BMI Urban Awards Kickstart MTV Weekend

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The MTV Video Music Awards aren't until Sunday, but hip-hop stars started accepting trophies Friday night.

Sean "Diddy" Combs, T.I., Three 6 Mafia and a slew of hip-hop producers gathered at the New York New York hotel for the BMI Urban Awards, which honor the songwriters and music makers behind the year's biggest hits.

The performing rights organization also paid tribute to Run-DMC's Joseph "Rev. Run" Simmons for his contributions to popular music.

"I'm lucky to be in the game," the rap pioneer said, adding that he was "shocked" to learn he would be joining Al Green, Isaac Hayes and James Brown as the recipient of BMI's Icon Award.

Simmons and Run-DMC "had a permanent influence on generations of music-makers," said BMI chief executive Del Bryant, who compared Simmons to Mick Jagger, James Brown and Mohammed Ali.

"He is the man for all time," he said. "Run-DMC never crossed over. Popular music crossed over to them."

"The legacy we left behind was unity," Simmons said before the show, flanked by his family _ co-stars on his MTV reality show, "Run's House."

"Run-DMC was about 70 percent unity and 30 percent talent. What kept us together was our respect for each other."

Combs, a producer of Simmons' reality show, said the rapper changed his life.

"You gave birth to a whole culture, a whole generation," he said. "We bow down to you."

Simmons joined rappers Lil Jon and Lil Wayne to perform Run-DMC's 1986 breakthrough hit "Walk This Way."

The awards presentation, held in the hotel's Cirque du Soleil Zumanity theater, opened with a taste of the avant-garde circus. Scantily clad contortionist nymphs bent and balanced on the edge of a tub that looked like an oversized martini glass.

But the night was really about honoring the people behind the year's best-selling music. Producer Sean Garrett, who has worked with Britney Spears, Usher, Whitney Houston and Mary J. Blige, earned producer of the year and song of the year honors.

"I'm here to enjoy music and bring a great sense of love to it," he said on the red carpet before the show.

Other producers honored were Polow Da Don, Jazze Pha, Rodney Jerkins, will.i.am, Lil Jon and T-Pain, who was also recognized for his top-selling ringtone, "I'm N Luv (Wit a Stripper)."

Comedians Chris Rock and Chris Tucker were among the guests at the show. But several expected stars failed to arrive, including Rihanna, Snoop Dogg and producer of the year honorees Kanye West and Pharrell Williams.

Fergie Scores Third #1

Fergie has scored her third #1 single in the U.S from her solo debut THE DUTCHESS.

BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY hit the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart this week, making Fergie the first solo female artist to have three #1 singles from one album since Christina Aguilera did it in 1999/2000.

The Black Eyed Peas singer also joins Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake in having two #1 hits this year, with her second single GLAMOUROUS sitting at the top spot for two weeks back in March.

Queen stars to perform at Aids benefit

 Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen have signed on to perform at an Aids charity concert next June that marks former South African leader Nelson Mandela's 90th

birthday.

The concert will take place on June 8th in London and according to Contact Music it will help raise awareness of the former South African Prime Minister's 46664 HIV Aids campaign, which helps those affected by the virus.

Braxton denies cancer rumours

Soul singer Toni Braxton has hit back at U.S. tabloid reports she's battling breast
cancer.

The Unbreak My Heart singer has issued a statement dismissing rumours that surfaced in the National Enquirer last week and spread online.

Braxton writes, "There has been a rumor circulating that I have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

"After feeling something uncomfortable in my left breast, I went in for a screening. I was very fortunate that they did not find anything and I am in great health."

Braxton has chosen to take the high road on the hoax health crisis, hoping the shocking story will persuade women who have been holding off cancer checks to get serious about the disease.

She adds, "I encourage women to take their annual tests and suggested precautions to prevent this disease that continues to affect so many women."

Bob Marley ringtone court battle

The family of late reggae singer Bob Marley said on Thursday they will sue Universal Music Group and Verizon Wireless for using the iconic pop star's name, likeness and
image without permission.

Fifty Six Hope Road Music Ltd, which is owned by the Marley family, said in a news release that Universal Music had entered an agreement with Verizon Wireless that granted the U.S. mobile service provider the right to utilize Bob Marley's name, likeness and image to promote a new set of ringtones.

"The agreement was entered into without the permission of the Marley Family," said the statement from Fifty Six Hope Road Music Ltd. "UMG has not received any suit from the Marley Estate," Universal Music Group said on Thursday.

Britney comeback single

Britney Spears' comeback single debuted on American radio last night, according to
reports.

"Gimme More", said to bear striking similarities to a piece of work from her ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake, was played on New York's Z100.

The song, which opens with the words "It's Britney, bitch", is available now to be streamed at the station's official website www.z100.com.

It has been produced by Timbaland collaborator Nate 'Danjahandz' Hills, and is expected to feature on the follow-up to 2003's "In The Zone".

Speaking about "Gimme More" earlier this week, a source explained: "People are going to love (the new single).

"It's like when Justin (Timberlake) came back (with 'FutureSex/ LoveSounds') - she's got a whole new sound. She's funky."

Kooks frontman says Noel 'is too rich to write'

Oasis star Noel Gallagher is too rich to write chart-topping songs, according to The
Kooks frontman Luke Pritchard.

Pritchard wants to compose as much material as he can, before his band become too successful - because he believes wealth sapped Gallagher's creativity.

He says, "He wrote all the songs before he got big. You can't write about having a s**t time when you're living in a mansion."

Vodafone Live Music Awards

This year’s Vodafone Live Music Awards will take place on 19th September at
London’s Brompton Hall.

Celebrating the best in live music, the Vodafone Live Music Awards will include performances from Kate Nash, The Manic Street Preachers, Calvin Harris, Athlete and The Enemy with further acts to be announced shortly.

The Vodafone Live Music Awards provide the finale to the Vodafone TBA series which sees international acts perform in intimate and unusual venues across the country. 2007 saw performances from Amy Winehouse at Circomedia, St Paul’s Church in Bristol, Maximo Park playing in Oxford Union’s Great Debating Hall, Mika impressing Manchester outdoors at the Great Northern Square, Kasabian returning to their roots in Leicester, Kanye West captivating crowds with his performance at Central Hall Westminster and the forthcoming Kaiser Chiefs gig in Blackpool.