mikehutson0: February 2012

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Photos | Jessica Simpson's Budding Baby Bump

Related Artists

Jessica Simpson

Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/jessica-simpsons-budding-baby-bump/1673490/6666084/photo.jhtml

Amerie Amy Cobb Amy Smart Ana Beatriz Barros Ana Hickmann Ana Ivanovi Ana Paula Lemes

Heavy D 'Brought So Much Light,' Mary J. Blige Says

'Every song Heavy D ever put out was something to uplift us,' former labelmate tells MTV News about her fallen friend.
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Vanessa White Wolf

Mary J. Blige
Photo: MTV News

<P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/blige_mary_j/artist.jhtml">Mary J. Bilge</a> famously sang "Not Gon' Cry" on her 1996 single, but when the topic of her fallen friend and former Uptown Records labelmate <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/heavy_d/artist.jhtml">Heavy D</a> came up, the emotion was just too much to hold back. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:712374.id:1674565" width="240" height="211"></div><p> "<a href="/news/articles/1674003/heavy-d-dead.jhtml">Heavy D was so beloved</a> because the impact he made on music was that we could have fun: We can do hip-hop without murdering and killing everybody," a tearful MJB told MTV News on Tuesday in Beverly Hills. "And he just brought so much light." Mary, like Heavy, hailed from the outskirts of New York City — him from Mount Vernon, her from Yonkers. It was 1987 when Heavy D & the Boyz released their first album, <i>Living Large,</i> on Uptown Records. Mary was signed years later, and in 1992, dropped her debut album, <i>What's the 411?</i> — but her earliest memories of Heavy pre-date her days in the music industry. "I just remember being a child and him coming to King school, where they used to have all the performers come, and they came and did 'The Overweight Lover,' " Mary recalled with tears in her eyes. "We always needed something to uplift us, and he brought us so much joy because we were always in a place where we didn't have enough, we couldn't get enough money, but the King school show was free, and every song Heavy D ever put out was something to uplift us." The exact <a href="/news/articles/1674389/heavy-d-autopsy.jhtml">cause of Heavy D's death</a> November 8 is still unclear, as initial autopsy results came up inconclusive. He was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills after a 911 call was placed from his home. Heavy had difficulty breathing and was pronounced dead after he reached the hospital. There will be a public viewing for the fallen rapper Thursday (November 17) at Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, New York, and a private funeral service for family and close friends Friday. BET is planning a special tribute to Heavy D during the <a href="/news/articles/1672938/soul-train-awards-nominations.jhtml">Soul Train Awards</a> on November 27. Rappers Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, Kurtis Blow, Naughty by Nature, Whodini and Stetsasonic's Daddy-O are all expected to take part. <i>Share your fondest memory of Heavy D in the comments.</i></p>

Related Videos

MTV News Extended Play: Mary J. Blige

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Heavy D: Life, Music And Friends

Halle Berry Hayden Panettiere Haylie Duff Heidi Klum Heidi Montag Hilarie Burton Hilary Duff

John Mayer Invokes Justin Bieber, Jonas Brothers In Malaria PSA

Singer uses comedy to call attention to serious issue.
By Jocelyn Vena

Photo: Brian Ach/ WireImage

<P>There's no better way to bring attention to a serious cause than to use some humor. That's the basic idea behind the <a href="http://www.malarianomore.org/" target="_blank">Malaria No More</a> campaign, which features PSAs with stars including Aziz Ansari, Ed Helms, Orlando Bloom and even John Mayer, who pokes fun at his superstar status and invokes fellow celebs like Justin Bieber, the Jonas Brothers and the "Twilight" cast in two humorous clips. </p><div style="margin: 5px 10px 10px 5px; float: right;"><object width="260px" height="220px" ><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="movie" value="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=106904845,t=1,mt=video"/><embed src="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=106904845,t=1,mt=video" width="260" height="220" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object></div><p> In <a href="http://popdirt.com/overprivileged-john-mayers-malaria-no-more-psa/80515/" target="_blank">one PSA</a>, Mayer jokes about his wealth. "I'm such an overprivileged prick," the singer/songwriter says in the video, "that I get two mosquitoes in my apartment because I left the window open, and these mosquitoes are driving me crazy. Do you ever have mosquitoes that you can't find in your house? That's one f---ing mosquito, and then you spend the rest of your day complaining to your friends over $6 coffee that a mosquito bit you. I couldn't find the mosquito. That's one mosquito in your $2 million apartment, John Mayer." The campaign seeks to end malaria deaths in Africa by 2015. "Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease and recent progress shows that malaria's days are numbered — but we need your help," the website says. "Together, we can make malaria no more." It adds that "a child in Africa dies from malaria every 45 seconds — but you can help change that." In <a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=106904971#pm_cmp=vid_OEV_P_RV" target="_blank">another PSA</a>, Mayer talks about helping children, who make up a majority of the victims of malaria deaths, and he uses some big-name celebs to bring attention to the cause. He says, "Almost a million people every year die from malaria, and of that number 85 percent die under the age of Justin Bieber. With your help, by buying a malaria net for just $1, we can help, by the end of the year, to get these kids to Bieber. Next year we'll go Jonas Brothers; after that 'Twilight' kids, but baby steps, baby steps. Let's get them to Bieber."</p>

Genelle Frenoy Georgianna Robertson Georgina Grenville Gina Carano Gina Gershon Gina Philips Gisele Bündchen

Britney Spears Hosts As Ke$ha, Jennifer Lopez, More Bring Wango Tango To L.A.

Pitbull, Matthew Morrison, Selena Gomez, Far East Movement and others filled the Staples Center on Saturday night.
By Matt Elias

britney Spears hosts KIIS FM's Wango Tango 2011 on Saturday
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

<P><b>LOS ANGELES</b> — <a href="/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> makes headlines at concerts, even when she's not performing. That's probably why Los Angeles radio station KIIS FM tapped the pop princess to guest-host their annual Wango Tango music festival along with Ryan Seacrest on Saturday night at the Staples Center. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:652696" width="240" height="211"></div><p> The bill was a balance of pop and hip-hop, with acts like Ke$ha, Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, Ne-Yo, Selena Gomez, "Glee" 's Matthew Morrison, Lupe Fiasco, T-Pain, Jason Derülo, Far East Movement, New Boyz, Cobra Starship and newcomer Cody Simpson. Backstage, the media room went into a frenzy when Spears arrived in a red, geometric-print dress and a beaming smile. Owning her "femme fatale" moniker, Spears worked the carpet for a few moments while all of the cameras in the room were pointing at her. It was the second red carpet appearance by Brit this week, after her Beverly Hills benefit on Wednesday night for <a href="/news/articles/1663732/britney-spears-st-bernard-project.jhtml">the St. Bernard Project</a>. <a href="/photos/keha-britney-spears-selena-gomez-and-many-more-at-wango-tango-2011/1663910/6129255/photo.jhtml"><b>Check out photos from Wango Tango 2011.</b></a> Spears' <i>Femme Fatale</i> collaborator <a href="/news/articles/1639312/justin-bieber-usher-ignite-crowd-at-kiis-fms-wango-tango.jhtml">Ke$ha, who was returning to the festival</a> for the second time, said that an onstage collab between to the two would have to require one thing. "That would have to include me finding her and attacking her," Ke$ha told MTV News, with the best intentions. "I'm planning on pouncing her." While that never happened, at least not onstage, Ke$ha delivered on her promise of a set heavy on her glitter gun. And she assured us she knew the dos and don'ts of handling that kind of firepower. "Do not spray yourself in the face with it," she said. "Do spray everybody else with it. That's pretty much it." While Joe Jonas wasn't performing at the show, he took a break from recording his solo debut to catch up with almost everyone backstage. "I didn't see Britney backstage, just said 'hello' to a couple of my friends," Jonas said. "Backstage is always [full of] people, especially having it at the Staples Center this time, I think compared to all the way out in the desert, it changes everything." Also happy to have Wango Tango in Los Angeles were locals Far East Movement. "Man, we grew up literally a few blocks away from here, and you can only imagine basketball games being played here," Kev Nish said. "So to come in here as performers, to be able to do our songs in this arena is a little crazy. We used to pass out CDs a few blocks [away], so we're very thankful. And the lineup is nuts, so we're extremely excited to be a part of this lineup." <i>Were you at Wango Tango? Share your experience in the comments below!</i></p>

Related Photos

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

Amerie Amy Cobb Amy Smart Ana Beatriz Barros Ana Hickmann Ana Ivanovi Ana Paula Lemes

T.I. To Celebrate New Year's Eve With New Mixtape

'New year, new money. That's that,' Tip tells MTV News.
By Rob Markman, with reporting by FLX

T.I. at the 2011 BET Awards
Photo: Chris McKay/ Getty Images

<P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/t_i_/artist.jhtml">T.I.</a> has a lot to celebrate this New Year's Eve. This time last year, the King of the South was locked up, serving an 11-month sentence for a probation violation, but since his <a href="/news/articles/1671754/ti-released-halfway-house.jhtml">September release</a> Tip has been on a tear, dropping a ton of new music and landing a <a href="http://rapfix.mtv.com/2011/11/30/watch-the-season-premiere-of-ti-tiny-the-family-hustle/)">reality show with his wife, Tiny</a>, on VH1. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:722465" width="240" height="211"></div><p> Tip has some big plans for ringing in the new year, even though he tries to downplay things. "For New Year's I'm gonna be waitin' on <i>F--- da City Up</i> to drop. We got a party poppin' off down here in Atlanta, 200 Peachtree. We gonna turn up and it's basically that," he told MTV News nonchalantly. "Between the party and the mixtape, that's all I got going. New year, new money. That's that." Tip has been dropping viral teasers for <i>F--- da City Up</i> for about a week; the latest one, which dropped on Tuesday, shows T.I. in the studio <a href="http://rapfix.mtv.com/2011/12/27/ti-gets-studio-time-with-dr-dre-mixtape-trailer/">with Dr. Dre</a>. "Dre was here. He sent for me, and of course I answered. We really just turned up more than anything else. It was about creating chemistry," T.I. told MTV News while in Atlanta preparing for the release of the tape. On New Year's Eve, T.I. and his Grand Hustle fam will host a party in the Grand Atrium at <a href="http://200peachtree.eventbrite.com/" target="_blank">200 Peachtree</a> in downtown Atlanta from 9 p.m. ET to 3:00 a.m. Sounds like fun. For those who want to snuggle up on their couch and avoid all the partying madness, MTV has your back. This year Demi Lovato, Mac Miller, Selena Gomez, J. Cole, Jason Derulo and more will be on hand for "<a href="http://www.mtv.com/shows/new_years_eve/series.jhtml">NYE in NYC 2012</a>," which will air live at 11 p.m. ET on Saturday (December 31) from Times Square, where the famous ball drops on, you guessed it, MTV.</p>

Related Artists

T.I.

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676615/new-years-eve-ti-mixtape-f-da-city.jhtml

Bali Rodriguez Bar Refaeli Beyoncé Bianca Kajlich Bijou Phillips Blake Lively Blu Cantrell

Photos | MTV Buzzworthy: Best Of Kelly Clarkson Part II

MTV Buzzworthy: Best Of Kelly Clarkson Part II

Anna Paquin AnnaLynne McCord Anne Marie Kortright April Scott Arielle Kebbel Ashanti Ashlee Simpson

Taylor Swift Is A 'Hunger Games' 'Fangirl'

But in a real-life Hunger Games, Swift tells MTV News she'd be 'the person who runs and hides.'
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Taylor Swift
Photo: MTV News

<P>MTV News kicked off the week in a big way Monday with the <a href="/news/articles/1679207/taylor-swift-safe-and-sound-music-video-premiere.jhtml">exclusive premiere of the video</a> for Taylor Swift's "Hunger Games" soundtrack song <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/taylor-swift/732819/safe-sound.jhtml#id=1678910">"Safe & Sound,"</a> which was followed by a lengthy chat with the country superstar about everything from her love for Suzanne Collins' best-selling book to her adorable cat Meredith. Swift also took Twitter questions from fans, one of which came from @SafeandSound4Taylor, who asked the Grammy winner what she would do if she were in the real-life Hunger Games. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:733480.id:1678910" width="240" height="211"></div><p> "I've thought about this, because reading the books, you're so sucked into it that as you go about your life, you sit there, and you're like, 'Could I climb that tree?' 'Could I make a weapon out of this?' 'If I had to forage for food, what would I do?' Honestly, I think I would just be the person who runs and hides," she admitted. "I kind of freeze. You know how you have fight, flight or freeze, those three reactions to something scary? I just freeze." Swift said she would try to run and hide somewhere, and if she had to kill anyone, she hoped it would be in an indirect way, similar to a few of the deaths Katniss inflicts almost accidentally in the books. When asked how writing a song for the movie came about, Swift said she received a call directly from the studio and subsequently devoured the books. "I immediately read the book in, like, two days and fell in love with it," she said. "I fell in love with the characters, fell in love with the world that Suzanne Collins had created. I was just so immersed in it." She also revealed that when she was first asked to pen a song for the soundtrack, she thought she'd be writing something encouraging and upbeat. "When I got the call, I thought from what I'd heard about the movie, 'It's an action movie, right? We're probably going to be writing a song that's like, "We're going to win!" ' And then I read the book, and I thought, 'No, we're going to have to write sort of a death lullaby, it's so different from what I thought.' " </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:732819.id:1678910" width="240" height="211"></div><p> Swift seemed just as excited about seeing the finished film as we are and expressed curiosity in seeing scenes from the actual Games, which we haven't yet been shown via sneak peeks or trailers. "They have never shown footage of the Games," Swift said. "I'm dying to see that. Everyone wants to see pivotal parts. The relationship with Rue and Katniss and also Peeta and Katniss and their relationship developing, and none of the Games have been shown yet, so I'm so excited for the movie. I'm a fangirl!" <b>Stick with MTV News as we roll out more from our exclusive interview with Taylor Swift about her <a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/422817/moviemain.jhtml">"Hunger Games"</a> soundtrack song!</b> <b>For <a href="http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/">young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates</a> around the clock, visit <a href="http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/" rel="nofollow">HollywoodCrush.MTV.com</a>.</b></p>

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MTV First: Taylor Swift

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Taylor Swift

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1679212/taylor-swift-hunger-games-fan.jhtml

China Chow Chloë Sevigny Christina Aguilera Christina Applegate Christina DaRe Christina Milian Christina Ricci

Coachella 2012 Lineup Features Radiohead, Dr. Dre And Snoop, Black Keys

Florence and the Machine, Bon Iver and Swedish House Mafia also headed to the desert for two weekends in April.
By Mary J. DiMeglio

Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg perform during the Beats By Dre Party at Gotha Club
Photo: Tony Barson/ WireImage

<P>After shocking fans months ago with the news that its desert festival will span <i>two</i> weekends in 2012, Coachella confirmed with its lineup announcement Monday (January 9) that it is going <i>big</i> this year. Posted to the fest's <a href="http://www.facebook.com/coachella" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page, the roster boasts <a href="/music/artist/radiohead/artist.jhtml">Radiohead</a>, <a href="/music/artist/black_keys/artist.jhtml">The Black Keys</a> and <a href="/music/artist/dr_dre/artist.jhtml">Dr. Dre</a> with <a href="/music/artist/snoop_dogg/artist.jhtml">Snoop Dogg</a>. In response to last year's event selling out — a week after the 2011 lineup was announced — the festival is experimenting with featuring the same artists for two consecutive three-day weekends: April 13-15 and April 20-22. <embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com: 692623/cp~vid%3D692623%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A692623" width="460" height="260" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed> The Black Keys, who performed last year, return to Friday night, this time getting top billing. Radiohead, Saturday's headliner, last graced Indio, California's Empire Polo Fields in 2004. This is the first booking for West Coast hip-hop legends Dre and Snoop, who will close out the main stage Sunday night. Also headed to the desert are Florence and the Machine, Bon Iver, Swedish House Mafia, Afrojack, Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky and the just-announced At the Drive-In reunion. Tickets for the 2012 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. PT. The full lineup includes: <b>Friday, April 13 and 20</b><br> The Black Keys, Swedish House Mafia, Pulp, Refused, Arctic Monkeys, Mazzy Star, Afrojack, Explosions in the Sky, M83, Amon Tobin, Cat Power, Madness, Jimmy Cliff & Tim Armstrong, GIRLS, the Rapture, Madeon, M. Ward, the Horrors, Frank Ocean, James Alesso, Sebastien, Yuck, Neon Indian, Dawes, Black Angels, Deathgrips, Wu Lyf, Breakbot, Atari Teenage Riot, Feed Me, Givers, Other Lives, Band of Skulls, R3hab, Wolfgang, Midnight Beast, EMA, Ximena Sarinana, Kendrick Lamar, The Dear Hunter, Honeyhoney, Hello Seahorse!, Sheepdogs, LA Riots. <embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com: 689689/cp~vid%3D689689%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A689689" width="460" height="260" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed> <b>Saturday, April 14 and 21</b><br> Radiohead, Bon Iver, the Shins, David Guetta, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Kaskade, Miike Snow, Jeff Mangum, Sebastian Ingrosso, Andrew Bird, Feist, Firehose, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, St. Vincent, Martin Solveig, Subfocus, Sbtrkt, Flying Lotus, Manchester Orchestra, Kasabian, AWOL Nation, Azealia Banks, Squeeze, A$AP Rocky, Buzzcocks, Kaiser Chiefs, Destroyer, the Head and the Heart, Laura Marling, Tuneyards, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Black Lips, the Big Pink, Childish Gambino, the Vaccines, Zed's Dead, Grouplove, Jacques Lu Cont, We Were Promised, Jetpacks, Gary Clark Jr., Borgore, Dragonette, We Are Augustines, Mt. Eden, Destructo, Suedehead, Keep Shelley in Athens, Pure Filth Sound. <b>Sunday, April 15 and 22</b><br> Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, At the Drive-In, Justice, Florence and the Machine, AVICII, La Roux, Beirut, the Weeknd, Girl Talk, the Hives, DJ Shadow, Calvin Harris, Nero, Wild Flag, Modeselektor, Dada Life, Porter Robinson, Santigold, Flux Pavilion, Dr. P, Gotye, Seun Keti, Egypt 80, Beats Antique, Fitz and the Tantrums, Araabmuzik, Company Flow, Real Estate, Zed, Le Bucherettes, Greg Ginn, the Growlers, Noisia, Morgan Page, Gaslamp Killer, First Aid Kit, Oberhofer, Lissie, Thundercat, Metronomy, Wild Beasts, Housse de Racket, Fanfarlo, Spector, Gardens & Villa, Airplane Boys, Sleeper Agent. <i>Share your thoughts on the 2012 Coachella lineup in the comments below!</i></p>

Hilary Duff Hilary Swank Isla Fisher Ivana Bozilovic Ivanka Trump Izabella Miko Izabella Scorupco

Metallica - one

one

Artist: Metallica
Label: Elektra Records
Director: n/a

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=995&vid=301021

Arielle Kebbel Ashanti Ashlee Simpson Ashley Greene Ashley Olsen Ashley Scott Ashley Tappin

Michael Jackson Estate Threatens Legal Action Over Tribute Concert

'Michael Forever' concert rescinds invitation for Kiss to perform following complaints from estate and fans.
By Gil Kaufman

Michael Jackson in the video for "Hold My Hand"
Photo: Sony Music Entertainment

<P>Several weeks after announcing their intention to celebrate the life of <a href="/music/artist/jackson_michael/artist.jhtml">Michael Jackson</a> with an all-star concert called "Michael Jackson Forever," the initial lineup for the October 8 show at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, was revealed last week. According to promoters, the <a href="/news/articles/1667905/michael-jackson-family-tribute-concert.jhtml">Michael Forever show</a> is slated to feature such stars as Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Motown legend Smokey Robinson, in addition to less globally popular talents, including Alexandra Burke, Pixie Lott, Leona Lewis, JLS, Craig David, Alien Ant Farm and a pair of Jackson-related groups, 3T and the Jackson Brothers. The one thing the event does not have, however, is the approval of Jackson's powerful estate, which had kept silent about the show put together by parents Joseph and Katherine Jackson, along with siblings Jackie, Tito, Marlon, LaToya and Rebbie. Brothers Jermaine and Randy have not been involved in the plans and have publicly objected to the event because it falls in the middle of the involuntary manslaughter trial of Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray. On Tuesday (August 16) a spokesperson for the estate — which has handled all of Jackson's affairs since his 2009 death — confirmed that estate lawyer Howard Weitzman sent a letter to concert organizers last week raising some pointed questions about the show. "I represent the Executors of the Estate of Michael Jackson. As the legal caretakers of Michael's intellectual property, we believe it is our duty to contact you directly regarding the growing number of questions that have been addressed to the Estate, as well as multiple concerns that have emerged in recent days," reads the letter. After reminding organizers that the estate is the only entity that can sign off on the use of Jackson's image or his intellectual property — the concert's website is careful not to feature any images of the singer or samples of his music — the letter said the estate was "especially disappointed" by the announcement on Monday that greasepaint rockers Kiss have been added to the bill. Specifically, the beef was that outspoken Kiss bassist Gene Simmons has made a number of disparaging comments about Jackson in the past. "It was extraordinarily embarrassing when no sooner had you announced this 'news' that [Simmons] would participate in your concert that TMZ posted an item noting that Mr. Simmons called Michael Jackson ... a child molester, notwithstanding the fact that Michael was acquitted by a jury," read the letter. Jackson fansite <a href="http://www.mj4justice.com/michael--news.html" target="_blank">MJ4Justice</a> was flooded with negative comments about the addition of Kiss, announced on Monday by Katherine Jackson on CNN, and has called for a boycott of the show. The concert's <a href="http://www.facebook.com/M4Tribute?sk=wall" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page has also been inundated with concerns over the booking of Kiss. And the complaints worked. On Tuesday, the concert's promoter, Global Live Events, canceled Kiss' "invitation" to appear in the show. "We have listened to Michael's fans and are grateful to have been alerted to these unfortunate statements by Gene Simmons," CEO Chris Hunt said in a statement. "Under the circumstances we fully agree that even though Kiss is a band Michael admired we have no choice but to rescind our invitation to them to appear in our tribute concert. We offer our sincerest apologies to Mrs. Jackson and the family for this oversight — our primary concern must be to do justice to Michael's memory, and to put on a tribute that the family and the fans will find suitable and fit for a King, our King of Pop." The estate also expressed concerns about the promotion of the concert as a charity event, noting that it is using Jackson's "good name" to promote contributions, when the charitable element of the show is voluntary. "It appears from your interviews and from your website that none of the (approximately $90-$390) per person ticket price is committed to charitable causes," the letter states. The estate asked for clarity on to whom the charitable contributions are going , as well as an explanation of the small type clause that says that refunds will not be offered if "50% or more of the number of contracted artists attend and perform." A spokesperson for the concert had not returned requests for comment about the donations at press time. Tickets are being distributed in lottery fashion, with fans asked to register for the chance to buy them in order to, "avoid the usual frantic rush and confusion when tickets for big events go on sale," according to the concert's <a href="http://home.michaelforevertribute.com/buytickets.html" target="_blank">website</a>. "Michael Jackson always made sure his fans were treated to concert experiences so spectacular that they would remember the evening for the rest of their lives," lawyer Weitzman concluded. "He always treated his fans with the utmost respect. In light of the questions raised above and the confusion surrounding this 'event,' we are extremely concerned about Michael's legacy, his fans and the public-at-large." The letter asks promoter Global Live to address those concerns and those of the singer's fans as soon as possible.</p>

Donna Feldman Drea de Matteo Drew Barrymore Ehrinn Cummings Elena Lyons Elisabeth Röhm Elisha Cuthbert

Photos | The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards Performances

The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards Performances

Ciara Cindy Crawford Cindy Taylor Cinthia Moura Claudette Ortiz Coco Lee Connie Nielsen

Adele Notches Best Sales Year Since Usher's Confessions

In 2011, 21 moved more than 5.6 million copies in the U.S.
By Gil Kaufman

Adele
Photo: Getty Images

<P>The music industry has been stuck in a rut for nearly a decade. But every once in a while, it still manages to produce one of those unstoppable hit albums that give everyone that good old feeling. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:604336" width="240" height="211"></div><p> This year's model is <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/adele/artist.jhtml">Adele</a>'s <I>21</I>, which not only sold more copies than any other album in the U.S. in 2011 (more than 5.6 million to date), but which has also moved the most units of any artist since 2004. According to a <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/27/us-adele-idUSTRE7BQ10V20111227" target="_blank"><I>Reuters</I> report</a>, those gaudy figures (which top 15 million worldwide) make the British songbird the first artist to cross the 5 million mark in one year since Usher did it with his fourth studio album, <I>Confessions</I>, which sold 7.9 million units more than seven years ago. And to think she did it by releasing just two mega singles, <a href="/news/articles/1675976/adele-rolling-in-the-deep-best-song-2011.jhtml">"Rolling in the Deep"</a> and "Someone Like You," and barely touring North America due to <a href="/news/articles/1674453/adele-throat-surgery-recovery.jhtml">recurring vocal issues.</a>  There have been other big hits along the way to Adele's mark, including Eminem selling more than 3.4 million copies of his comeback <I>Recovery</I> album last year and Taylor Swift taking the honors in 2009 with <I>Fearless</I>, which sold 3.2 million copies. But none have come as close to Usher's mark in the interim. There doesn't seem to be any chance Adele will be surpassed by the end of the year: The closest contenders are Lady Gaga's <I>Born This Way</I> (2.08 million) and Michael Bublé's <I>Christmas</I> (2.4 million). The other good news is that overall music sales are expected to be up slightly (3 percent) by the end of this year, marking the first time that's happened since 2004.</p>

Related Artists

Adele
Usher

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676522/adele-usher-best-sales-record.jhtml

Elena Lyons Elisabeth Röhm Elisha Cuthbert Eliza Dushku Emilie de Ravin Emma Heming Emma Stone

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Eminem Critiques B.o.B's Strange Clouds

Bobby Ray calls working with Slim Shady, featured on his new E.P.I.C. (Every Play Is Crucial) mixtape, 'a dream come true.'
By Steven Roberts

B.o.B
Photo: MTV News

<P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/bob_bobby_ray_/artist.jhtml">B.o.B</a>'s first album, <i>B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray,</i> featured plenty of guest appearances, but arguably the biggest was <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/eminem/artist.jhtml">Eminem</a>'s feature on <a href="/news/articles/1637371/bobs-airplanes-part-ii-featuring-eminem-and-hayley-williams-hits-the-net.jhtml">"Airplanes Part II."</a> Em is not exactly ubiquitous, but he found his way onto the up-and-comer's track. So, it shouldn't be much of a surprise that they'd team up again. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:715929" width="240" height="211"></div><p> When Bobby Ray dropped his newest mixtape, <a href="/news/articles/1675029/bob-epic-mixtape.jhtml"><i>E.P.I.C. (Every Play Is Crucial),</i></a> seemingly out of nowhere Monday, it featured an older track with Eminem, titled <a href="/news/articles/1658606/things-get-worse-eminem-bob.jhtml">"Things Get Worse."</a> Though the track leaked in February, B.o.B decided to not let it go to waste. When MTV News caught up with Bob on Tuesday evening, he said the track was recorded in Detroit around the same time as the "Airplanes" sequel. He also said he relished the opportunity to work so closely with two artists — B.o.B is signed to T.I.'s Grand Hustle — that were already legends. "Working with artists like Tip and Eminem, you really learn a lot from people who have put out countless albums," he said. "Being that I'm fresh in the industry and really eager to learn and really show people everything I can do musically, they kind of help me. I remember Tip telling me, 'I'm with you. I support everything you do.' " B.o.B revealed that he and Em have been in touch, and he had a chance to play Slim Shady his new record, <i>Strange Clouds.</i> Bobby Ray said it was still surreal to sit down with Em and have the rapper critique his work, especially since Em has been supportive of what he's already done. "I grew up listening to Eminem, so to be able to work and get advice on your music from him is a dream come true," he said. "It was free, a free environment. It really wasn't rigid, just real free with the music, no ego." <div style="background-color:#000000;width:423px;"><div style="padding:4px;"><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:715001/cp~vid%3D715001%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A715001" width="420" height="236" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="." flashVars=""></embed></div></div> <i>Share your review of B.o.B's </i>E.P.I.C. (Every Play Is Crucial)<i> mixtape in the comments below!</i></p>

Jennifer Love Hewitt Jennifer Morrison Jennifer ODell Jennifer Scholle Jennifer Sky Jenny McCarthy Jessica Alba

Taylor Swift's 'Safe & Sound' Came Together 'Organically'

'He created this ethereal sound without making it this big battle anthem,' Swift says of 'Hunger Games' soundtrack producer T-Bone Burnett.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Taylor Swift
Photo: MTV News

<P>On Monday night (February 13), <a href="/news/articles/1679207/taylor-swift-safe-and-sound-music-video-premiere.jhtml">Taylor Swift released a cold, moody video</a> for her Civil Wars-assisted "Hunger Games" soundtrack tune <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/taylor-swift/732819/safe-sound.jhtml#id=1678910">"Safe & Sound."</a> During her exclusive chat with MTV News following the premiere, she revealed how the eerie song came together in just one day. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:733482.id:1678910" width="240" height="211"></div><p> "I wrote this song with the Civil Wars and [soundtrack producer] T-Bone Burnett, and we all happened to be in the same city on the same day, and I was working with T-Bone a lot on the soundtrack, just putting songs together," she recalled to Sway during "MTV First: Taylor Swift." When Burnett suggested <a href="/news/articles/1679113/2012-grammys-civil-wars.jhtml">the Civil Wars</a> stop by, Swift was enthusiastic about the potential collaboration. "I had this title that I had been working with called 'Safe & Sound,' and I just knew that I wanted it to deal with the empathy, sort of the more sensitive side, the bittersweet side of this story," she said about the sullen track. "Never imagining that this would ever be picked or a single, 'cause it's a lullaby. This song was such an amazing experience, because it's like it just happened." </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:732819.id:1678910" width="240" height="211"></div><p> The experience was particularly thrilling for Swift since she's a big fan of the Grammy-winning Civil Wars. "I've been a Civil Wars fan for about a year, and I think they're amazing, and I've always wanted to work with them. They have another song on the soundtrack ['Kingdom Come']. I have another song on the soundtrack ['Eyes Wide Open'], and it just ended up so organically coming together, I can't believe it, really." By the time Swift heard the finished product, she couldn't believe the beauty of Burnett's sparse production. "We wrote this song and recorded it one day. When we got the track back, I was so surprised by the restraint," she said. "He created this ethereal sound without making it this big battle anthem." <i>What did you think of Taylor's "Safe & Sound" video? Let us know in the comments below!</i> <b>Stick with MTV News as we roll out more from our exclusive interview with Taylor Swift about her <a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/422817/moviemain.jhtml">"Hunger Games"</a> soundtrack song!</b></p>

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Usher And David Guetta 'Proud' Of 'Without You'

'When you see R&B and pop and house, as well as electronic, come together, that's the reality of what music is,' Usher tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena, with additional reporting by Jim Cantiello

Usher
Photo: MTV News

<P>When <a href="/music/artist/usher/artist.jhtml">Usher</a> and <a href="/music/artist/guetta_david/artist.jhtml">David Guetta</a> hooked up for the French DJ's latest album, <i>Nothing but the Beat,</i> the two superstars created a chart-topping smash, <a href="/news/articles/1670301/usher-david-guetta-without-you.jhtml">"Without You,"</a> that combines Guetta's ear for house beats and Usher's ability to convey a range of emotions with his voice. It's a song that has really stuck with fans of all genres of music. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:713197" width="240" height="211"></div><p> The track — a swirling pop ode to not giving up on love in the face of adversity — struck Usher with its emotional core. "David Guetta is an amazing artist," he told MTV News last week at a <a href="/news/articles/1674705/justin-bieber-usher-advice.jhtml">Pencils of Promise charity event</a>. "We talked for many years about working together, and we found a record that was incredible." Usher said it was a song that resonated with him personally. "I think the world wanted a record like that. That [song] really spoke to the journey that I've actually been on in the last three years," he said. "Traveling all around the world, music sounds different. There's many different genres, and when you see R&B and pop and house, as well as electronic, come together, that's the reality of what music is." </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:688619" width="240" height="211"></div><p> When MTV News talked to Guetta on the <a href="/news/articles/1674728/ama-taylor-swift-nicki-minaj-katy-perry.jhtml">American Music Awards</a> red carpet Sunday, he said "Without You" is a standout track on the album. The LP dropped earlier this year and also includes <a href="/news/articles/1674756/american-music-awards-nicki-minaj-david-guetta.jhtml">Nicki Minaj, who performed with Guetta at the AMAs</a>. "It's one of my favorite songs," he said. "It's just, I'm a DJ, so I want to make people dance always, but I also want to give emotions. When it comes to that, 'Without You' is probably one of the most emotional songs that I've done, and yes, I'm very proud of that record." <i>What do you think about "Without You"? Share your reviews in the comments!</i></p>

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Avril Lavigne - Alice

Alice

Artist: Avril Lavigne
Label: Walt Disney Records
Director: Dave Meyers

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1228637&vid=486181

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T.I. - Can't Help It

Can't Help It

Artist: T.I.
Label: Atlantic Records, Grand Hustle
Director:

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1225081&vid=601495

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John Mayer - Your Body Is a Wonderland

Your Body Is a Wonderland

Artist: John Mayer
Label: Aware/Columbia Records
Director: Jim Gable
Album: Those Quiet Days

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1220799&vid=72591

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Fab Sale Round-Up: Gilt Groupe, Mabel’s Labels and More!

Check out our round-up of this week's best mommy and baby deals.

Source: http://feeds.celebritybabies.com/~r/celebrity-babies/~3/Bzfx5f52-3c/

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Photos | "Michael Jackson's This Is It"

"Michael Jackson's This Is It"

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/michael-jacksons-this-is-it/1621210/4244759/photo.jhtml

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Run-DMC Will Not Perform At Rock Hall Induction, DMC Confirms

Rapper can't imagine hitting the stage without late DJ Jam Master Jay.
By Jayson Rodriguez

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/ Getty Images

<P><MTVNLINK type="url" id="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/run_dmc/artist.jhtml">Run-DMC</MTVNLINK> are set to be <a href="/news/articles/1607474/eminem-to-induct-run-dmc-into-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame.jhtml">inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame</a> this weekend, and one-third of the legendary group confirmed to MTV News that they will not perform (as is customary during the ceremony) but instead a video tribute will play to mark the occasion. <a href="/news/articles/1602924/rev-run-talks-run-dmc-rock-hall-of-fame-induction.jhtml">Rev Run previously spoke to MTV News</a> in January following the Queens collective receiving word of their honor. The <MTVNLINK type="url" id="http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/runs_house/series.jhtml">"Run's House"</MTVNLINK> star said the decision about whether the group would perform would be left to DMC. After the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/topics/j/jam_master_jay_archive/index.jhtml">murder of their DJ, Jam Master Jay</a>, the remaining group members made the decision to never perform again as Run-DMC, out of respect for their fallen friend. </p><div style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;"> <embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:videolist:mtv.com:1608353" width="256" height="223" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashVars="configParams=instance%3Dnews%26id%3D1608353" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed></div><p> "For me, I tell people, 'Do you want to see me and Run running around without Jay?' " DMC told MTV News earlier this week. "They tell me I could get <MTVNLINK type="url" id="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/grandmaster_flash/artist.jhtml">Grandmaster Flash</MTVNLINK> [to fill in]. But I can get any DJ in the world if I want. It wouldn't be right. I can't replace my drummer." D said the Rock Hall will produce a video tribute to the group, although he didn't have a hand in the segment. He's been busy worrying about what he'll say when he reaches the podium. He joked that the representatives for the event "scared" him with their advice for his speech. "They said, 'You have all the time in the world. We don't want you to be too long, but we don't want you to be too short,' " he said, laughing. "Then they said, 'You should write something.' I said I wasn't gonna write something; I was gonna freestyle it. But then they scared me again with [<i>clears voice</i>], 'Make sure you get it right, because you only get to do this once.' " DMC -- who, following the group's retirement, has ventured into a more rock-based sound -- said he's honored to be entering the Hall with Metallica and Bobby Womack. He called himself a fan of the former and said the latter was a "super superstar." "For me, personally, I just love what gods are gonna be in the room," DMC said. "I'm a rock-and-roll fan, from Led Zeppelin to Bob Dylan to Jimi Hendrix. "And Metallica? Oh my God," he continued. "I grew up as a kid looking up to Bobby Womack. Do you know how big he was? He was so far from me as a super superstar, because my mother and father followed him. That's crazy. Now I'm thinking about it, and it's just crazy." Fellow Queens native and longtime peer LL Cool J agreed. He said the upcoming Run-DMC induction makes him "incredibly proud," as he recalled how the trio took him under their wing during his first tour experience. Stepping back as a fan, LL admitted, he'd like to see the fellas perform to celebrate the honor. But he respects the decision they've made. "When I think about them performing -- and I would never encourage them to do something that they wouldn't do -- but I really wish they would consider getting video footage of Jay cutting and figure out a way to sync that up so that they could perform to it," LL told MTV News. "Kind of like the way Natalie Cole did it with her father. I really wish they would consider that. If I was Run, I would. I think it would be epic. That would be big." Despite a Run-DMC performance missing from the itinerary, Run's older brother and group patriarch Russell Simmons said the trio's legacy will stand on its own. He said Run-DMC ushered in the era of rappers becoming actual recording artists. Prior to second-wave groups like Run-DMC, Simmons cited acts like the Cold Crush Brothers, DJ Hollywood and Eddie Cheeba as performing artists who largely composed numbers to hit the stage. Run-DMC, he said, were influenced by those groups, and it registered in their songs, which were incredibly authentic. Simmons, who built Def Jam into the most iconic rap label in history, said it was Run-DMC's authenticity that ultimately will be the indicator of their legacy and influence. "They may have looked like the Blues Brothers to rock-and-roll guys, but that was some real Brooklyn sh-- right there [the way they dressed and presented themselves]," Simmons explained. "That's some Hollis, Queens, stuff. They were paying homage to where the music was coming from [the streets]. They drew the line in the sand. They weren't crossing over; they made people come to them. And with that, they really inspired the whole community. They did a lot to contribute to the sentiment of authenticity, which ultimately became the earmark of the culture as a whole."</p>

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Britney Spears - I Wanna Go

I Wanna Go

Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive, Zomba Label Group
Director: Chris Marrs Pillero
Album: The Morning Dew

Source:
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John Mayer - No Such Thing

No Such Thing

Artist: John Mayer
Label: Sony
Director: Sam Erickson
Album: The Best of Lou Donaldson, Vol. 1: (1957-1967)

Source:
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Angelina Jolie Shops With The Twins

In The Land Of Blood And Honey director and one of our favorite A-list mamas Angelina Jolie was snapped taking her happy 3-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne shopping at Auntie Barbara's Kids Boutique on Monday (February 27) in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Brad Pitt's mother Jane joined the gorgeous trio on their shopping adventure. At one point, little Miss Vivienne flashed the paps an enormous grin as mama loaded her into the car.

Top Story? (feature beneath menu):

Source: http://celebritybabyscoop.com/2012/02/27/angelina-jolie-shops-with-the-twins

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