XM’s The Rhyme (ch 65) is premiering the special "Hip-Hop… At The Crossroads" tonight (May 24th) at 6pm ET.

The show will feature a diverse panel of hip-hop industry artists, producers and activists - with legends like Doug E. Fresh, Russell Simmons, Talib Kweli, MC Lyte, producer Chucky Thompson - as well as the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network’s Dr. Benjamin Chavis among others.

Together they'll discuss and examine the music of hip hop in connection with the recent news headlines, and its evolution from the streets to the mainstream.

The discussion is hosted by XM’s Leo G., program director of The Rhyme and RAW (ch 66), and VH1’s Janell Snowden.

If you miss it tonight, encore broadcasts will air Saturday, May 26th at 1pm ET, Sunday, May 27th at 9pm ET and Tuesday, May 29th at 6pm ET.

Believe it or not, but the 30th anniversary of Star Wars is coming this Friday, and XM's movie soundtrack channel Cinemagic (ch 27) is celebrating with a special edition of the show "Hi-Fi/Sci-Fi."

The 30th anniversary of Star Wars Episode IV - which was released back on May 25, 1977 - will be celebrated by geeks, droids and even normal people across the nation. And Cinemagic's "Hi-Fi/Sci-Fi" is doing a little celebrating of its own by taking an in-depth look at all six of the Star Wars films in a special two hour episode.

The show debuts tonight at 10pm ET, but don't get pissed at me for bringing it to your attention so late (sorry, my cat just got mauled by a neighbor's dog... yeesh) - because there will be replays airing at various times throughout the week.

UPDATE: And those various times are:

Today (Wed): 2-4 pm ET
Friday: 7-9 pm ET
Sat and Sun: 10 pm - 12 midnight ET

And remember, let the Wookiee win.

Thrash metal gods Megadeth shook the XM Performance Theater on Friday afternoon for the latest episode of the XM series "Artist Confidential."

Lead guitarist and vocalist Dave Mustaine (right) talked about the evolution of the band, which he formed after leaving Metallica in 1983. Along with being its main songwriter, Mustaine is the only original member of the band.

Megadeth is one of the most successful metal bands of all time, having sold over 20 million albums worldwide, including 5 consecutive platinum albums, and 7 consecutive Grammy nominations for Best Metal Performance.

In 2002, Megadeth disbanded after Mustaine suffered a severe nerve injury to his left arm, but following extensive physical therapy, Mustaine reformed the band in 2004.

Megadeth released its eleventh studio album "United Abominations" this past Tuesday. I don't know the airdate for this XM performance, but it will be listed on XM's Artist Confidential page when available.

XM, in partnership with Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Music Group, will release a compilation CD featuring music from XM’s popular blues channel on May 15th.

Appropriately named after the channel itself, the Bluesville CD will feature songs from blues greats Willie Dixon and Memphis Slim, Lightnin’ Hopkins and Sonny Terry, Odetta, Roosevelt Sykes, Mildred Anderson, Furry Lewis and many other artists heard on XM Bluesville (ch 74).

The CD will give listeners a flavor for the music heard 24-hours a day on XM’s Bluesville channel.

The Bluesville disc will be available exclusively at Starbucks locations ($13.95 in the U.S. and $16.95 in Canada) and on the Hear Music website starting on May 15th.

"This disc offers customers yet another opportunity to experience the depth of music presented on XM," said Lee Abrams, chief creative officer, XM Satellite Radio.

View the complete track listing after the jump...

Joss Stone and her band held a soulful performance at XM's Jazz at Lincoln Center studios for the latest installment of XM's "Artist Confidential" series. But don't worry if you missed it yesterday because you can still catch it later today at 3pm ET on XM Cafe (ch 45), and there's several more encores playing throughout the week.

You'll hear an hour of music and a live interview with XM's George Taylor Morris in front of a 100 fans. Joss is positively engaging, offering hugs and unabashed answers to some pretty strange questions (because, who wouldn't want to be elbow deep in placenta?).

Well worth the listen. 

Check out additional encore times after the jump...