by Paul V.

Santogold says she’s not afraid of criticism; in fact she welcomes it. The Brooklyn singer claims she likes checking out the negative comments on her MySpace page. She says “I got one message saying, ‘I hate your lesbian techno rap.’ When I get stuff like that, I know I’m doing a good job. It means I’m getting people outside of my zone freaked out because I don’t fit into something they understand. It means I’m pushing some boundaries, I guess.”

Did you ever imagine a gay man could be crowned “The Ultimate Rock God?” Yup, Queen’s Freddie Mercury topped a new poll asking what musician is the ultimate “rock god.” Mercury even beat Elvis Presley, along with Jon Bon Jovi, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Ozzy Osbourne, Kurt Cobain, Slash, Bono and Mick Jagger. Ironically Slash (the only non-frontman in the top 10) beat former Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose, who finished 11th.

Hey, let's give some props and congrats to Lady Gaga! The always queer-friendly artist was discovered by us hipster gays way before the masses (like so many before her), but Gaga finally—after 22 weeks—just reached No. 1 on the American and U.K. charts with her catchy-as-hell “Just Dance” single. You go, Gaga!

Justin Timberlake and Leona Lewis are set to record a new duet. But who picked the damn song? It’s been revealed the duo will tackle a new version of Whitney Houston’s schmaltzy “I Will Always Love You” (which wasn’t so schmaltzy in its original form by Dolly Parton). Look for this oddball cover sometime in the spring.

And finally—Stupid Things You Need To Know: Mariah Carey apparently likes to have a security person inside her bedroom to watch her fall asleep. Huey Lewis’ grandfather invented the red wax sealant you find on certain cheeses. Courtney Love’s new album got delayed again, but its eventual release will be sponsored by both a feminine hygiene product and a tequila company. Madonna recently spread her 50-year-old legs at a photo shoot—but it was to hawk Louis Vuitton bags. And Amy Winehouse is still in St. Lucia, off the drugs, divorcing her junkie husband, and now banging a super hunky rugby player.