MTV News |
- B.o.B Makes His Hottest MCs In The Game Debut At #9!
- Taylor Swift Says Fans' 'Passion' Will Determine Next Single
- Kristen Stewart Reveals She Was Offered Job At A Strip Club
- Dallas Transgender Teen Hopes To Be A 'Mentor' After Homecoming Queen Bid
- Kanye West's 'Runaway' Film To Premiere On MTV
- Willow Smith's 'Whip My Hair' Video Premieres
- Drake, Usher, Alicia Keys Top Soul Train Awards Nomination List
- Love Is Louder Campaign Wants You To 'Turn Up The Volume' Tuesday
- Ludacris Is The #10 Hottest MC In The Game!
- Kim Kardashian Is 'Freaking Out' About Turning 30
- TJ Lavin Is A 'Warrior,' MTV 'Challenge' Stars Say
- 'Degrassi' Alum Andrea Lewis 'Can't Wait To Share Stage' With Drake
- Keri Hilson Songwriter Kevin Cossom 'Grinding' For His Solo Career
- Mel Gibson Confirmed For 'Hangover 2'
- Kanye West Fans React To Controversial <i>Twisted Fantasy</i> Art
- Ne-Yo Says 'Humor' Lands Ludacris On Hottest MCs List
- Who Is Kanye West Cover Artist George Condo?
- Shontelle Expected Fans To 'Connect' To 'Impossible'
- 'Jackass 3D' Guys Talk Sequel Plans
- Black Keys Get An Apology From MTV For Moonman Misprint
| B.o.B Makes His Hottest MCs In The Game Debut At #9! Posted: 19 Oct 2010 03:52 AM PDT Bobby Ray's transition from underground upstart to chart-smashing hitmaker lands him on the list.
Though B.o.B had been signed to Atlantic Records since the mid-aughts, 2010 was actually the first year people outside underground hip-hop got to experience what he was all about. A year ago, despite being a fixture on MTV's Mixtape Daily, Bobby Ray was stuck in major-label limbo and contemplating giving it all up. Now, taking into account his buzz, commercial success and impact, the MTV News Hip-Hop Brain Trust has selected B.o.B as the #9 Hottest MC in the Game, his first appearance on the list.
B.o.B had a handful of minor looks over the years, yet never one that catapulted him to stardom. There was his 2007 trance-rap single "Haterz Everywhere" and, a year later, the song "I'll Be in the Sky." There were countless mixtapes and a co-sign from T.I., who signed B.o.B to his label, Grand Hustle, in 2008. The next year, he was selected as one of XXL's Freshmen 10, alongside fellow up-and-comers Kid Cudi and Wale. These small victories earned him a small-but-loyal fanbase. But it wasn't until this past February, when he dropped the LRG-sponsored mixtape May 25th, that things started to really take off. The tape featured the Bruno Mars-assisted single "Nothin' on You," which was instantly embraced by radio. The song hit #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 and sold more than 2 million copies. He duplicated that success with "Airplanes," featuring Paramore's Hayley Williams, which spent a staggering 26 weeks on the Hot 100, peaking at #2. It even spawned a remix with a reinvigorated Eminem, which helped launch Marshall Mathers back into the public eye. "For Mixtape Daily, he was one of the main featured guys, more than anyone else," MTV News senior writer Jayson Rodriguez said during the Hottest MCs roundtable. "To sort of solidify it with these records ... I just think he did a good job of what every underground MC wants to do: sort of take that and cross over and do it in a way where it's credible. Where he can make these pop records, but the hip-hop community is still like, 'He came from here. We know what he did. He's solid.' " B.o.B's two hit singles actually made Grand Hustle (along with Atlantic Records and Rebel Rock Records) release the Atlanta MC's debut LP, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray, an entire month before it was set to hit stores. It sold 84,000 copies its first week and debuted at #1 on the Billboard albums chart, selling more than 400,000 units since. He also released the T.I. and Playboy Tre-assisted single "Bet I," which let fans know he wasn't all pop looks. B.o.B stole the show on Slim Thug's "So High" and guested on the remix of Cali Swag District's dance hit "Teach Me How to Dougie." Additionally, one of the songs from May 25th, "F--- the Money" with Asher Roth, became something of an underground hit, even while B.o.B was crossing over into the top 40. "He's looking to get back into more of a lyrical direction," MTV News supervising producer Sean Lee said. "And so that lyrical hip-hop pedigree is there, and it's going to be part of the equation for a while." B.o.B rounded out his year by winning a Teen Choice Award for "Airplanes," performing at the VMAs and BET Hip-Hop Awards and scoring an "MTV Unplugged" special. He headlined his own Shootin for Stars Tour over the summer, appeared at Lollapalooza, opened for Jay-Z and Eminem's Home and Home concert series, and is set to tour the U.K. with Paramore in November. And, finally, he's a spokesperson for Adidas. Maybe that decision to not retire was a wise one after all ... The 2010 Hottest MCs in the Game rollout is now under way! As in 2008 and 2009, the criteria is based on a combination of rhyme skill, flow, buzz, commercial success, business ventures, Web presence and cultural influence. Upload your comments, reactions, arguments and/or your own list to Your.MTV.com or send tweets with the hashtag #hottestmcs — the best responses could be on TV or our hip-hop blog, RapFix! Stay locked in each day as we count down #10 to #6 on our MCs list. Then tune in to MTV2 for the entire one-hour "Hottest MCs in the Game" special on Sunday, October 24, at 1:30 p.m. ET, where we'll reveal who will be crowned 2010's Hottest MC. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Taylor Swift Says Fans' 'Passion' Will Determine Next Single Posted: 19 Oct 2010 03:52 AM PDT 'I'm sitting on the edge of my seat,' Swift tells MTV News about looming reaction to Speak Now.
In less than a week, fans will be able to purchase Taylor Swift's new album, Speak Now, in its entirety. Her first single from the LP, "Mine," has had fans singing along, but some are already wondering what her second official track will be. We decided to put that question to Swift.
"It's all based on what fans like the most, and every single decision we've made as far as what song to come with next has been based on the fans' passion level toward that song," Taylor explained to MTV News. "And the album isn't out yet, so we can't really get a read on it yet." So does waiting for fan reaction make Swift anxious? "That's another reason why I'm sitting on the edge of my seat," she admitted. "I want to know what they like the best." Meanwhile, Swift has continued to roll out sneak peeks of some Speak Now songs, which have been performing well on the charts, a fact that makes the country/pop singer even more excited for the chance to tour. "Lots, lots of touring, very extensive tour planned," Swift revealed. "That's also gonna be a worldwide thing, so I'm just completely stoked out of my mind to play the new songs live." Given her plans to hit the road, is there a new song she'll be most nervous to perform? "Innocent"? "Speak Now"? Or maybe the song rumored to be about Taylor Lautner, "Back to December"? "Yes ... you'll probably be able to tell which one," Swift smiled. "It'll probably be very obvious." Of the songs you've heard so far, which one do you hope Taylor makes her second single? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos |
| Kristen Stewart Reveals She Was Offered Job At A Strip Club Posted: 19 Oct 2010 03:52 AM PDT 'I went to a strip club [and] I was straight-up offered a job,' actress recalls of filming 'Welcome to the Rileys' in New Orleans.
Kristen Stewart plays a teen runaway-turned-stripper in her new flick "Welcome to the Rileys." And while fans will have to head to the theater on November 5 (or October 29 if you're in a city where it opens early in limited release) to find out whether James Gandolfini (Doug Riley) welcomes her to his dysfunctional family, Stewart, who sat down with MTV News on Monday, revealed some interesting details about filming the Jake Scott-directed flick. Has Stewart ever felt comfortable enough to flaunt her sexuality the way her character, Mallory, does in the film? Well, if one job offer she got while in New Orleans filming the movie proves anything, it's that maybe she's got it and doesn't even have to flaunt it.
"Well, I mean, like, doing this movie ... one shocking thing was to find how easy it is [to flaunt your sexuality]," she explained. "Like, I went to a strip club with the director and the costume designer and it being an odd grouping of people going into a strip club in the middle of the afternoon, I was, like, straight-up offered a job." It wasn't just when she went to strip clubs that she got hit on. It also happened just walking around the city, mostly scantily clad thanks to the film's wardrobe. "And then walking around New Orleans wearing the kind of stuff I was wearing literally could be like boom, boom, boom, done," she recalled. "But I would never do that." Check out everything we've got on "Welcome to the Rileys." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos |
| Dallas Transgender Teen Hopes To Be A 'Mentor' After Homecoming Queen Bid Posted: 19 Oct 2010 03:52 AM PDT 'I encourage people to come up and ask me things,' Andy Moreno tells MTV News.
DALLAS — Last week, the students at North Dallas High School ended their day in a rally of support for one of their own: Andy Moreno, a transgender teen who was denied the opportunity to run for homecoming queen.
"I felt like I am being discriminated [against] because I tried running for homecoming queen, and I wasn't able to because the principal said it wasn't based on tradition," Moreno told MTV News. One of the administrators had a problem with Andy running, so she reached out to Principal Dinnah Escanilla, who "said that I was a gay male — which, to me, was a little ignorant, because she doesn't seem that educated in the transgender topic." North Dallas High School is home to many out LGBT students, who have found acceptance through the school's Gay Straight Alliance, which was started two years ago. When MTV News reached out for the comment, the school district released this statement: "It again should be noted that Dallas ISD is proud to have one of the most progressive anti-discrimination policies among school districts in the state." However, "The district's administration continues to support the principal with this decision." Andy's bid to run for homecoming queen first started as a joke with her best friend, Ruby, who is also transgender (male to female) and was set to run for homecoming king. Once they saw that people were willing to vote for them, it started to become a serious campaign. The vote took place last Monday. While the tally was meant to remain confidential, Andy had some friends who counted votes and said there were quite a few ballots with her name. Even though Andy was denied the chance to run for queen, Ruby was nominated for homecoming king. During the after-school rally, the students at North Dallas were greeted by multiple media outlets and police officers who helped maintain the peace for this nonviolent crowd. Queer Liberaction member Elizabeth Pax got the attention of the crowd by getting on a bullhorn and clearing up some misconceptions. "Transgender people are born with the brain of the [gender] they identify as and the body of the other gender," Pax said. "Andy is, in fact, a biological woman. Her brain is the brain of a woman." The crowd roared in agreement and demanded a re-vote as they marched down the street. Although discouraged by Principal Escanilla's decision, the teenager is taking it in stride. "I hope I can be a mentor to people," Moreno said. "I encourage people to come up and ask me things. That's how you eliminate ignorance, is by asking." Should there be a re-vote for homecoming queen? Let us know in the comments below. To spread a message of hope to victims of bullying and harassment, join MTV, Brittany Snow and the Jed Foundation in telling the world that Love Is Louder than hate. Visit the project's Facebook page, upload videos to Your.MTV.com and use the hashtag #loveislouder on Twitter. |
| Kanye West's 'Runaway' Film To Premiere On MTV Posted: 18 Oct 2010 07:44 AM PDT MC's debut flick will air on TV and online Saturday, October 23, at 8 p.m. ET, followed by a live Q&A.
Kanye West's film debut, "Runaway," has been lauded as "ambitious" and "great looking" by the chosen few who have had the opportunity to check out an early screening of the flick. Now, Yeezy's fans will be able to judge for themselves when the rapper's visual effort premieres on MTV and BET on Saturday, October 23. The film, which is about 40 minutes long, will be broadcast simultaneously on both networks and MTV2 at 8 p.m. ET. Fans can also catch the film via live stream on MTV.com, BET.com and VH1.com. Directly following the premiere, West will helm a live Q&A session from the MTV headquarters in Times Square. Viewers who miss the premiere on October 23 can catch an encore presentation on VH1 on October 26 at 12 a.m. ET. The flick has been dubbed a "visual accompaniment" to Kanye's forthcoming LP, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (which drops November 22). Right before the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, where 'Ye debuted "Runaway," MTV gave fans a taste of the movie with an exclusive preview during the VMA pre-show. The clip featured prancing deer, a nimble dancer and Kanye West hauling away a woman swathed in feathers from a fiery explosion. A few days after the VMAs, Yeezy explained the concept of the film and said he related to the movie's theme of redemption. "It's the story of a phoenix fallen to Earth, and I make her my girlfriend, and people discriminate against her and eventually she has to burn herself alive and go back to her world," he told New York magazine. "I've been feeling the idea of the phoenix. It's been in my heart for a while. It's maybe parallel to my career. I threw a Molotov cocktail on my career last year, in a way, and I had to come back as a better person." Are you looking forward to checking out Kanye West's film "Runaway"? Let us know in the comments! Related Photos Related Artists |
| Willow Smith's 'Whip My Hair' Video Premieres Posted: 18 Oct 2010 06:22 AM PDT Everyone gets in on the hair-whipping action in the colorful clip.
As far as pop stars are concerned, Willow Smith is about as unique as they come. For one, there are those famous movie-star parents of hers. Plus, she has a fashion sense that is all her own. Oh yeah, and did we mention she's only 9 years old? It was all too fitting, then, that the video for her debut single, "Whip My Hair" — which hit her website late Monday (October 18) — drives home the importance of individuality. The clip opens in an all-white classroom filled with kids who look bored out of their minds. Enter Willow, dressed like a real-life Rainbow Brite, ready to shake these kids out of their routine. Debuting the first of the clip's many hairstyles, Willow dips her long braids into bright-colored paints and begins to whip her hair around and bring some color into the lifeless room. Everyone gets in on the hair-whipping action throughout the video, including the once-buttoned-up teacher and an adorable toddler. A handclap-filled breakdown in the middle of the video lets Willow and her dancers show off some stepping action. Jay-Z signed the up-and-comer to his Roc Nation label last month, telling Ryan Seacrest in a radio interview that he first heard "Whip My Hair" before he knew it had been recorded by a 9-year-old. "I was like, 'Man, that record's a smash,' " he recalled. "And then [Roc Nation partner] Jay Brown said, 'She's 9,' and I was like, 'Whoa!' And [then] he was like, 'She's Will and Jada's daughter,' and I was like, 'Whoa!' and it just went from there." Responding to Seacrest's question about the meaning of "Whip My Hair," Willow said that "it means just be an individual. Like, you can't be afraid to be yourself, you have to be yourself, and you can't let anyone tell you that that's wrong." What do you think about Willow Smith's first music video? Share your reviews in the comments! |
| Drake, Usher, Alicia Keys Top Soul Train Awards Nomination List Posted: 17 Oct 2010 11:52 PM PDT Nicki Minaj, B.o.B, Ne-Yo scored two nods apiece at this year's show set to air November 28.
Alicia Keys, Usher and Drake lead the list of nominees for the 2010 Soul Train Awards, it was announced on Monday (October 18). New mother Keys and Usher are tied for the most nods with four apiece; Keys is up for Best R&B/Soul Artist Female, Song of the Year, Album of the Year and Record of the Year, while Usher is up for Best R&B/Soul Artist Male, Song of the Year, Album of the Year and Best Dance Performance. Drake is just one nom behind the pace-setters. The Toronto lyricist scored nods in three categories: Best Hip Hop Song of the Year, Album of the Year and Record of the Year. Nicki Minaj, Ne-Yo, B.o.B Erykah Badu, Monica, Sade and Fantasia are among the other big nominees, each scoring two nods apiece. This year's Legends Awards recipients are veteran singers Ron Isley and Anita Baker. R. Kelly is set to open the show, hosted for a second-straight year by actor Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson. Rick Ross, Cee-Lo and Keyshia Cole are among the acts scheduled to perform. The 2010 Soul Train Awards are set for November 10 at Atlanta's Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre and will air November 28 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on BET and Centric. Last year marked the return of the seminal awards show, founded by "Soul Train" creator Don Cornelius, after a two-year hiatus. The 2009 production also took place in Atlanta and featured tributes to Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson, L.A. Reid and Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds. For the full list of nominees, visit BET.com. Related Photos Related Artists |
| Love Is Louder Campaign Wants You To 'Turn Up The Volume' Tuesday Posted: 18 Oct 2010 02:03 AM PDT Brittany Snow encourages people to upload more photos and videos and have Love Is Louder parties.
Don't be surprised if it feels like everywhere you go Tuesday (October 19) people are talking about the Love Is Louder campaign. That's because the effort to support anyone who feels mistreated, misunderstood or alone is asking followers to "Turn Up the Volume" and make their voice heard from coast to coast tomorrow. "I want to thank all of you for joining the Love Is Louder movement. Over 100,000 of you have tweeted out the message or visited our Facebook page and website. So many of you have uploaded pictures and videos. You've inspired me," actress Brittany Snow, the face of the campaign, says in a video message. "So this Tuesday night, I'm going to throw a Love Is Louder party for some friends in Los Angeles to take pics and videos and to really make some noise. so anyone who feels mistreated, misunderstood or alone knows that Love Is Louder than any bully or any voice that causes them pain." Snow said she wants some help turning up the volume on the campaign, so she's encouraging followers to get together with their friends and take photos and videos, write the campaign's slogan on their hand or arm and tweet #loveislouder as much as possible. Other ideas include: making a #loveislouder sign and hanging it around your campus or community, or, if you live in one of the 16 places with LOVE statues (see the list below), show up at the statue at 8 p.m. ET to take group photos and chant "Love Is Louder." For more ideas on how to take part in the "Turn Up the Volume" event, visit LoveIsLouder.com. "Hairspray" star Snow, in conjunction with the Jed Foundation and MTV and with the support of DoSomething.org, the Trevor Project, Reach Out, Active Minds and the Ad Council, teamed up to create the Love Is Louder project to spread a message of love and hope for teens who feel they've run out of options. The effort was launched in light of a spate of recent teen suicides linked to anti-gay bullying. Among the celebrities who've uploaded their own Love Is Louder videos are Pink, Snow, "Jersey Shore" castmembers Vinny Guadagnino, Snooki and JWoww, Trey Songz and Drake. LOVE statue locations: » Indianapolis Museum of Art To spread a message of hope to victims of bullying and harassment, join MTV, Brittany Snow and the Jed Foundation in telling the world that Love Is Louder than hate. Visit the project's Facebook page, upload videos to Your.MTV.com and use the hashtag #loveislouder on Twitter. |
| Ludacris Is The #10 Hottest MC In The Game! Posted: 18 Oct 2010 03:52 AM PDT Making his first-ever appearance on the list, Luda took the 10th spot with his Battle of the Sexes and a slew of chart-topping cameos.
The 2010 Hottest MCs in the Game rollout is now under way! As in 2008 and 2009 the criteria is based on a combination of rhyme skill, flow, buzz, commercial success, business ventures, Web presence and cultural influence. All this week, we'll be rolling out the rankings and reactions from artists, DJs, the MCs themselves — and you! Upload your comments, reactions, arguments and/or your own list to Your.MTV.com or send tweets to with the hashtag #hottestmcs — the best responses could be on TV or our hip-hop blog, RapFix! And tune in to MTV2 this Sunday at 1:30 p.m. to watch the final reveal. Flame Thrower: Ludacris 2010 Rank: #10 Collection: Battle of the Sexes Previous Rankings: N/A
Ludacris has been in the game for more than a decade and, in that time, has amassed enough career highlights to fill more than a few Web pages. But 2010 actually marks the Atlanta rapper's first time making MTV News' Hottest MCs list. Perhaps inspired in part by being routinely left off the list, in 2008, Luda crafted what was then his most conceptually high-minded LP, Theater of the Mind. He even defiantly rapped about being overlooked to Mixtape Daily: "I'm top five, dead or alive/ And MTV, y'all must be out yo' muthaf---in' mind." Still, it wasn't enough to get him on the 2009 list. In March, Ludacris released his seventh album, Battle of the Sexes, and without seeming to try much at all, he made the case for why he should be a candidate for the 2010 Hottest MC in the Game. Sexes tackles male/female dynamics and brings onboard some high-profile femcees, including Nicki Minaj and Lil' Kim. The certified-gold record debuted at #1 on the Billboard albums chart and spawned three bona fide hits — "How Low," "My Chick Bad" and "Sex Room" — that each broke the top 5 on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart. Where Luda really shined this year, though, was in his collaborations. He was featured on Justin Bieber's smash "Baby," which gave the teenybopper some street cred while also giving Luda a huge look at Top 40 radio. The video for "Baby" is the most viewed in the history of YouTube. If that wasn't enough, 'Cris jumped on the U.S. version of Taio Cruz's "Break Your Heart," and turned what was already a smash in the U.K. into one of the biggest songs of the summer in the States. But Luda kept it hip-hop, too, jumping on DJ Khaled's "All I Do Is Win," which had everybody's hands going up, to the tune of more than a million singles sold. Surprisingly, all of that success couldn't get Ludacris into the top 10 without some contention. During the 2010 roundtable discussion, moderated by MTV News' Sway, members of the Brain Trust pointed out that G-Unit MC Lloyd Banks also had a banner year and was a contender for the 10th spot. Banks saw renewed buzz stemming in large part from the success of his single "Beamer, Benz or Bentley," an urban radio staple. MTV News Senior Producer Rahman Dukes argued, "Banks has had one of the most successful years without putting an album out. He really set the pace where, at one point during this year, he was the hottest artist out of New York City, hands down." "Nothing against Banks, but on a proportional scale, Luda's doing that to an even bigger scale," countered Steven Roberts, an associate producer at MTV News. "[Banks] may have had the #1 record out of New York — Luda had the #1 album in the country." Yomi Desalu, the director of music programming at mtvU, said that having a successful album doesn't necessarily mean an MC deserves a nod. Desalu echoed Dukes' sentiment, citing Banks' heavy presence on the mixtape circuit as a key factor for his consideration. "It's not just about the album because anyone can go out there and get special features or high-quality producers to produce an album," he said. "When you're talking about what the fans are feeling in the streets — five mixtapes, that's hungry — that's the hunger for more," Desalu said, slyly dropping the title of Banks' debut follow-up. But Roberts was firmly in Luda's corner. "T.I., Gucci, Young Jeezy, they had all ran this Atlanta scene. It was hard for Luda to come back out just to put his name back out there." Sean Lee, MTV News' supervising producer, concurred. "For him to have three big records off that album, that's an accomplishment as well," he said of 'Cris. Also to be considered are the numerous business ventures Ludacris has launched beyond music, including Conjure, a cognac; Soul by Ludacris headphones; and a restaurant in ATL called Straits Atlanta. Oh yeah, there's Hollywood, too, where he continues to make strides. "I think people see him not being on the music scene as much, but he's still active in a certain capacity," said MTV News senior writer Jayson Rodriguez. "I think that still speaks to the artist he is and the caliber of talent that he is too." Stay locked in each day as we count down #10 to #6 on our MCs list. Then tune in to MTV2 for the entire one-hour "Hottest MCs in the Game" special on Sunday, October 24, at 1:30 p.m. ET. We'll reveal who will be crowned 2010's Hottest MC. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Kim Kardashian Is 'Freaking Out' About Turning 30 Posted: 18 Oct 2010 05:51 AM PDT Although she does admit to MTV's 'The Seven' that she feels 'really accomplished.'
Kim Kardashian is celebrating her 30th birthday in a big way. First, there was her saucy W magazine cover. Then, her official birthday parties: one in Las Vegas and one in New York City, where she and her sister Kourtney just relocated.
When MTV's "The Seven" caught up with the reality-TV phenom at her Vegas bash, she and her sisters admitted some pre-birthday jitters. "Kim is really nervous about being 30," Khloé said. "I'm freaking out," Kim admitted. Regarding her headline-generating magazine cover, upon which Kim appears very scantily clad, the TV star/ entrepreneur said the opportunity and the timing were too good to refuse. "The cover of W is iconic," Kim said. "I just thought, why not? I'm turning 30, and there are probably some things you can't do after you turn 30, so I might as well do it while I can. "30 is the new 20, blah, blah, blah, I get it," she added. "All jokes aside, I think it will be really refreshing and fun. I feel really accomplished." Kim has said she's in a really comfortable, confident place in her life now. "I used to think, 'I have to be this or that or skinny,' and now, because of the show, everyone is embracing just me, which has given me such a confidence," she told W magazine. "Now I'm like, 'Why did I ever give that feeling the time of day?' I'm so mature now. I'm a grown-up version of myself." She's also learned not to take herself too seriously and to ignore everything that's written about her in the media. "In the beginning, I thought I was too sensitive for this," she said. "I'd Google myself, and it would freak me out. Now I could care less if they say I'm pregnant with twins by my brother." Don't miss "The Seven" every weekday at 5 p.m. ET on MTV. Related Videos |
| TJ Lavin Is A 'Warrior,' MTV 'Challenge' Stars Say Posted: 18 Oct 2010 02:35 AM PDT 'If anyone can pull through this, it'd be him,' one castmate says.
As TJ Lavin continues to recover from an injury he suffered during a BMX bike stunt late last week, the current stars and previous competitors from "The Challenge" are sending well-wishes to the MTV show's host. "We've all spent a lot of really memorable times together," said Johnny Devenanzio, who is on the current "Cutthroat" season of the show and made his MTV debut on "The Real World: Key West." "And I think we've had a lot of really awesome memories together that we wouldn't have had, had it not been for MTV and with what he does. I think as much as people admire what we do, I think my admiration for him and what he's done for the sport of BMX freestyle, it goes way beyond. ... It's something he's always loved doing. ... The guy's a true competitor and a warrior, and if anyone can pull through this, it'd be him." Several of Johnny's castmates echoed that sentiment. "Basically, I would never come back to a 'Challenge' unless TJ was there," said Kenny Santucci, who started out on the "Fresh Meat" season and hosts the "Jersey Shore" after-show. "I hope [he has] a quick recovery, and I give him my best and my family gives him our best, because him and I got really close over the last couple of years, and he's been a good friend to me. I wish him a quick recovery and all the best." Kenny said there's a side of the host that might not be evident to viewers: "He's just a fun guy. He's got a good heart. He's not your typical 33-year-old guy who [competes in] X Games. He's not into drugs. He doesn't drink. He's just a really good guy. There's not too many deep layers or bad things about TJ at all. He's a good family guy. He's a good friend." Fellow "Challenge" competitor Evan Starkman, who also got his "Challenge" start on "Fresh Meat," wished his pal well after what he called a very "sad" incident. "TJ is just really one of the most laid-back, relaxed guys ever," he said. "He's always up for a good time. He likes going to the mall. I never met a guy who likes going to shopping malls more than him. He'd go to the mall every day if he could. He's loyal, and he's someone that really includes everyone. He's honest." In a statement e-mailed to MTV News, "Road Rules: The Quest" alum Katie Doyle said: "I am really saddened to hear the news about TJ Lavin. He is just as much a part of the 'Real World/Road Rules Challenge' franchise as any castmember. He is very well respected amongst the cast and I have never heard anyone say anything negative about him. He has been the host of 'The Challenge' for the past 10 seasons and adds much to the show with his competitive background as a pro BMX rider. If there is anything I can say about TJ, it is that he will push any competitor to compete to the best of their abilities and never give up. So I have complete faith that TJ will make a full recovery because there is nothing about that man that would suggest quitting." Share your well-wishes for Lavin and his family in the comments. |
| 'Degrassi' Alum Andrea Lewis 'Can't Wait To Share Stage' With Drake Posted: 18 Oct 2010 05:44 AM PDT Toronto singer played Drizzy's onscreen girlfriend but is focused on music with the release of independent album 5-4-3-2-1.
On paper Andrea Lewis has a lot in common with her former onscreen beau, Aubrey "Drake" Graham: Lewis is a Toronto native and was once a regular castmember of "Degrassi: The Next Generation." And after her character, Hazel Aden, graduated from the series, Lewis, like Drake, chose to pursue a career in music over acting — at least for the time being.
Now, as Lewis promotes her independent album 5-4-3-2-1, which features ballads and uptempo numbers like the pulsating "Voodoo," she finds herself being compared with her friend. "I've grown up with [Drake] and we both do music and were both on the same show, so it's natural for people to say, 'Oh, you should do a song together, you're doing the same career,' " Lewis told MTV News about inevitable comparisons to the Thank Me Later star. Lewis' character and Drake's, Jimmy Brooks, dated for three seasons on the show. "I'm happy for his success and can't wait to share a stage and have a ... 'Degrassi'-like reunion," she continued with a laugh. "He's always gonna be one of my closest friends, because we both had such a journey together." But though Lewis and Drake share a musical inclination and small-screen roots, the comparisons end there. Lewis previously released a collection of songs in her hometown and her character sang here and there on the teen series. After her character's departure from "Degrassi" in 2006, Lewis relocated to Los Angeles to attempt a career in music. The two musical efforts differ in scope, however. At 25, Lewis now has a much more firm understanding of herself as an artist, she said. She described 5-4-3-2-1 as her firstborn. "I was pretty nervous. It's a lot different being a Canadian actress releasing music in Canada," she admitted. "It's totally different coming to the U.S. So far the reception has been awesome, though. People love it. The great thing about 'Degrassi' is that it has fans worldwide, so people are just excited by it 'cause they love the show." These days, Lewis is balancing her singing pursuits with her own acting projects, including plans to turn her blog, ThoseGirlsAreWild.com, into a sketch comedy show. She hopes her indie set lands her a recording deal with a major label, where she could collaborate in the future with the likes of Cee-Lo or Outkast's Andre 3000, who she samples on the driving "Raindrops." Overall, Lewis wants to continue to connect with fans of her acting and turn them — along with some new friends — into fans of her music. "The theme of the album is love, but not the side of love that you think people would be talking about," Lewis explained. "It's more of the darker side, things not working out, getting your heart broken. I would like people to be able to relate to the project as much as possible. At the end of the day, I'm a normal girl that's been through the same things that a lot of people have been through. I'm just trying to express it through music." What do you think of Lewis making the switch to music? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
| Keri Hilson Songwriter Kevin Cossom 'Grinding' For His Solo Career Posted: 18 Oct 2010 05:44 AM PDT 'I feel like I'm getting the proper opportunity I deserve and we deserve as a team,' he says of him and Danja.
Kevin Cossom made his name as the go-to songwriter for stars like Rick Ross, Lloyd Banks and Keri Hilson. The Philadelphia-born, Florida-raised talent worked behind the scenes penning choruses and lyrics for stars, all while nursing his dreams to break out as a solo act.
He got his big break when he and Timbaland protégé Nate "Danja" Hill scored a #1 hit for Hilson with her Kanye West and Ne-Yo relationship collaboration "Knock You Down." Now, Cossom and Danja are hoping to work that same magic on the singer's solo debut. The first single, the club-friendly "Baby I Like It," featuring Diddy and Fabolous, recently hit the airwaves. "It feels good. We definitely got the label 100 percent behind us," Cossom told MTV News about his project, which will be released via Danja's N.A.R.S. imprint through Jive Records. "We did a lot of grinding on our own, and finally, I feel like I'm getting the proper opportunity I deserve and we deserve as a team. So it feels good. Everybody is saying they like the record and we're getting a great response. It's only the beginning. We got to keep pushing." Cossom's debut is tentatively set for the top of 2011, and he's preparing to shoot a video for "Baby I Like It" in Miami. The songs are almost finished, but as a duo, Cossom and Danja, who both landed their first professional credits on Lloyd Banks' debut album, are in demand. But according to Danja, the focus is on Cossom's work. Although he's earned platinum plaques for his work on albums by Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado, the Virginia beatsmith is excited to put a new star on the map. He called the challenge "incredible." "It's the biggest reward as anything as a producer, to break an act," Danja told MTV News. "It's a struggle, it's hard, but the reward is so great. Because you're talking a talent from A to Z on your own and not just producing a hit for anyone. To create a vibe and champion it and let people finally get to see it, there's nothing I can say. It's incredible." Are you excited to hear Kevin Cossom's solo work? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
| Mel Gibson Confirmed For 'Hangover 2' Posted: 18 Oct 2010 02:14 AM PDT The temperamental actor will make a cameo in highly anticipated sequel, sources tell MTV News.
For those "Hangover" fans convinced the sequel can't possibly live up to the unpredictability of the first film, we have two words for you: Mel Gibson. The rumor mill has been all atwitter with reports that the temperamental actor will appear in "The Hangover 2." MTV News has can now confirm that Gibson has in fact been cast in the follow-up. Not one, but two sources close to the production told us Gibson's cameo "is confirmed." The New York Post's Page Six reported some plot details on Monday (October 18): "Mel will make a cameo as a tattoo artist. Filming is taking place on the Warner Bros. lot, where a Bangkok set has been built, and Mel is expected to film his role in two weeks. Then the production moves to Thailand at the end of October." Although most of the storyline details are still under wraps, there have been rumblings about the guys taking a trip to Thailand to attend a bachelor party. And while it would have been easy to assume that Ed Helms' and Heather Graham's characters somehow end up tying the knot in the sequel, E! News recently reported that Graham will not reprise her role. The film's original merry band of misfits, however — Helms, Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha and even Ken Jeong — are all signed onto the sequel. "Hangover" director Todd Phillips told Empire magazine recently that he's got plenty of tricks up his sleeve. "It takes place in Bangkok and L.A.," Phillips said. "There's gonna be some f---ed-up surprises." What do you think of Mel Gibson being cast in the "Hangover" sequel? Tell us in the comments! For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. |
| Kanye West Fans React To Controversial <i>Twisted Fantasy</i> Art Posted: 18 Oct 2010 01:47 AM PDT 'What was he thinking?' one fan asks about the album cover. 'Because it's very explicit.'
Kanye West's new album art shows off nipples, fangs and angel wings. Now the rapper is suggesting that major retailers have been showing no love whatsoever to the disc, banning it from their stores, a claim that may or may not be true.
Although media reports suggest no ban has been instituted and outlets like Walmart have not returned MTV News' request for comment, what is clear is that the cover is a polarizing one. On the streets of New York City, West fans were split over the cover for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, which depicts two figures, one white and one black, in the nude and seemingly engaged in intercourse. "I think it's provocative," Arrash Jalali told MTV News. "Definitely challenges the viewer to look a little bit deeper and wonder why he chose to portray such a provocative image for an album." Sharaya Means, meanwhile, was only wondering one thing: "What was he thinking? Because it's very explicit. Not good at all, very nasty." West's label, Island Def Jam, was reportedly concerned about the album art but ultimately told the rapper "the label would stand behind him" no matter what. Some fans argued that West selected the art for the simple sake of being provocative. "I think he's out of big statements to say so he's trying to come with something that's going to stir it up a little bit, keep that hype going," Greg Moncada said. And if Walmart does end up banning the album, Sade Pilot has one idea of how to censor the art. "Maybe you should give him a gun instead of a beer bottle," she suggested, alluding to a bottle the illustrated male figure holds. "I know they sell guns at Walmart, right?" What do you think of Kanye's new cover art? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists |
| Ne-Yo Says 'Humor' Lands Ludacris On Hottest MCs List Posted: 18 Oct 2010 12:46 AM PDT 'On top of that, he's an incredible rapper, period,' Ne-Yo adds of #10 Hottest MC.
During the past 12 months, Ludacris has blessed his own records, remixes and guest appearances for others with his trademark lyrical acrobatics. He's contributed to club bangers ("How Low"), pop singles (Justin Bieber's "Baby") and 'hood anthems (DJ Khaled's "All I Do Is Win"). With each verse, though, Ludacris has remained consistent by delivering humor and wit in his bars no matter the type of track. "I'm a Luda fan, all day long," fellow Atlanta resident Ne-Yo told MTV News about the #10 Hottest MC in the Game. "I love that Luda is a guy that's not afraid to laugh at himself. That he's not afraid to bring humor to hip-hop. On top of that, he's an incredible lyricist and an incredible rapper, period."
With his gut-busting rhymes, Ludacris fared extremely well on the charts this year. The rapper's latest effort, Battle of the Sexes, debuted atop the Billboard 200 after selling 137,000 copies; the project was his third #1 album. The lead singles, "How Low" (#6) and "My Chick Bad" (#11), also scored big on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Earlier this year, Ludacris spoke with MTV News at the NBA All-Star game and opened up about heating up the clubs again after a low-key response to his previous album, Theater of the Mind. "It feels good," Luda said. "Athletes get motivated by songs sometimes. That's part of our motivation to make sure we get everybody else motivated. When we get in the studio, we want to make songs that are gonna play at such things as the All-Star game or the Super Bowl. That's my motivation." Related Artists |
| Who Is Kanye West Cover Artist George Condo? Posted: 18 Oct 2010 12:36 AM PDT Painting by Condo features nude winged creature straddling rapper.
It's fitting that Kanye West chose New York artist George Condo to create the lusty cover for his upcoming album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. After creating a classics-inspired "moving painting" in collaboration with director/artist Marco Brambilla for the "Power" video — which referenced everything from Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel frescoes to images of Roman orgies and ancient Egyptian themes — West tapped Condo for the cover art for "Power." The two images the artist created — one a twisted take on Kanye's face with multiple, gaping mouths and wide-open eyes and the other depicting West's decapitated, crown-wearing head with a sword thrust through the left ear — captured both Condo's signature cubist-inspired style and West's career-long fascination with the nexus of high and popular art. West clearly wanted to push the envelope even further with the album's cover, as the final Condo image depicts a nude, demonically grimacing West reclining on a blue couch and gripping a green bottle while a naked, armless, winged woman with a polka-dot tail straddles him. Though a spokesperson for West's label could not be reached for comment at press time, the rapper claimed that the image had been censored and he may not be able to use it after all. "So Nirvana can have a naked human being on they cover but I can't have a PAINTING of a monster with no arms and a polka dot tail and wings," West raged in one tweet on Sunday, referring to the iconic image of a naked baby boy swimming after a dollar bill on the cover of the grunge legend's 1991 major label debut, Nevermind. A few hours later, he announced, "Yoooo they banned my album cover!!!!! Ima tweet it in a few ... ," adding a short while later, "Banned in the USA!!! They don't want me chilling on the couch with my phoenix!" West never revealed who allegedly banned his album art (or how it was censored in the wee hours of a Monday morning), but railed against the action, saying it was a double standard. According to the Los Angeles Times, an unnamed source familiar with West's discussions with his label, Island Def Jam, said the rapper was "strongly urged" to use a different cover image but that he was told that "if he wanted to do it, the label would stand behind him." The reported concern is whether such mass-market retailers as Best Buy and Walmart might not stock the album with the current artwork. So who is Condo? The 53-year-old contemporary artist and sculptor is known for dark paintings that owe a huge debt to hero Pablo Picasso's cubist masterpieces, as well as Spanish painter Francisco Goya's grim work on such iconic paintings as "Saturn Devouring His Son" and Andy Warhol's skewed take on pop-culture icons. Condo has been creating beautifully disturbing images for nearly three decades, specializing in provocative paintings with an often-comical tinge, with pieces in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. He burst on the scene in the early 1980s alongside such contemporaries as Julian Schnabel, Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, helping to usher in a new age of painting that mashed up classical sources with a modern, street-art edge. His style, referred to as "artificial realism," often uses inspiration from Greek mythology and European history, as well as American pop culture, frequently creating bug-eyed, cartoon-like characters with a sinister edge that some critics have referred to as "baroque" and "grotesque." He has also branched out into more mainstream pop culture lately, creating a line of skateboard decks for Supreme that debuted earlier this year, including one with a twisted take on the Superman character. In continuing another theme of West's recent appearances, Condo created the artwork for the "Runaway" single, which features a shocked-looking ballerina in a black tutu clutching a glass of wine. Considering West's constant desire to explore new territory and explode the notions of what passes as hip-hop — from sampling prog-rock icons King Crimson on "Power" to tapping Bon Iver singer Justin Vernon to sing on Fantasy, his fixation on European high fashion and the upcoming debut of his art-house-influenced "Runaway" mini-film — whether the Condo piece ultimately ends up being the cover of the album, West has clearly found a brother-in-arms whose outsider artistic vision matches his own lyrical and musical one. What do you think of West and Condo's collaboration? Let us know in the comments! Don't miss the premiere of Kanye West's "Runaway" film at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 23, on MTV and BET. Related Artists |
| Shontelle Expected Fans To 'Connect' To 'Impossible' Posted: 18 Oct 2010 01:11 AM PDT 'Now it just has this staying power,' Barbados-born singer says of platinum power ballad.
In one of the very last episodes of MTV's "The Hills," series regular Audrina Patridge fights back tears as boyfriend Ryan Cabrera strums his signature song onstage at an outdoor concert. The L.A. sun beaming above her, Patridge knows she should be soaking up the moment, but another guy has her heart. As she takes off, overcome, the opening lines of Shontelle's "Impossible" come on, the singer's voice punctuating the scene like an exclamation point.
While the story line packed emotional punch, it was the soaring, gut-wrenching ballad that had viewers perusing the song credits and double-clicking the "buy" button on iTunes. But that kind of reaction doesn't surprise Shontelle. The Barbados-hailing songstress recently told MTV News she never doubted the certified-platinum lead single from her new album, No Gravity, would resonate with listeners. "I knew [with] 'Impossible,' a lot of people would relate. I just knew people would connect with it and that there just was a need for a song like that out there," she said. Written by Swedish producer Arnthor Birgisson and Norwegian singer/songwriter Ina Wroldsen, "Impossible" is a chest-pounding track about doing everything right and getting your heart broken anyway. Still, the single, which dropped digitally in February, has slowly climbed to #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #9 on the pop songs chart. "It's crazy right now, because it took a lot of work to actually get it to where it went, you know, being a top-five single [on Billboard's European songs chart] and being platinum and all that. It took a long time to work it as a ballad, 'cause everything else was like four-on-the-floor," she said, referring to the proliferation of electronic dance music hits populating the charts. "But now it just has this staying power." Even as "Impossible" keeps charting overseas, Shontelle said she's excited about her Darkchild-produced second single, "Perfect Nightmare," as well as a track she cooked up with another singer who reps for Barbados, childhood friend Rihanna. That track will appear on the star's upcoming Loud. Related Artists |
| 'Jackass 3D' Guys Talk Sequel Plans Posted: 17 Oct 2010 11:03 PM PDT 'We think it's the end, but it's kind of stupid to predict, because here we are again,' director Jeff Tremaine tells MTV News.
Although Johnny Knoxville and his "Jackass" crew say they never plan to make sequels to their very popular movies, the record-breaking $50 million haul "Jackass 3D" pulled in opening weekend might force them to at least try and plan ahead for a fourth film.
"We never make any plans," Knoxville told MTV News recently. "After the first and second one we said, 'We're done!' And here we are doing a third, so I think it would be foolish for us to do any declarations." But physically, would the boys be up for a fourth film? "Physically, yeah," Knoxville admitted. "Mentally, yeah." "The two of us are healthier than we've ever been before," added Steve-O, who is now sober. "Although the other guys may be younger," he laughed. Director Jeff Tremaine wouldn't give us a yes or no regarding a fourth film but echoed Knoxville's sentiments about not planning their movies — especially sequels — too far in advance. "We made 'Jackass 3D' as if it's the last, just like we made 'Jackass: The Movie,' just like we made 'Number Two,' " Tremaine said. "So we think it's the end, but it's kind of stupid to predict, because here we are again." As you may have noticed, there has been a four-year gap in between the release of each of the three movies. Tremaine has a good reason for this: "It takes four years truly to recover, mentally, more than anything." Once they do manage to recover, it's up to the pranksters to come up with new ideas. "Four years go by, and slowly, I'll just, like, fax over something to Jeff, like a goofy idea," Bam Margera said about his process in coming up with new movie ideas. "Whether it's a really descriptive idea or it could be one sentence that says, 'Sh-- Shoe. Find a shoe, and then sh-- in it.' " "I wasn't thinking about the third [movie] until we started filming it," Ryan Dunn admitted. "I'm still not thinking about the third, and we already finished it," Dave England added. Would you like to see another "Jackass" sequel? Let us know in the comments! Check out everything we've got on "Jackass 3D." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Black Keys Get An Apology From MTV For Moonman Misprint Posted: 18 Oct 2010 12:59 AM PDT Black Eyed Peas' name accidentally ended up on band's Breakthrough Video VMA.
You might not have been aware of it — considering the award wasn't handed out during the telecast — but the Black Keys' "Tighten Up" won Breakthrough Video at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, besting the likes of Coldplay, Dan Black and the Gorillaz. Or, at least that's what the Keys thought. Because last week, when they actually received their Moonman, it wasn't their name on the trophy; it was the Black Eyed Peas', who apparently won Breakthrough Video without even being nominated in the category.
Confused — or, at least, amused by the whole situation — the Black Keys posted a pic of the award on their website, adding that they were "super proud of Fergie." Drummer Patrick Carney even joked on Twitter that he was "gonna get like 300 bucks for [the trophy] on eBay." Obviously, there was a screwup at the printers (unless the Peas have a song called "Tighten Up" that we're not aware of), and so, on Monday (October 18), a spokesperson for MTV released a statement apologizing for the mistake and promised that Carney and guitarist/vocalist Dan Auerbach would be getting their actual VMA trophies very soon. "MTV sincerely regrets the clerical error that resulted in The Black Keys receiving the wrong VMA awards," the statement read. "We are happy to report new trophies reflecting The Black Keys' win are currently in development and they should receive them shortly. Lastly, we thank The Black Keys for their considerable patience and understanding regarding this matter." A spokesperson for the Black Keys did not respond to MTV News' request for comment on the matter by press time. The guys seem to have already put the matter behind them, turning their attention to a "Black Keys Look-A-Like" contest. Related Artists |
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