MTV News |
- Evanescence: Family Values
- Lil Chuckee Could Be 'Another Wayne,' Mack Maine Says
- Occupy Wall Street: How Movement Stays Organized
- 'Dancing With The Stars': Chynna Phillips Can't Hold On
- Nicki Minaj And Pitbull Celebrate AMA Nominations
- Michael Jackson Dead, Naked Photo Shown In Court
- Justin Bieber Gets Romantic In 'Mistletoe' Teaser
- 'Avengers' Trailer: Five Key Scenes
- Occupy Wall Street Really 'Becoming A Force'
- Lady Gaga, Adele Lead American Music Awards Noms
- Nas Goes Back To The Projects For 'Nasty' Video
- Hugh Jackman Recalls Robert Pattinson Karaoke Night
- Rihanna Unveils <i>Talk That Talk</i> Album Art
- Paramore Announce 'Singles Club,' New Album In 2012
- James Cameron Calls 3-D 'Titanic' A 'New Experience'
- Childish Gambino Says <i>Camp</i> Tells 'A Whole Story'
- Rihanna Named <i>Esquire</i>'s Sexiest Woman Alive
- Lady Gaga Shoots 'Marry The Night' Video In New York
- Black Keys To Return December 6 With <i>El Camino</i>
| Posted: 12 Oct 2011 03:53 AM PDT With the release of their new album, Evanescence have weathered the storm and emerged as a genuine family, in Bigger Than The Sound.
A few months ago, I was sitting in a bar in Nashville watching Amy Lee play Ping-Pong. This was amazing for several reasons, the least of which was the fact that she was actually pretty good.
Because while the image of Lee — frequently corseted dark princess of hard rock — clutching a tiny racquet certainly threw me for a loop, it was the action around her that really struck me. Her bandmates were sitting at a nearby table, cracking jokes with the road crew, cheering whenever she cracked a return volley over the net or caught the corner of the table with an arcing lob shot. Lee was laughing and taunting her opponent, who just so happened to be her husband, who could do nothing but smile and take a drink of beer. Everyone seemed to be happy, having a good time, very much enjoying their particular lots in life. And that was important, because it basically flew in the face of everything I thought I knew about Evanescence, a band for which drama was about as common as a Drop D tuning. Fans already know the backstory: the abrupt and acrimonious departure of co-founder Ben Moody and a sundry of other lineup changes (firings, etc.) that followed; Lee's no-apologies kiss off to former boyfriend Shaun Morgan, "Call Me When You're Sober"; and the lengthy hiatus that came at the conclusion of the tour behind 2006's The Open Door. Even the most casual of music fans was probably aware of Lee's reputation as a difficult, oft-domineering taskmaster (or, if they weren't, her former bandmates were more than happy to talk about it). In short, being in Evanescence didn't seem like a whole lot of fun. And when I first spoke to Lee earlier this year, just as the band was putting the finishing touches on their third album, she admitted that all the Sturm und Drang of fronting the band had taken a toll on her — so much so that she thought about giving up altogether. "There was drama. ... There's always freaking drama," she said. "So we get towards the end of [the Open Door Tour], and I was like, 'Guys, I don't know about this. I need a break.' I just wanted to be normal; I didn't want to think about the next thing for as long as it took." But after reuniting her estranged mates for a warm-up in 2009, something changed. Lee told me that she fell back in love with "the Evanescence part" of her personality and, recharged, she and the band holed up in Nashville to record what would, rather tellingly, be their self-titled album. It was released on Monday, ending a five-year drought, and it is very much a band record, with Lee sharing writing credits on 11 of the 12 songs. It is, as she told me back in June: "About the band ... about falling back in love with this thing, with Evanescence, with what I've obsessed over for a decade, longer than that." Of course, I nodded. But I wasn't sure if I believed her. After all, this was Evanescence. And that doubt only grew each subsequent shoot: In Nashville's Blackbird Studios, where Lee — and producer Nick Raskulinecz (and none of her bandmates) — played me songs from the new album. At a sweltering video shoot in Brooklyn, where, though she was surrounded by the rest of the band, Lee did most of the talking. And, finally, back in Nashville, were Evanescence premiered their comeback single, "What You Want." But it was on that second trip to Nashville where I began to notice something about 2011 Evanescence. Namely, they genuinely seem to like each other — a whole lot. Sure, in interviews, Lee answers most of the questions, but that's only because the other guys in the band aren't exactly leaping at the chance to do so (except bassist Tim McCord; he's a funny dude). Man-mountain guitarist Terry Balsamo prefers to let his thundering chords do the talking, but behind the scenes, he'll light up if you mention his beloved Florida Gators. Troy McLawhorn, who left the band to join up with Lee's ex in Seether (but was welcomed back with open arms during the recording of Ev's new album), kids around with his mates and talks at length about his wife and son. And drummer Will Hunt is, like all good drummers should be, a bit of a wild man, a guy who enjoys nothing more than playing loud and fast (and living much the same way). They each play a role, and they do so willingly, gladly even. They laugh and crack inside jokes (like the one about McCord, a fire alarm and a New York hotel — ask him about it sometime), they protect one another, and they keep the machine running, because they genuinely care about each other and their band. In a lot of ways, through all the trials and tribulations, Evanescence have become more than a band; they have become a family, a collection of individuals as different as can be, yet united by a common love for one another. Their new album — and the lengthy road that led to its creation — is a testament to that fact. And that night in the bar, with Lee whipping forehands and her bandmates cheering her on, was proof. At least for me. It was the kind of camaraderie that cannot be forced; it must be forged. And Evanescence have definitely gone through their share of hardening. Now, finally, they can enjoy not only being a band, but a functioning (albeit nontraditional) familial unit. In the best scenarios, the two are usually one in the same. What do you think of Evanescence's new album? Share your reviews in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| Lil Chuckee Could Be 'Another Wayne,' Mack Maine Says Posted: 12 Oct 2011 03:53 AM PDT Chuckee 'invested in a studio and learned how to record himself,' Young Money president tells Mixtape Daily.
Celebrity Favorites: Mack Maine Young Money is an army, better yet a navy, and when it comes to their youngest soldier, Lil Chuckee, label president Mack Maine has high hopes. Mixtape Daily caught up with the YMCMB squad at Chuckee's birthday bash on October 1 in Atlanta, and El Presidente had some key advice for his 16-year-old spitter.
"Just make sure that he follows Wayne's work ethic," Mack told Mixtape Daily of the tip that he gave young Chuck. "To me Chuckee can be another Wayne, hopefully one day with time." Obviously, the teenage rhyme slinger has been listening. On his latest mixtape, Twap or Die, Chuckee follows in Weezy's footsteps, commandeering industry instrumentals for his own needs. Songs like YC's "Racks" becomes "Twaps on Twaps" while the Throne's new single "N---as in Paris" becomes "N---az in Hawaii." Throughout Chuck adds his own flavor, making each track his own. Mack, who helps oversee the careers of not only Wayne, but of Drake, Nicki Minaj, Tyga, Lil Twist and Cory Gunz, is impressed with Chuck's growth. "Chuckee called me and told me, 'I got my own studio,' " the President recalled. "So he listens. Instead of him saying 'I'm writing every day' he actually took his show money and invested in a studio and he learned how to record himself." The dedication has clearly paid off. "Chuckee doin' like five, six songs a day," Mack said. For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines. Related Artists |
| Occupy Wall Street: How Movement Stays Organized Posted: 12 Oct 2011 03:53 AM PDT Daniel Depaula explains protesters' nightly General Assembly to MTV News.
The demonstrators of Occupy Wall Street have made Lower Manhattan's Zuccotti Park their home for the foreseeable future, and they haven't ignored setting ground rules.
Establishing an infrastructure in the park — now dubbed Liberty Park — was one of the demonstrators' top priorities, ensuring everyone would have access to basic and essential resources. Many, if not all, of those decisions are reached at the General Assembly. The General Assembly is held every night at roughly 7 p.m., and everyone is invited to contribute. MTV News caught up with Daniel Depaula, one the facilitators of the GA, earlier this week. He explained how his group — the facilitation group — sets the evening's agenda based on proposals and then presents them to the assembly. "We're not really there to decide whether things are good or not," Depaula explained. "We are simply there just to make sure that the people proposing are aware of how the process works. So they don't run into any surprises once it goes to the assembly. "There are really no leaders or anyone with any power that anyone else doesn't have," he added. "Decisions are made autonomously by individuals or by groups, and larger issues are just brought to the assembly and discussed among everyone." What's even more interesting is how the proposals are pitched. The demonstrators at Occupy Wall Street aren't allowed to have megaphones, because they would cause too much noise pollution in the area, so they are forced to shout their proposal to the crowd, which then echoes the proposal for those further away. The massive game of telephone allows everyone to be involved in the decisions, and they're instructed at the beginning of the assembly how to respond (hands in the air if they agree, hands straight ahead of them if they're unsure, and hands downwards if they disagree). On Monday night's agenda: Whether to buy storage bins to maintain organization and cleanliness in the park. As the demonstration attracts more people, more waste is produced, so they want to keep things tidy. The group has a donation pool of money, but of course they have to vote first. Share your thoughts on the Occupy Wall Street movement in our comments section. Related Videos |
| 'Dancing With The Stars': Chynna Phillips Can't Hold On Posted: 12 Oct 2011 03:53 AM PDT Wilson Phillips singer joined in the bottom by reality star Rob Kardashian.
On Tuesday night's (October 11) "Dancing With the Stars," the final two couples came down to Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke and Chynna Phillips and Tony Dovolani. Although she was a high-scorer early in the competition, it was the Wilson Phillips singer's name called to head home.
During Monday's performance show, Phillips blanked and forgot her routine, and the judges — although they were fans of her work in weeks prior — had to score her lower because of it. It was movie theme week, and Phillips and Dovolani did the tango to the "Mission Impossible" song. The judges noted the mistakes Phillips made in her routine, but they were merciful in their comments, saying what she did right was beautiful and that she didn't lose her composure. "The challenge is for the professionals," head judge Len Goodman said after the botched routine. "They've got to maintain the character of the dance but still show us a little bit of the flavor of the film. I thought you got it just about right. You lost it, you went wrong, you didn't know where you were and you panicked. I'm sure had you nailed it, it was going to be great. Unfortunately, there were a lot of mistakes." Once her name was called, Phillips didn't appear too shocked, considering her mistakes. "I'm disappointed, I'm sad, but I have to take responsibility. I messed up," she said. "I have an amazing partner. I love you, Tony. You're amazing. He's been there for me 100 percent the entire way. I'm really grateful to have been on the show. Thank you for everyone who voted for me." Dovolani said he tried to save his partner once he noticed she was blanking. Still, he reiterated that he was proud of her. "The first thing that crossed my mind was to try to take care of her," he said. "It's a live show; things happen. She finished the routine." Were you sad to see Chynna go? Let us know in the comments. |
| Nicki Minaj And Pitbull Celebrate AMA Nominations Posted: 11 Oct 2011 03:38 AM PDT Minaj jokes that mentor Lil Wayne should 'move to the side and let me win' at the American Music Awards.
Whether they had a heads-up or not, when Nicki Minaj and Pitbull unveiled the nominees for the 39th annual American Music Awards on Tuesday (October 11), it was obvious they were both pleased to read the other's name off the list.
Minaj is nominated for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album, while Pitbull picked up nods for Favorite Latin Music Artist and Favorite Pop or Rock Male Artist. When MTV News caught up with the nominees immediately following the announcement, they weren't shy about their hopes for bringing home the big awards come November 20, when the AMAs air live on ABC. "It's an honor to be here with the kind of caliber of artists here," Pitbull said of fellow nominees Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Enrique Iglesias and Jennifer Lopez. "Me, I come to the awards shows and I just learn, I watch everyone, I see how they handle their performances and hopefully grab a couple things and apply it to my career. So to be here nominated and to also be performing at the AMAs, I want to thank you." The "Give Me Everything" singer also promised he'll do his best to top his VMA performance when he takes the AMA stage. "That [VMA performance] was definitely a lot of fun. It's hard to get 60 women from Miami on a plane after they were partying the night before and bring that vibe out there," he joked. "But that's definitely what we're looking for: We're looking for a lot of energy, something very sexy, sophisticated, powerful — and get ready." With regard to Miss Minaj's chances at victory, she's nominated in both categories with Young Money boss Lil Wayne, so we wanted to know if there will be any friendly wagering going on beforehand. "I don't know. He's won enough," she said with a smile. "He's been winning for 10 years, so he can move to the side and let me win, hopefully." Who will you be rooting for at the AMAs? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
| Michael Jackson Dead, Naked Photo Shown In Court Posted: 11 Oct 2011 04:56 AM PDT Image shown during Dr. Conrad Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial was taken moments after MJ was pronounced dead.
The involuntary manslaughter trial of former Michael Jackson doctor Conrad Murray got under way again Tuesday (October 11), when the jury viewed photos from Jackson's autopsy for the first time and heard more testimony from the lead police investigator in the case, the rest of a taped interview Murray gave to investigators two days after the singer's death, and potentially damaging testimony from L.A. County medical examiner Dr. Christopher Rogers who pronounced Jackson's death a homicide. Among the highlights of Tuesday's testimony: » The jurors heard the rest of a taped conversation between Murray and police, during which the Texas cardiologist said he had no idea what medications Jackson was getting from his other physicians and that the pop icon did not inform him that he was even seeing other caregivers. Murray also repeatedly referred to Jackson's dermatologist, Dr. Arnold Klein, as the one physician he knew of who regularly prescribed drugs to Jackson behind his back. » One segment of tape had Murray telling police, "When [Jackson] came back [from Klein's office], he was basically wasted and required 24 hours for recovery," adding that the production team on MJ's This Is It shows regularly complained about Jackson's visits to Klein's office. » The pathologist who performed the autopsy on Jackson, Christopher Rogers, told the jury that the singer was healthier than most 50-year-olds, with no heart disease or abnormalities, and that he found no fluid substances in MJ's stomach, mouth or esophagus, seemingly dealing a blow to the line of reasoning Murray's team is reportedly pursuing: that Jackson swallowed a fatal dose of the surgical anesthetic propofol without Murray's knowledge. Rogers emphasized the fact that, based on his findings, "The circumstances do not support [Jackson's] self administration of propofol. We don't know what Murray did when he went to the bathroom," Rogers said. "He had control [of the dosage] and might have accidentally given too much." » In one of the most shocking moments to date, prosecutors showed an image of Jackson's deceased, naked body on a gurney in the hospital, an image taken just moments after MJ was pronounced dead. » The Los Angeles Times reported that Defense Attorney Ed Chernoff hammered the LAPD's lead detective in the case, Scott Smith, about what Murray said in that taped interview on June 27, 2009. In one exchange, he asked Smith if there was anything Murray refused to talk about or if there was any question he would not answer, to which Smith replied, "No." » Though Chernoff said Smith took very detailed notes of the exchange, he never once mentioned in them the state of a key piece of prosecution evidence: a bottle of propofol found inside an IV bag. Earlier in the case, a coroner's investigator admitted that she found the bottle but never photographed or documented it in her notes. Murray has pleaded not guilty to the charge of involuntary manslaughter. He faces four years in prison and the loss of his medical license. Related Artists |
| Justin Bieber Gets Romantic In 'Mistletoe' Teaser Posted: 11 Oct 2011 01:40 AM PDT Teen superstar gets close to his female co-star in preview of Christmas-themed clip.
Less than a week until Justin Bieber's single "Mistletoe" is officially released the pop star is treating fans to a little behind-the-scenes video of the Christmas-themed clip. In the just-released teaser video, a crowd of screaming fans look hyped while Bieber shoots with director Roman White. In one scene, Justin stands in the middle of the street as snow falls around him; the street and trees are decorated with Christmas lights. Later in the preview, Bieber goofs around with his female co-star. "We are in the holiday spirit," the pop star says. "I'm really excited. [The song is] really catchy. I know all my fans are going to love it. It's something that I feel like they're going to be singing every Christmas." While there's no official release date yet for the video, it was shot last month (the single drops on Monday). And the teen star seemed excited to shoot with White, who worked with him on the "One Less Lonely Girl" video. "We came back, we're on [video number] two," Bieber says about White. "It's been a fun night and he's really funny. He's always cracking jokes." Apart from peeks at Bieber being his goofy self and holding impromptu Christmas-themed sing-along's with his fans, the teaser video is full of hints about what to expect from the video, including lots of romance between Bieber and his female lead. The pair dance, snuggle and even kiss. But, Bieber notes, the video is really all about his fans. "It was getting near the holiday season and I hadn't put out an album in a while, so I was thinking, you know, I had a lot of ideas and I thought maybe I could write a few Christmas songs," he explains. "So I was like, 'Hey let's do a Christmas album.' And I was able to put together a cool Christmas album for all my fans." What do you think of Justin's upcoming Christmas video so far? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists |
| 'Avengers' Trailer: Five Key Scenes Posted: 11 Oct 2011 03:53 AM PDT We break down our first good look at the superhero supergroup.
The first full trailer for "The Avengers" is here, though at first glance, it seemed much more like the work of Michael Bay — a little citizens-ominously-watching-the-skyline "Armageddon" here, a bit of city-block-destroying "Transformers" there — than the handiwork of Marvel and writer/director Joss Whedon. But that voice-over you hear in the beginning (the one assuring us humans were made to be ruled) is none other than Loki, who makes his first appearance about 20 seconds into the new footage, kick-starting a furious visual procession of superheroes, superheroes and more superheroes. While the trailer didn't deliver everything we were hoping for — nor did it have the ineffable coolness we might have expected — it gave us a whole lot of Marvel goodness to unpack, which we did with another MTV News expert trailer analysis:
Loki, Located Turbulence This Is Assembling?
Thor vs. the Captain? Say Hello to Your Hulk Check out everything we've got on "The Avengers." For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com. Related Videos |
| Occupy Wall Street Really 'Becoming A Force' Posted: 11 Oct 2011 03:08 AM PDT Co-hosts of political podcast 'Citizen Radio' talk to MTV News about their Talib Kweli connection and why the movement is more than a march.
On Monday, Kanye West and Russell Simmons stopped by to show support for the Occupy Wall Street protesters. But they weren't the first hip-hop celebs to lend their time to the cause. Last week, Talib Kweli also made a surprise appearance, which included a performance of his new song "Distractions." Can't get to New York City? Take our guided tour of the Occupy Wall Street headquarters.
And it was two of the forces behind the podcast "Citizen Radio" who were responsible for bringing Kweli to New York's Zuccotti Park, where the activists have set up camp for nearly a month. Shortly before the Brooklyn rapper's performance, MTV News caught up with Jamie Kilstein and Allison Kilkenny, co-hosts of the free and independent podcast. Kilstein, a political comedian, performed two charged stand-up pieces for the Occupy Wall Street assembly before introducing Talib as his surprise guest. "I know a lot of these kids are bored," Kilstein told us. "So I thought I would perform. And then I was like, 'Well, a lot of people don't know who I am, so what if I call all my famous friends?' and Talib was like the first one who signed on." The duo have done more than just entertain the young protesters, however. They've also been covering the Occupy movement from the start. Kilkenny, a reporter for The Nation, has been there since day one. "It was supposed to be a march but day by day, I've been more impressed by how it's grown and how it's become much more diverse. It's not just white, wealthy college students, it's kids who have been buried in student loans. It's people who have lost their jobs; it's union members, you know, nurses, teachers. So it's really becoming a force to be reckoned with."
Citizen Radio has been interviewing and broadcasting directly from the Occupy site in downtown Manhattan, talking to a broad spectrum of supporters, from nurses, teachers and electricians. As the movement spreads beyond Wall Street to spots around the country, increased media attention has followed, but the Citizen Radio hosts said their mission is to spotlight what they see as the most important aspects, including the diversity, the cooperation and the level of organization. Kilstein said some journalists have mistakenly played up a freak-show aspect of the rallies. "A lot of the mainstream media, what they're doing is they go there and they find the craziest person they can that may not even be a part of it." Still, Kilstein and Kilkenny are careful to keep a good sense of humor about the Occupy movement. That approach has earned them new followers, including Kweli, Sarah Silveman, Robin Williams and Noam Chomsky. "Liberals talk a lot of sh--," Kilstein joked. "We're really good at going to a bar and being like, 'We got to take down the man, and here's what we're going to do! Not tomorrow, because I'll be hung-over, and probably not the next day because we're going to go out drinking again, but one day, we'll get 'em.' This was people finally putting it all on the line." Share your thoughts on the Occupy Wall Street movement in our comments section! Related Videos |
| Lady Gaga, Adele Lead American Music Awards Noms Posted: 10 Oct 2011 11:25 PM PDT Katy Perry and Taylor Swift join the ladies dominating AMA nominations.
When the American Music Awards go down in November, expect it to be one big ladies' night, with A-listers Katy Perry, Adele, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift dominating the nominations, announced Tuesday (October 11). Case in point: The show's big category, Artist of the Year, has five nominees, but only one is a dude. Lil Wayne, Adele, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift are all up for the award. The Pop or Rock Music: Favorite Album nominees also belong to the women, with Gaga's Born This Way, Rihanna's Loud and Adele's 21. Meanwhile, the Pop or Rock Music: Favorite Female Artist nominees are Adele, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. There are some gentlemen in the mix, of course. The Pop or Rock Music: Favorite Male Artist nominees are Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars and Pitbull. The Rap/Hip-Hop Music: Favorite Artist nominees include Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj and Kanye West. All three nominees are also up for Rap/Hip-Hop Music: Favorite Album with Tha Carter IV, Pink Friday and the Jay-Z-assisted Watch the Throne, respectively. Chris Brown, Usher and Trey Songz are all looking to take home the trophy for Soul/Rhythm & Blues Music: Favorite Male Artist. Former Destiny's Child members Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland face off against Rihanna for Soul/Rhythm & Blues Music: Favorite Female Artist. Brown, Rihanna and Beyoncé are also up for Soul/Rhythm & Blues Music: Favorite Album for F.A.M.E., Loud and 4 respectively. Country Music: Favorite Female Artist honors go to Sara Evans, Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift, who is also up for Favorite Album in the country category for Speak Now. Alternative Rock Music: Favorite Artist recognizes Foo Fighters, Black Keys and Mumford & Sons. And the Adult Contemporary Music: Favorite Artist sees Katy Perry, Adele and Bruno Mars vying for the prize. Full list of American Music Awards nominations: Pop or Rock Music: Favorite Female Artist Pop or Rock Music: Favorite Male Artist Pop or Rock Music: Favorite Band, Duo or Group Pop or Rock Album Rap/Hip-Hop Music: Favorite Artist Rap/Hip-Hop Album Soul/R&B Music: Favorite Male Artist Soul/R&B Music: Favorite Female Artist Soul/R&B Album Alternative Rock Music: Favorite Artist Adult Contemporary Music: Favorite Artist Latin Music: Favorite Artist Country Music: Favorite Female Artist Country Music: Favorite Male Artist Country Music: Favorite Band, Duo or Group Country Music: Favorite Album Artist of the Year |
| Nas Goes Back To The Projects For 'Nasty' Video Posted: 11 Oct 2011 01:21 AM PDT MC strips his lavish lifestyle and revisits his native Queensbridge in the clip.
Who says you can't go back home? On his 1999 single "Hate Me Now," Nas claimed he was the first rapper to bring a platinum plaque back to the projects, and for his latest video, for "Nasty," God's Son stripped his lavish lifestyle down and went back to his native Queensbridge, New York.
Directed by Gold Watch, "Nasty" premiered online Tuesday (October 11). The clip starts with Nas, smoking a cigar in the backseat of a Rolls Royce, flanked by two bodacious beauties who fawn over the legendary rap star. Draped in diamond-encrusted jewelry and other high-priced accessories, Nas is driven through the dark New York City streets until the day turns to night. Once the sun rises, Esco hops out of the Rolls in the Long Island City section of Queens, saluting the kids standing on the corner with hearty handshakes. One lucky youngster is gifted with the rings from Nas' fingers, right before he passes a wad of cash to a man seated in a wheelchair. The entire 'hood lines up to greet their prodigal rap son as he returns to his old stomping grounds. The visual is particularly fitting, seeing as how for this first single from his upcoming 10th studio album, Nas returned to the raw hip-hop sound that initially earned him his place in the genre. Nasty Nas continues to walk down the rough and rugged streets, peeling off his suit jacket and just about any signifier of his accumulated wealth. Things begin to make sense as Nas enters 40-16 Vernon Boulevard, his old project building. The rapper, now dressed in a single Jesus piece and black sleeveless tee, marches up the stairs because of a broken elevator. Nas then walks into an apartment full of people before walking into a bedroom recording studio, where he begins to lay down vocals for the very song he's shooting a video for. There's no place like home. Share your "Nasty" reviews in the comments! Related Artists |
| Hugh Jackman Recalls Robert Pattinson Karaoke Night Posted: 11 Oct 2011 01:40 AM PDT 'Man, he's got a voice,' Jackman says of 'Twilight' star.
Back in 2009, there was a report that Hugh Jackman and Robert Pattinson hung out at a karaoke bar in Japan together. Now, more than two years later, MTV News heard the tale straight from Jackman himself, who stopped by our offices to chat about "Real Steel."
"I actually did karaoke with Rob. That's random, isn't it?" he said. "We were on our way to Japan, and he was promoting ['Twilight'] and I didn't talk to him at all on the flight, because he's this really tall guy with a hood over his head literally, and every time I'd go to the bathroom, I'd be like, 'Man, that guy takes some serious sleeping pills,' because this was him [slumps over] the whole time." But the twosome quickly went from strangers on a plane to friends at a bar. "When he got out, I was like, 'Hey, man,' and Baz Luhrmann was also on the flight because we were promoting 'Australia.' So we went out to this Japanese karaoke bar, and we invited Rob, and he came," he said. "And it was so much fun. Man, he's got a voice. Really soulful." Jackman expanded a bit on the night's debauchery, revealing what really goes on at a Japanese karaoke bar, for the uninitiated. "The first thing you do is you get inside this room, the doors are closed, and there's, like, eight of you," Jackman explained. "So it feels a little weird. And then all of a sudden, they open, and they bring in these boxes, which are basically [full of] dress-up [clothes], and it's all girls' clothes. I was a schoolgirl, Baz got dressed up, and Rob did not. He was too cool for school." Check out everything we've got on "Real Steel." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos |
| Rihanna Unveils <i>Talk That Talk</i> Album Art Posted: 10 Oct 2011 11:27 PM PDT Pop siren 'unlocked' sultry cover images for standard and deluxe versions of November 21 LP via Facebook.
Rihanna isn't afraid to push the envelope. Case in point: The pop star's just-released artwork for her upcoming album Talk That Talk. On Tuesday afternoon (October 11), the singer unveiled two provocative shots for the standard and deluxe versions of the November 21 LP via her latest fan mission on Facebook. In the image for the standard edition, Esquire's 2011 Sexiest Woman Alive holds her hair with one hand and stares seductively. Her now-signature "initial" font is on the top left corner of the cover, while the title appears on her arm. Rih also shows off her bad girl side on the cover of the album's deluxe edition, with a black-and-white headshot that has the 23-year-old beauty exposing some skin and blowing smoke out of her mouth. Keeping the momentum going, Rih recently broke Madonna's record for a solo artist achieving 20 top 10 singles in the shortest amount of time with the release of her Talk That Talk lead single "We Found Love." In late September, the singer was spotted filming the clip for the Calvin Harris-produced dance tune in a cornfield in Northern Ireland. Rihanna took to Twitter on Monday to tease the "Love" video, writing, "BTW #RihannaNavy saw the first cut for #WFL video today! Aw man, brace ya'self! Made me tear up like a lil bitch!!!" Share your thoughts on Rihanna's new album covers in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| Paramore Announce 'Singles Club,' New Album In 2012 Posted: 10 Oct 2011 11:37 PM PDT Band will make new songs available to fans strictly on their website and say new music is on the horizon.
You've got to hand it to Paramore: They keep their promises. After kicking off 2011 by telling MTV News they'd "definitely" release new music in spite of the departure of Josh and Zac Farro, they spent the ensuing months teasing fans with demo clips and live versions of those songs (not to mention one brand-new single, "Monster,"). Now Paramore have finally announced plans to release the tunes ... via a good old-fashioned "Singles Club." "For months now, we've promised that we'd be releasing some new songs before the end of the year. Well, here is where we finally make good on all that," the band wrote in a statement on their official site. "We are very happy to announce the 'Paramore Singles Club' that will be happening throughout the rest of the year. This club is our way of getting these songs directly to the Paramore family." The band is making three new songs available — "In the Mourning," "Renegades" and a brand-new, previously unreleased track called "Hello Cold World" — to fans in a variety of specially priced packages. Everything from a bare-bones download ($2.99) to a deluxe download/ T-shirt bundle that also comes with a limited-edition 7" box set due for release at the end of the year (the latter option will run you $54.99). In a few weeks, Paramore will drop one new song, "Renegades," which the band premiered live at last month's Fueled by Ramen 15th-anniversary celebration in New York, is the first out of the gate. And though the new tunes will no doubt satiate fans, Paramore also let it be known that there's even more music coming in the near future ... because they plan to hit the studio soon to begin work on the follow-up to 2009's Brand New Eyes. "We really wanted to do something special for all of you around the holidays to thank you for making 2011 so amazing and sticking with us as we go into 2012 and start working on a new album," they wrote. "So, without making this any longer than it already is, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for believing in us." Related Videos Related Artists |
| James Cameron Calls 3-D 'Titanic' A 'New Experience' Posted: 10 Oct 2011 11:51 PM PDT But he's also 'not changing a frame' during 3-D conversion process, which he previewed for reporters Tuesday.
In 2009, James Cameron announced to a crowd at San Diego Comic-Con that "Titanic," the iconic epic and king of the box office, would soon resurface in a theater near you, but this time in 3-D. Two years later, the conversion process is nearly complete and we're six months away from the April 6 release date. But on Tuesday (October 11), James Cameron showed off about 20 minutes of newly 3-D-ified scenes to a handful of journalists in New York to give them an idea of what the finished product will look like next year and to explain the process and his reasoning behind the re-release for the 100th anniversary of the boat's sinking. For Cameron, the re-release is about giving the audience a chance to relive an event that was more than just going to the movie theater. "I've always thought of watching this film in theaters as a social phenomenon, where parents will take their children or teenagers would go with their mom," Cameron said. "It would maybe be a woman going with a man she wanted to check out to make sure that his emotional plumbing was working before she made a big commitment." But the name "Titanic" doesn't carry the same weight across the age spectrum as it did in 1997, and Cameron said he understands the need to appeal to a new audience. "There are younger kids we're going to have to sell to who don't know the movie. There's going to be a teenage audience who knows the movie only from video. The question is, do they know that just from peer-to-peer socially or is it passed on from watching it with their parents?" Cameron said. Fans of the movie don't need to worry about any changes to the film they knew 14 years ago. Cameron explains that the only changes to the movie were the conversion to 3D. "We're not changing a frame. The ship still sinks. It ends the same way," Cameron said. Even some of the more dated special effects — "cringers," as Cameron referred to them — are there exactly as they were in 1997. The director said George Lucas and the ever-changing "Star Wars" trilogy helped him cope with that. "I see that as the example of what I don't want to do. I don't mean that as a slam," Cameron said. "[Lucas] considers his movies a perpetual work in progress. For me, the problem is, once you pull that thread, it all unravels. Where do you stop?' By the time the new version of the film is released this spring, the 3-D conversion will have taken over a year with work from 300 artists and a cost of $18 million, but Cameron said he is proud of the conversion. "I think the film holds up pretty darn well. In 3-D, it becomes kind of a new experience," Cameron said. "It's a much more intimate and involving experience both with the characters and with the physical space." From the look of the eight scenes shown Tuesday, it looks like "Titanic" could be one of the most successful post-conversions to date, and it might bode well for more potential 3-D conversions for Cameron's other films. "The question is whether the film would benefit from a re-release and would there be a big enough audience for it. 'Terminator 2,' maybe. I think that would be a good place to start," Cameron suggested. As we've seen with "Avatar," Cameron knows how to do 3-D well, and the clips shown Tuesday were no exception, especially the early scene of people boarding the ship. The effect does give a good sense of depth without gimmicky distraction. It was clear that care had gone into preserving the feel of "Titanic," while literally adding a new dimension. Only minutes after the clips began, the experience became more about seeing the film on the big screen again and less about the glasses on your face. That's the effect James Cameron hopes to achieve with audiences next spring. "I think the story can't be 'It's "Titanic" in 3-D,' " Cameron said. "I think the story should be 'It's "Titanic" coming back to the big screen and it's in 3-D.' " Check out everything we've got on "Titanic." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. |
| Childish Gambino Says <i>Camp</i> Tells 'A Whole Story' Posted: 11 Oct 2011 01:29 AM PDT 'The biggest compliment I can give it is that I like it more than everything else I've done,' MC tells MTV News.
Childish Gambino's most recent offering "Bonfire" serves as the first single from his first physical album, Camp. The action-packed, fast-paced, metaphor-filled song not only fits Gambino's camp theme, but it seems like a metaphor itself, signaling his arrival as a fully formed MC.
MTV News caught up with Gambino (a.k.a. "Community" star Donald Glover) in full makeup on the set of his video for "Bonfire," and he said the album was a real labor of love. "The biggest compliment I can give it is that I like it more than everything else I've done," he said. "I think it's a cohesive piece, and I wanted to tell a whole story with it. Hopefully, the whole album is like a book or a novel where [there's] a through line." Gambino said his favorite albums are the ones that tell stories that transport you somewhere else. On Camp, he hopes to emulate Biggie's storytelling prowess on the 1997 classic Life After Death. Gambino's upcoming debut album holds a special place in his heart for two reasons. For one, it will be the first time his fans can hold a physical copy of his music — thanks to his deal with Glassnote Records. Secondly, it was the culmination of everything he's worked on. "There were songs that we made, and I was like, 'This can't be on the album.' I felt like that was a thing of growth. There [would be] other times when I was like, 'Oh, this song is dope. We'll just throw it on there too.' But this one was like, 'No. We have to stick to the theme and the idea of what I'm trying to say.' " What are you expecting from Childish Gambino's debut? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
| Rihanna Named <i>Esquire</i>'s Sexiest Woman Alive Posted: 11 Oct 2011 12:02 AM PDT 'At the end of a concert, I don't feel like I've been this sexy thing,' she tells the mag, also opening up about Chris Brown.
Emma Stone, Beyoncé and Mila Kunis have nothing on Rihanna. The editors of Esquire magazine have named the singer the Sexiest Woman Alive. The mag's photos of the Talk That Talk singer are certainly sexy: She appears on the cover completely nude. In fact, she appears in many of the pics completely nude. But she claims she's not that aware of her sexuality. "At the end of a concert, I don't feel like I've been this sexy thing," Rihanna told the magazine about how she feels after her seemingly sexy stage show. "Really, I don't even think about it." The November cover girl said she thinks her show is only sexy when it has to be. "Unless it's a song that really calls for it, like Skin or S&M, or when I cover [Prince's] Darling Nikki. There's a section that's called Sex in the show, which is the obvious section for sexuality," she said of getting frisky during her act. Not only did Rihanna address her sexiness, but she also opened up about her former boyfriend, Chris Brown, saying she has moved on from the 2009 assault and is now, actually, a fan of his music. "It was too much anger. I'm really excited to see the breakthrough he's had in his career," she explained. "It's incredible to see how he pulled out the way he did. Even when the world seemed like it was against him, you know? I really like the music he's putting out. I'm a fan of his stuff. I've always been a fan. I would never wish anything horrible for him. Never. I never have." Related Videos Related Artists |
| Lady Gaga Shoots 'Marry The Night' Video In New York Posted: 10 Oct 2011 10:26 PM PDT Cultural center CEO tells MTV News that Gaga was 'friendly and kind' during Staten Island video shoot.
After multiple reports of Lady Gaga's Staten Island video shoot for "Marry the Night" hit the Net, MTV News has confirmed that the singer indeed shot her fifth Born This Way clip in her native New York.
MTV News caught up with the CEO of the Snug Harbor Cultural Center, where the video was shot on Monday, to get some details about the "Marry the Night" visuals. "We found both her and her crew to be easy to work with and low-key," Lynn Kelly told us. "I think we would have expected a lot of drama, and the truth is, she is probably the most down-to-earth person. It was endearing. She was friendly and kind." Lady Gaga "started to cry" the first time she heard the track for "Marry the Night." New York's Daily News reports that Gaga was spotted hiding behind a sheet in order to keep her video look concealed from the many onlookers who stopped to catch a glimpse of the star. According to tweets from passersby, dancers and extras were spotted dressed in multiple looks: some as ballerinas and others wearing leopard print. Gaga's mom was reportedly on set and spoke to some of the Little Monsters. While Gaga remained relatively hidden during the shoot, one fan tweeted that she was spotted sporting thick, black eyeliner with her hair done up. While she wouldn't reveal any insider details about the video, Kelly did have only the highest praise for Mother Monster. "I think, for us, we're so excited to have someone of her talent and to have somebody like that shoot here is a sheer honor," she said. "What her music does for music is so much more than entertainment. It's connecting to the arts on a much deeper level, and that's what I hope we can do here." What are you expecting from the "Marry the Night" video? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| Black Keys To Return December 6 With <i>El Camino</i> Posted: 10 Oct 2011 11:10 PM PDT Follow-up to band's breakout Brothers disc will be preceded by first single 'Lonely Boy,' due October 26.
Bob Odenkirk doesn't mess around. One day after a viral video starring the "Mr. Show" and "Breaking Bad" comedian as a used-car salesman pitching a "used, fully loaded El Camino" hit the Net (which instructed interested folks to contact Dan or Pat, a.k.a. the Black Keys' Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney) comes official word that the Keys' brand-new album is, in fact, called El Camino, and it's due December 6. That's according to the band's publicist, who said the follow-up to the duo's breakout Brothers album is completed and will be in stores just in time for the holidays. It features 11 tracks, including first single "Lonely Boy," which will be released October 26. Fans can pre-order El Camino beginning Tuesday (October 11) on the Black Keys' website. Produced by Danger Mouse (who did the band's 2008 album Attack & Release) and recorded in Auerbach's Easy Eye Studio in Nashville, Camino sees the band pushing their blues-and-garage-based sound even further, as Carney told MTV News backstage at the Video Music Awards in August. "He's a really good friend of ours, and he's super talented. It's always ... interesting," Carney said of working with DM. "It's comfortable, but at the same time difficult, because he does push us to do things we normally wouldn't do. ... I hope it sounds different enough that people see that we're still evolving." And, hey, like the Keys said late last month, it's definitely hitting stores before Blakroc 2. The track list for El Camino, according to the Black Keys' publicist: » "Lonely Boy" What are you expecting from new Black Keys music? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
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