MTV News |
- Jay-Z: President Obama Was Playing <i>The Blueprint</i> When I Called Him
- Justin Timberlake, Timbaland Team Up For 'Carry Out' Video
- Drake: Next Kanye West Album Will Be 'One Of The Best Of Last 10 Years'
- LMFAO's Sky Blu Was Other Man In Mitt Romney's Plane Fight
- Alicia Keys' 'Freedom' Tour Hits U.S. This Month
- 'American Idol' Castoff Angela Martin Gets Big Surprise From Ellen DeGeneres
- Hilary Duff Engaged To Mike Comrie
- Justin Timberlake Isn't 'Running From' Next Solo Album
- Akon Says He Can Retire, Thanks To Lady Gaga
- Ashanti Fan Gets Two Years In Jail For Lewd Texts
| Jay-Z: President Obama Was Playing <i>The Blueprint</i> When I Called Him Posted: 19 Feb 2010 02:37 AM PST 'I've been invited to the White House a couple of times,' Hov tells the BBC.
Jay-Z has dropped Barack Obama's name in his rhymes, and Obama referenced Jay's lyrics when he dusted his shoulder off during a campaign appearance before he ascended to the White House. But it turns out the pair have more than just a passing appreciation for rhetorical flourishes. In an interview with Jonathan Ross airing on the BBC Friday (February 19), Jay-Z revealed that the president has invited the rapper to the White House a number of times since Obama's inauguration. "I've been invited to the White House a couple of times," Hov told Ross, although he said he hasn't taken up the president on the offer just yet. "Hopefully we'll keep him in for eight years, so I'll have time to get there." The Brooklyn MC was an avid supporter of Obama during the presidential campaign and referenced him in a series of lyrics, most notably for Young Jeezy's hit "My President." "Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther could walk/ Martin Luther walked so Barack Obama could run/ Barack Obama ran so all the children could fly," he raps on the track. "So I'mma spread my wings/ You could meet me in the sky." "It's just the progression. ... You sat, you walked, you ran, you ran to fly," Jay told MTV News about his Obama rhyme last year on the eve of the inauguration. "You know, just the progression and how far we've come as a nation. It feels good to say that, 'cause I never had that type of feeling to say 'as a nation,' like I was part of the American dream. And I believe a lot of people didn't feel like a part of the American process for so long." Although Obama has professed a love for an eclectic playlist of music that includes Stevie Wonder and Bob Dylan, he also said he is a fan of Jay-Z. Jay-Z confirmed Obama's admiration when he told Ross the president was playing one of the rapper's albums when answered a phone call from Hov. "Barack loves hip-hop," Jay said. "When I called him he was playing [The] Blueprint in the gym." Related Artists |
| Justin Timberlake, Timbaland Team Up For 'Carry Out' Video Posted: 19 Feb 2010 03:25 AM PST Clip features French maids serving the duo chocolate cake and cherries.
Super producer Timbaland teamed up with Justin Timberlake in the video for their duet "Carry Out," released Friday (February 19) — and chocolate cake and cherries, not models, were the eye candy.
Donning a white jacket and white baseball cap, Justin sang, "Take my order, 'cause your body's like a carry-out/ Lemme work it to your body till it's lights-out/ Turn me on now baby." "Carry Out," a southern term used for restaurants where customers primarily pick up their orders, is Timbaland's third single from Shock Value II, which also features collaborations with Esthero, Drake, Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus, among others. This particular video showcases Timabland and Timberlake's chemistry as they dance and rap while models dressed as waitresses and French maids take their orders. "I could feed you mama, you could feed me," the pair chant during the second verse. The clip ends with each model biting into a piece of chocolate cake with a smile, proving that food is still the way to a man's heart. Timbaland — who recently said that he's done with hip-hop production — and Timberlake have a long history of collaborating together, most notably on Justin's sophomore solo album, 2006's FutureSex/LoveSounds where the duo played with Prince-like rhythms and electronica, culminating in the ubiquitous single "My Love" featuring T.I. Last month during the producer/rapper's Hollywood show at the House of Blues, Timberlake joined his friend onstage for a performance of "Carry Out" along with "SexyBack" and "My Love." Justin also recently showed his clothing line, William Rast, during New York Fashion Week. The singer described the collection as a bridge between music and fashion. "Well, I think since the beginning of rock and roll, people have wanted to dress like rock stars," he told MTV News backstage at his label's fashion show. "I still find old Mick Jagger jackets that I wish I could pull out of his closet or something. Of course, they wouldn't fit me — very tight. I think we all want to dress like rock stars." Related Artists |
| Drake: Next Kanye West Album Will Be 'One Of The Best Of Last 10 Years' Posted: 19 Feb 2010 04:36 AM PST 'Kanye West shaped a lot of what I do, as far as music goes,' the young MC says of working with the superstar producer/rapper.
Drake is hard at work on his forthcoming major-label debut and has tallied some time in the studio with Kanye West, so far, among others. The So Far Gone rapper revealed to GQ that he'd spent some time in Hawaii recently with West working on his album as well as the Chicago superstar's next effort. The Lil Wayne protégé may be hip-hop's next big thing, but he told the magazine — which featured the Toronto native in a dress-shirt selection photo spread — when it comes to dividing 'Ye's attention between both projects, it's not exactly a 50/50-type thing. "More like we work on his album until he gets tired," Drake joked about the process. "His album is going to be one of the best hip-hop albums of the last 10 years." The 808s & Heartbreak rapper has had a huge influence on Drake's career, even before they collaborated on the shoot for "Best I Ever Had" — last year Drake spoke to MTV News about West's work, which he credited with shaping his own career. "Before I ever got the chance to meet him, Kanye West shaped a lot of what I do, as far as music goes," Drake said. "We always, always, always took the time to listen to Kanye's music and appreciate it beyond. We searched the samples and we find out where his inspiration came from, because he has one of the best ears in music, period. He knows how to recognize great music that's not his. He knows how to utilize great sounds and great music. So before I met him, I had the utmost respect for Kanye West. I'd even go as far as to say he's the most influential person, as far as a musician, that I'd ever had in my life." West has kept a low profile in recent months following his stunt involving Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. And although his behavior has been admonished, West remains popular among his fans, ranging from kids to adults. The range in West's fanbase is something Drake has also been praised for, which the younger MC credited to the combination of his foul mouth and clean image. "I say 'bitch' and sh— like that, but I'm parent-approved," he said, poking fun at himself. "Parents are like, 'That's an intelligent young man, that Drake.' " Do you think Kanye West's next album will be one of the best ever in hip-hop history? Who do you think will have the better album: Drake or Kanye? Let us know in the comments below, or upload a video to Your.MTV.com! Related Artists |
| LMFAO's Sky Blu Was Other Man In Mitt Romney's Plane Fight Posted: 19 Feb 2010 06:21 AM PST Party rocker says the former Massachusetts governor started the scuffle.
To date, the only party the members of LMFAO appear to support is the one that starts with shots and ends with being passed out on the floor in a heap of spandex neon tights and bikini tops. But group member Sky Blu made news on Monday for getting into a scuffle with former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. When news first broke that Romney had gotten in a fight on a plane, the identity of the other man wasn't revealed. On Thursday, however, TMZ reported that it was none other than Sky (born Skyler Gordy), half of the "Party Rock" duo. According to the site, Blu claims that despite initial reports that he became "physically violent" first after Romney asked him to put his seat up, it was the former Massachusetts governor who started things.
After hanging with MTV News' Sway in Vancouver at the Winter Olympics over the weekend, LMFAO boarded a flight to Los Angeles. And according to Blu's account of the incident in a video posted on TMZ, he was tired, put his new "Party Rock" jacket over his face and leaned his coach seat back while the plane was still on the ground. That's when Romney began yelling at him to put the seat upright. "I'm trying to just adjust myself so I can go to sleep," Blu said. "I just hear this guy, he's, 'Sir, sir, put your seat up!' I thought it was a flight attendant at first ... and he says again, 'Sir, put your seat up!' A little louder and more angry towards me." If Romney had asked nicely, Blu said he might have put his seat up, but since he was so rude ... Well, next thing you know, Blu said Romney reached out and put his hand on his shoulder and asked him again to put his seat up. Blu said he knocked Romney's hand away, thinking nothing of it. "His wife screams. ... They're getting loud, so then the flight attendant comes over, and I try to get louder than them to plead my case. 'No, the man assaulted me! I was protecting myself!' I might have thrown a few cuss words in there." In the video, air marshals are seen escorting Blu off the plane. He said they diffused the situation and though the police detained him for a minute, he was not arrested but given a ticket for the next flight out. "I have no hard feelings toward him," Blu said. "I'm sure he's a good dude." And while Blu, an avowed Democrat, said he would not vote for Romney, he admitted he might get a drink with the Mormon politician ... if he drinks. Spokespeople for LMFAO and Romney could not be reached for comment at press time. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Alicia Keys' 'Freedom' Tour Hits U.S. This Month Posted: 19 Feb 2010 01:38 AM PST 'The concept of the tour is really amazing,' singer says.
After performing her hit "Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart" for 108,000 fans during NBA All-Star Weekend, Alicia Keys is looking north to begin her next tour. "The tour is starting on February 26. We start in Canada, then we bring it down to America," the singer said. "I'm really excited about it. I can't believe that it's that soon. It's going to be amazing and the concept of the tour is really amazing, and putting it together, I feel so excited. So I hope you make it."
Toronto native Melanie Fiona and R&B crooner Robin Thicke will open on Keys' tour, which she's calling the Freedom Tour after her album The Element of Freedom. Keys and company will perform for two days in Canada before coming stateside, to Chicago. The international leg of Keys' trek then begins on April 29. Alicia and Beyoncé recently filmed the video for their duet "Put It in a Love Song" in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sporting fashions that draw upon ethnic prints and playful skirts, the two divas played up the colorful energy of the South American city. "Put It in a Love Song" is set to premiere on March 8. Here are dates for the North American leg of the Freedom Tour: » 2/26 - Ottawa, ON @ ScotiaBank Place |
| 'American Idol' Castoff Angela Martin Gets Big Surprise From Ellen DeGeneres Posted: 19 Feb 2010 02:04 AM PST DeGeneres surprises Martin by promising her a Kara DioGuardi song, aims for label deal.
"American Idol" contestant Angela Martin may have lost the competition, but her resilience earned her a helping hand from talk show host and fourth "Idol" judge Ellen DeGeneres on Friday (February 19). Martin made it to the Hollywood round of the show, but wasn't selected to continue on to the final competition. "I was preparing myself to be strong and talk to you guys, but then I saw the pictures of my daughter and I just fell apart," Martin, 28, told DeGeneres. "Like, if I fail, how am I gonna tell her Mommy didn't make it?" However, after her dismissal, DeGeneres invited the young mother, whose daughter is 10, to appear and perform on her talk show. Martin sang a rendition of Alicia Keys' "Superwoman" with musical accompaniment by "American Idol" pianist and background musician Michael Orland and received a standing ovation from the audience. "Everybody knows your name now," said DeGeneres. "Everybody is on your side. People are calling me going, 'What happened? She was amazing!' " (MTV News' "American Idol" expert Jim Cantiello feels the same way.) For that reason, DeGeneres recruited the talent of "Idol" judge and hit songwriter Kara DioGuardi to surprise the vocalist. "I have a little surprise for you: Kara DioGuardi is going to write you a song," DeGeneres told a surprised Martin. "You're going in a studio. She's going to produce a song for you and we're gonna get you a record label [deal]!! See how things turn out?" While today was a dream come true for the Chicago native, life has not always been so kind. During her first audition, the singer's father was murdered by her stepmother and her daughter suffers from Rett Syndrome, which causes seizures. Finally, her mother, Viola Brown Martin, has been missing since December 26. Still, Martin is upbeat and says she relies on prayer to raise her spirits. "You have had your share of really bad luck and some sad things happening in your life, but your attitude is so amazing because you keep getting back up," DeGeneres told Martin. "You represent something to a lot of people out there. They're going to look at you and say 'if she can do it I can do it.' You don't let anything get you down, I love that about you. Don't ever give up! Never!" Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. |
| Hilary Duff Engaged To Mike Comrie Posted: 19 Feb 2010 05:21 AM PST According to reports, Comrie popped the question during a recent vacation in Hawaii.
Hilary Duff is engaged to hockey player Mike Comrie of the Edmonton Oilers, her rep has confirmed, according to UsMagazine.com. Comrie, 29, popped the question last weekend while the pair were "vacationing in Hawaii," Duff's rep said. "After having been together for over two years, they are very excited to share this happy news. They are thankful for all of your warm wishes."
Duff, 22, who previously dated Joel Madden — who just announced his engagement to Nicole Richie — told Us, "[Comrie's] a great guy. I've never met anyone who could say a bad word about him. He's generous, caring, funny. We just laugh our heads off, which I need in my life. ... He's unique. I wouldn't want to be with someone who wasn't unique." Duff also told the magazine they have a surprisingly "natural" relationship. "We both have busy jobs and we're both very focused people, so that helps," she said. "Since we are apart so much, it's not like one person is at home waiting for the other." According to People.com, Duff, who has said she read "Hockey for Dummies" to better understand her beau, has become a fixture at his games. She also cheered him on when Comrie played for the Ottawa Senators, where she was joined in the stands by Carrie Underwood, whose fiancé Mike Fisher is on the team. Comrie told Us, "We have fun. We both live such different lives, but it's always fun to support each other and spend time when we get to." Related Photos Related Artists |
| Justin Timberlake Isn't 'Running From' Next Solo Album Posted: 19 Feb 2010 12:03 AM PST 'I find that when [inspiration] comes up ... it comes up like a freight train,' singer says of ideas for new music.
At his latest William Rast fashion show, Justin Timberlake admitted there is a "blatant correlation" between music and fashion — however, for the time being, Timberlake is more focused on the clothes and less worried about putting out new music.
He hasn't put out a solo album since 2006's FutureSex/LoveSounds, but he said he isn't going to force the tunes out. "You know, music is ... music exploration, I find that when it comes up ... it comes up like a freight train," he said. "So when it does, I definitely won't run from it." However, the bottom line is that Timberlake has no plans to release his own new music anytime soon. In addition to his fashion empire, he's also busy promoting acts on his Tennman label, like Esmée Denters and Free Sol. "Right now I'm enjoying working with new artists, working with some of the acts that I have signed to my little label, which I just started," he explained. Meanwhile, Timberlake and business partner Trace Ayala will be concentrating on growing their successful William Rast brand. "I know, for me, with the label is just keep expanding," Ayala said. "We just signed an eyewear deal, so we're working on eyewear. It's really growing fast." "Just give a little flavor here and there to go a little deeper and build a collection where we hope to go," Timberlake continued. "We want to have our own furniture. We want to design interiors on cars. We want to go as far as we can with this brand." Related Videos Related Artists |
| Akon Says He Can Retire, Thanks To Lady Gaga Posted: 18 Feb 2010 11:48 PM PST 'She was definitely a blessing. She came at the right moment,' singer/producer says of signing the superstar to a record deal.
Akon is releasing a new album this year, but the singer seems more excited about his Kon Live imprint artist Lady Gaga's success than his own. "She's pretty much retired me," Akon told The Associated Press. "She was definitely a blessing. She came at the right moment. I'm glad I believed in her, boy. That goes to show you, if you believe in something strong enough, it will pay off." Lady Gaga was initially signed to Def Jam Records, where she was dropped several months later. Then Akon signed her as a free agent as he was finalizing his Kon Live deal with Interscope Records and label head Jimmy Iovine. Fast-forward a few years and Lady Gaga has become an internationally known pop star, winning two awards at the 2010 Grammys: Best Dance Recording for "Poker Face" and Best Electronic/Dance Album for The Fame. The singer recently swept the Brit Awards in London, where she performed a tribute to recently deceased designer Alexander McQueen and walked away with three awards. "She just blossomed into a super megastar," said Akon. As for his own upcoming album, Akon says that in addition to Lady Gaga, he's also working with Dutch dance DJ/producer Chuckie, DJ David Guetta, who recently collaborated with Akon on "Sexy Bitch," and hip-hop heavyweight Dr. Dre. "You've got some straight hard-core hip-hop guys actually moving into the dance realm," Akon said. "And that's shocking. When you've got someone like Dr. Dre about to do a dance record ... that's crazy." Akon didn't divulge much about the Dr. Dre collaboration, except to say the record "actually sounds great. He played it for me. I was shocked. So I was like, 'Wow, that's dope. When the world hears this, they might go crazy.' ... When you've got the two worlds mixed together, clashing, it's going to be a monster." Akon's as-yet-untitled forthcoming CD is slated to hit shelves toward the end of 2010. Related Photos Related Artists |
| Ashanti Fan Gets Two Years In Jail For Lewd Texts Posted: 19 Feb 2010 03:25 AM PST Devar Hurd barraged singer's mother/manager with text messages.
An Ashanti fan was sentenced to two years in jail Thursday for sending lewd text messages to the singer's mother, according to The Associated Press. Devar Hurd barraged Ashanti's mother, Tina Douglas, with lewd messages about her daughter, including snapshots of his genitals and the Douglas family home. "My intent was not to harm," the 31-year-old told the court according to the AP. "I always wish the best for [Ashanti]." Hurd was convicted of aggravated harassment and stalking in December 2009. "We're really so glad to have this behind us, and we feel justice has been served," Douglas said through a spokesperson. Hurd's messages, which he described as jokes about how he'd one day live with Ashanti's family, frightened Douglas so much that she hired additional security. She says she told Hurd numerous times that she did not know him and unsuccessfully asked that he leave her alone. Still, Hurd, a native of Griffith, Indiana, did not betray a convincing enough psychiatric problem to garner psychological treatment from to the jury. However, following his conviction, doctors classified Hurd as suffering from a delusional disorder, according State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Farber, but the mental-health treatments were moot because Hurd could not find a New York residence to continue his treatment. In response, the judge handed down the maximum sentence for Hurd's misdemenor crimes in hopes of him receiving pyschiatric care in confinement. Still, Hurd's prosecutors weren't satisfied. "Even if he believes that Ashanti was in love with him, his conduct was not that of a man wooing a woman," said Assistant District Attorney Carolina Holderness. "He was not sending her flowers." Hurd has been incarcerated since his July 2009 arrest, and his time served will count toward his sentence. Related Artists |
| You are subscribed to email updates from MTV News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar