SIMPLE PLAN - SIMPLE PLAN FEAR 50 CENT SHOOTING

Rockers SIMPLE PLAN are hoping to lose their MTV MUSIC VIDEO AWARD nomination to 50 CENT - because they fear being shot by a member of the rapper's posse if they win.

The Canadian rockers will face some tough competition in the best new artist category tonight (28AUG03) at New York City's RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, including the nine-times-shot IN DA CLUB rapper, who they're convinced will win.

Drummer CHUCK COMEAU says, "We're against EVANESCENCE, ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS - our good friends from the WARPED tour - and KELLY CLARKSON, and 50 CENT - G-UNIT - that's the guy. And I betcha to 50 Cent we're gonna lose."

Guitarist SEBASTIAN LEFEBVRE adds, "It would be great to win, but I'm kind of scared like maybe we would get shot by 50 Cent's posse."