Jay-Z College Tour

Prior to the tour kickoff, JAY-Z will hold a charity concert at New York's legendary Madison Square Garden on Friday, September 11th in support of the New York Police & Fire Widows and Children's Benefit Fund. For this live event, 100% of the proceeds from tickets sales and concert merchandise will go directly to the charity. For more information please visit www.answerthecall.org.

The fall tour is the follow-up to the historic "Mary J. Blige & Jay-Z: Heart of the City" tour where they performed for more than 600,000 fans and received rave reviews at every stop. The 28 date trek grossed more than $35 million. - more including dates

Mike Doughty Set for New Album and Tour

Doughty admits that his upcoming album, Sad Man Happy Man - released October 6th on ATO Records - is a reaction to his fans' reaction and that he's giving the people what they want. "I really went for the 'na-na-na's' and the simple choruses and stuff on Golden," he says. "The songs on Sad Man are more arcane and convoluted songwriting-wise, though they're sparer in terms of instrumentation. Although my choruses are still simple � I love taking phrases and repeating them ad infinitum."

The largely acoustic Sad Man Happy Man is a deliberate return to everything people love about Mike Doughty, he makes albums that simmer with verbal wit, and Sad Man Happy Man is no exception with its songs about everything from relationship bust-ups (Doughty was going through one while he was recording it) to his astute observations about the American economy. - more on this story

Janet Jackson To Tribute Her Brother Michael at VMAs

Janet, an MTV icon in her own right, will help open the entire show to honor Michael's celebrated career.

Previous reports noting that choreographer Frank Gaston is involved are erroneous. The Video Music Awards air Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 9PM SHARP (Live ET/Tape delayed PT.)

- http://www.mtv.com

Jennifer Hudson Now a Diva

On her self-titled debut album, Jennifer received four Grammy nominations and won for "Best R&B Album." VH1 viewers will now get a chance to hear Jennifer sing live at the "VH1 Divas" concert which will be televised live on VH1 on Thursday, September 17 at 9:00pm.*

Special musical guests for the show include Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Cyndi Lauper and Martina McBride. Kathy Griffin, Toni Braxton, Ryan Kwanten, Lauren Conrad, Whitney Port and the cast of MGM Film "Fame" (Asher Book, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, Kherington Payne, Naturi Naughton, and Walter Perez) have all joined the "VH1 Divas" show as presenters for the evening. - more on this story

Snoop the New Creative Head Dogg at Priority

Snoop Dogg, a true global superstar who has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and who has also become a beloved film and television personality, will release "Malice N Wonderland," his tenth studio album, this December. "Malice N Wonderland" will have production and mixing by The Dream, Christopher 'Tricky' Stewart, Dr. Dre, Pharrell, Danja, Nottz, and will feature Soulja Boy, Lil Jon, R. Kelly, The Dream, Brandy and Jazmine Sullivan.

As Creative Chairman of Priority, the label that established West Coast Rap as an influential musical force, Snoop will re-launch the legacy of Priority and will drive efforts to maximize untapped digital and branding opportunities at the label. He will also serve as Executive Producer for a new series of Priority releases slated to begin hitting the market next year to commemorate the label's 25th anniversary. Priority's genre-defining catalog includes classic recordings by Snoop, as well as from N.W.A, Eazy-E, Master P, Ice Cube, Westside Connection, EPMD and others. - more on this story

Flea and Jason Mraz Among The Surfriders Celebrity Expression

Part of Malibu Surfing Association's MSA Classic, the Celebrity Expression Session is a great opportunity to watch top-tier celebrities show off their surfing skills while demonstrating their commitment to coastal environmentalism.

The Surfrider Foundation Celebrity Expression Session will feature celebrity surfers such as Flea, Jason Mraz, Sal Masekela, Chris Shiflett, Eric Balfour, David Chokachi, Eric Avery, Peter Distefano, and Martyn Lenoble - more on this story

OneRepublic Return With New Album and Tour

In support of their new release OneRepublic will join Rob Thomas on tour beginning September 23rd at the Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, FL (see below for complete itinerary).

OneRepublic recorded Waking Up in their home town of Denver, CO. Tedder, an accomplished producer in his own right, and one of the most sought after songwriters of today, has penned and produced hit singles for the likes of Leona Lewis, Beyonce, Jordin Sparks, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Lopez and Natasha Bedingfield and is currently working with Carrie Underwood, Rhianna, Adam Lambert and Rascal Flatts. Naturally he was up for producing duties on his band's new album. - more on this story

Jesse McCartney Teams Up With T-Pain For Some Body Language

Additionally, fans can now check out an exclusive video set to the infectious track at MySpace, which includes behind-the-scenes footage of Jesse on tour and in the studio recording with T-Pain.

Jesse co-wrote the deliriously upbeat "Body Language" (produced and recorded by The Movement) earlier this year and recorded in Miami with rapper T-Pain. T-Pain took notice of Jesse after Jesse covered the rapper's single, "Buy You A Drank" during his Yahoo performance. After seeing his stripped-down version of the original the collaboration seemed a natural fit. - more on this story

Wolf & Cub Drop New Song

With its hypnotic bass and explosive guitars, One To The Other bends itself out of shape, recoils and surges back at you with each verse.

Science and Sorcery was produced by Chris Colonna (Bumblebeez) and sonically, transitions between deep rock grooves and psychedelic thunderstorms to dueling tribal beats and laser-guided rhythms. The Tripwire manages to encapsulate it all in their assessment that "No doubt Wolf & Cub will make you want to dance". And dance thee shall� - check out the video

Buff1 and DJ Rhettmatic Team Up To Form Crown Royale

The formation of Crown Royale marks a new chapter in the careers of both Buff1 and DJ Rhettmatic, and both are proud to have MYX Music involved, "I'm honored to be part of the MYX Music Label family," says Rhettmatic, "To have a company like MYX interested and excited in the music Buff and myself make is a blessing, especially during these times with only a few indie labels around." Crown Royale now joins an extensive artist roster, and are more than proud to be in the same label family as Keelay & Zaire, Jern Eye, Fortilive, Kam Moye aka Supastition, and D.Black. "They're building a strong roster and I'm proud to be associated with so many artists I respect," explains Buff, "We're blessed to have a label that believes in what we do, is a fan of what we do, and wants to join forces with us."

Karim Panni, head of MYX Music Label, believes that, "Crown Royale represents that pure hip-hop feel the game needs right now. The combination of Buff1 and DJ Rhettmatic is lethal. Rhettmatic is a good friend of mine and he approached me a year ago about the album, and once I heard some of the music, the signing was a no-brainer." I'm super excited to combine forces with A-Side Worldwide. We've both been in the indie game for a minute, and are creating what looks like a championship team." Having also recently signed emcee One Be Lo, MYX is expanding quickly and continues to affirm its spot as one of the leading independent hip-hop labels. "Buff1 and Rhettmatic is a classic combination. Crown Royale is undeniable. Both are at the top of their game right now, and I can't wait for the world to hear this music," proclaims A-Side Worldwide President Jackson Perry, "We're happy to hear that MYX is just as excited about CR as we are." - more on this story

Brookville and The Postmarks Tour

The connections don't end here either. Andy Chase mixed Memoirs and The Postmarks' female lead singer Tim Yehezkely duets with Andy on Brookville's "Break My Heart". Expect to see the pair collaborating on stage on this tour as well. - more on this story

Wait there is more!

antiMUSIC News featured on RockNews.info .