If we're talking Marmite popstars, Akon is probably at the top of the pile.

Mitsuko Uchida opened her Carnegie Hall recital on Thursday evening with a ruminative account of the Rondo in A minor (K. 511).

Nicholas McGegan and his outstanding San Francisco period-instrument ensemble, the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, performed at Zankel Hall on Thursday night.

On Thursday, Alan Gilbert conducted the first performance of an unusual and surprisingly revealing program, his next-to-last guest appearance before becoming the boss.

Title: Wu-Tang Meets The Indie Culture Instrumentals
Artist: WU-TANG
Label: Babygrande US
Format: 192 mp3, 320 mp3, wav

Track listing:
Lyrical Swords
Slow Blues
Still Grimey
Think Differently
Biochemical Equation
ODB Tribute
Fragments
Streets Corners
Listen
Verses
Preservation
Cars On The Interstate
Give It Up
Black Dawn

Title: Renewed
Artist: BENEATH AUTUMN SKY
Label: Organik Holland
Format: 192 mp3, 320 mp3, wav

Track listing:
Motion & Rest
King Of What?
Ticks & Other Sums
Morning Tea
Why Did You Do It?
Def Steelo
Blaster Brothers
Don't Be Afraid
Astral Creep
Lumin

Title: Soy Sauce
Artist: MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF SOUND
Label: Cooking Vinyl
Format: CD
Monday Shipping

Track listing:
Cumbia
Alocatel
Yo Digo Baila
White Stripes
Hiedra Venenosa
Te Quiero Mucho
Jalale
Comite Culificador (part 1)
Comite Culificador (part 2)
Karate Kid2
Reventon
Sinfonia Agridulce
Alocatel (Ad Rock remix)
Chiflideur

Will.I.Am's debut in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" this week was a big first step for the musician, but it wasn't the only first step he was taking into a new medium — he also appears in the video game.

Danny Gans, a popular entertainer on the Las Vegas Strip for the past decade, died in his sleep early Friday.

Busta Rhymes' video for "Respect My Conglomerate," directed by Chris Robinson, features Lil Wayne, Jadakiss, Idris Elba and others as fellow bosses at a serious business meeting.

Concentrating on lesser-known tunes and performers, the Stomp can stir thoughts about careers, genres, songwriting and luck.

"American Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi says she doesn't know if she'll be asked to return for another season.

We talked to director Steven Soderbergh about his new movie, "Moneyball," starring Brad Pitt. "My clearly stated goal is to set a new standard for realism," he said of his new sports flick.

Chris Daughtry and his band will release the follow-up to their Grammy-nominated, quadruple-platinum 2006 debut on July 14. "American Idol" fans will get a sneak peek when the group performs on next Wednesday's show.

"X-Men Origins: Wolverine" has received mixed reviews, which we've gathered so you can decide whether it's worth seeing.

Asher Roth called his controversial Twitter comment "immature" and also apologized for a quote about black rappers flaunting their wealth in the faces of those suffering in Africa.

The success of "New Moon" star Taylor Lautner doesn't surprise director Robert Rodriguez, who cast him in 2005's "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D."

Miley Cyrus said she doesn't understand why Perez Hilton is mean to her on his site.

Former MTV VJ Matt Pinfield announced he is entering rehab and voluntarily steps down from gig hosting New York's 101.9 RXP morning show.

No Doubt ended a near five-year concert hiatus on Friday, taking the stage on the "Today" show for a three-song set that showed they haven't missed a beat.