HIP-HOP ROYALTY

Keith,

I am a huge fan of the independent female hip-hop artist Princess Superstar, who recently released her brilliant fifth album "My Machine" in the United States.

She finally achieved some commercial success in the United Kingdom in 2001, where the single "Bad Babysitter" peaked at No. 11. I am wondering how many copies were sold stateside of her previous albums, and whether any of her albums or singles ever dented any Billboard charts. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jerome Glassman

Hi Jerome,

Princess Superstar released "My Machine" in the United States Sept. 12 through !K7 Records. It didn't sell enough in its first week to reach any of Billboard's charts. None of her previous work has ever hit any Billboard chart.

Her best selling stateside album is 2002's "Princess Superstar Is," which has sold 9,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That album included the single you mentioned, "Bad Babysitter."

We just missed out on her Sept. 23 DJ gig in New York, where she was spinning at Club Lotus to celebrate the release of her album.

For more information about the artist, visit her official Web site at princesssuperstar.com


THE BALLAD OF ANNIE AND DAVE

Hello Keith,

I'm so excited about the Billboard news on the Eurythmics "Ultimate Collection" which is coming out Nov. 8 and will include two new songs.

Annie Lennox's profile lately was very high following her Academy Award win and performance, the 46664 concerts with Nelson Mandela and her remarkable performance at Live8. There are some sites claiming "Bare" went platinum and "Diva" and "Medusa" went triple platinum in the states, is this true?

Thanks,

Julian
New York

Hi Julian,

Let's talk about the "Ultimate Collection" first. As previously reported, the 19-song set features all of Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart's essential hits as the Eurythmics, including "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)," "Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves," "17 Again," "Would I Lie To You" and "Here Comes the Rain Again." It also boasts two new tracks recorded for this album: "I've Got a Life" and "Was It Just Another Love Affair?"

Plans are in place for the pair to perform on the American Music Awards in November, along with appearances on NBC's "Today" and "Saturday Night Live," the syndicated "Ellen DeGeneres Show" and PBS' "Charlie Rose."

The Eurythmics' last studio album, 1999's "Peace," sold 337,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Lennox's last solo studio set, 2003's "Bare," has shifted 814,000.

You can learn if Eurythmics or Lennox's albums have gone gold or platinum via the Recording Industry Association of America, which administers the certification program based on shipments to U.S. retailers, at RIAA.com.


REMEMBERING AALIYAH

Keith,

Is there any information available as to when there might possibly be a new album from the late Aaliyah?

Thank you,

Jonathan

Hi Jonathan,

We haven't received word on any new Aaliyah-related projects lately. The singer's last release was the hits package "I Care 4 U," released in 2002 via Blackground/Universal.

That set debuted and peaked at No. 3 on The Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and has sold 1.6 million in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.