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50 Cent’s Headphones Sales Will Benefit Feeding America Charity

Sale of each headset will provide 250 meals, rapper tells MTV News. By Nadeska Alexis 50 cent Photo: MTV News 50 Cent ‘s entrepreneurial efforts are currently dedicated to pushing his new line of SMS Audio headphones, but the music mogul has also put a charitable spin on the venture. During the NYC launch party for his new tech gear, Fif told MTV News that proceeds from each pair of headphones will be donated to charity. “Because of my Street King initiative , with every purchase there’s a meal being provided through the United Nations World Food Programme,” he said. “And with this actual project, I decided I wanted to do something here in America. So for every pair of these headsets that are sold domestically and online through SMSAudio.com , 250 meals will be provided by Feeding America, which is our leading charitable organization against hunger.” Over the past few months, 50 has been outspoken about the need to fund charitable organizations, using sales from his Street King energy drink to launch a campaign focused on feeding “a billion kids.” “I think business is the answer for finding finances for situations that have been unanswered and untouched,” 50 added. “If young entrepreneurs follow in my footsteps, with having a charitable business model that actually gives back, then you don’t have people standing at Occupy Wall Street , because they’re aware that the major corporations are conscious of them.” 50 Cent’s SMS Audio headphones are priced at $299.99 for a standard pair and $399.99 for the wireless version. They’re available in white, black and blue through SMSAudio.com. Related Artists 50 Cent

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50 Cent’s Headphones Sales Will Benefit Feeding America Charity

‘Dark Knight Rises’ Needs More ‘Aggressive’ Chanting

‘If you want to be heard, get a little louder,’ composer Hans Zimmer tells fans contributing to film’s soundtrack. By Kara Warner Hans Zimmer Photo: MTV News Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer made Batman fans’ dreams come true earlier this year when it was announced they would have an opportunity to contribute to “The Dark Knight Rises” score by recording and uploading their own versions of an official chant at UJAM . On top of that, fans got an early listen of the chant via the first photo reveal of Tom Hardy as Bane . Now, with a few lucky audiences getting early glimpses of the highly anticipated film via its six-minute prologue , there is more of the chant to hear, which has us wondering if it will be part of Bane’s theme in the movie. When MTV News caught up with Zimmer himself recently, we asked how it’s been scoring for the seriously villainous Bane and how much of the chant will be in the film. “Chris [Nolan] and I came up with the idea of the chant a long time ago. I had this great idea, or maybe Chris and I did, of hundreds of thousands of people chanting. Well, as soon as you say the words hundreds of thousands of people, there goes the privacy, because you have to let people know what you’re doing.” Zimmer said the original chant that was used for the big Bane reveal was made with just a few of his closest friends, so he has very high hopes for what has been sent in from fans already. “It’s nice to have the whole world join in on a chant. My only problem is that they’re so well-behaved on the chanting right now,” he said. “If anybody goes onto UJAM right now, I need a little bit more. If you want to be heard, get a little louder, get a little more aggressive,” he encouraged. So is this great big collaborative chant Bane’s theme in the film? “It’s not necessarily his through-line; it will be an aspect of it,” Zimmer said. “Right now we’re all focusing on the chant because that’s all you guys are hearing. It’s a very small part of the score, but I think there is something wonderful about finding a way of having the people who really care for this movie be participants in this movie.” Check out everything we’ve got on “The Dark Knight Rises.” For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com .

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‘Dark Knight Rises’ Needs More ‘Aggressive’ Chanting

John Leguizamo Pushes Boundaries In MTV’s ‘Pioneers’ Speaker Series

‘I’m coming into the party, I’m going to be somebody and you can’t stop me,’ actor says of his career pursuits. By Kara Warner, with reporting by Sway Calloway John Leguizamo Photo: MTV News Triple-threat talent John Leguizamo has made a career out of pushing boundaries, not being afraid to speak his mind and never taking no for an answer. As such, we were proud to have him as part of our MTV Pioneers Speaker Series, where he sat down with MTV News’ Sway Calloway to talk about breaking the mold, not being typecast and what success means to him over a career that has included roles in film, television and on Broadway . One of his many groundbreaking roles was the beloved character Chi-Chi from “To Wong Fu, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar,” a role to which Leguizamo said he gave 100 percent. “I just went all out. I wanted awards and sh–, so I wasn’t playing,” he joked about his motivations for taking on the character. “I was going to take no prisoners. I was on a vegetarian no-protein [diet], so all my muscles would disappear. I stopped training, I would just run like crazy. In the movie, they were great, we did a lot of research. We went to all the drag queen clubs, like Escuelita, which used to exist here [in New York City], with all the Latin drag queens, and we had a godmother drag queen who would put us through the paces every day,” he recalled of his transformation with co-stars Patrick Swayze and Wesley Snipes. “We worked every day for hours and hours every day until we could get it perfectly drag queen-like.” When asked about how he approached being a minority and how that affected his decisions, Leguizamo said that you have to know what you want and go for it. “You’ve got to be thoughtful about your career. When you’re a minority — and I don’t really even like that word anymore because we’re not as minority as we used to be — you have to think about what you’re saying and what you’re leaving behind. When I was a little kid, we didn’t see [ourselves] on TV or anywhere. It was weird because you didn’t feel like you were a part of the American fiber,” he recalled. “Latin people, we have a 45 to 50 percent dropout rate in this country, and I understand that. It’s a tragedy and shouldn’t be happening, but you understand it. You don’t feel connected in that positive way that your people and you are going to make it, and ‘this is your chance and this is your opportunity,’ no, you feel like you’re not really a part of it. “You have to crash into the party even if you’re not invited,” he said, indicating that those who have dreams of “making it” have to carve out their own career paths. “I was going to be that guy, I didn’t care I wasn’t invited. ‘I’m coming into the party, I’m going to be somebody and you can’t stop me.’ ”

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John Leguizamo Pushes Boundaries In MTV’s ‘Pioneers’ Speaker Series

Katy Perry Calls MTV Artist Of The Year Title ‘Validating’

‘To be Artist of the Year, a whole 365 days, that’s pretty cool,’ she says in a video acceptance speech. By Jocelyn Vena Katy Perry Photo: Getty Images Katy Perry was everywhere in 2011, and thanks to that pop-culture takeover, she was named MTV’s Artist of the Year . The honor is the culmination of an insanely busy year for Perry, but she still found a few minutes to send a big “thank you” to everyone for her incredible success over the past 12 months. “Hi everyone at MTV! I just want to say thank you for this amazing award,” she said in a video message. “To be Artist of the Year, a whole 365 days, that’s pretty cool.” Perry beat out fellow superstars Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Lil Wayne during our Best Artists of 2011 debate, which makes the win that much more unbelievable for the pink-haired singer. “I wasn’t really allowed to watch MTV growing up, so this feels really validating,” she said. “And I’ve had a fantastic year, a great tour and a great run, and you guys have been so a part of it and such a big reason why. So thank you so much. I really appreciate it.” Perry was all over the radio in 2011, thanks to hit singles like “E.T.,” “The One That Got Away” and “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.).” She appeared on the big screen in “The Smurfs” and the small screen hosting “Saturday Night Live.” She hit the road for her California Dreams Tour, kept us captivated with videos like the VMA-winning “Firework” and “E.T.” and always had us talking, whether it was about what she was wearing, tweeting or saying. And, oh yeah, “Firework,” also happens to be MTV’s #10 Song of the Year . As 2011 comes to an end, Perry will kick off the new year with Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for “Firework.” Stick with MTV as we count down the Best of 2011 , including the top Artists , Songs , Live Performances and EDM Artists of the year. Related Videos Best Artists Of 2011 Debate Related Photos Best Artists Of 2011 Related Artists Katy Perry

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Katy Perry Calls MTV Artist Of The Year Title ‘Validating’

Adele Is Evanescence’s Artist Of The Year, ‘Big Time’

‘It’s been cool to watch her succeed, because it’s just someone who’s truly talented, no gimmicks involved,’ Amy Lee tells MTV News. By James Montgomery Adele Photo: Dave Hogan/ Getty Images In 2011, Evanescence rose again, ending a four-year hiatus with a chart-topping new album , a pair of booming singles and a triumphant tour. So as the year draws to a close and MTV reveals our picks for the Best of 2011 , we’re reaching out to a host of acts who dominated and defined the past 12 months to get their take on the year in music. And, really, there are few that both dominated and defined quite like Evanescence did. That’s why we had to ask frontwoman Amy Lee who she’d name as the year’s best artist. And her answer is sort of shocking, given that she fronts one of the loudest bands in rock. Then again, her pick did have, without question, one of the biggest years of any artist, in any genre. “My artist of the year? Adele. I think this was, big time, her year, [and] I’m just so happy to see her succeed the way she has,” Lee said. “I know she got a bunch of Grammy nominations … and it’s awesome. It’s been cool to watch her succeed, because it’s just someone who’s truly talented, no gimmicks involved.” Lee didn’t stop her praise for the British singer there. She also chose Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” as her song of the year (hey, so did we! ), proving that, though she’s spent most of 2011 resurrecting her band and reclaiming the rock throne, she also found time to listen to the radio. All this week, watch “AMTV” on MTV every day at 8 a.m. ET for our Best of 2011 lists. Then, come to MTVNews.com at 5 p.m. as we reveal our top picks of the year! Related Videos Foster The People, Florence Welch, More Pick Their 2011 Favorites Best Artists Of 2011 Debate Related Photos Best Artists Of 2011 Related Artists Adele Evanescence

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Adele Is Evanescence’s Artist Of The Year, ‘Big Time’

Golden Globe Noms Celebrated By Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep

Owen Wilson, Elton John, Zooey Deschanel and more react to nominations. By Kara Warner Leonardo DiCaprio Photo: Kiyoshi Ota/ Getty Images Setting aside the Golden Globe snubs and shockers for a moment, there’s a lot of love flowing from the grateful chosen parties. MTV News has gotten very gracious and thrilled reactions from Globe nominees in film and television, including Leonardo DiCaprio , Elton John and David Duchovny. “I’m honored to be nominated by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association today,” DiCaprio said in a statement after his nomination for Best Actor in a Drama for “J. Edgar.” “I was extremely humbled to work alongside [director] Clint [Eastwood] and the entire cast of ‘J. Edgar,’ and am very excited to be recognized for my work on the film. Thank you.” “I’m thrilled to be included in this beautiful group of actors and actresses,” 25-time nominee Meryl Streep said of her Best Actress in a Drama nomination for “The Iron Lady.” “I’m very proud of our movie and look forward to seeing everyone at the party in January.” “It is an absolute honor to be nominated,” said Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical nominee Owen Wilson in a statement, who also picked up a SAG nomination for his work in Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris.” “It was a great movie to work on, and I couldn’t be happier to be recognized by the HFPA.” “I’m very touched by the HFPA’s recognition of ‘The Descendants’ among so many other fine films this year, and I’m particularly gratified by the inclusion of Shailene Woodley along with George Clooney for acting honors,” writer/director Alexander Payne said in a statement of his Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay nominations for “The Descendants.” “I’m looking forward to the Golden Globes dinner and hope they provide a low-sodium option.” Elton John received his second nomination for Best Original Song for “Hello Hello,” which he wrote with longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin for Disney’s animated feature “Gnomeo & Juliet”: “I am just thrilled that Bernie and I have been nominated for a Golden Globe. What a great end to a fantastic year!” John won the award in 1995 for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from “The Lion King.” Spanish director Pedro Almod

Howard Stern To Judge On ‘America’s Got Talent’

‘Goofy acts are not going through,’ Stern promised. By Gil Kaufman Howard Stern Photo: MTV News After months of speculation, Sirius satellite radio host Howard Stern confirmed on Thursday (December 15) that he will join the judging panel of one of his favorite reality TV shows, NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” “I’m going to be Piers [Morgan] on steroids,” Stern promised, in reference to former lead judge Piers Morgan. “It’s going to be a no-nonsense judge … I’m going to go there as a serious judge … It’s gonna be something else … I am very excited.” On his satellite show on Thursday, Stern was joined by his long-time agent, Don Buchwald, who made a rare on-air appearance to present the show’s host with the official contracts for his new gig. Stern took great pleasure in joking about how he was going to be back with NBC, the company that famously fired him in 1985 for his lewd on-air behavior on his WNBC radio show. “I am very happy for you because I know how much you love this show,” said longtime sidekick Robin Quivers. “I will find the next superstar,” Stern promised. Stern said Buchwald got a call several months ago from the producers of the show asking if the radio icon would be interested in joining the program’s judging panel, which also includes his good pals Sharon Osbourne and Howie Mandel. “I get a lot of offers, so when Don called me he said, ‘I don’t know why I’m even telling you this … I know you watch the show.'” But to Buchwald’s surprise, Stern said he was very interested in joining the cast of the show that he has obsessed over and dissected many a morning on his satellite broadcast, often bragging that he would be a superior judge on the series. “This nonsense of Howie and Sharon putting through less than talented people has got to stop,” Stern thundered. “Under my administration there will be no Frank Sinatra impersonators winning for the year. If people think I’m the crazy man, I am not. I am the voice of reason,” he said, railing against some of the acts that have gotten through in the past that he would not abide by. “Goofy acts are not going through.” One of the biggest questions was how Stern — who famously does not like to travel or fly — would handle taping the Los Angeles-based show and still host his New York based radio program. “I think the show’s going to be even more exciting from New York,” said Stern, confirming that the production would move across the country to accommodate his desire to stay on the East Coast. “It will not interfere with here,” he promised, saying that he would fly around the country for auditions, but would not be interrupting his morning routine on Sirius/XM on a regular basis. He said he will start taping the first audition episodes in February. A spokesperson for NBCU could not be reached for comment at press time.

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Howard Stern To Judge On ‘America’s Got Talent’

Best Artists Of 2011

From Mother Monster to the Throne, MTV counts down the top 10 artists of the year. By MTV News staff Lady Gaga Photo: Getty Images In 2011, Beyonc

Best Songs Of 2011: MTV Readers React

Music fans agree Adele ‘killed 2011’ with ‘Rolling in the Deep,’ but they have their own favorites too. By James Dinh Adele Photo: Columbia After MTV’s roundtable of experts chose Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” and Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass” as the top two Best Songs of 2011 , music fans made their opinions heard, sharing their picks or voicing support for the chart-topping ladies and the rest of the top 10. Adele received plenty of backup for her Song of the Year win, including from Facebook user Cavisha Brown: “Guys, Adele killed 2011 with ‘Rolling in the Deep’ and ‘Someone Like You.’ Adele for the win!” Another Facebook fan, Alvaro Magui

Madonna Inks Deal With Interscope

Singer reportedly signs for three albums at rate of $1 million each. By Jocelyn Vena Madonna Photo: Getty Images As Madonna inches closer to the release of her in-the-works album, a report has surfaced that the Queen of Pop has signed a deal with Interscope Records, making her labelmates with music superstars like Lady Gaga and Eminem. The report first appeared in the New York Post early Wednesday (December 14), and a source confirmed the deal to Billboard . Madonna will reportedly work with the label on three records for $1 million each. Reps for the singer and the label had not responded to MTV News’ requests for comment by press time. Madonna will also remain with Live Nation, with whom she signed a deal in 2007. Currently she has a 10-year “360 deal” worth upward of $100 million that covers touring and merchandise. Live Nation CEO Irving Azoff hinted back in February that a merger could happen for the star sometime this year. Live Nation always had intended to partner with a record label for the release of Madge’s next album. “Live Nation, prior to the merger, entered into some of these all-rights deals, so there are certain artists, Madonna being one of them, that there is a recorded-music strategy,” Azoff said. “Once she gets the album recorded, we’ll sit down with her and her manager, Guy Oseary, and figure out what’s best for the record. It has to start with the music.” A source tells the New York Post, “It’s just about keeping relevance so that she can tour. She is still in the demo phase, but the idea is to get the first album out early next year.” Madonna is expected to drop her highly anticipated album this spring. In February, she’ll not only release her film “W.E.,” but she’s also slated to take the stage during the Super Bowl halftime show . She just shot the video for her song “Give Me All Your Love,” which features Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. The shoot made headlines when Nicki tweeted about kissing Madonna on the set of the clip, directed by the Megaforce. Are you looking forward to new music from Madonna? Tell us below! Related Artists Madonna

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Madonna Inks Deal With Interscope