Thriller (Long Vers.)
Artist: Michael Jackson
Label: Epic Records
Album: Thriller [Bonus Tracks]
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Ke$ha - Take It Off
Take It Off
Artist: Ke$ha
Label: RCA
Director: Paul Hunter, Dori Oskowitz
Artist: Ke$ha
Label: RCA
Director: Paul Hunter, Dori Oskowitz
Natalie Portman Natalie Zea Natasha Bedingfield Natassia Malthe
Justin Bieber's Early Christmas Gift: A Holiday Album
'We are going to try and raise alot of money this year for charity!' teen pop star tweets about next project.By Terri Schwartz
Justin Bieber
Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images
Beliebers have more to look forward to this holiday season than just chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Justin Bieber announced Thursday (August 25) on Twitter that he'll be releasing his first Christmas album later this year.
"So it's true...been in the studio doing something special for christmas. we are going to try and raise alot of money this year for charity!" the 17-year-old Canadian pop star tweeted.
This will be Bieber's second studio album, since his first release, My World, was technically an EP. Barring the release of Never Say Never -- The Remixes, which featured the new single "Never Say Never," this will be the first new music Bieber has released in more than a year. He didn't share whether he will be collaborating with any other artists on his holiday record or when fans can expect it to hit stores.
Bieber is no stranger to using his musical talents for charitable causes. In 2010, he took part in "We Are the World 25" alongside Miley Cyrus, Kanye West and Lil Wayne. Bieber has supported charities like Give Back Hollywood, Jumpstart and Children's Miracle Network in the past, though he did not specify which charity he would be donating the proceeds of his Christmas album to in his tweet.
The "Baby" crooner isn't the only artist to announce a Christmas album recently. Zooey Deschanel shared the news over Twitter earlier this month that her band She & Him will be releasing their first holiday album -- and third album overall -- later this year. In addition, Bieber's fellow Canadian Michael Bublé has been releasing a series of promos for his holiday album, Christmas, on his official website over the past few weeks.
Which Christmas carol are you hoping Justin covers on his holiday album? Share your suggestions in the comments!
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MTV News Extended Play: Justin Bieber
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Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber
Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images
Beliebers have more to look forward to this holiday season than just chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Justin Bieber announced Thursday (August 25) on Twitter that he'll be releasing his first Christmas album later this year.
"So it's true...been in the studio doing something special for christmas. we are going to try and raise alot of money this year for charity!" the 17-year-old Canadian pop star tweeted.
This will be Bieber's second studio album, since his first release, My World, was technically an EP. Barring the release of Never Say Never -- The Remixes, which featured the new single "Never Say Never," this will be the first new music Bieber has released in more than a year. He didn't share whether he will be collaborating with any other artists on his holiday record or when fans can expect it to hit stores.
Bieber is no stranger to using his musical talents for charitable causes. In 2010, he took part in "We Are the World 25" alongside Miley Cyrus, Kanye West and Lil Wayne. Bieber has supported charities like Give Back Hollywood, Jumpstart and Children's Miracle Network in the past, though he did not specify which charity he would be donating the proceeds of his Christmas album to in his tweet.
The "Baby" crooner isn't the only artist to announce a Christmas album recently. Zooey Deschanel shared the news over Twitter earlier this month that her band She & Him will be releasing their first holiday album -- and third album overall -- later this year. In addition, Bieber's fellow Canadian Michael Bublé has been releasing a series of promos for his holiday album, Christmas, on his official website over the past few weeks.
Which Christmas carol are you hoping Justin covers on his holiday album? Share your suggestions in the comments!
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Usher - There Goes My Baby
There Goes My Baby
Artist: Usher
Label: LaFace Records, JLG
Director: Anthony Mandler
Artist: Usher
Label: LaFace Records, JLG
Director: Anthony Mandler
Lady Gaga Releases First 'Fashion Film' Version of 'You and I'
Video was directed by fashion photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, with four more clips to come.By Gil Kaufman
Lady Gaga
Photo: WireImage
Most artists make one big splashy video for their latest single and then move on to the next one. As she's proven over and over again, though — most recently at the VMAs, where she stayed in her Jo Calderone character all night long — Lady Gaga is not most people.
After announcing on Twitter on Thursday that she shot five "fashion films" set to "Yoü and I" with Dutch fashion photography duo Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, she unleashed the first clip later that day, "Haus of Ü Featuring Nymph."
In typical Gaga fashion, it is perplexing, mesmerizing and just a bit odd, and nothing like the way-more elaborate, official music video for the rocking ballad. The barely two-minute black-and-white clip has Gaga pulling off a series of balletic twists and turns while wearing a simple slip dress and ballet slippers, her blonde hair loose and waving in the wind or up in a bun. At various points, there appear to be moths or some other kind of insect flying around in the background and lying dead on the ground.
Wearing very little makeup, Gaga stares intently at the camera while dancing in front of a stark white background. At one point she pulls up the dress while writhing on the ground, almost exposing herself. Near the end there is a fleeting moment where she gazes into the camera while holding her hair on her head in what looks like a colorized photo, with blonde applied to her locks, along with blush on her cheeks and a splash of blue on the dress.
Gaga did not announce when the other videos would be posted.
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Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga
Photo: WireImage
Most artists make one big splashy video for their latest single and then move on to the next one. As she's proven over and over again, though — most recently at the VMAs, where she stayed in her Jo Calderone character all night long — Lady Gaga is not most people.
After announcing on Twitter on Thursday that she shot five "fashion films" set to "Yoü and I" with Dutch fashion photography duo Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, she unleashed the first clip later that day, "Haus of Ü Featuring Nymph."
In typical Gaga fashion, it is perplexing, mesmerizing and just a bit odd, and nothing like the way-more elaborate, official music video for the rocking ballad. The barely two-minute black-and-white clip has Gaga pulling off a series of balletic twists and turns while wearing a simple slip dress and ballet slippers, her blonde hair loose and waving in the wind or up in a bun. At various points, there appear to be moths or some other kind of insect flying around in the background and lying dead on the ground.
Wearing very little makeup, Gaga stares intently at the camera while dancing in front of a stark white background. At one point she pulls up the dress while writhing on the ground, almost exposing herself. Near the end there is a fleeting moment where she gazes into the camera while holding her hair on her head in what looks like a colorized photo, with blonde applied to her locks, along with blush on her cheeks and a splash of blue on the dress.
Gaga did not announce when the other videos would be posted.
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Usher Collaborator Rico Love Calls Kelly Rowland's 'Motivation' 'Truly Organic'
Lil Wayne 'jumped on it,' Raymond v. Raymond writer tells Mixtape Daily.By Alvin Blanco, with reporting by Rob Markman
Rico Love
Photo: TTLL
Behind the Beats: Rico Love
If more people read the credits behind some of R&B's biggest hits, Rico Love should be a household name. Born Richard Preston Butler Jr., the former Florida A&M University student is now one of the music industry's most-sought-after singer/songwriters.
After writing hits for Usher ("There Goes My Baby"), Beyoncé ("Sweet Dreams") and Diddy-Dirty Money ("Hello Good Morning"), to name a few, one of Rico's biggest hits to date is Kelly Rowland's "Motivation."
"It came about in a truly organic way," Rico told Mixtape Daily of the Jim Jonsin-produced "Motivation." "We had this meeting in New York: myself and Sylvia [Rhone] and Kelly. And they just were saying, 'We need to find that single; we need that big single.' Everybody was asking for an uptempo, actually.
"I flew down to Miami the next day, and that Tuesday, we got back in the studio, and Jim started playing these chords, and then coming up with these little sounds — the signature sounds that Jim comes up with. I just told him to lay it like a skeleton idea, and I jumped in the booth, and I started with the verse, and I kind of sang my way all the way through the record."
Rowland, formerly of Destiny's Child, was in the studio while Rico was laying down the reference track and made her regard for the song known immediately. "Kelly was there and watched the whole process," Rico recalled. "As soon as I finished singing the demo, usually an artist wants to live with it or listen to it for a little while. She just said, 'I want to cut it right now.' So she jumped in the booth, and we cut the record."
"Motivation" became the lead single for Rowland's third album, Here I Am, which was released in April. The song, which peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, features a verse from Lil Wayne.
"Lil Wayne got out of jail a few days later, and as soon as he got out of jail, [Rowland] went to see him, and he jumped on it," Rico explained. "It was the most organized situation ever. It was nothing contrived about it."
There's been nothing manufactured about Rico's accomplishments either. Starting his musical career as a rapper, he has signed former Roc-a-Fella rapper Young Chris to his Universal/Motown-distributed Division 1 label.
After leaving Florida A&M to pursue music, Rico caught the attention of Usher, and penned songs for the R&B singer, including "Throwback." Other artists soon benefitted from his songwriting, including T.I., Pleasure P and Mario. Rico takes pride in being versatile with his talents, preferring not to make specific songs intended for specific artists only.
"Sometimes, when you keep an artist in mind, you'll limit yourself," Rico explained. "You won't go a place that they probably would go because you're thinking, "Nah, she wouldn't say this," or "He wouldn't do this," or "He wouldn't say this," and "This melody is out of the way for them."
"When I get a chance to just get into the studio and just write music and just produce music and sit at the piano and tell a guy where I want to hear the chords and create the progressions and just freely make music, it's a lot more fun."
Lately, Rico has been back in the studio with Usher. In 2007, he was signed to the singer's former US Records via J Records. But his debut album was never released, and he and Usher went their separate ways.
But as Rico become a songwriting force, the two eventually started working together again. The first song they recorded was the Grammy-winning "There Goes My Baby" from 2010's Raymond v. Raymond. Now, Rico is working on Usher's forthcoming album and embracing the pressure of surpassing its predecessor's platinum sales and critical success.
"I feel like this is what separates the boys from the men," Rico said of working with Usher. "This week, we been creating records together. We had two mics, two headphones set up in the booth, and we just sit there and vibe out.
"These first few days have been amazing. We got four records cut so far that sound super amazing. I'm super excited about it. I'm just anxious for the world to hear it."
For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.
Related Videos
Mixtape Daily: Rico Love, Gunplay
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Rico Love
Usher
Kelly Rowland
Rico Love
Photo: TTLL
Behind the Beats: Rico Love
If more people read the credits behind some of R&B's biggest hits, Rico Love should be a household name. Born Richard Preston Butler Jr., the former Florida A&M University student is now one of the music industry's most-sought-after singer/songwriters.
After writing hits for Usher ("There Goes My Baby"), Beyoncé ("Sweet Dreams") and Diddy-Dirty Money ("Hello Good Morning"), to name a few, one of Rico's biggest hits to date is Kelly Rowland's "Motivation."
"It came about in a truly organic way," Rico told Mixtape Daily of the Jim Jonsin-produced "Motivation." "We had this meeting in New York: myself and Sylvia [Rhone] and Kelly. And they just were saying, 'We need to find that single; we need that big single.' Everybody was asking for an uptempo, actually.
"I flew down to Miami the next day, and that Tuesday, we got back in the studio, and Jim started playing these chords, and then coming up with these little sounds — the signature sounds that Jim comes up with. I just told him to lay it like a skeleton idea, and I jumped in the booth, and I started with the verse, and I kind of sang my way all the way through the record."
Rowland, formerly of Destiny's Child, was in the studio while Rico was laying down the reference track and made her regard for the song known immediately. "Kelly was there and watched the whole process," Rico recalled. "As soon as I finished singing the demo, usually an artist wants to live with it or listen to it for a little while. She just said, 'I want to cut it right now.' So she jumped in the booth, and we cut the record."
"Motivation" became the lead single for Rowland's third album, Here I Am, which was released in April. The song, which peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, features a verse from Lil Wayne.
"Lil Wayne got out of jail a few days later, and as soon as he got out of jail, [Rowland] went to see him, and he jumped on it," Rico explained. "It was the most organized situation ever. It was nothing contrived about it."
There's been nothing manufactured about Rico's accomplishments either. Starting his musical career as a rapper, he has signed former Roc-a-Fella rapper Young Chris to his Universal/Motown-distributed Division 1 label.
After leaving Florida A&M to pursue music, Rico caught the attention of Usher, and penned songs for the R&B singer, including "Throwback." Other artists soon benefitted from his songwriting, including T.I., Pleasure P and Mario. Rico takes pride in being versatile with his talents, preferring not to make specific songs intended for specific artists only.
"Sometimes, when you keep an artist in mind, you'll limit yourself," Rico explained. "You won't go a place that they probably would go because you're thinking, "Nah, she wouldn't say this," or "He wouldn't do this," or "He wouldn't say this," and "This melody is out of the way for them."
"When I get a chance to just get into the studio and just write music and just produce music and sit at the piano and tell a guy where I want to hear the chords and create the progressions and just freely make music, it's a lot more fun."
Lately, Rico has been back in the studio with Usher. In 2007, he was signed to the singer's former US Records via J Records. But his debut album was never released, and he and Usher went their separate ways.
But as Rico become a songwriting force, the two eventually started working together again. The first song they recorded was the Grammy-winning "There Goes My Baby" from 2010's Raymond v. Raymond. Now, Rico is working on Usher's forthcoming album and embracing the pressure of surpassing its predecessor's platinum sales and critical success.
"I feel like this is what separates the boys from the men," Rico said of working with Usher. "This week, we been creating records together. We had two mics, two headphones set up in the booth, and we just sit there and vibe out.
"These first few days have been amazing. We got four records cut so far that sound super amazing. I'm super excited about it. I'm just anxious for the world to hear it."
For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.
Related Videos
Mixtape Daily: Rico Love, Gunplay
Related Artists
Rico Love
Usher
Kelly Rowland
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
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