When we think about the evolution of hip hop, we're guessing one of the last things that comes to mind is a blinking cursor. This new collaboration from Microsoft and hip-hopper Common has us trying them both on for size -- literally. This spring sees the debut of Softwear by Microsoft, a vivid line of T-shirts emblazoned with the typical iconography of early operating systems and other visual nods to the origin of the computer age, including, of course, an actual picture of the Don himself, Bill Gates as a squeeky, geeky, trouble-making adolescent.

As a larger-than-life personality who rubs proverbial elbows with Kanye West and current tour members N.E.R.D., Common is big. An artist who's recorded numerous albums as well as embarking on a film career, Common is currently involved with Zune’s Green Room interview series, a podcast that takes fans backstage with their beloved idols. Aside from music, Common just completed filming Terminator Salvation, the new Terminator movie starring Christian Bale. Already a Grammy-winning artist, and with recent roles in films like Wanted and Ridley Scott's American Gangster, Common is making a concerted push for movie fame. The rapper, whose voice conjures Barry White’s -- low and slow -- caught up with us to discuss his partnership with Zune, his style trademarks, and why bad reviews sting, just a little.

Cartier chose “Music” as the theme of its third annual Love Day, celebrated yesterday in the U.S. This year's Love Day sees Cartier launch the new Love Charity bracelet with its Love Charity Ambassadors. To tie everything together, the Love Charity Ambassadors are musicians. Ashanti, Common, Emmy Rossum, Eve, Fergie, Good Charlotte, Hilary Duff and Janet Jackson each support different charities in addition to Action Against Hunger, which Cartier supports vigorously.