Kelly Clarkson Songwriter Denies Beyonce Song Ripoff

And now Tedder, who co-wrote Leona Lewis' megahit Bleeding Love, is breaking his silence over the controversy, admitting the American Idol winner's comments are "hurtful and absurd". He said, "They are two entirely different songs conceptually, melodically and lyrically and I would never try to dupe an artist such as Kelly Clarkson or Beyonce into recording over the same musical track. The idea is both hurtful and absurd." - more on this story

Jay-Z and Eminem Head Up DJ Hero Special Edition

PR reports: Guitar Hero and Activision Unveil DJ Hero Renegade Edition Featuring Jay-Z and Eminem. Start the party with the DJ Hero Renegade Edition Featuring Jay-Z and Eminem. In addition to the DJ Hero game, the Renegade Edition includes a premium Renegade turntable controller, hardshell turntable carrying case that converts to a performance-ready DJ stand, and an exclusive Jay-Z and Eminem 2-CD pack featuring unreleased tracks.

The makers of Guitar Hero introduce a new way to experience your favorite music. With DJ Hero you will be the life of the party as you scratch and mix more than over 100 songs into over 90 unique mixes.

Learn basic and advanced DJ Hero techniques, then spin your way through different set lists in beginner, easy, medium, hard, and expert modes. Grab your friends and start your own DJ Hero party. - more on this story

Demi Lovato Tops chart As Idol Jordin Sparks Bombs

Day in Pop reports: Demi Lovato new album debuted at No. 1. while American Idol's Jordin Sparks fizzled out. Billboard has more: Demi Lovato's second album "Here We Go Again" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with after selling 108,000 copies during the week ended July 26, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The star of Disney Channel's "Sonny With a Chance" bowed at No. 2 last September when "Don't Forget" sold 89,000 copies.

But while Lovato ruled the Billboard 200, Jackson's 2003 hits set "Number Ones" sold 154,000 copies. However, it was ineligible for the Billboard 200, which generally ranks those albums less than 18 months old. Instead, it topped Billboard's Comprehensive Albums chart, which combines both current and catalog releases.

Elsewhere on the Billboard 200, 2007 "Idol" winner Jordin Sparks' second album "Battlefield" debuted at No. 7 with 48,000 copies. Her 2007 self-titled debut entered and peaked at No. 10 with 119,000. - But what happened to last week's no 1?

Coroner Delays Michael Jackson Autopsy Results

Billboard reports: The Los Angeles County coroner's office says release of Michael Jackson's autopsy results will be delayed.

Coroner's officials had said they were going to release the results this week but Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said Wednesday the announcement will probably not come until next week. - more on this story

Ashley Tisdale Ditches Disney Image

Reuters reports: Her platinum white hair is long gone, replaced by silky smooth, dark brown locks. Yet that doesn't stop young girls from recognizing "High School Musical" star Ashley Tisdale at restaurants and asking for autographs.

Tisdale's role as Sharpay Evans, an over-the-top teenager who will stop at nothing to get what she wants in Disney's "High School Musical," has given her a huge following and altered Tisdale's life forever.

And the 24-year-old actress is expanding her career in new projects, including her role in movie "Aliens in the Attic," which debuts in U.S. theaters on Friday. - more on this story

Jessie James Named An MTV Discover & Download

Island reports: With her Mercury Records debut single "Wanted" approaching Top 20 on the Pop Song chart, Jessie James takes another giant step into the spotlight this week as she is named an MTV Discover & Download Artist, giving millions of fans totally free, no-strings-attached access to the song for the first time.

"Wanted" has sold more than 200,000 copies since its release 8 weeks ago and sets the stage for the August 11th arrival of her self-titled debut album, Jessie James.

Jessie James was seen by tens of thousands of Jonas Brothers concert-goers last month, when she was chosen to host six shows on the road, introducing each artist on the bill including support acts Honor Society and Jordin Sparks. Jessie also performed "Wanted" at every show, and met with fans at pre-show meet and greets. After being named AOL's Video Of The Day on May 20th, iTunes picked up "Wanted" as Video Of The Week in early June, and over 200,000 fans downloaded the clip. - more on this story

Has MTV Gone Too Far?

MTV reports: In the grip of addiction, where do you draw the line between a person who can be rehabilitated and one who is beyond help? "Gone Too Far" – an MTV one-hour series developed and hosted by Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein, produced by Ish Entertainment and Gigantic! Productions – explores this question. Premiering Monday, October 5 at 10pm ET/PT, the eight-episode series will document young adults between the ages of 18-25 as they struggle with substance abuse and the devastating addictions that threaten to destroy them and the people who love them most.

One of the most sought-after DJs in the world, DJ AM is uniquely qualified to help young addicts as he too has suffered from multiple addictions, weight problems and depression. DJ AM is mostly known for spinning at Hollywood events and clubs around the world, as well as for his miraculous survival after a deadly plane crash in 2008. However, he is also a long-time recovering drug addict who privately battled an addiction to crack cocaine for six years. DJ AM now seeks to help other young addicts get off their deadly paths and onto the road to recovery.

The intense and eye-opening series features real addicts in crisis whose families are desperate to get them the help they need. Each episode will feature DJ AM meeting with the addicts, friends and families to explore their willingness to change. Through interviews and self-shot video from the addicts and families, the severity of the addiction and its crushing impact is exposed. In unexpected twists, DJ AM often uncovers and reveals new information that even those closest to the addicts are unaware. - more on this story

N.A.S.A. Launches U.S. Tour

Musebox reports: Prepare to blast off on an intergalactic musical experience when the electronic alt-dance duo, N.A.S.A. blasts off for a mini-tour this month!

With Hollywood Holt as their main support for four of the six dates, N.A.S.A. starts things off in Reno on 8/11, then heads over to LA (8/12) followed by Salt Lake City (8/13), Denver (8/14), San Francisco (8/15) and then finally landing in NYC on 8/20.

Representing both North America and South America (hence the name), N.A.S.A. went on a mission to integrate an eclectic collection of musical genres into one amazing project, and with features from the likes of David Byrne, Sizzla, Kanye West and Tom Waits, they did just that on their album "The Spirit of Apollo." - more on this story

Petracovich's Third Act

September Gurl reports: Petracovich is getting ready to release her third album, Crepusculo. She is heading out on a West Coast tour that will end with a performance on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic on September 9.

Petracovich's third album, Crepusculo, out summer 2009, finds the folk-pop songstress, (Jessica Peters), emerging from her electro sheen to embrace an organic sound more spontaneous, direct, and open than any of her previous releases. And while this represents a significant stylistic shift, her artful approach is still firmly intact through a fascination with sonic textures and poetic but unadorned lyrics. The result is an artfully crafted, happy collection of songs anchored by an emotional depth and honesty that is nothing less than grand.

The immediacy of the album's sound was born from a month of recording and mixing at Type Foundry in Portland, OR with John Askew, (the Dodos, Glenn Philips), at the helm. The Foundry's antiquated architecture, analog equipment and large sound rooms proved the perfect match for Peter's tactile sound-scapes. Creaking parlor pianos, wooden floors shifting with the kick drum and the whir of the harmonium bellows all become atmospheric backdrop to the piano centered arrangements. In this space, Peter's poignant and tender vocals find their home and her delivery is all the more devastating in its reserve as she offers up vignettes about a wayward father, sundown on a traffic-filled freeway, hotels overgrown with wildflowers, arrests at gun point and a love affair with her own heart. - more on this story

Looptroop Rockers Bringing Their Euro Hip Hop To The US

Sideecho reports: European hip-hop pioneers, Looptroop Rockers, are set to release their album, Good Things (Bad Taste Records), on August 25.

Good Things features some of underground hip-hop's most influential artists such as Timbuktu, Mapai, and the legendary Rakaa Iriscience of Dilated People. This new collection of songs characteristically displays the group's ever-expanding musical explorations to their message laden lyrical depth. Good Things is expected to be an all-star debut into the United States by the European heavy hitters.

As forerunners of the budding independent movement, Looptroop Rockers began releasing their own records in 1996. In 2000, the release of Modern Day City Symphony solidified their position as the new kings of European underground. - more on this story

Dinosaur Bones Hired F**ked Up Producer

Audio Blood reports: Toronto's Dinosaur Bones are announcing that they will begin work on their debut full length in September with producer Jon Drew at the helm. Drew, known for his work with F**ked Up, The Arkells, and Tokyo Police Club, will welcome the young band and help them shape the follow up to their critically adored debut EP.

"We're all big fans of Jon's work, so we're thrilled to have him on board. We're working hard to make something unique and exciting, and we can't think of anyone better to help us achieve that goal than Jon," says Ben Fox - Dinosaur Bones lead singer and guitarist.

The band has appeared at Edgefest, SCENE Music Festival, Rock the Coliseum, Over the Top Festival, NXNE, and CMW this year. This weekend will see the band playing two more outdoor festivals, including Barrie's Kempenfest on August 1st, and Cutting Edge Music Festival in Kitchener on August 2nd alongside Bedouin Soundclash, Moneen, and The Roots. - more on this story

Narcissistic Duo Announce Debut

PR reports: The Very Best's, European production duo Radioclit and Malawian singer Esau Mwamwaya, debut full-length Warm Heart of Africa will be released September 22 on Green Owl (available digitally August 25).

The album follows the surprising global success of Esau Mwamwaya & Radioclit Are The Very Best, a free mixtape made available online late last year. Without promotional assistance or financial support, the collection of well-known pop, dance, afro and indie tracks remixed by Radioclit featuring Mwamwaya's singing in Chichewa, Swahili, Portuguese and English charted more than 200,000 downloads [obligatory Pitchdork name drop removed]

The Very Best is receiving critical acclaim for its high-energy live performances and forthcoming album in the wake of its first U.S. tour. - more on this story

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