Tag Archives: artists

My Chemical Romance Say ‘Na Na Na’ Saved The Band

Gerard Way says Danger Days’ first single ‘was the momentum we needed to dig deep and record another album.’ By James Montgomery My Chemical Romance’s Gerard Way Photo: Warner Brothers On November 22, My Chemical Romance will return with their supercharged new album, Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys , and if they seem rather invigorated this time out — what with frontman Gerard Way’s radioactive-red dye job and their newfound affinity for Trans Ams and DayGlo leather jackets — well, they owe it all to one song: the hyperkinetic first single, “Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na).” Because, as Way told BBC Radio’s Zane Lowe earlier this week, up until the moment they wrote the song, MCR were floundering, putting the finishing touches on an album (produced by Brendan O’Brien) that they weren’t happy with, and dealing with the departure of drummer Bob Bryar . But as soon as they had the breakneck chord progressions in place for “Na Na Na,” they knew everything had changed. “That’s the moment where we said, ‘This song changes everything. We’re starting over right now. We’re starting it over with [producer Rob] Cavallo, and we’re doing it now,’ ” Way said. “Everything up to that point had felt like we had been in this kind of stasis, and as artists, stasis really equals death. So, it was so bad, the vibe wasn’t good, and then ‘Na Na’ happened. And then, all of a sudden, there was this real, big intensity underneath us, and it was the momentum we needed to dig deep and record another album.” Recharged, the band met up with Cavallo (who did their 2006 album, The Black Parade ) and powered through. The end result was Danger Days, and though the album’s release is still more than two months away, Way says that “Na Na Na” is just a taste of what fans can expect on the album. There’s an energy to it, a spirit. It’s the song that saved the band, and he hopes the MCRmy will feel that power too. “To me, the power of the song is how it propelled all of us, and that’s kind of how we hoped it would propel everyone else,” Way said. “[The] spirit is … back, and it took a little while to figure out exactly who and what the band is and kind of re-embrace it, as opposed to turn our back on it.” What do you think of MCR’s new single, “Na Na Na”? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists My Chemical Romance

Read more:
My Chemical Romance Say ‘Na Na Na’ Saved The Band

Drake Says He’s Debating ‘Fancy’ Video Re-shoot

Drizzy tells MTV News he has a ‘way better idea’ for the clip, but may start fresh with ‘Show Me a Good Time.’ By Jayson Rodriguez Drake Photo: MTV News The last time Drake changed his mind about a music video at the last minute, his original idea for a sensitive clip for the ladies turned into the over-the-top “Best I Ever Had” visual directed by Kanye West . This time, however, the Toronto lyricist insists his next video will be great, regardless of his temporary indecisiveness. He’s debating whether to reshoot “Fancy” or commission a clip for his next single, “Show Me a Good Time.” “We shot ‘Fancy,’ and to be honest with you, it was done and I watched it and I just had a way better idea,” Drake told MTV News earlier this week. “And that’s why the video hasn’t come out yet. And to follow up ‘Find Your Love’ and ‘Miss Me,’ I really wanted to do something different, conceptually, and so I had this amazing idea and now I’m debating whether I should reshoot it or go straight to ‘Show Me a Good Time.’ But there should be a new Drake visual in the next little bit.” The Thank Me Later star said the “Fancy” clip was directed by Anthony Mandler (Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna), who also helmed “Over,” “Find Your Love” and “Miss Me” for Drake. According to Drake, the two are deciding what to do next, and the rapper is enthusiastic about the forthcoming production, regardless of which song they decide to shoot. “It’s something to look forward to,” he said. “I’m excited by it.” Next up, Drake will appear in Rick Ross’ “Aston Martin Music” video. Ross talked to MTV News about the clip earlier this month, saying the visual was “dope.” “We were just going over treatments for ‘Aston Martin Music,’ ” Ross said. “We’re going to shoot the dope version: Drake’s going to be rapping his verse and Chrisette [Michele will be there] and most definitely me. We’re just finalizing all the details. We should be shooting that hopefully next week, so look for that real soon.” Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Drake Related Artists Drake

Read more here:
Drake Says He’s Debating ‘Fancy’ Video Re-shoot

Tony Yayo Says 50 Cent’s Beef With Fat Joe Is ‘My Problem’ Too

‘If you really dislike 50, then you really dislike Yayo,’ he says on ‘RapFix Live.’ By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Sway Calloway Tony Yayo on “RapFix Live” on Thursday Photo: Jonathan Goldner/MTV News Tony Yayo wants to make it clear how the beef between 50 Cent and Fat Joe spills over to the rest of the G-Unit crew: “I didn’t have a problem with Fat Joe; 50 did,” Yayo explained Thursday (September 23) on “RapFix Live.” “So now it’s my problem.” Fat Joe and 50 Cent have been trading barbs in rhyme and during interviews for years now. When the Terror Squad lyricist appeared on “RapFix Live” last month, he said there’s little chance the dispute with Fif could end peacefully. “The day 50 Cent want to lock up with me in a bathroom and do this like men, we can hug each other and keep it moving the day after that,” Joe said, referring to a one-on-one fight. Yayo, however, dismissed Joe’s notion. The G-Unit soldier said the idea of a straight-up battle is unheard of in his Queens, New York, neighborhood and said he’d jump into a fight with 50 against Fat Joe. “Where I’m from, there’s no such thing as a fair one,” he explained. “If that man is fighting, you fighting too. That’s just how it is. Like [Joe] said, he don’t know where [the beef] started from. Whatever beef 50 got with him, that’s his issue. But 50 is my homie, and it is what it is.” When asked if the issue between 50 and Joe could exist solely between the two men, Yayo didn’t think so. “If you really dislike 50, then you really dislike Yayo,” he said. ” ‘Cause anybody that doesn’t like 50 isn’t gonna like Yayo. There goes the answer right there. If I see you, you see me, something might potentially happen.” What do you think about the ongoing beef between 50 Cent and Fat Joe? Share your thoughts in the comments. Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ With Tony Yayo Related Artists Tony Yayo Fat Joe 50 Cent

See the article here:
Tony Yayo Says 50 Cent’s Beef With Fat Joe Is ‘My Problem’ Too

Kanye West Is ‘Stepping Backwards’ For New Music, Q-Tip Says

‘He’s looking forward but reaching back, which is interesting,’ he tells XXL. By James Dinh Kanye West Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage Utilizing Auto-Tune and the electro-pop trend, Kanye West took a musical departure with his last album, 808s & Heartbreak. But the rapper is heading back to his early roots with his new album, according to collaborator Q-Tip. “This album is, in a good way, going backwards,” Q-Tip told XXL magazine of the project. “He’s such an artist. He knows exactly what he’s doing. When he did [ 808s & Heartbreak ], that was such a departure from College Dropout. But now he’s stepping backwards, so this album will be more of a sonic extension of College Dropout and Graduation, but he’s doing it with a new attitude.” The Tribe Called Quest member explained that West is attempting to mix his sound of the past yet simultaneously cover new ground. “He’s looking forward but reaching back, which is interesting,” Q-Tip told the magazine. “It’s a calculated toe in yesterday’s water, if that makes any sense at all.” In July, ‘Ye spoke about the inspiration behind the yet-untitled project. “Everyone says all great art comes from pain, but I think my greatest art comes from excitement and joy,” he said. “It’s a completely different perspective about being extremely excited about stuff that is only cool to me.” The LP, which is due in stores later this fall, is set to feature additional production credits from DJ Premier, Pete Rock and No I.D. Lead single “Power” finds the rapper taking on the media, haters and everyone in between. As the project has gained momentum, West has treated fans to a slew of new tracks including “Monster,” featuring Jay-Z, Rick Ross and Nicki Minaj; “Devil in a New Dress” ; and “G.O.O.D. Friday,” featuring Common, Pusha T, Kid Cudi, Big Sean and Charlie Wilson. More than likely, West will perform his new material when he serves as the musical guest on the Bryan Cranston-hosted “Saturday Night Live” episode October 2. What are you expecting from Kanye’s new album? Share your thoughts below! Related Artists Kanye West Q-Tip

Read more:
Kanye West Is ‘Stepping Backwards’ For New Music, Q-Tip Says

Justin Bieber’s ‘CSI’ Cameo Shows Off Dark Side

Fans will have to wait until February for Bieber’s story line to continue. By Jocelyn Vena Justin Bieber plays a troubled teen on “CSI” Photo: CBS The appropriately titled season premiere of “CSI,” “Shock Waves,” found the CSIs chasing down a bomb suspect with a grudge against the cops. With the investigators each dealing with ongoing physical and emotional damage from various other traumatic events, they had to put those feelings aside to chase down the McCann brothers, two young men with some authority issues. After Dr. Raymond Langston (Laurence Fishburne) is stabbed by inmate Nate Haskell, it’s assumed Haskell is the man behind the bombing at a funeral for a dead officer attended by Nick Stokes (George Eads). When they realize that the killer’s MO doesn’t match that of Haskell’s, they are on the trail, looking into every lead, which includes two very key clues that bring us to Jason McCann, played by Justin Bieber in his acting debut . We first meet Bieber at a community center, where he is defending the man who helped raise him, Ralph. “Ralph was no criminal,” Bieber says. “He’s a decent man. He took my brother and I when we had no one.” But it’s not long before Bieber and the CSIs meet at the community center, where they are trying to track down a cell phone used to detonate one of the bombs. In Bieber’s several scenes, his biggest and most convincing acting comes during his interrogation by Stokes. After learning that a young man fitting McCann’s description bought a toy plane, also used in the explosion, he sits down with the teen to try to find his brother, Alex, the main suspect in the explosion. Bieber is certainly new to acting, but he shows some quick wit and certainly has a screen presence, not to mention that signature hair, while delivering his lines alongside the veteran “CSI” actor. “Where’s your gun, your vest, your badge? You’re off work or something?” Bieber quips. “You still represent the authority, everything I hate. It’s probably like you hate me.” Soon, however, McCann’s confused-kid nature starts to show as he opens up to Stokes about his brother’s vindictive nature against the police. “They’re going to kill him, aren’t they?” he asks about his brother, who most likely is the guy out to settle scores by blowing up cops. “I didn’t have anything to do with the bombs. I just bought the airplane.” Soon, we learn that Ralph, the man who cared for the boys, was arrested, though it is never said why or if he actually deserved it. “When the cops arrested Ralph, Alex snapped. Ralph was like a father. He was a decent man,” he said, adding his brother’s motives: “He told me he was going to scare the cops. He’s got a house in old Henderson. You’d better hurry. That show at the funeral was just fireworks compared to what’s coming.” Stokes is soon off to find Alex, though it really isn’t too hard to find him. Alex is caught buying supplies to make more bombs and is killed by the cops when he pulls his gun, leaving Jason without his older brother but the CSIs with lots of evidence in the back seat of Alex’s car. The evidence? He wanted to blow up police headquarters. Jason’s story is kind of left up in the air, but not without one more explosion at an abandoned building being investigated. The catch: Alex was already dead when the explosion was set off. And, with Bieber in custody and an evil look in his eyes, it seems he’s keeping the family business alive. So what will happen when Bieber’s McCann returns? Well, fans will have to wait until February to find out. What did you think of Bieber’s acting debut? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Justin Bieber Stars In ‘CSI’ Related Artists Justin Bieber

Go here to read the rest:
Justin Bieber’s ‘CSI’ Cameo Shows Off Dark Side

Justin Bieber Gets ‘Kudos’ For His ‘CSI’ Cameo

Show’s exec producer sings the star’s praises over his appearance on the show, airing Thursday. By Jocelyn Vena Justin Bieber on “CSI” Photo: CBS Justin Bieber might be one of a handful of pop stars to make a cameo on “CSI,” but he has certainly left his mark on the cast and the crew of the hit CBS crime drama. When Bieber hits the small screen Thursday night (September 23) for his performance as Jason McCann, he will certainly leave fans stunned by his acting chops, one of the show’s producers told MTV News. “I thought that he did a really good job. We only had Justin for a day, for 10 and a half hours, and he had a lot of work crammed into those 10 and a half hours,” executive producer Carol Mendelsohn said about the first of Bieber’s two appearances on the show. “And he had one super big scene, and the scene was an interrogation scene in the police department with [actor] George Eads, and George actually took Justin under his wing.” Why did the veteran “CSI” actor feel that Biebs was worthy of his mentorship? “George said that when he was just starting out, Tom Selleck took him under his wing, so I think he tried to return that kindness, and he really had some time to work the material,” she explained. “We built in some time, and I thought that scene was really good, and Justin had a couple of scenes where he didn’t have a lot of dialogue or no dialogue and then two pretty heavy scenes.” Noting that Bieber did a “really good job” with the heavier work, Mendelsohn added that Bieber has some acting chops. “It’s hard for any accomplished, mature actor to come on the set and fall right into character and do your work, so kudos to Justin,” she said. Are you planning to watch Justin’s “CSI” debut? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Justin Bieber Stars In ‘CSI’ Related Artists Justin Bieber

See the original post:
Justin Bieber Gets ‘Kudos’ For His ‘CSI’ Cameo

Justin Bieber Joins Ranks Of Pop Stars With ‘CSI’ Cameos

Bieber’s season-premiere debut follows guest turns by Diddy, Taylor Swift and more. By Jocelyn Vena Justin Bieber in “CSI” Photo: CBS Justin Bieber is making his “CSI” debut on Thursday night (September 23), and while it remains to be seen whether the teen idol can pull out an Emmy-worthy performance, his appearance on the show continues the series’ tradition of casting marquee names for guest spots. Taylor Swift got to live out her dream in March 2009, when she played Haley , a girl found dead outside of a motel. While Swift didn’t have very many lines, the pop singer did display some chops onscreen and got to indulge her morbid acting fantasies. “I’ve always joked around with my record label and my mom and everybody — all my friends know that my dream is to die on ‘CSI,’ ” she said last year. “I’ve always wanted to be one of the characters on there that they’re trying to figure out what happened to.” But not everyone plays the victim. When Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz made a cameo on the show in March 2009, they hit up the East Coast version of the show on “CSI: NY.” The Wentzes went dark for their parts as Chester Byron and Lila Wickfield, playing a young couple entangled in the world of drug-dealing. “It’s easy to play passionate roles with the person you love,” Wentz said about hooking up with his wife onscreen. “There’s nothing weird about it when you love the person.” Diddy worked the opposite end of the legal spectrum when he was cast as a defense attorney on “CSI: Miami” in December 2008. Describing his character as a “nemesis” to David Caruso’s he explained, “I wanted to keep on studying and learning; working with great actors, directors, great shows. I’ve never done a television drama. I’ve always wanted to play a lawyer. I didn’t want to play, like, a rap artist or a criminal.” And that brings it back to Bieber, who’ll make his first of two appearances this week as troubled kid Jason McCann on “CSI” (the second will air in February). He’ll certainly be showing fans a side of him they haven’t seen. “He’s a troubled young man, raised in the foster-care system, whose hard-luck life has left him scarred and angry,” executive producer Carol Mendelsohn told MTV News last month. “When we first meet Jason, we meet him at a community center where he’s giving a testimonial in honor of a man who takes Jason and his older brother in when they had no one else, and that man is now in jail and Jason’s brother is out for revenge and looking for payback.” Are you planning to watch Justin’s “CSI” debut? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Justin Bieber Stars In ‘CSI’ Related Artists Justin Bieber

Continued here:
Justin Bieber Joins Ranks Of Pop Stars With ‘CSI’ Cameos

Ne-Yo Calls Potential Lady Gaga Collabo ‘Intriguing’

‘Would I jump into her world? Would I pull her into mine?’ he says to MTV News. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Tim Kash Ne-Yo Photo: Kim Schier / MTV News While Lady Gaga has worked with everyone from RedOne and Akon to Teddy Riley and Rodney Jerkins, she sticks to a pretty tight-knit group of collaborators when it comes to her albums, including the forthcoming Born This Way. But that doesn’t mean singer/songwriter Ne-Yo hasn’t been trying to get in the studio with the “Bad Romance” songstress. “We’ve been talking to Gaga’s people about some stuff,” he said. “Gaga’s very difficult to get a hold of as of late, for obvious reasons. She’s very busy. We’ve been talking to her people about doing some stuff.” Ne-Yo is best known for working with artists like Rihanna and Beyonc

‘American Idol’ Auditioners ‘Super Excited’ About New Judges

‘I pretty much almost fainted,’ one ‘Idol’ wannabe told MTV News about Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez announcement. By Kara Warner, with reporting by Matt Elias Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images The big news is out: Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler are officially “American Idol” judges. MTV News first consulted a few experts on the topic , and then we hit the L.A. “Idol” auditions, at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California, to chat with the wannabe singers to see what they thought of the new faces they would soon be seeing in the audition rooms. “I’m super excited,” Kaeli Filpi said. “I’m a huge fan of Steven Tyler. My parents are all into ’80s classic rock, so I’m a huge fan of him. I’m so excited.” Fellow hopeful Vonabell Sherman echoed the Tyler love. “Oh my gosh, I could not believe that Steven Tyler and J.Lo were on [the panel], and I’m thrilled,” she said. “If I get to see Steven Tyler, I don’t even know what I’m going to do. I think I might just, like, break down. He’s awesome!” “I pretty much almost fainted,” Keeira Lyn Ford admitted about hearing the news. “Because, honestly, Jennifer Lopez has been, it sounds corny, but she’s been my American Idol forever. She does everything I’ve ever wanted to do — music, fashion — she’s just an icon, and she’s the one I’m most excited about.” Erin Shelton had an alternative suggestion for the show: add a fourth and familiar face back into the mix. “I’ve heard rumors who it’s going to be, who’s going to be here and who’s not going to be here, and I wanted them to bring Paula [Abdul] back. Come on, bring her back! Why not? She’s hilarious,” Shelton said, before redirecting her thoughts at the actual new judges. “They’re going to bring in completely different aspects of music. We’ve got a rocker and a girl who’s been in pop forever.” “I think they’re going to bring a lot of energy, definitely newness. Out with the old, in with the new,” “Idol” hopeful Aaron James said. “I think they’re definitely going to pump it up and to try to do some different things to make the show completely different. That’s what’s going to keep people watching.” Katie Heart said she hopes Lopez will put more emphasis on the performance/dance side of things. “I love that whole performance part, and [Tyler] will bring more of a rocker’s edge.” Finally, Krihste Rhodes spoke about the fact that “Idol” fans knew what to expect from Cowell and Abdul, but that Lopez and Tyler’s tastes and preferences are a total mystery. “From Simon and Paula, it’s going to be so different, because they’ve had the same mind-set for all these seasons and the same kind of thing they’re looking for. J.Lo and Steven Tyler, who knows what they like? Nobody knows yet,” Rhodes pointed out. “It’s just going to be so interesting to see the kinds of things they come up with.” What do you want to see from Lopez and Tyler? Dancing? Rock and roll? Tough love? Tell us in the comments! Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Photos ‘American Idol’ Announces Its Season 10 Judges! Before Steven Tyler Was An ‘American Idol’ Judge … Jennifer Lopez: From The Block To ‘American Idol’ Related Artists Jennifer Lopez

Read more:
‘American Idol’ Auditioners ‘Super Excited’ About New Judges

Nelly Promises St. Lunatics Album In November

‘We’re good for those novelty records like that,’ he tells MTV News of first single ‘Polo.’ By Jayson Rodriguez Nelly Photo: MTV News November is going to be a busy month for Nelly. The rapper is scheduled to drop his forthcoming solo effort 5.0, featuring the top 10 hit “Just a Dream,” that month, and, after a 10-year hiatus, the St. Lunatics are finally readying their sophomore set, which will also hit shelves in November. “A lot of y’all been following us,” Nelly told MTV News of the St. Lunatics. “You know the history. Our first album was called Free City, in honor of my little brother [City Spud] who was locked up right before we dropped Country Grammar. He wasn’t with us, and we dropped the first Lunatic album. We didn’t want to do another Lunatic album until he came out. We kinda got crossed up with that, ’cause we were hoping almost every year it would be the year he got out. Had we known he wouldn’t get out till nine years later, obviously, we would have done another Lunatic album. But my brother is free now.” The new project will be called City Free. The first single from the collection will be “Polo,” a nod to the clothing line. The song follows in the footsteps of past Nelly hits like “Air Force Ones,” a tribute to the Nike basketball sneakers. Nelly laughed as he talked about the track but said that type of record is a sincere effort by his crew. “We’re good for those novelty records like that,” he said. “But I think we do it best. We can’t help it. It’s a part of that culture [in St. Louis]. All of [those records] was banging! Stop me when it don’t work.” Are you looking forward to new music from the St. Lunatics? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Nelly Related Artists Nelly

Read more:
Nelly Promises St. Lunatics Album In November