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| Ne-Yo Spoke With Rihanna About Altercation, Wants To Talk To Chris Brown Posted: 23 Feb 2009 04:28 AM PST Singer says Rihanna is 'fine,' but the leaked photo 'hurt me to my heart.'
When Ne-Yo found out about the allegations of violence between Chris Brown and Rihanna, he knew he couldn't get the story from a third party. Concerned for both his friends, the singer wanted to speak to them personally. On Monday afternoon (February 23), a still-stunned Ne-Yo offered his thoughts. "I wanted to talk to them before I made a comment," he said about the much-publicized incident that occurred several hours before the Grammy Awards on February 8. Brown turned himself in to police during the awards show and was booked on suspicion of making criminal threats and released. "I spoke to Rihanna. She says she's fine. She didn't go into detail about what happened. I understand it's a painful situation; I didn't push." Like so many of Rihanna's fans, friends and family members, Ne-Yo said he was grief-stricken after viewing the recently leaked photo of a bruised and apparently battered Rihanna shortly after her altercation with Brown. "I saw the picture," he said solemnly. "That just really — that hurt me to my heart, man. Again, I still don't know what happened, 'cause I haven't had the opportunity to talk to Chris yet. But to take it to that level really hurt my heart. All I can say is, I'm praying for both of them. They're both in my prayers. I haven't had a chance to talk to Chris yet. I just wanna sit down and talk to that dude and just explain if he doesn't understand: 'That's not something that's excusable, bruh. You have to get a little smarter about whatever it is going on in your relationship. You have to get a little smarter about how you handle certain situations.' " Still, Ne-Yo refused to be Brown's judge and jury. "I'm not going to crucify him," Ne-Yo said. "I'm not going to do that. That's still my homeboy at the end of the day. For it to go to that level was wrong. I won't say who was responsible. I won't pick no sides. I'm just saying it was wrong [that] it had to happen like that, and I'm praying for the both of them." Ne-Yo has had very close ties to Brown and Rihanna. In 2006, Brown and Ne-Yo co-headlined a tour that featured Lil Wayne and Juelz Santana. In 2005, Ne-Yo and Rihanna became two of the main pieces of the Def Jam puzzle when then-president Jay-Z had a hand in signing both acts. Ne-Yo penned his duet with Rihanna "I Hate That I Love You." Go here for domestic violence resources, or check out Think MTV for a video handbook on spotting the warning signs of abuse. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Lil Wayne Producers Play N Skillz Lead Dallas Hip-Hop Scene Posted: 24 Feb 2009 04:52 AM PST 'We are blessed,' Play, of the double-Grammy-winning duo, says.
DALLAS — Play N Skillz could definitely get used to this. Two Grammy ceremonies, two Grammy Awards — the brothers from Dallas, haven't come away empty-handed yet. "We are blessed," Play said the day after this year's Grammy Awards. Play and his brother Skillz won a Grammy in 2007 for their work on Chamillionaire's "Ridin' Dirty" and, just a few weeks ago, took another trophy home when Lil Wayne was honored with Rap Album of the Year. The duo produced the monster "Got Money." "It was the best album of 2008; one of the best albums in a long time, hip-hop-wise," Play said of Lil Wayne's latest LP. "It's a blessing to be a part of Tha Carter III and have a single." The fact that "Got Money" even made it into Lil Wayne's hands is a miracle. The track was originally erased by an engineer, and the duo had to make it all over from scratch. Then, Slim Thug, Plies and Pitbull all recorded verses over the instrumental at one time or another, but due to label politics or creative differences chose not to use the song for their projects. T-Pain then took custody of the record, but sat on it for so long that Play N Skillz almost asked for it back. Eventually, Pain passed the record to Wayne, who worked his magic. "It was a marathon," Play said. "That album had so many release dates ... then we was hoping our song didn't get leaked. We was hoping that this song didn't end up on DJ Drama's Gangsta Grillz 28 and then don't make it to the album." Juan Carlos "Play" Salinas and his sibling Oscar "Skillz" have been dreaming of making music since they were kids. The two were born to Venezuelan immigrants and lived a large part of their lives in a two-bedroom apartment. When their parents saw how serious the DJs-turned-producers were about making music, they moved to the living room and let the brothers convert the master bedroom into a mini-studio. Play N Skillz would eventually pay their parents back by buying them a house, which was a great surprise to mom and pops. Before their big breakthrough with Chamillionaire, Lil' Flip put them in the game with his You Gotta Feel Me LP. Now cats such as 50 Cent, Bun B and, of course, T-Pain and Lil Wayne hit them up regularly for tracks. On the night they spoke to MTV News in Dallas, they had three different sessions going with Slim Thug, Pitbull and Paul Wall, all longtime friends. "For Paul, we're trying to push the envelope with this one," Skillz said. "Everyone's heard him on screwed and chopped records ... Jermaine Dupri did a good job on a couple records with him," Play added. "We're trying to do something a little different with him, and he's willing to take a chance. We're recording a song called 'Cadillac' right now. It's an ode to all the Cadillacs we ride out here. It sounds like he's talking to a woman, like he's in love with a woman, but it's his car. It's a remake of a Ready For the World record. It's something different for Paul." As for Slim, the brothers — who released their own album in 2004, The Process — say it's a miracle they even are getting work done with Thugger, as they usually go to the club instead of record. Pitbull is the wild card. "Pit is incredible," Skillz added. "He works fast." "You just gotta keep up with him," Play chimed in. "He's one of those guys you never know what's gonna happen. He can give you a girl record, he'll make a house record, he can tear you up lyrically. It's always fun working with him. There's nothing we can't try." In addition to working with established acts, Play N Skillz are looking forward to helping some of the local talent blow, like their artists Bug Tuck and Tum Tum. They say that Dallas' new burgeoning music scene is primed for mainstream love. "The wave of technology has really helped people," Play said of songs such as the GS Boyz's "Stanky Legg" and B-Hamp's "Do the Ricky Bobby" that have gotten big on the Internet and are starting to spread nationally on radio. "Now records are getting started on YouTube and MySpace. They get popular there and, believe it or not, some of these [radio] programmers are going onto these Web sites and looking for talent." Dallas has a lot to offer! In the coming days, we're bringing you details on the city's burgeoning hip-hop movement — from dances to fashion to hairstyles and, of course, the music. We got it all, so keep checking back for more during Dallas Week. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Blink-182 Timeline: From 'Indefinite Hiatus' To Long-Rumored Reunion Posted: 23 Feb 2009 02:38 AM PST What have the guys been up to the past four years?
Four years ago, Blink-182 shocked the world by announcing they were going on "indefinite hiatus." The news broke in a brief statement from the band's management, one that hinted at internal strife and ended with words that would prove strangely prophetic, given everything that would follow: "While there is no set plan for the band to begin working together again, no one knows what tomorrow may bring." Needless to say, it's been a rather eventful "break," full of squabbles and side projects, grandiose statements and near-death experiences. There were times when things looked bleak, but ultimately (and, to be honest, thankfully), the story ended in reconciliation. So, in celebration of the reunited Blink-182, MTV News decided to take a look back at the past four years by compiling a timeline of our coverage of the band, stories that chronicle Blink's split, spats and survival — not to mention a look ahead at what fans can expect from the band this summer. February 22, 2005: "Blink-182 Announce 'Indefinite Hiatus' As Breakup Rumors Swirl" February 23, 2005: "Travis Barker Sets The Record Straight On Blink-182 Hiatus" April 8, 2005: "Blink-182's Hoppus, Barker Form Electronic Side Project" June 6, 2005: "Blink-182 Reunion Rumor Causes Premature Exhilaration" September 16, 2005: "Blink's Tom DeLonge Promises 'The Greatest Rock And Roll Revolution' " October 3, 2005: "Tom DeLonge Breaking Silence On Blink With Autobiographical LP, Movie" October 28, 2005: "Tom DeLonge: No More Compromises" May 23, 2006: Angels & Airwaves' Debut, We Don't Need To Whisper, Is Released July 21, 2006: "Mark Hoppus, Travis Barker Break +44 Silence, Talk 'The Real Tom' " August 23, 2006: "+44 Address Blink Breakup On LP, Want Fans To 'Hear The Truth' " November 14, 2006: +44's Debut, When Your Heart Stops Beating, Is Released May 17, 2007: +44 Work A Cover Of Blink's "What's My Age Again" Into Live Sets September 19, 2007: "Angels & Airwaves' Revolution Has Begun — Just Wait 29 Years, Tom DeLonge Insists" November 6, 2007: I-Empire Is Released September 22, 2008: "DJ AM And Travis Barker Critically Injured In Private Plane Crash in South Carolina" October 6, 2008: "Tom DeLonge Comments On Travis Barker Plane Crash" November 13, 2008: "Travis Barker Is Healing 'Incredibly Well,' +44 Bandmate Mark Hoppus Says" November 19, 2008: "Is A Blink-182 Reunion In The Cards?" December 1, 2008: "Travis Barker Quashes Blink-182 Reunion Rumors" January 12, 2009: "Exclusive: Mark Hoppus Talks Blink-182 Reunion" February 5, 2009: "Blink-182 To Reunite At Grammys" February 6, 2009: "Are Blink-182 Working On A New Album?" February 8, 2009: "Blink-182 Confirm Reunion On Grammy Stage" February 10, 2009: "Will The Blink-182 Reunion Change The World?" |
| Rick Ross Vows To Outsell 50 Cent: <i>Mixtape Monday</i> Posted: 23 Feb 2009 04:52 AM PST Plus: Flo Rida keeps it 'hood with Freestyle Kronikles 3.
Artist: Flo Rida Representing: Miami Mixtape: Freestyle Kronikles 3 411: One thing to get out there before we start: DJs, no disrespect to any y'all out there. (What up, Dram? We gotta go to Grand Luxe again soon!) We know the competition to get the music out there first is at an all-time fever pitch. But if you're going to leak a record, at least wait until the person doing the song gets a chance to lay his vocals. Reference tracks don't mean anything, if you really think about it. Now, let's get down to business. We're keeping it all Miami this week. Flo Rida (sorry for keeping you out in the snow) is our main pick this week, then later, Ricky Ross has some lofty goals for himself. Look out for that. When you're selling records at Flo Rida's pace, you can make fun of yourself. "I guess they can call me a two-hit wonder," he joked, standing in New York's Times Square last week. Flo had just received the news that his new single "Right Round" broke iTunes' singles record for digital downloads in one week — more than 635,000 sold, topping 50 Cent, Eminem and Dr. Dre's record for "Crack a Bottle." "Don't say that; you're giving me goose bumps," Flo said of the track's success. "Right Round" is the first single from his March 31 LP, R.O.O.T.S. (Route of Overcoming the Struggle). Rick Ross, Brisco, Ne-Yo, Akon and Pitbull are all featured. No matter how much pop love he gets, he's not leaving his rap roots. Flo and DJ Kronik connected thoughts for the mixtape Freestyle Kronikles 3. "I'mma be putting out tapes for a long time, but this Freestyle Kronikles 3, it was hard to do a mixtape on the road, overseas," Flo Rida said. "A lot of times, they didn't even use the same voltage, so it's kind of hard to hook up the U.S. connections to the overseas connections, but at the same time, I had to put out a tape." Joints To Check For » "Who Hotter Than Me" freestyle. "That's the Plies beat. I'm from the M.I. Yayo, the state of Florida, the Sunshine State," Flo declared. "I had to jump on that record and put a little freestyle on it. That beat has that 'hood knock, that bass, that bottom." » "Live Your Life" freestyle. "I recorded this when I was in London," Rida described. "We went in the closet [to lay the vocals]. I had my studio on the road. I felt like, you know, I'm definitely living life by being Mr. International. I'm traveling to places like Africa, Sweden, doing 50,000 in Denmark. That's where the inspiration came from. You'll hear some versatility. A lot of times I do the party records, but this time I'm giving you straight 'hood. Like when I first came out with the 'Birthday Cake' record, when I pulled out the 'Everybody Gotta Eat.' People know I'm well-rounded, still doing my thing in the 'hood. But it's a little different now. I got the Maybach, the mansion. I'm blessed. Thanks to my fans." » "Just Know Dat" street mix (featuring Brisco and Lil Wayne). "Just know that I'm here to stay," Flo Rida said. "Brisco put it down very lyrically. That's my twin. Every time he do something, I always wanna do the remix, or vice versa. Shout-out to Weezy. He always lets me know: 'Flo, you got something.' I know I always have to bring my A-game when I jump on the track with him." Don't Sleep: Other Notable Selections This Week » Don Cannon and Derty Den - Heatwave 'Hood's Heavy Rotation: Bubbling Below The Radar » Fonzworth Bentley (featuring Anthony Hamilton) - "Greener" The Streets Is Talking: News & Notes From The Underground Rick Ross says if you judge him on making music, then his Deeper Than Rap LP (due March 24) should make a bigger splash on the SoundScan charts than 50 Cent's Get Rich or Die Tryin'. "That's for sport," Ross said about his dis raps aimed at 50. The Miami monster said his underground records won't overshadow the hits on his album. "My freestyles as you could hear them, 'Kiss My Pinky Ring,' I do them in 20 minutes and put them out there. Those crumble empires. People listening to how potent the music is. That's all this really is for me. I'm not really excited yet. All this is a platform for me to show people how talented I am. How much better of a lyricist I am. So if [50] sold 10 [million], my next album should sell 12." All the extra aside, Ross is spitting on all the Deeper Than Rap records that have leaked so far. The album is sounding like it will definitely be one of the premier offerings of 2009. "On Top of the World" came out Friday, and a week before that, he dropped "Cigar Music." " 'Cigar Music,' that song is, after you release a song like 'Mafia Music,' it's like playing chess," he said. "Once you clean the table, once you make your moves, once you're satisfied with your result, once you understand the opponent, at some point you gotta sit back and fire up your cigar. That's what I did that record for. It's the calm after the storm. It's timeless music and a preview to let than fans know how much my music has matured. Shout-out to Bink [who produced the track]. I think it's a record that can be appreciated by people who really love clean music." Deeper Than Rap has guest spots from Nas, Mary J. Blige and Lil Wayne, and last week on "106 & Park," Kanye West revealed he will be featured on "Maybach Music 2." For other artists featured in Mixtape Monday, check out Mixtape Mondays Headlines. Related Videos Related Artists |
| L.A. Reid Has High Hopes For Jay-Z's <i>Blueprint 3</i> Posted: 23 Feb 2009 12:49 AM PST The Island Def Jam chairman also says he still believes in Jermaine Dupri.
Island Def Jam's chairman is watching to see what Jay-Z does with Blueprint 3 just as (or even more) intently as the average Hov fan. The record exec says it's not unrealistic to think the album will come out on Def Jam instead of through his Live Nation deal. "We still have an arrangement with Jay-Z," Reid said recently in Los Angeles. "He and I are really good friends, and we enjoy working together, and we're hoping we could figure it out. If we can't figure it out, it won't lessen my interest in his record and in his career. My relationship with him goes much deeper than what company it's on. To me, the Blueprint 3 is an important album, however it comes out. If it comes out in a cereal box, it doesn't matter to me. As long as it's one of the great records of our time."
Reid says Blueprint 3 is not just important for Jay and the company that releases it. "I wanna know that artists like Jay-Z and business people like Jay-Z can have a 40-year career," L.A. explained. "I wanna see the first hip-hop artist have a 40 year career. I wanna know that hip-hop has the legs, and it wasn't a trend in music. It wasn't something that can come and go, but it will stick around and last. No different from rock music, no different from pop music." When Jay left Def Jam as a business exec last year, Reid said it was done very amicably. The same cannot be said for Jermaine Dupri, who was in charge of the acts coming out of Island Records' Urban Music department, including girlfriend Janet Jackson. When JD left the label in January, it was in a huff, and he publicly accused L.A. of being jealous and hindering his performance. "I'm dealing with a lot of jealousy and have been since I first came in the business," Dupri told Essence.com. "When you're younger, they don't want to listen to you because they know you are keener and people listen to the younger person in the office. In corporate America, this is something that I started feeling a lot. "I saw a side of him that I had never seen before and that to me was a jealous side," Dupri added. "I don't know if I should be around people who are jealous of me. Mariah Carey sold more records in that entire Def Jam building, and all of that was through my singles; so I'm looking like the golden boy. I only started thinking about it after I left." For his part, Reid says he didn't take Dupri's comments to heart. He says in his mind, nothing has changed between the two of them. "Jermaine is a hit maker," Reid said. "Jermaine will always be a hit maker. Maybe this wasn't the best fit for Jermaine. It doesn't lessen my belief in him or affect my friendship with him, no matter what have may been said or written." Related Videos Related Artists |
| N.O.R.E. Charged With Battery In Fatburger Incident Posted: 23 Feb 2009 01:55 AM PST On Twitter, MC -- also known as Noreaga -- disputes police report that flowers were involved.
N.O.R.E. — also known as Noreaga — is accused of punching an unidentified man three times at a Fatburger in South Beach, Florida. He was charged with simple battery and disorderly conduct, a police spokesperson told MTV News, who added that the MC threw a "yellow liquid" and was charged with "disrupting the normal flow of business." The spokesperson also told MTV News that Nore allegedly vandalized one of the restaurant's flower bouquets. Miami Beach police arrived at the scene after calls of the disturbance to find Nore leaving with three of his associates; Nore and company were detained and the entire party was arrested. On Monday, Nore took to his Twitter page to contest the report. "There were no flowers involved," he wrote. "Repeat, no flowers." Fans probably got a kick out of flowers being part of the equation — in 2005, Nore reportedly threw a flower pot at Nas during a dispute between the two. Nore also said his history of violence is far behind him, and he has grown. "Seriously though, I am not a man for negative behavior, at least not now in my career and in my life ... I am way too grown to be getting locked up and in jail! LOL." Nore also told fans that he is not deviating from his much-publicized diet. Late last year, he started detailing his exercise regimen and weight loss on vlogs. But he's still eating healthy: He is below the 300 pounds-plus he was at just last summer. He even joked about the 210 pounds he's listed in police reports. "I didn't realize that most off y'all don't know that Johnnie Rockets, McDonald's and Fatburgers all have veggie burgers! LOL." Nore and his partner Capone are releasing another reunion LP on March 17, this one called Channel 10. The first single features Ron Browz and is called "Rotate." On Monday, the pair released a "NY Gucci" remix that also features Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss and Swizz Beatz. Their MP3 blast says that remixes are coming soon. Related Artists |
| Gossip Site Defends Posting Of Rihanna Photo Posted: 23 Feb 2009 06:21 AM PST Harvey Levin says TMZ obtained the picture legally.
Even as the Los Angeles Police Department conducts an internal investigation into how a picture of a battered Rihanna made its way onto the Internet last week, TMZ executive producer Harvey Levin told Fox News that he obtained the disturbing image legally. "It is a photograph of Rihanna that was taken shortly after the alleged beating a couple of weeks ago," Levin said during an appearance on Greta Van Sustren's "On The Record" show on Friday, noting that the LAPD essentially confirmed that the photo was real by launching the investigation. "We, obviously, believed at the time, convincingly, that it was Rihanna and put it up on the site. ... I'm not saying anything bad at all about the LAPD. I mean, what they needed to do, they felt, was conduct an internal-affairs investigation because they felt there was a leak. In so doing ... they did authenticate the picture." Levin would not reveal how TMZ obtained the photo, but he said they did not initially believe that it was an image taken by the LAPD. "And we still are still not convinced it is," he said of the shot, which drew fire from Rihanna's father and many fans, who called the leak "inappropriate." In launching an investigation into the leak of the photo — which appears to have been taken following the alleged altercation between Rihanna and her boyfriend, Chris Brown, on February 8 — the LAPD said the image "has the appearance of one taken during an official domestic-violence investigation." The LAPD has not named Rihanna as the alleged victim in the case, per department rules, but on Friday, following the release of the photo, Rihanna finally broke her silence. "At the request of the authorities, Rihanna is not commenting about the incident involving Chris Brown," her representatives said in a statement. "She wants to assure her fans that she remains strong, is doing well, and deeply appreciates the outpouring of support she has received during this difficult time." Following the bombshell posting of the post-altercation photo, TMZ also put up an image over the weekend of the singer getting out of a car in Los Angeles on Thursday, one of the first pictures of Rihanna in public since Grammy weekend. Levin defended the posting of the Rihanna picture, saying that it presents both sides of the story on the alleged incident, which has brought the issue of domestic abuse into the spotlight. "Chris Brown is not going to just say, 'I'm going to lie down on this one and not fight,' " Levin said of the 19-year-old singer, who issued a statement on February 15 saying he was "sorry and saddened" over the incident. "I guarantee you that Chris Brown is going to mount a defense in this case. I know that. He will mount a defense in this case. So, the picture is not the be-all and the end-all, as far as he's concerned. ... But what it does do is it puts a face on what both sides really have been kind of leaking out over the last couple of weeks. ... Well, the bottom line is, here's the photograph, here's the end result. And frankly, Greta, I think it's pretty horrifying." Brown, who turned himself in on the night of the Grammys and was booked on suspicion of making criminal threats, has not been charged in the incident. Go here for domestic violence resources, or check out Think MTV for a video handbook on spotting the warning signs of abuse. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Lawyer For Suspect In Jennifer Hudson Family Murders Quits Posted: 23 Feb 2009 01:55 AM PST William Balfour is charged with killing Hudson's mother, brother and nephew.
Less than a month after a judge agreed to move William Balfour closer to Chicago so the man charged with murdering Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and nephew could more easily consult with his lawyer, that attorney has quit the case. The Chicago Sun-Times reported Monday (February 23) that attorney Joshua Kutnick has withdrawn as Balfour's attorney. Kutnick, who did not return MTV News' calls for comment at press time, told the paper that although he believes Balfour is innocent of the crime, he cannot afford to shoulder the burden of the high-profile case alone. "It's the kind of case that involves intense hours," Kutnick said, reportedly after breaking the news to Balfour's mother. "I was gathering all resources, but I couldn't finance it." Balfour, 27, who was transferred from the Statesville Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois, to the Cook County Jail in late January at Kutnick's request, was scheduled to have a new lawyer from the public defender's office appointed to his case Monday. Messages left with the Cook County Clerk of Courts were not returned at press time. Balfour is charged with killing Oscar-winning actress/singer Hudson's mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew at their Chicago home in October. He has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and one count of home invasion. Kutnick had said there is no forensic evidence linking his former client to the killings. Hudson had been in seclusion since the murders, but has recently begun making some public appearances, including singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl earlier this month and performing at the Grammys. The singer has also announced a spring tour with Robin Thicke. Related Artists |
| Gaslight Anthem: From Basement Gigs To Opening For Springsteen In Two Years Posted: 22 Feb 2009 10:21 PM PST Home-state blue-collar punk band will open for the Boss this summer.
Imagine going from playing shows in dingy New Jersey basements to opening for Bruce Springsteen in London's massive Hyde Park. Then imagine it all happening in less than two years. That's the case for the Gaslight Anthem, the Garden State's latest progenitors of blue-collar, heart-on-your-sleeve punk. The secret to their success? It's as simple as timing, according to lead singer Brian Fallon. "I think it was just that the right record struck a right chord with people. I really don't know — you can't plan for that sort of thing," Fallon told MTV News last week from a tour stop in Germany. "That's what people were looking for and we just happened to be the ones there to do it. I'd say we're pretty fortunate to be here." Formed in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 2005, Fallon and the Anthem — guitarist Alex Rosamilia, bassist Alex Levine and drummer Benny Horowitz — earned a dedicated following based on the strength of their debut, 2007's Sink or Swim, but surged into the spotlight with last year's The '59 Sound, a sandpaper-rough yet strangely saccharine blast of retro punk that owed as much to Springsteen's sweaty live sets as it did to the buttoned-down, dreamy pop of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The album gained international acclaim (it even placed at #3 on MTV's "Best Albums of 2008" list) and an exponentially growing fan base ... one that includes everything from teen punks to middle-aged parents who welcome the Boss-like tradition the band embraces. "It's totally weird because you don't expect people to be singing your songs when you're touring all over the world, and for people to know your songs just like they do at home," Fallon said. "It's exciting, but you get the whole mixture — you're partly unsure about it, and you're partly happy about it. You're not sure where it's all coming from or if it's going too fast." And to that point, though they were tapped by the Boss himself to serve as the opening act at June's Hard Rock Calling Festival in London, Fallon still doesn't consider the Gaslight Anthem to be anything more than proud carriers of the New Brunswick banner. Emerging from a decades-old scene that has given rise to bands like Thursday, the Bouncing Souls and Lifetime, the band still hold their Jersey ties close. "Geoff [Rickly] and the guys from Thursday have always rooted for us. They always helped us out, even from the beginning. Frankie [Iero] from My Chemical Romance always comes to our shows, and the Bouncing Souls have helped us out a ton, along with a bunch of other dudes," Fallon said. "They're our peers, our friends and the people who we've come from the same scene as, and they've embraced us. It's weird because they're these big bands, but they treat us like we're the kid down the block." But for these new kids on the Jersey block, the whole ride has been a quick one to the top. Currently on tour in Europe and slated to kick off their first U.S. headlining jaunt in a few weeks, they'll spend the summer doing the rounds on the festival circuit. Still, despite the critical praise and the full touring schedule, Fallon isn't buying the hype. To him, music is his job ... and things have been pretty busy at the office of late. "Especially lately, people are always like, 'How do you deal with fame?' And I'm like, 'Listen man, we're not famous. It's not like it's different from anything else. This is my job and I'm just trying to do the best I can,'" he sighed. "I just want to put on a good show and make good records that honestly deserve the $15.99 or whatever it is to buy them. I'm more worried about that than whether we're the biggest band or how fast we got anywhere. To me, it's still the same as it was back then." Related Artists |
| Bill Clinton Explains Why AIDS Is Still A Crisis Posted: 23 Feb 2009 08:49 AM PST 'We got a little bit careless about prevention, and I think we got a little lax on testing,' the former president says.
The number of new HIV infections in the United States is higher than previously thought, according to the Center for Disease Control, and former President Bill Clinton believes he knows, at least partly, why. "I think we got a little bit careless about prevention, and I think we got a little lax on testing," Clinton told MTV News. "And I think it's time for us to go back to basics, especially with very discreet groups where the infection rates are going up." In particular, the former president mentioned women of color "who are involved with men who have often been imprisoned, who have been infected and may not know it. We need to get into a whole new range of testing of people who are in those risk groups." The urgency of the AIDS crisis has lessened, he theorized, because of the success of HIV-fighting medicines.
"People look at Magic Johnson, and his massive magnificence, and they think he'll be around until he's 80-something, and I think he probably will be," Clinton said. In a conversation with Sway last Thursday, Clinton discussed how his foundation, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), has been working both with worldwide governments and pharmaceutical companies to make medicine more affordable for those who need it. (From the same interview, read what Bill Clinton had to say about President Obama and being a father in the White House.) CGI, along with several other non-governmental agencies, including the Gates Foundation, has helped to bring the cost of medicine in poor countries down from $600 a year to $60 a year. "People don't have to die now because the medicine isn't available or it's too expensive," he said. "What's killing people in poor countries now is the absence of health systems." To prove his point, Clinton cited the AIDS clinic directly around the corner from his office in Harlem, and contrasted it with medical care in poorer countries like Ethiopia. "[The Harlem clinic] has got a tough case load, you know — former drug addicts, people who've been in jail, people who were into prostitution, it's tough," he said. But the sheer existence of the clinic means the system is working. "Eighty-five percent of them take their medicine in a proper way, and they support each other," he said. "They're doing great because there's a facility there." In a country such as Ethiopia, even though medicine is now affordable, other issues surface. "In the entire country of 80 million, there are only 700 clinics," Clinton said. "So we're trying to [get that number] to 3,500 clinics. What we really need to do is build just basic clinics, test people to see if they are positive, give them medicine, and measure their counts to see if the medicine is working." Clinton seems optimistic that this is possible, saying the clinics don't even need highly skilled nurses, just "trained community folk." "People are dying today, and more people are getting infected today than we can treat every year, solely because we don't have comprehensive health-care systems in poor countries, like that represented by the clinic around the corner here," he said. For more information on HIV/AIDS prevention, visit Think.MTV.com's It's Your (Sex) Life group. |
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