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| Lil Wayne, Coldplay Lead Grammy Nominations Posted: 04 Dec 2008 09:35 AM PST 2008's top-selling acts also garner the most nominations.
He had one of the biggest opening sales weeks of 2008, and now, Lil Wayne is the year's most-nominated Grammy contender. Wayne and his latest LP, Tha Carter III, lead the pack with a total of eight nominations, while one of the year's other biggest sellers, Coldplay's Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, garnered seven nods. Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and Kanye West each earned six nods, while Alison Krauss, John Mayer, Robert Plant, Radiohead and Jazmine Sullivan received five each. Adele is up for four — including Best New Artist — as are Lupe Fiasco and T.I.
The 51st annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on CBS this coming February 8. But you might have thought — perhaps just for a second — that the awards were held Wednesday night. Instead, what aired on CBS on Wednesday night was a well-produced, one-hour live concert special, hosted by two-time Grammy winner LL Cool J and Taylor Swift, and it was the first of its kind in Grammy history. In the past, nominees were revealed in the wee hours of the morning, during a simulcast that aired across several television networks' morning programs — it was a ratings booster not just for one channel, but a handful. This year, CBS wanted the nominations all to themselves, so Wednesday night's prime-time program felt more like an awards show instead of a press conference. Held inside Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre, it was even given a fancy name — "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown to Music's Biggest Night" — and doubled as the launch of the new Grammy Museum, located right next door. Adding to the award-show flavor of the evening, we were granted almost immediate reactions from the nominees themselves. After Ne-Yo revealed that the Jonas Brothers had been nominated — along with Brit Adele, Welsh singer Duffy, R&B chanteuse Jazmine Sullivan and country outfit Lady Antebellum — in the Best New Artist category, LL ambushed them in the audience for an interview. How did Kevin Jonas feel about garnering his first Grammy nod? "Incredible. I don't know what to do. ... I'm a little shaken up." "I can't stop smiling," gushed Nick Jonas. "We're honored to be in a category with such amazing artists," Joe Jonas added, humbly. The evening kicked off with a sultry Mariah Carey, doing a jazzy version of "Please Come Home for Christmas," and delicately tossing small teddy bears into the audience while trying to navigate in a red micro-mini. Later, Janice Ian's "At Seventeen" was performed by Céline Dion, who then quickly shifted gears from performer to presenter, unveiling the Album of the Year contenders: Coldplay's Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III, Ne-Yo's Year of the Gentleman, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' Raising Sand, and Radiohead's In Rainbows. The performances continued throughout the evening. The Foo Fighters tackled Carly Simon's "You're So Vain," putting their own unique rock twist on it. Then, frontman Dave Grohl announced the nominees for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals. Alicia Keys and John Mayer got a nod for their track, "Lessons Learned," while Madonna, Justin Timberlake and Timbaland picked up a nomination for "4 Minutes." Also nominated are Robert Plant and Alison Krauss for "Rich Woman," Rihanna and Maroon 5 for "If I Never See Your Face Again," and Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown for their hit, "No Air." Christina Aguilera took on "I Loves You Porgy," Nina Simone-style, and Taylor Swift sang her version of Peggy Lee's "I'm Sorry," and then she awkwardly revealed those in the running for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: Big Boi featuring Raekwon and Andre 3000 for "Royal Flush," Jay-Z and T.I. featuring Lil Wayne and Kanye West for "Swagger Like Us," Lil Wayne featuring Jay-Z for "Mr. Carter," Ludacris featuring T.I. for "Wish You Would," and Young Jeezy with West for their cut "Put On." B.B. King and John Mayer teamed up for a jammy rendition of "Let the Good Times Roll," and then it was time to announce the Record of the Year contenders: Adele's "Chasing Pavements," Coldplay's "Viva La Vida," Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love," M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes" and Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' "Please Read the Letter" will square off for the title — one of the award show's most coveted honors. The full list of nominees is as follows: Album of the Year Best New Artist Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group Record of the Year Song of the Year Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals Best Rock Album Best Rap Album Producer of the Year, Non-Classical Best Female Pop Vocal Performance Best Male Pop Vocal Performance Best Dance Recording Best Electronic/Dance Album Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals Best Hard Rock Performance Best Metal Performance Best Alternative Music Album Best Female R&B Vocal Performance Best Male R&B Vocal Performance Best Rap Solo Performance Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Best Rap Song |
| Jonas Brothers Celebrate First Grammy Nomination With A 'Big Fist Pump!' Posted: 04 Dec 2008 12:25 AM PST 'The air just kind of leaves your lungs,' Kevin Jonas tells MTV News of Best New Artist nod.
They're tween dreams, Disney Channel artists who rocketed to fame before they could even drive. Come February 8, however, the Jonas Brothers may very well be the last men standing. Welcome to the big leagues, boys. "When you start in a band as an artist you say, 'One day, I'll be nominated for a Grammy.' It happened, and we're just so honored," Nick Jonas told MTV News at the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, moments after the trio were recognized for their album A Little Bit Longer with a Grammy nomination in the category of Best New Artist. "As young guys, we know that this is a privilege, and we do appreciate that. We're grateful." Their one and only nomination came over odds-on favorites like Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus, instantly putting the boys in the heady company of recent nominees such as Carrie Underwood, John Legend and Alicia Keys. And if that makes you catch your breath, don't worry, Kevin Jonas laughed — that makes you no different from the boys themselves. "The air just kind of leaves your lungs," he enthused, revealing his immediate reaction upon hearing the nomination from deep within the assembled crowd. "It was kind of awesome!" "It was kind of a sigh of relief along with immediate excitement. We didn't know what to think!" Nick added. "And Kevin got up from his seat and did ... " "The big fist pump!" Kevin interrupted, demonstrating his Tiger Woods-esque elation. The nomination comes as a capper to an already exceptional year, which saw the brothers go from Cyrus' warm-up act to the White House to signing on to their very own movie, "Walter the Farting Dog." Not bad, considering very few outside hard-core Disney Channel viewers had even heard of the band as recently as last year, a fact not lost on the brothers themselves, Nick said. "Every day is a new thing, and this is one of those things, you take a step back, you think about the last year and a half, and you really say, 'Wow,' " he said, smiling broadly. "I'm blessed. As artists and songwriters, it's really a special thing for us. And we're so thankful and so honored. It makes us feel really good. As young guys living our dream, this is really amazing." The Jonas Brothers will face off in the category against Adele, Duffy, Lady Antebellum and Jazmine Sullivan at the 51st Grammys in February. But first on the schedule for now? Facing off against Mom's meatloaf. "[We're just going] home with the family to have some dinner," Joe Jonas told MTV News when asked what they had in store for the evening's festivities. "Just celebrate!" Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Ne-Yo Was Blown Away By His Six Grammy Nods: 'One Nomination Would Have Been Enough For Me' Posted: 04 Dec 2008 12:25 AM PST 'I wanted to turn a cartwheel, but these shoes are really slippery,' singer/songwriter tells MTV News.
He's one of music's most popular and celebrated wordsmiths, but after six Grammy nominations Wednesday night (December 3), including one for Album of the Year, Ne-Yo had to admit he was, well, without words. As usual, though, he let his smooth sounds do all the talking. "Whoooo!" the 29-year-old multi-hyphenate exclaimed to MTV News backstage at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, moments after he learned he was nominated for six Grammys. "It's ridiculous. I'm a songwriter. Words are supposed to come easily to me, but they're not! I'm gonna just smile! "I wanted to turn a cartwheel, but these shoes are really slippery, and it would have been more embarrassing than celebratory," he added, amazingly composed despite obvious elation and glee. "I'm floating. I'm on a cloud right now." A previous winner at last year's ceremony for Best Contemporary R&B Album, Ne-Yo found himself once again nominated in the category for Year of the Gentleman. In addition to Album of the Year, he also picked up nominations for Best Male Pop Performance ("Closer"), Best Male R&B Performance ("Miss Independent"), Best R&B Song, and Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical, although only the first was officially announced as part of the Grammys' new special. "They came up and they told me, 'Oh, by the way, you got six. It wasn't just that one.' That works too! Damn! That means that I have six chances to win a Grammy. One nomination would have been enough for me. How do you do anything but smile at that?" Ne-Yo enthused. "This is the Grammys. This is not a game!" If Ne-Yo has reason to smile and laugh and celebrate, though, his reaction has nothing on his mother's, the singer/songwriter said. "My mom has been blowing me up!" he said of repeated phone calls. "I'm not gonna call her back right now, because I know she's gonna cry!" The biggest winner beside Ne-Yo or his mom, though? How about the contractor she'll pay to design his trophy room, the singer laughed when asked what he would do if he walked away with two hands' worth of gold. "My mom, she took the first one [I won, and put it on a pedestal that spins]," he said, smiling about the mere possibility of a clean sweep. "Guess she's gonna have to call the guy that built that and get six more!" Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Soulja Boy Tell'em Says He Doesn't Expect To Top The Success Of 'Crank That' Posted: 04 Dec 2008 12:33 AM PST 'It's one of the biggest songs in the world, period,' says the rapper, whose sophomore album hits stores this month.
Soulja Boy Tell'em isn't making music for critics. He doesn't care how many stars his music gets or how much positive ink music magazines give him. And he hopes that when he releases his sophomore album, iSouljaBoyTellem, on December 16, he'll finally be seen as more than just a flash in the pan.
"I think after they listen to this album, they'll be like, 'Oh, this is an artist who's in the music industry now,' " he told MTV News. "You know, this is my second album, it's really time for me to prove myself. ... I'm trying to build a brand to have a career." Despite the critics questioning his abilities, he did have a huge hit with "Crank That" in 2007, and he knows it will be hard for him to ever top the success of that song. It was so successful, in fact, that the song had more than 400 million views on YouTube and went on to become the #1 digital download of all time. "It's one of the biggest songs in the world, period — not just from Soulja Boy," he said. "So I really just took the approach of not trying to top that record and just trying to make some good music." Soulja Boy also promises that his new single, "Bird Walk," isn't going to be "Crank That: The Sequel." "I don't listen to the critics. I put it out for the fans," he said. "I already know what the critics will say." Related Videos Related Artists |
| Check Out Our Live Blog Of The Grammy Nominations Concert! Posted: 03 Dec 2008 06:10 AM PST Who has a shot at an award? Follow along with us as the nods are announced.
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| Kanye West, Taylor Swift Top Guns N' Roses On <i>Billboard</i> Albums Chart Posted: 03 Dec 2008 08:10 AM PST In its third week, Swift's Fearless beats the long-awaited Chinese Democracy.
After nearly 17 years in the studio, one truly odd MTV VMA appearance, a failed world tour, a riot in Philadelphia, a lot of defensive talk from Sebastian Bach, a leak facilitated by Mike Piazza and DJ Eddie Trunk, a much-ballyhooed exclusive deal with Best Buy, a lawsuit involving the Offspring, the apparently empty promise of free Dr Pepper for all, innumerable and mysterious delays, $13 million in reported production costs, a Greatest Hits album, a change in managers, five possible producers, five guitarists, two bassists, three drummers, the invention of the iPod, a guy with a KFC bucket on his head, zero promotion from the album's mastermind, and now, rumors of a potential reunion of the original lineup, Guns N' Roses' sixth studio album, Chinese Democracy, sold a whopping 261,200 copies its first week on store shelves.
That's right, just 261,200 copies. Two weeks ago, it seemed like the #1 position on Billboard's weekly albums sales chart could have gone to either Guns or Kanye West. Chinese Democracy was released on November 23, and West's 808s & Heartbreak dropped November 24. It was a battle that pitted one of hip-hop's biggest stars against one of rock's most enigmatic ringleaders, and in the end, GN'R just couldn't contend. When Nielsen SoundScan issued the latest national album sales data on Wednesday (December 3), it was West's latest at #1, opening with sales of more than 450,100, leaving the #2 slot wide open for Guns ... or so it seemed. Unfortunately, no one factored country crossover cutie Taylor Swift into the equation. In its third week out, her new one, Fearless, climbed from #4 to #2, thanks to sales of close to 267,400 — meaning GN'R's first appearance on the chart in close to 20 years will be at #3. Whether it was to pick up Kanye's new one or Axl Rose's magnum opus, consumers made their presence felt at record retail last week — one of the biggest shopping weeks of the year. Virtually every album in Billboard's Top 200 experienced either increased or stronger sales, with 22 new efforts cracking the chart. Beyond 'Ye and GN'R, two other albums debut in next week's top 10: Ludacris' Theater of the Mind bows at #5, selling 213,500 units, with The Killers' Day & Age following at #6, scanning 193,400 copies. Among the other newcomers to next week's chart are Coldplay's Prospekt's March EP, which enters at #15 with 76,700 sold. Entering at #41 with 30,900 scans, is Linkin Park's Road to Revolution: Live at Milton Keynes. E-40's Ball Street Journal follows at #42, with sales clocked at 30,400 and change. The Fireman, the moniker given to electronic music experiments created by The Beatles' Paul McCartney and producer Youth, open at #67, selling 17,300 copies of their new one, Electric Arguments, while Paramore's live CD/DVD set The Final Riot! comes in at #88 with 12,100 sold. Kevin Rudolf's In the City bows at #93, with 10,800 copies snatched up, while Linkin Park's Songs from the Underground EP follows at #95, scanning 10,600 copies. Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland's new solo offering, Happy in Galoshes, opens at #96, with 10,500 copies sold. Stephen Colbert's A Colbert Christmas enters the chart at #119, having sold nearly 8,200 units, while Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo's Alone II: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo pops up at #174 with 5,600 sold. Related Videos Related Artists |
| 'Notorious' Soundtrack Details Revealed: Features Jay-Z, Jadakiss, Faith Evans, Biggie's Son Posted: 03 Dec 2008 09:14 AM PST Greatest hits, rare tracks fill out soundtrack to biopic, due in January.
Some of Notorious B.I.G.'s greatest hits and early, little-known recordings fill out the soundtrack to "Notorious," the forthcoming biopic about the legendary Brooklyn rapper. Slated for release on January 13 on Bad Boy/ Atlantic, the soundtrack features hit singles that endeared Biggie to the masses as well as some of his demos, appearances from his family and brand-new records some of his closest peers, including Jay-Z and Jadakiss. (The movie is slated for release January 16 through Fox Searchlight Pictures.) Jay, who teamed up with Big for such classics as "Brooklyn's Finest," "I Love the Dough" and Puff Daddy & the Family's "Young G's," comes with "Brooklyn Go Hard," as previously reported by MTV News. The Kanye West-produced track features Santogold. Although an official video is still being discussed, an unsanctioned clip — featuring Hov in animated form — has already hit the Internet. Jadakiss appears on "A Letter to B.I.G." The track was originally recorded for Jada's Last Kiss LP, and the filmmakers thought it was perfect to include on the "Notorious" project. Obviously, Jada and Big were not strangers: The Biggie/ LOX collaborations during the Bad Boy dynasty years were legendary. The title of 'Kiss' record is self-explanatory: He speaks directly to his deceased friend, who died in a still-unsolved murder in 1997. Bad Boy has also confirmed that Biggie's son, Christopher "CJ" Wallace Jr., will be performing on a new version of "One More Chance." It's being labeled as "a duet" by Bad Boy. CJ's mom, Faith Evans, sings on a remix of the song, also featured on the album. Early records "Microphone Murderer" and "Guaranteed Raw" — which never made it onto an album but garnered Big a neighborhood buzz during his early years — are also included, along with his first-ever officially released track (from the 1993 "Who's the Man?" soundtrack), "Party & Bullsh--." "Notorious" soundtrack track listing, according to Bad Boy Records: 1. "Notorious Thugs" (featuring Bone Thugs-N-Harmony) |
| Britney Spears Rocks New York Nightclub With Circus-Themed Birthday Party Posted: 03 Dec 2008 09:25 AM PST Party is attended by Ciara, Lance Bass, Jeremy Piven, Britney's mom.
She's got a Circus theme for her album, her tour, her "Good Morning America" appearance and even her birthday party. For her 27th birthday bash in New York on Tuesday night, Britney Spears turned nightclub Tenjune into a three-ring circus. Brit showed up in a low-cut Roberto Cavalli cocktail dress, with her hair done up loosely. The party was attended by her mom, Lynne, as well as celebrities like Ciara, Lance Bass and Jeremy Piven. (Check out photos of Britney from inside the party.) The party was featured jugglers, a man on stilts and carnival concessions like hot dogs and popcorn, according to UsMagazine.com. Outside, circus images were projected onto a screen. Spears told "Entertainment Tonight" her simple birthday wish: "A million more wishes!" "I've definitely known her for a long time and it's been amazing to see the career she's had," Lance Bass told "ET" outside the party. "It's going to be an amazing career for her. It's great when people do themes to their albums." Fellow partygoer Ciara was also excited to spend Britney's big day with her, and was hesitant to label Circus a comeback record. "I was actually watching her interview the other day where she said she doesn't like the word 'comeback,' so I won't say that," she told ET. "But, I'm happy her album is coming out. She's taking us into her circus and I'm enjoying it." "It's going to be great to see her," Bass added. "I'm so proud of her. I'm really happy. I don't think she went anywhere. I think the album is amazing. I'm already falling in love with it." As she was presented with a circus-themed birthday cake, Barry Weiss, CEO and president of Jive Records, Brit's label, told the singer, "We are so proud and so happy to be a part of your life. Looking at your two boys today, it's an amazing experience." Related Photos Related Artists |
| Heidi Montag's Mom Says Marriage To Spencer Pratt Will Last 'Six Months' Posted: 02 Dec 2008 10:51 PM PST 'It wouldn't surprise me if he had her drugged,' Darlene Egelhoff says of the 'Hills' stars' wedding.
Heidi Montag's mom is not happy that her daughter eloped with fellow "Hills" star Spencer Pratt in Mexico on November 20. In an interview with Us Weekly, Darlene Egelhoff said that Spencer has been nothing but trouble for her daughter and is confident that the marriage won't last very long. Her guess? "Six months," she said. "Spencer has tried to cut everyone out of her life," Egelhoff told Us. "I've been honest with Heidi, and it's caused our relationship to decline. I'm more devastated about that than the marriage, because I'm confident the marriage won't work out. "God says, 'Love your enemies,' but I never expected it to be my son-in-law," Egelhoff added. "I think it's the biggest mistake Heidi's ever made." Heidi decided to spend Thanksgiving on her honeymoon with Spencer instead of going home to Colorado to visit her family. Egelhoff insisted that her daughter didn't act that way before Spencer came into her life and said that she and Heidi were extremely close. "She was my Velcro, always attached to me," Egelhoff said. "I want the best for my daughter — and he's definitely not it. I think Spencer wants to possess Heidi more than marry her." She isn't even sure if Heidi made her own decision to marry Spencer or if there were other factors involved in her decision. "He's manipulative and seems to have power over Heidi," she said. "I would like to see a blood test from Mexico. It wouldn't surprise me if he had her drugged." Heidi responded to her mother's accusations in the issue, noting that she does love Spencer and that's the only reason she chose to marry him. "She should be happy I found someone I love," she said. "Some people go their entire lives without finding that." Spencer, who has a long history of not getting along with Egelhoff, was less amicable in his response, saying, "I think her mom needs to take a real fat chill pill and be happy for her daughter." |
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