MTV News |
- Will New Def Jam Exec Sha Money XL Bring The G-Unit To The Label?
- Conan O'Brien Talks Jay Leno On '60 Minutes': 'I Wouldn't Have Done That'
- Drake Says Jay-Z Wasn't Immediately Sold On 'Over'
- Erykah Badu Pleads Not Guilty To 'Window Seat' Charge
- Eminem Is 'Back' On 'Not Afraid,' Fans Say
- Bret Michaels' Sister Says 'Things Are Definitely Looking Up'
- Siobhan Magnus Didn't Try To 'Please Other People' On 'American Idol'
- Khloe Kardashian Confesses She Was A 'Shady Kid' On 'When I Was 17'
- Guru Memorial Concert Should Involve DJ Premier, Solar Says
- Rick Ross Explains Why He Wanted Diddy To Manage Him
| Will New Def Jam Exec Sha Money XL Bring The G-Unit To The Label? Posted: 30 Apr 2010 03:52 AM PDT 'I would like to provide an opportunity for them to continue to grow,' he tells Mixtape Daily.
Executive Decisions: Sha Money XL Queens is in the building — again. Sha Money XL has signed on to become the senior VP of A&R at Def Jam Records. The label has had such a rich history of Queens-bred fellas in the boardroom, from its founder Russell Simmons to Irv Gotti to one of Sha's mentors, the late Jam Master Jay. XL is excited to plant his flag in the cherished hip-hop recording house.
"I've been floating around this industry since I've just been executive-producing 50 [Cent]'s albums," XL explained Thursday at the MTV offices. "Freelancing, doing my own thing. I've been able to meet with L.A. Reid. We've been having some great conversations. Finally, the call came. It felt so good. Def Jam is such a strong company and strong roster. The staff is amazing. I felt it instantly. I knew that this is something I can do with my New York vision and New York swag and bring that for all the guys that's based out here. And the things that was needed to excite the industry as well, internally and externally. I connect with everybody by all levels." Sha said that after being with the G-Unit for so many years, there is no such thing as pressure to him anymore. "I work good under pressure," he said. "Working with 50, I know what needs to get done. I don't feel pressure. I do the things that need to be done. As long as artists listen and we really become businessmen in this business, as we say we are, I think we should all prosper. I'm looking to make the company more money and take it to the top, the highest level." So with 50 Cent a free agent, free to bring himself and his label — which includes Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo — anywhere he pleases, will Sha try to secure a spot for his longtime friends at Def Jam? "I spoke to Fif, to [his manager Chris] Lighty. I would love to see that there," Sha admitted. "Banks has an amazing record right now, independently. If things work out, then yeah, I would love to see that happen." If the Unit came to Def Jam, things would get interesting, to say the least. Shyne, Rick Ross, Nas and DJ Khaled, people who Fif and the Unit have had problems with through the years, are all on the roster. "I'm a businessman," Sha Money said when asked how he would feel having the Unit in the same building with some of their adversaries. "The beef stuff, I'm over. We at a certain point in life where we don't even need that. We eat that. So I will let them speak for their own, but honestly, I would like to see a company continue to grow. And I think G-Unit is in a position — coming from an independent space — that can continue to do their thing. I would like to provide an opportunity for them to continue to grow." While the Unit deal is just in the talking stages now, Sha says his top priority is making sure Juelz Santana gets his LP out. XL already has his sights set on DJ Toomp to get in the lab with Juelz. This will not be the last time you hear from Mixtape Daily on Friday (April 30), we promise. On Friday evening, we will have a preview of the mixtape you are all anticipating, Jadakiss' Gangsta Grillz Invasion: The Champ Is Here Part 3. There's no way we could get through this week without delivering a Main Pick. For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines or follow the Mixtape Daily team on Twitter: @shaheemreid and @mongosladenyc. Related Videos |
| Conan O'Brien Talks Jay Leno On '60 Minutes': 'I Wouldn't Have Done That' Posted: 29 Apr 2010 03:24 AM PDT 'Everyone's got their own, you know, way of doing things,' he says during the interview, airing Sunday night.
We've already heard Jay Leno's side of things when it comes to his late-night feud with Conan O'Brien over the the keys to "The Tonight Show." Now it's O'Brien's turn for a little on-camera venting in an interview with "60 Minutes." According to excerpts released by CBS News, the comedian is not holding anything back. "He went and took that show back, and I think in a similar situation, if roles had been reversed, I know ... I know me, I wouldn't have done that," O'Brien said. "If I had surrendered 'The Tonight Show' and handed it over to somebody publicly and wished them well and then ... six months later. But that's me, you know. Everyone's got their own, you know, way of doing things." What would O'Brien have done instead? "Done something else, go someplace else," he said. "I mean, that's just me." O'Brien is currently on a 32-city live show sweep across North America with his Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour. In a shocking turn earlier this month, the displaced NBC host inked a deal with TBS to launch a new late-night show on the cable network rather than, as had been widely presumed, a show on Fox. As the NBC brouhaha flared up at the start of the year, O'Brien said he came to realize that his relationship with the network had been irrevocably damaged. "I think this relationship is going be toxic, and maybe we just need to go our separate ways," he said. "That's really how it felt to me ... and I started to feel that I'm not sure these people even really want me here. ... I can't do it [anymore]." The full "60 Minutes" interview will air Sunday at 7 p.m. ET. Related Photos |
| Drake Says Jay-Z Wasn't Immediately Sold On 'Over' Posted: 29 Apr 2010 04:40 AM PDT Jay likened the Thank Me Later single to a girl who isn't the cutest but is still sexy.
Drake's breakout mixtape, So Far Gone, set the bar pretty high for his upcoming debut album, Thank Me Later. His first offering, "Over," was intensely debated, but DJs co-signed the single almost immediately. One critic, however, wasn't as quick to deliver praise. According to Drake, Jay-Z had to warm up to the record.
"I got a funny e-mail today from Jay-Z about ['Over']," Drake said during a conference call for DJs. The Toronto lyricist said Jay offered an analogy to describe the way the track grew on him. He compared the song to "the girl you see at the club, she's not the cutest," Drake explained. "But then you speak to her and realize that she's one of the sexiest women of all time." Drake premiered his follow-up to "Over" early Thursday morning (April 29), the Kanye West-produced "Find Your Love." He recently shot a video for the track in Jamaica, and images from the set have leaked online. Two other Thank Me Later tracks, "Fireworks" and "Shut It Down" (featuring The-Dream), have sprung up online. Drake also revealed during the call that he might have a bonus track on his debut album featuring Lupe Fiasco and upstart MC J. Cole. "I think that would be a special moment for hip-hop fans," he said, before adding a joke. "For people that are disappointed when I drop songs like 'Find Your Love,' I think they would appreciate that. Hopefully they're both willing." Do you want to hear Drake's collabo with Lupe and J. Cole? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
| Erykah Badu Pleads Not Guilty To 'Window Seat' Charge Posted: 29 Apr 2010 05:38 AM PDT Singer was cited for disorderly conduct after stripping down in public during the video shoot.
Erykah Badu entered a not-guilty plea Wednesday for stripping down in public for her much-talked-about "Window Seat" video. In March, the 39-year-old soul singer went sans clothing in Dallas' busy Dealey Plaza during the video shoot; she later was charged with disorderly conduct in relation to the music video.
"I thought it was a move for women and men and children who feel they weren't good enough," Erykah Badu told MTV News on April 8 about the controversial clip. " 'This is just me. I'm good enough.' I felt it was important enough to do. More pros than cons." In Badu's video, she sheds her clothes while walking through downtown Dallas, and almost as soon as she is totally nude, she is shot in the head, falling near the same grassy knoll near where President Kennedy was shot in 1963. Instead of blood, animated words that spell out "groupthink" leak from her head on the sidewalk. The singer has said that she chose to go nude in Dealey Plaza because it's one of the most popular locales in the city. Badu didn't file for an official permit to shoot the video. The directors of the video, Chike and Coodie, told MTV News that they were well aware of potential attention from law-enforcement officials. They also said Badu was fully prepared for the consequences. "We had bail money and everything," Coodie said. "I think she really wanted to get arrested and even make a bigger message." Are you surprised that Badu pleaded not guilty? Let us know in the comments. Related Photos Related Artists |
| Eminem Is 'Back' On 'Not Afraid,' Fans Say Posted: 29 Apr 2010 02:44 AM PDT 'THAT is the eminem I like hearing,' one fan tweets about the lead Recovery single.
Eminem's "Not Afraid" has been the talk of blogs, message boards and social-media networks on Thursday (April 29), as the rapper detoured from his normal route of celebrity-bashing numbers and instead delivered an honest take on his life and career, even calling last year's Relapse "ehh."
Fans have mostly been supportive, with many noting his departure from zanier fare. "Very different than his usual 1st singles, but I like it," kevi-B wrote on MTV.com. The Detroit rapper's last album, Relapse, was among 2009's highest sellers, but fans complained that it didn't show off the MC's skills. The album was Eminem's first in five years, after suffering from drug dependency and the loss of his close friend, D12 rapper Proof. In interviews, Em noted that the album helped him work his way through writer's block, and he returned to his Slim Shady persona for aid. Rbrt_vndrvn wrote on MTVNews.com that the criticism seems to have motivated Eminem on "Not Afraid." "Well, it's official: Eminem has to work with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove to bring out his potential," he said. "From now on, I declare Eminem the underdog, and we will always get great music!" Since Relapse, Eminem stayed visible by contributing to Drake's "Forever," Lil Wayne's "Drop the World" and B.o.B's "Airplanes (Part II)" in preparation for his upcoming Recovery, due in June. That output left fans excited, and Twitter member Tony Markovich gave Em two virtual thumbs up. "THAT is the Eminem I like hearing," he tweeted. "Forever, Drop the World, Airplanes, Despicable, and now this!? I'd say he's back." Some Slim Shady fans weren't happy with Eminem dismissing Relapse, which actually took home some awards-show hardware. "Great leadoff song," Tom wrote on MTV.com "Really goes well with the album title. ... I'm surprised he called Relapse 'ehh.' Relapse wasn't as bad as people make it out to be. The only downside to it was it was a bit repetitive, but he spit fire on every track. Em's 'ehh' album still wins a Grammy for Best Rap Album." Are you excited to hear Eminem's new music? Let us know in the comments! Related Photos Related Artists |
| Bret Michaels' Sister Says 'Things Are Definitely Looking Up' Posted: 29 Apr 2010 02:25 AM PDT 'He's not by any means out of the woods, but he is getting better every day,' Michelle Sychak tells a radio show.
Recovery from the kind of brain injury suffered by Poison singer Bret Michaels requires patience and very careful monitoring. And according to his sister, the rocker is making slow but steady progress.
"He's doing good," said sibling Michelle Sychak in an interview with the Omaha, Nebraska-based "Todd N Tyler Radio Empire" morning-radio show on Wednesday. Michelle said her brother's speech was good, considering the seriousness of the brain hemorrhage he suffered last Thursday. "Things are definitely looking up. ... He sounded good — as good as you can when your brain's throbbing," she said. "He seems very coherent to me and like he knew what he was saying. ... [He] does sound like Bret. Truth be told, I think he'll outlive us all." She spoke to him recently and said, though he's stable, her brother is still in the intensive care unit. Earlier reports indicated that Michaels was suffering from slow or slurred speech as a result of the buildup of blood at the base of his brain. He continues to be hospitalized at an unnamed clinic in the intensive care unit. "He's doing good," she said. "He's not by any means out of the woods, but he is getting better every day." She said the fact that Michaels lived through the initial rupture was "a miracle in itself. I've never known anyone that dodged so many bullets in their life, both figuratively and literally." Despite speculation that a staging mishap that resulted in Michaels being hit by a curtain at the 2009 Tony Awards might have caused the injury, she said doctors may never know what caused the rupture. The news came a day after Michaels' road manager, Janna Elias, posted a note on the rocker's website indicating that, "Provided there are no further complications or setbacks," Michaels, 47, could be back out on the road in time for a May 26 date in Fort Smith, Arkansas. "I think good news is around the corner," she said. "Even though yesterday was a minor setback, doctors remain hopeful for a full recovery and plan to release more specific information next Monday," Elias wrote, referring to a not uncommon side effect of the brain hemorrhage called hyponatremia, a lack of sodium in the body that can lead to seizures. Doctors told Michaels he "is very lucky, as his condition could have been fatal," she wrote. "With further testing and rehabilitation, they are hopeful that Bret will gradually improve as the blood surrounding the brain dissolves and is reabsorbed into his system, which can be a very painful recovery and take several weeks to months," she said. Share your well-wishes for Bret Michaels in the comments below. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Siobhan Magnus Didn't Try To 'Please Other People' On 'American Idol' Posted: 28 Apr 2010 11:59 PM PDT 'I do what I do because it rests well on my heart and who I am,' latest castoff says.
Siobhan Magnus never quite fit into the "American Idol" mold — and that's exactly how she liked it. But she might have stretched a bit too far with her honky-tonk/screamo performance of Shania Twain's "Any Man of Mine," getting eliminated Wednesday night.
We caught up with the 20-year-old glassblower from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on Thursday (April 29) to find out what's next and where she learned to hit those gigantic notes. Q: Where did you learn to hit those big notes? A: I'm pretty sure I figured out how to do that in the shower in high school one night. [Laughs.] I'm an avid shower singer, much to the dismay of my family and my neighbors, but I was singing a Kelly Clarkson song, and I went to hit one note, and I reached it and I was able to resonate it in a different part of my head that I could feel it that high. And ever since I figured it out, I started to use it more and more with different stuff — in school choirs and in my band — and it became very useful with the style of singing that I like to do. A particular time that it came in handy was when I was singing with my friend's band, and we did "Great Gig in the Sky" by Pink Floyd, and I had a blast just wailing on those huge notes in a battle of the bands, and we won. One of my favorite singers of all time is Janis Joplin, and I learned very much through imitation, so when I hear a singer I love, I try and emulate that, and that kind of added up to the way I sing today. Q: You often told the judges that you didn't want to pigeonhole yourself into one genre. Was that an important message you hoped to send you to your fans? A: That's definitely something that was important to me from the beginning to show people that that is something I care about, that I take very seriously. I've always been an independent person and a different kind of person, but I'm very stubborn and strong-willed, and it's something important to me to get that across, that I'm not going to change to please other people. I do what I do because it rests well on my heart and who I am. The feedback that I've got, the positive feedback that I receive from fans and viewers, was tremendous. I couldn't ask for anything better than receiving letters from younger girls who said to me, "I get made fun of at school because I'm different, but watching you has helped me accept the fact that it's OK and that it's a good thing to be who I am and not back down just because other people intimidate me." I've received letters where I've been brought to tears just because I have achieved something that has been a goal of mine for so long: to be able to influence the lives of young girls in a positive way. To show them that who you are on the inside is a beautiful thing, and you shouldn't let anyone take that away from you, because we are all perfectly made as who we are. To be able to have that connection with fans through this whole experience, through the television and know that I reached people, even if it was just one person — I always said if I could influence one person's life, then that's what I'm here for, so I'm just so honored. Q: Were you disappointed that the judges' save wasn't available for you since it was already used on Michael Lynche? A: No, not at all, because I couldn't imagine it not being used on Mike. That was so shocking that there was the chance of him going home that week, and I think we all knew when it was announced: "They have to save him. There's no way he could be going home." And it would have been cool if that didn't have to happen, but I have faith that everything happens for a reason, and I couldn't be luckier to be where I'm at and to have gotten this far. So I love Mike to death, and it's awesome that he's still in it. Q: What did you think when people compared you to "Idol" alum and mentor Adam Lambert? A: It was wicked flattering being compared to him right off the bat. I just respect him so much for his individuality and his confidence, and his stage presence is just tremendous. It's undeniable that he's born to do what he's doing. And he was extremely helpful as a mentor, because he was the first mentor that the show ever had that was a past contestant. So he knew firsthand what it was like to be in our shoes, and that was helpful, because he was sensitive to that. He knew just what to say, and the things that he said were so dead-on, and I really just tried to absorb every single thing he said. Q: What would you say to people who were disappointed you're off the show? A: I would say not to worry, because this is just the end of one thing and it's the beginning of a new thing. I have so many big ideas and things that I hope to come in the future that I probably wouldn't have got a chance to do without this experience, and I'm so grateful for the entire thing. Hopefully, this will just be the gateway to all of the other things I aspire to do. Were you sad to see Siobhan go? Will you check out her post-"Idol" music? Let us know in the comments! Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Khloe Kardashian Confesses She Was A 'Shady Kid' On 'When I Was 17' Posted: 29 Apr 2010 04:16 AM PDT Find out just how shady she was on Saturday's premiere episode of MTV's 'When I Was 17.'
Fans of her reality show know that nothing comes between Khloé Kardashian and her sisters, Kourtney and Kim. On "When I Was 17," a new MTV show premiering Saturday at 11 a.m. (and also featuring Trey Songz and Perez Hilton), they'll get to see just how true that is. Khloé explains how she took matters into her own hands when she realized she'd be the last of the trio to graduate high school.
"My sisters were my best friends. We all went to an all-girls Catholic school," Khloé remembered. "When my sisters graduated, I felt I didn't have friends. There was no reason for me to stay." To ensure she'd never have to endure a single day of school without her siblings, Khloé got creative. Registering herself for homeschooling seemed like the best solution, she said. "And I was kind of a shady kid," Khloé recalled. "So I located a home school. I went there, I enrolled myself. I had my parents sign, [but] I really signed." To her mom, Kris, the decision seemed to come out of left field. "One day I get a call from the school, asking me about these forms I had filled out and signed transferring Khloé," mom Kris Jenner recalled. "And I was like, 'What the hell are you talking about? Khloé's not going to home school.' Somehow, she convinced her dad and I that's where she belonged." Her parents caved and gave their permission — with one condition. "She said as long as I really did my school work I could do it," Khloé explained. "I finished three years of high school in one year. I graduated actually when I was 17, with honors. So — in your face!" "When I Was 17" — this week featuring Trey Songz, Khloe Kardashian and Perez Hilton — premieres Saturday (May 1) at 11 a.m. on MTV. Related Photos |
| Guru Memorial Concert Should Involve DJ Premier, Solar Says Posted: 29 Apr 2010 03:08 AM PDT 'It couldn't be [a tribute] without them,' he tells MTV News, despite tensions between the two.
Although tensions between Solar and DJ Premier remain high, the controversial producer said he would like to reach out to the Gang Starr member to join him for a memorial concert he's planning for Guru later this year.
"Not only Premier, but the whole Gang Starr Foundation — everybody, for sure," Solar told MTV News. "It couldn't be [a tribute] without them. Plus, the list of artists Guru and I have already compiled that would go with it, that would be brilliant." Solar said he and Guru had long planned to host an event, whether he recovered from his health issues or not. Since the Gang Starr rapper died last week, though, Solar has been vilified by fans for releasing a "farewell" letter purportedly written by Guru. In the controversial message, Guru assailed Premier and only referred to his groupmate as his "former DJ." Solar denied claims that he wrote the letter, but Premier remains skeptical. Premier released his own statement following Guru's death, a touching memorial to his friend. During a radio "salute" to his fallen Gang Starr cohort, Premier repeatedly disparaged Solar, writing him off as a jealous opportunist. Solar, for his part, stands by Guru's authorship of the letter, yet he distanced himself from the remarks and said he now has to make the best decisions for the current situation. "At the end of the day, Guru's statement is Guru's statement, and that's Guru," he said. "I'm my own man, just like he was his own man. I have to make decisions as life goes on that's beneficial to all involved. I haven't had a chance to sit down with DJ Premier. Hopefully now will be the time, in the near future, even on this particular matter, and speak on things. It's my intention that everybody understand I foster the concepts of peace and harmony. And I believe as time goes on and feelings settle that this will happen. And willfully, this benefit concert will be one way of speeding that along." Share your memories of Guru and Gang Starr in the comments below. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Rick Ross Explains Why He Wanted Diddy To Manage Him Posted: 29 Apr 2010 12:57 AM PDT 'The experience and the knowledge that Diddy possesses is priceless,' he tells MTV News.
Rick Ross said a night of hanging out with Diddy and the Ciroc Boys inspired the opening lines of his "Super High" record: "From my n---a Diddy view, I think I see his vision too/ 'Purple Rain,' over Central Park, chillin' with my goons."
Ross, Diddy and a few friends were watching Prince's "Purple Rain" in the mogul's New York penthouse when he was inspired to write the lyrics. Ross' friendship with the founder of Bad Boy Records blossomed into a business relationship. Diddy is now a part of the Bawse's management team. "The experience and the knowledge that Diddy possesses is priceless," Ross explained on the set of his upcoming video for "Super High." "The relationships that he's accumulated over the last 20 years is priceless for a young artist such as myself. We developed a mutual friendship. We just stayed in contact. I was calling him for advice anyway. He was doing it for free: 'What you think about that, homey? Help me get this, homey. I need to meet for the Waka Flocka video, homey.' He was doing so many different things for me on that level." Ross said since he has officially aligned with Diddy, he has put a few things on the agenda. "I expressed my interest in developing and designing my own clothing label," Ricky Rosé said. "I expressed interest in branching off into liquor endorsements, book deals. I've yet to headline my own major tour yet, which I've never had a problem with, because I love the intimacy of clubs. I love when I can run in the club with 2,000 people in there, and I can look the majority of them in the eye and make sure they feel Rick Ross and understand what Rick Ross brings to the game. But most definitely, these are the new things we're bringing to the table, and these are things I haven't expressed a lot of interest into in the past. It's looking very, very positive." The Miami flow master said his association with Diddy is also paying dividends in the lab. After rapping in the same vocal booth that Notorious B.I.G. once graced at the Daddy's House studios, his pursuit of lyrical supremacy is even more steadfast. "Expect me to go greater heights," Ross promised about where he'll be artistically on his Teflon Don album. "I wanna push myself until I push myself all the way over the cliff." Teflon Don comes out June 29. Ross has secured collaborations from Diddy, Kanye West and Jay-Z, among others. What do you think about Ross teaming up with Diddy? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
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