Source: cs / CS From East Point, GA to world domination, rap duo Outkast changed the way we look at southern Hip Hop. André “André 3000” Benjamin and Antwan “Big Boi” Patton created Outkast as high school students in 1991. They released their debut album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik in 1994. The single “Player’s Ball” reached number one on the Billboard. They then honed in on their sound to release ATLiens in 1996. The LaFace Records album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart, and it sold nearly 350,000 copies in its first two weeks of release. The album spawned the singles “Elevators (Me & You)”, “ATLiens”, and “Jazzy Belle”. Since its release, ATLiens has been listed by several magazines and critics as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. As Outkast gained popularity, their creativity continued to grow. In 2003 the duo released he double album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below which would eventually win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Today we wait in anticipation for the duo to return and release another album, but we think thats highly unlikely.
On Friday night’s Blue Bloods Season 5 Episode 1, Baez ended up badly injured after a convoy carrying drug evidence to be incinerated was attacked. What led us to that point, and what transpired afterward? Watch Blue Bloods Season 5 Episode 1 Online As Blue Bloods Season 5 Episode 1 proved with the situation in Times Square, police often find themselves in situations where there is no easy answer. React too fast and make an error in split-second judgment? You’re at fault. Take your time and try to process the situation and miss your chance? You’re also at fault. Officer McCarthy found this out the hard way even though he was following procedure, failing to consider the impact of traffic. The more surprising aspect of all this was the response. Uncharacteristically, Frank let the mayor bully him into letting his officers down, a first for him and perhaps a sign of a profound arc here in Season 5. As for Baez and Danny, they drew fire while protecting a drug transport, and she verbally fired on him in a different sense, for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the stresses of work and life all culminated in that moment, but she later admitted that Danny was the closest thing to family she had left. Speaking of partners, Jamie’s feelings about his? Complex. As Erin tried to say, Jamie’s feelings for Eddie are increasingly obvious … to everyone else. Did Jamie make the right decision about his partner, though? And has Frank changed the way he does his job for better or worse, since he took the job? Few easy answers, but that’s life when you wear the uniform, and we can look forward to another season of hard questions from these great characters. Share your comments below, and as always, remember you can watch Blue Bloods online to catch all the action from start to finish week in and week out.
Pop star and manager Scooter Braun were awarded the Disruptive Innovation Award for challenging industry’s traditional gatekeepers. By Jocelyn Vena Justin Bieber Photo: Steve Mack/ FilmMagic Justin Bieber and his manager Scooter Braun were at the Tribeca Film Festival on Friday (April 27) to accept the 2012 Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Award for disrupting “the traditional gatekeepers of the music industry.” Sporting a varsity jacket when he took the stage, the 18-year-old noted that a lot of what he does is a reflection of his relationship with his fans. “I don’t think that I would be here without the Internet. The fans feel connected to me,” he said, ABC News reports . According to The Huffington Post , he recalled his early days of posting videos on YouTube under the moniker KidRauhl and how he was skittish of Braun, initially. “He called me, and my mom was like, ‘Why am I going to trust a guy named Scooter?’ ” Bieber said. “So she ignored him, and he started calling all of the places where he saw me sing in my videos. … It was some really creepy stuff. He finally found my great aunt, who I had never met before, to try and get in contact with me.” Of those early days, Braun joked, “Either I was going to be the guy who watches videos of a young boy on the Internet and gets arrested, or I was going to sign him.” The award seems fitting, given how much Bieber’s rise to fame has changed the way talent can be discovered via the internet, and can use technology to spread the word. “Ever since then,” Bieber said, “We’ve been taking the world by storm.” Next up, Bieber plans to storm the charts with his June album release, Believe. He’s expected to drop his “Boyfriend” video soon in the lead-up to the album. Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Justin Bieber Related Artists Justin Bieber
‘That was definitely dope to hear,’ Digg says of rap legend dad’s approval of his brand-new debut album. By Rob Markman Diggy Simmons Photo: Andrew H. Walker/ Getty Images Diggy Simmons is not the second coming of Run-DMC , but still there has to be some pressure being the rapping son of one of hip-hop’s most revered MCs, right? Not really, says Diggy, who released his debut album Unexpected Arrival on Tuesday. “A couple of weeks before the release, he heard the complete album and he was really impressed,” Diggy told MTV News of Reverend Run’s reaction on Tuesday. “He was like, ‘You know, this is an album that I can turn on and I can leave on and I’d be happy listening to it.’ ” That’s quite a compliment coming from Run, who at first modeled himself after 1980s rap icon Kurtis Blow, but then went on to have one of hip-hop’s most iconic careers as a part of the larger-than-life group Run-DMC . In fact, the group’s career was so heralded they became the second rap group ever inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. “That was definitely dope to hear,” Diggy, who turned 17 on Wednesday (March 21), said. “That was something that I was definitely focused on making a cohesive album that sounded incredible together and you can just rock it and feel every sorta type of way.” The elder Simmons is no stranger to cohesive albums. The group’s 1984 self-titled debut effectively changed the way rappers recorded music with tracks like “Sucker M.C.’s” and “It’s Like That.” On Diggy’s Unexpected Arrival, however, there are no nods to his dad’s catalog, instead the teenage spitter simply does what comes natural to him. On the single “Do It Like You” Diggy pursues a crush, and on “4 Letter Word” things get a tad more serious when he dives deeper into love. The album isn’t all hugs and kisses though; on “88” Digg teams with Jadakiss for a rap free-for-all, and on “Unforgivable Blackness,” he raps of Martin and Malcolm’s legacy while calling for unity among his brothers. Unexpected Arrival is a complete work and distinctly Diggy’s. In fact, the emerging MC reveals that his pop was pretty hands-off. “He heard the tracks piece by piece. I’d have them sent to him sometimes when I was on the road for long amounts of time just so he can hear stuff,” he said. “That excites him, he’s not a person who pushes up.” Share your birthday wishes for Diggy in the comments! Related Artists Diggy Simmons
I haven’t posted a ton of pictures of this Jessie J chick, she used to kind of frighten me a little bit, but these shots have changed the way I look at her. Instead of questioning whether she’s actually a man dressed as a woman, I’m actually getting a semi looking at these shots. Here she is at the Brit Awards last night showing off a quality booty and an impressive amount of cleavage in a nice see through dress. Well done.
I haven’t posted a ton of pictures of this Jessie J chick, she used to kind of frighten me a little bit, but these shots have changed the way I look at her. Instead of questioning whether she’s actually a man dressed as a woman, I’m actually getting a semi looking at these shots. Here she is at the Brit Awards last night showing off a quality booty and an impressive amount of cleavage in a nice see through dress. Well done.
A long list of young actresses, including Hailee Steinfeld and Jennifer Lawrence, are up for the coveted role of Katniss. By Amy Wilkinson Jennifer Lawrence Photo: Getty Images In the dystopian world imagined by Suzanne Collins in her best-selling young-adult trilogy “The Hunger Games,” anxious teens hope against all odds that they can avoid the titular, televised fight to the death decreed by their government. But in the real world, Hollywood’s rising stars are battling to get into the arena for the upcoming adaptation of the series’ first novel due out March 23, 2012. And no role is more hotly contested than that of 16-year-old District 12 tribute Katniss Everdeen. Casting speculation has run rampant since the news came in March 2009 that the novel’s screen rights had been purchased by Lionsgate. U.K. “Skins” star Kaya Scodelario was an early fan favorite for the role and, along with , “Nikita” star Lyndsy Fonseca was reportedly among the first to receive a script. Slowly but surely, however, actresses from their early teens to their mid-20s have begun hungrily eying the part of the 16-year-old heroine. “Katniss is my homegirl,” “Kick-Ass” star Chloe Moretz told MTV News back in October 2010. “I would absolutely die to be in ‘The Hunger Games.’ I’m just sayin’ that.” A few weeks later, “Vampire Diaries” star Malese Jow spoke with Hollywood Crush , expressing a similar sentiment. “I would do my absolute best,” she promised. “I would give it 2,000 percent for everyone. I know there are some die-hard fans out there.” A couple of young actresses have gone so far as to tweet pictures of themselves done up as Katniss (and in some cases, sporting her signature bow and arrow). For Halloween 2010, “Eclipse” star Jodelle Ferland dressed as the tribute, though she downplayed the stunt tweeting, “Don’t take it so seriously … I’m not trying to say, ‘Hey, look at me. I should be Katniss.’ ” More recently, “Camp Rock” actress Alyson Stoner posted various photos of herself dressed in Katniss’ iconic Hunger Games uniform and climbing walls as part of her “training.” Though plenty of up-and-coming actresses have thrown their name into the ring, producer Nina Jacobson told The L.A. Times early on that a known name wasn’t necessary for the part. “It really comes down to finding that person who can capture the physicality, the vulnerability and the toughness,” she said. “She’s a paradoxical character and you need somebody who has the range to capture all of those dimensions.” In a piece in The Wall Street Journal detailing the hunt for the “next Hailee Steinfeld,” the paper went behind the scenes of several upcoming YA adaptations, including “The Hunger Games,” in which casting director Debra Zane explained that an open casting call had gone out for Katniss (Caucasian, between the ages of 15 and 20, someone who could portray “underfed but strong” and “naturally pretty underneath her tomboyishness”), and that she’d seen about 50 girls so far. Nonetheless, last week Variety reported that Lionsgate had three Oscar-nominated actresses in their crosshairs: Abigail Breslin, Hailee Steinfeld and Jennifer Lawrence (with Lawrence as the front-runner). Steinfeld revealed to MTV News on the Oscars red carpet that she had already met with director Gary Ross, saying, “It’s definitely something that we’re taking one day at a time and making sure that everything is in place.” Entertainment Weekly quickly filed a report that conflicted with Variety ‘s, citing sources at Lionsgate who said that there was not yet a front-runner for the role and that about 30 actresses had been seen for the part, including a few who hadn’t yet gained much “Hunger Games” heat (like “The Lovely Bones” star Saoirse Ronan). Fan site The Hob followed up with Scodelario’s people (one of the actresses included in EW ‘s report), who said she had not in fact, read for the role yet. Ultimately, Lionsgate’s pick for Katniss will influence which of Hollywood’s young actors will be eyed for the roles of fellow Hunger Games contestant Peeta and Katniss’ childhood friend Gale (age is a big factor here). Nonetheless, several actors, including Liam Hemsworth and Alex Pettyfer, have told MTV News they have met with the studio about the Peeta role. It will be a “Hunger Games” fight to the finish, indeed. Who do you hope the odds are in favor of to play Katniss? For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com .
‘It’s not important for us to make videos, but it’s fun to make videos,’ Dave Grohl says regarding the new clip. By James Montgomery The Foo Fighters Photo: Steve Gullick Over the course of their 15-year career, the Foo Fighters have made no shortage of truly memorable music videos. From the Mentos-spoofing “Big Me” and the costumed-and-campy “Learn to Fly” to more serious, somber clips like “Everlong” and “My Hero,” they’ve carved out a rather unique niche in the rock world: They are the go-to guys for iconic clips … and they have been for some time. So, with the premiere of their new “Rope” video set to bow on Thursday at 7:54 p.m. ET/PT on MTV, we decided to ask the Foos about their rather impressive video past … and how they’ve managed to establish themselves as masters of the genre — goofy moustaches or not. As it turns out, the secret to the rockers’ success has a whole lot to do with not taking themselves — or the format — all that seriously. “It’s not important for us to make videos, but it’s fun to make videos. I like making videos,” frontman Dave Grohl said. “So, I don’t know if bands have to make videos [these days], but I think it’s cool. I’ve always liked making videos.” Of course, in an era where YouTube has changed the way fans view music videos, the entire concept of breaking the bank for an eye-catching clip is practically extinct. So rather than slowly die off, the Foos have embraced the DIY aesthetic … as evidenced by their recent, shot-on-VHS “White Limo” video and “Rope,” which Grohl revealed was also captured on old-school tape. But instead of being bummed by shrinking production values, Grohl and Co. have gone all-in … and they’re pleased with the results. “Nowadays, if we go play in a club and someone has a video phone, they film it and then they put it on YouTube and it becomes a video,” Grohl said. “The distribution of any of that information or images, it goes out everywhere, like that. … That’s f—ing rad.” The Foo Fighters’ “Rope” video premieres live at 7:54 p.m. ET/PT on Thursday on MTV and MTV.com, followed by an exclusive Q&A session from one lucky Foo fan’s house to be live-streamed on MTV.com. Fans can submit questions via Twitter ( @MTVNews using hashtag #askfoos ). Related Videos Gearing Up For The Foo Fighters’ ‘Rope’ Video Premiere Related Artists Foo Fighters
Filed under: Dennis Hopper Peter Fonda , Dennis Hopper ‘s close friend and ” Easy Rider ” co-star, gave TMZ this statement on Hopper’s passing: ” Dennis introduced me to the world of Pop Art and ‘lost’ films. We rode the highways of America and changed the way movies were made in… Read more
Pop star discusses her past, fame and fashion with the New York Times. By Joel Hanek Lady Gaga Photo: Kevork Djansezian/ Getty Images As she melds her pop music with performance pieces, Lady Gaga has managed to cultivate a sense of authority in art and fashion that goes beyond her enigmatic nebula of glamour and wigs. She did her best to maintain that authority, while also getting very personal, in an interview with the New York Times, fulfilling her new promotional duties for the M.A.C. AIDS fund and Viva Glam . “It’s hard knowing who to trust with your personal life,” Lady Gaga revealed to fashion reporter Horacio Silva in a piece that will run in this weekend’s T magazine. “When you cry in your room at night, you don’t always know who to call. So I am very close to my family.” The singer also touched on betrayal and the need to move on from elements of her past life, including drug use. “I left [my past] behind because I had to,” she said. “For many reasons, like drugs. It’s no secret that I have had problems with drugs in the past. And some places represent to me things in terms of my mental and physical health, so you learn to move on, to preserve what your mission in life is, and my greater mission is my fans.” Lady Gaga has consistently used the concept of fame as a motif in her art and music. “I believe in the glamorous life and I live one,” she said. However, the artist also expressed her distaste in “celebrities” and explained how she tries to challenge the paradigm of fame with her fans. “I think I have changed the way they look at and devour fame. It’s something that tastes a little too sweet but is not so difficult to swallow.” After discussing her “spiritual guide,” the interview highlighted another unique thing about Gaga: She refers to herself in the third person. “I talk about myself in the third person all the time. I don’t live my life in the way someone like you does,” Lady Gaga explained. “I live my life completely serving only my work and my fans. And that way, I have to think about not what is best for my vagina but what is best for my fans and for me artistically.” Related Photos The Evolution Of: Lady Gaga Related Artists Lady Gaga
