Quick Hits: Gerry Rafferty, Kanye West & Jay-Z, Jane's Addiction, Rick Ross, No Doubt, Wakka Flocka Flame, Alter Bridge

Have you ever wondered if what you know about is accurate? Consider the following paragraphs and compare what you know to the latest info on .



If your facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don't let important information slip by you.

Scottish S-TV is reporting that Gerry Rafferty has passed away at the age of 63. The singer-songwriter, best known for his solo hit "Baker Street" as well as "Stuck In The Middle With You" from his band Steeler's Wheel. was hospitalized in November for liver failure. The Scottish musician had a #1 album in the States with 1978's City To City, which featured "Baker Street." The song was covered by the Foo Fighters two decades later, who had a minor radio hit with it. "Stuck In The Middle With You" also received new life in the '90s, thanks to its infamous use in Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs.

Will Kanye West & Jay-Z's anticipated collaboration, Watch The Throne, arriving any day now? During West's New Year's Eve performance in Las Vegas, he randomly shouted, "Watch The Throne, coming in one week!," according to multiple reports. Some of the tracks expected to appear on Watch The Throne were a part of West's 2010 "G.O.O.D. Friday" series of free MP3s from West.

Jane's Addiction has recruited TV On The Radio producer/multi-instrumentalist Dave Sitek to play bass and write with the L.A. band, who continue to work on their first new album since 2003. Duff McKagan of Guns 'N' Roses fame had been playing bass last year with Jane's. Frontman Perry Farrell said in a statement, "Dave [Navarro], Steve [Perkins] and I are fully immersed in the process of making modern music. It has been a great experience thus far, and the results have so much potential."


Rick Ross
Rapper Rick Ross told WWPR (Power 105.1)/New York this week that his next album will be titled God Forgives, I Don't. Ross also debuted a new single, "Made Men," featuring Drake. The complete interview can be heard at Power 105.1's website here.

No Doubt is back in the studio, recording songs for their long-awaited comeback album, according to a series of tweets from the band on Monday. Guitarist Tom Dumont wrote that in 2010, "we were in studio mostly writing, just some recording." But now the group plans to be "back in the studio, mostly recording."

Up-and-coming rapper Wakka Flocka Flame has reportedly turned himself in to police, following charges of drug and weapon possession. The rapper (real name: Juaquin James Malphurs) surrendered yesterday and faces a number of charges in Georgia, following a raid on his Atlanta home last month.

That's the latest from the authorities. Once you're familiar with these ideas, you'll be ready to move to the next level.