MTV News |
- Jay-Z, Eminem Close Yankee Stadium Shows With Kanye West, Drake
- Lady Gaga Backstage At The VMAs: The Realest Girl, The Meatiest Dress
- Lady Gaga's VMA Interview, Uncut: Watch It Now!
- Taylor Swift's VMA Performance: Experts Analyze 'Innocent'
- Kanye West's Post-VMA Plan
- Justin Bieber Backup Dancer Teaches MTV News Some Moves
- Lady Gaga's Post-VMA Plan
- 'Jersey Shore' Stars Ronnie, Vinny Tease Season Three
- Linkin Park's <i>A Thousand Suns</i> Leaves The Past Behind
- Trey Songz Takes 'Control' On <i>Passion, Pain & Pleasure</i>
- Lady Gaga's Meat Bikini Is 'Hot,' John Stamos Says
- Jay-Z, Eminem Joined By Kanye West, Beyonce, Others At Yankee Stadium
- 'Jersey Shore' Star Snooki Wants A Nice 'Business Italian Guy'
- Taylor Swift's VMA Ballad 'Innocent' Divides MTV Readers
- 30 Seconds To Mars' VMA Arrival, Uncut: Watch It Now!
- Kanye West Earns Fans' 'Respect' With 'Runaway'
- Rick Ross Buries Twitter Feud With 'Fire' Slim Thug Collabos
- Taylor Swift's Post-VMA Plan
- President Obama Urges Students To 'Get Schooled'
- Swizz Beatz Talks Joining Jay-Z At Yankee Stadium
| Jay-Z, Eminem Close Yankee Stadium Shows With Kanye West, Drake Posted: 15 Sep 2010 12:50 AM PDT Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, 50 Cent also make appearances at last of four Home and Home concerts.
NEW YORK — Like a good cleanup man in baseball, Jay-Z delivers big hits on a consistent basis. On Tuesday night (September 14) at Yankee Stadium, the Brooklyn rapper closed out the fourth of his and Eminem's Home and Home shows (two in Detroit, two in the Bronx) with a performance that would make A-Rod envious. "Break a record in this bitch, Hov," he rapped during a freestyle right after the opening number, the intro to his The Dynasty: Roc La Familia album. "Hit them with that BALCO." The Roc Nation head, however, wouldn't need any performance-enhancing substances to give him an extra boost on this night. He confidently cruised through 90 minutes of material; Jay-Z was just as cool as the fall night. Kanye West quickly arrived onstage two songs into the show for a mini-set of his own, riding shotgun with Hov on the "Power" remix and "Monster." Jay-Z grabbed the crowd's attention again minutes later with an anecdote about his exit from the venue the night before. The legendary MC said on the way out after Monday's performance he ran into rap pioneer Kool Herc. Jay said he asked Herc to join him for Tuesday night's festivities, thanking Herc for creating hip-hop culture. "We wouldn't be here without you," he said. "You ready for me to get out of here yet?" 'Ye asked Hov, bringing it back to the present. "Not yet, we going all the way tonight," Jay-Z responded. The Chicago star then burst into his "Good Life." Next, Swizz Beatz joined Jay for "On to the Next One" before Eminem and the iconic lyricist traded verses on their collabo "Renegade." Eminem was agile onstage next to Jay-Z and appeared in arguably the best shape of his career. "Go to war with the Mormons/ Take a bath with the Catholics," Em rapped. "In holy water/ No wonder they try to hold me under longer/ I'm a mother----in' spiteful, delightful, eyeful/ The new Ice Cube, mother----ers hate to like you." Earlier in the evening, Eminem brought the capacity crowd to its feet by bringing out 50 Cent, who then brought out G-Unit's Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo with him. The trio from Queens sported glow-in-the-dark gear as the lights cut out during 50's performance of "I Get Money." Later, Fif ceded the stage to Em, and the Detroit superstar brought out Dr. Dre. The hulking producer treated the crowd to "Still D.R.E." and "Nuthin' but a G Thang" sans Snoop Dogg; Eminem, though, filled in admirably for the Long Beach lyricist. D-12 also took the stage during Em's set; the group dedicated their hit "My Band" to their fallen friend Proof. The outfield was filled with fans, and their phones made the grounds look like a Lite-Brite as the screens lit up the stadium. Jay-Z shouted out hip-hop's fallen heroes during his performance. He picked up Pimp C's "Big Pimpin' " verse a cappella and later ordered the DJ to play the Notorious B.I.G.'s "Juicy" and "One More Chance." The show was smooth, but not without any hiccups. Drake delivered a stirring version of his "Light Up" with Jay-Z; the Toronto star sported a Blueprint 3-designed Yankees fitted cap to pay homage to Hov. "Welcome to the stage a man that's been getting busy as of late," Jay told the audience. "He goes by the name Drizzy Drake." But minutes later, Drake stumbled through his and Nicki Minaj's "Up All Night." Hov offered a mulligan to Drake and later a olive branch when he told the crowd during his final song that he may have to offer the Young Money rapper a "free verse" to make up for messing up his sound. Although Jay's most memorable performance involved his guest stars (Beyoncé also joined him, as did Nicki Minaj), this time it was a familiar face that helped him with the most moving part of the show. Memphis Bleek and Jay-Z ran through a series of the latter's past numbers as an encore. "I got a million of these," Jay repeated twice, as he introduced songs ranging from "Jigga My N---a," "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" and "Where I'm From." "For anyone that hasn't been down since Reasonable Doubt," Jay-Z told the crowd shortly after midnight, "you can head to the [exit]." If you were at the Home and Home shows, share your reviews in the comments! Related Photos Related Artists |
| Lady Gaga Backstage At The VMAs: The Realest Girl, The Meatiest Dress Posted: 15 Sep 2010 03:50 AM PDT Bigger Than the Sound captures a few moments when the cameras weren't rolling.
On Sunday night at the Video Music Awards, Lady Gaga won everything besides Best Contemporary World Music Album, but you probably couldn't tell by the way she acted. Or at least I couldn't. After all, I was standing roughly 3 feet from her as she descended from the stage, Video of the Year Moonman in one hand, short-loin inspired clutch in the other. And at that moment, she didn't seem like the biggest pop icon on the planet, a woman who genuinely inspires millions and appears determined to speak for the voiceless and use her status to elicit actual social change.
Instead, she seemed like a very demure, very humble human being. This may have had something to do with the fact that she had just accepted an award from Cher (which can definitely be a disorienting experience), or because she had just won her eighth Moonman of the night, but it definitely struck me as odd. After all, if you take everything you know or have read about her, combine it with her videos, fashion sense and over-the-top, decidedly feisty live performances, you are left with a picture that is less human and more, well, deity. Gaga does not appear to be human — more like a pneumatic lion tamer with a penchant for creative haberdashery, or a fire-breathing neo-Shiva in sunglasses — which is sort of the point, I suppose. But, as I learned on VMA night, it's not actually the truth. I don't know why it took me so long to realize this. After all, I have interviewed her and used this very space earlier this year to examine her transformation from otherworldly star to a normal girl. But there was something about watching her fight back tears at the VMAs — something she continued to do backstage, just in case you were wondering — that made it click for me. I watched as she hugged Cher, whispered something to her and then made the trek down to her dressing room, still shaking slightly, still saying "thank you" to the various stagehands and show producers who shouted their congratulations as she passed. I followed her and her entourage out of the theater, trying to keep my eyes on her tiny shoulders as she was surrounded by a ring of beefy security guards. This is much tougher to do than you would imagine; after all, Gaga is very small in person, practically delicate. She does not walk as much as she tiptoes, mostly because of the McQueen armadillo heels she wears, but also because you get the sense that the slightest breeze would knock her over. There is a fine, almost-porcelain quality to her. You want to put her on a glass shelf. You want to run a feather duster over her. There are not many deities you can say this about. Her entourage headed downstairs, and again, I followed. They made their way into the hallway beneath the stage, a carpeted pathway lined with dressing rooms. Most of the stars heard her coming and popped their heads out to catch a glimpse of her. Yes, she has that kind of clout. I watched from a wall as her team of stylists emerged from her dressing room and started clapping and cheering, and only then did I notice that Gaga was smiling. This was the real her, the person that only her closest friends — and, I suppose, nosy reporters — get to see. The Gaga that only comes out when the camera's aren't around (which is something, like, three hours of each day). There were still tears in her eyes, though now she wasn't crying; she was laughing, making a kind of gulping sound. It was exactly the kind of thing you or I would do in a situation like this, when we have just triumphed and are now getting to share that moment with our friends. And I watched as she disappeared into her room, followed by her inner circle. The door closed, and her security guards fell into place, but you could definitely hear the celebratory whoop that happened immediately afterward. It was certainly genuine. After all, Gaga cares about winning awards, though I suspect it has more to do with the fact that she gets to share the victory with her friends. That's the kind of person I'm guessing she is. I don't know how long she stayed in there, because I was already making my way down to the other end of the hallway, where Kanye West was having an impromptu, celeb-filled party in his dressing room. It stopped traffic. Usher popped in. Rihanna did too. There were ballerinas involved. The contrast between the two rooms was noteworthy. Because even when the lights aren't on, Kanye still carries himself like a deity. It's part of his mystique. Gaga is different. She doesn't need a mystique; being human seems to be enough for her. And, yes, I realize I'm making tremendous assumptions based on a few unguarded moments, but you learn a lot from someone when they know the cameras aren't rolling, when it's just them, their closest confidants and maybe a Moonman or two. For a minute, I got to see the real Lady Gaga, and it was all I needed. She cries and laughs and even gulps on occasion. She is humble and genuine. She is human, after all, even when she's wearing a meat dress. You learn something new every day. Share your thoughts on Gaga's victorious VMA night in the comments below. The Moonmen have all been handed out and the stars have gone home, but there's plenty of MTV Video Music Awards news, interviews, behind-the-scenes scoop, party reports and more still to come, so keep it locked on MTVNews.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Lady Gaga's VMA Interview, Uncut: Watch It Now! Posted: 14 Sep 2010 02:38 AM PDT Night's big winner put white-carpet spotlight on repealing 'don't ask, don't tell.'
When Lady Gaga arrived at the 2010 Video Music Awards on Sunday, she did so with her usual aplomb — in a dress by the late Alexander McQueen — but, for perhaps the first time ever, it was her entourage that grabbed the headlines.
Of course, Gaga wanted it that way. She walked the white carpet flanked by servicemen and women who had been discharged from the U.S. Air Force and Army for being openly gay or bisexual, a violation of the long-standing "don't ask, don't tell" policy. And when she stopped to talk with MTV News' Sway, she let viewers know exactly how she feels about the policy. "I'm here for a very, very important cause today. These are all my friends, and they're with SLDN.org, which is an organization that was founded in 1993 [as a] reaction to 'don't ask, don't tell' policies, and their stories are so inspiring," Gaga said of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, immediately boosting Web searches about the organization, Yahoo! reported. "These soldiers that are with we today have all been discharged from the Air Force or Army, or opted to leave on their own. ... Their stories are truly inspiring, and in my opinion — and as so many young people around the world believe — 'don't ask, don't tell' is wrong, it's sick, it's immoral." Gaga added that she hoped having SLDN members David Hall, Katie Miller, Stacy Vasquez and Mike Almy with her would, in some way, help highlight the growing push to repeal "don't ask, don't tell" and urge her fans to contact Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and tell him to overturn the legislation. "The most inspiring thing about having them with me today is that we can spread the message about what the organization is all about," she said. "We really need to get Reid to set a date to vote in the Senate for 'don't ask, don't tell' repeal. ... No one person is more valuable than another person." In keeping with that message, on Tuesday (September 14), Gaga posted a tweet urging her 6 million followers to contact Reid and tell him schedule a Senate vote on a Defense Department measure that includes language to scale back "don't ask." Hours later, Reid responded via Twitter, writing that a Senate vote measure was scheduled for next week, adding, "Anyone qualified to serve this country should be allowed to do so." What do you think about Gaga using the VMA spotlight to highlight a cause she cares about? Let us know in the comments. The Moonmen have all been handed out and the stars have gone home, but there's plenty of MTV Video Music Awards news, interviews, behind-the-scenes scoop, party reports and more still to come, so keep it locked on MTVNews.com. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Taylor Swift's VMA Performance: Experts Analyze 'Innocent' Posted: 14 Sep 2010 01:11 AM PDT 'Sometimes forgiveness is the sweetest revenge,' one expert says.
Revenge is a dish best served cold — unless you're country darling Taylor Swift, in which case you warm that dish up in the microwave and slather some honey on it before you fling it into the world.
We've spoken to fans and Swift's fellow Video Music Awards attendees to gauge their reactions to her new song, "Innocent," which she debuted at the big show Sunday night. Now, we turn to some music-industry experts to get a sense of whether Swift succeeded in exacting sweet revenge on Kanye West for last year's VMA incident. Veteran country-music journalist and CMT editorial director Chet Flippo said he was not at all surprised by the way Taylor handled herself at the show. "Everyone was waiting to see how she would do it, and that's what she does: She writes songs based on what's going on in her life," Flippo said of the ballad, which mixed forgiveness and pathos with a touch of pity. "It's not unique. Some of the best country music writers do that, but typically those songs are self-directed and not about someone else." Flippo said Swift's ability to address her feelings about a real person in an artful way puts her in the tradition of such country legends as Kris Kristofferson and Hank Williams — who also occasionally wrote openly about others — while placing her in the minority of most contemporary country songwriters. "There aren't many writers today who do that, because there's so much co-writing in Nashville done with old-timers, and they tend to deal with generalities," he said. "Especially on songs that are written to be country hits, which tend to be uptempo and happy." Though the tune fell flat with some critics, Flippo said it resonated with Swift's audience, and with him. "For me, the song works," he said. "Three's a section where it could be interpreted to be about herself on Grammy night when she had pitch problems, but obviously most of it is directed at Kanye, and I think it worked because a lot of her fans didn't like her being attacked, and they wanted to see something done about it. It's her effective way of addressing it. Sometimes forgiveness is the sweetest revenge, and it's what she achieved." Jeff Rabhan, chair of recorded music and an arts professor at NYU's Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music, agreed with Flippo that Swift achieved sweet revenge in the song but said she also did something else that was important for her. " I think if you're Taylor or if you were watching, where she shines is onstage, and it was wise of her to shape her response to this situation musically," said Rabhan, a 20-year veteran of the music business who has worked with everyone from Kelly Clarkson to Lil' Kim, Linkin Park and Jennifer Lopez. "It showed tremendous maturity to use that as a forum, rather than doing an interview or going online, rather than giving that quick reaction." He also liked how she delivered the comeback in an artistic, entertaining way that kept the message positive and professional, which he said was a very smart move. "That's the safest, smartest position and the best position she should take," he said. And, most importantly of all, by waiting to comment and doing it in song one year to the day of the incident, and on a night when West would also be performing, Swift and her team shrewdly capitalized on the still-simmering hype about the 2009 bum-rush. "The comparison that comes to mind is the Dixie Chicks," Rabhan said of the country trio, who waited almost three years to release "Not Ready to Make Nice," a response song to the venom they faced after singer Natalie Maines made critical comments about then-president George W. Bush. "It felt like, 'We've all moved on except for you,' " he said of the reaction to the Chicks' biting song. "I don't think people have moved past this one, and they were waiting for a response, and it was very effective." As for the "Innocent" lyrics, Rabhan said they were interesting in that they put the blame squarely on West for setting himself up for ridicule ("I guess you really did it this time/ Left yourself in your war path/ Lost your balance on a tightrope/ Lost your mind trying to get it back"). "She talks about how when you're a kid, things are easier, because your parents can help you out, but when you're an adult, you have no one else to blame but yourself and there are repercussions," he said of lines referring to "lunch box days" and a pointed lyric about being "32 and still growing up now." The forgiveness, he noted, comes in the line in which she sang, "Who you are is not what you did/ You're still an innocent," which he said "is about how we all have our moments." From a musical standpoint, Rabhan said the song was just OK, but that wasn't really the point. "It accomplished everything it needed to," he said. "She didn't need a hit, she needed to get a message across, and she did." What did you think of Taylor's new song? Let us know in the comments! The Moonmen have all been handed out and the stars have gone home, but there's plenty of MTV Video Music Awards news, interviews, behind-the-scenes scoop, party reports and more still to come, so keep it locked on MTVNews.com. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Posted: 14 Sep 2010 04:15 AM PDT Rapper begins comeback campaign by debuting 'Runaway' at the VMAs.
Kanye West went from zero to hero in a matter of five minutes as he closed out the 2010 Video Music Awards with a performance of his new track "Runaway," featuring Clipse's Pusha T. "It's funny," West wrote Sunday on Twitter. "I can't believe it's been a whole year but can't believe all that's happened within this year at the same time."
After the 2009 awards, West became a pop-culture punching bag for everyone from President Obama to late-night comedians, and he was skewered by Internet memes. To recap, the rapper crashed Taylor Swift's acceptance speech, grabbing the microphone away from the country/pop star to debate her Best Female Video win. "I'm sorry, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time," West said, seconds before boos poured down from the crowd. It wasn't until May, when he released "Power," the first single from his forthcoming album, that he began reversing the tide of anger against him. Now that he's made his way through the past 12 months, what's next for West? Foremost is his next album, which is still waiting for a title and release date. He recorded the bulk of the material in Hawaii, as he did for his last project, 808s & Heartbreak. There, he assembled an all-star crew of hip-hop producers, including the RZA, Q-Tip, Pete Rock and No I.D. Joining him in the Aloha State were members of his G.O.O.D. Music family, including Kid Cudi, Consequence, Big Sean and new signee Pusha T of Clipse. "Power" and Rick Ross' "Live Fast, Die Young" were two of the records made in Hawaii, which, according to those who have heard the songs from that period, fostered a collection with a darker tone. Then West headed back to the mainland and started recording material in New York. After "Power" was released, a source close to the rapper revealed to MTV News that the tone of his newer material changed as he holed up in Electric Lady Studios to complete more tracks. Being embraced again by the masses, the source said, inspired West, and his records have begun to take on a more upbeat life. "Monster," featuring Jay-Z, Rick Ross and Nicki Minaj; "Devil in a New Dress"; and "G.O.O.D. Friday," featuring Common, Pusha T, Kid Cudi, Big Sean and Charlie Wilson, are some of the tracks he's recently released as part of his G.O.O.D. Friday promise to drop his latest offering on the last day of the workweek until the end of the year. Only 'Ye truly knows what he'll do next, but what is certain is that, after being vilified for a year, he's being recognized again for his musical abilities. The story is unfolding as a tale of redemption after his reputation was tarnished by a few seconds of reckless behavior. And it's guaranteed that the next year will be just as exciting to witness the resurrection of Mr. West. What do you want to see next from Kanye? Let us know in the comments! The Moonmen have all been handed out and the stars have gone home, but there's plenty of MTV Video Music Awards news, interviews, behind-the-scenes scoop, party reports and more still to come, so keep it locked on MTVNews.com. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Justin Bieber Backup Dancer Teaches MTV News Some Moves Posted: 14 Sep 2010 07:29 AM PDT 'He's always doing good,' pint-size hoofer Miles Brown says of the Biebs.
Naturally, the best part about Justin Bieber's debut VMA performance Sunday was the teen star himself. The hugely popular 16-year-old elicited squeals of delight the moment he set foot on the white carpet, where he and fellow Canadian Drake shared a moment of brotherly love (along with a few hints that the two superstars will be collaborating in the near future).
One of the biggest Bieber moments of the night (aside from his winning the coveted Best New Artist Moonman) was his killer live performance outside the Nokia Theatre. Introduced by Kim Kardashian and joined by the night's host Chelsea Handler — who stood among the screaming masses with a sign that read "Chelsea Loves Bieber" — his "Hard Days Night" -themed performance included "U Smile," "Baby" and "Somebody to Love." When we caught up with one of the key elements in that performance -- pint-size backup dancer Miles Brown -- we asked him how he thought Bieber did. "Aw, man, that's my bro right there," Brown told MTV News at Sunday's show. "He's always doing good." The talented youngster then tried to teach our own Jim Cantiello one of his patented Bieber moves, which included a lean to the side and a step back into place. We think we'll be seeing this kid again really soon. His fans agreed that the performance was well worth it. "I thought it was cool," fan Genevieve told MTV News from her spot atop a balcony overlooking the stage. "He's a better performer than I thought." Reagan agreed, saying, "He really put together a great performance." What did you think of Bieber's dance-heavy VMA performance? Let us know in the comments! The Moonmen have all been handed out and the stars have gone home, but there's plenty of MTV Video Music Awards news, interviews, behind-the-scenes scoop, party reports and more still to come, so keep it locked on MTVNews.com. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Posted: 14 Sep 2010 02:11 AM PDT Singer's new album, Born This Way, is due soon.
In some ways, Lady Gaga leaves nothing to the imagination. From her skin-flashing outfits and onstage catharsis to soul-baring lyrics and frequent weepy shout-outs to her "little monsters," the international pop diva is an open book. But she also knows the importance of a good mystery, which is why in the wake of her record-setting eight VMA victories on Sunday night and the Internet meltdown over her steak sarong, Mother Monster has kept her followers on pins and needles about what her next move might be.
We know one thing for sure: Her in-the-works next album will be called Born This Way, which Gaga revealed during the VMAs and then, apparently, got tattooed on her thigh the next day. Other than that, Gaga has been tight-lipped about the official follow-up to her one-two punch of The Fame and The Fame Monster. She has peeled back a few intriguing layers of her musical onion, debuting the wistful ballad "Living on the Radio" at a concert last month and a more rocking tune, "You and I," at an Elton John benefit concert in June. At various points this year, she has described the new album as "spiritual" and a potential "iconic moment" that people might look at decades from now as a breakthrough. By August, she was referring to the disc as "utter liberation," saying her goal was to create an "anthem for my generation." She also told i-D magazine in the same interview that she plans to keep her sound fresh the next time around by working with a whole new slate of producers that she is keeping secret so that no one else will steal them from her. Though she's had success doing songs with Beyoncé — and recording a tune with T.I. that may or may not appear on his upcoming album — Gaga said it's unlikely she'll have any featured guests on Born This Way. What she might do, though, is return to her early rock roots. "I do have these hopes that it could be a great rock crossover record, so I'm going to put my producer's hat on and get it to a place where I feel like it could reach the masses," she said in reference to songs such as "You and I," which has a harder edge than her typical dance tunes. "It's a beautiful, beautiful lyric and melody. I wrote it at the piano I grew up playing in New York." In June, she told Rolling Stone that the then-untitled album was already finished, teasing that she was planning to have its title tattooed on her body. "It came so quickly. Some artists take years; I don't," she said. "I write music every day." She promised that her new music would have a more "bitter" message, seemingly inspired by her anger over the serious lag in repealing the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy barring gay and lesbian soldiers from serving openly in the armed forces. She made a strong statement about that topic at the VMAs and is at the forefront of the push to repeal the measure. On July 15, inspiration struck again, as Gaga told her fans, "I wrote a #1 record in Cleveland," while in town playing a show at the city's Quicken Loans Arena. While a spokesperson for Gaga's label did not return requests for comment on when the new album might be released, the singer has said her aim is to get it out in early 2011. One thing we do know is that Gaga will be on the road for the rest of the year on her massive Monster Ball Tour. She was slated to be back in action Tuesday (September 14) in Philadelphia. The U.S. dates are scheduled to wrap up October 2 in Los Angeles, at which point the tireless diva will head overseas for six weeks of European dates. It's back to work February 19 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, when the second leg of the North American tour launches, with dates currently expected to wind down with an April 18 show in Atlanta. She will also make an appearance at an upcoming Yoko Ono concert in Los Angeles on October 2, on a bill that will also feature Jane's Addiction singer Perry Farrell, Wu-Tang Clan's RZA and punk icon Iggy Pop. For now, Gaga is leaving us in the dark about Born This Way, though fans can expect that she'll preview some more new tunes as the Monster Ball continues to roll its way across the globe. What do you want next from Lady Gaga? Let us know in the comments! The Moonmen have all been handed out and the stars have gone home, but there's plenty of MTV Video Music Awards news, interviews, behind-the-scenes scoop, party reports and more still to come, so keep it locked on MTVNews.com. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| 'Jersey Shore' Stars Ronnie, Vinny Tease Season Three Posted: 14 Sep 2010 04:04 AM PDT 'The authenticity of us being home, it's right back at you,' Ronnie says of return to Seaside Heights.
For "Jersey Shore" fans, this past Sunday night was an amazing evening. Not only did a brand-new episode air before the Video Music Awards pre-show, but the cast was all over the white carpet and continued to pop up again during the main show.
Having just wrapped the third season of the "Shore" — the gang heads back to the friendly confines of Seaside Heights, New Jersey, in this installment — MTV News caught up with Vinny Guadagnino, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro and new castmate Deena Cortese to get some scoop on the next season, which includes a few run-ins with the law. "We just finished [season three], and we're good law-abiding citizens," Vinny told us. "Some people break laws, but it's on camera, so everything that happens, you guys see. But we're the same kind of human beings as anybody." Ronnie, who was arrested last month as a result of several unpaid parking tickets, shrugged it off. "I had a parking ticket. It was nonsense. I can't run for governor now!" he joked. But what can viewers expect from the third season, likely premiering some time later this year? "The best things you liked about us in season one, the authenticity of us being home, it's right back at you in season three," Ronnie said. "You'll just have to watch to find out." Cortese also played "Shore" details close to the vest. "I don't want to give anything away," she said. "But there's a lot more comedy this year." What are you hoping to see in the third season of "Jersey Shore"? Let us know in the comments! Don't miss "Jersey Shore" every Thursday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. Related Photos |
| Linkin Park's <i>A Thousand Suns</i> Leaves The Past Behind Posted: 14 Sep 2010 02:25 AM PDT 'The concepts blend human ideas with technology,' Mike Shinoda says of new album.
Linkin Park's new A Thousand Suns album is a lot of things, most of which have nothing to do with their previous (mega-selling) efforts. By their own admission, the band spent nearly two years attempting to leave their past behind. To that end, it's not a stretch to say they succeeded. The album, which hit stores Tuesday (September 14), is the band's most divisive. But there's one thing seemingly everyone can agree on: From this point forward, Linkin Park will never be the same band again. And though Suns represents the band at a crossroads, that doesn't mean they abandoned everything that got them to this point. Quite the opposite, in fact. They've just taken the old and reworked it through the prism of the new.
"When it came to doing things that felt very much like older Linkin Park, like mixing hip-hop with a rock chorus, [we] felt like, if we were going to do it, we need to really do it in a way that felt natural and felt original and felt like it was something we hadn't done in the past," LP's Chester Bennington told MTV News at Saturday's rehearsal for their VMA performance. "And I think the fact that we got into making really trippy-sounding music in the beginning of the record lent itself really well to the hip-hop style of the album, gave it a really, almost tribal-yet-psychedelic vibe to the beats and the textures of the music." And Bennington is right. Because while there are hip-hop songs on the album — "Wretches and Kings," "When They Come for Me" — they're like nothing the band have tried before: snarling, raw, dark and (in stark contrast to much of Suns) strangely organic. They are sort of the human ying to the rest of the album's mechanical yang. Which was sort of the point. "On this record, the concepts blend human ideas with technology," LP's Mike Shinoda said. "Human fears, your fear of what's going to happen in the world, the music kind of references that." But, as Shinoda was quick to add, that's just scratching the surface. Because A Thousand Suns is a deeply conceptual piece, one that, like all dense, sprawling, ambitious albums, doesn't fully reveal itself to the listener at first. It requires work. Which was also sort of the point. "The record was two years in the making, so, you know, talking about it, I kind of feel silly. I always feel like I'm missing something, like, I want to tell you something and I forget," Shinoda said, smiling. "But that's the beauty of making a record. And, hopefully, when people listen to it, if they hear it a few times, they'll start picking that stuff up. And on the 20th listen, the 50th listen, they'll still be finding cool things in there." What do you think of the new Linkin Park album? Share your reviews in the comments. The Moonmen have all been handed out and the stars have gone home, but there's plenty of MTV Video Music Awards news, interviews, behind-the-scenes scoop, party reports and more still to come, so keep it locked on MTVNews.com. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Trey Songz Takes 'Control' On <i>Passion, Pain & Pleasure</i> Posted: 14 Sep 2010 04:38 AM PDT 'My biggest influence, musically, without a doubt is R. Kelly,' Songz admits of onetime R&B foe, as new album drops.
Trey Songz's fanbase has steadily increased with each project, and as the singer released his fourth album on Tuesday (September 14), he reflected on the recent changes in his career. The Virginia native tells MTV News he has taken greater control of the musical reins with his new LP, Passion, Pain & Pleasure, than he did on last year's Ready. "As far as what I can attribute my success to, you know, taking charge of my career. Taking full control — from the music I make to the pictures I take."
Despite public friction with R. Kelly, Trey Songz also readily credited the Chicago R&B star with influencing his material. "My biggest influence, musically, without a doubt is R. Kelly," he admitted. "I'll stand on top of a mountain and say that, no matter what the differences may have been or what I may have said, or what he may have said. He will always be my biggest influence." While there aren't any R. Kelly collaborations on Passion, Trey Songz does partner again with Drake, with whom he has enjoyed a run of breakout tracks, from "Successful" to "I Invented Sex," on "Unusual." Earlier this year, Songz took full advantage of the "MTV Unplugged" platform by delivering a stirring show backed by a live band. Now, he's riding the wave of his current single, "Bottoms Up," featuring Nicki Minaj, which is resting at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100. " 'Bottoms Up,' I feel, is a very creative video," he told MTV News last month about working with Minaj and director Anthony Mandler. "[It's] different from me or what's expected from me and anything I've shot for that matter. Anthony used a lot of different shooting techniques. I think it heightens whatever it is that the song has already — the drive, the vigor, the club anthem, the energy in the record is definitely heightened in the video." What's your favorite track on Trey Songz's new album? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| Lady Gaga's Meat Bikini Is 'Hot,' John Stamos Says Posted: 14 Sep 2010 04:38 AM PDT 'I wanted to barbeque her ass,' actor quips of controversial outfit.
These days, Lady Gaga's fashion choices are a constant conversation topic. Every stitch, every fiber, it's all obsessed over — and rightfully so, especially given her dramatic sartorial choices for the 2010 Video Music Awards on Sunday.
Gaga first rocked the white carpet in a dramatic gown and headdress by the late Alexander McQueen. She followed that ensemble with another McQueen number, one she admitted was too heavy to walk in. Finally, Gaga closed out the evening with an even bigger statement than her win for Video of the Year: a meat dress. While the outfit has already received a negative reaction from PETA, there are plenty of Gaga meat-outfit enthusiasts. Like John Stamos, who was especially fond of the skimpier version Gaga rocked on the cover of Vogue Hommes Japan. "Yeah, I just saw her in a meat bikini, and I wanted to barbeque her ass," Stamos quipped. "It was hot. I dug it." The "Bad Romance" singer explained her VMA meat dress to Ellen DeGeneres on Monday's season premiere of "Ellen." "Well, it is certainly no disrespect to anyone that is vegan or vegetarian. As you know, I am the most judgment-free human being on the earth," Gaga said. "However, it has many interpretations, but for me this evening ... if we don't stand up for what we believe in and if we don't fight for our rights, pretty soon we're going to have as much rights as the meat on our own bones. And I am not a piece of meat." What do you think of Gaga's meat fashion? Let us know in the comments! The Moonmen have all been handed out and the stars have gone home, but there's plenty of MTV Video Music Awards news, interviews, behind-the-scenes scoop, party reports and more still to come, so keep it locked on MTVNews.com. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Jay-Z, Eminem Joined By Kanye West, Beyonce, Others At Yankee Stadium Posted: 14 Sep 2010 06:19 AM PDT Drake, Chris Martin, Nicki Minaj also appear at first New York stop of Home and Home tour.
NEW YORK — A year ago, Jay-Z showed why he's music's Emperor of the Empire State with a historic charity concert at Madison Square Garden, which Jay called "the house that Hovie built." On Monday night, "the God MC" took his mastery of performance to the front stoop of Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, Yankee Stadium. And because that's no setting in which to go small, he brought out special guests like Kanye West, Drake, Chris Martin, Swizz Beatz, Nicki Minaj and, of course, Beyoncé. After kicking off in Detroit two weeks ago, Jay and Eminem's Home and Home concerts landed on the Jiggaman's soil for shows on Monday and Tuesday (September 14). This time, after J. Cole opened, Slim Shady shook the stadium in the second slot, with special guests the G-Unit and Dr. Dre. Then Jay took over with a bevy of surprises and a catalog of hard-line hits.
"Before I start this piece, let me say, rest in peace to the boss, George [Steinbrenner]," Hov began, freestyling a reference to the late Yankees owner after commencing his program with the "Dynasty Intro." "By the time we sliding home/ I hope we playing in the dome," he continued rapping. During "Run This Town," Jay asked, "Where you at, boy?" And out came 2010 VMA closer Kanye West in a red suit. The roar was thunderous for the Louis Vuitton Don, who also rocked a huge gold link chain. They followed up with the first live performance of the "Power" remix — where all 50,000-plus people did the soulful "power clap" — and "Monster." There was no Rick Ross on the latter, but 'Ye and Hov brought out Nicki Minaj, who was showered with love from her hometown. Hov said that since they were in New York, he couldn't let Kanye off the hook that easy. West told the audience he was going to "take them back." The Chicago-born icon then crushed the concert with "Can't Tell Me Nothing" and a follow-up haymaker of the stadium-friendly "Good Life." "It's one of the most unbelievable feelings in the world, being from New York and being in Yankee stadium," Jay said about the night. "That's how you feel, New York City?" Hov continued, in response to the crowd's overwhelming cheers. "New York City, is that how you feel tonight? I can't believe this sh--!" Jay's next guest was Bronx native Swizz Beatz, who was also celebrating his birthday. What a present! Further along in his set list, Jay rolled out his jaw-dropping verse from "Free Mason." Like in most of his shows, the Jiggaman constantly spoke to the crowd. "Just because you question religion doesn't mean you don't believe in God," he said after his rumor-admonishing verse. "Don't let anybody scare you into having their beliefs. Be a muthaf---in' renegade." Out came Eminem for their classic colossal meeting of the minds. No matter how many times they perform "Renegade," it's still surreal to see the two biggest names in rap stand unified, side by side. Memphis Bleek then came out for a parade of familiar Jay knockers, including "U Don't Know," "99 Problems" and "Big Pimpin'." There was a tribute to hip-hop's gone-but-not-forgotten greats that included B.I.G., D12's Proof, Pimp C and Tupac Shakur. Monday was the 14th anniversary of Pac's tragic death. Chris Martin from Coldplay came out to sing the hook on "Heart of the City." Martin was crisp and soulful on the mic. Jay kicked the graceful lines to "Most Kingz," and then Martin took the energy up a few levels with "Viva la Vida." "I used to rule the world," the crowd sang. "Seas would rise/ When I gave the word/ Now in the morning I sleep alone/ Sweep the streets I used to own/ I used to roll the dice/ Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes." Hov then told his DJ to throw on any song, and out came Drake for "Miss Me." "Tellllllll me/ What's really going / Drizzy back up in this bitch/ What's happenin!!!" Drake came on rapping. The approval for the 23-year-old was vibrant. "Say, 'Free Weezy!' " Drake commanded during Lil Wayne's verse. Jay and Drizzy then let the mics explode with "Light Up." Not letting the audience catch their breath, Beyoncé came out for "Forever Young." "One word, Beyoncé, make some noise," Jay said about his wife. "That girl baaad! That girl tough!" After "Already Home" came "Empire State of Mind." No Alicia Keys, but Roc Nation artist Bridget Kelly was on her A-game with the vocals. Not that it mattered, because the NYC crowd drowned the song out. "This is better than any Grammy. Better than any MTV award," Jay said about being able to rock his city. He then went into overtime with a barrage of classics such as "Jigga My N---a" and "Izzo." He told the fans he wasn't going anywhere and continued to keep the energy high with "Where I'm From" and "Dirt Off Your Shoulder." Most of the sold-out crowd stayed until the very end, which featured Jay doing the Linkin Park mash-up version of "Encore." "This night was like a gift for me," said the man who seemingly has everything. "I hope I returned it tenfold." Related Photos Related Artists |
| 'Jersey Shore' Star Snooki Wants A Nice 'Business Italian Guy' Posted: 14 Sep 2010 03:09 AM PDT 'I'm thinking Usher,' Snooks says of potential boyfriends on 'Ellen.'
Snooki's recent trouble with love and the law were a hot topic when she and her fellow "Jersey Shore" castmates JWoww, Pauly D, the Situation, Sammi, Vinny and Ronnie stopped by "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Tuesday (September 14). The rest of the cast was very protective of their diminutive roommate, and they vowed to make sure she doesn't get her heart broken again. "Because of her celebrity she drew a crowd," JWoww said of what led to Snooki's arrest for being a public nuisance. And Pauly D, who pointed out that he has other friends who do much worse on the Shore, added, "It just so happens the spotlight was on her." Snooki, for her part, says that she and her roommates often lead quieter lives than what's portrayed on the show. Rather than go to clubs all the time, sometimes, she said, "I'll go to frickin Barnes and Nobles, get a coffee and just sit and read." And with ex Emilio kicked to the curb, it sounds like she's looking for a new partner for her calmer side. "I definitely want to move to Brooklyn and get a business Italian guy," she declared. Pauly D offered to help her choose the right one. "I'm gonna screen them," he said. "I think it should be not strictly a business guy, not strictly a juicehead. In between." "I'm thinking Usher," Snooki suggested of the R&B star who performed on Ellen's stage just before the cast was interviewed. Dance enthusiast DeGeneres also asked about the Situation's upcoming appearance on "Dancing With the Stars." "It's not the fist-pumping, MC Hammer two-step that I'm used to in the club," he admitted. And JWoww couldn't resist adding her prediction. "I've seen him dance, so I'm a little concerned." Watch season two of "Jersey Shore" Thursday nights at 10 p.m. ET on MTV. |
| Taylor Swift's VMA Ballad 'Innocent' Divides MTV Readers Posted: 14 Sep 2010 02:28 AM PDT 'The song has a nice melody, but I'm starting to think that this was a little overdramatic,' one fan writes.
Taylor Swift is known for using her real-life experiences as inspiration for her music, so when the singer took the VMA stage to debut her ballad "Innocent" — about someone who has briefly lost their way — the song of course left many thinking it was an ode to Kanye West. But MTV News readers are expressing mixed reactions to the track.
"I don't think that this song was put out there to humiliate Kanye," commenter Shana said. Calling the singer's performance "classy," Shana added that "Innocent" is a sign of Swift's maturity. "I don't think this song was showing any sign of Taylor not being able to move on. I think she wanted people to know that we're all human and she feels the same way about Kanye." Another fan, Domi, said it wasn't fair that Swift is getting flak for indirectly addressing last year's event when Kanye did the same thing at the awards show: "All She Did Was Sing a Song. People Are Still Making Jokes About It. So If You're Going To Say Something About Her Letting It Go.. Make Sure You Talk AboutEveryone Else Who Has Also Failed To Do So. Or Risk Serious Hypocrisy." Other fans thought the song was to be expected from an artist like Swift who is known for writing about the boys in her life who have done her wrong. "I thought it was brilliant," Kekoa wrote. "They said it in her intro. Her music is taken out of the pages of her diary. I mean, did people honestly not see this coming? The song itself is so powerful. She's showing a maturity beyond her years." But others weren't too pleased with the singer rehashing 2009's headline-making event. "The song has a nice melody, but I'm starting to think that this was a little overdramatic," bxjam said. Fan Dustin said he understood Swift's need to sing about her life experiences, but thought her performance intro — Swift replayed a montage of her now-infamous interruption — was just too much. "I get that she would write a song about the VMAs incident, but showing the clip of the incident from last year just made me smh," he said. "I mean it was last year for crying out loud, get over it." Swift's "Innocent" drew criticism for its lyrical content, but also for another topic that had fans talking earlier this year: her vocal abilities. "I don't have anything against the girl, but it seems like every time I see a Taylor Swift live performance she's unable to carry a tune 100 percent. She did OK this year, but she was undoubtedly off-key at several moments through her performance," Brian wrote. Another MTV commenter said the country/pop star needs to move on. "Kanye did address his mistakes but he really rose above all that drama and proved, once again, his greatness. So, people think that Taylor showed maturity, but she really showed immaturity by even addressing it at all. Either way, both did great, let's move on." Although Swift has yet to directly confirm that "Innocent" is about Kanye, she seemed intent on getting the song's message across. She took to her official website after the performance to post the song's official lyrics after high demand from fans. "A lot of you have been asking about the lyrics to 'Innocent,' so here they are. Love, Taylor," she wrote. Share your thoughts on Taylor's new song in the comments! The Moonmen have all been handed out and the stars have gone home, but there's plenty of MTV Video Music Awards news, interviews, behind-the-scenes scoop, party reports and more still to come, so keep it locked on MTVNews.com. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| 30 Seconds To Mars' VMA Arrival, Uncut: Watch It Now! Posted: 14 Sep 2010 02:50 AM PDT See the band's grand entrance — glitter bomb and all.
In the days leading up to the Video Music Awards, you probably read all about 30 Seconds to Mars' much-hyped arrival on the white carpet, a tribute to their VMA-winning "Kings and Queens" clip, which featured an army of their bicycle-riding pals and, somewhat unexpectedly, a whole lot of glitter and chicken feathers too. "We had a lot of friends who were doing mass, night bike rides," 30STM frontman Jared Leto told MTV News on the carpet. "And all of those great people [are] back here [now]."
But thanks to the rather overzealous glitter-bombing antics of some of those friends — and some ancillary chicken-feather-related activities too — you probably didn't actually get to see 30STM's full arrival ... mostly because drummer Shannon Leto caught some glitter in the eye and had to be attended to by EMTs (something his brother Jared alluded to in a Twitter post following the show). Thankfully, Shannon was OK — we're sure winning Best Rock Video took some of the sting away — so now, with the VMAs behind us (and Shannon having recovered sight in his eye), we figured it was finally time to roll out 30 Seconds to Mars' full white-carpet arrival. See how many extras from "Kings and Queens" you can spot, and watch for the moment when Leto catches glitter in the face and stumbles off camera. Make sure you're wearing safety goggles, of course. What did you think of 30STM's grand entrance? Let us know in the comments! The Moonmen have all been handed out and the stars have gone home, but there's plenty of MTV Video Music Awards news, interviews, behind-the-scenes scoop, party reports and more still to come, so keep it locked on MTVNews.com. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Kanye West Earns Fans' 'Respect' With 'Runaway' Posted: 13 Sep 2010 11:11 PM PDT 'The song and performance were refreshing and real,' one reader writes about 'Ye's VMA set.
Kanye West took an uncharacteristically modest stance at the 2010 Video Music Awards when he debuted his new track "Runaway." His "toast to the douche bags" around the world garnered mixed reviews from MTV News readers but seemed to earn a lot of fans' respect.
Slimbodygal couldn't help but give props to Yeezy for his seemingly self-deprecating lyrics: "Love this song!!! I have to give credit and have respect for anyone who recognizes when they are all those things he said in the song. At least he is not in denial like most people that are. I have to admit I can be an A hole at times, toasting myself!!!!" Musictomyears felt the VMA performance was a good first step back into America's hearts: "It was the night's only standing ovation. Strategically, if this doesn't work, I don't know what will. But based on the crowd's reaction, it appears to have done the trick. It was a Kanye lovefest." Even those who weren't necessarily a fan of "Runaway" said Kanye did a great job of conveying the song's message. "Lyrics were pretty clear to me, sounds like he's calling himself out, saying he screws up like most of us do," MTV News reader Travis wrote. "I would not necessarily call myself a fan but I respect his talent. With the media trying to pit him and Swift against each other, he showed a little refinement. The song and performance were refreshing and real. Maybe even redemption to some." MTV News reader Angelica had a change of heart about the MC: "This song showed me that he hasn't forgotten who he is and that he doesn't sit on a high horse as we all thought he did. ... Much respect." But when it came to down West's performance, Flip10 couldn't help compare the rapper's performance with Taylor Swift's performance of "Innocent." Admitting his appreciation for both acts' honesty, he wrote: "Kanye tried too hard. I'm not gonna lie, I can't stand Taylor Swift, but every word to her song was the truth. She speaks her mind, and so does Kanye. I respect that. We need more people like that. I hate the 'cookie cutter' singers." Fkiawu wasn't satisfied with 'Ye's song: "I'm sorry but this song was just awful! Why the hell would I or anyone else want to make a toast to douche bags, scumbags and a--holes?! If that's the case, we might as well replace President Obama with The Situation. It's just a very stupid idea." A big-time Yeezy fan was offended that others weren't able to comprehend the song's subject matter, writing, "He has issues and everyone knows that but anyone who possesses a little common sense would see both him and Taylor's performances were in reference to what happened," Makesha wrote. "Did you all listen to what Taylor was saying in her song?? If she could forgive him who are any of you to say anything!" Do you think "Runaway" conveyed the proper message to fans? Sound off below! The Moonmen have all been handed out and the stars have gone home, but there's plenty of MTV Video Music Awards news, interviews, behind-the-scenes scoop, party reports and more still to come, so keep it locked on MTVNews.com. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Rick Ross Buries Twitter Feud With 'Fire' Slim Thug Collabos Posted: 14 Sep 2010 02:39 AM PDT 'I leaked 'Paid the Cost,' just to show the haters,' Ross tells Mixtape Daily.
The O.D.: A Mixtape Daily Exclusive Rick Ross says he didn't fire shots. It was just a rap reference that he had no intention of putting out anyway. A couple of weeks ago, a track leaked to the mixtape circuit and the Internet labeled "King Boss." Mr. Rozay rapped on the song, "She dated Slim Thug, but now she f--- with me/ She finally made it to the biggest boss luckily." Slim Thugger quickly took to his Twitter page with a question — and a retort. "WTF @rickyrozay is that a diss?" Slim wrote. "Just threw @rickyrozay cd out the roof of the coupe haters get no play in my ride." Well, before things got too far out of hand, Ross and Thugger talked, hammered out the misunderstanding and actually banged out a couple of new official songs. One of them, "Paid the Cost," is out now.
"First of all, I wanna salute the homie, Slim Thugga," Ross said on Saturday in Los Angeles before the VMAs. "Maybe two weeks ago, a record had surfaced that I recorded before I even met Slim Thug. Just not knowing the dude and made the record and, after the fact, maybe four or five years later, the record leaked. He responded in a way that was totally understandable. What was funny about that situation is that Slim Thug is actually an artist that after I met him, embraced me and showed me the most love. The homie, Slim Thug, and I gotta salute the homie, Trae Tha Truth." Ross said that Slim and Trae always roll out the red carpet for him when he goes to Houston. "For a record to surface and me being a little slow on Twitter, I didn't really peep it until two days later," Ross continued. "When I found out about it and heard about it, they said I'm dissing Slim Thug. 'What's the name of the record? "King Boss"?' ''he remembered asking. "I never had a record called 'King Boss.' I just left it alone. After the fact, [Slim] asked me about it. I told the homie, 'Of course it ain't nothing but love between me and you, big dawg.' We got in the studio, later that night. The night we spoke. I e-mailed him something; shot him something, did something for his album. It's fire. Then I leaked 'Paid the Cost,' just to show the haters." For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines. Related Artists |
| Posted: 14 Sep 2010 02:02 AM PDT Following her 'Innocent' VMA performance, singer is gearing up for the release of her third album, Speak Now.
Fresh off the heels of her much-talked-about performance at the 2010 Video Music Awards, Taylor Swift is about to take the rest of the year by storm after a relatively low-key summer. The 20-year-old is gearing up for the release of her new album, Speak Now. And if "Innocent," the song she debuted at Sunday's VMAs, is any indication of her upcoming material, Swift scorners should beware: She may be singing about you. "For me, I write everything that I live, so you've got to give yourself a little bit of time to live a lot of things so you can write about a lot of things. And my only option is to write about what I've been through and what I've lived," Swift told fans of her new album. "Each song is a different confession to a different person, and I'm very excited for you to hear them."
The album may not be out until October 25, but the singer has already given fans a taste of her new music with the release of the first single, "Mine," which many have said conveys a more mature lyrical vision. The songstress chose Roman White (who also directed "You Belong With Me" and "Fifteen") to direct the clip, which depicts Swift and her lover from their first interaction through their marriage. The song, which the singer says is about "finding someone who would make you believe in love and realize that it could work out," had a bright start due to her ever-dependable fanbase. In early August, "Mine" made history as the singer became only the second female artist in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 chart to debut multiple songs ("Mine" and "Today Was a Fairy Tale") in the top five within a one-year time frame. But the songstress hasn't just been working on her album. Swift also made time this past year for some other important priorities. During the days immediately following the catastrophic Nashville floods, the country superstar helped her hometown by donating $500,000 and later performing as part of the Nashville Rising: A Benefit Concert for Flood Recovery charity concert. "Being at home during the storm, I honestly could not believe what was happening to the city and the people I love so dearly," Swift wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "Nashville is my home and the reason why I get to do what I love. I have always been proud to be a Nashvillian, but especially now, seeing the love that runs through this city when there are people in crisis." Despite her role in the movie "Valentine's Day," Swift told MTV News earlier this year that she's staying clear of the acting gigs for now and remains focused on her music, saying, "I'm not making movies right now. I'm making music. That's always been my number-one love." One question many ponder is whether or not the teen sensation will be able to match the sales and critical reception of 2008's Grammy-winning album Fearless. Some have even predicted that Swift may be the one to shake up the current state of the music industry with U.S. debut week sales of 1 million units. "It feels like if anybody can do it now, she could be the one," Will Botwin, president/CEO of Red Light Management and ATO Records told Billboard. "She has the sales base and heat from the last few albums. And with all the amazing things she has going on, she is as likely as anybody to reach a million units, especially with the efforts of Big Machine and Universal behind her." Until then, Swift will continue her media blitz for the release of Speak Now, which hits stores October 25. The songstress is reportedly set to hit the stage the same day of her album drop for a performance on the "Today" show and will also grace the November cover of Glamour magazine. What would you like to see Swift do in the coming months? Share your thoughts below! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| President Obama Urges Students To 'Get Schooled' Posted: 14 Sep 2010 12:40 AM PDT 'The farther you go in school, the farther you'll go in life,' he says during his annual back-to-school speech.
President Barack Obama gave the second "back-to-school" speech of his presidency on Tuesday (September 14), and his message was very clear. "Nobody gets to write your destiny but you," he told the students at Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School in Philadelphia. "Your future is in your hands. Your life is what you make of it. And nothing — absolutely nothing — is beyond your reach. So long as you're willing to dream big. So long as you're willing to work hard. So long as you're willing to stay focused on your education." That hope-filled exhortation to the National Blue Ribbon School, one of the best in Philly due to its students' high achievement, was aimed both at the kids and the parents, teachers and school leaders who help the students perform at a high level. The president described how he and his wife, first lady Michelle Obama, have been preparing their children Sasha and Malia for school over the past few weeks and how the Masterman kids are probably lamenting the end of summer, even as they get excited about new possibilities. "I'm sure there will be times in the months ahead when you're staying up late cramming for a test, or dragging yourselves out of bed on a rainy morning, and wondering if it's all worth it," he said, adding that he also suspected they were nervous about how the recession and the ongoing war in Afghanistan were forcing them to "act a lot older" to be strong for their families. "Let me tell you, there is no question about it. Nothing will have as great an impact on your success in life as your education." He said he understood that some of the students are worried about their futures and whether they will achieve their dreams. Which is why he promised them that education is more important than ever. "More and more, the kinds of opportunities that are open to you will be determined by how far you go in school," he said. "In other words, the farther you go in school, the farther you'll go in life. And at a time when other countries are competing with us like never before; when students around the world are working harder than ever, and doing better than ever; your success in school will also help determine America's success in the 21st century." Obama, who admitted he wasn't always the best student, said it will take a group effort from parents, politicians, students and teachers working their hardest to transform those educational aspirations into reality. "That's what we have to do for you. That's our responsibility," he said. "That's our job. But here's your job. Showing up to school on time. Paying attention in class. Doing your homework. Studying for exams. Staying out of trouble. That kind of discipline and drive — that kind of hard work — is absolutely essential for success." Stay tuned to MTV News for more information about how you can get the president to speak at your commencement celebration at the end of this school year. Get Schooled is a national program aimed at increasing high school and college graduation rates and promoting the importance of education, developed by Viacom in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. |
| Swizz Beatz Talks Joining Jay-Z At Yankee Stadium Posted: 14 Sep 2010 12:51 AM PDT 'Just think about it. They hit home runs in there,' Swizz says of performing in his hometown arena.
Last night, Swizz Beatz celebrated his birthday in one of the best ways you could think of. The Bronx native was a surprise guest of Jay-Z onstage at Yankee Stadium for the New York kickoff of the Jay-Z/Eminem Home and Home concerts, hot off the VMA stage, where he performed with Drake on Sunday night.
"Being onstage with Jay is funny sometimes because he's so cool and laid-back. I'm like the opposite, which makes it the perfect balance," Swizz told us recently about performing with the Jiggaman. "Sometimes when I perform 'On to the Next One,' I'll look at him and be like, 'Let me calm my ass down a little bit.' The energy, I'm just attracted to the people. It's an honor when Jay introduced me and we're able to rock the same stage back from 'Jigga' and we're still able to make classics together and still able to be cool and still share the same stage. It's a blessing." When asked about actually being able to rock Yankee Stadium, the super-producer smiled and reflected. "Yankee Stadium. Ooo weee," he beamed. "Just think about it. They hit home runs in there. It's filled up like that. That's bigger than the Garden." Swizz is already getting prepared with tracks if Em and Jay should want to take their live collaboration into the studio. "That's like the real best of both worlds," Swizz declared. "I think [the two of the them having concerts together], that's genius. Could this become an album? You see how I been thinking about that? Laying that out real quick." The Jay-Eminem concerts in Detroit and New York, Swizz assessed, are a sign of the times. "The industry has no choice but to get together," Beatz remarked. "It's so crucial the decision that us as producers, as artists, as friends make. As you can see, the industry is on thin ice and it's too many people standing on it. There's no support. Where's the all the support that used to be in our industry? It's not there. The dollars are cut down. The digital world has scared the majors off from doing the correct deals. Now they introduced the 360 deals, where it's totally chaos to me. Artists have to be creative like that now. Before you didn't even have to think about teaming up. You'd be, like, right on your own playing field and that person would be the competition. And your job would be to destroy that person." Do you think Jay-Z and Eminem should record an album together? Let us know in the comments. Related Photos Related Artists |
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