Senator John McCain and Daddy Yankee
Photo: Laura Segall/ Getty Images

Daddy Yankee has gone on the defensive after his endorsement of Republican presidential nominee John McCain prompted Fat Joe to dub him "a sellout."

"A man does not sell out when he backs his ideals," the Latin Grammy-winning reggaetón artist told the New York Post from his home in Puerto Rico.

Yankee's unwavering support of the Arizona senator shocked several in the hip-hop community, but that doesn't mean Yankee is about to stop backing the man he feels is best suited for the gig.

"I don't care who I piss off," Yankee told the Post, while promoting the movie he produced and stars in, "Talento del Barrio." "This is about my ideals, not about making friends. Senator McCain is the kind of man whose promises you can actually believe in."

Yankee met McCain in 2006, when both were included in Time magazine's list of 100 People Who Shaped Our World. He said he hit it off with McCain and recently visited Washington, D.C., to meet with the senator.

"I like his stance on immigration reform, that he works across party lines to help immigrants, that he agreed to take a look and help the dire situation of aid to the veterans of Puerto Rico," Yankee said. "It's not fair that Boricua soldiers die and fight in wars and don't get the same benefits as those on the mainland. I like that el senador agreed to take a serious look and help those kinds of issues affecting us on the island."

When asked if he ever considered Democratic nominee Barack Obama for the nation's highest office, Yankee said "never — not for a minute." He also tiptoed around Fat Joe's challenge to a debate, saying, "Look, I'm not a politician. I am a man with ideals, and I think that el Senador McCain is the best candidate. I asked el senador point-blank about whether or not he will seriously help Puerto Rico and our veterans here, and he said, 'Yes. You endorse me, and I will do it.' I believe he will back up his word."

As a Puerto Rican resident, Daddy Yankee can't vote for president, but he urged other Latinos to participate in the election. "There are 18.1 million Latinos who are eligible," he said. "Let your voices be heard."

• Fat Joe
• Daddy Yankee

Senator John McCain and Daddy Yankee
Photo: Getty Images/Laura Segall

Up until a few days ago, it was easy to assume that Senator Barack Obama is the overwhelming favorite presidential candidate of music-makers from urban communities. MCs such as Jay-Z, Nas, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Common and Diddy have all openly said that the Illinois politician needs to be the next man in the White House. The King of Reggaetón, however, has a different opinion.

Daddy Yankee surprised many earlier this week when he showed up at a Phoenix high school and gave a glowing recommendation for Republican Senator John McCain.

"I believe in his ideals and his proposals to lead this nation," Yankee said. "He's been a fighter for the Hispanic community."

The news of Yankee's endorsement left a sour taste in the mouth of one of the Hispanic community's most visible and verbal leaders: Fat Joe.

"Put this in the MTV News headline: 'Fat Joe Says Daddy Yankee Is a Sellout,' " the MC said via phone from Denver, where he's attending the Democratic National Convention. "Just like that! I gotta go in. I'm talking to little cousins that like [Yankee] and all that, and they're starting to believe that John McCain is [the best candidate]. I can't have that.

"I opened the newspaper and got sick to my stomach," Joe continued. "I felt like I wanted to vomit when I seen that. The reason why I called him a sellout is because I feel he did that for a [publicity] look, rather than the issues that are affecting his people that look up to him. How could you want John McCain in office when George Bush and the Republicans already have half a million people losing their homes in foreclosure? We're fighting an unjust war. It's the Latinos and black kids up in the frontlines, fighting that war. ... We over here trying to take the troops out of Iraq and bring peace. This guy immediately wants war. If not with Iraq or Afghanistan, he'll start a new one with Iran. I feel real disgusted that Daddy Yankee would do that. Either he did that for a look, or he's just not educated on politics."

Joe said he's more than willing to educate Yankee on each of the politicians' platforms.

"If he believes John McCain is the better candidate for the Latinos," Joe said, "we could sit down. Even if he wants to get into a debate, we can debate anywhere — New York, Puerto Rico."

The Grammy-nominated lyricist is especially enthralled with Obama's promise for improved and universal health care. That issue still hits home for the rap veteran.

"Like I said, with me, my whole philosophy on blacks and Latinos is: We're all one," he said. "We're in the same ghettos, same inner cities, and we're suffering from the same problems. Every problem the blacks have, the Latinos have. There's two systems of health care: the one for the rich that's really good, then there's the one for the inner city, where they leave ladies in the emergency room unattended for 24 hours until they drop dead. ... People don't even check on her hours after she's dead. This is normal stuff. This is what's happening in the U.S."

Joe blames inferior health care for a tragedy he and his family suffered years ago.

"My own sister — to me she was murdered by doctors," he claimed. "She was having a baby in the Bronx, and they gave her an epidural — a normal procedure that was supposed to numb her from the waist down. They numbed her from the waist up, because they had amateurs learning in the Bronx hospitals. Not even real doctors — students murdered my sister in the inner city, in the Bronx. I love what Barack is doing with the heath care system. Once he gets universal health care for everybody, then we gotta step up our system to make it the best in the world."

Joe arrived in Denver on Wednesday after performing in New York City with the Game the previous night. He was moved by speeches on consecutive evenings by Hillary and Bill Clinton.

"That was beautiful, man," he said. "I'm a huge fan of the Clintons. I love Hillary; I love Bill. They hit home runs out the park. I was so excited when Bill was speaking. It reminded me of why I love him. He's articulate, so smart. Greatest president of our era. When he was here, we had peace. Yasser Arafat of Palestine and the prime minister of Israel, shaking hands and hugging, bringing peace in the Middle East, not war! Everybody had jobs. The economy was growing. George Bush and the Republicans turned the whole country around to where our dollar is worth half the Euro dollar. Your man John McCain wants to continue the same tactics of the Bush organization. Why should my man Daddy Yankee be endorsing McCain? This is the only urban guy in the universe to endorse John McCain. You got people who look up to [Yankee] — young teenagers that look up to him and might make the wrong choice. John McCain is the wrong thing to do. I don't think the Republicans care much about minorities. I can't believe [Yankee] went and endorsed this guy."

Fat Joe would also like to change the perception of his country in the eyes of the rest of the world.

"I travel the world doing shows, and people hate the United States because of the policies of George Bush," he explained. "Years ago, you would go overseas, and the people would praise you and love the United States. I feel Barack Obama is the one person who could bring not just the United States, but the world together. I was in Africa two days ago, and I seen people with 'I Love Obama' on their bumper sticker. He just spoke to 200,000 people in Germany."

Now more than ever, Joe said he realizes the importance of participating in this upcoming election.

"Fat Joe says it's not an option to vote," he insisted. "We have to vote and change this country around. Everybody has to get out there and register. I'm not asking, I'm telling you to go vote. I'm forcing you."

A rep for Daddy Yankee said the MC is out of the country and won't be available for comment until next week.

Don't miss out on the action: MTV News and our Street Team '08 will be on the ground at both conventions to sort through all the speeches, streamers and ceremony to find the information you need to choose our next president. And head to Choose or Lose for nonstop coverage of the 2008 presidential election. And after history is made in Denver, MTV News will help you make sense of it all in "Obama Decoded," premiering Friday, August 29 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

• Daddy Yankee
• Fat Joe

Timbaland and Justin Timberlake
Photo: Michael Buckner/ Getty Images

Electronic Arts calls the annual announcement of the soundtrack for "Madden" "the most important showcase for music industry icons." The company's boast, delivered in a press release hitting on Thursday morning (June 28), presumably was meant to also include the phrase "in video games."

Regardless, the advance "Madden" tracklist EA provided to MTV News indicates that the Queens of the Stone Age, Daddy Yankee, and Timbaland will be enjoying that showcase. This summer's "Madden NFL 08" will include a 29-song soundtrack, including previously unreleased songs from Atreyu, Murs, the Hives and Yellowcard. The mix, as it's been for years, is a little bit hip-hop, a little bit rock.

"The annual goal of the 'Madden NFL' soundtrack is to give unprecedented exposure to new artists, bring established stars to a whole new level, and single-handedly define the sound of the coming year via the biggest sports franchise in video game history," said EA executive Steve Schnur.

Schnur has spoken to MTV News regularly about his efforts on EA's soundtracks (see "EA Offers Up Snoop, Peas Tracks; Exec Talks Future Of Video Game Music"). In an interview a year ago about the "Madden 07" soundtrack, he suggested that the days of a fixed soundtrack for that game might be over. Online consoles, he said, would allow EA to supply gamers with a constantly updating musical score for their "Madden" play. "By the time 'Madden 2008' comes out, we should be able to deliver some of the exciting ideas here," he said. "We're going to have a much deeper 24/7 relationship with 'Madden' gamers" (see "Soundtrack For 'Madden NFL 07': New Tracks From Audioslave, Sparta").

A year later, however, that vision of a malleable "Madden" soundtrack remains in the future tense. Maybe "Madden 09"?

This year's edition of the game will ship on all major gaming platforms on August 14.

Full tracklist for "Madden NFL 08":

»Airbourne — Runnin' Wild"
»Atreyu — "Becoming the Bull"
»The Bravery — "Believe"
»Brother Ali — "Whatcha Got"
»Daddy Yankee — "Impacto"
»Datarock — "The New Song"
»Earl Greyhound — "S.O.S."
»Enter Shikari — "OK, Time for Plan B"
»From Autumn to Ashes — "Daylight Slaving"
»Hellyeah — "You Wouldn't Know"
»The Hives — "Tick Tick Boom"
»Jupiter One — "Countdown"
»MIMS — "Cop It"
»Murs — "Dreadlocks"
»O-Solo — "Monsta"
»Operator — "Soulcrusher"
»Ozzy Osbourne — "I Don't Wanna Stop"
»Pharoahe Monch (featuring Showtyme) — "Desire"
»Pitbull (featuring Don Omar) — "Fuego" (remix)
»Queens Of The Stone Age — "3's & 7's"
»Red1 (featuring Afu-Ra) — "Dem No Worry We"
»Shadows Fall — "Redemption"
»Swizz Beatz — "It's Me Snitches"
»Sum 41 — "Underclass Hero"
»Team Shadetek (featuring 77Klash & Jahdan) — "Brooklyn Anthem"
»The Used — "The Ripper"
»Timbaland (featuring Justin Timberlake) — "Release"
»Yellowcard — "Fighting"
»Zion I & the Grouch — "Hit 'Em"

• Justin Timberlake
• Timbaland
• Queens of the Stone Age
• Swizz Beatz
• Daddy Yankee

Simon Cowell
Photo: Vince Bucci/ Getty Images

Ryan Seacrest is blaming Simon Cowell for this year's slight "American Idol" ratings decrease, according to a Seacrest interview in Canada's Globe and Mail. "Well, the knee-jerk reaction would be Simon," he said when asked why the ratings slipped. "Clearly there's an oversaturation of his character." He added: "It's still 30 million-plus [U.S.] viewers ... which we're very happy with." Seacrest dismissed as rumor the notion that some "Idol" judges would be replaced. ...

Hundreds of fans — and Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to boot — turned up to greet "American Idol" finalist LaKisha Jones and watch her perform two songs at the state Capitol on Monday (June 11), The Associated Press reports. Jones is on a homecoming trip through the state before starting to prep for the American Idols Live Tour. The singer, who performed "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" and "God Bless the Child," told reporters, "My life is at a complete 360. God has really blessed me tremendously." ...

Ready to Rock? Dates for the Rock the Bells tour — featuring Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, David Banner and more — have been finalized. In addition to four previously announced shows featuring Rage Against the Machine, there will be additional gigs without them in Mansfield, Massachusetts (July 26); Atlanta (August 2); Charlotte, North Carolina (August 3); Miami (August 4); Dallas (August 7); Houston (August 8); San Diego (August 12); Salt Lake City (August 21); Denver (August 22); Minneapolis (August 25); Chicago (August 26); Detroit (August 29); and Toronto (August 30). Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, Immortal Technique and Jedi Mind Tricks are also on the bill, while Cypress Hill and UGK will appear on select dates. ...

Timbaland was temporarily held in custody and spent an hour in a jail in Cologne, Germany, early Monday morning after putting an unidentified Croatian man in the hospital, according to The San Francisco Chronicle's "Daily Dish." The brawl, which took place Sunday night at the Intercontinental Hotel bar, reportedly began when Timbaland allegedly flirted with the girlfriend of the man, who then spouted a racial slur. The producer's entourage also joined in the fight, which left the man with rib injuries and multiple bruises. Timbaland was released after being held in custody and questioned. ...

Daddy Yankee was released from a Miami hospital Monday afternoon after suffering from a viral infection and dehydration, according to Dr. Javier Perez-Fernandez, who had been treating him. The reggaetón superstar — who has been promoting his recently released album, El Cartel: The Big Boss — checked into the hospital Friday with complaints of fatigue and missed his weekend appearances at New York's Puerto Rican Day Parade and El Spring Bling Blineo festival due to his hospitalization. Daddy Yankee has also canceled all his scheduled activities for the coming week, according to his publicist. "This is a sign from the boss [in reference to God]," Yankee said in a statement upon his release from the hospital. "The boss is telling me to take my time and set my priorities straight. Now I'm going home to rest for a bit." ...

A week after Marilyn Manson revealed that "Mutilation Is the Most Sincere Form of Flattery," one of the tracks on his latest LP, Eat Me, Drink Me, was directed at My Chemical Romance — Manson believes the band has ripped him off — MCR frontman Gerard Way responded to Manson's comments in the British magazine Rock Sound. "We still haven't found someone that has knocked us down that we need to take seriously. If Elvis Costello said we sucked, we would think about it a bit, but usually it is comments from someone with a new record to promote, so the remarks ring hollow." Manson had said in an interview with The London Paper that he was "embarrassed to be me because these people are doing a really sad, pitiful, shallow version of what I've done." ...

Common filmed a clip for "The People" in New York over the weekend with video director Neon. The Kanye West-produced track — which features crooner Dwele — is set to be the official lead single from Common's Finding Forever, due July 31. The street track "The Game" is currently receiving buzz play on both radio and TV. ... Big Tiggerheld his sixth Annual Celebrity Classic over the weekend in Atlanta. Ludacris, Lyfe Jennings, Lil' Mo, DJ Clue and more joined the syndicated radio host to take part in a variety of charity events, which included a basketball game, auction and all-white party. ...

Paris Hilton spoke to Barbara Walters from jail on Sunday and said in the telephone interview that she will no longer "act dumb," explaining that the "act is no longer cute," according to Walters' ABC News report. Hilton, who told the veteran reporter that she decided not to appeal her sentence because she "didn't want to cause any more problems," said spending time in jail has really changed her. "Now, I would like to make a difference," Hilton said. "God has given me this new chance." ...

Linkin Park, Smashing Pumpkins, Disturbed and H.I.M. will be among the artists featured on the July 3 soundtrack to the upcoming "Transformers" film. The disc will also include the "Transformers" theme recorded by Mute Math, as well as tracks from the Used, Taking Back Sunday and Idiot Pilot. ... Snoop Dogg collaborator and Gap Band frontman Charlie Wilson filed suit against EMI Music and Heineken Inc. alleging that the song "Beautiful" — a track from Snoop's 2002 album, Paid Tha Cost to Be Tha Boss, featuring Wilson and Pharrell — is used in a beer commercial without his permission, Reuters reports. In the suit, filed Friday in New York, Wilson also claims that EMI owes him hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits gained from "Beautiful" and another Paid Tha Cost track, "You Got What I Want," featuring Wilson and Ludacris. ...

Former Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro has responded to recent claims by ex-bandmate Perry Farrell that the group's most recent breakup was sparked by Navarro's decision to be a judge on the CBS reality series "Rock Star." According to a post on Navarro's 6767.com blog, "the timeline just doesn't make sense. I didn't even get a call about the idea of 'Rock Star' until [Navarro's new band] the Panic Channel was recording demos. It was four years ago, so I think it's about time to let it go." ... Al Gore says he met backstage with the Red Hot Chili Peppers at the Grammy Awards in February and convinced them to play Live Earth, according to AP. "I was pushing and pushing them that no matter how difficult it was, that it was important," said Gore, who was seen onstage whispering with the Chili Peppers when they accepted their prize for Best Rock Album. ...

The Bled, who are part of this summer's Projekt Revolution Tour with Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday and more, have finished recording their next LP, The Silent Treatment, produced by Brian McTernan (Hot Water Music, Snapcase). The album is due this fall. ... In related news, another Projekt Revolution act, H.I.M., have set September 18 as the release date for their next album, Venus Doom. Look for the LP to feature "Dead Lovers Lane," "The Kiss of Dawn," "Love in Cold Blood" and "Passion's Killing Floor." ...

Michael Moore's attorney claims discrimination was behind the launch of a federal investigation into the director's trip to Cuba for his "Sicko" documentary, which hits theaters June 29, AP reports. David Boies stated in a letter to the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control that Moore's criticism of the Bush administration may have spurred the probe. The reply was made in response to a letter OFAC Chief of General Investigations and Field Operations Dale Thompson sent to Moore last month, notifying him that he was under investigation for possibly violating the U.S. trade embargo restricting travel to Cuba. In his reply, Boies also requests information regarding "the person or persons who participated in making the decision to send Mr. Thompson's letter," as well as additional information.

06.08.2007

Kanye West celebrated his 30th birthday in style Thursday night with a huge bash at the Louis Vuitton store in New York that brought out a bevy of big-time guests including Jay-Z, Diddy and Mariah Carey — who all holed up by the first floor entrance with the birthday boy — as well as Common, Rihanna, Fall Out Boy, Ashlee Simpson, Travis Barker, Fabolous, Ashanti and Jermaine Dupri (after his early morning car accident). Pharrell Williams, the Clipse, John Legend and West all took the stage to perform throughout the night, while Q-Tip served as DJ. (Check out pictures from the party here.) Kanye's birthday cake featured his signature College Dropout bear, and dancers dressed in Vuitton bathing suits and sandals performed in the store's display cases. The night wrapped up at nightclub Tenjune where attendees including Usher and Gabrielle Union enjoyed an afterparty. ...

Andre 3000 is expected to play Sammy Davis Jr. in a new flick to be helmed by video director Earle Sebastian (Mary J. Blige, Madonna), according to The New York Times. "Sammy and Kim" will retell Davis' romance with blond actress Kim Novak, which was such a scandal that then-Columbia Pictures President Harry Cohn ordered an end to the relationship. ...

The deluxe-edition artwork for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" has been released by Scholastic, and the wraparound cover features a Mary GranPré illustration of Harry, Hermione and Ron hanging on to a flying dragon above a village at sunset. (Click here to see the "Deathly Hallows" artwork.) The deluxe edition, limited to 100,000 copies and priced at $65, will also include full-color frontispiece art on special paper, an "Illustration Showcase" insert with reproductions of GrandPré's chapter openers and a bonus black-and-white illustration. ... "Shrek" producer Jeffrey Katzenberg said at a press conference in Berlin on Friday (June 8) that a half-hour animated holiday TV special called "Shrek the Halls" is in the works. ...

U2 have been hard at work on new material, according to a post on the band's Web site. Producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois have been collaborating with the band on the songwriting effort. "We have no plans for the music yet," Bono said in a post on U2.com. "We're just going to make it until we can't not put it out." ... Bono also spoke out Friday in response to the G8's pledge of $60 billion to fight AIDS. "I am exasperated," he said in an interview with Reuters. "We are looking for accountable language and numbers. ... They say they will keep their pledges on Africa but it is remarkable. In a 25-page document we can't see any evidence of how they are going to get to those. It is a maze." ...

Maroon 5's Adam Levine admits that he's the band's spotlight hog — but he says the rest of the guys just aren't interested in the post. "Every band has to have a strong center, a personality, an attention whore," he told Entertainment Weekly in an interview published in its current issue. "I'm in the foreground, but I also have to do things [that are] extra. It's fine with me. I don't mind the work." But Levine doesn't want you to mistake his willingness to stand center stage with a desire to be a solo star. "We want people to remember that we're a band, and I'm not a celebrity, Levine told EW. "That's gotten skewed over the past couple of years, so we want to correct things." ...

British newspaper The Independent interviewed Blur drummer David Rowntree about the band's plans to get back to work. "We will spend one week recording and see what happens," Rowntree told the paper. "We're dipping our toes in the water. We have not made any decision but we'll see how we feel and if the spark is there." Though Blur's last album, Think Tank, was released in 2003 and guitarist Graham Coxon left the fold in 2002, Rowntree stressed that the band had "never split up." ... The heads will soon be banging on the Sounds of the Underground Tour, but before the mayhem begins, Hot Topic will issue an exclusive package hyping the ferocious fest. Toxic tracks by Shadows Fall, Every Time I Die, Gwar and Poison the Well will contaminate the set, which contains two CDs and a DVD, is made available June 19 and will be limited to 10,000 copies. ... Looks like "Laguna Beach" and "The Hills" bad boy Jason Wahler won't be following in Paris Hilton's footsteps. Prosecutors claimed Wahler's arrest earlier this year for criminal trespassing and assault in Seattle violated his probation from a September battery arrest, but a judge didn't send the reality-TV star to jail during a Friday probation hearing, according to TMZ.com. Instead, the 20-year-old must attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and anger-management classes, and he'll continue with intensive rehab counseling at least four days a week. ...

Joss Stone has joined the lineup for NBC's "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular." "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks and finalists Blake Lewis and Melinda Doolittle will also perform on the show. ... Bon Jovi will open Newark's Prudential Center in their home state of New Jersey with a series of shows beginning October 25. In an album-release first, a code that unlocks a digital download of the band's new LP Lost Highway will be packaged with each ticket purchased by American Express cardholders through an exclusive online presale Ticketmaster will launch Tuesday at 10 a.m. ET. Fans who have already preordered the album will get a code allowing them to buy a presale ticket independent of their previous order. General-public tickets for the October 25 show go on sale June 23 at 10 a.m. ... George Michael must serve 100 hours of community service and is barred from driving for two years after pleading guilty to driving while unfit. Michael was sentenced in a London court Friday for the October 1 offense. "I have been sentenced today on the basis of unfit driving through tiredness and prescription medicines which I fully accept responsibility for," the singer told the press outside court. "I am glad to put this behind me and I am now off to do the biggest show of my life," he said. Michael has Saturday and Sunday shows scheduled at London's rebuilt Wembley Stadium.

• MTV News RAW: My Chemical Romance
• Paris Hilton: Oh, What A Night

• My Chemical Romance
• Paris Hilton
• Daddy Yankee
• Marilyn Manson
• Common

Akon (file)
Photo: J. Ludwig/ Getty Images

The news happens all the time, even while you're catching up on beauty sleep. Check out this brief rundown to bring you up to speed this morning — a quick heads up from your friends at MTV News.

Here's what we've got:

Even the biggest bands have their seriously down-to-earth days. Take Linkin Park, who debuted at #1 in 15 countries with Minutes to Midnight, but had a moment last week that felt just like the times when they'd tour in an RV — and get stuck in a ditch. Bassist Dave "Phoenix" Farrell told us that blowing a flat in their tour bus — on the way to play to 80,000 people at Germany's Rock am Ring fest — "was kind of refreshing," and also revealed that a wedding almost derailed the bands tour. ...

Daddy Yankee's El Cartel: The Big Boss finally arrived Tuesday, so what took him so long to hand it over? "Summer is the best time for an artist to put out an album," Yankee told us. "Everyone is clubbin', everyone is having fun, everyone is enjoying their life." He got Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls to heat up one track, "Papi Lover," which he describes as a "crazy dancehall, Caribbean song." ...

And "High School Musical" stars gave us some exclusive news about the upcoming sequel, which Monique Coleman describes as "more emotional." But don't expect it to get too mushy. "She's still evil," Ashley Tisdale said of her character Sharpay. According to the cast, you can also expect Chad to get some love, Gabriella to belt out a killer solo and a "West Side Story"-esque singing/dancing battle on a baseball field when the TV movie premieres in August. ...

Quote of the Day: "I don't care much what people say about me, but I do care how it affects the rest of my band." — Pete Wentz

Here's what everyone else is talking about:

Police in Fishkill, New York, are looking for the concertgoer that Akon apparently tossed into the crowd during Sunday's KFEST, local paper The Poughkeepsie Journal reports. Video of the incident — showing Akon asking the audience to point out a person that threw something at him, summoning the audience member to the stage and then picking him up and throwing him back into the crowd — surfaced on YouTube on Monday. "We're still waiting to identify whoever that is," Fishkill police liason Steve Ferguson said Tuesday. "We're looking to see if they want to press charges or file a complaint." ...

What will August 24, 2007 bring for Rage Against the Machine fans? No idea, but this Web site (via Stereogum) certainly wants us to know that something is up. Looks like the first clues are just five days away. We'll keep you posted. ...

Justin Timberlake has picked the first artist signed to his Tennman Records imprint, he announced Tuesday. Dutch singer/songwriter Esmée Denters — who first hit YouTube with covers of songs by Beyoncé and Alicia Keys — has signed to JT's label, and will join him next week to open for a few dates on his European tour. "Esmee is the real deal and I cannot wait for the world to hear her," Timberlake said in a statement. ...

TMZ.com's "multiple inside sources" report Paris Hilton is crying and "freezing cold" in jail, though it sounds like her fellow inmates have warmed up to the new addition. "One inmate said, 'You don't deserve to be here,' " according to the TMZ report. "Another made an origami butterfly from a magazine page and slipped it under her door." Hilton's therapist visited her yesterday, People reports. ...

Jessica Simpson and John Mayer have split again ... and it's really the end this time. Maybe. "It's definitely over," a "source close to Mayer" told People. But the magazine's Simpson source isn't so certain. "They broke up Sunday night, but who knows what the future will hold. This is the twelfth time they've broken up." ...

Marilyn Manson is not a fan of My Chemical Romance. In an interview with The London Paper, Manson said that the Eat Me, Drink Me track "Mutilation Is the Most Sincere Form of Flattery" goes out to MCR. "I'm embarrassed to be me because these people are doing a really sad, pitiful, shallow version of what I've done." ...

Look out, Transformers, Thundercats are on the move. Variety reports that Warner Bros. has scooped up a script to turn the 1980s cartoon into a live-action feature. The story focuses on "Lion-O coming of age as the leader of the Thundercats," according to the paper. ...

In other big-screen news, Anna Faris will play an ex-Playboy bunny turned sorority girl in a still-untitled college comedy, Variety reports. "Pineapple Express" — Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen's follow-up to "Knocked Up" — has an August 8, 2008 due date (that's also from Variety). And "Sin City" is looking to break out into the gaming world in a big way, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

• Akon
• Rage Against the Machine
• Jessica Simpson
• John Mayer
• Linkin Park

Daddy Yankee
Photo: Interscope

NEW YORK — When it comes to all things Daddy Yankee, it's no secret the star's gasolina was burning a lot hotter a few years ago.

But if you ask him why it took so long to finally release his major-label debut, El Cartel: The Big Boss, which dropped Tuesday (see "Daddy Yankee Set To Deliver El Cartel Across The U.S."), you'd be surprised by one of his answers: video games.

"I [always] say: 'Put the album out in the right moment,' " Yankee said. "[And] summer is the best time for any artist to put out an album. I wanted to put it out in ... December, but if you do your homework, in December it's not a good look to drop an album anymore. It used to be fresh, [but] now video games have taken over. So I decided to hold the album [until the summer, when] everyone is clubbin', everyone is having fun, everyone is enjoying their life. They love the video games, but it's more about having fun. You just want to be outside then. So the best decision for me was to put the album out now."

And hopefully high-profile collaborations with Will.I.Am, Akon and Nicole Scherzinger from the Pussycat Dolls, along with production work from Scott Storch, can help Daddy Yankee keep the kids occupied. Yankee called his track "Papi Lover" (featuring Scherzinger) a "sexy" one for the ladies.

"With Nicole, even though I heard her doing her thing in the States, I wanted her to be in my world instead of me being in her world," he said. "To make a difference in her career and in my career. So we did a crazy dancehall, Caribbean song."

But it's "Bring It On," Yankee's track with Akon — who also produced the song — that has the reggaetón star the most excited. The song may be his next single, he said.

"I'm rapping in the song, in Spanglish," he said. "I'm a real New Yorker. I grew up in the Bronx too. ... It's one of my favorite songs, and the people who have heard the album [said] it's one of their favorites too. Akon gave me the beat, and when he heard me on that song, he was like, 'Oh my God, I didn't know you rapped.' And coming from Akon, him telling me I'm a professional — and he's on top of the game right now and real talented — and when he told me that, it's just a good feeling.

"He told me, 'I don't know what you saying, Yankee,' " he continued, laughing, " 'but the flow sounds tight.' "

• Daddy Yankee, Fergie Get Caliente On The Set Of His "Impacto" Remix Video

• Daddy Yankee
• Akon
• Pussycat Dolls
• Black Eyed Peas

Kanye West
Photo: Gareth Cattermole/ Getty Images

Kanye West did his fair share of hopping around over the weekend. Aside from popping up during Swizz Beatz's set on Sunday, West also dropped in on DJ Gomez Warren's set at Holly's in Los Angeles on Friday to play his new track "Can't Tell Me Nothing," as actresses Sanaa Lathan and Gabrielle Union looked on. ...

"American Idol" season five runner-up Katharine McPhee is headed to Hollywood ... again. The singer is slated to make her feature-film debut in the dark indie romantic comedy "The Last Caller," according to The Hollywood Reporter. The coming-of-age story about a self-involved woman in search of love will not require McPhee to sing. "This is the first thing that I read that I really wanted to do," McPhee said. "I'm up for a couple of big studio projects, but they weren't starring roles. I wanted to start off doing something a little different. It's something that a lot of people wouldn't expect me doing." ...

It's gotten a little wet inside Cartel's "bubble" thanks to a busted wall, but that isn't stopping Wyclef Jean from heading in to jam with the band on Thursday. The artists will crank out the song "Wasted," a collabo that will appear on the "Band in a Bubble" group's yet-untitled July 24 LP. Cobra Starship entered the bubble Tuesday (June 5). ... Daddy Yankee is set to appear Sunday on the MTV Tr3s float for the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York. Nina Sky and DJ Tony Touch will also join the festivities on the Pepsico float, while Kat DeLuna is scheduled to appear on radio station Z100's float. This year's parade will feature singer Ricky Martin as the event's inaugural "king." ... Ghostface Killah, RZA, Method Man, GZA and Raekwon return the favor to Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Cilvaringz with guest spots on his solo debut, I. The set — which features production from RZA, Bronze Nazareth and others, and comes with a bonus DVD chronicling Wu's 1997 world tour — hits stores June 12. ...

The jury in the Phil Spector trial was shown the revolver that killed Lana Clarkson when the top detective in the investigation of the actress' death testified Tuesday, The Associated Press reports. The gun still had blood on it when Detective Mark Lillienfeld, who was wearing gloves, removed it from an envelope. Lillienfeld said a holster visible inside a bureau to the side of the chair where Clarkson's body was slumped in the foyer was later shown to fit the gun, which was found at Clarkson's feet. ... Tom Sizemore surrendered to authorities Tuesday morning, less than a month after being arrested on suspicion of seven drug-related charges, according to TMZ.com. ...

Avenged Sevenfold have titled their forthcoming DVD, slated for a July 17 release, "All Excess." The band continues to write tracks for the follow-up to 2005's City of Evil, which may be out before the end of the year. ... Bam Margera has snatched up unreleased songs by CKY, Children of Bodom, In Flames, Clutch and others for Bam Margera Presents ... Viva la Bands, Vol. 2. The CD/DVD package — which will also feature songs by Gwar, Dimmu Borgir and the Sounds — hits stores September 4. ...

Hellyeah's Fire It Up tour just got a little hotter — they're extending the trek with an additional leg. The band will treat Australia to five shows between June 27 and July 3, then touch down in the States again for eight more U.S. gigs starting July 6 in Milwaukee and ending July 16 in San Diego. After that, the metalheads will hop on the Family Values Tour. ... Speaking of which, think you could create something special for the Family Values 2007 tour poster? Brickfish.com is hosting a contest for rock fans to come up with a cool poster design for the tour. The competition ends June 27, and participants must be 14 years of age or older to be considered. The winning design will be transformed into the festival's official poster, and earn its creator a Hoshino guitar autographed by Korn. ...

David Bowie and the Beastie Boys will be among those honored Tuesday at the 11th annual Webby Awards at New York's Cipriani. The show, which recognizes the best in online creativity, will present Bowie with a lifetime achievement award for his numerous Web-related initiatives over the years and the Beasties for their concert film "Awesome, I F---ing Shot That." ... Tony Hawk, John Cena, Jewel, William Shatner and tennis star Serena Williams are among the stars lined up to race stock cars in the series "Fast Cars & Superstars," premiering Thursday on ABC. ... Chiodos have set a September 4 release date for their new album Bone Palace Ballet, which they are currently recording with producer Casey Bates (Fear Before the March of Flames, Gatsby's American Dream). ...

Lala.com, the Web site that lets fans trade used CDs for $1, launched new features Tuesday, offering users the chance to stream any song or album for free in the hope that they will eventually buy some of the music. The site is picking up the tab for millions of dollars in royalties — which the Los Angeles Times put at about a penny each time someone listens to a song — and a spokesperson said that the new service will also let users access all the music in their iTunes library from any computer and download music straight from the Web to an iPod.

06.04.2007

The Game has been charged for allegedly making a criminal threat and possession of a firearm in a school zone during a pickup basketball game in February, The Associated Press reports. The rapper was arrested on the charges last month and subsequently released on $50,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Los Angeles, and faces more than five years in prison if convicted. ...

Mya tells Vibe Vixen that she learned a lot about the music business — and the kind of woman she wanted to be — while touring with Dru Hill in 1997. "Seeing the thrill, the lifestyle, seeing them with different girls all the time, I remember saying to myself, 'I don't want to be one of those girls.' " Mya also revealed in the interview published in the June/July issue that she was taught a harsh lesson about the industry at 17. "Someone that was instrumental in my career harassed me," she said. "I wasn't going to entertain it, but also didn't know how to say, 'F--- you, leave me alone.' I just internalized it." Those days are over, and in recent years, Mya's made a point of standing up for herself. After 50 Cent claimed — in the 2006 dis track "Not Rich, Still Lying," aimed at the Game — that he had sex with her, Mya denied his story both in the press and to his face. "I saw him and addressed him about it in person at Violator [Management offices]." Mya said. "He said, 'You're gangsta right now. You're the talk of the town.' ... I just let him know how I felt." ...

Andre 3000, Pink, Fall Out Boy's Andy Hurley, Carrie Underwood, GZA, RZA, AFI's Davey Havok, Joss Stone and Prince join last year's winners Natalie Portman and Benji Madden and dozens of other musicians, actors and athletes up for the "World's Sexiest Vegetarian" title on Peta2.com. ... The "High School Musical" soundtrack was a chart-topping success without a physical single, but Disney is switching it up for the sequel. "What Time Is It" will be released as a CD single on July 17, ahead of the August television premiere of "High School Musical 2." The track features Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Zac Efron, Lucas Grabeel, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale. ...

You know Don Imus made a major mistake when Too Short, of all people, is chastising the fired shock jock. In the raunchy rapper's newly launched "$hort Stories" column in Ozone Magazine, Short explained the same people responsible for firing Imus — corporate suits — pushed him to record material that used similarly vulgar language. "I did an album called You Nasty with naked women on the cover, and almost every song on it was nasty," he wrote of his 2000 LP. "That was not my idea. The president of the label asked me to make the nastiest album I could, so I did it, not realizing how important the positive songs are to my career." Short later noted his own influence on rap in regards to vulgar words, but he called for better clarity in deciding the context of entertainment. "If it becomes illegal to make those kinds of songs, is it going to be illegal for comedians to say [explicit content] in their jokes?" he said. "Can it be said in movies or on TV? Will it become illegal to show murders and rapes on TV, or will the ban be on rappers only?" ...

A judge ruled Monday (June 4) that attorneys cannot use Lana Clarkson's diary-like writings in the Phil Spector murder trial, AP reports. The writings were found on the late actress' computer and included "The Story of My Life," a composition in which she discussed having drug problems and talked about having visions of a dead actress who committed suicide. "I don't consider anything in this particular document to be significant," Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler concluded. ... Charles Patton, who is a business associate of Lupe Fiasco and co-owns their 1st & 15th record label, was sentenced to 44 years in prison last month, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Patton, a Desert Storm veteran, allegedly used funds from heroin trafficking to start up the company, an assistant state attorney told the paper. In 2003, Patton was arrested at his home — while Fiasco was present — after authorities discovered $1 million dollars' worth of cocaine in a storage locker belonging to him. Representatives for Fiasco have not responded to requests for comment. ...

Hi-Five singer Tony Thompson was found dead in Waco, Texas, on Friday night, AP reports. He was 31. Zomba Label Group CEO and President Barry Weiss released a statement of condolence, saying, "His rich vocal tone and artistry were readily apparent even at the young age of 15, when we signed him at Jive." Friends of Thompson's speculated that the death may have been an accidental overdose, according to a report in the Waco Herald-Tribune. Thompson had recently returned to Waco from Dallas and was working on new music. Hi-Five debuted in 1990 with a self-titled debut album that went multiplatinum thanks to the hits "I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)" and "Can't Wait Another Minute." ...

After a plea went out over the weekend to help find missing Ra Ra Riot drummer John Pike, police in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, said they recovered Pike's body on Sunday off the coast of Buzzard's Bay, local NBC affiliate WHDH reported. Pike, 23, was last seen at around 3 a.m. Saturday, leaving a party he attended after a show in Providence, Rhode Island. He sent a text message to his girlfriend early Saturday morning but was not heard from after that. An autopsy will be performed this week to determine the cause of death. A message on the Syracuse, New York, band's MySpace page read, "We will always love and miss you, John." ...

MySpace filed a request in a Pennsylvania state court on Monday, seeking legal guidance on how to provide local authorities with the e-mail addresses of convicted sex offenders who had used the social-networking service, Reuters reports. Federal law prevents Internet service providers such as MySpace from revealing users' communications without a search warrant. The request comes after MySpace agreed last month to cooperate with a group of U.S. attorneys general seeking information on predators who have used the site. ...

A new Federal Communications Commission policy that penalizes broadcasters for accidentally airing profanities was declared invalid by a federal appeals court on Monday, AP reports. The court ruled 2-1 in favor of a Fox-led challenge to the policy but did not outlaw the policy outright. Instead, the court returned the case to the FCC. The new policy was put in place after Bono's F-bomb at the Golden Globe Awards aired in January 2003. ... The highly anticipated Apple iPhone will hit stores on June 29, according to TV ads that began running Sunday night. The keyboard-less touch-screen phone/music player will be available at Apple and AT&T stores.

• Kanye West
• Katharine McPhee
• Daddy Yankee
• Avenged Sevenfold
• Wyclef Jean

Rihanna's <i>Good Girl Gone Bad</I>
Photo: Island Def Jam

Ready for one crazy summer? The first day of the season is still a couple of weeks away, but that isn't stopping the summer stars from busting out their sizzlin' new slabs. Grab your sunscreen, beach blanket and thong — the forecast calls for ridiculously high temps.

Summer Jams: Rihanna and Jay-Z reigned at the MTV Movie Awards with a steamy version of her "Umbrella," and she can credit the infectious track for making her Good Girl Gone Bad LP the most anticipated R&B release of the week, despite the gritty competition. Her third album in two years also features Ne-Yo ("Hate That I Love You"), "Don't Stop the Music," "Breakin' Dishes," "Question Existing" and more.

Daddy Yankee has a special delivery too: El Cartel: The Big Boss. Beyond the English-language-titled "Plane to PR," "Bring It On" and the obligatorily named "Who's Your Daddy?," the set features 18 additional tracks that are all titled in Spanish. Kicking it with Daddy Yankee — one of Time magazine's 100 most-influential people, in case you forgot — are Fergie, Akon, Jim Jones, Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, Scott Storch and Will.I.Am.

T-Pain is throwing a beach party of his own, and he's also invited Akon — as well as Yung Joc, Ray and Shawnna. T-Pain — who told MTV News he's been mixing it up with Britney and Usher lately too — is counting on the wildly popular street track "Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')" to anchor his Epiphany, but he also makes room for "Yo Stomach," "Backseat Action" and "Shottas."

And don't forget about Carl Thomas — although he isn't too lonely these days either, from the looks of it. Brandy, E-40 and Dave Hollister are making his new album So Much Better.

Return of the Rockers: Marilyn Manson might not be the Christian Right's target du jour anymore, but that doesn't mean the thin white goth isn't still relevant — after all, his 2003 LP, The Golden Age of the Grotesque, charted at #1 on the Billboard albums chart. Manson's graphic, self-directed "Heart-Shaped Glasses (When the Heart Guides the Hand)" clip with Evan Rachel Wood should shock fans into buying Eat Me, Drink Me, which also features "Are You the Rabbit?," "Mutilation Is the Sincerest Form of Flattery" and "You and Me and the Devil Makes 3."

Chris Cornell is also getting reborn, so to speak. Following Audioslave's implosion, the frontman is redefining himself as a solo artist — which he actually did before, by releasing 1999's Euphoria Morning in between his time in Soundgarden and the 'Slave. He finds optimism again with Carry On, crooning a slow version of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" — no, that's not a misprint — plus "You Know My Name," which he crafted for "Casino Royale," and more.

Quick Hits:

· Psychobilly scrappers Tiger Army have clawed their way onto mainstream-rock radio lately and are tearing it up on the Warped Tour this year. In addition to dropping a new LP this week — Music From Regions Beyond — the band crops up on the Vans Warped Tour - 2007 Tour Compilation alongside the Used, Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying and more.

· Shout Out Louds cover the Pogues' "Streams of Whiskey" with the Essex Green on the Louds' new Merge EP, Tonight I Have to Leave It. Meanwhile, labelmates the Ladybug Transistor apparently Can't Wait Another Day to put out their sixth album, which features "Always on the Telephone" and "Here Comes the Rain."

· You probably know Sean Na Na — who plants Family Trees or Cope We Must this week — better as Ron Jeremy-esque funkster Har Mar Superstar.

· Expect Paul McCartney and Dream Theater also to do some chart damage next week. McCartney's Memory Almost Full is his 21st solo album but first for Hear Music, the new label formed by Starbucks and Concord Music. Dream Theater have hopped from Atlantic to the hard-rocking Roadrunner for their latest prog-rock opus, Systematic Chaos.

· Hair-metal survivors have a new reason to live: Poison belt out renditions of their favorite Cars, Stones and Bowie tunes on Poison'd! Not crazy about those covers? Try Tesla — they also pay homage to the Stones (as well as Zeppelin, the Beatles and other classic rockers) on their own set of tribute songs, Real to Reel.

· Yeah, that really is Tiffany you're seeing below. Everyone's favorite '80s carrot top is issuing Just Me on the way-indie imprint 10 Spot Record.

Uneasy Listening: Steve Albini probably isn't greasing up his bod for the summer in Chicago — even if his iconic noise-rock trio, Shellac, are trotting out their Excellent Italian Greyhound this week. The band usually takes a few years between releases — but seven could be a stretch for some (fans age, y'know). That said, this is the band's longest LP and is said to be its hardest too (we'd tell ya, but the group notoriously doesn't do press or issue promotional CDs). Fans who have dug Shellac's mantra over the years — they put much more emphasis on their LP releases compared to CDs — will be shocked to learn that Shellac are part of the digital era. That's right, this album will be available on Touch and Go's Web site.

Neurosis and Oxbow have recorded with Albini a bunch of times over the years, and both those Bay Area bands crank out their own ear-splitting releases this week. Neurosis recorded Given to the Rising with Albini, in fact, shaking up their noted sludge sound with strains of prog and psych. Don't miss singer/guitarist Scott Kelly's 29-second-long scream midway through the album.

Arguably the scariest band in the San Fran underground, Oxbow — known as much for the restraining orders they get slapped with as their music — are chasing last year's Love That's Last set with The Narcotic Story, produced by Grammy winner Joe Chiccarelli (Frank Zappa, the Raconteurs). In a statement, frontman Eugene Robinson called the band's new set, The Narcotic Story, "a disturbing stroll through a place where everything's broken." Trust us that "disturbing" is an understatement.

Pelican, who are heavily influenced by Neurosis and on the same label as Oxbow, take a turn this week with their delayed City of Echoes. Having got sick of playing extensive songs in concert, the band mixes it up with pop-radio-length tracks — although they're still way too doomy for radio. Tunes include "Spaceship Broken - Parts Needed," "Dead Between the Walls" and "A Delicate Sense of Balance."

Song Title of the Week:

"Entrails of a Rotting Sky" from Unholy's Blood of the Medusa

New Releases:

· 12 Girls Band - Shanghai (live; Manhattan)
· Above & Beyond - Anjunabeats Volume Five (two CDs; Ultra)
· Acoustic Alchemy - This Way (Narada)
· The Aggrolites - Reggae Hit L.A. (Hellcat)
· Belly - The Revolution (two CDs; CP)
· Big & Rich - Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace (Warner Bros.) [Buy Now]
· The Birthday Massacre - Nothing & Nowhere (Metropolis)
· Black Light Burns - Cruel Melody (I AM: Wolfpack)
· Black Strobe - Burn Your Own Church (Play Louder)
· Bonde Do Role - With Lasers (Domino)
· Bronze Nazareth - The Unknown (Wanderluxe)
· Jonathan Butler - Brand New Day (Marathana)
· Chris Caffery - Pins and Needles (Locomotive)
· Joey Calderazzo - Amanecer (Marsalis Music/Rounder)
· C-Bo - West Side Ryders III: The Southeast Connection (West Coast Mafia)
· The Cinematic Orchestra - Ma Fleur (Domino)
· Eli Cook - Miss Blues'es Child (Valley)
· Chris Cornell - Carry On (Suretone/Interscope) [Buy Now]
Read: "Chris Cornell Ready To Carry On As Solo Artist: 'I'm Best In My Own World' "
· Cowboy Troy - Black in the Saddle (Warner Bros.)
(Misra)
· Elvis Crespo - Regreso el Jefe (Machete)
· Critical Rhythm - Singular: Two (two CDs; MVD Audio)
· Daddy Yankee - El Cartel: The Big Boss (El Cartel/ Interscope) [Buy Now]
Read: "Daddy Yankee Hoping To Light Up Next Album With Diddy, Dre"
· Dälek - A Purge of Dissidents (with DVD; Ipecac)
· Dappled Cities - Granddance (Dangerbird)
· The Dear Hunter - The Meaning of, and All Things Regarding (East West)
· Deemi - Soundtrack of My Life (Atlantic)
· Dream Theater - Systematic Chaos (special edition also available; Roadrunner) [Buy Now]
· Eldar - Re-Imagination (Sony BMG Masterworks)
· Chris Fortier - As Long as the Moment Exists (E.Q.)
· Fourth of July - Fourth of July on the Plains (Range Life)
· Richie Furay - The Heartbeat of Love (Friday Music)
· Towner Galaher - Panorama (Towner Gallaher Music)
· Sara Gazarek - Return to You (Native Language)
· Grendel - Harsh Generation (Metropolis)
· Stefano Greppi - Technologies in House (MVD Audio)
· Meral Guneyman with Dick Hyman - Playful Virtuosity (Rykodisc)
· Tord Gustavsen Trio - Being There (ECM)
· Hallelujah the Hills - Collective Psychosis Begone (Misra)
· Daniel A.I.U. Higgs - Atomic Yggdrasil Tarot (Thrill Jockey)
· Holy Roman Empire - The Longue Durée (Hewhocorrupts)
· Iced Earth - Overture of the Wicked (EP; SPV) [Buy Now]
· In Theory - This Is It (Adrenaline)
· The Rocco John Group - Don't Wait Too Long ... (self-release)
· Junior - Are We Famous Yet? (Toucan Cove)
· Kaipa - Angling Feelings (Inside Out)
· Kamelot - Ghost Opera (two CDs; SPV)
· The Ladybug Transistor - Can't Wait Another Day (Merge)
· Leyode - Fascinating Tininess (Eastern Developments)
· The Long Blondes - Someone to Drive You Home (enhanced; Beggars Banquet)
· The Loose Salute - Tuned to Love (Graveface) · W.W. Lowman - Plain Songs (Who-Hey)
· Marilyn Manson - Eat Me, Drink Me (Nothing) [Buy Now]
Read: "Marilyn Manson Reveals He Came Close To Suicide; LP 'Was My Salvation' "
· The Martino Conspiracy - Hope in Isolation (Aspirion)
· Matriden - Matriden (Candlelight)
· Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full (deluxe limited edition comes with bonus CD; Hear Music) [Buy Now]
· Glenn Mercer - Wheels in Motion (Pravda)
· Mithras - Behind the Shadows Lie Madness (Candlelight)
· Moon Maan - Moon Maan (Catlick)
· Neurosis - Given to the Rising (Neurot)
· O.A.R. - Live From Madison Square Garden (two-CD set and two-DVD set; Everfine/Lava/Atlantic) [Buy Now]
· Oxbow - The Narcotic Story (Hydra Head) [Buy Now]
· Pantheon-I - The Wanderer and His Shadow (Candlelight)
· Pelican - City of Echoes (Hydra Head) [Buy Now]
· The Phoenix Foundation - Horsepower (Young American)
· Pipettes - Your Kisses Are Wasted on Me (EP; Interscope) [Buy Now]
· Pissed Jeans - Hope for Men (Sub Pop) [Buy Now]
· Poison - Poison'd! (EMI/Capitol) [Buy Now]
· Praxis - Tennessee 2004 (ROIR)
· Quivver - Controlled Substance (MVD Audio)
· Rihanna - Good Girl Gone Bad (Island/Def Jam) [Buy Now]
Read: "Rihanna Loses Good Girl Image, Thanks To Jay-Z, Justin, Timbaland, Ne-Yo"
· Carina Round - Slow Motion Addict (Interscope) [Buy Now]
· Royce Da 5'9" - The Bar Exam (Traffic Entertainment) [Buy Now]
· Serena Ryder - If Your Memory Serves You Well (Back Porch)
· Sean Na Na - Family Trees or Cope We Must (Dim Mak)
· Shellac - Excellent Italian Greyhound (Touch and Go) [Buy Now]
· Shout Out Louds - Tonight I Have to Leave It (EP; Merge) [Buy Now]
· Sister Hazel - Bam! Volume One (Rock Ridge)
· Richard Smallwood - Journey: Live in New York (Verity)
· Bruce Springsteen with the Sessions Band - Live in Dublin (two CDs; Columbia) [Buy Now]
· The Start - Ciao, Baby (Metropolis)
· Stroke 9 - The Last of the International Playboys (Rock Ridge)
· Sullivan - Cover Your Eyes (Tooth & Nail)
· James Talk - Thinking Out Loud (MVD Audio)
· Tesla - Real to Reel (Tesla Electric Company)
· They Shoot Horses Don't They? - Pick Up Sticks (Kill Rock Stars)
· Carl Thomas - So Much Better (Bungalo)
· Tiffany - Just Me (10 Spot)
· Tiger Army - Music From Regions Beyond (Hellcat) [Buy Now]
· T-Pain - Epiphany (Jive) [Buy Now]
Read: "T-Pain Mixes It Up With Usher, Britney, More: 'I Dish It Out For Everybody' "
· Udo - Mastercutor (Candlelight)
· Unholy - Blood of the Medusa (Lambgoat)
· Porter Wagoner - Wagonmaster (Anti-)
· Various artists - Anchored in Love: A Tribute to June Carter Cash (Dualtone)
· Various artists - ArtDontSleep Presents: From L.A. With Love (Milan)
· Various artists - Vans Warped Tour - 2007 Tour Compilation (two CDs; Side One Dummy)
· Various artists - We All Love Ella: Celebrating the First Lady of Song (Verve)
· Various artists - "Ocean's Thirteen" soundtrack (Warner Bros.)
· Various artists - "Surf's Up" soundtrack (Columbia)

Notable Reissues and Archival Material:

· Afghan Whigs - Unbreakable (A Retrospective 1990-2006) (Rhino)
· David Bowie - Young Americans (special edition; with DVD; Virgin/EMI)
· James Brown - Gold (two CDs; UMe/Polydor)
· The Clash - The Singles (Epic/Legacy)
· Stewart Copeland - The Rhythmatist (A&M/UMe)
· Ella Fitzgerald - Love, Ella; Lullabies of Birdland; The Original Versions; and Sweet and Hot (Verve)
· Andrew Hill - Change (Blue Note)
· Junior Boys - So This Is Goodbye (special edition with bonus CD; Domino)
· The Mugwumps - The Mugwumps (Hepcat)
· Tom Petty - Highway Companion (special edition; Lost Highway)
· The Police - The Police (two CDs; A&M/UMe)
· Elvis Presley - Elvis at the Movies (two CDs; RCA)
· Pretenders - Get Close and Learning to Crawl (Rhino)
· Marty Stuart - Compadres: An Anthology of Duets (Superlatone/Hip-O/UMe)
· Andy Summers & Robert Fripp - I Advance Masked (UMe)
· Sun Ra and His Astro Infinity Arkestra - Strange Strings (Atavistic)
· Muddy Waters, Johnny Winter & James Cotton - Breakin' It Up, Breakin' It Down (Epic/Legacy)
· True West - Hollywood Holiday Revisited (Atavistic)
· Frankie Valli & the 4 Seasons - Jersey Beat: The Music of Frankie Valli & the 4 Seasons (three CDs and one DVD; Rhino)
· Various artists - Chasing the Sun: The Greatest Songs of Summer (three CDs and one DVD; Time Life)
· Various artists - More Motown Classics - Gold (two CDs; Motown/UMe)
· Various artists - New Wave - Gold (two CDs; Hip-O/UMe)

Music DVDs:

· Andromeda - "Playing Off the Board" (MVD Visual)
· Apache Indian & the Reggae Revolution - "Time for Change Tour" (MVD Visual)
· Scott Cossu Trio - "Islands" (MVD Visual)
· Vic Damone - "On the Street Where You Live" (MVD Visual)
· Colin Dunne - "Celtic Feet" (MVD Visual)
· Eurythmics - "Sweet Dreams - The Video Album" (Lightyear)
· Gil Scott-Heron & Amnesia Express - "The Paris Concert" (MVD Visual)
· Jefferson Starship - "The Definitive Concert" (Lightyear)
· The Jesus Lizard - "Live" (MVD Visual)
· The Killers - "Leaving Las Vegas" (MVD Visual)
· Kristin Korb - "Live in Vienna" (MVD Visual)
· Frankie Laine - "That Old Lucky Sun" (MVD Visual)
· Lake - "Live!" (MVD Visual)
· Greg Lake - "Greg Lake Live" (two DVDs; Image)
· Neo - "Broadcast" (MVD Visual)
· Stevie Nicks - "Live at Red Rocks" (Lightyear)
· Pendragon - "Past and Presence" (MVD Visual)
· Lou Reed - "A Night With Lou Reed" (Lightyear)
· T.G. Sheppard - "In Concert" (MVD Visual)
· Justin Timberlake - "Just Hanging Out" (Video Music)
· U2 - "The DVD Collector's Box" (two DVDs; MVD Visual)
· Rick Wakeman - "Amazing Grace" (MVD Visual)
· Various artists - "25 Years at New Morning" (MVD Visual)
· Various artists - "Caliente y Picante: A Latino Session (Time Life)
· Various artists - "Cruisin' Hits of the 60's" (MVD Visual)
· Various artists - "Metalmania 2006" (MVD Visual)
· Various artists - "Moogfest 2006" (MVD Visual)
· Various artists - "New Morning - 25th Anniversary 1981-2006" (MVD Visual)
· Various artists - "Soulvation: The Best of Northern Soul" (MVD Visual)

Digital Releases:

· The Blue Jackets - Shadows of the City (EP; self-release)
· Surrounded - The Nautilus Years (Digital First)

Coming Attractions:

June 12:
· Fabolous - From Nothin' to Somethin' (Def Jam) [Preorder]
Read: "Fabolous' 'All-Stars' Jay-Z, Jeezy, Rihanna Make LP Somethin' To Be Reckoned With"
· Queens of the Stone Age - Era Vulgaris [Preorder]
· Various artists - Instant Karma: The Campaign to Save Darfur

June 19:
· Mandy Moore - Wild Hope (Firm) [Preorder]
· Tomahawk - Anonymous (Ipecac)
Read: "Tomahawk Actually Starting To Sound Like An American-Indian Band"
· White Stripes - Icky Thump (Warner Bros.) [Preorder]
Read: "White Stripes Reveal Icky New Album Details"

June 26:
· Beastie Boys - The Mix-Up (Capitol) [Preorder]
· Kelly Clarkson - My December (RCA) [Preorder]
Read: "Kelly Clarkson On Her Revealing New LP: 'I'm Not Even This Open With Boyfriends!' "
· Metric - Grow Up and Blow Away (Last Gang) [Preorder]

• Rihanna
• Daddy Yankee
• Marilyn Manson
• Chris Cornell

Daddy Yankee on the set of his "Impacto" remix video
Photo: Interscope Records

In his new video for the "Impacto" remix, Daddy Yankee appears to be doing some heavy traveling as he raps across the globe. More on that in a minute, but as it turns out, he'll be logging a lot of miles offscreen later this year: His record label, Interscope, just announced dates for Yankee's U.S. tour, which starts August 31 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, and ends October 14 in Houston.

(See pics of Daddy Yankee and Fergie getting caliente on the set of his "Impacto" remix video, right here.)

Yankee is running a special promotion in conjunction with iTunes in which fans who preorder his June 5 release, El Cartel: The Big Boss, can also preorder concert tickets before they go on sale June 15.

The reggaetón king's Cartel features guest spots from Will.I.Am, the omnipresent Akon, Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls, and Fergie — who sings on the aforementioned, Scott Storch-produced "Impacto" remix (see "Daddy Yankee Hoping To Light Up Next Album With Diddy, Dre"). Mr. Collipark is also a featured producer on the album.

"You see the magic of TV," Yankee said on the set of the "Impacto" remix video, which was directed by the Saline Project. "We went to Mexico, New York, Japan, London ... and Puerto Rico. Everything was on green [screen]. Obviously you're gonna see a lot of green in the studio, but once you see the video [on television,] it's another game. We're pretending to be on one worldwide tour with Daddy Yankee because Daddy Yankee's sound is a worldwide sound."

Daddy Yankee's tour dates, according to his record label:

» 8/31 - Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena
» 9/2 - Boston, MA @ Agganis Arena at Boston University
» 9/7 - New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
» 9/8 - Fairfax, VA @ Patriot Center at George Mason University
» 9/9 - Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
» 9/14 - Miami, FL @ AmericanAirlines Arena
» 9/15 - Orlando, FL @ Amway Arena
» 9/21 - Hidalgo, TX @ Dodge Arena
» 9/22 - Laredo, TX @ Laredo Entertainment Center
» 9/23 - San Antonio, TX @ AT&T Center
» 9/28 - Phoenix, AZ @ US Airways Center
» 9/29 - Las Vegas, NV @ Mandalay Bay
» 9/30 - Fresno, CA @ Save Smart Center
» 10/5 - Daly City, CA @ Cow Palace
» 10/7 - Universal City, CA @ Gibson Amphitheatre
» 10/13 - Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
» 10/14 - Houston, TX @ Toyota Center

• Daddy Yankee, Fergie Get Caliente On The Set Of His "Impacto" Remix Video

• Daddy Yankee

Kelly Clarkson
Photo: Michael Buckner/ Getty Images

Kelly Clarkson has decided to go with "Never Again" as the first single from her third album, My December, according to a post on her Web site. She said the single will hit radio on April 11 and provided some details about the album: "I know y'all have been waiting but just imagine having the music for months and not being able to show anyone ... it's torture!! The album is very much a story of my life and as you know my life is usually very intense with lots of roller-coaster rides. [The album's] got some killer rock stuff, some fun soulful tracks, some beautiful and intimate slower songs, and it's all me, so here's to hoping you like it, haha! My album will be dropping this summer (FINALLY) ... and I'm touring again this summer as well and I can't wait to see y'all." ...

Clarkson is slated to perform live as part of the two-night charity special "Idol Gives Back," which will air April 24-25 during the singing competition's normal time slots. The program is being held in conjunction with the Charity Projects Entertainment Fund and will raise awareness and funds for children living in extreme poverty in the U.S. and Africa. The wide-ranging cast of guest stars includes Daniel Radcliffe, Gwen Stefani, Pink, Forest Whitaker, Helena Bonham Carter, Hugh Grant and Keira Knightley. ... In other "Idol" news, Tony Bennett — despite guesting on the show Tuesday night — has bailed from a scheduled Wednesday night (April 4) appearance on "Idol." A spokesperson for the singer reportedly told "Access Hollywood" Bennett has a cold. ...

Christina Aguilera and Nicole Kidman have joined Lifetime's End Violence Against Women campaign, which focuses on helping women around the world as well as promoting the Violence Against Women Act in the U.S. Aguilera will star in a public-service announcement that will air on the TV channel and at concerts on her Back to Basics Tour, and she's also designed scarves and ties — to be distributed to members of the White House and Congress — that signify solidarity with victims of domestic violence. Kidman will also tape a PSA and, on LifetimeTV.com, discuss visiting sexual-assault survivors in Kosovo as part of her stint as goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Fund for Women. ... "Spider-Man 3" will premiere in Queens, New York — Spidey's hometown — at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 30, The Associated Press reports. The screening will kick off "Spider-Man Week in NYC," a citywide promotional event. The movie opens nationwide May 4. ...

Beck, who got creative last year by blanketing his Information disc with make-your-own artwork, is finding more ways to break from the norm. For a limited time, fans can grab their own Beck Sketchel shoulder bag, which incorporates Information art, via Beck.com. ... Panic! at the Disco, Wu-Tang Clan and the Shins lead the list of artists announced for Seattle's annual Bumbershoot music-and-arts festival. The partial list of acts slated for this year's event, scheduled for September 1-3, also includes Lupe Fiasco, Plain White T's, Crowded House, Steve Earle, Devotchka, Devendra Banhart, Gogol Bordello, Kill Hannah, Lyrics Born, Norma Jean, Roky Erickson & the Explosives and the Aggrolites. ...

Little Kids Rock, an innovative nonprofit music-education program that provides free instruments and lessons to children in public schools, has announced that it will be the sole beneficiary of the Six-String Masterpieces memorial tribute, auction and benefit concert honoring late Pantera/Damageplan guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. The event is set for May 17 at West Hollywood, California's House of Blues and will feature an auction of electric guitars designed and hand-painted by the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie, Tommy Lee, Marilyn Manson, Dave Navarro, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, and Slash. Artists scheduled to perform during the event include Navarro, Scott Ian (Anthrax), Aaron Lewis (Staind), Kerry King (Slayer) and Dimebag's brother, Hellyeah's Vinnie Paul. Hatebreed's Jamey Jasta will host the event. ...

Daddy Yankee has finally settled on a release date for his long-awaited major-label debut, The Cartel: The Big Boss. The Interscope set will drop June 5 and is slated to feature contributions from Akon, Jim Jones, Will.I.Am, Fergie and Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls. Yankee also recruited producer Scott Storch, who worked on the album's first single, "Impacto." ... Hip-hop tastemaker El-P is stepping out for a North American tour this spring. The 25-date stint begins April 27 with his appearance at the Coachella fest in Indio, California, and winds down June 8 in Washington, D.C. ... The oft-delayed Lost Tracks of Danzig, a two-disc box set of previously unreleased material, has been slated for a May 29 release. The set will come with a 12-page booklet of photos and a short anecdote about each song as remembered by frontman Glenn Danzig. ...

Director Robert Clark, best known for helming the 1983 holiday classic "A Christmas Story," was killed along with his son Wednesday after being hit by an alleged drunk driver, AP reports. Clark, 67, and his 22-year-old son, Ariel Hanrath-Clark, were involved in a head-on collision on Southern California's Pacific Coast Highway early Wednesday morning. The driver of the other vehicle is being hospitalized and, after being treated, will be booked for investigation of "gross vehicular manslaughter." ...

Prosecutors painted a grim picture of famed music producer Phil Spector on Tuesday in advance of his upcoming murder trial in the 2003 shooting of actress Lana Clarkson. They revealed new evidence that Spector had threatened women with violence several times in the past, including telling a man working security at a holiday party thrown by comic Joan Rivers that women "deserve to die. They all deserve a bullet in their ... head." The Los Angeles Times reports that a former assistant is ready to testify that Spector put a gun to her head and refused to let her leave his home after parties. Prosecutors revealed the past threats in court motions seeking to introduce the new evidence at Spector's murder trial later this month. Prosecutors also said that one of Rivers' former bodyguards has also told them that he recalled several instances where Spector spoke of shooting women. ...

Patti Smith's upcoming album 12 — a collection of covers including reinterpretations of songs by Nirvana, Stevie Wonder, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan and Tears for Fears — is due April 17. ... The Fratellis and Jon Spencer & the Elegant Too have contributed new music to the "Hot Fuzz" soundtrack, due April 17. The disc also features previously released songs by the Kinks, XTC, Adam Ant and the Troggs — as well as composer David Arnold's 23-minute "Hot Fuzz Suite." The cop comedy from the filmmakers behind "Shaun of the Dead" is due in theaters April 20.

04.03.2007

Ciara will perform her new single, "Like a Boy," on the "Dancing With the Stars" results show Tuesday night (April 3). The program airs at 9 p.m. ET on ABC. ...

Kanye West has a lot to say — about almost everything — so Complex magazine is giving the rapper/producer the opportunity to unleash his inner red-carpet critic. West is returning to the magazine as a fashion columnist, a post he originally held from 2004-'05. His next critique will appear in the magazine's April/May fifth-anniversary issue, out next week. ...

Could Timbaland be the next celeb putting his muscles to use in a wrestling ring? Only time will tell, but the hitmaker did appear on "WWE Raw" Monday night. Tim, who was interviewed in his front-row seat, told the audience he was there as a fan — and really excited to see wrestling legend "Nature Boy" Ric Flair. Timbaland also said he wanted to feature Ashley and some other WWE Divas in his next video, "Throw It on Me." ...

Metallica in jammies? Swedish authorities are refusing to let a couple name their 6-month-old child after the famed metal band, The Associated Press reports. Metallica Tomaro has already been baptized, but the Swedish National Tax Board won't allow her parents to register the name because, according to Swedish paper The Local, it's too closely related to the word "metal." Believe it or not, there's actually already another Swedish girl named Metallica, but the tax board contends that its decision to previously authorize the name may have been an oversight. ... Godsmack, Sevendust, Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace and Puddle of Mudd have been confirmed for Edge Fest, which will go down June 8 at the North Shore River Walk Park in North Little Rock, Arkansas. More bands will be added to the bill in the coming weeks. ...

Billy Joe Shaver is wanted by police after allegedly shooting and wounding a man outside a bar in Texas over the weekend, AP reports. The incident happened Saturday night in Lorena, where — according to Shaver's attorney, Joseph A. Turner — an intoxicated man followed the country singer into the bar parking lot, at which point Shaver shot him in self-defense. Arrest warrants for aggravated assault and possession of a firearm have been issued for the country singer, Shaver's attorney told the news service. ...

Pearl Jam have confirmed reports that they will headline the August 5 closing night of this summer's Lollapalooza. Early bird tickets for Lollapalooza — set for August 3-5 at Chicago's Grant Park — go on sale Tuesday, and the full lineup for the show will be announced April 12. So far, the Lollapalooza gig is Pearl Jam's only U.S. show scheduled for this year, according to the band's Web site. ... The Good, the Bad & the Queen squeezed out a new EP, Live From SoHo, exclusively through iTunes on Tuesday. The five-song set was recorded March 12 at the Apple Store in New York's SoHo neighborhood and marked the Damon Albarn-led group's first U.S. performance. ...

We won't be seeing that Kid Rock/ Scott Stapp sex tape after all. Former Creed frontman Stapp recently settled his lawsuit against World Wide Red Light District — he had sought to block the company from distributing a video of him and Rock entertaining groupies on a tour bus in 1999. Stapp had claimed the tapes of the romp were stolen from a safe in his home. Under the terms reached Friday, according to Los Angeles CBS affiliate KCAL, World Wide agreed not to resume distributing the footage, which the company has admitted it does not own. Stapp's lawyer also said the singer will receive an undisclosed cash settlement as part of the deal. ...

Prince is packing up his Las Vegas show at the end of the month. The singer's six-month residency at the Rio Hotel & Casino is slated to end on April 28, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. After playing weekend gigs since November at the casino's 3121 nightclub, the Purple One seems poised to hit the road in support of a new album. His Web site now features a teaser video in which a screen of static crackles and then clears up briefly, revealing a glimpse of Prince standing over a floating Earth with the words "Planet Earth" splashed across the page followed by "coming soon, summer 2007." ... Former Spice Girl Melanie Brown gave birth to a baby girl in Los Angeles on Tuesday, BBC News reports. Brown has previously said ex-boyfriend Eddie Murphy is the child's father, but Murphy told Dutch TV show "RTL Boulevard" in December that he wouldn't "know whose child that is until it comes out and has a blood test." ...

Thursday have canceled all tour plans for the remainder of this year, citing "circumstances beyond our control." In a post on their MySpace page, Thursday wrote that they "sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause, and we're disappointed that we won't be seeing the people and places that we were looking forward to. We would like everyone to know that we will be devoting all of our time and energy this year to the future of our band. We recently got a second chance to start this band over fresh and we don't plan on wasting that chance." Thursday recently parted ways with Island Records after releasing two albums on the label. ...

Prosecutors declined to file criminal charges of involuntary manslaughter against a Sacramento, California, radio station over a stunt in which 28-year-old Jennifer Strange died of water intoxication. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the Sacramento County District Attorney found that Strange willingly participated in the January 12 morning radio bit on KDND-FM called "Hold your wee for a Wii," in which contestants had to drink large quantities of water over a four-hour period without urinating. After drinking almost two gallons of water, Strange complained of headaches and disorientation but showed no symptoms of being seriously ill, the judge ruled. She died at home later that day.

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Daddy Yankee, Fergie Get Caliente On The Set Of His "Impacto" Remix Video

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