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Fans Get Lil Wayne's New Album By Accident, Lil Wayne Gets Prison Date- Michael Jackson Estate Admins Want Millions- So You Think Lambert Will Behave and more

While most of Lil Wayne's fans will have to wait until at least February in the New Year for his often-promised and often-delayed "Rebirth" album, about 500 Amazon customers who pre-ordered the album are enjoying the record already, thanks to a shipping mishap. more

Meanwhile MTV reports that Lil Wayne was in a New York courtroom Tuesday (December 15), where a judge set a February 9 sentencing date in the rapper's gun case. According to Wayne's lawyer, Stacey Richman, he is likely to be sentenced and report to prison on the same day more

The administrators of Michael Jackson's estate and a cadre of attorneys are seeking millions for managing the King of Pop's affairs after death, court documents filed Tuesday show. The administrators of Jackson's estate, attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain, are seeking five percent of money the estate has earned so far. more

Amazon.com is doing Lightning Deals where they are selling specific albums for a few hours at a discounted price. Rihanna's Rated R, as well Mariah Carey's Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel, are being featured for $9.99 from 9am-12pm on this Thursday 12/17. Not a real big deal but David Gray's Album Draw The Line will be featured for $7.99 from 3pm-6pm PST on Thursday 12/17.

"So You Think You Can Dance" producer Nigel Lythgoe won't say which dancer will end up the winner on Wednesday's season finale. But he's confident predicting that guest star Adam Lambert is going to be well-behaved. more

Quasi-Boyband Forever The Sickest Kids get a new manager in a music video for their single "What Do You Want From Me". Instead of letting the group to become themselves, he convinces them to channel Poison, Color Me Badd and other bands. Is that such a stretch? more

Justin Timberlake is set to appear on the next album from rapper The Game, who told Rap-Up.com that JT recently recorded a cameo for The R.E.D. Album more

Nickelodeon has handed out a 26-episode pickup to veteran animated series "SpongeBob SquarePants." more

People of Earth, to the bunkers! Kate Hudson and Alex Rodriguez have reportedly split up, and you know what that means more

Eminem has been named Billboard's Artist of the Decade, based on his incredible stats on the Hot 100 singles chart and the album sales charts over the past 10 years. more -

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Matisyahu's Festival of Light Live Webcast

The closing night of Matisyahu's 4th annual Festival of Light, an eight-night run of shows in NYC during the eight nights of Hanukkah, will be streamed live from the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Sunday, December 20th, beginning at 7:45 p.m. EST.

The live webcast is powered by Ustream, the leader in live broadcasting on the web. Viewers can watch and interact during the event at www.Ustream.com/Matisyahu.

Opener Kevin Devine hits the stage at 7:45 p.m. EST and Matisyahu is on at 8:45 p.m. EST. Visit Ustream early and you may get a sneak peak into Matisyahu's dressing room and backstage happenings. - more on this story

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Big Top Tribute To Paul Simon & Cat Stevens

On Wednesday, December 30 critically acclaimed folk singers and musicians from Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua along with guest artist Corey Carlson will present Moon Songs and Moon Shadows: A Tribute to the music of Paul Simon and Cat Stevens at the historic Ironwood Theatre in Ironwood, MI.

The Blue Canvas Orchestra premiered this show to rave reviews in the summer of 2009 on the Bayfield stage of Big Top Chautauqua. Big Top adds its own touch to Simon and Stevens' most memorable hits including Kodachrome, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Call Me Al, Wild World, First Cut is the Deepest and Me & Julio.

"Taking the music of two of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time and putting it in the hands of the talented Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua performers is a recipe for an evening of great music that gets audiences up and out of their seats," Ashland Daily Press, August 2009

- http://www.ironwoodtheatre.net/

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Marco Polo & Ruste Juxx Set The eXXecution

Marco Polo & Ruste Juxx Set The eXXecution. Album In Stores March 23rd, 2010 on Duck Down Records. Marco Polo & Ruste Juxx have combined forces to bring fans a serious dose of hardcore Hip Hop. The eXXecution is entirely produced by Marco Polo with Ruste Juxx providing gut-wrenching vocals over heavy hitting drums.

Marco Polo explains that a "simple studio session to play beats turned into Ruste Juxx recording 9 songs. The joints came out so crazy that we said let's turn this into a full-length album. Working with Duck Down all these years it was only a matter of time before Juxx and I got to a specific project. The best part is the work happened organically. Nothing was forced. Ruste came through, heard beats, wrote, recorded...done deal. March 23rd is The eXXecution!"

The album, which is being finished in the studio before the new year, features Buckshot, Sean Price, Freddie Foxxx, Rock of Heltah Skeltah & DJ Revolution with additional guests to be confirmed. Ruste Juxx describes the album as "straight eXXecuting. I'm killing off wack MCs and Marco's murdering the producers. I couldn't help but to write some killer ---- to the beats Marco made. If I wrote something wack to his production, then it's a wasted beat. I can't have that! " - video link

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DJ Babu's Beat Tape Vol 2 Coming Soon

A world-famous DJ with active memberships in Dilated Peoples and Beat Junkies among his most notable accomplishments, DJ Babu has made a noteworthy evolution. The Los Angeles-based turntablist also stands as one of underground rap's fastest-rising producers.

In 2007, DJ Babu released The Beat Tape Vol.1, an instrumental compilation of the beatsmith's soulful yet hard hitting compositions. It's also been 1-year since Babu released the critically acclaimed Duck Season Vol. 3. A self produced album that boasted tracks from MCs all across the globe. At the beginning of 2010, the Dilated Junkie comes forth with the instrumental follow up, The Beat Tape Vol. 2, which will be released on 2-23-10 on Nature Sounds Records.

"There was no holding back with this album, I wanted to get the beats out no matter what. I wanted to give my fans a fresh body of music" Explains DJ Babu. "My mission with these instrumentals are to put some doubters to rest." For having 10+ years of production experience under his belt, most people know Babu as the World Renown / Champion DJ. "I want people to know my sound, all my beats come from a DJ mentality, so The Beat Tape Vol. 2 is a great outlet for me to showcase my production" - more on this story

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2010 Hip Hop Karaoke Championship

Following on the success of the sold-out 1st Annual Hip Hop Karaoke Championship at Highline Ballroom, Hip Hop Karaoke, New York's most popular hip-hop event, presents the 2010 Hip Hop Karaoke Championship at New York's Irving Plaza on January 29th. The event will feature 12 of Hip Hop Karaoke's best battling it out for cash prizes in front of celebrity judges.

Throw away any preconceived notions of the stereotypical karaoke night. Hip Hop Karaoke is not "Ice Ice Baby" over a fake beat in the back of a bar. There are no bouncing balls or cheesy screens. Hip Hop Karaoke takes the traditional concept of karaoke and transforms it into the complete emcee experience. This is the opportunity to grab a mic, get up on stage, and perform to a diverse, enthusiastic crowd. Hip Hop Karaoke uses only the original instrumentals and the hosts ensure that every participant, from the seasoned hip-hop veteran to the casual fan, stays on track.

Over the past month, the organizers held two Regional Championships in Brooklyn and Manhattan, with the highest-scoring competitors advancing to the Championship. At the Championship, performers will pick from Hip Hop Karaoke's eclectic song list of over 300 classic and current hip-hop songs. After three rounds, one person will emerge as Hip Hop Karaoke Champion and winner of a $1,000 cash prize. Last year, Prince Paul, Dres from Black Sheep and Video Music Box's Ralph McDaniels brought their vast hip-hop knowledge to the judges' table and this year, expect similar legends to bless the stage in January. Hip Hop Karaoke will be announcing this year's judges soon. - more on this story

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Free Holiday EP from Harvey Sid Fisher

Harvey Sid Fisher, the Los Angeles based singer-songwriter, actor, and model, has teamed up with Dovecote Records for a special holiday release! Known mainly as the mastermind behind the two conceptual classics, Astrology Songs and Battle Of The Sexes, Harvey has attained cult status for his distinctive croon and infectious lyrics.

This holiday, Harvey Sid offers another gift to the world: his renditions of three songs by your favorite Dovecote artists - Mason Proper, Tim Williams, and Trevor Giuliani.

Grab a glass of hot cider, gather around the fireplace with your loved ones, and let Harvey Sid's soft carol fill your house with holiday spirit and keep you warm all winter long! Tracklisting 1. "Lock & Key" - Mason Proper 2. "I Hit Another Wall" - Tim Williams 3. "Wasting Your Town" - Trevor Giuliani - grab the free EP here

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Kashmir Announce New EP

Sony Denmark artist Kashmir met with success with their U.S. debut earlier this year from the group's release of the Petite Machine EP. In celebration of their triumphant U.S. debut, Kashmir plans on releasing additional music for the U.S. with The No Balance EP that will be available digitally in February 2010 on SIN/Sony Denmark

Kashmir plans on performing songs such as "Kalifornia" from The No Balance EP at the SonyMusic Independent Network's SXSW Film/Music Festival showcase on March 17th, 2010 in Austin, Texas.

Additionally, the band plans on launching a series of syndicated online promotions for fans in the U.S. as well. . Fans can catch a glimpse of three videos from The No Balance EP at - MySpace.com/KashmirYeah

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Hanson To Play All Records In Entirety Over Five Nights

Three-time Grammy-nominated independent artists, Hanson today announced that they will be performing at The Bamboozle Festival on Saturday May 1st.

Leading up to this prestigious festival appearance and in anticipation of their spring album release, the band will be hosting an exclusive five-night engagement at New York City's Gramercy Theater, during which the band will be performing, in their entirety, each of their four previous albums, leading up to a worldwide premiere of their spring full length.

Regarding the upcoming concerts Taylor Hanson said, "It's great to be a part of this year's Bamboozle festival, and especially on the heels of a new record we wanted to bring together a live music event that was really unique, something that allows us and our fans to share the music we've created over more than a decade like never before." Added Isaac, "We could not think of a better way to span the old and the new music than in this live setting." - more on this story

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Norah Jones Kicks Off TV and Radio Appearances

Norah Jones will be kicking off a run of TV and radio appearances tonight, December 15, on NBC Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien with a performance of "Chasing Pirates," the lead single from her critically-acclaimed new album The Fall, which the Associated Press named one of their top albums of 2009.

The multiple Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter will also be performing "Chasing Pirates" on ABC Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Wednesday, December 16, as well as making an appearance on A Prairie Home Companion With Garrison Keillor live from Town Hall in New York City on Saturday, December 19. On Monday, December 21, Jones will be interviewed on E! Chelsea Lately.

Jones, who will be launching a 36-city tour on March 5, 2010 in support of The Fall, was recently nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for her duet with Willie Nelson on "Baby, It's Cold Outside" from his album American Classic. - more on this story

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Read Today's Day in Rock report for even more music news!