Beyonce's father lashes out at critics

Mathew Knowles is sick of hearing criticism of his daughter Beyonce. The MusicWorld exec issued a statement this week in response to critics of Beyonce's upcoming album B'Day and to an online petition that asks Beyonce to reshoot the video for the album's first single, "Déjà Vu." In the statement, Knowles said that rumors that he was trying to delay release of B'Day because he was unhappy with its quality are untrue.

"What will be next?" he asked. "Beyonce's cut off all her hair? Dyed it green? Maybe she's singing the songs in reverse with some hidden subliminal message! Unfortunately what it shows is that anyone can go on the internet and create rumors and the media in some cases will pick up these stories and run with them which influence the consumer's perception." Knowles goes on to cite Beyonce's success as both a solo artist and a member of destiny's Child. "And just for the record, Beyonce's success or failure for me is not based on the number of records she sells," he wrote. "For me, it's based on how proud I am that she is a genuine good person."

Post reports secret Springsteen-Scialfa split

Is Bruce Springsteen dating a 9/11 widow? That's what the New York Post is reporting, saying that the Boss has split from longtime wife and bandmate Patti Scialfa. The report says that Springsteen fell for a redhead he met when he organized the September 11 telethon, America: A Tribute to Heroes, and has since left his wife of 20 years. "They're separated, but everyone has been sworn to secrecy," the Post cites a source as saying. "We're not supposed to talk about it." The paper also quotes Scialfa's mother, Victoria, as saying, "I don't know anything about it. I don't want to talk about it."

Overeager Madonna fans may cause Moscow show relocation

Fears that students at Moscow's Lononosov University will fall out of windows while trying to catch a look at Madonna have forced the Russia capital's security agency to consider relocating the September 11 performance. Agence France Presse reports the head of that agency as saying that the show might be moved to the city's Turino airfield. The Moscow show is the last stop on the European leg of Madonna's world tour in support of her multiplatinum album Confessions on a Dance Floor.

DMX cancels USO trip to Iraq

DMX has fans the world over, but he may have just lost a bunch in the US armed forces. The barking rapper unexpectedly bailed out on a planned weeklong trip to entertain US troops in Kuwait and Iraq without explanation, according to the USO, the nonprofit group chartered to support the morale of US troops worldwide. DMX--real name Earl Simmons--first postponed the trip by a day, the USO said, but then failed to show for his rescheduled flight to Kuwait. "We are extremely disappointed that DMX decided not to complete the tour he asked us to arrange for him," the USO's John Hanson said in a statement. "When we announced this tour, troops were extremely excited about the possibility of seeing a performer they admired. We understand their disappointment. Mr. Simmons let a lot of people down."

Hicks sues to stop sale of early tracks

A Nashville producer looking to capitalize on the success of Amercan Idol winner Taylor Hicks has been hit with a lawsuit by the gray-haired crooner. In response to the suit, filed after two songs written and sung by Hicks showed up for sale on iTunes, a federal judge in Nashville has temporarily barred producer William Smith from selling the songs until the court hears the case. A hearing is set for August 30. Hicks' suit claims the songs were recorded in 1997, but Smith said Hicks recorded them in June 2001.