MTV News |
- Ke$ha Calls 'Your Love Is My Drug' Video 'A Psychedelic Trip Of The Mind'
- Ludacris Recalls Pushing Pizzas On 'When I Was 17'
- Olivia 'Confused' By Drake's Reaction To Mixtape Song 'Control'
- 'American Idol' Sinatra Night Swings With Michael Lynche, Lee Dewyze
- Miley Cyrus Breaks Free In 'Can't Be Tamed' Video
- Lil Wayne Writes Mother's Day Blog Post
- Lee Dewyze Gets Back In The 'American Idol' Race With 'That's Life'
- Beyonce Plays Suffering Housewife In 'Why Don't You Love Me' Video
- N.E.R.D. Say New Album Is 'Very Psychedelic'
- Young Jeezy Talks <i>Trap Or Die 2</i> Mixtape
| Ke$ha Calls 'Your Love Is My Drug' Video 'A Psychedelic Trip Of The Mind' Posted: 05 May 2010 03:51 AM PDT Her 'Saturday Night Live' performance was 'sort of a preview of the video,' she tells MTV News.
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey — If you were somewhat puzzled by Ke$ha's "Saturday Night Live" performance last month, well, then you should probably prepare yourself to be positively flabbergasted by her upcoming "Your Love Is My Drug" video. "The 'SNL' performance was sort of a preview of the video," Ke$ha told MTV News on Saturday at the Bamboozle festival. "So, if you didn't like that ... I don't know what to tell you."
And while that seems to be in keeping with Ke$ha's new "f--- the cynics" motto, a whole lot of body paint and laser beams don't exactly sound like a fully fleshed-out video. So we asked her to expound on the clip, which she described to MTV News last month as being primarily about playing with "animals and a hot bearded guy in the desert." But from the sound of things, it basically seems like that's the whole premise — which is sort of awesome and exactly what Ke$ha wanted to do all along. "I wrote this song on an airplane in, like, 10 minutes and finished it with my mom. So it's one of my favorites. It's stupid and fun. You can't take it too seriously," she said. "And so, the video, I wanted it to be like a psychedelic trip of the mind, comparable with being so disgustingly in love with someone that you lose your head. So I ride an elephant — no big deal! — and, um, I dance around a cave with black-light body paint and a python. I was in a cave, in the desert, and it was really fun. This video was inspired by the Beatles' 'Yellow Submarine' movie, the animation aspect. There's a little bit of [that] in there too." Oh, and there's the bearded dude too. Turns out, Ke$ha wasn't trying to cash in on the burgeoning "urban woodsman" trend by casting a hirsute guy in the "Drug" video — she's actually been into guys with facial fuzz for a while now. "I've always been into bearded dudes. Hello, I'm from Nashville, I'm into hillbillies," she laughed. "The redneck look is hot right now, and that's great for me. I'm over dudes trying to look like they're in boy bands." Are you excited to see Ke$ha's new video? Do you love guys with beards too? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos |
| Ludacris Recalls Pushing Pizzas On 'When I Was 17' Posted: 05 May 2010 03:51 AM PDT Luda calls his Pizza Hut gig 'beautiful' on the show, airing Saturday at 11 a.m. on MTV.
Ludacris wears many hats these days — recording artist, actor, entrepreneur — but when the Atlanta MC was younger, the riches weren't exactly raining down like they are these days.
"At the age of 17, I had a job at Pizza Hut," Ludacris reveals during the next episode of MTV's new show "When I Was 17," which airs Saturday at 11 a.m. and also features "Biggest Loser" trainer Jillian Michaels and Pete Wentz. Ever the hustler, Luda pushed pizzas at the restaurant chain for a particular reason. "Not only did I get a job at Pizza Hut to get a little extra change in my pocket, but I also did it so that I could eat," he explained. "I lived with my father. God bless my father, I love him to death, may he rest in peace, but my father did not know how to cook. Simple as that." There seems to be room for debate between 'Cris and his friends about how much he actually enjoyed his employment. "I loved working at Pizza Hut, 'cause it was a hell of an experience," he said, smiling and calling the job "beautiful." "Well, he told me working at Pizza Hut was one of his worst jobs ever," the rapper's friend Kiah recalled. The Disturbing Tha Peace CEO worked in the kitchen making the pies, which, according to another friend Ryan, didn't help him land any hot dates. "He hated that job," Ryan said. "I know it wasn't really helping his love life. ... Working at Pizza Hut? That ain't gangster." At least we know Ludacris has moved on to bigger and better things. "When I Was 17" — this week featuring Ludacris, Jillian Michaels and Pete Wentz — airs Saturday at 11 a.m. on MTV. Related Photos |
| Olivia 'Confused' By Drake's Reaction To Mixtape Song 'Control' Posted: 05 May 2010 03:51 AM PDT Drizzy released a statement denouncing Olivia's Under the Radar track, in Mixtape Daily.
The O.D.: A Mixtape Daily Exclusive Olivia said that if a song goes on a mixtape, it should be no holds barred. The former G-Unit artist said she was shocked that Drake released a statement to the press denouncing a song she has on her new Under the Radar tape called "Control." The record features a verse by Drake he recorded some time ago. "I support artist collaborations and sampling music that inspires you, but I don't support taking unauthorized recordings and marketing them as features," Drake said in the statement last month. "I've never worked with Olivia, and I apologize to any fan who was duped into thinking that 'Control' was a collaboration of mine."
Liv was livid at the statement. "I think that was corny, because it's a mixtape," she said last week while visiting MTV's offices. "[Drake] started off doing mixtapes. Are you serious? You really serious right now? I was like, 'Wow.' The producer sent it to me, everything was done. I'm thinking [Drake's] part was signed off on. The producers sent it to us saying, 'It's done. Can you do the record?' I'm like, 'Sure.' I was recording with Sean Kingston then, so it took us awhile to get back to them. Finally sent it back to them. ... Soon as we sent it back, we heard [the song] was out. So when I heard everything going on, I was like, 'Is he trying to hate right now?' I'm confused. I thought that was what mixtapes were for. First of all, we heard you got paid for it. It was cleared. So I'm like, 'Wow. That's how we doing right now?' But I'm good, 'cause you gave me more publicity. Thank you! Shout-out to Drizzy!" Under the Radar features the controversial Drake record, plus other guests, including Maino, Serani, Webstar and 50 Cent. "I wanted to put out new material for all my fans," O said. "They hit me every day on my Internet pages and say, 'What's up with all the new material? We want to hear some new stuff!' "I got real supporters," she added. "That's what I have to say. "It's a blessing. Sometimes I feel a little discouraged because of the way stuff went down with the Unit. I don't regret anything, because I loved being there. But I wanted to be a solo artist. I wasn't treated as a solo artist; I was treated as part of the group." For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines or follow the Mixtape Daily team on Twitter: @shaheemreid and @mongosladenyc. Related Videos |
| 'American Idol' Sinatra Night Swings With Michael Lynche, Lee Dewyze Posted: 04 May 2010 07:08 AM PDT Crystal Bowersox, Casey James and Aaron Kelly fail to impress, despite Harry Connick Jr.'s mentoring.
Would Ol' Blues Eyes have been proud? Hmmm. "American Idol" gave itself over to Frank Sinatra on Tuesday night (May 4) with decidedly mixed results. While Michael Lynche and Lee Dewyze blew the judges away with their jazzy stylings, Crystal Bowersox, Casey James and Aaron Kelly failed to impress — or, worse, simply failed. Kelly, who avoided the bottom three last week with a respectable take on Shania Twain's "You've Got a Way," kicked off the evening and veered away from the slow-tempo tunes that have proved to be his relative strong suit all season long. Mentor Harry Connick Jr., meanwhile, kicked the evening off with a zinger, welcoming the diminutive 17-year-old into the rehearsal space with an effusive "Big Mike!"
Of course, Michael Lynche wouldn't take the stage until later in the hour. To begin, it was Kelly and "Fly Me to the Moon." His shaky vocals and tentative physicality seemed to be overtaken by the horns and strings of the big band swinging along behind him. Though Randy Jackson and Ellen DeGeneres thought he pulled off a stellar performance, Kara DioGuardi and Simon Cowell were less impressed. "Compared to last week, I think it wasn't as strong," DioGuardi said. Next up came Casey James — without his ever-present guitar — for a straightforward take on "Blue Skies." During his pre-performance video, James confessed to feeling nervous, and nervous is exactly how he both looked and sounded. Connick was kind enough to say James did a heck of a lot better during rehearsal, but it remains to be seen if the mentor's assurances will be enough to prove Cowell's half-joking, half-serious suggestion wrong: The 27-year-old singer might not be around next week. Jackson pulled no punches, declaring it James' worst performance of the season. DioGuardi was no kinder, comparing his singing style to the bleating of a lamb. Ouch. DeGeneres was most succinct — and least mean — when she said simply, "That felt very stiff to me." By the time Crystal Bowersox took the stage for "Summer Wind," it was clear that Connick's role as the arbiter of arrangement and orchestration was pushing the "Idol" contestants into areas that were not always comfortable nor organic to the types of artists they're striving to become. Without her guitar and wearing an elegant, strapless dress, Bowersox sounded lovely as always. But Jackson nailed it when he said the performance was "subdued and sleepy." DioGuardi saw it too, saying MamaSox was simply "out of [her] element." Cowell gave her the bottom line: "I think you've had two OK weeks. If you survive next week, it's about being in it to win it." Sinatra Night was a much better fit for the real Big Mike Lynche, who chose the standard "The Way You Look Tonight." He ditched the R&B vibe that has served him well and went for a more jazzy feel to his song, but it didn't seem to matter to the judges, who all feted his performance. "You seem to, of everyone else, have the most comfort onstage," DeGeneres said. "You seem to have more experience, and you just move easier than everyone else." "This has been a tricky night," Cowell said. "If I'm being honest with you, the first three performances have been OK, and now it's all changed." Lee Dewyze kept the positive change coming for the night's final performance, taking "That's Life" on a trip through the smoky back alleys of New Orleans. Connick stood up to play organ as Dewyze, with a goofy smile on his face, hit more notes than he had in past weeks and generally looked like he was up there having a grand old time. DioGuardi did her best to convince Dewyze that he really can win "American Idol" if only he'd start to believe in himself. DeGeneres went one step further: "I think if this was the last night of performances, you would have just won this whole thing," she said. Who had your favorite performances? Who is in trouble? Let us know in the comments! Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Photos Related Artists |
| Miley Cyrus Breaks Free In 'Can't Be Tamed' Video Posted: 04 May 2010 05:43 AM PDT 'It's not a new Miley; it's just a new part of me,' Cyrus says of the clip.
Welcome to a whole new Miley Cyrus. The title track from her newest album, Can't Be Tamed, debuted Friday, and on Tuesday night (May 4), E! News premiered the song's video. In the clip, Miley is trapped in a cage while dressed up like a bird, trashing the museum she's contained in and newly sexualized now that she's Disney-free.
In an interview with Ryan Seacrest that ran after the video's debut, Cyrus said the video wasn't about her new attitude, but about putting a story to the rebellious track. A museum curator introduces "a creature so rare it was believed to be extinct" to a crowd of posh attendees, announcing that "in captivity for the first time, the rarest creature on Earth, Avis Cyrus." Cue the reveal of Cyrus in a giant cage, dressed in a skimpy black outfit replete with feathers and CGI wings. Someone snaps a photo, and she is startled and shields herself with the wings, causing the guests to become uncomfortable. Then the music starts thumping, and Cyrus and her dancers make their way out of the cage, shattering exhibits as they go. After rolling around in peacock feathers and getting up close and personal with some of her dancers, the video ends with Cyrus back in her cage with the museum empty and trashed. "The reason I loved doing this video is because I wanted it to be something different for a female artist," Cyrus explained to Seacrest. "It is a sexy video, and you can't really take that away from it, but it's not the premise." She said her friends and fans have been waiting for her to make a move to the next incarnation of Miley Cyrus for a while, and she thinks this is something they will be proud of. Her "Hannah Montana" fans have grown up with her, she said, and this is the first step for all of them toward "growing up." Her mother, Tish, was on set with her during the video shoot, though she did say she made boyfriend Liam Hemsworth leave the set after 20 minutes so he wouldn't get distracted by all the "hot girl dancers" also on set. "It's not a new Miley; it's just a new part of me," Cyrus said about the video. What did you think of Miley's new video? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
| Lil Wayne Writes Mother's Day Blog Post Posted: 04 May 2010 02:35 AM PDT 'You are the role models, not me,' the MC writes from prison in post previewed online Tuesday.
A preview of Lil Wayne's third blog posting since he began his prison term appeared online Tuesday (May 4) and, in it, the Young Money boss honors the mothers of the world. Timed to coincide with Mother's Day on Sunday, the full letter will be published on Friday on his fan site WeezyThanxYou.com, launched so the Cash Money rapper could stay in touch with followers while he's away. Wayne pays homage to the all the hard-working women in the web excerpt. "The love between a mother and her offspring is hands down the most beautiful thing God created," the incarcerated MC wrote on DrJays.com, which obtained an exclusive preview. "More than money, more than fame, more than cars. You know why? Because true love is the only thing that lasts from the moment you're born to the second you perish. "Everything else eventually leaves, think about it. All love needs to survive is love. To all the mothers who read this letter, I hope this day allows you to feel the love and respect you so rightfully deserve. You are the role models, not me." The letter will be the second official statement he's penned (excluding an initial update in which he thanked a number of fans by name for writing to him) since a sports post on NFL star Donovan McNabb getting traded. In his first-ever comments after turning himself in for an eight-month sentence on Rikers Island, Wayne opened up about his new daily routines and wrote back to fans who were already sending him correspondence. "Your letter was so thoughtful and sincere," Wayne wrote in response to Nurris Terrero of New York. "The way you worded everything left me in awe. Please send suggestions on books I should read. I look forward to checking them out." Are you reading Lil Wayne's blog posts? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| Lee Dewyze Gets Back In The 'American Idol' Race With 'That's Life' Posted: 04 May 2010 07:08 AM PDT 'If this was the last night of performances, you would have won this whole thing,' Ellen says on Sinatra Night.
When Frank Sinatra sang "That's Life," the song became a masterpiece, a devil-may-care case study in the art of cool, careless crooning about enduring the bad days. On Tuesday night (May 4), Lee Dewyze made the song his own, simultaneously conquering his own demons and the specter of the Chairman of the Board. The spiky-haired "American Idol" dark horse took on a signature tune from Ol' Blue Eyes for the show, with necktie appropriately undone. Accompanied on a Hammond organ by mentor Harry Connick Jr., Dewyze straddled the top of the instrument as if paying tribute to the bar-embracing persona of Sinatra, backed by a bluesy band.
Although feisty Frank likely wouldn't have endorsed Dewyze's untucked shirt, he could surely appreciate the way the 26-year-old Illinois singer poured himself into lines like "Each time I find myself flat on my face/ I pick myself up and get back in the race." With the performance, Dewyze undoubtedly put himself back into the heat of the "Idol" race. "If this was the last night of performances," judge Ellen DeGeneres beamed with approval, "you would have won this whole thing." "You gave it 110 percent," Simon Cowell agreed. "It was the best performance of the night." "Another great arrangement by a Louisiana boy," Randy Jackson said of Connick's efforts. "You stayed your rocker self. I loved it." "You can win this thing," Kara DioGuardi said, before urging Dewyze to go home and write down "I can win this thing" 100 times. Originally composed by Dean Kay and Kelly Gordon for Sinatra's album of the same name, "That's Life" was a huge hit when it debuted in 1966. In the years since, the song has been covered by everyone from Bono to Aretha Franklin to David Lee Roth, and now, perhaps the next American Idol. What did you think of Lee's performance? Let us know in the comments below! Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Photos Related Artists |
| Beyonce Plays Suffering Housewife In 'Why Don't You Love Me' Video Posted: 04 May 2010 04:05 AM PDT Singer does housework in latest clip from I Am ... Sasha Fierce LP.
Beyoncé may have killed off Sasha Fierce, but it looks like she's introducing a new alter ego in her latest video, "Why Don't You Love Me," which premiered Tuesday (May 4) via her Vimeo page. In a nod to classic American television, the clip opens with a narrator — in an advertising-styled voice-over — introducing B, "starring as B.B. Homemaker."
Beyoncé then does her best impersonation of Betty Draper, the embattled wife in "Mad Men," who endured the philandering ways of her husband, Don Draper. "Why don't you need me," B croons throughout, smoking cigarettes, drinking martinis and crying the mascara down her face. "When I make it so damn easy to need me." The '50s-styled video finds Beyoncé suffering through a number of household chores, including cleaning the kitchen, dusting (her Grammy Awards, no less), and watering the plants, all with no sign of her man. The video was co-directed by Melina Matsoukas (Eve, Rihanna, Ne-Yo) and Beyoncé. "Why Don't You Love Me" is the ninth video overall from Beyoncé's 2008 album I Am...Sasha Fierce, following "If I Were a Boy," "Diva" and "Sweet Dreams," among others. It's also her first clip since collaborating on back-to-back visuals with Lady Gaga: her own "Video Phone" and Gaga's "Telephone." Earlier this year, in an interview with Allure magazine, Beyoncé surprised her fans when she proclaimed that she'd killed off her Sasha Fierce character. "I don't need Sasha Fierce anymore, because I've grown and now I'm able to merge the two," she explained to the magazine. It remains to be seen if B.B. Homemaker makes it past the "Why Don't You Love Me" video. What do you think of Beyoncé's new video? Let us know in the comments below! Related Artists |
| N.E.R.D. Say New Album Is 'Very Psychedelic' Posted: 04 May 2010 05:54 AM PDT 'It's a fun record and it's geared toward the women,' Shay Haley says.
N.E.R.D. recorded several tracks for their new album — in fact, they recorded the entire album twice and still weren't happy and, in the end, found themselves with nothing.
"We had several [album] names throughout this process," Shay Haley explained. "It's just one day [Pharrell] called and said, 'What do you think about the album title Nothing?' " Shay said the group started with a blank slate and ultimately filled it in with songs inspired by two things: touring and women. The group has toured extensively since before the release of their third album Seeing Sounds in 2008. They've played several festivals, colleges and opened for both Kanye West and Jay-Z. And Pharrell said the touring influenced the type of music they made. "It's funny — I think we were blessed in that sense," Pharrell explained. "The music is very psychedelic for the most part — 80 percent of it is definitely flower-power, counterculture, release and let yourself be free and have a great time!" Pharrell also said they wanted to tap into a new understanding of the opposite sex and cater the album more toward women. The first single is "Hot N' Fun" and features Nelly Furtado, who the gang recruited for her distinctive tone. "We think that the new definition of sexuality is the appreciation of life and the moment, and that's why people should have sex. For the most part, when you and her are there and you're having a special moment, it's like, 'Aww, man, I could have been anywhere in the world, but I'm here with you! This is amazing to me! This is so cool — let's do it,' " Pharrell laughed. "I'm so kidding, by the way." "It's the ultimate spring, summertime record. It's the festival record, it's a fun record and it's geared towards the women," Shay offered. "What woman doesn't want to put on their sundress and stroll through SoHo and have that as their theme music?" Nothing is due in stores June 15. Are you excited for the new N.E.R.D. album? Let us know in the comments below! Related Artists |
| Young Jeezy Talks <i>Trap Or Die 2</i> Mixtape Posted: 04 May 2010 03:25 AM PDT 'I'm still trapping or dying,' MC says of sequel to his classic 2005 mixtape.
Young Jeezy stopped getting it illegally ages ago, but he still gets it regardless. When he put out his classic mixtape Trap or Die about half a decade ago, The Snowman reflected on his street life throughout the masterpiece project. Now, after millions of albums sold and several tours around the world, Jeezy's life and business is on the up and up, but he still has the Trap Star mentality.
"I feel like I'm at a different place in my life," Young told MTV News about his new mixtape Trap or Die 2: By Any Means Necessary. The tape, which is hosted and produced by Don Cannon, was released on Tuesday (May 4). "I'm not just sitting around with $300,000 in a Louis bag ... I am, but I ain't," he continied. "To me, I wanted to do Trap Or Die 2 because I'm still trapping or dying. Everyday is a hustle for me. Ain't nothing guaranteed. I gotta get up and get it like I been doing since I was 13 years old. Because I'm doing bigger tours, the album is coming — that don't mean I'm not trapping or dying or that ain't where my mind frame is at. You gotta feed the streets first. That's who gonna rock with you, win, lose or draw. Whether you riding or walking." On "I Remember," Young addresses the street code of no snitching but relays some life lessons his mother taught him. "Illin' " finds the Snowman teaming with the Clipse as each MC trumpets their mic greatness. "Stop Playing With Me" is a reminder of how much an imposing figure Young can be in the streets or on the mic. Jeezy next official LP, TM103, is slated for release this summer. The lead cut is "Lose My Mind" featuring Plies. What do you think of Trap or Die 2: By Any Means Necessary? Let us know in the comments below! Related Artists |
| You are subscribed to email updates from MTV News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
