Tag Archives: artists

Golden Globe Noms Celebrated By Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Owen Wilson, Elton John, Zooey Deschanel and more react to nominations. By Kara Warner Leonardo DiCaprio Photo: Kiyoshi Ota/ Getty Images Setting aside the Golden Globe snubs and shockers for a moment, there’s a lot of love flowing from the grateful chosen parties. MTV News has gotten very gracious and thrilled reactions from Globe nominees in film and television, including Leonardo DiCaprio , Elton John and David Duchovny. “I’m honored to be nominated by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association today,” DiCaprio said in a statement after his nomination for Best Actor in a Drama for “J. Edgar.” “I was extremely humbled to work alongside [director] Clint [Eastwood] and the entire cast of ‘J. Edgar,’ and am very excited to be recognized for my work on the film. Thank you.” “I’m thrilled to be included in this beautiful group of actors and actresses,” 25-time nominee Meryl Streep said of her Best Actress in a Drama nomination for “The Iron Lady.” “I’m very proud of our movie and look forward to seeing everyone at the party in January.” “It is an absolute honor to be nominated,” said Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical nominee Owen Wilson in a statement, who also picked up a SAG nomination for his work in Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris.” “It was a great movie to work on, and I couldn’t be happier to be recognized by the HFPA.” “I’m very touched by the HFPA’s recognition of ‘The Descendants’ among so many other fine films this year, and I’m particularly gratified by the inclusion of Shailene Woodley along with George Clooney for acting honors,” writer/director Alexander Payne said in a statement of his Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay nominations for “The Descendants.” “I’m looking forward to the Golden Globes dinner and hope they provide a low-sodium option.” Elton John received his second nomination for Best Original Song for “Hello Hello,” which he wrote with longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin for Disney’s animated feature “Gnomeo & Juliet”: “I am just thrilled that Bernie and I have been nominated for a Golden Globe. What a great end to a fantastic year!” John won the award in 1995 for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from “The Lion King.” Spanish director Pedro Almod

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Jay-Z Compares Running Roc Nation To ‘Having Kids’

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘When you see that someone can make it on their own … you let that talent be,’ label boss says of J. Cole. By Rob Markman Jay-Z Photo: MTV News Jay-Z isn’t a dad quite yet, but maybe his many years as a label head has prepped him for fatherhood. “I think running a label is a bit like having kids,” Hov told MTV News while in New York to promote two charitable Carnegie Hall concerts in February. The Roc Nation CEO’s answer came in response to criticism that he could have done more to endorse J. Cole , who dropped his debut, Cole Word: The Sideline Story, in September. “When you know someone needs more help, you help them,” Jigga said. “When you see that someone can make it on their own … you see Kanye or J. Cole, you see that sort of talent — you let that talent be. You let that talent find its way.” It’s no secret that a co-sign from the God MC can help anyone’s career, but in the case of J. Cole, Hov didn’t believe his Roc Nation signee needed any more than what he was given. And apparently, Jay was right. With Sideline Story, Cole debuted at #1 on the Billboard albums chart, selling more than 217,000 copies in its first week of release. To Hova’s credit, he did appear on “Mr. Nice Watch,” a braggadocios album cut off of Cole’s debut, but the guest appearance came in the ninth inning. By August, Jay had not yet contributed to the album. During a press listening session that month it was clear that Cole was not expecting the feature. “Nobody owes me anything,” he said. “Jay-Z doesn’t owe me a verse because I signed to him.” Still, Jay was watching his prot

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How Did Rihanna Sneak By Beyonce On Best Artists Of 2011?

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

It was close, but Rih’s ability to remain in the pop-culture consciousness all year places her just above the Queen B. By Jason Kaufman Rihanna Photo: Getty Images It was a showdown between two queens of pop — Rihanna and Beyonc

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Madonna Inks Deal With Interscope

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Singer reportedly signs for three albums at rate of $1 million each. By Jocelyn Vena Madonna Photo: Getty Images As Madonna inches closer to the release of her in-the-works album, a report has surfaced that the Queen of Pop has signed a deal with Interscope Records, making her labelmates with music superstars like Lady Gaga and Eminem. The report first appeared in the New York Post early Wednesday (December 14), and a source confirmed the deal to Billboard . Madonna will reportedly work with the label on three records for $1 million each. Reps for the singer and the label had not responded to MTV News’ requests for comment by press time. Madonna will also remain with Live Nation, with whom she signed a deal in 2007. Currently she has a 10-year “360 deal” worth upward of $100 million that covers touring and merchandise. Live Nation CEO Irving Azoff hinted back in February that a merger could happen for the star sometime this year. Live Nation always had intended to partner with a record label for the release of Madge’s next album. “Live Nation, prior to the merger, entered into some of these all-rights deals, so there are certain artists, Madonna being one of them, that there is a recorded-music strategy,” Azoff said. “Once she gets the album recorded, we’ll sit down with her and her manager, Guy Oseary, and figure out what’s best for the record. It has to start with the music.” A source tells the New York Post, “It’s just about keeping relevance so that she can tour. She is still in the demo phase, but the idea is to get the first album out early next year.” Madonna is expected to drop her highly anticipated album this spring. In February, she’ll not only release her film “W.E.,” but she’s also slated to take the stage during the Super Bowl halftime show . She just shot the video for her song “Give Me All Your Love,” which features Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. The shoot made headlines when Nicki tweeted about kissing Madonna on the set of the clip, directed by the Megaforce. Are you looking forward to new music from Madonna? Tell us below! Related Artists Madonna

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Afrojack ‘Amazed’ By #5 EDM Artist Of The Year Nod

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

DJ/Producer tells MTV News he’s ‘super-happy’ and looking forward to another ‘bleepy’ year. By Akshay Bhansali Afrojack Photo: Getty Images Sure, Skrillex clenched the #1 spot on MTV’s Best EDM Artist of 2011 list, but Nick van de Wall, stage name Afrojack is still celebrating. The DJ/producer had a near-perfect year, and he continues the trend with his latest accolade: a #5 ranking in MTV’s top 10. “Yooooo! I’m amazed MTV voted me #5 Best EDM Artist of 2011,” Afrojack told MTV News in a statement. “Super-happy that you guys dig my stuff so much. I’m gonna try and make your radio a little more fresh, and your clubs extra bouncy, and bleepy, in 2012. Thanks for all of [your] support and see you in 2012!!” Save for mentor David Guetta , Afrojack had more hits on U.S. radio in 2011 than any other artist in electronic dance music. Beyonc

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‘X Factor’ Backstage: Rachel Crow’s Exit Still Stings

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Nicole Scherzinger puts last week’s drama behind her to focus on Josh Krajcik and her results-show performance. By Jim Cantiello Rachel Crow performs on “X Factor” Photo: FOX MTV News’ own Jim Cantiello is exclusively covering “The X Factor” rehearsals. Read on for his fly-on-the-wall backstage report! LOS ANGELES — One week after one of the most dramatic eliminations in reality-TV history, the energy on the “X Factor” set is still uneasy. Rachel Crow’s sunny presence is noticeably absent from backstage, with the remaining four contestants taking the semifinals deadly serious. The $5 million contract is on everyone’s minds, and they’re not letting anything distract them — not even Rachel’s shocking exit . Meanwhile, the judge who facilitated Rachel’s booting, Nicole Scherzinger, was still visibly upset days after the results show. Her main-show interview, normally shot right outside the stage doors, was relocated to a quiet third-floor area for extra privacy. She couldn’t even talk about the incident in complete sentences until Tuesday. But now she’s focused on making her remaining contestant, Josh Krajcik, the first U.S. “X Factor” winner, as well as prepping a brand-new single she’ll be debuting live on Thursday night’s results show. The million-dollar question: Will the audience that booed Nicole a week ago be receptive to a performance? We’ll know soon enough! Nicole doesn’t have to stress about any more hairy decisions. From here on out, the judges have zero voting power. It’s just America’s vote, and the contestants are nervous that they won’t have their mentors in their corner when the results are revealed. Adding to the stress: a mystery bug that’s making its way around the crew. Both Chris Rene and Marcus Canty have suffered through the X-virus in previous weeks. Now the show’s last remaining female, Melanie Amaro, has been floored with it. She was more than 30 minutes late to press interviews on Monday and she barely got through her interviews with the main show, yet when it was time to hit the stage for rehearsal, you’d never know she was battling a bug. Musically, expect some exciting things from all four contestants. Chris Rene is trying his hand at a new instrument. Josh is determined to put his unique stamp on a song we’ve all heard on reality singing competitions several times before. Despite being in the bottom two three weeks in a row, Marcus refuses to give up and is rehearsing harder than ever. And Melanie has been practicing a power note that may shatter your windows. And finally, “The X Factor” was able to secure private dressing rooms for the remaining four contenders, but the show won’t let their egos get too big. After two days, they had to give them up for another production. The Cowell giveth and the Cowell taketh away. Catch Jim on “The X Factor Pepsi Preshow Live,” streaming at 7 p.m. ET tonight on TheXFactorUSA.com !

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Foster The People, Florence Welch Pick Best Of 2011

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

As MTV unveils our year-end favorites, we ask ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ rockers and Florence and the Machine frontwoman for theirs. By James Montgomery, with reporting by Matt Elias Foster The People’s Mark Foster and Cubbie Fink Photo: MTV News In 2011, we saw new acts break through to the big time and formerly new ones continue on their paths toward superstardom. We welcomed the likes of the Weeknd and Frank Ocean to the party and watched with pride as Drake and Adele marched on to greatness. But of all the year’s brand-new stars, few broke out to the degree that L.A. rock trio Foster the People did, thanks in no small part to the success of their smash hit “Pumped Up Kicks,” #7 on MTV’s Best Songs of 2011 . Of all the returning stars, none returned with the power and grace of Florence and the Machine, who wowed critics and fans with their sophomore album, Ceremonials, and stirring single “Shake It Out.” So, as MTV looks back on 2011 , we’re reaching out to a host of acts — who not only dominated the past 12 months, but also came to define them — to get their take on the year in music. And who better to ask than Foster and Florence, two artists who did both … and then some? We spoke to both bands about their favorite songs, albums and artists of 2011, and the rather diverse range of answers sort of sums up the year rather nicely. After all, outside of Adele, was there anything we could all agree on? “I’d say probably my favorite album of the year is Bon Iver’s new album , and I hope he sweeps the Grammys, because the guy’s just killing it right now,” Foster’s Cubbie Fink said. “We’re competing with him!” frontman Mark Foster laughed. “And I hope he wins!” Fink said. “I’ve listened to that album on repeat all year. It’s really amazing.” As far as their favorite artist? Well, Iver ranks pretty high, but of all the acts they listened to this year, none resonated with Foster the People quite like Swedish electro act Little Dragon. “They’ve been a favorite band of mine for a while, and we’ve got to play with them a couple times this year and see them live in a bunch of different settings,” Foster’s Mark Pontius said. “I’m always just so inspired by them live, and the new record that came out this year [ Ritual Union ] is pretty fantastic as well.” Florence Welch was inspired this year by the magnificent murk of Canadian R&B producer/singer Abel Tesfaye, better known as the Weeknd. “My favorite song of the year was the Weeknd, ‘High for This,’ ” she said. “That was this year, [right]? I’ve been obsessively listening to that song for the past few days on repeat. I must’ve listened to it about 700 times.” Of course, when it comes to her favorite artists of 2011, Welch kept things close to home, choosing a pair of British bands — one of which didn’t even release an album this year. “I’m really into this English band called the Alpines; I think they’re really good,” she said. “And I’ve just heard some of the Maccabees’ new stuff, and I’m so excited about their new record coming out, because from the first song I’ve heard, it just sounds amazing. I’m such a big fan of theirs, so I’m really looking forward to that.” All this week, watch “AMTV” on MTV every day at 8 a.m. ET for our Best of 2011 lists. Then, come to MTVNews.com at 5 p.m. as we reveal our top picks of the year! Related Videos Foster The People, Florence Welch, More Pick Their 2011 Favorites Related Artists Foster the People Florence + the Machine

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Nicki Minaj’s ‘Super Bass’ Is MTV’s #2 Song Of 2011!

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Nicki’s bouncy hit ruled radio and left a cultural impact. By Rob Markman Nicki Minaj Photo: Getty Images It wasn’t Pink Friday ‘s first single — hell, it wasn’t even technically on the album’s proper track list! — but Nicki Minaj ‘s “Super Bass” was voted #2 on MTV’s Best Songs of 2011 list. Though Nicki’s album was released in November 2010, “Super Bass” — which was produced by Kane Beatz and co-written by Ester Dean — didn’t emerge as a single until May. The decision to drop the track as the album’s seventh single was a no-brainer. After being prompted to request a song during a radio interview with Nashville’s 107.5 , Taylor Swift answered, “Can I play album cuts?” She then began to explain to listeners how she had been listening to “Super Bass” on repeat, before Swift rapped lyrics to the song on air. Nicki would go on to credit Swift with helping make the song popular and even performed it with the country star during an August concert at L.A.’s Staples Center. “Taylor Swift did her little interview about ‘Super Bass,’ and [it] took off in the States with the people sort of knowing it,” Minaj said in an interview with L.A. radio station 102.7 KIIS-FM . “It’s just really uncanny how all that stuff happens,” she added. “We didn’t plan it like that.” The Pink Friday bonus song from the album’s deluxe edition had all the right ingredients. There’s the bright and airy guitar intro, which eventually builds into a full pop affair complete with a knocking 808 and, of course, that patented bass drum. Lyrically, Nicki threw a shout-out to 1980s rap legend Slick Rick and threatened to slap a chick all in an effort to woo her drug-dealing crush. Typically, cheery-sounding pop hits aren’t so edgy, but the Harajuku Barbie has successfully elbowed her way into the spotlight alongside starlets like Katy Perry and Taylor Swift — and has done it her way. “Super Bass” peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the rap chart, but more than its chart positioning was the song’s impact. One YouTube search of “Super Bass” will uncover the VMA-winning video for the single, of course, but also thousands of covers from artists like Selena Gomez and Karmin with ?uestlove and various renditions from fans as well. Who can forget the pink princess Sophia Grace Brownlee ‘s cute performance vid which eventually clocked over 25 million views? The clip became so popular that in October, Ellen DeGeneres invited the young Sophia onto her television show and introduced her to Minaj, making one of the year’s most memorable television moments. If you had a pulse in 2011, surely you felt that boom-ba-boom-boom bass! All this week, watch “AMTV” on MTV every day at 8 a.m. ET for our Best of 2011 lists. Then, come to MTVNews.com at 5 p.m. as we reveal our top picks of the year! Related Videos Best Songs Of 2011 Debate Related Artists Nicki Minaj

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Foster The People’s ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ Is MTV’s #7 Song Of 2011

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

The groove made it a standout on both rock and pop charts, while the lyrics about a school shooting took us all by surprise. By Jason Kaufman Mark Foster of Foster the People Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Foster the People ‘s “Pumped Up Kicks,” a hazy, fuzzy track with that immediately identifiable creeping bass line, became an unexpected summer smash this year. The groove was infectious and stood out in a season dominated by dance singles. But what was so surprising was the dark message played out in the lyrics. While early fans of the tune latched on to what sounded like a cheery chorus, it often took a second or third listen for them to consider what the L.A. trio were actually saying: “All the other kids with the pumped up kicks/ You’d better run, better run, outrun my gun,” FTP frontman Mark Foster sings on the hook. MTV correspondent Sway Calloway moderated a spirited roundtable discussion with some of our very own experts: James Montgomery and Rob Markman (MTV News), Yomi Desalu and Malika Quemerais (MTV Music and Talent) and Tamar Anitai and Nicole James (MTV.com). The panel managed to narrow down the Best Songs of 2011 , with “Kicks” besting top 10 tracks from the Throne, Chris Brown and Katy Perry. “You listen to it and you like the beat, and then you listen to the lyrics and you’re like, ‘Oh my God, what is this about?’ ” MTV News senior writer James Montgomery said. ” ‘Kicks’ is really about bullying, and the tragedy that bullying produces … if that kid retaliates in a nasty way; both sides end up being harmed,” Foster told MTV News over the summer. “I like to tell a different type of story, lyrically, than what the music is expressing, because it brings another layer to the story itself,” he added. “I wrote it a block away from the beach, and I was working at a music house — Mophonics, a place where I composed for ads and stuff — and I think that had some influence on the sound.” “It was one of those songs that you heard everywhere. It was catchy as heck. You haven’t really gotten too many songs in the last couple of years that stand out in such a major way on the rock side and the top 40 pop side,” Yomi Desalu, of MTV’s Music and Talent team, said. The success of the song certainly took the band by surprise. “We like the song, but we had no idea it would spread around the world the way that it has,” Foster admitted. Summer may be over but the song still proves contagious, ranked as the #4 most popular tune in the U.S. on popular social networking site Spotify as well as one of the top 10 Most Shared Songs of 2011 on Facebook. All this week, watch “AMTV” on MTV every day at 8 a.m. ET for our Best of 2011 lists. Then, come to MTVNews.com at 5 p.m. as we reveal our top picks of the year! Related Videos Best Songs Of 2011 Debate Related Artists Foster the People

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Adele’s ‘Rolling In The Deep’ Is MTV’s Song Of The Year!

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

British belter’s hit tops MTV’s list of the Best Songs of 2011. By James Montgomery Adele Photo: Columbia Was there any doubt? Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” has topped MTV’s Best Songs of 2011 . The megahit so dominated 2011 that calling it the Song of the Year is putting it mildly. And we’re not just talking commercially — though it was the year’s best-selling track — or critically, mostly because focusing on those details fails to tell the whole story. In a lot of ways, “Deep” was bigger than all that. It was a genuine cultural touchstone, the rare zeitgeist-seizing thing that kept crossing genres and platforms and demographics (quick, try to name somewhere you didn’t hear it) until there really were no borders left to bust. It was a complete throwback, a reminder of an era when folks actually bought music and one single could drive an album for months and months. It was the rarest of phenomena in these increasingly temporal times, an actual defining piece of work — not just for Adele, but for the entirety of 2011. Try as hard as you might, you probably can’t name the biggest song of 2010, but in 10 years’ time, you’ll still remember that “Rolling in the Deep” owned 2011. That accomplishment is all the more noteworthy when you consider that “Deep” dared to focus on emotions that fall outside the usual parlance of pop, circa 2011. It is not about partying or falling in love or material excesses. It does not try to be uplifting or inspiring. There is not a single Will Ferrell sample to be heard anywhere. It is, simply put, a total bummer of a breakup tune, with Adele sifting through the ashes of her failed relationship, the scorned lover who can’t help but lament that, really, “We could’ve had it all.” Of course, she’s not exactly a shrinking violet, either, and “Deep” seethes with genuine anger too. No matter how classy her voice may be, there’s nothing quite as real as her promise to “lay your sh– bare.” It strips away the artifice and adjectives and exposes the raw nerve that pulsates within anyone who’s ever had their heart broken. And, really, that’s everyone. So given that sentiment, perhaps it’s not exactly shocking that “Deep” was such a massive hit. Then again, given everything else, maybe it is. A deceptively simple song, it rolls along on little more than a stubby guitar line and pounding, primal drums and yet it packs a 10-megaton wallop, thanks entirely to some ugly emotional bloodletting and Adele’s sonorous, searing pipes. When she hits that chorus, you not only feel her pain, you can relate to it. That’s what sets the truly great songs apart from just the good ones, and “Rolling in the Deep” is unquestionably a great song, one that you’ll remember for years to come. Which is why simply calling it the Song of the Year is selling it short; it’s something bigger entirely. Consider it the anthem to end all anthems, the feel-bad song of our time, the antidote for the Auto-Tuned masses. But maybe it’s best just to call it Adele’s coronation into the ranks of the all-time greats. She’s now and forever the Queen of Pain . Long may she reign. Was Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” your Song of the Year? Let us know in the comments! All this week, watch “AMTV” on MTV every day at 8 a.m. ET for our Best of 2011 lists. Then, come to MTVNews.com at 5 p.m. as we reveal our top picks of the year! Related Videos Best Songs Of 2011 Debate Related Artists Adele

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