The Day in Pop Digest for 12/23/10: (Contact Music) Gorillaz and Blur star Damon Albarn has warned Glee producers not to contact him about using his songs on the TV show, because he can't forgive them for stealing the Beeatles' U.S. pop chart record. Albarn says, "Those songs won't last like the Beatles... They'll be forgotten in a few years time." more. [Plus the Beatles actually wrote their own hit songs.] (NME) Rapper Renetta Lowe, known as Magnolia Shorty, was shot and killed in New Orleans on Monday (December 20). Lowe, who was 28, was a member of Lil Wayne's Cash Money crew. She died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds more
(Jam!) Pop superstar Shakira has tested her creative skills by writing a Dora The Explorer children's book for charity more
(Billboard) The No. 1 slot on the Billboard 200 albums chart this week was seemingly up for grabs a week ago, when industry prognosticators were predicting that it was a race between the then-current topper "The Gift" from Susan Boyle, former No. 1 "Speak Now" by Taylor Swift and Michael Jackson's new "Michael." Swift won. more
Billboard named one of the first -- In the Key of Awesome's "TiK ToK" spoof -- as one of the best viral videos of 2010, and though they wouldn't say this one -- titled "A Very Ke$ha Christmas" -- matches the glittering mockery of that one, it's worth a view around the holidays. Check it out here
The T-Pain produced "Merry Christmas" is a mid tempo T-Pain joint and now you can have a chance to join the song with Teddy himself to be placed on the official "prEVOLVEr The Mixtape" release. Submit your verses to TPainFeatYou2@gmail.com for consideration.
(Billboard) Broadway stars are speaking out against "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" director Julie Taymor and the show's producers in light of all the serious on-set injuries. They also had words for U2's Bono and the Edge more
(Billboard) Pauly D is apparently so fascinating that MTV has offered him a spin-off series option deal. Back in September, Pauly D -- aka, Paul Delvecchio -- starred in a pilot, and MTV recently took the bait more
(Jam!) British actress Julie Andrews, country icon Dolly Parton, jazz drummer Roy Haynes, and punk pioneers the Ramones will receive Grammy Awards for lifetime achievement next year, organizers said Wednesday. more
(Yahoo) The Fantastic Four — superheroes whose creation nearly 50 years ago helped usher in the Silver Age of comics for Marvel — is about to become a trio. more
(Yahoo) Trace Adkins will headline the list of performers scheduled to appear at next month's GMA Gospel Hall of Fame induction ceremony. more
(Billboard) Britney Spears held open auditions today (Dec. 22) at Center Stage in Burbak, Calif. for the first video off her March 2011 album. more
(BBC) The X Factor final was the most watched show of 2010 in the UK, ahead of England's World Cup match against Germany, viewing figures suggest. more
(Yahoo) Fred Foy, an announcer best known for his booming, passionate lead-ins to "The Lone Ranger" radio and television series, died Wednesday of natural causes more
(Yahoo) Joining the CBS lineup midseason is spinoff series "Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior," which will debut Feb. 16. Other newcomers are the comedy "Mad Love," debuting Feb. 21, and the spy drama "Chaos" starting April 1. more
(AFP) Acclaimed Chinese director Zhang Yimou has chosen Batman star Christian Bale to star as a heroic priest in his next film about the infamous Nanjing massacre by Japanese forces. more
