Tag Archives: celebration

Shakira, Bono, R. Kelly, Russell Brand Score With World Cup Anthems

Skakira’s official FIFA World Cup song ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)’ has much company among 2010 soccer anthems. By Gil Kaufman Shakira kicks off the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday Photo: Michelly Rall/Getty Images It’s hard enough to get Americans pumped up to watch a bunch of other country’s teams play soccer, but one thing we can all agree on is that the crazy-quilt Pangaea of World Cup anthems is an amazing spectacle to behold. From Shakira’s Official FIFA World Cup song “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” to Russell Brand and Robbie Williams’ remake of England’s unofficial soccer song, “Three Lions,” there are a head-spinning array of choices when it comes to soccer soundtracks for the planet’s biggest sporting event. Colombian hip-swiveler Shakira teamed up with South Africa’s Freshlyground for the tournament’s official song. The propulsive Afro-techno “Waka Waka” has the perfect mix of inspirational lyrics — “The pressure’s on, you feel it/ It’s time for Africa, your time to shine” — and a raise-the-roof vibe that you can picture pumping out of stereos from Johannesburg to Pittsburgh. No slouch in the inspiration department, Mr. “I Believe I Can Fly” himself, R. Kelly, also cooked up an official FIFA World Cup anthem with a little ditty he calls “Sign of a Victory.” The collabo with the Soweto Spiritual Singers choir — who will perform the song with Kelly at Friday’s opening ceremonies — bubbles along on a syncopated, African percussion beat while Kelly sings, “I can feel the spirit of the nation/ And I can feel my wings riding the wind.” The choir backs him up with an uplifting, wordless chant under the chorus “That’s the sign of a victory.” He also manages to incorporate the phrases, “let the games begin,” “we can achieve anything, including the impossible,” “raise the flag” and “scream like you want to win.” Somalian/Canadian rapper K’Naan also went the inspirational route with his official Coca-Cola anthem, “Wavin’ Flag,” which has the rising-up-from-oppression vibe of a classic Bob Marley tune. With assists from Will.I.Am and David Guetta, the soaring tune camouflages a song about poverty and oppression in a heart-stirring call to arms to let your banner fly. Pepsi wasn’t about to get aced out of this action, so it recruited Akon and Keri Hilson to make a video with soccer stars Lionel Messi of Argentina and Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba called “Oh Africa,” as part of the celebration of the continent’s first hosting duty for the global event. It also has the obligatory South African township jive stomp, and like the other songs, is as much about Africa’s spot in the sun as it is about sports. And because there’s probably some rule about Bono having to participate in any globally unifying event, the U2 singer hooked up with Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo and John Legend for a thumping, Afro-pop cover of Curtis Mayfield’s “Move On Up.” Another cover that was recorded as an unofficial English World Cup anthem is a banging remake of Tears for Fears’ “Shout” called “Shout for England,” laid down by U.K. rapper Dizzee Rascal and actor James Corden at the behest of former “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell. It has a thundering chorus that adds a thick acid-house beat to the original tune as Rascal spits lyrics to inspire England’s soccer stars to victory. For no apparent reason, New York’s We Are Scientists have also offered up a song for England’s club, the appropriately named, “Goal! England,” a slice of T. Rex-inspired garage rock thunder that features the unforgettable lines, “Kicking the kicking the kicking the kicking the ball/ Kicking it into the goal/ Go, go, go, go go … England!” Then there is the official FIFA Mascot song from Cuban-American rapper Pitbull, who hooked up with South African group TKZee and England’s Dario G to let the dogs out for the high NRG club banger “Game On.” Taking things a little less seriously is U.K. legend Robbie Williams, who formed “The Squad” with comedians Russell Brand, Daniel Baddiel and Frank Skinner to record a remake of England’s unofficial soccer song, “Three Lions.” The mash of opera, a soaring choir singing, “It’s coming home/ Football’s coming home,” a bouncy, Madness-like ska pop vibe and self-deprecating soccer-centric lyrics about England’s chances of regaining football glory make for a lovably comic mess. Among the other acts on the FIFA-sanctioned soundtrack to the international soccer showdown, Listen Up!: The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album , are: Nneka (“Viva Africa”), Matisyahu featuring Nameless (“One Day”), Wyclef Jean, J Pre, Jazmine Sullivan and B. Howard (“Ke Nako”), and late South African opera singer Siphiwo Ntshebe (known as the “black Pavarotti”) featuring former South African president Nelson Mandela (“Hope”). And of course, if none of these tunes provide the right kick, there’s always the unofficial World Cup Song contest , with nearly 400 entries. The top five is currently dominated by England, with Christian singer Gerry Asmus’ “It’s Our Game,” a flowery pop piffle about King George and English pride, holding down the top spot at press time. Related Photos 2010 FIFA World Cup Kick-off Concert Related Artists Shakira Bono R. Kelly

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Shakira, Bono, R. Kelly, Russell Brand Score With World Cup Anthems

MSNBC’s Tamron Hall: Carly Fiorina ‘Like Lindsay Lohan Movie, Mean Girls’

During the 11AM ET hour on MSNBC, anchor Contessa Brewer discussed open mic comments made by senatorial candidate Carly Fiorina with Huffington Post writer Ryan Grim and remarked that the California Republican has “the ‘Mean Girls’ mentality” and “comes off like that Lindsay Lohan movie ‘Mean Girls.'” Hall was referring to Fiorina making fun of Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer’s hairstyle on air before a television interview on Wednesday. Grim completely agreed with Hall’s assessment: “Oh yeah, absolutely. It makes her look terrible. It doesn’t put her in a very good light.” Though he added: “But it’s not something so extreme that it’s going to annihilate her.” Earlier, Grim actually observed that Fiorina “really did dodge a bullet here.” He explained: “…what she said isn’t going to disqualify her from election. It makes her look a little bit silly, a little bit petty, but it’s not going to be something that destroys her candidacy or her career like you had with somebody like Helen Thomas a week or so ago.” Hall also pointed out Fiorina questioning her Republican colleague, California gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman, holding her first post-primary interview with FNC’s Sean Hannity. Hall noted it was “something that may hurt her at least with a big name over at Fox” and asked Grim if Fiorina had started a “blood fight with Sean Hannity.” Grim responded by arguing that Fiorina had made a “reasonable assessment” but concluded “…to see her make the assessment shows her to be calculating. Everybody calculates. But to have it put in front of your face like that, again, just doesn’t put you in the best of light.” Here is a full transcript of the June 10 segment: 11:10AM EST TAMRON HALL: And back to politics. It has happened again. Another politician caught speaking candidly into an open mic, but not realizing that that mic was on. This time it’s Carly Fiorina, who just won the Republican primary in California’s Senate race. Yesterday morning, fresh off her celebration, Fiorina was miked for an interview with a local station in Sacramento. Here’s what she had to say about her opponent, Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer. FIORINA: Lauda saw Barbara Boxer briefly on television this morning and said what everyone says, ‘God, what is that hair?’ [Laughs] So yesterday. [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Open Mic Blunder; Fiorina Mocks Barbara Boxer’s Hairstyle] HALL: Well, what is she saying today? Ryan Grim is with the Huffington Post. And Ryan, by all accounts Fiorina and her team are trying to dismiss this as not a big deal. So is it? RYAN GRIM: Well, in a big way, Fiorina really did dodge a bullet here. She was, you know, talking completely candidly with the camera on her that was going to get out. And what she said isn’t going to disqualify her from election. It makes her look a little bit silly, a little bit petty, but it’s not going to be something that destroys her candidacy or her career like you had with somebody like Helen Thomas a week or so ago. What this is, is  kind of a warning shot to candidates across the country. Now think about this, any Senate candidate who’s running in 2010, last ran in 2004. That was a year before YouTube came out. So each of these candidates running for re-election needs to think about Fiorina when they’re at fundraisers, that they think are private, when they’re at their town hall meetings, everything that they do in their life is going to be filmed, and it’s only one press of a button away from going up on YouTube and circulating around the country, so- HALL: Ryan, this is a talker, though, for a lot of reasons, I think because here you have a woman kind of dissing another woman’s hairstyle, mocking her hair, when if a guy had said that, she of course would say ‘it’s about my brain, it’s about my accomplishments, how dare you go to the lowest common denominator and talk about me,’ and it made me think about the ‘Mean Girls’ mentality. Here’s this powerful, political voice, and it kind of comes off like that Lindsay Lohan movie ‘Mean Girls’ where this person doesn’t look like I think she should look. GRIM: Oh yeah, absolutely. It makes her look terrible. It doesn’t put her in a very good light. But it’s not something so extreme that it’s going to annihilate her. If a male candidate had said that about Barbara Boxer, you know, it’s unclear exactly, you know, what effect that would have. I’m sure the conversation would be a different one, you’re right. HALL: Well, people would be saying he’s sexist. But I want to play something that may hurt her at least with a big name over at Fox. Let’s play what she said about or alluded to, regarding Sean Hannity. FIORINA: I think it’s bizarre. I mean, she’s never been on Sean Hannity. I think it’s a very bad choice, actually. You know how he is….But why, after saying no to all these people, would you go on Sean Hannity? HALL: She’s talking about Meg Whitman making an appearance on Sean Hannity. So does this put her in a blood fight with Sean Hannity, then? GRIM: Well, we’re all going to be looking forward to the next interview that she does with Sean Hannity, that’s for sure. What this also does is it shows her making political calculations. It’s what every politician does, but they do it behind closed doors and they do it with their advisers. And even though this is politics, there’s something bizarrely unseemly about playing politics in it. You know, she’s saying, look, the politics of the day after the primary going on TV with Sean Hannity, that doesn’t look good. You know, and that probably is a reasonable assessment. But to see her make the assessment shows her to be calculating. Everybody calculates. But to have it put in front of your face like that, again, just doesn’t put you in the best of light. HALL: Alright, Ryan, greatly appreciate you coming on, talking about it. See you later. GRIM: Thanks for having me. HALL: Thank you. 

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MSNBC’s Tamron Hall: Carly Fiorina ‘Like Lindsay Lohan Movie, Mean Girls’

Lee DeWyze, Crystal Bowersox Are ‘Thinking’ About Winning ‘Idol’

‘I might hoot and holler or something,’ Crystal says of Wednesday’s finale. By Kyle Anderson, with reporting by Jim Cantiello Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze at the “American Idol” press conference Tuesday Photo: MTV News After 44 episodes, dozens of performances and a countless memorable moments, there’s nothing left but the celebration. On Tuesday, after Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze each powered through three impressive songs for season nine’s final performance episode of “American Idol,” the last pair standing contemplated the end of their incredible ride. “I’m proud of what I’ve done,” DeWyze told a gaggle of reporters during a press conference after the live show. “We both put it out there all season, and I know confidence has been a big thing with me, but I feel pretty good.” DeWyze said that he hadn’t fully contemplated the prospect of winning, though it was something on his mind. “It would be amazing [to win],” he said. “But thinking about winning … we did everything we can up to this point. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking about it. The first thing I’m going to do when I go home tonight is think about it. But what can you do? You put everything out there and you hope for the best, which is what I’m going to do.” Bowersox shared a similar sentiment and seemed just as excited to find out who the winner would be as the audience. “I think throughout the season, people have been maybe disappointed in my lack of big reactions to things. I’m just a mellow person,” she said. “But I’m personally interested to see how I react tomorrow. I don’t know. I might hoot and holler or something.” Whether or not Bowersox will hoot and holler in victory or defeat will be decided on Wednesday night, when the results show of the “American Idol” finale airs live at 8 p.m. on Fox. Share your predictions for the “American Idol” finale in the comments below. Join Jim Cantiello for our live stream of the “American Idol” finale red carpet this Wednesday at 6 p.m. ET, only at MTV.com. Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos ‘American Idol’ In 60 Seconds Related Photos Crystal Bowersox’s ‘American Idol’ Experience Lee DeWyze: From Illinois Boy To ‘American Idol’ Star ‘American Idol’ Season Nine Performances

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Lee DeWyze, Crystal Bowersox Are ‘Thinking’ About Winning ‘Idol’

Michael Douglas’ Family, Peers Pick His Best Role At Lincoln Center Event

Catherine Zeta-Jones, Kirk Douglas, Tobey Maguire, Brooke Shields and others honor the actor. By Eric Ditzian, with reporting by Josh Horowitz Michael Douglas Photo: MTV News Each year, the Film Society of Lincoln Center honors a Hollywood legend. Last year’s gala event feted Tom Hanks , while years past have focused on Meryl Streep, Al Pacino and Francis Ford Coppola. At Lincoln Center on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, 2010 is the year of Michael Douglas . On Monday night, Douglas and his four-decade-long career were front and center, and the actor’s friends, family and colleagues showed up for the celebration. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Kirk Douglas, Tobey Maguire, Brooke Shields, Danny DeVito and more were on hand for the festivities and to cast their votes for Douglas’ finest movie role ever. Even Douglas himself weighed in on the debate. “You work as hard on your failures as on your successes,” he said. “I’d say tonight, particularly because [director] Curtis [Hanson] is here, I liked ‘Wonder Boys’ a lot. ‘Solitary Man’ is right up there. I’m real happy with my batting average. I look at the rest, and it’s pretty good. You pick your spots.” Zeta-Jones, Douglas’ wife, also favors Hanson’s film, in which Douglas plays a novelist undone by pot smoking and creative indecision. “I don’t think ‘Wonder Boys’ had the credit it really deserved,” she said. “It’s a wonderful movie, it really is, and a great performance by everybody.” DeVito, who has known Douglas for decades, couldn’t help but pick a film in which both men starred. ” ‘The War of the Roses,’ he was brilliant,” DeVito said. “I’m a little biased, but I think without a doubt, Oliver Rose was one of his best parts.” Co-stars from across Douglas’ film career were walking the red carpet, including from one of his most celebrated films, “Traffic.” But Erika Christensen, who played his drug-addicted daughter in that movie, didn’t select that role as her fave of Douglas’ career. “I’m going to say Gordon Gekko, because it was instantly iconic,” Christensen said of Douglas’ role in “Wall Street.” “And that says a lot about how he played the role, not just how it was written. So quotable. That’s something special for an actor to make that indelible mark on the pop culture.” Brooke Shields, meanwhile, veered away from fiction when it came to her favorite Douglas role. “Honestly, and this is going to be so saccharine and gross, but him as the man that I know, as a dad and a husband, that’s what makes my knees weak,” she said. What is your favorite Michael Douglas role? Share your pick in the comments! For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com .

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Michael Douglas’ Family, Peers Pick His Best Role At Lincoln Center Event

James Beard Awards 2010: Complete List of Winners and Results

James Beard Awards is celebrated to commemorate the American chef and food writer James Andrew Beard. He was born on May 5, 1903 and died on January 21, 1985. He was the man behind the introduction of French food in America. He had also established Gourmet American Food Identity and was an expert of American Style Gourmet Cooking. The James Beard Awards 2010 was held last night. In the ceremony, top level chefs attended the celebration and awards were given to them based on their work performance. James Beard Awards 2010 ceremony started on May 2 and finished on May 3. Here is the complete list of winners and results at James Beard Awards 2010: • Outstanding Chef Award: Tom Colicchio, Craft , NYC • Outstanding Restaurant Award: Daniel, NYC (Chef: Daniel Boulud, Owner: Joel Smilow) • Outstanding Pastry Chef: Nicole Plue, Rewdd, Yountville, CA • Outstanding Service: Alinea, Chicago (Chef/Owner: Grant Achatz) • Outstanding Restaurant Graphics Award: Pandiscio Co. for The Standard Grill, NYC • Outstanding Restaurant Design Award: The Wright, NYC (Andre Kikoski Architect) • Outstanding Restaurateur: Keith McNally (Balthazar, Lucky Strike, Minetta Tavern, Morandi, Pastis, Pravda, and Schiller’s Liquor Bar, NYC) • Outstanding Wine Service Award: Jean George, NYC (Wine Director: Bernard Sun) • Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional: John Shafer and Dough Shafer, Shafer Vineyards, Napa, CA • Best Chef of Southwest: Claude Le Tohic and Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas • Best Chef of Southeast: Sean Brock, McCrady’s, Charleston, SC • Best Chef– South: Michael Schwartz, Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, Miami • Best Chef- Pacific: David Kinch, Manresa, Los Gatos, CA • Best Chef of Northwest: Jason Wilson, Crush, Seattle • Best Chef New York City: Daniel Humm, Eleven Madison Park • Best Chef Midwest: Alexander Roberts • Best Chef Mid-Atlantic: Jeff Michaud and Osteria • Best Chef Great Lakes: Korean Grieveson, Avec, Chicago • Best New Restaurant Award: Marea, NYC, Chef/Partner: Michael White, Partner: Chris Cannon • Rising Star Chef of the Year Award: Timothy Hollingsworth, The French Laundry, Yountville • Lifetime Achievement Award: Ariane and Michael Batterberry James Beard Awards 2010: Complete List of Winners and Results is a post from: Daily World Buzz Continue reading

Earth Day Videos for Kids – Download and Watch

Today is Earth Day, celebrated every April 22 of every year. There are lots of activities around the world for the celebration for the Earth Day. The Videos of Earth Day for Kids are now trending because of the occasion. The link below will help you where to find Earth Day Videos for Kids. Click Here for Earth Day Videos for Kids Earth Day Videos for Kids – Download and Watch is a post from: Daily World Buzz Continue reading

Resurrection Rocks: Celebrities Celebrate Easter with Families, Fiances

The holiest day on the Judeo-Christian calendar was the perfect opportunity to catch a whole lot of glimpses at celebrities with their families yesterday. Some, such as Gwen Stefani, are often seen out and about with their significant others and adorable babies. Others, such as David Arquette, aren’t exactly paparazzi regulars. Still, Easter is a time to hang with the family, give props to Jesus Christ for his resurrection and attend exclusive parties in Malibu. One of these shindigs was hosted by Katy Perry, who proved she has equal love for Jersey Shore and the Son of God. Check her out below, standing alongside fiance Russeel Brand and pal Jonah Hill: Who else was spotted at this party and other similar events? Click on the photos below to see a few stars and their cute kids: [Photo: Fame Pictures]

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Resurrection Rocks: Celebrities Celebrate Easter with Families, Fiances

Lindsay Lohan Needs To Unzip That Cleavage

Here’s Lindsay Lohan at the Brit Celebration In Aid Of Haiti event held the other night in England wearing an outfit that you’d expect to see on one of the figure skaters in Vancouver. I know a lot of people seem to have caught Olympic fever, but this is ridiculous, you don’t see me walking around in a skin tight body suit that looks like a tuxedo… At least not in public. Actually, I kinda like her outfit, I want to see her perform a triple sow cow. Hot.

Jamie Foxx, T-Pain, Slash, Doug E. Fresh Team Up For Grammys

Sunday’s awards show will also feature collaboration by Drake, Eminem, Lil Wayne and Travis Barker. By Gil Kaufman Jamie Foxx Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images/ Fox As the countdown to Sunday night’s 52nd annual Grammy Awards begins, the show just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

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Jamie Foxx, T-Pain, Slash, Doug E. Fresh Team Up For Grammys

Bill Clinton Optimistic About Haiti’s Rebuilding Process

Former president spoke about outreach efforts backstage at ‘Hope for Haiti Now’ telethon.

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Bill Clinton Optimistic About Haiti’s Rebuilding Process