British rapper Speech Debelle has won the 2009 Mercury Prize for her album Speech Therapy. Debelle received the nomination despite only selling 3,000 copies of her record prior to the ceremony, which pitted her against the likes of Bat For Lashes, Friendly Fires, and Glasvegas. [NME.com]

Whitney Houston has topped the Billboard 200 chart this week with her comeback album I Look To You. The album has sold over 305,000 copies since its release in late August. Houston performed live in Central Park last week in a televised concert for ABC’s Good Morning America, and will also appear on an upcoming Oprah special. [EW.com]

Jazz pianist Dave Brubeck is among the artists to be celebrated at this year’s Kennedy Center Honors. Brubeck’s life and career will be honored at the gala on December 6th, along with such additional recipients as Bruce Springsteen, Robert DeNiro, and Mel Brooks. [Billboard.com]

Remember Ryan Adams’ decision to take a break from music? Those plans have been scrapped after several short months, and the prolific songwriter is back with new material, a new website, new Vimeo additions, and new plans for his record label. Easy, tiger! [Pitchfork.com]

Former Stooges guitarist James Williamson is getting back together with Iggy Pop and the remaining Stooges for the band’s appearance at London’s All Tomorrow’s Parties festival in 2010. Williamson’s involvement comes several months after the death of original guitarist Ron Asheton, who suffered a heart attack in January. Williamson joined the Stooges in 1973 and played guitar on the classic album Raw Power, which will be performed in its entirety during the London shows on May 2nd and 3rd. [RollingStone.com]

Country singer Brad Paisley has received six nominations for the 2009 Country Music Awards, the highest total of any nominee. Paisley will compete for Entertainer of the Year, among other awards, alongside fellow songwriters Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, and Keith Urban. He’ll also host the November 11th show alongside Carrie Underwood, whose album Play On is scheduled to hit stores one week prior. [ABC.com]