Kanye links with Madonna choreographer

If Kanye West's Jesus complex on the cover of Rolling Stone last year wasn't enough for you, are you ready to see him rap from a disco crucifix? West told MTV News this week that he has hired Madonna choreographer Jamie King to help him take his forthcoming Glow In the Dark Tour to the next level. The tour, for which details are still TBA, will be in support of West's forthcoming record, Graduation, set to hit stores in September. West said he will look to mimic Madonna's knack for spectacle.

"I saw the last Madonna concert--[King] did the last Madonna concerts and so I've been sitting down vibing with him, 'cause I want to bring the level of entertainment up another level," West told MTV. "At the end of the day, regardless of the 'he said/she said,' regardless of whatever s*** I talk, whatever s*** anybody else talks--come to the show and have a good time."

Jackson to get nearly $10M for party

Michael Jackson is reportedly in line for a massive pay day for attending a star-studded 25th birthday party for HRH Prince Azim of Brunei this weekend in the UK. According to several media reports, Jackson will be paid £5 million, or nearly $10 million, simply to appear at the event. Jackson is not believed to be performing at the event, and the singer hasn't performed live since a much-criticized appearance at the World Music Awards last year. The Mirror reported today that Jackson arrived in the UK from LA yesterday for the event.

"Even though Michael won't be performing, the very fact that he'll be in this stately home mingling with all of the prince's pals makes it worth every penny to Azim," a source told the paper. The bash is set to be held at a plush English mansion at a cost of millions. The prince is the son of the Sultan of Brunei, one of the world's richest men. Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Pamela Anderson, and Barbra Streisand are also expected to attend the event.

Eve pleads not guilty to DUI charge

Oh no she didn't. Eve pleaded not guilty yesterday to a misdemeanor DUI charge stemming from an incident last month in which she reportedly crashed her car on Hollywood Boulevard. The rapper and actress did not attend the hearing, instead letting her attorney enter the plea on her behalf. Eve is set to appear in court June 28. She faces a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Eve was charged with driving under the influence, driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08 or above, and failure to provide proof of insurance. The charges stem from an April 26 arrest in which officers stopped Eve at 2:40 a.m. after her gold Maserati struck a raised concrete center median on Hollywood Boulevard, police said. A breath test showed her blood-alcohol level was above the legal limit, prosecutors said.

Iggy Pop-inspired garden wins award

In an odd twist of fate, the godfather of punk rock has inspired a flower garden. A flower garden named after Iggy Pop's classic 1977 album, Lust for Life, created by London's Children's Society, has been awarded the silver medal at the city's Chelsea Flower Show, the British newspaper The Mirror reported today. The garden features an arc of water moving to the dancehall bombast of the album's title track. "It's awesome the Lust for Life garden won a silver medal" Iggy Pop told the paper. "It's great to know my music reaches out to so many and inspires. I'm honored the Children's Society's garden is inspired by my music and wholeheartedly support the work they do--they rock."

Sirius creates Grateful Dead channel

The Grateful Dead is about to get Sirius. The defunct psychedelic rock band and the satellite radio provider have linked up for satellite radio station that plays only Dead music. Grateful Dead Radio will stream music that spans the band's 40-year-plus career, pulling recordings from surviving band member's personal archives, bootleg performances, and previously unreleased material. Sirius said the channel will also include on-air appearances by members of the band--drummer Mickey Hart and guitarist Bob Weir announced the new offering with the New York satellite radio company. Sirius, which broadcasts more than 130 channels, has a handful of other channels dedicated to individual artists, including Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, and Frank Sinatra.

M.I.A. cancels Sasquatch set

In yet another case of a foreign artist being stifled by visa problems, M.I.A has been forced to cancel her appearance at the Sasquatch Festival in Washington this weekend because of visa issues. Sasquatch officials said that "unexpected delays in the processing and issuance of M.I.A.'s artist visa have forced her to cancel her appearance at this year's Sasquatch Festival. We apologize to our fans and to the promoters of the festival and look forward to returning to the US as soon as possible." M.I.A.'s forthcoming album, Kala, is set to hit stores this summer. The Long Winters are set to replace M.I.A. on the Sasquatch bill. Check MP3.com for full coverage of the event.