Christina Aguilera will star in her own live performance television special on the U.S. WB network. Taped earlier this month at London’s Wembley Arena, the one-hour “Stripped … Live in the U.K.” will air Nov. 30 at 9 p.m. ET. According to Aguilera’s official Web site, the concert will be released Jan. 13 on DVD.
Following a stint hosting last week’s MTV Europe Awards, Aguilera was forced to end her U.K. tour early, canceling Nov. 10 -11 shows in Newcastle and Manchester, England, respectively, due to illness. Her world tour will continue Dec. 1 with the first of three shows in Tokyo, then head to Australia, where it will end Dec. 17 in Melbourne.
Aguilera is touring in support of her latest RCA album, “Stripped.” Released in November 2002, the album debuted at No. 2 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 3.1 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.
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— Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.
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Next member Tweet is teaming with rapper Max Lux and recording under the moniker Goldiggez. But in this instance, the term has everything to do with “digging and achieving our goals,” Tweet tells Billboard, and nothing to do with its usual negative connotation.
To further underscore that message, the pair’s debut CD, “DIGGA,” is an acronym for Damn, I’m Gettin’ Goals Accomplished. The R&B/hip-hop duo is currently shopping the project, which was developed through Tweet’s production company, WutShawanAdo (Shawan is Tweet’s legal middle name). The pair will perform an industry showcase Monday (Nov. 17) at Los Angeles’ Key Club.
Dispelling any Next breakup rumors, Tweet says, “Next will always be together. That’s my foundation.” Last year, Next’s RL released a solo album, “RL: Ements,” on J Records.
— Gail Mitchell, N.Y.
Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora and smooth jazz trumpeter Chris Botti are among the guests on “Toy,” the debut album from multi-instrumentalist/composer/singer/actor/dancer Everett Bradley. The 15-track holiday-themed release also features guest appearances by vocalists Ann Hampton Callaway and Sasha Lazard, and “Saturday Night Live” band drummer Shawn Pelton. Sambora duets with Bradley on the track “Funky Santa,” to which he also adds a lead guitar solo. Botti can be heard playing on the song “Dirty Snow.” The album is available through Bradley’s official Web site.
Bradley is the co-creator of the hit Broadway show “Swing” and was the first American male cast member of “Stomp.” As the Original, he scored a 1994 U.K. hit with the dance single “I Luv U Baby,” and has recorded and toured as a percussionist with the likes of Bon Jovi, Darryl Hall and David Bowie.
— Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.