The near-simultaneous Live 8 series of concerts is held in London, Philadelphia, Paris, Berlin and Rome to bring attention to international debt, aid and trade issues. The event is organized by Live Aid mastermind Bob Geldof, who enlists the services of performers including Paul McCartney, R.E.M., U2, Jay-Z, Will Smith, Bon Jovi, Mariah Carey and Stevie Wonder. More...

A bus carrying performers for Eminem and 50 Cent's Anger Management tour stop in Denver crashes into two tractor-trailers near Odessa, Mo. Eminem is not on the bus at the time of the collision; his DJ, the Alchemist, and up-and-coming rapper Stat Quo are hospitalized and later released. More...

Joining the ranks of rappers Jay-Z and 50 Cent, Nelly scores a deal with Reebok to release a signature collection of footwear, apparel and accessories. More...

Hoping to lure black female moviegoers, Lions Gate Films signs rapper-turned-actor LL Cool J to a multi-picture movie deal. More...

The computer-animated creation Crazy Frog becomes an international sensation after taking over the U.K. singles chart. Crazy Frog started out as a ring tone and crossed over into music after producer Wolfgang Boss included the ring tone in a dance remix of "Axel F." More...

LEGALITIES:

Rapper Lil' Kim is sentenced to one year and one day in prison after being convicted for lying to a federal grand jury to protect friends involved in a shootout outside a New York radio station. The artist later files a lawsuit against her former Junior Mafia band mate Lil Cease?who testified against her during her perjury trial?for unlawfully using her name and image to promote a DVD.

Megadeth lead singer Dave Mustaine sues the band's former bass player for allegedly using the name of the group without permission in an advertisement for musical equipment.

Ashanti is ordered to pay $630,000 to her first producer, Genard Parker, for breach of contract.

Gucci Mane is arrested in Miami on an outstanding police warrant from Atlanta, for aggravated assault.

Sean "Diddy" Combs and Random House, Inc., settle a lawsuit alleging the hip-hop impresario never paid back a $300,000 advance for a memoir he didn't complete.

A financial company sues pop star Michael Jackson, claiming that the singer owes the company $48 million for rescuing his stake in the publishing rights to songs by the Beatles.