News: Snoop, DMX, Caribou, Lollapalooza

The art of keeping it real whilst trying to remain upstanding citizens is proving to be quite a hard task for US rappers at the moment. First off, taking time out from his little league coaching for under-privileged kids, Snoop Dogg has managed to get in trouble with the authorities again. By pleading guilty to firearm and drug charges in a California court, Snoop, aka Calvin Broadus, has narrowly avoided a prison sentence and ended up with five years probation and eight hundred hours community service - half of which will consist of his coaching.

DMX has also got himself in trouble by failing to turn up to two court appearances in separate cities. Not quite as thug as Snoop’s offence, the rapper was arrested for speeding, dangerous driving, not wearing a seatbelt and driving with a suspended license. A new warrant has now been issued to the AWOL rapper for the no-shows.

Electronic popster Dan Snaith, aka Caribou and Manitoba, is ready to unleash his latest organic noodlings upon us. Leaving his previous homes Domino and Leaf, the album, Andorra, will be released on Merge in the US and City Slang in Europe on August 21st.

The nice people at Lollapalooza are not only nice enough to provide an excellent line-up of cutting edge new artists and old favourites from the world over but are also asking festival goers what they want to ‘see, hear, eat, feel, drink, buy or hug’ so recommend your favourite artists and eateries and your wishes may be granted. The gargantuan line-up so far includes: Modest Mouse, Interpol, CSS, MIA, TV on the Radio, !!!, Kings of Leon, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, LCD Soundsystem, Muse, Hot Chip, The Stooges, Daft Punk, Kanye West, Snow Patrol and that’s just a taster. The festival takes place in Chicago’s Grant Park on August 3-5.

Finally, Foo Fighters have asked Nine Inch Nails to join them for their forthcoming show at Marlay Park near Dublin on August 22nd along with Silversun Pickups. They will also play together at the T on the Fringe show at the Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh.