MTV News |
- Katy Perry, Lil Wayne And More (Possible) VMA Winners
- Bruno Mars' VMA-Nominated 'Grenade': Road To Video Of The Year
- 'Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark' Is Guillermo Del Toro's 'Hide And Seek'
- Bruno Mars' VMA Promo: Go Behind The Scenes!
- Amy Winehouse To Be Remembered By Tony Bennett At VMAs
- Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith Shut Down Split Rumors
- 'Hunger Games' First Look To Debut At VMAs!
- Curren$y Recruits DJ Drama For <i>Verde Terrace</i>
- Drake 'First' Choice For A Collabo LP, Trey Songz Says
- Kim Kardashian, Kris Humphries Wedding Was 'Major'
- Amy Winehouse Had 'No Illegal Substances' In Her System
- Nick Ashford Remembered By Alicia Keys, Lenny Kravitz
- Brandy Signs New Record Deal
- Florence And The Machine Return With 'What The Water Gave Me'
- Scarface Released From Jail
- Eminem And Bruno Mars Rise Up In New 'Lighters' Video
- 'Transformers: Dark Of The Moon' Returns To IMAX
- Cobra Starship, Swizz Beatz Kick Off VMA Weekend Shows
- Lady Gaga To Guest-Star On 'The Simpsons'
| Katy Perry, Lil Wayne And More (Possible) VMA Winners Posted: 24 Aug 2011 03:53 AM PDT Bigger Than the Sound guesses who will take home Sunday's biggest Moonmen.
The 2011 MTV Video Music Awards will air live on MTV this Sunday at 9 p.m. ET, but if you're a Katy Perry fan, well, you probably knew that already. After all, the California Gurl is the most-nominated artist at this year's VMAs, leading the pack with an eye-opening 10 nods, including Best Female Video, Best Pop Video and the biggie, Video of the Year.
Following closely behind her are the likes of Adele, Kanye West and Bruno Mars, but really, all eyes will be on Perry. Will she take home her first-ever Moonman? Will she sweep the night's major categories? And, most importantly of all, what color will her hair be? Of course, KP's not the only story line heading into Sunday's show: Can Gaga win the only major award she's up for? Can Tyler, the Creator shock the world? Luckily, I'm here to provide answers. Much like I've done in previous years (and mostly because I have a rather insatiable gambling addiction), I'm throwing on the old prognostication cap and trying my hand at picking the winners in all the major VMA categories. Of course, while I can't guarantee my accuracy, I can promise you that I spent, like, 25 minutes on this, which is a pretty thorough investment. Oh, and for the record, I'm going with "puce" for Katy's hair color. The rest of my picks right now: Best Male Video My Take: In a year so thoroughly dominated by the ladies, I'm surprised they didn't find a way to sneak Adele or Katy Perry in here. As it stands, five worthy videos will rep for the Y chromosome, and, to be honest, each has about the same shot of winning (though it would be fitting if one of the two clips featuring Rihanna got the W). My Pick: Whenever things are this close, always go with the old awards-show adage: "If they show up, they'll go up." I can't vouch for the Sunday night plans of Cee Lo, Em, Bieber or Kanye, but I do know Bruno will be in the house, which means he'll probably be making at least one trip to the podium. Pencil "Grenade" in as my favorite to win here. Best Female Video My Take: Almost by default, it's the night's biggest award — or at least the most hotly contested. All five females have done big things on the charts, and all five would be considered legitimate front-runners in any other year. But this is 2011 ... My Pick: ... which means that, essentially, this is down to a three-woman contest: Adele, Katy and Gaga (in a big year for female artists, you've gotta go with the biggest of them all). I suspect Katy will triumph elsewhere, and Adele, well, she'll have the Grammys. So let's go with Gaga; it's the only major award she's up for, and if she didn't win something, the Little Monsters would riot in the streets. Best Rock Video My Take: As I was writing this, the MTV Newsroom started shaking, a residual tremor of the earthquake that hit Virginia on Tuesday afternoon. And if that isn't a sign that God isn't happy with this year's Best Rock Video noms, well, then I don't know what is. My Pick: No pick, for fear of Divine Retribution. Best Hip-Hop Video My Take: Nicki's nod for "Super Bass" makes her the first female to be nominated in Best Hip-Hop Video since Mary J. Blige's "Just Fine" in 2008, which doesn't really mean much, but should still be noted. Also for the first time since 2008: Eminem will not win, since he didn't get nominated. My Pick: I think it boils down to Weezy and Nicki, though given that fan voting will help determine the winner, you can't discount Chris Brown's chances either. In a pinch, I'll say it's Wayne, especially given everything he's got planned during — and immediately following — the VMAs. Best Pop Video My Take: Another knock-down, drag-out category, featuring three of the biggest female stars on the planet — plus Bruno Mars and Pitbull. My Pick: Katy Perry. The coronation begins here and (quite possibly) picks up steam later in the night. Best New Artist My Take: Perhaps the oddest assortment of BNA noms since 2004 (in which Kanye West and Maroon 5 went head-to-head with the Darkness, Jet, JoJo and Yellowcard), it's another take-your-pick tossup. So, in that case ... My Pick: ... I'll go with Tyler, the Creator. He'll be in attendance, and they're gonna want to get him up onstage somehow. So if he doesn't win here, that only leaves ... Video of the Year My Take: The night's biggest award and one that can go two ways. Either voters keep with recent history (the last four winners: Gaga, Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Rihanna) or they decide this is the year to shake things up (see: 2006's Panic! at the Disco triumph). Which way will they go? You may be surprised. My Pick: Much like when I sorta called Arcade Fire's shocking Album of the Year win at the Grammys earlier this year, I can't seem to shake the fact that VMA voters seem to have a soft spot for the underdog, which is why my first pick is Tyler, the Creator. Of course, I can't overlook the fact that Katy Perry has never won a VMA (she's definitely the Susan Lucci of the awards), so I'm making her my alternate pick. Remember, folks, you heard it here first. Sort of. The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards will air live Sunday from Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET/PT, following the Selena Gomez-hosted pre-show at 8. See the list of nominees, revisit last year's highlights and vote for your favorites in the general categories by visiting VMA.MTV.com. |
| Bruno Mars' VMA-Nominated 'Grenade': Road To Video Of The Year Posted: 24 Aug 2011 03:53 AM PDT Clip also nominated for Best Male Video and Best Pop Video at Sunday's 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.
For Bruno Mars' deeply personal breakup track "Grenade," the pop crooner hooked up with a man who truly understands dark images: Australian music video director Nabil Elderkin, who has cooked up clips for the likes of Kanye West, Frank Ocean, Diddy and will.i.am. The duo created a clip that mirrors the heartache of the song, where Mars sings about loving someone who won't love him back.
The video dropped in November and has racked up hundreds of millions of views online. It's also up for three Moonmen at Sunday's 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, including Best Male Video, Best Pop Video and Video of the Year. For those who have yet to check out the video, Mars pines over a lovely young lady. To prove his love for her, he puts on his Sunday best and drags his piano across Los Angeles, meeting up with unsavory characters along the way. When he does finally get to his beloved's house, he sees that she is hooking up with another fellow. Heartbroken, he drags his piano away from the home, up one very difficult hill and ends up at a railroad track. Does a completely devastated Mars get hit by the train? Well, that's the video's great, deep, dark mystery. "It was my concept," the singer told MTV News earlier this month. "I said, 'I want to drag a piano.' I got my friend Nabil to come direct it, and it was a risk because I still hear jokes to this day like, 'What the hell you doing dragging a piano?' " he said. "But it's my art, so shut up!" Mars, who hit the stage with B.o.B at the 2010 VMAs, is pretty stoked about having the video make the final cut as one of the nominees for Video of the Year.
"I grew up watching VMAs. I know every performance," Mars said. "Ever since I was a kid, I've been watching MTV VMAs, and when we got the phone call saying that my video was up for Video of the Year, that's the big-boy award." Mars is also up for a Best Choreography VMA for his much-more-fun "The Lazy Song" clip. He's also set to take the stage as one of Sunday night's performers. The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards will air live Sunday from Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET/PT, following the Selena Gomez-hosted pre-show at 8. See the list of nominees, revisit last year's highlights and vote for your favorites in the general categories by visiting VMA.MTV.com. Related Photos |
| 'Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark' Is Guillermo Del Toro's 'Hide And Seek' Posted: 24 Aug 2011 03:53 AM PDT 'That's the rhythm of the movie in a horror genre,' director tells MTV News.
It's a cautionary tale straight out of a mother's mouth: "If you don't brush your teeth, monsters will creep into your mouth at night and devour them like candy." But Guillermo del Toro's rated-R version is less cavity, more cryptic. Based on a 1973 TV movie with the same name, Friday's "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark," starring Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce, features the same hollow whispers from menacing monsters trapped behind brick fireplaces, only now those creatures are out for innocent, bright-white baby teeth.
But even with del Toro's new spin on what he said was the scariest movie he'd ever seen as a kid, the producer told MTV News some things always stay the same. "In horror films, there are only two dynamics. One is what I call hide and seek, meaning there's a lot of tension. If you're searching, you're really tense about opening the door and somebody jumping out of the closet that was hiding. "And if you're hiding in the closet, you're really afraid when you hear footsteps nearby," he added. "And then tag, when the person finally comes out, and you're going to chase them to tag them." With a mind as complicated and fantastical as Pan's Labyrinth, you'd expect del Toro to have a more intricate stream of thought. But the method behind his moviemaking is simply, well, simple. "I do sort of a tag, hide and seek, hide and seek, hide and seek, tag, tag, tag," he explained. "So that's the rhythm of the movie in a horror genre. You just pace it like that." Check out everything we've got on "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. |
| Bruno Mars' VMA Promo: Go Behind The Scenes! Posted: 23 Aug 2011 05:24 AM PDT Mars, who is performing at Sunday's show, throws an old-school house party in the clip.
In Bruno Mars' VMA promo, he hangs out with some fresh-looking hipsters while spinning tunes from folks like Ginuwine and Michael Jackson. The clip captures the joie de vivre of a good old-fashioned house party attended by fashionable folks who love to dance.
"I think what you're going to see is a little of my personality, a lot of my influences and a lot of people having a good time," he told MTV News on the set. "I think that this year's VMAs is a celebration and a party, and MTV did a great job of putting this commercial together." In between takes, the party never stopped. Extras and dancers milled around, grooving to the tunes blasting throughout the NYC soundstage. Bruno chilled with everyone, making small talk with his fellow partygoers when the cameras weren't rolling. The commercial itself is chockfull of great tunes, and when Mars was shooting the promo, he displayed his skills on the piano. So what tunes make Bruno Mars' party set list?
"This is my party; I'm DJing. I'm playing music that I grew up listening to," he said. "I grew up listening to oldies, and so every time I hear, like, Little Richard or James Brown, the Police, it does something to me. It gets me in the party mood, and I'm just hoping to bring it to this party." Not only is he set to perform at the VMAs — airing live Sunday at 9 p.m. from L.A. — he's up for four Moonmen, including Video of the Year, Best Male Video and Best Pop Video for "Grenade." "I grew up watching VMAs. I know every performance," Mars said. "Ever since I was a kid, I've been watching MTV VMAs, and when we got the phone call saying that my video was up for Video of the Year — that's the big-boy award." Mars would be tickled to win Best Choreography for his feel-good track "The Lazy Song." "You know what I'm excited for?" he said. "As much as I put blood, sweat and tears into 'Grenade,' I'm excited for 'The Lazy Song,' Best Choreography." The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards will air live Sunday, August 28, from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET/PT, following the Selena Gomez-hosted pre-show at 8. See the list of nominees, revisit last year's highlights and vote for Best New Artist by visiting VMA.MTV.com. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Amy Winehouse To Be Remembered By Tony Bennett At VMAs Posted: 23 Aug 2011 01:30 AM PDT Tribute on Sunday's show features footage of Winehouse and Bennett recording together this year.
He was likely one of the last people to ever record with late singer Amy Winehouse, and now legendary singer Tony Bennett will pay tribute to the legacy of late Video Music Awards nominee Winehouse during a very special segment at the 2011 VMAs.
Bennett, whose last VMA appearance was in 1993, will introduce the tribute, which includes footage of him recording "Body and Soul" with Winehouse this past March at Abbey Road Studios in London. "It was a thrill to record with Amy Winehouse, and when you listen to the recording of 'Body and Soul,' it is a testament to her artistic genius and her brilliance as one of the most honest musicians I have ever known," Bennett said in a statement. The single and video will be released by Columbia Records on September 14, Amy's birthday, in support of the Amy Winehouse Foundation, established by the late singer's family to help a number of charities connected with children and young people. The song will also appear on Bennett's Duets II, out September 20. "Our family is honored that the VMAs are giving Amy this wonderful tribute," Mitch Winehouse, Amy's father, said in a statement. "We know that Amy's performance of 'Rehab' at the MTV Movie Awards played an important part in Amy's worldwide success." Winehouse, known for the depth and power of her soulful voice, will be remembered by fans and peers for her awe-inspiring talent and classic hits such as "Rehab," "Back to Black," "Me & Mr. Jones," and "You Know I'm No Good." She died last month at the age of 27 of yet-undisclosed causes in her London apartment. On Tuesday (August 23), Winehouse's family released a statement saying that toxicology reports found no traces of illegal substance in her system. Bennett joins a roster of such performers as Lady Gaga, Adele, Bruno Mars, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Pitbull and Ne-Yo and Young the Giant. British pop phenom Jessie J, will serve as the night's house artist and Selena Gomez has signed on as the celebrity host of the awards' pre-show black carpet special. A number of other top names have also been added to the growing list of presenters at the show, including Nicki Minaj, Taylor Lautner, Drake, Joe Jonas, Jared Leto, Kevin Hart, and comedian JB Smoove of HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm. They join previously announced presenters Gomez, Seth Rogen, Kim Kardashian, Rick Ross and Odd Future. The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards will air live Sunday from Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET/PT, following the Selena Gomez-hosted pre-show at 8. See the list of nominees, revisit last year's highlights and vote for your favorites in the general categories by visiting VMA.MTV.com. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith Shut Down Split Rumors Posted: 23 Aug 2011 01:59 AM PDT A-list actor's son Trey takes to Twitter to clear up rumors, as couple tells MTV News their 'marriage is intact.'
After tabloid reports surfaced claiming that and were splitting after 13 years of marriage, the A-list actor's son Trey took to Twitter to let the world know the rumors are not true. "Did #WillandJada split? No they did NOT split ! False information ..its not true RETWEET!!!" Will's 18-year-old son from a previous relationship wrote on Tuesday afternoon (August 23), as the rumor continued to pick up steam across the Internet with no official comment yet from either Will or Jada's camps. He continued, "Will and Jada getting a DIVORCE ..NOT TRUE AT ALL !! RETWEET. Everyone can think what they want ..even if its not true #Lame." The couple, who married on New Year's Eve in 1997, in Baltimore, have two now-famous children together, Willow , 10, and Jaden, 13. MTV News reached out for comment later this afternoon, and the couple responded in a joint statement. "Although we are reluctant to respond to these types of press reports, the rumors circulating about our relationship are completely false. We are still together, and our marriage is intact," the pair said. Jada's rep also recently shut down talk that the actress had an affair with her "Hawthorne" co-star Marc Anthony, who has split from wife Jennifer Lopez. "All the rumors regarding Marc Anthony and Jada are false. Completely untrue," the rep told People.com. |
| 'Hunger Games' First Look To Debut At VMAs! Posted: 23 Aug 2011 06:29 AM PDT Jennifer Lawrence will introduce exclusive sneak peek during Sunday's awards show.
Katniss Everdeen is stepping out of the Hunger Games arena and into the Moonman-filled madness of the MTV Video Music Awards. At the VMAs on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET, MTV will debut the very first look at footage from "The Hunger Games," the Jennifer Lawrence-starring adaptation of the best-selling dystopian novel.
Up until now, we've seen photos of Lawrence as the arrow-wielding Katniss, plus glimpses of Josh Hutcherson as Peeta and Liam Hemsworth as Gale. But we haven't yet seen "Hunger Games" in action. All that will change during the 28th annual VMAs, when Lawrence herself introduces the exclusive look, which will then be available exclusively on MTV.com. If you don't already know all there is to know about "Hunger Games," now's your chance to study up. Set in a future in which the United States has crumbled and 12 districts are overseen by a brutal Capitol, Katniss and Peeta find themselves forced to participate in an annual ritual called the Hunger Games. Pitting 24 young boys and girls against one another in a bloody battle to the death, the games are broadcast throughout the land at once to entertain and subjugate the citizenry. And at the center of it all is Katniss, a brave soul with expert hunting skills and the determination not to let the games destroy her soul or take her life. "I was a fan of the books before I really knew about the movies," Lawrence told MTV News back in May, adding that she'd be working her butt off to get into character. "It's lots of training, but the training's actually really fun. I've done archery for about six weeks and rock climbing, tree climbing — and combat, running and vaulting. But also yoga and things like that, to stay catlike!" The first glimpse at the film, which hits theaters March 12, 2012, is just one juicy part of the pop-culture parade that is the VMAs. Get ready for performances from Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Adele, Lil Wayne, and Chris Brown, plus appearances by Jonah Hill, Rick Ross, Seth Rogen, Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian and Odd Future. The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards will air live Sunday, August 28, from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET/PT, following the Selena Gomez-hosted pre-show at 8. See the list of nominees, revisit last year's highlights and vote for Best New Artist by visiting VMA.MTV.com. |
| Curren$y Recruits DJ Drama For <i>Verde Terrace</i> Posted: 23 Aug 2011 03:13 AM PDT 'There are some people that listen to Drama that have never listened to any of my music,' Curren$y tells Mixtape Daily.
Don't Sleep: Necessary Notables Headliner: Curren$y and DJ Drama Standout Track: "Pininfarina" Real Spit: "At this point in my life, I'm looking at it like a hustle." These are Curren$y's opening bars on his DJ Drama-helmed Verde Terrace mixtape, and the line is far more than the usual rapper rhetoric. After cutting his teeth as part of both Master P's No Limit Records roster and the Cash Money crew, New Orleans native Curren$y branched out on his own, independently releasing a series of eight solo tapes from 2007 to 2008. While he did hook up with former Roc-A-Fella co-founder Damon Dash to release his 2010 albums, Pilot Talk and Pilot Talk II, Spitta has navigated the past few years of his career without a co-sign. Still, the jet-loving MC saw the value in partnering up with mixtape king DJ Drama for Verde Terrace, which he released Tuesday (August 23). "There are some people that listen to Drama that have never listened to any of my music," Curren$y told Mixtape Daily. "Some people are just getting hip to it now because they're like, 'If Drama f---in' with it, I'mma have to give it a chance.' " On Verde, Curren$y rhymes over a mixture of original productions and tries his hand at other artist's instrumentals. OutKast's "Elevators" gets turned into "Smoke Sum'n," and Jay-Z's "Stick 2 the Script" is transformed as "Ways to Kill Em." At the moment, Curren$y tells Mixtape Daily his favorite track is "Pininfarina," a lyrical affair over Maybach Music Group's "Pandemonium" beat. With that, Curren$y and his Jets crew add to his ever-growing discography of mixtapes. Jets, where haven't they done yet? For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines. Related Artists |
| Drake 'First' Choice For A Collabo LP, Trey Songz Says Posted: 23 Aug 2011 12:54 AM PDT 'I think we can pull something off ... that could sound very authentic,' Trigger Trey says of a possible joint album.
Is a Drake and Trey Songz collaborative album in the works? The "I Invented Sex" crooner told The Source that he and Drizzy formally connecting for a full-length album is a possibility — but only under the correct circumstances. The topic came up while discussing Jay-Z and Kanye West's Watch the Throne album.
"You got to look at [Kanye and Jay-Z] and see how long it took them to do it, you know?" Trey said. "So, it has to be organic in whatever way it happens. It can't be a business decision and you can't look at it in a way of making it lucrative. I think it has to be something that you are definitely going into for music's sake. It has to be something real, because if it's not authentic, you can hear it." Longtime homeys Trey Songz and Drake have created numerous songs together over the years, even before the Toronto MC scored his deal with Young Money/ Universal. It was Songz singing the chorus on "Successful," one of Drake's first breakthrough hits, from his So Far Gone mixtape. More recently, Drake appeared on "Unusual" from Trey's 2010 Passion, Pain & Pleasure album. Trey even created his own version of Drake's brand-new "Headlines." The "Marvins Room" rapper would naturally be the singer's first choice to record a joint album. "When thinking along the lines of that, Drake is the first person that comes to mind that I am that musically comfortable with in that space," he said. "He is a friend of mine as well, and I think we can pull something off ... that could sound very authentic." Trey isn't the only one who thinks Drake would make a good collaborative album partner, though. Cash Money CEO Birdman recently told XXLmag.com that Drizzy and Wayne will release their own joint project, joining what seems to be the latest trend in hip-hop. Trey Songz is currently at work on his next album, Chapter 5, due in stores sometime next year. Would you want to hear a Trey Songz/ Drake collabo album? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists |
| Kim Kardashian, Kris Humphries Wedding Was 'Major' Posted: 23 Aug 2011 12:20 AM PDT Jonathan Cheban, 'Spin Crowd' star and Kim's pal, dishes to MTV News about California ceremony.
Kim Kardashian and her new hubby, Kris Humphries, may already be on their honeymoon, but friends of the reality star are still gushing about her lavish wedding, which all went down Saturday in Montecito, California. "Just watching Kim walk down the aisle was probably the best thing ever," Jonathan Cheban told MTV News. "It was 'wow.' She looked gorgeous, and the whole thing was huge. There were helicopters flying, so you couldn't really hear that much. As everyone got to see her at different moments, when she walked by, I was so happy for her." The wedding, which included A-list guests like Lindsay Lohan and Ryan Seacrest and an over-the-top party, looked exactly how Cheban imagined it would. "I knew it was going to be that: lots of helicopters, lots of celebrities, lots of amazing food and dancing and performances. It was great," recalled the star of "The Spin Crowd," which Kardashian produced. "It was really a major, major, major wedding." Now that Cheban has rested up post-party, he's ready to start on a slew of new campaigns, including acting as the face of Wodka vodka and working with Kim again to develop some new TV shows. "I will definitely be doing a lot of filming in the future, and I'm also developing shows. I'm developing a competition show, which I'm excited about. It's very, very cool, and I'm doing that with Kim as well," he teased of the forthcoming project with his bestie. "TV's definitely in the future." So what's it like to work with Kim and be her pal? "It's very professional," he revealed. "When it's work time, we're on it. She's always on it. She's literally the busiest woman in the world. She's a great partner with stuff." Share your well-wishes for the newlyweds in the comments below! |
| Amy Winehouse Had 'No Illegal Substances' In Her System Posted: 23 Aug 2011 09:17 AM PDT Citing toxicology results, Winehouse family says 'Rehab' singer's cause of death remains inconclusive.
No illegal drugs were found in Amy Winehouse's system when the "Rehab" singer died last month, according to a statement from her family. Spokesperson Chris Goodman said in a release on Tuesday (August 23) that "toxicology results returned to the Winehouse family by authorities have confirmed that there were no illegal substances in Amy's system and the time of her death." Goodman added that while toxicology results indicated that alcohol was present in Winehouse's system, "it cannot be determined as yet it if played a role in her death." The statement concluded, "The family would like to thank police and coroner for their continuing thorough investigations and for keeping them informed throughout the process. They await the outcome of the inquest [into Winehouse's death] in October." A spokesperson for Winehouse could not be reached for comment by MTV News at press time. Winehouse, 27, was found dead in her Camden, London, home on July 23, and after an initial autopsy proved inconclusive, London police announced that additional toxicology tests would be needed to determine the cause of death. According to several reports, those close to the singer believed that alcohol withdrawal may have been to blame, as Winehouse had recently given up drinking cold turkey. Furthermore, "[Amy's father, Mitch] said doctors had told Amy to gradually reduce her intake of alcohol and to avoid bingeing at all costs. Amy told him she couldn't do that ... and she gave up completely. Mitch said the shock of giving up, after everything she had been through over a bad few years, was just too much for her to take." Winehouse had famously struggled with drugs and alcohol during her meteoric rise to fame, but following her death, Mitch Winehouse said that his daughter had been free of drugs for nearly three years. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Nick Ashford Remembered By Alicia Keys, Lenny Kravitz Posted: 22 Aug 2011 10:32 PM PDT Ashford & Simpson singer/songwriter honored as 'a legend' by Ashanti, Spike Lee and more celebs.
The death of Nick Ashford on Monday has Hollywood remembering the musical contributions of one-half of Motown's Ashford & Simpson songwriting team. The creative force behind "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand" and "I'm Every Woman" wrote hits for Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell and Chaka Khan in the '60s and '70s, along with wife Valerie Simpson, before finding fame as performers with songs like "Solid." Many celebrities took to Twitter to express their condolences. "I'm so sad that he's gone.....So many of the greatest are going to a greater place....what a legacy of infectious music... man!" Alicia Keys tweeted. Lenny Kravitz wrote, "Left rehearsal. Heard Nick Ashford passed. A legend. My heart goes out to Valerie. My Lord, ain't no mountain high enough. Solid as a rock." "R.I.P Nick Ashford one of the most Soulful & Amazing Singer/Songwriters Timeless Classic Music," Ashanti wrote on the social-networking site. "Many Prayers & Blessings to his Family." Russell Simmons commented on Ashford's legacy, tweeting, "R.I.P. Nick Ashford has left his body Most cannot see his everlasting spirit, but the eyes behind the eyes remain w/us." MC Hammer's tweet mirrored Simmons': "Nick Ashford (RIP) your songs and melodies touched millions of lives and will never fade. We #Salute your Life." Ashford & Simpson contemporaries Earth, Wind & Fire kept their tweet simple: "REST IN PEACE TO A TRUE LEGEND: NICK ASHFORD." The weight of the performer's loss stretched outside the music community, with Hollywood heavyweights also expressing their feelings on his passing. "Sad Morning.We lost another Giant yesterday,The Great NICK ASHFORD.Nick,along with his Wife Valerie Simpson wrote amazing Songs," Spike Lee wrote. Ashford died in New York City at age 70 of throat cancer. He leaves behind his wife and musical partner, Valerie Simpson, and two daughters, Nicole and Asia. Share your condolences for Ashford's friends and family in the comments below. Related Artists |
| Posted: 22 Aug 2011 11:48 PM PDT Brandy aims to drop her sixth solo album on RCA Records early next year.
Everyone loves a comeback, and R&B singer Brandy is looking to make her return to music after a near-three-year hiatus. It was December 2008 when the singer released her last album, Human, and now, according to the Los Angeles Times, Brandy has signed a deal with RCA Records and producer Breyon Prescott's Chameleon Records to release her sixth album. The LP is tentatively scheduled for an early 2012 drop. "Throughout her career, Brandy has consistently won the vote as everyone's favorite female vocalist," Peter Edge, chief executive of RCA Music Group, said in a statement. "I am sure that in her next chapter at RCA and in partnership with Breyon Prescott, we will record her most exciting music to date." "This is truly a blessing," Brandy said in a statement. "Breyon Prescott, Peter Edge and Tom Corson [RCA Music Group's president and chief operating officer] believe in me and have introduced me to a home that also believes and knows exactly what to do with the type of music I'm doing. Breyon and the team at RCA/Chameleon are creative and forward-thinking and I am thrilled to be working with them." After her self-titled debut hit in 1994, the then-teenage Brandy became a staple on the R&B scene thanks to catchy love songs like "I Wanna Be Down" and her Grammy-winning duet with Monica "The Boy Is Mine." The singer also lit up in front of the camera as the star of her own sitcom, "Moesha," which ran from 1996 to 2001. She has since starred in a number of films as well as a few reality shows — most recently the VH1 series "Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business." In December 2006, the singer was involved in a multi-car crash that claimed the life of a woman, but she wasn't charged and was cleared of any wrongdoing. Related Artists |
| Florence And The Machine Return With 'What The Water Gave Me' Posted: 22 Aug 2011 10:54 PM PDT Florence Welch gives fans first taste of what they can expect on her new disc, due in November.
Florence and the Machine conquered audiences on both sides of the Atlantic with their dynamic, dramatic debut, 2009's Lungs. Ever since, fans have been clamoring for the follow-up. Now, it's finally on the horizon. On Tuesday (August 23), Florence Welch announced on her official site that her sophomore album would hit stores on November 7 in the U.K., and according to her rep, it'll be out sometime the same month here in the U.S. She also gave us all a sneak peek of what we can expect on the disc with a soaring, chiming, epically massive new track called "What the Water Gave Me," which is imbued with a gospel choir and Welch's epic pipes, and seems destined to rule the festival circuit for the foreseeable future. The still-untitled album is produced by Paul Epworth and was recorded at London's iconic Abbey Road studios. Welch had been premiering a handful of tracks from the record during live shows — the standout "Strangeness and Charm" will reportedly also make the cut — and earlier this summer, before her performance at Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee, she sat down with MTV News to discuss the process behind making the new album, calling it a more cohesive effort than her debut. "I wrote so much of my first album at different times and places — some songs when I was 18, some when I was 21 — so there are so many pieces and styles on it," she said. "And that's one of the things I love about it, but for my new record, I wanted to do things differently. It's why I worked with one producer in one studio. I want to tie all those things together ... in one piece, if possible." Welch also said that the album draws inspiration from ethereal sources too, including one song on the album she wrote after a ghostly visitation. "There's a song on it that's inspired by a visit [from] my dead grandmother — like, I had a really, really vivid dream about her and, um, she was giving me advice in this dream," she said. "And it was really emotional, and I woke up crying. And there's one song that's inspired by that experience." Related Artists |
| Posted: 22 Aug 2011 10:54 PM PDT Houston rapper spent 10 months behind bars for failure to pay child support.
After 10 months behind bars for failure to pay child support, Scarface was recently released from Harris County Jail in Texas and is now prepping an album for the end of the year, a rep for the Houston rapper confirmed to MTV News. The Geto Boys rapper (born Brad Jordan) was jailed October 13, and it was reported by XXLMag.com that 'Face owed more than $123,000 in child support on four separate cases. Bonds were reportedly set in each case with separate amounts: one for $93,376, another for $50,000, a third bond for $30,000 and the fourth and final one for $500, bringing the grand total to $123,372. It was also reported that the "I Seen a Man Die" MC was being held on unspecified federal charges, but MTV News has not been able to confirm that information. Scarface made his mark as the leader of the Geto Boys, the Texas group that broke out with the 1991 single "Mind Playing Tricks on Me." Soon after, 'Face embarked on a solo career and dropped his own debut, 1993's Mr. Scarface Is Back. In the years that followed, he continued to release well-regarded albums, including 1994's Diary and 1997's Untouchable, which featured his Tupac-assisted single "Smile." In 2008, Scarface released what he called his final album, Emeritus. He then followed up in 2010 with his mixtape Dopeman Music before being locked up later that year. Related Artists |
| Eminem And Bruno Mars Rise Up In New 'Lighters' Video Posted: 23 Aug 2011 09:07 AM PDT Em and Royce Da 5'9" emerge from the darkness and find enlightenment in the new clip.
Given its general grittiness (and the fact that it's called Hell: The Sequel), Eminem and Royce Da 5'9" 's Bad Meets Evil album seems like the last place you'd ever find Bruno Mars. And yet, the pompadour-powered crooner shows up to sing the hook on "Lighters" (he also produced the track with his Smeezingtons cohorts), a decidedly upbeat ballad that provides a brief respite from the blood-and-guts boasts that Em and Royce pack on the disc. And sure, the track feels out of place because of that fact, but that hasn't stopped it from becoming a rather sizeable Billboard hit. So it makes sense that there'd be an accompanying video that matches its uplift ethos every step of the way. And now, that video, directed by Rich Lee ("Not Afraid"), has arrived. In the new "Lighters" clip — which, it should be noted, does not contain a single lighter (though it does include the now-ubiquitous shot of Dre's headphones) — Em and Royce journey from the darkness into the light, a metaphor that works rather well with the song's message, if you think about it. Their voyage begins when Eminem discovers a secret chamber beneath his home, descends and wanders through a series of subterranean tunnels with only a flare to guide him. Royce is down there, too, though he's locked up in a jail cell. He escapes thanks to a tunnel located behind a poster ("Shawshank" reference!). The two stumble through the dark, eventually breaking free, emerging into the light. When they finally do, the video reaches its rather (visually) stunning conclusion, as Em and Royce — plus an army of onlookers and Mars, who has been plaintively playing his piano the entire time — witness the slow ascension of a million paper lanterns, as the soft twilight slowly envelops them. It's a stirring image, for sure, and yes, you can probably read plenty into it. Both Em and Royce have traveled dark roads in their past, but here, even if it's just for one moment, one song, they've stumbled into the light. It's sorta deep, and though it may not be in step with the messages they're pushing on Hell: The Sequel, well, sometimes it's nice to have a change of pace. What do you think of Em and Royce's "Lighters" video? Share your thoughts in the comments! Related Artists |
| 'Transformers: Dark Of The Moon' Returns To IMAX Posted: 22 Aug 2011 10:54 PM PDT Michael Bay's robot flick will hit theaters again on Friday and run for two weeks.
The moon will go dark again as Paramount gears up to re-release "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" in IMAX this Friday. The third "Transformers" flick is currently the second-highest-grossing film of the year in the U.S., coming in second to "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2" with $348.5 million. "Dark of the Moon" will get a second life in 246 IMAX theaters in North America beginning on Friday, according to The Hollywood Reporter, and will run in IMAX through September 8. In most cases, that means the Michael Bay flick will screen alongside already running movies like "Deathly Hallows, Part 2," "Cowboys & Aliens" and "Final Destination 5," given that Steven Soderbergh's soon-to-open "Contagion" doesn't hit IMAX until September 9. Last year, "Avatar" made a similar move at the end of the summer, attempting to recapture moviegoers' interest before the end of the blockbuster movie season. The major difference between re-releases for "Avatar" and "Dark of the Moon" is that James Cameron stuffed "Avatar" with nine more minutes of previously unreleased footage to entice moviegoers. While "Dark of the Moon" doesn't have new footage, the newest releases haven't been big draws at the box office and that may make it a good time to try to nab any stragglers who still want to see giant robots blow things up. Christopher Nolan's Batman flick also benefited from this strategy. After its initial July 2008 opening, Warner Bros. gave "The Dark Knight" a February 2009 IMAX re-release. And even though the studio bypassed the summer movie season for the second release, the stunt still worked. There was plenty of residual interest in the flick following its Academy Awards success, and the second run helped push "Dark Knight" onto the list of the highest-grossing films of all time. It will be interesting to see if this becomes a trend in summers to come, with blockbuster films like "Prometheus," "Men in Black III," "The Amazing Spider-Man" and "The Dark Knight Rises" all set to hit theaters in 2012. Check out everything we've got on "Transformers: Dark of the Moon." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Cobra Starship, Swizz Beatz Kick Off VMA Weekend Shows Posted: 23 Aug 2011 09:35 AM PDT Joe Jonas, Miguel, Chiddy Bang and Wallpaper also set to hit the stage for performances, including a live stream before Sunday's big show.
Sure, the big show happens on Sunday night, but before the 2011 Video Music Awards kick off officially, MTV is throwing two star-studded concerts to get the party started. On Friday, Swizz Beatz, Chiddy Bang and Wallpaper will perform at the Taco Bell Presents the MTV2 VMA Concert, with Jessie J — our 2011 VMA House Artist — hosting the event. If you aren't lucky enough to be in attendance at the Los Angeles show, you can still check out footage from the event. MTV2's "Sucker Free" will be filming on site with guests Swizz Beatz and Chiddy Bang, and the episode is set to air Sunday at 11 a.m., with a special encore airing at 11 p.m. ET, right after the VMAs. Then on Saturday, Cobra Starship, Joe Jonas and Miguel are set to perform at mtvU's VMA Concert to Benefit Lifebeat - Music Fights HIV. Cobra Starship, along with special guest Sabi, will perform their track "You Make Me Feel" during the black carpet VMA Pre-Show. Can't make it to the mtvU Lifebeat show? Not a problem. MTV.com, in partnership with the Capital One Journey Card, is exclusively presenting live-stream performances by Joe Jonas and Miguel beginning at 9:30 p.m. PT on Saturday. During the show, fans can use their Facebook and Twitter accounts to chat about it. And after the show, select full length performances will be available on-demand at vma.mtv.com. "MTV supports so many great causes, and we're beyond grateful that they've made Lifebeat a part of VMA weekend again this year," Lifebeat Executive Director Ben Wymer said in statement. "We're looking forward to an amazing event and raising lots of funds for HIV/AIDS prevention and support." The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards will air live Sunday, August 28, from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET/PT, following the Selena Gomez-hosted pre-show at 8. See the list of nominees, revisit last year's highlights and vote for Best New Artist by visiting VMA.MTV.com. Related Photos Related Artists |
| Lady Gaga To Guest-Star On 'The Simpsons' Posted: 23 Aug 2011 07:46 AM PDT 'I play a little bit of a slut,' says singer, who appears as herself.
Adding another notch to her pop culture belt, Lady Gaga will appear on "The Simpsons." Lisa Simpson herself has confirmed the appearance. EW.com posted a photo of the star, looking glam in simple makeup and a black outfit, sitting in the recording booth for her episode, titled "Lisa Goes Gaga." "I make music, but I don't do voice-overs every day of the week, and their characters are so awesomely convincing and sincere and wild and funny, I had to remind myself constantly of the sincerity of the humor," Gaga said of her appearance on the show. "That's what I was trying to focus on, not putting on a character too much and really being as sincere as I could with the lines." The singer, who is slated to open the 2011 Video Music Awards this Sunday, says that appearing on the show is a pretty big deal. "I would say this is one of the coolest things I've ever done," she said. "My dad's probably going to do 80 backflips when the episode comes out." In the episode, Gaga comes to town to cheer up Lisa. The singer reveals that she ends up kissing Marge, joking, "I play a little bit of a slut. The apple doesn't fall far from my artistic tree." Yeardley Smith, who voices Lisa, spoke to Broadway.com about the pop star's appearance on the legendary animated show. "This is extraordinary! I'm stunned that she has time in her schedule that she's coming to our studio to record," she said. Smith expected to work with Gaga on their episode in Los Angeles this week. The episode will air in spring 2012, on the show's forthcoming season. Like many musicians and celebrities before her, Gaga will play Gaga. "She's playing herself, and ['The Simpsons' writers] describe her as the happiest, most optimistic person in the world," Smith continued. "She comes to Springfield to try to cheer up Lisa, but she can't." A version of Gaga appeared once before on an episode in which a likeness of the pop star appears as Elton John's Golden Globes date. Gaga, however, did not voice her that time. Related Artists |
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