Freddie Gibbs prefers his rap "Str8," no chaser (Reuters)
Reuters - Freddie Gibbs has nothing against rap artists who embrace catchy hooks to land on pop radio, but that's not his style. He didn't need a hit single to draw attention to both of his 2009 mixtapes, and he's about to delve deeper into hardcore street rap on his new EP, "Str8 Killa."
Rapper Bun B remembers deceased friends "Right Now" (Reuters)
Reuters - Rappers have a propensity for christening themselves with royal titles to promote their standing in hip-hop (e.g., King of the South, Prince of Rap). But for Bun B, the less-regal handle Trill OG was the most fitting.
Musician Esperanza Spalding bends the genre rules (Reuters)
Reuters - Most people wouldn't associate the term "modern" with classical chamber music. But if anyone can pull off the pairing, it's bassist/vocalist/composerEsperanza Spalding.
Reuters - Before Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers once again invade tween TVs with "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam," fans of the Disney franchise can sing along with the "Camp Rock 2" soundtrack, due August 10.
Top 20 Concert Tours (AP)
AP - The Top 20 Concert Tours ranks artists by average box office gross per city and includes the average ticket price for shows in North America. The previous week's ranking is in parentheses. The list is based on data provided to the trade publication Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers.
AP - The mayor of the German city where 21 people were crushed to death at a music festival last weekend is facing growing pressure to resign amid nationwide outrage over the tragedy.
AP - Despite his success with the Grammy-winning, multiplatinum group OutKast, Big Boi felt artistically stifled when he tried to step out on his own as a solo rapper.
AP - As the lead singer of Twisted Sister, the costumed makeup-wearing heavy metal band, Dee Snider has spent most of his 34 years as a rock star all fired up.
Family feud could silence beloved singer Fairouz (AP)
AP - Across four decades, Fairouz's songs of freedom, justice and love transfixed Arab audiences, moved millions to tears and gave hope to the Lebanese during the darkest days of their 15-year civil war.
Eminem leads singles chart for second week (Reuters)
Reuters - A day after he logged a fifth week atop the U.S. pop album chart, rapper Eminem on Thursday claimed the lead on the Hot 100 singles chart for a second week.
AP - Rapper-turned-underwear model-turned-Oscar-nominated actor Mark Wahlberg has been enshrined in the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
French nuns in music deal get death threat-report (Reuters)
Reuters - Benedictine nuns from a secluded convent in southern France have received death threats after winning a deal aimed at creating a chart-topping album, a newspaper reported on Thursday.
Reuters - Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice abandoned international affairs for a Mozart piano concerto on Tuesday, teaming up with Soul legend Aretha Franklin to perform at a charity concert.
Kristy Lee Cook tackles great outdoors in new show (AP)
AP - The idea is simple but ingenious, really: Take a winsome country singer, give her a hunting show that features exotic locales and throw in a couple of celebrities.
