Music News

ATLANTA - Despite his success with the Grammy-winning, multiplatinum group OutKast, Big Boi felt artistically stifled when he tried to step out on his own as a solo rapper. Full Story »

NEW YORK - Former "Fly Girl" Jennifer Lopez is poised to return to television — this time as a judge on "American Idol." Full Story »

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - As the lead singer of Twisted Sister, the costumed makeup-wearing heavy metal band, Dee Snider has spent most of his 34 years as a rock star all fired up. Full Story »

BEIRUT - Across four decades, Fairouz's songs of freedom, justice and love transfixed Arab audiences, moved millions to tears and gave hope to the Lebanese during the darkest days of their 15-year civil war. Full Story »

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Singer-songwriter Marc Cohn has notched his highest career rank on the Billboard 200 album chart, as "Listening Booth: 1970" debuted at No. 28 this week. Full Story »

LOS ANGELES - Rapper-turned-underwear model-turned-Oscar-nominated actor Mark Wahlberg has been enshrined in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Full Story »

NEW YORK (Billboard) - A day after he logged a fifth week atop the U.S. pop album chart, rapper Eminem on Thursday claimed the lead on the Hot 100 singles chart for a second week. Full Story »

ALHAMBRA, Calif. - In the often weird world of show business marriages, the love story of Phil and Rachelle Spector is among the strangest. Full Story »

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The idea is simple but ingenious, really: Take a winsome country singer, give her a hunting show that features exotic locales and throw in a couple of celebrities. Full Story »

PARIS (Reuters) - Benedictine nuns from a secluded convent in southern France have received death threats after winning a deal aimed at creating a chart-topping album, a newspaper reported on Thursday. Full Story »

NEW YORK - William Rast, the fashion line by Justin Timberlake and his childhood friend Trace Ayala, has a new partner: Target. Full Story »

OMAHA, Neb. - Bright Eyes, Cursive and other Nebraska music acts will perform at a concert to raise money to fight a law that would ban the hiring of or renting to illegal immigrants in the Nebraska city of Fremont. Full Story »

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Eminem ruled the U.S. pop album chart for a fifth week on Wednesday, fending off a strong debut from fellow rapper Rick Ross. Full Story »

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice abandoned international affairs for a Mozart piano concerto on Tuesday, teaming up with Soul legend Aretha Franklin to perform at a charity concert. Full Story »

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Whatever your opinion of President Obama, there's no question he has spectacularly revived the number and quality of musical performances in the White House. Full Story »

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Yoko Ono will again oppose the release of the man who nearly 30 years ago killed her husband, former Beatle John Lennon, and who comes up for parole next month, her lawyer said. Full Story »

DETROIT (Billboard) - The Beach Boys will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first single "Surfin'" in 2011, but band member Mike Love says any specific reports about how they'll do that are premature. Full Story »

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - American rock band Kings of Leon said they were forced to abandon a concert in St. Louis at the weekend after three songs because pigeons kept pooping on them from the rafters. Full Story »