With Bono still recovering from a recent bike accident, Bruce Springsteen and Coldplay's Chris Martin stepped up to sing with U2 last night at a World AIDS Day concert in Times Square. Kanye West and Carrie Underwood also performed at the concert ("not with U2, however," notes Billboard). Martin joined U2 for "Beautiful Day" and "With or Without You," while Springsteen took the mic for "Where the Streets Have No Name" and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzI_UN8_MOo

After 65 years in business, Minneapolis landmark Nye's Polonaise Room, home of "the World's Most Dangerous Polka Band," will close next year, its owners have said. (Local Current)

Lana Del Rey announced a 2015 U.S. tour—with none other than Courtney Love as her opener. No Minnesota dates have been announced. (Billboard)

The U.S. Supreme Court is considering violent hip-hop lyrics in the context of a case that will decide what constitutes a "true threat" for purposes of criminal prosecution. The case being heard concerns Anthony Elonis, a Pennsylvania man who is arguing that "There's one way to love you but a thousand ways to kill you" and other similar statements posted to Facebook were not intended as threats against his estranged wife, but were rather stylized hyperbole such as that found in the lyrics of Eminem. (Billboard) Killer Mike of Run the Jewels has co-authored a USA Today op-ed pointing out that rap lyrics are increasingly being used as the basis for prosecution in a wide range of cases; Killer Mike and his co-author Erik Nielson write, "Trust us on this: The kids spending hours per day writing rap songs aren't a threat to society; they are often trying to escape the threats from society."

In New Zealand, AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has pleaded not guilty to charges of possessing illegal drugs and threatening to kill. (Billboard)

Two 80s music icons have showed skin in recent photo shoots: Madonna bared her breasts in an Interview photoshoot, while "Weird Al" Yankovic appears in GQ painted gold.

Nicki Minaj released the track list for her upcoming album The Pinkprint, revealing that the album—due for release on Dec. 15—will include collaborations with Lil Wayne, Ariana Grande, Drake, and, oh yeah, Beyoncé. (Billboard)

Video remix whiz Mylo the Cat has the Muppets lip-syncing Naughty by Nature's "Hip Hop Hooray."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG8yRXdIcZU

Meanwhile, Rep. Michele Bachmann demonstrated her affinity for Macklemore.