Zac Efron
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Zac Efron is doing fine after having his appendix removed Tuesday (January 15), according to People.com. The star — who recently signed on for "High School Musical 3" — was rushed to Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering from appendicitis, TMZ.com reports. "Zac had his appendix removed and is recuperating," the actor's representative, who was not named, reportedly said in a statement. ...

A very revealing photo of Heidi Montag graces the new cover of Maxim, and for the accompanying interview, she also revealed to the mag that she wants to be the next Madonna. "But it's not like with most pop artists, where they have a song sent to them that has nothing to do with their emotions or lives," she insisted about her yet-untitled, in-the-works LP. "It's all about me and my life. I'm taking my time to make sure it's a classic. I don't want to be the next pop person who's in or out. I want to be like Michael Jackson, Madonna, Stevie Wonder — all the greats." Montag also dished on new parents Nicole Richie and Joel Madden recalling that one time they "came up to [Montag's fiance,] Spencer [Pratt,] and me at the Beverly Hills Hotel [in California] and started yelling something Spencer said about Nicole in an interview, like, two years ago. ... Joel was yelling, 'You've been talking sh-- about my girl!' " ...

Madden has blogged on the Web site for his clothing company, DCMA, about arriving home with his and Richie's daughter, who was born on Friday. "Well I am finally home with my beautiful girlfriend and our brand new little daughter," the Good Charlotte frontman wrote. "Harlow Winter Kate Madden was born on January 11th 2008 at 3:13 p.m. She weighed in at 6 pounds and 7 ounces. She is 19 inches long and growing everyday already! She really is a wonderful addition to the GC/DCMA/DEADEXEC family. We are so blessed to have this beautiful little baby in our lives. I want to thank everyone for all the love and kind words they've sent our way. We apologize we weren't accepting gifts/cards/calls at the hospital, but if you'd like to send something, we'd rather you make a donation to the Richie-Madden Foundation, which we started in Harlow Winter's honor. She looks so much like her mom it's crazy! She eats like a little maniac and she's really sweet. She barely ever cries, even when daddy is changing her diaper, and believe me I suck when it comes to diapers, but I'm learning! I can't wait to show off some pictures, until then, THANKS!! and GOD BLESS... Joel." ...

From an "Umbrella" to a handbag: Rihanna has made a match with Marc Jacobs as she and the fashion designer have partnered to produce a new pair of purses named after the leggy singer. The two models are available as a part of Jacobs' spring line. ... Missy Elliott has stepped up with two new tunes for the February 5 soundtrack to "Step Up 2 the Streets." The MC's "Ching-A-Ling" — which is already sizzling in the streets — and "Shake Your Pom Pom" will appear on the soundtrack, and might resurface on her yet-untitled new LP, due in May. The soundtrack also features Cassie, who stars in "Step Up 2 the Streets," as well as T-Pain, Flo Rida, Trey Songz, Plies and Scarface. ...

Twista has inked a deal with Koch to release a project with his longtime group, the Speedknot Mobstaz. The Mobstaz's forthcoming sophomore album, Mobstability II: Nation Bizness, is set to feature Jim Jones and production by Cuzzo and China White Productions. ... The Grammys will not be getting a free pass from the Writers Guild of America. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Grammys have not asked for a special waiver to allow striking Guild employees to work on the show, but even if they did request one, it would not likely be granted. In addition, a number of top musicians who also have Screen Actors Guild cards, including Justin Timberlake and Queen Latifah, are being lobbied by the WGA not to attend the February 10 show, according to AdAge.com. ...

In a $35 million lawsuit filed on Monday, Victory Records claimed that Virgin/EMI "improperly induced" Hawthorne Heights to disregard their contract with the independent Chicago label. In a news release on the suit, Victory also claimed that Virgin/EMI paid $55,000 to the band, which used the money to fund the initial phase of a 2006 lawsuit against Victory, and helped the bandmembers search for a music-industry lawyer to help them with their legal action. "The facts alleged in this case demonstrate classic interference with contractual and business relations," Victory lawyer Robert Meloni said. "They did more than merely offer a carrot to the band, but also saddled the horse, paid for a rider to take the reins, and led it out of the barn." The suit seeks $10 million in compensation and $25 million in punitive damages for Virgin/EMI's "willful, wanton and deliberate conduct." Victory maintains that HH owe the label two more albums, but the band, which lost guitarist Casey Calvert in November after a fatal drug interaction, has vowed not to record for Victory again. ...

Rancid fans, time to grow those Mohawks back — the band started recording new material in a California studio on Monday. The punks' yet-unnamed follow-up to 2003's Indestructible is due later this year, on guitarist Brett Gurewitz's Epitaph/Hellcat label, of course. ... Tiger Army have welcomed an old comrade back into their ranks. Stand-up-bass player Geoff Kresge, who toured with the psychobilly band from 1999-2004 — and who also has a stint with AFI on his résumé — replaces Jeff Roffredo, who "left the band on good terms to pursue other interests," according to a press release from the band's publicist. Tiger Army hit the road earlier this week and have a heap of shows planned for throughout the year. ...

Now that Marilyn Manson and Twiggy Ramirez have reconciled, what better way to celebrate than with some concerts? Manson has tacked on a few more to his upcoming trek, which starts Saturday in Orlando, Florida. The newly added gigs will be staged in Phoenix (February 27); Dallas (February 29); Austin, Texas (March 1); and Houston (March 2). Veteran rock act Ours will be the opening act on the tour, according to Pollstar.com. ... Here's a novel idea: Yellowcard are giving fans who buy the rockers' Live From Las Vegas at the Palms release an early chance at getting tix to one of their upcoming shows. The iTunes exclusive will be available starting January 22, and fans who snatch it up before January 29 will get a Ticketmaster code allowing them to nab up to four tickets for the band's trek, which starts March 7 in Salt Lake City and ends April 12 in Los Angeles. From Las Vegas at the Palms immortalizes Yellowcard's show at the Palms Casino Resort's Pearl venue in October. ...

EMI — home to Coldplay, the Rolling Stones and other acts — will slash a third of its work force, or 1,500-2,000 jobs, over the course of the next months, multiple outlets reported Tuesday. According to the Web site for England's Telegraph, the reunited Verve could be the next major group to withhold its upcoming album in light of the major-label shake-up. The paper reports that the Verve may join Robbie Williams and Coldplay in threatening to hold onto their next albums unless they receive assurances about the company's financial health and how their albums will be marketed. The company's new boss, Guy Hands, was reportedly to be grilled by the managers of some of the label's top acts on Tuesday as he revealed plans for streamlining the company. ...

"American Idol" judge Randy Jackson is known for name-dropping, but his new album, Music Club Vol. 1, might finally back up some of his boasting. Jackson's upcoming solo album, due March 11, will feature pals ranging from Mariah Carey and Joss Stone to Jason Mraz, former "Idol" contestants Elliott Yamin and Katharine McPhee and country star Travis Tritt. Fellow judge Paula Abdul will be featured on "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow," her first new recording in more than a decade. Last week, TVGuide.com reported that Jackson and Abdul had been rehearsing a video for the single, and that she was in talks to perform it at the Super Bowl on February 3. Also included on the album are Van Hunt, Three 6 Mafia, Angie Stone, Richie Sambora and Keb' Mo'. ...

My Morning Jacket are going big time: The longhaired Kentucky rockers will headline a show at New York's Radio City Music Hall on June 20. The band's yet-untitled album will drop 10 days earlier. ... Noise Pop just got a bit noisier. The Walkmen, the Dodos, MSTRKRFT, Stellastarr and the Helio Sequence have climbed onto the roster for the San Francisco fest, which is happening February 26-March 2. Jamie Kennedy's comedic documentary "Heckler" — which features George Lucas, Rob Zombie, David Cross and others — will open the Film Festival portion of the event. ... Carla Bruni has been making headlines lately amid her high-profile romance with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Now the chanteuse can parlay that attention into promotion for the wide release of No Promises, an album that is currently only available Stateside on iTunes and at Barnes & Noble stores. The disc — which is being issued through Downtown Records, home to Gnarls Barkley and Spank Rock, and pays tribute to English-language literary legends — will hit retail stores nationwide February 19.

1.14.08

Nearly six years after the alleged sex tape first surfaced, the court proceedings in the R. Kelly case continue to move at a snail's pace. The prosecutors originally sought to have testimony from one expert witness, Dr. Sharon Cooper, cover several different areas — the age of the girl on the tape based on forensic pediatrics, the identification of the man on the tape based on the vein pattern on his hands, and the behavior profile of the girl based on the psychology of child sex-abuse victims. Judge Vincent Gaughan had previously ruled that Dr. Cooper could testify about the victim's age, but not the behavior profile, so prosecutors had asked him to reconsider. At a hearing on Monday (January 14), Gaughan ruled once again that Dr. Cooper would not be able to testify about why the girl in the case would deny that she was a victim, or how common denial is in sex-abuse cases. Kelly is due back in court March 12 for another pre-trial hearing, while the trial itself is slated to start on May 9. ...

And the Wu-Tang Clan infighting goes on. U-God — who complained about RZA being callous toward him in the studio nearly four years ago — is now suing Wu's label, alleging that he is owed $170,000, according to TMZ.com. U-God (born Lamont Hawkins) reportedly filed papers in a New York district court, alleging that Wu Music owes him money for services rendered dating back to March of last year. Wu Music is licensed to Universal Music. ...

Paula Abdul doesn't just have the seventh season of "American Idol" on her mind these days. "I want kids!" the singer recently told Ladies' Home Journal for its February issue. "If it doesn't happen naturally, I can always adopt." The 45-year-old Abdul opened up even more about her personal life, saying of 32-year-old boyfriend J.T. Torregiani, "I've experienced real loneliness, so I love knowing there's someone I can share the good and the not-so-good with." ... Everyone's wondering how the seventh season of "Idol" is going to fare in light of some retooling and the writers' strike, but if you ask Chris Daughtry, the show is "in a state of decline." The Daughtry frontman recently spoke with RollingStone.com about the show, adding that if it doesn't right itself, "it's probably not gonna last too much longer. I'm sure that'll be used against me, but that's the truth, you know?" He also said the show is "definitely lacking some credibility at this point." ...

White Stripes, Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon, Mark Ronson, Klaxons, Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Cheifs and recent MTV Artist of the Week Kate Nash have all landed Brit Award nominations, although Leona Lewis, Mika and Take That have scored the most, with four apiece. Rihanna, Ronson, Kaiser Chiefs, Kylie Minogue and Paul McCartney are slated to perform at the February 20 ceremony. ... R.E.M. have pulled the curtains back on a new Web site surrounding the April 1 release of their 14th studio album, Accelerate. Their NinetyNights.com Web site has daily high-definition-video snippets shot by Arcade Fire collaborator Vincent Moon ...

Björk attacked a newspaper photographer who was attempting to take her picture at the Auckland International Airport on Sunday, according to reports in the New Zealand press. The singer, who was flying in to perform at the Big Day Out concert on Friday, reportedly ripped New Zealand Herald photographer Glenn Jeffrey's shirt after he snapped a photo of her. Jeffrey told the New Zealand Press Association that he was warned by a man traveling with Björk not to take her picture, and once he did, the singer came up behind him, grabbed the back of his shirt and tore it before tumbling to the ground. In 1996, Björk attacked a reporter in an airport in Bangkok, Thailand, after she objected to being photographed. ... The Walkmen and White Rabbits will hop along the U.S. this month for nine shows. On the itinerary are Pittsburgh (Wednesday); Detroit (Thursday); Milwaukee (Friday); Madison, Wisconsin (Saturday); Chicago (Sunday); St. Louis (January 21); Columbus, Ohio (January 22); Philadelphia (January 23); and Baltimore (January 24). ...

For the first time in 25 years, former Clash members Mick Jones and Topper Headon reportedly shared the same stage at a gig by Jones' new band, Carbon/Silicon. The duo performed "Train in Vain" and "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" during the set. ... Megadeth have recruited Chris Broderick (Nevermore, Jag Panzer) to be their newest guitarist, following the recent departure of Glen Drover. Broderick will make his live debut with the band on February 4, at a gig in Finland. ...

Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali said the band will not be revived following the late November death of frontman Kevin DuBrow. In an online statement, Banali claims he had been "approached to see if I would be interested in contacting Rudy Sarzo and Carlos Cavazo and to audition singers for Quiet Riot." He said that he's even fielded an offer to re-form "the version of Quiet Riot that included Paul Shortino, Carlos Cavazo and Sean McNabb." But Banali rejected any suggestions of the band performing live. "My friendship, love and respect for Kevin DuBrow, as well as my personal love and affection for Kevin's mother and his family, makes it inconceivable for me to ever entertain any ovation to re-form or to continue Quiet Riot," he wrote. "It would also be a disrespect to the fans who have supported [the band] for nearly 25 years." ...

Roger Avary, the Oscar-winning co-writer of "Pulp Fiction," was arrested on Sunday after a fatal single-car crash in Ojai, California. According to a Reuters report, Avary, 42, was charged with vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence, and was released from jail after posting $50,000 bail. Andreas Zedini, a 34-year-old passenger in the car, died of his injuries at a local hospital. Avary's wife, Gretchen, 40, was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries after being thrown from the car.

• Heidi Montag Poses For Maxim

• Good Charlotte
• Justin Timberlake
• Queen Latifah
• Hawthorne Heights
• The Verve

Destiny's Child
Photo: Getty Images

Boy Band Meets Its Destiny: 'NSYNC might have a bigger posse, but they're going to have a hard time toppling female peers Destiny's Child, whose blockbuster breakup tour is still fresh in mind. Destiny's #1's has three brand-new nuggets in addition to 13 chart-toppers; the DualDisc has the songs in 5.1 stereo, seven videos and a trailer for the "Destiny's Child - Live in Atlanta" DVD. 'NSYNC's Greatest Hits, on the other hand, is a glitter-free set with 12 of the group's most well-known cuts — no incentives for the ardent fan here. Point, set, match: DC.

A Sinful Set: Mötley Crüe fanatics had plenty of chances to catch the band's pyrotechnic summer tour, but for those who missed out, the "Carnival of Sins" DVD will leave them with fewer regrets. Splayed over two discs is their April 27 concert in Grand Rapids, Michigan, plus loads of bonuses, including the obligatory behind-the-scenes footage.

Aerojoint: The title of Aerosmith's latest — Rockin' the Joint - Live at the Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas — pretty much says it all, except that the set list includes a few rarities ("Season of Wither," on a concert album for the first time, plus a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Rattlesnake Shake," etc.), and that the DualDisc's video side has four clips, backstage material and more.

Faith Evans usually takes three or four years between releases, but the holiday spirit has apparently overcome her this time around. Fresh on the heels of April's The First Lady — her first album that didn't include "faith" in the title — Biggie's widow returns to tradition with A Faithful Christmas, a set of traditional songs including "Happy Holiday," "White Christmas" and "O Come All Ye Faithful."

Incidental Spookiness: Are this week's releases haunted? Sink your fangs into Children of Bodom's Are You Dead Yet?, Renee Heartfelt's Death of a Ghost and Hank Williams III's Straight to Hell, or get bewitched by new LPs and reissues by Dead Can Dance, Dead Kennedys, Goblin Co--, Gravenhurst, I Am Ghost, My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult and Program the Dead. BOOyah!

George on Their Minds: George Harrison enthusiasts will want to take note of a remastered version of the two-CD The Concert for Bangladesh, but even more prized is a limited, deluxe-edition version of the DVD, which has a different cover and is jam-packed with unique ephemera like handwritten lyrics, 10 postcards, a static-cling sticker and reprint of the original poster. Joel Harrison isn't one of George's offspring, but he takes advantage of his namesake all the same by redoing 11 selections by the Beatles guitarist. And speaking of the Fab Four, Ben Harper, Ted Leo, Ben Kweller, Sufjan Stevens, Low and Dar Williams laud one of the band's best records with This Bird Has Flown: A 40th Anniversary Tribute to the Beatles' Rubber Soul.

Song Titles of the Week:

• "Pretty People Never Lie/ Vampires Never Really Die" (I Am Ghost's We Are Always Searching)
• "F. Ree P. Ersonality T. Est" (Program the Dead's Program the Dead)

Other Notables:

Angie Stone's Stone Hits: The Very Best of Angie Stone and "Stone Hits Live: The Very Best of Angie Stone" DVD: The soul revivalist is hoping for another resurgence of sorts with two comps. Her CD has a pair of new cuts, including "I Wasn't Kidding," while her DVD boasts guest spots by Anthony Hamilton at a performance in Atlanta, plus extra footage and photos.

They Might Be Giants' Here Come the ABCs and They Got Lost: The always-unique TMBG really do run through the alphabet on their children's collection ABCs, and there's even more fun for the family with the accompanying DVD, which is full of animated components. Not to be overlooked, so to speak, is They Get Lost, a rarities set with 21 tracks of collectible goodness, due the same day.

Calvin Johnson's Before the Dream Faded: He's been on oodles of albums and played with a bunch of bands (Beat Happening, Dub Narcotic Sound System, Halo Benders), so it's hard to imagine that Faded is only the second solo opus by the Northwest indie-punk guru. Members of his K Records clique — including folks from the Blow, Mount Eerie, Glass Candy and Mirah — prop up Papa Johnson on tracks like "When Hears Turn Blue," "Rabbit Blood" and "Obliteration Overload."

New Releases:

• A Day in Black and White - Notes (Level Plane)
• Aberdeen City - The Freezing Atlantic (Dovecote)
• Aerosmith - Rockin' the Joint - Live at the Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas (DualDisc; Columbia)

Buy Now: Rockin' the Joint - Live at the Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas (Columbia)
• Allele - Point of Origin (Corporate Punishment)
• Annie - DJ Kicks (Studio K7)
• John Arnold - Style and Pattern (Ubiquity)
• The Bacon Brothers - White Knuckles (spinART)
• Jeff Bates - Good People (RCA)
• Jay Bezel - Diplomats Present Jay Bezel: Philadelphia Beast (Sure Shot)
• Bigg Milt - Power 2 the People (Thump)
• Rick Braun - Yours Truly (Artizen)
• Breakestra - Hit the Floor (Ubiquity)
• Buckethead & Friends - Enter the Chicken (Serjical Strike)
• Julie Budd - The New Classics (Ruby/Ryko)
• Vashti Bunyan - Lookaftering (DiCristina Stair Builders)
• Children of Bodom - Are You Dead Yet? (Fontana International)
• Dirty Faces - Superamerican (Jagjaguwar)
• DJ Muggs Vs. GZA the Genius - Grandmasters (Angeles)
• The Drift - Noumena (Temporary Residence)
• Earlies - These Were the Earlies (Secretly Canadian)
• Faith Evans - A Faithful Christmas (Capitol)

Buy Now: A Faithful Christmas (Capitol)
• F-Minus - Won't Bleed Me/ Failed Society EP (Alternative Tentacles)
• Fefe Dobson - Sunday Love (enhanced; Island)
• The Fire Still Burns - Keeping Hope Alive EP (Blackout)
• Girls in Hawaii - From Here to There (Titan/Pyramid)
• Goblin Co-- - Bagged and Boarded (Absolutely Kosher)
• Gravenhurst - Fires in Distant Buildings (Warp)
• Great Big Sea - The Hard & the Easy (Zöe)
• G3 (Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, John Petrucci) - Live in Tokyo (with DVD; Epic)
• Joel Harrison - Harrison on Harrison: Jazz Explorations of George Harrison (High Note)
• Marcos Hernandez - C About Me (TVT)
• Scott Holt Band - Revelator (Rockview)
• Hoods - The King Is Dead (Eulogy)
• I Am Ghost - We Are Always Searching (Epitaph)
• Il Divo - The Christmas Collection (Columbia)
• Jin - Jin Presents the Emcee's Proper?Ganda (Draft)
• Colin John Band - Acousticland Lady (Rockview)
• Calvin Johnson - Before the Dream Faded (enhanced; K)
• LaSalle - Expedition Songs (Thick)
• The LeeVees - Hanukkah Rocks (Reprise)
• Jacques Loussier Trio - Mozart Piano Concertos 20/23 (Telarc)
• Matt Maneri - Pentagon (Thirsty Ear)
• Bette Midler - Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook (DualDisc; Columbia)
• Mikoto - Mikoto EP (Level Plane)
• Milemarker - Ominosity (Eyeball)

Buy Now: Ominosity (Eyeball)
• Niacin - Organik (Magna Carta)
• Joe Nichols - III (Universal South)
• Tony Orlando & Dawn - A Christmas Reunion (R2 Entertainment)
• Rebecca Pidgeon - Tough on Crime (The Lab)
• Pinetop Seven - The Night's Bloom (Empyrean)
• Program the Dead - Program the Dead (Low Altitude/Universal)
• Queenadrena - The Butcher and the Butterfly (One Little Indian)
• Collin Raye - Twenty Years and Change (Infinity Nashville)
• Renee Heartfelt - Death of a Ghost (Textbook)
• Report Suspicious Activity - Report Suspicious Activity (Alternative Tentacles)
• Lisa Shaw - Cherry (Naked)
• She Wants Revenge - She Wants Revenge (Geffen)
• The Skygreen Leopards - Jehovah Surrender (Jagjaguwar)
• Silver Sunshine - A Small Pocket of Pure Spirit EP (Empyrean)
• Slum Village - Slum Village (Barack)
• Socialburn - The Beauty of Letting Go (IRock Entertainment)
• Solea - Solea (Textbook)
• Spyritual - Wall of Soul (Kitty Yo)
• Marty Stuart - Badlands: Ballads of the Lakota (Universal South)
• Stereocell - Into Tomorrow (Rockview)
• They Might Be Giants - Here Come the ABCs (with DVD; enhanced; Walt Disney)
• Randy Travis - Glory Train: Songs of Faith, Worship, and Praise (Word)
• Townes Van Zandt - Live at Union Chapel, London England (Tomato)
• Vaux - Beyond Virtue, Beyond Vice (Lava)
• Hank Williams III - Straight to Hell (Curb)
• Various artists - Imaginational Anthems (Near Mint)
• Various artists - Impulsive! Revolutionary Jazz Reworked (Impulse)
• Various artists - Pull My Finger: Jingle Smells (Oglio)
• Various artists - This Bird Has Flown: A 40th Anniversary Tribute to the Beatles' Rubber Soul (Razor & Tie)
• Various artists - Windham Hill Christmas: The Night Before Christmas (Windham Hill)
• Various artists - "Saw II" soundtrack (Image Entertainment)

Notable Reissues:

• Sarah Brightman - Love Changes Everything: The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection - Volume Two (Decca)
• Mariah Carey - Merry Christmas (DualDisc; Columbia)

Buy Now: Merry Christmas (Sony)
• Johnny Cash - The Legend of Johnny Cash (Hip-O/Sony BMG/UME)
• John Coltrane - Prestige Profiles (with bonus collectors' CD; Prestige)
• Harry Connick Jr. - Harry for the Holidays (DualDisc; Columbia)
• Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis - Prestige Profiles (with bonus collectors' CD; Prestige)
• Miles Davis - Prestige Profiles (with bonus collectors' CD; Prestige)
• Dead Can Dance - Memento: The Very Best of Dead Can Dance (Rhino)
• Dead Kennedys - Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables: Special 25th Anniversary Edition CD + DVD (Manifesto)
• Destiny's Child - #1's (DualDisc; Columbia)
  Read: "Destiny's Child Look Back With #1's Before Going Their Separate Ways"
  Buy Now: #1's (Columbia)
• Eric Dolphy - Prestige Profiles (with bonus collectors' CD; Prestige)
• Jerry Garcia - Ladder to the Stars: Garcia Plays Dylan (Rhino)
• Red Garland Quintets Featuring John Coltrane - Prestige Profiles (with bonus collectors' CD; Prestige)
• Gun Club - Mother Juno (Sympathy for the Record Industry)
• George Harrison and Friends - The Concert for Bangladesh (Capitol)
• Coleman Hawkins - Prestige Profiles (with bonus collectors' CD; Prestige)
• Lightnin' Hopkins - Prestige Profiles (with bonus collectors' CD; Prestige)
• Lynyrd Skynyrd - Give Me Back My Bullets - Deluxe Edition (Geffen/UME)
• Jackie McLean - Prestige Profiles (with bonus collectors' CD; Prestige)
• My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult - Gay, Black & Married (Rykodisc)
• 'NSYNC - Greatest Hits (Jive)

Buy Now: Greatest Hits (Jive)
• Jeffrey Lee Pierce - Wildweed (Sympathy for the Record Industry)
• Rogue Wave - Descended Like Vultures (Sub Pop)
• Sonny Rollins - Prestige Profiles (with bonus collectors' CD; Prestige)
• Jimmy Smith - Christmas '64 (Verve)
• Angie Stone - Stone Hits: The Very Best of Angie Stone (J)
• They Might Be Giants - They Got Lost (Rounder/Zöe)
• Toots & the Maytals - Roots Reggae: The Classic Jamaican Albums (box set; Trojan)
• Various artists - The Concert for Bangladesh (Capitol)
• Various artists - For a Decade of Sin: 11 Years of Bloodshot Records (Bloodshot)

DVDs:

• ABBA - "The Movie" (Universal)
• The BellRays - "At the Barfly" (Music Video Distributors)
• Blues Company - "Keepin' the Blues Alive" (Music Video Distributors)
• Captain & Tennille - "Ultimate Collection" (Bayside)
• George Harrison and Friends - "The Concert for Bangladesh" (limited deluxe edition due same day; Rhino)
• Billie Holiday - "Ultimate Collection" (Verve)
• Mötley Crüe - "Carnival of Sins" (two DVDs; Clear Channel Entertainment)
• The Residents - "Wormwood" (Music Video Distributors)
• Frank Sinatra with Dean Martin and Bing Crosby - "The Frank Sinatra Show: High Hopes" (Music Video Distributors)
• Angie Stone - "Stone Hits Live: The Very Best of Angie Stone" (J)
• Thunders, Kane & Nolan - "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory" (Music Video Distributors)
• Trick Daddy - "Thug Holiday" (Music Video Distributors)
• Voivod - "D-V-O-D-1" (Music Video Distributors)
• Various artists - "The Dirty South - Raw & Uncut" (Music Video Distributors)

Coming Attractions:

November 1:

• Nirvana - Sliver: The Best of the Box (Geffen)

Buy Now: Sliver: The Best of the Box (Geffen)
• Blink 182 - Greatest Hits (Geffen)
• Santana - All That I Am (Arista)
  Read: "Guest List For New Santana LP: Big Boi, Mary J., Will.I.Am, Bo Bice And More"
  Buy Now: All That I Am (Arista)

• Limp Bizkit - Greatest Hitz (Geffen)
• The Mars Volta - Scab Dates (Universal)
• Young Buck - T.I.P. (Mass Appeal)

November 15:

• Mariah Carey - The Emancipation of Mimi: Platinum Edition (Island)
  Read: "Mariah Carey Emancipating Mimi Again, With Bonus Tracks"
• Green Day - Bullet in a Bible (with DVD; Reprise)
• Madonna - Confessions on a Dance Floor (Warner Bros.)
  

Buy Now: Confessions on a Dance Floor (Warner Bros.)

• Destiny's Child
• NSYNC
• Aerosmith
• Mötley Crüe
• Faith Evans

It's hard not to be upstaged by fireworks, so it seems that recording artists have decided to take a backseat to the festivities surrounding the Fourth of July.

However, R&B singer Angie Stone shows her fans some Stone Love this week as she releases her third album, the follow-up to 2001's Mahogany Soul.

The soundtrack to "Before Sunset," hitting stores this week, combines tracks from the film's predecessor, 1995's "Before Sunrise" with songs from the new film. It includes contributions from artists like Nina Simone and Yo-Yo Ma, as well as the film's star, Julie Delpy.

Pioneering garage-rockers the MC5 commemorate themselves this week with the DVD release "Sonic Revolution: A Celebration of the MC5," a full concert including guests like Dave Vanian of the Damned, Lemmy from Motörhead and the Cult's Ian Astbury, among others.

Country fans may want to check out the debut album from "Nashville Star" winner Brad Cotter. His Patient Man hits stores this week.

Out Tuesday, July 6:

• Cisco - 7740 Valmont St. (Little Dog)
• Brad Cotter - Patient Man (Sony)
• The Cruxshadows - Fortress in Flames (Dancing Ferret)
• Tim Donohue - Madmen & Sinners (Frontiers)
• Steve McDonald - Legend (Etherean)
• Angie Stone - Stone Love (J)
  
• Survivor - All Your Pretty Moves (Monster)
• Hank Williams - The Best of Hank Williams (Northquest)
• Various artists - Afrobeat Sessions (Sessions)
• Various artists – "Before Sunset" soundtrack (Milan)
• DVD: MC5 – "Sonic Revolution: A Celebration of the MC5" (MuscleTone/Image Entertainment)

July 13:

• Jimmy Buffet - License to Chill (RLG)
• The Roots - The Tipping Point (Geffen)
• They Might Be Giants - Spine (Zoë)

July 20:

• Faces - Five Guys Walk Into a Bar (Rhino)
• Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives (Interscope)
• Ashlee Simpson – Autobiography (Geffen)
  Read: "Ashlee Simpson: The Rock Sister"

July 27:

• Kevin Lyttle - Kevin Lyttle (Atlantic)
• Old 97s - Drag it Up (New West)
• Pearl Jam - Live at Benaroya Hall (Ten Club/BMG)

• Angie Stone
• Brad Cotter
• MC5

Erykah Badu
Photo: MCA

Name: Erykah Badu

Mixtape: Worldwide Underground

Hometown: Dallas

Joints to check for: "Bump It," "Danger," "Love of My Life Worldwide" featuring Queen Latifah, Bahamadia and Angie Stone.

Previous mixtapes: None, but she does have a bunch of acclaimed LPs under her belt.

The 411: OK, there are no shout-outs, no scratching, no blends, and Ms. Badu isn't even a DJ. So how, you ask, does Erykah justify calling her new EP, Worldwide Underground, a mixtape? Well, there's the obvious answer — because she said so — but Andre 3000's ex does have some evidence to back her claim: Like some other mixtapes, the album doesn't have any real concept and the songs play into each other, going from groove to groove, in sequence, without breaking up. And a few of the tracks run really long, way past the standard three minutes and 30 seconds.

The longest track clocks in at over 10 minutes and is called "I Want You." On it, we find a love-struck E.B. frantically expressing her emotions. "I, I, I, I, I, I, I, want, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you," she cries before asking, "What we gonna do?" As the song progresses, Ms. Badu claims she's got it so bad that not even drinking holy water, fasting for 30 days or practicing yoga can help her.

As much as she's twisted up over her man, however, Badu is clearly more enthralled with hip-hop. As her alter ego, MC Apples, the singer turns rapper, flipping verses alongside Queen Latifah, Bahamadia and Angie Stone. "My name is apples and I'll rock your world," she rhymes with an old-school flow. "Worldwide, do your math/ 30, 26, 36 and a half/ I hope that you will re-a-lize/ I got the hazel eyes to make your nature rise."

Lenny Kravitz also guest stars on the EP, playing on "Back in the Day." There, the album's star longs for the simplicity of yesteryear. Meanwhile, Dead Prez give their militant two cents on the hustle game in "The Grind."

Badu's artistic instincts haven't impeded the grind of her record label, however. While she’s comfortable labeling the project a mixtape because of its feel, her label isn't peddling it on the street like one. You have to go to your local record store to cop Worldwide Underground just like a regular album.

Aside from the verses from her guests, Badu wrote the entire EP and produced the record with her production team, Freakquency.

DJs also have their say this week. DJs Green Lantern, Vlad and Dirty Harry just released 2Pac's Rap Phenomenon, a record that pieces together 'Pac's vocals from old material (see "Wave Of New Tupac Material Hitting Stores And Streets"). Then there's DJ Pudgee-P with his hodgepodge of street ditties on Riot Squad Part 3.

For other artists featured in Mixtape Mondays, check out Mixtape Mondays Headlines.

For a full-length feature on the role of mixtapes in the music industry, check out "Mixtapes: The Other Music Industry."

• Erykah Badu
• Queen Latifah
• Lenny Kravitz
• Dead Prez
• Angie Stone

Avril Lavigne, John Mayer, and Nelly announce 2003 Grammy nominations
Photo: MTV News

When nominations for the 45th annual Grammy Awards were announced Tuesday morning, reactions ranged from sincere congratulations to "What were they thinking?" (Click here for the list of nominees.)

Few readers writing to MTVNews.com's You Tell Us forum had sour sentiments about demure Norah Jones, the jazz-influenced singer/pianist who's got a chance to sweep the four biggest categories — Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year and Best New Artist (see "Eminem, Avril Lavigne, Nelly, Norah Jones Nab Most Grammy Noms"). Jones is also among the eight artists who garnered five nominations. (Click for photos of this year's Grammy nominees.)

"I'm sooo happy for [Norah Jones]," wrote 18-year-old Lexi, from Seattle. "I know many people haven't heard her music, but those who have know how great it is. Big ups to the critics for giving this girl the credit she deserves."

Jones' Come Away With Me faces stiff competition from The Rising, Bruce Springsteen's return to form, and, to a lesser extent, The Eminem Show. Although the mainstream seems to have embraced the volatile rapper, with hardly a protest over his third major-label album or his fictionalized biopic "8 Mile," the Grammys might not be ready to bestow such a prestigious honor to a man who had a hit with a song that talks about killing the mother of his child and stuffing her in a trunk.

Then again, Eminem already has five golden gramophones in his trophy case (though none in the big four categories), and the Recording Academy did grant an Album of the Year Grammy to Steely Dan in 2001, for Two Against Nature, which featured the song "Cousin Dupree," about incest. But old guards like Donald Fagen and Walter Becker have always had Grammy odds in their favor, which is why Springsteen stands such a good shot. And even if The Eminem Show doesn't win for Album of the Year and "Without Me" doesn't lay claim to Record of the Year, Eminem is likely to make good on at least one of his other three nominations.

While Jones stands as the artist with the smallest presence at radio compared with fellow new-artist nominees R&B songbird Ashanti, singer/songwriter Michelle Branch, sensitive guy John Mayer and pop-rocker Avril Lavigne, most of you think the latter stands as her fiercest competition.

"I think Avril Lavigne definitely deserves Best New Artist," wrote 14-year-old Ashley of Thief River Falls, Minnesota. "She's worked so hard and accomplished so much this year."

"There is no doubt that Avril Lavigne should win Best New Artist," echoed 14-year-old Danielle, from Somerset, New Jersey. "She writes her own music, had three top 40 songs in 2002, sold over 4 million copies of her debut, Let Go, and hates Britney Spears. What more could you want in a Best New Artist?"

While statistics may garner gold records, they don't necessarily translate to a Grammy. Awards are (theoretically) doled out to those who demonstrate genuine artistry in their work. And that's Avril Lavigne, isn't it?

"Avril has no business being nominated for as much as she was," disagreed 19-year-old Andrea. "As far as music and creativity go, Britney is more creative — and you know that's a stretch, especially since Britney is nothing but manufactured bubble gum. Avril may have had something going with her and her ties but let's face it, MTV, that's all she has had."

After yesterday's announcement of the nominations, Lavigne has a lot more attached to her, namely a monumental mistake when she mispronounced David Bowie's last name. When reading the list of artists up for the Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, she mispronounced Bowie as "bow-wie" (rhymes with oh, wowee!). An unnerving hush immediately enveloped Madison Square Garden.

"Am I the only person who realizes what a poser Avril Lavigne is?" queried 22-year-old Kim, from Denver. "First of all, she botched the pronunciation of David Bowie, one of the most influential musicians of our time. ... Does Avril know anything about music? ... My point is, although everyone seems to be touting Avril Lavigne as some new prodigy, the fact is that she is not a true musician or artist and is just as fake and untalented as Britney Spears."

And here we thought Avril was the anti-Britney.

While Mayer's the only guy among the gals in the Best New Artist pack, his fans warn not to count him out just because he's outnumbered.

"John Mayer deserves to win the Grammy for Best New Artist," declared 18-year-old Tiffany Johnson, from Austin, Texas. "He is just on a different level from the rest of the nominees. The guy is brilliant."

Nelly, who's up for Album of the Year, Best Male Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Album honors, among others, is feeling the brunt of haters. For the nearly 5 million copies of Nellyville sold, the St. Louis rapper seems to have just as many, if not more, detractors.

"I want to know what the Grammy folks see in Nelly," demanded 19-year-old Jason Curtis of Seattle. "Everyone is hypnotized by his so-called 'skills,' which are by no means good. As far as I'm concerned, Nelly doesn't deserve a Grammy."

It wasn't all trash talk directed at the St. Louis rapper, however. Many have their fingers crossed that the Band-Aid bearing MC will leave with even more gold than he came in with.

"I'm really anticipating seeing Nelly take home the Grammy for best album," wrote 14-year-old Linzi, from Sandusky, Michigan. "I mean, his music is totally hot, and I'm pretty sure that I don't know anyone who isn't into Nelly."

Linzi, meet 21-year-old James, from New Haven, Connecticut.

"It is clear once again that the awards honor what is popular, not what is good," James began. "Nelly has sunk so far down in the talent pool that he's left rapping about sneakers and some sort of heat wave that has apparently swept Nellyville. Talk about meaningless music. Seriously, if it's that hot in 'herre,' then drink a glass of water. Don't make a freakin' song about it."

Fellow hip-hopper Petey Pablo, up for Best Rap Album with Diary of a Sinner: 1st Entry, faced some harsh reactions, with fellow nominee Mystikal also catching some heat.

"I am very upset to see that Pete Pablo has been nominated for Best Rap Album," expressed 25-year-old Curtis, from Tallahassee, Florida. "Also, Mystikal's Tarantula album was very disappointing. How come someone like Trick Daddy or Cee-Lo never gets nominated? He is pure trash, and I understand why people like Jay-Z protest the Grammys. If we want to make it mainstream for all these old white people, let's nominate Will Smith. Even though his album sold probably 200 copies, he does not curse."

Such outrage over those who were nominated couldn't rival the furor over those who were left out: uber-producers the Neptunes and anyone from the neo-garage school, such as the Hives, the Vines, the Strokes or the White Stripes.

"How did Dr. Dre get nominated in the Producer of the Year category, while the Neptunes were ignored?" wondered Venni, 18, from Blacksburg, Virginia. "Dre didn't do anything in 2002. Every single song on the radio was produced by the Neptunes."

OK, Venni may be exaggerating a bit, though Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo are responsible for Justin Timberlake's "Like I Love You," Nelly's "Hot in Herre" and Mystikal's "Bouncin' Back (Bumpin' Me Against the Wall)," all of which are Grammy-nominated.

"I'm surprised the new 'the' bands didn't get major nods," typed an aghast CJ, 18, from Newmarket, New Hampshire. "I'm sad that the White Stripes were shafted, when overrated Avril Lavigne gets all the credit. Well, the Grammys are pretty lame either way."

If the nominations aroused such fervent feelings in these folks, they'd better be prepared for the shock of February 23. While some surprises can be expected with the nods, utter jaw-droppers like the over-the-hill Jethro Tull winning for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance in 1988 are unmatched.

Stay tuned and stay calm.

For a look back at previous big Grammy winners, red carpet photos and much more, visit our Grammy News Archive.

• Eminem
• Norah Jones
• Nelly
• Dixie Chicks
• Bruce Springsteen

Nelly
Photo: Universal

With eight artists grabbing five nominations each, this year's Grammy Awards looks to be one of the most competitive in the ceremony's 45 years. (Click here for the list of nominees and for photos of this year's Grammy nominees and performers.)

Three relative newcomers, Ashanti, Norah Jones and Avril Lavigne, join Sheryl Crow, Eminem, Nelly, Raphael Saadiq and Bruce Springsteen as the artists with the greatest chances of leaving New York's Madison Square Garden on February 23 with the most golden gramophones in their arms.

All eyes will be on Norah Jones, who stands to reign supreme on Grammy night with four of her five nominations arriving in the big four categories: Best New Artist; Album of the Year, for Come Away With Me; and Song of the Year (given to the songwriter Jesse Harris) and Record of the Year for "Don't Know Why." Jones and her full-length debut album also received nods in the categories Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, while the LP's producer, Arif Mardin, scored one in the Producer of the Year, Non-Classical category to give the Norah Jones camp a whopping eight nominations combined.

Eminem, Nelly, Springsteen and Lavigne received two nods apiece for the big awards. Em's "Without Me" is up for Record of the Year, along with Nelly's "Dilemma" (which features Kelly Rowland), Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" and Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles." The Eminem Show will vie for Album of the Year honors against Come Away With Me, the Dixie Chicks' Home, Nelly's Nellyville and Bruce Springsteen's The Rising.

Springsteen was also nominated in the Song of the Year category for "The Rising." The Boss' tune, which resonated with many after the events of September 11, 2001, will face off against another song inspired by the tragedy, Alan Jackson's "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)."

The Best New Artist category finds John Mayer the sole male amidst a quartet of ladies, Ashanti, Michelle Branch, Jones and Lavigne, whose single "Complicated" is also up for Song of the Year. (Last year, Alicia Keys walked off with the prestigious honor. Who do you think should win Grammy's equivalent to Rookie of the Year? Take our poll.)

"Chauvinists unite!" Mayer joked at Madison Square Garden, in a half-hearted attempt to strum up support for his cause. "I'm just going to go to sports bars and lobby.

"It's cool," he continued sincerely. "I look at the list and say, 'It makes sense to me.' "

While Ashanti is likely to have her fingers crossed for the big Best New Artist win, she'll be doubly excited when the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration category is awarded. Besides receiving a nod for assisting Fat Joe with "What's Luv?" the songbird with the second-best-selling debut album of 2002 has increased her chances of winning with "Always on Time," her collaboration with Ja Rule. Ashanti likes both songs, but she looks to the phrase "blood is thicker than water" when deciding whom to root for.

"I don't necessarily have a preference, but it I had to choose, it would have to be my brother Ja," she said. "That's my family, Murder, Inc. Records."

Nominations for the 45th annual Grammy Awards were announced Tuesday (January 7) at a press conference held in Madison Square Garden. Among the artists on hand to read the roster of those hopeful for Grammy gold were Ashanti, country singer Kenny Chesney, '80s faceplate Cyndi Lauper, Avril Lavigne, John Mayer, Justin Timberlake, Nelly and producer Jimmy Jam, who filled in for a previously scheduled but absent Sean "P. Diddy" Combs.

The artists each took the podium in turn to announce the contestants for two of the categories, which made for some interesting pronunciations. Ashanti (pronounced a-shan-tee) became the faux-fabulous sounding "A-shan-tay" whenever most on hand mentioned her name; and Lavigne, in announcing the nominees for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance botched David Bowie's name, pronouncing it 'Bow-wee" (as in the dog sound "bow-wow"). The flub is not likely to go unnoticed among Lavigne's critics, and it just might go down in pop-star infamy, the way Britney Spears' remark that suggested Pat Benatar sang "I Love Rock 'N Roll," a song Joan Jett made famous, did in a fall 2001 interview.

Four nominations fell on the Dixie Chicks, Alan Jackson, R&B singer Remy Shand and Chad Kroeger, who scored one with his band Nickelback, and three others for his song "Hero," penned for the soundtrack to "Spider-Man."

Besides two in the big four, Vanessa Carlton's other nomination came in the Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s). While most categories in the Composing/Arranging field are often overlooked in favor of more artist-specific ones, the 21-year-old pianist doesn't consider her third nod to be any less important. In fact, considering that she's the only nominee who's also an artist in that category, she said she's perhaps most proud of that honor because it shows her as the well-rounded artist she is.

"I am most excited for that nomination because it is recognizing the process, something other than the vocal and the song itself," she explained. "It kind of acknowledges how the puzzle fits together. I think [Be Not Nobody] is a beautiful record and I'm really proud to know that people recognized that. I was totally surprised, though. I really was."

India.Arie, Erykah Badu, Johnny Cash, Elvis Costello, Dr. Dre, Randy Newman, Arif Mardin and No Doubt also nabbed three nominations each.

Touting over 100 categories, the Grammys is the most comprehensive music awards show, but even with classifications such as Best Polka Album (for which Jimmy Sturr's Top of the World looks to be the odds-on favorite) and Best Remixed Record, Non-Classical, there just aren't enough designations for some folks.

"Actually, one they didn't mention was best haircut-changing-style every year,' a near-bald Timberlake kidded. "I'm hoping I get the Victrola for that."

Maybe next year, Justin. In the meantime, the 'NSYNC star must be content with just one nomination, for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, for the Clipse-featured "Like I Love You," the first single from his solo debut, Justified.

Super production duo the Neptunes were puzzlingly absent from the Producer of the Year category, which instead found Dr. Dre, Nellee Hooper, Arif Mardin, Rick Rubin, and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis attempting to stake their claim to the title. After producing a number of Grammy-nominated tracks, including Timberlake's "Like I Love You," Nelly's "Hot in Herre" and Mystikal's "Bouncin' Back (Bumpin' Me Against the Wall)," it's a mystery why Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams didn't receive any love from the Recording Academy.

"For the second year in a row, can you imagine that?" Williams said of his Grammy dis. "All the work we've done? For whatever reason, nobody thought to put us on the ballot."

The 45th annual ceremony marks the Grammys' return to New York, after Los Angeles hosted the previous four events. The show will be broadcast live on CBS at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). Before the show, catch MTV's pre-show telecast "Backstage at the Grammys," airing at 7 p.m. ET.

MTV's parent company, Viacom, also owns CBS.

For more Grammy news, check out the MTV News Grammy Archive.

• Nelly
• Avril Lavigne
• Norah Jones
• Eminem
• Vanessa Carlton

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.

• *NSYNC
• Rodney Jerkins
• The Neptunes
• Nelly
• Brian McKnight

"Austin Powers in Goldmember" soundtrack
Photo: Maverick

Austin Powers' latest time-travel adventure through the '60s to the '70s will include a groovy soundtrack of funk, disco and even a bit of g-funk.

That's right, the architect of the g-funk sound, Dr. Dre, appears on the soundtrack, remixing the Rolling Stones' "Miss You," a #1 single in 1978.

Also on the album, due July 16, are new singles from Destiny's Child singer Beyoncé Knowles, who stars in the movie, as well as Britney Spears, who has a cameo. And amid covers of '60s and '70s classics, there's a few appearances by Powers himself, Mike Myers (Click for photos from the movie).

Knowles' "Work It Out," produced by the Neptunes, is the first single from both the soundtrack and her own Dangerously in Love, due in October. The video, directed by Matthew Ralston (Madonna, David Bowie), will feature familiar faces from the '70s, according to a Warner Bros. spokesperson.

Spears' "Boys," also produced by the Neptunes and remixed by and featuring vocals by Pharrell Williams, will be the second single (see ).

Knowles also appears on the record as her character, Foxxy Cleopatra, on "Hey Goldmember," an homage to Shirley Bassey's 1965 James Bond song, "Goldfinger." Knowles' sister, Solange, and newcomer Devin guest on the track, which samples K.C. and the Sunshine Band's 1976 disco hit "(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty."

Myers sings on two tracks — a remix of "Hard Knock Life" as Dr. Evil and on "Daddy Wasn't There" as Austin Powers with his band Ming Tea, which features Matthew Sweet and former Bangles singer Susanna Hoffs.

Hoffs appears solo covering Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "Alfie," while R&B singer Angie Stone covers King Floyd's 1970 tune "Groove Me"; Paul Oakenfold remakes Walter Murphy's 1976 disco hit, "A Fifth of Beethoven"; and Soul Hooligan with Jamaica's Diana King take a stab at Electric Light Orchestra's "Evil Woman."

Smash Mouth recorded "Ain't No Mystery" with Tower of Power specifically for "Austin Powers in Goldmember," leaving Earth, Wind and Fire's "Shining Star" as the only song on the soundtrack previously released.

While the original Powers flick didn't pack an enormous musical punch, the soundtrack to 1999's "The Spy Who Shagged Me" was a huge success, featuring Madonna's "Beautiful Stranger" and Lenny Kravitz's "American Woman."

"Austin Powers in Goldmember" soundtrack track list, according to Warner Bros.:

• Beyoncé Knowles - "Work It Out"
• Rolling Stones - "Miss You" Dr. Dre 2002 remix
• Britney Spears f/ Pharrell Williams of N.E.R.D - "Boys" Coed remix
• Angie Stone - "Groove Me"
• Earth, Wind and Fire - "Shining Star"
• Foxxy Cleopatra f/ Devin and Solange - "Hey Goldmember"
• Smash Mouth - "Ain't No Mystery"
• Soul Hooligan f/ Diana King - "Evil Woman"
• Paul Oakenfold - "1975"
• Jay-Z - "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" Dr. Evil remix
• Ming Tea f/ Austin Powers - "Daddy Wasn't There"
• Susanna Hoffs - "Alfie (What's It All About, Austin?)"

• Dr. Dre
• Destiny's Child
• Britney Spears
• Susanna Hoffs
• Angie Stone

B2K
Photo: Sony

The folks responsible for the Now That's What I Call Music! series are taking their next compilation LP to the street.

Off the Hook, a hip-hop/R&B version of Now, is scheduled for release May 21, according to a Columbia Records spokesperson. Like the Now series, the LP is a collaborative effort between Sony Music, Universal Music Group, EMI and Jive Records.

The album's 20 previously released tracks feature the smooth R&B of B2K, the soaring sultriness of Aaliyah and the aggressive bounce of Mystikal. The newest cut on the LP, "Feels Good" by Naughty By Nature featuring 3LW, comes from the rappers' next album, Iicons, due May 7 (see "Naughty By Nature, 3LW Save The Day In 'Feels Good' Video").

Off the Hook track list, according to Columbia Records:

• Jermaine Dupri featuring Ludacris - "Welcome to Atlanta"
• B2K - "Uh Huh"
• Jagged Edge featuring Nas - "I Got It 2"
• Lil' Bow Wow - "Take Ya Home"
• Aaliyah - "More Than a Woman"
• Mystikal - "Bouncin' Back (Bumpin' Me Against the Wall)"
• Joe - "Let's Stay Home Tonight"
• Jennifer Lopez featuring Ja Rule - "I'm Real (Murder Remix)"
• Nas - "One Mic"
• Glenn Lewis - "Don't You Forget It"
• Ruff Endz - "Someone to Love You"
• Keke Wyatt featuring Avant - "Nothing in This World"
• City High - "City High Anthem"
• India.Arie - "Video"
• Angie Stone - "Wish I Didn't Miss You"
• Janet Jackson featuring Missy Elliott - "Son of a Gun"
• N.E.R.D. featuring Lee Harvey and Vita - "Lapdance"
• Mr. Cheeks - "Lights, Camera, Action"
• Petey Pablo - "Raise Up"
• Naughty By Nature featuring 3LW - "Feels Good"

• Jermaine Dupri
• B2K
• Aaliyah
• Mystikal
• Jennifer Lopez

Alicia Keys
Photo: J Records

Another awards show, another set of pack-leading nominations for Alicia Keys and India.Arie.

Keys is ahead of all others at the 16th annual Soul Train Music Awards with four nods, while Arie, the late Aaliyah and the Isley Brothers featuring Ron Isley follow with three apiece, according to a spokesperson for the March 20 event.

The three ladies, plus Angie Stone, are up for Best R&B/Soul Single, Female, and they'll be competing for Best R&B/Soul Album, Female, with Sade's Lover's Rock. Aaliyah and Keys are also contenders for R&B/Soul or Rap Album of the Year for Aaliyah and Songs in A Minor, respectively, while Arie and Keys will face off against Fabolous and Bubba Sparxxx in the Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist category.

The Isley Brothers featuring Ron Isley received recognition in the categories Best R&B/Soul Single by a Group, Band or Duo for "Contagious"; Best R&B/Soul Album by a Group, Band or Duo for Eternal; and the Michael Jackson Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video for "Contagious."

Destiny's Child, Brian McKnight, Usher, Ja Rule, Jay-Z, Musiq Soulchild and Jagged Edge have two nominations apiece.

Arie is also favored to take home the most Grammy Awards on February 27 with a leading seven nominations, while Keys has six (see "U2, India.Arie Lead Grammy Pack"). Keys and Aaliyah also won two American Music Awards in January (see "Alicia Keys, Destiny's Child, Aaliyah Excel At AMAs").

The Soul Train Music Awards will be given out at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, where soul singers the O'Jays will be bestowed with the Quincy Jones Award for Outstanding Career Achievement. Alicia Keys will be honored with the Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Female Entertainer of the Year, and Dr. Dre will receive the male equivalent.

A taped broadcast of the awards ceremony is scheduled to air in syndication in late March. An album featuring tracks by several of this year's nominees is due March 26. Compilations based on the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards and the Soul Train Christmas special are also in the works.

Nominations for the 16th annual Soul Train Music Awards, according to an event publicist:

Best R&B/Soul Single, Female

• Aaliyah - "Rock the Boat"

• India.Arie - "Video"

• Alicia Keys - "Fallin'"

• Angie Stone - "Brotha"

Best R&B/Soul Single, Male

• Jaheim - "Just in Case"

• Brian McKnight - "Love of My Life"

• Musiq Soulchild - "Love"

• Usher - "U Got It Bad"

Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo

• Destiny's Child - "Survivor"

• Isley Brothers featuring Ron Isley - "Contagious"

• Jagged Edge with Nelly - "Where the Party At"

• 'NSYNC - "Gone"

Best R&B/Soul Album, Female

• Aaliyah - Aaliyah

• India.Arie - Acoustic Soul

• Alicia Keys - Songs in A Minor

• Sade - Lovers Rock

Best R&B/Soul Album, Male

• Jaheim - Ghetto Love

• Michael Jackson - Invincible

• Musiq Soulchild - Aijuswanaseing (I Just Want to Sing)

• Usher - 8701

Best R&B/Soul Album, Group Band, or Duo

• 112 - Part III

• Destiny's Child - Survivor

• Isley Brothers featuring Ron Isley - Eternal

• Jagged Edge - Jagged Little Thrill

R&B/Soul or Rap Album of the Year

• Aaliyah - Aaliyah

• Ja Rule - Pain Is Love

• Jay-Z - The Blueprint

• Alicia Keys - Songs in A Minor

Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist

• Fabolous - "Young'n (Holla Back)"

• India.Arie - "Video"

• Alicia Keys - " Fallin'"

• Bubba Sparxxx - "Ugly"

Michael Jackson Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video

• Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott - "Get Ur Freak On"

• Isley Brothers featuring Ron Isley - "Contagious"

• Jay-Z - " Girls, Girls, Girls"

• Busta Rhymes - ""Break Ya Neck"

Best Gospel Album

• Yolanda Adams - "The Experience"

• Kim Burrell - "Live in Concert"

• Donnie McClurkin - "Live in London"

• Doug and Melvin Williams - "Duets"

• Alicia Keys
• Aaliyah
• India.Arie
• Angie Stone
• Jaheim