Akon 'fan tossing' trial postponed (Yahoo! Music)
Yahoo! Music - The trial of Akon, which was scheduled to begin yesterday (December 1) in Fishkill, NY, has been postponed until December 17.

Latest Details on Travis Barker, DJ AM Reunion Gig (E! Online)

E! Online - More details on the Travis Barker-DJ AM reunion we reported last week.

Christian rockers Red guided by "Instinct" (Reuters)
Reuters - In an interesting clash of inspiration that combines "The Divine Comedy" and a highway accident, Red's sophomore album, "Innocence & Instinct," echoes the emotional ups and downs the Grammy Award-nominated rock act has experienced over the last two years.

Beyonce to perform at Essence Fest in New Orleans (AP)

AP - Beyonce is the first artist lined up for next year's Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.

Grammy nominations hit prime-time with TV special (AP)

AP - In an era where awards shows are as commonplace as reality shows, even the top-tier events are finding it hard to stand out.

Civil rights beacon, folk singer Odetta, dead at 77 (Reuters)

Reuters - Odetta, the deep-voiced folk singer whose ballads and songs became for many a sound track to the American civil rights movement, has died aged 77, the New York Times reported on Wednesday.

Britney's Big Top Hits the Road (E! Online)

E! Online - Britney Spears is proving the adage that it's better to give than receive, with the 27 years young birthday girl bequeathing unto her fans not one but two gifts on her special day. Not only did Spears' second attempt at a comeback album, Circus, drop this morning, the singer has also unveiled, to great anticipation, the dates for her long-awaited North American comeback tour.

Green Day speak about new 'powerpop' album (Yahoo! Music)
Yahoo! Music - Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong has hinted that their forthcoming new Butch Vig-produced album could take a "powerpop" direction.

New Jay-Z song leaks, old videos go mobile (Reuters)

Reuters - Jay-Z fans have both new and old music to enjoy this week.

Brandy breaks 4-year recording hiatus (Reuters)

Reuters - You can't blame Brandy for being a little nervous stepping back into the recording studio. Four years have elapsed since the release of the R&B/pop singer's fourth album, "Afrodisiac." And it has been just two years since her headline-making car accident in which another driver died.