- Artist: Taylor Swift
- Label: Big Machine
- Director: Trey Fanjoy
- Album: Fearless
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Taylor Swift - White Horse
Usher's OMG Tour To Launch In November
Usher's 25-date arena tour will start on November 10 in Seattle.
By Gil Kaufman
Usher
Photo: Michael Caulfield/ WireImage
Usher will reward his fans' patience in November when he finally kicks off the long-awaited tour in support of his platinum Raymond v. Raymond album. Though it won't feature Chris Brown as recently rumored, Usher is promising a major show for the 25-date North American arena tour that kicks off on November 10 in Seattle.
"Songs like 'OMG,' 'DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love,' 'There Goes My Baby,' 'Papers,' 'Daddy's Home,' 'Lil Freak' with Nicki Minaj and 'Hot Tottie' with Jay-Z have dominated the airwaves since last February," said Randy Phillips, president & CEO of AEG Live, the promoter behind the tour. "Now is the time for one of our greatest entertainers to go live and we are thrilled to be part of the ultimate Usher experience. Usher is bringing his fans an evening they will not soon forget. This will be the 'Must See' concert tour of 2010!"
The singer, who is on tap to perform at Sunday night's MTV Video Music Awards, will be on the road through late December, hitting major cities from Las Vegas and Los Angeles to Dallas, Detroit, Chicago and Boston, wrapping things up on December 18 with a show at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut.
Tickets will go on sale beginning September 17, with more information on opening acts and tour details available at Usherworld.com.
Dates for the OMG Tour:
» November 10 - Seattle, WA @ Key Arena
» November 12 - Oakland, CA @ Oracle Arenabr
» November 13 - Las Vegas, NV @ Mandalay Baybr
» November 14 - Anaheim, CA @ Honda Center
» November 17 - San Diego, CA @ Sports Arena
» November 18 - Los Angeles, CA @ STAPLES Center
» November 19 - Phoenix, AZ @ Jobing.com Arena
» November 23 - Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
» November 24 - Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
» November 26 - St. Louis, MO @ Scottrade Center
» November 27 - Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
» November 29 - Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
» November 30 - Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
» December 2 - Detroit, MI @ TBD
» December 3 - Chicago, IL @ Allstate Arena
» December 5 - Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arena
» December 7 - Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum
» December 8 - Baltimore, MD @ 1st Mariner Arena
» December 10 - Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center
» December 11 - Norfolk, VA @ Scope Arena
» December 13 - New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
» December 14 - Boston, MA @ TD Garden
» December 16 - Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
» December 17 - Washington, DC @ Verizon Center
» December 18 - Hartford, CT @ XL Center
For Taylor Swift, Are Any Topics Off Limits?
'The more the intense ... the more I know I need to write a song about it,' Speak Now singer explains.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Jim Cantiello
Taylor Swift
Photo: MTV News
Taylor Swift writes songs about everything that happens to her: the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful. So, when she sat down to write her just-released Speak Now, she admits that while some of her experiences were difficult, she used the album as catharsis for the past two years of her event-filled life.
"Those things are not things that I stop myself and don't write songs about, those are things that take a while to figure out how to write," she revealed to MTV News. "I write about everything that intensely affects me. The more intense, the more painful, the more of a shudder it is to think about, the more I know I need to write a song about it to get past it."
For Swift, that's no different than what she's been doing her whole songwriting existence, even long before she became a chart-topping, award-winning megastar.
"It's been like this since I was a little kid, and I would go to school, and I would think to myself, 'Man, I'm really lonely, and I don't know who to talk to today, but it's OK 'cause I can write a song about it later.' It's the same process; I'm just 20 now."
As for any songs that are just too hard to release right now, she says she's not sitting on any painful material. The songs that are the most emotional for her didn't get early Speak Now releases. She waited until the official release to share them.
"Well, those are on the album, and those are the ones that haven't been released early," she said. "Those are the ones that are little surprises ... so I'm on the edge of my seat."
Have you heard Speak Now? Give us your review in the comments!
Related Videos Related ArtistsB.o.B, Hayley Williams 'Finally' Meet At VMA Rehearsal
'Airplanes' collaborators scored a top-five hit without ever meeting.
By Jayson Rodriguez
B.o.B and Hayley Williams at their VMA rehearsal on Saturday
Photo: MTV News
They scored a top-five hit with their "Airplanes" collaboration, but B.o.B and Hayley Williams had never met in person ... until now.
A rehearsal for their 2010 MTV Video Music Awards performance Saturday (September 11) finally united the pair, who recorded their vocals separately and shot a video for the song at different times.
"Whoa, hi!" Williams said to B.o.B as he ran across the stage to embrace the Paramore frontwoman.
Williams and Bobby Ray were actually onstage together while "Airplanes" blasted through the Nokia Theatre speakers, but the lights were turned down and something blocked her view of the rapper.
"Where are you guys?" she asked.
B.o.B spotted Wiliams, also his labelmate, and ran toward her. "We finally met for the first time," he said, turning to the camera excitedly. "I hope I don't mess up."
"I'm gonna trip and fall," Williams said about their big performance. "Catch me, please!"
Then a stage manager broke up the meeting as the stars had to get back to rehearsing the number. They later exchanged numbers, and Hayley offered to join B.o.B at a performance in Los Angeles later that evening, if she can make it.
After a long delay, they had a happy ending.
The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The party starts with MTV News' VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday.
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsNicki Minaj Talks Hottest MCs, Drake, More On Today's 'Rapfix Live'
The Young Money MC appears on MTV News' live stream today at 4 p.m. ET.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Nicki Minaj on "RapFix Live"
Photo: Rachel Goldner/ MTV News
Nicki Minaj made history as the first female rapper to make MTV News' Hottest MCs in the Game list this year and the Lil Wayne protégé will appear on a special edition of "RapFix Live" on Thursday (October 28) to discuss her ranking, her debut album, Pink Friday, and former Twitter husband Drake.
The Young Money femcee sat down with MTV News correspondent Sway and took questions from her "barbiez" via Twitter and video submissions from Your.MTV.com.
The show was pre-taped and is scheduled to stream on MTV.com at 4 p.m. ET.
As has been the tradition with each "RapFix Live" guest, from Rick Ross to Fat Joe to Wiz Khalifa, Sway asked the guest to kick a rhyme. Nicki obliged and went in and out of several characters as she spit a verse worthy of her #6 ranking on the Hottest MCs list.
"Is this the thanks that I get for putting you bitches on?" she kicked. "Is it my fault that all you bitches gone?/ You should have sent a thank you note, you little ho/ Now I'm gonna wrap your coffin with a bow."
The Queens lyricist has earned an array of fans in the past 12 months with her flamboyant style and song-stealing cameos. She's been featured on tracks with Trey Songz, Drake, Mariah Carey, Jay-Z and Kanye West, to name a few.
"Nicki is so bringing it," hip-hop legend Kangol Kid said about her. "She's on everything."
Come back to MTV.com at 4 p.m. ET to watch Nicki Minaj's full interview on "Rapfix Live."
Related ArtistsCorin Tucker Doesn't Know What's Next
If you happen to be in the Washington, D.C. area on Friday night (October 29), you'll have the last opportunity to catch the supremely excellent Corin Tucker Band live in concert for the time being (unless you live in Japan, where you'll have three chances to catch them on a short jaunt after Thanksgiving). The [...]
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Katy Perry And Russell Brand's Pre-Wedding PDA: A Timeline
Even before they were hitched, the superstars showed their love in kooky, cute and creative ways.
By Mawuse Ziegbe
Katy Perry and Russell Brand
Photo: George Pimentel/ Getty Images
Katy Perry and Russell Brand took the ultimate step in their whirlwind romance on Saturday (October 23): they got hitched in a grand ceremony in India. The couple headed back to the place where Brand popped the question early this year after dating for several months. Since then, in true Brand and Perry style, the duo packed in a spate of memorable moments as they prepared to hit the altar. Here's a look back at some of the couple's interesting public displays of affection as they headed toward superstar matrimony.
Before the 2010 MTV Movie Awards, Brand hyped up his fiancé's upcoming performance of "California Gurls," referring to the pop princess' latest offering as "her new, brilliant single."
Later in June, the couple showed off their unique shared sense of humor when Brand dubbed Perry a "flatulence factory" during an interview. Perry fired back on Twitter, saying that Brand "light[s] up the sheets with [his] stanky arse."
Perry arrived at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards in September with decals of her hubby-to-be pressed on her nails. The manicure was a fitting tribute as the duo sparked their romance at the awards show the year before.
A month before the nuptials Brand got into a scuffle with paparazzi at Los Angeles International Airport when he felt the paps were trying to snap an up-skirt shot of his lady love. Perry later defended her man's photog scrap, tweeting, "If you cross the line & try an put a lens up my dress, my fiancé will do his job & protect me. #standbyyourman #don'tf---withtheBrands."
The paparazzi snafu didn't stop Perry from hitting Las Vegas for a bachelorette bash a few days later thrown by celebrity bestie Rihanna. The affair included stops at a Cirque Du Soleil show and poolside antics.
A week before the big day, Brand said his ideal wedding would be set in "Victorian London," but conceded that getting married in a bygone era wouldn't be possible. The comic also denied rumors that he and Perry were already hitched but added, "Marriage takes place in the heart, so in that sense, we are already married."
Earlier this week, the pop-culture couple touched down in Jaipur for their wedding celebrations. Members of Perry and Brand's families were spotted around the city and on Tuesday the singer punched out what would be her last tweet as a single lady: "TWIT BREAK: Greatest gift u can give us is respect & [love] during this private X. No use wasting ur X w/ STOLEN or FALSE info. Thnk u for this."
On Saturday, the pair officially became husband and wife in a ceremony surrounded by friends and family.
Share your well-wishes for the newlyweds in the comments!
Related Photos Related ArtistsJustin Bieber's 3-D Movie Trailer Debuts
'That sort of 'never say never' idea is conveyed in the trailer,' director Jon Chu tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena
"Never Say Never" poster
Photo: Paramount
On Monday (October 25), at his My World Tour stop in Los Angeles, Justin Bieber debuted the trailer for his highly anticipated 3-D flick "Never Say Never," due Valentine's Day weekend 2011.
The trailer was filled with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with some of the people important in Bieber's life, including mentor Usher and manager Scott "Scooter" Braun. When MTV News spoke with the film's director, Jon Chu, he said that if Bieber's fans were tempted by what they saw in the trailer, they should love the film when it hits their local theater.
"We talked about the story of us sort of going back to his life and seeing a lot of archival footage and things that have never been seen that his mom shot when he was a kid," Chu said. "We don't have as much of that in the trailer, [and] the movie uses a lot, 'cause we're finding it really fascinating to see him grow. It's one of the very few generations that have been able to be shot when they were a kid to a teenager and see all the steps of his development."
Describing the film as a "documentary musical," Chu said "as in life, when you listen to music, when words aren't enough to express your emotion, it goes into song." The songs in the film were taken directly from Bieber's concert stop at Madison Square Garden.
"It's really an interesting sort of pass between his real life to his music, so I think in the trailer, we break it down every step of the way in his life. Everyone said, 'It's not possible,' " Chu said. "Every step, everyone's always said, 'No, no, no, no.' And he's always said, 'Yes, yes, yes.' And that sort of 'never say never' idea is conveyed in the trailer.
"That's sort of the power of our movie: to help inspire kids to follow their dreams, and anyone really, kid or adult," he added. "It's been sort of a family journey of fulfilling your destiny."
What do you want to see in Bieber's 3-D movie? Let us know in the comments!
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsKanye West's 'Runaway' Film: A Pop-Culture Cheat Sheet
From 'Armageddon' to 'Under the Cherry Moon,' 'Ye took cues from all over.
By James Montgomery
Kanye West and Selita Ebanks in "Runaway"
Photo: Def Jam
Here at MTV News, we like to cover the story from all angles, which is why, one day after publishing our high-culture cheat sheet for Kanye West's "Runaway" film, we're back with the lowbrow accompaniment. It's somewhat fitting, because while West's film is no doubt arty and abstract, it's also a big-budget, popcorn event too, the kind of thing that's littered with fast cars and explosions and lyrical nods to the Kings of Leon and Alec Baldwin.
So, really, we'd be doing a disservice — to West, his fans and Alec Baldwin — if we didn't do a pop-culture cheat sheet for the film. So here, alphabetized for your perusing pleasure, is our list of the films, fruits and, uh, fleshy abdominals that are referenced in "Runaway." And though our list is extensive, it's probably not perfect, so if there's something we missed, let us know in the comments below!
"Armageddon": The 1998 Michael Bay blockbuster about a team of deep-core drillers hired by NASA to save the earth from a rapidly advancing asteroid. Shockingly not based on actual events. The film is loaded with special-effects shots of fiery bits of space ephemera rocketing through the atmosphere, just like the opening scene of "Runaway." You could just as easily put "Deep Impact" in here too, since they're basically the same film.
"Bambi": Classic Disney film from 1948 about an orphaned deer and his adorable pals Thumper and Flower. The scene in which Bambi's mother is shot by a hunter is credited by some for helping the animal-rights movement gain traction around the world. None of that really applies to "Runaway," but there are plenty of cute little deer in it.
Blueberries: Antioxidant-rich flowering plants of the genus vaccinium. For reasons clear only to West, the table in the "Runaway" dinner sequence is covered in blueberries, though, according to some, they symbolize eternity and optimism of the future. Also, they are delicious.
"The Brother From Another Planet": Odd 1984 film from director John Sayles about a mute alien who crashes in New York City. The fact that "the Brother" is only distinguishable from other men by the three large toes he has on each foot seems to have been echoed in the phoenix's large golden claws.
Every single action movie ever: Over the past two decades, nearly every action movie made has featured a scene in which the hero turns his or her back and strides confidently away from a gigantic explosion (usually, this scene is shot in slow-motion). It's gotten so bad that the Lonely Island comedy troupe even released a song called "Cool Guys Don't Look at Explosions." And, well, in "Runaway," Kanye is guilty of the same thing, scooping up Selita Ebanks and walking away from a massive fireball — in slow-motion, of course.
"The Fifth Element": Tongue-in-cheek 1997 Luc Besson sci-fi film about a cab driver (and ex-special forces soldier) who rescues a mysterious, childlike alien/ "supreme being" with bright orange hair. Turns out, she's the key to saving the entire universe from destruction. Also turns out that like the phoenix in "Runaway," she spends a whole lot of time sniffing stuff and pawing at inanimate objects.
"Marie Antoinette": Eye-catching, vaguely anachronistic 2006 Sofia Coppola film about the teenage bride of Louis XVI, who eventually becomes the very frivolous queen of France. The elaborate dinner scene in "Runaway" — and, in particular, West and Ebanks' stilted interactions at it — remind us of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI's initial meeting at an equally lavish dinner party.
Rose, Amber: Bodacious model and socialite/ former paramour of West. Their relationship made headlines, and West makes a joking reference to the tabloid coverage of Rose's sexual preferences in "Runaway," when, during the dinner scene, a guest compliments him on the phoenix's beauty, then rhetorically asks, "Do you know she's a bird?"
"Splash": The 1984 romantic comedy about a New York City man who falls in love with a mermaid; the parallels between it and "Runaway" should be fairly obvious, though the dinner scene — in which the phoenix sniffs at a terrine, dips her claws in a glass of champagne and fumbles a loaf of bread — instantly made us think of the famous bit in "Splash" where the mermaid is invited to a White House dinner and proceeds to horrify guests by devouring a lobster, shell and all.
Situation, the: Bulgy, egomaniacal star of MTV's "Jersey Shore" most famous for his rippling abs and for being on "Dancing With the Stars" for about three minutes. His six-pack makes an appearance in "Runaway" on the midsection of Selita Ebanks' phoenix, who, moves it, shakes it and just ... wow.
Tarantino, Quentin: Academy Award-winning writer/director who is also an unconscionably bad actor. We're not saying West's directorial chops are quite to Tarantino's level just yet, but acting-wise, well, the two are pretty much on par.
"Under the Cherry Moon": Slightly disastrous 1986 Prince vehicle about a gigolo who scams rich women out of their inheritances. Presented in black-and-white and featuring lavish sets, costumes and musical numbers, it was arty, ambitious and a total flop at the box office. Fans who saw advance screenings of "Runaway" in New York mentioned "Cherry Moon" as an obvious reference point for West's film, and we tend to agree. In particular, the dapper tuxedo 'Ye wears during the film's centerpiece musical performance seems to be a loving nod to the Purple One's outfit in "Moon."
What did we miss? Share the pop-culture references you noticed in the comments!
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsFlo Rida, David Guetta Talk 'Big' Single 'Club Can't Handle Me'
The French super-producer 'has been a guy who I look up to,' Flo tells MTV News of recruiting Guetta.
By Akshay Bhansali
Flo Rida
Photo: MTV News
Since recording the internationally successful hip-hop/dance single "Right Round," Flo Rida seems to have found the sound he'd like to follow on his next go-round. The rapper can now be included in an ever-expanding list of superstars turning to dance-music super-producer David Guetta in search of a song to set the club on fire.
We recently caught up with the new partners in crime on the Los Angeles video set for their collaboration, "Club Can't Handle Me." The song not only appears on the MC's upcoming album, The Only One, but it's also slated to be the lead single for Disney's "Step Up" threequel, "Step Up 3-D."
And working with Guetta means Flo's not in bad company: Rihanna, Akon, Kelly Rowland and the Black Eyed Peas are but a few of the folks who've partnered with Guetta during the French DJ's two-year ascension on the U.S. pop-music scene. With each song, Guetta's knack for getting folks to jump to their feet seems to grow stronger.
"David Guetta has been a guy who I look up to," Flo told MTV News. "He's definitely been big around the world and has always been there to let me know that my music is hot, and vice versa. So I definitely appreciate doing this big record with him."
"I was always playing a bootleg with 'Love Is Gone' [Guetta's original collabo with Kelly Rowland] and 'Low,' from him," Guetta recalled. "One day, his record company called me and asked me if I would produce records for him. I was like, 'Yeah! Of course! Because I knew it was working in every club I was playing already."
The video's backdrop is exactly what one might imagine from the title: an opulent, extravagant club party befitting a rap boss and world-renowned club DJ.
"This video right here is just, if you've ever dreamed about having the biggest party of your life, 'Club Can't Handle Me' definitely represents that," Flo said. "Lotta energy. Lot of diamonds, ice sculptures. Just showing that boss vibe. So I mean really, the club can't handle me."
But it was Guetta who probably summed it up best saying, "We are definitely both club people — it's like our office!" he laughed.
Flo Rida's forthcoming The Only One features production by Dr. Luke ("Right Round") and guest verses from Jay Rock and Lil Wayne.
What do you think of Flo Rida getting in the studio with David Guetta? Tell us in the comments?
Related ArtistsLinkin Park's Chester Bennington Talks Album Sales, U.S. Tour
'There's probably 10 million people out there who have the record that we don't know about,' singer says.
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Matt Elias
Linkin Park's Chester Bennington
Photo: MTV News
When Linkin Park's A Thousand Suns debuted at #1 on the Billboard albums chart earlier this month, the band told MTV News that they were "deeply grateful" to their fans for helping them return to the top.
A #1 debut is a #1 debut. But Suns sold just over 240,000 copies in its first week, a far cry from the eye-popping debuts of 2003's Meteora (810,000 copies) or '07's Minutes to Midnight (623,000), which made a few people wonder: Had Linkin Park alienated their audience with their ultra-ambitious new album?
According to LP's Chester Bennington, the answer is no. The way he sees it, the days of the blockbuster album are coming to a close. A Thousand Suns could never match the first-week might of Meteora, or even the prolonged chart-busting success of their debut, Hybrid Theory, in large part because it was released in 2010.
"Trying to compare anything to Hybrid Theory in terms of sales is an exercise in futility: It's not gonna happen. That's the reality of the situation," Bennington told MTV News on Wednesday (September 29) in Los Angeles, where he was promoting his role in the upcoming splatterfest "Saw 3-D."
"With Meteora, that came out, [did] huge numbers the first week, it was like 800,000. Minutes to Midnight was in the 600,000 mark, and this one's at the 240,000 mark; that's a sign of the times. So, given that, the fact that it's #1 is cool, but people get their music in different ways now ... I don't really pay a lot of attention, because there's probably 10 million people out there who have the record that we don't know about."
And, while Bennington could care less about numbers, there is one area of the business that he's positively obsessed with: touring. Currently, Linkin Park don't have a single U.S. date scheduled (they'll instead hit up South America, and will spend the next two months crossing Europe, the UK, Israel and Australia) ... but that is going to change. Very soon.
"We'll be touring in the U.S. come the end of January; we'll most likely be touring from the end of January until probably the middle of March or into April," Bennington said. "[It's] interesting because we've always kicked off our touring cycles playing in the U.S., but, crazily enough, we've kind of become a worldwide band ... but we're coming back, and it's going to be pretty bad-ass."
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsThursday, October 28, 2010
Paramore - Pressure
- Artist: Paramore
- Label: Fueled by Ramen
- Director: Shane Drake
- Album: All We Know Is Falling
Flo Rida - Feel It (Feat. Tiesto with Sean Kingston and Flo Rida)
Feel It (Feat. Tiesto with Sean Kingston and Flo Rida)
- Artist: Flo Rida
- Label: Hypnotize Minds, Columbia
- Director: Rich Newey
Ben Stiller Dishes On Les Grossman Movie
'I want to try to get Tom Cruise to play him,' Stiller says of flick about 'Tropic Thunder' producer.
By Kara Warner
Ben Stiller
Photo: MTV News
After delighting his adoring public at the MTV Movie Awards earlier this year, Les Grossman is set to return to the big screen with Grossman's celeb fans and possible co-stars have already confirmed their excitement for the upcoming flick, but it's been awhile since we've had an update.
Enter Grossman's "Tropic Thunder" co-star, "good friend" and mastermind Ben Stiller. When MTV News caught up with the busy man at the "Megamind" press day (Stiller produced the film and has a small role in it), we asked him for some Les Grossman movie scoop.
"Les Grossman is notoriously difficult to negotiate with, so we're right now negotiating with him because he wants to play himself in the film," Stiller revealed. "And he's kind of a bully, and he's very argumentative, and he's a little bit abusive.
"I want to try to get Tom Cruise to play him," Stiller added. "So if I can get Tom Cruise, who's interested to play him, if Les will agree not to play himself, then it looks like it could be coming together. A script is being written now."
In addition to Grossman's assistant (played by Bill Hader) scoring a role, what other "Tropic Thunder" characters might make an appearance?
"There'll probably be a few, actually, 'cause he's really instrumental in all of their careers," Stiller said. "He's really the puppet master. And there's going to be a really strong hip-hop element to the movie, as you might guess."
The funnyman went on to say that the film will likely feature a slew of celeb cameos. "Les ... can compel you to do something if he wants you to do it, so he'll probably be making calls himself," Stiller said.
And will this seminal piece of cinema be a biopic of sort?
"It is," Stiller admitted. "It kind of has a little bit of a 'What Makes Sammy Run,' sort of. 'Where did this guy come from? How did he become the force of nature or terror that he is?' "
Who are you hoping to see in the Les Grossman movie? Tell us in the comments below!
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Busta Rhymes Talks Up Nicki Minaj, Drake On 'RapFix Live'
MC also shouts out favorite new hip-hop stars Wiz Khalifa, J. Cole on latest live stream.
By Mawuse Ziegbe, with reporting by Sway Calloway
Busta Rhymes
Photo: Jonathan Goldner/MTV News
The gravelly, mic-melting flow and outsize personality of Busta Rhymes have been etched in the minds of hip-hop heads ever since he kicked off his solo career with his multi-hued, high-energy 1996 video for "Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check." Since then, he's set the bar high for inventiveness in hip-hop, with eye-popping visuals and a singular flow that can swing from understated to unruly in a single verse.
So, who among hip-hop's latest class of freshman MCs does Bus-a-Bus believe is taking the game to the next level? During his "RapFix Live" interview on Thursday (October 7), Busta broke down the newbie rap stars he's checking for.
"I give it up to J. Cole, he's one of my favorite new MCs," Busta said. "Very creative, his spit game is incredible to me. I think he delivers well and he's been exemplifying consistency."
In addition to the Roc Nation lyricist, Busta said Young Money's multi-skilled singer/spitter Drake is also putting a serious dent in the scene.
"I gotta big up Drake," Busta continued, "It's not every day that you come across one of those dudes that have the ability to just do so many different things and still sound extremely thorough in every area. Sometimes you might try to do more than one thing but you may hear how you may lack in some of those areas. Drake definitely has a great balance in being able to sufficiently deliver on both sides."
The animated MC also gave a shout-out to Drake's Young Money fam and sometime partner-in-rhyme Nicki Minaj.
"Nicki Minaj is doing a wonderful job, not just as a female artist but as [an] MC period. She's displaying an ability that most dudes ain't even been able to deliver as consistently on," Busta said, adding that she's switching up the vibe of hip-hop with her colorful persona. "Her speed-rap ability, her animation, she exemplifies not just dope ability as an MC, but she's bringing character back to the game. Most artists, a lot of the time they come out and they just want to rhyme and dress cool. She is not afraid to deliver as a character."
Busta also revealed he respects Pittsburgh MC Wiz Khalifa's indie hustle. "I like the Wiz Khalifa dude. I'm very interested in seeing how his thing is coming together because it seems like it's coming together very organically. Like, he had his movement already before he even really started to put these records out and get the public notoriety that he's starting to get," Busta said. "I always love a grassroots grind and being able to build your own momentum."
The "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" spitter also shouted out an artist he has been in the studio with, Reek Da Villian, who accompanied Busta to his "RapFix Live" sit-down and later dropped a freestyle.
"I gotta big up Reek Da Villian, [who] is one of the new MCs. I been working with him for about three years. We kinda stopped working with each other for a year and we recently got back together within the last eight, nine months," Busta explained. He added that the Long Island lyricist, whose track "Mechanics" features Busta and Swizz Beatz, is an "MC's MC."
"At the end of the day, where we come from, it's about spittin' and the boy can make records and he can make songs," Busta said. "It's rare to come across new, fresh talent that not only knows how to spit but can make songs."
Do you agree with Busta's picks for hottest new MCs in hip-hop? Sound off in the comments!
Related Videos Related ArtistsWednesday, October 27, 2010
Bruno Mars Is '100 Percent' Done With Debut LP
The B.o.B, Travie McCoy collaborator won't reveal his Doo-Wops & Hooligans guest stars.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Bruno Mars
Photo: MTV News
Bruno Mars is a busy man these days. The upstart singer/producer has been promoting his EP, It's Better If You Don't Understand, writing and producing hits for others (Cee-Lo's "F--- You") and hitting the stage left and right with collaborators like B.o.B and Travie McCoy.
The Hawaii-born Mars also found time to finish his forthcoming debut album, tentatively titled Doo-Wops & Hooligans.
The project is "100 percent" done, the "Nothin' on You" singer told MTV News, adding that the set is influenced by his live performances.
"Every time we go into the studio we got to think about, 'OK, we're gonna perform this song.' We think, 'How are we gonna keep these people's attention?' " he explained. "So throughout the whole song, it never stops. It keeps moving. And we always flip up our show. Whenever we do our shows, you might not hear the album version. You'll get the live version."
The singer's freshman album has no release day as of press time, and he's not revealing much in terms of details.
He gave only a small hint regarding one of the guests on the project: "They have dreads.
"I got Whoopi Goldberg on my album, y'all," he said, joking.
Although the singer is enjoying his recent success, earlier this year he remarked how long his rise to the top has actually been.
"The journey wasn't short at all — it was trial and error and trial and error," he said. "It was just back and forth, man. But once 'Nothin' on You' blew up, I had these songs in my back pocket, and the label thought it'd be a good time to give people a little taste of what they're gonna get with the album. The EP came together real nice; you're gonna get a nice effect of what's in store."
Are you looking forward to Bruno's solo music? Let us know in the comments!
Related Videos Related ArtistsMandy Moore Manic Street Preachers Mariah Carey Marilyn Manson
My Chemical Romance's 'Na Na Na' Video: Check Out On-Set Photos!
Clip premieres Thursday at 12:01 a.m. on MTV.com.
By James Montgomery
My Chemical Romance on the set of "Na Na Na"
Photo: Warner Bros.
My Chemical Romance's much-anticipated video for "Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)" doesn't premiere until Thursday — first on MTV.com and then at 11 p.m. ET on MTV, following a new episode of "Jersey Shore." And since we know that waiting is the worst, we've got a little something to tide you over until that big debut: four exclusive on-set photos, which show MCR in all their full-blown, Killjoy glory.
That means we get to see My Chem bassist Mikey Way posing with (or, perhaps, preparing to duel) the chrome-domed leader of the Vampire movement, a shot of the Killjoys and their thoroughly badass Trans Am (complete with the "Na Na Na" lyrics scrawled on its side) fueling up at a "Dead Pegasus" station in the middle of the desert, a photo of the band of outlaws cruising down the highway and a shot of them all huddled around a transistor while a bonfire burns in the background.
You can check out the photos for yourself by heading over to our Buzzworthy blog right now.
The video for "Na Na Na," co-directed by Roboshobo and MCR frontman Gerard Way, will premiere at 12:01 a.m. ET on MTV.com on Thursday and then will air at 11 p.m. on MTV, MTV2, mtvU, MTV Hits and MTV Tr3s. The song is the first single from My Chem's Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys (due November 22).
And, judging by these photos, you can expect big things from the "Na Na Na" video on Thursday.
What are you expecting from the "Na Na Na" clip? Let us know in the comments!
Don't miss My Chemical Romance's "Na Na Na" video, premiering Thursday at 12:01 a.m. on MTV.com and airing that night at 11 p.m. on MTV, MTV2, mtvU, MTV Hits and MTV Tr3s.
Related ArtistsVanessa Carlton Vanessa Mae Vanessa Paradis Vanessa Williams
World Series Preview: The San Francisco Giants Have A Date With Destiny
It's that time of the fall again, which means the leaves are falling off the trees, pumpkins are being carved and the San Francisco Giants are meeting the Texas Rangers in the World Series. The seven game series begins tonight (Wednesday, October 27) at AT&T Park in San Francisco, with Giants ace (and Wiley Wiggins [...]
B.o.B Calls Obama's Gen44 Concert Most Memorable Of His Career
'It really shows that we're in an era of great thinkers,' MC says of DNC summit for young leaders.
By Steven Roberts
B.o.B at the Gen44 concert on Thursday
Photo: Sam Hendrick/ MTV News
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday evening, rapper B.o.B helped President Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee kick off their inaugural Gen44 Summit, a three-day program intended to cultivate the newest generation of rising leaders within the party. The Atlanta MC could hardly believe he'd been invited to participate.
"The DNC approached us about doing this about a month ago, and at the time, I didn't really want to believe it," B.o.B said of the show, which also served as a party fundraiser. "I was like, 'Really?' "
The "Airplanes" rapper took the stage before Obama and senior adviser David Plouffe spoke in front of a packed house at the DAR Constitution Hall. B.o.B said it was one of the most memorable performances of his young career.
"It really shows me the times that we are in," he told MTV News. "Knowing that just where I came from, being able to make music, and really voice my opinion, and be really frank and direct with my approach to music, and for the youth to receive that so well, it really shows that we're in an era of great thinkers and people who can interrupt the reality that they are in. And [to] really understand that, and be proactive, and spur creativity and do something different."
Meeting the president was certainly something B.o.B didn't think he'd get to do so soon in his life. He said Obama congratulated him on his success, telling him that he and the country were proud of him.
B.o.B joked in response, "Thanks, man. Appreciate that."
Related ArtistsBruno Mars Says Doo-Wops Will Take Fans On 'A Journey'
'These are my greatest hits,' singer/producer says of first full-length album.
By James Montgomery
Bruno Mars
Photo: MTV News
For most of 2010, Bruno Mars has been the unlikeliest of hitmakers, the unassuming mastermind behind smash hits like Travie McCoy's "Billionaire," B.o.B's "Nothin' on You" and Cee-Lo's "F--- You."
But on Tuesday (October 5), Mars will officially make the leap to bona fide frontman status when he releases his full-length debut, Doo-Wops & Hooligans. And if you think he's not yet ready for prime time, well, then you don't know Bruno Mars.
"The EP I put out [this year's It's Better If You Don't Understand] just had a couple songs that I've written, but the album is the body of work," he said. "It rounds everything off, you know. These are my greatest hits."
And though Mars is facing felony drug possession charges following his arrest in Las Vegas last month, that speed bump is hardly affecting sales. Aside from all those aforementioned hits, he's also riding high on the success of "Just the Way You Are," the first single off Doo-Wops, which currently sits at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He's accomplished more in one year than most artists achieve in a lifetime, but Mars isn't content to rest on his laurels.
"There's no way to describe the feeling of seeing your music being recognized. ... As an artist, that's what you hope for," he said. "I want the world to fall in love with my music, that's what I'm doing music for. I want to be able to do shows and have people come and see me do my thing."
So, if you only know Mars for his hits, well, he hopes you check out his album, too. After all, everything up to this point has been the coming attractions. With Doo-Wops & Hooligans, he's ready to give listeners the full motion-picture experience.
"I put my heart and soul into any record I do, and I just want them to know I mean what I'm saying. Everything that I write down and perform is coming from me," he smiled. "So I want fans to be like, 'You know what, I want to see the Bruno Mars movie,' and I want them to put on my album, and I want to take them on a journey."
Will you pick up Bruno Mars' debut? Let us know why in the comments!
Related ArtistsThe World Series Finally Ends In Boston's Favor: Wake-Up Video
If you need proof that the Major League Baseball playoffs have been going on for far too long, consider this: The 2010 World Series between the Texas Rangers and the San Francisco Giants kicks off tonight (Wednesday, October 27), but on this day in 2004, the Boston Red Sox beat the St. Louis Cardinals by [...]
Jim Lee On Batman's Costume, The Trouble With Superman, And Hollywood's Influence On His Art
Few creators have remained as consistently relevant, revered, and forward-thinking in the comics industry over the last few decades as Jim Lee.
After first breaking into the scene with his celebrated work at Marvel Comics (including co-authorship of the best-selling comic of all time, "X-Men" #1), Lee went on to co-found Image Comics, create his [...]
After first breaking into the scene with his celebrated work at Marvel Comics (including co-authorship of the best-selling comic of all time, "X-Men" #1), Lee went on to co-found Image Comics, create his [...]
My first post here
Hello I'd like to just say hi to you all. I'm no stranger in the world of blogging however this is the first time I posted something here. I've seen a lot of useful information around here, and this has been a pleasant experience. I hope to come back more often and update you guys with more news and information. Take care in the meantime.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)