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J. Cole To Open Eminem/Jay-Z New York Concerts

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Roc Nation MC will warm up Home and Home Tour crowds. By Mawuse Ziegbe J. Cole Photo: C. Flanigan/FilmMagic One of Jay-Z’s promising Roc Nation signees will warm up the crowd when Hov and Eminem’s Home and Home Tour hits NYC. Fayetteville, North Carolina, MC J. Cole will open for the hip-hop gods when their joint show heads to Yankee Stadium next week, according to RapRadar.com . The Warm Up mixtape rapper will open the show along with VMA nominee B.o.B, who worked his magic at the tour’s Detroit outings. Upstart MC J. Cole is the latest addition to a tour lineup that has been heavy on historic appearances from rap greats. Inimitable beatmaster and hip-hop pioneer Dr. Dre, G-Unit boss 50 Cent and Toronto star Drake all surprised thousands of fans at Jigga and Shady’s Comerica Park shows last week. The opening slot is another milestone in what has shaped up to be a major year for Cole. After becoming the first artist to ink a deal with Jay’s Roc Nation imprint and stepping out on tour with the rock-star MC last year , Cole was dubbed a Freshman ’10 rapper by XXL magazine in March . The same month, the MC headlined his first NYC show, ably satisfying the city’s finicky music fans. In July, he was a top-five finalist for MTV News’ “Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2010” and can be heard on the smoky hit R&B single “All I Want Is You” from fellow newcomer Miguel. Cole’s single “Who Dat” has hit the airwaves, and the rising lyricist told MTV News earlier this year that he’s checking out the successful blueprint his mentor Jay established when it comes to rolling out his debut LP. “You might have an incredible single or an incredible song, and if you just set it up the wrong way, it won’t go as far as it could’ve went,” he said. “I feel like Jay’s last album had the perfect setup, single-wise. So it’s really about finding the right setup, and then from there, it’s up to the people to decide.” Before Eminem heads to New York, he’ll be opening the 2010 VMAs on Sunday night in Los Angeles. Are you going to the Home and Home shows in NYC? What are you expecting from the concerts? Let us know in the comments below! The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The party starts with MTV News’ VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday. Related Videos Detroit Goes Wild For Jay-Z And Eminem Landmark Show Related Photos Jay-Z And Eminem Make History In Detroit Related Artists Eminem Jay-Z

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Florence And The Machine’s VMA Performance Will Be ‘Otherworldly’

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘We want viewers to watch it and say, ‘That was spectacular,’ ‘ awards-show exec producer says. By James Montgomery Florence Welch at her VMA rehearsal on Friday Photo: John Shearer/Wireimage.com LOS ANGELES — Florence and the Machine have performed at award shows in the past, but they’ve mostly been back at home in the U.K., and they’ve definitely never been as eye-catching, ambitious and downright exuberant as her upcoming performance at Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards . It’s a matter of necessity. After all, around the rest of the world, Florence Welch is a very big deal, a critical and commercial darling with an armload of hits and a devoted fanbase. But here in the U.S., she’s just starting to break through, thanks in no small part to “Dog Days Are Over,” a triumphant tune that’s recently become the soundtrack to many a TV show and commercial (most recently, it appeared in trailers for Julia Roberts’ “Eat Pray Love”). So her VMA performance is clearly a big deal, another (rather large) steppingstone on her way to Stateside success. And, somewhat accordingly, everyone involved with the show is aiming high. “People have heard the song on television, but maybe those people haven’t made the connection to Florence the artist, so that’s part of what her performance is going to be about,” Dave Sirulnick, VMA executive producer, told MTV News. “It’s going to be beautiful, breathtakingly done and otherworldly. And maybe it will help launch her here in the States. We want viewers to watch it and say, ‘That was spectacular.’ ” Judging from what we saw in rehearsals Friday (September 9), that may very well be the reaction. Part classic revue, part joyous sing-along, part kinetic, hippie-esque freakout, it’s a strangely perfect summation of Welch herself, not to mention a rather fitting tribute to her VMA-nominated “Dog Days” clip. There may not have been any explosions (or floral arrangements) — like Welch promised when we spoke to her Thursday — it hardly mattered. This is definitely going to be a big performance, one people are going to be talking about. And yes, they’ll probably be saying, “That was spectacular.” The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The party starts with MTV News’ VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday. Related Videos VMA 2010 Exposed Related Photos VMA 2010: Rehearsals Related Artists Florence and the Machine

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Eminem’s VMA-Opening Performance Will Be A ‘Triumph’

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘It’s a testament to the year he’s had, his return to the top,’ awards-show executive producer says. By James Montgomery Eminem Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage Eminem’s voyage from the depths of addiction to the top of the Billboard albums chart is perhaps the music story of 2010, so it’s fitting that he’ll head into Sunday night’s Video Music Awards as the most-nominated male artist , with nods for Best Male Video, Best Hip-Hop Video and, of course, Video of the Year for his massive “Not Afraid.” And, given all that, it’s equally fitting that he’s opening the show too. While the details of his performance have been kept a closely guarded secret, we now know a few bits of key information: He will be drawing heavily from both his rocky road to redemption and his triumphant ascension back to the top. “Eminem is opening the show, and the theme of his performance is ‘triumph,’ ” VMA executive producer Dave Sirulnick told MTV News. “It’s a testament to the year he’s had, his return to the top. “He tells a story, and the viewers will definitely pick up on that.” Rehearsals for Em’s performance are sure to be a closed-set affair, so we’re a little short on specifics, but it sounds very much like he’ll be taking his fans on a personal voyage. Of course, that’s part of why his Recovery has been such a huge success: He doesn’t flinch, and he doesn’t hide from the truth. The album is an incredibly personal listen, not to mention a particularly brave effort. And come VMA night — where he’s the odds-on favorite to take home plenty of hardware — he’ll continue to get personal and continue to be brave. It’s what makes him the best in the business, really. The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The party starts with MTV News’ VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday. Related Videos VMA 2010 Exposed Related Photos A Decade Of Eminem At The VMAs 2010 Video Music Awards Performers And Presenters Related Artists Eminem

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‘World Of Jenks’ Documents ‘Different Subcultures In America’

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Filmmaker Andrew Jenks sleeps with the homeless, parties with rapper Maino in new series premiering Sunday night after the Video Music Awards. By Nuzhat Naoreen Andrew Jenks Photo: MTV News At 19, Andrew Jenks, star of MTV’s newest documentary series “World of Jenks,” wanted to know what it would be like to live in a nursing home. So, he packed up his bags, grabbed a few friends and moved in, capturing the entire experience along the way on film. The resulting documentary, “Room 335,” earned him tons of recognition and would serve as the basis for his new show, which premieres on September 12, right after the 2010 Video Music Awards . In the series, Jenks immerses himself into the lives of a variety of people. “I move into all these different subcultures in America and try to get an understanding of what is really going on,” said Jenks, who started making documentaries as a child living abroad in order to capture the culture around him. So far, his latest project has had him sleeping on the streets and partying with rap star Maino . “You know, we’ve done everything from living with a homeless girl in San Francisco to living with an animal rescuer in Miami, to living with a high school football star in West Texas,” said Jenks, who spends about a week with each individual. “I’ve been able to move into all different sorts of weird, funny, interesting, dynamic, unique, situations and really experience them firsthand, and been able to capture them with our cameras.” Of course, the experience hasn’t been without its challenges. Jenks has put his life on the line more than once while filming the show (he said going undercover with an animal rescuer was particularly risky) and has been attacked by bystanders who don’t appreciate being filmed. “When we moved into the streets of San Francisco, we thought the homeless kids might kind of be into it,” said Jenks. “But they hated it. They hated us. They didn’t want people filming them.” His subjects, however, such as a young autistic man who was initially cautious of letting Jenks into his life, have generally warmed to him rather quickly. “I think with a lot of the subjects, it’s a matter of showing that I sincerely care, and I do,” said Jenks, adding that he keeps in touch with the people he films. “I want to get to know who you are and what you stand for.” Jenks will be at the VMAs on Sunday, but said his mind will be elsewhere. “I think I’ll be kind of jittery and waiting for the episode to air,” he said. Watch “World of Jenks” Sunday night at 11 p.m. ET, right after the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The party starts with MTV News’ VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday. Related Artists Maino

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Usher’s VMA Performance To Be Worthy Of A ‘King’

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Awards-show executive producer teases Ush’s ‘best televised dance routine’ in years. By James Montgomery Usher’s VMA rehearsal on September 9 Photo: Ciel VanderVeen/MTV The success of Usher’s “OMG” is as much a testament to his unyielding popularity as an artist as it is his ability to, well, dance his ass off. That’s particularly apparent in the Video Music Award -nominated video for the song, which features Ush and a bevy of beauties popping, locking, pivoting and posing in ways we never thought possible. Quite simply, the man can move. So when it came time to plot out his VMA performance, well, Usher’s team — and the brain trust behind the show — didn’t have a whole lot of trouble coming up with a concept. The dancing was going to be front and center. The only question was: How could they take things to the next level. “We all sat in a room and came up with a concept for the stage, and then we took that concept to Usher,” VMA executive producer Dave Sirulnick told MTV News. “We said to him, ‘We want to do the best televised dance routine that you’ve done in years. Let’s show why you’re the king.’ ” And Ush’s Sunday night performance is very much an affair worthy of royalty. Full of eye-popping moves, hip-dipping dancers and more special effects than a Hollywood blockbuster, it makes full use of not just the epic VMA stage (which practically engulfs the entirety of Nokia Theater), but the space behind it. While we can’t give away too many details, based on the rehearsals we saw Thursday, the off-the-wall choreography is only part of the attraction. There are lasers and LED lights, stunts, slides and even some props. Like we said, it’s kind of like a Hollywood blockbuster. And kind of a coronation too. After all, Usher is the king. The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The party starts with MTV News’ VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday. Related Photos VMA 2010: Rehearsals Related Artists Usher

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Lady Gaga, Eminem Are Sure VMA Bets, Oddsmaker Says

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Justin Bieber, Muse are also favorites according to sportsbook manager Richard Gardner. By James Montgomery Lady Gaga Photo: Derek Storm/ Splash News The Moonman winners (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday. Related Videos VMA 2010 Exposed Live From The 2010 Video Music Awards Revealed: MTV Video Music Awards Related Photos 2010 Video Music Awards Performers And Presenters Lady Gaga Leads The 2010 VMA Nominees Related Artists Lady Gaga Justin Bieber Eminem Muse

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Florence And The Machine Singer Wants Eminem’s Autograph At The VMAs

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘The first single I ever bought was ‘The Real Slim Shady,’ Florence Welch admits. By James Montgomery Florence and the Machine’s Florence Welch with MTV News’ James Montgomery Photo: MTV News Ever since she was announced as a (rather unexpected) multiple MTV Video Music Awards nominee last month, things have gotten sort of weird for Florence and the Machine ‘s Florence Welch . It’s not so much the awards show thing — back in her native U.K., they have become mainstays at shows like the Brits and the Q Awards — as it is the overwhelming number of questions Welch has had to answer about fellow VMA nominees Eminem and Lady Gaga (both of whom have videos up against her “Dog Days Are Over” clip for Video of the Year).

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Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Other VMA Stars Get Expert Fashion Advice

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Experts dish their advice for making the best-dressed list … and avoiding the worst-dressed list. By Jocelyn Vena Lady Gaga at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards Photo: Paul Warner/WireImage The VMA show is a stomping ground for eclectic fashion — both good and bad. And that means that when the show kicks off on Sunday with everyone from Lady Gaga to Ke$ha to Katy Perry hitting the red carpet, people will be talking by the watercooler for days to come about what those fashionistas wore to the big show. In the past, Lady Gaga has stunned at the VMAs in her Victorian-style dress, Perry has embraced her pinup-girl roots, and Taylor Swift has sparkled and dazzled in sequins. While it’s unknown who will show up wearing what to Sunday’s big show, some fashion experts have some key advice for staying off the worst-dressed list. Faran Krentcil, Nylon magazine’s digital director, credits Gwen Stefani as a VMA fashion “do” and says that the only way to make the best-dressed list come Sunday is to make the effort to be on it. “I think you have to first decide that you want to be on the best list because some people just want attention. So if you want attention, then do whatever you want,” she advised. “What you need to do is get a good stylist to help you pick stuff out. You need to worry a lot more about what looks good on your body than what’s trendy and probably take whatever you’re the most proud of in your music and translate that into fashion.” Celebrity stylist Derek Roche advises that if you want to do VMA fashion right, resist the desire to overdo it. “I think the easiest way is not to think. It’s about simplicity,” he explained. “People think they have to go and be all dolled up and they have to compete with Rihanna and Beyonc

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VMA Choreographer Promises ‘Epic’ Moves

Posted on September 9, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘So You Think You Can Dance’ alum Travis Wall is ‘stoked’ for the show. By Kelley L. Carter, with reporting by Saimon Kos Choreography rehearsal at the 2010 VMAs on Thursday Photo: MTV News So you think you’re ready for some hot dance sequences at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards ? Sounds like you’re going to get them.

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Rick Ross Promises ‘Dopest MTV VMAs Ever’

Posted on September 9, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘It’s the best of music, it’s the best of performances, it’s the best host and the dopest set,’ he teases. By Shaheem Reid, with reporting by Saimon Kos Rick Ross Photo: MTV News On his album Teflon Don, Rick Ross said he feels like Big Meech, Larry Hoover and MC Hammer. On Thursday (September 9) in Los Angeles, the imposing Miami hitmaker said he felt like onscreen Marine Jake Sully. The Bawse has a very special surprise contribution to this year’s MTV Video Music Awards . On Thursday afternoon at the Nokia Theatre, with his A&R/ video director Spiff TV not too far away, Ricky Rozay praised this Sunday’s extravaganza. “This is gonna be the dopest MTV VMAs ever,” Ross predicted. “I’m letting you know. Not only because I’m a part of it, but when I walked into the auditorium where the VMAs are being held, I felt like I stepped off a ship on Pandora. If you ever saw the movie ‘Avatar,’ that’s the feeling. Everything feels big, everything feels futuristic. It feels space-age. We got the dopest female in late night hosting the show, Chelsea Handler. She’s on fire right now. She’s sizzling. She’s sexy as ever. “But as soon as I walked in, just the ambiance from the show, it overtook me, watching the rehearsal,” he continued. “Get ready to tune in. Make sure if you never watched the MTV Video Music Awards, make sure this is your first one. And if you have [seen one], expect the game to be stepped up 2,000 percent. … It’s the best of music, it’s the best of performances, it’s the best host and the dopest set I’ve ever seen ever. This is Pandora.” The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The party starts with MTV News’ VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday. Related Videos VMA 2010 Exposed Related Photos Behind The Scenes At The 2010 VMAs Related Artists Rick Ross (Hip-Hop)

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