Michael Jackson Suicide Defense?- Miley Cyrus Sex Doll Sells Out- New Beastie Boys Noise -Katy Perry Still On Top- Lady Gaga Judas Date- DJ Megatron Murder Arrests- more

(Billboard) Gloria Estefan has taken to Twitter to tell fans about her newest album and collaboration with hip-hop artist/producer Pharrell Williams. more

American Idol Rejects Tour

(TMZ) Three ex-contestants from this season's "American Idol" are going rogue -- in fact, TMZ has learned, they're kicking off a 5-city tour next month ... and 95% of the proceeds are going to a very special cause.

Multiple sources tell TMZ, former "Idol" contestants Chris Medina, Rob Bolin and Tim Halperin are hitting the road on a 5-city tour, spanning 4 states -- starting off in Toledo and ending in Chicago -- and the majority of the profits will go to benefit Medina's disabled fiancée.

According to sources, 95% of the money generated by the tour will be set aside for the Juliana Recovery Fund -- a charity set up to cover medical expenses for Medina's fiancée Juliana ... who suffered severe brain damage after a horrific car accident in 2009. more on this story

Britney Spears Cheered For Not Stealing Songwriting Credit

Britney Spears has come under fire from some for the lack of "co-writing" credits on her new album, Femme Fatale. However, one of the songwriters for the album gives Britney props from not scamming fans or songwriters by claiming credit where no credit is do (unlike a lot of pop stars).

Songwriter Heather Bright wrote the following on her blog : "I would just like to address one thing! The media is talking trash about how Britney didn't write any of the songs on her album … HELLO! Wake up everybody! NONE OF THESE ARTISTS WRITE THEIR OWN SONGS!!!!!! (there are a few exceptions … lady gaga, will.i.am/BEP, chris brown is starting to write a lot of his own stuff … ummmm … and now I'm running out of artists). Anyway … here's my thing … and I feel VERY passionate about this issue. Britney could have come to me, like all these other A-list artists, and said …

"Hey, you wanna be on my album? I'm gonna need writing credit for that song AND part of your publishing even though I didn't write anything! And then I'm gonna go on tour and gross $150 million in ticket sales and not give you any of that, even though I'm performing your song!" more on this story

16 & Pregnant Star Threatened With Rape?

(TMZ) One of the young women featured on the new season of "16 & Pregnant" claims her baby daddy is such a horrible person -- he threatened to have her raped AFTER he attacked her ... TMZ has learned.

Jennifer Del Rio -- a 17-year-old who makes her debut on the show later this month -- filed documents in Hillsborough County, Florida begging a judge to grant a restraining order against her baby daddy, 19-year-old Josh Smith.

According to the documents filed in March, Del Rio claims Smith -- the father of her twin babies -- had been "harrasing [sic] and threatened [her] saying he will have [her] raped." Del Rio continued, "[Smith] has attempted to kidnap children." She adds, "Due to [Smith's] violence [Del Rio] is frightened for her life and children's life." more on this story

Air Supply's Russell Hitchcock Goes Country

Air Supply's Russell Hitchcock adds a touch of twang on his independent 2011 double album release Russell Hitchcock–Tennessee: The Nashville Sessions.

Recorded in Music City's Curb studios alongside producer Rob Rappaport, the 2-disc CD package features 20 new songs—from love-struck ballads to broken-hearted melodies and swingin' door up-tempos—crafted by some of Nashville's best-of-the-best A-list songwriters. In the vein of many a country music legend, the compilation captures a broad spectrum of feelings and emotions among the cuts "Fallin'," "These Walls," "May The Best Man Win" and "Cash's Last Days." Music aficionados will also enjoy the accompanying 24-page full-color booklet display of pictures, lyrics, musical credits and more, chronicling the musical experience–an exclusive keepsake created especially for longtime Hitchcock fans.

"I am more than pleased with this project," Hitchcock reveals. "This is not a departure for me, I simply stepped outside the Air Supply box to dip a toe into other waters, an ocean of music that I've admired from afar. This compilation will touch hearts the same way Air Supply music does—just when fans close their eyes as they listen, they'll hear and feel a different musical vibe. I feel like we ended up with a great piece of art! Recording in Nashville enabled us to create an organic product; the Southern hospitality, passion and extraordinary talents of the musicians, one and all, bled through into the studio. It reminded me of recording in Australia in 1976." more on this story

Britney Spears Debuts Till the World Ends Video

VEVO has debuted Britney Spears latest music video, 'Till the World Ends,' from her new album, 'Femme Fatale'.

The full video is available exclusively from VEVO and can be viewed on VEVO.com, VEVO Mobile (iOS and Android), VEVO connected devices (Google TV and Boxee) and via all of its syndication partners including YouTube.
Britney's new album, 'Femme Fatale,' debuts at No 1 on the album charts after selling 278,618 copies its first week according to Hits Double Daily. watch the video here

Jeniferever Recreate WWII Escape in New Music Video

(PR) Jeniferever have posted the first video from their forthcoming third album, Silesia.

The animated clip for the song "The Beat of Our Own Blood" tells the true tale of director Ashley Dean's grandfather Jack Dean's brave escape from the coal mines of Silesia during WWII. Consequence of Sound premieres the video (the first of three in a series) today, watch it here.

The album's title is taken from the former name of Berlin's Ostbahnhof. It was near here, while on tour in 2009, that Kristofer learned that his father had passed away. Reality bit where there was so often release; the structure of life on the road collapsed, and the band canceled their remaining dates. Several months later, a third album began to form; while not wholly informed by the recent tragedy, nevertheless the collection bears its title with no little relevance. Said Kristofer, "I liked the idea of naming it after a railway station since it's a place of motion, a place where people arrive and depart and sometimes maybe depart never to come back..." And, the end product is Jeniferever's brightest, most immediate long-player yet. From pain, confidence; from darkness, light. more on this story

Charlie Sheen Gets Standing Ovation

(TMZ) Charlie Sheen killed it in Cleveland Tuesday night finishing a 2 hour performance with a standing ovation.

Spies in the audience tell TMZ the crowd went insane when Sheen first walked on to the stage and instantly began chanting, "F**K DETROIT."

Sheen once again "performed" with the help of a moderator -- who fired off some questions to the Warlock and even took suggestions from audience members ... who screamed out topics throughout the night. more on this story

Thirty Seconds To Mars Go To War

Thirty Seconds To Mars premiered the video for their single "This Is War" today on Vevo.

In the clip, band members Jared Leto, Shannon Leto and Tomo Milicevic portray soldiers at battle.

"This Is War" became the band's third career #1 alternative radio single and second consecutive #1 from their platinum-selling album This Is War when it reached the top of the chart last July. Their YouTube Channel

Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs TV

Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs will appear on the April 8th episode of Live from the Artists Den.

Live from the Artists Den show airs nationally on public television. Check local listings or www.artistsden.com.

The historic Don Strange Ranch in Boerne, Texas provided a fitting setting for troubadour Ray LaMontagne and his band, the Pariah Dogs. Culminating the tour celebrating their latest album, God Willin & The Creek Don't Rise, the group performed in the ranch's beautiful Kendall Creek Barn before a crowd of four hundred fans who came from all corners of the country to attend. more on this story

Lindsay Lohan May Land Gotti Role

(TMZ) Lindsay Lohan's on the verge of signing her first big contract out of rehab -- in fact, we're told the actress is in "final talks" to play John Gotti's daughter Victoria in the upcoming biopic about the mafioso's life.

As we previously reported, John Travolta is currently hammering out a deal to play the bossman himself.

It's no small movie either -- according to sources, the budget so far is $75 million. more on this story

Peter Tosh Legacy Editions Announced

Columbia / Legacy have announced the June 21st release date for Peter Tosh's Legalize It: Legacy Edition and Equal Rights: Legacy Edition.

Both double-CD packages will contain a lion's share of previously unreleased material from the original sessions (and material previously available on very limited edition Dub Plates), along with new essays by Reggae scholar Roger Steffens (on Legalize It) and former manager Herbie Miller (Equal Rights).

The re-releases of Legalize It (1976) and Equal Rights (1977) coincide with the 40th anniversary birthday in March 2011 of NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, based in Washing¬ton, DC). Tosh endorsed and supported the organiza¬tion, and recorded a PSA (public service announcement) for NORML in 1976, promoting the legalization of marijuana. In 2011, Tosh's PSA is being re-launched at radio in a partnership between Legacy and NORML. more on this story

Chase & Status Plot US Invasion

Chase & Status have announced the US release of their UK hit sophomore album No More Idols (debuted at #2 in the UK selling 55,000 and coming in only second to Adele's 21) along with their first ever headlining tour of the US and a debut performance at this year's Coachella Festival.

The trek will find the duo playing 1,000-1,500 capacity venues and if the past five years in the UK are any indication, Chase & Status could very well be the next big thing to break Stateside.

No More Idols is the follow up to the band's impressive debut album More Than A Lot. The new album features an array of amazing guest artists including Plan B, Clare Maguire, Dizzee Rascal, White Lies and CeeLo Green (the only US artist to guest on the set as the duo went for a decidedly British flare on the album overall). Highly accomplished producers, remixers and DJs – Chase & Status (Saul Milton and Will Kennard) – really wanted to showcase what's happening in the UK today with No More Idols. It's been a successful endeavor to say the least. more on this story

Stephanie Chou Set Release Concert For Debut Album

New York-based composer Stephanie Chou has announced a NYC Release concert on April 29, 2011 at Drom for her first recording, Prime Knot, which represents a new approach to combining jazz, traditional Chinese music, and mathematics.

Prime Knot contains a varied set of compositions including jazz arrangements of the traditional Chinese classic, "Jasmine Flower," tunes inspired by knot theory, classical piano, and pop. "I wanted to present contemporary 'Asian' jazz that conjured twisted and curved images of prime knots, my favorite mathematical structures," commented Chou. "My vision is to create music that synthesizes my ethnic heritage, musical background, and knowledge of mathematics into a unique artistic voice." When asked why she chose to do different versions of "Jasmine Flower," Chou says, "Variations, fresh takes on something old, create interest and beauty—in math, music, and life."

Chou grew up in Irvington, NY, listening to traditional Chinese music at home. She studied classical piano and saxophone until focusing on jazz in college. She graduated with a BA in mathematics from Columbia University and actively participated in the Jazz Performance Program there. Chou has studied with Steve Wilson, Don Sickler, Ole Mathisen, and Patrick Zimmerli, all active figures in the current jazz world. more on this story

Life On Repeat Album Coming in June

Equal Vision Records have announced a June 14th release date for Life On Repeat's debut full-length album, Struggle + Sleep.

Vocalist Patrick Purves states, "You can expect a much more edgy and polished sound on the new record. As far as subject matter, the new album is much more honest. Every song is about a personal event that has either happened to me or somebody I know."

Struggle + Sleep was recorded at Oceanic Recording Studios in Bethesda, MD with Taylor Larson [Sky Eats Airplane, Of Legends]. Of the new release, Purves explains, "So many people go through the motions of life without getting all they can out of it and without living life to the fullest. I was once told, 'Life is nothing but struggle and sleep.' I can't help but find it to be very depressing, but very true at the same time. People should never live their life that way, filled with negativity and anger within them. I would much rather put my efforts into staying positive and accomplishing goals, even in the face of adversity." more on this story

Wiz Khalifa Almost Tops The Charts

Britney may have returned to top the charts but Wiz Khalifa gave her a run for her money with "Rolling Papers," which debuted at no. 2 on the Billboard "Top 200 Albums" chart.

With sales exceeding 197,000, the album – which marks the rapper's major label debut – is also sitting at #1 on Billboard's "Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums" and "Top Rap Albums." What's more, the Benny Blanco-produced, "No Sleep," has debuted at #6 on the Billboard "Hot 100 Singles" chart after spending most of the past week atop the iTunes singles chart with nearly 250,000 digital singles sold in the first week. Wiz plans to celebrate the success of his debut album with a performance of his new single, "Roll Up" on The Late Show With David Letterman airing next Monday, April 11th

Khalifa, who's no stranger to taking his live show on the road, is heralding the release of "Rolling Papers" by announcing the 40-city "Rolling Papers Tour." The tour kicks off on June 11th at the Bonnaroo Festival in Manchester, TN and comes on the heels of the sold-out "Campus Consciousness Green Carpet Tour," which kicked off last week in Atlanta. more on this story

The Judds Going Oprah This Weekend

(Webster) The Judds are making a trip to New York City to discuss their new documentary series, which will premiere on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) this weekend.

Viewers will get a chance to catch all the behind the scenes action as the duo embarked on their first tour together in 10 years, The Last Encore. Cameras captured their emotional journey as they worked to heal their relationship, reconnect with their fans and share the spotlight once again.

Be sure to tune in as The Judds make multiple media appearances in support of their highly anticipated new series. more on this story