plus: Prince track on the 'net. Barbra Streisand, Berry Gordy to receive awards. The B-52's get anthology treatment.

As expected, Jay-Z [ tickets ] was sentenced to three years probation on Thursday (12/6) in connection with the stabbing of a record company executive. He pled guilty to the charge in October.

In December 1999, the rapper--whose real name is Shawn Carter--was accused of stabbing Untertainment Records head Lance "Un" Rivera at a CD release party in New York City.

From a press release issued by Atlantic Records on Thursday (12/6):

A one-of-a-kind Gibson electric guitar, made especially for Lava/Atlantic recording artist Kid Rock [ tickets ], is missing and presumed stolen. The guitar, a new Gibson SG model custom-painted in a "stars and stripes" motif, was discovered missing by customs inspectors overseas, where Kid Rock arrived this week on his way to an undisclosed location to perform for U.S. servicemen and women as part of an MTV/USO holiday television special.

The guitar was last seen at Kid Rock's Michigan studio, where it was packed in a large case with a number of other guitars and then transported to the airport along with other equipment. Also missing along with the instrument is a hand-made rhinestone and beaded guitar strap embroidered with the name "ROCK."

Kid Rock had hoped to play the guitar live on stage for the first time during the taping of the MTV/USO show. "I just want to get it back," he said.

...Anyone with information on the missing guitar should contact Nick Stern at Atlantic Records - 212-707-2051.

According to reports in People and Entertainment Weekly, special effects artists digitally enhanced several sections of the Michael Jackson [ tickets ] tribute concert that aired on CBS earlier this year. According to the stories, stubble was digitally removed from Jackson's face, his skin was darkened and sweat was erased from his face.

Also, images of Whitney Houston were reportedly digitally altered to make her appear to be heavier.

The NPG Music Club announced that Prince will make his song "She Loves Me 4 Me," from his album "The Rainbow Children" (Redline), available for free download at the album's website.

Click here for a review of "The Rainbow Children."

During a Monday (12/10) ceremony in Beverly Hills, Calif., Barbra Streisand will be presented with the first 2001 Rainbow/PUSH Coalition Liberty and Justice Award.

Motown Records founder Berry Gordy will receive the 2001 Rainbow/PUSH Coalition Legend Award.

The Rainbow/PUSH Coalition was founded by Rev. Jesse Jackson 30 years ago.

"Nude on the Moon," the first 2-CD anthology of Athens, Ga., party band the B-52's, is due on Rhino Records on Jan. 15. The package includes a Moby remix of "Is That You, Mo-Dean?" and several other rarities.