Names in the news

Singer Jay-Z announced Monday that he would continue the Best of Both Worlds Tour, formerly… Singer Jay-Z announced Monday that he would continue the Best of Both Worlds Tour, formerly costarring R. Kelly, alone. (We’re thinking he might need to rename it).

Meanwhile, Kelly announced he might sue.

It’s the latest chapter in the pepper-spray-plagued musical adventure of two platinum-selling stars whose 40-city sojourn has been beset by cancellations, sniping, technical difficulties, and, dare we suggest, diva-like jealousy.

Things came to a head Friday at Madison Square Garden when a member of Jay-Z’s entourage blasted Kelly with pepper spray as he returned to the stage. Kelly had stopped the show after saying he saw two members of the audience waving guns. Security guards searched for weapons and found none. Apparently nobody told them to look for pepper spray.

With Kelly incapacitated, Jay-Z stepped in to finish the set, and the next day Kelly was booted from all remaining Garden shows. In a radio interview Friday night, Jay-Z insisted it isn’t possible to get a gun into the Garden and the real problem is, “If people give me love, he can’t take it.”

Lawyers for Kelly were filing a criminal complaint against the sprayer and considering legal action over the decision to remove Kelly, said his publicist, Allan Mayer. Promoter Jeff Sharp of Atlanta Worldwide Touring said Jay-Z, with special guests, would do the remaining shows alone. The tour was scheduled to end Nov. 28, with a stop at the Wachovia Center on Nov. 13.

Last week Kelly and Jay-Z released their collaborative CD, the aptly named “Unfinished Business.”

MAJOR IN FANTASIA

Perhaps in homage to homeys Clay Aiken and Fantasia Barrino, who both hail from North Carolina, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte will soon offer a course requiring students to watch “American Idol” twice a week. Starting in January, when the show returns for a fourth season, assistant musicology professor Jay Grymes will teach the elective “Examining `American Idol’ Through Musical Critique.”

The show that springboarded runner-up Aiken and winner Barrino to fame is expected to provoke meaningful academic discussion about performing and performance criticism, while delving into the history of the themes that contestants must comply with each week. For their final paper, students will argue their choice of winner. And to think there are critics who say academic standards on America’s campuses are in decline!

REDEFINING `EDGY’

Although actor and stand-up comic Sinbad hardly ever swears on stage, he said he appreciates some who have.

“This is the thing about Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor and George Carlin and Redd Foxx, people who went that route. They believed in their convictions. They weren’t cussing just to cuss,” Sinbad told the San Antonio Express-News. “It was a time in America when it was uptight. They were pushing the uptightness of America.” Then again, Sinbad said, “the thing that makes them different from a comic now who cusses _ they weren’t rewarded for cussing. As a matter of fact, it was detrimental for their careers. I mean, Lenny and Richard would get arrested onstage.

“So when I look at a guy right now saying he’s pushing the envelope, I say, `You ain’t pushing the envelope.’ What’s edge now? There’s not a word that hasn’t been used. There’s not a curse word that hasn’t been touched. Edgy right now, to me, is being yourself.”

MUSICAL HONORS

Following in the footsteps of such entertainment luminaries as Bing Crosby, Berry Gordy Jr., Loretta Lynn, Elvis Presley, Whitney Houston and Prince, rock band Bon Jovi will receive the Award of Merit at the American Music Awards. The award recognizes “outstanding contributions to the musical entertainment of the American public.” The band will perform at the 32d annual AMA show, to be broadcast Nov. 14 live from Los Angeles on ABC.

And Dr. Dre, the prolific producer and performer, will receive the Vibe Legend Award for his lifetime contributions to the world of hip-hop music at the second annual Vibe Awards. Hosted by LL Cool J and Tyra Banks, the awards show will air Nov. 16 on UPN.

(Wire services contributed to this report.)

(c) 2004, The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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