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Eminem ‘Finally Did Justice’ To Late D12 Member Proof With ‘You’re Never Over’

Posted on July 6, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Rapper said he couldn’t get tribute right before recording song from Recovery LP. By Gil Kaufman Eminem and Proof in 1999 Photo: MTV News Eminem tried, and in his eyes failed, to pay tribute to his late friend and D12 partner Proof in the past. Though the subject of Proof’s death in 2006 weighed heavily on his mind, Em couldn’t quite figure out how to put it into words. But on the “Road to Recovery” special on Sirius’ Shade 45 channel last week, the rapper explained that on “You’re Never Over,” from his new Recovery album , he finally put the right bars together. Produced by Just Blaze, the song grinds along on fuzzed-out guitars and a spare beat as Em rhymes, “The days are cold livin’ without you/ The nights are long, I’m growing older/ I miss the days of old, thinkin’ about you/ You may be gone, but you’re never over … If Proof could see me now, I know he’d be proud/ Somewhere in me deep down, there’s something in me he found/ That made him believe in me, no one can beat me now.” “For me, this is the most important song off the record,” Em said of the tune in which he credits his “guardian angel” Proof (born DeShaun Holton) for inspiring him to keep going and not fall victim to his darker tendencies. “It’s a dedication to Proof. It is one of those records that I tried … I had several attempts at making. Every attempt just wasn’t good enough. It was one of those things, I tried a bunch of records and it just didn’t work. Like, ‘This is not good enough, the rhyme’s not crazy enough, the beat’s not crazy enough.’ When I finally got it, I felt like, ‘Thank you, thank you, God for just giving me the strength to be able to write this record and make it feel like it does.’ ” In an uncharacteristically gentle voice on the chorus, in which he sings, “I just miss you,” Slim Shady does his best to croon out the dedication, though he was the first to admit that he’s not a world-class singer. “I guess as long as the emotion is there … But it was one of those moments on the record where I feel like, ‘OK, I finally did Proof some kind of justice by being able to put that together and dump my heart on the record,’ ” he said. “It was one of those things that when it got towards the end of the record, I really didn’t even care about making the rhyme crazy, I just wanted it to say it.” What do you think of Eminem’s dedication to Proof? Let us know in the comments below! Related Artists Eminem D12

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George Michael’s Driving And Drugging Woes

Posted on July 6, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

The singer’s latest driving-related arrest caps off years of erratic behavior behind the wheel. By Mawuse Ziegbe George Michael Photo: Live 8/ Getty Images In his latest headline-making turn behind the wheel, pop singer George Michael was arrested on Sunday in London on suspicion of being unfit to drive. Michael was taken to a London police station after cops received reports that a car had smashed into a building. While the weekend crash recalls a scene from, say, “The Dukes of Hazzard” or “Cops,” the collision was just another mark on Michael’s growing list of rowdy (and often drug-related) automotive incidents. Michael shot to fame in the 1980s as a member of the Brit pop duo Wham! and later found solo success with hits like “Faith,” “I Want Your Sex” and “Father Figure.” After getting arrested in a Beverly Hills restroom and being charged with “engaging in a lewd act” in 1998 — a move that sparked massive media attention and eventually led the singer to both acknowledge his sexuality and spoof the incident in the video for his single “Outside” — Michael has lit up headlines in recent years more for his erratic behavior than for his hit-making prowess. 2006 – Authorities arrested Michael after the star was found slumped over in a car and blocking traffic in central London . The singer was detained on suspicion of possessing Class C drugs (Class C drugs include a range of substances, such as marijuana and painkillers) and then released on bail. Michael was involved in a similar incident just a few months later. Once again, the star was found knocked out in a vehicle and then crashed into a traffic divider when a fellow driver woke him. 2007 – Michael was barred from driving for two years after crashing into three parked vehicles and failing to notify the owners of the cars before driving away. 2008 – Even on foot, the star continued to run into trouble. The singer was arrested on drug-possession charges after an attendant caught Michael in a public restroom in London (a seemingly favored haunt for the troubled singer) with a “small amount” of marijuana and crack cocaine. Luckily for the star, Michael was not charged and was sent along with a cautionary warning. 2009 – In what appears to be an annual trend for the singer, Michael was arrested again after he crashed his Land Rover into a truck . The star was questioned and then released and later denied being inebriated in a statement: “Neither of us [the truck driver nor Michael] was charged because we were both stone cold sober.” The star added, “I don’t want my fans or my family worried by what they are reading all over again.” Related Artists George Michael

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Eminem? Drake? Fans Name Their Best Albums Of The Year (So Far)

Posted on July 6, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Fans also rep for Christina Aguilera, Jonelle Monae. By James Montgomery Drake Photo: Tim Mosenfelder/ Getty Images Last week we had reached the midway point of 2010, and I wrote my annual “Best Albums of the Year (So Far)” list . And, much like every other year, there were a whole lot of people who had different opinions. It seems that no matter how many albums I choose to highlight (23 this time around), there are always some that I miss … and more often than not, at least one of those albums is by Eminem. Last year, I left Relapse off of my list , and, boy, did the Em fans let me know about it. This year, his Recovery disc failed to make the cut, and once again, the fans were out in full force, voicing their displeasure and calling me all sorts of nasty things. While we could live without the catcalls, we want to know your picks for the best albums of the year so far, and lots of people have written in with theirs (Drake, B.o.B., Christina Aguilera). Oh, and a few folks out there actually agreed with my list, so, hey, let’s hear from them, too — and let us know what your picks are! “What about Eminem’s Recovery? SEVEN of his songs are on the Top 100 Billboard list,” reader Keith wrote. “And also, what about Drake’s Thank Me Later? The numbers show clearly for these guys.” Reader Ian had similar feelings — “Where is B.o.B’s album The Adventures of Bobby Ray? That was incredible.” — as did ConcertConfessions.com — “Dude, you forgot Deftones’ Diamond Eyes. Oh, and I am trying, but just not feeling the new Against Me! Some songs I love, some songs I want to smack them for.” — and Stomp17 (“Where is Gorillaz’ Plastic Beach? That album should at least be number 10 or 9 on the Best of 2010 list [note: It made the list as an ‘Honorable Mention’].” Several people had a lot to say about their picks. MclintM sounded off about Christina Aguilera’s Bionic : “I don’t understand all the backlash and unnecessary criticism with [ Bionic ]. If you give it repeat listens — the whole 24 tracks as it was meant to be … can’t stand label’s deluxe editions now — and have heard previous efforts it all makes sense in her trajectory. Really plays with her voice and is some of the most downright club-worthy stuff she’s ever laid down.” Others drilled down into my picks, singling out Janelle Monae in particular. “Great article!,” reader Mike wrote. “Kudos on a lot of your choices. A couple comments: 1) I think you should check out Foxy Shazam. Their self-titled album came out in April and it is fantastic. They have an incredible amount of energy and talent. 2) I think Robyn deserves higher on the list. Even at eight tracks, the album is really great. She really has a knack for writing great quality pop songs. 3) Others that I think you should consider for your list are Sia’s We Are Born and Motion City Soundtrack’s My Dinosaur Life. I also think Janelle Monae should be #1 on your list. Her album is fantastic and innovative. I really think she is the future of music.” “I heard Janelle Monae’s CD and I must say, pure epic,” Cwilson10 wrote. “I was hearing all kinds of stuff, I thought I was tripping for a second. To tell you the truth I didn’t know her CD was going to be that much fun. It felt like I was in a movie theater when the CD was over and Janelle was my date. I’m not lying, she puts everything into a story!!” And, of course, a few readers shared their disappointment in certain releases. “Sorry, but the new LCD Soundsystem is the biggest disappointment of the year,” Theboogieman631 wrote. “Time to get off Mr. Murphy’s n–s.” And Yoprince sounded off about several albums: “Glad to hear I’m not the only The Hold Steady fan who was a bit disappointed, which is to say a lot disappointed since they’re like my favorite American band. Damn Craig for thinking it was time to start harmonizing. I still haven’t been able to get all the way through that Gorillaz record. Janelle Monae, Yeasayer, Sleigh Bells FTW! And yes, I like the Drake record, which seems to be an unpopular opinion outside of teenagers and some very defensive blog writers. No Eminem? Fine with me. Too many tracks and Em fans won’t admit it but some of those punchlines were more miss than hit.” So what are your favorite albums of the year so far? Sound off in the comments below! Related Videos MTV News Best Albums Of 2010 (So Far) Related Artists Drake Eminem Christina Aguilera

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Madina Lake Bassist Released From Hospital, Still Faces Brain Surgery

Posted on July 6, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘So we’d finally convinced the doctors to let me take Matthew home,’ brother and bandmate Nathan Leone posted on the band’s blog. By James Montgomery Matthew Leone of Medina Lake Photo: Jay West/ WireImage Madina Lake bassist Matthew Leone — who was beaten and left unconscious last week after attempting to intervene in a domestic dispute — has been sent home from the hospital in Chicago, but still faces an uphill battle (including a second round of brain surgery) before he’ll be in the clear. That’s according to his twin brother and Madina Lake frontman, Nathan Leone, who took to the band’s blog on Monday to update fans on Matthew’s condition. “So we’d finally convinced the doctors to let me take Matthew home. He was going nuts in the hospital and they agreed that he would benefit from a more comfortable environment,” Nathan wrote. “The only goal at this point is [to] get him strong enough for his second brain surgery, which is scheduled for the 16th. “It’s going to be a tenuous couple of weeks, we’ll watch him 24 hours a day, make sure he sits still, rests and heals to the fullest extent possible,” the post continued. “We know from the doctors that his future prognosis remains guarded, since the permanency of the physical and neuropsychological damage is yet unknown.” As Nathan Leone told MTV News last week, his brother suffered a broken jaw and nose and a fractured skull after he attempted to break up a fight between a man and a woman on the streets of Chicago. As Leone called police, he was jumped from behind and left bleeding and unconscious. The beating was so severe, Nathan said, that doctors were forced to remove one-third of his brother’s skull to alleviate swelling on the brain. Chicago police have subsequently arrested 33-year-old Justin Pivec in connection with the attack, charging him with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm to Leone and battery for the attack on his wife. And while Matthew Leone slowly recovers from the beating, his medical bills continue to pile up. According to Nathan Leone, neither he nor his brother has health insurance, and so, in order to help with their mounting bills, Madina Lake’s management have partnered with the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund and Pledge Music to begin accepting donations on Matthew Leone’s behalf. Related Artists Madina Lake

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‘Harry Potter’ Star Warwick Davis Shares Most Memorable Moments

Posted on July 6, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I got to do some really interesting and important things,’ Davis says of two-part ‘Deathly Hallows.’ By Kara Warner Warwick Davis Photo: MTV News Ask any of the “Harry Potter” castmembers to name their favorite moment over the course of filming eight movies, and they’ll be hard-pressed to select just one. No matter what level of involvement, from stars to extras, production designers to makeup artists, those close to the wizard franchise feel lucky just to have been a part of the “Potter” magic. And perhaps no one more than actor Warwick Davis , who has not only appeared in all eight of the films, but played two memorable characters: Professor Filius Flitwick and Gringotts’ formidable goblin, Griphook. When MTV News caught up with the actor at the opening of Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park last month, we asked him to narrow down his character’s most memorable moments. “I think all of my favorite moments are in the last two films,” Davis said. “I got to do some really interesting and important things, which is nice. Previously in the films, it’s always been great to be there, but normally I’ve been the kind of comic relief. I’ve had silly, fun things to do, which have been very memorable,” he explained. “It’s wonderful. People always remember those moments, but I felt having Griphook and Flitwick [in the final two films] — I have much more bearing and importance on the plot as well.” Davis added that the absolute best moment for him was both surreal and emotional. “People who’ve read the books will know this ( spoiler alert ), but the moment where Voldemort exclaims that Harry Potter is dead … to have read that and to actually be there as it’s happening, that was quite emotional and quite surreal. It sends a shiver down your spine because you’re standing there and witnessing this event. It’s almost like reading the newspaper going back in time, witnessing a world-changing event.” What’s your favorite Flitwick or Griphook moment? And what scene are you most eager to see played out in the final “Harry Potter” films? Tell us in the comments! Check out everything we’ve got on “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com .

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Katy Perry Says She’s Tamed ‘Professional Prostitute’ Russell Brand

Posted on July 6, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘He’s an extremist, which can be both good and bad,’ singer says of her fiance in the August issue of Esquire U.K. By Jocelyn Vena Katy Perry and Russell Brand Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/ WireImage While Katy Perry appears topless on the cover of the U.K. edition of Esquire, it’s what she says on the inside that may have everyone talking. In the magazine’s August issue, Perry opens up about her relationship with bad-boy comedian Russell Brand , noting that she tamed him. “He used to basically be a professional prostitute — now he’s not. So he’s an extremist, which can be both good and bad,” she says, according to Huffingtonpost.com . “I always needed someone stronger than me. And I am, like, a f—ing strong elephant of a women. I say that, hopefully, in the humblest way I can.” And it may have been her incredibly strong personality that made the pair fall almost instantly in love with one another. “I was 25, 30 feet away from him. And I threw the bottle straight at him: hit him smack dab on the head. Can you imagine the horrible feeling he had, when he was used to getting everything he wanted? I was like, ‘You’ve met your match, motherf—er.’ A week later we went on vacation in Thailand,” she explained, adding, “I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I am you. You are me.’ Two divas in one house. It’s like splitting the atom. It shouldn’t happen.” Perry also discussed working with Snoop Dogg on her hit single “California Gurls,” saying, “I was thinking to myself how perfect it would be to have a California anthem. I can’t let the Beach Boys down. I can’t let Tupac down. I had the idea to put Snoop on — I thought he would be the cherry on top, and it would make me look cooler.” And working with Snoop allowed Perry the chance to partake in one of the rapper’s alleged favorite pastimes. “I was scared for my life to get off the hookah. Everyone else is smoking everything else. I was saying to myself, ‘If that sh– still gets Snoop high, if I breathe it in I will die. I will be on a permanent balloon.’ I was like, ‘Hold on to the hookah.’ ” What do you think of Perry’s comments about fianc

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Royce Da 5’9" Talks Possible Slaughterhouse, Solo Deals With Eminem

Posted on July 6, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘Just because the paperwork ain’t done don’t mean we ain’t been working,’ he tells Mixtape Daily. By Shaheem Reid Royce Da 5’9″ Photo: Djamilla Rosa Cochran/ WireImage The O.D.: A Mixtape Daily Exclusive Hope everyone enjoyed their Fourth of July holiday! We’re fresh from New Orleans and the Essence Music Fest. N.O., thank you again for always showing love. Make sure you read up on our adventures out there elsewhere on the website. On to the business at hand: Mixtape Daily ‘s periodic check-in on the Slaughterhouse/ Shady Records deal . The group (Royce Da 5’9″, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Crooked I) still isn’t officially signed as of yet, but we asked Royce whether he would ink with Shady as a solo artist if his team is onboard. After all, Royce has been traveling with Marshall, and the two have a long history. “We haven’t talked about that,” Royce said of a solo deal with Shady. “Right now, we just chillin’. We’re getting back acclimated, being around each other, getting the creative juices flowing. Making sure we’re on the same page creatively. We’re just gonna focus on the Slaughterhouse album right now. “Man, I haven’t thought about it,” Royce reiterated about his solo deal. “After I put this next album out, I’m a free agent. So I’m sure it’s a possibility. But it’s not something we’re really thinking about right now. I’m gonna totally focus on the group, because I think [this] sh– could be something special.” Royce said he’s hoping Slaughterhouse can drop a project this year and he can come with a solo opus sometime in 2011. “Depending on when this deal closes, which should be very soon, I think I’m gonna put my focus on the group,” he said. “I got a lot of material done for my solo album, but I wanna take my time with it. I’m looking at next year for my album. I’ve been doing sh– sporadically. I wanna put all my focus into the Slaughterhouse album first. I would like for my album to catapult off the next Slaughterhouse album. We’re gonna cancel everything. We did the last [Slaughterhouse] album so fast, because we was behind the eight ball, time-wise. It ain’t gonna be no timeline on this album. We going in, and we gonna keep recording until it’s right.” Meanwhile, as Slaughterhouse continue to work on separate projects (Royce just released the mixtape Bar Exam 3 and Ortiz has his Yaowa tape dropping in the next few weeks), the Nine Nickel said Em is making sure they stay active as a collective while they wait on the label paperwork. “Em gave me all types of tracks. Dre beats,” Royce said. “Just because the paperwork ain’t done don’t mean we ain’t been working. We definitely been throwing ideas around. [Em] stressed he wants to have a lot of involvement in the project. We want him to be as involved as he wants to be. Anytime he runs an idea by me, I respect him so much, I’m down with it. If he gives me a beat, like, ‘Yo, y’all would sound ill on this,’ I’m going to record it. That’s pretty much what we been doing. He hasn’t did no beats and gave me nothing yet, but he has given me a lot of beats from other producers.” For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines or follow the Mixtape Daily team on Twitter: @shaheemreid and @mongosladenyc .

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Steve Carell Says His Exit Could Be A ‘Good Thing’ For ‘The Office’

Posted on July 6, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I have no doubt that it will continue to be as strong if not stronger,’ he tells MTV News. By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz Steve Carell Photo: MTV News In addition to managing a very busy movie career, Steve Carell has spent the past seven years making audiences cringe and laugh — often at the same time — with the zany and awkward antics of “The Office” boss Michael Scott. When MTV News caught up with the “Despicable Me” voice actor recently, we had to ask why he chose to make this seventh season of the NBC hit comedy his last . “I was always contracted for seven seasons, and I’m going to fulfill my contract,” he said. “I just thought it was time. I’m ready to go.” Carell said his decision to leave is not at all based on being tired of his beloved castmates. “No, that’s not it at all, believe me. It’s really like a family,” he said. “I know that sounds like a clich

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Jay Electronica Forges His Own Path As ‘Hottest Breakthrough MCs Of 2010’ Candidate

Posted on July 6, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Fans decide our ‘Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2010’ — vote now! The winner will be revealed on July 25. By Jayson Rodriguez Jay Electronica Photo: Tim Mosenfelder/ Getty Images “Hottest Breakthrough MCs of 2010” Candidate: Jay Electronica Jay Electronica isn’t like most other artists, let alone rappers. The New Orleans MC marches to his own self-produced beat. Whether it’s live-tweeting the birth of his and Erykah Badu’s child or practically disrobing in concert to give his fans as much of himself as possible, he’s among the most unique stars to come along in some time. With the release of “Exhibit C” last year and “The Ghost of Christopher Wallace” earlier this year, Jay Elect’s buzz has never been bigger. But unlike most wordsmiths, he is in no rush to capitalize on the attention from fans and the music industry alike; he already has a scarce discography, with his best-known work being the mixtape Act 1: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge). “For the past few years, I been working on my own pace,” he told MTV News. “And not necessarily out of stubbornness, just out of — I been doing this for so long and trying to accomplish the thing for so long, that I finally found being my own self and working on my own time and being the most natural is the thing that yields the most results for me. Of course, I’d like to be able to tell you, ‘[My debut is] coming next week, two weeks from now,’ because we have projects. Me and Just Blaze have gangs of songs. Me and Nas speak on a regular basis; we’re working on music together. There’s a lot of things going on. But I don’t necessary have a calendar marked when things are coming, because I just kind of want to let it keep going the way it’s going, which has led me to this point.” Jay Electronica has the attention of Diddy, who rode shotgun on the rapper’s “The Ghost of Christopher Wallace,” and, of course, Just Blaze, who will helm the majority of Act III, his official debut. In addition to working on his solo effort, Jay Elect has his hand in more projects than President Obama. According to the nomadic rapper, projects with Nas , Lupe Fiasco and Mos Def are on the way. Whenever he gets around to his own material, though, the plan is to put out a sequel to his well-received mixtape — he rapped over music looped from the film “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” on the set — and then his debut, which will be the third part of the trilogy. “It’s still Act II. It’s coming,” he promised. ” Act III , the official album, which ‘Exhibit A’ and ‘Exhibit C’ are a part of [as well as] ‘Dear Moleskin.’ You know, it’s coming real soon.” Jay and 19 other up-and-coming MCs are in the running to become MTV News’ “Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2010” — and the winner will be decided by you! Cast your vote for the “Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2010” right here . The top five will be revealed beginning July 19, and the winner will be announced on the “Sucker Free Summit” July 25! Related Videos Hottest Breakthrough MCs of 2010

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Paris Hilton Detained In South Africa For Marijuana Possession

Posted on July 2, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Socialite was in South Africa for the World Cup. By Mawuse Ziegbe Paris Hilton Photo: Getty Images Paris Hilton was busted in South Africa at the World Cup for marijuana possession, The Associated Press reports. Two South African police officers, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to the AP that the socialite was detained in Port Elizabeth on Friday (July 2). “She was found in possession of some amount of dagga,” an officer said. (Dagga is the local term for marijuana.) “We don’t know how much. It’s a high-profile person; only the top cops are dealing with it.” A police spokeswoman in Port Elizabeth, Marinda Mills, would not publicly confirm whether Hilton was detained. She did concede that a person was appearing in court who was “high profile,” however, and referred to the notable detainee with the feminine pronouns “her” and “she,” the AP reports. “This person is appearing in court right now,” Mills said. “We cannot reveal information about her until she has appeared in court. I am here with the individual in court. We’re waiting for the court to start.” While it appears that the heiress did check out some soccer, she apparently got sidetracked. A Johannesburg radio report said the reality star was detained after the quarterfinal World Cup game between Brazil and Netherlands, outside of Nelson Mandela Bay stadium. This isn’t Hilton’s first brush with the law. After violating her probation (which the star was slapped with for driving under the influence in 2006 ) by repeatedly driving with a suspended license, Hilton famously reported to jail directly after the 2007 MTV Movie Awards . Related Artists Paris Hilton

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