Alicia Keys
(photo: Jim Rinaldi) |
MTV announces that Jay-Z and Alicia Keys will team up for "Empire State Of Mind" from The Blueprint 3 live at the Video Music Awards this Sunday night. The network is also promising a "special appearance" from Eminem at the VMAs. MTV has announced a slew of presents for the awards show, including 50 Cent, Jack Black, Jimmy Fallon, Megan Fox, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Pete Wentz, Gabe Saporta of Cobra Starship and many more. Speaking of the VMAs, the first trailer for the Michael Jackson documentary This Is It, will debut during the broadcast this Sunday night. The film debuts in theaters on October 28. Meanwhile, the lineup is still in flux for Jermaine Jackson's tribute concert to his brother. Mary J. Blige had been expected to be a part of the event, but a representative for the singer tells Rolling Stone that she has a previous commitment in Italy and cannot attend.
Norah Jones has titled her upcoming album The Fall. Due out November 17 on EMI's Blue Note Records, the record finds Jones collaborating with Ryan Adams and an all-star group of backing musicians. Jones debuted a new song from The Fall, "Young Blood," while performing live on Wednesday at Apple's media event.
Fox has chosen comedienne/talk show host Ellen DeGeneres as the new, fourth judge on American Idol. After a series of guest judges appear throughout most of the next season of the show, DeGeneres will come on board and has reportedly signed a five-year deal to be a part of Idol.
Maroon 5 will play a brief tour of colleges in November, starting at Murray State University in Murray, KY on November 2 and winding up at Wichita State University in Wichita, KS on November 22. K'Naan will open all dates, with Guster playing as well at Bucknell University on November 14.
Wolfmother have announce a month-long North American tour in support of their new album, Cosmic Egg, due out October 27. The trek kicks off in Dallas on October 29 and wraps up in Los Angeles on November 24.
Ain't It Cool News reports that hard rockers Mastodon are composing the score to Jonah Hex, the film adaptation of the DC Comics character, starring Josh Brolin, Megan Fox and John Malkovich.
Congratulations to Good Charlotte's Joel Madden and his girlfriend Nicole Richie, who welcomed their second child yesterday: Sparrow James Midnight Madden. Sparrow is the little brother of Madden and Richie's daughter, Harlow.
Irish Rock stalwarts The Pogues return to the U.S. for a brief tour this fall, beginning in Seattle on October 10 and wrapping up with a set at the Voodoo Experience Festival in New Orleans on November 1.
