On Mar. 28, Utada Hikaru will release a new album. Looks like a busy Utada, shown from her absence for the glitzy annual year-end Red-White Singing Competition and studies in the United States of America did not stop her from singing.

This year is going to be a fulfilling one for Namie Amuro. She just wrapped up a New Year's Eve concert in Okinawa and her new single, no more tears will be out on Jan. 24. Beginning in Mar., this young mother will also be holding her concert tour 2001. Fans, please log on to vivamusic.com in coming weeks for more of her concert schedule.

Debuted in 1997, Da Pump will leapfrog to greater heights with a new single, Purple The Orion on Jan. 10, 2001. This year, the most sensational event for them has to be the DA PUMP TOUR 2000 BEAT BALL that covered 13 places with 23 performances. Fellas, mark the date Dec. 27 in your diary, as the VCR and DVD versions of this tour will be out.

After Utada Hikaru had expressed her absence for the glitzy year-end Red-White Singing Competition, Glay has also rejected an invitation to the event. They will be in the United States of America from late Dec. to mid-Jan. to record a new album. Without their presence, ecstatic fans should not be upset as they had already released a greatest hits album, DRIVE ~ GLAY complete BEST on Nov. 29. In it, 24 hot tracks, like BE WITH YOU and HAPPINESS.

SMAP will be holding a private party this Christmas Eve. A local Japanese TV station is presently discussing with its members to beam an exclusive broadcast for 2 hours of the party. Many viewers are expected to stay beside their idiot boxes that night. With influence from the dashing Kimura Takuya, many stars will be attending this secret function and intrigue viewers.

Singer/songwriter, Utada Hikaru is back in her birthplace, New York pursuing a degree course. With NHK's effort to invite big names for their glitzy annual Red-White Singing Competition, year-end, a 'live' broadcast from the United States of America was suggested to Hikaru. This young Queen of R & B failed to attend last year due to study, will not present at this year's event too. According to her record company, she'll be working on her new album in the United States of America during that period. Another blow to NHK's mega show-of-the-year is that J-stars, like Southern All Stars, Glay and Kuraki Mai have already expressed their absence.

Thirst for more of the wild and boisterous pop/rock singer, Aikawa Nanase. It is confirmed that her new single will be out on Jan. 24. Engaging the same producer for her last single, Seven Seas, this new offering will be the theme song for TBS animated cartoon, ZOID starting Jan. 06 across Japan.

H.O.T. 5th album, Outside Castle like its predecessors is one thing K-pop fans will die to own. H.O.T. stands for High Five of Teenagers is made up of 5 males, Hee Jun, Woo Hyuk, Tony An, Kang Ta and Jae Won averaged at 21 yrs old. This captivating album has 14 tracks, is generally mellow and heartwarming but there is also their famous hip hop and hardcore dance songs. These 5 guys also contributed the words and songs in Outside Castle, for instance the title track by Hee Jun aims to spread the message of care for the neglected disabled. With such a passionate and dynamic song accompanied by a glossy photo book and H.O.T. exclusive 2001 calendar, this album is an ideal gift this Christmas.