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Linkin Park Will Take Over An L.A. Landmark For VMAs

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

We can’t reveal exactly where they’ll perform ‘The Catalyst,’ but here are some clues. By James Montgomery Linkin Park Photo: Warner Bros. The fact that Linkin Park are performing their brand-new single “The Catalyst” at the Video Music Awards isn’t a secret anymore, but just where they’ll be performing it is … and fans won’t find out until they tune in to the show on Sunday night. Here’s what we can reveal: Since LP will be performing the song for the first time on TV, and since the song itself is so positively ginormous, they’ve decided on a location that’s certifiably epic. And given the fact that the VMAs are being held in Los Angeles, producers — and the band — decided to take over a thoroughly iconic space. And … well, that’s about all we can tell you right now. “In previous years, we had such a terrific themes. Last year, we were in New York, and so there was a New York, ‘West Side Story’ through line to the show,” VMA executive producer Jesse Ignjatovic told MTV News. “So obviously, we wanted to do the same thing in LA. And we’re looking back towards another era — in the architecture of set and some of the performances — we’re thinking of iconic films from the ’50s and youth culture, and all of a sudden, this location became first and foremost.” Having decided on a spot, the VMA brain trust took the idea to Linkin Park, who signed off without a second thought. After all, they know the location well. “They were so excited, being an L.A. band, to be able to do a performance in a location like this,” Ignjatovic said. “It’s such a significant location to anyone who lives in Hollywood and Los Angeles. And we honestly can’t believe we got it.” With a location that matches the soaring soundscapes of “The Catalyst,” Ignjatovic and his crew set about finding an appropriately huge way to capture it all. Which, of course, meant plenty of eye-popping aerial shots. “It’s an epic song and an epic location, so, in true Hollywood cinematic style, you want to have breathtaking aerial shots,” Ignjatovic said. “The whole idea is scale and beautiful visuals. It fits perfectly with the song. It’s going to be awesome, trust me.” Where would you want to see Linkin Park perform “The Catalyst”? Share your ideas in the comments below. The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The party starts with MTV News’ VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday. Related Videos Linkin Park’s ‘The Catalyst’ Premieres Related Artists Linkin Park

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Eminem’s VMA-Opening Performance Will Be A ‘Triumph’

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘It’s a testament to the year he’s had, his return to the top,’ awards-show executive producer says. By James Montgomery Eminem Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage Eminem’s voyage from the depths of addiction to the top of the Billboard albums chart is perhaps the music story of 2010, so it’s fitting that he’ll head into Sunday night’s Video Music Awards as the most-nominated male artist , with nods for Best Male Video, Best Hip-Hop Video and, of course, Video of the Year for his massive “Not Afraid.” And, given all that, it’s equally fitting that he’s opening the show too. While the details of his performance have been kept a closely guarded secret, we now know a few bits of key information: He will be drawing heavily from both his rocky road to redemption and his triumphant ascension back to the top. “Eminem is opening the show, and the theme of his performance is ‘triumph,’ ” VMA executive producer Dave Sirulnick told MTV News. “It’s a testament to the year he’s had, his return to the top. “He tells a story, and the viewers will definitely pick up on that.” Rehearsals for Em’s performance are sure to be a closed-set affair, so we’re a little short on specifics, but it sounds very much like he’ll be taking his fans on a personal voyage. Of course, that’s part of why his Recovery has been such a huge success: He doesn’t flinch, and he doesn’t hide from the truth. The album is an incredibly personal listen, not to mention a particularly brave effort. And come VMA night — where he’s the odds-on favorite to take home plenty of hardware — he’ll continue to get personal and continue to be brave. It’s what makes him the best in the business, really. The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The party starts with MTV News’ VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday. Related Videos VMA 2010 Exposed Related Photos A Decade Of Eminem At The VMAs 2010 Video Music Awards Performers And Presenters Related Artists Eminem

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Eminem’s ‘Not Afraid’ Comeback Video Pulls Him Back From The Edge

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

The Shady One lands squarely on his feet in VMA Video of the Year-nominated clip. By Jayson Rodriguez Eminem Photo: Michael Caulfield/ WireImage Eminem was on edge after the release of his Relapse album, his first project after a five-year layoff during which he battled depression and drug dependency. The stakes were high for the Shady One, and although Relapse landed atop the charts — and scored the biggest-selling rap release of 2009 — the heralded Detroit lyricist received lukewarm reviews for the collection. So yes, he was back but, in a sense, he hadn’t quite made his return. But then he unleashed a vicious freestyle while visiting Tim Westwood in the U.K., and followed that up with his dominating verse on Drake’s superstar-laden “Forever” collabo. Ahead of the release of Recovery, Em dropped his official comeback anthem, the reflective “Not Afraid.” With the “Not Afraid” video , he cemented his comeback. The clip has earned Eminem three heavy-duty 2010 MTV Video Music Award nominations : Best Male Video, Best Hip-Hop Video, and Video of the Year. Directed by Rich Lee, the clip balances the darkness of Eminem’s struggle with flashes of light that ultimately lift the rapper to new heights. The video opens with Em standing on the edge of nondescript office building. As he begins his rhymes, the video quickly cuts back and forth between Em spitting on top of the building and in the bowels of a dark basement. “You can try and read my lyrics off of this paper before I lay ’em,” he raps. “But you won’t take this thing out these words before I say ’em/ ‘Cause ain’t no way I’mma let you stop me from causing mayhem/ When I say ’em or do something I do it, I don’t give a damn.” Filmed in Newark, New Jersey, Eminem ventures from the basement to the busy streets of Brick City and crosses a dense multilane street. It’s almost as if the heavy-traffic crossing symbolizes Eminem’s clouded mind during his darker days. He makes it across the street and later bursts through a broken window to his personal light. The visual is a stirring narrative and culminates with Eminem flying up in the air, landing on top of the building from the beginning of the clip. He’s no longer on the edge, but overlooking his new beginning. The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The party starts with MTV News’ VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday. Related Videos VMA 2010 Exposed Live From The 2010 Video Music Awards Revealed: MTV Video Music Awards Related Photos 2010 Video Music Awards Performers And Presenters Lady Gaga Leads The 2010 VMA Nominees Related Artists Eminem

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Usher’s VMA Performance To Be Worthy Of A ‘King’

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Awards-show executive producer teases Ush’s ‘best televised dance routine’ in years. By James Montgomery Usher’s VMA rehearsal on September 9 Photo: Ciel VanderVeen/MTV The success of Usher’s “OMG” is as much a testament to his unyielding popularity as an artist as it is his ability to, well, dance his ass off. That’s particularly apparent in the Video Music Award -nominated video for the song, which features Ush and a bevy of beauties popping, locking, pivoting and posing in ways we never thought possible. Quite simply, the man can move. So when it came time to plot out his VMA performance, well, Usher’s team — and the brain trust behind the show — didn’t have a whole lot of trouble coming up with a concept. The dancing was going to be front and center. The only question was: How could they take things to the next level. “We all sat in a room and came up with a concept for the stage, and then we took that concept to Usher,” VMA executive producer Dave Sirulnick told MTV News. “We said to him, ‘We want to do the best televised dance routine that you’ve done in years. Let’s show why you’re the king.’ ” And Ush’s Sunday night performance is very much an affair worthy of royalty. Full of eye-popping moves, hip-dipping dancers and more special effects than a Hollywood blockbuster, it makes full use of not just the epic VMA stage (which practically engulfs the entirety of Nokia Theater), but the space behind it. While we can’t give away too many details, based on the rehearsals we saw Thursday, the off-the-wall choreography is only part of the attraction. There are lasers and LED lights, stunts, slides and even some props. Like we said, it’s kind of like a Hollywood blockbuster. And kind of a coronation too. After all, Usher is the king. The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The party starts with MTV News’ VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday. Related Photos VMA 2010: Rehearsals Related Artists Usher

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Jay-Z Crafts The Ultimate Blueprint: A VMA Cheat Sheet

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

The 40-year-old MC is rewriting the hip-hop handbook, powering through perhaps his most dominant year yet. By Jayson Rodriguez Jay-Z performs at Comerica Park on Thursday in Detroit, Michigan Photo: Getty Images Although it’s been almost exactly one year since Jay-Z Alicia Keys took their hometown anthem to the World Series , performing the number before game 2 of the baseball championships between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies. The Roc Nation CEO then rode shotgun with Alex Rodriguez during the Yankees victory parade in Manhattan. As the celebration wrapped, Jay performed his tune, which Derek Jeter had used as his at-bat music throughout the playoffs. Jay-Z scored a big win on his own just a month after the Yanks clinched the chip when he earned his first career #1 record as “Empire State of Mind” topped the Billboard Hot 100. The iconic MC has amassed a total of 11 number one albums, but this was his first solo #1 single . As is nearly always the case with Jay-Z, business was good, too. He became a Broadway producer, along with Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith, when he invested in the Tony-winning Broadway play “Fela!” The investment was among one of the many money moves that helped Jay-Z to top the Forbes “Hip-Hop Cash Kings” list this year, the third time in four years he’s done so. 2010 also started off on the right foot as Jay-Z took home the award for Best International Male Solo Artist at the Brit Awards . Domestically, Jay boasted about hearing his music playing in the background when he called President Barack Obama . He later visited the White House with his wife, Beyonc

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MTV VMAs Set To Roll Out White Carpet: Catch A Sneak Peek!

Posted on September 9, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘The theme this year for our carpet is ‘Hollywood Mansion,’ ‘ reveals VMA pre-show executive producer Ryan Kroft. By Kara Warner, with reporting by Tim Kash The VMA white carpet step and repeat wall on Thursday Photo: Rachel Goldner/ MTV News As part of our efforts to bring everyone as far behind-the-scenes as possible in the lead-up to the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards , MTV News correspondent Tim Kash recently took a tour of the under-construction, soon-to-be-star-studded white carpet. Kash was led by MTV’s VMA pre-show executive producer Ryan Kroft. “The theme this year for our red carpet is ‘Hollywood Mansion,’ ” Kroft explained, pointing out key stopping points for celebrities and show crews on what has been designated as the press line. Kroft explained that the wall built for this year’s step-and-repeat (the area where celebs stop to be photographed) will be extra high. “They’re normally 10-feet-high, but this year it’s going to be 21-feet-high,” he said. “We do it big. It’s going to look like this wall of this mansion we’re creating. “When the carpet opens, it’s going to be pure white,” Kroft continued. “White set, black accents, gorgeous.” Eagle-eyed MTV awards show fans probably know that this isn’t the first time the network has gone with a gleaming white rug for the VMAs. In 2005, the show made a return trip to Miami and the production crew once gain began mulling over the idea of an all-white carpet. While they had only considered the possibility a year earlier at the 2004 ceremony — also at Miami’s American Airlines Arena — they didn’t follow through until host Sean “Diddy” Combs encouraged it with a spontaneous declaration at a press conference. So as Diddy turned the carpet from red to white, the biggest challenge was keeping the carpet dry after hurricane Katrina, then only a category 1 storm, had swept through. Which brings up an important question, how in the heck do you keep a white carpet clean with hundreds of people stomping across it? According to Staging Supervisor Aaron Chawla, the trick is to keep it covered in plastic for as long as possible before showtime — and having vacuums and steam cleaners on site for any sudden spills or stains. For those who won’t make it to L.A. to see it up-close, MTV News is giving away 10 pieces of our specially made white carpet. Visit the MTV News Facebook page for details. Current fans of the page should look for the VMA Giveaway tab for more information, and soon-to-be fans need only click “like” in order to receive the same info. We’ll be giving away one piece of carpet a day leading up to the show, with the remaining few up for grabs on Sunday. The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The party starts with MTV News’ VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday. Related Videos VMA 2010 Exposed

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‘Glee’ Cast In Desperate Hunt For VMA Tickets

Posted on September 9, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘Can we get some tickets, for God’s sake?’ asks a peeved Mike O’Malley. ‘Or do they only give it to the young kids of ‘Glee’?’ By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Jim Cantiello Matthew Morrison Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images When MTV News announced that the cast of “Glee” would be presenting at this year’s Video Music Awards , fans of the show and castmembers alike seemed to have reason to celebrate. But it turns out not everyone is so “Glee”-ful. Some of their Fox castmates — specifically, those actors whose names aren’t Cory Monteith, Chris Colfer, Amber Riley and Jane Lynch — are trying to score VMA tickets before the show kicks off on Sunday in Los Angeles. “Can we get some tickets, for God’s sake? Or do they only give it to the young kids of ‘Glee’?” Mike O’Malley joked to MTV News at the show’s season-two premiere earlier this week. Dot Jones asked us, “Can I go with you?” “I want to go!” Jessalyn Gilsig, who plays Will Schuester’s wife, whined. Well, they may not be able to make it to the awards show, but they can watch it from the comfort of their living rooms and catch the night’s other big presenters. TV talk-show maven and former “American Idol” host Ellen DeGeneres (who will tape an episode of her show at the VMAs), reality-show starlet Kim Kardashian, VMA-nominated Katy Perry, “Star Trek” star Chris Pine, Rosario Dawson, the cast of “Jackass” (including Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera and Steve-O) and others will present from the Nokia Theatre. But co-star Matthew Morrison , who has a solo album in the works, revealed his a plan to score a place at the next Video Music Awards. “I’m hoping to perform at the VMAs next year!” The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The party starts with MTV News’ VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday. Related Videos VMA All Access Related Photos ‘Glee’ Season 2 Premiere Red Carpet

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Justin Bieber ‘Deserves’ A VMA, Selena Gomez Says

Posted on September 9, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘He works harder than a lot of people I know,’ she says of Best New Artist nominee and pal. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Christina Garibaldi Justin Bieber Photo: Jeffrey Ufberg/ Getty Images Justin Bieber is in for the fight of his short career at the MTV Video Music Awards . The “Baby” singer will have to fend off Ke$ha (“Tik Tok”), Jason Der

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Florence And The Machine Promise Flowers, Explosions For VMAs

Posted on September 9, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Florence Welch she’ll try to re-create the ‘chaos’ of her ‘Dog Days Are Over’ video this Sunday. By James Montgomery Florence and the Machine’s Florence Welch and MTV News’ James Montgomery Photo: MTV News On Sunday night’s MTV Video Music Awards , multiple nominees Florence and the Machine will take the stage for their biggest U.S. performance to date. It’s a huge opportunity for the U.K.-based critical darlings, who are only just starting their push here in the states. So just what can VMA viewers expect? Well, from what we can gather, there will definitely be machinery of some sort. And perhaps explosions too. Oh, and maybe even some floral arranging? Machine mastermind Florence Welch wasn’t about to reveal all the band’s secret plans for Sunday night, but she did let MTV News in on a few bits of information. “The machine for the actual show is something kind of different — the machine is never supposed to be the band. … It’s kind of everything and nothing; I can’t explain it,” she smiled. “But for the performance it’s going to be something quite … I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s going to be big.” Welch also confirmed that the Machine will be performing their much-nominated “Dog Days Are Over” (which is up for four awards, including Best Rock Video and Video of the Year), and that their VMA setup will match the kinetic feel of the clip. Within reason, of course. “What we’re trying to do is kind of encapsulate the video into a live performance,” Welch said. “There’s a lot of different characters in the video, and so I’m going to be trying to bring some of that. It’s just about the energy of the song, for me. It’s sort of energy and chaos. There’s people, like, actually physically exploding in the video, and hopefully that won’t happen. If everyone’s really into it, that’s fine with me, but we haven’t planned it.” Sounds like things may get messy on Sunday night. But explosions aren’t the only thing Welch is promising during the show. In a nod to her live sets (where she covers her mic stand in bouquets), she’s also going to adorn the VMA stage in flowers. We think. “Basically, the whole thing is just me arranging flowers, and then a load of people around me spontaneous combust, and that it’s it,” Welch laughed. “It’s going to be great.” The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The party starts with MTV News’ VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday. Related Videos VMA 2010 Exposed Related Photos Be Gentle, It’s Their First Time! 2010 VMA Virgins Related Artists Florence and the Machine

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Eminem To Open Video Music Awards

Posted on September 9, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Eight-time nominee will kick off the big night Sunday at 9 p.m. ET/PT. By Mawuse Ziegbe Eminem Photo: Michael Caulfield/ WireImage VMA vet Eminem will not only return to the stage Sunday, his performance will open the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards . Fresh from a pair of historic Home and Home Tour stops in his native Detroit with Jay-Z , Em, who has delivered a slew of unforgettable VMA moments in the past, will set the tone for the show’s 27th go-round. “We thought that there’s no better way to kick off the show than a performance from Eminem,” MTV general manager Stephen Friedman recently told The Associated Press. Sunday will be a busy night for Shady, who is up for eight Moonmen . His chart-dominating release Recovery has already racked up more than 2 million album scans and yielded hits like “Not Afraid,” which is up for Best Male Video and Video of the Year. Although public details about his performance remain scant, Em has always been good for iconic VMA moments. In 2000, he led a mass of Shady look-alikes into Radio City Music Hall as he spit his celebrity-skewering chart-topper “The Real Slim Shady,” which went on to win Video of the Year. Offstage, Em was the center of three awkward and, at times, potty-mouthed, moments in 2002 featuring foes Christina Aguilera, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog and Moby . Last year, Em kept things censor-friendly when he appeared in a video short, tearing up after coaching “30 Rock” comic Tracy Morgan through a duet with ’80s poptress Cyndi Lauper . Other stars slated to hit the stage Sunday are Kanye West, Linkin Park, Mary J. Blige, Drake, Usher, Paramore, Justin Bieber, B.o.B and Florence and the Machine. What are your predictions for Eminem’s VMA performance? Let us know in the comments below! The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The party starts with MTV News’ VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday. Related Videos VMA 2010 Exposed Revealed: MTV Video Music Awards Related Photos A Decade Of Eminem At The VMAs Related Artists Eminem

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