Sound Bytes
Titanic's incredible run at the box office and on the Billboard charts continues with no end in sight, and record producers plan to cash in even more.
A sequel to the soundtrack is in the works and will be released in the summer. Traditional Irish tunes from the movie will be included, as will the tune Kate and Leo danced to at the beginning of the film. Record execs have received thousands of calls and mail pleading with them to include songs left off the first soundtrack. No Celine Dion tracks are in the works as of yet, but stay tuned.
In other news, gangsta rapper/record label chief Master P has apparently wooed Snoop Doggy Dogg to sign with his label, No Limit Records. Snoop, currently on Death Row Records, said he "fears for his life" and "doesn't want to be the next Tupac or Biggie." Spokespeople with Death Row say Mr. Dogg is still under contract, and No Limit will have to buy the remaining years out if he wants to leave.
At Master P's recent concert at Compaq Center, Snoop joined the No Limit Family on stage and was introduced as the "newest artist on the label." Rumors had been flying that Snoop would end up with Bad Boy Entertainment, Sean "Puffy" Combs' home, but those rumors have been put to rest. Snoop's first album with No Limit is expected in early August, with P as executive producer. I'll keep you posted.
As I said earlier, the soundtrack to Titanic is still cruising at No. 1, with Dion's Let's Talk About Love, C-Murder's Life Or Death, Van Halen's III and Madonna's Ray Of Light close behind.
On the singles chart, K-Ci and JoJo take over the top spot with the ballad "All My Life." "Frozen," Madonna's first single off her new album, is at No. 2. Usher's "Nice and Slow," Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" and Destiny's Child's "No, No, No" round out the top five.
For country fans out there, Garth Brooks rules the country charts for the second week in a row with Sevens, and Jo Dee Messina's new joint debuts at No. 8.
Three discs worth a mention hit stores Tuesday. Classic rapper Gang Starr returns with Moment Of Truth on the Noo Trybe/Virgin label, while Montell Jordan follows the immense success of the single "Let's Ride," featuring Master P, with his new album of the same name on Mercury Records.
The soundtrack to the highly anticipated film City Of Angels also takes flight Tuesday. Rock radio listeners will be able to find Alanis Morissette's latest track, "Uninvited," on the soundtrack. That alone will boost sales tremendously.
If anyone out there has any music gossip or info, e-mail me at Jslim22@aol.com.