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| Rick Ross Responds To 50 Cent's Taunts With 'Kiss My Pinky Ring' Posted: 06 Feb 2009 03:46 AM PST Beef between the rappers doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon.
Rick Ross insists he still isn't keyed-up about his rivalry with 50 Cent. Ross dropped a new dis track aimed at 50 called "Kiss My Pinky Ring Curly." As he said in a video released earlier this week, Ross is "barely excited" with the outcome of the beef thus far, and toward the end of the record he announces that his LP Deeper Than Rap is slated for a March 24 release. "Fake teeth, fake street/ Only fake n---as feed off of fake beef," the Miami heavyweight raps. "I took my money like Sha Money/ My money's safe I could retire, money." Ross also addresses 50 taking Ross' ex-girlfriend, Tia Kemp on a shopping spree. (She and Ross are currently embroiled in a child support/ paternity suit.) Ross raps that 50 should have had sex with Kemp. Kemp has aligned with 50 to write a book about Ross to be released on the same day as his album; the book has a similar title to the LP, "Tia's Diary: Deeper Than Rap." Ross' attorney released a statement earlier today about the child support/paternity lawsuit. 50 recently said the back-and-forth isn't going to end anytime soon. Both parties have vowed to ride this out with responses for the long run. On "Pinky Ring," Ross promised a dis on his album called "Schindler's List." "It's so disrespectful," the Southern King said after repeatedly calling 50 a "monkey." On Saturday while in Tampa for the Super Bowl, Ross said 50 was disgracing Dr. Dre. "He depreciates the value of Dr. Dre's production," Ross told radio station 95.7 the Beat on Saturday. "He smears Dre's legacy. He hurts the anticipation of Detox by Dre giving this artist beats that can't rap." Related Artists |
| It's Lil Wayne Vs. T.I.: Grammy Predictions For Best Rap Album Posted: 06 Feb 2009 02:52 AM PST Most predict one of the Southern lyricists will beat out fellow nominees Jay-Z, Nas and Lupe Fiasco.
The battle for this year's Best Rap Album at the 51st Grammy Awards looks like it's gonna be between two men: Lil Wayne and T.I. Each is up for the honor — Wayne for Tha Carter III and Tip for Paper Trail. Jay-Z's American Gangster, Lupe Fiasco's The Cool and Nas' Untitled project round out the field. But most of the experts MTV News spoke to last week predicted one of the Southern lyricists will emerge victorious on Sunday. (The battle is a rematch of the 2007 Hottest MCs debate.)
"It's a sure thing [Lil Wayne will] take all the rap awards he's nominated for this year," Entertainment Weekly music critic Leah Greenblatt announced. XXL magazine's Bonsu Thompson agreed. "Wayne might have the easiest victory throughout the entire Grammys," Thompson explained. "Whether it's in the recording booth or onstage, there's no competition. He sold a million copies in one week." Tha Carter III was heralded for Wayne's lyrical brilliance. On freewheeling tracks from "A Milli" to his first #1 hit "Lollipop," the New Orleans rapper soared over expectations. The list of accolades and accomplishments he received for the album are impressive: the biggest-selling LP in any genre in 2008, wins at the American Music Awards and the VMAs, and soon a triple-platinum certification. By all accounts, Wayne has had as successful a year as any rapper in history. So has T.I., arguably. "I think that T.I. should win, because he has a solid album, a huge presence and a great story," Hot 97 news director Minya Oh (a.k.a. Miss Info) told MTV News last week. The Atlanta-based artist overcame a federal arrest in 2007 that threatened to derail his career and released his most well-rounded album to date. Paper Trail featured two #1 songs — "Whatever You Like" and "Live Your Life," which featured Rihanna. Both numbers rocketed up the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with the rapper's songs actually replacing each other at the top. In addition to the singles, Tip also revealed an introspective side of himself that he only hinted at on past projects. "With so much struggle going on, he wanted to speak from the heart and put real thought into it, go into more details," longtime Tip collaborator DJ Toomp explained. "Sometimes you can go in the booth and just spit. And you may cover something but not get the gist of everything. But he said, 'Let me put my pen to work.' " New York titans Jay-Z and Nas were also lauded for their recent projects, but critics don't think either album has the legs to keep pace in this category. "I think Nas' album was nominated 'cause of the message," Thompson told MTV News. "It was more of a political or social stance from an MC rather than the body of his work. Nas may [actually] have the least chance of winning [Best Rap Album]. "I love what he attempted to do, but I think he fell a little short, content-wise," Thompson added. "The message was stronger than the music." As for Jay, his second post-retirement album was a return to his earlier hustler mentality. The album, like Nas' album, made its debut at #1, but ultimately, while American Gangster helped Jay-Z regain his form, overall, Thompson felt it didn't stack up to the competition. "Jay-Z really impressed a lot of people with American Gangster, but there can only be one winner and I think he's gonna fall short because of that," Thompson said. Lupe Fiasco is the least-decorated rapper in the field, but the Chicago MC struck a chord with critics who offered praise for the brainy artist's album. Will Lil Wayne grab all the gramophones? Is Katy Perry going to tell her girl rivals to kiss off? Can Coldplay march off with a win? MTV News is all over the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, so stay tuned for interviews, analysis and more before, during and after the big night, Sunday, February 8. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Aubrey O'Day Blogs About Danity Kane Split Posted: 06 Feb 2009 01:46 AM PST Being in the group 'was a beautiful experience,' former member of Diddy-helmed group writes.
Aubrey O'Day is looking for a fresh start this year — with a Playboy pictorial and new music on the way — but before she goes forward, she's looking back and commenting on Danity Kane's apparent breakup. Last week, Dawn Richard told MTV that Danity Kane is over, and O'Day blogged in response to those comments. "My theme this year; let go of the past, and focus on all of the beautiful things that are about to fill our future!" she blogged. "I know most of you find that relevant to me in relation to my departure from dear ol' DK. "I've stayed away from directly responding or commenting on the negativity, or misguided views and judgments that have unfortunately been the voice of summarizing Danity Kane ... it's only fair to finally put my thoughts of DK to rest." She noted that being in the group "was a beautiful experience, filled with all of life's wonderful ups and downs," and wrote that the reason for the split was not because the girls "suffered bad relationships, felt suffocated, unappreciated [and] sick of giving in." In what can be assumed is her response to recent interviews with her former bandmates, she wrote, "You may be seeing expression of emotions succeeding expression of actual reality, but that does not change the reality that every girl in this group had a dream, and we fought long and hard to see it become reality." She expressed love for her former bandmates and seems not to harbor any ill will toward them. "I will forever be blessed to have had that experience," she wrote. "Each one of those girls is a talent to be reckoned with ... and beyond pure talent, which I hands down experienced on a daily basis from each girl, each girl really did want to be a role model and change the world in their own little way. "And that's what made us real, what made us the truth, what made us something to believe in, and that inner desire on all of our parts has not changed." Check out our big night out at the Sundance film festival with Aubrey and Paris Hilton — and be sure to check back next week, when we'll have more big news from Aubrey! Related Artists |
| T.I. Talks Grammy Duet With Justin Timberlake Posted: 05 Feb 2009 10:37 PM PST The pair will perform the song, which is a tribute to Tip's late friend/ assistant, on Sunday.
Tip and Timberlake: It has a certain ring to it — an award-winning ring, if you will. T.I. and Justin Timberlake collaborated on the former 'NSYNC singer's "My Love" from his 2006 album, FutureSex/LoveSounds; the song won them the 2007 Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Now, on the eve of this year's Grammys, the two have joined forces again in Los Angeles to shoot a video for T.I.'s next single, "Dead and Gone," featuring and co-produced by Timberlake. The clip will be helmed by longtime Tip collaborator Chris Robinson ("What You Know," "ATL") and will mirror the pair's performance on Sunday at the Grammy Awards. T.I. said working with Timberlake taught him a lesson in mass appeal.
"I learned how to cater to a different audience," he told MTV News on Wednesday about working with JT. "To stay on a different demographic's mind. What Justin do, I don't do the same way as him, but I can accomplish the same things using a different approach. He showed me that I can do just that on 'My Love.' If I did 'My Love' over a DJ Toomp beat, it would have probably been 'Get Loose' [an album cut from Urban Legend]. But you put Justin on a track, and it's Grammy Award-winning 'My Love.' So it taught me if you take the same thing you have right here and [add] a few more different elements that you can definitely appeal to a different crowd." "Dead and Gone" is one of the more memorable tracks from Paper Trail, partly because it's a tribute to T.I.'s late friend Philant Johnson. Johnson was killed in 2006 in a shooting that singled out T.I.'s entourage following a show in Cincinnati. Tip spoke about his friend during the funeral. "It just seems like as long as I can remember, he was there," he said. "As long as I can remember, his mama and my mama were partners. His cousin and my uncle were partners. His auntie and my grandmama stayed up the street from one another. And we just always knew each other, and it was cool." T.I. testified in the case before a jury convicted Hosea Thomas for the murder and a judge sentenced him to 66 years in prison. "We were born in the same year, so we grew up together," T.I. said during examination. "[He] was my oldest living friend. We knew each other since [we were] 2 years old, at least. ... He had a role in my life, personally as my best friend, a role in my organization ... as my assistant." "The video is the inspiration for the performance," Tip later told MTV News. "I wanna personify the sentiment of the song and do the same onstage." Will Lil Wayne grab all the gramophones? Is Katy Perry going to tell her girl rivals to kiss off? Can Coldplay march off with a win? MTV News is all over the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, so stay tuned for interviews, analysis and more before, during and after the big night, Sunday, February 8. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Etta James Says Beyonce Dis Was A Joke Posted: 06 Feb 2009 09:06 AM PST Singer seems concerned about Obama's possible reaction to her comments regarding him.
Although she said Beyoncé deserved to be "whipped" during a show in Seattle last month, "At Last" singer Etta James now says she was just trying to be funny. The firestorm that greeted a recording of James dissing Beyoncé and saying unkind things about president Obama subsided somewhat on Friday (February 6), when the New York Daily News reported that James — seemingly upset that B had sung her signature song, "At Last," at Obama's inauguration last month — said she was joking around when she claimed she "can't stand" the "Single Ladies" singer. "I didn't really mean anything," the notoriously cantankerous James told the tabloid about her January 28 screed, noting that she was a bit upset about not being asked to sing her signature song at the inauguration. "Even as a little child, I've always had that comedian kind of attitude. ... That's probably what went into it. "Nobody was getting mad at me in Seattle," she added. "They were all laughing, and it was funny." In fact, on a tape of the rant that surfaced online, the audience does appear to be egging James on, clapping and hooting at her salty monologue. She said she was feeling "left out of something that was basically mine, that I had done every time you look around." The song, written in 1941, was first recorded by the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and then by Nat King Cole in 1957, but is best known for James' 1961 cover. On Friday, a spokesperson for Beyoncé had no comment on the situation. James reportedly told the paper that her broadside did not come from a "vicious place," but when asked if she thought she could outsing Beyoncé — who portrayed James in "Cadillac Records" — the 71-year-old legend offered, "I think so. That's a shame to say that." She also hoped that Obama would not take her jibes about his "big ears" and him not being "my president," personally, explaining, "He's got other stuff [to worry about] besides Etta James." She noted that she "always thought he was handsome and he was cool," and that her joke "might be horrible. The president might not ever like me in life." An anonymous White House insider reportedly told Chicago Sun-Times gossip columnist Bill Zwecker, "It never crossed anyone's mind that there was anything inappropriate about Beyoncé singing that song. ... First of all, the message of the song was so perfect. Beyoncé sang it in the ['Cadillac Records'] film, and I don't think the people organizing that event even knew Etta was still performing. ... I'm sure some of the younger people involved didn't even know she is still alive!" James had previously been supportive of Beyoncé, who earned praise for her warts-and-all portrayal of the singer in "Records." At the rehearsals for his annual Pre-Grammy Gala on Thursday, legendary music mogul Clive Davis told MTV News said he had not heard James' remarks, but that he didn't take the alleged rift too seriously. "I know that last year when I introduced Leona Lewis to Whitney Houston there was a sense of visible awe," Davis said of the relationship between new stars and veterans. "It was not, 'I'm gonna show a past generation [up].' I'm not saying it was a lovefest, but back in the day ... they could all be great, but they competed with each other. But I don't think it's indigenous to artists. I don't view it as a problem." Related Artists |
| Are Blink-182 Working On A New Album? Posted: 06 Feb 2009 09:25 AM PST Angels & Airwaves guitarist David Kennedy says 'Blink is coming back' in online chat.
On Thursday, Blink-182 fans rejoiced when it was announced that the long-dormant band would be reuniting as presenters at Sunday's Grammy Awards. While it's not clear if Blink will be doing anything more than presenting an award, it does appear that there may be more to come from the band. At least that's what a member of a Blink offshoot band — Tom DeLonge's Angels & Airwaves — seems to have confirmed in a chat on the social-networking site Modlife. On Thursday night, A&A guitarist David Kennedy was fielding fan questions about that band's new album when, with a few keystrokes, he changed the game entirely, hinting that while Angels might be putting out an album this year, Blink may be, too. "I'm trying to write a statement about how Angels is all good while Blink is coming back," Kennedy wrote. When asked by a fan if that meant Angels & Airwaves were going to be scrapped in favor of Blink-182, he replied, "No sir. ... It will be a good creative year and I want to make sure that comes across." Then, when asked by another fan to clarify the fact that Blink are coming back, Kennedy wrote "Yeah, putting out a record." Of course, that sent message boards and Blink fan sites into a frenzy, especially given the thawing of tensions between DeLonge, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker in the wake of Barker's escape from a plane crash last fall, and Hoppus telling MTV News in January that, when it came to a Blink reunion, "the future is wide open." At press time, Kennedy's comments had not been confirmed, MTV News' attempts to contact A&A's label and management were unsuccessful, and e-mails to Hoppus and DeLonge had not been returned. Related Videos Related Artists |
| 50 Cent Says Rick Ross Beef Will Only 'Get Worse' Posted: 06 Feb 2009 12:01 AM PST Fif's latest weapon: transcripts from Ross' child support/ paternity case.
The second release date 50 Cent had chosen for Before I Self Destruct — February 3 — has come and gone. Fif said he doesn't have a new date for his album yet, but he's just about done and is mixing songs for the LP. "Crack a Bottle," featuring Eminem and Dr. Dre (which has been blowing up, especially in California) will be on Self Destruct. 50 said there are plans to shoot an animated video for it, as well as a live-action clip for "I Get It In." But the real headline hog for 50 has been his beef with Rick Ross. There's no stopping the runaway freight train that is the 50/Ross back-and-forth. After a few days in Venezuela, 50 Cent promised MTV News that he's going to turn the heat up on his new rivalry. "It's interesting. It'll get worse," said 50, sitting with Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and DJ Whoo Kid. Fif said he's purchased court transcripts from Rick Ross' child-support case. According to 50, the documents state that the Miami rapper's income is $200,000 a year and the jewelry he wears isn't real. 50 said Ross is lying in his raps or to the courts, and if that's the case, he's a "deadbeat dad." "Because he was disrespectful, I found it in my heart to get the transcripts," 50 laughed. Ross' attorney, Allan Zamren, released a statement Friday (February 6) about the court case. "Mr. Ross is currently involved in a child support/ paternity case with a woman who is claiming he is the father of a 3-year-old male child," the statement read. "There are statements being made alleging Mr. Ross is the father of this child but not taking care of the child financially or otherwise; that is absolutely not true. As a matter of fact and for the record, every month on or about the first of the month, Mr. Ross pays a substantial amount of money, in excess of state of Florida child-support guidelines to this child's mother for the support of the child." Last week, 50 launched a salvo some called below-the-belt when he flew Tia Kemp, the woman involved in Ross' child support/ paternity case, to New York for an interview and shopping spree. Fif posted pictures of himself and Kemp all over ThisIs50.com. The Web site is also advertising a tell-all book by Kemp called "Tia's Diary: Deeper Than Rap," which is slated for March. "She was a really nice person," 50 told MTV News. 50 said he was shocked that Ross took back a truck he was letting her drive. Zamren also explained why Kemp no longer has the truck. "A motion to return the motor vehicle that has been the subject on various Internet Web sites was provided to the mother prior to 2009 for various reasons, including but not limited to being charged for aggravated battery, battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor when the mother used the vehicle as a deadly weapon," Ross' attorney stated. "The mother failed to put the child in a car seat and purposely drove the vehicle into another while the young child was in the car." On Thursday, a Web site called OfficerRicky.com was launched. The site features T-shirts for sale and several Photoshopped pictures of Rick Ross as a police officer. The G-Unit general has not taken responsibility for the site. Ross released a video called "Gang Related" on Thursday, in which he pours out Formula 50 Vitamin Water, much like someone would do when they are paying homage to a dead homie. "He depreciates the value of Dr. Dre's production," Ross told radio station 95.7 the Beat on Saturday. "He smears Dre's legacy. He hurts the anticipation of Detox by Dre giving this artist beats that can't rap. "I don't get sidelined with monkey talk," he continued. "That's my response: a #1 hit." Make sure to check out Mixtape Monday on February 9 for more from 50's interview in Venezuela. Fif and the Unit explain a dis toward another MC. Related Artists |
| What Will The Jonas Brothers Wear At The Grammys? Posted: 06 Feb 2009 01:25 AM PST The band's stylist explains how each brother expresses his individual style.
The Jonas Brothers are not shy about dressing up for special occasions. They were some of the best-dressed guys at the Golden Globes in January. And for an occasion as special as this Sunday's Grammy Awards, where they are up for Best New Artist, the band's stylist, Michelle Tomaszewski, promises that their attire will definitely reflect each guy's very individual style. "It's a big day for them, probably the biggest of their career, so we really wanna make sure that everything is spot on," Tomaszewski told Film.com. "They're going to be performing as well, so we have two looks for the Grammys." A big night like this requires a lot of work on Tomaszewski's part, and although she hadn't yet finalized the brothers' entire getups, she did have their red-carpet look already in mind. "Right now, it's just a matter of pulling things in from the designers and waiting for things to come in," she said. "The men's [runway] shows just finished, so they're kind of seeing what's out there that they can give us. But, definitely on the red carpet, it's going to be tuxedo looks." She said that the guys always set out to be fashion icons and take dressing for events very seriously. And when she goes to pick looks for them, she considers their individual personalities. "Even though they're brothers, they really like to stand out as being individuals," she said. "I think it's important for them to stand out, but they are brothers and they are a band, so it still has to look like there's a common thread." For Kevin, she takes into account the fact that he's the oldest of the three guys. "Kevin likes to definitely wear the more fashionable clothes. He likes to kind of be a little bit more grown up in the way he dresses." Meanwhile, middle brother Joe is the more adventurous of the group. "He's the one who likes to take a little bit more risk in what he wears," she said. "He'll wear a bright color and he wears it really well." She added that Joe has the ability to wear untraditional looks. "Purple is not really a masculine color, but Joe makes it masculine," she shared. "It's strange how you put a color on Joe that you wouldn't think would look good on a guy, and he wears it well." Finally, she pointed out that although Nick is young, he has an "old soul." "He definitely has a more gentlemanly feel about him. Even though he looks fashionable, he's more serene about the way he looks," she said. "Each stands out with their personality, and I think that's what makes them look good." Will Lil Wayne grab all the gramophones? Is Katy Perry going to tell her girl rivals to kiss off? Can Coldplay march off with a win? MTV News is all over the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, so stay tuned for interviews, analysis and more before, during and after the big night, Sunday, February 8. Related Artists |
| Fantasia Barrino's Going Back To School; Will Attend Grammy Awards With Jennifer Hudson Posted: 06 Feb 2009 01:33 AM PST 'It's something that I really need to do,' said the 'American Idol' winner.
Fantasia has done a lot of things in the past five years: She's won "American Idol," received seven Grammy nominations, appeared on Broadway in "The Color Purple," released two hit albums and played herself in a Lifetime movie based on her rags-to-riches story. But there's one landmark the 24-year-old R&B belter hasn't reached that nags at her — finishing high school. See, Fantasia dropped out of Andrews High School in High Point, North Carolina, in ninth grade and two years later gave birth to her daughter, Zion Quari Barrino. But now, according to E! Online, Fantasia is going back to school for the sake of her daughter. "I've been talking about it for so long," Fantasia said. "I have a lot of young people who look up to me, like my 15-year-old brother and 7-year-old daughter. It's something that I really need to do and that I want to do." After months of speculation and rumor, the third-season "Idol" winner also confirmed that she's gotten her financial affairs back in order after facing the possible foreclosure and auction of one of her homes. "I had to sit back for a while and had to get some things settled," she explained. "I had been with a lot of people not doing what they said they were going to do. I didn't have time to sit back and cry. I didn't have time to go to a mental-health counselor. I had to keep my sh-- on straight — excuse my language! — and handle my business, because it's not just about me. It's about me and my whole family." She's reached an agreement to keep the home — though did not confirm rumors that "Idol" judge Simon Cowell helped her out of her financial jam — and said she's focused on keeping off the 20 pounds she recently lost and finishing up her third album, which she hopes to release later this year. Oh, and she's shopping a reality-TV show about her life. The other thing she's psyched about is attending the Grammy Awards this Sunday with her "best friend in the world," Jennifer Hudson. The pair are nominated for a Grammy for their duet, "I'm His Only Woman," and, thanks to her weight loss, Fantasia told E! she's planning on wearing a vintage dress. "I'm going vintage on the red carpet," Fantasia said. "I have lost 20 pounds, so now I can get into vintage, because the women back then were petite. They were very small. ... 2008 was a crazy year for Fantasia. '09 is totally different. '09 is my year." Will Lil Wayne grab all the gramophones? Is Katy Perry going to tell her girl rivals to kiss off? Can Coldplay march off with a win? MTV News is all over the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, so stay tuned for interviews, analysis and more before, during and after the big night, Sunday, February 8. Related Artists |
| Jessica Simpson 'Had An Off Night,' Rep Says Of Tearful Concert Posted: 06 Feb 2009 01:00 AM PST 'She's a perfectionist and wanted to start some songs over,' rep tells TMZ.
Jessica Simpson's rep responded to reports Friday (February 6) about the singer's show in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Thursday, reportedly telling TMZ.com that the singer had an "off night." "Jessica had an off night," the rep reportedly told TMZ. "She's a perfectionist and wanted to start some songs over. She always wants to give the best performance for her fans." According to the Grand Rapids Press, Simpson seemed to be struggling throughout her 38-minute opening set for Rascal Flatts. She had trouble with her ear monitors, forgot the lyrics to her single "Come on Over," and had the band start over on "Pray Out Loud," the Press reported. She also fought off tears several times during the set, at one point mouthing to the crowd that she was "sorry." "My voice is weak tonight," she said. She told the crowd, who seemed supportive of the singer, during her performance of closing song "Do You Know" that she wanted to "walk off the stage" and thanked the band for "having her back." Earlier in the show, Simpson dedicated "You're My Sunday" to boyfriend Tony Romo, who was rumored to be going to the show but wasn't in attendance. "I'm so excited because I get to see my boyfriend tomorrow," she said. "I love him so, so much." At a concert last week, Simpson vaguely addressed the scrutiny she'd been receiving, telling the crowd, "Please remember, no matter what you go through in life, somebody else might have it harder. So just appreciate. I feel like in our world today, we focus on so many things that are completely pointless." Many of Simpson's friends and family have publicly defended her, protesting the negative attention paid to the singer's body. "I think that the media puts too harsh of a spotlight on women in general, and I think it's a bummer," her brother-in-law Pete Wentz said. "It's bad for young women." Wentz added: "I see it affecting young girls who come to our shows, and that's a bummer. Real beauty is on the inside, man." Related Artists |
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