Violent Madonna Stalker Escapes- Gorillaz, James Murphy, and Andre 3000 Team Up- House Canceled- Taylor Swift Premiere Next Week- more

(FMQB) MTV, VH1 and CMT will debut Taylor Swift's new video for "Safe & Sound" — her collaboration with The Civil Wars that serves as the first single from The Hunger Games soundtrack — on February 13 more

Suge Knight Arrested

(TMZ) Suge Knight was arrested in Las Vegas on Wednesday after a traffic stop gone bad, TMZ has learned ... and to make things worse, cops say he was carrying weed on him at the time.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the former Death Row rap mogul was pulled over at 5:34 PM Wednesday for making an unsafe lane change in his sick black Bentley.

But when cops ran Suge's name in the system ... they noticed multiple warrants out for his arrest, stemming from minor traffic violations.

After a quick search, cops say they found a small amount of marijuana in Suge's possession.

Knight was eventually hauled to a nearby jail for processing. He was released a short time later.

And things could get WORSE for Knight ... as TMZ previously reported, Suge is currently on 3 years unsupervised probation for driving on a suspended license. more on this story

Special Limited Edition Katy Perry Coming

The first run of Katy Perry's special edition of Teenage Dream will feature a limited edition lenticular cover.

The special edition is set to be released on March 27th and will include all 12 tracks from the original version of Katy's second album, including the singles "California Gurls," "Teenage Dream," "Firework," "E.T.," "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)," and "The One That Got Away."

It also features three brand new songs as well as versions of "E.T", "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" featuring Missy Elliott, and a acoustic version of "The One That Got Away" produced by Jon Brion. more on this story

Halle Berry Death Threats

(TMZ) Halle Berry does not want to leave the U.S. for France with daughter Nahla because the food is so good over there ... she wants out of this country because she fears for her life and the life of her child.

TMZ broke the story ... Halle is asking a judge for permission to move to France with Nahla ... something Gabriel Aubry is trying to block.

We've learned there have been and are serious threats to Halle's life and she feels the move is a life or death situation.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... Robert Hoskins, a mentally unstable man, escaped from a mental institution last week.

We've learned he has made threats against Halle's life -- specifically to "slit her throat."

Hoskins is no stranger to the law -- he has threatened to slit Madonna's throat in the past and was actually shot by her bodyguard in 1995 after he trespassed onto Madge's property.

And as we first reported, another stalker who recently trespassed onto Halle's property multiple times has just been released from jail.

Friends of Halle tell us ... she is particularly concerned because Starmaps and some Hollywood bus tours literally take tourists to her doorstep.

And Halle's friends say ... the actress is very concerned that baby daddy Gabriel Aubry is parading Nahla in front of paparazzi almost daily and possibly putting her in harm's way.

Bottom line -- Halle's M.O. for wanting to move is rooted in security ... not revenge.
more on this story

Jersey City Cops Going on Snooki Patrol

(TMZ) Snooki and Jwoww will be on some seriously thin ice when they begin shooting their new reality show in Jersey City ... because the cops will be assigned to watch them AT ALL TIMES.

TMZ has learned ... officials in Jersey City refused to a grant a permit to shoot the show UNLESS they agreed to some seriously strict rules.

1) The show must allow at least four Jersey City PD officers to be stationed at Jwoww and Snooki's home at all times.

2) The cops will stay with the cast and crew when they leave the home. Cops have agreed to keep an appropriate distance from the operation, so they don't get in the way of production.

3) If MORE cops are called in to handle an incident due to events related to the show, producers MUST reimburse Jersey City for all related costs.

Officials have also made it clear ... cops are taking the situation very seriously and will take action ... even on the cast ... if any state or city laws are broken.

Ultimately, producers agreed ... and got the permit. Production is scheduled to begin later this month. more on this story

Scotty McCreery Up For Academy of Country Music Award

American Idol champ Scotty McCreery is in the running for this year's Academy of Country Music New Artist of the Year Award.

The award will be given out during the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on April 1.

This good news reached Scotty soon after he had been alerted by fans via Twitter that his second single, "The Trouble With Girls," had just topped 500,000 in sales, making it eligible for a gold certification. "It's been a good couple of days," he says. "I am pumped! Looking at the final eight in the category, everybody in there was so good. I listen to all of their music. So to be a finalist is an honor. more on this story

Nate Dogg's Rapper Friends Didn't Have His Back?

(TMZ) Nate Dogg's world-famous rap friends turned their backs on the singer when he needed them most ... refusing to pitch in one cent towards his medical costs ... this according Nate's former associate, who's on the hook for the $300k bill.

TMZ broke the story ... Nate's estate AND a record label owner named David Michery ... were sued by the medical facility where Nate lived from 2008 to 2010 after suffering a massive stroke. A judge recently ruled in favor of the facility, which means David needs to pay up ... or else.

David tells TMZ ... he DID vouch for the bill back in 2010 ... but only because nobody else would step up to the plate ... "none of Nate's so-called rapper friends."

David says medical personnel told him it was imperative that Nate receive treatment at the CareMeridian center at the time ... because the singer's life was hanging in the balance.

"I was the only person who would come forward because I didn't want him to die. Me and Nate have 20 years history together and I did what everyone should have done and tried to save his life ... not let him get kicked out in the streets and die."

David says he intends to pay the costs by releasing several never-before-heard Nate Dogg tracks that he claims he owns.

When asked if he regrets taking responsibility for Nate's massive medical bill ... David says, "Not at all ... I would do it again in a minute. I just wish that the people he looked out for all these years and the people who claim to love him so much would help out."

TMZ spoke with Warren G -- who famously recorded "Regulate" with Nate -- who tells us, "I rode with Nate 'til the end ... I did what I could do for him with other things financially."

He added, "If I was able to pay for his hospital bill, I would have. I made several calls to numerous people for help. I love Nate ... he's my brother."

We called several other rappers who were close with Nate -- so far no response. more on this story

Another Chad Ochocinco Name Change Coming

(TMZ) Say goodbye to Chad Ochocinco ... the Patriots star is telling friends, he plans to change his last name BACK to Johnson in time for his wedding this summer -- because he doesn't want his wife to have a made-up last name.

Ocho's wedding to his "Basketball Wives" fiancee Evelyn Lozada is set for July in Florida -- and sources tell TMZ, the wide receiver plans to legally change his last name back to the one he was born with before he ties the knot.

Despite hedging last month, we're told Evelyn doesn't care what name she ends up with -- Johnson or Ochocinco -- the choice is entirely up to Chad ... but it appears he's already made up his mind. more on this story

Remix Beyonce and Win

(popmusiclife) Beyonce is challenging fans to create a remix of her latest single, "End Of Time," from her album "4."

Contestants can download the audio stems to the song, mix them up, and submit their remix.

They will then have a chance to have it appear on an upcoming Beyoncé release. There's also a $4,000 cash prize involved. more on this story

Glee Tree Hugger Video Surfaces

(TMZ) Months before skyrocketing to fame on the cast of "Glee," Mark Salling was a tree-hugging bird-loving acoustic-guitar-playing hippie-dippie park squatter -- and we got the footage to prove it!

You see, Mark -- an outspoken bird advocate -- is a member of the Echo Park Ornithology Club in Los Angeles.

And three years ago, right before Mark struck it big on "Glee" -- he expressed his pride in the animal organization by whipping out his guitar at a park meeting ... and jamming out an EPOC theme song he wrote.

You probably wouldn't guess from the lyrics -- but the song's called "Echo Park Ornithology Club." more on this story

Erasure Fill Us With Fire

(Mute) Erasure have released a music video for their forthcoming single, "Fill Us With Fire," taken from the latest album, Tomorrow's World.

The "Fill Us With Fire" single will be released on March 13th 2012 and will be backed with a new track "Shot To The Heart", produced by Vince Clarke at The Cabin at the end of the album sessions and available here for the first time, plus remixes from Gareth Jones, JRMX (Katy Perry, The Saturdays) and Liam Keegan (Madonna, Rihanna). In addition, Timothy Wiles aka Überzone / Q who mixed VCMG's Ssss, the forthcoming Vince Clarke and Martin L Gore album, has remixed "A Whole Lotta Love Gone Riot" and DJ Yiannis has remixed "Be With You".

Erasure release a new Video for "Fill Us With Fire", the kaleidoscope Video was filmed during the band's 2011 tour in support of their Frankmusik produced Tomorrow's World album, which was released in October 2011. Watch the video here.

Caveman Set For North American Tour

(GA) Caveman have announced plans to hit the road for a Spring tour through North America.

The trek will be starting in Chapel Hill on March 6th, including stops in Georgia, Florida, Austin's SXSW, Toronto, and the Midwest, before ending at Los Angeles' Echo.

Their debut CoCo Beware will get a wide release on March 27th via Fat Possum after the self-release on the band's Magic Man! label last year. more on this story

Michael Lohan Applied for Job at Burger King

(TMZ) Michael Lohan is finally gearing up to ask the burning question that may or may not have been on his mind for years -- "Would you like fries with that?"

Sources tell TMZ, Michael filed an application with a local Burger King in Palm Beach, Florida yesterday after he was released from a residential treatment facility -- which he was sentenced to as part of a plea deal in his domestic violence case involving ex-GF Kate Major.

According to sources, Lohan was moved to a 3-bedroom halfway house after his rehab release -- and the counselors at the treatment center recommended he get a real job to pass the time ... until his final release on March 16th.

We're told the job's primary purpose isn't to make money -- though $7.75 an hour ain't bad -- it's to help residents like Michael slowly assimilate back into normal society.

So far, it's unclear if he locked down the burger-flipping gig. more on this story

Home Improvement Star Charged With DUI and Drug Possession

(TMZ) Former "Home Improvement" star Taran Noah Smith has been charged with driving under the influence and possession of hash stemming from an arrest earlier this month ... TMZ has learned.

We broke the story ... the 27-year-old was popped in L.A. County on Feb 1 when cops saw him behind the wheel of a Honda Accord that was parked in front of a fire hydrant. Once they investigated the situation, we're told Smith had a "strong odor" of cannabis.

If convicted on both misdemeanor counts, Smith faces up to a year and a half in jail and $1,500 in fines.

He's due back in court in March. more on this story

American Idol Dad Wasn't In Rehab

(TMZ) Ethan Jones made it to Hollywood last week on "American Idol" and told a story about how his dad was in rehab -- but Todd Jones wants to clear the air ... he was not actually in rehab when his son auditioned.

Ethan explained on the show that he was in a band back in St. Louis with his dad, but pops had to leave the band to go to rehab. Steven Tyler, no stranger to addiction, even said, "I want to meet your father when he gets out."

But Todd tells TMZ he's out of rehab for six months and couldn't be with his son at the audition because he was attending a funeral.

Jones says he'd love to take Tyler up on his offer to meet feels it would be "enlightening" to hear Tyler's experiences. more on this story

Labrinth Teams With Busta Rhymes For US Debut

UK star Labrinth will release his first US single, "Earthquake" ft. Busta Rhymes digitally on February 21st.

Labrinth is currently in the studio finishing up his debut album, Electronic Earth, which is expected out later this year in North America (it will be out March 19th in the UK).

Peter Edge, CEO, RCA Records says, "I first met Labrinth when he was producing a lot of the freshest new records I'd heard, like 'Pass Out' by Tinie Tempah. I came to discover he is a remarkable talent as a writer, producer, musician and most of all, one of the best new artists you will hear this year." Watch the lyric video for the new single here.

$30 Million for Matt Lauer?

(TMZ) Matt Lauer has softened his position about leaving "Today" in December at the end of his contract -- that is, if NBC antes up a record amount of money.

Sources connected to NBC tell TMZ ... Lauer was done with "Today" and wanted out -- but the word at the network is he will now re-sign if NBC ponies up way more than the $17 mil he's currently making.

We're told negotiations are now ongoing -- but if NBC agrees ... Lauer could score as much as $30 MILLION a year.

As for why the change of heart -- there are two schools of thought according to network sources. Some say Lauer changed his mind when network execs made it clear they were extremely interested in tapping Ryan Seacrest as Matt's replacement -- in other words, he got a little jealous.

But there's another school of thought -- that Lauer has wanted to re-sign all along and just played the "I'm leaving" card to score a bigger pay day. more on this story