Eminem appears on Sirius

Eminem made a live appearance on his Sirius Satellite Radio Channel, Shade 45, this afternoon to play tracks from his forthcoming compilation CD, Eminem Presents: The Re-Up. Slim Shady played tracks from the album, including a song produced by Dr. Dre by rapper Stat Quo, one of several relatively unknown rappers that Eminem is touting on the album, along with Bobby Creekwater, and Ca$his. Eminem appeared on the show with Lord Sear and Rude Jude, hosts of The All-Out Show. Sirius is celebrating the second anniversary today of Shade 45, which features G-Unit Radio Saturdays, hosted by DJ Whoo Kid, as well as big names hosts like DJ Cipha Sounds, Clinton Sparks, DJ Kay Slay, the Aphiliates, DJ Muggs, DJ Tony Touch, and others.

Dupri confirms Virgin departure

Amid disappointing sales of his girlfriend Janet Jackson's much-hyped comeback album, producer and mogul Jermaine Dupri confirmed today that he has left his post as head of urban music at Virgin Records. Dupri told the Associated Press that he wanted to address the rumors surrounding his departure. "Since there are so many rumors running rampant about my position at Virgin Records, I feel that it is necessary to set the record straight," Dupri told the AP. "I was not forced out of the company, I made a decision that it was in my best interest to leave." Dupri was only with Virgin since 2005, and had promised big things for Jackson's album, 20 Y.O., a title that hoped to capitalize on the 20-year anniversary of Jackson's breakout album, Control. Dupri served as executive producer for the album, which failed to debut at the top of the charts last month and has fallen steadily since then.

Yoko Ono made filing as placeholder

Yoko Ono does not plan to pursue litigation against EMI and its subsidiary Capitol Records for $10 miilion in royalties from her late husband John Lennon's music sales, despite her filing of legal papers earlier this week. Citing sources close to the litigation, Billboard reported today that the filing was simply made to preserve Ono's rights during ongoing discussions with the label. The statute of limitations, which sets the number of years in which a lawsuit must be filed before the right to sue is lost, was about to expire. The filing preserves Ono's rights while allowing the parties to complete settlement documents to resolve the royalty dispute, says the source. Specific details of the proposed settlement were not available.

Henley picked for MusiCares top honor

Don Henley will be honored at the 2007 Grammy Awards in February as the MusiCares Person of the Year, an award given for his exceptional professional achievements as well as his commitment to a range of philanthropic causes from environmental issues to artists' rights concerns. Proceeds from the annual MusicCares Grammy Week gala, which will be held on February 9, 2007, provide support for MusiCares, which ensures that music people have a place to turn in times of financial, medical, and personal need. "Don is one of the most relevant and respected musical voices of our time, and it is a fitting testament to his extraordinary talents and charitable work that he will be honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year," Recording Academy President Neil Portnow said in a statement.

Queen's May takes on the universe

We already knew that Queen guitarist Brian May was an expert on Mercury. Deceased bandmate Freddie Mercury, that is. But apparently May's not stopping there, having cowritten Bang! The Complete History of the Universe, with astronomers Patrick Moore and Chris Lintott. "I was always torn and I still am," May told Reuters, saying he gave up PhD studies in interplanetary dust to pursue a music career nearly four decades ago. "To me it is a spiritual force in my life. I have been through some wonderful times in my life and also through some very deep depressions. The stars are one of the things that have always given me hope. Just going out on a clear night and looking at the stars and seeing the steady light of these beautiful objects and realizing how small my problems were has always been a source of inspiration." What would Mercury have thought of the book? "I am sure he would be sitting there smiling and saying, 'Oh well. If you want to get into that darling, that's very good for you."'

C-Murder can't give interviews

C-Murder, the New Orleans rapper and brother of Master P, will not be allowed to give interviews to promote his forthcoming album without violating the terms of a gag order before his second-degree murder trial, a judge ruled this week. C-Murder--real name Corey Miller--can be photographed at his home, as he is under house arrest until the trial kicks off February 26, the judge ruled. Miller is accused of killing Steve Thomas, 16, on January 12, 2002, at a now-closed club in Harvey. He was convicted of second-degree murder but won a new trial in March when the state Supreme Court affirmed a ruling that prosecutors withheld criminal background information on their witnesses from Miller's defense attorneys. House arrest is a condition of Miller's $500,000 bond.