MTV is getting political. The network, which has long been an advocate of encouraging young voters, is now accepting political advertisements for the first time.

Three of the biggest companies in the music industry will be providing content for web-newcomer PluggedIn, which offers high-definition music videos and concerts to be streamed online for free.

What does the svelte R&B diva have in common with the portly Food Network chef?

Jay-Z has had a big week. The rapper is expected to finalize a contract with Live Nation records soon worth $150 million. If that weren’t enough to celebrate, last night he reportedly married his superstar girlfriend, Beyonce Knowles.

Who knew Bill Gates could be funny?

In his “last day” video shown at the Consumer Electronics Show Sunday, Gates debuted his comedic side, with the help of some famous friends.

In the video, Gates goes over the opportunities he could possibly pursue after leaving Microsoft full-time. He pumps iron with Matthew McConaughey, raps with Jay-Z, and offers his Guitar Hero skills to U2’s frontman, Bono. After trying to negotiate a biopic with Steven Spielberg and George Clooney, Gates offers his services as a running mate to both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

An awards show, by nature, is all about competition. But this year’s Grammy Awards, set to air on Feb. 10, may decide several music industry feuds of 2007.

One of the most public battles in the rap industry this year was between 50 Cent and Kanye West, who both scheduled album releases on September 11, 2007. 50 Cent proclaimed that if he were outsold by West, he would retire as a solo artist.