Jay-Z, Tom Hanks, Chris Rock party for Obama's 50th (Reuters)

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) – When you are the leader of the free world, you can invite whomever you want to an event and they will show up.

When that event is your 50th birthday, well, that makes you even more popular.

So who did President Barack Obama invite to his 50th birthday bash? Politico provides the answer.

There were, of course, the political types like Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Chair of the Federal Communications Commission Julius Genachowski and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

But then there were the celebs -- a mixture of musicians, comedians, athletes and actors.

Jay-Z came, as did Chris Rock, Tom Hanks, Charles Barkley and basketball player Grant Hill.

And what party would be complete without live music?

R&B songstress Ledisi performed in the East Room -- as did legendary pianist Herbie Hancock -- while Stevie Wonder sang a melody .

That leaves just one question -- why didn't Jay-Z and Kanye West, a native of Obama's own Chicago, perform something from their new album?

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Adele, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne to perform at VMAs (AP)

NEW YORK – Chris Brown and Lil Wayne are returning to the MTV Video Music Awards stage, while Adele will make her first appearance.

The trio are the first performers announced for the Aug. 28 ceremony in Los Angeles, at the Nokia Theatre. The announcement was made Thursday.

Brown's star, once tarnished because of his attack on Rihanna, is shining bright this year, and MTV has taken note.

"He is having a moment with multiple hits this year, and he always delivers on the VMA stage," said Amy Doyle, executive vice president of music and talent at MTV, on Wednesday.

She called his 2007 performance at the VMAs one of the most memorable: "He will give an energetic, bombastic, jaw-dropping performance."

Adele, who is nominated for seven VMAs, is also scheduled to perform. Only Katy Perry has more VMA nods with nine; Adele is tied with Kanye West with her seven.

Doyle predicted Adele would "bring chills down everybody's spine, if not bring them to tears, too."

Adele has the year's best-selling album with "21," but Doyle notes that her live act hasn't been seen much: Adele was forced to reschedule some concerts earlier this year because of a throat problem.

Lil Wayne's appearance will come a day before the scheduled release of his much-anticipated new album, "Tha Carter IV." Like Brown, he has also performed before on the VMAs.

"Being a nominee and performer on the VMAs once again is an honor because everyone doesn't get that opportunity," he said in statement. "Looking forward to performing on the show, and having `Tha Carter IV' drop the same week!"

Doyle said this year's show has a dynamic set that will "allow for a lot of bells and whistles," and promises that each performance will be unique. So far, no host has been announced for the typically irreverent show.

Doyle said a tribute to Amy Winehouse, who died Saturday, is a possibility.

"We don't know yet, but certainly she is top of mind, in our thoughts and in our hearts," she said.

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Online:

http://www.mtv.com

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Nekesa Mumbi Moody is the AP's music editor. Follow her at http://www.twitter.com/nekesamumbi

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Chris Evans brings `Captain America' to Comic-Con (AP)

SAN DIEGO – Amid throngs of fans, uniformed soldiers and dancing girls, "Captain America" star Chris Evans introduced the latest Marvel film to a Comic-Con crowd Thursday, a day ahead of its nationwide opening.

"I love this movie. I really think we've got something special here," Evans said to the packed theater audience, many wearing Captain America T-shirts (and some in the full costume, with shield). "It's everything a superhero movie should be.

"I can't always be this enthusiastic, because I don't always like my movies."

With that, fans donned their special Captain America 3-D glasses and settled in for the two-hour ride. The pre-show excitement was so great that people clapped for the Paramount logo and cheered when the Marvel imprint came on screen.

Fans gathered before dawn for a chance to see the first public showing of the anticipated Marvel movie. They were rewarded for their devotion with free posters, buttons and T-shirts that read "First to see the first Avenger."

"This is what San Diego Comic-Con is all about," said Mark Walters of Dallas, who toted a poster and a T-shirt as he attended his 17th consecutive Comic-Con. "I've been waiting for this movie my whole life. I'm a huge Captain America fan."

Fans' enthusiasm remained constant throughout the action romp, where Evans plays Steve Rogers, a good-hearted but small-statured guy who enlists in the Army and submits himself for an experimental treatment to become a super soldier. Spontaneous applause erupted when Evans first came on screen, when Stan Lee made his requisite cameo and when Samuel L. Jackson appeared as the eye-patch-wearing Nick Fury.

When the credits rolled, nobody moved. This is Comic-Con, and the fans here know that Marvel movies often end with "Easter eggs" that hint at future films.

This one was a doozy: A teaser trailer for next summer's superhero-packed "The Avengers" showed at the end of "Captain America," providing fans with a first look at the film and all its superstar superheroes in one dazzling, blink-and-you'll-miss-something preview.

"I can't wait for next year!" an elated Robert Garcia said as he left the theater. He had waited since 5 a.m. to attend the "Captain America" screening. "It was worth it just for the trailer."

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Online:

http:// www.comic-con.org

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AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen is tweeting from Comic-Con at http:// www.twitter.com/APSandy.

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Chris Brown to star in romantic comedy (AP)

NEW YORK – It would have seemed improbable two years ago, but Chris Brown is coming to a theater near you in a romantic comedy.

The singer and actor will star alongside Steve Harvey, Gabrielle Union, Oscar-nominee Taraji P. Henson and Michael Ealy in "Think Like A Man," an adaptation of Harvey's best-selling book advice book for women, "Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man."

Details on the casting were confirmed Thursday by a representative for Screen Gems, which is producing the movie.

Brown's involvement in the movie is another sign of his remarkable comeback since his 2009 attack on girlfriend Rihanna, for which he pleaded guilty to assault. His album "F.A.M.E" has gone gold, and last week a record crowd of 18,000 fans showed up to see him perform on the "Today" show.

Brown has acted in other movies, including "Takers" and "Stomp the Yard."

Filming has begun in Los Angeles, and the movie is due out April 6

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Online:

http://www.chrisbrownworld.com

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