News sources including CNN are reporting that Metallica has opted not to sell its songs on Apple’s newly successful iTunes 4 pay-per-download service claiming that they want to sell their entire album not just the individual songs. This decision comes after Metallica’s public opposition to Napster and other peer to peer file sharing systems that allow people to swap copywritten music files without paying per download. Apple allows users to buy a limited amount of albums on its iTunes 4 system but representatives from Metallica’s management company tell CNN that Apple’s policy is to only sell albums from artists who allow them to sell their singles too. Other popular bands are reportedly not completely enthused with selling their songs on iTunes including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day and Linkin Park. This causes some users to feel even more compelled to try to find the songs for free elsewhere on the internet. Still to ...

Universal Music Group reportedly inked former Sony Music CEO and Chairman, Tommy Mottola, to a 4 year $50,000,000 deal to run a new label called Casablanca records. Mottola’s contract is in the neighborhood of what NHL free agent Sergei Federov might expect to receive from his next team however Mottola is going to be expected to hit harder than the sweet scoring Russian centerman. Mottola is best known for being married to Mariah Carey (they are now divorced) but his track record as an exec with golden ears reaches to stars including J.Lo, Nas and Destiny’s Child. One element lacking in the music business during its ten year long decline is a lack of the entrepreneurial sprit that Mottola has. Time will tell if he can mold some new R&B stars. Sources: CNN Headline News

Barry White, the R&B crooner who set the romantic mood for millions in the 1970’s and beyond, passed away on Saturday at age 58. He was taken to the hospital in May after suffering from a stroke and about two months later on July 5th, 2003 at Cedars Sianai Hospital, in Los Angeles. White had been on dialysis, but was still doing some studio work. White was at the height of his popularity in the early 1970’s with hits like, “Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe.” White was not only a great singer, but wrote and produced his songs as well. Eight children survive White, who was married and divorced twice.

Rap/Hip-Hop jumped to the second most-preferred genre of music, after Rock, followed closely by Urban/R&B music, according to the Recording Industry Association of America’s (RIAA) 2002 Consumer Profile, an annual demographic survey of more than 3,000 music consumers in the United States. Rock music stayed steady as the number one most-popular genre of choice among music consumers in 2002. It represented 24.7 percent of the market, up slightly from the previous year. The percentage of consumers buying Rap/Hip-Hop music increased to take over Pop’s second place spot. In 2001, Rap/Hip-Hop represented 11.4 percent of the market, while in 2002 it was 13.8 percent of the market. Also inching its way to the top was R&B/Urban making up 11.2 percent of the market in 2002.

While driving early Sunday, May 18th, Stone Temple Pilots frontman, Scott Weiland, was pulled over by Burbank, CA police for driving without his headlights on. The Policeman reportedly noticed that Weiland was also in possession of narcotics. Weiland was then arrested and later released on $10,000 bail. It is currently unknown what type of drug possession weiland is being charged with.