MTV News |
- Lady Gaga Gets Epic, The Strokes Shrug It Off: Friday At Lollapalooza
- 'Jersey Shore' Adds Deena Nicole Cortese To The Cast
- Kanye West's 'Power' Video: Artists Break It Down
- Lady Gaga Joins Semi Precious Weapons Onstage At Lollapalooza
- Travis Barker And Fat Joe Freestyle On MTV's 'RapFix Live'
- B.o.B Kicks Off Lollapalooza: Watch Exclusive Footage Here!
- Will 'Avatar' Sequels Shoot Back-To-Back? James Cameron Weighs In
- Drake To Head Out On Lightdreams & Nightmares Tour
- Eminem's 'Love The Way You Lie' Warns Of The Cycle Of Abuse
- Vanessa Hudgens Grows Up In 'Rent' At The Hollywood Bowl
- 'Love The Way You Lie' Star Megan Fox Isn't First Actress-Turned-Video Vixen
- Kanye West Reveals Album, Single Details During Live Chat
- Jonas Brothers Promise Old And New JoBros Hits On Summer Tour
- Sum-41's Deryck Whibley Hospitalized After Attack In Japan
- Jonas Brothers Challenge Yankees, Kings Of Leon To Baseball Game
- Kanye West's 'Power' Video: A Cultural Cheat Sheet
- Pras Explains Endorsing Wyclef Presidential Rival
- Perez Hilton Predicts Greatness From Lady Gaga At Lollapalooza
- Fat Joe Wants To End 50 Cent Beef With Bathroom Brawl
- Justin Bieber Lines Up 'U Smile' As New Single
| Lady Gaga Gets Epic, The Strokes Shrug It Off: Friday At Lollapalooza Posted: 06 Aug 2010 11:05 PM PDT The Strokes offer a low-key alternative to Gaga's over-the-top theatrics at Chicago fest's first day.
CHICAGO — For 19 years now (off and on), the basic theme of Lollapalooza has always seemed to be that there was no theme, that Perry Farrell could take as many incongruous bands as he wanted, throw them all on a bill, and let the chips fall where they may. And by that standard, Lollapalooza 2010 is shaping up to be a real classic. Because for every streamlined, pneumonic tune by Devo on Friday (August 6), there was an equally rusted-out, hairy one by the Black Keys. For every smooth, soulful moment by Raphael Saadiq, there was a spastic, shameless one by Foxy Shazam. It was basically opposite day. And that was perhaps best exemplified — and amplified — by the night's headliners, Lady Gaga and the Strokes, who duked it out across Grant Park with sets that were as drastically different as they could possibly be. While Gaga filled the Chicago night with strobes and searchlights, fireworks and flames, about as inspired as the Strokes got with their production was projecting a game of "Pong" on the screen during "Someday." Gaga talked long and loud, with messages of inspiration and pride, while Julian Casablancas barely spoke at all, and when he did, it was just to mutter something like Jeff Spicoli or Mitch Hedberg ("Yeah. what is up?"). Needless to say, it made for a pretty interesting — and entertaining — opening night face off. Lady Gaga was definitely the overwhelming favorite. All day, though there were plenty of other acts on the bill, the buzz on the ground surrounded mainly one of them: her. Fans walked around the grounds in homemade T-shirts, face paint and various accessories in devotion to the star, and the crowd in front of the stage where she performed swelled early in the afternoon in anticipation of her set.
And the hardcores — especially those who sat in front of the stage all day waiting for Mother Monster to kick off her show — were not left disappointed. Gaga (who, earlier in the day, dropped in during a set by her friends the Semi Precious Weapons) brought a truncated version of her Monster Ball tour to Lollapalooza, retaining some of the narrative elements but dropping some of the bigger set pieces. But she filled in the blanks with a handful of special moments, included an extended run through her me-and-a-piano tunes "Speechless" and "You and I," both of which saw her talk extensively to the crowd about the origins of the songs and her message of freedom, individualism and ultimate self-expression. There was also a visit from Lady Starlight, her former collaborator who actually performed with Gaga when she was last on a Lollapalooza stage in 2007. The pair came out and danced a choreographed routine to Metallica's "Metal Militia," which provided an entertaining if slightly surreal halfway point to the show. And by the time Gaga finished up her set with the pounding, anthemic "Bad Romance," the estimated 80,000 people gathered were pretty well danced out, and they wandered out of Grant Park in a euphoric haze. Meanwhile, across the park, the Strokes took the opposite tact, seemingly going out of their way to provide an alternative to Gaga's polished professionalism. They wandered on stage some 15 minutes late-to the strains of Queen's "We Will Rock You" — joined eventually by Casablancas, who strolled to the mic dressed in a studded leather jacket (and a bizarre patch of green dye in his tossled mane) and blew into the opening lines of "New York City Cops." And over the two-ish hours, Casablancas and his mates proved that, during their near three-year hiatus, they'd actually turned into a really great Ramones tribute act (except for the fiery solos by guitarist Nick Valensi), with each successive song plowing along with gleeful disregard for precision and an increased focus on excessive volume. "What Ever Happened" was extra skuzzy, "The Modern Age" chugged along like a rusty engine, and "Vision Of Division" got louder and louder, until it boiled over into a feed-back powered freak out. In that same vein, Casablancas has somehow morphed into a combination of Joey Ramone and Liam Gallagher, professionally disheveled (and disinterested) yet still cocksure and swaggering. One minute, he'd be draped over the mic, pouring his voice into the thing, and the next, he'd be standing with his back turned to the crowd, nodding confidently, seemingly somewhere else entirely (somewhere nice.) He'd mumble an extended thank you to the audience, then crack a joke about Lollapalooza being a "land of dreams. Where Nirvana and Pearl Jam played their sh-" (and in true above-it-all fashion, only half of that statement was actually correct). And yet, in all that, and despite not trying all that hard, the Strokes still pulled it off. The songs had power and punch. Valensi's solos were highlights. Albert Hammond Jr.'s rapid-fire chugging, too. And Casablancas was a boorishly charming ringmaster. They seem to be a better — if not happier — band than they were in 2007. It's good to have them back with us. They might not have won the night, but at least they're (sorta) trying once again. Because, make no mistake about it, they were still great. Maybe the second-greatest band on Friday at Lollapalooza. They just weren't Gaga. Lollapalooza 2010 is happening now — make sure to check out MTV News' Lollapalooza Live, streaming Saturday and Sunday at 5 p.m., right here on MTV.com. And follow all of Lollapalooza on the MTV Newsroom blog. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| 'Jersey Shore' Adds Deena Nicole Cortese To The Cast Posted: 06 Aug 2010 06:04 AM PDT New Jersey native is a longtime friend of Snooki's.
There's a new guidette in the house, and she's ready to party. On Friday (August 6), MTV announced that New Jersey native Deena Nicole Cortese has joined the cast of "Jersey Shore." A longtime friend of show favorite Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, Cortese is currently shooting with the rest of the crew in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. She joins the original castmembers, which includes Snooki, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino, Jenni "JWoww" Farley, Ronnie Magro, Sammi "Sweetheart" Giancola, Paul "DJ Pauly D" Del Vecchio and Vinny Guadagnino. The Cortese news was revealed at the Friday meeting of the Television Critics Association. Cortese, 23, describes herself as "class in a glass and party in a body." (There's no word on whether she, too, has a Snooki-esque nickname.) If possible, she plans to bring even more partying to the hit series. "I bring a lot of energy into the house," she told The Associated Press. "I party." The second season of the reality series premiered last week to a record-breaking 5.3 million viewers. The eight housemates are shot season two in Miami, heating up the Florida club scene and creating at-home drama. Are you excited to get some fresh blood in the "Jersey Shore" house? Let us know in the comments! Don't miss "Jersey Shore" every Thursday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. Related Videos |
| Kanye West's 'Power' Video: Artists Break It Down Posted: 06 Aug 2010 03:44 AM PDT MTV News caught up with art students, who say director Marco Brambilla is 'pushing the envelope.'
Ram-horned guards, floating nymphs, knife-wielding attackers, water flowing upward — huh?!? If you can't make heads or tails out of the groundbreaking "video montage" Kanye West and artist Marco Brambilla produced for West's "Power," relax. You're not alone.
After the clip's Thursday premiere on MTV, Kanye tweeted: "It's not a video ... It's a moving painting!" During his recent talks with MTV News, Brambilla described the 90-second piece, which is made of 24 layers of video, as a "visual ballet." Others have called it a "living portrait." A visual ballet painting? Yeah, that wasn't good enough for us either. So we consulted people who have devoted their lives to studying, analyzing and producing art, and they're confused too. "What stood out to me was his ridiculous big chain. I don't know what that was all about," photographer Gianna Leofalcon said about the six-figure, gold medallion that depicts one of the oldest Egyptian deities, Horus. "If that [chain] was real, he wouldn't be standing up," joked painter and illustrator Misha T. "It symbolizes power," said graphic artist and rapper Wordspit. "Back in the day, [Egyptians] used to wear nothing but gold jewelry, and that was a sense of power with them. I feel like it symbolizes that." Fellow graphic artist Suede Jury agreed: "The chain is larger than life. Everything about the video is larger than life." "Yo, this dude, Marco. He's bananas, son," said painter Ibrahim Baaith. "And what's cool is that he's shooting all this and incorporating it into, like, a painting. He's not just taking classical images and just smashing it together. He's completely original, and I like where he and Kanye took it. He's definitely pushing the envelope." The problem comes when you ask which direction the envelope is being pushed. Some say it permanently raised the bar for hip-hop videos, but Leofalcon said when it comes to male/female relations, "Power" goes the same old route. "What are all the women doing below him?" she asked. "What message is that sending? We're already dealing with inequality between men and women, particularly in hip-hop. I'm sick and tired of having a bunch of girls surrounding a man in videos in general. "I would challenge Kanye to have a woman by his side to give the message that there is equality between him and a beautiful woman," she added. "He's showing his position of power. He indulges in the women," Wordspit countered. "I could understand that you want him to have a woman by his side. It probably would have looked cool. ... But at the same time, Kanye is a loner. Kanye feels like he's alone. And I think that was one of the purposes of this video — to just show that even though I'm in a position of power. I'm still mortal." Misha T broke down the video like this: "The song is called 'Power.' When you're on top, everybody's trying to bring you down to claim that spot. He's trying to show you this picture-perfect world where, yeah, you have goddesses surrounding you. But at the same time, you have guys trying to stab you in the back." And that sword over his head? It's the Sword of Damocles. Don't even get us started on that ... What did you take from Kanye's "Power" video? Share your thoughts in the comments! Related Artists |
| Lady Gaga Joins Semi Precious Weapons Onstage At Lollapalooza Posted: 06 Aug 2010 06:11 AM PDT 'It was pretty amazing,' frontman Justin Tranter tells MTV News of Gaga jumping on drums.
CHICAGO — In the hours before Lady Gaga's Friday night (August 6) set to close out the first night of Lollapalooza in Chicago's Grant Park, the ubiquitous, world-conquering pop star made an early appearance onstage as part of the set by Semi Precious Weapons (her friends and the opening act on her Monster Ball Tour).
Semi Precious Weapons frontman Justin Tranter breathlessly recounted the story while standing just in front of the stage where Gaga would be performing her full set in a matter of hours. "She came to watch us perform. She stood on the side of the stage, and then during the song 'Magnetic Baby,' she started playing drums with Dan," he told MTV News. "Then she started singing backup vocals, then her and I made out, and then she stagedove and then I joined her while she stage-dove. And then we made out while stagediving. And then she left. It was pretty amazing." The visit certainly came as a surprise to the men of Semi Precious Weapons, though it isn't the first time the two entities have tag-teamed. "She used to get onstage with us all the time, but since she's so famous, normally it's not safe for her," Tranter explained. "But she played the same stage we played three years ago, and I think she was so excited about us playing that stage, and she loves our band so much that she was overwhelmed by the rock and roll and just had to make it happen." Tranter also told MTV News that this wouldn't be the last you would see of Gaga collaborating with the band. "Gaga herself has plans to collaborate with us, both artistically and sexually," he teased. After a whirlwind day, Semi Precious Weapons declared themselves the victors of Lollapalooza's Friday. "Tonight, in 2010, at Lollapalooza, rock and roll officially is back," Tranter said. "After Gaga is done, between our set and her set, they should just cancel the whole thing." Are you looking forward to a collaboration between Gaga and SPW? Tell us in the comments! Lollapalooza 2010 is happening now — make sure to check out MTV News' Lollapalooza Live, streaming Saturday and Sunday at 5 p.m., right here on MTV.com. And follow all of Lollapalooza on the MTV Newsroom blog. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Travis Barker And Fat Joe Freestyle On MTV's 'RapFix Live' Posted: 06 Aug 2010 07:24 AM PDT The Blink-182 drummer teams up with Joey Crack for an impromptu session.
Fat Joe's "RapFix Live" interview on Friday (August 6) was heavy on highlights. The Bronx lyricist talked about confronting hip-hop nemesis 50 Cent, his memories of the late Big Pun and his strained relationship with Remy Ma. However, one of the more surprising moments arose when rocker Travis Barker joined the Terror Squad rapper's sit-down. Barker — at the MTV News offices for a separate interview — warmly greeted Joe, who recalled fond times with Barker's late pals DJ AM and Lil Chris. While Travis may be best known as the drummer for rock outfits Blink-182 and +44, he's since branched out, becoming a familiar figure in the hip-hop scene. Barker has remixed songs by stars like Soulja Boy and hit the stage with the likes of Jamie Foxx and T-Pain. Joe even dubbed him "our hip-hop drummer. He gets it in. Ain't nobody like him."
Barker said that he's been inspired by both rap and rock for a long time. "Ten years ago ... I'd be on tour with Blink or Transplants, one of my punk rock bands, and they'd be like, 'What are you listening to?' They'd be expecting me to say [something] like, 'I'm listening to Minor Threat or Sex Pistols,' and I would say ... 'I can't stop listening to Low End Theory [by] Tribe Called Quest,' and they'd be bummed," Barker revealed. "That stuff changed my life when I was a kid. I'd always be real honest and up-front about it. I listen to everything. I listen to Minor Threat just as much as I listen to Tribe." In fact, Barker is working on the solo project Give the Drummer Some, which features a major cast of hip-hop talent, including Game, Lil Wayne, Swizz Beatz, Rick Ross and Beanie Sigel. Joe said MCs respect the drummer because he's blurring the boundaries of hip-hop and rock by bringing the two genres together. "For somebody like Travis to tell Rick Ross or Game, 'Yo, get in the studio,' and they get in like this [snaps fingers], it just shows how much they appreciate what he's doing towards the culture of hip-hop or rock or whatever you wanna call it," Joe, who recently dropped his The Darkside, Vol. 1, said. Then, the two stars demonstrated what a hip-hop and rock collabo looks like with an impromptu performance. Barker brandished the drumsticks he always keeps on hand and took it back to the schoolyard, thumping out an uptempo beat on a stiff notebook. Joe leaned back in his chair, and with casual swagger, began to rattle off a swift freestyle. "This that genocide talk/ They killing babies again/ And there's lines around the block/ Like it's the '80s again/ Yeah, the dark side and you don't wanna go to this place/ Where I got special powers/ I could punch a hole through your face," he rhymed. What did you think of Travis and Joe's "RapFix Live" freestyle? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| B.o.B Kicks Off Lollapalooza: Watch Exclusive Footage Here! Posted: 06 Aug 2010 12:27 AM PDT MTV News follows rapper up onstage before he tears into his hits and closes with MGMT's 'Kids.'
CHICAGO -- The speakers boomed the theme from "Star Wars" over the empty expanses of Grant Park, the gates opened, and the kids came on through. They were just a trickle at first, then a heavy flow, and finally a steady surge, sprinting and screaming, kicking clouds of dust up into the air. Lollapalooza 2010 was officially under way.
And backstage at the Adidas Mega stage -- which, conveniently enough, was adjacent to the river of kids -- the first performer of the fest was getting ready. But this wasn't your ordinary curtain jerker; this was B.o.B, possessor of two massive hit singles, a #1 album and five Video Music Awards nominations. So obviously, the kids made a beeline for the stage, set up shop on the guard rail and got ready to get wild. About this time, B.o.B was exiting his tour bus and making the long walk to the stage. Flanked by his posse, and followed by a crew of cameras, he strutted and laughed -- until he got to the gangplank that ramped directly up to the sea of kids. Then the cameras shut off, his posse clammed up, and B.o.B got serious. As luck would have it, he allowed our crew to follow him up. As his name was announced, he ducked behind the stage, crouched, bobbed his head and prepared himself, like a prize fighter getting ready to go 12 rounds. Then, he hit the stage. The kids cheered, his cracking live band laid into the groove, and his double-jointed go-go dancers did their stuff. It was red-hot. He played the hits -- leading the audience in sing-alongs of "Nothin' on You" and "Airplanes" -- worked snippets of Vampire Weekend into his tunes and closed with a fabulously funky cover of MGMT's "Kids." And then, as the kids screamed their approval, he threw down his mic and disappeared backstage once again. It was a pretty excellent way to kick off a festival. And a weekend. Lollapalooza 2010 gets under way Friday -- make sure to check out MTV News' Lollapalooza Live, streaming Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5 p.m., right here on MTV.com. And follow all of Lollapalooza on the MTV Newsroom blog. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Will 'Avatar' Sequels Shoot Back-To-Back? James Cameron Weighs In Posted: 06 Aug 2010 08:19 AM PDT Director also talks about getting 'inside the characters' heads' for his 'Avatar' novel.
It's not enough that "Avatar" is now the biggest movie of all time, winning three Oscars and grossing unprecedented box-office dollars. To better serve the film-going public, the powers that be at Fox will be re-releasing the film in 3-D and 3-D IMAX on August 27. MTV News was lucky enough to steal a few moments of maestro James Cameron's time to talk about the reported "Avatar" novel and whether he'll shoot the proposed two sequels back-to-back.
"We're still working on deals [for 'Avatar 2']," Cameron told MTV News. "We don't start the movie until we get the deals worked out." Fair enough. But what about the rumored sequel "scriptment"? "I'm making notes. I'm not sitting idle," Cameron said. "But really, what I'm working on primarily is the novel. I never had a chance to get the novel done while we were making the movie, and I always intended to. I didn't want to do a cheesy novelization, where some hack comes in and kind of makes sh-- up. I wanted to do something that was a legitimate novel that was inside the characters' heads and didn't have the wrong culture stuff, the wrong language stuff, all that." Cameron went on to say that the novel will serve as a "bible" for other writers to come in and riff on for their own "Avatar"-based stories. "I don't mind opening the universe, but I just don't want that to happen until I've got more meat on the bones," he said, adding that he'd like to fill in some of the specific details about the company, what's happening on Earth and Grace and Jake's backstories. "That all needs to be filled in before other writers can come in and run with it." Regarding his plans and discussions about two proposed sequels, we asked if he'll shoot them back-to-back. "We're actually talking about that. That's not a decision yet," Cameron revealed. "That is something that makes a lot of sense, given the nature of these productions, because we can bank all the [motion] capture and then go back and do cameras over a period of time." He added that the nature of their filmmaking process lends itself more naturally to a back-to-back shooting schedule, versus that of other live-action productions. "The way these back-to-back productions fall apart is that you're trying to do two live-action films back to back, and you're working on it for a year and a half, shooting. Everyone is dead. It's not humanly possible," Cameron said of live-action shoots. "This type of film, it absolutely would work." Check out everything we've got on "Avatar." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. |
| Drake To Head Out On Lightdreams & Nightmares Tour Posted: 06 Aug 2010 04:00 AM PDT Toronto MC will kick off multi-city U.S. tour, with openers the Clipse, in September.
Even with the breakout success of Thank Me Later under his belt, Drake isn't slowing down this year. He'll embark on his Lightdreams & Nightmares Tour in September, kicking off the tour with two dates in Miami. A string of dates posted on Drizzy's October's Very Own blog on Thursday show that the rapper will be on the tour grind until November. A rep for the Clipse, confirmed to MTV News that the Virginia duo will support Drake on the multi-city U.S. tour. The Toronto MC has spent much of 2010 living on the road. He crisscrossed the U.S. on his eco-friendly Away From Home Tour, which kicked off in April and hit colleges around the nation. Drake also showed his hometown a lot of love with his inaugural OVO Festival over the weekend, which featured appearances from a blue-chip roster of hip-hop talent including Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Fabolous and Bun B. Jay-Z and Eminem also treated concertgoers to surprise performances. Lightdreams & Nightmares Tour supporting act Clipse have been making noise themselves with the announcement of Pusha T's upcoming solo mixtape, The Fear of God, slated for a September 14 release. Push has also been building buzz as rumors abound that the MC has joined Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music family, a move that longtime collaborator Pharrell has said he supports. Tour dates are below. However, don't panic if you don't see a show in a city near you: A rep for Drake said that additional dates will be announced soon. » 9/20 - Miami, FL @ James L. Knight Center Are you glad to hear Drake is coming to a city near you? Let us know in the comments! Related Photos Related Artists |
| Eminem's 'Love The Way You Lie' Warns Of The Cycle Of Abuse Posted: 06 Aug 2010 12:50 AM PDT Dating violence expert says clip's 'warning' message is heightened by Eminem's and Rihanna's personal histories.
In Eminem's controversial new video "Love the Way You Lie," love and violence intertwine seamlessly. One moment, a couple sleeps in each other's arms, the next, they're violently fighting, tossing bed sheets. Later, they kiss passionately, pressed up against the same wall the man has just punctured with his fist. All the while, Rihanna croons the chorus which includes the line, "That's all right because I like the way it hurts." But is it really all right? Less than 24 hours after MTV debuted the video for Eminem's chart-topping single about the evolution of his relationship with his ex-wife, Kim, many are wondering: Does "Love the Way You Lie" glamorize domestic violence?
"The most important thing the video is doing is raising the topic of dating violence among young people," Stephanie Nilva, executive director of sexual assault and trauma resource center Day One, told MTV News. An expert in relationship violence and domestic abuse prevention, Nilva praised the clip for accurately depicting a pattern typical of abusive relationships. The video stars actors Dominic Monaghan and Megan Fox as a couple involved in a relationship that starts out passionately and lovingly but quickly devolves into a violent affair. Nilva said the video is especially potent because of Eminem's and Rihanna's personal histories with violence or abuse. "Eminem's history is ...as someone who sings a lot about violence," she said. "And Rihanna's experience [is] as someone who was abused by Chris Brown." That history, she added, is what will make people look at the video and see "that the message is not 'Don't you want a relationship like mine?' The message is a warning sign." During the four-minute span of "Love the Way You Lie," Rihanna alternately sneers in the frame and seems to physically diminish before finally crumbling to the ground in front of the burning house that serves as her backdrop throughout. The images may be melodramatic but symbolically, they are accurate, according to Nilva. "Someone who is victimized in a relationship does become smaller, does lose their power and their strength." "I think we tried as hard as we could to not glorify the violence, to try and explain that this was a relationship that is by no means ideal and a relationship that probably should have ended a lot sooner than it did," Monaghan told MTV News recently. "The concept of 'Love the Way You Lie' was essentially a look at the relationship that Eminem was in with his wife, Kim, so I kind of felt like I was playing Eminem a little bit, and Megan Fox was kind of playing Kim. "It's the story of them getting to know each other, and it's the story of their tumultuous relationship, and it was the story of the breakdown of their relationship," he continued. "Ultimately, what I think he's trying to say in the song ... is that he should have walked away a little bit quicker than he did and not let it get as messy as it did." To learn more about how you can prevent or get help for dating abuse and domestic violence, visit DayOneNY.org. If you are involved in an abusive relationship and would like help you can also call 1-800-214-4150. Love should not hurt. Do you think the "Love the Way You Lie" video conveys its anti-abuse message? Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Vanessa Hudgens Grows Up In 'Rent' At The Hollywood Bowl Posted: 06 Aug 2010 08:46 AM PDT Director Neil Patrick Harris says it's great to watch the actress 'allow herself to be so exposed to these people.'
"High School Musical" alum Vanessa Hudgens is taking her song-and-dance skills to a brand-new stage. The actress appears this weekend in a Hollywood Bowl production of "Rent," helmed by Neil Patrick Harris, alongside stars such as Wayne Brady and Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger.
The award-winning Broadway smash, which explores the complicated lives of a cast of downtown New Yorkers, is a far cry from the cheery story lines of the "High School Musical" franchise. However, Hudgens said she's up for mounting the challenging play, which demanded that the cast prepare with only a single punishing week of rehearsals. "It's been insanity," Hudgens told MTV News about the grueling schedule. "[The] first two days was [everyone gathering] around the piano and the rest of them [were] just trying to figure out where you are. It's kind of like, you do it [and then] it's like, 'You did it! Great, moving on.' You're like ... 'OK, it's OK, I'll just figure it out on my own time.' " Like "HSM," "Rent" (which was brought to the big screen in 2005) has a die-hard following. Hudgens, who plays a drug-addicted dancer, has her own take on the play. "For me I think the strongest thing is how my character Mimi finds strength within love," Hudgens said. "I'm a hopeless romantic, so it gets me every time." The similarities pretty much end there, as Hudgens acknowledged. "It's 100 percent different than 'High School Musical' because the characters [have] so much more to deal with and [my character goes] through such a massive journey. Each song really shows a different side of the character," Hudgens said. The actress also credited her director for helping her get back into the musical mind-set. "It's exciting. Getting back into it has been kind of like a leap of faith, but I know I'm in good hands with Neil." Harris said witnessing Hudgens' vulnerability in the play is compelling to watch. "As people get to be older and older, they start disassociating themselves from different types of people. And this 'Rent' world sort of does the opposite: It encourages all of that. The diversity that these 25 people have ... just fills your heart," Harris said. "To watch someone like Vanessa open up and allow herself to be so exposed to these people is really great for me as a director to see." What do you think of Vanessa Hudgens starring in "Rent"? Sound off in the comments below! |
| 'Love The Way You Lie' Star Megan Fox Isn't First Actress-Turned-Video Vixen Posted: 06 Aug 2010 07:58 AM PDT Alicia Silverstone, Scarlett Johansson and Jennifer Love Hewitt also heated up music videos.
In honor of the buzz surrounding Megan Fox's performance in Eminem and Rihanna's "Love the Way You Lie" video — in which she portrays one-half of a couple in an abusive relationship alongside "Lost" and "Lord of the Rings" actor Dominic Monaghan — we at MTV News, having a certain level of expertise in this arena, got to thinking about other Hollywood actresses who have recently burned up the screens as music-video vixens. What makes a video vixen? For this list, the qualifications are relatively simple: must be a recognizable Hollywood actress and be featured as a focal point of a band or bandmember's attention or the star of the clip's story line. In no particular order, and in addition to Fox's appearance in "Love the Way You Lie," MTV News presents the hottest actresses-turned-video vixens. Charlize Theron in Brandon Flowers' "Crossfire" Elisha Cuthbert in Weezer's "Perfect Situation" Scarlett Johansson in Justin Timberlake's "What Goes Around ... Comes Around" Pamela Anderson in Lit's "Miserable" Jennifer Love Hewitt in Enrique Iglesias' "Hero" and LFO's "Girl on TV" Alicia Silverstone and Liv Tyler in Aerosmith's "Crazy" Who are your favorite actresses-turned-video stars? Share your picks in the comments! |
| Kanye West Reveals Album, Single Details During Live Chat Posted: 06 Aug 2010 06:36 AM PDT Yet-untitled LP is coming 'sometime in November,' and next single will be 'Lost in the World' or 'All of the Lights.'
A mere 140 characters can't contain Kanye West. The Twitter newcomer took to another digital medium Friday afternoon (August 6) when he broadcast his first Ustream session from Korea, during which he spoke from a hotel balcony as the sun rose behind him.
"I'm bout to get on to answer questions and chip away at my mystique one humanizing question at a time," he tweeted before going live. West was particularly open during the 25-minute chat, revealing tentative dates for the release of his forthcoming album ("sometime in November," he said) and the follow-up single to "Power" (either "Lost in the World" or "All of the Lights," which he said could arrive in 20 days). The Chicago MC was killing time until he had to depart for the airport. He was upbeat throughout the chat and displayed his wacky humor, especially when he alerted his viewers that his outfit was the same one he wore in his "Flashing Lights" clip. He also touched on his latest video, the brief 90-second clip for "Power." West said his initial plans were to create a 30- to 40-minute mini-film. But once the song leaked, he had to move fast on a new treatment. "We vibed out in my house, and I had all these references of Renaissance paintings," he told his followers. "I always wanted to re-create the Sistine Chapel. This is not the full re-creation [though]. I still might want to do that." What do think about Kanye West's social-media conquests? Let us know in the comments! Related Photos Related Artists |
| Jonas Brothers Promise Old And New JoBros Hits On Summer Tour Posted: 06 Aug 2010 06:45 AM PDT 'I think from the minute you walk in to when the last note is played, it'll be a full night of music,' Kevin teased.
CHICAGO — While the Jonas Brothers will be joined by Demi Lovato and a number of their "Camp Rock 2" pals for their big tour, which kicks off Saturday outside Chicago, the guys want their fans to know that this is still very much a JoBros tour. And fans will get a bonus treat, thanks to all the special guests.
"When you're coming in to see the show, I think from the minute you walk in to when the last note is played, it'll be a full night of music and entertainment," Kevin told MTV News during a break from rehearsals at the First Midland Bank Amphitheatre. "And we have so many friends out on the road and so many things to be able to integrate into our show." But fans of Jonas hits like "Lovebug" and "SOS" shouldn't fret; the guys have been making sure their own songs are getting plenty of airtime during the show. "We are doing a Jonas Brothers set, and it's actually a lot," Kevin added. He said fans will even be treated to some oldies but goodies. "We're playing a lot of Jonas Brothers songs, and we're integrating 'Camp Rock' and 'JONAS L.A.' songs [and] songs from our past. We're really excited." Not only should fans be excited to catch the JoBros and their pals onstage, but the show also means the guys have a lot more friends to hang out with on the road. "It's been a lot of fun," Joe said. "We had a great time shooting the movie with those guys, so to kind of be backstage, there's a lot of people on this tour. It's cool for us to hang out with them all the time." Earlier that day at a news conference at the House of Blues, the guys said that if they did find any downtime at all, they had a few places they like to hang out in Chi-Town. "Millennium Park is always a lot of fun. On my tour back in January, I took a trip up there," Nick said. "Also, just walking the riverfront is amazing. It's such a beautiful city. The fans here are some of the best in the world, I think." Will you be checking the Jonas Brothers out on tour? Let us know in the comments! Stay tuned to MTVNews.com this weekend for our coverage of the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato's tour kickoff! Related Artists |
| Sum-41's Deryck Whibley Hospitalized After Attack In Japan Posted: 06 Aug 2010 05:23 AM PDT 'We are waiting for results and we are hoping for the best,' his bandmates posted online.
Sum-41 frontman Deryck Whibley has been hospitalized after being attacked by three people in a bar late last night in Japan, his bandmates tweeted. He's being treated for unspecified injuries. There isn't much detail out there about the rocker — also the ex-husband of pop/punk singer Avril Lavigne — but Sum-41 posted a statement on their website for concerned fans: "It is unfortunate to say, but Deryck Whibley is still in the hospital. He was attacked late last night in Japan. We are waiting for results and we are hoping for the best. Thanks for your support." According to E! News, Japanese police are investigating the incident, which comes on the heels of Sum-41 announcing Sunday they were forced to cancel three Warped Tour shows because Whibley contracted a bad case of bronchitis. The ailment threatens to mess up his voice permanently, the band said in a statement. "We have been ordered by a physician to cancel a few of our upcoming Vans Warped Tour dates — Chicago, Minneapolis and Kansas City. Deryck has been diagnosed with a serious case of bronchitis, and singing could damage his voice permanently," the statement read. "The tour has been going amazing so far, and we wish Deryck a speedy recovery so we can continue rocking. We apologize to our fans in Chicago, Minneapolis and Kansas City, and we promise to return to these cities on our upcoming world tour." No word yet on how this latest incident will affect those dates. Share your well-wishes for Deryck Whibley in the comments below. Related Artists |
| Jonas Brothers Challenge Yankees, Kings Of Leon To Baseball Game Posted: 06 Aug 2010 06:38 AM PDT Before their Chicago tour kickoff, the guys pick their dream rivals for a Road Dogs game.
CHICAGO — On Friday (August 6), the Jonas Brothers kicked off another Road Dogs season on the eve of their big tour kickoff. They were not only there to pursue their love of all things baseball, but also to shed light on a cause they say needs more attention.
"We're a part of the X the Text campaign with our sponsor Allstate, which is an amazing thing," Kevin Jonas told MTV News only minutes before taking the field. "So many teen drivers and drivers out there have accidents texting while driving, and it's such a [great] thing to bring awareness to this." While this particular game was for a good cause, the guys had a few suggestions for who they'd like to see on the field at a future Road Dogs game to challenge the brothers, the band and their crew to a game. "The Yankees," Kevin said. Nick added: "I think it'd be fun. I think the Yankees would be a challenge." With a professional sports team chosen as a possible contender, the guys also nailed down a band they could see themselves playing against. "Kings of Leon," Kevin said. "We challenge Kings of Leon to a game of softball. That'd be rad. They're some Southern boys. I bet you they play some baseball." While the guys had a good time on the field, they weren't victorious. "Road Dogs played well," Joe tweeted after the game. "We lost. 14-12 Next time we win." Nick tweeted that, despite his performance, the guys couldn't sail to victory. "We lost... But we played well. Final score 14-12," he wrote. "We'll get them next time. I hit a home run that was cool!" Who would you like to see out on the field against the Jonas Brothers? Share your ideas in the comments! Stay tuned to MTVNews.com this weekend for our coverage of the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato's tour kickoff! Related Artists |
| Kanye West's 'Power' Video: A Cultural Cheat Sheet Posted: 06 Aug 2010 09:46 AM PDT Clip pays homage to Renaissance painting, M.C. Escher, 'House Of Flying Daggers.'
Most music videos aim to overwhelm you with quick cuts, big explosions, clever editing tricks and flashy sets that look really expensive. Then there's Kanye West's clip for "Power." Never one to follow trends — peep how he's already reinvented the art of tweeting in just a week — West's 90-second clip is less a video and more a moving painting in which a grim-faced 'Ye stands center stage while a galaxy of saintly and devilish female figures surround him. Director Marco Brambilla said his intention was to create a video "portrait" that would "visualize power ... to do a portrait of what power would look like in a sort of timeless way." We spent way too much time studying what feels like a trailer for a larger piece of conceptual art and broke down the imagery in the video. If it's been a while since your last art history class, get ready to go to school: Dragonlance: An image of a sword descending into a crown hovers over Kanye's head, bringing to mind Volume Two of Douglas Niles' series "The Crown and the Sword: The Rise of Solamnia," in which Sir Jaymes Markham commands the orders of the Rose, Sword and Crown. M.C. Escher's "Waterfall": The Dutch artist famous for making eye-popping images in which gravity and space were twisted into pretzels sketched an image in 1961 in which the water at the base of a waterfall appears to be flowing uphill against gravity before reaching the top of the fall, much as the water pours towards the sky out of two urns held by maidens in the Kanye clip. Chiaroscuro: The monochromatic clip plays with this Renaissance style of painting, in which the artist used sharp contrasts between light and dark to highlight the drama on the canvas. Often, unseen sources of light would illuminate the subjects; in the clip, Kanye appears to have an inner glow that manifests in his eyes and the sword and crown above him cast a light on the entire scene. Jean-Leon Gerome: The French painter known for his love of historical painting with Greek mythological themes created an image titled "Head of a Woman with the Horns of a Ram," which is not unlike the albino-like female figures sprouting long, pointy horns who frame 'Ye. "House of Flying Daggers": Though he's transposed the action from China to ancient Greece, Brambilla might be paying homage to the 2004 action-romance "House of Flying Daggers" with the scene at the end of the video, in which two combatants are flying through the air in mid-sword fight as white bursts of light fill the screen. Ed Moses' "HOLA": This features a haunting single eye glowing behind a swirl of heavy brush marks that some have compared to the mask of a superhero. In "Power," Kanye's eyes have an eerie glow as he stares unblinkingly, also not unlike actor Idris Elba's Heimdall in the upcoming movie "Thor." Michelangelo: From the rows of Ionic columns surrounding him to the floating parade of gauzy-shift wearing Greek men and women who drift into the frame, Brambilla is clearly taking some inspiration from the classic frescoes painted by Italian Renaissance painter and architect Michelangelo. Q-Tip: The legendary rapper and member of A Tribe Called Quest released an album called The Renaissance in 2008. He said the reference to that period was more than just an album title and a sign of his unwavering commitment to keeping his art pure. Ancient Egypt: Yeezy once again rocks the unbelievably fat chain he wore at the BET Awards earlier this year. Its giant pendant is an image of Horus — the Egyptian god of the sky, war and protection. What images do you see in Kanye's "Power" video? Let us know by below. Related Artists |
| Pras Explains Endorsing Wyclef Presidential Rival Posted: 06 Aug 2010 05:42 AM PDT 'The reality is we need a real leader ... a transformative leader,' onetime Fugees bandmate tells MTV News.
Wyclef Jean has now formally announced that he'll run for the presidency of Haiti. But for all of the support coming his way, the musician didn't manage to receive the endorsement of one of his former Fugees groupmembers. Pras has endorsed rival candidate Michel Martelly, telling MTV News on Friday (August 6) that Martelly is better equipped to revive the ravaged country. Pras stressed his appreciation for Wyclef's efforts to aid Haiti but said he simply thinks his friend would be in over his head.
"Basically, I went down to Haiti yesterday to endorse a friend of mine named Michel Martelly. He's an ex-musician, very, very popular down in Haiti," Pras explained. "He used to go by the name 'Sweet Micky.' " "Listen, I love Wyclef to death, he continued. "We came up together, we grew up together, we basically called each other cousins. But the reality is this, we need a real leader. Not just a regular leader, but a transformative leader. Someone that's gonna be able to galvanize the Haitians down on the field, the Haitian-Americans, the international community, it's a collective support — to take this country to the 21st century. And I'm just not convinced Wyclef is the one for that." Pras was particularly effusive in praising Wyclef for bringing global attention to Haiti in the wake of the country's debilitating earthquake this past January. "But that does not mean he can become the next president of Haiti," Pras said. 'Clef formally declared his run for president during an appearance Thursday night on CNN's "Larry King Live." "If I can't take five years out to serve my country as president," Wyclef said in the interview, "then everything I've been singing about, like equal rights, doesn't mean anything." He pushed his political neutrality as an asset; Haiti has long been dominated by corrupt government regimes. Pras said he became aware in July that Wyclef had Haiti's elections on his mind, though he didn't think his friend would seriously contemplate running himself. Rather, Pras thought Wycelf would endorse his own uncle, who has served in an ambassador post to Haiti, in Washington, D.C., in the past. Pras also revealed he hadn't spoken directly to Wyclef before he made public his endorsement of Martelly. Representatives for Wyclef had not responded to MTV News' requests for comment at press time. What do you think of Pras endorsing Wyclef's rival for the Haitian presidency? Let us know in the comments. Related Artists |
| Perez Hilton Predicts Greatness From Lady Gaga At Lollapalooza Posted: 06 Aug 2010 03:25 AM PDT 'It's a full-circle moment for her,' gossip blogger and Gaga superfan told MTV News.
CHICAGO — Three years ago, Lady Gaga performed an afternoon set at Lollapalooza as a disco-ball-wearing, brunette-haired dance-pop oddity. On Friday night (August 6), she'll headline as perhaps the biggest pop star on the planet. Obviously, a lot has changed in those three years, but through it all, one thing hasn't: the undying support of her superfans, including Perez Hilton.
"It's a full-circle moment for her," Hilton told MTV News. "I still remember three years ago she performed ... I had no idea who she was, but soon after, I started paying attention. And shortly after, the world started paying attention." And in the years since, Hilton has become more than just a fan — he's now good friends with Gaga, too. So, with her sure-to-be epic headlining set just hours away, we asked Hilton if he had any inside scoop on what fans can expect. And, of course, he did. "I have spoken to Gaga, and I told her I ran into some of her Little Monsters ... and they told me that their friends had been camping out since Wednesday, and she doesn't go on until Friday. That's devotion," he said. "[So] maybe she'll do some of those songs she did three years ago, like 'Dirty Ice Cream,' that her hard-core fans know but mainstream audiences don't. "[And] I hope she performs a new song. She's been writing a lot, and tweeting about all these new songs she's been doing," he continued. "In fact, she just wrote a new song about Prop 8. And I think it would be amazing if she performed it tonight at Lollapalooza." Lollapalooza 2010 gets under way Friday — make sure to check out MTV News' Lollapalooza Live, streaming Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5 p.m., right here on MTV.com. And follow all of Lollapalooza on the MTV Newsroom blog. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Fat Joe Wants To End 50 Cent Beef With Bathroom Brawl Posted: 06 Aug 2010 05:00 AM PDT 'I would love to be in an airport ... we go in the men's room, best man wins, that's it,' Joe says on MTV's 'RapFix Live.'
Fat Joe and 50 Cent have been throwing jabs at each other on records and in the press for more than five years. Even though half a decade has passed since their beef first erupted, it appears that when it comes to the NYC MCs, some things never change.
Earlier this week, the ever-combative 50 Cent sent out a viral video crackin' on the album sales of Joey Crack's recent release, The Darkside, Vol. 1. When a Fat Joe fan broached the subject via Twitter during the Bronx rapper's appearance on "RapFix Live" on Friday (August 6), Joe responded that 50's swipes were way off the mark. "There's nothing I really believe about 50 Cent," Joe told MTV News' Sway. The Terror Squad MC said 50's infamous claims about Joe's lack of influence on the international hip-hop scene were untrue. "When he did that first interview dissing Fat Joe with you [Sway], with the candlelights and all that, he lied," Joe said. "When he said no one knows Fat Joe in Africa, I saw that interview from Africa and I had 70,000 people out there. There isn't a country I ain't touch in Africa. I just came back from South of France, I toured China, Japan, wherever you name, 60,000 people come out to see Fat Joe." Fat Joe, who has been making noise as a respected MC since the '90s, said 50 should focus on sustaining a long-term hip-hop career. "I been in the game 16 years. He gotta try having longevity in this game," Joe said, adding that 50's once-robust album numbers have fallen off in recent years. "You talk about album sales — he went from selling 10 million albums to not even going gold this last album. So, he lost nine-and-a-half-million fans in four years. I don't really trip off him," Joe said. Crack dubbed himself "an ambassador for peace" in hip-hop, a title earned he said as a result of his amicable relationships with many MCs and typically beef-averse approach to making records. 50, on the other hand, goes after anyone who does it big in NYC rap, Joe said. "The latest one he's going at: Puff Daddy. He has beef with Jadakiss, he has beef with Cam'ron. Anybody we consider dope in New York, he has went at them. There ain't nobody he ain't touch," Joe said. "Fat Joe ain't out here trying to battle-rap everybody in the world. That's not what I'm about. What I am is a man, and when you disrespect my family and you disrespect me like that, there's gotta be answers to the questions." Joe admitted that while he's all about keeping the peace, he's open to deading the years-long drama between him and Fif — with a man-to-man confrontation. "The day 50 Cent want to lock up with me in a bathroom and do this like men, we can hug each other and keep it moving the day after that," Joe said. The MC later mused, "I would love to be in an airport, we bump into each other, we go in the men's room, best man wins, that's it." Joey also cleared up rumors about some unrelated drama that recently went down in the NYC hip-hop scene. The night before his "RapFix Live" appearance, Joe hit the stage at legendary spinner Funkmaster Flex's bash at Manhattan's Webster Hall, where he brought underground MC French Montana onstage. Later, video of what appeared to be Harlem's Jim Jones and his crew throwing ice at French, hit the Web. Hip-hop fans have been rumbling about the footage, which suggests that Jones was taking out his anger toward former Dipset associate Max B on French, who is cool with the jailed rapper. "They was throwing it at each other, be clear on that. Once again, Fat Joe, ambassador for peace in hip-hop. This kid French Montana is killing the streets; all the young boys love him to death. French is like, 'Yo, Joe, let me come out, introduce me.' So I introduce him, the crowd is going crazy and then they start throwing stuff at each other. I understand Jimmy's point of view. French used to be cool with Max B and they disrespected [Jim Jones'] wife and family," Joe said. "I tried to bring peace towards that but who knows where that'll go." Do you think 50 and Fat Joe should bring an end to their beef once and for all? Share your thoughts in the comments. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Justin Bieber Lines Up 'U Smile' As New Single Posted: 06 Aug 2010 02:34 AM PDT Motown-style number from My World 2.0 was initially slated for March release.
Justin Bieber is about to give his legion of devoted fans another reason to smile. The pop star says that the third single from his My World 2.0 will be the breezy "U Smile," a song that was originally slated for release earlier this year. "It's OFFICIAL- 'U SMILE' is gonna be the New Single!! The song is dedicated to the fans so this one is for all of u!! Radio here we come!!" Bieber tweeted on Friday afternoon (August 6). "U Smile," which has a retro Motown vibe, features the singer expressing his devotion to his sweetheart. " 'Cause my cards are on the table/ And I'm willing and I'm able/ But I fold to your wish/ Cause it's my command," he croons during the song's bridge. The midtempo number was originally supposed to be released back in March but for some reason was held back by the release of the dance cut "Somebody to Love." Bieber had already started promotion for the song, even treating national television audiences to live performances of the track on "American Idol" and "Saturday Night Live." But if history repeats itself, there's a strong possibility that "U Smile" will earn the 16-year-old yet another hit. When the song was first digitally released on iTunes this past spring, it moved quickly up the chart. The singer took to Twitter at the time to thank fans for the speedy accomplishment: "wrote this song for u guys, and now u are all helping it climb the TOP TEN of ITUNES... U SMILE is #10 already! thank u so much. Lets go #1!" he tweeted. The Biebster spoke to MTV News in March about working on the track alongside songwriters Jerry Duplessis, Arden Altino and Dan August Rig. "I worked with August. I got him. He's a really good writer," the singer said of his collaborator. "The song is amazing. We really love the song, so we decided to cut it. It's really amazing." What do you think, Bieber fans? Do you like "U Smile" for his next single? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists |
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