Billboard Bits serves up the best bite-sized nuggets of music news and gossip every afternoon.




Contrary to popular reports, Howard Stern is not under consideration to replace Simon Cowell as "American Idol" judge. According to the Daily Beast, "Idol" insiders are saying no offer has been made to Stern, and that the show is months away from choosing a replacement. In fact, a source familiar with the search process says Stern was never even being considered.

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With Fashion Week set to kick off in New York City this week in the face of a major blizzard, LnA - the makers of popular Dani leggings - have lined up an all star cast for its hot-ticket afterparty. According to Nylon, Canadian rock band Metric is set to perform, and punk poetess Patti Smith will also appear on stage at the Milk Studios soiree.


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Rage Against the Machine is living up to its promise to the British people and will play a free concert in the U.K. to celebrate its Christmas No. 1 single. According to Spinner, the victory gig will be going ahead with details and location to be announced at the end of next week.


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Hip hop pioneers Whodini, the duo responsible for rap classics like "Friends" and "Mr. Magic's Wand," has reunited in the studio and hopes to release new music in 2010. According to AllHipHop.com, the band is currently on the road with the "Fresh Fest" tour, along with fellow old-school luminaries Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick and Salt-n-Pepa.


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Beastie Boy Adam "Ad-Roc" Yauch is stepping up for a basketball buddy to mix a new song by Brooklyn band Rival Schools. According to NME, the group's drummer, Sam Siegler, plays hoops with the rapper, and hit him up on the court for the assist.

(Compiled by David J. Prince)