Once again artists are taking their message to the web to reach their fans first. Those socially conscious rockers U2 have released a new Christmas tune, “I Believe in Father Christmas” over at (Red) Wire, along with several other top artists. (Red) Wire debuted its digital download service Monday for World AIDs Day to bring…

When rock goes up against religion, why does it always start with heavy metal? The New York Times recently reported on an all-girl rock band in Saudi Arabia that has a hit with their song “Pinocchio,” a wail about love gone wrong. They aren’t Muslim rockers, per se, but in the Middle East’s most conservative…

I recently got the chance to speak to singer Joan Osborne, who–even if you aren’t a fan–you probably know from her hit 1995 single, “One of Us.” [Oh, you know the words: “What if God was one of us/Just a slob like one of us/Just a stranger on the bus/Trying to make his way home.”]…

Don’t call him the King of Pop anymore, because Michael Jackson has converted to Islam and wants to be called Mikaeel. The 50-year-old pop star took his shahada (oath of faith) in Los Angeles on Friday, as reported by news sites and blogs. Michael, oops, I mean Mikaeel, has gone from the highest of the…

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