Brown shows off a more polished side on cover art for upcoming album. By Sarah Brotherton Chris Brown Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Fresh off his Grammy win for Best R&B album, Chris Brown announced Thursday (March 1) that his next album, Fortune, will be released May 8. Fans have been waiting for album news since Brown dropped the single “Turn Up the Music” in January followed by a music video the next month, which racked up more than 8 million views in its first week. In addition, Brown’s second single from the album, “Strip,” is rapidly climbing the Urban Radio charts. Brown also revealed the album’s cover art Thursday, showing off a more polished side to #TeamBreezy. Donning a retro-inspired skinny suit, thin black tie and thick black-framed glasses, the cover unveils a more mature, sleek side to the 22-year-old artist. As he stands underneath a bright light shining down on him, the word “Fortune” is collaged behind him in different languages. The road to Brown’s new album release has already been a busy one. With two performances at the Grammys and a surprise appearance at the 2012 NBA All-Star halftime show alongside Pitbull, Breezy has been doing some serious PR leading up to the album drop. Brown has also stirred up some controversy in the past few weeks by lashing out at his detractors following the Grammys, collaborating with ex-girlfriend Rihanna on two remixes after assaulting her just three years ago and allegedly stealing a fan’s iPhone . Fortune is available for pre-order at ChrisBrownWorld.com with a free instant download of “Turn Up the Music,” and the album will hit iTunes for pre-sale April 10. Will you check out Brown’s latest project? Let us know in the comments. Related Artists Chris Brown
‘It’s gonna be important for just hip-hop culture and pop culture,’ Minaj tells MTV News. By Rob Markman Nicki Minaj Photo: MTV News Playtime is over and on her latest single, “Roman Reloaded,” Nicki Minaj returned to the rapid-fire rhyming that first got her noticed on hip-hop’s mixtape circuit. The Rico Beats-produced banger features pounding drums, well-timed gunshot effects and plenty of tough talk from Nicki and her Young Money boss Lil Wayne . It’s a far cry from last year’s “Super Bass” and the Harajuku Barbie’s RedOne-produced pop-affair “Starships.” “That’s just a preview of what’s to come on the album. I know what people need right now,” Nicki told MTV News in her dressing room at the Amway Center after her NBA All-Star Game performance on Sunday. Anticipation is building for Nick’s sophomore LP, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, and with a little more than a month left before it is released, many are still unsure which direction the Young Money star will take. Will the album sound more like the title track or “Starships”? Of course, there is always a middle ground. “April 3 is gonna be a doozy. It’s gonna be crazy,” Nicki said of her album release date. “It’s gonna be important for just hip-hop culture and pop culture. It’s gonna be very big.” On Thursday (March 1), Nicki unveiled her Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded album cover via Twitter . The colorful album art shows the reigning rap queen with blond hair and a mix of pink, purple and green paint covering her face. What are you expecting from Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded ? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Nicki Minaj
Hey guys! Here’s our new cover of Far East Movement’s new song “Live My Life” ft. Justin Bieber both shot and produced by us. Watch in 1080p!! Hope you all like it and make sure to subscribe for more! http://www.youtube.com/v/5Wev85hUuO4?version=3&f=videos&app=youtube_gdata View original post here: Live My Life – Far East Movement ft. Justin Bieber (Cover)
His new album, Born and Raised, is also slated for the spring. By Jocelyn Vena John Mayer Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images John Mayer announced he needed vocal surgery last fall, and now he’s back and ready to hit the road. On Monday (February 27), the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter announced plans for a spring tour , his first outing in nearly two years. The 18-date trek will kick off April 9 in Bloomington, Indiana, before wrapping up May 6 in Phoenix. The tour will be in support of his forthcoming new album, Born and Raised, which will be released sometime around the outing. The album’s lead single, “Shadow Days,” hits radio Monday. The tour will help raise funds and awareness for the Northern California Institute of Research and Education, which “provides veterans with a healthy reintegration into civilian life.” Mayer will auction off tickets to the shows to help raise money for the organization. Born and Raised will feature production from Don Was, and Mayer will get some vocal and instrumental help from singers David Crosby and Graham Nash, keyboardist/pianist Chuck Leavell, bassist Sean Hurley and drummer Aaron Sterling. On tour, Mayer will be joined by guitarist and vocalist David Ryan Harris, guitarist Doug Pettibone and percussionist Michito Sanchez. Previously, Mayer described the album as having “organic cowboy guitar sounds,” adding that he had this very romantic thought when it came to the album’s vibe: “What would it sound like if I wrote an album of cowboy songs on this guitar under the stars?” “Every new record I start, a new aesthetic comes in. I can’t help it,” he said about the project. “I think it’s gonna be more organic, more natural lyrics and chords and artful simplicity.” Will you check out John Mayer on tour? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists John Mayer
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE UNCUT VERSION: www.youtube.com Disclaimer: I DO NOT RAP. I AM NOT TRYING TO. Now read the description! :3 Hey guys. This video as you can tell is cover to the oh so popular Christmas song by Justin Bieber entitled, Mistletoe. My friend Niki talked to me and said she wanted to do a video with me, so this is what we came up with. Niki is a booommmb assss singer, and I am…. not a good rapper. Once again, I DO NOT RAP. I repeat! I DO NOT RAP. I am not trying to, or aspiring to be a rapper. We did this for fun, so think about that before you make your assumptions or criticism. I also apologize for the blurriness at some points, couldn’t be helped. We hope you enjoyed this video and we also hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Visit Niki’s channel and tell her I sent you! youtube.com twitter.com littlbitsofthisandthat.tumblr.com Instrumental remake provided by youtube.com Thanks For Watching. —– LINKS: Twitter – twitter.com Blog – justbeingkyle.tumblr.com Second Channel – http Fanpage – facebook.com Music: “Mistletoe” Performed By: Justin Bieber Original Video: www.youtube.com Written By: Nasri, Adam Messinger, Justin Bieber Produced By: The Messengers All Copyrights Go To The Island Def Jam Music Group. I own nothing and claim no profit or ownership of the song used in this video. Buy his album Under the Mistletoe on iTunes: itunes.apple.com Buy his album Under the Mistletoe (Deluxe Edition) on iTunes: itunes.apple.com … http://www.youtube.com/v/ixxIRWV-r58?version=3&f=videos&app=youtube_gdata See more here: Kyle & Niki – Mistletoe Cover (Justin Bieber – Mistletoe)
‘I went straight backstage and spoke to her. I just wanted to say ‘I’m so sorry,’ ‘ show’s host James Corden says. By Jocelyn Vena Adele at the Brit Awards 2012 Photo: Getty Images Adele made headlines this week when she flashed her middle finger during the Brit Awards . The singer’s naughty gesture took place when she was interrupted during her acceptance speech for the Album of the Year award for her record-breaking 21. It all went down when the show’s host, British TV presenter and actor James Corden, hit the stage mid-speech and cut her off to introduce Brit rockers Blur’s performance. In the heat of the moment, the chart-topping British songstress threw up her middle finger to the show’s producers. In an interview with The Sun , Corden opened up about the headline-making moment. “Just after Adele said thank you, people were saying ‘You have to go on now. You have to do it now.’ I said: ‘How can we cut her off?’ It was such a surreal moment, all you can hear is five people in your ear having an argument and there’s one overriding voice saying ‘James you have to,’ ” he explained. “It’s a shame but it’s a live show and what can you do? It’s one of those things. The channel will learn from it, we’ll all learn from it and rectify that and change it next year.” Corden added, “I was so upset I didn’t even watch Blur. I went straight backstage and spoke to her. I just wanted to say ‘I’m so sorry, if I had it my way …’ — but unfortunately you can’t make those calls. It would have been a wonderful TV moment for Adele to have her moment in the sun and say what she had to say.” Related Photos Brit Awards 2012: Highlights Related Artists Adele
Bieber’s Far East Movement collabo drops next week, followed by his first Believe single in March. By Jocelyn Vena Justin Bieber Photo: James Devaney/ Getty Images Fans who want to hear some new music from Justin Bieber won’t have to wait much longer. The singer has revealed that he’s set to drop not one but two singles in the very near future. First off, Bieber’s collaboration with Far East Movement , which also features Party Rockers LMFAO, drops on Tuesday. The Twitter announcement for the release included the hashtag “#LiveMyLife,” perhaps a hint as to the name of the song. The song’s producer, RedOne, recently spoke to MTV News about the track. “I did a few songs with Far East Movement, and one of the songs … to me, it’s a smash,” he said. “And Justin sang the chorus. It’s a really good song, and I think people are gonna dance like crazy to it.” In addition to the release, Bieber revealed that his first single off his forthcoming album Believe will drop in March. “And u guys keep asking. so yeah. my single is NEXT MONTH> #BELIEVE,” he wrote. Little else is know about the song, but given the caliber of talent he’s been recording with for the album of the same name, it’s certain to be something his Beliebers will look forward to. For the album, he’s hooked up with everyone from Pharrell and Rodney Jerkins to Drake, Lil Wayne, Timbaland and will.i.am. “The only conversation we’ve had about Justin’s album that we’re about to do is it’s really important that it’s the proper transition, because we’ve seen him [with] ‘Baby,’ now we’re watching him grow up,” vocal producer Kuk Harrell told us. “And we can’t just throw him into the adult game right away. It has to be the proper transition. There’s a record in between.” It’s an exciting time for Bieber. As he continues to up his professional game, he’s also about to celebrate a personal milestone: The teen star will turn 18 on March 1. Related Videos MTV First: Justin Bieber Related Artists Justin Bieber
Adele keeps it all the way real she gave the finger at last night’s BRIT Awards when she was cut off while making her acceptance speech. Adele had just won the award for British Album of the Year for 21 and was making a genuine, from the heart speech. She was saying, “Thank you very, very much. Nothing is better than coming home with six Grammies and winning Album of the Year. Nothing makes me prouder than to be British.” So that’s when host James Corden cut her off. Not only did the crowd boo, but he got the finger from Adele. At a post-awards press conference, Adele commented on her reaction, saying, “I was cut off during my speech but I wanted to thank the British public for all their support. I was held up with my voice and troubles but the album kept walking without me. I flipped the bird for the suits at the BRITS who cut me off. Sorry if I offended anyone but it was for them, not for the fans.” Adele also won for British Female Solo Artist. Giving the bird wasn’t the only reason people were talking about Adele’s fingers … she was also sporting a huge rock on her left hand, fueling talk of an engagement to her boyfriend Simon Konecki. There’s been no confirmation of that.
Young Money Barbie had that ‘Super Bass,’ conquering pop and rap landscapes to land on Hottest MCs in the Game list. By MTV News staff Nicki Minaj Photo: MTV News / Getty Images A few months before the release of his My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Kanye West took to Hot 97’s Angie Martinez-hosted radio show to promote his G.O.O.D. Friday series, but also to make a seemingly odd proclamation. “The scariest artist in the game right now … the scariest artist is definitely Nicki Minaj ,” West said. “I think she has the most potential out of everyone to be the #2 rapper of all time.” While we won’t even wade into a “hottest MCs of all time ” debate, MTV News’ Hip-Hop Brain Trust eventually voted Nicki into the plum #4 spot on the Hottest MCs in the Game VII list. In the summer of 2010, Minaj was the acid-tongued “two” to Drake’s “one” in Lil Wayne’s Young Money one-two punch. With her debut album still on the way, she was murdering features left and right. “When she hit the scene, she was just like the pretty girl alongside Wayne,” said Rahman Dukes, MTV News’ director of hip-hop news. “Drake was really the next one that everyone was looking out for.” Want to join the debate? Just hit us on Twitter using the hashtag #HottestMC! HOT STREAK Album: Pink Friday Selected Mixtapes: None Singles: “Super Bass,” “Fly” (featuring Rihanna) and “Starships” Street Bangers: “Did it on Em,” “Roman in Moscow,” “Stupid Hoe” Key Guest Appearances: Big Sean’s “Dance (A$$)” remix, Birdman’s “Y.U. Mad” and Drake’s “Make Me Proud” Meteoric Metrics: Nicki continued to dominate the singles chart thanks to “Super Bass,” which peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Business Ventures: The Barbie starred in Mac’s Viva Glam campaign and linked with OPI to launch her own nail polish. Tours: She hit the road with Lil Wayne on his I Am Still Music Tour and Britney Spears on the Femme Fatale Tour. Monumental Moment: Nicki took home the Best Hip-Hop Video VMA for “Super Bass.” Forecast: With Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded on the way, Nicki should once again rule the airwaves in 2012, but Roman is a different story … But by the time she dropped her Pink Friday debut last November, the world was on notice. Now, Nicki’s success spans the pop and hip-hop worlds, and her fanbase is just as eclectic, with young girls and “Kens” all riding for the Young Money Barbie. Minaj’s song “Super Bass” was just a bonus track on the album, but it won over fans including squeaky-clean Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez, both of whom jumped on the record, rapping along line for line to the infectious track. “Bass” may have even helped Nicki score a spot opening for Britney Spears on her Femme Fatale Tour. As far as our Hottest MCs criteria, Nicki meets them all. Her impact is undeniable and, lyrically, she holds her own when she’s playing with the boys: She stole the show on Big Sean’s “Dance (A$$)” remix and declared herself the Female Weezy on Birdman’s “Y.U. Mad.” Need more proof? Minaj shut down New York Fashion Week in September 2011. And she has conquered hip-hop’s digital landscape. “Recently, she broke the record for the most followed hip-hop artist on Twitter; her social media following is incredible,” said Nadeska Alexis, MTV’s RapFix blog editor. “She dropped the song ‘Stupid Hoe’ — people didn’t necessarily love the song [but] a week later it’s at 15 million views on YouTube.” While her songs may not always appeal to “the streets,” millions of her fans have bought into Nicki’s sound. And her performance at the 2012 Grammys , while controversial, was a huge honor and a testament to the lane she’s carved for herself. After the roundtable votes were tallied, Nicki was initially slotted at #5 with Young Money boss Wayne clocking in at #4, but several members of the Brain Trust felt strongly enough about Nicki’s accomplishments that her position warranted a second look. Hottest MCs moderator Sway Calloway called for a vote and in the end, six of the nine experts elected to move Nicki up to the #4 spot, sending Weezy down to #5. “Nicki Minaj doesn’t have to be Meek Mill, but at the same time she’s not Britney Spears,” said Steven Roberts, a segment producer/writer at MTV News. “I think Nicki Minaj is something special where she can be in the middle and she can be pop and hip-hop because I think hip-hop at this point is pop.” What do you think of our list? Sound off on MTV News’ “Hottest MCs in the Game VII” using the hashtag #HottestMC! Related Videos ‘Hottest MCs In The Game VII’ Related Artists Nicki Minaj
Chi-Town hero claims the Throne and Hottest MCs in the Game VII’s top 3 with a Twisted Fantasy and a groundbreaking joint album. By MTV News staff Kanye West Photo: Getty Images To be considered one of the Hottest MCs in the Game, a rapper has to build a solid case with lyrics and album sales, but buzz is just as important, and few artists can stir up a frenzy quite like Kanye West , who happens to have the verses and plaques to back it up. But that’s just touching the surface when it comes to why the Hip-Hop Brain Trust gave ‘Ye the #3 spot on our Hottest MCs in the Game VII list. The Chicago native set tongues wagging back on New Year’s Eve 2010, when he announced at a party in Las Vegas that his joint album with Jay-Z would arrive at the top of ’11. Although Watch the Throne didn’t actually drop until August 8, 2011, anticipation in the months leading up to its release was palpable. “Kanye came off of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy in 2010, and just the hype from that album rolled over into 2011, as he started prepping us for WTT, ” said Nadeska Alexis, MTV News’ RapFix blog editor. “Kanye was the only thing people could talk about for the first few months of the year.” Want to join the debate? Just hit us on Twitter using the hashtag #HottestMC! West and Jay teased fans with the single “H.A.M.” — later relegated to a bonus track — all while Kanye continued to push songs from his Grammy-winning solo LP. A flashy video for “All of the Lights” featured an appearance from Rihanna and generated plenty of chatter, and that folded right into the Watch the Throne hype. HOT STREAK Album: Watch the Throne with Jay-Z; My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Selected Mixtapes: None Singles: “All of the Lights” (with Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie); “H.A.M,” “N—as in Paris” and “Otis” (all with Jay-Z) Street Bangers: “Paris” remix (with Jay-Z and T.I.) Key Guest Appearances: Big Sean’s “Marvin & Chardonnay” Meteoric Metrics: Watch the Throne debuted at #1 on the album charts and has sold approximately 1.3 million copies to date, while West’s Grammy-winning solo single “All of the Lights” was certified platinum Business Ventures: Inked an official distribution deal with Def Jam Records for G.O.O.D. Music imprint; launched DW by Kanye West line at Paris Fashion Week Tours: Along with Jay-Z, West put on one of the most anticipated hip-hop tours to date in support of Watch the Throne. They grossed $48.3 million across 26 dates. Monumental Moment: Not only did Kanye add “cray” to the rap vernacular, he joined Jay in performing “Paris” a record 11 times at one of their live shows Forecast: After picking up Grammys for Best Rap Album ( MBDTF ) and Best Rap Performance (“Otis”), Kanye is currently at work on the highly anticipated G.O.O.D. album. And, of course, the second incarnation of his fashion line is getting plenty of advance buzz. In the weeks before the album debuted, Throne fans were treated to more tidbits from the project, much of which had the indelible Kanye West stamp. Animal-inspired cover art designed by Givenchy creative director Riccardo Tisci? The brainchild of Kanye West, certainly. “Jay-Z has really stood alone over the course of his career and he never really let somebody else get in the front,” said Rahman Dukes, MTV News’ director of hip-hop news, about the collaboration. “This is the one time [he let someone take control] and that’s a huge nod to Kanye’s genius.” One of the key elements in building anticipation for the album was that the Throne successfully avoided a leak. The duo even threw a grand listening session at the Museum of Natural History in New York City — select music journalists and A-list insiders from Beyonc
