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| MCs To Watch In 2009: Kid Cudi Posted: 09 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST 'I'm just, like, a regular guy. I'm not into the whole fame of things,' down-to-earth rapper says.
In a day and age when everyone wants their 15 seconds of fame, it's odd that someone would want to shy away from it. "I'm just a regular guy." Actually, that's the cliché, rock-star thing to say, but Kid Cudi sounds sincere. In the past year, thanks to his song "Day 'N' Night," Cudi has blown up. The song is played almost everywhere — you hear it in dance clubs, on your cousin's MySpace page, hip-hop radio stations, pop stations and nearly every music blog. It's garnered him the attention of hip-hop's biggest star, Kanye West, who signed him to his G.O.O.D. Music label. However, Cudi said that wasn't his biggest accomplishment. "I think the biggest accomplishment so far with me is none of my — what they call — 'hype' is gimmicky or forced," he explained. "I didn't beat into the heads of people, like, 'Yo, you're going to listen to my music, and you're going to do this and you're going to do that.' I just kind of put them out and let them breathe." According to Cudi, everything that happened on the Internet was purely organic — he didn't even own his own computer until recently. In a day and age when everyone uses a computer, that's pretty unique. Cudi's friend and producer, O Dot, posted songs to his MySpace that they made in the basement, and the two would gauge people's reactions. In fact, "Day 'N' Night" wasn't the song that they thought was their big hit. "We eventually came up with a record that's out now, called 'Dat New New.' We were just like, 'Aww man, this is the new joint! This is it. This is the new single,' " Cudi said. While they received good feedback on that song, it wasn't until they posted "Day 'N' Night" that he knew he had something. Buzz started building, but not immediately — the sound's success was a slow burn. "It's very different and people don't get it, so it takes them awhile for them to process it," he offered. But the more they heard the song, the more infectious it became — in fact, he was scared that the song was too infectious, and he began to question himself. "Am I going to live up to the hype of 'Day 'N' Night'? Will people just immediately write me off if I just make one wack record?" The pressure of the record had him in a slump, and he was also wary of his rising star power. "It's hard to make that transition, because I'm just, like, a regular guy. I'm not into the whole fame of things, so I talk about the stuff I deal with internally in my world in hopes that people can relate to that, and it'll touch them." It took awhile for him to understand that he was being recognized for his talent and not just for having the "it" song. "I was, like, you know what? I'm being recognized for my gift and not just a song, and I need to go in and give people what it really is." It seems to be paying off. A fan came up to him after a recent performance with encouraging words. "This one dude came up to me and said, 'Yo, you changed my life. Your song changed my life.' That's all he said, and he walked away. That's the reward for me." Also check out Asher Roth, Wale, B.o.B. and Charles Hamilton in our "MCs to Watch in '09" series. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Taylor Swift Still 'Can't Believe' That She'll Be On 'SNL' Posted: 08 Jan 2009 05:53 AM PST 'It feels like everything the past couple of months has been a dream,' singer tells us from rehearsals.
Everywhere Taylor Swift goes she manages to make some sort of news, and this week is no exception for the 19-year-old. Her album, "Fearless," is once again at the top of the charts, and Taylor is stunned by the accolades. "I cannot believe that. I get a phone call every single week," she told MTV News at her "Saturday Night Live" rehearsal. "I honestly can't believe that. The fans have been so good to me. The fact that people actually like it, I can't believe it."
With another week at #1 comes the opportunity to be the musical guest on this week's "SNL." And, making more news for herself, Swift is the youngest country artist to occupy the musical-guest spot. "I was just told that [and] I can't believe it," she said. "That never occurred to me — it feels like everything the past couple of months has been a dream." As a part of the legendary show, Swift also gets to work with host and "How I Met Your Mother" star Neil Patrick Harris, who revealed a secret or two about the country star. "Taylor Swift is lovely and — contrary to popular belief — is pretty tall," he said. "She's, like, 5'7 or 5'8'' and then wears heels and is 7'2". Next to her I look like Ryan Seacrest." Harris has obviously mastered the art of comedy, and during the rehearsals he and Swift got to share some quips for the promos. (Watch Swift and Harris filming the promos over in the Newsroom.) Does Swift have a possible career in comedy waiting for her? "She's good at reading cue cards," Harris joked. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Dr. Dre <i>Detox</i> Track, Featuring 50 Cent And R. Kelly, Hits The Net Posted: 08 Jan 2009 01:56 AM PST Source says Dre is furious over leak of the song, labeled 'Could Have Been You.'
To say Dr. Dre is far from pleased that his music has been leaked would be an understatement. On Wednesday, a song labeled "Could Have Been You" from the Detox recording sessions appeared on the Internet. The record features R. Kelly, 50 Cent and Dre's upcoming Aftermath artist Bishop Lamont — each man tells the tale of a girl who they had designs on, but underestimated their ability to make her happy. Eventually, the men move on to bigger and better things. Bishop scoffs, "Think about the games you played, the lies you told when you asking me how I could be so cold?/ And I'm wondering how you could be so bold?" Kelly's disposition doesn't soften any on the chorus. He sings, "The reason why you didn't get picked, 'cause you got your nose up your a-- smelling your sh--/ But tonight you met your match, 'cause I be smelling my sh-- too/ Now how you like that?" 50 Cent rhymes about a woman from his early days who shunned him because she didn't believe he would make a great life for them. "You supposed to be sure, baby, you was confused/ I had a thang for ya, had a ring for ya/ A house, car, kids and a pet name for ya." Dr. Dre's label Interscope has yet to issue a comment, however a source close to Dre's camp tells us the legendary producer was expecting the song to be on Detox and is furious with the tune being leaked so early, especially since it wasn't mixed and mastered. Several of the Web sites that posted the song Wednesday have since taken it down — according to another source, they caught serious heat from Dre's camp. On Monday, a Dr. Dre, 50 Cent and Eminem track called "Crack a Bottle" also leaked. There still has not been a clear statement issued on where that song will officially land. Related Artists |
| Chris Brown And Rihanna's First Real Duet Leaks Posted: 08 Jan 2009 01:12 AM PST The twosome collaborates on 'Bad Girl,' a track on the 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' soundtrack.
For all the hubbub surrounding Chris Brown and Rihanna's relationship, there's been little music born from their pairing. Until now, that is. The duo officially collaborated together on the recently leaked track "Bad Girl." (Brown previously appeared on a remix of Rihanna's song "Umbrella.") The song was made for the soundtrack to the upcoming film "Confessions of a Shopaholic." And who do we have to thank for putting together the high-profile duet? Producer Polow da Don, who has worked with Fergie ("London Bridge"), Ciara ("Promise"), and Usher ("Love in This Club"). I came from a Jerry Bruckheimer meeting after seeing the movie, and they were telling us all the music they needed for all the scenes and the characters," Polow told MTV News of his sit-down with the producer of "Shopaholic." "So that night I went to the studio and I was telling Chris about (the meeting). And he was like, 'Let's get on it.' It was crazy, because Jerry Bruckheimer's dream was to have a song from Rihanna (for the movie), and I delivered Rihanna and Chris Brown in 24 hours. So they were like, 'Wow, that's crazy.' " In the song, Rihanna talks about her shopping addiction, her penchant for bags and shoes and her not-so-thrifty purchasing habits. "Need no bargain, need no sale/ I want the best, I dress me well," she sings. Brown chimes in with a rap about his better half toward the end of the track. "She's a walking sto', I'm talking about her clothes/ I just pause, I'm in awe, cause she's a fashion show." "It's crazy, because Chris Brown's energy alone is incredible — he's a high-energy kid," Polow said. "Rihanna has a unique voice, and she's one of the easiest people to work with. When her, Chris and myself were in the room, it's fun. That's when the music isn't work at all. It's all freestyle. Chris comes up with an idea; I come up with one. Rihanna will weigh in. And we build. We actually did a lot more records that hopefully will be coming soon." Related Artists |
| New 'American Idol' Judge Kara DioGuardi Insists She Fits In Posted: 08 Jan 2009 04:05 AM PST 'It took a minute to be yourself,' she says of adding to the three-person panel.
Being the new kid is never easy, and "American Idol" rookie Kara DioGuardi will have millions of people watching her every move when she debuts on the show Tuesday. So how is the new judge fitting in with the time-tested trio of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson? "It took a minute to be yourself and also find a place in the show where you weren't at all detracting from the people around you or inhibiting them in any way," DioGuardi said in a conference call with reporters Thursday (January 8). "It's something I'm still working on. I think I'm there" Her transition hasn't been completely bump-free. "I would talk over people a lot, because I didn't really know when to talk. 'When do I speak? Who's speaking now?' " DioGuardi recalled thinking during her first few days. Abdul was able to bring her fellow female judge back to life. "Paula was like, 'You need to be yourself.' Because in the beginning, the first city, I didn't want to step on anyone's toes, which is really not my personality," DioGuardi said. "I usually just say what I feel and do what I want. ... But at the beginning, I was like, 'There are all these cameras and all these people!' And Paula turned to me and said, 'Um, are you gonna be you?' [Laughs.] And I got the message." DioGuardi acknowledged — just as executive producer Ken Warwick had previously told us — that she and Paula have been natural allies. "There's a little girl power going on," she laughed. She also said she relates to Simon — at least occasionally. "I definitely can sometimes see where Simon's coming from, [though] I may not have said it quite the way he said it," DioGuardi said. "But I also do believe in second chances early on. I know that if I hadn't had a second chance, I wouldn't be where I am today. "But third chances? Uh, that's another story," she laughed. DioGuardi knows that the three-person dynamic has worked over the past seven seasons, but she's pretty sure there's a place for her in the mix. "I think I'm a combination of all of them," she said. "I do like to say it like I see it. I don't really mince words. I do feel I have a heart. And when you're dealing with creative people who have some talent, you want to make sure that you encourage them, but also, if they don't have any talent, you want to discourage them, because you don't want them to waste their time. I may say things that are negative, but I always try to do it with heart and some understanding of what it's like to be on the other side of the table." So have Simon, Paula and Randy put Kara through any sort of initiation into the "Idol" club? "No," she laughed. "They may, though, still. Who knows?" Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. |
| Asher Roth Says Guitarist, Not Him, Subdued Would-Be Bomber Posted: 08 Jan 2009 02:05 AM PST 'He's a hero,' MC says of Chris Llewellyn.
Reports of Asher Roth's heroic exploits in the subduing of a would-be airplane bomber were apparently exaggerated — and the MC was quick to give all the credit to guitarist/bassist Chris Llewellyn. On Wednesday, a rep for Roth — who was just named one of our "MCs to Watch in 2009" — said the rapper had helped subdue a man who announced that he had a bomb as a Delta Airlines flight was landing in Los Angeles. Roth called in to New York radio station Hot 97 on Thursday morning (January 8) to clarify the report. "Apparently I'm Jack Bauer!" Roth said, referring to the "24" character. "Really, I had nothing to do with that. That's all my dude Chris Llewellyn." Roth said that he didn't even witness the incident but heard that Llewellyn and a few other passengers were the first to respond to cries for help. Llewellyn told the Los Angeles Times that he confronted the man and jumped to action. "The suspect was yelling, 'Don't come near me. I have a bomb. I have a bomb.' I thought this guy was going to open the door. I was thinking, 'I'm not going to go down with the plane,' " the guitarist said. Llewellyn and others jumped on the man. "He was struggling hard-core," he said. "I was holding down his arm. Somebody had a foot on his head. Everyone was holding down a different body part. He was going nuts. I was telling him to chill because he's not going anyplace." While Llewellyn stayed behind to talk to the FBI, Roth was rushed to make his call time for his appearance on "Last Call With Carson Daly." Llewellyn eventually joined Roth for their performance on the late-night show, which airs Thursday night. Roth said that he was amazed that the tall tale of his heroic exploits had traveled so quickly, but he was grateful for Chris' bravery. "He held it down, dude," he said. "He also ripped a solo on the Carson Daly show, so it was a beautiful day for him. He's a hero." Roth's management released a statement late Wednesday evening to clarify what happened. "Chris Llewellyn was the real-deal tackler of the person crying bomb on flight 110 yesterday, and they and Asher want to give him his full hero due. Asher is thankful and proud of Chris' bravery and hopes Delta gives him free flights for life!" |
| 50 Cent's Pontiac G8 Sports Truck Falls Victim To Poor Economy Posted: 08 Jan 2009 08:59 AM PST GM announces it won't be selling the 50-endorsed El Camino wannabe.
50 Cent may be the world's top-earning hip-hop entrepreneur, but even his good credit couldn't save the G8 GXP Sport Truck. The car-pickup mash-up, described as a modern-day El Camino, was to bear 50's seal of approval, but it has been killed by General Motors, a victim of the floundering car giant's efforts to reduce spending, according to the Detroit Free Press. A spokesperson for Pontiac, a division of GM, said the specialty nature of the car just didn't make it feasible. Dealers were informed of the decision on Tuesday. "We always knew that it was going to be very low-volume," Pontiac's Jim Hopson said of the vehicle that experts predicted would likely not sell more than 5,000 units a year. "This would have been an extreme specialty vehicle. From a long-term standpoint, especially with where the brand is moving, it just didn't make sense."
The car was slated to hit the market later this year. After 50 demonstrated his brand loyalty by placing two of the company's vehicles in his "Amusement Park" video, his own concept car was first unveiled at the 2007 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. It later received great fanfare at the 2008 New York International Auto Show, where 50 helped hype the car's release, walking around one of the vehicles onstage at a Pontiac presentation and saying, "I like that." He went on to discuss the horsepower under the hood of the various models like a true auto fanatic. "Partnering with Pontiac has given me the opportunity to create something truly unique — a customized performance vehicle I am really proud of," 50 said at the time the deal was announced. "The G8 is like none other, and it pushes the boundaries of what people think a car has to be." Related Artists |
| Travis Barker, DJ AM Rock Las Vegas Posted: 08 Jan 2009 09:24 AM PST Shirtless Barker's burn scars from plane crash were visible during show.
A week after Travis Barker and DJ AM returned to the stage together for the first time since surviving a September 19 plane crash that killed four people, they decided that it was finally time to take their drums-and-decks show on the road — or at least to Las Vegas. On Wednesday night at Vegas club LAX, the dynamic duo did just that, performing a 45-minute set before a star-studded crowd that included Barker's estranged wife, Shanna Moakler and Dr. Dre. But perhaps more remarkable than the gig itself are the photos taken from the crowd, which first appeared on sites like TMZ.com early Thursday morning. They show Barker — in his customary baggy shorts and backwards ballcap — hammering away at his drumkit ... shirtless. The only visible injury from the crash appears to be a large pink scar that covers the small and middle of his back, but of course he suffered extensive burns on the lower part of his body as well. Check out Barker and DJ A.M. spin in Sin City. It's just the latest step in a remarkable recovery for Barker, who, according to doctors at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia, suffered "second-and-third degree burns ... on his torso and lower body" after escaping from the jet crash that killed four others, including his assistant, "Little" Chris Baker, and a security guard, Charles "Che" Still. AM suffered burns to his head and arm. In the weeks following the crash, Barker was transferred from the Still Burn Center to a facility in Los Angeles, where he underwent several skin-graft surgeries before being released on October 17. A month later, Barker's bandmate and friend, Mark Hoppus, told MTV News that the drummer was "healing incredibly well," and couldn't wait to get back behind his drumkit. Related Photos Related Artists |
| Jonas Brothers Look Forward To Grammy Awards With 'Fear' Posted: 08 Jan 2009 08:37 AM PST Jonas boys are nominated in Best New Artist category.
The Jonas Brothers may seem to have it all together, but when it comes to February's Grammy Awards and their nomination for Best New Artist, they won't even pretend that they're too cool to be nervous. "I fear that day," Kevin said in an interview with Radio Disney on Tuesday, according to People.com. "You should have seen how nervous we were, just going to the announcement ceremony." The boys also recalled the day they attended the Grammy nomination concert in December. They had to rush to the show after putting in a full day of taping on their new Disney series "J.O.N.A.S.," set to premiere later this year. "We didn't think we were going to be on time," Nick said. "We literally ran to our seats and right when we got to our seats they [announced], 'Jonas Brothers!' " Joe jokingly added, "We will be on time for the Grammys!" The most exciting moment of the announcement ceremony was when one music legend told the boys he was on their side come Grammy night. "Smokey Robinson came over to us ... and said, 'I'll be rooting for you!' " Kevin said. The singer's compliment left him stunned. "No way! Really? That's awesome!" Sure, being nominated is great, but winning would be even better. "As an artist and a songwriter ... you always dream about being nominated for a Grammy," Nick said. "And if we do win — wow, that would be amazing." Last month, after the boys found out they were nominated, they gave each other a "big fist pump" to celebrate. "The air just kind of leaves your lungs," Kevin told MTV News at the announcement concert, revealing his immediate reaction upon hearing the nomination from deep within the assembled crowd. "It was kind of awesome!" The Grammy Awards will be broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 8, and MTV News will be there with red-carpet coverage, reports on the show and much more! Related Photos Related Artists |
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