Sore throats have been causing some distress on the recently launched North American leg of Alicia Keys’ As I Am tour. Earlier this week, Alicia Keys had to cancel Tuesday’s show (the third date of the tour) in Pittsburgh and yesterday’s show in Cleveland because of swollen vocal cords, reports her label. But she wasn't alone. American Idol Jordin Sparks (billed as an opening act) was also out due to an acute vocal cord hemorrhage. She is likely unable to join the tour until May due to an acute vocal cord hemorrhage. Keys is expected to take the stage again tomorrow (Apr. 26) in Columbus where Cleveland tickets will be honored.

Academy Award-nominated actor Terrence Howard is officially hustle and flow these days. Monday (Apr. 21), he held an exclusive listening session of his 11-song debut for which he sings and plays the guitar. According to People.com, Howard has been writing songs since the age of 16. In 2005, one of the songs he performed for the film Hustle and Flow, “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp,” won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. His as-yet-untitled album is scheduled for release this September and may include a collaboration with musical (and now Hollywood) pop star Chris Brown.

Singer/songwriter Solange Knowles was in Los Angeles Tuesday (Apr. 22) shooting the debut single “I Decided” (produced by Pharrell) for her sophomore album. After finding a new label home at Geffen Records, Solange is ready to release SoL-AngeL and The Hadley Street Dreams, a set involving Cee-Lo, Lil Wayne, Bilal, Marsha Ambrosius, and Estelle. SoL-AngeL… is slated for release Aug. 26.

Lil' Wayne can also be heard on Bobby Valentino’s first full-length album after his recent departure from Ludacris’ Disturbing Tha Peace/Def Jam label. The as-yet-untitled project will come later this summer after the digital-only EP release Come With Me Bobby V is independently offering to fans while he seeks a distribution deal for his own label Blu Kolla Dreams. He tells Billboard.com that the split with DTP was amicable. “I look at this as my going off to college,” he said. “It was time for me to step out on my own and show the world who Bobby Valentino the artist really is.” The six-track Come With Me will be available Apr. 29. “I call it R&B alternative: we use live instrumentation like electric guitars but the drums remain very urban/rhythmic.” To download the EP check iTunes. The song with Lil Wayne, “When I See You Smile,” has already been serviced to radio.