Roc Nation CEO is part owner of the Brooklyn Nets, who will play at Barclays. By Carter Maness Jay-Z Photo: FilmMagic Jay-Z is adding yet another high-powered position to his impressive r
‘It all comes as a package, and you have to be ready for it,’ Aussie pop star tells MTV News of people caring about his music and personal life. By Jocelyn Vena Cody Simpson Photo: Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images With his Preview to Paradise EP out, a summer tour with Big Time Rush set to kick off next month and a rumored relationship with “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” star Kylie Jenner, Cody Simpson ‘s celebrity is definitely on the rise. And the Australian pop star understands that with a major music career comes interest in his personal life — including the prying lenses of the paparazzi following the 15-year-old as he makes his way through the world. When Simpson chatted with MTV News on Tuesday, the same day he dropped the EP, he said he’s taking it all in stride. “I’m getting there,” Simpson said. “For a while, it was always just about my music and establishing myself. I think it was a little different at first when people started taking interest in what I did other than that — the whole celebrity thing, I guess — and it’s something that I had to get used to. But, you know, it all comes as a package, and you have to be ready for it. I’m embracing it, and I love it.” These days, Simpson is focused on his career more than worrying about his road to megastardom. And, one of his main priorities is dropping his full-length album, Paradise, in October. “I just love music and I love to work hard, and that’s what I’ve been doing for the last two years since I got my record deal, and I’m more than prepared,” he said. “I’m very motivated and I always stay motivated, and I’m very dedicated to what I do when I set my mind to something. It’s pretty much the music 24/7 for me. I’m ready for this year and 2013.” Have you listened to Cody Simpson’s new EP? Share your reviews in the comments! Related Artists Cody Simpson
Aussie singer gives fans a preview of his full-length Paradise album with four-track EP. By Jocelyn Vena Cody Simpson Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images Before Cody Simpson drops his full-length Paradise album in October, he’s giving fans a bit of a preview with a four-track EP released on Tuesday (June 12). And from the looks of Preview to Paradise, there’s a mix of everything, all with that Simpson touch. “I wanted to show each aspect of the album and they all fit together well, while being diverse at the same time,” the Aussie told MTV News on Tuesday. “With my single ‘Wish You Were Here,’ it showed the dance/pop side of my album. [With] ‘Gentleman,’ I wanted to showcase the singer/songwriter aspect of what I do and I thought they all went well together as well. “My favorite song? I don’t know! It’s like having four little kids,” he added. “You can’t really pick a favorite, but I do like ‘Wish You Were Here’ because it’s a great dance song and will be my single for the summer.” “Wish You Were Here” certainly proclaims his love for pop music, and having hit the studio with two of the biggest producers/writers working in the game only adds to the song’s pure pop feel, highlighted by the song’s pulsing beat and Simpson’s swoon-worthy admissions like “All I want/ Is to be home with you.” “It’s a really great feeling when you put a song out there that you feel could compete with artists like the biggest artists out there right now. It’s amazing,” he said. “I recorded this song with amazing producers Dr. Luke … and I wrote it with Taio Cruz and they both had a lot of experience and a lot of big summer hits. It’s cool to be able to work with people that have had experience with that [and] make it as best as it can be while making it my own.” However, while “Wish” is a dance-influenced track, he notes that his musical signature isn’t in the world of churning out club-bangers. “Being a pop artist you also have to have your own little twist here and there,” he said. “I feel like when you get to know an artist and you listen to all their music you kind of start to see things that they do in songs that make it [theirs]. I play a lot of guitar. ‘Wish You Were Here’ doesn’t have too much guitar in it, but I feel like that’s uniquely me.” In addition to dropping Preview to Paradise, the singer is wrapping up his own spat of shows this week. Then he will hit the road with Big Time Rush beginning in July. The tour will kick off on July 5 in Columbus, Ohio, before wrapping up in September, just in time for him to catch his breath before his album drops on October 2. Related Artists Cody Simpson
Rapper tells MTV News police ‘misconstrued’ his four-finger ring as a weapon. By Rob Markman 2 Chainz Photo: MTV News It’s no secret 2 Chainz loves his jewelry, and while the Atlanta rapper is known to start a riot or two with his raps, he never thought his expensive trinkets would cause such a ruckus. Earlier Tuesday (May 22), 2 Chainz was arrested In New York’s LaGuardia Airport after officials found what they described as “brass knuckles” in his luggage, but it was nothing more than a four-finger ring, the rapper said. “They tried to assassinate my character, they tried to assassinate my swag,” 2 Chainz told MTV News in an exclusive telephone interview. “It was just a negative dilemma earlier where someone misconstrued a piece of jewelry for a weapon and stuff.” Police took Chainz into custody around 1:45 p.m. ET and charged him with misdemeanor possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. “The knuckles were in his personal bag and sounded the alarm,” an officer told MTV News on Tuesday. “I do exclusive pieces. My pieces are actual conversation pieces, like, literally. When you see my gold, when you see my stuff, it’s something to conversate about,” Deuce explained. “People weren’t doing four-finger rings and all that. I just like to set myself apart, so I definitely wasn’t trying to beat nobody up on the airplane or nothing.” The rapper was on his way to perform at a North Carolina concert, and when he phoned MTV from New York’s Teterboro Airport, he estimated that he spent approximately eight to nine hours behind bars. 2 Chainz eventually pleaded guilty to a lesser, unspecified charge but never got his jewels back. “Yeah, they took it from me, they took the Louis [Vuitton] case that I actually keep the jewelry in, they took that. I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “Me just trying to explain it was getting too frustrating, me just trying to explain my occupation and then when they finally got to the jail and everybody knew who I was, then they started calling their kids and putting me on the phone with their kids. It was like a weird experience.” Though he was upset about the situation, 2 Chainz chose to focus on the positive. His debut album, Based on a T.R.U. Story, is set to drop August 14, he is currently on tour with Drake, and he’s involved with Respect My Vote, an initiative that encourages young people to participate in the voting process. Now, 2 Chainz hopes to be able to put the arrest behind him. “I don’t find that intriguing. You’re supposed to make your mistakes during adolescence and use these times right here to kinda fix some of the things you did in the past, so with me I’m doing Respect My Vote, I’m doing all kind of things to try to have some positive news.” Related Artists 2 Chainz
After her French Montana collabo, Drita tells MTV News she plans to get back in the booth. By Rob Markman Drita Davanzo Photo: MTV News Drita D’Avanzo didn’t plan to be a television star. No, the “Mob Wives” star’s first dream was to rock the mic. Now, thanks to a kick-start from French Montana , the reality TV beauty has finally gotten her chance. MC Drita recently starred in French’s video for “Everything’s a Go”; she even got a chance to lay a verse over the hard-edge street track. And it was all documented on a recent episode of VH1’s “Mob Wives.” “Honestly, it was the best feeling in the world,” Drita told MTV News on Tuesday. “That really was a dream of mine, growing up since the day I was walkin’, since the day I heard rap music it was over for me.” And like so many of today’s current rap stars, young Drita was first inspired by a couple of well-regarded legends. “My first favorite rapper — and always will be — is Rakim. Eric B & Rakim Paid in Full was a tape that I destroyed, that was completely wrecked and I had to re-buy,” she said of the 1987 classic. “But when Biggie came into my life, it was completely over.” Drita’s “Wives” co-star Carla Facciolo vouched for her buddy’s love for hip-hop. “This one will just rap every single word, she don’t miss a friggin’ beat,” Carla said of Drita’s reaction whenever one of her favorite rap songs comes on the radio or in the club. D’Avanzo was so turned on by her recent experience in the booth, she revealed to us that she plans to continue to make moves in rap and drop a mixtape. “I’m workin’ on it. I’m in the studio as we speak. And I love it,” she gushed in her unmistakable Staten Island, New York, accent. Carla is supportive, but don’t expect her to drop a guest verse on the upcoming tape. “I could be in the video, maybe looking pretty somewhere, but not rapping and not singing, definitely not,” she laughed. What do you think of Drita getting in the rap game? Tell us in the comments!
Check out the vintage clip in advance of Tuesday’s ‘MTV First: Reese Witherspoon.’ By Jocelyn Vena Reese Witherspoon in 1991 Photo: MTV News Reese Witherspoon is slated to sit down with MTV News on Tuesday for an exclusive interview and premiere of a previously unseen clip from her upcoming film “This Means War.” The special, “MTV First: Reese Witherspoon,” will air on January 31 at 7:56 p.m. ET on MTV. But before we look to the future, we are going to take a peep at her past. MTV News has uncovered a precious vintage gem, a 1991 interview with the then up-and-comer. “Ever since I was 7,” the already precocious and sassy rookie told MTV News when asked whether she had always had her sights set on a career in Hollywood. “I just thought, I always wanted to do something really outgoing ’cause when I was little I was really kind of quiet, but you know, I’d always be really creative at home and stuff, and finally I started, you know, speaking out and doing little things to impress everybody.” She further explained that once she had decided that acting was something she wanted to do, she took the necessary steps to make sure she’d be ready for fame and stardom. “I started taking little acting classes and improv classes and, you know, [that] turned out to be what I was going to do,” she said. “I was always going to do something really out there, really far away. Does that make any sense? No, not really.” Later mocking herself and her answer, she teased, “That’s nice, Reese. That’s real nice.” Following the on-air “First” segment, Academy Award winner Witherspoon will stay for an additional 30-minute interview on MTV.com with MTV News’ Josh Horowitz. Fans can be part of the action right away by submitting video or text questions starting Monday on MTV.com or via Twitter by using the @MTVNews hashtag #MTVFirst. “This Means War,” the McG-directed comedy-action film, stars Witherspoon as a seductive female dating two of the world’s deadliest CIA operatives (played by Chris Pine and Tom Hardy), whose partnership and friendship are put in jeopardy when they begin to battle for her affections. Instead of talking to her about the love triangle, they try to settle the matter using all of the weapons at their disposal. The film also stars one of Witherspoon’s real-life pals, comedian and “Chelsea Lately” host Chelsea Handler, who gives Reese’s character the terrible advice that she should continue dating both men. Check out everything we’ve got on “This Means War.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com .
Rob Delaney says Kim should ‘reconsider’ Kris Humphries divorce. By Kara Warner Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian Photo: Splash News All this hullabaloo over the news of Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries’ divorce is a little overwhelming. First, there was the announcement, followed by the fan reactions and support from the Kardashian siblings . Now, there’s a lawsuit . That’s right: Concerned citizen/comedian/defender of the sanctity of marriage Rob Delaney explained his logic to MTV News thusly: “I’m suing Kim Kardashian and Ryan Seacrest and E! Entertainment Television and Comcast for perpetrating what we now know to be a hoax, their marriage,” he told MTV News on Tuesday. “It can’t be real. I want them to stay married. I want them to stick it out, so as an incentive, I am suing them for monetary damages — but only $18 million, not a lot. That’s just what she was paid for the wedding episodes themselves.” Delaney said the idea for the lawsuit has been brewing ever since he started seeing advertisements for Kardashian and Humphries’ wedding special on various billboards around Los Angeles. “I would drive to work every day, and I would see the billboards for the wedding, and they were offensive to me, because they weren’t normal billboards; they were these super billboards, where they add extra stuff on and make them larger than normal,” he said. “They’re on these super billboards with them getting ready to get married like it was some royal wedding, and then for them to immediately try and dissolve it 72 days later — they renewed their vows on ‘Ellen’ at day 60! What happened in those 12 days? It must have been bad.” Delaney said he thinks the newlyweds-no-more should make a serious attempt to work out their differences. “I will say, as someone who is married, that you are going to go through periods where you hate your spouse for 12 days — longer,” he said. That’s like a blip, and then you recover, and you figure it out together and figure out what the problem was and you grow, and these things that seem insurmountable and awful, you realize they made you stronger. “I want Kim to be happy,” Delaney insisted. “I don’t hate her. She’s a person who deserves happiness, but you have to fight and work for it. As a married man and a dad and an American, I want to make her reconsider. I don’t want the money. I mean, I’m going to take the money, but I feel like almost anybody would spend it better [than she would].” What do you think about Delaney’s lawsuit? Let us know in the comments! Related Photos Kim Kardashian And Kris Humphries: A Whirlwind Romance
Rob Delaney says Kim should ‘reconsider’ Kris Humphries divorce. By Kara Warner Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian Photo: Splash News All this hullabaloo over the news of Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries’ divorce is a little overwhelming. First, there was the announcement, followed by the fan reactions and support from the Kardashian siblings . Now, there’s a lawsuit . That’s right: Concerned citizen/comedian/defender of the sanctity of marriage Rob Delaney explained his logic to MTV News thusly: “I’m suing Kim Kardashian and Ryan Seacrest and E! Entertainment Television and Comcast for perpetrating what we now know to be a hoax, their marriage,” he told MTV News on Tuesday. “It can’t be real. I want them to stay married. I want them to stick it out, so as an incentive, I am suing them for monetary damages — but only $18 million, not a lot. That’s just what she was paid for the wedding episodes themselves.” Delaney said the idea for the lawsuit has been brewing ever since he started seeing advertisements for Kardashian and Humphries’ wedding special on various billboards around Los Angeles. “I would drive to work every day, and I would see the billboards for the wedding, and they were offensive to me, because they weren’t normal billboards; they were these super billboards, where they add extra stuff on and make them larger than normal,” he said. “They’re on these super billboards with them getting ready to get married like it was some royal wedding, and then for them to immediately try and dissolve it 72 days later — they renewed their vows on ‘Ellen’ at day 60! What happened in those 12 days? It must have been bad.” Delaney said he thinks the newlyweds-no-more should make a serious attempt to work out their differences. “I will say, as someone who is married, that you are going to go through periods where you hate your spouse for 12 days — longer,” he said. That’s like a blip, and then you recover, and you figure it out together and figure out what the problem was and you grow, and these things that seem insurmountable and awful, you realize they made you stronger. “I want Kim to be happy,” Delaney insisted. “I don’t hate her. She’s a person who deserves happiness, but you have to fight and work for it. As a married man and a dad and an American, I want to make her reconsider. I don’t want the money. I mean, I’m going to take the money, but I feel like almost anybody would spend it better [than she would].” What do you think about Delaney’s lawsuit? Let us know in the comments! Related Photos Kim Kardashian And Kris Humphries: A Whirlwind Romance
‘I don’t know if it will actually happen during this period,’ 50 says of plans to work with Kanye. By Rob Markman, with reporting by Matt Elias 50 Cent Photo: MTV News Will he or won’t he? After taking to Twitter to say he will not release another album, 50 Cent has many wondering about the fate of his upcoming, untitled fifth LP. One thing is for sure, if 50’s album is ever released , Kanye West probably won’t be a part of it. “Yeah we talked about it, both of us; and Kanye went on the radio and talked about us collaborating soon,” 50 told MTV News on Tuesday while on the set of Hot Rod’s “Hot Girl” video. “I don’t know if it will actually happen during this period, because of how much they got going on with Watch the Throne, with him and Jay doing that. I don’t know.” In 2007, ‘Ye and the G-Unit boss squared off in a famous sales battle between West’s Graduation and 50’s Curtis (if you don’t recall, Kanye won). While the competition was hyped up at the time, it doesn’t seem to be an issue anymore, and 50 is still open to the idea of working with the rapper/producer. But even without that collaboration, 50 said he has amassed quite a few songs already. “I have a lot of good ideas for it, and I just put ’em on the side and said, ‘We’ll see what happens,’ and I kept doing other things,” he said. “I have too many records right now. I recorded to the point that I have 40 songs for a CD that will have 13, maybe 14 cuts.” That is if the CD ever sees the light of day. On Wednesday morning, 50 tweeted: “Man I’m not releasing a album. I can’t believe Interscope is this f—ed up right now. I apologize to my fans.” Shortly after, Fif also threatened to leak Dr. Dre’s new single “Psycho” in retaliation for the foul treatment he felt he has received from the label. He later recanted. “I wouldn’t leak dre’s record he has done nothing but help me in my career,” 50 tweeted. “Jimmy [Iovine] has always been supportive of me.” Are you excited about the potential of a 50 Cent and Kanye West track? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Kanye West 50 Cent
Boo Rossini says the Snowman’s much-delayed TM103 is ‘almost done cooking.’ By Jayson Rodriguez Young Jeezy Photo: Prince Williams/Getty Images Young Jeezy ‘s Spidey sense must have been going off. The Atlanta rapper’s abilities have been doubted lately, as the lead-up to his forthcoming album TM103 has been postponed several times. The rousing rapper has had his musical abilities questioned after a string of poorly received records. Then the Snowman dropped “Rap Game” and “Amen” earlier this week and turned the tables on his critics. On Tuesday evening, Jeezy delivered a new mixtape, The Last Laugh, via his USDA2Day website . The rapper’s U.S.D.A. affiliate Boo Rossini told MTV News on Tuesday that Jeezy is about to shock those who thought he slipped. “Right now, the main focus is Young,” Boo, who is promoting his new record “100 (Live By It, Die By It),” told MTV News. “He’s gonna kill them when he drops. He’s almost done cooking, so watch out for that. After that, we got the U.S.D.A. project, and I’m working this single. We going into the new year trying to smash it.” In May, Jeezy dropped Trap or Die 2: By Any Means Necessary with DJ Don Cannon. He’s also released the TM103 singles “Jizzle,” “Lose My Mind” with Plies and “All White Everything” featuring Yo Gotti . His album was slated for a September release, but the scheduled date has come and gone. According to Boo, the Snowman is on top of his game. “That ain’t nothing but motivation, though,” he said of the chatter. “That’s what we thrive off of. ‘Cause the odds, we always been the underdogs. … That does nothing but add fuel to the fire, that’s all that’s doing.” Have you heard Jeezy’s new mixtape? Give us your review in the comments! Related Videos ‘Glee’ Takes On Britney Spears Related Artists Young Jeezy
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