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DIDDY, YOUTUBE HAVE IT THEIR WAY: Burger King to run ads on 'Diddy TV'; plus ex J.Lo inspires tracks on new album.

      *Sean "Diddy" Combs has jumped into bed with the fast food chain Burger King for a new campaign to promote his upcoming album "Press Play," which arrives in stores on Oct. 17.

      Last weekend, the two parties invaded You Tube with the co-launch of "Diddy TV," a place where fans are offered personal messages from the Bad Boy founder and exclusive access to music tracks and video clips from the CD.

      "I'm having it my way on this album, and it's been a great journey
for me, so I'm grateful for partners like Burger King Corporation that are
helping me bring a fresh sound to my fans," Diddy says. "They share my
passion for being tastemakers and giving the people what they want."

      Meanwhile, People magazine asked Diddy about the inspiration behind
several tracks on "Press Play."

      "It's probably my most personal record," he said. "On a lot of the
other records, to be honest, I didn't do a whole lot of writing. On this
one, I did a lot. And I exposed myself with everybody's most sensitive
subject, and that's the subject of love."

      When asked point blank whether his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez
inspired any of his "love" material, he answered: "I used every experience.
She was one of my girlfriends, and the most highly publicized one. But I've
been blessed to go out with a couple of great women, and she was one of the
great ones."
     
      Do he and Lopez still talk? "Yeah. We're ex-boyfriend and girlfriend.
And that's cool. It's a positive thing. But my focus right now - when I'm
with a woman, I'm focused on that woman."
     
      For right now, that woman is Kim Porter, a former model who is
currently carrying his twin girls. 
     
      "The relationship that gave me the most inspiration was the
relationship with Kim," Diddy said. "(It's) my most long-term relationship.
It's had a lot of ups and downs, and it made for a lot of great songs."

'IDOL'S' RANDY JACKSON SIGNS PROD. DEAL: Dawg sets up shop at Warner Horizon
Television.

      *Music veteran and "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson has inked an
exclusive, multiyear overall production deal with Warner Bros. Television's
low-cost division to develop and produce a variety of projects - from
reality shows to one-hour dramas.
     
      According to Daily Variety, Jackson will launch his Dream Merchant 21
Entertainment banner at Warner Horizon Television's Burbank lot with his
manager, Harriet Sternberg, joining him at the helm.
     
      "We talked to a bunch of different people at different places about
setting up shop, but it was an instant fit with (WBTV president) Peter
Roth," said Jackson, a record producer, manager and onetime bassist for the
band Journey. "We instantly spoke the same language and had the same
vision."
     
      Jackson says he'll be staffing the company with key executives in the
coming weeks.

COSBY BRINGS MESSAGE TO DETROIT: Entertainer holds empowerment workshop for
urban community.

      *Detroit was the latest stop for entertainer Bill Cosby and his
message of empowerment for the nation's inner cities.
     
      The actor/comedian co-hosted a workshop for about 600 people Saturday
at Wayne County Community College District's downtown campus. Cosby used the
forum to stress the importance of black neighborhoods banning together to
help stop the foolishness in our streets. 
     
      "You're about to listen, absorb and to challenge yourself to move in a
positive direction," the comedian told the audience, according to AP.
"Strength, that's what we're after."

      Detroit, a predominantly black city, was listed as No. 2 in the U.S.
Census Bureau's ranking of poorest big cities released in August, with 31.4
percent of its residents living in poverty.
     
      Saturday's visit was Cosby's third time to Detroit in two years,
following trips in October 2005, to encourage community involvement and
self-improvement, and January 2005, asking blacks to be more responsible for
the future of their children.
     
      "When I come back and come back and come back," Cosby said, "I'm
making a statement that this is for real."

NICK CANNON'S EMPIRE INCLUDES FASHION: Entertainer reveals proprietary role
in PNB Nation.

      *Nick Cannon was due to appear last night at a "black carpet" launch
of clothing line PNB Nation's new flagship store in Los Angeles, located at
7471 Melrose Ave.
     
      The artist, actor and TV producer is an equal partner in the company,
which was sold by the original owners in 2002, reports Allhiphop.com. Cannon
is also PNB's spokesperson and creative director, while the Gurman Twins
(Jon and Marvin Gurman) of American Dream Team Network will serve as his
partners.
     
      "We wanted to create an environment that welcomed our special members
which showcases the PNB lifestyle," Cannon said in a statement. "This store
is truly an extension of the brand and we plan to have a lot of fun with
it."
     
      PNB Nation will offer such items as denim with "an urban luxury
feel...with old school Hip-Hop design influences." Denim prices range from
$250-$1,000. Several PNB designs will be available in limited quantities for
the fall/winter 2006 season.
     
      As previously reported, Cannon has created and will executive produce
"Nick Cannon Presents: Short Circuitz," a sketch comedy program for MTV to
be carried out under his overall production deal with the music channel.
     
      He currently executive-produces and hosts the comedy improv series
"Wild 'N Out" for the network.
     

MYSPACE CONCERTS TO BENEFIT SUDAN: Samuel L. Jackson promotes site's new
efforts to raise money and awareness for the cause.

      *Popular online hangout MySpace.com has announced it will stage 20
concerts featuring bands promoted on the site to raise money and awareness
for humanitarian aid in Sudan.

      Ziggy Marley is among the artists scheduled to perform as part of
the campaign, which will host concerts in several cities across North
America on Oct. 21. Bands from the fields of pop, rock, country and reggae,
among others, have all agreed to donate part of their ticket proceeds to
Oxfam's relief efforts in Sudan and neighboring Chad.

      "The crisis in Darfur is a global concern and as a global community we
have a responsibility to take action," Chris DeWolfe, MySpace's chief
executive, said in a statement. "MySpace's reach gives us an extraordinary
opportunity to spread the word and empower individuals to help address the
horrors in Darfur."

      The campaign also includes a public service announcement featuring
actor Samuel L. Jackson. The PSA will be featured on MySpace, as well as on
television and in movie theaters before films released by 20th Century Fox,
which like MySpace is owned by News Corp.
     
      In addition to Marley, who'll perform in Medford, Ore., other artists
scheduled to perform include TV on the Radio in Philadelphia, Alice in
Chains in Winston-Salem, N.C., Citizen Cope in Seattle, Gov't Mule in
Spokane, Wash., and Insane Clown Posse in St. Petersburg, Fla.
     
      Other concerts will take place in Sacramento, San Diego and San
Francisco, Calif.; Melbourne, Fla.; Atlanta; Louisville, Ky.; St. Paul,
Minn.; Reno, Nev.; Baltimore; Asheville, N.C.; Charleston, S.C.; Milwaukee;
and Washington, D.C. A Canadian show will take place in Toronto.

MALIK YOBA SCORES MIDSEASON DRAMA: Actor joins Jeff Goldblum in NBC's
'Raines.'

      *Last seen on the short-lived FX drama "Thief," Malik Yoba has made
the transition back to network television and booked a role on NBC's
midseason drama "Raines," reports Daily Vareity.

      Jeff Goldblum has been cast in the title role of an
eccentric-yet-brilliant cop who solves crimes by talking to dead victims,
while Yoba will play Raines' ex-partner and confidant.

      Yoba, born in the Bronx, NY, is best known for his role as Detective
J.C. Williams in Fox's "New York Undercover." The actor has also appeared on
the sitcom "Girlfriends" as the recurring character, Brock Harris.
     
 
50 CENT LENDS CIARA SOME 'FLAVOR':  G-Unit general spices up singer's
forthcoming CD.

      *Ciara was just about finished with her upcoming CD, "Ciara: the
Evolution," but she felt that something was missing from one of the tracks.
She was convinced that her song "Dope Boys" needed "some kind of flavor,"
she tells MTV.

      Enter Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, who stepped into the booth at the
11th hour and laced it with a few rhymes.

      "Rodney Jerkins produced it and I think it's going to be a big
record. The way he laid his verses is crazy," she tells MTV.

      The session with 50 went so well that Ciara decided to bring in
another last minute guest to give the album, due December 5, another shot of
adrenaline. Ciara is saving the artist's identity as a surprise.
     
      Meanwhile, she shot the video for the set's first single, "Promise,"
last Monday. The mid-tempo track from producer Polow Da Don (Fergie's
"London Bridge") supports Ciara's lyrics about the sacrifices involved in
finding the right man.
     
      "I just wanted to make a record that felt good, and I think this is
one of those records that truly is a sing-along, and that was the goal,"
Ciara said. "I want you to be able to go back to the old days, and put your
hands up and rock from side to side and just feel good."
     
      Director Diane Martel shot the video, which features some kind
of...something that she won't tell us about. 
     
      "We have this special thing I can't wait for you all to see," Ciara
said, unwilling to spill the beans. "But it's really just about the
performance in this video more than anything, and the way [Martel] is
lighting it. We didn't really want to do the typical R&B video."

GANG STARR GATHERS TRACKS FOR 'BEST OF' DISC: Deluxe CD/DVD edition includes
21 tracks and 13 videos.

      *Critically-acclaimed rap group Gang Starr has compiled 21 of its
greatest hits for "Mass Appeal: The Best of Gang Starr," due Dec. 26 from
Virgin/EMI.

       Among the tracks are seven Top 10 hits and two songs originally
released on film soundtracks. The package includes liner notes by music
journalist and author Soren Baker. A Deluxe Edition CD/DVD, to be released
the same date, adds 13 music videos to the collection.

      Gang Starr's DJ/producer, Premier ("Primo") and MC/lyricist, Guru have
been in the game since their 1991 album "Step In the Arena." 
     
      "The longevity comes from being in touch, connected with the streets,
being a fan," Guru told Baker in a July 1999 interview also referenced in
Mass Appeal's liner notes. "Premier and I are fans of the music. We listen
to everything. We maintain that hunger, that same energy that we had when we
first started in the game."
     
      Here is the track release for "Mass Appeal: The Best of Gang Starr":
     
    1.  You Know My Steez
    2.  Manifest
    3.  Step In The Arena
    4.  Mass Appeal
    5.  Ex Girl To The Next Girl
    6.  Skills
    7.  The Militia
    8.  Check The Technique
    9.  Dwyck
    10. Take It Personal
    11. Put Up Or Shut Up
    12. Above The Clouds
    13. Lovesick
    14. Now You're Mine
    15. Soliloquy Of Chaos
    16. Code Of The Streets
    17. Just To Get A Rep
    18. Royalty
    19. B.Y.S.

    BONUS TRACKS
    20. Tha Squeeze (from Training Day soundtrack and The Owners
        Japanese import)
    21. Natural (from Spin This soundtrack and The Owners Japanese import)

    MASS APPEAL: THE BEST OF GANG STARR (Deluxe Edition CD/DVD)
    DVD Tracklist
    1.  Step In The Arena
    2.  Just To Get A Rep
    3.  Who's Gonna Take the Weight
    4.  Ex Girl to the Next Girl
    5.  Take It Personal
    6.  Code of the Streets
    7.  Mass Appeal
    8.  You Know My Steez
    9.  The Militia
    10. Full Clip
    11. Discipline (featuring Total)
    12. Nice Girl, Wrong Place
    13. Skills

EUR DVD REVIEW: Waist Deep
Gruesome Ghetto Gangsta' Flick Out on DVD
by Kam Williams

      *Recently-paroled O2 (Tyrese) is looking forward to spending some quality time with his son, Junior (Henry Hunter Hall), after finishing up a six year prison sentence for dealing drugs. But while cruising the 'hood, their
short-lived reunion ends when his classic convertible is carjacked by some creeps who drive off with the boy in the back seat.

      Luckily, the thieves leave behind Coco (Meagan Good), a sexy confederate who helped set up the robbery. And better yet, Coco is the proverbial prostitute with the heart of gold. The Sunset Strip ho immediately spills the beans and decides to switch allegiances in order to help rescue Junior from the clutches of Meat (The Game), her bloodthirsty boss.

      This is easier said than done, because the mobster wants $100,000 ransom, and gives O2 only one day to come up with the cash. Rather than report the crime to the LAPD, the pair proceeds to embark on a crime spree of their own, robbing banks and illicit businesses located in the ghetto, behaving like a latter-day Bonnie and Clyde.

      This is the preposterous premise of Waist Deep, the most mind-bogglingly bad, blaxploitation flick in recent memory. From its excessive use of profanities and the ethnic slurs to its sadistic celebration of gratuitous gore to its Swiss cheese script riddled with an array of utterly illogical plot developments, the picture is not so much a movie as a 90-minute loop of a brainless gangsta' rap video. An unapologetic tribute to misogyny, bling, gratuitous violence, and black-on-black crime.

      Next time, I hope Juilliard-trained, writer/director Vondie Curtis-Hall cracks open his brain and uses it. A big payday is the only explanation I can think of for his foisting such an absurd, insult to the intelligence on the unsuspecting public.

      Waist Deep? A waste of time.

Poor (0 stars)
Rated R for some sexuality, gruesome violence and pervasive use of profanity and ethnic slurs.
Running time: 97 minutes
Studi Universal Studios Home Entertainment
DVD Extras: Deleted scenes, music video "Bad girl" by Black Buddafly, and featurettes entitled "Analysis of a Scene" and Drive-By Filmmaking."

ITTY BITTY BITS: BET's Hip Hop Awards; Blige in Chicago; Latifah backs
Curvation Project Confidence; Google buys YouTube; Furtado, Dolls join AMAs.

      *Ludacris, Jermaine Dupri and Young Jeezy will join BET in Atlanta
Thursday when the network announces nominees for its first Hip-Hop Awards.
The ceremony, to be hosted by Katt Williams, is scheduled for Nov. 12 at
Atlanta's Fox Theatre.

      *Mary J. Blige is one of the scheduled performers for an exclusive
concert series called Traveling Through Life, only open to Citi/AAdvantage
card members.  Dave Matthews, Tony Bennett and Aerosmith are also part of
the event; each performing a private concert: Matthews at Los Angeles'
Wiltern LG (October 30); Blige at the Chicago Theatre (November 9); Bennett
at the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas (November 12); and
Aerosmith at the Beacon Theatre in New York (December 3). Tickets are
available via www.PrivatePass.Citi.com.  

      *Queen Latifah is reminding folks that they have one month left to
nominate inspiring women for the second annual Curvation Project Confidence
Awards, a nationwide search to recognize women who personify and project the
power of confidence. Entries for the awards must be postmarked by Nov. 3.
"I was extremely inspired by the entries we received last year of
extraordinary women who were, and still are, making a difference in other
women's lives everyday," said Latifah, the spokesperson, inspiration, and
creative advisor for VF Intimates' Curvation brand of intimate apparel. "I
am thrilled to be able to honor more unsung heroes and I encourage people to
nominate the remarkable women they know." For more details, visit
http://www.curvation.com.

      *Google Inc. acquired YouTube Inc. for $1.65 billion Monday in deal
that places the Internet search engine at the top of the online video
Renaissance. The price makes YouTube by far the most expensive purchase made
by Google.

      *Nelly Furtado, the Pussycat Dolls and the Dixie Chicks are the latest
acts booked to perform at the American Music Awards, to be broadcast live on
ABC from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Nov. 21.  Beyonce, Mary J.
Blige, Carrie Underwood and Josh Groban were previously announced as
performers. Mariah Carey, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Black Eyed Peas and
Nickelback lead the pack with three nominations each.