Rihanna To Play American Idol Finale

American Idol will host the series' two-night grand finale from the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE Tuesday, May 22 at 8/7c and Wednesday, May 23 at 8/7c on FOX. more on this story

No Doubt Set New Album Release

(popmusiclife) No Doubt return this fall with their sixth studio album. The as-yet-untitled project will be released September 25.

Over the past few months, Gwen, Tony, Tom and Adrian have been recording together and filming the process at producer Spike Stent's studio in Santa Monica, California.

With 12 songs in the works and new artwork themes and video ideas being thrown around, it was tough to decide what to feature in their first webisode.

The band has decided to kick things off with the recording of the track "Push & Shove," which is a collaboration between No Doubt, producers Major Lazer and Jamaican artist Busy Signal. Of all the songs on the album, this is the only collaboration of its kind. Check it out here.

The Wallflowers Album and Live Dates Coming

The Wallflowers ended their hiatus last year and have now announced they are completing work on their new studio album and will be performing live this summer.

The as-yet-untitled album, their first since 2005's 'Rebel Sweetheart,' will be released this fall by Columbia Records.

The band is currently recording the album in Nashville at Dan Auerbach's (The Black Keys) Easy Eye Sound studio, the new album finds frontman Jakob Dylan joining original band members Greg Richling (bass) and Rami Jaffee (keyboards), with Wallflowers' longtime guitarist Stuart Mathis and drummer Jack Irons (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam) rounding out the lineup. more on this story

Justin Bieber Performs On The Voice Season Finale

(popmusiclife) Justin Bieber performed on the season 2 finale of The Voice on Tuesday evening.

Bieber was on hand to do the debut live performance of his new single, "Boyfriend."

The song is the lead single from his forthcoming album, "Believe," which is due June 19. Watch it here.

Matisyahu Album and Tour Coming

Matisyahu has set a July 17th, 2012 release date for his fourth studio album, Spark Seeker and announced tour plans.

Spark Seeker produced by Kool Kojak (Nicki Minaj, Travis Barker, Ke$ha) set for release on his own label, Fallen Sparks Records via Thirty Tigers/RED.

Matisyahu has also announced the first leg of an extensive Summer tour supporting the new release with co-headliners Dirty Heads. more on this story

The Joy Formidable Finish Recording New Album

(BH) The Joy Formidable have completed recording for their sophomore album which was recorded in a cabin in Maine and on a tour bus crossing the United States.

The album was mixed by legendary Andy Wallace (Nirvana, Jeff Buckley Rage Against The Machine), and the release date is to be determined.

The band will preview some of the new material on the road this summer when they play some of the summer's biggest and best festivals. more on this story

Mila Kunis Being Stalked

(TMZ) Mila Kunis' alleged stalker has been unrelenting in his pursuit of the actress ... going as far as breaking into her house, TMZ has learned.

Stuart Dunn was detained Friday, for allegedly stalking the 28-year-old actress in front of her gym ... and Friday was the third day in a row he showed up at the facility looking for her.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Dunn was arrested for allegedly burglarizing Kunis' home in January. He pled no contest to unauthorized entry into a home and given 36 months probation. Dunn was also ordered to stay clear of Kunis for 3 years.

It appears Dunn has violated the stay away order and he could be jailed as a result. We're told right now Dunn is in a mental facility for evaluation.

Kunis is freaked out by Dunn's persistence. Her assistant filed a police report Thursday night. The next day, when he showed up at her health club, cops swooped in. more on this story

Lionel Richie's Tuskegee Goes Platinum

Lionel Richie's new country duets album, Tuskegee, has been certified platinum for reaching sales of 1 million, in just five weeks in stores.

"This album continues to amaze me and I am so grateful for all that it has accomplished," Richie says. "Just when I think it couldn't get any bigger, Tuskegee reaches a new level of success. When I came up with the idea for Tuskegee, I didn't want to be confined by boundaries of age, genre or demographics. I am thrilled with how well this album has been received by people from all walks of life. It is truly living up to the vision we had when we created it."

The country duets album, which held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Top 200 for two consecutive weeks, sits at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart for the fourth week since its March 26 release. more on this story

Tank Releases New Album

Tank delivered his fifth studio album, "This Is How I Feel," this week to stores and online.

The album features the single "Compliments (feat. T.I. & Kris Stephens)" and also features a collaboration with rapper Busta Rhymes, as well as production from the likes of Troy Taylor, T-Minus, Kevin McCall and even Tank himself.

Tank is set to celebrate the release of "This Is How I Feel," with a headlining performance at ATL Live on May 15th. more on this story

Lindsay Lohan Denies Samantha Ronson Reports

(TMZ) Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson are NOT getting back together ... sources close to Lindsay tell TMZ -- despite reports the two were all over each other this week at a NYC nightclub.

Lindsay did hang out with Sam Thursday night at Le Baron in New York -- but sources tell TMZ, there was no touchy-feely business going on ... it was just two old friends catching up together.

There were reports the two might have rekindled a relationship -- but we're told that's not true ... neither Lindsay nor Sam has plans to reunite romantically.

We're told the two are simply focusing on mending their friendship after a rough break-up in 2009. They began dating on-and-off in 2007.

As one source put it -- they're "just friends. That's it. Nothing more." more on this story

John Travolta Shoots Down Sexual Assault Accusation

(TMZ) John Travolta was 2,475 miles from L.A. the day a masseur claims the actor sexually assaulted him at a Beverly Hills hotel -- and TMZ has obtained a photograph which could prove it.

The photo was snapped January 16th in NYC. TMZ has confirmed both the location and date of the photo.

The photo could torpedo the case of John Doe #1, an unidentified male masseur who filed suit against Travolta for allegedly grabbing his penis and scrotum the very same day ... during a massage session at the 90210 hotel.

And there's more ... a receipt from a meal Travolta ate at Mr. Chow in New York ... also on January 16th.

The bill totaled $382 and the tip was $100 -- the kind of generous tip for which Travolta is known. We've confirmed Travolta ate the meal at Mr. Chow.

Another masseur filed suit against Travolta yesterday, claiming the actor tried to grab his penis during a massage session on January 28th in Atlanta. The same lawyer is handling both cases.

Travolta's attorney Marty Singer calls both lawsuits "absurd and ridiculous." more on this story

Karmin Performs On Good Morning America

(popmusiclife) Karmin's debut album, "Hello," was released on Tuesday. The former YouTube novelty cover sensations have a hit single in "Brokenhearted," which currently sits at #32 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Tuesday morning, Karmin appeared on ABC's Good Morning America to play the new song.

Following the performance, singer Amy Heidemann and fiancé/bandmate Nick Koonan spoke about their YouTube reputation, with Heidemann saying she was shocked her covers of rap songs like Chris Brown's 'Look At Me Now' became popular. more on this story

Counting Crows Tap Good Old War For Outlaw Roadshow Tour

Counting Crows have selected Good Old War to provide support on the first leg of their The Outlaw Roadshow summer tour.

Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz teamed up with Ryan Spaulding to handpick the bands and venues that they loved. Spaulding said, "Sitting down and talking with Adam Duritz about the selection, it was a real no-brainer."

And on May 2nd, Adam tweeted "I love this band @GoodOldWar. They had me the first time I heard 'Coney Island' and you're gonna dig 'em too." Good Old War will start the summer stint beginning on June 9th in Asbury Park, NJ and will remain as support until the first leg of the tour wraps up in Indianapolis, IN on July 1st. more on this story

Keyshawn Johnson Unwittingly Helped Photographer Spy on Kardashians

(TMZ) Keyshawn Johnson -- former NFL star and current ESPN commentator -- unwittingly let a freelance photographer into his gated neighborhood who got busted for spying on the Kardashians.

Sources tell TMZ ... Kim Kardashian and her sisters, Khloe and Kourtney, were shooting their reality show this week in The Oaks ... the double-gated Calabasas community where Kourtney lives. They noticed a Dodge sedan parked near the shoot which lasted nearly 8 hours.

We're told at the end of the shoot, the Kardashian trio walked past the Dodge, when the person inside poked a camera out the window and started shooting. The girls confronted the dude, saying he was shooting in a private, gated community, and the guy began profusely apologizing.

We're told Kourtney called the cops and The Oaks community security who came a-callin', and quickly determined the photog had a pass to get into the community by another resident -- Keyshawn Johnson.

Our sources say security told Kourtney that Keyshawn would be fined $1,000 for letting the guy in.

We spoke to Keyshawn who says he did approve a pass for the guy -- but only to make a delivery to his home. He also says he hasn't heard anything about a fine ... which, by the way, would have to be voted on by the homeowner's association.

Keyshawn says he went to Kourtney's house later that day to apologize. more on this story

Jermaine Dupri Six Figure Song Request

(TMZ) Next time you're at a club in Vegas and Jermaine Dupri is the DJ ... feel free to request a song -- but only if you have $130,000 to blow.

The rapper was spinning at TRYST nightclub at the Wynn Hotel on Saturday ... when some super rich guy -- known as "Su Su" -- dropped $90k on a 15 liter bottle of Ace of Spade Rose Champagne ... plus an extra $40k on other fancy booze.

Sources tell us club honchos were so thrilled about the purchase, they asked Dupri to give Su Su a special VIP shout out.

Dupri not only obliged ... but he was so impressed with the purchase, he LET THE GUY REQUEST A SONG!! Which -- if you've ever been to Vegas -- never happens.

It gets better ... "Su Su" was so thankful Dupri actually played his tune he stuffed an additional $3,800 cash in his pocket as a tip!

"Su Su" tells TMZ ... he was "happy" to throw down the cash because he loves Jermaine and thinks he's a "bomb" DJ. more on this story

WWE Star Busted For Speeding On The Way To Monday Night Raw

(TMZ) WWE Star Ricardo Rodriguez got a traffic-stop smackdown this week ... when cops nailed the wrestler for speeding while on his way to film Monday Night Raw.

Sources tell TMZ, Rodriguez put the pedal to the metal -- allegedly clocking 70 mph in a 55 mph zone -- when cops pulled him over ... mere miles from the Greensboro, NC Coliseum where last night's show was being held.

R-Rod knows when he's been made ... and accepted the $200 speeding ticket with no objections.

We're told the ticket was so expensive because Rodriguez was speeding through a construction zone (note the orange cones) ... which is a big no-no on any road. see photo here.

Tanning Salons Ban Tanning Mom

(TMZ) Tanning Mom Patricia Krentcil is running out of places to hide -- TMZ has learned, several tanning salons surrounding her NJ home have BANNED her from their premises ... and now, even the NJ Department of Health is getting involved.

Sources tell TMZ, Planet Sun Tanning Salon -- which runs 8 tanning locations around Patricia's Nutley, NJ home -- has already posted pictures of Patricia behind its employee counters to help workers recognize her.

According to sources, employees have been ordered to ask Patricia to leave immediately if she ever shows up.

Several other nearby tanning salons -- including Body Works Salon, Bodies in Heat, and Sunset Tans -- have also instituted similar no-Tanning Mom policies.

As for the NJ Department of Health -- a rep for the department tells us, it will be teaming up with the local Nutley Health Department to inspect the tanning salon Patricia allegedly used to tan her 5-year-old daughter ... a place called City Tropics Tanning.

We're told the inspection will be conducted in the near future. See video here.

Singled Out: Justin Jude's Bleed

Today award winning singer-songwriter Justin Jude tells us about the song "Bleed" from his brand new EP "5 Kinds of Rain". Here is the story: "Bleed" is different from any song I've ever done, and it almost didn't get recorded.

First the story about the recording. Back in 2009 I competed in a songwriting competition sponsored by West Coast Songwriters. I won for Best Performance, and the prize was a free day in the studio with engineer and producer Brent Rogers. I knew Brent from around the scene – he's also a great bassist and a video producer – but hadn't worked with him in the studio. So I was psyched.

I decided to use the free day to cut some live tracks – no overdubs, just voice and guitar – and see what we got. Only one of those tracks survived, but I liked the sound Brent was getting out of my voice, and I really enjoyed working with him. So much so that I said, "Hey, let's cut a five-song acoustic EP."

That one free day in the studio grew into my new album 5 Kinds of Rain, from which "Bleed" is the first single. If not for winning that competition, I'd never have brought my newest songs to Brent.

Cut to the writing of "Bleed." A few months before hitting the studio with Brent, I was itching to write in a different way. My usual songwriting process was feeling stale. I had been listening to a lot of Blind Pilot and Arcade Fire, and I started fooling around with this plodding, repetitive rhythm on the guitar. Much less folk-pop, more indie than I usually write. I wanted it to be driving but slow and plodding, almost antagonistic.

Then one of those cool songwriting moments happened – I made a mistake, and I liked the result. I played an accidental fingering and had no idea what chord I'd created – but it was cool. You can hear it, it's the third chord of the song, a bizarre suspended A chord. It makes the song for me.

Digging what I'd come up with, I threw it down on Garage Band and thought, "How else could I keep this interesting to myself?" Strings came to mind. Usually I detest strings. Strings in pop music make everything feel twee in a really dated way, like it's 1974 and we're all groovin' in polyester leisure suits to Elton John. I like Elton but … yeah.

I once had a painting teacher who said that when he has a section of a painting that's really working, he might paint it black. Just to keep himself creative. And to keep from getting too attached to its preciousness.

So, I thought: Why not some strings?

Using the lamest MIDI-sounds ever, on an old 1985 Yamaha keyboard that used to be in my mom's piano studio, I cooked up a three-part string arrangement. Now, I've never arranged strings in my life – which worked in the song's favor. I came up with an eerie, dissonant arrangement that fit the song's mood. Had I known more what I was doing, it probably would have come out more tidy and smooth.

Lastly, while trying out some lyrics, I happened on a great lyrical hook:

I'm alive without you
But I don't bleed like I used to

Suddently the narrator of this song came into view. He misses his girl – because she used to beat him up. OK, not literally. But he misses the pain of the relationship. He misses bleeding. Sometimes we're all masochistic like that, and it's baffling why that is. I like to write about those paradoxes.

In the studio we added a little Rhodes hook, just two little notes on the keyboard. Brent got some great vocal quality out of me, and the song just came together. It's unlike anything I've ever released. It took an unexpected studio date and a goof-off session while songwriting to make it happen. Sometimes the best thing you can do is do something differently.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and learn more about the album right here!