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The Band Drummer Levon Helm In Final Stages of Cancer Battle

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘Thank you fans and music lovers who have made his life so filled with joy and celebration,’ reads a message on Helm’s website. By Gil Kaufman Levon Helm Photo: Getty Images Levon Helm, former drummer for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group the Band, announced on Tuesday that he is in the final stages of a long-running battle with cancer. Helm, 71, whose signature Southern drawl helped make iconic songs such as “The Weight,” “Up on Cripple Creek” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” rock classics, was first diagnosed with cancer in 1998. “Levon is in the final stages of his battle with cancer. Please send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way through this part of his journey,” read a note from his daughter Amy and wife Sandy . “Thank you fans and music lovers who have made his life so 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… ” After his initial diagnosis with throat cancer, Helm struggled to regain his voice and pay spiraling medical bills. Though he initially lost his ability to sing, Helm continued to play drums, mandolin and harmonica alongside daughter Amy in a series of shows at his Woodstock, New York, studios called the Midnight Ramble. Since 2004, the shows have grown in legend, attracting everyone from Elvis Costello and Norah Jones to My Morning Jacket, Steve Earle and Emmylou Harris. The weekly concerts attracted sold-out audiences that not only helped pay the bills, but also kick-started Helm’s recording career and produced the back-to-back Grammy-winning albums Dirt Farmer and Electric Dirt . Born on May 26, 1940, Helm grew up in a musical home and was plucked by rocker Ronnie Hawkins to join his band in 1957. It was during his stint with Hawkins that he was united with four other musicians who would make up the core of the Band: Richard Manuel, Rick Danko, Robbie Robertson and Garth Hudson. They eventually split with Hawkins and in 1965 hooked up with Bob Dylan to help the folk icon transition into an electric sound. The Band went on to release a string of rock classics and broke up in 1976 after an all-star Thanksgiving concert at the Winterland ballroom in San Francisco that was filmed by Martin Scorsese and released as “The Last Waltz.” Related Artists The Band

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Can Spoilers Really Spoil ‘The Avengers’?

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

As the wait for the superhero flick grows more agonizing, the age-old debate crops up again: to spoil or not to spoil? By Josh Horowitz “Avengers” Photo: Marvel Over the weekend I was getting the shakes. And Tony Stark is to blame. I knew a whole bunch of folks had seen “The Avengers” last week (Los Angeles was host to its premiere last Wednesday) and, well, that wore on me. I don’t know why. I’d get to see it myself soon enough. And frankly, seeing it without knowing whatever Easter eggs were planted would probably only add to my eventual enjoyment, right? But it gnawed on me. Since I have little to no will power, it only took me a few minutes of searching the interweb to get just about every plot point ruined forever. Do I have a problem? Is it a problem? I’ll say this to those who say they want any and all movie spoilers kept from them — fearing the house of cards will come crashing down if they know the kid can see dead people or whatever: Spoilers can’t (or shouldn’t) ruin a film. Any film that rests on a third-act twist and the surprise it causes just isn’t all that great a film. Let me bring to mind another M. Night Shyamalan film, “Unbreakable,” a movie that blew my mind with a third-act revelation the first time I saw it. Now that I know what’s coming, does it make me love the movie any less? No. Another case in point, let’s journey back to 1983 and visit the 7-year-old version of me (shorter, that’s about the only difference) reading the comic adaptation of “Return of the Jedi” (back before the Internet comics and novelizations were the best bet for the spoiler-minded). Yup, I was the guy who knew every twist in the culmination of the greatest saga of my youth before stepping into the theater. Did I enjoy the film at all less than I would have going in blind? I truly don’t think so. My only regret actually is ruining the film for my brother in advance and that’s just because he hit me really hard as a result. Look, I know a lot of you disagree with me and trust me, we discuss spoilers an awful lot over here within the movies team at MTV. We know a lot of you want to enjoy a movie fresh without a third-act twist weighing on you throughout the flick. But we also live and breathe on breaking news, and if a certain A-list actor is going to appear in “21 Jump Street” (see, I’m being careful), it’s hard to ignore that. That’s news. So it’s a bit of a conundrum we face every single day. It’s probably the same for you if you’re reading this. You want to know just enough, am I right? But some of you are like me and wouldn’t mind knowing it all. Lately I’ve been wondering if we’ve become a society that’s more anxious for spoilers than ever. If I had to guess, the easy access to virtually any information on whatever mobile device is probably a big reason. Has the Ming dynasty come up in conversation again? Why, it’ll just take you about 10 seconds to find out what century it began in (the 14th, duh). We’re a culture that has now been conditioned to believe we can and should know anything. How much did “The Hunger Games” make in Nebraska last week? Hold on a second. I got that. How does Rihanna look on a beach when she’s hanging with friends? No problemo. What happens at the end of “The Avengers”? What do you mean I can’t know right now? Secrets are hard to keep in 2012. Which is probably why films like “Prometheus” and “The Dark Knight Rises” are my two most anticipated flicks at the moment (and I know I’m not alone). Take the final installment in the Batman trilogy for example. Despite being shot out and about on the streets of several major cities, I’d guess the number of folks who actually know how Christopher Nolan’s next film ends numbers in the dozens. OK, maybe a couple hundred. So I’m conflicted once again. I desperately want to know everything and yet I know it will be all the more satisfying to know nothing. Damn, I’m in the wrong business, aren’t I? Check out everything we’ve got on “The Avengers.” For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com . Related Videos Assemble Yourself For ‘Avengers’ Sneak Peeks Related Photos ‘Avengers’

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Drake Proclaims ‘I’m A Proud Young Jewish Boy’ On ‘HYFR’ Set

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Cash Money videographer Derrick G. catches up with Drake during his re-Bar Mitzvah. By Rob Markman Drake in his video for “HYVR” Photo: Universal “Money just changed everything.” Those are the words that opened Drake ‘s Thank Me Later album. Hell yeah, it changed everything. Just look at Drizzy’s recently released “HYFR” video as an example. In the Director X-helmed clip, Drake stages a second Bar Mitzvah to re-establish his commitment to the Jewish faith. “I’m proud, a proud young Jewish boy. When I had a Bar Mitzvah back in the day, my mom really didn’t have that much money. We kinda just did it in the basement of an Italian restaurant, which I guess is kinda like a faux pas,” Drake told Cash Money videographer Derrick G on the video’s Miami set. “I told myself that if I ever got rich, I’d throw myself a re-Bar Mitzvah. That’s the concept for the video.” Drake dropped some childhood party footage at the top of the “HYFR” video, and while it looked like a good time, we’re sure it paled in comparison to his adult Bar Mitzvah, which features Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled, Birdman and Trey Songz. The behind-the-scenes documentary shows the Toronto MC interacting with his YMCMB family and his real-life family. “I have some of my mother’s friends, some of my friends,” he said to the camera, gesturing toward Birdman and Khaled, who were seated in the Miami synagogue. “Stunna Man and Khaled had to come and show their support. I learned my Torah portions; they had to come hear me read it.” The set-visit video is filled with a ton of fun moments, but none more thrilling than when Lil Wayne performs his verse from the song. Weezy, who starts off in a suit and ski mask, begins to peel back his wardrobe with each passing rhyme until he is in a Truk Fit T-shirt, banging his skateboard across a banquet table. Birdman Jr. is clearly the life of the party. “Maybe in the world, there might be somebody crazier and more energetic and more talented, but I don’t know where the f— they’re at,” Drake said. “This guy gets on the camera every single time and kills that sh–. That’s why he’s Lil Wayne.” What did you think of Drake’s “HYFR” video? Share your review in the comments! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Drake Related Artists Drake

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Exclusive: Kaskade And Skrillex Team Up For ‘Lick It’ Video

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Kaskade tells MTV News the duo did ‘the unexpected’ for the clip, which premiered Tuesday on MTV.com. By Akshay Bhansali Kaskade Photo: Getty Images When Kaskade first revealed that he and Skrillex had produced a song together , fans, artists and critics alike eagerly anticipated the event. Just what would a Kaskade/Skrill team-up sound like? The result was “Lick It,” the Fire and Ice standout that seamlessly integrates both of their sounds. “Collaborating with Skrillex for the track and video of ‘Lick It’ was one of the more unique opportunities I had when recording Fire & Ice, ” Kaskade told MTV News on Tuesday (April 17), the same day their collaborative “Lick It” video exclusively debuted on MTV.com. “Skrillex and I have different styles, but that is part of what made it fun. I like doing the unexpected, and this track and video is something truly distinctive.” After the kaleidoscopes and cityscapes of “Eyes” (featuring Mindy Gledhill), Rebecca and Fiona rocking out with ice skaters on “Turn It Down,” and Kaskade getting his “Sliver” on with Skylar Grey in “Room for Happiness,” the video for “Lick It” is a gritty, technically sophisticated endeavor, helmed by L.A.-based filmmaker Sean Stiegemeier, whose credits include Zedd’s “Shave It” video. “It was a great honor to work with these two artists,” Stiegemeier told MTV News. “The collaboration could not had been more ideal as a director. They would allow me to throw out some wild ideas and then work together towards a concept that we all created and enjoyed.” And wild it is. Filmed in snowy Iceland, the vid depicts a bloody An

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T.I. Given More Travel Freedom On Probation

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Grand Hustle CEO is dubbed a ‘model probationer’ by probation officer, and judge agrees. By Carter Maness T.I. Photo: Chris McKay/ Getty Images It appears the second time’s the charm for T.I. Released last fall after an 11-month sentence for violating probation on his 2009 gun conviction, the Atlanta rapper has been on such good behavior that a judge has approved an expanded out-of-state travel allowance for up to 12 days at a time. According to TMZ , the request, submitted by T.I.’s probation officer, details that the rapper has been a “model probationer” since he was released from an Atlanta halfway house last September. By following all guidelines and completing a required drug and alcohol counseling program, Tip has been granted more freedom to travel and do business in other states. The expanded freedoms come at a convenient time, as T.I. is nearing the release of his eighth full-length album, Trouble Man. “The album is about 75 percent done. We got a lot of hot, old-school, vintage T.I. records on there,” Tip told MTV News back in December while promoting his F— Da City Up mixtape. “We got those over-the-top crossover records as well, big features and whatnot that we plan on putting into play. I got one with Akon, did a few records with Rico Love. Man, I got records with just about everybody,” he said. “We just putting it together, we done did about 70 records.” Trouble Man will include features from T.I.’s ever-expanding Grand Hustle empire. In February, he made some new additions to his roster in the form of Australian rapper Iggy Azalea and British rapper Chip, plus a joint venture with Houston MC Trae Tha Truth and his ABN label. “We’re gonna work alongside each other for a common goal and release this Trae Tha Truth project,” T.I. said of the deal with Trae. “When cats [who are] cut from a certain cloth give their word and shake their hand, that’s what makes it a done deal — the ink is just a formality.” Related Artists T.I.

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Exclusive: We Shared The Stage With The Tupac Hologram

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Warren G and Kendrick Lamar, who performed with Dr. Dre and Snoop at Coachella, tell MTV News about rapping alongside a virtual legend. By Rob Markman Tupac’s hologram performance at Coachella 2012 Photo: AV Concepts Kendrick Lamar was just a wide-eyed kid when he first saw Tupac Shakur in the flesh, so when he watched ‘Pac’s posthumous, holographic performance at Coachella on Sunday, all those old feelings came rushing back. “It just let you know that this dude was great and he’ll live forever when you got people that’s willing to go out and spend damn near millions to make a hologram on you,” Kendrick told MTV News on Tuesday (April 17). “It was just a crazy feeling, made me think of that one moment when I seen dude in real life.” K.Dot remembers watching ‘Pac film a scene from his “California Love” video in Compton, California, in the mid-1990s, catching his only a glimpse of the beloved rap hero before he was murdered in 1996. Last weekend’s Coachella concert was a reminder. “When I finally got to see it along with the other hundred thousand people, it was just something that I didn’t think nobody could ever do,” Kendrick said of Dr. Dre’s stunt . “I didn’t even know this dude was thinking up no crazy sh– like that.” The young MC wasn’t just a spectator; he also took part in the festivities, performing his new single “The Recipe” with Dr. Dre at Coachella. “The moment that Dre and Snoop walked out on that stage, I knew it was something way bigger than what I imagined it to be,” he said. Warren G , on the other hand, has seen it all. The G-Funk regulator was part of the original Death Row posse and released a ton of classic records alongside Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. Warren also knew Tupac personally, so seeing the holographic incarnation of Makaveli was a bit surreal. “When I first seen it when we were in rehearsal, it gave me chills,” he said. “I was like, ‘Whoa, wow,’ because it looked like him, it talked like him, it just moved like him, it’s just like, ‘Damn.’ It was a trip.” Rumors swirled that there would also be a holographic version of the late Nate Dogg at Coachella, but Warren told MTV News that he had no knowledge of it. He was open to the possibility of seeing his old friend resurrected in concert, however. “We worked with Dr. Dre on this, and it was Dre’s vision to bring this back to life,” Nick Smith — president of AV Concepts, the San Diego company that projected and staged the image — exclusively told MTV News on Monday. “It was his idea from the very beginning and we worked with him and his camp to utilize the technology to make it come to life. … You can take their likenesses and voice and … take people that haven’t done concerts before or perform music they haven’t sung and digitally re-create it.” Warren believes that the holographic technology used to bring ‘Pac to the stage can be a powerful tool in uniting different rap factions. Ultimately he hopes the excitement surrounding Dre and Snoop’s Coachella performance can spawn a bigger tour and possibly lead to a similar stunt starring the Notorious B.I.G. “That would be dope for Puffy to come on and we just do one of the biggest, majorest tours ever where it happens like that,” he said. “He could go out and do the same thing, but it would be dope to do it together.” Would you go see a late star on tour as a hologram? Let us know in the comments! Related Photos Tupac’s Hologram At Coachella Related Artists Tupac Kendrick Lamar Warren G

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Imagine Dragons Go Big With ‘It’s Time’ Video, But Still Eat Burritos

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Fast-rising Las Vegas band — MTV PUSH Artist of the Week — premiere first video on MTV. By James Montgomery Imagine Dragons in “It’s Time” music video Photo: Interscope Imagine Dragons have been waiting three years for today: On Tuesday (April 17), they premiered their video for “It’s Time,” the breakout (currently at #17 and climbing on rock radio) single from their Continued Silence EP. The clip represents the first fruits of their new deal with Interscope Records, and, for a band that has taken its time to get to this point, well, they’re definitely enjoying the moment. “We had this idea in our heads for a long time, but, you know, we could never make it,” frontman Dan Reynolds told MTV News. “Until we found a director who could bring it to life. We went out to Barstow [California] — which is between Las Vegas and L.A., and we’ve made that drive many times, because we’re from Vegas — and we shot it on a dry lake bed. It was our first time doing a music video, so it was a really awesome experience.” And while the clip — basically an updated take on the old “Jack and the Beanstalk” tale, with the band starring the band as mystic travelers in a very dark world, carrying a very special parcel — certainly looks cool, it also works as a rather apt metaphor for Imagine Dragons’ rise. Since forming in Vegas in 2009, Imagine Dragon (the current MTV PUSH Artist of the Week ) have been on one long voyage; one that’s certainly had its share of ups and downs along the way. “I remember one gig [where] we were playing a casino, in Vegas, and it was a really small stage,” guitarist Wayne Sermon smiled. “We played a four-hour set — we’d do those two to three times a week — and we were exhausted, and Dan passes out in the middle of the last song, falls on the drum set, the drums go everywhere, and it was horrible, but we finished the song.” “And all these drunk guys were like, ‘Wooo!’ ” Reynolds laughed. “But it didn’t hurt; I was so tired, it was sort of nice to have a little break.” So with their first proper video out in the world, and plans to begin work on their full-length debut already in the works, Imagine Dragons continue to march on. And in that regard, things are still the same as they’ve ever been. “It’s crazy. We’ve been a band for three years, living on the road, eating bean burritos every day, and we’re still eating bean burritos every day, but it’s been incredible to see the support that we’ve gotten,” Reynolds said. “We really owe so much to our fans who, from the very beginning, have been sharing the music. And we live in a world where things can happen so quickly, and we’re glad we’ve had three years to really prepare. … We’ve been doing it for a little while, and it feels good … and right.” Related Artists Imagine Dragons

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Which ‘Twilight’ Scenes Could Use A Revamp?

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

As Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart go back for re-shoots, MTV News asks fans what scenes need a makeover. By Kara Warner Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart in “Eclipse” Photo: Summit Entertainment In light of the news that Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are headed back to the “Breaking Dawn — Part 2” set for a few re-shoots , this week’s Twilight Tuesday posed the question: If you could have any scene in any of the previous films re-shot, which one would you revamp? (Pun intended!) As always, the members of the knowledgeable and passionate “Twilight” fan community responded to the query with gusto. Some folks want to see extended versions of their favorite scenes, some are still displeased with the book-to-film adaptation in certain areas and some requested they re-shoot entire films altogether . But there are two scenes that a majority of fans agreed could use a makeover: the meadow scene in “Twilight” and Edward and Bella’s reunion in “New Moon.” Here’s a sampling of our favorite responses and suggestions: @Cycyn: The meadow scene. It was THE ONE scene they had to capture perfectly (it was Steph’s dream) and it’s really bad. @Cordyq45: Eclipse- Bella getting on Jake’s bike in the school parking lot. Never shoulda happened. @dazzle715: The scene where Bella kisses Jacob in Eclipse, instead she would just push him off the mountain. @pinkpixiechick: Edward and Bella’s reunion in New Moon. Wish it was more like the book version. Too short and passively handled in the film. I’m not a fan of how Melissa Rosenberg writes Edward & Bella scenes. Their reunion in her bedroom (New Moon) felt very rushed. @MeganC79: The meadow scene by far. It’s the most important scene in Twilight and was completely botched in the movie. Huge disappointment. @Brendaof6: The Twilight scene when the “bad” vamps crash the game and Cullens get defensive. Liked at first but now I giggle every time! @Melly1901: Twilight’s meadow scene. Wasn’t how I imagined it. I wish they added the Twi lunch scenes between Ed/Bella too… @KansasCityGypsy: “I know what you are.” “Say it.” “Vampire.” Such bad acting. @Mama_Cougar: Good LORD that heinous “Wolves at the lumbermill” scene from Breaking Dawn. The Eclipse Forest Frolic is a close second. @robownsme: Bella’s speech at the end of Eclipse and her riding away with Jacob on the motorcyle. Both scenes were ridiculous and horrible. @maineemilyhoon: New Moon – the post-Italy scenes. In the book it’s so swoonily romantic…in the movie it’s just dull. What other scenes could use a re-vamp? Tell us in the comments or hit me up @karawarner on Twitter Check out everything we’ve got on “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Videos Best ‘Breaking Dawn’ Interviews Of 2011

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Mystikal Gets 81 Days In Jail For Probation Violation

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Cash Money CEO Birdman confirms to MTV News that the label will continue to support the New Orleans rapper. By Nadeska Alexis Mystikal Photo: Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images Mystikal inked a new deal with Cash Money Records in December to release his upcoming sixth studio album, Original, but the New Orleans rapper will have to delay work on his LP due to legal troubles. Mystikal, born Michael Tyler, has been sentenced to three months in jail for probation violation. On Monday, Louisiana State District Judge Tony Marabella handed down the three-month sentence for the 41-year-old rapper, who was arrested in February and charged with a misdemeanor for domestic abuse battery. The arrest was in violation of his five-year probation, stemming from sexual battery and extortion charges that landed him in a Louisiana prison from 2004 to 2010 . A spokesperson for Cash Money CEO Birdman issued a statement to MTV News, confirming the label will continue to support Mystikal’s career, emphasizing that the arrest will not affect their relationship. Birdman’s rep added that Mystikal will turn himself in on May 14 to being the sentence, but he will only serve 81 days, since Marabella is crediting him for the nine days he spent behind bars after the February arrest. During a March visit to “RapFix Live,” Mystikal revealed a few details about his anticipated album, including an upcoming collaboration with Cash Money labelmates Drake and Busta Ryhmes. “I’m telling you, this album is gonna be so well worth the wait, Sway, believe that,” Mystikal told MTV News’ Sway Calloway. “Busta [Rhymes] was one of the first artists I worked with when I first came home. Busta came out there, came all the way to Baton Rouge. I’m talking about we got it in.” In mid-March, Mystikal dropped the video for his album’s lead single, “Original,” which featured appearances from Lil Wayne and Birdman and gave fans a glimpse of the luxurious YMCMB lifestyle. Original will be Mystikal’s first album since 2001’s Tarantula. Related Videos Hurricane Mystikal Storms ‘RapFix’ Related Artists Mystikal