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Drake Postpones Away From Home Tour’s European Leg

Posted on July 1, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

The Toronto MC says he made ‘difficult decision,’ but must tend to his ailing mother. By Jayson Rodriguez Drake Photo: Getty Images Drake announced on Thursday (July 1) that he’ll postpone the European leg of his Away From Home Tour , set to begin Friday, to tend to his ailing mother, who has been battling an arthritic condition and an illness that affects her entire body, often leaving her unusually fatigued. The rapper released a statement explaining the last-minute decision to his fans. “Despite my best hopes, it is apparent that my mother will need surgery earlier than anticipated,” Drake said. “In light of this news, I have made the difficult decision to cancel my European tour in order to support her during her recovery, just as she supported me through the years. I cannot thank my European fans enough and look forward to performing abroad soon. I ask everyone to please respect my family’s privacy during this time.” The Toronto lyricist has postponed shows in Paris, Amsterdam and London; the shows will be rescheduled for November 2010. A number of his European appearances, however, were festival appearances that Drake will no longer make. The So Far Gone star will resume his tour on July 16 for the Canadian leg, which includes dates in Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver. In the MTV documentary “Drake: Better Than Good Enough,” the rapper opens up, abeit briefly, about his mother’s illness. “My mom is sick,” he says in one scene. “So that scares me a lot. She’s been the most supportive person I’ve ever had in my life — the only person that loves me unconditionally, really. I know a lot of people love me and I love a lot of people. But to love somebody unconditionally is different.” Related Videos ‘Drake: Better Than Good Enough’ Related Photos Drake’s Style: From A To Drizzy Related Artists Drake

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Christina Aguilera Sparkles In ‘Burlesque’ First Photos

Posted on July 1, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘The art of the tease, the dance, beautiful women,’ the singer tells USA Today of what drew her to upcoming flick. By Eric Ditzian Christina Aguilera Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images More than a year before Christina Aguilera got back into the pop music game with Bionic, her first studio album since 2006, the signer decided to explore some artistic territory she’d never visited before: the big screen. In May 2009, Xtina signed on to star in “Burlesque,” a musical about a small-town girl who dreams of becoming a star. Now, we’re finally getting our first look at Aguilera in the fall release. “It’s sexy, it’s sensual,” Aguilera told USA Today. “The whole idea of burlesque has always intrigued me. The art of the tease, the dance, beautiful women — need I say more?” All that and more is on display in photos published by USA Today. . One image captures Aguilera in a leg-revealing, gold bodysuit as dancers flip and bow around her. Is this the film’s climatic scene? Is it a dream sequence? Fans will have to wait until the movie hits theaters in November to find out. Other pics show Aguilera with longer blonde locks: in her kitchen and at a nightclub with co-star Cher. “I love no-bullsh– women, and she’s the best of the best, an original trendsetter in her time and a legend in mine,” Aguilera said of Cher, who plays the owner of the burlesque club in the film. “I found her kind and warm. She had helpful advice and stories for days.” But Aguilera didn’t seem to need much advice, according to writer/director Steven Antin, who told the newspaper she didn’t take long to get the hang of a movie set. “She figured out how it works within weeks,” Antin said. “She is a little bit of a freak of nature and a perfectionist. This girl is a movie star.” What appealed to her about the role, Aguilera said, was that her character “wasn’t just a girl who comes to L.A. and makes it big. It was a girl who had suffered and felt pain, been in seven foster homes. She doesn’t let her past make her a victim. And that to me was so appealing.” Playing the character was so appealing, in fact, that the pop singer is already looking forward to taking on more movie roles. “I think people will definitely feel energized and excited,” she said. What do you think of Christina crossing over into acting? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com . Related Photos The Evolution Of: Christina Aguilera Related Artists Christina Aguilera Cher

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Flo Rida, David Guetta Talk ‘Big’ Single ‘Club Can’t Handle Me’

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

The French super-producer ‘has been a guy who I look up to,’ Flo tells MTV News of recruiting Guetta. By Akshay Bhansali Flo Rida Photo: MTV News Since recording the internationally successful hip-hop/dance single “Right Round,” Flo Rida seems to have found the sound he’d like to follow on his next go-round. The rapper can now be included in an ever-expanding list of superstars turning to dance-music super-producer David Guetta in search of a song to set the club on fire. We recently caught up with the new partners in crime on the Los Angeles video set for their collaboration, “Club Can’t Handle Me.” The song not only appears on the MC’s upcoming album, The Only One, but it’s also slated to be the lead single for Disney’s “Step Up” threequel, “Step Up 3-D.” And working with Guetta means Flo’s not in bad company: Rihanna , Akon , Kelly Rowland and the Black Eyed Peas are but a few of the folks who’ve partnered with Guetta during the French DJ’s two-year ascension on the U.S. pop-music scene. With each song, Guetta’s knack for getting folks to jump to their feet seems to grow stronger. “David Guetta has been a guy who I look up to,” Flo told MTV News. “He’s definitely been big around the world and has always been there to let me know that my music is hot, and vice versa. So I definitely appreciate doing this big record with him.” “I was always playing a bootleg with ‘Love Is Gone’ [Guetta’s original collabo with Kelly Rowland] and ‘Low,’ from him,” Guetta recalled. “One day, his record company called me and asked me if I would produce records for him. I was like, ‘Yeah! Of course! Because I knew it was working in every club I was playing already.” The video’s backdrop is exactly what one might imagine from the title: an opulent, extravagant club party befitting a rap boss and world-renowned club DJ. “This video right here is just, if you’ve ever dreamed about having the biggest party of your life, ‘Club Can’t Handle Me’ definitely represents that,” Flo said. “Lotta energy. Lot of diamonds, ice sculptures. Just showing that boss vibe. So I mean really, the club can’t handle me.” But it was Guetta who probably summed it up best saying, “We are definitely both club people — it’s like our office!” he laughed. Flo Rida’s forthcoming The Only One features production by Dr. Luke (“Right Round”) and guest verses from Jay Rock and Lil Wayne. What do you think of Flo Rida getting in the studio with David Guetta? Tell us in the comments? Related Artists David Guetta Flo Rida

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David Banner, 9th Wonder Promise ‘Jamming’ Message Music On Joint LP

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Death of a Pop Star is due this summer on Banner’s independent label. By Jayson Rodriguez David Banner and 9th Wonder Photo: MTV News David Banner had the best of intentions. The Mississippi-bred rapper wanted to give away a free mixtape produced entirely by 9th Wonder titled Death of a Pop Star. But when the pair connected in the studio to record, they soon discovered a problem with Banner’s plan: The music was just too good. “When we did the first three songs, we were like, ‘Man, we ain’t giving this jam away,’ ” 9th Wonder, who produced the entire set, told MTV News. “It was like, ‘Man, this is really some good music.’ ” The former Little Brother beatsmith said his and Banner’s chemistry was apparent immediately. “Then about four or five [records] in, we were like, ‘Oh boy, we can’t give this away,’ ” he recalled. The long-in-the-works collection is meant to critique the musical landscape Banner and 9th Wonder come from. According to both men, the idea of hip-hop not speaking to a range of current events left them both frustrated. Banner, in particular, questioned why his generation hasn’t addressed the BP oil spill, for example. The project’s title, Death of a Pop Star, stems from the idea that an artist can no longer become an outsize entertainer in today’s climate, like Michael Jackson or Lionel Richie, who were known for their philanthropic efforts just as much as their hit records. Banner, however, stressed that the music on the project — due this summer on the rapper’s independent label — is more important than the message. “Before the message, before any of the rest of the stuff about this album, this album is jamming,” he said of the collection, which will include collaborations with Estelle and Ludacris. “I want to get that straight. Something we both talked about, you got a lot of political rappers holding up their fists, but they not jamming. You got a lot of people that are killers and they kill for real, but they not jamming. At the end of the day, we need to get back to what this is about, and that’s good music. If you choose to talk about something over a dope beat or dope song, that’s fine. Whatever you choose to do when you get on it, if you have the lyrical depth, it’s about what you decide to talk about.” Are you looking forward to hearing David Banner and 9th Wonder’s collaboration? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: ‘Eclipse’ Related Artists David Banner

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Madonna Talks About Reining In Daughter Lourdes’ Style

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Mother/daughter duo have teamed up for the juniors fashion line Material Girl. By Mawuse Ziegbe Madonna and Lourdes Leon Photo: James Devaney/ Getty Images Although Madonna has built one of the biggest pop careers in history on body-baring costumes, hip-thrusting dance moves, controversial music and all-around sensationalism, she doesn’t tolerate that type of nonsense when it comes to her teen daughter Lourdes — not when she’s heading to school, anyway. Madge, who is collaborating with 13-year-old Lola on the juniors fashion line Material Girl , said that while she appreciates her pop progeny’s daring approach to fashion, she’s not down with her daughter tarting it up for the classroom. “I always have two reactions when Lola comes into my room with an outfit on: One is, ‘Oh my God, she looks amazing, what incredible style.’ And then my second reaction is, ‘She’s dressed completely inappropriately for school,’ ” Madonna told People in a video interview. “I usually tell her to take off her 3-inch or 6-inch platforms and pull her skirt down just a little bit and take off some of the black eye makeup.” Even though Madonna has spent the better part of the last three decades strutting around onstage and entertaining millions of fans in some iteration of a figure-hugging bodysuit, the pop legend insists that her approach to Lola’s look is a function of Madge’s current identity as a regular ol’ mom. “She does have amazing style, but I am the typical mother, where I say, ‘Oh my God, you can’t go to school dressed like that!’ ” They may not agree when it comes to school clothes, but mother and daughter are working together on their Material Girl line, which launches August 3. While Madonna calls the shots when it comes to Lourdes’ home-room fashion, the diva said Lola’s style drives their joint collection. “My role is really to make sure we were all going in the right direction … and it was a line that I could stand behind and be proud of and feel good about and one that she could also feel represented her,” Madonna said. “I really like the way Lola dresses, and I think this line is absolutely an extension of her taste.” What do you think about Madonna and Lourdes teaming up for a fashion line? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists Madonna

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‘Twilight’ Author Stephenie Meyer Talks ‘Midnight Sun,’ Potential Spin-Offs

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I’d be really happy … if I could just pick up that thread of thought and go with it,’ she tells MTV News of the leaked ‘Sun.’ By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz Stephenie Meyer Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images When MTV News caught up with “Twilight” author Stephenie Meyer at the “Eclipse” premiere in Los Angeles last week, she reiterated that her “burned-out on vampires” sentiments are still preventing her from finishing “Midnight Sun.” “This is really fun,” she said, referencing the big premiere and extensive red carpet, “But I am burned out on vampires. It’s like homework now. I think some of that is working on the [‘The Twilight Saga: The Official Guide’], and it really is like homework, because I love to write and I want to write with joy.” When asked whether “Sun,” the unfinished “Twilight” companion book told from Edward’s perspective, would be completely different from the version that leaked online in 2008, Meyer was undecided. “I’d be really happy if it was not different, if I could just pick up that thread of thought and go with it,” she said. “One of the things that makes it hard to write is knowing people are going to say, ‘This is so much worse than the original’ or ‘This is so much better.’ … That’s why you don’t want your early drafts leaked, because the magic of editing, you kind of see the man behind the curtain at that point.” Regarding her recent “Twilight” spin-off book “The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner,” Meyer was reluctant to speculate on what other characters in her “Twilight” world could be featured in future standalone books. “I don’t know if there are spin-off books,” she said. “We’re doing the guide, and a lot of those backstories I was telling [screenwriter] Melissa [Rosenberg] about, that’s where the source is. … I think a lot of those stories will be out there with the guide — not in a very long version, but I think, in a way, people feel like they know all those stories.” Check out everything we’ve got on “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Photos “Eclipse” Premieres In Los Angeles

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Lady Gaga’s ‘You And I’: The ‘Little Monsters’ Rate Her New Song

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| 1 Comment

‘It sounds like old-school Gaga,’ one fan says outside Monster Ball Tour kickoff in Montreal. By James Montgomery Lady Gaga Photo: Gabriel Bouys/ Getty Images MONTREAL — Last week, Lady Gaga debuted a brand-new song (“You and I”) during her performance at Elton John’s White Tie and Tiara Ball . Of course, soon after, footage of the tune hit YouTube, where it quickly became a certified sensation. In fact, the response was so great, that on Monday, at the kickoff of the North American leg of the Monster Ball Tour in Montreal , Gaga decided — rather spur-of-the-moment-ly — to play the song again, much to the delight of the thousands of “little monsters” in attendance. And after the show — in between quizzing them about whether Gaga is Team Edward or Team Jacob — we decided to ask those monsters to review “You and I” for us. Not surprisingly, most of them seemed to love it. “It was so emotional. It brought a tear to my eye,” Larissa Saplywyj said. “You could feel her emotion too … how much it meant to her [to play it].” “She played the new song, [and] it was amazing. I didn’t even know it, and I am a huge Gaga fan,” Catherine Dupressoir added. “I’m going to go find it on YouTube when I get home.” Of course, it should be noted that not all of Gaga’s fans were as quick to embrace the new song. To some, it was too much of a departure from her electro-pop roots (of course, others were too busy getting engaged to even notice it at all). “I don’t hate it, but I’m expecting even more for the next album,” Nicholas Vansorto said. “I’d like to hear more electronic music, not just songs that are like that.” “Well, it’s a total different vibe. It’s very rock star, Elton John,” Danik Renaud said. “[But] any style suits her. … It was very special, indeed, for her to share something so great with us. I’m very honored to be a part of the premiere. … It was great being in there with all the people [to hear it].” Overall, most of the fans in Montreal gave the arena debut of “You and I” a resounding thumbs-up, especially since it harkens back to her early days as a performer in New York’s Lower East Side. “It sounds like old-school Gaga,” Liana Carbone said. “It sounds like pre- Fame Gaga, the real Gaga. The New York Gaga.” What do you think of “You and I”? Share your thoughts in the comments! Related Artists Lady Gaga

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Lil Wayne Sentenced To Three Years’ Probation In Arizona Case

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Rapper, who is currently serving a yearlong jail term in a separate case, was arrested in 2008 for drugs and a gun on his tour bus. By Jayson Rodriguez Lil Wayne Photo: Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images Lil Wayne was formally sentenced by an Arizona judge to three years’ probation Wednesday (June 30) stemming from a 2008 arrest, when authorities discovered drugs, drug paraphernalia and a firearm aboard the rapper’s tour bus. Wayne is set to begin his probation once he finishes his current yearlong jail term in New York, which was the result of a separate incident. According to Reuters, Wayne appeared before the judge via a video monitor and pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a dangerous drug. Last week, the rapper also made a video-aided court appearance and struck a deal with prosecutors in exchange for leniency in his sentencing. In January 2008, the rapper was charged with felony possession of a narcotic drug for sale, possession of dangerous drugs, misconduct involving weapons and possession of drug paraphernalia after U.S. Border Patrol officials pulled over his tour bus when alerted by drug-sniffing dogs. Marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy, in addition to a registered .40-caliber gun, were all found in the vehicle. The additional charges against Wayne, however, were dropped. Lil Wayne is roughly halfway through his one-year prison term at Rikers Island. The rapper was sentenced in that case to one year in prison after reaching a plea deal for attempted gun possession stemming from a 2007 arrest. James Tilson, who represented Lil Wayne during his Yuma, Arizona, case, told Reuters he was pleased by the verdict, which will allow his client to avoid any jail time. “We’re quite glad that we were able to wrap everything up,” Tilson said. “It’s a favorable plea agreement that will allow Mr. Carter to pursue his career.” Related Photos Lil Wayne Heads To Rikers Island Related Artists Lil Wayne

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Is Lady Gaga Team Edward Or Team Jacob? Monsters Weigh In

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

As ‘Eclipse’ opens nationwide, Gaga fans guess whether the pop star prefers vampires or werewolves. By James Montgomery Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattinson in “Eclipse” Photo: Summit June 30, 2010: A date that every single Twi-hard has had circled on their calendars since February 2009, when Summit Entertainment announced that it would be the day they’d release “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse,” the third film in the ultra-profitable series. June 28, 2010: A date that every single little monster has had tattooed on their foreheads since this March, when Lady Gaga announced that it would be the day she’d be in Montreal to kick off the North American leg of her Monster Ball Tour , the latest run of her ultra-profitable jaunt. Naturally, MTV News has been all over both of those dates, but never have we combined the phenomena … until now. When we were up in Montreal, we asked some of Gaga’s little monsters a couple of “Twilight”-themed questions. First, do they think Gaga should contribute a song to the soundtrack of the next film in the series (that would, of course, be part one of “Breaking Dawn”)? And, perhaps most pressing of all, is Lady Gaga on Team Edward or Team Jacob? And while many we spoke to seemed to think Gaga should record a song for “Breaking Dawn” pronto (and it should be “scary,” “sexy” and/or “bloody”), the issue of Edward v. Jacob proved to be slightly more divisive. “She’s definitely Team Jacob, because he’s got a hot body [and] because he’s hairy,” Gaga fan Chiara Williamson said. “And she should totally do a song for the ‘Twilight’ [films]. … I think it would be about boys. Vampire boys.” “She’s Team Edward. … She’s all about the vampires,” Shareejah Daley countered. “Her latest video [‘Alejandro’] is more dark and vampire-y … but, even if she was [Team Jacob], I’d still love her.” It was pretty heated. But as showtime drew closer, more and more little monsters came out in support of Team Jacob — so many that it wasn’t even close by the time doors opened. And why would Gaga side with Jacob? For very compelling reasons, obviously. “She’s Team Jacob, because werewolves are so much sexier,” Evelyn Barake laughed. “[And] they’re bigger monsters than vampires.” “Team Jacob, because he’s more of a monster,” Danik Renaud added. “And [Gaga’s] whole ‘Paws up’ thing. … Jacob has paws, too.” Of course, not everyone was able to decide so easily. This is, after all, a pretty difficult question to handle on the spot. And just why should Gaga have to chose between just a vampire and a werewolf, really? “This is so hard, because in the books, you’re like ‘Team Edward,’ but in the movie, you’re like ‘Team Jacob,’ ” Ourania Zafiri sighed. “I’d say ‘Team Jacob,’ because he’s hot. Or, I don’t know. … Maybe she’s ‘Team Bella.’ ” Do you think Lady Gaga would be on either Twilighter team? Share your thoughts in the comments. Related Photos “Eclipse” Premieres In Los Angeles Related Artists Lady Gaga

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Kris Allen Was ‘Pretty Upset’ About Shirtless Photos

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘American Idol’ winner tells MTV News he was embarrassed by shots showing his ‘pasty’ body. By Jim Cantiello Kris Allen Photo: MTV News When shirtless vacation photos of Kris Allen recently landed him on the pages of TMZ , the modest “American Idol” season-eight winner was baffled that people would want to see what was hiding underneath his plaid shirts. “I was pretty upset. It was like, ‘Seriously?’ ” a visibly embarrassed Allen told MTV News during a recent New York tour stop. The revealing pics were snapped in April when Kris and his band were hanging out at the pool before a Paradise Island gig in the Bahamas. “I knew it was probably going to happen. We’re in Atlantis, which is not the most secret place in the world. And we were trying to have a good time. People weren’t bothering us, but apparently they were taking sneaky pictures and selling them to the tabloids,” Allen said before joking, “I don’t know what they got off them, but I would like a cut.” Kris wasn’t the only one caught in the paparazzo’s crossfire. One photo showed the singer with his younger brother Daniel and guitarist/keyboardist Cale Mills. “That made me feel better because I was like, ‘Cale, you’re in here too, buddy. I’m not by myself,’ ” Allen said, happy to deflect some of the attention from his own “pasty” body. “I’m so glad I didn’t make those photos,” Kris’ drummer, Ryland Steen, chimed in. “I think just my elbow was in one of them.” Pasty or not, Kris’ band wasn’t so surprised that the bashful singer’s physique ended up being discussed and praised by radio DJs and on gossip sites. “He’s a hunky guy,” admitted Steen. “As soon as we heard about it we went and tried to find [the photos],” Mills said. “You know how Google will give you suggestions? If you type in ‘Kris Allen’ and hit a space, ‘shirtless’ pops up. And we were like, ‘Well, I’m guessing people have been looking for that before,” he laughed. Although the Arkansas native garnered a lot of attention for showing a little skin, Kris isn’t interested in pushing the beefcake angle in order to get more headlines. “[The tabloid scene’s] not my thing, man. Although maybe it should be,” the laid-back singer quipped. Kris’ bandmates have another idea. Drummer Steen announced, “Instead of doing our version of [Kanye West’s] ‘Heartless,’ it’s going to be ‘How could you be so shirtless’ from now on.” What do you think of Kris’ accidental photo shoot? Do you think the singer should strut his stuff more often? Leave a comment below! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Kris Allen Related Artists Kris Allen

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