MTV News |
- What Will Britney Spears' 'Hold It Against Me' Video Look Like?
- Jennifer Lopez Feels 'Emotionally Connected' To 'On The Floor'
- 'Skins' Stars Say Despite Kissing Tony, Tea Still A Lesbian
- David Guetta 'Had A Blast' Filming With Web Sensation Keenan Cahill
- Rah Digga Says She Won't 'Get Caught Up' In Femcee Feuds
- Exclusive: 'Skins' Creator Speaks Out
- Justin Bieber Debuts New 'Never Say Never' Poster
- Lil Wayne To Launch I Am Music II Tour In March
- Britney Spears Going 'Harder, More Urgent' On Next LP
- 50 Cent Calls Onetime Foe Cam'ron 'A Good Guy'
- Lady Gaga Brings 'Personality' To 'Gnomeo & Juliet' Duet, Elton John Says
- 'Skins' Cast Previews 'Tea' Episode
- Elton John Reveals What He Would Have Changed About 'American Idol'
- Jennifer Lopez's 'On The Floor' Video: Behind The Scenes
- Avril Lavigne Rocks Out In 3-D For 'What The Hell'
- Lil B Is Cooking Up A Storm In 2011
- Christina Aguilera To Sing National Anthem At Super Bowl
- Cam'ron Says Vado Will Decline <i>XXL</i> Freshmen Cover
- Travie McCoy To Hit The Road With Pete Wentz
- Lady Gaga Launches 'Born This Way' Countdown Clock
| What Will Britney Spears' 'Hold It Against Me' Video Look Like? Posted: 25 Jan 2011 03:52 AM PST 'Fans are really, really looking forward to her busting out moves,' one Spears expert tells MTV News.
The first time Kayla Brackson got a glimpse of Britney Spears' "I'm a Slave 4 U" video, she knew she had to learn the dance. So Kayla, who was only in middle school at the time and not allowed to watch anything Britney-related, grabbed her Walkman, snuck out to the tree house in her backyard and secretly practiced the steps over and over again.
"It just made me want to move. It was exciting," said Brackson, who is now 21. "It felt rebellious to do the dance because it was Britney." "I'm a Slave 4 U" was just one of Spears' many iconic videos that resonated with fans and dance enthusiasts alike. Now, in anticipation of the upcoming video for her chart-topping single "Hold It Against Me," experts and fans are looking back at the dance videos that impacted them most and what they're expecting from her latest clip. "She's such a phenomenal performer," said Robert Baker, owner and director of Millennium Dance Complex in North Hollywood, California, where Britney learned much of the choreography for many of her early videos. "She kind of draws you into her world, and that's what a great dancer does. They have a unique ability to speak through movement." Baker listed "I'm a Slave 4 U," "Circus" and "Toxic" as some of Britney's most powerful dance videos, but said it was " ... Baby One More Time" that really set off a phenomenon. "I think across the country and across the world, the same thing happened — this huge run to 'let's go learn that dance,' " he said, adding that his academy received a flood of requests after the premiere of the video from people wanting to pick up the routine. Baker said Britney has been able to adapt to the times, and he has high expectations for the "Hold It Against Me" video, which is being choreographed by Brian Friedman. "What I'm hearing, one of the early things is that this new video is going to be phenomenal." Aaron Mix, who runs the @britneysarmy Twitter account, got hooked on Britney after watching her " ... Baby One More Time" clip when he was 5 years old, and he's already planning to learn the dance moves for "Hold It Against Me." "I think this one's going to be her biggest video yet," he predicted. Jordan Miller, who runs the Britney fan site BreatheHeavy.com, said he hopes the upcoming video will go back to Britney's dance-heavy roots. "Fans are really, really looking forward to her busting out moves," Miller said, naming "Overprotected (The Darkchild Remix)" as one of his favorite Britney dance videos. Miller, who started his site six years ago, said Britney's choreography is what sets her apart from other pop stars. "People aren't looking at what she's wearing or the aesthetics of it; they're looking at her moves," he said. "She's so solid that anything she does is going to be imitated or mimicked." JaQuel Knight, one of the choreographers for Britney's 2009 Circus Tour, as well as Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" video, shared a similar sentiment. "Britney definitely has her own lane, and she shaped that lane 10 years ago," he said, adding that he's very excited about her latest project. "I want Britney to do a 5, 6, 7 and 8. I'm ready to see Britney dance." Check out the embedded video to get a look at Britney's best dance moves throughout the years set against her latest single, "Hold It Against Me." And let us know what you're expecting from the "HIAM" clip in the comments below! Related Photos |
| Jennifer Lopez Feels 'Emotionally Connected' To 'On The Floor' Posted: 25 Jan 2011 03:52 AM PST 'One of the biggest joys that I've had in my life is dancing,' singer tells MTV News about her club jam.
Jennifer Lopez is back and she's getting some assistance from Lady Gaga producer RedOne. Lopez says she knew they had something magical when the dance-music impresario played "On the Floor," her new single.
"The minute RedOne played it for me, I made him play it 20 times in a row, and I just sat there at the board and I kept listening to it and listening to it," Lopez told MTV News when we visited the set of her upcoming video. "Because I really feel like, emotionally, I connected to it, but also because of how much I love to dance and how much that's always been such a big part of who I am since I started. Since I was a little girl, I just totally connected with the idea of getting out there." The song, which also features Miami MC Pitbull, conjures up nostalgic feelings for the singer. "That was one of the biggest joys that I've had in my life, is dancing," she told us. "And so, I just had him play it over and over and over and I just knew it was something for me." Lopez first rose to fame as a dancer, appearing on "In Living Color" as a "fly girl." And from her early days on the pop scene, she showed off her ability to shake that famous rear end, and this track harks back to those days. "At the end of the day, when you're choosing your material for stuff that you're going to do, you know they can play you so many songs or you can write so many songs, but it always has to mean something," she explained. "It always has to have something there, and I love the fact that it had also a little bit of kind of that street vibe, but also the very melodic, sensual, vulnerable side as well. I felt like [RedOne] captured both sides of me with this record. I got to be wild and crazy and, at the same time, I got to be sexy and sweet too." What do you think of J.Lo's new single, "On the Floor"? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| 'Skins' Stars Say Despite Kissing Tony, Tea Still A Lesbian Posted: 25 Jan 2011 03:52 AM PST Sofia Black-D'Elia and James Newman talk about characters' attraction.
On Monday night's episode of "Skins," Tea made it abundantly clear that she's a lesbian. Even though she kissed a certain male friend in her clique, the make-out session only proved to her what she already knew.
Sofia Black-D'Elia, who plays Tea, and James Newman, who plays Tony (the center of Tea's affections for a hot minute), told MTV News the kiss wasn't a case of the show backing out on the lesbian plotline. "They're kind of brought together by this attraction, and I don't think it's necessarily a sexual attraction," Newman explained. "I think it's a situation where you have these two people who are very bored, with no one in their lives that really gets them, and on that level, it's like a perfect attraction. "But on another level, it's a disaster because Tea's a lesbian. It's not a situation where it's like she's a lesbian and then she finds a guy and is like, 'I'm not a lesbian anymore.' She really is a lesbian, and so for her it doesn't work, and for Tony, that in and of itself tortures him." The kiss not only teaches the characters a lot about themselves, but also shows viewers the multiple sides each of these characters possess. "Tony is the manipulator; he's the ringleader. By episode two, his vulnerabilities start to show, which is really interesting to think because it's the other side of Tony that was missing for me," Black-D'Elia explained. "Why should you care about this guy? He's an ass. I think as soon as episode two is over, you kind of have this very strong love for him. He's got more of a heart going on than he'd like to put out." Don't miss "Skins," airing Mondays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. Related Photos |
| David Guetta 'Had A Blast' Filming With Web Sensation Keenan Cahill Posted: 25 Jan 2011 03:52 AM PST Dance-music superstar makes the trip to 15-year-old's Chicago home to shoot latest lip-synching video.
When will David Guetta begin recording with U2? We can't confirm just yet, but on Tuesday (January 25), the French hitmaker added yet another name to an already stellar list of collaborators. Only this time, he's not pairing up with Akon, Black Eyed Peas or Madonna, but Internet sensation Keenan Cahill.
In just over a year, the Chicago 15-year-old has become a Web phenomenon by filming himself lip-synching pop songs from his bedroom. Ke$ha, Usher, Willow Smith, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Pink are just a few artists who have gotten the Cahill treatment; his deliveries of "Like a G6," "Only Girl (In the World)" and "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" have more than 7 million views. Thus far, his version of Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" is the most popular, with more than 27 million views. Late last year, Cahill appeared on "Chelsea Lately," where the bespectacled teen gave host Chelsea Handler his digits and premiered his clip of 50 Cent and Jeremih's "Down on Me," in which Fif appears. He also appeared on MTV's New Year's Eve special donning 2011 shades in a vid set to Pink's "Raise Your Glass." Cahill premiered his latest achievement, featuring David Guetta, on Tuesday, set to a medley of Guetta's hit songs ("Sexy Chick," "Memories," "When Love Takes Over," "Gettin' Over You" and his BEP classic "I Gotta Feeling"). When MTV News caught up with Guetta last week, he had just returned from Chicago after filming the clip with Cahill in his bedroom, and he was still beaming from the experience. "I had a blast," Guetta said. "I went to Chicago, and we just shot that video. It's really cool. It's really funny, and he's a really clever kid. Keenan is really a YouTube phenomenon. It's unbelievable. He's only 15, and he really knows what he's doing. His expressions are really funny and interesting." Guetta described a bit about what happens in the clip. "I was behind him. Sometimes I was there, sometimes I wasn't. It was about him, really. I think that's better like that," he said. "I just wanted to show support, and I thought it was a cool thing. I'm sure people are going to love this." And if Cahill weren't big enough already, Guetta certainly knows a place where he is set to become a whole lot more famous. "I'm sure people are going to love this. Probably, he's going to become really big now in France," Guetta laughed. |
| Rah Digga Says She Won't 'Get Caught Up' In Femcee Feuds Posted: 25 Jan 2011 03:52 AM PST Ex-Flipmode MC tells Mixtape Daily battle between Nicki Minaj, Lil' Kim and others is about 'celebrity,' not artistry.
The Streets Is Talking: News & Notes From the Underground Can't a lady MC just spit anymore? With all the beefing going on between Nicki Minaj, Lil' Kim, Foxy Brown and now, even Jackie O, lost in the shuffle is veteran rhymer Rah Digga.
The Dirty Harriet star recently headlined an all-ladies lineup in Los Angeles and next month she'll bring her talents to Brooklyn for a "Ladies First" show at Southpaw, alongside underground Toronto lyricist Eternia. "To be honest, if you're an artist and you're just into the music, all that [beef] stuff is irrelevant," Digga told Mixtape Daily. "All that stuff they're fighting for has nothing to do with making good music or being an artist. It is what it is. It's a fight about being a popular celebrity. It has nothing to do with music. And I don't get caught up in that and I don't deal with anybody in it." Instead, the New Jersey native continues to craft her well-received bars. The former Flipmode Squad member put out her Nottz-produced Classic LP last year, which was the first album by Digga since her 2000 debut. In the time elapsed since Dirty Harriet, the roaring female MC took up another trade and learned film editing at Manhattan's New York Film Academy. Now, with backing from a new label, Raw Koncept, and one release already out, Digga promises a follow-up (and mixtape) are coming sooner than expected. "[Classic] was just an album that I wanted to do," she explained. "I didn't have any A&Rs in my ears. I put it out with Nottz and there it was. I think a lot of artists really don't have that luxury, 'cause they're too busy having to follow the label protocol and stuff. It's one thing when you're coming into the game and making music and trying to find your footing in the industry, per se. So you roll with the punches, which is part of what I did with Dirty Harriet. Not the music. But the 'I don't care about going platinum in the first week.' I had other stipulations that I wasn't budging from. "You won't have to wait another 10 years, I promise," Digga added about her follow-up. Other Heat This Week For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines. |
| Exclusive: 'Skins' Creator Speaks Out Posted: 24 Jan 2011 04:09 AM PST For the first time since the show's premiere, Bryan Elsley responds.
In 2007, Bryan Elsley — working alongside his son, Jamie Brittain — created "Skins," a drama that took British television by storm, thanks in no small part to its whip-smart writing, gritty feel and willingness to go there, unflinchingly covering topics like sex, sexual identity, substance abuse and mental health issues. In short, it was the kind of television that resonated with teens and critics alike, raising controversy along the way. In the years since its initial premiere, "Skins" gained a cult audience here in the U.S., where the British version also ran on BBC America, and in August 2009, it was announced that Elsley would be partnering with MTV to create a Stateside version of the show. And on January 17, "Skins" finally premiered ... to record-setting numbers, and a new round of controversy and critics. Now, Elsley has decided to respond in a statement released exclusively to MTV News on Monday. Statement from "Skins" creator Bryan Elsley: In the UK, viewers and commentators very quickly realized that although there are some sensational aspects to the show, Skins is actually a very serious attempt to get to the roots of young people's lives. It deals with relationships, parents, death, illness, mental health issues, the consequences of drug use and sexual activity. It is just that these are characterized from the point of view of the many young people who write the show and has a very straightforward approach to their experiences; it tries to tell the truth. Sometimes that truth can be a little painful to adults and parents. Consequences do flow from incorrect or selfish behavior but in the show, these are shown to be unexpected, hard to predict, and more to do with the loss of friendship than anything else, which in any context, is a disastrous outcome. We proceed from the idea, not that teenagers are inherently likely to misbehave, but rather that they are intensely moral and disposed to make judgments on their own and others' behaviour. Sometimes, but not always, they get things wrong. In this teenagers are remarkably similar to adults. Their morals may not be the same as those of their parents and teachers, but they are nevertheless, highly developed and active in their world. When viewers have taken the time to watch the show in a little more depth, they are less concerned about the behavior of the characters. Teenagers can be loyal, supportive, dedicated, focused, and capable of making informed value judgments about their lives. In the pilot episode of Skins, it's possibly easy to overlook the story wherein a young boy sets off to a party to sell drugs and have sex, but in fact, does neither of these things, because, he senses that he has been manipulated by friends and does not feel ready to have sex with someone he does not know properly. Skins is a traditionally made television series which has won countless international awards and gained a worldwide audience for stories about the joy, misery and challenges of being a teenager. The show has been used in anti-drug campaigns, has drawn praise for its portrayal of mental health issues and explorations of bereavement, sexuality, bullying and gender stereotyping. I have lost count of the letters we have been sent by viewers who tell us that they have been able to approach their parents or teachers with their difficulties after watching the show. It is something that we take a great deal of pride in and which can unfortunately be eclipsed by some of the negative attention. Our approach is not careless. We've created a supportive and protective environment for everyone working on the show. And of course abide by the law, and give respect to our work colleagues who in this case, are young energetic and exciting people with so much to offer to an imperfect world. Related Videos |
| Justin Bieber Debuts New 'Never Say Never' Poster Posted: 24 Jan 2011 04:58 AM PST Teen sensation is shown between his Canadian hometown and the big city in movie poster.
As most of Justin Bieber's die-hard fans already know, the movie event of February is quickly approaching. Bieber's first full-length feature film, "Never Say Never," hits theaters in about three weeks, on February 11, just in time for Valentine's Day weekend. MTV News has been keeping up with the Biebs since he announced plans for the big-screen project back in August.
On Monday (January 24), Paramount Pictures released a new poster for the film, which shows the 16-year-old standing tall in the middle of a street, seemingly stuck between two worlds — on the left side is his hometown of Stratford in Ontario, Canada, which is shown in black-and-white, with a sign in the background that reads "Population: 32,000"; on the right side, Bieber is standing next to the crowded New York City skyline, which is depicted in full color. The "Baby" singer is shown dressed in all black, including a black jacket that zips up off-center, black jeans and black, unlaced high-tops. The tagline reads: "Find out what's possible if you never give up." It's a nice change from the first poster, which just showed Bieber's profile and that famous, perfectly side-swept hair, partially hidden by a hoodie. It's interesting that the "big city" shown in the new poster is New York City, however, rather than Atlanta, where Bieber moved when he was just starting out after signing with manager Scooter Braun and linking up with ATL superstar Usher. Also worth noting are two new clips and partial trailers from the movie, called "Every Stage" and "Underdog," respectively. Both clips show a few adorable home videos of Bieber learning to play the drums around age 3, followed by shots of what his life is like now, including screaming fans, huge sold-out concerts, his friendship with Usher, etc. What do you think of the new poster and videos? Have you already bought your tickets to see "Never Say Never"? Tell us in the comments! Check out everything we've got on "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never." For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Lil Wayne To Launch I Am Music II Tour In March Posted: 24 Jan 2011 09:56 AM PST Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, Travis Barker and Mixmaster Mike join 24-city tour.
Lil Wayne is hitting the road this March for his I Am Music IITtour, the sequel to his record-setting 2009 trek that grossed the superstar over $40 million. On Monday (January 24), the New Orleans MC announced the outing, on which Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, Travis Barker and Mixmaster Mike will join him as opening acts. The 24-city tour opens March 18 in Buffalo, New York, and will feature stops in Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Houston and Atlanta, among other locations. Tickets go on sale February 4 through Live Nation. After keeping a low profile since his release from prison late last year, Weezy has returned his career to full throttle so far in 2011. Earlier this month, he contributed to Nicki's "Roman's Revenge 2.0," and he filmed videos for his "6 Foot 7 Foot" and DJ Khaled's "Welcome to My Hood." The I Am Music II Tour dates, according to Cash Money Records: » 3/18 - Buffalo, NY @ HSBC Arena |
| Britney Spears Going 'Harder, More Urgent' On Next LP Posted: 23 Jan 2011 10:15 PM PST Claude Kelly says Brit's upcoming project will sound more like her 2007 album, Blackout.
If edgy is what she's going for, a rumored collaboration with Gucci Mane might be one step Britney Spears is taking to ensure that her March release has the hard-edged pop sound she seems to be working on. Songwriter Claude Kelly opened up about writing songs for the pop star's still-untitled album, which has already spawned the hit single "Hold It Against Me."
"It's way more edgy than the last album," Kelly told People. "[It's] more in the vein of the album before." He explained that Brit and her team intend to hark back to the singer's 2007 Blackout. As for her last album, Circus, Kelly explained that Britney's 2008 LP served a very specific purpose in the singer's pop-star timeline. "The last album was more clean pop. [Its purpose] was to reintroduce Britney to the world as the pop princess," he explained, adding that they're taking an anything-goes approach to the March album and he's still not sure what the "final product is going to be." Kelly gave props to the production team. "She's always ready," Kelly explained. "Dr. Luke and Max Martin are running the show, and it's all about the beats. It has a heavier bass line and it's much harder, more urgent, more club. She's ready again!" Fellow songwriter/producer Danja spoke to MTV News recently and shed some more light on the Britney album. "I just took my track level up. I just wanted to make sure it's still hard-hitting and still that same energy that people heard, but very today's time," he said. "So we'll see. I don't know what the project will end up being, but we'll see. We did have a meeting like a year ago, and they wanted it to sound urban, hard-hitting, not so much dance, but just that similar sound." What do you hope Britney's album will sound like? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| 50 Cent Calls Onetime Foe Cam'ron 'A Good Guy' Posted: 24 Jan 2011 02:36 AM PST 'I don't wake up or go to sleep feeling like I hate Cam'ron,' Fif tells MTV News.
50 Cent has had a go at it with more than a few of his fellow rappers, from his scathing beef with Ja Rule to his venomous war of words with Fat Joe. One clash that didn't escalate, however, was when the G-Unit leader and Cam'ron tossed barbs at each other. According to 50, their dispute wasn't nearly as personal as it seemed.
In fact, he told MTV News that the Diplomats leader was "a good guy." "What me and Cam'ron had is music," 50 said, characterizing their rift as a challenge to be the pre-eminent MC. "It's the competitive nature of the art form. In hip-hop, there's always been battling. It's a part of it. I don't wake up or go to sleep feeling like I hate Cam'ron. He's a good guy." Just last week, Cam'ron talked to MTV News about 50 and also revealed that things between them are solid. "I don't have no problem with 50," Cam told Sway during "RapFix Live." "50 cool with me. "It was good for hip-hop," he continued. "We had our little hip-hop beef or whatever you wanna call it, but ain't no problem. Jim and Juelz do stuff with 50 and they camp all the time. I don't have a problem with 50 at all. It is what it is. We had our little discrepancy, and we moved on from it." Over the summer, their protégés — Lloyd Banks and Juelz Santana — joined forces for the summer heater "Beamer, Benz or Bentley." Do you think former foes 50 and Cam should team up musically? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Lady Gaga Brings 'Personality' To 'Gnomeo & Juliet' Duet, Elton John Says Posted: 23 Jan 2011 11:07 PM PST 'We're just so thrilled she took time out of her incredibly busy schedule to do it,' singer tells 'Access Hollywood' of 'Hello, Hello.'
Lady Gaga previewed a remixed cut from her new album, Born This Way, last week, and on February 8, the pop star's "Gnomeo & Juliet" duet with Elton John will arrive. After gushing about Gaga's performance at his White Tie & Tiara Ball charity event last year, John told "Access Hollywood" that he approached the singer about singing on "Hello, Hello." "We became friends, and I adore her," he said. "I told her about the song, and she said, 'I'd love to do it,' and she did it. We're just so thrilled she took time out of her incredibly busy schedule to do it." John said Gaga put her own spin on the pop tune, which he produced with longtime partner David Furnish. "She had fun with it and changed it a little bit and brought her own personality to it, so she gave Juliet that personality," he said. The singer/songwriter was also pleased about another lady who joined him on the soundtrack. "It was always going to be a duet, and it's like, 'Who am I going to sing this with?' " John recalled thinking about "Hello, Hello." "It turned out to be Gaga, and then at the end of the film, I sing with Nelly Furtado, so it's like two great girls on one soundtrack, so I'm thrilled." Amazon has uploaded a preview of the song, but the clip only includes Elton's part. It's no surprise that the song has already received praise from one of Gaga's biggest supporters, Perez Hilton. On Monday (January 24), after attending the "Gnomeo & Juliet" world premiere, the blogger wrote: "We are pleased to report that the Elton and Gaga duet, 'Hello Hello,' is an A+. Such a lovely song! It actually reminds us of classic Beatles!" Are you excited to hear "Hello, Hello"? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists |
| 'Skins' Cast Previews 'Tea' Episode Posted: 23 Jan 2011 10:37 PM PST 'She's very put together and then kind of falls apart,' Sofia Black-D'Elia, who plays the gay teen, teases of Monday's episode airing at 10 p.m. on MTV.
Last week's "Skins" premiere focused on smooth-talking womanizer Tony. This week, episode two of the MTV drama will focus on Tea, played by Sofia Black-D'Elia. Tea is a gay teen, who is unapologetic about who she is but gets rattled when she realizes she might not have it all figured out. And fans will learn even more about the character on Monday night (January 24).
"Tea is so strong, I love that about her," Daniel Flaherty, who plays bumbling Stanley, told MTV News. "She's strong in the way that she doesn't care what anybody thinks about her and that confidence is really awesome in the show, especially to people who are gay or lesbian. Just to have that confidence is so great and the way [D'Elia] portrays it is amazing. She's such a good actress." But Flaherty also noted that while the character is confident, she can also be hard to get. "It's so confusing because she has all this confidence and she's in high school and then all of a sudden it just hits you in the face and everything changes and you're like, 'Whoa where'd that come from?' " he teased. "I feel like Tea's so strong, but at the same time very lost because she's still growing up. She wants to be different and she's confident in that difference. She confuses me the most. You never know what's going to happen with her." Black-D'Elia described her character, Tea, this way: "She's an extremely confident girl. She's openly gay, very self-assured. Thinks she knows who she is, but realizes she doesn't, like most teenagers. She's flawed. She makes mistakes but I think the biggest issue she faces is owning up to them. She's very put together and then kind of falls apart." Don't miss "Skins" airing Mondays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Elton John Reveals What He Would Have Changed About 'American Idol' Posted: 24 Jan 2011 03:59 AM PST 'Let's have bands, let's have songwriters, let's change the format a little,' he tells MTV News of what he would have shaken up as a judge.
Now that "American Idol" has kicked off its 10th season with a bright, shiny new group of judges, it's almost hard to remember that chaotic time over the summer when the fate of the panel was in limbo — back when Jessica Simpson, Justin Timberlake and Elton John were all rumored to be in consideration.
When MTV News caught up with Sir Elton recently as he promoted the upcoming animated film "Gnomeo & Juliet," for which John composed original songs, we asked if he'll be making any appearances on "Idol" this season. "I don't know if you'll see me on this season," he said. "But you won't see me judging, obviously! But I don't know if I'm going to be on it. They've always been very, very generous to the AIDS Foundation," John said of the "Idol Gives Back" charity show. "I'm very, very grateful. They've been helpful to us. I don't know if I'm going to be on or not. I can't answer that question." With regard to fellow Brit and former "Idol" judge Simon Cowell's "X Factor," however, John brightened a bit when we asked what he thinks of it and how well it will do in the U.S. " 'X Factor' is going to be a huge show," John said. "It's going to be huge, because you can have bands on there, and that's one thing I wanted to change, if I had been on 'American Idol,' " he revealed. "Get away from the solo stuff. Let's have bands, let's have writers, let's have songwriters, let's change the format a little, and that's why 'X Factor' is going to do so well, because it's a different lineup. You can have bands and groups. That's more interesting I think." Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Artists |
| Jennifer Lopez's 'On The Floor' Video: Behind The Scenes Posted: 24 Jan 2011 01:30 AM PST 'I got to be wild and crazy, and at the same time I got to be sexy and sweet too,' new 'American Idol' judge tells MTV News.
Jennifer Lopez just wants everyone to dance. Over the weekend, J.Lo shot the music video for her new club jam, "On the Floor," and in it, Lopez and her crew are living by this motto: Just dance.
"I play one character where she kind of runs this party, acts like she's kind of over it, but at the same time loves it and loves this kind of underground kind of party dance culture," the new "American Idol" judge told MTV News on the set of her video. "So I got to be wild and crazy, and at the same time I got to be sexy and sweet too." The video and song feature Pitbull, and the rapper revealed he has a certain system when it comes to appearing on this type of dance track. "When you got these big, big house records or club records that are very global, I try to come in on what I was raised on, what I'm a fan of, which is just spitting hard," he explained. Lady Gaga producer RedOne said of crafting the track, "It's a global sound. It's very rhythmic. It has this rhythm. You know J.Lo: She's this global star with Latin flavor." Last week, RedOne gushed about working with the pop star. "She's a dancer. She can sing. I was really amazed, and I had so much fun working with her," he said. "Her energy and everything about her is a star, and it was natural for me to do what we did." Lopez said the video mirrors the song's theme. "Every single lyric is about letting go: Get on the floor and be an animal," she said. And she explained that while the album is diverse, it's all really just about one thing. "There's so many songs on the album I'm excited for people to hear for so many reasons," she said. "Some of them because they're just straight-up club bangers, some because of what they have to say, and some because of how they make you groove. They're all very thematic in the sense that they're all about love." What are you expecting from the "On the Floor" video? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Avril Lavigne Rocks Out In 3-D For 'What The Hell' Posted: 24 Jan 2011 01:21 AM PST 'It felt like you were live in a crowd,' she tells MTV News of video's special effects.
Avril Lavigne is back, and she's asking "What the Hell" on the lead single off her March 8 release, Goodbye Lullaby. In the video, which premiered on Sunday, she's pursued around town by a guy whose affections she doesn't seem to value quite as much as her own freedom to do what she pleases.
The clip also has another dimension to it: It was shot in 3-D. When MTV News caught up with Lavigne to talk about the song, she was excited about the high-tech project. "The music video's in 3-D, and my favorite part of the video is the rock-out scene at the end where I jump onstage and I'm with my band," she said. "When we shot it and I got to watch it back in 3-D with the glasses and actually you can see the crowd's hands, and it felt like you were live in a crowd, so it was kind of cool." The song and the album are Lavigne's return to the music spotlight. In the years since she released The Best Damn Thing in 2007, the 26-year-old had a high-profile divorce from Sum-41's Deryck Whibley, battled her record label and found love again with former "Hills" star Brody Jenner. The album, she explains, reflects all that growing up. "[It's] about saying goodbye to something sweet and familiar and taking a step forward and opening a new chapter in your life," she explained. "This album overall is kind of bittersweet. It's full of sad and happy emotions. The message overall is about moving forward and coming out of that and finding inner strength. The record's a little more raw. It's a more emotional record, and you can really feel that. I went for those raw, vulnerable moments, but having 'What the Hell' be the first single is more like my older stuff. It's a good way to bridge it." What do you think of the "What the Hell" video? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| Lil B Is Cooking Up A Storm In 2011 Posted: 24 Jan 2011 01:07 AM PST MTV News takes the self-proclaimed 'Based God' on a date in Chinatown.
NEW YORK — If you aren't among the more than 120,000 Twitter followers of Lil B "The Based God" or the many fans of his freestyles, or the regulars on Dior Paint (a Tumblr site supposedly run by his stylist), you probably would have been a little confused by all the cooking going on at B's show earlier this month at Manhattan's Highline Ballroom. But after watching the many "chefs" doing B's signature dance, which literally involves miming the act of cooking, you'd probably also want to know a little more about the unusual rapper, whom we named a Mixtape Daily Fire Starter last year.
That's why MTV News met up with B for a First Date at Joe's Shanghai in Chinatown. Between dumplings and fried rice, the Berkeley, California MC, who released Angels Exodus last week, talked all about his Twitter, his recent success and his unique subgenre of music. "Based music really is just doing what you feel, really letting the beats sink into you and letting the lyrics coat the beat," he explained. "It's really just about being yourself, though, and being positive. Doing what you want to do." One thing that sets him apart is the Internet: B has over 150 MySpace pages, each one featuring unique tracks, and legions of aforementioned Twitter disciples who choose to show their devotion in rather interesting ways. "A lot of guys show me love and want me to date their women," he said of his online fans. "It's an honor. And I will use that gift and their trust and I will do the right thing." In return for such loyalty, he's given out about a dozen free mixtapes (including Rain in England, which he touts as hip-hop's first ambient mixtape), and he just as freely provides new songs as soon as they've been finished, often promising that they're "#rare." With gigs like the Coachella Music and Arts Festival on the horizon, and more new music promised, 2011 may be the year that we'll all be thanking Based God. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Christina Aguilera To Sing National Anthem At Super Bowl Posted: 24 Jan 2011 12:06 AM PST Singer will help open the February 6 game in Dallas.
We already know who'll be playing in the Super Bowl on February 6, thanks to the two exciting wins by the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. And we know that the Black Eyed Peas will provide the halftime entertainment, which raises the obvious question: Who'll be singing the national anthem before the sure-to-be-epic battle between two of the NFL's most iconic franchises? Fox and the NFL announced on Monday (January 24) that the honors will go to none other than Christina Aguilera. Though the diva failed to launch a tour in support of her poorly received studio album Bionic and her big-screen debut in "Burlesque" quickly faded, Aguilera will take to one of the biggest media stages there is when she helps open the big game at Cowboys Stadium in North Texas prior to kickoff. If last year's game is any indication, more than 153 million people could be on hand to watch the game, which last year notched the largest TV audience in history. "I have been performing the anthem since I was seven years old and I must say the Super Bowl is a dream come true," Aguilera said in a statement. "I am really excited to be part of such an iconic event." She breaks the string of "American Idol" divas doing the honors, which have been performed by Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Jordin Sparks over the past three years. It also puts her into an elite group of stars who've recently taken on the difficult tune in the past, which includes Beyoncé, Billy Joel, Aretha Franklin, the Dixie Chicks, Mariah Carey and Aguilera's "Burlesque" co-star Cher, who did it in 1999. It will not be Aguilera's first time at the Super Bowl. She performed during halftime in 2000 at Super Bowl XXIV with Enrique Iglesias as part of a Disney-centric show that also featured Phil Collins and Toni Braxton. Are you excited to hear Christina tackle the national anthem at this year's Super Bowl? Tell us in the comments! Related Photos Related Artists |
| Cam'ron Says Vado Will Decline <i>XXL</i> Freshmen Cover Posted: 23 Jan 2011 11:33 PM PST Like Drake and Nicki Minaj in 2010, he says offer came a year too late.
It's almost that time of the year when hip-hop magazine XXL crowns the newest crop of lauded MCs for its annual "Freshmen" cover. One on-the-rise upstart who won't be gracing the front of the magazine, however, is Vado. Cam'ron said his protégé is passing on the opportunity.
"To be honest, he's not gonna be on there," Cam told DJ Drama on satellite radio station Shade 45. "It ain't definite yet. But I spoke to [XXL's editor in chief] ... She called me about doing it. They didn't put him on last year, they wanted him on this year ... so I told the lady at XXL I'd get back to her. "If Vado does do the cover for XXL, I want him to be a main focus. I'm not trying to be an a--hole, like 'it's us or nothing,' [but] my man put a lot of work in last year. I'm not saying that the other people that's coming up shouldn't be on the cover either, I'm just saying give him a little focus on the cover. She said she didn't know if she could, and I understand that." XXL editor Vanessa Satten didn't respond to a request for comment. The Slime Flu MC won't join the list of past XXL frosh picks, including Asher Roth, Wiz Khalifa and B.o.B. Lil Wayne protégés Drake and Nicki Minaj declined the 10 Freshmen for 2010 issue, also saying the offer came a year too late. According to Cam'ron, the Harlem MC will instead appear on the cover of rival rap mag The Source soon along with Cam and Jim Jones. The rapper said The Source cover story was negotiated by Alan Grunblatt, president of E1 Music, the recording home of Cam and Vado's upcoming joint effort Gunz N' Butta and Jones' Capo. A representative for The Source would not confirm the Cam'ron, Vado and Jim Jones cover as of press time. Do you think XXL should have recognized Vado last year? Sound off in the comments below! Related Artists |
| Travie McCoy To Hit The Road With Pete Wentz Posted: 23 Jan 2011 11:33 PM PST Donnis, XV, Bad Rabbits also along for the ride on Sgt. Schlepper's Who Needs Hearts Club Band Tour.
Travie McCoy is gearing up for his first-ever solo headlining tour, and he's bringing an old friend along for the ride. On Monday (January 24), McCoy announced the details of his Sgt. Schlepper's Who Needs Hearts Club Band Tour (good name, BTW), a North American jaunt that kicks off March 17 in Toronto and crisscrosses the continent before wrapping up April 3 in Seattle. Joining him on the trek will be his good pal Pete Wentz — who will be taking his new Black Cards project out on the road for their first full-scale tour — rappers Donnis and XV, and hip-hop/funk collective Bad Rabbits. An exclusive pre-sale begins Tuesday, along with special VIP packages that include a ticket, a meet-and-greet with McCoy and, according to a press release from Atlantic Records, "a Travie piggy-bank (for all the future Billionaires)." For more information about pre-sales and VIPs, head over to the tour's ticketing site or McCoy's website. All remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday. In addition to his upcoming tour, McCoy is set to enter the studio with his group Gym Class Heroes to put the finishing touches on The Papercut Chronicles II, their first album since 2008's The Quilt. In late 2009, McCoy told MTV News that the new GCH album is shaping up to be a return to their early days (as evidenced by the title), saying, "It's definitely going back to the essence of Gym Class Heroes, which is four dudes sitting in a room, vibing off each other and making organic, dark metal." Dates for Travie McCoy's Sgt. Schlepper's Who Needs Hearts Club Band Tour: » 3/17 - Toronto, ON @ The Opera House Will you check out Travie and Pete on tour? Let us know in the comments! Related Photos Related Artists |
| Lady Gaga Launches 'Born This Way' Countdown Clock Posted: 24 Jan 2011 09:56 AM PST Single is set to premiere on February 13, same night Gaga will perform at Grammys.
The countdown is officially under way. On Sunday, having already teased fans with fashion-show promos and borderline terrifying short films, Lady Gaga took the next step in the march toward her Born This Way album, when she posted a rapidly descending countdown clock on her website. What that clock is counting down to, of course, is the release of BTW's first single (which just so happens to be the album's title track), currently scheduled for Sunday, February 13 — the same night Gaga will perform at the Grammy Awards. So far, more than 43,000 Gaga fans have RSVP'd for the event through Facebook. That countdown clock isn't the only bit of Born This Way-related news to sprout up in recent days. On Monday (January 24), Gaga fans were treated to a new promo image and some news about the "Born This Way" video. Monday morning, Gaga fansites began posting a new image, supposedly taken from a promo shoot, either for the album or the single. In the photo, a nude Gaga — or someone who looks very much like her — is looking skyward, black liquid pouring from her mouth, hair enveloping her body. Both of her fists are clenched, and on each finger she wears a ring with a different precious stone in the setting. A similar stone-covered piece appears to be stuck to her chest. But is the new image actually legit? When contacted by MTV News, a spokesperson for Lady Gaga's management would only say it's "not from [the] BTW shoot," though again, it's not clear whether the spokesperson was referring to the album or the single. As for the video, Gaga's fashion director (and Thierry Mugler creative director) Nicola Formichetti took to his Twitter account to hype the clip, writing, "Ok kids, get ready for BTW. We've just created the most amazing thing ever." Related Artists |
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