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| Young Jeezy's 'My President' Video Premieres Monday: Check Out A Clip! Posted: 16 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST Nas is also featured in the Public Enemy-inspired video.
When Nas raps "no president never did sh--" for me, the sentiment resonated heavily in the hip-hop community — that was until Barack Obama was elected as commander in chief. This weekend, a host of hip-hop celebs will head to Washington, D.C., just to be a part of the Obama inauguration. Just in time, Young Jeezy's "My President" video arrives. The entire clip will air exclusively throughout the day Monday on MTV Jams, and we have a portion of the video right here to help tide you over. True to Jeezy's description, the video reminds you in part of Public Enemy's "Fight the Power," in which the whole community comes out for a common cause. Besides Nas, who raps on the record, Bow Wow, Bun B, DJ Greg Street and Jeezy's artist Roccett make cameos. "I did [the video] with the 'Fight the Power' concept because I remember, back in the day, Flavor Flav and Chuck D marching down the street," Jeezy told us in December. "They had the old people, the young people, store owners, they had picket signs, everything. It was a sense of black pride, a sense of pride, period." The "My President" video was directed by Gabriel Hart, and in the crowd, you can see fans holding picket signs that represent all the corners of the globe, as well as great hip-hop artists like Jam Master Jay, Tupac Shakur, Soulja Slim and Nas and Jeezy themselves. Young Jeezy will be a part of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network black-tie party in D.C. at the Harmon Center for the Arts on Monday. T.I. and LL Cool J will also be on hand for the inaugural celebration. Last week, Young took a short break from promoting his album The Recession (a video for "Welcome Back" was just shot and seems likely to be up next after "My President") to play ref. He was poolside in Miami when Olympics king Michael Phelps had a swim meet against NFL great and "Dancing With the Stars" show-stealer Warren Sapp. Despite a head-start for Sapp, Phelps won. "I had my money on Michael all the way," Jeezy said. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Britney's Agenda For 2009 Includes Touring — And Some Controversy Posted: 16 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST Singer's next single, 'If U Seek Amy,' creates profanity issue for radio stations.
It's Pop Week here at MTV News, and that means we're catching up with and getting to know everyone who's going to make a splash in pop music and culture over the next 12 months. Whether they're just arriving on the scene or are already the name on everyone's lips, these are the artists we expect big things from in 2009. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the release of ... Baby One More Time, and to celebrate, Britney Spears is keeping busy in 2009. She's heading out on the road this spring and will soon release the third single from her successful comeback album Circus, "If U Seek Amy." When Spears hits the road in March, she'll be bringing along the Pussycat Dolls, who recently revealed to MTV News that they are very excited by the chance to tour with the pop star. "Get your tickets," Ashley Roberts told MTV News when we caught up with the Dolls on the set of their new video for "Bottle Pop." "We are actually going to be teaching the 'Bottle Pop' dance on tour, so check it out." The girls, who will also be hitting the road with Lady Gaga this spring, admit that "this is a big touring year for us. In the States we are going to be with our girl Britney on tour," Nicole Scherzinger said. "We are going to be joining the circus, so come hop along with us — then after that we're just going to be taking over the world, Pussycat Dolls-style, so please come out and help us do that." Perhaps they can learn a thing or two about taking over the world from Britney, who has some experience in that area. The tour isn't the first collaboration between the PCD and Spears. "Britney actually wore one of our little lingerie pieces on her Circus album," Roberts said. Kimberly Wyatt added, "Britney wears it well, and it's always been fun to work with her. We've done a couple shows with her and she's always down to be a Pussycat Doll, and now we will be joining her on her tour." Of course, it wouldn't be a new year for Spears if there wasn't some controversy behind the scenes. Spears is set to release "If U Seek Amy," and the song's chorus — if you say it fast enough — spells out a profanity. This may cause some issues when it comes to radio airplay. But Spears, who faced controversy when she released her first single, " ... Baby One More Time," a decade ago, isn't a stranger to this sort of thing. "It's a potential issue for every station," KIIS-FM Los Angeles program director John Ivey told MTV News of the single. "I'm certain that I would run it by my legal department first. My first job is to protect [the station's] license. ... It's better to be safe than sorry." Asked if he would edit the song, Ivey added he probably wouldn't because he felt the phrase was included in the song to provoke, so an alteration would change its intention. "[Spears' label Jive] might also be just floating it out there to see if they can stir things up a bit." Stirring things up, even all these years later, is something Spears knows a thing or two about. For more Pop Week stories, check out our Female Pop Rookies, Male Pop Rookies, Female Pop MVPs and Male Pop MVPs. Related Videos |
| Aubrey O'Day To Stay 'True To Danity Kane Roots' On Solo Album Posted: 16 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST But her music won't be DK all over again: 'I want to do me.'
It's Pop Week here at MTV News, and that means we're catching up with and getting to know everyone who's going to make a splash in pop music and culture over the next 12 months. Whether they're just arriving on the scene or are already the name on everyone's lips, these are the artists we expect big things from in 2009.
Aubrey O'Day is looking to regain some of the "shine" she thinks she lost while working for Diddy in Danity Kane. And although O'Day may no longer be in the girl group, that doesn't mean she's forgotten where she came from. "With my solo album, I'm keeping true to the Danity Kane roots, with the R&B/pop roots," our Female Pop MVP said. But she's quick to note that her album isn't just going to be Danity Kane all over again. "I'm taking more of a rock-electronic edge to it, and I'm a little rocker in my heart. I think it's going to be fun, danceable music that is outside of the box and allows you to express yourself in any way possible, which is exactly who I am as a person." She also explained that when she does finally get the chance to express herself, it will definitely have a "vulnerable" edge to it. "Musically for me, I really just want to take my music to a place ... where I'm being honest, where I'm being real and when I'm talking about things that I really care about, not just singing songs that have been written for me," she explained. O'Day hopes that when fans finally get their hands on her solo album, it won't sound like anything they've heard before. "I think that's important, to create a new sound and not copy things that I've heard or people that you like," she said. "I want to do me." For the album, she's finding a little bit of inspiration from the things she experiences and sees on a daily basis. "I love to observe what people are doing, and it's always good to stay on top of what is going on, but I don't do it to strong degrees," she said. "You lose a sense of yourself and where you would go creatively when you are constantly focused on everyone else. I like to see it for a second and then put it away and figure out where I'm at and what I want to do." For more Pop Week stories, check out our Female Pop Rookies, Male Pop Rookies, Female Pop MVPs and Male Pop MVPs. Related Videos Related Artists |
| T.I. Counts Down To Prison Sentence In MTV Series: Check Out A Clip! Posted: 15 Jan 2009 01:54 AM PST 'T.I.'s Road to Redemption: 45 Days to Go' follows rapper's work, family life and community service.
It's hard to believe that in less than two months, T.I. will be going to jail. With his incredibly busy schedule, Tip himself doesn't have time to dwell on it. He has work to do first. In addition to all the appearances he's been making to promote Paper Trail, he's been shooting movies, overseeing his artists' upcoming albums, being a family man and completing 1,000 hours of community service for felony weapons charges.
"No amount of jail time is gonna teach me the lesson I learned at that moment," Tip says of the night he got arrested in November 2007 in his upcoming MTV series "T.I.'s Road to Redemption: 45 Days to Go." (The title will actually change as the countdown to his prison sentencing nears.) He could have faced up to 30 years in jail for purchasing illegal firearms, but because of a plea deal, the community work he's completed by March will likely reduce his sentence significantly. As the cops apprehended him, Tip says he thought to himself, "Oh sh--, you done f---ed up." In "T.I.'s Road to Redemption," Tip gives viewers an intimate look at his family life at home. He shows the extremes he has go through to maintain his accustomed level of fan love and media exposure while giving talks to kids as part of his community service. In the show, the rapper also tries to motivate seven at-risk teens across the country to change their lives. "We're gonna shake his world up, and then we're gonna help him whether he wants our help or not," T.I. says of one of the adolescents, who's apparently on a destructive path. Tip takes another kid to a mortuary and makes him look at a young peer lying dead in a casket. "T.I.'s Road to Redemption: 45 Days to Go" premieres on MTV February 10 at 9 p.m. During its run, the show's regular time slot will be 9:30. Related Videos Related Artists |
| New Justin Timberlake Track Leaks Posted: 15 Jan 2009 01:54 AM PST 'Bigger Than the World,' reportedly produced by Timbaland, appeared online Thursday.
While Justin Timberlake recently told MTV News that he's going to be focusing on working with other artists rather than his own material, on Thursday (January 15), a new song of his, apparently titled "Bigger Than the World," leaked online. The song, which sounds unfinished, features Timberlake singing in a light falsetto reminiscent of Robin Thicke (or perhaps it's Justin sounding like Robin Thicke sounding like Justin) accompanied by a pulsing mid-tempo beat, keyboards and guitar. According to some online reports, the track was produced by Timbaland, and was posted on ThisIs50.com on Thursday. Toward the end, the beat drops out and the song ends with just piano. When he spoke with MTV News last year, Timberlake said he was focusing on working with other artists, although he declined to reveal who those artists are. "I've been working with different people here or there," he said. "I feel weird. You'll hear it when it comes out. I would love to give you everyone but there's some stuff that might not work out due to business stuff, unfortunately. "As far as myself, I don't have that," he continued. "I could change [my mind] next week, but I don't have the bug to jump in and start the whole process again, and touring again. I do love it, but it's tiring." In addition to "Bigger Than the World," Timberlake recently released "Follow My Lead," which features vocals from the first signing to Timberlake's Tennman Records, Esmée Denters. Related Artists |
| Lil Wayne Calls VMAs 'Biggest Moment' Of Biggest Year Of His Life Posted: 14 Jan 2009 11:13 PM PST Rapper attributes success to hard work: 'I work every single hour.'
There's no denying that 2008 was a huge year for Lil Wayne. And the New Orleans rapper told Devin Friedman of GQ magazine that the 2008 VMAs served as the highlight. "Of course it was the biggest year of my life. Obviously. The VMAs were the biggest moment," said Wayne, who took home the Moonman for Best Hip-Hop Video for "Lollipop" and also performed alongside Leona Lewis and T-Pain at the show. He said the accolades were unexpected and that he hadn't anticipated taking home any awards. And he attributed his success to hard work. "The payoff was sweet, of course, but the whole year has been mostly consumed with hard work," Wayne said. "I work every single day. I work every single hour. That's what my year has been like. Work." The rapper's unrelenting work ethic has paid off. In the past year, he earned the highest first-week sales for his album Tha Carter III, starred in a documentary, "The Carter," which premieres at this year's Sundance, and received eight Grammy nominations, more than any other act this year. He also found time to star alongside Forest Whitaker, Taraji P. Henson and Bow Wow in the upcoming sports drama "Hurricane Season." The movie, directed by Tim Story, is about a high school basketball team assembled in post-Katrina Louisiana and led to the state championship by Whitaker's character. Wayne said that working with Whitaker was an intense experience. "If I ever thought I was slipping on what I'm doing around here, I would remember those experiences of being around him," he said. "He looks at you once, speaks to you once, he's not ever going to make eye contact with you again." Despite his already overbooked schedule, Wayne said that he's trying to write a movie of his own. He's a big fan of horror movies and would love to script one, but he has to get over himself first. "I always think I be trippin'," he said. "Like, you think you're too good. Shut your stupid ass up, you can't write no movie. I always sit down and be like, 'I'm gonna write me a movie.' Then about five minutes later I be like, 'You really think you're a little genius, don't you.' " While Wayne said that he gets up every morning and enjoys a normal breakfast like anyone else (although his is prepared by his chef), he explained to GQ that he was unique, to say the least. He said he doesn't like to do, think or say anything that people expect. And it's not a hard decision, either. He's just being himself. "I'm a Martian," he said. "I like to be different. And what's more different than a Martian?" Related Artists |
| Perez Hilton Responds To Aubrey O'Day's Dis -- Nastily Posted: 14 Jan 2009 10:29 PM PST Celebrity blogger has some strong words for ex-Danity Kane singer, who recently confirmed Playboy pictorial.
Ex-Danity Kane singer Aubrey O'Day may be looking for celebrity blogger Perez Hilton to "put something good out there in the world," but Perez doesn't look like he's interested. Speaking with MTV News late last year, O'Day challenged a blogger to become "the new Perez Hilton, the positive Perez Hilton."
"I think that there is so much negativity out there, and it's doing no one any good," she explained. "It's not doing the people that sit there and think of the nasty thoughts and spend the 10 to 20 hours of their day typing them up [any good]. "It's not doing the people that read them any good [either], because it's just consistently putting negativity in the air." However, on Thursday (January 15), the self-proclaimed "Queen of All Media" threw some strong words right back at Ms. O'Day, who recently confirmed an upcoming Playboy pictorial and has spoken out about her sexuality. "Bless her heart!" he said. "I challenge her to wear more clothes and less makeup!" On top of that challenge for the former Danity Kane member, Perez added that it doesn't matter to him what O'Day has to say about what he does for living, because he thinks she's a "hypocrite." "It's hard for me to take anyone seriously who is a complete hypocrite and attention whore," he told MTV News. "She says that she wants me to be more positive, yet at the same time she is craving my attention and wants to be on my Web site." But, it's not all bad blood between these two. Perez did have one positive thing to say to O'Day — er, sort of ... "Good luck with your 'career'!" MTV News will have lots more from our exclusive sit-down with Aubrey O'Day in the coming days! Related Artists |
| Our Final 2009 Rock Rookies Include KISS' Teen Warm-Up Act Posted: 15 Jan 2009 01:54 AM PST Crooked X admire bands that put 'their blood, sweat and tears into their music'; Glasvegas say their songs work because they're 'basic.'
2008 was a huge year for rock ... and 2009 looks like it could be even bigger. So all this week, we're taking stock of the things guaranteed to rock this year. From the triumphant returns of some of the biggest bands on the planet to a handful of up-and-coming acts that we're expecting big things from in '09, we've got it all covered. This is Rock Week, on MTVNews.com. Once upon a time, even the hugest bands on the planet were bands no one had ever heard of. They had yet to rock arenas or unite the globe or even ride on a tour bus with a working toilet, for that matter. They were just a bunch of kids with a single press photo (usually taken against a brick wall) and a whole lot of possibility. It didn't matter that the odds were stacked impossibly high against them. It was almost better that way.
These days, things are different. Thanks to the vast frontier of the Internet, practically every band has been heard by somebody, which makes the concept of them "rocketing to success" seem rather antiquated. And, perhaps dulled by nearly three decades of "Next Big Thing" articles, we tend to roll our eyes further back into our heads with each "can't miss" contender foisted on us by the music industry. That said, please allow us to do the very same thing. Because, really, the Next Big Things have to come from somewhere, right? So while we're going to refrain from the hyperbole ("This band will change your life!") we are going to go out on a limb and say that you'll be hearing a whole lot from these guys in 2009. From Lil Wayne-approved rock stars to much-buzzed blog acts to, um, barely pubescent head-bangers, these are our top picks for 2009's Rock Rookies. (And if you dig the bands below, be sure to check out our other Rock Rookies — Kevin Rudolf and Chester French and Hey Monday and the Friday Night Boys.) Who: A hard-charging foursome from Coweta, Oklahoma, whose age belies their sheer shred-ocity. (For more on teen rockers Crooked X, head to the Newsroom.) None of the members are old enough to drive, but they've already opened for KISS and Ted Nugent, been featured on CBS' "The Early Show" and played the halftime show during the last game at Texas Stadium. Now managed by "Doc" McGhee — the man responsible for shaping the careers of KISS, Bon Jovi and Mötley Crüe — they'll release their self-titled debut at the end of the month. It rocks. Kids Say the Awesomest Things: Given that they're all just 14, Crooked X are out to prove that they're not just a novelty act. And the proof, they say, is in the performance. "We look up to anyone who puts their blood, sweat and tears into their music, and that's what we try to do every night," guitarist Jesse Cooper explained. "You give us two guitar amps, a bass rig and a drum set, and you'll be entertained for at least an hour. At least. We come out, first song to the last song, going ba--s to the wall." They Should Be Getting Hazard Pay: When you go to war each and every night, there's bound to be some casualties. But Crooked X seem to rack up those casualties quicker than most. "We've had a lot of bad experiences falling off the stage, falling in the stage, through the stage, a lot of that stuff," frontman Forrest French laughed. "One night, we were on a stage with a bunch of subwoofers coming out the front. In between those subwoofers and the stage, there was a hole that went all the way down to the floor. So I was doing a solo, and I stepped back, and one foot went right into that hole. The corner of it went right in between my legs. And I fell back onto the stage all torqued and stuff. But I got up and asked the crowd if I looked stupid, and they said, 'Yeah!' And I was like, 'All right, let's keep going then!' " Who: Swoony Glaswegian (that means they're from Glasgow, Scotland) quartet that has already conquered the U.K. and now has sights set on the rest of the world. Championed by Scottish music impresario Alan McGee — he's the guy behind Oasis, Primal Scream and My Bloody Valentine — Glasvegas rose from relative obscurity (and bohemian poverty) to chart-topping fame, thanks to knee-buckling tracks like "Geraldine" and "Daddy's Gone." Their self-titled debut was released Stateside earlier this month, and they're currently playing a select slate of U.S. shows. Frontman/ moody heartthrob James Allan played football (or, you know, soccer) in the Scottish Premiere League before deciding to focus on songwriting. Spot the Influences: Glasvegas' debut is a gorgeously maudlin affair, full of echo-chamber guitars, Wall of Sound production and '60s girl-group harmonies. All of which has made it easy pickings for fickle critics, who love to point out the similarities to acts like the Jesus and Mary Chain and the Velvet Underground. "I think more people like to label things and say, 'Oh, that's what you are,' but I don't think we fit into any of those categories," drummer Caroline McKay said. "Our music is the way it is because it's basic. It's born out of the fact that none of us had any money, so we used to hang around at my house and listen to old records ... like '50s barbershop quartets and Phil Spector albums." Learning on Her Feet: For McKay — who was ranked #10 on NME's 2008 "Cool List" (three spots ahead of Lil Wayne) — Glasvegas' whirlwind ride to fame has been particularly disorienting, because four years ago, she'd never even attempted to play an instrument. "It's a bit surreal, because I've never, A) been a drummer, B) been in a band," she laughed. "James and I were friends, and one night we were out, and he said, 'Why don't you be the drummer?' and I laughed, but he was serious. So I gave it a go, and I'm still here. I play standing up, because that's how I learned. Plus, I'm really small, so no one would see me if I sat down." Check back for more Friday, as Rock Week continues on MTVNews.com. Related Videos |
| 'American Idol' Contestant Michael Castro Surprises Big Brother Jason Posted: 15 Jan 2009 06:35 AM PST Season-seven alum's inexperienced little bro makes it to Hollywood.
"American Idol" has had its fair share of siblings over the years, from season five's lawbreaking twins Derrell and Terrell Brittenum to "Maxim"-posing Jessie and Becky O'Donohue to last season's train-wreck duo, Michelle and Jeffrey Lampkin. But Wednesday night's round of auditions in Kansas City, home of David Cook, included a rare legacy act: Michael Castro. Rather than skate in on his family's good name, the 20-year-old little brother of dreadlocked space-case Jason Castro brought his own inimitable style to his audition. With a bright-pink faux-hawk that stood in stark contrast to his 2008 fourth-place finishing, lyric-flubbing big bro's locks, the junior Castro impressed judges with his twangy take on Gavin DeGraw's "In Love With the Girl." In an interview segment, Michael teasingly referred to Jason as "girly," setting off a bit of sibling rivalry in which Jason retorted that if by "girly," he meant "a sensitive artist," then he was guilty as charged. Michael further twisted the knife by admitting that he had never really tried singing before, but gave it a shot just 20 days before auditioning. The judges seemed skeptical at first, but Michael's mix of shyness and confidence impressed them. Simon Cowell called the audition "goodish," and new judge Kara DioGuardi said he was "kind of ballsy," suggesting that the sly look in Michael's eye meant he had a secret. After the audition resulted in a ticket to Hollywood for Michael, Jason said he was blown away by his brother's chops. "I've never heard him sing in real life," Jason said. His choice of DeGraw for the audition and the thoughtful cover of another heart-on-sleeve singer/songwriter's tune on his official MySpace page, James Morrison's "This Boy," seem to indicate that Michael clearly harbors the same doe-eyed sensitivity (girly?) gene as his older sibling. And if he pulls out his Nina Simone "Feeling Good" cover during the Hollywood rounds, Michael Castro might just be the first legacy act to make it past the first cuts. Michael — who is selling posters of himself on Jason's Web site, if you're interested — explained on a January 15 post on MySpace that he had a grand total of two voice lessons leading up to the audition, but that he's already writing some songs that he plans to record when he gets a chance. Judging by some of the posts on the Dallas Morning News Web site, fans in the Castro boys' home state are excited about the legacy action. "I found him charming and personable with a promising voice!" wrote Al. "I can't wait to watch him this season. My favorite so far." Another fan, Rikuchi, stayed up late to opine, "This boy was just like. Wow. I thought he was just hot but couldn't sing since he said he just started 20 days before the auditions, but WOW. He's sexy, cute, AND can sing. Can't wait to see how far he goes." Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Photos |
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