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T.I., Christina Aguilera Collabo Is ‘Amazing,’ Alex Da Kid Says

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Comments Off on T.I., Christina Aguilera Collabo Is ‘Amazing,’ Alex Da Kid Says

‘Castle Walls’ will serve as the next single off the rapper’s No Mercy , due out December 7. By James Dinh, with reporting by Tim Kash T.I. Photo: Moses Robinson/ WireImage Producer Alex Da Kid might be relatively new to the industry, but the British hitmaker has already proven that he can strike gold when bringing together artists of different musical genres. With production credits on summertime scorchers like “Airplanes” (B.o.B and Hayley Williams) and “Love the Way You Lie” (Eminem and Rihanna), the 27-year-old music mind reveals he’s now trying his hand with another duo: T.I. and Christina Aguilera. While on the American Music Awards red carpet, Kid spoke to MTV News about “Castle Walls,” the track he produced for the recently incarcerated rapper’s forthcoming album, which features the pop star. Not only did the producer reveal that the song is set to be the next single off Tip’s No Mercy , but he also gushed about how the song will grab a variety of listeners. “It’s going to be T.I.’s next single,” he told MTV News about the collabo. “I love it. I think it’s amazing. It’s my sound, just kind of an evolution of that. I think it’ll cater to a lot of different people.” A reported snippet of the track minus T.I. surfaced on the Internet a few weeks ago and finds Aguilera gently singing over a steady, mellow beat about the downfalls of loneliness: “Everyone thinks that I have it all/ But it’s so empty living behind these castle walls (These castle walls)/ If I should tumble if I should fall/ Would anyone hear me screaming behind these castle walls?/ There’s no one here at all, behind these castle walls.” “Castle Walls” isn’t the only star-studded effort on the MC’s new album. No Mercy will also feature appearances from Eminem, Kanye West, Chris Brown and The-Dream. The ATL rapper’s collaboration with Em, “All She Wrote,” leaked online last Tuesday. Are you excited for T.I. and Xtina’s collaboration? Share your thoughts! Related Artists T.I. Christina Aguilera

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T.I., Christina Aguilera Collabo Is ‘Amazing,’ Alex Da Kid Says

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The Situation, Muse, More Rave About Justin Bieber At The AMAs

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Comments Off on The Situation, Muse, More Rave About Justin Bieber At The AMAs

‘You know what? Bieber’s doing his thing,’ ‘Jersey Shore’ star tells MTV News. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Tim Kash Justin Bieber Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images After Justin Bieber took home four trophies at the American Music Awards , including Artist of the Year, it was pretty clear that the music industry had caught Bieber Fever. And when MTV News caught up with some of the night’s winners, nominees and attendees they all admitted that Bieber is the hottest guy in the game right now. “I just think it’s just insane kids are just Justin Bieber in-fevered,” Taio Cruz joked to MTV News on the AMA red carpet . “And they love him, but they love us all, though.” Producer and songwriter Sean Garrett said Bieber is winning the guys over because he’s won so many of the ladies over. “He just kind of came out of nowhere,” Garrett said of Bieber. “He’s excited. He’s the youngest in charge, and he’s definitely got the ladies.” Muse drummer Dom Howard confessed that, while Bieber is not a boy, not yet a man, he’s still got that something. “Tonight he’s won all the awards even though he’s not quite a man yet,” Howard said. “Boy of the year!” Similarly, “Jersey Shore” star Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino said Bieber was the highlight of the show, thanks to his performance of “Pray.” “You know what? Bieber’s doing his thing,” Sitch said. For crooner Michael Bubl

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‘Glee’ Guest Star Darren Criss Finally Meets Katy Perry

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Comments Off on ‘Glee’ Guest Star Darren Criss Finally Meets Katy Perry

‘She’s very sweet,’ Criss said of ‘Teenage Dream’ songstress By Amy Wilkinson, additional reporting by James Montgomery Darren Criss Photo: MTV News Ever since “Glee” guest star Darren Criss warbled Katy Perry’s track “Teenage Dream” on the series’ Nov. 9 episode “Never Been Kissed,” he and Perry have been directing enthusiastic accolades at one another through the press. The pair finally had the first in-person meeting of their “mutual admiration society” at Sunday’s American Music Awards, and Criss left singing Perry’s praises once again. “[I met Perry] very, very quickly,” Criss told MTV News while walking the red carpet at Rolling Stone ‘s post-AMA party. “It was cool. She’s very sweet.” Following Criss’ debut on the Fox musical series earlier this month, Perry shared her compliments via Twitter, writing, “Oh…My…Gosh… this just brought a sweet tear to my eye! Teenage Dream on GLEE makes my heart go WEEEEE!” She later told “Access Hollywood” , “He’s amazing! I love when any of my songs are remixed or interpreted differently. I just love that. I really welcome a creative mind to anything.” Criss was flattered by Perry’s praise, telling MTV News last week the feelings were indeed mutual. “Katy makes my heart ‘go weeeee,’ ” he said. Criss has been quick to credit Perry and the track’s other writers and producers — Dr. Luke, Ben Levin, Bonnie McKee and Max Martin — with the single’s success (it reached #1 on the digital downloads chart last week, a first for a “Glee” single). “I’m forever in [Katy’s] debt, basically,” Criss said. “She’s been very supportive about the whole thing. She’s a cool chick, and I’m a big fan.” What did you think of Criss’ performance of “Teenage Dream” on “Glee?” Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Katy Perry

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Nicki Minaj Opens Up About Grandmother Who Raised Her In MTV Doc

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Comments Off on Nicki Minaj Opens Up About Grandmother Who Raised Her In MTV Doc

MC tearfully recalls her late grandmother in ‘My Time Now,’ airing Sunday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. By Mawuse Ziegbe Nicki Minaj in “My Time Now” Photo: MTV “Everything in Trinidad reminds me of my family that is no longer here,” Nicki Minaj begins in a scene from her forthcoming MTV News documentary “My Time Now” (airing Sunday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV). And for Minaj, recalling her late loved ones from the island nation overwhelms the typically freewheeling MC with emotion. During the scene, the Young Money diva’s coolly confident fa

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Muse Insist They’re ‘Happy’ With ‘Twilight’ Fanbase

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Comments Off on Muse Insist They’re ‘Happy’ With ‘Twilight’ Fanbase

‘Loads of young fans come to our gigs now who say, ‘We heard that song from that film,’ ‘ frontman Matt Bellamy tells MTV News. By Kyle Anderson, with reporting by Tim Kash Muse Photo: Michael Caulfield/ Getty Images Muse’s victory in the Favorite Alternative Rock Artist category at Sunday night’s 2010 American Music Awards felt like the crown jewel in what has been a pretty incredible few years for the band. Their latest album, 2009’s The Resistance, has sold millions of copies around the world, scored them a handful of hit singles, allowed them to sell out concerts on four different continents and perform at a number of high-profile television events. A bulk of that success is because of Muse’s participation on the soundtracks of “The Twilight Saga” movies (Muse are “Twilight” author Stephenie Meyer’s favorite band). Their “Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever),” for one, was the lead single from the soundtrack to last summer’s “Twilight Saga: Eclipse.” But in an interview with BBC’s Radio 1 back in July, Muse bassist Chris Wolstenholme expressed some trepidation about the band’s involvement. “I’m not sure how cool it is to be on those kind of things, but sometimes you’ve just got to get your music out there in different ways,” he said. “You have to take every opportunity you get, and sometimes you have to sell your soul.” When asked on Sunday about their “Twilight” stance, Muse frontman Matt Bellamy clarified the group’s position. “Loads of young fans come to our gigs now who say, ‘We heard that song from that film,’ ” he told MTV News’ Tim Kash after the AMAs. “And that’s great. We’re happy with that.” Bellamy also said that he’s fine with the vampire flicks. “The first one was pretty good,” he told Kash. “The second one I only saw a bit of it. A guy kept taking his shirt off and showing his muscles, which was getting a little cheesy. The third one was pretty good.” Muse later told Kash that they’ll remain on tour for the time being — they have dates in Australia coming up — and will then take the bulk of 2011 off for a little rest and recovery from the whirlwind that hasn’t stopped since they dropped The Resistance. But they hope to be working on new music by the end of the year for release some time in 2012. Of 2010, Bellamy said, “It’s been one of the best years for the band.” What do you think of Muse’s take on “Twilight”? Sound off in the comments! Related Artists Muse

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Beyonce Laughs Off Heat Commercial Controversy

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Comments Off on Beyonce Laughs Off Heat Commercial Controversy

‘It upped my sales,’ she tells ‘The View’ after her perfume ad was banned in the U.K. By Jocelyn Vena Beyonc

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My Chemical Romance’s Danger Days: A Cheat Sheet

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Comments Off on My Chemical Romance’s Danger Days: A Cheat Sheet

Band went through a lot of changes while making the just-released album. By James Montgomery My Chemical Romance’s Gerard Way Photo: Warner Bros. My Chemical Romance’s Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys is, on the surface, yet another concept album from a band that seemingly makes nothing but concept albums. It’s a daring, DayGlo-addled story about a band of outlaws — that would be, of course, the titular Killjoys — battling an oppressive corporation in a postapocalyptic future world (or something like that). But if you dig a little deeper, past the costumes and car chases and down to the nuts and bolts of how it came to be, you quickly learn that Danger Days is a lot more than just a work of fiction. Its creation was, in all honesty, much stranger than anything frontman Gerard Way ever could have written. Because, in the near two years they spent making the album, MCR were pushed to the brink. They lost their drummer, very nearly imploded and contemplated walking away entirely. They recorded an entire album’s worth of material, the overwhelming amount of which they absolutely hated. Times were grim. Lesser bands would have quit. But My Chem refused to break. Instead, they reteamed with an old friend, powered through and somehow emerged a better, badder band. With Danger Days, My Chemical Romance defied the odds — and so, with the album finally hitting stores Monday (November 22), we’ve decided to take a look back at the (very) long and tenuous road that led to this point. Sometimes, truth really is stranger than fiction, and this album is the proof. In October 2008, MCR bassist Mikey Way tells MTV News that the band is taking “a long break” and that, aside from the version of Bob Dylan’s “Desolation Row” they recorded for Zack Snyder’s “Watchmen,” there were no plans to begin work on a new album. At the end of 2008, Gerard Way hints that recording sessions had begun in earnest and that the new My Chem album probably wouldn’t be a conceptual thing: “I think I had to get it out of my system, as far as writing concept records,” he says. In January, the video for “Desolation Row” premieres, showing a lean, mean, decidedly non-conceptual version of the band. In February, Gerard Way tells MTV News that the new album would more than likely be a bare-bones, proto-punk affair, promising “there’s a purity to it. There’s less happening.” After nearly six months out of the spotlight, MCR premiere a trio of new songs , including “Death Before Disco” at the Roxy in Hollywood. Way re-emerges at Comic-Con 2009, touting the skills of producer Brendan O’Brien and saying that the new album is shaping up to be “love letter to rock and roll.” At the end of the year, the band previews a handful of songs for SPIN magazine, and Way says the album “has these feelings of being like a 15-year-old kid at the Jersey Shore, trying to win a M

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Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy: A Track-By-Track Guide

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Comments Off on Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy: A Track-By-Track Guide

Check out an in-depth examination of Yeezy’s new masterwork. By Jayson Rodriguez Kanye West Photo: Shirlaine Forrest/ Getty Images Kanye West’s new album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy , is a return to form of sorts for the mercurial star on the most basic of levels — as a producer and an MC — following a departure with his last project, 2008’s 808s & Heartbreak , a soul-baring effort soaked in personal pain and filtered through AutoTune. With My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy , the Chicago artist injects who he once was — a hyperactive musician, moody celebrity and gifted rapper — with the imprints of who he has become after his seclusion and re-emergence following the infamous Taylor Swift incident: an unwavering talent tarnished by controversy but resurgent in his refusal to be defined by anything other than himself. The set, Kanye’s fifth studio album, is an arrogant, remorseful, refreshing probe of perhaps the most complicated figure in pop culture today. The fact that West is the one examining himself makes it all the more brilliant and transparent. Here, MTV News delivers song-by-song crib notes to ‘Ye’s deep dive into his psyche. 1. “Dark Fantasy” On the leadoff number, West reasserts the lyrical acumen he displayed on his first three albums but doesn’t surrender the demonstrative narrative he uncorked on 808s & Heartbreak . Over the robust production of No I.D., Mike Dean and the RZA, which includes a driving organ, tickling keys and feathery choir, West bridges the storyline from his 2009 VMAs incident to his resilient return. And like that, he’s off. Illuminating Rhymes: “The plan was to drink until the pain over, but what’s worse the pain or the hangover?” 2. “Gorgeous” (featuring Kid Cudi and Raekwon) Yeezy is as boastful as he’s ever been on “Gorgeous,” but while his lyrics are razor sharp, the production here is softer, resulting in a melodic finger wag to his naysayers rather than searing jabs. Illuminating Rhymes: “But this pimp is at the top of Mount Olympus/ Ready for the world’s games/ This is my Olympics/ We make ’em say ‘ho’ cause the game is so pimpish/ Choke a ‘South Park’ writer with a fish stick.” 3. “Power” The track that started ‘Ye’s comeback is as stirring months later here as it was when it first leaked to the Web. “Power” is one of the few previously released gems that the producer didn’t tweak for the album version. The record is unflinching, uncompromising, and undoubtedly ‘Ye’s mantra for more than just the current year. Illuminating Rhymes: “I just needed time alone with my own thoughts, got treasures in my mind/ But couldn’t open up my vaults … Reality is catching up with me/ Taking my inner child/ I’m fighting for custody.” 4. “All of the Lights (Interlude)”/ 5. “All of the Lights” A smattering of a song with upward of 10 additional singers, “All of the Lights” is as fearless a track as West has ever made. The rapper is hardly the most present vocalist on this percolating storytelling number, sharing the spotlight with Rihanna, among others. But as a producer he’s front and center — his orchestration is the driving force behind this sonic train. Illuminating Rhymes: “Restraining order, can’t see my daughter/ Her mother, brother, grandmother hate me in that order.” 6. “Monster” (featuring Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj and Bon Iver) A booming collaboration where each MC pushes the other beyond the brink of one-upmanship until Minaj obliterates the track with a hodgepodge of styling — from her flow to her vocal inflection and varied tonal cadences. Illuminating Rhymes: “Yeah, I’m in that Tonka the color of Willy Wonka/ You could be the king but watch the queen conquer.” 7. “So Appalled” (featuring Jay-Z, Pusha T, CyHi the Prynce, Swizz Beatz and the RZA) This all-star cipher is a backpackers dream as ‘Ye’s G.O.O.D. Music soldiers fire away with resolve. But the Brooklyn icon, Jay-Z, steals the show with an edgy verse dismissing his critics with a 16 that’s as pushy as a New Yorker during rush hour. Please, Hammer, stop replying. Illuminating Rhymes: “I’m so appalled, I might buy the mall/ Just to show niggas how much I have in store.” 8. “Runaway” (featuring Pusha T) The emotional centerpiece of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy , “Runaway” gets a face-lift from the radio version with West returning the MP samples he blasted onto the track during his memorable 2010 MTV Video Music Awards performance. Pusha’s sneering guest spot remains the same, but in addition to the sampled tics that begin the track, the Clipse MC’s verse is sandwiched on the back end with an elongated outro. Illuminating Rhymes: “Never was much of a romantic, I could never take the intimacy/ And I know I did damage, ’cause the look in your eyes is killing me.” 10. “Hell of a Life” A brooding number with synth-heavy production and frenetic keys strokes. Here, West is all bravado in his hedonistic pursuits. Illuminating Rhymes: “One day I’m gonna marry a porn star/ We’ll have a big-ass crib and a long yard.” 11. “Blame Game” (featuring John Legend) The most melancholy track on the album, “Blame Game” finds West turning inward as he pensively dissects a deteriorating relationship — doling out blame between himself and his lady before ultimately assigning fault to their fading connection. Illuminating Rhymes: “I know that you were somewhere doing your thing/ And when the phone called, it just rang and rang/ You ain’t pick up but the phone accidentally called me back and I heard the whole thing.” 12. “Lost in the World” (featuring Bon Iver) / 13. “Who Will Survive in America” The denouement of Fantasy is a rollicking effort, thundering in its production and chock-full of proclamations from West that lead to more questions than answers after an hour of listening. The track caps off an exhilarating audio experience that’s sonically groundbreaking and lyrically thrilling. The final selection, a Gil Scott-Heron spoken-word excerpt, slowly punctuates the artful track with a stunning statement that seeks to leave West’s fantasy ride open for more life to be lived rather than bringing it to a conclusion. Illuminating Rhymes: “You’re my devil, you’re my angel/ You’re my heaven, you’re my hell/ You’re my now, you’re my forever/ You’re my freedom, you’re my jail/ You’re my lies, you’re my truth/ You’re my war, you’re my truce/ You’re my question, you’re my proof/ You’re my stress, you’re my masseuse.” Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Kanye West Related Photos Pop Culture References In Kanye West’s ‘Runaway’ Related Artists Kanye West

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Justin Bieber Named Artist of the Year

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Comments Off on Justin Bieber Named Artist of the Year

Simply put, Justin Bieber owned the American Music Awards last night. This 16-year old became the youngest singer to win Artist of the Year, adding that trophy to a haul that also included Pop/Rock Male, Breakthrough Artist and Album of the Year for “My World 2.0.” While on stage to accept the top honor, Bieber invited Usher to join him, referring to the R&B star as “not only my mentor but my best friend and my big brother.” It was a very nice moment, only topped for many by Justin’s rendition of “Pray,” a single off his upcoming acoustic album : Justin Bieber at the AMAs Other major winners at the AMAs included: Lady Gaga for Pop/Rock Female; The Black Eyed Peas for Pop/Rock Group; Brad Paisley for Male Country Artist; Taylor Swift for Female Country Artist; and Carrie Underwood for Country Album of the Year. But, really, it was a night of Bieber Fever all around. Relive Justin’s night via the following event photos:

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Bon Jovi Bring Arena Rock To The American Music Awards

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Comments Off on Bon Jovi Bring Arena Rock To The American Music Awards

Band plays new single ‘What Do You Got’ and mini-greatest-hits set. By Gil Kaufman Jon Bon Jovi performs at the American Music Awards on Sunday Photo: ABC Dick Clark Productions Bon Jovi could have played any one of a dozen tunes to celebrate the recent release of their new greatest-hits album. But in keeping with their relentless forward march, Jon Bon and the boys played the new hit single from the album at Sunday night’s (November 21) American Music Awards. The majestic “What Do You Got,” which features the band’s patented mix of cowboy balladry and pop bravado, was like a Bon Jovi greatest hit in a nutshell, with its combination of Jon’s street-tough-done-good lyrics about the power of love and guitarist Richie Sambora’s chiming guitar and towering backup vocals. The legendary New Jersey rockers were, of course, celebrating the new greatest-hits album and screened the concert movie “Bon Jovi – The Circle Tour” in theaters nationwide, so it’s not like they were going to leave the room hangin’. With more than 120 million albums sold over a legendary career, they had to cough up some of the good stuff. As Sambora ripped into the chunky intro of “You Give Love a Bad Name” and digital flashes lit up the TV screen, audience member Russell Brand couldn’t contain his elated smile while the band cranked out the hit that put them on the map more than 20 years ago. Sambora hooked up the talk-box and Bon Jovi spread his arms in triumph for another fist-pumping staple, “It’s My Life,” as the crowd, including a head-bobbing Jada Pinkett Smith and a devil-horn-flashing Jenny McCarthy, danced in the aisles, delighted that an arena-rock show had suddenly broken out in the midst of what they thought was just going to be another run-of-the-mill awards show. What did you think of Bon Jovi’s performance? Share your reviews in the comments! Related Artists Bon Jovi

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Bon Jovi Bring Arena Rock To The American Music Awards

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