Madonna names album

Madonna's new album will be called 'Licorice'.

The 'Hung Up' singer has revealed the candy-inspired title and confirmed the LP, her final release with record company Warner Music Group Corporation, will be released next April.

Kanye West will guest on 'The Beat Goes On', while previously unreleased song 'The Devil Wouldn't Recognize You' will also feature.

Two tracks from the album, 'Candy Shop' and 'The Beat Goes On', were played on Larry Flick's Sirius Satellite Radio Show yesterday (06.12.07) although the Kanye version is yet to be recorded.

Earlier this year, Madonna signed a $120 million recording and tour deal. The 'Material Girl' singer received the huge offer from live entertainment promoter Live Nation Incorporated.

Madonna's outstanding contract with Warner requires her to produce one more studio album and a greatest hits record.

Live Nation's 10-year deal promises Madonna, 49, a signing bonus of around $18 million and a $17 million advance in cash and stocks for each of the three albums stipulated in the contract.

Live Nation will own the rights to sell Madonna's merchandise and license her name, and any profits split between the singer and the company. They are also set to pay $50 million in cash and stock to promote Madonna's tours.

Britney Spears gets body double

Britney Spears is to be replaced by a body double for a nude magazine shoot as she is too "out of shape".

The 26-year-old 'Gimme More' singer is baring all in a recreation of an iconic Marilyn Monroe photograph, but Blender magazine reportedly plan to swap her body with a more "in shape" model.

An advert placed in the magazine reads: "We are casting for a Britney Spears body double. You must have shoulder to medium length blonde hair. This person must also be in shape! 5'2" to 5'5". This will be a take off of a Bert Stern photograph of Marilyn Monroe in bed, from the last shoot before her death. Your face will not be shown in the final photograph/cover." The model must be aged 18 to 25 and will be paid $500 to pose either on December 14 or the 17.

Meanwhile, Britney has posed for a family portrait with sons Sean Preston, two, and 14-month-old Jayden James, but the photographer has reportedly sold the pictures to the press.

The singer posed in private for the personal photographs - believed to be used for her Christmas cards - but photographer Dani Brubaker sent out a press release bragging about the photo shoot.

A source told MSNBC: "She's just another person in a long line of people trying to profit from Britney Spears.

"Britney had no confidentiality agreement in place, so this photographer was able to tell the world that this photo shoot, which was meant to be a sweet family affair, not a publicity stunt, took place. She was choosing a photographer who had no reason to be faithful to Britney.

"Who knows whether Dani will turn around down the road and sell the proofs.

It shows that there is no one advising this poor girl."

Britney spent Wednesday (05.12.07) house-hunting in Brentwood and Beverly Hills.

The singer wore a pink wig as she viewed million dollar mansions with estate agent Robert Edie, before dining with him at Beverly Hills' Four Seasons hotel.

Jay-Z to quit Def Jam

Jay-Z looks set to quit Def Jam Recordings.

The rap megastar's contract negotiations with the music label, of which he is both president and a major star, have reportedly broken down over his "excessive" demands for "big, big, money".

A source told the New York Daily News newspaper: "He wanted big, big money from the owners Universal Music and that was way out of sync with the realities of today's record business.

"L.A. Reid, the Chief Executive Officer of Island/ Def Jam Records, and his boss Doug Morris have found Jay-Z's demands excessive in light of the amount of time he's spent on tour.

"Everyone knows he's not around the office much. Everyone at Universal loves him, but they just can't justify paying him the money he wants when so many people have to be laid off."

However, friends of Jay-Z - whose current contract expires at the end of the month - slammed reports that he would be leaving Def Jam.

One said: "They are still negotiating. The talks continue when he returns to New York. They have a way to go before a decision."

The '99 Problems' singer spent Tuesday evening (04.12.07) in France celebrating his 38th birthday by watching semi-naked women perform at the famous Crazy Horse Paris cabaret club.

Madonna to adopt daughter

Madonna has reportedly sent a team to Malawi to find her a new adopted daughter.

The 'Material Girl' singer - who adopted two-year-old son David Banda from the African country last year - is said to be desperate to find a little girl to bring home.

Madonna - who also has an 11-year-old daughter Lourdes and a seven-year-old son Rocco - reportedly told staff: "Don't rest until you've found me my princess!"

She has sent her aides to search the Malawi region of Salima for an orphan and has told them to draw up a shortlist of nine children whose families won't block the adoption.

The pop superstar had planned to adopt a 20-month-old girl, Mercy, but was said to be devastated when her family blocked her application. Mercy's uncle, Peter Banet, said: "I'd rather be struggling with Mercy than for her to live with a big white star far away."

A source added to Britain's The Sun newspaper: "Madonna is heartbroken about Mercy. She told everyone she was her new daughter and carried her picture around. All she dreams about is a sister for David."

In August, it was reported Madonna was set to adopt Mercy and take her home to the UK next April.

A source said at the time: "Madonna is ecstatic she has been told she can take Mercy home. She didn't want another complicated adoption. Mercy is a beautiful baby girl. She is so joyful and happy and giggles every time she is picked up. Madonna just loves the way she claps her hands and laughs constantly. She has huge eyes. Madonna calls her a smiling angel."

Method Man: 'Spears Signaled The Apocalypse'

Wu-Tang Clan star Method Man insists the moment Britney Spears shaved her head signaled the end of the world.

The rapper believes the Toxic star's decision to remove her hair earlier this year marked a complete change in the music industry.

He says, "The whole music industry is twisted on it's f**king head. And Britney Spears shaved her head - that's how I know the Apocalypse is coming."