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Florence And The Machine ‘Unplugged’ To Premiere Sunday On MTV

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Band’s stripped-back set will also be available as a live album available digitally at midnight on April 9. By James Montgomery Florence and the Machine Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Back in December, Florence and the Machine stripped things down for a taping of MTV’s venerable “Unplugged” series. Not surprisingly, this presented a rather unique set of difficulties for the usually raucous band, though not the kind you’d expect. “It’s such a huge thing, and it was so intimate, and I really enjoy doing things stripped back and having the strings and the choir. It was really wonderful,” Florence Welch told MTV News. “But what to say in between? I got so bashful. I was so grateful to be there, and I was trying to express that, and it just went into this weird, stilted speech. It ended up with me trying to talk but not saying any words…. Singing is fine. Talking, not so much. ” Then again, we suspect Welch is just being modest. On Sunday, April 8, Florence and the Machine fans will get to witness every intimate moment of the band’s “Unplugged” performance and decide for themselves, beginning with the premiere at 11 p.m. ET on MTV and Unplugged.MTV.com . (Machine-heads in Europe, Latin America and Asia can watch at FlorenceandtheMachine.MTV.com .) Then, at midnight on April 9, the Florence and the Machine: MTV Unplugged album will be released via iTunes. The album hits physical retailers on Tuesday, April 10. “I genuinely hope they don’t include my talking,” Welch laughed. Sorry, Flo, but there’s going to be a bit of your between-song banter. Of course, there’s also going to be no shortage of amazing performances in the 10-song set, including stirring takes on her hits “Dog Days Are Over,” “Shake It Out” and “Cosmic Love,” plus a pair of covers: “Try a Little Tenderness” and “Jackson” (with guest vocals by Queens of the Stone Age mastermind Josh Homme). Judging from that list of songs, you’d think the “Unplugged” taping was a well-rehearsed affair. But as Welch explained, nothing could be further from the truth. “We kind of winged it. I felt really comfortable; I’m kind of in my element in that environment, when you’re able to really play, ” she said. “The thing I don’t enjoy about TV performances is that I have to sing live to a backing track, because most times they can’t afford to mic up the whole band, so you have to sing to something that’s just going to keep going, with or without you. And performing in a stripped-back sense, with a band that’s playing around you? It’s so organic and there’s so much freedom to it.” Welch’s “Unplugged” performance has already earned rave reviews from one very prominent guest: Kanye West, who was front-and-center for the taping and made his approval known from the very get-go. “He was dancing and really going for it in the front row — it was amazing,” Welch said. “At awards shows you can’t really see anyone, because there’s lights and they’re kind of far away, but for this, it was just like Kanye was just there. I covered ‘Try a Little Tenderness,’ and he’d just sampled that for the Watch the Throne album, so I was like, ‘Um, hi … you kind of got there before me, but I’m going to do this now, and it’s kind of for you.’ He was smiling the whole way through, and I think he’s a total genius, so to have him there was really incredible.” Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Florence And The Machine Related Artists Florence + the Machine

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Adam Levine And Anne Vyalitsyna Call It Quits

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘We still love and respect each other as friends,’ model says in a statement. By Kara Warner Anne Vyalitsyna and Adam Levine Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images Adam Levine is on the market again, ladies. The Maroon 5 frontman and “Voice” judge and his girlfriend of two years, model Anne Vyalitsyna have reportedly gone their separate ways. According to People magazine, Levine and Vyalitsyna ended their relationship as friends. “Adam and I have decided to separate in an amicable and supportive manner. We still love and respect each other as friends,” Vyalitsyna told the magazine in a statement. “I wish him all the best.” The Russian-born 26-year-old, also known as Anne V, met Levine, 33, at a Sports Illustrated swimsuit-issue release party in early 2010, where Maroon 5 performed. Vyalitsyna has appeared in the last eight of the mag’s celebrated swimsuit editions. Levine was once known as a playboy of sorts, having been linked to a slew of lovely ladies like Jessica Simpson, Cameron Diaz and Natalie Portman, but he has seemed to settle down in recent years. His star has definitely been on the rise since landing the gig on “The Voice,” and he was recently nominated for a Grammy for Maroon 5’s catchy hit “Moves Like Jagger.” Levine is also reportedly up for a role on FX’s horror soap opera “American Horror Story.” Since it seems as though the breakup was amicable, we hope Levine isn’t suffering from too much heartbreak. Though if he is, he can always turn to fellow “Voice” judge Blake Shelton for a shoulder to cry on. Shelton has joked about their friendship in the past, going as far as to admit wanting to kiss Levine. “All I have to say is, it’s true: I have a man crush on Adam,” Shelton admitted to MTV News last month. “It blows me away people can pick up on that just by watching that on television. I want to kiss him. I want to kiss him so bad. I don’t care if it’s mutual or not. Can you honestly tell me that you don’t have a little bit of a crush on Adam? He’s sexy, is the word I’m using.” Related Photos Former Flames: Adam Levine And Anne Vyalitsyna Related Artists Maroon 5

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Swedish House Mafia’s Next Single Inspired By Australia

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘Our cameraman and one of the guys from management started to cry when they heard the song,’ Sebastian Ingrosso tells MTV News. By Akshay Bhansali Swedish House Mafia at Masquerade Motel Photo: Rukes.com Before headlining day one of Masquerade Motel Miami , Swedish House Mafia confirmed that they’re working on a follow-up single to “Greyhound.” In their three years recording together, Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso and Steve Angello have just five Swedish House Mafia singles under their belt (six if you count “Leave the World Behind,” their collaboration with Laidback Luke and Deborah Cox), so the very mention of a new SHM song is a highly anticipated event in dance-music culture. “We didn’t manage to finish that track,” Axwell revealed when we asked if the new song would make a debut at Masquerade Motel Miami. “We were trying.” “The only thing that we can say, actually,” Axwell continued, “is that we were at this amazing house in Sydney by the water, and we were trying to take in all the amazingness of Sydney. So we took out a couch … and sat in the garden with the ocean view there. And we were like, ‘OK, let’s make something that sounds how this looks.’ ” Fans of Swedish House Mafia were first clued in to some recording Down Under when the gents posted a clip online showing Ax, Seb and Steve at an Australian lab, making music and swimming in a pool with a scenic Sydney Harbour view. Fans should be tickled to know, according to the guys, that their next release seems like it will be equal parts beautiful and banging. “Our cameraman that has filmed for us and one of the guys from management started to cry when they heard the song,” Seb revealed. “So we’ll see!” Axwell said. “But it was amazing to sit there at a couch outside with our laptops and just looking out.” “That should be the new studio,” Angello chimed in. “We needed to do that for that track,” Seb said. “Because that track has been in demo state for a long time,” Ax said. “We’ve been really, like, ‘How can we finish this in the right way without making it too banging or too soft and keep all the lyrics?’ So we were on a couch on the beach finishing it. Almost.” No word yet on the new song’s official title or release date. What are you expecting from SHM’s next single? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists Swedish House Mafia

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Maybach Music’s Torch Sick Of Being Overlooked On New Mixtape

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I really feel like I outdid myself,’ Rick Ross’ buddy and artist tells Mixtape Daily of U.F.O. Vol. 2. By Rob Markman, with reporting by Ade Mangum Torch Photo: MTV News Mixtape Daily Main Pick Mixtape : U.F.O. Vol. 2 Headliners : Torch, DJ Scream and DJ Swamp Izzo Representing : Bronx, New York Real Spit : Rick Ross ‘ Maybach Music Group is a multifaceted machine. While songs by MMG artists like Meek Mill, Wale and, of course, Rozay himself make dents on the Billboard charts, Maybach spitters like Torch have the streets covered. As an original member of the Bawse’s Maybach Empire, Torch has held his own on the mic, even if he sometimes doesn’t get the credit he feels he deserves. With his latest mixtape, U.F.O. Vol. 2, Torch aims to change all that. “When people hear ‘U.F.O.,’ they think aliens and stuff, but that’s far from what it means,” he told Mixtape Daily of his title. “It means Underestimated, Forgotten and Overlooked. It’s a sequel to Volume 1, which is already a certified classic by the streets.” With U.F.O. Vol. 2, Torch gives more than just rapper bravado. On the opening track, “Go Get It,” he hooks up with MMG singer Teedra Moses. Over a sampling of Lonnie Liston Smith’s “A Garden of Peace,” the same song Jay-Z sampled for his 1996 classic “Dead Presidents II,” Torch self-motivates. Reminiscing on dead and incarcerated friends, the brave-hearted lyricist keeps his eye on the multimillion-dollar rap prize. “I’m just trying not to let ’em down,” he raps. The Bronx spitter reimagines another rap classic on “Slowdown,” where he samples Lowell Fulson’s “Tramp,” more famously flipped on EPMD’s 1990 single “Rampage.” Rather than settle for a simple remake, Torch recruits Meek Mill, Wale, Gunplay, Stalley and Young Breed for an MMG all-star posse cut. Rick Ross shows up for “Grind-24,” and Masspike Miles chips in on “Thinking Out Loud.” Though every major player in the Maybach camp is accounted for, Torch doesn’t use his band of brothers as a crutch. So much of U.F.O. Vol. 2 showcases his solo talents. On “R.I.P.” the hungry rhyme slinger deads his competition, and with “Truth or Dare” Torch puts a conceptual spin on the childhood game. “I really feel like I outdid myself on this Volume 2, ” Torch boasts. We’d have to agree. Joints to Check For

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Whitney Houston’s ‘Sparkle’ Trailer Debuts

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

We finally get a glimpse of singer/actress’ final performance. By Fallon Prinzivalli Whitney Houston in “Sparkle” Photo: Sony Pictures The trailer for Whitney Houston ‘s “Sparkle” debuted Monday (April 2), giving fans a sneak peek at the singer/actress’ final performance. The first glimpse of Houston in the trailer shows her character, Emma, dancing to the Motown music her daughters are playing in the living room, sung by one Cee Lo Green. Houston jokes, “Yeah, y’all like that, huh? Makes you want to dance, huh? I’m going to get it and you will too. Keep dancing like that, you’ll bring home some kid you can’t feed.” The humor continues as her daughters jump into bed together to hide from Emma after arriving home after their curfew. “My babies,” she says. “I know y’all don’t love each other that much.” As the trailer progresses, the comedy dims and the weight of fame takes its toll. On the precipice of getting a record deal, Emma is hesitant to let her daughters pursue music as a career. She says, “Was my life not enough of a cautionary tale for you?” And while the sisters cope with the spotlight, one deals with an abusive marriage that may force her to abandon her dream. The trailer shows a preview of a performance that will leave fans amazed, while at the same time feeling the great loss the music industry suffered with Houston’s death. Co-star Derek Luke shared his thoughts on Houston’s last performance when MTV News spoke to him at the Independent Spirit Awards. “The beautiful thing about being in ‘Sparkle’ is that we had something that was recorded that I can hold onto, and in that time, me and my wife and Whitney … the other cast, we really bonded,” he said of working with the star. “Whitney did an amazing job, so I can’t wait for people to see it and there’s no great way to go out, but what a performance she had.” The movie centers on three talented sisters who deal with the struggles of fame after they form a musical group. Houston not only starred in the remake of the 1976 Irene Cara film, but was executive producer as well. “It was definitely her baby,” Jordin Sparks told Entertainment Weekly about Houston’s role in “Sparkle.” Sparks stars as Sparkle Williams, the title role. “Even before she passed I wanted to be able to represent this movie in a way that would honor her and respect her, because she worked so hard on it. With her passing, it’s definitely been a lot more pressure.” From the looks of the trailer, she has nothing to be nervous about. We think Whitney Houston would’ve been very proud. “Sparkle” is scheduled to hit theaters on August 17. Check out everything we’ve got on “Sparkle.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com . Related Artists Whitney Houston Jordin Sparks

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Kanye West: Big Sean Will Be ‘Best Rapper Of All Time’

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

After rocking mtvU’s Spring Break at the Palms in Las Vegas, Sean reveals his G.O.O.D. Music mentor’s bold prediction. By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway Big Sean at 2012 Spring Break Photo: David Becker/ Getty Images Big Sean ‘s bash at the Palms Resort and Casino in Las Vegas might have been his first mtvU Spring Break outing, but we’re betting it won’t be his last. After all, Sean told MTV News his mentor, Kanye West , revealed he thinks the Finally Famous MC will eventually rank as the best rapper of all time. After rocking the Palms’ poolside stage with “Do It,” “Marvin & Chardonnay” and “Dance (A$$),” the Detroit MC told MTV News, “It’s just cool as hell, period, because I used to look at all the Spring Break performances when I was coming up. To be doing it myself, I can’t even be more thankful.” While his Palms party automatically ranked as Sean’s favorite, he also recalled an unforgettable run in Miami. “Besides this one, I went down to Miami one year,” Sean said. “Drinks, mixed with girls, mixed with Detroit players — that’s a crazy combo.” As far as how one might deal with those next-day hangovers, Big Sean advised, “Don’t worry about the morning after. It’ll make the night that much better.” For the hardworking G.O.O.D. Music rapper, we’re sure the break came in handy. Not only does he have the G.O.O.D. Music compilation dropping sometime this year, Sean is also planning to release his sophomore LP. “My album’s coming this summer. I can probably say at the latest at the end of August. I got Tyga on there. I got, of course, ‘Ye on there,” he revealed. Somewhere in between all those sessions is when Kanye made his bold and surprising prediction: “I’m here kickin’ with ‘Ye,” Sean recalled, “and ‘Ye tellin’ me I’m gonna be the best rapper of all time.” Related Videos 2012 mtvU Spring Break Performances Artists Celebrate Spring Break 2012 Related Photos Spring Break 2012 | Live Performances Related Artists Big Sean Kanye West

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Bad Boy Rapper Los Dedicates New Single To Trayvon Martin

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Diddy urges fans to retweet link to rapper’s ‘Wit My Hoodie On’ tribute track. By Rob Markman Trayvon Martin Photo: AP The tragic shooting death of Trayvon Martin has led a number of prominent hip-hop artists to speak out. On last week’s “RapFix Live,” Nas , Bun B, Killer Mike and Prodigy all expressed their views on the Florida teen’s death at the hands of neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman. The discussion around Martin, who was wearing a hoodie when he was killed, has also led to protests, televised debates and songs dedicated to young Trayvon. The latest of such singles comes from Diddy signee Los . On Sunday night, the Bad Boy mogul tweeted the link to Los’ “Wit My Hoodie On” and urged his followers to retweet it to the world. The Baltimore MC begins the somber, violin-laced track saying, “I just came here tonight to celebrate the life of Trayvon Martin. Put your hoodie on.” Los’ track was released eight days after Plies dropped his dedication, “We Are Trayvon,” in what seems to be a growing trend. On “Wit My Hoodie On,” Swagger Boy Los goes on to compare the Trayvon tragedy to his own troubles. He begins the first verse recalling the murder of his father 15 years ago and the effect it has had on his life. Toward the second half of the verse, Los brings it back full-circle, spitting, “I’m wrestling for this one shot/ Feeling like Trayvon on the lawn before the gunshot/ I ain’t gettin’ my up-to-no-good on/ They just wanna kill me, because I put my hood on.” The song’s hook is an ode to the hoodie, a fashion staple and now a symbolic representation of Trayvon’s gripping death. “I ride (with my hoodie on), I hustle (with my hoodie on)/ Damn right, I represent the struggle (with my hoodie on).” Veteran news reporter Geraldo Rivera recently said that he believed “the hoodie is as much responsible for Trayvon Martin’s death as George Zimmerman.” But on Sunday night, Rivera apologized to Martin’s parents when they appeared on his Fox News show. Trayvon’s dad, Tracy Martin, accepted Rivera’s apology and took a moment to clarify why his son was actually wearing the sweatshirt. “Your apology is accepted,” he said . “Let me just add one thing with the wearing of the hoodie. I don’t think America knows that, in fact, at the time of the incident when he initially made the call, it was raining. So Trayvon had every right to have on his hood. He was protecting himself from the rain. “So if being suspicious, walking in the rain with your hoodie on is a crime, then I guess the world is doing something wrong.” What do you think of Los’ “Wit My Hoodie On”? Tell us in the comments. Related Photos Diddy, Chris Brown Tribute Trayvon Martin Related Artists Diddy

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Jay-Z Recalls Rise From Public Housing To Boardroom In Rocawear Ad

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I don’t know if you’re ever done; it’s almost like climbing a mountain,’ Hov says in new clip. By Nadeska Alexis Jay-Z in the “Rocawear Presents Jay-Z From Marcy to Barclays” commercial Photo: Rocawear Even after 16 fruitful years in the game, Jay-Z continues to push himself, achieving new career milestones with each passing year. In a new ad for his Rocawear clothing line, titled “Marcy to Barclays,” the Brooklyn-bred mogul reflects on his rise to the top. “Marcy to Barclays” references Jay-Z’s investment in the NBA Nets and their transition to the newly constructed Barclays Center, which the team will inhabit in Downtown Brooklyn beginning this fall. The 30-second, black-and-white clip begins with snapshots of New York City and the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn, where Jay grew up. “Wherever you grow up, it’s your root, and I’m a kid from the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn,” he begins in a voice-over. As the scenery changes to incorporate shots of Jay in the studio and at his Rocawear offices, the mogul begins to reflect on the drive that’s led him to so much success. “I don’t know if you’re ever done; it’s almost like climbing a mountain,” he says. “You see another mountain, then you go to the next one and the next one. “My goal was to have one gold album, and that was it,” he adds, considering the impressive arc of his career since his 1996 debut, with Reasonable Doubt. “Then it became … I want to show that artists can ascend to the executive ranks.” To say that Jay has achieved new career highs in the past year alone would be an understatement. In February, he performed a pair of sold-out charity shows at Carnegie Hall in New York, a groundbreaking moment for a hip-hop artist. “Any time I get a chance to expand and broaden the reach of hip-hop is a great thing for me on a personal level,” Jay told MTV News when he originally announced the pair of shows at Carnegie Hall. Related Artists Jay-Z

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The Rock Wins Wrestlemania XXVIII, Defeats John Cena

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

The Rock sealed his history as one of wrestlings biggest entertainers. Photo: MTV News Related Artists John Cena

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Wrestlemania 28 Predictions: The Rock Or John Cena?

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

With todays big match going down in Miami we spoke with a few hip-hop journalists to pick t heir brain on who will win the big showdown. Photo: MTV News Related Artists John Cena

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