Three months after her first EMI/Virgin Records release tanked, the British-based music giant reportedly is seeking to buy out Mariah Carey's contract by offering her a huge lump-sum payment in exchange for her departure.

That's according to the Los Angeles Times, which puts the value of Carey's EMI recording contract at $80 million for four albums -- although other reports have said she signed for as much as $118 million for five albums.

EMI signed Carey in April after the singer had endured an increasingly unhappy stint at Sony Corp.'s Sony Music Entertainment, which is run by her ex-husband, Tommy Mottola.

But "Glitter," Carey's Virgin debut album, has sold only two million copies worldwide since its September release. It was the soundtrack to Carey's film debut, which bombed at the box office. By comparison, her 1993 album "Music Box," released by Sony, sold more than 20 million copies.

No comment on the Times report from representatives for Carey, EMI or Virgin Records.

Carey was hospitalized for a mental and physical breakdown in July and suffered a relapse in September, limiting her availability to do advance promotion for the album and movie.

U2'S BONO

One of the more visible members of the rock music fraternity, U2 frontman Bono, has been named 2001's European of the Year by the publication European Voice.

The main reason for the choice, says the newspaper, is Bono's constant crusading for humanitarian causes. The Irish-born singer also endeared himself to millions in the past few months when he spent hours in the air, shuttling back and forth between concert obligations and the bedside of his dying father, in a Belfast hospital.

The band's Web site says the 41-year-old singer is going to donate the $4,458 prize to the Irish charity Concern.

BILLBOARD'S ROCK 'N' ROLL NEW YEAR'S EVE

Several international stars have been tapped to be a part of a New Year's Eve rock 'n' roll show on Fox. The network confirms that Britney Spears will join Destiny's Child, 'N Sync, No Doubt and others in "Billboard's Rock 'n' Roll New Year's Eve." The broadcast will begin in the final hour of 2001, EST.

Other performers will include Tim McGraw, Pink, Alicia Keys, and Stone and Eve. Singer Janet Jackson will be seen during the broadcast receiving the magazine's coveted Artist Achievement Award.

(The above two items thanks to UPI Feature Reporter Dennis Daily)

BLINK 182

Blink 182 has canceled plans to tour Britain and Europe early next year because singer and guitarist Tom DeLonge has injured his back.

"I consulted a specialist and he informed me that I need to be off my feet and seeking treatment," DeLonge said. "My condition may require surgery and I will be re-evaluated in eight

weeks. At that time, we'll be able to make plans for the future."

Blink 182 has sold more than three million copies worldwide of the band's latest album, "Take Off Your Pants And Jacket."

BEE GEES

The Bee Gees are to be made Commanders of the British Empire for their contribution to pop music, a London tabloid newspaper reports. The Sun says Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb will be honored at Buckingham Palace early next year.

(The above two items thanks to UPI's Mike Cooper)

MELISSA ETHERIDGE

Melissa Etheridge's surprise concert for holiday shoppers and commuters at New York's Grand Central Terminal earlier this month aired Christmas night on the MuchMusic USA cable network.

Playing guitar and piano, the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter performed songs that included some of her best known hits such as "Come To My Window," "Bring Me Some Water," "Chrome Plated Heart," "I Want To Be In Love" and her new hit single "Lover Please" from her recently released album, "Skin."

Through mid-January, Etheridge fans can visit mmusa.tv for more information about the artist and register to win a free autographed copy of her new CD.

Alanis Morissette

The music channel MusicMusic USA showed what happens when a rock star shows up at your high school in "Class Dismissed With Alanis Morissette."

The one-hour show, which aired Thursday, documented Morissette's visit and performance for MuchMusic USA contest winner Elyse Bellamy of Plainfield, Vt.

To enter the contest, Bellamy and thousands of other Alanis Morissette fans created their own video of Alanis's hit single "Ironic," off the "Jagged Little Pill" album on the mmusa.tv Web site. The top 40 video entries were posted online where viewers then voted for 25 semi-finalists. Imagine the teenager's shock when Morissette showed up in her high-school science class to tell her that she had won.

After Alanis helped Elyse finish her science project, the two left school to spend some one-on-one time hanging out. Later that day, Morissette performed in a special concert for Bellamy and her friends at the Town Hall.

WU-TANG KILLA BEEZ

The Wu-Tang Killa Beez album "The Sting" will hit the street Feb. 26 (on KOCH/In The Paint and Wu Tang Records). The CD featurese new tracks from The RZA AKA Bobby Digital, ODB, U-God, Inspectah Deck from Wu Tang Clan, and will introduce North Star, Black Knights, Solomon Childs and many others.

The single, "Killer Beez," is being released to radio in early January. It features RZA, U-God, and Inspectah Deck. Other songs on the record include "Doe Mai Wu" (featuring ODB), "Thugz Make The World Go Round," "Spin," "Bar Mitzvah," "Get At Me" and more.

In The Paint President Alan Grunblatt said: "We had great success with our RZA As Bobby Digital record and we hope to be able to achieve even more success with the Wu Tang Killa Beez."