MTV Push Artist of the Week’s July album is gaining steam on radio. By Jocelyn Vena Breathe Carolina Photo: MTV News The two guys of Colorado electronic-rock outfit Breathe Carolina have this message for their fans: Hell Is What You Make It. Their album of that name, which dropped back in July, has started to pick up steam with music lovers, and the guys hope fans — both new and old — really immerse themselves in the LP. “It’s amazing, honestly. I think getting the opportunity, that’s the best part. To be able to say, ‘Here.’ I hope people get to dive into the record a little bit and really see who we are,” Kyle Even told MTV News when they stopped by the newsroom a few weeks back. “[The single] ‘Blackout’ is one song that we created. We’re very eclectic, and we definitely do whatever we want. I think you’ll find that out as you go through our catalog of songs and see who we are and where we came from.” The guys approached the album in a whole new way, helping shape the sound for the aggressive release. “This album was different with the writing process, because we wrote it with our whole band that we play live with,” David Schmitt said. “That was awesome, having their minds in the writing process. The first two records, it was just me and Kyle. We found a producer in [Ian] Kirkpatrick, and it didn’t seem like we were working. He made it huge for us.” The buzz should continue to grow for the pair: They are MTV’s Push Artist of the Week , and starting next month, they’ll hit the road, playing small clubs all over the country. “It’s cool just reaching a new audience now too with the radio stuff,” Schmitt said. “I feel like it’s brought Breathe Carolina to other ears that may not have heard it.” Listening to the album, it’s clear the guys have one mission, which Even explained to us: “Making people move — that’s our favorite part about writing that kind of music,” Even said. “We get to get out there and move some people, like, literally sometimes we’ll get in the crowd. We’ll get rowdy.” Have you checked out Breathe Carolina? Share your thoughts in the comments! Related Artists Breathe Carolina
‘I feel like I’ve earned the right to do it my way,’ Drizzy told MTV News before November 15 LP leaked onto Net. By Rob Markman Drake Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Rather than rant and complain about his album leaking on Sunday night, Drake accepts that it’s just a normal part of the record biz. After a nearly complete version of Take Care (“The Ride” and the LP’s bonus cuts seem to be missing) hit the Internet, Drizzy took to Twitter to address the early release. “Listen, enjoy it, buy it if you like it…and take care until next time,” he wrote . Although TC is officially slated to hit retail on November 15, the album has spawned numerous trending topics on Twitter and has dominated hip-hop’s social conversation over the last 24 hours. Rather than an overblown production befitting of rap’s fastest rising star, on Take Care, the OVO general scales back and puts the focus on his native Toronto and his relationship with the city. The sophomore LP, recorded mostly in Canada with Drizzy’s right-hand producer Noah “40” Shebib , is a deliberate toast to his town. “That’s one of the biggest stories behind this album, it’s either my way or we’re not doing it — in everything,” Drake told MTV News back in October. “Every photo shoot, every video, every step I’m taking I feel like I’ve earned the right to do it my way, so part of doing it my way I want you to see who I am really around.” And his TO crew may not be as clean-cut as Drake’s radio-friendly music may have led fans to believe. Opening with the melancholy “Over My Dead Body,” Drake sets things off with a shot to his detractors and tells how his success ultimately supports his people in the struggle. “Just performed at a bar mitzvah over in the States/ Used half of the money to beat my brother’s case,” he spits. On “Crew Love,” Drake gives Toronto upstart the Weeknd a push. Despite the song’s calming melody, there is something rather menacing about it once the Young Money star begins to rattle off his bars. After going on about taking his goons on vacation, Drake threatens violence with the coyness of a mafia don when he rhymes, “I got a lot of friends to come up off the strip for me/ The same ones that will come up off the hip for me.” It’s not unlike the sing-songy line in “Headlines” where Drizzy begs the haters “You gon’ make someone around me catch a body like that.” By now, Drake’s story is well-known: Child actor from Canada drops a couple of mixtapes, one of which makes its way to Lil Wayne, who then invites the young MC on tour and signs him to his Young Money label. But on “Look What You’ve Done,” Drake takes his personal narrative and adds all of the necessary color. He starts off talking to his disapproving mother, “We argue about spendin’ money on bullsh–/ And you tell me I’m just like my father, my one button you push it.” Maybe we’ve had Drake pegged wrong all along? Maybe it’s all just entertainment? Regardless, on Take Care, Drake shows a different side than we’ve previously seen from him. “I show love and get love back, and I think that’s very important for people to see,” he told MTV News. “Just know that’s our town, that’s our place, so that was important for me to really display that consistently on this album.” “Underground Kings” and the Just Blaze-produced “Lord Knows,” featuring Rick Ross, finds the rapper planting his rap flag, while the Rihanna-assisted title track is a pulsating dance track that aims to take Drizzy past the confines of hip-hop and R&B. Still, with all the sonic variations on Take Care, there’s one common thread. Throughout the LP, the Young Money virtuoso consistently puts on for the city that he’s from. Welcome to Toronto. Share your reviews of Take Care in the comments below! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Drake Related Artists Drake
Ryan Seacrest, MJ producer Darkchild and other stars also weigh in. By James Dinh Dr. Conrad Murray reacts after the jury returned with a guilty verdict in his involuntary manslaughter trial at Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday Photo: Al Seib/Pool/Getty Images Just like Michael Jackson’s legions of die-hard fans , stars are also sounding off about the guilty verdict for former Jackson doctor Conrad Murray . Shortly after the announcement Monday afternoon (November 7), the blogosphere was flooded with celebrity opinions, from Nicki Minaj, Ryan Seacrest, sister LaToya Jackson and more. “People are cheering but there really are no winners here,” Minaj tweeted . “This has been an utter tragedy from beginning to end. #RIPMichaelJackson.” Seacrest questioned how much time Murray will actually serve behind bars, writing , “Big question is will conrad murray serve time? Judge has 20 days to sentence him, and can give him up to 4 years in prison.” MJ producer and collaborator Darkchild was content with the news, tweeting ,”#GUILTY Justice has been served but we still lost a great man, great father, greatest entertainer, and a great friend of mine! R.I.P MJ.” “VICTORY!!!!!! Michael I love you and I will continue to fight until ALL are brought to justice! Thank you EVERYONE for your love and support! It will ALWAYS be appreciated!” sister Latoya Jackson wrote on her Twitter , with the entire family also releasing a joint statement . Piers Morgan described Murray’s behavior as “unethical for a doctor.” “#ConradMurray didn’t deliberately kill #MichaelJackson, but his negligent actions allowed the death to occur,” he wrote on Twitter . Tyrese sent his wishes to the Jackson family, hoping they found closure in the ruling. “MICHAEL JACKSON YOU WILL FOREVER BE MISSED BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN… REST IN HEAVEN!! REST IN HEAVEN!! I hope the family has closure!! RIH!” he tweeted . While some celebs, like ?uestlove of the Roots, had mixed feelings about the verdict (“Guilty. now what?” he wrote ), Bravo star Patti Stanger rejoiced in the news: “The karma kat got Conrad Murray…guilty! Greed is never worth a person’s life. X0,” she tweeted . MTV News will be covering the Conrad Murray case live. Go to MTVNews.com for breaking news, reactions and analysis from Los Angeles or tune to MTV for the latest updates. Celebrate the life and legacy of Michael Jackson tonight at 9 p.m ET/PT when VH1 presents the World Broadcast premiere of “Michael Jackson’s This Is It.” Related Photos Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos Related Artists Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson cardiologist found guilty but legal experts doubt he will do hard time. By Gil Kaufman Conrad Murray being remanded after his guilty involuntary manslaughter verdict is announced Photo: Pool/ Getty Images With the involuntary manslaughter trial of former Michael Jackson doctor Conrad Murray finally wrapped, following the jury’s guilty verdict on Monday afternoon (November 7), the next question is, how much time will Murray serve behind bars and where? Before the jury’s verdict came down on Monday, MTV News spoke to Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Mike Cavalluzzi, who explained what kind of sentence Murray is likely to face. “The overcrowding laws in state prison right now could very well result in Conrad Murray getting a probationary sentence, meaning that any custody time would be spent in county jail rather than state prison,” said Cavalluzzi, who does not have first-hand knowledge of the case, but has worked a range of criminal matters in L.A. courts from misdemeanor battery to homicide. “Right now, the ruling is that state prisons should be only for the most violent offenders, and I don’t think that Conrad Murray would fall into that category.” Cavalluzzi said that involuntary manslaughter, of which Murray was convicted on one count, is a nonviolent offense that doesn’t involve the cardiologist being accused of intentionally harming Jackson. “What they’re saying is that he may have been a good man who made a horrible mistake and that the mistake that he made rises to criminal negligence,” he said. After the verdict was announced, Murray was denied bail and ordered to jail , where he will remain in custody until his November 29 sentencing hearing. Although the charge Murray was facing carried a maximum four-year prison sentence, Cavalluzzi said that often times a defendant like Murray, with no criminal record and who has been convicted for the first time, has a very good chance of staying out of custody altogether. But given the high-profile nature of the case and the pressure from Jackson’s family — Michael’s mother Katherine, father Joe and siblings Jermaine and La Toya Jackson were among the family members who turned up at the courthouse after the verdict on Monday — to have Murray slapped with the maximum penalty, it’s likely he will do some time in custody. Following the announcement of the guilty verdict, Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley confirmed to reporters that due to those recent changes in California law, Murray was not likely to do any prison time. “It was a homicide, someone lost their life, three children lost time with their father because of someone’s criminal negligence,” said Cooley when asked if the prosecution was worth it given the almost-certain knowledge that Murray would not spend time in prison. “In that regard, it was worth it to prove that point.” Cooley lashed out at the new sentencing guidelines (called AB109) for nonviolent offenders and reiterated that he was against them from the beginning, labeling them a “fool’s errand,” and predicting that the Murray case would be the first of “many, many, many poster children cases that will reveal why 109 is a complete failure and criminal justice disaster.” Professor Robert Weisberg, co-director of the Stanford Criminal Justice Center and a law professor at Sanford agreed that because of sentencing laws, Murray will probably do his time in county lockup. “Involuntary manslaughter might sound violent, but it’s not, so he won’t go to prison,” said Weisberg, who does not have a connection to the case either. As we’ve seen with other nonviolent offenders such as Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton, the overcrowding situation in Los Angeles county jail is also an issue, and due to similar mandates, defendants often avoid serving anywhere near their full sentences in county as well. “It is very common, especially for a probationary sentence, where someone is sentenced to custody time in county jail, that the county will then release them on something called house arrest,” Cavalluzzi said. “It is very common in a case like this that someone could be given house arrest if they are sentenced to probation.” House arrest has several forms, though, which can range from 24-hour-lockdown home confinement, where a person is prohibited from leaving their home to exceptions in which they are allowed to come and go for doctor’s appointments, counseling or professional business. At the sentencing hearing later this month, Jackson’s family is likely to make the case for the maximum sentence, while the defense may once again bring up former patients and colleagues who will attest to the doctor’s good qualities. In the end, though, it is up to the judge to decide Murray’s sentence. “[Both arguments] could sway the judge either way,” Cavalluzzi said. “It’s difficult to know how home confinement would look for Dr. Murray because one of the main exceptions to home confinement is a person’s ability to continue to engage in their livelihood.” Given that Murray is now a convicted felon who has been found guilty of homicide in California, Cooley said the doctor will lose his license to practice medicine in the state. He added that he hoped other states would follow suit and revoke Murray’s right to practice medicine as well. MTV News will be covering the Conrad Murray case live. Go to MTVNews.com for breaking news, reactions and analysis from Los Angeles or tune to MTV for the latest updates. Celebrate the life and legacy of Michael Jackson tonight at 9 p.m ET/PT when VH1 presents the World Broadcast premiere of “Michael Jackson’s This Is It.” Related Videos Michael Jackson’s Former Doctor Found Guilty Related Photos Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos Related Artists Michael Jackson
Amy Harris accused MC of slapping her at last month’s Voodoo Experience festival in New Orleans. By Gil Kaufman Odd Future’s Left-Brain onstage at the Voodoo Festival in New Orleans On October 30 Photo: Amy Harris A photographer who claimed Odd Future member Left Brain (born Vyron Turner) assaulted her at last month’s Voodoo Experience festival in New Orleans filed charges against the MC on Friday. Amy Harris accused Turner of slapping her across the face and knocking her camera lens to the ground in the October 30 incident. A representative for the New Orleans Police Department confirmed for MTV News that the single charge of simple battery had been filed and that a detective has been assigned to investigate. Harris would not comment further, referring all questions to a Los Angeles law firm handling her case. In a statement released Sunday, she wrote, “It is my understanding that a police report I filed in New Orleans on Friday has now become public knowledge and is being reported on various websites. At this time, I do not wish to discuss the filing of the police report other than to say that, upon further reflection of events of the past week, it is something I needed to do. The week’s events have been extremely upsetting.” Harris added that she decided to go to police after receiving anonymous email threats about the incident. The charge carries a jail term of up to six months and up to $1,000 in fines. The incident, in which Harris claims the rapper swatted the photographer in the head and knocked the lens off her camera while leaving her with a red welt on her face, came during Odd Future’s set at the annual festival. Harris has released a photo she took in which Turner can be seen bending down and looking directly into the camera with his right hand coming forward in a swinging motion as he grits his teeth. Turner has not commented on the charges filed, but in a since-removed post on his Tumblr — in which he posted Harris’ photo — he wrote, “I didn’t slap that old bi—. Everybody seen that sh–. Idgaf though. F— her and f— the media. I’m not stupid and I’m not lettin nobody sue me for my paper. It’s my job to slap cameras out the way so like I said before, f— your opinion your blog and ya peeps. Ha.” A spokesperson for the festival released a statement after the incident, which read, “The Voodoo Experience does not in any way condone the behavior of Odd Future towards the approved media assembled in the photo pit during the band’s set. … Festival organizers would like to apologize to their media guests who experienced and/or witnessed this abusive behavior.” But in a statement to Pitchfork , the band’s spokesperson denied the incident. “There simply is no truth to the accusation floating around the internet. It’s no secret that Odd Future has a love/hate relationship with photographers at shows simply because sometimes they are given access the group wishes their fans would have instead. After telling the photographers to clear out multiple times (as they’ve done before) Vyron (Leftbrain) took a swipe at a few cameras, NOT people. To manipulate the situation to insinuate an attack on a woman specifically is careless and manipulative.” The spokesperson declined to comment to MTV News on the charges. Related Artists Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All
MTV’s RapFix hit Odd Future crooner’s NOLA concert a day before he canceled NYC date via Tumblr. By Nadeska Alexis Frank Ocean Photo: MTV News Frank Ocean , Odd Future’s much-buzzed about crooner, seemed to be just getting started when he suddenly canceled his scheduled Sunday show in New York just one hour before his set time citing illness. The jaunt was interrupted only a day after Ocean played the first date on a mini-tour that kicked off in his native New Orleans on Saturday. Back in February, Ocean independently released Nostalgia, Ultra via Tumblr, and since then the popular mixtape has been pegged for re-release on Def Jam, thanks to the hit singles “Swim Good” and “Novacane,” which both made their way from the Internet to the radio. In early October, the 24-year-old singer/songwriter announced plans to embark on an intimate six-city tour in support of the mixtape. The Odd Future member kicked off his short-lived run with a solo show in his hometown of New Orleans on Saturday night, but after performing sound check at the Bowery Ballroom the following day, he canceled the show. While some fans were already lined up outside of the venue, Ocean retreated to Tumblr to pen a new post titled “New York Is Cancelled.” “[O]r should i say postponed,” Ocean wrote. “I played last night in new orleans, on antibiotics and some other meds. got sick a cpl days before i left los angeles. woke up this morning in new york and could barely speak. called a doctor to my hotel, got a steroid shot. took some more meds. laid in bed all day till soundcheck, got to the venue and could barely sing any of my songs. im really sorry yall. i been workin on this show for months, did everything i could to make it special for yall. i’ll be back soon as i’m healthy. thats my word. tickets will be valid for that, or you guys can get refunded. damn this sh–.” During his New Orleans show on Saturday night, it took the shy performer some time to warm up to the crowd. He delivered several tracks from Nostalgia, Ultra, including “Lovecrimes,” “Swim Good” and “Novacane,” while slipping in some material from his upcoming album. Ocean also performed the hooks from his Watch the Throne features “No Church in the Wild” and “Made in America.” Before the cancellation, the tour was expected to stop in the Netherlands, London and Paris before concluding in Los Angeles on November 15; no word yet on whether those shows will go on. Related Artists Frank Ocean Odd Future
Justin Bieber, Coldplay, and a team-up between Queen and Adam Lambert were just some of the night’s highlights. By James Dinh Lady Gaga performs at the 2011 EMA Photo: Leon Neal/AFP It was an evening of surprises at the 2011 MTV Europe Awards that included a takeover by the nominated men, a tribute to the late Amy Winehouse, a streaker, and, of course, an out-of-this-world performance from Lady Gaga . Broadcast from the halls of Belfast’s Odyssey Arena in Northern Ireland on Sunday, the Selena Gomez-hosted ceremony kicked off with two-time nominee Coldplay , who performed their latest hit “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall.” Frontman Chris Martin danced his way from the arena catwalk to the main stage as a spiral of lights spun around the band, igniting the arena. Check out all the red-carpet fashion at the 2011 EMA on MTV Style. Shortly after, cameras panned to the center of the venue where the night’s host, Selena Gomez , stood prominently in the middle of an onstage circle of fire. It was only a taste of what was to come from the former Disney starlet’s hosting spectacle, which included a string of outfit changes, an appearance from her rap alter ego and mingling with pop peer Katy Perry. “Jersey Shore” stars Snooki and JWoww were on-site to deliver the first award of the night: Best Live. “What’s up Belfast? ‘Jersey Shore’ is in the house!” they screamed simultaneously, before announcing Katy Perry as the award recipient. “This is probably my favorite award because my fans mean so much to me,” the pop superstar told the crowd. “I’m so tired, but it’s all worth it. Thank you. I love you.” LMFAO brought their wild antics to the EMA with a performance of their summer smash “Party Rock Anthem.” The electro/pop duo proved their hard-partying ways with a life-size zebra float and a dance-off with America’s Best Dance Crew winner Quest Crew. Lady Gaga took home the award for Best Female, which was presented to her by David Hasselhoff. Pitted against Adele, Beyonc
Jay-Z and Kanye West hit New Jersey’s IZOD Center for latest stop on their Watch the Throne Tour on Saturday. Photo: Daniel Boczarski/ Getty Images Related Artists Jay-Z Kanye West
‘It was a really cool car — in ’87,’ he says on latest episode, airing Saturday at 11 a.m. ET/PT on MTV. By Henna Kathiya Mike Posner Photo: MTV News ” Cooler Than Me ” singer Mike Posner wasn’t exactly all that cool when he was 17. He recalls driving around in his first car on this week’s episode of MTV’s “When I Was 17,” airing Saturday at 11 a.m. ET/PT on MTV. The singer gives a shout-out to his great aunt on the episode — which also features Estelle and AnnaLynne McCord — for being gracious enough to give him her old car when he was 17. “My Great Aunt Dorothy — hi, Aunt Dorothy! — she gifted to me her ’87 Volvo,” he recalled. “And it was a really cool car — in ’87. The only problem was, I got it in, like, 2005.” The “Please Don’t Go” singer would try to assert himself on the road but found it hard with his clown-car horn. “The great thing about this car was that it had this kind of clown horn. I would be really mad, like people would cut me off, and I’d hit my horn, and it would be like ‘beep beep’ and I was just like, ‘Ugh.’ ” We’re sure Mike has updated his vehicle now to something a little cooler with a more aggressive horn to help ward off aggressive drivers. “When I Was 17” — this week featuring Estelle, Mike Posner and AnnaLynne McCord — airs on Saturday at 11a.m ET/PT on MTV. Related Videos Sneak Peek ‘When I Was 17’ Featuring Mike Posner Related Artists Mike Posner
‘I’m bringing it back with a new sound,’ Detail tells Mixtape Daily of finding inspiration in the past. By Rob Markman Detail Photo: MTV News Behind the Beats: Detail Though he is currently sitting atop the rap game, Lil Wayne transcends hip-hop. He flirted with rock early on, picking up the guitar for his “Leather So Soft” video with Birdman and again in his 2008 clip for “Lollipop.” But it was his 2010 rock-inspired Rebirth album that really stretched the boundaries. In October, on the set of Birdman’s “Y.U. Mad” video , Young Money president Mack Maine told MTV News of Wayne’s plans for a second rock LP. During the same sit-down, “How to Love” producer Detail spoke about his inspiration for crafting the tracks for Tunechi’s Rebirth II. “I’ve been listening to Nirvana, I’ve been listening to Pink Floyd,” he told Mixtape Daily. “The zone I’ve been goin’ in on this sh–, I’m bringing it back, back, back, back with a new sound.” Detail, who recently produced Bow Wow’s “Sweat,” is clearly not against finding inspiration in the past. Addressing any skeptics, the Detroit hitmaker promises that he will add his own unique twist. “We all get everything from the past musically, everything has been done already, so for me it’s just taking those elements that I could ride in my car and enjoy and bring it back to something new,” he said. According to Mack, Weezy is not only working on Rebirth II but is actually at least 12 songs into his upcoming I Am Not a Human Being II as well. For the YM prez it is Wayne’s ability to cross genres that makes him such a draw. “He captures all those different audiences, and then at a concert or a show, you bring all those different people together,” Mack explained. “You bring your Rebirth rock people, you bring your Carter people and you bring your I Am Not a Human Being [crowd], and you have a great show. That’s why we sell out arenas every night.” There is currently no release date for either LP, and when MTV News asked Wayne, he downplayed both albums. ” I Am Not a Human Being II and Rebirth II are so not important right now,” Tune said. “We got Twist coming, we got Tyga coming, and then we have Shanell coming, then we got Bow Wow — that’s what’s really important. What I’m doing is really never important, actually. I’m a very unimportant guy. It’s just me.” Related Artists Lil Wayne
