"How High" thespian Method Man is set to appear on the NBC series "Third Watch" as a gang leader who wants revenge against the Russian mob. The first of Meth's three appearances will be February 25 on part one of an episode titled "Superheroes." ... The Strokes' Is This It came in second to Bob Dylan's Love and Theft for Album of the Year in the Village Voice's annual Pazz & Jop Critics' Poll, which hit streets Wednesday (February 13). A point-based poll of 622 music journalists nationwide determined Björk's Vespertine as the year's third best LP, while the White Stripes' White Blood Cells and Radiohead's Amnesiac occupy the #4 and #5 slots, respectively. Missy Elliott's "Get Ur Freak On" was deemed the top single by an overwhelming margin over the place horse, Gorillaz' "Clint Eastwood" (a complete list can be found at www.villagevoice.com). ...

Turntablists the X-ecutioners, political rappers the Coup and human orchestra Kenny Muhammad will embark on the inaugural 20-date Adrenaline Tour on April 3 in Austin, Texas. The outing pairs musical performances with the Adrenaline Theater Film Festival, sneak previews of the latest action sports movies. ... Cutthroat game show "The Weakest Link" is rounding up your favorite acts from days of yore for an all-star edition set to air in April. Various charities will depend on Coolio, Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe, Sheila E, Deborah Gibson, Sebastian Bach of Skid Row, Edwin McCain, occasional Beach Boy Bruce Johnston and country singer Lila McCann to win them some money. ...

Sheryl Crow threw herself a star-studded 40th birthday party at the El Rey Theatre Monday night, according to the Los Angeles Times. Crow performed some songs from her forthcoming C'Mon C'Mon album for guests such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Gwen Stefani, Chris Rock, Ellen DeGeneres, Dwight Yoakam and some actual, paying fans. ... Michael Jackson, Sting and Barry Manilow will be inducted into the National Academy of Popular Music's Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 13. Movie theme specialist Randy Newman and husband-and-wife team Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson will join them in being honored at 33rd annual induction dinner at New York City's Sheraton Hotel. ...

Prince will be popping with a mini tour next month. He's lined up six dates in support of last year's The Rainbow Children starting March 1 in Saginaw, Michigan, and ending March 10 in Cleveland. ... Progedelic Welsh band Gorky's Zygotic Mynci kick off a 12-date North American jaunt on February 27 in Los Angeles and hit Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit and more before closing up March 13 in New York City. ... Following their stint on the SnoCore Rock Tour, Local H will play a dozen Midwest and West Coast shows to promote their fourth album, Here Comes the Zoo, due March 5. The trek begins March 6 in Milwaukee and wraps March 23 in Denver. ... Nils Lofgren, the longtime guitarist in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, will release his 11th solo album, Breakaway Angel, in mid-March. The record includes "Driftin' Man," which Lofgren co-wrote with Lou Reed. ...

02.12.02

"Don't Let Me Get Me," the second video from Pink's Missundaztood, will premiere on February 16. Plans for a spring tour are in the works, according to Pink's spokesperson. ... Adema were forced to drop off the Projekt: Revolution bill for at least three shows following an unspecified family emergency. Monday night's show in Lowell, Massachusetts, featured only Cypress Hill, Linkin Park and DJ Z-Trip, and the lineup will be the same for Tuesday (February 12)'s gig in Fairfax, Virginia, and Wednesday's performance in Philadelphia. ...

U2 won Major Tour of the Year and Most Creative Stage Production in the Pollstar Concert Industry Awards, which were presented February 9 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Other winners included Alicia Keys (Best New Artist Tour), George, Washington's the Gorge (Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue), Los Angeles' Greek Theatre (Red Rocks Award for Best Small Outdoor Venue), Dallas' American Airlines Center (Best New Major Concert Venue), Los Angeles' Staples Center (Arena of the Year) and Las Vegas' the Joint (Nightclub Venue of the Year). ... Our Lady Peace lead the list of nominees for this year's Juno Awards, the Canadian equivalent to the Grammys, with five nominations, followed by Nickelback and Leonard Cohen with four and Sum41 with three. Nickelback, Sum41, Barenaked Ladies, Alanis Morissette and Nelly Furtado will be among the performers at the Juno Awards ceremony April 14 in St. John's, Newfoundland. ...

N.E.R.D., the hip-hop group comprising superproducers the Neptunes and rapper Shay, put a modern-day funk spin on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in the Hype Williams-directed video for their next single, "Rock Star." The trio's debut album, In Search Of ... is due March 12. ... Speaking of Hype Williams, the director will release "The Hype Williams Video Collection" on VHS and DVD on April 30. The collection features 10 of Williams' vintage clips for the likes of Wu-Tang Clan, Craig Mack, LL Cool J, Ja Rule, Jay-Z and Nas, with the DVD boasting bonus features such as running commentary by Williams, a behind-the-scenes glimpse at a shoot and interviews. ... Donnie Wahlberg, the ruffneck member of late-'80s boy band extraordinaire New Kids on the Block, may get another chance to work his acting chops on the small screen. Having surprised critics with subtle turns in films such as "The Sixth Sense" and "Ransom" and HBO's "Band of Brothers," rapper-turned-actor "Marky" Mark's big bro has been cast as a detective in the pilot for the NBC cop drama "Boomtown," according to The Hollywood Reporter. ...

Sting's 2002 Rainforest Benefit Concert will take place at New York's Carnegie Hall on April 13, with a lineup to be announced in the coming weeks. Ticket prices range from $150 for a single rear balcony seat to $50,000, which covers a private first tier box that seats 16, two backstage passes, two reserved tables at the party, acknowledgement in the evening's program, Rainforest Foundation membership, and 16 concert mementos. ... Mick Jagger recently shot the video for "Visions of Paradise," the second single from his album, Goddess in the Doorway, with director Dave Meyers (Janet Jackson, Dave Matthews Band). Actress Jennifer Jimenez ("Blow") stars. ... Bonnie Raitt will launch a three-month tour on March 30 in Madison, Wisconsin, to promote her upcoming 16th album, Silver Lining, due April 9. She will perform her latest single, "I Can't Help You Now," on "The Late Show With David Letterman" on April 24.