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Thursday, 22 February 2007 |
 A judge extended Beanie Sigel's supervised release after the rapper was
questioned in federal court about a positive drug test and association
with convicted felons.
Sigel was sentenced in October 2004 to 12 months
and a day, plus two years of supervised release, on gun and drug
charges.
The U.S. Probation Office asked for a hearing
yesterday (Feb. 21) to change his supervised release status, saying he
failed to notify his probation officer that he had been stopped and
questioned by police on Aug. 20.
He was with several people, at least
one of them a convicted felon, at the time, police said.
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Thursday, 22 February 2007 |
 Britney Spears'
latest meltdown comes as no surprise to those who have known the pop
superstar longest--they insist she has a long history of mind-bending
drug use.
She was spotted with prescription pills during a
night out with pals in November, sparking initial concerns her life was
spiraling out of control, but now old friends have started to come
forward with drug-use stories.
Amanda Alexander, the sister of Spears' first husband Jason, admits the singer's drug use dates back to 2003.
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Wednesday, 21 February 2007 |
 In a week where the top nine albums moved more than 100,000 units,
Norah Jones' "Not Too Late" tops The Billboard 200 for a second time.
The Blue Note effort crowned the list when it debuted two weeks ago
with 405,000 copies. This week, the album moved 211,000 in the United
States according to Nielsen SoundScan, sliding up 2-1 despite an 11%
sales drop.
Late R&B singer Gerald Levert's "In My Songs"
(Atlantic) bows at No. 2 with 165,000, his highest charting album ever
and his best sales week since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking data in
1991. Like Jones, Levert's sales were likely fueled in part by
Valentine's Day gift purchases.
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Wednesday, 21 February 2007 |
 Metallica
will begin recording its new album with producer Rick Rubin on March
12, according to a recent post on its Web site. The as-yet-untitled
follow-up to 2003's "St. Anger" has been in pre-production for several
months.
"We really have to feel secure about the music and
know it's good," Rubin told Billboard in December about the process.
"Then in the studio, we're free to only worry about performance and not
worry about writing a song. Hopefully, we've done our homework."
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Wednesday, 21 February 2007 |
 The six adult children of singer James Brown have agreed with his
partner, Tomi Rae Hynie, on where the entertainer will be buried, an
attorney for the woman said yesterday (Feb. 20).
Hynie's attorney, Robert Rosen, said the resting place
is being kept confidential at the request of Brown's children. Rosen
said the burial may take place in the "next few days." An attorney for
Brown's children would not discuss specifics of any burial plans, but
he said an agreement was being worked out.
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Wednesday, 21 February 2007 |
 Eton John will celebrate his 60th birthday with a March 25 concert at
New York's Madison Square Garden, and two days later, Island will keep
the party going with the first single-disc package of his greatest hits.
"Rocket Man -- Number Ones" will also be available
with a bonus DVD featuring 10 videos and performance clips, including
"Bennie and the Jets," "Rocket Man," "Your Song" and "Saturday Night's
Alright for Fighting" from the NBC special "The Red Piano."
Additionally, the DVD features the video for John's new single,
"Tinderbox."
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Wednesday, 21 February 2007 |
 Pop princess Britney Spears has checked into a rehabilitation center for an undisclosed condition,
triggering a fresh media frenzy just days after her bizarre
head-shaving antics.
Paparazzi reportedly scrambled helicopters in an effort to snatch
aerial pictures of the exclusive Malibu treatment center where Spears
is believed to have voluntarily checked in.
A statement released to People magazine by Spears's representative
confirmed the singer had entered rehab. Her do-it-yourself head-shaving
Friday has sparked intense speculation about her mental state.
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Tuesday, 20 February 2007 |
 The Beastie Boys, Bjork, the Arcade Fire, Spoon and Interpol lead the
lineup for the sixth Sasquatch! Festival, to be held May 26-27 at the
Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Wash.
Manu Chao, the Hold Steady, M.I.A.,
Bad Brains, the Dandy Warhols and Neko Case are also on the bill.
Tickets go on sale March 3.
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Tuesday, 20 February 2007 |
 Busta Rhymes rejected a New York prosecutor's offer of six months in
jail on two assault charges today (Feb. 20) but is considering a
judge's deal that would let him plead guilty to misdemeanor assault and
remain free.
Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Tanya Kennedy said the
34-year-old rapper could plead guilty to third-degree assault and
receive a conditional discharge.
Rhymes, whose real name is Trevor Smith, is accused in one complaint
with beating Edward Hatchett, 39, his former driver, "with a closed
fist about the head and neck" and kicking him in the ribs and torso
during a dispute over back pay.
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Tuesday, 20 February 2007 |
 Formerly affiliated with Sony BMG, New York-based Octone Records is
shifting to the Universal Music Group and will be re-branded
A&M/Octone.
The new label's first release will be the follow-up to
Maroon 5's debut album, "Songs About Jane," which has sold 4.3 million
units in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
A release date has not yet been announced, although it
is expected to be in May. Guitarist James Valentine said during an
online chat last Friday with fan club members that the project is
titled "It Won't Be Soon Before Long" and that the first single will be
"Makes Me Wonder."
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Redman's oft-delayed new album, "Red Gone Wild," will finally be
released March 27 via Def Jam. First single "Put It Down" was produced
by Timbaland and is at radio now. 