MIA

M.I.A. definitely has plenty of credibility as a rapper, but she's also just drop-dead gorgeous. In her new video, "XXXO," she's wearing one of the prettiest red lipstick and gloss looks we've seen in a while, and she inspired us to find ways to copy the look. So, get out your black eyeliner and dust your face with some shimmering gold bronzer, and deck yourself out with a fierce red lip color. For the latter, just check out the widget below for some suggestions:

• Jennifer Lopez reportedly out of the running to be an Idol judge — People
• Neil Patrick Harris gets an additional, last-minute Emmy nomination — TV Squad
• MIA releases her video for "XXXO" — Vulture
• This 10-year-old's voice from America's Got Talent just blew my mind — Flavorwire
• The teaser for the alien flick Skyline loads up on special effects — Film School Rejects
• Ashton Kutcher plans a "generational" version of Beauty and the Geek for TV Land — PopWatch
• This new clip from Burlesque showcases Christina's pipes — Movieline
• Ryan Murphy wants Bieber for Glee — Zap2it
• Scarlett Johansson and Blake Lively are up for the same role in Gravity — MTV Movies Blog
• New photos from the set of Gossip Girl — PopSugar

M.I.A. headed into The Late Show's NYC studio yesterday afternoon with her fiancé Ben Bronfman and their son Ikhyd. She made sure to have all the elements of her intricate performance costume — check out her appearance, complete with an army of impersonators, after the jump. M.I.A., Ben, and Ikhyd have been all about exploring the Big Apple together lately, when she isn't busy promoting her new alum, /\/\ /\ Y /\, which just came out.

To see more of the adorable family, just read more

If today's DVD releases didn't strike your fancy, then you're sure to find something you like in this week's new music. Both of these releases are high on cool factor, but do they live up to the hype? Check out my thoughts, and then give them a listen!

Little girl lost: M.I.A. is known for catchy, in-your-face tunes like "Paper Planes" and "Boyz," but they're nowhere to be found on her latest, // / Y /. Instead, what we get is an onslaught of heavy industrial noise as if you're in a car mechanic's garage — and it dwarfs the singer behind the sound. It's not M.I.A.'s best, but not to fear, because there are stil a few gems here. I'm still hooked on single "Xxxo," but "It Takes a Muscle" gives the artist the chance to flex her own muscle with a softer approach and a hint of beachy, Jamaican flavor.

Instant classic: It's been a long time since I've declared an album mind-blowingly good, but Dark Night of the Soul, the collaboration between Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse, is just that. Considering it incorporates band members from Neutral Milk Hotel, The Flaming Lips, and The Shins, it shouldn't be surprising that it's a veritable masterpiece of lush, gorgeous songs. Even though it's the kind of album that you really should play all the way through, I'll call out some favorites: don't miss "Just War," "Insane Lullaby," or "The Man Who Played God."

M.I.A. joined friends for a meal in NYC last night, and her fiancé Ben Bronfman brought their son, Ikyhd, by to say hi afterward. Ikyhd was the life of the dinner party and sat down at the table, but soon M.I.A. hoisted him on her shoulders to examine the surroundings. The family left their LA home for a stay in Ben's hometown of NYC so that M.I.A. could perform and continue doing press for her upcoming album /\/\/\Y/\, which has already spawned remixes with artists like Jay-Z of the first singles. She and Ben are apparently taking it easy with the wedding planning, but M.I.A. recently revealed her hopes for their ceremony.

M.I.A. always pulls out a bold look for events, and at last night's Nylon party, she made bright lipstick work. We're digging the on-trend shade of golden tangerine she wore on her lips. It's a great shade for the season, it's flattering on a wide variety of skin tones, and it beautifully accentuates warm undertones. To see our picks for getting M.I.A.'s look for yourself, just check out the widget below:

• M.I.A. talks wedding plans in GQ — JustJared
• Cory Monteith is having an awesome Summer — Lainey Gossip
• Details on Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart's Santa Fe wedding — PopEater
• Jessica Alba shows some skin at airport security — Egotastic
• Lindsay Lohan claims she was set up to look bad by Bravo — D-Listed
• The Situation is releasing his own clothing line — Pink Is the New Blog
• SI swimsuit model Jessica Hart hits the beach in a bikini — The Superficial
• Adriana Lima goes topless on the cover of V Magazine — Hollywood Tuna
• Katy Perry tries to cover up her injury on stage — Hollywood Rag
• Check out these hot team USA soccer studs! — popbytes

M.I.A. and Jay-Z may give Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg a run for their money for song of the Summer. They've just released a remix of "XXXO," the first single off M.I.A.'s upcoming album /\/\/\Y/\ (don't ask me to pronounce that title). The original song was already catchy on its own, but with Jay-Z spitting additional lyrics on this revamped version, I love it even more. Between the chorus and the iPhone and Twitter references, something tells me we'll be hearing this on Gossip Girl come Fall. Get your dance on when you read more