 Kanye West
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Rumors have been flying all weekend that Kanye West is engaged to a woman named Alexis, though the details are sketchy (Coincidentally, one of our favorite lines from a Kanye song is "Couldn't afford a car so she named her daughter Alexis"). People magazine reported Friday on its Web site that Kanye proposed during a recent two-week overseas vacation, but it's not known exactly where or when. People also said that West and Alexis rekindled their romance after two years apart. They previously dated for several years and were together when Kanye was in that infamous near-fatal car crash in 2002 that inspired the song "Through The Wire."
P.O.D. has parted ways with Atlantic Records, its label home since 1999. The band sent a statement to members of its e-mail list, saying, "We've been proud to be Atlantic recording artists, but it's not the same place anymore. For most of our stay, we were blessed by a staff that was gracious towards our vision, faith and love of music. It's time to dream again with a new staff and we leave with grateful hearts." As previously reported, the band will play a hometown show on August 19 at San Diego's Petco Park following the Padres' game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
U2 will re-release their 1994 Zoo TV - Live From Sydney concert video on DVD on September 19. The expanded edition will be available as either a single or double-disc set. According to Billboard.com, the two-disc version will include previously unreleased live versions of "Trying To Throw Your Arms Around the World," "Desire," "The Fly" and "Even Better Than the Real Thing," as well as behind-the-scenes footage and more.
Three Days Grace will be shooting a video for their upcoming single, “Pain,” in Los Angeles on Wednesday, August 16, and they are casting fans to take part in the clip. Anyone interested in participating must be at least 18 years of age, be in the Los Angeles area and be available for at least six hours that day. Those who want to be involved are invited to send an email to threedaysgracevideo@yahoo.com with full name, contact information and a digital photo.
Starting today, AOL Music is offering Paris Hilton fans an exclusive premiere of her new album, Paris. The CD does not come out until August 22, but fans can listen to the album in its entirety at AOL Music for two weeks as part of the Full CD Listening Party. In addition to checking out the music, users can read an interview with Paris in which she discusses the album, her upcoming movies, touring and The Simple Life.
Warner Bros. Records has signed a deal with Three 6 Mafia to distribute and promote their record label, Hypnotize Minds Productions (HMP). Under the deal, which will establish West Coast offices for the Memphis-based HMP and the establishment of Hypnotize Minds West"Recording Studios, Warner Bros. will market, promote and distribute new artists signed by Three 6 Mafia members DJ Paul and Juicy J sign to HMP. "I watched what Warner did with E-40, Scrappy and Trillville, and liked how they worked multiple singles and videos," says DJ Paul. "That's how it needs to be done when you're talking about the life of an artist, and Warner Bros. connects those dots."
Elton John has set September 19 as the release date for his new studio album, The Captain and the Kid, which is a sequel to his 1975 album Captain Fantastic and the Dirt Brown Cowboy. Of the sequel, John told Billboard, "It was [Sanctuary Group CEO Merck Mercuriadis'] idea, because he said, 'You're always saying how [songwriting partner] Bernie [Taupin] has become the Brown Dirt Cowboy - he lives on a ranch in Santa Ynez [CA] - and I'm this guy who plays concert after concert, buying art, buying photographs, living a very lavish lifestyle. I've become Captain Fantastic." Sir Elton will kick off a North American tour in support of the album on September 15 in Sacramento.
An Orange County, CA Pop-Punk band called Supernova has filed a preliminary injunction to stop the band on the CBS television show Rock Star: Supernova from performing or recording under the name Supernova alone. The request for the injunction follows a lawsuit filed by Supernova on June 27 alleging trademark infringement against CBS Broadcasting, Mark Burnett Productions, drummer Tommy Lee and others. The California band had contacted Burnett after hearing about the proposed name for the show and has been in negotiations since before the June lawsuit was filed. A hearing on the matter is sought within 28 days. Meanwhile, Rock Star: Supernova is scheduled to air through September 27.
Athens, GA indie rockers Elf Power will kick off a North American tour on September 7 in Macon, GA. Dates are scheduled into late October, with more to be added. The trek is slated to wrap up back home in Athens at the famed 40 Watt Club on October 27.