Ashlee Simpson
Photo: Getty Images/ Frederick M. Brown

You probably didn't take Ashlee Simpson as a fan of Salvador Dalí, but the famed artist's surrealism is exactly the look she went for in her new video, according to Billboard.com. The singer shot a clip for "Out of My Head (Ay Ya Ya)," the Timbaland-produced first single from her yet-untitled March album, on Thursday. "One of my favorite artists is Salvador Dalí," she told the site. "You'll see a little bit of that surrealism in [the clip]. There's a bit of 'Being John Malkovich' in there too. It's a little out there." Simpson also said she will title the album during the holidays and hopes to kick off a small-club tour in February. ...

Kanye West has backed out of what would have been his first concert on U.S. soil since the unexpected death of his mother, Dr. Donda West, last month. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that West dropped off the bill for the KDWB Jingle Ball at the Target Center slated for Friday night (December 7) in Minneapolis with only a few days' notice, due to an unspecified "family matter." "American Idol" runner-up Blake Lewis and Fabolous will fill in for West on the bill, which also includes Avril Lavigne, Timbaland, Good Charlotte and Jordin Sparks. "We tried to get [West] on the air to explain all this to fans, but he refused," said Rob Morris, the station's program director. "We did everything we could to save this thing." ...

West, Avril Lavigne, Common and Coldplay are just a few of the many celebs who have pitched in for Waxploitation's new Darfur Benefit Auction, which launched Thursday. Lavigne, Com, the Flaming Lips, Norah Jones, Nickelback and Deftones signed guitars for the auction; 'Ye, Coldplay, Gnarls Barkley, Bloc Party, TV on the Radio, Wilco, the Decemberists, Aesop Rock, Macy Gray, Thievery Corporation and Gorillaz signed other items; and there are additional items from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lupe Fiasco, Don Cheadle, and Bam Margera. All proceeds will go to Doctors Without Borders, Human Rights Watch and Oxfam America. ...

Speaking of eBay charity auctions, Gorillaz's Damon Albarn, Robert Plant, Belle and Sebastian's Stuart Murdoch, PJ Harvey and others have written and signed postcards for a British one that's currently up. One of Plant's postcards quizzically has just two words above his John Hancock: "Mitigating circumstances." Daddy G of Massive Attack and actress Helen Mirren also pitched in for the effort, which is raising money for Carers UK, an organization that gives financial and emotional support to individuals who provide unpaid health and social care. ...

J.K. Rowling has posted a new entry on her Web site, calling out the launch of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" at the National History Museum in London and insisting that the book is her fave of the series. "As for mourning Harry — and I doubt I will be believed when I say this — nobody can have felt the end as deeply as I did. The writing of 'Harry Potter' has been inextricably linked with my life for 17 years, and saying goodbye has been just as tough as I always knew it would be." Rowling also revealed that a documentary surrounding her is on the way. "J.K. Rowling - A Year in the Life," which will air later this month in the U.K., shadows the author working on "Deathly Hallows," on tour and at the launch. ...

After visa issues forced Velvet Revolver to cancel their tour of Japan, and "health issues" forced the band to postpone its Australian tour — a week after the DUI arrest of singer Scott Weiland — the group has announced a New Year's Eve show at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom. The band also said that part of the proceeds from a limited-edition T-shirt sold at its Wednesday benefit with Alice in Chains at Universal City, California's Gibson Amphitheatre will be donated to victims of the recent Southern California fires. Meanwhile, the Australian tour dates have been rescheduled for February and will kick off with a show on the 15th in Brisbane. ... It was a rare bit of good legal news for Kid Rock this week when a judge in New Orleans dismissed Louisiana musician Troy Landry's claim that the rapper's song "Somebody's Gotta Feel This" was too similar to one of his songs. According to The Associated Press, U.S. District Judge May Ann Vial Lemmon said the works were not "so strikingly or substantially similar as to preclude independent creation." Landry sued Rock (born Robert Ritchie) and Atlantic Records in 2004, claiming that an eight-second snippet of "Feel This" that was featured in a beer commercial was similar to a song Landry released on a 1994 record. ...

Madonna is suing the board and management company of her luxury New York apartment — which includes a 6,000-square-foot duplex, a gym and a beauty salon — for not allowing her to expand it into a neighboring apartment, according to the Daily News. In a recently filed summons, the singer reportedly accuses the board and management company of breach of contract for holding up the sale of the other apartment. ... In other Madge news, Billboard.com reported Thursday that her new album would be called Licorice and drop in late April, but her label is saying not so fast. "Wrong title. Release date wrong etc.," Warner Bros. spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg told Reuters. She did not, however, appear to deny the reported participation of Kanye West and Pharrell on the effort. ... Björk has reunited with director Michel Gondry — who got behind the camera for some of the singer's best-known videos, including "Human Behaviour" and "Army of Me" — for a new clip, RollingStone.com reports. The collaboration, for her song "Declare Independence," marks their first hookup in 10 years. ...

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have lined up three gigs he'll play in the summer at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, according to Billboard.com. Sixty-six Springsteen concerts have reportedly sold out at the venue in the past, and the upcoming gigs will be held July 27, 28 and 31. ... So is that much-rumored new studio album by the Pixies still in the works? "Helll no," Kim Deal recently told RollingStone.com about participating on a potential new effort. "Because I don't want to," she added. She said she didn't think her bandmates wanted to make one either. "I was kind of waiting for [Frank Black and guitarist Joey Santiago] to get together and do demos, and they never did." ... "Wire" fans, there's another reason to get psyched, beyond the upcoming launch of the show's new season: Two soundtracks are on the way, Pitchfork reports. ... And All the Pieces Matter - Five Years of Music From "The Wire" will include music and dialogue from the lauded HBO show; tracks by Steve Earle, Solomon Burke and others; as well as variations of Tom Waits' "Down in the Hole" theme sung by the Blind Boys of Alabama and others. Beyond Hamsterdam: Baltimore Club Tracks From "The Wire" will highlight underground B-More rappers like Rod Lee, Tyree Colion and Diablo. Both discs drop January 8, two days after the new season starts airing. ...

Will Smith, Ralph Macchio wannabe? Believe it or not, the "I Am Legend" actor is entertaining the idea of a "Karate Kid" remake, according to AP. While there aren't many more details yet on that shocker, there is some more news on the "I Am Legend" front: The flick's theatrical release in China is being held up due to the country's plan to temporarily ban American movies in an effort to help China's domestic-film industry. ... Kiefer Sutherland, who has served three of the 48 days he has been sentenced to spend in jail, is a "model prisoner," said Officer John Balian, a spokesman for the Glendale City Jail in California, according to People.com. Sutherland reportedly spent Thursday folding jail laundry and has been assigned to serve meals to the other inmates. "He's not happy to be here," Balian said. "But you can tell from his demeanor that he's sorry and takes responsibility for what he's done." ...

A fifth person has been charged with conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice in the case involving Amy Winehouse's husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, BBC News reports. James Kennedy is due in court Friday. ... Billy Joel has released a new anti-war song — though the piano man isn't heard singing on the track. Instead, 21-year-old New York singer/songwriter Cass Dillon handled the duties. Joel thought "somebody young, about a soldier's age," should be heard on "Christmas in Fallujah," he recently told AP. The track went on sale on iTunes starting Tuesday, and net proceeds are going to Homes for Our Troops, a charity group that constructs homes for wounded Iraq and Afghanistan vets. ...

Hip-hop icon MC Lyte is prepping the debut from her new group, Almost September, which also features producer/DJ Jared Lee and singer Whitey White. Manager "Blue" Williams said the trio have a "grown-up rap" feel that mixes Lyte's rhymes with soulful funk akin to the Brand New Heavies. The group's first single, "Beautiful," will be available on iTunes before the end of the year. ...

Drowning Pool bassist Stevie Benton has been diagnosed with Bell's Palsy, an often-temporary neurological disorder that causes paralysis of the face, after being rushed to the hospital Thursday. According to a statement from his publicist, Benton felt ill during the band's Wednesday night show in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and has been ordered to stay off the road for at least six weeks. "I'm really bummed that because of this, we can't perform this last string of shows," he said in the statement. "I want to thank the fans for their continued support."

12.6.07

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. 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 are participating in 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.

• Ashlee Simpson
• Kanye West
• Avril Lavigne
• Gorillaz
• Velvet Revolver

Common performs at the 4th Annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors show
Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images

NEW YORK — Friday, Saturday and Sunday? Hip-hop addicts were OD-ing this weekend as rap concerts monopolized the Big Apple. The Roots, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Common and Q-Tip kept the b-boys saying, "Hoooooo!" and the fly girls doing the wop.

Friday night at the Nokia Theater, the Roots headlined a concert in conjunction with VH1's Hip Hop Honors show, where not only did they perform, but they backed Big Daddy Kane and MC Lyte.

Black Thought showed mind-blowing breath control as he channeled the spirit of Kool G Rap during a cover of the lispy legend's "Men at Work."

"Dope 'cause I'm a death wish, not even Bob Hope's," he rapped. "Rhymes are rugged, soul flooded, cold-blooded/ You ain't better, you're butter, so just shut it/ Here to perform, having a brainstorm, make a rain form/ How rap groups run to keep the name warm/ Putting heads to beddy-bye like Freddy so get ready/ 'Cause I'mma get crazier than Crazy Eddie."

Thought also imitated the entire Wu-Tang Clan for "Protect Ya Neck." MC Lyte paid homage to her brother Milk Dee with a verse from "Top Billin' " (that's Milk's voice looping in 50 Cent's "I Get Money") and brought back classics like "Paper Thin" and "I Cram to Understand U."

After presenting Black with a pimp cup for his birthday (and a cake at Thursday's Hip Hop Honors — see video at left), Big Daddy Kane made the theater go dizzy with a handful of classics from "Set It Off" to "Warm It Up, Kane" to "Smooth Operator." Big Scoob came out for "Raw," during which he and Kane did an electric dance routine that included splits and midair chest-thumping.

On Saturday night, Boost Mobile held its annual Rock Corps concert at Radio City Music Hall. Yung Joc, Hurricane Chris and Swizz Beatz (Swizzy brought out Jadakiss and Eve) were the appetizers, and later NYC favorite Fabolous came out for a handful of joints, including "Make Me Better," "Baby Don't Go" and "Keepin' It Gangsta." For "Gangsta Don't Play," reggae icon Junior Reid came out. Keyshia Cole's set was as brief as a cup of coffee, but she did have one of the biggest pops of the night with her hit "Let It Go."

Co-headliner Busta Rhymes tried to make the most of his 15 minutes — yes, 15 minutes for Bus is sacrilege — teasing the crowd with snippets of his monster hits, such as "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" and "Break Ya Neck." Ludacris' time was limited as well, but he did squeeze in "Number One Spot" and more.

Sunday (insert fatigued intake of breath here) was the last night of shows. It all pointed back to the Nokia Theater, where Common and Q-Tip — who have joined forces for a side project called the Standard (album due in 2008) — performed separate sets at a concert presented by 2K Sports.

Tip opened, and fans were hoping to be surprised by a reunion of A Tribe Called Quest — but the Abstract Poetic went it alone.

"New mutha----in' York," he yelled, excited to be in his hometown.

"We're winning, by the way: 8 to 3," he added, pointing to the Yankees logo on his hat. Although nothing can compare to seeing Tip and Phife Dawg do Tribe joints in their entirety, the music is so beautiful, everyone was excited to hear Tip do half a record here and there, such as "Check the Rhime." Tip did Phife's rhymes on "Award Tour" and "Electric Relaxation." And let's not forget, Tip does have two very big solo tracks: "Vivrant Thing" and "Breathe and Stop."

Common was theatric, poignant and potent during his show.

"Go!," "U, Black Maybe," "Testify" and "Drivin' Me Wild" riled fans up. He then started paying tribute to hip-hop, with a bevy of covers such as N.W.A's "Straight Outta Compton" and Nas' "N.Y. State of Mind." Then he gave fans the ultimate moment with an off-the-head freestyle cipher that included KRS-One and Q-Tip.

"We do this here, and you know we don't stress/ I got my n---a Common and KRS," Q-Tip rhymed.

"Right here, this is the Teacha/ I wanna hear a shout from Nokia," spit KRS, who had just minutes earlier surprised everyone with "The Bridge Is Over" and "South Bronx."

Common followed with a warning to sucka rappers: "I put you on a stretcher, you can call me love 'cause love's gonna get ya/ When it comes to this, MCs, you know I gotta snuff ya, and when it comes to this you can't tell me nothin'."

Later, at the end of "Misunderstood," Common listed some people who he thought were misunderstood: Tupac, Malcolm X, Kurt Cobain, Lauryn Hill, Michael Vick and the Jena Six. He finished his set with "The Light."

For more sights and stories from concerts around the country, check out MTV News Tour Reports.

• Stars Spread The Love At VH1 Hip Hop Honors

• Common
• Ludacris
• Q-Tip
• The Roots
• Busta Rhymes

Ashlee Simpson in the London production of "Chicago"
Photo: Dave M. Bennett/ Getty Images

Ashlee Simpson has joined the one-night-only, 10th-anniversary performance of "Chicago" slated for November 14 at the Ambassador Theater in New York. The performance will benefit victim-assistance organization Safe Horizon and will also feature former Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson and original castmembers. ...

Kevin Federline has rolled out the track list to his debut CD, Playing With Fire. The October 31 release will feature 14 tracks, including a hidden one: "Intro," "The World Is Mine," "America's Most Hated," "Snap," "Lose Control," "Dance With a Pimp" (featuring Ya Boy), "Privilege" (featuring Bosco), "Crazy" (featuring Britney Spears), "A League of My Own," "Playing With Fire," "Caught Up Intro," "Caught Up," "Kept on Talkin' " and "Middle Finger" (hidden). ...

Lady Sovereign, 30 Seconds to Mars, Ghostface, the Subways, Murs, Slug of Atmosphere and Eugene Hütz of Gogol Bordello have been announced as presenters at the mtvU Woodie Awards, to be taped October 25 at New York's Roseland Ballroom. Brandon Reilly of Nightmare of You will DJ the preshow. ... Busta Rhymes has signed former Blackstreet singer Chauncey Black to his Flipmode Squad label. The singer's solo debut will feature production from Dr. Dre and Teddy Riley and guests such as the Game, Young Buck and Rah Digga. ...

Bono testified again in court on Tuesday (October 17) against ex-stylist Lola Cashman, who U2 claim stole and tried to hock band memorabilia, The Associated Press reports. "We want out stuff back. We want her to stop selling it," the singer said in an Irish High Court. Cashman has said the band gave her the items as gifts. ... Bobby Brown has paid $11,000 in delinquent child-support payments, according to AP. A Massachusetts judge said two weeks ago that the singer would be arrested if he were to enter the state without settling up. ...

The saga of Madonna's adoption of 1-year-old David Banda from Malawi continued on Monday, as the child was flown from the African nation to London in the company of one of the singer's bodyguards and a personal assistant. According to Reuters, Banda made the trip despite 50 rights groups that filed court documents asking for an injunction to block the adoption. On Monday, Malawian authorities waived local rules against non-residents adopting children to grant Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie an interim adoption. "My husband and I began the adoption process many months prior to our trip to Malawi," Madonna said in a letter posted on CNN.com. "I did not wish to disclose my intentions to the world prior to the adoption happening, as this is a private family matter. ... Nevertheless, we have gone about the adoption procedure according to the law like anyone else who adopts a child. Reports to the contrary are totally inaccurate. The procedure includes an l8-month evaluation period, after which time we hope to make this adoption permanent." "It is expected that the family will be reunited within the next few days," Madonna's longtime representative Liz Rosenberg said in a statement. ...

James Blunt will play a benefit show for Doctors Without Borders on November 16 at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, California. Tickets for the show are $40 and go on sale Wednesday at noon PT via HOB.com. Blunt is also raising money for the organization by auctioning one-on-one meetings with fans at each stop on his tour. Blunt's trek hits Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday. ... Jermaine Dupri, Stevie Wonder and Gavin DeGraw will be honored at the November 1 Songs of Hope IV benefit for City of Hope, an organization that aids the fight against life-threatening diseases such as cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS. "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson will MC the event, which will be held at Esquire House 360 in Beverly Hills, California. Songs of Hope IV will have sheet music and original lyrics signed by artists including Mariah Carey, Paul McCartney and Paul Simon up for silent auction and features performances by Wonder and DeGraw. ...

Wesley Snipes was indicted Tuesday on eight counts of tax fraud, AP reports. Federal prosecutors accuse the actor of fraudulent claims of $12 million in refunds on taxes already paid. The indictment, filed in Tampa, Florida, also alleges that the actor failed to file tax returns between 1999 and 2004. Snipes has not been arrested because authorities don't know where he is. He faces a maximum of 16 years in prison if convicted. ...

Leonardo DiCaprio is pitching in to develop a reality-TV series focusing on the environment, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The show, "E-topia," which is being shopped to networks, will document the monthslong effort to transform an American town into a "green" utopia of tomorrow. DiCaprio is a co-creator and executive producer of the project, which will feature an environmental "call to action" at the end of each episode. ...

On January 23, the Shins will return to record stores with their third full-length album, Wincing the Night Away. Produced by frontman James Mercer and former Beck collaborator Joe Chiccarelli, Wincing features 11 tracks, including "Sleeping Lessons," "Pam Berry," "A Comet Appears" and the first single, "Phantom Limb." ... Jet have been forced to postpone part of their current European tour so frontman Nic Cester can rest his pipes after developing acute laryngitis. The postponed dates were originally scheduled through October 25. The singer lost his voice two weeks ago during a performance in New York and has since developed nodules on his vocal cords as a result of returning to the stage earlier than his doctors had advised. ...

Brooklyn queen MC Lyte returned to her NYC stomping grounds Monday night to perform at the launch party for Black Girls Rule! Inc., a nonprofit mentoring service founded by DJ Beverly Bond. Lyte, who was honored at VH1's Hip-Hop Honors — which airs Tuesday on VH1 — and DJ Jazzy Joyce were recognized by the organization for their achievements as women in the music industry. DJ Premier presented the awards, and Dres of Black Sheep and writer/activist Kevin Powell were also in attendance. ... Several Ramones tracks have been retooled in kid-friendly form by some of punk's current leaders. Brats on the Beat: Ramones for Kids, which hits stores November 21, will boast a cover of "Blitzkrieg Bop" by Pennywise's Jim Lindberg, "Rock 'N' Roll High School" performed by Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba, the Donnas' Brett Anderson tackling "California Sun" and the Dwarves' Blag Dahlia doing "Rockaway Beach." ...

Runner James Murphy, the magnate of New York dance-rockers LCD Soundsystem, has teamed up with Nike for 45:33: Nike+ Original Run, an original composition only available through iTunes. The "album" contains a single eponymous track that runs 45 minutes and 33 seconds. The second project in the Nike+ Original Run series follows Drive, a soundtrack by Crystal Method. "In testing, I found that 'hard, fast, propulsive' music was NOT the best running music for me," Murphy said. "Sometimes the best way to keep running is to find the parts of the run that are actually rests — that while you're still running, you're viewing some of the run as soothing and recuperative, rather than constantly feeling like you're running for your life." 45:33 is currently available on iTunes.

10.16.2006

Red Hot Chili Peppers and Gnarls Barkley are plotting an arena tour across the U.S. While dates have not been firmed up, the jaunt will take place from January through March. In other Gnarls news, the group is bulking up its St. Elsewhere debut as a CD-plus-DVD double-disc. The deluxe edition will have four videos, live tunes and a chunky 92-page booklet. ...

St. Lunatics rapper Ali was charged with third-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, property damage and driving on an expired license Saturday after he was pulled over in the Hazelwood area of St. Louis. Ali denied the charges to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, noting, "There is no way that I could kick him from the back seat." Ali said the officer used a taser on him 46 times and made several racial remarks. ...

How far would you go to promote an album? Would you fight the WWE champion? Kevin Federline would — and did, taking on John Cena in an argument that got physical in Los Angeles on Sunday night. Conveniently, the fight — which ended with Cena hitting Britney Spears' husband with a resounding slam — was captured as part of WWE's "Monday Night Raw." Three 6 Mafia, "Jackass" stars Steve-O and Chris Pontius, and Nick and Aaron Carter saw the action in person, but K-Fed's fall will be broadcast for all to see Monday (October 16) at 9 p.m. on USA Network. Federline's Playing With Fire is due October 31. ...

The first two dates of Guns N' Roses' fall U.S. trek have been postponed. The Jacksonville, Florida, stop — originally set for Friday — has been bumped to October 31. And the October 22 gig in Nashville has been pushed back to January. A new date hasn't been announced for the latter show. ...

Just days after leaving Malawi without the 1-year-old boy she planned to adopt — but with a promise that they would soon be united — Madonna has hit another snag in her quest to make David Banda a part of her family. According to Reuters, human-rights groups in Malawi are expected to seek a court injunction Monday to stop the adoption proceedings. The groups claim that the Malawi government hasn't followed its own laws, which prohibit adoptions by non-residents and require anyone wanting to adopt in the country to live there for at least 18 months. Madonna had been granted a temporary waiver that allowed her and husband Guy Ritchie to take custody of the boy. ...

After more than a year of touring, loose songwriting and demoing, it looks like Radiohead are finally getting down to the business of recording their seventh studio album. Frontman Thom Yorke made the announcement — along with some thoroughly harrowing notes about global warming and ExxonMobil — on the band's blog, Dead Air Space. "We've started the record properly now," Yorke wrote. "Starting to get somewhere, I think. Finally." Initial sessions for the still-untitled album began in August with producer Mark "Spike" Stent (Madonna, No Doubt) behind the boards, but last month, Radiohead let it slip that longtime collaborator Nigel Godrich was instead helming the recording process. A spokesperson for the group confirmed that Godrich was in, but "[couldn't] confirm the fate of the Spike sessions as yet." There is no completion date for the new record, the band's first since 2003's Hail to the Thief. ...

According to Metallica's Web site, the band will re-release its "2 of One" VHS in DVD form on December 5. The site claims the reissue will include all Metallica's videos — including a clip for "Mama Said" that never aired on North American television — as well as the theatrical version of their "The Unforgiven" video and the "Some Kind of Monster" trailer. All the contents will be remixed in 5.1 surround sound. ... According to Rob Zombie's Web site, an upcoming live effort is nearly completed. "Rob is in the studio finishing up with producer Scott Humphrey, mixing the tracks right now," the post reads "The CD will include live versions of everything from 'The Lords of Salem' [off Zombie's 2006 LP Educated Horses] to 'Black Sunshine' [from White Zombie's 1992 release La Sexorcisto: Devil Music, Vol. 1]." A release date has not been set. 20th Century Masters: The Best of Rob Zombie - The Millennium Collection hit stores last week. ...

Enrique Iglesias has lined up five club dates on his For the Fans - Exclusive Club Tour. The run kicks off at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom on November 30 and will hit venues in Atlantic City, New Jersey (December 1); Chicago (December 3); Houston (December 5); and Los Angeles' Wiltern LG (December 7). Select fans will get to meet Iglesias on the tour, which will also feature fan-only presales. For more information on special tour offers, check out EnriqueIglesias.com ... Following on the heels of the LA Weekly Detour — a music gala held earlier this month to drive more Los Angelenos downtown — the Secret Machines will play a similar concert to promote mass transit in the city. After playing Hollywood's Avalon on October 24, the band will pack up its gear and head downtown to Union Station for a Global Inheritance-sponsored show dubbed Public Displays of Affection. Only people who took the Metro to get to the show will be admitted. ...

As part of the rollout of Sirius Internet Radio — which allows listeners to sign up for monthly subscriptions without buying a companion unit — the company is making access to its programming, including Howard Stern, free for just two days: October 25 and October 26. ... Remember that song "Your Woman?" Well, the creators of the infectious 1997 track, White Town, are mapping a return following a long break with Don't Mention the War, a 12-track LP that should be in stores before year's end. Look for the effort to include "Somewhere Blue," "I Was Trotsky's Nun" and "Theme for a BBC Natural History Series Presented by Richard Dawkins." ... Country singer Freddy Fender died of lung cancer on Saturday in his Corpus Christi, Texas, home. He was 69. The Grammy-winning singer, who was one of the first Mexican-American artists to cross over to the mainstream pop charts, began his career in the 1950s performing rock covers in Spanish as El Be-Bop Kid, and gained notoriety in the mid-1970s with the country hits "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" and "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights." In 1990, he won a Grammy as a member of the Tex-Mex all-star group the Texas Tornados and in 2001 he took another Grammy for best Latin pop album for his solo effort, La Musica de Baldemar Huerta.

• Ashlee Simpson In The London Production Of "Chicago"

• Ashlee Simpson
• Kevin Federline
• Lady Sovereign
• Busta Rhymes
• Madonna

Lil Kim performs at the VH1 Hip-Hop Honors on Saturday
Photo: Peter Kramer/ Getty Images

Throughout the first three decades of hip-hop, female MCs were largely relegated to secondary roles within the hyper-masculine culture of rap. On Saturday night, however, the b-girls were front and center, striking their best posse poses in defiant unity.

At the taping for the third annual VH1 Hip-Hop Honors at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom, the ladies — led by honoree MC Lyte — collectively shined, showing support for one another and easily stealing the spotlight from their male counterparts.

Lyte, the lone woman honored at this year's ceremony, is the second female act — following Salt-N-Pepa, who were recognized last year (see "Kanye, Snoop, Common Join Ice-T, LL, Big Daddy Kane At VH1 Hip Hop Honors") — to be highlighted by the Hip-Hop Honors. Her all-female tribute ensured that a much-needed woman's touch was added to the proceedings, which were hosted by Ice-T.

Lil' Kim, Remy Ma and Da Brat collectively paid tribute to MC Lyte — the first solo female hip-hop artist to earn a gold single (1993's "Ruffneck") — by joining forces to perform crowd-rousing renditions of the Brooklyn queen's greatest hits, including the scathing "10% Dis" and "Paper Thin."

Decked out in '80s regalia, a raucous Lil' Kim bounced along the stage in a Sergio Tacchini tracksuit, exchanging verses with a doorknocker-earrings-rocking Remy Ma, to the delight of the audience. Da Brat, clad in denim, later joined the duo onstage — as did Lyte herself, along with actress Regina King and Yo-Yo, who introduced the segment.

"It's a man's world, says who?" Yo-Yo said after the performance. "We make this thing go round and round too."

Although it was clearly ladies night at this year's event, there was still plenty of love doled out to the fellas. The man of the evening, without question, was legendary lyricist Rakim, of Eric B. and Rakim fame. The God MC took to the stage, commanding the microphone as if it were 1988 all over again.

Rakim performed a number of songs from his classic catalog, including a new track from his forthcoming album that drew a strong response from the crowd. Common introduced the set, calling the rapper "the best MC to ever touch a microphone." Talib Kweli, who performed Rakim songs along with the Roots' Black Thought, added, "I've been preparing to pay homage to Rakim all my life."

The techno-infused style of Afrika Bambaataa and the punk spin of the Beastie Boys were also acknowledged, as were gangsta-rap pioneer Ice Cube and entrepreneurial wizard and Def Jam founder Russell Simmons, who was introduced by one of his more famous pupils, Sean "Diddy" Combs.

Tribute was also paid to the Wu-Tang Clan — Ghostface Killah and frequent Wu collaborator Cappadonna were notably absent — marking the first 1990s group to be recognized by the Hip-Hop Honors. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Young Jeezy and Lil Eazy-E honored Ruthless Records and N.W.A founder Eazy-E. In one of the more touching moments of the evening, the late rapper's widow, Tomika Woods-Wright, was noticeably moved watching the younger E's performance.

The show, which also featured Big Daddy Kane, Outkast, Fat Joe, Fabolous, Xzibit and Lil Jon among its performers and presenters, kicked off this year's Hip-Hop Week in New York. A number of hip-hop events will take place in the city this week — including exhibits at the Brooklyn Museum of Art and the Museum of the City of New York, as well as an EPMD reunion concert — leading up to the telecast of the 2006 Hip-Hop Honors, which airs October 17 at 9 p.m. on VH1.

• Lil' Jon, Big Boi, Rza And More At VH-1's 2006 Hip Hop Honors

• Lil' Kim
• MC Lyte
• Rakim
• Wu-Tang Clan
• Ice Cube

Onyx's Sticky Fingaz
Photo: Carlo Allegri/ Getty images

We couldn't get enough of them. Their songs were our soundtrack, and we laughed, danced, cried and loved along with them. They flashed across our radio and TV burning brightly ... but where have they been lately? As you'll find out in this regular feature, sometimes the stories behind your favorite songs are more interesting than the hits themselves.

The late '80s and early '90s were ripe with hip-hop acts that scored massive hits and then slipped off the map. Fu-Schnickens anyone? We tracked down some of our favorites to find out what they're up to.

Who: Onyx

Biggest hit: "Slam"

Why do I know that name?: One of the first rap groups to embrace the power of the mosh pit, Queens, New York's Onyx busted out of the box with their 1993 debut, Bacdaf--up, thanks to the smash-mouth shout rap "Slam." Original members Fredro Starr, Sticky Fingaz, Big DS and DJ Suave Sonny Caeser caught the eye of late Run-DMC DJ Jam Master Jay, who signed them to his label, JMJ Records, and helped produce their first album. They further courted the rock audience by teaming with Biohazard on a "Slam" remix for the "Judgment Night" soundtrack. The hits dried up after that on two subsequent albums, but Sticky and Starr both launched lucrative acting careers that continue to this day.

What now?: "Onyx is a 20-year group," Starr said. "We're going to keep doing this like the Whispers and the Temptations. We may take it to Vegas and do a show with Naughty by Nature." Starr has appeared in more than a dozen movies and in the Brandy TV series "Moesha," while Sticky has landed roles in several TV series ("Over There," "The Shield"), including his current hit run in the TV version of "Blade," and dozens of films. Big DS died of cancer three years ago, but Onyx have soldiered on, playing shows around the world. They are considering doing a new album that will take them back to their hardcore, rock-inspired roots.

"We always catered to the streets, but 'Slam' built another market," Starr said. "We were the first ones to bring slam-dancing to hip-hop. That first album got so much flak for being crossover that we left that whole rock-and-rollish crowd behind on the next one and never capitalized on it. Now we're saying, 'Let's go back to those fans who were never satisfied and do the black rock album.' "

In the meantime, a second-generation version of the group, the teenage Yung Onyx, are out performing and prepping a debut album. Starr has just begun work on a pilot for a half-hour Showtime series called "The Hype" about a shock jock. Sticky is working on his third solo album, and he recently wrote, directed, produced and starred in two big-screen hip-hop musicals: "A Day in the Life" (featuring Mekhi Phifer, Michael Rapaport, Starr, Omar Epps and Clarence Williams III) and "Caught on Tape" (with Cedric the Entertainer, Vivica A. Fox, Bokeem Woodbine, Malik Yoba and Kel Mitchell).

Who: MC Lyte

Biggest hits: "Ruffneck," "Cha Cha Cha"

Why do I know that name?: Lyte never had the chart longevity of contemporaries like Salt-N-Pepa, but she was one of the first female MCs to call out the misogyny in hip-hop and put male MCs on notice. The Brooklyn, New York, queen debuted in 1988 with Lyte as a Rock, which featured such career highlights as "10% Dis," "Paper Thin" and the title track. Eyes on This (1989) spawned "Cha Cha Cha," which hit #1 on Billboard's Hot Rap Tracks chart, and the drug-violence tale "Cappucino."

What now?: Lyte released albums through the late 1990s and branched out into acting, appearing in episodes of "Moesha," "In the House" and "New York Undercover." She released a comeback album in 2003, Da Undaground Heat, Vol. 1, and has just returned to her indie roots by releasing two new singles on the BurnLounge digital download service. The songs — the DJ Premier-produced "The Wonder Years" and "Hot Damn," featuring Brand Nubian's Sadat X — are from her upcoming album, Back to Lyte, which is not yet scheduled for release.

"I'm doing it like back in the day, putting out singles and pushing them and promoting them until they have momentum," said Lyte, who was ordering some DVD dubs of her new video while speaking to MTV News. "It's exciting to be doing it alone, but it's scary too. You don't have that big-label shoulder to lean on." Now that her three-year run on the TV show "Half & Half" is over, Lyte is looking for a dramatic role, and she said her dual career has made for an interesting generation gap in her audience. On her recent slot on the Ebony Black Family Reunion Tour with Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, Whodini and several others, Lyte would see older fans, who recognized her music from the beginning of her career, and their kids, who only knew her as an actress. "I'd talk to parents, and they'd be like, 'I had to tell them that you're more than an actress and tell them what you did,' " she said. "It's cool to be part of culture in a way that spans generations."

Who: Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock

Biggest hit: "It Takes Two"

Why do I know that name?: If you've been in a dance club anywhere in the world, you know Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock. Their 1988 hit "It Takes Two" is one of the all-time hip-house classics, along with its follow-up, "Joy and Pain." The duo, who had performed together since grade school with the group Sureshot Seven, broke out on their own in 1987 for a partnership that only produced a few hits but endures to this day.

What now?: "We're still doing shows," Base said of his partnership with Rock. "We're in the studio, and we have a production company called Funky Base Entertainment with artists like Mr. Streets, a reggaetón guy I found in Colombia." Base, who recently began work on a new solo album, said the pair still perform shows almost weekly, often as part of package tours with fellow '80s and '90s rappers. "I feel blessed to have a song like 'It Takes Two,' " he said. "We do shows all over, and guys who are 18 and 19 come up to us saying, 'I love this song!' I'm like, 'How old was you when this came out?' The weird thing is that when we do a show, the crowd still reacts like it's 1988 and the song just came out." EZ has kept busy with production work and DJ gigs in clubs in Chicago and New York.

Who: Young Black Teenagers

Biggest hit: "Tap the Bottle"

Why do I know that name?: At a time when political correctness was all the rage, YBT were the ultimate in un-P.C. acts. Mentored by Public Enemy producer Hank Shocklee, the five-man crew — consisting of Knowledgable Child, First Born, ATA, Tommy Never and DJ Skribble (four white guys and one of Puerto Rican ancestry) — were clearly not black, though they were young and mostly teenagers. Their 1991 debut on Shocklee's Sound of Urban Listeners label featured an ode to "Married With Children" character Kelly Bundy, "Nobody Knows Kelli," and the not-ironic "Proud to Be Black." But it was their second — and final — album, 1993's Dead Enz Kidz Doin' Lifetime Bidz, that spawned a hit with the Rush-sampling ode to 40-ounce beers, "Tap the Bottle."

What now?: "Young Black Teenagers was like five years of college for me," said Skribble, an in-demand DJ who plays club shows four nights a week and has residencies at the Vegas club Cherry and the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. "That's how I learned about the music business. Hank gave us the name to spark some controversy. The whole idea was to make people open their minds to other kinds of people in hip-hop." YBT toured the U.S. and the world with Public Enemy, Anthrax and Sisters of Mercy, but Skribble's most vivid memory is how at their first show, in England, they were booed off the stage, a situation that changed just a few shows later in Germany, where crowds were won over. By the time "Bottle" came out, Skribble — who grew up with ATA and knew the other guys from the neighborhood — was on his way out. "We were overseas when 'Tap the Bottle' came out, and we came home to New York to do a show at the Palladium," Skribble recalled. "We heard it was #1 and saw 6,000 people jumping up and down to that song." He left the group shortly after, and YBT dissolved. Skribble was very visible on MTV in the '90s, spinning for shows like "The Grind" and "MTV Jams." He said he hasn't spoken to his bandmates since and doesn't believe any of them continued pursuing music careers.

 
Ever wonder what happened to Crazy Town? How about Snow? Ace of Base? Tell us which faded stars you'd like us to check up on, and you just might find them in a future edition of "Where Ya Been?" Send us your suggestions and we'll get digging...

Past "Where Ya Been" Artist Profiles:

• "Grunge Edition: Soundgarden, Screaming Trees, Mudhoney"
• "Marvelous 3 Now Down To One, SWV End 10 Years Of Resting Their Voices"
• "Sammie Graduating To Comeback, Third Eye Blind Can See Clearly Now"
• "Vitamin C Juicing Up A Comeback, Fastball Heading Back To The Mound"
• "Dream Wake Up, 'Sex' Burns Marcy Playground"
• "Willa Ford Strips Down, Jesse Camp Drops Out"

• 90's Hip-Hop: Where Ya Been?

• Onyx
• MC Lyte
• Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock
• Young Black Teenagers

Beyonc&#233 in "Fighting Temptation" video
Photo: Sony

Beyoncé Knowles won't be such an independent woman on the soundtrack to her movie "The Fighting Temptations."

The album will feature Beyoncé collaborating with a number of artists, including P. Diddy and Missy Elliott, as well a new track from Destiny's Child and cuts by Faith Evans, the O'Jays and her sister, Solange.

Beyoncé — whose first solo record, Dangerously in Love, still sits comfortably in the top 10 on the Billboard albums chart — will also contribute the solo tracks "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Fever" and "He Still Loves Me" to the soundtrack of her first movie since making her Hollywood debut in last year's "Austin Powers in Goldmember."

Knowles recently completed a video for the soundtrack's first single, "Fighting Temptation," which teams her up with Missy Elliott, Free and old-school rapper MC Lyte (See "Beyonce Throws Ladies' Night Party With Missy Elliott, MC Lyte, Free").

Directed by Antti Jokinen (Wyclef Jean, Brian McKnight), the clip includes scenes from the movie, which stars Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. as a New York ad executive who has to assemble a gospel group in Georgia in order to claim a large inheritance. Beyoncé plays a nightclub singer recruited to join the choir (see "Beyonce Transforms Into Bohemian, Motherly Nightclub Singer"). Faith Evans, Montell Jordan, Angie Stone and Melba Moore are also in the cast and contribute to the soundtrack.

P. Diddy was reportedly interested in the Cuba Gooding Jr. role at one time, but eventually he settled for making a soundtrack appearance alongside Beyoncé on a song called "Summertime."

Knowles is joined by Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland, who makes her own movie debut in this week's "Freddy Vs. Jason" (see "Freddy Vs. Jason: A Match Made In Hell"), for the new Destiny's Child track "I Know," and by Bilal on "Everything I Do."

The soundtrack is due September 9, and the movie opens 10 days later. The full track listing is as follows:

• Beyoncé Knowles f/ Missy Elliott, Mc Lyte and Free - "Fighting Temptation"
• Destiny's Child - "I Know"
• Solange f/ Papa Reu - "Don't Fight the Feelin'"
• Angie Stone and Eddie Levert f/ Walter Williams, Melba Moore, Montell Jordan, Zand and T-Bone - "Rain Down"
• T-Bone, Zane and Montell Jordan - "To Da River"
• Ann Nesby - "I'm Getting Ready"
• Shirley Caesar and Ann Nesby - "The Stone"
• Faith Evans - "Heaven Knows"
• Beyoncé Knowles - "Fever"
• Beyoncé Knowles and Bilal - "Everything I Do"
• O'Jays - "Loves Me Like a Rock"
• Beyoncé Knowles - "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"
• Beyoncé Knowles - "He Still Loves Me"
• Beyoncé, Angie Stone and Melba Moore - "Time to Come Home"
• Beyoncé Knowles f/ P. Diddy - "Summertime"

• Beyoncé
• Diddy
• Destiny's Child
• Faith Evans
• Solange

Not only has the Matrix reloaded, so has its soundtrack. Out this week, Matrix Reloaded: The Album features some familiar faces — Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie and Rage Against the Machine, as well as some new ones like Linkin Park, P.O.D. and the seemingly misplaced Dave Matthews Band.

Blur — minus founding member Graham Coxon — release Think Tank, with catchy tracks like "We've Got a File on You," and "Crazy Beat," this album's "Song 2."

Jack Johnson, not straying too far away from the alternative-folk sounds of Brushfire Fairytales, goes On and On this week while the indie super group the New Pornographers give an eager audience Electric Version featuring upbeat, quirky, catchy songs like "Chump Change," "Ballad of a Comeback Kid" and "July Jones."

More indie sounds are served up by Arab Strap with their Cherubs EP, the Decemberists' Castaways and Cut-Outs, Pleasure Forever's Alter and the Gossip's Movement.

Prince Paul's Politics of the Business features a slew of guests like Chuck D, Ice T, members of the Pharcyde and De La Soul, plus Chris Rock and Dave Chapelle. Meanwhile, MC Lyte also taps some comedic talent in the form of Jamie Foxx for her LP Da Underground Heat Vol. 1.

On the "American Dreams" soundtrack, you'll find Stacie Orrico on a version of "My Boyfriend's Back" and Vanessa Carlton on "Wishin' and Hopin.' " Finally, something a little less wholesome: veteran punk band NOFX's War on Errorism which includes the ever-so-subtly titled song and video "Idiot Son of an A--hole."

Out Tuesday, May 6:

• Abdelli - Among Brothers (Real World)
• Acroma - Orbitals (Universal)
• Akatombo - Trace Elements (Swim)
• Allstonians - Bottoms Up (Fork in Hand)
• Amazing Device - Quiet Room (Tribunal)
• Anberlin - Blueprints for the Black Market (Tooth & Nail)
• Annihilator - Double Live Annihilator (The End)
• Anthrax - We've Come For You All (Sanctuary)
• Apes - Oddeyesee (French Kiss)
• Arab Strap - Cherubs (EP, Jetset)
• Argonaut - Shoot the Moon (Infect)
• Audrey Auld - Losing Faith (Reckless)
• Michael Baird - Gongs and Bells (Sharp Wood)
• Duster Bennett - Fingertips (Sanctuary)
• Big Ross/T-Rock - Ya'll Ain't Ready (Image)
• Bobby Birdman - Born Free Forever (Hush)
• Black Dynasty - Reality Check: Deep East (Community)
• Billy Blanks - Taebo Mix (Red Ball)
• Darryl Blood - This Isn't Goodbye (Bluesanct Musak)
• Tim Bluhm - Soft Adventure/Colts (California)
• Blur - Think Tank (Virgin)
  Buy Now: Think Tank (Virgin)
• Bone - Uses Wrist Grab (Cuneiform)
• Boz Boorer - My Wild Life (Raucous)
• Brave Combo - Box of Ghosts (Rounder)
• Breaking Pangaea - Phoenix (EP, Equal Vision)
• Breather Resist - Only in the Morning (Deathwish Inc.)
• Brady Brock - Warm American Sweater (In Music We Trust)
• California Oranges - Oranges & Pineapples (Darla)
• Camarosmith - Camarosmith (DeAd Teenager)
• Troy Campbell - American Breakdown (Loud House)
• Michael Carpenter & Kings Rd. - Kings Rd. Works (Not Lame)
• Champion - Come Out Swinging (Bridge Nine)
• Chap - Horse (Lo.)
• Circle of Dead Children - Human Harvest (Martyr)
• Patsy Cline - Dac Presents Patsy Cline (Coe Pop)
• Cobra High - Sunset in the Eye of the Hurricane (Cold Crush)
• Cobra Verde - Easy Listening (Muscle Tone)
• David Allan Coe - Whoopsy Daisy (Coe Pop)
• Cripple Bastards - Desperately Insensitive (Deathvomit)
• D+ - Deception Pass (KNW-Yr-Own)
• Da Entourage - Entourage, Vol. 2 (Universal)
• Damone - From the Attic (RCA)
• Death Threat/Over My Dead Body - Split (EP, Bridge Nine)
• Decemberists - Castaways and Cut-Outs (Kill Rock Stars)
• Dirty South Mafia - It's a Robbery (Attitude)
• DJ Feelgood - Across America (System)
• Dog Fashion Disco - Committed to a Bright Future (Spitfire)
• Down by Law - Windwardtidesandwaywardsails (Union Local)
• Bob Drake - 13 Songs and a Thing (Rer)
• Electrocute - Tribute to Your Taste (Emperor Norton)
• Matt Elliott - Mess We Made (Merge)
• Fall Out Boy - Take This to Your Grave (Fueled by Ramen)
• The Family Tree - Tree House Rock (All Natural)
• 54th Platoon - All or Nothin' (Fubu)
• 54th Platoon - 54th Platoon (Fubu)
• Flare - Hung (Le Grand Magistery)
• Fog - Ether Teeth (Ninja Tune)
• Forest Stream - Tears of Mortal Solitude (Earache)
• From Zero - My So Called Life (Arista)
• Front 242 - Pulse (Metropolis)
• Gasman - Remedial (Planet Mu)
• The Gathering - Souvenirs (The End)
• Ghetto Priest - Vulture Culture (On U Sounds)
• Goldfrapp - Black Cherry (Mute)
• The Gossip - Movement (Kill Rock Stars)
• Robin Guthrie - Imperial (Bellaire)
• Roger Hatfield & Eddie Howard - Naya (Red Ball)
• Steven Hero - Darkness and the Day (Artful)
• John Hiatt - Beneath This Gruff Exterior (New West)
• The Hidden Cameras - Smell of Our Own (Sanctuary)
• Hitchcock's Regret - Her Life in Reverse (Laughing Outlaw)
• Hollow Tip - Takin' No Shorts, Vol. 2 (Murder Creek)
• Doyle Holly - Together Again (Oms)
• Gary Pickford Hopkins - GPH (Angel Air)
• House - Put Here to Bleed (In Music We Trust)
• Mike Hurst - Drivetime (Angel Air)
• Imbue - Ritual in Bloom (Underground Inc.)
• Impaled - Medical Waste (Deathvomit)
• The Isley Brothers - Body Kiss (DreamWorks)
• Etta James – Let's Roll (Private)
• Je Suis France - Fantastic Area (Orange Twin)
• Jet - Dirty Sweet (EP, Elektra)
• Jack Johnson - On and On (Universal)
  Buy Now: On and On (Universal)
• John Kennedy - Kennedy Town (Laughing Outlaw)
• J-Sce the Mastermind - Brain Food (Buymai)
• Kentucky Headhunters - Soul (Audium)
• The Killing Tree - We Sing Sin (Eyeball)
• Rydah J Klyde - Prince of Da' Projects (Thizz)
• Brian Knight - Good Time Down the Road (Sanctuary)
• Krakatoa - We Are The Rowboats (Cuneiform)
• Victor Krummenacher - Nocturne (Pitch A Tent)
• Labrat - Ruining It for Everyone (Century Media)
• Lamb of God - As the Palaces Burn (Prosthetic)
• Larval - Obedience (Cuneiform)
• Last Rough Cause/Society's Rejects - Skins N' Punks (Step 1)
• The Late B.P. Helium - Kumquat Mae (Orange Twin)
• Lazarus - Songs for an Unborn Sun (Temporary Residence)
• Leftover Salmon/Cracker - O Cracker, Where Art Thou? (Pitch A Tent)
• Lefty's Deceiver - Cheats (My Pal God)
• Liquid Sound - Inside the Acid Temple (Orchard)
• Marty Lloyd - Marigold (Razor & Tie)
• The Long Winters - When I Pretend to Fall (Barsuk)
• Lou E Lou - Trunk Muzic (East Co. Co.)
• Lowlights - Lowlights (Darla)
• Manic Hispanic - Mijo Goes to Jr College (Better Youth Organization)
• Maquiladora - What the Day Was Dreaming (Darla)
• Matchbox - Rockabilly Dynamos, Vol. 1 (Raucous)
• John Mayall - Rockin' the Roadshow (Sanctuary)
• Mayday - I Know Your Troubles Been Long (Bar/None)
• MC Lyte - Undaground Heat, Vol. 1 (Artist Direct/BMG)
• MC Mack - Macknificent (Basix)
• Ian McCulloch - Slideling (Spin Art)
• Money Black - 4 Da Money (Coast 2 Coast)
• Mt. St. Helens - You Are a Ghostly Presence (Divot)
• Mystifier - Profanus (Crash Music)
• Naglfar - Sheol (Century Media)
• Nail Within - Nail Within (The End)
• The Natural History - Beat Beat Heartbeat (Star Time)
• New Pornographers - Electric Version (Matador)
• NOFX - War on Errorism (Fat Wreck Chords)
• Noise Ratchet - Noise Ratchet (EP, Militia)
• Nucleus - Live In Bremen (Cuneiform)
• On the Rise - Burning Inside (Bridge Nine)
• One Mile North - Minor Shadows (Ba Da Bing!)
• Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (Virgin)
• Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Organisation (Virgin)
• Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Architecture and Morality (Virgin)
• Outrageous Cherry - Supernatural Equinox (Rainbow Quartz)
• Ozma - Spending Time On The Borderline (Kung Fu)
• Robert Palmer - Drive (Compendia)
• Papa Reu - Certified (Rue Musik)
• Pearlene - Murder Blues & Prayer (Dim Mak)
• Pipas - Cat Escaped (Matinee)
• Pleasure Forever - Alter (Sub Pop)
• Adam Power - More Juice (Laughing Outlaw)
• Prince Paul - Politics of the Business (Razor & Tie)
• Randy - Welfare Problems (Epitaph)
• Read Yellow - Read Yellow (EP, Fenway)
• Angie Reed - Presents the Best of Barbara Brockhaus (EFA)
• Rippingtons - Let it Ripp (Peak)
• Rob the Viking - Beats to Pillage and Conquer By (Battle Axe)
• Charlie Robison - Live (Sony)
• Phil Roy - Issues + Options (O.R. Music)
• Rubinoos - Crimes Against Music (Zip)
• The Sea and Cake - Glass (Thrill Jockey)
• Settlefish - Dance a While Upset (Deep Elm)
• Sin Ropas - Trickboxes on the Pony Line (Sad Robot)
• Sloane - Divine Soul (Orchard)
• Soilwork - Figure Number Five (Nuclear Blast)
• Sounds - Living in America (New Line)
• Stark Reality - Now (Stones Throw)
• Sumptin' Terrible - Sumptin' Terrible (Thizz)
• Sunride - Great Infiltration (People Like You)
• Bobby Sutliff - Perfect Dream (Not Lame)
• T Nutty - Last of the Flowheecanz (Murder Creek)
• Ten Grand - This Way to Rule (Southern)
• Tes - X2 (Lex)
• They Came from the Stars - What We Are Doing Here (Lo.)
• Third Grade Teacher - Third Grade Teacher (Pinch Hit)
• To Dream of Autumn - Kill Your Cul-De-Sac/WNYU Live (Magic Bullet)
• Tomahawk - Mit Gas (Ipecac)
• Scott Tuma - River 1 2 3 4 (Atavistic)
• Turbonegro - Scandinavian Leather (Epitaph)
• The Turbo AC's - Automatic (Gearhead)
• Uproar - And the Lord Said (Step 1)
• Via Tania - Under a Different Sky (Chocolate Industries)
• The Virtues - Ruminate (Zip)
• VU - Voices Underwater (Action Driver)
• The Waifs - Up All Night (Compass)
• Wakefield - American Made (Arista)
• Bob Welch - Three Hearts (One Way)
• Nancy White - Stickers on Fruit (Borealis)
• Wire - Send (Pink Flag)
• Worthless United - Nation Under (Now Or Never)
• Wumpscut: - Preferential Legacy (Metropolis)
• Young Black Brotha - Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 (Young Black Brotha)
• Young Lay - Don't Get It Twisted: Remix Album (Young Black Brotha)
• Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer - Jalopy Go Far (Eyeball)
• Andrea Zonn - Love Goes On (Compass)
• Various artists - "American Dreams"soundtrack (Hip-o)
  Read: "Vanessa Carlton Does Dusty, B2K Do Temptations On 'American Dreams' LP"
• Various artists - ESPN Stadium Anthems (Hollywood)
• Various artists - Home Team Beats Rivals by 10 (Poprockit)
• Various artists - Lost Weekend Compilation (Zip)
• Various artists – Matrix Reloaded: The Album (Warner Bros.)
  Read: "Matrix Reloaded LP To Feature Dave Matthews Remix, Linkin Park, Manson' "
• Various artists - Mind Motion Rocks (Savagement)
• Various artists - That's My Jam: Blazin Block Party (Logic)
• Various artists - Thought Sauce (BSI)
• Various artists - Zigilaytion (50. 50)

• Marilyn Manson
• Rob Zombie
• Rage Against the Machine
• Linkin Park
• P.O.D.

XM Radio uplink satellite dish
Photo: XM Radio

Jim Milburn of Sacramento, California, spends a lot of time driving, but he isn't a fan of the radio stations in his area.

"The stations seem to mirror each other," the 28-year-old said. "It's kind of like there are limitations on them. It sucks."

The answer for Milburn, and perhaps others like him, lies in the stars.

Milburn has become one of the more than 30,000 subscribers to the new XM Satellite Radio, a satellite-based service that offers listeners 100 channels of digital, near-CD-quality original programming for a monthly fee of $9.99.

Since XM Satellite Radio went national in November, it has become the fastest-selling new audio product of the past 20 years, according to industry data, outperforming the debuts of CDs and DVDs.

"Our early success says people are interested in exploring a new experience with their radio," said Chance Patterson, vice president of corporate affairs for the Washington, D.C.-based XM Satellite Radio. "Radio's been very much the same for 40 years since FM was introduced. I think people who are interested in XM are music enthusiasts looking for music they can't get on the radio."

In addition to talk, sports, comedy and variety channels, XM offers 10 rock channels, 15 hits channels (including MTV and VH1 channels), seven urban, six country, six jazz, four dance, five Latin, six world music, four classical and six oldies channels (details are available at www.xmradio.com). It's a range of options that most commercial radio markets do not offer.

Programmers and DJs include several radio industry vets and musicians, such as reggae legend Junior Marvin and Smithereens frontman Pat DiNizio. The team is headed by longtime radio executive Lee Abrams.

"We have hired the best radio people around the country — around the world — to come here to XM and develop the best music and develop an authentic relationship to talk to you and play music like you're an informed listener," Patterson said.

XM has spent $1.6 billion to be on the air, he said.

DiNizio, whose band last released an album in 1999, is the program director for the Unsigned channel, which exclusively plays independent music.

"The Unsigned channel is pretty cool," Milburn said. "[The other day] they had bands covering songs by different bands. One group did an Alice in Chains song, but it was done by a female vocalist and it changed the song entirely."

Helping indie rockers has been DiNizio's mission of late. He's also a spokesperson for the Benefiting Emerging Artists in Music program, which awards $100,000 in charitable grants every year to up-and-coming musicians.

"[XM Radio] shows that people are ready for something new," said DiNizio, who's on the air weekday mornings and nights. "The average commuter spends four hours a day in their car and they're inundated with 26 minutes an hour of commercials. They're sick of it."

If that's the case, the success of satellite radio, which will soon include XM competitor Sirius Satellite Radio, could be out of this world.

How It Works

XM Radio utilizes two fixed-location satellites and about 1,000 ground repeaters that bounce the signal to receivers not in direct view of the satellites. Sirius Radio has three satellites and fewer repeaters.

To get satellite radio, one needs an XM- or Sirius-compatible receiver and antenna installed in a car. That will cost about $300 to $1,000. Sony offers a "plug and play" receiver that can be transferred from a car into a home or office.

Car manufacturers have begun to offer satellite receivers in new models — GM offers XM, and DaimlerChrysler and Ford offer Sirius. Eventually, receivers are expected to be compatible to both services, provided both are available in the future.

Doug Wyllie, business media editor for the Gavin Report industry trade journal, is optimistic about satellite radio's future.

"Satellite radio's here to stay," Wyllie said. "It's not going to go away, but its form may take a different shape as the marketplace evolves."

How the market will look in the future will be addressed at the Gavin Seminar, to be held February 20-24 in San Francisco. XM's Abrams will participate in the panel Crystal Ball 2002: Programming the Future of Radio.

As for what's happening now, syndication, program-to-commercial ratio and a lack of musical diversity in most markets have caused listener dissatisfaction with commercial radio, Wyllie said.

"Radio as I knew it and loved it is gone forever," Wyllie said. "Unfortunately, it's on its very final lap in a very long and glorious race."

Not A Replacement For AM/FM

A hindrance to the success of satellite radio might be its lack of localized programming and its monthly fee, Wyllie said. "Local radio is a communication tool for a community of people. People need local weather, sports and traffic."

The new satellite services have no plans to develop local programming.

"We want to make it clear that we're not eradicating AM/FM local terrestrial radio," XM's Patterson said. "Listeners can still continue getting their local sports, weather, traffic."

Soon, consumers will have the choice of two satellite services when Sirius debuts in four cities — Denver, Houston, Phoenix and Jackson, Mississippi — on February 14. Sirius plans to roll out nationwide by August.

The company, which has so far spent $1.8 billion, will offer eight pop channels, 11 rock, eight urban, six country, four dance, seven jazz/standards, five Latin, three classical and eight additional music channels, said Joe Capobianco, senior vice president of content for Sirius. Details can be found at www.siriusradio.com.

Unlike XM, Sirius is completely commercial-free. Among the musical minds programming Sirius will be hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash, who also will host his own show. Randy Travis, Ray Manzarek, BeBe Winans, Michael Feinstein, MC Lyte and Al Jarreau are also working with Sirius.

Sirius will be playing more album cuts from artists such as Gang Starr and Talib Kweli on its hip-hop channels, Flash said, in addition to the hits.

"I guess I come from a DJ's perspective — I listen to the whole album," said Flash. "I want to rock the dance floor."

And for a radio service that's programmed from that perspective, the sky's the limit, Flash said. "We're commercial-free, and that's the key. If we play the right music, it's a no-brainer."

• The Smithereens
• MC Lyte
• Randy Travis
• Ray Manzarek
• BeBe Winans

Moby
Photo: V2

Dance music maestro Moby is slated to premiere a song from his upcoming album, 18, at this year's Winter Olympic Games, taking place next month in Salt Lake City, Utah.

On the heels of the closing ceremonies on February 24, the chrome-domed DJ will kick off the Concert for the Athletes at Olympic Park by debuting "In My Heart," according to his publicist. That song will appear on the follow-up to 1999's Play, which is expected to drop in May. Other songs set for the LP include "Jam for the Ladies," which features guest vocalists Angie Stone and MC Lyte (see "Angie Stone Makes Studio Time With Timberlake, Moby, Keys"), and "We Are Made of Stars."

Moby isn't the only artist adding a musical component to the 2002 Winter Olympics, as part of the Hallmark Olympic Celebration Series — 'NSYNC, Creed, Stone Temple Pilots, the Dave Matthews Band and others are also scheduled to perform (see "Creed, 'NSYNC, Dave Matthews Band, More Set For Olympic Concert Series").

• Moby
• Angie Stone
• MC Lyte

Amil
Photo: Columbia

Jay-Z's female cohort Amil, MC Lyte and Bay Area rapper Dru Down will star in the socially conscious urban comedy "Love Chronicles." The MCs will appear in "The Playa," the first of three vignettes, about a womanizer who learns a little about karma after he mistreats a Haitian singer played by LisaRaye ("The Players Club").

A spokesperson said Snoop Dogg, Doggy's Angels and the Mo Thugs Family are expected to make cameo appearances in the film, which is currently shooting with director Delvin Rutledge in Los Angeles. It will be released in theaters later this year.

The soundtrack will feature MC Lyte, Dru Down and Beenie Man.

• Amil
• MC Lyte
• Dru Down
• Snoop Dogg

Lil' Jon, Big Boi, Rza And More At VH-1's 2006 Hip Hop Honors

• Lil Jon
• OutKast
• Salt-N-Pepa
• Wu-Tang Clan
• Remy Ma

90's Hip-Hop: Where Ya Been?

• Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock
• Onyx
• MC Lyte
• DJ Scribble
• Young Black Teenagers