Rapper Cassidy reportedly suffered serious injuries in a Wednesday (10/4) traffic accident on the New Jersey Turnpike.
The Philadelphia native reportedly was on the way to a Manhattan recording studio when the SUV he was traveling in was struck by an oncoming truck. Cassidy, whose real name is Barry Reese, 23, was sitting in the passenger seat, and was the only person injured, according to the Philadelphia Daily News. His injuries were said to include a fractured skull and several broken facial bones.

A J Records publicist told the newspaper on Thursday...

Reunited MTV standard-bearers Duran Duran will hit the US theater circuit this fall as they take time out from work on a follow-up to 2004's "Astronaut."
The '80s fashion-rockers have lined up eight shows so far, beginning with an Oct. 26 performance in Chicago. The itinerary, which appears below, currently stretches into mid-November, and includes an appearance at this month's Voodoo Music Experience festival in New Orleans.

Meanwhile, work continues on the group's next album for Epic/Sony Records. The collection, for which no release date has been announced, will be Duran Duran's second studio....

Ciara will drop a new album before the end of the year, and plans to fill in the time leading up to its release with six-week run on the US theater circuit.
The Grammy-winning singer will launch the outing Oct. 26 in Washington, DC, and has about two-dozen dates lined up, including arena performances at a couple of radio-station festivals. Details are included below.

LaFace Records is eyeing a December release for Ciara's sophomore album. Titled "Ciara: The Evolution," the set follows 2004's "Goodies," which spawned the hit title track, as well as "1, 2 Step" (featuring Missy Elliott) and "Oh" (featuring Ludacris)....

Rapper and Def Jam label president Jay-Z is touring several countries in Africa this week making stops in Tanzania, Angola, Ghana, South Africa and Nigeria.

When Jay-Z performs in the Nigerian capital city Lagos this Saturday, he will share the bill with nine Nigerian artists, including female rapper Word MC, who is currently one of the hottest artists on the charts of Nigeria's flourishing hip-hop scene.

"To be mentioned alongside him at all - I feel privileged," Word MC told the BBC....