Brooke Valentine
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images

Brooke Valentine has said she didn't think her first LP was sexy enough, so she's getting physical for her second, Physical Education. The album is slated for release in October.

"It's very urban, sultry," the singer said at last month's BET Awards. "Mannie Fresh on there, Tyrese, Jermaine [Dupri], [producer/manager] Déjô the Great — so many amazing people. I can't wait for the world to hear this album."

Brooke's 2005 debut single, "Girlfight," featured Lil Jon and Big Boi, and "Dope Girl," the first single from the new album, stars fellow Houston native Pimp C (and samples N.W.A's classic "Dopeman").

" 'Dope Girl' is about being fly, putting on the big gold chains and the gold ropes and doing your thing like that," Valentine said. "It's that girl that you crave."

While committed to her musical career, Valentine — an MTV "You Hear It First" artist (see "Don't Mess With 'Girlfight' Singer Brooke Valentine: Lil Jon And Big Boi Have Her Back") — is looking to break into acting as well.

"I'm reading some scripts," she said. "But I want to be in the right movie — I don't wanna be lookin' a crazy fool in a movie, so I want to do the right thing."

In the meantime, being dope will do just fine.

• Brooke Valentine
• Tyrese
• Mannie Fresh
• Jermaine Dupri

Fiona Apple
Photo: Epic

Jon Brion, who's become hip-hop's new "favorite white boy" after co-executive-producing Kanye West's Late Registration, brought out special guests Fiona Apple and her latest producer, Dr. Dre's right-hand man Mike Elizondo, during his set at Los Angeles' Largo on Friday night. The trio performed "Extraordinary Machine" from Apple's long-awaited album of the same name. She also sang fan favorites "Criminal" and "Paper Bag" as well as a couple of old standards with Brion accompanying her on guitar. Extraordinary Machine, Apple's first release in six years, is scheduled to hit shelves on October 4. ...

Collaborations between Sean Paul and Kool & the Gang ("Ladies' Night"), Stereophonics and Tom Jones ("Mama Told Me (Not to Come)") and Wayne Newton and the Legion of Doom ("Suspicious Minds") are among the tracks slated for the soundtrack to NBC's "Las Vegas," due September 27. The show's theme song, Elvis Presley's "A Little Less Conversation," is also featured, along with songs from Fatboy Slim, the Pussycat Dolls and Esthero. ... Brooke Valentine's video for the first single from the "Roll Bounce" soundtrack, "Boogie Oogie Oogie" featuring Fabolous and Yo Yo, is going to feature a few guest stars from the movie — Marcus Paulk and Brandon Jackson, who play two members of Bow Wow's crew, Boo and Junior. The video, which was shot Friday in Los Angeles with director Kevin Hunter, will have a roller-skating vibe, thanks to choreographer Kishaya Dudley (who also choreographed the movie's skating scenes as well as Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl" clip). ...

The Rolling Stones kicked off their North American tour with a bit more bang than they bargained for on Sunday when a female fan was injured after climbing onto the rafters of Boston's Fenway Park and falling close to 40 feet, The Associated Press reports. The 20-year-old woman broke both her ankles and a wrist and was in stable condition at a nearby hospital, according to police. ... Pennywise frontman Jim Lindberg; Incubus members Brandon Boyd, Mike Einziger and Ben Kenney; and ex-Porno for Pyros guitarist Peter DiStefano will compete in the inaugural Surfrider Foundation Celebrity Surf Jam at the Huntington Beach Pier in Huntington Beach, California, on September 11. More participants for the event, aimed at raising awareness and support for beach and coastal environments, will be announced in the coming weeks. ...

Has Tommy Lee swapped bodies with his buddy Nick Carter? The Mötley Crüe drummer's new single, "Good Times," would sound right at home on a Backstreet Boys album, and fittingly, the video, shot by director Dean Karr, features Lee in billowy shirts. In the clip, Lee drives his beat-up car to a party, picking up every hot chick on the way (one has to ride in the trunk), and then continues to hang on the beach for a bonfire sing-along. ... DJ Shadow and artist Shepard Fairey — the man responsible for the now iconic "Obey: Giant" graffiti artwork — have teamed up to create "Public Works," a limited-edition clothing and music box set. The set is limited to just 450 pieces, and features five new DJ Shadow T-shirts designed by Fairey, a new mix CD by Shadow, a copy of Fairey's "Post No Bills" book, buttons, stickers and more. "Public Works" will be available starting September 1 through ShopDJShadow.com and nationwide at Kid Robot stores. ...

The original Gang of Four — who reunited last May — are at it again. The post-punk band will be heading out on a monthlong tour, starting September 29 in Providence, Rhode Island. Seventeen cities later, the trek will come to a close on October 21 in Anaheim, California. ... MC Lyte, who just wrote a book called "Just My Take," is continuing to expand into other fields. The rapper is launching a home-accessories line in the fall and will also play a role in the sitcom "Half & Half." ... German metal act Rammstein's forthcoming album, originally titled Reise, Reise Vol. 2, has been given the much prettier sounding title of Rosenrot, the band announced through its Web site late last week. The group recently shot a video for the album's leadoff single, "Benzin," which will precede the disc's release sometime this fall. ...

08.19.2005

Bo Bice missed Thursday's American Idols Live tour stop in Las Vegas. Rumors on the "American Idol" messageboards are that the runner-up fell ill, but Bice's spokesperson could not confirm ...

Radiohead fans have a new reason to rejoice. The band headed back into the studio on Thursday to work on the follow-up to 2003's Hail to the Thief, according to a brief post by frontman Thom Yorke on the band's Web site: "We are going into a proper studio on Thursday (for a leettle while) with 192 faders which is a lot of choice a bit like the supermarket and it may all go off before we get to it so we have to eat quick. We will post more when we get there." ...

Six limited-edition album posters signed by Gwen Stefani will be auctioned off on eBay beginning August 28 to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. The artwork, created to promote the No Doubt frontwoman's solo disc, Love, Angel, Music, Baby, was done by Japanese artist Shinjuko and features the platinum-haired singer surrounded by her pals the Harajuku Girls. ... My Chemical Romance will make a special appearance on Saturday at New York club Luke & Leroy's — as DJs. The band is joining the MisShapes crew, who've played clubs around New York with such guest spinners as Hilary Duff, Kelly Clarkson, Franz Ferdinand, Interpol and, most recently, Fall Out Boy. ...

Common, Talib Kweli and DMC will perform at the finals of the Guitar Center DJ Spin Off at the Wiltern LG in Los Angeles. The event is scheduled for September 10. ... Want to see the new White Stripes video for "My Doorbell"? Then tune in to Nickelodeon — yes, that's right, Nickelodeon — for the premiere of the clip on Friday (August 19) at 9 p.m. The video will air just before a new episode of "Girls Vs. Boys," and will continue to air throughout the weekend on the kids' channel. ...

On Thursday, less than a week after announcing he'd headline the Ozzfest no more, Ozzy Osbourne posted a statement on his Web site to set a few things straight. "After 10 years, I've decided that this year will be my last as the headlining act on Ozzfest," the statement reads. "The Ozzfest is well-established now and I feel it's time for me to hand the reigns off to someone else. However, I will be performing at a few select Ozzfest shows next year. Despite the rumors, I don't have permanent throat problems. The truth is that after 11 straight summers on the road, I would just love to finally take a summer holiday with my wife. You haven't heard the last from me." ... Punk outfit the Distillers are in a state of limbo at the moment. On Thursday night, bassist Ryan Sinn announced he'd be taking leave of the band in a posting to the Distillers' MySpace page — one that has since been demolished completely. "I'm no longer part of the life I knew so recently," the message read. "The Distillers are no more and it feels like a weight has been lifted. However, I'll never get rid of the disgust inside from it all." Sinn's defection follows just seven months after drummer Andy Granelli quit — effectively leaving singer/guitarist Brody Dalle the band's only remaining member. Calls for comment on the situation from the Distillers' label were not returned by press time. ...

An all-star cast of alternative rockers has banded together for the UNICEF charity-benefit single "Do They Know It's Hallowe'en?" Known as the North American Prevention Initiative, the collective features Beck, Sum 41's Steve Jocz , the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Karen O, and members of the Postal Service, the Arcade Fire, Sonic Youth, Sloan, Wolf Parade and Feist. The track was written and produced by ex-Unicorns singer Nicholas Diamonds and Redd Kross' Steven McDonald. ... Seattle rock stalwarts Mudhoney, who pretty much invented grunge back in 1988 with their song "Touch Me I'm Sick," are prepping a new album for Sea-town's Sub Pop Records. The new album features Mark Arm, Steve Turner, Guy Madison and Dan Peters, and is being recorded at three different studios by three different producers, including Modest Mouse knob-twiddler Phil Ek. There's no title or release date for the new disc — the band's first since 2002's Since We've Become Translucent — and let's hope the recording process isn't getting in the way of Arm's day job as the manager of Sub Pop's warehouse. ...

Randy "Biscuit" Turner, frontman of formative early '80s punk-rock band the Big Boys, was found dead in his home in Texas on Thursday — the day after he was featured on the cover of The Austin Chronicle. His body was discovered by the writer of the piece, and according to the Chronicle, the medical examiner's initial autopsy report attributes the cause of death to "gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to cirrhosis associated with chronic [alcohol] abuse." The Big Boys split in the mid-'80s, and in recent years, Turner had worked successfully as an artist — sadly, the Austin gallery that was to host his art installation "Mental Volcano" this weekend will instead host an informal wake Friday (August 19) night. Turner was 56. ... Canadian popsters the New Pornographers are gearing up for the release of their new album, Twin Cinema, by launching a North American tour. After a series of record-store performances in late August, the Pornographers' tour officially gets under way September 22 in Victoria, British Columbia, and runs through the end of October. Twin Cinema hits stores on Tuesday. ...

• Jon Brion
• Fiona Apple
• Sean Paul
• Brooke Valentine
• Incubus

Brooke Valentine's <I>Chain Letter</i>
Photo: Virgin

Stand back — there's about to be a "Girlfight" and a "Riot" among the artists included in this week's new releases.

R&B singer Brooke Valentine, featured on MTV's "You Hear It First," has been building major buzz around the release of her album Chain Letter, with the help of debut single "Girlfight." Lil Jon and Big Boi have her back on the song, while the late Ol' Dirty Bastard lent a hand to another track, "Blah, Blah, Blah."

Indie-pop up-and-comers the Kaiser Chiefs are ready to do battle with their LP Employment and its single "I Predict a Riot." The debut album from the Leeds, England-bred quintet combines classic Britpop sounds with dance-rock and undeniably catchy hooks.

The singles compilation Now 18 will also put up a strong fight this week. The album includes Gwen Stefani's "What You Waiting For?," Lindsay Lohan's "Rumors," Destiny's Child's "Soldier," Ashanti's "Only U," Omarion's "O," John Legend's "Used to Love U" and Good Charlotte's "I Just Wanna Live," among others.

Their last studio album was out in 2001, but Sweden's the Soundtrack of Our Lives are back this week with Origin Vol. 1. Trivium represent for metal with their second album, Ascendancy. Australian blues-infused outfit John Butler Trio release their second LP as well, called Sunrise Over Sea, while energetic Parisian dance-music duo Daft Punk put out their fourth album, Human After All.

Also out this week are albums by Keren Ann (Nolita), the Blind Boys of Alabama (Atom Bomb), Dishwalla (Dishwalla), Al Green (Everything's OK) and Long-View (Mercury).

Out Tuesday, March 15:

• Keren Ann - Nolita (Metro Blue/Blue Note)
• Avila Brothers - The Mood: Soundsational (Thump)
• Baby Bash - Super Saucy (Universal Motown)
• Ron E. Beck - Soul Cry (Thump)
• Biirdie - Morning Kills the Dark (Pop Up)
• Blind Boys of Alabama - Atom Bomb (Real World)
• Blood or Whiskey - Cashed Out on Culture (Punkcore)
• David Bowie - David Live (Virgin)
• David Bowie - Stage (Virgin)
• John Butler Trio - Sunrise Over Sea (Atlantic)
  Buy Now: Sunrise Over Sea (Atlantic)
  
• Celtic Fiddle Festival - Play On (Green Linnet)
• Coughs - Fright Makes Right (Load)
• Daft Punk - Human After All (Virgin)
  Buy Now: Human After All (Virgin)
  
• Matt Darey - Point Zero (Varese Sarabande)
• Devin Davis - Lonely People of the World, Unite! (Mousse)
• Dishwalla - Dishwalla (Orphanage)
• Dr. Dog - Easy Beat (National Parking)
• Eagles - Eagles (Rhino)
• Al Green - Everything's OK (Blue Note)
• Mary Haskell - Inspired Standards - Good for the Soul (Insight)
• Holy Shroud - Ghost Repeaters (Level-Plane)
• Hope 7 - Hope 7 (Trauma)
• Kaiser Chiefs - Employment (Universal)
  Read: "Kaiser Chiefs 'Predict A Riot,' Music Press Predicts Franz Ferdinand-Like Success"
  Buy Now: Employment (Universal)
  
• Kamelot - The Black Halo (Steamhammer US)
• Konks - The Konks (Bomp)
• Miranda Lambert - Kerosene (Epic Nashville)
• Nguyen Le Quartet - Walking on the Tiger's Tail (HighNote)
• Long-View - Mercury (Columbia)
• Los Lobos - Live at the Fillmore (Hollywood)
• Curtis Mayfield - Mayfield: Remixed — The Curtis Mayfield Collection (Rhino)
• Marian McPartland & Friends - 85 Candles — Live in New York (Concord)
• New Monsoon - Live at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival (SCI Fidelity)
• Gruff Rhys - Yr Atal Genhedlaeth (Sanctuary)
• Joanne Shenandoah - Skywoman (Silver Wave)
• The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Origins, Vol. 1 (Republic Records)
• Steely Dan - Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz Radio Broadcast (Concord)
• Paul Taylor - Nightlife (Peak/Concord)
• Tierra Santa - Apocalipsis (Locomotive)
• Trivium - Ascendancy (Roadrunner)
• Ultralyd - Chromosome Gun (Load)
• Urban Knights - VI (Narada Jazz)
• Brooke Valentine - Chain Letter (Virgin)
  Read: "Don't Mess With 'Girlfight' Singer Brooke Valentine: Lil Jon And Big Boi Have Her Back"
  Buy Now: Chain Letter (Virgin)
  
• Patrick Wolf - Wind in the Wires (Tomlab)
• Various artists - DJ Afrowax Presents: eVolution (VI Music)
• Various artists - Drum Nation 2 (Magna Carta)
• Various artists - "NASCAR in 3D: The IMAX Experience" soundtrack (Shout! Factory)
• Various artists - Now That's What I Call Music! 18 (Epic)
• Various artists - "Robots" soundtrack (Varese Sarabande)
• Various artists - Soldiers of the 213 (Thump)
• Various artists - Subdivisions (Magna Carta)
• DVD: Asleep at the Wheel - "Live at Billy Bob's" (Image)
• DVD: Various artists - "Magic Moments: The Best of '50s Pop" (Shout! Factory)

March 22:

• Bloc Party - Silent Alarm (Atlantic)
  Read: "Franz Ferdinand Give Bloc Party A Leg Up"
  Buy Now: Silent Alarm (Atlantic)
  
• Moby -Hotel (V2/BMG)
  Read: "Moby Takes Aim At Nick And Jessica With 'Beautiful'"
  Buy Now: Hotel (V2/BMG)
  
• Queens of the Stone Age - Lullabies to Paralyze (Interscope)
  Read: "Queens Of The Stone Age Keep LP, Tour Shrouded In Mystery"
  Buy Now: Lullabies to Paralyze (Interscope)

March 29:

• Beck - Guero (Geffen)
  Read: "Finished Version Of That Beck LP You Downloaded Due In March"
  Buy Now: Guero (Geffen)
  
• The Bravery - The Bravery (Island)
  Read: "The Bravery Bring Today's Technology To Yesterday's Sounds"
  Buy Now: The Bravery (Island)
  
• Will Smith - Lost & Found (Interscope)
  Read: "Will Smith Has 'Sumthin' For Eminem' On New LP, Due In March"
  Buy Now: Lost & Found (Interscope)

April 5:

• Faith Evans - First Lady (Capitol)
• Hot Hot Heat - Elevator (Sire)
  Read: "Hot Hot Heat's Ups And Downs Inspire Elevator"
• Various artists - Music from the O.C. Mix 4 (Warner Bros.)

• Brooke Valentine
• Kaiser Chiefs
• Daft Punk
• The Soundtrack Of Our Lives
• Al Green

• Brooke Valentine

Brooke Valentine: Celebrity Edition

• Brooke Valentine

Room Raiders Season 5

• Brooke Valentine

You Hear It First: Brooke Valentine

• Brooke Valentine

Brooke Valentine Photos: Behind the Scenes of the "Girlfight" Video Shoot

• Brooke Valentine