Prince has made a new track, "Silver Tongue," available exclusively via his online NPG Music Club Store. The cuts's lyrics were penned by Nikka Costa, whose own "Push & Pull" has been covered live by Prince in the past. Members of the NPG Music Club can download the track for 77 cents, while non-members can obtain it for 99 cents.Prince's tour in support of his latest studio album, "Musicology," is in the midst of a multiple-night stand at New York's Madison Square Garden.
-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
Rapper Mr. Cheeks will release his third solo album, "Ladies and Ghettomen," Sept. 13 via his own Legal Drug Money Records in conjunction with Contango Records. The set will be led by the Pete Rock-produced single "It's Alright" featuring Truth Hurts. "Ladies and Ghettomen" also features the Rock-produced "All I Know," as well as the celebratory "Tonight" and an update of the Paul McCartney/Michael Jackson duet "The Girl Is Mine." Guests on the set include Messiah, Madman and Izzy.
The album is the follow-up to the one-time Lost Boyz member's 2003 Universal set "Back Again!" The album, which debuted at No. 25 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 75 on The Billboard 200, has sold 72,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Mr. Cheeks, Truth Hurts and Rock will kick off a U.S. tour Aug. 3 in New York.
-- Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.
Fantasia has signed on as spokesmodel for the vintage-inspired clothing brand American Rag Cie. The third-season "American Idol" winner will be featured in a national ad campaign for the casual sportswear collection for juniors and young men, which is available exclusively in Macy's department stores. As part of the deal, Fantasia will make personal appearances in American Rag Cie shops within select Macy's stores, and will also wear selections from the line during public appearances.
As previously reported, Fantasia will hit the road with finalists from the latest season of "American Idol" on a tour that kicks off tomorrow (July 14) in Salt Lake City.
-- Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.
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