Free Headline news: 2008

Rabu, 31 Desember 2008

running: Recently tagged products at Amazon.com

Runner's World Run Less, Run Faster: Become a Faster, Stronger Runner with the Revolutionary FIRST Training Program (Runners World) (Paperback) recently tagged "running"

Posted: 28 Aug 2007 04:48 PM PDT

Runner's World Run Less, Run Faster: Become a Faster, Stronger Runner with the Revolutionary FIRST Training Program (Runners World) (Paperback)
By Bill Pierce

Buy new: $16.95
$11.53
44 used and new from $10.04
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Customer tags: running(13), training(11), running book(8), marathon(5), marathon training(5), run(4), sports(2), first, first program, run training, training plan

The Outdoor Athlete (Paperback) recently tagged "running"

Posted: 20 Oct 2008 06:32 AM PDT

The Outdoor Athlete (Paperback)
By Courtenay Schurman

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$12.21
28 used and new from $11.35
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Customer tags: running(6), backpacking(4), exercise(4), fitness(4), canoeing(3), hiking(3), mountain biking(3), mountaineering(2), health(2), climbing(2), kayaking(2), mountain climbing(2)

MTV News

Kanye West, Young Jeezy And More Go-To Guest Artists Of 2008 (Who Aren't Lil Wayne Or T-Pain)

Posted: 31 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST

Ludacris, Ne-Yo and Jay-Z also improved songs with their notable cameos.
By Shaheem Reid and Jayson Rodriguez

Kanye West
Photo: John Shearer/ Getty Images

We know that Lil Wayne and T-Pain are the top-two guest appearances in the game either way you rank them. In 2008, the two worked with just about everybody, from T.I. to Fall Out Boy. Bankable! Having T-Wayne on your record practically guaranteed you big airplay on at least one radio format.

Who else put it down this year? Glad you asked. We ranked our top cameo performers of 2008 not named T-Pain or Weezy.

1. Kanye West

Best Cameo: His work on Young Jeezy's "Put On" was amazing. On the song, 'Ye went from talking about the pain of losing his mom to needing at least one of the Simmons sisters to help soothe him. Yet we have to go with his verse on T.I.'s "Swagger Like Us": blissful confidence wrapped around melodic wordplay. As a sidebar, don't sleep on his verses from Jamie Foxx's "Digital Girl."

2. Young Jeezy

Best Cameo: Usher's "Love in This Club" was the biggest song he hopped on, giving the Snowman some great crossover, mainstream exposure, but we'll go with Young on Shawty Lo's "Dey Know" remix. You had us at "hello." "I'm in my cool whip, insides Jell-O/ Hop up out that pretty mutha----a, like, 'Helllllll-ohhhh!' "

3. Ludacris

Best Cameo: 'Cris rips the meat off the bone every time he sinks his teeth into a record. The beloved blabbermouth has more styles and metaphors than entire rap crews. This is a tough one, considering how much we love his threat to Samuel L. Jackson on T.I.'s "Top of the World." But we'll go with T-Pain's "Chopped N Screwed" — vintage 'Cris lyrics with an animated style.

4. Jay-Z

Best Cameo: His name alone on your track makes it an event. His stint on T.I.'s "Swagger Like Us" had us singing, but the bars he just snuck in on DJ Khaled's "Go Hard" remix are so mean. Did you hear the reference to Heath Ledger? And let's not forget his cautionary line about Andy Griffith's alias: "Number-one rule if ya ass get caught/ Don't chatterbox to the Matlock."

5. Fabolous

Best Cameo: "Addicted," of course. Fab and Ryan Leslie made a dope tandem on that track and on Slim's "Good Lovin." Let's not forget that Loso also shined on songs that paid homage to his hardcore roots, such as the remixes of Red Cafe's "Paper Touchin" and Maino's "Hi Hater."

6. Rihanna

Best Cameo: Uh, this one is as easy. The absolute standout was "Live Your Life," one of T.I.'s biggest records ever. Rih Rih's word to the wise is a mantra to live by: "So keep on gettin' ya paper/ And keep on climbin'/ Look in the mirror/ And keep on shinin'/ Till the game end, till the clock stop/ We gonna post up on the top spot."

7. Ne-Yo

Best Cameo: He helps more rappers in a bind than Murray Richman. Just ask the Game ("Camera Phone") and Jadakiss ("By My Side"), who connected with the talented songwriter in 2008 to turn what would have been album cuts into radio-friendly hits. But unequivocally, Ne-Yo's biggest guest turn was on Plies' "Bust It Baby (Pt. 2)." His nimble crooning smoothed out the goon's rough edges and inched Plies closer toward mainstream stardom.

8. Ron Browz

Best Cameo: "Eeeeeether boooy" laced Busta Rhymes' "Arab Money" with his Auto-Tune-enhanced vocals and then upped the Vocoder a notch on Jim Jones' "Pop Champagne." He might not be T-Pain yet, but Harlem's newest heatmaker is two-for-two and recently inked a deal with Universal Motown for a solo project.

9. Jim Jones

Best Cameo: Jones has a way of making every song he jumps on uniquely his, so when he latched onto Kid Cudi's "Day 'N' Nite," well, the gruff Dipset honcho murdered the Cleveland newcomer on his own ish. Dark, unrelenting and woozy, it's classic Capo.

10. Akon

Best Cameo: 'Kon kept his top-40 rep in tune on Kardinal Offishall's "Dangerous," but the Senegalese singer certified his 'hood cred when he belted out the hook on DJ Khaled's posse cut "Out Here Grinding." He balances out a lineup of thugs with his elastic vocals wailing over the Runners' rumbling synths. Watch for the hook on this one.

Jay-Z Raps On DJ Khaled's 'Go Hard' Remix -- Check Out A Clip Here!

Posted: 30 Dec 2008 12:15 AM PST

Rap was a holiday present for Khaled: 'I got the verse on Christmas Eve!'
By Shaheem Reid

Jay-Z
Photo: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

Shawn "Santa" Carter — a.k.a. Jay-Z — had a serious holiday gift for DJ Khaled: Jay-Z recently gave the lovably mouthy radio personality/ record exec/ artist/ all-around hype man some raps for a remix of his "Go Hard."

"I got the verse on Christmas Eve!" Khaled said excitedly on Monday night about Jay's new rhymes on his song. "Christmas Eve! What a huge Christmas gift!"

The original "Go Hard" is featured on Khaled's We Global LP. T-Pain sings the hook and Kanye West commands the verses. On the remix, Jay-Z spits a possibly controversial line about late actor Heath Ledger: "On dark nights it's just like I see better/ On Dark Knights I'm like Heath Ledger/ Even if I overdose on drugs, muthaf---as can't kill my buzz."

Later, he namechecks Mr. West: "I'mma go harder than 'Ye go/ And 'Ye go hard, that's bay [baby] bro."

"I had that [original] 'Go Hard' record and I told [Jay-Z's A&R rep] Lenny 'S.' Santiago that I would love to get Jay on there," Khaled said of a conversation that took place months ago, before We Global was released. "I always said to myself, 'It never hurts to ask.' "

The Miami DJ played the song for Santiago, who then sent it to Jay.

"I made sure I told Lenny the truth: that it's a dream to work with Jay and I'm fan of his music. I kept telling him we will make more history," Khaled offered. "So time passed, I never really knew if he was going to do it, so I let the song go and kept it moving. In my head I said, 'We will work together one day.' I always knew hard work pays off. I wanted this bad!"

Months went by without a peep from Hov until last week, when Khaled got the Jay verse.

"Jay-Z is like a jedi!" Khaled exclaimed. "He just knows when to make his moves and when to do something. And Jay-Z felt like I deserved the verse. I really appreciated that they believe in me!

"We the best!" Khaled continued. " 'Go Hard' is so good!"

Jay-Z also has another "Go Hard" record on the radio: "Brooklyn Go Hard." It's the lead cut from the Notorious soundtrack, due January 13.

Posted: 30 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST

Big Boi, Shawty Lo and Joe Budden also make the list.
By Shaheem Reid

T.I.
Photo: Getty Images/ Evan Agostini

"No one on the corner got swagger like these four guys." Lil Wayne was correct; it was an event, a milestone — Weezy, Jay-Z, Kanye West and T.I. on "Swagger Like Us."

The record brought together a cross section of cities on wax and four out of the top-10 MCs in the game. "No one on the corner got swagger like us." Hell yeah, M.I.A. — the track's producer Kanye West used her voice as a secret weapon, another musical firearm to go along with that sumo-heavy bass and marching-band drum line. It arrived out of nowhere (leaked several weeks before its strategically planned debut) and immediately became an anthem for sports teams and anybody in the club. The record also became a favorite of some MCs to freestyle on, trying to prove they too belonged on the all-star track.

"Swagger" might have been our Hip-Hop Song of the Year (an honor that went to Lil Wayne's "A Milli" instead) if the vision for the record were fully realized — there was no video and not even a proper live performance with all four of its stars. Still, it makes the top spot on our list of Underground Joints of '08 ("Swagger" was released as a single on iTunes prior to coming out on T.I.'s Paper Trail.) Here's a list of seven other songs you may have slept on but definitely need to have in heavy rotation.

Eight Essential Underground Joints of '08

1. T.I. and Jay-Z (featuring Lil Wayne and Kanye West) - "Swagger Like Us"
2. Joe Budden - "Who (Parts 1, 2 and 3)"
3. Jay-Z - "Jockin' Jay-Z"
4. Shawty Lo (featuring Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Lil Wayne and Plies) - "Dey Know" remix
5. Lil Wayne (featuring Jay-Z) - "Mr. Carter"
6. Big Boi (featuring Andre 3000 and Raekwon) - "Royal Flush"
7. The Game (featuring Nas) - "Letter to the King"
8. Nas - "Breathe"

Honorable Mentions

»Gucci Mane (featuring Yo Gotti and Yung Ralph) - "Bricks"
»Plies - "Ol' Lady"
»DJ Felli Fel (featuring Kanye West, Jermaine Dupri and Fabolous) - "Finer Things"
»Kid Cudi (featuring Jim Jones) - "Day 'N' Nite remix
»The Game - "Big Dreams"
»Fat Joe (featuring Lil Wayne) - "Crackhouse"
»Charles Hamilton, Asher Roth and B.O.B. - "Change Gone Come"
»Nas - "Testify"

Posted: 30 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST

On the eve of the new season, we take a look back at our favorite 'American Idol' videos of 2008.

David Archuleta
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

The seventh season of "American Idol" will be remembered for lots of things: for allowing contestants to play instruments, for featuring the music of the Beatles, for the nail-biting David vs. David finale, and then there was that whole "Paula Accidentally Critiques a Performance Before She Actually Saw It" debacle.

But around the MTV News office, this season will be remembered as the year where we went "all in" with our coverage. With live blogs, 60-second recaps, breaking-news updates, exclusive music performances, in-depth home visits and "Idol" fanatic roundtables, MTV News had a blast dissecting every nanosecond of the pop-culture phenomenon. And without further ado, here are some of our favorite "Idol" videos produced in 2008.

"I'm Not Here to Make Friends": Jim's "Idol" Audition Video Diary

Having a correspondent or a news producer audition for "American Idol" was an idea that was thrown around the office for years, and each time it came up we hit the same road block: Fox wouldn't let our cameras inside the actual audition arena. But 2008 was the year when we threw caution to the wind and set out to tell our story anyway. And boy, was I glad I got to take part! This was honestly the most fun I've ever had on a news shoot. Everyone was super-nice and willing to do just about anything to get on camera. Plus, any shoot that gives me the excuse to utter the reality-TV cliché "I'm not here to make friends" is aces in my book.

"I Wouldn't Be Surprised If The Other One Wins": Simon Cowell on the "Idol" Finale Red Carpet

The "American Idol" finale red carpet is always a clusterf--- of epic proportions. Unless you're "Access Hollywood" or E!, you're not scoring an interview with any of the judges or current contestants. Instead, you're stuck fighting CBS Radio and Cat Fancy magazine for a couple of minutes with previous "Idol" also-rans who are plugging their independently released new single and/or memoir and/or perfume. So imagine our delight when King Cowell stopped to talk into our microphone and drop this bomb! Even though Simon said during the finale performance show that David Archuleta had picked a better first single, he told us in this clip that he was having second thoughts about his endorsement and had been too hard on David Cook. (He echoed this sentiment live on the air just a few hours later, before Cook took home the "Idol" crown.) MTV News heard it first!

Josiah Performs a New Song: "Angels Undercover"

Even though Josiah Leming didn't make it to the top 24, we were obsessed with his heartbreaking backstory and undeniable talent. Apparently, so were the folks at Warner Bros. Records, who signed the singer/songwriter to a recording contract the first chance they got. The night Josiah signed with them, he wrote this gut-wrenching song called "Angels Undercover," which he played for us in May while we sat in during his recording sessions. The label reps told us this track wouldn't be on his debut album. But we like to think our emotional response (as well as the rave reviews from MTV.com users) prompted Josiah to release the Angels Undercover EP last fall.

Does "Paulagate" Prove That "Idol" Is Rigged?

Often, the best part about "American Idol" is the Internet commentary that surrounds it, so for our "Idol Roundtable" this year, we booked the four "Idol" bloggers whose sites we visit the most during "Idol" season. This particular segment, where we discuss the controversy surrounding PaulaGate, was my favorite, if only because I found myself in the rare position of being the least cynical person in the room.

Forbidden Fruit or Brilliant Inspiration?

Sure, we were stretching when we claimed that the 1980 disco-schlock musical "The Apple" was the inspiration for "American Idol." But that doesn't change the fact that "Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, who choreographed the hilariously bad flick almost 30 years ago, keeps the credit hidden from his résumé. We're onto you, Lythgoe! (Random side note: Lythgoe stepped down from "American Idol" as soon as its seventh season wrapped in order to focus on his other hit reality competition show, "So You Think You Can Dance.")

"Idol" Ultimatums

In 2007, we produced a "Love Letter to 'Idol,' " where we listed all the reasons we are obsessed with the show and why we were so happy the new season was about to start. But after the '07 season unfolded in a depressingly underwhelming manner (Haley Scarnato? J.Lo as a singing coach?! Sanjaya??), we felt it was necessary to give the object of our affection some tough love. Sadly, the 2008 season was still a bit of a drag (Neil Diamond night? Really?) But all hope's not lost. Of the four suggestions we gave in our ultimatum, "Idol" seems to be heeding our advice, revamping the show in 2009 with a new judge (which will give Simon a reason to step up his game), a new audition process (less freaks, more backstories for the top 36), and the promise that they're going to feature the best talent yet. But don't they say that every year?

Josiah's Post-"Idol" Life

This was the first of our many shoots with the "Idol" castoff. It was just days after his "Idol" rejection episode aired, and we raced down to Tennessee to catch up with the young troubadour, who was back living at his folks' place. The stories we wrote and produced about Josiah always scored well with our audience — in some cases, a Josiah Leming story snagged more page views than one about David Cook or David Archuleta — which goes to show that you don't even have to make it to the semifinals in order to win a sizeable fanbase. At one point in this interview, Josiah told us, "[I'm] definitely trying to live down the whole 'homeless' kid livin' in his car who cries a lot." Ironically, his record label plans on playing that up in a huge way in 2009, when Leming's full-length debut album is released alongside a feature documentary all about the singer's home life.

David Archuleta: Where Did He Come From?

"American Idol" is a lot like a political campaign, and the contestant's high school is a lot like their campaign headquarters. We loved catching up with David Archuleta's current classmates, but it was our chat with his childhood vocal coach that really opened our eyes. After our interview, he played us a brilliant demo of "Imagine" that Archie recorded when he was only 12 years old, half a decade before he pulled that song out of his back pocket on TV and floored all of us — the viewers, the judges, the other contestants — with one of the best performances in "Idol" history!

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

Related Videos

The Best Of 'American Idol' Season Seven

Related Photos

Posted: 30 Dec 2008 12:56 AM PST

The rapper pleads guilty to various charges dating back to April of this year.
By Jayson Rodriguez

DMX (file)
Photo: AP Photo/Maricopa County Sheriff's Office

DMX's legal woes in Arizona finally came to a close Tuesday morning (December 30), as the rapper entered into an agreement that will allow a number of charges to be dropped against him.

In return, the former Ruff Ryders star (known legally as Earl Simmons) formally pleaded guilty to four lesser counts on cases of animal cruelty, drug possession and theft. He's scheduled to be sentenced in Maricopa County Superior Court on January 30.

According to ABC 15 in Arizona, one of the charges dropped against DMX was ID theft. In April of this year, the rapper gave a phony name and contact information to a health-clinic worker after being treated at the facility for a sickness. The price tag for his overnight stay was $7,500, but the rapper skirted out of his payment and was later arrested in July for evading the bill.

He was also arrested numerous times in the state throughout 2008 — in May, police nabbed DMX on animal cruelty and drug charges stemming from a raid of his Phoenix home. That same month he was taken into custody by authorities for speeding and, earlier this month, a warrant was issued in the state for his arrest after missing a scheduled court date.

X has also had several run-ins with the law in Florida this past year as well — in August, the rapper reached a plea deal there in his drug-possession case.

A $5,000 reward was offered for DMX's arrest early this month when Maricopa County officials issued yet another warrant against the rapper for missing court. X was found in Miami at music producer Scott Storch's home and later extradited to Arizona.

DMX's public defender in his Arizona cases told MTV News at the time his client had entered a rehab facility in early December.

The MC's legal representatives had not responded to MTV News' requests for comment at press time.

Posted: 30 Dec 2008 09:31 AM PST

Ya know, Tripp is cool but just not bizarre enough!
By James Montgomery

Photo: Win McNamee/ Getty Images

E-40 Comments On Denver Club Shooting

Posted: 30 Dec 2008 09:47 AM PST

'E-40 and [his] camp are unable to control the poor and tragic choices that other adults choose to make,' rapper's manager says.
By Jayson Rodriguez

E-40
Photo: Jacob Andrzejczak/Getty Images

Bay Area rapper E-40 is emphatically denying any involvement or affiliation with the shooting incident that occurred outside a Denver nightclub following his performance over the weekend. 40 and his manager, Chaz Hayes, issued a statement to MTV News on Monday night stating the rapper's innocence.

"E-40 and [his] management want to state unequivocally that E-40 and his camp were uninvolved in the unfortunate incident at Club Vinyl in Denver on Dec. 27, 2008," the message read. "Neither E-40 nor anyone traveling with him was in the venue at the time. In fact, E-40 had concluded his performance and [had] been back in the hotel room."

According to multiple reports, five people were wounded on the night in question, when an unidentified gunman fired shots into a crowd as patrons were leaving the venue. 9 News in Denver reported that the shooting occurred at approximately 2 a.m. with close to 100 concertgoers outside the premises. One of the victims is believed to be listed in critical condition.

A witness to the shootings told the Rocky Mountain News that bouts of violence and police presence are common at Club Vinyl. At least six incidents have been reported to authorities in the last six months stemming from activity at Club Vinyl.

Although the normally low-key rapper's name is now linked to the unfortunate events in Denver, as of press time, E-40 has not been questioned by police. His management said there were no signs during his time in Colorado that would have forecast this tragic turn of events.

"During his time at the venue, and in fact during the trip to Denver as a whole, [E-40] encountered nothing but love and gave nothing but love back," Hayes said in an e-mail. "E-40 had a crowd-pleasing and peaceful show. While he certainly regrets that this incident took place, E-40 and [his] camp are unable to control the poor and tragic choices that other adults choose to make."

Related Artists

E-40

Mychal Bell Of 'Jena 6' Accidentally Shoots Himself

Posted: 30 Dec 2008 08:08 AM PST

Bell was reportedly cleaning a firearm when it discharged accidentally.
By Jayson Rodriguez

Mychal Bell (file)
Photo: Kita Wright/ Associated Press

Mychal Bell, one of the "Jena 6" whose case brought national attention to racial tensions in the small Louisiana town two years ago, accidentally shot himself in the shoulder Monday evening, according to CNN.

Bell was cleaning a gun and the firearm discharged unexpectedly, his lawyer said. He was rushed to a nearby hospital in Monroe, Louisiana, where he was treated.

Bell's lawyer, Carol Powell-Lexing, told CNN her client underwent surgery on Monday night. At press time Bell was unable to speak, CNN reported, but authorities said the injury was not life threatening. Bell has not been charged with any crime.

In 2006, Bell, along with five other African-American classmates, were facing felony assault charges after an incident in which he and several others beat a white student for allegedly using a racial epithet. The fight was prompted after a noose was discovered hanging from a tree on school grounds, a gesture which created outrage in the community. Three white Jena High students placed the noose in the tree, it was later learned; the shade of the tree was traditionally off-limits to blacks in the past.

In September 2007, over 15,000 activists — including Mos Def and UGK's Bun B — descended on Jena to lend support to Bell and his classmates. Many believed the charges against the "Jena 6," as they were dubbed, were too excessive. Nelly, Nick Cannon and Jay-Z were among those who spoke out against what were thought to be racially-tinged claims. Bell eventually pleaded guilty to lesser charges. He served a few months at a juvenile detention center and then relocated to the town of Monroe, approximately 70 miles north of Jena.

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Selasa, 30 Desember 2008

MTV News

'American Idol': The Best Of 2008, By Jim Cantiello

Posted: 30 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST

On the eve of the new season, we take a look back at our favorite 'American Idol' videos of 2008.

David Archuleta
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

"I'm Not Here to Make Friends": Jim's "Idol" Audition Video Diary

"I Wouldn't Be Surprised If The Other One Wins": Simon Cowell on the "Idol" Finale Red Carpet

Josiah Performs a New Song: "Angels Undercover"

Does "Paulagate" Prove That "Idol" Is Rigged?

Forbidden Fruit or Brilliant Inspiration?

"Idol" Ultimatums

Josiah's Post-"Idol" Life

David Archuleta: Where Did He Come From?

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

Related Videos

The Best Of 'American Idol' Season Seven

Posted: 30 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST

Big Boi, Shawty Lo and Joe Budden also make the list.
By Shaheem Reid

T.I.
Photo: Getty Images/ Evan Agostini

"No one on the corner got swagger like these four guys." Lil Wayne was correct; it was an event, a milestone — Weezy, Jay-Z, Kanye West and T.I. on "Swagger Like Us."

Eight Essential Underground Joints of '08

Honorable Mentions

T.I., Ludacris, Young Jeezy Warm Up Chilly New York At 'Holiday Bash '08'

Posted: 29 Dec 2008 09:30 AM PST

Locals Jim Jones and Ludacris also perform at Hot 97-sponsored show.
By Rahman Dukes with Jayson Rodriguez

T.I. at the "Holiday Bash 2008"
Photo: Johnny Nunez/ WireImage

UNIONDALE, New York — The King of the South helped warm up a chilly Nassau Coliseum in Long Island on Saturday night. T.I. performed at New York radio station Hot 97's "Holiday Bash 2008," which featured a slate of Southern rap royalty (also Young Jeezy and Ludacris) along with hometown favorites Jim Jones and Busta Rhymes.

Jones set off the festivities (which were hosted by Hot 97's Angie Martinez and DJ Enuff) with his hits "We Fly High (Ballin')" and "Pop Champagne," featuring his Dipset homie Juelz Santana.

Ludacris, who's been known to close a show or two in his time, hit the stage earlier than expected but still put on a headliner-worthy performance. With the excited crowd chanting "Luda! Luda!" before his entrance, 'Cris spent the next 40 minutes tearing through his catalog, rolling out everything from new cuts ("Everybody Hates Chris") to classics ("Stand Up").

The highlight of DTP CEO's set came when Busta Rhymes joined the rowdy rapper onstage. Flanked by super hypeman Spliff Star and producer Ron Browz, the Busta-led trip performed the mega hit "Arab Money." As part of a special request from Luda himself, Bus-a-Bus rose the roof with a spine-rattling cover of A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario."

"2010 makes 20 years Busta Rhymes has been in the game!" the proud New York legend told the crowd before leaving the stage.

Jeezy and members of his USDA clique reminded the audience why he runs the streets of ATL. Despite audio miscues throughout his set, the trap star finished with a bang as he put his stamp on the most significant event of 2008: Barack Obama's election. The Snowman heated up the venue with the celebratory track "My President," although without Nas.

Last up to bat was none other than the King himself. Female concertgoers who had stayed in their seats for most of the show sprang into the aisles and screamed at the top of their lungs for Tip.

The Grand hustle rapper, clad in a white tee that read "Ice Cream" and black Air Jordans, performed many of his hits from the past year. Except for a few interludes dedicated to "fake gangsta rappers" that many figured were aimed at Shawty Lo, T.I. kept the momentum set off by Luda and Jeezy, rocking songs from "PSA" to "Swing Ya Rag" to "What's Up, What's Happenin'."

T.I. might be small in stature, but the MC more than held his own in Strong Island and closed out the night with a set that would have even made the King of New York, Jay-Z, proud.

Posted: 29 Dec 2008 02:02 AM PST

Many gossip sites incorrectly reported that the singer/actress was engaged to AFI bassist Hunter Burgan.
By James Montgomery

Ben Gibbard and Zooey Deschanel perform together in August 2008
Photo: Timothy Norris/Getty Images

Perhaps we should call them the First Couple of Indie Rock.

Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard and actress/ She & Him singer Zooey Deschanel are engaged, sources confirmed to MTV News on Monday (December 29).

The confirmation comes hours after many celebrity gossip sites had incorrectly reported that Deschanel was engaged to a different musician: AFI bassist Hunter Burgan. According to a "source close to the couple," cited by Us Weekly, Deschanel, 28, and Gibbard, 32, are "so thrilled. ... Zooey was swept off her feet, and Ben is so excited."

In addition to her roles in films like "Elf" and "Yes Man," Deschanel fronts the critically lauded She & Him duo with singer/songwriter M. Ward. Their debut album, Volume One, was featured on several 2008 "Best Of" lists — including ours.

Deschanel had previously dated actor/musician Jason Schwartzman and Mickey Madden from Maroon Five. Various Web sites are reporting that the couple have been dating for almost a year, and they shared the stage together — dueting on a cover of the Everly Brothers' "Dream" — at an Obama fundraiser in August.

Deschanel's She & Him released their debut album on indie stalwart Merge Records earlier this year. Gibbard's Death Cab released a string of albums on tiny Barsuk Records from 1998-2004 (not to mention the ultra-successful Postal Service album Give Up on Sub Pop in '03) until making the leap to the majors with 2005's Plans. In May, DCFC's Narrow Stairs debuted at #1 on the Billboard albums chart.

Posted: 29 Dec 2008 08:05 AM PST

One victim in critical condition as police search for suspects.
By Gil Kaufman

E-40
Photo: Denise Truscello/ WireImage

Denver police are still searching for suspects in a shooting spree early Saturday morning outside a club show by Bay Area rapper E-40 that left five people injured. One of the victims was still listed in critical condition on Sunday.

According to 9 News in Denver, the shootings occurred outside Club Vinyl in the downtown area just before 2 a.m. Approximately 100 people were standing outside the venue when shots rang out. Witnesses reported that the gunmen ran away after shooting into the crowd.

The incident occurred as the club was closing and concertgoers were leaving, with bullets flying "everywhere," according to a security guard at a nearby hotel, which was also hit with gunfire, according to the Denver Post. One witness told KWGN News that he saw 50 or 60 patrons "running for their lives," and while police wouldn't say what triggered the incident, the eyewitness said he saw three men with guns and a knife chasing and firing at three other men.

Another witness, who works at the hotel that was hit by bullets, told the Rocky Mountain News that police are at Club Vinyl three to five times a week and that fights are common at the nightspot.

Police said they believe some of the victims were leaving the club at the time of the shootings, but it was unclear if all five had attended the concert.

As of Sunday, no arrests had been made in the shootings, and a spokesperson for the Denver Police Department could not be reached for comment on Monday (December 29) morning for additional details.

Related Artists

E-40

running: Recently tagged products at Amazon.com

The Perfect Mile: Three Athletes, One Goal, and Less Than Four Minutes to Achieve It (Paperback) recently tagged "running"

Posted: 30 Jan 2006 03:08 PM PST

The Perfect Mile: Three Athletes, One Goal, and Less Than Four Minutes to Achieve It (Paperback)
By Neal Bascomb

Buy new: $10.17
79 used and new from $0.01
Customer Rating:

Customer tags: running(3), history, human endeavours, history of sports, santee, running book, john landy, landy, roger bannister, bannister, mile, four-minute mile

Marware Sportsuit Sensor Case for Nike + iPod Sport Kit for iPod nano 3G (Black) (Electronics) recently tagged "running"

Posted: 05 Jul 2007 04:32 PM PDT

Marware Sportsuit Sensor Case for Nike + iPod Sport Kit for iPod nano 3G (Black) (Electronics)
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Buy new: $4.39
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Marware Sportsuit Runabout Case for iPod nano 3G (Black) (Electronics) recently tagged "running"

Posted: 14 Oct 2007 12:14 PM PDT

Marware Sportsuit Runabout Case for iPod nano 3G (Black) (Electronics)
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Buy new: $14.12
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Ashlee Simpson, Pete Wentz, Clay Aiken, Jamie Lynn Spears And Other Surprising New Parents of 2008

Posted: 29 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST

Hollywood baby booms are nothing new, but we didn't expect some of these celebs to become moms and dads.
By Jocelyn Vena

Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images

Celebrities had children on the brain in 2008. Baby bumps were everywhere, and Hollywood is starting to resemble a playpen.

There were plenty of stars who didn't shock us too much when we found out they were in the family way. Christina Aguilera and hubby Jordan Bratman had baby Max. Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony had twins they named after the kids on "Dragon Tales." Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale welcomed Zuma Nesta Rock. It wasn't even that surprising when Jessica Alba announced she was going to have a baby with her longtime beau, Cash Warren. And we didn't fall off our seats when Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban welcomed Sunday into the world. There are plenty of famous couples who are still perpetually rumored to be pregnant: Avril Lavigne and Deryck Whibley, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon, and Jen Aniston and John Mayer. (There were also some parents who went from famous to notorious this year.)

And then there were the celebs that made us stop dead in our tracks when we found out they'd be having a kid (or two). Here are the most surprising parents of 2008:

5. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
OK, they love kids, but you'd think that after four, they'd want to slow down a bit. But these two can't stop adding to their brood. To be honest, they are beautiful and rich, so it's sort of like why not? So, with that in mind, this year they went from four babies to six when in July, Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline, came into the world.

4. Nicole Richie and Benji Madden
It's always sort of surprising when two free-spirited, wild people get together and make a baby. This was the case when Nicole and Benji gave birth to little Harlow Winter in January. They've each been out there and sowed their wild oats, and now they're changing diapers!

3. Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz
Ashlee sort of denied her pregnancy in a way that made everyone suspect it even more. Then Pete got defensive about it. And then, finally, Pete confirmed the whole thing on his blog. Actually, after their quick engagement and wedding in May, the fact that these kids were having a kid was less surprising than the name they chose for their bundle of joy, Bronx Mowgli.

2. Jamie Lynn Spears and Casey Aldridge
Technically, the littlest Spears shocked the world back in 2007 when she announced her pregnancy. But since the 17-year-old gave birth to daughter Maddie Briann in June of this year, she still counts, right? Opting to raise her baby with boyfriend Casey Aldridge (who's become a tabloid magnet in his own right) near her family's home in Louisiana, the former "Zoey 101" star worked to get her GED and has some plans to go to college in the future.

1. Clay Aiken
Perhaps the Claymates were the only ones surprised to learn the "American Idol" runner-up is gay, but the earlier news that he was going to be a father made quite a ripple. The American Idol and his friend Jaymes Foster decided to raise son Parker together. "I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things," the singer said when he came out and introduced his son in the same People article. "I wasn't raised that way, and I'm not going to raise a child to do that."

Honorable mentions

Ricky Martin had twins via surrogate. Taylor Hanson, 25, and his wife welcomed their fourth child and named him Viggo Moriah (his brothers both had kids this year too). "Full House" alumna Jodie Sweetin had a kid only months before announcing she was getting divorced. Action star Vin Diesel and his model girlfriend had a daughter when no one was looking. Minnie Driver had a son but refused to name the dad. Alaskan first daughter Bristol Palin announced that she was expecting a bundle of joy, courting some controversy for mom, VP candidate Sarah Palin. Lisa Marie Presley had twins (insisting she wasn't just fat). Usher and his wife had another kid, Naviyd Ely Raymond, only a year after the birth of Usher Raymond V. And, of course, there was the pregnant man ...

Paramore's Hayley Williams On Next LP: 'I've Got A Lot That I Want To Get Out'

Posted: 29 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST

'We're trying to figure out how far we can go with it but still keep it Paramore,' bassist Jeremy Davis says.
By James Montgomery

Paramore backstage at KROQ's Almost Acoustic Christmas in Los Angeles
Photo: MTV News

It sounds like we're getting close to a new Paramore album. Or, you know, at least closer.

For months, Paramore have maintained that they were in "the very early stages" (or,"stage 0.5," to be exact) of work on the follow-up to their Riot! album, with guitarist Josh Farro working on "tons of ideas" and frontwoman Hayley Williams penning fragments of lyrics based on the rather tumultuous year the band has endured.

But nothing appeared to be set in stone. Then, in early December, Williams told Spin magazine that the band had decided to record the album in Nashville and hoped to have it in stores by next summer. So, when MTV News caught up with the band backstage at KROQ's Almost Acoustic Christmas in Los Angeles, we decided to get a status update. And it sounds like things are finally starting to come together.

"[We've been getting inspired by] life, really. It's not one specific instance or record or book or anything. We're constantly taking in new music — that's what we're passionate about — but I think life has given us a lot to say, and I'm really excited," Williams said. "Josh has been writing really cool riffs and really cool music that I can't wait to write over. Lyrically, I think it's going to be a very different record — we've learned a lot about relationships and friendships and life in general, and I'm stoked because I don't really know what I'm going to say about it, but I've got a lot that I want to get out."

And just what will the album sound like? Well, Farro wouldn't say, but according to bassist Jeremy Davis, it could be an all-over-the-map affair. Or, you know, just another Paramore album.

"I think everyone's just growing, you know? Growing up. And I feel like we all kind of know what the Paramore sound is, but we're all experimenting and trying to figure out how far we can go with it but still keep it Paramore," he said. "We've all been getting into different music ourselves, which is just going to be better in the long run. When we get into the studio, there's going to be a lot more different things going on."

When the band does head into the studio in '09, it sounds like it's going to be all business — which is only more good news for Paramore fans hungering for a new album.

"I mean, this last record did really well, and it's not that we didn't appreciate it, but we always want to do better," drummer Zac Farro said. "Just because we did well on the last one, we don't think we can go in and make a great record without having to try. We're going to work just as hard, if not harder, this time around."

Related Photos

Paramore, Kanye West, More Come Out For KROQ's Almost Acoustic Christmas 2008

My Chemical Romance Get To Work On Non-Concept Album, Sort Of

Posted: 29 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST

'We've made concepts for three albums now, so I think this one ... I want to go into it not thinking about a definite story,' frontman Gerard Way says.
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Brian Jacks

Photo: Noel Vasquez/ Getty Images

Well, at least now we know what the new My Chemical Romance album won't sound like.

A few months back, when we spoke to MCR bassist Mikey Way about the "Batman" story he was writing for DC Comics, he mentioned that he and his bandmates had begun work in earnest on the follow-up to 2006's Welcome to the Black Parade, but, while they're all writing songs, he had no idea what the album would end up sounding like.

"So if, say, we wrote some songs that sound like Rick Springfield, a week later they've all turned into Children of Bodom songs," he explained. "I know it's going to be great — I just don't know what it's going to sound like. We're going to be just as surprised as everyone else, believe me."

And we did. So when we recently caught up with Mikey's brother, MCR frontman Gerard Way, we asked if the new album was still in such a state of flux. His answer? Yes, but he's at least got an idea of how he doesn't want it to turn out.

"You know, we've made concepts for three albums now, so I think this one — at least from my standpoint — I want to go into it not thinking about a definite story. I said that during Parade, but I still think I had something to work out," he said. "I think I had to get it out of my system, as far as writing concept records. I had to at least do one more before I stopped doing them. Obviously, they'll always be cohesive though. The songs need to fit together, that's what makes a great album."

Way added that rather than focusing on a concept, he and the band are keeping it much simpler this time around — they're just focusing on writing really killer, really loud rock songs.

"The one thing is we've never really captured that 'live' feeling. We've gone for sometimes more polish. We've obviously emulated bands like Queen in trying to get that classic, late-'70s glam sound, and we've gone for that at times, especially on the last record," Way explained. "But then, when we're playing this stuff live, it's ultimately going to get more aggressive, so I think it'd be interesting to hear what the band sounds like recorded at least somewhat in those parameters of a live set.

"And that's not to say it'll all be distorted, who knows. I think you record it live viscerally, and the minute you put in the distortion, yeah, it's going to sound 'punk,' " he continued. "You take it off and I don't know what it sounds like then. The song we did for 'Watchmen' [a cover of Bob Dylan's 'Desolation Row'] in a lot of ways is a really good test-run or experiment, at least sonically."

Of course, in keeping with the company line, Way said that there is no definite timetable for when or where My Chem will actually begin recording the new album ... in fact, what with Way's "Umbrella Academy" comic series having recently been green-lit for production and guitarist Frank Iero's side project Leathermouth taking off, there seems to be even less time to be dedicated to the business of being MCR.

"Well, [guitarist] Ray [Toro] is coming out Sunday and ... we may even sketch out a whole album together, which is something we used to like to try to do. We've had less and less time to sit down and try to do a skeleton of an album," Way said. "It's good to start doing that stuff, but once you start doing that you kind of paint yourself into a corner. Like, we finished mixing Black Parade, and then the next day we were on a plane off to Europe doing press. It was literally that quick. So I don't think we want to go through that again. We don't want some kind of time limit on us."

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My Chemical Romance

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