Band postpones shows in Italy, Germany and Switzerland after a stage collapse killed its drum tech and destroyed some of its light show and equipment. By Gil Kaufman Radiohead’s Thom Yorke Photo: Radiohead have been forced to postpone a string of seven European tour dates in the continuing fallout from a June 17 stage collapse at Toronto’s Downsview Park that took the life of their drum tech, Scott Johnson. “As you will probably have heard the roof over the stage collapsed at our show in Toronto killing crew member Scott Johnson and injuring three other crew members,” read a statement from the band released on Thursday (June 21). “The collapse also destroyed the light show – this show was unique and will take many weeks to replace. The collapse also caused serious damage to our backline, some elements of which are decades old and therefore hard to replace.” In addition to grieving for their friend and those injured in the accident, the band has been forced to deal with “many practical considerations” that have caused them to postpone a series of shows. Among those affected is a June 30 date at the Hippodrome Capanelle in Rome, as well as six other European dates in Italy, Germany and Switzerland that run through July 9. The band said they are going to try to reschedule the show, with the goal of naming new dates for them on June 27. The current plan is to start playing live again on July 10 at Les Arenes in Nimes, France. Inspectors from Ontario’s Ministry of Labour have been inspecting the wreckage to determine the cause of the collapse but have yet to release their findings. Related Artists Radiohead
‘It’s going to be a big learning experience,’ says ‘Idol’ champ Phillip Phillips of the 45-city tour. By Gil Kaufman, with reporting by Kelly Marino Phillip Phillips at the ‘Idols Live’ Rehearsals Photo: It’s hard enough for bands with one singer to get their musical heads together for a major summer tour. Just imagine coordinating a band with 10 lead singers and you can begin to see how much work goes into getting ready for this summer’s American Idols Live! Tour featuring the top singers from season 11. The top 10 have begun getting things together for the tour, which kicks off on July 6 in Detroit. They gathered in a studio in Los Angeles on Wednesday to continue getting their act together. During an a cappella run through One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful” a smiling Phillip Phillips stood in the back of the pack as fellow finalist Colton Dixon mussed up his pal’s hair. “I’m really excited, you know it’s all of our first time being on a real tour … it’s going to be a big learning experience,” said Phillips, just a few weeks removed from surgery to repair a chronic kidney problem . “I’m feeling good,” he assured MTV News of the surgery, which followed eight surgeries during the run of the show to deal with recurring stones. For a period it was unclear if Phillips would be healed in time for the tour, but he’s clearly healed quickly enough make the trek. Phillips recently told the Associated Press that he’s “getting better each day, so that’s a good thing. I’m just walking around, getting my strength back together. It was tough, you know, those first few days, but I’m getting to where I can pick the guitar back up and write a little bit.” Runner-up Jessica Sanchez was reveling in getting the old crew together again. “It’s so much fun … it’s just like the old days when we were first auditioning and everyone was just a big family and just jamming out.” Her pal, country gal Skylar Laine, added, “Every day we come in here and rehearse and just sing our songs and do our group songs and it’s a blast.” Dixon promised that the live show is “completely different” from what viewers saw on TV. The experience will also be new for the singers, since instead of a few thousand in a studio audience, they will be looking at more than 10,000 screaming fans in arenas. “We’re gonna be like, ‘what do we do with that?’,” he said. Rocker chick Elise Testone promised that you will see the contestants singing backup for one another, performing duets and group songs and putting more of their personalities into the songs. “It’s a perfect mix between favorite moments form the show …. And a whole mix of new stuff too,” Erika Van Pelt said. Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page, where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Photos ‘American Idol’ Season 11 Performances
Following the release of his hip-hop-heavy Believe, MTV News looks at the young pop star’s swaggiest moments. By Rob Markman, with additional reporting by Jocelyn Vena Justin Bieber Photo: You’d think a 1995 collaboration between the King of Pop, Michael Jackson and rap’s widely recognized G.O.A.T., the Notorious B.I.G., would have made a bigger wave, but when MJ released “This Time Around” with Biggie Smalls 17 years ago, mixing pop with hip-hop was still very taboo. Despite the top billing, the track hit with a relative thud. The truth is it just didn’t feel organic, it’s not like Mike grew up listening to rap in Gary, Indiana, in the 1960s, the art form as we know it today just didn’t exist. Justin Bieber was a 1-year old when the King of Pop snagged the King of Hip-Hop for a feature. And unlike Jackson, he grew up during an era when rap stars like Biggie, Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur were just as big as their pop counterparts — sometimes bigger. That’s why Bieber mixes hip-hop so seamlessly on his new album Believe. “One, I think they know it’s authentic and two, you got to remember Justin’s past,” JB’s manager Scooter Braun told MTV News. “I was the vice president of So So Def Records and then I left and Justin was the second artist I found after Asher Roth. So here’s this 13-year-old living in Atlanta, no one knows who he is, and he’s just riding around with me and we’re in the studio with Ludacris. We’re in the studio with T.I. We’re in the studio with Big Boi from OutKast, hanging out and he got exposed to that really early.” Ludacris, Drake, Big Sean and Nicki Minaj all appear on the 13-track Believe, but JB’s hip-hop jones didn’t develop overnight. It’s been years in the making. MTV News takes a look back at seven of Justin’s defining hip-hop moments. “Baby” featuring Ludacris JB didn’t have much rapper swag when he dropped “Baby” with Ludacris at the top of 2010, but the track sounded good, especially when Luda dropped his rapid-fire bars over the feel-good track. When he performed a remixed version of the track with fellow Canadian Drake at the 2010 Juno Awards, Justin further proved that he can rock with rap’s finest. “We Are the World 25 For Haiti” After the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010, Quincy Jones assembled an all-star cast of musicians like Kanye West, Usher, Janet Jackson and Justin Bieber to remake the 1985 classic. During the recording, the Biebs got to kick it with notable MCs like Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes and his long-time friend Nipsey Hussle. “Runaway Love” Remix Featuring Kanye West and Raekwon Justin Biebs proved he “ain’t nothing to f— with” in August 2010 when he linked up with Kanye West and Raekwon for his “Runaway Love” remix. The Chef and Yeezy rapped on the track which sampled Wu-Tang Clan’s dusty underground favorite “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing Ta F— Wit.” JB and Nicki Sitting In A Tree So what do Nas and Justin Bieber Have in common? OK, kissing Nicki Minaj on the cheek at the 2010 Video Music Awards doesn’t really give Justin that much rap cred, the voluptuous Nicki could sing country music and we would’ve been just as jealous. “Speaking in Tongues” Freestyle Let’s face it, if you plan on spitting rap bars, the name Justin Bieber just isn’t going to cut it. Enter Shawty Mane: JB’s swagged-out alter-ego. Back in October 2010, Justin showed that singing wasn’t his only talent when he rapped over Vado and Cam’ron’s “Speaking in Tongues.” The freestyles didn’t stop there; Shawty Mane also spit bars over the Throne’s “Otis,” Gang Starr’s “DWYCK” and the Notorious B.I.G.’s “Who Shot Ya?” The Biebs Shuts Up Tyler, the Creator It takes a lot to quiet Odd Future’s resident loud mouth Tyler, the Creator, but when he and JB met in February 2011, the multiplatinum pop star didn’t let Wolf Haley get a word in edge wise. “When I got in there, he was talkin’ about the ‘Yonkers’ video and sh–. It was weird, because I was sitting here starstruck, like, ‘Oh, f—, it’s Bieber. He’s asking me questions.’ I’m like, ‘Shut the f— up so I can talk to you,’ ” Tyler told MTV News. Lil Swaggy Is Born Not only did 2 Chainz bless JB with a killer verse for his “Girlfriend” remix, the ATL hit-maker also blessed Bieber with a new moniker. “I call him Lil Swaggy,” 2 Chainz told MTV News. Sounds like a winner to us. Related Videos ‘Bieber Live’ Related Artists Justin Bieber
‘My wife has been my rock,’ Against Me! frontwoman says, but adds her new life ‘has completely ended’ her relationship with her father. By James Montgomery Laura Jane Grace Photo: Last month, Laura Jane Grace very publically came out as transgender in a Rolling Stone feature, bringing to close 31 years of living with a carefully guarded secret and effectively beginning a brand-new life. Of course, things weren’t quite as simple as that: Laura’s revelation only came after an intense year-long period of self-evaluation and open, often painful honesty. And when she and her Against Me! mates sat down with MTV News for their first on-camera interview since the Rolling Stone story broke, they spoke at length about just how she came out to the band . But that’s only part of the story. Because before Laura shared the news with her friends, she had to come out to her family, including her wife, Heather. And, as is often the case with life-altering events like this, there’s been some collateral damage along the way — including the unwanted attention Laura’s transgender life has brought on Heather and their daughter, Evelyn. “I mean, my daughter is my biggest worry of it all. Heather, my wife, has been my rock; she’s shown me support and love beyond my wildest expectations. On this tour in particular, it’s our first family tour, and she has, from the get-go, made sure people realize it’s Laura, to use the correct pronouns, and has been my biggest advocate and supporter. And whenever I’m feeling like I need any kind of strength, I look to her for that,” Laura told MTV News. “For my daughter, I’m hoping it doesn’t affect her in any negative way, as far as kids can be cruel to each other, once she starts school. It’s already weird enough when your dad is in a band, explaining that to other kids, but when your dad is transsexual as well … I just hope people are kind to my daughter.” In the Rolling Stone piece, Laura also expressed doubts over just how Heather’s parents would handle the news — they’re described as “somewhat conservative” — though, as she revealed, she’s been overjoyed by the support they’ve shown her. “I saw them actually, for the first time [since the RS story published] when we played in Chicago,” she said. “I woke up on the bus and they were all in the front lounge, and I came out wearing last night’s makeup, my hair was all disheveled, and it was like, ‘OK, here’s everybody! Good morning!’ But they all couldn’t have been more supportive and couldn’t be cooler about the whole thing.” Sadly, the same can’t be said for Laura’s father, a retired Army major with whom she’s never truly been close. At the conclusion of the RS story, Laura said she still hadn’t told her father she was transgender — though obviously, since the news came out, he’s aware, and he’s had a difficult time coming to terms with her new life. Though, tellingly, Laura isn’t letting that stop her on her new path. If anything, it’s inspired her to continue — if not for her sake, then for her daughter’s. “It has completely ended my relationship with my father. It is what it is,” she said. “For me, there were so many things leading up to this decision to come out to this publicly. Having my daughter, like, I had never had that close of a relationship with my father, and when I had my daughter, my father tried to become more a part of my life, because he obviously wanted to have a relationship with his granddaughter. And as I saw that develop, and as we became closer, because of that it was something that started to tear me up inside. “It was like, ‘OK, here we are, I’m building this relationship and setting this example for my daughter, and what are the ramifications of that if this person doesn’t even accept their son? And then they’re going to develop a relationship with my daughter; what kind of example is that setting to them?’ ” she continued. “I wanted this in so many ways to be a line in the sand with people, as far as ‘This is me. If you have a problem with this, then get out of my life.’ And if that’s the way it is. It’s unfortunate, but what can I do about it?” Related Artists Against Me!
In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, the reality star explains why their longtime friendship just recently turned romantic. By Christina Garibaldi Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Photo: Kim Kardashian seems to finally have found her Prince Charming in Kanye West . The two have been parading around Paris , proving along the way that their relationship is not merely a publicity stunt. Kim is now opening out about her blossoming relationship to Oprah Winfrey in the second part of her Kardashian family interview on “Oprah’s Next Chapter.” In an excerpt from the upcoming episode, the talk-show host asks Kim if her relationship with Kanye is her new fairytale, a question that immediately makes her blush. “We met maybe almost a decade ago, I’ve known him for a really long time, we’ve been friends for like six or seven years, so it’s very comforting to have someone that knows everything about you that respects you, understands, has gone through similar things,” Kim said. “I can really relate to his mother passing, he can really relate to my father passing. I mean, there’s so many similarities in our life that I feel like I’m at a really happy, good space.” While the two could have started dating a while ago, Kim said she feels that her experiences, namely her divorce from Kris Humphries , were things she had to go through in order to be ready for this relationship. “I don’t know why it took so long for us to kind of get together,” Kim said. “But I think I needed to go through all my experiences and some that he’s gone through.” In addition to questioning Kim on her relationship, Winfrey also sat down with her sister Khlo
Dancers brave a week of grueling callback auditions as ‘SYTYCD’ narrows down the field in Las Vegas. By Natasha Chandel Alexa Anderson on “So You Think You Can Dance” Photo: While every dancer might think they have the moves, less than two dozen make it to the top 20 on the dance-competition series “So You Think You Can Dance.” The path to that coveted spot requires a pass through the grueling callback auditions in Vegas, the first of which was underway on Wednesday night’s episode. Hundreds of dancers pushed, pulled and injured their way into and out of the show, as they endured a week of intense choreography that tested their skills in all the major styles of dance featured on “SYTYCD.” The week began with solos, graduated to group routines and culminated with 35 dancers making it to the final week before the top 20 announcement. Some had to “dance for their lives” in an attempt to win the judge’s hearts, all of whom came out to scrutinize the lot. Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Tyce Diorio, Debbie Allen, Adam Shankman and Lil’ C were on hand to make the tough decisions, along with the day’s choreographers. Day 1 Solos and hip-hop set up the first day, though it also brought a large amount of cuts, including Gen Lonardo a.k.a. the human praying mantis, as well as an early favorite, exorcist dancer Hampton Williams, who chose to bow out gracefully after succumbing to the challenges of the choreography. Unfortunately, a couple of the Dragon House dancers also failed to impress the judges. Day 2 Tyce Diorio and Sonya Tayeh led day two with Broadway and jazz, respectively. “This routine, honestly, is so hard,” Diorio confessed to the cameras, as the dance styles not only require precision and texture, but strength and a lot of performance. Burlesque jazz dancer Rachel Applehans was eliminated, with judge Debbie Allen commenting, “Your whole appeal is just sex.” Although silent dancer Amelia Lowe had to dance for her life, she prevailed at the end, moving forward another day. Day 3 The dreaded group routines were assigned to the remaining dancers on day three, with a little twist: The dancers could choose their own groups. Injured dancer and bacon lover Danielle Dominquez found herself unable to cope with her group’s routine, as she just returned from the hospital after suffering a blow to the head in a performance. Unfortunately, the judges had no sympathy, and Danielle was sent home, as were several other dancers. But Alexa Anderson, eliminated at the last stage of the season eight Vegas auditions, got more than she bargained for when the judges, yet again, criticized the stellar dancer for her lack of passion. It seems their harsh words hit a nerve with Anderson, who finally cried and released some real emotion, the sole reason for her moving forward. Day 4 Ballroom has always been the most challenging style on the show, requiring specific postures and intricate footwork. Day four was led by choreographer Jason Gilkison, whose cha cha routine asked for chemistry between partners and led to the demise of country hip-hopper Asher Walker. The lone remaining Dragon House member, Cyrus “Glitch” Spencer, was asked to dance for his life, and thankfully received a unanimous “yes” to stay for the final round of auditions. Day 5 Finally, after four intense days and only a couple hours of sleep a night, 52 remaining dancers were put through their toughest challenge of contemporary dance, choreographed by “SYTYCD” season two runner-up and show favorite Travis Wall. As the remaining dancers supported each other through this final stage, another 17 dancers’ dreams came to an end, including season seven’s Adrian Lee, whom Mary Murphy cut at a personal visit to his home. The first week of the Vegas callbacks were finally over, and most just didn’t make the cut. Some of the ones who did included: season eight’s Alexa Anderson, belly dancer Janelle Issis, Cyrus “Glitch” Spencer, Joshua Alexander, ballet dancer Chehon Wespi-Tschopp and silent dancer Amelia Lowe. The grind isn’t over for them and the rest of the pack: One final week of Sin City auditions remain as the dancers battle it out for the mere 20 spots on “So You Think You Can Dance.” Which dancer was your favorite on “So You Think You Can Dance”? Share your pick in the comments below!
As ‘Snooki & JWoww’ premieres tonight (June 21) on MTV, Snooki encourages her bestie to join her in motherhood soon. By Christina Garibaldi JWoww and Snooki Photo: Snooki certainly has a lot on her plate lately. The reality-TV star is currently in Seaside, New Jersey, filming the upcoming season of “Jersey Shore” with her fellow housemates, and tonight (June 21), she will be premiering her new spinoff show, “Snooki & JWoww.” Of course, that’s not all: She has been busy planning for her bundle of joy, a baby boy , due in September with fianc
Slaughterhouse link with Cee Lo and Em for their new video, and boy is it rich. By Rob Markman Eminem in Slaughterhouse’s video “My Life” Photo: Don’t you just hate when rappers flaunt their riches in the face of the less fortunate? Well that’s just what Eminem and Slaughterhouse do in the quartet’s new “My Life” video , except they make it all look really cool. The Syndrome-directed video , which dropped Wednesday (June 20), starts off with a rather lengthy skit featuring the super-rich Eminem thumbing his nose at the poor and lowly by skeet-shooting his platinum plaques, showing off his fleet of 300 Chrysler 300s and playing whack-a-mole with real-life baby seals. It’s all part of a Robin Leach-inspired opening skit called “Rappers Are Richer Than You,” and in the end, Slim Shady bathes in the tears of struggling MCs and gets fed grapes by his pet tyrannosaurus rex. It all sounds pretty farfetched, but if quality rap bars directly translated into dollars, then Royce Da 5’9″, Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden and Crooked I would be the wealthiest MCs in the game. In the video, the fearsome foursome, along with Cee Lo Green on the hook, detail their rise from starving artists to being one of hip-hop’s most celebrated acts. Long Beach, California, lyrical assassin Crooked I sets things off, turning his broken-down lemon into a convertible Porsche thanks to some choice visual effects. Crook takes a joy ride as he ponders, “How does it feel to count dollar bills that I found off skills?” in the middle of his verse. Ortiz sits on a housing-project bench reflecting on his early days as a drug dealer getting chased by the police. He goes from scaling a barbwire fence to a beach where he sips drinks with tiny umbrellas in the company of two vixens. Budden depicts a similar come-up, starting off taking mug shots and finishing his verse posing for the paparazzi. Still, Joey proves that his recent wins haven’t just brought him riches; they’ve also helped bring him closer to his estranged son Trey, whom he has rapped about for so many years. “What a success story, the film plays, it gets less gory/ My son didn’t know who his pops was for years, now it’s less Maury.” Royce caps things off, rapping about putting on for his city and earning enough so his dad could retire from his job as a U.S. postal worker. The fact is, fans have never seen Slaughterhouse smile so much, but there is no hate here: After all they’ve been through, Joey, Joell, Royce and Crook deserve a taste of the good life. What do you think of Slaughterhouse’s “My LIfe” video? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists Slaughterhouse Eminem Cee-Lo Green
MTV’s Rya Backer also has a few chance encounters with ‘exes’ like Kendrick Lamar and Young the Giant at Bonnaroo ’12. By Rya Backer Mac Miller on a “First Date” Photo: Bonnaroo , you seem so far away already. Earlier this month, I caught some amazing performances — Battles, Feist and Ludacris were just some of my favorites. But between sets, I found myself fighting to maintain my composure as I encountered something many men and women face daily: bumping into an ex. Granted, they were rapper and rocker exes of the fictionalized “First Date,” variety, but still: We’d gone on a date. And yes, there were cameras involved and I’m very much in a real-life relationship (which is to say nothing of the statuses of the many artists I’ve gone out with), but still — connections were made. So, on a plot of land somewhere between Nashville and Chattanooga, Tennessee, I ran into upwards of seven “exes.” Over a fairly wide expanse, I had chance run-ins with the likes of Kendrick Lamar , Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. and Young the Giant. And then there was Mac Miller . A perennial fave around the MTV newsroom (and a favorite “First Date” episode among rabid followers of the series such as my mother and father), Mac and I caught up with each other to talk about what he’s been up to since we first went out late last year for a kosher lunch at New York’s Katz’s Deli. “I made history,” he deadpanned, referring to his debut, Blue Slide Park, which became the first independent album to hit #1 in well over a decade. In addition to that small feat, Mac toured the world and dropped an acclaimed mixtape, Macadelic. A follow-up mixtape with Pharrell is on deck, and there’s even more music to be heard. “I’ve been making my own beats, which I’ve done forever but, like, I’m really gonna start taking it seriously now,” Mac told me. “I’ve been making beats forever, but no one had known … I kept it secret.” Hopefully, we won’t have to wait until a third date — which Mac suggested we do at a NASCAR race — to hear them. Who should go on the next “First Date”? Share your suggestions in the comments! Related Videos MTV News First Date Related Artists Mac Miller
