Kanye, Rihanna, N.E.R.D., Lupe link for tour
Kanye West is gearing up for a 2008 tour behind his latest album, last fall's "Graduation," and he's bringing Rihanna , N.E.R.D. and Lupe Fiasco along for the ride.
West tipped the news at his blog yesterday (1/29) by posting an image of a "Star Wars"-themed tour poster that heralds the forthcoming "Glow in the Dark Tour" and lists Rihanna, N.E.R.D. and Lupe Fiasco as his "co-stars" on the outing. No other details about the tour have yet been revealed; a spokesperson for West could not be reached at press time.
Released last September, "Graduation" debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 after posting first-week sales of almost 957,000 units. That number breaks the personal debut-week sales record West set with his 2005 sophomore release, "Late Registration," according to a press release. "Graduation" also established a new one-week digital sales record, logging more than 132,000 album downloads.
"Graduation" helped West earn more Grammy nominations for this year's annual awards ceremony than any other artist. The hip-hop icon is vying for a trophy in eight categories, including Album of the Year, Best Rap Album, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ("Good Life" featuring T-Pain) and Best Rap Song ("Can't Tell Me Nothing" and "Good Life"). Winners will be crowned during the Feb. 10 awards show, which is set to take place at Los Angeles' Staples Center, and will air live on CBS.
Barbadian singer Rihanna is backing her third album, "Good Girl Gone Bad," which surfaced last June. N.E.R.D. reportedly is in the studio putting the finishing touches on a follow-up to 2004's "Fly Or Die," expected to hit stores this spring.
Lupe Fiasco 's sophomore album, "The Cool," landed in stores last month. The Chicago-born rapper is currently in the midst of his own tour.
Album Chart: Coldplay again nabs No. 1 spot [July 2008]
Album Chart: Coldplay takes 'Viva' to No. 1 [June 2008]
Kanye West, UGK top list of BET winners [June 2008]
Kanye Hits Back After Bonnaroo Criticism [June 2008]
Album Chart: Lil Wayne dominates in debut week [June 2008]
Festival Guide: Essence Music Festival, New Orleans, LA [June 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

