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| MTV News' Woman Of The Year: Twilighters! Posted: 18 Dec 2008 05:01 AM PST Your undying support for Edward and Bella left the movie's stars (and us!) awestruck.
When Hollywood dismissed "Twilight" as a "one-quadrant" niche film, you responded by giving it a bigger opening than "WALL-E," "Chronicles of Narnia" or "Star Wars: Episode 1." When Harry Potter fans looked down their noses, you fired back by standing in midnight lines for hours to help "Breaking Dawn" rock the publishing industry. You took over Comic-Con, Westwood and the rest of the world. If you're one of the millions of women who live and die by "Twilight," please take a quick glance into the nearest mirror — because MTV News' Woman of the Year is you.
Our sincerest apologies to male Stephenie Meyer lovers, Kaleb the Twilight Guy and, well, me. But even Forks fans of the testosterone persuasion have to admit that "Twilight" is a franchise driven by sincere, shrieking and borderline-stalker female fans. Every list is controversial, and MTV News' Men and Women of the Year rankings are sure to get people talking. But ask yourself this: Can Britney Spears (#2) open a feature film at $70 million? Is Aubrey O'Day (#7) causing riots at your local Hot Topic? I don't think so. On a personal note, I can say that the Twilighters deeply touched me and MTV News throughout 2008 as few fanbases have before. After I fell in love with the books at the beginning of the year, the fans embraced "Twilight" Tuesdays and our sincere commitment to bring you the very best coverage. We surprised you, named you and broke big news for you — and in exchange, you guys sent me into outer space. Thanks for everything, Twilighters — and you can look forward to the much-anticipated return of "Twilight" Tuesdays sometime soon, as we officially begin the countdown to "New Moon." But first, let's look back at the notable moments that made you our 2008 MTV Woman of the Year.
1. Twilighters 2008 Highlights: Broke the existing MTV Movies Blog record for most commented-on item ... Responded in massive numbers when asked to submit fan photos for our first set visit, and some of the pics appeared in an on-air segment ... Sent us one of your own to be our "guest blogger," then watched as Laura was surprised by RPattz, got him back and then reunited for the year's most revealing interview ... Invaded the MTV Movie Awards, then flooded our YouRHere site with homemade reaction videos ... Provided thousands of questions that then shaped parts one, two, three and four of our immensely popular "Twilight" Stars Answer Fans' Burning Questions series ... Took over Comic-Con, completely overshadowing films with much huger budgets and stars ... Rocked our event with Stephenie Meyer, as well as the "Breaking Dawn" release just a few days later ... Took over the VMAs, then took down interrupting host Russell Brand ... Sent another of your special agents, the lovely NoMoreMarbles, to invade my office ... Responded with thousands of e-mails begging to get into our "Spoilers" taping, then filled a Hollywood theater to meet your heroes ... Lifted the "Twilight" soundtrack to the top spot on the Billboard albums chart ... Filled a Los Angeles bookstore for "TwilightLive," getting answers to your geekiest questions ... Slept over for the "Twilight" premiere, inspiring the sincerest of thank-yous from the film's awestruck stars ... Gave the film a record-breaking opening of nearly $70 million, with some fans seeing the movie as many as eight times (!) opening weekend ... Responded to the challenge of making $150 million for "Twilight" at the box office, ensuring that the sequel, "New Moon," will be filmed this year. How does it feel to be Woman of the Year? Sound off below or upload a video to YouRHere.MTV.com — your responses might appear in an article or video! Related Videos Related Photos | ||||
| MTV News' Man Of The Year: Lil Wayne Posted: 18 Dec 2008 05:01 AM PST No one was as successful, controversial, hilarious and, well, bizarre as Weezy was in 2008.
Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. is no longer just your favorite rapper's favorite rapper. In fact, considering the way he's been carrying around a guitar lately, you could be forgiven for wondering if he event wants to be a rapper anymore. But the fact remains that for 12 long months, no one dominated hip-hop like Wayne did. No one sold more records, generated more headlines or appeared on as many tracks. No one flooded the market with as much product, and — in a genre loaded with compelling characters — no one was as mercurial, controversial, hilarious and, well, bizarre as Weezy was. Not to mention, when you move 1 million copies of an album in one week, it's pretty safe to say you've crossed over to the mainstream. Wayne most definitely was hip-hop in 2008, but he was pop culture too.
So considering all that — and after sifting through a year's worth of headlines, videos and reader comments — we've decided to crown Lil Wayne as MTV News' Man of the Year. From his epic Arizona drug bust in January to selling a million copies of Tha Carter III in June and, finally, nabbing eight Grammy nods in December, '08 has been anything but dull for Wayne ... and that's just skimming the surface. Below, for your perusal, we've compiled his entire 2008 résumé — a list of accomplishments truly befitting our Man of the Year. But before we dive deeper into Weezy's achievements, a quick word about someone else who had a pretty impressive 2008: President-elect Barack Obama. Sure, you could probably make a fairly convincing argument for him being our Man of the Year — after all, GQ and Time already proclaimed him as such — and you'd probably be right. But for an explanation about why he didn't make the cut on our list, head to the Newsroom blog.
1. Lil Wayne 2008 Highlights: Rolled into '08 with the "Hottest MC in the Game" championship belt over his shoulder ... Promised his long-awaited Carter III album would be coming this year and touted the long list of cameos he recorded by dubbing himself "Featuring Lil Wayne" ... Arrested in Arizona when his tour bus is pulled over by border patrol agents who perform the aforementioned bust ... Facing felony drug and weapons charges, he pleads not guilty. The case is still pending ... Attempted to reunite the Hot Boyz at a concert during the NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans, but the event was canceled at the last minute due to shootings outside the venue ... Visited his old secondary school, promising Tha Carter would drop "in April" and being asked to the prom by a girl named Julie ... Showed up three hours late for a concert in New Jersey, did not apologize, ended show by donning a bathrobe, shouting "sexual f---ing chocolate has left the building, bi---" ... Discussed his drank of choice, syrup ... "Lollipop," the first single from Carter III, tops the Billboard Hot 100 ... Premiered the now-iconic Carter III cover, featuring a photo of him as a baby, complete with a pinkie ring and digitally added tattoos ... Refused to freak out when the album leaked two weeks early ... "Elated" when Carter III defies industry expectations and sells 1 million copies in a single week, the first album to do so since 50 Cent's The Massacre in 2005 ... Congratulated by 50, Kanye West and a host of others after accomplishing the feat ... Played a "modern-day Robin Hood" in the "Got Money" video ... Performed "A Milli" on the premiere of "FNMTV," smelled like "a mixture of stubbed-out Phillies Blunts and a gallon of cough syrup," proved that he possessed extrasensory perception like "the 'hood Yoda" ... Lost his pants during his performance at the Video Music Awards ... Hopped a plane immediately following the VMAs to make a court date in New York City ... Prepped Dedication 3 mixtape and Tha Carter IV ... Appeared on Fall Out Boy's Folie à Deux ... Appeared on Kanye West's 808s & Heartbreak ... Named MVP at the BET Hip-Hop Awards ... Announced plans to reissue Carter III, only with completely different songs ... Shared the stage with Jay-Z but did not actually perform with him ... Described the birth of his son as "nasty, but wonderful" ... Strapped on a guitar to back up Kid Rock at the CMA Awards, only vaguely playing said guitar ... Plotted I Am Music Tour with T-Pain, Gym Class Heroes and Keyshia Cole ... Nominated for eight Grammy Awards, more than any other artist ... "A Milli" is named "Best Song of 2008" in MTV's Bigger Than the Sound column ... "A Milli" is named "Hip-Hop Single of the Year" by our Mixtape Monday family ...Tha Carter III is named one of the "Best Albums of 2008" ... Seriously, he did all of that in 366 days — any doubts he's our Man of the Year? This is just our opinion — what's yours? Share your lists by uploading a video to YouRHere.MTV.com or leaving a comment below. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists | ||||
| T.I., Jonas Brothers, Katy Perry Share Their Favorite Albums And Songs Of 2008 Posted: 18 Dec 2008 05:01 AM PST Paramore, Ne-Yo, Fall Out Boy and other artists also weigh in.
Why should bloggers, magazine publishers and a-hole rock critics have all the fun? With year-end madness sweeping the nation, best-album and best-song lists are everywhere, but more often than not, we don't get to hear from the men and women who are on those lists: the artists themselves. So MTV News decided to ask some of your favorite musicians — plus a celeb blogger whose tastemaking abilities have grown to legendary status and one rather prominent radio/TV personality — to name their favorite albums and songs of 2008. Some of them submitted simple lists, others felt the need to explain their picks, but all of them provide a rather fascinating glimpse at just what the people you were listening to were listening to themselves.
T.I. Nick Jonas, the Jonas Brothers Katy Perry Hayley Williams, Paramore Jeremy Davis, Paramore Ne-Yo Perez Hilton Pete Wentz, Fall Out Boy » Ashlee Simpson, "Boys": "What can I say? I'm her biggest fan. This should've been a smash in gay clubs." » Conor Oberst, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band: "If Kanye's the voice of our generation, then Conor is the wordsmith." »MGMT, "Time to Pretend": "I could see a painting of this song in my head." Patrick Stump, Fall Out Boy » Janelle Monae, Metropolis: The Chase Suite: "I've been a supporter of Janelle Monae's for a while. I first heard her on that Got Purp? compilation that Big Boi put out. Thus far she's been relegated to a sort of side-guest position, but she's finally come into her own with one of the riskiest, ballsiest R&B records I've ever heard. She's like if Prince and Andre 3000 were one woman." » Kanye West, 808s & Heartbreak: " 'Paranoid' is one of my favorite songs this year. Just really good pop music with great chord changes and an awesome melody." » Gojira, The Way of All Flesh: "I don't usually like metal. It's just not my speed. But every so often a metal record comes out that's so perfect and delivers exactly what I would want out of the genre. This record totally does that and more." Brandon Flowers, the Killers Lady Gaga Jesse McCartney Ryan Seacrest Akon Gregg Gillis, Girl Talk » Grand Buffet, "Cream Cheese Money": "I've known these guys since I was 16. I've always been a huge fan. They are one of my favorite live acts. This is the single from their latest album, King Vision. They exist in their own musical world." » M.I.A., "Paper Planes": "This album came out in 2007, but this song erupted after being on the preview for 'Pineapple Express.' I'm happy to see her get a full-blown hit. Diplo's beat, focused around the Clash sample, is undeniable." » Lil Wayne, "A Milli": "Tha Carter III has been talked about so much. What else can I say? I was surprised and pumped to hear this on the radio. The beat is so minimal, and there's no real chorus. It's just Wayne getting crazy with it." » Of Montreal, "Nonpareil of Favor": "The first time I popped this album in my car, I couldn't get past this opening track. I listened to it about five times in a row. It's confusing and surprising in the best way. It kicks in as an upbeat electronic dance track and evolves into a dark repetitive rocker." » Beyoncé, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)": "She killed it with this one. The beat has insane energy, and Beyoncé keeps up perfectly. The synth part for the chorus is so intense. The stutter segments at the very end are a nice touch." » E-40 (featuring Lil Jon), "Turf Drop": "This jam is wildly energetic. The slightly distorted kick drum keeps it heavy. E-40 is at home with this uptempo style." This is just their opinion — what's yours? Share your lists by uploading a video to YouRHere.MTV.com or leaving a comment below. Related Videos Related Artists | ||||
| The Best Stories Of Election 2008: From Obama's Words On Saggy Pants To 50's Words For Vets Posted: 18 Dec 2008 05:01 AM PST We look back at our favorite moments from the long, historic battle for the White House.
It was the election that just wouldn't end. Beginning way back in 2007, more than 15 presidential candidates from both parties began trotting all over Iowa and New Hampshire, pleading their case to the electorate — to anyone who would listen, really — in the quest to become the next president of the United States. MTV News was there every step of the way — and will continue to be there all the way through the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama on January 20. In the meantime, here's a few of our favorite moments from a campaign that just couldn't help but be entertaining. 10. Concert for the BRAVE 9. John McCain Brings Straight-Talk Express to MTV and MySpace 8. Iconic Obama Posters Create "Ground Swell" of Support 7. "I Really Believe in My Mom" 6. "It's the Senator's Turn to Tell His Story" 5. "Obama Decoded" 4. Countdown to Super Tuesday With "Closing Arguments" 3. Clinton and Obama Answer Young Veterans 2. Obama On "Saggin' Pants" 1. Massive Youth Voter Turnout | ||||
| Simon Cowell Wants Britney Spears On 'American Idol' Posted: 17 Dec 2008 02:59 AM PST Judge says he'd welcome Brit as a performer or mentor.
Some of the biggest singer/songwriters in pop history have visited "American Idol" over the past few seasons: Mariah Carey, Dolly Parton, Neil Diamond, Tony Bennett, Jon Bon Jovi and even Bono. But while judge Simon Cowell said during a conference call Wednesday (December 17) that the show has never been able to nail down the one mentor it has tried to get "every year" to help the kids on the show — ex-Beatle Paul McCartney — he has big hopes for this year's slate of mentors. Specifically, he has one name in mind that he would love to see on the marquee: Britney Spears. "She would, literally, be first on the list as far as I'm concerned in any capacity," Cowell said. He didn't actually divulge who would appear as mentors/performers for the upcoming season — which kicks off January 13 — but he said the door is open any week for Britney to drop in. "I would love to see her mentor the contestants, but if she doesn't want to do that, and she wants to come on the show and perform, I would welcome her anytime." Part of the reason Cowell is so open to Spears stopping by is that when she appeared on his British talent show "X-Factor" recently, "The buzz we had on our show when she came on was extraordinary. And even with all the stuff that's gone on with her the past two years, there was more excitement and interest in her than I've seen in anyone in years. She would be very, very welcome." McCartney and Spears are at the top of the list, but Cowell said he'd also love to have another recent "X-Factor" guest make her way to "Idol": Beyoncé. "We just recently had Beyoncé on the British version of the show. ... [She] was absolutely incredible. ... You want those kinds of artists. I'd like people with personalities." He also opened the door for a couple of past judges/mentors he'd like to see come back: Lionel Richie and filmmaker Quentin Tarantino. Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Artists | ||||
| Akon Pleads Guilty To Tossing Fan Off Stage In 2007 Posted: 16 Dec 2008 10:59 PM PST Singer is fined $350 and sentenced to 65 hours of community service.
For the next year, Akon will have to split his time between rocking the stage and preaching about the evils of violence and the gang life. The "Troublemaker" singer appeared in court in Fishkill, New York, on Wednesday morning (December 17) to plead guilty for throwing a teenage fan off the stage at a concert in the summer of 2007, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. Akon reached a deal to plead guilty to second-degree harassment, a violation, instead of the more serious charge of endangering the welfare of a child. In December 2007, Akon had originally pleaded not guilty to the charges that were filed after the singer tossed 15-year-old fan Anthony C. Smith from the stage at Dutchess Stadium on June 3, 2007, during the annual KFEST summer concert. In the incident, which was caught on video by fans, Akon picked up Smith and tossed him off the stage during his performance. The singer was assessed a $350 fine and ordered to serve 65 hours of anti-gang and anti-violence community service that he most complete before June. If he gets arrested within the next 12 months, he will have to reappear in the Fishkill court. Dressed in a gray suit, powder-blue shirt, gray tie and gray overcoat, Akon was seated four rows behind Smith and his parents in the courtroom during the proceeding and was confronted by Smith's father after the matter was settled. As the teen was leaving the courthouse, he reportedly walked up to the singer and shook his hand, saying, "Thanks a lot." Akon repeatedly apologized to the boy, but was interrupted by the boy's father, William Smith, who said, "You threw my son off the stage." Smiling, Akon addressed the teen, "We never had a chance to talk." While Akon would not comment to the paper about the case, the singer's attorney, Andrea Zellan, handed out a prepared statement as she and her client left the court. "We are pleased that the case has been resolved," the statement said, "and Akon looks forward to putting this unfortunate incident behind him." Related Artists | ||||
| Aubrey O'Day Addresses Gay Rumors, Says She Has No Sexual Preference Posted: 17 Dec 2008 09:10 AM PST The ex-Danity Kane singer says she wants passion and honest love, regardless of gender.
Aubrey O'Day is never one to shy away from controversy. The singer and sometime Broadway star earned the #7 slot in MTV News' Women of 2008 list in part by posing suggestively in Complex, possibly doing the same for Playboy and getting kicked out of Danity Kane after Diddy accused her of hogging the spotlight with her over-the-top antics. Romantically, she's also been linked to former boss Diddy, Donnie Wahlberg and Jesse McCartney. But, now it seems O'Day is not confining herself to hooking up with famous men. Rumors began surfacing late last week that O'Day has been getting more than friendly with ladies, and in a new interview, O'Day isn't confirming or denying the speculation about her sexuality. "At this point in my life, I wouldn't say one way or another what my preference is sexually," O'Day told UsMagazine.com, addressing the rumor that at a Hollywood party last Wednesday she was referring to the girl she was with as her "girlfriend." This was after O'Day brought another female companion with her to a party in New York City. "The only thing I'm looking for in life is incredible passion and honest love, no matter what options are on the table," she continued. "All I really operate on is the way I feel in my heart when it comes to love." In October, Diddy was the one who shocked Danity Kane fans everywhere when he booted O'Day and D.Woods out of his hugely successful girl group Danity Kane. After news broke on the "Making the Band 4" season-three finale, O'Day famously told everyone, "I would rather be hated every damn day of my life for being real than loved for being something I'm not." So what do you think of Aubrey's annoucement? Sound off in the Newsroom blog! Related Artists | ||||
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