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Lil Wayne ‘Like Kobe Bryant’ On Carter IV, David Banner Says

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

‘He’s highly focused and very sharp right now,’ MC tells XXL of Weezy. By Mawuse Ziegbe Lil Wayne Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images Lil Wayne is working on the highly anticipated Tha Carter IV, and according to his pals, he’s going for greatness. David Banner, who put his production touch on Weezy’s Carter III cut “La La,” recently gave an update to XXL about Wayne’s progress on his ninth studio album, and compared the MC’s drive to that of one of the NBA’s most successful players. “Wayne is like Kobe Bryant right now,” said Banner, who Young Money authority Mack Maine said will contribute to Carter IV. “You know, as Kobe gets older all he cares about is championships. Wayne is in that zone.” Wayne is certainly making up for lost time since his eight-month prison bid. The New Orleans hitmaker has lent his crackly flow to the remix to prot

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Britney Spears Going ‘Harder, More Urgent’ On Next LP

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Claude Kelly says Brit’s upcoming project will sound more like her 2007 album, Blackout. By Jocelyn Vena Britney Spears Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images If edgy is what she’s going for, a rumored collaboration with Gucci Mane might be one step Britney Spears is taking to ensure that her March release has the hard-edged pop sound she seems to be working on. Songwriter Claude Kelly opened up about writing songs for the pop star’s still-untitled album, which has already spawned the hit single “Hold It Against Me.” “It’s way more edgy than the last album,” Kelly told People. “[It’s] more in the vein of the album before.” He explained that Brit and her team intend to hark back to the singer’s 2007 Blackout. As for her last album, Circus, Kelly explained that Britney’s 2008 LP served a very specific purpose in the singer’s pop-star timeline. “The last album was more clean pop. [Its purpose] was to reintroduce Britney to the world as the pop princess,” he explained, adding that they’re taking an anything-goes approach to the March album and he’s still not sure what the “final product is going to be.” Kelly gave props to the production team. “She’s always ready,” Kelly explained. “Dr. Luke and Max Martin are running the show, and it’s all about the beats. It has a heavier bass line and it’s much harder, more urgent, more club. She’s ready again!” Fellow songwriter/producer Danja spoke to MTV News recently and shed some more light on the Britney album. “I just took my track level up. I just wanted to make sure it’s still hard-hitting and still that same energy that people heard, but very today’s time,” he said. “So we’ll see. I don’t know what the project will end up being, but we’ll see. We did have a meeting like a year ago, and they wanted it to sound urban, hard-hitting, not so much dance, but just that similar sound.” What do you hope Britney’s album will sound like? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos Reactions To Britney’s ‘Hold It Against Me’ Related Artists Britney Spears

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Lil Wayne To Launch I Am Music II Tour In March

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, Travis Barker and Mixmaster Mike join 24-city tour. By Jayson Rodriguez Lil Wayne Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images Lil Wayne is hitting the road this March for his I Am Music IITtour, the sequel to his record-setting 2009 trek that grossed the superstar over $40 million. On Monday (January 24), the New Orleans MC announced the outing, on which Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, Travis Barker and Mixmaster Mike will join him as opening acts. The 24-city tour opens March 18 in Buffalo, New York, and will feature stops in Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Houston and Atlanta, among other locations. Tickets go on sale February 4 through Live Nation. After keeping a low profile since his release from prison late last year, Weezy has returned his career to full throttle so far in 2011. Earlier this month, he contributed to Nicki’s “Roman’s Revenge 2.0,” and he filmed videos for his “6 Foot 7 Foot” and DJ Khaled’s “Welcome to My Hood.” The I Am Music II Tour dates, according to Cash Money Records:

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Will Nas Join Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music?

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘When Kanye is out there doing his thing, he’s entertaining all audiences and he’s keeping it hip-hop at the same time,’ MC tells RapFix. Nas Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images Related Artists Nas Kanye West

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Miley Cyrus Isn’t Breaking The Law In Bong Video, Experts Say

Posted on December 10, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Comments Off on Miley Cyrus Isn’t Breaking The Law In Bong Video, Experts Say

Video allegedly shows her smoking salvia, which is legal in California. By James Montgomery Miley Cyrus Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images By now, you’ve probably seen the video of Miley Cyrus allegedly smoking salvia from a bong , and you’re probably wondering whether she might face legal repercussions as a result of the clip. According to organizations on either side of the ongoing war over drug legalization, the answer is no. “[The video] might be embarrassing to her, but it does not put her in any legal risk,” Keith Stroup, legal counsel at the marijuana advocacy group NORML, told MTV News on Friday (December 10). “At the moment, [salvia] is not illegal in California, so even if she walked out on the street and smoked it in front of police, she couldn’t be arrested. And the video of her smoking isn’t enough to get her in trouble, because there’s no proof she wasn’t smoking tobacco.” “Salvia is a drug of concern,” said Michael Sanders, a spokesperson for the Drug Enforcement Agency. “We are taking steps to look further into it, but for right now, it is not a schedule-one narcotic.” Under the Controlled Substance Act, U.S. drug policy assigns narcotics into five different “schedules” — marijuana is a schedule-one drug, as it has “a high potential for abuse … [and] no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States,” cocaine is a schedule two, etc. — which are determined by two federal agencies: the DEA and the Food and Drug Administration. The DEA does not currently list salvia, an herb that, when smoked, provides a powerful psychoactive punch, though several states have made it illegal. In California, where the Cyrus video was allegedly shot, it is illegal to provide salvia to minors; however, it is legal for them to possess it. Since the Cyrus video was not only allegedly shot in California but was also done so five days after her 18th birthday (according to TMZ), the pop star wasn’t breaking any laws. Though, as Stroup put it, all of that may change soon. “Until recently, [salvia] was perfectly legal, frankly because no one paid attention to it. It’s only after a little attention was paid to it in the media that states begin passing legislation about it,” he said. “Drug policy in this country is, by a large part, based on a social response or a political response, but the bottom line is, they don’t want people getting high.” Related Artists Miley Cyrus

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‘VH1 Divas’ Kicks It WWII-Style With ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’

Posted on December 5, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Comments Off on ‘VH1 Divas’ Kicks It WWII-Style With ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’

Katy Perry, Keri Hilson and Jennifer Nettles were pinup perfect for an Andrews Sisters cover. By Aly Semigran Keri Hilson, Katy Perry and Jennifer Nettles perform for “VH1 Divas Salute the Troops” Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images The Andrews Sisters got a 21st century tribute, courtesy of Katy Perry, Keri Hilson and Sugarland’s leading lady Jennifer Nettles in the opening number for “VH1 Divas Salute the Troops” at the Marine Corps air hangar in San Diego. While “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” (which was an iconic tune during World War II) isn’t just for the good-ole boys anymore (there are plenty of women now in the armed forces, and a good portion of the audience, these days), it still had that swingin’ thing that made it a staple so many years ago. Perry, Hilson and Nettles all donned WAC uniforms like the ones the Andrews Sisters wore back in the day and started the evening with a lip-synched homage to the original, complete with a black-and-white video and that instantly recognizable trumpet call. (Click here to see photos from “VH1 Divas Salute the Troops” .) Things didn’t stay old fashioned for too long, as the performers, accompanied by a bevy of flashy dancers, soon appeared onstage in shimmery, gold dresses that would make a flapper proud (they still tipped their hats to the troops by wearing a variety of armed forces caps). Thankfully, with all due respect to the Andrews Sisters, the three eventually sang the tune themselves. Perry, Hilson and Nettles have such striking voices from entirely different genres of music, but for this show they sounded as though they could have been coming from a Crosley radio. The already raring-to-go crowd loved every nostalgic second of it. (One man in uniform, who like so many others, was snapping photos, could be seen mouthing, “I love you, Katy Perry!”) The backup dancers sequence at the end distracted a bit from the spirit of what the three women had re-created, but then again: new century, new attitude. What did you think of the “VH1 Divas” take on “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”? Share your reviews in the comments. For photos, videos and info on how you can salute the troops, head to the “VH1 Divas Salute the Troops” page . Related Videos Performances At ‘VH1 Divas Salute The Troops’ Related Photos Fashions At ‘VH1 Divas Salute The Troops’ Related Artists Katy Perry Keri Hilson Sugarland

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T.I. Makes First Public Appearance Since Arrest

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Fellow rapper Nelly joins the MC as he performs at a club in Atlanta. By Mawuse Ziegbe T.I. and Nelly (file) Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images T.I. isn’t letting his legal situation hold him back from rocking the stage. Just days after getting busted for alleged possession of drugs, Tip showed up in an Atlanta nightclub on Friday and ripped the mic. In a video posted online, the King of the South spits a fiery rendition of Urban Legend’s “Motivation” at a venue crowded with fans thrusting their camera phones in the air. Sporting a white tee from his Akoo clothing line and a black baseball cap, the ATL MC bellowed his flow over the screams from the amped-up crowd. St. Louis hip-hop star Nelly hopped up next to the embattled MC as he went into the hit single “U Don’t Know Me.” The set shows confidence and resolve from a superstar in a precarious position with the law. T.I. and his wife Tameka “Tiny” Cottle were arrested on Wednesday night in Los Angeles after making an illegal U-turn. Police searched the car after allegedly noticing the scent of marijuana wafting from the vehicle and found a number of pills which were later identified as ecstasy . T.I.’s club appearance is the rapper’s first post-arrest foray into the spotlight, but his lady has been expressing her thoughts on the Internet. The day after the bust, T.I.’s wife thanked supporters on Twitter for all of their e-love. “Jus wanted 2say thank u 2every1 dats been leaving encouraging msgs & prayers!” Tiny tweeted on Thursday. “We love u guys:) going 2bed now! So glad 2b n a nice clean bed.” However, on Friday, Tiny lashed out at a critic online who, responding to reports that the reality star and her hubby were caught with methamphetamines, suggested she should switch up her Twitter nickname. “U da real dummy cause u believe everything u hear!” Tiny replied to @ totallytaylor25 who re-tweeted Perez Hilton’s missive that the former Xscape singer should change her Twitter handle to @ MajorMethMama. “I don’t even no wat meth look like! How bout let’s c what da test say!” Did you catch T.I. performing in Atlanta? Let us know in the comments below! Related Photos T.I.’s Career Highs And Lows Related Artists T.I. Nelly

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Kara DioGuardi Announces ‘American Idol’ Exit

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I feel like now is the best time to leave ‘Idol,’ ‘ songwriter says. By Mawuse Ziegbe Kara DioGuardi Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images/ FOX The Great “American Idol” Judge Shake-Up continues. Kara DioGuardi has been announced as the latest talent critic to exit the show in recent months. After joining “Idol” in its eighth season, the songwriter said in a statement on Friday (September 3) that she won’t be returning for season 10. “I felt like I won the lottery when I joined ‘American Idol’ two years ago, but I feel like now is the best time to leave ‘Idol,’ ” DioGuardi said. “I am very proud to have been associated with ‘American Idol’ — it has truly been an amazing experience. I am grateful to Fox, FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment, as well as the cast, crew and contestants, for all they have given to me. I look forward to my next challenge, and want to thank everyone who has supported me. All the best to everyone on season 10!” DioGuardi didn’t elaborate on her next step, but “Idol” producers wished the songwriter well in her future projects. “Kara is one of the world’s best songwriters,” “Idol” creator Simon Fuller said in the release. “She has been passionate and committed to ‘Idol’ over the last two seasons. I will miss having her on the show, but I look forward to working with her in music for many years to come.” “As one of the most proclaimed songwriters in the U.S., Kara brought a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to ‘American Idol,’ ” “Idol” executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz added. “We are very grateful for the time she spent on the show, and we wish her nothing but the best in all her future endeavors.” The announcement confirms months of rumors that DioGuardi would not return for the show’s upcoming season. In July, reports surfaced that “Idol” producers were dropping the songwriter and mounting a return to a three-judge panel. In August, DioGuardi’s father said she heard the news that she was being edged out of the show the same way millions of “Idol” fans did: through the media. “She read [about her supposed firing] the way you and I did. Her disappointment is that that’s the way she’s being treated, and she feels that’s not proper,” Joe DiGuardi said on the TV show “Capital Tonight.” DioGuardi is the latest judge to exit the Fox ratings magnet. In January, outspoken longtime judge Simon Cowell announced his departure to helm the American version of the British talent show “The X Factor.” In July, comedienne Ellen DeGeneres jumped ship after one season, citing a packed schedule, among other issues. Will you miss Kara on “American Idol”? Share your thoughts in the comments! Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Photos Who Should Be The Next ‘American Idol’ Judge? Kara DioGuardi’s Run On ‘American Idol’

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Kris Allen Aims For ‘Street Cred’ On Tour With Radiohead Cover

Posted on June 29, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

After ‘Paranoid Android,’ the ‘American Idol’ alum is working on a cover of MGMT’s ‘Electric Feel.’ By Jim Cantiello Kris Allen Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images While you should never judge a book by its cover, “American Idol” season-eight champ Kris Allen hopes concertgoers judge him for his cover. More specifically, his out-of-left-field take on Radiohead’s epic prog-rocky anthem “Paranoid Android,” which he’s currently performing on his first headlining tour. “It’s our street-cred song,” Allen told MTV News backstage at Yankee Stadium, where he was about to play the CBS Radio Expo. “I’ve always loved the song, and I’ve always loved playing it, and so we worked it out as a band, because we thought it would be cool.” Street cred is a tricky thing when you’re a dude from a show that forces contestants to sing songs from the Barry Manilow songbook. But Kris and his band are eager to prove to audiences that their music tastes reach wider than the mainstream tunes fans might expect from an artist with an “Idol” past. And, in some cases, the Radiohead cover — now a fan favorite — expands the musical horizons of Allen’s “Idol” followers. “Some people come up to me after the show, they didn’t even know the song, and they were like, ‘That was incredible!’ My brother, he has no idea who Radiohead is, and he thought it was awesome,” Allen said. Not all audiences are ready, however, to hear the good-natured Southern boy sing lyrics like “When I am king, you will be first against the wall.” “We won’t play it every night. We’ll play it every once in a while,” the Arkansas native said. “I think we played it in Shreveport [Louisiana], and people were just like, ‘What is this? This guy’s creepy!’ And then we move on to the next song,” Allen laughed. This isn’t the first time Kris has taken a risk with his set list. In addition to rocking songs from his self-titled debut album, including the hit “Live Like We’re Dying,” Kris and the band have performed straight-faced, sincere mash-ups of Kanye West’s “Heartless” and Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise,” as well as a “Falling Slowly”/ “With or Without You” interpolation that caught the eye of original artist the Swell Season. (Glen Hansard even performed Kris’ U2-ified arrangement on their last tour). Kris Allen has his fingers crossed for a similar shout-out from Radiohead. “What if Thom Yorke sees this?” the singer said wide-eyed. “And what if he’s like, ‘This is great’? That would be incredible!” While Kris and his band daydream about props from the Radiohead frontman, they’re busy working on another cred-grabbing cover to add to their set. “We’ve been trying to work up ‘Electric Feel’ for a while, the MGMT song, which would be pretty cool.” Kris Allen is on tour with his band through September, performing both headlining shows as well as opening for Barenaked Ladies, Keith Urban and Maroon 5. What song would you like Kris to cover on tour? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Kris Allen Related Photos MTV.com Exclusive: Kris Allen Related Artists Kris Allen Radiohead

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Lil Boosie Pleads Not Guilty To Murder, Conspiracy Charges

Posted on June 29, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Baton Rouge rapper accused of hiring killers and of conspiring to smuggle drugs into prison. By Gil Kaufman Lil Boosie Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images Rapper Lil Boosie (born Torrence Hatch) pleaded not guilty on Monday afternoon to murder, drug and conspiracy charges in a brief court appearance. The 27-year-old Baton Rouge, Louisiana, rapper — already behind bars on a probation violation — was indicted on first-degree murder charges by a grand jury on June 17 in connection with an incident in October, when two men shot and killed 35-year-old Terry Boyd through the window of his home. According to The Advocate newspaper, Boosie appeared in court for just a few minutes, looking somber, surrounded by six law enforcement officers and dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit, with his wrists and ankles shackled. He told state District Judge Mike Erwin he was not guilty of one count of first-degree murder, two counts of conspiracy to introduce contraband into a penal institution, three counts of possession with intent to distribute narcotics and three counts of conspiracy to commit possession with intent to distribute narcotics. Boosie was ordered to return to court on October 14. The rapper’s attorney, entertainment lawyer Marcus Allen, told reporters afterward that his client is “absolutely not guilty,” adding, “We’re going to be preparing our defense. We have no idea what the evidence is. There’s a lot of rumor and innuendo.” Earlier this month, The Advocate reported that East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore III said that investigators are looking into whether Boosie and others have ties to at least five other killings in the area since last year that have followed a similar murder-for-hire template as the Boyd slaying. Hillar said on Monday that his office hasn’t decided yet whether to pursue the death penalty against Boosie on the murder charge, but said it was “obviously” an option. Boosie is accused of paying men to kill Boyd and of conspiring with his girlfriend, Walnita Decuir and a former prison guard to introduce contraband — in this case, illegal drugs such as codeine pills and synthetic marijuana — into the prison where the rapper is being held. He also faces a third charge involving drugs and conspiracy. Boosie pleaded not guilty to all the charges. One of the men indicted earlier this month in the Boyd killing, Michael “Marlo Mike” Louding, 17, was also indicted in five other deaths, including the February killing of local up-and-coming rapper Chris “Nussie” Jackson, who had been publicly beefing with Boosie until his death in February. Police are also looking into the killing of Darryl “Bleek” Milton, a former employee of Boosie’s record label, BadAzz Entertainment, who was found shot in his Cadillac in April. Related Artists Lil Boosie

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