When I first thought of ‘going natural’ in January 2011, I quickly decided against it; I opted to continue my regular relaxer regimen. After all, it worked for ten years. But during my past three years in college, I have found it difficult, frustrating and nearly impossible to grow and maintain a healthy head of relaxed hair. So when June rolled around and my hair was still suffering from the relaxing process and heat damage, I knew it was about time to give my natural hair a chance. I did my research by reading natural hair blogs and watching lots of natural hair videos on YouTube. The women on these websites were quite knowledgeable and encouraging; I felt I was finally ready to embark on my natural hair journey. Although initially, I thought I couldn’t bare to cut all of my relaxed hair off, managing my two hair textures (new growth and relaxed ends) proved too aggravating! So on August 1, 2011, after three months of transitioning, I asked my mom to chop off all of my chemically altered hair. …To Be Continued… For more of my hair story, check out this video . And to follow my hair journey, check HelloBeautiful for updates and subscribe to bronzeBELEZA on YouTube. How To Keep Your New Short Cut Sassy Join The Discussion: The Natural Hair Sister
ATL rap vet Baby D stopped by Hot 107.9 and spoke with B High in the Hot Spot Light! The Oomp Camp rapper talked about his new song “Never Done,” produced by Hot 107.9′s own DJ Montay, and broke down the history of Oomp Camp. Baby D also told us that he’s remaking his classic “Eastside Westside” with 2 Chainz and others! Check out the exclusive! RELATED: Sean Garrett Talks “In The Box” & More [Hotspotlight EXCLUSIVE] RELATED: Hotspotlight With Big Krit [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO] RELATED: La Da Boomman On His Journey From Behind The Scenes To Behind The Mic [EXCLUSIVE] RELATED: 2WIN Talks “Whole Thang” With B High [EXCLUSIVE] RELATED: Future’s Got Next In The Hot Spot Light [EXCLUSIVE] RELATED: Charlie Boy Gang “Beef It Up” In The Hot Spot Light [EXCLUSIVE]
Superstar duo will sell copies of their brand-new album from shop in New York’s SoHo neighborhood. By Rob Markman The Watch The Throne pop-up store in New York City Photo: Rob Markman/MTV News NEW YORK — Watch the ingenuity. In what has already been an unorthodox album roll-out, Jay-Z and Kanye West are keeping the surprises coming during the record release for their tag-team LP, Watch the Throne . On Friday afternoon (August 12), the duo erected a pop-up store to sell copies of the album in Manhattan’s trendy SoHo neighborhood, and MTV News was among the first inside. When the album dropped on Monday as an iTunes digital exclusive , it seemed that Friday’s physical release of the LP would be nothing more than an afterthought. Not so! The store-front, located at 201 Mulberry Street, is regally wrapped in gold, just like the album’s Riccardo Tisci-designed cover art, the real attraction however is inside. As if slinging albums weren’t enough, Hov and Yeezy are putting the tricked-out Maybach from their “Otis” video on display inside of the retail space. Read what some hip-hop DJs had to say about “Otis” as an unconventional single. The black luxury vehicle sits there in all its remixed glory: hood on the trunk, trunk on hood, doors ripped off. Unfortunately, there is a strict no photo/no video policy in the store, but visitors are allowed to walk right up to the ‘Bach-mobile and can even touch it. On a large overhead screen, the Spike Jonze-directed “Otis” plays on a loop. There are even rumors that Hov himself will make an appearance sometime tonight and the store will be up until Sunday. For fans stopping by the Mulberry Street store, it will be open on Friday until 10 p.m. ET, on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jay, who doesn’t take to his Twitter often, posted the SoHo address this afternoon. So much of the Watch the Throne release has been shrouded in mystery. Other than “H.A.M.,” which was released in January and the LP’s first official single “Otis,” fans had heard nothing from Hov and Yeezy’s project until it was released Monday morning. Who knows what they will come up with next. What did you think of the “Otis” video? Share your thoughts on Facebook or tweet your reactions and videos @MTVNews with the hashtag #MTVOtis! Related Videos JAY Z and Kanye West: “Otis” Playlist Related Photos Five Indelible Images From The ‘Otis’ Video Related Artists Jay-Z Kanye West
Singer/producer Ne-Yo and his baby momma Monyetta Shaw are expecting their second child. Their daughter Madilyn Grace was born November of last year and, according to a source, Ne-Yo is hoping for a boy this time around. The Atlanta-based singer/songwriter stated recently that fatherhood is just as hard as he expected it to be. His biggest challenge since becoming a father? Lack of sleep! Congratulations to the couple. Vivica Fox & Slimm Party With Ne-Yo & Monyetta [PHOTOS] Ne-Yo’s Mom Flustered When Asked About Son’s Baby Mama [VIDEO] Ne-Yo On MJ TMZ Controversy: “Y’all Can’t Tell Me How I’m Gonna Feel About Mike!” [EXCLUSIVE] Ne-Yo On Fatherhood: “It’s Just Less & Less An Opportunity To Sleep”
Jay-Z and Kanye West’s collaboration is getting some big first-week estimates from the experts. By Rob Markman Jay-Z and Kanye West Photo: Getty Images There is little doubt that when Watch the Throne debuts on the Billboard albums chart next week, Jay-Z and Kanye West will snag the #1 spot. The real question is: How much will the superstar duo actually sell when the smoke clears and the first-week retail registers are tallied? “I’m gonna say, ladies and gentlemen: 450,000,” Shade 45’s DJ Wonder said on Wednesday’s “RapFix Live.” Statik Selektah and Hot 97’s DJ Kast One predicted similar numbers. Kast guessed the duo would sell anywhere from 350,000 to 400,000 thousand copies of their new LP, while Statik, who spins on Shade 45’s “Showoff Radio” show on Thursday nights, thought the Throne would hit the 500,000 sales mark and earn themselves a gold plaque in the first week. Get a sneak peek of the Throne’s “Otis” video, and tune in to MTV, MTV2, mtvU, MTV.com or BET at 8:56 p.m. ET/PT to watch the world premiere. On Monday, the day of Watch the Throne ‘s exclusive iTunes release, Billboard.biz predicted that the mega-collaboration would sell anywhere between 400,000 and 500,000 units. But the very next day, the site reported that based on the first day of sales, WTT was projected to go upwards of 500,000 in week one. Estimates may be adjusted again once the physical copy of the album is released to retailers on Friday, but as of now, Vibe editorial director Datwon Thomas’ guess is on pace with current projections. “I’m going just north of half-a-mil, only because of the fact that they’re coming out so unorthodox,” he said of Watch the Throne ‘s rollout , which as of now has produced no crossover single, just the boom-bap affair, “Otis.” “I don’t know if Middle America has latched onto the concept of just throwing out a hot record that can just carry through urban areas and not lift off with the traditional hook that they’re used to from a Jay or Kanye.” Some wondered if superstars like Hov and Yeezy were actually capable of selling a million copies in one week. Rap Radar founder and Respect magazine editor in chief Elliot Wilson didn’t rule out the romanticized sales figure, though he feels it may be unobtainable at this point. “I think they’d love to sell a million records in the first week and show that you could still do something like that,” he said. “I think it’s possible. Is it probable? Probably not, but I think it will do big-boy numbers first week. I think it will do at least 400k or something like that.” What do the critics think of Watch the Throne ? No one has ever entertained the thought that Watch the Throne could tank. Even though fans had only heard two songs leading up to the album’s drop (“H.A.M.” and “Otis”), Jay-Z and Kanye’s respective legacies were enough to ensure the Throne’s sales success. The real question was whether it would meet critical expectations. “I don’t think [Kanye and Jay] really care what the sales look like,” Wilson said. “I think it’s more about people saying the album’s dope and the peer group props that come with it, and the influence and the impact and the fact that, ‘Damn we really did do it. We really did get it out there. Now we’re gonna go on tour, and it’s a celebration.’ ” What are you expecting from the “Otis” video? Join the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #MTVOtis. Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ With Gucci Mane, Waka Flocka Flame And Royce Da 5’9″ Related Photos Exclusive Photos Of The ‘Watch The Throne’ Recording Sessions Related Artists Jay-Z Kanye West
Jay-Z and Kanye West’s collaboration is getting some big first-week estimates from the experts. By Rob Markman Jay-Z and Kanye West Photo: Getty Images There is little doubt that when Watch the Throne debuts on the Billboard albums chart next week, Jay-Z and Kanye West will snag the #1 spot. The real question is: How much will the superstar duo actually sell when the smoke clears and the first-week retail registers are tallied? “I’m gonna say, ladies and gentlemen: 450,000,” Shade 45’s DJ Wonder said on Wednesday’s “RapFix Live.” Statik Selektah and Hot 97’s DJ Kast One predicted similar numbers. Kast guessed the duo would sell anywhere from 350,000 to 400,000 thousand copies of their new LP, while Statik, who spins on Shade 45’s “Showoff Radio” show on Thursday nights, thought the Throne would hit the 500,000 sales mark and earn themselves a gold plaque in the first week. Get a sneak peek of the Throne’s “Otis” video, and tune in to MTV, MTV2, mtvU, MTV.com or BET at 8:56 p.m. ET/PT to watch the world premiere. On Monday, the day of Watch the Throne ‘s exclusive iTunes release, Billboard.biz predicted that the mega-collaboration would sell anywhere between 400,000 and 500,000 units. But the very next day, the site reported that based on the first day of sales, WTT was projected to go upwards of 500,000 in week one. Estimates may be adjusted again once the physical copy of the album is released to retailers on Friday, but as of now, Vibe editorial director Datwon Thomas’ guess is on pace with current projections. “I’m going just north of half-a-mil, only because of the fact that they’re coming out so unorthodox,” he said of Watch the Throne ‘s rollout , which as of now has produced no crossover single, just the boom-bap affair, “Otis.” “I don’t know if Middle America has latched onto the concept of just throwing out a hot record that can just carry through urban areas and not lift off with the traditional hook that they’re used to from a Jay or Kanye.” Some wondered if superstars like Hov and Yeezy were actually capable of selling a million copies in one week. Rap Radar founder and Respect magazine editor in chief Elliot Wilson didn’t rule out the romanticized sales figure, though he feels it may be unobtainable at this point. “I think they’d love to sell a million records in the first week and show that you could still do something like that,” he said. “I think it’s possible. Is it probable? Probably not, but I think it will do big-boy numbers first week. I think it will do at least 400k or something like that.” What do the critics think of Watch the Throne ? No one has ever entertained the thought that Watch the Throne could tank. Even though fans had only heard two songs leading up to the album’s drop (“H.A.M.” and “Otis”), Jay-Z and Kanye’s respective legacies were enough to ensure the Throne’s sales success. The real question was whether it would meet critical expectations. “I don’t think [Kanye and Jay] really care what the sales look like,” Wilson said. “I think it’s more about people saying the album’s dope and the peer group props that come with it, and the influence and the impact and the fact that, ‘Damn we really did do it. We really did get it out there. Now we’re gonna go on tour, and it’s a celebration.’ ” What are you expecting from the “Otis” video? Join the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #MTVOtis. Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ With Gucci Mane, Waka Flocka Flame And Royce Da 5’9″ Related Photos Exclusive Photos Of The ‘Watch The Throne’ Recording Sessions Related Artists Jay-Z Kanye West
Kristen Stewart’s cover interview in the September issue of W magazine is now out, along with a short video. The ‘Breaking Dawn’ actress tells the mag about her earliest film experiences, being a tomboy, how ‘The Twilight Saga’ served as her college, and watching herself on screen. Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : Gossip Cop Discovery Date : 12/08/2011 04:22 Number of articles : 2
From last year’s set visit to this year’s early screening, we’ve been following Jesse Eisenberg and Aziz Ansari’s comedy all the way. By Eric Ditzian Aziz Ansari and Jesse Eisenberg in “30 Minutes or Less” Photo: Wilson Webb/ Columbia Pictures Like a bomb indestructibly attached to an anxious pizza delivery boy’s chest, “30 Minutes or Less” hasn’t been able to shake MTV News off itself. From the early news updates (Jesse Eisenberg as that unfortunate pie-slinger, “Zombieland” helmer Ruben Fleischer in the director’s chair) to the exclusive first look at the Michigan set to an MTV Sneak Peek Week public screening of the action-comedy and beyond, we’ve been all over this movie. And now that it’s finally hit theaters, we’re not letting go quite yet. So slip on our “30 Minutes” cheat sheet for everything you need to know before heading to the multiplex this weekend. Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock The project began to come together in earnest in the spring of last year, when Fleischer signed on, followed by Aziz Ansari, Eisenberg (a “Zombieland” vet) , Danny McBride and Nick Swardson. In the film, McBride and Swardson play lowlife slackers who hatch a devious, deranged plan: hook Eisenberg’s delivery dude up like a suicide bomber and force him to rob a bank before the explosives go kablooey. Eisenberg, in turn, recruits his best friend, played by Ansari, to help out with the unfortunate activities. “They’re kind of simple dudes,” Swardson later explained to us . “They’re not very learned. But they’re not like robots. At the core, they are actually very nice people. They believe in friendship and things like that.” “They just want to be loved,” added McBride, “whether it takes a bomb or a bank robbery to get there.” Filming kicked off that summer in Grand Rapids, Michigan. MTV News was invited to check out the action in August, when the production settled into a dusty junkyard to shoot McBride and Swardson blowing up watermelons and kidnapping Eisenberg. Fun! But we had to keep the whole thing under wraps for months, until well after the F-bomb-laden, red-band trailer hit the Web this past spring. Light ‘Em Up! On set, all it seemed anyone could talk about was how bad a driver Eisenberg was . The future Oscar nominee didn’t seem to care. “I live in New York City and ride a bicycle, so I never drive ever, so I’ve been given the opportunity and a cool car,” he told MTV News. “Every time I drive, I get yelled at by the crew, but the stunt drivers always wink at me and say, ‘Nah, that was good, man. Keep doing it.’ I’ve been subtly and subversively encouraged to be very dangerous in the car.” In his defense, there is something dangerous and subversive about the whole movie, as further clips would make clear. In one exclusive MTV News debuted , Eisenberg, newly sporting a bomb on his chest, heads straight to the elementary school where Ansari teaches, because hey, where else would a bomb-carrying pizza boy go other than a school filled with young children? “Jesse, to his credit, is a great improviser,” Fleischer told us. “Both in ‘Zombieland’ and in this movie, he is responsible for so many funny lines, and he can kind of roll. I don’t think that’s his most comfortable gear, but when it’s pushed up, he can give back as good as anybody.” Added Ansari , “What was really fun about the movie, and Ruben did such a good job putting the cast together, we all kind of have different energies that play off well with one another.” Almost Out of Time Fans got an early look at those energies days before the MTV Movie Awards, when we staged a sneak-peek screening of the film. It was at the post-screening Q&A that we got to the bottom of the rumor that Taylor Lautner had shot a cameo in the film. “He’s in it!” Ansari joked, before admitting the truth. “I read that somewhere. I was like, ‘I didn’t know about that.’ … Let’s start that rumor. People like him, right? Just say he’s in the movie. ‘That Lautner cameo is dope, man! You gotta see that movie with Taylor Lautner!’ ” There are far more reasons than a “Twilight” star, though, to merit checking out the film in all its ridiculousness. Just peep some footage from the set, when McBride and Swardson blow those watermelons to smithereens . Those guys are, in the best buddy-comedy tradition, total freaking idiots. Their real-life counterparts kind of are too. “Just point to the bank,” Swardson said when we asked what it’d take for him to rob a bank. “Give me a good mask and a loaded weapon, I’m on,” McBride added. Check out everything we’ve got on “30 Seconds or Less.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com .
‘It was definitely very wild,’ the Situation reveals to MTV News. By Christina Garibaldi “Jersey Shore” stars the Situation and JWoww Photo: MTV News We are now two episodes into season four of “Jersey Shore,” and we’ve already seen hookups , drama and GTL take over the streets of Florence, Italy. Yet, the cast of “Jersey Shore” promised MTV News that things are just getting started, and the most shocking things are still to come. “It makes Miami and last Jersey [season] look like nothing,” JWoww revealed. “It looks like ‘Sesame Street,’ ” the Situation added. The “Jersey Shore” stars loved Italy overall, but find out Snooki’s biggest complaint about heading to the mother land! If you’re having trouble picturing how this season could possibly top the previous seasons, the Situation assured fans they’re in store for something they’ve never seen before. “It’s like an action-packed drama,” he said of the gang’s time in Italy. “It was definitely very wild. My new nickname is ‘Jean-Claude Van Sitch.’ ” Yes, “Jean-Claude Van Sitch” certainly packed a punch this season, but he wasn’t the only one. It seems that everyone got involved in the drama, which still surprises some of the cast. Regarding the most shocking thing viewers will see this season, Snooki said, “all of the fights.” “Even us watching it, we are, ‘Oh s—! Really?’ ” If you tune into “Jersey Shore” for something other than the physical altercations, Vinny promises they’ve got everything covered. “If you’re into physical fights, we got that for you. If you’re into sex things, we got that for you,” he teased. “A little bit of everything that will shock the hell out of you.” So, at the end of “Jersey Shore” season four, what will viewers take away? “I think everyone’s gonna be like, ‘Wow, they really had a trip,’ ” Deena said. Don’t miss “Jersey Shore” every Thursday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV! Related Photos Jersey Shore (Season 4) | Ep. 2 | Flipbook
No you are not back in 1994. Common released the music video to “Ghetto Dreams” featuring Nas . I am so glad Common is back to creating real hip hop and not that robotic music he put out on his last album. The Dreamer, The Believer drops this fall on Warner Bros. Records. Check out the video below. Nas Brings Will Smith On Stage At Show In Philly [VIDEO] Common Signs With Warner Brothers Records Single Ladies Not So Single, April Is Cheating On Her Husband With The Mayor
