Tests identify only Zimmerman DNA on gun

ORLANDO, Fla. — Forensic tests made public Wednesday show that George Zimmerman’s was the only DNA that could be identified on the grip of the gun used to fatally shoot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

The results rule out Martin’s DNA from being on the gun’s grip. Zimmerman’s DNA also was identified on the gun’s holster, but no determination could be made as to whether Martin’s DNA was on the gun’s holster, according to the report from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder for fatally shooting Martin during a confrontation in a gated community in Sanford in February. Zimmerman is pleading not guilty, claiming self-defense.

A delay in Zimmerman’s arrest led to nationwide protests.

The question of whose DNA is on the gun and holster could play a role in Zimmerman’s defense.

Zimmerman says Martin had been on top of him, slamming his head against the ground and smothering his mouth and nose with his hand and arm when he grabbed his gun from a holster on his waist before Martin could get it. He shot the teenager once in the chest.

Other documents released by prosecutors Wednesday include an interview with the clerk of a convenience store where Martin purchased Skittles and a can of iced tea moments before his confrontation with Zimmerman. The clerk said in the interview, more than a month after Martin was shot, that he didn’t remember Martin.

“To be honest, I don’t even remember that day,” said the clerk, whose name was redacted from the audio interview.

— Associated Press

NAS & LAURYN HILL ANNOUNCE 'LIFE IS GOOD/BLACK RAGE' TOUR

After selling tickets to his New Year's Eve show with Elle Varner last week and headlining Rock The Bells this past summer, Nasir is all about the performance life.

He recently announced that he will be hitting the road with "If I Ruled The World" collaborator Lauryn Hill for the Life Is Good/Black Rage,/em> tour this fall.

The tour name comes from a mashup of Nas’s groundbreaking #1 album, Life Is Good and “Black Rage,” a new song by Ms. Lauryn Hill about the derivative effects of racial inequity and abuse that will be released this fall.

“I use the performance platform as an opportunity to express the energy of that moment, and the intention behind it,” said Ms. Hill. “I've been a long standing rebel against the stale, over commoditization. As artists we have opportunity to help the public evolve, raise consciousness and awareness, teach, heal, enlighten and inspire in ways the democratic process may not be able to touch. So we keep it moving.”

God's son expressed his hype over the show collaboration. “This is history,” Nas said. “Better late than never. Life is good!”

While tickets don't go on sale till this Friday (Sept. 21) and pre-sale tickets in select markets Thursday (Sept. 20), you can check the dates below and plan accordingly.

October 6th - Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion (NAS ONLY)

October 20th - Phoenix, AZ - Arizona State Fairgrounds (NAS ONLY)

October 26th - Asheville, NC - MOOG Festival (NAS ONLY)

October 27th - Nashville, TN - Riverfront Park (NAS ONLY)

October 28th - New Orleans, LA - Voodoo Festival (NAS ONLY)

October 29th - Dallas, TX - Palladium Ballroom

October 31st - Houston, TX - Bayou Music Center

November 2nd - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle

November 3rd - Norfolk, VA - NorVa Theatre (NAS ONLY)

November 4th - Washington, DC - DAR Constitution Hall

November 7th - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory

November 9th - Rochester, NY - Main Street Armory (NAS ONLY)

November 11th - Boston, MA - House of Blues

November 14th - Chicago, IL - Congress Theatre

November 16th - Denver, CO - Fillmore Auditorium

November 17th - Magna, UT - Salt Air

November 19th - Oakland, CA - Fox Oakland Theater

December 31st - New York, NY - Radio City Music Hall (NAS ONLY)

Round Hill Music to Acquire Songs by Bruno Mars, Cee-Lo Green, B.O.B

Round Hill Music, which made big news when it announced that it acquired the North American rights to six iconic Beatles songs at the beginning of the year, just went to the other end of the music generational spectrum by agreeing to acquire a catalog of over 100  songs that includes some of the hottest songs around in the last year or two, like Bruno Mars' "Just the Way You Are" and "Grenade," Cee Lo Green's "Forget You," B.o.B's "Nothin' on You" and Carrie Underwood's "Undo It." 

In a story first reported by Reuters, Round Hill Music has agreed to acquire the catalog, which was owned by Arthouse Entertainment, a music publishing company and production house owned by entertainer/songwriter Kara DioGuardi and her partner Stephen Finfer. Other sources confirmed to Billboard that the deal is taking place, as did a Round Hill Music executive. 

When the catalog first came up for sale, sources say the song portfolio produced a net publisher's share of $1.2 million annually and that the sellers were looking for at least a 5 times multiple or $6 million. At presstime, it was unclear if that pricing or higher was achieved. 

Arthouse had hired John Rudolph of Music Analytics/Siemer & Associates and Jaimison Roberts of Roberts & Hafitz to serve as advisers and run the sale. 

When the catalog was first put up for sale, Finfer told Billboard in June. "We are selling a schedule of songs [including] a number of established hits from the last few years. You can walk in and buy [Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg's] 'Young, Wild & Free' and the Band Perry's 'Postcard From Paris." 

Round Hill Music was started by its chairman/CEO Josh Gruss within the last 18 months, because he saw opportunity in the economic downturn. Publishing "valuations have come down from prior years, and BMG has cleared the path in terms of competition by buying many of the smaller publishers, so there is room to step in, Gruss told Billboard back in April. 

Since opening its doors, Round Hill Music has acquired six catalogs, including the Adage V catalog, which includes rock and R&B standards "Land of 1,000 Dances," "I Can't Stand the Rain," "I Like It Like That" and "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy;" the Adage Classics, which contained the Beatles songs; and the catalogs of Gerald Marks (who co-wrote the standard "All of Me"), Charlie Midnight (co-writer of James Brown's top five hit "Living in America") and Swedish tunesmith Andreas Carlsson (who co-wrote Backstreet Boys' hit "I Want It That Way"). 

Round Hill Music CFO Mark Violantesays that the deal shows that the company will continue to be active in acquiring choice copyrights, but also that its appetite runs wider than just catalog repertoire. A representative in the Arthouse camp was unavailable for comment at presstime.

Are Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey Bumping Heads on American Idol Set?

Shooting for the next season of American Idolhas barely begun and reports are already surfacing about tension between new judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey. According to TMZ, the two superstars didn’t see eye to eye during taping of Idol‘s first episode in New York City this past Sunday (September 16). Sources tell TMZ that Carey interrupted Minaj several times as the Young Money rapstress attempted to critique contestants.

The source also  told TMZ, “These girls just don’t like each other.” Meanwhile, the NY Daily News reports that Carey addressed the rumored spat without confirming or denying it. “There’s been a feud in two days?” Carey reportedly said when asked about the tension. “A feud takes a little longer.” Word is Nick mumbled her answer.

No word on what could have triggered the alleged feud. Carey was the first artist to feature Nick on a high profile single when she released “Up Out My Face” with the Queens femcee in February 2010. Minaj’s guest spots on Ludacris and Usher songs, to name a few, would follow soon after. Stay tuned as this story develops.

Updated: Anschutz Company To Sell AEG

The Anschutz Company is considering selling sports and entertainment company Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), the Wall Street Journal reported late on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. A news release was later sent confirming that the Anschutz Company is commencing a process to sell AEG.

Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz has privately held AEG on the block for $7 billion, sources tell Billboard.biz. The massive sports and entertainment firm has "multiple suitors." Anschutz Company has retained as financial advisors Blackstone Advisory Partners, which recently managed the auction of the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to the news release.

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AEG and C3 Presents Acquire Front Gate Tickets

AEG's assets include more than 100 arenas, stadiums and clubs in countries on five continents, including such powerhouse facilities as the Staples Center in Los Angeles and the O2 Arena in London. AEG Live, AEG's concert promotion division, produces numerous global treks and such festivals as Coachella, Stagecoach and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. AEG Live is second only to Live Nation in the concert promotions business, having grossed nearly $798 million in 2011.

Additionally, AEG has an ownership interest in such sports franchises as Los Angeles Kings hockey team, the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team and the L.A. Galaxy soccer team.

"Given the success of the management team and employees in establishing AEG as one of the premier real estate development, live sports and entertainment platforms in the world, as well as the value AEG has created with the strategic assets that comprise its platform, this is an appropriate time to transition AEG to a new qualified owner," Anschutz Company president Cannon Y. Harvey said in a statement. 

"This process represents a unique opportunity to maximize value for all concerned and will allow us to assure that, like the Anschutz Company, the new owner will have the financial resources, commitment and vision to support AEG's management team as it continues to grow the businesses of AEG and the power of its brands," Harvey continued. "We will conduct this process in a manner that avoids disruption of the day-to-day operations of AEG and its constituencies. The Anschutz Company has the highest confidence in AEG's potential and its management, and will only undertake a transaction that reflects this confidence."

Tim Leiweke, president/CEO of AEG, added, "AEG is a proven innovator in real estate, sports and live entertainment, and is at the forefront of shaping the dynamics of these industries. Live entertainment is the economic driver of the music industry, and fan participation and experience are the cornerstones of professional sports -- our platform regularly brings fans, sponsors and world-class talent together to create unparalleled opportunities in both segments.

"AEG's model drives significant value and growth across all of our assets by enhancing the overall experience for audiences, artists and teams, as well as bringing tangible benefits to our partners, ranging from sponsors to municipalities, across the globe," Leiweke added. "With the AEG platform, we are able to successfully undertake transformational projects that revolutionize markets by creating true entertainment destinations for consumers, while positively regenerating neighborhoods through projects such as L.A. Live in Los Angeles and the O2 in London."

Diddy to Appear on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Diddy earned laughs and accolades for his performance in the 2010 film Get Him to the Greek, and now the New York-bred mogul will be bringing his comedic talents to the small screen.

The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Diddy will be appearing in the upcoming eighth season of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the hit FX comedy series. He reportedly started filming yesterday, and the season is set to air on October 11.

P!nk, 'Cruel Summer' Albums Heading for Top of Next Week's Billboard 200 Chart

Believe it or not, pop superstar P!nk has yet to earn a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart. But that may change next week, as industry sources suggest the diva's latest release, "The Truth About Love," may bow atop the list with between 210,000 and 220,000 sold. 

The new Billboard 200 chart's top 10 will be revealed on the morning of Sept. 26.

Dave Matthews Band Scores Record Sixth Straight No. 1 Debut on Billboard 200 Chart

P!nk has notched six entries on the Billboard 200, with five of them hitting the top 10. Starting with 2002's "M!ssundaztood" (No. 6), every one of her albums have reached the region. "Try This" (No. 9) followed in 2003, while "I'm Not Dead" (No. 6, 2006), "Funhouse" (No. 2, 2008) and "Greatest Hits. . . So Far!!!" (No. 5, 2011) all followed.

"The Truth About Love" may fend off the advances of the Kanye West-presented "Cruel Summer" compilation. Label prognosticators are suggesting that the G.O.O.D. Music set may sell 170,000 to 190,000 copies (and possibly even a bit more).

The hip-hop effort got off to a wobbly start on its Sept. 18 release date after it didn't appear in the iTunes Store until late in the afternoon. West or his label, Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam, didn't give an official reason for the delay. However, multiple sources have suggested there was an issue with the mastering of the set, causing a last-minute delay of its iTunes release.

Late Tuesday, Def Jam's official Twitter accounted tweeted, "Thank you for your patience! Get 'Cruel Summer' on iTunes Now!" along with missives directing fans to iTunes with a link to purchase the "NEW mastered version" of the album.

With P!nk and the "Cruel Summer" compilation heading for Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, that leaves the Killers' new "Battle Born" aiming for No. 3. The rock band's fourth studio effort is on track to sell 120,000 or so.

Also on course for a top 10 debut: Carly Rae Jepsen's "Kiss;" Band of Horses' "Mirage Rock;" Grizzly Bear's "Shields;" and Easton Corbin's "All Over the Road." Jepsen and Band of Horses' albums may shift around 35,000, while Grizzly Bear and Corbin's sets might sell 30,000 and 28,000, respectively.