MTV News |
- Evanescence's 'Lost In Paradise': Hear A Preview Now!
- 'Harry Potter' Finale Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know
- Chris Evans Says Iron Man Would Beat Captain America In A Fight
- Jay-Z, Kanye Get To Work In <i>Watch The Throne</i> Studio Pics
- Lil Wayne Says He'd Retire To Be A Better Dad
- Chris Evans Reveals He Said 'No Thanks' To 'Captain America'
- 'Harry Potter' Stars Offer Advice To Younger Selves
- 'Captain America' Clip: Chris Evans Is Skinny But Heroic
- 'Boyz N The Hood' Stars Hailed 'Classic Movie' Back In 1991
- 50 Cent Calls Kelly Rowland 'The Most Underrated Female'
- 'Harry Potter' Star Matthew Lewis Recalls Embarrassing Fan Run-In
- Evanescence Fans Share Their Enthusiasm For New Songs
- Demi Lovato's 'Skyscraper' Video Premieres
- SL Jones Carves Out His Own Identity, Aside From Killer Mike
- 50 Cent Is A 'Marketing Genius,' Shawty Lo Says
- 'Harry Potter' Stars Felt 'Weird' During Epilogue Scene
- 'Spider-Man' Star Andrew Garfield Covers <i>Entertainment Weekly</i>
- Lady Gaga's YouTube Account Suspended
| Evanescence's 'Lost In Paradise': Hear A Preview Now! Posted: 15 Jul 2011 03:53 AM PDT In our third and final sneak peek, Evanescence get unapologetically epic.
The first time MTV News spoke to Amy Lee about Evanescence's upcoming album, she made a point of explaining exactly why the disc would be self-titled. Namely, because "it's about the band.
"It's more of a band record," she continued. "But I started thinking about it, and it's also that this whole record and the lyrical content and a lot of the things that it's about to me is about falling back in love with this thing, with Evanescence, with what I've obsessed over for a decade, longer than that." And throughout the week, as we've unveiled sneak peeks at the songs on the album — roaring first single "What You Want" and the equally voluminous "The Other Side" — she continued to mention that the new tunes were very much full band creations: the result of endless back-and-forth between her and her mates. But our third and final sneak peek is a little different. Because though "Lost in Paradise" features plenty of contributions from the other members of Evanescence, it is very much Amy Lee's song. And the emotional attachment she feels to it is readily apparent. "That's the one that made us cry ... like, literally, just in here, working on it, there have been tears. I love that song," she told MTV News. "When I was writing it, it wasn't anything; it was just pure, it was just for me. I was literally just writing it for me, to soothe my own feelings by expressing them. And I just thought, 'Piano, vocals, I can record it by myself at my house, and that'll be the track. ... It'll be a B-side somewhere or something.' "[But] then ... as we were working on other songs — focusing more on rock songs — I kept listening to it for fun, because it was mine, and I sent it to [producer] Nick [Raskulinecz] and I was like, 'I want you to listen to this. ... The more I listen to it, the more I think it means something,' " she continued. "And he, instantly, was like, 'We have to do that song.' And it was his idea to bring the band into it, and at first, I was totally like, 'I don't get that.' But once we did, it just blew the thing wide open, in a way I had never thought about before. It's perfect; it's meant to be the way it is." Starting with little more than a somber piano and Lee's aching vocals, "Paradise" slowly builds, layering on stirring strings, booming timpani and, at the climax, some thunderous guitar chords. It is unapologetically epic and uncompromisingly raw, a song that manages to seem both all-encompassing and intimate, often at the same time. And because of that, it brings to mind rather unexpected comparisons to Björk's equally astronomic 1997 single "Jóga." And, no, Lee doesn't mind that one bit. "That's a big inspirational song for me. That's a song through my life that I've listened to a whole bunch," she explained. "And to me, Björk, what makes her style are the strings, the orchestral elements, and that passion that it creates. ... It makes your heart pour out. That totally inspired me, and that song inspired me." Related Videos |
| 'Harry Potter' Finale Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know Posted: 15 Jul 2011 03:53 AM PDT Before saying goodbye to the series, check out our handy guide.
It all ends Friday (July 15), as "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2" marks the last time a "Harry Potter" movie will premiere in theaters. Almost a decade ago, MTV News was writing about how "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" had beaten Eminem's "8 Mile" at the box office and about the exciting news that Gary Oldman, known as Count Dracula at the time, had joined the cast of "Prisoner of Azkaban."
Our news coverage of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" began three years ago with the announcement that the big-screen adaptation of the final "Potter" novel would be split into two movies, and it's strange to think that after all that time the film series has finally come to an end. To honor all the time we've spent covering "Deathly Hallows, Part 2," we're taking a trip into the MTV News archives to cover the entire history of the flick for our latest MTV News cheat sheet. Filming the Final Parts The Decision to Shoot 3-D Getting the Epilogue Right The Trailers Arrive Saying Goodbye to "Potter" 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 |
| Chris Evans Says Iron Man Would Beat Captain America In A Fight Posted: 15 Jul 2011 03:53 AM PDT 'Captain America' star opened up in rapid-fire Twitter session with MTV News' Josh Horowitz.
Though the world's attention is focused on Chris Evans in anticipation of his turns as Captain America in "Captain America: The First Avenger" and "The Avengers," at heart Evans is just an average Joe who likes singing show tunes in the shower.
MTV News' Josh Horowitz set out to find the softer side of America's superhero during a rapid-fire Twitter session with him on "MTV First: Captain America." Evans revealed that he prefers his eggs scrambled, has a celebrity crush on Salma Hayek and still gets starstruck around Michael Jordan. But fans who submitted their Twitter questions wanted to know the real Chris Evans, the man that they would bring home to meet their parents. When asked whether he's a good date, Evans admitted that he has some pretty good moves for the ladies. "Oh yeah, I'm a great date," he said with confidence. "Chivalry was a big thing in my household. If you didn't hold the door for a woman, my mother's going to knock your head in." Considering his superhero background, questions quickly became comic book-based. Apparently Evans' favorite masked hero growing up was neither Captain America nor Johnny Blaze, both of whom he's played on the big screen, but Spider-Man. At least he kept the answer within the Marvel family. Evans again voted against his onscreen alter ego when asked whether Iron Man or Captain America would win in a fight. "Unfortunately, probably Iron Man," he confessed. "I've got to be honest. I'm being real." Hopefully fans will get a chance to see that showdown once "The Avengers" hits the big screen. The most important question of the bunch, though, ended up being the one with the most surprising answer. One Twitter follower asked Evans what song he likes to sing in the shower, but Evans was too embarrassed to give a direct answer. "I grew up doing theater, so unfortunately it's probably going to be in the world of show tunes," Evans said with a laugh. When Horowitz prompted him to give up just one song he loves, the "Captain America" star refused. "It's bad. I can't even go any more than that," he said, but then let slip that he's a sucker for "Rent." Well, today for you, tomorrow for us, Chris! Check out everything we've got on "Captain America: The First Avenger." For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com. Related Videos |
| Jay-Z, Kanye Get To Work In <i>Watch The Throne</i> Studio Pics Posted: 14 Jul 2011 07:38 AM PDT Beyoncé and Pharrell Williams also appear in photos from the recording sessions.
Having one of the year's most anticipated albums means fans will eat up any morsel of new info they can get their hands on about its release. Via his Life + Times website, instead of an audio sneak peek, Jay-Z has revealed a visual look into the creation of Watch the Throne in the form of more than 20 photos taken during the recording of his collaborative album with Kanye West. In the pictures, besides Yeezy and Hova, a number of celebrities are seen milling about as the two hip-hop stars were going about creating their album. Some of the familiar faces include rapper/producer Pharrell Williams and Jay-Z's wife, Beyoncé. In one particular photo, Kanye is seen looking down at a yellow pad that appears to have a track list for the album. Earlier this week, the official Watch the Throne track list was also revealed on Jigga's site. Watch the Throne was recorded across a few continents, including Europe and Australia. At least some of the photos were taken in New York City's Mercer Hotel, where parts of the album were recorded and where Jay-Z held an exclusive listening session of the album last week for select media, including MTV News. During the same session, Jay also confirmed that part of the album was recorded at NYC's Tribeca Grand Hotel. At the listening event, Jay-Z spoke about being in awe of the people who gathered around the room he was sitting in, much like the assembled journalists, while he and Kanye were creating songs. Some of the notables he remembered stopping by off the top of his head included Academy Award winner Russell Crowe, Givenchy creative director Riccardo Tisci, who designed the album-cover artwork, and heralded fashion designer Phoebe Philo. Although the release date is still unconfirmed, Watch the Throne appears to be set to drop August 2. What do you think of the studio pictures? Let us know in the comments! Related Photos Related Artists |
| Lil Wayne Says He'd Retire To Be A Better Dad Posted: 14 Jul 2011 04:25 AM PDT 'I'm not gonna Brett Favre y'all,' Lil Wayne tells MTV News about his retirement from rap.
Too $hort tried calling it quits but is now working on his 19th album. Jay-Z's 2003 retirement lasted about three years before he returned to rap in 2006. And now Lil Wayne is talking about hanging up the mic. Will he actually do it?
During a radio interview with Hot 97's Angie Martinez in March, the 28-year-old said he's walking away at 35. Then Weezy switched up, telling XXL that he would be "gone by 31." Now, Lil Tunechi, who dropped his Sorry 4 the Wait mixtape on Wednesday, tells MTV News that he isn't sure when exactly he will walk away from rap. "I'm not sure; I'm not gonna Brett Favre y'all," Wayne said referring to the former Green Bay Packers quarterback who finally handed the NFL his walking papers in January after years of talking about it. "I'm not gonna draw it all the way out the whole year: 'We wondering, is Wayne gonna do this?' But the honest answer is I don't know." Wayne — who has already recorded eight solo albums, sold more than 10 million records and won four Grammy Awards — said he wants to focus less on making hits and more on his kids. His oldest daughter, Reginae, is a budding performer herself at age 12, and Weezy wants his little girl to eventually stunt like her daddy. "I'm so settled in my life right now," he told us. "I have my kids; they're wonderful. My daughter has her career ahead of her now. I have to focus on that, and I have to put the same focus that I put in my career. ... I want to become a better father, I want to become a better man to my woman, and those things take time. and time takes away from this. So the honest answer to that [retirement] question is, I don't know. Maybe so." Weezy's ninth solo album, Tha Carter IV is one of the year's most-anticipated LPs and is set to be released on August 29. Will it be his last? Fans have to wait and see. Do you think Lil Wayne should call it quits? Tell us in the comments. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Chris Evans Reveals He Said 'No Thanks' To 'Captain America' Posted: 14 Jul 2011 06:26 AM PDT Actor was pursued for role, he tells Josh Horowitz on 'MTV First: Captain America.'
Captain America was the role that seemingly every actor in Hollywood but Chris Evans wanted to play.
The actor opens up to MTV's Josh Horowitz Thursday night (July 14) during "MTV First: Captain America," saying that the decision to join up as a Marvel Avenger was not an easy one. Still, director Joe Johnston and producer Kevin Feige were persistent, and knew they wanted Evans so badly that they never even made him audition for the role. "I got a call and they said they want me to audition, and I said, 'Great!' And then I thought about it and I said, 'No thanks.' And then they called back and they said, 'Well, they want you to test,' and testing is basically they'll draw up a contract, and if you're testing then you're only testing with a couple other guys and the odds of walking away with it drastically increase. And again I just said, 'I think I'm good. This isn't really what I'm looking for,' " Evans explained. But even after he turned the contract down twice, it was clear that the studio still wanted him. Marvel was willing to negotiate with Evans and bring the intended nine-picture deal down to only six, and after meeting with Johnston and Feige, Evans said he was willing to give the character a shot. "It just seemed like the more I walked away the more they pursued," he admitted. This is not the first time Evans has told MTV News that he felt uncomfortable taking on the commitment and fame that would come with "Captain America: The First Avenger." During MTV News' live stream at San Diego Comic-Con last year, Evans said that taking the role "wasn't an easy yes." "[Playing] Captain America just changes things, and there's really no off switch once you walk down that road," Evans said. "There's no turning back now. I'm just trying to make all the negatives positives and just enjoy the ride." Check out everything we've got on "Captain America: The First Avenger." For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com. Related Videos |
| 'Harry Potter' Stars Offer Advice To Younger Selves Posted: 14 Jul 2011 05:27 AM PDT 'Just enjoy every day of it,' Rupert Grint tells his 12-year-old self.
After eight films, 10 years, millions of fans won over and billions of dollars made, we could talk about the "Harry Potter" films and their famous castmembers forever. Their incredible evolution from kids to young adults, the number of esteemed adult British actors who made appearances in the films over the years, the undying love from a dedicated and loyal fanbase and so on.
When MTV News sat down with Rupert Grint and Tom Felton recently, we asked them if, when looking back at the incredible journey they've been on for so long, they have any advice they would offer their young selves when they first joined the cast in 2000. "I should have a witty answer prepared, but I don't," Felton admitted. "I guess I'd just say, 'Enjoy it and try to take in as much as you can.' There's nothing I'd change, to be honest with you. "I've had a good time over the years," Felton added. "I wouldn't change a day of it. [I'd] just take a bit more in. When you're 12 or 13, you don't care about anything. You just want to go home and play PlayStation, so there are definitely some memories I wished I'd taken in." Grint echoed Felton's sentiments: "Yeah, [I'd tell myself to] enjoy it," he said. "I would never imagine 10 years from then we would be talking about the eighth film. I didn't even see past two, really. It's just been this gradual thing. Yeah, just enjoy every day of it." Check out everything we've got on "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| 'Captain America' Clip: Chris Evans Is Skinny But Heroic Posted: 14 Jul 2011 04:59 AM PDT Evans himself presents exclusive sneak peek on MTV and MTV.com.
On Thursday (July 14), Captain America himself, Chris Evans, presented an exclusive new clip from his highly anticipated caped crusade "Captain America: The First Avenger" on MTV and MTV.com. The clip opens with fan-favorite actors Tommy Lee Jones and Stanley Tucci, in the roles of Colonel Chester Phillips and Dr. Abraham Erskine, walking through an Army base, watching a group of recruits in their basic-training exercises. Phillips is talking to Erskine about their new unimpressive recruit Steve Rogers (a skinny Evans, pre-super serum and superhero status), who looks to be having trouble with his jumping jacks. "When you brought a 90-pound asthmatic onto my Army base, I let it slide. I thought, 'What the hell? Maybe he'd be useful to you like a gerbil,' " Phillips says to Erskine about Rogers, before stopping to watch him. "Look at that — he's making me cry." Phillips points out another stronger recruit jumping alongside Evans, who boasts impressive scores in every military test they've given him. Erskine calls him a bully, but Phillips doesn't care. "You don't win wars with niceness, Doctor; you win wars with guts," he says before tossing a grenade into the group to see how they react. All the recruits scramble away to safety, except for Rogers, who jumps on the grenade himself to protect everyone else. The grenade turns out to be a dummy. "Is this a test?" Rogers asks his senior officers, after showcasing an early glimpse of the hero he is to become. "He's still skinny," Phillips says, seemingly unimpressed, to a smiling Erskine. Check out everything we've got on "Captain America: The First Avenger." For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| 'Boyz N The Hood' Stars Hailed 'Classic Movie' Back In 1991 Posted: 14 Jul 2011 04:45 AM PDT MTV News looks back on our interview with the all-star cast and director as the South Central L.A. tale was hitting theaters 20 years ago.
In a 1991 interview with MTV News to promote the just-released "Boyz N the Hood," Laurence Fishburne seemed to know what kind of impact the coming-of-age story would have. "John Singleton has made a classic movie," the actor said. Twenty years later, fans are still singing its praises.
This past Tuesday, "Boyz N the Hood" celebrated its 20-year anniversary, and on July 19, the film will be re-released in Blu-ray format. The film, starring Ice Cube, Cuba Gooding Jr., Morris Chestnut and Laurence Fishburne, is set in South Central, Los Angeles, a California neighborhood notorious for gang violence. At the center of the film is Tre Styles (Gooding Jr.), who tries to balance his father's (Fishburne) life lessons with the harsh realities of the 'hood in which he lived. Then there are half-brothers Doughboy (Cube) and Ricky Baker (Chestnut), two characters who couldn't be more different. Doughboy, a stone-cold gangster, has street respect but very few prospects. His brother Ricky, however, is a young father and a star high school football player fielding sports scholarships from multiple colleges. In the end, Ricky's bright future is brought to a dark close when he's gunned down in an alleyway. "Well, this is the film that I initially went to film school to make," director Singleton explained to MTV News in the same 1991 interview, days after the film hit theaters. "I had never seen films that reflected where I was coming from growing up in L.A." "There are so many messages in the film, but if they go and take one message away, it's to keep the love in the family. As long as the love is circulating around, it'll be OK," Gooding Jr. said. "It's a new kind of perspective," Fishburne added. Even Cube, who made his Hollywood debut in "Boyz N the Hood," knew back then that the movie would be impactful. "I think we got a real good film. Just to show black people on the screen being people and not just images, as far as not a sports player or a hat and a gun," he said. "You fall in love with these characters, and it's real deep when something happens to them." And that's why 20 years later, we're still watching. Share your favorite "Boyz N the Hood" scenes in the comments below! |
| 50 Cent Calls Kelly Rowland 'The Most Underrated Female' Posted: 14 Jul 2011 12:59 AM PDT 'There wasn't no dance moves Beyoncé was doin' that Kelly wasn't doin',' 50 tells MTV News of Destiny's Child songstress.
50 Cent loves music, but like everyone, he has tailored tastes. While on the set of Tony Yayo's video for "Haters" in Atlanta last week, 50 ran through some of his favorite songs of the moment with MTV News. In addition to Big Sean's "My Last" and Frank Ocean's "Novacane," Fif is waving the flag for former Destiny's Child member Kelly Rowland, counting her hit record "Motivation" as one of his faves.
"I'm so happy Kelly got that hit record. She's due; she's so due. She's the most underrated female soloist in the game, and it's finally time for her," 50 told MTV News. The G-Unit General pointed to Rowland's international appeal. "Commander" with David Guetta was a huge hit in the U.K. but not necessarily in the United States. It was her buzz overseas that made Fif cast Kelly as his co-star in the lead video from his 2009 album Before I Self Destruct. "That's why when it came time to do 'Baby by Me,' I wanted her to be in the video, because she was smoking hot everywhere else my record had to be hot at," he said. "They thought I was doin' her a favor because here in the U.S., they wasn't hip." Still, throughout most of her career, Kelly Rowland has played second fiddle to her Destiny's Child partner and group lead Beyoncé, a notion Fif doesn't agree with. "There wasn't no dance moves Beyoncé was doin' that Kelly wasn't doin'. It's just the right song. You got the song, now you can forget about it. It's going. They all did the same moves." It's not just Kelly's talent Fif has his eye on; he also compared Kelly's and B's respective looks. "It's your preference. If you look and say one is prettier than the other, I beg to differ — it's just what you think is pretty. "I think it's just time for her. This year is her year." Now that's motivation! What do you think of Kelly Rowland's new music? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| 'Harry Potter' Star Matthew Lewis Recalls Embarrassing Fan Run-In Posted: 14 Jul 2011 04:11 AM PDT Actor who plays Neville Longbottom describes being caught in 'horrible expression of narcissism.'
There is almost an endless list of reasons why the stars of the "Harry Potter" movies are beloved. Having watched them grow up onscreen, portraying our favorite J.K. Rowling-created characters, we here at MTV News, as well as the millions of Potter fans around the world, feel a special connection to the cast that you don't often experience in films and on TV these days. Not only that, but each and every member of the cast has a reputation for being just as delightful offscreen as they are on. There are no big egos or tyrants in the bunch; they are humble, grateful young adults.
Except when it comes to causing scenes in Times Square, that is. When MTV News caught up with rising star Matthew Lewis (a.k.a. Neville Longbottom) at the New York premiere of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2" earlier this week, he told us about an embarrassing moment he endured during a recent run-in with a fan. "I had a terribly embarrassing moment in New York City," Lewis said. "I was in Times Square with my friend Nick, and there was a big 'Harry Potter' poster in Times Square," he explained. "I was pointing out where I was on the poster. I said, 'I'm just there next to Emma [Watson],' and as I started pointing at the poster somebody tapped me on the shoulder and said, 'Excuse me, are you Matthew Lewis?' "And it was just this horrible expression of narcissism in the world," Lewis continued with renewed embarrassment. "I'm there in Times Square pointing at myself going, 'Hey, that's me.' It was awful. But she was lovely. We have the best fans in the world." 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 |
| Evanescence Fans Share Their Enthusiasm For New Songs Posted: 14 Jul 2011 01:12 AM PDT 'Their sound has changed, but I can't deny Amy's heart-achingly beautiful voice,' one fan tweets of new tracks.
All week, MTV News has been unveiling sneak peeks of Evanescence's much-anticipated new album, beginning with Monday's first listen to the band's booming comeback single, "What You Want."
On Wednesday, we drew the curtain back on another equally voluminous song, "The Other Side," and on Friday, we'll finish things up with a third tune, an epic, ethereal ballad called "Lost in Paradise." And though we expected Evanescence fans would be pretty excited to hear new music, especially since it's been nearly four years since the band has released a single, we had no idea the response would be as overwhelming as it has been. Our first two sneak peeks were the most-read stories on MTVNews.com on the days they went up, and we're expecting the same for the third. And through it all, we've been receiving tons of comments from Ev supporters around the globe. In fact, to demonstrate that response, on Thursday afternoon (July 14), I took to Twitter and asked fans to send me their reactions to "What You Want" and "The Other Side." Here's just a small sampling of what I received from Evanescence fans all across the world. "New Evanescence jams are great, another welcomed chapter of their musical EVolution! Never disappointed by their sound!" @ET_123 "Evanescence is still alive, and Amy was right: they're back and better than ever. I've listened to 'What You Want' and 'The Other Side' so many times, my mom doesn't bother coming into the computer room anymore." @EverEvanescence "Five years later, Evanescence comes back with a heavier and more mature sound. [The new] songs are PERFECT! It's definitely a new sound, combined with their classic one. Heavy, but fun! Vocals, guitars, bass, drums. They all sound perfect in the two sneak peeks." @TanyaThe1 "From the start Ev has carved its place in me; their sound has changed but I can't deny Amy's heart-achingly beautiful voice! [She] couldn't keep singing the same way (all angst and pain) [because] she is older and in a healthier place. [Her] voice would make a Lady Gaga or Ke$ha song sound like a beautiful masterpiece, like a million bucks!" @Oceankitties " 'The Other Side' totally blew the F#*$ away! It's very heavy; the instrumentation and the theme of the song is brilliant!" @TabooEV " 'The Other Side' is a fun, dark anthem. I was late for work because I was listening to it on replay." @Jimere_Music "[It's] another exciting evolution of sound for Evanescence but with the same darkly romantic, moody energy they've always had." @Alastair992 "Despite years of absence from the music industry, Ev fans are ready to submerge themselves again in an ocean of sounds ... Evanescence brings back the 'smack u in the face' factor the music industry was missing with 'What You Want.' @1solavez "They're looser, deeper, heavier but still dark with Amy's vocals intact. Her vocals are in harmony with the music more so than before, making the new music different and much more powerful at the same time." @aliigh "The snippets were AMAZING. You can definitely tell that they've expanded their creative boundaries as musicians." @pinkglamgrrl35 "Evanescence is that band who grow with their fans, we're not the same kids from 2006, now we grow up and Evanescence too ... these new songs are a new chapter in our lives with Ev... an awesome, stronger, and beautiful way to started, thank you!" @EvanesMen "Her voice stirs my soul awake, while the drums convey the pounding of my heart racing in anticipation of Ev radio domination." @tylerkellye "Waiting 5 years will be worth it, not just for the return of Ev, but for the work done by the band. This is so f----- exciting, dude." @Adri_Ev We still want to hear what you think of the new Evanescence songs! Share your reviews in the comments below. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Demi Lovato's 'Skyscraper' Video Premieres Posted: 14 Jul 2011 12:07 AM PDT Clip keeps it simple, which, given the song's power, is all it needs to do.
In recent days, Demi Lovato's stirring new single "Skyscraper" has seemingly taken the world by storm (or at least the Internet). And, in what can only be described as "an incredibly refreshing change of pace," the reason for its sudden surge in popularity has nothing to do with irony, our nascent sense of superiority or kittens (see: every popular YouTube clip in recent history, Rebecca Black's "Friday") and everything to do with the simple fact that she sings the hell out of it. But, in saying that, I'm probably downplaying several other reasons for the song's ability to cut through the din. Like, for example, everything that's happened in Lovato's life leading up to this point or how, because of that, she connects with the song in ways that most didn't think possible. She reveals new depths with each note, and when she hits that last chorus, and her voice is pushed to the point of breaking, well, if you don't get goose bumps, then there's a pretty good chance you're not alive. In short, with one song, Demi Lovato has grown up before our very eyes. It's sort of like we've all been handed this shiny new talent, seemingly out of the blue, and we don't quite know how to react. So it's fitting that such a career-making single now comes with an appropriately powerful music video, one that is bereft of any and all gimmickry (no elaborate costumes, epic set pieces or dazzling special effects) yet still manages to pack an emotional wallop.
Directed by Mark Pellington (a man who knows a thing or two about making iconic clips), "Skyscraper" is nothing more than Lovato belting out the tune on the barren terrain of the Bonneville Salt Flats. Sure, there's some dramatically billowing fabrics and some shattered glass, but really, the song is the star. And that simplicity is perfect here, because the song provides all the pyrotechnics necessary. There is also a moment, right before that knee-buckling final chorus, where Lovato looks directly into the camera and very nearly breaks into tears. I'm not sure if she's acting or not, but I doubt it, and really, it's not like it matters. Not when a singer connects to a song on such a visceral level, especially one who's already been through the wringer. With "Skyscraper," Lovato has not only proven that she's capable of remarkable things, but that she's a survivor too. And, really, there's nothing more that needs to be said. Not when the song does all the talking for you. What did you think of the "Skyscraper" video? Share your reviews in the comments. Related Photos Related Artists |
| SL Jones Carves Out His Own Identity, Aside From Killer Mike Posted: 14 Jul 2011 02:37 AM PDT 'Everything I've experienced is someone else's experience,' he tells Mixtape Daily of starting from 'ground zero.'
Fire Starter: SL Jones
"I started out as a graphic artist, so I love to draw, and then I went to Atlanta with a passion for drawing, and when I got there, I found my passion for music," Jones told Mixtape Daily. After making the move three years ago, SL began recording music that found its way into the hands of Killer Mike, thanks to a studio engineer who worked at Outkast's Stankonia Studios in ATL. Mike took Jones under his wing and added him to his Grind Time crew, a collective that also includes Maybach Music Group's Pill. The first order of business for Jones was to drop his 2008 debut mixtape, C.O.L.O.R.S. "C.O.L.O.R.S was just me wanting to exist," he said. "I remember that year in particular, Weezy had emerged, and he was just killing everything, and I was like, 'Maaaan.' I know I'm just as good as anybody out here, but how could people take you seriously if you don't have one project out?" Still, for a young spitter, hanging around more established acts can skew one's perspective. Though he was hardly established, Jones was experiencing things that most rap rookies don't get a chance to. It was important for him not to get caught in the hype. "I'm in the studio, I'm around everybody. I'm around Outkast, Killer Mike. He done took me on tour with him, I done been around the country twice," SL said. "At what point do you just go back to ground zero and say, 'I gotta work for mines.' Everything I've experienced is someone else's experience." On his latest mixtape, The Number 23 — which serves as a nod to his native 23rd and Wolfe streets in Little Rock — SL hooked up with tape host and producer DJ Don Cannon and continued to carve out his identity. "That meant a whole lot, because Don watched me grind," he said. "It wasn't like I came out of nowhere and just came with a check like, 'Hey, Don, do this for me.' " For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines. Related Artists |
| 50 Cent Is A 'Marketing Genius,' Shawty Lo Says Posted: 13 Jul 2011 11:21 PM PDT Atlanta rapper confirms on MTV News' 'RapFix Live' that he signed a $10 million deal with Fif's G-Unit.
Shawty Lo is already a boss in his own right, thanks to his D4L Records, but now he has partnered with 50 Cent's G-Unit brand and label. The Atlanta trap star visited MTV News' "RapFix Live" on Wednesday and revealed more details about his and 50's venture, which is worth a reported $10 million.
"Basically, 50 is like my major behind me," Shawty said. "I still kept my label, D4L, I just joined forces with G-Unit, so it's D4L/G-Unit. 50 got more outlets to take me to more places. I could've signed with a lot of labels, but I feel like 50 is a marketing genius and we have similar lifestyles coming up, and I feel like he knows what it's going to take to get me where I need to be." Shawty Lo was in discussions with other labels, but "RapFix" host Sway Calloway asked the "Dey Know" rapper what the conversation was like when he sat down with 50 Cent to discuss their future business plans. "It was fun. We ate, we kicked it," Shawty said. "The meeting, it was a seven-hour meeting. I had seven meetings on the table, but when me and 50 sat down, it was like a seven-hour meeting. It was very crazy, man. We had one break, and it was just thought of the minds, man. That's where I took my talents to, G-Unit." A big reason Shawty Lo decided to partner with G-Unit was his disdain for 360 deals. In these deals, instead of just profits from record sales, labels also claim a percentage of an artist's proceeds from merchandise and touring. "That was my main reason to go do the deal with 50 is because I hate the 360 situation," Lo said. "I signed a 50/50 deal with 50. It was for a very large amount of money. But the money, it ain't for me to flex and spend it; it's for me to run a label down in the South. Instead of the artists having to fly all the way up to New York or fly to the West Coast to get a deal, I'm based in the South, so they can come and see me." It was reported that the D4L/G-Unit deal was worth even more than what a "large amount" suggests, which Shawty Lo confirmed: "Yes, it's a $10 million deal." What do you think of Shawty teaming up with Fif? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| 'Harry Potter' Stars Felt 'Weird' During Epilogue Scene Posted: 13 Jul 2011 11:02 PM PDT 'The images of me still haunt me,' Rupert Grint tells MTV News of his flash-forward makeup.
Though the story of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2" ends with Harry's battle against Voldemort, the real goodbye to the franchise comes through an epilogue sequence at the end of the movie. It's a scene MTV has been talking to the cast of the "Harry Potter" films about for many years, especially after the creative heads decided to age the stars using makeup instead of casting a new set of actors. Now that the film is less than 24 hours away from being released, the stars were ready to open up about the final "Harry Potter" scene.
"With the way it ends, it definitely got balanced right, it was believable, but it was a weird scene to film," Rupert Grint told MTV News. The actor better known as Ron Weasley had to shoot the epilogue sequence twice after director David Yates decided that the first attempt didn't work as well. In the scene that is used in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2," Ron has gained a pot belly and some stubble, but the first version also featured a serious receding hairline and some unflattering jowls. "The images of me still haunt me," Grint admitted with a traumatized look on his face. "It was like this monster Donald Trump kind of mixture. It was scary." His co-star Tom Felton agreed that Grint had not looked particularly attractive the first time, but he wasn't entirely happy with how his character, Draco Malfoy, turned out either. His real-life girlfriend, Jade Olivia, played his onscreen wife in the sequence and he got to wear a muscle suit — "It was quite cool, I felt quite ripped" — but despite his "lovely goatee" and longer hairstyle, Felton wasn't entirely satisfied with the results. Unfortunately for the "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" star, he and Olivia "nailed it" the first time, and thus weren't called back for reshoots. "They were pretty cruel, don't you think?" Felton asked. "Nineteen years, they were supposed to base it on Jason Isaacs! I look like Jason Isaacs' dad! I mean, come on." Check out everything we've got on "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos |
| 'Spider-Man' Star Andrew Garfield Covers <i>Entertainment Weekly</i> Posted: 13 Jul 2011 10:40 PM PDT 'I related to Peter Parker so much because I felt like someone else inside,' the actor reveals to mag.
It's been more than six months since the world first saw the new "Amazing Spider-Man," Andrew Garfield, in his Spidey suit. Now, fans are getting another look as he graces the cover of Entertainment Weekly in anticipation of next week's trailer premiere and San Diego Comic-Con panel.
Perhaps more important, the entertainment magazine has confirmed that "Pirate Radio" star Rhys Ifans will play Spider-Man foe the Lizard in the upcoming flick. Up until now, it had only been rumored that Ifans had been cast to play the famous villain. On the EW cover, fans get a fuller view of Garfield himself; the special characteristics of his Spidey costume seem to be secondary in the latest image. The story gives an inside look at the set and some new photos, as well as interviews with castmembers and director Marc Webb. Specifically, Garfield admits that the part is one he'd always dreamed of playing. "I related to Peter Parker so much because I felt like someone else inside," he says of Spider-Man's alter ego. "I loved the comic books and the animated TV series and I even dressed up as Spider-Man as a kid." Webb adds, "Ultimately, what this movie is about is a kid who grows up looking for his father and finds himself. And that's a Spider-Man story we haven't seen before." When MTV News spoke to Garfield's "Spider Man" co-star Emma Stone in June, the actress said she was impressed by how good he looked in his costume. "He looks like Spider-Man, ya know?" she laughed. "It's pretty exciting." In other exciting "Amazing Spider-Man" news, SuperHeroHype.com is reporting that a full-length trailer for the movie is set for release next week. The site is operating under the assumption that this trailer will be the same one Sony Pictures unveils at the "Spider-Man" San Diego Comic-Con panel on Friday. But it may also run in front of select screenings of "Captain America: The First Avenger" in its July 22 opening weekend. Check out everything we've got on "The Amazing Spider-Man." For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com. Related Photos |
| Lady Gaga's YouTube Account Suspended Posted: 14 Jul 2011 06:25 AM PDT Gaga's page reportedly suspended due to copyright complaint over a Japanese TV show clip.
Lady Gaga has long been the Queen of YouTube. Her videos have racked up more than a billion views on the site and fans have flocked to it in droves to post their home-brewed takes on her outfits, fashion, music and videos. But little monsters who were looking for their daily fix of Gaga on Thursday (July 14) were likely disappointed when they went to Mother Monster's YouTube account and found the following message, "This account has been suspended due to multiple or severe violations of YouTube's Copyright Policy." What gives? According to Time Out Tokyo, Gaga's official YouTube account was suspended because she posted footage from her recent appearance on the Japanese show "SMAP x SMAP," on the Fuji TV network. The widely-circulated video of the 10-minute performance in which Gaga sang a medley of songs from Born This Way resulted in a takedown request from Media Interactive Inc. on Tuesday. The video features Gaga performing on a fog-enshrouded set with the popular Japanese boy band SMAP, and the issue appears to involve Gaga's failure to secure the digital rights to display their performance on her YouTube account. In the clip, Gaga emerges from an ornate box wearing a an elaborate black dust mask and sings "The Edge of Glory" before sitting down at a piano housed in a giant bejeweled hand sculpture for a solo take on "You and I" that morphs into the album's title track. The "Born This Way" performance features the members of SMAP standing and posing behind Gaga, joining her dancers in some high-energy choreography and singing light backup duties on the hit track. Spokespeople for Gaga and YouTube could not be reached for comment at press time. On Monday, Gaga tweeted her excitement about the SMAP performance, writing, "My performance+cooking show appearance on SMAP SMAP is airing now in Japan. Kawaii Monsters!" A week earlier, she Twitpic'd a sepia-toned photo of her with the group as well. Related Artists |
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