December 13, 2005

Latin music's most successful star worldwide Shakira has inked a deal with Famous Music, the publishing division of Paramount Pictures, soon as her administration deal with Sony/ATV expired November 5 this year.

Covering the administration rights in Shakira's entire catalog-representing more than 30 million albums sold worldwide, the deal also covers greatest-hits and unplugged releases that may come about during the term of the contract.

Long time no see, Dixie Chicks is about to make a comeback tour after their last in 2003. The music group reportedly is eyeing an upcoming tour to be held in North America in late June for an all-arena trek, sources told Billboard.com.

While the tour is still in progress, the country trio is working on its next Open Wide/Monument/Columbia studio album with producer Rick Rubin. No release date has yet been confirmed for the follow-up to 2002`s "Home," which debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200.

Eminem is starting a brand new success in music industry. The rapper's greatest hits compilation "Curtain Call - The Hits" has stayed at number one for a second week in the UK album charts. The 2nd position is held by Robbie Williams' "Intensive Care," which soon followed by Westlife's "Face To Face" at No. 3.

The has just comeback music group Take That secures the 4th place with their "Never Forget - The Ultimate Collection." No. 5 is Madonna's "Confessions On A Dance Floor," one place ahead of Il Divo's "Ancora" at No. 6. No. 7 to No. 10 in a row is James Blunt's "Back To Bedlam," Sugababes' "Taller In More Ways," Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway," and The Pussycat Dolls' "PCD."

Don't know what to do on New Year? Don't be so worry coz we will all have a special treat from notable musicians from various genres. There will be the likes of Kanye West, Shakira, Maroon 5's Adam Levine and Fall Out Boy, all of whom about to lead the lineup for MTV's 14th annual New Year's Eve broadcast, which will begin at 10:30 p.m. ET.

Also tapped to perform during the broadcast are Common, The All-American Rejects and Young Jeezy, in addition to Run DMC's Rev. Run. In the meantime, pop diva Mariah Carey reportedly has joined the lineup for ABC's "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" and will perform live from the Big Apple's Times Square.

Flirting with men is her expertise. Partying, feuding with friends, and creating sensation are all parts of her daily routines. But when it comes to taking care of dog, she as yet can do that very well which is apparent from several evidences. And so, the hotel heiress Paris Hilton is named the world's worst celebrity dog owner.

It's The New York Dog and The Hollywood Dog magazines that name the socialite so. "First she loses Tinkerbell, then she ditches her for a cuter dog, then replaces that dog with a ferret, then a kinkajou monkey and then, I gather, a goat," said Leslie Padgett, editor of the magazines. "Recently Tinkerbell was spotted back in Paris' arms. But how long will she be in favor this time?"

Reports sparked these past few days mentioned that Depeche Mode is about to headline the first night of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, to be held April 29-30 in southern California. In the meantime, other artists to perform on the event remain undisclosed with the announcements about to be released several weeks away.

Just like usual, this year's event which is its 7th year will take place at the 50,000-capacity Empire Polo Field in Indio, Calif., about 130 miles east of Los Angeles. Moreover, the festival also will be the subject of the two-hour retrospective documentary "Coachella," which will premiere January 19 at Los Angeles' Orpheum Theater and roll out January 24 to additional U.S. theaters.

The parents of teen star Lindsay Lohan reached a divorce settlement Monday, ending their long time marital battle. Both Dina Lohan and Michael Lohan reached the deal on the day the trial was scheduled to start before Nassau County Court Judge Robert Ross.

Terms of the deal were confidential, but either one attorney claimed both sides were happy with that. John P. DiMascio Jr., attorney for Michael, said that his client "now looks forward to restoring his life and his relationship with his children." Meanwhile, the lawyer for Lohan's mother, Robert Stephan Cohen, said "Dina and the children are delighted to have this chapter in their lives finally closed."

Irish actor Colin Farrell is undergoing treatment for exhaustion and dependency on prescription medication. Speaking on that matter, the star's publicist, Danica Smith said in a written statement Monday that the medication was prescribed to Farrell after a back injury.

Won't identify the name of the treatment center, Smith said that Farrell went there by himself adding that he had completed filming his new movie "Miami Vice" but declined to provide any other details. "We ask that the press respect the privacy of Mr. Farrell and his family."

Michael Jackson's old track "Thriller" not only is still remembered, but also honored as well. Approvingly, the set has been voted the Most Memorable Music Video Ever by viewers of MTV show The Box.

This of course becoming an extraordinary achievement remembering that the King of Pop has for many times involved in several legal disputes. Is it the beginning of the start? A sign for Jacko to once again dominate music industry?

Supposedly to hold her marriage with Billy Zane this summer, Kelly Brook decided to postpone it just because of media fuss. "The reason we didn't get married this year was that we felt there was too much fuss being made and we wanted it to quieten down first." So Kelly said in a statement.

Plans to then tie the knot some time next year, the model-turned-actress insists that she has yet made any magazine deal to sell snaps of the ceremony. "There will be no multi-million-pound deal with Hello! or OK!" Kelly said.

Music isn't the only field U2 puts deep concern on. Instead, the Irish rock band also is conscious about political and social issue. Thus, to honor their getting involved in those fields, members of the band as well as their manager Paul McGuinness have been given the Ambassador Of Conscience Award by Amnesty International.

Irene Khan, the Secretary General of the human-rights organization, commented "From Live Aid in 1985 and Amnesty International's 1986 Conspiracy Of Hope tour, through to Live 8 this past July, U2 has arguably done more than any other band to highlight the cause of global human rights in general and Amnesty International's work in particular."

Great person will always be remembered. Notorious B.I.G. also is a great person that years after his death, people are still remembering him and have a place in their heart for the musician. Bringing into life his appreciation to B.I.G., Diddy offers fans new tracks featuring the slain artist when "Notorious B.I.G. Duets: The Final Chapter" hits stores December 20.

The set, which is of the Bad Boy Entertainment/Atlantic Records, features the voice of Biggie with some of today's most popular artists and producers, including Eminem, Jay-Z, R. Kelly and Mary J. Blige. Moreover, there are also duets by music great Bob Marley, rapper Big Pun, and Biggie's most notable rival, Tupac Shakur.

Jamie Foxx is getting more serious about his music career. The star seemingly intends to be a famous singer besides only becoming a famous actor. Apparently, he is ready to release his new CD entitled "Unpredictable" on December 20.

Looking at its title, songwriter/producer Sean Garrett promises a surprising album saying "People will recognize that they should take him seriously as an artist. His heart is in it. He really wants this." The 15-song project teams Foxx with a number of R&B and rap heavyweights, among them Twista, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, Common, The Game, Ludacris and Mary J. Blige.