Mos Def, allowing himself to be photographed. (Photo by Scott Harrison | Retna)

Metro is on the look out for Mos Def, issuing a warrant for allegedly attacking photographer Volker Corell, ripping the camera off from around his neck, smashing it and taking off with the broken gear during the MAGIC convention in August.

Mos Def’s last album is called True Magic but does not contain a track called, “Grab Someone’s Camera and Smash it on the Ground.” Unless it’s a bonus track or something.

By Jason Scavone

That is plaid-on-plaid crime right there.

Magic magazine — which, for real, has the best ads we’ve ever seen in a magazine, including one for something called a “naked zombie ball,” and we’re pretty sure we’re in violation of the Alliance of Magicians for even mentioning it, but screw it, it’s not like we were getting booked at the Rio or anything — has named Mac King the funniest act in magic today.

The Harrah’s magician beat out fellow local acts The Amazing Jonathan, who came in third, and Penn & Teller, clocking in at No. 7. It’s OK, P&T. We’ll still obsessively watch Bullshit! anyway.

By Jason Scavone

There just isn’t enough motorcycle-based magic in this town.

Magician Steve Wyrick performs on the Late Show with David Letterman tomorrow night, in the middle of Letterman’s Vegas magic week. Lance Burton was there on Monday, Mac King performed Tuesday and Dick Arthur is in the spotlight tonight. The week concludes with Penn & Teller on Friday, where we hear Penn is going to rehash his Dancing with the Stars turn by doing a sexy rumba with Letterman, but they haven’t yet hashed out who has to be the girl.

By Jason Scavone

(Photos by Hew Burney, Eric Alves and Oscar Einzig Photographers)

It’s the last day of the fashion conventions that have taken over Las Vegas for the last four days – MAGIC, POOL, Project and United. With the exception of an after-party or two tonight, most of the celebrities, fashionistas, out-of-town media, buyers and designers are going home. Then again, a three-day weekend (for some) is coming up, so maybe they’ll all just stay here and party for three more days.

Either way, we spotted a number of familiar faces during our MAGIC expeditions: LL Cool J (for his Todd Smith clothing line), Beyonce Knowles (for her Dereon line), Paris Hilton (at WWDMAGIC with her eponymous Dollhouse line), Mos Def rocking the mic at Mountain Dew’s Green Label Lounge and Jay-Z, presumably pimping his Rocawear line.

Yesterday, Nelly finally showed up at the Apple Bottoms booth after a late airplane flight on Wednesday forced the presentation of his fall women’s apparel line back to Thursday. He quietly answered questions and posed for photos as Apple Bottoms reps gave out branded tanks and thongs. Click for more words and pictures »

By Pj Perez

If you attended MAGIC this year and you still have enough energy to party after all the shmoozing, crowd-dodging and bags of swag weighing you down, head over to Asia Nightclub in Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino tonight at 10:30 p.m. Talib Kweli, and five other groups we never heard of, will be performing live, back to back, at this MAGIC after-party hosted by Tash and E-Swift of the Liks, Ganjah K of FreeStyle Fellowship, Fatty J, Ruff Ryders WestCoast and Project 50k.The first 500 guests will receive free gifts from the party’s sponsors. Gotta love the free crap that we all don’t really need but clamor for anyway!

By Ashley Rice

The Mirage was abuzz with hot celebrity action last night as MAGIC after-parties drew musicians, actors and fighters to the hotel to dine, drink and dance.

After taking in the 7 p.m. show of The Beatles LOVE, Juliette Lewis, The Killers’ Ronnie Vannucci and a group of friends – including My Name is Earl’s Ethan Suplee – enjoyed the Hot Rocks dish, black cod miso lettuce cups and for dinner, sea bass in Stack Restaurant and Bar’s private dining room. At a separate table, rapper Lil Jon and his entourage tried to enjoy dinner despite fending off fans who heard the rap star was in the restaurant.

Most of those dining at Stack headed to The Mirage’s Jet nightclub after dinner to check out Travis Barker’s Famous Stars and Straps MAGIC after-party. He arrived with Three 6 Mafia, who eventually performed a four-song set for the raging crowd as Barker and his posse partied in a VIP booth overlooking the dance floor. Also on hand were Young Jeezy, Good Charlotte’s Joel Madden, MMA fighters Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Frank Trigg and Michael Bisping, poker pro Dave Williams and rapper Paul Wall. Click for more words and pictures »

By Pj Perez

(Photos courtesy of SpyOnVegas.com)

Not that anyone needs an excuse to come to Las Vegas to party, but MAGIC week sure seems to up the number of famous faces that do so. Take Tuesday night at the Hard Rock Hotel — R&B sensation Akon checked in to the property and enjoyed dinner at — where else? — Ago.

Meanwhile, Affliction Clothing owner Todd Beard (justifiably a MAGIC-related visit) partied in the Hard Rock Penthouse suite with such friends as Randy Couture, Criss Angel and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. The bash moved downstairs into the Peacock Lounge where the crew likely gambled our entire year’s budget at the blackjack table.

Music impresario Steve Rifkind was also on-property, staying in one of the new Hard Rock suites and Juliette Lewis — who we saw at LOVE last night — was spotted getting into a limo at the Hard Rock valet. A limo? That’s not very rock ‘n’ roll. She needs a motorcycle or hearse or something.

By Pj Perez

We’re not even going to pretend we have all the mid-week MAGIC, Pool, United and Project after-parties covered (though we’re getting there). But for your planning purposes, here are some more choice cuts.

Room101 silver hosts a party at ghostbar at the Palms tonight at 10 p.m.

Huffer and Vice present a Pool Tradeshow after-party with performances by The Black Lips, the Mint Chips and DJs Mixhell and Mr. White tonight at Body English inside the Hard Rock Hotel at 9 p.m.

Tonight The Beatles Revolution Lounge inside the Mirage is being taken over by Dim Mak and Skull Candy for an after-party at 10 p.m. featuring live music from Hearts Revolution and Pink Enemy, plus the Bargain DJ Collective and the Dim Mak DJ Crew. Click for more words and pictures »

By Pj Perez

Guess what? There’s another fashion-related party happening during MAGIC week. I know, shocking. But this one has Darryl “DMC” McDaniels (of, duh, Run DMC) as its host, which gives it significant street cred. The party — at Tao inside the Venetian on Wednesday, Feb. 13 — is for Nokona Brand Apparel, which is launching its men’s sports lifestyle line, which will hit stores fall 2008.

DJ Samantha Ronson will provide the sounds for the bash, and expected guests include DJ Charlie Chan. The club opens at 10 p.m., but red carpet starts at 11 p.m. for you rubberneckers.

By Pj Perez

There will be plenty of MAGIC after-parties next week with flash and bling, but if you live your life off the beaten path, you might find them all uninteresting. However, we found one after-party that you tattooed, PBR-drinking cool kids might want to check out. Actually, it’s two parties in one downtown Las Vegas location.

Brass Lounge — hard to miss behind its 20-foot Bass Ale facade at the corner of Fremont Street and Las Vegas Boulevard — is holding two bashes on Tuesday, Feb. 12 in its second-story space overlooking the Fremont Street Experience. One is for hipster young women’s apparel line Jessica Louise, hosted by retro pinup model and dancer Sabina Kelley.

The other is for Skelanimals, the punk rock fashion company whose men’s creative director is Vegas’ own Jason Mageau. That bash is hosted by pink-haired fashion model and hair stylist Audrey Kitching. Both parties start at 9 p.m. with free swag for the first 150 peeps through the door. DJ Kev provides the tunes and there will be drink specials at the bar. Even better: No cover.

By Pj Perez