Beastie Boys [ tickets ] have unveiled a slew of European tour dates, and released a music-video clip that provides fans a taste of the group's forthcoming instrumental album.

The black-and-white snippet--which features a high-quality audio recording of bass, drums and guitar--runs less than a minute long. Navigation buttons posted alongside the video indicate that clip is the first of several installments that the band plans to post at its newly revamped site.

As previously reported, Beastie Boys will issue the instrumental set, dubbed "The Mix Up," on June 26.

Busta Rhymes [ tickets ]--real name Trevor Smith--has reportedly turned down a plea deal today (5/8) that would have resulted in a one-year jail term for charges stemming from a pair of alleged 2006 assaults.

In addition to the yearlong jail term, Rhymes reportedly would also have been fined $1,500 and required to participate in an anti-drunk-driving program.

Smith will now stand trial for the alleged assaults, the first of which occurred last August, and resulted in Smith being charged with assaulting a fan who allegedly spit on Smith's car; the other took place in December, when Smith allegedly assaulted his former driver.

Smith has been arrested four times in the past 10 months. The most recent arrest occurred last week after police reportedly stopped him for driving a vehicle with "excessively tinted windows"; following a Breathalyzer test, Smith was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.

Legendary soul-singer Aretha Franklin [ tickets ] will receive the 2008 MusiCares Person of the Year award during the organization's annual dinner, which coincides with next year's Grammy week.

According to a press release, Franklin will be honored for "her extraordinary artistic achievements as well as her philanthropic efforts, which include Save the Children, Easter Seals and various churches and food banks in the Detroit metropolitan area." The dinner and award presentation will take place Feb. 8 in Los Angeles, two days before the 50th annual Grammy Awards.

Motley Crue bassist and co-founder Nikki Sixx [ tickets ] has announced an Aug. 20 release date for a new solo album dubbed "The Heroin Diaries." A companion autobiography of the same name is due in stores Sept. 25.

Rocker/tequila mogul Sammy Hagar [ tickets ] has sold Italian beverage company Campari an 80-percent stake in his Cabo Wabo Tequila company for $80 million, according to a press release. The company has the option to buy the remaining 20 percent by 2015.