MTV News |
- Katy Perry Says 'E.T.' Video Doesn't 'Play It Safe'
- Britney Spears 'Stumbled Upon Me' For <i>Femme Fatale,</i> Sabi Says
- Busta Rhymes Hopes A Tribe Called Quest Doc Shows Their 'Legacy'
- 'Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale' Trailer -- Watch It Now!
- Wiz Khalifa Hypes <i>Rolling Papers</i> At NYC In-Store Appearance
- Linkin Park, Paramore Battle for Survival In Musical March Madness
- Britney Spears' <i>Femme Fatale</i> Is Her 'Strongest Album,' Critics Say
- Snoop Dogg Explains How Kanye West Collabo 'Eyez Closed' Happened
- Daniel Radcliffe Says Final 'Harry Potter' Press Tour Will Be 'Weird'
- Birdman Taps Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj For <i>Bigger Than Life</i> Singles
- Nicki Minaj's Alter Ego Talks 'X Factor,' Simon Cowell
- Britney Spears' Ex Kevin Federline And Girlfriend Expecting A Baby
- Facebook Pulls Back The Hack-A-Thon Curtain For MTV's 'Diary'
- Peter Bjorn And John Return With Live, Loose <i>Gimme Some</i>
- Vado Signs With Interscope Records
- Scotty McCreery, Casey Abrams Rack Up 'American Idol' Twitter Followers
- Daniel Radcliffe Prefers Dancing Over Being Naked Onstage
- Lupe Fiasco Talks Spring Break Performance
| Katy Perry Says 'E.T.' Video Doesn't 'Play It Safe' Posted: 30 Mar 2011 04:07 AM PDT Clip's on-air debut at 7:53 p.m. ET will be followed by live 'MTV First' interview with Perry on MTV.com.
When Katy Perry's "E.T." video, featuring Kanye West, premieres on MTV and MTV.com on Thursday, fans should expect a decidedly cinematic experience. "With Teenage Dream, the record in whole, I knew I wanted to give so many different flavors, so many different ideas, and just make a different 'movie' for each song," Perry told MTV News of her latest album, which has already spawned clips for "California Gurls," "Firework" and the title track. "I feel like I've done that."
The "E.T." video will premiere at noon Thursday on MTV.com, VH1.com and LogoTV.com. Then, "MTV First: Katy Perry's 'E.T.' " will bow on air at 7:53 p.m. ET before tossing to an MTV.com live stream, featuring MTV News correspondent Sway's exclusive chat with Perry, an interview with director Floria Sigismondi and reaction from Perry's fans. Perry has noticed a shift in public opinion about her with the release of each Teenage Dream video, and she's thinking "E.T." will be no exception. "It's interesting to see a lot of the commentary that goes along with growth," she marveled. "People are like, 'OK, I like her,' finally, or like, 'Damn, I hate to admit it, but we're on the Katy Perry train,' which is really exciting, and i feel like I worked really hard for that. "I knew starting with 'I Kissed a Girl' that it might have taken a little bit longer to get everybody just onboard the Katy Perry train, I guess," she added. "But now, I'm having so much fun and I get to be so creative and try different things and expand, and I never play it safe — in any way, really." Don't miss the premiere of Katy Perry's "E.T." video, featuring Kanye West, at 7:53 p.m. ET Thursday on MTV, followed by our live "MTV First" interview with Katy Perry on MTV.com! Related Videos |
| Britney Spears 'Stumbled Upon Me' For <i>Femme Fatale,</i> Sabi Says Posted: 30 Mar 2011 04:07 AM PDT 'I grew up watching Britney Spears,' pop newcomer tells MTV News about landing a feature on '(Drop Dead) Beautiful.'
There are three collaborations on Britney Spears' brand-new Femme Fatale. Black Eyed Peas leading man will.i.am produced and appears on "Big Fat Bass," Travis Barker lends his drumming skills to the bonus track "Don't Keep Me Waiting," and the club track "(Drop Dead) Beautiful" features a newcomer: singer/rapper Sabi.
MTV News caught up with Sabi a few weeks before Britney's album dropped on Tuesday and, at the time, the pop newbie was still pretty floored about her appearance on the album, which is the focus of "Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale," a special airing Sunday at 9 p.m. ET. on MTV. "The way I understand is that Britney Spears is constantly looking for [new stuff and] had an ear out for new talent and fresh music," she explained. "Somehow, she stumbled upon me in my old group days. I was in a group called the Bangz. "And it's just pretty crazy, I mean, I grew up watching Britney Spears," she added. "All my friends watched Britney Spears and we even had a routine to 'Hit Me Baby One More Time' that we were gonna perform, like, for a middle-school talent show. So it's a dream come true. Never did I ever think that I'd be in the mix with Britney. I'm just lucky." In fact, the opportunity to work with the pop star was so surreal that Sabi refused to believe her luck until the ink was dry. "I was like, 'Absolutely not,' " she joked about her initial response to the collaboration offer. "Duh! I was like, 'Yeah!' I don't know, it was crazy. I was like, 'This is surreal.' I'm the kind of person that's like, once I hear good news, until it's solidified and I see the actual proof it's a done deal, I [don't] get excited. I was like, 'This is great, but so many things can happen in between the time I'm supposed to record it.' But when it was solidified, I was like, 'Wow, this is crazy.' It's dope." What do you think of Britney's collabo with Sabi? Tell us in the comments! Don't miss "Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale" on Sunday, April 3, at 9 p.m. ET on MTV. Related Videos Related Artists |
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| Busta Rhymes Hopes A Tribe Called Quest Doc Shows Their 'Legacy' Posted: 30 Mar 2011 04:07 AM PDT 'They're a milestone in hip-hop,' Bus tells Mixtape Daily of his 'Scenario' collaborators.
Celebrity Favorites: Busta Rhymes Busta Rhymes has had a VIP view on A Tribe Called Quest's career — from appearing on ATCQ's "Scenario" to Q-Tip producing material for his solo albums — and the rowdy rapper was outwardly righteous about the controversy surrounding the documentary about the Queens collective. Bus admitted he doesn't know much about the project, but in a nod to both sides — Tip and the doc's producers — he urged that the story be fair above everything else. He called the emergence of Tribe a milestone in hip-hop that should be treated accordingly.
"I don't really know what to think about it yet 'cause I haven't seen it," he told Mixtape Daily when we caught up with him on Lil Wayne's I Am Still Music Tour stop in New York. "But the fact that a movie house and Michael Rapaport and just all the people involved, from a creative, production and executive standpoint [green-lit it], I commend them all. But I hope they represented my people right. Tribe are my brothers, they're a milestone in hip-hop [from] when they first came out and they're a milestone still and they will forever be a milestone. One thing that's the most important about Tribe to me is that the music they made is timeless. Even though those records that we classify as timeless or from the 'golden era' came out years ago, that boom-bap is unprecedented to this day. "A lot of times when people get the opportunity to dig deep in the good and bad, for the excitement and novelty, they like to capitalize on [buzz] created as a result of highlighting the negative over the positive," Busta explained, alluding to the documentary filmmaking process. "I hope that's something that's not a reality in this situation. I just want to see — good or bad — that there's a fair balance shining the light on the existence and legacy of Tribe." Although members of the group have spoken out publicly against doc director Rapaport, alleging business misconduct on his part, Q-Tip and company urged fans to see the completed "Beats, Rhymes and Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest." "I encourage everybody still to see this film," Tip told MTV News earlier this month. "Not only because it's about us, but it's really about the hip-hop movement, man. It really, really is, that's on everything. It's a celebration not only of Tribe, but of the culture. Of what goes into making records: the ups, the downs, the switching of the times. It's a beautiful story about hip-hop. He really did a great job, and I commend him for it, still. He really did an amazing job." For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines. |
| 'Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale' Trailer -- Watch It Now! Posted: 29 Mar 2011 04:59 AM PDT Pop star gives fans an intimate look at her life in the special airing Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on MTV.
This Sunday at 9 p.m., "Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale" makes its world premiere on MTV. In the special, the singer offers an intimate peek inside her world, taking fans behind the scenes of her big nightclub show in Las Vegas and chatting with MTV News correspondent Sway about her life and career.
The MTV special follows Britney as she makes her way into the studio to listen to "Big Fat Bass," produced by Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am, who tells Spears, "I did some tweaking to the 'Big Fat Bass'; the bass is even bigger." Spears later explains the difference between recording tracks versus performing them live. "When you're in the studio, you're just really focused, you're really in your head and in your ears and on the notes," she explains. "And when you're performing, it's more a connection on the outside and more of — like a tiger and more in your body." The pop star says it's fans who fill the audience at those live shows who get her excited to perform. "When they're screaming like that, they just hype you up," she says, "and make you feel larger than life." Spears has been a public figure since she was on the "Mickey Mouse Club" as a kid, and in 2011, she turns 30 years old. In the special, Spears admits that she wanted to be a famous performer since she sported a schoolgirl uniform in her " ... Baby One More Time" video nearly a decade and a half ago. "I think I hoped I would be [doing this]," she says. "I genuinely love what I do. This is what I love to do." Don't miss "Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale" on Sunday, April 3, at 9 p.m. ET on MTV. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Wiz Khalifa Hypes <i>Rolling Papers</i> At NYC In-Store Appearance Posted: 29 Mar 2011 06:45 AM PDT 'It's totally exhilarating to see kids lined up outside,' MC marvels on the day of his debut album's release.
NEW YORK — A year ago, Wiz Khalifa was a relative unknown. Sure, Wiz was selling out shows, but outside his loyal Taylor Gang fanbase, he wasn't a household name. That all changed with the release of his breakout mixtape, Kush & Orange Juice, and the anthemic single "Black and Yellow." Fast-forward 10 months, and Khalifa's major-label debut, Rolling Papers, is in a battle for the week's #1 release against Snoop Dogg and Britney Spears.
MTV News caught up with Khalifa on Tuesday afternoon (March 29) for his in-store at Best Buy in Union Square, and even he was shocked to see fans lined up around the block. "It's totally exhilarating to see kids lined up outside, screaming, wanting the album and purchasing the album," Khalifa marveled. "It was actually like a year ago that I first started working on the album. "I didn't really know where I was going, but I knew I was going somewhere," he continued. "To have it done and to see the full vision and for people to be excited about it and the entire buildup, it's just really magnificent." Plenty of excited — but also laid-back, of course — Wiz fans waited outside Best Buy for a chance to meet Khalifa and get his autograph. Many of them came out on Monday night to buy the album at midnight and receive a wristband to meet Wiz on Tuesday. "I love that kid, no lie. I don't know that kid personally, but when I greeted him, I was in the zone," fan Daniel Candelairo told MTV News. "I've been listening to him since '07, so unlike most people out here claiming Taylor Gang — I'm not into all of that. I just listen to his music and I promote him." Candelairo recalled catching flak for being a Wiz fan back in the day, but he's enjoyed the turnaround. "He's blowing. Everybody loves this kid," he said. "It's awesome. I'm proud of him." Have you checked out Wiz's debut album yet? Share your reviews in the comments! Related Artists |
| Linkin Park, Paramore Battle for Survival In Musical March Madness Posted: 29 Mar 2011 01:10 AM PDT 30 Seconds to Mars, Tokio Hotel, Panic! at the Disco also locked in tight matchups in the final hours of the Sweet 16.
When MTV's Musical March Madness tournament moved on to the Sweet 16 on Monday, we warned that the challenge for bands and their fans would only get tougher from here on out. And we weren't kidding. Check out our MMM Bracket right here!
With Sweet 16 voting set to close Tuesday at midnight ET, half of our matchups are still too close to call, as big-name artists slog it out for a spot in the Elite 8. Will this be the round where presumptive favorites fall? Will we see upsets of VCU-like proportions? Well, all of that's up to you, really. There's still time to cast your votes and help your favorite bands advance ... but that time is quickly dwindling. Sweet 16 voting is now under way over on the Newsroom blog! And sure, some of our Sweet 16 matchups are basically foregone conclusions — #3 My Chemical Romance lead #2 Radiohead by a large margin, #16 Sum 41 are rolling #4 the Strokes, #9 Disturbed are dominating #12 Patrick Stump and #3 Green Day are running away from #2 Blink-182 — but we've got a whole lot of nail-biters brewing ... so here's a look at those ultra-tight contests. #1 30 Seconds to Mars v. #5 Panic! at the Disco When we revealed our Sweet 16, we had this West region clash circled, writing "there may be no bigger matchup in the tournament to date." And so far, it has lived up to the hype. Both bands have been campaigning hard, and their fans have responded, casting nearly 70,000 votes at press time. This one looks like it's gonna come down to the wire, as 30 STM lead Panic! by less than 2,000 votes. You can help decide the winner by voting now. #1 Linkin Park v. #5 Paramore A huge matchup in the South region, this one pits two MMM title faves against each other ... and the results speak for themselves. More than 80,000 votes have been cast so far, and with just hours left until polls close, fewer than 200 votes separate the two bands. Both Mike Shinoda and Hayley Williams have been hitting up the fans for support, and right now, this one is LP's to lose ... but anything can happen. You can vote for your favorite here. #6 Coheed and Cambria v. #7 Avenged Sevenfold All eyes are on this tilt in the Midwest region, as Coheed — last year's MMM champs and the band most had penciled in for the 2011 finals — are standing on the brink of elimination. With hours left to go in the polling, and more than 40,000 ballots cast, they trail Avenged Sevenfold by less than 2,000 votes. If they want to keep their dreams of a repeat alive, they're going to need some help from their fans. Or perhaps this really is A7X's time. You can decide this ultra-close contest by voting now. #14 Tokio Hotel v. #2 Muse Another tight one in the South — what else would you expect from two bands that made the Final Four last year? — with nearly 60,000 votes already counted, it's Tokio Hotel who hold a 3,000 vote lead over Muse. It's unquestionably both acts' toughest tournament challenge to date. Could this be the round where Tokio Hotel's fan support finally runs out? Or will it be Muse who fail to live up to the pre-tourney expectations? Once again, it'll be up to you. Vote now to send your favorite on to the Elite 8. MTV's Musical March Madness has reached the Sweet 16! Voting is now open and will continue until Tuesday at midnight, when we'll roll on to the Elite 8. All winners are determined by your votes, so, if your favorite act is still standing, it's up to you to guide them to glory. You can rally the troops on Twitter using the hashtag #MMM — but get ready, things only get tougher from here on out! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Britney Spears' <i>Femme Fatale</i> Is Her 'Strongest Album,' Critics Say Posted: 29 Mar 2011 12:28 AM PDT Leading pop critics praise the 'craftsmanship' on the singer's 'great dance pop' release.
On Tuesday (March 29), Britney Spears released her latest album, Femme Fatale, to much fanfare and critical praise. Femme Fatale is a dark, churning, cohesive 12-track record that will have fans on the dance floor from beginning to end. From the opening track and current single, the Ke$ha-penned "Till the World Ends," to the last, the slower "Criminal," the momentum never stops.
Peppered in the mix are dance tunes complete with dubsteps, feisty breakdowns, NSFW lyrics and thumping beats. Spears hooked up with a number of chart-topping producers and songwriters, including Dr. Luke, Max Martin, will.i.am and Claude Kelly. The Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am also lent his vocals to their "Big Fat Bass" single, while pop newbie Sabi lent hers to the song "(Drop Dead) Beautiful." And Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker shows up on one of the deluxe-edition tracks, "Don't Keep Me Waiting." "Femme Fatale is definitely Britney's strongest album overall," Ian Drew, senior music editor at Us magazine, told MTV News. Drew, who gave the album four stars, added, "The songs speak for themselves; it's unapologetically a great dance pop album." Adam Markowitz, an Entertainment Weekly correspondent, gave the album a solid B+. "It works for her because it shows that she can continue to produce really solid material," Markowitz told us. "This is a totally strong, cohesive album." While her manager, Larry Rudolph, recently compared the new album to Madonna's Ray of Light, Drew had a different Madge comparison in mind. "It reminds me of Madonna's Confessions on a Dance Floor, which is a similar album," he said. "You put it on as you're getting ready all night and going out on the town and you can keep it going. So this is one of those records you can put on and there isn't a weak track, which is great." Femme Fatale easily stands up to one of Brit's strongest releases, Drew said. "I would say up until this point Blackout was her best album, and that's what this album really compares to because Blackout was nothing but great dance pop." Markowitz agreed, noting that her latest album shows off the many sides of Spears. "There's no looking at this album and not seeing a lot of craftsmanship on it. I think it's a great showcase for her personality and her vocal styles. She sounds really lively on the album," he said. "It's about as good as Blackout, which I think surprised everyone as being a pretty strong album." For more on the making of the album, fans can check out the upcoming MTV special, "Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale." A trailer with more details premieres Tuesday night at 7:58 p.m. ET on MTV. Share your reviews of Femme Fatale in the comments section below! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Snoop Dogg Explains How Kanye West Collabo 'Eyez Closed' Happened Posted: 29 Mar 2011 02:44 AM PDT 'I was in the studio with Swizz Beatz and heard some beats, and it was Kanye West,' Snoop recalls to MTV News.
Snoop Dogg was working with Swizz Beatz in the studio when he decided to let the world know he settled on a name for his next album — Doggystyle 2: The Doggumentary — which he later shortened to just Doggumentary. The producer proved to be good luck for the veteran rapper. During another session in New York when the pair were working together, Snoop said he heard music coming from another room and decided to investigate.
The result? "Eyez Closed," from his latest project — which dropped Tuesday (March 29) — produced by and featuring Kanye West; John Legend also appears on the track. "I was in the studio with Swizz Beatz and walked down the hallway and heard some beats, and it was Kanye West," Snoop told MTV News. "He called me into the studio and played me a couple of songs from his album. He was like, 'I got this song that's not gonna make the album, but listen to it.' " The rocking "Eyez Closed" lifts a sample from Jimmy Spicer's "Money (Dollar Bill Y'all)," also used by Maino for his breakout "Hi Hater." On the number, a reflective Snoop pays respect to the younger generation while reaffirming his status. "Run these MCs, I'm tougher than leather," Snoop raps. Earlier this month, Snoop spoke with MTV News about his career, which has spawned 11 solo albums, from his Death Row days to riding with Master P and his No Limit soldiers to his latest incarnation as Wiz Khalifa's mentor. "I don't really think of it as reinventing myself, 'cause it's all within me," Snoop explained. "It's all who I am. It's more or less faces of Snoop Dogg or characters of Snoop Dogg that's in this one spirit. But at the same time, he's able to embellish different parts of the character to create this look, that style, that sound. But it's all the same. Because when I do it all at once, when I do a concept that has all the songs, I don't have enough time to change and act like this; it's still me." Have you heard Snoop's latest yet? Share your reviews in the comments! Related Artists |
| Daniel Radcliffe Says Final 'Harry Potter' Press Tour Will Be 'Weird' Posted: 29 Mar 2011 01:49 AM PDT 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' actor will trade Broadway for red carpets when 'Deathly Hallows' premieres in July.
The end is almost upon us. Over a decade after production on the first "Harry Potter" began, the final film hits theaters in July, and as J.K. Rowling promised Daniel Radcliffe, she's not going to write more books about the boy wizard.
That's fine by Radcliffe, who has joked on many an occasion that he's ready to leave the franchise behind, not least because there'd be something unseemly about playing Harry as the actor approached middle age. But he's not done with "Potter" yet. There's still the upcoming press tour for the second part of "Deathly Hallows," which will require Radcliffe to step away from his new Broadway musical, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," for a few days. And, as he told MTV News recently, transitioning from one show-business world to another is going to be strange. "In a way, it will probably be weird to suddenly have to switch out of the mode I'm in for this show and then go and do press," he said, adding with a laugh, "But I can do that. I'm very versatile!" Being able to jump from performing to plugging and back again, Radcliffe added, simply comes with the territory. "I think any actor that does a big film or even a show like this now without the expectation that they will have to do press for it is very naive," he said. "It's part of the job. It's as much a part of the job almost as anything else." Check out everything we've got on "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2." For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Birdman Taps Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj For <i>Bigger Than Life</i> Singles Posted: 29 Mar 2011 01:39 AM PDT 'We work whenever we wanna work,' Cash Money captain tells MTV News of crafting July 7 album.
The Young Money/ Cash Money juggernaut is gearing up for a summer takeover. Lil Wayne's highly anticipated album, Tha Carter IV, is set to drop May 16. And now the Birdman is scheduled to follow with his next release, Bigger Than Life, due July 7.
The YMCMB boss' first two singles will be "Get Money," featuring Wayne and Mack Maine, and "Why You Mad," featuring Weezy and Nicki Minaj. "We work whenever we wanna work," Birdman told MTV News about the making of his forthcoming set. "We always have to have access to a studio, 24/7. We couldn't be on tour if we didn't have a way to record or if Wayne didn't have it. So whenever we wanna work, we can. That's how we live life: we do how we want to whenever we want to." Last year, just before Wayne finished his well-documented prison sentence, Birdman said he and his protégé would likely release another Like Father, Like Son project after Weezy wraps Tha Carter IV. The New Orleans native explained how the entire team was working hard while Wayne was away, resulting in a stream of music that should see the light of day this summer. "Everybody just working hard, energized about him about to come home," he said at the time. "We worked, but him being gone — that was just a left turn in life. We wasn't expecting anything like that but we had to deal with it." Which YMCMB release are you most anticipating? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists |
| Nicki Minaj's Alter Ego Talks 'X Factor,' Simon Cowell Posted: 29 Mar 2011 09:57 AM PDT 'I love Simon very dearly. He's such an amazing man,' 'Martha' says.
Nicki Minaj's alter ego Martha is pretty protective. And also pretty flirty. When the Pink Friday star was asked about the talks between her and Simon Cowell regarding "X Factor," Nicki relented as Martha took over and revealed her love for the former "American Idol" judge.
"I can't talk about that, but I love Simon very dearly," the Lil Wayne protégé answered in a British accent. "He's such an amazing man. I had the pleasure of meeting him and my life will never be the same, darling. I told him that. I was absolutely in love with him prior to meeting him. And now that I've met him, it's like I dream about him every night." Cowell, for his part, seemed equally smitten with the hip-hop star. In an interview with XXL, the music mogul raved about the Young Money MC. He wouldn't confirm whether he talked to the rapper about being a judge on the show, but he said they spoke about various business opportunities. "We spoke to Nicki actually about a lot of projects," he said. "It wasn't specifically about this, but we were just very interested to meet her. I'm a big fan of hers. So I don't know if it's gonna be this show or something in the future, but it was definitely somebody I wanted to meet." "I know the show is gonna be dope 'cause Simon is dope," Nicki said, back in her own voice. "And I wish them luck." Related Artists |
| Britney Spears' Ex Kevin Federline And Girlfriend Expecting A Baby Posted: 29 Mar 2011 01:15 AM PDT Sources say the pair is 'totally happy.'
On the same day that Britney Spears shares with the world her latest album, Femme Fatale, Spears' ex, Kevin Federline, has a special announcement of his own: He and girlfriend Victoria Prince are expecting a child. Rumblings of a possible pregnancy began to bubble up when a photo of Prince sporting what looked like a baby bump hit gossip blogs on Monday. On Tuesday (March 29), sources confirmed the news to E!. The couple is reportedly "totally happy" about the pregnancy and Prince is five months along. Federline and Prince began dating in late 2008, two years after Spears and Federline split. Sources told E! that Spears is "focused on her work right now" when asked how she's taking the news. Spears is currently dating talent agent Jason Trawick. A rep for Federline couldn't confirm or deny the reports as of press time. This will be Federline's fifth child. He has two children with his ex Shar Jackson — daughter Kori Madison and son Kaleb Michael Jackson — and two sons with Spears, Jayden and Sean. In the summer of 2009, Federline and Prince were rumored to be shooting a reality show together. The show was reportedly intended to follow Federline's life as a dad to his four kids but never came to fruition. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Facebook Pulls Back The Hack-A-Thon Curtain For MTV's 'Diary' Posted: 29 Mar 2011 06:20 AM PDT 'Diary of Facebook' premieres Wednesday at 11 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.
Every so often, Facebook shuts down — not the social-networking site itself, of course, but the company's headquarters in Palo Alto, California. And the temporary pause isn't because anything is wrong; it's because founder Mark Zuckerberg wants things to continue to go right. Welcome to Facebook's famous "hack-a-thon," an event when business as usual ceases and techies are given carte blanche to code like crazy and create innovative additions for the site. This Wednesday, at 11 p.m. ET/PT, MTV will bring you inside it all during "Diary of Facebook."
"Hack-a-thons are this awesome part of our culture," Zuckerberg says on "Diary." "Every month or two, everyone stays up all night just experimenting with things and building things quickly. And the only rule is that you're not allowed to work on the same thing that your day job is." That directive is how an employee named Pedram, who usually toils as a technical engineer, finds himself staying up in the wee hours to create a potentially groundbreaking application for the site. He's not the only one. And even those who can't code join in the action — cooking, juggling, drawing and more as they stay energized during the event. All that and more will be revealed during "Diary of Facebook," which follows not only Pedram, but other employees who live and breathe social networking. Viewers will also meet Erin, a consumer-marketing employee intimately involved in Stories.Facebook.com, an effort to draw attention to users' life-changing social-networking stories. You think you know Facebook, but until you check out "Diary," you have no idea. Tune in to "Diary of Facebook," airing Wednesday, March 30, at 11 p.m. ET/PT. Related Videos |
| Peter Bjorn And John Return With Live, Loose <i>Gimme Some</i> Posted: 28 Mar 2011 11:35 PM PDT The 'Young Folks' hitmakers' latest album aims to capture their 'punky and energetic' live sound.
On Tuesday (March 29), Swedish hookmeisters Peter Bjorn and John return to stores with Gimme Some, their sixth full-length album and their third since they became internationally famous (and poster children for whistlers everywhere) with their hit "Young Folks." Of course, given the rather stiff competition PB&J face here in the states — Gimme Some has the relative misfortune of being released against both Britney Spears' Femme Fatale and Wiz Khalifa's Rolling Papers — the guys aren't optimistic about their album's chart-topping chances.
"Our chances are probably not so good. I don't know," Peter Morén laughed. "I guess any kind of debut would be amazing for us." Then again, that doesn't really matter all that much. After all, it doesn't seem like PB&J made Gimme Some for the majority of the record-buying public. They made it for themselves. Because unlike 2009's Living Thing or 2006's Writer's Block (which, of course, featured "Young Folks"), their new album is a decidedly live affair, a crackling thing that sounds very much like a band setting up in a room and letting it rip. "We wanted to make an album that would be fun to play live and would also reflect more how we sound live and how we've been sounding live for a lot of years," Morén said. "I don't think the records have really shown that. Live, we've always been a little more punky and energetic. So we wanted to put that on vinyl for once ... there were some tweaks and overdubs, but the idea this time was that the live take would be there first, and we'd work off that." And somewhat fittingly, the album bristles with pure pop energy — check first single "Second Chance" or "Breaker Breaker" for proof — and blows by in just 37-odd minutes, a tact that might not earn PB&J a #1 debut here in the states, but most certainly made the album an absolute blast to make ... and take on the road. "[There were] quite a lot of songs around, but we never finished [them], and part of the reason was because they were slow ones. I mean, I love ballads, but this time around, we have a couple of 'medium' songs, but there's really no ballads," Morén said. "And that was a deliberate decision. We always aimed to make records that are kind of short, but we never succeed. This time, we definitely kind of tried to keep it short ... and we all love the record, and it's been so much fun to play these new songs live." Related Artists |
| Vado Signs With Interscope Records Posted: 28 Mar 2011 11:16 PM PDT Cam'ron makes announcement about his protégé on Angie Martinez's Hot 97 radio show.
On Monday, Cam'ron announced that his protégé, fellow Harlem rapper Vado, has inked a recording contract with Interscope Records. "He just signed a deal with Interscope," the rapper told Angie Martinez on her Hot 97 radio show. "Shout to Jimmy Iovine, DJ [DJ Mormile, senior VP of A&R at Interscope], what up, yo?! Big shout to DJ and Jimmy Iovine over there at Interscope. We appreciate that." Since their reunion, various members of the Diplomats have mentioned the possibility of the group, formerly signed to Jay-Z's Roc-a-Fella Records, signing to Interscope. "Everything is still going, but we all had prior obligations," Cam'ron said. "Like me and Vado got this Gunz 'n Butta album that's coming out. Jim [Jones] has a solo album coming out called Capo. Juelz [Santana] is working on his mixtape. But me and Jim just definitely had obligations with Koch that we couldn't drop everything. We working with DJ and Jimmy Iovine to get the deal over there at Interscope done for us as well. It's just a little more intricate being that everybody is signed to a label already." Jones' contract with E1 Entertainment (formerly Koch Records) will be up after the release of his Capo album, due in stores April 5, according to Cam'ron. Santana is still on Def Jam Records, and despite his recent trouble with authorities, the rapper announced plans to release three mixtapes prior to the arrival of a proper album at the end of the year, according to Rap Radar. As for Vado, though he is not a formal member of the Diplomats (Cam'ron, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana and Freekey Zekey), he is an official member of Cam'ron's the UN, a separate group started before Dipset's reconciliation. Thanks to street burners like "Speakin' Tungs" and "We All Up in Here," it was thought that Vado would be a lock to make XXL magazine's Freshmen 2011 issue. But in early January, Cam'ron said Vado would pass on participating if the opportunity presented itself, saying his artist deserves a bigger look. Vado released a retail mixtape, Slime Flu, last October and his collaborative album with Cam'ron, Gunz 'n Butta, comes out on April 19 on E1. While Vado's fanbase continues to expand, Killa Cam is clearly still one of his biggest supporters. "Vado's crazy out there," Cam'ron said. "If y'all don't know about Vado, make sure y'all check that young boy out, man. He's the new voice of Lenox Ave. right now. Make sure you go get his mixtape, Slime Flu. We got an album coming out called Gunz 'n Butta and his solo album will be out later this year. That's my statement." Related Artists |
| Scotty McCreery, Casey Abrams Rack Up 'American Idol' Twitter Followers Posted: 28 Mar 2011 11:13 PM PDT Haley Reinhart, Naima Adedapo have smallest Twitter followings, a metric that seems to mirror 'Idol' voting trends and popularity.
There are so many ways to quantify which "American Idol" finalists are popping with voters. From the screams and elaborate signs in the IdolDome on Wednesday nights to the number of weird promotional items being offered on eBay and bootleg fan sites that pop up to encourage power-voting, "Idol" popularity is a tricky thing to measure. One of the best new ways, though, is to track the contestants' Twitter account and see who has the most followers. After stumbling out of the gate with their social-networking efforts last year, amid worries that loose lips might ruin the show's finale, the "Idol" top 11 are back in effect on Twitter and chatting it up with their online fans, The Hollywood Reporter noted. The move makes sense, since for the first time in the show's history, followers can vote online this year and the contestants can use their tweet smarts to curry more favor. On the one hand, the list of top personal Twitter pages reflects the pecking order of the singers this season, with bullfrog-voiced country crooner Scotty McCreery topping the tally with 49,173 followers. But when you see that Casey Abrams is #2 on the roster (47,824), even after nearly being eliminated last week, it makes you wonder if Twitter is a good indicator of popularity. Coming in at #3 is bearded smoothie Paul McDonald (40,295 followers), with leading contender Pia Toscano close on his heels (34,271) and (at press time) just ahead of teen Lauren Alaina (34,250). Bottom-three visitor and fellow teen Thia Megia (32,922) is at #6, sneaking ahead of resident rocker James Durbin (32,772), followed by another bottom-three veteran, Stefano Langone (30,340), gospel crooner Jacob Lusk (19,864) and two-time bottom-three dweller Haley Reinhart (19,043). Not surprisingly, the list is rounded out by eliminated contestants Karen Rodriguez (17,572) and Ashthon Jones (7,978). In a troubling sign, wild-card singer Naima Adedapo, who has hit the bottom three once, is sandwiched in between the two eliminated singers at #12 on the list with 15,538 followers. McCreery might lead the list, but his tweets are mostly bland platitudes, many of them devoted to announcing when he's hitting the hay, extolling the virtues of Cap'n Crunch, excitement about meeting boxing great Muhammad Ali and playing catch with the show's security guards. "Not much going on right now. Just got outta rehearsal and now I'm just layin' on the bed looking at the ceiling," he wrote as the first week of live performance shows was getting under way. "Thinking about life." Abrams, who has teased McCreery about the cowboy's trouble in figuring out Twitter, talked about his trips to the hospital, fielded offers to jam from former finalist Andrew Garcia and entertained album title suggestions for his many Twitter alter egos, including "Lumberjack" and "Paul Bunyan." McDonald has kept things pretty business-like and focused on show-related details, while high-schooler Alaina is typically active on the service, mostly expressing her love for her fans, a tactic also employed by Toscano. Durbin keeps things focused on professional wrestling and entreaties to bring back real rock, while Megia thanks her "Thianatic" followers and frequent tweeter Langone gets lots of love from past "Idol" contestants (Lee DeWyze, David Archuleta, Michael Sarver) and their followers amid spirited defenses of his mother. Although the "Idol" kids live in a media bubble, Lusk has lamented the passing of rap luminary Nate Dogg. Reinhart has made her feed a fount of excitable comments to fans and fellow contestants. Adedapo might be the most active tweeter, responding to fan and friend comments throughout the day on an almost minute-by-minute basis, sharing details about her children and keeping in touch with her fan-generated TeamNaima feed. The Reporter noted that the seven most-followed contestants have all been considered fan favorites at some point this season, with Abrams and Megia the only ones to hit the bottom three. Four of the six least-followed were wild-card picks, with five of them dropping into the bottom three at least once since the semi-finals. Which "Idol" finalist are you following on Twitter? Let us know in the comments below! Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Daniel Radcliffe Prefers Dancing Over Being Naked Onstage Posted: 29 Mar 2011 12:01 AM PDT Actor admits it's easier to sing and dance in 'How to Succeed ...' than it was to disrobe in 'Equus.'
"I'm excited. Terrified, but excited," Daniel Radcliffe told MTV News in the summer of 2007 as he prepared to take the stage — and doff his drawers — in a London-based production of "Equus."
Radcliffe eventually took the production to Broadway in 2008, but even a year later, the nude scene never got much easier. Even the prospect of singing and dancing on Broadway — talents the 21-year-old actor readily admits don't come naturally to him — is a delight by comparison. That's why, as Radcliffe walked the red carpet at the opening for his new musical, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," he admitted that tapping his toes on Broadway is far less terrifying than ripping off his skivvies. "I'm still going to have to go with being naked onstage," he laughed. "The dancing and singing thing, it is scary, particularly on Broadway, because it is the home of the musical. But once you've learned it, it can become really fun. I can't say the same about being naked onstage. This is a much more fun show all around." That's not to say "How to Succeed" has been a cakewalk. Radcliffe and his fellow actors endured an exhaustive rehearsal schedule and nearly a month of previews before officially opening on Sunday. "We've had a long-ish preview period — I can't say 'long' anymore because of 'Spider-Man' — but it feels great to be here and know the show is set now and we don't have to rehearse during the day and we get to chill out," he told us. "Honestly, coming in and doing a two-and-a-half-hour show every evening will seem like a holiday after the last couple months." Related Videos |
| Lupe Fiasco Talks Spring Break Performance Posted: 29 Mar 2011 08:27 AM PDT The Chicago rapper's Las Vegas spring break gig airs Tuesday night on MTV.
When you combine spring break and Las Vegas, things are bound to get exciting — or out of control. For the MTV Spring Break 2011 performers — Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Pitbull and Lupe Fiasco — the challenge is to keep the crowds entertained when shots, lost tops and sunny weather threaten to steal their attention.
According to Lupe Fiasco, though, it doesn't matter to him whether he's performing at a spring break gig or a room of Timberland-wearing concertgoers — the show goes on. "It's no different," the Chicago rapper told MTV News recently. "I did a show for the hardcore [fans] yesterday and it was the same thing. The same energy. At the end of the day, it's about getting in touch with the energy — I don't want to sound too mystical — but that human energy. It don't matter if you black, white, Italian, Asian or in a bikini or have a fitted hat on thugged out, everybody wants to hear something and be moved by something, so for us, we want to take it to you as energetic as we possibly can." On Monday, Wiz Khalifa's MTV Spring Break 2011 performance aired as the Pittsburgh star hit the stage for his breakout tune "Black and Yellow." Later in the week, Snoop Dogg and Pitbull's spring break performances will be shown on MTV, MTV2 and mtvU. Catch Lupe Fiasco performing in Las Vegas during MTV's Spring Break on Tuesday night (March 29) on MTV at 9:50 p.m. ET. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
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