Briefly: Jay-Z, Dallas Austin, Dianna Krall, Elvis Costello, Arctic Monkeys
Jay-Z reportedly is planning an international tour--and maybe more.
The rapper, who currently heads up Def Jam records, announced his retirement as a performer with his 2003 set, "The Black Album," but recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of his debut album, "Reasonable Doubt," with a pair of New York City concerts.
In an interview this week with the Associated Press, Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, said that he plans to tour Seoul, Beirut, Dubai, Johannesburg and Sydney, among other international locales, this fall.
"There's a lot of places I haven't been," he reportedly said. "They've heard my music but they've never really seen me perform live."
He also said he's considering ending his retirement entirely.
"I go back and forth with it," he reportedly said. "I believe the industry as a whole needs certain events to happen to sustain it and keep it alive. ... you need big artists, you need major events that happen. ... So when I look at it in those terms, I believe that an album is needed."
R&B producer Dallas Austin --who has worked with a long list of stars that includes TLC, Madonna and Pink--reportedly was arrested May 19 on drug-possession charges at Dubai's airport.
According to an Associated Press report, Austin is charged with possessing illegal drugs for personal use--a crime that is typically punished in the United Arab Emirates with several years in jail. Police have not disclosed further details; he reportedly is due in court for a July 2 hearing.
Austin, 34, reportedly was in the UAE to attend concerts.
Jazz singer Diana Krall , 41, and her husband, rock veteran Elvis Costello , 51, are expecting their first child in December, according to published reports.
Founding Arctic Monkeys bassist Andy Nicholson, who didn't join the band on its recent North American tour, has exited the group.
According to a statement posted on Arctic Monkeys' website, Nick O'Malley, who filled in on bass during the North American dates, will remain with the group through the summer.
Festival Guide: Pemberton Festival, Pemberton, BC [June 2008]
Elvis Costello Tapped For Whistler Music Festival [May 2008]
New Releases, May 6: Neil Diamond, Clay Aiken, Tim McGraw [May 2008]
Elton John, Elvis Costello Launch Television Series [April 2008]
Weekend Ticketing: Dave Matthews Band, Kanye West, Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney [March 2008]
Pemberton fest nabs Coldplay, Jay-Z, NIN, Tom Petty [March 2008]
Madonna's "Confessions on a Dance Floor" tour
The Duke Spirit on stage and in the studio
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with Stevie Nicks
Metallica at the KROQ Weenie Roast in Irvine, CA
R.E.M. at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA
Herbie Hancock at the Sonoma Jazz Festival
Brad Paisley, Jack Ingram and Kellie Pickler
Dengue Fever at The Independent, San Francisco, CA

