Rodney Jerkins and Janet Jackson
Photo: Arnold Turner/ WireImage

When we caught up with producer Rodney Jerkins on the VMA red carpet in September, he was already hard at work on Janet Jackson's next LP. Now the super-producer is opening up a lot more on exactly what fans can expect for Janet's 11th studio album.

"Janet is like my sister now," Jerkins told MTV News on Wednesday (October 21) at his Los Angeles recording studio. "We definitely have this incredible chemistry, this bond — I think we musically connect, crazily. I knew it — it's funny 'cause I predicted this. Five years ago, people used to ask me who I wanted to work with, and I was like, 'Janet Jackson.' And I was so passionate about that because I've always been a fan of her music and what her and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have done in the past. And I felt like, knowing she wants to try new things, that I feel I can get it and I can deliver it for her," he said.

DarkChild explained that fans can look forward to an emotionally driven album.

"Since we've been working ... I feel like the studio has become a second home for her because with the whole situation with Michael [Jackson] happening, and I feel like right now, emotionally, she can come here and let all her feelings out. I got her writing again — she has the pen and the pad in her hand."

But it's not just the recent passing of her brother Michael that is fueling the content of Jackson's album. Fans are going to see a side of Janet that they've never seen before, thanks in part to Rodney's persuasion.

"You gotta understand, she lost her brother. She was in a relationship for seven years [with Jermaine Dupri] that's over now. There's things that she told me that I didn't even realize. You know, certain [things] like self-esteem that I didn't even realize that she dealt with for years that, you know. ... She's working on her book and she'll deal with that in her book, but also in songs, certain songs we're dealing with that head on. And sometimes it can be a touchy subject for us to even go into, and I kinda had to persuade her, 'Let's just go, let's talk about that.' And she's been doing it, and she's a pro about it."

Although Rodney says you can expect some up-tempo dance tracks on the new album, it won't have the futuristic sound we heard on her last project, 2008's Discipline.

"It's funny, 'cause when we just started the project, she was like, 'I wanna do 10 dance records, all up-tempo to dance. Let's just go dance,' " Jerkins said. The sound is inspired by worldwide influences, from African rhythms to Brazilian and Latin music, and RJ said we can expect features on this album like a Pitbull track that was recorded last week.

"But she hits me today and she says we need to do some mid-tempos as well," Rodney continued. "And I'm glad for that because there's a time when you listen to a record that you wanna mellow out and she always gives us those great smoothed-out mellow records. So now that she's in that zone, it's like 'Yes!' 'cause we can focus on that. But I'm still gonna keep the beats hard underneath 'cause she's still a dancer at heart."

Jenkins and Jackson co-produced her recently released single, "Make Me," which will be included on her greatest-hits compilation Number Ones, due in November. A release date has not been announced for her yet-untitled studio album.

• Janet Jackson
• Rodney Jerkins

Rodney Jerkins
Photo: MTV News

Sunday night, on the red carpet of the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, Grammy-winning super-producer Rodney Jerkins spoke fondly of his late friend Michael Jackson and how MJ once beat him at pool. Jerkins also revealed that he and the King of Pop's baby sis, Janet Jackson, have been collaborating a lot lately. The first record from their sessions, "Make Me," dropped just a few hours later.

"It's about dancing," Jerkins said. "It's all about her. It's about [saying], 'Listen, if you really want to get with me, you gotta make me feel a certain way.' "

Jerkins, who produced several tracks on Janet's 2008 album, Discipline, said he and Ms. Jackson have a lot more songs to come.

"I'm working heavily with Janet," Jerkins said, adding that her new album will have a throwback feel. "We've been in the studio for the last month. We've been getting it in. We're going back to basics and fundamental sounds of Janet. We're trying to target her fans [by making] the records that her fans will embrace. A lot of uptempo stuff makes you feel good. There's so many different colors of Janet. I'm a fan, I've always been a fan of Janet. The Rhythm Nation, the Control, the Janet. record ... those make you feel a certain way. It's been fun. I'm excited about it."

Jerkins was also excited about Jackson's performance in the tribute to her brother on Sunday. "I came to support Janet," he said. "I love what MTV does, but I'm here for Janet. It's a special moment, because I worked for years with Michael and became real close friends with him. For her to do a tribute for him, it's gonna be an amazing thing. It's one thing to get up and perform and get accolades for yourself, but this is not what this is about. It's about brotherly love."

The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards may have wrapped, but the party is far from over. Stay tuned for behind-the-scenes updates, party reports and much more.

• VMA 2009: The Entire Show On Demand

• Janet Jackson
• Rodney Jerkins

Madonna
Photo: Dave Hogan/ Getty Images

Time to pucker up for Madonna's next album — Billboard.com reports that the singer has settled on the title for it: Licorice. The effort, which will reportedly feature "Candy Shop" and "The Beat Goes On" (featuring Pharrell), is due in late April and will be Madge's last effort for longtime label Warner Bros. Kanye West is said to be a guest on "The Beat Goes On," according to the site, which also reports that Madonna's vintage track "The Devil Wouldn't Recognize You" will get an update on the new disc. ...

Jessica Sierra pleaded not guilty on Thursday (December 6) to charges of disorderly intoxication, resisting arrest and violating conditions of her parole on earlier felony battery and possession charges, according to The Associated Press. The former "American Idol" finalist was arrested early Sunday morning outside a bar in Ybor City, near Tampa, Florida, after causing an unspecified disturbance while working inside the establishment. Sierra's lawyer reportedly said he is consulting with doctors to map out a comprehensive drug and alcohol plan for the ex-"Idol" contestant, who is currently being held without bail. Sierra is to remain in jail at least until her next hearing on December 20. ...

Gym Class Heroes, the Academy Is ... and Relient K will help anchor next year's Warped Tour, according to Alternative Press. Every Time I Die, From First to Last and the Bronx are also among the first 18 bands named for the summer trek, with the dates yet to be announced. ... Speaking of summer fests, Bonnaroo will take place June 12-15 in Manchester, Tennessee, Billboard.com reports. The lineup will be revealed in late January or early February. ... Your chance to download Radiohead's In Rainbows is about to end. The band has announced that the InRainbows.com Web site will close Saturday. But you can still plunk down $80 for the box set at Radiohead's online w.a.s.t.e. store, while supplies last. ...

Ne-Yo and Macy Gray are joining Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy and others as they pitch in for presidential aspirant Senator Barack Obama. Ne-Yo and the Goo Goo Dolls will play at an Obama fundraiser in Universal City, California, on Monday, while Gray, Tweedy and others will perform at the senator's Friday event in Obama's hometown of Chicago. On a related note, Wilco will set out for a two-week U.S. tour in February. ... Paris, you've got nothing on Britney — Spears outdid Hilton on eBay in terms of related items sold this year. AP reports that 34,345 Brit-related items were sold, compared with 27,377 for Paris. A mere 8,099 items related to Lindsay Lohan were auctioned, while on the movies front, "Transformers" beat out Harry Potter with 442,342 and 344,825 related items sold, respectively. ...

Indie-rockers, state attorneys general and anti-smoking activists are finding themselves on the same side, oddly enough — some of them are reportedly peeved about an ad for Camel cigarettes that appeared alongside a cartoon-heavy indie-rock feature in the magazine's November 15 issue, Pitchfork reports. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. has stopped promotions for its "The Farm" marketing campaign after nine attorneys general sued the company over the ads, according to North Carolina's Winston-Salem Journal. More states are reportedly expected to also sue R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., which could face a fine of more than $100 million for violating a 1998 agreement between 46 states and tobacco manufacturers. The Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement banned the use of cartoons to sell market cigarettes in 1997, effectively killing off Joe Camel. Also being debated, according to Pitchfork, are Camel-sponsored concerts that have featured the Flaming Lips, Band of Horses and the Faint. ...

Alicia Keys will ring in the new year with a performance on the roof of New York's Rockefeller Center as part of Carson Daly's shindig on NBC, People.com reports. The show, which will air December 31 at 11:35 p.m. ET, will also feature Lenny Kravitz performing in Times Square. Keys will sing two songs from her latest album, As I Am. ... LL Cool J, Rev Run, Petra Nemcova, Brett Ratner and other celebs have ponied up items for an ongoing online charity auction staged by Russell Simmons' Diamond Empowerment Fund. "Diamonds Give" features 15 lots of donated diamond pieces and runs through December 16 on eBay. ...

It sounds like U2 might be going back to the future on their upcoming album. The band, which flirted with dance beats and techno on such albums as 1991's Achtung Baby, is incorporating trance, metal and Moroccan influences on its new disc, according to an interview with Bono in The Independent. The singer said fans will "feel the difference. ... Normally when you play a U2 tune, it clears the dance floor. And that may not be true of this. There's some trance influences." He also said the yet-untitled and unscheduled album has some "very hardcore guitar" and "real molten metal" from guitarist the Edge that doesn't sound "like anything we've ever done before, and we don't think it sounds like anything anyone else has done either." Though he wouldn't categorize the album as "world" music, Bono said its sound was inspired in part by a religious music festival the guys attended in Fez, Morocco, where they were exposed to Sufi music. "It was a real humbling thing for a punk-rock shouter, listening to these people who just close their eyes for 40 minutes and sing the most sophisticated melodies." So far, U2 have recorded enough material for two records, he added. ...

Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson recently hung with locals, bathed in an irrigation ditch in their boxers and visited an orphanage in Peru this week, according to AP. An image that surfaced shows the two, who reportedly stayed at a cheap hotel room that cost less than $50 per night, smiling and waving in Cuzco. Cameron Diaz, Bill Gates and others visited the area earlier this year. ... Courtney Love has a new video on her hands ... kind of. A clip featuring manga character Princess Ai — whose universe of properties was co-created by Love — will premiere at the New York Anime Festival on Saturday. "Princess Ai: Broken Leash," which includes live action, animation and music, will appear as part of a CD/DVD anthology due in fall 2008. ... It's hard to keep old punks down. After their recent reunion tour of England this year, punk grandfathers the Sex Pistols will hit the road again next summer, according to Reuters. Guitarist Steve Jones did not give any specifics about the 2008 tour on his Los Angeles radio show on Wednesday, other than to say that the group might play an upcoming charity show at London's Royal Albert Hall organized by Who singer Roger Daltrey. ...

And the battle over James Brown's estate goes on. According to AP, two former trustees for the late singer's estate say the judge who is handling the disputes made them resign in late November. In recently filed court documents, Buddy Dallas and Alford Bradley reportedly said they want to retract their resignations and that South Carolina Circuit Judge Jack Early used "improper judicial influence." They are also seeking for the appointment of their successors to be overturned.

12.5.07

Unlike Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie, Kiefer Sutherland is not getting off easy with his DUI — the "24" actor has been sentenced to 48 days in a Los Angeles County jail for his September 24 arrest and violating his probation. The actor must start serving his sentence at the Glendale City Jail prior to March 30, UsMagazine.com reports. He has also been sentenced to five years of probation, must finish a year-and-a-half-long alcohol-education program and go to weekly therapy sessions for a half-year. Sutherland, who had a previous DUI before his fall arrest, had been pulled over by police after making an illegal U-turn and reportedly blew twice the legal blood-alcohol level during a breathalyzer test. He issued a statement after entering a no-contest plea in early October, saying, "I'm very disappointed in myself for the poor judgment I exhibited recently, and I'm deeply sorry for the disappointment and distress this has caused my family, friends and co-workers on '24' and at 20th Century Fox." ... Contrasting with Sutherland's devastating news, Richie caught a break on Wednesday when her court-mandated anti-drinking program granted the socialite a leave of absence, according to People. Coordinators at the program were reportedly worried for Richie's safety, with her rep saying such leaves of absence are granted to people with medical conditions and that she did not get special treatment. Richie is eight months pregnant and has to complete the 18-month program as part of her DUI plea deal ...

Bad news for Vanessa Hudgens: A Los Angeles judge ruled Wednesday (December 5) that a breach-of-contract suit by her former lawyer can go forward, according to CBS News. Brian L. Schall is suing the "The High School Musical" star for breach of contract, although Hudgens has argued that she was a minor at the time she signed the agreement and therefore isn't bound to it. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Tricia Ann Bigelow said the matter of Hudgens disaffirming her contractual obligations within a reasonable time period is a "factual issue," and that Hudgens' decision to wait until she was 18 years and 9 months old to reject the contract is an issue for either a jury decision or a motion for summary judgment. The next hearing in the case is slated for January 15. ... Lindsay Lohan might be facing another setback too: Raymundo Ortega, the busboy who is seeking $200,000 in damages stemming from Lohan's collision with his van in October 2005, says he has proof the starlet was drinking before the crash, according to The Associated Press. He reportedly filed papers Tuesday. ...

An interview with T.I. that was conducted prior to his October arrest on gun charges appears in the December/January issue of Rap-Up magazine, which features him and Nicole Scherzinger on alternate covers. The rapper said he has a new urban-clothing line on the way — called "A King of Oneself" — and also revealed his interest in a different type of endeavor: commercial construction. "I want to build a Home Depot or a Wal-Mart, shopping centers," he told the mag. Tip cited Tupac as the rapper who had the most influence on him growing up — and called out some other big names for keeping him out of trouble. "Sometimes I be wildin' out, then [Suge Knight says,] 'Man, you got too much going on, you can't do that. It ain't like the old days,' " said the rapper, who is currently under house arrest. "[Jay-Z] will tell me the same thing, [Diddy] tell me the same thing, Kevin Liles — everybody trying. Wyclef is another one. People, I guess, just care." ...

For her part, Nicole Scherzinger named Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson as the singers she admires the most. She also talked about someone else you may have heard of — Kanye West — and why the tracks he produced for her solo debut didn't make the cut. "I wasn't able to really finish them in time," said the singer, whose Her Name Is Nicole LP is due January 29. "When I have the right time and the right album, I wanna finish those songs. There was talks of putting Common on one of them." Scherzinger also talked about shooting her "Whatever U Like" video with the other Rap-Up cover artist, T.I. "When we did the video it was crazy 'cause we were all up in each other's grills, like [director] Paul Hunter really made us go there, but it was great. He's a professional. Paul was making us tug on each other; we were hard-core for a hot second." ...

Jay-Z celebrated his 38th birthday with Beyoncé in Paris on Tuesday, according to People.com. The couple reportedly holed up in a hotel suite, took a drive around the city, ate at L'Avenue restaurant and caught a cabaret show. ... Pete Wentz, Chris Brown, the Jonas Brothers and Corbin Bleu all made Teen magazine's list of the 50 Hottest Guys in Hollywood — but Zac Efron takes the cake by topping the bunch. ... Keira Knightley stripped down for the revealing cover of the latest issue of Interview magazine. "How does that always happen?" the "Atonement" actress asked herself, in the interview, of taking off her clothes. "Because I say yes, I suppose." ...

Styles P, Hurricane Chris and Fabolous will bring some yuletide cheer to Russell Simmons and Rev Run's eighth annual Youth Holiday Party in New York on Tuesday, with MTV News' own Sway acting as one of the emcees. For the festivities, the Simmons brothers and their Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation will turn the Fillmore at Irving Plaza into a winter wonderland, raffling off prizes like an Xbox 360 and tickets to a taping of "106 & Park." Kids will also get Target gift cards. ...

Journey are counting a new singer among their ranks: Arnel Pineda. The Filipino crooner, who previously covered the band's songs with his group the Zoo, is the third Journey singer in two years — he follows Jeff Scott Soto, who left the fold earlier this year after filling in for Steve Augeri, who split with the band in 2006 due to medical reasons. "I know they'll expect me to sound exactly like 'the voice,' " Pineda said in a statement, referring to yet another former Journey singer: Steve Perry. "But that will never happen. I know there's only one Steve Perry in this world." "Arnel doesn't sound synthetic and he's not emulating anyone," added guitarist Neal Schon, who discovered the singer's Zoo clips online. "I tried to get a hold of him through YouTube and I finally heard from him ... but it took some convincing to get him to believe that it really was me and not an imposter." ...

Deerhunter, Black Dice, Fischerspooner and others have chipped in unreleased new songs for Living Bridge, a two-CD collection of songs by bands who have previously recorded at Brooklyn, New York's Rare Book Room Studio. The 25-song package will hit stores February 26 and christen Rare Book Room Records, a new label. ... The Breeders will be back in '08 with a new disc hitting stores April 8. Mountain Battles will arrive six years after the band's previous effort, Title TK, which the band took nine years to put out following its most successful album, 1993's Last Splash. The Pixies-affiliated group is also due to tour throughout the year, hitting up South by Southwest and Coachella along the way. ... Peaches will sweeten up New Year's Eve this year by counting down the clock in downtown Los Angeles as part of Hard NYE's bash. She will also perform, as will Justice. ...

Paula Abdul was a "disaster" on "Saturday Night Live" when she hosted the show two years ago — so says Tina Fey in the January issue of Playboy. "I was pregnant at the time and probably a little moody, but I remember thinking, 'She's a disaster!' " Fey said. ... Vivica A. Fox booked herself on Wednesday on charges of driving under the influence, TMZ.com reports. A judge ordered on Monday that the actress be booked or face a bench warrant. ... Charges were dropped against Jonathan Rhys-Meyers after he apologized for creating a drunken fracas at an airport in Ireland earlier this year. The actor, who faced two charges of public drunkenness and breach of peace, said through his lawyer that he intends to make a donation to an unspecified charity. ...

The one guy who seemed kind of charmed by Borat's antics in last year's "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" has joined the parade of people suing the fake Kazakh reporter. According to Reuters, driving instructor Michael Psenicska's suit against the film's makers and star Sacha Baron Cohen claims that he was tricked into participating in a film that he was led to believe was a "documentary about the integration of foreign people into the American way of life." Psenicska said he was paid $500 in cash to give Borat a driving lesson and described the experience as "surreal," saying Cohen drove erratically down residential streets, drank alcohol and yelled to a female pedestrian that he would pay her $10 for "sexy time." Psenicska is seeking $100,000 in compensatory damages and additional punitive damages for being misled, and for the emotional harm he allegedly continues to suffer. Psenicska said if he had known the true nature of the film, he never would have participated. The studio behind the flick said the suit had no merit and that Psenicska was a willing participant in the film. ...

Eddie Vedder is making his first video appearance since his spot in Pearl Jam's "Jeremy" clip 15 years ago. Mr. Ed is supporting his soundtrack to "Into the Wild" with a video for "Guaranteed." ... Saosin can't get enough of the road — the band, which toured for most of 2007, has rolled out a new 2008 itinerary. The California rockers will take Armor for Sleep and the Bled along for their jaunt, which starts January 21 in Tucson, Arizona, and ends February 14 in Chico, California. ... The sounds made by the creepy creatures in Will Smith's new movie "I Am Legend" might seem familiar to Faith No More fans — Mike Patton is the one behind them. The always-busy musician, who previously lent his voice to video games like "The Darkness" and "The Portal," is also delving into the film world with "A Perfect Place," a noirish short film for which he composed the music. ...

The family of Justin Barker, the white student who was allegedly beaten by six black classmates last year in Jena, Louisiana, has filed a civil lawsuit against the teens, their parents, the local school board and a seventh student who was not charged in the case, USA Today reports. The lawsuit claims that the attack on Barker was of "such extreme nature so as to require emergency medical care and treatment for the harm inflicted by the attack, and resulting in extensive and permanently disabling injuries." The suit, filed Thursday, also alleges that employees of the LaSalle Parish School Board were not adequately supervising students or maintaining discipline. ...

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama will flex his rock muscle on Friday at a fundraising show featuring Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy performing solo alongside buzz band the Cool Kids, Third Eye Blind singer Stephan Jenkins, Jill Sobule and local indie bands the Changes and Canasta. The "Change Rocks" show will take place at the Riviera Theatre in Obama's hometown of Chicago, with tickets ranging from $50 to $500 apiece. ... Hillary Clinton's campaign has had a change of heart. Less than a month before the Iowa caucuses, Clinton has dropped her controversial campaign theme song, "You and I" by Celine Dion, and replaced it with "Blue Sky" by Colorado 1990s college faves Big Head Todd and the Monsters, according to ABC News. ...

We can see now why comedian Dave Chappelle might have walked away from that $50 million Comedy Central deal: He'd rather be doing stand-up. Chappelle broke his own endurance record on Sunday with a set at the Laugh Factory in West Hollywood, California, that lasted six hours and 12 minutes, besting his previous mark, set in April, by a good five minutes. Club owner Jamie Masada told AP that Chappelle was on a mission. "Dave was determined to keep his record because he recently heard that Dane Cook was planning on trying to break [his] record," Masada said. ... R&B singer Avant has signed to Capitol Records to release his next album, due in the summer. The multiplatinum crooner was previously signed to MCA, before the label folded into Geffen Records, through which he released four albums and a string of hit singles, including his breakout "Separated." Avant's yet-untitled next album is expected to include production from Rodney Jerkins and Mr. Collipark, among others.

• Madonna
• Gym Class Heroes
• Alicia Keys
• Radiohead
• The Academy Is...

Rise Against's <I>The Sufferer & the Witness</I>
Photo: Geffen Records

With all the fireworks happening this Independence Day weekend, you'd expect an explosion of activity in the record racks too, right? Wrong. Not only is there a lack of releases this week, there aren't even any new Hank Williams Jr. or Darryl Worley tunes to light your sparklers to.

Instead you'll have to settle for Chicago iconoclasts Rise Against, who're squeezing out their fourth record, The Sufferer & the Witness. The 13-track affair, co-produced by Bill Stevenson (Black Flag, Descendents), features the hardcore-ish "Survive," rapid-fire "Bricks" — featuring the refrain "we'll never die" — and a surprise ballad, "Roadside." Look for guest-singing appearances by Holy Roman Empire's Emily Schambra and Drag the River's Chad Price.

If it's more topical — and critical — listening that you're after this week, look no further than Blow Up Hollywood's The Diaries of Private Henry Hill, a concept album that's based on the writings of a U.S. solider who died in Iraq. Hill's journals were passed along to his father, who in turn gave them to Blow Up frontman/ homeless-shelter coordinator Steve Messina. The third studio LP by the New York ensemble is boosted by a bonus DVD and includes the ominously titled "Shots Fired," "Shock and Awe" and "Salvation."

Too critical for your tastes? Well, the closest you're going to get to nationalist sentiment is with Johnny Cash, a reputed renegade who perplexed patriots throughout his career. This week hails American V: A Hundred Highways, presumably the final chapter in the series overseen by Rick Rubin, as it contains the last song Cash wrote and recorded: "Like the 309." Bundled with touching notes by Rubin, the opus features covers of songs by Bruce Springsteen ("Further Up on the Road"), Hank Williams ("On the Evening Train"), Gordon Lightfoot ("If You Could Read My Mind") and other American heritage artists.

Just as Cash's renditions of other people's songs are being collected, so are the songs that inspired him to make music in the first place. Roots & Branches: Artists, Songs & Recordings That Inspired the Legend of Johnny Cash boasts the Kingston Trio's "Jackson," Jimmie Rodgers' "In the Jailhouse Now," Roy Orbison's "You're My Baby" and more.

On the subject of recycling other people's songs, Rodney Jerkins is putting a new twist on the idea. The premier hip-hop producer shows his Versatility with an album that boasts 13 instrumental songs and six additional cuts that consumers can break down into individual tracks and re-create. Those who reshape one or more of the bonus tracks can submit the mixes — along with the CD's proof-of-purchase — to Jerkins, and the winner will get a chance to be a songwriter on a future Jerkins-produced album. Versatility drops on his own Darkchild Records imprint.

Also going the innovative route are the Eastern Stars, who spray Moog, ukulele and omnichord over the 11 tracks featured on July 5th, 1961. The newbies — Rob Corradetti and Kaia Wong — looked to Moldy Peaches, Velvet Underground and Pink Floyd for inspiration on their first effort, according to a track-by-track breakdown. The New York folksters are giving the record a soft release this week in New York and San Francisco — so it can relish the 45th anniversary of the album title, which the band calls "a date on which nothing of political or social significance occurred, yet a date on which everything imaginable happened: birth, death, tragedy, baseball and slugging back to work with holiday hangovers." The record gets a wide release in August.

Also seeing a limited release this week is Ziggy Marley's Love Is My Religion, which he's only delivering to Target stores through Tuff Gong Worldwide. It's the first time Marley has gone with an exclusive distributor and, more significantly, the first time Target is selling a record exclusively — took a little while to catch up to Best Buy, eh? "One of my father's goals was to release an album independently. ... Unfortunately, he never had the chance," Marley said in a press release. "This album and the way it is being sold is important to me in honoring my father's spirit." Bob Marley's spirit living on through a major retailer? Who knew? Marley's Love Is My Religion, his second solo release, features African percussion and "Into the Groove," "Be Free" and the title track.

Also pushing musical boundaries are Banco de Gaia, whose Farewell Ferengistan encompasses electronic and Middle Eastern beats, ambient passages and Qawaali drumming. "Flow My Dreams, The Android Wept" not only references the novella by author Philip K. Dick, which was adapted to became "Blade Runner," but the song includes a clip from the score to "A Clockwork Orange," as well.

Last but not least, this week brings the first CD by Peter Gammons, longtime ESPN analyst, baseball critic and, apparently, guitarist. Sadly, the 61-year-old will be celebrating the release of Never Slow Down, Never Grow Old in a hospital bed — he's still recovering after suffering a brain aneurysm last week. With a varied guest list that includes George Thorogood, Juliana Hatfield, Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein and a smattering of Sox players, all proceeds will be going toward Epstein's Foundation to be Named Later, a nonprofit that helps disadvantaged kids in the Boston area. Don't get hooked on "Tanqueray" or "NyQuil Blues."

Song Title of the Week:

"The Ticket That Exploded" from Eastern Stars' July 5th, 1961

New Releases:

• Banco de Gaia - Farewell Ferengistan (Six Degrees)
  
• Blow Up Hollywood - The Diaries of Private Henry Hill (MJ12)
  
• Johnny Cash - American V: A Hundred Highways (Lost Highway)
  Buy Now: American V: A Hundred Highways (Lost Highway)
  
• Eastern Stars - July 5th, 1961 (Mental Monkey)
  
• Fat Jon - The Ample Soul Physician: Afterthought (Ample Soul)
  
• Peter Gammons - Never Slow Down, Never Grow Old (Rounder)
  
• Rodney Jerkins - Versatility (Darkchild/ Bungalo/ Universal)
  Read: "Want A Song From Superproducer Rodney Jerkins? He'll Sell You 11 For Just $18"
  
• Ziggy Marley - Love Is My Religion (Target stores only; Tuff Gong)
  
• Marc McGuinn - One Man's Crazy (Blue Flamingo)
  
• Alice Peacock - Who I Am (Universal)
  
• Rise Against - The Sufferer & the Witness (Geffen)
  Buy Now: The Sufferer & the Witness (Geffen)
  
• Tom Tyler - Asleep at the Switch (D.C.)
  
• Hans Zimmer - "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" soundtrack (Disney)
  
• Various artists - Beat Classic (D.C.)

Notable Reissues and Archival Material:

• J.J. Cale - The Definitive Collection (Hip-O/ UMe)
  
• Carolyn Hester - Carolyn Hester (Empire Musicwerks)
  
• Delbert McClinton - The Definitive Collection (Hip-O/ UMe)
  
• Glenn Yarbrough - Come Sit by My Side (Empire Musicwerks)
  
• Various artists - '80s #1 Hits (Madacy)
  
• Various artists - Best of "Miami Vice" (Hip-O/ UMe)
  
• Various artists - Roots & Branches: Artists, Songs & Recordings That Inspired the Legend of Johnny Cash (Hip-O/ UMe)
  
• Various artists - Summer Beach Party: Songs From the Classic Beach Movies of the '60s (Varèse Sarabande)

Music DVDs:

• Emerson, Lake and Palmer - "Collector's Rarities: The Live Broadcasts" (Classic Rock Legends)
  
• The Kinks - "Collector's Rarities: The Live Broadcasts" (Classic Rock Legends)
  
• The Nylons - "Live in Tokyo and More ..." (Unidisc)
  
• Van der Graaf Generator - "Collector's Rarities: The Live Broadcasts" (Classic Rock Legends)

Coming Attractions:

July 11:

• Muse - Black Holes & Revelations (Warner Bros.)
  Preorder: Black Holes & Revelations (Warner Bros.)
  
• Sufjan Stevens - The Avalanche: Outtakes and Extras From the Illinois Album! (Asthmatic Kitty)
  Preorder: The Avalanche: Outtakes and Extras From the Illinois Album! (Asthmatic Kitty)
  
• Thom Yorke - The Eraser (XL Recordings)
  Preorder: The Eraser (XL Recordings)
  
• Various artists - Now That's What I Call Music! 22 (Sony)

July 18:

• Alien Ant Farm - Up in the Attic (New Door)
  Preorder: Up in the Attic (New Door)
  
• The Bronx - The Bronx (digipak; Island)
  
• The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Don't You Fake It (Virgin)
  Read: "The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus: You Can Call Them Sellouts"
  Preorder: Don't You Fake It (Virgin)

July 25:

• Flogging Molly - Whiskey on a Sunday (DualDisc; Side One Dummy)
  
• Jurassic 5 - Feedback (Interscope)
  Preorder: Feedback (Interscope)
  
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Mary J. Blige on the cover of the September issue of <i>Essence</i> Magazine
Photo: Essence Magazine

Mary J. Blige has had a breakthrough: To really make sure she has "No More Drama" in her life, she's got to rethink her tactics. So for her next album, Blige is putting the "self" back into self-help.

"I'm one of my biggest obstacles," Blige — who is on the cover of Essence's September issue — told the magazine. "Me."

What that means for the R&B singer is recognizing that she can't change anyone but herself, and if she wants to affect other people, she has to stop blaming others and look inward. Blige said the overriding theme on her forthcoming album, The Breakthrough, is recognizing that "it's nobody's fault. For real."

"The way I would define success is just really getting to the point where you deal with you," she explained. "Where you get to the point where you're mad, or you're upset, or you're insecure, or you're prideful, but you're not pointing at your husband or whoever. Your husband and kids might have problems, but the bottom line is that you have to deal with you if you want them to change. People are not going to change unless they see you change."

For instance, if you're upset that your family is overweight, she said, "you have to get you together to the point where you want to train." Part of that involves taking the blame (or credit) for your behavior leading to your condition and confronting it: "You walk up to the cookies, you walk up to the cake, you walk up to the burger and you start the arguments."

Blige says this isn't about acting selfishly, but about being protective of yourself and facing your own "inner demons and inner insecurities." It's also not about dwelling on your problems — your dramas — but about taking responsibility for them. "That's the first thing I deal with, in order to get to my goals," she said. "That's the bottom line, breaking through. Getting to the point where you can focus on you. Focus on the good side of life, which is love, which is [being] happy. You're happy you got to the point where you can say, 'Gosh, I got a lot of baggage, I got a lot of stuff going on with me.' "

Blige's more personal baggage, she said, involved stopping drinking and drugging, controlling her temper, forgiving her father for not being around when she was young and dealing with being molested when she was 5.

"This isn't something I have ever shared in the press, and it's not something I want to talk about a lot," she said. "But I kept hearing about children being molested, and I felt God was tapping me on the shoulder, saying, 'You're not the only one.' I know being molested like that blocks out your value, and it makes you feel you're not worth anything. I want other women to know that something like that can happen to you, and you can still grow to be happy and you can still break through to the other side."

"Mary J. Blige's Producers Spill The 411 On Her Next LP") — is ultimately about "the upside of life." Song titles on the album, due in November, include "People" and "Can't Hide From Love." "I haven't forgotten that my fans, a lot of them, might still be stuck," she said. "I reach back into my past for them, but I'm enjoying and celebrating my life right now." Related Photos Mary J. Blige's Photo Shoot for the September 2005 Issue of Essence Magazine Related Artists Mary J. Blige Swizz Beatz Dr. Dre Kanye West Rodney Jerkins ]]> http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1507040/20050805/blige_mary_j.jhtml News Article http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1507040/20050805/blige_mary_j.jhtml 5 Aug 2005 07:20:00 EDT Follow-up to Britney may also feature collaboration with Daft Punk. By Joe D'Angelo Britney Spears Photo: Evan Agostini ImageDirect For her fourth album, Britney Spears is drawing on past inspirations while looking ahead to some out-of-this-world production and help from a couple of punks. Phoning in to "TRL" on Friday, Spears said she'll again work with producer Rodney Jerkins for the follow-up to last year's Britney. Jerkins, the hitmaking mastermind behind tunes by the Backstreet Boys, Brandy and Destiny's Child, produced the Britney cover of "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," an Arrows song made popular by Joan Jett. The pop princess also told trade magazine The Hollywood Reporter that she had taken meetings while in Europe with producer William Orbit (Madonna, Blur) and electronic duo Daft Punk about possible collaborations. Her working with Orbit was suspected in November, but Spears wouldn't spill (see "Britney Spears' Hiatus Is History"). "I can't tell you. Then it won't be cool when it comes out," she said. Although she proclaimed a hiatus in July, following her Dream Within a Dream tour, Spears began dabbling with new ideas a few weeks later. She plans to work in earnest on the LP in January. And like Pink and more recently Nick Carter, Spears might to go more rock on her next venture and perhaps delve deeper into hip-hop, according to The Hollywood Reporter. But it can't be forced, she told the magazine — it's got to be an organic evolution. "It should just happen naturally from the way you feel. ... I'm in the studio just doing my thing and letting it flow. Whatever happens, happens." Related Artists Britney Spears Rodney Jerkins ]]> http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1459045/20021206/spears_britney.jhtml News Article http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1459045/20021206/spears_britney.jhtml 6 Dec 2002 06:05:00 EST Collaborators likely to include Rodney Jerkins, Neptunes, Nelly, Brian McKnight, Angie Stone. By Corey Moss Justin Timberlake Photo: Image Direct Justin Timberlake's debut solo project is not only one of the most anticipated albums of the year, it is one of the most well guarded. The 'NSYNC star has been in and out of recording studios all year, yet neither his record label nor his management will say anything about the record. Still, the music industry is buzzing and details are trickling out. Most are coming from collaborators — and there appear to be many — but Timberlake himself has spilled a few beans. Phoning in to Orlando's WJHM-FM last week, he told DJs the album will be out "hopefully this fall." A spokesperson for Jive Records, however, said the as-yet-untitled project is not on their release schedule. As for the record's nitty gritty, here's what we know: Behind the boards, the Neptunes are working on multiple tracks, and P. Diddy and his production partner Mario Winans have donated an up-tempo track. Mike City (Brandy, Nappy Roots), Raphael Saadiq (Bilal, Ginuwine) and Rodney Jerkins (Michael Jackson, 'NSYNC) are also planning to produce tracks for the album, but as of last month none had logged any studio time with Timberlake. "I just got a call about working on the project," Jerkins said at the BET Awards. "Whenever he wants it, it's done." As for guest vocalists, two artists Timberlake has recorded with will likely return the favor on his record. Brian McKnight's manager said he has already recorded with the 'NSYNC star, who appeared on his "My Kind of Girl" single from last year's Superhero, while Nelly has been telling reporters the two friends are discussing another collaboration. Timberlake sings on Nellyville's "Work It" (see "Nelly Collaborates With His Dirty, Justin Timberlake"). Angie Stone revealed early in the year that she had been in the studio with Timberlake (see "Angie Stone Makes Studio Time With Timberlake, Moby, Keys"), and Usher said last month he hoped to log some studio time with him too. "We're supposed to sit down, have a meeting, talk about it, just creatively," Usher said. "Hopefully, the schedule won't come into play. I know definitely it would be one of the hottest records ever placed out. Ever." Even if all of the aforementioned artists do end up working with Timberlake, there's no guarantee their tracks will make his album, which is likely the reason his spokespeople have not revealed any information. (BT, not Jive Records, announced his collaborations with Britney Spears for her last album, only to have the material not make the final cut.) One thing is for certain: Timberlake will be teaming up with all sorts of artists this weekend as Nelly, Usher and McKnight are scheduled to appear at 'NSYNC's Challenge for the Children IV celebrity basketball game on Saturday in Orlando, Florida. Related Artists *NSYNC Rodney Jerkins The Neptunes Nelly Brian McKnight ]]> http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1456207/20020723/n_sync.jhtml News Article http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1456207/20020723/n_sync.jhtml 23 Jul 2002 11:01:00 EDT Producer is helping T-Boz, Chilli finish LP without Left Eye. By Corey Moss Rodney Jerkins Photo: MTV News HOLLYWOOD — The album TLC are finishing without the late Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes will include what producer Rodney Jerkins described as "the most beautiful ballad that I've ever done in my life." Jerkins took a break Tuesday from recording with Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas to attend the BET Awards (see ). "It was very emotional when we first started, 'cause we started around the time when [Lopes] passed," Jerkins said before the ceremony as he made his way up the red carpet. "But we started, and it's clicking now, and I think everyone's working harder because of the situation. Expect the best from this project, really, the best from all of us." The album, which will include vocals Lopes recorded before she died in a car accident on April 25, is mostly filled with what Jerkins called "innovative bangers." Dallas Austin and Raphael Saadiq have also contributed production work (see ). Aside from tracks for the TLC album, Jerkins has recently produced a song called "Wishful Thinking" with Chilli and Carlos Santana for the latter's upcoming album and a remix of Cher's "A Different Kind of Love Song." "It's incredible to be able to work with a true diva," Jerkins said. "Cher said she just wanted me to do my thing, which was the most incredible thing in the world. And I had fun doing it." Jerkins is planning to work with Whitney Houston in the next few weeks and is also focusing on developing a new rapper from Harlem named Fats. His debut, Follow Your True Story, is due later this year and will include the single "Stand Up," featuring Freeway. "I really believe that he's gonna be that next rapper that everybody talks about," Jerkins said. For complete coverage of the Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes tragedy, see . Related Artists TLC Rodney Jerkins ]]> http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1455464/20020628/tlc.jhtml News Article http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1455464/20020628/tlc.jhtml 28 Jun 2002 11:39:00 EDT The two have been recording songs in Atlanta for a new album this fall. By Abbey Goodman, with reporting by Benjamin Wagner Toni Braxton Photo: Arista "Yes indeed, we are making hit after hit after hit," a confident Rodney Jerkins said of his recent studio time with Toni Braxton. The two have been in Atlanta recording songs for this fall's proper follow-up to 2000's The Heat (a holiday album, Snowflakes, was released in October). So far, two songs, "Whatcha Need" and "Do U Remember?" have been completed for the still-untitled disc. "Whatcha Need," the producer said, is a catchy, up-tempo song using his new sound called "the Darkchild on-and-off knock." "Do U Remember" is described as a sexy, mid-tempo jazz song. Although Braxton was unable to attend the Grammys this year because of her work schedule, like J. Lo before her, the memory of the skimpy dress she wore to last year's festivities was still a topic of conversation. "That was the sexiest, but classiest, dress that was ever seen at the Grammys," Jerkins said. He was quick to add, "Next year, when she's [nominated] for one of the songs we are doing right now, I'm sure she'll have an even better one." Related Artists Toni Braxton Rodney Jerkins ]]> http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1452697/20020301/braxton_toni.jhtml News Article http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1452697/20020301/braxton_toni.jhtml 1 Mar 2002 03:43:00 EST Rodney Jerkins, Usher, Bubba Sparxxx, Mystic (l-r) It's one of music's biggest nights, and thanks to the miracle of modern communication, we're taking you inside. Artists on the red carpet, in the house, and watching from the road are weighing in, blowing up our two-way pagers, and we're sharing their thoughts with you. Check the bottom of the page for the latest update from the trenches. From: Usher, on tour in Germany, 12:23 ET Well, I'm trying to make the best of it, being that I'm not there to accept my award. I'm going forward with the best attitude. I hate that I'm not able to be there. I got the home team that's gonna keep me abreast of what's going on. I'm probably gonna have someone call me when the winner [is announced] so I can hear. I hate that I can't see Thandie Newton on the red carpet. I had a nice little gangsta outfit I was gonna wear. The wildest thing about it is that I had a gun holster on my outfit, but there's no gun in it. It was sick. It's time for y'all cats to beware. Y'all better beware because it's going down. From: Slipknot's Paul Grey, at home in Iowa, 1:07 ET I'm not actually going because I'm sick. I'm here in Iowa. We just got back from Europe and there are four or five of us that have this stomach thing. There must be something weird in something we ate. I've just been lying here in bed for the last couple days. I was gonna fly out of here this morning, but I just couldn't do it. I was gonna just wear what I would normally wear — jeans and a T-shirt. That's what I wear everywhere. That's what I wear to funerals and weddings and everything. I'm gonna be watching because we got nominated. I don't know what our chances are, but I'll watch. Last year we got nominated for "Wait and Bleed," and this year for "Left Behind." I personally think System of a Down is gonna win, but hopefully we've got a chance. To me personally, just being nominated is cool enough. It's not gonna make my day if we win or kill me if we lose. From Bubba Sparxxx, in transit, 3:29 ET I'm at the airport in ATL about to head to L.A. ... I'll probably go to Missy (Elliott)'s party tonight. ... I got a show with Ludacris and Busta tomorrow. I'll be landin' just as they start. ... I'll probably just catch it in the hotel room. From: Bloodhound Gang's Jimmy Pop, at home in Philadelphia, 5:22 ET I actually am a Grammy voter. I voted for Slayer, Linkin Park, 'NSYNC, Sigur Ros, Depeche Mode, Nelly and some others. The only way I'm getting in there on my own accord is if they need someone to pass out programs. I would love to hear Charlotte Church present the Best Metal Record, open the envelope and say, "Slayer, for God Hates Us All." Do you think Christina Aguilera is going to show up dressed like a dude at this awards show too? From: Papa Roach's Dave Buckner, at home in Sacramento, 5:46 ET I'm actually glad we didn't win Best New Artist last year, because that's like the kiss of death award. Didn't Men at Work win that, and then they were never heard from again? Last year, we were so busy touring that it didn't really hit me until after and they sent us the little certificate and medal in the mail. Then it finally hit me like, 'Wow, we were nominated for a Grammy.' Now I'm really proud of it. ... I'm hoping that Linkin Park doesn't win Best New Artist, because I want them to be around for more than a year. From: comedian David Cross, on the road in Atlanta, 6:19 ET It's almost like they're having a race to see who can be more out of touch, the Grammys or the Oscars, and the Grammys always win. This year they've taken little baby steps toward not being as completely out of it as they have been in the past, ... and I also don't like awards shows. I think it's very fitting that the icon on top of the statuettes is an old Victrola. That's kind of perfect. I mean, where was Fugazi's The Argument? Where was that? Come on. I demand a recount ... or at least a count. From: producer Rodney Jerkins, in an Atlanta studio with Toni Braxton, 6:23 ET Yes, indeed we are making hit after hit after hit! [We've] completed two songs already. The first song is called "Whatcha Need." It's up-tempo, real catchy and hot using my new sound called the Darkchild on-and-off knock, and we also did a sexy jazz mid-tempo [number] called "Do U Remember?" I'll be watching the awards. From: Naughty by Nature's Treach, 7:14 ET Tonight I'll be meeting with the fashion stylist to figure out what we're wearing for the next part of our video shoot for "Feels Good" with 3LW, and then I'm going to the studio to hook up with Vinnie to do final edits for our album, iicons. We'll be watching the Grammys from the studio, and then I'm going home to sleep because I have to get up early tomorrow morning for Source "All-Access" taping. From: Naughty by Nature's Vinnie, 7:17 ET I'll be in the studio doing the last clean mix to our album, iicons, so we can get the album mastered. We're looking forward to being a contender for next year's Grammys. Treach and I will be watching from the studio. From: producer Mannie Fresh, in an Atlanta recording studio, 7:23 ET I'm in the studio working on my new album, Hood Rich. Hope y'all like it. Bless everybody in the world. From: Phantom Planet's Alex Greenwald, in Los Angeles, 7:27 ET I definitely plan on watching, though it will probably be the first Grammy broadcast that I've ever watched. I've heard that Sade is up for a couple categories, and I hope she wins as many as she can because I've done a lot of great making out to her record. That's the only person that I've really listened to that I think should win. From: Bloodhound Gang's Jimmy Pop, at home in Philadelphia, 8:34 ET How hot did Joey Fatone look? Hot. Oh my, the "Moulin Rouge" girls are more annoying than Charlie's Angels when they get together. I've slept with whores. They NEVER look like Mya. OK, they're done, I can turn the sound back on. From: Noreaga, 8:58 ET I ain't doing sh--. Writing rhymes don't you get invited to things like that, so I don't go. From: Patti LaBelle, backstage at the Grammys, 9:17 ET I went to Grammy rehearsal, rested and came back to perform with the "Moulin Rouge" girls for the first time. I'll sleep tonight. It was AWESOMELY unbelievable! One of the highlights of my career, and I'm so happy they won! From: Jermaine Dupri, backstage at the Grammys, 9:32 ET I'm just relaxed and chilled out to the show. I'm hitting every party and doing a lot of interviews. I haven't been in the audience yet, ... but backstage is fun. I love everybody, so I'm happy for all. From: Mystic, at Grammy Awards, 10:39 ET The show has been great. Mary J. Blige was incredible. I'm a little off the floor, but with a good view. I'm having a ball. Great music and people watching. LOL! I've seen so many folks ... Musiq, Nate Dogg, Gwen, Blue Cantrell, Outkast ... everybody and their mama. LOL. Going to Erykah Badu's party, maybe the MCA mansion party. But I might go home and go to bed. Mom is my date, so it may be mellow. Lindsay Pagano from her bedroom in Los Angeles, 10:57 PT I really like Nelly Furtado's outfit. And Britney's, she looks gorgeous tonight. I'm sooooo glad "Lady Marmalade" won... and it was a great performance... I'm a HUGE Christina fan! I was gonna' go to the after part tonight, but i have to go in the studio tomorrow to record a song called "United We Sing" with alot of the people who were at the Grammy's tonight... so I didnt wanna be tired. Rodney Jerkins, in an Atlanta studio with Toni Braxton,11:08 ET I'm trying [to hang in there with the show]. I'm exhausted. From: Ali "Dubfire" Shirazinia of Grammy winners Deep Dish, leaving the Staples Center, 11:42 ET We won. We're hangin' with BT, and right now we're going to go party. For more Grammy news, check out the MTV News Grammy Archive. Related Artists Papa Roach Usher Slipknot Bubba Sparxxx The Bloodhound Gang ]]> http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1452649/20020227/papa_roach.jhtml News Article http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1452649/20020227/papa_roach.jhtml 27 Feb 2002 06:53:00 EST Notorious B.I.G.: 5 Years Gone Related Artists Notorious B.I.G. Jay-Z Nas Faith Evans Rodney Jerkins ]]> Photos http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1452832 http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1452832 11 Mar 2002 11:18:57 EST