Queen Latifah planning for new rap album after upcoming voca album
Just before releasing her second vocal album "Trav'lin' Light" on September 25, Queen Latifah is also planning a return to her rap roots. She has been working on some music for a new rap album already. When she does her next rap album it will be her first since "Order In The Court" from 1998. Meanwhile "Trav'lin' Light" is the follow-up to her vocal debut Grammy-nominated album "The Dana Owens Album" and features covers of both famous songs from 10cc, Smokey Robinson, the Pointer Sisters and Donny Hathaway.

The Cult ready new album Born Into This
The Cult's forthcoming "Born Into This" was recorded in just over a month and co-produced by Youth. The new effort is due October 2 and shows the band re-embracing its punk-rooted past. The band that recorded "Born Into This" consists of singer Ian Astbury, bassist Chris Wyse (from Ozzy Osbourne) and drummer John Tempesta (from Exodus, White Zombie) and the album is the first since the departure of drummer Matt Sorum

Bobby Byrd dies
Bobby Byrd, longtime collaborator with James Brown and co-founder of the group Famous Flames, has died of cancer last week at his home near Atlanta, aged 73. Bobby Byrd's contributions can be heard on early James Brown soul tracks that laid the foundations of funk, like "Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine." Byrd was a member of both Famous Flames and the JB’s until 1973 and after that he had some modest R&B hits.

Eminem working on new album
Eminem is working on his next studio. The rapper in a telephone interview hinted to be in finishing stages already although there is no official release date for the album yet. According to the artist, he is also consistently recording with artists for his on own Shady Records label. Eminem's last album "Encore" was an album number one record in 2004.

Soulwax to release remix album
Soulwax is to release a remix album full of remixes by Kylie, The Sugababes, Gorrilaz, Robbie Williams, LCD Soundsystem and Daft Punk. The 2-CD album will appropriately be titled “Remixes” and is set for an October 22 release date. The second disc of the set will feature rare, lost or previously unreleased tracks.

Aretha Franklin duets album to feature two new tracks
Two new tracks will be included on the upcoming Aretha Franklin duets album. The disc features previously released duets and will be titled "Jewels In The Crown: All-Star Duets With The Queen." The album will be out on November 13 and is preseded by the single "Put You Up On Game," a duet with Fantasia. The other new track on the album is "What Y'All Came To Do" with John Legend. Among the other artists to duet with the Queen Of Soul are Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Annie Lennox, Frank Sinatra, George Michael and the Rolling Stones' Keith Richards.

Ryan Adams releases EP
Right after releasing "Easy Tiger," Ryan Adams will release a new EP on October 23 titled "Follow The Lights." The EP features seven songs, both old and new. Three previously unreleased tracks ("Blue Hotel," "Follow The Lights" and "My Love For You Is Real") will be included on the effort. The EP also includes live studio versions of "Dear John," "This Is It," "If I Am A Stranger" and a cover of Alice In Chains' "Down In A Hole." Meanwhile, a boxed set is also in the works and Adams collaborates with Melissa Auf Der Maur on her upcoming new album.

Zack De La Rocha finishes work on solo album
Rage Against The Machine singer Zack De La Rocha has completed his first solo album. De La Rocha worked on the project with former the Mars Volta drummer Jon Theodore and the album features De La Rocha playing keyboards. Earlier, Zack De La Rocha has recorded material with DJ Shadow, Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor and the Roots' ?uestlove, but it is unknown if any of these tracks will make the new album.