Britney Spears Getting Engaged

And were told ... Jason did it the old fashioned way ... by asking Britney's dad, Jamie Spears, for permission to marry his daughter. And they're also doing it the new-fashioned way ... we've learned there WILL be a prenup. more on this story

Eminem Turned Down $6 Million Gig

(Gibson) Eminem must not be hurting for money these days. After all, the Detroit-based hip-hop gent just turned down a $6 million gig.

That's right – when Big Day Out promoter Ken West approached Eminem with a $6 million offer to headline the annual Australian music festival, which journeys around cities in both New Zealand and Australia, Slim Shady turned down the generous offer.

"It was la la land to think he could ever do the Big Day Out, even though we offered $6 million," promoter Ken West told the New Zealand Herald (via MTV News). Big Day Out has come up against quite a few snags trying to book acts. Over the years, they've had high-profile players such as Blink-182 and Prince ask to be considered for the festival, only to fall through.

"We got asked over a year ago by Prince's representation to say, 'We really want to do the Big Day Out,'" West explained. "At the same time we had Blink-182 chasing us for a year, saying, this'll get Travis [Barker] on a plane – neither happened. It just kept going to the end of the line, and nobody ever really said, 'No.'" more on this story

New Madonna Coming

(popmusiclife) Madonna will release her new single, "Gimme All Your Luvin'," in late January. Interscope Records has announced that they have signed Madonna to a three-album licensing deal.

For maximum promo effect, the single – which features Nicki Minaj and MIA - will drop in the last week of January, prior to Madonna's halftime show at the Super Bowl on February 5.

The song will be featured on Madonna's as-yet-untitled 12th studio album, due out in late March, which has now been completed. The record will be her first effort since 2008's "Hard Candy." more on this story

Snoop Dogg Sparks Middle East Crisis

(TMZ) Snoop Dogg is in the middle of an international crisis ... accused of sparking a phattie burbatty blunt in the middle of Lebanon, which ignited a criminal investigation ... this according to a major Middle East concert promoter.

TMZ has learned ... Big Snoop has been threatened with a lawsuit over an appearance he made in Beirut back in 2009 ... an appearance orchestrated by Middle East concert bigshot Roger Kalaouz.

Kalaouz claims Snoop blazed up some weed in the middle of a concert after-party -- which is illegal in Lebanon -- and then featured footage of the puff session in a music video for his song, "That's Tha Homie" (image featured above).

Kalaouz claims Lebanese authorities caught wind of the weed smoking -- and launched a criminal investigation into his company ... leaving his reputation "severely damaged."

Kalaouz claims Snoop also promised he could be the rapper's exclusive Middle East representative -- but after Kalaouz started booking Snoop, Dogg's people told him the deal was never officially authorized.

Kalaouz has fired off letters to Snoop's people -- demanding more than $280k in damages ... and a commitment for Snoop to perform 2 concerts in the Middle East.

Snoop's people told Kalaouz they were taking his complaint seriously -- but so far, no agreement has been reached.

A rep for Snoop had no comment. more on this story

Adam Lambert Sets New Music Release

(popmusiclife) Adam Lambert will release his sophomore album, "Trespassing," on March 20, 2012.

The album's first single "Better Than I Know Myself" will be made available for sale on December 20th at iTunes and all digital music providers.

Lambert describes "Trespassing," which he executive produced as "an exciting journey through the past two years of my life. It's been a transformative period and I really wanted to make music from what I've experienced. All these songs honestly explore the ups and downs of my reality." more on this story

VH1 Divas To Tribute Amy Winehouse

VH1 Divas plan to have a special tribute to Amy Winehouse at this year's "VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul" with performances by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine) and Wanda Jackson.

The tribute will reflect Winehouse's contribution to modern, London soul music. Some highlights of the tribute will include Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings performing "You Know I'm No Good," and Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine) and Wanda Jackson will perform her song "Back to Black."

The Dap-Kings contributed a number of tracks for Winehouse's Grammy Award-winning album "Back to Black." In addition, Nas, who collaborated with Winehouse on the first single of her current posthumous album, will introduce the tribute medley. more on this story

Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry Lead Forbes List

(Gibson) Pop and country gals fared very well in 2011, as Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Celine Dion and Adele all top Forbes' list of Top-Earning Women in Music in 2011.

Gaga scored the #1 spot, taking in $90 million with the sales of Born This Way, her blockbuster Monster Ball Tour and numerous endorsement deals. Swift came in second place, albeit taking in half of what Gaga did at $45 million over the past year. Perry landed just below Swift at $44 million, while Beyonce and Rihanna rounded out the top five, earning $35 million and $29 million, respectively. Other big showings were Celine Dion, earning $19 million, and Adele, pulling in $18 million.

Forbes assembled the list by calculating income earned from May of 2010 through May of 2011. Forbes also used data from Pollstar, RIAA and others, in addition to interviews with industry insiders such as lawyers, managers, agents, concert promoters and, in some cases, the musicians themselves. more on this story

Madonna Scores Two Golden Globe Nominations

(popmusiclife) Madonna's new film, "W.E," doesn't arrive until February 3, but it's already earning some praise.

Billboard reports "W.E." picked up two Golden Globe nominations on Thursday, including best original score and best original song, for the star's new track "Masterpiece."

The singer's slowed-down, moody ballad features simplified production reminiscent of her sound in the 1990s, while the lyrics lean on the emotional side and tie into the film's love story. more on this story

The Ting Tings Plan New Album Release

(Press Here) Columbia Records plan to release The Ting Tings' sophomore album Sounds From Nowheresville in the US March 2012.

The Ting Tings launched themselves into the world with their DIY hardcore-pop in 2008 to massive acclaim with their debut album We Started Nothing. The album spawned hit singles "That's Not My Name," "Shut Up And Let Me Go" along with "Great DJ" selling over four million copies worldwide.

Their music was ubiquitous with pop culture, and secured them a spot on Saturday Night Live. They went on to win the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for "Best Album" in 2009 and received a Grammy nomination for "Best New Artist." more on this story

The B-52s 35th Anniversary Party

(Kayos) The B-52s will kick off their 35th anniversary year with a very special show at the Classic Center in Athens on February 9th.

The B-52s have announced plans to bring their cosmic dance party back to the town where it all began, Athens, GA. Nearly 35 years to the date of their first-ever show, Valentine's Day 1977, "The Worlds Greatest Party Band" will mark the occasion with an all out call to dance in a party out of bounds that will be a celebration of the band's longtime and venerated career.

The B-52s were formed on an October night in 1976 following drinks at an Athens, GA, Chinese restaurant. Naming themselves after Southern slang for exaggerated 'bouffant" hairdos, the band soon attracted an ardent following, becoming the talk of Athens. Before long they began making trips to New York City for gigs at CBGB's, their thrift store aesthetic and genre-defying songs electrifying the post-punk underground. A record deal soon followed and their self-titled debut sold more than 500,000 copies on the strength of its first singles, the garage rock party classic "Rock Lobster," and "52 Girls." more on this story

Chris Webby Plans North American Tour

(SBI) Chris Webby will be hitting the road early next year for North American headlining tour.

The rapper's debut EP, There Goes The Neighborhood, dropped December 1st and has been making a lot of noise within the first week.

According to the Nielsen SoundScan and Billboard Charts, There Goes The Neighborhood debuted as the #8 Rap Album, #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart, #101 on the Billboard 200, #13 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and revealed Webby as the #1 Top New Artist. more on this story

Nicole Sherzinger Performs on X Factor

(popmusiclife) The judge hit The X Factor stage Thursday night. Former Pussycat Doll Nicole Sherzinger took her turn at center stage on the semi-final results show this week, where she performed a new song, "Pretty."

The track was billed as being from her forthcoming solo debut album "Killer Love" – which is out in Europe but whose US release keeps getting pushed back. The record was set for a November 15 release, but will now come out sometime in 2012.

The North American version will have a different song list than the European issue, for some reason. Video of her performance here.

NCIS Star Won't Face Jail For Allegedly Choking Neighbor

(TMZ) "NCIS" actor David Fisher won't go to jail after allegedly choking his neighbor -- because he just struck a plea deal with prosecutors ... in which the battery charge against him was totally dropped.

In exchange for dropping the choking charge, Fisher pled "no contest" to a much more minor disturbing the peace charge ... and was sentenced to pay a $50 fine, which the judge wrote off.

TMZ broke the story ... Fisher was arrested back in September after an argument with his neighbor turned violent -- with Fisher allegedly trying to cut off the guy's oxygen supply.

Fisher tells us, "I was set on by a bully who asked for trouble and lost his fight. He then goes running to the teacher and spins his lies. This is the case."

He adds, "I have not punched someone since I was at school. That was 27 years ago. This seems to be an instant karmic justice for a bully." more on this story

Linda Hogan Headed To Relationship Rehab

(TMZ) Linda Hogan's 23-year-old fiance just couldn't tame the cougar -- because he and the Hulk's 52-year-old ex-wife will be working out their issues on VH1's "Relationship Rehab" ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to production tell us, Linda and literal boyfriend Charlie Hill have agreed to appear on the upcoming reality show, hoping to fix their crumbling relationship -- and taping is already underway.

Linda and Hulk Hogan got divorced back in 2009 -- and Charlie, who Linda had been dating since 2008, proposed a year later.

As we previously reported, rapper DMX and his estranged wife are also seeking counseling on the show. more on this story