Tag Archives: artists

Shyne Determined To ‘Rep’ Orthodox Jewish Faith

‘I rep this tribe of Judah till the very end,’ Po tells MTV News of converting to Judaism. By Rob Markman Shyne Photo: MTV News The Shyne we see today is a far cry from the troubled rap youth that we saw in 2000 walking in and out of court, donning a suit and oversize baseball cap. During his almost-nine-year prison stint for assault and gun possession, Shyne became closer to his Jewish faith. Now we see him with long side curls and traditional Orthodox garb, bearing the Star of David. It’s nothing new, Shyne says. “This ain’t no ‘Shyne got out and went to Jerusalem and became religious.’ God and man is a never-ending struggle. We’re in the struggle to do what’s right,” Shyne told MTV News of his faith. “I’ve been on this journey.” The rapper is less concerned about the latest trends in rap than he is about working on strengthening his relationship with God. “This is how King David wore his hair,” Shyne said of his payos. “That’s who I want to be. I don’t really want to be like anybody else. I don’t want to be like one of these big fools. I don’t want to be like none of these guys on TV. I don’t want to be like — definitely none of these rappers. “I want to be like King David so that’s how I wear my hair. I rep this tribe of Judah till the very end and that’s what it’s hitting for,” he said, tugging on his robe. Shyne continues to release new music. On January 13, he dropped an elongated version of Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter IV “Outro” and on Tuesday revealed that he and Diddy have made amends . Can a musical collaboration be next? “As far as Puff is concerned, that’s been a long time coming,” Shyne exclusively told MTV News of the conversation he and the Bad Boy CEO had earlier this month. “He had reached out to me twice while I was in the pen, but I just wasn’t ready for it.” The rapper wouldn’t speak on the details of his and Comb’s conversation, but he did say that the two plan to meet face to face in Paris in the coming weeks. Related Artists Shyne

More:
Shyne Determined To ‘Rep’ Orthodox Jewish Faith

Tiesto’s ‘In The Booth’: Watch An Exclusive Teaser!

EDM star’s new Web series debuts Thursday. By Akshay Bhansali Ti

Swizz Beatz’s Megaupload Draws Fire For Promos

Universal Music Group issues take-down notice for videos starring Kanye West, Kim Kardashian. By Rob Markman Swizz Beatz Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images Swizz Beatz has a number of different hustles: record producer, rapper and shoe designer. It turns out the Bronx-born hit-maker is also the CEO of the file-sharing site Megaupload, which at the moment has drawn a bit of fire from Universal Music Group, the record company where Swizz was once signed. In an effort to raise the company’s profile, Megaupload has been releasing video testimonials from big-name artists like Kanye West, Diddy, will.i.am and Swizz’s wife, Alicia Keys, along with celebrities like Kim Kardashian. In the promotional videos, the big-name stars express their support of the site, which allows users to send large media files — sometimes pirated materials such as entire movies and albums. According to the New York Post, Universal Music Group issued a take-down notice to YouTube, one of the sites where the promotional videos appeared. UMG is claiming that none of their artists (Kanye West, Diddy and will.i.am) were authorized to appear in the clips. Swizz’s company contends that no individual artist ever filed a take-down. “We have never received any word that any artist has [individually] filed a take-down . . . [we have] legally binding agreements with the performers that appear in the video . . . They promised that they had the rights to enter into that agreement and it’s not interfering with any third-party rights,” a Megaupload rep told the Post. While it wasn’t widely known that Swizz Beatz served as CEO, his name and title is listed on the “About Us” page on the Megaupload website. Related Artists Swizz Beatz

The rest is here:
Swizz Beatz’s Megaupload Draws Fire For Promos

‘X Factor’ Finalist Chris Rene Signs To Epic

Third-place ‘Factor’ finisher will be working with L.A. Reid again. By Gil Kaufman Chris Rene Photo: Mark Davis/ Getty Images You might be hearing “Young Homie” on the radio soon. Santa Cruz garbage man turned “X Factor” 
 third-place finisher Chris Rene has signed a deal with Epic Records, where he will be reunited with his “Factor” mentor, Epic boss L.A. Reid. “I’ve dreamt about this moment my whole life,” Rene told Entertainment Weekly . “And now its here. Working with L.A. Reid — ‘Big Homie’ — is a dream come true; he’s a great man.” Rene will be label mates with another “Factor” finalist, fourth-placer Astro, 
 the teenage rapper who revealed to MTV News on Tuesday that he would also be teaming with Reid at Epic. Rene was one of the breakout stars in the first season of “Factor,” winning both hearts and minds with his falsetto singing/laconic rapping and a compelling backstory that followed his rise from crippling drug addiction to a near-win on the Simon Cowell-created show. The singer carved a new path in the suddenly crowded reality singing competition world by honestly detailing his drug struggles and performing two original songs during the show’s run. Just 70 days sober when he came in for his first audition, Rene charmed the judges, who agreed to let him continue in the competition as long as he promised to keep on the straight and narrow. As the season unfolded, viewers learned that his sister Gina — who also tried out for the show — was also a musician who had landed songs on the a number of soundtracks, including 2004’s “Mean Girls.” One of the high points of Rene’s run on the show was during Michael Jackson week, when he shared the story of how his grandfather, Leon Rene, wrote the Jackson 5 hit “Rockin’ Robin” and stared the first black-owned R&B label on the West Coast.

Visit link:
‘X Factor’ Finalist Chris Rene Signs To Epic

Adele’s 21 Ties Titanic Soundtrack With 16th Week At #1

British belter’s smash album catches up to 1997 blockbuster album with its 16th non-consecutive week atop the Billboard chart. By James Montgomery Adele Move over James Cameron (and Celine Dion): Adele just landed her Sweet 16th. Yes, once again the British belter’s 21 album tops the Billboard 200 chart, according to figures provided by Nielsen SoundScan, the 16th (non-consecutive) week it sits at #1. The mark ties it with the soundtrack to the 1997 blockbuster “Titanic,” which was buoyed by Dion’s massive “My Heart Will Go On.” Up next for Adele? Well, first, it’s Billy Ray Cyrus’ Some Gave All, which topped the Billboard charts for 17 weeks in 1992, followed by Garth Brooks’ Ropin’ the Wind, which was #1 for 18 weeks. Then, it’s the 1992 soundtrack to “The Bodyguard,” which, powered by Whitney Houston’s takes on “I’m Every Woman” and “I Will Always Love You,” spent 20 weeks atop the Billboard albums chart. Oh, and Elvis Presley’s Blue Hawaii, which also spent 20 weeks at #1. Rarefied air, indeed. 21 sold more than 104,000 copies to take the top spot, easily outpacing the week’s biggest debut, the David Crowder Band ‘s Give Us Rest, which sold nearly 51,000 copies to open at #2. The Black Keys ‘ El Camino holds strong at #3 for a second week, selling more than 36,000 copies and moving past the 500,000 mark in total sales in the process. Drake ‘s Take Care (nearly 32,000 copies sold) and Snow Patrol ‘s new Fallen Empires (nearly 31,000 copies) round out the top five. Young Jeezy ‘s TM 103: Hustlerz Ambition is in at #6, with sales of nearly 24,000 copies, followed by Rihanna ‘s Talk That Talk at #7 (nearly 22,000 copies), Coldplay ‘s Mylo Xyloto at #8 (nearly 20,000 copies), Nickelback ‘s Here and Now at #9 (19,000-plus copies) and the 40th installment of the ubiquitous Now compilation, which comes in at #10 with sales of more than 17,000 copies. Outside the top 10, there were debuts by Yo Gotti, whose Live From the Kitchen sold more than 16,000 copies to open at #12, Rebelution’s Peace of Mind (#13, also posting sales of more than 16,000 copies), critical darling Lana Del Rey’s self-titled EP (#20, nearly 14,000 copies sold) and the soundtrack to “Joyful Noise,” which bowed at #21 with sales of more than 13,000 copies. Related Artists Adele Drake Young Jeezy

Read more here:
Adele’s 21 Ties Titanic Soundtrack With 16th Week At #1

LL Cool J ‘Thrilled’ To Host Grammy Awards

It’s the first time the show will have a host since 2005, when Queen Latifah was emcee. By Jocelyn Vena LL Cool J Photo: MTV News LL Cool J already has experience hosting the annual Grammy nominations concert , and now he’s finally ready for the big show. On Wednesday (January 18), it was announced that the legendary rapper has been tapped to host the Grammy Awards broadcast on February 12. “I’m thrilled to be part of Music’s Biggest Night,” LL said in a statement, according to People.com . He’s hosted the nominations concert every year since 2008. “I will always have fond memories of my first Grammys Awards and to now be hosting the Grammy show, in the company of so many other incredible artists, is a dream come true.” This marks the first time someone has hosted the show since 2005 when Queen Latifah was on hand as the night’s emcee. The news of his hosting gig comes one week after it was announced that a slew of eclectic performers were added to the night’s bill. Nicki Minaj, Foo Fighters and Taylor Swift join Kelly Clarkson, Jason Aldean and Bruno Mars as some of the lucky nominees who will also take the stage at the show. Earlier this month it had been rumored that six-time nominee Adele might take the stage at the big show. It would mark her first public performance since her vocal surgery in November. More performers, presenters and special segments will be announced in the coming weeks. The show airs live from Los Angeles on CBS next month. Related Photos 2012 Grammy Performers Related Artists LL Cool J

Visit link:
LL Cool J ‘Thrilled’ To Host Grammy Awards

Cee Lo’s ‘Anyway’ Is ‘A Little Dark,’ Wallpaper. Says

Party starter worked with Weezer singer Rivers Cuomo on sultry single. By Gil Kaufman Cee Lo Green Photo: Jay West/ Getty Images You’ve probably heard Wallpaper.’s music on “Jersey Shore,” and maybe you saw him tagged as one of Buzzworthy’s 11 artists to watch in 2012 . The brainchild of rapper/songwriter/remixer Ricky Reed began as an attempt to bring some lighthearted fun to dance music with songs like “F—ing Best Song Everrr” and “#STUPiDFACEDD.” But after gaining attention with a sax-blasting remix of Das Racist’s “Combination Pizza Hut & Taco Bell,” remixes of songs by Passion Pit and Local Natives, and an album and EP of party-starting originals, he’s hooked up with two music legends for a deceptively tossed-off-sounding song called “Anyway.” “The hook wasn’t right, you know, and every song needs a great hook, so who better than [Weezer singer/songwriter] Rivers Cuomo to come in and finish it up for us?” Reed said of his collabo with the geek-rock icon on Cee Lo Green ‘s recently released sultry single. The tune — co-produced and co-written by Wallpaper. — appeared on the platinum edition of Green’s Lady Killer album, released last month. Getting to share a writing credit with Cuomo was yet another career highlight for Oakland, California’s Reed, who signed with major label Epic Records late last year after a meeting with Epic CEO and “X Factor” judge L.A. Reid. “It’s a little dark,” he said of the Green song, in which the singer recounts his many flaws. “In the co-write, I did a lot of the verse lyric, then Rivers came in with this really sentimental hook, which is kind of what the song needed. … It needed to balance out. If there’s anybody to be sentimental, it’s Rivers, and if there’s anyone to be f—ed up, it’s me.” What do you think of the collaboration? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists Cee Lo Green Wallpaper.

Read this article:
Cee Lo’s ‘Anyway’ Is ‘A Little Dark,’ Wallpaper. Says

Exclusive: Nick Cannon Talks ‘Healthy Living’

‘I don’t get to eat the things that I like,’ Cannon says in first on-camera interview since his hospitalization. By Nadeska Alexis Nick Cannon Photo: MTV News On Tuesday (January 17) Nick Cannon returned to the office for his first day back to work after being hospitalized for kidney failure two weeks ago. After an initial diagnosis of kidney stones, doctors determined that Cannon’s kidneys were beginning to fail thanks to an overdose of protein, medication he was taking and a lack of proper sustenance. Sitting at his desk, Cannon told MTV News that his road to recovery includes a new diet, which forces him to cut back on some of his favorite eats. “I’m feeling good, I’m in the office, I’m grinding, the only thing that sucks is that I’m on the renal diet,” Cannon said. “It’s all about healthy living and fueling your system, but I don’t get to eat the things that I like to eat. You’ve got to stay hydrated and [eat] fruits and vegetables for breakfast.” After admitting that a more typical breakfast would usually include Lucky Charms cereal (“I can’t have none of that stuff anymore”), Cannon explained that simple foods like oats are now on the menu. “Not even the good oatmeal,” Cannon said. “Real oats, like horse-feed stuff — but it’s cool. I’ve got to start to love it.” According to Cannon, the diet will be implemented in phases, and as his body slowly recovers, he’ll be able to incorporate Lucky Charms and other banned foods into his regimen once again. “Right now I’m still on the strict diet and I can’t have any sodium, but as a couple of weeks go by and everything gets leveled out, then I can start having low sodium,” he said, revealing that hot sauce has been his solution for adding spice to his diet. “I can still have Tabasco sauce, so I’m excited about that because I love hot sauce. I’ll be putting Tabasco sauce on carrots, like, ‘This tastes delicious!’ ” Dietary restrictions aside, the entertainment mogul and father of two is also reassessing his approach to healthy living. His hesitation to visit doctors, for example, is out the door. “I feel 100 percent right now, but obviously the doctors tell you to take it slow,” he said. “This is definitely the first time anything like this has ever happened to me. I’ve always thought that I was doing the right things, but that’s why I now encourage everybody to get checkups, get physicals, know what’s going on in your system and don’t play around with your body. “I always considered myself as someone who was in great shape, but I was doing too much [to my body] so my immune system got confused and just started attacking my kidneys,” he continued. “You look at my Twitter picture and I look like I’m in shape, but I was putting the wrong stuff into my body, speeding all the time, not sleeping and eating properly — it’s all about taking time and really caring about yourself and how you fuel yourself.” Related Artists Nick Cannon

Read this article:
Exclusive: Nick Cannon Talks ‘Healthy Living’

‘RapFix Live’ To Celebrate 20th Anniversary Of ‘Juice’

Naughty by Nature and Khalil Kain will join Sway to celebrate the influential film. By Rob Markman “Juice” Photo: Paramount When director Ernest Dickerson released “Juice” on January 17, 1992, he effectively changed hip-hop’s relationship with Hollywood. Twenty years later, “RapFix Live” will celebrate the game-changing movie on Wednesday with co-star Khalil Kain and Naughty by Nature, the hip-hop trio who contributed to the soundtrack. Starring Kain, Omar Epps, Samuel L. Jackson and Tupac Shakur in his first starring role, “Juice” told the story of four Harlem youths who try desperately to overcome the treacherous pull of the streets. Though Tupac had a cameo in 1991’s “Nothing But Trouble,” his true acting debut came when he first put his acting chops on display playing the maniacal Bishop. Co-star Kain played the more level-headed Raheem Porter. Before “Juice,” there weren’t many movies that effectively captured the harsh realities of the inner-city ghettos. With the exception of 1991’s “Boyz N the Hood,” these street tales were often left untold. The movie’s soundtrack was also groundbreaking, featuring classic hip-hop cuts like Eric B. & Rakim’s “Juice (Know the Ledge),” Too $hort’s “So You Want to Be a Gangster” and Naughty by Nature’s “Uptown Anthem.” During their appearance on “RapFix Live,” Naughty by Nature will talk about the lasting influence of the film, the soundtrack and working with Shakur. That’s not all. “X Factor” rapper Astro will also join Sway on the “RapFix Live” couch and reveal which label he will sign his first record deal with. Catch Naughty by Nature, Khalil Kain and Astro on “RapFix Live” Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com, and be sure to join the Twitter conversation using the hashtag #RapFixLive. Send your questions for the artists to @MTVRapFiX! Related Artists Naughty By Nature

Read the rest here:
‘RapFix Live’ To Celebrate 20th Anniversary Of ‘Juice’

Exclusive: Shyne And Diddy Reconcile Over The Phone

‘We gonna get together in a couple of weeks and we gonna sit at the roundtable,’ Shyne tells MTV News. By Rob Markman Shyne Photo: MTV News Shyne has had to overcome a lot. When he first emerged on the scene, the baritone-voiced Brooklyn MC hurdled over Notorious B.I.G. comparisons by releasing hits like “Bad Boyz” and “Bonnie & Shyne,” but that was small potatoes. The rapper did an almost nine-year prison bid after being convicted of assault and gun possession in the now infamous Club New York shooting in 1999. Now, Shyne has buried the hatchet with Sean “Diddy” Combs , who was also charged in the incident but was acquitted. In a Skype call from Paris with MTV News on Tuesday (January 17), Shyne revealed that he and Diddy recently talked over the phone and plan to meet in the coming weeks. “As far as Puff is concerned, that’s been a long time coming,” Shyne exclusively told MTV News of the conversation he and the Bad Boy CEO had earlier this month. “He had reached out to me twice while I was in the pen, but I just wasn’t ready for it.” The Shyne we see today is a far cry from the suited-up, oversize-baseball-cap-wearing youth that the world watched strut in and out of court during his 2000 trial. Now Shyne — who legally changed his name to Moses Levi while he was in prison and has practiced Judaism for a number of years — wears a white robe with the Star of David on the chest and the long side curls often associated with Hasidic Jews. The rapper’s physical appearance isn’t the only difference: Over the years, Po hasn’t talked about Puff in the most positive breath, often criticizing the music mogul and calling him a snitch during and after the Club New York trial. “I felt how I felt, I said what I said. In retrospect, when you looked at the way he handled it, he held it down, he wore it,” Shyne said of Diddy. “He ain’t had nothing to say; always had good things to say. It was always, ‘Yo, whatever Shyne need, we got him.’ ” During his incarceration, Shyne wasn’t ready to reconcile, but after he had a dream about their mutual friend Anthony “Wolf” Jones, he reached out to Diddy. “Our relationship wasn’t just business; it wasn’t me just being a rapper on Bad Boy. We had a solid relationship, we had a brotherhood, me, him and Wolf, and I just felt the need to just reach out, because again, he just kept it tall no matter what I said,” Shyne explained. Shyne wouldn’t elaborate on the details of his and Combs’ conversation, but he did walk away from the call in a much more positive place. “For me, the conversation was a confirmation of what I felt. Son kept it super tall, and that’s what it’s about. When a man says, ‘Listen, as a man, I make mistakes and I own that.’ What could you do?” Well what can they do? Surely the two can get back into the studio, but Shyne didn’t dish on any new musical developments. He did reveal that the two plan to have a second conversation, this time in person. “I just feel real good about moving on with our relationship. Me and son, we gonna get together in Paris — I’m in Paris right now. We gonna get together in a couple of weeks, and we gonna sit at the roundtable.” What do you think of Shyne and Diddy’s reconciliation? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists Shyne Diddy

See more here:
Exclusive: Shyne And Diddy Reconcile Over The Phone