MTV NEWS

Big Things Poppin’ for T.I. in 2012! The rap-phenom’s landed himself a new VH1 show, “T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle” and even has a new album on the way (with 50 songs recorded for it!), but that’s not stopping him from promoting a cause close to his heart — anti-bullying.

Yesterday, T.I. (or is it T.I.P.?) took to his Facebook page to shout out Saving Our Daughters, a non-profit organization that empowers teen girls to put a stop to bullying and abuse both in and out of school. “Remember Fam to take the [Saving Our Daughters] Oath,” he wrote in a message that reached just over 14 million fans. By subscribing to the suggested eight-step oath, young women promise to take positive steps toward identifying and reporting acts of bullying. Afterwards, they’re asked pass the oath on to their friends to ramp up awareness about S.O.D. and inevitably nip bullying in the bud.

Spearheading the Saving Our Daughters effort is Nickelodeon starlet, and “Joyful Noise” actress, Keke Palmer, whose experience with bullying dates back to elementary school. “I was different,” Palmer recently told one reporter. “I went to a private school, but I talked very funny with a Southern accent, my hair wasn’t straight…[my peers] didn’t understand [me].” And so she’s using her past bouts with bullies to advise young girls on how Saving Our Daughters can help them navigate hate. “You’re not gonna be able to stop people from saying things to you, but it’s the way you react to it…[don't] let it affect you in your life.”

And cue T.I. and RiRi…”Live Your Life, Ay yay Ay yay Ay yayyyy”

January 20, 2012
By Keith Caulfield (@keith_caulfield), Los Angeles

The soundtrack to the film “Joyful Noise,” which stars Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, is aiming to make a praiseworthy leap straight into the top 10 on the Billboard 200 next week.

On Nielsen SoundScan’s Building chart (below), the album is at No. 8 — which suggests the set may find itself on the final Billboard 200 tally next week. The Building tally is a precursor to the final Billboard 200 ranking — reflecting the first four days (Monday through Thursday) of SoundScan’s tracking week (ending Sunday, Jan. 22) as reported by six major merchants.

Last week, the “Joyful” soundtrack bowed at No. 21 on the Billboard 200, with 13,000 sold in its first week. The set includes turns by Parton and Latifah, as well as their co-stars Keke Palmer and Jeremy Jordan.

Keke Palmer on Jimmy Kimmel Live PART 1

Keke Palmer on Jimmy Kimmel Live PART 2

“Keke Palmer, the lead singer, has a voice of silky power, and she doesn’t overdo what Queen Latifah’s character calls the “Mariah-Christina” vocal virtuosity”