Kid Ink’s Brother Juliann Alexander Releases Video Our friends at Rostrum Records just shared this new music video from their artist, Juliann Alexander called “Switch Sides.” The song was produced by Reazy Renegade. If the gyrating cakes didn’t already let you know, Juliann is a Los Angeles based rapper/artist who also happens to be Kid Ink’s kid bro. So what did you think? Juliann keeps a good circle around him. Def possible that next big hit could be his. Follow Juliann: Instagram , Twitter , Facebook.
The Pittsburgh pair refuse to look at each other in their first joint interview. By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller on “RapFix Live” Photo: Natasha Chandel/ MTV News Call them hip-hop’s odd couple. Though they both hail from Pittsburgh and are signed to local indie label Rostrum Records, Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller absolutely hate each other — well, not really. On Wednesday’s “RapFix Live,” the ‘Burgh’s finest appeared together for their first joint interview. Rather than play things straight, the pair decided to have a little fun on set. “Why is he here?” Wiz asked, throwing his hands in the air after host Sway Calloway brought Mac onto the “RapFix Live” set. “I’m getting hated on on this couch man; can I get my own couch?” Mac responded. Sway tried to play peacemaker, but Wiz and Mac weren’t having it. The two were cordial enough to sit down on the red couch together, but refused to face each other. “I haven’t seen you in a while man, you looking good,” Khalifa said, looking away from Miller trying to break the playful tension. “Thanks, wish I can say the same for you, man,” Mac responded, trying his best to hold in his laughter. A beef between Pittsburgh’s two biggest rap stars would be quite problematic, considering that the duo are planning to hit the road together this summer on the Under the Influence of Music tour . Khalifa and Miller will be joined by Taylor Gang’s Chevy Woods as well as TDE’s Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q on the nine-show run. Though they remain good friends, Wiz and Mac have built their own careers separate from each other. There are only a few low-key collaborations between the pair, but they plan to record together again soon. “Me and Mac are gonna collaborate together because that’s what I want to do, it doesn’t matter what he wants to do. What I say goes,” Wiz said in character. “We’re gonna do a song, because we’ve had a plan this whole time,” Mac revealed. “Actually I need Mac. I’m trying to use his success to boost my album because it’s about to come out,” Khalifa joked. Will you be attending Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller’s Under the Influence of Music tour? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos ‘RapFix’ Plays Hard With Wiz And Mac Related Photos Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller: Behind The Scenes Of ‘RapFix Live’ Related Artists Mac Miller Wiz Khalifa
Born to Die singer hits back at critics, saying, “I thought I looked beautiful and sang fine.” By John Mitchell Lana Del Rey on “Saturday Night Live” Photo: NBC Lana Del Rey was raked over the Internet coals following her January 14 performance on “Saturday Night Live.” Her takes on “Video Games” and “Blue Jeans” were greeted with near-universal vitriol from critics, music bloggers and even NBC News anchor Brian Williams, who in a now-infamous email to Gawker Media founder Nick Denton called her performance “one of the worst outings in ‘SNL’ history.” But the emerging pop star, whose debut album for Interscope, Born to Die, hit stores Tuesday (January 31), thinks she did a perfectly fine job on the legendary sketch show, telling Rolling Stone, “I actually felt good about it. I thought I looked beautiful and sang fine … I know some people didn’t like it, but that’s just the way I perform, and my fans know that.” Del Rey did admit to being nervous, though in a more general sense, saying live performance has never been her strong suit because she is “not a natural performer or exhibitionist” and that when she was younger she “hated the focus; it made me feel strange.” As the backlash intensified, Daniel Radcliffe, who hosted the January 14 show, came to Del Rey’s defense, telling reporters at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts nominations, “It was unfortunate that people seemed to turn on her so quickly. I also think people are making it about things other than the performance … if you read what people are saying about her online, it’s all about her past and her family and stuff that’s nobody else’s business. I don’t think [the performance] warranted anywhere near that reaction.” Del Rey echoed those same sentiments during her brief sit-down with Rolling Stone, chalking the intensity of the criticism up to people’s general disdain for her public persona. “There’s backlash about everything I do. It’s nothing new,” she told the music mag. “When I walk outside, people have something to say about it. It wouldn’t have mattered if I was absolutely excellent. People don’t have anything nice to say about this project.” Regardless of the criticism, Del Rey is moving forward. Whether she’s a particularly strong live performer or not, her Born to Die album is enjoying a mostly positive reception from music critics … those able to set aside their feelings about her as a public figure and focus on the music itself anyway. Slate ‘s Jonah Weiner commented that he liked the album more after a few listens: “The more time I spend in its company, the more I feel as though I’m approaching it on something like its own terms.” MTV News’ own James Montgomery appreciated Born to Die even more, writing that Del Rey’s set is “positively brimming with atmospherics — soaring, sonorous strings, echoing electronic boom-bap, morose, maudlin guitar crescendos — all of which imbue it with a truly epic (if not unnecessarily dramatic) scope.” The verdict on Del Rey’s musical future — and the impact the “SNL” fiasco and the endless think pieces that popped up in its aftermath — will likely come more sharply into focus this time next week when her first week sales figures are released. What did you think of Lana Del Rey’s “SNL” performance? Leave your comments below. Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Lana Del Rey Related Artists Lana Del Rey
‘With the music, it’s a whole new avenue we done opened up for kids and for people to look up to,’ Khalifa tells MTV News. By Rob Markman Wiz Khalifa Photo: MTV News Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s hip-hop roots run deep. Wu-Tang Clan ‘s RZA once called the Steel City home, and mid-1990s Death Row Records MC/producer Sam Sneed held the city down as did Dr. Dre’s production affiliate Mel-Man. Still, when Wiz Khalifa put the ‘Burgh on his back with his 2010 hometown ode “Black & Yellow,” the city had officially arrived as a hip-hop hot spot. “Everybody’s hardworking and it’s not like a big music scene out there, so when you got somethin’, you just go with it,” emerging Pittsburgh MC Chevy Woods said in a December interview. “Everybody sees the light that shines on [Khalifa] and Mac [Miller] and now it’s trickling down to everybody else.” After Wiz blew the doors off, Mac Miller came next. Though both rappers are signed to Rostrum Records, a local label, they came up separately. Khalifa has his Taylor Gang crew, while Miller has the Most Dope collective. “With the music, it’s a whole new avenue we done opened up for kids and for people to look up to,” Khalifa said of how he helped shine a spotlight on the ‘Burgh, paving the way for future MCs. “It’s a reality now out there, so it’s really important for us to just embrace ’em and motivate ’em and push ’em forward.” As a kid, Wiz moved around a bit but began to call the ‘Burgh home at an early age — particularly the rough-and-tumble Hazelwood section. “You really won’t get it if you’re not from there,” Wiz said of his hometown. “Just growing up in Pittsburgh and knowing different neighborhoods, having family there and just loving it, it’s like no other place.” As far as Pennsylvania goes, Philadelphia has churned out the most rap talent. From Schoolly D to Will Smith to Beanie Sigel’s State Property and now Maybach Music’s Meek Mill, Philly has had no shortage of rap representation. While they sit within the same state lines, Pittsburgh and Illadelph couldn’t be more different. “We always had love for Philly. It was harder for Philly to embrace us because we’re a little bit slower to them or to more East Coast towns,” Wiz said. “Philly is more East Coast than Pittsburgh. It’s closer to New Jersey and New York, so the vibe is way more fast-paced. Pittsburgh, it’s just laid-back … Midwest almost on some country stuff.” Stick with MTV News all week as Mac Miller takes us back to the ‘Burgh and spotlights the city’s vibrant hip-hop scene. Then tune in to “RapFix Live” on Wednesday at 4 p.m. on MTV.com for exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from Mac’s hometown shows. Related Videos Back To The ‘Burgh With Mac Miller And Wiz Khalifa Related Artists Wiz Khalifa
After fun videos like ‘Frick Park Market’ and ‘Party on Fifth Ave.,’ Miller gets serious in ‘Of the Soul.’ By Rob Markman Mac Miller in his video for “Of the Soul” Photo: Rostrum Records After partying on Fifth Ave., Mac Miller decided to slow things down for the fourth video from his #1 debut, Blue Slide Park. With the Ian Wolfson-directed “Of the Soul” clip, Miller simplifies his visual, electing to shoot against a brick wall with BSP -themed art painted on it. In previous Blue Slide videos like “Frick Park Market,” “Smile Back” and “Party on Fifth Ave.,” the Pittsburgh rap breakout dressed up in costume, put his acting skills on display and danced, but in his latest, he just sort of stands there — and raps. It’s all fitting, of course, when you consider the mellowed-out sound bed that production team I.D. Labs laid on “Of the Soul.” It was early Thursday morning (January 5) when Mac tweeted the YouTube link for the video, which has clocked in more than 65,000 views in about 16 hours. “Don’t even know what’s in my head anymore, though,” the 19-year old MC starts off spitting, looking into the camera wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt. There isn’t much to it — just Mac, a couple of outfit changes and three dancing beauties who blend a bit of ballet with hip-hop steps. The simplicity only enhances Miller’s bars, which ultimately deal with his growth from a regular kid to rap’s newest phenom. “Some expect me to be the greatest ever/ Hear me on the radio, sh– will change forever/ Now I’m just a pop sensation, f— ya expectations/ I’mma be the best, have some patience/ You thought that it was great then poof/ It was nothin’ but some d
‘Mac gotta win that for sure,’ Wiz tells ‘RapFix Live’ of fellow Pittsburgh rapper. By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway Wiz Khalifa Photo: Al Pereira/ WireImage Wiz Khalifa knows a thing or two about breaking through to the mainstream. In 2010, the Taylor Gang general was voted by fans as MTV News’ Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2010. He beat out J. Cole and Nicki Minaj and went on to release his debut album, Rolling Papers, then had rap fans across the word singing his hits “Black and Yellow” and “On My Level.” When it comes to the 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MC competition, Wiz is in support of all 10 of the nominees, but he does have his favorite. In a pool that includes A$AP Rocky, Future, Freddie Gibbs, French Montana, Kendrick Lamar , Machine Gun Kelly , Meek Mill , Lil Twist and Roscoe Dash, Khalifa is picking his Rostrum Records labelmate and fellow Pittsburgh MC to take it all: Mac Miller . “Those are all great names, and I’ve met all of those kids — well, some of them aren’t kids,” Wiz told “RapFix Live” on Wednesday. “But I gotta go with the hometown, Mac.” Mac Miller, like Khalifa , hails from Pittsburgh. He made a name for himself with his 2010 mixtape K.I.D.S. and its 2011 follow-up, Best Day Ever. In 2011, Mac toured the country, sold out shows and saw his “Donald Trump” single chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Miller pulled off his biggest feat, however, when his independent debut, Blue Slide Park, became the #1 album in the country. “Mac gotta win that for sure, ’cause he did the numbers, he did the tour, he got the fans, he’s got the merch,” Khalifa said. “All those guys that you named definitely had successful and fun years, but I gotta go with my hometown, Malcolm.” Each day, we’ll spotlight a new Hottest Breakthrough MC before concluding Tuesday when the polls close at 11:59 p.m. ET. The 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MC will be revealed during Wednesday’s “RapFix Live,” during which the winner will appear as our in-studio guest. There will also be a special announcement about MTV News’ upcoming Hottest MCs in the Game list and debate. To be considered a Hottest Breakthrough MC, an artist cannot have released a major-label full-length album. Finalists from 2010’s Hottest Breakthrough MCs poll will not be eligible for 2011 consideration, so unfortunately, Diggy Simmons and Travis Porter won’t be part of this conversation. Who do you think should be 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MC? Share your picks in the comments! Stick with MTV News as we profile the 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MCs before announcing the winner December 13 on “RapFix Live” — vote now! Related Videos 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MCs ‘RapFix Live’ With Machine Gun Kelly And Kendrick Lamar Related Artists Wiz Khalifa Mac Miller
We take a closer look at flick’s disappointing 11th-place debut. By Eric Ditzian Chris Colfer in “Glee: The 3D Concert Movie” Photo: 20th Century Fox All is not well with the crooning kids of New Directions. “Glee: The 3D Concert Movie” sunk at the multiplex this weekend, roping in just $5.7 million and landing in 11th place at the box office. So what happened? The film starred show faves Lea Michele, Cory Monteith and Chris Colfer, notched an A-plus CinemaScore from moviegoers under 25, and was coming off a “Glee” season that averaged more than 10 million viewers . MTV News consulted with a few industry insiders about the movie’s opening and came up with five reasons to explain the box-office blunder: The Demo Successful 3-D concert films from Hannah Montana and Justin Bieber had one thing in common: a tween-centric audience. But as Jeff Bock, box-office analyst for Exhibitor Relations, points out, that’s simply not the case with “Glee.” “True fans of the TV series aren’t just teens,” he said. “The majority of fans are adults, and they certainly aren’t the demographic that will run out to see a concert film, especially one that is in 3-D. Besides, Gleeks most likely went to see the live performances that the film is based on.” Bock argues that, for “Glee,” the more accurate comparison is not Bieber’s “Never Say Never” but “U2 3D.” That film, he said, is the only other 3-D concert doc not geared toward a younger audience. “Despite U2 being one of the most popular bands on earth, that film barely scratched $10 million,” he added. The Marketing “Glee” not only suffered from having a core audience unfriendly to 3-D concert docs, but its marketing campaign failed to attract new eyeballs. According to Brandon Gray of Box Office Mojo , “In its marketing, ‘Glee’ was strictly for the hard-core Gleeks, as it came off as redundant and self-congratulatory to more casual watchers who can see the television series for free. Despite the show’s hype, only around an estimated 500,000 tickets were sold for the movie.” Even Fox TV execs reportedly weren’t pleased with the marketing effort, with an unnamed source from that department telling Deadline , “I think it was a sh—y campaign that did not effectively communicate what the movie was or that the people who had seen it reviewed it positively. I think the feature company took a very laid-back approach, feeling their only job was to alert the core fans, and that’s not enough to fill seats.” “The Help” Even if the marketing campaign had been stronger, “Glee” still had to battle at the box office with “The Help,” Emma Stone’s segregation-era drama (which opened with $25.5 million). The concert film came out on the losing end. “It’s quite obvious that ‘The Help’ came along and scooped up the attention of a huge section of female moviegoers,” said Phil Contrino, editor of Boxoffice.com. “When you have a film that over-performs like ‘The Help,’ it causes a ripple effect, and ‘Glee’ felt the brunt of it.” The 3-D So there were problems with demographics, marketing and a crowded multiplex. But let’s not forget the public has become less receptive to 3-D in general, often choosing to go the cheaper 2-D route if the movie at hand doesn’t feel like a must-see-in-3-D event. As successful as “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2” was, for example, a majority of audiences still opted for 2-D screenings over opening weekend. For “Glee,” the public had no such option. “Overall excitement was not too high, and the lack of a regular-priced 2-D option prompted cash-strapped teens to skip the film,” wrote Gitesh Pandya of Box Office Guru . The Overexposure Finally, “Glee” found itself not only fighting external competition, but itself. Perhaps there’s just a little too much “Glee” going on at the moment. “Kids can watch the real ‘Glee’ for free on Fox and faux ‘The Glee Project’ on Oxygen, so why spend their milk money on a movie ticket?” wrote Nikki Finke at Deadline . “And maybe ‘Glee’ is just over-exposed right now and not as cool as it was initially.” Check out everything we’ve got on “Glee: The 3D Concert Movie.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: ‘Glee: The 3D Concert Movie’
‘He’s a 19-year old rap phenomenon from Pittsburgh who enjoys life and enjoys making music,’ Mac Miller tells MTV News of himself. By Rob Markman Mac Miller Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images Who is Mac Miller ? Hip-hop’s next rising star has an answer for the uninitiated: “He’s a 19-year old rap phenomenon from Pittsburgh who enjoys life and enjoys making music every day and working very hard for everything he gets.” Well, all that hard work has paid off. Miller has been named one of MTV Jams’ 2011 Fab 5 artists. Conceived in 2005 on MTV Jams, the Fab 5 is a collection of the most outstanding new hip-hop artists of the year who have made a visible impact on the road to releasing their debut albums. Fab 5 alumni include Juelz Santana, Tony Yayo, Paul Wall, Young Jeezy, Kid Cudi and Drake. This year, MTV Jams, MTV News and Sucker Free will bring you 2011’s hottest new hip-hop upstarts, including Big Sean, Future, Meek Mill, Big K.R.I.T. and now Mac Miller. The Pittsburgh MC toiled in the local underground, releasing mixtapes under the name Easy Mac until he signed with Rostrum Records and broke out with his 2010 tape K.I.D.S. (Kickin’ Incredibly Dope Sh–). “My grandpa started calling me Mac when I was born, so it stuck. It’s cool; my grandpa was a huge Mack Maine fan,” the rapper joked about his name change. K.I.D.S. was led by the Lord Finesse-sampling “Kool-Aid and Frozen Pizza,” which quickly became a fan favorite and helped grow Miller’s faithful following. “Kool-Aid” alone has since registered 13.2 million views on YouTube, and TreeJTV — the YouTube channel Mac uploads all his footage to — has more than 111 million total views. From there, Mac landed a spot on XXL magazine’s 2011 freshmen cover in April and dropped his K.I.D.S. follow-up Best Day Ever, which in turn led to a national tour. Mac is now putting the finishing touches on his independent debut album Blue Slide Park. “Blue Slide Park is a park in Pittsburgh we grew up at,” Miller told MTV News of the album’s title. “Being 2, going down slides, and then being 6, playing Little League and hanging out there, then being older coming back there to drink and smoke and party, running from the cops. And now going back there just to chill out and drink a beer.” Tune in to “RapFix Live” on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET to see a recap of all of MTV Jams’ 2011 Fab 5 inductees: Big Sean, Future, Meek Mill, Big K.R.I.T. and Mac Miller. Related Videos Fab 5 Summer: Artists To Watch Related Artists Mac Miller
With a breakout 2010 and his debut album yet to drop, the MC is one of MTV News’ 11 for ’11. By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Matt Elias Wiz Khalifa Photo: MTV News Last year, Wiz Khalifa bested his peers to be named MTV News’ Hottest Breakthrough MC , and to kick off 2011, the “Black and Yellow” lyricist has earned a nod as one of our 11 in ’11 stars to watch. “It’s great,” the Pittsburgh MC told MTV News about the honor. “I got a lot of work to do. I’ve done a lot of work to get where I’m at, but I have to keep working. And, hopefully, I’ll be the best artist of the year.” The upstart artist began his ascent years ago in the underground with a series of mixtapes and independent projects, most notably the Rostrum Records release Show and Prove and last year’s breakout Kush and Orange Juice. The lanky 23-year-old’s breezy sound and green-friendly rhymes inspired a slew of followers, which he dubbed the Taylor Gang for their dedication to the old-school Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers and their laid-back attitude. That cult following helped Wiz soar past Jay-Z prot
