Louie Beck's Rants

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Lil Wayne's 'Green And Yellow' Is 'Wild,' Wiz Khalifa Says

'Just seeing that he even heard the song, A, and then knew how to rap to it,' the 'Black and Yellow' MC tells MTV News.
By Matt Elias

Wiz Khalifa
Photo: MTV News

Super Bowl XLV might not have panned out quite like Pittsburgh MC Wiz Khalifa would have wanted, since his beloved Steelers get edged out by the Green Bay Packers. But still, there was an upside for Wiz — namely, hearing Lil Wayne take on his Steelers anthem "Black and Yellow" with his own remix, the aptly titled "Green and Yellow."

When MTV News caught up with Wiz on the set of his "Roll Up" music video in Venice, California, we had to ask what he thought about Weezy's remix.

"I actually thought it was real cool when he did his version," Wiz said. "Just seeing that he even heard the song, A, and then knew how to rap to it. Not saying that he wouldn't, but it was kind of wild, like, hearing Wayne flip how I rap, 'cause that's Lil Wayne. But it was cool."

It's a great compliment to the momentum Wiz has built in the last year. First, he was named MTV News' 2010 Hottest Breakthrough MC, then he signed to Atlantic Records and teamed up with Snoop Dogg for the official "Black and Yellow" remix, and now he's gearing up for the release of his debut, Rolling Papers, next month.

And even though the Steelers lost, Wiz was in characteristically good spirits about the whole situation.

"My reaction to Sunday is just like, we'll get 'em next time," the mellow MC said. "We've been to plenty of Super Bowls. It won't be the last one, and it was kind of a bummer just losing. But we had a great season and a lot of momentum just going into it, so I think that just had everybody boosted anyway. There was a lot of attention on Pittsburgh."

What did you think of Lil Wayne's "Green and Yellow"? Let us know in the comments!

Wu Tang Clan Wyclef Jean Xzibit Zac Efron

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Photos | The Hottest Twenty-Somethings In The Game

The Hottest Twenty-Somethings In The Game

Bob Marley Bon Jovi Brandy Brian Harvey

Kevin Spacey Won't Appear In 'James Bond 23,' But He'd Love To Show Up 'Down The Line'

Contrary to some earlier rumors, Kevin Spacey won't be appearing as a villain in the "James Bond" franchise's next installment ? but that doesn't mean he won't pop up eventually.
Speaking with MTV News on the red carpet at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards, the two-time Oscar winner recalled the story about his near-brush with "Bond," [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/03/02/kevin-spacey-wont-appear-in-james-bond-23-but-hed-love-to-show-up-down-the-line/

Billie Piper Billy Idol Bing Crosby Bjork

Hillary Clinton, Chester Bennington Record 'It Gets Better' Videos

Secretary of State, Linkin Park frontman send messages of support to gay teens who have been bullied.
By Gil Kaufman

Chester Bennington in his "It Gets Better" video
Photo: youtube.com/talindab

The "It Gets Better" project got two very big, and very different, endorsements on Tuesday when former first lady and current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington released videos aimed at sending strong, positive messages to LGBT youth in light of recent gay teen suicides.

In her YouTube clip, Clinton says she was terribly saddened to learn about the recent spate of suicides by teens who were bullied or harassed for being gay or because people thought they were gay. "Children are particularly vulnerable to the hurt caused by discrimination and prejudice," she explains in the two-and-a-half-minute video. "And we've lost many young people over the years to suicide. These most recent deaths are a reminder that all Americans have to work harder to overcome bigotry and hatred."

Clinton then sends a message to all young Americans who are feeling bullied or alone or are finding it hard to imagine things getting better in the future. "First of all, hang in there," she says. "And ask for help. Your life is so important ... to your family, your friends and your country. And there's so much waiting for you, both personally and professionally. There's so many opportunities for you to develop your talents and make your contributions."

She promises that those opportunities will multiply over the years because the story of America is one of people coming together to tear down barriers, stand up for rights and insist on equality for themselves and for everyone else. Clinton also notes that she's proud of the work done every day at the State Department by LGBT staffers.

"It wasn't long ago that these men and women would not have been able to serve openly, but today they can. Because it has gotten better," she says near the end of the clip. "And it will get better for you. So take heart and have hope and please remember that your life is valuable and you are not alone."

Ke$ha, Nicki Minaj, Adam Lambert and Aubrey O'Day also have posted clips or spoken out against bullying over the past few weeks, and Linkin Park's Bennington joined the array of stars making videos in support of "It Gets Better."

"To all the kids out there who feel like they've been pushed down, picked on, looked at funny, feel strange because you're different," Bennington says in his clip. "You know what? That makes you cool. Don't let anybody make you feel bad for being who you are. Trust me, it gets better."

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1650398/hillary-clinton-chester-bennington-record-it-gets-better-videos.jhtml

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Flo Rida - Sugar

Sugar

Artist: Flo Rida
Label: Atlantic Records, Poe Boy Ent.
Director: Shane Drake
Album: R.O.O.T.S. (Route of Overcoming the Struggle)

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=2583152&vid=391435

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Photos | Paris Hilton, Diddy, Timbaland, Janet Jackson, More Hit The Vegas Party Scene

Paris Hilton, Diddy, Timbaland, Janet Jackson, More Hit The Vegas Party Scene

Paul Weller Paula Abdul Paulina Rubio Peter Andre

Florence And The Machine Drew On 'Emotional' '127 Hours' At Oscars

'When the song comes, it's a very emotional moment,' Florence Welch says of 'If I Rise' before live performance.
By Aly Semigran, with reporting by Josh Horowitz

Florence Welch attends the 2011 Academy Awards
Photo: Getty Images

Florence Welch wasn't a nominee at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards on Sunday (February 27), but the breakout music star approached the evening as if she were up for a trophy.

Welch, who stepped in to help sing Dido's portion of Best Original Song nominee "If I Rise" (from "127 Hours"), talked to MTV News on the Oscar red carpet about her responsibility to do the song from the Best Picture nominee justice.

"When the song comes, it's a very emotional moment," said the Florence and the Machine frontwoman, who was making her Academy Awards debut. "It's the moment when James Franco's ... character realizes what he has to do."

Best Picture nominee "127 Hours" chronicles real-life hiker Aron Ralston's harrowing story of survival, including his decision to amputate his own arm when faced with possible death on a hiking trip. Clearly a fan of the film, Welch recalled her experience of watching the film.

"You know what's going to happen, but you're with him from the very beginning," the red-haired songstress said of Franco's portrayal, which also earned the Oscar host a nod for Best Actor.

In spite of the not-easy-to-watch moments in director Danny Boyle's film, Welch described the scene in which "If I Rise" begins to play "actually, a very calm moment."

Drawing inspiration from the movie and that particular moment scene, Welch told us she prepared to perform live alongside Oscar winner A.R. Rahman — he penned the song with Dido and Rollo Armstrong — by telling herself to "try and be calm."

As for Florence and the Machine fans, the singer told us they can expect new music very soon. "Right now, I'm just working on my second album," she said. But while many are still hoping Florence and the Machine will wind up on the upcoming "Breaking Dawn" soundtrack (they appeared on the "Eclipse" soundtrack), Welch confirmed that she hasn't been called to contribute to the project yet.

Stick with MTV News on Oscar night and beyond for red-carpet fashion coverage, analysis of the winners, plus interviews, photos and more from your favorite Hollywood stars!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658828/florence-and-the-machine-oscars.jhtml

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