Elton John Hospitalized for e-coli- Rihanna To Talk Abuse on TV- Idol Stalker Charged- Free Wyclef Jean Jam- Michael Jackson King of Movies- Spice Girls Reunion and more

Lawyers for Roman Polanski will argue for the director's 1970s child sex conviction to be dismissed for judicial misconduct at a hearing in Los Angeles next month, legal sources said. more
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Rihanna Announces Rated R Details

PR reports: The countdown to the most anticipated album of the year continues as Rihanna announces the final tracklist to her fourth studio album, Rated R, set for a November 23 release on Def Jam Recordings.

At 12:00AM Tuesday, November 3rd, Rated R and it's smash, lead single "Russian Roulette" will go on sale at the iTunes Music Store. Fans who pre-order the album will receive "Russian Roulette," instantly. Included in the iTunes edition of Rated R are special, exclusive director's cuts of the videos for "Russian Roulette" and "Wait Your Turn," both helmed by acclaimed director Anthony Mandler.

Just as Rihanna started the countdown to her album launch and debuted her first single on her website, the "Wait Your Turn" video will premiere tomorrow, November 3rd exclusively at Rihannanow.com. - more on this story

Jason Derulo Joins Lady Gaga Tour

PR reports: Jason Derulo, pop singer, songwriter, and highly anticipated Beluga Heights artist is taking the music world by storm. His debut single "Whatcha Say," quickly reached #2 on The Billboard Top 100 and # 3 on Itunes and has sold over 1.4 million singles thus far. He is set to hit the road with Lady Gaga and Kid Cudi in December. After being discovered by super producer J.R. Rotem, American Idol judge, and Warner Bros. Senior Vice President of A&R Kara DioGuardi signed Derulo as the flagship artist for the new Beluga Heights /Warner Bros joint venture.

Jason joins Lady Gaga's North American tour "Monster Ball" starting December 27th. The tour, which also features Kid Cudi, is the perfect union for two pop stars who both got their start as songwriters. Jason is thrilled to be part of a tour that is expected to be one of the hottest of the year. He told MTV news, "I am a big Gaga fan, I was talking about being on that tour for a pretty long time, and it's amazing that it actually fell in my lap like that. I can't wait, I'm super excited I'm amped."

Derulo kicks off his portion of the tour on December 29th in Atlanta and will continue until the final show at Radio City Music Hall on January 21st. - more on this story

Fitz & the Tantrums Become Eclectic Before Maroon 5 Tour

PR reports: Fitz & the Tantrums will perform their soul-drenched pop songs on KCRW's "Morning Become Eclectic" Friday, November 6, prior to hitting the stage that evening at the Echo, in hometown Los Angeles. This will warm up the crooner and his ensemble for their two-week stint opening for pop mainstays, Maroon 5.

The aptly-titled debut EP, Songs For A Break Up: Volume 1, is equal parts Motown to 70s AM, with back-to-back blue-eyed soul jams oozing with sweeping choruses and sultry backing vocals. The five-song collection was described by Crawdaddy as "Full of passionate, catchy tunes, akin to the likes of soul master Wilson Pickett and doo-wop legends the Four Seasons." Spin.com simply pronounced Fitz "a confident crooner," and declared the songs, "Breakin' the Chains of Love," and "Don't Gotta Work It Out," as "two stone-legit, would-be standards."

Perhaps what's most incredible is, all this magic was made with merely a $50 church organ and a two-bit microphone. Wait until he gets to Volume 2. - more on this story

Royksopp Invading U.S. This Month

PR reports: The uber popular electro-pop duo Royksopp are bringing their much buzzed about live show to the US for four exclusive dates. This will be Royksopp's, Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland's first US dates in over 4 years.

Adding to the critical acclaim, legends and superstars alike are raving about Röyksopp's eclectic sound. Kanye West, Elton John and [removed] call themselves fans making their return to the US even more triumphant.

Their third studio album, Junior was released on Astralwerks earlier this year and entered the Billboard Top 200 at #139, and the Heatseekers chart at #2. The album is also the longest charting album on the CMJ RPM Chart history with 19 weeks and 9 weeks at #1. - more on this story

Leonard Cohen Hallelujah A New Biography Coming Next Month

PR reports: Leonard Cohen "Hallelujah" A New Biography By Tim Footman To Be Published December 1, 2009. A major recording artist since the release of his first album in 1967, the legend that is Leonard Cohen has had a revival of religious proportions during the past few years. After spending the best part of the previous decade living in a monastery and meditating 12 hours a day, music's most eloquent poet rose again in the late noughties, and in the process grabbed a whole new fan-base from generations barely aware of his huge body of work up to that point.

This book tells Cohen's entire, fascinating story. From his years growing up in Quebec in a middle class Jewish family, through a decade as a budding poet and author - following the publication of his first collection in 1956 - his relocation to NYC and entry into the world of folk and rock [at the age of 37] and his successful career as a singer-songwriter whose own recordings have regularly competed with versions by other vocalists. The story continues through the Cohen revival and the wholly unexpected position he found himself in, in December 2008, when 2 cover versions of the song with which this book shares a title competing for the coveted UK Christmas Number one single spot. The book goes on to include details of his newest material - his first for a decade - currently being recorded alongside more live performances.

This work includes many new interviews with key Cohen associates, brand new research and the most updated material available. - more on this story

Spin Launches Find 'Em First Magazine

PR reports: SPIN Magazine has teamed up with Best Buy and Napster for the premiere of SPIN's Find 'Em First edition, available now at Best Buy locations nationwide. The 56-page mini-magazine includes exclusive band interviews and reviews, a 20-track bonus CD, a 3 month subscription to Napster, 15 free mp3s of choosing from Napster, and a discounted subscription to SPIN Magazine. The special edition mini-mag, with a $25 value, is available for only $9.99.

SPIN's Find 'Em First mini-mag covers the best new sounds of fall, with France's break-out phenomenon Phoenix gracing the cover. Featured content and 20 track bonus CD includes the likes of Passion Pit, The Ting Tings, Brendan Benson, Juliette Lewis, Andrew Bird, and many more.

To celebrate the magazine's launch at all Best Buy stores, SPIN and Best Buy offer you the chance to not only rock out with Passion Pit, but meet them at their show in New York on January 9. One lucky grand prize winner will win an Epiphone guitar signed by Juliette Lewis, two (2) tickets to the Passion Pit concert at Terminal 5 in New York City on January 9, 2010, and an opportunity to partake in a meet-and-greet with Passion Pit. The grand prize winner and 10 runners-up will also receive copies of the Best Buy and SPIN mini-mag that will be signed by both Passion Pit and Phoenix. - Enter to win here

Thomas' Apartment Releases Tuesday Night Lights

PR reports: Thomas' Apartment releases their new alternative, pop/rock album, Tuesday Night Lights. This is the third full-length record from the band and is a collection of twelve songs, one of which exposes a personal and internal battle. One of the tracks, "Tuesday Night Lights," was written about a band member's bout with alcoholism. After overcoming the battle, the group elected to name the album after the single dedicating it to his resolve and continued sobriety. The album's street date is Tuesday, December 1.

In songwriting, the five members of Thomas' Apartment exercise democracy in which all members contribute to lyrics, chords, and composition resulting in a musical tapestry. Each track is a distinctly written chapter of their personal experiences, richly illustrating the intensity of living as minorities in America, whether felt as pleasure or pain.

The band is comprised of Pete Nguyen on guitar and lead vocals, A. Thomas Tran on keyboards and backing vocals, Billy Vu Lam on guitar and backing vocals, Nam Tran on bass and backing vocals, and the newest member, Krystal Sae Eua on drums. Tuesday Night Lights was produced and engineered by former drummer of Thomas' Apartment, Laine Baker. - more on this story

Bad Porn Comes To The USA

PR reports: Shaka Ponk is proud to finally give the U.S. a taste of this incredible sound with the digital release of their album Bad Porn Movie Trax on November 2ND.

Released under the French record label tôt Ou tard/Guess What ! (Yael Naim - Piers Faccini), Bad Porn Movie Trax is composed of fourteen high-energy tracks that display fresh talent, addictive rhythms, and that undeniable unique factor that leaves that listener wanting more from this wonderfully eccentric group.

Describing Shaka Ponk in a concise manner is certainly no easy task. These five men based out of Paris, France have created a sound that blends electro, rock, punk, and dance with a stunning live show that combines advanced digital animation with an unsurpassed display of energy from the band members. - http://www.myspace.com/shakaponk

Jets Overhead Map Out Tour

PR reports: Victoria B.C. atmospheric rockers Jets Overhead, are about to embark on a cross-Canadian tour as the support act for synthpop sensation Lights.

The 17-date tour begins in Vancouver on Saturday November 7th, travels as far east as Montreal and ends in London, Ontario on December 3rd.

Jets Overhead are touring in support of their sophomore album No Nations, out now on Vapor Records. Earlier this year the band travelled to Beijing, China for a series of festival dates and have also toured across the U.S., Canada and Europe sharing the stage with Sam Roberts, Our Lady Peace, Tegan and Sara, Broken Social Scene, The Dears, The Stills, The Temper Trap, The Dandy Warhols, Powderfinger and The Frames. Jets Overhead have also performed at the Neil Young Bridge School Benefit as well as at the CMJ, SXSW and Bonnaroo music festivals. - more on this story

Kollosus Gets Major Backing

EMI reports: EMI Music's Capitol Records continues building its urban roster by teaming up with Atlanta based Block Entertainment, the formidable label with chart topping success from artists such as Yung Joc, Boyz N' The Hood, and Gorilla Zoe For its first project together, Block,will work with Capitol on a new release from new rap artist Kollosus, whose album will debut in the spring of 2010.

Kollosus recently gained attention with his buzzworthy song, "Settin' Standards," which featured fellow Atlanta all-star Gucci Mane. The single, "Breakin' Bread," is heating up in the streets and headed to radio in January 2010. The infectious song showcases the 23-year-old rapper's confident flow, laid back but in-your-face verbal agility on the mic and is sure to be a club banger.

"Block Entertainment is a force to be reckoned with in the hip hop arena; they have continuously churned out undeniable hip hop stars," said Leonard Brooks, SVP Urban A&R, EMI Music. "As we grow Capitol's urban roster, this association with Block Entertainment makes perfect sense. We are excited to sign Kollosus as well; he has a skillful flow that reflects his years growing up in Atlanta and his Jamaican-born roots. He has a unique sense of street swagger with a global appeal." - more on this story

Rob Machado's Drifter To Be Webcast

Warner Bros. reports: After receiving rave reviews in Japan, Hawaii and Australia, Rob Machado's definitive surf travel film, The Drifter, will return home for a domestic tour starting this week. The Drifter Tour, which begins November 4 in Encinitas and ends November 19 in Laguna Beach, will cover 11 venues along the West and East Coasts, along with a few private screenings in between. "It's been a fun ride so far," says Machado of his premiere tour abroad. "Maybe not quite as fun as some of the waves I rode in the film. But I've really enjoyed showing the last two years of my life to people."

For all those who can't attend or want to enjoy the movie from the comfort of their own laptop, there will be a live stream of the November 5 premiere at The Montalbán in Los Angeles. Like every tour venue, this will include an acoustic set with Machado and Jon Swift, the full-length feature film and a post-movie Q&A with Machado and Taylor Steele. The live webcast begins at 8 p.m. this Thursday. Log on to www.hurley.com/live to watch it all unfold.

The Drifter Tour also coincides with the November 3 launch of the special edition DVD, which includes a booklet and 18-minute bonus surf segment. Go to www.thedriftermovie.com or core surf shops to get your copy. - more on this story

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