Day in Pop 2010 Rewind: Top Stories From February

Ludacris' How Low Goes To The Top

Ludacris takes over the #1 spot on Urban Radio for a second consecutive week with "How Low" – now certified RIAA platinum for U.S. sales in excess of one million units, setting the stage for The Battle Of The Sexes, the 7th studio album from Disturbing Tha Peace CEO and DTP/Def Jam artist Luda, arriving in the physical and digital marketplace on March 9th.

As anticipation builds for The Battle Of The Sexes, Ludacris moves into his second week as special guest on the Black Eyed Peas' The E.N.D. Tour. The 10-week, 32-city tour of stadiums and major arenas across North America runs through April 11th in Vancouver. (Please remaining tour dates below.)

With tour venues quickly selling out, fans will also have their chance to see Ludacris on television over the next month – starting with NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on March 2nd. Appearances continue March 10th on ABC's Live with Regis & Kelly; March 23rd on The Ellen DeGeneres Show; and March 26th at the outdoor stage of ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live. Luda will round out the month with a double-header on March 30th, hitting TBS's Lopez Tonight with George Lopez and E! network's Chelsea Lately. - more on this story

Method Man, Ghostface Killah & Raekwon's Wu Massacre

Cosmic forces of destiny unite three mortals in world-shaking times, as Def Jam recording artists – and Wu-Tang Clan brothers-for-life – Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon join forces on WU MASSACRE, an historic collaboration that takes Wu science and theology to the next step on hip-hop's evolutionary grid.

WU MASSACRE, which arrives March 30th in the physical and digital marketplace, will be preceded by the soulful street single "Our Dreams," starring the legendary Wu-Tang Clan's three most dynamic MCs, Meth, Ghost, and Rae and produced by RZA for Wu-Tang Productions. For an added tug on the heart-strings, "Our Dreams" samples Michael Jackson's mid-'70s hit as a 17-year old, "We're Almost There."

In addition to "Our Dreams," Meth, Ghost and Rae take the trio spotlight on two more tracks: the thunderous opener "Criminology 2.5" and "Miranda." Ghost and Meth take the lead on "It's That Wu Sh*t." On the "Smooth Sailing" Remix, Ghost and Meth are joined by Solomon Childs and Streetlife. On "Gunshowers," Meth and Ghost are joined by fellow WTC rapper Inspectah Deck and Sun God. "Youngstown Heist" features Trife, Sheek and Bully. - more on this story

Salt-N-Pepa Reunites With Spinderella

The original fly girls also known as Salt-N-Pepa are finally getting back together and it's all happening at The Dinah! Let's talk about THE family reunion of the Century…baby!

After an abrupt split in 2000, Cheryl ''Salt'' Wray, Sandy ''Pepa'' Denton and DJ Spinderella are reforming for an exclusive performance at Club Skirts Presents The Dinah on Saturday, April 3 at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

The ladies of the legendary multi-platinum, Grammy award winning trio will be pushing it real good at The Dinah performing all their Top 40 hits including "Push It", "Let's Talk about Sex", "Whattaman", "You Showed Me" and "Shoop", to name a few. - more on this story

Dixie Chicks Announce Side Band Details

Emily Robison and Martie Maguire of The Dixie Chicks, announced via their website that they will release new music under the moniker Court Yard Hounds.

The album of all new material will be available for pre-order beginning today exclusively through www.courtyardhounds.com with all pre-orders receiving an instant gratification 4-song download not available anywhere else. The CD is being released on Columbia Records, on shelves May 4, 2010.

To launch the new project, Emily and Martie will appear at SXSW for their first live concert as Court Yard Hounds. The sisters will take the stage during the Americana Music Association showcase at Antone's on Thursday March 18th and will go on to do a string of intimate shows across the country. All Pre-orders will receive 4 album tracks instantly and get the first chance to purchase tickets for their upcoming tour. The Court Yard Hounds will tour North America throughout the summer. The group will follow their North American roll-out with releases and touring in Europe and Australia in the fall. - more on this story

Jackie Chan Fights For 8-Year-Old Girl's Life

When Jackie Chan heard about an eight-year-old Asian girl diagnosed with leukemia and searching for a life-saving bone marrow match, he had to do something to help. The action star filmed a PSA on location in Beijing last week pleading for the public to help the young San Francisco girl find a match by registering with DKMS (www.dkmsamericas.org) the world's largest bone marrow donor center.

"I recently found out about an 8 year-old girl who has leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant. I recorded a public service announcement to appeal for your help and now I am asking all my Facebook fans to do what they can. Please help!" said Jackie on his Facebook page.

Two years ago eight-year-old Natalie Nakatani was diagnosed with leukemia. After five difficult rounds of chemotherapy last year, Natalie's leukemia was in remission. Now it's back and, according to her doctors her only chance at survival is having a life-saving bone marrow transplant within the next few weeks. - more on this story

The Judds To Reunite for Final Tour

Legendary country soul diva Wynonna Judd announced on The Early Show, Saturday edition that she will reunite with her mother, Naomi Judd, for a final "The Judds" tour.

As part of CBS News' broadcast plans leading up to Super Bowl XLIV, The Early Show, Saturday edition broadcast from Lummus Park in South Beach. The broadcast, anchored by Chris Wragge and Erica Hill, featured a special live performance by Wynonna Judd.

Five-time GRAMMY winner Wynonna Judd first gained fame as part of one of the most successful musical duos of all time, The Judds. She also holds multiple gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications from the RIAA in excess of 30 million units sold for albums released throughout her illustrious 25-year career. - more on this story

The Fratellis' Jon Lawler New Project Codeine Velvet Club Sets Debut Release

Codeine Velvet Club, the new musical project from The Fratellis' Jon Lawler and singer/songwriter Lou Hickey, will release their self-titled US debut April 6th on Dangerbird Records.

The collaboration began when Lawler, taking a break from whirlwind touring and recording with The Fratellis, teamed up with Hickey to work on a track - the jazz-noir, big-band duet titled "Vanity Kills" - for her record.

The song inspired the duo to embark on a full-fledged project together. The resulting album features an elegant orchestral score written by Mick Cooke of Belle & Sebastian, backing vocals by the Gospel Truth Choir and strings parts recorded by renowned classical musicians, including legendary trumpeter Derek Watkins. - more on this story

Pet Shop Boys Announce Live DVD/CD Release

Pet Shop Boys return with Pandemonium, a deluxe DVD/CD set containing their entire live show at London's O2 Arena on Astralwerks on March 23, 2010.

Known for their spectacular live shows, Pet Shop Boys pull out all the stops for this dazzling performance, filled with dramatic set pieces, exhilarating music and show-stopping surprises. Featuring electrifying live arrangements of all their classic hits, and loaded with bonus material, Pandemonium is a must-have for pop fans.

The film has been made by David Barnard who directed Pet Shop Boys' 'Cubism' DVD of the Fundamental tour. The audio for the DVD was mixed by Dave Woolley. - more on this story

Beyonce Donates Concert Tickets

After her sold out "I AM…" World Tour, international superstar Beyonce marks the last date of the South American leg of the tour by donating 300 tickets to lucky fans in Trinidad.

The fans will be chosen by The United Way of Trinidad and Tobago and the tickets will be distributed on the morning of Thursday, February 18, 2010. Beyoncé will perform in Queen's Park Savannah the evening of February 18 with local soca star Machel Montana on the bill as the opening act.

Beyoncé recently extended her 2009 "I AM…" World Tour to South America for a series of live concerts that began February 4, 2010 at Parque Planeta in Florianópolis, Brazil. The two-week run took the entertainer from Brazil to Argentina, Chile and Peru. She played to her biggest live concert audience ever in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where a crowd of 60,000 fans gathered. -

Suspicious Fire at Historic Sound of Philadelphia Offices

Describing the burned-out remains of their historic "Sound of Philadelphia" offices as "total devastation," legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame songwriter-producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff held a press conference to express their outrage and sorrow from seeing the iconic birthplace of Philly Soul Music ravaged by a fire termed "suspicious" by officials.

Despite the extensive damage to the third-floor at 309 S. Broad St., where the Philadelphia International Records (PIR) offices and recording studio are located and the fire apparently originated, Gamble & Huff vow to rebuild their home of 40 years, a major tourist attraction where Michael Jackson, Teddy Pendergrass, Patti LaBelle, the O'Jays, Lou Rawls, Chubby Checker and dozens more created worldwide smash hits.

"Ain't no stoppin' us now," said the seminal R&B songwriting team, citing the title of the McFadden & Whitehead classic that was part of the Gamble-Huff/PIR music machine which generated over 100 Gold and Platinum records and over 70 #1 hits, including "Love Train" by the O'Jays, "Me & Mrs. Jones" (Billy Paul), "if You Don't" Me By Now" (Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes) and "Enjoy Yourself" by the Jacksons. - more on this story