J.Lo, U2, Usher Star At French Music Awards On Riviera

PARIS (AFP) - Pop diva Jennifer Lopez (news), rhythm and blues sensation Usher and Irish rockers U2 will be in the French Riviera resort of Cannes on Saturday for the 2005 NRJ Music Awards, France's glam answer to the Grammys (news - web sites).

Lopez will sing "Get Right", the first single off her upcoming album "Rebirth". The CD, due out on March 1, features a guest appearance by Lopez's new husband, Latin crooner Marc Anthony.

Usher, whose "Confessions" was the top-selling album in the United States in 2004 with nearly eight million copies sold, will also perform at the flashy ceremony, to be broadcast live on French private television network TF1.

NRJ is one of France's most popular radio stations, and more than five million listeners have cast ballots in 13 categories -- six French-language, six international and the video of the year -- ahead of Saturday's ceremony.

Up for international female artist of the year are R and B stars Alicia Keys, Anastacia and Beyonce, rocker Avril Lavigne (news) and pop princess Britney Spears (news).

Usher, rapper Eminem (news - web sites), rocker Lenny Kravitz (news) and pop singers Robbie Williams (news) and Billy Crawford (news) will vie for top honors as international male artist of the year.

U2 is up for best duo or group of the year, along with Keys/Usher, the Black Eyed Peas, Blue and Destiny's Child, which is fronted by Beyonce.

The awards show is the kick-off event for the MIDEM music trade fair, the international music industry's most influential annual gathering which begins on Sunday in Cannes.