Tag Archives: artists

Big Sean ‘Hype’ About First VMA Nomination

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I called my mom and I woke her up,’ the G.O.O.D. Music MC tells MTV News of finding out about his nod on tour. By Rob Markman Big Sean Photo: Theo Wargo/ WireImage Big Sean received his first VMA nomination on Wednesday, and hopefully it won’t be his last. In the opening scene of his “My Last” video with Chris Brown, Sean looks into the camera and says, “I feel like my dreams are coming true” — must be because the Detroit rhyme spitter is up for Best New Artist. “Man, I was hype as hell,” the G.O.O.D. Music MC told MTV News. “I called my mom at like midnight. I was in Charlotte [North Carolina] last night when I found out, and I called my mom and I woke her up,” said Sean, who is on tour with fellow Best New Artist nominee Wiz Khalifa. “I cracked a bottle and everything. That was a real big accomplishment.” The competition is tough, with Tyler, the Creator (“Yonkers”), Kreayshawn (“Gucci Gucci”) and indie poppers Foster the People (“Pumped Up Kicks”) also up for the award. Sean obviously wants to win, but just being in the conversation is a win for him. “I, of course, knew it was a possibility, but it’s tight to just see it actually come to fruition,” Sean said of his mind-set back when he filmed the video. “When I was on the set of the video, I was just hoping it comes out good. This is just like an added bonus.” Sean isn’t the only member of his crew nominated: His big homey Kanye West snagged seven nominations, including nods for Best Hip-Hop Video, Best Male Video and Best Collaboration for his “All of the Lights” clip. “He definitely deserves all of them, man, I think so,” Big Sean said. “Especially Best Collaboration. That was just crazy, ‘All of the Lights.’ He had Elton John, everybody on there, Fergie, Alicia Keys, Cudi, everybody, The-Dream.” The Finally Famous lyricist is in full support of his mentor. “Kanye always goes hard. I’m proud of him. I was telling him how proud of him I was the other day. He’s inspiring, he deserves every bit,” he said. “He gives his whole life to music, his whole life. He’s one of the most selfless people I know, so I’m excited. Hopefully, it’s gonna be a good night.” The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards will air live on Sunday, August 28, from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET/PT. See the list of nominees, revisit last year’s highlights and vote for your favorites in the general categories by visiting VMA.MTV.com . Related Videos The 2011 VMA Nominations Live Related Artists Big Sean

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Wiz Khalifa Calls VMA Nomination ‘A Good Sign’

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘Black and Yellow’ rapper says Best New Artist nominees ‘are all people who have their own movements.’ By Rob Markman Wiz Khalifa Photo: Raymond Boyd/ Michael Ochs Archives/ Getty Images Before Wiz Khalifa saw his career take flight, his hometown of Pittsburgh stood as a relative unknown on the hip-hop map. The Taylor Gang general’s breakout hit, “Black and Yellow,” changed that, and now Wiz is being rewarded with a Best New Artist nomination at the 2011 MTV VMAs . “It’s my first video, so I wanted to make it like that classic. You can’t do a first video over again,” Wiz said of the concept behind his popular video, which has raked in over 89 million views on YouTube. “When I think about stuff like that, I thought about Snoop’s [appearance in Dr. Dre’s] ‘[Nuthin’ but a] G Thang’ — like a real hometown-vibe video, things that really, really show the artist in their element. I figured if I went that way with it, then I couldn’t really lose.” Wiz is proud that he is able to rep for his town and said that being in the conversation with other big-time rappers like Lil Wayne and Drake helps him provide inspiration for Pittsburgh’s up-and-coming talents. “It’s good morale for Pittsburgh, because we never got that much love,” he said. “All of our artists have been known on a certain scene or a certain radar, but to be put up there with the greatest rappers and to have their own is really, really big for the city.” The Best New Artist competition is tough, however: Wiz is up against his tourmate, Big Sean (“My Last”), Kreayshawn (“Gucci Gucci”), Tyler, the Creator (“Yonkers”) and indie-pop band Foster the People (“Pumped Up Kicks”). “I think it’s really good competition, and it’s just a good sign of the new wave of how an artist can come up and get recognition these days,” Khalifa said. “Big Sean, I know his situation, how he came from nothing. Kreayshawn, she built her buzz similar with the Internet, and Tyler as well. These are all people who have their own movements.” While each Best New Artist nominee is different in their own right, Wiz finds a common thread that binds them: “All of us, we’re really just living our dreams and getting nominated for it, so it’s excellent.” You can vote for general VMA categories, including Best New Artist, by visiting vma.mtv.com or m.mtv.com on your mobile phone. In addition, you can get in on Best New Artist text voting by texting BNA to 66333 on your wireless phone. Voting continues through the show, which airs live August 28 at 9 p.m. ET. (Verizon subscribers can vote on all categories via SMS by texting VMA to 66333; standard message rates apply.) The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards will air live on Sunday, August 28, from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET/PT. See the list of nominees, revisit last year’s highlights and vote for your favorites in the general categories by visiting VMA.MTV.com . Related Videos The 2011 VMA Nominations Live Related Artists Wiz Khalifa

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Tyler, The Creator ‘Cried’ Over VMA Nominations

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Odd Future MC’s ‘Yonkers’ video up for Video of the Year and Best New Artist. By Rob Markman Tyler, the Creator Photo: MTV News Who says Tyler, the Creator is a foul-mouthed malcontent? Well, the foul-mouth part is true, but when the Odd Future standout learned that his video for “Yonkers” received two MTV Video Music Awards nominations, he couldn’t have been happier, as seen in his Wednesday night tweets. “Video Of The F—ing Year. What The F—,” he wrote before tweeting that he was about to “Pass The F— Out.” Tyler’s self-directed “Yonkers” clip was uploaded to Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All’s YouTube page back in February. Now five months and 15 million views later, the black-and-white vid earned the Goblin rapper VMA nominations in the Best New Artist and Video of the Year categories. Simple-yet-effective, “Yonkers” starts off with the rapper seated on a stool, performing the song’s lyrics while playing with a large cockroach, which he later vomits. A visibly disturbed Tyler continues to rap the track’s second verse, stripping off his shirt then putting his neck in a noose. In the video’s shocking ending, the MC stands up on the chair and kicks the stool from under his feet as his legs dangle in a simulated suicide. “Damn, I’m Looking At The Video Treatment I wrote In This Blackberry Back In Jan. F—!” Tyler wrote beside a link to the clip. In all, the rapper/ producer/ video director fired off more than 40 reactionary tweets , even threatening to go on a killing spree if he lost Video of the Year to Bruno Mars. Still, through the profanity-laced celebration, Tyler is just overjoyed: “So F—ing Happy F—!!!” he tweeted . “I Cried Legit. F— it.” The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards will air live on Sunday, August 28, from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET/PT. See the list of nominees, revisit last year’s highlights and vote for your favorites in the general categories by visiting VMA.MTV.com . Related Artists Tyler, The Creator

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Soul Khan Just Wants Your Acknowledgement

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

MC opens up about his EP, getting love in NYC and why a white rapper with a booming voice shouldn’t shock you. By Steven Roberts New York MC Soul Khan Photo: Soul Khan Fire Starter: Soul Khan Every MC can rap. Certainly some better than others, but for the most part, anyone calling themselves a rapper can rhyme words to tell a tale in their own unique way. But every once in a while, an MC comes along who’s blessed with a booming voice that commands attention. Soul Khan’s voice is probably his most distinguishing feature, which is not to take anything away from the former battle rapper’s skills, but his deep delivery catches your ear. “I wish I could say I had something to do with it, but that’s all nature,” Khan joked to Mixtape Daily. “I decided I wanted to make rap a career after I graduated college,” Khan continued. “I mean, with a voice like mine, you could either go into politics, [be] a voice for ‘Final Fantasy’ characters or you could be a rapper,” he laughed. A native of Los Angeles’ West Valley, Khan said he was initially “kind of annoyed” that people were frequently surprised to discover that he was the one spitting after hearing his music. In 2011, a white rapper shouldn’t shock people, he thought. “I’ve been rapping for, I guess now, 14 years,” Khan said. “For a good amount of time, I wasn’t very good at it — as I think most people [are not] when they start something. Eventually, [I] developed into a serviceable artist, and I just started rapping because it seemed like the most viable and vital means of communicating with listeners.” Although his style may scream Brooklyn, the L.A. rapper came to New York because he needed a challenge, and the city has embraced him wholeheartedly. “It’s tough to impress people, and if you’re willing to go that extra mile, if you’re willing to give credit to [New Yorkers’] cynicism and say, ‘I’m willing to overpower that,’ then when you do, you get love on a scale you couldn’t imagine. If you win over a New York crowd, you’re the best.” Khan’s ready now to take on the rest of the world with the release of his Acknowledgment EP, one of three that he hopes to release this summer in the lead-up to his album, Soul Like Khan. The Acknowledgement EP was produced by DJ Element (who is also Khan’s stage DJ), and the rapper described Element’s production style as far more lively and uptempo than what he’s used to. And that contrast motivated Khan to try something different. “I made four songs that generally consider the subject of self-worth in some way, whether it was explicitly stated or just the mood, theme,” Khan said. “I don’t want to say motivation music, ’cause now the word ‘motivation’ is actually a hip-hop clich

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Taylor Swift’s Speak Now Tour Brings Honky Tonk To NJ

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Newark, New Jersey, arena treated to aerialists, Broadway stage setup. By Jocelyn Vena Taylor Swift (file) Photo: Getty Images NEWARK, New Jersey — A little bit of Music City took over Newark on Tuesday night when Taylor Swift stormed the stage at the Prudential Center to an excited crowd of female devotees for the latest stop on her Speak Now Tour . Sparks flew as Swift took the stage in a glittering gold dress to open the show with the aptly titled “Sparks Fly.” As she previously promised, the theatrics were kicked up a few notches since her Fearless tour , thanks to aerialists, a huge Broadway stage setup and stop-motion animation. Swift played many instruments throughout the two-hour set, including guitar, banjo and piano. The show included a wide range of oldies and newbies, such as the Speak Now hits “Mine” and “The Story of Us.” “When you’re on tour, you mark down in your head the crowds that are the craziest,” she told the room. “I don’t know what it is about you … but you come together and you form the super crowd.” For “Our Song” and “Mean,” Taylor took from the theme of her “Mean” video and put together a honky tonk vibe right there in New Jersey. One of the most moving moments of the night came next. Sitting at a white grand piano in an ice-blue gown, Swift slowed things down for “Back to December” as glittering confetti fell from the ceiling. Amid a whirlwind of costume and set changes, she played a number of other songs including “Better Than Revenge,” and then, in a very theatrical moment during “Speak Now,” Swift acted out crashing a wedding. She eventually stole the groom away, as she sings in the song, and the pair ran through the crowd together. From a smaller stage mid-arena, Taylor performed “Fearless” with a ukulele and followed it with the breakup tune “Last Kiss.” The night was all about the highs and lows of love, but it was also about the state she would be playing in that night and for the next three nights. She performed a mini ode to Jersey, as she called it, as she transitioned from Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On a Prayer” into “You Belong With Me.” This marked the perfect time for her to make her way back to the stage, where she finished the song. During the haunting “Dear John,” the pyro matched her vocal fireworks. She closed out the main part of her set with ballerinas during “Enchanted,” more aerialists during “See You Again” and a big thank you to her fans for “Long Live.” For the encore, she played two fan favorites, capping off her epic show with “Fifteen” and “Love Story,” during which she flew over the crowd in a balcony. Like any good stage production, the show ended with everyone in the cast taking their final bows alongside Nashville’s most-glittering show woman. Have you seen Taylor Swift on tour? Share your review in the comments below! Related Artists Taylor Swift

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Jay-Z And Kanye West Drop ‘Otis’

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

On latest Watch the Throne track, duo trade bars over soul classic ‘Try a Little Tenderness.’ By Rob Markman Jay-Z and Kanye West Photo: Getty Images Otis is back, Otis is back! The King of Soul may have passed 40-plus years ago, but Jay-Z and Kanye West have resurrected Redding’s spirit on a new track off their highly anticipated Watch the Throne LP . On Wednesday (July 20), Hov and ‘Ye’s “Otis” premiered on New York City DJ Funkmaster Flex’s Hot 97 radio show , and then spread throughout the Internet. “Otis” opens with a slowed-down refrain lifted from Redding’s 1966 version of “Try a Little Tenderness.” The musical icon wails, “It makes it easier, easier to bare,” shortly before the piano sample is chopped and reworked. As the bass line is ushered in and the drums drop, Jay shouts out, “Sounds so soulful, wouldn’t you agree?” before tearing into his boastful bars. “I invented swag, poppin’ bottles, puttin’ supermodels in a cab,” Hov rhymes before going on about his super-exclusive watch collection. Only eight bars pass before Jay tosses the mic to West, who picks up where his Big Brother left off. “Damn, Yeezy and Hov, where the hell you been/ N—as talkin’ real reckless, stuntmen/ I adopted these n—as, Phillip Drummond ’em,” ‘Ye raps, turning the fictional father from the 1980s sitcom “Diff’rent Strokes” into an actual verb. Another eight bars pass and Jay once again takes over, looking like “wealth” and contemplating calling the paparazzi on himself — he’s that rich. But despite the pair’s status in rap and their platinum success, this is no pop affair. There is no deep introspection, no intricate instrumentation, just a dusty hip-hop loop and street-bred rhymes. At one point, Jigga even threatens to murder anyone who takes issue with Kanye. Perhaps West describes it best when he spits about his “sophisticated ignorance,” and that’s just what Hov exemplifies on his last verse as he seeks political asylum for his murderous rhymes in Cuba. “Welcome to Havana, smoking Cubanos with Castro in cabanas,” he raps before volleying back to the Louis Vuitton Don, who channels Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock’s 1998 hip-hop classic “Top Billin’ ” when he delivers, “Jay is chillin’, ‘Ye is chillin’/ What more can I say? We killin’ ’em.” The Watch the Throne rollout has kept fans confused. With an unconfirmed August 1 release date and no certifiable radio hit in sight, fans can only use “Otis” and the previously released “H.A.M.” to judge what they might expect from the LP. The latter wasn’t very well-received, but if the latest leak is any indication, Jay-Z and Kanye West won’t be relinquishing the rap throne any time soon. What do you think of Jay and Kanye’s “Otis”? Sound off in the comments below! Related Photos Exclusive Photos Of The ‘Watch The Throne’ Recording Sessions Related Artists Kanye West Jay-Z

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Rick Ross’ Upcoming LP A ‘Classic In The Making’

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘He is talking that talk, ‘ DJ Khaled tells MTV News of Rozay’s God Forgives, I Don’t. By Rob Markman Rick Ross and DJ Khaled Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Rick Ross has seen his star rise with each release, and for his upcoming album, God Forgives, I Don’t, his buddy DJ Khaled promises a classic. Rozay isn’t finished recording and the LP doesn’t have a release date yet, but Khaled — whose album We the Best Forever is in stores this week — is already making big predictions. ” God Forgives, I Don’t is a classic-in-the-making. Let me tell you something right now: This album is so crazy from the beginning of what I’ve been in the studio hearing already,” he told MTV News on Wednesday (July 20). “I can’t give you too much because I’m going to let him do that, because that’s his project, but I could tell you right now it’s classic and he is talking that talk. ” As far as Ross’ albums go, it has been a year since his last LP, Teflon Don, was released, but the rotund Miami rapper has kept a high profile, releasing his Maybach Music Group project Self Made, Vol. 1 in May. Compilation singles like “Tupac Back” and “Ima Boss” have kept Ross on the charts, as well as songs on which Ross is featured (Lil Wayne’s “John” and Khaled’s “I’m On One”), have kept the Miami MC on the airwaves. Khaled noted his homey’s growth, telling us the Bawse gets better with each album. ” God Forgives, I Don’t, it fits the time because right now it’s no rules,” Khaled said. “We don’t see ’em; we going hard and that’s what Ross is doin’.” Are you looking forward to Ross’ album? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Rick Ross (Hip-Hop) DJ Khaled

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Justin Timberlake ‘Stoked’ For His First Comic-Con

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘Do you want to borrow my Sailor Moon costume?’ ‘Friends With Benefits’ co-star Mila Kunis offers. By Kara Warner Justin Timberlake Photo: MTV News Although the official kickoff of San Diego Comic-Con is still a day away, everyone heading down to the highly anticipated, heavily attended pop-culture convention is teeming with excitement — from the costume-clad fanboys to the hordes of celebrities. Emma Stone recently expressed her enthusiasm for the convention’s famed Hall H, where she and her “Amazing Spider-Man” co-stars will present footage to fans. MTV News also caught up with Comic-Con veteran and admitted nerd Mila Kunis and Comic-Con newbie Justin Timberlake to get their thoughts on the Con while they were promoting their rom-com “Friends With Benefits.” “I’m an expert at Comic-Con,” Kunis declared, adding that she is a much bigger geek than JT. “I’m stoked to go,” Timberlake said, who will be on hand to promote “In Time,” his film co-starring Amanda Seyfried. “I’m really stoked to go. I don’t have anything to wear yet.” “Do you want to borrow my Sailor Moon costume?” Kunis offered. “Or my Princess Leia dominatrix outfit?” “Yeah,” Timberlake said, considering the idea for a moment. “I might stretch it out a little bit.” Be sure to tune into “MTV News: Comic-Con Takeover” on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. ET/ 3 p.m. PT on MTV.com for live chats with all your favorite stars. The live streams kick off Thursday with our hour-long “Breaking Dawn” special. Keep it locked to MTV.com and Splash Page for all the latest, greatest Comic-Con news. If you have any questions or comments for our talent coming through, send them via Twitter @MTVNews with the hashtag #mtvsdcc. Check out everything we’ve got on “Friends With Benefits.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: ‘Friends With Benefits’ Related Artists Justin Timberlake

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Justin Timberlake ‘Stoked’ For His First Comic-Con

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘Do you want to borrow my Sailor Moon costume?’ ‘Friends With Benefits’ co-star Mila Kunis offers. By Kara Warner Justin Timberlake Photo: MTV News Although the official kickoff of San Diego Comic-Con is still a day away, everyone heading down to the highly anticipated, heavily attended pop-culture convention is teeming with excitement — from the costume-clad fanboys to the hordes of celebrities. Emma Stone recently expressed her enthusiasm for the convention’s famed Hall H, where she and her “Amazing Spider-Man” co-stars will present footage to fans. MTV News also caught up with Comic-Con veteran and admitted nerd Mila Kunis and Comic-Con newbie Justin Timberlake to get their thoughts on the Con while they were promoting their rom-com “Friends With Benefits.” “I’m an expert at Comic-Con,” Kunis declared, adding that she is a much bigger geek than JT. “I’m stoked to go,” Timberlake said, who will be on hand to promote “In Time,” his film co-starring Amanda Seyfried. “I’m really stoked to go. I don’t have anything to wear yet.” “Do you want to borrow my Sailor Moon costume?” Kunis offered. “Or my Princess Leia dominatrix outfit?” “Yeah,” Timberlake said, considering the idea for a moment. “I might stretch it out a little bit.” Be sure to tune into “MTV News: Comic-Con Takeover” on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. ET/ 3 p.m. PT on MTV.com for live chats with all your favorite stars. The live streams kick off Thursday with our hour-long “Breaking Dawn” special. Keep it locked to MTV.com and Splash Page for all the latest, greatest Comic-Con news. If you have any questions or comments for our talent coming through, send them via Twitter @MTVNews with the hashtag #mtvsdcc. Check out everything we’ve got on “Friends With Benefits.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: ‘Friends With Benefits’ Related Artists Justin Timberlake

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R. Kelly Undergoes Emergency Throat Surgery

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Love Letter singer cancels Reggae Sumfest performance. By Jocelyn Vena R. Kelly Photo: WireImage It looks like the Reggae Sumfest will have to go on without R. Kelly . The singer has just announced that, due to health issues, he will no longer be on the lineup for the Jamaican festival, which began Sunday and will run through the upcoming weekend. Kelly was scheduled to perform Friday, however he was rushed to the hospital for throat surgery. “R&B superstar R. Kelly will be laid up for an indefinite amount of time after undergoing an emergency procedure at Northwestern Memorial Hospital yesterday to drain an abscess on one of his tonsils,” a press release reads. “Kelly had visited a throat specialist earlier in the day complaining of severe throat pain,” it continues. “Following a preliminary exam, he was rushed to Northwestern Memorial for the procedure. It is not known when the multiplatinum recording star, who just completed the U.S. leg of his worldwide Love Letter Tour , will be able to resume performing.” Kelly was one of the headlining draws for the Montego Bay festival. Other performers slated to take the stage at Reggae Sumfest include Nicki Minaj, Mya, Beenie Man, Elephant Man and a number of other artists from the Caribbean and the U.S. There has been no word on whether Kelly, who was to perform during one of the international nights, will be replaced. Kelly has no other upcoming shows scheduled. Share your well-wishes for R. Kelly in the comments below. Related Artists R. Kelly

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