Tag Archives: hits-the-states

Ludacris ‘Inspired’ By Aspiring MCs At ‘Live Large’ Competition

‘It’s all about competition,’ he tells MTV News about Magnum-sponsored freestyle contest whose winner will get to perform with Luda. By Alvin Blanco Ludacris at the “Live Large Project 2” competition on Monday Photo: Dave Kotinsky/ Getty Images Ludacris is a marquee hip-hop artist but he has no problem lending aspiring rappers a hand. On Monday, the Atlanta-based MC/actor was at New York City’s Highline Ballroom for the Magnum-sponsored Live Large Project 2, a hip-hop/freestyle competition that gives contestants a shot at a cash prize and the chance to perform alongside Luda at Springfest 2011 in Miami. It’s the second year Luda has participated in the event, and the Disturbing Tha Peace Records founder said it always makes him remember his days as a hungry unknown. “I remember being an aspiring artist and up-and-coming rapper and wishing I had opportunities like the one that Magnum Live Large Project is giving out — $5,000, a trip to Miami, able to perform — all of these different things is good, man,” Luda told MTV News. “It’s all about competition. That’s what hip-hop is all about anyway.” The Highline stop was just one of four regional events that span the West Coast (Bay Area), South (Miami) and the Midwest (Detroit). The top three contestants from each region, as well as a fifth selected via YouTube, will make the trip to Miami to compete for the $5,000 prize. New York’s top three winners were Perelli, Renegade and Pumpkinhead, who won $1,000 for being the fan favorite. According to Ludacris, anyone who’s achieved his level of success should feel obligated to support events like this one and serve as a source of inspiration. “It’s definitely important for me to give back to MCs coming up,” he said.”That’s part of the reason we do what we do. You can never forget where you come from or how you came up. I’m very excited to be doing this. And don’t get it twisted, I’m getting inspired my damn self by watching the up-and-coming rappers and it’s making me realize and remember back in the day when I was the same way.” A rap industry neophyte that Ludacris thinks highly of and can relate to is Big K.R.I.T . After making strides independently, the Meridian, Mississippi, rapper and producer signed with Luda’s label home, Def Jam, last year and recently released a new mixtape, Return of 4Eva. Luda, along with Bun B, makes an appearance on the remix of “Country Sh–.” “When [Big K.R.I.T.] speaks, you can feel his heart,” Luda told us. “His heart is on the outside of his chest. He’s talking about his experience and being from the South and being from Mississippi. Just respecting the fact that he’s the production side as well as spilling his heart out on the beats, I can respect that.” Ludacris is working on his eighth album, Ludaversal, due out later this year. Related Artists Ludacris

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Ludacris ‘Inspired’ By Aspiring MCs At ‘Live Large’ Competition

Katy Perry Says Her ‘Honest’ Anthems Are Highlight Of Arena Shows

‘When I’m playing ‘Firework,’ the whole arena literally moves up and down,’ she tells MTV News. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Sway Calloway Katy Perry Photo: MTV News Katy Perry has been hitting the road on her California Dreams World Tour , which hits the States in June. Her colorful live show includes costumes to match and choice cuts plucked from the singer’s repertoire. Some of those tunes, specifically songs from last year’s Teenage Dream, are proving to be more than just a good time for fans — they’re also inspirational. “I always want to be completely honest and, for this record in particular, I knew from the outside world, a lot had changed. [But] I was hoping that I was still the same me, [the] kind of quirky, weird-perspective girl that I’ve always been,” she told MTV News recently. “But you know, there was a lot of distraction and glitz and glam. When you get to a certain point, you have to push it all away and remember what your core is, and that’s what I did for this record.” So, before she hit the road or the recording studio, Perry headed home to Santa Barbara, California, and took it all back to the beginning, before she was a famous pop star with an over-the-top life. “I started writing songs like ‘Firework’ and ‘Teenage Dream’ and songs that I think now are anthems for people,” she explained. “When I’m playing ‘Firework,’ the whole arena literally moves up and down. It’s the song that people are holding onto and inspired by.” Perry admitted that something as simple as a Hollywood party can be fun fodder for a song, but these days she likes to go a little deeper. “I feel really happy that I took that time to not write about DJs and fame, the materialistic world, which is great ’cause I love those glitz-and-glamour bells and whistles, but I know people connect to more substantial [lyrics].” Which Katy Perry song are you most eager to hear her perform live? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Katy Perry Related Artists Katy Perry

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Katy Perry Says Her ‘Honest’ Anthems Are Highlight Of Arena Shows

Lindsay Lohan’s Lawyer Quits

Actress was sentenced to 90 days in jail two days ago. By Mawuse Ziegbe Lindsay Lohan Photo: Dave McNew/ Getty Images Lindsay Lohan’s lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley has resigned in the midst of the starlet’s ongoing legal drama. TMZ reports that when the website contacted Holley for comment Thursday (July 8), she told the site that she was no longer representing Lohan. Lohan’s New York lawyer, Stephanie Ovadia, verified the attorney’s exit. “I can confirm [Holley] is not representing Lindsay at this point,” Ovadia told the New York Daily News, adding, “Lindsay is in the process of hiring new counsel.” Holley has reportedly been replaced by lawyer Tiffany Feder-Cohen. Holley did not respond to MTV News’ requests for comment at press time, and Feder-Cohen’s office would not confirm nor deny that the lawyer is now representing Lohan. Holley’s departure is an abrupt move as the attorney was still representing Lohan Thursday morning and even released a statement to MTV News defending the troubled star. “Ms. Lohan and I are extremely disappointed in the sentence handed down by Judge Revel,” Holley said in a statement on July 8, just two days after her client was sentenced to 90 days in jail followed by 90 days in rehab . Holley also blasted the punishment handed down by Revel, insisting it is too severe. “We believe that the penalty is far harsher than what others would have received under similar circumstances.” Holley said Lohan’s ability to adhere to the terms of her probation was affected by the demands of her professional obligations. “The reality is that Ms. Lohan, like most defendants, had to balance work commitments with court requirements,” Holley continued in the statement. “To be punished so severely for doing so, particularly in light of the fact that she substantially complied with each of her probationary conditions, is harsh and unfair.” Others in the legal community have echoed Holley’s sentiments that the sentence is severe. “I think it was really harsh, especially in light of the fact that she was basically compliant as of yesterday’s court date to be done by [July] 15th,” attorney Scott Leemon told MTV News on Wednesday. “This judge just wanted to prove a point that no one messes with her in her court. I’ve had clients mess up on probation, but even when the prosecution asked for only 30 days, she gave her 90 plus 90 of inpatient? Without a doubt, this decision was made by the judge [after] she felt disrespected by Lindsay, who didn’t seem like she got the point,” said Leeman, who has represented stars such as 50 Cent and Busta Rhymes. “The fact that the court gave her three times what the people had asked for [prosecutors requested a 30-day sentence] is surprising, and in some cases you read that as a ‘celebrity tax,’ ” said Stacey Richman, who has represented Lil Wayne. However, Richman added that Judge Revel has also been generous to the star. “If she’s flaunted her probation not once, but three or four times, the judge has been very kind in giving her so many opportunities to stay with the program.” Related Photos Lindsay Lohan Goes To Court

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Lindsay Lohan’s Lawyer Quits

Lady Gaga Remix Album Due In The U.S. Next Month

The LP — which has already sold 500,000 copies internationally — features 10 tracks, including a Passion Pit collabo. By Mawuse Ziegbe Lady Gaga in “Telephone” Photo: Interscope Lady Gaga’s fans in the U.S. will finally be able to pick up the pop star’s collection of revamped hits, Lady Gaga — The Remix when the album hits stores Stateside on August 3. The album — which features reworked hits from production stars such as Madonna collaborator Stuart Price and artists like dance-pop band Passion Pit — has already sold more than 500,000 units internationally. The album features 10 tracks from Gaga’s albums The Fame and The Fame Monster. Gaga’s Little Monsters can bump remixed versions of hits like “Alejandro,” “Bad Romance,” “Just Dance,” “LoveGame,” “Paparazzi,” “Poker Face” and “Telephone.” Lady Gaga — The Remix should allow fans to experience the ubiquitous singer’s major hits in a new way. Mother Monster is already cementing her superstar status by becoming the first living person to collect more than 10 million Facebook fans , a staggering figure that even bests President Barack Obama (Gaga also has more Twitter followers and YouTube subscribers than the prez). The album should tide over Gaga’s fans until the pop star unleashes her follow-up to The Fame Monster. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel: The star recently revealed that she has finished recording her next album . “I’ve been working on it for months now, and I feel very strongly that it’s finished right now,” Gaga told Rolling Stone. “It came so quickly. Some artists take years; I don’t. I write music every day.” Will you pick up Gaga’s remix album when hits the States? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists Lady Gaga

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Lady Gaga Remix Album Due In The U.S. Next Month