MTV News |
- Rick Ross Says 'Monster' Proves Nicki Minaj Is 'One Of The Greatest'
- Nicki Minaj Inspires 'The Next Level,' will.i.am Says
- Britney Spears 'Glee' Episode: Everything You Need To Know!
- Gucci Mane Leads Us Through <i>The Appeal</i>
- Mark Ronson And D'Angelo Go Shirtless For <i>Record Collection</i>
- Lil Wayne Calls From Prison On MTV's 'The Seven' Premiere
- will.i.am And Nicki Minaj's 'Check It Out' Video An 'Ode To Anime'
- 'Breaking Dawn' Casts Maggie Grace As Irina
- Mos Def Signs With Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music
- Baby Laments Lil Wayne Spending Birthday In Prison
- Drake Reveals He's Working With Rihanna On <i>Loud</i>
- Shakira's 'Loca' Video: Watch An Exclusive Preview!
- Paris Hilton Settles Lawsuit With Hallmark
- 'Dancing With The Stars' Cast Tweets About Week-Two Nerves
- Joe Jonas May Drop Solo Album Next Year
- Lauren Conrad's Road Back To Reality TV
- Guillermo Del Toro Addresses Tom Cruise Casting Rumors
- Godsmack Frontman Sheds Metal Rage For Ethereal <i>Avalon</i>
- Nelly Talks Returning To Music After Family Deaths
- Lil Wayne's <i>I Am Not A Human Being</i>: Otherworldly Flows And STDs
| Rick Ross Says 'Monster' Proves Nicki Minaj Is 'One Of The Greatest' Posted: 28 Sep 2010 03:52 AM PDT 'It was a moment in history,' he tells Mixtape Daily of watching Ms. Minaj at work.
Celebrity Favorites: Rick Ross In Rick Ross' mind, Nicki Minaj graduated when she worked with the man behind the album Graduation. The Bawse said he was amazed not only seeing Nicki compose her raps, but also get on the mic and tear the booth down for the Kanye West posse cut. "It was a moment in history," he said. "I knew then she's one of the greatest.
"I was actually in the studio with Kanye in Hawaii when he played the concept for me," Ross recalled. "I was blown away. I had the opportunity to sit in the studio while Nicki wrote her verse just off the record. That was when she earned my respect as a lyricist. She was a dope entertainer up until that day that I sat in the studio and watched her come up with what I feel is one of the dopest verses of the year." If you're getting your late pass right now, "Monster" was released a few weeks back as part of Kanye's G.O.O.D. Friday offering of free music to the people. The track also features Jay-Z, Bon Iver, Charlie Wilson and Ross himself. "OK, first things first, I'll eat your brains/ Then I'mma start rocking gold teeth and fangs," Nicki raps on the song/ " 'Cause that's what a mutha----ing monster do/ Hairdresser from Milan, that's the monster 'do/ Monster Giuseppe heel, that's the monster shoe/ Young Money is the roster and the monster crew." "To see her construct her verse and lay it — she did it herself — I commend her," Ross added. Ross' time on the track was limited, but Ricky Rozay said he wasn't slated to be on the song in the first place. "I wasn't originally supposed to be on the record. I was next door working on another Kanye collaboration," the Miami native said. "I walked in, like, 'This is so big.' [Kanye] was like, 'Yeah.' He was playing the track, spitting his verse for me. That's before he even laid it. I'm like, 'That's dangerous.' At the same time, me being a hustler, I'm thinking of just an intro for the record. He told me the structure and the way he wanted it to go. I told him that was it. That's the way I would do it. He was on point with it. Me being the artist I am, I was sitting there talking to him and came up with an intro bridge. It wasn't a verse at all. It was just an intro or somewhat of a bridge to set the tone for 'Ye to come in. Jay capped it off." For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines. Related Videos |
| Nicki Minaj Inspires 'The Next Level,' will.i.am Says Posted: 28 Sep 2010 03:52 AM PDT Producer/rapper says Nicki pushed him on 'Check It Out.'
Sorry, Drake, but ex-Twitter-wife Nicki Minaj and will.i.am might prove to be a match made in hip-hop heaven — musically, at least.
The pair heaped praise on each other recently while on the video set for their "Check It Out" collaboration, the latest offering from Nicki Minaj's forthcoming debut album, Pink Friday. The Black Eyed Peas frontman, who has produced for Nas, Fergie and other acts, said the Young Money upstart inspired him while they were in the studio. "I work with a lot of artists, and say you work with an artist that didn't push to bring the best out," he told MTV News as he turned to Nicki Minaj "That [wasn't the case with 'Check It Out'] because I was hanging with you and I heard your record and I heard your verse. So I was like, 'I got to take it to the next level now.' 'Cause usually you mess with cats and there is no next level, because they don't inspire the next level. So she inspired the next level. So push it. You went 5 miles, then you better go 100." The duo recently shot a video in Los Angeles for "Check It Out," which they premiered during the VMA pre-show. For the clip, will.i.am suggested Nicki bring back the spirit of her live performance, particularly the skintight leather outfit she donned onstage. "You can expect to see a bunch of flyness as far as outfits," he told MTV News. "When I say flyness, I'm referring to Nicki." Do you think will and Nicki make a good team? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Related Photos |
| Britney Spears 'Glee' Episode: Everything You Need To Know! Posted: 28 Sep 2010 03:52 AM PDT The show will tackle some of the singer's biggest hits Tuesday night.
We've already seen what the masterminds behind "Glee" can do when they pay homage to blond pop stars (see: Madonna and Lady Gaga), but now it's time for the highly anticipated Britney Spears episode, which premieres Tuesday night (September 28). With Spears onboard to make an appearance in the episode, it's shaping up to be one very exciting episode — and it even had the cast freaking out. In the months since it was rumored that the hit Fox show would pay tribute to Spears, there's been so much information floating around about it that we here at MTV News thought we'd round up the most salient tidbits regarding the episode, which is already rumored to have a sequel sometime next year. Judging by preview clips, it appears Brittany and Santana hit up their local dentist, played by John Stamos, to get their hands on some anesthesia. From there, the girls go on a trippy ride through Brit's catalog, with some appearances by the pop princess herself. Show creator Ryan Murphy has called the episode "hallucinogenic." The cast will be doing six of Britney's biggest hits all while resurrecting her most iconic costumes, including the "Oops ... I Did It Again" red-leather bodysuit; the bejeweled (and nearly naked) "Toxic" look; the "I'm a Slave 4 U" green bikini, complete with snake; Madonna and Brit's "Me Against the Music" menswear-inspired suits; the "(Baby) One More Time" schoolgirl uniform; and, finally, a stirring rendition of "Stronger." Spears herself has been keeping her fans updated about the episode, and she will be live-tweeting during the show's West Coast airing. The bottom line, according to Amber Riley, is that the episode will live up to all of the hype. "I can tell you it's going to be a really great episode and you're going to love it," she said. "And they're doing the big hits from Britney." Are you looking forward to the "Glee" Britney episode? Let us know in the comments! |
| Gucci Mane Leads Us Through <i>The Appeal</i> Posted: 28 Sep 2010 03:52 AM PDT MC talks about just-released album, which features Nicki Minaj, Swizz Beatz and others.
Gucci Mane fought the law and the law won, he admits on The Appeal: Georgia's Most Wanted, which dropped Tuesday (September 27). But that doesn't mean one of the most street-loved MCs in the game can't bounce back with a diamond-encrusted smile. The album, his second in less than a year, starts with a surprisingly menacing track courtesy of Rodney Jerkins, who's had undeniable success providing tracks for the likes of Brandy, Ray J, Destiny's Child and, of course, Michael Jackson. Jerkins brings alarming horns fit for any gangster-flick soundtrack.
"Could have been a doctor, should have been a lawyer," Gucci raps on the chorus. "Go to court so much, I could have been my own employer/ I'm a dope boy, always been a hustler." "That's me featuring Bun B," Gucci said of the song. "That's the intro for my album. It's raw, it's 'hood, but it's different. Of course me and Bun B, it's underground, but it still has a lot of pizzazz to it." The Neptunes give Gucci a club bounce on "Haterade," a record about evolution and reflection. "Don't you feel stupid, look how I did it," Nicki Minaj raps on the track. "Look how it came to pass/ When I said it/ We can do debit/ I don't need no credit/ Yes, I'm epic, look how I rep it/ It's been eight years/ But I broke the record/ Yep the record, yep the record, yep the record (just for the record)/ I'm all that I can be/ And I'll admit I'm appalled when you envy." "I feel that's a summertime record," Gucci said in August on the L.A. set of his video for "Gucci Time." "It's a great record, different record. It's me and Nicki, our first time together talking in depth on personal things. It's a different approach than people thought we would have." On "Grown Man," Mr. LaFlare enlisted guest singer Estelle to express his newfound growth and mental freedom. "That's a special song on the album," Gucci said. "It talks about the transition from getting out of jail, then making mistakes in your life, sharpening your focus, taking responsibility for what happened in your life." The album's lead cut is "Gucci Time," which was produced by and features Swizz Beatz, who also does double duty on "It's Alive." "Me and Swizz recorded five or six songs," Mane said. "It was a pleasure recording with him. Out of the six songs we did, all of 'em could have been hit records. But this definitely feels like the song to go with right now, so we pushed forward." Will you pick up The Appeal? Let us know in the comments! |
| Mark Ronson And D'Angelo Go Shirtless For <i>Record Collection</i> Posted: 28 Sep 2010 03:52 AM PDT 'Nobody wears shirts in the studio, that's the rule,' Ronson jokes to MTV News about recording his feature-heavy new disc with reclusive R&B star.
It's been widely reported — mostly because, you know, it's sort of amazing — that, over the last year, Mark Ronson logged a whole lot of time in the studio with mercurial R&B magnate D'Angelo, a man who, for most of the last decade has largely made a career out of, well, not making a career. The story goes that D, eternally working on the follow-up to his 2000 album Voodoo, heard Ronson's work on Amy Winehouse's Back to Black and decided that he had to work with him. So, naturally, when D'Angelo called, Ronson answered.
But while he was "floored" by the opportunity, Ronson also realized that he could probably get D'Angelo to record some vocals for his album too. And, lo and behold, on Ronson's brand-new Record Collection disc (in stores Tuesday, September 28), D does appear — contributing vocals to a song called "Glass Mountain Trust." It may very well be the guest appearance of the year. So, obviously, when MTV News sat down with Ronson, we had to ask him what it was like to get in the studio with a legend like D'Angelo. First and foremost, we wondered: Did they replicate the infamous "Untitled (How Does It Feel?)" video and go shirtless? Why, of course. Though, as Ronson explained, that was more a matter of necessity than anything else. "Nobody wears shirts in the studio, that's the rule. Especially since we recorded most of the album during [a] heat wave, in Brooklyn, in a studio with no air conditioning," he said. "The only reason we actually got air conditioning is when we found out the tapes were melting and warping. We'd play back the tape from the day before and be like, 'What is that sound?' We had the guy come over to fix the tape machine, and he's like, 'Dude, it's 110 degrees in here, your tapes are melting.' " In some ways, Ronson even credits the sweltering heat for giving Record Collection such swagger ... after all, you had to be a pretty bad dude (or chick) to lock yourself in his Brooklyn space all day. And on a record that features cameos by everyone from D'Angelo to Boy George (and crackling session work from members of the Dap-Kings and the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra), that's a whole lot of badness. Though, perhaps the toughest of all was someone who doesn't even appear on the record: Mary J. Blige. The R&B queen came out to BK to work with Ronson on a Maroon 5 remix, and proved to pretty much everyone that she was the baddest bitch in the business. "I have really fond, sweet memories of Mary J. Blige coming over one time, and [she] is at a point in her career where she deserves to be pampered and sit on a bed of fluffy down and be fed grapes in the studio if she wants to," Ronson laughed. "[But she] came to our sweatbox and, to her credit, she was so sweet. She was like, 'See, this reminds me of the old days.' Meanwhile, she was probably thinking, 'Get me the f--- out of here.' " Are you eager to hear what Mark Ronson and the elusive D'Angelo cooked up in the studio? Let us know in the comments! |
| Lil Wayne Calls From Prison On MTV's 'The Seven' Premiere Posted: 27 Sep 2010 03:07 AM PDT He calls back to surprise protégé Drake, a guest on the new show.
MTV's brand-new show "The Seven" kicked off with a bang Monday (September 27), landing an interview with Lil Wayne, direct from Rikers Island, where the rapper is serving a one-year sentence stemming from a 2007 arrest on gun charges.
In the phone interview, Wayne talked about the inspiration behind the title of his new I Am Not a Human Being LP ("I just looked in the mirror, plain and simple," he laughed) and about his decision to release it while he's still behind bars. "Making the album was totally fun, because I love recording. That's what I love to do, next to breathing," he said. "I made sure I had some material before I came in here to release while I was in here." Wayne — who would later call into the show again to surprise Drake, who appeared as a guest on the show — also spoke about the support he's received from his fans, speculating that he's received "a million" pieces of mail and saying that the messages have inspired him to keep working hard at his music, despite the fact that he's still serving time. "[The] fans have been more than unbelievable," he told "Seven" host Kevin Manno. "When I read those letters, that fan mail, and see what they say about what my music does for them, and how it helped them through situations ... to read that, that makes me take my words and my whole outlook on what I'm doing a lot more seriously. "I probably get 150 pieces of mail [a day], and I probably read a good 30 each day," he continued. "I get to keep [the letters], I send 'em home. If I keep 'em in the cell, they say it's a fire hazard. Honestly, I await the mail every day." He ended his interview by revealing what he hoped to do when he's released from prison — reportedly on November 4 — though, really, he could only talk about some of his plans on air. "[I'm going to] hug and kiss my kids," Wayne laughed. "And, uh, after that, I don't think I'm allowed to say." Are you looking forward to Wayne's release? Let us know in the comments. Don't miss "The Seven" every weekday at 5 p.m. ET on MTV. Related Videos Related Artists |
| will.i.am And Nicki Minaj's 'Check It Out' Video An 'Ode To Anime' Posted: 27 Sep 2010 03:26 AM PDT 'I've joined forces with the only boy that I know that's able to capture that culture,' Nicki tells MTV News.
Nicki Minaj has proven to be a larger-than-life figure, so for her forthcoming "Check It Out" video, it only made sense that she partnered with equally over-the-top Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am. "We're doing an ode almost to Japanese anime," Minaj told MTV News about the highly stylized animation style while on the Los Angeles set of the video. "I'm obviously a big fan, and I've joined forces with the only boy that I know that's able to capture that culture."
The Lil Wayne protégé and the producer joined forces for the song, which will appear on Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday album, due in November. The pair performed the number for the first time on the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards pre-show. The track leaked a few days prior to the show, but the performance was the official debut. "You can expect to see a bunch of flyness as far as outfits," will told MTV News of the video. "When I say flyness, I'm referring to Nicki." For the video, the two will re-create the energy from their VMA performance, which featured Nicki Minaj in a skintight leather outfit and will.i.am with a futuristic sheen. The producer/rapper got some heat for his jet-black face paint during the pre-show, which, to some fans, was reminiscent of the antiquated, racially charged practice of blackface. Will defended the costume on Twitter: "Are you guys serious? my outfit set 'black people back 100 yrs' choose your twits wisely," will typed. "No education sets people back, no jobs, bad health." Are you looking forward to the "Check It Out" video? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| 'Breaking Dawn' Casts Maggie Grace As Irina Posted: 27 Sep 2010 03:54 AM PDT 'Lost' and 'Taken' actress will play a 'vegetarian' vampire who turns on the Cullens.
With production set to begin very soon, "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1" continues to add members to its already-crowded cast. Last month we learned that "The Pacific" actor Rami Malek had joined the "Dawn" ranks in the role of Egyptian vampire Benjamin. On Monday (September 27), it was reported that "Lost" and "Taken" actress Maggie Grace has signed on to play "vegetarian" vampire Irina. A rep from Summit Entertainment confirmed the casting to MTV News, and the original story appeared first on Deadline.com. So who is Irina? Those familiar with Stephenie Meyer's source material will recall that she is a member of the Denali coven, one of the only other "vegetarian" vampire covens and allies with the Cullens — that is, until Irina blames the family for the death of her former lover, Laurent, and vengefully reveals a Cullen family secret to the Volturi. The other "Dawn" newbie, Benjamin, is a member of the Egyptian coven who comes to help Bella and the Cullens battle the Volturi. Benjamin is a young vamp blessed with the special ability of controlling the elements (à la Storm from X-Men), though he has yet to fully master his powers. "I think it's going to be great," Rami told "ET" of his joining the cast last month. "It's going to be super exciting, and I'm thrilled." Summit announced in June that "Breaking Dawn" would be divided into two parts; the first of the two films is scheduled to hit theaters November 18, 2011, and the second on November 16, 2012. Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1." For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Mos Def Signs With Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music Posted: 27 Sep 2010 06:11 AM PDT Seasoned Brooklyn MC and 'Lord, Lord, Lord' collaborator confirms he's joining Yeezy's label in latest issue of XXL.
Kanye West has expanded his roster again, and like the most recent addition to his G.O.O.D. Music label, Pusha T, the new signing is another familiar face: seasoned hip-hop favorite Mos Def. The Brooklyn MC and West talk about the deal and break down their musical relationship in the October issue of XXL, which comes out on Tuesday and features a Kanye cover story. And Mos Def makes an appearance on West's G.O.O.D. Friday single "Lord, Lord, Lord," along with Swizz Beatz, Raekwon and singer Charlie Wilson. Mos' decision to join G.O.O.D. Music follows the release of his last album, The Ecstatic, on indie label Downtown Records in 2009. The rapper/actor and Kanye first collaborated on the Chicago MC's College Dropout, for "Two Words," and then again on "Drunk and Hot Girls" from Graduation. On "Lord, Lord, Lord," Mos Def opens the slow-moving track. "Cool ruler standing still, sweatin' through the shade," Mos says. "He knew those lights only grew bright to fade/ Dead-wrong pageantry, lottery and games/ Sleight of hand provided by extravagant and fake." With the signing of Mos Def, West continues his movement, pulling in MCs — often with a devoted following outside the mainstream — who come ready to break down creative barriers. Back in July, Pusha wouldn't confirm or deny that he'd signed with G.O.O.D: "I mean, you know. I been to Hawaii. Hawaii is a nice place. Good music is made down there, ya know. So, yeah, I was there. I can't say too much about that." Of course, that's no longer a mystery. Pusha confirmed to MTV News at this year's VMAs that he was onboard with Kanye. The only question remaining is who else will be popping up on the bubbling label. What do you think of Kanye bringing Mos Def into his G.O.O.D. Music fold? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists |
| Baby Laments Lil Wayne Spending Birthday In Prison Posted: 27 Sep 2010 04:13 AM PDT 'If he would have went in like he was supposed to, he would be home already,' he says of Weezy's sentence being delayed.
Cash Money CEO Bryan "Baby" Williams is used to celebrating Lil Wayne's birthday alongside the multiplatinum MC. But this year, with Wayne in prison, Birdman can only count down the days until the rapper returns.
During the lead-up to Wayne turning himself in to serve his sentence, there were several delays (from dental procedures to a fire), and Baby lamented the fact that he and Weezy can't celebrate together now as a result. "That f---ed with us," he told MTV News about the delays in Lil Wayne turning himself in. "Mentally, we were ready to do it. And when they had the fire, it really f---ed up, 'cause we were like, 'Get it crackin'.' Really, if he would have went in like he was supposed to, he would be home already. We didn't want to keep pushing that sh-- back, but things were happening. We just had to live with it. But any time your loved ones are leaving you in any kind of way, it affects you, 'cause we human, you love what you love. ... But he's home in a minute. We ready. We went through the storm and weathered the storm, so we here." While Wayne wasn't able to celebrate his birthday with a party, he stayed active, phoning into MTV's "The Seven" while his protégé Drake was on air. The two spoke briefly, and the Toronto star wished Wayne a happy birthday. Weezy is expected to be released from prison in November after serving nearly a year for attempted gun possession, stemming from a 2007 incident in New York City. Are you looking forward to Wayne's release? Let us know in the comments. Related Artists |
| Drake Reveals He's Working With Rihanna On <i>Loud</i> Posted: 27 Sep 2010 01:33 AM PDT 'I just did this great song with Rihanna,' rapper tells MTV News.
Before Drake's brief Twitter affair with Nicki Minaj, the Toronto lyricist had a celebrity romance with Rihanna, whose last project he did unreleased work on and whom he was spotted smooching in a New York bowling alley.
The rapper recalled the incident on his debut, Thank Me Later, spitting about their dalliance and later saying he was Rihanna's "pawn" in an interview. Now the fire appears to be doused, as the two are reuniting for Rihanna's forthcoming project, Loud, according to Drake. "I just did this great song," he told MTV News. "I don't know if I'm supposed to talk about it. I just did this great song with Rihanna; hopefully we can do a video for it. I'm really excited about that." The two had a fling before Rihanna became involved with Los Angeles Dodgers player Matt Kemp. Drake denied his involvement with the singer many times, but he finally let loose on his song "Fireworks." "I was a pawn," Drake told the New York Times earlier this year about his time with RiRi, which began with an invitation to pen a track for the singer. "You know what she was doing to me? She was doing exactly what I've done to so many women throughout my life, which is show them quality time, then disappear. I was like, 'Wow, this feels terrible.' " Are you excited to hear Drake and Rihanna's collabo? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| Shakira's 'Loca' Video: Watch An Exclusive Preview! Posted: 26 Sep 2010 11:36 PM PDT Singer goes guerrilla for clip, which features a madcap dash around Barcelona.
In her previous videos, Shakira's gone global, game-set-match and, after shooting "She Wolf," probably to the chiropractor. And now, in her new video for "Loca," she's gone guerrilla.
Shot run-and-gun style in Barcelona last month, the "Loca" clip follows Shakira and her crew on a madcap dash around the city — including scenes shot in a public fountain and on the back of a motorcycle, which got her in hot water with local authorities. Thanks to all that, it's a decidedly different turn from her past efforts, most of which were big-budget affairs, and all of which avoided getting her in trouble with the law. "Loca" — which features a cameo by British rapper Dizzee Rascal — is the first single off her new album, Sale El Sol (due October 19), and while the full video won't premiere until Wednesday on MTV.com, you can watch an exclusive 30-second sneak peek right now. There's roller skating, frolicking in a fountain, (very public) costume changes, motorcycle riding and — of course — a whole lot of hip-shaking, too. It's sexy, cheeky and, yes, even a little bit crazy, but then again, what Shakira video isn't? And while "Loca" may be a departure from her previous clips, what makes it great is the simple fact that none of her pop contemporaries — not even Lady Gaga — would dare try something like this. And that's why we love her so much. But why are you reading this? Have a look at our exclusive preview of "Loca" right now, and make sure to check back on Wednesday for the full experience. Trust us, it's worth it. Are you excited for Shakira's "Loca" video? Let us know in the comments! Related Photos Related Artists |
| Paris Hilton Settles Lawsuit With Hallmark Posted: 27 Sep 2010 04:57 AM PDT Heiress reportedly walks away from 2007 suit with an undisclosed amount of money.
Another week and another legal trial for Paris Hilton, but this time it's in her favor. The 29-year-old socialite has settled a lawsuit with Hallmark over a greeting card that made use of the heiress' image and the catchphrase "that's hot." According to The Hollywood Reporter, attorneys for Hilton and Hallmark have reached a settlement and notified a California judge as of last week. Further details haven't been disclosed, but it is reported that the blond bombshell has walked away from the 2007 lawsuit with an undisclosed amount of money. Hallmark spokeswoman Julie O'Dell originally defended the company against the accusation, saying, "These cards take a satirical look at news and gossip surrounding these public figures, including Paris Hilton, and we do not believe Hallmark has violated any of Ms. Hilton's rights." Last year, a federal appeals court ruled against the company, refuting their parody claim, and both parties were set to duke it out in court in December. With its "Paris's First Day as a Waitress" caption, the greeting card is seemingly based on her fish-out-of-water reality show "The Simple Life." The star's face is plastered on a cartoon waitress figure as she serves a meal to a customer that says, "Don't touch that, it's hot." "What's hot?" "That's hot." Hilton's Hallmark settlement is just another mark in her slew of recent legal tribulations. Just last week, the hotel heiress was denied entrance into Japan following a guilty plea in her Las Vegas cocaine case. Related Photos Related Artists |
| 'Dancing With The Stars' Cast Tweets About Week-Two Nerves Posted: 27 Sep 2010 02:01 AM PDT 'It's time to man up,' the Situation writes to his followers.
As week two of "Dancing With the Stars" kicks off, the celebs have taken to Twitter to chat with fans about their varying degrees of nervousness. And mixed in with the nerves were some jokes and some bravado. "It's time to man up," "Jersey Shore" star Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino tweeted. "Professional dancer I'm not, but not gonna stop me from goin out there in front of millions and doin my best. "Thanks to everyone 4support," he added. "Goin out there n gonna leave it all out on the floor and have fun. I have the best fans, the SituationNation DWTS. ... The quickstep is pretty hard but I'm gonna try my hardest n have fun. Sitch, DWTS vote." Like the Sitch, Audrina Patridge will also be dancing the quickstep, and she's hoping everyone remembers to vote this week. "@TonyDovolani thanks tony:) so excited for tomorrow!!! See u bright and early tomorrow xo Icing my feet!!! Lol the quickstep is tons of fun. I'm whipping my body into a dancers body!" Audrina wrote. "On my way to the studios to start preparing for tonight!" Comedian Margaret Cho decided to make light of it all on her Twitter page. "Atmosphere real tense in hair trailer for dwts!!" she joked. "You can cut the tension with a glittered switchblade." Meanwhile, after an emotional performance last week, Jennifer Grey thanked her fans for all their support. "Here comes the jive people," she shared. "Pray for me..." It seems that Rick Fox has the most pressure on him. Why? "1st up tonight!" he revealed. "Tune in early : )I'm getting my first start of the season." Who are you rooting for on "Dancing With the Stars"? Share your favorites in the comments! Related Photos |
| Joe Jonas May Drop Solo Album Next Year Posted: 27 Sep 2010 02:21 AM PDT Jonas Brothers singer working on 'a more dangerous sound' for the project, E! News reports.
Nick Jonas did his own thing with the Administration, and in 2011, Joe Jonas also plans to go it alone. It has been confirmed that the Jonas Brothers singer will release a solo album sometime next year, something he's been hinting at for a while now. E! News reports that the 21-year-old is currently recording the album, and sources tell the website that he is going for "a more dangerous sound," similar to Justin Timberlake. "Joe has been working with various writers and producers but there's no confirmation on what it will be for," a Jonas Brothers rep told MTV News.
Joe hasn't been secretive about his desire to pursue other projects. "I've been working on lots of music," he told MTV News in August. "I've been working [with] lots of musicians having a great time. [I have] been writing with a lot of friends of mine and some artists here and there, and we'll see what comes out it." And his music has even gotten his brothers' seal of approval. "I've heard it. It's awesome," Nick said, before Kevin chimed in, "It's really good music." Joe has been very busy in 2010 with his own projects, mostly in the acting department. Between an appearance on "Hot in Cleveland," a November guest spot on "90210" and a mysterious acting project with Tom Hanks, Joe has been branching out from the JoBros. How does Joe feel about all the work? "Life is wonderful," he tweeted last week. "Thank you all who impact my life. Family, friends, fans! Xo" What do you think about Joe Jonas going solo? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| Lauren Conrad's Road Back To Reality TV Posted: 27 Sep 2010 12:00 AM PDT After time off to build her empire — books, fashion lines, cosmetics contracts and more — 'The Hills' star is ready to make another MTV hit.
Since she left "The Hills" in 2009, Lauren Conrad seemed to welcome her time away from the spotlight. But in a surprise move last week, she announced plans to return to MTV in a new docu-series about launching her latest fashion line. So what brought about LC's change of heart? Although the reality starlet had popped up as a guest judge on "America's Next Top Model" and made one last appearance on the "Hills" finale aftershow in July, she was in no hurry to begin documenting her life again for public consumption. Instead, she focused on other projects, including a clothing line with Kohl's called LC Lauren Conrad and two novels, "L.A. Candy" and "Sweet little Lies." The third in the series, "Sugar and Spice," comes out next week, as does her fashionista guide, "Lauren Conrad Style."
Earlier this year, when we asked her about returning to television, LC was hesitant, saying that her plate was already full. And it was a sentiment she had previously shared when we caught up with her in June '09, shortly after she walked away from her hit MTV show. "I wouldn't do a show like 'The Hills,' " she told MTV News at the time. "Nothing with my personal life, but possibly something hosting. I think I have a little bit of time to figure out what I'm going to do next." Over time, however, it seems LC was softening to the idea. In February, she said that while she wasn't ready to make the leap back to the small screen, she wouldn't rule out behind-the-scenes opportunities. "The only other thing I'd love to do right now is producing," she explained. "I'm just kind of looking for the perfect project because I think the first thing I do I really have to love, so I want to wait until I really have enough time to commit to a series." That project turned out to be her own documentary series, which will put her back in front of the camera. "I am so excited to be rejoining the MTV family," Lauren said in a statement about her new TV venture. "The new project will follow me as I develop my new contemporary line and also touch on my other businesses." At least LC has one great lesson she learned from her previous forays into reality TV. "I didn't learn a thing! I'm the same as I went in," she joked back in July. "I learned not to take yourself seriously!" Are you excited that LC is returning to MTV in her own show? Tell us in the comments! Related Photos |
| Guillermo Del Toro Addresses Tom Cruise Casting Rumors Posted: 27 Sep 2010 02:34 AM PDT Director of 'At the Mountains of Madness' adaptation tells MTV News he can't reveal too much, adding, 'I have my eye on other actors.'
"Who is Bilbo?" That was the question we put to Guillermo del Toro again and again for easily two years, harassing the director for the identity of the actor to be cast as the star of "The Hobbit." Del Toro left that film in May, but casting questions have only followed him to his latest project, an adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's "At the Mountains of Madness." Rumors circulated earlier this month that del Toro and Universal are eyeing Tom Cruise or James McAvoy to star in the film.
When the director stopped by the MTV Newsroom last week, we asked him to address the talk, and had barely uttered Cruise's name before del Toro jumped in. "And James McAvoy," he said. "And next week it's going to be somebody else. I've gone through this in 'The Hobbit' week by week, where they would say David Tennant, Tobey Maguire. I truly don't want to go through it again with 'Mountains.' We haven't cast yet." He did, however, mention a role he's written specifically for Ron Perlman, with whom he's collaborated on two "Hellboy" movies. But when it came to Cruise and McAvoy, all del Toro would say is "there is nothing tangible" with regard to casting. And as reluctant as he is to go through intense casting speculation again, the Mexican-born director realizes it comes with the territory. "It's part of making movies that have a blissful, high visibility," he conceded. "Everyone has their own interpretation of Lovecraft, especially because of the ambiguity of his descriptions. You know you're going to disappoint some portion of the fans. You can only bet on your own instincts. For everyone that was supporting Martin Freeman [for Bilbo], there were people supporting James McAvoy or somebody else. "I have my eye on other actors, some of them very unexpected," he added about "Mountains." "I think people will be surprised by every piece of casting in the movie. We will do unexpected stuff. If I was a fan, I would be speculating. In this movie, I'm a fan who unfortunately knows all the information." Who would you like to see the "Mountains" role go to? McAvoy or Cruise? Let us know in the comments! |
| Godsmack Frontman Sheds Metal Rage For Ethereal <i>Avalon</i> Posted: 27 Sep 2010 01:49 AM PDT Sully Erna explains why his world-music-infused solo album is his 'baby.'
Nearly five months after its release, the sonic punch of Godsmack's third album to debut at #1, The Oracle, is still leaving bruises (the latest single "Love-Hate-Sex-Pain" is perched at #15 on the Billboard Rock Songs chart) and the band is currently supporting the record on a major tour with Five Finger Death Punch and Drowning Pool. But for the moment at least, frontman Sully Erna is more excited about his recently released world-music-inflected solo album, Avalon, which debuted at #24 on this week's Billboard 200. "Godsmack will always be my main priority. I know that, but right now, Avalon is my baby," Erna said on a break between tour dates. "It's a complete departure from Godsmack, and that's why I love it so much. As a musician, I like to express different sides of myself, and this is way more intellectual and eclectic and primal than what I usually do. It's the kind of thing you'll really want to stop what you're doing when you put it on to listen to." The lead vocals on Oracle are instantly recognizable as Erna. The rest of the album is more otherworldly, flush with tribal drumming, plaintive acoustic guitar strums, layered vocal harmonies and gliding cello. Many of the songs ache with vulnerability, others shimmer with a near-goth mysticism. In loose terms, the album sounds like acoustic Alice in Chains and Led Zeppelin (Erna's two favorite bands), combined with elements of Jethro Tull, Peter Gabriel, Pink Floyd and Dead Can Dance. The approach isn't entirely unprecedented for Erna. Over the years, Godsmack have released tribal and acoustic songs such as "Voodoo" and "Serenity," and in 2004 the band released the unplugged album The Other Side. With Avalon, however, Erna takes his fascination with Native American, African and Brazilian percussion, ethereal keyboards and monochromatic jams to new heights. "The hardest thing about doing this record was finding a common pulse, because all the songs were written over a number of years and they're all different," Erna says. "I really wanted this to be something that flows together as a single body of work, not just a bunch of singles, so it was kind of a challenge to make everything connect. If I owned a record store and I got this album, I wouldn't know where to put it because it's not like anything else that's out there." Avalon features a multitude of guest musicians, including Dead Can Dance percussionist Niall Gregory, multi-octave vocalist Lisa Guyer and Bulgarian cellist Irina Chirkova, who provide extra flair and dynamics. "I met Niall at a Dead Can Dance show, and we kept in touch," Erna said. "I was reluctant to approach him at first, because I didn't know if this was something he'd be interested in, but he was totally into it, and that gave me a lot of confidence. Lisa is a friend who I met years ago who has an amazing voice, and she lent so much to the album." As cohesively as the majestic song "Sinner's Prayer" flows together with the haunting "The Departed" or the melancholy guitar ballad "My Light," Oracle was neither smooth nor easy to create. Erna started arranging songs in late 2007 and spent over a year recording the album at Sanctum Sound studio in Boston and mixing at Serenity West studio in Hollywood. "It was definitely a process, and it was sometimes a pain in the neck," Erna said. "Scheduling everything was really tough. I'd be arranging and composing something, and I'd realize you need a cello player for a certain part, so it's a matter of calling the right person in to do their parts and making sure they're available. That happened over and over. But everyone on there is a top-notch player and together we recorded a beautiful album." What do you think about Sully's new sound on Avalon? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
| Nelly Talks Returning To Music After Family Deaths Posted: 27 Sep 2010 12:42 AM PDT 'I lost my sister in '05 and almost didn't make it back,' rapper tells MTV News.
Nelly may have suffered through his most commercially disappointing project with 2008's Brass Knuckles (which still sold more than 500,000 copies), but the relatively low sales paled in comparison to the personal pain he endured during the making of the album.
In 2005 the rapper lost his older sister, Jacqueline Donahue, to a well-publicized battle with leukemia, and months later his grandfather also died of cancer. The normally boisterous lyricist was still reeling from the losses when he went back to work; he said he almost didn't return to recording at all after his mourning. "I lost my sister in '05 and almost didn't make it back," Nelly told MTV News. "That's a lot that people didn't know. Even when I was going into Brass Knuckles it was just, a'ight. I lost my sister and six months later I lost my grandfather. Both of them the same way — different diagnosis but both of them was due to cancer. And we had done so much to try to find a donor for my sister. I don't know if you ever had someone ailing from cancer in your family, but it's some of the most disheartening things to watch people go through so much pain and not be able to do anything about it." Nelly compared his success to the powerlessness he felt during that period. "To have so much," he explained. "So much money, so much things that you can basically buy your way out of it, but this thing here you can't get a grasp on it for nothing in the world. And I never lost anything in my life that close to me, never, ever, ever. And this is the person that took care of me." Professionally, Nelly has finally rebounded with "Just a Dream," which earned him a top 10 solo hit for the first time since 2005. On a personal level, he says he's dealt with his ordeals. He credits Diddy with helping him to rediscover his passion for work. The rapper is set to release both a solo album, 5.0, and a St. Lunatics group album, City Free, in November. "He was like, 'Let's go! What are you waiting on?' " Nelly recalled of Diddy's pep talk. "I was like, 'You know what? You're right.' And I left the party to go to the studio." Share your well-wishes for Nelly and his family in the comments. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Lil Wayne's <i>I Am Not A Human Being</i>: Otherworldly Flows And STDs Posted: 26 Sep 2010 10:10 PM PDT Drake, Nicki Minaj and the Young Money crew help Weezy celebrate his birthday with latest release.
Lil Wayne's I Am Not a Human Being LP dropped digitally at midnight on Monday (September 27), giving fans the chance to celebrate Weezy's birthday with a load of otherworldly flows and soundscapes. The mother ship has landed. Early releases from the album have given it a good head start. The title cut has a video in heavy rotation on various outlets, while the lead cut, "Right Above It" with Drake, was a #1 single on the Billboard digital downloads chart. Drizzy appears on several other songs off the LP as well. The Toronto native brings the 1960s throwback soul on "With You," as Wayne pledges his love to a woman who is "badder than a 3-year-old." "Damn, you the sh--," Wayne sings on the chorus. "I will rip my heart out and hand you the sh--." The duo bash their competition on "Gonorrhea" where they don't necessarily focus on the dreaded venereal disease, but mostly admonish spineless MCs. "I kind of just did my verse when I heard the beat. I knew what the song was called and what it was about eventually," Drake told MTV News last week. "Wayne's a character. Expect the unexpected, I guess. It's funny and it definitely makes people pay attention. It's like, 'Chlamydia! Oh, I should listen to this, maybe it's educating me.' It's crazy. But people like it. I got a lot of good feedback on the verse. I think the project is just a lot of Wayne songs that, it's that stuff that people want to hear." Nicki Minaj checks in to sing the hook on "What's Wrong With Them." "The time's up/ Put your signs up/ Made 'em pick my dude out the lineup," she croons. "Baby, what the f--- is wrong, wrong with them?/ What the f--- wrong, wrong with them?/ You see, many are called/ Very few are chosen/ Looking at the wall/ You can feel them close in/ Baby, what the f--- wrong, wrong with them?" Weezy comes in with his abstract insight: "Mind over matter/ Money over all," he raps. "The world is on my shoulders/ Shall I dust my shoulders off?/ Uzi rat-a-tatter, knocking over walls/ F--- the bullsh--, but just don't f--- it raw, man." The rest of Wayne's Young Money family checks in throughout the LP on tracks such as "Young Money Salute" and "Hold Up," while the Birdman Jr.'s Cash Money labelmate Jay Sean is featured on "That Ain't Me." Three more songs will be included on the physical album of I Am Not a Human Being, which drops on October 12. What do you think of Lil Wayne's new album? Share your reviews in the comments. Related Artists |
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