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| Aubrey O'Day Opens Up About Her Sexuality: 'I Think It's Funny That So Many People Care' Posted: 06 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST Ex-Danity Kane star will have big news to announce next week!
Aubrey O'Day certainly doesn't mind courting controversy, particularly with regard to her sexuality. The former Danity Kane star recently suggested that she's bisexual, and rumors continue to fly that she posed for an upcoming issue of Playboy. Among many other things, she opened up about her sexuality during a recent sit-down with MTV News. "I think it's funny that so many people care," O'Day said. "I mean, half the time, I don't even know who I'm gonna love or what I'm gonna feel comfortable exposing myself to."
The rumors about O'Day's bisexuality started to spread after she began hitting parties with girls on her arm. And for a woman who thrives on attention, O'Day admitted that the attention does make her a bit self-conscious. "I think [the fact] that so many people are wondering along with me definitely puts pressure on my choices!" she said. "But one thing that I have to say about me that's really always gonna be true, whether people like it or not, is I'm just gonna be me." It's a sentiment that she shared with the world on the "Making the Band" finale, after Diddy kicked her out of the group. "I'm gonna be real. I'm not gonna do anything because people want me to. I'm not gonna hide something about me." Now that she's quite publicly trying to figure all this out, both professionally and personally, that openness isn't something she plans on changing anytime soon. "I've never gone into an interview in my life and said that we can't talk about something," she said. "I've seen since I've been in this industry, probably most of the people that I'm around do that. I don't wanna be that person. I don't wanna be someone who can't talk about who they are — the good and the bad." And as long as people understand that, she doesn't mind being talked about. "I just want to be real," she said. "I think we're missing a lot of real people, and just the idea that you can be real and be comfortable with that. I think people are scared to be who they are. And if anybody's gonna go out there and let everybody know, 'Be who you are. I'm OK with it. No judgment here.' I want it to be me." We'll have lots more from our interview with Aubrey O'Day in the coming days — and be sure to check back on Wednesday the 14th, when we'll have some big news! Related Artists |
| Eminem, 50 Cent, U2, Black Eyed Peas Top The Most-Anticipated Albums Of 2009 Posted: 05 Jan 2009 04:32 AM PST Even Paula Abdul could put out an album this year!
After another year that saw a serious decline in record sales, the music industry is, once again, hoping that 2009 will be the one that turns around a nearly decade-long sales spiral. And, judging from the boatload of marquee talent expected to drop new discs this year, it's possible that the bleeding could at the very least be slowed down. Maybe. And with a list of heavy-hitters expected to release fresh material this year (which, like everything on this list, is subject to change) including Eminem, U2, Dr. Dre, Green Day, 50 Cent, Jay-Z, R. Kelly, Black Eyed Peas and Christina Aguilera, who knows? Here's our round-up of expected album releases: January: » The-Dream, Love vs. Money — The in-demand songwriter comes back with a sophomore album with help from Lil Jon on "Let Me See the Booty." » Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Working on a Dream — The Boss' 16th studio album is an extension of his sessions for 2007's Magic, recorded during breaks on the E Street Band's 2007-2008 tour. » Franz Ferdinand, Tonight: Franz Ferdinand — The Scottish band's third album reportedly has some African influences. » Kid Sister, Dream Date — The upstart Chicago rapper known for her "Pro Nails" will finally drop her debut, featuring production from Pharrell Williams. » LeATHERMOUTH, XO — The debut from My Chemical Romance guitarist Frank Iero's 1990s hardcore-inspired new band. » Bobby Valentino, Rebirth — The singer's third studio album is an introspective meditation on relationships ... and sex. February: » Bow Wow, New Jack City 2 — Six albums in, Bow Wow has already set up this latest with the Soulja Boy collabo "Marco Polo." » Chris Cornell, Scream — The former Soundgarden/Audioslave singer's solo collaboration with Timbaland will finally see the light of day. » The Fray, The Fray — The Grammy-winning Denver soft-rockers finally follow up their 2005 debut, featuring the first single, "You Found Me." » Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Lonely Road — The emo-punkers' second full-length kicks off with the single "You Better Pray." » Lily Allen, It's Not Me, It's You — After a difficult year, the British pop wreck returns with a more straight-ahead pop album featuring songs about drugs, God and commercialism. » Lonely Island, Incredibad — The boyhood friends behind such "SNL" viral smashes as "Di-- In a Box" and "Ji-- In My Pants" offer up a full disc of sonic goodness. » Mos Def, The Ecstatic — Expect songs produced by Madlib and Chad Hugo, and collabos with Slick Rick and pal Talib Kweli. » Busta Rhymes, Back on My BS — Label drama behind him, Busta returns with songs produced by Pharrell and the late J Dilla and featuring Kardinal Offishall, Common, T.I., Lil Wayne and Akon. » 50 Cent, Before I Self Destruct — Frequently delayed, 50's fourth album will come with a movie of the same title written, produced, directed and starring Curtis himself. » Missy Elliott, Block Party — Speaking of long-awaited, Missy finally unwraps her latest, with expected assists from Timbaland, Pharrell and T-Pain. » Erykah Badu, New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) — After busting into many critics' top lists for 2008 with the urban confusion first episode, Ms. Badu comes back with the more spiritually focused sequel. March: » Kelly Clarkson, TBA — Not much is known about the original "Idol" star's next one, other than the provocative lollipop-licking cover for the first single, "My Life Would Suck Without You," and a heavy dose of help from pop maestros Dr. Luke and Max Martin. » U2, No Line on the Horizon — The Irish giants' 12th studio album finds them reteaming with production wizards Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno and Steve Lillywhite for what has been described as a throwback to 1991's rocking Achtung Baby. » Flo Rida, R.O.O.T.S. — How will the Grammy-nominated "Low" Rida follow up his first album? With songs produced by some of the same dudes who helped him on his debut. » Dave Matthews Band, TBA — Following the death of founding member LeRoi Moore, the jam heroes bounce back with a record produced by Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance). Spring and beyond: » Paula Abdul, TBA — The "American Idol" judge has been threatening to release her first new album since 1995 for over a year. » Christina Aguilera, TBA — The Dirrty mom has promised to go all futuristic and electro on her next one, with collaborators such as Ladytron and Goldfrapp. » Andre 3000, TBA — The movie-loving half of Outkast has said he's working on his solo album pretty much ... solo. » Beastie Boys, TBA — After an all-instrumental affair, the pioneering New York rap trio are slated to return to the mic. » Black Eyed Peas, The E.N.D. — Described as a musical "diary," the latest from the hip-hop group will reportedly be a constantly evolving project that is frequently updated. » D'Angelo, TBA — The long-missing R&B crooner will return to the frame after more than eight hard years on the fringes. » Dr. Dre, Detox — The doc's swan song has been cooking for more than five years, but the concept album is reportedly on for 2009. » Eminem, Relapse — Speaking of comebacks, Slim Shady is prepping one after almost five years out of the game, with Dre reportedly helping out on most of the album. » Jay-Z, The Blueprint 3 — The totally not retired former music mogul will offer up a Kanye West co-produced disc as part of his final release on Def Jam. » Josiah Leming, TBA — Last season's "American Idol" crying boy will drop his heart-on-sleeve full-length debut. » Lindsay Lohan, Spirit in the Dark — The actress' third album has been described as a dance/hip-hop affair with production from J.R. Rotem, Stargate, The-Dream and Timbaland. » Green Day, TBA — How do you follow up American Idiot? We'll find out this summer when the pop-punkers-turned-concept-album-kings unleash their Butch Vig (Nirvana) produced album. » Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Eye Legacy — The posthumous album from the late TLC member includes collabos with Tupac, Missy Elliott, Bobby Valentino and Lil Mama. » Prince, MPLSOUND, Lotus Flower, Elixir — The Purple One has plans to release a trio of albums this year, with the first one reportedly evoking his "Purple Rain" salad days. » R. Kelly, 12 Play: Fourth Quarter — The first release since the singer's acquittal on child pornography charges is slated to feature songs such as "Hair Braider" and "Skin." » Lupe Fiasco, LupE.N.D. — How does a three-disc final effort sound to you? And, finally, what to do now that we don't have Chinese Democracy to kick around anymore? The long-delayed Guns N' Roses album that finally emerged with a thud in late 2008 was an album-release-story punch line for more than a decade — and now that it's out, which long-rumored albums do we look to for solace? There's always the perpetually just-around-the-corner Detox, the frequently delayed Amerie album, Because I Love It, and 50's latest ... not to mention the years-in-the-making albums from former 'NSYNC star JC Chasez and former Hole leader Courtney Love, as well as Eve's oft-bumped Here I Am, the legendary next Michael Jackson album, Ja Rule's now-you-see-it-now-you-don't comeback, The Mirror, and, of course, that Nicole Scherzinger solo album, Her Name is Nicole. Related Artists |
| Posted: 06 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST 'Every day I just wake up and figure out how I can make myself better,' D.C. rapper says.
In 2009, we expect to hear big things from some up-and-coming rappers in the game. Each day we'll profile a new artist that we think you should keep your eyes and ears open for in the coming year. On Monday we brought you Atlanta's very own, very different B.o.B. — now we have D.C.'s best-kept secret, Wale. Wale is the LeBron James of rap. Other rappers, including Lil Wayne, have claimed that title, but think about it: Before James played one game in the NBA, he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and ESPN broadcast his high school games. Wale has yet to release an album, but this is his second feature with MTV News.
James had various companies — including Nike — champing at the bit, waiting for him to graduate. Wale has appeared in ads for nearly every streetwear brand — including Nike — waiting for him to blow. They have both traveled the world, but they still rep their hometowns big-time (Cleveland Cavalier LeBron is from Akron, but it's close to Cleveland). LeBron handled the pressure of being the "next big thing" better than anyone would have imagined, and Wale is taking it in stride as well. "I really try not to get involved with thinking I'm the next big thing because it's, like, I've been doing this," said the Washington, D.C., rapper said. "Every day I just wake up and I figure out how I can make myself better." Wale says he takes everything day-by-day — that before he sells a million records, he wants to remain the same person he was at the age of 15, running around D.C. and Maryland, just older and wiser. Despite all the touring, D.C. hasn't left him. In fact, he brings his hometown to every show, because Wale's band is a go-go band — go-go music originated in D.C. in the mid-'70s, and is a staple of the region. "Go-go music is essentially jazz on steroids," Wale explained. "That's what I like to think of it as. It's swing. It's heavy on the percussion. "A lot of people have bands re-create their tracks 100 percent of the way, exactly how you hear it on the radio," he continued. "When we do my show, we twist the song a little bit, because we want to give the people something extra." Wale says his band's signature sound has created a show those outside the D.C. area are not accustomed to. He attributed the show's success to the fact that he learned under the guidance of world-renowned DJ Mark Ronson. "Mark gives me a whole different way to appreciate music," he said. "Especially going into my live show, I know what to want now. I know what to ask for and I know what to aim for." While he hasn't released an album, the popularity of his Mixtape About Nothing has helped Wale establish his music outside of the mid-Atlantic region. "The reception is crazy, because they know the show," he said. "I'm not looking to be the next Jay-Z or the next Nas. I want my shows to be legendary like Daft Punk shows, like Justice shows." Tune in Wednesday for our next artist, Asher Roth, as he tries to establish ... Asher Roth. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Jim Jones Says He's 'Lucky' To Be Free After Alleged Fight With Jay-Z Associate Posted: 05 Jan 2009 03:35 AM PST 'All I know is I was shopping,' rapper tells MTV News of altercation in a Louis Vuitton store.
NEW YORK — Following an alleged fight with a member of Ne-Yo's entourage, Jim Jones said Monday morning (January 5) he's fortunate to be a free man. "I guess I got lucky," Jones said after coming out of Manhattan's 18th Precinct. "I got a DAT." Jones was issued a Desk Appearance Ticket instead of a trip behind bars for the misdemeanor assault charge.
The altercation took place at the Fifth Avenue Louis Vuitton store, where police say Jones punched and kicked someone who was traveling with Ne-Yo. Although police have yet to release the victim's name, Internet reports have widely identified him as a man named Vaughn, the brother of Tyran "Ty Ty" Smith, who works with Ne-Yo. Ty Ty is the longtime best friend and colleague of Jones' lyrical nemesis, Jay-Z. "I don't know what this is for," Jimmy said when asked about the fight. "All I know is I was shopping. I don't know what happened. "How my LVs [Louis Vuitton logos] look?" the Diplomat Capo, wearing a Louis V scarf, asked. "They say it was an incident at the store, but I don't know." Monday morning on Power 105.1 in New York, Jones' mother called up to speak to morning radio host Ed Lover. Mrs. Jones acknowledged the altercation and called for peace in the hip-hop community. "I'm tired of all these rappers not doing their jobs," she vented. "They're getting into all types of crazy stuff. ... Your job is called 'rapping' for the audience, for the people. Get paid, and take your behind home." When asked specifically what took place at the Louis Vuitton store, she said she didn't have all the information, but just the fact that an incident took place has taken its toll. "It ain't too hot," Mrs. Jones offered. "Everybody's worried." Jim Jones said the altercation gave him another sobering look at his life and career. "Being a gangsta rapper or a 'hardcore' rapper, you find yourself stuck between a rock and a hard place," he said. "It's a thin line, because there's things I've done in my career to get where I am today, and I've benefited off it. For me to make a transition and take my career to the next level, there's some things I can't obviously do anymore. What I mean by that is, you play the tough guy and put yourself into those positions, and things can happen. You end up like this, [with] a big inconvenience. "Sometimes the notoriety works in your favor, but I shouldn't be here at this point," he continued. "As long as no one is physically doing something to you or being that much of an aggressor, sometimes you can let these things go. I've grown to realize that, and I see it's not gonna be the same for me as far as my travels in this industry. My last few situations, it seems like I've ended up in jail and people have used that as a way to put civil suits on me. That's the new wave of getting money. They say snitching is big business." Jones has to appear in court February 4, a little less than two weeks before his next LP, Pray for Reign, hits stores February 20. The Harlem native says he's ready to put the latest incident behind him. "I really think I'm standing in the way of my own self," he said. "I don't believe it's nobody else but me that's gonna f--- my career up, and I don't wanna see that happen. ... I'm done with beefs this year. I'm just gonna become a rapper. I'm just like Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer. I am a rapper. Leave me alone. I am defenseless. It's to a point now if you slap me and I slap you back, you'll be able to sue me. "I'm Vanilla Ice right now," he reiterated with a chuckle. "I'm a rapper." [This story was originally published at 4:29 pm E.T. on 1.05.09] Related Videos Related Artists |
| Jay-Z And Radiohead Collide On <i>Jaydiohead</i> Mash-Up Album Posted: 05 Jan 2009 12:05 AM PST Minty Fresh Beats pairs songs from Jay's Black Album and American Gangster with a host of Radiohead tracks.
Perhaps Jay-Z should think about starting a new "mash-ups" wing over at Jigga Inc. Once again, he's an unwitting participant in an Internet mix, this time being paired with Radiohead on an album called — you guessed it — Jaydiohead. It's the handiwork of NYC DJ Minty Fresh Beats, and it's currently streaming (and available for download) over at Jaydiohead.com. Pairing songs from Jay's Black Album and American Gangster with tunes from a host of Radiohead albums (OK Computer, Kid A and In Rainbows), the album includes songs like "99 Anthems," "Dirt Off Your Android" and "Lucifer's Jigsaw." (Over in the Newsroom, check out the Jay mash-ups we never want to hear.) Minty Fresh (who, he'd like you to know, is "available for albums, demos, mixtapes, mixing or mastering") premiered the Jaydiohead mash on his MySpace page on December 30, and in the days since, it's quickly spread across file-sharing sites and message boards. Reaction from fans of both Jay and Radiohead has been overwhelmingly positive, with some at 'Head fan site AtEaseWeb.com even going so far as to design covers for the album. Of course, Jay mash-ups are nothing new. Danger Mouse took Jay's lyrics and paired them with music from the Beatles' White Album, creating the so-called Grey Album that would become an online sensation (and earn the ire of the EMI Music legal team). In subsequent years, Black Album a cappella tracks would also be mashed with a variety of other artists, including Weezer, Pavement, Prince and Metallica. Just last year, in the wake of the feud between Jay and Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher, a trio of Spanish producers released the OJayZis: Jay-Z vs. Oasis mixtape. Oh, and then there was Viva la Hova, a mash of Jay and songs from Coldplay's Viva la Vida. There was no threat of legal action over either of those projects, and it appears that Jaydiohead might be in the clear too. As of press time, neither Jay-Z's nor Radiohead's publicists had responded to MTV News' request for comment on the album. Related Artists |
| Is Lupe Fiasco Fronting A 'British' Indie-Rock Band Called Japanese Cartoon? Posted: 04 Jan 2009 10:35 PM PST Japanese Cartoon frontman sounds eerily similar to the 'Superstar' MC.
Normally, it would be rude to call someone weird, but that may not hold true for Lupe Fiasco. The Chicago MC broke onto the scene rapping about robots, skateboarding and his unique view of the world. While it may have been weird to hear a rapper talking about kick-flips, he made it work. He secured a spot on Kanye West's Glow in the Dark Tour; garnered critical acclaim for his sophomore album, The Cool; performed at the VMAs; and landed at #7 on our Hottest MCs in the Game list. But here's where it gets weird again: News broke over the weekend of a new "British" indie-rock band called Japanese Cartoon, and the band's frontman sounded a lot like Lupe with a faux-British accent. Some music sites, including NME.com, are suggesting that the rapper has gone in a new musical direction. But according to Japanese Cartoon's MySpace page, the lead singer is actually a bloke named Percival Fats. "Percival Fats (Born Percival Hindenburg-Fats) Is NOT Lupe Fiasco (Born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco)," a MySpace blog post reads. "Although he is a dear friend." While the post is about the band's MySpace being hacked, it does go on to elaborate about Lupe's relationship with the group. "Lupe does finance the band but is NOT I REPEAT NOT THE SINGER IN JAPANESE CARTOON. He is however the producer and we value his participation very much." The band reiterated the point in another blog post early Monday, signing off with the line "Lupe Does Not Post On This Site. So please don't message him here. Thanks." While Fats denied that he is Lupe Fiasco, Japanese Cartoon still could be a new creative outlet for the rapper. Fiasco told MTV Base in April that he was planning to retire. "It's going to take me about two years to put [my last album] together right. I'm 85 percent sure that my next album, LupE.N.D., will be the end-all." Related Artists |
| Check Out An Exclusive Preview Of The Latest 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' Comic! Posted: 04 Jan 2009 11:04 PM PST We have five pages from 'Season Eight' in our Splash Page blog.
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| Katy Perry And Travis McCoy Reportedly Split Before New Year Posted: 05 Jan 2009 06:20 AM PST 'We fight every night, now that's not kosher,' say Main Source lyrics the Gym Class Heroes frontman posted on his blog.
How not engaged are Katy Perry and Gym Class Heroes' Travis McCoy? The couple, who denied they were getting ready to tie the knot last month, reportedly broke up sometime before New Year's Eve. UsMagazine.com reported that an unnamed source close to Perry confirmed on Friday that the pair had split after more than a year of dating. "It's sad, but they were fighting a lot because they never saw each other, and now she is going on tour," the source told Us. "She just needed a clear head. It's been nonstop work for her." Perry, who blogged in mid-December announcing that she and Trav were not engaged, has not weighed in on the alleged split. McCoy, however, appears to have made a comment on FriendsorEnemies.com, with a post cryptically called "From Travies Blog: ATL, Shawty!!! Biggest party ever tonight in Pains basement!!!" What follows are the pointed lyrics to the song "Looking at the Front Door" from the recently reissued 1991 debut by hip-hop act Main Source. The song begins, "We fight every night, now that's not kosher/ I reminisce with bliss of when we was closer/ And wake up to be greeted by an argument again/ You act like you're 10/ So immature, I try to concentrate on a cure/ And keep lookin' at the front door." McCoy made his feelings even clearer in a follow-up post, in which he's pictured with his computer above the caption: "My laptop is my new bi---. LOYAL. LISTENS. and NEVER LET'S ME DOWN." Considering the timing of McCoy's posts, it seems that the couple split sometime after spending Christmas together on vacation in Mexico. At press time, spokespeople for the singers either had not responded to MTV News' request for comment, or declined to comment on the situation. Related Artists |
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