Fans of both Ciara and Keri Hilson are all too familiar with the artists’ feud, which seemingly began through songs that featured the singers taking lyrical jabs at one another. But the R&B powerhouses reportedly stepped out from behind the mics recently and experienced a heated exchange. During Power 105.1’s “Power Live” concert in New York this past weekend, Ciara and Keri may have come face-to-face, causing verbal blows to follow.

The Atlanta songstresses were both scheduled to perform at the concert, which featured such acts as J. Cole, Diddy-Dirty Money, Fat Joe, and Rick Ross. According to the New York Daily News’ Gatecrasher gossip column, Hilson backed out of her time slot after she and the “Ride” singer were involved in a minor tiff backstage.

Sources for the newspaper then changed their stories when both artists’ publicists stepped in to do damage control. Reps for Hilson claim the ATL native wasn’t even present at the concert. Unfortunately, it seems one of the camps is withholding information. A set list sent to the publication by the publicity firm handling the “Power Live” event had Keri Hilson scheduled to perform from 8:55 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. and Ciara to go onstage from 10:05 p.m. to 10:35 p.m.

Keri has denied beef with Ciara in a previous radio interview. When asked by Rap-Up TV in May whether her song “Basic Instinct (U Got Me)” was taking shots at her peer, Ciara simply responded, “That record right there is a song that I dedicated to my haters, and I also dedicate it to my fans though.”

Organizers for “Power Live” have released a statement addressing Keri Hilson’s absence from the show.

Keri Hilson had been booked to perform at the Power Live Show On NYC’s Governor’s Island Sunday, August 22nd but was unable to perform due to matters out of her own control. Hilson, a professional who has always been a pleasure to work with, and her management, gave Power Live fair warning that she would be unable to perform. Power Live looks forward to having Keri Hilson on our bill at future events. Any statements or stories made toward issues backstage with any of our performers are false and without merit.

With his co-headlining hometown stadium shows alongside Eminem and the Black Ball NY affair scheduled, Jay-Z is going to be one busy man this fall.

But never underestimate Jay's work ethic: Billboard is reporting that the rapper is planning to hit the stage as a special guest on U2's 360 Tour in Australia.

The five-city tour will be the first concert promoted by the new Live Nation Australia. The outing will begin in Auckland's Mount Smart Stadium on November 25 and make its way to amphitheaters across the country, stopping in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. It will conclude at Perth's Subiaco Oval on December 18.

Tickets will be on sale to the general public September 3, while U2.com subscribers will have the opportunity for a pre-sale. U2's summer leg of the tour was rescheduled after lead singer Bono suffered a back injury, pushing those dates to the spring and summer of 2011.