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Chris Brown’s BET Awards Performance ‘Seemed Genuine,’ Perez Hilton Says

‘He wasn’t crying pretty,’ Hilton tells MTV News of Brown’s tearful Michael Jackson tribute. By Jocelyn Vena Chris Brown performs at the BET Awards on Sunday Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images Perez Hilton surprised many when he tweeted and said on Nick Cannon’s radio show that, after Chris Brown’s emotional tribute to Michael Jackson on the BET Awards Sunday night, he’s ready to change his opinion of Brown in the wake of the singer’s 2009 assault on Rihanna . When MTV News caught up with the gossip blogger on Monday (June 28), he elaborated further. “I didn’t watch it live, which was probably a good thing because I was able to have a initial reaction when I heard what happened and then I had a different reaction after I saw what happened,” he explained. “My initial reaction was skepticism about the incident and thinking it was a ploy for sympathy, and then after I saw it I still had a bit of skepticism, but I was absolutely and definitely impressed by his performance, especially the beginning part. “And then the breakdown seemed — and seem being the accurate word — genuine because it looked real. When you cry deeply and intensely it’s not pretty,” he continued. “He wasn’t crying pretty. It was ugly and raw and I think a lot of different things were going there, from his love and tribute to Michael, to having exerted a lot of energy and emotion earlier, to thinking about the Rihanna incident, to probably relief and joy of getting the opportunity to perform again on television at a big awards show.” What stood out to Perez about the performance was that “it was just a reminder of his talent and a reminder that he has been gone away for a while. It was a reminder that he has been gone from the scene for a while, that radio was not supporting and a reminder that he is talented and that maybe now is the time to move on for him and for those of us who have had very strong feelings about his very bad actions. It’s not unfair to think negatively of him, but it is unfair to hold that against his head for the rest of his life, if he really has changed his ways and is trying to make amends.” It was the kind of performance that Hilton has said moved him to a point where he thinks he’s ready to give Brown another chance. “I think we, or at least I, am ready to move on as well,” he said. “And let him do his thing. The key is what he does next and that the music is good. His next step should be now really protective of what little good will he may have, meaning folks don’t want to see him bragging, don’t want to see him out partying. What people want to see him being the best Chris Brown he can be, performing and entertaining and making great music.” What did you think of Chris Brown’s performance at the BET Awards on Sunday night? What do you think of Perez Hilton’s comments? Sound off below! Related Photos 2010 BET Awards Show Highlights Related Artists Chris Brown

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Chris Brown’s BET Awards Performance ‘Seemed Genuine,’ Perez Hilton Says

Lady Gaga Debuts New Song ‘You And I’ At Elton John Benefit

Video of Gaga performing new ‘rock-and-roll tune’ hits the Net. By Gil Kaufman Lady Gaga and Elton John (file) Photo: Kevin Kane/ WireImage We already know that Lady Gaga is pretty much finished with the follow-up to her smash full-length debut, The Fame. But now we finally have a peek at some of the material that might be on the album, thanks to footage of Gaga performing at Elton John ‘s White Tie and Tiara Ball last Thursday. “This is a brand-new record that no one’s ever heard before … ever,” she said while seated at one of her signature deconstructed pianos and wearing a bedazzled black bra and panties with black boots. “And I’ve never, ever played it live, ever.” On her Twitter , she described “You and I” as a “new song … written in NY on the piano I grew up on.” Sounding a tad hoarse, Gaga described the song to her audience as a bit of a “rock-and-roll tune,” predicting that for that reason it will not likely get used as a single, but that it is “very dear” to her heart. “It’s been a long time since I came around/ It’s been a long time, but I’m back in town/ And this time, I’m not leaving without you,” she sang, describing a whiskey-breathed lover for whom she’s pining. “He said, ‘Sit back down where you belong, in the corner of my bar with your high heels on,’ ” she continued, her voice rising and getting a bit more growly just before the band came in and provided a swaying backdrop to the bluesy rocker. ” ‘Sit back down on the couch where we made out the first time, and you said to me/ “Something, something about this place/ Something about lonely lights and my lipstick on your face.” ‘ ” She wasn’t kidding about the song having a rock edge, as the tune eschewed most of her dance flavor, right down to a rollicking barrelhouse piano solo, during which she stood up on the piano bench and bashed out some John-worthy runs on the black and whites. She finished the tune crouched on the bench, wailing, “You and I,” while pumping her fist, before giving it a big finish that included kicking a heel up on the keyboard and lying across the piano bench with her head on the ground. Gaga tweeted about her performance at the 12th annual fundraiser for the Elton John AIDS Foundation, writing, “What a brilliant evening with wonderful friends. Thank you to everyone who donated to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. What a magical stage.” Gaga also took the stage in a wheelchair with her chest covered in fake blood and accompanied by an oiled-up male dancer for a run through “Alejandro,” and she performed her ballad “Speechless.” During the latter, John came out and joined her for a dueling-pianos showdown, trading off verses on the tune dedicated to Gaga’s dad and then reprising their Grammys duet with a snippet of his hit “Your Song,” during which he improvised the line, “I hope you don’t mind that I wrote down in words/ How wonderful life is with Gaga in the world.” The gothic-themed event took place at a Windsor mansion owned by John and partner David Furnish and featured performance artists wearing straight jackets and dangling from fake trees and bandaged men in white coats serving cocktails in medicine bottles. According to reports, guests included Elizabeth Hurley, Kate Beckinsale, Sharon and Kelly Osbourne, Jon Bon Jovi and Kid Rock. What do you think of Gaga’s new song? Let us know in comments below. Related Photos The Fashions Of Lady Gaga’s ‘Alejandro’ Lady Gaga, Elton John Perform At Rainforest Benefit The Evolution Of: Lady Gaga Related Artists Lady Gaga Elton John

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Lady Gaga Debuts New Song ‘You And I’ At Elton John Benefit

Justin Timberlake Introduces His Group FreeSol And Their Mixtape

‘The mixtape was an idea to paint a picture of what we’re trying to do,’ frontman Free tells Mixtape Daily of RockNRolla. By Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Rahman Dukes FreeSol Photo: MTV News Fire Starter: Free Sol We usually like to put our Fire Starter out a little later in the week, but this is a special edition. We have Justin Timberlake giving a major co-sign to a new mixtape. You’ve seen JT present artists from his burgeoning Tennman Records, such as Esmee Denters and Matt Morris . Next up under the Grammy winner’s wing are FreeSol, a group from his hometown of Memphis that fuses rock, hip-hop and a little R&B. “They’re rock stars,” Justin said of the group at February’s William Rast fashion show in New York , where they also performed. “It’s nice to work them organically and not feel like, ‘Hey, you gotta listen to this band!’ I’m trying to find cool ways to implement them into the culture of what it is we already do.” “It’s like a school, it’s like a classroom,” frontman Free said earlier this year of working with Timberlake. “He’s a genius. A lot of people think he’s [just] that dude from ‘NSYNC, but really, he’s a baby Quincy [Jones]. We learn a lot.” Along with Free, the group consists of Premo D’Anger on keys and bass, “Kickman” Teddy on the drums and guitarist Elliott Ives. The collective has already recorded more than 100 songs for their debut album — some of them with Timberlake — and they just dropped their mixtape, RockNRolla, with DJ Benzi. “The mixtape was an idea to paint a picture of what we’re trying to do,” Free said. “A lot of people, whenever they describe us, they say ‘rock/rap.’ So immediately you may think of Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Linkin Park, something you’ve heard before. I think that what we do is something extremely different, original. I think the mixtape was an idea to kind of create the picture of what we’re trying to do. We took a lot of older [songs], whether it be AC/DC or Smashing Pumpkins, and make them our own. Live bands, live musicians. We approached the mixtape concept through the eyes of a band.” “I got a call from Free saying, ‘Let’s do this mixtape,’ ” Ives recalled. ” ‘Can you take some samples of some rock stuff that you’re a fan of and dice them up? Make some beats and let’s make some songs. We’re gonna call it RockNRolla. ‘ ” Teddy said the most liberating thing about the project is that the group worked on its own. “Having a free will of our own to do it, without working with any producers,” he described. “Not having somebody be like, ‘Do it this way’ or ‘Do it that way.’ Taking everything we’ve learned up to this point and say, ‘Look at us and what we have to offer. We can do this on our own,’ and put it out there and be like, ‘What you think about it?’ ” With talent like FreeSol on his roster, Timberlake hasn’t been rushing back into the solo spotlight, instead overseeing the production of his acts’ debut albums. “Right now, I’m enjoying working with new artists,” Timberlake told MTV News earlier this year. For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines or follow the Mixtape Daily team on Twitter: @shaheemreid and @mongosladenyc . Related Videos Mixtape Daily: Freesol

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Justin Timberlake Introduces His Group FreeSol And Their Mixtape

Trey Songz’s Mom Makes Splash At BET Awards

Singer brought April Tucker onstage with him when he accepted the award for Best Male R&B Artist. By Hillary Crosley Trey Songz at the 2010 BET Awards Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage Though Prince received the biggest honor of the BET Awards with a Lifetime Achievement tribute, Trey Songz ‘s mother was the belle of the ball. Joining her son as his date, Ms. Songz made quite an impression on the show’s younger audience, so much that she earned #1 on Google’s trending topics. Born and raised in Petersburg, Virginia, April Tucker gave birth to Trey, born Tremaine Neverson, at the age of seventeen. Living on welfare and in Section 8 housing, Tucker enrolled in Virginia State University and graduated six years later, earning a degree in Sociology with a minor in Administration of Justice. Serving as a juvenile probation officer in Baltimore, Maryland, and a resource specialist in several Maryland counties, Tucker grew interested in helping children. Following her then husband, who was a military man, to Junction City, Kansas, Ms. Tucker became a program manager for Big Brothers and Big Sisters there and helped children at risk. Despite her relocations to Baltimore and middle America, Tucker decided that Trey would have a better childhood with her parents back in Virginia, where he began singing in church. Now that her son Trey is a wildly popular R&B singer, Tucker and her firstborn (Trey has a younger brother named Forrest) make a point of doing charitable work. In the past, the two have given clothing donations and turkeys during Thanksgiving to Petersburg’s needy. Despite their distance, Trey and his mother are very close, and she describes him as “a regular guy with a God-given voice and talent for writing.” Responding in kind, the singer’s tattoo on his chest describes his adoration for his mother. “To God I pray may April’s showers rain on her Forrest,” reads the tattoo. “And grow the strength that started with one Rose.” Earlier in the evening, the Virginia native won the award for Best Male R&B Artist and brought his extremely good-looking mother onto the stage with him to accept his trophy. Following tonight’s show, BET will debut Trey’s documentary, “My Moment,” which follows the singer during the recent Blueprint 3 tour with Jay-Z across America. Related Videos The 2010 BET Awards Related Photos 2010 BET Awards Red Carpet 2010 BET Awards Show Highlights Related Artists Trey Songz

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Trey Songz’s Mom Makes Splash At BET Awards

Prince Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award At BET Awards

Alicia Keys, Janelle Monae, Patti LaBelle and more performed spirited renditions of the icon’s classics during tribute. By Rochell Thomas Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images The artist who will forever be known as Prince took the stage on Sunday to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award during the 10th annual BET Awards . “I was pretty wild in my younger days,” the honoree said. BET’s award presentation for Prince united generations and musical styles. Janelle Monae opened the tribute with an energetic cover of “Let’s Go Crazy,” a song that hit big a year before the 25-year-old was born. Next Up: jazz bassist Esperanza Spalding, strumming a custom electric upright bass, sang “If I Was Your Girlfriend.” She was followed by five-months-pregnant Alicia Keys, who played the piano then climbed atop it to provocatively belt out “Adore.” R&B diva Patti LaBelle closed out with the classic “Purple Rain” before Chaka Khan joined her onstage to introduce the man himself. Wearing a flowing, silk pajama-like ensemble bearing the symbol that replaced his name for a time, Prince approached the mic, looking just a bit older, calmer and more subdued than his sex-fueled “When Doves Cry” days. “You don’t have to do what I did. You don’t have to make any of the mistakes I made,” he advised fellow musicians in the audience. Earlier in the show, R&B heartthrob Trey Songz performed his own tribute to Prince, covering “Purple Rain” during his set. The singer then waxed patriotic. “The future’s in your hands now and the world is really yours,” he said. “There is a change in America that’s going on right now. Everybody can feel it. We’re going to be a beacon to the rest of the world.” As known for his groundbreaking music as he is for his raunchy performances, Prince went through a religious conversion a few years ago and appeared humble tonight, soft-spoken even, a contrast to his earlier tendency to come off as eccentric and aloof. He thanked all of the performers who led his tribute as well as top BET executives Debra Lee and Stephen Hill. “Thank you so much Debra Lee and Stephen Hill for a wonderful night tonight,” he said. “I’ll never forget it for as long as he live.” Then he turned and walked offstage with his arms around LaBelle and Chaka Khan, both of whom are have previously been honored with the award. What did you think of the tribute to Prince? Share your thoughts in the comments! Related Videos The 2010 BET Awards Related Artists Prince

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Prince Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award At BET Awards

2010 BET Awards Belong To Chris Brown, Alicia Keys And Prince

Performances from Eminem, Drake and Nicki Minaj also stand out. By Jayson Rodriguez Chris Brown Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images Chris Brown, Alicia Keys and Eminem shined the brightest among the star-filled Shrine Auditorium on Sunday night (June 27), wowing the audience at the 2010 BET Awards in Los Angeles. Brown put out a sizzling tribute to Michael Jackson , just days after the one-year anniversary of the pop icon’s death, with a medley that included “Remember the Time” and “Billie Jean.” The embattled R&B star’s take on “Man in the Mirror” was measured and emotional, tugging at the hearts of many as Brown broke down during the song’s refrain. The singer was decked out in full MJ gear, from the bandaged fingers to the high-waisted pants. As he struggled to finish the lyrics to the song, the audience assisted him, completing the lyrics he could not as he dropped and rose from his knees. Alicia Keys was just as stirring , performing her own solo set and contributing to the tribute to Prince, who was honored with a lifetime-achievement award. Patti LaBelle and Janelle Monae also joined Keys to pay homage to the Purple One. Keys, replete with her newly public baby bump, sang “Adore” and shocked those in attendance when she crawled atop her piano to finish out the sexy number. Eminem also performed twice , taking the stage with B.o.B for the “Airplanes” remix and his own “Not Afraid.” Drake was among the night’s big winners, as he and Young Money cohort Nicki Minaj took home trophies for Best Hip-Hop Artist, male and female, respectively. The Lil Wayne prot

Alicia Keys Rocks Baby Bump In BET Awards Performance

Singer, joined by gospel great Kim Burrell, brought audience to its feet with rousing rendition of ‘If I Ain’t Got You.’ By Mawuse Ziegbe Alicia Keys performs at the 2010 BET Awards Photo: Michael Caulfield/ WireImage Alicia Keys and her growing baby bump made a memorable appearance at the 2010 BET Awards. The pregnant diva, who had already accepted the award for Best Female R&B Artist after kissing fianc

Chris Brown Melts Down During BET Awards Michael Jackson Tribute

Singer dances flawless but is overcome by emotion when time comes to sing. By Rochell Thomas Chris Brown at the 2010 BET Awards Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images When Jamie Foxx, Ne-Yo and New Edition were performing tributes to Michael Jackson during last year’s BET Awards show, Chris Brown was nowhere to be found, even though many felt he was an obvious choice to honor the fallen legend. Brown’s assault on Rihanna several months earlier presumably kept him out of the show. On Sunday night (June 27), Brown finally got his chance to publicly honor the man he idolized — and while his dancing was flawless, when the time came for him to sing, he simply fell apart. After being introduced by Jermaine Jackson, Brown beautifully channeled Michael as he danced to “Remember the Time,” “Smooth Criminal” and “Billie Jean.” Yet when he grabbed a mic to sing “Man in the Mirror,” he choked up, visibly weeping. “I’m gonna make a change for once in my …” Brown’s voice trailed off. He was out of breath and sounded hoarse. Tears stained his cheeks as he paced the stage, holding the microphone by his side. “This … wind is blowing my … Who am I to…” He clearly knew the lyrics but they failed to come out. Brown faded in and out of the song, closing his eyes, grimacing, trying to soldier on. Whether it was the emotion of the moment or the past 16 months, Brown struggled and failed to find his voice, even though the pre-recorded backing vocals played on. Finally, he gave up, raised a bandaged finger to the sky and fell to his knees as Michael Jackson’s voice could be heard saying, “I’m starting with the man in the mirror.” The camera cut from Brown to an audience member who clearly uttered “Oh my God,” in shock. The audience loudly sang the words that Brown could not. Their aid seemed to move Brown to rise from his knees and mouth the words along with Jackson’s voice, while gesturing along with the mic as tears rolled down his face. In the audience, actress Taraji P. Henson could be seen mouthing, “That’s all right baby,” as Brown walked offstage to Jermaine Jackson, who moved to console him. Brown’s emotional performance echoed through the rest of the show. When Niecy Nash came onstage to present the Video of the Year award, she said, “When Chris Brown started crying I got choked up.” What did you think of Chris Brown’s Michael Jackson tribute at the BET Awards? Let us know in the comments below. Related Videos The 2010 BET Awards Related Photos 2010 BET Awards Red Carpet 2010 BET Awards Show Highlights Related Artists Chris Brown Michael Jackson

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Chris Brown Melts Down During BET Awards Michael Jackson Tribute

B.o.B, Soulja Boy Tell’em, N.E.R.D, More Rock BET Awards Pre-Show

Drake, T.I., Nicki Minaj chat on the red carpet before main show. By Hillary Crosley N.E.R.D. at the 2010 BET Awards Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images Before the 10th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night (June 27), N.E.R.D kicked off a pre-show by performing “Hot and Fun” on a Murakami-inspired flatbed truck, surrounded by fans. Afterward, the guys chatted with “106 & Park” hosts Rocsi and Terrence J about their most anticipated show performances. “I got to see my man ‘Ye do it,” Pharrell said of Kanye West’s opening performance at the main show. “It’s gonna be hot.” Atlanta MC B.o.B followed, rocking his hit “Nothin’ on You,” featuring a new singer, Rico Barrino, filling in for Bruno Mars. Barrino, who is the brother of “American Idol” winner Fantasia, recently joined B.o.B as an artist on T.I.’s Grand Hustle record label, and their performance served as the singer’s introduction. T.I. came out to chat with B.o.B and Barrino following their performance. “This is my first time actually attending and being nominated three times,” B.o.B said. “I feel like three [nominations are] a charm.” “I’m looking forward to the surprise performances,” T.I. added, donning a blue suit with a matching tie. “[B.o.B] don’t even know yet, but I hooked it up. I got you performing on the big stage. So I’m looking forward to that performance, and it’s going to be a collaboration that the world ain’t ready for.” In a nod to “Glee,” the Crenshaw High Elite choir sang renditions of each of the Viewer’s Choice Award nominees a capella, including Beyonc

Eminem Joins B.o.B At BET Awards For ‘Airplanes’/ ‘Not Afraid’ Medley

Keyshia Cole takes over for Paramore’s Hayley Williams on the chorus. By Hillary Crosley Eminem performs at the 2010 BET Awards Photo: Michael Caulfield/ WireImage Not only did B.o.B get a chance to perform his hit “Nothin’ on You” during the BET Awards pre-show , but the rookie MC also brought out Keyshia Cole for his hit “Airplanes” during the main show. After an introduction by T.I. and Queen Latifah, during which the pair jokingly referenced T.I.’s arrest for gun charges before the 2007 BET Awards , B.o.B began his set by playing the piano. Cole launched into the song’s chorus, surprising the audience, since she’s been out of the spotlight following the birth of her first child with basketball player Daniel Gibson. Sporting blond hair, a textured red skirt with a black top and matching stilettos, Cole gave “Airplanes,” which originally featured Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams, a soulful spin through her trademark vocal runs. Once Cole and B.o.B reached the chorus, Eminem joined the duo onstage for his verse on the track’s remix. Then, the music ran seamlessly into Em’s newest single, “Not Afraid.” The Detroit MC recently appeared on the “Late Show With David Letterman” to promote his and Jay-Z’s upcoming concerts at New York’s Yankee Stadium and Detroit’s Comerica Park. On Sunday night (June 27), wearing a black jacket with a white tee and jeans, the MC ran through “Not Afraid” backed by a five-piece band and a gospel choir. Rhyming with a reserved and controlled energy, Eminem ended his performance of the emotional track to a standing ovation. What did you think of B.o.B’s and Eminem’s performances? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos The 2010 BET Awards Related Photos 2010 BET Awards Show Highlights 2010 BET Awards Red Carpet Related Artists Eminem B.o.B Keyshia Cole

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Eminem Joins B.o.B At BET Awards For ‘Airplanes’/ ‘Not Afraid’ Medley