Rapper Charged With Raping Two Women- Seizure Killed Amy Winehouse?- Carrie Underwood Half Done- Gym Class Heroes- T.I. Fighting Prison- Cliff Robertson RIP- more

(Jam!) Cyndi Lauper mixed up the words to America's National Anthem during a live TV performance at the U.S. Open semifinals on Saturday. more

Rihanna To Judge The X Factor Contestants?

(TMZ) Simon Cowell is pulling out all the stops to make sure the U.S. version of "The X Factor" is a hit -- we've learned he's snagged Rihanna as a guest judge.

Judges on the show bring on guests to help them decide which contestants to mentor -- and Antonio "L.A." Reid, who signed Rihanna back in 2005, will bring her on board to help him decide.

According to our sources ... RiRi loved doing the U.K. finale last year, and the feeling from Simon was obviously mutual. more on this story

Adele Hits New Milestone With 21

(superLOUD) Propelled by the hit singles "Rolling In The Deep" and "Someone Like You," Adele's album 21 has been a global phenomenon since its January release.

Last week, it has been announced that 21 has officially sold 10 million copies worldwide.

Regarding the album's success, Adele's manager Jonathan Dickins said: "It's just phenomenal. We knew we had a good record and privately we had some targets, but you can't legislate for this." more on this story

Lil Wayne Tours With His Own Skatepark

(TMZ) Lil Wayne has seriously ramped up his tour -- TMZ has learned, the rapper is practicing his skateboard skills on the road, traveling around with his own personal skate ramp ... in the back of an ESCALADE.

Sources close to the rapper tell us, Weezy packed a portable quarter pipe into a trailer, pulled by an Escalade -- and according to sources, the tricked out SUV follows the rapper's tour bus 24/7.

We're told Wayne rips it whenever he wants -- pulling over at random places on the road to squeeze in some much-needed board time ... and he's even hired a pro skater to coach him.

Weezy's been working on his new skateboard hobby for a while now -- and while he's no pro, he's definitely improving. more on this story

War To Release First Album In Over 15 Years

(UMe) War's first album in more than 15 years, titled War.Com, will be released by UMe early next year.

The Southern California natives are best known for their blend of funk, rock, latin, blues, reggae, and soul, and their smash hits "Low Rider," "Spill The Wine," "The Cisco Kid" and "Why Can't We Be Friends?" which have all been placed in many television shows, movies and commercials, as well as sampled time and time again.

Their new album features piano virtuoso and founding member Lonnie Jordan's strong and signature vocals, genre-crossing instrumentation and a few collaborations that bridge the gap between the '70s and today. Top producer and two-time Grammy® award-winner and lyricist Malik Yusef, who is best known for his work with Elton John, Kanye West and John Legend, is co-producing and co-writing with Lonnie as well WAR's multi-platinum-selling producer, Jerry Goldstein. WAR, Yusef and producer Jerry Goldstein are working diligently to maintain the integrity of WAR's sound that resulted in more than 50 million album sales worldwide while expanding their sound to include a new generation of young fans. DJ's all over the world are awaiting the first single, "Bounce." more on this story

Jamie Foxx Added To Michael Jackson Tribute Concert

(TMZ) Another HUGE addition to the upcoming Michael Jackson tribute concert ... TMZ has learned Jamie Foxx has signed on and will perform LIVE in Wales at the October show.

Foxx joins Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo, Smokey Robinson and others who are set to perform at the Oct. 8 show.

Sources connected to the show tell TMZ ... show organizers are pumped up about Beyonce's performance -- and insist she did NOT pull out, despite a report to the contrary. We're told B is recording a "unique, never before seen performance" that will be played at the show ... just as she committed to do. more on this story

The E Family Album Coming Next Week

(UMGD) After years of playing on each other's projects, The E Family came together to produce this ultimate, long overdue labor of love, "Now & Forever."

Available in stores on September 20, 2011 on Sheila E's Stiletto Flats Music through Waterfront Entertainment (Fontana / Universal), "Now & Forever" pays homage to their collective diversity of styles, influences and experiences.

The E Family is a force with which to be reckoned. Pete Escovedo discovered and cultivated a love and passion for music, embracing Latin jazz and passing it on to his sons and daughters. Pete has performed and toured with Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Bobby McFerrin, Cal Tjader, Woody Herman, Billy Cobham, Boz Scaggs, Anita Baker, Arturo Sandoval, Poncho Sanchez, Carlos Santana, and Chick Corea to name a few. more on this story

Fan Claims Affair With Jessica Simpson In New Book

(TMZ) An obsessed fan who has tried to contact Jessica Simpson for years has taken it to a whole new level -- writing a book about their alleged affair ... despite the fact that they've never met.

Sources close to Simpson tell TMZ they have been dealing with Marce William Burchell, for years. We're told her security team has a profile on him and they are aware he is now selling a book online.

The 30 page paperback has the catchy title, "The True Story of Jessica Ann Simpson's 22 month long attempt to seduce a married man- her very Active Super Secret Sex life: True Story Jessica Simpson Seduction of A Married Man (Volume 1)" ... and sells on Amazon.com for $29.99.

According to our sources, Burchell had puppies sent to her home when her beloved Daisy went missing and once got a hold of Jess' phone number. His calls and texts forced her to eventually change it.

We contacted Burchell ... and part of his 1,732 word response was, "This book was not written to hurt her, but was written as my only way to heal emotionally from the severe trauma and pain she put me through by her heartless cruel treatment of me."

Burchell also wants to challenge Jess' fiance Eric Johnson to a marathon -- winner gets to marry Jessica.

We're told Jessica has not contacted police ... yet. Her reps had no comment. more on this story

Jennifer Lopez Moving On Already?

(TMZ) Jennifer Lopez might be moving on from hubby Marc Anthony in a big way -- because on Saturday night she went out on a date with Bradley Cooper ... TMZ has learned.

We're told the two hit up Per Se, a restaurant located at Columbus Circle in New York City. We're told the dinner was "romantic" and was just the two of them.

Lopez and Anthony announced their divorce on July 15. more on this story

Michael Jackson Post Conviction Escape Wouldn't Have Been Possible

(TMZ) The lawyer who successfully defended Michael Jackson against child molestation charges tells TMZ ... Jermaine Jackson's claim of a plan for Michael to bolt the country if convicted would been for nothing ... because MJ never would have had the chance to flee even if he wanted to.

Tom Mesereau tells us ... Santa Barbara Police told him several years after the trial that they were extremely concerned about possible violence if MJ was convicted. Mesereau says the cops were particularity concerned about the Nation of Islam.

As a result of those concerns, Mesereau says he was told if Michael had been convicted, he would immediately have been taken into custody and helicoptered to a prison facility in Lompoc, CA.

The upshot -- there would have been no opportunity for escape.

But more fundamentally, Mesereau says Jackson never talked about fleeing and says he obeyed the law throughout the trial. more on this story

Heaven 17 Launch Radio Series

(Noble) Heaven 17 have launched their own weekly radio series on Absolute 80s entitled "Electronic 80s with Heaven 17."

The hour long radio show will see Heaven 17 play the best of electronic 80s music from Kraftwerk, Human League to Scritti Politti and Blancmange. Each week the show will include a special guest.

This week's guest on the Sunday September 11th show is Kim Wilde, who, along with a number of other guest vocalists, will also participate in the "B.E.F. presents "Music of Quality & Distinction" concerts at the London Roundhouse on October 15th. more on this story