Jennifer Lopez: new Idol judge? |
There has been quite a shake up in the American Idol offices today, as Ellen DeGeneres announced that she is leaving the show, Jennifer Lopez was reportedly tapped to replace her, and then more Internet rumors surfaced that judge Kara DioGuardi had been fired. DeGeneres released a statement saying that she would not be returning for the show's 10th season, and that she had told the producers months ago that she wasn't comfortable on the show. "It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for," said DeGeneres, who also hosts a popular daytime talk show. "I also realized this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings." A CNN report says that DioGuardi is also out and that the panel will be adding Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler as new judges, but so far, nothing is confirmed. However, Variety also reported that J. Lo is a strong contender for the show.
A previously unreleased Soundgarden song, titled "Black Rain," will appear in the upcoming Guitar Hero: Warriors Of Rock game, according to Billboard. The game is due out in September. It is rumored that the track will also appear on a new Soundgarden best-of CD/DVD set, expected out September 28. "Black Rain" is also expected to arrive at Rock radio in early August.Rapper Kid Cudi's next album, Man On The Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager, has been pushed back from a September 14 release date to October 25. MTV News confirmed the date change to Cudi's follow-up to last year's Man On The Moon.
Jerry Cantrell spoke to MTV News about the upcoming BlackDiamondSkye tour featuring Alice In Chains, Deftones and Mastodon. "You've got three bands that are pretty distinct, and pretty unique in their own way, and who have worked really hard at throwing out some music. And we're gonna throw it all out together," Cantrell told MTV. "It's better than a Reese's. You know, Reese's, you get two great tastes together... we're kind of like an Almond Joy. You get almonds, chocolate and coconut, so you get three great flavors on one tour."
Iggy Pop tells Rolling Stone that a re-issue of his solo record Kill City is due October 19, and that the remaining Stooges are considering a new album as well. "[Guitarist] James [Williamson] is always sending me new music. The riffs are really good. And I even did vocals for it. I try to makes songs out of it, but I don't think any of it works yet."
Tegan and Sara have re-issued their past five albums on vinyl for the first time, as The Official Vinyl Collection Box Set. The set is coming August 31 from Warner Bros. and includes a bonus record, Home Recordings, of nine demo songs. Tegan and Sara are currently on tour with the Honda Civic Tour, headlined by Paramore.
Rockers Crossfade return with We All Bleed, due out in October via Eleven Seven Music. The lead single, "Killing Me Inside," is described by singer Ed Sloan as being "a little ambiguous, but I actually find this song therapeutic."
Tears For Fears kick off a summer tour in the Bahamas tonight, before beginning a North American tour on August 12 in Detroit. The trek wraps up in Richmond, VA on September 5.
