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Jay-Z Dons The Crown As #6 Hottest MC

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

Legendary MC teams up with Kanye West for landmark Watch the Throne album and a spot on Hottest MCs in the Game list. By MTV News staff Jay-Z Photo: Getty Images Jay-Z ‘s legacy in rap is unparalleled. Hov probably best summed up his career on 2003’s “What More Can I Say” when he spit, “There’s never been a n—a this good for this long/ This ‘hood or this pop, this hot or this strong.” But were the God MC’s past accomplishments enough to rest on in 2011? Over the past year he continued to raise the bar, teaming up with “little brother” Kanye West to drop the groundbreaking Watch the Throne album and earning himself the #6 spot on MTV News’ Hottest MCs in the Game VII list. “If you talk about the Throne, yeah, top five, no question. But Jay himself? From January to August, what was going on?” asked Rahman Dukes, MTV News’ director of hip-hop news, pointing out Jigga’s inactivity apart from WTT. “Kanye was moving.” Want to join the debate? Just hit us on Twitter using the hashtag #HottestMC! Indeed, Yeezy was rolling creatively after the November 2010 release of his critically acclaimed My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, while Jay hadn’t dropped a solo effort since 2009, when his triumphant Blueprint III made him our #1 Hottest MC . When it came to recognizing Jay for the recent success of the Throne, however, many members of the Hip-Hop Brain Trust argued that much of the credit should go to Kanye, not Jigga. HOT STREAK Album: Watch the Throne with Kanye West as the Throne Selected Mixtapes: None Singles: “H.A.M,” “Otis” and “N—as in Paris” (as the Throne); “Glory” (featuring B.I.C.) Street Bangers: “No Church in the Wild” (as the Throne) Key Guest Appearances: Rihanna’s “Talk That Talk,” J. Cole’s “Nice Watch” and Young Jeezy’s “I Do” Meteoric Metrics: Captured another #1 with now-platinum Watch the Throne, scored a #1 Rap hit with “N—as in Paris” and topped Forbes’ Hip-Hop’s Top Earners list Business Ventures: New Jersey Nets minority owner broke ground on Brooklyn’s Barclay Center arena, where he plans to move the NBA team Tours: Grossed more than $448 million on the Watch the Throne Tour, played two dates at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall Monumental Moment: Hov and Yeezy did what no superstar rapper in recent memory has been able to do: kept their album from leaking and thus created a moment Forecast: Jay’s no stranger to the “Hottest MCs in the Game” list. It’s a safe bet that Hov will be back next year if he releases his planned solo album and the WTT follow-up. “You can’t divorce [the album] from Kanye. It really feels like Jay rode shotgun on it,” said Rebecca Thomas, an editor/writer at MTV News. “That project has Kanye’s footprints and handprints all over it.” The truth is, outside of WTT, Hov didn’t do the kinds of things that help an MC bolster his stats. Instead, the rap mogul was focused on his many business ventures — from his Brooklyn-bound Nets to re-launching the 40/40 Club in New York. Although few could argue that when he released “Glory,” days after the birth of daughter Blue Ivy Carter, he created quite the musical moment. And it was hard to ignore the impact and cultural significance of Watch the Throne, even if Jay’s contribution was collaborative, not solo. Bypassing a traditional album rollout, the Throne serviced only two records to radio prior to their LP release: “H.A.M.” and “Otis.” They also went with a digital-only release initially, electing to postpone sending physical copies of WTT to stores until four days later. The pair placed a premium on their music — and it paid off. They avoided an album leak , a near impossibility in the digital era. When the joint LP was finally released on August 8, it seemed as if the entire hip-hop community was listening at the same time, dissecting it on Twitter and spawning multiple trending topics. It hit #1 on iTunes in 23 different countries a day later. “At the end of the day, that album is an ‘event album.’ You’re never going to get an album like that ever again,” said Yomi Desalu, MTV’s senior director of music and talent. When first-week sales were tallied, the Throne had sold 436,000 copies and landed at #1 on the Billboard 200. The album’s third single (second, if you don’t count bonus track “H.A.M.”) proved to be its biggest. “N—as in Paris” not only topped Billboard ‘s Rap chart, it became a quick fan favorite that prompted the Throne to perform the track multiple times at each stop on their tour. So when it comes to the “Hottest MCs” criteria, Hov largely hits the major points. He has proven his impact on the game is enduring and maintained a buzz in the streets, even if he didn’t make as much noise in early 2011. Jigga was a lock in the sales department and, at 42 years old, he remains among rap’s top lyricists. On “Otis,” he reminded fans who invented swag, so style wasn’t a problem, and Jay had enough side hustles that you could write a book about them. (Seriously, you could: check Zack O’Malley’s “Empire State of Mind: How Jay-Z Went From Street Corner to Corner Office.”) Perhaps a solo LP would’ve given Jay that extra push. Makes us wonder what might go down on Hottest MCs VIII if Hov does drop that tentatively planned 12th solo album and a second Throne LP . Who gon’ stop him then? Tune in to MTV2 on Sunday, February 19, at 10 p.m. ET/PT to catch ” MTV2 Presents: Yo! MTV Raps Classic Cuts ,” then watch “Hottest MCs in the Game VII” immediately after at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT before capping the night off with ” Sucker Free Certified ” at 11 p.m. ET/PT. Related Videos ‘Hottest MCs In The Game VII’

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‘American Idol’ Adds ‘Gotcha!’ Twist, More Heejun Han

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Some contestants who made it through were then sent packing in a new, cruel turn of events. By Adam Graham Contestants audition during “American Idol” Vegas week Photo: Michael Becker / FOX “American Idol” opened with 70 contestants Thursday (February 16) and ended with 42, as the Las Vegas cuts — referred to alternately as “brutal,” “painful” and “deep” — lived up to their billing. Some who made it through on the strength of their performances were later told they, in fact, didn’t make it through, a new twist. The twist wasn’t given a name, but it should have been called the “Gotcha!” — as in, “Oh, you thought you were going to go on to achieve your dream of being a singer? Gotcha!” In Vegas, contestants were asked to form groups and sing songs from the ’50s and ’60s onstage at the Aria hotel, home to the “Viva Elvis” show. The episode began, as all future “Idol” episodes should, with Heejun Han talking directly into the camera while wearing a red hooded sweatshirt. Han’s feud with this year’s resident cowboy contestant, Richie Law, has already proven he’s a dry-witted jokester at heart. But Han is also able to turn on the charm, such as when he tamed the “Vocal Coach from Hell,” Peggi Blu, and turned her into a pile of mush in his own hands. Regardless of Han’s chances this season, he should be considered for the position of next “Idol” host, should Ryan Seacrest ever abandon his post. Or hey, isn’t “The X Factor” looking for a new emcee ? Han — God bless Steven Tyler, who sang “Heejun” to the tune of “Hey Jude” when calling his name — made it through to the next round, along with groupmates Phillip Phillips (he apparently is going by “Phil” Phillips now, but we still prefer Phillip Phillips) and Neco Starr. Jairon Jackson initially made it through but then caught an ax to his jugular after the “Gotcha!” twist reared its ugly head. Sorry, man, no one said Las Vegas was going to be all fun and games. Richie Law, who tormented Han when they were groupmates in Hollywood, found a new victim to torture in Las Vegas in Jermaine Jones . The two baritones made for an unlikely duo, joining forces on “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,” but they pulled it off — but only after Law once again showed his stubbornness, telling cameras, “I didn’t come here to recycle music; I came here to make it.” His determination paid off, but he needs to find a less aggressive way to celebrate; Jones accused him of both bruising his rotator cup and almost taking his neck off while manhandling him following their victory. The foursome to watch Thursday was the group composed of Reed Grimm , Elise Testone, Haley Johnson and Eben Franckewitz, who earned a standing ovation from the judges and were dubbed “unreal” by Steven Tyler for their version of “The Night Has a Thousand Eyes.” The performance came together in note-perfect fashion, as both Grimm — compared by some to an emerging Casey Abrams, though he reminds us more of actor Ethan Embry for some reason — and heartthrob-in-training Franckewitz made their presences felt. Other victims of the “Gotcha” twist included Gabi Carrubba, Candice Glover, Jairon Jackson, Gaga-alike Angie Ziederman and Schyler Dixon, whose brother, Colton, made it through to the next round. Singers who just plain got cut the first time around included Molly Hunt, Curtis Gray, Curtis Finch Jr., Mathenee Treco and Nick Boddington. While most contestants took their dismissals in stride, Jessica Phillips wins the Sour Grapes Award for most bitter rant of the night, telling cameras, “I’m an actual artist. It just doesn’t seem like they’re looking for real artists,” after the judges told her to pack her bags. She continued: “I didn’t come here to win a television show; I came here for a record deal. And, um, a lot of people are making it through that are not real artists, and they’re not going to sell any records, and I don’t have to worry about that because that’s not me.” Britnee Kellogg, the 27-year-old single mom from Vancouver, Washington, sang alongside Phillips and initially made it through, but was later cut thanks to the “Gotcha!” Only 24-year-old Courtney Williams of Philadelphia made it through from their original trio. Next week, the Idols will continue to fight for their lives as the field is narrowed from 42 to 24. What did you think of Thursday’s “Idol”? Let us know in the comments! Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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‘Survivor: One World’ Premieres With Medical Emergency

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

MTV News chats with ‘Survivor’ expert and former player Rob Cesternino about the controversial ‘One World’ season premiere. By Josh Wigler Kourtney Moon on “Survivor: One World” Photo: CBS The “Survivor: One World” season premiere presented longtime fans of the veteran reality series with a lot of firsts. In a brand new twist, all 18 competitors are living on the same beach from the very beginning, divided into two tribes based on gender. But that’s not the only first: For the first time in “Survivor” history, the first contestant to leave the game was not voted out, but left due to a medical emergency. Kourtney Moon left the island after a nasty wrist-break in the opening immunity challenge — a challenge that the men subsequently won by default, by the way, after they were given the choice to claim victory early or continue competing against their Kourtney-less rivals. Kourtney’s medical evacuation and the short-lived immunity challenge weren’t the only sources of drama. From the first minute, the male and female tribes — Manono and Salani, respectively — made their rivalry clear through theft, fire and harsh negotiations. There is no love lost on the “One World” beach, even if there’s plenty to love for the viewers at home. For more on the “One World” premiere, MTV News joined up with well-known “Survivor” commentator and two-time contestant Rob Cesternino to cover all the blow-outs and break-ups that went down in the new season’s first hour. MTV : Rob, this first episode was a doozy. You had thievery. You had cross-tribal bargaining. Two chickens were caught. An immunity idol was found and given away. An immunity challenge was interrupted for an emergency and called early when the guys were given the chance to proceed or suspend the game in their favor. Another “Survivor” first: a medical evacuation as the very first boot. Can you remember another season premiere where so much stuff happened? Rob Cesternino : It was such a great first two-thirds of an episode. [ Laughs ] It reminded me a bit of “Super 8.” It was such a good start, but two-thirds of the way through, it took a turn for the worse. It was a lousy last 15 minutes of the episode. Very anticlimactic to have the first Tribal Council end with Kourtney leaving over a broken arm. This is the earliest ever med evac from the game, but not exactly the kind of history you want to make. MTV : Maybe I’m not up to snuff on my “Survivor” rulebook, but it seems like a bit of a cheat — if Salani technically lost that challenge, shouldn’t they have had to vote someone out, regardless of Kourtney’s injury? Cesternino : It’s a good question. They’ve definitely done it where a team has lost somebody due to an emergency [and has still had to vote someone out]. But I think they felt that it would have been too much of a disadvantage for the women to be down two people already on the third day. They wanted to play out this men versus women twist. I see where they could have made them vote somebody out, but this was a little bit of a different situation. I don’t think they would want to cripple their team so badly that they’d never be able to come back. MTV : Overall, I’m pretty pleased with how the “One World” twist has played out so far. I think you get a better sense of who these people are when you can watch them engage the enemy so directly so early on. Honestly, I don’t know why they wouldn’t want to utilize this twist every season from here on out. But what do you think: Are you digging the two tribes, one beach setup? Cesternino : I love the way that everything played out. Men versus women helps it in a lot of ways, too. Everyone has a rooting interest from the start. When it’s green team versus red team, you’re not as invested from the beginning as you are with men versus women, even if you’re a man rooting for the women. Everyone picks a side early on in this situation. Also, since it’s men versus women, you know right away which side everybody is on when there are 18 people living on the same beach. I really loved all of the built-in tension that came along with those guys living on the same beach. MTV : So far, I don’t think your high school alliance theory is holding up. It’s very split down the middle between men versus women right now. I don’t see how they’re going to overcome the gender divide at this point. Cesternino : See, that’s not how I saw it. I feel like the high school alliance is playing out that way. All the young, good-looking women made their alliance, the young, good-looking men made their alliance. The only thing missing is the two alliances saying, “Hey, we have the majority if we put our two alliances together. Let’s work together.” Instead, you have a situation where the young women are trying to prop up the insurgents to the hot guy alliance. It’s an interesting political thing that’s playing out. Will the opposition to the majority alliance almost be a de facto part of the other team’s majority alliance? Or could the two majorities decide they need to work together? That would be in both sides’ best interest. Instead, Sabrina finds an immunity idol and gives it to Colton. MTV : Maybe not her best move? Cesternino : Well, considering the previews for next week she says that “Colton is a virus,” I’m guessing that no, this isn’t a favorable move. [ Laughs ] I have a lot to say about Colton. MTV : We’ll get to him in a few. But let’s talk about some of the episode’s other controversial moments. These teams are playing dirty against each other pretty much right away. Mike steals supplies from the girls’ side, the women sneak into the men’s camp in the middle of the night to steal their fire … everyone’s playing so dirty! Cesternino : Everybody on this episode was so horrible to each other. [ Laughs ] Everything is so high-intensity from the get-go, but I guarantee that the person who wins this season is not going to be someone who came out so aggressively to the other team from the start. It’s not a smart way to play “Survivor.” At the end of the day, they’ll be on the jury. If you’re an ass to everybody, they won’t vote for you in the end. Nobody wants to play nice, but you can’t win “Survivor” by not playing nice. Well, you can win “Survivor” by not playing nice, but a lot of other things have to go right — or you have to be from Boston . MTV : The other big controversy was the immunity challenge. Manono was given the choice to call the challenge early and walk away with a win, or finish the challenge out and give the other tribe a shot. They chose to walk away with the win. Everyone from [host Jeff] Probst to the women was shocked. Maybe it wasn’t great television, but it may have been a great move. What would you have done in that situation? Did the men make the right call? Cesternino : Absolutely, they made the right decision. That would’ve been totally idiotic to give up a win in the first challenge in the spirit of sportsmanship. Could you imagine — other than some intramural sports, what other scenario would a team give up a sure win to let the other team have a shot? [ Laughs ] You’re playing a game for a million dollars. People have to remember that this is “Survivor.” Remember that they’re playing for a million dollars. There was nothing mean about it. They got the win. They fought for their lives that day, and they’ll see you tomorrow. MTV : I agree — and if they’d kept going, they probably would have lost. The “Survivor” gods do not look kindly upon stupidity. Cesternino : No. [ Laughs ] You don’t give a win back. MTV : Let’s wrap up by looking at the players a bit. Right away, there are so many contestants that jump out and grab you, at least personality-wise if not in terms of winning the game. Who jumped out at you? Cesternino : Colton. I’m not liking how he played the game. He’s the only gay man on his tribe of all men, but I felt he really gave up from the moment they said this was going to be men versus women. No one on the men’s team told him, “Hey, you’re not going to fit in with us because you’re gay.” He decided that the men aren’t going to like him, and that was it. Then you see him with the women’s team, going up to every woman on the team and telling them he loves them and giving them a hug. At no point, at least they don’t show it, do you see him going up to the men like that. His game is made up on day one. How does he know nobody on the men’s team is going to accept him? He’s already jumping ship to the women’s team for no reason. He’s proving himself to be very untrustworthy. That’s fine if he gets along better with the women, but he’s showing no loyalty to his tribe, and I think that’s going to play out much more over the next 36 days of this game. MTV : Assuming he makes it that far… Cesternino : Assuming he makes it that far. I don’t think he’s come out and played a good long-term game that can be won, at least on the first episode. MTV : On the flip side, who looks good? Who looks ready to do this? Cesternino : I think the people who looked good are the people who shut their mouths. [ Laughs ] Everybody that didn’t come out with vitriol towards the other tribe. You need to be a diplomat in this game. The people I liked were the people who didn’t piss anybody off after only three days of being on “Survivor.” Get more of Rob’s thoughts on “Survivor” at his website . What did you think of the “Survivor” premiere? Tell us in the comments or hit me up on Twitter @roundhoward !

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Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Others Land Kids’ Choice Awards Nominations

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Footballer Tim Tebow also landed a nod for the awards show, which airs March 31 on Nickelodeon. By Kara Warner Justin Bieber Photo: Getty Images Nickelodeon announced its nominations for the 25th annual Kids’ Choice Awards on Thursday (February 16), and the list is as diverse as it is star-studded, spanning the worlds of film, music, TV and sports. Nominees include Jessica Alba, Antonio Banderas, Justin Bieber , Big Time Rush, Jack Black, Ty Burrell, Jim Carrey, Miranda Cosgrove, Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Lady Gaga , Selena Gomez, Victoria Justice, Bruno Mars , Taylor Lautner , Danica Patrick, Katy Perry , Michael Phelps, Daniel Radcliffe, Adam Sandler and Kristen Stewart . “Harry Potter” fans will be pleased to hear that their favorite wizards, and the actors who played them, from “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2” earned the most nominations, with four total, for Favorite Movie, Favorite Book (the “Harry Potter” series), Daniel Radcliffe for Favorite Movie Actor and Emma Watson for Favorite Movie Actress. The surprising second-place vote-getter is “The Smurfs,” which nabbed three nominations including Favorite Movie, Sofia Vergara for Favorite Movie Actress and Katy Perry for Favorite Voice in an Animated Movie. Not to worry “Twilight” fans, your favorite franchise is nominated in two categories: Favorite Book (the “Twilight” series) and Kristen Stewart for Favorite Movie Actress. Other notable nominees include superstars in the music categories: LMFAO, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift, who each received two nods and will battle it out for Favorite Group/ Female Singer and Favorite Song. Derek Jeter and Tim Tebow were nominated for Favorite Male Athlete, and Serena and Venus Williams are each up for Favorite Female Athlete. On March 1, kids will be able to cast their votes in 20 total categories across all of Nickelodeon’s digital outlets, including Nick.com, the Nick Mobile app and Nickelodeon’s Facebook page and Twitter feed. Nick.com fans can vote using a Facebook application that will live on the Nickelodeon Facebook page. Users will be able to vote from a tab on the page and, for the first time ever, the entire voting experience can be embedded directly into Facebook wall posts. Also new this year, fans will be able to vote for their favorite nominees on Twitter through the use of custom hashtags. The 25th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards will be hosted by Will Smith and air live on Saturday, March 31, at 8 p.m. Related Artists Justin Bieber Taylor Swift

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Taylor Swift Not Ready To ‘Put Down’ Speak Now Tour

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I loved this show so much … that I didn’t necessarily want to put it down,’ she tells MTV News of taking the tour to Australia and New Zealand. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Sway Calloway Taylor Swift Photo: Getty Images Taylor Swift will launch the next leg of her highly successful Speak Now Tour next month, and she’s excited by all the possibilities the trek will bring this time around. “We’re going to Australia and New Zealand, because we are never done touring,” she joked to MTV News during “MTV First: Taylor Swift,” when she premiered her new video for the “Hunger Games” track “Safe & Sound.” “I’m really excited about going back to Australia and New Zealand because, well, New Zealand, it’s the first time I’ve ever been there, and the Australian fans have been so good to me,” she continued. “And this will be my third time going back there. I loved this show so much, the Speak Now Tour, that I didn’t necessarily want to put it down. I hope they like it. I love going there. It’s always really wonderful. The people are so nice.” The last time she hit the road, she was joined by a laundry list of A-listers, including T.I. , Flo Rida, Usher and Paramore leading lady Hayley Williams, to name a few. And she still can’t believe all those people agreed to perform with her. “It’s been crazy. Between all the guest artists that have come out and come onstage and surprised the audience, that was, I think, my favorite part of touring this year, because the audience never knew what they were going to get,” she said. “And I loved that experience, and even walking around L.A., people come up to me, these girls will come up to me [like] ‘I was at the Staples show where Justin Bieber came out’ [or] ‘I was at the one where Ellen and Nicki Minaj came out,’ and it’s just really fun, because you start to realize that concert meant something to them, and that’s nice.” Not only did all those famous faces perform with Swift, but she also had one of the top-grossing tours of the year . “That’s the fans doing that,” she said. “I’m kind of blown away by that.” Did you check out the Speak Now Tour? Share your reviews in the comments! Related Videos MTV First: Taylor Swift Related Artists Taylor Swift

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Justin Bieber Made A ‘Smash’ With Far East Movement

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Producer RedOne opens up to MTV News about recording session. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Kara Warner Justin Bieber Photo: Getty Images Justin Bieber might be singing hooks like a G6 in the very near future. Super-producer RedOne told MTV News that he recently hit the studio with the teen star, and it involved dance-floor phenoms Far East Movement . “The Bieber thing, I don’t know if I’m allowed to mention it right now, but … I did a few songs with Far East Movement, and one of the songs … to me, it’s a smash,” he told us in his Los Angeles-area recording studio. “And Justin sang the chorus. It’s a really good song, and I think people are gonna dance like crazy to it.” While any other details about the project are top-secret, Red did praise the 17-year-old’s work ethic, maturity and musicality. “He’s very positive and he’s an amazing singer,” he said. “Amazing everything! He’s Justin Bieber. He’s a sensation. I think he’s becoming a man with his voice. He’s an incredible singer. So it’s not just the dance or the looks or the ‘Justin’ factor. He’s a real singer musician … He’s a real artist.” Currently, Bieber is busy recording his 2012 release, Believe, and there’s a chance RedOne could be involved in the album. But it will only happen if the twosome can cook up a choice track. “We’re trying to figure out some smashes together for his album,” he said. With RedOne’s part on the album still up in the air, there are plenty of other folks onboard with Bieber for the release, including producers Pharrell, Timbaland and will.i.am and rappers Drake and Lil Wayne . Believe will be released later this year. What are you hoping to hear from Justin’s new music? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists Justin Bieber Far East Movement

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Whitney Houston’s Music Inspired By Her Faith

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

In 1990 MTV interview, singer says God chose her to ‘take that voice I gave you and spread it around.’ By John Mitchell Whitney Houston Photo: 20th Century Fox/Getty Images She may be best known for her soulful ballads and upbeat pop tunes, but gospel music was Whitney Houston ‘s first musical love. The singer developed her powerful voice in the church and told MTV in 1997 that the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, where her funeral will be held on Saturday , was her family’s “second home.” “My root is gospel. My root is not R&B; my root is gospel music,” Houston said in a 1990 interview featured in Wednesday night’s MTV special “Whitney Houston: In Her Own Words.” “And gospel is not something that you can categorize. It’s not black, it’s not white; it comes from the soul. It is a feeling that comes from the soul.” Houston learned to sing from her mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston, who, along with her cousin Dionne Warwick and godmother Aretha Franklin, was a notable figure in gospel music in the 1960s and ’70s. As a child, Houston joined the New Hope church’s junior choir, where her talent was quickly rewarded with solos, the first of which was reportedly the hymn “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah.” “Wherever I go, it doesn’t matter, I always tell the world of the love that I have for God and Jesus,” Houston told MTV of her faith. She even admitted that she had reservations about being a pop singer rather than a gospel one, but concluded that she was able to bring God’s word to a broader audience as a superstar. “He said, ‘I chose you to be mass,’ ” Houston said in 1997. “I chose you to take that voice I gave you and to spread it around because I know you’ll always think about me. And no matter how far you go, or no matter where you go, I’ll be knocking at your door, saying, ‘Whitney, remember me?’ ” Houston returned to her first musical love in 1996 when she recorded six gospel songs with the Georgia Mass Choir for the soundtrack to “The Preacher’s Wife.” One of the tracks, “I Believe in You and Me,” was a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The record, which Houston also produced, went on to become the best-selling gospel album of all time. “We all can be angels,” Houston told MTV. “It doesn’t have to be somebody dropping down from the sky and just appearing.” There’s no doubt that the faith Houston was raised with is now comforting her friends and family in the wake of her tragic death. Gospel music will play a large role in the celebration of Houston’s life this weekend in Newark, with Grammy-winning gospel singer and longtime family friend Marvin Winans providing the eulogy at her funeral and Franklin singing at the service. Share your condolences with Whitney’s family and friends on our Facebook page. Related Videos Whitney Houston: In Her Own Words Related Photos Whitney Houston: A Life In Photos Related Artists Whitney Houston

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Nicki Minaj’s Grammy Performance A Preview Of Her Movie

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Nicki Minaj Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

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Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston Bring ‘Wanderlust’ Clip To ‘MTV First’!

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Tune in to MTV at 7:56 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22, to see the sneak peek, and then the duo answer your questions on MTV.com. By Kevin P. Sullivan Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston in “Wanderlust” Photo: Universal Studios Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston are going to leave it all behind for “Wanderlust,” but before they do, they’re answering your questions. On Wednesday, February 22, Rudd and Aniston will sit down with MTV News’ Josh Horowitz to present a clip from their brand-new movie “Wanderlust” during “MTV First.” At 7:56 p.m. ET on MTV, the two will introduce the clip. Immediately afterward, the interview will continue for 30 minutes on MTV.com, where Rudd and Aniston will answer more of your questions. To get your question answered, all you have to do is send it via Twitter, using @MTVNews and the hashtag #MTVFirst or #AskWanderlust. “MTV First” will give you a chance to see a never-before-seen clip from “Wanderlust,” two days before it hits theaters February 24. In “Wanderlust,” Rudd and Aniston play two down-on-their-luck New Yorkers who look for a new way of life. After first seeking refuge with relatives, the couple stumble across Elysium, a commune of free-spirit people who welcome them with open arms — a little too open. “Wanderlust” comes from director David Wain and co-writer Ken Marino, two of the guys behind the cult classic “Wet, Hot American Summer,” and comedy super-producer Judd Apatow. Justin Theroux and Malin Akerman co-star. Be sure you get your questions in to MTV.com or via Twitter, using @MTVNews and the hashtag #MTVFirst to get your questions answered by Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston. Then tune in to MTV at 7:56 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 22, to see if your question made the cut. Check out everything we’ve got on “Wanderlust.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com .

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Clive Davis Opens Up About Whitney Houston’s ‘Genius’

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

The legendary producer relives the pop diva’s 1983 television debut on ‘Whitney Houston: In Her Own Words.’ By Kara Warner Whitney Houston Photo: MTV News There were several noteworthy aspects of MTV News’ special tribute “Whitney Houston: In Her Own Words” Wednesday, such as the rarely seen interview clips of Houston from her network debut in 1986 through her final interview, as well as her unforgettable impact on music as a whole straight from the man responsible for her discovery at age 19, Clive Davis. “The week after I signed her I had an open opportunity from Merv Griffin. He said, ‘Whenever you run across a talent that blows you away, I want you to bring her on my show,’ ” Davis told MTV News of arranging Houston’s memorable 1983 television debut. “Either you’ve got or you don’t have it,” Davis is shown telling Griffin in a clip from that specific show. “She’s got it, wait ’til you hear her,” Griffin said. “Here’s Whitney Houston.” “My introduction of Whitney was that if there’s going to be one performer for the next generation who combined the beauty and lyric phrasing of a Lena Horne with those Gospel fiery roots of an Aretha Franklin, it would be Whitney Houston,” Davis said. The legendary record producer attributed Houston’s genius to her ability to fully interpret and embody a song. “You see the genius that Whitney Houston has as an interpreter of material and you realize why genius can be applied to only a few interpretive performers,” Davis said. “She finds meaning and depth and soulfulness in a song that often the writer and composer never really knew was there. Whitney approached that with her phrasing; she studied hard. She would go into the studio, sometimes she would do it on one take. Once she agrees that the song is special for her, she really does in every matter make it her own.” Share your condolences with Whitney’s family and friends on our Facebook page. Related Videos Whitney Houston: In Her Own Words

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