In an interview with the latest issue of Vibe, the rapper explained his decision, saying he wants to challenge society's perceptions of what is acceptable.

"None of us know exactly what's going to happen. I do know that we're all very stoked to be talking again, laughing and letting the past remain in the past. But we're also coming together after an extremely acrimonious band breakup, a lot of anger and frustration with one another and four years of not talking. I think that we need to get back to a certain point as friends before we could ever take a stage together again, because that's what we always based everything on.

In an interview with News Of The World while on holiday in St. Lucia, the singer said she had given up illegal substances since the start of 2009.

Ira was taken into custody the morning of January 3, 2009 on a misdemeanor charge, (he apparently had a warrant out for his arrest for an unpaid fine) and is being held on $65,000 bail. Black's fianc�e says that the guitarist "has been in the system for over a week now and has had to survive on a miniscule diet. Ira has been a vegan for 15 years and it seems none of the local correctional facilities will accommodate any inmate with a vegetarian or vegan diet."

The news came from Activision Publishing CEO Mike Griffith during his keynote address at CES. Griffith also noted how the video game industry has had a profound effect on other entertainment sectors, and that Guitar Hero in particular has been hugely important to the music industry. For example, in its first week, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith sold over three times as many units as Aerosmith's last studio album. [maybe because the game included good songs and the album�. ]

William Zantzinger, a Maryland man who became the subject of 1964 Bob Dylan song "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll, has died at age 69. He was made infamous by Dylan in the song that described the well-off tobacco farmer as a society dandy who "killed poor Hattie Carroll/With a cane that he twirled around his diamond ring finger." more

American cult rockers Kings of Leon boasted the best-selling album of 2008 in Australia, according to the Australian Recording Industry Association. "Only By The Night," the Tennessee group's fourth studio album, sold more than 350,000 copies after spending four weeks at No. 1 more

All-American Rejects have recorded an accordion, beer bottle and acoustic take on the Britney Spears single, "Womanizer." The band explains the cover is because they can do a "better job than Britney." Like that's hard. watch

Members of DRI, Down By Law, Pink Lincolns and Hated Youth have announced their debut as The Spears. The band will be releasing the fourteen track album in June/July and describe their sound as "hardcore/punk rock with some pop-punk influence."more

Jon Hager, who performed in the musical comedy duo The Hager Twins on "Hee-Haw," has died. He was 67. Sam Lovullo, who produced "Hee-Haw" and was a friend of Hager's, said Hager was found dead in his apartment in Nashville Friday morning. more

Less than two years after becoming president of Island Records Urban Music, Jermaine Dupri exited the post this week, according to reports.more

Has Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler suddenly morphed into Paul Stanley of KISS? He sure sounds like it in this ridiculous interview.

Though few details are currently available, at least one member of Tool will be guesting on the forthcoming album from Isis.more

Sixties British pop star Dave Dee has died aged 67 after a long battle with cancer. The former policeman was the lead singer with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich and enjoyed a string of chart hits including "The Legend of Xanadu," "Bend It, and "Save Me." more

UK looks to American songwriter: US songwriter Diane Warren will write the lyrics to Andrew Lloyd Webber's music for this year's UK Eurovision entry, it is announced more

Alice In Chains have scheduled thier first headlining performances in Australia in over a decade next month during the band's Soundwave Festival run. dates

Kelly Clarkson has named her fourth album "All I Ever Wanted," which, as previously reported, is due March 17 from RCA. more

Deathriders, the California-based band led by former Anthrax singer Neil Turbin, has scheduled a number of shows in the group's home state during January. more

Video games are poised to "eclipse" all other forms of entertainment, according to games studio boss Mike Griffith. The Activision chief made the bold call during a keynote speech at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. more

Chimaira has finished mastering the band's new album, "The Infection", at Sterling Sound in New York City with Ted Jensen and Chris "Zeuss" Harris (Hatebreed, Shadows Fall, Agnostic Front, Terror, The Acacia Strain). more

Former Smashing Pumpkin Melissa Auf der Maur is set to screen 'Out Of Our Minds', her short film in collaboration with filmmaker Tony Stone, at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT this monthmore

Further to the news that Alice Cooper will be appearing at Monster Mania-Con 12, which happens between March 13th and 15th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill, NY, it has been confirmed that original Alice Cooper Band members Michael Bruce (guitar), Dennis Dunaway (bass) and Neal Smith (drums) will also be in attendance. Whether this suggests they could perform together is so far unconfirmed. more

Don Randall, the marketing dynamo who gave Fender's Stratocaster guitar its name and led the brand to onstage ubiquity, has died. He was 91.more

Duff Mckagan's Loaded, the band formed by current Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan (on guitar and vocals) after he left Guns N' Roses, has set "Sick" as the title of its new full-length album, due in late March via Century Media Records. more

Israel Horowitz, a renowned record producer of classical music, died at his home in Closter, N.J., on Dec. 26. He was 92. Horowitz began his career in the music industry on the editorial staff for Billboard magazine, where he joined as a reporter covering the coin-machine beat in 1948, and soon moved to cover the music beat. more

Check out a new urban medley from a cappella kings Straight No Chaser. Recorded on tour in NYC, it's a medley of the group's three favorite songs from Atlantic labelmates T.I. and Flo Rida. It's officially titled 'Live Your Life and Flo with Whatever You Like' - feat. T.I. and Flo Rida and can be heard more

Love Equals Death has announced the departure of vocalist Chon Travis.more

To celebrate its 25th Anniversary in 2009, SPV records will be re-releasing 4 classic Savatage records on vinyl LP this spring. Look for Hall of the Mountain King on March 2 (March 24 in the USA), Gutter Ballet on March 30 (March 24 in the USA), Streets on April 27, and Power of the Night on June 2. more

Check out the new music video Jason Mraz. "Lucky" featuring Colbie Caillat can be viewed here

Overkill have cancelled their previously announced shows in Mexico "due to unforeseen circumstances." Montezuma's revenge perhaps? more

What if you went away and no one noticed? What if you returned and no one cares? more

Recon are currently in search of a new vocalist. The group elaborates: "Alex is no longer with the band, we didn't have a terrible falling out and there's no animosity or anything of the sort, we've just gone our separate ways. We're now in search of the right person to front Recon." more details

The Dutchess is a bride. Her manager says Fergie and Josh Duhamel have been married. more. Meanwhile, R. Kelly has finalized his divorce from his wife. more

He explains in a statement, "My wife and I are in the process of adopting a baby, and currently we are overseas taking the final steps to begin our new roles as parents. Not to worry, though, as filling in for me will be the extremely capable hands of Emil Werstler of Daath fame. He is also known in some circles as Shreddy Krueger, so be sure to peep his skills."

The party is happening this Wednesday January 14th, 2009 at The Joint in Beverly Hills. That's the eve of the Namm convention so you never know who might show up and jam during the all-star jam at the end of the night!

Due to be released by Earache Records on January 26th, Through My Dog's Eyes includes a limited edition bonus DVD. The DVD contains an exclusive art-documentary, featuring an in-depth look at the concepts behind the new album, along with the history and evolution of the band, all told by mainman Davide Tiso.

The band is still putting the last touches of sonic magic dust on their upcoming album No Line On The Horizon, which is due in March. A world tour will undoubtedly be announced at or around the time of the CD's release, but as of yet, no dates have been revealed.

The poll, conducted by the concert ticket agency Viagogo, places the Swedish pop outfit, who last performed together in December 1982, at the top of the heap of dream reunions.

The group will perform the iconic GN'R album "Appetite For Destruction" in its entirety along with other classics and some surprises. The trek is scheduled to kick off late February and run through early April.