MTV News |
| 'Chris Brown & Rihanna: Love In Trouble' -- Check Out A Preview Posted: 13 Feb 2009 05:00 AM PST Show airs Monday at 6 p.m. ET/ PT on MTV.
NEW YORK — Shock and denial were the emotions most expressed by a roomful of New York City-area young people who gathered on Friday afternoon (February 13) to discuss the alleged altercation between Chris Brown and Rihanna and its ramifications. The conversation was a part of a forum held for the MTV News special, "Chris Brown And Rihanna: Love In Trouble," set to air Monday at 6 p.m. ET/PT. "He seemed like a good guy," said Lee Charm, 20, a musician from New Jersey, of Brown. "I hope that [the reports aren't] as bad as it seems, because domestic violence is serious." A number of audience members were dismayed that the seemingly happy couple could even come to blows. Some, like Melissa Bucano, 20, a college student at the Academy of Art — who said that, as a child, she witnessed her father turning violent against her mother — talked about the lingering trust issues following a domestic assault. Others, such as Viper Lewis, 19, of New York, were more blunt: "If she goes back to him, she'd be stupid," she said of Rihanna. Lewis added that both singers have made her "mad" as a result of the incident. The forum, moderated by MTV News' Kim Stolz, touched on a range of topics with two experts: Dr. Michelle Bell and Juan Ramos, senior director of the domestic violence accountability program at Safe Horizon, a victim-assistance organization dedicated to helping men and women deal with abuse. Safe Horizon provided some alarming statistics regarding relationship abuse among young couples: * One in three teenagers reportedly know a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, kicked, slapped, choked or physically hurt by their partner * 13 percent of teenage girls who said they have been in a relationship report being physically hurt or hit * If trapped in an abusive relationship, 73 percent of teens said they would turn to a friend for help, but only 33 percent of who have been in or known about an abusive relationship said they have told anyone The figures come from a study commissioned by Liz Claiborne Inc. conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited in February 2005. "Dr. Michelle," as she was called, spoke to the audience about the importance of recognizing the signs of an abusive relationship. "Any time there's fighting, restraining a person, jealousy, or control issues," is how she defined abuse. "A lot of stuff passes that we think is OK until a punch gets thrown, but it's not." In Brown's case, the singer has said in the past that his former stepfather had a history of abusing his mother (a claim his former stepfather disputed this week). Dr. Michelle explained that young men often take two stances in such situations: either they vow to maintain control over their actions, or they repeat the cycle. Ramos echoed the sentiment and added that if the allegations are true, Brown should take responsibility and use his voice to lead a discussion among his and Rihanna's fans. The issue of abuse isn't limited to solely relationships between men and women, as one woman in the audience was quick to point out. Dr. Michelle agreed, and said the same rules apply no matter the gender. She then issued a stern warning. "Nobody should be hitting anyone," she said. "Keep your hands to yourself!" MTV will air "Chris Brown & Rihanna: Love in Trouble" Monday, February 16, at 6 p.m. ET/PT. Get resources and information about domestic violence, or check out Think MTV for a video handbook on spotting the warning signs of abuse. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists | |
| Chris Brown 'Wants To Make Sure Rihanna Is OK,' Dad Says Posted: 13 Feb 2009 03:32 AM PST Clinton Brown tells People there are 'two sides to every story.'
Chris Brown's biological father, Clinton Brown, said that his son is at home and "filled with concern" about his alleged altercation with Rihanna. "He's reflecting on this situation," Brown, 44, a corrections officer, told People magazine in an interview near his home in Tappahannock, Virginia. "He's very remorseful. He's very concerned about the situation and he wants to make sure that [Rihanna's] OK. This is unfortunate, this stumble, this situation," Brown added. "Hopefully, he will get past it. We all have our shortcomings. We all trip." Brown had flown to Los Angeles to be with his son for the Grammy Awards — who later cancelled his appearance on the show, — but ultimately did not attend. Brown told the magazine there are "two sides to every story. If you are on his side, you are on his side," he said. "Just because someone trips, if you are truly a fan, you are not going to demonize him instantaneously." Noting that he spoke with his son on Thursday, Brown declined to reveal where Chris is, but said, "Let's just say he's home. Just know that he's home. He needed some time to get his thoughts together and regroup." Brown said his son is "lovable young man" and worries how people are going to treat him in light of the allegations. "This music industry is very unforgiving when it comes to having indiscretions," Brown said. "He will continue to be a good person. He loves people. And like most of us, most humans, things will occur. And hopefully a person won't be judged simply on that alone." Clinton says that despite everything that has happened, "As a father, I couldn't be more proud. He's the light of my life," adding, "I think he's [going to] grow as an individual. He's going to take from this situation and learn from it." Brown's sister has also spoken about the situation. Brown's former stepfather, Donnelle Hawkins, disputed the singer's earlier claims that he had abused Chris' mother. Fans have commented in droves on the situation. MTV will air "Chris Brown & Rihanna: Love in Trouble" Monday, February 16, at 6 p.m. ET/PT. Get resources and information about domestic violence, or check out Think MTV for a video handbook on spotting the warning signs of abuse. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists | |
| Kanye West Says 'Best Hip-Hop Beats Of All Time' Will Be On Jay-Z's <i>The Blueprint 3</i> Posted: 13 Feb 2009 03:57 AM PST 'He's got songs that are better than any of the things you've heard leaked,' West says.
Another Jay-Z song leaked online last month — that's OK, just make some more. Kanye West says he's just a handful of records away from finishing Jay's The Blueprint 3, again. "I finished his album and he released four songs that were potentially gonna be on the album," West said last week on Sway and King Tech's "Wake Up Show." "So I gotta go back and do four. I just did one beat the other day in Hawaii — probably one of the best hip-hop beats of all time, if I do say so myself. I just gotta do three more beats and we're done, 'cause he's got classics. He's got songs that are better than any of the things you've heard leaked." Two records that Kanye says should make B3's final cut are "Everyday a Star is Born" and "Forever Young." "You know what it was — every year I do two albums' worth of really dope beats," he explained. "This year, Common did his album with Pharrell, and I did 808s & Heartbreak and Blueprint 3. So just imagine the caliber of beats on the last two Common albums I did — Jay-Z has those types of beats. Those caliber of beats. A beat like 'The People,' that's the highest caliber of beat." In 2009, at least one album's worth of beats looks like it will be set aside for a Kanye LP. "I'm just gonna do what I'm gonna do and people are gonna love it because I do really fresh sh--," he laughed. "When I do it, I feel like I'm gonna rap, I'm gonna go back-and-forth on it. I feel like I'm gonna sing here and there. Because I used Auto-Tune so much, it put me in the mode of doing melodies. I got a new song coming out with Beyoncé called 'Ego.' I don't know why she wanted me on it. I didn't use Auto-Tune, but I hit certain lines because I used it so much it's like almost having training wheels. So it's incorporating new styles." Kanye doesn't have a release date for his LP, and there's no firm date for The Blueprint 3, either. Related Videos Related Artists | |
| Did 50 Cent Take Beef Too Far With Threat To DJ Khaled's Mother? Posted: 13 Feb 2009 09:34 AM PST Fif posts, and then removes, online video claiming to show Khaled's mother's home and workplace.
It went deeper than rap, and in many people's minds, it crossed the line of hip-hop battling. On Wednesday, 50 Cent released a dis video on ThisIs50.com called "A Psychic Told Me," in which he threatens DJ Khaled and his mother. In the clip, 50 is sitting down in the studio, writing a poem, then the footage switches to a house that he claims belongs to Khaled's mom. Later, 50 says he knows where DJ Khaled lives and all but takes responsibility for the DJ's car tires recently being slashed. Then the video shows some men in Thisis50.com T-Shirts arriving at Khaled's mother's purported workplace. The woman they claim is the DJ's mother is asleep at a desk, as the cameraman zooms in on photos of Khaled and Fat Joe. At the end of the video, 50 declares he has "less compassion than the average human." He crumples the poem he was working on, a ThisIs50.com logo comes on the screen and there is the sound of gunshots.
Viewers were left in a state of shock, as the clip seems to indicate that the beef between 50, Rick Ross and Khaled has taken an uglier turn. Meanwhile, both Khaled and Ross were in New York on Thursday, shooting a video that had nothing to do with hip-hop quarrels, but in fact promoted unity. The two Miami hip-hop staples joined Fabolous, Ludacris and Juelz Santana for The-Dream's video for the remix of "Rockin' That Thang." On the set, Khaled refused to address the 50 issue. "I'm not gonna let him bait me," he said. But Ricky Ross had plenty to say on the latest round. "I'mma be honest; I didn't have a reaction," Ross said. "Watching that, understanding the monkey, it's like its no threat whatsoever. ... To me, it's a sign of reassuring you're people's safety. Where I come from, Gs, if they had that information [of where your enemies and their families live], I'm not exposing nothing. I'm acting like I don't know nothing. To the real Gs, they don't even watch it or entertain it. ... Khaled, his mom knows she's safe. All the Gs worldwide know what it is, and it gets no points." In his defense, 50 told radio personality Miss Info that his threat to Khaled's mom was in response to ThisIsCurly.com, a site promoting Ross' album that had featured a picture of Fif's son Marquise Photoshopped on the head of a monkey. "How come everyone hears the shot, but nobody sees the slap before the shot?" 50 asked Miss Info. He also further explained his fight strategy: "You push, I punch. You stab, I shoot." Info says Ross' camp denied having anything to do with ThisIsCurly.com, which has since apparently been hacked. It now appears to be a site for a sex shop that is streaming 50's own "Pimpin' Curly" spoof video, in which he wears a wig and plays a crude pimp, apparently responding to Ross' dis record, "Kiss My Pinky Ring, Curly." The video of the threat to Khaled and his mom was removed from ThisIs50 on Thursday. In the meantime, however, 50 released a new dis record called "Tia Told Me," referring to Tia Kemp, Ross' baby's mother. The G-Unit also just dropped a dis video for "I'll Be the Shooter." At press time, reps for 50 Cent had no comment on the situation. Related Videos Related Artists | |
| Fans React To People Blaming Rihanna For Alleged Altercation With Chris Brown Posted: 13 Feb 2009 08:47 AM PST MTV will air 'Chris Brown & Rihanna: Love in Trouble' Monday, February 16, at 6 p.m. ET/PT.
The news about Chris Brown's alleged assault on girlfriend Rihanna has clearly touched a nerve with the public. Judging from the hundreds of comments readers left on our story about why some people are blaming Rihanna for the alleged incident and another about reports that this isn't the first time the couple's relationship has allegedly gotten physical, whatever happened last Sunday morning, you want to talk about it. (MTV will air "Chris Brown & Rihanna: Love in Trouble" — an in-depth look at the allegations of domestic violence that Brown faces, featuring journalists, industry professionals and an in-studio audience of young fans — on Monday, February 16, at 6 p.m. ET/PT.) The range of emotions runs the gamut, from those agreeing that Rihanna should not be made a scapegoat in this saga, to others begging for a story about how, "media commonly condemns celebs before all the facts are out or before they have been convicted." Brown, 19, turned himself in and was booked on suspicion of making criminal threats in the incident, though the District Attorney's office kicked the case back to the police on Wednesday asking for more evidence. Commenters in the MTV community have written were some disturbing, profanity-laced attacks on Rihanna and others targeting Brown. Then there were some like JoyinSF, who wrote, "You can stand behind an artist because of their music, but you cannot stand beyond bad decisions that hurt other people. There are men who are abused by their girlfriends and wives too, but still, both ways, abuse is wrong and I'm glad we can finally shed light on an issue that so many women around the world suffer in silence. No one deserves abuse and they did not bring it upon themselves."
Others raised speculation that there is more to the story than we know. ThusSpoke who got into a heated exchange with some other posters and suggested, "You see it all the time TV and in the movies ... women slapping, kicking, pushing men like they have a license or some sort of special privilege to do so without repercussion. While it is accepted as not politically correct to hit a woman, people seem to not find particular exception to men being physically assaulted be women. Double standard? I am always offended by any abuse towards either sex. Equality of the sexes works both ways. How do we know she is not the one that attacked him and he simply protected himself? Perhaps he is the victim." Neither Brown nor Rihanna has made a public statement to date and their spokespeople have not returned multiple requests for comment. A number of comments were pleading with fans and the media to wait until the facts come out. "Maybe EVERYONE should stop speculating and wait until one of the two come out publicly and explain what happened," noneofyourbusiness2 wrote. Others had more selfish reasons for hoping both singers are OK and make it through this difficult time. "In all honesty! I'm prayin for both of them cuz NOBODY knows what really went down!," said Courtneee. "I'm more worried bout the MUSIC than anything else." There were readers who questioned the many tabloid news sources that are primarily driving the story. "I don't think TMZ has any real 'sources' they're just saying that to make it 'legal,' " wrote DKFAN. Others said the chain of events as portrayed in tabloid tales simply doesn't make sense. "If you're in a car, how can you hit someone while you're driving and not run into something?" Mz. Dixon asked. Some fans are mad at the radio stations that have banned Brown's music. "They don't even know what really happened that is so childish and doesn't make sense so darn stupid," wrote anonymous. "We should all stop listening to the radio stations or TV channels that does this all together ... this is his personal life it's not suppose to have anything to do with it business wise." Another anonymous poster, who claimed to be from a home where there was domestic violence, begged for the media to stop bringing up the interviews in which Brown has talked about the alleged domestic abuse he saw his mother endure when he was a child. "That has nothing to do with anything that happened between them," "anonymous" wrote. "It is so annoying, coming from a home of domestic violence does not define who you will turn out to be ... there are people who come from violent homes and they turn out to be very good people and vice versa there are people who come from very good homes and now are criminals so what is the point you guys are trying to make?? This has nothing to do with the situation whatsoever." While few could agree on how they felt about the issue, a majority did second the words of Chiquita, who wrote, "No woman ever deserves to be hit. Shame on any of you for thinking you can justify abuse. If he felt he was treated wrongly, there were plenty of other options than hitting." "Chris Brown & Rihanna: Love in Trouble" airs Monday, February 16, at 6 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. Get resources and information about domestic violence, or check out Think MTV for a video handbook on spotting the warning signs of abuse. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists | |
| Juelz Santana Denies He's Addicted To Syrup Posted: 12 Feb 2009 10:43 PM PST Cam'ron's allegations were 'a shocker,' Santana says.
Cam'ron has shocked Juelz Santana. In the new issue of XXL, Cam says he stopped speaking to Juelz because the youngest member of the Diplomats became addicted to sipping syrup a few years ago while on tour with Lil Wayne. Cam told the publication he tried to intervene — even bringing Santana's mom in the mix for help — but Santana wouldn't listen.
"Juelz started drinking syrup — Robitussin," Cam said. "He got hooked onto it, addicted to it. You would come to the studio and see a hundred Hawaiian Punch pre-mixed with the stuff in it. We already smoked mad weed; you don't need to be on Robitussin." Cam also compared drinking a little bit of syrup to smoking a little bit of crack. Santana defended himself, saying Cam's claims are ridiculous. "For him to say he stop messing with me because I was drinking syrup — that's like Baby saying he doesn't mess with Wayne because he was drinking syrup," Santana said Thursday in Brooklyn while shooting scenes for The-Dream's "Rockin' That Thang" remix video. "He just wanted to say something and that was probably the only way he could say something and keep his character up. I was never addicted to syrup. I used to drink it on occasion. I don't know where that came from. [His comments] were a shocker to me, like, 'Damn, you would stoop low like that?' With his stomach situation, he was doing Percocet. It's not for me to say, 'Because he was using Percocet, I stopped speaking to Cam.' You'll say, 'I do Percocet because of my stomach.' But I've seen you do Percocet when your stomach is not bothering you. So that's besides the point." Juelz inferred that Cam's revelation is just to get publicity for the upcoming Crime Pays LP. "I still don't have the date for my album; what I told y'all about my [problems with Cam] wasn't to promote an album," Santana explained. "A lot of people asked me what was going on. I didn't want to bad-mouth, but I had to let them know the situation wasn't right business-wise ... at the end of the day, he never really answered the question, 'Did you do Juelz dirty, business-wise?' He said something like, 'What was Juelz doing before he met me?' Everybody has somebody that gave them their shot. He's trying to manipulate the situation to me. I was 15 before I met Cam. Obviously I wasn't doing too, too much. I never claimed to be a big drug dealer. I was in the 'hood looking for a way out and he gave it to me. But in the process, he took advantage. Let's get to that. When you see his interviews, he never really gets into that. He sways around it. But it's cool with me. I still wish him the best. But that syrup comment — I didn't understand where that came from. "He has an album coming out — April, right?" Santana continued. "I kinda understand where it came from now. At the end of the day, if he was so much of a brother, he could have just called me or sat me down, not trying to call this person and that person. Not comparing syrup to crack. C'mon man. He knows I ain't buying it." Related Videos Related Artists | |
| MTV To Air 'Chris Brown & Rihanna: Love In Trouble,' Monday At 6 P.M. Posted: 13 Feb 2009 09:36 AM PST Half-hour show will take a look at the events and ramifications surrounding alleged altercation between the two singers.
With "Chris Brown & Rihanna: Love in Trouble," MTV News will take an in-depth look at the allegations of domestic violence that Chris Brown faces after an alleged altercation with Rihanna last weekend. For the special, which airs Monday, February 16, at 6 p.m. ET/PT, MTV News has gathered journalists, industry professionals and other experts — as well as an in-studio audience of young fans — to provide insight and commentary about what the incident means for both artists' careers and lives, and society in general. The special will take a look at the couple's year-long relationship and will also examine the influence the alleged domestic violence between Brown's former stepfather and mother may have had on him. "Chris Brown & Rihanna: Love in Trouble" will also look at the events that took place on the night the alleged altercation occurred. Plus, it will look at how this incident has touched on issues that face young people in relationships every day and what can be done to avoid them. A relationship expert will be on hand to offer advice for young people who find themselves facing domestic violence issues. "Chris Brown & Rihanna: Love in Trouble" airs Monday, February 16, at 6 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. Get resources and information about domestic violence, or check out Think MTV for a video handbook on spotting the warning signs of abuse. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists | |
| Nolan Gerard Funk Hopes For 'Spectacular!' Career Break Posted: 13 Feb 2009 01:20 AM PST The young Canadian stars in Nickelodeon's answer to 'High School Musical.'
It's a tale as old as time: A kid growing up in Canada is a gymnast competing all around the country. Then one day his dentist's wife puts the idea into his head that maybe he should try acting. OK, maybe the story's not that typical, but that's how it happened for newcomer Nolan Gerard Funk, who stars in Nickelodeon's movie musical, "Spectacular!" "When I was 13, my dentist got me in the business," he said. "I needed a new dentist. I called him up, I went in, and somehow I got talking to his wife and she was like, 'Our kid's in the business.' She sent me to an acting school, and that's how I got discovered. I was discovered through my dentist." That led to small roles in shows like "Smallville," "Supernatural" and "Aliens in America." But Funk hopes that having the lead role in "Spectacular!" will be his big break. "I play Nikko, who is this too-cool-for-school, daring, bold, confident, edgy rocker, and he gets kicked out of his band and dumped by his girlfriend," he explained. "But he is so determined to become a rock star, he's willing to do anything to get there." It's a role that he can relate to since, like Nikko, he's faced adversity from outside forces about pursuing his dream of being a performer. "I have a lot of similarities with Nikko. We both love performing. And we both have people in our lives telling us we couldn't do it, and we should focus on getting a real job. And I think also a big similarity is that I've had to learn so many lessons about being considerate of other people." So what happens in a post-"Spectacular!" world for Funk? "I've been doing some TV shows. I'm doing this show 'Castle,' " he shared. "I've got a few movies in development with the studios. I've got a few other films coming out." With a career still in its fledgling stages, Funk has an idea of some of the work he'd like to do in the future. "I'd like to work with great directors and other actors. I'm a big fan of directors like Baz Luhrmann and Paul Thomas Anderson," he said. "And there's a lot of great up-and-coming directors I'd like to work with. I love good material." | |
| Perez Hilton Joins Britney Spears' <i>Circus</i> Tour Posted: 12 Feb 2009 10:16 PM PST Celebrity blogger will appear in a video that will air at the beginning of each show.
Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton is the newest member of Britney Spears' traveling circus this spring. When the pop star hits the road next month for her Circus tour not only will she be joined by the Pussycat Dolls, but she'll also have Perez Hilton there for every one of her dates — sort of ... The blogger will not actually be hitting the road with the singer. He was asked by the tour's director/ choreographer, Jamie King, to tape a video that will air at the beginning of each stop on the tour. "King told us that he had a dream about Perez and wanted us to be a part of the Circus," Hilton blogged on his site. "His dream is the video we shot last weekend, which is the opening video for the entire show. Britney was down with the idea and we, of course, said yes! We are thrilled to be a part of it!" In a photo on Britney Spears' official Web site, fans get a taste of what they can expect from Hilton. For his part, Hilton will be dressed as something he describes as "The Ringleader/ Queen Elizabeth I" for the video, a role he said is "super rad." "We've seen a bit of the rehearsals, and the best way we can describe it is sensory overload and amazing," Hilton said on his site. "The show is not only 'in the round,' but there are three circus rings with action going on in all of them — dancers, acrobats, aerialists and more. It's major! We can't wait to see how it all comes together!" Speaking of her rehearsals, apparently the pop star has been sharing rehearsal space with Nine Inch Nails, according to Britney's Web site. "I can hear the thumping low end of Britney Spears," a comment from NIN's Trent Reznor says on the site. "It's been a treat having them here the whole time we've been here." Spears' manager, Adam Leber, said that Britney and NIN have been getting along "famously," adding, "Maybe we should ask Trent Reznor to remix Circus?" Related Artists | |
| Paramore's Hayley Williams Has Food On The Brain Posted: 12 Feb 2009 11:08 PM PST Frontwoman reveals a working title for one of the band's new songs: 'Sumo Sandwich.'
Paramore have a list of priorities — demoing their new record, rehearsing for their upcoming tour with No Doubt and, uh, finding something to eat. In a blog post on the band's official site, frontwoman Hayley Williams writes about the progress of all three ... with a special focus on the status of Paramore's much-anticipated new album and her gustatory struggles. "We decided not to go to our practice space today. Each of us are at our respective homes writing our own stuff to bring to practice tomorrow. Doubtful we'll all be successful," she wrote. "I'm still finishing lyrics to some of the music demos we've already recorded. Some perdy good shtuff here! "I'm stuck here at home," she continued. "There's nothing to eat here but one pack of ramen. No, really." Cue the Fueled By Ramen puns. Since the beginning of the year, Williams and Paramore have been working on the follow-up to Riot! in their home state of Tennessee. They've been keeping fans updated on their progress via photos on their site (and the occasional blog), which show them rehearsing new tunes. In one post, Williams refers to one new song as carrying the working title "Sumo Sandwich" (she really does have food on the brain). The stated plan is to record the new album in Nashville, though it's not known just who will produce it. A spokesperson for Fueled By Ramen/ Atlantic Records told MTV News that the band intend to have the new album in stores after they wrap their tour with No Doubt, which kicks off in May. Related Artists |
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