Mos Def is retiring his name after 2011 ….. or at least that’s what he’s telling people.

Following his performance this past weekend at the “Rock the Bells” concert in New York City, the rapper/actor — who will be appearing in the next season of Dexter — spoke with MTV and revealed that starting at the top of next year, he will put the name “Mos Def” to rest and will go by the name “Yasiin.”

Watch the interview above!

[See post to listen to audio]
Rapper Kanye West has dropped another track this week for G.O.O.D. Friday.

This one is called “Don’t Look Down” and features Mos Def, Lupe Fiasco and Big Sean. Check it out above and continue reading for the download link…

D/L: KANYE, MOS DEF, LUPE & BIG SEAN – DON’T LOOK DOWN

Rapper T.I. hit up the exclusive Power 99 FM screening of his new movie “Takers” Sunday (Aug 8) at the Ritz East Movie Theater in Philadelphia.

Singer JoJo is pictured here as she arrives at the Do Something 101 Back Pack Party at The Globe Theatre at Universal Studios in Universal City, California.

Cee-Lo Green was dead a** serious when he wore a bathrobe and a pair of slippers as he spoke on the panel for his new show “Lay It Down” during the Fuse portion of the 2010 Summer TCA (Television Critics Association) tour, held at the Beverly Hilton last Saturday (Aug 7) in Beverly Hills, CA. … On the show, Cee-Lo will sit down with Hip-Hop, Pop and R&B artists as they showcase their talents through music. Through in-depth conversations with Cee-Lo, the artists will also break down their songs from inspiration to verse to beat to note.

Actress Gabourey Sidibe hit up a screening hosted by The Cinema Society for her new Showtime series “The Big C” in East Hampton, New York.

The Black Eyed Peas shut it down as usual in front of a sold out crowd as they performed in concert at the Boardwalk Hall Arena in Atlantic City, NJ for their world tour.

Ludacris performed at the Maloof Money Cup in Costa Mesa, California.

Mos Def hit the stage in Maui, Hawaii and performed at the Maui Celebrity Series to a full house.

And The Jonas Brothers, from left to right: Nick, Joe and Kevin, kicked off yet another tour at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheater in Tinley Park, IL.

Apparently the paparazzi were the last group of people rapper Mos Def wanted to see last Thursday afternoon (Oct 29).

He and his family were making their way to their vehicle after touching down in Los Angeles via LAX Airport and Mr. Def (real name: Dante Smith) didn’t appreciate all of the flashing lights so he did what any angry black man in distress would do … he lashed out and judging by these pictures he looked like he wanted to pop a mofo in the face. We’re guessing it was because he had his family with him. Don’t mess with a black man and his family!

R&B singer Ne-Yo launched a new ad campaign for Alfani (clothing brand) in New York, actress Kerry Washington attended a luncheon hosted by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association in Beverly Hills and actor/former NFL player Terry Crews paid a visit to Planet Hollywood in New York City Tuesday (Aug 11).

We’ve also posted recent photos of Samuel L. Jackson, Mos Def, Gabrielle Union and others attending various events throughout the past few days. Continue reading to check them out and click each picture for more info!

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES / WIRE IMAGE

SHARON OSBOURNE BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE LAPD » The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating an incident that happened this past Sunday (Dec. 14th), reportedly involving Charm School: Rock of Love host Sharon Osbourne and contestant Megan Hauserman, during the recording of the VH1 reality series’ finale show.

Allegedly, words were exchanged between both Sharon and Megan, and when Megan told Sharon that she’s “only famous for managing a brain dead rock star,” all hell broke loose, according to TMZ. Sharon then lunged at Megan, scratching and pulling her hair, so much that Megan had to be taken to a hospital. TMZ cameras caught her leaving the ER with a sling on her left arm and plugs of hair missing from her head.

We hear Megan is pressing charges, but so far, none have been filed yet. Calls to VH1 and Sharon’s people were not immediately returned. The moral of the story is … don’t f**k with the Osbournes!!

CHRIS ROCK’S DAUGHTERS WANT A PLAY DATE WITH THE OBAMA GIRLS » Comedian/actor Chris Rock recently spoke to People and told them that his daughters want to be friends with Malia and Sasha Obama, President-Elect Barack Obama‘s daughters.

“His girls are a little older than mine,” said Rock about President-elect Barack Obama’s daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7. “My girls want a playdate. They look at the youngest and they’re like, ‘We can play with her, Daddy.’ We’ll see.”

Chris Rock’s daughters, Lola and Zahra, are 6 and 4 years old, respectively.

MOS DEF’S LAWYERS WANT THEIR MONEY » It’s been reported that rapper Mos Def is apparently in hot water with his divorce attorneys. Why? Because he has yet to pay them for their services. According to reports published by celebrity website Star Pulse, attorneys from the Blank Rome legal firm claim that the actor/rapper owes them over $60,000 in unpaid legal fees after they helped him with the divorce of his wife, Maria Yepes, in 2006. So now the firm is suing him to collect their money.

In addition to being sued by his own lawyers, Mos Def is also in a legal battle with a photographer. He’s currently facing charges of felony robbery and malicious destruction of private property after fashion photographer Volker Correll alleged he ripped a camera from his neck and smashed it to the ground, Kanye West style, during a confrontation in Vegas this past August.

But despite all of that, Mos Def is looking forward to his fourth album’s release, Ecstatic, due in April 2009.

PHOTOS: TMZ / GETTY IMAGES

NEW YORK CITY // MONDAY, DECEMBER 1ST 2008 » Beyonce and Jay-Z both hit up the New York premiere of Cadillac Records this past Monday at AMC Loews 19. The movie hits theaters this Friday, December 5th 2008! Gabrielle Union, Columbus Short, Ne-Yo, and more also hit up the red carpet of the movie’s premiere. Continue reading for the rest of the photos.

PHOTOS: FILM MAGIC / WIRE IMAGE

The word on the sidewalk is that rapper/actor Mos Def (pictured above as “Chuck Berry” in Cadillac Records) is wanted by Las Vegas police! The rapper, whose real name is Dante Terrell, has been accused of ripping a camera from the neck of photographer Volker Correll, and has been charged with robbery and destruction of property. Police say they expect Mos Def to turn himself in. The photographer says he was cut on his left hand during the alleged scuffle and court reports show that repairs to his camera add up to $178.

OMG wow, a little cut and $170…

Here’s a first look at the promotional poster for the new movie, Cadillac Records, starring Beyonce, Adrian Brody, and Jeffrey Wright, per the poster. Gabrielle Union, Cedric the Entertainer, Columbus Short, and Mos Def are in the movie as well, and if you continue reading, you can check out some promotional photos of the celebrities mentioned that you won’t find anywhere else!

PHOTOS: ERIC LIEBOWITZ / SONY BMG FILM

This is the official movie teaser for Sony Pictures’ Cadillac Records. The film depicts the life of the influential Chicago-based record-company executive Leonard Chess, and the legendary singers who recorded for Chess Records. The movie stars Beyonce Knowls as Etta James, Cedric the Entertainer as Willie Dixon, Jeffery Wright as Muddy Waters, Mos Def as Chuck Berry, and Gabrielle Union as Genevia Wade. Cadillac Records is scheduled to be released December 5th! Until then you can check out the trailer above! Shout out to WSHH for sending this one over!