MTV News Round-Up 09/08/02004

*** Spain's Benicassim festival took place over the weekend, with sets from Lou Reed, Brian Wilson, Pet Shop Boys, Franz Ferdinand and Snow Patrol among others. Morrissey cancelled his appearance at the eleventh hour, citing "technical difficulties with his private aeroplane". He had been due to open the bill on the main stage on Saturday and be his first performance on Spanish soil.

*** R Kelly took top honours at Billboard's annual R'n'B/Hip-Hop Awards, winning seven out of the eight categories he was nominated for. Kelly took home awards for top artist, songwriter, producer, singles artist, male artist, singles and singles airplay for 'Step in the Name of Love'. Beyonce and OutKast were also among the winners at the fourth annual award ceremony was held in Miami Beach on Friday night.

*** Jamelia has criticised some of the world's top stars for miming on stage. "When I realised Beyonce mimes half to three-quarters of her show, that took a lot away for me. I thought, 'Are you an artist or an actress?'". She has also taken a swipe at Britney Spears. "Britney came to England recently and mimed over every track. I think it's cheating the fans and I think it's disgusting".

*** Franz Ferdinand have announced a one-off matinee show for their younger fans. The Glasgow group have decided to perform a late afternoon gig for their under-18 audience at the Glasgow Barrowland on October 16.

*** The Pixies plan to record their first new album in more than a decade next year, according to frontman Frank Black. Black says he would like Tom Waits to produce the album because "I like the way his records sound." The band, which split up in 1993, recently reformed for a series of shows including a four-night, sold-out residency in June at London's Brixton Academy.

*** Tributes to funk legend Rick James have been flooding in. Described as the "original R&B rock star" by soul star Smokey Robinson, James, 56, died on Friday at his home in Los Angeles.

KS