‘Of course we can get together, he got hot beats and I got dope rhymes,’ T.I. tells MTV News. By Rob Markman, with reporting by FLX T.I. poses with Beats by Dr. Dre Photo: Ben Rose/ WireImage No matter your stature in rap, working with Dr. Dre is a pretty big deal. Newcomers like Kendrick Lamar and Slim the Mobster have seen their careers grow considerably after working with the good doctor, while veterans like Busta Rhymes and 50 Cent have marveled at Dre’s in-studio work ethic. For T.I. , however, simply working with the West Coast production king isn’t enough. He wants to develop a tighter musical bond. On Tuesday (December 28), Tip leaked a trailer for the mixtape F— da City Up that showed him and Dre working together in the studio. “Dre was here. He sent for me over to the spot. We really just turned up more than anything else. It was about creating chemistry,” T.I. told MTV News while he was in Atlanta preparing for the New Year’s Day release of the mixtape. This isn’t the first time that the King of the South has collaborated with the California legend. A few years ago, “Topless,” a song that was said to be recorded for Dre’s oft-delayed Detox , leaked onto the Internet. According to T.I., their most recent session was a fruitful one. “Of course we can get together, he got hot beats and I got dope rhymes, so we can always get together and make music,” Tip said. “But for people to feel what we’re sayin’ and for it to sound like a party comin’ through your speakers, you gonna have to create some chemistry. So that’s what we spent more time doin’ than anything else; developing that chemistry.” Related Artists T.I. Dr. Dre
Big Sean tells MTV News that 2012 will also bring his F.F.O.E. (Finally Famous Over Everything) mixtape and sophomore album. By Rob Markman, with reporting by Vanessa Whitewolf Kanye West Photo: Getty Images The ball hasn’t even dropped yet, but 2012 is already looking to be a pretty good year for hip-hop thanks to planned releases from Kanye West and his G.O.O.D. Music clan. “We’re gonna do the G.O.O.D. Music album first; we been working on that,” Big Sean told MTV News a few weeks ago on the set of Wale’s “Slight Work” video in California. “So, me, Kanye, Cudi, CyHi, John Legend, Common, Pusha T, everybody on G.O.O.D., Mr Hudson: We’re all working on a new project; it’s almost done. We’re going to London to finish it up and do the last part of it and working on my album at the same time with ‘Ye and everybody.” Last week just before Christmas, Kanye gave fans across the pond a sneak preview of his label compilation when he DJed at holiday party at LeBaron London. Not only did Yeezy spin G.O.O.D. Music tracks, he also played beats from his upcoming sixth solo album, according to a report on Rap-Up . Maybe New Year’s party-goers will get a taste too, since Kanye tweeted that he’d like to bring in 2012 on the 1s and 2s as well. “I kinda wanna DJ somewhere this New Years,” he wrote Tuesday night. Big Sean estimates that the G.O.O.D. Music album will drop in the spring, and after that, in the summer of 2012, he will be ready to deliver his sophomore album. Before that though, the Detroit MC promises to release a mixtape. Despite his major-label success in 2011, Sean recognizes that it was his mixtape grind that finally made him famous. “I’m sticking to that,” he said. “I got the new F.F.O.E. mixtape, Finally Famous Over Everything, coming, new G.O.O.D. Music album, the next Finally Famous album, so we going hard.” Which project are you most looking forward to: the G.O.O.D. Music album, Big Sean’s F.F.O.E. mixtape or Sean’s sophomore LP? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Hit-Boy Related Artists Kanye West Big Sean
Mumford & Sons, Justin Bieber, Rick Ross also prepping new material. By Gil Kaufman Photo: Theo Wargo/ WireImage The past 12 months have seen the release of monster albums from Adele , Lady Gaga , Drake , Taylor Swift , Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj . But the next 12 are promising to bring even more music from several of those artists, plus new albums from Mumford & Sons, Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Linkin Park, Paramore, Madonna, Miley Cyrus, Maroon 5 and Green Day. It’s a bumper crop of major albums from some of rock, pop and hip-hop’s biggest stars, who are returning from long breaks, hoping to follow up smash debuts or just trying to keep their momentum going. While release dates are always subject to change, here are some of the most anticipated releases of 2012. Pop : Ironically, the status of new albums from the artists whose next moves everyone is most curious about are the ones most in the air. Rihanna tends to deliver a new album every 12 or 13 months, which means that she may have another disc in stores at the end of next year once the just-released Talk That Talk has run its course. On the other hand, Lady Gaga has already begun talking about her follow-up to this year’s Born This Way. Gaga recently told MTV News that she’s already started writing songs and “all the concepts are beginning to flourish and take place.” She didn’t give a potential release date, only promising, “I’ll put it out when it’s done.” Katy Perry hasn’t publicly spoken about what will come after 2010’s smash Teenage Dream, but it’s possible she could start work on new material in 2012 as well. We know for sure that Justin Bieber is planning to show his more mature side next time around, possibly even incorporating some EDM sounds into the mix. It’s been confirmed that Madonna hooked up with M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj for the single “Gimme All Your Luvin’ ” from her untitled forthcoming album, which will feature production from Ray of Light producer William Orbit. Other artists who could release fresh material in 2012: No Doubt , Maroon 5 , Avril Lavigne , Miley Cyrus , Christina Aguilera , Ke$ha and Nicole Scherzinger . Hip-Hop : Two titans of rap are cueing up fresh tracks for early 2012, with Nicki Minaj likely to get out of the gate first with her sophomore album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, due out on Valentine’s Day. The disc will include first single “Roman in Moscow,” which sees the Best New Artist Grammy nominee getting into the character of her alter ego, Roman Zolanski. After the delay of God Forgives, I Don’t due to a pair of seizures he suffered in October, Rick Ross is expected to come back strong as well. The Bawse has taken his convalescent time to work on a new track with Jay-Z . Speaking of Jigga, fans may get a new record from him as well, considering he told MTV News he was cooking up fresh tracks way back when he first played us songs from his Kanye West collaborative album, Watch the Throne. In fact, Jay-Z said you might get solo albums from both men as well as the second Throne release. Other artists that should have albums hitting stores in 2012: Nas , Frank Ocean , Slaughterhouse , Wiz Khalifa , the G.O.O.D. Music compilation , T.I. , Big Sean , 50 Cent , Ludacris , Big K.R.I.T. , Meek Mill and potentially two discs from Lil Wayne , I Am Not a Human Being II and Rebirth II. Rock : Some of rock’s biggest guns are reloading for 2012, among them Green Day , who debuted some new tracks at a benefit show in August. The title of the follow-up to 2009’s 21st Century Breakdown hasn’t been announced yet, but some of the early songs slated for possible inclusion are “Nuclear Family,” “Carpe Diem” and “Sweet 16.” U2 have reportedly been cooking up a number of potential new albums , logging sessions with Danger Mouse and working with French producer/DJ David Guetta , RedOne and will.i.am on a disc of dance-oriented tunes. Prog rock revivalists Muse should also have some new material for us, with bassist Chris Wolstenholme promising in a recent interview that the sound on their sixth album will be “radically different” from 2009’s The Resistance. We may get something from Linkin Park , who are prepping the follow-up to 2010’s A Thousand Suns, and Mumford & Sons . It’s been two years since the British folk rock revivalists dropped their still strong-selling debut, Sigh No More, and they began giving fans a taste of some new material in the fall when they unveiled the majestic song “Ghosts.” After a rough year, Paramore have finally put the drama behind them and they’re super-psyched to record an album free of tension and inter-band awkwardness. So far, they’ve already unwrapped the bouncy “Renegade” and “Hello Cold World,” which bode well for their fourth full-length studio album. Other rock acts slated to release new albums: the reunited Soundgarden , Foster the People , Neon Trees , Sleigh Bells , Silversun Pickups , Bruce Springsteen and All-American Rejects . Which 2012 albums are you most excited about? Which ones did we miss? Let us know in comments below.
Mumford & Sons, Justin Bieber, Rick Ross also prepping new material. By Gil Kaufman Photo: Theo Wargo/ WireImage The past 12 months have seen the release of monster albums from Adele , Lady Gaga , Drake , Taylor Swift , Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj . But the next 12 are promising to bring even more music from several of those artists, plus new albums from Mumford & Sons, Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Linkin Park, Paramore, Madonna, Miley Cyrus, Maroon 5 and Green Day. It’s a bumper crop of major albums from some of rock, pop and hip-hop’s biggest stars, who are returning from long breaks, hoping to follow up smash debuts or just trying to keep their momentum going. While release dates are always subject to change, here are some of the most anticipated releases of 2012. Pop : Ironically, the status of new albums from the artists whose next moves everyone is most curious about are the ones most in the air. Rihanna tends to deliver a new album every 12 or 13 months, which means that she may have another disc in stores at the end of next year once the just-released Talk That Talk has run its course. On the other hand, Lady Gaga has already begun talking about her follow-up to this year’s Born This Way. Gaga recently told MTV News that she’s already started writing songs and “all the concepts are beginning to flourish and take place.” She didn’t give a potential release date, only promising, “I’ll put it out when it’s done.” Katy Perry hasn’t publicly spoken about what will come after 2010’s smash Teenage Dream, but it’s possible she could start work on new material in 2012 as well. We know for sure that Justin Bieber is planning to show his more mature side next time around, possibly even incorporating some EDM sounds into the mix. It’s been confirmed that Madonna hooked up with M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj for the single “Gimme All Your Luvin’ ” from her untitled forthcoming album, which will feature production from Ray of Light producer William Orbit. Other artists who could release fresh material in 2012: No Doubt , Maroon 5 , Avril Lavigne , Miley Cyrus , Christina Aguilera , Ke$ha and Nicole Scherzinger . Hip-Hop : Two titans of rap are cueing up fresh tracks for early 2012, with Nicki Minaj likely to get out of the gate first with her sophomore album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, due out on Valentine’s Day. The disc will include first single “Roman in Moscow,” which sees the Best New Artist Grammy nominee getting into the character of her alter ego, Roman Zolanski. After the delay of God Forgives, I Don’t due to a pair of seizures he suffered in October, Rick Ross is expected to come back strong as well. The Bawse has taken his convalescent time to work on a new track with Jay-Z . Speaking of Jigga, fans may get a new record from him as well, considering he told MTV News he was cooking up fresh tracks way back when he first played us songs from his Kanye West collaborative album, Watch the Throne. In fact, Jay-Z said you might get solo albums from both men as well as the second Throne release. Other artists that should have albums hitting stores in 2012: Nas , Frank Ocean , Slaughterhouse , Wiz Khalifa , the G.O.O.D. Music compilation , T.I. , Big Sean , 50 Cent , Ludacris , Big K.R.I.T. , Meek Mill and potentially two discs from Lil Wayne , I Am Not a Human Being II and Rebirth II. Rock : Some of rock’s biggest guns are reloading for 2012, among them Green Day , who debuted some new tracks at a benefit show in August. The title of the follow-up to 2009’s 21st Century Breakdown hasn’t been announced yet, but some of the early songs slated for possible inclusion are “Nuclear Family,” “Carpe Diem” and “Sweet 16.” U2 have reportedly been cooking up a number of potential new albums , logging sessions with Danger Mouse and working with French producer/DJ David Guetta , RedOne and will.i.am on a disc of dance-oriented tunes. Prog rock revivalists Muse should also have some new material for us, with bassist Chris Wolstenholme promising in a recent interview that the sound on their sixth album will be “radically different” from 2009’s The Resistance. We may get something from Linkin Park , who are prepping the follow-up to 2010’s A Thousand Suns, and Mumford & Sons . It’s been two years since the British folk rock revivalists dropped their still strong-selling debut, Sigh No More, and they began giving fans a taste of some new material in the fall when they unveiled the majestic song “Ghosts.” After a rough year, Paramore have finally put the drama behind them and they’re super-psyched to record an album free of tension and inter-band awkwardness. So far, they’ve already unwrapped the bouncy “Renegade” and “Hello Cold World,” which bode well for their fourth full-length studio album. Other rock acts slated to release new albums: the reunited Soundgarden , Foster the People , Neon Trees , Sleigh Bells , Silversun Pickups , Bruce Springsteen and All-American Rejects . Which 2012 albums are you most excited about? Which ones did we miss? Let us know in comments below.
New video shows band reunited with original singer. By Gil Kaufman Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth Photo: Michael Buckner/ Getty Images Van Halen fans got the best Christmas present of all over the weekend when the legendary Los Angeles rockers confirmed the long-standing rumor that they will be reuniting for a tour with original madcap lead singer David Lee Roth. The announcement came via a video released on Monday on the band’s official site in which the 57-year-old Roth is seen unleashing some of his classic high-kicking stage moves alongside his former bandmates guitarist Eddie Van Halen and drummer Alex Van Halen, as well as the group’s current bass player, Eddie’s son, Wolfgang. Photos: Van Halen’s early years. The black and white video shows the band mugging along to their iconic hits “Jump,” “Panama” and “Hot for Teacher” amid a shower of confetti and balloons on a club stage. The easy camaraderie belies the infamously testy relationship between Eddie Van Halen and Roth, as the pair seem to be getting along as they run around the stage of the Roxy Theatre on L.A.’s legendary Sunset Strip. The site promises that the first tickets for the reunion tour will go on sale on January 10. Van Halen’s original bass player and backing vocalist, Michael Anthony, was booted from the band in 2006 after 32 years and replaced by teenager Wolfgang. After parting ways with Roth in 1985, Van Halen rebooted with singer Sammy Hagar in 1985, enjoying a string of hit albums and songs through 1996, when Hagar was shown the door and briefly replaced by former Extreme singer Gary Cherone, who only lasted three years in the slot. After bringing Hagar back in from 2003 to 2005, Van Halen invited Roth back into the fold several years ago and toured with him in 2007 and 2008. In addition to the tour, the group are working on their first album of new material with Roth in 27 years. They recently signed to Interscope Records after spending their entire career on Warner Bros. Records. Related Photos Van Halen, The Early Years Related Artists Van Halen
Track samples classic Bob Marley and T.I.’s verse on Drake’s ‘Fancy.’ By Rob Markman B.o.B Photo: Getty Images Since B.o.B ‘s early mixtape days, the Atlanta hitmaker drew comparisons to another ATLien. With his out-of-this-world production and rap style, Bobby Ray was at times considered a new age Andre 3000 , and on the axe-wielding Bob’s latest single, “Play the Guitar,” fans finally get to hear the two together. Beginning with a bluesy guitar riff and samples based on Bob Marley’s 1973 classic “I Shot the Sheriff” and T.I.’s verse on Drake’s “Fancy,” the Salaam Remi-produced track finds B.o.B and Three Stacks flexing their rap muscles. The song, which is the next single off of Bobby Ray’s upcoming Strange Clouds LP, was released Tuesday (December 27) on iTunes. The song’s hook is built around scratched-in T.I. vocals. “B.o.B plays the guitar” is brought in and out to set up Bob’s opening verse. “Well it’s B.o.B, flyer than a stewardess/ Fresh to death like I’m dressed for a eulogy,” he raps for starters. The “Nothing on You” MC then continues to showcase his tightly packed rap flow, reminding fans of his lyrical prowess. Rhyming alongside the highly regarded OutKast great had to provide some sort of inspiration for the youngster, and 3000 didn’t disappoint. At the top of his verse, Dre begins spitting about standing atop a Church’s Chicken restaurant playing a guitar, while B.o.B stands on the roof of an adjacent Dunkin’ Donuts. Yes, it is a strange way to set off a rap verse, but it’s fitting for an MC who prides himself on individuality. Andre continues his free-wheeling rhyme, spitting about everything from the advice his grandmother has given him to an Internet rumor that he plays the violin. In the end, Three Stacks leaves something for the next generation of musicians, spitting, “I encourage any child to pick up some instrument.” Just like B.o.B. What do you think of B.o.B and Andre 3000’s “Play the Guitar”? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists B.o.B Andre 3000
DoSomething.org’s annual list ranks the 20 most charity-friendly stars. By Terri Schwartz Lady Gaga Photo: Scott Gries/ Picture Group Lady Gaga , Justin Bieber and George Clooney better have received something nice from Santa this year, because they certainly weren’t on his naughty list. Those three toplined DoSomething.org ‘s Top 20 Celebs Gone Good, the organization’s annual roundup of the most charity-friendly stars in the business. This is Gaga’s second year in a row at the #1 spot. In 2011 she dedicated much of her time to putting an end to bullying and even started a new charitable organization called Born This Way . The “Marry The Night” singer did plenty more to help out those less fortunate in 2011, including auctioning off a nude sketch for charity and performing at the Bill Clinton Foundation fundraiser . However, this was really Bieber’s year to shine. He rocketed up DoSomething.org’s list from #10 last year to #2 this year. It helps that Bieber donated some of his profits from his Christmas album, Under the Mistletoe , and his self-named perfume to various charitable organizations. Bieber also kept up his work with Pencils of Promise, a group that has built 41 schools in Laos, Nicaragua and Guatemala and was founded by his manager’s brother. Rounding out the top five were Will and Jada Pinkett Smith and Leonardo DiCaprio. This was a year for celeb power couples, with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie clocking at #8, Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore at #12 and newlyweds Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert at #14. Other notable standouts this year were Demi Lovato and #10, Lea Michele making her charitable debut at #16, Daniel Radcliffe at #17, Miley Cyrus at #18 and Taylor Swift rounding out the list at #20. What do you think of DoSomething.org’s list? Leave your comments below! Related Artists Lady Gaga Justin Bieber
Decemberists and Civil Wars also on the disc. By Gil Kaufman Taylor Swift Photo: Getty Images The soundtrack to “The Hunger Games” will feature a bumper crop of new and unreleased songs by Taylor Swift , the Arcade Fire and the Decemberists. The album will be produced by Grammy-winning producer T Bone Burnett and released before the movie hits theaters on March 23. Burnett and the group the Civil Wars got together to write an original tune for the CD with Swift, the first single, “Safe and Sound,” which was released to iTunes on December 23. The tune shot to #1 on the iTunes singles list within 24 hours of release. Also serving up fresh tracks are the Arcade Fire, who collaborated with Burnett on “Horn of Plenty,” and the Decemberists, who’ve offered up the original song “One Engine.” The rest of the lineup has not been released, but according to a press release the soundtrack will feature all new songs based on themes that figure into the movie’s storyline. Oscar-winning composer Danny Elfman recently exited the film, citing scheduling issues as he works to finish up the music for “Dark Shadows” and “Men in Black 3.” He was replaced by James Newton Howard, who is responsible for dozens of famous scores, including “Batman Begins.” Inspired by the best-selling young-adult novel by Suzanne Collins, “The Hunger Games” follows the path of 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), who is chosen to compete in a vicious televised tournament in which 24 teenagers from a post-apocalyptic society fight to the death for the entertainment of the masses. The film also stars Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth, as well as Woody Harrelson and rocker Lenny Kravitz. Lawrence will not only star in the movie, but she will also lend her vocals to the soundtrack. Producer Burnett had high praise for her singing, telling MTV it was “beautiful. She did great. She’s singing great. Killer actor too.” Fans are totally geeked about the new big-screen adaptation that could be the next-generation “Twilight” series, which is why we put together our list of the top 10 “Games” moments of 2011. What other artists do you think would fit on The Hunger Games soundtrack? Tell us on Facebook! Related Photos ‘Hunger Games’ Character Posters ‘Hunger Games’ District Seals The Hunger Games Related Artists Taylor Swift Arcade Fire The Decemberists
From Britney and Jason to K-Stew and R-Pattz, we look back at the best high-profile pair-ups of the year. By Jocelyn Vena Jason Trawick and Britney Spears Photo: Denise Truscello/ WireImage From young love to established romantic empires, 2011 was all about PDA. Some of La La Land’s most A-list couples weren’t shy about flaunting the love they share. From musicians to actors to everyone in between, the last 12 months were all about sharing the love. As the year winds down, MTV News is reflecting on some of our favorite couples of the year. Britney Spears and Jason Trawick The couple walked red carpets, gave each other shout-outs at awards shows and even got naked together in Britney’s “Criminal” video , but it wasn’t until December that they decided to make it official. After two years of dating, Spears and Trawick took their relationship to the next level, with confirmation that Jason put a ring on it . The pair celebrated their love and their impending nuptials in Las Vegas. Their engagement sparked headlines and left Spears “glowing.” Who is your top couple of 2011? Vote in our Newsroom poll! Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez Summing up Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez ‘s year into a little blurb isn’t that easy. They went to events together, and Bieber lavishly rented the Staples Center just to watch “Titanic.” And when they weren’t chilling out, they were giving shine to each other’s hard work. Or bringing each other gifts. Remember when Bieber showed Selena his pet snake, Johnson , at the VMAs? Yes, we knew you wouldn’t forget. Kristin Stewart and Robert Pattinson The two “Twilight” stars seem poised to make our favorite couples lists for years to come. While in years past, they’ve remained under the radar, this year they came out of their shell and opened up about one another in interviews. Who could forget the time that K-Stew referred to her not-so-mysterious “English” boyfriend in an interview? We’re assuming not R-Pattz. Beyonc
