Move over, Tupac hologram . It’s time for another late icon to be resurrected on stage. Digital Domain Media Group, the company responsible for bringing Tupac to “life” at Coachella this year, is teaming up with Core Media Group (which owns Elvis’ brand) to “jointly produce a series of ‘virtual’ Elvis likenesses for a range of entertainment projects,” according to Billboard. “His lifelong fans will be thrilled all over again, and new audiences will discover the electric experience of Elvis the performer,” says Jack Soden, president and CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises. “The high level of quality entertainment that both Core Media Group and Digital Domain deliver gives us great confidence that these projects will help continue the growth of Elvis’ rich legacy all over the world.” A much cheaper version of Hologram Elvis actually appeared on American Idol in 2007, singing a duet with Celine Dion. Will you go see this one on tour?
The strangeness of wearing masks all the time as a child is not lost on Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris, though she respects his reasoning behind it. It was one of the most enduring images from Michael’s bizarre life – stepping out with his kids hidden behind masks – at the time and to this day. Paris Jackson , 14, tells Oprah Winfrey she was as perplexed as anyone. “I was really confused,” Paris admits in an interview to air Sunday. “I didn’t get why I was always wearing a mask. But I understand it now.” “The reason why my dad would want our faces to be covered … it was so when we went out without him we wouldn’t be recognized .” Thanks to her late father’s efforts, she says, “We had a normal childhood,” including trips to the mall, the arcade and Chuck E. Cheese’s. “He told us that he didn’t really have a childhood,” says Paris. “He would always be stuck in the studio singing while the kids were out playing.” “Really, he just wanted us to have that. ” One thing’s for sure, the King of Pop really knew what he was doing in the child-rearing department. Paris, Prince and Blanket all seem like remarkably normal, respectful and well-adjusted young people. Respect. [Photo: WENN.com]
Digital Domain Media Group is working on a ‘virtual’ Elvis for a series of film and TV projects. By Gil Kaufman Elvis Presley Photo: Getty Images We may not be getting those Left Eye, Michael Jackson or Notorious B.I.G. holograms we were hoping for anytime soon, but one of rock’s royal court will be digitally resurrected. Digital Domain Media Group, the company behind the earthshaking Tupac Shakur hologram that created a global sensation at this year’s Coachella festival announced this week that it is planning to create a virtual Elvis Presley. Working with the Core Media Group — which owns the rights to Elvis’ estate — Digital Domain said it is working on a series of “virtual” Elvis likenesses for a wide range of entertainment projects that could include everything from film and TV to “multi-platform productions throughout the world.” DDMG, the Oscar-winning folks behind the special effects in films such as “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” has already started on some of the Elvis virtual renderings and plans to announce plans for a full roll-out soon. “Elvis Presley is the king of rock and roll … you have to start with the king,” Ed Ulbrich, Chief Creative Officer at Digital Domain told MTV News when asked why the company’s next major project would focus on the first wave rock star. “We’re in the creative development stages now. Instead of a single application we’re looking to bring Elvis back across a host of platforms, including live concerts in venues.” Like the Tupac stunt, Ulbrich said the Elvis rendering would not be based on archival footage, but original, exclusive performances by the King using the company’s bleeding-edge technology. He was not at liberty to describe how that process is managed, but Ulbrich promised that like in “Button” and “TRON: Legacy,” it would involve the holy grail of the industry: creating a synthetic likeness of a human being that is just as believable as the real thing. The company is in the process of building the Elvis programming now and Ulbrich said there was no timetable on when we might see the first fruits of this new experiment because the Digital Domain team is determined to take as long as necessary to get it right. “We take this very seriously because we want to pay great respect to Elvis and his legacy,” he said. In a statement announcing the deal, Elvis Presley Enterprises President and CEO, Jack Soden said, “This is a new and exciting way to bring the magic and music of Elvis Presley to life. His lifelong fans will be thrilled all over again and new audiences will discover the electric experience of Elvis the performer.” While Ulbrich said he was not at liberty to discuss what other music legends may get the Tupac/Elvis treatment next, he acknowledged that is not to say that, “we’re not talking about other things or looking at other things.” For the time being, though, the focus is on Elvis. Now, as whether we’ll see young, hip-swiveling Elvis or the latter-period Las Vegas version, Ulbrich would only say, “you’ll have to [wait and] see.” Related Artists Elvis Presley Tupac
Look out Floyd, 50 has teamed up with Oprah for the real money team! It’s been a long-time coming but 50 Cent will be reconciling with mega-mogul Oprah on Sunday’s episode of “Oprah’s Next Chapter.” After telling the Associated Press in 2006 that Oprah’s show lacked of guest diversity because she was “catering to old white women,” the G-Unit rapper, real name Curis Jackson, will sit down with Oprah in a one-on-one interview at his grandma’s house. In a recent visit to “The View,” Fif said he actually named his dog Oprah so that he could learn to love something named as such. “It started out negative ’cause I thought Oprah didn’t like hip-hop culture,” he said. “I got the dog and now I love Oprah.” 50 won’t be the only Jackson to appear on the show. Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris will also be featured. The episode airs June 10. Looks like Oprah is adding some diversity to her lineup and bringing back her popular interview series to regain some traction for her failing network. Will you be tuning into Oprah’s Next Chapter? Hit the flip for a preview of the episode next…
HELP SUPPORT ON iTUNES HERE: itunes.apple.com Use Twitter? TWEET THIS VIDEO HERE: clicktotweet.com FOLLOW ME! FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com TWITTER: www.twitter.com INSTAGRAM: AdamStantonMusic iTUNES: www.itunes.com YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com ———- ‘Die In Your Arms’ as originally by Justin Bieber Written by: Justin Bieber, Rodney Jerkins, Dennis Jenkins, Travis Sayles, Thomas Lumpkins, Kelly Lumpkins, Berry Gordy, Alphonso Mizell, Frederick J. Perren, Deke Richards & Herb Rooney Die In Your Arms Justin Bieber Die In Your Arms Die In Your Arms Justin Bieber Justin Bieber Die In Your Arms Justin Bieber Official Music Video Song Lyric Lyrics Believe Leak Leaked Live New 2012 Cover Beiber Acoustic Guitar Adam Stanton KidRauhl JustinBieberVevo Boyfriend MJ Michael Jackson http://www.youtube.com/v/syekv1EGjWY?version=3&f=videos&app=youtube_gdata See original here: Die In Your Arms – Justin Bieber – Official Music Video Cover – Adam Stanton
‘The boy is talented, and you can’t take talent away. He’s a bona fide entertainer,’ veteran singer tells MTV News. By Nadeska Alexis, with reporting by Sway Calloway Chris Brown Photo: Noel Vasquez/ Getty Images Bobby Brown has been on the road with New Edition over the past few months for the group’s 30th anniversary tour, and as the veteran entertainer gets ready to drop his fifth album, The Masterpiece, he’s showering praise on contemporary stars like Chris Brown, Trey Songz and Usher who have furthered his R&B legacy. During the height of New Edition’s popularity in the ’80s, Brown cemented a bad-boy image that stuck with him throughout the years, sometimes to his detriment. The new generation of R&B singers have faced their own unique challenges after being thrust into the spotlight, and maybe none as obvious as Chris Brown. Still, Bobby Brown thinks the young star isn’t doing too badly for himself. “He’s good; he’s a church boy compared to me,” Brown told MTV News matter-of-factly. “Chris Brown is incredible. [He’s] an incredible dancer, incredible singer. I respect him a lot because he’s held his head up throughout everything that he’s been through,” Brown said, addressing the singer’s much-publicized assault case against ex-girlfriend Rihanna. “He’s only been through a little bit, but the boy is talented and you can’t take talent away. Talent is given from God, you can’t learn what he does. He’s a bona fide entertainer and he should be respected.” Despite the setbacks Chris Breezy has faced, Bobby Brown is confident that he has what it takes to stick around in the long run. “He’s still young and he’s got a long way to go. I’m 30 years deep into this entertainment thing and I could see him 30 years from now, still doing what he does — flipping and singing and dancing,” Brown continued. “And now he’s getting ready to do a movie, so he’s covering the spectrum of entertainment.” Chris isn’t the only millennial entertainer who gets praise from Bobby Brown, though. “Trey Songz is definitely a talented brother, he’s a talented writer, talented singer,” he adds. “I just love the new generation of R&B singers, I think they’re upholding what entertainment is about. I got it from Rick James and Michael Jackson, and I’m just grateful that they’re taking what I love, what I’m passionate about, to the next level and keeping it young and fresh.” Usher, who will release his new album, Looking 4 Myself, just one week after The Masterpiece drops on June 5, is also on top of the list. “Before Usher even had a record out, I was training him, I’m surprised I didn’t put him out,” Brown said. “I worked with him a lot, teaching him different ways of training your body to dance and I’m proud of him. I’m glad he kept everything together.” Brown will continue his mission to entertain the masses with The Masterpiece , which is his first album in 14 years. And although he’s got respect for the new crop of singers, he maintains that he needed to fly solo this time around. “This project is about me as an individual and me as far as growth in my life, so I didn’t really want to go all commercial with it, and to make it something that became a spectacle.” Brown admitted. “This is all about Bobby right now. It’s just to get this off my heart and once this is released and people are able to hear it and appreciate it, then I can move forward with my life.” The The Masterpiece , is set for release on June 5, led by the single “Don’t Let Me Die.” Do you agree with Bobby Brown’s praise of Chris Brown? Leave your comment below! Related Artists Chris Brown Bobby Brown
A letter Michael Jackson wrote to his former wife Lisa Marie Presley – in which he complains of chronic insomnia – was set to be sold at auctioned … before until Lisa Marie found out, threw a fit and demanded it be taken off the block. She didn’t say why she wanted the letter pulled , but it’s easy to guess. Written sometime between 1993 and 1996, the letter from MJ reads: “Smell here [arrow with box] Lisa I truly need this rest I haven’t slept litterally [sic] in 4 days now. I need to be away from phones and Business people.” “I must take care of my health first Im’ [sic] crazy for you Love Turd.” Yes … Love Turd. Michael Jackson died June 25, 2009. Dr. Conrad Murray , who was injecting him with the hospital-grade anesthetic Propofol to help him sleep, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to four years behind bars. Julien’s Auction in Beverly Hills didn’t elaborate on the incident beyond stating that Lisa’s request was of “a personal nature” and “we wanted to honor the request.” We can read between the lines.
Philadelphia band gets an assist from Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams on standout new album, in Bigger Than the Sound. By James Montgomery mewithoutYou’s Ten Stories cover art Photo: Pine Street In September 2009, Hayley Williams gave me a tour of her home in Franklin, Tennessee. It wasn’t the usual kind of rock-star pad, for about a million reasons (there were a lot of “I Love Lucy” Barbie dolls), most notably what was playing on her Michael Jackson turntable at the time: a copy of mewithoutYou’s It’s All Crazy! It’s All False! It’s All a Dream! It’s Alright. I only mention it now for a couple of reasons: One, it led to the first — and, to this day, only — conversation I’ve ever had with someone about mewithoutYou (they aren’t exactly what you’d call a “unifying” band), and two, because as luck would have it, they have a new album out Tuesday (May 15), Ten Stories, which features Williams on a pair of tracks and is probably the best thing they’ve ever done. Or at least the most recent. That’s the thing about mewithoutYou, who, in case you aren’t aware (and you probably aren’t), hail from Philadelphia, have been making albums for a decade now (in between losing members to grad school/ their frontman threatening to quit and donate all his possessions to the poor ) and have fashioned a sort of anti-career out of coming dangerously close to success, only to veer away at the last possible second (usually into an embankment or something): They are not exactly an easy band to like. Or pin down. Wait, that didn’t come out right. What I meant to say is that they are a challenging band to like. And an impossible one to pin down. Which is, I suppose, why I only know two people who are actually fans. Their first two albums, 2002’s [A→B] Life and ’04’s Catch for Us the Foxes, were careening, crashing exercises in sheer volume (I think the kids called it “post-hardcore”), the latter of which featured the sorta-single “January 1979,” brought them a fair amount of mainstream attention and was, according to me at least, one of the best rock records of the past decade . They started wandering off the leaden path with ’06’s Brother, Sister and then fully embraced lead singer Aaron Weiss’ spiritual voyages (and Sufi mysticisms) on It’s All Crazy, ditching the wattage in favor of hushed tones and a genuine grace. Of course, they also thoroughly confused what remained of their core fanbase in the process, but that was almost beside the point. Because with Ten Stories (which, in true mwY fashion, features 11 tracks), they’ve made it clear that they’re never going to be the same roaring act they were in the early aughts. Instead, they seem to have stumbled into a kind of beatific balance: Sure, they still call songs stuff like “Fox’s Dream of the Log Flume” and “Grist for the Malady Mill,” and, yes, on occasion Weiss still sings/shouts/spouts like a freegan preacherman, but there is a honed focus to the album, a willful maturity and a confidence that only comes when bands realize they can pack as much of a punch with instrumentation as opposed to sheer volume. Part of this was probably inevitable, of course, but it bears mention that Ten Stories draws thematic inspiration from a book Weiss read about a circus-train crash in Montana (hey, why not?) and as such earns the distinction of not only being their most cohesive record, but the first where they don’t seem all that concerned with converting the masses (sample quote from Weiss, circa the Brother, Sister album: “I want to tell people God is love. That’s my eternal, unchanging reality”). Instead, this time out, they just seem content. And that’s exactly where they should be. From the pastoral guitar work of “Cardiff Giant” and the plaintive drift of “Aubergine” to the woozy dramatics of “Bear’s Vision of St. Agnes” and blooming surge of album closer “All Circles,” Ten Stories is very much an album born out of quiet confidence, of willful resignation. Sure, Weiss is still on his lifelong spiritual quest — on “East Enders Wives,” he keens, “I’m still counting on you like an invisible rosary” — but he’s mellowed significantly as the decade has worn on, perhaps finally finding some semblance of inner peace. They even manage to weave Williams into the mix with startling restraint (she is unquestionably the biggest name they’ve ever collaborated with, unless you could Sunny Day Real Estate’s Jeremy Enigk): Her voice is less of a main attraction as it is an additional instrument, another part of the sonic flourish. It’s a truly great album — the kind only a group like mewithoutYou could make, and only at this point in their career (or whatever you want to call it). Call it maturity, if you want to, I prefer to think of it as artistic growth: an accomplished, beautiful record from an equally accomplished (if not severely overlooked) band. But who knows, with Ten Stories, that last bit might change. Hey, Hayley Williams is on it. What do you think of mewithoutYou’s latest music? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Bigger Than The Sound: Stories Behind The Bands Related Artists Mewithoutyou
