Tag Archives: aaron-marcellus

Nicki Minaj Promises Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Is A ‘Doozy’

‘It’s gonna be important for just hip-hop culture and pop culture,’ Minaj tells MTV News. By Rob Markman Nicki Minaj Photo: MTV News Playtime is over and on her latest single, “Roman Reloaded,” Nicki Minaj returned to the rapid-fire rhyming that first got her noticed on hip-hop’s mixtape circuit. The Rico Beats-produced banger features pounding drums, well-timed gunshot effects and plenty of tough talk from Nicki and her Young Money boss Lil Wayne . It’s a far cry from last year’s “Super Bass” and the Harajuku Barbie’s RedOne-produced pop-affair “Starships.” “That’s just a preview of what’s to come on the album. I know what people need right now,” Nicki told MTV News in her dressing room at the Amway Center after her NBA All-Star Game performance on Sunday. Anticipation is building for Nick’s sophomore LP, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, and with a little more than a month left before it is released, many are still unsure which direction the Young Money star will take. Will the album sound more like the title track or “Starships”? Of course, there is always a middle ground. “April 3 is gonna be a doozy. It’s gonna be crazy,” Nicki said of her album release date. “It’s gonna be important for just hip-hop culture and pop culture. It’s gonna be very big.” On Thursday (March 1), Nicki unveiled her Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded album cover via Twitter . The colorful album art shows the reigning rap queen with blond hair and a mix of pink, purple and green paint covering her face. What are you expecting from Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded ? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Nicki Minaj

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Nicki Minaj Promises Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Is A ‘Doozy’

‘American Idol’ Unveils Top 13

Shannon MaGrane and Phillip Phillips are in, while nine singers get the ax. By Adam Graham Shannon MaGrane on “American Idol” Photo: Fox Heejun’s in. So are Phillip Phillips, Skylar Laine and Shannon MaGrane. Adam Brock? Not so fast … “American Idol” revealed its top 13 finalists on Wednesday (March 1), swiftly dismissing half its field after this week’s live performance episodes. The cuts were harsh, as Ryan Seacrest delivered the news in typical no-nonsense fashion, crushing the dreams of some contestants while making others’ come true. A reported 33 million votes were cast, down from the 40 million made at this point in the competition last year. Phillip Phillips was the first one through to the voter-approved top 10 and got a few minutes to soak in the moment by himself before he was joined by Jessica Sanchez, whose purported vocal issues didn’t affect her performance on Wednesday one bit, and tiny Hollie Cavanagh, who “slayed the biggest dragon” when she sang Christina Aguilera’s “Reflection” on Wednesday. Joshua Ledet followed, and next up was Heejun Han, whose dry comic presence on the show was criticized sharply by “Idol” mentor Jimmy Iovine. “This isn’t ‘American Comedian,’ this is ‘American Idol,’ ” Iovine said in a taped reaction to Han’s performance. Han responded by pretending to not know who Iovine is. Shots fired! Shannon MaGrane — who was crying before she was even told her fate — was passed through, as was country spitfire Skylar Laine, who arguably turned in the week’s best performance with her spirited take on Faces’ “Stay With Me,” which played like “Reba mixed with Kelly Clarkson,” according to Randy Jackson. Elise Testone, one of two singers to take on Adele’s “One and Only” on Wednesday, made the top 10, as did Colton Dixon, who took his performance of Paramore’s “Decode” to the top of his piano on Tuesday. Gentle giant Jermaine Jones — who, in a surprise move, was brought back on Tuesday after being eliminated earlier in the competition — rounded out the top 10. Six singers then vied for three judge-selected Wild Card slots, with Erika Van Pelt’s version of Lady Gaga’s “The Edge of Glory,” Jeremy Rosado’s take on Carrie Underwood’s “I Know You Won’t” and DeAndre Brackensick’s “Georgia on My Mind” earning them spots in the top 13. Jen Hirsh, Reed Grimm and Brielle Von Hugel competed for Wild Card positions but narrowly missed advancing to the next round. Meanwhile, nine contestants were dismissed without a chance to sing for their lives. So it’s so long, Chase Likens; see ya, Chelsea Sorrell; bye-bye, Baylie Brown; sayonara, Eben Franckewitz; hasta la vista, Haley Johnsen; peace out, Adam Brock; tootles, Aaron Marcellus; arrivederci, Hallie Day; and later, Creighton Fraker. The top 13 contestants perform live during Wednesday’s two-hour episode, and one will be kicked off on Thursday’s one-hour results show. What do you think of this year’s top 13? Who got cut that should have made it? Let us know in the comments!

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‘American Idol’ Unveils Top 13

Aaron Marcellus on American Idol: The Whole Package?!?

Look, we get why the American Idol judges said nice things about Eben Franckewitz last night, despite his mess of a performance . The guy is 15 years old and adorable. But is there a reason Randy Jackson told Aaron Marcellus he demonstrated “beautiful vocals?” Or Steven Tyler went as far as to say this contestant is “the whole package?” Watching the hopeful cover the Jackson 5’s “Never Can Say Goodbye,” we simply saw a generic act with a better-than-average voice and not much personality. It’s hard to even imagine Marcellus surviving Thursday’s cut, when the top 24 become the top 12. Are we being overly harsh? Watch Aaron in action now and decide for yourself: Aaron Marcellus – “Never Can Say Goodbye”

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Aaron Marcellus on American Idol: The Whole Package?!?

American Idol Men: Who’s the Favorite?

American Idol has named its final 12 men on season 11. Okay, yes, there will actually be 13 men, but if the show is keeping the final semifinalist secret until he performs on Tuesday night then he can blame producers for being left off this list. While we still have a slew of live auditions to go through, it’s never too early to start choosing sides. Are you going with the 15-year old dubbed the next Justin Bieber ? The guy so nice his family named him twice ? Browse through the following promotional photos now and then cast a vote for your favorite… WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE SEMIFINALIST?

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American Idol Men: Who’s the Favorite?