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Carrie Underwood Doubles Up At CMT Music Awards

Underwood wins Video of the Year for ‘Good Girl’ and Collaborative Video By Gil Kaufman Carrie Underwood at the 2012 CMT Music Awards Photo: FilmMagic “American Idol” has struggled to produce hit rock and R&B stars lately, but the show clearly has a knack for pumping out country acts. Just look at the winner’s circle for Wednesday night’s CMT Music Awards ceremony, where “Idol” winner Carrie Underwood took home two major honors and Scotty McCreery went home with some hardware as well. Underwood, who also performed on the broadcast hosted by Toby Keith and actress Kristen Bell, snagged her third Video of the Year honor for the “Good Girl” clip, and hit the podium once again for Collaborative Video of the Year for her work on the “Rescue Me” video with Brad Paisley. Underwood’s man, professional hockey player Mike Fisher, played the role of dutiful husband by giving his wife a big hug and kiss when she and Paisley won their award, then held her purse during the acceptance speech. Paisley had some fun, too, wrapping his arms around Fisher before taking the stage and giving him a long hug before thanking, “this beautiful woman for being in the video, or else it’s just a dork walking through the desert.” He concluded, “to my wife at home, there’s nothing between me and Mike,” to which Underwood added, “not yet!” Season 10 “Idol” champ McCreery continued his winning ways by scoring the USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year for “The Trouble With Girls,” which he accepted just hours before his high school graduation ceremony. Other winners included Luke Bryan for Male Video of the Year for “I Don’t Want This Night To End,” Miranda Lambert for Female Video of the Year for “Over You” and Lady Antebellum for Group Video of the year for “We Owned The Night.” Bryan was clearly excited about his win, saying, “When you’re at this level of what we do as singers, and your fans vote, it speaks huge volumes and it’s crazy to be fan-voted for an award and win it … I don’t really get caught up in trying to be cool, trying to play a part. I just freaking get so excited about this stuff and I will always enjoy it.” Lambert’s acceptance speech was one of the most emotional of the night. Celebrating her third straight Female Video win for the song she co-wrote with husband Blake Shelton about the death of his brother, she thanked Shelton’s brother, “from heaven, for inspiring us to write this song.” Thompson Square accepted the Duo Video of the Year (“I Got You”) and Jason Aldean took home his first belt buckle with CMT Performance of the Year for “Tattoos On This Town.” The show opened with a bang, with a video bit pitting the hosts against each other in a battle to anchor the show alone that featured cameos from Matthew McConaughey, Jon Bon Jovi, President Obama and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney. “This is one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make since I’ve been in office, but I decided I want them both,” Obama said when forced to decide between the country star and the actress. Not wanting to offend any potential swing voters, Romney split the difference too, suggesting the pair work together. “See, I just put two people back to work,” he joked. The show also featured performances from Willie Nelson with Toby Keith, Jamey Johnson, Darius Rucker and Zac Brown Band, as well as Paisley with Hank Williams Jr., Lambert and Journey with Rascal Flatts. Related Artists Carrie Underwood

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Carrie Underwood Doubles Up At CMT Music Awards

Levon Helm, Drummer For The Band, Dies at 71

Levon Helm, the legendary drummer for The Band, died today. He was 71. “Levon Helm passed peacefully this afternoon,” his rep confirmed. “He was surrounded by family, friends and fellow band members and will be remembered by all he touched as a brilliant musician and a beautiful soul.” Earlier this week, Levon’s wife Sandy and their daughter announced on his official website that he was “in the final stages of his battle with cancer .” The Arkansas-born Helm played in a rockabilly band in the late 1950s before moving up to Canada and joining guitarist Robbie Robertson and three other musicians to form what would become Bob Dylan’s back-up band in the mid-1960s. Later called simply The Band, the group featured Helm’s drums and vocals on songs like “The Weight,” “Up on Cripple Creek” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” Their final concert, filmed by Martin Scorsese, was The Last Waltz in 1976. In their message to his fans, Levon Helm’s wife and daughter said: “Thank you fans and music lovers who have made his life filled with joy and celebration … he has loved nothing more than to play, to fill the room up with music, lay down the back beat, and make the people dance! He did it every time he took the stage.” “We appreciate all the love and support and concern.”

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Levon Helm, Drummer For The Band, Dies at 71

Demi Lovato Covers Kanye in Peru

Demi Lovato showed fans in Peru a very different side of herself last night. No, not the side without makeup . All Twitter followers were treated to that glimpse a few days ago. Instead, went all hip hop on these South American attendees, briefly covering the Kanye West/Jay-Z track “Niggas in Paris” off their collaborative album, “Watch the Throne.” Even Demi couldn’t take herself totally seriously while spewing out the rhymes, but she performed the track better than we could have! Watch now: Demi Lovato – “Niggas In Paris” (Live in Peru)

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Demi Lovato Covers Kanye in Peru

Lil Wayne More Than Answers Mac Miller’s ‘Question’

‘I wanted to make sure I got Wayne on something that was heartfelt,’ Mac tells MTV News of Macadelic standout. By Rob Markman Mac Miller Photo: MTV News Mac Miller hasn’t been around very long, but his ever-growing catalog has a lot of noteworthy tunes. The gold-selling “Donald Trump” is a crowd-pleaser at shows, as is his jump-up-and-down party-starter “Knock, Knock.” But Mac’s recent Lil Wayne collaboration “The Question” already ranks right up there for him. “This is one of my favorite records that I’ve ever done,” Mac told MTV News of the Macadelic standout. Miller surprised fans when he released Macadelic last week. It wasn’t the quality of songs that stood out — Mac’s fans have come to expect the best from the Pittsburgh MC — instead it was Macadelic ‘s features that stood out to many. With a guest list that includes Kendrick Lamar, Sir Michael Rocks, Casey Veggies, Juicy J and Cam’ron, it was Weezy’s multiplatinum name that made folks do a double-take. Getting Weezy on your mixtape is a no-brainer for any MC with enough clout to pull it off, but Miller didn’t want to get the Young Money boss on just any old track. To him, “The Question” was special. “This song is a real meaningful song to me, man, and I wanted to make sure I got Wayne on something that was heartfelt,” he said. “I got him on a record that I was saying something and not just talkin’ sh–, so this record right here really kinda deals with a question that I’ve been goin’ through in my own head.” “Sometimes I wonder who the f— I am,” Mac spits to start the record off. The 20-year old MC then goes on to ponder his place in the world over a slow-rolling track produced by Wally West and ID Labs. “I feel like in a lot of people’s lives, at a certain point, you kind of just look in the mirror and try and think about who I am as a person and what am I supposed to do here, what am I doin’ with my time,” he explained. Often, Mac is criticized for releasing strictly party records, but on “The Question” he adds some depth to his catalog. Weezy, however, took a different approach, opening his rhyme while sitting in his Bentley, thinking about the plethora of women he has at his disposal. From there, Tunechi goes on about his machine gun, which he claims to treat like an infant, and, of course, his smoke. It’s classic Weezy. “Wayne came in and just killed the verse on the song,” Mac exclaimed. “It was perfect to hear him like that.” What do you think of Mac Miller and Lil Wayne’s “The Question”? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Mac Miller Lil Wayne

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Lil Wayne More Than Answers Mac Miller’s ‘Question’

Nas To Make His First-Ever Appearance On ‘RapFix Live’

Atlanta MC Killer Mike will also stop by on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com By Rob Markman Nas Photo: Daniel Boczarski/ Getty Images Last week Odd Future dropped by for a crazy episode of “RapFix Live,” but this week, things are about to get real nasty. Nasty Nas will stop by MTV on Wednesday to chop it up with Sway, taking a trip down memory lane and looking toward the future and his upcoming album Life is Good. Wednesday will mark the first time the rap legend has sat on the “RapFix Live” couch. It’s been 18 years since Nas dropped his iconic debut Illmatic, and the Queensbridge MC proved that he is just as vicious as ever when he dropped his latest single, “The Don,” earlier this month. Backed by a reggae-tinged beat (co-produced by the late Heavy D), “The Don” finds Nas delivering lyrics with the tenacity of hungry teen who is looking for his first break. It’s a vibe that Esco successful captured on his 2011 single “Nasty” as well. If “The Don” and “Nasty” are any indication, Nas’ 10th LP, Life is Good, is already shaping up to be one of the most-anticipated rap albums of the year. We’re sure he will have plenty to say about his upcoming release as well as his career in retrospect. Atlanta MC Killer Mike will also be stopping by the “RapFix” set this week. Killa Kill made his rap debut on OutKast’s unforgettable 2000 album Stankonia and has since carved out a unique lane for his brand of street-laced, politically charged raps. Last year, Mike partnered with T.I.’s Grand Hustle label and dropped PL3DGE, the third album of his I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind series. Next up, Mike is partnering with former Company Flow MC/producer El-P to release their collaborative R.A.P. Music LP. The album’s first single, “Big Beast,” features Bun B, T.I. and Atlanta newcomer Trouble. Catch Nas and Killer Mike on “RapFix Live” Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com, and be sure to join the Twitter conversation using the hashtags #RapFixLive. Send your questions for the artists to @MTVRapFiX! Related Artists Nas Killer Mike

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Nas To Make His First-Ever Appearance On ‘RapFix Live’

8Ball, Curren$y And Styles P Top Week’s Mixtape Picks

Trae tha Truth, Don Trip, Eldorado Red and Lil Wayne’s Short Dawg also get nod from Mixtape Daily this week. By Rob Markman Curren$y Photo: Daniel Boczarski/ WireImage Don’t Sleep: Necessary Notables The hip-hop team at MTV News has been all about Trae tha Truth this past week. Maybe we’re still riding off the high from the Street King hooking up with the King of the South and signing a joint venture with T.I.’s Grand Hustle Records . Whatever the reason, Trae’s King of the Streets: Freestyles mixtape has been banging through the News office, but that’s not all. There have been quite a few tapes — some new, some old — we’re just getting hip to that have caught our ear.

Kid Cudi Goes Off At Album Listening Party!

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Kid Cudi is known for having a short fuse and having outbursts when things don’t go his way … so this may not surprise you. During a listening party in New York on Thursday for the album WZRD, his collaborative effort with producer Dot da Genius … Cudi got pissed when people started whispering and having side conversations while he was answering questions about the album. After repeatedly asking those who were chatting to be quiet, Cudi snapped and yelled, “You guys are so full of s—, whoever’s talking, you’re so full of s— and I f—in’ hate you… I’ll snuff you!” Wow. WZRD drops tomorrow, Feb. 28.

Kid Cudi Goes Off At Album Listening Party!

RZA To Produce Method Man’s Final Album

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Method Man has recently been on the promotional trail for his new film, The Sitter . While doing interviews, he’s been asked about new music. Meth says his upcoming fifth album will be his last. Johnny Blaze took to the Wu-Tang Clan’s Facebook page to make the official announcement. The message simply read: “Method Man is officially working on his last album produced by the RZA.” This will be the first time RZA has produced a Method Man album in its entirety since his 1994 solo debut, Tical . Method Man and RZA have both grown since 1994, so we can’t wait to see what comes of their collaborative efforts. We hope it’s crack or crystal meth, considering the latter is the  slated title of the forthcoming project. Spotted at HipHopDX . RELATED POSTS: RZA Breaks Down Kanye’s Work Ethic [VIDEO] Ol’ Dirty Bastard Movie In The Works, Tracy Morgan Or Eddie Griffin To Star Method Man & Jonah Hill On Bad Baby Sitters And Running Red Lights [EXCLUSIVE]

RZA To Produce Method Man’s Final Album

Lil Wayne And Drake To Drop Joint Album

‘That’s definitely going to get done,’ Cash Money honcho Birdman confirms to XXLmag.com. By Rob Markman Drake and Lil Wayne Photo: Julia Beverly Move over Jay-Z and Kanye West , here come Lil Wayne and Drake . While Hov and Yeezy have pretty much dominated the hip-hop conversation this week with the release of their collaborative Watch the Throne, Cash Money CEO Bryan “Birdman” Williams took it up a notch when he confirmed on Friday (August 12) that Weezy and Drizzy Drake will also be joining forces on an upcoming project. “Wayne and I recently talked about [the Weezy/Drake collabo album],” Baby told XXLmag.com . “That’s definitely going to get done.” Birdman is himself no stranger to joint LPs: In 2006, the #1 Stunna shared billing with Wayne on their Like Father, Like Son album. Now, in 2011, the tag-team trend appears to be gaining even more traction. Eminem and Royce Da 5’9″ got together as Bad Meets Evil on their Hell: The Sequel EP in June. Of course, there’s Jay and ‘Ye’s Throne, which dropped this week, as did Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame’s Ferrari Boyz LP . Back in January, during a radio interview with the U.K.’s Tim Westwood, Drake spoke on his plans to work with Wayne on a joint project. “We still got to do that album,” he said. “I heard some other guys are coming out with an album too. There’s two other rappers that are coming out with an album together. … I don’t know where they got that idea but …” Hear why Royce Da 5’9″ thinks tag-team albums are good for the game. Baby drew a clear distinction, however, between the Throne’s sound and the sound that Drake and Weezy will be coming with. “It’s older versus younger,” he said. “I listened to a few songs [off Watch the Throne ], and it feels like an older feel to me. I think with Drake and Wayne, they young, they young cats. You got 23 and 28. Then you got Jay-Z and them, who are older and really on their way out the game. Then you got Wayne and Drake and them, who are still youthful to the game. So it’s two different types of music all the way across the board.” Baby did acknowledge the mark that Jay and Kanye have made on the music industry with their WTT release. “But what they’re doing is great. I think it’s great for the game, great for the business, great for retail as a whole,” he continued. “I just think when Wayne and Drake get together, [it’s] going to be something real special also because we more youthful.” With songs like “Successful,” “Miss Me” and “Right Above It” already under their belts, there is no doubt that Wayne and Drake have developed a chemistry, but as for when the duo would actually drop the project, Birdman couldn’t say. Wayne’s Tha Carter IV is due on August 29 and Drake’s sophomore work, Take Care, drops just two months later on October 24, so it may be some time. Are you excited about a Lil Wayne and Drake joint album? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Lil Wayne Related Artists Drake Lil Wayne

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Lil Wayne And Drake To Drop Joint Album

Royce Da 5’9″ Calls Watch The Throne ‘Great For Hip-Hop’

Eminem collaborator tells ‘RapFix Live’ Jay-Z and Kanye West’s joint album shows that ‘it’s cool to be lyrical.’ By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway Royce Da 5’9″ Photo: MTV News Hip-hop tandems are nothing new. In 2009, KRS-One and Buckshot collaborated on Survival Skills, and that same year Canibus and Keith Murray got together and put out their Undergods album. But in 2011, the idea of two solo MCs getting together seems to be more popular than ever. In June, Royce da 5’9″ and Eminem dropped their collaborative EP, Hell: The Sequel, as Bad Meets Evil, then on Monday, Jay-Z and Kanye West released their get-together, Watch the Throne . On the very next day, Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame emerged with their Ferrari Boyz album. “It’s a trend,” Royce da 5’9″ said when he visited “RapFix Live” on Wednesday. “I don’t know who did it first, but it’s definitely a trend. I think my group — without tooting our own horns — I think my group Slaughterhouse started that four-man trend, that group trend. As far as the tandem thing, me and Em were working on the EP for a long time.” Royce doesn’t take full credit for setting things off with Bad Meets Evil; he said he believes great minds think alike. “I think it’s a good thing that people are teaming up doing that because it’s something new in hip-hop and something that will continue the art form growing. If it stays the same for long periods of time, it starts to feel like it could fade away — which it can.” The Detroit rapper, who dropped his fifth solo album, Success is Certain, earlier this week, admits that he’s only heard WTT in its entirety once — but so far, so good. “I think it’s good,” Nickel Nine commented. “It sounds like they went in and did what they wanted to do, which I can respect. That’s exactly what me and Marshall did: We went in and did the type of music that we wanted to do. “They wanted to go in and make an album; that’s what they did. We wanted to go in and just be lyrical and box, go back and forth, and we not thinking about making an album.” The success of both Watch the Throne and Hell: The Sequel leaves Royce optimistic about hip-hop’s future. “I think the fact that both of those projects are out and they are doing well, it’s great for hip-hop because both of them are lyrical projects, and it was one time in hip-hop when it wasn’t really cool to be lyrical,” he said. “So you got these big guns going in and showing these kids of today that it’s cool to be lyrical.” Share your thoughts about the joint album trend in the comments section below! Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ With Gucci Mane, Waka Flocka Flame And Royce Da 5’9″ Related Photos Exclusive Photos Of The ‘Watch The Throne’ Recording Sessions Related Artists Royce Da 5’9″ Eminem Jay-Z Kanye West Gucci Mane Waka Flocka Flame

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Royce Da 5’9″ Calls Watch The Throne ‘Great For Hip-Hop’