Tag Archives: black-eyed

T.I.’s No Mercy Debuts At #4 On Billboard

Susan Boyle holds tight to #1 on next week’s albums chart. By Gil Kaufman T.I.’s No Mercy Photo: Grand Hustle Records Susan Boyle has officially earned the honorary title of Christmas Queen. For the second year in a row, the “Britain’s Got Talent” runner-up is taking on all comers with a chart-topping holiday release that has a stranglehold on the top spot of the Billboard 200 albums chart. Her second release, The Gift, will once again take the pole position next week with sales of 243,000, giving her a five-week total north of 1.3 million, according to figures provided by Nielsen SoundScan. The only new release to crack the top five is T.I.’s No Mercy, which comes in at #4. The album sold 159,000 just weeks after the King of the South reported to prison for an 11-month sentence tied to a probation violation from his 2007 federal weapons case. Also breaking into the top 10 is the “Tron Legacy” soundtrack from helmet-rocking techno duo Daft Punk, which moved 71,000 copies in its chart debut. The top 10 is otherwise just a shuffle of the usual suspects. Taylor Swift keeps her grip on the #2 spot with Speak Now, which sold 201,000 copies, pushing her past the 2.3 million mark in less than two months. Swift is followed by the “Glee” Christmas album (#3, 193,000), grade school reality-show opera singer Jackie Evancho’s O Holy Night EP (#5, 149,000), Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday (#6, 82,000), Josh Groban’s Illuminations (#7, 75,000), another “Glee” collection, Vol. 4 (#8, 74,000), and Rihanna’s Loud (#9, 71,000). After just two weeks in the top 10, Kanye West’s well-reviewed My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy falls to #14 as sales shrank by 39 percent to 67,000. The Black Eyed Peas had an even harsher comedown for The Beginning, which drops 10 spots in week two to #16 (62,000, sales down 48 percent). Hard rockers Hinder enter the fray at #37 with All American Nightmare (35,000) while deadmau5 squeaks in at #47 with his album 4×4=12 (27,0000) and British soul siren Duffy hits #72 with her second album, Endlessly (18,000). My Chemical Romance are marching the wrong way on the chart with Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, which drops 27 spots to #87 in its third week, selling just 15,000 copies. That’s gangbusters compared to season nine “American Idol” winner Lee DeWyze, who continues to struggle to get traction for his debut, Live It Up. The LP slides another 10 spots to #133 on sales of 9,000, giving him a one-month total just shy of 72,000. The “Glee” Christmas album is tops on the iTunes albums chart, besting T.I., who settles in at #2, followed by Kanye, “Tron,” deadmua5, Mumford & Sons’ Sigh No More, Bruno Mars’ Doo-Wops & Hooligans, Hinder, Rihanna and the “Burlesque” soundtrack. The singles chart once again belongs to Katy Perry and her smash “Firework,” with Mars right behind with “Grenade.” They’re followed by the Black Eyed Peas’ “The Time (Dirty Bit),” Rihanna and Drake’s “What’s My Name,” Pink’s “Raise Your Glass,” Ke$ha’s “We R Who We R,” T.I.’s hookup with Eminem, “That’s All She Wrote,” Wiz Khalifa’s “Black and Yellow,” Trey Songz’s “Bottoms Up” and Enrique Iglesias’ “Tonight.” Next week should present the first challenge to Boyle’s domination with the arrival of late pop icon Michael Jackson’s first posthumous studio album, Michael, as well as new discs from R. Kelly, Diddy-Dirty Money, Ciara and the major-label debut of “Idol” runner-up Crystal Bowersox. Related Artists T.I. Susan Boyle Taylor Swift

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T.I.’s No Mercy Debuts At #4 On Billboard

Lloyd Banks Reveals Fate Of ‘Blue Fridays’ Series

Hunger for More 2 MC tells MTV News he’s going to ‘keep supplying the street,’ but tracks ‘might not drop on Friday.’ Lloyd Banks Photo: MTV News Lloyd Banks just dropped his The Hunger for More 2 album on Monday, but the Queens MC says he has no plans to quit releasing free music. MTV News spoke to G-Unit’s Boy Wonder about the fate of his weekly Blue Fridays series, and he told us he has to keep feeding the streets. “As far as the Blue Fridays go, I’m gonna keep going up until the last Friday,” Banks said. “So maybe Black Friday, I’ll stop there, but that’s just that phase. I’ll go into a whole new series — I don’t want to name anything yet — I’m definitely going to keep putting out content, it just might not drop on Friday.” Banks kicked off Blue Fridays in October to help build anticipation for HFM2, the rapper’s first album since signing with G-Unit/EMI after a brief stint as an independent artist. Hunger for More 2 finds the Punch Line King backed by a heavyweight guest list of beatmakers (Ryan Leslie, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League) and features (Raekwon, Pusha T, Styles P). But while the album is now on sale, Banks is primed to ramp up his freebie deliveries. “I think I’ve spoiled people to the point that they expect more than just one song,” Banks said. “Maybe I’ll start dropping two songs a day; I’m definitely not gonna go back to the point where I stop supplying the street. I think that was part of the reason for the resistance, is that people know you’re capable of doing it. It’s like showing your trainer you can do 100 push-ups and then try to do 50 tomorrow.” (No pun intended, of course.) Are you excited for Banks to start up another series? What do you think of HFM2 Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Lloyd Banks

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Lloyd Banks Reveals Fate Of ‘Blue Fridays’ Series

Miley Cyrus at the AMAs: Pics & Performance Video

Miley Cyrus did not win any American Music Awards last night. But the singer did win over the crowd with a rendition of “Love and Forgiveness,” a song off the album “Can’t Be Tamed.” Multiple sources confirm Miley originally planned to cover “Every Rose Has Its Thron” on stage, but made a last-minute switch due to a certain rumor . Probably the right choice, don’t you think? Check out the following video of Cyrus in action, followed by a trio of performance photos: Miley Cyrus at the AMAs

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Miley Cyrus at the AMAs: Pics & Performance Video

The Black Eyed Peas’ American Music Awards Performance Welcomes Us to the Future

While Justin Bieber won Artist of the Year at last night’s American Music Awards, the Black Eyed Peas proved themselves worthy of their Best Pop/Rock Group title as well. Their performance of “This Time (The Dirty Bit)” was … something else. Something else is the only way to put it. There’s no comparison to the flashy, glow-in-the-dark spectacle accompanying their new single, which borrows the chorus of the Dirty Dancing theme song, “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” as will.i.am and Fergie crooned to throughout. It was the freestyle dance moves and dancers wearing box-shaped headpieces that really stole the show, though. At the end, will.i.am plugged the band’s new album, saying, “November 30, The Beginning . Welcome to the future!” Bring it on. Watch their performance after the jump! Black Eyed Peas: This Time (The Dirty Bit)

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The Black Eyed Peas’ American Music Awards Performance Welcomes Us to the Future

Justin Bieber, Usher Top American Music Awards Winners List

Eminem, Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna also nab trophies. By Mawuse Ziegbe Justin Bieber wins Breakthrough Artist, Pop/Rock Favorite Male Artist and Artist Of The Year Award during the 2010 American Music Award Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images The 2010 American Music Awards dished out hardware to many of pop, R&B and country music’s biggest names. Like most high-profile awards shows, there were showstopping performances, off-the-runway fashion and emotional moments. Unlike most trophy fests, the AMA winners aren’t determined by the inner circle of music-industry professionals, but rather the fans who plunk down cash for hit records. This year, fans handed over pyramids to the artists who also cranked out many of the biggest hits. Justin Bieber made off with the most AMA booty, nabbing four trophies. Taylor Swift, Rihanna, the Black Eyed Peas, Eminem and Bieber’s mentor Usher also snagged AMA loot. Check out the list of AMA winners below: Pop or Rock Music Favorite Male Artist Justin Bieber Favorite Female Artist Lady Gaga Favorite Band, Duo or Group The Black Eyed Peas Favorite Album Justin Bieber, My World 2.0 Country Music Favorite Male Artist Brad Paisley Favorite Female Artist Taylor Swift Favorite Band, Duo or Group Lady Antebellum Favorite Album Carrie Underwood, Play On Rap/ Hip-Hop Music Favorite Male Artist Eminem Favorite Album Eminem, Recovery Soul/ Rhythm & Blues Music Favorite Male Artist Usher Favorite Female Artist Rihanna Favorite Album Usher, Raymond v. Raymond Soundtracks Favorite Album Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers Alternative Rock Music Favorite Artist Muse Adult Contemporary Music Favorite Artist Michael Bubl

will.i.am Reveals Science To Making Hit Records On ‘The Seven’

Black Eyed Peas producer says ‘if you want a song to be a big #1 smash, then you have to play a Michael Jackson song while you’re making your song.’ By Mawuse Ziegbe will.i.am on “The Seven” Photo: MTV As the mastermind behind inescapable jam “Boom Boom Pow” and record-disintegrating smash “I Gotta Feeling,” will.i.am has been rockin’ bodies — and those are just the hits he’s pulled off for the Black Eyed Peas. The producer/rapper has also powered chart-winners for stars Usher , Estelle and John Legend and has recently turned his hitmaking skills toward fellow MC Nicki Minaj. On Wednesday’s (September 29) episode of MTV’s “The Seven,” will, who teamed up with Minaj for her peppy Pink Friday offering “Check It Out,” broke down his approach to creating chart-busting tracks. He said he mines inspiration from some of music’s most game-changing artists when he puts together a record. “We call it ‘A-B-ing.’ Anything you make, there’s nothing new under the sun. So there’s always an ‘A and B’ to whatever your approach is,” he said. “So if you want a song to be a big #1 smash, then you have to play a Michael Jackson song while you’re making your song.” He said using an artist such as Jackson as a benchmark will usually let a producer know if a track really has that ‘It’ factor. “What you don’t want to do is have a ‘hit record’ and then turn it on and it isn’t as loud as Michael Jackson’s.” Minaj, who experienced will.i.am’s skills firsthand on “Check It Out,” said hopping in the studio with the Peas frontman was a singular experience. “That’s when I knew he was a freaking, next-level … not even a human when he recorded me,” Minaj told “The Seven.” “The word ‘producer’ … means different things depending on who’s using the word. will’s the only producer that produced me. He really sat there and he got this weird sound, and I was like, ‘What?’ ” In addition to drawing an insane performance from will, the Young Money Barbie marveled at his ability to quickly craft the cheery instrumental. “The beat wasn’t even done,” Minaj recalled. “He made the beat on the spot.” Minaj’s awe for will appeared mutual. The Peas lyricist said the hip-hop upstart is way more than just a rapper with a rollicking flow; she’s an artist. “Her being a dope rapper, a dope MC, is just an element of the Nicki factor,” will said. What are some of your favorite will.i.am-produced hits? Let us know in the comments! Don’t miss “The Seven” every weekday at 5 p.m. ET on MTV. Related Artists Will.I.Am Nicki Minaj

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will.i.am Reveals Science To Making Hit Records On ‘The Seven’

VIDEO: Elijah Wood and RZA Showcase Karaoke Skills and Questionable Song Choice at Fantastic Fest

Of all the songs I could pick to hear RZA and Elijah Wood sing at karaoke, The Black Eyed Peas’ entire discography would be pretty low on the list. That said, this video still rules. and apparently blame (or credit) for the song selection goes to Timecrimes director Nacho Vigalondo. Anyway, as a counter-point to all the stuffy red carpet coverage of Toronto and Venice, I give you the karaoke party for Austin’s genre-centric Fantastic Fest featuring Wood, RZA, Vigalondo and others. Just watch the mayhem and try not to get pumped for the week. Happy Monday!

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VIDEO: Elijah Wood and RZA Showcase Karaoke Skills and Questionable Song Choice at Fantastic Fest

Will.i.am To Join Nicki Minaj For VMA Pre-Show

The Black Eyed Peas frontman and the Young Money MC will perform ‘Check It Out’ Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET. By Mawuse Ziegbe will.i.am Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images How do you make the MTV Video Music Awards debut of Nicki Minaj, one of the hottest new MCs in the game, even more major? Add one of the most sought-after producers reppin’ one of the biggest groups in the world: will.i.am. When Minaj takes the stage at the VMA pre-show, which kicks off Sunday at 8 p.m. ET live from Los Angeles, she will be joined by the Black Eyed Peas frontman for her first-ever televised performance as a solo artist. Will and Minaj will rip the stage with their peppy hip-pop single “Check It Out.” “I love Nicki,” Will told MTV News at the BMI Urban Awards on Friday night. “I love the song that we’re doing, ‘Check It Out.’ She’s fresh.” “I am truly honored to be a part of this year’s VMAs. Just yesterday I was an underground female rapper. See, Barbz? Dreams do come true,” Minaj said about rocking the pre-show, where she’ll also perform “Your Love.” Minaj is also vying for her first Moonman at this year’s awards. The femcee is up against Justin Bieber, Ke$ha, Jason Der

Will James Cameron’s Next Film Star the Black Eyed Peas?

As we all know, James Cameron’s best work is not Aliens, Avatar , or Titanic , but instead his one contribution to music video history: Martini Ranch’s “Reach” video, a deliciously absurd parable about female bodybuilders and Kathryn Bigelow’s doability in a cowgirl outfit . Alas, Cameron hasn’t directed a music video since, although according to will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas, the director is going to put off Avatar 2 to direct their concert film. Um what?

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Will James Cameron’s Next Film Star the Black Eyed Peas?

Black Eyed Peas To Work With James Cameron On 3-D Tour Movie

‘We have the biggest director, because we are the biggest group on the planet,’ Will.I.Am tells Vibe. By James Dinh Black Eyed Peas Photo: Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images From “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience” to “Michael Jackson’s This Is It,” the junction of music and cinema has grown very popular in recent years, and the Black Eyed Peas want in. In a recent interview with Vibe, BEP frontman Will.I.Am dished on the group’s plan for the ultimate concert experience with the help of mastermind director James Cameron. “Right now, we are planning our 3-D tour movie, and James Cameron is directing it,” Will revealed. “We have the biggest director, because we are the biggest group on the planet. The Peas are filming it in South America. People will be able to see us in the theater with the 3-D glasses and everything.” With Cameron onboard, Will is convinced that the yet-untitled musical film will stand out among the rest with a “dope” story line. “It’s a full-length film, and it’s based around our tour activities,” he said about the film, tentatively scheduled to hit theaters early next year. “We’ve toured from America and Europe, to the Middle East, South America, Asia and Africa. It’s not like we go, ‘Yo, we are international, you know what I’m saying? London and Paris!’ Nah, that’s just two cities. We want to go across the planet.” Despite Fergie telling MTV News that she wasn’t “even thinking about another solo album” last fall, it seems like she might have had a change of mind. Will.I.Am revealed to the magazine that the songstress does want to do another album on her own to follow up her smash debut, The Dutchess. “Fergie wants to do another solo record, so of course we are going to do that,” he said. “We have material ready for that. But right now, we are focused on the Peas — our world tour and the movie.” Just last week, Will denied rumors that he and Fergie were dueling in a band battle. “Don’t believe gossip about Fergie leaving the group (we are never breaking up) it’s all lies!!!” he tweeted. Would you like to see the Black Eyed Peas hit the big screen? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Related Artists Black Eyed Peas

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Black Eyed Peas To Work With James Cameron On 3-D Tour Movie