Jay-Z preps American Gangster-inspired album

The story of drug kingpin-turned-informant Frank Lucas has inspired Jay-Z to get back in the studio less than a year after releasing his "comeback album," Kingdom Come, last December. The rapper-mogul told the New York Times that he will release his second album in a year, American Gangster, on November 6 via Def Jam, the label he heads.

The album features all-new original material inspired by the upcoming movie of the same name starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. One track, "Blue Magic," has already been leaked online. Jay-Z told the paper that he has completed nine songs, each inspired by a specific scene in the movie. "It was like I was watching the film, and putting it on pause, and giving a back story to the story," he said.

American Gangster, which also features rappers T.I., Common, and RZA in supporting roles, tells the story of Lucas, who shipped heroin to the United States in the coffins of soldiers killed in Vietnam. Lucas, who will be played by Washington, was brought to justice by lawman Richie Roberts (Crowe). The two then worked together to expose the crooked cops and foreign nationals.

Jay-Z's American Gangster album follows quickly on the heels of last year's Kingdom Come, his much-touted "comeback" project. It has sold about 1.5 million copies in the US, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Akon talks projects with legends

His silky-smooth voice has been featured on seemingly every big hip-hop and R&B this year, but you're likely going to get even more of Akon in 2008. The Senegalese singer told MTV News that he is working on projects with the legendary likes of Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Whitney Houston.

"He's incredible," 'Kon said of Jackson. "He's a genius. Just to be in the same room [with him], I felt everything I wanted to accomplish in life has been achieved. That aura ... that's how incredible that aura is. We about to shake the world up, man. You know how you be with somebody and you can't even explain [the feeling]? I used to sit and think, 'How does somebody sell so many records and dominate a whole business genre, to a point [where] nobody can't be a part of that without associating with you?' The way he thinks ... some artists think regional, some think national, I was thinking international. He thinks planets. It's on another level."

Akon is set to hit the studio with Madonna before the end of the year, and said the collaboration will "shock the world." As for Houston, Akon said he's starting on the project soon. "She's the truth," he said. "She's undeniable. She's got so much to think about, sing about. This album is going to be one of the biggest albums she decided to put out. She has so much energy, so much happiness and sadness to incorporate into the album. Her voice is strong enough to deliver any message she wants to sing to the world. It's outta here."

Kanye, 50 Cent trade chart punches

Kanye West easily won the battle for first week album sales with 50 Cent, but Fiddy hopes to win the war of global album sales. Although West's Graduation trounced 50's Curtis in first-week album sales in the US and UK, Fiddy got the upper hand in Europe, debuting at No. 1 on European Top 100 Albums, and landing the top slot in Switzerland and Ireland, and landing in the top three in France, Germany, Austria, Holland, and Norway.

While total and global sales will play out in the coming weeks, West also has the advantage on the US singles chart, with "Stronger" landing atop the Billboard Hot 100 this week. "Stronger" knocked Soulja Boy's "Crank" down one notch to No. 2.

Timberlake talks Britney on Oprah

In an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show yesterday, Justin Timberlake talked about the trials and tribulations of his ex-girlfriend, the embattled Britney Spears. Here's an excerpt:

Oprah: What do you think is going on with Britney?

Justin: I don't know, to be honest with you. I haven't spoken to her in years. I mean, there's no ill will--I have nothing but love for her. It's funny because we dated each other at a time...wow, I haven't talked about this in a long time. It's interesting.

Oprah: But you've never talked about it to me, so it's OK.

Justin: Hey, let's get it in, girl.

Oprah: Let's get it in.

Justin: We were teenagers, you know?

Oprah: Yes, famous teenagers.

Justin: I think that's basically the best way to describe what happened to us. I think she's a great person, and I don't know her as well as I did. ... What I do know about her is she has a huge heart, and she is a great person.

Timbaland to appear on soap opera

Speaking of soap operas, Timberlake's right-hand man, Timbaland, is set to appear and perform on ABC soap opera One Life to Live. On an episode airing October 9, Timbaland will play "The Way I Are" with Keri Hilson.

"This is a new experience for me," Timbaland, 35, said in a statement. "I am looking forward to having a great time and sharing my music!" The producer joins a list of previous One Life to Live performers that includes Mary J. Blige, Lifehouse, Erykah Badu, and Simply Red.

Spector jury deadlocked

Deadlocked on a verdict in the murder trial of legendary producer Phil Spector, a jury will not be allowed to consider a lesser charge, according to a ruling made by Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler yesterday. The ruling, which prevents the jury from considering a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter, further complicates a five-month trial that has left the jury at a 7-5 impasse.

Fidler asked the attorneys outside the jury's presence for arguments on how the current jury instructions might be restated to aid the panel in deliberations, which were suspended after the impasse was announced Tuesday. Fidler ruled earlier in the trial that the jury would only consider the charge of second-degree murder and not any lesser offenses.

Spector, 67, is charged with murdering actress Lana Clarkson in his Alhambra mansion on February 3, 2003, a few hours after she met up with him at her job as a nightclub hostess and went home with him. The defense maintains Clarkson, 40, was depressed and shot herself in the mouth either on purpose or by accident.