Monday, July 18, 2011

Mary J. Blige Dishes On Her 'Crazy' Led Zeppelin Covers

'I've listened to their music since I was a child,' says the R&B diva, who recorded 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love.'
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Larry Carroll


Mary J. Blige
Photo: MTV News

You wouldn't peg Mary J Blige as the black-light-and-tapestry sort, but, as has become readily apparent in recent weeks, she absolutely loves Led Zeppelin.

In early February, reports began circulating that Blige had re-recorded Zeppelin's classic "Stairway to Heaven," working with Travis Barker, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson and guitarist Steve Vai on the track, which is slated to appear on the international reissue of her Stronger With Each Tear album, due Monday.

But after she had recorded "Stairway," Blige continued to get the Led out, covering another Zeppelin classic — the thunderous "Whole Lotta Love" — for the album too. And when MTV News caught up with her on the Essence Black Women in Hollywood red carpet, she told us all about channeling her inner Robert Plant for the tracks, a process that came much easier than you'd probably imagine.

"I did Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love' — it's crazy," she said. "I am a Led Zeppelin fan. I'm not going to say I've been to their concerts, but I've listened to their music since I was a child, and it's always moved me, especially 'Stairway to Heaven,' and 'Whole Lotta Love' is just fun."

Blige also said she recorded another new song — a "club record" called "I Can't Wait" — for the re-release. And while it's only slated to hit shelves outside the U.S., she hopes her fans will get a chance to hear all the new songs pretty soon.

"I want y'all to hear it," she laughed.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1633563/mary-j-blige-dishes-on-her-crazy-led-zeppelin-covers.jhtml

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Usher - Moving Mountains

Moving Mountains

  • Artist: Usher
  • Label: LaFace Records/Zomba Label Group
  • Director: The Brothers Strauss
  • Album: Here I Stand

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1270&vid=235341

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Beyonce Debuts At #1 With 4

Big Sean, Selena Gomez and Scotty McCreery also debut in top 10.
By Gil Kaufman


Beyoncé
Photo: Ian Gavan/Getty Images

There wasn't much question about whether Beyoncé's fourth solo effort, 4, would debut at the top of the Billboard 200 chart this week — it was just a matter of what the final tally would be.

Beyoncé does indeed top the chart with sales of 310,000, according to figures provided by Nielsen SoundScan. But that's about 172,000 less than the first-week tally for her last effort, 2006's double-disc smash, I Am ... Sasha Fierce, and marks the softest opening sales for the singer's solo albums to date (edging out her 2003 solo debut, Dangerously in Love, which moved 317,000).

Bey leads a parade of new faces in the top 10, including the debut from Kanye West protégé Big Sean, Finally Famous: The Album, which lands at #3 (87,000). Also new to the top 10: the latest from Selena Gomez & the Scene, When the Sun Goes Down (#4, 78,000); the second effort from former "American Idol" winner David Cook, This Loud Morning (#7, 46,000); and the debut EP from this year's "Idol" winner, Scotty McCreery, which hits #10 on sales of 40,000.

As for the rest of the top 10, Adele's 21 continues to defy expectations and recent music-industry logic by scooting up one spot to #2 on sales of 92,000 as her year-to-date figures pass the 2.5 million mark. After debuting at #1 last week, Jill Scott falls to #5 with The Light of the Sun, which was down 60 percent on sales of 55,000. Country singer Jason Aldean's My Kinda Party moves up four spots to #6 (48,000), "America's Got Talent" mini-opera diva Jackie Evancho falls four to #8 with Dream With Me (44,000) and the Eminem and Royce da 5'9" collabo, Hell: The Sequel, slips three spots to #9 (42,000).

While sensitive folkie Bon Iver takes a major 63 percent tumble to #11 (39,000) with his self-titled second album after a #2 debut last week, it is the steady decline of Lady Gaga's Born This Way that continues to make headlines. Even as U.K. breakout star Adele has managed to hover around the top five for most of the year and rack up the biggest figures to date for a 2011 release on the back of just one single ("Rolling in the Deep"), despite a string of singles and high-profile videos, Gaga's album has steadily faded after just six weeks.

This week marks its first outside the top 10, as Born This Way falls another four spots to #12, with sales dipping another 22 percent to 38,000 as total sales passed the 1.5 million mark.

Elsewhere on the charts, the all-star Buddy Holly tribute album, Rave on Buddy Holly, comes in at #15 (28,000), just ahead of the comeback attempt from 1990s nu-metal icons Limp Bizkit, Gold Cobra (#16, 27,000), and the self-titled album from a reunited Taking Back Sunday (#17, 27,000).

Country star Blake Shelton clearly benefited from his turn on the NBC hit reality singing program "The Voice," as his Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton rises 42 spots to #18 as sales ballooned by 182 percent to 25,000. Meanwhile, Maroon 5's latest, Hands All Over, also saw a bump thanks to singer Adam Levine's gig on "Voice," jumping 47 spots to #26 as sales went up 139 percent to 18,000. Judge Christina Aguilera saw a more modest uptick, with her 2008 greatest-hits album, Keeps Gettin' Better, re-entering the charts at #46 on sales of 12,000.

Fans also welcomed back beloved dusty folk singer Gillian Welch, whose first album in eight years, The Harrow & the Harvest, hits #20 (23,000).

Also charting: rapper Curren$y with Weekend at Burnie's (#22, 23,000), "Idol" season 10 runner-up Lauren Alaina with her debut EP (#24, 20,000) and third-place finisher Haley Reinhart with hers (#37, 14,000).

Over on the iTunes charts, Beyoncé rules the albums list, followed by Sean, Adele, Gomez, Shelton's greatest hits, Bon Iver, the resurgent Maroon 5, Cook, Eminem and Royce and Mumford & Sons' Sigh No More. In an indication of why her sales might be less than impressive, Bey doesn't have a single song on the iTunes singles chart, which is led by LMFAO's "Party Rock," which beats out Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)," Pitbull's "Give Me Everything," Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass" and "Voice" winner Javier Colon's "Stitch by Stitch."

Adele holds on to the #6 slot with "Rolling in the Deep," with "Voice" runner-up Dia Frampton just behind with "Inventing Shadows." She is followed by Hot Chelle Rae's "Tonight Tonight," Lil Wayne's "How to Love" and Lady Gaga's "The Edge of Glory."

With no major releases hitting stores this week, look for Beyoncé and Adele to duke it out for the top slot in the next cycle.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666861/beyonce-debuts-at-number-one.jhtml

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Photos | Ke$ha, Britney Spears, Selena Gomez And Many More At Wango Tango 2011

Ke$ha, Britney Spears, Selena Gomez And Many More At Wango Tango 2011

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Sunday, July 17, 2011

Photos | "Michael Jackson's This Is It"

"Michael Jackson's This Is It"

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'Avengers' Director Joss Whedon Is 'So Clever,' Chris Evans Says

'He's a great guy to be quarterbacking this thing,' the 'Captain America' star tells MTV News.
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Chris Evans
Photo: MTV News

Although most of our Marvel Comics-related movie excitement these days is pegged to the impending release of "Captain America: The First Avenger," we can't help but already get excited for next year's highly anticipated, superhero-filled "The Avengers."

When MTV News caught up with Cap himself, Chris Evans, during our "MTV First: Captain America" interview Thursday, we asked for his thoughts on working with fan-favorite "Avengers" director Joss Whedon.

"He's unbelievable," Evans said. "He's so clever. He lives in the world of comic books, so he has in his head an amazing story already mapped out. When it comes to directing actors and understanding dialogue, he's an incredibly talented writer. If something isn't working for you as an actor within the words, he can walk away for 10 minutes and come back with seven options that are all fantastic and clever and witty and it's got a pace and a banter," he explained. "He's a great guy to be quarterbacking this thing."

With regard to Captain America's story line in "The Avengers," the details of which Evans couldn't fully divulge but are briefly teased at the end of "Captain America," he said his character is basically a fish out of water trying to understand the modern world around him.

"It's really multifaceted. The guy has to accept the fact that everyone he knew and loved is gone," Evans said of his character's new arc. "Not only is he alone, [but] the world has changed so much, and I think a big part of what makes Cap Cap was his connection to the way things used to be, this kind of pro-American morality and good-ol'-boy sense of life and the way of doing things," he added. "In the modern era, there's a bit of a disconnect. There's not as much human interaction. I think there's more cynicism than there was back then, so it's him trying to come to terms with the way things are."

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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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667366/avengers-chris-evans-joss-whedon.jhtml

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Photos | Lady Gaga Leads The 2010 VMA Nominees

Lady Gaga Leads The 2010 VMA Nominees

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Photos | Chris Brown And Usher Perform In Jamaica

Chris Brown And Usher Perform In Jamaica

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Britney Spears - If U Seek Amy

If U Seek Amy

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=501686&vid=354290

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Britney Spears, Taking Back Sunday Video Worlds Collide Thanks To Director

Chris Marrs Piliero explains why the cat in 'Faith (When I Let You Down)' comes across an Easter egg from 'I Wanna Go.
By Jocelyn Vena


Photo: Warner Bros.

Taking Back Sunday's video for "Faith (When I Let You Down)" is a social commentary about the fleeting nature of Internet fame, as illustrated by a fake cat trying to make it in Hollywood. It also happens to be the latest installment in the kooky videography of music video auteur Chris Marrs Piliero.

"It was an idea that I had floating around in my head, and when I listened to the song ... the meaning of the song clicked in my brain," the director said of the clip, which follows his cheeky video for Britney Spears' "I Wanna Go."

"People just love cat videos," he explained. "And I just thought it would be fun to see what it would like if a cat had the brain to be like, 'Sh--, I'm a big deal.' "

In the video, Taking Back Sunday post a clip of their cat online, and soon "OMG, WTF TBS Cat" goes viral. The cat eventually hops on a bus to L.A. (with a quick nod to Guns N' Roses "Welcome to the Jungle"), finds fame, disses the TBS guys, fails to make it as an actor, winds up in porn and eventually can't handle the pressure. Then, of course, TBS Cat heads back home.

Was that cat as difficult in real life as he was in the video?

"I was like halfway into the shoot, and he was throwing out demands," Piliero recalled, laughing. "It got to the point where no one was allowed to make eye contact with him on set. I had to sit him down and have a heart to heart with him."

Along with the GNR homage and a few other pop-culture references, the video includes a cute Easter egg for Britney fans: One of TBS cat's discarded audition scripts is for the fantasy Spears sequel, "Crossroads 2: Cross Harder," which is also on the marquee in "I Wanna Go."

"I made the TBS video right after the Britney video," he said. "I felt like the cat could exist in the same world as the 'I Wanna Go' world, so I thought it would be a fun little Easter egg. Also, [frontman] Adam [Lazzara] from TBS texted me after watching the Britney video, and I didn't even realize that during the paparazzi fight when she swings the mic around — that is something that Adam does all the time, which is something I was very conscious of — but I didn't realize the scene happened in front of a store called Keaton's, and his son is called Keaton!"

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667011/britney-spears-taking-back-sunday-faith-video.jhtml

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Dimmu Borgir Release Live DVD; Plus Led Zeppelin, Brujeria, & More News That Rules, In Metal File

'It shows the intense live side of the band, as opposed to the perfection and the cleanness of how we sound on our albums,' guitarist says.
By Chris Harris


Dimmu Borgir's Silenoz
Photo: Nuclear Blast

On October 14, Dimmu Borgir — who just happen to be Demi Lovato's favorite black-metal band — will release a a three-disc DVD/CD set called "The Invaluable Darkness," the band's first visual offering since 2002's "World Misanthropy." Boasting live footage shot last year, during gigs in Norway, Germany and England, "The Invaluable Darkness" demonstrates the unbridled furor of seeing Dimmu live, guitarist Silenoz said.

"It shows the honest rawness and atmospheric darkness of our concerts," the Norwegian told Metal File last week, after dismissing recent online rumors that his band's next LP would be coming out through Roadrunner Records. "Basically, it shows the intense live side of the band, as opposed to the perfection and the cleanness of how we sound on our albums. It's just a different side to the band, basically."

Dimmu Borgir began thinking about "The Invaluable Darkness" two years ago, but didn't start capturing footage until last summer, Silenoz explained, adding that the band will use its current stint on the Blackest of the Black Tour — which got underway Thursday night in Miami Beach, Florida, and also features the tour's founder, Danzig, along with Moonspell, Winds of Plague and Skeletonwitch — to promote the DVD. Dimmu Borgir will not, however, use the tour to write material for their next LP.

"It's our first time on Blackest, but Glenn [Danzig] had wanted to bring us out before [on the tour], but we weren't available until now," Silenoz said. "We've done Ozzfest before, but we're looking forward to this tour more. We did the main stage on Ozzfest, playing in f--_ing broad daylight. This tour will let us play in bigger places, but at the same time showcase more of what the band's about, visually. We are going to concentrate on the tour for now. Some years ago, we tried putting [material] together on the road, but once we got home, we listened back to it, and were like, 'What the f--- is this?' So, we just scrapped it all. We find it's so much better to totally focus on one thing at a time, and then, when that's over, you move on to the next [thing]. We don't really feel like we need to rush things, anyway, so we'll just take our time, and it's going to be what it's going to be."

Dimmu Borgir hope to reconvene in late December to begin writing the follow-up to 2007's diabolically titled In Sorte Diaboli. "We have some ideas floating around already, but we haven't arranged any material yet," he said. "We'll start doing that once the touring for this DVD is over." The band's frontman, Shagrath, is also due to marry soon — he's engaged to actor Nicolas Cage's ex-girlfriend, Christina Fulton, so that may have an effect on when Dimmu finish their next album, which Silenoz said could be out this coming spring.

"I'm sure [Shagrath] won't let anything get in the way [of] the band — I think, I hope," the guitarist said. "We don't need a Yoko [Ono] situation."

While Dimmu have been at it going on 15 years now, Silenoz said he doesn't think their forthcoming material will be much of a departure from their previous black-metal offerings.

"And we have always been about more than just that term, 'black metal,' " he said. "Luckily for us, the older you get, the less concerned you get with the categorization and putting labels on your music. Things start getting more and more limitless with us, and we know that we operate within certain frames. But we try not to analyze things too much, because it's just going to be working against you in the end. When we write new stuff, we don't think about what we should write — we just get together, and put material together, and if we like it, we keep it. That's the formula, if we even have a formula."

Dimmu Borgir are definitely getting older — guitarist Galder will be missing Blackest because of a recent addition to his family, and Susperia's Cyrus will be filling in for him; while former Vader drummer Dariusz Brzozowski takes over for Hellhammer, who had to leave the band in 2007 after sustaining a neck injury that's now limited the use of his right arm. As Dimmu has gotten on in years, Silenoz admits they have failed to keep pace with some of the more extreme black-metal acts that have followed in their wake.

"We helped open doors for the more extreme bands out there," Silenoz said. "I'm sure we helped open doors for bands like Watain, [insomuch as] people that had maybe started listening to us first then went on to the more extreme stuff. Let's face it — we're not as extreme as Watain and other bands like that, but we're fine with that."

The Blackest of the Black Tour continues through November 10 in San Francisco.

The rest of the week's metal news:

Dimmu's tourmates on Blackest, Winds of Plague, have announced ex-Azusa drummer Art Cruz has joined their ranks — he replaced Jeff Tenney. According to the band's blog, "Art has already added a new spark to the band and has provided us with a solid backbone that will allow us to continue our rampage stronger than ever." ...

What the world really needs is another Led Zeppelin box set, so, on November 4, Rhino Records will issue the Led Zeppelin Definitive Collection Mini LP Replica CD box set. For just $200, you'll get 1969's Led Zeppelin, 1969's Led Zeppelin II, 1970's Led Zeppelin III, 1971's Led Zeppelin IV, 1973's Houses of the Holy, 1975's Physical Graffiti, 1976's Presence, 1976's The Song Remains the Same, 1979's In Through the Out Door and 1982's Coda, as mini-LP replicas, with artwork from the original U.K. LP sleeves. Now, you know what you can get your dad for Christmas. ...

Former Killswitch Engage frontman Jesse Leach and current Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz have teamed up for a new project they're calling Times of Grace, and they've already started working on material for their debut album. According to Leach, "We have two songs to go and we will be finished with all of the vocals. Adam has taken lead vocals in three songs as of yet and he is doing a great job. We also worked on a track yesterday that is so epic — we trade vocals and do two different melodies at the same time. This album went from a melodic metal album to an epic mix of metal/rock/pop/shoegaze and punk. So all of your metal expectations will be incorrect — we are pushing genre boundaries." To quote "Meet the Parents," we'll look forward to that, Greg. ...

The Funeral Pyre and Early Graves will be hitting the road together next month, starting November 7 in South Lake Tahoe, California. Dates are booked through November 21 in Hollywood. ...

The latest incarnation of Brujeria, which features Carcass frontman Jeff Walker and Napalm Death's Shane Embury, have lined up several U.S. dates for this winter. The band will begin its brief trek November 28 in Denver, and wrap things up in Dallas on December 7. ... Demiricous will be touring with the Gates of Slumber starting November 9 in Denver, for a jaunt that's scheduled to run through December 6 in Indianapolis. ...

Nearly three years after Roadrunner Records' Roadrunner United concert, which took over the Nokia Theater in New York's Times Square, the label is now releasing footage from that special night as "Roadrunner United: The Concert." The DVD, which hits stores December 9, will boast two discs and 24 live tracks, including Life of Agony's "River Runs Red," King Diamond's "Abigail," Killswitch's "My Last Serenade," Type O Negative's "Black No. 1" and Sepultura's "Refuse/Resist." ...

According to Blabbermouth, Verrot, bassist for Swedish black-metal outfit Elimi, committed suicide on October 3. In a statement, the band said, "Verrot was a very good friend, brother, an excellent bass player/musician and an important part of Elimi; we respect his decision and hope he'll find his way with the dark gods of Chaos. Let your black flame be a part of what brings forth the day of wrath."

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1596756/dimmu-borgir-release-live-dvd-set-metal-file.jhtml

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Saturday, July 16, 2011

Britney Spears, Taking Back Sunday Video Worlds Collide Thanks To Director

Chris Marrs Piliero explains why the cat in 'Faith (When I Let You Down)' comes across an Easter egg from 'I Wanna Go.
By Jocelyn Vena


Photo: Warner Bros.

Taking Back Sunday's video for "Faith (When I Let You Down)" is a social commentary about the fleeting nature of Internet fame, as illustrated by a fake cat trying to make it in Hollywood. It also happens to be the latest installment in the kooky videography of music video auteur Chris Marrs Piliero.

"It was an idea that I had floating around in my head, and when I listened to the song ... the meaning of the song clicked in my brain," the director said of the clip, which follows his cheeky video for Britney Spears' "I Wanna Go."

"People just love cat videos," he explained. "And I just thought it would be fun to see what it would like if a cat had the brain to be like, 'Sh--, I'm a big deal.' "

In the video, Taking Back Sunday post a clip of their cat online, and soon "OMG, WTF TBS Cat" goes viral. The cat eventually hops on a bus to L.A. (with a quick nod to Guns N' Roses "Welcome to the Jungle"), finds fame, disses the TBS guys, fails to make it as an actor, winds up in porn and eventually can't handle the pressure. Then, of course, TBS Cat heads back home.

Was that cat as difficult in real life as he was in the video?

"I was like halfway into the shoot, and he was throwing out demands," Piliero recalled, laughing. "It got to the point where no one was allowed to make eye contact with him on set. I had to sit him down and have a heart to heart with him."

Along with the GNR homage and a few other pop-culture references, the video includes a cute Easter egg for Britney fans: One of TBS cat's discarded audition scripts is for the fantasy Spears sequel, "Crossroads 2: Cross Harder," which is also on the marquee in "I Wanna Go."

"I made the TBS video right after the Britney video," he said. "I felt like the cat could exist in the same world as the 'I Wanna Go' world, so I thought it would be a fun little Easter egg. Also, [frontman] Adam [Lazzara] from TBS texted me after watching the Britney video, and I didn't even realize that during the paparazzi fight when she swings the mic around — that is something that Adam does all the time, which is something I was very conscious of — but I didn't realize the scene happened in front of a store called Keaton's, and his son is called Keaton!"

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667011/britney-spears-taking-back-sunday-faith-video.jhtml

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"Harry Potter" Finale Dominates with $92.1 Million Opening

Off to a monumental start, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" raced to a staggering lead at the box office over the weekend of July 15-17, 2011.

The Daniel Radcliffe/Emma Watson starring franchise finale delivered an estimated $92.1 million opening day with forecasts of an opening weekend take of $180 million.

After two weeks in the top spot, Shia LaBeouf and Rosie Huntington Whiteley's action flick "Transfromers: Dark Of the Moon" was bumped into second with an approximate third weekend total of $20 million.

Rounding out the top five at the box office were Jennifer Aniston's comedy "Horrible Bosses" ($15 million), followed by "Zookeeper" ($11 million) and "Winnie the Pooh" ($7.8 million).


Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/harry-potter-and-deathly-hallows-part-2/harry-potter-finale-dominates-921-million-opening-524992

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Justin Bieber 'Rooting For Drake' At BET Awards

But pop star stays mum on what he has in store for fans during Sunday's show, airing live on BET at 8 p.m. ET.
By Jocelyn Vena


Justin Bieber
Photo: Jamie McCarthy/ Getty Images

Justin Bieber isn't nominated in any of the categories at this Sunday's 2011 BET Awards, but that isn't stopping the teen superstar from making an appearance. With so many of his pals up for prizes at the show, it's anyone's guess what the Biebs might do come awards day, and he's keeping it a surprise.

"You never know. I will never tell you, ever, even if there was a fire right now," the singer joked to MTV News on Thursday at a New York City event for his fragrance, Someday. "I wouldn't tell you. I can't tell you [or I'd] have to kill you."

Usher, Chris Brown, Drake, former crush Beyoncé and Kanye West are among the performers nominated this year and they're also pals of Bieber's. And while he's excited for all of them, Justin said he's rooting hardest for his countryman. "I'm rooting for Drake," he said of his fellow Canadian. "Drake is my homey."

Brown has six nods, Lil Wayne has five, and Kanye West, Drake and Rihanna each have four. The Video of the Year category has a surprising mix of contenders, including Willow Smith for "Whip My Hair," Marsha Ambrosius' "Far Away," B.o.B's "Airplanes," Brown's "Look at Me Now," Hilson's "Pretty Girl Rock" and West's "Runaway."

In addition to the big-name nominees, among the A-list performers slated to take the stage at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium are Beyoncé, Jill Scott, Alicia Keys, Lil Wayne, Drake and Brown. Nicki Minaj and Bruno Mars have also been added to the show's lineup.

The 2011 BET Awards, hosted by comedian Kevin Hart, air live on Sunday, June 26, at 8 p.m. ET on BET.

What do you think Bieber will do at the awards show? Tell us in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666381/justin-bieber-drake-bet-awards.jhtml

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Photos | 'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Trailer Frames

'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Trailer Frames

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Jack, My Narcoleptic Nephew Update

Remember when I wrote this post about how my nephew Jack can sleep anywhere?

Well, here's the latest:

Source: http://www.prettyinthecity.com/blog/2011/6/17/jack-my-narcoleptic-nephew-update.html

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Ice Cube: 'Boyz N The Hood' Still 'As Potent' 20 Years Later

'We felt like we was teaching America about a part of itself that they don't see,' Cube tells 'RapFix Live.'
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Ade Mangum


Ice Cube
Photo: MTV News

"Either they don't know, don't show, or don't care about what's going on in the 'hood."

In that line lays the crux of John Singleton's 1991 film "Boyz N the Hood." Delivered by Ice Cube's character, Doughboy, those words ring as true today, 20 years later, as they did when the film first hit theaters. Released on July 12 of that year, "Boyz N the Hood" was a gritty, cinematic depiction of the lives of three young African-American men growing up in inner-city Los Angeles. On Wednesday's (July 13) "RapFix Live," Ice Cube broke down the cultural significance of the film that launched his acting career.

"When we first did the movie 'Boyz N the Hood,' we felt like we was teaching America about a part of itself that they don't see," he explained. "We was teaching you about people like Doughboy and why he is the way he is."

But while Cube's Doughboy was an unapologetic gangster who couldn't see a way out of the 'hood and the gang culture that consumed him, his half-brother Ricky Baker (Morris Chestnut) used football as a means to earn a college scholarship that might ultimately take him out of the ghetto. Their friend Tre, played by Cuba Gooding Jr., struggled to balance the life lessons that his father (Laurence Fishburne) passed onto him with the reality of the streets. And for Cube, the circumstances addressed in the movie still ring true after two decades.

"The movie holds up. The movie had been used as a tool to teach people about the 'hood that they may not know about," he said. "I think the movie is a definite classic, it definitely holds up, it's definitely as potent today as it was back then. The message is definitely as clear today and needed as it was back then."

Share your favorite scenes from "Boyz N the Hood" in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667236/ice-cube-boyz-n-the-hood.jhtml

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Friday, July 15, 2011

Twitter Time: Celebrities That Love To Tweet

Who needs a publicist these days?

From pregnancy and birth announcements, to personal views/rants, to posting cute pictures of their children, Twitter is the communication tool of the stars.

Read on about some of our favorite celebrities on Twitter and check out our twitpic slideshow!

Source: http://celebritybabyscoop.com/2011/06/10/twitter-time-celebrities-that-love-to-tweet

Alice Dodd Alicia Keys Alicia Witt Amanda Bynes Amanda Detmer

Beyonce Takes Fans Inside 'Year Of 4' In MTV Special

Queen B takes fans behind the scenes of the year spent making her new album in special airing Thursday at 7 p.m. ET/PT.
By Jocelyn Vena


Beyoncé in her "Year of <i>4</i>" special
Photo: MTV

Beyoncé released 4 on Tuesday (June 28), and she's taking fans behind-the-scenes of her new album in the MTV special "Beyoncé: Year of 4," set to premiere on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET/PT on MTV and BET, and at 7:30 on VH1 and Palladia (encore presentations will air later on MTV.com, MTV Hits and MTV Jams).

The special was filmed during Beyoncé's year off, as she set out to discover what she wanted next in her career. It kicks off as B wraps up her I Am Tour, and finds herself at a crossroads before eventually giving into her mother's advice to take some time off.

"My life was award shows and tour buses and hotels and it kind of goes by so fast ... I couldn't even hear it anymore," she says of her whirlwind schedule. "I'm just thinking about the next shoot ... the next video ... the next tour."

Fans are with Queen B as she travels, hangs out with family, friends and husband Jay-Z, and takes time to reflect on her crazy successful career. "I never even realized I needed a year off," she later says. "And I never realized I don't know how to take a year off."

During this reflective time in her life, Beyoncé also began working on her most eclectic album to date, mixing genres and styles to make 4. The special also takes a look at her career as she takes charge of her business. "It was very risky for me to set out on my own," she says. "Sometimes we don't reach for the stars, sometimes we are satisfied with what people tell us we're supposed to be satisfied with, and I'm just not going for it."

4, B's fourth solo album, is a mix of sassy uptempo tracks like the lead single "Run the World (Girls)," soft ballads like "1+1," as well as sassy midtempo songs like "Best Thing I Never Had." She worked with producers and artists like The-Dream, Kanye West and Andre 3000 for the release.

"Being able to take viewers behind the creative curtain of one of the world's most amazing and talented artists, Beyoncé, in the lead-up to her album release is a pure thrill," Van Toffler, President, MTV Music Group, LOGO and Film, said in a statement. "This honest and intimate special provides her audience and fans a rare opportunity to witness a true, musical genius at work and the stories that defined and inspired her incredible new album."

Tune in to "Beyoncé: Year of 4," airing Thursday, June 30, at 7 p.m. ET/PT on MTV and BET, and at 7:30 p.m. on VH1 and Palladia. Encore presentations follow on MTV.com, MTV Hits and MTV Jams.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666569/beyonce-year-of-4.jhtml

Abbie Cornish Adriana Lima Adrianne Curry Adrianne Palicki Aisha Tyler

HGTV, LA and Dining Room Tables

I've been watching a lot of HGTV since coming to LA. My favorite shows are House Hunters and House Hunters International. There's also another show I like to watch called For Rent, but only because it makes me angry.

When it comes to apartments/homes, I think living in New York for the past eleven years has made me bitter because there was this whiny broad on For Rent a few nights ago who was looking at a huge place—A HUGE PLACE—and was like, "There's no place for a dining room table..."

B*TCH, YOU'RE LUCKY TO GET A KITCHEN IN NEW YORK.

I hated her.

Now there's some stupid lady on House Hunters who wants a townhouse with a fireplace that she can turn on with a light switch. IT HAS TO BE A LIGHT SWITCH because she doesn't want to bend down and flip a switch on the floor.

WHO DO THESE PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE?

Anyway, I know my LA update is WAY overdue (and truth be told I wrote a long one last week but for some reason it didn't save so I lost the whole thing and I was so angry that I just said, "Ah, f*ck it," and closed the computer instead of rewriting) but to give you a quick update, I AM SO HAPPY HERE. I MEAN, I'M REALLY, REALLY HAPPY. And I think living here and watching HGTV—both of these things combined—has made me realize that New York was just beating me down. I mean, the fireplace lady—yes, she's an idiot. But there's nothing wrong with wanting a dining room table. Why did I get so mad at that lady?

Since being here, at least once a day I ask myself why I have lived in New York for so long. (It's like I had Stockholm Syndrome or something.) CALIFORNIA IS AWESOME. It's like the promised land. It's sunny all the time and there are birds and flowers everywhere. I have space out here. I have a sofa on the patio out here. I HAVE A SOFA OUTSIDE. I haven't seen one rat since I've been here. But hummingbirds? THEY ZIP BY MY HEAD EVERY DAY. I am so happy.

I'm supposed to go back to New York in November, but truth be told, I'm not sure I will.

Source: http://www.prettyinthecity.com/blog/2011/7/15/hgtv-la-and-dining-room-tables.html

Cindy Taylor Cinthia Moura Claudette Ortiz Coco Lee Connie Nielsen

Photos | Janet Jackson Performs A Tribute To Michael Jackson At The VMAs

Janet Jackson Performs A Tribute To Michael Jackson At The VMAs

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1621643

Amber Brkich Amber Heard Amber Valletta America Ferrera Amerie

Halle Berry & Olivier Martinez: Lunch Lovers

Treating themselves to a lunch date, Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez were spotted out in Los Angeles yesterday afternoon (July 14).

The ?Swordfish? hottie and her ?Unfaithful? hunk headed over to The Little Door restaurant to get their grub on as the paparazzi snapped up pictures.

Halle has been under extra stress as of late thanks to a creepy stalker who gained access to her home, only to be arrested by police.

Richard Franco, who has been in Berry?s yard multiple times, was hit with a restraining order this week, forcing him to stay 500 yards away from Halle for the next three years.

Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/halle-berry/halle-berry-olivier-martinez-lunch-lovers-524672

Janet Jackson January Jones Jennie Finch Jennifer Aniston Jennifer Gareis

Photos | Wango Tango 2010

Wango Tango 2010

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1639311

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Usher - Spotlight

Spotlight

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1270&vid=454171

Zooey Deschanel Aaliyah Abbie Cornish Adriana Lima Adrianne Curry

Ke$ha - Take It Off

Take It Off

  • Artist: Ke$ha
  • Label: RCA
  • Director: Paul Hunter, Dori Oskowitz

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=3213641&vid=549666

Charli Baltimore Charlies Angels Charlize Theron Chelsea Handler Cheryl Burke

Thursday, July 14, 2011

So a Lady and Her Monkey Walk Into a Petsmart...

I went to Petsmart yesterday to get some things for little Mary Margaret, and while I was pulling into the parking lot, I passed a lady getting out of her car with a monkey on her shoulders.

Of course I came to a screeching halt because there was a lady getting our of her car WITH A MONKEY ON HER SHOULDERS, and that's just something you don't see every day.

I proceeded to take a photo...

...but then thought it would be better to capture the craziness on video, so here it is:

Lady and Her Monkey Go to Petsmart from Karyn Bosnak on Vimeo.

 

When I told Mark about the lady and her monkey and showed him my movie, he said, "You really are crazy." I was like, "I'm crazy? THE MONKEY WAS WEARING A DIAPER AND PEARLS."

I mean, for real, let's put this into perspective.

Anywho, here's another photo of the lady and her monkey at the checkout counter:

I realize I now have one cat and two dogs, but at least I don't walk around with a monkey on my shoulders. (Yet.)

Source: http://www.prettyinthecity.com/blog/2011/4/21/so-a-lady-and-her-monkey-walk-into-a-petsmart.html

Jessica Alba Jessica Biel Jessica Cauffiel Jessica Paré Jessica Simpson

Beyonc� - Best Thing I Never Had

Best Thing I Never Had

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=671258

Haylie Duff Heidi Klum Heidi Montag Hilarie Burton Hilary Duff

Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Slash Light Up Super Bowl XLV Halftime Show

Foursome is joined by special guests and tons of lights for smash-hit medley.
By Mawuse Ziegbe


Black Eyed Peas perform during the Super Bowl XLV halftime show
Photo: Getty Images

The Black Eyed Peas promised a party at the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday (February 6), and the pop supernovas definitely delivered, with a performance teeming with lights, dancers and surprise appearances from celebrity pals.

Following a Chatter.com commercial that showed animated versions of the Peas showing off their social-media skills, the group kicked things off with their 2009 smash "I Gotta Feeling," descending from the ceiling on illuminated platforms onto a stage surrounded by a cluster of dancers clad in white bodysuits. The foursome led the team of fist-pumping troops in "Tron"-like getups, with Taboo sporting an outfit covered in flashing lights, will.i.am rocking a shiny hairpiece, Apl.de.ap wearing huge bright studs and Fergie vamping it up in bling-laden shoulder pads.

When the speaker-busting bass of "Boom Boom Pow" dropped, the dancers dispersed across the field to create arrow-shaped formations as the glow-in-the-dark lights on their suits illuminated the stadium. Then rumored surprise guest Slash of Guns N' Roses rose from below the stage for a "Sweet Child O' Mine" duet with Fergie. The GNR great rocked a finger-searing solo in a studded version of his signature black top hat as more angular platforms and dancers moved across the gridiron. The platforms were bearing scores of marching-band musicians who blasted their horns and pounded away on their drums as the Peas went into "Pump It" and blue lights splashed across the production.

Quick streams of fog heralded the arrival of the Peas' second surprise guest, Usher, who swooped in on a long chain to bust out his will.i.am-assisted joint "OMG." Rocking a sparkly collar on an otherwise all-white ensemble, the R&B hitmaker cranked out several counts of energetic choreography, enlivening moves from his "OMG" video and at one point jumping over Will and landing in a split.

A spray of pyro ushered in the collective's breakout 2003 hit "Where Is the Love?" as the oddly shaped platforms spelled out the word "Love" in bright-red letters. The team of dancers, which appeared to have multiplied to over 100, formed hearts across the field as will updated the lyrics of the smash with lines like, "Obama, let's get these educated."

Then the group jumped ahead to their most recent single, 2010's "The Time (Dirty Bit)," as several back up hoofers rocking cubed helmets joined the Peas onstage and dancers lined up along the gridiron to simultaneously bust out the Running Man, a move which drew cheers from the crowd.

The platinum-selling Peas wrapped up the performance with a reprise of "I Gotta Feeling," as the quartet triumphantly signed off amid of blitz of fog, firepower and flashing lights.

Ripping the halftime show was clearly a touching moment for will, who tweeted beforehand, "Me and apl started the peas when we were 16 yesterday we were dreamin now were livin it. Wow. I'm not crying out of sadness or nervousness its joy and pride and memories and the journey."

And once the crew left the stage, the frontman was not only proud, but pumped. "That was so freakin sick," he wrote. "Wow...!!!"

What did you think of the Black Eyed Peas' Super Bowl performance? Let us know in the comments!

Related Photos Related Artists

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657356/black-eyed-peas-usher-slash-super-bowl.jhtml

Eliza Dushku Emilie de Ravin Emma Heming Emma Stone Emma Watson

Photos | MTV Buzzworthy Blog: Pop Star Brides

MTV Buzzworthy Blog: Pop Star Brides

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1667118

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Giveaway: Britax Baby Carrier (Value: $129.99)

Jul 6 2011 7:48amJul 13 2011 7:00pm

With the brand-new BRITAX BABY CARRIER (available later this summer nationwide), carrying your growing baby has never been more comfortable or easy.

The BRITAX BABY CARRIER features the CarryLong? System, which reduces the risk of back and shoulder strain during extended wear by distributing weight across the shoulders, back and hips. Not only does the BRITAX BABY CARRIER offer superior levels of comfort, but it is versatile as well. The ergonomic carrier allows you to face your baby inward towards you or outward to face the world, and accommodates infants from eight pounds to toddlers up to 32 pounds. Along with comfort and versatility, the BRITAX BABY CARRIER was engineered for simple daily use. An over-the-head design makes it easy to get the carrier on and off, one-handed buckles and snaps simplify getting your child in and out of the carrier, and both the harness and waist belt straps have been constructed for easy adjustment.

Features & Benefits:

  • Carrylong? System with padded waist belt and shoulder straps, distributes weight across shoulders, back and hips for maximum extended wear comfort
  • Multiple Carrying Positions offer parent versatility to face baby inward or outward
  • Removable Infant Insert ensures a comfortable, natural sitting position for smaller babies

Hollywood celebrated Father's Day when Britax and Baby Buggy hosted the Pre-Father?s Day Mini Golf Open to celebrate the launch of the BRITAX BABY CARRIER. Some of the celebrities who attended included Emily Deschanel, Kevin Nealon, Laila Ali, Ian Ziering, Ali Landry, Autumn Reeser, and Samantha Harris, among others.

We are giving away a BRITAX BABY CARRIER to 2 lucky readers (Each retails for $129.99).

One Easy Way to Enter:
Leave a comment here with a valid email address (will not be published). Please state your favorite feature of the BRITAX BABY CARRIER and 2 winners will be chosen at random at the end of the contest. One entry per person, per day.

This contest ends Wednesday, July 13th at 7:00 pm EST. This contest is open to continental US & Canada residents only! Good luck!
*contest rules*
* Check out Britax on Facebook & Twitter!

Uploaded Picture: 

Source: http://celebritybabyscoop.com/contests/2011/07/06/giveaway-britax-baby-carrier-value-12999-

Charli Baltimore Charlies Angels Charlize Theron Chelsea Handler Cheryl Burke

Justin Bieber Doing NKOTB? Jim Jonsin Reveals Ideas

Producer says he would like to help Biebs channel New Kids on the Block, New Edition and Kelly Rowland.
By Rob Markman


Justin Bieber
Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images

Multi-platinum producer Jim Jonsin has some interesting plans for when he gets in the studio with Justin Bieber. No, he won't be coupling the teen-pop sensation with B.o.B, but rather he will try to capture the vibe of NKOTB.

"For Bieber, I think I want to reach back to New Edition, those days," Jonsin initially said before referencing another 1980s Boston-bred boy band. "I want to try to do something like that — 'Please Don't Go Girl,' New Kids on the Block — because the girls would go crazy. Maybe not that song, but something that feels like that: little bit of soul, R&B, but pop as well."

While the track pre-dates the 17-year-old Bieber by about four years, "Please Don't Go Girl" was the first single from NKOTB's sophomore album, Hangin' Tough, and ultimately put the group on the map. The ballad, which featured Joey McIntyre as the lead vocalist, drew comparisons to New Edition's 1983 single, "Is This the End" — not surprising considering both acts were founded and produced by Maurice Starr.

It isn't all about the '80s however: Jonsin also would like to produce something more modern for JB as well, using Kelly Rowland as a reference. "And then I'd love to put him on something like that 'Motivation' type of track," he said of the hit Rowland single he helped create. "Just a hard beat that he could sing something super slick [on]."

Jonsin admits that, at first, he didn't know what to make of Justin, but thanks to the Biebs' "Never Say Never" film, the hitmaker has a newfound respect for the young star. "When I watched the movie with my 8-year-old daughter, I was floored and inspired at who he was as a person. He's a good kid, he's a philanthropist, he's a good role model," Jonsin said. "I have a newfound respect for the young man, and I'm honored to work with him."

Who would you like to hear Justin Bieber channel on his next album? Share your ideas below!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666717/justin-bieber-new-kids-on-the-block.jhtml

Genelle Frenoy Georgianna Robertson Georgina Grenville Gina Carano Gina Gershon

Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Coldplay Confirmed For I Heart Radio Festival

Two-day fest, set for September 23-24 in Las Vegas, also features the Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood and others.
By James Montgomery


Lady Gaga
Photo: Jag Gundu/ Getty Images

It's being billed as "the biggest live music event in radio history" (whatever that means), and so, the organizers of the brand-new iHeartRadio Festival have pulled out all the stops, delivering a lineup that's appropriately loaded with some of the biggest stars in the business.

Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Nicki Minaj, the Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood and Steven Tyler are just some of the acts set to appear at the inaugural I Heart Radio fest, scheduled for September 23 and 24 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. They'll be joined on the bill by the likes of Kenny Chesney, Jennifer Lopez, David Guetta, Rascal Flatts, Kelly Clarkson and John Mayer (to name just a few).

Organizers promise that even more artists will be added to the bill as the summer stretches on. The eternally busy Ryan Seacrest will host the event, which will stream live online and via mobile devices at iHeartRadio.com, and across the websites of all Clear Channel-owned radio stations.

If you'd prefer to be there in person, you can get a first crack at tickets by liking iHeartRadio on Facebook. The pre-sale ends at 1 a.m. ET this Saturday, with tickets going on sale to the general public later that same day (at 1 p.m. ET) through Ticketmaster.com.

Of course, given that this is a radio fest, Clear Channel is also giving listeners plenty of chances to win a free trip to Vegas for the event. For more information on how you can score yours, check out iHeartRadio Music Festival's official site.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667041/lady-gaga-coldplay-i-heart-music-festival.jhtml

Blake Lively Blu Cantrell Bonnie Jill Laflin Bridget Moynahan Britney Spears