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| Travis Barker Released From L.A. Burn Center: Report Posted: 17 Oct 2008 05:07 AM PDT 'I can't wait to get out of here and be home with the babes,' drummer blogged before discharge.
Just one day after assuring fans via his MySpace blog that he would soon be released from the hospital, Travis Barker was indeed discharged from the Grossman Burn Center on Friday (October 17), a representative for the 32-year-old told "Access Hollywood." The former Blink-182 drummer had been recovering at the Los Angeles burn center after suffering major tissue damage on his hands and lower body following a plane crash near Columbia, South Carolina, that claimed the lives of four people. "I think I'm getting out of the hospital soon. I can't wait to get out of here and be home with the babes," Barker blogged from the center, where he also posed for pictures with friends and family by his bedside, including the Game and his former Transplants bandmate "Skinhead" Rob Alston. "The doctors say I'm healing up quickly, and I'm gonna be out of here b4 you know it." It's unclear exactly what treatment Barker received while at the center, although ex-wife Shanna Moakler said in a recent interview that he had upward of seven skin grafts and multiple additional surgeries. A graft is a surgical technique whereby donor skin (in some cases from an animal or the recently deceased) is held in place over the patient's skin to both prevent infection and encourage healing. The crash's only other survivor, DJ AM, was released from the hospital September 26. AM recently had his first performance since the crash on Wednesday evening, when he DJed for Jay-Z at a Hollywood concert. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Rick Ross Ignores Controversy While Prepping New Album With Kanye And T.I. Posted: 17 Oct 2008 02:40 AM PDT Boss won't bother denying prison-guard rumors because it's not 'trill.'
ATLANTA — Rick Ross will not confirm or deny anything about his alleged past as a prison guard. He says it's too ridiculous to worry about. And the Boss laughs off all the jokes and supposedly Photoshopped images of him that have circulated the Internet. He's having the time of his life. "Anytime a rumor comes up like, 'Is Ross is getting married?' I don't address it, because that's my life," he said Thursday in Atlanta. "At the same time, if it's some haterism going on, I'm most definitely not gonna entertain it, because it's not trill. I define trill as being successful, doing you, being creative, living your life. My music is very sincere to me."
Besides being one of the nicest MCs with the wordplay right now, Ross owes part of his strong appeal to his rep on the street. As he records his third LP, Deeper Than Rap, he promises that everything he's rapped regarding his street hustling is real. "It's very authentic," he said. "I feel that no other artist could have endured this," he added of the recent controversy. "If you think I didn't get no money, God bless your heart," he continued about his time on the streets. "I had the P. Diddy watch at 19. I saw what they wanted, and I had it. I don't get on the airwaves and tell people I'm out on bond now facing prison time right now and have been for the past year and a half. That's not what I glorify. That's not what I want my daughter to read about or my son to read about. You ever notice in all the rumors that they never bring up my record? They don't want you to know the boy really does his thing. But I'm not finin' to go and say, 'Hey, [the online Department of Corrections documents are] inaccurate.' ... But that's entertainment. I'm the best. You see me on the cover of XXL magazine with no shirt on. I'm living my dream." Ross' Deeper Than Rap is coming at the top of 2009 on his own Maybach Music by way of Def Jam (though he's still handling some business to get out of his Slip-N-Slide contract). It's looking like the album will feature production (yes, production, as in beats) by T.I., Kanye West and J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, among others. He just dropped a mixtape, Still the Trillest, with DJ Infamous and continues to keep a myriad of concert performances on his schedule. His popularity has not suffered from any of the rumors still dogging him. When you talk to Ross, grimaces are hard to find, and smiles come in abundance. He feels he's at the most creative and competitive period in his career, and he certainly has more money than ever. "When people write something, if it's something that's not authentic, they don't know what I've lived," he said. "They don't know what I did; they'll never know. If you think [what I talk about] is fake, don't get yourself hurt out here. Don't get it twisted. All you rappers trying to come up ... don't do that. You'll learn the hard way. I don't do no threatening; I keep it 100. When you see me, keep it 100. Say what you feel. That's what I do, that's what I always do. What I come from and what I represent, you can never disrespect it." Related Videos Related Artists |
| Watch Katy Perry Dive Into A Giant Cake, Slide All Over The Stage At Los Premios! Posted: 16 Oct 2008 10:42 PM PDT Singer evidently miscalculated just how slippery frosting is!
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| 'American Idol' Vet Nikki McKibbin Comes Clean About Problems, Says 'I Don't Blame' Simon Cowell Posted: 17 Oct 2008 12:17 AM PDT 'I had never been told I wasn't good,' singer says of judge's harsh criticism on the show.
The first time Nikki McKibbin auditioned for "American Idol," she was drunk. Luckily for her, she said the judges couldn't smell the three shots of tequila she downed in the hotel bar before she took a shot at fulfilling her childhood dream of singing stardom. But the pre-audition drinking was the beginning of a slippery slope that would eventually land the now-30-year-old Dallas native in a psych ward and on the upcoming second season of "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew." McKibbin said the barrage of harsh criticism she faced from notoriously caustic judge Simon Cowell helped trigger a dangerous spiral of self-doubt that led to years of drug and alcohol abuse that she's just recently begun climbing out of. The singer, who charmed her way into the top three on the first season of "Idol" with her spunky rock attitude and flame-red hair, said she hit rock bottom last August when she stayed up doing cocaine and drinking with her mother, who died later that evening of a prescription-drug overdose. "The worst time for me was when my mom died," McKibbin told MTV News, sounding on the verge of tears over the phone from her Dallas home. "I didn't have any control over myself at all, and I drank for nine months nonstop." Growing up with a father she said was an alcoholic and drug addict in a home where she suffered from physical and sexual abuse from a family member, McKibbin said the trip to "Celebrity Rehab" was her first attempt at getting clean, and it's giving her a chance to talk about some deeply buried issues she's never been able to discuss before. "I've always wanted to be able to talk about it to somebody who wasn't family who wouldn't get angry," she said of the abuse at the hands of a relative she prefers not to name. "I've tried therapy and psychiatrists, but what's different with ['Celebrity Rehab'] is that I needed to learn how to deal with this stuff. After I'd leave the psychiatrist's office, I'd go drinking because it was too painful to keep thinking about. When you deal with trauma as a child ... if you have an addict mentality and it's hardwired from the beginning, you don't know how to do anything else other than drink and take drugs to take the pain away." McKibbin, who said she's been sober for 127 days, is not the first "Idol" alum to land on Drew's TV doorstep. The first season of the show featured troubled season-five finalist Jessica Sierra, who couldn't maintain her sobriety following her time with Drew and is currently in a one-year intensive treatment program after a nasty run-in with police last year. McKibbin knows her road will be hard too, but she said she's committed to maintaining her sobriety, especially for her 10-year-old son and 13-year-old stepdaughter. For McKibbin, alcohol was always the drug of choice, though she said before "Idol" she was hooked on the drug ecstasy for a time and following her run on the show, she would often do cocaine when she drank. In addition to auditioning drunk, while on "Idol," McKibbin, then 23, said she snuck a bottle of vodka into the downstairs refrigerator at the "Idol" house, which she shared with a number of other castmates of legal drinking age whom she preferred not to name. "There was nobody watching to make sure I wasn't drinking," she said. "And [when I auditioned drunk], my addict brain told me, 'That's what they get for doing auditions in a hotel with a bar,' " she said, adding that she never performed drunk on the show, if only because her schedule was so hectic. With a ticking time bomb of addiction in her DNA, McKibbin said the spark that led to her downfall began with Cowell's withering comments about her singing. "For me, I had never been told I wasn't good," she said. "I'm by no means blaming him. I'm an addict, and if you tell an addict they're no good, it triggers you and makes you think you're worthless and useless and no good at the only thing you ever wanted to do your whole life." Cowell's spokesperson, Lisa Dallos, told MTV News that she was attempting to get a comment from Cowell at press time. "I was gracious on the show, and I held it together when I was on it, but when I got home, I was completely out of control," she said. "The drinking, the going out, especially at the beginning. Thinking I was the sh--, a rock star." McKibbin said she never confronted Cowell about how his comments affected her — and she now understands that he was just doing his job on a TV show — but she recalled a fleeting encounter they had several years after "Idol" in an airport. "He saw me holding this teddy bear and crying, and he said I looked like hell," she said with a hitch in her voice. "He had no idea what I'd been through. That teddy bear had been given to me from this girl who had cancer and was dying, and I had come down with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to see her. It was a really touching moment for me. He's been really hard on me, but I don't blame him. I think because I'm an addict, it hit a bit harder than with normal people." Asked what she thinks Cowell would say now that she's told her story, McKibbin said, "I don't think he'd care. He's not interested enough in my life to give a sh--." Looking back on her five-day stay in a mental ward last year after paramedics thought she was a danger to herself, McKibbin said she's working hard to maintain her sobriety and get her career back on track. McKibbin released her debut album, Unleashed, on an indie label in 2007, after being dropped by RCA Records and 19 Management for spurning their suggestions to make a country album following her "Idol" run. She also had a short stint in the Dallas rock band Downside and a series of appearances on reality shows, including "Fear Factor," "Battle of the Network Reality Stars" and "Kill Reality." She's now working on her next album, which she said will be much "softer" and more emotional. A handful of her new songs, including "From Here to There" and "Inconsolable," will debut on "Rehab," and she's been playing some local gigs with her new band, Wicked Attraction, while shopping for a record deal. She's also on the upcoming CD American Christmas, which features a number of fellow ex-"Idol" castmembers, including Jasmine Trias, Frenchie Davis, Ayla Brown, RJ Helton, Vonzell Solomon, Lindsey Cardinale and Haley Scarnato. "I still have urges every day," she said. "I just have to learn to deal with them, and all I hope is that if someone sees my story, they'll be inspired to go out and get some help." Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. And relive six seasons of "Idol" hot messes and high notes in six minutes with our video timeline. Related Artists |
| Danity Kane Fans React To Aubrey O'Day, D. Woods' Dismissals Posted: 17 Oct 2008 12:40 AM PDT One says downsized group 'needs personality,' while another pledges support 'as long as the music is good.'
This week's biggest story was the dismissal of D. Woods and Aubrey O'Day, nicknamed Ebony and Ivory, from Diddy's multiplatinum-selling girl group Danity Kane. On Tuesday's live finale of "Making the Band 4," tension was high as Diddy expressed his concern about having O'Day, perhaps the most recognizable member of the group thanks to her provocative interviews and photo ops, and Woods, O'Day's constant companion and sidekick, continue their run in the group. Their dismissal leaves just three girls in the group: Dawn Richard, Aundrea Fimbres and Shannon Bex. Reactions to the singers getting the boot have been strong, with fans leaving long comments on the MTV News site about how upset they are about Diddy's decision and the way the remaining members are using the breakup to score publicity. "It's not going to be the same with just three members," jlapj wrote. "Dawn is not making it better with doing interviews and hating on the members that got kicked out." Like jlapj, SwagsoVicious feels that Richard shouldn't be talking about the group to the press, writing, "DAWN IS A SNAKE!!!!!!!!!!!! DAWN CANT BE TRUSTED!!!!!!!!!!!!" Meanwhile, there are those who are just upset that things turned out the way they did. One fan, pjtopnotch07, wrote, "I think that it sucks they broke up. ... Danity Kane were one of the few girl groups who had five fully talented members. It's a shame that it happened. I watched them from the beginning and, honestly, Aubrey was always my favorite. And she still is!" Adwoa1233 felt that DK will lack the je ne sais quoi that Woods and O'Day brought to the group: "Wow! I still can't believe that Diddy broke the group up. Danity Kane will never be the same. I don't have a problem with any of the girls left, but I just think they're boring. The group needs personality and D. Woods and Aubrey brought the personality in the group." Big-time O'Day fan Meliir0ckz wrote, "I cried so much for Aub 'cuz she's my favorite in the whole group! I hate Diddy!" But there are some fans who, despite the loss, are willing to give the new Danity Kane a listen. "I'm sure the remainder of the group members will be fine, and we as fans will still support them as long as the music is good," Smiley02 wrote. With another season of "Making the Band" in the works for early next year, only time will tell whether Diddy's decision is final or if he's willing to give O'Day and Woods another shot. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Jonas Brothers' 'Lovebug' Video -- Starring Camilla Belle -- Had A 'Canoodle-Free Set' Posted: 17 Oct 2008 02:47 AM PDT The boys wanted one woman in particular to star in the Philip Andelman-helmed video -- Belle -- and they got her!
One would assume the Jonas Brothers could have almost any girl they want — but there's only one they wanted for their latest video, "Lovebug," set to premiere this weekend on the Disney Channel. Actress Camilla Belle, known for her work in "10,000 BC" and "When a Stranger Calls," will be the lead in the boys' new video. "It was really funny, because we had, like, three days to prepare the video and they gave me a dream list of people they'd want in the video," director Philip Andelman (Lenny Kravitz, Jesse McCartney) told MTV News Friday (October 17). "They told me they know it's a long shot, but 'we are absolutely in love with Camilla Belle.' And sure enough, it worked out." Even though Belle was also excited to work with the guys, Andelman assured MTV News that there were no romantic dalliances on set. "It was a canoodle-free set!" he joked. (Sorry, no Miley Cyrus/ Nick Jonas revelations here!) Although Andelman admitted he "wasn't that familiar" with the Jonas' work before hitting the set with them last month in Los Angeles, "even though I live in the middle of the woods, I knew they were a big deal," he said. The video, set in the 1940s, revolves around a young couple who end up at dance where the Jonas Brothers, who play the couple's friends earlier in the video, are performing. The guys came up with a rough concept for the video themselves. "They sent me these four or five lines," Andelman recalled. "They wanted something very romantic set in the '40s. It was such a joy, and literally everyone was on the same page, and that's how we were able to pull it off. I think [the video is] exactly what we saw in our heads. We fed off each others' enthusiasm." Andelman, who had only two days to film an epic, period love story, said he owes everything to the professionalism of the crew and the Jonas Brothers. "It was a hustle," he said. "You had no time to come up for air. It was a rare instance where everyone [involved] was the best in the business." The director, who worked with several boy bands as a cinematographer in the late 1990s, said he hasn't met a pop group as professional and nice as the Jonas Brothers. "They're literally nonstop working," he said. "The one hour they had for lunch, they were doing interviews and promos, and it never stops. They never whine and complain. They are incredibly grateful. They never ever stop. "They are dreamy," he continued. "They're so unbelievably professional and well-mannered. ... It comes from [their dad], and he raised them to be such gentleman. "Not to name names, but I've worked with some jerks." Related Artists |
| Jim Jones Kick-Starts Major-Label Solo Debut With 'Pop Champagne' And A Hip-Hop Play Posted: 16 Oct 2008 11:43 PM PDT Before the release of Pray for Reign, MC jumps on tracks by Ron Browz and Kid Cudi.
Harlem hustlers Jim Jones and Dame Dash are in Manhattan's Empire Studio, talking big money plans that could put Jones right in the middle of an artistic evolution: a Christmas album of hard-core street stories due this holiday season, a role in the cable drama "Crash," an autobiographical documentary submitted to Sundance, an off-Broadway play and, most important, his major-label debut, Pray for Reign. It will be Jim's third solo LP overall, and a chance to show his critics there's life after his anthem "We Fly High" (or as it is commonly known, "Ballllllllllllllllllin'!"). "My ego is telling me to put it out on December 9, but we'll see," he said with a smile, sitting in the control room of the studio, surrounded by empty bottles of Moët Rosé and a very small green plant sitting on a $20 bill on the floor. Since December 9 is the release date for albums from Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss and none other than 50 Cent, Jones — who was voted the #10 Hottest MC in the Game in MTV News' 2007 competition — said the dance floor might be a little too crowded, so he's thinking about pushing it back. But the album got a surprise kick-start when Jones decided to lay vocals on producer-turned-artist Ron Browz's "Pop Champagne." "Shouts to Ron," Jones said. "He's done a few records on Pray for Reign. He actually has the single 'Reign,' which is gonna be crazy when people hear it. "I was going home one day, and DJ Jazzy Joyce — at 4:30 in the morning — was playing the [track]," Jones recalled of the first time he heard "Pop Champagne." "And I know how much Ron wanted to become an artist and break into the game. ... So when I heard it, I was like, 'Damn, it got a good sound.' ... I was just being courteous, as he did so many hot beats for me. ... So, I jumped on the track, like, 'Let's see what it do.' It started to sound a little bit crazy, and I said, 'Well, let's see if we put Juelz [Santana] on it how crazy could it get. And I called Young Hub, and Hub was like, 'Aiight, on the strength of you, I'll jump on it for you.' " A few weeks later, and "Pop Champagne" has become the biggest song in New York. The Dipset and Browz shot the video two weeks ago. Another song that Jim jumped on and gave immediate impact to was "Day N' Nite," by Kid Cudi, a native of Ohio who recently inked a deal with Kanye West's GOOD Music. Cudi made a name for himself on blogs and underground scenes with the song, but now unofficial remixes with the new Jim verse on it have started to get prime daytime spins on New York's Hot 97. "Aw, man, it was, like, a big deal," Cudi said about Jones' unsolicited verse. "I would always see Jimmy Jones when I first moved to New York City. I used to work at this little clothing store next to Koch Records, and I would always see him coming in and out of Koch. I'd be smoking my cigarettes, chillin', and I'd be like, 'Jimmy!' He was always so nice. He'd come up and shake my hand, and I was just a kid from Ohio. I was just, like, 'Man, that was my first time really seeing a celebrity.' ... And now, he's rappin' on my joint. I don't even know if he made that connection that it's me he always used to run into, or whatever. But [his verse] is definitely ill, and it reminds me of all those days, of me and my homies back in Cleveland. We used to bump the old Diplomatic Immunity, ridin' around the city of Cleveland, wildin' out in the rental." Jimmy and Dame are still waiting official word on whether their documentary, "This Is Jim Jones," will go to Sundance. Capo also starts rehearsal on his play, "The Hip-Hop Monologues," this month. "We doing something called 'The Hip-Hop Monologues," Jones explained. "For the most part, when you're an artist, you do the conventional thing, like hold a listening session for the media. ... So, I was trying to think of something new, now that I had a deal from Columbia. The look of it is supposed to be that much bigger, because I'm jumping from Koch to a powerhouse. I was just thinking of new ways and new advances and the play was one of them. I'm like, 'Yo, Dame, I got an idea. You think we can pull this off?' You know, Dame thinks he can pull anything off." Jim is going to be on New York City stages quite frequently in the coming months, supporting Pray for Reign by performing in his home city with a live band. One of the album's highlights is a record called "Frienemies," in which he talks about friends who have significantly disappointed him and betrayed his trust and generosity. The first verse talks about his relationship with the man he once considered a brother, whom he broke into the music industry. The second verse is more vicious, going at an MC he took under his wing and helped with legal trouble. The record obviously sounds like he's addressing Cam'ron and Max B, but Jones wouldn't confirm it. "I didn't say no names," he said with a grin so sinister, the Joker would catch a cold chill after seeing it. Related Artists |
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