Too short for us to hang around any longer today.

We're off home but you can scroll down to learn about Lady Gaga's potential Oscar rivals, Simon Cowell's new British signing that's taking the US by storm already and XXXTentacion's posthumous number one.

Plus the Gallaghers goading each other again, Miley in the Live Lounge and our final Newbie Tuesday act of the year channeling her inner Christmas elf.

We'll leave today with the new video from Boy George and Culture Club.

It's for their new track, Life, which they will also perform on The Graham Norton Show this Friday.

“John Lennon said 'life is what happens while you are busy doing other things,'" says George of the track "but sometimes you have to stop and look with sadness and pride at what you have done and created in your own life and value the rich complexity of it!"

We couldn't have put it better ourselves.

Finally today, from one rock 'n' roll star to another...

Hard-rocking Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards last week revealed he'd quit drinking. Well sort of - he suggested he might still enjoy a beer or a glass of wine in a responsible manner when the mood was right.

Well, that might well include tonight as he celebrates turning 75.

His band's social media manager urged that he "Keep on rockin!"

The indefatigable Stones, who this year toured the UK, will take their No Filter tour to their spiritual home; the U.S of A, next year.

All the best Keef.

Either Liam is referring to our earlier story about the number of times brother Noel alleges he let the Oasis fans down, or he's counting the number of Manchester United managers* since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Either way today he's been left wondering "HOW MANY"?

Noel claims it's 25.

*Four if you include Ryan Giggs

It's official, the headlines say, external, there's a nail-biting, three-way race for this year's Christmas number one.

Ariana Grande's current chart-topper is facing fierce competition from US newcomer Ava Max and a sausage roll-loving YouTube star called LadBaby (above).

The UK blogger is 508 sales and streams ahead of Grande's Thank U, Next, external and just 978 sales behind US singer Ava Max, who tops the midweek chart update, external.

So could his charity single really steal the festive crown?

BBC Music reporter Mark Savage likes a good pastry as much as the next person, but he's not so sure about this one's chances...

Read more.

It's one of the best known and best loved songs from the 1994 film, The Lion King, and it's subsequent stage version and Disney applied for a trademark on the name more than 20 years ago.

The trademark was approved in 2003 and remains active.

But now an online petition is calling for the trademark to be rescinded arguing the US firm's ownership of the Swahili phrase Hakuna Matata - which translates as "no problem" - is tantamount to "cultural colonialism".

More than 35,000 people have signed the petition launched by Zimbabwean activist Shelton Mpala.

Read more, external

The supergroup performed their Dolly Parton-inspired new track, Nothing Breaks Like A Heart, complete with their own string section before tackling Ariana's No Tears Left to Cry.

"Her voice is sick," said Miley of her fellow pop star.

Mark tweeted he "loved getting to cover it"

Image source, Getty Images

This one is quite a trip from everybody's favourite 60s TV show band.

The Christmas Song, originally recorded by Nat King Cole, is taken from their Christmas album, Christmas Party - a mix of covers and original songs.

The lesson there being not to overthink it when it comes to song or album titles.

Michael Nesmith sings lead vocals on the new track, which was produced by his son Christian. The crazy visuals were made by his other son Jonathan.

For anyone who enjoyed (or even missed) their TV show first time around, press play below and enjoy some animated festive Monkees action.

If ever there was a time to legitimately monkey around then surely it's at Christmas.

Image source, Getty Images

Rapper Lil Pump has been accused of racism after teasing a new song which uses a derogatory term.

In the song's lyrics, Pump - aka 18-year-old Gazzy Garcia - says "they call me [Chinese basketball player] Yao Ming because my eyes real low," before adding the phrase "ching chong".

In a video posted to his 17.4 million Instagram followers teasing the song, Pump pulls back his eyes as he mimes to the lyrics.

Read more

The rapper, who announced to fans in 2016 that he was seeking professorial help to beat anxiety and depression, was the latest guest at the Smith's Red Table on Facebook.

Cudi - whose real name is Scott Mescudi - described his battles with mental health as "a nightmare" saying he was "dealing with it alone".

The chat starts with some serious stanning of Cudi, to which the rapper bashfully replies: "It's kind of crazy."

He added: "That's where some of the bad stuff came in because I had to live up to this person. It's like doing a comedy but you're miserable."

You can watch the full video, external with Cudi.

Jack White’s old band (no, not that one) are promising to return on Wednesday with two fresh cuts; Sunday Driver and Now That You’re Gone.

The news of the double A-side was revealed by White's label, Third Man Records, on Monday night.

The band, which includes Jack and his musical buddies; Brendan Benson, Jack Lawrence, and Patrick Keeler, haven’t released any new music in over a decade, since 2008 album Consolers of the Lonely.

Since then, Jack has put out three solo albums and three more with other band (no, still not that one) The Dead Weather.

Paul Glynn
Music News LIVE reporter

Image source, Zuzu

Be honest, we've all done it.

Working in a shop/pub/office over Christmas and the six songs played on repeat suddenly turn your mood from festive to foul.

Imagine then if that workplace was Santa's grotto...

Up-and-coming Liverpool indie singer/songwriter (and official Christmas fan) Zuzu found herself in that exact situation last year in order to make some ends meet, but instead of going crazy or turning into a Scrooge she simply set herself the challenge of writing a new one.

"Last year, before any of this Virgin [record label] business," she tells MNL, "I was kind of in a low point in my music.

"Before I knew there was even a possibility of signing to a label like that, I was broke and I got a job as an elf in town.

"It’s a sick gig cos it’s a really good grotto - shout out to Lewis’s Grotto, you’re the best!"

The 24-year-old, who admits she "was getting on a bit for an elf" continues: "I was working there and listening to songs on repeat and I just started writing a Christmas song, old school style.

To paraphrase from a famous festive film; "Every time a bell rings a new music star gets her wings" and so the grateful singer headed back to her old grotto to spread some joy by filming the music video (above) for her new original, Distant Christmas, in the place it was born.

A place of miracles it seems.

"During the process of me working there, I went for a meeting and we came back and we’d been offered a bloody record deal.

"It was like some Christmas magic!"

She adds: "There’s also a head elf - who's basically Mrs Claus - and her and head Santa are actually married. They met in the grotto ten years ago and they work there every year, it's honestly incredible."

Having left the grotto on good terms, Zuzu will always have a seasonal backup plan but at this rate it seems unlikely she will need it.

The Scouse sci-fi fan, who describes her music as "weird, spacey, gritty guitar pop" - inspired by Courtney Barnett and David Bowie - has been a good girl all year round, musically-speaking.

Good enough to catch the eye of Courteeners frontman Liam Fray, who selected Zuzu and her band to support his own band on their recent UK arena tour, alongside Scots singer Gerry Cinnamon.

Speaking ahead of the tour, Zuzu was revved up, if not a tad apprehensive about bringing her tunes to huge arenas of potential new fans.

"Some of those shows with The Courteeners are crazy and in places where I've been to see huge bands, like Liverpool Arena," she declared.

"It's terrifying but exciting at the same time.

"Liam actually came to one of our gigs in Manchester and he's so lovely and it just eased any nerves we had about going on tour and getting along as he was such a nice man.

"[I thought] I'm gonna pick his brains, maybe I'll just like follow him around and be his shadow, it won't be weird at all!

Image source, Getty Images

You may well have since caught her at one of those gigs or, if not, might see her next summer at The Great Escape festival or Neighbourhood Weekender - though there's far less chance of hearing Distant Christmas in May.

Like any self-respecting Scouse musician, the singer - who has been supported by BBC Music Introducing in Merseyside - recently went on a Beatles-esque pilgrimage to India and came back with a sitar.

She loves to travel and has a cunning plan for when she gets to do her own headline tour, inspired by another big pop artist.

"The dream is to get to be able to see a bit of everything and tour at the same time.

"Pink used to take a night off, do one every other day, I'm into that; have a little time, have a look around, enjoy yourself, bask in the sites.

"I really wanna be a tour guide, I was tour guiding the other day on my Instagram and there was some man there doing his real tour looking at me like I'm such a freak!

"I'll take everyone to Birkenhead market, we’ll have a butty, it'll be boss."

Read Newbie Tuesday #57 - Amelia Monet: From Lion King to Afro Swing

Cardi is the latest and possibly the best yet celeb passenger helping James Corden to get to his fictional job via the carpool lane.

The pair rap along to some of the New Yorker's tracks as well as discussing her rise from being an exotic dancer to becoming the first female rapper in 20 years to have a number one hit in the US.

"You know I used to be a stripper and everything," she tells James, "so when I got really popular on Instagram I was stripping throughout the United States.

"And I was going around listening to what people where listening to - a lot of people have different styles.

Her track Bodak Yellow went to the top of the charts in September 2017, making her the first female rapper since Lauryn Hill’s Doo Wop (That Thing) back in 1998 to achieve the feat.

She revealed she got the ball rolling by pestering local DJs in her native New York to play her tracks.

"At first people didn't want to play my music on the damn radio," she said.

If you get a spare quarter of an hour today, you can watch the full thing above as Cardi also crashes a senior dance class and (almost) James' Range Rover, but we warn there are a few bleeped out swearwords.

The Proms team will head to Tokyo and Osaka in October and November next year.

It follows tours of Australia in 2016 and Dubai in 2017.

The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra will make their first ever trip to the region for the six-day event from 30 October-4 November, which will see chief conductor Thomas Dausgaard and the orchestra cover a wide repertoire.

David Pickard, the director of BBC Proms says: “The central aim of the Proms is to make classical music accessible through the highest quality performances, outreach work, affordable ticket prices and broadcast opportunities, and we are thrilled that BBC Proms Japan will continue to further that mission.”

On Monday, the Proms announced a CBeebies event for London next summer.

BBC Radio 1

Last time Miley performed in the Live Lounge, it was actually filmed at her own Rainbowland Studios in Malibu.

Since then, her California home was sadly claimed by the devastating wildfires.

Today, she's back with her new songwriting partner Mark Ronson for another appearance, where she'll no doubt be expected to produce a festive cover.

Our money is on Happy Xmas (War is Over), which she performed alongside John Lennon's son Sean Ono Lennon on SNL at the weekend.

But then who knows? Tune in to Radio 1 from Midday to find out.

Image source, Paul McCartney

Sir Paul McCartney - who wrapped up his sold out UK tour in London on Sunday night has shared a surreal new video, starring Emma Stone.

Who Cares is from his latest album Egypt Station and carries a strong anti-bullying message.

It has premiered as an exclusive on Apple Music (it'll reach other social media platforms later).

Macca said: “My hope is that maybe by listening to this song and watching this video, if there are kids being bullied they might just think it's the kind of thing you can just stand up to and laugh off and get through."

Check out a behind the scenes clip below.

Image source, Getty Images

The Canadian composer is reported to gave died at the age of 89.

No cause of death has yet been confirmed

The Grammy-winning musician wrote the score for the Tony-winning musical Two Gentlemen of Verona.

He is best known for his work on the anti-war musical Hair, which shocked 60s theatre audiences with its frank references to sex and drugs and featured on-stage nudity.

He became an unlikely hero of the hip-hop community, with artists from Busta Rhymes to Run-D.M.C. sampling his work.

Questlove of The Roots and Hamilton writer and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda were among those paying tribute to DacDermot on social media.

MacDermot was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009.

Image source, Getty Images

The seminal noughties indie rockers from New York have announced they shall return next year to perform at BBK festival in Bilbao.

They'll headline the event alongside Weezer, Thom Yorke, Idles and Suede from 11 July.

News that will please Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner who used the line; I just wanted to be one of The Strokes to open their latest album, Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino.

This year saw singer Julian Casablancas tour the UK with his other band The Voidz, while guitarist Albert Hammond Junior was busy performing his latest solo record.

If you want to see them together, you'll have to pack your skinny jeans and head to the Basque country.

No news yet as to whether this means they will tour again but we wouldn't bet against it.

The NYC band's last album Comedown Machine came five years ago.

Variety

The longlist for the potential best original song nominees at next year's Oscars has been revealed by the Recording Academy.

Thom Yorke’s Suspirium, taken from his soundtrack to the horror remake Suspiria, is up against Kendrick Lamar and SZA's All The Stars’ from the Ken-produced Black Panther soundtrack.

You can check out Thom performing his track live for 6 Music (above) but you'll have to find the other track for yourself due to some quite forthright lyrics from the Compton rapper.

Image source, Getty Images

Of course the song that all the actual stars - including Lewis Capaldi, external and Zar Larsson - were tripping over each other to cover during Radio 1's Live Lounge Month; Shallow, from the Lady Gaga/Bradley Cooper film, A Star is Born, is also in there.

The movie is already up for five Golden Globe awards, including best original song for the aforementioned track.

Tracks by Dolly Parton, Sade, Quincy Jones, Emily Blunt and Jonsi and Troye Sivan also make the cut.

The actual shortlist of nominees will be announced on 22 January ahead of the Los Angeles ceremony on 25 February 2019.

The other main music award concerns best score, where Black Panther gets another nod, alongside Mary Poppins Returns, Crazy Rich Asians and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Check out the full longlists - which are confusingly labelled as shortlists - via Variety, external.

British schoolgirl Courtney Hadwin, who was a finalist on America's Got Talent, has signed with Simon Cowell's record label.

She missed out on the winner's trophy but wowed US audiences with her energetic covers of classic hits including James Brown's Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, Otis Redding's Hard to Handle and Ike and Tina Turner's River Deep, Mountain High.

The 14-year-old inked the deal with Syco and Arista Records, both of which are owned by Sony Music.

Courtney, who hails from Hesleden in County Durham, shared a picture of herself saying she was "so excited".

Simon called the teenager "an amazing artist".

Image source, Getty Images

The late rapper has bagged his second number one album of the year, following the success of ? in March.

Skins, his first album since he was shot and killed at the age of 20 in Florida, has gone to the top of the Billboard 200.

It sold 132,000 combined copies, including streaming, in its first week of release, with 52,000 in traditional sales, knocking Meek Mill's Championships off top spot.

The album has picked up several awards but the singer/rapper remains a controversial figure after appearing to confess to domestic abuse charges he was facing before his death.