Briefly: Mary J. Blige, Aretha Franklin, Aaron Neville, Leif Garrett, Vernon Reid
Mary J. Blige 's "The Breakthrough"--which debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 album chart three weeks ago, but was bumped to No. 2 for the last two weeks by Jamie Foxx's "Unpredictable"--returns to the top of the chart this week.
"Unpredictable" drops to No. 2, while Carrie Underwood's "Some Hearts" jumps two slots to No. 3.
Eminem's best-of set "Curtain Call: The Hits" falls one rung to No. 4, while The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Duets: The Final Chapter" rises two slots to No. 5.
Aretha Franklin and Aaron Neville , accompanied by pianist Dr. John, will team to perform the national anthem at this year's Super Bowl, set for Feb. 5 at Detroit's Ford Field.
Former teen singing idol Leif Garrett , 44, reportedly was charged with heroin possession Wednesday (1/18) in connection with his Saturday (1/14) arrest at a commuter train station in Los Angeles. He was also charged with fare evasion.
Garrett is currently on probation for a previous drug arrest.
Guitar virtuoso Vernon Reid and his group Masque will issue the self-produced CD "Other True Self" on the Favored Nations label on April 18. Reid, best known for his work in Living Colour, wrote many of the tracks on the album, which also features songs written by other Masque members as well as three cover songs.
- Artist Links:
Mary J. Blige, Andrea Bocelli Grammy duet to benefit Haiti relief [January 2010]
Mary J. Blige tapped as headliner, spokesperson for Essence fest [January 2010]
New Releases, Dec. 15: Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Robin Thicke [December 2009]
Mary J. Blige, Sheryl Crow, others sign up for Lilith Fair return [December 2009]
Mary J. Blige, John Legend jazz it up in Miami [December 2009]
Top acts honor Def Jam Records [September 2009]






































