Brand turned himself in on the misdemeanor warrant on Thursday. By Gil Kaufman Russell Brand Photo: Getty Images It was a quick trip to the police station for Russell Brand on Thursday afternoon. The British comedian turned himself in at the New Orleans Sheriff’s office in connection with an iPhone tossing incident and he was swiftly booked on two misdemeanor counts of simple criminal damage to property valued at $700 and then sent on his way. According to TMZ, Brand was sprung from jail in short order after posting $5,000 bond in the case, in which he is accused of grabbing a photographer’s iPhone and tossing it through the window of a downtown law office. An arrest warrant was issued for Brand on Wednesday and the “Arthur” star made no attempt to hide his part in the phone flap. Earlier this week he responded to the news by posting on his Rustyrockets Twitter feed, writing, “Since Steve Jobs died I cannot bear to see anyone use an iPhone irreverently, what I did was a tribute to his memory.” Paparazzo Timothy Jackson filed a police report immediately after the incident that claimed “criminal damages.” Jackson got his phone back and Brand agreed to pay for the window, but police still issued the warrant. TMZ also reported that Brand’s people have already paid for the broken window, handing over $240 to repair it last night. Brand is the second celeb to run afoul of the law recently after grabbing someone else’s phone. Last month,
DJ Pauly D And Dev Will host ‘2012 mtvU Woodie Awards” Special This Sunday. By MTV News Staff Mac Miller performs at the mtvU Woodie Awards during SXSW Photo: FilmMagic It was a Mac Miller kind of night at the
Singer is adjusting to the fame that’s followed the success of ‘Somebody That I Used to Know,’ her collabo with Gotye. By Christina Garibaldi Kimbra Photo: Getty Images You may have heard her voice on Gotye’s smash hit “Somebody That I Used to Know,” but everyone will soon be familiar with her name: Kimbra. The New Zealand pop singer will take the stage Thursday (March 15) at the 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards Festival during SXSW. So what can fans expect from this newcomer when she hits the stage? Well, MTV News caught up with Kimbra last month in New York, and she told us all about her live performances. “Live experience is definitely quite different,” she said. “I think the record shows a more intimate or reflective side of what I do, but the live show is all about showing more of that aggression.” After working on her debut album for more than three years, the 21-year-old singer/songwriter released Vows in Australia in 2011. It includes catchy and diverse songs like “Cameo Lover” and her latest single, “Good Intent.” Kimbra is set to release Vows in the U.S. on May 22; this version will feature additional songs that she recorded Stateside. “I started working on it when I was 17; now I’m 21,” Kimbra said of the LP. “I think there was a lot of development that needed to happen before I felt like I had something to say musically and lyrically. So yeah, there were some frustrating moments making the album, but I’m glad I took the time I did to make it, and I’m happy with it now. I definitely explore a lot on the album. It’s called Vows, so it talks a bit about the idea of commitment and making promises, but also breaking promises and how you deal with that.” Kimbra has a refreshing yet soulful sound, which she credits to her eclectic taste in music. “It’s hard to describe in a few words,” she said of her sound. “But I’m definitely influenced by some R&B. I also loved musical theater as a kid, so I think that’s what brings more theatrical elements to the music. I’d like to think it’s Prague-pop or something like that. I like to think it’s progressive in some way, but still pop music at the end of the day.” Kimbra is still trying to get used to the newfound fame that’s come with the success of Gotye’s hit. The video, which features the pair without clothing, currently has over 111 million views on YouTube . “We did vocals to that song, at least my verse, in my bedroom, [and] really chilled out,” Kimbra said of recording the track. “I think at the time we were like, ‘Yeah, it’s a cool song,’ but we didn’t think it would be quite what it’s been, so I think it’s a humbling experience for both of us.” Following her performance at the Woodies fest, Kimbra will be hitting the road with Gotye in March and will be back on tour in May with Foster the People . The Woodies invade SXSW on March 15 with the Woodies Festival. The best of the 2012 mtvU Woodies will air on MTV and mtvU on March 18 at 8 p.m. ET. Related Videos 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards Festival Performances Related Photos 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards Festival: Performances 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards Nominees Related Artists Kimbra
50 will perform his debut Get Rich or Die Tryin’ in its entirety at the March 16 show. By Rob Markman 50 Cent Photo: Johnny Nunez/ WireImage The South by Southwest music festival just got a little more star-studded. Just two days after Jay-Z’s livestream SXSW concert was announced, the folks at Eminem ‘s label announced the “Shady 2.0 SXSW Showcase.” 50 Cent will headline the March 16 concert at Austin Music Hall and perform his 2003 debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, in its entirety. The Shady veteran isn’t the only draw: The label’s more recent signees Yelawolf and Slaughterhouse will also take the stage to rep the label. There’s no word yet if Slim Shady himself will show up, but Big K.R.I.T., Schoolboy Q, Action Bronson, Don Trip, STS and the Foodchain are sure to take the stage. MTV News correspondent and Shade 45 radio host Sway Calloway will host the evening. Jay-Z’s SXSW concert will be livestreamed on YouTube on Monday at 8 p.m. ET and then rebroadcast in an on-demand format on YouTube, Twitter and Xbox LIVE the next day. As of press time, there had been no announcement concerning a broadcast of the Shady show. mtvU’s Woodie Awards also take place during SXSW, including a daylong fest of our own on Thursday, March 15, that will feature performances from Childish Gambino, Fun., A$AP Rocky, Kimbra and Chiddy Bang. Jay and Kanye West lead this year’s nominees , which also include the Black Keys, Skrillex, Mac Miller, Frank Ocean, J. Cole and many more. The 2012 mtvU Woodies invade SXSW on March 15 with the Woodies Festival. The best of the 2012 mtvU Woodies will air on MTV and mtvU on Sunday (March 18) at 8 p.m. ET. Related Artists 50 Cent
Miller and MGK, along with EDM artist Steve Aoki, talk about getting set for mtvU awards show, which returns to SXSW. By Nadeska Alexis Mac Miller Photo: Getty Images The mtvU Woodie Awards are set to be bigger and better than ever this year: The annual awards show will once again take place in Austin, Texas, at South by Southwest, where the first-ever Woodies Festival will be launched. The current lineup of performers includes Santigold , Childish Gambino, A$AP Rocky and EDM artist Steve Aoki, who is also nominated for Woodie awards alongside Mac Miller and Machine Gun Kelly. All three artists had plenty to say about their nominations during a Woodies conference call on Thursday. Machine Gun Kelly, who won MTV’s 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MC award, is nominated for Breaking Woodie , and the Bad Boy rapper is taking a rather optimistic approach to the contest. “I’m just so focused on that award and I’m trying to speak it into existence,” MGK said. “I’ve been mixing my debut album, and I’ve got a DMX collaboration and so many others, but there were people we fought to make sure we finally got them. We spoke it into existence and we really believed in it. It was the same thing with the Breakthrough award. No one expected us to win, we were the super-underdogs, so I’m just trying to speak [this award] into existence. And if I win it, my speech is going to be hilarious.” In addition to performing, Aoki is also nominated for the EDM Effect Woodie award, a new category that recognizes artists who are pushing boundaries in the electronic music arena. “The scene in America is really vibrant — a lot of the international artists are most excited to play out here,” Aoki said of EDM’s growth in the States. “Sometimes their biggest markets are out here. America is really juicy with electronic music right now. “I’m on this 60-day bus tour across the U.S. There’s no way I could’ve done this three or four years ago,” Aoki added. “We’re definitely at a really impactful time for our music scene, and I think this is just the start.” Pittsburgh rapper Miller made a splash this year with both his debut album, Blue Slide Park, and his subsequent tours, thanks to an adept social media following. He’s been nominated for both Woodie of the Year and Performing Woodie. “It’s crazy, it makes me feel like there’s no way I’m going to win,” Mac said of receiving nods in categories that include veterans like Jay-Z. “But it’s just great to be nominated with people that I grew up being some of my favorite artists. It makes me feel like I’m in the big leagues.” The Woodies invade SXSW on March 15 with the Woodies Festival. The best of the 2012 mtvU Woodies will air on MTV and mtvU on March 18 at 8 p.m. ET. Related Videos Back To The ‘Burgh With Mac Miller And Wiz Khalifa ‘RapFix Live’ With Machine Gun Kelly And Kendrick Lamar Related Photos 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards Nominees Related Artists Mac Miller Machine Gun Kelly
Superstar DJ is also nominated for the EDM Effect Woodie at the annual show, which takes place March 15 in Austin. By James Montgomery Steve Aoki Photo: Chelsea Lauren/ Getty Images Another day, another name added to the list of performers for the 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards. On Wednesday, it was Childish Gambino . Last week, it was Santigold . And before that, Fun. and A$AP Rocky . And Chiddy Bang and Kimbra , too. Now, it’s DJ Steve Aoki , who will take the stage at the annual wood-centric show, set for March 15 in Austin, Texas, during South By Southwest. In addition to performing, Aoki is also nominated for the EDM Effect Woodie, up against the likes of Avicii, Benny Benassi and Calvin Harris. Voting is now underway in all Woodies categories at Woodies.mtvU.com and will remain open until March 9. Voting in the “Breaking Woodie” category will continue through the live show on March 15. Fans can also cast ballots on their mobile phones at M.MTV.com , or by texting “VOTE” to 66333. Standard message and data rates may apply. This year, the Woodies are taking full advantage of their SXSW surroundings, kicking off with the first-ever Woodies Fest, which is open to both SXSW badgeholders and non-credentialed (yet still totally valid) music fans, and will stream live on Woodies.mtvU.com . That all leads up to the show itself at 9 p.m./8 p.m. ET/CT. Highlights from the awards will air Sunday, March 18, on MTV and mtvU in a 30-minute special. The Woodies invade SXSW on March 15 with the Woodies Festival. The best of the 2012 mtvU Woodies will air on MTV and mtvU on March 18 at 8 p.m. ET. Related Photos 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards Nominees Related Artists Steve Aoki
First-ever festival is set for March 15 at South by Southwest and will lead up to the awards themselves. By James Montgomery Chiddy Bang Photo: Patrick Ford/Redferns The 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards will return to Austin, Texas, on March 15, during South by Southwest, and they’re definitely getting in the spirit of the annual festival. First, they announced this year’s nominees , an epically diverse field that includes everyone from Jay-Z and Kanye West, the Black Keys and Skrillex to up-and-comers like Frank Ocean, Childish Gambino and Cloud Nothings. Then they announced the first round of performers for the first-ever Woodies Fest , a (grammatically adventurous) list topped by Fun., Wallpaper. and A$AP Rocky. And on Wednesday (February 22), the Woodies announced even more performers for that festival: Chiddy Bang (whom, as you might recall, previously set a Guinness World Record for Longest Freestyle during the inaugural O Music Awards), Gary Clark Jr., Kimbra (of “Somebody That I Used To Know” fame) and British singer Ed Sheeran. The 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards Festival will take place March 15 down at SXSW and is open to both badge-holders and uncredited music fans alike. The entire fest will also stream live on Woodies.mtvU.com and leads up to the awards themselves. On Sunday, March 18, the best moments from the Woodies will be broadcast in a 30-minute special airing on MTV and mtvU at 8 p.m. ET. Voting is also under way in all Woodies categories — including Woodie of the Year and the coveted Best Video Woodie — and will remain open until March 9. Voting in the Breaking Woodie category will continue during the live show March 15. Fans can cast ballots in all categories through the Woodies’ website , on their mobile phones at M.MTV.com or by texting VOTE to 66333. Standard message and data rates may apply. The 2012 mtvU Woodies invade SXSW on March 15 with the Woodies Festival. The best of the 2012 mtvU Woodies will air on MTV and mtvU on March 18 at 8 p.m. ET. Related Photos 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards Nominees Related Artists Chiddy Bang
Band reveals track list and announces Florida tour in support of sophomore album. By James Montgomery Sleigh Bells Photo: Tim Mosenfelder/ Getty Images Having already sufficiently fired up fans with a (thoroughly badass) teaser clip for their upcoming Reign of Terror album, Sleigh Bells are now revealing details about the disc — albeit in a slightly less radical way. According to a press release issued by the band’s publicist, Terror will hit stores February 14 (it’s sure to be a bloody valentine) and features 11 tracks, with appropriately Sleigh Bells-y titles like “True Shred Guitar,” “Demons” and “Road to Hell ” It was produced by guitarist Derek E. Miller, and, as the press release puts it, features “songs that are as crushing and authoritative as their title suggests; they’re effortlessly robust and heavier than any of the band’s previous output … the sonic equivalent of a beautiful shotgun to the head.” Now that’s descriptive! The Bells will also embark on a tour leading up to the release of Terror, making stops all across Miller’s home state of Florida (and nowhere else). The trek kicks off February 2 at the Florida Theatre in Gainesville, and they’ll be taking fellow Floridian Diplo along for the ride, along with Brooklyn’s Liturgy. Reign of Terror is the follow-up to Sleigh Bells’ breakout 2010 album Treats, which they rode to a thunderous performance at the 2011 mtvU Woodie Awards and a collaboration with none other than Beyonc
Brooklyn band unveils new album with a thoroughly badass teaser trailer. By James Montgomery Derek E. Miller and Alexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells Photo: Getty Images When it comes time to reveal a thoroughly badass album title, there’s really no other way to do it than with a thoroughly badass teaser trailer. And that’s exactly what Brooklyn bashers Sleigh Bells just did, premiering an ominous, thundering clip for their new album … which is called Reign of Terror. The teaser opens with a scene of the Bells’ Alexis Krauss sitting at a vanity mirror, very seriously combing her hair (while wearing a Marine Dress Uniform), then quickly switches to series of hectic, seizure-inducing live clips, interspersed with various shots of life-on-the-road ephemera (they apparently attended at least one LSU football game) and in-the-studio hijinks (Bud Light! Guns! A mirrored skeleton mask!) It’s all backed by a churning, chunky guitar track, which seems to hint that Reign of Terror is most definitely going to be a loud — if not slightly terrifying — listen. And while there’s plenty of visceral gristle in the teaser trailer, it doesn’t actually include a release date for the new album, the follow-up to Sleigh Bells’ 2010 breakout Treats (one could reasonably assume it’s due in 2012, however).The dynamic duo rode that disc hard, including a thunderous performance at the 2011 mtvU Woodie Awards , and a collaboration with none other than Beyonc
MTV News cameras capture L.A. collective’s 2011 SXSW journey. By James Montgomery, with reporting by Christopher “CJ” Smith Odd Future’s Tyler, the Creator Photo: MTV News By now, the carnage has been cleared and the backlash has already begun, but earlier this month, Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All — the 10-member Los Angeles rap collective/sleeper cell with whom we are currently obsessed — stormed the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, playing more shows than anyone could possibly fathom (officially/unofficially, the number stands at seven), leaving a path of destruction and laceration in their wake.
