NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders was honored by his former team, the Atlanta Falcons, during halftime of yesterday’s game against the Carolina Panthers. Deion was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio in August, but he chose to accept his Hall of Fame ring in the city that he says he never wanted to leave. Deion won a Super Bowl with the Cowboys and played for the Redskins, Ravens and 49ers after being drafted by the Atlanta Falcons. His flashy personality earned him the nickname “Prime Time” and endured him to entertainers and rappers alike. Lil Wayne was at the Georgia Dome ceremony and Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube both attended Deion’s Hall of Fame induction in Ohio. Check out our exclusive coverage of Deion’s Hall of Fame ceremony at the Georgia Dome, including thoughts from Lil Wayne on Deion: RELATED: Top 9 Black NFL Players of the 1990′s RELATED : Lil Wayne Disses Pittsburgh Steelers On “Green & Yellow” Freestyle RELATED: Lil Wayne Says Brett Favre Sent Him Encouraging Words In Prison [EXCLUSIVE] RELATED: Deion Sanders NFL Hall Of Fame Speech [VIDEO]
‘I knew I wanted to do something with it that was more than just a picture of me,’ Pittsburgh MC tells MTV News. By Rob Markman Mac Miller Photo: MTV News Oh to be a kid again! For his debut album, Blue Slide Park, Mac Miller is paying homage to his childhood stomping grounds of Pittsburgh. The LP cover is a simple, child-like rendition of the playground, drawn by the rapper’s (born Malcolm McCormick) older brother, whose first name is actually Miller. “I knew I wanted to do something with it that was more than just a picture of me,” Mac told MTV News. “Blue Slide Park is a park in Pittsburgh we grew up at,” Miller explained to us about the album title’s significance. “Being 2, going down slides and then being 6, playing Little League and hanging out there, then being older, coming back there to drink and smoke and party, running from the cops. And now going back there just to chill out and drink a beer.” When Mac and his Most Dope team were seeking inspiration for the artwork, they consulted Google and came across a young girl’s drawing, which they eventually used as a basis for the cover design. “We came across this 8-year-old’s drawing and we were like, ‘Yo, that is like the most simple but incredible thing ever; it’s right to the point,’ ” he recalled. “Basically, the point is making something simple that can represent the whole idea. You look at it and it doesn’t look like a park, but you know that’s that Blue Slide Park.” The Blue Slide Cover is more Bob Ross than Rick Ross in its design. Deviating from more standard hip-hop cover art, the BSP front panel features a painting of multicolored triangles, with a big blue line right down the middle. To execute his vision, rather than go with famed hip-hop photogs like Jonathan Mannion or Danny Clinch, Mac recruited his big brother. “He’s always worked on art as long as I can remember,” Mac said. “He draws all the time and he’s getting into graphic design. If I can have my brother work on something for it, that’s great.” Mac Miller’s Blue Slide Park is due in stores November 8. What do you think of Mac Miller’s album cover? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Mac Miller
Some were introduced to RocNation’s Bridget Kelly when she filled in for Alicia Keys during Jay-Z’s performances of “Empire State of Mind.” Others are discovering her for the first time on her debut single “Think About Forever.” Get familiar with the first female signed to Jay-Z’s RocNation in this edition of The Playlist from TV One and TheUrbanDaily ! RELATED POSTS: SPOTTED: Jay-Z & Bridget Kelly In Pittsburgh Is This Jay-Z & Kanye West’s “Paris” Playlist?
Speculation spreads after photo of couple dressed in wedding-style clothes hits the Net, but source tells MTV News pair didn’t tie the knot. By Rob Markman Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose (file) Photo: Jon Kopaloff/ FilmMagic They say a picture is worth a thousand words but in the case of Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose ‘s wedding-style photo, only one word is needed: no! After the photo hit the Net, a source close to the couple told MTV News on Monday (September 12) that the couple did not get married during their Las Vegas trip late last week. Instead, the Rolling Papers rapper simply wanted to celebrate his birthday last Thursday by dressing up — he in a black tux, her in a white dress. A representative from the Clark County Recorder’s Office in Las Vegas, Nevada also confirmed that there is no record of a marriage between the two. The pair have recently discussed getting hitched, however. While on the black carpet at MTV’s 2011 Video Music Awards , Wiz and Rose spoke to MTV News about their plans to eventually tie the knot. “Oh yeah, absolutely, man; it’s gonna happen,” Wiz said. “Like we said, we’re just gonna do what’s natural and not let any pressure [get to us], because even [with] the word of it happening, people are like, ‘You guys need to get married now,’ ” Khalifa explained. “It’s gonna happen; my baby knows I love her. I’m committed and she’s committed, so we’re just gonna make it happen.” “We discuss it all the time. Like he said, we’re very much in love,” Rose told us . “But, ya know, we’re just going to take our time and just enjoy each other right now. We’re both really busy and we work really hard and when the time comes, it’s gonna come.” After going public with their romance earlier this year, the Pittsburgh spitter appeared on our “RapFix Live” show and was joined by Amber in one of the live stream’s more memorable moments. The lovebirds have become the topic of much blog speculation mostly due to the model’s previous courtship with Kayne West, but despite the publicity, Rose and Wiz have been pretty upfront about their feelings for each other. “He’s really funny, he’s really charming,” she said to “RFL” host Sway. “I didn’t know much about his music at first and, obviously, he became a good friend. I started listening to his music. He’s awesome, he’s talented. He’s amazing.” “I’m just me. That’s what it is,” Wiz added during the March episode. “I’m completely comfortable about everything in my life. That’s what my career has been built off. Everybody gets that right away, so you don’t have to find anything about me. I’m not gonna hide it; I’m gonna embrace it and give people in the same situation something to look up to.” Do you think Wiz and Amber will eventually make it down the aisle? Share your thoughts in the comments! Related Artists Wiz Khalifa
‘When the time comes, it’s gonna come,’ Rose tells MTV News on VMA Pre-Show black carpet. By Alvin Blanco, with reporting by Rob Markman Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose Photo: MTV News Is wedding planning on the busy itineraries of Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose? The hip-hop power couple has never been shy when it comes to public displays of affection, and apparently they aren’t timid about discussing marriage, either. “We discuss it all the time; like he said, we’re very much in love,” Rose told MTV News while standing next to her “Black and Yellow” rapper beau on the VMA Pre-Show black carpet . “But, ya know, we’re just going to take our time and just enjoy each other right now. We’re both really busy and we work really hard and when the time comes, it’s gonna come.” Besides working on some music and a film with her man, Rose said having a baby with Wiz is also on her agenda. The former Ford model and ex-girlfriend of Kanye West recently admitted to Global Grind that she’s eager to procreate with the Pittsburgh rapper. “I want to be a mom really bad. I really want babies,” she told the website. “I’ll be 28 in October, and my maternal instinct is ready.” In March, Wiz appeared on MTV News’ “RapFix Live,” and Amber Rose joined him on the couch for a portion of the interview. Rose revealed what attracted her to the Best New Artist nominee . “He’s really funny, he’s really charming,” she said. “I didn’t know much about his music at first and, obviously, he became a good friend. I started listening to his music. He’s awesome, he’s talented. He’s amazing.” The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards have wrapped, but the real action is just getting started! Stick with MTV News for winners , fashion pics, video and behind-the-scenes stories about everything that went down. Visit VMA.MTV.com for the latest. Related Videos VMA 2011: Backstage Interviews Related Photos VMA 2011: Show Highlights VMA 2011: Backstage Moments Related Artists Wiz Khalifa
‘He’s a 19-year old rap phenomenon from Pittsburgh who enjoys life and enjoys making music,’ Mac Miller tells MTV News of himself. By Rob Markman Mac Miller Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images Who is Mac Miller ? Hip-hop’s next rising star has an answer for the uninitiated: “He’s a 19-year old rap phenomenon from Pittsburgh who enjoys life and enjoys making music every day and working very hard for everything he gets.” Well, all that hard work has paid off. Miller has been named one of MTV Jams’ 2011 Fab 5 artists. Conceived in 2005 on MTV Jams, the Fab 5 is a collection of the most outstanding new hip-hop artists of the year who have made a visible impact on the road to releasing their debut albums. Fab 5 alumni include Juelz Santana, Tony Yayo, Paul Wall, Young Jeezy, Kid Cudi and Drake. This year, MTV Jams, MTV News and Sucker Free will bring you 2011’s hottest new hip-hop upstarts, including Big Sean, Future, Meek Mill, Big K.R.I.T. and now Mac Miller. The Pittsburgh MC toiled in the local underground, releasing mixtapes under the name Easy Mac until he signed with Rostrum Records and broke out with his 2010 tape K.I.D.S. (Kickin’ Incredibly Dope Sh–). “My grandpa started calling me Mac when I was born, so it stuck. It’s cool; my grandpa was a huge Mack Maine fan,” the rapper joked about his name change. K.I.D.S. was led by the Lord Finesse-sampling “Kool-Aid and Frozen Pizza,” which quickly became a fan favorite and helped grow Miller’s faithful following. “Kool-Aid” alone has since registered 13.2 million views on YouTube, and TreeJTV — the YouTube channel Mac uploads all his footage to — has more than 111 million total views. From there, Mac landed a spot on XXL magazine’s 2011 freshmen cover in April and dropped his K.I.D.S. follow-up Best Day Ever, which in turn led to a national tour. Mac is now putting the finishing touches on his independent debut album Blue Slide Park. “Blue Slide Park is a park in Pittsburgh we grew up at,” Miller told MTV News of the album’s title. “Being 2, going down slides, and then being 6, playing Little League and hanging out there, then being older coming back there to drink and smoke and party, running from the cops. And now going back there just to chill out and drink a beer.” Tune in to “RapFix Live” on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET to see a recap of all of MTV Jams’ 2011 Fab 5 inductees: Big Sean, Future, Meek Mill, Big K.R.I.T. and Mac Miller. Related Videos Fab 5 Summer: Artists To Watch Related Artists Mac Miller
The city of Pittsburgh has Chris Nolan’s Dark Knight Rises production to thank for making it snow in summer and giving newlyweds an unforgettable Kodak moment . Now, in the grand spirit of the Dark Knight Catwoman robber , comes news that a Pittsburgh man was arrested for carjacking in the name of Batman. Isn’t this viral marketing going a little too far, fellas?
Every month at Movieline, we collect the best interviews, smartest features, and most compelling reviews we’ve produced, and curate them in one easy-to-use table of contents called the Virtual Newsstand, which pays tribute to our print magazine history. Here’s the Virtual Newsstand for July 2011.
Also in this Monday edition of The Broadsheet: Only one Cameron Crowe film could get a sequel… Die Hard 5 is still happening and it might have a location… the “women can be funny!” debate hasn’t ended just yet… and more ahead.
Now that his feature film debut as a hoodlum-turned-savior in Attack the Block is finally hitting theaters stateside, 19-year-old John Boyega is savoring his big moment. As Moses, the hardened teen anti-hero of Joe Cornish ‘s British alien invasion romp, Boyega leads a gang of misfit delinquents into battle against a horde of vicious E.T. s to defend a South London council block. Off-screen, the charismatic up-and-comer has a new territory in his sights: Hollywood.
