"It's gonna be hard to get Justin to calm down ... He's a workaholic" --Lance Bass

Stoking *NSYNC reunion rumors, the singer claims that the boy band is "itching to do some music." But with Justin Timberlake's acting, singing, producing and fashion career on the rise, we have to wonder.

The Rules for Battle: Each week, we pit versions of the same song by two different artists in a head-to-head death match for musical supremacy. (Sometimes it will be the original recording vs. a cover version; other times it will be two different covers.) Then it's up to you to decide: Listen to and vote on which version you think should emerge victorious and which should be sent packing. May the best band win!



The Song: 'Lovestoned'

The Contestants: Justin Timberlake vs. Kaki King

In This Corner -- Justin Timberlake: Nothing says "hit" like a Timberlake/Timbaland collabo. With lustful -- if a little ridiculous -- lyrics and a load of intricate beats, this hip-shaking track matches its hype. We're not sure where it went (backpacking through Europe, maybe?) but the sexy is most definitely back.

Justin Timberlake, 'Lovestoned'

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In This Corner -- Kaki King: The prodigal guitarist borrowed from the best of JT's tongue-wagging tune: the elastic 'n mellow outro that caps the club banger around the 4-minute mark. King's whispery vocals yearn without begging, though her slick guitar is seducer enough. The best part? Her omission of the song's original cheese: "She looks like a model/Except she's got a little more ass."

Kaki King, 'Lovestoned'

"Michael Jordan ... was like, 'Hey, man, my kids and I [are] big fans of your music.' He walked away and I realized I had peed a little." --Justin Timberlake

The former boy-band star reflected on meeting his sports idol and on the resulting involuntary physical response.

To celebrate our nation's birthday, Spinner's own DL Show pieced together a music video featuring 71 different renditions of the 'Star Spangled Banner.' We're talking Justin Timberlake, Elvis, Coldplay, George Michael and even Celine Dion, folks. Hell, if a chest-bangin' Frenchie Canuck can be patriotic, so can we. Happy birthday, America!

"I learnt a lot from my relationship with [her], notably that you should always put things in perspective."--Justin Timberlake

The pop prince reflected on his relationship with former flame, Cameron Diaz. He then quickly clarified, "But I'm still a man, so I have some kind of learning disability."

"I'm not cool, you know what I mean?"--Clay Aiken

In an interview, the former 'Idol' assured his public that he's "not trying to be Justin Timberlake." Oh, and he's definitely "not gonna bring anybody's sexy back."

Operating under the nom de club music Junkie XL, Tom Holkenborg has become one of the icons of electronic dance music. With the advent of his 2003 worldwide smash reworking of Elvis Presley's 'A Little Less Conversation,' Junkie established himself as an acclaimed re-mixer, producer and musician. And while he's since rebuilt Coldplay's 'Talk,' plus tracks by Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake for the dance floor, Holkenborg is first and foremost a revered musician.

On his fifth studio album, 'Booming Back At You' (due March 11), Junkie forgoes the conceptual approaches of previous releases in an effort to capture the energy of his live shows. "I'm a very upbeat performer," the Dutch born Junkie tells Spinner. "And I wanted it to keep the fun and the energy going. The biggest difference between it and some of the more rock-based material in my past is that the arrangements of the songs are very basic and very simple. I really felt a fresh energy making this album that I hadn't felt for years."

• Madonna has titled her forthcoming album 'Hard Candy.' The effort, which features collaborations with Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, among others, hits shelves on April 29.

• Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch will be up for auction on March 19, unless the singer pays off more than $24 million he owes on the Santa Ynez, California property.

• According to New York Daily News' Rush & Molloy, Jay-Z and Nas are working on an upcoming collaborative album, titled 'The Kings of Hip Hop,' to be released on Jigga's rumored "in-the-works" record label, Carter Music Group in 2009.

• Bobby Brown will not face criminal charges after police allege they found a small amount of cocaine in his possession. The singer agreed to do community service for one year, and Brown's lawyer said if no other issues arise, the matter will be struck.
  

Justin Timberlake has been chosen to induct Madonna into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The ceremony, to be held on March 10, will take place at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York. The pop/R&B prince is currently collaborating with Her Madgesty on several songs from her upcoming album, 'Hard Candy,' including the first single, '4 Minutes to Save the World,' which also features Timbaland.

The woman born Madonna Louise Ciccone almost 50 years ago in Michigan will be entering the Rock Hall Class of '08, who were chosen by the 600 voters of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. Artists are eligible for inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25 years after their first recording is released.

"The Grammys used me for ratings. And they were up 18 percent!"
-- Justin Timberlake