DMX's next film project, "Cradle 2 the Grave," now has a release date. According to a rep for the rapper, his co-starring turn with Jet Li should hit theaters February 28. Meanwhile, X is in talks to develop a cologne called Xcaliber, for which he's currently arranging distribution and licensing. ...

Lil' Wayne, Mannie Fresh, Ronald "Slim" Williams and Brian "Baby" Williams will hand out 2,000 turkeys and holiday dinners at the A.L. Davis Park in New Orleans on Monday. The Johnnie and Gladys Williams Foundation, named after Slim and Baby's parents, are sponsoring the fourth annual Cash Money Turkey Giveaway. ... Due in February, Shaggy's "Hope" and singer/songwriter Kevi's "Don't Talk to Strangers" are the latest in Hip Kid Hop's read and rap-a-long children's book series. LL Cool J and Doug E. Fresh contributed the first books, which are accompanied by CDs with original music. ...

Los Angeles' KROQ announced on Thursday (November 21) the lineup for its annual Almost Acoustic Christmas concerts, scheduled for December 7 and 8 at the Universal Amphitheater in Universal City, California. Audioslave, Disturbed, New Found Glory, P.O.D., Queens of the Stone Age, Sum 41, Zwan, Taproot, Trust Company and the Used will play the first night; Beck with the Flaming Lips, Coldplay, Creed, Dashboard Confessional, Good Charlotte, Jack Johnson, Jurassic 5, the Vines and Jimmy Fallon will perform on the second. ...

Bon Jovi are making hogs of themselves when it comes to pigskin performances. Following their set in Times Square that kicked off the season and the announcement that they'll be part of the Super Bowl halftime show in January, the NJ rockers will, along with Vanessa Carlton, perform in Detroit during halftime of the Thanksgiving Day game between the Lions and Patriots, which begins at 12:30 p.m. ET. ... February 25 will be a good day for Ice Cube fans. That's when the first four solo albums by the former N.W.A rapper turned "Friday" trilogy star get reissued with bonus tracks. While Amerikkka's Most Wanted (1990), Death Certificate (1991), The Predator (1992) and Lethal Injection (1993) get rejuvenated shelf life, "Ice Cube: The Video Collection," featuring Cube's first 15 videos, will become available on DVD format. ...

Former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr and his band the Healers, featuring Beatle son Zak Starkey and Kula Shaker's Alonso Beavan, will tour the States in support of the group's debut album, Boomslang, due February 4. Eleven dates, from January 15 (Hoboken, New Jersey) to February 3 (West Hollywood, California), are confirmed thus far, with additions to be announced shortly. ... Scottish rock band Idlewild have replaced bassist Bob Fairfoull with Gavin Fox, formerly of Turn, and touring guitarist Allan Stewart has been made a full-time member. The group recently finished an album, which is not yet titled or scheduled for release. ...

Aborym vocalist Attila Csihar, who used to howl for church-burning black metal band Mayhem, was recently arrested in Treviso, Italy, and charged with possession of 158 tablets of ecstasy and several grams of hash. In a statement on its Web site, the Italian band wrote that Csihar will go on trial in December, but regardless of the outcome, the band will continue. "Cross your fingers upside-down," said the band. "We will make you have news as soon as we get them." ... Chimaira will release their second album, tentatively titled The Impossibility of Reason, on April 15. Switched singer Ben Schigel will produce. ...

11.20.02

Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty and Nappy Roots joined activists Wednesday (November 20) for the launch of Speak Up, a campaign against weapon-related school violence, sponsored by PAX, Atlantic Records and Teen People, among others. In support of the cause, Nappy Roots filmed a public service announcement and Matchbox Twenty will include a special insert about the campaign in their new album, More Than You Think You Are. ...

In the "takes-one-to-know-one" department, Marilyn Manson wrote in his online journal that fellow über-controversial artist Eminem was "rather delighted with the bits of my new album he was lucky enough to hear" when they encountered one another at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Barcelona last week. ... Slayer will release the DVD "War at the Warfield" on February 11. The disc, which was recorded at San Francisco venue the Warfield on December 7, 2001, features the band's former drummer Paul Bostaph, who dropped off the tour last December because of a chronic elbow injury, and has since joined Systematic. Bostaph was replaced on the road by the band's original drummer, Dave Lombardo, who will play on Slayer's next record. ...

Videos and live footage from New Found Glory, Something Corporate, Home Grown and others will be featured on a Drive-Thru Records DVD due December 17. The video will also feature the label's latest signing, Senses Fail. ... English rockers Supergrass will release their fourth album, Life on Other Planets, in February. Since the album has been available as an import since September 30, the American release will include either a bonus CD or DVD of a full concert of career-spanning material, said Supergrass' publicist. ...

Jordan Knight, who is currently recording his second solo album with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, will sell two new singles on his Web site (www.jordanknight.com) beginning December 2. The songs from the former New Kid on the Block are an acoustic cover of Force M.D.'s "Tender Love" and a club remake of Richard Marx's "Right Here Waiting." ... If you're a punk with a penchant for Green Day, Skunk Ape Records wants you for its forthcoming tribute to the Bay Area punks. On the heels of its homage to Weezer, titled Making Noise and released in February 2001, the California indie label has issued a call to arms for all bands to submit Green Day covers to Skunk Ape Records, 8671 Emramada Avenue, Whittier, CA 90605, before January 31. For more information, visit www.skunkaperecords.com. ...

The University of Southern California dedicated an auditorium located in the

school's theater complex to the late Frank Sinatra, according to the

Associated Press. In support of the dedication, Sinatra's daughters, Nancy and Tina, will loan USC memorabilia including the actor's Congressional Gold Medal, Academy Awards, gold records and his signature fedora for public display through March. ... Coolio will connect with deceased relatives on "Crossing Over With John Edward on Thursday. Through Edward's readings, they will make contact with the rapper's late mother and other loved ones, reaffirming the crazy-coiffed MC's belief in the host's psychic abilities. ... Brian May, founding member of the rock group Queen and former astronomy graduate student, has received an honorary science doctorate from the University of Hertfordshire. May, who received the degree Tuesday at the university's campus north of London, said the honor "completes a great cycle in my life," according to the Associated Press. ...