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Rihanna’s ‘We Found Love’ Is MTV’s #3 Song Of 2011

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Talk That Talk leadoff broke records and quickly became a definitive single for the unstoppable star. By Jason Kaufman Rihanna Photo: Getty Images Rihanna ‘s “We Found Love” didn’t have that many days on the calendar to make an impact — after all, it was just released in October. But that didn’t stop it from being the chart monster of the fall as well as #3 on MTV’s Best Songs of 2011 . It was a classic upon arrival, a song that immediately felt like it had been here forever instead of just three short months. The leadoff single from Talk That Talk is where Rihanna fully embraced EDM . Produced by Calvin Harris, “We Found Love” is a swirling party track about love and loss, the rare song that manages to be sad and joyous all at once. And it is a pinnacle of the pop/dance crossover, a throwback to ’90s raves that could make even the most stoic lover of pop want to break out a glow stick and just dance. MTV correspondent Sway Calloway moderated a spirited roundtable discussion with some of our very own experts: James Montgomery and Rob Markman (MTV News), Yomi Desalu and Malika Quemerais (MTV Music and Talent) and Tamar Anitai and Nicole James (MTV.com). The panel managed to narrow down the Best Songs of 2011, with “We Found Love” besting top 10 tracks from the Throne, Chris Brown and Katy Perry. Just how did “We Found Love” hit #3? Watch the debate below! “That song came out and went to #1, and when a song has that kind of impact that quickly, it deserves to be recognized,” Quemerais said during the discussion. Montgomery went even further in his personal Top 25 Songs of 2011 column : “A few weeks ago, someone told me ‘We Found Love’ would ultimately end up being Rihanna’s signature hit, and at the time, I sort of laughed him off. But the more I think about it, he may be right. Or at least on the right track. “From the icy synth strains to Calvin Harris’ hard-charging pre-chorus, it most certainly is the song that best represents pop, circa 2011, and given RiRi’s standing in the field, perhaps in time, it will become her set-closing number too. For now, at least, I’m content to bask in “Love” ‘s masterful mix of the carnal and, well, the club.” Get more of Montgomery’s personal picks for the Top Songs of the Year! Beyond being a definitive pop dance track, “WFL” was also a historic single for Rihanna. “Love” just completed its climb to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, giving Rihanna her 11th #1 hit, which puts her one ahead of Stevie Wonder and Janet Jackson. “It’s the symbolic one that breaks the record and she gets credit for that,” Markman said during the debate. Our panel of experts thinks there’s no stopping “We Found Love” from dominating the year ahead. “I think this song is going to carry over into much of 2012,” Anitai said. “Then maybe it will be on next year’s list,” Montgomery added. The “We Found Love” video director breaks down the song below. All this week, watch “AMTV” on MTV every day at 8 a.m. ET for our Best of 2011 lists. Then, come to MTVNews.com at 5 p.m. as we reveal our top picks of the year! Related Videos Best Songs Of 2011 Debate Related Artists Rihanna

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Rihanna’s ‘Cockiness’ Is Perfect For Her, Producer Says

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Talk That Talk track is ‘Rihanna all day,’ Bangladesh tells MTV News. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by James “FLX” Smith Rihanna Photo: itv Many of the tracks on Rihanna ‘s Talk That Talk certainly touch on some very sexy subjects, using some very saucy language. But none are quite as blush-inducing as “Cockiness (Love It),” a sexed-up, genre-busting anthem on which Rihanna’s not shy about liking the way her man loves her. The Bangladesh-produced song is raunchy and over-the-top, and, according to the man himself, was already cooking up long before Rihanna came calling. ” ‘Cockiness,’ it’s layers of things I had sampled for a long time, never really messed with it too much,” he told MTV News. “I was in L.A., and I had just pulled it out, chopped it up, made it a beat. My artist Candice Pillay, my other writers, Dem Jointz, they wrote the song.” Before appearing on Talk That Talk , the song was merely an idea that needed a bit of fine-tuning before heading Ri’s way. “It wasn’t ‘Cockiness’ at first, it was something else. They had the ‘I love it’ part. … [They] came up with that part first, and that wasn’t even on that track: It was just an idea. I was going to make a whole new beat out of it, what they wrote to it that day, it wasn’t really all the way done. A couple days later, they revisited it and came up with the ‘Cockiness.’ ” After some work, the final product was all ready for just the right artist. Given its sexual innuendo and tomboy swagger, there really was only one person to record the track. “I was like, ‘That’s dope. That’s Rihanna all day,’ ” Bangladesh said. “They sent the song back, and I finished producing it. I put the ‘I love it’ on it that they had already had. … She loved it, and that’s what it was.” Bangladesh joins a who’s who of A-list producers on the album, including vocal producer Kuk Harrell , The-Dream, StarGate, Calvin Harris and Dr. Luke, who produced the album’s second single, “You Da One.” The singer revealed on Twitter that she’s already hard at work on the video for “You Da One.” She tweeted that when she hit up the set over the weekend, no farmers were harmed during the making of the clip. “Shooting another vid in Ireland today! No farm this time,” she joked, a reference to the controversy about the making of her “We Found Love” video , during which a local farmer complained Rihanna’s outfit was “inappropriate.” Which Talk That Talk track would you like to see Rihanna make a video for? Share your pick below!

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Rihanna’s ‘Cockiness’ Is Perfect For Her, Producer Says

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‘X Factor’: How Will Astro Address Last Week’s Drama?

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Plus: Nicole Scherzinger’s Over 30’s step it up after Stacy Francis’ ouster. By Jim Cantiello Astro on “X Factor” Photo: FOX MTV News’ own Jim Cantiello is exclusively covering “The X Factor” rehearsals. Read on for his fly-on-the-wall backstage report! We’re five weeks into the “X Factor” live shows, and sleep deprivation has finally caught up with everyone. Not just the contestants, mind you, but the crew too. With Thanksgiving shifting the production schedule up a day, Team X has been working for almost two weeks straight without a day off. During rehearsals, contestants are cramming in this week’s performances as well as next week’s songs to allow for a day or two off this holiday week — not to mention a double elimination looming over everyone’s heads. And you thought last week’s Astro drama was intense. Speaking of ‘Stro, the young MC is ready to accept any backlash headed his way after his defiant moment in the bottom two. He’s already apologized on his Facebook wall and on Twitter, but I’m also hearing rumblings of an apology in his pre-performance package. Plus, as he always does, he’ll be performing an autobiographical original verse, so you might want to pay extra-close attention to his sly wordplay. Fresh off sending Stacy Francis home , Nicole Scherzinger is pushing her remaining Over 30’s to be as bold as possible. Perhaps that’s why one dude’s tackling an instrument — a live-show first! — and the other dude is trying his hand at a girl’s song. Will the risks pay off? (They certainly did in rehearsals.) Over the weekend, one of Simon Cowell’s girls got a taste of movie magic as she performed in front of a giant green screen. Creative director Brian Friedman shouted descriptions to her to help situate her in a virtual world, which was then digitally added in postproduction. She won’t be performing in front of a green screen come Tuesday night, however. All that work was just for a background graphic that will play behind her as she sings live. Thanks to everyone’s exhaustion, some “X Factor” team members are getting even punchier and zanier. Stylist June Ambrose popped outside of her trailer in a glittery head wrap that would have been perfect for Gloria Swanson had she ever visited Studio 54. “I’m disco, darling,” she proclaimed to the crew members walking by. Her playful antics caught the eye of judge and mentor Paula Abdul, who quickly ran over to the trailer for an impromptu dress-up play date. If only I got an invite … In other Paula news, the mentor all but gave away country-pop group Lakoda Rayne’s song choice during a Ustream broadcast with fans. “It’s a song by someone who did pretty great these past 24 hours. And won lots of awards,” she coyly said. (One only needs to check out the list of 2011 American Music Awards winners to be able to whittle down what artist Lakoda Rayne will be paying homage to in Tuesday’s live show.) And I’ll leave you with my biggest burning question of the week: Will the paint dry in time? Seriously! Hours before showtime, one particular set piece was being slathered with a new coat at the last minute. And considering a contestant will be performing on this Aggro Crag-like structure, will her outfit get soiled by wet paint? Keep your eyes peeled, those of you with HD TVs! You can catch Jim on the “X Factor Pepsi Pre-Show,” streaming at 7 p.m. ET tonight on TheXFactorUSA.com !

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Rihanna’s Talk That Talk Is ‘Edgy And Passionate’

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘She’s at a place right now where her voice just sounds incredible,’ vocal producer Kuk Harrell tells MTV News. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Vanessa White Wolf Rihanna Photo: Getty Images Rihanna is pretty feisty on Talk That Talk. The pop star sings quite candidly about what she likes (and doesn’t like) between the sheets on the new album, which relies heavily on dance and house influences. During her Loud Tour, Rihanna hooked up with frequent vocal producer Kuk Harrell and found her voice for the just-released album. “They scheduled me to go out to Europe and start recording. It’s an amazing process, working with her while she’s on the road. It’s great to see how she does a show every single night [and then records],” he told MTV News, before adding that, “Sure enough at 2, 3 o’clock in the morning, I get the call: She’s on her way.” Making Talk That Talk was a brisk process. “We were in the studio probably like three weeks total,” he recalled. When it came to the album’s sound, Rihanna and Harrell — as well as producers like The-Dream, Bangladesh, Calvin Harris and Dr. Luke — concocted a mixture of emotions and sounds to define the record. “At points, it’s a combination of edgy and passionate at the same time, and when you listen to the album, it’s just like Loud, ” he explained. “She’s at a place right now where her voice just sounds incredible, and she’s such a great presence.” Rihanna has certainly experimented with dance music in the past, especially on tracks like “Only Girl (In the World),” but she went deep into the genre on this album. It didn’t change the way Harrell and Ri worked together very much, the producer said. “It doesn’t change anything for me. … The goal is always getting the best performance out of her,” he explained. “So it’s just a matter of making sure we capture the vibe of the record. If it’s up and moving, we gotta make sure her performance matches that. “She’s definitely ready to do it, but there are times throughout the whole process I do have to — I’m not coaching her, I’m just producing how to get this performance,” he continued. “When she sings a line, if I don’t think it matches the intensity of the lyric, then I’ll go ‘Man, push a little harder.’ ” Rihanna seems to be pushing herself these days too. She just revealed on Twitter that she’s set to work on her second Talk That Talk video, for the track “You Da One.” “I can’t stop listening to #YouDaOne … So addictive!!!!” she tweeted. “Maybe because we shooting the vid soon! Workin on treatment all now….” Have you checked out Rihanna’s latest album yet? Share your reviews in the comments!

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Rihanna Declares ‘You Da One’ On Next Single

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Dr. Luke track is second single from Rih’s November 21 release Talk That Talk. By Jocelyn Vena Rihanna Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images/DCP Rihanna is readying the release of her next album, Talk That Talk, on November 21, and with less than two weeks until it hits stores, she’s giving fans her second single, “You da One.” On Wednesday, MTV News got a preview of the album, and Rihanna channels a potty-mouthed sex kitten on “You da One.” The song is certainly more radio-friendly than most on an LP full of NSFW lyrics, as well as grinding, aggressive production. The Dr.Luke-produced single is a pure pop record with a touch of dubstep. She proudly declares on the song, “My love is your love/ Your love is my love,” later adding, “You’re the one I dream about.” The song will be officially unlocked on Friday on the star’s Facebook page. For the track’s cover art, Rihanna was shot in black and white smoking a cigarette with her head tilted back. “You da One” opens up the album, setting the tone for a nonstop party, where Rihanna never lets up. She embraces several musical genres, ranging from reggae to house to dancehall to pop, with a bit of everything in between. Talk That Talk ‘s first chart-topping single, “We Found Love,” was produced by Calvin Harris and currently sits at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. She also worked with Harris on the Talk That Talk track “Where Have You Been.” Other producers who made the album’s final cut include Stargate, Bangladesh and The-Dream. Jay-Z also appears on the album’s title track. In the lead-up to the LP’s release, Rihanna has some big TV plans, including an “X Factor” performance on November 17 and an appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” the same day the album drops. Are you excited for Rihanna’s Talk That Talk ? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Rihanna

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‘Snow White And The Huntsman’ Trailer: 5 Key Scenes

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Kristen Stewart is ‘fairest of them all’ and kicking serious butt in new sneak peek. By Kara Warner Kristen Stewart in “Snow White and The Huntsman” Photo: Universal With most of our Kristen Stewart focus zeroed in on a little movie called “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1,” which opens next week, she has an equally intriguing film coming down the pike this summer — “Snow White and the Huntsman” — the trailer for which was unveiled Thursday (November 10) by Apple . No matter what you might have been expecting, given Stewart’s comments about the film or production photos that were released, this trailer is a doozy and completely delivers on the intense, warrior-esque elements that have been teased. Here are our five favorite scenes: 1. Charlize Theron Kills It as the Evil Queen From the second you hear her eerily intense and foreboding voice, to the shots of her mindless murders, to the last shot of the trailer — in which she swoops her exquisite black cloak about her and it turns into a flock of crows — Theron delivers in every sense of the word. It’s going to be fun to watch her Queen and Stewart’s Snow White go toe-to-toe! 2. The Mirror on the Wall Most of us are familiar with the classic fairy tale upon which this film is based, and while the Mirror is indeed an important part of the story, it can come off a bit campy, depending on the visual effects used to design it. This mirror is just so cool/creepy! When summoned by the Queen via that famous phrase — “Mirror mirror, on wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” — the mirror seems to melt into a puddle of bronze liquid on the floor and then reshapes itself into a hooded, appropriately deep-voiced figure. 3. Stewart Looking Fierce and Kicking Butt We had a pretty good idea Stewart’s version of the “fairest of them all” would be different, based on the photo of her in fancy armor and holding a sword, and now, we have even more proof that Stewart’s Snow White is pretty badass. Never does she look innocent or weak, whether on the run, defending herself in armor or confronting a fearsome, growling beast. 4. Chris Hemsworth Is a Perfect Huntsman “Find me someone who doesn’t fear the dark forest to hunt her down,” the Queen commands, her voice heard over our first glimpse of Chris Hemsworth as the Huntsman, wielding an ax and fighting in the forest, which is followed by several other shots of Hemsworth in action, getting down and dirty in battle. It’s a perfect deviation from that pretty-boy Asgardian prince Thor, if we do say so ourselves. 5. Brief Glimpses of the Supporting Players Even though the title of the film is “Snow White and the Huntsman,” there are plenty more players in the mix of this fractured fairy tale. Specifically our brief glimpses of Prince Charming, played by “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” star Sam Claflin, who we see both in battle and leaning down to kiss Snow White. Then there are the eight dwarves. Eight, not seven, according to what Stewart revealed to Jay Leno recently, whom we only see for extremely brief moments in the trailer, first walking together, single-file, on the top of a rolling hill, then following behind the Huntsman. Check out everything we’ve got on “Snow White and the Huntsman.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com .

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Rihanna’s Talk That Talk: Bad Girl Goes Even Badder

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Rihanna takes the reins on her new album, which is not only the best of her career, but perhaps the best pop album of the year. By James Montgomery Rihanna Photo: The Image Gate/ Getty Images Rihanna ‘s already Gone Bad, been Rated R and gotten Loud (all within the span of about four years, mind you), which sort of raises the question: What’s left? Well, if her new album, Talk That Talk — in stores November 21 — is any indication, she’s not really sure of the answer. But here’s the brilliant thing about the disc: Rather than go searching for a new public persona, this time around, she’s simply content to sharpen her focus. And in doing that, she’s created an album that is badder, raunchier and louder than anything she’s ever done before; an endlessly compelling, hit-soaked, high-powered thing that’s not only the best effort of her career, but arguably the best pop album of 2011. Talk That Talk outmuscles Born This Way, outguns Femme Fatale and, while it might never outsell 21 (because, really, what album can at this point?), it certainly outworks it. Simply put, it’s the album on which Rihanna absolutely goes for it, pushing her naughty-girl image to the breaking point, embracing the clubs with both arms, strutting and lilting and sassing her way past her pop contemporaries. Working with a blue-ribbon panel of today’s most gifted hitmakers (Dr. Luke, Calvin Harris, Stargate, Bangladesh, No I.D., Hit-Boy, etc.), she’s managed to craft an album that will no doubt bear radio fruit for the foreseeable future (current single “We Found Love” is the #1 song in the country, just in case you didn’t know) but also pulls off the rather interesting feat of being endlessly, obsessively interesting too. Take, for example, album opener “You Da One,” which starts in traditional RiRi territory — building on a slow, skanking rhythm — expands with a starbursty chorus, then contracts nearly as quickly on a knotty, ratcheting middle. Or “Where Have You Been,” a song that not only sees her borrowing lyrics from Geoff Mack’s dusty stomper “I’ve Been Everywhere,” but features a chorus that sounds very much like Faithless’ “Insomina” and a breakdown that recalls stuff like Skrillex. There’s the futuristic, military whomp of the title track (which gets an assist from Jay-Z , who drops bons mots like “I sell out arenas/ I call that getting dome!”); the Stargate-helmed, XX-sampling “Drunk on Love”; and the rattling raunch of “Birthday Cake,” and, perhaps most notably, the oddball, organic machinations of “Cockiness,” a classic Bangladesh track that stitches together vocal whoops, cracking drums and bawling horns and features what might possibly be the year’s best (or silliest) come-on line, when Rihanna coos, “Suck my cockiness/ Lick my persuasion” (it’s either that or Gaga’s “I want your whiskey mouth/ All over my blond south”). Of course, all those production flashes would be empty if RiRi didn’t match them every step of the way. There’s the do-it-on-the-d

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Rihanna Cancels Swedish Show Due to Exhaustion

Posted on November 3, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Wednesday’s Stockholm concert called off; singer tweeted photo of herself in a hospital bed Monday, explaining she had the flu. By Gil Kaufman Rihanna Photo: James Devaney/WireImage Rihanna is going to need a bit more time to chill before she can continue her overseas tour. After canceling a show in Malmo, Sweden , on Monday due to a bout with flu-like symptoms, the singer was forced to pull out from another show Wednesday night, when again, she felt under the weather. A spokesperson for tour promoter Live Nation told the Associated Press that RiRi felt ill before her concert in Stockholm on Wednesday night, and after consulting with a doctor, decided to cancel the show an hour before she was scheduled to take the stage. Live Nation’s Kristofer Akesson said Rihanna “is exhausted and doesn’t feel well,” but did not elaborate on what ails her. Promoters have said they plan to reschedule the gigs, but have not said when they will take place. She was able to perform at the first to two scheduled shows in Stockholm on Tuesday night. On Monday, Rihanna tweeted a photo of herself in a Swedish hospital bed with an IV in her arm along with an apologetic note that read, “Sorry Malmo!!! #LOUDtour.” She later released a statement, explaining, “I am sorry to everyone who was coming out to my show in Malmo. I was so excited to perform for you all. It would have been a great time … so much better than being sick with the flu, ugh! I’m really disappointed I couldn’t be there.” Rihanna is on the European leg of her worldwide Loud Tour , which began in the States in the summer. The tour — which has included openers J.Cole , B.o.B, Cee Lo Green and Calvin Harris — is expected to continue until the end of the year. The singer recently set another career mark when “We Found Love” became her 11th #1 hit, breaking the three-way record she shared with Stevie Wonder and Janet Jackson for 10 career #1 singles. According to Billboard, she also set a record by racking up 20 Hot 100 top-10 singles faster than any other solo artist in the chart’s history, reaching that pinnacle in six years and four months, which is five months faster than Madonna. Related Artists Rihanna

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New Rihanna “We Found Love” Music Video Starring Her Boy Toy Dudley O’Shaughnessy [Video]

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

It seems that Rihanna moves fast when it comes to men. The guy in this video, Dudley O’shaughnessy, is no different. RihRih doesn’t mind getting freaky in front of a cam and making it seem…. REAL. A lot of bumping and grinding in this video… a lot! Turn the page and peep.

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New Rihanna “We Found Love” Music Video Starring Her Boy Toy Dudley O’Shaughnessy [Video]

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Rihanna ft Calvin Harris – We Found Love (Cover)

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

www.youtube.com Heyy you guys! Here is my cover of Rihanna’s 2011 New Single We Found Love ft Calvin Harris. I like the melody of the song and its major catchy. I hope you guys like it! Thanks guys! Please comment below, like and share! Oh and if you want to and haven’t yet please SUBSCRIBE I’ve got more videos planned, so please subscribe We Found Love – Rihanna ft Calvin Harris We Found Love – Rihanna ft Calvin Harris Cover Rihanna ft Calvin Harris – We Found Love Lyrics Rihanna ft Calvin Harris – We Found Love Cover Lyrics – Rihanna ft Calvin Harris – We Found Love (Official Video). We Found Love Rihanna Calvin Harris lyrics official video lyrics cover rihannavevo featuring feat live karaoke instrumental single hit song new single audio new album download riri singing billboard itunes official Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga – The Lady Is A Tramp tonybennettVEVO http://www.youtube.com/v/jgPB1u5igqQ?version=3&f=videos&app=youtube_gdata Read the original post: Rihanna ft Calvin Harris – We Found Love (Cover)

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