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Tupac Shakur Was ‘Mad Talented,’ Phife Dawg Recalls

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Phife will appear on ‘Yo! MTV Raps: Classic Cuts’ on MTV2 on Sunday. By Rob Markman Tupac Shakur Photo: Steve Granitz/ Wireimage During its history, “Yo! MTV Raps” documented the rise of hip-hop’s most revered artists. One of rap’s most iconic figures, Tupac Shakur , gave the show many memorable moments; one in particular found a fiery ‘Pac airing out his beef with “Menace II Society” film directors Albert and Allen Hughes. Still, as controversial as Tupac was, he sure did get a lot of love. “Dude was just mad talented,” Phife Dawg told MTV News of Tupac. “He’s a human being, he’s made some mistakes along the way, blah, blah, blah, but the love was there. You couldn’t tell the ladies nothing about Tupac. Now that I live on the West Coast, I really see for myself firsthand how much love that dude gets.” Phife, a former member of A Tribe Called Quest , will appear on “MTV2 Presents: Yo! MTV Raps: Classic Cuts” on December 4. He made his bones in the early 1990s, much like ‘Pac. While they both hailed from New York, Shakur called California home. “A lot of people forget he’s originally from Harlem, went to school in Baltimore with Jada Pinkett Smith — they forget that he’s actually from the East Coast,” Phife explained. “But one thing I heard ‘Pac say is, ‘I learned the game of life from the West Coast.’ So I guess he can say West Coast is home.” When the topic of the greatest MC of all time comes up, Shakur’s name is usually mentioned, but in Phife’s opinion, when out in California, there’s not even an argument: Tupac reigns supreme. ” ‘Pac is king on the West Coast,” he said. “Nobody touches Tupac out there.” Watch “MTV2 Presents: Yo! MTV Raps: Classic Cuts” on December 4 at 12 a.m. ET, immediately after the “2011 Sucker Free Awards.” Related Videos Reminisce Over The Return Of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’ With These Classic Clips

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Jay Baruchel Joins Robert Pattinson In ‘Cosmopolis’ Cast

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Baruchel will play Pattinson’s boss in the David Cronenberg film. By Aly Semigran Jay Baruchel Photo: Steve Granitz/ WireImage Robert Pattinson just got a new (fictional) boss … and it’s Jay Baruchel. Baruchel (“How to Train Your Dragon,” “Knocked Up,” “Undeclared”) has joined the cast of “Cosmopolis,” David Cronenberg’s upcoming big-screen adaptation of Don DeLillo’s 2003 novel, according to Deadline New York . The novel is a modern reinterpretation of James Joyce’s “Ulysses.” In the film, Pattinson will play Eric Packer, a “financial wunderkind” in New York at the beginning of the 2000 dot-com bubble burst, who one day takes a major risk that could put his life in jeopardy. Baruchel, who is known for playing more reserved types, will take on the role of the company’s shy founder who also acts as Packer’s conscience in the film. The actor, who turns 29 on April 9, can add “Cosmopolis” to his growing list of projects, which includes the sequel to “How to Train Your Dragon” and the hockey comedy “Goon” . Baruchel’s casting adds to the already-diverse ensemble for Cronenberg’s “Cosmpolis,” which Pattinson heralded as a “great cast” that includes Oscar-winner Juliette Binoche, Samantha Morton, Paul Giamatti (who joked to MTV that he would “get to stalk” the “Twilight” star on set) and relative unknown Sarah Gadon , who will play Packer’s estranged wife. During a chat with MTV, Pattinson, who previously revealed that he immediately said yes to Cronenberg’s offer to appear in the film, said of his co-star Gabon, “I’ve seen a couple of things she’s done. She’s really good. She has a great face.” Pattinson said he’s currently preparing for “Cosmopolis” by “working with a dialect coach … there’s this very specific accent.” What do you think of the casting of Jay Baruchel in “Cosmopolis”? Let us know in the comments. For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Robert Pattinson

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Jay Baruchel Joins Robert Pattinson In ‘Cosmopolis’ Cast

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Baruchel will play Pattinson’s boss in the David Cronenberg film. By Aly Semigran Jay Baruchel Photo: Steve Granitz/ WireImage Robert Pattinson just got a new (fictional) boss … and it’s Jay Baruchel. Baruchel (“How to Train Your Dragon,” “Knocked Up,” “Undeclared”) has joined the cast of “Cosmopolis,” David Cronenberg’s upcoming big-screen adaptation of Don DeLillo’s 2003 novel, according to Deadline New York . The novel is a modern reinterpretation of James Joyce’s “Ulysses.” In the film, Pattinson will play Eric Packer, a “financial wunderkind” in New York at the beginning of the 2000 dot-com bubble burst, who one day takes a major risk that could put his life in jeopardy. Baruchel, who is known for playing more reserved types, will take on the role of the company’s shy founder who also acts as Packer’s conscience in the film. The actor, who turns 29 on April 9, can add “Cosmopolis” to his growing list of projects, which includes the sequel to “How to Train Your Dragon” and the hockey comedy “Goon” . Baruchel’s casting adds to the already-diverse ensemble for Cronenberg’s “Cosmpolis,” which Pattinson heralded as a “great cast” that includes Oscar-winner Juliette Binoche, Samantha Morton, Paul Giamatti (who joked to MTV that he would “get to stalk” the “Twilight” star on set) and relative unknown Sarah Gadon , who will play Packer’s estranged wife. During a chat with MTV, Pattinson, who previously revealed that he immediately said yes to Cronenberg’s offer to appear in the film, said of his co-star Gabon, “I’ve seen a couple of things she’s done. She’s really good. She has a great face.” Pattinson said he’s currently preparing for “Cosmopolis” by “working with a dialect coach … there’s this very specific accent.” What do you think of the casting of Jay Baruchel in “Cosmopolis”? Let us know in the comments. For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Robert Pattinson

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Russell Brand Reveals His Favorite Katy Perry ‘E.T.’ Look

Posted on April 1, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘Arthur’ star believes, ‘There’s bound to be some extraterrestrials.’ By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Josh Horowitz Russell Brand Photo: Steve Granitz/ Getty Images In her latest visual creation, Katy Perry takes fans to outer space as an alien looking for her lover in “E.T.” The pop princess dons crazy makeup and several artfully designed costumes as she cascades to another planet to meet her fallen love. Her real-life love, Russell Brand, revealed his favorite look to MTV News. “I like it when she’s that weird one in the beginning all made out of plastic,” he said at CinemaCon in Las Vegas about Perry’s flashy, spacey Floria Sigismondi-directed video , which dropped Thursday. Stylist Carol Beadle explained to MTV News what she had in mind when she was thinking up looks for the trippy clip. “I was looking at jelly fishes and amoebas; those words were constantly used, and we wanted it to look like a flash of an amoeba and then it coming to life,” she said. Brand’s alien love certainly doesn’t begin and end with Perry’s video. The “Arthur” star is an avid believer in all things extraterrestrial. “I happen to believe there is such a thing as extraterrestrials, and that needn’t necessarily make me a crackpot,” he confessed. “There probably are [aliens]. The universe is infinite: There’s bound to be some extraterrestrials. Let’s not worry about it.” In fact, Brand and his lady love aliens so much, they have a romantic trip planned to visit outer space . “I’m so into extraterrestrial stuff,” Perry explained. “It’s very difficult for me to look up into the sky in the middle of the night and not think that our planet is one of … a bajillion. It’s really, really small. And Russell and I are interested in anything extraterrestrial. I mean, we’re going to space!” What is your favorite look in the “E.T.” video? Tell us below!

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Bruno Mars Pleads Guilty In Las Vegas Cocaine Case

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Singer granted probation over September incident. By Gil Kaufman Bruno Mars Photo: Steve Granitz/ WireImage After winning a Grammy, getting a standing ovation from his musical peers at Sunday night’s show and announcing his upcoming co-headlining tour with Janelle Mon

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Robert Pattinson Gets ‘Hassled Too Much,’ Garrett Hedlund Says

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘He gets a lot of people following him around,’ ‘On the Road’ star say of fellow heartthrob at the Golden Globes. By Mawuse Ziegbe, with reporting by Josh Horowitz Garrett Hedlund on the 2011 Golden Globes Awards red carpet Photo: Steve Granitz/ WireImage Garrett Hedlund has already scored some unforgettable memories on the set of his Beat Generation flick “On the Road,” but getting heartthrob tips from co-star Kristen Stewart’s rumored flame Robert Pattinson is not among them. MTV News caught up with the “Country Strong” actor on the Golden Globes red carpet Sunday (January 16), and while he admitted that they chopped it up when Pattinson popped by the “Road” set to visit his lady friend, he didn’t score any gems on how to handle his budding screen-idol status. “You’re trying to milk me for great little things; I got nothing on it,” Hedlund shrugged to MTV News’ Josh Horowitz. “He’d come out to set a couple times and visit. It was great.” The “Tron Legacy” actor had fun hanging out with the world’s most famous onscreen vampire, but added that he sympathized with all the attention Pattinson has to grapple with constantly. “People just sort of hassle him around too much,” he said. “He’s a good guy, real good guy, and he gets a lot of people following him around. It’s not an easy thing.” Aside from seeing the effects of “Twilight” mania up close, Hedlund recently dished that filming “Road” had some trippy moments, including the last night of production when the actor spent time with 89-year-old Carolyn Cassady, the real-life inspiration for the book’s character Camille. “She was just so wonderful and so genuine to all of us and so happy to be there. At the end of the dinner, me and Sam Riley … walked her hand in hand up to Vesuvio’s, the bar where all these guys used to drink at. I remember the sole of her shoe had sort of come undone and started flapping, but I took off my boot and took off one of the socks and put it over the shoe so it intacted the sole. So we kept on walking,” he said. “It’s such an incredible, mind-blowing night.” We’ve got the Golden Globes covered! Stick with MTV News for photos, videos, fashion and up-to-the-minute details from the awards show. Check out everything we’ve got on “On the Road.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. Related Videos 2011 Golden Globes Red Carpet Interviews Related Photos 2011 Golden Globe Awards Red Carpet

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Nicki Minaj Tweets About Regis Philbin ‘Bootygate’ Incident

Posted on December 1, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Comments Off on Nicki Minaj Tweets About Regis Philbin ‘Bootygate’ Incident

Veteran talk-show host inappropriately touched Nicki after her performance on ‘Live With Regis and Kelly.’ By Gil Kaufman Nicki Minaj Photo: Steve Granitz/ WireImage Nicki Minaj has a lot to be thankful for this week. Her debut album, Pink Friday , is headed for a #2 bow on the Billboard 200 albums charts, with one of the highest first-week totals ever for a female rapper’s first effort. But after a bizarre incident during a Monday taping of “Live With Regis and Kelly,” the Young Money queen took to Twitter to air her feelings about the show’s legendary 79-year-old male co-host. After Minaj sang her hit single, “Right Thru Me,” on the program, Philbin and co-host Kelly Ripa came over to greet the 25-year-old MC. That’s when Philbin looked her up and down, said, “I love the way you dress,” and tapped Nicki on the rear end with his hand. After years of putting up with Philbin’s bizarre antics, even Ripa was surprised, yelping “Regis! What just happened?” Minaj tried to play it off, answering Philbin’s follow-up about how she hooked up with label boss Lil Wayne. “So, what advice does Lil Wayne give you?” an unphased Philbin asked. “Wayne tells me to go hard,” Minaj answered. “Go hard?” Philbin deadpanned to the audience’s groans. “I wish I could.” After the show, Nicki took to Twitter to answer a question from a follower who asked, “What went thru your mind when Regis had slapped ya? That was epic!” Minaj wrote back, “LOL. I was in shock!” Related Videos ‘Nicki Minaj: My Time Now’ Related Artists Nicki Minaj

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Black Eyed Peas Were ‘Still Passionate’ For The Beginning

Posted on November 30, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Comments Off on Black Eyed Peas Were ‘Still Passionate’ For The Beginning

‘For every ending is a new beginning,’ will.i.am says of the band’s new album. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Tim Kash The Black Eyed Peas Photo: Steve Granitz/ Getty Images The last album the Black Eyed Peas released was called The E.N.D., but the album didn’t signify the end for the band, instead it launched the band into a whole new era where they embraced futuristic club jams and became chart-topping sensations. On Tuesday (November 30), the group is hoping to rekindle that magic with their latest release, The Beginning. “Because the last record was The E.N.D. [and] for every ending is a new beginning that’s why it’s The Energy Never Dies, ” will.i.am told MTV News on the red carpet of the AMAs earlier this month. “We’re still showing you the energy, so let’s call it The Beginning. ” Just like their last, the Peas wanted this album to express the world around them, Will explained. ” The E.N.D. was a zeitgeist of the time, articulating that it’s the end of the era,” he continued. “We’re still passionate about music, so The Beginning [is] utilizing all the technologies, doing new things. Stuff like that, that’s The Beginning. ” Apl.de.ap said the group — which was just announced as next year’s Super Bowl halftime act — also looked at their competitors for inspiration. “Also going out, we try and check out the scene, the city and be inspired by other producers or other DJs, what kind of stuff they’re playing,” he explained. “So that’s how we keep fresh.” Leading lady Fergie explained how easy it was to record while on the road. “I mean you have to realize this album was made on tour,” she said. “Basically these guys have hotel rooms with studios in them. Now technology has allowed us to make albums in hotel rooms. They’d leave their doors open, and I’d walk in [and just start singing].” And even though they’ve been around the block a few times, Taboo said it’s important for them to feel like this really is still The Beginning for BEP. “[We have to] stay hungry and keep wanting to push the envelope,” he said. “Don’t be comfortable and settle. Will says once you start slacking off, there’s someone that’s hungrier than you. You have to stay hungry.” What’s your favorite Black Eyed Peas song? Talk about it in the comments.

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New Boyz Move On From ‘Jerkin’ ‘ With Too Cool to Care

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘It may not be jerk tracks, but it’s a lot better than the first album,’ Legacy says of group’s sophomore album. By Steven Roberts The New Boyz Photo: Steve Granitz/ WireImage The New Boyz broke onto the scene in early 2009 with their hit song “You’re a Jerk,” becoming, for all intents and purposes, the face of SoCal’s skinny-jeaned, bright-colored, fun-going jerkin’ culture. Their song helped to spread “jerkin’ ” around the country and was responsible for your younger siblings, cousins, aunt, uncles and everyone else doing the Roger Rabbit and dropping it low to the ground last summer. But like most artists, the New Boyz felt the need to either evolve or be remembered as the soundtrack to an embarrassing moment at a family BBQ. MTV News caught up with the New Boyz ahead of the release of their sophomore album, Too Cool to Care, and the duo said it was difficult telling die-hard jerkin’ fans that their new album wouldn’t have much jerkin’ music. “When we announced that the new album isn’t going to have too much jerkin’ stuff on it, they were kind of shocked,” Legacy said. “But I think they are going to be really, really satisfied with this album because it may not be jerk tracks, but it’s a lot better than the first album, which was full of jerk tracks. I promise ya’ll we’re not going to let ya’ll down with this one.” Legacy promised that they were not abandoning their jerkin’ roots, however. He said the group wanted to show themselves as artists, but also plan to release a mixtape geared more toward partying and dancing. “The album is more important,” Ben J said. “That’s the one you really look at. When you put out a mixtape, that’s the one you have fun with. So we’re going to put out the mixtape and put the club bangers, the dance tracks, whatever [on it].” Their debut album, Skinny Jeanz and a Mic, was critically well-received, as the duo impressed with their lyrics and delivery. But Legacy said he felt that many detractors were more concerned with clothes and the dance-y beats. “One of the things with Skinny Jeans and a Mic, bar-wise, delivery, we were getting off, but the tracks were so different, crazy and dance record-y that people kind of ignored that,” said Legacy. “They were more focused on these dudes wearing skinny jeans, ‘they are making jerk stuff,’ so that’s why we made sure on this second album, we let it be known that we can go in.” Related Artists New Boyz

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Kid Cudi Admits Past Cocaine Use

Posted on September 17, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I wasn’t prepared for a ’60 Minutes’ interview every time,’ Cudi tells Complex of using drugs to cope with fame. By Steven Roberts Kid Cudi Photo: MTV News Kid Cudi’s Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager remains one of this year’s most anticipated albums. But Cudi recently made headlines for other reasons, when he was arrested in June on charges of felony criminal mischief and possession of a controlled substance. Cudi opens up about his drug use, the arrest and more in a new magazine cover story. “People wanted to know a lot about my personal life and I wasn’t prepared for a “60 Minutes” interview every time,” Cudi told Complex. “Doing bumps [of cocaine], I was able to get through the day, but then I would smoke weed to calm me down — it was the only way I could get through the day without people noticing I was doing it.” Cudi has made no secret about his love of marijuana, but the rapper explained in the magazine’s October/November issue that he started using cocaine to help him get through interviews. While he claims he never thought it was a problem, he admitted his coke use was like “high-fiving death a couple of times.” It took a lot for him to open up about the substance abuse on his upcoming new album, but he wanted to be candid with fans. “I don’t feel like I need to explain myself to anyone besides the fans. My fans don’t believe sh– until they hear me say it, and those are true Kid Cudi fans. I want them to know the story.” Cudi revealed that he had a revelation as he was walked out of court. “It was really just like, ‘Man, you got it f—ing going on, and you were about to piss it all away for some bullsh–.’ Everywhere I go, people be looking at me like I’m some type of f—ing crackhead now. Nobody wants to have their f—ing name attached to a maniac, to a f—-up, so everyone distances themselves. Cudi also credited the birth of his daughter with helping him to turn things around. “She’s my best friend and she doesn’t even know it. That’s why I always told myself I’m going to make these songs for my kids, so they can follow along and know my story, if something was ever to happen to me.” The follow-up to Cudi’s debut will be a darker effort because it reflects where his life was at the time. When MTV News caught up with Cudi on the VMA White Carpet, he talked a little more about what he set out to do on Mr. Rager. “With Mr. Rager, I kind of wanted to try something different with the writing this time,” Cudi said. “It’s just me kind of telling my story, but in a different format, in a different way, just writing it in a poetic manner. I wanted to do more poetic raps, whether it’s just rhymes or stuff like that or sometimes just repeating things just to get certain lines across, just to get people thinking.” What do you think of Cudi’s admissions about his drug use? Share your thoughts in the comments. Related Artists Kid Cudi

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