kagacanada.com

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!

Related Photos

• 2011 Pre-Grammy Celebrations
• 2011 Grammy Performers

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• Usher
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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657728/usher-justin-bieber-grammy-performance.jhtml

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‘I probably won’t get on this album, but hopefully the next one,’ singer/songwriter Sia says of song she pitched for Beyonce’s new album.
By James Dinh

Beyoncé
Photo: Michael Loccisano/ Getty Images

As Britney Spears and Lady Gaga gear up to release new albums, there’s another pop heavyweight who may offer them some friendly competition: Beyoncé. Details surrounding the singer’s next album remain scarce, but according to a few of the project’s collaborators, Bey is almost finished recording the follow-up to 2008′s I Am … Sasha Fierce and has managed to hit the studio with an extensive list of producers.

After gushing about her high hopes for working with Beyoncé, Australian songstress Sia revealed that she told B’s behind-the-scenes team that she wanted to lend a creative hand for the new album. “So I just said to all the producers, writers, everyone, help me make this happen, and then Diplo e-mailed me and said, ‘where are you in the world right now? would you be interested in flying to New York? I’m writing with Beyoncé,’ and I was like, ‘Yesss!’ ” the singer told MTV Australia.

Despite Diplo’s offer, Sia said she was unable to fly out because of schedule conflicts, but is in the process of pitching songs to Beyoncé. When asked if her submissions were for Beyoncé’s forthcoming LP, Sia said, “Well, there’s only one song left for this album, so I probably won’t get on this album, but hopefully the next one. That’s my dream, that’s my goal.”

Sia isn’t the only collaborator that has suggested Beyoncé is close to wrapping up studio sessions for the project. Sleigh Bells have confirmed working with the singer, but are weary on whether their work with the songstress will make the final cut. Speaking with NME.com, guitarist Derek Miller admitted, “I actually have no idea if the collaboration will ever be released.”

While Miller remained tight-lipped on details regarding the song (or songs?), the Sleigh Bells bandmate confessed that the collabo is just one of her many musical partnerships, saying, “Beyoncé works with whoever she wants to work with, probably 30 or 40 producers. It’s a totally different world from what I’m used to. So for me, it’s just exciting to hear something that I worked on but I can’t really say any more than that.”

Sia and the Sleigh Bells join a long list of other collaborators who have been tapped to work on Beyoncé’s new album, including Ne-Yo, S1, Jim Jonsin, Sean “The Pen” Garrett, The-Dream and Tricky Stewart.

Who do you want to see Beyoncé collaborate with on her new album? Share your suggestions in the comments.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658108/beyonce-new-album.jhtml

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Ego

• Artist: Beyoncé
• Label: Columbia, Music World Music
• Director: Beyonce, Frank Gatson, Sheryl Murakami
• Album: I Am…Sasha Fierce [Deluxe Edition]

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=391548

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DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love

• Artist: Usher
• Label: LaFace

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1270&vid=555426

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Singer teases his new project by pointing to past hits like ‘Yeah!’ and ‘OMG.’
By James Montgomery

Usher
Photo: MTV News

With the success of songs like “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love,” “Hot Tottie” and “OMG,” Usher had himself a fairly massive 2010. But rather than rest on his laurels, he’s looking to build on his big year, not with an album, but with a “movement.”

It’s something he’s calling “Rev Pop” — or, simply, “Rev” — and though he’s already teased his idea in a video with David Guetta (Akon is also involved), he has yet to speak in full about it. So when MTV News caught up with Ush before the 53rd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles at the (Belvedere) RED launch party, we asked him about his next musical endeavor. And though he didn’t reveal much, he did let it be known that “Rev” isn’t exactly something new. In fact, he’s been doing it for a while now.

“I’ll give it to you this way: At a later date, I’ll tell you more about Rev Pop, but if I were to give you a flash: I’ve done it before, I did it with ‘Yeah!’ ” he said, “taking a cultural experience, and also worldwide recognition of a feeling, and putting the soul in the middle of it. Not allowing it to shift heavily to R&B genre, or pop. I did it again with ‘OMG,’ once again putting the soul in the middle of it, which was an electric-pop experience, with the soul.

“It’s bringing those elements together to tell a story, that was born here,” he said, gesturing toward his heart, “And that’s what Rev Pop is. There’s more, I mean, I could really elaborate, but that’s just what I’m going to tell you right now. ‘Rev’ is what it’s called … the movement is called Rev.”

Usher wouldn’t say just when his fans would be getting their first taste of Rev, but whenever they do, it sounds like they’re going to be impressed … if not a little shocked.

“Stay alive,” he smiled, “Because you’re definitely going to be in for a surprise.”

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• Usher

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658043/usher-rev-pop.jhtml

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Music industry urges other stars who played for Libyan dictator’s family to donate their earnings.
By Gil Kaufman

Beyonce
Photo: Al Pereira/ WireImage

Just days after singer Nelly Furtado announced that she planned to donate to charity money she received for playing a concert for the family of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, a spokesperson for Beyoncé said that the “Halo” singer had already done the same.

Documents obtained by the WikiLeaks website revealed that stars including Beyoncé, Usher and Mariah Carey had played big-paycheck gigs for Gadhafi. On Monday, Rolling Stone magazine reported that the industry was urging the stars (noting that rapper 50 Cent had also played such gigs) to return the money they earned for the concerts.

“They’ve done it for tons of artists,” an unnamed music-business source told the magazine about lavish parties by Gadhafi’s son, Muatassim, which are reportedly often “jammed” with supermodels. “Those guys are all over the world.”

On Wednesday, a rep for Beyoncé — who played a New Year’s Eve gig for Muatassim with Usher on the Caribbean island of St. Barts in 2009 — told the Huffington Post that the singer had long ago resolved the matter.

“All monies paid to Beyoncé for her performance at a private party at Nikki Beach St. Barts on New Year’s Eve 2009, including the commissions paid to her booking agency, were donated to the earthquake relief efforts for Haiti over a year ago,” her publicist said. “Once it became known that the third-party promoter was linked to the Qaddafi family, the decision was made to put that payment to a good cause.”

The money was donated to the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund, established in the wake of last year’s devastating earthquake, and a spokesperson for the fund confirmed that it received the $1 million check in the weeks after the January 2010 earthquake.

According to her official Twitter feed, Canadian pop star Nelly Furtado confirmed on Monday that she once did a show for the dictator’s family and now plans to donate the money to charity. “In 2007, I received 1million$ from the Gadhafi clan to perform a 45 min. show for guests at a hotel in Italy,” she wrote on Monday. “I am going to donate the $.”

The star-studded shows were part of the extravagant lifestyle of the dictator’s sons, whose splashy parties and out-of-control spending have angered their countrymen, many of whom wallow in poverty as the Gadhafi clan benefits from the country’s oil riches.

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• Beyoncé

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659097/beyonce-gadhafi-donation.jhtml

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Chris Brown And Usher Perform In Jamaica

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1644415

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The ‘Gossip Girl’ star gets her party on with ‘Front Cut,’ a new track that just hit the Internet.
By Jocelyn Vena

Leighton Meester
Photo: Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images

For a while there it seemed like Leighton Meester was only going to be “Country Strong,” but now she’s again embracing her dance-club music roots on a new track. On Tuesday, a new Meester tune titled “Front Cut” hit the Web.

The “Gossip Girl” star’s track, a certain club banger that could easily be confused with any song in Ke$ha’s dance-heavy discography, features the writing, production and vocal talents of Clinton Sparks.

“I’m too fly to be all up in this line, boy/ I should get a front cut/ I should get a front cut,” Meester proclaims in the opening lines of the song — which is all about getting key access to a slamming party — before some killer keyboards and heavy beats kick in. She goes on to rap/sing, “You see me coming through/ Not just me, my girlfriends too/ You know what we came to do/ That’s why we in front of you.”

Meester really displays her swagga on the song’s bridge, when she goes on to sing, “Don’t tell me I gotta wait in the line/ I said f— the front door, I should go in through the side/ Why don’t you/ Lift up that rope to let through/ All these girls in my crew / Give me a drink or a few/ I mean a bottle or two/ We’ve been out here too damn long / And I hear Clint Sparks playin’ my song/ Got my diamond and my Louboutins on/ Ya better hurry up or I’ll be gone/ Don’t tell me I gotta wait in no line/ ‘Cause there’s plenty of other clubs that want me inside.”

With no official release date for the track or any definite plans for an album release, it seems that for now Meester fans will have to just enjoy the song online. The singer/actress’ pop-star career has been long-simmering, to say the least. She was expected to drop an album in 2010, but that never happened.

In 2009, she appeared on Cobra Starship’s “Good Girls Go Bad,” then she hooked up with Robin Thicke on the song “Somebody to Love.”

So what do you think of Meester’s new club banger? Share your opinions in the comments.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657540/leighton-meester-front-cut.jhtml

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Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)

• Artist: Beyoncé
• Label: Columbia/Music World Music
• Director: Jake Nava
• Album: I Am…Sasha Fierce

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=288546

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Ego (Remix)

• Artist: Beyoncé
• Label: Columbia, Music World Music
• Director: Beyonce, Frank Gatson

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=401347

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2010 BET Awards Show Highlights

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1642468

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On latest episode, airing Saturday at 11 a.m. ET, singer says she fainted after meeting the King of Pop.
By James Dinh

Brandy on “When I Was 17″
Photo: MTV

Sometimes celebrities get starstruck too — just ask Brandy. In the latest episode of “When I Was 17,” the singer-turned-reality starlet opens up about meeting Michael Jackson, thanks to producer Rodney Jerkins.

“When I was 17, my producer Rodney Jerkins was working with Michael Jackson at the time,” Brandy says in the episode, premiering Saturday at 11 a.m. ET on MTV. “He knew how much I wanted to meet Michael Jackson, so he says, ‘Would you like to come and meet him?’ I’m like, ‘Are you serious? Of course I want to meet Michael Jackson! Where do I meet you? Where do we come?’ ”

And it wasn’t just Jerkins who knew about the singer’s admiration for Jackson. “Michael Jackson was it, so we studied Michael. Brandy studied Michael,” her brother Ray J says.

Brandy says the super-producer orchestrated the meeting between the siblings and Jackson at the recording studio. However, prior to entering the room, Brandy says nerves got the best of her.

“My heart is beating so fast at this point,” the “Dancing With the Stars” alum recalls. “I’m like, ‘Oh my God. It’s happening. We’re about to open the door and he’s going to be in there.’ ”

Ray J, who was equally excited, peeped around the room, saying, “When we first walked into the studio, we can kind of see Michael in the corner and we looked at each other like, ‘Did you see him?’ ” Unfortunately, Brandy, couldn’t maintain the same type as composure. “And I’m looking at him like, ‘Oh my God. This is Michael Jackson,’ ” adding, “I fainted, blacked out — like seriously blacked out.”

“When I Was 17″ airs Saturdays at 11 a.m. ET on MTV.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659776/brandy-when-i-was-17.jhtml

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1658394

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Justin Bieber’s ‘Never Say Never’ L.A. Premiere

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1657530

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‘If it puts me in a good mood, it clicks for me,’ singer tells Ryan Seacrest of Ke$ha-penned track.
By Jocelyn Vena

Britney Spears
Photo: Jeremy Cowart/ WireImage

Britney Spears got her fans amped up for her forthcoming album, Femme Fatale, when she released its second single, “Till the World Ends,” on Thursday. The chugging, Ke$ha-penned club banger is all about getting your dance on. And when Spears stopped by Ryan Seacrest’s radio show on Friday (March 4), she admitted that the song just felt right for her as soon as she heard it.

” ‘Till the World Ends’ is fun! It’s fun. I like it. It’s good energy,” she said of the track, which was produced by Dr. Luke, Max Martin and Billboard. “I’m a vibe person, and I think I love good-mood songs, and if it puts me in a good mood, it clicks for me.”

As for the album, which already spawned a chart-topping single, “Hold It Against Me,” she teased, “I think it’s my best work yet. I listened to it on the way over here. It’s definitely something you want to work out to. … And I’m a dancer, so it’s definitely something I can work with.”

“Oh my God! Will.i.am is amazing,” Spears said of the producer, who teased the track “The Big Fat Bass” recently. “He’s so much fun and he’s funny and he’s a charm. His music is so much fun. When they told me I was going to be working with him, I couldn’t wait. If it gets you going, you get excited, and he has that type of energy.”

In addition to talking about the album, Spears also shared plans for a summer tour. And she talked about how she’s keeping in shape these days as she amps up to promote the album, which drops March 29. “I have a trainer. [I go] on the treadmill for 30 minutes and we do a lot of cardio, running,” she explained. “He kicks my butt. You pay to hate your trainer!”

It seems that the workout regimen has also had an effect on her beau, talent agent Jason Trawick, who, according to Seacrest, was “pudgy” before he hooked up with the pop star. “He wasn’t pudgy,” she laughed. “He wasn’t pudgy. He is definitely ripped. He just got on this health kick. I guess he’s on a health kick. He eats what he wants.”

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659202/britney-spears-till-the-world-ends.jhtml

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It’s Grey’s Anatomy star Jessica Capshaw and hubby, Christopher Gavigan’s kids!

Luke, 3, and Eve, 4 months, are too cute for words in the above photo that dad Tweeted. Christopher posted this beautiful twitpic with the caption, “How adorable are my kids!”

Source: http://celebritybabyscoop.com/2011/03/10/guess-who

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Justin Bieber’s Grammy Night

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1657869

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Actor must complete 16 hours of community service and enroll in a 12-month domestic-violence program.
By Jayson Rodriguez

Mel Gibson arrives at the Los Angeles Courthouse Airport branch on Friday
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images

Mel Gibson and his legal team reached a deal with prosecutors Friday (March 11) that will see the actor avoid jail time after being charged with misdemeanor battery earlier in the day.

The actor appeared before a Los Angles judge and pleaded no contest to the charges. Under the terms of his agreement, Gibson must complete 16 hours of community service, enroll in a 12-month domestic-violence program and pay an assortment of court fees and fines.

Gibson also must obey a strict order to not annoy, harass or threaten anyone with violence while serving out his various punishments.

The actor has already begun reporting to a domestic-violence counselor and was ordered to submit a progress report during a status hearing June 9. By that date, the actor is also required to compete his community service, which he’s scheduled to perform at the Mending Kids International facility. Gibson’s deadline to complete his year of counseling is March 30, 2012.

The actor has 36 hours to turn himself in for booking.

The deal concludes an ugly split between Gibson and ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, the mother of his young daughter. The two dated briefly after Gibson and his wife of 26 years, Robyn, separated.

Gibson and Grigorieva were ensnarled in a bitter custody dispute that was compounded by lawsuits the two filed against each other.

Gibson accused Grigorieva of extortion and she alleged Gibson physically assaulted her.

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659767/mel-gibson-plea-deal.jhtml

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Performances At The 10th Annual BMI Urban Awards

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1647596

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It’s Grey’s Anatomy star Jessica Capshaw and hubby, Christopher Gavigan’s kids!

Luke, 3, and Eve, 4 months, are too cute for words in the above photo that dad Tweeted. Christopher posted this beautiful twitpic with the caption, “How adorable are my kids!”

Source: http://celebritybabyscoop.com/2011/03/10/guess-who

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Ego

• Artist: Beyoncé
• Label: Columbia, Music World Music
• Director: Beyonce, Frank Gatson, Sheryl Murakami
• Album: I Am…Sasha Fierce [Deluxe Edition]

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=391548

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Lady Gaga’s Grammy Night

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1657884

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Wango Tango 2010

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

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Music industry urges other stars who played for Libyan dictator’s family to donate their earnings.
By Gil Kaufman

Beyonce
Photo: Al Pereira/ WireImage

Just days after singer Nelly Furtado announced that she planned to donate to charity money she received for playing a concert for the family of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, a spokesperson for Beyoncé said that the “Halo” singer had already done the same.

Documents obtained by the WikiLeaks website revealed that stars including Beyoncé, Usher and Mariah Carey had played big-paycheck gigs for Gadhafi. On Monday, Rolling Stone magazine reported that the industry was urging the stars (noting that rapper 50 Cent had also played such gigs) to return the money they earned for the concerts.

“They’ve done it for tons of artists,” an unnamed music-business source told the magazine about lavish parties by Gadhafi’s son, Muatassim, which are reportedly often “jammed” with supermodels. “Those guys are all over the world.”

On Wednesday, a rep for Beyoncé — who played a New Year’s Eve gig for Muatassim with Usher on the Caribbean island of St. Barts in 2009 — told the Huffington Post that the singer had long ago resolved the matter.

“All monies paid to Beyoncé for her performance at a private party at Nikki Beach St. Barts on New Year’s Eve 2009, including the commissions paid to her booking agency, were donated to the earthquake relief efforts for Haiti over a year ago,” her publicist said. “Once it became known that the third-party promoter was linked to the Qaddafi family, the decision was made to put that payment to a good cause.”

The money was donated to the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund, established in the wake of last year’s devastating earthquake, and a spokesperson for the fund confirmed that it received the $1 million check in the weeks after the January 2010 earthquake.

According to her official Twitter feed, Canadian pop star Nelly Furtado confirmed on Monday that she once did a show for the dictator’s family and now plans to donate the money to charity. “In 2007, I received 1million$ from the Gadhafi clan to perform a 45 min. show for guests at a hotel in Italy,” she wrote on Monday. “I am going to donate the $.”

The star-studded shows were part of the extravagant lifestyle of the dictator’s sons, whose splashy parties and out-of-control spending have angered their countrymen, many of whom wallow in poverty as the Gadhafi clan benefits from the country’s oil riches.

Related Artists

• Beyoncé

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659097/beyonce-gadhafi-donation.jhtml

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The Chicago MC says the Lasers follow-up will include ‘some really hard-ass songs.’
By Jayson Rodriguez

Lupe Fiasco
Photo: MTV News

It’s not exactly one step forward and two steps back, but after aiming for mass appeal on his recently released Lasers LP, Lupe Fiasco is already hard at work on the follow-up, which he described, surprisingly, as a “hood album.”

“There’s no attempt to get on the radio, except maybe once, thus far, it’s still a work in progress,” he told MTV News about his next effort. “It’s a harder album — the beats are way harder. It’s not about being progressive. It’s not about making music, which is weird [to say]. It’s ‘let’s make some really hard-ass songs.’ ”

Regardless of the change in direction, the project should still manage to get plenty of attention: It’s called Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor 2 and is the sequel to the Chicago MC’s heralded debut.

So far, he hasn’t recorded any material for Food & Liquor 2 that includes the cast of characters he introduced on his debut and his sophomore set, The Cool.

Fiasco does plan on reintroducing those concepts, but the collection is, at this point, more along the lines of “S.L.R. (Super Lupe Rap),” a lyrical dynamo that the rapper unleashed online last year in the wake of a comment made by Soulja Boy about MC-ing.

“It’s not an attempt to remake Food & Liquor,” Lupe explained, citing “SLR” as an example of the project’s DNA. “It’s not any attempt to reshape it or reintroduce it. I just think Food & Liquor was a dope title and I wanted to use it again.”

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659704/lupe-fiasco-food-liquor-sequel.jhtml

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Officers removed antique rifle and bullets after receiving tip actor was in possession of weapons.
By Gil Kaufman

Charlie Sheen (file)
Photo: Getty Images

Los Angeles Police Department officers paid yet another visit to troubled actor Charlie Sheen’s home on Thursday evening as part of an investigation into a suspected violation of the temporary restraining order connected to the former “Two and a Half Men” star’s ex-wife, Brooke Mueller.

Based on a tip that Sheen was in possession of weapons and ammunition, police searched the home for three hours but did not arrest Sheen after carting away an antique rifle from the 1800s and some bullets, according to TMZ. The police visit reportedly came after cops received a tip earlier in the day that Sheen had threatened to harm himself with a firearm; the actor is prohibited from possessing weapons as part of the restraining order.

An LAPD spokeswoman told Us magazine, “We were there to investigate the possible violation of a restraining order. It came to our attention that Mr. Charlie Sheen is a registered owner of firearms so we were making sure there were no firearms or ammunition in the home.” Spokeswoman Norma Eisenman would not discuss whether any firearms were found in the home and said Sheen cooperated with police.

As the raid was under way, news helicopters broadcast footage of Sheen — who filed a $100 million lawsuit against his former “Men” bosses earlier in the day — calmly eating his dinner in his backyard. He later tweeted, “All good here on homefront. All reports are false. I’ll explain more very soon.” He later added, “The LAPD were AWESOME. Absolute pros! They can protect and serve this Warlock anytime!”

Just before the police action, Sheen revealed some news to his followers, confirming that he will be launching a Conan O’Brien-style road show in the near future entitled My Violent Torpedo of Truth/ Defeat Is Not an Option Show.

The first two confirmed dates for the outing are April 2 at the Fox Theatre in Detroit and April 3 at the Chicago Theatre in Chicago. Tickets for the shows go on sale Saturday, but at press time Sheen had not announced the lineup of performers for the events.

The promotional description of the show reads like one of Sheen’s many recent online rants. “I’m going on the road. LIVE. Will there be surprises? Will there be guests? Will there be mayhem? Will you ask questions? Will you laugh? Will you scream? Will you know the truth? WILL THERE BE MORE?!?! This IS where you will hear the REAL story from the Warlock. Bring it. I dare you to keep up with me.”

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659692/charlie-sheen-police-search-home.jhtml

Ria Withenshaw Israel Vacheresse Migdalia Rubi Neville Mingo Michelina Ocanas

‘I got some nice fresh blood in me and feeling better,’ finalist tweets.
By Gil Kaufman

“American Idol” Finalist Casey Abrams
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

There was a conspicuous absence on Thursday night’s “American Idol” elimination show, long before Ashthon Jones got booted out of the top 13. That didn’t happen until the end of the show. It was judges’ darling and bushy-bearded budding sex symbol Casey Abrams.

After another impressive performance on Wednesday night, when he took on Joe Cocker’s version of the Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends,” the 19-year-old film-camp counselor was nowhere to be seen on the stage. Host Ryan Seacrest announced at the top of the show that Abrams was hospitalized for the second time this season and would not be joining his pals for the results broadcast.

“You’ll notice that Casey is missing from the group. He is unfortunately sick and in the hospital right now,” Seacrest announced. “Wave to him. … We know you’re watching buddy, feel better — shout-out to the nurses. Get back here soon, OK?”

While a spokesperson for “Idol” told MTV News that no further details were available on Abrams’ illness on Thursday night, the bass-playing singer tweeted about the situation after the show, writing “Hey guys, thanks for the well wishes, I got some nice fresh blood in me and feeling better. People at Idol & Cedars are treatin me real good.”

An unnamed “Idol” insider reportedly told the Hollywood Reporter that Abrams received two blood transfusions while in the hospital to treat a condition called ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory condition that affects the lining of the large intestine.

Earlier this season, on February 23, Abrams was rushed to the ER after complaining about stomach pains and almost missed the subsequent taping of the top-12 men’s performances, which potentially would have eliminated him from the competition before the finals.

Abrams was in no danger of going home on Thursday night’s show, but if his condition continues and he is unable to perform next week, he could be sent home. Last season, eventual runner-up Crystal Bowersox nearly missed out on her chance to stay on the show when she was rushed to the hospital, necessitating a rare lineup shuffle that forced the men to perform a night earlier than scheduled. Had Bowersox not recovered in time, producers said that she was in danger of being eliminated from the show.

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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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659686/casey-abrams-hospitalized-american-idol.jhtml

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Video Phone (Extended Remix)

• Artist: Lady Gaga
• Label: Columbia, Music World Music
• Director: Hype Williams
• Album: I Am…Sasha Fierce

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=3061469&vid=455581

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‘Rope’ premieres on MTV and MTV.com tonight at 7:54 p.m. ET/PT, followed by a live stream at MTV.com.
By Vaughn Schoonmaker

The Foo Fighters
Photo: Steve Gullick

“I don’t know what we’re doing,” Dave Grohl says, staring with a serious expression into the camera. “Because I don’t know what I’m doing!”

Grohl probably really did know what he was doing as he directed the new Foo Fighters music video, “Rope,” which premieres on MTV at 7:54 p.m. ET/PT on Thursday (March 10), but he played up the modesty while giving a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at his work.

“Dave’s paying attention to what’s happening and watching the monitors, tweaking things here and there,” explains the Foo Fighters bassist, Nate Mendel. “He comes up with the idea and maps it out and then you’ve got people to actually run the cameras that know what to do [with] all the technical stuff and getting in there and making sure it’s something that’s going to look good.”

Grohl has already directed the band’s videos for “My Hero,” “Monkey Wrench” and “All My Life,” so it is no big surprise that he has stepped up to helm “Rope,” the first single off of the Foo Fighters’ seventh studio album, Wasting Light.

This time around, fans can expect a performance-based video. “It’s easy for me to come up with a treatment or direct the band because I know what we’re like,” Dave told MTV News recently. “I know what we look like when we play, so most of the Foo Fighters videos that I’ve done have at least a little bit of performance in them.”

The entire video was shot on VHS tape to give it an edgier look, and as Dave recently explained, “We had to build this cube out of fabric and wood for the band to play within, and it’s lit from outside,” he explained. “And then, there’s a part in the video where it’s actually revealed that we’re inside this weird white cube. At first it just seems like we’re in this glowing white room from within, and then towards the end, the big reveal is we’re in this room, which is within a massive room.”

That concept might be confusing, but Dave makes one thing about the video very clear. “I’m not getting paid for this,” he smirks. “It’s a freebie. You’re welcome, band!”

The Foo Fighters’ “Rope” video premieres live at 7:54 p.m. ET/PT tonight on MTV and MTV.com, followed by an exclusive Q&A session from one lucky Foo fan’s house to be live-streamed on MTV.com. Fans can submit questions via Twitter (@MTVNews using hashtag #askfoos).

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659652/foo-fighters-rope-behind-the-scenes.jhtml

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Matthew McConaughey is seeing a lot of himself in his two children, Levi, 2, and Vida, 1. But that’s not necessarily a good thing. In an interview with Access Hollywood, McConaughey reveals that his little ones have already started trying to pull off the same tricks that he did as a youngster – and they’re learning at a much faster rate than dear ‘ole Dad!

“Children remind you something about yourself everyday that maybe you forgot – or maybe you know, but you didn’t think you were doing that till you were like 20 and they’re doing it when they’re like, 2,” says the Lincoln Lawyer star.

Source: http://celebritybabyscoop.com/2011/03/10/matthew-mcconaughey-kids-are-like-a-mirror

Bianca Attebery Jeff Lidbom Kourtney Giannelli Randal Albe Gail Flem

Unicorn cameos in ‘Born This Way’ and ‘Blow’ videos is ‘just weird coincidence,’ Chris Marrs Piliero tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena

Ke$ha in her video for “Blow”
Photo: RCA

The brand-new videos for Ke$ha’s “Blow” and Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” couldn’t be more different. But fans on the Web have been comparing the clips, thanks to a special cameo the two videos have in common. With unicorns appearing in both “Blow” and “BTW,” some Gaga fans are accusing the K-Dollar of stealing from their Mother Monster.

But MTV News spoke to “Blow” director Chris Marrs Piliero, who explained that it’s pure coincidence his video and the Nick Knight-directed video both feature unicorns.

“It’s very odd. It’s one of those weird things, and I think a lot of people on the Internet don’t grasp the sense of time [that goes into making videos]. Some Gaga fans, they don’t realize that just because it was announced there might be a unicorn [in Gaga's video], it’s like, we didn’t film the video after that announcement,” he said.

“It’s like [the movies] ‘Dante’s Peak’ and ‘Volcano’ and then there was ‘Armageddon’ and ‘Deep Impact.’ I don’t know, I know when things like that happen when I was a part of the audience, I was like, ‘That’s weird and fishy,’ but now being on the other side, it’s just weird coincidences,” he explained. “What are the odds of that?”

In fact, Piliero had a gut feeling that he should use unicorns many, many moons ago and he thought Ke$ha was the right artist to join with the mythological creatures onscreen.

“Ke$ha was looking to make kind of something different, a video that was cool and random, and I had this idea running in my head with just the idea of unicorns,” he recalled. “If I massacred unicorns, they could bleed rainbows. I’m a fan of violence and I’m always trying to find a way to make it OK.”

The rainbow-spewing unicorns weren’t the only cameo that Piliero hoped to nab. He also wanted “Dawson’s Creek” star James Van Der Beek to appear in the clip. “He’s such an awesome guy. He was down for it,” he said. “He had seen the Black Keys video [I shot] and he was stoked on the idea. It was so much fun. He and Ke$ha kind of went for all the craziness. I think he has a fantastic comic side. He’s good at being naturally funny. It’s about the delivery.”

Ke$ha, of course, was onboard for all the zaniness. “Before we started filming, we had quite a few talks. She was adamant you can’t back away from the crazy; everything about the idea she loved and she enforced the fact that she wanted to embrace every aspect of it and really go for it,” he recalled. “On set, she was having fun. She was like, ‘I want to lick a unicorn.’ It was rad working with her because there definitely wasn’t a sense of her feeling awkward about stuff or detached; no ego. It felt like we had worked together before.”

Which video do you prefer: “Blow” or “Born This Way”? Tell us in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659284/kesha-blow-unicorns.jhtml

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Jay-Z, Beyonce, Bieber And More Nominated For 2010 BET Awards

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Songwriter Sean Garrett says former ‘NSYNC star’s success inspires Bieber’s new project and also dishes on Beyoncé’s album.
By Mawuse Ziegbe

Justin Bieber
Photo: Getty Images

Justin Bieber may have declined the chance to join Justin Timberlake’s label, but according to a songwriter in the know, the former ‘NSYNC crooner is the inspiration for the teen sensation’s upcoming album.

Songwriter Sean “The Pen “Garrett, who has been working with Bieber on the follow-up to the chart-ruling My World 2.0., spoke with Billboard about the direction for the teen superstar’s forthcoming album, saying the project will feature more grown-up fare.

“What we’re trying to do with Justin is to segue him into young adulthood,” Garrett said of the project, which is also slated to feature production from hitmaker Christopher “Tricky” Stewart. “The one great thing about Justin Bieber is the fact that his fans are going to grow with him. So we want all the fans that started out with him to still be intrigued and excited about him, but we want to also stretch out a little bit and make the fans that are 22-23 years old love Justin as well. When Justin Timberlake went from the last album of *N Sync to his first solo album — I want to say [we're aiming for] that level. That’s the bar for the type of song, that level of ‘Cry Me a River,’ big records.”

Garrett, who has crafted records for stars like Chris Brown and Bieber’s mentor Usher, also said he’s hard at work on Beyoncé’s next project. However, the songwriter didn’t divulge too much information, only revealing that he’s “been working with her extremely hard … she’s my favorite.”

While Garrett said the plan for his next outing is to angle Bieber toward a swiftly maturing audience, Bieber himself has refused to categorize his music, insisting to MTV News in December that he’s just focused on creating quality records.

“Whatever comes out of my mouth is just what you guys are going to hear,” Bieber explained of his hits. “I don’t know, it’s not a specific type of music. Whatever music I write, I wouldn’t say I’m pop or R&B or country or anything: I would just say it’s just good music,”

What do you think Justin Bieber’s new music is going to sound like? Let us know in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1656369/justin-biebers-next-album-capture-justin-timberlakes-magic.jhtml

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Celebs Get ‘Dolled’ Up

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Recent castoff Rachel Zevita and Popdust’s Maura Johnston will also be in on the ‘American Idol’ fun at 9 p.m. ET on MTV.com.
By MTV News staff

Sammi from “Jersey Shore”
Photo: MTV

“Idol Party Live” is getting something of a “Jersey Shore” makeover this week, as Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola joins MTV News’ live stream on Thursday (March 10) at 9 p.m. ET, following the “American Idol” elimination show.

Will wild card and Diana Ross wannabe Ashthon Jones get the boot? Can Karen Rodriguez overcome her unwelcome ode to Selena? We’ll know in a matter of hours, and then you can head over to MTV News to discuss it all with Sammi and host Jim Cantiello.

That’s because “Idol Party Live” is your new destination for can’t-miss post-game analysis, commentary, interviews, conspiracy theories, “Idol” insanity, karaoke and more. Every Thursday, Jim and special guests gab about all the drama, music and Steven Tyler-isms that make “Idol” a TV addict’s dream. Plus, viewers can join in the fun by tweeting their passionate opinions with the hashtag #idolparty. The best tweets will get shout-outs live on the air, and our favorite commenters may be asked to Skype in for a future episode.

This week, in addition to Sammi, Jim will be joined by co-host Maura Johnston, an editor at Popdust.com, and special guest Rachel Zevita, a top 24 “Idol” contestant this season who was sent home last week. We’ll also be rolling in a slew of interviews with current “Idol” crooners from a recent press event, so you’ll be hearing from the likes of Casey Abrams, Pia Toscano, James Durbin and the rest of the top 13.

So don’t miss the latest episode of “Idol Party Live” on MTV.com at 9 p.m. ET, the moment “Idol” goes off the air. (Don’t worry, West Coasters, we’ll have the entire show archived on the site by the time the results show airs in your neck of the woods.)

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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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659615/sammi-american-idol-live.jhtml

Joella Hershaw Normand Lofgren Gaynelle Tancer Paris Creps Myrtie Tinch

A big congrats goes out to 27-year-old Greek star, Spencer Grammer, and her hubby, James Hesketh!

Us reports that the newlyweds are expecting their first child, which will make Spencer’s father, actor Kelsey Grammer, (also a newlywed – for the fourth time) a grandpa!

Source: http://celebritybabyscoop.com/2011/03/10/spencer-grammer-is-pregnant

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Jay-Z, Beyonce, Bieber And More Nominated For 2010 BET Awards

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1639466

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Photos From Justin Bieber’s Interview With Sway

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‘I will be donating all of my personal proceeds…to various human rights organizations,’ singer says of concert linked to Libyan dictator.
By Shawn Adler

Usher (file)
Photo: Getty Images

R&B superstar Usher announced Friday (March 4) that he was donating to various charities proceeds from appearing at a private event at St. Barts linked to Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, according to a statement made to the Associated Press.

The Grammy award winner’s renouncement comes after similar announcements from singers Mariah Carey, Nelly Furtado, and Beyoncé, all of whom were revealed to have performed at private concerts linked to the Middle Eastern leader, who has faced open revolt and major political uprisings since February.

“I am sincerely troubled to learn about the circumstances surrounding the Nikki Beach St. Bart’s event that took place on New Year’s Eve 2009,” Usher said of the concert, at which he appeared alongside Beyoncé but did not perform. “I will be donating all of my personal proceeds from that event to various human rights organizations.”

Usher has already begun the process, having made a donation to Amnesty International, the AP reports. The exact size of the donation is not known.

The New Year’s Eve gig was reportedly for Moammar’s fourth son Muastassim, who an unnamed music industry source told MTV News has a history of throwing lavish parties “jammed” with supermodels.

Beyoncé, who sang at the event, donated all proceeds from her performance to the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund, established in the wake of the Haitian earthquake.

“All monies paid to Beyoncé for her performance at a private party at Nikki Beach St. Barts on New Year’s Eve 2009, including the commissions paid to her booking agency, were donated to the earthquake relief efforts for Haiti over a year ago,” the “Halo” singer’s publicist said in a statement to The Huffington Post. “Once it became known that the third-party promoter was linked to the Qaddafi family, the decision was made to put that payment to a good cause.”

Singer Nelly Furtado tweeted February 28 that she plans to make similar amends.

“In 2007, I received 1million$ from the Gadhafi clan to perform a 45 min. show for guests at a hotel in Italy,” she tweeted. “I am going to donate the $.”

The leader of Libya since a successful military coup in 1969, Gadhafi has reportedly lost control of much of his country as a result of widespread uprisings. The United Nations voted unanimously to refer the dictator to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659301/usher-donate-gadhafi-money-charity.jhtml

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Alicia Keys Brings Jay-Z, Beyonce To Her New York Show

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1634178

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‘I want to stand on my own two feet,’ Gaga says.
By Jocelyn Vena

Lady Gaga
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

On Lady Gaga’s 2009 smash The Fame Monster, the eccentric star hooked up with one of the fiercest ladies in the game when she and Beyoncé got their party on for the club anthem “Telephone.” The singers then appeared together in an over-the-top music video in which they played a Quentin Tarantino-esque version of Thelma and Louise.

As the May 23 release date of Gaga’s latest musical opus Born This Way draws near, the singer’s little monsters are wondering if the star has secured any A-list talent for a collaboration on the new album.

In a recent radio chat, Gaga revealed that she’s not planning on having anyone guest on Born This Way, according to Digital Spy. “I want to stand on my own two feet. I’ve already collaborated with my favorite female in the business,” she teased. “We’ll see how I’m feeling when I’m wrapping up the album.”

With the anticipation for the record so high, fans are beginning to piece together the puzzle of BTW. Reported lyrics for her second single, “Judas,” have already hit the Internet. On the track, Gaga waxes poetic about a lover whom she loves more than he loves her.

“Judas/ You never ever never/ Ever really ever loved me more, than I/ But Nemesis is watching over-high,” she reportedly sings. “And this is your time/ Judas, lie on lie, write/ Tears drop ’cause I cry/ The echo truth killed you so you may finally die.”

Lyrics for another BTW track, “Government Hooker,” also reportedly found their way onto the Internet. A remix of the song debuted last week at the Thierry Mugler fashion show in Paris.

On the song, Gaga sings, “We had our night/ Our real nature/ No more time to decide/ Let it climb, let it ignite/ I can be cool/ I can be anything/ I’ll be your everything/ Just touch me baby.”

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659407/lady-gaga-born-this-way.jhtml

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Brand-new clip premieres Thursday on MTV, with exclusive band Q&A to follow on MTV.com.
By James Montgomery

The Foo Fighters in their “Rope” video
Photo: RCA

Last month, the Foo Fighters foisted the clip for “White Limo” upon the world, a decidedly awesome, shot-on-VHS ode to classic hair-metal vids of the ’80s and, of course, Motörhead mastermind Lemmy Kilmister too.

The response to the video was overwhelming, to say the very least: It has since eclipsed the million-view mark on YouTube, and, in a lot of ways, it influenced Foos frontman (and director) Dave Grohl’s decision to make a proper video for the song “Rope,” which will make its world premiere tonight at 7:54 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.

Because while “Rope” is most certainly a welcome addition to the Foos’ already packed video cabinet, it’s also their first major clip to be shot on VHS … a move that Grohl said had everything to do with his experience of making “White Limo.”

“[The video is] cool, we also did it to VHS. We did a video for the song ‘White Limo’ a few weeks before that, which is just something we did in a couple days,” he said. “I directed it and I really wanted it to have that old VHS look to it. Because VHS tape does weird things to color and definition, and it just looks … like VHS. And so, the ['Rope' video] is on VHS too [and] it definitely has a vibe. Just the look of the tape.”

And though “Rope” is most certainly a performance video, it also represents the band embracing the DIY aesthetics of today’s YouTube world, in their own rather unique way, of course.

“People used to spend, like, $5 million making a video. You think people do that now?” Grohl laughed. “They get a VHS camera, and they make a video in six hours. … And it’s cool. Anybody can do that. That’s f—ing rad.”

The Foo Fighters’ “Rope” video premieres live at 7:54 p.m. ET/PT tonight on MTV and MTV.com, followed by an exclusive Q&A session from one lucky Foo fan’s house to be live-streamed on MTV.com. Fans can submit questions via Twitter (@MTVNews using hashtag #askfoos).

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659543/foo-fighters-rope-video.jhtml

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‘Forbes’ Magazine’s Top-Earning Musicians Of 2010

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1643911

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On the anniversary of the Notorious B.I.G.’s death, the LOX rapper remembers how much it meant to have Biggie at his party.
By Jayson Rodriguez

Jadakiss
Photo: Johnny Nunez/ WireImage

For an upstart Yonkers MC, having the “King of New York” at your birthday party is worth more than a guest verse on a song.

And for Jadakiss, then a rookie sensation as a part of the LOX on Bad Boy Records, he remembers vividly the night the Notorious B.I.G. graced his bash with his presence. It took all of the rapper’s mettle to muscle up the nerve to even ask Biggie, his labelmate, to come to the party.

“We were still new at Bad Boy, so we used to play our part,” ‘Kiss told MTV News, sharing his fondest memory of the Brooklyn lyricist on the 14-year anniversary of his death. “We were real humble. We wouldn’t ask for too much or none of that. But I remember thinking I needed Big to come to my birthday party. I was having my birthday party uptown at a spot called Mo Better. When the moment was right, I was like, ‘Yo, Big, I’m having a birthday this and that, think you could come through for me? Come through right quick?’

“That took all, for me to build up that energy to ask. It was amazing,” Jada recalled, laughing at the memory. “And he was like, ‘When?’ I said, ‘Tomorrow.’ He said, ‘Yeah, I’mma be there and chill with you.’ ”

‘Kiss was nervous, though, and he kept the invite on the hush. Then Big and Lil’ Cease pulled up to the party in a Lexus truck.

“He chilled with me all night, popping bottles, chilling. I said, ‘This is amazing.’ The points I scored with Y.O. that night was incredible,” he said of gaining hometown respect.

“Dudes was coming up to him, amazed that it was him. He was passing out champagne and cigars,” ‘Kiss added. “I said, ‘I’m the man right now. I got Big at my party. I’m chilling.’ ”

Share your Notorious B.I.G. memories in the comments below.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659480/notorious-big-death-anniversary.jhtml

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2010 American Music Awards Red Carpet

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We R Who We R

• Artist: Ke$ha
• Label: RCA
• Director: Hype Williams

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=3213641&vid=603136

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Big-name stars like Justin Timberlake, Kanye West and Britney Spears have also had tense run-ins with photographers.
By Jocelyn Vena

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez
Photo: x17online.com

For many celebrities, their relationship with the prying lens of the paparazzi has always been love/hate. Some bask in the attention and others complain of being hounded relentlessly by hungry photographers. This week, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez were caught up in a paparazzi kerfuffle while celebrating the Biebs’ 17th birthday in Los Angeles.

After giving the paps the finger during the encounter, Bieber later apologized via Twitter. But he’s only the latest in a long history of celebrity/celebrity-photographer encounters: Everyone from Lily Allen to Coldplay’s Chris Martin to Sean Penn (the king of paparazzi knockdowns) has had heated moments with the paps. Here, we look back at some of the more memorable run-ins.

Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz
Like Bieber and Gomez, then-couple Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz were involved in a scuffle with the paps in 2006. Diaz claimed a photographer tried to run her over, while the photographer claimed the actors had trapped him as he was trying to get away.

Björk in Bangkok
Björk lashed out a photographer at Bangkok airport in 1996, attacking a female photog who was trying to take pictures of her as she made her way through the airport. Things quickly got physical. The singer also attacked a paparazzo in 2008 in New Zealand, also at an airport, ripping his shirt.

Britney Spears and an Umbrella
During a more trying time in Britney Spears’ life, the singer, who had recently shaved her head, attacked a paparazzo’s SUV as a pack of photographers looked on. Using an umbrella to carry out the attack, it was believed that Britney was feeling the pressure of the prying paparazzi lens when she wailed on that car in 2007.

Russell Brand and Katy Perry
In 2010, Russell Brand attacked several paparazzi while he and his soon-to-be-wife Katy Perry made their way through LAX. Brand was convinced the photogs were tying to sneak inappropriate pics of Perry.

Kanye West and the Bodyguard
Kanye also had a moment with paps at an airport. West and his bodyguard Don Crowley got into a physical altercation with a photographer in 2008 at LAX. Both he and Crowley were accused of ruining camera equipment after a photog attempted to take the rapper’s photo.

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• Spotted! Daily Celebrity Sightings

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659153/justin-bieber-selena-gomez-paparazzi.jhtml

Harvey Hargrove Antonina Mertes Britt Touhey Carey Brozina Cedrick Combest

‘I think diva is a great and powerful word in the sense of what Beyoncé makes it,’ the pop star says in the magazine’s cover story.
By Jocelyn Vena

Katy Perry on the March issue of <i>Elle</i>
Photo: Carter Smith/Elle

Katy Perry not only glams up for the new issue of Elle, but she also gets real. The singer — who is gearing up for a big performance on this Sunday’s Grammy Awards — dishes on diva behavior, discusses her personal life and even reveals how much she weighs in the fashion magazine’s latest cover story.

“I feel like I’m at a point in my life right now where I could potentially stick around,” Perry says about her outlook on being a pop star. “I don’t feel like a diva, but I think diva is a great and powerful word in the sense of what Beyoncé makes it. And maybe I can’t be Beyoncé, but maybe I can be Cyndi Lauper. I mean be like her, not be her. That would just be weird.”

The singer also admits to having some ambitions outside of the entertainment world. “I think some people will die on the stage, and I’m not so sure I want to do that. Like, I want to have kids!” she explains. “I’m totally fine with saying that. I think some people are scared because they’re worried it’s going to ruin their career, but I want to live a full life.”

That full life, these days, includes her hubby, Russell Brand, who she says is her perfect better half. “Everything clicked really fast. We kind of instantly got past all the surfacey stuff. And ever since then, there hasn’t been a dull moment,” she says. “We both needed balance, and we give that to each other. It wasn’t about me taming him, which is what everyone always says — it was about timing.”

Perry doesn’t hold back at all, revealing details about her weight that very few celebrities seem willing to share with the world. “I was shaped like a square at one time. I was! I’m generally around 130 pounds, which is totally fine for me,” she confesses. “But when I was a kid, I was the same height and weighed more like 145. And I had enormous boobs that I didn’t know what to do with, so I wore minimizers, which were not cute. Those thick-ass straps! I got made fun of for the over-the-shoulder boulder holder … and all I wanted was to look like Kate Moss. Little did I know … that these things would come in handy someday.”

What do you think about Katy’s Elle confessions? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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• The Evolution Of: Katy Perry

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657471/katy-perry-praises-beyonce-elle.jhtml

Kayce Bryars Dylan Vanous Tari Kliethermes Harvey Hargrove Antonina Mertes

Diva

• Artist: Beyoncé
• Label: Columbia, Music World Music
• Director: Melina
• Album: I Am…Sasha Fierce

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=333569

Catrina Rolle Carson Finnefrock Christin Diniz Lyle Montrose Shanda Millie

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!

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• Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Slash Perform During Super Bowl XLV Halftime Show

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

Ria Withenshaw Israel Vacheresse Migdalia Rubi Neville Mingo Michelina Ocanas

Performances At The 10th Annual BMI Urban Awards

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1647596

Kourtney Giannelli Randal Albe Gail Flem Todd Shiiba Lang Aguila

Russell Brand, Willow Smith, Jonah Hill are just a few stars looking to revamp film and TV classics like ‘Arthur’, ‘Annie’ and ’21 Jump Street.’
By Terri Schwartz

Beyoncé
Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images

What do Willow Smith and Beyoncé have in common with Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill and Kenny Wormald? They’re all starring (or in talks to star) in the latest round of remakes of beloved films and TV shows coming down the pike.

On Thursday, news broke that Beyoncé would be starring in a Clint Eastwood-directed remake of the 1976 Barbra Streisand classic “A Star Is Born” (which was a remake of a 1954 movie that remade a 1937 film). In the meantime, Will Smith is reportedly petitioning Sony to remake “Annie” (the 1982 movie and 1977 musical) starring his 10-year-old daughter, Willow, best known for whipping her hair.

In October it was announced that Leonardo DiCaprio and best bud Tobey Maguire would be starring in Baz Luhrmann’s 3-D retelling of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel “The Great Gatsby,” with Carey Mulligan joining as Daisy Buchanan.

Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum have been working on bringing the ’80s Johnny Depp-starring television series “21 Jump Street” to the big screen since 2008, and they might even get Depp to cameo in it in time for the film’s March 16, 2012, release date.

And let’s not forget the long hunt for a Ren McCormack (the character Kevin Bacon made famous in 1984), after Zac Efron and Chace Crawford dropped out of the planned “Footloose” remake that finally landed dancer Kenny Wormald the role of his life.

Then there’s “Arthur,” the Russell Brand-starring remake of the 1981 screwball comedy about a happily drunk millionaire who risks everything for love. The film has tapped everyone from Helen Mirren to Greta Gerwig and Nick Nolte.

Two recently announced remakes are “Lethal Weapon” and “The Wizard of Oz,” which are still in early development and without stars attached. Warner Bros. announced their plans to reboot the Mel Gibson-starring franchise on Thursday and tapped writer Will Beall to pen the script with completely new characters. And director Robert Zemeckis announced back in November that he planned on remaking the 1939 Technicolor classic using the script from the original film, with Warner Bros. hoping Robert Downey Jr. will play Oz.

Just this past year, films from “Clash of the Titans” to “The Karate Kid” to “A Nightmare on Elm Street” were remade for the big screen and were well-received by audiences. “Alice in Wonderland” and “Clash of the Titans” went on to become two of the top 10 highest-grossing films of 2010, while “Piranha 3D” and “The A-Team” also went on to strong successes, proving that there definitely is a market for these kinds of remakes.

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

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1656416/beyonce-leonardo-dicaprio-lead-flurry-movie-remakes.jhtml

Bianca Attebery Jeff Lidbom Kourtney Giannelli Randal Albe Gail Flem

Lady Gaga Lights Up Atlantic City

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1658380

Christin Diniz Lyle Montrose Shanda Millie Raleigh Cutrell Delila Stohs

‘He has a major role in the younger generation to this music,’ producer/DJ tells MTV News of his collaborator.
By Adam Stewart

deadmau5
Photo: Charley Gallay/ Getty Images

It’s no secret that 2010 was a pivotal year for electronic dance music here in the States. With deadmau5 and Swedish House Mafia becoming household names, the genre’s momentum shows no signs of slowing down. Using a conduit of collaboration, artists such as deadmau5 (a.k.a. Joel Zimmerman) have paired up with various underground acts to further the rapid expansion of the genre.

Perhaps one of the most notable movers and shakers of the year is now-Grammy-Award-nominated producer and DJ Wolfgang Gartner, who recently sat down to chat with MTV News about deadmau5 and dance music’s rise to the top.

“He has a major role in the younger generation to this music,” Gartner says, “but there have been certain artists that have been instrumental in helping it cross over and reach the mainstream — which I think is a good thing. I think rap artists using dance beats is a great thing. I think it just brings more people towards this music that we all love.”

Thanks to several key moments, such as deadmau5 taking the helm as house DJ (well, technically “House Artist”) for the 2010 VMAs, dance music has been thrown into the forefront of America’s youth, a key demographic for any genre.

“Everybody knows who he is now and he’s kind of exposing the masses to dance music. These little five-, six- and seven-year-old kids latch on to this ‘mau5head’ logo — they get into the music and he’s bringing this tiny young generation into this music that probably wouldn’t be exposed to it.”

Gartner certainly doesn’t mind the exposure either. Unless you were living under a rock for the past six months, you probably heard one of this past summer’s hottest anthems, “Animal Rights,” a collaborative effort brought forth by deadmau5 and Gartner.

“It was interesting because I kind of had a preconceived notion about how he would be to work [with],” said Gartner. “I think our sounds are really similar, so I figured he would work in a similar way to me, but the way that he writes music is actually completely different to me. But he achieves kind of the same sound through a completely different process.”

Recorded in deadmau5′s favorite Los Angeles studio — that would be rocker Tommy Lee’s House — “Animal Rights” is a thumping progressive house anthem that melds Wolfgang’s unmistakable harmonics and funk riffs with the driving bass line and wobbly synths that make deadmau5 one of the unique forces in the dance music world.

“[Deadmau5] writes these rich complex chord progressions and he does it by drawing these little bars on a grid, which is just amazing that you can do that and get that result,” Gartner goes on to say. “It just proves you don’t have to be able to play keyboards to write amazing music.”

The two sound pioneers never cease to stop pushing the limits on what they are able to produce. Using drastically difference production approaches, deadmau5 and Gartner had the ability to play off each other’s strengths while recording the track.

“I’d say the biggest thing is that I play everything in on a keyboard, like even my drums,” says Gartner. “I play everything in live and he draws it in with notes on a mouse, which blew me away because his music is very musical.”

What do you think 2011 will hold for deadmau5 and Gartner? Let us know in the comments below!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1654857/deadmau5-brings-dance-music-masses-wolfgang-gartner.jhtml

Tracie Dam Edmundo Crighton Corrinne Verkler Anthony Maglaras Bev Delapenha

A new Lara Croft? – TooFab

Must-see pics of some cringe-worthy ‘dos – Celebuzz

Shocking scandal leaves Royals in hot water – iVillage

Facebook focuses on its next target – The Stir

Flight attendant does something shocking with passenger’s baby – The Frisky

Guess who’s dying to date a “beer & wings” guy? – PopEater

Find out which iconic mansion is about to be destroyed – Betty Confidential

The hottest new trailer you won’t want to miss – INO

Source: http://celebritybabyscoop.com/2011/03/08/latest-dish-angelina-jolie-lara-croft

Lamar Lucus Ria Withenshaw Israel Vacheresse Migdalia Rubi Neville Mingo

MTV News’ 2009 Women Of The Year: #4 Beyonce

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1628378

Weldon Malecha Bianca Attebery Jeff Lidbom Kourtney Giannelli Randal Albe

We are excited to be giving away a Barnes & Noble NOOK Color!

NOOK devices are designed to make buying, reading and sharing eBooks and digital content easy and fun. The new NOOK Color makes magazines, newspapers and children?s books come alive. Get social, surf the web, play games and even listen to music; anytime, anywhere. Brad and Angelina stopped by a local Barnes & Noble in Missouri recently and purchased a NOOK for Zahara and Shiloh. Other celeb fans include Annalynne McCord and Blake Lively.

We are giving away one NOOK Color (value $249) to 1 lucky reader!

*HOW TO ENTER* Leave a comment here with a valid email address (will not be published). One entry per person per day. Please state what you like about the NOOK Color and 1 winner will be chosen using random.org at the end of the giveaway. This giveaway ends on March. 12th 2011 at 11:59 p.m. ET. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Please see official rules. Good luck!

Check out NOOK Color on Facebook & Twitter!

Uploaded Picture: 

NOOKcolor home screen.jpg

Source: http://celebritybabyscoop.com/contests/2011/03/08/giveaway-barnes-noble-nook-color-value-249-

Gail Flem Todd Shiiba Lang Aguila Steven Flies Audie Frabizzio

Lady Gaga Lights Up Atlantic City

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1658380

Myrtie Tinch Ryan Lisa Natisha Gals Lucas Venning Joella Gerson

‘If it puts me in a good mood, it clicks for me,’ singer tells Ryan Seacrest of Ke$ha-penned track.
By Jocelyn Vena

Britney Spears
Photo: Jeremy Cowart/ WireImage

Britney Spears got her fans amped up for her forthcoming album, Femme Fatale, when she released its second single, “Till the World Ends,” on Thursday. The chugging, Ke$ha-penned club banger is all about getting your dance on. And when Spears stopped by Ryan Seacrest’s radio show on Friday (March 4), she admitted that the song just felt right for her as soon as she heard it.

” ‘Till the World Ends’ is fun! It’s fun. I like it. It’s good energy,” she said of the track, which was produced by Dr. Luke, Max Martin and Billboard. “I’m a vibe person, and I think I love good-mood songs, and if it puts me in a good mood, it clicks for me.”

As for the album, which already spawned a chart-topping single, “Hold It Against Me,” she teased, “I think it’s my best work yet. I listened to it on the way over here. It’s definitely something you want to work out to. … And I’m a dancer, so it’s definitely something I can work with.”

“Oh my God! Will.i.am is amazing,” Spears said of the producer, who teased the track “The Big Fat Bass” recently. “He’s so much fun and he’s funny and he’s a charm. His music is so much fun. When they told me I was going to be working with him, I couldn’t wait. If it gets you going, you get excited, and he has that type of energy.”

In addition to talking about the album, Spears also shared plans for a summer tour. And she talked about how she’s keeping in shape these days as she amps up to promote the album, which drops March 29. “I have a trainer. [I go] on the treadmill for 30 minutes and we do a lot of cardio, running,” she explained. “He kicks my butt. You pay to hate your trainer!”

It seems that the workout regimen has also had an effect on her beau, talent agent Jason Trawick, who, according to Seacrest, was “pudgy” before he hooked up with the pop star. “He wasn’t pudgy,” she laughed. “He wasn’t pudgy. He is definitely ripped. He just got on this health kick. I guess he’s on a health kick. He eats what he wants.”

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659202/britney-spears-till-the-world-ends.jhtml

Bruno Emick Ora Sparaco Carrol Harn Lonnie Merlos Raymond Smar

‘We knew it was going to be a big deal,’ Vanessa Price tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena

Justin Bieber
Photo: Neil Mockford/ Getty Images

When Justin Bieber isn’t making headlines about his dates with Selena Gomez, he’s making hair-related news. This month alone his hairdo led to some healthy debate and then, earlier this week, it was learned that a lock of Bieber’s famous hair sold at auction for $40,668 (the proceeds went to charity).

When MTV News caught up with Bieber’s hairstylist, Vanessa Price, she admitted that she was surprised the hair sold for that much money, but grateful that someone had the funds to help the Gentle Barn Foundation, an animal rescue organization in California.

“It’s great and it’s for charity and how great is it that we have something that’s disposable that’s worth something,” she said. “It’s a lot of money, but like I said, we’re just so lucky that that’s happened.”

The star’s shorn locks might end up doing a lot of good, but fans couldn’t initially get over Bieber’s decision to lop off those famous swooping bangs.

“We knew it was going to be a big deal,” Price explained. “We knew it was going to shock fans, but we also knew it was going to be a change in terms of growing up. I think that’s something that people adjust to.

“We’d been talking about it for a while and shared some ideas, but literally the day off he was adamant about the haircut. He amped himself up for it,” Price continued, before describing his momentary hesitation. “The minute we started cutting, he was like, ‘Wait, wait, wait.’ He loves it. He’s enjoying it.”

Girls certainly have always been drawn to Bieber because of that signature ‘do (which she calls the 1.0), but Price says that his camp quickly got over any PR doubts that arose when the idea of the haircut was brought to them. “I mean, I’m not gonna say that everyone was 100 percent onboard,” she revealed. “But they trusted in Justin’s style and my abilities and they kind of held their breath.”

These days, Bieber has readjusted his styling techniques for the shorter look. “With his hair before he didn’t require any product. It was super-easy and now that it was cut shorter and choppier, he wanted to be able to experiment,” she explained. “I’m not around all the time, but I definitely groomed him into learning how to do his own hair.

“I don’t know if it’s more work but I told him it’s the ‘we don’t care haircut, just do it haircut,’ ” she continued. “The 1.0 version, it was cut a certain direction, it was cut to style. He’s loving it right now and he’s liking experimenting, so I think we’ll just see that it’s a natural evolution for any young adult.”

Price says she’s only had positive feedback from his dedicated legion of Beliebers, much to her relief. “The only things I’ve heard were positive, so that makes me really happy because the fans were taken into consideration,” she said. “They’re a huge part. Without them, we wouldn’t be here. Since that haircut I have a fan club now. It’s all positive.”

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659195/justin-bieber-haircut.jhtml

Mozell Honegger Tobias Kwasnik Veronica Ostling Drew Karlgaard Dominique Panik

While Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber were both nominated, they didn’t get as much love as some expected.
By Gil Kaufman

Ke$ha
Photo: Jordan Strauss/ Getty Images

You hear it all the time: “I’m just thankful to be nominated.” It’s the gracious and polite thing to say, and artists who lose out on major awards always feel compelled to offer it up.

But what if you never even get nominated?

Every year, there are head-slapping omissions from the roster of nominees at the big awards-fests (Christopher Nolan at the Oscars, anyone?), and this year’s 53rd annual Grammy Awards (which take place February 13) are no exception.

In the night’s biggest category, Album of the Year, there was plenty of griping from critics about the inclusion of Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream, which many considered too lightweight for the night’s top prize. But there was also a bit of talk about Justin Bieber’s smash My World 2.0 not making it into the mix in the major categories, even if Bieber can lick his wounds with his Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Album love.

Though the rules about the Best New Artist category have since been changed to avoid such a problem in the future, Lady Gaga has been the victim of Grammy snubs before. She earned six nominations this year, including coveted Album of the Year for The Fame Monster, but it was mystifying that her huge hit, “Bad Romance,” didn’t get any Record or Song of the Year nominations.

What gives?

“They want her for ratings, but I think the Grammys are still a bit freaked out by Gaga,” said Entertainment Weekly music writer Leah Greenblatt. “There were so many shenanigans about her not being nominated for Best New Artist that I think the Grammys got shamed over that. It’s possible they would try to make it up to her by showering her with nominations and I could see her win in major categories [in the future], but I think they’re not quite ready for her.” That could, of course, change next year when Gaga’s Born This Way is in the running.

Another diva used to serious Grammy love, Alicia Keys, was totally shut out for her The Element of Freedom album. “It’s interesting that Alicia Keys got nothing,” she said. “Her and John Mayer are practically on the ballots every year whether they qualify for eligibility or not. And I think ‘Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart’ was one of the year’s best singles.” And reclusive Grammy bait Sade got a pair of notices for her singles “Soldier of Love” and “Babyfather” in the R&B categories but no chance at any of the big prizes. Greenblatt said she was surprised by both snubs, especially since Sade’s Soldier of Love album was one of the top sellers of 2010 and because the enigmatic singer had been away for nearly a decade and came back in fine, mature form, the kind of story the Grammys love to honor.

There were some eyebrows raised over the single nomination for “American Idol” runner-up Adam Lambert, who had a solid and creatively rich hit album with his debut, For Your Entertainment, but just a single nod for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for “Whataya Want From Me.”

With Perry strutting into a number of top categories thanks to her light-as-air pop confections, it was a wonder that another pop tart with huge digital sales and big chart hits (things the Recording Academy likes to see), Ke$ha, was completely shut out of the game. Greenblatt thought the Lambert dis might fall into the same Gaga territory, with the Academy being a bit freaked out by the singer’s out-and-proud persona and over-the-top antics, but when it comes to Ke$ha, she said it’s probably a different story. “She had a huge impact, but I think the Grammys think she might go away, and they’ve chosen not to legitimize her,” she speculated.

Speaking of big sales, quite a few people commented on the fact that Train’s smash “Hey, Soul Sister,” the best-selling single of 2010, got just one notice for a little-heard live version in the Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group category.

A couple of well-respected hip-hop acts were also conspicuously absent from the nominations list, including Outkast’s Big Boi, whose acclaimed Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty was left out of the Best Rap Album category, along with Rick Ross, whose Teflon Don got no love. “Rick Ross is the kind of artist made to be ignored by the Grammys,” Greenblatt said. “He has a sensibility the Grammys will almost never come around to, no matter how beloved he is by rap fans.”

But given that she thought Chico Dusty was one of the best albums of 2010, Greenblatt was stunned by the freeze-out of Big Boi, who has been showered with Grammy love in the past. “It’s such an achievement, a fully realized album that feels like a real tapestry, a headphones album from someone whose skills are so singular … [from] one of the most iconic and Grammy-approved hip-hop acts of all time.”

Rihanna’s Rated R was also eligible but got stiffed in the major categories, landing just a Best Dance Recording nod for “Only Girl (In the World)” for her single from last year’s Loud and a number of notices for her work on Eminem’s “Love the Way You Lie.” And if you thought Kanye West got ripped off when My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy got blanked, don’t worry: It wasn’t eligible this year but is in the hunt for next year.

The one omission that seemed to make sense was the two small nominations for the kids from “Glee,” who are up for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for their cover of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” and for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Glee: Vol. 1. Though they set cash registers ringing like crazy, it’s no wonder that actors singing covers didn’t garner attention at a show that ostensibly awards creativity. And no one seemed too shocked that Christina Aguilera’s poorly received Bionic was ignored.

Who do you think got stiffed by the Grammys? Share your top snubs in the comments.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657248/2011-grammy-snubs.jhtml

Efrain Engelstad Ruby Icardo Xavier Castilo Anya Strausser Del Eglinton

‘It looked worse than it actually was,’ the ‘OMG’ singer laughs about accidental blow during concert serenade.
By Mawuse Ziegbe

Usher
Photo: Jordan Strauss/ Getty Images

Usher’s club-rattling jam “OMG” may “kill it every night” according to tourmate Miguel, but when the Atlanta crooner hit Madison Square Garden earlier this week, he was almost taken out by a clumsy fan.

When the singer touched down in New York on Monday, he indulged a super amped fan’s fantasy by pulling her onstage for an intimate flirty serenade of “Trading Places.” As Usher and the concertgoer got cozy on a recliner, she swiveled around to face the crooner — knocking him squarely in his mug with her foot. She began apologizing profusely as Usher briefly paused to collect himself. But the superstar took the strike in stride, quipping, “We play rough in the bed. We kick each other in the face and all type of good stuff.”

Although Usher brushed off the blow, the moment did make an impression on him.

“In all my years, this is one of the most interesting experiences. I got a kick out of it!” he told Us Weekly. The singer assured fans that the knock wasn’t that bad. “It looked worse than it actually was. My audience and I got a good laugh.”

As for the fan, the “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” star maintained everything is all good on that front too. “Wherever you are baby, don’t feel bad,” Usher said. “No hard feelings.”

As Miguel has noted, Usher isn’t one dwell on drama, whether it’s cranking out another hit album or weathering an unexpected hit from a fan.

“He’s such a tremendous example of perseverance and determination,” Miguel recently told MTV News. “I was there throughout this album, so I’ve seen the adversity that he’s had to overcome perception-wise.”

What do you think of Usher’s response to getting knocked in the head by a fan? Tell us in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1654395/usher-got-good-laugh-from-fan-kicking-him-face.jhtml

Tobias Kwasnik Veronica Ostling Drew Karlgaard Dominique Panik Sammie Bouten

Plus, Selena Gomez’s rep denies she was attacked by a jealous Bieber fan.
By Jocelyn Vena

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez at Maggiano’s Little Italy in L.A.
Photo: x17online.com

Justin Bieber has experienced the many highs of fame, what with chart-topping albums, a blockbuster movie, sold-out tours and a dedicated fanbase. But on his 17th birthday, the star also came face-to-face with the one main drawback of being a celebrity: the onslaught of the paparazzi.

While Bieber was celebrating his birthday in Los Angeles on Tuesday, the star and his lady, teen queen Selena Gomez, were surrounded by paparazzi while leaving Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant, Popeater reported. In the heat of the moment, Bieber gave the hungry photogs the middle finger, while Gomez shielded her face from their flashing cameras.

Bieber later took to Twitter to clear the air about the incident and apologize for reacting the way he did. “Had a great bday and at the end of the night we got surrounded by paps and I reacted in a way I know better. I’m sorry #killthemwithkindness,” he shared, adding, “It’s not always easy but I know better than to react in anger.”

Shortly after that, rumors began to surface that Gomez was shielding her face from the many camera lenses because she had allegedly been punched by an angry Bieber fan over her relationship with the pop star. The Twitter trend #sorryjustin had some speculating that fans were apologizing for that one fan’s incident with the actress/singer.

But Gomez’s rep told People.com that there’s “absolutely no truth” to any of that. Photos from the night do, however, show what appears to be an injury of some kind on Gomez’s lip.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659098/justin-bieber-paparazzi-birthday.jhtml

Scottie Alameda Lamar Lucus Ria Withenshaw Israel Vacheresse Migdalia Rubi

Performances At The 10th Annual BMI Urban Awards

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1647596

Zane Witry Reena Swint Hunter Stigsell Dimple Mccartin Myron Sharkey

Halo

• Artist: Beyoncé
• Label: Columbia, Music World Music
• Director: Philip Andelman
• Album: I Am…Sasha Fierce

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=332332

Reena Swint Hunter Stigsell Dimple Mccartin Myron Sharkey Mozell Honegger

Best And Worst Grammy Fashions

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1657590

Nickole Helscher Efrain Engelstad Ruby Icardo Xavier Castilo Anya Strausser

The pop icons are featured as part of mag’s ‘Ladies We Love’ April issue.
By James Dinh

Britney Spears
Photo: Eric Charbonneau/ Le Studio/ Wireimage

Britney Spears and Madonna have reunited again, at least on the cover of Out magazine. Pop music’s crème de la crème will share the April cover of the popular gay magazine’s first-ever “Ladies We Love” issue, marking the publication’s first dual-cover release.

While Spears teamed up with photographer Ruven Afanador for her shoot, Madonna’s photo spread dates back to the entertainer’s early career, with previously unseen shots by photographer Richard Corman from 1982. In a post on Out.com, the folks at the mag said that they wanted to shine light on female icons popular among the gay community, writing, “We’re dedicating our entire April issue to the women who inspire, scandalize, educate, and excite us — in a different way than they excite the other boys.”

The “Ladies We Love” issue hits newsstands on March 29, the same day as Spears’ Femme Fatale hits stores. However, Out is giving fans an early look at their feature with the pop princess by posting the full Spears interview and photo shoot on their website on Wednesday at 11 a.m.

News of Britney’s Out magazine spread comes days after the “Hold It Against Me” singer’s feature in V magazine made its way to the Internet. In the issue, Spears opens up about the musical direction of Femme Fatale.

“I like music that makes you move and connects with your soul. I like to feel inspired right away when I listen to new music,” she says. “I always have songs being sent to me from new artists and producers from all over the world, which is really cool. From there I just follow my heart.”

Will you be picking up Out magazine’s Britney/Madonna issue? Tell us in the comments below!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659350/britney-spears-madonna-out-magazine.jhtml

Brunilda Unkn Devin Schrimpf Alma Thomassen Marlin Scalf Alaina Julye

DJ White Shadow talks to MTV News about the Born This Way track, which he dubs his ‘favorite song.’
By Jocelyn Vena

Lady Gaga
Photo: Marco Prosch/ Getty Images

Earlier this week, fans got a taste of the new Born This Way track “Government Hooker,” which made its debut during a Mugler fashion show in Paris. The song’s producer, DJ White Shadow, called “Hooker” a thumping, sexy track.

“To me, that song is my favorite song, and it’s just a beast,” he told MTV News. “I don’t even know how to explain it. [Born This Way] is not a pop album; it’s a pop masterpiece of music. If there was no category of pop music, you wouldn’t call it pop music.”

Shadow recalled how the song came together — and let’s just say what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay there. “We were in this studio in Vegas, and I was playing some hip-hop stuff [for Gaga's label boss Vince Herbert], and I ran across this [old beat I had made], and we were talking about faster songs, so I sped it up and I played it for Vince.”

It seems the new version of the beat, which Shadow had worked on with DJ Snake ages before he played it in that Vegas studio, was the magic that Herbert was looking for. “He was like, ‘Whoa.’ She walked in, and I played it for her and [producer] Fernando [Garibay]. She laid it out in two seconds. She sang over the melody and tuned it up and put the chorus in. She finished it super quick.”

There’s a Euro-sounding robot on the track, which comes courtesy of someone in Gaga’s inner circle. “The guy that’s actually talking, that’s her security guard,” White Shadow revealed. “We were sitting there thinking how to make a computerized voice, so we were like, ‘Let’s get Pete in here.’ He’s got a super-thick Dutch accent, and he’s trying to read off paper. It was insane, and he just talks like that. That’s what it’s like working with Gaga. It’s like a f—ing supernova. When she walks into a room, things explode.”

The lyrics, White Shadow said, were written right there on the spot. “She thinks of sh– that I can’t comprehend,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense to me, and I’m a creative person.”

A credit to her charm and smarts, Shadow summed Gaga up like this: “Working with her is totally different than anyone else I’ve ever done anything with. She’s the most hands-on person I’ve ever run into. She could walk into Steve Jobs’ office and tell him he’s doing Apple wrong, and he’d listen. As a producer, it’s super cool to be with somebody who generally cares and is fully involved.”

What do you think of “Government Hooker”? Let us know in the comments!

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• Lady Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’ Video Premieres

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659254/lady-gaga-government-hooker.jhtml

Lang Aguila Steven Flies Audie Frabizzio Lyndon Reopell Kelly Kalland

Eenie Meenie

• Artist: Justin Bieber
• Label: Epic, Beluga Heights
• Director: Ray Kay
• Album: My World 2.0

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=3187077&vid=512194

Kourtney Giannelli Randal Albe Gail Flem Todd Shiiba Lang Aguila

Singer cancels kick off date of European leg of his OMG Tour due to illness.
By Gil Kaufman

Usher (file)
Photo: Michael Caulfield/ WireImage

Usher was forced to delay the kick off of his European OMG Tour on Wednesday night in Berlin because of illness. In a statement released to fans, the singer apologized for the last-minute scratch, saying he felt he was suffering from a “sinus complication.” Although the gig was rescheduled for Thursday night at the O2 World arena in Berlin, his German fans apparently weren’t appeased by his effort.

“I am truly sorry to all my fans in Berlin who were inconvenienced by tonight’s postponement of the show,” the singer said in a statement about Wednesday’s aborted concert. “I was ill and felt that I would not have been able to give them the show that they properly deserve. … I am looking forward to performing tomorrow and giving Berliners a great show.”

According to the statement, the singer received treatment from doctors for a sinus issue that affected his balance, but a visibly still-ailing Usher was unable to finish the Thursday make-up show, reportedly abandoning the stage after just five songs.

On Friday (January 14), a follow-up statement from his spokesperson confirmed that he was too ill to play Thursday night’s Berlin date and has been forced to reschedule the next three dates on the tour as well. The Rotterdam show originally scheduled for this week has been moved to March 1 and a show in Antwerp, also slated for this week, has been bumped to March 7.

The statement also updated the singer’s condition: “Usher is suffering from upper respiratory illness, which is currently preventing him from performing a proper show. After consultation with doctors, he has been advised to reschedule the upcoming dates in order to get the rest he needs to ensure a complete recovery.”

Footage posted on YouTube that was purportedly taken at the make-up performance in Berlin shows Usher standing silently at the microphone seemingly unable to sing, with fans booing him at first and then chanting, “Usher, Usher,” as he approaches the microphone and apologizes to them for his struggles. “I appreciate your support,” he told the fans wearily.

“I have been very excited about my European Tour and I deeply regret having to reschedule the shows,” the singer said in the new statement. “I am truly sorry for any inconvenience I have caused my fans. My fans are the best in the world and I am looking forward to getting better so that I can give them the show they deserve.”

Usher wrapped up the North American leg of his tour in December and his overseas dates are slated to last through the spring.

What do you think of the fans’ reaction to Usher’s walking offstage mid-show? Tell us in the comments.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1655991/usher-gets-sick-walks-offstage-midshow-berlin.jhtml

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The 2010 Grammy Awards Red Carpet

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1630866

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Chris Brown And Usher Perform In Jamaica

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1644415

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What Beyonce Might Be Like At Home

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1632778

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There Goes My Baby

• Artist: Usher
• Label: LaFace Records, JLG
• Director: Anthony Mandler

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1270&vid=544989

Raleigh Cutrell Delila Stohs Bruno Emick Ora Sparaco Carrol Harn

DJ White Shadow talks to MTV News about the Born This Way track, which he dubs his ‘favorite song.’
By Jocelyn Vena

Lady Gaga
Photo: Marco Prosch/ Getty Images

Earlier this week, fans got a taste of the new Born This Way track “Government Hooker,” which made its debut during a Mugler fashion show in Paris. The song’s producer, DJ White Shadow, called “Hooker” a thumping, sexy track.

“To me, that song is my favorite song, and it’s just a beast,” he told MTV News. “I don’t even know how to explain it. [Born This Way] is not a pop album; it’s a pop masterpiece of music. If there was no category of pop music, you wouldn’t call it pop music.”

Shadow recalled how the song came together — and let’s just say what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay there. “We were in this studio in Vegas, and I was playing some hip-hop stuff [for Gaga's label boss Vince Herbert], and I ran across this [old beat I had made], and we were talking about faster songs, so I sped it up and I played it for Vince.”

It seems the new version of the beat, which Shadow had worked on with DJ Snake ages before he played it in that Vegas studio, was the magic that Herbert was looking for. “He was like, ‘Whoa.’ She walked in, and I played it for her and [producer] Fernando [Garibay]. She laid it out in two seconds. She sang over the melody and tuned it up and put the chorus in. She finished it super quick.”

There’s a Euro-sounding robot on the track, which comes courtesy of someone in Gaga’s inner circle. “The guy that’s actually talking, that’s her security guard,” White Shadow revealed. “We were sitting there thinking how to make a computerized voice, so we were like, ‘Let’s get Pete in here.’ He’s got a super-thick Dutch accent, and he’s trying to read off paper. It was insane, and he just talks like that. That’s what it’s like working with Gaga. It’s like a f—ing supernova. When she walks into a room, things explode.”

The lyrics, White Shadow said, were written right there on the spot. “She thinks of sh– that I can’t comprehend,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense to me, and I’m a creative person.”

A credit to her charm and smarts, Shadow summed Gaga up like this: “Working with her is totally different than anyone else I’ve ever done anything with. She’s the most hands-on person I’ve ever run into. She could walk into Steve Jobs’ office and tell him he’s doing Apple wrong, and he’d listen. As a producer, it’s super cool to be with somebody who generally cares and is fully involved.”

What do you think of “Government Hooker”? Let us know in the comments!

Related Videos

• MTV News Extended Play: Lady Gaga Creative Director Laurieann Gibson
• Lady Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’ Video Premieres

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• The Evolution Of: Lady Gaga

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659254/lady-gaga-government-hooker.jhtml

Reynaldo Fessler Scottie Alameda Lamar Lucus Ria Withenshaw Israel Vacheresse

‘I plan on making a lot more records, and hopefully one of them will be Grammy-worthy,’ singer tells Vanity Fair.
By James Dinh

Ke$ha
Photo: Jordan Strauss/ Getty Images

Last year was full of breakout music stars, including Ke$ha, who ruled the scene with a string of dance-pop hits (and a massive overflow of glitter). But not everyone is a Ke$ha fan: The singer was snubbed when the 2011 Grammy nominees were announced in December.

The starlet recently spoke to Vanity Fair about the Grammy snub and said she’s determined to score a nod sometime later in her career. And after calling the Recording Academy’s award “not that big a deal,” Ke$ha admitted that she was saddened by her lack of nominations.

“Of course I do,” the singer said when asked if she wanted a Grammy. “I was disappointed that I didn’t get nominated. But I’ve only been around for a year. I’m friends with the Black Keys, and they were nominated for the first time this year. And they’ve been around for a decade. That’s like half my life, so I really can’t be a brat about it.”

Ke$ha isn’t bitter about the situation either, telling the magazine, “I plan on making a lot more records, and hopefully one of them will be Grammy-worthy.”

While she may not be gearing up for the big show on Sunday night, Ke$ha is prepping for the launch of her first North American headlining tour, the Get $leazy Tour. The country-wide trek is scheduled to kick off on Tuesday in Portland, Oregon, and continue through May.

Do you think Ke$ha deserved a Grammy nomination? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657756/kesha-grammys.jhtml

Hunter Stigsell Dimple Mccartin Myron Sharkey Mozell Honegger Tobias Kwasnik

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!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1655031/usher-keha-more-help-dance-music-go-pop-2010.jhtml

Michelina Ocanas Sylvester Kimberlin Catrina Rolle Carson Finnefrock Christin Diniz

‘I’m so excited for how riveting, energetic and electric the record is, something really phenomenal,’ Laurieann Gibson says.
By Jocelyn Vena

Lady Gaga
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

It’s an exciting time to be a Lady Gaga fan. This week, the pop star released her much-anticipated “Born This Way” video and walked the runway and previewed her track “Government Hooker” at a Thierry Mugler fashion show. And now there are a few more details about her next Born This Way single, “Judas,” and its video.

“We’re already getting ready to go into rehearsal [for the video]. She’s like, ‘I’m all ready to start ‘Judas’!’ She’s ready,” Gaga’s creative director Laurieann Gibson told MTV News. “And ‘Judas’ is exciting for me because we had this amazing artistic approach to ‘BTW’ and I’m so excited for how riveting, energetic and electric the record is, something really phenomenal. So, visually, the dance, the costuming, the idea of how big we’re trying to go, [it's] going to be a roller-coaster ride.

“There is [a director in mind],” Gibson continued, adding that nothing about the video will be ordinary. “What is a traditional music video? Even if we go with a traditional music video, the directors that we love are not traditional, so the idea that they get to collaborate with us means they too want to live outside of what people expect a traditional music video to be.”

As for the sound of the song, Fernando Garibay, one of the musical directors on the album, opened up about the RedOne-produced dance tune. “It’s a statement about, again I can’t speak for her, but what I gather is it’s about sometimes not choosing the right choice,” he explained. “But you can’t deny that the choice is not a part of you and who you are.

” ‘Judas’ is a dance song, definitely,” he continued. “I think ‘Judas’ is in the traditional RedOne/Gaga vein. It’s great because it’s a serious message, it’s a little playful, but still serious, but still somehow you wind up dancing to it. That’s what’s great about her music. You know, like, my favorite song of all time, dance song, ‘Billie Jean,’ is a story you wouldn’t think of singing, but then you wind up dancing and singing the lyrics. I think that’s the Holy Grail of music for me, which is dance.”

Gaga shared lyrics from “Judas” last month, and Gaga’s pal and stylist Nicola Formichetti reposted those lyrics on Twitter late Thursday. “I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby he’s so cruel, but I’m still in love with Judas, Baby,” he wrote, adding, “JUDAS FASHION. so excited i can’t sleep!”

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659196/lady-gaga-judas-video.jhtml

Carson Finnefrock Christin Diniz Lyle Montrose Shanda Millie Raleigh Cutrell