Tameka Foster Raymond called Hot 107.9′s Beyonce and gave her thoughts on losing her custody battle to ex-husband Usher. Tameka said she needs time to…
We were heartbroken to learn that Tameka Raymond’s son Kile, Usher’s 11-year-old stepson was unable to overcome the injuries he suffered during an accident earlier this month. Kile died after being taken off life support today. According to TMZ reports : Usher’s 11-year-old stepson has passed away this morning from injuries suffered in a tragic jetski accident in Georgia earlier this month … TMZ has learned. Doctors removed 11-year-old Kile Glover from life support after it was determined the injuries were too severe to overcome. We’re told Kyle’s mother, Tameka Foster, struggled tremendously with the decision. According to our sources, Tameka is understandably devastated. Glover was injured on July 8 … as he was riding in an inner tube that was connected to a pontoon in Lake Lanier. According to authorities, a family friend who was riding a jetski behind the pontoon lost control and collided with Glover’s tube. The accident is currently under investigation. Yesterday Tameka tweeted a single photo of Kile and his younger brother Cinco (Usher V): We are devastated by this news and want to extend our heartfelt condolences to the Foster, Glover and Raymond families. Our thoughts are with them at this time.
She does kinda have a point… Tameka Foster’s Friend Defends Her Against Accusations According to RadarOnline Following a tragic lake accident on Friday that left Tameka Raymond’s 11-year-old son brain dead, a close friend of Usher’s ex-wife has opened up exclusively to RadarOnline.com about how she is coping with the devastating situation. “I’ve seen celebs and media outlets alike continue to send their condolences to Usher. Kile was Tameka and Ryan Glover’s child and the sympathy should be given to them first and foremost,” Tameka’s associate told RadarOnline.com in an exclusive interview. “Although Usher has been so kind in chartering a plane so she could be by Kile’s side, he didn’t necessarily play a huge role in Tameka’s other children’s lives after the divorce therefore it seems a little disrespectful that Ryan is being ignored as a father, in place of another just because he’s topping the Billboard charts. “Ryan was equally devoted and involved in Kile’s life — they shared joint custody and Kile was with his other family at the lake, so for those who are claiming Tameka’s at fault for not being there is just absurd — because of the joint custody, her two boys aren’t always directly in her eyesight, but she is a phenomenal mother.” Tameka’s irritated friend goes on to say: “Tameka is heartbroken. Kile was one of the loves of her life — she adored him. The last time I spoke to her she was going on and on about his fifth grade graduation. She used to call him her most helpful child and would gush about how smart he was,” the friend said. “This incident was just so random — there should never have been a jet ski that close to an inner tube with two young kids, it just doesn’t make sense.” Fashion stylist Tameka, 44, had two children with Altanta-based clothier Glover before she married Usher in August 2007, and went on to have two children, Usher V, 4, and Naviyd, 3, with him. Their divorce was finalized in November 2009 and they are currently embroiled in a bitter custody battle. Struggling to let go of her beloved Kile, “My only hope is that Tameka’s spirituality and devotion to God will help her pull through this ineffable moment in her life, and bring some comfort,” her friend told RadarOnline.com. “This is a woman who lost the man of her dreams, her reputation and now her son within the course of four years. My heart goes out to her. Nobody deserves this pain. “Perhaps the comment boards that continued to spew venom at a woman they had never met will put the breaks on their misdirected anger and hate and finally give her some peace. She definitely needs it.” We are continually hoping and praying for Tameka, Ryan, Kile, and the Foster/Glover family. Image via SplashNews
It Stops With Me And You, Inc. Has FREE SUMMER CAMPS for Foster Kids. Free Basketball, Soccer, Skating, Cooking, Arts, Music, and Field Trips. This is for…
Amanda Bynes was involved in another hit and run in Hollywood this weekend, but at least she apparently hit some random guy and not a cop. A man claims he was sideswiped by a Range Rover trying to pass him on the right in L.A., and when the SUV didn’t stop, he called the police. He also began to follow the SUV himself, and when he finally caught up to the Range Rover, sources say the driver was none other than Bynes. The star told police she had no idea she had struck another vehicle, which is plausible, as police say damage to her car was quite minimal. Law enforcement sources tell us Amanda was very cooperative with police and that they had her exchange information with the other driver. She was not given a citation for the incident and cops will not be investigating the case any further … beyond the usual insurance rigamarole. Bynes was arrested for DUI last month after she clipped a police car, and has basically continued crashing and partying in the 2-3 weeks since. [Photo: WENN.com]
Tameka Foster denies threatening to kill ex-husband Usher … but she did make several comments that she can understand being taken that way. Usher and Tameka are in a legal fight over custody of their two young kids, a bitter showdown that played out in a Georgia courtroom this week. Accused of making death threats toward her ex, Foster did admit under oath to saying “I will f**k you up” … which one can interpret as a threat. Tameka was questioned by Usher’s attorney about her verbal and abusive threats towards the singer, whom she wed in 2007 and divorced in 2009. She allegedly said “I will kill you both,” referring to Usher and his current GF. Foster went back and forth with her answer before making a half-admission, saying she didn’t threaten to “kill” him … but admitting, “I probably have said, out of anger, say ‘I will f**k you up’ and that is not acceptable.” Tameka Foster went on to explain that the menacing statement(s) happened as a result of Usher gallivanting in and out of town with his new girlfriend, behavior that was “embarrassing” for her in such a tight knit community. More importantly … anyone know who this new girlfriend of Usher is? [Photo: WENN.com]
Band broke through to the big time in 2011 with ‘Pumped Up Kicks.’ By James Montgomery, with reporting by Matt Elias Foster the People’s Mark Foster and Cubbie Fink Photo: MTV News Foster the People were one of 2011’s biggest breakouts, first scoring a massive crossover hit with “Pumped Up Kicks,” then nabbing a pair of Grammy nominations and finally, landing current single “Don’t Stop (Color on the Walls)” in a high-profile ad campaign (and accompanying it with a really excellent video, starring Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe). So, as the year comes to a close, we asked the guys in Foster to try and sum up the past 12 months, which saw them rocket from little-known L.A. rock outfit to internationally famous buzz band. And, as you can probably expect, for a band that’s basically lived on the road in 2011, most of their milestones have to do with the size of the stages they’ve played on … and the audiences they’ve played for. “It’s funny, in January we started a residency at the Echo, which is this club in L.A., and we played every week for about a month, and that kind of kicked it off. The first week, it was half full … it only holds 300 people, I think there was like 125 people there,” frontman Mark Foster laughed. “And then cut to four months later, doing Coachella in front of 15,000 people, and then cut to three months after that, playing Lollapalooza in front of 50,000 people. It’s just been wild man, seeing the world and seeing the progression of things. … It’s crazy to think about. I feel like we have 10 years of memories packed into this one year.” While they’ll continue to tour in earnest in 2012, most of the year will be dedicated to writing and recording the follow-up to their Torches debut. Not surprisingly, Foster said the band’s new stuff has been heavily influenced by their time away from home. “We’ve gotten to write some stuff on the road so far, but haven’t really gotten to dive into it too much yet,” he said. “We’ve just been kind of throwing everything against the wall, idea-wise, like, ‘We should try this and we should try this,’ all these different boundaries to work within, because sometimes it can be really daunting I think, if you don’t have certain boundaries when writing a song. “There’s definitely musical elements that we’ve talked about — you know, really leaning on the percussive nature of what our live show has turned into this year, and bringing that more out into the second record — just kind of experimenting, doing some different, weird studio tricks; just having fun with it. But you never really know until you get under the hood, so we’ll see what happens when we start.” Are you looking forward to the next FTP album? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Foster the People
As MTV unveils our year-end favorites, we ask ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ rockers and Florence and the Machine frontwoman for theirs. By James Montgomery, with reporting by Matt Elias Foster The People’s Mark Foster and Cubbie Fink Photo: MTV News In 2011, we saw new acts break through to the big time and formerly new ones continue on their paths toward superstardom. We welcomed the likes of the Weeknd and Frank Ocean to the party and watched with pride as Drake and Adele marched on to greatness. But of all the year’s brand-new stars, few broke out to the degree that L.A. rock trio Foster the People did, thanks in no small part to the success of their smash hit “Pumped Up Kicks,” #7 on MTV’s Best Songs of 2011 . Of all the returning stars, none returned with the power and grace of Florence and the Machine, who wowed critics and fans with their sophomore album, Ceremonials, and stirring single “Shake It Out.” So, as MTV looks back on 2011 , we’re reaching out to a host of acts — who not only dominated the past 12 months, but also came to define them — to get their take on the year in music. And who better to ask than Foster and Florence, two artists who did both … and then some? We spoke to both bands about their favorite songs, albums and artists of 2011, and the rather diverse range of answers sort of sums up the year rather nicely. After all, outside of Adele, was there anything we could all agree on? “I’d say probably my favorite album of the year is Bon Iver’s new album , and I hope he sweeps the Grammys, because the guy’s just killing it right now,” Foster’s Cubbie Fink said. “We’re competing with him!” frontman Mark Foster laughed. “And I hope he wins!” Fink said. “I’ve listened to that album on repeat all year. It’s really amazing.” As far as their favorite artist? Well, Iver ranks pretty high, but of all the acts they listened to this year, none resonated with Foster the People quite like Swedish electro act Little Dragon. “They’ve been a favorite band of mine for a while, and we’ve got to play with them a couple times this year and see them live in a bunch of different settings,” Foster’s Mark Pontius said. “I’m always just so inspired by them live, and the new record that came out this year [ Ritual Union ] is pretty fantastic as well.” Florence Welch was inspired this year by the magnificent murk of Canadian R&B producer/singer Abel Tesfaye, better known as the Weeknd. “My favorite song of the year was the Weeknd, ‘High for This,’ ” she said. “That was this year, [right]? I’ve been obsessively listening to that song for the past few days on repeat. I must’ve listened to it about 700 times.” Of course, when it comes to her favorite artists of 2011, Welch kept things close to home, choosing a pair of British bands — one of which didn’t even release an album this year. “I’m really into this English band called the Alpines; I think they’re really good,” she said. “And I’ve just heard some of the Maccabees’ new stuff, and I’m so excited about their new record coming out, because from the first song I’ve heard, it just sounds amazing. I’m such a big fan of theirs, so I’m really looking forward to that.” All this week, watch “AMTV” on MTV every day at 8 a.m. ET for our Best of 2011 lists. Then, come to MTVNews.com at 5 p.m. as we reveal our top picks of the year! Related Videos Foster The People, Florence Welch, More Pick Their 2011 Favorites Related Artists Foster the People Florence + the Machine
Nicki’s bouncy hit ruled radio and left a cultural impact. By Rob Markman Nicki Minaj Photo: Getty Images It wasn’t Pink Friday ‘s first single — hell, it wasn’t even technically on the album’s proper track list! — but Nicki Minaj ‘s “Super Bass” was voted #2 on MTV’s Best Songs of 2011 list. Though Nicki’s album was released in November 2010, “Super Bass” — which was produced by Kane Beatz and co-written by Ester Dean — didn’t emerge as a single until May. The decision to drop the track as the album’s seventh single was a no-brainer. After being prompted to request a song during a radio interview with Nashville’s 107.5 , Taylor Swift answered, “Can I play album cuts?” She then began to explain to listeners how she had been listening to “Super Bass” on repeat, before Swift rapped lyrics to the song on air. Nicki would go on to credit Swift with helping make the song popular and even performed it with the country star during an August concert at L.A.’s Staples Center. “Taylor Swift did her little interview about ‘Super Bass,’ and [it] took off in the States with the people sort of knowing it,” Minaj said in an interview with L.A. radio station 102.7 KIIS-FM . “It’s just really uncanny how all that stuff happens,” she added. “We didn’t plan it like that.” The Pink Friday bonus song from the album’s deluxe edition had all the right ingredients. There’s the bright and airy guitar intro, which eventually builds into a full pop affair complete with a knocking 808 and, of course, that patented bass drum. Lyrically, Nicki threw a shout-out to 1980s rap legend Slick Rick and threatened to slap a chick all in an effort to woo her drug-dealing crush. Typically, cheery-sounding pop hits aren’t so edgy, but the Harajuku Barbie has successfully elbowed her way into the spotlight alongside starlets like Katy Perry and Taylor Swift — and has done it her way. “Super Bass” peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the rap chart, but more than its chart positioning was the song’s impact. One YouTube search of “Super Bass” will uncover the VMA-winning video for the single, of course, but also thousands of covers from artists like Selena Gomez and Karmin with ?uestlove and various renditions from fans as well. Who can forget the pink princess Sophia Grace Brownlee ‘s cute performance vid which eventually clocked over 25 million views? The clip became so popular that in October, Ellen DeGeneres invited the young Sophia onto her television show and introduced her to Minaj, making one of the year’s most memorable television moments. If you had a pulse in 2011, surely you felt that boom-ba-boom-boom bass! All this week, watch “AMTV” on MTV every day at 8 a.m. ET for our Best of 2011 lists. Then, come to MTVNews.com at 5 p.m. as we reveal our top picks of the year! Related Videos Best Songs Of 2011 Debate Related Artists Nicki Minaj
The groove made it a standout on both rock and pop charts, while the lyrics about a school shooting took us all by surprise. By Jason Kaufman Mark Foster of Foster the People Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Foster the People ‘s “Pumped Up Kicks,” a hazy, fuzzy track with that immediately identifiable creeping bass line, became an unexpected summer smash this year. The groove was infectious and stood out in a season dominated by dance singles. But what was so surprising was the dark message played out in the lyrics. While early fans of the tune latched on to what sounded like a cheery chorus, it often took a second or third listen for them to consider what the L.A. trio were actually saying: “All the other kids with the pumped up kicks/ You’d better run, better run, outrun my gun,” FTP frontman Mark Foster sings on the hook. MTV correspondent Sway Calloway moderated a spirited roundtable discussion with some of our very own experts: James Montgomery and Rob Markman (MTV News), Yomi Desalu and Malika Quemerais (MTV Music and Talent) and Tamar Anitai and Nicole James (MTV.com). The panel managed to narrow down the Best Songs of 2011 , with “Kicks” besting top 10 tracks from the Throne, Chris Brown and Katy Perry. “You listen to it and you like the beat, and then you listen to the lyrics and you’re like, ‘Oh my God, what is this about?’ ” MTV News senior writer James Montgomery said. ” ‘Kicks’ is really about bullying, and the tragedy that bullying produces … if that kid retaliates in a nasty way; both sides end up being harmed,” Foster told MTV News over the summer. “I like to tell a different type of story, lyrically, than what the music is expressing, because it brings another layer to the story itself,” he added. “I wrote it a block away from the beach, and I was working at a music house — Mophonics, a place where I composed for ads and stuff — and I think that had some influence on the sound.” “It was one of those songs that you heard everywhere. It was catchy as heck. You haven’t really gotten too many songs in the last couple of years that stand out in such a major way on the rock side and the top 40 pop side,” Yomi Desalu, of MTV’s Music and Talent team, said. The success of the song certainly took the band by surprise. “We like the song, but we had no idea it would spread around the world the way that it has,” Foster admitted. Summer may be over but the song still proves contagious, ranked as the #4 most popular tune in the U.S. on popular social networking site Spotify as well as one of the top 10 Most Shared Songs of 2011 on Facebook. All this week, watch “AMTV” on MTV every day at 8 a.m. ET for our Best of 2011 lists. Then, come to MTVNews.com at 5 p.m. as we reveal our top picks of the year! Related Videos Best Songs Of 2011 Debate Related Artists Foster the People
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