Album art from Pink Floyd, Blur and David Bowie also included.By James Montgomery
Coldplay's new British stamps
Photo: Royal Mail
On Thursday (January 7), the U.K.'s Royal Mail unveiled a series of 10 new stamps, honoring the most iconic album covers of the past 40 years.
The albums featured in the new series are the Rolling Stones' Let It Bleed, Led Zeppelin's IV, David Bowie's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells, The Clash's London Calling, New Order's Power, Corruption and Lies, Primal Scream's Screamadelica, Pink Floyd's The Division Bell, Blur's Parklife and — the most recent album on to make the cut — Coldplay's A Rush of Blood to the Head.
Meant to honor "the most potent graphic images of modern times, many of which have provided a visual soundtrack to people's lives," the series is the end result of a lengthy research process by the Royal Mail, who looked through thousands of album covers by British artists before deciding on the final list. And, during a Wednesday night BBC Radio broadcast, it was revealed that the queen herself actually approved each design.
Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page — who helped design the cover for IV — was on hand to celebrate the release of the stamps and recalled the mysterious nature of the album's iconic imagery.
"Almost 40 years after the album came out, nobody knows the old man who featured on the cover, nor the artist who painted him," he said. "That sort of sums up what we wanted to achieve with the album cover, which has remained both anonymous and enigmatic at the same time."
Of course, any great honor is befitting of an equally great contest, so, on the same day the stamps were made available to the general public, Coldplay decided to give one of their Rush of Blood stamps away. In a message on their official site, the band held a contest to send one lucky fan "a letter using a Coldplay stamp, postmarked with today's issue date."
"We visited our local post office earlier today and bought some of the Coldplay stamps," the message read. "Very nice they are too."
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Thursday, March 31, 2011
Photos | Lilith Fair 2010 Lineup
Lilith Fair 2010 Lineup
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Daniel Radcliffe Feels 'Very Good' About 'How To Succeed' Premiere
'Coming in and doing a two-and-a-half-hour show every evening will seem like a holiday after the last couple months,' he tells MTV News.By Eric Ditzian, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Daniel Radcliffe
Photo: MTV News
"How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" star Daniel Radcliffe will perform the same routine eight times a week on Broadway for the rest of the year and into 2012, but the actor will happily take that relative monotony instead of the exhaustive rehearsals he's endured for the last several months.
"It feels very good to have opened — it really does," he told MTV News following the musical's premiere Sunday. "We've had a long-ish preview period — I can't say long anymore because of 'Spider-Man' — but it feels great to be here and know the show is set now and we don't have to rehearse during the day and we get to chill out. Honestly, coming in and doing a two-and-a-half-hour show every evening will seem like a holiday after the last couple months."
The work has clearly paid off, as reviews for his performance have been largely positive. "Daniel Radcliffe is so adorable in his Broadway musical debut, you just want to pinch his cheeks," wrote the New York Post. "It's not just his youth — the 'Harry Potter' star is 21 — but the endearing amount of dedication and enthusiasm he pours into steering the [play]."
That's got to feel good for a guy who's gone on record that he has no particular talent for singing and dancing. But Radcliffe put in the work, and now he's looking forward to a bit more time to himself. Not that he's got ambitious plans for his downtime.
When MTV News asked if he'll have a chance to enjoy New York City, he said, "I will be able to now because the day-to-day rehearsal will have stopped. I'm just kind of relaxing and reading and chilling out. You know this; I don't do anything interesting!"
Will you check out Radcliffe on Broadway? Let us know in the comments!
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Daniel Radcliffe
Photo: MTV News
"How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" star Daniel Radcliffe will perform the same routine eight times a week on Broadway for the rest of the year and into 2012, but the actor will happily take that relative monotony instead of the exhaustive rehearsals he's endured for the last several months.
"It feels very good to have opened — it really does," he told MTV News following the musical's premiere Sunday. "We've had a long-ish preview period — I can't say long anymore because of 'Spider-Man' — but it feels great to be here and know the show is set now and we don't have to rehearse during the day and we get to chill out. Honestly, coming in and doing a two-and-a-half-hour show every evening will seem like a holiday after the last couple months."
The work has clearly paid off, as reviews for his performance have been largely positive. "Daniel Radcliffe is so adorable in his Broadway musical debut, you just want to pinch his cheeks," wrote the New York Post. "It's not just his youth — the 'Harry Potter' star is 21 — but the endearing amount of dedication and enthusiasm he pours into steering the [play]."
That's got to feel good for a guy who's gone on record that he has no particular talent for singing and dancing. But Radcliffe put in the work, and now he's looking forward to a bit more time to himself. Not that he's got ambitious plans for his downtime.
When MTV News asked if he'll have a chance to enjoy New York City, he said, "I will be able to now because the day-to-day rehearsal will have stopped. I'm just kind of relaxing and reading and chilling out. You know this; I don't do anything interesting!"
Will you check out Radcliffe on Broadway? Let us know in the comments!
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Tuesday, March 29, 2011
CyHi Da Prynce Asks God For A Release Date Via 'Text Message'
'I'm speaking my album into existence this year,' MC tells Mixtape Daily of The Hard Way Musical.By Jayson Rodriguez
CyHi Da Prynce
Photo: MTV News
Don't Sleep: Necessary Notables
Mixtapes: The Allies and Royal Flush 2
Headliner: CyHi Da Prynce
Key cameos: Big Sean, Pusha T, J. Cole, etc.
Essential info: CyHi Da Prynce knows what his next two projects are (a pair of mixtapes), but the Georgia rapper is calling on a higher power when it comes to getting a release date for his debut album. No, he's not calling on mentor Kanye West; rather, the "So Appalled" star is seeking an answer in the biblical sense.
"At the end of April, I want to put out Royal Flush 2 and I wanna release The Allies when school is coming back in," CyHi told Mixtape Daily. "Those two projects, I want them to be my last mixtapes that I put out before my album. I'm speaking my album into existence this year. God says, 'If you ask, you shall receive,' so I'm asking, and hopefully I'll receive it sometime soon. I'm sending a pigeon or something, even a text message."
For his debut, The Hard Way Musical, the G.O.O.D. Music artist is already a few songs in.
"My album is a lot of storytelling. It's heartfelt, but at the same time it's hip-hop to the T," he said of the collection. "Royal Flush is more so the different parts of me, but my album is gonna be more the story of me."
Other Heat This Week
» Kevin Cossom - By Any Means
» Papoose - The Second Coming
» DJ Green Lantern - Master Class
» Dom Kennedy - The Original Dom
» King Mez and Khrysis - The King's Khrysis
For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.
CyHi Da Prynce
Photo: MTV News
Don't Sleep: Necessary Notables
Mixtapes: The Allies and Royal Flush 2
Headliner: CyHi Da Prynce
Key cameos: Big Sean, Pusha T, J. Cole, etc.
Essential info: CyHi Da Prynce knows what his next two projects are (a pair of mixtapes), but the Georgia rapper is calling on a higher power when it comes to getting a release date for his debut album. No, he's not calling on mentor Kanye West; rather, the "So Appalled" star is seeking an answer in the biblical sense.
"At the end of April, I want to put out Royal Flush 2 and I wanna release The Allies when school is coming back in," CyHi told Mixtape Daily. "Those two projects, I want them to be my last mixtapes that I put out before my album. I'm speaking my album into existence this year. God says, 'If you ask, you shall receive,' so I'm asking, and hopefully I'll receive it sometime soon. I'm sending a pigeon or something, even a text message."
For his debut, The Hard Way Musical, the G.O.O.D. Music artist is already a few songs in.
"My album is a lot of storytelling. It's heartfelt, but at the same time it's hip-hop to the T," he said of the collection. "Royal Flush is more so the different parts of me, but my album is gonna be more the story of me."
Other Heat This Week
» Kevin Cossom - By Any Means
» Papoose - The Second Coming
» DJ Green Lantern - Master Class
» Dom Kennedy - The Original Dom
» King Mez and Khrysis - The King's Khrysis
For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.
Britney Spears May Release Ke$ha-Penned Track As Next Single
'Till The World Ends' expected out sometime next week.By Jocelyn Vena
Britney Spears
Photo: Jeremy Cowart/ WireImage
Slowly but surely, fans are getting a taste of what Britney Spears' March 29 album release, Femme Fatale, will sound like. On Wednesday, Spears slowed things down with the tease for her track "Criminal" and psyched fans up with the news that she worked with Travis Barker on the album.
Fans are speculating that the next single released will be the Ke$ha-penned track, "Till the World Ends." Art for the single's cover, in which Spears appears sitting on a couch in a sweater and heels, was posted at Deezer.com.
A 30-second snippet of the song appeared on Amazon.de, which indicates that the single will be available on March 11. The track sounds like a fist-pumping anthem, and the sample showcases Spears' electronically enhanced vocals going "Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh."
The single will reportedly drop sometime next week, according to a tweet sent out by Tampa radio station 93.3 FM. "Hearing from Jive Records that we'll have a new @BritneySpears single to play next week!"
Ke$ha recently dished about the track to Spin.com, noting that the song is about the power of an artist performing a great gig. "That song is me imagining her and any female musician touring the world," she says. "You know, when you go out, and you're having an amazing, magical night and you don't want to go to sleep and you want it to last until the world ends."
Spears' longtime manager Larry Rudolph recently told MTV News that he's super-excited about the next single off Femme Fatale. "I don't think I've been this excited about releasing a Britney single in many, many years," he said. "It's that good. That's all I'm gonna say about it at the moment. I haven't heard a final mix of it, but I should get it in the next day or two. So far, what I've heard is just extraordinary. It really is amazing. Her fans will be very happy with it. I'm trying hard to get it out before the album comes out."
For those keeping count, it's not the first time Ke$ha and Spears have worked together. Ke$ha appeared on the Circus song "Lace and Leather." "I just did backgrounds for her 'cause I was so broke. I needed to pay my rent," she shared back in 2009. "I got a few bucks. No, [I didn't meet her]. I just did backups for her."
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Britney Spears
Photo: Jeremy Cowart/ WireImage
Slowly but surely, fans are getting a taste of what Britney Spears' March 29 album release, Femme Fatale, will sound like. On Wednesday, Spears slowed things down with the tease for her track "Criminal" and psyched fans up with the news that she worked with Travis Barker on the album.
Fans are speculating that the next single released will be the Ke$ha-penned track, "Till the World Ends." Art for the single's cover, in which Spears appears sitting on a couch in a sweater and heels, was posted at Deezer.com.
A 30-second snippet of the song appeared on Amazon.de, which indicates that the single will be available on March 11. The track sounds like a fist-pumping anthem, and the sample showcases Spears' electronically enhanced vocals going "Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh."
The single will reportedly drop sometime next week, according to a tweet sent out by Tampa radio station 93.3 FM. "Hearing from Jive Records that we'll have a new @BritneySpears single to play next week!"
Ke$ha recently dished about the track to Spin.com, noting that the song is about the power of an artist performing a great gig. "That song is me imagining her and any female musician touring the world," she says. "You know, when you go out, and you're having an amazing, magical night and you don't want to go to sleep and you want it to last until the world ends."
Spears' longtime manager Larry Rudolph recently told MTV News that he's super-excited about the next single off Femme Fatale. "I don't think I've been this excited about releasing a Britney single in many, many years," he said. "It's that good. That's all I'm gonna say about it at the moment. I haven't heard a final mix of it, but I should get it in the next day or two. So far, what I've heard is just extraordinary. It really is amazing. Her fans will be very happy with it. I'm trying hard to get it out before the album comes out."
For those keeping count, it's not the first time Ke$ha and Spears have worked together. Ke$ha appeared on the Circus song "Lace and Leather." "I just did backgrounds for her 'cause I was so broke. I needed to pay my rent," she shared back in 2009. "I got a few bucks. No, [I didn't meet her]. I just did backups for her."
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Monday, March 28, 2011
Lady Gaga Teams Up With Google For Fan Interview
Pop singer posts video message inviting fans to ask her questions.By James Dinh
Lady Gaga
Photo: Anita Bugge/ Getty Images
Lady Gaga has always found creative ways to interact with her fans, and her latest idea is no exception. On Tuesday, the pop titan took to YouTube to post a video message inviting her Little Monsters to ask her questions in an upcoming Google interview.
Standing against a brick wall, Gaga greets her fans in the beginning of the black-and-white video, saying, "Hello, Little Monsters. This is Lady Gaga on the road at the Monster Ball. I wanted to let you in on the news that I'll be doing an exclusive Google interview using one of their tools called the moderator, which allows you guys to ask me all the questions that you want.
"Do you have something that you always wanted to know about me or maybe you have questions about my fashion love or even the kind of things I search for on Google. Well, now is your chance!" she continues in the clip.
Fans can participate in the interview by heading to the singer's YouTube channel and submitting videos or written questions. While on the singer's page, they can also vote for the questions they want to hear the most. In addition to the video network, fans can tweet their questions using the hashtag #GoogleGoesGaga. Fans have until the end of the day Friday to submit their entries.
"I'll post the video interview with all my questions next week, so stay tuned. I'll let you know when it goes up, and remember, you're all amazing and I love you so, so much. I'll see you soon. You were born this way," she concludes with her monster growl.
As of Wednesday (March 16), some of the most popular submissions included everything from pre-fame bullies to backstage tour stories.
"You said that in school a lot of people bullied you and didn't like you," one fan wrote. "Now that you are famous, have any of them tried to 'apologize' and become friends? If so, what did you say to them?"
"What do you do with all the T-shirts, stuffed animals, letters, hats and other monster gifts you receive?" asked another fan.
Have you asked Lady Gaga a question yet? Tell us in the comments!
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Lady Gaga
Photo: Anita Bugge/ Getty Images
Lady Gaga has always found creative ways to interact with her fans, and her latest idea is no exception. On Tuesday, the pop titan took to YouTube to post a video message inviting her Little Monsters to ask her questions in an upcoming Google interview.
Standing against a brick wall, Gaga greets her fans in the beginning of the black-and-white video, saying, "Hello, Little Monsters. This is Lady Gaga on the road at the Monster Ball. I wanted to let you in on the news that I'll be doing an exclusive Google interview using one of their tools called the moderator, which allows you guys to ask me all the questions that you want.
"Do you have something that you always wanted to know about me or maybe you have questions about my fashion love or even the kind of things I search for on Google. Well, now is your chance!" she continues in the clip.
Fans can participate in the interview by heading to the singer's YouTube channel and submitting videos or written questions. While on the singer's page, they can also vote for the questions they want to hear the most. In addition to the video network, fans can tweet their questions using the hashtag #GoogleGoesGaga. Fans have until the end of the day Friday to submit their entries.
"I'll post the video interview with all my questions next week, so stay tuned. I'll let you know when it goes up, and remember, you're all amazing and I love you so, so much. I'll see you soon. You were born this way," she concludes with her monster growl.
As of Wednesday (March 16), some of the most popular submissions included everything from pre-fame bullies to backstage tour stories.
"You said that in school a lot of people bullied you and didn't like you," one fan wrote. "Now that you are famous, have any of them tried to 'apologize' and become friends? If so, what did you say to them?"
"What do you do with all the T-shirts, stuffed animals, letters, hats and other monster gifts you receive?" asked another fan.
Have you asked Lady Gaga a question yet? Tell us in the comments!
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30 Seconds To Mars, My Chemical Romance Roll On To Musical March Madness Sweet 16
Linkin Park, Panic! at the Disco, Disturbed and Sum 41 are also still in the running!By James Montgomery
My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way
Photo: David Wolff - Patrick/ WireImage
Two weeks ago, when we tipped off the 2011 Musical March Madness tournament, sixty-four bands entered the fray with championship dreams on their minds. For 32 of those bands, that dream died after one round. And for half of the remaining 32, the dream is over today.
Because we've reached the Sweet 16, the midway point on the quest for the 2011 MMM title. And while the bands still left standing would no doubt like a moment to recover from their epic battles, as any tournament vet will tell you, there's no rest for the weary. From here on out, the challenges only get tougher, and the cost of defeat is high: To come so close and leave empty-handed would be a heartbreaker, indeed.
My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way
Photo: David Wolff - Patrick/ WireImage
Two weeks ago, when we tipped off the 2011 Musical March Madness tournament, sixty-four bands entered the fray with championship dreams on their minds. For 32 of those bands, that dream died after one round. And for half of the remaining 32, the dream is over today.
Because we've reached the Sweet 16, the midway point on the quest for the 2011 MMM title. And while the bands still left standing would no doubt like a moment to recover from their epic battles, as any tournament vet will tell you, there's no rest for the weary. From here on out, the challenges only get tougher, and the cost of defeat is high: To come so close and leave empty-handed would be a heartbreaker, indeed.
Photos | Lady Gaga Lights Up Atlantic City
Lady Gaga Lights Up Atlantic City
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'The Hobbit' Begins Filming
Following years of delays and numerous changes, Peter Jackson's production is finally under way.By Terri Schwartz
Peter Jackson
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
It's been a long, long time coming, but after spending more than 14 years gestating, Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit" movie finally started filming on Monday (March 21).
Production is taking place at Stone Street Studios in New Zealand, the same studio where Jackson shot his three "Lord of the Rings" films. Shooting is expected to take around two years to complete, with the anticipated release date of the tentatively titled "There and Back Again" December 19, 2012 and "The Hobbit: An/The Unexpected Journey" sometime in December 2013.
It wasn't until last month that the cast of "The Hobbit" were brought together for the first time, during a press conference in New Zealand. Since then, castmember Ian McKellan has been keeping fans up-to-date on the pre-production process via his blog. Earlier this month, he announced that he had seen Martin Freeman dressed in character as leading man Bilbo Baggins and caught a glimpse of the footage in 3-D.
Production on "The Hobbit" has been rife with its share of problems since Jackson first presented the idea to adapt it back in 1997. From 2005-2007, Jackson and New Line Cinemas were involved in a legal battle that eventually relegated Jackson to executive producer while another director would helm the films. Then director Guillermo del Toro agreed to come onboard to helm the films in 2008, but in May 2010, he said that he couldn't continue his time commitment to the films. And even after Jackson was again confirmed as director on October 15, 2010, there were union disputes in New Zealand that almost forced "The Hobbit" to relocate to a different filming area.
Fortunately everything has been resolved since then. Jackson is directing the flicks, Freeman is starring as Bilbo and "Lord of the Rings" actors McKellan, Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, Cate Blanchett and Orlando Bloom will be returning for the new films. The movies will be shot in digital 3-D, and Howard Shore, who composed the score for the three "Lord of the Rings" films, will be working on these as well.
"We're all very optimistic about it," Freeman said during the New Zealand press conference according to the BBC. "We're ready to go — just as soon as 2015 comes around."
Lucky for us, the filming start date was a bit sooner than that.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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Meet The Cast Of 'The Hobbit'
Peter Jackson
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
It's been a long, long time coming, but after spending more than 14 years gestating, Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit" movie finally started filming on Monday (March 21).
Production is taking place at Stone Street Studios in New Zealand, the same studio where Jackson shot his three "Lord of the Rings" films. Shooting is expected to take around two years to complete, with the anticipated release date of the tentatively titled "There and Back Again" December 19, 2012 and "The Hobbit: An/The Unexpected Journey" sometime in December 2013.
It wasn't until last month that the cast of "The Hobbit" were brought together for the first time, during a press conference in New Zealand. Since then, castmember Ian McKellan has been keeping fans up-to-date on the pre-production process via his blog. Earlier this month, he announced that he had seen Martin Freeman dressed in character as leading man Bilbo Baggins and caught a glimpse of the footage in 3-D.
Production on "The Hobbit" has been rife with its share of problems since Jackson first presented the idea to adapt it back in 1997. From 2005-2007, Jackson and New Line Cinemas were involved in a legal battle that eventually relegated Jackson to executive producer while another director would helm the films. Then director Guillermo del Toro agreed to come onboard to helm the films in 2008, but in May 2010, he said that he couldn't continue his time commitment to the films. And even after Jackson was again confirmed as director on October 15, 2010, there were union disputes in New Zealand that almost forced "The Hobbit" to relocate to a different filming area.
Fortunately everything has been resolved since then. Jackson is directing the flicks, Freeman is starring as Bilbo and "Lord of the Rings" actors McKellan, Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, Cate Blanchett and Orlando Bloom will be returning for the new films. The movies will be shot in digital 3-D, and Howard Shore, who composed the score for the three "Lord of the Rings" films, will be working on these as well.
"We're all very optimistic about it," Freeman said during the New Zealand press conference according to the BBC. "We're ready to go — just as soon as 2015 comes around."
Lucky for us, the filming start date was a bit sooner than that.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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Superman Gets A Lois Lane!
It's Amy Adams!
The star got word from director Zack Snyder on Sunday that she had been cast as Lois Lane in his upcoming Superman reboot.
Snyder said:
"There was a big, giant search for Lois. For us it was a big thing and obviously a really important role. We did a lot of auditioning but we [...]
The star got word from director Zack Snyder on Sunday that she had been cast as Lois Lane in his upcoming Superman reboot.
Snyder said:
"There was a big, giant search for Lois. For us it was a big thing and obviously a really important role. We did a lot of auditioning but we [...]
Sunday, March 27, 2011
TV Ad For Norwegian Deaf Metal
This image, which nicely compliments the video below, is for a 1993 metal comp that featured some pretty ripping bands, including Eucharist, Dissection, Impaler, At the Gates, Pitchshifter and Therion, along with a bunch of groups we've never heard of. Good luck tracking it down. But before you try, check out this Norwegian TV ad [...]
'Captain America' Trailer: Five Cool Moments
Take a closer look at the super-soldier as we break down the upcoming action movie's first full trailer.By Eric Ditzian
Chris Evans and cast in the "Captain America: The First Avenger" trailer
Photo: Marvel
Before becoming the engineered superhero called Captain America, Steve Rogers attempts to join the Army five times in five cities, only to be rejected for being a pipsqueak with a ton of heart but not nearly big enough biceps. In a similar series of false starts, we've been treated to a slew of teasers for "Captain America: The First Avenger," from a 30-second Super Bowl spot to a bunch of seconds-long video snippets parceled out over the last few days.
Now, finally, we're getting a shot of cinematic super-serum with the Marvel adaptation's first full trailer. Here are our picks for the five coolest moments:
The Shield ... Kinda
Here we see Rogers (Chris Evans) in pre-conversion twerp mode. Chased into an alley, he attempts to defend himself with a trashcan lid — a none-too-subtle nod to the red-white-and-blue shield he'll soon wield as the Captain. Sure, he's a scrawny fellow, but he's brave. And as Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci) will tell Steve before transforming him into a superhero, "A weak man knows the value of strength, knows the value of power." In terms of historical context, this shot also gives us a glimpse of around when the story begins. A poster in the alley shows the date: May 29, 1943.
Meet Your Super-Serum
So it's that goopy blue stuff that transforms Rogers into a super-solider. We see Erskine in the laboratory, as well as Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper), who just so happens to be the father of a certain iron-suited hero played in other Marvel movies by Robert Downey Jr. The serum doesn't look that pleasant going in, but what a difference it makes: Rogers goes from zero to world-saving hero.
Captain Action
Listen, it's hard out there for a super-solider. Even when an Army colonel (Tommy Lee Jones) is driving at top speed in a convertible and the Captain looks like he's about to jump out and whup some Nazi butt, he pauses for a little smooch from Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). Pimp!
Army of the Damned
Check them out in all their blue-glowing glory: the HYDRA army controlled by Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), Hitler's head honcho of weaponry and general evilness. It's these soldiers who will face off against the Captain and his crew with the fate of the world in the balance.
The Boys
We'd sleep easier knowing this collection of dudes — Captain America and the much-hyped Howling Commandos — is protecting the nation. In addition to the Captain, you've got sidekick Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Union Jack (JJ Field) and Dum Dum Dungan (Neal McDonough). That's a hero shot if we've ever seen one. "It's an amazing costume," Evans told us last year of his look. "Given the fact that his costume is red, white and blue, and it's tight, and it could be kind of flash and over the top — and given the fact that the movie takes place in the '40s and '50s — they've done a really good job of making it look really cool."
What were your favorite moments? Share them in the comments below!
Check out everything we've got on "Captain America: The First Avenger."
For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.
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Chris Evans and cast in the "Captain America: The First Avenger" trailer
Photo: Marvel
Before becoming the engineered superhero called Captain America, Steve Rogers attempts to join the Army five times in five cities, only to be rejected for being a pipsqueak with a ton of heart but not nearly big enough biceps. In a similar series of false starts, we've been treated to a slew of teasers for "Captain America: The First Avenger," from a 30-second Super Bowl spot to a bunch of seconds-long video snippets parceled out over the last few days.
Now, finally, we're getting a shot of cinematic super-serum with the Marvel adaptation's first full trailer. Here are our picks for the five coolest moments:
The Shield ... Kinda
Here we see Rogers (Chris Evans) in pre-conversion twerp mode. Chased into an alley, he attempts to defend himself with a trashcan lid — a none-too-subtle nod to the red-white-and-blue shield he'll soon wield as the Captain. Sure, he's a scrawny fellow, but he's brave. And as Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci) will tell Steve before transforming him into a superhero, "A weak man knows the value of strength, knows the value of power." In terms of historical context, this shot also gives us a glimpse of around when the story begins. A poster in the alley shows the date: May 29, 1943.
Meet Your Super-Serum
So it's that goopy blue stuff that transforms Rogers into a super-solider. We see Erskine in the laboratory, as well as Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper), who just so happens to be the father of a certain iron-suited hero played in other Marvel movies by Robert Downey Jr. The serum doesn't look that pleasant going in, but what a difference it makes: Rogers goes from zero to world-saving hero.
Captain Action
Listen, it's hard out there for a super-solider. Even when an Army colonel (Tommy Lee Jones) is driving at top speed in a convertible and the Captain looks like he's about to jump out and whup some Nazi butt, he pauses for a little smooch from Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). Pimp!
Army of the Damned
Check them out in all their blue-glowing glory: the HYDRA army controlled by Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), Hitler's head honcho of weaponry and general evilness. It's these soldiers who will face off against the Captain and his crew with the fate of the world in the balance.
The Boys
We'd sleep easier knowing this collection of dudes — Captain America and the much-hyped Howling Commandos — is protecting the nation. In addition to the Captain, you've got sidekick Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Union Jack (JJ Field) and Dum Dum Dungan (Neal McDonough). That's a hero shot if we've ever seen one. "It's an amazing costume," Evans told us last year of his look. "Given the fact that his costume is red, white and blue, and it's tight, and it could be kind of flash and over the top — and given the fact that the movie takes place in the '40s and '50s — they've done a really good job of making it look really cool."
What were your favorite moments? Share them in the comments below!
Check out everything we've got on "Captain America: The First Avenger."
For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.
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Michael Jackson Doctor Conrad Murray's Trial To Be Televised
Judge rules that camera will be allowed in the courtroom for manslaughter case.By Gil Kaufman
Conrad Murray
Photo: AFP/ Getty Images
For what promises to be one of the most bizarre and riveting legal proceedings in years, a Los Angeles judge ruled on Monday that a television camera will be allowed in the courtroom when Michael Jackson's doctor goes on trial for involuntary manslaughter.
Reuters reported that Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor, approved the presence of a camera in the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray as long as it does not interfere with the proceedings in the closely watched case.
The judge asked for the "absolute least-intrusive placement" of a TV camera in the courtroom, but blocked cameras from documenting jury selection.
Pastor also announced that he would bump up the opening date of the trail by four days to March 24, at which point jury selection will begin. Murray, who faces up to four years in prison if convicted, has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the trial is expected to last around six weeks.
Cardiologist Murray was hired to be Jackson's personal physician in the run-up to the King of Pop's planned 50-date comeback series of shows at London's O2 arena in the summer of 2009. The doctor told police that he provided Jackson, 50, with sedatives and the surgical anesthetic propofol in order to combat the singer's chronic insomnia. He said he did so on the morning of June 25, 2009, when Jackson died of what a coroner deemed acute propofol poisoning.
TMZ reported on Tuesday (February 8) that Murray's lawyers plan to argue that Jackson was already in weak health before he died and that it's unfair to blame propofol for his passing. Unnamed sources close to the case told the gossip site that at the time of his death, Jackson's body was already failing him in part because concert promoter AEG Live had "driven [him] over the edge" with a rigorous rehearsal schedule for the shows.
Murray's lawyers reportedly plan to call witnesses to say that Jackson was not showing up for rehearsals and when he did he showed "clear signs" of frail health. They also reportedly plan to argue that it was Jackson who administered the final, fatal dose of propofol to himself while Murray was out of the room.
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Conrad Murray
Photo: AFP/ Getty Images
For what promises to be one of the most bizarre and riveting legal proceedings in years, a Los Angeles judge ruled on Monday that a television camera will be allowed in the courtroom when Michael Jackson's doctor goes on trial for involuntary manslaughter.
Reuters reported that Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor, approved the presence of a camera in the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray as long as it does not interfere with the proceedings in the closely watched case.
The judge asked for the "absolute least-intrusive placement" of a TV camera in the courtroom, but blocked cameras from documenting jury selection.
Pastor also announced that he would bump up the opening date of the trail by four days to March 24, at which point jury selection will begin. Murray, who faces up to four years in prison if convicted, has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the trial is expected to last around six weeks.
Cardiologist Murray was hired to be Jackson's personal physician in the run-up to the King of Pop's planned 50-date comeback series of shows at London's O2 arena in the summer of 2009. The doctor told police that he provided Jackson, 50, with sedatives and the surgical anesthetic propofol in order to combat the singer's chronic insomnia. He said he did so on the morning of June 25, 2009, when Jackson died of what a coroner deemed acute propofol poisoning.
TMZ reported on Tuesday (February 8) that Murray's lawyers plan to argue that Jackson was already in weak health before he died and that it's unfair to blame propofol for his passing. Unnamed sources close to the case told the gossip site that at the time of his death, Jackson's body was already failing him in part because concert promoter AEG Live had "driven [him] over the edge" with a rigorous rehearsal schedule for the shows.
Murray's lawyers reportedly plan to call witnesses to say that Jackson was not showing up for rehearsals and when he did he showed "clear signs" of frail health. They also reportedly plan to argue that it was Jackson who administered the final, fatal dose of propofol to himself while Murray was out of the room.
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Photos | Lady Gaga's Madison Square Garden Performance
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Saturday, March 26, 2011
More Britney Spears Femme Fatale Leaks Hit Net
Britney's new tracks 'Inside Out' and '(Drop Dead) Beautiful' have leaked online in full.By Jocelyn Vena
Britney Spears' <i>Femme Fatale</i>
Photo: Jive
For fans who feel that the March 29 release date of Britney Spears' Femme Fatale is just too far away, well, it seems that more and more pieces of the album are hitting the Web before the hotly anticipated recording is scheduled to reach stores.
Leaks and longer snippets have been popping up all over the place and they paint a picture of what Femme Fatale will sound like. So far, fans are seeing that Spears is ready to dance on the new album.
With tracks like "Gasoline," the will.i.am-produced "Big Fat Bass" and the empowering "I Wanna Go" all getting the teaser treatment in more extended ways, it's clear that Spears and her producers, Dr. Luke and Max Martin, have compiled a cohesive mix of party tracks.
And now Spears' collaboration with up-and-coming MC Sabi, "(Drop Dead) Beautiful," has hit the Net in full. The jam is a spacey, sexy track about a hot dude who Spears is lusting after. Her vocals are deep and sultry as she sings lines like, "And, yeah, your body looks so sick, I think I caught the flu" and "You must be B.I.G. 'cause you got me hypnotized."
Sabi jumps in midway through the song for a quick appearance, spitting lines like, "I think I like you/ Boy, boy, look at you/ I want to get next to you/ Got me kind of hot/ But I ain't sweating you/ Steamy like a pot full of vegetables."
The full version of the mid-tempo breakup track "Inside Out" also has popped up on the Web. On the loopy tune, Spears coos about the only boy "who ever drove me crazy/ 'cause you know me inside out." And one of the song's lines will certainly have Britney fans going bananas, as the singer references "... Baby One More Time" when she proclaims on the chorus, "Hit me one more time/ It's so amazing."
This is hardly the first time that Spears has encountered song leaks in the amp-up to an album release. Over the course of her career, tracks like her versions of Lady Gaga's "Telephone" and the Circus singles "Womanizer" and "If U Seek Amy" found their way online long before the respective LPs saw light of day.
What do think about what you've heard so far from Femme Fatale? Tell us in the comments.
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Britney Spears' <i>Femme Fatale</i>
Photo: Jive
For fans who feel that the March 29 release date of Britney Spears' Femme Fatale is just too far away, well, it seems that more and more pieces of the album are hitting the Web before the hotly anticipated recording is scheduled to reach stores.
Leaks and longer snippets have been popping up all over the place and they paint a picture of what Femme Fatale will sound like. So far, fans are seeing that Spears is ready to dance on the new album.
With tracks like "Gasoline," the will.i.am-produced "Big Fat Bass" and the empowering "I Wanna Go" all getting the teaser treatment in more extended ways, it's clear that Spears and her producers, Dr. Luke and Max Martin, have compiled a cohesive mix of party tracks.
And now Spears' collaboration with up-and-coming MC Sabi, "(Drop Dead) Beautiful," has hit the Net in full. The jam is a spacey, sexy track about a hot dude who Spears is lusting after. Her vocals are deep and sultry as she sings lines like, "And, yeah, your body looks so sick, I think I caught the flu" and "You must be B.I.G. 'cause you got me hypnotized."
Sabi jumps in midway through the song for a quick appearance, spitting lines like, "I think I like you/ Boy, boy, look at you/ I want to get next to you/ Got me kind of hot/ But I ain't sweating you/ Steamy like a pot full of vegetables."
The full version of the mid-tempo breakup track "Inside Out" also has popped up on the Web. On the loopy tune, Spears coos about the only boy "who ever drove me crazy/ 'cause you know me inside out." And one of the song's lines will certainly have Britney fans going bananas, as the singer references "... Baby One More Time" when she proclaims on the chorus, "Hit me one more time/ It's so amazing."
This is hardly the first time that Spears has encountered song leaks in the amp-up to an album release. Over the course of her career, tracks like her versions of Lady Gaga's "Telephone" and the Circus singles "Womanizer" and "If U Seek Amy" found their way online long before the respective LPs saw light of day.
What do think about what you've heard so far from Femme Fatale? Tell us in the comments.
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Penelope Cruz Talks About Johnny Depp's Fart Machine Pranks
Here is something we never knew about Johnny Depp. He loves to fart. Preferably, electronically.
While appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Penelope Cruz shared some inneresting details about her Pirates of the Caribbean co-star's flatulent pranks on set!
In the middle of praising Johnny, she begins to talk about his sense of humor and drops [...]
While appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Penelope Cruz shared some inneresting details about her Pirates of the Caribbean co-star's flatulent pranks on set!
In the middle of praising Johnny, she begins to talk about his sense of humor and drops [...]
Britney Spears - If U Seek Amy
If U Seek Amy
Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive, Zomba Label Group
Director: Jake Nava
Album: Circus
Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive, Zomba Label Group
Director: Jake Nava
Album: Circus
Chuckie Will Debut Michael Jackson Remix In Miami
Official 'Hollywood Tonight' remix coming to Miami Music Week.By Akshay Bhansali
Chuckie
Photo: Jason Ano/ One and Only Productions
Leaving the South by Southwest festival, Lavo New York and Las Vegas' Marquee in his wake, house DJ Chuckie has his sights set on the week ahead. With Miami Music Week now upon us, Chuckie plans to seize the opportunity to debut new material. Fans will be tickled to know the Dutch producer has tracks in the can with Kelly Rowland and T-Pain, but when MTV News caught up with him Friday in New York, Chuckie shared the achievement of which he's most proud.
"I did a Michael Jackson remix, which was really scary — to touch Michael Jackson vocals," Chuckie said. "I did this remix for this track 'Hollywood Tonight.' I couldn't say it for a minute: The label called me, and they said, 'You can't say nothing about this. It's kind of a secret project.' It's gonna come out anytime now."
"Hollywood Tonight" was originally produced by Teddy Riley for Jackson's posthumous Michael album, and Chuckie's mix of the song will be the sole official remix of the track.
"I will play it Miami," Chuckie revealed. "I told them this is the best week to launch the remix. So it feels really good. I'm the only one remixing that Michael Jackson track, and they are considering it a single. For me, especially, it's an honor to remix the King of Pop because he died on my birthday."
So, will the mix be a thundering Chuckie Dutch house banger or will it have a melodic progressive house feel, like his Marquee remix of Diddy-Dirty Money's "I Hate That You Love Me"? Well, according to the "Let the Bass Kick" producer, fans will be getting a healthy dose of both.
"I had to bring in the raucous," Chuckie confessed. "Yeah, I did the Chuckie flavor, but then again, I wanted to make it really musical, so I went progressive (house) on it."
Chuckie will be performing twice at Miami Music Week: at the Cr2 Records Party at Wall Lounge on Wednesday, and then headlining "No Sugar Added" at Nikki Beach on Friday.
Are you excited to hear Chuckie's remix of Michael Jackson's "Hollywood Tonight"? Let us know in the comments below!
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Chuckie
Photo: Jason Ano/ One and Only Productions
Leaving the South by Southwest festival, Lavo New York and Las Vegas' Marquee in his wake, house DJ Chuckie has his sights set on the week ahead. With Miami Music Week now upon us, Chuckie plans to seize the opportunity to debut new material. Fans will be tickled to know the Dutch producer has tracks in the can with Kelly Rowland and T-Pain, but when MTV News caught up with him Friday in New York, Chuckie shared the achievement of which he's most proud.
"I did a Michael Jackson remix, which was really scary — to touch Michael Jackson vocals," Chuckie said. "I did this remix for this track 'Hollywood Tonight.' I couldn't say it for a minute: The label called me, and they said, 'You can't say nothing about this. It's kind of a secret project.' It's gonna come out anytime now."
"Hollywood Tonight" was originally produced by Teddy Riley for Jackson's posthumous Michael album, and Chuckie's mix of the song will be the sole official remix of the track.
"I will play it Miami," Chuckie revealed. "I told them this is the best week to launch the remix. So it feels really good. I'm the only one remixing that Michael Jackson track, and they are considering it a single. For me, especially, it's an honor to remix the King of Pop because he died on my birthday."
So, will the mix be a thundering Chuckie Dutch house banger or will it have a melodic progressive house feel, like his Marquee remix of Diddy-Dirty Money's "I Hate That You Love Me"? Well, according to the "Let the Bass Kick" producer, fans will be getting a healthy dose of both.
"I had to bring in the raucous," Chuckie confessed. "Yeah, I did the Chuckie flavor, but then again, I wanted to make it really musical, so I went progressive (house) on it."
Chuckie will be performing twice at Miami Music Week: at the Cr2 Records Party at Wall Lounge on Wednesday, and then headlining "No Sugar Added" at Nikki Beach on Friday.
Are you excited to hear Chuckie's remix of Michael Jackson's "Hollywood Tonight"? Let us know in the comments below!
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Friday, March 25, 2011
Photos | Lady Gaga Arrives At The 2011 Grammy Awards
Lady Gaga Arrives At The 2011 Grammy Awards
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Britney Spears - 2008 Video Of The Year: Britney Spears "Piece of Me
2008 Video Of The Year: Britney Spears "Piece of Me
Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive/Zomba Label Group
Director: Wayne Isham
Album: Blackout
Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive/Zomba Label Group
Director: Wayne Isham
Album: Blackout
Justin Bieber Passes Michael Jackson's Box-Office Record
'Justin Bieber: Never Say Never' has outgrossed MJ's 'This Is It' in U.S.By Gil Kaufman
Justin Bieber in "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never"
Photo: Paramount Pictures
Michael Jackson may have dubbed himself the King of Pop, but the late icon didn't hold the box-office crown for long. Less than a year after the posthumous MJ documentary "This Is It" became the most successful concert-themed film in U.S. history, Justin Bieber is poised to snatch the mantle.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" has earned $72.2 million in domestic box office so far, passing Jackson's $72.1 million haul. And while Bieber has racked up those impressive numbers in just six weeks, he's got a long way to go before he laps the global receipts for the MJ doc.
"This Is It" has grossed $189.1 million overseas for a global total of $261.2 million. Music films don't typically play well overseas, and THR noted that "Never Say Never" has grossed a more modest $10.8 million overseas so far, with Paramount executives predicting that it could top out around $20 million internationally.
The impressive U.S. numbers were likely goosed by the re-release of the film recently with 40 additional minutes of bonus footage from director Jon M. Chu. Bieber still has a little way to go to climb the list of the top-grossing documentaries of all time. "Never Say Never" is currently stalled out at the #3 position, around $5 million behind "March of the Penguins," according to Box Office Mojo, and well short of the all-time record held by Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11," which has taken in $119.1 million to date.
Bieber set off a classic MJ-style fan frenzy a few weeks ago when he visited Liverpool, England, for his world tour. And just a week later, he posed with his new wax figure at London's Madame Tussauds, checking off another item on the list of milestones to an MJ-like career.
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Justin Bieber in "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never"
Photo: Paramount Pictures
Michael Jackson may have dubbed himself the King of Pop, but the late icon didn't hold the box-office crown for long. Less than a year after the posthumous MJ documentary "This Is It" became the most successful concert-themed film in U.S. history, Justin Bieber is poised to snatch the mantle.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" has earned $72.2 million in domestic box office so far, passing Jackson's $72.1 million haul. And while Bieber has racked up those impressive numbers in just six weeks, he's got a long way to go before he laps the global receipts for the MJ doc.
"This Is It" has grossed $189.1 million overseas for a global total of $261.2 million. Music films don't typically play well overseas, and THR noted that "Never Say Never" has grossed a more modest $10.8 million overseas so far, with Paramount executives predicting that it could top out around $20 million internationally.
The impressive U.S. numbers were likely goosed by the re-release of the film recently with 40 additional minutes of bonus footage from director Jon M. Chu. Bieber still has a little way to go to climb the list of the top-grossing documentaries of all time. "Never Say Never" is currently stalled out at the #3 position, around $5 million behind "March of the Penguins," according to Box Office Mojo, and well short of the all-time record held by Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11," which has taken in $119.1 million to date.
Bieber set off a classic MJ-style fan frenzy a few weeks ago when he visited Liverpool, England, for his world tour. And just a week later, he posed with his new wax figure at London's Madame Tussauds, checking off another item on the list of milestones to an MJ-like career.
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Jennifer Hudson Asks 'Where You At?' On 'American Idol'
'It feels good to be home!' the 'Idol' alum exclaims after her performance.By Kara Warner
Jennifer Hudson performs on "American Idol" Thursday
Photo: FOX
In the midst of the season's most surprising results episode, "American Idol" alum Jennifer Hudson returned to the stage to perform the new single from her just-released album I Remember Me.
After Ryan Seacrest proudly introduced J.Hud to the crowd, emphasizing the fact that the season-three contestant is the show's only Oscar winner, Hudson took the stage to perform the ballad "Where You At?"
Sporting a black dress with cut-outs at the shoulders accented with bits of gold, Hudson's look was fresh, elegant and sophisticated, much like her performance of the song, which is filled with heartbreak and words of love lost. At the end of "Where You At?," Hudson was warmly received by the enthusiastic audience.
"It feels good to be home!" she exclaimed.
One of the major highlights in Hudson's performance, in addition to the song itself, was the sight of her fellow season-three contestant George Huff singing backup. Huff, who was as smiley as always, received a hearty round of applause as soon as Seacrest pointed him out to the crowd.
Regarding Hudson's new album, as well as her transformation — both mentally and physically — over the last couple of years, she recently told MTV News that she feels like a new person.
"Oh my God! It's like a new me. It's like a new introduction of myself — for myself and to others as well — in every way, from image to music to everything," she said. "And it's like, in a way, for me, I'm rediscovering myself at the same time. I like the old me too ... if I could just marry the two together, then I feel like I'm in good shape."
What did you think of Hudson's new single? Let us know in the comments!
Don't miss "Idol Party Live" every Thursday on MTV.com, following the "American Idol" results show, for analysis, celebrity guests and even some karaoke — get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
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Jennifer Hudson performs on "American Idol" Thursday
Photo: FOX
In the midst of the season's most surprising results episode, "American Idol" alum Jennifer Hudson returned to the stage to perform the new single from her just-released album I Remember Me.
After Ryan Seacrest proudly introduced J.Hud to the crowd, emphasizing the fact that the season-three contestant is the show's only Oscar winner, Hudson took the stage to perform the ballad "Where You At?"
Sporting a black dress with cut-outs at the shoulders accented with bits of gold, Hudson's look was fresh, elegant and sophisticated, much like her performance of the song, which is filled with heartbreak and words of love lost. At the end of "Where You At?," Hudson was warmly received by the enthusiastic audience.
"It feels good to be home!" she exclaimed.
One of the major highlights in Hudson's performance, in addition to the song itself, was the sight of her fellow season-three contestant George Huff singing backup. Huff, who was as smiley as always, received a hearty round of applause as soon as Seacrest pointed him out to the crowd.
Regarding Hudson's new album, as well as her transformation — both mentally and physically — over the last couple of years, she recently told MTV News that she feels like a new person.
"Oh my God! It's like a new me. It's like a new introduction of myself — for myself and to others as well — in every way, from image to music to everything," she said. "And it's like, in a way, for me, I'm rediscovering myself at the same time. I like the old me too ... if I could just marry the two together, then I feel like I'm in good shape."
What did you think of Hudson's new single? Let us know in the comments!
Don't miss "Idol Party Live" every Thursday on MTV.com, following the "American Idol" results show, for analysis, celebrity guests and even some karaoke — get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
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Thursday, March 24, 2011
No hay más Led Zeppelin
A pesar de lo dicho ayer, Peter Mensch, manager del guitarrista Jimmy Page, se retractó totalmente en eso que la banda buscaría un reemplazo al ultragenial Robert Plant para seguir rockeando y toureándola por el mundo tras su show de 2007 en el O2 Arena de Londres por el poder de la música más sexual de la historia. No habrá más Led Zeppelin, no hay planes de que lo haya.
Mensch comentó: "Led Zeppelin se acabó. Si no los vieron en el 2007, se los perdieron. Probaron reemplazantes a Robert Plant, pero nada funcionó. Se acabó. No hay planes para continuar. Francamente, ojalá todos dejaran de hablar al respecto."
Los fans no están nada contentos, especialmente los británicos, considerando los precios delirantes de las entradas del show reunión.
¿Y a ti? ¿Qué te parece todo esto?
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Mensch comentó: "Led Zeppelin se acabó. Si no los vieron en el 2007, se los perdieron. Probaron reemplazantes a Robert Plant, pero nada funcionó. Se acabó. No hay planes para continuar. Francamente, ojalá todos dejaran de hablar al respecto."
Los fans no están nada contentos, especialmente los británicos, considerando los precios delirantes de las entradas del show reunión.
¿Y a ti? ¿Qué te parece todo esto?
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Photos | Lady Gaga's Runway Debut At Mugler Fashion Show
Lady Gaga's Runway Debut At Mugler Fashion Show
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Justin Bieber's Grammy Performance Will Be 'A Crossover,' Usher Says
The 'O.M.G.' singer looks forward to sharing the stage with his protégé on Sunday night.By James Montgomery
Usher
Photo: Amanda Edwards/ Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD — At Sunday's 53rd Grammy Awards, Usher will be pulling double duty as both a nominee and a performer. Of course, given the massive year he just completed — with the success of his smash single "O.M.G." and as a mentor to rising phenom Justin Bieber — Ush's Grammy plans seem rather fitting.
Especially since he'll be performing with Bieber (and Bieber's pal Jaden Smith), a move that's just as much about celebrating Usher's successes as it is the successes of his young protégé.
"Having been through [the Grammys] so many times, you couldn't want for anything more than for your young protégé to have the opportunity to have one, so, in support of him having his moment, I wanted to be here," Usher told MTV News on Thursday, hours before his performance at the (Belvedere) RED launch party in Hollywood. "And also to be there to perform, to kind of tell the story of how we came together. This music business has definitely been good to both of us, and this year we have a lot to be happy for."
And just how will the dynamic duo tell that story? Well, Usher wasn't about to reveal all the details, but he did say that he's hoping their performance will show another side of Bieber ... a side most tend to overlook.
"The performance will be fun," Usher explained. "We want to get up there and just do what we do. Be comfortable, and have a great time. ... This is kind of a crossover for Justin. Having performed on so many different stages, this is the way that I wanted him to be seen and an opportunity to show the industry — a lot of the industry, that didn't believe [in him] — some of his other talents. He's going to play acoustically, and also, we'll get down a little bit."
And though Ush is up for a pair of Grammy awards on Sunday — Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best Contemporary R&B Album for Raymond v. Raymond — he's most looking forward to sharing the stage with Bieber and giving fans a look at where the young artist will be heading next.
"I'm very proud, man. I definitely saw it from the beginning, but thanks to the team that we have around us, it was made to happen. And that story has only just begun," Usher said. "The story of Justin Bieber doesn't stop with screaming girls; we need screaming fans all around the world ... a cultural experience that's much more than just fanfare. And that's what this is. That's what the Grammys will be; that's what my next phase for Justin is. This is the way I found him: I found him with a guitar in his hand, so I want him to be seen that way."
Don't miss "Snooki & Sway: Live From the Grammys," a red-carpet live stream kicking off Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And stick with us all Grammy night for coverage of the red carpet, the show, the afterparties and beyond!
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Usher
Photo: Amanda Edwards/ Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD — At Sunday's 53rd Grammy Awards, Usher will be pulling double duty as both a nominee and a performer. Of course, given the massive year he just completed — with the success of his smash single "O.M.G." and as a mentor to rising phenom Justin Bieber — Ush's Grammy plans seem rather fitting.
Especially since he'll be performing with Bieber (and Bieber's pal Jaden Smith), a move that's just as much about celebrating Usher's successes as it is the successes of his young protégé.
"Having been through [the Grammys] so many times, you couldn't want for anything more than for your young protégé to have the opportunity to have one, so, in support of him having his moment, I wanted to be here," Usher told MTV News on Thursday, hours before his performance at the (Belvedere) RED launch party in Hollywood. "And also to be there to perform, to kind of tell the story of how we came together. This music business has definitely been good to both of us, and this year we have a lot to be happy for."
And just how will the dynamic duo tell that story? Well, Usher wasn't about to reveal all the details, but he did say that he's hoping their performance will show another side of Bieber ... a side most tend to overlook.
"The performance will be fun," Usher explained. "We want to get up there and just do what we do. Be comfortable, and have a great time. ... This is kind of a crossover for Justin. Having performed on so many different stages, this is the way that I wanted him to be seen and an opportunity to show the industry — a lot of the industry, that didn't believe [in him] — some of his other talents. He's going to play acoustically, and also, we'll get down a little bit."
And though Ush is up for a pair of Grammy awards on Sunday — Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best Contemporary R&B Album for Raymond v. Raymond — he's most looking forward to sharing the stage with Bieber and giving fans a look at where the young artist will be heading next.
"I'm very proud, man. I definitely saw it from the beginning, but thanks to the team that we have around us, it was made to happen. And that story has only just begun," Usher said. "The story of Justin Bieber doesn't stop with screaming girls; we need screaming fans all around the world ... a cultural experience that's much more than just fanfare. And that's what this is. That's what the Grammys will be; that's what my next phase for Justin is. This is the way I found him: I found him with a guitar in his hand, so I want him to be seen that way."
Don't miss "Snooki & Sway: Live From the Grammys," a red-carpet live stream kicking off Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And stick with us all Grammy night for coverage of the red carpet, the show, the afterparties and beyond!
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Britney Spears - Break the Ice
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Ronnie James Dio Dead at 67
Today, the heavy metal world lost a true legend. Ronnie James Dio, who most recently fronted the Black Sabbath-without-Ozzy band Heaven & Hell, lost his battle with stomach cancer at 7:45 a.m. PST. He was 67.
?My heart is broken,? said his wife and manager, Wendy Dio in a statement. ?Many, many friends and family were [...]
?My heart is broken,? said his wife and manager, Wendy Dio in a statement. ?Many, many friends and family were [...]
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Les News, 032311
THIS kid really busts a move to Michael Jackson. Bieber joins Willow on stage. The Dune remake is dunzo. The Ninth Circuit Court rules that same-sex marriages cannot be reinstated in California. The FDA bans some food imported from Japan. Donald Trump is out of his mind. Here comes The Warblers. Apple deletes from iTunes [...]
Catherine Bell Chandra West Charisma Carpenter Charli Baltimore
Photos | Best And Worst Grammy Fashions
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Celebrate Wendy O. Williams' Birthday With Bobblehead Doll
What better way to celebrate Wendy O. Williams' 61st birthday on May 28 (if she hadn't blown her head off at age 48) than with a cute, scantily clad bobblehead doll.
Yes, Aggronautix, the company that, in 2009, presented a bobblehead of GG Allin -- the lovable now-deceased counter culture character who beat up audience members, [...]
Yes, Aggronautix, the company that, in 2009, presented a bobblehead of GG Allin -- the lovable now-deceased counter culture character who beat up audience members, [...]
Photos | Britney Gets Angelic In These Femme Fatale Promo Shots
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Justin Bieber Causes Fan Frenzy In Liverpool, England
Police confirm to MTV News that fans are gathered outside the star's hotel.By Jocelyn Vena
Fans outside Justin Bieber's hotel in Liverpool
Photo: Mercury Press/PacificCoastNews.com
Justin Bieber is in Liverpool, England, on Thursday (March 10) for his world tour, and his fans are very happy about it, which might explain why they've gathered in an abundance outside his hotel room.
A rep for the Merseyside Police department confirmed to MTV News that there are "large number of fans" outside Bieber's hotel, though she "wouldn't say it's a riot situation, yet." Funny enough, this is all going down at the Hard Days Night Hotel, named after the movie that chronicled the Beatles' encounters with mobs of fans.
"Merseyside Police has been called to North John Street in Liverpool City Centre to ensure control of a crowd that has gathered outside the Hard Days Night Hotel. North John Street has been closed to traffic and police would urge the public to avoid the area if possible," a statement sent to MTV News reads. "Officers are working with the management of the hotel and with Justin Bieber's security team to ensure his safety, the safety of other guests and of the crowd."
According to TMZ, in order to keep the peace, Bieber's camp is following police orders. And though the gossip site said arrests could be made if anyone in his camp tried to elicit further response from the fans by going on the balcony, the police said, "Merseyside Police has at no time threatened to arrest Justin Bieber or members of his management team."
Bieber himself was the first to expose the craziness online when he posted a photo of his fans, gathered in droves outside his hotel. "This is crazy. There are like thousands of people out there. love everybody but gonna try and get some sleep. please dont scream. Lol," he tweeted and later reiterated, "THIS IS CRAZY!"
This is hardly the first time Bieber has had his fans in a frenzy. He caused quit a stir during a trip to the mall in Kitchener, Ontario, on Boxing Day in December. Prior to that he had to shut down an appearance at a Long Island area mall in late 2009, followed by a canceled in-store signing in Paris in February 2010. He caused Bieber Fever in Australia and New Zealand last April and had fans all worked up in September, when he stopped by an Edmonton, Alberta, Hooters for some grub.
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Fans outside Justin Bieber's hotel in Liverpool
Photo: Mercury Press/PacificCoastNews.com
Justin Bieber is in Liverpool, England, on Thursday (March 10) for his world tour, and his fans are very happy about it, which might explain why they've gathered in an abundance outside his hotel room.
A rep for the Merseyside Police department confirmed to MTV News that there are "large number of fans" outside Bieber's hotel, though she "wouldn't say it's a riot situation, yet." Funny enough, this is all going down at the Hard Days Night Hotel, named after the movie that chronicled the Beatles' encounters with mobs of fans.
"Merseyside Police has been called to North John Street in Liverpool City Centre to ensure control of a crowd that has gathered outside the Hard Days Night Hotel. North John Street has been closed to traffic and police would urge the public to avoid the area if possible," a statement sent to MTV News reads. "Officers are working with the management of the hotel and with Justin Bieber's security team to ensure his safety, the safety of other guests and of the crowd."
According to TMZ, in order to keep the peace, Bieber's camp is following police orders. And though the gossip site said arrests could be made if anyone in his camp tried to elicit further response from the fans by going on the balcony, the police said, "Merseyside Police has at no time threatened to arrest Justin Bieber or members of his management team."
Bieber himself was the first to expose the craziness online when he posted a photo of his fans, gathered in droves outside his hotel. "This is crazy. There are like thousands of people out there. love everybody but gonna try and get some sleep. please dont scream. Lol," he tweeted and later reiterated, "THIS IS CRAZY!"
This is hardly the first time Bieber has had his fans in a frenzy. He caused quit a stir during a trip to the mall in Kitchener, Ontario, on Boxing Day in December. Prior to that he had to shut down an appearance at a Long Island area mall in late 2009, followed by a canceled in-store signing in Paris in February 2010. He caused Bieber Fever in Australia and New Zealand last April and had fans all worked up in September, when he stopped by an Edmonton, Alberta, Hooters for some grub.
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Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Ke$ha - We R Who We R
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Michael Jackson - History
History
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Label: Epic
Album: HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I
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Britney Spears - 2008 Video Of The Year: Britney Spears "Piece of Me
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The Shocker
Yesterday was a really fun day for me because I got to participate in a perfectly orchestrated surprise party for our dear friend David Russell. I had to play coy on the blog yesterday about my plans for last night because David’s adorably sweet boyfriend put together a huge surprise party. It was really a [...]
Monday, March 21, 2011
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Sean Penn & Scarlett Johansson Continue To Creep In SoCal
Earlier this month we saw photos of Scarlett Johansson and Sean Penn sharing a cozy and intimate lunch together and then about a week later we heard that the couple sneaked off for an intimate dinner together. Today we get to see new photos of Scarlett and Sean on their latest tryst here in SoCal [...]
Photos | MTV News' 2009 Men Of The Year: #1 Michael Jackson
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Sunday, March 20, 2011
Photos | Led Zeppelin Reunite At London Concert
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Lady Gaga To Receive Fashion Icon Award
The pop superstar will receive the prize at the 2011 CFDA Fashion Awards on June 6 in New York City.By Jocelyn Vena
Lady Gaga
Photo: Noel Vasquez/ Getty Images
Lady Gaga is certainly known for her eye-popping, always-evolving style, and she has shown her passion for fashion at numerous high-profile events. This hasn't gone unnoticed by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, as the trade organization announced on Wednesday night that the pop star will be among its 2011 CFDA Fashion Awards winners, The Associated Press reports.
Gaga will be presented with the Fashion Icon Award at this year's ceremony, which will take place on June 6 in New York City. CFDA president Diane von Furstenberg and executive director Steven Kolb made the announcement at the DVF Studio in the Big Apple, where all the nominations were made public for the event.
Also set to be recognized at the CFDA Awards is designer Marc Jacobs, will who will receive the lifetime achievement award. According to von Furstenberg, Jacobs e-mailed her noting that he didn't think he was old enough for the honor and that he wanted it renamed the "half-lifetime award." She explained to the fashionistas in the room, "I told him that I'm much older than him and I'm still kicking." In addition, Jacobs garnered a nomination for the Womenswear Designer of the Year prize, as did Alexander Wang and the design duo Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough of Proenza Schouler.
The Olsen twins are also up for an award. They will be competing in the womenswear category for emerging talent for their collection The Row, going up against Prabal Gurung and Joseph Altuzarra. The International Award will go to Phoebe Philo, who designs for Celine and who gets a shout-out from Kanye West on "Dark Fantasy," the lead cut from his My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album.
Other 2011 CFDA nominees include Wang, Phillip Lim and Robert Geller in the up-and-coming menswear designer category, and Alejandro Ingelmo, Eddie Borgo, Pamela Love and Jason Wu for accessories.
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Lady Gaga is certainly known for her eye-popping, always-evolving style, and she has shown her passion for fashion at numerous high-profile events. This hasn't gone unnoticed by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, as the trade organization announced on Wednesday night that the pop star will be among its 2011 CFDA Fashion Awards winners, The Associated Press reports.
Gaga will be presented with the Fashion Icon Award at this year's ceremony, which will take place on June 6 in New York City. CFDA president Diane von Furstenberg and executive director Steven Kolb made the announcement at the DVF Studio in the Big Apple, where all the nominations were made public for the event.
Also set to be recognized at the CFDA Awards is designer Marc Jacobs, will who will receive the lifetime achievement award. According to von Furstenberg, Jacobs e-mailed her noting that he didn't think he was old enough for the honor and that he wanted it renamed the "half-lifetime award." She explained to the fashionistas in the room, "I told him that I'm much older than him and I'm still kicking." In addition, Jacobs garnered a nomination for the Womenswear Designer of the Year prize, as did Alexander Wang and the design duo Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough of Proenza Schouler.
The Olsen twins are also up for an award. They will be competing in the womenswear category for emerging talent for their collection The Row, going up against Prabal Gurung and Joseph Altuzarra. The International Award will go to Phoebe Philo, who designs for Celine and who gets a shout-out from Kanye West on "Dark Fantasy," the lead cut from his My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album.
Other 2011 CFDA nominees include Wang, Phillip Lim and Robert Geller in the up-and-coming menswear designer category, and Alejandro Ingelmo, Eddie Borgo, Pamela Love and Jason Wu for accessories.
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Linkin Park? U2? Ke$ha? Behind MTV's Musical March Madness Selection
With the tipoff of our tournament set for Monday, Bigger Than the Sound breaks down your favorite band's chances of busting the bracket.By James Montgomery
Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington
Photo: Frank Hoensch/ Getty Images
Last year, when we launched the inaugural Musical March Madness tournament, we did it largely on a whim.
As I wrote when I revealed my original (handwritten) bracket, the basic idea was to combine my love of college basketball, gambling and rock music (and superfluous lists) into one magical event, and it really didn't matter that I hadn't figured out how bands would advance in the tournament or even what they'd get for winning. All I knew was that it seemed like a fun idea (especially since I didn't have anything else to write my column about that week) and that somewhere, there had to be someone who cared about these seemingly disparate things nearly as much as I did.
As it turned out, there were a lot of people who cared, and when it was all said and done — thanks to the efforts of a whole lot of folks, including Newsroom blog editor Kyle Anderson, who basically decided "You know what? People should vote on this!" — not only was Musical March Madness a certified success, but we somehow even managed to get an actual trophy to present to the winners, Coheed and Cambria, too. So, really, everybody won.
Of course, given the success of the original MMM, attention quickly shifted to the 2011 tournament. Last year, I basically just threw together a list of 64 bands (65, actually; who could forget the epic Against Me!/ Creed play-in battle?). For the 2011 tournament, however, I did research, monitored album sales and basically became a Selection Committee of one. And, yes, it took way longer than I ever could have imagined.
So, with the 2011 Musical March Madness set to tip off Monday — when we reveal our full bracket of 64 bands and launch voting in first-round matchups — I decided to pull back the curtain on that selection process. Some teams have all but locked up their spots in the 2011 tournament, while others still have some work to do. In the spirit of all things bracketological, here's my up-to-the-minute look at where your favorite bands stand for this year's MMM:
The #1 Seeds
The biggest bands in the land. Last year, I gave out #1's to Nickelback, Coldplay, Blink-182 and the Kings of Leon. Somewhat surprisingly, three-quarters of them ended up losing in the opening round of the tournament (only Blink survived, making it to the round of 32 before losing to 30 Seconds to Mars). Obviously, I overestimated the popularity of some of those acts, which means that, in 2011, to be a #1 seed, you have to have proven yourself as not only a rock-solid commodity, but an actual threat to win the championship too. Oh, and it wouldn't hurt to have an album either in stores or coming soon. So here are my latest contenders for top seeds:
» Foo Fighters
» 30 Seconds to Mars
» Linkin Park
» My Chemical Romance
» Arcade Fire
» Vampire Weekend
» Muse
» The Black Keys
» Blink-182
» Radiohead
» Coldplay
» Mumford & Sons
The Foos have a hotly anticipated album coming down the pipeline, as does Coldplay. Are expectations enough to make them #1's? Or will the committee recognize the breakout success of the Black Keys, Muse and Mumford? Does a #1 album and a shocking Grammy win earn the Arcade Fire a top seed? Linkin Park and MCR both scuffed a bit with their latest albums, but does that matter, especially since they're both legacy acts with loyal fanbases (and, in the case of My Chem, are tournament-tested)? And will the committee ignore the fact that, by most accounts, Radiohead's latest was a bit of a letdown or that Blink-182 may never actually release their new album? As you can see, there are still plenty of questions left to be answered.
The Old Guard
Legacy acts with something left in the tank. In 2010, time-tested faves like Slipknot, the White Stripes, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime, Pearl Jam, U2 and the Dave Matthews Band all got invites to the big dance based largely on reputation alone (just think of them as the Dukes or Kansases of MMM). Of course, nearly all of them got knocked off in the first round, which means that this time around, reputation isn't going to be enough to punch their tickets. Shoot, some of these acts aren't even around anymore, which means that some deck-shuffling is in order. Here are the established acts that are still fighting for their tournament lives:
» Green Day
» Dave Matthews Band
» U2
» Red Hot Chili Peppers
» Rage Against the Machine
» Kid Rock
» Pearl Jam
» R.E.M.
Some (like the Chili Peppers and U2) have announced new albums this year, while others (like DMB) are planning to take 2011 off entirely. Still, whatever their status may be, the old guard remain forces at the cash registers and on radio, even if their latest albums didn't exactly light the world on fire. And ignoring that entirely just isn't possible. So how does the committee decide which make the field of 64? Good question. I'm still trying to figure out the answer.
The New Blood
Upset-minded young guns. The 2010 MMM featured up-and-coming acts like the Young Veins, 3OH!3, Owl City and MGMT. One year later, none of them are even on the radar. Picking new bands for MMM is always a challenge, though in 2011, there seem to be a handful who have all but secured their spots in the tournament, thanks to their breakout successes. I'm talking about the likes of:
» Mumford & Sons
» Florence and the Machine
» The Black Keys
» Cage the Elephant
» Sleigh Bells
» Adele
If the tournament started today, all of the above have been in (and some may even earn high seeds). But do any of them have enough to actually win the tournament? We'll just have to wait and see.
The Bracket Busters
Bands with solid, if not spectacular, résumés (weak out-of-conference schedules, etc.). Last year, this included eventual champs Coheed and Cambria, Final Four acts like Tokio Hotel, Elite Eight bands like Panic! at the Disco and Owl City, and even Patrick Stump, who rumbled all the way to the Sweet 16. In other words, the 2011 champion could very well come from this group. Here's my list of under-the-radar threats:
» Panic! (once again)
» Weezer
» The Decemberists
» Cake
» Paramore
» Avril Lavigne
» Crystal Bowersox
» Adam Lambert
» Death Cab for Cutie
» All Time Low
Two of the above — Cake and the Decemberists — have recent #1 debuts under their belts, while others have new albums on the horizon (DCFC, ATL, Avril). Others, like Bowersox and Lambert (who made the Sweet 16 last year), command insane fanbases, which make them dangerous on any day. Lavigne and ATL still have some work to do, but I'd consider all of the acts I just mentioned as safe for now.
The Bubble Bands
On-the-verge acts that need a little help to make it in. Maybe they win their conference championship, or maybe they PayPal the selection committee some cash, but these are the bands on the brink. In 2010, that included Panic! (no new album or single), the Gaslight Anthem (up-and-comers just learning to play together) and Coheed (largely ignored by mainstream radio). Most of those bands managed to do quite well in the tournament, while others, like Hollywood Undead, Lil Wayne, Them Crooked Vultures and the National, all flamed out in the tournament's opening round. Somewhat fittingly, it's a real feast-or-famine type of thing. Here's my updated list of bubble bands:
» Cobra Starship
» Ke$ha
» Tokio Hotel
» MGMT
» Train
» Adele
» Bret Michaels
» Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
» Taylor Swift
Right off the bat, neither Ke$ha nor Swift really rock (though Ke$h does use Jack Daniels as mouthwash), which makes them long shots. Tokio Hotel have done next to nothing since last year's tournament, but was their success enough to earn them a spot this year? Bret Michaels is basically indestructible at this point, so I'd consider him a lock. Cobra Starship are largely dormant but command a big enough fanbase to warrant consideration. MGMT's last album stiffed in spectacular fashion, which places them squarely on the soapy surface of the bubble.
So, will your favorite band make the cut for the 2011 Musical March Madness tournament? As you can see, the Selection Committee still has plenty of work to do — which means that, between now and Monday, I'll be burning the midnight oil, busting out the brackets and then re-busting them once again. It'll be a chore, but I bet it will be worth it. And I hope you'll be along for the ride. Your band needs you, after all.
MTV's 2011 Musical March Madness Tournament begins Monday, March 14, when we reveal the full field of 64 bands that will battle for the championship. Winners are determined by fan votes, so if your favorite act makes the cut, it'll be up to you to guide them to glory. You can rally the troops on Twitter using the hashtag #MMM — but get ready, it's gonna be a war.
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Last year, when we launched the inaugural Musical March Madness tournament, we did it largely on a whim.
As I wrote when I revealed my original (handwritten) bracket, the basic idea was to combine my love of college basketball, gambling and rock music (and superfluous lists) into one magical event, and it really didn't matter that I hadn't figured out how bands would advance in the tournament or even what they'd get for winning. All I knew was that it seemed like a fun idea (especially since I didn't have anything else to write my column about that week) and that somewhere, there had to be someone who cared about these seemingly disparate things nearly as much as I did.
As it turned out, there were a lot of people who cared, and when it was all said and done — thanks to the efforts of a whole lot of folks, including Newsroom blog editor Kyle Anderson, who basically decided "You know what? People should vote on this!" — not only was Musical March Madness a certified success, but we somehow even managed to get an actual trophy to present to the winners, Coheed and Cambria, too. So, really, everybody won.
Of course, given the success of the original MMM, attention quickly shifted to the 2011 tournament. Last year, I basically just threw together a list of 64 bands (65, actually; who could forget the epic Against Me!/ Creed play-in battle?). For the 2011 tournament, however, I did research, monitored album sales and basically became a Selection Committee of one. And, yes, it took way longer than I ever could have imagined.
So, with the 2011 Musical March Madness set to tip off Monday — when we reveal our full bracket of 64 bands and launch voting in first-round matchups — I decided to pull back the curtain on that selection process. Some teams have all but locked up their spots in the 2011 tournament, while others still have some work to do. In the spirit of all things bracketological, here's my up-to-the-minute look at where your favorite bands stand for this year's MMM:
The #1 Seeds
The biggest bands in the land. Last year, I gave out #1's to Nickelback, Coldplay, Blink-182 and the Kings of Leon. Somewhat surprisingly, three-quarters of them ended up losing in the opening round of the tournament (only Blink survived, making it to the round of 32 before losing to 30 Seconds to Mars). Obviously, I overestimated the popularity of some of those acts, which means that, in 2011, to be a #1 seed, you have to have proven yourself as not only a rock-solid commodity, but an actual threat to win the championship too. Oh, and it wouldn't hurt to have an album either in stores or coming soon. So here are my latest contenders for top seeds:
» Foo Fighters
» 30 Seconds to Mars
» Linkin Park
» My Chemical Romance
» Arcade Fire
» Vampire Weekend
» Muse
» The Black Keys
» Blink-182
» Radiohead
» Coldplay
» Mumford & Sons
The Foos have a hotly anticipated album coming down the pipeline, as does Coldplay. Are expectations enough to make them #1's? Or will the committee recognize the breakout success of the Black Keys, Muse and Mumford? Does a #1 album and a shocking Grammy win earn the Arcade Fire a top seed? Linkin Park and MCR both scuffed a bit with their latest albums, but does that matter, especially since they're both legacy acts with loyal fanbases (and, in the case of My Chem, are tournament-tested)? And will the committee ignore the fact that, by most accounts, Radiohead's latest was a bit of a letdown or that Blink-182 may never actually release their new album? As you can see, there are still plenty of questions left to be answered.
The Old Guard
Legacy acts with something left in the tank. In 2010, time-tested faves like Slipknot, the White Stripes, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime, Pearl Jam, U2 and the Dave Matthews Band all got invites to the big dance based largely on reputation alone (just think of them as the Dukes or Kansases of MMM). Of course, nearly all of them got knocked off in the first round, which means that this time around, reputation isn't going to be enough to punch their tickets. Shoot, some of these acts aren't even around anymore, which means that some deck-shuffling is in order. Here are the established acts that are still fighting for their tournament lives:
» Green Day
» Dave Matthews Band
» U2
» Red Hot Chili Peppers
» Rage Against the Machine
» Kid Rock
» Pearl Jam
» R.E.M.
Some (like the Chili Peppers and U2) have announced new albums this year, while others (like DMB) are planning to take 2011 off entirely. Still, whatever their status may be, the old guard remain forces at the cash registers and on radio, even if their latest albums didn't exactly light the world on fire. And ignoring that entirely just isn't possible. So how does the committee decide which make the field of 64? Good question. I'm still trying to figure out the answer.
The New Blood
Upset-minded young guns. The 2010 MMM featured up-and-coming acts like the Young Veins, 3OH!3, Owl City and MGMT. One year later, none of them are even on the radar. Picking new bands for MMM is always a challenge, though in 2011, there seem to be a handful who have all but secured their spots in the tournament, thanks to their breakout successes. I'm talking about the likes of:
» Mumford & Sons
» Florence and the Machine
» The Black Keys
» Cage the Elephant
» Sleigh Bells
» Adele
If the tournament started today, all of the above have been in (and some may even earn high seeds). But do any of them have enough to actually win the tournament? We'll just have to wait and see.
The Bracket Busters
Bands with solid, if not spectacular, résumés (weak out-of-conference schedules, etc.). Last year, this included eventual champs Coheed and Cambria, Final Four acts like Tokio Hotel, Elite Eight bands like Panic! at the Disco and Owl City, and even Patrick Stump, who rumbled all the way to the Sweet 16. In other words, the 2011 champion could very well come from this group. Here's my list of under-the-radar threats:
» Panic! (once again)
» Weezer
» The Decemberists
» Cake
» Paramore
» Avril Lavigne
» Crystal Bowersox
» Adam Lambert
» Death Cab for Cutie
» All Time Low
Two of the above — Cake and the Decemberists — have recent #1 debuts under their belts, while others have new albums on the horizon (DCFC, ATL, Avril). Others, like Bowersox and Lambert (who made the Sweet 16 last year), command insane fanbases, which make them dangerous on any day. Lavigne and ATL still have some work to do, but I'd consider all of the acts I just mentioned as safe for now.
The Bubble Bands
On-the-verge acts that need a little help to make it in. Maybe they win their conference championship, or maybe they PayPal the selection committee some cash, but these are the bands on the brink. In 2010, that included Panic! (no new album or single), the Gaslight Anthem (up-and-comers just learning to play together) and Coheed (largely ignored by mainstream radio). Most of those bands managed to do quite well in the tournament, while others, like Hollywood Undead, Lil Wayne, Them Crooked Vultures and the National, all flamed out in the tournament's opening round. Somewhat fittingly, it's a real feast-or-famine type of thing. Here's my updated list of bubble bands:
» Cobra Starship
» Ke$ha
» Tokio Hotel
» MGMT
» Train
» Adele
» Bret Michaels
» Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
» Taylor Swift
Right off the bat, neither Ke$ha nor Swift really rock (though Ke$h does use Jack Daniels as mouthwash), which makes them long shots. Tokio Hotel have done next to nothing since last year's tournament, but was their success enough to earn them a spot this year? Bret Michaels is basically indestructible at this point, so I'd consider him a lock. Cobra Starship are largely dormant but command a big enough fanbase to warrant consideration. MGMT's last album stiffed in spectacular fashion, which places them squarely on the soapy surface of the bubble.
So, will your favorite band make the cut for the 2011 Musical March Madness tournament? As you can see, the Selection Committee still has plenty of work to do — which means that, between now and Monday, I'll be burning the midnight oil, busting out the brackets and then re-busting them once again. It'll be a chore, but I bet it will be worth it. And I hope you'll be along for the ride. Your band needs you, after all.
MTV's 2011 Musical March Madness Tournament begins Monday, March 14, when we reveal the full field of 64 bands that will battle for the championship. Winners are determined by fan votes, so if your favorite act makes the cut, it'll be up to you to guide them to glory. You can rally the troops on Twitter using the hashtag #MMM — but get ready, it's gonna be a war.
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B.o.B Says Fans Will 'Be Surprised' By His New Album
'You'll definitely see new music this year,' he says at South by Southwest.By James Montgomery
MTV News' James Montgomery and B.o.B
Photo: MTV News
AUSTIN, Texas — B.o.B's debut disc topped the Billboard albums chart and spawned a pair of smash singles, and, in the process, transformed him from a hotly tipped underground artist to one of the brightest stars in hip-hop.
As he begins work on the follow-up to The Adventures of Bobby Ray, is it possible for him to top that album's success? Even he doesn't know the answer to that question — but he's willing to give it his best shot.
"I would have to parallel my album coming out to losing your virginity," he told MTV News at the South by Southwest festival. "The first time you have sex is way more exciting than the second time. Not that the second time isn't exciting, it's just ... the initial excitement of finally having that first album.
"I think that people will definitely be surprised at the music they hear on the second album," he added. "I don't think they would expect that coming from me."
And while details of the new album are still scarce — switching from sexual metaphors to sports metaphors, B.o.B said he's "just at the end of the first quarter" of the recording process — he's already planning to give fans a taste of his new material very soon.
"There's probably going to be some surprises. There's no telling what the next three quarters will be like," he said. "We should be seeing something very soon. Even if not an album, you'll definitely see new music this year."
And though he might be changing things up for album number two, B.o.B isn't going to stray far from the concept that brought him so much success with Bobby Ray: Specifically, avoiding any and all preconceived notions of what hip-hop should be. Which, in one way, is probably going to make his album feel very much like the first time.
"You should never get comfortable," he said. "I feel like, for me, I embrace everything."
What do you expect B.o.B's next album to sound like? Tell us in the comments!
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MTV News' James Montgomery and B.o.B
Photo: MTV News
AUSTIN, Texas — B.o.B's debut disc topped the Billboard albums chart and spawned a pair of smash singles, and, in the process, transformed him from a hotly tipped underground artist to one of the brightest stars in hip-hop.
As he begins work on the follow-up to The Adventures of Bobby Ray, is it possible for him to top that album's success? Even he doesn't know the answer to that question — but he's willing to give it his best shot.
"I would have to parallel my album coming out to losing your virginity," he told MTV News at the South by Southwest festival. "The first time you have sex is way more exciting than the second time. Not that the second time isn't exciting, it's just ... the initial excitement of finally having that first album.
"I think that people will definitely be surprised at the music they hear on the second album," he added. "I don't think they would expect that coming from me."
And while details of the new album are still scarce — switching from sexual metaphors to sports metaphors, B.o.B said he's "just at the end of the first quarter" of the recording process — he's already planning to give fans a taste of his new material very soon.
"There's probably going to be some surprises. There's no telling what the next three quarters will be like," he said. "We should be seeing something very soon. Even if not an album, you'll definitely see new music this year."
And though he might be changing things up for album number two, B.o.B isn't going to stray far from the concept that brought him so much success with Bobby Ray: Specifically, avoiding any and all preconceived notions of what hip-hop should be. Which, in one way, is probably going to make his album feel very much like the first time.
"You should never get comfortable," he said. "I feel like, for me, I embrace everything."
What do you expect B.o.B's next album to sound like? Tell us in the comments!
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Saturday, March 19, 2011
Robert Plant And Alison Krauss Win Grammy Album Of The Year
Raising Sand, from Led Zeppelin vet and bluegrass superstar, wins five Grammys on Sunday night.By James Montgomery with MTV News staff
Alison Krauss and Robert Plant accept the award for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards on Sunday
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
"I'm bewildered," Robert Plant said onstage as he accepted the Grammy Album of the Year award with Alison Krauss on Sunday night. "In the old days we would have called this selling out, but it's a good way to spend a Sunday."
He was probably one of the few who were surprised, because Raising Sand, which won five trophies at Sunday night's show, is in many ways the perfect Grammy album. It features two respected veterans, a critically lauded producer, some sandpaper-and-velvet vocals and a baker's dozen of time-tested standards.
You're probably familiar with Robert Plant from his Led Zeppelin days, and you might be aware of producer T-Bone Burnett's work on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack (it won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2002). And if you don't know who Alison Krauss is, she possesses a haunting set of pipes and is one of the meanest fiddle players in the world. Oh, and she's won 21 Grammys, more than any other female artist and the seventh-most in history.
Really, she's the key to Sand's success, and not just because of her voice (or her fiddle playing). She and Plant first met in 2004, at a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tribute to legendary bluesman Leadbelly, and the former Zeppelin man was amazed by her knowledge of American Roots music — so much so that they began kicking around the idea of recording an album together. Three years later, Sand was released.
And while Plant possesses the more famous voice, the album's finest moments radiate from Krauss. Whether she's getting bluesy on Little Milton's "Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson" or entwining with Plant's husky voice on songs like "Please Read the Letter" and Roly Salley's winsome "Killing the Blues," she more than carries her end of the bargain.
And perhaps that's also due to producer Burnett, who handpicked the 13 songs the duo cover on Sand. His arrangements are sparse — giving the two voices ample room to breathe — yet dense, warm and crackling at the same time. It's a testament to his work that he's often given just as much billing as Plant and Krauss on the project ... and it's certainly justified.
To date, Sand has sold more than 1 million copies, heaped tons of acclaim and actually earned a Grammy last year — "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" took home the award for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals.
One expert was surprised not by the album's success, but by the fact that it's actually quite a good album.
"At first, the album seemed like a vanity project. ... Two names, clearly a one-off record, didn't have to be any good, you know?" New York Times music critic Jon Caramanica said. "Led Zeppelin fans would buy it because of Robert Plant, Alison Krauss would get a check. But it actually turned out to be a really thoughtful, really good record. So when you combine all that with the fact that the Grammys love to lionize one of their own, I could really see it taking home some awards."
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Alison Krauss and Robert Plant accept the award for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards on Sunday
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
"I'm bewildered," Robert Plant said onstage as he accepted the Grammy Album of the Year award with Alison Krauss on Sunday night. "In the old days we would have called this selling out, but it's a good way to spend a Sunday."
He was probably one of the few who were surprised, because Raising Sand, which won five trophies at Sunday night's show, is in many ways the perfect Grammy album. It features two respected veterans, a critically lauded producer, some sandpaper-and-velvet vocals and a baker's dozen of time-tested standards.
You're probably familiar with Robert Plant from his Led Zeppelin days, and you might be aware of producer T-Bone Burnett's work on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack (it won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2002). And if you don't know who Alison Krauss is, she possesses a haunting set of pipes and is one of the meanest fiddle players in the world. Oh, and she's won 21 Grammys, more than any other female artist and the seventh-most in history.
Really, she's the key to Sand's success, and not just because of her voice (or her fiddle playing). She and Plant first met in 2004, at a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tribute to legendary bluesman Leadbelly, and the former Zeppelin man was amazed by her knowledge of American Roots music — so much so that they began kicking around the idea of recording an album together. Three years later, Sand was released.
And while Plant possesses the more famous voice, the album's finest moments radiate from Krauss. Whether she's getting bluesy on Little Milton's "Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson" or entwining with Plant's husky voice on songs like "Please Read the Letter" and Roly Salley's winsome "Killing the Blues," she more than carries her end of the bargain.
And perhaps that's also due to producer Burnett, who handpicked the 13 songs the duo cover on Sand. His arrangements are sparse — giving the two voices ample room to breathe — yet dense, warm and crackling at the same time. It's a testament to his work that he's often given just as much billing as Plant and Krauss on the project ... and it's certainly justified.
To date, Sand has sold more than 1 million copies, heaped tons of acclaim and actually earned a Grammy last year — "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" took home the award for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals.
One expert was surprised not by the album's success, but by the fact that it's actually quite a good album.
"At first, the album seemed like a vanity project. ... Two names, clearly a one-off record, didn't have to be any good, you know?" New York Times music critic Jon Caramanica said. "Led Zeppelin fans would buy it because of Robert Plant, Alison Krauss would get a check. But it actually turned out to be a really thoughtful, really good record. So when you combine all that with the fact that the Grammys love to lionize one of their own, I could really see it taking home some awards."
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Christina Applegate In New Pilot!
Christina Applegate has just landed a new pilot for for NBC!
It'll be a comedy, and it's written by an SNL scribe who is also a producer on the fab Parks and Recreation!!
There seems to be no title yet, but here's what it's about:
[Applegate] will play a working mother who never expected that she would have [...]
It'll be a comedy, and it's written by an SNL scribe who is also a producer on the fab Parks and Recreation!!
There seems to be no title yet, but here's what it's about:
[Applegate] will play a working mother who never expected that she would have [...]
Photos | Lady Gaga In The March Issue Of Vogue
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Ke$ha - Your Love Is My Drug
Your Love Is My Drug
Artist: Ke$ha
Label: RCA
Director: Honey
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Label: RCA
Director: Honey
Vanessa Marcil Vanessa Minnillo Vanessa Simmons Veronica Kay
Friday, March 18, 2011
Ryan Phillippe & Amanda Seyfried Are Still Goin? Strong
Last month we heard that Ryan Phillippe and Amanda Seyfried had broken up … but it appears that reports of the couple’s split were very premature. Despite the fact that Ryan has admitted that he will submit to a DNA paternity test to determine if he is the father of ex-girlfriend Alexis Knapp‘s unborn baby, [...]
Michael Jackson Doctor's Trial Delayed
Judge pushes start of Conrad Murray's trial back to May.By Gil Kaufman
Conrad Murray
Photo: AFP/ Getty Images
LOS ANGELES — Though Conrad Murray's lawyers had been pressing for a speedy trial, a judge in the involuntary manslaughter case against Michael Jackson's doctor ruled on Wednesday to delay opening statements in the proceedings until May.
The Associated Press reported that Murray's attorneys consented to the postponement after they discussed the matter with prosecutors and both agreed they could be ready for trial by May 9.
According to a transcript from the closed-door session, though opening statements will not begin for several months, Murray told Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor that he did not want to forfeit his right to a quick trial, but agreed to the delay if screening of prospective jurors begins as scheduled on March 24.
"It is only acceptable to me if this is not strung along over a long period of time," Murray told the justice. "I don't want to lose my constitutional right to speedy trial." Murray — who has pleaded not guilty to the charges — reportedly has been in favor of having the proceedings begin as soon as possible because he is facing financial troubles, but he said he understands that the delay is necessary to allow both sides to prepare for the trial.
Pastor consented because he said he didn't want to lose a jury pool, and believed a month-long delay might let potential jurors shuffle their schedules for the case, which could take up to two months to decide. The judge has reportedly clashed with Murray's defense team in recent weeks, pressing them for answers about why they had not turned over more witness notes and other potential evidence to prosecutors in the run-up to the trial.
Cardiologist Murray was hired to be Jackson's personal physician while the King of Pop prepared for his planned 50-date comeback series of shows at London's O2 arena in the summer of 2009. The doctor told police that he provided the then-50-year-old Jackson with sedatives and the surgical anesthetic propofol in order to combat the singer's chronic insomnia. He said he did so on the morning of June 25, 2009, when Jackson died of what a coroner deemed acute propofol poisoning.
Murray's lawyers reportedly plan to argue that Jackson was already in weak health before he died, that it's unfair to blame propofol for his passing and that, if the anesthetic was to blame, the pop superstar may have given himself the fatal dose by drinking the drug in a panic.
A status hearing in the case has been set for this Wednesday.
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Conrad Murray
Photo: AFP/ Getty Images
LOS ANGELES — Though Conrad Murray's lawyers had been pressing for a speedy trial, a judge in the involuntary manslaughter case against Michael Jackson's doctor ruled on Wednesday to delay opening statements in the proceedings until May.
The Associated Press reported that Murray's attorneys consented to the postponement after they discussed the matter with prosecutors and both agreed they could be ready for trial by May 9.
According to a transcript from the closed-door session, though opening statements will not begin for several months, Murray told Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor that he did not want to forfeit his right to a quick trial, but agreed to the delay if screening of prospective jurors begins as scheduled on March 24.
"It is only acceptable to me if this is not strung along over a long period of time," Murray told the justice. "I don't want to lose my constitutional right to speedy trial." Murray — who has pleaded not guilty to the charges — reportedly has been in favor of having the proceedings begin as soon as possible because he is facing financial troubles, but he said he understands that the delay is necessary to allow both sides to prepare for the trial.
Pastor consented because he said he didn't want to lose a jury pool, and believed a month-long delay might let potential jurors shuffle their schedules for the case, which could take up to two months to decide. The judge has reportedly clashed with Murray's defense team in recent weeks, pressing them for answers about why they had not turned over more witness notes and other potential evidence to prosecutors in the run-up to the trial.
Cardiologist Murray was hired to be Jackson's personal physician while the King of Pop prepared for his planned 50-date comeback series of shows at London's O2 arena in the summer of 2009. The doctor told police that he provided the then-50-year-old Jackson with sedatives and the surgical anesthetic propofol in order to combat the singer's chronic insomnia. He said he did so on the morning of June 25, 2009, when Jackson died of what a coroner deemed acute propofol poisoning.
Murray's lawyers reportedly plan to argue that Jackson was already in weak health before he died, that it's unfair to blame propofol for his passing and that, if the anesthetic was to blame, the pop superstar may have given himself the fatal dose by drinking the drug in a panic.
A status hearing in the case has been set for this Wednesday.
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B.o.B Plays The Hits, Wiz Khalifa Pays Tribute To Nate Dogg At SXSW
Janelle Monae also wowed audience on Thursday at Atlantic Records' showcase in Austin, Texas.By James Montgomery
B.o.B performs at SXSW on Thursday
Photo: Getty Images
AUSTIN, Texas -- If you decide to call your South by Southwest showcase "Killers Lasers Papers," and then find out, much to your dismay, that neither the Killer (Cee Lo Green, whose 2010 album is called The Lady Killer) or the Laser (Lupe Fiasco, whose Lasers currently sits atop the Billboard albums chart) are actually going to show up, what do you do?
Well, if you're Atlantic Records, you simply plug in another of your chart-topping stars, add your critically acclaimed futurist-funk chanteuse and keep right on trucking. Things are that easy for the label these days.
So, on Thursday night at Austin's La Zona Rosa, instead of Green and Fiasco, SXSW-ers were treated to semi-surprise sets from B.o.B and Janelle Monáe -- both of whom filled in admirably -- plus Wiz Khalifa (who, with an upcoming album titled Rolling Papers, made up the "Papers" portion of the evening and, unlike Green and Fiasco, actually showed up), and no one was the wiser. Like we said, when you preside over a hip-hop roster as stacked as Atlantic's, you can afford to change things up on the fly.
Taking the stage after performances by up-and-comers XV and Donnis, B.o.B bounced his way through a tight 30-minute set, one that drew predominantly from his #1 debut, The Adventures of Bobby Ray, but also included a few nods to both his past as an underappreciated Atlanta MC (back when he was trying to get a tip at Subway) and a mixtape staple.
So while he weaved through Adventures cuts like "Bet I" (featuring an onstage assist from Playboy Tre), "Magic," "Nothin' on You" and, of course, "Airplanes" (all of which featured pre-recorded bits from their various big-name co-stars), B.o.B truly came to life when he was tackling tracks that were either not his or from his not-so-distant past. In fact, he couldn't wait to get to them, even going so far as to cut "Nothin' on You" short to declare, "I feel like y'all hear that sh-- on the radio all the time," before taking requests from the audience.
He then dove headlong into Tre's "Talking 'Bout Her," spitting over a gnarled electro whomp and, backed by his live band, tore though "Batman Flow" and "Beast Mode" (from his No Genre mixtape) plus "Haterz Everywhere," an early street single from 2007. And rather than be mystified, the crowd ate up every second of it . a point of validation not just for B.o.B's past successes, but for his future promise, too.
And speaking of future promise, Wiz Khalifa followed with a loose and laconic set that featured plenty of nods to his upcoming Rolling Papers album (due March 29), not to mention a swagger that belies his years.
Loping across the stage with a red Solo cup his hands, and backed by his Taylor Gang posse, Khalifa may have made the occasional reference to pot smoking -- at one point asking, "Where my ladies at? Y'all know how to roll a joint?" -- but his performance was anything but stony baloney. Instead, whether he was working through songs from his Cabin Fever and Kush & Orange Juice mixtapes ("Phone Numbers," "Gang Bang," "Waken Baken") or pimping Papers'
release with new tracks, Wiz displayed not only a deft lyrical dexterity but some genuine grind, too.
He snarled through "Taylor Gang" and "On My Level," dropped phrases like "Time is money so I went and bought a Rolex" and "We wake up drunk, go to sleep f---ed up," and made the crowd go bananas with his hit "Black and Yellow." But really, perhaps his most lucid moment came toward the end of his set, when he stopped the music and spoke openly about the late Nate Dogg, calling the G-Funk legend "one of my biggest heroes" and running through an impromptu tribute performance that featured he and the Taylor Gang singing some of Dogg's most memorable verses, including (fittingly enough) his off-the-cuff "Hey hey hey hey/ Smoke weed every day," from Dr. Dre's "The Next Episode."
"Rest in peace, Nate Dogg," Wiz then announced.
Closing out the night -- also in tribute to the red-hot soul-and-funk sessions of luminaries like James Brown and Isaac Hayes -- was Janelle Monáe, the pint-sized, pompadoured powerhouse who wowed critics with her 2010 effort, The ArchAndroid. And while she may not have been the logical choice to wrap things up, she didn't let that stop her for a second.
Over her air-tight set -- which covered most of her latest album -- she strutted and preened, posed and popped, backed by a vamping, high-stepping show band and a whole lot of artful costuming. There wasn't a moment that wasn't filled with oddball dancing druids or wildly bearded Hassidim, and whether Monáe was leading her full ensemble through standouts like "Dance or Die" or "Wondaland," performing a jaw-dropping version of the standard "Smile" or ceding the stage to her guitarist for a deep-fried psych version of the national anthem, the singer put on an awe-inspiring show, the kind where the folks in the audience are reduced to simple shaking their heads in disbelief. Not bad for a last-minute fill-in.
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B.o.B performs at SXSW on Thursday
Photo: Getty Images
AUSTIN, Texas -- If you decide to call your South by Southwest showcase "Killers Lasers Papers," and then find out, much to your dismay, that neither the Killer (Cee Lo Green, whose 2010 album is called The Lady Killer) or the Laser (Lupe Fiasco, whose Lasers currently sits atop the Billboard albums chart) are actually going to show up, what do you do?
Well, if you're Atlantic Records, you simply plug in another of your chart-topping stars, add your critically acclaimed futurist-funk chanteuse and keep right on trucking. Things are that easy for the label these days.
So, on Thursday night at Austin's La Zona Rosa, instead of Green and Fiasco, SXSW-ers were treated to semi-surprise sets from B.o.B and Janelle Monáe -- both of whom filled in admirably -- plus Wiz Khalifa (who, with an upcoming album titled Rolling Papers, made up the "Papers" portion of the evening and, unlike Green and Fiasco, actually showed up), and no one was the wiser. Like we said, when you preside over a hip-hop roster as stacked as Atlantic's, you can afford to change things up on the fly.
Taking the stage after performances by up-and-comers XV and Donnis, B.o.B bounced his way through a tight 30-minute set, one that drew predominantly from his #1 debut, The Adventures of Bobby Ray, but also included a few nods to both his past as an underappreciated Atlanta MC (back when he was trying to get a tip at Subway) and a mixtape staple.
So while he weaved through Adventures cuts like "Bet I" (featuring an onstage assist from Playboy Tre), "Magic," "Nothin' on You" and, of course, "Airplanes" (all of which featured pre-recorded bits from their various big-name co-stars), B.o.B truly came to life when he was tackling tracks that were either not his or from his not-so-distant past. In fact, he couldn't wait to get to them, even going so far as to cut "Nothin' on You" short to declare, "I feel like y'all hear that sh-- on the radio all the time," before taking requests from the audience.
He then dove headlong into Tre's "Talking 'Bout Her," spitting over a gnarled electro whomp and, backed by his live band, tore though "Batman Flow" and "Beast Mode" (from his No Genre mixtape) plus "Haterz Everywhere," an early street single from 2007. And rather than be mystified, the crowd ate up every second of it . a point of validation not just for B.o.B's past successes, but for his future promise, too.
And speaking of future promise, Wiz Khalifa followed with a loose and laconic set that featured plenty of nods to his upcoming Rolling Papers album (due March 29), not to mention a swagger that belies his years.
Loping across the stage with a red Solo cup his hands, and backed by his Taylor Gang posse, Khalifa may have made the occasional reference to pot smoking -- at one point asking, "Where my ladies at? Y'all know how to roll a joint?" -- but his performance was anything but stony baloney. Instead, whether he was working through songs from his Cabin Fever and Kush & Orange Juice mixtapes ("Phone Numbers," "Gang Bang," "Waken Baken") or pimping Papers'
release with new tracks, Wiz displayed not only a deft lyrical dexterity but some genuine grind, too.
He snarled through "Taylor Gang" and "On My Level," dropped phrases like "Time is money so I went and bought a Rolex" and "We wake up drunk, go to sleep f---ed up," and made the crowd go bananas with his hit "Black and Yellow." But really, perhaps his most lucid moment came toward the end of his set, when he stopped the music and spoke openly about the late Nate Dogg, calling the G-Funk legend "one of my biggest heroes" and running through an impromptu tribute performance that featured he and the Taylor Gang singing some of Dogg's most memorable verses, including (fittingly enough) his off-the-cuff "Hey hey hey hey/ Smoke weed every day," from Dr. Dre's "The Next Episode."
"Rest in peace, Nate Dogg," Wiz then announced.
Closing out the night -- also in tribute to the red-hot soul-and-funk sessions of luminaries like James Brown and Isaac Hayes -- was Janelle Monáe, the pint-sized, pompadoured powerhouse who wowed critics with her 2010 effort, The ArchAndroid. And while she may not have been the logical choice to wrap things up, she didn't let that stop her for a second.
Over her air-tight set -- which covered most of her latest album -- she strutted and preened, posed and popped, backed by a vamping, high-stepping show band and a whole lot of artful costuming. There wasn't a moment that wasn't filled with oddball dancing druids or wildly bearded Hassidim, and whether Monáe was leading her full ensemble through standouts like "Dance or Die" or "Wondaland," performing a jaw-dropping version of the standard "Smile" or ceding the stage to her guitarist for a deep-fried psych version of the national anthem, the singer put on an awe-inspiring show, the kind where the folks in the audience are reduced to simple shaking their heads in disbelief. Not bad for a last-minute fill-in.
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Are Eva Longoria & Eduardo Cruz Moving In Together?
When last we saw photos of hot new couple Eva Longoria and Eduardo Cruz, the pair were makin’ out over lunch at the Chateau Marmont here in SoCal last week … but today we are hearing a rumor from Life & Style magazine that the pair are moving in together! I mean … wow … [...]
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Thursday, March 17, 2011
New Led Zeppelin On The Way? Jason Bonham Hints At 'Jam' Sessions With Jimmy Page -- But Not Robert Plant
Drummer admits he doesn't know what will come of 'new material.'By Chris Harris
Jason Bonham
Photo: Larry Marano/ Getty Images
On Friday morning, mere hours before he was due to take the stage with classic rockers Foreigner at Detroit's GM Renaissance Center, drummer Jason Bonham — the son of late Led Zeppelin kitman John Bonham — told Jim Johnson and Lynne Woodison of local rock station 94.7 WCSX that he'd be an ex-member of Foreigner as of September 1. But that's not the only thing he said.
Much to the delight of Led Zeppelin fans everywhere, Bonham revealed that he's been meeting up with Led Zep guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones in recent months and that they've been "trying to do some new material and writing."
It was the first time since Led Zeppelin announced they would re-form for a single performance (which happened late last year at London's O2 Arena, in honor of the late Ahmet Ertegün, who signed the band to Atlantic Records in 1969) that anyone connected to the band has confirmed publicly that new music could be on the horizon for the iconic rockers. While the bandmembers have stopped short of definitively ruling out such a reunion, singer Robert Plant insisted in the wake of last year's show that he intended to focus on promoting and touring behind his critically lauded album with bluegrass artist Alison Krauss, Raising Sand.
Not that Bonham knows what — if anything — will happen with the new material he's been working on with Page (who collaborated with pop singer Leona Lewis on an uneven version of Zep's "Whole Lotta Love" at the Olympic closing ceremonies in Beijing on Sunday night) and Jones. He said he just shows up and takes his seat behind the kit.
"I've been over [to England] a couple of times," Bonham said. "I've been working with Jimmy and John Paul and trying to do ... some new material and some writing. I don't know what it will be, but it will be something. At the moment, all I know is I have the great pleasure to go and jam with the two guys and start work on some material. When I get there, I never ask any questions. If I get a phone call to go and play, I enjoy every moment of it. Whatever it ends up as, to ever get a chance to jam with two people like that, it is a phenomenal thing for me. It's my life. It's what I've dreamed about doing."
He said it's still too early to tell what will become of these "jam" sessions, but admitted that the "possibility of doing something is in the cards. I really felt it was in the cards from the moment we walked offstage at the O2." Bonham also explained that, before there could be a Led Zep LP, "lots of politics [would need to] get ironed out," but added that recording with Zep is "something I've always wanted to do."
Bonham noticeably didn't mention frontman Plant's name during the discussion. A spokesperson for Page's management had no comment on the matter, and a spokesperson for Jones' management could not be reached by press time.
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Jason Bonham
Photo: Larry Marano/ Getty Images
On Friday morning, mere hours before he was due to take the stage with classic rockers Foreigner at Detroit's GM Renaissance Center, drummer Jason Bonham — the son of late Led Zeppelin kitman John Bonham — told Jim Johnson and Lynne Woodison of local rock station 94.7 WCSX that he'd be an ex-member of Foreigner as of September 1. But that's not the only thing he said.
Much to the delight of Led Zeppelin fans everywhere, Bonham revealed that he's been meeting up with Led Zep guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones in recent months and that they've been "trying to do some new material and writing."
It was the first time since Led Zeppelin announced they would re-form for a single performance (which happened late last year at London's O2 Arena, in honor of the late Ahmet Ertegün, who signed the band to Atlantic Records in 1969) that anyone connected to the band has confirmed publicly that new music could be on the horizon for the iconic rockers. While the bandmembers have stopped short of definitively ruling out such a reunion, singer Robert Plant insisted in the wake of last year's show that he intended to focus on promoting and touring behind his critically lauded album with bluegrass artist Alison Krauss, Raising Sand.
Not that Bonham knows what — if anything — will happen with the new material he's been working on with Page (who collaborated with pop singer Leona Lewis on an uneven version of Zep's "Whole Lotta Love" at the Olympic closing ceremonies in Beijing on Sunday night) and Jones. He said he just shows up and takes his seat behind the kit.
"I've been over [to England] a couple of times," Bonham said. "I've been working with Jimmy and John Paul and trying to do ... some new material and some writing. I don't know what it will be, but it will be something. At the moment, all I know is I have the great pleasure to go and jam with the two guys and start work on some material. When I get there, I never ask any questions. If I get a phone call to go and play, I enjoy every moment of it. Whatever it ends up as, to ever get a chance to jam with two people like that, it is a phenomenal thing for me. It's my life. It's what I've dreamed about doing."
He said it's still too early to tell what will become of these "jam" sessions, but admitted that the "possibility of doing something is in the cards. I really felt it was in the cards from the moment we walked offstage at the O2." Bonham also explained that, before there could be a Led Zep LP, "lots of politics [would need to] get ironed out," but added that recording with Zep is "something I've always wanted to do."
Bonham noticeably didn't mention frontman Plant's name during the discussion. A spokesperson for Page's management had no comment on the matter, and a spokesperson for Jones' management could not be reached by press time.
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Led Zeppelin
Foreigner
'Battle: Los Angeles' Victorious At Box Office
The apocalyptic sci-fi flick had a $36 million opening in its first weekend in theaters.By Ryan J. Downey
Michelle Rodriguez in "Battle: Los Angeles"
Photo: Sony Pictures
The big bad wolf and cartoon Martians were no match for aliens of a much more sinister kind at the box office over the weekend. "Battle: Los Angeles" was the #1 movie with a $36 million debut, while the sci-fi flick's fellow new releases — "Red Riding Hood" and "Mars Needs Moms" — failed to muster the same type of excitement from moviegoers.
While the UFO-invasion flick starring Aaron Eckhart ("The Dark Knight"), Michelle Rodriguez ("Avatar") and Ne-Yo was victorious in the battle for tickets, it failed to conquer film critics. "Battle: Los Angeles" currently has a 33-percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. Conversely, last week's #1 picture, "Rango," boasts an 89-percent rating with critics. The animated film about a lizard sheriff, which features the voice talents of Johnny Depp ("Pirates of the Caribbean") and Isla Fisher ("Wedding Crashers"), was #2 on the tally with a $23 million take, making its two-week total $68.6 million. (All box office figures are according to studio estimates.)
Amanda Seyfried ("Mean Girls") stars in "Red Riding Hood," a PG-13 take on the classic children's tale, which debuted at #3 after bringing in $14.1 million. The dark fantasy tale was the worst-reviewed film in the top 10 over the weekend, with a paltry 12-percent critical-approval score. "Red Riding Hood" was directed by Catherine Hardwicke, whose last movie was the first entry in the "Twilight" series, which, of course, launched an international box-office phenomenon. And Seyfried's recently starring vehicle, the 2010 romantic drama "Dear John," has earned more than $80 million.
"The Adjustment Bureau" was #4, earning $11.4 million for a two-week total of $38.4 million. The mind-bending thriller stars Matt Damon ("The Bourne Identity"), whose "Green Zone" opened during the same weekend last year with just a $14.3 million debut. Damon's new movie has already earned more than "Hereafter" or "Invictus" in just two weeks.
With an estimated production budget of $150 million, it's safe to say that "Mars Needs Moms" absolutely needed more viewers. The performance-capture Disney flick brought in just $6.8 million in its debut week to land in the #5 spot. The take was the lowest in history for a 3-D animated movie opening in more than 2000 theaters. (It premiered on 4,400 screens.) "Mars" was, of course, competing with another Disney kids movie, "Gnomeo and Juliet," which was #10 after earning $3.5 million to bring its total to $89 million. "Gnomeo"'s opening five weeks ago was four times that of "Mars."
The raunchy comedy "Hall Pass" was #6 six with $5.1 million for a $34.9 million total. "Beastly" continued to underperform with just $5 million for a $16.9 million total. Adam Sandler's "Just Go With It" headed closer to the $100 million mark by adding another $4 million to its domestic haul. Its $93.9 million total, of course, is still nowhere near the $160 million-plus earned by the comic actor's "The Waterboy," "Big Daddy" or even the more-recent "Grown Ups."
Multiple-Oscar-winner "The King's Speech" was #9 with $3.6 million for a $129 million total. For a small-budget historical drama, it's getting surprisingly close to star Colin Firth's biggest box-office successes — "A Christmas Carol" and "Mamma Mia!" — and has already passed pictures like "Shakespeare in Love" and "Bridget Jones's Diary."
This weekend's new releases will include "Limitless," "The Lincoln Lawyer" and "Paul."
Check out everything we've got on "Battle: Los Angeles," "Rango" and "Red Riding Hood."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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Michelle Rodriguez in "Battle: Los Angeles"
Photo: Sony Pictures
The big bad wolf and cartoon Martians were no match for aliens of a much more sinister kind at the box office over the weekend. "Battle: Los Angeles" was the #1 movie with a $36 million debut, while the sci-fi flick's fellow new releases — "Red Riding Hood" and "Mars Needs Moms" — failed to muster the same type of excitement from moviegoers.
While the UFO-invasion flick starring Aaron Eckhart ("The Dark Knight"), Michelle Rodriguez ("Avatar") and Ne-Yo was victorious in the battle for tickets, it failed to conquer film critics. "Battle: Los Angeles" currently has a 33-percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. Conversely, last week's #1 picture, "Rango," boasts an 89-percent rating with critics. The animated film about a lizard sheriff, which features the voice talents of Johnny Depp ("Pirates of the Caribbean") and Isla Fisher ("Wedding Crashers"), was #2 on the tally with a $23 million take, making its two-week total $68.6 million. (All box office figures are according to studio estimates.)
Amanda Seyfried ("Mean Girls") stars in "Red Riding Hood," a PG-13 take on the classic children's tale, which debuted at #3 after bringing in $14.1 million. The dark fantasy tale was the worst-reviewed film in the top 10 over the weekend, with a paltry 12-percent critical-approval score. "Red Riding Hood" was directed by Catherine Hardwicke, whose last movie was the first entry in the "Twilight" series, which, of course, launched an international box-office phenomenon. And Seyfried's recently starring vehicle, the 2010 romantic drama "Dear John," has earned more than $80 million.
"The Adjustment Bureau" was #4, earning $11.4 million for a two-week total of $38.4 million. The mind-bending thriller stars Matt Damon ("The Bourne Identity"), whose "Green Zone" opened during the same weekend last year with just a $14.3 million debut. Damon's new movie has already earned more than "Hereafter" or "Invictus" in just two weeks.
With an estimated production budget of $150 million, it's safe to say that "Mars Needs Moms" absolutely needed more viewers. The performance-capture Disney flick brought in just $6.8 million in its debut week to land in the #5 spot. The take was the lowest in history for a 3-D animated movie opening in more than 2000 theaters. (It premiered on 4,400 screens.) "Mars" was, of course, competing with another Disney kids movie, "Gnomeo and Juliet," which was #10 after earning $3.5 million to bring its total to $89 million. "Gnomeo"'s opening five weeks ago was four times that of "Mars."
The raunchy comedy "Hall Pass" was #6 six with $5.1 million for a $34.9 million total. "Beastly" continued to underperform with just $5 million for a $16.9 million total. Adam Sandler's "Just Go With It" headed closer to the $100 million mark by adding another $4 million to its domestic haul. Its $93.9 million total, of course, is still nowhere near the $160 million-plus earned by the comic actor's "The Waterboy," "Big Daddy" or even the more-recent "Grown Ups."
Multiple-Oscar-winner "The King's Speech" was #9 with $3.6 million for a $129 million total. For a small-budget historical drama, it's getting surprisingly close to star Colin Firth's biggest box-office successes — "A Christmas Carol" and "Mamma Mia!" — and has already passed pictures like "Shakespeare in Love" and "Bridget Jones's Diary."
This weekend's new releases will include "Limitless," "The Lincoln Lawyer" and "Paul."
Check out everything we've got on "Battle: Los Angeles," "Rango" and "Red Riding Hood."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related Videos
MTV Rough Cut: 'Red Riding Hood'
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'Red Riding Hood' Premieres In Los Angeles
Emma Watson Continues To Film Her Ad Campaign For Lanc�me
Yesterday we saw photos of Emma Watson on the Paris, France set of her new ad campaign as the newly announced celebrity spokesmodel for Lanc�me and today we get to see newer photos from day 2 of the shoot. This time around, Emma is rockin’ a bit of a tomboy look for the shoot … [...]
Photos | Chris Brown And Usher Perform In Jamaica
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Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Usher, Ke$ha And More Help Dance Music Go Pop In 2010
But is it here to stay? Our music-industry experts weigh in.By Akshay Bhansali
Ke$ha
Photo: Andreas Rentz/ Getty Images
In 2010, pop princesses, R&B icons and chart-dominating newcomers all danced to the same beat. Not only did dance music go pop, but pop music caught the club-music bug.
Between Katy Perry's "Firework," Ke$ha's "We R Who We R," Rihanna's "Only Girl (In the World)," Enrique Iglesias' "I Like It," Usher's "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" and "OMG" and countless other singles, established artists definitely looked to dance beats for surefire hits. And two of this year's biggest success stories in music were Jason Derülo and Taio Cruz; could there be a soul left in this country who hasn't heard "Dynamite" or "In My Head"?
The love went both ways, with dance music's biggest stars finding mainstream success this year. Dance-music maestro deadmau5 took up house-artist duties at this year's VMAs, and Swedish House Mafia and Usher teamed up for a medley of their gems at the American Music Awards.
So how did this happen? We caught up with some music-industry experts to get their takes.
"You definitely saw tempos go up this year," Jon Caramanica of The New York Times told MTV News. "And I think what you had are a lot of producers who are really familiar with nightclub stuff. They are familiar with Europe. Things are happening on a more global scale now."
"I think everything from Europe, and sometimes even Asia, it comes to America, and we just adopt things a little bit slower," said Jared Eng of JustJared.com. "I think it was just a change. People like different types of music at different times. And dance was of this moment."
Noah Callahan of Complex magazine added: "I think 2010 saw the merging of the pop and dance genres. Pop artists realized that there were best practices that could be borrowed from dance music. And, ultimately, [all] pop music that has been made in the past 20 years had ended up being remixed for the club by dance artists. I think they basically just cut out the middleman and went straight there."
Dance music being introduced into the hip-hop and R&B realms was particularly notable this year.
"I think David Guetta kind of at the end of last year and the beginning of this year spearheaded it," said freelance writer Julianne Escobedo Shepherd. "He produced a lot of tracks. I think as trends go, people revile 'unst-unst.' But it's just coming back around. Big-room techno was a way for people to get decadent in a year that no one could get decadent."
"You have someone like will.i.am, who's like, 'Well, I spent all this time in Ibiza, and this is what they are doing,' and he wants to find a way to bring that into his music," Caramanica said of the Black Eyed Peas mastermind. "R&B especially became dance music. And especially with your Jason Derülos, Taio Cruzes. Guys like that would have literally been blocked at the border two years ago. That would not have made it through customs. And now all of a sudden they have #1 songs. I think will.i.am had a lot to do with that last year."
Elliott Wilson of RapRadar.com added: "It's actually even affected hip-hop. I was talking to Q-Tip, and his next record, I feel like that's gonna kind of go in that vein. I know that was also Jay-Z's thought process with Blueprint 3 at first, that he wanted to make a little bit more of a world music [vibe], a little more dancey. I think the kids today want to go to the clubs. They wanna have a good time. They wanna dance. So I think the artists of today are trying to kind of feed that audience."
"I think it's caught on this year because the people who've done it have been successful," offered Clover Hope of Vibe magazine. "Like 'OMG,' with usher, he didn't have success until he made a dance record. He had 'There Goes My Baby' and these really, like, adult-contemporary records that didn't really catch on. And then once you see that everybody is doing it and that people are liking it, they are like, 'OK, let me just try this out.' It's like Auto-Tune. Like, 'Let me see what I sound like on a record by David Guetta.' They end up liking it and doing more of it."
So does the club-music trend have staying power. According to our tastemakers, not so much.
"I do think it's a blip," Caramanica said. "I don't think that's gonna be something that lasts in America. I think this is gonna be a moment we'll all look back on and go, 'Wasn't that weird when Jason Derülo and Taio Cruz had #1 records?"
"At some point, these R&B artists will get kind of sick of it and be like, 'Let me go back to my soul background,' " Hope said. "When you actually have to say something, dance doesn't really lend itself to substance. And I think that R&B artists, they really want to talk about love and in a deep way, and to do that, you need to do, like, a soul or a traditional R&B record. I want to say that it's kind of a fad."
"I think music is very cyclical," Eng offered. "So I think dance music might be here for a little bit, but I'm sure it will phase out at some point."
Wilson called dance music "the sound of today. I think that people want more aggressive, faster beats, and I think that that probably has legs until at least next summer."
What do you think? Is dance music here to stay? Let us know in the comments!
Related Videos
Stories Of 2010
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Usher
Ke$ha
Ke$ha
Photo: Andreas Rentz/ Getty Images
In 2010, pop princesses, R&B icons and chart-dominating newcomers all danced to the same beat. Not only did dance music go pop, but pop music caught the club-music bug.
Between Katy Perry's "Firework," Ke$ha's "We R Who We R," Rihanna's "Only Girl (In the World)," Enrique Iglesias' "I Like It," Usher's "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" and "OMG" and countless other singles, established artists definitely looked to dance beats for surefire hits. And two of this year's biggest success stories in music were Jason Derülo and Taio Cruz; could there be a soul left in this country who hasn't heard "Dynamite" or "In My Head"?
The love went both ways, with dance music's biggest stars finding mainstream success this year. Dance-music maestro deadmau5 took up house-artist duties at this year's VMAs, and Swedish House Mafia and Usher teamed up for a medley of their gems at the American Music Awards.
So how did this happen? We caught up with some music-industry experts to get their takes.
"You definitely saw tempos go up this year," Jon Caramanica of The New York Times told MTV News. "And I think what you had are a lot of producers who are really familiar with nightclub stuff. They are familiar with Europe. Things are happening on a more global scale now."
"I think everything from Europe, and sometimes even Asia, it comes to America, and we just adopt things a little bit slower," said Jared Eng of JustJared.com. "I think it was just a change. People like different types of music at different times. And dance was of this moment."
Noah Callahan of Complex magazine added: "I think 2010 saw the merging of the pop and dance genres. Pop artists realized that there were best practices that could be borrowed from dance music. And, ultimately, [all] pop music that has been made in the past 20 years had ended up being remixed for the club by dance artists. I think they basically just cut out the middleman and went straight there."
Dance music being introduced into the hip-hop and R&B realms was particularly notable this year.
"I think David Guetta kind of at the end of last year and the beginning of this year spearheaded it," said freelance writer Julianne Escobedo Shepherd. "He produced a lot of tracks. I think as trends go, people revile 'unst-unst.' But it's just coming back around. Big-room techno was a way for people to get decadent in a year that no one could get decadent."
"You have someone like will.i.am, who's like, 'Well, I spent all this time in Ibiza, and this is what they are doing,' and he wants to find a way to bring that into his music," Caramanica said of the Black Eyed Peas mastermind. "R&B especially became dance music. And especially with your Jason Derülos, Taio Cruzes. Guys like that would have literally been blocked at the border two years ago. That would not have made it through customs. And now all of a sudden they have #1 songs. I think will.i.am had a lot to do with that last year."
Elliott Wilson of RapRadar.com added: "It's actually even affected hip-hop. I was talking to Q-Tip, and his next record, I feel like that's gonna kind of go in that vein. I know that was also Jay-Z's thought process with Blueprint 3 at first, that he wanted to make a little bit more of a world music [vibe], a little more dancey. I think the kids today want to go to the clubs. They wanna have a good time. They wanna dance. So I think the artists of today are trying to kind of feed that audience."
"I think it's caught on this year because the people who've done it have been successful," offered Clover Hope of Vibe magazine. "Like 'OMG,' with usher, he didn't have success until he made a dance record. He had 'There Goes My Baby' and these really, like, adult-contemporary records that didn't really catch on. And then once you see that everybody is doing it and that people are liking it, they are like, 'OK, let me just try this out.' It's like Auto-Tune. Like, 'Let me see what I sound like on a record by David Guetta.' They end up liking it and doing more of it."
So does the club-music trend have staying power. According to our tastemakers, not so much.
"I do think it's a blip," Caramanica said. "I don't think that's gonna be something that lasts in America. I think this is gonna be a moment we'll all look back on and go, 'Wasn't that weird when Jason Derülo and Taio Cruz had #1 records?"
"At some point, these R&B artists will get kind of sick of it and be like, 'Let me go back to my soul background,' " Hope said. "When you actually have to say something, dance doesn't really lend itself to substance. And I think that R&B artists, they really want to talk about love and in a deep way, and to do that, you need to do, like, a soul or a traditional R&B record. I want to say that it's kind of a fad."
"I think music is very cyclical," Eng offered. "So I think dance music might be here for a little bit, but I'm sure it will phase out at some point."
Wilson called dance music "the sound of today. I think that people want more aggressive, faster beats, and I think that that probably has legs until at least next summer."
What do you think? Is dance music here to stay? Let us know in the comments!
Related Videos
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Michael Jackson - Hold My Hand
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Artist: Michael Jackson
Label: Columbia Records/SMG
Album: Michael
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'Glee' Stars Stayed Up All Night For 'Thriller' Cover
'It was probably one of the most physical numbers that we've ever done,' Cory Monteith says.By James Dinh
"Glee" stars film their "Thriller" performance
Photo: Ramey Photo
When "Glee" returns from hiatus in the high-profile post-Super Bowl slot, it's returning in a big way, covering Michael Jackson's "Thriller." On Tuesday, the cast spoke to "Access Hollywood" about remaking the iconic tune, which will reportedly be mashed up with another yet-to-be-revealed hit.
"It was a huge production. We we're shooting that until 6:30 in the morning," Cory Monteith told "AH" at the Television Critics Association press tour. "We shot all night, and it was probably one of the most physical numbers that we've ever done. I was lifting Naya Rivera at one point in the dance. It was really active. We had the whole USC band wrapped in to this number as you can see in the photos. It was awesome."
Photos of the cast filming "Thriller" surfaced on the Internet recently, depicting a prom night-turned-zombie affair. Jackson's tune is just one of the many hits to be covered in the broadcast. Other songs featured in the post-Super Bowl episode include hits by the Black Eyed Peas, Katy Perry and Lady Antebellum.
Kevin McHale revealed that Jackson is his "favorite artist ever" and that he has been continuously requesting to cover a tune by the late King of Pop. "I've been pushing very obnoxiously for a very, very long time, so I'm beyond thrilled that we do Michael Jackson," said the actor.
Like the iconic music video, the "Glee" cover was an extravagant production, which was fitting for star Dianna Agron, who couldn't help smile throughout filming.
"The whole night, everybody kept saying, 'Why are you laughing so much? Why are you smiling so much?' " she said. "I was just in my element. I was in huge makeup, huge hair, huge costume, the stuff that I loved the most, which is why I loved 'Rocky [Horror Picture Show]' so much."
Matthew Morrison isn't in the number, but he watched it being shot. "We actually shot it, like, a couple nights ago," Morrison told "AH." "I actually went out to see it. We shot it in Long Beach and at a high school that we used their football field at. It was stunning. It's so weird with this show. We keep outdoing ourselves. It's like, 'What is there left to do?' This number is just fantastic."
What other MJ songs do you want the "Glee" cast to tackle? Share your ideas in the comments!
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"Glee" stars film their "Thriller" performance
Photo: Ramey Photo
When "Glee" returns from hiatus in the high-profile post-Super Bowl slot, it's returning in a big way, covering Michael Jackson's "Thriller." On Tuesday, the cast spoke to "Access Hollywood" about remaking the iconic tune, which will reportedly be mashed up with another yet-to-be-revealed hit.
"It was a huge production. We we're shooting that until 6:30 in the morning," Cory Monteith told "AH" at the Television Critics Association press tour. "We shot all night, and it was probably one of the most physical numbers that we've ever done. I was lifting Naya Rivera at one point in the dance. It was really active. We had the whole USC band wrapped in to this number as you can see in the photos. It was awesome."
Photos of the cast filming "Thriller" surfaced on the Internet recently, depicting a prom night-turned-zombie affair. Jackson's tune is just one of the many hits to be covered in the broadcast. Other songs featured in the post-Super Bowl episode include hits by the Black Eyed Peas, Katy Perry and Lady Antebellum.
Kevin McHale revealed that Jackson is his "favorite artist ever" and that he has been continuously requesting to cover a tune by the late King of Pop. "I've been pushing very obnoxiously for a very, very long time, so I'm beyond thrilled that we do Michael Jackson," said the actor.
Like the iconic music video, the "Glee" cover was an extravagant production, which was fitting for star Dianna Agron, who couldn't help smile throughout filming.
"The whole night, everybody kept saying, 'Why are you laughing so much? Why are you smiling so much?' " she said. "I was just in my element. I was in huge makeup, huge hair, huge costume, the stuff that I loved the most, which is why I loved 'Rocky [Horror Picture Show]' so much."
Matthew Morrison isn't in the number, but he watched it being shot. "We actually shot it, like, a couple nights ago," Morrison told "AH." "I actually went out to see it. We shot it in Long Beach and at a high school that we used their football field at. It was stunning. It's so weird with this show. We keep outdoing ourselves. It's like, 'What is there left to do?' This number is just fantastic."
What other MJ songs do you want the "Glee" cast to tackle? Share your ideas in the comments!
Related Artists
Michael Jackson