MTV News |
- Best Artists Of 2011: Readers React
- Why Britney Spears, Bruno Mars Didn't Make Best Artists Of 2011 List
- 'X Factor': Marcus Canty's Time Runs Out
- Katy Perry Calls MTV Artist Of The Year Title 'Validating'
- 'Dark Knight Rises' Needs More 'Aggressive' Chanting
- John Leguizamo Pushes Boundaries In MTV's 'Pioneers' Speaker Series
- 'Arrested Development' Star 'Looking Forward' To Movie
- 50 Cent's Headphones Sales Will Benefit Feeding America Charity
- Katy Perry, Adele, Nicki Minaj Rule MTV's Best Of 2011
- Is Scarlett Johansson Happy To Not Play Sexy For Once?
- Adele Is Evanescence's Artist Of The Year, 'Big Time'
- Nicki Minaj 'Thrilled' By #2 Artist And Song Of 2011 Nods
- Jay-Z Compares Running Roc Nation To 'Having Kids'
- Nicki Minaj's 'Super' Year Makes Her #2 Artist Of 2011!
- 'Hunger Games' Goes Viral For 100-Day Countdown
- Katy Perry Is MTV's Artist Of The Year!
- Golden Globe Noms Celebrated By Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep
- How Did Rihanna Sneak By Beyonce On Best Artists Of 2011?
- Black Eyed Peas' apl.de.ap Launches 'Charity Dreams' Auction
- Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen React To Golden Globe Nods
| Best Artists Of 2011: Readers React Posted: 16 Dec 2011 03:53 AM PST Katy Perry fans celebrate Artist of the Year win, while Nicki Minaj fans think she should have come out on top.
For MTV's Best of 2011, our panel of experts counted down the Artists of the Year — the people they felt really owned the past 12 months. Fans certainly had a lot to say about the list, commenting on everything from the order to the artists who didn't make the top 10. There were a lot of comments that Adele or Gaga should have been in the top two instead of Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj, while some fans were angry that Bruno Mars and Chris Brown didn't make the cut. (One fan even said Internet sensation Rebecca Black should have made the list.)
While every fan wanted their favorite artist to be #1, it came down to Perry and Minaj vying for the top spot, and their fans loudly voiced their respective support of the pop star and rapper. A few were even torn over the decision! Katy Cats got their claws out to support Katy Perry, like Facebook user Sophia Santi who cheered, "She is the best she deserves that prize and has accomplished many [records] in music's history!!! She has to win!!! Go katy go katy!!!" The Barbz and Kenz also made their voices heard in support of Nicki Minaj. Manale Dkd Makuse hit Facebook to say, "Lie to yourselves all you want, as usual Nicki is taking it home. Love katy but she's so last year. Nicki is a queen this is her era get used to it." Katy was announced as the Artist of the Year, with Nicki taking the #2 spot. Katy's fans rejoiced. @Rockprincess91 tweeted, "@katyperry werked so hard! She totes deserves it! She's a legend! She's life! ProudofKatyPerry <3," and Facebook user Ashley Sweatman wrote, "Congrats 2 Katy PerrY. U Rock On, Gurl!!" Although #2 on a list containing Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Lil Wayne is certainly nothing to sneeze at, some fans were angry that Nicki didn't come out on top. @punk22 tweeted, "wtf, I mean clearly @NICKIMINAJ should've won but congrats I guess to @katyperry! Both hard working women!!" Katy accepted her award happily and even tweeted, "Wow! Artist of the Year x2! Thanks @mtvnews." Stick with MTV as we count down the Best of 2011, including the top Artists, Songs, Live Performances and EDM Artists of the year. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Why Britney Spears, Bruno Mars Didn't Make Best Artists Of 2011 List Posted: 16 Dec 2011 03:53 AM PST We attempt to explain the madness behind MTV brain trust's methods.
On Thursday, MTV unveiled our picks for the Best Artists of 2011 ... a list fittingly topped by none other than Katy Perry, who bested big-name stars like Nicki Minaj, Adele, the Throne and Lil Wayne to take home the honor. It wasn't an easy choice, but we'd like to think we got it right. After all, Katy had three #1 singles — with a possible fourth looming on the horizon — this year, took her massive California Dreams Tour to arenas around the world, won Video of the Year at the 2011 VMAs and frequently posed for photo-ops like this. It was a pretty impressive 12 months, to say the very least.
Still, it took a whole lot of back-and-forth from our panel of experts — a brain trust made up of folks from MTV News, MTV Music and Talent and MTV.com — before we could declare Katy our #1 choice ... and needless to say, as we've been unveiling our picks, not all of you agree with our decision. But it seems that most fans don't have a problem with who made our list ... they're taking issue with who didn't. And for all of the names bandied about by MTV.com readers, it seems that three keep coming up time and time again: Britney Spears, Bruno Mars and Pitbull, artists who each have a legitimate claim at being included in the conversation, if not placing in the top 10. So why didn't they? Let's try to explain. Before our brain trust met, each department gathered and created a list of their top 12 picks for Best Artist of 2011. Those lists were then compiled, and we used some good old-fashioned arithmetic to determine an overall top 12 (everyone's #1 pick was awarded 12 points, each #12 pick got 1). From there, we debated, eventually settling on the top 10. And here's where the snubs begin: It seems that, while Brit, Bruno and Pit made everyone's top 12, none of them placed high enough to accumulate enough points ... though all three were in the discussion, they each finished toward the bottom of the overall top 12 and, really, we couldn't move them up far enough to make the final 10. And, more specifically, we couldn't find anyone in the top 10 we felt could be taken out. Why? OK, let's break it down. Though Britney had a big year, our brain trust couldn't get past the fact that the story of her year hadn't changed all that much from previous years. She seemed to still be the princess of pop at the peak of her career, but she didn't necessarily gain any new ground this year. And though her chart-topping "Hold It Against Me" made tons of noise, Adele, Katy and Rihanna had lengthy Billboard reigns that were too difficult to overlook. Still Britney didn't finish entirely empty-handed. Her (really excellent) "Till the World Ends" placed at #10 on Bigger Than the Sound's 25 Best Songs of 2011 list. As far as Bruno is concerned, he came quite close to cracking the top 10, but the brain trust took issue with the fact that his Doo-Wops & Hooligans album came out last year, not to mention that, outside the success of "Grenade" in early 2011, his subsequent singles didn't reach #1 (though "The Lazy Song" did make it to #4). And if all of that seems like nit-picking, well, some of us on the brain trust would agree with you, but sadly we were out-voted. And when it came to Pitbull, let's just say that while he had a monster hit with "Give Me Everything" (which came in at #6 on the brain trust's Best Songs list), most of the panelists couldn't get past the fact that he never quite got around to matching that song's success ... ubiquitous Dr. Pepper ad campaign aside. So, there you go. Like we said, putting together a top 10 wasn't easy, and fans of Britney, Bruno and Pitbull probably have some legitimate gripes. Hopefully, explaining the madness behind our methods will help assuage some of their anger. Then again, probably not. Stick with MTV as we count down the Best of 2011, including the top Artists, Songs, Live Performances and EDM Artists of the year. Related Videos Related Photos |
| 'X Factor': Marcus Canty's Time Runs Out Posted: 15 Dec 2011 07:44 AM PST Josh Krajcik, Melanie Amaro and Chris Rene will face off in next week's two-part finale.
Marcus Canty's luck finally ran out on Thursday's (December 15) "The X Factor," as the 20-year-old from Bowie, Maryland, was voted off the show one week away from the finale. That leaves Josh Krajcik, Chris Rene and Melanie Amaro to battle it out for the $5 million recording contract in next week's finals.
Canty found himself in a familiar position on Thursday's results show when he was among the last two to have his fate read by host Steve Jones. Canty had landed in the bottom two each of the last three weeks but had pulled through each time, including last week's dramatic finish when he triumphed over cutie-pie contestant Rachel Crow after a controversial decision by Nicole Scherzinger to put the final results in the hands of America's votes. Canty didn't have a chance to sing for his life to the judges this week, as votes were decided by America and America only. Krajcik and Canty were the last two standing on the stage, and Krajcik was put through, sending Canty home. The singer, who was compared early on to Bobby Brown, took the news in stride. He was at a disadvantage coming off Wednesday's episode, after Simon Cowell called his performance of George Michael's "Careless Whisper" "grotesque" and "an absolute joke." His version of Boyz II Men's "I'll Make Love to You" didn't fare much better. "It's not over, just trust me. This is not the last time you will see Marcus Canty," Canty said after the vote was read. "I gave it my all, and that's really, at the end of the day, that's all you can do." L.A. Reid, who mentored Canty in the competition, expressed sadness at his contestant's elimination and told Canty he has his support going forward. Some 30 million votes were cast by viewers this week, according to host Jones. Earlier in the episode, Chris Rene was the first act put through to the finals, and Melanie Amaro followed. Jones stressed the results were read in no particular order. The show also saw Florence and the Machine performing "Spectrum" and Nicole Scherzinger debuting her latest single, "Pretty." Afterward, Cowell weighed in on the performance and mocked Scherzinger's cosmic judging style by telling her, "I believe in you, you believe in me, you transcend the universe, God is smiling on you, life is a waterfall, and you are the ultimate rainbow." Krajcik, Rene and Amaro will face off on Wednesday's 90-minute performance episode, and a winner will be crowned at the conclusion of next Thursday's two-hour finale. What did you think of the results? Let us know in the comments! |
| Katy Perry Calls MTV Artist Of The Year Title 'Validating' Posted: 15 Dec 2011 03:10 AM PST 'To be Artist of the Year, a whole 365 days, that's pretty cool,' she says in a video acceptance speech.
Katy Perry was everywhere in 2011, and thanks to that pop-culture takeover, she was named MTV's Artist of the Year.
The honor is the culmination of an insanely busy year for Perry, but she still found a few minutes to send a big "thank you" to everyone for her incredible success over the past 12 months. "Hi everyone at MTV! I just want to say thank you for this amazing award," she said in a video message. "To be Artist of the Year, a whole 365 days, that's pretty cool." Perry beat out fellow superstars Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Lil Wayne during our Best Artists of 2011 debate, which makes the win that much more unbelievable for the pink-haired singer. "I wasn't really allowed to watch MTV growing up, so this feels really validating," she said. "And I've had a fantastic year, a great tour and a great run, and you guys have been so a part of it and such a big reason why. So thank you so much. I really appreciate it."
Perry was all over the radio in 2011, thanks to hit singles like "E.T.," "The One That Got Away" and "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)." She appeared on the big screen in "The Smurfs" and the small screen hosting "Saturday Night Live." She hit the road for her California Dreams Tour, kept us captivated with videos like the VMA-winning "Firework" and "E.T." and always had us talking, whether it was about what she was wearing, tweeting or saying. And, oh yeah, "Firework," also happens to be MTV's #10 Song of the Year. As 2011 comes to an end, Perry will kick off the new year with Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for "Firework." Stick with MTV as we count down the Best of 2011, including the top Artists, Songs, Live Performances and EDM Artists of the year. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| 'Dark Knight Rises' Needs More 'Aggressive' Chanting Posted: 15 Dec 2011 06:23 AM PST 'If you want to be heard, get a little louder,' composer Hans Zimmer tells fans contributing to film's soundtrack.
Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer made Batman fans' dreams come true earlier this year when it was announced they would have an opportunity to contribute to "The Dark Knight Rises" score by recording and uploading their own versions of an official chant at UJAM. On top of that, fans got an early listen of the chant via the first photo reveal of Tom Hardy as Bane.
Now, with a few lucky audiences getting early glimpses of the highly anticipated film via its six-minute prologue, there is more of the chant to hear, which has us wondering if it will be part of Bane's theme in the movie. When MTV News caught up with Zimmer himself recently, we asked how it's been scoring for the seriously villainous Bane and how much of the chant will be in the film. "Chris [Nolan] and I came up with the idea of the chant a long time ago. I had this great idea, or maybe Chris and I did, of hundreds of thousands of people chanting. Well, as soon as you say the words hundreds of thousands of people, there goes the privacy, because you have to let people know what you're doing." Zimmer said the original chant that was used for the big Bane reveal was made with just a few of his closest friends, so he has very high hopes for what has been sent in from fans already. "It's nice to have the whole world join in on a chant. My only problem is that they're so well-behaved on the chanting right now," he said. "If anybody goes onto UJAM right now, I need a little bit more. If you want to be heard, get a little louder, get a little more aggressive," he encouraged. So is this great big collaborative chant Bane's theme in the film? "It's not necessarily his through-line; it will be an aspect of it," Zimmer said. "Right now we're all focusing on the chant because that's all you guys are hearing. It's a very small part of the score, but I think there is something wonderful about finding a way of having the people who really care for this movie be participants in this movie." Check out everything we've got on "The Dark Knight Rises." For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com. |
| John Leguizamo Pushes Boundaries In MTV's 'Pioneers' Speaker Series Posted: 15 Dec 2011 04:33 AM PST 'I'm coming into the party, I'm going to be somebody and you can't stop me,' actor says of his career pursuits.
Triple-threat talent John Leguizamo has made a career out of pushing boundaries, not being afraid to speak his mind and never taking no for an answer. As such, we were proud to have him as part of our MTV Pioneers Speaker Series, where he sat down with MTV News' Sway Calloway to talk about breaking the mold, not being typecast and what success means to him over a career that has included roles in film, television and on Broadway.
One of his many groundbreaking roles was the beloved character Chi-Chi from "To Wong Fu, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar," a role to which Leguizamo said he gave 100 percent. "I just went all out. I wanted awards and sh--, so I wasn't playing," he joked about his motivations for taking on the character. "I was going to take no prisoners. I was on a vegetarian no-protein [diet], so all my muscles would disappear. I stopped training, I would just run like crazy. In the movie, they were great, we did a lot of research. We went to all the drag queen clubs, like Escuelita, which used to exist here [in New York City], with all the Latin drag queens, and we had a godmother drag queen who would put us through the paces every day," he recalled of his transformation with co-stars Patrick Swayze and Wesley Snipes. "We worked every day for hours and hours every day until we could get it perfectly drag queen-like." When asked about how he approached being a minority and how that affected his decisions, Leguizamo said that you have to know what you want and go for it. "You've got to be thoughtful about your career. When you're a minority — and I don't really even like that word anymore because we're not as minority as we used to be — you have to think about what you're saying and what you're leaving behind. When I was a little kid, we didn't see [ourselves] on TV or anywhere. It was weird because you didn't feel like you were a part of the American fiber," he recalled. "Latin people, we have a 45 to 50 percent dropout rate in this country, and I understand that. It's a tragedy and shouldn't be happening, but you understand it. You don't feel connected in that positive way that your people and you are going to make it, and 'this is your chance and this is your opportunity,' no, you feel like you're not really a part of it. "You have to crash into the party even if you're not invited," he said, indicating that those who have dreams of "making it" have to carve out their own career paths. "I was going to be that guy, I didn't care I wasn't invited. 'I'm coming into the party, I'm going to be somebody and you can't stop me.' " |
| 'Arrested Development' Star 'Looking Forward' To Movie Posted: 15 Dec 2011 04:40 AM PST 'I'm certainly more optimistic than I was four months ago,' David Cross tells MTV News about returning to the Bluth household.
"Arrested Development" fans across the world rejoiced in early October when it was announced that the cult comedy classic would make a comeback in the form of a new television miniseries and movie. Since then, Netflix has come aboard to host the new "Arrested" series, adding further hope to the fact that this time, finally, for serious, no fakesies or backsies, the Bluths are really returning to the screen.
Even David Cross — who starred on the show as world-renowned analrapist (that's analyst/therapist, you pervs) Tobias Fünke — is growing increasingly optimistic about the comeback. In the past, Cross has responded to rumors of an "Arrested" movie with an "I'll believe it when I see it" attitude. He still maintains that position to a degree, but even Cross admits that the chances of future "Development" are better than ever. "I'm certainly more optimistic than I was four months ago," Cross told MTV News during a recent interview to promote "The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret," his IFC comedy series returning for a second season January 6. "But I still — not being jaded or cynical about it, but just being realistic — I will believe it when I see it. I'll believe it when it's all happening. But I'm definitely more optimistic now than I was a couple of months ago." Cross added that even though plans for "Arrested Development" aren't fully firmed up just yet, he's still looking forward to getting back into Tobias' famous denim cutoffs. "For me, Tobias is such a fun character to play," he said. "I'm looking forward to it, as I know everyone in the cast and crew is. Everyone is really looking forward to doing it." At the moment, Cross is only slightly less in the dark than most of us when it comes to what the future holds for his "Arrested Development" character. "I've seen ['Arrested' creator Mitch Hurwitz] a couple of times since that New Yorker event where they announced [the show's return]," he said. "He has kept me up to date with his ideas. I don't think they've been put down on paper yet. I imagine based on past experience, as it starts to get fleshed out, he'll start telling me things and picking my brain about things." If you can't wait until the return of "Arrested Development," you can get plenty more of Cross on "Todd Margaret" when season two premieres in January. What do you want to see from the "Arrested Development" revival? For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. |
| 50 Cent's Headphones Sales Will Benefit Feeding America Charity Posted: 15 Dec 2011 04:19 AM PST Sale of each headset will provide 250 meals, rapper tells MTV News.
50 Cent's entrepreneurial efforts are currently dedicated to pushing his new line of SMS Audio headphones, but the music mogul has also put a charitable spin on the venture. During the NYC launch party for his new tech gear, Fif told MTV News that proceeds from each pair of headphones will be donated to charity.
"Because of my Street King initiative, with every purchase there's a meal being provided through the United Nations World Food Programme," he said. "And with this actual project, I decided I wanted to do something here in America. So for every pair of these headsets that are sold domestically and online through SMSAudio.com, 250 meals will be provided by Feeding America, which is our leading charitable organization against hunger." Over the past few months, 50 has been outspoken about the need to fund charitable organizations, using sales from his Street King energy drink to launch a campaign focused on feeding "a billion kids." "I think business is the answer for finding finances for situations that have been unanswered and untouched," 50 added. "If young entrepreneurs follow in my footsteps, with having a charitable business model that actually gives back, then you don't have people standing at Occupy Wall Street, because they're aware that the major corporations are conscious of them." 50 Cent's SMS Audio headphones are priced at $299.99 for a standard pair and $399.99 for the wireless version. They're available in white, black and blue through SMSAudio.com. Related Artists |
| Katy Perry, Adele, Nicki Minaj Rule MTV's Best Of 2011 Posted: 15 Dec 2011 04:07 AM PST We revealed our top Artists, Songs, Live Performances and EDM Artists all week long.
Forget ladies' night; it's the ladies' year. All week, MTV has been counting down our Best of 2011, and Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj and Adele definitely had us talking during our roundtable debates. Perry had the biggest year of them all, being crowned MTV's Artist of 2011. "To be Artist of the Year, a whole 365 days, that's pretty cool," Perry said in her acceptance speech. Minaj landed at #2, with Adele, the Throne, Lady Gaga and Rihanna also high on our Artists of 2011 list. Adele might not have topped our Artists debate, but there was no denying her "Rolling in the Deep" was the Song of the Year. Minaj fell just short of the prize again, with "Super Bass" nabbing the #2 spot, and Rihanna's "We Found Love," LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem" and Gaga's "Born This Way" were also part of our MTV experts' roundtable debate. But why should we have all the fun? For Best MTV Live Performance, we turned to you, asking fans to vote for their favorites among standout sets from Mac Miller, Beyoncé and Lil Wayne. When the votes were tallied, 30 Seconds to Mars' "Unplugged" performance of "Hurricane" and Paramore's "Brick by Boring Brick" at the Fueled by Ramen anniversary show landed at #1 and #2, respectively. We kicked the week off celebrating a formerly niche genre that really broke through to the mainstream in 2011: electronic dance music. A lot of dance artists have become household names, like deadmau5 and Swedish House Mafia, but at the end of the Best EDM Artists of 2011 debate, it was pop superstar David Guetta at #2 and five-time-Grammy-nominated DJ/producer Skrillex up top. Why end the debate now? Share your picks for the Best of 2011 in the comments below to keep the conversation going! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Is Scarlett Johansson Happy To Not Play Sexy For Once? Posted: 15 Dec 2011 02:28 AM PST Actress plays a 'practical, salt-of-the-earth' character in 'We Bought a Zoo.'
Anyone who has followed Scarlett Johansson's career will agree that she carved out a niche for herself early with several roles as "the fantasy girl." Those looking for that side of Johansson might be disappointed to learn that there is nothing "forced sexy" about her character in her latest film, "We Bought a Zoo." When MTV News caught up with Johansson recently, we asked if it was refreshing to play "normal" and not have to appear scantily clad at any point in "Zoo."
"Yes, that's always refreshing. It means you can eat more," Johansson joked about remaining fully clothed. "For me, one of the big draws of the film was exactly that. It was the fact that I was not playing the girl who is always bridesmaid never a bride, or looking for a husband, or the other woman — none of those things. She's a very practical, salt-of-the-earth, rounded, motivated, independent woman. I find as I get older, it's nice to move away from the ingénue category. "It's fun, and I've done very well by it, but it's nice to be able to transition into women that come with a history, that are established," she added. We brought up the fact that the female characters in Cameron Crowe movies ("Almost Famous," "Say Anything" "Jerry Maguire") tend to be attracted to the emotionally broken and confused leading men. When we asked Johansson if she is attracted to that type of guy, she found the question hilarious. "Oh God, a midlife-crisis guy — that sounds horrible!" she said, laughing. " 'Are you in between jobs? Are you broken from a previous relationship? Do you need dental work?' No, no, [I'm] not at all [attracted to that type]. I look for confidence and wit and charm." There you have it, guys. Mr. Johansson need only possess those three key traits. Check out everything we've got on "We Bought a Zoo." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos |
| Adele Is Evanescence's Artist Of The Year, 'Big Time' Posted: 15 Dec 2011 12:58 AM PST 'It's been cool to watch her succeed, because it's just someone who's truly talented, no gimmicks involved,' Amy Lee tells MTV News.
In 2011, Evanescence rose again, ending a four-year hiatus with a chart-topping new album, a pair of booming singles and a triumphant tour.
So as the year draws to a close and MTV reveals our picks for the Best of 2011, we're reaching out to a host of acts who dominated and defined the past 12 months to get their take on the year in music. And, really, there are few that both dominated and defined quite like Evanescence did. That's why we had to ask frontwoman Amy Lee who she'd name as the year's best artist. And her answer is sort of shocking, given that she fronts one of the loudest bands in rock. Then again, her pick did have, without question, one of the biggest years of any artist, in any genre. "My artist of the year? Adele. I think this was, big time, her year, [and] I'm just so happy to see her succeed the way she has," Lee said. "I know she got a bunch of Grammy nominations ... and it's awesome. It's been cool to watch her succeed, because it's just someone who's truly talented, no gimmicks involved." Lee didn't stop her praise for the British singer there. She also chose Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" as her song of the year (hey, so did we!), proving that, though she's spent most of 2011 resurrecting her band and reclaiming the rock throne, she also found time to listen to the radio. All this week, watch "AMTV" on MTV every day at 8 a.m. ET for our Best of 2011 lists. Then, come to MTVNews.com at 5 p.m. as we reveal our top picks of the year! |
| Nicki Minaj 'Thrilled' By #2 Artist And Song Of 2011 Nods Posted: 15 Dec 2011 03:10 AM PST 'U guys always know a good thing! Ha!!!!' Young Money MC tells MTV News.
Nicki Minaj's year was nothing short of amazing. The reigning queen of hip-hop spent 2011 climbing the charts, hitting the road and racking up a slew of awards. All of that helped her secure the #2 spot for her smash single "Super Bass" on MTV's Best Songs of 2011 rankings and landed her at #2 on our list of the Best Artists of the year.
"Thanks MTV!!!!" Minaj said told MTV News in a statement. "U guys always know a good thing! Ha!!!! The barbz and I are thrilled. :)" The Young Money MC released her debut, Pink Friday, at the end of 2010 and rode the success of that album well into 2011 with several hit singles, including "Moment 4 Life" (featuring Drake) and the infectious "Super Bass." Minaj also further expanded her fanbase into the pop world by joining Britney Spears on her Femme FataleTour. "I wanted my set to be more than an opening act, 'cause, you know, I did that already," Minaj told MTV News back in August. "I always like to raise the bar for myself, and that's what I did. I think it's important to give people what they paid for. I don't really expect them to know all the records, but I guess it just kind of transcends all genres of music at this point." And transcending genres is exactly what Nicki is doing. She just shot the video for Madonna's "Gimme All Your Luvin", which will also feature M.I.A. The four-time Grammy nominee also released "Roman in Moscow," the first track off her upcoming sophomore album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. It's all setting the stage for a big 2012. "It's been overwhelming, it's been crazy," she recently told us about her tremendous year. "But it's been fun. ... It's been a crazy year." Stick with MTV as we count down the Best of 2011, including the top Artists, Songs, Live Performances and EDM Artists of the year. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Jay-Z Compares Running Roc Nation To 'Having Kids' Posted: 14 Dec 2011 11:56 PM PST 'When you see that someone can make it on their own ... you let that talent be,' label boss says of J. Cole.
Jay-Z isn't a dad quite yet, but maybe his many years as a label head has prepped him for fatherhood. "I think running a label is a bit like having kids," Hov told MTV News while in New York to promote two charitable Carnegie Hall concerts in February.
The Roc Nation CEO's answer came in response to criticism that he could have done more to endorse J. Cole, who dropped his debut, Cole Word: The Sideline Story, in September. "When you know someone needs more help, you help them," Jigga said. "When you see that someone can make it on their own ... you see Kanye or J. Cole, you see that sort of talent — you let that talent be. You let that talent find its way." It's no secret that a co-sign from the God MC can help anyone's career, but in the case of J. Cole, Hov didn't believe his Roc Nation signee needed any more than what he was given. And apparently, Jay was right. With Sideline Story, Cole debuted at #1 on the Billboard albums chart, selling more than 217,000 copies in its first week of release. To Hova's credit, he did appear on "Mr. Nice Watch," a braggadocious album cut off of Cole's debut, but the guest appearance came in the ninth inning. By August, Jay had not yet contributed to the album. During a press listening session that month it was clear that Cole was not expecting the feature. "Nobody owes me anything," he said. "Jay-Z doesn't owe me a verse because I signed to him." Still, Jay was watching his protégé from afar, careful not to interfere with Cole's creative process. "Of course, you're not gonna let any harm befall it," Hov said of his approach to cultivating talent. "You pretty much let people find their way." As Roc Nation enters 2012 with a roster that includes Willow Smith, Jay Electronica and vocalist Bridget Kelly, Hov has set a standard on how he intends to run his company. "I'm just really here to provide opportunity. I'm not here to do anything else," he said. "I provide the opportunity, you figure out what you want to say to the world and how you gonna do it. "It's much more than just a [16-bar verse] and an endorsement deal; it's an opportunity to let your voice be heard. It's really about you, it's not about me." What do you think of Jay's approach to running Roc Nation? Sound off in the comments below! Related Artists |
| Nicki Minaj's 'Super' Year Makes Her #2 Artist Of 2011! Posted: 15 Dec 2011 02:00 AM PST Rapper's popularity hit fever pitch in 2011 as she toured with Lil Wayne and Britney Spears.
Nicki Minaj kicked off her 29th birthday on the video set for Madonna's "Give Me All Your Love," and if that collaboration isn't enough indication of the monster year she's had, then factor in the kiss and personal birthday song Madge threw in.
Minaj released her debut album Pink Friday in November 2010, but her popularity hit fever pitch this year, which is why MTV has named the Young Money rapper the #2 in MTV's Artists of 2011 list, second only to Katy Perry. Running off the momentum of last year — when she performed at Jay-Z and Eminem's sold-out Yankee Stadium shows — Minaj joined her YMCMB family on Lil Wayne's I Am Still Music Tour early in 2011. She then surprised even herself by landing an opening stint on Britney Spears' Femme Fatale Tour, where the two treated audiences to joint performances of Spears' "Till the World Ends" remix. In addition to the fans she gained from both high-profile tours, Nicki's new cult following grew even more after her monster single "Super Bass," which became a pop-culture phenomenon and landed at #2 on MTV's Best Songs of 2011 list. Video clips of pop stars such as Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez rapping over the track made rounds on the Web, catapulting the song to new heights. It makes sense then that when Minaj won the award for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Artist at the 2011 American Music Awards, she gave a shout-out to Taylor Swift — who was in the audience mouthing the words to "Super Bass." That night, Minaj also beat out Jay-Z and Kanye West's Watch the Throne and Lil Wayne's Tha Carter IV for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the year, but that was only a fraction of her 2011 awards-show sweep. The colorful clip that accompanied "Super Bass" nabbed a Moonman for the year's Best Hip-Hop Video at the VMAs, and the Young Money rapper took home a trophy for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist at the BET Awards. Top that off with Billboard's 2011 Rising Star Award and a much-coveted 2012 Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. Music was only the beginning of Nicki's whirlwind year. The Queen Barb inked a new deal with OPI nail polish to release her own six-color line in 2012, and in November, she joined Ricky Martin as the face of MAC's 2012 Viva Glam campaign (hear her rapping about both deals on Drake's Take Care single "Make Me Proud"). As the new projects and collaborations continued to roll in from left and right, Minaj's throng of Barbz began to press her for new music, which prompted Nicki to announce a February 14 release date for her sophomore album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. The LP's first single, "Roman in Moscow," debuted just as Mattel immortalized her in a one-off Nicki Minaj Barbie doll that would be auctioned off for charity. The public's love affair with Minaj this year was easy enough to sum up in words, but D12's Bizarre put a visual spin on it with the strange but entertaining "Hey Nicki" video. The clip catches the Detroit rapper vying for her attention, and although it reaches into creepy territory, you can't help but feel that the masses perfectly understand Bizarre's infatuation. If you still haven't had enough Nicki Minaj in 2011, catch her closing out the year on Dick Clark's Rockin' New Years Eve. Stick with MTV as we count down the Best of 2011, including the top Artists, Songs, Live Performances and EDM Artists of the year. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| 'Hunger Games' Goes Viral For 100-Day Countdown Posted: 15 Dec 2011 01:42 AM PST In this week's Hobnobbing, we examine Lionsgate's latest attention-grabbing campaign.
One-hundred days can seem like a pittance when, say, it's the first week of September and you've pleasantly (and too quickly) whiled away three months' worth of summer vacation. But 100 days can feel like an eternity when it's all that's standing between a fan and a highly anticipated film debut. Such is the case for the big-screen adaptation of "The Hunger Games," which hits theater March 23, 2012 — exactly 100 days from today. To sate fans' appetites and capitalize on a milestone date, Lionsgate launched a viral campaign called #HungerGames100 Poster Puzzle Hunt. The online scavenger scramble recruited 100 different websites (including MTV) to host a piece of a puzzle and tweet a relevant link. Once solved, the puzzle would reveal the newest poster for the film starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth.
In keeping with the film's Twitter-heavy rollout, intrigued fans took to the social-networking site to chat about the project. @mayachelsie wrote, "This #HungerGames100 is making me too excited. Oh gosh. I think I'm gonna throw up... 100 DAYS TILL THE HUNGER GAMES!" Similarly, @KarimaHessen enthused, "#HungerGames100 This is going to be the longest 100 days of my liiiiiife!!" Though many fans were excited by the film's impending debut and the campaign itself, the prospect of hunting down 100 individual pieces was daunting for many. @16princessful mused, "I am not gonna even try to find all 100 pieces cuz I don't even know where to start lol. #HungerGames100." @mollsabeth chimed in, "If I didn't have a job, I would absolutely be trying to solve the #HungerGames100 puzzle." Whether you joined the hunt or waited for a more industrious (not to mention patient) fan to solve the puzzle, it's hard to deny Lionsgate caught the Internet's attention, with many high-profile sites participating (in addition to MTV, Entertainment Weekly, E! Online and People all played ball) and the campaign, at times, trending on Twitter. This isn't the first time Lionsgate has utilized the power of the interwebs. Back in October, MTV and a handful of other sites participated in a concerted rollout of the film's character posters (hello, Peeta!), and, of course, Twitter went into a tizzy for the film's first teaser and trailer debuts. Though we can only speculate as to what viral treasures await in 2012, we want to know what you think of these types of campaigns. Quirky and cool? Or too much work? Sound off in the comments below and tweet me @amymwilk with your thoughts and suggestions for future columns! Check out everything we've got on "The Hunger Games." For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. Related Photos |
| Katy Perry Is MTV's Artist Of The Year! Posted: 15 Dec 2011 02:00 AM PST Pop star made history in 2011 with chart-topping hits that empowered fans.
In 2011, no one shined as brightly as Katy Perry. It's hard to think back on the past 12 months without getting one of her songs stuck in your head.
As MTV's Artist of the Year, Katy found success by unapologetically being herself. She sang about aliens, her foggy memories of house parties, lost love, true love, being yourself and everything in between. It's easy for fans to connect to Perry and her music: She's an open book. And in 2011, she turned a few more pages. Riding high off the success of 2010's Teenage Dream, Perry didn't rest on her laurels. Instead, she set the bar even higher by hitting the road on the California Dreams Tour, where night after night, decked out in candy-colored clothes, she belted out her greatest hits and empowered her fans with tracks like "Firework." That anthem, originally released late last year, became so ubiquitous this year that it finds itself at #10 on MTV's Best Songs of 2011 list. Visually, she always wanted to keep us guessing. She continually made music videos that were cinematic, tickling our funny bones at times (see: "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)") and leaving us nostalgic at others (see: "The One That Got Away"). In August, she took home the VMA for Video of the Year for — you guessed it — "Firework." Perry told the audience at the show, "I feel like I am doing something right when I sing that song. So thanks to everyone who helped to create it." That same night, she also nabbed the Moonman for Best Collaboration for her Kanye West-assisted track, "E.T."
Perry is one of the new millennium's biggest pop stars, and she matched some of pop's greatest icons on the charts this year. She tied Billboard records previously held by Michael Jackson and later one held by Janet Jackson and George Michael by having so many hit singles off one album. But we weren't just talking about Perry's music this year. She made us giggle with an LOL-worthy hosting stint on "SNL" and made her big-screen debut voicing the iconic Smurfette in "The Smurfs." Offscreen, she's proved to be the kind of girl that can laugh off rumors that she's pregnant and getting divorced. She's loud, cool and a real girl's girl. It's no easy task to sum up Katy Perry's year. And all those accomplishments make it clear that she's our girl. What would 2011 have been without Katy? It's a 2011 we want nothing to do with. Stick with MTV as we count down the Best of 2011, including the top Artists, Songs, Live Performances and EDM Artists of the year. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Golden Globe Noms Celebrated By Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep Posted: 15 Dec 2011 12:11 AM PST Owen Wilson, Elton John, Zooey Deschanel and more react to nominations.
Setting aside the Golden Globe snubs and shockers for a moment, there's a lot of love flowing from the grateful chosen parties. MTV News has gotten very gracious and thrilled reactions from Globe nominees in film and television, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Elton John and David Duchovny. "I'm honored to be nominated by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association today," DiCaprio said in a statement after his nomination for Best Actor in a Drama for "J. Edgar." "I was extremely humbled to work alongside [director] Clint [Eastwood] and the entire cast of 'J. Edgar,' and am very excited to be recognized for my work on the film. Thank you."
"I'm thrilled to be included in this beautiful group of actors and actresses," 25-time nominee Meryl Streep said of her Best Actress in a Drama nomination for "The Iron Lady." "I'm very proud of our movie and look forward to seeing everyone at the party in January." "It is an absolute honor to be nominated," said Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical nominee Owen Wilson in a statement, who also picked up a SAG nomination for his work in Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris." "It was a great movie to work on, and I couldn't be happier to be recognized by the HFPA." "I'm very touched by the HFPA's recognition of 'The Descendants' among so many other fine films this year, and I'm particularly gratified by the inclusion of Shailene Woodley along with George Clooney for acting honors," writer/director Alexander Payne said in a statement of his Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay nominations for "The Descendants." "I'm looking forward to the Golden Globes dinner and hope they provide a low-sodium option." Elton John received his second nomination for Best Original Song for "Hello Hello," which he wrote with longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin for Disney's animated feature "Gnomeo & Juliet": "I am just thrilled that Bernie and I have been nominated for a Golden Globe. What a great end to a fantastic year!" John won the award in 1995 for "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from "The Lion King." Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, whose "The Skin I Live In" was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film, might win the award for most gracious reaction so far: "I am very happy with my Golden Globe nomination for my latest film 'The Skin I Live In,' " he said in a statement. "The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has always been very generous with me and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. I'm competing with other foreign films that are so fabulous; I don't mind being defeated by any of them. For me, the award will be being at the Beverly Hilton sharing dinner and mineral water with so many people I admire." Turning toward the land of television, first-time nominee Zooey Deschanel sent out her reaction via a re-tweet of congratulations from "Office" actress Mindy Kaling. "omg. OMG. speechless! RT @mindykaling OMG @ZooeyDeschanel U R SO GANGSTA #GoldenGlobes #gowntime."
Best Supporting Actress nominee Evan Rachel Wood also took to Twitter to express her enthusiasm. "The only time it's ok to wake me up at 5 30 In the morning is when you are telling me I have been nominated for my second golden globe!" Best Actor in a TV Comedy Series David Duchovny seemed humbled to receive his fourth acting nomination for his work on "Californication." "The Hollywood Foreign Press has always been supportive," he said in a statement. "As always, I am grateful for the recognition, especially with so many fine actors in comedy all across television, and, most of all, happy for everyone on the show as we all share in this. And the HFPA throws by far the best party of the endless awards season." Veteran thespian and two-time Globe winner Jeremy Irons picked up his sixth career nomination for "The Borgias," which Showtime renewed for a second season earlier this year. "I am delighted to be nominated for my work in Neil Jordan's 'The Borgias.' In truth I know it reflects the tireless efforts and exceptional talents of all those who bring this splendid series to the screen," he said of his nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a drama series. "Without the magnificent work in the costume and set design, script writing, lighting and camera work, and the constant care in the direction, production, and marketing, this series would not have grabbed its audience as it appears to have done. That I am surrounded by a talented and dedicated cast is self-evident. But, of course, if you want to nominate anyone, and escape with your life, then you'd better first nominate the Pope." Mireille Enos was nominated for Best Actress in a drama series for "The Killing," alongside actresses Claire Danes ("Homeland"), Julianna Margulies ("The Good Wife"), Madeleine Stowe ("Revenge") and Callie Thorne ("Necessary Roughness"). "It feels like a very big deal," Enos told The Hollywood Reporter. "I wasn't expecting this at all. It feels really big. Now I need a really, really big dress." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| How Did Rihanna Sneak By Beyonce On Best Artists Of 2011? Posted: 14 Dec 2011 10:37 PM PST It was close, but Rih's ability to remain in the pop-culture consciousness all year places her just above the Queen B.
It was a showdown between two queens of pop — Rihanna and Beyoncé — each vying for a prime spot on MTV's Best Artists of 2011 list. RiRi wound up besting Lady B by a slim margin. But how did she come out on top?
MTV correspondent Sway Calloway moderated a spirited roundtable discussion with some of our very own experts: James Montgomery and Rob Markman (MTV News), Yomi Desalu and Malika Quemerais (MTV Music and Talent) and Tamar Anitai and Nicole James (MTV.com). The panel discussed the artists who ruled 2011, from the Throne and Lil Wayne to Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga. It was during that debate that Beyoncé and Rihanna met in a battle for the #6 position. In the end, Rihanna prevailed, with B taking #7. "I love Rihanna," Montgomery said. "I think she is the kind of artist that I really like as a pop star who makes really cool, controversial videos and pushes the envelope in every conceivable way." "She hustled so hard," Anitai added. After all, Rih did have us buzzing about songs off two albums in 2011. New hits popping from 2010's Loud — including a remix of "S&M" with the one-and-only Britney Spears — ruled the charts in the first half of '11. While some artists would just ride the momentum of that smash album, Rih went back into the studio mid-tour and cranked out Talk That Talk. The first single off TTT, "We Found Love," was a certified dance-pop classic from the minute it hit. See where "We Found Love" placed on MTV's Best Songs of 2011 countdown! It was a tough decision for our experts because Knowles had such a remarkable year. Her album 4 — a collection of soulful ballads and mid-tempo tracks tempered with a deep nostalgic streak — was arguably her most mature yet. And she triumphed during intimate, sold-out shows at New York City's Roseland Ballroom in August. B was also responsible for this year's most talked-about (and tweeted about) pop-culture moment, announcing her pregnancy to the world right on our VMA stage. But it was Rihanna's ability to rule for 365 days straight that was the deciding factor. "It's very rare that you see an artist that's there, that is consistently there throughout the year that people don't get sick of," Quemerais observed. "I feel like the appetite for Rihanna is constant." "If you were to go numbers by numbers, Rihanna can go toe-to-toe with anyone on our list," Montgomery reinforced. "She never gets the credit that she deserves." She certainly got the credit here. All this week, watch "AMTV" on MTV every day at 8 a.m. ET for our Best of 2011 lists. Then, come to MTVNews.com at 5 p.m. as we reveal our top picks of the year! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Black Eyed Peas' apl.de.ap Launches 'Charity Dreams' Auction Posted: 15 Dec 2011 12:22 AM PST Fans can bid on a package that includes a Ferrari and studio time with the MC.
With the Black Eyed Peas recently announcing their hiatus after a star-studded sendoff show in Miami, the band's members are not wasting time getting busy. Leader will.i.am. has already dropped the eye-popping video for "T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever)," the electro-fueled first single from his new solo album, while member apl.de.ap is focusing on non-musical ventures.
Apl announced the launch of this week of the "Charity Dreams" auction benefiting education in his native Philippines. The rapper, who is an educational ambassador for the island nation, is upping the ante on celebrity auctions in a major way with the "We Can Be Anything" event. The auction — which begins pre-registration this week at CharityDreams.com and lasts through 9 p.m. ET Wednesday — allows fans to start the bidding at just 99 cents for a huge prize package that may end up being the most affordable donation on the planet. Not only will the winner get a private-jet flight out to Los Angeles to spend time in the studio to watch as Apl creates a custom track in their honor, but the BEP rapper will also cut a custom disc of the session and serve as the DJ at the winner's birthday party, where he will spin the song for the top prize-getter and 50 of his or her friends. The winning bidder will also get a 2012 collector's edition Ferrari, $250,000 in cash and a trip to Las Vegas with 10 friends to spend New Year's Eve with Fergie while staying in the "Real World" penthouse suite. Once 1 million people pre-register and the bidding begins, all the money donated in bids will go toward building 10,000 classrooms in the Philippines and improving education in the nation. And even before the first brick is laid, bidders will be able to join together to help build "virtual classrooms." According to a release announcing the effort, every bid will allow users to buy virtual books, pencils, chairs, desks, etc., and help build virtual classrooms in an effort to combine gaming, social networking and philanthropy. Each time a bidder finishes a virtual classroom, an actual classroom will be named for that bidder once construction is completed on the new schools. In a unique twist, the initial fee to place a charity bid is 99 cents, with the bidding price beginning at $0. Organizers expect the final package to go for no more than a few hundred dollars thanks to a system in which each bid increases the top price by just a fraction of a penny. Each bid will also entitle users to an app, music download or play list curated by Apl and featuring an exclusive song or the chance to have Apl follow you on Twitter. Related Artists |
| Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen React To Golden Globe Nods Posted: 14 Dec 2011 10:55 PM PST Sofia Vergara, Martin Scorsese, Kenneth Branagh also celebrating their nominations.
On Thursday (December 15), the Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced its nominees for the Golden Globe Awards.
Sofia Vergara, Woody Harrelson, Rashida Jones and Gerard Butler all woke up bright and early to present the list of names, and one of those announcers even found herself with a nod. "Modern Family" star Vergara is up for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, and she quickly took to Twitter to share her excitement. "Celebrating with cake at 5am my Golden Globe nomination," she wrote. She is hardly the only person excited about the recognition. "Hugo" director Martin Scorsese, up for Best Director, quickly released a statement. "Making 'Hugo' was an extraordinary experience for me. It gave me a chance to work in 3D, which I've wanted to do since I was young; it allowed me to make a child's adventure, the type of picture that I loved when I was young; and it provided an occasion to pay tribute to one of the cinema's greatest pioneers, Georges Méliès," he said in a lengthy statement. "Given the support they've provided to the Film Foundation in our efforts to restore many films over the years, the recognition of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for this particular picture has a very special meaning for me," he added. Angelina Jolie's Bosnia-set "In the Land of Blood and Honey" is up for Best Foreign Language Film. "I am grateful that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association is honoring our film," she said in a statement. "This was a true collaboration and I am forever indebted to our cast and crew, who experienced their own personal tragedies in the Bosnian War and gave me an authentic perspective into the conflict. This nomination is a tribute to the collective talent and passion of this extraordinary cast."
"50/50" producer and star Seth Rogen spoke to The New York Times about that film's nods. "I think you can make a comedy about any subject if you approach it correctly," he said of the so-called cancer comedy. "The truthfulness of the story, in this case, was key. I don't think we would have even thought to make the movie if we hadn't experienced it." "My Week With Marilyn" star Kenneth Branagh, up for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture spoke of his turn as Sir Laurence Olivier in a statement to MTV News. "To be recognized for portraying one of the greatest actors of our time is truly an honor, and I am incredibly thankful to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for their continued support of our film," he said. "Working alongside Michelle [Williams] was an extremely rewarding experience, and I'm thrilled that both she and our excellent team of filmmakers have also been recognized for their incredible work. I feel very blessed to be nominated for a role that is so close to my heart." Black-and-white silent film "The Artist" is up for six awards, including Best Motion Picture — Comedy Or Musical. "Thank you so much to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for this incredible gift. To be recognized alongside such brilliant actors is an honor," star and best actor nominee Jean Dujardin, said in a statement. "The Golden Globe nomination for 'The Artist' has left me speechless!" His nominated director, Michel Hazanavicius, added, "It's a great privilege and an honor for us to be nominated for a Golden Globe award by the HFPA. This movie is a love letter to Hollywood, and it's an indescribable joy to receive this news. I feel lucky, proud and excited to be included alongside such brilliant movies. Thank you." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
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