Musicians to play for troops overseas

MTV has announced that Jennifer Lopez, Kid Rock and Ja Rule are set to perform for American troops stationed overseas. The location is not being disclosed because of security concerns. MTV will air a tape of the concert on New Year’s Day.

Rage album may be out in February

Rage Against the Machine’s next album – and first with new frontman Chris Cornell, formerly of Soundgarden – may be released Feb. 26, but a Rage spokesperson says the date is not set in stone.

The band is still in the recording stages of the new album with producer Rick Rubin, who sat behind the glass for “Renegades,” Rage’s final studio album before former singer Zach de la Rocha left the band.

MTV Asia Awards debut in February

The first-ever MTV Asia Awards will feature co-hosts pop star Mandy Moore, Irish singer Ronan Keating and wrestling hero the Rock. The ceremony will take place on Feb. 2. It will be the largest music awards program Asia has ever hosted. MTV viewers in Asia will choose the winners in each category.

– News gathered by Bethany Kohoutek from The Associated Press and billboard.com