J.Lo’s video for her track ‘I’m Into You,’ featuring the MC, premieres on Thursday on BET’s ‘106 & Park.’ By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Matt Elias Jennifer Lopez Photo: MTV News Jennifer Lopez certainly isn’t a newbie when it comes to hip-hop collaborations (Diddy, Fat Joe, Ja Rule), so when it came time to find the perfect guy to get on her track “I’m Into You,” she knew that Lil Wayne was the MC with whom she had to work. “He really is unique. He’s so not what you would think or what you would think him to be,” she explained to MTV News. “Like when I got on the phone with him to talk about the record, I thought he was going to be like, ‘Hey, what’s up, J.Lo?’ and instead he was like, ‘Yes, ma’am.’
Executive Producer Ken Warwick also says Pia Toscano may have an album out before this season’s winner. By Gil Kaufman “American Idol” producer Ken Warwick Photo: MTV News “American Idol” has a problem. No, it’s not the fact that it’s getting increasingly hard for a woman to win on the show. It’s the good kind of problem, one where recently booted contestant Pia Toscano is getting the kind of media attention — and high-profile bookings — that are usually reserved for the show’s winner. Which is why in a call with reporters on Wednesday (April 20), “Idol” Executive Producer Ken Warwick suggested that in a break with the past, it’s not out of the question that we will see music from Toscano well before the eventual season 10 champion releases his or her debut in November. He also revealed that while he won’t be tweaking the formula this year, it’s possible there could be more big changes in store for “Idol” in the future, including taking a cue from ratings rival “Dancing With the Stars.” “That’s the nature of the business,” Warwick said of the desire to strike while the iron is hot. “If we’ve got a rising star that the record companies and [‘Idol’ parent company] CKX think are marketable now, they will try to get records out.” Warwick pledged that under the tutelage of record-industry veteran and season 10 mentor Jimmy Iovine, the rule this year is to make a star out of the singers no matter when they leave the competition. And while he doesn’t know what Iovine’s plans are for Toscano at the moment, he said if he were a record honcho instead of TV producer, he’d want to get some music out while the buzz on Toscano is still strong. “It used to be in the old days, that was a concern of ours,” he said of cannibalizing the buzz on the eventual winner by releasing music from other finalists earlier on. “As time’s gone on, we realized what we’re seeing so often is that the big star is not the winner, but from the top five or top 10, so it’s unfair to hold someone back so we can promote someone else.” With so much talk about how online voting has continued the trend toward young-girl “Idol” watchers pushing male singers to the top while female ones get booted early, Warwick said producers will have a “long discussion” about that situation after this season and see if any tweaks need to be made to correct that trend. Among the potential changes is taking a page from the “DWTS” book and letting judges have a vote alongside the audience. “We are going to have discussion about how we can keep it fair,” he said, adding later about the possibility of a judge’s vote, “That’s just one of the ideas … solutions on the table. There are a number.” For this season, though, the current system will remain in place. “If people want to vote for kids, then I’m certainly not going to start fiddling with the votes or doing anything that’s untoward,” he said, adding to the chorus of laments about Toscano’s early exit. “Maybe change the voting system slightly next year. Maybe we limit the amount of SMS votes or online votes.” Warwick also responded to the upcoming competition from “The Voice” and ex-“Idol” judge Simon Cowell’s fall launch of the American version of “X Factor” by noting that there are a slew of shows with three-judge panels and he can’t be bothered to worry about the other shows on the horizon. “I’m not worried. I’m sure the premiere of one will dent us a little bit. … I’m not about to change anything radically to try and keep up with something I haven’t seen yet and hasn’t been proven.” With a lackluster track record of breaking male stars, Warwick said his job is to make the show, and then, hopefully at the end of it, hand the record company a singer with a 20 million- to 30 million-person following. “What they do from then on has absolutely nothing to do with me,” he said. But have there been mistakes made in the past with the marketing or positioning of some of the male winners? Yes, Warwick said, most definitely. Has the best singer always won, no, not necessarily. “What it illustrates for me is that from the top five upwards, there’s usually a star in there somewhere; it just is a question of luck, who picks them up, where they go, what song they release.” So while not every “Idol” winner is a star, lots of “Idol” contestants have become stars. “It doesn’t bother me this year if another guy [wins]. … I am pretty sure that whoever comes out of this series is gonna break,” he said, giving props to Interscope Geffen A&M chairman Iovine’s skills at minting stars. Don’t miss “Idol Party Live” every Thursday at noon on MTV.com for analysis, celebrity guests and even some karaoke — get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos ‘American Idol’ In 60 Seconds Related Photos ‘American Idol’ Season 10 Performances
Jenelle Evans pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia today. Two other charges – marijuana possession and breaking and entering, stemming from an incident last year – were dismissed after her guilty plea. Prosecutors are giving her a chance to clear her record by performing 24 hours of community service, at which point the charge will be dropped. Jenelle, who got popped busting into an abandoned house to smoke pot, was also recently arrested for doling out that savage ass-whomping . This is one of the few Jenelle Evans images we have that you won’t also find in our celebrity mug shots gallery. She actually looks somewhat normal here!
‘He does a lot of family-friendly stuff and I’m trying to go into that realm,’ ‘Kon tells MTV News. By Alvin Blanco, with reporting by Kelly Marino Akon Photo: MTV News Akon ‘s year in music may seem like it’s off to a slow start, but expect the Senegalese-American artist’s name to be back to music industry ubiquity shortly. MTV News recently caught up with the singer/producer/executive on the set of Nick Cannon’s video for “Famous,” where Akon told us linking up with the actor/rapper (who’s expecting twins with wife Mariah Carey ) was opportune. “I listened to [‘Famous’] and I actually liked it,” Akon said. “He does a lot of family-friendly stuff and I’m trying to go into that realm right now. I want to do a lot more family-friendly stuff, and Nick is the best at that. I feel like this was a collaboration way overdue.” On the set, Akon was friendly as always but didn’t divulge any new details about his upcoming album, Stadium, which he hopes to release in September. Last year, the “Sexy Chick” singer revealed to MTV News that producer David Guetta had contributed to the project. For now, Akon plans to go on mini-tours and release new music just to whet the appetites of his fans. But he still isn’t sure which song he’ll drop first. “I don’t know what to release first,” he said. “I’m so excited about the project itself, I’m like, ‘OK, which record do I want to put out first?’ I haven’t quite decided but by the end of April I’ll know exactly what I’mma do with the record.” ‘Kon was more assured in his reverence for Dr. Dre. Last year’s “Kush,” the official lead single from Dre’s long-awaited Detox album, featured a vocal from Akon. “Dre is one of those guys … he’s a perfectionist in his own [right],” Akon said. “You feel confident working with him because he’s not going to let nothing go undone. In a way, that’s great. But sometimes you’re anxious too, like, ‘Man I can’t wait to let everybody hear this.’ Ultimately, working with Dre was just amazing. Dre is very picky about who he decides to work with too. For him to call me and do [multiple] tracks on the record and be involved in more than one record on that album, it said a lot. It shows how much he really appreciated what I’m doing.” Are you excited to hear new tracks from Akon? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Akon Nick Cannon
‘When I’m playing ‘Firework,’ the whole arena literally moves up and down,’ she tells MTV News. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Sway Calloway Katy Perry Photo: MTV News Katy Perry has been hitting the road on her California Dreams World Tour , which hits the States in June. Her colorful live show includes costumes to match and choice cuts plucked from the singer’s repertoire. Some of those tunes, specifically songs from last year’s Teenage Dream, are proving to be more than just a good time for fans — they’re also inspirational. “I always want to be completely honest and, for this record in particular, I knew from the outside world, a lot had changed. [But] I was hoping that I was still the same me, [the] kind of quirky, weird-perspective girl that I’ve always been,” she told MTV News recently. “But you know, there was a lot of distraction and glitz and glam. When you get to a certain point, you have to push it all away and remember what your core is, and that’s what I did for this record.” So, before she hit the road or the recording studio, Perry headed home to Santa Barbara, California, and took it all back to the beginning, before she was a famous pop star with an over-the-top life. “I started writing songs like ‘Firework’ and ‘Teenage Dream’ and songs that I think now are anthems for people,” she explained. “When I’m playing ‘Firework,’ the whole arena literally moves up and down. It’s the song that people are holding onto and inspired by.” Perry admitted that something as simple as a Hollywood party can be fun fodder for a song, but these days she likes to go a little deeper. “I feel really happy that I took that time to not write about DJs and fame, the materialistic world, which is great ’cause I love those glitz-and-glamour bells and whistles, but I know people connect to more substantial [lyrics].” Which Katy Perry song are you most eager to hear her perform live? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Katy Perry Related Artists Katy Perry
‘When I’m playing ‘Firework,’ the whole arena literally moves up and down,’ she tells MTV News. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Sway Calloway Katy Perry Photo: MTV News Katy Perry has been hitting the road on her California Dreams World Tour , which hits the States in June. Her colorful live show includes costumes to match and choice cuts plucked from the singer’s repertoire. Some of those tunes, specifically songs from last year’s Teenage Dream, are proving to be more than just a good time for fans — they’re also inspirational. “I always want to be completely honest and, for this record in particular, I knew from the outside world, a lot had changed. [But] I was hoping that I was still the same me, [the] kind of quirky, weird-perspective girl that I’ve always been,” she told MTV News recently. “But you know, there was a lot of distraction and glitz and glam. When you get to a certain point, you have to push it all away and remember what your core is, and that’s what I did for this record.” So, before she hit the road or the recording studio, Perry headed home to Santa Barbara, California, and took it all back to the beginning, before she was a famous pop star with an over-the-top life. “I started writing songs like ‘Firework’ and ‘Teenage Dream’ and songs that I think now are anthems for people,” she explained. “When I’m playing ‘Firework,’ the whole arena literally moves up and down. It’s the song that people are holding onto and inspired by.” Perry admitted that something as simple as a Hollywood party can be fun fodder for a song, but these days she likes to go a little deeper. “I feel really happy that I took that time to not write about DJs and fame, the materialistic world, which is great ’cause I love those glitz-and-glamour bells and whistles, but I know people connect to more substantial [lyrics].” Which Katy Perry song are you most eager to hear her perform live? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Katy Perry Related Artists Katy Perry
Ryan Leslie says G-Unit rapper’s song is based on ‘personal experience.’ By Alvin Blanco, with reporting by Ade Mangum Lloyd Banks Photo: MTV News G-Unit rapper Lloyd Banks wants to bring listeners into the world of a rap star with his new video for “So Forgetful.” MTV News caught up with the Queens MC on the set of the visual for the Ryan Leslie-produced track from his third album, H.F.M. 2 (Hunger for More 2) , which was released late last year on G-Unit Records. “The way we put the record together was kind of how the video is playing out,” Banks said about the song’s inception. “I stopped by the studio, [Leslie] was working on a few sounds, and he plays everything, from the drums to the keys. So, he basically started, and I just started writing the verses, and it came to life.” Leslie, a multitalented R&B artist, does double duty on “So Forgetful,” producing the synth-heavy track and singing its hook. Leslie believes Banks’ genuine perspective on the song — he raps about bagging models and forgetting how they met — makes it one of the album’s better tracks. “What’s awesome about this record is that it’s a real personal experience,” Leslie said. “Brothers be on the road all the time, and we go to different cities, and it’s hard to keep track of all the cities and everyone that we meet. Real rap is the best rap. The fact that he was drawing from personal experience to put this record together, I think that’s what makes it … a super strong one.” Banks added that the song’s groove, and a certain Zach Galifianakis-starring movie, played an integral part in its creation too. “I believe in that when you building an album, every song should have a different mood,” he said. “When I heard the certain notes that was played, it just brought me into the nightlife. It sound like something that I could enjoy, the fellas can enjoy as well as the ladies. “Actually, I thought [of] the concept of movie [‘The] Hangover.’ I thought that was pretty dope how they had went away for the weekend and so many things happen and that was kind of like the metaphor. I was bringing them into the life of a rap star or an R&B star — what it would be like. Sometimes, you literally wake up and forgot how you got there.” Are you excited to see the “So Forgetful” video? Tell us below! Related Artists Lloyd Banks Ryan Leslie
Video below: Video lifted from NRO who provides it in an update: UPDATE : Video of House Speaker John Boehner (R., Ohio) from Wednesday morning’s press conference. If Senate Democrats really have a plan , he says, they should “pass the damn thing” and stop “ rooting for a government shutdown .” The budget battle continues …. [Update] Freshman House GOP Members in a letter to Harry Reid: ‘ your record… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : Wake Up America Discovery Date : 30/03/2011 18:55 Number of articles : 2
Video below: Video lifted from NRO who provides it in an update: UPDATE : Video of House Speaker John Boehner (R., Ohio) from Wednesday morning’s press conference. If Senate Democrats really have a plan , he says, they should “pass the damn thing” and stop “ rooting for a government shutdown .” The budget battle continues …. [Update] Freshman House GOP Members in a letter to Harry Reid: ‘ your record… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : Wake Up America Discovery Date : 30/03/2011 18:55 Number of articles : 2
