DX News Bits: LL Cool J, Common

LL Cool J has announced he will drop out of Janet Jackson's Rock Witchu Tour due to scheduling conflicts. Cool J was added as the opening act after releasing his Exit 13 album. The tour, which was Jackson's first North American campaign in seven years, has already suffered multiple setbacks. Jackson herself missed a series of dates earlier this month, due to a bout of migraine-associated vertigo. Tour stops are still scheduled for Auburn Hills, Michigan on October 28 and New York City on November 1., after which more stops and a possible replacement opening act will be announced.

Two gunmen shot and killed a 19-year-old in the De lux Gallery hair salon in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn Monday afternoon. Four bystanders, including an off-duty police officer, were also shot but not fatally wounded. According to the New York Times, a spokeswoman from Geffen confirms Common [click to read] had his hair cut a few hours before the shooting occurred. Authorities are still searching for the two suspects, and Common is not suspected as a target, or in any way related to the attack.