MTV News |
- Drake's Producer Denies Competition With Kanye West
- EDM Rookies To Watch In 2012
- Taylor Schilling Talks Working With Zac Efron, Ben Affleck
- New Hampshire Primary: Mitt Romney Wins Easily
- Justin Bieber 'Rap-Singing' On New Lil Twist Collabo
- New Hampshire Primary Driven By 'Passion,' Sway Says
- 'Star Trek 2': Alice Eve Talks Benedict Cumberbatch, Fan Expectations
- New Hampshire Voters Say College Costs, Unemployment Top Issues
- Obama Backers In New Hampshire Ask: 'Why Are You In?'
- Blue Ivy Leaves Hospital: How Much Is A Picture Worth?
- Dan Savage Talks 'Vile Attack' On Rick Santorum
- 'Breaking Dawn - Part 2' Has Us Pumped For Fresh Blood
- Dance Moms 'Not Very Grateful,' Abby Lee Miller Says
- Adrianne Palicki Is Ready For A 'Badass' 2012
- 'Caged' Star Wes Reflects On Series Premiere
- Jennifer Lopez 'Chasing' Role In 'Cocaine Cowboys,' Mark Wahlberg Confirms
- Daniel Radcliffe 'Very Excited' To Host 'SNL'
- Amber Rose Returns To 'RapFix Live'
- Van Halen Return With New Single 'Tattoo'
- Russell Brand Slides Off Wedding Ring In Pre-Divorce Video
| Drake's Producer Denies Competition With Kanye West Posted: 11 Jan 2012 03:53 AM PST 'I look up to that guy like crazy,' Noah '40' Shebib says of Kanye.
It's common knowledge that Common and Drake aren't exactly best of friends right now. But their camps haven't been seeing eye to eye for quite some time. Pusha T appears to be taking shots at Drake on his recent "Sweet" and "Don't F--- with Me" freestyles, all over the beats of Common's "Sweet" and Drake's "Dreams Money Can Buy." Lil Wayne and Jay-Z have been exchanging competitive subliminal shots for a while now, but those shots delivered last year on The Throne's "H.A.M" and Wayne's "It's Good" were probably the most talked about. Kanye West and Drake even seem to be taking jabs at each other, first on DJ Khaled's "I'm On One," (I'm just feelin' like The Throne is for the takin'/ Watch me take it) and then The Throne's "Otis" (I adopted these n---as/ Philip Drummond them/ Now, I'm about to make them tuck they whole summer in). Despite all of this, when MTV News caught up Drake's producer, Noah "40" Shebib, in Toronto early last month, he said that there was no competition with Kanye. In the August/September 2010 issue of Vibe, 40 said that 'Ye cursed him out for "borrowing" his sound. But even then, the producer maintained that there was no competition and said that West was a huge influence on him. "I look up to that guy like crazy. I always have and I always will," 40 said. "That's someone who's carved out a sound for rap music a couple of times, who has really influenced and changed the game as an individual. It would be crazy to say there's competition." He added that people should understand the difference between stealing another artist's style and being influenced by him. "You're supposed to be a hybrid. When you got T.I. and Nas and Jay-Z and Wayne and Kanye and Eminem, all these different types of rappers from different places and so on and so forth, I would expect a couple of years after that a new rapper would comes out who incorporates all of those people. Because that's the evolution of it and that's what will always happen, so I don't even look at it as like biting or stealing or this or that," 40 said. "I'm grateful to any and everybody that's ever influenced me, including Mr. West." All week, we'll bring you highlights from our candid interview with Drake producer Noah "40" Shebib. Be sure to keep it locked here as 40 talks Take Care and his thoughts on everything from working with Lil Wayne to Drizzy's next single with Rihanna. For more on 40, check out today's "RapFix Live" at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com! Related Videos Related Photos |
| Posted: 11 Jan 2012 03:53 AM PST R3hab, Nicky Romero, Hardwell and Alesso are a few of the electronic dance music upstarts blazing into the New Year.
After a mesmerizing year for electronic dance music, it almost goes without saying that the genre will continue to blaze a trail Stateside in 2012. Acts from Skrillex to Kaskade enjoyed crossover success in 2011, and now fans are hungry for more new releases, killer albums and massive festivals. But while it may be clear who's leading the charge, there are more than a few EDM upstarts who've been making noise, and if one thing is for certain, it's that they'll be shaping the musical landscape in the months to come. In MTV News' Rookie Roll Call, we break down exactly which acts (some greener than others) we've got our eye on as the dance scene gets locked and loaded for another killer year.
Alesso Arty Deniz Koyu Hardwell Knife Party Nicky Romero R3hab Tommy Trash Zedd Sound off on MTV News' 2012 EDM Rookie Roll Call on our Facebook page! |
| Taylor Schilling Talks Working With Zac Efron, Ben Affleck Posted: 11 Jan 2012 03:53 AM PST Star-making turns in 'The Lucky One' and 'Argo' make actress One to Watch in 2012.
Ryan Gosling. Rachel McAdams. Liam Hemsworth. To think, you may have never known their names if it weren't for one of the weepy romances by Nicholas Sparks, the writer behind "The Notebook," "The Last Song," "Dear John" and more. And as we ring in a new year of cinema, we find yet another actress toying with the lever on Sparks' star-making machine: Massachusetts native Taylor Schilling. Fans of NBC's short-lived medical drama "Mercy" may recognize the 27-year-old as nurse Veronica Flanagan Callahan, though she's since hung up her scrubs, making the transition from TV to film in earnest this year with roles in the Sparks adaptation "The Lucky One" and Ben Affleck's "Argo." We chatted with the actress about her breakout 2012 and whether making out underwater is as hard as it looks. MTV News: Does this year feel like a particularly big one for you? Taylor Schilling: Last year felt like a big year. This year feels just kind of like riding the wave. I did some fun work last year, so I'm excited to see how it shakes down. MTV: Has transitioning from TV to film been an intentional career move for you, or were those simply the roles that were coming your way? Schilling: When I audition, I take the parts that I get that I like. I feel so grateful that those have been these kind of amazing film roles. And I have to say that there is a big difference [between TV and film]. On a film set, for me, there's so much more time to process what's going on than there is on a television set. There's more wiggle room to try things and fail and try again and get to the heart of what's going on in the scene, which is really fun for me. It's what I like to do.
MTV: First up for you this year is "The Lucky One," co-starring Zac Efron. Let's cut to the obvious question: Is kissing Zac as amazing as one might imagine? Schilling: Oh my gosh. I'm not going to let you down. It's not a bad way to make a paycheck. MTV: My favorite Nicholas Sparks movie motif is the rain-drenched makeout scene. From the trailer, it appears you and Zac share a steamy smooch under a showerhead, which is a bit of a twist. What I'm wondering, technically speaking, is if there's any special choreography to ensure you don't drown with all that water falling on you? Schilling: [Laughs] No, there didn't seem to be a problem. MTV: Well, you're clearly a talented, well-trained actress. Do you have a favorite Nicholas Sparks movie? Schilling: I love "The Notebook." I think that's my favorite one. It really is a classic now. I don't know if I could say. I haven't seen all of them yet, to be honest. I think I need to do some research before I can honestly answer that question. They're just such nice stories. They're so romantic. You get lost in them. It's such a beautiful fantasy. It's not real life. It's this precious world where things kind of fall into place. MTV: You also have "Argo" coming out this year. What is Ben Affleck like as a director? Schilling: It was one of the easiest experiences I've ever had on a set, and it was one of the happiest sets I've ever been on. He's incredibly smart, and he kind of made me as an actor — I never felt left behind. It's like he knows what it's like and he's there with you every step of the way. It's pretty incredible, that whole experience. MTV: I have to imagine some of that comes from his background as an actor. Schilling: Absolutely. Absolutely. He just really knew how to articulate what he wanted, and then I felt really safe and free because I think that when a director has been an actor, he really understands the vulnerability of sort of being in front of the camera and has the ability to make the set very safe. He completely understands what that process is like. So that's rare. MTV: What challenges does your character Christine face in "Argo"? Schilling: Christine is holding down the fort while her husband [played by Affleck] is off kind of doing some big adventurous things. She's doing the best she can to maintain her home and her relationship, to do right by her child. She's trying to negotiate what the best plan of action is for her as a woman and to take care of her son and where her relationship fits into that. MTV: So you've got both Ben Affleck and Zac Efron as leading men this year. How are you going to top that? Is Brad Pitt next? Schilling: I don't know. I don't know where it goes from here. Brad Pitt, bring it. Check out everything we've got on "The Lucky One" and "Argo." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. |
| New Hampshire Primary: Mitt Romney Wins Easily Posted: 10 Jan 2012 05:20 AM PST Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman finish in second and third, respectively, with Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich pulling up the rear.
MANCHESTER, New Hampshire — What a difference a week makes. Many voters, journalists and campaign workers were up into the wee hours of the morning seven days ago when the Iowa caucus went down to the wire. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney won that contest by just eight votes, but in New Hampshire on Tuesday (January 10), the margin was much wider, as the longtime GOP front-runner became the first non-incumbent Republican to ever sweep the first two primaries of the election season with 36 percent of the vote when polls closed. Thanks to a population that includes 40 percent of voters who identify as independents, it was another strong finish for Libertarian Congressman Ron Paul. With his by-now-ubiquitous cadre of young supporters spreading the word alongside unique ads on everything from digital billboards to green laser beams spelling out his name on the side of downtown Manchester buildings, Paul built on his third-place finish in Iowa, coming in second. After barely registering in Iowa, former Utah governor and Obama administration ambassador to China Jon Huntsman put all his chips on the Granite State over the past few months. The motorcycle-riding, piano-pounding ex-high school rocker appeared at more than 170 events in New Hampshire while his rivals focused on Iowa. And while his poll numbers slowly crept up from single digits as Election Day neared, when polls closed Tuesday, Huntsman finished in third place. Rick Santorum might have come in a close second in the Iowa caucus, but in New Hampshire, he shared last place with Newt Gingrich, nabbing around 10 percent of the vote each. Up next is January 17's South Carolina primary, where Romney faces a much harder contest with Santorum and Gingrich. MTV is on the scene in New Hampshire! Check back here around the clock for up-to-the-minute coverage on the primary caucuses, and stick with PowerOf12.org throughout the presidential election season. Related Videos |
| Justin Bieber 'Rap-Singing' On New Lil Twist Collabo Posted: 10 Jan 2012 12:56 AM PST 'Justin killed it,' Twist tells MTV News of 'Wherever You Are.'
It's been a long time coming for Lil Twist. The Young Money rap rookie was supposed to see his debut album Don't Get It Twisted drop in 2011, but after a few false starts, the Dallas MC is looking forward to a March 20 release. Already, he has dropped a ton of singles and high-powered collaborations with Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes and 2 Chainz. Next up, Justin Bieber. "We're getting ready to drop that record 'Wherever You Are.' Y'all will have that real soon," Lil Twist told MTV News of the high-powered collaboration. "It's a fun record. Justin killed it. He's, like, rap-singing on it; another different sound for Justin." Twist, who built his fanbase thanks to pop-rap joints like "Little Secret" with Bow Wow and "Love Affair," has been developing a harder edge lately. His recently released video for the Busta Rhymes-assisted "Turnt Up" focuses more on the 18-year old's rap bars rather than his penchant for catchy hooks. His Golden Child mixtape, which he dropped in December, also shows a similar growth. But with "Wherever You Are," Twist just promises a good time. "It's gonna be great. It's a cool summer record," Twist told MTV News last August. "It's a party song. Straight for the sun. It's a Miami record." While the record has been in the works for some time, Twist is almost ready to let to go. "Just me and Justin, people been waiting on that," he said of his bond with the Biebs. "That's my brother right there. It's just been a long time coming. Now that we been had the record done, it's time to put it out." Are you anticipating Lil Twist's "Wherever You Are," featuring Justin Bieber? Tell us in the comments! |
| New Hampshire Primary Driven By 'Passion,' Sway Says Posted: 10 Jan 2012 05:37 AM PST Dedicated volunteers inspire MTV News' Sway.
MANCHESTER, New Hampshire — After months of buildup, the people of New Hampshire finally came out to cast their vote today. I've had a great time over the past 24 hours talking to voters supporting just about every name on the ballot. I met a lot of really cool people and listened to why they voted and why they'll do it again in November — even if their pick today doesn't make the cut. I met people who are volunteering for President Obama and walked around the crowded office in downtown Manchester where they are trying to keep Democrats in this notoriously independent state excited about supporting the commander in chief. A lot of them were college kids who are already on the ground making calls from phone banks, waving signs outside polling places and spending their winter break learning how political campaigns work and filling up the office's "Why Are You In?" wall with their motivation to service. I met one volunteer who came all the way from the U.K. just to support the Obama campaign, and at a rally for former Senator Rick Santorum, I sat down with a young man who drove in from Canada. He can't vote, but it was important for him to just be here and participate in our political process. I also met a couple of young ladies who were Santorum supporters, including Jordanne Anderson, who shot her first deer the other day and, like me, is also a big-game fisherman — she caught a 160-pound swordfish. She was very, very well-versed when it came to the political process and the candidate she wants to vote for. What struck me about all of them was their passion. Whatever issue it was that drove them to the polls or to drive from three states over to knock on doors, make phone calls and wave signs, they were all in, even if they suspected their candidate wouldn't end up on top when the polls closed. We had a lot of good times here in Manchester, where I learned once again that the 45 million young voters in this country not only have a voice, they're ready and eager to use it. I can't wait to come back next time and stay on this political trail with the Power of 12 and hear what they have to say. You guys rule this generation. MTV is on the scene in New Hampshire! Check back here around the clock for up-to-the-minute coverage on the primary caucuses, and stick with PowerOf12.org throughout the presidential election season. |
| 'Star Trek 2': Alice Eve Talks Benedict Cumberbatch, Fan Expectations Posted: 10 Jan 2012 04:09 AM PST Actress excited to reunite with 'Starter for 10' co-star Cumberbatch, who was recently cast as sequel's villain.
We have a long wait ahead of us before J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek" sequel hits theaters, but in recent weeks, the agony of the film's 2013 release has been made less so with the news that Benedict Cumberbatch has joined the film as its chief villain. Although Cumberbatch is relatively new to audiences, via "Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy" and "War Horse" this year, he's a well-known actor in the U.K. and already has legions of fans. One of those fans is "Trek" co-star Alice Eve, who worked with Cumberbatch a few years back in the well-received British comedy "Starter for 10." MTV News recently caught up with Eve, one of our Ones to Watch in 2012, and asked her thoughts on reuniting with Cumberbatch for "Trek 2." "I'm very excited to work with him again. He's so very funny, Ben," she said. "I don't know if you remember his character in 'Starter for 10,' but he was so funny. Like King of the Geeks, but he did it so well, and I found a lot of that hard to get through because he was so funny. I like him very much." Eve went on to say that she's very much looking forward to getting to work on "Trek 2," particularly because of the camaraderie among the cast. "It's similar to 'Starter for 10,' from my point of view, in that there is a group of young actors who have a team spirit, which is always so revivifying to be a part of," she said. "When there's a group of people who you can spend time with and work with and get to know, a real good experience, it's kind of like going back to university or something, when everyone has got the same objective. There's a lot of energy, and it's a nice thing to be a part of that group. That's the thing that excites me most about it. Obviously, there is a huge legacy there with 'Star Trek' and the fanatics, so hopefully they'll be satisfied."
The "Raven" and "Men in Black 3" star didn't reveal any details about her character, only agreeing with us when we mentioned the fact that director J.J. Abrams likes to feature strong women in his films. Eve said she feels fortunate to be a part of the film. "I feel incredibly lucky. I would say it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It's not once-in-a-lifetime, but it is rare. It's one of life's great pleasures to enjoy the group you work with, because we all know what it's like when you don't." Check out everything we've got on "Star Trek 2." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos |
| New Hampshire Voters Say College Costs, Unemployment Top Issues Posted: 10 Jan 2012 04:52 AM PST 'It's hard for graduates, not being able to pay their loans and find a job,' one young voter tells MTV News.
MANCHESTER, New Hampshire — There were no excuses to skip Tuesday's (January 10) primary in the Granite State. The weather was balmy for this time of year, there was no snow on the ground and the body-slamming back-and-forth between the Republican contenders was worthy of a backyard wrestling ring. But what brought out an expected record 250,000 voters for Tuesday's contest? MTV's Power of 12 hit the polls early and late in the day to ask young voters what was on their minds when they stepped up to be counted. Lifeguard and Special Olympics basketball coach (go, Manchester Mustangs!) Keating Tufts, 21, emerged from casting his vote just before dinnertime with college tuition on his mind. "We're paying more for school every single year, the tuition keeps on going up ... I feel like [I should] do my part and vote," said the Southern New Hampshire University student who was not willing to fall in line and cast his lot with GOP front-runner Mitt Romney, instead opting for unconventional congressman Ron Paul. "He's got a different view than normal candidates, so I feel like it would be interesting to see what he can do." As high school English teacher Kelly Ilacqua, 25, emerged from the Carol M. Rines Health Center in Manchester's Ward 3, she said she went with former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum because of her pro-life beliefs. "He is the author of the legislation that outlawed partial-birth abortion ... and he's also been a big proponent of two legislations that have stopped doctors in abortion clinics from ending the lives of abortion-surviving infants." Earlier in the day, first-time voter Amelia Dickinson, 18, had several different motivations for voting. "Right now I'd have to say the economy and foreign policy ... with [North Korea's] Kim Jong-Il passing and everyone on edge about what's going to happen next," she said. "Obviously with the economy with how there's so much unemployment, people are worried about inflation with the dollar. I think the next president really needs to have an understanding and know what to do with those two problems and really be willing to compromise with the two parties." For another first-time voter, 18-year-old high school student Emily Flanders, it was not the economy but social issues including gay rights and abortion, while Andrew Judd, 19, said he was thinking a lot about foreign policy as well as who the eventual candidates are beholden to in getting to the big game. "Intellect in general, how smart the candidates are," he said. "You want a smart president. Also, how people were financially backed. I don't want somebody going to Washington with a lot of promises they have to fill." Danielle Courtemanche, 23, was focused squarely on the same things so many millions of Americans are: unemployment. After meeting former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman several times at her job at the local Hilton Garden Inn hotel, Courtemanche said she felt that he understood her struggles and those of her peers and had the best plan to help them out. "As a graduate of 2011, I feel that it is very important for people my age to go out and vote. I feel like it's a big problem," she said of the difficulty new graduates are having finding jobs. "It's hard for graduates with loans ... not being able to pay their loans and to find a job."
Like many of the other voters MTV News has talked to in Iowa and New Hampshire, high school senior David Chester, 19, said the #1 issue is the economy. "[Definitely] the economy, which affects everyone," he said. "I think one of the huge things that we need to acknowledge is that the financial crisis was due in large part to the financial sector, not the public sector, and a little regulation in Wall Street would not hurt to have a little responsibility there." What issues are important to you as you get ready to hit the polls for your primary? Let us know in comments below. MTV is on the scene in New Hampshire! Check back here around the clock for up-to-the-minute coverage on the primary caucuses, and stick with PowerOf12.org throughout the presidential election season. Related Videos |
| Obama Backers In New Hampshire Ask: 'Why Are You In?' Posted: 10 Jan 2012 02:59 AM PST 'I'm in because he brought the troops home,' read one poster in the Obama campaign office in Manchester.
MANCHESTER, New Hampshire — "I'm in because we are the change we've been waiting for." "I'm in because I want my grandchildren to know what polar bears are." "I'm in because the power is in the voice of the youth." Those are a few of the handwritten signs penned by volunteers for the Obama 2012 re-election as part of a "Why Are You In?" wall aimed at inspiring them to get out the vote during Tuesday's (January 10) primary. While most of the attention has been focused on the squabbling among the Republican White House hopefuls in the Granite State, as in last week's Iowa caucus, the Obama team here has been hard at work training volunteers, making calls and reaching out to the state's legendary independent voters and committed Democrats to remind them to come out on Tuesday. It's part of an effort to keep the president's supporters fired up and ready to go for the general election in November, and 19-year-old volunteer Kathieya Odiah said the chance to see how a campaign works has been eye-opening. "The Obama campaign is basically about having volunteers and having a grassroots campaign, so when we have volunteers come in, we always have them make posters and notes about why they come here for Obama," said Odiah, one of a number of Quinnipiac University students who will spend several weeks of their winter break working for Obama 2012. She pointed to one of the signs she wrote, "I'm in because he brought troops home," explaining that she felt strongly about the president ending the war in Iraq. The Manchester office, the largest of seven such locations around the state, has housed hundreds of volunteers over the past few months, and during a visit from MTV's Power of 12 team on Tuesday afternoon, young volunteers were sprawled on couches, on the floor and across several rooms as they clutched their call sheets and reached out to remind voters to make it to the polls before they closed at 8 p.m. Odiah's friend and fellow volunteer, Long Island, New York's Morgan Farra, 20, said she's in because the president has helped make college affordable for students like her by increasing the number of Pell grant recipients by 3 million so far. "It's really important to me because if you don't have an education, you're missing out on one of the greatest experiences of your life," she said. Inspired by the unprecedented grassroots campaign run by Obama in 2008, 19-year-old Natalie Deduck said she has been putting in the 10- to 12-hour days at the Manchester office because she knows the importance of starting early and strong in order to rally the troops again. Jameson Cherilus, 22, is typical of the office's volunteers. He started his day around 8 a.m. outside an elementary school, where he held up signs for the president and reminded primary voters that Obama was on the ballot before hitting the office for a long day of phone calls. "I'm here because President Obama supports small business," read another sign that shouted out Flanders Fish Market in East Lyme, Connecticut. "It's been pretty hard getting my ... friends involved in the campaign [because] they honestly don't understand how important it is to start now even though it's only January," said Odiah about the challenges she's faced while making calls in Manchester and speaking to her peers about what she's doing. "We have to explain to people that we need to start now. "[Once] Republicans choose who they're going to have for their candidate, they're already going to have half of the votes. ... Yeah, [Obama's] going to win the primary, but this is a dry run. This is our way of knowing this is what it's going to look like in November. It's hard." MTV is on the scene in New Hampshire! Check back here around the clock for up-to-the-minute coverage on the primary caucuses, and stick with PowerOf12.org throughout the presidential election season. |
| Blue Ivy Leaves Hospital: How Much Is A Picture Worth? Posted: 10 Jan 2012 12:46 AM PST Experts weigh in on how and when Jayoncé will release photos of their baby girl.
We've already heard her on Jay-Z's new track, "Glory," but fans might already be wondering just when we might get to see the rapper's firstborn with his pop star wife, Beyoncé. On Tuesday morning (January 10), Blue, B and Jay had left Lenox Hill hospital in New York City, E! News confirms. E! reports that high security was taken to ensure that no photos were snapped as they left the hospital and headed home. There are several ways that days-old Blue might be introduced to the world, and MTV News talked to experts to get the lowdown on how they think the first photos of her will debut. And they even suggested how much they think the whole business might be worth. "I think they're terribly private about it," HuffPost celebrity columnist Rob Shuter explained. "I think if they do anything, they'll take the Tom Cruise/Katie Holmes way that they did with Suri and they'll do it on the cover of a monthly like Vanity Fair. But I don't even think they'll do that. They'll definitely, in my opinion, not be selling a picture to the highest bidding weekly magazine. That's just not their style." With editors scrambling for the authorized photos of the newborn and her parents, there are also tabloids scrambling to get some image of Blue, whether or not B and Jay have anything to do with its release. "In the case of unauthorized photos, they're typically not the best quality. So if it was sort of your average photo, there's always people who will pay up to a million dollars for that type of photo," said David Caplan, who has worked at celebrity magazines like Star and People. "Again, it really depends on the quality, and typically it's the hard-core tabloids who will buy that because they won't be in the running for the real baby photos, which will likely go to either sort of like a People or even a monthly. "I think with Beyoncé there's no guarantee she'll sell her photo to a weekly magazine, I can see her choosing to do it in Vogue and Vanity Fair," he added, noting that going that route ensures she can control the entire rollout. How do you think Beyoncé and Jay-Z will release photos of their baby girl? Leave your comment below! |
| Dan Savage Talks 'Vile Attack' On Rick Santorum Posted: 10 Jan 2012 03:27 AM PST 'Gay people [are] not Rick Santorum's punching bag, and we will punch back,' Savage tells MTV News of controversial website.
In 2003, when columnist Dan Savage decided to take on then-U.S. Senator Rick Santorum for equating consensual, same-sex relationships to polygamy, incest and adultery (among other things), he never thought he'd still be talking about the matter more than eight years later ... mostly because, well, he never thought Santorum would consider running for president. Of course, a lot can happen in eight years. Savage launched his campaign to "attach [Santorum's] name to a sex act that would make his big, white teeth fall out of his big, empty head," started a website that displayed the definition of the sex act in question (chosen from more than 3,000 reader-submitted suggestions) and watched with disbelief as that website became a prominent result for Santorum's name on most search engines. And Santorum, well, not only did he decide to make a run for the White House, but he finished a surprising second in the Iowa caucus, establishing himself as a legitimate front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination. And so now, in 2012, with the New Hampshire primary upon us, here is Savage, still talking about his website, the Google problem it's caused the Santorum campaign and how, despite many (many) protests from the right, he has no intention of ever taking it down. "I was never taking Santorum seriously. I'm surprised that he ran, I'm surprised that he did as well in Iowa as he did, but since Iowa, his poll numbers have been dropping," Savage told MTV News. "One of the funny things about the Spreading Santorum website is that it was dormant forever. There was a blog there we kept until about 2006 ... and then we stopped paying any attention to it. And yet it still sat at the top of the Google search results, even though we hadn't updated it for five years. And then he runs for president [and] it just explodes in his face. "I can take the site down tomorrow, and it's not going to make any difference," he continued. "The new definition is out there, people use it in its proper context with the new meaning, and the damage is done." Of course, some consider his site to be nothing more than a "vile attack" on Santorum and have called for him to remove it from the Internet to spare the candidate's family from various indignities. Savage, not surprisingly, isn't budging. In fact, the way he sees it, his site represents nothing more than him fighting back. "It is a vile attack — I completely embrace that. So is comparing my 17-year marriage ... to raping dogs. That's pretty vile. That's pretty bigoted," he said. "It was really fighting fire with fire. When somebody injects vileness and bigotry into the public discourse, I believe they've invited some vileness and bigotry thrown back at them. "Rick Santorum is a bully; the GOP is full of bullies who were basically able to punch people in the face and never get punched back. And gay people these days, we're not Rick Santorum's punching bag, and we will punch back," he continued. "And you've seen that on the campaign trail, with people confronting Santorum and Perry and Cain and Bachmann and everyone else who's trying to win votes by beating up gay people. We are not going to take it anymore." And to that end, though he'll laugh his way through questions about the site (though he wants it to be known that he doesn't consider the action to be a "Google Bomb" — as some have coined it — since he's "not tech-savvy enough to do a Google Bomb ... I've literally reached the stage of life where when I have to turn on the TV, I have to get my kid to do it"), he'd rather discuss the resistance most GOP candidates have been receiving for their stances against marriage equality and the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. Because, to him, not only do they represent the beginning of a generational shift in this country, but perhaps even the end of the GOP as we know it. "Well, we've been seeing this throughout the campaign, where Bachmann and Romney and Perry and Santorum, they've all been challenged not by activists or gay organizations, but by individual voters. ... Increasingly LGBT people are empowered, not ashamed," he said. "They're attacking us, and we're confronting them. We're holding them accountable and calling them on their lies and their 'pious baloney,' to borrow Newt Gingrich's phrase. America is waking up to the fact that we're not bogeymen, and we're not coming to do any harm, and that we're your daughters and sons and neighbors, sometimes your parents, your co-workers, friends, colleagues. The Republican party, in this desperate [nod] to its dying evangelical base, is just ramping up the homophobia, and they're doing themselves real long-term damage. "What's interesting is that, you look at who's been doing the most hate speech: Bachmann? She's out. Herman Cain? He's out. Perry? He's all but out. Santorum? He's running fourth, he's trailing even in conservative South Carolina," Savage continued. "It's not winning them the election anymore. It's not 1992; Pat Buchanan can't get up and give a 'gay rights never, family values forever' speech at the Republican National Convention anymore. Times have changed." MTV is on the scene in New Hampshire! Check back here around the clock for up-to-the-minute coverage on the primary caucuses, and stick with PowerOf12.org throughout the presidential election season. Related Videos |
| 'Breaking Dawn - Part 2' Has Us Pumped For Fresh Blood Posted: 10 Jan 2012 02:09 AM PST 'Twilight' Tuesday looks forward to all the vampires making their debut in the November 2012 finale.
Looking ahead to November, when we finally get to see the end of the "Twilight" franchise in "Breaking Dawn - Part 2," there are many things to get excited about. For starters, Bella is now a vampire, Renesmee is growing up and the Volturi are back. But what I am most looking forward to are all the fresh vampires. There are so many new characters, not to mention the fun involved in the adventurous search for allies, getting the group together, bonding over things like eating habits and fighting against the Volturi. Therefore, in the spirit of MTV Movies' Ones to Watch in 2012, this "Twilight" Tuesday is dedicated to the ones to watch in "Breaking Dawn - Part 2" — which if you didn't already know, is also a big part of our MTV Movie Brawl 2012. Before I get to my favorite new additions, "Twilight" vampire expert and star Peter Facinelli had these kind words to say about a few of his new castmates when MTV News caught up with him: "There's Maggie Grace; she's fantastic. Christian Camargo is fantastic and Juilliard-trained. I always wish I went to Juilliard, so when I meet people from Juilliard, I'm always jealous," he said. "Mia Maestro — there's so many talented people that were tapped. It's a much larger cast." Clearly, Facinelli has a thing for the Denali coven, which we got a glimpse of in "Part 1" during Bella and Edward's wedding. The Denali clan is another group of vegetarian vamps consisting of Irina (Grace), former Volturi Eleazar (Camargo) and his multilingual mate Carmen (Maestro). The Denalis are, indeed, a nice bunch. My personal favorite new vampire, however, is Garrett, the American nomad played by charming and adorable actor Lee Pace ("Pushing Daisies," "The Fall"). I remember liking him from the moment Stephenie Meyer introduced him, due to the 6-foot-2 factor, his curiosity and his adventurous nature. His character has a nice arc, which I'll avoid spoiling fully here, and Pace is the absolute perfect actor to play him. Fellow fan and creator of the Kristen Stewart Hot Bodyguard Facebook page Sarah M. also brought up JD Pardo, who plays the other vamp/human hybrid Nahuel. "He was super nice at the BD1 premiere & ain't too hard on the eyes either!" she tweeted. What do you think, "Twilight" fans? Who are other ones to watch in "Breaking Dawn - Part 2"? Let us know in the comments or tweet me @karawarner! Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2." For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. Related Videos |
| Dance Moms 'Not Very Grateful,' Abby Lee Miller Says Posted: 10 Jan 2012 02:52 AM PST 'You would think that the mothers would see things a little clearer now,' outspoken instructor tells MTV News about Tuesday's season-two premiere.
Abby Lee Miller is just as eager to see the second-season premiere of "Dance Moms" as the rest of us. Although she's the star of Lifetime's runaway reality hit about a tough-love dance instructor and the meddling moms that get in her way, she doesn't see the show ahead of time. "I see [the episodes] when you see them," Miller told MTV News. "People are asking me questions about future episodes, and I'm just like, 'I don't remember what happened. Sorry!' " But once the titular dance moms are brought up in conversation, Miller has no problem recalling her ongoing drama with the cast. (Buckle up, readers. She's got a lot to say about everyone!)
"They're just not very grateful," Miller whispered. "You would think that the mothers would see things a little clearer now, now that they're on a television show and now that they do have fans, that they [wouldn't] be a little more respectful of me. I just think that they don't want to recognize the fact [that] if it wasn't for Abby Lee Miller and the Abby Lee Dance Company and having their children enrolled in my studio that they would be on a show," Miller said. A lot of the drama in season two — premiering Tuesday night (January 10) at 9 p.m. — stems from the inflated egos of the newly famous cast. "[Dance mom Kristi] went behind everyone's back and hired a publicist," Miller sighed. "Kristi has this bizarre twisted imagination that they would have just picked [daughter] Chloe up in any dance studio in the Pittsburgh area. How would that have happened? That's not the way that it came to be." Still, even with the spotlight brighter than ever, the lady in charge insists that nobody "turns it on" for the camera. "I think why the show always works is there's that underlying original story or characters, if you will, that had these original problems before Lifetime, before [production company] Collins Avenue, before [producer/creator] John Corella and I ever put this together and he ran with it and made this all happen," Miller said. "Those things like grown adult mothers being jealous of [child dancer] Maddie — that's still there." One of Abby Lee Miller's biggest pet peeves is the "favoritism" accusation thrown her way in regards to Maddie, the award-winning dancer often perched on top of Miller's achievement pyramid over classmates Chloe and Paige. "Bull!" Miller screamed. "[Maddie]'s paying for one-on-one lessons. At registration in August, guess who wasn't there [to sign up for one-on-one lessons]? I don't know if I'm allowed to say," Miller trailed off, hinting at future season-two plot-points. "These moms, this is their first child that they've had involved in this. This is my 3,000th child I've had involved in this. So I've done this all before. I can take you back 30 years and give you two names just like Maddie and Chloe. Another five years? Another two kids. Another five years? Another two kids. There's always two kids in that studio that are vying for the top spot. There's all those other kids who are in the group [too]. Some of those [other] kids are on Broadway right now. It's not always the one who was really good and winning everything when they were little that ends up with a career. Bodies change, interests change, passion changes. You never know. I mean, look at Paige; she's stunning. She's a beautiful child. When she's 18, it's all going to come together. She's gonna fill out, she's still gonna be beautiful. The dancing's gonna click. You don't need to do the steps that Maddie's doing to be in a Broadway show or to be a Rockette." Another hot topic is Holly's inability to see her daughter Nia perform at a dance competition due to a work commitment. It's a fight that kicks off season two and it still remains a contentious issue, long after the second season wrapped taping. "[Holly]'s a principal of a school. She's a hotshot. Leave early! Come on! She just got in trouble two days ago for me. Didn't show up again at a competition, and it was a Saturday. Now what? And her husband's a really good-looking, nice guy with a big job. Hire an assistant! Do whatever you have to do!" But nobody gets Abby Lee Miller's blood boiling quite like Cathy Nesbitt-Stein, rival dance coach at Candy Apple's Dance Center in Ohio. Miller accused Cathy of stealing a bumblebee costume Miller leant to her daughter. "I think they're stealing a lot of things," Miller joked, referencing a tricked-out video-screen pyramid PowerPoint that fans will see Cathy use at Candy Apple's in the season-two premiere. "I went to the [Apple store] in Pittsburgh and I said, 'I want this and I wanna throw [the girls' pictures onscreen] like "CSI." ' And then I told my producers at Collins Avenue, 'I need this! This is the way it has to be.' And then they stole that idea and gave it to [Cathy]. You can't trust anybody in this business," Miller said. Watch Abby Lee Miller be "always right" and never get the respect she deserves when the drama-filled second season of "Dance Moms" premieres Tuesday night at 9 on Lifetime. |
| Adrianne Palicki Is Ready For A 'Badass' 2012 Posted: 10 Jan 2012 01:31 AM PST With roles in 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' and 'Red Dawn,' the 'Friday Night Lights' alum is One to Watch in 2012.
If 2012 teaches us anything about Adrianne Palicki, it may be that she knows her way around a machine gun. The former "Friday Night Lights" star finds herself pulling the trigger in two high-profile action movies this year, "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" and "Red Dawn." Starring alongside big names like Bruce Willis, Dwayne Johnson, Chris Hemsworth and fellow Ones to Watch in 2012 honoree Josh Hutcherson in a single year definitely has our attention, but Palicki kicks ass in her own right. We spoke with Palicki about her big 2012 and the difficulties of finding a date — knowing what she does about hand-to-hand combat. MTV: First off, I have to congratulate you on being included in MTV's Ones to Watch 2012. Adrianne Palicki: Thank you very much. It's very cool. I'm very flattered. MTV: You have such a huge year coming up. Palicki: Yeah, they keep telling me that. [Laughs.] It's surreal. Part of it is, "Red Dawn" I shot three years ago, so that feels so foreign to know that's actually going to come out this year. "G.I. Joe," we literally got off the plane from New Orleans and the trailer was out. I've never experienced anything like that. I feel like I'm still working right now. When we were shooting, it was less than a year until it came out. We knew that. It was just shocking. MTV: The fan response to the "G.I. Joe" trailer seemed overwhelmingly positive. Palicki: It was a pleasant surprise, because this is a reboot. It's scary going into the shoes that have already been worn. We wanted to do something really unique and special. With such an amazing group of talented actors, you don't want it to fall flat. How many people reached out, it's unbelievable to hear the comments that they're so excited, that the trailer is better than the first movie was. Just really cool reactions that you're going, "OK, hopefully we don't let you down." I really don't think we will. I think it's going to be a really fun ride for everybody. MTV: It had to be a fun movie to shoot, right? Palicki: Oh my God, it was a blast. Jon Chu, he's this genius. The thing that's so special about him is that he might be the biggest G.I. Joe fan on the planet, so that really came in our favor. He's young and interesting and full of ambition. We really did things that were super exciting and super scary, and I really feel everything's going to come out really, really well. MTV: What was the scariest thing you had to do on set? Palicki: We did have to scale a wall, but after seeing "Mission: Impossible 4," I'm like, "Well, I guess it wasn't that scary." An 18-foot wall compared to a skyscraper. The fun thing is that we get to do a lot of our own stunts. MTV: Were you a fan of "G.I. Joe" when you were growing up? Palicki: Oh yeah, definitely. I have a big brother, so anything he liked, I liked. He was super big into comic books, so I was super big into comic books. He was super big into G.I. Joe, and I wanted to be Jinx so badly. I don't know just if it was that she was wearing a red costume or what, but I wanted to be a ninja. MTV: Were you disappointed to be Lady Jaye then? Palicki: Lady Jaye's a badass. I couldn't really be disappointed with Lady Jaye. She's the one chick in the boys club. She can hold her own. She doesn't get the staff, but she is a weapons specialist. She has that going for her. MTV: What was it like working with two huge action stars, Dwayne Johnson and Bruce Willis? Palicki: Dwayne is like a teddy bear. I know his fans probably don't want to hear that. He might be one of the nicest people on the planet, genuinely. Very caring and very giving. Bruce is a kick in the pants. We get along really well, but he definitely came in during the middle of shooting for a week, added some flavor and left. But he was really fun to work with. I really enjoyed him. MTV: How comfortable are you with a machine gun now? Palicki: Between "Red Dawn," "Wonder Woman" and now "G.I. Joe," I feel like I could actually go and really harm some people with my hands. I feel like a Navy SEAL. It's been fun. I mean, I get paid to do this sh--. I get paid to shoot an AK-47 or a .50 cal or punch some dudes in the face or groin or whatever. It's a really fun job. MTV: What's it like having "Red Dawn" come out after all this time? Palicki: It's weird, because I'm so very removed from it. It was such a great experience, and I enjoyed it so much. Honestly, there's been some disappointment for me because it's going to be released and then it's not. It's going to be released and then it's not. I'm relieved. I'm really excited it's coming out, and I'm excited to see it myself. I haven't seen it in a year, and I'm sure it's changed quite a bit. MTV: Back then Chris Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson weren't exactly the huge stars they are today. Palicki: Oh, Josh Hutcherson. I love him so much. It's crazy. We were babies. It's going to be so funny to see myself in "G.I. Joe" before playing an 18-year-old in "Red Dawn." It's just insane. We're all just babies. Chris was training to go shoot "Thor" when we were shooting that movie. It's crazy. It was so long ago. MTV: How does it feel having these two action movies coming out in same year? Palicki: It's very strange, and it's like, "OK, I guess I'll be an action star. Why not?" I will never have a date again, but it's cool, whatever. Men are going to be afraid of me. It's really special, and I'm excited. It's going to be a very busy year for me. MTV: One of your fellow Ones to Watch is ... Palicki: Taylor Kitsch. I know that guy! He's awesome. I miss him. He's the nicest guy. He's Canadian, I mean, need I say more? He also has the most ridiculous, disgusting sense of humor than anyone I've met. He's so raunchy, and when it comes out of his mouth, because he's Canadian and because he's so nice, it comes out of nowhere. It just makes it that much funnier. MTV: Who's going to have the bigger year? Palicki: Oh God, I can't. I think Taylor's going to have the bigger year. I'm not going to lie. He has a lot coming out this year and all different kinds of movies. I'm really proud of him. He deserves it. He's worked really hard. I'm excited to see where he goes with his career. The thing is, he's not just a pretty face. I mean, he has a very pretty face, by the way, but that's not all he has. What are you waiting for? Your must-see movie needs your support. It's time to show character, poise and heart. Vote for your picks now at MTV Movie Brawl 2012! Check out everything we've got on "G.I. Joe: Retaliation." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. |
| 'Caged' Star Wes Reflects On Series Premiere Posted: 10 Jan 2012 12:50 AM PST 'In a cage fight it's only two people. You've just got to live with what happens,' Wes tells MTV News.
MTV's new docu-series "Caged" premiered Monday night, and after seeing it, the first reaction of castmember Wes had little to do with his performance in the cage. "Damn, I was fat and out of shape," the amateur mixed martial arts fighter told MTV News via Skype. "I guess because I hadn't trained and fought in so long [before] the first episode, and then me getting back into it I was just like, wow, I didn't really realize how big I was, and then the camera, it adds, like, 10 pounds." "Caged" follows Wes and two fellow cage fighters, Daniel and Danger, as they try to better their lives in their small town of Minden, Louisiana. A revealing (and somewhat revolting) subplot in the premiere involved Wes trying to cut weight before a fight. He needed to shed several pounds in a short period of time. "We don't have a sauna to go to in Minden, and I had three or four hours to make weight. And if you don't make weight, you don't fight," Wes said. He decided to use the brutal Louisiana heat to his advantage. "I was like, the inside of my car's leather, it will be like a sauna in there. So we get our sauna suit and I get in there and I'm just like, 'Oh my God, I'm dying.' You do what you got to do, I guess," Wes said. The episode's climax, fittingly, was the big night during which Wes, Danger and Daniel all had fights. Wes recalled that the time leading up to him stepping into the cage was filled with his usual pre-fight jitters. "Can you just imagine being somewhere, and then a guy comes running up at you and he's like, 'I'm about to fight you right now.' And you take that little split second that you're so scared, and then magnify it times a hundred and then stretch it out for about two weeks long," he said. "Because two weeks before a fight you're like, 'Oh, sh--, I've got to fight a guy in a cage. And he's going to try to kick me in the face, and he's going to try to hurt me.'" During the final moments before the fight, the second-guessing comes. "You're just sitting there and you're waiting on them to call your name. You're just like, 'What am I doing here? I just want the electricity to go out, or some kind of natural disaster to happen so I don't have to fight,' " Wes said. "And then they start playing your walk out music and you're just like, 'OK, this is what I'm here for, this is why I do this. I love this.' And you go out there and it's such an adrenaline rush, you really can't explain it. It just takes over your body." After Wes won his fight, he watched Daniel struggle in the cage. "Daniel, I've known him for a long time," Wes said. "He's unsociable and he looks like Justin Bieber, but he's a cool cat." It was clear that Daniel was having trouble. "I'm stressed out watching him," Wes recalled. "And then he gets hit and I'm just like, 'Oh my God.' " Daniel was down, and all Wes could do was watch. "You can't do anything because in a cage fight it's only two people," he said. "You've just got to live with what happens." Did you catch the premiere of "Caged"? Leave your comments on the episode below! "Caged" airs Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on MTV. |
| Jennifer Lopez 'Chasing' Role In 'Cocaine Cowboys,' Mark Wahlberg Confirms Posted: 10 Jan 2012 01:14 AM PST Role of drug cartel 'godmother' Griselda Blanco is Oscar bait, actor tells 'Sway in the Morning.'
Mark Wahlberg always has a lot on his plate, juggling projects as both an actor and producer. One film he's been talking about for awhile now is "Cocaine Cowboys," a feature film based on the 2006 documentary directed by Billy Corben. And when Wahlberg stopped by Sway Calloway's "Sway in the Morning" Sirius radio show on Tuesday (January 10), he hinted at some major news. "We're waiting on the script. It's going to be sooner rather than later," Wahlberg told Sway's Shade 45 co-host, Devi Dev. "We're going to shoot that in Miami, hopefully in the summer or the fall." "Cocaine Cowboys" follows the rise of the cocaine trade and the subsequent crime epidemic and drug war that swept through Miami in the 1970s and '80s. The documentary featured first-person interviews with journalists, lawyers, former smugglers and gang members, many of whom argue that the criminal operations behind the trade can be traced to one prominent figure: infamous crime family matriarch Griselda Blanco. Wahlberg, who has expressed interest in teaming up with his director buddy David O. Russell on the project, joked that Devi Dev might have a shot at playing "godmother" Griselda Blanco. But the actor/director also said the co-host would have stiff competition from a well-known actress who's very interested in the part. "It's one of those characters that will go down in history. Jennifer Lopez is chasing that [role] like crazy," Wahlberg revealed. "It's the role — if I could play Griselda, I would. That's Academy Award [bait] right there." Wahlberg and Devi also discussed the fact that whoever lands the Blanco role will have to forget about being pretty. Getting into character will require a transformation à la Charlize Theron's Oscar-winning transformation for "Monster." Catch MTV News' Sway Calloway on "Sway in the Morning," on SiriusXM Radio's Shade 45 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon ET. Related Artists |
| Daniel Radcliffe 'Very Excited' To Host 'SNL' Posted: 10 Jan 2012 01:06 AM PST 'It's the real deal. You live or die on that show,' Radcliffe tells MTV News.
Daniel Radcliffe made the jump to Broadway star shortly after ending his run as the world's most famous boy wizard, but on Saturday, he's taking an even bigger step: He's hosting "Saturday Night Live." Radcliffe knew that's not something you do without some careful consideration, and he told MTV News' Josh Horowitz that he had to give it some thought before agreeing to host. "I had to think about it a little bit, because it's the real deal. You live or die on that show," he said. "Ultimately, it was a no-brainer because I was working with John Larroquette [in 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying'] at the time as well. He hosted a bunch of times when he was younger." Not that it took a lot of convincing. Radcliffe also just really wanted to work with the castmembers he admires. "I love Seth Meyers. Bill Hader, I think, is just unbelievable. That Alan Alda impression, just mind-blowing," he said. Part of what is so enticing to Radcliffe about hosting is the immense challenge of it. "It will be the kind of stuff I like, that kind of guerrilla style of getting stuff done when you just have to get it done," he said. "Nothing else matters. You have to do it. You have to achieve. By the end of the week, you're going to be putting on an hour-and-a-half music-and-comedy show from scratch." Work for Radcliffe's episode started on Monday, and the actor said he is "very excited," and he is even bringing some ideas of his own. "But they're going to be crap," Radcliffe said. "I've got a couple ideas, yes, but I don't know that mine are going to end up onscreen because they've got a very experienced team of writers there." Daniel Radcliffe's episode of "Saturday Night Live," with musical guest Lana Del Rey, airs this Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET. |
| Amber Rose Returns To 'RapFix Live' Posted: 09 Jan 2012 10:10 PM PST Rose joins Yo Gotti and Saigon for 'RapFix Live' Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com.
"RapFix Live" is about to get a whole lot sexier, now that Ms. Amber Rose will appear on Wednesday's show. On Tuesday (January 10), the voluptuous vixen dropped her very first single, "Fame," which features her beau, Wiz Khalifa. "The song represents the ups and downs of fame and lets people know that it's not all it's cracked up to be," Rose told MTV's RapFix blog. "I have my own unique sound, I make music that I love, and I hope that my fans and the people that embrace me will love it also!" On Wednesday, Rose will make her return to the red couch, where she first appeared with Wiz in March of last year. It wasn't planned, but after some prompting by host Sway Calloway, Amber walked on set and fielded a few questions about her and Khalifa's relationship. Fans can look for the model to dish details on her music, many business endeavors and her portrayal in the media. That's not all though. Yo Gotti will also thug it out on "RapFix Live" this Wednesday. The Memphis, Tennessee, MC has finally released his major label debut, Live From the Kitchen and will swing through to talk about his road to rap infamy. Saigon will also be premiering a new trailer for his upcoming mixtape Warning Shots 3: One Foot in the Grave. Giddy debuted the tape's first single, "I Am 4 Real," Monday on the RapFix blog. Catch Yo Gotti, Amber Rose and Saigon on "RapFix Live" Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com, and be sure to join the Twitter conversation using the hashtag #RapFixLive. Send your questions for the artists to @MTVRapFiX! |
| Van Halen Return With New Single 'Tattoo' Posted: 09 Jan 2012 11:55 PM PST Band premieres first single with frontman David Lee Roth in nearly 16 years, and yes, it rocks.
Van Halen didn't play "Tattoo" — their first single with frontman David Lee Roth in something like 16 years — during last week's free-wheeling, free-spirited (and free-booze-fueled) club show in New York City, and it's sort of a shame. It would've fit in rather nicely alongside the massive Carter/Reagan-era smashes they did work into the set. Don't get me wrong, "Tattoo" isn't on par with the likes of "Runnin' With the Devil," "Everybody Wants Some!!" or "Panama," but it's cast from the same mold: huge riffs, huger backbeat, hangar-sized chorus, soaring vocal harmonies (thought it's certainly weird to see Eddie Van Halen's son filling Michael Anthony's role in that regard) and a killer guitar solo. Diamond Dave even gets to do one of his patented talking bits. But perhaps most importantly, in keeping with grand Van Halen tradition, it doesn't try to be anything more than a Sterno-grade party starter. "Tattoo" isn't really about politics or religion or really even feelings (except for maybe the part where Roth sings about his uncle being in the union). Instead, it is entirely about, well, tattoos. Of all shapes and sizes. Or, as Roth puts it, "Sexy dragon magic!" And really, what else needs to be said? At the very least, "Tattoo" is miles better than the last two songs the band recorded with Roth, "Me Wise Magic" and "Can't Get This Stuff No More," from 1996's Best Of Volume 1. And when compared to the other "new" song Van Halen premiered during Thursday's Café Wha? set — "She's the Woman," which, truth be told, has actually existed in demo form since the '70s — you can't help but get excited for their comeback disc, A Different Kind of Truth, if only because they seem to have bucked the whole "reunited band makes new album" trend and decided not to mess with the old tried-and-true formula. Truth be told, fans don't really want to hear the new stuff; they just want the hits. Or a close approximation thereof. And "Tattoo" is most definitely that. There's even an accompanying video, which premiered Tuesday (January 10). It's little more than a black-and-white clip, reportedly shot during the band's rehearsals at the Roxy on the Sunset Strip, and yet, it doesn't have to be anything more. For fans not lucky enough to get inside Café Wha? last week, it's probably enough just to see Van Halen up close and personal — not to mention actually happy — with Eddie still pulling solos from his guitar and Roth making approximations of his manic stage moves (sadly, no midair splits, but, I mean, come on). Given how low we've set the reunion bar in recent years, it's no wonder "Tattoo" stands out the way it does. It is a solid, slightly pyrotechnic reminder of what made Van Halen so great, and why folks are (dare I say it?) optimistic about the new album. And who knows? Perhaps VH can even change our long-held belief that reunions can't totally rock. And they're doing it with nothing more than some "sexy dragon magic." Keep it simple, indeed. What do you think of "Tattoo"? Share your reviews in the comments below! Related Photos Related Artists |
| Russell Brand Slides Off Wedding Ring In Pre-Divorce Video Posted: 09 Jan 2012 11:42 PM PST Comedian jokingly removed band in November announcement for his college tour.
A little over a month before he announced he would be taking off his wedding ring for good, Russell Brand jokingly took off his band when he announced his college tour. The video announcement, which he (and Katy Perry) posted in mid-November, seems to be getting some attention thanks to Brand's pre-split jovial nature about removing his ring and learning about what happens in sorority houses. He opens the clip saying, "Hello Americans! This is a time of terrific change and the perfect time for me to go on a tour." He then rambles on about American college life, adding, "I don't know nothing about your college culture. This, for me, is going to be an educational experience. "Now in each of these cases I want to meet people from sororities and fraternities," he continued. "I don't know what a sorority is except for the things I've seen on Nudevista; that they are sort of sex clubs for women. Fraternities, that's a bit like the film 'Animal House' or 'Social Network.' These are the only references I have." Noting that he hoped to create worlds of "decadence" on the road, he further teased, "We are going to change college life forever. First of all, I'm going to understand it, then we're going to change it, and then we're gonna try and understand the new version." As the video ends, Brand slides off his ring, with this message, "This is going to be a week of revolution, a week of occupation, and, more important, I'm going to learn firsthand about sororities. I'm going to place this somewhere very, very safe for the next week," he said about his ring. At the time, his former wife tweeted her support for the shows. In fact, she was the person who tweeted out the video originally. "My [foul] mouthed Hubby @rustyrockets is playing a few mid-west/east-coast shows starting tonight onwards!" she wrote. "SUPPORT!" The video's resurgence comes just one day after Perry announced she'd no longer attend Wednesday's People's Choice Awards. What do you think of Russell Brand's video? Sound off below! Related Artists |
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