People today

Timbaland to hip-hop on over to soap opera

Timbaland is trying something new.

The 35-year-old rapper-producer, who has collaborated on No. 1 songs for Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado, will appear on ABC's "One Life to Live" on Oct. 9.

"This is a new experience for me," he said. "I am looking forward to having a great time and sharing my music."

Timbaland and Keri Hilson will perform the hit single "The Way I Are" (nice grammar) from his new album, "Timbaland Presents Shock Value."

Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu and Chris Botti have also performed on the show.

Artists gather

to support Jena 6

Several artists -- including Nick Cannon, Lloyd, Baby Boy, Jagged Edge and Bobby Brown -- will perform at the Jena 6 Empowerment Concert, to be held Sept. 29 in Birmingham, Ala.

The event aims to raise national awareness of incidents that have occurred over the past year in and around a Jena, La., high school, involving violence between black and white students.

Several black students were charged with assault and second-degree attempted murder stemming from one of the incidents. Many of the charges have since been dropped, but one student, Mychal Bell, has been found guilty and faces up to 22 years in prison when he is sentenced Friday.

"What's happening to the Jena 6 is not an isolated incident -- it could happen to any of us," Baby Boy says. "We are asking men of all persuasions to stand on the front line with our young people and send a message demanding accountability of law enforcement officials and the judicial system."

In related news, David Bowie has donated $10,000 to a Jena 6 legal defense fund.

TiVo alert!

Tonight's offering -- "Survivor: China" (8 p.m. CBS). Jay Leno says the last one to get lead poisoning at a toy factory wins $1 million.