Tag Archives: drake

Rihanna, David Archuleta, Jason Derulo To Perform On ‘American Idol’

Posted on April 5, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Archuleta will reprise his breakout performance of ‘Imagine’ for Lennon/McCartney week. By Shawn Adler Rihanna Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images For the second time in three years, “American Idol” contestants are taking on the works of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. This time, they’re doing it with a little help from their friends. Fox announced Monday (April 5) that this week’s results program, airing Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, will feature performances by Rihanna, singing “Te Amo”; Jason Der

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Exclusive: Drake’s Thank Me Later Due June 15

Posted on April 5, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

MTV News catches up with the rapper before his Away From Home Tour opening night. By Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Sway Calloway Drake Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images SLIPPERY ROCK, Pennsylvania — Monday night (April 5) is a big one for Drake. The 23-year-old performer is opening his Away From Home Tour at Slippery Rock University and is set to take the stage around 9 p.m. ET. Talking to MTV News earlier in the evening, the Young Money franchise player revealed the release date for his much-anticipated debut LP, Thank Me Later : June 15. The date isn’t the only gem the “Best I Ever Had” rapper and two-time Grammy nominee dropped. He also revealed that he’ll be performing a new song from his album on tour called “Fireworks.” So far, Drake has released one single from the upcoming album: “Over.” “We took a trip to Jamaica, where I did a lot of work for my album,” he told us on the “Over” video set last month. “There was this calm before the storm, and ‘Over’ represented the storm to me. It’s the moment. I wanted to emerge at first from this album and just let people know ‘This is how I’m coming out in the public eye. I’m ready for anything.’ Then when you get the album, it’s like, ‘Oh, he’s still human. He’s still thinking the same way.’ I wanted people to understand I could have lost it. ‘Over’ could have been my entire album. Just ’cause that’s what this industry and game will do to you if you lose yourself.” Drake’s Away From Home Tour goes on for the next couple of months with openers Francis and the Lights and K-os. “They’re killing it right now,” Drake said shortly after taking in Francis and the Lights’ set on Monday. Will Drake’s album be deemed a classic when it comes out on June 15? Let us know in the comments! Stick with MTV News for much more from Drake’s opening night. Related Artists Drake

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Drake’s ‘Shut It Down,’ Featuring The-Dream, Hits The Web

Posted on March 22, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Dream calls the Thank Me Later track ‘an incredible record.’ By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Shaheem Reid The Dream Photo: MTV News Drake’s “Over,” the lead offering from his Thank Me Later debut, has already won the support of DJs , but the Toronto MC has another track on deck, featuring The-Dream , that’s long been rumored to be his first single. An unfinished version of the song, a slow-winding number called “Shut It Down,” leaked online over the weekend. “[It’s] a great-sounding record,” The-Dream told MTV News recently. “He wrote an incredible record and allowed me to feature on this record. Beautifully written, and the guys that did the track [producers Omen and 40 made a] great track.” On “Shut It Down,” Drake and Dream take turns wooing females and professing their appreciation for their beauty. “Shut it down, down, down, down,” Drake sings. “You would shut it down, be the baddest girl around, ’round, ’round, and they know this.” The song hit the Web not long after “Over” premiered March 4 on a local radio station in Toronto and then on the singer/rapper’s blog. He recently shot a video for the track in Los Angeles with director Anthony Mandler. The-Dream said his “Shut It Down” collabo with Drake came about organically. “I don’t know how these things just, you know, they just happen,” the songwriter explained. “You get a call and you are in there doing the record, and it just happens, man. There are so many things going on right now with me, I don’t even know what’s happening tomorrow. There may be somebody waiting outside for a guest appearance.” What do you think of “Shut It Down” and “Over”? Who else would you like to see Drake work with for Thank Me Later ? Let us know in the comments below! Related Artists Drake The-Dream

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Ty Fyffe Remembers Meeting Michael Jackson, Announces Contest

Posted on March 19, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| 1 Comment

‘This is a way for me to reach out to people,’ he tells Mixtape Daily about his talent competition. By Shaheem Reid Ty Fyffe Photo: Courtesy of Ty Fyffe Behind the Beats: Ty Fyffe Queens native Ty Fyffe has them all from The G-Unit to Michael Jackson. “It was a life-changing experience,” he said about visiting Michael Jackson at the King of Pop’s home. At the time in the early ’90s, Fife was under the tutelage of Teddy Riley and living in Virginia. “Ted was working with Mike heavy after the success of Dangerous, ” Fyffe added. “He took me and one of his boys down to Neverland. Mike was working on the ‘Addams Family Values’ soundtrack. It was crazy that I went to the joint. We was in his movie theater.” After Riley, Fyffe went on to learn from Erick Sermon. “That was my second half of learning production,” Ty offered. “He showed me so much on the funk side of things — I started studying funk music, the heavy bass lines on the tracks. You could hear it on my work.” Eventually Ty broke out on is own, working with 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Snoop Dogg and Cam’ron on the classic Come Home With Me. After mingling so long with vets, Fyffe wants to spread the love to new jacks. “I got a contest for my new compilation,” he said. “The first installment of Ty Fyffe Presents — it’s raw and uncut its hosted by DJ Kay Slay the Drama King. It’s a global competition I’m promoting all over the Internet. I got sponsors like Digiwaxx. It’s a great opportunity; it’s the chance of lifetime. I wanted to get the fresh talent from people out there. We’re getting so many submissions from people in Las Vegas, Texas, Virginia — it’s a great way to get yourself out there. This is a way for me to reach out to people trying to get with me and give them a shot. Fyffe’s contest ends on April 15. Next Wave of Flav On Jim Jones : “He’s going for big records. He’s trying to catch that big record look. He’s gonna always have the streets; he’s affiliated with the streets. I just wanna take him to the next level.” On Busta Rhymes : “I got two on The Chemo. I’m still submitting for him. We had a lot of success on the last record. I did the ‘Hustler’s Anthem’ with T-Pain. Busta is incredible, hands-down one of the best. He’s so creative, he’s mastered flows — the new records are energy. I’m making big intros [for him]. When the beat drops, its over.” On Drake : “They didn’t pick the joint yet. We’ll see what happens. I hope I make the album. It’s looking pretty strong. I’m gonna keep feeding the album.” On Juelz Santana : “Amazing. I’m feedin’ him batches. I know they hearing me right now.” Five-Star Stellar Hits (Separately and Together)

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Drake Says Jay-Z Gives Him ‘Different’ And ‘Influential’ Advice

Posted on March 19, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘We have a real funny rapport. I always enjoy my conversations with Jay,’ MC says. By Shaheem Reid Drake Photo: MTV News It was Jay-Z that alerted Timbaland to Drake’s skills , and Drizzy himself said that when he talks with Hov, the Jiggaman drops wisdom on various subjects. Drake and Jay collaborated for a record called “Light Up” off of the 23-year-old newcomer’s Thank Me Later LP. “It’s just me and Jay both rapping on it for an extended period of time,” Drake told MTV News on the set of his video for “Over.” “It’s real rap. It’s real rap. I do sing on it, but it’s just on the hook — but it’s rap. It’s great. The perspective, the dynamic on the track — it’s me and Jay’s relationship on the song, basically. When you hear it, people will be like, ‘Oh man.’ That’s how we are — just the two. He definitely has guided me a lot, as far as his words and his advice. We have a real funny rapport. I always enjoy my conversations with Jay. It’s good.” Drake also said the jewels Jay drops on him are almost like the advice Lil Wayne gives, but different. “Sort of the same thing. [Jay] does it in this way — when Jay says something, it’s different from anyone else. It just means that much more. Jay just has this aura about him. It’s like, ‘That’s why you’re Jay-Z.’ For a guy like me who grew up wanting to be Jay-Z, it’s influential — it’s very, very influential. We have great conversations. Just life. I’m not an AWOL type of character that you have to sit down and instruct. I’m pretty aware of myself and how to go through this whole process. The conversations are just funny and good and settles my mind.” Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Drake

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Drake Still Hopeful For A Collaboration With Sade ‘One Day’

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘Stepping outside your zone can jeopardize your brand,’ Drizzy says of Sade’s no-collabo policy. By Shaheem Reid, with reporting by Matt Elias Drake Photo: MTV News Drake said he wasn’t upset when he heard that Sade — an artist he had wanted to collaborate with on his upcoming Thank Me Later debut — said she’s not into guest-starring on anyone’s project . “I don’t think they have contacted me,” Sade, 51, told Canada’s National Post last month. “I’ve never collaborated because I’ve always avoided working outside my safety zone — I can be exactly who I am and can fail or succeed within the moment. I feel safe working like I do. I wouldn’t want to work in a situation where I am expected to deliver, because I think I wouldn’t deliver.” Drake said he might not get with her this time, but maybe on a future album. “That’s great. Her brand is always protected. That’s why,” Drake said of her comments on the set of his “Over” video last week in California. “Other people’s visuals, other people’s songs, stepping outside your zone can jeopardize your brand. It can bring you down as opposed to bring you up. I personally feel we could have done something amazing. But I don’t think she really knows who I am, really, my genre of music. I put it out there. It was more of a hopeful thing. It was a very early stage where I was at when I said that I was hoping. One day. Maybe after this album comes out. “I’m very influenced by her,” he added. “She does something that I do. She doesn’t do too much with harmonies, and she keeps her vocals very clean. Single vocals. Haunting melodies. I’m influenced by her a lot. One day.” Would you like to hear a collaboration between Drake and Sade? Who else do you think Sade should hook up with? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Drake

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Drake Promises ‘You Won’t Even Notice’ Lil Wayne Is Gone

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Rapper says he’ll keep Young Money ‘afloat till he gets back.’ By Shaheem Reid Drake Photo: MTV News The pledge is on wax and MP3: On his new single “Over,” Drake raps, “Making sure the Young Money ship is never sinking.” Even though the head of his label, Lil Wayne, is in jail , Drake insisted there’s no way he’ll let the camp slip from its top spot. “I’m gonna do everything I told him I would do, what I said in the song: keep us afloat till he gets back,” Drake said on the set of his “Over” video . “You won’t even notice he’s gone. Promise.” Last week, Wayne was sentenced to a year in jail for a 2007 gun-possession charge, but Drake knows his leader will be OK. “Lil Wayne is a legend,” Drake said. “I could never classify Wayne as victim. He’s too strong to me. Wayne is who he wants to be. People don’t understand. It’s really not an act. Lil Wayne is a character you’ll rarely run across, probably for the existence of human beings. He is that guy. He is Lil Wayne for a reason. He’s a rock star, a visionary, a workaholic. He doesn’t function like anybody I know. He’s a rare breed. “I don’t think fame really has anything to do with his situation,” Drizzy continued. “We take precautions. All of us do. To be in the public eye and to be envied and have people who hate you and never have met you or have people who love you and tattoo your face on their body and never have met you, it’s an odd feeling for anybody. It’s a rush [for me]. I love it. It gets weird sometimes. So it’s just personal choices we all make. I never felt that threatened. I’m not sure what’s going through his head at the time. But Wayne has a reason for everything, always. I trust in Wayne. I believe in Wayne. He’s gonna be all right.” Will you miss Lil Wayne during his jail time? Do you think Drake will be able to hold down the Young Money fort? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Extended Play: Drake Related Artists Drake Lil Wayne

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Casey James Addresses His Pre-‘American Idol’ Mug Shot

Posted on March 16, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘Everybody can do a quick Google search and pretty much catch everything there is to talk about me,’ he tells MTV News. By Jim Cantiello Casey James and Jim Cantiello Photo: MTV News Every season, “American Idol” casts a new batch of aspiring singers. And every season, without fail, tabloids work overtime to dig up as much dirt on the newbies as possible. Whether it’s Antonella Barba’s risqu

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Drake, Nicki Minaj Talk Jay-Z And Lil Wayne At Madison Square Garden

Posted on March 16, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘It was the stuff that dreams are made of,’ Minaj says of appearing on the stage with Jay-Z and her Young Money boss. By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by MTV News staff Drake Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Lil Wayne and his Young Money cohorts Drake and Nicki Minaj stormed the stage at Madison Square Garden two weeks ago for a guest turn during Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 Tour . The Roc Nation head called the spot “fantastic.” Turns out, Drake and Nicki Minaj thought so too. Young Jeezy, who welcomed the trio to his set, first introduced Nicki Minaj to thunderous applause. The Queens native said that prior to the concert, she and everyone else in Wayne’s camp were spending time with the rapper after he learned he had an extra day of freedom. Lil Wayne was scheduled to turn himself in to begin his prison stint that afternoon. A fire at the courthouse , however, prevented Wayne’s sentencing. With some time to kill, the crew got a phone call to put the plans in motion. “We were just talking to Wayne and he was being his crazy self,” Nicki told MTV News. “I got a call from Gee [Wayne’s co-manager and former executive at Roc-A-Fella] and the first name I heard was Jay-Z and I thought, ‘There’s no way Jay-Z approved me to be on this show.’ And I was like, ‘Do I want to?’ I’m on the next thing, smoking. I canceled meeting that day and the next day. “Madison Square Garden? I’m from New York,” she continued. “This means the world to me — to be there with Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy and Drake. It was the stuff that dreams are made of for a girl. Girls aren’t usually in those unique little circles.” Drake heaped praise on his boss, Lil Wayne, for sharing his extra day (that turned into an extra week) with his fans. “It was a moment where people thought Wayne had gone in and the surprise was he had an extra day, and a selfless individual came out and showed up for the people of New York,” Drake told MTV News. “The city he got convicted in, of all places. It was a great night.” The “Best I Ever Had” MC even joked about violating Jay-Z’s all-black dress code that was set for the festivities. “That’s just who I am,” Drake said, laughing about his all-white getup. “Young Angel.” Related Videos Nicki Minaj And Drake Speak On Their Surprise Blueprint 3 Show Related Artists Drake Nicki Minaj

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Drake Introduces ‘Drake The Artist’ In ‘Over’ Video

Posted on March 15, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I’ve shot a lot of videos before, but this is my first attempt to establish myself as Drake the artist,’ he tells MTV News on the clip’s set. By Shaheem Reid, with reporting by Kelly Marino Drake Photo: MTV News While filming a video for his song “Over” on Friday in Los Angeles, Drake stood in front of an all-white backdrop wearing a white tee and white sneakers. What does he do in the clip? He does him. “This is my first video,” the Young Money franchise player said, sitting in his trailer. “I’ve shot a lot of videos before, but this is my first attempt to establish myself as Drake the artist. Shooting the other videos I’ve done has been great. I really don’t care what other people think about them, they were great experiences for me. I’ve learned a lot from them. Today, I’m shooting with somebody I really look up to and respect. I’m shooting with Anthony Mandler.” Mandler, who has also made videos with Jay-Z and Rihanna, worked with Drake before on Mary J. Blige’s “The One.” “We talked colors, we talked epic, emotion-evoking visuals,” the 23-year-old Toronto native said of the collaborative “Over” video. “The story is actually interesting. The song is so aggressive, and it’s sort of a love story in the video. It has a lot to do with the album [ Thank Me Later ]. The album is about finding love, feeling ‘Have I sold my soul’ as far as ‘Will I ever be able to gain the trust of a woman? Will I only be able to be around the dark, evil women? Will I ever find that pure love?’ Those elements are in the video. I look strong, I feel great, my knee’s feeling great . I’m jumping around, doing all kinds of stuff.” The song “Over” touches on Drake reaction to fame and stardom. ” ‘Over’ was definitely a choice of mine,” he said of releasing it as a single. “I’ve got a lot of great songs on the album. A lot of songs that sound familiar but are brand-new. I still got the same emotions of the songs you love, whether it be ‘Say Something’ or ‘Best I Ever Had’ or ‘Bedrock.’ For people who enjoy what I’ve done in the past, I’ve got a lot of songs to cater to them. But ‘Over’ was a song I did for myself. “We took a trip to Jamaica, where I did a lot of work for my album,” he elaborated. “There was this calm before the storm, and ‘Over’ represented the storm to me. It’s the moment. I wanted to emerge at first from this album and just let people know ‘This is how I’m coming out in the public eye. I’m ready for anything.’ Then when you get the album, it’s like, ‘Oh, he’s still human. He’s still thinking the same way.’ I wanted people to understand I could have lost it. ‘Over’ could have been my entire album. Just ’cause that’s what this industry and game will do to you if you lose yourself.” Are you excited for Drake’s “Over” video? Let us know! Related Artists Drake

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