Wood confirmed to play Iggy Pop

As had been widely rumored, Elijah Wood is set to play Iggy Pop in a biopic of the rock legend. Variety.com reported today that Wood, famed for playing Frodo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, will play the punk pioneer in The Passenger. The title is drawn from Pop's 1977 album Lust for Life. The flick, directed by Nick Gomez, is tentatively slated for a midsummer 2008 release. Pop reportedly has given his blessing to the project but will not appear or aid its production. The film "follows Pop's early years with his band the Stooges."

Britney posts message on site

It's unclear if attendees would agree, but the Britney Spears "M+Ms" comeback gigs have been an act of God. In a message posted to her Web site today, the pop star says prayers have sparked her recovery from a series of hair-razing missteps. "The reason for this letter is to let everyone know that their prayers have truly helped me," reads the post, which accompanies an image of the singer crossing her arms over her topless chest. "I am so blessed that you care enough about me to be concerned and will continue to live in this brighter state with all of you by my side during this trying time. We are all lights of the world and we all need to continuously inspire others and look to the higher power. You are all in my prayers. Godspeed. Love, Britney." Spears is slated to perform two more shows in Florida this weekend.

Master P, son Romeo launch label

Who better to rid hip-hop of stereotypes than one of the most prolific purveyors of them? Master P and son rapper Romeo said this week that they have launched a new label called Take A Stand Records, which hopes to clean up the lyrics and image of hip-hop music. Take A Stand will only sign artists who pledge to be role models via clean lyrics and positive moral values. In an open letter to announce the label, Master P acknowledged that he has benefited from explicit lyrics, but hopes to change his tune, after the genre came under fire in light of the Don Imus controversy.

"I have profited millions of dollars through explicit rap lyrics," Master P wrote. "I can honestly say that I was once part of the problem and now it's time to be part of the solution. I am ready to take a stand by cleaning up my music and follow my son's footsteps and make a clean rap album." The first release under the new label will be a father and son album from Master P and Romeo titled Hip Hop History, which is slated to hit stores in the fall.

Bo Diddley hospitalized after stroke

Bo Diddley suffered a stroke Sunday in Omaha, Nebraska, and remains in "guarded" condition at the Creighton University Medical Center there. The 78-year-old Diddley, who has a history of hypertension and diabetes, reportedly showed signs of disorientation following a concert at Harrah's Casino in Council Bluffs, and was admitted with elevated blood pressure and glucose levels. Tests indicated Diddley had a stroke that affected the left side of his brain, impairing his speech and speech recognition. He remains in intensive care. Diddley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and was given a lifetime achievement Grammy in 1998.

Michael Franti to play San Quentin

Following in the footsteps of Metallica, troubadour Michael Franti is set to perform at San Quentin prison in Northern California on Saturday. In the first musical performance since Metallica played there in 2002, Franti will perform with his band Spearhead before a crowd of 2,000 inmates. Franti has sought permission to broadcast his concert to San Quentin's death-row inmates via closed circuit television. Franti, a fierce proponent of tolerance and peaceful coexistence, was recently interviewed live on Al Jazeera TV's Riz Khan show.