MTV News |
- Arcade Fire, Radiohead Signal That Rock Is (Finally) Rising
- Lil Wayne Is 'Entering Uncharted Territory' In Hip-Hop, Lloyd Says
- Britney Spears, Madonna Get <i>In The Zone</i> For 2003 'Me Against The Music' Video
- Snooki's Best Grammy Red-Carpet Moments, From Nicki Minaj To J.Lo
- Eminem, Lil Wayne's Bonnaroo Gig Continues Hip-Hop's Long Festival History
- Lady Gaga Announces HBO Monster Ball Special
- Bruno Mars Reacts To Lil Wayne's 'Grenade' Remix
- Tyga Says Drake Collabo May Be Next <i>Careless World</i> Single
- Does Bonnaroo Lineup Stray Too Far From Roots With Eminem, Lil Wayne?
- Travis Barker Says Solo Album Helped Turn Tragedies 'Into Strengths'
- Jennifer Hudson Diary Inspired Song, Ryan Tedder Says
- Britney Spears 'Hold It Against Me' Teaser Shows Lights, Cameras, Action
- Usher Says New 'Rev Pop' Project Is A 'Movement'
- Kim Kardashian, Samantha Ronson Rock Out For Charlotte Ronson During Fashion Week
- <i>The Prestige: Jam Boy Magic</i> Showcases One Of Hip-Hop's Most Underrated Talents
- Aretha Franklin Tribute Declared Best Grammy Performance By Readers
- Kendrick Lamar Calls Joint Project With J. Cole 'Something Incredible'
- Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' Rockets Up <i>Billboard</i> Charts
- 'Justin Bieber: Never Say Never' Director's Cut Could Hit Theaters Soon
- Kelly Clarkson Influenced By Prince, Aretha Franklin, Others For New Album
| Arcade Fire, Radiohead Signal That Rock Is (Finally) Rising Posted: 16 Feb 2011 03:52 AM PST Clearly, something is happening, and just in time for the 20th anniversary of Nirvana's Nevermind, in Bigger Than the Sound.
In January, fresh off a year in which albums by mainstays like Linkin Park and My Chemical Romance stiffed, and efforts by up-and-comers like MGMT mystified, we published an article that wondered, rather matter-of-factly, "Is Rock Dead?" At the time, it seemed a perfectly reasonable thing to ask. After all, for all intents and purposes, rock music was dead in 2010: Nickelback's Dark Horse was the year's best-selling rock album (even though it was released in November 2008), lumbering bands like Alter Bridge, Disturbed and Shinedown continued to dominate radio, and even the chart-topping successes of indie acts like Vampire Weekend and Arcade Fire were dismissed as little more than flukes: They only reached #1, the argument went, because there were no hip-hop or pop albums released that same week. And with absolutely zero big-ticket rock releases on the horizon, things were looking equally bleak for 2011. But in the six weeks since we originally published that article, something pretty amazing happened: Rock proved that, much like Jason Voorhees, it can be drowned, stabbed, dragged to hell and cryogenically frozen, but it cannot be killed. At the end of January, the Decemberists' The King Is Dead inexplicably debuted at #1 on the Billboard albums chart. Last Sunday, at the 53rd Grammys, the Arcade Fire shocked pretty much everybody (except, it should be noted, me) by besting Eminem, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry to win Album of the Year. On Monday, we learned there would be a brand-new Radiohead album arriving in our inboxes in less than a week. Couple all that with a fantastic new album from Bright Eyes (The People's Key, go buy it), the Foo Fighters' hotly anticipated Wasting Light (which reteams former Nirvana mates Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic with producer Butch Vig) and new albums from the Strokes, Death Cab for Cutie, Coldplay and Blink-182 looming on the horizon — not to mention genuinely great releases from new bands like Warpaint, Smith Westerns and Yuck — and, all of a sudden, rock music doesn't appear to be dead at all. This isn't meant to be some "Rock Is Back!" piece (I think we reached critical mass on those sometime around 2002), but it probably could be. Rather, I'm hoping it comes across as nothing more than the blissed-out rejoicings of a long-suffering rock fan. Because, to be perfectly honest, that's the only angle I'm taking this week. I have worked at MTV News for nearly seven years now, and in that time, I've watched as rock and roll lost its grip on popular culture. Bands came and went, nostalgia acts did their victory laps, and nobody — outside of me and a few others — took notice. Rock had been lapped by the likes of Eminem and Lady Gaga, and it didn't look like it was ever going to overtake them. Maybe it never will. And I don't care, because, for the first time in a long time, I can unequivocally say: Damn, it feels good to be excited about rock music once again. And given the circular nature of things, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that 2011 marks the 20th anniversary of rock's last great uprising: the release of Nirvana's Nevermind, which quickly thrust the genre back into the spotlight and kept it there for most (OK, like, seven years) of the decade. I'm not suggesting that the Arcade Fire winning Album of the Year is a watershed moment on par with Nevermind overtaking Michael Jackson's Dangerous atop the Billboard chart (as it did in January 1992), but, shoot, it could very well end up that way. Nor am I expecting that, by year's end, I'll be writing laudatory pieces about the return of rock. But again, I very well might be. That uncertainty is key, because it contains within it a shred of hope. You never know. And for the first time in a very long time, I can almost trick myself into believing that. Clearly, something is happening, that much is certain. Maybe it's just natural evolution, or the stars aligning, or just my blind optimism, but in 2011, rock music appears to finally be pulling itself out of its watery grave, machete in hand, ready to cut down innocent campers. And, man, does it feel good to write something like that. It's been a long time coming, after all. Do you think rock is on its way back? Let us know in the comments! |
| Lil Wayne Is 'Entering Uncharted Territory' In Hip-Hop, Lloyd Says Posted: 16 Feb 2011 03:52 AM PST 'It's like witnessing what rock and roll stars would experience,' the 'BedRock' crooner tells Mixtape Daily of his longtime homey.
Celebrity Favorites: Lloyd R&B singer Lloyd has had a close up look at Lil Wayne's career for some time now. The two collaborated on Lloyd's "You" and "Girls Around the World" and later on Young Money's breakout "BedRock," which featured the former Murder Inc. star riding shotgun with Weezy, Drake, Nicki Minaj and company.
Now, as the pair are working on their forthcoming projects — Lloyd's King of Hearts and Wayne's Tha Carter IV— the singer, who hopes to get the rapper on his new album, said the New Orleans MC is reaching rock-star status. "He's entering uncharted territory, I think, for a lot of people in our generation in hip-hop history," Lloyd told Mixtape Daily. "When Wayne walks into the building, it's electric. It's almost like witnessing, I would imagine, what rock and roll stars would experience earlier on in history. You don't get to experience a lot of that in hip-hop, usually there's a lot of hatred or a crabs-in-the-bucket mentality going on. But I think with Wayne, he's overcome so much that the people are really embracing him across the board." The "Lay It Down" singer has some good perspective in making that declaration: He attended Weezy's first post-prison performance in Las Vegas and then rocked with him at the Bayou Classic, the annual football clash in Wayne's hometown between Grambling State and Southern University. Next up, Wayne and director Hype Williams are putting the final touches on the rapper's "6 Foot 7 Foot" video featuring Young Money member Cory Gunz. The clip was scheduled to debut on MTV last month, but was later postponed. The Bangladesh-produced standout is the first single from Tha Carter IV, Lil Wayne's first release since completing an eight-month prison in New York for a 2007 gun bust. For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines. |
| Britney Spears, Madonna Get <i>In The Zone</i> For 2003 'Me Against The Music' Video Posted: 16 Feb 2011 03:52 AM PST In anticipation of the premiere of Britney's 'Hold It Against Me' video, we look back at her epic Madonna collabo.
In 2003, Britney Spears and Madonna decided to get their dance on together for Spears' lead single off In The Zone. It was a collaboration that came together after the pair locked lips at the VMAs that same year. "I was in the middle of rehearsals for the VMAs and I played her the song, and she was like, 'That's your first single, right?' " Britney recalled. "I was like, 'Yeah, hopefully.' She was like, 'I really like it.' I was like, 'Really?' I was like, 'Well, you wanna do it with me?' She said, 'Yeah.' "
From there the idea was born and director Paul Hunter was tapped to try to capture the magic that had everyone buzzing after that now-famous kiss. "Madonna is an icon of an earlier generation, and then Britney of the newer generation ... She was at her peak at that point," Hunter told MTV News in 2009 about the video. "So it was a challenge to kind of bring both of the worlds together. I wanted it to be a bit of a cat-and-mouse sort of game, and a little bit of a foreplay between Britney and Madonna, and just sort of tease the audience." When Spears spoke about the video while on-set, she explained that the intention was always to tease the audience. "I never actually see Madonna or touch her; I just feel her presence there," she said. "[The song is] basically about just going to a club and letting yourself go and battling with whoever is around you and battling against the music as well. This is my first time doing a collaboration, and it's with Miss Madonna herself." Hunter admitted that it was all about keeping it sexy, without actually going there. "I try to play opposites, when you have Britney in dark and Madonna in white," he said. "And then we see them kind of dance around the bed ... and you think they're gonna get on top of each other and do something crazy." Don't miss Britney Spears' "Hold It Against Me" video premiere Thursday, February 17, at 9:56 p.m. ET on MTV and MTV.com, followed by a live discussion on MTV.com at 11 p.m. about the new clip and what's next for the pop star! Related Videos Related Photos |
| Snooki's Best Grammy Red-Carpet Moments, From Nicki Minaj To J.Lo Posted: 15 Feb 2011 06:23 AM PST 'Jersey Shore' starlet flirts with Bruno Mars, gets personal with Drake and talks juiceheads with Matthew Morrison.
As any fan of "Jersey Shore" can attest, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi is a walking highlight reel. The words and quotes that emit from the pint-size, pouf-wearing, self-proclaimed guidette are so unpredictable and entertaining, who else would we enlist to co-host our Grammy red-carpet live stream? Lucky for MTV News and all our viewers, Snooki did not disappoint. From philosophizing about Gaga's arrival in an egg to bonding with Drake's mom and talking hair poufs with Nicki Minaj, our "Jersey Shore" girl did us proud.
Here are a few more of Snooki's highlights. First, there was a flirty encounter with Bruno Mars. "Oh yeah that's hot, I love it," Snooki told Mars, after he demonstrated some fist-pumping dance moves. "You look good tonight, I'm just sayin'." "Hit me up when the cameras aren't on, you know what I'm saying?" Mars said. "You and me could just kick it." Snooki's response? A surprised/indecisive "Meep." Next up, there was Gaga's entrance. "Is that an egg?" she asked co-host Sway Calloway and then waved and shouted out, "Gaga, I love you!" as the egg passed by. "Sway is actually a gorilla juicehead," Snooki told "Glee" star Matthew Morrison, while explaining the finer points of "GTL" and the guido lifestyle. "A 'G.A.H.,' " an amused Morrison added about Sway. "A 'Guido at Heart.' " In addition to naming names, categorizing people and making plans with her interviewees, Snooki also managed to "go there," in terms of asking very pointed — and sometimes very personal — questions. Her chat with superstar Drake and his mom was a prime example. "Did you and Rihanna smush?" she asked Drake of his past romantic encounters with his "What's My Name" co-star. "Oh, goodness," a dumbstruck Drake responded. "Ah ... this is just, ah ... " he trailed off. "Let's snog," Jay Sean offered (a British slang term for make out or kiss). "Snug?" Snooki asked. "No, snog. S-N-O-G," Sean explained, even though it was clear Snooki didn't know what he was talking about. "Snug?" she asked again. "Does that mean smush?" Another doozy occurred with Jennifer Lopez and her husband Marc Anthony. "You're f---ing hot in person," she told J.Lo. And finally, a sweet little encounter with Nicki Minaj. "Is this your real hair?" Snooki asked while reaching up to touch Minaj's "Bride of Frankenstein"-inspired look. "Snooks," Minaj responded, sounding mildly offended. "What do you mean, 'Is this my real hair?' " "I'm jealous," Snooki answered. "Oh. I wanted you to wear your pouf today so we could be matching," Minaj said. "I did," Snooki said. "But it deflated from the heat." What was your favorite Snooki moment? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Eminem, Lil Wayne's Bonnaroo Gig Continues Hip-Hop's Long Festival History Posted: 15 Feb 2011 01:47 AM PST From early Lollapalooza to this year's Coachella, hip-hop has always had a place at major U.S. music gatherings.
American music fans had to chuckle back in 2008, when former Oasis co-founder Noel Gallagher raised a giant stink about Jay-Z headlining the venerable Glastonbury Festival. Honestly? Hip-hop doesn't belong at big festivals? C'mon, Noel. Well, we'll see how much water that big cup of righteous indignation holds in the next few days as fans of Tennessee's Bonnaroo Festival weigh in on the news that not one, but two hip-hop legends — Eminem and Lil Wayne — will top a bill that features a dozen other rappers sprinkled in among the usual cadre of jam-friendly acts, indie faves and the usual classic rock big fish.
While Bonnaroo's organizers have long shunned the "jam-band" festival tag, the annual steamy gathering on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee, has hosted its fair share of noodle-tastic talent over the years. But with the booking of arguably two of the three biggest live hip-hop draws on the planet (the third, Jay-Z, played there last year), clearly the 'Roo is going all-in on rap in 2011. Further down the list, this year's fest will also have sets from Atmosphere, Wiz Khalifa and Chiddy Bang. But from its very first lineup, Bonnaroo has supported rap, booking such indie groups as Blackalicious and Jurassic 5, adding in more over the years, mostly of the variety that appeal to its core audience, including RJD2, frequent guests the Roots, Common, Cypress Hill, El-P and Aesop Rock, and in 2008, Kanye West, M.I.A. and Lupe Fiasco. Though they've always had a place on the bill, rappers began to have a bigger presence by 2009, with the addition of Murs, the Knux, the Beastie Boys and Snoop Dogg. Then again, in 2010, even with Jay on the roster, last year's lineup had rappers in mostly support roles, with Wale, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Jay Electronica, Kid Cudi and B.o.B hitting smaller stages. With a few exceptions, that's been the norm at the country's major festivals: many of the same hip-hop stars playing on the main stage, with a predictable roster of up-and-coming and established hipster acts on the side stages, though never a critical mass of either outside of purely rap-oriented events. Hip-hop has long had a headline and side stage presence at Lollapalooza with 1991's inaugural outing featuring Ice T & Body Count, followed by Ice Cube, Basehead, Cypress Hill, House of Pain and Boo-Ya T.R.I.B.E. (1992), Arrested Development, Rage Against the Machine (1993), Beastie Boys, A Tribe Called Quest, Fu-Schnickens and Pharcyde (1994) and Cypress Hill, Coolio, Pharcyde and the Roots (1995). In later years, the festival invited Wu-Tang Clan, Snoop Dogg and Jurassic 5 before taking a hiatus. When it returned in 2005, there was a modest slate of hip-hop, but by 2006, the list grew to include Common, Kanye, Lady Sovereign, Lyrics Born and Blackalicious. In the years since, the granddaddy of alt festivals in the U.S. has hosted Lupe Fiasco, the Roots, Rhymefest, Kid Sister, K'naan, Snoop, B.o.B and (again) Cyprus Hill. The reported roster for Lollapalooza in 2011 also features a headlining set from Eminem. Since 1999, the third big daddy American festival, California's Coachella gathering has followed a similar path by working in college-friendly acts like Rahzel, Q-Bert, Mixmaster Mike, Kool Keith and Kid Koala into a dance- and indie-based talent lineup. It too has tapped a familiar group over the years, including: Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Gang Starr, Mos Def, Jurassic 5, KRS-One, Pharcyde, Dilated Peoples, Beastie Boys, N.E.R.D., Mr. Lif, Eyedea and Abilities, Danger Mouse, Sage Francis, Jean Grae, k-os, Black Star, Kanye, Lyrics Born, Ghostface Killah, Diplo, N.A.S.A., and in 2010, Jay-Z, Street Sweeper Social Club, Die Antwoord, Major Lazer and the Glitch Mob. This year's Coachella will feature a thinner rap selection, including Lauryn Hill, Duck Sauce, Kanye, Nas & Damian Marley and Wiz Khalifa. Which music festival are you most looking forward to this year? Talk about it in the comments! Related Photos Related Artists |
| Lady Gaga Announces HBO Monster Ball Special Posted: 15 Feb 2011 08:21 AM PST 'Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball Tour at Madison Square Garden' airs May 7.
Lady Gaga could not remember much about her celebration on Sunday night after winning three Grammy Awards, but during a Monday appearance on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno," she did manage to recall that she had yet another big announcement to make. "Oh, this is a very exciting new announcement," she said during the appearance, in which she revealed that she and Madonna have no beef over Gaga's smash single "Born This Way," which some critics and fans have said resembles some of Madonna's 1990s work. "I am going to be taping a special for HBO of the Monster Ball." HBO confirmed on Tuesday (February 15) that the singer's first solo HBO concert special will air on May 7. The program will be taped during Gaga's February 21-22 shows at Madison Square Garden and will be titled "Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball Tour at Madison Square Garden." "Lady Gaga is the single most exciting music talent on the scene today," said HBO president Sue Naegle in a statement announcing the deal. "We're especially thrilled that she'll be creating unique new elements for the special that will make the show an even more memorable experience for our viewers." The HBO show will begin airing a few weeks before the release of Gaga's highly anticipated Born This Way album, which hits stores on May 23. It will be directed by Laurieann Gibson, who has choreographed most of Lady Gaga's videos, including "Poker Face," "Paparazzi," "Telephone," "Alejandro" and "Bad Romance." Gaga also dropped the news that the "Born This Way" video will be out soon and that it is a collaboration between her own Haus of Gaga and fashion photographer Nick Knight. The singer admitted that she didn't remember much about Sunday night's post-Grammy party, but she remembers that "it was fun. I do remember being called 'drunky Gaga.' " Renowned for her elaborate entrances, Gaga said that Hussein Chalayan, the Turkish designer behind the egg-shaped device in which she was carried into the Grammys, wanted to make sure everyone knew it should be referred to as a "vessel." Joking (we think), Gaga told Leno she spent three days inside the temperature-controlled device. Gaga also explained that the "vessel" was intended to signify rebirth, specifically the birth of a new race "with no prejudice ... against anyone." Related Photos Related Artists |
| Bruno Mars Reacts To Lil Wayne's 'Grenade' Remix Posted: 15 Feb 2011 04:01 AM PST 'I was like, 'What? Press play,' ' he tells MTV News of spotting Weezy reboot on the Net.
Lil Wayne has a platinum touch when it comes to lacing remixes with his witty rhymes and Bruno Mars is the latest recipient. The Cash Money Records superstar blessed the singer's "Grenade" with a spoken word-style flow, expressing devotion for his love interest. When Bruno Mars heard it, he had one thought: Awesome.
"I saw it online and it said 'Lil Wayne,' " Bruno told MTV News at Sunday's Grammys about the unofficial remix. "I was like, 'What? Press play.' " "And I don't mind when we fall out," Wayne begins. "Long as we fall back into it/ I hope we never put an end to it/ Even though you not that into it/ Heaven, have you ever been it?/ 'Cause it looks like you never been/ You're more like a Hell's Angel/ And for you I'd rather sin/ Broken heart/ Love you with a broken heart/ For you I'll jump off Noah's Ark/ Love is blind and hope is dark/ Why does pain feel so good? Love is science/ Live for you, die for you/ And I'll die smiling." On Tuesday (February 15), Mars and Janelle Monáe announced they would tour together on a two-month trek called Hooligans In Wondaland. The outing — running from May through June — pairs the dynamic singers, who joined B.o.B at the Grammy Awards for a well-received performance. Bruno Mars also announced the next single from his debut Doo-Wops & Hooligans will be "The Lazy Song," which he'll shoot a video for later this week in Los Angeles. What do you think of Lil Wayne's "Grenade" remix? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists |
| Tyga Says Drake Collabo May Be Next <i>Careless World</i> Single Posted: 15 Feb 2011 04:17 AM PST Young Money upstart tells MTV News he's been 'working real hard' on LP so 'people know who Tyga is.'
Last year, while Lil Wayne was locked up in prison his protégés Drake and Nicki Minaj stepped up and carried the Young Money banner. Now, with the boss back, instead of asking his team to play the background, Weezy wants the rest of the crew to make moves. Next up at bat?
It could be Tyga, who's already on the map with "I'm On It" (featuring Lil Wayne and produced by Calvo Da Gr8) and his Snoop Dogg and Pharrell-assisted "Really Raw." "I been working real hard," the California rhyme-spitter told MTV News before Sunday's Grammy Awards. "We got the first two singles, it's crazy. It's gonna be the first thing people really understand about me. To let people know who Tyga is and what I represent and what I have to offer, you know?" In addition to Snoop and Skateboard P, Tyga revealed that Drake is also set to be on his album, Careless World. And Tyga's currently trying to decide between the track with Drake and a number called "Far Away" for his next single. He and Drake have a history together outside of YM, having toured together in 2010. Tyga served as the opener to the Thank Me Later star's Light Dreams and Nightmares trek. In spite of his growing profile, Tyga said he feels no need to rush his project. He patiently waited behind Nicki and Drizzy, and now Wayne's project is a priority for the camp. "I'm thinking, I don't wanna set no date on it," he said about his LP. Related Artists |
| Does Bonnaroo Lineup Stray Too Far From Roots With Eminem, Lil Wayne? Posted: 14 Feb 2011 11:34 PM PST Festival splits the difference between new acts and old, in a nod to its future and past.
On Tuesday (February 15), organizers announced the lineup for the 2011 Bonnaroo festival, a bill featuring plenty of nods to the fest's past (mainstays Widespread Panic, My Morning Jacket and the String Cheese Incident, to name a few), but also — most notably — two of the biggest hip-hop acts on the planet, Eminem and Lil Wayne. Browse photos of the 2011 Bonnaroo performers. And, sure, mainstream hip-hop headliners aren't exactly new for the 'Roo — Kanye West topped the bill in 2008, and Jay-Z did it last year — but the tandem of Em and Wayne marks a definite departure for the 10-year-old fest, one that members of its die-hard fanbase may have a hard time digesting, if only for the fact that it's such a departure from the days of old.
When West took the stage at 4:30 a.m. in '08 (a scheduling snafu he blamed, in part, on Pearl Jam running late with their set), those die-hards howled that Bonnaroo had moved too far from its roots. That deafening din was only amplified by the fact that the festival also featured Metallica as a headliner. And while we don't expect the same kind of outrage this year, we have to wonder if, by tapping the likes of Eminem and Wayne, Bonnaroo had forever alienated the fans who made the festival what it is today. The answer, it seems, is no. "I first went in 2004, and even then the 'traditional' fans were already saying it's too commercial, it's BS, and that was when the jam-band scene was huge," Caine O'Rear, editor of American Songwriter magazine, said. "I think you'll have some purists who will complain, but overall, people will be psyched about the lineup. ... Jay-Z was one the most well-received acts last year, which I think was a surprise to most people. [Widespread] Panic is a flagship Bonnaroo band, plus String Cheese Incident, My Morning Jacket ... it appeals to this core demo. [Organizers] definitely consider the festival's roots." "I think, as a fan, I'm excited by this year's lineup," Josh Baron, editor of Relix magazine, added. "Once again, they've delivered a pretty unique lineup of programming. You're not going to find these same acts together at any other festival in this country, if not the world, and that's something [Bonnaroo organizers] always strive to do. And in this 10th year, they're hyper-conscious of honoring their roots with a band like Widespread Panic, but also pushing the envelope with acts like Eminem and Wayne. ... I don't think this lineup is going to lose any more fans than they have past years; this isn't the year that Bonnaroo jumped the shark. People who had that problem probably left the festival years ago." And perhaps that's always going to be the catch-22 as far as Bonnaroo is concerned: It is such a beloved institution — one that started in 2002 as a way of showcasing so-called jam bands and the flourishing community that surrounded them — that die-hards are always going to complain about the lineup. It's sort of an annual tradition. And as organizers push the festival into its second decade, they're always going to have to weigh the will of their original fans with the ever-evolving tastes of new audiences. "There's no question [organizers] consider the festival's history when they put together the lineups. You're always going to see those core types of bands — Phish, Dave Matthews, Panic, the Dead. ... They unequivocally know those are the fans that made the festival. They travel considerable distances to make the Bonnaroo experience what it is," Baron said. "But part of what makes a festival is that it allows people to see music they normally wouldn't. I wouldn't buy a Lil Wayne ticket, but I'm excited to see him in concert, and Eminem is an undeniable performer. And as much as there's a backlash to a band like Metallica, if you were there, it certainly wasn't as if it was empty. There were tens of thousands of people watching Metallica." "Clearly they're hitting the big demos this year — hip-hop, big indie, a lot of the big Americana acts — because I think a lot of people who go to these festivals have eclectic tastes," O'Rear said. "And I think Bonnaroo is better for it." What do you think of this year's Bonnaroo lineup? Let us know in the comments! Related Photos Related Artists |
| Travis Barker Says Solo Album Helped Turn Tragedies 'Into Strengths' Posted: 15 Feb 2011 02:38 AM PST Give the Drummer Some, his long-in-the-works solo album, is finally due March 15.
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, California — It's not exactly breaking news to say that Travis Barker has been working on his solo album for a while now (at least two years, by our count), nor is it much of a stretch to say that, in the time he's been working on it, a lot has happened in his life, both good and really, really bad. From the plane crash that took the life of longtime friends "Lil'" Chris Baker and Charles "Che" Still in 2008 to the death of collaborator Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein the following year, Barker has been forced to endure more than his fair share of hardships along the way, but through it all, he's maintained focus on just one goal: finishing that album.
And, at long last, he has. On March 15, his Give the Drummer Some album will finally see the light of day, and when MTV News paid Barker a visit in his NoHo studio, he was definitely in the mood to celebrate — in his own, understated way. "It's a big accomplishment for me," he told MTV News. "It's something that's been in the making for a couple years now, and there's been lots of bumps in the road along the way." And, in a lot of ways, the album — which features head-whirling contributions by everyone from Tom Morello, Raekwon and the RZA (on the track "Carry It") to the Transplants and Slash (on "Saturday Night"), not to mention Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Game and Swizz Beatz on the proper first single, "Can a Drummer Get Some?" — helped him overcome the loss of his close friends and saved his life too. "I had to transfer those [tragedies] into strengths and just push through," Barker said. "Once I started coming in here, little by little, making my way into the studio, and I could actually make music again, and I was able to think, be in the studio environment, be productive, that was a big accomplishment, and, you know, from getting out of the hospital and learning how to walk and survive without being on 20 medications and stuff ... I never envisioned it being OK again. So it was a big thing for me, and knocking this album out was the number-one priority on my list." Which is why, when he talks about the album, he does so in relatively hushed tones. It's been a long voyage getting to this point, but finally, Barker has made it. And he definitely considers himself blessed to have done so. "Everyone on the album is someone I was blessed to come in contact at one point or another in my life," he said. "That's a pretty good way to describe how I feel about it too." What are you expecting from Travis Barker's album? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
| Jennifer Hudson Diary Inspired Song, Ryan Tedder Says Posted: 15 Feb 2011 02:56 AM PST OneRepublic frontman tells MTV News J-Hud asked him to set private words about family murders to music.
With production credits including Beyoncé's "Halo" and Leona Lewis's "Bleeding Love" under his belt, Ryan Tedder has proven he knows how to whip up a moving song. And the OneRepublic frontman was eager to collaborate with Jennifer Hudson when she went to work on her sophomore effort, her first musical offering since the tragic murder of her mother, brother and nephew in late 2008. Speaking to MTV News, the multitalented producer revealed how their touching collabo came about.
"I have to give a big-up to Jennifer Hudson," Tedder told MTV News' Sway during our Grammy red-carpet live stream on Sunday. "I did the title cut for her new album, I Remember Me. I produced and wrote that with her and it's, honestly, probably the most emotional song I've ever been involved with in my entire career." Music-industry legend Clive Davis had for months been encouraging Hudson to get together with the producer and orchestrated their teaming up, Tedder explained. With his hectic OneRepublic tour schedule, the 31-year-old music mind finally got to speak to the R&B songstress when Davis seated the two next to each other at his annual pre-Grammy party last year. "So I sit down and she's like, 'I hear we're going to work together,' and I'm like, 'Yes, we are,' Tedder recalled. "She sends me an e-mail with a diary entry dated right after her family was ... and it was, literally, her thoughts immediately after that happened. It started with the phrase, 'I remember me. I used to smile. I used to know love. I used to laugh. I used to hear things.' " Tedder revealed that Hudson's private entry was "about four or five paragraphs" and revolved around her initial response to the stunning loss. "She said, 'You're the one to write the song. I want you to put music and melody to these words,' and so I pulled as much as I could from it and tried to turn it around and what we ended up with is 'I Remember Me,' which is the name of her album," the songwriter said. Just last week, Hudson took to Twitter to reveal the cover of the forthcoming album, which is due for release on March 22. Are you eager to hear Jennifer's "I Remember Me"? Tell us in the comments. Related Artists |
| Britney Spears 'Hold It Against Me' Teaser Shows Lights, Cameras, Action Posted: 14 Feb 2011 11:00 PM PST Old-fashioned cameras and flashes add to the frenzy in latest sneak peek.
We're two days away from the world premiere of Britney Spears' "Hold It Against Me" video. For nearly two weeks now, we've been piecing together clips and trying to figure out just what the theme of the Jonas Åkerlund-directed video is going to be, and on Tuesday (February 15), one more teaser was added to the mix.
In the latest clip, Spears does not appear in the video. Instead, images of old-fashioned cameras burst on the screen before a flash goes off. A hand then appears in the frame slamming down a clapper board. Spears will debut her new music video for "Hold It Against Me" on Thursday at 9:56 p.m. ET on MTV and MTV.com, and in celebration of Brit's epic return to the medium that made her a star, MTV News is hosting a live discussion on MTV.com following the premiere, with a full hour of special guests breaking down the new video and discussing what we can expect from her album Femme Fatale. Our Britney Spears and "Hold It Against Me" discussion, hosted by MTV News' Jim Cantiello, will stream live on Thursday at 11 p.m. ET on MTV.com, an hour after her big video's world premiere. From what we can tell, the vibe of the video seems to fit in with what Britney's collaborators have said of the album. "I would say ['Hold It Against Me' is] the tip of the iceberg because that's the very beginning of a whole album," songwriter Claude Kelly explained, adding that this album will be "darker" and "edgier" than 2008's Circus, though it will "still [have] fun pop records." "[Dr. Luke and Max Martin are] in charge, but I've written a couple songs," he further explained. "I'm not even sure myself what made the cut. I know there's something workable in there, but I worked on her last album as well, so it's kind of a continuation of that. But it's a little edgier this time, darker. It sounds grimier and dubstep and danceable." Don't miss Britney Spears' "Hold It Against Me" video premiere Thursday, February 17, at 9:56 p.m. ET on MTV and MTV.com, followed by a live discussion on MTV.com at 11 p.m. about the new clip and what's next for the pop star! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Usher Says New 'Rev Pop' Project Is A 'Movement' Posted: 15 Feb 2011 01:01 AM PST Singer teases his new project by pointing to past hits like 'Yeah!' and 'OMG.'
With the success of songs like "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love," "Hot Tottie" and "OMG," Usher had himself a fairly massive 2010. But rather than rest on his laurels, he's looking to build on his big year, not with an album, but with a "movement."
It's something he's calling "Rev Pop" — or, simply, "Rev" — and though he's already teased his idea in a video with David Guetta (Akon is also involved), he has yet to speak in full about it. So when MTV News caught up with Ush before the 53rd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles at the (Belvedere) RED launch party, we asked him about his next musical endeavor. And though he didn't reveal much, he did let it be known that "Rev" isn't exactly something new. In fact, he's been doing it for a while now. "I'll give it to you this way: At a later date, I'll tell you more about Rev Pop, but if I were to give you a flash: I've done it before, I did it with 'Yeah!' " he said, "taking a cultural experience, and also worldwide recognition of a feeling, and putting the soul in the middle of it. Not allowing it to shift heavily to R&B genre, or pop. I did it again with 'OMG,' once again putting the soul in the middle of it, which was an electric-pop experience, with the soul. "It's bringing those elements together to tell a story, that was born here," he said, gesturing toward his heart, "And that's what Rev Pop is. There's more, I mean, I could really elaborate, but that's just what I'm going to tell you right now. 'Rev' is what it's called ... the movement is called Rev." Usher wouldn't say just when his fans would be getting their first taste of Rev, but whenever they do, it sounds like they're going to be impressed ... if not a little shocked. "Stay alive," he smiled, "Because you're definitely going to be in for a surprise." Related Artists |
| Kim Kardashian, Samantha Ronson Rock Out For Charlotte Ronson During Fashion Week Posted: 15 Feb 2011 01:40 AM PST Designer attracts celebrity followers at Lincoln Center for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.
Fashion designer Charlotte Ronson is a celebrity favorite, so it's no surprise that A-listers like Kim Kardashian, Sophia Bush, Brittany Snow, Mena Suvari, Olivia Munn and even her equally famous sister Samantha all turned up their hipster game for her show at Lincoln Center over the weekend during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. With 2011 spins on punk rock, grunge and pure downtown cool, the collection featured florals, ruffles, military influences, wide-legged pants and relaxed sweaters. Little dresses and tights also peppered the line.
Models were styled with clean, straight hair and minimal makeup that focused on soft, smoky eyes. It seemed the emphasis was more on comfort and style then ultra-high glam, although the collection's party clothes included metallic leathers and the always necessary little black dresses. "[It's a] continuation of brand, but mixing influences of traditional military with '70s nomadic undertones," the designer told MTV News. "The hair and makeup is very added and [has] a little more of the attitude to make it a little more punk." Hairstylist Jeanie Syfu explained how she styled the models' hair to have that punk vibe. "We kind of wanted the hair to look undercut. You know how people used to shave their heads underneath? And we're creating these cornrows and releasing this top section." The collection got a thumbs up from one person who's very close to the designer. Celebrity DJ sister Sam explained, "Every season it keeps getting better and better and better." Related Videos Related Photos |
| <i>The Prestige: Jam Boy Magic</i> Showcases One Of Hip-Hop's Most Underrated Talents Posted: 15 Feb 2011 02:14 AM PST Veteran MC Black Thought anchors mixtape from Money Making Jam Boys, in Mixtape Daily.
Don't Sleep: Necessary Notables Mixtape: The Prestige: Jam Boy Magic Headliner: Black Thought, Dice Raw, Truck North, P.O.R.N. and S.T.S. Key cameos: Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Peedi Crakk Essential info: Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter has an extremely crowded plate on his hands. The Philadelphia MC appears nightly, along with the rest of the Roots, on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon." And this past weekend, he and the rest of the legendary 215 crew once again hosted their annual jam session during the Grammy Awards festivities. While the Roots contemplate their next project, which according to drummer ?uestlove is still in the embryonic stages (check back in March, he said), Thought is finalizing a litany of collections that he hopes will see the light of day soon.
"I'm working on an EP tentatively titled The Talented Mr. Trotter with B!nk (Kanye West's "Devil in a New Dress") and I've been working on an album Dangerous Thoughts with Danger Mouse (Gnarls Barkley) for the past few years. That's still a work in progress," he told Mixtape Daily. Last month, Thought and his new crew — the Money Making Jam Boys: Dice Raw, Truck North, P.O.R.N. and S.T.S. — released their 10 Deep-sponsored mixtape (Kid Cudi, Donnis, Wale) hosted by DJs Mick Boogie and Terry Urban. The Prestige: Jam Boy Magic is anchored by Black Thought and once again showcases how the veteran MC is one of hip-hop's most underrated talents. "Cheeba, Cheeba, this is Friday Night street fever," BT spits on the MMJB standout "Friday Night Street Fever." "The heat seeker, keep it cutting like a meat cleaver/ The grim reaper, I ain't eating you ain't eating neither/ The team leader, dream weaver/ Keep a mean diva." "I just try to stay busy," Thought said of his output. Other Heat This Week For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines. |
| Aretha Franklin Tribute Declared Best Grammy Performance By Readers Posted: 14 Feb 2011 11:24 PM PST MTV News voters give props to Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson and more for their set.
In the lead-up to the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, MTV News readers cast their votes for the performance they were most excited to see. The Aretha Franklin tribute, which featured Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Florence Welch, Martina McBride and Yolanda Adams, ended up taking home the bulk of the vote.
Once Sunday's show was over, we asked people to vote for their favorite performance of the night. Was it the triumphant return of Dr. Dre? The stage-owning performance by Justin Bieber? Or perhaps it was Arcade Fire's eye-popping run to close out the show? But in the end, the tribute to Franklin stood supreme once again. The five-diva performance — which ran through some of Franklin's biggest hits over the course of her five-decade career — picked up 39 percent of the total vote to take first place. "No doubt its xtina and the gang!" wrote commenter Sef. "No eggs or crazy gimmicks but still they entertained the crowd. They all sound amazing!" Of course, that comment was in reference to Lady Gaga's egg-assisted run through "Born This Way" during the show's first hour. That performance racked up 27 percent of the vote to finish in second place. The three-way combination of Justin Bieber, Usher and Jaden Smith was right behind Gaga with 22 percent. "Justin Bieber, Usher and Jaden Smith did an amazing job," commenter BelieberForever96 wrote. "It was awesome. They should win." Only Eminem, Dr. Dre and Rihanna's performances of "Love the Way You Lie" and "I Need a Doctor" managed to put much of a dent in the voting beyond that point, as they picked up 6 percent despite some very vocal support in the comments section and on Facebook. Album of the Year winner Arcade Fire's pair of songs earned only 1.5 percent, and Muse's take on "Uprising" cobbled together 1 percent. And the least-voted-for performance award goes to Miranda Lambert, whose presentation of "The House That Built Me" did not ignite the voters' enthusiasm. What was your favorite Grammy performance? Let us know in the comments! For more Grammy Awards analysis, interviews, fashion and more, stick with MTV News! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Kendrick Lamar Calls Joint Project With J. Cole 'Something Incredible' Posted: 15 Feb 2011 01:17 AM PST Compton MC reveals that album will be '90 percent produced' by the Jay-Z protégé.
LOS ANGELES — Last week, J. Cole told Mixtape Daily he was itching to show the world that he's a dope lyricist and a pretty good producer as well. Instead of waiting on a call from Jay-Z or Nas for some beats, however, he decided to find his own production project: Compton, California's Kendrick Lamar. MTV News caught up Lamar in the studio with the rest of Black Hippy, and he said their collaboration works because he and Cole are on the same page.
"It's a lot of similarities with the story as far as somebody that's trying to escape the evils of the world but prone to it and used to it," Lamar said. "What we got now is something incredible. I just got out the studio with him a couple of days ago. He's out here in L.A. He was playing his album — between tracks of us doing our stuff — and it sounds incredible, and I'm just inspired. So much good music around me, I can't help but do my best work." Lamar recently brought Cole out at his show in L.A., although the Jay-Z protégé's presence might have gone unnoticed thanks to Dr. Dre's surprise visit. Lamar said he and Cole don't yet have a name for the project, but they have found the vibe and feel for it and plan to release it in album form, not as a mixtape. Another interesting tidbit: The project will feature Cole's production and Lamar's rhymes with Cole only showcasing his lyrical prowess on a few of the tracks. "Everything's going to be 90 percent produced by him, me busting over them, and he should be featured on a few too," Lamar said. "I know he wanted to do most of the tracks. We got some records, man." Are you looking forward to Cole and Lamar's joint project? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
| Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' Rockets Up <i>Billboard</i> Charts Posted: 14 Feb 2011 11:01 PM PST Instant-smash single is poised to debut at #1 on Hot 100.
Who didn't see this one coming? Thanks to the pushed-up release date on Friday and the most talked-about entrance at Sunday night's Grammys — not to mention what must have amounted to endless spins at clubs over the weekend — Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" is making some chart history. Billboard reported that after just three days of availability, the tune shot to a record-setting debut on the Pop Songs radio airplay chart at #14 and is poised to possibly debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart this week thanks to brisk digital sales.
The first single from the album of the same name due on May 23 got 4,602 plays, which gives it the highest detections total by a debuting song in the chart's 18-year history, representing an audience of 39.3 million. Citing unnamed sources, the magazine also reported that "Born" sold more than 450,000 downloads since its release on Friday morning, which could help the song debut at #1 on the Hot 100 and make it only the 19th song ever to do so on that chart. Gaga could also potentially wrest a record for the biggest debut track for a woman from Britney Spears if download sales continue to climb. Spears' "Hold it Against Me" rocked the chart a month ago with 411,000 in sales, but if Gaga's numbers hold she could land the fourth-largest digital track debut of all time behind Flo Rida's "Right Round," (636,000) the Black Eyed Peas' "Boom Boom Pow" (465,000) and Flo Rida's "Low" (460,000). The star stopped by "Jay Leno" the day after the Grammys, and in addition to explaining that she and Madonna have no beef over complaints by some that "Born This Way" bears too much of a resemblance to some earlier Material Girl hits, Gaga also announced her upcoming May HBO special and explained the inspiration behind her new album. She also revealed that she changed up the entire look of her Grammy performance two days before it aired because she wasn't happy with it. "I don't want the band and dancers to feel like a band and dancers," Gaga said, explaining why her crew was dressed in flesh-tone vinyl outfits that matched her own. When Leno made a crack about her trio of Grammy outfits, which included a molded leather bodice created by fashion icon Thierry Mugler, Gaga said the latter had a cosmic inspiration. "It was inspired by humanoids, alien sex humanoid hybrid women," she said matter of factly, rocking some of the low budget sci-fi alien face-ridged makeup she debuted at the Grammys, on Leno's show. The talk show host pointed to her third getup, which she said featured a giant black "church" hat, and asked if maybe it didn't block the view of the star behind her at the show, actor Will Smith. Gaga promised it didn't and added that she is in love with his daughter's hit single. "I love Willow," gushed Gaga, who took a series of photos with the pre-teen Smith family singer on her lap at the show. "I told her that she inspired me to whip my hair back and forth!" Though she claimed to have written "Born This Way" in a matter of minutes, Gaga said she spent more than a year perfecting it and tweaking the music, promising that it is just one of the many sounds you'll hear on the album. "The record is kind of eclectic in a way," she said. "The rest of the songs on the album are quite different from 'Born This Way.' " As for the album's theme, Gaga said it's about "being able to know that when you were born, you weren't just born in that moment, you have your entire life to realize the person that you're potentially going to become and whoever you choose to be was part of your destiny." Her hope, she said, was to encourage people who are feeling bullied or disenfranchised at the moment to realize that it's "never too late to harness your inner superstar." For more Grammy Awards analysis, interviews, fashion and more, stick with MTV News! Related Photos Related Artists |
| 'Justin Bieber: Never Say Never' Director's Cut Could Hit Theaters Soon Posted: 15 Feb 2011 09:46 AM PST Jon M. Chu said to be working on version with new footage that may be released in theaters this month.
With a running time of one hour and 45 minutes, Justin Bieber's "Never Say Never" packs in 3-D concert footage, home videos, behind-the-scenes looks, interviews with everyone from Snoop Dogg to the pop star's vocal coach and extended, slow-motion shots of the 16-year-old shaking out his famous locks. Perhaps, however, you didn't get your fill of the kid — perhaps your Bieber Fever rages on. In which case, you might be in luck. New York magazine's Vulture blog reports that Paramount Pictures is making plans for a director's cut of the film, following its $29.5 million opening this past weekend.
Director Jon M. Chu is said to be working on an updated version of the movie, including new live performances, footage of Bieber at the "Never Say Never" premiere and various advance screenings, and potentially scenes shot at the Grammy Awards on Sunday. The studio is reportedly waiting for delivery of the re-cut film before deciding if it will be released in theaters late in February or as part of a special DVD. MTV News' request for comment to Paramount (which, like MTV News, is owned by Viacom) was not returned as of press time. Box-office grosses for the concert film are likely to decline in the coming weeks, following Bieber fans' initial pilgrimage to multiplexes during opening weekend, and the re-cut film could dramatically boost its B.O. bottom line. If the new version does hit theaters, it will likely be as a 3-D-only release, as the cost of releasing digital prints is significantly less than printing and shipping film prints. A final decision on a release will be made once Chu finishes the cut after returning from international premieres in London and Paris. 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 Photos Related Artists |
| Kelly Clarkson Influenced By Prince, Aretha Franklin, Others For New Album Posted: 14 Feb 2011 11:44 PM PST 'I record my last song on the 25th of this month and then we will be releasing the album!' singer writes on Facebook.
It's been a while since we've heard some new music from Kelly Clarkson. But according to the "American Idol" alum, that's all about to change very soon as she's one track away from finishing her new album. While the 28-year-old songstress has previously described the project as "Garbage-meets-pop-meets-Muse," the singer has now come forth to reveal that the she's been influenced by some of music's greats, including Prince, Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin, for the forthcoming LP. Taking to her Facebook on Monday to keep fans updated about the project, Kelly said that she's one track away from completing her fifth studio album. "PS: I record my last song on the 25th of this month and then we will be releasing the album!" she wrote. "This album was influenced by Prince, Tina Turner, Sheryl Crow, Radiohead and there's a little bit of a Country vibe/influence on a couple of songs." While the big-voiced singer wasn't part of the Grammys' all-star tribute to Aretha Franklin on Sunday, Clarkson revealed that one of her favorite tunes from her recent studio sessions was inspired by the Queen of Soul. "Oh and also one of my favorites on the new album is highly influenced by Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. Eric Hutchinson wrote it ... the album is gonna be a great pop record! I can't wait for y'all to hear it!" she wrote. Although she partnered with acclaimed songwriter Toby Gad for two tracks, the singer tweeted to fans that she did not re-team with pop maestro Dr. Luke ("Since U Been Gone," "Behind These Hazel Eyes") this time around. Last October, the pop star participated in an impromptu Twitter Q&A, where she teased details about the new album. Not only has Clarkson recorded two duets for the still-untitled album, but she's also announced that she's ready to hit the road again. When we spoke to songwriter Claude Kelly last year, he said they're working on something different for the new album. "Well, I wrote 'My Life Would Suck Without You' for the last album, so we're trying to take it up a level," Kelly said. "She's toured the world with that album. She's experienced stuff, so whatever she's going through right now: fun, good, the bad, the ugly — we want to put on that record." What type of sound are you hoping to hear on Kelly's new album? Tell us in the comments. Related Artists |
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