NEW YORK - Jennifer Lopez is quickly becoming the queen of all media.
Lopez’s romantic comedy, “The Wedding Planner,” debuted at the top of the box office this week, and now her new album, “J. Lo,” has performed the same feat on the album charts.
“J. Lo” sold more than 272,000 copies in its first week of release and will debut at No. 1 on next week’s Billboard album charts, Billboard.com reported Wednesday.
Perhaps an even bigger achievement for Lopez was knocking The Beatles’ phenomenally successful “1” from its perch at the top spot. It had spent eight weeks at No. 1.
The first single from Lopez’s album, “Love Don’t Cost a Thing,” is a Top 5 hit. Her first album, 1999’s “On the 6,” went multiplatinum.
Detroit native Aaliyah to star in ‘Matrix’ sequel
LOS ANGELES - Grammy-nominated R&B performer Aaliyah has signed on to appear in two sequels to the high-tech thriller “The Matrix.”
The 22-year-old singer, who made her feature acting debut in “Romeo Must Die,” will begin work in March when the first of the sequels begins production in Australia, The Hollywood Reporter reported Tuesday.
Aaliyah will play a character named Zee, but details of the plot have not been released.
Sibling filmmakers Larry and Andy Wachowski, who directed the first installment of “The Matrix,” will direct both sequels. Stars Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne and Hugo Weaving will also return.
Filming for the third installment is set to begin immediately after production wraps on the second movie.
D’Angelo, R. Kelly nominees for Soul Train Music Awards
LOS ANGELES - R. Kelly, Jill Scott, D’Angelo and Carl Thomas pulled in three nominations apiece for the Soul Train Music Awards.
Winners will be announced Feb. 28 at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium during a ceremony to be taped for a syndicated television broadcast.
The nominees were announced Tuesday.
R. Kelly is in the running for album of the year honors, along with Eminem, Dr. Dre and Jay-Z. Eminem was nominated for two awards, as were Jagged Edge and Mary Mary.
