away from challenges and isn't afraid to take chances musically.

Breaking 36 seasons of SNL convention, he changed the signature black, instrument filled stage to an all white, backlit canvas. Check out his effort below, it's worth it ...

Happy 21st Birthday, Karissa and Kristina Shannon!

Playboy model / sex tape star Karissa Shannon celebrated her 21st birthday yesterday with a champagne-soaked party in NYC. The co-guest of honor at the bash?

Twin sister Kristina Shannon, of course!

Karissa looked so delighted when boyfriend Sam Jones III gave a pair of Louboutins which cost $1,495 - he forgot to take the price tag off, what are the odds?

Karissa Shannon turned 21 last night, as did Kristina Shannon. Sam Jones III? He was just there for the photo ops. [Photos: PacificCoastNewsOnline.com]


With proceeds from the Karissa Shannon sex tape, Sam can afford all sorts of fancy gifts for his girl, who became a D-list name in 2008, thanks to Hugh Hefner.

The twins were two of Hef's three hoes for a bit. Yet despite the "girlfriend" status, Karissa claims the relationship was "more for fun" and the chance to be on TV.

Wow, you mean a couple of 19-year-old twins weren't just itching for the chance to double-team an octogenarian? Shocker. Anyway, happy birthday girls!

Did Britney Spears Get New Tattoos?

Global pop music icon and Glee guest star Britney Spears made her way out of a local Toys-R-Us yesterday with loads of merchandise and BF Jason Trawick in tow.

In addition to the toys she got for Sean Preston and Jayden James and their nannies to play with, Britney showed off some hot new tattoos (maybe) on her neck.

Perhaps they're stickers of some kind, or tats of the temporary variety. Honestly, you never know what to expect from a girl who supposedly fears all strangers ...

Are those a handful of new tattoos on Britney Spears? Any idea what they are, if so? And can you believe she's wearing a bra for a change? Discuss

Saturday Night Live Presents: The Miley Cyrus Show!

We heart you, Saturday Night Live.


On this weekend's installment, new cast member Vanessa Bayer took on her first lead in a sketch, doing an outstanding job mocking Miley Cyrus, while host Bryan Cranston played father Billy Ray.

You've, like, gotta, like, watch this, like, impression, as Bayer parodies Miley's numerous statements about how, like, she's a serious actress. Like, check it out below...

Duane Chapman (Dog the Bounty Hunter) Injured

Duane Chapman, a.k.a. Dog the Bounty Hunter, was rushed to UCLA Medical Center this weekend due to the extreme pain in his left leg, according to reports.

A source close to the reality star and real-life fugitive hunter says that he may have a blood clot behind his knee, an injury stemming from kicking in a door.

His muscle separated from the bone and caused internal bleeding, sources report. The injury grew worse as Dog has been traveling during the past week.

On Thursday, Dog and his wife Beth were seen having lunch in Malibu, where Dog appeared to be happy and healthy as he sat with his arms around Beth.


But by Saturday, the injured muscle was so inflamed that Dog needed to go to the emergency room. He will return to the hospital for more treatment.

Dog and Beth, who live in Honolulu, have been in Los Angeles for several TV and radio appearances promoting the seventh season of their hit show.

Ray J: Dancing With the Stars Correspondent

R&B singer and Kim Kardashian sex tape co-star Ray J has signed a deal to become a special correspondent on Extra, covering ABC's Dancing With the Stars this fall.

"He's doing it because he really loves the show and wants to support Brandy's effort to win," his rep tells Us. Talk about your biased celebrity gossip reporting.

Ray's sister is considered among the favorites in the 11th season along with Jennifer Grey. Will a stage presence from her sibling help propel her over the top?


Ray will make his debut on DWTS Monday. He will interview the show's contestants - including his sister, Audrina Patridge and The Situation - for Extra Tuesday.

He replaces Vienna Girardi, who held the correspondent's role last season.

Khloe Kardashian Fears Weight Gain, Motherhood

Khloe Kardashian is not pregnant. In fact, despite what the tabloids may scream on their covers, no one in this attention-starved family is knocked up.

Still, Khloe has made it clear she wants a baby... as long as God is down with that, and as long as it doesn't interfere with her goal of becoming skinnier than most science class skeletons.

Speaking to Us Weekly last week, Kardashian outlined the three reasons why she's afraid to be pregnant. They included:

"I'm scared of gaining weight and not being able to lose it after."

"I'm scared of the epidural needle in my back!"

"Mason is so good, he never cries! I don't think that could happen twice in the family!"

In other words: Khloe is afraid of what a pregnancy would do to her body; of the pain of child birth; and of having a well-behaved child. That makes her... just like every other potential mother on the planet.

Mario Cites Mother's Drug Addiction as Basis for Assault Arrest

Late last week, R&B singer Mario was arrested for assault against his mother.

With his client free on bail, the artist's attorney spoke on the incident over the weekend and acknowledged that a confrontation took place. But he cited the drug history of Mario's mom (Shawntia Hardaway) as its basis.

"Anyone who has waged the battle to save loved ones from the forces of drugs knows the irrational behavior that almost always accompanies their actions," said Hassan Murphy. "Despite the allegations, Mario remains committed to supporting his mother."
Police responded to Hardaway's call on Friday and found an apartment in disarray. They booked her son on charges of second degree assault after Shawntia accused him of pushing her in the chest.

Murphy referred to this "unfortunate incident between a loving son and a mother" as something that happens when one side struggles "with a devastating addiction."

The singer's strained relationship with his mother was the topic of an award-winning TV documentary in 2007. Titled "I Won't Love You to Death: The Story of Mario and His Mom," it chronicled Mario's attempts to help his heroin-addicted relative.

Britney Spears Working on New Album (Really)

If you thought Britney Spears did nothing but spin by the mall, go to Starbucks, get new tattoos and make pit stops at area gas stations ... you'd be right. Mostly.

According to reports, the star has actually made progress on a new album, which would be her first since the smash hit Circus came out nearly two years ago.

Three songs are done and she loves them. Spears has also gotten a really positive reaction to her recent appearance on Glee, which has led to similar offers.
HIT THE STUDIO, Y'ALL: Somehow, Britney squeezes recording sessions in between her obligatory Starbucks runs. We can't wait to hear the results of those trips.


No word yet on when the new album will come out, but hey, it's pretty much a given that we'll actually hear this someday ... unlike Amy Winehouse's "upcoming" effort.

Kanye West Returns To 'Saturday Night Live'

Before Kanye West appeared on the October 2 episode of "Saturday Night Live", the outspoken MC tweeted "25 Minutes to dress rehearsal ... Just saw [executive producer] Lorne Michaels ... uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuum .... Akwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaard LOL!"

Awkward indeed, especially considering the superstar MC's single "Power" unfavorably name-checks the sketch comedy show with the line "F--- 'SNL' and the whole cast. Tell 'em Yeezy said they can kiss my whole ass." Even though 'Ye seemed a little heated at the "SNL" crew, which took a few jabs at the Taylor Swift 2009 VMA business, that didn't stop 'Ye from not only performing the song but transforming the signature "SNL" stage setup as well.

On Saturday's live broadcast-- hosted by Emmy-winning "Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston with guest spots for Morgan Freeman and Ernest Borgnine-- West kicked off his appearance with "Power." Instead of rocking from the show's famed Grand Central Terminal-themed set, 'Ye began the song atop a set of stairs with a completely white backdrop. Pale sheer sheets covered scores of clapping dancers as Yeezy spit the opening bars in a fire-engine red suit, with several gold chains swinging from his neck and a headpiece of gilded laurel resting on his dome. The sheets were pulled off the dancers as the first chorus dropped to reveal women of several hues grooving in white leotards in a live recreation of the "moving painting" visual that accompanies the track.

At the beginning of the second verse, West and his company of dancers dropped to the ground as he rattled off revamped lyrics including, "I'm killin' this, I know damn well y'all feelin' this." Near the close of the performance, 'Ye ascended the stairs and the dancers stood perfectly still until the MC bounded down the steps once again, fell to his knees and yelped "Now this will be a beautiful death!" Then taking another cue from the video, West returned to the steps, donned the laurel once again, gazed out unto the crowd and hung his head as two dancers on either side struck Grecian-inspired poses on white pedestals.

For Yeezy's second performance, the Chicago MC revisited the theme and tone of his 2010 VMA performance, once again launching into the track-opening notes of "Runaway" by tapping an MPC resting on a pedestal. However, instead of three ballet dancers, over a dozen women sporting tutus held classic ballet poses in the shadows until Yeezy rocked the first few lines. After hitting several more poses in-sync with the midtempo rhythm, the ladies ambled off the set and then 'Ye worked the stage solo, emphatically saluting "douche bags" and "scumbags." When 'Ye retreated to the MPC once again, another dancer popped up for a graceful arabesque that heralded Pusha T's appearance, who ripped the stage in a white button-down shirt and blazer. The dancers joined West once again to close the performance as he dropped the remaining bars, his vocals twisted by his favored Auto-Tune effect. He wrapped up the performance with a simple bow but when the cast returned for the farewell at the end of the show, 'Ye signed off for the night once again rocking his gilded crown.

What did you think of Kanye West's "SNL" performance? Sound off in the comments!

Lil Wayne's Ex-Wife, Toya, 'Excited' For His Return

With Lil Wayne expected to wrap up his jail bid on November 4, the countdown to the megastar MC's return from Rikers is in full swing. Of course his legions of fans and his Young Money crew miss the superstar spitter, but few are pining for Weezy more than one very special lady in his life: his daughter Reginae.

Wayne's ex-wife, Antonia "Toya" Carter, told MTV News on the BET Hip-Hop Awards red carpet Saturday that she and her daughter with Weezy are amped for the powerhouse lyricist's release next month.

"It's very exciting," Carter smiled. "Especially when you have a little girl that's anticipating his return. We're looking forward to that. It's very exciting."

Wayne's incarceration has been tough on his tween daughter, who had to deal with the many false starts of his sentence earlier this year, which had been delayed due to dental work and a courthouse blaze.

"The last day he finally went in, we didn't go, so my daughter was like, 'I wish I would've went.' It was just too much. I just didn't want to let her see that again 'cause both times she took it real hard," Carter told Vibe magazine. "So I was like, I'm not gon' let her go this last time. I'm just gon' make sure he talk to her 'cause I didn't know if he was really gonna go. They kept pushing back."
Yet Weezy urged her to keep her head up for Reginae during the family's difficult period.

"At first my daughter would see me a little sad and you know kids they react off of your feelings sometimes, so he was just like, 'Be strong, make sure you take care of her. Make sure she straight and keep her phone on all the time so I can call her. The time is gonna fly by.' "

Time is almost up and Weezy has recently said that the first thing he plans to do when he's freed, presumably before his blowout homecoming concert, is see his children.

"[I'm going to] hug and kiss my kids," Wayne revealed during a phone call to MTV's "The Seven." "And, uh, after that, I don't think I'm allowed to say."

Are you excited for Lil Wayne's return from jail? Sound off in the comments!

'Dancing With The Stars' Was 'Such Hell,' Lance Bass Says

Lance Bass competed on "Dancing With the Stars" way back in the fall of 2008, and while he managed to finish in third place (the show's current host, Brooke Burke, won that season), he admits that right now the show is anyone's game. So that means anyone from the Situation to Audrina Patridge to Brandy has a chance of taking home the mirror-ball trophy.

"I haven't watched the last two seasons, but this year, it's on my TiVo, and it's exciting," Bass told MTV News earlier this week at "The Social Network" premiere, where he was supporting his old pal Justin Timberlake. "It's interesting when you know what they're going through."

So, what is it that they might be going through? "It's hell! It's such hell! So you feel for them," he explained. "It's kind of like a little club that everyone has that only they can understand. So, I feel for them."

With a mixed bag of celebrities vying for the big prize this season, which is now going into its third week, it seems that there isn't yet a front-runner in the latest installment of the ballroom-dance drama.

Bass said he loves watching Kyle Massey. "I think he's awesome. He's just such a personality out there," he raved, noting there are a few other standouts, none of whom are known for their turns on MTV reality TV.

"Brandy's doing great. I think Kurt Warner's actually doing really good. Football players, they always surprise. No one's really a leader in my mind, right now. But we got a long way to go."
Who are you rooting for on "Dancing With the Stars"? Let us know in the comments!

Shia LaBeouf Says 'Transformers 3' Will Be Best Of The Series

Despite expressing the feeling that he "wasn't impressed" with "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," franchise superstar Shia LaBeouf is pretty sure the third film will be the best of the series.

"This is, and I'm not just BS-ing you, it's the best movie we've made of the three by far," LaBeouf told MTV News recently about "Transformers 3," adding that director Michael Bay showed him 40 minutes of footage that had him feeling extra confident about the final product.

"The script is the best script we've had," LaBeouf said. "The second movie, we were in the middle of a writers' strike, writing on the go," he explained. "The first movie, we had the discovery, and this movie really is the fruition of the rhythm we've created out of five years working together. I'm super proud of this movie."

LaBeouf said there is a sense of finality for him, as the third "Transformers" film will definitely be his last.

"There's no more for me, at least. I'm never going to do it again," he said definitively. "This is the last one, so it's balls-out. This is the best movie we've made, period, and that's a unanimous decision by everybody. The sizzle reel that [Bay] has been showing everybody on set, it's so outrageous. I'm very, very, very, very proud of it."

LaBeouf's co-star Josh Duhamel seems equally enthusiastic about the third film.

"I've seen about 10 minutes of it — just the stuff we shot in Chicago — and it's pretty awesome," he told us recently. "It's all in Michael Bay's head, so you never know what the film's going to turn out like, but judging by the script and what we've shot, it's, I think, every bit as good, if not better than, the first two," he declared.

Do you think "Transformers 3" will be the best of the series? Let us know in the comments!

Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z Big Winners At 2010 BET Hip-Hop Awards

ATLANTA — Nicki Minaj collected enough hardware for herself and a few of her alter egos on Saturday (October 2) as the female lyricist was one of the big winners at the 2010 BET Hip-Hop Awards.

The Lil Wayne protégé scored three trophies overall: Rookie of the Year, People's Champ and the Made You Look award, which was awarded in recognition of her fashion flair.

Decked out in a black dominatrix-like outfit, blond bob hairdo, pink nails and lipstick, Minaj took to the stage to accept her first award and was overcome by the recognition.

"Last year, I was here in anticipation of the cypher," she told the crowd, referring to the artist rap freestyles that run in between the award presentations and performances. "Now I'm here in anticipation of my debut. [Pink Friday, set for release November 23.]

"I'm paving the way for girls," she continued. "I wanna thank all the girls of hip-hop."
Jay-Z, who didn't attend the festivities, also earned three awards. Hov won Perfect Combo (for his Alicia Keys-assisted "Empire State of Mind"), CD of the Year (The Blueprint 3) and Best Live Performer.
Rick Ross picked up two awards: the Miami don's "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)" earned Track of the Year for producer Lex Luger, and the industrial-strength number nabbed Club Banger of the Year honors.
Ross also delivered one of the night's most memorable onstage moments when he, Diddy and DJ Khaled opened the show with a pyrotechnic-enhanced rendition of his award-winning anthem before easing the Atlanta Civic Center crowd into "MC Hammer."
"Bitch, I'm MC Hammer," Ross rapped. "I'm about cream. I got 30 cars, whole lot of dancers/ I take them everywhere, I'm MC Hammer/ Started selling dough, I'm too legit to quit/ When it's hammer time, I'm pulling out the stick."
MC Hammer himself then appeared onstage, leading a troop of dancers dressed in ensembles honoring the Marines. The veteran superstar performed his hit "2 Legit 2 Quit."

Harlem's Diplomats reunited onstage for the first time since they reconciled over the summer after years of squabbling.

Cam'ron, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana and Freekey Zekey rocked the crowd with their latest offering, "Salute."
Big Boi featuring Yelawolf, Soulja Boy Tell'em, J. Cole, Cali Swag District with Digital Underground, Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame were among the evening's other performers.
B.o.B brought his hometown crowd to its feet with a rousing rendition of his next single, the melancholy "Don't Let Me Fall."
Iconic female trio Salt-N-Pepa were honored with the I Am Hip-Hop award. Diddy (Hustler award), Swizz Beatz (Producer of the Year) and DJ Khaled (Best DJ) rounded out the winners. DJ Premier led a tribute to Guru, the late Gang Starr MC.

Following last year's successful series of cyphers, including Eminem, Mos Def and the Roots' Black Thought locking in together to rhyme, the 2010 BET Hip-Hop Awards featured seven cyphers, from the father and son pairings of Ice Cube and his two boys rhyming with Reverend Run and Diggy and Jojo Simmons to the Rosewood cypher, which featured Kanye West and his G.O.O.D. Music family: Common, Pusha T, Big Sean and CyHi Da Prynce.

The latter collective upped the ante on their freestyle set by sporting black-tie clothing; they even forced Premier to get spiffy.
West drew one of the loudest cheers of any cypher with his array of punch lines.
"Y'all got too many Urkels on your team, that's why y'all win slow," he rapped.
The 2010 BET Hip-Hop Awards, hosted by Mike Epps, is scheduled to air October 12 at 8 p.m. on BET.