‘I actually had this moment when I convinced one of the assistant directors on the London portion of the film to get a cat with me,’ actress tells MTV News. By Eric Ditzian Anne Hathaway as “Catwoman” in “Dark Knight Rises” Photo: Warner Bros If you’re not happy with that early peek at Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman , perhaps you should blame Keyboard Cat . Because as the “Dark Knight Rises” actress revealed in Interview magazine, she prepped for the role by turning to feline-focused web videos, after her initial plan to adopt one of the furry creatures fell through. “I actually had this moment when I convinced one of the assistant directors on the London portion of the film to get a cat with me, the idea being that we were going to get a kitten from a rescue shelter, and he was going to live with me, and I was going to observe it, and when I left London, I was going to give it to her,” Hathaway explained. “Then, thankfully, her husband pointed out that that was a terrible idea on so many levels, not least of which being that it would probably be really confusing to the cat.” She added, “So I turned to YouTube instead and got a National Geographic video on cats.” OK, so while the influence of OMG cats and talking cats and cats that wrestle watermelons may not be discernable in the first look at Hathaway’s Catwoman , there’s no denying the reaction to her “Dark Knight” debut was mixed. But when the 28-year-old actress revealed what it takes to fit into that suit, you had to give her a round of applause. “I’m a vegetarian, and right now I’m living on kale and dust,” she said on “Chelsea Lately” on Wednesday, adding that it takes three people to squeeze her into the costume. “Catsuit’s unforgiving.” And since the production lasts for months and months, she’s had to maintain that strict diet and those intense workouts, lest her Catwoman come in for even more unwanted attention. The key to making it all happen is that, after initially hating hitting the gym, she finally enjoys getting in her workouts. “I think I’d never really gotten over the hump,” she said. “There’s a workout hump where you’re so weak that you hate everything. Everything’s painful and you look like an idiot. The gym that I work out at, I was literally working out next to a pregnant Jessica Alba and she could do more pushups than I could.” Check out everything we’ve got on “The Dark Knight Rises.” For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com . Related Photos Analyzing Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman Costume In ‘Dark Knight Rises’
Lil’ Kim and 50 Cent put aside their past differences to reunite to perform one of his biggest hits to date at the WinterBeatz Festival in Perth, Australia. Kim surprised fans when she joined 50 on stage for her raunchy verse on “Magic Stick.” The two cuties posed side by side at the end while 50 simulated something with his microphone. Lil’ Kim is currently in the studio working on her upcoming album! Shawty Lo Discusses New G-Unit Deal, 50 Cent & Lil Kim [EXCLUSIVE] Shawty Lo Brings Out Lil Kim At Birthday Bash 16! [VIDEO & PHOTOS] Lil’ Kim Signs With Universal Music Group? Lil’ Kim’s Extended “Anything (To Find You)” Rap
Def Jam VP of A&R Bu Thiam breaks down the tracks on Watch the Throne with MTV News By Rob Markman Kanye West and Jay-Z Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage Since Kanye West first announced Watch the Throne on Twitter in August 2010, the tag-team LP with Jay-Z had been shrouded in mystery. In the months leading up to the album’s August 8, 2011 release, details remained sketchy. There was no loaded press run, super radio push, music video or album leaks leading up to the drop. In fact, “H.A.M” and “Otis” were the only songs released to the general public; beyond that there was nothing. A few were in the know, like Def Jam VP of A&R Bu Thiam who, was there throughout the recording process and helped Hov and Yeezy achieve their sonic goal. “As an A&R it’s a process of trying to bring out the artist’s creative ideas and their visions,” Thiam told MTV News of his general job function in an exclusive interview. However, when dealing with such accomplished artists like Kanye and Jay, who both have classic works under their belts, Thiam’s role wasn’t that of a traditional A&R rep. “When it comes to big artists like Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rihanna, a label can’t just assign you to a project like that,” he said. “You can’t just be like, ‘Yo Kanye we’re gonna have such and such be your A&R.’ He’s gonna be like, ‘Who the f— is that? Hell no.’ So they have to really rock with you off [general principle] and that’s how the whole process goes.” And rock they did. From start to finish, Bu Thiam was there, lending his professional opinions, helping to build tracks and carry them from concept to a fully mixed and mastered product. There aren’t too many people who can break down Watch the Throne Breakdown track-by-track, but then again there aren’t many people in the game like Bu Thiam. Watch the Throne Breakdown “No Church in the Wild” featuring Frank Ocean (Produced by 88 Keys, Kanye West and Mike Dean) “Collectively [working with Frank Ocean] was both of their ideas. It was like, ‘Yo this guy is incredible.’ They were a fan of him prior and it was like, ‘Yo we should fly him to New York to come out here.’ [Frank] went in and he just went to work. That kid is incredible, man. That particular record was one take. It just was like, [sings] ‘What’s a king to a God.’ We were actually in the room like, ‘Yo he f—ing nailed it.’ ” “Lift Off” featuring Beyoncé (Produced by Kanye West, Jeff Bhasker and Mike Dean) ” ‘Lift Off’ was definitely one of the earlier records [recorded for the album]. [Putting the sound effects on the record] is a process because initially a record might just be a beat, a chorus and a hook and as [Kanye] hears things he adds and takes things out.” ” N—as in Paris ” (Produced by Hit-Boy, Kanye West and Mike Dean) “Them guys, everything they rap about is what they actually go through. So when you hear that album it’s real. When Jay says, ‘I ball so hard motherf—ers wanna fine me,’ they gave him a fine because he took a picture with the college players at the NCAA tournament. So he got a fine for that in real life. So when you hear it you think he’s braggin’, but no, it’s really true.” ” Otis ” featuring Otis Redding (Produced by Kanye West) “[Kanye] was late for his flight, we were in the studio working all day and he was late for his flight. As we were leaving he was like, ‘Yo hold on for a second.’ So he drops his bags and goes to the MPC [beat machine] and his assistant is rushing him and he’s just f—-ing with [the beat]. What’s so crazy is the whole time he’s doing that Jay is writing his verses in his head. But Jay is watching the [NBA] playoffs, I think it was the championship; Miami and Dallas. So Jay is watching the playoffs. I’m not even thinking Jay is paying attention to what ‘Ye is doing and by the time he is finished it’s like ‘I invented swag …’ And I’m like, ‘What the f— just happened?’ ” “Gotta Have It” (Produced by The Neptunes and Kanye West) “It’s like a beat battle. ‘Ye might play something and then Pharrell might play something. They go back and forth man and then they come to a point where they come with one beat.” “New Day” (Produced by Kanye West, RZA and Mike Dean) “The energy from that was just a situation when ‘Ye and Jay were talking about — because both of the guys don’t have kids yet. So, it was just a conversation that they were talking about just having kids and how they’re gonna raise their kids because of the success that they’re having now.” “That’s My Bitch” (Produced by Kanye West, Q-Tip and Jeff Bhasker) “The way Jay writes records you have to really go back and listen to ’em. The way he said ‘bitch’ and ‘dog’ and then ‘get ya own’ like how he used the Big Pun [flow]. So you have to really go back and listen to it three or four times to be able to say anything about a Jay-Z record. Really he’s bigging up his wife through the whole verse, but if you’re small minded, you won’t catch that.” “Welcome to the Jungle” featuring Swizz Beatz (Produced by Swizz Beatz) “We were at the Mercer [Hotel in New York] and Pharrell came by, Swizz came by, Rihanna came by it was like a room full of superstars. Swizz came through with [shoe designer] Christian Louboutin — the guy! It was really that guy.” ” Who Gon Stop Me ” (Produced by Sak Pase of the Jugganauts and Kanye West) “Verse Simmonds actually did the chorus for ‘Who Gon Stop Me.’ Initially if you hear the second half of that [finished] beat.” The [entire] song was [originally just] the second half. The dub step factor came later on in the process. I gotta give [Kanye] all credit for that, when he came back from Paris he was like, ‘Yo I added this piece to the beat.’ ” “Murder to Excellence” (Produced by Swizz Beatz and S1) “As much as people may think that Jay talks about money and cars, he’s really not that guy. Of course he has it, but his whole mission is to build. He wants to have others join him, he’s trying to build black excellence, like the black youth as the next [generation of] executives.” “Made in America” featuring Frank Ocean (Produced by Sak Pase of the Jugganauts) “That’s what Frank is about if you listen to his music you can tell that he’s a very smart guy. We were in the studio, Jay wasn’t there, ‘Ye wasn’t there, it was just me and Noah — one of the engineers. [Frank Ocean] was just thinking of different concepts, he was there for like eight hours, then probably like six in the morning he was like ‘Sweet baby Jesus.’ ” “Why I Love You” featuring Mr Hudson (Produced by Mike Dean and Kanye West) “There is only so much you can do for a person. Like Jay said [in the song], ‘I tried to teach n—as to be kings and all they wanted to be was soldiers.’ Like that’s a real line, that’s how he felt. [Kanye and Jay] do get a lot of criticism in their careers and how they move and I think they just wanted to express it.” Related Videos Welcome To Jay-Z And Kanye West’s ‘Watch The Throne’ Week Related Photos Jay-Z And Kanye West ‘Watch The Throne’ Listening Related Artists Kanye West Jay-Z
Maybe Serena Williams hurt her wrist during her last tennis match against Victoria Azarenka and Young Money superstar Drake just happened to be near where he was able to caress and console her swollen body part. That or they’re secretly dating! Photos of Drake and Serena Williams canoodling have been making their way around the Internet along with speculations that the two are dating. The Star asked Serena Williams about the rumored relationship where she responded “We’re really close friends. Can’t be too close to a friend nowadays, I guess.” No saying how “close” of “friends” they are but it seems like they are extremely connected! Drake & Serena Williams Spotted Together Again [PHOTOS] Serena Williams Has Nice Titles [PHOTOS]
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference has named Isaac Newton Farris Jr., nephew of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., as its president.King founded the civil rights organization in 1957. The Rev. Howard Creecy , who had been president of the SCLC, died last month. SCLC officials also announced that Bernard LaFayette Jr., co-founder of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, has been named national board chairman. He replaces Sylica Tucker, who resigned. The SCLC board also named Don Cash, a Washington, D.C. labor official, as vice chairman, and Louisiana attorney Randal L. Gaines as acting vice president. Earlier this year Bernice King declined the offer to head the organization. Presidents who served SCLC • 1957-1968 Martin Luther King, Jr. • 1968-1977 Ralph Abernathy • 1977-1997 Joseph Lowery • 1997-2004 Martin Luther King III • 2004 Fred Shuttlesworth • 2004-2009 Charles Kenzie Steele, Jr. • 2009–2011 Howard W. Creecy,
As we previously reported, T.I. is expected to be released from prison in Arkansas in September. Tip’s final letter to the fans from prison hit the net yesterday. Check out what the King of the South had to say: What up world? This will be my last message from Forrest City. Just reaching out and sending my love, respect and appreciation to all who have been ridin’ with me throughout this chapter in my life and not just recently but since all the things started happening one after another back in ’06. From Big Phil’s murder to my beautiful little angel Leiah being called home to heaven, to my arrest in ’07, the 1st prison sentence in ’09, to this last journey that I’m nearing the end of. A lot of people who are aware of all that has happened to me in my life say that there aren’t many men who could have endured and withstood so much pain, pressure and turmoil while managing to remain sane and keep their wits about them. I must say that I wouldn’t have been able to do so without God’s grace and having a strong support system behind me every step of the way. So often we spend time acknowledging the presence of “haters” and all the negativity they send our way but we don’t take the time to acknowledge and appreciate all the ones who love and support us and supply us with the positive energy we need to overcome. We complain about the pain so much that we don’t even notice how much stronger, wiser and better of a person the suffering has allowed us to become. I heard Pac say once “To live is to suffer and to survive is to find meaning in that suffering.” I later found out it came from an author by the name of Friedrich Nietzsche. When I heard Pac say that it was just some hard shit to hear your favorite rapper say before he kicked a verse. Now that I’ve gone through it and grown from it those words have a real true meaning to me. I know this won’t be my last battle with adversity but it has truly prepared me for whatever else may come in the future. For that also I’m thankful. Now it goes without saying that I hate I had to come back to prison for these 10 months but I am truly grateful for the knowledge, growth and understanding I’ve received from the experience. Next time you hear from me I’ll be back out there with you. Doing for those who can’t do for themselves and speaking for those whose voices are never heard. When I touch down, I’m going all the way back to square one, like I’m fresh in the game and never sold a record. Back on some I’M SERIOUS, TRAP MUZIK shit… But until then RESPECT to all who deserve it. I’ll be back at you in a minute. – KING T.I. Gets A September 29th Release Date T.I. Should Have Been On His Honeymoon When He Was Arrested T.I. Sentenced To 11 Months In Prison, Says He “Screwed Up” [EXCLUSIVE] T.I. To Release Song In The Next Couple Of Weeks
As we previously reported, T.I. is expected to be released from prison in Arkansas in September. Tip’s final letter to the fans from prison hit the net yesterday. Check out what the King of the South had to say: What up world? This will be my last message from Forrest City. Just reaching out and sending my love, respect and appreciation to all who have been ridin’ with me throughout this chapter in my life and not just recently but since all the things started happening one after another back in ’06. From Big Phil’s murder to my beautiful little angel Leiah being called home to heaven, to my arrest in ’07, the 1st prison sentence in ’09, to this last journey that I’m nearing the end of. A lot of people who are aware of all that has happened to me in my life say that there aren’t many men who could have endured and withstood so much pain, pressure and turmoil while managing to remain sane and keep their wits about them. I must say that I wouldn’t have been able to do so without God’s grace and having a strong support system behind me every step of the way. So often we spend time acknowledging the presence of “haters” and all the negativity they send our way but we don’t take the time to acknowledge and appreciate all the ones who love and support us and supply us with the positive energy we need to overcome. We complain about the pain so much that we don’t even notice how much stronger, wiser and better of a person the suffering has allowed us to become. I heard Pac say once “To live is to suffer and to survive is to find meaning in that suffering.” I later found out it came from an author by the name of Friedrich Nietzsche. When I heard Pac say that it was just some hard shit to hear your favorite rapper say before he kicked a verse. Now that I’ve gone through it and grown from it those words have a real true meaning to me. I know this won’t be my last battle with adversity but it has truly prepared me for whatever else may come in the future. For that also I’m thankful. Now it goes without saying that I hate I had to come back to prison for these 10 months but I am truly grateful for the knowledge, growth and understanding I’ve received from the experience. Next time you hear from me I’ll be back out there with you. Doing for those who can’t do for themselves and speaking for those whose voices are never heard. When I touch down, I’m going all the way back to square one, like I’m fresh in the game and never sold a record. Back on some I’M SERIOUS, TRAP MUZIK shit… But until then RESPECT to all who deserve it. I’ll be back at you in a minute. – KING T.I. Gets A September 29th Release Date T.I. Should Have Been On His Honeymoon When He Was Arrested T.I. Sentenced To 11 Months In Prison, Says He “Screwed Up” [EXCLUSIVE] T.I. To Release Song In The Next Couple Of Weeks
According to Allhiphop.com , Baby “Birdman” Williams has yet to purchase the $8,000,000 Maybach Exelero that he claimed he was buying some time ago. A representative for the European entrepreneur who owns the car told magazine MotorAuthority that Birdman has yet to pay for the pricey vehicle. Why make such a claim and back down? Here are five reasons we think he’s waiting on the purchase. 5) Feeling The Heat Baby bet some lucky person $2 million that the Miami Heat would defeat the Dallas Mavericks in this year’s NBA Finals. Dirk Nowitzki and company cleaned house on the “Heatles” putting Birdman in the hole for two times a Milli. We imagine he is paying that debt before he purchases an 8 million dollar car. 4) Sloppy Seconds Baby caught up on his DVR’d recordings of “Rap City” from 2005 and realized that Jay-Z already flaunted the car in his video for “Lost Ones.” Even if he paints it red he’ll never get over Jigga man popping the car’s cherry. 3) Law & Order Baby has a history of lawsuits going back to 2003. Whether it’s an unpaid jewelry bill , royalties over his Lugz shoes , or producers lining up for back royalties on Tha Carter III , Birdman stays “lawyered up” and that can’t be cheap. 2) Hedging Bets Baby is planning to bet $10 million on the dream fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Depending on how he makes out he’ll be able to buy two Exeleros (even though there is only one in exsitence) with his winnings. 1) “Otis” Envy After seeing what Jay-Z and Kanye West did to that Maybach in the video for “Otis,” buying a regular old car just seems so 2010. Given that NASA just decommissioned the Space Shuttle program, expect Baby to put in his bid to purchase Atlantis, Endeavor or Discovery with his first Billion. RELATED POSTS: $100k Prize Inside Lil Wayne’s “Tha Carter IV” Album? The Game To Sign Deal With Cash Money? Baby aka Birdman Says He Received A $100 Million Check [VIDEO]
During his syndicated radio show on our sister station Majic 107.5 / 97.5, Steve Harvey called out Cornel West and Tavis Smiley for their poverty bus tour, while defending President Barack Obama. After a listener sent an email about the duo’s tour being a hustle , Harvey didn’t shy away for offering his own opinion — accusing West and Smiley for using personal vendettas to damage Obama’s name. “I was a huge fan of Cornel West,” he said. “[But] Tavis, I seen him coming a mile away. His anger started when he had a town hall meeting, President Obama couldn’t come because of the campaign trail and he sent Mrs. Obama. He has held that grudge ever since.” Harvey continued his rant by referring to Smiley and West as being affiliated with UTLO.org (which stands out for “Uncle Tom Look Out”). Harvey mocked the tour by saying, “Make sure you don’t get on the poverty bus… because if you ain’t po’, when you ride the bus, you become po’.” Read the full story at The Grio. RELATED: Cornel West Says Tyler Perry & Lil Wayne, “Need To Grow” [VIDEO] RELATED: President Obama Launches 2012 Re-Election Campaign [VIDEO] RELATED: Steve Harvey’s Ex-Wife Mary Harvey Arrested RELATED: VIDEO: Killer Mike & Dr. Cornel West Discuss The N-Word
During his syndicated radio show on our sister station Majic 107.5 / 97.5, Steve Harvey called out Cornel West and Tavis Smiley for their poverty bus tour, while defending President Barack Obama. After a listener sent an email about the duo’s tour being a hustle , Harvey didn’t shy away for offering his own opinion — accusing West and Smiley for using personal vendettas to damage Obama’s name. “I was a huge fan of Cornel West,” he said. “[But] Tavis, I seen him coming a mile away. His anger started when he had a town hall meeting, President Obama couldn’t come because of the campaign trail and he sent Mrs. Obama. He has held that grudge ever since.” Harvey continued his rant by referring to Smiley and West as being affiliated with UTLO.org (which stands out for “Uncle Tom Look Out”). Harvey mocked the tour by saying, “Make sure you don’t get on the poverty bus… because if you ain’t po’, when you ride the bus, you become po’.” Read the full story at The Grio. RELATED: Cornel West Says Tyler Perry & Lil Wayne, “Need To Grow” [VIDEO] RELATED: President Obama Launches 2012 Re-Election Campaign [VIDEO] RELATED: Steve Harvey’s Ex-Wife Mary Harvey Arrested RELATED: VIDEO: Killer Mike & Dr. Cornel West Discuss The N-Word
