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Open Casting call for new Tupac movie

An online casting call for the lead role in the recently revived biopic Tupac is underway.

The application process, set to run until April 30, asks individuals who think they embody Shakur’s spirit to submit a five-minute video in which they perform a provided courtroom monologue and their favorite 2Pac song.

“We’re looking for someone with the right mix of raw charm and charisma for the role,” producer David Robinson said in a statement. “At this point, we’re more concerned about finding someone with the ability to give their entire heart into the performance than just looks and personality.”

Tupac, directed by Antoine Fuqua, recently rebounded from a two-year setback in development caused by a series of legal battles. The film will follow Shakur’s controversial career from his rise as a rap artist and actor to his highly publicized 1996 murder. Shooting is slated to begin this summer.

Click here for more information: I Am Tupac

If this doesn't make you want to whip your hair, nothing will: Willow Smith meets Sesame Street in electric new viral

Surely it wasn't that long ago that Willow Smith was watching Sesame Street herself.

Now her first single has been given a Sesame Street makeover - and the result has been electric.

A YouTube mash-up of nine-year-old Willow's 'Whip My Hair' has been set to footage of a Sesame Street skit entitled 'I Love My Hair'.

Two days on, the mash-up has gone viral - catapulting young Willow's first song into the stratosphere and taking the internet by storm.

The video also represents another viral success for Sesame Street after its clever parody of the infamous Old Spice man commercials - starring Grover. The original 'I Love My Hair' skit features a muppet singing about all the different ways she can wear her hair.

The message was meant to be a boost for young girls with African-American hair - an affirmation that their natural hair is beautiful and that they do not need long, straight hair to feel proud. The original has been viewed nearly 300,000 times on YouTube in the five days since it was posted there. Thousands of comments on the video were praising Sesame Street for the message.

But then Willow Smith released just a few lines from her new single 'Whip My Hair'.

Patti LaBelle on Broadway in FELA!

Following two sneak peek performances Sept. 8-9, Grammy Award winner Patti LaBelle officially steps into the role of Fela's mother, Funmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti, in Broadway's Fela! Sept. 14. LaBelle succeeds Tony winner Lillias White, who played her final performance Sept. 12. The acclaimed singer will stay with the production through its closing on Jan. 2, 2011.

"After seeing the show, I was struck by the choreography and work of Bill T. Jones, and the passion and joy that overflows from the stage," LaBelle said in a previous statement. "Fela's mother, Funmilayo, was a strong, truly inspiring woman, and I am so privileged to be able to pay tribute to her on the Broadway stage."

LaBelle — who played Matron Mama Morton for a limited run in a Los Angeles stint of Chicago — is known for her Grammy Award-winning rhythm and blues songs, which include "On My Own" and "New Attitude." The one-time lead member of the group Labelle also sang on the group's biggest hit "Lady Marmalade." The singer has appeared on Broadway in three self-titled concerts and appeared in the 1982 revival of Your Arms Too Short to Box With God.

Fela!, the new musical based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, plays the Eugene O'Neill Theatre. After an acclaimed run Off-Broadway in 2008, Fela! began previews on Broadway Oct. 19, 2009. Sahr Ngaujah, who headlined the Off-Broadway premiere, alternates in the role of the late African musical figure, with Kevin Mambo (Ruined).

Tony-winning Spring Awakening choreographer Bill T. Jones directs and choreographs the production that features a book by Jones and Jim Lewis and utilizes Anikulapo-Kuti's own music. Lewis, a Tony nominee for Chronicle of a Death Foretold, also penned additional lyrics. The musical was conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel. The production incorporates the Afrobeat orchestra Antibalas and other members of the NYC Afrobeat community, under the direction of Aaron Johnson, who perform Kuti's music live onstage.

In Fela!, according to production notes, "audiences are welcomed into the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Using his pioneering music (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies), [the musical] explores Kuti's controversial life as artist, political activist and revolutionary musician."

The design team includes scenic and costume designer Marina Draghici, lighting designer Rob Wierzel, sound designer Rob Kaplowitz and projection designer Peter Nigrini. Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean will provide musical arrangements. The musical, which earned the 2008 Lucille Lortel honor for Best Musical, played an acclaimed engagement at the now-closed 37 Arts in 2008. 37 Arts was also the birthplace of the Tony-winning musical In the Heights.

Fela! is produced by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Roy Gabay, Edward Tyler Nahem, Slava Smolokowski, Chip Meyrelles/Ken Greiner, Steve Semlitz/Cathy Glazer, Daryl Roth/True Love Productions, Knitting Factory Entertainment and Susan Dietz. In association with Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson. Fela! won three 2010 Tony Awards: Best Costume Design, Best Sound Design and Best Choreography. Visit FelaonBroadway.com.

Will and Jada's Daughter Whips her HAIR for THE KIDZ

Can you say a very talented family!!!! New Willow Smith is turning it from coast to coast with her hot new jam that has everyone throwing their necks and hair from side to side. I was in my office pretending like I was on vacation when my new assistant told me that Will and Jada Pinkett Smith's daughter had a hot new sound... When I heard the tune my jaw and body dropped as I got it jumping in my office... You listen and tell me what you think!!!! Whip that hair back and forth for 2010!!!

Willow Smith, nine-year old daughter of mega-star Will Smith, and sister of Jaden Smith, star of this summer's smash hit 'The Karate Kid,' finally steps out on her own with 'Whip My Hair,' the first single from her forthcoming debut album.

The song wastes no time getting up to warp speed, with big keyboard washes and a busy, propulsive beat occasionally being interrupted by a very cool effect that sounds like a futuristic dance robot cranking into life.

Predominantly, though, the focus is on the nearly constant, insistent repetition of the song's call to action: "I whip my hair back and forth / I whip my hair back and forth / I whip my hair back and forth."

They say children have a wisdom that we lose as we get older, and seeing as how she's a girl who has no doubt seen much of this world thanks to her jet-setting parents, perhaps everyone should heed Willow's universal message: "All my ladies if you feel it go on and do it / Do it with your hair / Don't matter if it's long, short / Do it do it with your hair / Whip your hair."

Willow recently announced that she will be releasing her so-far untitled album on Jay-Z's new Roc Nation label. A release date has not been set, but that just leaves us all more time to grow our hair out and crank up 'Whip My Hair' over on AOL Radio's New Pop First station.

Rising Son: The New Karate Kid

Jaden Smith soars in The Karate Kid.

By Krista Smith• Photograph by Art Streiber

Only 11 years old, Jaden Smith possesses genes that have positioned him for stardom. He made his film debut in the Oscar-nominated The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) as the son of the character played by his real-life father, Will Smith. His mother is the actress and singer Jada Pinkett Smith, and his nine-year-old sister, Willow, has appeared in Kit Kittredge: An American Girl and I Am Legend. This month Jaden kick-starts another reboot of The Karate Kid, the 80s franchise that made Ralph Macchio a teen heartthrob and went on to spawn a girl’s version, The Next Karate Kid (1994), featuring a then unknown Hilary Swank.

Jaden is the youngest actor to take on the strenuous title role. His character, Dre Parker, relocates with his mother, played by Taraji P. Henson, from Detroit to Beijing, where most of the Sony picture was filmed. His favorite sights? “I was working the whole time,” says Jaden. “I only got to see the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.” And how was the Chinese food? “I ate burgers.” Bullies at school and a forbidden crush drive Dre to learn how to defend himself, and under the guidance of Mr. Han, a martial-arts master played by Jackie Chan, he becomes a devoted student of kung fu and triumphantly surprises everybody, including himself. “Jackie Chan is amazing,” says Jaden. “On the set, he was teaching everybody. I have been doing karate since I was five, but kung fu is way different.”

In Theaters on JUNE 11th