Sabtu, 26 September 2009

MTV News

MTV News


'Hottest MCs In The Game' Begins On Monday!

Posted: 25 Sep 2009 01:56 AM PDT

We'll reveal an MC per day next week, with the full list unveiled on Sunday, October 4!
By Shaheem Reid


Hottest MCs 2009
Photo: MTV News

"Hov's the audio equivalent of braille." "The game needs change and I'm the muthaf---in' cashier." "I'm Hannibal Lecter so just in case you're thinking of saving face/ You ain't gonna have no face to save by the time I'm through with this place."

So many MCs have their bars up these days — not just Jay-Z, Drake and Eminem (quoted above). The flows are precise and people are taking notice. Impact has resonated, the buzz is strong, so it's time to go!

For the 2009 Hottest MCs in the Game, the MTV News Hip-Hop Brain Trust took everything that's going on right now into account, sat down and fought it out — and the list is done! This year's may have been the toughest list to discuss and decide. For more than three hours, moderator Sway and the other nine members of the Brain Trust (Sway doesn't have a vote at the table; he guides the conversation) talked about music, impact, buzz, sales, personal experiences — everything was out there on the table. Please note that the list is based on what's going on right now, not an artist's entire careers. (Head here for a full rundown of the criteria.) We laughed, shouted, angered each other and dropped jewels.

We also, for the first time, brought fan comments to the discussion — more than 1.2 million people voted, and the results of the readers' poll got a seat and a vote, represented at the table by Sway. Your voices were heard!

Ultimately though, remember that this is the Brain Trust's list: There can never be a definitive list of the Hottest MCs, because music isn't a measurable science. We can say for certain that people will be shocked not just by some of the names who made it into the top 10 — but also those who didn't. As always, please let us know what you think — we love your comments, whether you agree or disagree.

The 2009 Hottest MCs in the Game countdown begins on Monday, with one MC per day being revealed Monday through Friday — and the full list will be unveiled on Sunday, October 4, during "P. Diddy's Starmaker"!

MTV News will be unveiling the Hottest MCs in the Game next week! We'll be announcing an MC's rank every day, with the full list revealed on Sunday at 10 p.m. during "P. Diddy's Starmaker"!

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Soulja Boy Tell'em Is <i>Not</i> Engaged To Rosa Acosta, Rep Insists

Posted: 25 Sep 2009 09:45 AM PDT

'Miss Acosta is still very much single,' her manager tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena


Rosa Acosta and Soulja Boy Tell'em
Photo: rosaacosta.com

On Thursday, rumors began circulating on the web that Soulja Boy Tell'em had gotten engaged to model/ video star Rosa Acosta — according to Acosta's manager and a source in Soulja Boy's camp, the rumors are false.

Acosta's manager, Charles Garner, told MTV News on Friday (September 25) that the rumors began after the pair was seen hanging out together in photos on the model's Web site. In the photos, Acosta is seen wearing what looks like an engagement ring — however, her manager said the ring wasn't a gift from Soulja Boy, but her mother. A source in Soulja Boy's camp also told MTV News that the rumors are untrue.

"So the story is that the proposal is false," Garner said in an e-mail to MTV News. "Miss Acosta is still very much single. She was in L.A. filming the Chris Brown video (featuring Lil Wayne and Swizz Beatz) with several other models. Soulja Boy was in L.A. He's been with friends with Rosa for awhile and asked if she and the other girls wanted to go to dinner.

"So he took her and four other girls to dinner, [during] which some playful pictures were taken as 'behind the scenes' for Miss Acosta's Web site. The ring she has on her finger is a ring that was given to her by her mother about three or four years ago and it was not given to her by Soulja Boy. The picture that everyone has up is a harmless picture where he's kissing her on the cheek. And there's about four other pictures where you see him at the table with her and the other models and he's hugging everybody."

In response to the rumors, Soulja Boy simply tweeted "LOL."

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DMX Says He's 'Grounded,' Ready For Comeback

Posted: 25 Sep 2009 02:09 AM PDT

'The streets won't let me forget that they need me and I need them,' MC says.
By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Shaheem Reid


DMX
Photo: MTV News

Is the Dog really back? That's the word according to DMX. The booming, barking MC has made headlines for all the wrong reasons during the past few years, but after serving time in an Arizona jail, X has been nothing short of a model citizen.

But now he's getting back to what he does best: rapping. X hopped on the Ruff Ryders remix of Jadakiss' "Who's Real" and recently performed at VH1's "Hip Hop Honors," displaying his trademark sneer during his turn in the spotlight for "Party Up."

"I'm hungry, I'm grounded," X told MTV News from the red carpet. "I've always been grounded. But I'm hungrier. There's so much bullsh-- out there. I'm not gonna get into the names. You know who you are. There's so much bullsh-- out there. The streets won't let me forget that they need me and I need them."

The Yonkers-bred MC said he plans to deliver two albums soon and wants them to drop on the same day. He didn't go into detail, but the former Def Jam superstar could be reviving his plan to release a traditional rap album as well as a gospel album.

DMX's longtime producer Swizz Beatz spoke to Mixtape Daily and said that he is getting back to form quickly. Swizz will likely serve as executive producer of the next X album. But don't get excited just yet — Swizz said he first wants to secure the ideal situation for the only rapper to release two #1 albums in the same year.

"I wanna have the proper setup where he's getting a fair chance and the most attention and most respect right now," Swizz explained. "I'm not putting nothing out until we have the lineup together, which we're close to having, and the streets are going to witness that raw uncut street element. X was doing $16 million movies and sleeping outside, just because that's where he felt comfortable. He's the realest in the game. He never was on no jewelry, no cars. X, he's one artist that I truly know is a real artist. It don't get no more real than X."

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Jay-Z Tour To Feature N.E.R.D., Wale And J. Cole

Posted: 25 Sep 2009 08:16 AM PDT

In support of The Blueprint 3, Jay will stop at arenas and colleges beginning October 9.
By Gil Kaufman


N.E.R.D.'s Pharrell Williams
Photo: Johnny Nunez/ Getty Images

After Jay-Z put in road time with Mary J. Blige last summer and Ciara earlier this year, it'll be a strictly boys night out when he takes the stage on October 9 to kick off a 24-date tour of college campuses and arenas. Joining him in the first sustained tour in support of the near-platinum The Blueprint 3 will be N.E.R.D., VMA house band leader Wale and Jigga protégé J. Cole.

The tour launches at Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania, on the Penn State University campus on October 9 and will take the crew to arenas in Canada, Seattle, Baltimore and Providence. Along the way, it will stop at campuses in Champaign, Illinois, Ypsilanti, Columbus, Amherst, El Paso and Austin, where the tour is currently scheduled to wrap up on November 22.

North Carolina native Cole, 24, the first signing to Jay's new Roc Nation label, appears on the Blueprint 3 track "A Star Is Born," and the tour will be his first major exposure to life on the road. Cole, who was trying to hustle tracks to Jay just a few years ago, is slowly getting used to life in the spotlight. He recently told MTV News that the session for the "Star" was the first time he'd ever been in the studio with his new boss, an experience that was understandably nerve-wracking.

"[Jay-Z] was on the couch at first, right there," Cole said. "It was the first time I was in the studio with Jay. And Beyoncé was there, to make it 10 times worse. Half my thoughts are trying to think of a verse, and then Jay-Z is there watching you write a verse. So, I'm soaking it up."

Jay-Z tour dates:

» October 9 - University Park, PA @ Bryce Jordan Center
» October 10 - Highland Heights, KY @ The Bank of Kentucky Center
» October 13 - Edmonton, Alberta @ Rexall Place
» October 14 - Calgary, Alberta @ Pengrowth Saddledome
» October 15 - Kelowna, British Columbia @ Prospera Place
» October 16 - Vancouver, British Columbia @ General Motors Place
» October 17 - Seattle, WA @ Key Arena
» October 21 - Ypsilanti, MI @ Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center
» October 23 - Philadelphia, PA @ Wachovia Center
» October 24 - Providence, RI @ Dunkin Donuts Center
» October 25 - Amherst, MA @ University of Massachusetts Mullins Center
» October 27 - Baltimore, MD @ 1st Mariner Arena
» October 28 - Columbus, OH @ Ohio State Value City Arena the Schottenstein Center
» October 29 - London, Ontario @ John Labatt Centre
» October 30 - Montreal, Quebec @ Bell Centre
» October 31 - Toronto, Ontario @ Air Canada Centre
» November 1 - Ottawa, Ontario @ Scotiabank Place
» November 7 - Fresno, CA @ Fresno State Save Mart Center
» November 12 - Champaign, IL @ University of Illinois Assembly Hall
» November 19 - Albuquerque, NM @ Tingley Coliseum
» November 20 - El Paso, TX @ University of Texas at El Paso Don Haskins Center
» November 21 - Lubbock, TX @ United Spirit Arena
» November 22 - Austin, TX @ University of Texas at Austin Frank Erwin Center Arena

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'New Moon' Exclusive: A First Look At Nordstrom's Collection

Posted: 25 Sep 2009 03:46 AM PDT

'Twilight'-inspired clothing and jewelry will hit stores soon and we've got a few sneak peeks!
By Larry Carroll


MTV News intern Liliana Klein models “Twilight” fashion with Cam Gigandet
Photo: MTV News

All week long, Twilighters worldwide have been checking out MTV.com and our sister blog Hollywood Crush for exclusive sneak peeks at soon-to-be-released T-shirts, key chains and jewelry from the upcoming flick "New Moon." Now, as sad as it to say goodbye to "Twilight Fashion Week," we'll try and do our best Bella Swan — soldiering on despite our sadness — and look back on the week's fashion show spectacular:

Team Wolf Pack: Our week began Monday when a top-secret FedEx envelope arrived from our friends at Nordstrom, delivering the prototypes of items that will be available to Twilighters in their stores soon (keep checking their Web site for more details). Our new interns eagerly ripped open the package and kicked off their own fashion show. Lily debuted two new tees focusing on Jacob Black's posse, and the day was so much fun that even a visiting "Twilight" star had to jump in front of the camera for a few snapshots. Needless to say, Lily has a rockin' new Facebook profile pic!

The Crests: On Tuesday, Chineza was eager to blog about two more cool T-shirts, each depicting a different "crest" from the "Twilight" universe. Naturally, the "Cullen Crest" tee held a special place in our hearts since MTV originally discovered the existence of the symbol more than a year ago. But one of the cool things about these T-shirts is that if you're not the type of Twilighter who wants "Cullen" scribbled across your chest, the Volturi crest shirt is much more subtle — only hardcore fans would notice it, which is a cool way to meet people who really know their Stephenie.

Edward or Jacob?: T-shirts are all fine and good, but you've gotta accessorize, right? That's why Wednesday was a fun day, as our interns modeled two adorable heart necklaces, one each for Edward and Jacob. Which beefcake holds the key to your heart? Soon enough you'll be able to wear one of these and tell the whole world your answer.

Bella Is So Charming: What woman hasn't dreamed of being Bella — caught between two worlds, two futures, two equally perfect suitors? Well, on Thursday we revealed an item that might get you one step closer to the dream: the Bella Swan charm bracelet. With all those sparkling, clinking knickknacks on your wrist, your soul mate is bound to see and hear you coming a mile away — and it's quite a conversation starter, that's for sure.

Back to the Boys: Today, "Twilight Fashion Week" wrapped up with a peek at Edward's charm bracelet (to match Bella, natch!) and a cool Quileute key chain that will allow you to keep track of your car keys and profess your love for all things hairy at the same time. Weigh in below with what items you consider must-haves, Twilighters — and be sure to check out your local Nordstrom in a few weeks, when you and your friends can have your very own "Twilight" dress-up party at home!

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Lady Gaga 'Paid Her Dues' For Success, Akon Says

Posted: 24 Sep 2009 10:42 PM PDT

'It was just a matter of time for her,' says 'Kon, who signed Gaga last year.
By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Shaheem Reid


Lady Gaga
Photo: Ian Gavan/ Getty Images

After winning three Moonmen at the 2009 VMAs and becoming the first singer in a decade to hit #1 with her first two singles, Lady Gaga has definitely certified herself as the breakout star of the year.

Akon, who signed Gaga to his Kon Live Distribution label in 2008 and calls her his "franchise player," said his protégé's success is the result of a lot of hard work.

"She's definitely paid her dues," 'Kon told MTV News. "She's been through all kinds of strings and ropes. She's jumped through all kinds of hoops. It was just a matter of time for her. You can't stop true talent. And you can't stop the truth. If that's what it is, that's what it is. At the end of the day, she's one of those rare finds. A diamond in the rough that you just have to polish out and let shine, and that's exactly what she's doing."

The often outrageously costumed singer scored VMA wins for Best New Artist, Best Art Direction and Best Special Effects with her "Paparazzi" video. Next up, she'll take her theatrical act on the road for her co-headlining tour with Kanye West. She told the BBC last month that the trek would be "groundbreaking."

Akon — who has also had a hand in the careers of T-Pain, Rock City and Kat DeLuna, among others — is clearly proud of how far Gaga has come.

"It's Gaga all day," 'Kon enthused. "Gaga, at the end of the day, is the truth. I love her. Right now my heart is with Gaga."

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Mackenzie Phillips' 'Courage' Praised By Sister Chynna On 'Oprah'

Posted: 25 Sep 2009 02:28 AM PDT

'She had the courage to come out and talk about it, and I'm proud of my sister,' Chynna Phillips tells the talk-show host.
By MTV News staff


Mackenzie Phillips on "Oprah" on Friday
Photo: Harpo Productions

For the second time in one week, Mackenzie Phillips sat down for an interview with Oprah Winfrey on Friday (September 25) to discuss her allegations of an over 10-year incestuous relationship with her father, John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas. This time she was joined by her younger sister Chynna.

Via satellite from New York, Mackenzie shared stories of the positive reaction she's received in the past days and responded to critics who questioned her decision to speak out.

"My answer to that is — and I understand this is a difficult thing for my family — nobody's talking about this," she told Oprah. "So if I started a national dialogue that will help people face this issue, I am forever grateful."

After the commercial break, Chynna appeared without Mackenzie's presence, saying she wanted her own platform to communicate her reactions. "I was praying for her the whole time because it is a very, very taboo [topic]," Chynna recalled of her reaction to Wednesday's show. "Many people were repulsed, many people were horrified at the allegations. ... She had the courage to come out and talk about it, and I'm proud of my sister."

While Chynna said she believed there was a consensual relationship between Mackenzie and John, she stopped short of endorsing the entire accuracy of Mackenzie's account, which she details in her new memoir, "High on Arrival." She also admitted that she wasn't pleased to have their private family business made so public.

During the next segment when Mackenzie and Chynna appeared together, Mackenzie said, "I am more in love with my sister than I have ever been ... I'm very proud of you ... I'm really sorry to put you in that position. But I don't regret writing the book."

Earlier in the show, Oprah read a statement from Mackenzie's half-sister Bijou. "When I was 13, Mackenzie told me that she had a consensual sexual relationship with our father," the statement said. "This news was confusing and it was also scary, as I lived alone with my father since I was 3.

"Mackenzie's history with her father is hers, but also clouded with 30 years of drug use," the statement continued. "I hope she can come to terms with this and find peace. The life I had with my father was very different. He was Mr. Mom, encouraging and loving. The man that raised me would never be capable of doing such things, and if he was, it is heartbreaking to me to think that my family would leave me alone with him. I understand Mackenzie's need to come clean with a history she feels will help others, but it's devastating to have the world watch as we try and mend broken fences, especially when the man in question isn't here to defend himself."

Though she said they are still close, Mackenzie said Bijou had not made contact since Wednesday's show.

Miley Cyrus 'Party In The U.S.A.' Clip Inspired By 'Grease'

Posted: 25 Sep 2009 12:58 AM PDT

In addition to 'one of her favorite movies,' the video also pays tribute to the singer's parents, director Chris Applebaum says.
By Jocelyn Vena


Miley Cyrus in her video for "Party in the U.S.A."
Photo: Disney

Miley Cyrus made her intentions known when it came to the concept for her "Party in the U.S.A." video: According to the director, her idea was all about "high-gloss, glamorous white trash." For the clip, Cyrus wanted to pay tribute to her parents' courting days as well as her favorite movie, "Grease."

"Miley did have an idea — one of her favorite movies is 'Grease,' " director Chris Applebaum told MTV News. "Everything kind of sprang forward from that scene in 'Grease' where John Travolta is singing ... and he gets out of the car and goes to jungle gym and sits in one of the swings and sings the song at night as projections go in the background — she came to me [with that]."

In addition to the "Grease" tribute, Miley wanted to remember another time before she was born — a time when her parents were still dating.

"Interesting enough, Miley's parents Tish and Billy Ray, when they were first dating they went to a drive-in in Kentucky, I think, called the Corral Drive-In — so we named the drive-in after that as an homage to them," Applebaum explained. "In addition, Miley's mom Tish used to drive '79 black Pontiac Trans Am, 'Smokey and the Bandit' style, and obviously that's the car that Miley arrives in."

Applebaum raved about Cyrus, insisting she isn't just a cookie-cutter pop star — she's the real deal. "I really like her a lot and I've worked with pretty much every female pop star. ... She's fun and she's personal and she's smart in a way that you'd want one of your best buddies to be," he explained. "She's more like a guy than a girl. She doesn't take herself too seriously. She's a real artist, she comes from that background. She's just a hard worker."

He notes that Cyrus is such a tomboy that if she were placed in a room with some of the biggest stars today, male and female, you'd see Cyrus hanging out with the boys. "Say there was a celebrity star-studded event and people at the party — Britney's there, Rihanna's there, Beyoncé's there, but also, like, Jay-Z is there and Kid Rock is there. I could easily see a scene where you walk into a room and you see Kid Rock and Jay-Z standing next to each other laughing hysterically, and as you get closer you realize they're standing around Miley, who is telling them stories and cracking jokes."

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