R. Kelly |
R. Kelly will be releasing a tell-all memoir sometime in 2011, and the publisher, SmileyBooks, promises that it will clear up several misconceptions about the embattled R&B singer. “I’m writing this book as Robert, not R. Kelly,” Kelly said in a statement. “I’m tired of being misunderstood. I will show you the tears, fears, and sweat. I will open my heart and reveal the good in my life as well as all the drama. I want to tell it like it is.” Kelly's book will be written with celebrity co-author David Ritz and will address the loss of his mother, the motivation behind his sexually-charged lyrics and his six-year legal ordeal or child pronography charges, of which he was acquitted.Lil Wayne's long-delayed Rock album, Rebirth, has once again been pushed back. The new release date is now set for February 1, 2010. Wayne's Cash Money boss, Baby (a.k.a. Bryan Williams), made the announcement via Twitter on Wednesday. "Rebirth album pushback Feb. 1," Baby tweeted, adding, "Young Money [coming] out December 21." So, the compilation album from Weezy's Young Money All-Stars, which was supposed to be bundled with Rebirth, appears to still be on track for the original December 21 release date.
The Lilith Fair is slated to return in 2010, after a decade off, and the initial lineup of artists slated to perform has been announced. In addition to tour co-founder Sarah McLachlan, the Lilith Fair will include Sheryl Crow, Mary J. Blige, Colbie Caillat, Emmylou Harris, Erykah Badu, Metric, Tegan and Sara, Miranda Lambert, Ke$ha, Ingrid Michaelson, Janelle Monae, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and many more.
Fabolous confirmed that his next LP will be a sequel to Loso's Way. "I'm looking to come next summer," Fab told MTV. "I like summer releases. It's good timing. People are out, a lot of people need good music to ride to. I'm looking towards June or July again and come with Loso's Way 2." He also will release a new mixtape on December 25, hosted by DJ Drama. "The first mixtape with Dram was There Is No Competition. I'm working on part two — it's called There Is No Competition Part 2: The Funeral Service," he said. "We gonna make it available for download on Christmas Day — kinda like a gift to the fans, for free, to kinda go out and get the music. It will also be available on hard disc."
The Who will be honored at Carnegie Hall on March 2, as the latest tribute concert in a series to raise funds benefiting music education programs for underprivileged youth. Some of the artists slated to perform include Bobby McFerrin, Bob Mould, The Gaslight Anthem, Sondre Lerche, Black Francis, Warren Haynes & Govt. Mule, Living Colour, Robyn Hitchcock and The Smithereens.
Miley Cyrus has recorded a cover of Poison's "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," according to People. Reportedly Bret Michaels appears on the track as well. Cyrus is working on her next album, and told GMTV in the U.K., "I kind of want this to be my last record for a little while and be able to take a break and just get all the types of music that I really love... you know, my favorite styles, because in a few years, as I grow up, so will my fans, and I won't have to focus on that as much, and I'll be able to have more of the sound of music that I'm into." In other Cyrus news, her single "The Climb" has lost its Grammy nomination. MTV News reports that because the song was not specifically written for Hannah Montana: The Movie, it is likely ineligible for Best Song Written For A Soundtrack. It has been replaced by Karen O & The Kids' "All Is Love" from Where The Wild Things Are.
With a new record deal in place with Interscope through the Will.I.Am Music Group, milkshaker Kelis is ready to unveil her new album in the spring, which she wrote while pregnant. "Pregnancy, it's this insane... you feel like an animal on so many levels," she told MTV News. "It's from the level of protection and health and wanting to take care of yourself, to what's happening to your body and feeling this other creature growing inside of you. I'm in love with this little creature I made. It's amazing. How everything finally makes sense — it's like, 'I made this. This is the music, this is the real tune.' No one can prepare you... to be able to write in that moment, it's very validating." Kelis also described the music as "futuristic disco." Meanwhile, though her baby was just born, she was back in court this week with Rapper Nas over their divorce. The judge ordered Nas to increase his payments to his soon-to-be ex-wife and their infant son to $51,101 a month.
Snoop Dogg will have his own limited-run Sirius XM channel, Snoop Dogg Nation, starting this Monday, December 14. Heard on Sirius ch. 40/XM ch. 67, the channel will be hosted by the D-O-Double-G, who will discuss his career and take a look at his extensive catalog of hits throughout the week.
Canadian rockers Our Lady Peace will celebrate two of their most popular albums on a tour of their home and native land next spring. OLP will play 1997's Clumsy and 2000's Spiritual Machines in their entirety. In each city, there will be two shows over two nights. The first half of each show will be a complete album, with the second half a mix of the band's other material.
Elvis Costello will release the next live album in his "Costello Show" series on January 12. Live At Hollywood High was recorded in June 1978 and includes 11 previously-unreleased tracks.
