New Releases
Bow Wow, Flo-Rida, UGK and Aceyalone release projects this week. Which will you pick up? Click for more.

Prince’s Busy Week

Prince rocks three shows in LA on Saturday and releases three CDs on Sunday to complete a busy week. Check it.

Kelly Rowland Dropped
Kelly Rowland has reportedly been dismissed from Columbia Records after releasing two albums on the label. Read on.

Court: Prince Stole His Hit
An Italian court has ruled that Prince stole his 1994 hit, “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World,” from two Italian writers. The Roman Court of Appeals agreed that Prince borrowed heavily from “Takin’ Me to Paradise,” which was written by Bruno Bergonzi and Michele Vicino, Billboard reports.  The court ruled that Prince can no longer distribute the song in Italy. In addition, he may have to pay royalties to Bergonzi and Vicino and their publishers that he has collected to date. That will be determined later, if another hearing confirms the song was plagiarized. “Our song was first released in 1983, at the height of the Italian dance boom and it appeared on assorted compilations that were distributed internationally,” Bergonzi told Billboard.com. “When we first heard Prince’s song we immediately took action, but this case has been dragging on for 15 years and it isn’t over yet, such is the slowness of the Italian legal system. We only decided to go public with our story now.”   

  
Inauguration List is Indeed A-List
The performance list for President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration has blown up to include an eclectic mix of mega-stars – from the biggest names in hip hop to legends of bebop. Among those participating in the official kickoff at the Lincoln Memorial on Jan. 18 are R&B stars Beyoncé, John Legend, Mary J. Blige and Usher; jazz legend Herbie Hancock; soul-stirrer Stevie Wonder; and hip-hopper will.i.am; rocker Bruce Springsteen; and country-western crooner Garth Brooks. Read more here.

Prince misquoted about gay marriage, source says. A quote attributed to superstar Prince in the New Yorker magazine has reportedly left the singer furious. The article featuring the Jehovah’s Witness singer states: “When asked about his perspective on social issues – gay marriage, abortion – Prince tapped his Bible and said, ‘God came to Earth and saw people sticking it wherever and doing it with whatever, and he just cleared it all out.’” But a Prince camp insider reportedly disputes the article’s account, telling celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton that Prince only referenced the Bible’s principles of loving others. “We’re very angry he was misquoted,” the Prince rep is quoted as saying.

Duo earns award for public service announcement. Actor Jamie Foxx and actress Queen Latifah have won their first Emmy for an HIV awareness ad. The 2007 spot, which also featured NBA players Luke Walton, Lamar Odom and Richard Jefferson, was aired on BET and MTV as part of educational campaigns. The National Public Service Emmy Award is presented in special recognition of productions designed to heighten awareness in the community.

Band says Kanye peed on the floor. If you thought Kanye West’s famous temper tantrums were bad, you may want to give him room if he’s ever in a hurry to use the john. Pop band The Ting Tings says they shared a dressing room with the rapper at a pre-MTV Europe Music Awards gig in England last week when West shocked them. The performer is said to have urinated on the floor. “We ask for a lot of unusual thing on our backstage rider, but that ain’t one of them,” says drummer Jules De Martino. Hopefully, Kanye at least used his own half of the dressing room.

Prince penalized over unpaid editing. A man who sued singer Prince and his company for allegedly failing to pay him for video editing will receive $58,000. Ian C. Lewis says the performer never cut him a check for services rendered. He sought $1 million in punitive damages. A trial took place last month before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gregory Alarcon’s recent decision in Lewis’ favor. Prince’s lawyers reportedly withdrew from the case.

Jada Pinkett Smith says woman threatened her.

  Actress Jada Pinkett Smith has had to watch her back since marrying Hollywood superstar Will Smith. Mrs. Smith reveals an episode years ago when she dealt with a woman in Miami who made threats on the actress’ life. “The police called my agent and said, ‘We have this woman who has plotted to kill Jada because she claims to be married to Will Smith, and that Jada stole him from her,’” Pinkett Smith. “So the police found this woman and locked her up.” Adds the Set It Off star: “It’s because I’m little. Will is a 6-foot-2-inch … Black dude, who nobody wants to mess with. So instead, they come after the little 4-foot-11-inch chick.”Prince debuts 21 Nights. Fans who couldn’t make it to London to see him live last year can get a sense of Prince’s intimate shows in a new coffee-table book. Due for release next week, 21 Nights features photos of the 50-year-old star while on a club tour and in behind-scenes settings. The book comes with a companion CD of Prince’s music.