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Mitt Romney Is The ‘Antithesis’ Of K’Naan’s Music

‘It bothers me when music is appropriated in the wrong way,’ rapper tells MTV News about Romney’s use of ‘Waving Flag.’ By Uptin Saiidi K’Naan Photo: Getty Images Don’t expect to hear any more K’Naan songs at Mitt Romney’s campaign events as the Republican presidential hopeful heads into the Nevada and Maine primaries this Saturday. The Somalian/Canadian rapper released a statement Wednesday that he planned to seek legal action if Romney’s camp continued playing his song “Waving Flag” at events. A spokesman for Romney’s campaign told CBS News that although the song has been used through the campaign’s regular blanket license, they’ll stop playing it out of respect for K’Naan’s wishes. When MTV News caught up with K’Naan via Skype on Thursday (February 2), he said his song has nothing to do with Romney’s political views. “Mitt Romney makes the sort of statements that are the antithesis of the very music that I make,” K’Naan said before referencing a comment Romney made to CNN on Wednesday after his Florida primary win that he isn’t worried about the very poor. ” ‘I’m not very concerned with the very poor’ — my music is concerned with the very poor.” While this certainly isn’t the first time an artist has taken issue with their music being used during campaign events, K’Naan felt Romney’s use of the track was distorting the mood it had come to represent — including being used as Coca-Cola’s theme song for the 2010 World Cup . “It bothers me when music is appropriated in the wrong way. It’s not in the same spirit that I create the feeling and the statements that I get from his campaign.” K’naan, however, does not mind his song being used at political events as long as a candidate’s values align with his own. “President Obama has ideas and convictions that I can get behind,” he said. When asked if he had any message for Mitt Romney, the artist thought for a second before smiling, “Romney, we might disagree with policy, but you have a good choice in music.” Check back for up-to-the-minute coverage of the primaries and stick with PowerOf12.org throughout the 2012 presidential election season. Related Artists K’NAAN

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Mitt Romney Is The ‘Antithesis’ Of K’Naan’s Music

Madonna Is Ready For Some Football In ‘Luvin’ Teaser

Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. open 60-second ‘Give Me All Your Luvin’ ‘ video preview, which premiered on ‘American Idol.’ By Adam Graham Madonna Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images Madonna definitely has football on her mind — not only for her upcoming performance at Sunday’s Super Bowl , but also in the video for her new single “Give Me All Your Luvin’.” A 60-second preview of the video, which premiered on Thursday’s (February 2) “American Idol,” opens with the track’s guest stars, M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj, dressed in cheerleader uniforms and spelling out “L-U-V Madonna! Y-O-U, you wanna?” Madonna then appears, kicking down the door of a suburban home, clad in a long rain coat, sunglasses and fingerless gloves, pushing a baby stroller. She turns onto the street where Nicki — who appears to have Adidas logos covering her breasts — and M.I.A. are waiting for her along with a team of cheerleaders. As Madonna prances down the street, a football player appears and barrels through a street-hazard marker in her way. A phalanx of football players then appear with umbrellas, shielding her from what looks like a storm of acid rain, and lay down their coats for her on the sidewalk as she struts in the slinky black outfit she had on underneath her coat. They’ll do anything to make sure her path is clear, even tearing apart a taxicab that’s in her way. She leans back and lets them lift her above their heads, and they prop her up against a wall that she appears to walk along sideways. The suburban football scenes are cut against flashes of Madonna, an oversize cross around her neck, performing and shaking her booty in front of a brick wall, lit by a spotlight. The video, for the first single from Madonna’s upcoming M.D.N.A., was directed by Megaforce , who has helmed videos for Kid Cudi, Two Door Cinema Club and more. The full video is scheduled to debut Friday at 9 a.m. ET on Madonna’s YouTube channel. What did you think of Madonna’s “Give Me All Your Luvin’ ” video teaser? 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. Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Madonna Related Artists Madonna

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Madonna Is Ready For Some Football In ‘Luvin’ Teaser

Could Madonna Win The Super Bowl?

Pussycat Dolls tell MTV News she’s the team they’re rooting for on Sunday. By Jocelyn Vena Robin Antin Photo: MTV News With so many people wondering if the New York Giants or the New England Patriots will win the Super Bowl on Sunday, there’s one team that could perhaps upset the whole game. That team? Well, it’s Team Madonna — and it’s a fierce, road-tested force that has proven it can stand the test of time. When the Pussycat Dolls stopped by the MTV News offices recently to chat about their Go Daddy ad airing during the big game, they noted that the only team they want to see win is Team Pop led by MVP Madonna, who will certainly dazzle everyone when she takes the stage during the halftime show . “I definitely say Madonna,” PCD creator Robin Antin said, with new Doll and U.K. native Lauren Bennett adding, “Madonna all the way! I can’t understand football. It just looks like they’re running into each other! Sorry guys, but it is a guy’s thing, I think, and leave it to them. That’s their time. I’m like, ‘Enjoy it.’ ” While that spirit may seem stoutly un-American, Antin joked, “She’s a Brit! We’ll be watching for the commercial … and Madonna. It’s exciting. Well, hopefully the Pussycat Dolls will be on the next Super Bowl performing, you know?” Does Bennett think that it could happen one day? “[You have] high hopes,” she said with a chuckle. Well, until the PCD get upgraded to halftime-performer status, they should take notes from Madge, who may be taking the stage with any number of folks, including her “Give Me All Your Luvin’ ” pals, Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., as well as Cee Lo Green and LMFAO. Could Madonna win the Super Bowl? Leave your comment below! Related Artists Madonna Pussycat Dolls

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Could Madonna Win The Super Bowl?

Jennifer Lopez Says Madonna ‘Would Be Awesome’ As ‘American Idol’ Mentor

Madge will preview ‘Give Me All Your Luvin’ ‘ clip on Thursday’s ‘Idol.’ By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Jim Cantiello Jennifer Lopez Photo: MTV News On Thursday (February 2) night, Madonna will world-premiere a teaser for her highly anticipated new video on “American Idol.” The preview of “Give Me All Your Luvin’ ” comes in advance of the clip’s official Friday-morning debut. But if you think that the “Idol” judges are getting any special treatment and are seeing it first, think again. “I have not seen it yet,” Jennifer Lopez told MTV News earlier this week. “I’ll see it with all you guys on Thursday.” When asked whether she’d even heard any of the finished track, she further dished that she hasn’t heard a thing — and that includes a leaked version of the song that hit the Internet last fall. “I hate when the demos leak,” J. Lo added. “It’s so unfair.” Now that Madonna is in the “Idol” family, is there any chance she might come on the show to mentor the contestants before her album, MDNA, drops in March? “I don’t know. I mean, that would be awesome,” Lopez said. “And if it was me, she would be the one person I’d probably want to come and mentor me if I was a contestant on ‘Idol.’ ” With so much mystery surrounding the track and the video, which also feature Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., MTV News got some exclusive insight into the vibe of the clip from its directors, Megaforce . “We said, ‘Wow, it’s quite interesting that it’s a mix between these three artists.’ They are not a part of the same universe for us,” Raphael Rodriguez said of the Martin Solveig-produced track. “So it was interesting to hear this mix and different kind of music.” He later described the video as “about happiness and something really sunny.” Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Artists Jennifer Lopez Madonna

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Jennifer Lopez Says Madonna ‘Would Be Awesome’ As ‘American Idol’ Mentor

Super Bowl Predictions From Cobra Starship

Since they’re playing a pre-Super Bowl bash, we had the Cobras give us their picks for the big game. For better or worse. By James Montgomery MTV News’ James Montgomery and Cobra Starship’s Gabe Saporta and Ryland Blackinton Photo: MTV News On the surface — or, really, any level — Cobra Starship don’t appear to be “sports guys” (and girl). Which is why it’s sort of strange to hear them discuss this Sunday’s Super Bowl XLVI … and even stranger to hear them say they’re heading to the host city (Indianapolis) to play the big game. “Yeah, I will be on the New England Patriots. It’s super-scary; I lost a bet and now I have to put on the gear and I’m going to get the sh– kicked out of me, and it’s not cool,” guitarist Ryland Blackinton deadpanned. “No, we’re playing a Super Bowl party the night before with LMFAO, Lupe Fiasco and Gym Class Heroes. It’s a real-deal party in the least partyful place in the world, next to Kenosha, Wisconsin.” No offense to the good people of Kenosha, of course. But, yes, Cobra Starship will join Lupe, LMFAO and Gym Class at Saturday night’s extravaganza. And since they’re officially taking part in the Super Bowl festivities, we had to ask them about their (apparent) love of football, which, not surprisingly, seems to be largely nonexistent. “We love the uniforms,” Blackinton explained. “And I like all the masculinity and high-production gloss of the Super Bowl stuff; the logos crashing together and lightning striking a helmet, and the one with the robot football players … it’s like that sh—y Hugh Jackman movie, ‘Real Steel.’ ” And, much like we did a few years back with die-hard Steelers fan/transplanted Arizona resident Bret Michaels in the lead-up to Super Bowl XLIII (which pitted the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Arizona Cardinals), we asked Blackinton and Cobra frontman Gabe Saporta to give us their predictions for Sunday’s game. And based on what they told us, let’s just say they’re probably not going to be as prescient as Michaels ended up being. “The Giants are going to win, 72-60,” Saporta said. “Seventy-two is a real good number.” “The Patriots will win 34-28,” Blackinton added. “But maybe that’s in overtime or whatever.” Leave your predictions for Super Bowl XLVI in the comments below! Related Artists Cobra Starship

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Super Bowl Predictions From Cobra Starship

New ‘Hunger Games’ Trailer: Five Key Scenes

MTV News takes a closer look at the latest sneak peek. By Kara Warner Jennifer Lawrence in “The Hunger Games” Photo: Lionsgate Anytime we see anything new from “The Hunger Games,” it’s like Christmas came early around here. On Thursday (February 2), we were gifted with a brand-new teaser trailer for the film, which is set to air on Super Bowl Sunday. The one-minute spot features some familiar elements shown in the first full-length trailer , but there are also several juicy new items to look out for. Here are the five key scenes in the new “Hunger Games” teaser: Silver-Tongued Caesar Flickerman Finally, we’re starting to get sneak peeks at more key “Hunger Games” players. In this case, we get a good long look at (and listen to) Stanley Tucci as sweet-talking official “Games” interviewer Caesar Flickerman. Think of an over-caffeinated, duplicitous Matt Lauer, if you will. Flickerman’s job is to get the tributes to open up to him and “perform” for the Capitol audience. There is a perfect example in the teaser, as Tucci-as-Flickerman asks Katniss a loaded, personal question: “What did you say to your sister when you volunteered at the reaping?” “I told her I would try to win for her,” Katniss answers sincerely. “And try you will,” Flickerman adds with dramatic intonation in his voice, before bending down and kissing Katniss’ hand. Katniss Gives Prim The Mockingjay Pin For the book lovers out there, yes, this scene is different from how Suzanne Collins wrote it in the book, but it makes sense in the emotional context of the film. We see Katniss give her little sister a mockingjay pin and say, “As long as you have it, nothing bad will happen to you, I promise.” This is significant because the mockingjay is seen as a rebellious symbol to the Capitol. It should also be familiar to fans who’ve read the books, as the symbol graces the cover of “The Hunger Games.” Cinna’s Secret Gift This one relates to the opening scene of the teaser. Just before Katniss is sent up to the arena for the start of the Games, her intuitive stylist Cinna (Lenny Kravitz) pulls out the mockingjay pin that she gave her sister back in District 12 and pins it underneath Katniss’ jacket. It’s a powerful moment, in that it shows how in tune Cinna is with his tribute and that he believes in her strength, along with the fact that Prim somehow sent it along, because Katniss promised her that “nothing bad will happen” to her if she wears it. Katniss in Her Yellow Dress Again, this one is for our fellow readers of the book, but holy cow, they show Katniss in her yellow dress! It’s a very brief moment, but a loaded one. Without going into spoilers, because there are more than a few surrounding this particular look, the yellow dress Katniss wears is her most innocent-looking. Cinna designed it to showcase the softer side of the “girl on fire,” and the color was to be more like candlelight than flames. More President Snow And Effie Trinket We’ll take as many teases of the supporting players as possible, like the brief glimpse we get of Donald Sutherland’s likely first scene in the movie as President Snow. “Welcome! And Happy Hunger Games!” he says via a big-screen monitor transmitting the opening of the games from the Capitol. His voice has the perfect amount of gravitas and disturbing excitement for the upcoming bloodbath. And the puffiness of his white hair only adds to his menacing-but-stately look. Plus, we get a little more from uppity type-A escort Effie Trinkett, who eats up anything and everything official from the Capitol. “I just love that!” she says breathily after President Snow kicks off the reapings. Head to MTV’s NextMovie for a chance to win a “Hunger Games” prize pack, including two tickets to the premiere! Check out everything we’ve got on “The Hunger Games.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Jennifer Lawrence And Josh Hutcherson

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New ‘Hunger Games’ Trailer: Five Key Scenes

Mac Miller Shows Off His Favorite Pittsburgh Studio

ID Labs producer E. Dan tells MTV News, ‘There’s definitely a sound within the people that work out of here.’ By Rob Markman Sayez and Mac Miller Photo: MTV News Contrary to popular belief, Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller didn’t grow up together. Though they both hail from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, are signed to Rostrum Records and have jumped out into the national spotlight, the bond that they share didn’t start in the streets of the ‘Burgh — but instead at ID Labs music studio. E. Dan opened ID Labs in 2003, and since then he’s recorded some of the city’s biggest hits inside the dusty, vinyl-laced studio. Wiz Khalifa’s classic 2010 mixtape Kush & Orange Juice and a huge chunk of his gold major-label debut Rolling Papers were recorded in ID Labs, as was Mac’s Best Day Ever mixtape and his #1 debut Blue Slide Park. The studio has been pivotal in Mac’s development, so a few hours before his first homecoming show on December 9 , he took MTV News on a tour of ID Labs. “There’s definitely a sound within the people that work out of here,” E. Dan says of his studio and its in-house producers, Big Jerm and Sayez. “It’s hard for me to say what an actual definitive sound of Pittsburgh is; I think it’s probably a combination of a lot of stuff. We’re not in New York; we’re not in L.A.; we’re not in one of the epicenters of hip-hop. I feel like, we’re, if anything, a combination of all that.” Mac Miller returns to Blue Slide Park. Sledgren, who isn’t technically a part of the ID Labs production team but frequently works out of the studio, remembers what it was like coming up with a sound for Wiz’s Kush & Orange Juice . “We were just young goin’ to the club, knowing what everybody wanted to hear, and we just gave that our own twist,” he said of how he and Wiz came up with tracks like “Never Been.” For Sayez to think that two artists of Wiz and Mac’s magnitude just so happened to come out of ID Labs is mind-blowing. “That’s just crazy that two of the major players in today’s hip-hop culture, music culture are doing it so big that they just happened to come through this building,” he said. “Everybody who worked in this building … put in ridiculous amounts of work and sacrificed so much to be able to put out good music and be there and try and get the city movement goin’.” Wiz Khalifa motivates Pittsburgh’s up-and-coming artists. The fact is, both Khalifa and Miller have the option of working in higher-end studios with more notable producers, but the fact that they choose to keep coming back to the ‘Burgh to work in ID Labs speaks fathoms. “It felt great, Wiz coming back to work on his album because he could’ve worked with anybody,” Big Jerm said of the Rolling Papers sessions that took place in ID Labs. “He could’ve been in with Pharrell, but he chose to come back here. I think it’s just comfortable for him, he’s comfortable with us. I think it’s a good situation for everybody really.” Stick with MTV News all week as Mac Miller takes us back to the ‘Burgh and spotlights the city’s vibrant hip-hop scene. Related Videos Back To The ‘Burgh With Mac Miller And Wiz Khalifa Related Artists Mac Miller

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Mac Miller Shows Off His Favorite Pittsburgh Studio

Bruce Springsteen Added To Grammys Lineup

Katy Perry, Adele and Rihanna are also slated to perform at the February 12 awards show. By Gil Kaufman Bruce Springsteen Photo: WireImage Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will join the already superstar-heavy lineup of performers booked for the Grammy Awards on February 12. The 20-time Grammy-winning rock icon will take the stage to promote his upcoming studio album, Wrecking Ball, the first release since the death last summer of saxophone player and Springsteen right-hand man Clarence Clemons . In addition to Springsteen, the producers of the 54th annual Grammys announced another round of presenters as well, including actor Jack Black, Fergie, Roots drummer ?uestlove and Beatles drummer Ringo Starr. Other presenters include Drake, Gwyneth Paltrow, Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley. The Springsteen announcement came just a day after Katy Perry was also added to the show. The currently blue-haired pop star is up for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for her feel-good empowerment track, “Firework.” Adele announced her Grammy appearance on Tuesday. The long-rumored performance marks her first since a November vocal surgery. “I’m immensely proud to have been asked to perform at this year’s Grammy Awards,” Adele said. “It’s an absolute honor to be included in such a night and for it to be my first performance in months is very exciting and of course nerve-racking, but what a way to get back into it all.” Rihanna, Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Kelly Clarkson, Jason Aldean and Nicki Minaj are also confirmed to perform live at the show, which will be hosted by LL Cool J. What Grammy performance are you looking forward to the most? Leave your comment below! Related Photos 2012 Grammy Performers Related Artists Bruce Springsteen

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Bruce Springsteen Added To Grammys Lineup

‘Jersey Shore’ Star Snooki Not Pregnant

‘There’s no truth’ to reports that she and boyfriend Jionni LaValle are expecting a child, rep tells MTV News. By Jocelyn Vena Snooki Photo: MTV At this point, Kristin Cavallari stands as the only MTV reality starlet expecting a bundle of joy. On Wednesday (February 1), a rumor began to spread that “Jersey Shore” star Snooki is pregnant with her first child. But those rumors, it seems, are false. “There’s no truth to the reports,” a rep for the MTV star told MTV News. So, what led everyone to believe that Snooki might be a mom very soon? Well, a source close to the star reportedly told Radaronline.com that she and her boyfriend Jionni LaValle (who is featured on the show) had been telling only close friends and family that they were expecting a baby. “She’s been telling people that she has a big announcement coming,” the source said, adding that the baby may have been a story line in the upcoming Snooki/JWoww spin-off. For now, Snooki’s lovable onscreen antics will remain baby-free. In a recent interview with MTV News, she opened up about season five of “Jersey Shore,” which finds the crew back in their native Seaside Heights, New Jersey, battling their usual set of drama, partying it up Jersey-style and — in a more serious moment — momentarily bidding housemate Vinny goodbye . “I think in Italy it was all drama because we missed home and obviously some people were stirring up unnecessary, fake rumors in the house,” Snooki told MTV News about this season. “So when we get back to Jersey, you’re gonna see that pan out more.” Related Videos Jersey Shore (Season 5) | Ep. 4 | Highlights Jersey Shore | After Hours | Ep. 502 Related Photos Jersey Shore (Season 4) | Snooki

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‘Jersey Shore’ Star Snooki Not Pregnant

Black Keys To Unveil ‘Gold On The Ceiling’ Video On MTV

Clip premieres Monday, February 6, at 7:54 p.m. ET on MTV, with exclusive interview to follow on MTV.com. By James Montgomery The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach in the “Gold on the Ceiling” music video The Black Keys continue to roll with their El Camino album , and now, they’re taking MTV along for the ride. On Monday, February 6, at 7:54 p.m. ET on MTV, the band will premiere their brand-new video for “Gold on the Ceiling,” during “MTV First: The Black Keys.” And then, immediately following the clip’s debut, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney will sit down for an exclusive 30-minute interview that will stream on MTV.com. In that interview — filmed last weekend before the Keys’ sold-out show in Berlin, Germany — the dynamic duo discuss their rather improbable rise to fame, the current state of rock music, and what’s next (a new album already?!?). They also answer questions submitted by fans via Twitter. After the premiere of the “Gold on the Ceiling” video (which features footage from the band’s album release concert, which streamed live on MTV Hive), the clip will go into rotation on mtvU and MTV Hits, and will premiere on MTV.com, VH1.com and AMTV the following morning. The video will also debut on “MTV2’s 120 Minutes With Matt Pinfield” on February 10 as part of a special Grammy-themed episode, and VH1’s “Top 20 Countdown” on February 11. It all gets underway Monday, February 6, at 7:54 p.m., with the world premiere of the “Gold on the Ceiling” video on MTV, and then rolls on with MTV News’ 30-minute interview following immediately after on MTV.com. It’s been quite a ride for the Black Keys so far, but trust us, you haven’t seen anything yet. What are you hoping for from the “Gold on the Ceiling” video? Leave your comments below! Related Videos The Black Keys Are Coming To ‘MTV First’ Related Artists The Black Keys

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Black Keys To Unveil ‘Gold On The Ceiling’ Video On MTV