MTV News |
- Christina Perri's 'Jar Of Hearts': Story Behind The 'Glee' Cover
- Jason Derulo Says 'Don't Wanna Go Home' Video Is About Escape
- Michael Sheen Says Aro Is 'More Of A Presence' In 'Breaking Dawn'
- Justin Bieber, Chris Brown Set To Shoot 'Next 2 You' Video
- 'Hunger Games' Adds Woody Harrelson To Cast
- 'Bridesmaids' Stars Suggest Ways To Recycle Tacky Bridal Dresses
- Britney Spears' Next <i>Femme Fatale</i> Single Is 'I Wanna Go'
- Lady Gaga To Appear In Cannes, 'FarmVille'
- Red Cafe 'Didn't Go In To Make Radio Songs' On <i>Above The Cloudz</i>
- Cannes Top Five Most Anticipated Movies: From 'Pirates' To 'Paris'
- Charges Dropped In Waka Flocka Flame Shooting Incident
- Christina Perri Strives To Be <i>Lovestrong</i> On Debut Album
- 'Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides': The Making Of Our Lego Trailer
- Killer Mike Says <i>PL3DGE</i> Is A Pledge To Himself
- Lonely Island Plan To 'Crush' 'Glee' Star In Album Face-Off
- Death Cab For Cutie Premiere New 'Home Is A Fire' Clip
- Just Blaze, Saigon To Give 'RapFix Live' Interview
- Chris Hemsworth Offered Huntsman Role In Kristen Stewart's 'Snow White'
| Christina Perri's 'Jar Of Hearts': Story Behind The 'Glee' Cover Posted: 11 May 2011 03:52 AM PDT 'Glee' isn't the first TV show to feature the haunting breakup song.
Tuesday was a big day for breakout singer/songwriter Christina Perri. Not only was her long-awaited debut album Lovestrong finally released, but the song that made her an instant success, "Jar of Hearts," was featured on the latest episode of "Glee." Of course, it's not the first time Perri's tune about letting go of a toxic relationship has been featured prominently on a television show. In fact, almost a year before Lea Michele gave "Jar of Hearts" a go during the prom-themed episode of "Glee" (named, appropriately enough, "Prom Queen"), Perri made a name for herself thanks to the reality competition series "So You Think You Can Dance."
But before "Glee" and "SYTYCD" even came into the picture, Perri had a history that helped craft one of the most freeing songs about heartbreak in quite some time. Born on August 19, 1986, the Philadelphia native learned music at an early age (she taught herself how to play by watching old Blind Melon videos) and had a fellow artist in her family. Her older brother Nick Perri was a guitarist in the band Shinedown. At age 21, Perri did what so many eager young musicians do: packed her bags for Los Angeles. It was there she began producing music videos and got married. When both of those aspects of her life fell apart (she split from her husband after 18 months of marriage), she headed back to Philadelphia in late 2009. It was there that Perri, who has the names of all the members of the Beatles tattooed on her left wrist, would pen the song that ultimately changed her life forever. The autobiographical tune about a bad boyfriend who returned to her life, much to her dismay, propelled her to move back to L.A. (Perri told Rolling Stone last year, "All of my songs are about me, and they're usually about love.") While she worked hard as a waitress and recorded her music, the singer's friend, dancer Keltie Colleen, passed "Jar of Hearts" along to "SYTYCD" choreographer Stacey Tookey. Tookey, along with contestants Billy Bell and Kathryn McCormick, crafted a dance routine to the song, which immediately became a favorite among viewers. The "SYTYCD" featuring "Jar of Hearts" (whose shattering lyrics like, "Who do you think you are/ Runnin' 'round leavin' scars/ Collecting your jar of hearts/ Tearing love apart" came to life in a whole new way) aired June 30, 2010. Less than a month later, Perri (who was in the audience for the "SYTYCD" show) signed a record deal with Atlantic Records. Perri recalled to MTV News during a recent interview, "I flew to New York City, I signed a record deal like, boom, boom, boom, boom. And it hasn't stopped, which is a good thing, and I'm trying to stay grounded and focus and keep doing what I'm doing every day." Julie Greenwald, the chairwoman and COO of Atlantic Records, recalled to RS (which dubbed Perri "Band of the Week" on October 26, 2010) when it came to her record deal, "I've never seen something move so fast." Since then, Perri's career and her song have taken off in big ways. When "Jar of Hearts" was released as a digital single on July 27, 2010, it moved more than 100,000 downloads within the first two weeks, placing it on the iTunes charts, Billboard's Hot Digital Songs chart, as well as Billboard's Top 40. The song, which has spent a whopping 31 weeks on the charts, ultimately peaked at #17 on the Hot 100. Perri not only performed her bona fide hit in the place where it all started, "So You Think You Can Dance," but also other outlets such as "Conan," "The Early Show", "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" and "Live at VH1." In September 2010, Perri, along with director Jay Martin, paid homage to the "SYTYCD" routine that put her on the map in the music video for "Jar of Hearts." In it, Perri (in a white dress and combat boots), along with backup dancers (some of whom appeared on the reality competition), fight their feelings against the man who has been collecting his "jar of hearts." The video, which embodies the sad yet empowering nature of the song (the video has a blue tint to it), entered VH1's Top 20 countdown thanks to its striking visuals, haunting melodies and aching lyrics. In fact, it did so well on the station, they placed it at #17 on the Top 40 Videos of 2010. To date, "Jar of Hearts" has had nearly 18 million hits on YouTube. But Perri hasn't stopped there. The artist, who explained her rise to fame to USA Today as "a legitimate whirlwind," brought her sound on the road when she toured with fellow heart-weary singer/songwriter James Blunt in 2011. Now that "Jar of Hearts" has received the "Glee" treatment, it's safe to say this star will only continue to rise. What did you think of Lea Michele's version of "Jar of Hearts"? Share your reviews in the comments! Related Videos |
| Jason Derulo Says 'Don't Wanna Go Home' Video Is About Escape Posted: 11 May 2011 03:52 AM PDT Singer tells MTV News the party never ends in upcoming Rich Lee-directed clip.
Much like Britney Spears, when it comes to videos, Jason Derülo is a proud member of the people-who-love-to-dance club. In the video for his new single, "Don't Wanna Go Home," Derülo throws a mega-dance party. We visited the set of the Rich Lee-directed clip where the singer told us he wants fans to feel as if they've been invited to his underground dance fiesta. "I'm very hands on with everything that I do, and I wrote 'Don't Wanna Go Home,' and I wanted to write a video right after I finished doing the song 'cause I actually saw it [in my mind], what this video is about," Derülo told us. "Basically, [it's] not about going to the club, [it's about] never leaving the club." The clip features "these creatures who can't get enough of this amazing party," he continued. "But it's not a club — it's a warehouse and we live here.
"This one was very vivid for me. I wrote a treatment and Rich Lee took my treatment and expanded upon it. I'm through the roof. You'll see a lot: more dancing, a lot more sex appeal," he said. "We're taking it there." "Don't Wanna Go Home" is the lead single from Derülo's upcoming Future History and he said the song was sonically inspired by Robyn's retro hit "Show Me Love." "I wanted to write a song that people could escape their problems, their pain, their turmoil, and by doing a feel-good song, I'm doing just that. You don't have to write a song about saving the world to do just that. We created this new age party-smasher." What do you think of Jason's new single? Tell us in the comments! |
| Michael Sheen Says Aro Is 'More Of A Presence' In 'Breaking Dawn' Posted: 11 May 2011 03:52 AM PDT 'I hope that I've brought a variety of things to it, not just that he's the evil bad guy,' he tells MTV News.
Those who've been keeping up with the intricacies of Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" saga, as well as the movies adapted from her works, know that not all vampires are created equal in her world. The Cullens, for instance, of which Robert Pattinson's Edward is a part, are less violent vegetarians. The Volturi, one of the oldest clans around, are not. In fact, they become increasingly villainous as the stories progress, particularly in "Breaking Dawn." MTV News caught up with actor Michael Sheen as he promoted the ensemble Woody Allen film "Midnight in Paris," and we discussed his return to the meaty role of Volturi leader Aro — specifically his thoughts on taking the villainy up a notch or two in the final two "Breaking Dawn" films.
"Hopefully it's a mixture of things," Sheen said when asked if Aro transitions to full-on bad guy or toes the line between good and bad. "He's much more of a presence than he was in 'New Moon.' He's such a wonderful character, and I hope that I've brought a variety of things to it, not just that he's the evil bad guy. I hope there's a whole mixture of things there." Sheen once described Aro as having dichotomous tendencies. "He's very calming on the surface, very gentle and soft on the surface. But beneath, he is a psychopathic killer," he said. "He's a great character, and I had a great time doing it." Sheen will be joined in "Dawn" by fellow Volturi members Jamie Campbell Bower as Caius, Christopher Heyerdahl as Marcus, Dakota Fanning as Jane, Cameron Bright as Alec, Charlie Bewley as Demetri and Daniel Cudmore as Felix. Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1." For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. Related Photos |
| Justin Bieber, Chris Brown Set To Shoot 'Next 2 You' Video Posted: 09 May 2011 10:26 PM PDT Scooter Braun, Biebs' manager, teases 'crazy' clip from F.A.M.E.
Chris Brown recently took the stage with Justin Bieber during the Biebs' tour stop in Australia, where they performed "Up," and now the two will begin work on a video for Brown's F.A.M.E. track "Next 2 You." Bieber's manager, Scooter Braun, confirmed the video plans on Twitter. "NP- #Next2You w/ @justinbieber and @chrisbrown - video treatment is crazy ... yeah it's coming!!" he wrote. With little known about what these two have in store for fans, MTV News spoke to Brown in March about working with the teen star on the track. "Being able to collab with [Bieber] was great," Brown said. "He's a young, energetic cat, so being able to work with him, with the fanbase he has, was incredible. I know a lot of little girls are going to love this record. "I wouldn't say [he's] my protégé. He's doing his thing at a young age, and I was doing mine at a young age, so being able to see him come up is dope." The midtempo ballad is about the power of love and making the pledge to spend your life with that special someone. The chorus says, "One day when the sky is fallin'/ I'll be standing right next to you, right next to you/ Nothing will ever come between us/ 'Cause I'll be standing right next to you, right next to you." While it's a feel-good track, Brown joked that when recording the song, he missed his chance to hit the studio with Bieber. "I actually stood him up on accident," Brown recalled. "He was kind of mad ... I was all the way on the other side of town handling some business, 'girl business,' and I was rushing back, and by that time, he's like, 'Man, I'm leaving, bro. I did it — just check it out.' And I looked at it and listened to it and I was like, 'Man, this is crazy.' ... He's a great kid." Related Artists |
| 'Hunger Games' Adds Woody Harrelson To Cast Posted: 10 May 2011 05:03 AM PDT Actor set to play District 12 mentor Haymitch Abernathy in highly anticipated film adaptation.
The highly anticipated big-screen adaptation of Suzanne Collins' dystopian best-seller "The Hunger Games" has been loading its cast with a slew of new faces, most recently Wes Bentley as Seneca Crane and two brand new actors as the District 10 tributes. In addition to the casting announcements of high-profile stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark and Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne, Lionsgate has been revealing its Hunger Games tributes via its Facebook page. The big news on Tuesday (May 10) is that Haymitch Abernathy will be played by Woody Harrelson and not John C. Reilly, as had been previously rumored. Director Gary Ross said of the casting decision: "Haymich is such an unforgettable character: funny cranky outrageous, sarcastic, impatient, biting but ultimately kind. I'm so grateful we have Woody Harrelson to play him. I can't wait for us to get to work." Haymitch is the only District 12 survivor of the Hunger Games, thus far, and because that title affords him a certain status and life of leisure, he has let himself go, becoming known more for being drunk and disorderly than a victorious tribute. And because he's the only winner from the impoverished district, Haymich must serve as mentor to each year's new crop of tributes — whether he wants to or not. Veteran actor Harrelson has been working in television and film for more than two decades, having won over audiences with his portrayal of lovable bartender Woody Boyd on "Cheers." He also played Grace's boyfriend Nathan on "Will and Grace" and has appeared in big-screen flicks like "Kingpin," "The People vs. Larry Flynt" (for which he received a Best Actor Oscar nomination), "Zombieland," and "The Messenger" (earning a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nom). He'll next be seen in the Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis romantic comedy, "Friends With Benefits." What do you think of Woody Harrelson playing Haymitch? Tell us in the comments below! For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| 'Bridesmaids' Stars Suggest Ways To Recycle Tacky Bridal Dresses Posted: 10 May 2011 02:25 AM PDT Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph tell MTV News the gowns make good mops, while Judd Apatow and Paul Feig have some kinkier ideas.
By now, you've probably noticed the colorful posters and the hilarious trailer for "Bridesmaids," which features an all-star cast of very funny ladies. Kristen Wiig, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendy McLendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper, as the title suggests, are bridesmaids in their friend's wedding (Maya Rudolph), and the film follows the complicated process (and ensuing hilarity) of being in a friend's bridal party. Since the most memorable aspect of being a bridesmaid is the dress — more often than not worn just that one time — MTV News asked the cast, producer Judd Apatow and director Paul Feig to brainstorm a few good ways to reuse a bridesmaid dress.
"Kindling?" Wiig offered. "[A] mop, definitely, except it's not as absorbent as you [would want]," Rudolph suggested. "It's probably a bit more polyester-based. [Maybe] something that you can put in the sunroof of your car and then close the sunroof and let it fly or flap in the breeze? That would be beautiful." "Or," Wiig continued, "I thought you were going to say you could put it on your windshield to not have the sun come in so your car is nice and cool." "Or maybe reuse for a bloody, bloody ghost costume," Rudolph added. The rest of the ladies agreed with the bridesmaid-dress-as-costume theme. "Each and every one of them I've used as a costume at the Groundlings," McLendon-Covey said of her wardrobe for the improv comedy troupe. "So I got my money's worth. Even my wedding dress I used as a costume." "I wore one bridesmaid's dress as a costume," Kemper revealed. "I have a black bridesmaid's dress that is so multifunctional, forget it, I wear it all the time ... some I can't seem to use again; it's those lime-green ones." "Yeah," McClendon-Covey agreed. "Some of them, the fabric is so chintzy that it changes colors after you sweat in it, it's like, 'Well, my secret's out. I have sweat glands, kids.' " McCarthy added that old bridesmaid dresses make for excellent dress-up clothes for the little ones, "especially if it's a really bad one. If you have kids or know kids, you can cut it up," she suggested. "Kids love tacky dresses." Apatow and Feig took things in a completely different direction. "[Wear it for a] sexy night, sexy night fun," Apatow said. "Role play," the director and producer said at the same time and laughed. "Oh sorry, I'm the caterer. You've come into the wrong room, bridesmaid," Feig said, role-playing a sexy scene. "Weird how that actually worked out in my head that quickly," he added. Check out everything we've got on "Bridesmaids." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos |
| Britney Spears' Next <i>Femme Fatale</i> Single Is 'I Wanna Go' Posted: 09 May 2011 11:55 PM PDT Spears fan site Breathe Heavy announces the latest release.
While there's been lots of speculation about Britney Spears' next single, on Tuesday (May 10), it was announced that Spears would release "I Wanna Go" next from Femme Fatale. The announcement about the track, produced by Max Martin and Shellback ("3," "If U Seek Amy"), came via Spears fan site Breathe Heavy. "BreatheHeavy.com can officially announce Britney's third music video off Femme Fatale is 'I Wanna Go,' " the post reads. "The shoot will take place May 25-26 in Los Angeles." "I Wanna Go" is a funky dance track about going out, letting loose and having a great time, regardless of the consequences. On the song, Spears coos, "Lately I've been stuck imaginin'/ What I wanna do and what I really think, time to blow out/ Be a little inappropriate 'cause I know that everybody's/ Thinkin' it when the lights out/ Shame on me/ To need release/ Un-uncontrollably." A rep for Spears had not responded to MTV News' request for confirmation by press time. This single follows "Hold It Against Me" and "Till the World Ends" (both the album cut and Nicki Minaj and Ke$ha-fied remix), as Spears readies to hit the road this June with Minaj. "I feel like Britney kind of has her own genre: If you look at songs like 'Toxic' and 'Piece of Me' and 'Oops! ... I Did It Again,' they all were sort of influential and led the way," Dr. Luke, who worked with Spears on Femme Fatale, recently told MTV News. "She wanted to keep on with that and do stuff that was forward-thinking [for this album]. So we put some dubstep stuff in there, in bridges; snuck it in different places." Are you happy "I Wanna Go" is the next single? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Lady Gaga To Appear In Cannes, 'FarmVille' Posted: 10 May 2011 01:50 AM PDT Gaga also performs at Robin Hood Foundation benefit Monday night in NYC.
Gaga, it seems, is everywhere these days. She's set to perform during the Cannes Film Festival on the French show "Le Grand Journal" on Wednesday; Kanye West will also perform on the show next week, according to Billboard. Gaga is already in France, writing on Twitter, "In the glass of a Parisienne boudoir getting ready for BornThisWayMadness." The singer is also set to give fans first listens to tracks from Born This Way on "FarmVille" starting next Tuesday, according to The Hollywood Reporter, a week before Gaga's new album drops. Fans who buy $25 Zynga game cards will be treated to Gaga exclusives, and a Gaga-themed farm will be added to the game. On Monday night in New York City, Gaga took the stage at the Robin Hood Foundation benefit in New York. Sarah Jessica Parker, Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber were among the Hollywood heavyweights on hand to watch her perform at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, and she didn't disappoint. "Besides being immensely talented, Lady Gaga is immensely smart and immensely giving," David Saltzman, executive director of the Robin Hood Foundation, told MTV News. "She grew up in New York City aware of the disparity between those who have and those who have not, and she is, thank goodness, devoting her money and time and efforts to people who haven't been fortunate. Everything she sang brought the house down. She's Lady Gaga." Other highlights included an interview between Tom Brokaw and Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; a boisterous Kid Rock performance; a message from first lady Michelle Obama; and Seth Meyers doing what he does best: "being ridiculously funny in the way that only he can be," Saltzman said. Saltzman credits the partnership between the Robin Hood Foundation and Lady Gaga for shedding more light on the organization, which helps out homeless youth in New York. "More than 4,000 people came together to save the lives of people in need," Saltzman said about the event. "We're thrilled that all sorts of people joined forces last night, some of whom happened to be celebrities. They were all blessed by good fortune." So how does one get all those people together in one room? "Lot of begging, a lot of praying," he joked. "It's a big undertaking, and we're thrilled to do it. We raised more than $47 million to help poor New Yorkers ... as a result, thousands and thousands of lives will be saved." Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Red Cafe 'Didn't Go In To Make Radio Songs' On <i>Above The Cloudz</i> Posted: 10 May 2011 02:22 AM PDT 'I'm a backpack rapper; I just come from the streets,' he tells Mixtape Daily.
Don't Sleep: Necessary Notables Mixtape: Above the Cloudz Headliner: Red Café Key Cameo: "Faded" (featuring Rick Ross) Essential Info: Brooklyn rapper Red Café is no stranger to radio. With street hits like "Paper Touchin'," "Da Hottest in Da Hood" and "I'm Ill" (featuring Fabolous), Café has been impacting mix shows in the tri-state area for years. For his latest mixtape, Above the Cloudz, released in March, Red decided to go in a bit of a different direction. "This project, I actually didn't go in to make radio songs; I just went in to make a good body of work," he told Mixtape Daily. "I just wanted you to be able to just throw it in your car and ride through the city on your way to work or after work."
The tape does feature radio-friendly hits like the Rick Ross-assisted "Faded," which has already garnered late-night radio spins. "The 'Faded' record, I did that in Ross' crib," Red revealed. "I flew out to his spot in Atlanta, and we recorded it there. I just wanted to make a get-f---ed-up song, a song about just gettin' wasted." The rest of Cloudz is all about creating a more centered hip-hop vibe. Red secured collaborations with rappers like Curren$y and Talib Kweli, and while the features may come off as foreign to his current fanbase, Café insists that it's all natural. "That's where I come from, man. I'm a backpack rapper; I just come from the streets. So I do street music that's aggressive, and I never gave that music to the people — a sound like Curren$y or Talib — but that's where I came from," he said. "The transition is easy to work with guys like that, because they make great music, and I'm a fan as well." While Red is adept at giving fans great mixtape and street material, it's his debut that fans are most anticipating. The rapper confirms that he is signed to both Bad Boy and Akon's Konvict Music and will release the yet-untitled album through Interscope this year, but beyond that, he didn't offer much detail. The next single he will be working is "We Get It On," another club record from Cloudz that features Omarion. And even though Red Café said the dance floor wasn't his inspiration for the tape, he does give himself an out: "Even though this project wasn't really based and focused on that, I always have to sneak one or two in there because I like to party." For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Cannes Top Five Most Anticipated Movies: From 'Pirates' To 'Paris' Posted: 10 May 2011 01:33 AM PDT Woody Allen's 'Midnight in Paris' and 'Tree of Life,' starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, among the films getting advance buzz.
The MTV Movies team has landed in the South of France, where the water sparkles beneath the Mediterranean sun, the temperature is expected to hit the high-70s by midweek and some of the biggest movie stars in the world are jetting into town. It's the 64th Cannes Film Festival, and the action is set to kick off on Wednesday, when we'll be forced to put aside the crêpes and the red wine and turn our attention to motion picture matters. With Hollywood blockbusters opening next to indie movies from legendary auteurs, the festival has got it all this year. Though it's hard to choose, here are our picks for the five most anticipated films heading into Cannes this year.
5. "Midnight in Paris" 4. "Melancholia" 3. "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" 2. "The Skin I Live In" 1. "The Tree of Life" For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Charges Dropped In Waka Flocka Flame Shooting Incident Posted: 09 May 2011 11:24 PM PDT Witnesses couldn't identify the suspects.
Prosecutors in Charlotte, North Carolina, dismissed charges Monday against the six men who were arrested in connection with a brazen daytime shooting incident involving Waka Flocka Flame. The February 16 shooting outside a car stereo store where Flocka was getting some work done on his tour bus took place while the rapper was getting his picture taken with some fans. While a spokesperson for the MC said in the aftermath of the incident — in which one man was injured — that it was related to an attempt by several men to steal jewelry from Waka (born Juaquin Malphurs) and his crew, the Charlotte Observer reported that prosecutors couldn't mount a strong case because they had little evidence to go on and none of the witnesses identified who was responsible for the shooting. There was also reportedly no evidence of an attempted robbery. "We didn't have enough evidence to prosecute any of them," District Attorney Andrew Murray said. "The defendants are still in custody. That's why we need to dismiss the charges now. I'm not thrilled about having to dismiss these charges. Some of these guys have felony records." Though there was no evidence from eyewitnesses, and no ability to place the men at the scene, the defendants themselves spoke to police and said they did not go there to rob anyone, but to "chill" and "holler at" the rapper and that if anyone did fire a gun, it was in response to shots from someone in Waka's entourage. Murray's office was forced to drop the charges of attempted armed robbery, conspiracy and discharging a weapon into occupied property against the six men, whom police believe were involved in the shootout in the parking lot of Car Stereo Warehouse. Waka's brother was identified as the intended victim of the alleged offense, but there was no evidence of a demand for property or display of a firearm, until the unnamed brother himself felt threatened and pulled a gun. "Thinking that something was going to happen is no evidence that these crimes occurred," prosecutors said. An attorney for one of the defendants, Antonio Stukes, said his client was not trying to rob Waka, but was an innocent bystander who had gone there to talk about a potential record deal. Last week, a grand jury cleared Waka of drug charges related to a 2010 raid on his Atlanta home. In April, he stopped by "RapFix Live" and discussed his various legal entanglements and non-music issues and said he was trying to rise above it all. "A lot of situations I probably put myself into. So you just learn from your mistakes ... I don't think we're being targeted. I think God do a lot of stuff to let you know. ... It always stop you in your tracks," he said. "That's just situations God put you through so you be a stronger man, 'cause it didn't kill us, it just made us stronger. It's just to let you know like, 'Boy, you doing good, why would you go over here?' " Related Videos Related Artists |
| Christina Perri Strives To Be <i>Lovestrong</i> On Debut Album Posted: 10 May 2011 08:09 AM PDT 'Lovestrong is something that I'm unbelievably proud of putting out into the world,' 'Jar of Hearts' singer says of album, which drops Tuesday (May 10).
"I've wanted to be a musician my whole life," Christina Perri, whose debut album Lovestrong is out Tuesday (May 10), told us during her recent stop in New York City as the opening act for English singer/songwriter James Blunt's tour. "I sang for people in churches, I sang for people at my parents' barber shop — whether they wanted to hear me or not — and I really haven't stopped since then."
Despite her astounding vocal and instrumental talents (she plays piano and guitar), the 24-year-old rising star may not have been sharing a stage with James Blunt this spring if it hadn't been for her song "Jar of Hearts" becoming an overnight sensation. "My song aired June 30, 2010, on 'So You Think You Can Dance,' and from that moment, my whole life changed," Christina recounted. "I was a waitress before, and the 10 years before that, and then the next day I wasn't a waitress anymore. I flew to New York City, I met every record label [and] I signed with Atlantic." Having made her round of televised appearances, including "Conan," as well as countless radio show visits all across the country, her tour with James Blunt marks her first official road outing. "I'm so honored that he picked me and we instantly clicked," Christina smiled. "He made me feel really comfortable. He'd come over and be like, 'Are you guys okay? Do you have a tech? Do you have everything you need?' " As it turns out, many James Blunt fans already happened to be Christina fans as well. Christina recalled the amazing moment when she realized how well she had been matched with Blunt during her first performance on the tour. "The reaction that they gave me, and singing the words to my songs — I didn't know how perfect of a fit it was until I actually walked onstage." Naturally, fans expect a lot from the quickly rising star. Perri explained how that pressure taught her how to put on a full 45-minute show. "I've had to wrap my head around a show, like I have a beginning, a middle and an end, and I've thought about how I want to take the audience and what kind of journey I want to have." The next step of Christina's journey begins Tuesday with the release of her debut album Lovestrong. "Lovestrong is something that I'm unbelievably proud of putting out into the world," Christina remarked. "I thought very long and hard about which songs I wanted to put on there. I mean, I wrote every song on the album. All the songs are about love because that is what inspires me, and all the songs have this element of strength." Fans can get excited for her first headlining tour this summer. "I'm going to go around the country to the littlest places and get super-intimate with people," she said with a slight smile, suggesting the rapid success is still new and settling in for her. "Lovestrong, to me, the word is what I strive to be and it's what I hope to be and it's what I hope for all the listeners to be too." Related Videos Related Artists |
| 'Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides': The Making Of Our Lego Trailer Posted: 10 May 2011 09:36 AM PDT Go behind the scenes of our latest stop-motion endeavor.
A long strange trip began a few months back, around the time the first trailer for "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" premiered. My office-mate, and former stop-motion collaborator, Brian Jacks, suggested that this would be the perfect opportunity to bust out our Lego bricks and camera gear one more time. After we'd done the "Prince of Persia" Lego trailer last year, I knew how much work goes into a project like this, and I was hesitant. But after a week of pressure from Mr. Jacks, and the enticing prospect of having a giant Lego pirate ship in our office, I relented.
So here's what goes into making a faithful Lego stop-motion re-creation of a trailer: Step 1: First, you need your actors and locations. Brian set to work obtaining all the Lego sets we would need. And although the "Stranger Tides" trailer is short, we would have to recreate everything from tropical forests to giant pirate ships, from Victorian London to underwater lagoons. And although many of the scenes take place in similar looking locations, there were over 80 unique shots that made up the trailer. At this point, it helped to have a small army of amazing interns and our Lego-enthusiast equipment manager Brian Phares, who were willing to devote their time to painstakingly re-create the scenes. Step 2: Next comes the technical side. When you shoot stop-motion, your final product is a video, but you build it frame-by-frame by taking photographs. Traditionally, film is 24 frames per second, so if you want to stay accurate, you need to shoot 24 photos for every second of the trailer. In this case, the trailer we were working with was about 75 seconds of footage, which comes out to 1,800 individual photos. I used my Canon EOS 7D with two different lenses (a 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 for wider shots, and a 50mm f/1.4 with an extension tube for extreme close-ups). We also used a Kessler Pocket Dolly as a track and a Giga T Pro Wireless Remote, so that we could make small adjustments to framing without moving the camera too much. Step 3: Start shooting! Over 80 scenes, 1,800 individual photos, and more Lego pieces than we could keep track of. It all comes down to a steady hand and a fair amount of patience. I didn't keep track of exactly how long it took to put together and shoot this Lego recreation, but rest assured, it involved many late nights and a lot of frustration. It was a lot of work, but it was all worth it. And we'd be remiss if we didn't thank our super interns, Brian Phares and editor Sujit Agrawal for the support. We hope you enjoy this re-creation of the "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" trailer, and please let us know if there are any other Lego reenactments you'd like to see done in the future! Check out everything we've got on "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Killer Mike Says <i>PL3DGE</i> Is A Pledge To Himself Posted: 09 May 2011 10:58 PM PDT 'I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind 2 was about the fan,' Mike tells MTV News of contrast with his May 17 release.
To the casual listener, Killer Mike's upcoming album, PL3DGE, might seem like just the third installment in the Atlanta rapper's I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind series. Mike, however, told MTV News that the LP is a pledge to himself.
"I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind 1 was a double CD, and it was for the crew. It was for the crew to get morale because we had just left a pretty comfy situation," Mike said of his 2006 album. "It was to get them all riled up to say, 'We're a band of pirates, we can go take on the world, we can do it.' " In 2007, Killer dropped the second volume in the Pledge series, which focused more on his fans. "I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind 2 was about the fan," he said. " 'Supporters' is what we call 'em; laymens call 'em 'fans.' " For PL3DGE, Mike switched it up. "The album is decidedly happier and groovier, not as menacing and beating up. It was not about the supporters, it was about me and my influences," he explained. "It was about my mother and grandmother wanting to see me on TV and hear me on the radio before they die. "It was about those things and because of that I decided to shorten the name from I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind to just PL3DGE. Because the first pledge you make is always going to be to yourself, to better yourself." PL3DGE is set to be released on May 17 on Grind Time/ Grand Hustle/ SMC and is being anchored by the single "Ready, Set, Go" featuring T.I. Related Artists |
| Lonely Island Plan To 'Crush' 'Glee' Star In Album Face-Off Posted: 09 May 2011 10:14 PM PDT Turtleneck & Chain and Matthew Morrison's self-titled album both dropped today.
TV worlds collide this week in the ultra-competitive universe of album sales, as Andy Samberg and his pals from "Saturday Night Live" take on Matthew Morrison of "Glee." Morrison's self-titled debut, in which he duets with the likes of Elton John and Gwyneth Paltrow, dropped on Tuesday (May 10), the same day Samberg and his Lonely Island comedy troupe released Turtleneck & Chain, which includes tracks with Nicki Minaj, Snoop Dogg, Michael Bolton and more.
So will "Glee" or "SNL" come out on top by the end of the week? That's what we asked Lonely Island, and their response was hilariously overconfident. "We're gonna [expletive] that dude!" declared Samberg, a statement that had Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone wondering if Samberg was actually allowed to say something like that. "You can't say that? All right, well I hope we both do well then," Samberg added. The two albums, of course, couldn't be more different. Turtleneck & Chain is an over-the-top comedy rap album (the trio's second), with catchy tunes about the moments after having sex, being shy and having small penises. Meanwhile, Morrison's music led one of his "Glee" co-stars to compare the album to something you might hear from Justin Timberlake. So friendly competition aside, Samberg confessed he not only hopes Morrison's album sells well but that he also gives "Glee" the thumbs-up. "I'll say this on the record: I'm a fan," he said. "Off the record, we're gonna crush him," Schaffer cracked. "On the record, pretty great show, probably a great album. I wish him the best of luck. Off the record, I hope he burns." Are you a Lonely Island or Matthew Morrison fan? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists |
| Death Cab For Cutie Premiere New 'Home Is A Fire' Clip Posted: 10 May 2011 09:05 AM PDT The video, set in Los Angeles and co-directed by artist Shepard Fairey, tackles alienation, both at home and away.
Death Cab for Cutie's "You Are a Tourist" video was very much a temporary thing ... in theory, it existed only once, shot and broadcast live, in one continuous take, to the Internet, where it now lives in a state of eternal repetition. So, you can sort of understand why, when it came time to shoot the second clip off their upcoming Codes and Keys album, they were looking for something a bit more permanent. Which is why they turned to artist Shepard Fairey for help. With his large-scale, very-public murals (chances are, you've seen his "Obey" work adorning the wall of a metropolis near you), a sort of forced permanence seems to be part of his master plan. And on Monday, Death Cab unveiled the result of their collaboration with Fairey, a video for "Home Is a Fire." Directed by the artist and DCFC bassist Nick Harmer, it takes the viewer on a visual trip through (and, ultimately, above) the grittier sections of Los Angeles, from the cracks in the pavement to the hills of Hollywood. But the clip is not just a wayward tour. We quickly see that the lyrics to the song have been stenciled and pasted all across the city — courtesy of Fairey — a sly way for the band to add their lasting touch to the landscape. And in a sense, those lyrics take on a whole new meaning when paired with Los Angeles itself, especially lines like "Cars on the freeway/ tempting a clean break/ There's nowhere left to go" and "Plates they will shift/ Houses will shake/ Fences will drift," which seem to speak to the city's eternal traffic (and its residents' yearning to escape it) and, of course, the constant fear of tectonic catastrophe. But you don't have to live in L.A. to get the message. At its heart, "Home Is a Fire" speaks to weighty concepts we all struggle with: the promise of home, the confinement of open spaces, the alienation we feel in even the most familiar of locations. As Harmer put it in a lengthy statement on Death Cab's official site: "There are many narratives here or there are none, it either makes sense or it doesn't. But regardless of whether or not this 'means' anything to you, I hope there is a mood and atmosphere in the music and images that makes you think about your familiar spaces and how you define them." And really, whether we're at home or on the road, that struggle to define ourselves and our spaces is one that's been with us for a long time, and it's only growing as we pull further and further away from our centers, be they our physical homes or the comfort of genuine social interaction. It's a constant battle; nearly permanent, for lack of a better word. Related Artists |
| Just Blaze, Saigon To Give 'RapFix Live' Interview Posted: 09 May 2011 10:00 PM PDT The Yardfather and the Jay-Z producer will join Sway on the 'RapFix' couch on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com.
Last week's "RapFix Live" was filled with fireworks and controversy after visits from Lil B, Pharoahe Monch and Consequence, and this week looks to be just as exciting as rapper Saigon and producer Just Blaze are set to drop by the "RapFix" studio on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.
Locked up as a youth, Sai got his rapping start in the NYC mixtape scene in the early 2000s. After a memorable street run, Saigon compiled the best of his mixtape material on the independent retail release Warning Shots in 2004. The MC would later hook up with hip-hop super-producer Just Blaze, sign to Atlantic Records and see his official debut LP, The Greatest Story Never Told, become one of rap's most anticipated releases. Aside from the music, Sai made a few headlines as well. He landed a recurring role in HBO's hit series "Entourage" and beefed with Mobb Deep's Prodigy. Unfortunately, TGSNT saw years of delay. After a ton of label drama, Saigon was eventually released from Atlantic. Undeterred, the Yardfather would march on, and in February he finally put out The Greatest Story Never Told independently on Suburban Noize. According to Saigon, the album remained pretty much intact and fans now have the work that he intended to release on Atlantic. The Greatest Story Never Told features production from Just Blaze, Buckwild and Kanye West, and collaborations with Jay-Z, Faith Evans and Bun B. Despite the delay, TGSNT has been met with a positive critical response and respectable indie sales. Producer Just Blaze rose to fame as one of the in-house boardsmen for the now-defunct Roc-a-Fella Records. In addition to producing for Jay-Z and the rest of the Roc roster, Just has lent his platinum touch to tracks by T.I., Maino and Eminem. Just also served as the executive producer of Sai's The Greatest Story Never Told. Visit MTV.com on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET to watch Saigon on "RapFix Live"! |
| Chris Hemsworth Offered Huntsman Role In Kristen Stewart's 'Snow White' Posted: 10 May 2011 07:10 AM PDT The 'Thor' actor reportedly is the frontrunner for the male lead in 'Snow White and the Huntsman.'
Chris Hemsworth is quite the "It" boy these days. The "Thor" star has officially been offered the role of the huntsman in "Snow White and the Huntsman," co-starring Kristen Stewart as the female lead, EW.com reports. The huntsman role had once been attached to both Viggo Mortensen and Hugh Jackman, but it seems that after the $66 million opening week "Thor" enjoyed, Hemsworth has landed as a frontrunner. Reports that Hemsworth was being eyed for the part surfaced earlier this month. Now the Australian actor signing on for the project seems to be hinged on whether or not shooting for "The Avengers" will get in the way. Based on the legendary fairy tale, "Snow White and the Hunstman" follows the titular princess after the evil queen Ravenna calls for her death, centering on the huntsman who disobeys orders and allows the fair maiden to live. The updated story will break from convention by having the huntsman mentor and train Snow White to fight off Ravenna herself. Directed by Rupert Sanders, "Snow White and the Huntsman" is scheduled for release on December 21, 2012. While Hemsworth's participation hasn't been inked just yet, Stewart has found her Prince Charming in British actor Sam Claflin, who will soon be seen in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." "I'm very excited," he recently told MTV News. "I'm a big fan of her work. I'm truly sort of flabbergasted — that's a good word, I love that. "I'm just looking forward to getting my teeth into something new as well," Claflin continued. "I've never had so much fun [as I did] doing ['Pirates'] ... Being able to get my teeth into something new is something I'm really looking forward to." Do you think Hemsworth is a good choice for the male lead in "Snow White and the Huntsman"? Share your opinions in the comments. Check out everything we've got on "Snow White and the Huntsman." For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. Related Videos |
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