Reuters - New York Gov. David Paterson has granted British-born rapper "Slick Rick" a full and unconditional pardon for attempted murder and weapons convictions to help him avoid deportation.

Reuters - As Nashville embraces music reality shows like "Nashville Star," "Gone Country," "Can You Duet" and "GAC Star," two country stars are taking a more old-school approach to discovering new talent.

AP - ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Pioneering rapper Ricky "Slick Rick" Walters, who spent more than five years in prison on a 1991 attempted murder conviction and faced threats of deportation years after rehabilitating his life, was granted a full and unconditional pardon Friday by New York Gov. David Paterson.

E! Online - For Amy Winehouse, love—and punctuality—may be a losing game, but songwriting is shaping up to be quite a winning one.

E! Online - A minor-league blog might be saying "yeah," but Usher's people are saying "absolutely not."

AP - The Spoleto Festival USA celebrates renewed ties with its namesake festival in Italy and features a new version of the opera "Amistad" during its 17-day season that opens Friday.

Reuters - After a three-week break, rapper Lil Wayne returned to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart on Thursday with his first No. 1 single "Lollipop" featuring late songwriter Static Major.

AP - Madonna says criticism of her adoption of a Malawian boy hurt so much, she compared it to giving birth.

AP - Trey Anastasio received a reduced sentence of three years' probation for a drug conviction after he successfully completed a counseling and treatment program.

AP - LOS ANGELES (AP) — David Cook is no professional athlete, but he celebrated like one after winning "American Idol" on Wednesday night.

AP - "Cougars 4 Cook."