the scoop

the scoop

online video awards

Babelgum is continuing its mission to provide a platform for new talent — and attract viewers to its ad-supported Web site that streams videos online for free — with the launch of a music video competition with Universal Music UK.

The Babelgum Music Video Award will run like its online film festival now in its second edition, with participants uploading entries onto its Web site. Like the film festival, winners will be chosen both by professionals and viewers.

It is yet another Internet-age outlet for independent musicians, many of whom have been able to expand their following and consolidate their fan base on such sites as YouTube.

In the music video competition, a jury of professionals will choose the grand prize winner, who will get a record development deal with Universal UK.

And the 40 semifinalists will appear in a new Babelgum application for smart mobile phones, which is expected to launch by December.

Babelgum users already have been able to start registering to enter the video competition, with 205 subscriptions so far, the company said. Entries close Nov. 16.

Another 300 aspiring filmmakers have registered accounts for the film festival. Entries close Dec. 31.

‘chinese democracy’ is near release

After years of delay, Guns N’ Roses is finally releasing “Chinese Democracy.”

Geffen Records has announced that the band’s eagerly awaited album will be released Nov. 23 at Best Buy stores and the retail chain’s Web site.

“Chinese Democracy” is the first album of new Guns N’ Roses material since 1991’s “Use Your Illusion I” and “Use Your Illusion II.”

The band, fronted by Axl Rose (above), has sold 90 million albums and made a splash in the ’80s with the hits “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” “Paradise City” and “Welcome to the Jungle.”

beyonce’s double life

“I Am ... Sasha Fierce,” the new full-length double album from Beyonc , will be released Nov. 18.

“The new record is a double album and has two covers, like a magazine would have two covers,” Beyonc said. “One of the covers is named ‘I Am ...’ and the second cover is named ‘Sasha Fierce.’ That is my alter ego and now she has a last name. I have someone else that takes over when it’s time for me to work and when I’m on stage, this alter ego that I’ve created that kind of protects me and who I really am. That’s why half the record, “I Am ...,” is about who I am underneath all the makeup, underneath the lights, and underneath all the exciting star drama. And Sasha Fierce is the fun, more sensual, more aggressive, more outspoken side and more glamorous side that comes out when I’m working and when I’m on the stage.’”

second chance at stardom

“Redemption Song,” a one-hour series that aims to prove you can get a second chance at a first song, debuts at 11 p.m. Wednesday on Fuse, the national music television network.

It follows 11 talented but down-on-their-luck singers as they compete for a shot to escape their demons and launch a full-fledged music career. All have troubled pasts filled with bad attitudes, emotional ups-and-downs and hard-partying.

The show’s host is Chris Jericho, WWE superstar and lead singer of rock band Fozzy.