Rock News Two: The week in pop music

EMINEM

Eminem is being sued -- again. This time, it's by a childhood chum who claims the rapper defamed him in the song "Brain Damage," from the album "The Slim Shady LP."

DeAngelo Bailey, a sanitation worker who wants a rap career, is suing his former grade school classmate for $1 million, claiming the tune damaged his reputation.

The Detroit Free Press printed lyrics from the song: "I was harassed daily by this fat kid named DeAngelo Bailey. An eighth-grader who acted so obnoxious, 'cause his father boxes. So every day he'd shove me into the lockers." Bailey denies harassing or beating up Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III.

In the past, Eminem has been sued by his ex-wife, Kim, and his mother.

Meanwhile, the residents of Highland Park, Mich., are planning a lawsuit against the Detroit suburb to block the burning of an abandoned house for a movie loosely based on the controversial rapper's life.

The movie starring Eminem has been shooting in Detroit and Warren and producers have a deal to film a burning house scene in Highland Park. However, Highland Park City Councilman Earl Wheeler Jr. told a community meeting earlier this week that the arson scene was "psychological genocide used to reduce our city to subhumans."

Angry neighbors and officials say they will go to court to block the filming, which is expected to take two nights.

JAY-Z

Rapper Jay-Z has been sentenced to three years' probation after pleading guilty in New York to stabbing a man in a nightclub.

The Grammy-winning rapper -- whose real name is Shawn Carter -- admitted to the stabbing seven weeks ago. The judge told him he could still end up in jail in the third-degree assault case if he gets in trouble of any kind over the next three years.

After he was sentenced earlier this week, Jay-Z signed autographs for fans at the Manhattan courthouse.

According to the New York Daily News, the stabbing victim -- Lance Rivera -- became reluctant to testify against Jay-Z after the rapper paid him $600,000. He might have faced 15 years in jail if convicted at a trial.

(Thanks to UPI Feature Reporter Dennis Daily)

KID ROCK

Kid Rock's one-of-a-kind electric guitar, made especially for him, is missing and presumed stolen.

The guitar -- a new Gibson SG model custom-painted in a "stars and stripes" motif -- was discovered missing by customs inspectors overseas, where Kid Rock arrived earlier this week on his way to an undisclosed location to perform for U.S. service personnel as part of an MTV/USO holiday television special, which also includes Jennifer Lopez and Ja Rule.

The guitar was last seen at Kid Rock's Michigan studio, where it was packed up with a number of other guitars and transported to the airport along with other equipment. Also missing is a hand-made rhinestone and beaded guitar strap embroidered with the name "ROCK."

Kid Rock had hoped to play the guitar on stage for the first time during the taping of the MTV/USO show. "I just want to get it back," he said.

That concert -- titled "For the Troops: An MTV/ USO Special" -- will air on MTV in the United States on New Year's Day (at 2 p.m. ET/PT).

Kid Rock's new album, "COCK," was released Nov. 20.

BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS

R. Kelly -- the big winner at Tuesday's 2001 Billboard Music Awards -- says working behind the camera may be his next career move.

Music and videos are "kind of forcing me into film," Kelly said. "In fact, I'm going to Los Angeles to meet with movie people. I know I can direct and score. So hopefully one of those will work for me."

Kelly snared six trophies, including R&B/hip-hop artist of the year.

The winners:

Artist of the year: Destiny's Child

Male artist of the year: Shaggy

Catalog artist of the year: Creed

Artist of the year, duo/group: Destiny's Child

New artist of the year: Lifehouse

Female new artist of the year: Alicia Keys

Album of the year: the Beatles, "1" (Capitol)

Male albums artist of the year: Shaggy

Catalog album of the year: Creed, "My Own Prison" (Wind-Up)

Hot 100 Singles artist of the year: Destiny's Child

Hot 100 Single of the year: Lifehouse, "Hanging by a Moment"

Soundtrack single of the year: Destiny's Child, "Independent Women Part 1" (from "Charlie's Angels)

Hot 100 Singles artist of the year, duo/group: Destiny's Child

R&B/hip-hop artist of the year: R. Kelly

R&B/hip-hop albums artist of the year: R. Kelly

Female R&B/hip-hop artist of the year: Jill Scott

New R&B/hip-hop artist of the year: Alicia Keys

R&B/hip-hop album of the year: R. Kelly, "Tp-2.Com" (Jive)

R&B/hip-hop singles artist of the year: R. Kelly

R&B/hip-hop single of the year: R. Kelly, "Fiesta" featuring Jay-Z

R&B/hip-hop songwriter of the year: R. Kelly

Country artist of the year: Tim McGraw

Male country artist of the year: Tim McGraw

Country albums artist of the year: Tim McGraw

New country artist of the year: Jamie O'Neal

Country album of the year: Tim McGraw, "Greatest Hits" (Curb)

Country single of the year: Brooks & Dunn, "Ain't Nothing 'Bout You"

Country single artist of the year: Tim McGraw

Rock artist of the year: Godsmack

Rock new artist of the year: Lifehouse

Modern rock artist of the year: Linkin Park

Modern rock single of the year: Incubus, "Drive"

Rap artist of the year: Lil' Romeo

Rap single of the year: Lil Bow Wow, "Bow Wow (That's My Name)"

Adult contemporary single of the year: Lee Ann Womack, "I Hope You Dance"

Century Award: John Mellencamp

Artist Achievement Award: Janet Jackson

Biggest one-week sales for an album in 2001: 'N Sync, "Celebrity" (Jive)

Special award for first four albums debuting at No. 1: DMX

MY VH1 MUSIC AWARDS

Dave Matthews was the big winner at Sunday night's My VH1 Music Awards '01. Matthews and violinist Boyd Tinsley -- accepting on behalf of their bandmates -- left Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium with three awards: My Favorite Group, Must Have Album for "Everyday" and Damn I Wish I Wrote That! (Song of the Year) for "The Space Between."

The group was also honored for their fan site nancies.org in the Coolest Fan Website category.

DMB and U2 led the pack with six nominations each coming into the second-annual awards show. But the Irish rockers struck out each time, taking home no awards.

All the winners, as well as the categories and nominations that spawned them, were determined by fan votes cast on VH1.com.

The winners:

Must Have Album -- Dave Matthews Band, Everyday

Your Song Kicked Ass but Was Played Too Damn Much --- Staind, "It's Been Awhile"

Welcome to the Big Time -- Alicia Keys

Is It Hot in Here or Is It Just My Video? -- Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya & Pink, "Lady Marmalade"

Best Kept Secret -- Coldplay

Damn I Wish I Wrote That! (Song of the Year) --- Dave Matthews Band, "The Space Between"

My Favorite Male Artist -- Lenny Kravitz

My Favorite Female Artist -- Gwen Stefani

My Favorite Group -- Dave Matthews Band

Hottest Live Show -- Bon Jovi

Navel Academy (Best Bellybutton Appearance) -- Britney Spears

My Favorite Video -- Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya & Pink, "Lady Marmalade"

Best Actor in a Video --- Christopher Walken, Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice"

There's No "I" in Team (Best Collaboration) --- All-Star Tribute, "What's Going On"

Coolest Fan Web site -- Dave Matthews Band, nancies.org

Big in Japan (International) --- Coldplay

SPIN'S 'YEAR IN MUSIC'

Spin magazine will name U2, System of a Down and Missy Elliott as the year's best in its January "Year in Music" issue, on newsstands Dec. 11.

The Irish rockers spent the year on the road on their sold-out "Elevation" tour in support of their 10th album, "All That You Can't Leave Behind." They're the publication's 2001 Band of the Year. The 2001 Album of the Year is System of a Down's "Toxicity," and Elliott's "Get Ur Freak On" is the 2001 Single of the Year.

The Spin magazine Year in Music 2001 Awards:

Band of the Year -- U2

Album of the Year -- "Toxicity," System of a Down

Single of the Year -- "Get Ur Freak On," Missy Elliott

Best Live Act -- Radiohead

Best New Band -- Gorillaz

Best Rapper -- Jay-Z

Best DJs -- Basement Jaxx

Best Sidekick -- Gwen Stefani

Trend of the Year -- Nu Metal's assault of primal discontent

Comeback of the Year -- Weezer

The Top 10 Albums of 2001:

1. System of a Down, Toxicity (American Recordings)

2. Radiohead, Amnesiac (Capitol)

3. Basement Jaxx, Rooty (XL Recordings/Astralwerks)

4. Bob Dylan, Love and Theft (Columbia)

5. Björk, Vespertine (Elektra)

6. Gorillaz, Gorillaz (Virgin)

7. Jay-Z, Blueprint (Roc-a-Fella)

8. Daft Punk, Discovery (Virgin)

9. Weezer, Weezer (Geffen)

10. Tori Amos, Strange Little Girls (Atlantic)

The Top 10 Singles of 2001:

1. Missy Elliott, "Get Ur Freak On" (Elektra)

2. Madonna, "Don't Tell Me" (Maverick)

3. Daft Punk, "Digital Love" (Virgin)

4. Nelly, "Ride Wit Me" (Universal)

5. Destiny's Child, "Independent Woman" (Columbia)

6. Staind, "Outside" (Flip/Elektra)

7. Gorillaz, "19-2000" (Virgin)

8. Aaliyah, "We Need A Resolution" (Blackground/Virgin)

9. M.O.P, "Ante Up (Robbing-Hoodz Theory)" (Loud)

10. Basement Jaxx, "Romeo" (XL Recordings/Astralwerks)

CREED

Creed says the first leg of its "Weathered" tour, slated to start in mid-January, will not include Puddle of Mudd as originally reported.

The band, its fans, radio stations and concert promoters were very excited about the addition of Puddle of Mudd to the U.S. dates. Unfortunately, after the addition of Puddle of Mudd was announced by the bands' respective booking agencies, representatives for Puddle of Mudd canceled the dates with no explanation given.

Creed is already in contact with other bands about filling the vacancy and an announcement will be made soon.

ALICIA KEYS

Alicia Keys is taking to the road. The singer Rolling Stone magazine has named "Artist of the Year" kicks off her first major North American solo tour Jan. 22 in Hartford, Conn.

"This year has been incredible and I am so looking forward to getting out and playing live around the country, it gives me an opportunity to be intimate with the people that have supported my music and I can't wait," said Keys.

Keys's debut album, "Songs In A Minor" has just been certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA. She has garnered five American Music Award and eight Billboard Award nominations. The Billboard Awards will be handed out Tuesday night.

Tour dates:

DATE CITY VENUE

Jan 22 Hartford, Conn. Oakdale

Jan 23 Washington, D.C. DAR Constitution Hall

Jan 25 Philadelphia Tower Theater

Jan 26 Boston Orpheum

Jan 28 Toronto, Canada Massey Hall

Jan 29 Detroit State Theater

Jan 30 Cleveland, Ohio State Theater

Feb 1-2 New York City Radio City Music Hall

Feb 4 Columbus, Ohio Palace Theater

Feb 5 Milwaukee, Wis. Riverside

Feb 7-8 Chicago Arie Crown

Feb 11 Richmond, Va. Landmark

Feb 12 Charlotte, N.C. Ovens Auditorium

Feb 15 Orlando, Fla. Hard Rock

Feb 16 Atlanta Tabernacle

Feb 18 New Orleans, La. Saenger

Feb. 19 Houston Aerial Theater

Feb 20 Dallas Bronco Bowl

Feb 22 Denver Fillmore

Feb 28-Mar 1 Los Angeles Wiltern

Mar 3-4 Oakland, Calif. Paramount

Mar 6 Phoenix, Ariz. Gammage

Mar 8 Las Vegas Aladdin

Mar 10 San Diego, Calif. Copley Symphony Hall

NEW ALBUM NEWS

-- Mariah Carey's "Greatest Hits" (on Columbia Records) hit stores Tuesday. The double album brings together recordings from all of Mariah's Columbia Records releases -- from her 1990 self-titled debut through 1999's "Rainbow." In addition, the album includes Carey's duet with Luther Vandross of "Endless Love," available for the first time on a Mariah album, and the previously unreleased So So Def Remix of "All I Want For Christmas Is You," featuring Jermaine Dupri and Lil Bow Wow.

-- Godsmack will lead the way on next year's soundtrack to Universal Pictures' "The Scorpion King," the third installment of The Mummy movie series. The band will record a new track and lead single for the album, as well as head up the recruitment of additional artists for the soundtrack, which is due in stores April 2 (on Universal Records).

-- The Goo Goo Dolls are in a Los Angeles studio putting finishing touches on their seventh album, "Gutterflower." Warner Bros. Records reports band members John Rzeznik, Robby Takac and Mike Malinin have recorded 12 songs for the disc, which is due out in 2002.

-- Now in stores: "Grateful Dead: The Golden Road (1965-1973)." The 15-1/2 hour, 12-CD boxed set -- compiled with the cooperation of the band, Warner Brothers Records and Rhino Records -- includes all nine essential Grateful Dead albums and seven hours of previously unreleased material from the infamous Grateful Dead vaults in Northern California. Each digitally remastered disc clocks in at nearly 79 1/2 minutes of music, with bonus tracks and rarities on every one of the 12 CDs. "Golden Road" also features pre-Dead nuggets from the years when the Dead were known as The Warlocks as well as The Emergency Crew.

-- The Wu-Tang Clan's latest album, "Wu-Tang Iron Flag," hits stores Dec. 18 (on Loud Records). It comes a little more than a year after the group's last platinum-plus CD, "The W." The album's first single, "The Rules," includes a direct message from Ghostface Killah for the terrorists responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks: "Who the f**k knocked our buildings down, Who the man behind the World Trade massacre, Step up now, Where the four planes at ... Fly that sh*t over my hood and get blown to bits."

-- Rapper Mack 10's Cash Money Records debut album "Bang Or Ball" is being released next Tuesday. The 18-track album includes collaborations with labelmate BG, and Mack 10's longtime friends W.C. and hip-hop superstar Ice Cube.

GEORGE HARRISON'S LAST ALBUM

A last album of George Harrison's music was being finished in secrecy in the months before his death.

That's according to the Sunday Times of London, which reported the ex-Beatle played the new tracks to his family and friends at a Los Angeles hospital four days before he died on Thursday after a long battle with cancer.

"His wife Olivia and son Dhani seem certain to release the CD as a tribute to Harrison's courage in the face of the cancer that killed him at the age of 58," the newspaper said.

It said the new release could repeat the success of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Double Fantasy" album, which sold millions of copies during the international outpouring of grief that followed Lennon's murder in New York in December 1980.

NEIL YOUNG

Neil Young reportedly has been distributing a CD to radio stations containing a song he wrote and recorded as a tribute to the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 -- the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania, apparently before hijackers could ram it into a target in Washington, D.C.

The song is called "Let's Roll" -- after the final words of passenger Todd Beamer in a telephone call in which he told his wife what was going on, and said the passengers were determined to overwhelm the hijackers.

Young's record label, Reprise, has been sending the CD to music and program directors without the promotional push that customarily goes with the release of a new record.

In part, the lyrics go: "I know I said I love you/I know you know it's true/I've got to put the phone down/And do what we've got to do/One standing in the aisle way/Two more at the door/We've got to get inside there/Before they kill some more/Time is running out/Let's roll."

The song is scheduled to be on Young's next album. A Reprise executive told the Los Angeles Times that Young is making a personal donation to a fund to support Beamer's family.

Young's rendition of John Lennon's "Imagine" was a highlight of the Oct. 20 all-star TV fund-raiser following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

U2

U2 will provide the entertainment at halftime of Super Bowl XXXVI at the Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 3.

Fox TV Sports issued a statement calling the Irish rockers "absolutely one of the coolest and creative contemporary bands in the world." They'll join a list of Super Bowl halftime entertainers that includes Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, 'N Sync, Aerosmith, James Brown and ZZ Top.

ELTON JOHN

Elton John recently told a concert audience that he's retiring. But he has taken it back. The entertainer told the syndicated radio show "Live from the Lounge" he didn't really mean it when he said his new album, "Songs from the West Coast," would be his last. He said he was "just having a bad day" when he announced his retirement during a rant about how awful the music business has become.

"I love playing so much," said the 54-year-old John. "I'll probably make another record." However, he said he might cut back on the touring in order to spend more time with his partner, David Furnish.

(The above three items thanks to UPI Hollywood Reporter Pat Nason)