NEW YORK — A benefit concert that rapper Jay-Z is planning for Sept. 11 is a step in the direction that his career — and life — is heading in, he said yesterday.

The 39-year-old is set to release his 11th studio CD, "The Blueprint 3," the same day of the charity concert. The performance will be at New York's Madison Square Garden and air live on Fuse TV.

Jay-Z said he will donate all proceeds from the concert, expected to raise $750,000 to $1 million, to the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund. Tickets are $50.

POLICE REEXAMINE DEATH OF BRIAN JONES

LONDON — Forty years after the body of Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones was found floating in his swimming pool following a binge of drugs and drinking, police said yesterday they are reviewing the case in light of new evidence turned over by a journalist.

Jones' 1969 drowning was ruled an accident, though friends and fans have insisted the 27-year-old rock star was murdered, and rumors have swirled of a deathbed confession by a building contractor. Sussex police in southeast England said they will examine the new documents and have not yet decided whether to reopen the case.

Jones was a founding member of the Rolling Stones and reportedly came up with the band's name, taking it from a song title on a Muddy Waters album cover.

BROWN CLAIMS HE CAN'T REMEMBER BEATING

LOS ANGELES — Chris Brown says he doesn't remember beating Rihanna and claims he still loves his former girlfriend.

In his first public interviews on the subject, the singer told People magazine and CNN's Larry King that his feelings haven't changed for Rihanna since the February beating that left her bloody and bruised. Brown told King in an interview scheduled to air tomorrow that he is still in shock about his actions.

Brown pleaded guilty to felony assault and last week was sentenced to five years of probation, a year of counseling and six months of community labor.

FORMER MISS CALIFORNIA SUES PAGEANT

LOS ANGELES — Former Miss California USA Carrie Prejean sued pageant officials yesterday for libel, slander and religious discrimination, accusing them of telling her to stop mentioning God even before her controversial remarks against gay marriage.

Prejean was fired in June by pageant officials who said she missed several scheduled appearances. Her attorney said that wasn't true, and Prejean was ousted because of controversial remarks in April during the Miss USA pageant that marriage should be between a man and a woman.