Kanye West Unmolested- Beach Boys Vs Katy Perry- Snoop N' Britney?- Justin Bieber Mystery Illness- ET Losing Hart- Scared Straight Again- CSI: High School X- more

(Yahoo) In his first screen role since departing "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" last year, William Petersen has joined the cast of an indie high school drama from the director of "American History X." more [Interesting sidenote: Kaye tried to have his name removed from American History X after the studio nixed his edit of the film and went with a third one from Jerry Greenbert and Edward Norton. Read more about that here.] -

Wyclef Jean Announces That He Is Running For President

The worst kept secret in the music (and political) world has been confirmed: Wyclef is making a run for president of his native Haiti. Here is the announcement:

Wyclef Jean, accompanied by his wife, Claudinette, daughter, Angelina, and other close family members, announced this evening that he will make a bid for the presidency of Haiti in the country's upcoming November election. Jean formally shared his intentions on tonight's "Larry King Live" on CNN, ending weeks of speculation that reached a fever pitch with Jean's resignation early yesterday from Yele Haiti, an NGO he co-founded in 2005. Jean will be one of a number of candidates seeking to replace incumbent Rene Preval.

Jean was born in Haiti and despite immigrating to the U.S. at the age of 9, has maintained his Haitian citizenship as well as a tireless commitment to improving conditions in his native country. Considered the most popular Haitian in the world, Jean has leveraged the recognition and access afforded by his successful musical career to attract global attention and assistance to Haiti. In his role as Haiti's goodwill ambassador, Jean traveled the world, forging partnerships and garnering financial and resource commitments from political leaders, corporations, celebrities and individuals. - more on this story

Def Jam Rapstar To Feature Public Enemy, DJ Khaled, Nas, Method Man and more

Rockers have Guitar Hero and Rock Band and now hip-hop fans will apparently have their very own game. Here is the announcement: 4mm Games, Terminal Reality and Def Jam Interactive are excited to announce additional tracks available in Def Jam Rapstar, the first true interactive Hip Hop music game experience coming October 5th to the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation3 computer entertainment system and Wii.

The ultimate emcee experience for video game consoles, Def Jam Rapstar is the only music game that focuses exclusively on Hip Hop, you and your social networks. With more than 40 of the greatest Hip Hop songs available at release, from Public Enemy's powerful "Fight The Power"", to Nas's "Hate Me Now" and DJ Khaled anthem "We Takin' Over", Def Jam Rapstar allows YOU to be the star by rhyming, using your console camera, and uploading your video to the fully integrated Def Jam Rapstar community at www.defjamrapstar.com.

Def Jam Rapstar is also pleased to announce that Danja and Nitti Beats join the likes of DJ Premier, Just Blaze, Cool & Dre and DJ Khalil as producers providing exclusive instrumental beats for Def Jam Rapstar's Freestyle Mode, which allows the aspiring emcee a chance to deliver their own original rhymes over never before heard tracks by some of today's hottest producers. - more on this story

Jason Reeves Releasing New Song and Hitting The Road

Jason Reeves's new single "Helium Hearts," is now streaming on his Myspace and will be available from all digital retailers on August 17th, followed by a radio impact date of September 20th.

The track is the first single from Reeves' new album, The Lovesick — due for release this winter on Warner Bros. Records. Listen to it here

Produced by Adam Smith, The Lovesick, features songwriting collaborations with WBR's Senior Vice President of A&R, Kara DioGuardi, who signed Reeves to the label, as well as Reeves' frequent collaborator, singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat. Reeves co-wrote 10 tracks on Caillat's platinum debut Coco, including the smash hit singles "Bubbly" and "Realize," as well as 10 tracks on the deluxe edition of her album Breakthrough which included current hit single "I Never Told You." - more on this story

The Ready Set To Perform On MTV TJ Search Finale

(WBR) The Ready Set has been chosen to perform during the MTV TJ Search Finale airing live from the Brooklyn Academy of Music Ballroom on Sunday, August 8th at 10PM EDT and streamed simultaneously on MTV.com.

"Follow Me: The Search for the first MTV TJ" launched in June featuring 20 social media enthusiasts competing to serve as the first-ever MTV "Twitter Jockey," as the face and voice for MTV across social media platforms. Tune in to watch the final five remaining contestants square off live in a series of elimination rounds and catch The Ready Set perform his first single, "Love Like Woe."

"Love Like Woe," the JR Rotem-produced first single off The Ready Set's debut album I'm Alive, I'm Dreaming, is currently climbing the sales and radio charts. The track has been a main stay on the iTunes pop chart (currently #32) and sales have increased each week for the past 10 weeks, highlighted by 17,000 units this week alone. The video for the song has already received almost 2 million combined views, with The Ready Set's "SETisodes" web series not far behind cracking one million views. All can be seen - here

The Honorary Title's Jarrod Gorbel Giving Away New Song

Former The Honorary Title star Jarrod Gorbel is giving away his 1st single "I'll Do Better" off his new album Devil's Made A New Friend.

Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Jarrod Gorbel, formerly of The Honorary Title, is releasing his first solo album Devil's Made a New Friend on independent label Burning-house Records and his own imprint, Gorbel Music.

These songs incorporate new elements such as strings, horns and female backing vocals for a lush, organic sound that compliments Jarrod's signature deceptively simple melodies, warm arrangements and soaring voice. Devil's Made A New Friend comes out Tuesday, August 31st.

Grab you're "I'll Do Better" track FREE - here

Das Racist Mixtape and Tour Dates

Das Racist has announced a new mixtape and some tour dates. Here you go: Das Racist is back and putting the finishing touches on a brand new mixtape set to drop in September entitled Sit Down, Man.

This time around, the group has teamed up with Diplo and Mad Decent to present the mixtape and will also feature collaborations with Boi-1nda, Paul Ryder from the Happy Mondays and Diplo himself.

The group will also be playing a few select dates including the Mad Decent Block Party this weekend at South Street Seaport along with Maluca and Paul Devro. - more on this story

Join John Legend and Swizz Beatz In The Studio For A Good Cause

Last week at RUSH Philanthropic's star-studded Art for Life fundraiser at Russell Simmons' East Hampton estate, John Legend and Swizz Beatz teamed together to announce an incredible donation.

The two acclaimed artists and philanthropists are auctioning off the opportunity for one fan and a friend to join them both in-studio for an intimate recording session to raise funds for arts education.

The experience, estimated to be worth $50,000, is up for auction on charitybuzz, the leading destination for online charity auctions, through August 18 at: http://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/209176. - more on this story

Karen Elson Spreading Truth With Media Blitz

Karen Elson will release her new single, "The Truth Is In The Dirt" on Tuesday, September 21st via Third Man/ XL Recordings. Leading up to the release, fans will have several chances to catch Karen perform as she brings the music from her debut album The Ghost Who Walks to KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic on September 1st and The Late Show With David Letterman on September 2nd.

"The Truth Is In The Dirt" is the second single from Karen Elson's critically acclaimed album The Ghost Who Walks. The single comes backed with a previously unreleased cover of Donovan's 1966 song "Season Of The Witch" and will be released digitally via iTunes, as well as on 7" through Third Man Records.

'The Truth Is In The Dirt,' along with the other original songs on the album, was written after Karen's relocation from New York to Nashville and is imbued with the essence of the city in which it was written. Rich with country styling and southern gothic charm, this haunting, swirling murder ballad also nods to Karen's Weimar-inspired political cabaret act The Citizens Band. The music video for album track "Pretty Babies" is available - here

Owl Studios Teams With Indiana University For The Emerging Jazz Artist Project

(PR) Owl Studios is beginning a new jazz initiative in conjunction with Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Inspired by Indiana University's strong tradition in jazz education, Owl Studios has developed a one-of-a-kind program to benefit the unique talent collected within the Jacobs School of Music. The Owl Studios Emerging Jazz Artist Project introduces an annual competition open to jazz students in the Jacobs School of Music that culminates with a nationally released album.

Brent Wallarab, Owl Studios recording artist and Assistant Professor of Music at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, created this project as a means to bring together these two institutions and to advance the visionary idea of combining jazz education with the practical experience of launching a career. Wallarab states, "It is incumbent upon educators to explore new ways to inspire and instruct students by providing opportunities beyond the traditional means. Through the Emerging Jazz Artist Project, our students will learn so much more with this hands on experience."

This is an impressive program that will give the jazz studies majors in the Jacobs School of Music a unique occasion to make their mark in the competitive jazz world. "It is exciting for Owl Studios to be a part of the Emerging Jazz Artist Project," says Owl Studios President and CEO Mr. J. Allan Hall. He continued, "As we discover a new direction in jazz, Owl Studios will be there to document the emerging talent produced by Dr. David N. Baker at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music." - more on this story

Erk Tha Jerk Summer Video

(Audible Treats) When we think of summer we think of relaxation. The preview video for "Summer" off Erk Tha Jerk's upcoming album Nerd's Eye View shows the opposite: hard work

Erk says, "We had a show on Thursday so we were at the venue until 3am, then we went straight to the airport to go to another show, did soundcheck, went back to the hotel to shower real quick, then did the show, then the afterparty. There's always work to do, even at an afterparty. It's not like I sit in the VIP and talk to girls. Whenever I get to a new city, I've got to meet the DJ's, let them know about me, my sound, my single, and then it's back to the hotel at 3am only to do it all over again the next day." The video portrays emcee life in an honest and unique light. "No fancy s***," or girls, or expensive alcohol; instead, Erk shows us what a day in the life of a busy emcee is like. It doesn't matter if it's summer or not.

The single features catchy hooks laid over dramatic stringed produced by Erk. He also co-directed the video. Erk works hard because... well, he does everything. Watch it - here

Moe Green Hits the Streets

(Audible Treats) Moe Green hits his fans with a motivational video for his track "KIM" portraying the life of an aspiring emcee. The video echoes the intentions of the song, depicting the day to day struggle of an artist hitting the streets and working to get his voice heard.

Although Green has seen a recent swell of recognition with his inclusion on KMEL's Freshman 10 and a great deal of buzz over his new album Rocky Maivia: Non-Title Match, Moe continues to push hard for recognition.

"The video and the song highlight the fact that I'm still working to reach new plateaus," says Green. "I can't stay in the same place. I'm always looking to make moves, and the video takes you through a day of that struggle." Although shot entirely in black and white, the video offers an uplifting and inspiring image: A young man who, in his own words, is "just trying to make it like everybody else." - Watch it here

Kings of the Underground: The Dramatic Journey of UGK DVD Out Next Week

Image Entertainment will release Kings of the Underground: The Dramatic Journey of UGK DVD on August 10th, 2010.

The film chronicles Grammy nominated hip-hop duo, Pimp C and Bun B's of UGK's influence on hip-hop and their quest to remain relevant in a volatile industry.

The Dramatic Journey of UGK documents Pimp C and Bun B's humble beginnings all the way through their personal struggles while keeping their childhood promise to always remain "UGK For Life". Joining director Thomas Gibson in this creation is Baby, Big Boi, Bun B, Lil Wayne, Pimp C, Rick Ross, Slim Thug, T.I., Three 6 Mafia with featured interviews by Lil' Wayne, Baby, T.I., Rick Ross, Three 6 Mafia, Big Boi, Slim Thug. - Check out the trailer

Jason Derulo iOKi App Released

gridMOB have released thier Derulo iOKi App to the iTunes App Store. The app stars platinum-selling triple-threat singer, songwriter and dancer Jason Derulo, who delivers a unique blend of pop, rock, electro and R&B that has captured American hearts and ears, and raises the mobile karaoke bar for iPhone and iPod touch users.

With this evolution of the original iOKi App, gridMOB has expanded the mobile karaoke features to provide listeners with a full palette of studio effects to create their own user-generated take on Derulo's sound.

The Derulo iOKi App has two modes for people to play, an animated performance edition that triggers scores similar to music video games as well as the classic karaoke view of Derulo song videos with the bouncing ball following the lyrics. Through a master mobile mixing board, players can modulate vocal and sound effects a number of ways including pitch, iOKi tune, reverb, delay, distortion and vocoder. - more on this story

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson Cast Album Preview

Ghostlight Records confirma a September 21st release date for their Original Cast Recording of The Public Theater's Production of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.

The show will soon move to Broadway (The CD will be released to coincide with previews, which begin September 20 at The Bernard B Jacobs Theatre.)

With music & lyrics by Michael Friedman, and as written and directed by Alex Timbers, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson stars Benjamin Walker in a bravura performance as the former President of the United States. - Preview it here