Rabu, 29 September 2010

MTV News

MTV News

Drake Brings Out J. Cole, Young Jeezy And Birdman At NYC Show

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 11:27 PM PDT

Light Dreams and Nightmares Tour sells out two nights at Radio City Music Hall.
By Shaheem Reid


Drake
Photo: Mike Coppola/ Getty Images

NEW YORK -- Let's face it: Drake is big enough to be doing arenas like Madison Square Garden by himself. On his Light Dreams and Nightmares Tour, he's selling out theaters in back-to-back nights in major cities such as Miami and Chicago. But, although he's ascended to the top of the music game way quicker than most MCs and singers, the 23-year-old is into paying dues and taking it slow.

"We didn't go the arena-tour route yet," he explained earlier this month during rehearsals for the VMAs. "I didn't tag along with somebody else's tour. We still do theaters, maximum 5,000 people. It's intimate. I want people to walk away and say, 'That was a great show. It was a fun time.' "

On Tuesday night (September 28), Drizzy's intimate odyssey landed in New York at Radio City Music Hall for the first of two shows. The words "Sold Out" (for both nights) were illuminated on the landmark marquee while many gleeful young girls practically skipped into the venue, singing "Fancy" and anxious to see the heartthrob and acclaimed lyricist.

Light Dreams and Nightmares is Drizzy's most expansive exploration yet. He has an hour and 45 minutes of set time scheduled every night; that's up 30 minutes from his Away From Home jaunt earlier this year. With more time, the door is left open for some guest spots like "Money to Blow" and his now-signature bangers like "Miss Me," along with show staples "Best I Ever Had" and "Successful."

Drake was backed by a band and lights that changed with the mood of his records.

"It's a really stunning setup," he explained last week in the M.I.A., right before the second of two nights of shows in the Sunshine State. "Heavily influenced by Jimi Hendrix. Not necessarily any set he designed, but more so his music and the vibe ... It's very psychedelic. It's very much based on day and night, times of day. I carry you through a full day in the show. It's cool, man, I'm enjoying it ... It's great for me as a performer. I still work just as hard, but it's almost like I'm performing with another element. I'm growing."

Drake's show started with his lauded "9AM in Dallas." He first stood sideways, rapping into the mic after he strolled onstage. Now facing the crowd, the Young Money ambassador went into "Forever." With his shades still snuggled over his eyes, he did a soulful clap at the end of his verse, signaling "Up All Night." The crowd was into all of his selections.

"I came here to further our relationship," he told the spectators. He then welcomed his fans to call him "Drizzy Drake," or "Aubrey Graham" if they watched him on "Degrassi." He declared that he came to share his life with them, but "wouldn't sugarcoat it."

The bittersweet revelations came courtesy of "Karaoke."

"Things have been so crazy and hectic, I should've gotten back by now," everyone sang along with him. "But you know how much I wanted to make it, it's probably better anyhow/ So if you gotta go, if there's anything I should know/ If the spotlight makes you nervous."

The mood and the lights lightened with some of Drizzy's most-famous party records. Birdman came out for "Money to Blow," while Mack Maine sang his verse on "Every Girl." Mack stayed onstage while the tour's opening act, Tyga, made a return for "Bedrock." Later, Drake said he wanted to bring out one of his favorite MCs in the game right now. Jigga? Eminem? No. It was J. Cole. The Roc Nation up-and-comer performed "Who Dat."

Minutes later, the attention shifted back toward the ladies. Drake said he wanted to bring a female onstage, but warned that she might get sucked on or licked. He did neither. The perfect gentleman gave the lady a kiss on both cheeks and a BlackBerry Torch as a gift.

There was one more ace up Drake's sleeve before the night was over. Young Jeezy, who was celebrating his birthday, came out for "Unforgettable." This was a major surprise, given that the Snowman didn't come out earlier, when Drake performed the remix to Jeezy's "Lose My Mind."

The fervor was turned up a few more notches on "Miss Me," as, once again, the spectators sang it word for word: "I said tell me what's really going on/ Drizzy back up in this thing/ I'm ready, what's happening/ Gon' for surgery, but now I'm back again/ I'm bout my paper like a muthf---ing scratch and win/ World Series attitude, champagne bottle life, nothing ever changes/ So tonight is like tomorrow night/ I will have a model wife, your b---- is as hot as ice."

Drake's NYC show ended about as strong as the Cincinnati Reds' division-clinching run, as he hit a trifecta of hits with "Fancy," "Find Your Love" and "Over."

Were you at Drake's concert? Share your reviews in the comments!

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Justin Timberlake Says 'The Social Network' Will 'Split' Moviegoers

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 03:52 AM PDT

JT says his friends got into a heated Facebook discussion 'without me ... steering the conversation in any way' after a screening.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Vanessa White Wolf


Justin Timberlake in "The Social Network"
Photo: Sony Pictures

When "The Social Network" opens this weekend, moviegoers are likely to leave the theater divided about who's in the wrong and in the right in the David Fincher-directed flick about the founding of Facebook. Its star, Jesse Eisenberg, defended founder Mark Zuckerberg to MTV News, and now another one of the movie's stars, Justin Timberlake, is weighing in on the polarizing subject.

"There was a screening in Los Angeles and my friends were very excited to see this film and I was excited that my own friends were excited to see a film that I was in, so I scored some tickets for the screening," Timberlake recalled. "And I took all of them and it was about eight of us so we carpooled and caravanned in two cars. When we walked out, we all went to get some dinner afterwards and immediately the conversation just started."

Timberlake plays Napster co-founder Sean Parker in the Aaron Sorkin-penned movie based on Ben Mezrich's book "The Accidental Billionaires." The pop star-turned-actor said it didn't take much for his friends to get into a spirited discussion.

"I just posed the question 'So what did you guys think of the film?' and without me prodding or steering the conversation in any way ... there was a couple of my friends that are married and watching her talk about who she empathized with and watching him say who he related to ... that conversation and then somebody else chimed in," he said. "It was split between every person there."

Timberlake explained that, in the end, each of his friends sided with a different character. "I was like, 'Wow,' and I think that spoke true to what people will do [when they see] the movie," he added. "But one of my friends specifically said — he sort of brought some finality to the situation because he just wanted to eat. He was like, 'I don't 100 percent agree with any of the characters, but I don't disagree with any of them.' Life is life. Things happen sloppily."

What do you think of Justin's take on the Facebook movie? Are your friends already taking sides? Let us know in the comments!

Check out everything we've got on "The Social Network."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Pearl Jam, Radiohead And Nine Other Surefire Rock And Roll Hall Of Famers

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 03:52 AM PDT

Green Day, Kid Rock and Coldplay also seem like locks for the Hall, in Bigger Than the Sound.
By James Montgomery


Eddie Vedder performs onstage at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony in 2007 in New York City
Photo: Scott Gries/ Getty Images

On Tuesday, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame unveiled the nominees for induction in 2011, a list that's as inspiring (Beastie Boys! Tom Waits! Dr. John!) as it is mystifying (LL Cool J?).

Not surprisingly, this year's noms sparked a whole lot of debate — because kvetching about the Rock Hall is an exercise as old as the Hall itself — and for most of the day, I was ready to lend my voice to the argument. After all, any Hall of Fame that does not include among its ranks the likes of Kiss, Rush, Cheap Trick or Def Leppard (or even Joy Division, the Replacements, Hüsker Dü, the Minutemen or Black Flag, for that matter) but does include Madonna is no Hall of mine.

But then, I decided to do something completely different. Rather than complain about all the bands the Rock Hall — and its nebulous voting committee — have snubbed, I decided to focus instead on all the bands it will someday embrace. Ignoring surefire inductees like Guns N' Roses (eligible next year!) and Nirvana, I compiled a list of 11 active bands I truly believe will one day take their rightful place alongside greats like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and, uh, Traffic. This was a lot tougher to do than you could possibly imagine, since, you know, the state of rock is rather dire these days (let's just say I don't see Nickelback striding to the podium in 2021), but here are my picks, ranked in order of probability.

And while I feel pretty strongly about my list, if the Rock Hall has proven anything over the years, it's that this whole thing is a total crapshoot. So, if I missed anyone, let me know in the comments below. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to put on my dragon boots and join my fellow Kiss Army soldiers in our yearly protest outside the Rock Hall. It's not as bad as you might think. Cleveland is lovely this time of year ...

1. Pearl Jam
A mortal lock for first-ballot induction. Thanks to their longevity, ingenuity and morality, PJ became not only the greatest band to emerge from the Seattle scene of the early '90s, but probably the greatest American band of the past two decades. They've fought the good fights (taking on Ticketmaster, George W. Bush, the pro-life movement and world hunger, to name just a few), moved the required units and even threw the tapers a bone too. And through it all, Eddie Vedder has pretty much never cut his hair, except for that one time he inducted the Ramones into the Rock Hall. And even then, he had a Mohawk. That's pretty awesome.
First Year of Eligibility: 2016

2. Radiohead
Take everything I just said about Pearl Jam (except for the "Seattle" and "American" bits) and apply it here too. Since they first emerged on the scene with their unlikely alt-rock hit "Creep," Radiohead have pushed the boundaries further — and with greater fervor — than any of their major-label contemporaries, exploring space prog (OK Computer), avant electro (Kid A) and even, well, straight-ahead rock (In Rainbows). In the process, they've carved out a niche that is uniquely theirs, and when they're inducted, they'll instantly become, like, the fourth weirdest band in the Hall, behind Zappa, the Velvets and the Talking Heads. At least until Sun Ra is voted in.
First Year of Eligibility: 2017

3. Green Day
Up until American Idiot, there wasn't a chance they'd make it. But thanks to that album's globe-uniting success (and social import), Green Day are an unquestionable first-ballot selection. They've got the catalog, the critical love and the kind of career that doesn't come around all that often — one that actually had a fruitful second act. And through it all, they've never been afraid to take a stance or reach unabashedly for the stars. Or launch a Broadway play, for that matter. What will the punx at 924 Gillman have to say when Green Day are inducted? Who cares, really.
First Year of Eligibility: 2014

4. Kid Rock
For real. Bob Ritchie has had the kind of career that defies explanation, stomping through hip-hop, rock and even country, and in the process, he's sold roughly a bajillion records and become a rather unlikely American classic. It doesn't hurt matters that Rock Hall co-founder Jann Wenner is a fan, or that, by working with the likes of Bob Seger and Rick Rubin, Rock has developed the kind of pedigree the Hall is looking for. And with his upcoming Born Free album, he seems to be entering the "serious artist" phase of his career, which only bodes well for his enshrinement.
First Year of Eligibility: 2015

5. Coldplay
Dude, if Genesis can make it in, these guys can too.
First Year of Eligibility: 2023

6. Phish
The Grateful Dead made it in 1994. Phish will make it in 2013 (and the Dave Matthews Band will probably follow them in 2018). For the better part of two decades, they've not only been America's premier live act (don't call them a "jam band"), but they've released a stream of albums that — quiet as it's kept — are actually pretty great. Along the way, they've fashioned the kind of career that's practically beyond summation, though in a pinch, you can probably call them the musical bridge between bands like the Dead and current long-players like My Morning Jacket. And when they do make it in, the jam session will be mighty, indeed.
First Year of Eligibility: 2013

7. Beck
Here's where the list starts to get a bit shaky. Ten years ago, thanks to efforts like Odelay and Sea Change, Beck was a first-ballot selection, the much-fetishized heir to Bob Dylan's throne (only with better mic skillz). In the years since, however, he's seemingly lost a bit of his HOF luster, yet he's still active, and I'm not willing to knock him off the list just yet. He has the back catalog part sewn up, and he's about as close as a figurehead for the WTF DIY FTW 1990s as anyone I can think of, and with another solid album, he's a lock.
First Year of Eligibility: 2017

8. The White Stripes
They're not exactly active, but ever since 2007's Icky Thump, Jack White has single-handedly carried the mantle for the Stripes, and, in the process, he may very well have sewn up their enshrinement. Equal parts bluesman and shaman, he's about as close to a genuine guitar god as this generation has, and the fact that he's none too shy about praising all those dusty guitar-slingers who came before him has certainly earned him more favor in the eyes of HOF voters. Whoever they are.
First Year of Eligibility: 2024

9. Kings of Leon
They've gone about things the way great rock bands are supposed to: releasing a string of critically acclaimed (but commercially vapid) albums, building a fervent fanbase overseas, touring tirelessly and, finally, breaking through to the mainstream. As scions of the great Southern rockers of the past, they carry with them an air of mysticism too, which goes a long way with voters hungry for the rock of yesteryear. Toss in the Wenner factor (he loves them), and, so long as they keep churning out the hits, they're in.
First Year of Eligibility: 2028

10a. Sonic Youth
They're basically the Bert Blylevens of rock: a career that justly deserves enshrinement, yet lacking the groundswell support to make it into the Hall. That's bound to change one of these years, probably when voters realize that Sonic Youth are arguably the most important American rock band of the past three decades, anti-commercial artistes who, somewhat inexplicably, have managed to survive and thrive despite that fact. Their uncompromising ethos has made them figureheads of the indie movement, and their unyielding, effortless cool have made them the band that everyone aspires to be. Surely, all of that is enough to get them into the Hall.
First Year of Eligibility: 2007

10b. The Flaming Lips
Kind of like Sonic Youth, only with an actual hit or three to their names. Perhaps the fact that they've never really been embraced by the critical elite is what's holding them back, though that's generally what happens when you play shows encased inside an inflatable sphere. Ever since forming in Oklahoma City in 1983, they've undergone so many career transformations that they basically defy definition, though it's not exactly a stretch to call them the most proletarian rock band of our time. They do it all, on their own terms, and by whatever means necessary. And, if last year's Embryonic is any indication, they're just hitting their stride. At this rate, they may never stop swerving, which probably means you can look for them to be inducted sometime around 2055.
First Year Of Eligibility: 2009

Who did we miss? Share your surefire Rock Hall inductees in the comments!

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Birdman Readies Two Mixtapes, <i>Like Father, Like Son</i> Sequel

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 03:52 AM PDT

Lil Wayne and DJ Scoob Doo's 'Nino Brown' series inspired Godfather, Baby tells Mixtape Daily.
By Shaheem Reid, with reporting by Jayson Rodriguez


Lil Wayne and Birdman
Photo: Derrick G

The O.D.: A Mixtape Daily Exclusive

The Birdman has never made an official solo mixtape before. Now, he has decided to put out two.

Earlier this week, he told KarenCivil.com that he and Mack Maine are dropping a street CD called White Boys, and the #1 Stunna told us of another batch of free music: Baby and DJ Scoob Doo are releasing a Godfather mixtape and accompanying DVD.

"My first tape, I'm doing with Scoob," Birdman explained. "Godfather and the DVD. Scoob is our partner. I really like what he did with Wayne, the 'Nino [Brown' DVD series]. I felt like he should trend-set it. Do it with everybody. Me, Drake. I think it shows a different part, what people never get to see, because Scoob gets the exclusive. Everyday life, just life, how we breathe, eat. It's nothing we're scripting out. Just turn the camera on. The mixtape, I was like, 'Come on, Scoob, let's do it.' I never did one. I always wanted to do one. With Junior being gone, I just wanted to represent my son. We just go hard and go in."

Birdman and Wayne are already part of Scoob's new "Entourage" reality DVD. And yes, there is enough footage left over a sequel.

" 'Entourage,' it's back to Scoob. That's our partner. When he come around, he get the real sh--," Baby revealed. " 'Entourage' is no actors. Real sh-- we do every day. I told Scoob we should do more of that sh--. We got 'Entourage 4' we're working on now. You gonna always see us affiliated with DJ Scoob Doo.

"[With 'Nino'], I enjoy just the whole play, watching my son's last few days before he go to jail," he added about the "Nino Brown" DVDs. "That sh-- priceless. It's real what he was doing. Now that it's almost over, we can sit back and watch. But it seems like yesterday. It was all workload. Workload and work mode. 'Let's shoot some videos, Stunna, let me record, let's make sure everybody got what they need, because I'mma be gone for a year.' All due respect for the grind mode. Scoob was there for all that."

The Birdman said once Wayne gets out of jail, he'll go back to work on Tha Carter IV and he and his son will also drop a part two to 2006's Like Father, Like Son.

"The Like Father, Like Son album, it's gonna come out next year," Birdman said. "We gonna do them all the time."

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

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Nicki Minaj 'Always Wanted' To Work With will.i.am

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 01:30 AM PDT

'I tracked him down and luckily for me, he was interested,' singer says of the duo's 'Check It Out.'
By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Kelly Marino


Nicki Minaj on the set of her video for "Check It Out"
Photo: MTV News

To hear Nicki Minaj tell it, her desire for the Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am to contribute to her debut album, the forthcoming Pink Friday, was long in the making.

"I've always wanted Will to produce a record for me and I'm a huge fan of the Black Eyed Peas. So I figured if I could get him to add a little bit of magic to my project, it would be dope and futuristic," she told MTV News. "And it wouldn't only be hip-hop but something I could take around the world and get people to dance. I tracked him down and luckily for me, he was interested."

The two collaborated on the synthesized "Check It Out," for which they recently shot a clip in Los Angeles. The pair also performed the number on the Peas' frontman, one of the first records he played her was "Check It Out." "I was going insane," Nicki recalled. "It was just a feel-good record. The whole room lit up when he played it."

will.i.am explained that the Lil Wayne protégé inspired him during the making of "Check It Out." "I was like, 'I got to take it to the next level now.' 'Cause usually you mess with cats and there is no next level, because they don't inspire the next level," Will said of his collaborator. "So she inspired the next level. So push it. You went 5 miles, then you better go 100."

Nicki, likewise, was inspired by her producer, saying her opinion of the Peas' musician changed after working with him.

"That's when I knew he was next level and not even a human," she said.

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Rihanna Debuts <i>Loud</i> Album Cover

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 06:18 AM PDT

Singer sports the same flame-red hair she had during the VMAs in close-up picture.
By Kara Warner


Rihanna
Photo: Ray Tamarra/ Getty Images

Rihanna's Loud might not be out until November 16, but her patient fans got a treat Tuesday (September 28) when the singer revealed the upcoming album's cover.

Rihanna teased the cover's reveal online, tweeting, "Wuddup RihannaNavy. Here's a little taste of #LOUD Meet me @ my facebook page for more..." The TwitPic she included in the tweet is a close-up of the left side of her face. Her eye is closed and you can see just a snippet of the bright-red hair she sported at the VMAs.

Rihanna continued teasing her fans by uploading a different parts of the image to her Facebook page; this time, the picture featured the lower right side of her face, including her bright-red, pouty lips.

Finally, about an hour later, she posted the full image on her website, which is a close-up of Rihanna's face, thickly lashed eyes closed, framed by her flame-colored locks.

Earlier this month, RiRi premiered the first single from Loud, the chart-climbing "Only Girl (In the World)," on Ryan Seacrest's radio show. She also has kept fans updated throughout her recording process.

"I'm done recording the whole album," Rihanna told the fan site Rihanna Daily earlier this month. "I made sure not to let you down with my music! You guys are always defending me, so now you've got some great songs to justify it. I didn't want to go backward and remake [2007's] Good Girl Gone Bad. I wanted the next step in the evolution of Rihanna, and it's perfect for us."

What do you think of Rihanna's album cover? Will you be in line to buy Loud on November 16? Let us know in the comments!

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Lindsay Lohan Reportedly Enters Rehab

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 01:46 AM PDT

This is Lohan's fifth attempt at rehab.
By Gil Kaufman


Lindsay Lohan at Beverly Hills Courthouse last Friday
Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Less than a month after checking out of a court-mandated stint in rehab, troubled actress Lindsay Lohan has reportedly moved into yet another live-in rehab center Tuesday (September 28).

TMZ reported that Lohan, 24, arrived at an unnamed Southern California facility on Tuesday, where she is expected to remain until an October 22 court hearing on a probation violation. The latest attempt at sobriety marks the fourth time that Lohan has logged time in rehab to beat her addictions. A spokesperson for the actress could not be reached for comment at press time.

The latest turn in Lohan's life caps a wild 10 days, during which the "Mean Girls" star admitted to failing a court-mandated drug test and was unexpectedly sent to jail during a court appearance Friday. Her stint behind bars was brief, however, as she was released 14 hours later after posting $300,000 bail.

Judge Elden Fox had originally ordered Lohan to go to jail without bail until her upcoming October court date, but Lohan's lawyer successfully argued that her client deserved to post bail. At the next hearing, Fox will rule on the actress' punishment for two failed court-ordered drug tests. Lohan has admitted to one failed test, reportedly due to the presence of cocaine in her system, and TMZ has reported that she also failed another test recently, possibly due to the presence of the methamphetamine-like prescription ADHD drug Adderall in her system. After leaving jail Friday, Lohan was once again fitted with a SCRAM alcohol-monitoring bracelet and ordered to avoid venues where alcohol is the "chief item of sale."

Lohan served 13 days of a 90-day jail sentence in August tied to a probation violation from a pair of 2007 DUIs followed by 23 days of a 90-day sentence in rehab.

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President Obama Has Jay-Z And 'A Little Lil Wayne' On His iPod

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 05:29 AM PDT

'I am probably still more heavily weighted toward the music of my childhood than I am the new stuff,' he admits to Rolling Stone.
By Kara Warner


President Obama on the cover of <i>Rolling Stone</i>
Photo: Wenner Media

One of the pitfalls of being the president of the United States is that you have a dedicated press corps tracking your every move, decision, meal, meeting, etc. Every day, there's a different story, whether world-changing or mundane. And while much of that world-changing information is important to the American people, let's face it: What we really want to know is what President Obama listens to on his iPod.

Luckily for us, Rolling Stone recently sat down with our commander in chief to discuss these important details (in addition, of course, to thousands of words pegged to Obama's policy-making and political agenda). Here's what he had to say about the state of his MP3 player:

"My iPod now has about 2,000 songs, and it is a source of great pleasure to me," Obama told the magazine. "I am probably still more heavily weighted toward the music of my childhood than I am the new stuff. There's still a lot of Stevie Wonder, a lot of Bob Dylan, a lot of Rolling Stones, a lot of R&B, a lot of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Those are the old standards."

In addition to his old standards, and a little opera every now and then, the president revealed that, thanks to his personal aide Reggie Love, his "rap palate" has greatly improved.

"Jay-Z used to be sort of what predominated, but now I've got a little Nas and a little Lil Wayne and some other stuff," he revealed. "But I would not claim to be an expert. Malia and Sasha are now getting old enough to where they start hipping me to things. Music is still a great source of joy and occasional solace in the midst of what can be some difficult days."

Are you surprised the president has some hip-hop on his iPod? Let us know in the comments!

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Justin Bieber To Release Line Of Dolls

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 04:15 AM PDT

Pop star's figurine collection, due in December, will sing and re-create looks from videos like 'Baby' — signature 'do included.
By James Dinh


Justin Bieber doll
Photo: Splash News

Move over, Barbie, there's a new doll in town. Justin Bieber has cemented his pop-star status with a line of dolls set to hit stores in December. The line of collectible figurines will feature the Biebs decked out in a variety of looks borrowed from his music-video and red-carpet appearances.

Merchandise company Bravado and the Bridge Direct Inc. announced Tuesday (September 28) that fans will be able to purchase the toys in time for the holiday season as they're expected to hit retail stores "on or around" December 4, according to Billboard magazine.

One set, the Justin Bieber Music Video Collection Singing Figures, plays 30-second snippets of the pop star's hits, like "Baby" and "One Less Lonely Girl." The musical dolls are priced at $27.99. Another set, priced at $17.99, is called the JB Style Collection and has the teen sensation flashing his street style or sporting some looks familiar to fans from awards shows and red-carpet events. (The toys are available for pre-order this week.)

One figurine shows Bieber holding a guitar and wearing the green hoodie and jeans from his "One Less Lonely Girl" video. But it doesn't stop at dolls: The Bieber toy line will include a microphone with concert-like sound effects that play snippets of his hits "One Time" and "Somebody to Love." Beliebers can also choose from plush bears, caps and "Team Bieber" tees.

The next chapter in the expanding Bieber empire will be the publication in October of his first book, "Justin Bieber: First Step 2 Forever: My Story." In a statement, Justin said he was excited for fans to catch a behind-the-scenes glimpse of his life.

"Every day I wake up and count my blessings. My fans have played such a large part in all of this and they help me live my dreams every day. I'm excited to share just a little bit more of my world with them through this book. Between the behind-the-scenes pictures and the story I think this is going to be something they can all enjoy. This is just another way for me to say thank you to my fans."

Will you be the first to buy a Justin doll? Tell us in the comments!

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Audrina Patridge Brings 'The Seven' To 'Dancing With The Stars' Rehearsal

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 03:57 AM PDT

Former 'Hills' star opens up about 'DWTS' rivals Brandy and the Situation.
By Kara Warner


Audrina Patridge and Tony Dovolani
Photo: MTV

Will Audrina Patridge and partner Tony Dovolani's performance of the quickstep on Monday night's "Dancing With the Stars" get them to the next round? We won't know the answer to that question for a few more hours, but in the meantime, Patridge and Dovolani allowed MTV's "The Seven" into their dance rehearsals recently to get the scoop on Patridge's learning curve, as well as what she thinks of co-stars Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino and Brandy.

"Going out and showing what you've learned to 20 million viewers, that's very different than 'The Hills,' " Patridge said. "I love dancing, like going out with my friends and dancing, but I never did any recitals, I never was in a class."

"I wouldn't call [any of] that dancing," Tony added, with a smile.

Patridge said she is eager to learn more dances and that she wants to do her best. "I'm not lazy when it comes to this at all," she said.

Regarding fellow MTV star Sorrentino, Patridge said he leaves his "Jersey Shore" persona off the dance floor. "He's actually a really cool guy," she said. "He's doing really good, giving it his all and wants to do his best."

Coincidentally enough, Patridge has another connection with a "Dancing" co-star: Brandy.

"I worked at Epic Records [during 'The Hills']. We filmed with Brandy in the studio, and she gave me relationship advice. It was about Justin," Patridge said of on-again, off-again boyfriend Justin Bobby. "Her advice was 'Just go with your heart, go with your gut. If you want to be with someone, don't listen to anyone else. Just do what makes you happy, but be smart.' "

Going into Tuesday night's (September 28) results show, Patridge and Dovolani are in second place, right behind Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough. "The Situation" and his partner Karina Smirnoff didn't do quite as well: They're tied for second-to-last with Margaret Cho and Louis Van Amstel, just ahead of Michael Bolton and Chelsie Hightower.

Are you rooting for Audrina on "Dancing With the Stars"? Let us know in the comments!

Don't miss "The Seven" every weekday at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.

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Jeremih Wanted 'I Like' To Feel Familiar To Fans

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 05:15 AM PDT

New single has strains of his megahit 'Birthday Sex,' but R&B upstart tells MTV News All About You LP shows greater range.
By Jayson Rodriguez


Jeremih
Photo: MTV News

Jeremih is hoping familiarity breeds success.

The "Birthday Sex" singer's latest single, "I Like," features the Chicago crooner wailing his trademark "aye, ayes." The number — with an assist from Ludacris — is from his new release out Tuesday (September 28), All About You. And the R&B upstart admits that its sound is in part why he and Island Def Jam's chairman agreed it should be the first offering.

" 'I Like' was a record that was actually chosen by L.A. Reid himself," Jeremih told MTV News. "It was a record that I hoped when people heard it for the first time, with me being gone for at least a small period of time over the past year, I wanted them to know exactly who it was when they heard it. I think it was definitely that record. When they heard it, it would be, 'OK, that's Jeremih. It sounds like Jeremih; it sounds like something he would do.' So that was the hope for that record and so far, so good."

The song, like the rest of All About You, was produced by Mick Schultz, also responsible for Jeremih's self-titled debut, which spawned the ubiquitous hit "Birthday Sex." For his follow-up, Jeremih said he aimed to showcase more range, with songs like "Broken Down," "Hold On" and his likely second single "Down on Me," featuring 50 Cent. This time, however, he hopes fans become attached to his entire project, a challenge he set for himself when he began recording All About You.

"Before I became the man that everybody was introduced to, I really was a songwriter," he explained. "My approach to that first album was, 'Yo, I'm gonna write all these songs trying to get a placement [on another artist's project] to try to get one day in a position to be an artist. But everything happened so quickly. The approach to this album was different because I had a point to prove, I had such a huge record and I want to follow it up with an album that could be as successful as that song."

What do you think of Jeremih's new single? Do you like "I Like"? Tell us in the comments!

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Tyga Says He Can't 'Remember' Making Leaked Lil Wayne Track

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 04:39 AM PDT

'We do so many songs,' Tyga says of ensemble banger 'Young Money Salute' from I Am Not a Human Being.
By Shaheem Reid, with reporting by Jayson Rodriguez


Tyga
Photo: MTV News

One of the highlights on Lil Wayne's new LP, I Am Not a Human Being, is a track called "Young Money Salute." The record features YM members Lil Twist, Lil Chuckee, Nicki Minaj, Jae Millz, Gudda Gudda and Tyga. During the opening Miami dates on Drake's Light Dreams and Nightmares Tour, Tyga said he didn't really recall making the record. It's just one in a batch full of material he's co-authored with his musical siblings.

"It's crazy because I don't even remember my verse," Tyga admitted. "We do so many songs. ... That song is probably two years old or a year old. I don't remember my verse, honestly. I don't remember the song but I know I recorded it though."

When the song leaked to the Internet last week, Nicki Minaj told fans about its origins via her Twitter. "Fun fact: Young Money salute was recorded over a year ago," the Barbie tweeted. [Editor's note: The track appears on the disc due on October 12, not in the digital format released on Monday.]

Meanwhile, Tyga is continuing his stretch as opening act for Drake. The tour hits New York's Radio City Music Hall on Tuesday night (September 28). He's also gearing up for the release of his sophomore album, Careless World. The Cali native said the project should be out either in December or early 2011.

"I feel like I've been doing something right," Tyga said assessing himself. "I sat back in 2009 and I just looked at where I wanted to take it to the next level. I turned 18 two years ago, and I gotta figure out how I wanna not get stuck as a kid and still be grown and represent for people my age and older. I had to sit back for a year and just evaluate how I wanted to be portrayed and put my music out. I've just been doing the right thing. Obviously because of the success that's been coming with it, we gonna keep doing this and keep the same formula and keep giving them better."

What's your favorite Tyga feature? "Young Money Salute"? "Deuces"? Tell us in the comments!

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Chris Brown Teams With Drake, Kanye West, T.I. For 'Deuces' Remix

Posted: 27 Sep 2010 11:12 PM PDT

Brown promises Fabolous and Andre 3000 will also have guest spots on the remix.
By James Dinh


Chris Brown on Ustream on Monday night
Photo: UStream

Following disappointing sales of last year's Graffiti, which came on the heels of his guilty plea for assaulting Rihanna, Chris Brown is churning out new music in an attempted comeback. Not only has his mixtape-spawned cut "Deuces," featuring Tyga, topped the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart, but the track has also been remixed to include guest spots from five hip-hop heavyweights, including Drake and Kanye West.

During a chat with fans on Ustream on Monday night, Brown spoke about the upcoming remix and his next album, F.A.M.E.

"I'mma let ya'll know a little secret," Brown told fans. "We got the 'Deuces' remix coming. 'Deuces' remix features myself, Fabolous, T.I., Drake, Kanye West, and André 3000. There you have it. My people are probably about to call me and say, 'You weren't suppose to tell anybody,' but so what? I love you guys."

The singer revealed that the remix to the kiss-off track is set to be released as soon as he receives a verse from West. "I'm actually supposed to be getting Kanye's verse any minute now," he explained. "I got everybody else's very ready, so we're waiting right now. We're gonna put it together and have it to y'all either by next week or this week, probably Friday. I ain't making no promises."

In addition to treating Team Breezy to the big-time collaboration, Brown said that he will shoot a video for the remix.

Brown has been steadily releasing plenty of new music, including his pop single "Yeah 3x," which Brown said he wrote in 15 minutes with Kevin McCall, Richgirl's SeVen and DJ Frank E. "We actually got the beat and we did it in no time." he said. "It was effortless. It was fun. It was sort of like when we wrote 'Forever,' so I hope you guys like that record. It's more of a pop record, in the club record."

The singer gave fans a taste of his other much talked about song "Calypso," which may appear on the new LP.

"I wouldn't say it's my comeback album," he said of F.A.M.E. "I just say it's my album. I wouldn't say it's a comeback because I don't feel like I went anywhere. I didn't disappear. I still was in your face. But I feel like it's a great album. It's going to show a lot more growth and a lot more fun in music. It isn't going to be as depressing, so to speak." He's also considering putting the remix to "Deuces" on the album as a bonus for fans.

Are you excited for the remix to "Deuces"? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Britney Spears Is 'Magical' On 'Glee,' Stars Say

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 09:19 AM PDT

'It's going to be Spearstacular,' says Heather Morris.
By Jocelyn Vena


Heather Morris and Britney Spears on the set of "Glee"
Photo: Facebook

Britney Spears' long-anticipated "Glee" episode debuts on Tuesday night (September 28). And the cast of the Fox hit promises that the show will live up to its high expectations.

"People that love this show or even like this show, they're going to love this episode," John Stamos teased in an interview posted online. "I don't feel like Britney stole my thunder ... maybe a little. Well, it's her show. [The episode is] called 'Britney/Brittany.' "

Stamos plays a key role in the episode. His character, Dr. Carl Howell, gives Brittany (Heather Morris) and Santana (Naya Rivera) the anesthesia that prompts their trippy ride through the singer's hit-filled catalog. Morris noted that Britney and Brittany will also throw down on the dance floor: "They're going to dance together," she said of her character and the pop star.

"When I was younger she was, like, my idol," Morris continued. " '[I'm a] Slave [4 U]' is, like, the best video ever. I am, like, literally an inch away from Britney Spears, who I used to watch on television and, like, learn dance moves to. ... It's going to be Spearstacular."

Like Morris, Rivera has warm memories of growing up a Spears fan. "I love Britney Spears. I mean, who doesn't? We all grew up with her," she said. "The first music purchase I ever made was ' ... Baby One More Time' on cassette. [It was like], Britney Spears is going to be in my mitts, what do I do? [And I was like], 'Hi Britney!' And then she was like, 'Hey!' She was awesome and beautiful. She was, like, magical."

Corey Monteith teased that his performance will be worth watching. "I am very excited about performing the 'Toxic' number. It's going to be very cool," he dished. "It's going to be an interpretation of the song you would not see coming."

The cast will also cover Spears classics like "Stronger" and "Me Against the Music."

Which song are you most looking forward to on the Britney episode? Let us know in the comments!

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Lil Wayne Posts Birthday Blog

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 01:54 AM PDT

Rapper, who turns 28, titled the post 'This Blessed Day of Mine.'
By Jayson Rodriguez


Lil Wayne
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images

Lil Wayne is a year older and almost a month away from being released from jail, so in honor of the moment, the rapper wrote his latest blog post, titled "This Blessed Day of Mine."

In the birthday post, his seventh post since he began his prison term, Wayne updated his fans on his day-to-day activities and low expectations about his appearance. Wayne joked that all the athletic activity he's been doing won't result in a larger physical frame for him. "Still doing pushups and such. By the way, please don't expect me to come out looking any different," Wayne wrote in the post, which featured a picture of a birthday cake with his name on it. "I'm the same little 'ol me."

The Cash Money Records superstar said his days consist mostly of watching ESPN and listening to local New York radio stations. He shouted out WBLS jocks Keith Stewart and Dr. Bob Lee as well as Kiss FM's Lenny Green.

According to Weezy, his radio jones is a result of Eric Benet's latest, "Sometimes I Cry," of which he wrote, "It's the best song I've heard since Maxwell's 'Woman's [Work].' It's for grown folk. I actually listen to the radio all day waiting for that song."

Toward the end of the note, Wayne thanked his Cash Money/ Young Money crew and took a second to poke fun at his protégés Drake and Nicki Minaj over their ill-fated Twitter union.

"Uhh Nik, I am jealous of you and Drizzy, but it's cool," he wrote. "Ha ha. I miss you all and keep killin' 'em. I love y'all."

On Monday, Wayne's actual birthday, he phoned in to MTV's new show "The Seven" and spoke with Drake live on air.

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Did Kanye West Sign Charlie Wilson To G.O.O.D. Music?

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 02:58 AM PDT

'Would I like to be a part of the family? Probably would,' Wilson says about rumored signing.
By Shaheem Reid


Charlie Wilson
Photo: Jive

Charlie Wilson has been able to transcend generations with his magical voice since he started in the music industry way back in 1974 with the Gap Band. Wilson has since re-established himself in the game and picked up some new fans through successful collaborations with the likes of R. Kelly, Snoop Dogg and Justin Timberlake.

A few weeks ago, another one of today's music superstars put the timeless vocalist to work: Kanye West.

"I got a phone call saying that 'Kanye wants you to come sing and do this one song with Beyoncé,' " Wilson recalled via phone from L.A. Wilson, who goes by the nickname "Uncle Charlie," eventually matched up schedules with West, and they met in Los Angeles, laying down "See Me Now," also featuring B.

"He said he wanted me to do one song," Wilson said. "One song turned into three."

The veteran singer was supposed to immediately go back in the lab with 'Ye, but the death of Wilson's brother delayed those plans. The pair connected a few days later.

"He said, 'Now is the time to do it. Let's rain. For real,' " Wilson said. "I went to New York, spent some time with him. That one song turned into a lot of songs. Everybody was coming in the studio. [Kanye] was like, 'Uncle Charlie, wow. Go get your iPod, get your hard drive. You got your hard drive? Might as well get him while he's here. While Uncle Charlie's here. Once he's gone, you might never get him back.' I had so much fun. There were so many superstars. It was just great. It was wonderful."

Of course, the list of celebs in the lab with Kanye and Wilson included Kid Cudi, Chris Rock, Swizz Beatz and Mos Def. Some of the Wilson-featured records that have been released as part of West's G.O.O.D Friday music giveaway also include "Lord Lord Lord" and "G.O.O.D. Friday." Obviously, Wilson and West share a musical bond, but Uncle Charlie said they are not contractually bound. Contrary to rumors, Wilson is not signed to G.O.O.D. Music, and Kanye doesn't appear on the singer's upcoming album. However, Wilson said they have unreleased songs in the can and plan to record even more tracks in the future.

"Not right now," Wilson answered when asked if he's inked a deal with the Louis Vuitton Don. "Hey, man, 'Ye is a good dude. He's honorable and a lot of fun to be around. Would I like to be a part of the family? Probably would. But right now, I'm under another obligation. I can't comment too much on that. I know it is a lot of fun over there, for sure."

Wilson just released a new power ballad called "You Are." It is the first release from his yet-untitled next LP, due later this year, the follow-up to last year's Uncle Charlie which debuted at #2.

Would you like to see Uncle Charlie join Kanye's musical family? Let us know in the comments!

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Owl City, Armin Van Buuren Build 'Youtopia' Together

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 03:05 AM PDT

Dutch trance producer and Adam Young turned mutual fandom into a feel-good electro tune.
By Akshay Bhansali


Armin van Buuren
Photo: MTV News

Thanks to a string of high-profile collaborations, house music has been welcomed with open arms into the mainstream. And judging by his latest album, Mirage, it seems like trance icon Armin van Buuren doesn't want to be left out of the inter-genre group hug.

Nestled among tracks featuring the likes of Guy Chambers (a veteran writer who's worked with Kylie Minogue, Tokio Hotel and Robbie Williams) and Nadia Ali is a warm, stripped-down, feel-good electro tune called "Youtopia," featuring Owl City's Adam Young.

Young sings, "I can feel you/ In the rising tide/ Can you feel me/ By the fireside?/ For the moonlight/ Through the cherry trees/ Open the roof and take in the view/ 'Cause you're my sweetest dream come true."

Van Buuren adds an edge that makes the track like an Owl City song on steroids. Young's songs have been frequently remixed in the dance-music world, but Van Buuren told MTV News that he was flattered to learn that the singer/songwriter had named him as an inspiration.

" 'Fireflies' was such a huge hit here in Holland," Van Buuren said. "And I thought his sound was very fresh. Very simple. Very sweet. And some of the staff at Armada [Van Buuren's record label] looked at his Wikipedia and they said, 'Did you know that Owl City was inspired by you?' And I was like, 'By me?' He's selling millions of albums in the U.S., and he was inspired by me? That's crazy!

"So I just sent him an e-mail saying, 'Hey man I'm a big fan of your work, and I'm so proud that you mentioned me on your Wikipedia,' " Van Buuren continued. "And he got back to us and we started talking and we made a track together."

"Youtopia" was made through exchanges over the Internet, and the two artists still haven't had the chance to meet in person. Still, Van Buuren is pleased with what they have built together.

"It's very simple yet effective, because it's such a beautiful, sweet little song at the end of the album," Van Buuren said. "It's the sweet dessert at the end of a beautiful meal. That's how I see it."

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Britney Spears' Best Pre-'Glee' Comedy Moments

Posted: 27 Sep 2010 11:54 PM PDT

Before she hits up 'Glee,' relive her small-screen history.
By Jocelyn Vena


Britney Spears and Josh Radnor on "How I Met Your Mother"
Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS &#169;2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All

Tuesday night's (September 28) "Glee" episode is all about Britney Spears. While fans and the show's stars are excited to see the singer light up the screen in the appropriately titled "Britney/Brittany" episode, it's hardly the first time Spears has performed for a laugh on the small screen (and we're not talking about her docu-series "Britney & Kevin: Chaotic").

Spears brought the funny in a show-opening appearance on the 2009 VMAs, her top 10 list on "Late Night With David Letterman" and on "Saturday Night Live," especially during her stints as the show's host in 2000 and 2002.

In 1999, Britney Spears stopped by "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" to teach Melissa Joan Hart a lesson or two about loneliness, fame and the proper way to do choreography. The duo also hooked up for Spears' "(You Drive Me) Crazy" video from the soundtrack for Hart's movie "Drive Me Crazy," which featured "Entourage" star Adrian Grenier.

Spears was one of the many pop stars to stop by "Will & Grace" when she made an appearance on the show in 2006. She showed off her Southern accent and comedic flair as closeted lesbian Amber Louise.

The singer proved she was funny once again when she appeared on "How I Met Your Mother" in 2008. Her People's Choice-nominated cameo (she was up for Favorite Scene-Stealing Guest Star) had fans rooting for her again after a difficult period in her personal life. She hit the small screen as Abby, a receptionist with a grudge against Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) after he forgot to call her after they, uh, went out.

What was your favorite small-screen moment for Britney Spears? Let us know in the comments!

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'Mission: Impossible IV' Cast Adds Josh Holloway

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 02:58 AM PDT

'Lost' star reportedly set to join Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner in 2011 installment of spy franchise.
By Kara Warner


Josh Holloway
Photo: Alberto Rodriguez/ Getty Images

The heavily hyped cast of "Mission: Impossible IV" has added another star to its beefy roster: "Lost" actor Josh Holloway.

Holloway is reportedly in final negotiations to play a member of the Impossible Mission Force, the high-tech and top-secret task force headed up by Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This will be the first big feature-film role for the "Lost" star, who is best known for playing broody antihero Sawyer on the ABC series.

Holloway joins a band of high-profile actors on the Brad Bird-directed film. In addition to Cruise and Holloway, the cast includes Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton and Vladimir Mashkov, as well as returning "Mission" co-stars Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg. The production is supposed to begin shooting sometime this fall and filmmakers are currently scouting locations in Vancouver, Prague and Dubai. Paramount announced earlier this year that "M:I 4" will open on December 16, 2011.

While the production has already weathered a few storms, Cruise has been vocal about his commitment to bringing new talent to the franchise.

"My whole thing with the series is always having a new director come on and put their stamp on 'Mission: Impossible,' " he told MTV News this summer. "Brian De Palma was first, then John Woo, J.J. Abrams and now Brad Bird, so it will be Brad Bird's 'Mission: Impossible.' " Regarding his thoughts on the story line — which is, of course, very much under wraps — Cruise said simply: "It's sick. It's fun, really fun."

Pegg reacted to the latest casting news via an enthusiastic Twitter "conversation" with "Lost" executive producer Damon Lindelof.

Lindelof wrote: "Okay. They had me at Brad Bird. But now? I am TOTALLY IN"

To which Pegg responded, "I think I just squeed in my pants!"

Check out everything we've got on "Mission: Impossible IV."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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MTV News

MTV News

Rick Ross Says 'Monster' Proves Nicki Minaj Is 'One Of The Greatest'

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 03:52 AM PDT

'It was a moment in history,' he tells Mixtape Daily of watching Ms. Minaj at work.
By Shaheem Reid


Rick Ross
Photo: Nigel Degraff

Celebrity Favorites: Rick Ross

In Rick Ross' mind, Nicki Minaj graduated when she worked with the man behind the album Graduation.

The Bawse said he was amazed not only seeing Nicki compose her raps, but also get on the mic and tear the booth down for the Kanye West posse cut.

"It was a moment in history," he said. "I knew then she's one of the greatest.

"I was actually in the studio with Kanye in Hawaii when he played the concept for me," Ross recalled. "I was blown away. I had the opportunity to sit in the studio while Nicki wrote her verse just off the record. That was when she earned my respect as a lyricist. She was a dope entertainer up until that day that I sat in the studio and watched her come up with what I feel is one of the dopest verses of the year."

If you're getting your late pass right now, "Monster" was released a few weeks back as part of Kanye's G.O.O.D. Friday offering of free music to the people. The track also features Jay-Z, Bon Iver, Charlie Wilson and Ross himself.

"OK, first things first, I'll eat your brains/ Then I'mma start rocking gold teeth and fangs," Nicki raps on the song/ " 'Cause that's what a mutha----ing monster do/ Hairdresser from Milan, that's the monster 'do/ Monster Giuseppe heel, that's the monster shoe/ Young Money is the roster and the monster crew."

"To see her construct her verse and lay it — she did it herself — I commend her," Ross added.

Ross' time on the track was limited, but Ricky Rozay said he wasn't slated to be on the song in the first place.

"I wasn't originally supposed to be on the record. I was next door working on another Kanye collaboration," the Miami native said. "I walked in, like, 'This is so big.' [Kanye] was like, 'Yeah.' He was playing the track, spitting his verse for me. That's before he even laid it. I'm like, 'That's dangerous.' At the same time, me being a hustler, I'm thinking of just an intro for the record. He told me the structure and the way he wanted it to go. I told him that was it. That's the way I would do it. He was on point with it. Me being the artist I am, I was sitting there talking to him and came up with an intro bridge. It wasn't a verse at all. It was just an intro or somewhat of a bridge to set the tone for 'Ye to come in. Jay capped it off."

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

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Nicki Minaj Inspires 'The Next Level,' will.i.am Says

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 03:52 AM PDT

Producer/rapper says Nicki pushed him on 'Check It Out.'
By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Kelly Marino


will.i.am and Nicki Minaj on the set of their video for "Check It Out"
Photo: MTV News

Sorry, Drake, but ex-Twitter-wife Nicki Minaj and will.i.am might prove to be a match made in hip-hop heaven — musically, at least.

The pair heaped praise on each other recently while on the video set for their "Check It Out" collaboration, the latest offering from Nicki Minaj's forthcoming debut album, Pink Friday.

The Black Eyed Peas frontman, who has produced for Nas, Fergie and other acts, said the Young Money upstart inspired him while they were in the studio.

"I work with a lot of artists, and say you work with an artist that didn't push to bring the best out," he told MTV News as he turned to Nicki Minaj "That [wasn't the case with 'Check It Out'] because I was hanging with you and I heard your record and I heard your verse. So I was like, 'I got to take it to the next level now.' 'Cause usually you mess with cats and there is no next level, because they don't inspire the next level. So she inspired the next level. So push it. You went 5 miles, then you better go 100."

The duo recently shot a video in Los Angeles for "Check It Out," which they premiered during the VMA pre-show. For the clip, will.i.am suggested Nicki bring back the spirit of her live performance, particularly the skintight leather outfit she donned onstage.

"You can expect to see a bunch of flyness as far as outfits," he told MTV News. "When I say flyness, I'm referring to Nicki."

Do you think will and Nicki make a good team? Let us know in the comments!

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Britney Spears 'Glee' Episode: Everything You Need To Know!

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 03:52 AM PDT

The show will tackle some of the singer's biggest hits Tuesday night.
By Jocelyn Vena


Heather Morris in "Glee"
Photo: FOX

We've already seen what the masterminds behind "Glee" can do when they pay homage to blond pop stars (see: Madonna and Lady Gaga), but now it's time for the highly anticipated Britney Spears episode, which premieres Tuesday night (September 28). With Spears onboard to make an appearance in the episode, it's shaping up to be one very exciting episode — and it even had the cast freaking out.

In the months since it was rumored that the hit Fox show would pay tribute to Spears, there's been so much information floating around about it that we here at MTV News thought we'd round up the most salient tidbits regarding the episode, which is already rumored to have a sequel sometime next year.

Judging by preview clips, it appears Brittany and Santana hit up their local dentist, played by John Stamos, to get their hands on some anesthesia. From there, the girls go on a trippy ride through Brit's catalog, with some appearances by the pop princess herself. Show creator Ryan Murphy has called the episode "hallucinogenic."

The cast will be doing six of Britney's biggest hits all while resurrecting her most iconic costumes, including the "Oops ... I Did It Again" red-leather bodysuit; the bejeweled (and nearly naked) "Toxic" look; the "I'm a Slave 4 U" green bikini, complete with snake; Madonna and Brit's "Me Against the Music" menswear-inspired suits; the "(Baby) One More Time" schoolgirl uniform; and, finally, a stirring rendition of "Stronger."

Spears herself has been keeping her fans updated about the episode, and she will be live-tweeting during the show's West Coast airing. The bottom line, according to Amber Riley, is that the episode will live up to all of the hype. "I can tell you it's going to be a really great episode and you're going to love it," she said. "And they're doing the big hits from Britney."

Are you looking forward to the "Glee" Britney episode? Let us know in the comments!

Gucci Mane Leads Us Through <i>The Appeal</i>

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 03:52 AM PDT

MC talks about just-released album, which features Nicki Minaj, Swizz Beatz and others.
By Shaheem Reid


Gucci Mane
Photo: Sam Hendrick/ MTV News

Gucci Mane fought the law and the law won, he admits on The Appeal: Georgia's Most Wanted, which dropped Tuesday (September 27). But that doesn't mean one of the most street-loved MCs in the game can't bounce back with a diamond-encrusted smile.

The album, his second in less than a year, starts with a surprisingly menacing track courtesy of Rodney Jerkins, who's had undeniable success providing tracks for the likes of Brandy, Ray J, Destiny's Child and, of course, Michael Jackson. Jerkins brings alarming horns fit for any gangster-flick soundtrack.

"Could have been a doctor, should have been a lawyer," Gucci raps on the chorus. "Go to court so much, I could have been my own employer/ I'm a dope boy, always been a hustler."

"That's me featuring Bun B," Gucci said of the song. "That's the intro for my album. It's raw, it's 'hood, but it's different. Of course me and Bun B, it's underground, but it still has a lot of pizzazz to it."

The Neptunes give Gucci a club bounce on "Haterade," a record about evolution and reflection. "Don't you feel stupid, look how I did it," Nicki Minaj raps on the track. "Look how it came to pass/ When I said it/ We can do debit/ I don't need no credit/ Yes, I'm epic, look how I rep it/ It's been eight years/ But I broke the record/ Yep the record, yep the record, yep the record (just for the record)/ I'm all that I can be/ And I'll admit I'm appalled when you envy."

"I feel that's a summertime record," Gucci said in August on the L.A. set of his video for "Gucci Time." "It's a great record, different record. It's me and Nicki, our first time together talking in depth on personal things. It's a different approach than people thought we would have."

On "Grown Man," Mr. LaFlare enlisted guest singer Estelle to express his newfound growth and mental freedom. "That's a special song on the album," Gucci said. "It talks about the transition from getting out of jail, then making mistakes in your life, sharpening your focus, taking responsibility for what happened in your life."

The album's lead cut is "Gucci Time," which was produced by and features Swizz Beatz, who also does double duty on "It's Alive."

"Me and Swizz recorded five or six songs," Mane said. "It was a pleasure recording with him. Out of the six songs we did, all of 'em could have been hit records. But this definitely feels like the song to go with right now, so we pushed forward."

Will you pick up The Appeal? Let us know in the comments!

Mark Ronson And D'Angelo Go Shirtless For <i>Record Collection</i>

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 03:52 AM PDT

'Nobody wears shirts in the studio, that's the rule,' Ronson jokes to MTV News about recording his feature-heavy new disc with reclusive R&B star.
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Kyle Anderson


Mark Ronson
Photo: MTV News

It's been widely reported — mostly because, you know, it's sort of amazing — that, over the last year, Mark Ronson logged a whole lot of time in the studio with mercurial R&B magnate D'Angelo, a man who, for most of the last decade has largely made a career out of, well, not making a career.

The story goes that D, eternally working on the follow-up to his 2000 album Voodoo, heard Ronson's work on Amy Winehouse's Back to Black and decided that he had to work with him. So, naturally, when D'Angelo called, Ronson answered.

But while he was "floored" by the opportunity, Ronson also realized that he could probably get D'Angelo to record some vocals for his album too. And, lo and behold, on Ronson's brand-new Record Collection disc (in stores Tuesday, September 28), D does appear — contributing vocals to a song called "Glass Mountain Trust." It may very well be the guest appearance of the year.

So, obviously, when MTV News sat down with Ronson, we had to ask him what it was like to get in the studio with a legend like D'Angelo. First and foremost, we wondered: Did they replicate the infamous "Untitled (How Does It Feel?)" video and go shirtless?

Why, of course. Though, as Ronson explained, that was more a matter of necessity than anything else.

"Nobody wears shirts in the studio, that's the rule. Especially since we recorded most of the album during [a] heat wave, in Brooklyn, in a studio with no air conditioning," he said. "The only reason we actually got air conditioning is when we found out the tapes were melting and warping. We'd play back the tape from the day before and be like, 'What is that sound?' We had the guy come over to fix the tape machine, and he's like, 'Dude, it's 110 degrees in here, your tapes are melting.' "

In some ways, Ronson even credits the sweltering heat for giving Record Collection such swagger ... after all, you had to be a pretty bad dude (or chick) to lock yourself in his Brooklyn space all day. And on a record that features cameos by everyone from D'Angelo to Boy George (and crackling session work from members of the Dap-Kings and the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra), that's a whole lot of badness. Though, perhaps the toughest of all was someone who doesn't even appear on the record: Mary J. Blige. The R&B queen came out to BK to work with Ronson on a Maroon 5 remix, and proved to pretty much everyone that she was the baddest bitch in the business.

"I have really fond, sweet memories of Mary J. Blige coming over one time, and [she] is at a point in her career where she deserves to be pampered and sit on a bed of fluffy down and be fed grapes in the studio if she wants to," Ronson laughed. "[But she] came to our sweatbox and, to her credit, she was so sweet. She was like, 'See, this reminds me of the old days.' Meanwhile, she was probably thinking, 'Get me the f--- out of here.' "

Are you eager to hear what Mark Ronson and the elusive D'Angelo cooked up in the studio? Let us know in the comments!

Lil Wayne Calls From Prison On MTV's 'The Seven' Premiere

Posted: 27 Sep 2010 03:07 AM PDT

He calls back to surprise protégé Drake, a guest on the new show.
By James Montgomery


Lil Wayne
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

MTV's brand-new show "The Seven" kicked off with a bang Monday (September 27), landing an interview with Lil Wayne, direct from Rikers Island, where the rapper is serving a one-year sentence stemming from a 2007 arrest on gun charges.

In the phone interview, Wayne talked about the inspiration behind the title of his new I Am Not a Human Being LP ("I just looked in the mirror, plain and simple," he laughed) and about his decision to release it while he's still behind bars.

"Making the album was totally fun, because I love recording. That's what I love to do, next to breathing," he said. "I made sure I had some material before I came in here to release while I was in here."

Wayne — who would later call into the show again to surprise Drake, who appeared as a guest on the show — also spoke about the support he's received from his fans, speculating that he's received "a million" pieces of mail and saying that the messages have inspired him to keep working hard at his music, despite the fact that he's still serving time.

"[The] fans have been more than unbelievable," he told "Seven" host Kevin Manno. "When I read those letters, that fan mail, and see what they say about what my music does for them, and how it helped them through situations ... to read that, that makes me take my words and my whole outlook on what I'm doing a lot more seriously.

"I probably get 150 pieces of mail [a day], and I probably read a good 30 each day," he continued. "I get to keep [the letters], I send 'em home. If I keep 'em in the cell, they say it's a fire hazard. Honestly, I await the mail every day."

He ended his interview by revealing what he hoped to do when he's released from prison — reportedly on November 4 — though, really, he could only talk about some of his plans on air.

"[I'm going to] hug and kiss my kids," Wayne laughed. "And, uh, after that, I don't think I'm allowed to say."

Are you looking forward to Wayne's release? Let us know in the comments.

Don't miss "The Seven" every weekday at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.

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will.i.am And Nicki Minaj's 'Check It Out' Video An 'Ode To Anime'

Posted: 27 Sep 2010 03:26 AM PDT

'I've joined forces with the only boy that I know that's able to capture that culture,' Nicki tells MTV News.
By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Kelly Marino


will.i.am and Nicki Minaj on the set of their video for "Check It Out"
Photo: MTV News

Nicki Minaj has proven to be a larger-than-life figure, so for her forthcoming "Check It Out" video, it only made sense that she partnered with equally over-the-top Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am.

"We're doing an ode almost to Japanese anime," Minaj told MTV News about the highly stylized animation style while on the Los Angeles set of the video. "I'm obviously a big fan, and I've joined forces with the only boy that I know that's able to capture that culture."

The Lil Wayne protégé and the producer joined forces for the song, which will appear on Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday album, due in November.

The pair performed the number for the first time on the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards pre-show. The track leaked a few days prior to the show, but the performance was the official debut.

"You can expect to see a bunch of flyness as far as outfits," will told MTV News of the video. "When I say flyness, I'm referring to Nicki."

For the video, the two will re-create the energy from their VMA performance, which featured Nicki Minaj in a skintight leather outfit and will.i.am with a futuristic sheen. The producer/rapper got some heat for his jet-black face paint during the pre-show, which, to some fans, was reminiscent of the antiquated, racially charged practice of blackface.

Will defended the costume on Twitter: "Are you guys serious? my outfit set 'black people back 100 yrs' choose your twits wisely," will typed. "No education sets people back, no jobs, bad health."

Are you looking forward to the "Check It Out" video? Let us know in the comments!

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'Breaking Dawn' Casts Maggie Grace As Irina

Posted: 27 Sep 2010 03:54 AM PDT

'Lost' and 'Taken' actress will play a 'vegetarian' vampire who turns on the Cullens.
By Kara Warner


Maggie Grace
Photo: Katy Winn/ Getty Images

With production set to begin very soon, "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1" continues to add members to its already-crowded cast.

Last month we learned that "The Pacific" actor Rami Malek had joined the "Dawn" ranks in the role of Egyptian vampire Benjamin. On Monday (September 27), it was reported that "Lost" and "Taken" actress Maggie Grace has signed on to play "vegetarian" vampire Irina.

A rep from Summit Entertainment confirmed the casting to MTV News, and the original story appeared first on Deadline.com.

So who is Irina? Those familiar with Stephenie Meyer's source material will recall that she is a member of the Denali coven, one of the only other "vegetarian" vampire covens and allies with the Cullens — that is, until Irina blames the family for the death of her former lover, Laurent, and vengefully reveals a Cullen family secret to the Volturi.

The other "Dawn" newbie, Benjamin, is a member of the Egyptian coven who comes to help Bella and the Cullens battle the Volturi. Benjamin is a young vamp blessed with the special ability of controlling the elements (à la Storm from X-Men), though he has yet to fully master his powers.

"I think it's going to be great," Rami told "ET" of his joining the cast last month. "It's going to be super exciting, and I'm thrilled."

Summit announced in June that "Breaking Dawn" would be divided into two parts; the first of the two films is scheduled to hit theaters November 18, 2011, and the second on November 16, 2012.

Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

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Mos Def Signs With Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music

Posted: 27 Sep 2010 06:11 AM PDT

Seasoned Brooklyn MC and 'Lord, Lord, Lord' collaborator confirms he's joining Yeezy's label in latest issue of XXL.
By Vanessa Denis


Mos Def
Photo: Jeffrey Ufberg/ Getty Images

Kanye West has expanded his roster again, and like the most recent addition to his G.O.O.D. Music label, Pusha T, the new signing is another familiar face: seasoned hip-hop favorite Mos Def.

The Brooklyn MC and West talk about the deal and break down their musical relationship in the October issue of XXL, which comes out on Tuesday and features a Kanye cover story. And Mos Def makes an appearance on West's G.O.O.D. Friday single "Lord, Lord, Lord," along with Swizz Beatz, Raekwon and singer Charlie Wilson. Mos' decision to join G.O.O.D. Music follows the release of his last album, The Ecstatic, on indie label Downtown Records in 2009.

The rapper/actor and Kanye first collaborated on the Chicago MC's College Dropout, for "Two Words," and then again on "Drunk and Hot Girls" from Graduation. On "Lord, Lord, Lord," Mos Def opens the slow-moving track.

"Cool ruler standing still, sweatin' through the shade," Mos says. "He knew those lights only grew bright to fade/ Dead-wrong pageantry, lottery and games/ Sleight of hand provided by extravagant and fake."

With the signing of Mos Def, West continues his movement, pulling in MCs — often with a devoted following outside the mainstream — who come ready to break down creative barriers. Back in July, Pusha wouldn't confirm or deny that he'd signed with G.O.O.D: "I mean, you know. I been to Hawaii. Hawaii is a nice place. Good music is made down there, ya know. So, yeah, I was there. I can't say too much about that."

Of course, that's no longer a mystery. Pusha confirmed to MTV News at this year's VMAs that he was onboard with Kanye. The only question remaining is who else will be popping up on the bubbling label.

What do you think of Kanye bringing Mos Def into his G.O.O.D. Music fold? Tell us in the comments!

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Baby Laments Lil Wayne Spending Birthday In Prison

Posted: 27 Sep 2010 04:13 AM PDT

'If he would have went in like he was supposed to, he would be home already,' he says of Weezy's sentence being delayed.
By Jayson Rodriguez


Baby
Photo: MTV News

Cash Money CEO Bryan "Baby" Williams is used to celebrating Lil Wayne's birthday alongside the multiplatinum MC. But this year, with Wayne in prison, Birdman can only count down the days until the rapper returns.

During the lead-up to Wayne turning himself in to serve his sentence, there were several delays (from dental procedures to a fire), and Baby lamented the fact that he and Weezy can't celebrate together now as a result.

"That f---ed with us," he told MTV News about the delays in Lil Wayne turning himself in. "Mentally, we were ready to do it. And when they had the fire, it really f---ed up, 'cause we were like, 'Get it crackin'.' Really, if he would have went in like he was supposed to, he would be home already. We didn't want to keep pushing that sh-- back, but things were happening. We just had to live with it. But any time your loved ones are leaving you in any kind of way, it affects you, 'cause we human, you love what you love. ... But he's home in a minute. We ready. We went through the storm and weathered the storm, so we here."

While Wayne wasn't able to celebrate his birthday with a party, he stayed active, phoning into MTV's "The Seven" while his protégé Drake was on air. The two spoke briefly, and the Toronto star wished Wayne a happy birthday.

Weezy is expected to be released from prison in November after serving nearly a year for attempted gun possession, stemming from a 2007 incident in New York City.

Are you looking forward to Wayne's release? Let us know in the comments.

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Drake Reveals He's Working With Rihanna On <i>Loud</i>

Posted: 27 Sep 2010 01:33 AM PDT

'I just did this great song with Rihanna,' rapper tells MTV News.
By Jayson Rodriguez


Drake
Photo: MTV News

Before Drake's brief Twitter affair with Nicki Minaj, the Toronto lyricist had a celebrity romance with Rihanna, whose last project he did unreleased work on and whom he was spotted smooching in a New York bowling alley.

The rapper recalled the incident on his debut, Thank Me Later, spitting about their dalliance and later saying he was Rihanna's "pawn" in an interview.

Now the fire appears to be doused, as the two are reuniting for Rihanna's forthcoming project, Loud, according to Drake.

"I just did this great song," he told MTV News. "I don't know if I'm supposed to talk about it. I just did this great song with Rihanna; hopefully we can do a video for it. I'm really excited about that."

The two had a fling before Rihanna became involved with Los Angeles Dodgers player Matt Kemp. Drake denied his involvement with the singer many times, but he finally let loose on his song "Fireworks."

"I was a pawn," Drake told the New York Times earlier this year about his time with RiRi, which began with an invitation to pen a track for the singer. "You know what she was doing to me? She was doing exactly what I've done to so many women throughout my life, which is show them quality time, then disappear. I was like, 'Wow, this feels terrible.' "

Are you excited to hear Drake and Rihanna's collabo? Let us know in the comments!

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Shakira's 'Loca' Video: Watch An Exclusive Preview!

Posted: 26 Sep 2010 11:36 PM PDT

Singer goes guerrilla for clip, which features a madcap dash around Barcelona.
By James Montgomery


Shakira in her music video for "Loca"
Photo: Sony

In her previous videos, Shakira's gone global, game-set-match and, after shooting "She Wolf," probably to the chiropractor. And now, in her new video for "Loca," she's gone guerrilla.

Shot run-and-gun style in Barcelona last month, the "Loca" clip follows Shakira and her crew on a madcap dash around the city — including scenes shot in a public fountain and on the back of a motorcycle, which got her in hot water with local authorities. Thanks to all that, it's a decidedly different turn from her past efforts, most of which were big-budget affairs, and all of which avoided getting her in trouble with the law.

"Loca" — which features a cameo by British rapper Dizzee Rascal — is the first single off her new album, Sale El Sol (due October 19), and while the full video won't premiere until Wednesday on MTV.com, you can watch an exclusive 30-second sneak peek right now. There's roller skating, frolicking in a fountain, (very public) costume changes, motorcycle riding and — of course — a whole lot of hip-shaking, too. It's sexy, cheeky and, yes, even a little bit crazy, but then again, what Shakira video isn't? And while "Loca" may be a departure from her previous clips, what makes it great is the simple fact that none of her pop contemporaries — not even Lady Gaga — would dare try something like this. And that's why we love her so much.

But why are you reading this? Have a look at our exclusive preview of "Loca" right now, and make sure to check back on Wednesday for the full experience. Trust us, it's worth it.

Are you excited for Shakira's "Loca" video? Let us know in the comments!

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Paris Hilton Settles Lawsuit With Hallmark

Posted: 27 Sep 2010 04:57 AM PDT

Heiress reportedly walks away from 2007 suit with an undisclosed amount of money.
By James Dinh


Paris Hilton
Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Another week and another legal trial for Paris Hilton, but this time it's in her favor. The 29-year-old socialite has settled a lawsuit with Hallmark over a greeting card that made use of the heiress' image and the catchphrase "that's hot."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, attorneys for Hilton and Hallmark have reached a settlement and notified a California judge as of last week. Further details haven't been disclosed, but it is reported that the blond bombshell has walked away from the 2007 lawsuit with an undisclosed amount of money.

Hallmark spokeswoman Julie O'Dell originally defended the company against the accusation, saying, "These cards take a satirical look at news and gossip surrounding these public figures, including Paris Hilton, and we do not believe Hallmark has violated any of Ms. Hilton's rights."

Last year, a federal appeals court ruled against the company, refuting their parody claim, and both parties were set to duke it out in court in December.

With its "Paris's First Day as a Waitress" caption, the greeting card is seemingly based on her fish-out-of-water reality show "The Simple Life." The star's face is plastered on a cartoon waitress figure as she serves a meal to a customer that says, "Don't touch that, it's hot." "What's hot?" "That's hot."

Hilton's Hallmark settlement is just another mark in her slew of recent legal tribulations. Just last week, the hotel heiress was denied entrance into Japan following a guilty plea in her Las Vegas cocaine case.

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'Dancing With The Stars' Cast Tweets About Week-Two Nerves

Posted: 27 Sep 2010 02:01 AM PDT

'It's time to man up,' the Situation writes to his followers.
By Jocelyn Vena


Michael "The Situation" Sorrentino
Photo: Andrew H. Walker/ Getty Images

As week two of "Dancing With the Stars" kicks off, the celebs have taken to Twitter to chat with fans about their varying degrees of nervousness. And mixed in with the nerves were some jokes and some bravado.

"It's time to man up," "Jersey Shore" star Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino tweeted. "Professional dancer I'm not, but not gonna stop me from goin out there in front of millions and doin my best.

"Thanks to everyone 4support," he added. "Goin out there n gonna leave it all out on the floor and have fun. I have the best fans, the SituationNation DWTS. ... The quickstep is pretty hard but I'm gonna try my hardest n have fun. Sitch, DWTS vote."

Like the Sitch, Audrina Patridge will also be dancing the quickstep, and she's hoping everyone remembers to vote this week.

"@TonyDovolani thanks tony:) so excited for tomorrow!!! See u bright and early tomorrow xo Icing my feet!!! Lol the quickstep is tons of fun. I'm whipping my body into a dancers body!" Audrina wrote. "On my way to the studios to start preparing for tonight!"

Comedian Margaret Cho decided to make light of it all on her Twitter page. "Atmosphere real tense in hair trailer for dwts!!" she joked. "You can cut the tension with a glittered switchblade."

Meanwhile, after an emotional performance last week, Jennifer Grey thanked her fans for all their support. "Here comes the jive people," she shared. "Pray for me..."

It seems that Rick Fox has the most pressure on him. Why? "1st up tonight!" he revealed. "Tune in early : )I'm getting my first start of the season."

Who are you rooting for on "Dancing With the Stars"? Share your favorites in the comments!

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Joe Jonas May Drop Solo Album Next Year

Posted: 27 Sep 2010 02:21 AM PDT

Jonas Brothers singer working on 'a more dangerous sound' for the project, E! News reports.
By Jocelyn Vena


Joe Jonas
Photo: George Napolitano/ FilmMagic

Nick Jonas did his own thing with the Administration, and in 2011, Joe Jonas also plans to go it alone. It has been confirmed that the Jonas Brothers singer will release a solo album sometime next year, something he's been hinting at for a while now.

E! News reports that the 21-year-old is currently recording the album, and sources tell the website that he is going for "a more dangerous sound," similar to Justin Timberlake.

"Joe has been working with various writers and producers but there's no confirmation on what it will be for," a Jonas Brothers rep told MTV News.

Joe hasn't been secretive about his desire to pursue other projects. "I've been working on lots of music," he told MTV News in August. "I've been working [with] lots of musicians having a great time. [I have] been writing with a lot of friends of mine and some artists here and there, and we'll see what comes out it."

And his music has even gotten his brothers' seal of approval. "I've heard it. It's awesome," Nick said, before Kevin chimed in, "It's really good music."

Joe has been very busy in 2010 with his own projects, mostly in the acting department. Between an appearance on "Hot in Cleveland," a November guest spot on "90210" and a mysterious acting project with Tom Hanks, Joe has been branching out from the JoBros.

How does Joe feel about all the work? "Life is wonderful," he tweeted last week. "Thank you all who impact my life. Family, friends, fans! Xo"

What do you think about Joe Jonas going solo? Let us know in the comments!

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Lauren Conrad's Road Back To Reality TV

Posted: 27 Sep 2010 12:00 AM PDT

After time off to build her empire — books, fashion lines, cosmetics contracts and more — 'The Hills' star is ready to make another MTV hit.
By Jocelyn Vena


Lauren Conrad
Photo: Jordan Strauss/ Getty Images

Since she left "The Hills" in 2009, Lauren Conrad seemed to welcome her time away from the spotlight. But in a surprise move last week, she announced plans to return to MTV in a new docu-series about launching her latest fashion line. So what brought about LC's change of heart?

Although the reality starlet had popped up as a guest judge on "America's Next Top Model" and made one last appearance on the "Hills" finale aftershow in July, she was in no hurry to begin documenting her life again for public consumption. Instead, she focused on other projects, including a clothing line with Kohl's called LC Lauren Conrad and two novels, "L.A. Candy" and "Sweet little Lies." The third in the series, "Sugar and Spice," comes out next week, as does her fashionista guide, "Lauren Conrad Style."

Earlier this year, when we asked her about returning to television, LC was hesitant, saying that her plate was already full. And it was a sentiment she had previously shared when we caught up with her in June '09, shortly after she walked away from her hit MTV show.

"I wouldn't do a show like 'The Hills,' " she told MTV News at the time. "Nothing with my personal life, but possibly something hosting. I think I have a little bit of time to figure out what I'm going to do next."

Over time, however, it seems LC was softening to the idea. In February, she said that while she wasn't ready to make the leap back to the small screen, she wouldn't rule out behind-the-scenes opportunities.

"The only other thing I'd love to do right now is producing," she explained. "I'm just kind of looking for the perfect project because I think the first thing I do I really have to love, so I want to wait until I really have enough time to commit to a series."

That project turned out to be her own documentary series, which will put her back in front of the camera. "I am so excited to be rejoining the MTV family," Lauren said in a statement about her new TV venture. "The new project will follow me as I develop my new contemporary line and also touch on my other businesses."

At least LC has one great lesson she learned from her previous forays into reality TV. "I didn't learn a thing! I'm the same as I went in," she joked back in July. "I learned not to take yourself seriously!"

Are you excited that LC is returning to MTV in her own show? Tell us in the comments!

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Guillermo Del Toro Addresses Tom Cruise Casting Rumors

Posted: 27 Sep 2010 02:34 AM PDT

Director of 'At the Mountains of Madness' adaptation tells MTV News he can't reveal too much, adding, 'I have my eye on other actors.'
By Eric Ditzian


Guillermo del Toro
Photo: MTV News

"Who is Bilbo?"

That was the question we put to Guillermo del Toro again and again for easily two years, harassing the director for the identity of the actor to be cast as the star of "The Hobbit."

Del Toro left that film in May, but casting questions have only followed him to his latest project, an adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's "At the Mountains of Madness." Rumors circulated earlier this month that del Toro and Universal are eyeing Tom Cruise or James McAvoy to star in the film.

When the director stopped by the MTV Newsroom last week, we asked him to address the talk, and had barely uttered Cruise's name before del Toro jumped in. "And James McAvoy," he said. "And next week it's going to be somebody else. I've gone through this in 'The Hobbit' week by week, where they would say David Tennant, Tobey Maguire. I truly don't want to go through it again with 'Mountains.' We haven't cast yet."

He did, however, mention a role he's written specifically for Ron Perlman, with whom he's collaborated on two "Hellboy" movies. But when it came to Cruise and McAvoy, all del Toro would say is "there is nothing tangible" with regard to casting. And as reluctant as he is to go through intense casting speculation again, the Mexican-born director realizes it comes with the territory.

"It's part of making movies that have a blissful, high visibility," he conceded. "Everyone has their own interpretation of Lovecraft, especially because of the ambiguity of his descriptions. You know you're going to disappoint some portion of the fans. You can only bet on your own instincts. For everyone that was supporting Martin Freeman [for Bilbo], there were people supporting James McAvoy or somebody else.

"I have my eye on other actors, some of them very unexpected," he added about "Mountains." "I think people will be surprised by every piece of casting in the movie. We will do unexpected stuff. If I was a fan, I would be speculating. In this movie, I'm a fan who unfortunately knows all the information."

Who would you like to see the "Mountains" role go to? McAvoy or Cruise? Let us know in the comments!

Godsmack Frontman Sheds Metal Rage For Ethereal <i>Avalon</i>

Posted: 27 Sep 2010 01:49 AM PDT

Sully Erna explains why his world-music-infused solo album is his 'baby.'
By Jon Wiederhorn


Sully Erna
Photo: Ethan Miller/ Getty Images

Nearly five months after its release, the sonic punch of Godsmack's third album to debut at #1, The Oracle, is still leaving bruises (the latest single "Love-Hate-Sex-Pain" is perched at #15 on the Billboard Rock Songs chart) and the band is currently supporting the record on a major tour with Five Finger Death Punch and Drowning Pool. But for the moment at least, frontman Sully Erna is more excited about his recently released world-music-inflected solo album, Avalon, which debuted at #24 on this week's Billboard 200.

"Godsmack will always be my main priority. I know that, but right now, Avalon is my baby," Erna said on a break between tour dates. "It's a complete departure from Godsmack, and that's why I love it so much. As a musician, I like to express different sides of myself, and this is way more intellectual and eclectic and primal than what I usually do. It's the kind of thing you'll really want to stop what you're doing when you put it on to listen to."

The lead vocals on Oracle are instantly recognizable as Erna. The rest of the album is more otherworldly, flush with tribal drumming, plaintive acoustic guitar strums, layered vocal harmonies and gliding cello. Many of the songs ache with vulnerability, others shimmer with a near-goth mysticism. In loose terms, the album sounds like acoustic Alice in Chains and Led Zeppelin (Erna's two favorite bands), combined with elements of Jethro Tull, Peter Gabriel, Pink Floyd and Dead Can Dance.

The approach isn't entirely unprecedented for Erna. Over the years, Godsmack have released tribal and acoustic songs such as "Voodoo" and "Serenity," and in 2004 the band released the unplugged album The Other Side. With Avalon, however, Erna takes his fascination with Native American, African and Brazilian percussion, ethereal keyboards and monochromatic jams to new heights.

"The hardest thing about doing this record was finding a common pulse, because all the songs were written over a number of years and they're all different," Erna says. "I really wanted this to be something that flows together as a single body of work, not just a bunch of singles, so it was kind of a challenge to make everything connect. If I owned a record store and I got this album, I wouldn't know where to put it because it's not like anything else that's out there."

Avalon features a multitude of guest musicians, including Dead Can Dance percussionist Niall Gregory, multi-octave vocalist Lisa Guyer and Bulgarian cellist Irina Chirkova, who provide extra flair and dynamics.

"I met Niall at a Dead Can Dance show, and we kept in touch," Erna said. "I was reluctant to approach him at first, because I didn't know if this was something he'd be interested in, but he was totally into it, and that gave me a lot of confidence. Lisa is a friend who I met years ago who has an amazing voice, and she lent so much to the album."

As cohesively as the majestic song "Sinner's Prayer" flows together with the haunting "The Departed" or the melancholy guitar ballad "My Light," Oracle was neither smooth nor easy to create. Erna started arranging songs in late 2007 and spent over a year recording the album at Sanctum Sound studio in Boston and mixing at Serenity West studio in Hollywood.

"It was definitely a process, and it was sometimes a pain in the neck," Erna said. "Scheduling everything was really tough. I'd be arranging and composing something, and I'd realize you need a cello player for a certain part, so it's a matter of calling the right person in to do their parts and making sure they're available. That happened over and over. But everyone on there is a top-notch player and together we recorded a beautiful album."

What do you think about Sully's new sound on Avalon? Let us know in the comments!

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Nelly Talks Returning To Music After Family Deaths

Posted: 27 Sep 2010 12:42 AM PDT

'I lost my sister in '05 and almost didn't make it back,' rapper tells MTV News.
By Jayson Rodriguez


Nelly
Photo: MTV News

Nelly may have suffered through his most commercially disappointing project with 2008's Brass Knuckles (which still sold more than 500,000 copies), but the relatively low sales paled in comparison to the personal pain he endured during the making of the album.

In 2005 the rapper lost his older sister, Jacqueline Donahue, to a well-publicized battle with leukemia, and months later his grandfather also died of cancer.

The normally boisterous lyricist was still reeling from the losses when he went back to work; he said he almost didn't return to recording at all after his mourning.

"I lost my sister in '05 and almost didn't make it back," Nelly told MTV News. "That's a lot that people didn't know. Even when I was going into Brass Knuckles it was just, a'ight. I lost my sister and six months later I lost my grandfather. Both of them the same way — different diagnosis but both of them was due to cancer. And we had done so much to try to find a donor for my sister. I don't know if you ever had someone ailing from cancer in your family, but it's some of the most disheartening things to watch people go through so much pain and not be able to do anything about it."

Nelly compared his success to the powerlessness he felt during that period.

"To have so much," he explained. "So much money, so much things that you can basically buy your way out of it, but this thing here you can't get a grasp on it for nothing in the world. And I never lost anything in my life that close to me, never, ever, ever. And this is the person that took care of me."

Professionally, Nelly has finally rebounded with "Just a Dream," which earned him a top 10 solo hit for the first time since 2005.

On a personal level, he says he's dealt with his ordeals. He credits Diddy with helping him to rediscover his passion for work.

The rapper is set to release both a solo album, 5.0, and a St. Lunatics group album, City Free, in November.

"He was like, 'Let's go! What are you waiting on?' " Nelly recalled of Diddy's pep talk. "I was like, 'You know what? You're right.' And I left the party to go to the studio."

Share your well-wishes for Nelly and his family in the comments.

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Lil Wayne's <i>I Am Not A Human Being</i>: Otherworldly Flows And STDs

Posted: 26 Sep 2010 10:10 PM PDT

Drake, Nicki Minaj and the Young Money crew help Weezy celebrate his birthday with latest release.
By Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Jayson Rodriguez


Lil Wayne
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Lil Wayne's I Am Not a Human Being LP dropped digitally at midnight on Monday (September 27), giving fans the chance to celebrate Weezy's birthday with a load of otherworldly flows and soundscapes. The mother ship has landed.

Early releases from the album have given it a good head start. The title cut has a video in heavy rotation on various outlets, while the lead cut, "Right Above It" with Drake, was a #1 single on the Billboard digital downloads chart. Drizzy appears on several other songs off the LP as well. The Toronto native brings the 1960s throwback soul on "With You," as Wayne pledges his love to a woman who is "badder than a 3-year-old."

"Damn, you the sh--," Wayne sings on the chorus. "I will rip my heart out and hand you the sh--."

The duo bash their competition on "Gonorrhea" where they don't necessarily focus on the dreaded venereal disease, but mostly admonish spineless MCs.

"I kind of just did my verse when I heard the beat. I knew what the song was called and what it was about eventually," Drake told MTV News last week. "Wayne's a character. Expect the unexpected, I guess. It's funny and it definitely makes people pay attention. It's like, 'Chlamydia! Oh, I should listen to this, maybe it's educating me.' It's crazy. But people like it. I got a lot of good feedback on the verse. I think the project is just a lot of Wayne songs that, it's that stuff that people want to hear."

Nicki Minaj checks in to sing the hook on "What's Wrong With Them."

"The time's up/ Put your signs up/ Made 'em pick my dude out the lineup," she croons. "Baby, what the f--- is wrong, wrong with them?/ What the f--- wrong, wrong with them?/ You see, many are called/ Very few are chosen/ Looking at the wall/ You can feel them close in/ Baby, what the f--- wrong, wrong with them?"

Weezy comes in with his abstract insight: "Mind over matter/ Money over all," he raps. "The world is on my shoulders/ Shall I dust my shoulders off?/ Uzi rat-a-tatter, knocking over walls/ F--- the bullsh--, but just don't f--- it raw, man."

The rest of Wayne's Young Money family checks in throughout the LP on tracks such as "Young Money Salute" and "Hold Up," while the Birdman Jr.'s Cash Money labelmate Jay Sean is featured on "That Ain't Me."

Three more songs will be included on the physical album of I Am Not a Human Being, which drops on October 12.

What do you think of Lil Wayne's new album? Share your reviews in the comments.

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