Tag Archives: nyc

Young Jeezy Reflects On Thug Motivation 101 Debut

‘I wanted to take everybody back,’ Jeezy tells MTV news of staging album-anniversary concerts in NYC and ATL. By Rob Markman, with reporting by Rahman Dukes Young Jeezy Photo: MTV News Young Jeezy sure knows how to throw a birthday bash. To celebrate the six-year anniversary of the release of his 2005 debut album, Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101, Jeezy staged a pair of concerts , one in New York City on Monday, and a second on Tuesday, which was actually the anniversary of the album, in Atlanta. “It felt good to see the city out, givin’ everybody something to dress up for, get out have a good time,” the Snowman told MTV News on Tuesday while backstage at his ATL show. “It was definitely a lot of thug motivatin’ going on. Everybody was there for one reason: We were celebrating. It was a celebration. “I just wanted to put somethin’ together that was special,” he said of the tribute shows. “Music is so different nowadays from when I came out. An album would last two or three years, especially when you have a classic like I do,” he added with a chuckle. In NYC, Jeezy thrilled concertgoers as he ran through the TM 101 track list, bringing out special guests like Jay-Z, Kanye West, Bun B, Fabolous and the LOX during the 80-minute show. And for Atlanta, Jizzle brought out Yo Gotti and Lil Scrappy. “I got a lot of what I call family in this industry. It’s a lot of cats that came from the same walk of life that I came from and we really rock like that,” Jeezy said about his star-studded guest list. “We just show that support for each other. I’ve been on tour with a lot of these cats and kick it on the phone with them daily, so it’s phone calls, two, three phone calls,” he said of getting his rap-star friends to participate. When it was released in 2005, Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101 helped usher in a brand of drug-related, trap rap that has become prevalent in hip-hop in the past six years. Things have definitely changed since Jeezy made his first splash, but he believes his album represents a specific time in hip-hop that may never return. ” ’05 was a beautiful year — for the economy, for the people, for the hood, just working-class, even if you were a street hustler,” Young Jeezy said of his rookie year in rap. “The world is a different place now, so I wanted to take everybody back and give them that feeling, because it’s hard out here. At the same time, just that in the back of your head, knowing when this music was playing what you were doing, help you get through your day again, still motivation.” During his set in NY, Jeezy announced that his long awaited TM 103 will be released on September 20, and on Tuesday, he announced a 26-ctiy tour that will begin in New Orleans on July 31, concluding in Seattle on September 2. Share your memories of Jeezy’s TM 101 in the comments below! Related Artists Young Jeezy

Follow this link:
Young Jeezy Reflects On Thug Motivation 101 Debut

Patrick Stump’s ‘This City’ Video: Go Behind The Scenes Now!

Clip for the first single off the Fall Out Boy frontman’s Soul Punk album is a decidedly minimal affair. By James Montgomery, with reporting by Matt Elias Patrick Stump Photo: Matt Elias Patrick Stump realizes that his new single is called “This City,” and, because of that, you’re probably expecting the video to be filled with sweeping shots of skyscrapers, bustling crosswalks and all manner of urban ephemera. Which is why he chose to include none of that in the final product — and not much else, for that matter. He wants the message of the song to stand on its own. “There’s not really a plot, there’s not really a story to it,” Stump told MTV News last week on the set of the “City” video. “The song’s called ‘This City,’ and it describes a lot of these images in a city, and I feel like those images are already there; it would be kind of redundant to take a camera into a city; it’s almost like the colors and the lights and the images that are going to be around this are going to be representing the life in a city.” So there was nary a building to be seen on the “City” set in Glendale, California. Instead, it was just Stump performing his verses in front of several screens (Lupe Fiasco, who guests on the song, wasn’t on hand), which director Ken Koller will fill with projections and colored lights. It’s an artfully abstract way to present the song, one that Stump said he and Koller agreed on almost instantly. “One thing that Ken and I were talking about is that a city is so complicated, so … we wanted to do something a bit different with it, and a bit more abstract,” he said. “I mean, the treatment was really funny to look at; it was literally one sentence, like ‘Patrick stands in a room and sings and we project all these images and lights on the walls.’ And that was it.” And while Stump admitted that Koller’s bare-bones treatment freaked out his management, he stuck with it because he believes that simplicity truly makes for better art. It’s a message that’s taken on added significance now that he’s gearing up to release his Soul Punk LP, due October 18. Because like the “This City” video, Stump would much rather prefer to let his music do the talking. “I feel like videos and stage performance, those were always natural to me — I’m a musician and that’s a comfortable surrounding for me. And videos are the same way,” he said. “Interviews and photo shoots and all those things have sort of been learning experiences, because they’re not something that comes natural to me. It’s a really weird feeling to talk about yourself all day; you have to either really like yourself or have a really great sense of irony. … It’s just a totally different thing.” Related Artists Fall Out Boy Patrick Stump

Read the original:
Patrick Stump’s ‘This City’ Video: Go Behind The Scenes Now!

Young Jeezy Rouses New York Crowd, With Help From Kanye, Jay-Z

Monday show was in honor of sixth anniversary of his debut LP, Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101. By Alvin Blanco Young Jeezy Photo: MTV News According to , New York is his second home. The Atlanta-based rapper looked quite comfortable onstage Monday night at the Highline Ballroom for a special TM101: Live! show. The performance was in honor of the sixth anniversary of his platinum-selling debut album, Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101. Jeezy ran through other selections from his catalog of commercial and street hits, too, while bringing out a number of special, crowd-hyping guests, including Jay-Z and Kanye West. Doors to the show didn’t open until 9 p.m., and those on a line that stretched down 16th Street who made it past the logjam at the front door and into the venue were greeted by Funkmaster Flex of Hot 97 (the station and The Source magazine were among the event’s sponsors), warming up the crowd with a DJ set. Flex spun a number of favorites, included Jay-Z and Kanye West’s (ahem, the Throne ‘s) “Otis” single , which he played at least a couple of times while boisterously expressing his fondness for the tune. As Flex’s set went on, the crowd swelled, including the VIP section upstairs, where artists like Royce Da 5’9″ and Bun B were in attendance. Jeezy’s band, most dressed in dark suits and fitted baseball caps, finally stepped onstage a little before 11:30 p.m. The “favorite rapper’s favorite rapper” hit the stage dressed in all black and wearing sunglasses, with a few dazzling, diamond-encrusted chains around his neck. He kicked off his set with the rousing “Standing Ovation” from his debut album. Most of the crowd rapped along with Jeezy word for word and did so throughout the nearly two dozen songs he would perform as the night went on. After the opener, Jeezy segued into “Let’s Get It/ Sky’s the Limit” and “Go Crazy,” both from his debut. The latter had already been met with an enthusiastic response as soon as its opening notes were heard. But the crowd reached a fever pitch when an unannounced Jay-Z coolly hit the stage to perform his verse as well. After Hova left the stage, Jeezy went into “Trap Star” and afterwards asked the crowd, “NYC, is y’all riding with me tonight?” The band then went into “Put On,” from the trap star’s third album, The Recession. Kanye West then strode to the stage, sending the crowd into another frenzy as he performed his verse from the song. “I told y’all we just getting started,” said Jeezy after Yeezy exited the stage. The Def Jam rapper then performed more fan favorites from his debut, including “Bottom of the Map,” “Bang” and “Get Ya Mind Right,” before the next guest, Bun B, came on to perform “Trap or Die.” Soon after the UGK legend’s cameo, the band left the stage and Jeezy performed some of his notable remix verses, including Rocko’s “Umma Do Me” and recent G-Unit signee Shawty Lo’s “Dey Know Remix.” The next guest to hit the stage was Fabolous, who performed “Flexin” from Jeezy’s The Real Is Back mixtape from earlier this year. The Brooklyn rapper was then given time to perform his own hit “You Be Killin’ Em,” to the crowd’s delight. He then went into another joint cut with Jeezy called “Rollin’ ” before leaving the stage for good. After demonstrating his crowd-control skills by kicking an a cappella version of “Win” from the Real Is Back mixtape, Jeezy gave up the stage up to the LOX. The native NYC rappers got the crowd amped, performing a medley of their hits including Sheek Louch’s “Kiss Your Ass Goodbye,” Styles P’s “I Get High” and Jadakiss’ “We Gone Make It.” The show hit a lull upon Jeezy’s return with “Tear It Up,” about as close to a slow jam as you’ll get, before the energy inside the Highline Ballroom rose again with “Don’t Get Caught.” He then took it to his sophomore album, The Inspiration, and performed the R. Kelly-assisted “Go Getta” before returning to his debut with the Akon-aided “Soul Survivor.” With the show approaching its close, Jeezy declared that his much-delayed fourth album, Thug Motivation 103, is on the way before launching into “Lose My Mind,” one of said project’s first singles. After calling New York “my second home,” Jeezy closed the show with “I Luv It,” the first single from his Inspiration album. But before leaving the stage to a thunderous ovation, Jeezy made sure to tell the crowd, which was now beginning to head to the exits, that he had just gotten word that TM 103 will be in stores September 20. Related Artists Jay-Z Kanye West Young Jeezy

More here:
Young Jeezy Rouses New York Crowd, With Help From Kanye, Jay-Z

Nicola Roberts flashing panties

Pop star hottie Nicola Roberts was spotted in NYC flashing her leopard print panties in public Continue reading

Waka Flocka Flame: Popped For Pot Possession

Rapper Waka Flocka Flame was arrested on Saturday for marijuana possession by New York City police, but has since been released, according to reports. Waka was reportedly apprehended by NYPD in a parking lot outside the Coliseum Mall in the NYC borough. He later vented about this incident on Twitter: “I’m finna jump on my flight 2 Kc ……. sorry 2 da whole m town 4 not coming I had spend a nite n jail with no charge #onlybecauseirap,” he tweeted. Flocka later reassured his fans that he would keep things moving. “Can’t no 1 stop with GOD got planned 4me [know that],” he said. Flocka’s release means that both he and Gucci Mane remain free to promote their buzz-worthy collaboration album Ferrari Boyz , due out August 9. Gucci Mane was released from jail on July 8 after serving four months for a probation violation. Keep things moving, you guys. Just keep things moving … [Photo: WENN.com]

Read more:
Waka Flocka Flame: Popped For Pot Possession

‘Harry Potter’ Fans Consider Life Post-Potter

‘For those who have been so involved and grown up with the series, it feels like a chapter of your life has closed,’ one expert says. By Josh Wigler Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2” Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2” has been in theaters for a week, kicking magical tail at the box office and basking in the glow of rave reviews from critics. All good things, to be sure, except for one not-so-tiny wound: “Harry Potter” is officially over. “Wait … there’s no ‘Part 3’?” joked a wistful Micah Tannenbaum of MuggleNet , commenting to MTV News on the fact that the “Potter” series is finally ending. “It’s a bittersweet feeling. For those who have been so involved and grown up with the series, it feels like a chapter of your life has closed, but at the same time, you’re eager to see what’s next. J.K. Rowling always has something up her sleeve.” MTV’s very own “Potter” expert Terri Schwartz, who was one of our main commentators during the “Harry Potter” World Cup , is one such reader to have grown up alongside the Boy Who Lived, giving her a unique perspective on the cinematic ending of Jo Rowling’s magical franchise. “It is fair to say that I grew up with ‘Harry Potter,’ so now that the movie series is over, there is an overriding sense of finality to the era that wasn’t there when the last book came out,” she said. “I definitely feel like I will never experience another pop-culture phenomenon quite like this again in my lifetime.” Indeed, it’s a popular sentiment. For many fans, the end of “Potter” marks not just the end of a franchise, but the completion of a massive zeitgeist-defining tale the likes of which won’t be repeated anytime soon. There’s a sense of pride among “Potter” fans for having been around to witness such a narrative gift, but it doesn’t come without a bittersweet cost. “I think the fans are experiencing mixed emotions,” Tannenbaum said. “It’s a bit different than when ‘Deathly Hallows’ the book was released in 2007, because you still had several movies to look forward to. Now what?” Thankfully, there is a place to turn: Pottermore , Ms. Rowling’s online haven where muggles across the world can rediscover the majesty of “Potter” all over again. “It’s a good thing [she] decided to announce Pottermore just before the last film hit theaters,” Tannenbaum said. “I have a feeling it will cure any lingering post-Potter depression and provide fans the ultimate online experience. With all the books being re-released over time with new content, fans can experience the series all over again.” Pottermore is still several months away, of course, but fans aren’t without options: “Deathly Hallows, Part 2″ is still in theaters, of course, and judging by last weekend’s record-breaking box-office numbers, it’s a sure bet that many Potterheads will be heading back to Hogwarts this weekend. ” ‘Part 2’ is definitely the strongest of the ‘Potter’ films, so it is exciting to see that this last movie is holding steady to be the strongest of the bunch,” Schwartz said. “It just solidifies the fact that this is the most successful movie franchise in cinematic history, which is a title it well-deserves.” “The box-office results are impressive,” Tannenbaum added. “I think the fact that ‘Part 2′ shattered midnight, opening-day and opening-weekend records here in the U.S. as well as records overseas shows the series’ reach. It’s the fastest film ever to the half-billion mark, and it has only been in theaters for a week! Plus, it just passed ‘Star Wars’ as the highest-grossing franchise of all-time. Definitely going out with a bang.” Check out everything we’ve got on “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: ‘Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, Part 2’ Related Photos ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2’ Opening-Night Madness ‘Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows’ Premieres In NYC

Originally posted here:
‘Harry Potter’ Fans Consider Life Post-Potter

Soul Khan Just Wants Your Acknowledgement

MC opens up about his EP, getting love in NYC and why a white rapper with a booming voice shouldn’t shock you. By Steven Roberts New York MC Soul Khan Photo: Soul Khan Fire Starter: Soul Khan Every MC can rap. Certainly some better than others, but for the most part, anyone calling themselves a rapper can rhyme words to tell a tale in their own unique way. But every once in a while, an MC comes along who’s blessed with a booming voice that commands attention. Soul Khan’s voice is probably his most distinguishing feature, which is not to take anything away from the former battle rapper’s skills, but his deep delivery catches your ear. “I wish I could say I had something to do with it, but that’s all nature,” Khan joked to Mixtape Daily. “I decided I wanted to make rap a career after I graduated college,” Khan continued. “I mean, with a voice like mine, you could either go into politics, [be] a voice for ‘Final Fantasy’ characters or you could be a rapper,” he laughed. A native of Los Angeles’ West Valley, Khan said he was initially “kind of annoyed” that people were frequently surprised to discover that he was the one spitting after hearing his music. In 2011, a white rapper shouldn’t shock people, he thought. “I’ve been rapping for, I guess now, 14 years,” Khan said. “For a good amount of time, I wasn’t very good at it — as I think most people [are not] when they start something. Eventually, [I] developed into a serviceable artist, and I just started rapping because it seemed like the most viable and vital means of communicating with listeners.” Although his style may scream Brooklyn, the L.A. rapper came to New York because he needed a challenge, and the city has embraced him wholeheartedly. “It’s tough to impress people, and if you’re willing to go that extra mile, if you’re willing to give credit to [New Yorkers’] cynicism and say, ‘I’m willing to overpower that,’ then when you do, you get love on a scale you couldn’t imagine. If you win over a New York crowd, you’re the best.” Khan’s ready now to take on the rest of the world with the release of his Acknowledgment EP, one of three that he hopes to release this summer in the lead-up to his album, Soul Like Khan. The Acknowledgement EP was produced by DJ Element (who is also Khan’s stage DJ), and the rapper described Element’s production style as far more lively and uptempo than what he’s used to. And that contrast motivated Khan to try something different. “I made four songs that generally consider the subject of self-worth in some way, whether it was explicitly stated or just the mood, theme,” Khan said. “I don’t want to say motivation music, ’cause now the word ‘motivation’ is actually a hip-hop clich

Kelly Rowland “Feelin Me Right Now” [NEW MUSIC]

Link:

Kelly Rowland may have had a massive hit with “Motivation” but recently released song “Feelin’ Me” isn’t as sexy. The track, written by Rico Love is on her third album “Here I Am” due in stores July 28th. Caption This: La La & Kelly Rowland Work Out [PHOTOS] Kelly Rowland “Here I Am” Tracklisting

Kelly Rowland “Feelin Me Right Now” [NEW MUSIC]

Alicia Keys And Swizz Beatz Rock Matching Outfits [PHOTOS]

Originally posted here:

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz were spotted at the Reebok launch party, Reethym Of Life, in NYC last night. Alicia looked fab in an emerald green off-the-shoulder dress with gold heels. She matched her hubby who was in a green jacket. Alicia rocked her naturally curly hair and gold accessories. I love her look! Swizz Beatz also performed at the event with Lloyd Banks. Check out pics of the gorgeous green couple together at the party and let me know what you think. For more stories on the couple, look at: Alicia Keys Takes Sons For Stroll Through New York [PHOTOS] Alicia Keys Goes Public With Baby Egypt In NYC [PHOTOS] Alicia Keys Reveals Her Son’s Favorite Thing To Do

Alicia Keys And Swizz Beatz Rock Matching Outfits [PHOTOS]

June 23, 2011 at 5:45 PM. The day that my whole life changed….

June 23, 2011 at 5:45 PM. The day that my whole life changed. June 21st my friend came to me and said, “OH! Guess what? I am going to the Justin Bieber Someday launch in NYC at Macy’s and I am aloud to bring a friend, would you like to come? We get to meet Justin and everything”. (Now let me tell you I have been a Belieber for the longest time and I knew he was coming out with a perfume) The moment that she asked me, I became speechless, I started sweating, hyperventilating, and crying. She asked me if that considered as a “yes” and as loud as I can I screamed “YES” jumping up and down out of excitement.  Two days later on Thursday, June 23 2011, I woke up at 9:00 just to get ready. We were taking the 3:00 train, but I knew I had to look perfect for Justin. I spent all day picking out clothing and doing my hair. We got to NYC and walked 3-5 blocks as I hear my pink converse slapping the wet ground and millions of girls running around us. We FINALLY reached Macy’s as I saw lines and lines of girls outside, screaming and crying. We got special VIP passes so we zipped through those lines. Finally, we took 7 escalators up to the 8th floor where we were  greeted  by these two girls. They both worked backstage for Justin. They gave us 2 VIP bracelets and opened HUGE doors. I walked in and my heart was beating so fast that I thought I was going to faint. They were playing loud Justin Bieber music and there were a ton of girls waiting to meet Justin. We got addressed to a VIP line but they said that they were going to let the girls that were waiting outside all night  to meet him first. First we approached Kenny. We talked for a little and we took pictures, then they made us get back on the line. Funny enough right next to the line, was Dave Renyolds. We talked for the longest time cause we were waiting on the line for like 2 hours. We were also standing behind this very famous Mets player and his daughter and wife (of course I forgot his name). Finally the VIP line started moving. My party got instructed to a little white tent which was right before the stage to meet Justin. The Met’s guy’s family went first so we were standing in that tent for a while. There was a little curtain to lead to the other tent, so I looked through. In there was Pattie, Scooter, and his other workers sitting. We waved “Hi” and they pulled us away from the curtain. They said “GO” as they pushed us out the curtain and there RIGHT THERE was standing Justin Bieber. I felt like my heart was going to drop on the floor in front of me. He looked ADORABLE! He was wearing bright red Supras, black skinny jeans, a black under shirt, and a black vest. He looked super cute with his new haircut and his David Yurmen necklace. I walked up and he greeted us with “Hey guys!” and as he put his arm around my shoulder to take a picture, I felt like I was going to MELT. We saw flashing lights every where and then they stopped and screamed “COME ON GUYS, NEXT!” But I could not take that for an answer. I said “May I please have a huge, I love you so much!” and he responded with “Of course you can sweetheart!” At that moment I gave him the best bear hug ever. I let go (not to be weird) and screamed “THANK YOU SO MUCH” and ran off the stage. I was greeted by Scooter who escorted us out. “Thank you so much!” I said. “No problem” Scooter said with a nice smile.  As I walked down those Macy escalators I felt like I had accomplished something. I met Justin Drew Bieber. I felt so lucky and so grateful. Thank you so much to my best friend. If Justin reads this, I love you to death and want to thank you for doing all you do to please your fans. – CARLY  @bieberbeadlesck   Read the original: June 23, 2011 at 5:45 PM. The day that my whole life changed….

Original post:
June 23, 2011 at 5:45 PM. The day that my whole life changed….