On Nov. 7, Vibe magazine and Arista Records will release Vibe Hits, a compilation featuring hit singles from Donell Jones, TLC, Goodie MOb and Next. The album also will include songs from Kelis,
Pink, Angie Stone and Q-Tip, according to a label spokesperson. ...
The long-awaited, as-yet-untitled third album from Aaliyah is set for a Dec. 5 release, according to Virgin Records. Aaliyah's most recent album, One in a Million, came out in 1996. ... Vocal group Public Announcement have released a CD single for "Mamacita," featuring two remixes as well as instrumental and a cappella versions of the Latin-tinged dance cut. The Chicago act, which scored a 1998 top-10 hit with "Body Bumpin' Yippie-Yi-Yo," is working on its second album, Don't Hold Back, scheduled for January release. ...
Albums with lyrics that "describe, advocate or encourage suicide, incest, bestiality, sadomasochism, rape or involuntary sexual penetration" would have to come with a special warning notice under a bill introduced in the New Jersey Senate last week. The bill, sponsored by state Sens. Gerald Cardinale and Diane Allen, also would require a notice for lyrics that "advocate or encourage murder, ethnic, racial or religious intimidation, the use of illegal drugs or the excessive or illegal use of alcohol." The bill is before the Senate's State Government Committee. ... Singer Aaron Neville will release his first gospel album, Devotion, in DVD format on Oct. 24, according to a spokesperson for his label. The album, which also will be playable on a conventional compact-disc player, is the first major-artist release to come out in the DVD format. ...
Soulful hip-hop star Mary J. Blige will perform at the United Nations Development Programme's fourth annual Race Against Poverty Awards on Monday (Oct. 23) at the United Nations General Assembly, a ceremony honoring those fighting HIV and AIDS. United Nations Goodwill Ambassador Danny Glover will serve as the evening's master of ceremonies, and attendees and awards presenters will include U.N. Secretary General H. E. Kofi Annan, M*A*C Cosmetics President John Demsey, UNDP Administrator Mark Malloch Brown, South African Nobel laureate Nadine Gordimer, Japanese writer/actress Misako Konno and Brazilian soccer sensation Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima. Also performing will be Afro-pop singer Youssou N'Dour, Benin's Angelique Kidjo and the critically acclaimed Soweto String Quartet. ... Blues/soul singer Etta James covers Bob Dylan's "Gotta Serve Somebody," the Rolling Stones' "Miss You," Otis Redding's "Try a Little Tenderness" and the Elvis Presley hit "Hound Dog" on Matriarch of the Blues, due Dec. 12. The album also includes some James originals. ...
Former "Star Search" host Ed McMahon will bring his online talent competition, NextBigStar.com, to television. A series of syndicated TV specials will start airing later this month and will include guest appearances from Destiny's Child and Sisqó. ... A new VH1 version of Charles Dickens' holiday classic, "A Christmas Carol," will feature Vanessa Williams as Ebony, a female recasting of Scrooge, with TLC's Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas as Ebony's former partner, Marli Jacobs, according to the network. Williams and Chilli will be joined by Duran Duran's John Taylor as the Ghost of Christmas Present in "A Diva's Christmas Carol." Airdates have not been set. (sonicnet.com's parent company, Viacom, also owns VH1.) ...
"Back at One" singer Brian McKnight recently told Maximum Golf magazine that he wants to take time off from music to work on his golf swing, according to the Associated Press. But McKnight won't be staying away from music altogether; his next single, "Win," from the upcoming Robert De Niro movie "Men of Honor," comes out Tuesday (Oct. 17). ... A promoter canceled an Oct. 5 Gladys Knight show in Charleston, S.C., because of poor ticket sales, according to the Associated Press. Promoter Margaret Rush told the news service that only 639 of about 5,000 tickets had been sold as of Oct. 4, though she said Knight is selling well in other markets. ...
Wednesday's (Oct. 18) birthdays: Chuck Berry, 74; Ronnie Bright (Coasters), 62; Nonchalant, 27; and Torture (Jungle Brothers), 25.
— sonicnet.com staff report
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