the scoop

the scoop
n-bomb contest
TORONTO -- Global hip hop online studio and social media web site RapSpace.TV has launched a new online contest where "desktop MCs" compete for a 1,000 prize based on the "N-word" as a topic in their Web cam rhymes.
"While we think the proposed ban on the N-word by Reverend Jesse Jackson and others is understandable, it's one-sided," explains RapSpace.TV creator McLean Mashingaidze-Greaves. "Our contest is a platform for rappers to provide their own take on a word so commonplace in their works. "
The N-Bomb contest continues through the end of April, with the winner to be selected by a jury of hip hop insiders.
"As Michael Richards showed, the repetitious use of the N-word in rap has done little to reduce its sting," Mashingaidze notes. "Arguably, it's made it easier for everyone to say it -- apparently even for Paris Hilton. The N-Bomb Contest acknowledges hip hop's role in the social evolution of the word and leaves it up to the emcee community to figure out how it should be treated."
gaming geezers
We video gamers may be cute, but we sure grow up fast. A survey conducted by Nielsen/NetRatings found that 71 percent of game console owners are married, and 66 percent have at least one child. And where do gamers -- clearly a responsible, family-focused lot -- live? According to a separate study by the consumer research firm Scarborough Research, Salt Lake City has the highest percentage of households with video-game systems at 32 percent. Close behind are Lexington, Ky., Flint, Mich., and Toledo, Ohio. Fort Myers and Miami, Fla., have the lowest percentages; apparently all those retirees would rather play bingo than "God of War II."
the art of 'war'
That roar you heard across the PlayStation nation last week was the sound of Kratos, the crankiest guy in video games, returning to Earth in Sony's "God of War II." It's the last big release for the venerable PlayStation 2, and it will almost certainly be one of 2007's biggest sellers. Sony shipped more than 1 million copies of the game to stores and celebrated with a party, complete with horse-drawn chariot, at its Metreon center in San Francisco.
During the event, creative director Cory Barlog dropped a few hints about the inevitable "God of War III" on the PlayStation 3 ... although he quickly backtracked, since the game hasn't been officially announced. But then Sony issued a press release saying fans may be seeing "God of War" in full high definition, which would certainly seem to indicate a PS3 chapter.
new video games
Released this week: PlayStation 3 owners get their first great role-playing game, Bethesda Softworks' "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion." ... Wii-loving families get three new titles, Majesco's "Cooking Mama: Cook Off" and Konami's "Kororinpa: Marble Mania" and "Wing Island." ... Sega has a busy week, releasing "Virtua Tennis 3" for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PlayStation Portable; "Armored Core 4" for the 360 and PS3; and "Shining Force EXA" for the PlayStation 2. ... Ubisoft's "TMNT" (as in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles") movie tie-in is available on just about every platform. ... Genre-bender of the week is D3's "Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords," for the DS and PSP.
soulchild tops chart
R & amp;B star Musiq Soulchild leads a squad of newcomers at the top of the nation's album chart with his fourth CD, "Luvanmusiq," which sold 149,000 copies to take the No. 1 spot in the Nielsen SoundScan sales tally. "Luvanmusiq," which features the radio hit "Buddy," is another entry in the Philadelphia native's collection of creative spellings: His first album was "Aijuswanaseing" in 2000, and he followed that up with "Juslisen" two years later.
At No. 2, it's another R & amp;B singer, Lloyd, with the lusty album "Street Love," which sold 144,000 copies. It's the second album from the Atlanta-bred Lloyd, who is best known to pop fans for "Southside," the steamy duet with Ashanti and the title track of his 2002 debut.
Rapper Rich Boy has the No. 3 spot with his debut CD, which sold 112,000 copies in its first week in stores thanks to the hit song "Throw Some D's," an ode to gaudy materialism. (The "D's," by the way, are high-end Dayton rims for his new Cadillac.)
Three other new titles claim positions in the Top 10. Up first, at No. 6, is Neil Young's "Live at Massey Hall," the second in a series of concerts from the rocker's vaults (this show was in 1971 in Toronto), which sold 57,000 copies. Right behind Young is earthy British diva Amy Winehouse and her critically acclaimed debut, "Back to Black," which sold 51,000 copies. At No. 8, fittingly, it's Southern rappers 8-Ball & amp; MJG, back with "Ridin' High," which sold 50,000 copies.
paper dolls
Who can't admit to being a little jealous of celebrities like Gwen Stefani and Jennifer Lopez?
Stardoll is helping out celebrity admirers who want to steal the style of the stars, with its virtual paper doll Web site, www.stardoll.com. Like most paper-related pastimes, paper dolls are moving online and the site gives users the chance to generate a virtual mini-me, as well as dress-up celebrity look-alikes.
With a lengthy list of celebrities, the site offers users the chance to customize everyone from Disney Channel superstars such as Ashley Tisdale and Drake Bell to pop stars Hilary Duff, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. Hunky stars such as Tom Brady, Bow Wow and Jake Gyllenhaal are there as well.
Using Stardollars, users can dress up their dolls with items such as "Gwen Stefani Denims" and a "Giselle Bundchen top." They can also buy accessories as well as animal companions for their dolls using the 25 Stardollars given to new members. To purchase more Stardollars, users or their parents can make online credit card payments. They offer 50 Stardollars for 5.49, 100 for 9.99, 150 for 13.99 or the X-Large pack of 300 Stardollars for 27.98.
Once users have created dolls and purchased outfits, the dolls can be placed into different scenes, with the option of adding friends and flair.
The site also has social-networking features, where users can add friends from around the world and create a profile including their favorite celebrity and future dream job.