| NEW YORK (Reuters) - Jack White didn't quite repeat the rock star meltdown by Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, but he did enrage fans by stalking off the stage just 45 minutes into his Saturday night concert at New York City's famed Radio City Music Hall. The critically acclaimed guitarist behind the White Stripes and The Raconteurs - and now touring behind his solo record "Blunderbuss" - pulled the plug after 12 songs lasting just 45 minutes. White, 37, thanked the crowd and exited stage right, leaving the sold-out venue chanting for more. The crowd's enthusiasm initially turned to perplexity as roadies removed White's guitars but transformed into anger as the curtain fell on the stage. No official explanation was given for White's quick exit. While audience members had been told not to use their cellphone cameras, early in the concert White was seen exchanging words with someone video recording the concert from the seating area nearest the stage. In between songs, White also seemed underwhelmed by the crowd response, at one point asking, "Jesus Christ, is this an NPR convention?" Radio City security officials scrambled to barricade the stage door as angry concert goers crowded the exit and, once outside, banged on two parked tour buses. Other fans crowded the lobby to return t-shirts, records and other merchandise purchased ahead of the show. Twitter lit up with complaints and theories about why White quit. "Chatter about Jack White's abbreviated show at New York's Radio City Music Hall last night has officially lasted longer than the concert itself," noted Spin.com, the music website. White's skill as a guitarist has enabled him to play with the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Jeff Beck, Alicia Keys and other well-known musicians. His abrupt exit came a week after Green Day's Armstrong said he would seek substance abuse treatment after losing his temper at the iHeartRadio Festival in Las Vegas, culminating in an expletive-laced tirade followed by the smashing of his guitar. (Editing by Barbara Goldberg and Philip Barbara)  |
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Guitarist Jack White stalks off N.Y. concert stage after 45 minutes
BET Responds To 'Unfortunate' Awards Show Violence
| ATLANTA — What was meant to be a day of hip-hop celebration turned ugly after violence erupted backstage at the taping for the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta. According to reports and accounts given to MTV News, it appears that members of Rick Ross' and Young Jeezy's respective camps got into a scuffle backstage in the Atlanta Civic Center, where the show was being pre-taped. There are also accounts of a separate incident between members of 50 Cent's G-Unit crew and Ross' Maybach Music squad. Various witnesses claim that shots were fired in the parking lot outside, but police told TMZ.com that it doesn't appear that that is the case. While details remain unclear, BET released a statement about the incident. "BET Networks works very hard to bring the best in entertainment to the city of Atlanta. For the past 7 years BET has celebrated the true art form of Hip Hop. Due to some misjudgment of select attendees, it is unfortunate that certain incidents took place," the statement read, not identifying any parties said to be involved in the incident. "BET Networks does not condone any type of violence. Local authorities are working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible." The network still plans to air the show on Tuesday, October 9. In a video posted on hip-hop site Worldstar.com, MMG MC Gunplay can be seen in a fight with an unidentified man, before he is pepper sprayed. See photos of 50 Cent, Wiz Khalifa, T.I. and more at the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards red carpet New York DJ Funkmaster Flex, among others, took to Twitter Saturday night to give an account of the incident. "Jeezy and Rick Ross just had words backstage!! Pushing and shoving," Flex wrote. "Shots fired in parking lot!!! Gunman arrested!!!" |
Exclusive: G.O.O.D. Music Preparing For _Cruel Winter_?
| ATLANTA, Georgia — Looks like the summer wasn't enough for Kanye West and his G.O.O.D. Music crew. They want the winter too. When MTV News talked to Q-Tip on the red carpet of the BET Hip-Hop Awards Saturday, Yeezy's right-hand man dropped two words: Cruel Winter. Though the "Vivrant Thing" MC didn't say that there would be a Cruel Winter LP outright, all signs seem to point a follow-up to G.O.O.D.'s Cruel Summer compilation. After struggling to explain why he didn't appear on CS, Tip, who was flanked by his G.O.O.D. cohort Pusha T, just spilled the beans. "I know, I know, I'm sorry about that but I have to let the cat out of the bag. Kanye's probably gonna get...," the former A Tribe Called Quest frontman said before stopping mid-sentence to call over Pusha T to help him with the big news. "If there's a Cruel Summer then there's got to be a Cruel Winter right?" Q-Tip said, alluding that the G.O.O.D. crew will be following up with another album soon. "That's all I'm saying." The G.O.O.D. crew, which includes the likes of 'Ye, Q-Tip, Big Sean, Common, Kid Cudi, Pusha T, John Legend and Cyhi the Prynce, released Cruel Summer on September 18. It debuted at #2 on the Billboard albums chart the following week after selling more than 205,000 units. The album featured contributions from 2 Chainz, Jay-Z, R. Kelly, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, the-Dream and Ma$e. How excited are you G.O.O.D. Music's next LP? Let us know in the comments! |
Anne Hathaway Marries Adam Shulman
| It looks like even Catwoman herself has settled down. Anne Hathaway and longtime beau Adam Shulman were married on Saturday in Big Sur, California. The wedding weekend reportedly started Friday, leading up to the sunset ceremony, where more than 150 family and friends gathered to watch the "Dark Knight Rises" star and her hubby-to-be tie the knot, E! News has confirmed. While not many details are known about the ceremony, we do know one thing: The bride wore Valentino. The fashion icon is reportedly a "very good friend" and recently gushed about what makes the actress so "sensational." The couple began dating in 2008, shortly after her breakup with Raffaello Follieri, who was found guilty of defrauding investors of millions of dollars when he posed as a real-estate consultant for the Vatican. And when they met, it seems Shulman caught Hathaway a little off-guard. "I am very much in love with him, [only] Adam totally ruined my plan," Hathaway told Vogue of meeting her future fiance. "I was really actually looking forward to a little alone time, and then I fell in love like a fool!" Shulman popped the question back in November of last year, with a custom 6-carat diamond ring. Share your well-wishes for the newlyweds in the comments section below! |
'Revenge' Season Two: Is Emily's Wedding Back On?
| The season finale of ABC's "Revenge" left us not only in suspense, but with many unanswered questions. Is Victoria still alive? Will Emily find her long-lost mother? How long before everyone finds out that she is Amanda Clarke? Will she ever start a relationship with Jack? Well, it doesn't seem like we'll get all the answers during the season-two premiere, titled "Destiny," on Sunday (September 30). The network's teasers show that Emily's plans "have shifted" from trying to destroy the Grayson's to finding answers about her mother. However, there will be many obstacles in her way, and one of them could possibly be Victoria, played by Madeleine Stowe. Now, even though viewers are unsure of Victoria's fate, since her plane crashed in the final episode, it seems as if her work isn't done yet, and according to Stowe, we may see some parallels between Victoria and Emily, played by Emily VanCamp. "Victoria has done a lot of damage to her life, but Emily is very much on a similar path in another way," Stowe told MTV News at the ABC Upfronts in May. "And I've always seen them as two sides of the same coin. I think that as the show goes on, you'll see more and more of her back story that will explain why her psychology is what it is." So, if Victoria does return, is there a chance she and Emily will reconcile? "I think Victoria is always trying to redeem herself," VanCamp said. "But I think she struggles with it because she's done so many horrible things, so that will be an interesting thing to see." What will also be interesting is the unfolding story of Emily's love life. When we last left off, Emily called off her engagement to Daniel, played by Joshua Bowman. Yet, according to the stars of the show, we shouldn't rule out a wedding just yet, especially since her true love Jack is tending to a pregnant Amanda. "I don't know, it depends on how that affects her little plans, so we'll see," VanCamp said of a possible wedding. Stowe has a more detailed prediction. "I think, probably to cause more trouble from the Graces, they probably will walk down the aisle," she said. "That's my guess, but I think that Jack is probably her true love." Even Bowman agrees, that as a fan of the show, he would much rather see Emily end up with Jack. "Daniel and Emily Thorne's relationship is a bit rocky — very rocky," Bowman said. "If I was a watcher, I'd rather she end up with Jack." Are you excited for the premiere of "Revenge"? Let us know in the comments. |
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Rick Ross Maybach Music Clashes With Young Jeezy And G-Unit In Atlanta
| ATLANTA — Rick Ross' Maybach Music camp is involved in quite a bit of drama, with both Young Jeezy and 50 Cent's camp. During Saturday's (September 29) taping for BET's 2012 Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta Rozay and the Snowman reportedly got into a shoving match backstage before the scuffle spilled outside into the parking lot. Shots were fired and at least one man was said to be arrested. That's not all. Multiple sources who witnessed the fray confirmed to MTV News that Ross' protégé Gunplay was also involved in fisticuffs with members of 50 Cent's G-Unit camp. Gun was seen with visible wounds and a witness told us that the Miami MC was put into handcuffs and detained, but a separate source close to Gunplay told us that he was not arrested. Most of the crowd inside the Atlanta Civic Center, where the taping took place were unaware of the drama that jumped off around the same time that A Tribe Called Quest, Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes paid tribute to fallen music mogul Chris Lighty. 50 Cent and Fat Joe, who have quarreled repeatedly semed to have put their differences aside for the moment as they too appeared on stage to honor Lighty. Both Rick Ross and Jeezy also performed different sets during the award show. New York DJ Funkmaster Flex took to Twitter to broadcast his account. "Jeezy and Rick Ross just had words backstage!! Pushing and shoving," Flex wrote. "Shots fired in parking lot!!! Gunman arrested!!!" Machine Gun Kelly also seemed to get caught up in the whirlwind as well. "Got mase in my eyes. That beef sh-- just got real," he tweeted. MTV News reached out to the Atlanta police, but was unable to get an official report. Check back for more updates as the story develops. |
The Black Keys Rock New York's Global Citizen Festival
| NEW YORK — Given, well, everything about the Black Keys, they're probably not the first band that comes to mind when you think of "global ambassadors." And yet, after a decade of grinding it out, and a string of hits that stretches back three albums — at least — they've become one of the most popular rock acts on the planet (even though they'd probably never admit it), which is why they seemed such a natural fit for Saturday (September 29) night's Global Citizen Festival, the culmination of the Global Poverty Project's campaign to end extreme poverty around the world. Of course, in keeping with their blue-collar roots, they didn't use their time on stage to discuss politics. instead, they simply rolled up their sleeves (or, in frontman Dan Auerbach's case, tossed off his leather jacket) and tore through a set of searing, hard-riffing rock, one that had the 60,000 who packed Central Park's Great Lawn losing their collective minds.  Kicking things off with "Howlin' For You," the Keys ran roughshod through their back catalog, making stops at slow-burners like "Next Girl" and "Nova Baby," going full-throttle through chortling chuggers like "Just The Same Old Thing" and "Gold on the Ceiling," and letting things boil over on fuzzed-out hits like "Little Black Submarines" and "Lonely Boy." Auerbach spent the set pulling elastic solos out of his menagerie of axes, and drummer Patrick Carney — who, organizers pointed out to MTV News, had just come back from his honeymoon — based with reckless abandon. Aided by their backing band, they blasted through muscly songs like "Moneymaker" and "Tighten Up," and, by the time their hour was up, had the throngs wanting more. With a lineup that boasted sets from the Foo Fighters and Neil Young with Crazy Horse, they were sure to get even more. But for 60 minutes, the Black Keys held the thousands in their hands, rocked hard, and didn't let up for a single instance. Charity concerts should always be this awesome. And this unassuming. |
Jay-Z's _Hard Knock Life_ Took Him To Another Level, 14 Years Ago Today
| If Jay-Z had his druthers, he would've never made it to his third LP. It's been said time and time again that Hov originally planned to only record his debut Reasonable Doubt and then retire from the mic to run his Roc-A-Fella Records full-time. Sixteen years and 11 solo albums later, Jigga stands as rap's biggest draw and widely recognized greatest of all time. It was the Grammy Award-winning, five-time platinum Vol.2 ... Hard Knock Life which would ultimately catapult Jigga to superstar status. "It was just so pure," Jay told MTV News of his most successful album to date. Released 14 years ago today on September 29, 1998 (the same day as OutKast's Aquemini and A Tribe Called Quest's final LP The Love Movement), Hard Knock Life mixed Jay's newfound pop sensibilities with the unapologetic street gruff he'd been previously known for. And it was all spearheaded by the pain-stricken "Annie"-sampling title track. "I feel like, that song, that record, that album took Jay to another level," former Roc-A-Fella recording artist DJ Clue told MTV News. With dreams of rap retirement still looming over the head of the explosive rap star, Hard Knock Life started just like Hov's two previous LPs (Reasonable Doubt and In My Lifetime, Vol.1) with an opening skit by Roc-A-Fella funny guy Pain in Da Ass. Riffing off an Al Pacino monologue from his 1993 film "Carlito's Way," Pain helps Jay set the stage for his protégé Memphis Bleek. "I quit, I'm retiring," he says in a faux Pacino accent. "Ain't enough money in this game to keep me around." It all made sense, except by the time track number two kicks in, that all-too-familiar"Annie tune," reworked into something for Ghettoville, U.S.A., it was clear Jay-Z was just too damn good to give it up. Hov knew it too, because on the closing bars of "Hard Knock Life" he had already changed his mind. "So I stretched the game out, etched ya name out/ Put Jigga on top and drop albums non-stop for ya n---a." HKL may not get the same credit as the God MC's debut, or his 2001 classic The Blueprint, but over the course of 14 head-nodding tracks, the budding music mogul laid the groundwork for a rap career that seemingly has no end. While Vol. 2 will forever be marked by its singles ("Hard Knock Life," "Can I Get A..." and "N---a What, N---a Who"), it was the deep album tracks that anchored it to the streets. It was also no coincidence that it was the first time Jay had ever worked with his good pal Swizz Beatz, who was just a teen at the time. "I wanted Dame Grease, 'cause he was workin' on the DMX album. I was like, 'Where's the guy that's making all of those songs?' " Jay said referencing the Harlem, New York, producer, who contributed the bulk of DMX's multiplatinum debut It's Dark And Hell Is Hot. For whatever reason, Darrin "Dee" Dean, the Co-CEO of X's label, didn't link Jay with Grease, but instead tried to pawn his nephew Swizz off on Hov. Jigga could smell the nepotism a mile away, or so he thought. "I'm like, 'Nah don't try and play me with the nephew,' " Jay recalled of his mindset before he actually heard Swizz's beats. "He came in, he played those songs. We went from my office to the studio, we made four records ... From there, the body of the album was in place." The records turned out to be the pessimistic and grim "If I Should Die," "Coming of Age (Da Sequel)" and the DMX-assisted "Money, Cash, Hoes." Jay and Swizz's fourth collaboration "Jigga My N---a" would appear a year later on Ruff Ryders' Ryde or Die, Vol. 1 compilation. The sonic grit that defined Hard Knock Life was perfect for the time, but the album's depth is what makes it everlasting. On "Ride or Die," Jay sneakily dismantles then-rival Ma$e in one of rap's greatest subliminal dis tracks. "Reservoir Dogs," with its funky Issac Hayes sample remains an underground favorite and "A Week Ago" is a stark reminder of Jay's dark past before rap. Go ahead, give it a spin. Fourteen years later, 14 tracks never sounded so good. What is your favorite track off Jay-Z's Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life? Let us know in the comments! |
Lady Gaga's Body Revolution Sends 'Wonderful Message,' Experts Say
| Lady Gaga opened up about her struggle with an eating disorder this week when she launched her Body Revolution 2013 campaign. Her deeply personal admission came just as she was facing criticism for an alleged weight gain. In the days since announcing the campaign, Gaga's Little Monsters flooded the site with their own tales of personal struggle. And according to experts, it's that type of catharsis that can help lead to healing, along with the right professional help. "In terms of the fact that her reach is so huge, it's just a critical thing to have someone who is willing to speak out about really unrealistic standards and that incredible pressure to be thin often at the expense of health," said Susie Roman, director of programs at the National Eating Disorders Association. "From our perspective, it's really a step in the right direction when a celebrity like Lady Gaga is willing to do something like launch her Body Revolution campaign and really make statements to advocate for overall health as she did in her 'thank you' letter rather than focus on the pressure to be thin, which is just such a wonderful message for so many people who struggle with these issues in terms of developing healthier self-esteem and well-being." "The biggest and most important thing is it really gets people talking and gets people focused on it," noted Laura Discipio, executive director at the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. "Talking about eating disorders, talking about body image, talking about how women are viewed in the media, whether you like Lady Gaga's music or not, it still at least gets attention for it. I think it definitely can help. It's getting people the chance to stop and think. She's talking about 'you have to be brave.' But we shouldn't have to be brave about this; it shouldn't occur." While Roman notes the positive in having a safe haven to open up, she said it should also be a place that is "providing support to one another to pursue recovery and get professional help. Stories of hope can be incredibly powerful for people suffering, because eating disorders can be a really isolating experience. And so being able to connect in a responsible and healthy environment is great. "I think when you have such a huge fanbase, as a lot of these celebrities do, they have the opportunity to provide much-needed education about the seriousness of eating disorders and encourage those to get help," she continued. "Recovery is possible from an eating disorder, and there absolutely is help available." As for the criticism that Gaga received for looking curvier, Roman thinks it's an incredibly positive step that the singer is opening up about it. "It's so unfortunate that that continues to happen, but it's really fantastic when people like Lady Gaga are in that really public position [and] are willing to say something about it and point out the harm that it does and talk about it from a perspective from how it influences everybody," she said. "To have someone like Lady Gaga willing to step up and advocate changing our overall media landscape is incredible. "I have no idea how much she weighs, but it's just sad that someone's going to sit there and think, 'Wow, look what people are saying about her. She's this great famous celebrity; she's smaller than me. What do people think about me?' " Discipio said, noting that while they may not be the person being criticized directly, "it really does affect people who hear it at the same time." At the end of the day, Discipio has this simple advice for anyone with an eating disorder: "Go to somebody that you trust and get some help." For more on body-image issues, visit the MTV Act Blog. |
Black Keys Rock Global Citizen Festival Today: Tune In!
| For those of you who are already fans of the Black Keys, the fact that they write, produce and perform such great music is reason enough to follow each and every musical move they make. Another reason is because they are headlining the Global Citizen Festival today (September 29) in New York City's historic Central Park. The show will also feature performances by Foo Fighters, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Band of Horses and K'Naan and aims to be the biggest syndicated music charity webcast and broadcast ever, so get ready to tune into the show beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET today on MTV.com or other online outlets broadcasting the show, such as Palladia (a division of Viacom Inc., like MTV), as well as VH1.com, NYTimes.com and YouTube. Other stars aligned with this very good cause are host Katie Couric, actresses Olivia Wilde (on behalf of the Half the Sky movement), Sophia Bush (Pencils of Promise) and Minka Kelly (World Food Program), singers Selena Gomez (U.S. Fund for UNICEF) and Katharine McPhee (Malaria No More), as well as economist Jeffrey Sachs, Twitter co-creator Jack Dorsey and model Erin Heatherton. "The Global Poverty Project is proud to have such partners to help carry the message of the Global Citizen Festival around the world," said Hugh Evans, CEO and Co-Founder of GPP in a statement. "This is a chance to take action towards ending extreme poverty in our generation." Don't forget: The Global Citizen Festival will air live on Palladia today beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET as well as live-stream on MTV.com and VH1.com. For users unable to tune in to the live digital stream, it will repeat at midnight and 8 a.m. ET on Sunday. |
Friday, September 28, 2012
Jay-Z Puts The Focus On Brooklyn At First Barclays Show
| Jay-Z spent years trying to take his music past Brooklyn's borders. Long gone are the days Jigga spent honing his skills under the tutelage of his mentor Jaz-O and cutting underground gems with Original Flavor; on Friday night (September 28), Jay-Z returned to his hometown, performing in a stadium he co-owns. It was only the opening day of Hov's eight-concert stand, and Brooklyn's Barclays Center will now forever be known as the house that Hovie built, but he didn't come alone. No, there was no Kanye West, no Rihanna and no Rick Ross; instead, Jay-Z embodied the spirit of every Brooklyn rapper who has ever mattered. Shortly after 9:30 p.m., the house lights began to dim and the jazzy Roy Ayers classic "We Live In Brooklyn, Baby" began to fill Barclays while images of Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson and other Brooklyn greats flashed on Jigga's elaborate angled stage screen. "Tonight is a celebration, a celebration of where I'm from," Hov told the crowd before launching into the hard-hitting "Where I'm From" from his 1997 album, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. The homage didn't stop there; next was the Santigold-sampling "Brooklyn We Go Hard" followed by a heartfelt cover of the Notorious B.I.G.'s "Kick in the Door" and then a crowd sing-a-long of Biggie's first hit "Juicy." Before Jay-Z, it was Biggie Smalls who served as king of BK's rap throne, and before the Notorious One, it was Big Daddy Kane. So when Jay stopped to address the crowd, telling the 19,000 fanatics that it was a "long journey to get here," you got the sense he wasn't just talking about moving the Nets to Atlantic Avenue. Jay-Z's rule over rap was also a long and winding road. After stripping off his bubble vest revealing a black Nets jersey with the number four on his chest (to commemorate his own December 4 birthday), the God MC tore through tracks like "99 Problems," "Run This Town" and "Empire State of Mind" one by one. He even threw in a brand-new a cappella freestyle to the crowd's delight. "Shooters on my team, no really I got shooters on my team," he spit, making reference to his part ownership of the Nets and the street ties he still claims to carry. Jay did all his hits like "Big Pimpin' " and "Hard Knock Life," but also showed love to his day-one fans rocking early catalog songs like "Dead Presidents," "Can I Live" and the underground track "Marcyville." The crowd continually showered him with praise, adoration and, of course, boisterous Brooklyn chants to mark the occasion. A little more than an hour into his set, Jay struck up the band for "Encore," his supposed swan song. But just like his 2003 retirement, fans knew it wouldn't be long before Jay would return to the stage. A good five minutes passed, and then the pride of Marcy Projects returned. First, there was the matter-of-fact brag record "What More Can I Say" and then 1999's party anthem "Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)." During the track's second verse, Jay paused the record and surprised fans with a cameo from 1980s rap legend Big Daddy Kane, who would perform his rap classic "Ain't No Half Steppin'," "Set It off" and "Warm It Up Kane." It was BDK who gave Jay an early shot on his 1994 single "Show & Prove," and now it was Hov's turn to pay him back, allowing the Brooklyn native to share his moment — a moment that may have not otherwise come. "Big Daddy Kane was before me, before B.I.G.; we gotta understand our history," Jay urged. With the night drawing to a close, the Blueprint MC ripped through his verse on G.O.O.D. Music's "Clique," Rick Ross' "3 Kings" and May's R&B classic remix for "Best of Me." "I got a million of these," the rap veteran bragged. Before closing with his Blueprint III single "Young Forever," Jay — who was quite overwhelmed — told the crowd he believes everyone has genius-level talent; it's just some tap into it and others do not. "I ain't no mother----in' different from anybody here tonight," he exclaimed, "and I'm standing on this stage." Yeah, Jay-Z has come a long way. |
Chris Lighty's Brother Wants Answers In Music Mogul's Suicide
| Medical examiners have ruled the death of music mogul Chris Lighty a suicide, but those that knew the manager to the stars just aren't buying it. Chris' brother, Dave Lighty, sat down with MTV News correspondent and Shade 45 radio host Sway Calloway, during his "Sway in the Morning" show on Friday (September 28). "I just feel like there are a lot of unanswered questions and I need answers," Dave said of his deceased brother and the investigation that his family is launching. "I was with my brother almost every day until the last couple of months because I was going to school. Nah, that's my brother. I know we were all going through stressful times. Everybody is sh--. The economy is terrible right now." On August 30, Lighty was found dead at his Bronx, New York, apartment with a gunshot wound to the head after an argument with his wife. Investigators on the scene determined that the wounds were self-inflicted and the medical examiner later officially ruled Lighty's death a suicide. Reports have pointed to Lighty's debt to the IRS and his troubling marriage as reasons why the industry visionary would take his own life. Dave believes that his brother, who oversaw the careers of music stars like 50 Cent, Mariah Carey and Diddy, would never take his own life. "Chris was a go-getter, the ultimate non-stopping machine," he said. "That's just not something I would see him putting upon the rest of us and everybody that he knows that looks up to him." Lighty's family members aren't only people who believe there is something more to his death. 50 Cent is helping with their investigation. "There was too much planning to move forward to accept right away that he just shot himself," the G-Unit CEO told Fox News' New York affiliate on Monday. It's been reported that Chris left a will, which left his wife in full control of his estate, but because of delicate nature of the case, Dave Lighty can't shed much light on the details of the investigation. "Once everything gets out there, it'll be known to the public," he told Sway. "But right now, I kind of got to keep things on the low." Do you suspect foul play in Chris Lighty's death? Let us know in the comments. |
Ben Affleck 'Flattered' By 'Justice League' Rumors
| If you've been following the Ben Affleck news beat recently, you're likely aware that the actor/director has generated quite a bit of early awards buzz for his latest project, "Argo." Now, because of all this buzz about yet another successful turn in the director's chair, Affleck's name was recently mentioned as being on the short list of directors that Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment had approached about directing the long-developing other all-star superhero film "Justice League." When MTV News caught up with Affleck, we asked for his thoughts on those early rumblings, and he gave us a delightfully in-depth response about "Justice League," the "Daredevil" experience and his future with superheroics onscreen. "What happens is that there's a lot of bloggers and Internet interest around superhero movies, so there's regularly a rumor that comes up. Obviously [with regard to] 'Justice League,' once 'Avengers' happened, they think, 'Well, it would be crazy not to make "Justice League," ' and I'm sure they will," Affleck explained of the genesis of that particular rumor. "I guess I should be flattered, and I'm sure it will be cool. I've seen some of the stuff from the new 'Superman' movie, and that stuff is awesome. I think they took a really cool, real approach to Superman, which no one has done before, so if that trend continues, I'm sure 'Justice League' will be great." We then asked Affleck if, given his prior experience in 2003's "Daredevil," he'd be game to take on a different comic book, particularly since that genre has evolved so much in recent years. "I would if there was one I liked. I had a negative experience with the one comic book I liked, it was just a movie that didn't work," Affleck said. "It's such a shame, because, first of all, 'Daredevil' [is] a great book, great idea, and then right after that, they figured out that it was better to make the movies good, and then they started making them cool and investing in them," he said. "I felt like I was in the 1930s with that outfit, the trousers: 'Hey, chum, hold up there! This fella's trying to rob a bank!' " he joked of his turn as the blind guardian angel. "It was a drag, but I did love it as a kid, and they're rebooting it. I got contacted about it, and I was like, 'That wouldn't be a reboot [if I was involved],' but I really hope they do a good job, because that's a great property and deserves something really, really good," he continued, adding that we shouldn't cross his name off any prospective superhero movie lists just yet. "I would love to do [a comic book movie] if it was the right one, if I thought I could do it well," Affleck said. "I think you have to, with any movie, have an idea for it that's original and unique and committed to it, and that's a hard thing to find." Check out everything we've got on "Argo." |
Roscoe Dash Calls Music Industry 'A Dirty Game'
| Roscoe Dash aired some of his grievances with the music industry on Twitter last week — specifically, not getting proper credit for his work on hits like Wale's "Lotus Flower Bomb," and Dash told MTV News he was simply trying to show the public what happens behind the scenes. During a heated Twitter spree, Dash made it known that he'd penned the chorus to Wale's #1 single "Lotus Flower Bomb" (even though Miguel sang the hook) and said he's gotten no credit. Similarly, Dash said he contributed to G.O.O.D. Music's Cruel Summer track "To the World," and while his ad-libs can still be heard on the final product, he was not credited along with Kanye West, R. Kelly and other producers. "I just want people to understand what people have to go through in the industry, what we have to deal with on a day-to-day basis," Roscoe told MTV News, explaining why he lashed out on Twitter. "No matter who you are, no matter what you've done in the past, it's a dirty game." The 22-year-old added that he often assists people on their own projects as a means of escape, and that sometimes backfires. "People like myself who are generous, we like to go out and participate in other people's stuff. We like to keep our hands in a lot of different things rather than just worry about one specific thing, which would be ourselves," he said. "Me particularly, just because of the past stuff I've been going through with my personal career, [I thought] maybe I don't have to worry about this right now. F--- talking about the album: Let's go and do something else over here and get my mind off of this for minute so when I come back I have a clear head [and know] what I wanna do. [But] we get walked on a lot, and I just want people to know that it happens. Plain and simple." Dash certainly got the attention of Miguel, who addressed the Twitter accusations in an interview with Complex, calling Dash's claims "retarded," as well as Meek Mill, who took a quick jab at him writing, "Yo @Roscoedash u must not b getting no money b! Lol." Thus far, Kanye has not publicly responded to any of Dash's tweets. |
Is Lady Gaga Hinting At Weight Backlash On 'Cake' Track?
| The track, "Cake Like Lady Gaga," premiered during the Mugler runway show during Paris Fashion this week. The rap song, featuring an anonymous male voice boasts the many swagger-fied things Lady Gaga does, including traveling the globe, making lots of money and frequently wearing designer duds. While the song contains lyrics like "F--- the world I'm Lady Gaga/ Run the world like Lady Gaga" and "Walk a mile in these foot-high heels/ I run in these you ain't runnin' s---," there might also be a reference to some of the criticism the singer has faced for her apparent weight gain while on her Born This Way Ball, days after she launched her Body Revolution 2013 campaign, which she kicked off this week to empower her fans. The male voice spits, "You chew beef, I wear meat/ And stay on top of the -- I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm/ Getting fat and so is my bank/With a sold out world tour, bitch." A version of the DJ White Shadow-produced song leaked last week and didn't include that particular lyric. It did, however, include what sounded to be Gaga rapping over the track. The producer had no further information to provide when reached by MTV News. The Body Revolution creator has a very personal tie to the Mugler brand. Gaga not only serves as its music director, but her close pal and personal stylist, Nicola Formichetti works on the label along with the brand's designer Sebastian Peigne. Her presence was felt elsewhere in the show; the handbags in this season's line were inspired by her derriere. In other Gaga-related news, the singer has responded to a pair of New York City politicians who have showed divided feelings towards her after she smoked marijuana during a concert stop in Amsterdam. The New York Daily News reports that Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro responded to her actions by telling an anti-drug program, "I would call her a slut. This slut is influencing many, many children." Meanwhile, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, didn't directly respond to her use of drugs but did commend the singer for her work in shedding light on a number of social causes, as evidenced by her brand-new Body Revolution campaign. He said that she is a "symbol of individuality and artistic expression." He added that the Manhattan native is "a social justice activist and a real leader for marriage equality in this country." Gaga thanked Stringer for showing her some support on Twitter. She wrote, "To @scottmstringer of Manhattan, thanku for your support of my activism as a new yorker. You show political integrity + a modern vernacular." |
Christina Aguilera's 'Your Body' Video: A Pop-Culture Cheat Sheet
| Christina Aguilera's brand-new "Your Body" video is certainly a feast for the eyes, what with its brightly colored scenes of violence (and gratuitous automobile explosions), but it's also an all-you-can-eat buffet for pop-culture aficionados. Yes, aside from the obvious odes to Russ Meyer flicks and trailer-park chic, "Your Body" is also loaded with subtler nods to our pop-cult past — which is why we've spent the day analyzing every frame, noting each fleeting tribute to trashy TV, sugar-coated cereals and lunar-ready footwear (what can we say, we have a lot of time on our hands). And now, in celebration of Christina's return — and her truly clever new video — we're presenting all our findings to you. Here is our pop-culture cheat sheet for the "Your Body" video, alphabetized and cross-referenced for your convenience: Bits 'N' Pieces: Sugary sweet, yet sadly fictional breakfast cereal. Yes, the Bits 'N' Pieces box Aguilera takes off the shelf is actually just a prop, printed by the folks at Earl Hays Press, who design fake products for TV shows and movies. The same cereal box has also made cameos on "The Killing," "Heroes" and "Grounded for Life." Cartoon Wolf: Sure, it might seem like something from an old Merrie Melodies short, but the scene of a cartoon wolf being pinned to a wall by a hail of meat cleavers and a later scene of three wolves laughing riotously are actually good old-fashioned stock footage, owned by the Everett Collection. "Dirrty": Lead single from Aguilera's 2002 Stripped album, its video has gone on to be known as perhaps the most controversial of her career. From her barely there getups (including chaps and some seriously short skirts) to the posters that inadvertently advertised for the Thai sex trade, this was one video that had pulses pounding and critics wailing. She's (mostly) backed away from it in the decade since, though when Aguilera's rocking braids in the "Your Body" bar scenes, we can't help but think she's paying tribute to a similar hairstyle she rocked in her "Dirrty" days. "The Lucy Show": The follow-up to the legendary "I Love Lucy," it ran on CBS from 1962-68. Aguilera can be seen watching the opening credits to the fourth season — which featured Ball shown in a kaleidoscope — at the very end of "Your Body." Moon Boots: Futuristic footwear first designed in the 1970s by an Italian sportswear company, they became a notable fashion trend in the 1980s. In the "Your Body" video, a pair is worn by one of Christina's trailer-park pals, and if you like 'em, they're readily available online. NES Advantage: Ridiculously oversize Nintendo controller released in 1987 that featured a joystick, adjustable turbo controls and a slow-mo button but really served no purpose aside from making all the other kids in the neighborhood incredibly jealous. We're not sure how Xtina rigged it to play computer games, but we wish she'd show us how. Oranum.com: Online psychic site — or, ahem, "global esoteric community" — that makes several cameos in the "Your Body" video, for plot-advancement purposes (and, we're assuming, budgetary reasons). We're pretty sure the guy who gives Christina advice is the owner or something, but that's mainly because he's got a giant "O" painted on his forehead. Then again, if he really is a psychic, couldn't he have predicted how weird his shirt would look on camera? Check out Christina Aguilera's "Your Body" gif wall over at MTV's Buzzworthy blog! The Pink Motel: Retro motel located in Sun Valley, California, it's been open since 1946 and has been used as a location for numerous films, including "The Whole Ten Yards" and "House of Sand and Fog." In the "Your Body" video, it serves as the site for Christina's confetti murder, surely a first in its 66-year history. Rich Bitch: The rather striking (and, uh, to the point) necklace Christina rocks while lounging in the trailer park is part of designer Tom Binns' "Tough Talk" collection, so-called "statement jewelry" that combines crystals with phrases like "Chaos," "Punk" and "Rebel." Binns' pieces have also been worn by everyone from Lady Gaga to first lady Michelle Obama. Slurpee: Frozen flavored drink readily available at your local 7-Eleven, it comes in more flavors than we can possibly mention (though everyone knows Coca-Cola is the best) and is even kosher. In "Your Body," Aguilera can be seen pouring herself a cup of it, which she downs before icing a dude with a baseball bat. Maybe she mixed flavors or something. What did we miss? Let us know in the comments! |
Jay-Z's Inaugural Barclays Show To Wrap Up 'Happy' Week In Brooklyn
| In just a few more hours, Jay-Z will be officially opening the doors to Brooklyn's Barclays Center and 19,000 fans will file in to watch Hov's homecoming. MTV News will be on hand for the historic concert, just as we have been all week since the ceremonious ribbon-cutting on September 21. The $1 billion Barclays broke ground back in 2010, but during the past week the brass at the new arena have kicked things into overdrive, hosting special events which all lead up to Friday night's (September 28) concert. In case you missed the coverage, that we've began we figured we'd get you caught up to speed. Barclays Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Adidas Brooklyn Nets Merchandise Shop Opens "RapFix Live" Gives Fans Exclusive Barclays Tour Jay-Z Promises a Brooklyn Celebration With First Barclays Show Jay-Z Pops Bottles at 40/40 Grand Opening in the Barclays Be sure to check out MTV News each and every day for more Jay-Z and Barclays related content! |
No Doubt Revisit Their Classic 'Just A Girl' Video, Frame By Frame
| These days a band has to have some kind of magic to make it to their third major-label album without a hit and still get a shot. But in 1995, scrappy Southern California ska rockers No Doubt had an unexpected ace up their sleeve when they released their breakthrough, Tragic Kingdom. After the departure of founding member Eric Stefani, his sister, Gwen, took over lyric writing duties and the band went from local legends to international superstars. Much of that rocket ride was thanks to Gwen's kewpie doll vocals combined with the "don't fence me in" lyrics about female stereotypes in their attention-grabbing video for "Just A Girl." The song turned the band, and Gwen, into overnight stars, in large part due to the iconic video, which mostly consisted of them pretending to play it in the bathroom. Because they weren't yet stars, Stefani explained that the shoot with director Mark Kohr was a low-budget affair. It opens with the group loading up their silver beater outside their shared Beacon Street house, and includes a shot of Stefani's grandparents' home as well. In the first glimpse of her soon-to-be-ubiquitous flat abs, Stefani is sporting a white half-shirt featuring a colorful Anaheim iron-on that she applied herself, as well as some home-sewn baggy grey bondage pants. "This was the drive from Orange County to Los Angeles to play the show," said bassist Tony Kanal, of the well-worn path the group took from their home turf to the city of dreams in an early scene on the highway in which Stefani is singing into the camera. "We did that quite a bit, didn't we?" added drummer Adrian Young. In a nod to the gender politics that would forever inhabit their songs, when they get out of the car, the boys set up their equipment in a grungy men's bathroom, while Stefani sets down her boombox and make-up kit in a clean, well-lit ladies room with two elderly attendants. "The boy's bathroom looks terrible," said guitarist Tom Dumont. "Terribly dirty." Stefani said she was lugging her real-life makeup box in the bit where they set up to play their toilet concert. "I remember filming this video and then we had to fly somewhere that night," said Kanal of the mostly performance-oriented clip. "It was our first real video shoot and then we went straight overseas somewhere. I can't remember where." Stefani also recalled that she bought the red, white and blue tennis top she wears in the performance bit at a thrift store and then applied fake diamonds to it. "It's like you were already designing ... weird," said Kanal of Stefani, who has since become both a fashion icon and clothing entrepreneur. In addition to Stefani's then-very-pregnant sister Jill's blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo, Kanal, Young and Dumont realized while watching it back that their ex-girlfriends were in there as well. "What a great, iconic video you guys," said a humble Kanal half-way through. "Congratulations!" Near the end, the boys get sick of their squalid conditions and Kanal climbs out through the roof to the ladies room to join the dance party going on in there. "It was a commentary on society," Kanal said of his jailbreak effort to cross gender lines. "It's like unity between the sexes at this point," Dumont added. "It's more equality," Stefani clarified. "Men need cleaner bathrooms, we've earned that, finally," Young said. Watching their younger selves bounce around amid urinals and stalls, No Doubt seemed pleased with how far they've come. "It doesn't really seem dated, does it?" Stefani asked. From her platinum blonde hair, forehead bindi, ruby red lips and crop tops to the push-ups she bangs out at the end, the video was the world's first glimpse at what would become Stefani's iconic look and stage persona. It was also the ultimate sneak peek at the energy and enthusiasm the band would ride to more than two decades of success, culminating this week with the release of their long-awaited new album, Push and Shove. |
'Spider-Man' Sequel To Be Directed By Marc Webb
| Face it, Marc Webb — you just hit the jackpot! Webb, director of Sony's superhero hit "The Amazing Spider-Man," has officially been announced as the director of the still-untitled follow-up. Andrew Garfield has also been confirmed for another round as friendly neighborhood wall-crawler Peter Parker, while Emma Stone is in talks to return to the series "and is expected to reprise her role as Gwen Stacy," according to a press release. Production is set to begin in early 2013 based on a screenplay written by Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Jeff Pinkner. "We could not be more confident in the direction we are taking this new Spider-Man storyline and we are tremendously excited to be ramping up production again with Marc at the helm and Andrew continuing on as Peter Parker," Columbia Pictures president Doug Belgrad said in a statement. "We can't wait to share what we have in store for Peter and Spider-Man with audiences worldwide." Webb's return to the "Spider-Man" franchise wasn't always a foregone conclusion. Belgrad previously referred to "obstacles" and "an obligation to Fox" that might keep the director away from the "Amazing" sequel, and even Webb himself side-stepped the question prior to his first "Spider-Man" film's release. "People ask about the sequel and I'm like, 'Well, you know, I don't know if I want to do that, but I love the process,'" he said in June. "I love Andrew and Emma. But it's like asking someone who has just given birth, 'Do you want to get pregnant again?'" It appears that, yes, Webb would like to get pregnant again, in a manner of speaking. His "Spider-Man" sequel is due out in theaters on May 2, 2014. Check out everything we've got on "The Amazing Spider-Man 2." |
Mumford & Sons Headed For Biggest Debut Week Of Year
| Back when Mumford & Sons released their debut album, Sigh No More, in February 2010, the folk revival rock disc sold a lowly 4,000 copies and snuck onto the Billboard 200 chart at #116. What a difference two years makes. With Sigh still hanging around the top 30 a mere 2.5 million copies later, the British band is poised to kill the game on Wednesday when their second full-length, Babel, crashes the boards at #1. Not only is the disc guaranteed to debut at the top, it's also on pace to notch the best first sales week of 2012, possibly doubling the previous high-water mark set by Justin Bieber's Believe (374,000). According to Billboard, the group could sell as many as 600,000 copies during the tracking week ending Sunday. It will be their first #1 debut and the biggest sales week for a rock band since AC/DC's 2008 albumBlack Ice, which moved 784,000 units in November of that year. Mumford, who recently performed on "Saturday Night Live," are also on track to record the second-biggest digital sales week ever, with an expected 400,000 or more of its final total coming from online purchases. That would put them just behind Lady Gaga's Born This Way, which shifted 662,000 downloads in its first week thanks to an Amazon.com 99-cent sale during its first two days of release. The group also expect to score their first #1 debut in their native England, which multi-instrumentalist Ted Dwane told the NME was a big deal for them. "Number Two was the best we got with Sigh No More so it would be amazing," he said. "Obviously no-one's going to wish against a Number One record but I know Green Day and Muse have albums out and they're pretty big hitters. If you told me in the '90s that I'd be in a chart battle with Green Day, I probably would have just laughed at you." |
Jay-Z's Barclays Shows Have Experts Hoping For Kanye, Obama Cameos
| There's nothing like opening night! With just hours to go before Jay-Z takes the stage on Friday (September 28) to officially open up Brooklyn's Barclays Center, fans from all over are wondering what tricks Jigga Man has up his sleeve. After all, this is the same man who had the President of the United States deliver a pre-taped message for his Made in America Music Festival in Philadelphia earlier this month. But in an interview with Rolling Stone on Wednesday, Jay shot down speculation that he'd be bringing out any special guests. "No one's appearing, no one's performing. It's Brooklyn! This is my one chance to be selfish. Can't I? Can't I be selfish? Thank you," he said. Just for these eight shows — then I'll get back to my 'Jay-Z and Friends' shows." Well, Jigga, we don't believe you, you need more people! Not really, but it is what the larger-than-life rap star has gotten us used to. So MTV News caught up with some experts in the field — days before Jay seemed to rule out an all-star cast — and asked them to weigh in on what might unfold over the course of eight shows. "The first thing people think about when it comes to Jay-Z shows is if he's gonna have guests," RapRadar.com founder and Respect Magazine editor in chief Elliott Wilson told us. Hov really earned his rep as a live performer during the Hard Knock Life tour, which supported his 1998 album of the same name. Since then, the God MC has hit fans with some pretty unforgettable moments. In 2001, he brought Michael Jackson to the stage during Hot 97's annual Summer Jam concert. Three years later, Jay turned he and R. Kelly's failed Best of Both Worlds Tour into an all-star affair with Mary J. Blige, Usher and Ja Rule, after the Pied Piper bailed. "The only thing out of all eight nights that I hope happens — this is just me — I hope he brings Junior M.A.F.I.A. back together," Vibe Magazine executive editor Datwon Thomas speculated. Repairing the rift between the Notorious B.I.G.'s defunct group would be quite the feat, considering Brooklynites Lil' Cease and Lil' Kim haven't spoken in more than seven years. Then again, if anyone is capable, it's Hov. "I can totally see him bringing out Rick Ross and Kanye West and of course his wife, Beyoncé," AllHipHop.com Director of New Media Gina Torres said. "I wouldn't be surprised if he has Bono." When it comes to Jay, anything is possible. "I want to see Barack Obama come out," RapRadar.com content director Brian "B.Dot" Miller said. "I wonder if he has that up his sleeve. I wouldn't be surprised." What surprises are you looking forward to during Friday's Jay-Z concert at the Barclays in Brooklyn? Let us know in the comments! |
Britney Spears, Demi Lovato Get Straight A's From Olly Murs
| Olly Murs knows all about "The X Factor." After competing on the U.K. version of the show in 2009, he not only launched his music career but spent some time as the host of the supplementary series, the "Xtra Factor." So we couldn't resist asking him what he thought of the newbie judges who debuted earlier this month on the Stateside edition of the show: Britney Spears and Demi Lovato. And while Olly hadn't seen a full episode with the new ladies on the panel yet — "I haven't [watched] because I have been in America for the last two weeks ... so I've actually got it recorded in the U.K., so when I get back I'm going to watch it" — he was happy to weigh in based on his knowledge about them as performers. With that in mind, he's totally into what they bring to the show. "Obviously, I've heard good things from people in the industry," he told MTV News. "And obviously, it's going to get mixed reactions because it's Britney Spears and people are always going to have their opinions on Britney. I mean, everyone should admire her for what she's achieved in her career and what she's done. "She's one of the biggest artists that we've ever had," he gushed. "What she's achieved musically is amazing and I think this just gives her a new string to her bow. And I think that if there's anyone that could judge someone on the 'X Factor,' she's qualified to do it. Let's be honest, also, she's had her ups and downs in the industry as well so it's going to be exciting to see how she copes with it all as well and how she gets on." As for Demi's role on the show, Olly said he had heard all about it from their mutual friends. (You might know them as One Direction.) "Demi Lovato, I mean, I don't know too much about Demi, but hearing about her from the States and hearing about her from the likes of One Direction speaking about her, obviously she's a very lovely girl, fun," Murs said. "She's obviously a great singer and great performer as well. ... And we all know what Simon [Cowell] brings to the table and L.A. Reid," he continued. "So it seems to me a really exciting panel, and I'm sure people are going to enjoy that. And I think 'X Factor' can only get better from this point onwards. From [my] experience in the U.K., it took the show a good couple of years to hit its peak and I'm sure it will take a couple years before it hits the peak in America." While fans are tuning in week after week to see what Spears and Lovato are bringing to the show, Olly said he would "love to" make a cameo on the Fox show as he gears up for the release his U.S. debut, Right Place, Right Time, in December. "I think with Simon, he's obviously very realistic and I have to have success here [first]," 28-year-old Murs admitted. "I'm hoping that [my single] 'Heart Skips a Beat' can still be a success and it keeps building and the album does well and who knows? Fingers crossed." Have you listened to Olly Murs yet? Share your thoughts in the comments! |
'Looper': The Reviews Are In!
| Time travel hasn't been invented yet. Luckily, you won't need it to finally see "Looper," director Rian Johnson's time-bending action thriller in theaters now. Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars in "Looper" as Joe, a Kansas City hitman tasked with killing targets sent back to him from the future. As part of his job, Joe knows he'll one day have to execute his future self, and he'll spend the 30 years until his death with all the money and riches he could possibly desire. But when the time comes for Joe to do the deed against himself, Future Joe (Bruce Willis) has a plan, leading to a deadly series of events that nobody — not even a time-traveler — can anticipate. Johnson's latest collaboration with Gordon-Levitt has received high praise for its wildly original premise and lead performances. Read on to see what the critics are saying about "Looper." Why It's Cool The Mind-Boggling Questions The Two Joes Bold New Direction The Final Word Check out everything we've got on "Looper." |
Christina Aguilera's 'Your Body' Video: Watch It Now!
| Based on early sneak peeks, we were pretty certain Christina Aguilera was going to revisit her previous bad-girl roles in the brand-new "Your Body" video ... but, wow, we definitely weren't expecting this. In the clip, Christina plays a candy-colored killer, one who delights in wooing well-physiqued men to their demise. She hitches a ride with one guy, seduces him, then sets his car ablaze (in electric-pink flames, nonetheless). Next, she hits a dive bar, shoots some stick, and lures her next victim into a bathroom stall, where she bludgeons him to death, leaving spatters of blue paint dripping from the walls. And finally, in one of the video's most striking scenes (literally), she uses a bat to bash a dude's brain in, showering the room in a mist of red confetti. Of course, there's not actual violence shown; instead, director Melina Matsoukas — who's done equally eye-catching clips for the likes of Lady Gaga and Rihanna — fills "Your Body" with brightly-colored, almost surreal gore. In that regard, the video is reminiscent of Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers," which, while plenty brutal, felt more like a cartoon ... you couldn't believe the carnage because it gushed forth in such hypnagogic hues (of course, "Your Body's" trailer-park trappings also bring to mind Beyoncé's "Party" clip). There is also no shortage of junk-culture nods, like the old NES Advantage controller Aguilera jams on, the odd (and, one can assume, coffer-filling) cameos by psychic site Oranum.com, sugar-coated cereals, and trashy day-time television, to say nothing of Christina's wardrobe, loaded with leopard prints and Day-Glo accoutrements and very trailer chic. And while Aguilera has certainly worn all manner of eye-catching get-ups in the past, here her costumes aren't meant to be standalone shock pieces; they all play into the larger feel of the video itself, which, sure, is grisly and garish, but also incredibly clever and visually arresting. It tweaks societal standards, plays to our baser instincts, and burns brightly across the brain. Once again, Xtina proves she's really good at being bad, but she's never done it with tongue so firmly planted in cheek (I love the "No Men Were Harmed in the Making of this Video" warning at the beginning). Subtlety isn't her strong suit, and so long as she keeps churning out videos as good as this one, we're willing to accept that about her. Then again, judging by the amount of bodies she leaves in her wake, it's not like we'd be willing to tell her otherwise. What do you think of Christina's "Your Body" video? Tell us in the comments! |
'This Is How I Made It' To Premiere On MTV
| Chris Brown, Demi Lovato and 2 Chainz are just some of the stars set to appear on MTV's brand-new series "This Is How I Made It," premiering October 13 at 12 p.m. ET/PT. Each week, the half-hour show chronicles the rise of two celebrities, in their own words, from humble beginnings to the peaks of their professions. In addition to musicians — Wiz Khalifa, Ciara, Mac Miller and Afrojack also will appear on future episodes — "How I Made It" also features athletes like U.S. Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas and actors like "Glee's" Naya Rivera and Ashley Rickards, star of MTV's "Awkward." The premiere episode features a pair of stars — Rickards and 2 Chainz — who recently broke through to the big time. "Awkward" just wrapped its critically acclaimed second season, while Chainz is featured prominently on the new G.O.O.D. Music album Cruel Summer, and wowed fans with a fiery performance at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards. On each subsequent episode, stars will reveal the intimate details and personal stories behind their journeys and, in doing so, provide a road map to success for their fans. In intimate, first-person narratives, they'll share their earliest memories of falling in love with their chosen career paths, the sacrifices they made and the setbacks they faced before finally making it to the top. In the end, each story is a testament to hard work and perseverance, and each is meant to inspire viewers to reach for their dreams. "This Is How I Made It" debuts Saturday, October 13, at 12 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. |
'Dark Knight Rises' Blu-ray: Deleted Scenes We'll Never See
| When "The Dark Knight Rises" hits Blu-ray and DVD on December 4, it will come loaded with extras including behind-the-scenes featurettes, a documentary on the Batmobile, trailers and art galleries, Entertainment Weekly reported on Thursday. But conspicuously missing from the set are the rumored deleted scenes and director's cut. While there is strong evidence supporting the existence of these scenes, they failed to make the Blu-ray. Since we will probably never know what Christopher Nolan left on the cutting-room floor, we've pieced together our ideas for what may have been left out. Bane's Origin Talia's Actual Death Scene Anything with Lucius Traveling To and From the Prison Escaping the Nuke and Bruce's Swim to Italy Check out everything we've got on "The Dark Knight Rises" |
Lindsay Lohan Is 'Elizabeth Taylor Reincarnated'
| In a new behind-the-scenes featurette for her Lifetime biopic, "Liz & Dick," Lindsay Lohan is opening up quite extensively about her headline-making life and how it really isn't much different than the one Elizabeth Taylor led. "I'm a huge Elizabeth Taylor fan," she says in the clip about the chance to portray the Hollywood icon for the movie. "And I relate to her on a lot of levels ... living in the public eye, dealing with the stress of what other people say, whether it's true or not." Both Lohan and Taylor rose to fame as child stars before their personal struggles made them magnets for tabloid drama. "I personally understand Liz, because you're living your life for everyone to see, and people are growing with you. You get to a point where you become numb to it," she added. "And you just live your life the way you feel you need to live it." In a poster released for the film, Lohan sports a lot of bling, an obvious homage to Liz's love for diamonds. Well, as it turns out, Lindsay can also relate to that. She added, "I love diamonds, and she appreciated them and it made her happy." The film revolves around Taylor's gossip-prone relationship with fellow Hollywood legend Richard Burton. Burton will be imagined by "True Blood" actor's Grant Bowler who in the teaser praises Lohan's take on his on-screen love. He says, "Lindsay's excellent to work with. She's pretty much Elizabeth Taylor reincarnated." The movie premieres on Lifetime in November. A teaser trailer for the film was released last week, and while Lohan doesn't say a lot in it, she does channel the actress' ultra-glamorous style in a variety of vintage looks. |
Selena Gomez's Post-'Hotel Transylvania' To-Do List: Thrillers And New Music!
| This week Selena Gomez voices a starring role in the animated flick, "Hotel Transylvania." While the film keeps Gomez's cinema feet firmly planted in family-friendly films, the singer/actress is working on a number of other more mature projects in her post-"Hotel Transylvania" life. So, if you're wondering what your next Gomez film is going to be, MTV News is looking ahead at what else she has cooking up. Gomez made many a headline when she signed up for the Harmony Korine-directed "Spring Breakers." Judging from a clip, which recently made its online debut, the film is much darker in tone than the usual Gomez film, as she so boldly claims that "everybody's miserable." "People will be a little shocked, I think," Gomez told MTV News earlier this summer, adding, "I'm a little nervous about it, but honestly, it's a right step for me. I'm really proud of it. I think as an actress it really challenged me. All of the other actresses are also trying to prove themselves, so it was just really, really fun." "Spring Breakers" had one of its premieres during the Toronto International Film Festival along with the horror flick, "Aftershock," in which she stars alongside director Eli Roth. "It's actually a very funny scene with him, and I'm improving. And it's cute," she said of her part in it. "Well, I mean, the movie's not cute. It's actually scary, but the scene was cute." She'll also set to appear with Ethan Hawke in the caper, "Getaway." When the film was announced she shared why she wanted to sign on for the film, saying, "It's more of an action movie, which is also different." And, for "Parental Guidance Suggested," Gomez will embark on a rock-themed odyssey based on the 2000 novel "While I'm Dead ... Feed the Dog," by Ric Browde. Earlier this year, she had also been attached to a number of other projects in development. Gomez will produce and most likely star in the big-screen adaptation of the Jandy Nelson novel "The Sky Is Everywhere." She's also rumored to act in a film called "Hot Mess" and "13 Reasons Why," the film adaptation of Jay Asher's bestselling book — though little else has broken in regards to Gomez's standing in those flicks. And, then there's her music. She shared with us over the summer that "I am missing music, so we're going to start on the fourth record at the end of this year." She added that she wants it to sound "very different! I want to go for producers that probably wouldn't want me to do their songs. I just want to knock on their door. I also want to work with Fun. I want to work with just different styles of music ... I also want to work with Taylor [Swift] too. So I just want to do different things for this album." The album most likely will drop next year. Which movie are you most looking forward to? Leave the title in the comments! |
Nicki Minaj Confirmed For Three Reality Specials
| It seems that while Nicki Minaj will be starring in a number of reality specials, rumors that she will star in a reality show have been greatly exaggerated. E! confirmed that the YMCMB rapper is set to appear in three specials on the network beginning in November. The network adds that the specials will include never-before-seen footage of the rapper in her personal and professional life. They shared more details are forthcoming. It had been originally rumored that in addition to her turn as a judge on "American Idol," Minaj would also let cameras into her life for a more in-depth look into what it's like to be Nicki in a long-run series. For now, fans will have to settle for the set of one-off specials. This is hardly the first time Minaj has been the subject of a special of this nature. Back in 2010, she let MTV cameras into her life for "My Time Is Now." The news of this latest round of specials comes at a very busy time for the rapper. Not only did she just launch her first-ever perfume, the aptly titled Pink Friday, but she'll also be re-releasing her latest album as Pink Friday Roman Reloaded: The Re-Up and joining the "American Idol" judges' panel with Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Randy Jackson. Earlier this week, MTV News caught up with Nicki and she explained why she wanted to join "Idol." "It's a milestone for me; it's a milestone for hip-hop; it's a milestone for young black women," Nicki said. "Has there ever been a black woman [judging] on the show? This is a show that 20 million people watch, so I feel like we should be represented on that show and I'm very proud of my decision to do it." |
Could 'Transylvania' And 'Looper' Give The Box Office A Shot In The Arm?
| Moviegoers love redemption stories, and this weekend should see a nice comeback for the box office of its own. After weeks of declining ticket sales, including the worst weekend since the one after 9/11, theaters finally have a chance to top last year's numbers with the arrival of the kid-friendly "Hotel Transylvania" and R-rated sci-fi drama "Looper." "It's Sony's box office to lose, as the studio churns out a double bill on the same weekend — something that almost never happens," Exhibitor Relations box -ffice analyst Jeff Bock told MTV News, giving Sony strong odds for the #1 and #2 spots. During the same timeframe last year, "Dolphin Tale" hung on to the top spot with $14.2 million during its second weekend. "Moneyball" (#2) and "The Lion King 3D" (#3) were also holdovers. IMDb's Keith Simanton pointed out that all of the new releases were much "weaker" films then than now, including Kirk Cameron's "Courageous" (a $9.1 million opening), "Looper" star Joseph Gordon-Levitt's "50/50" ($8.6 million) and "Dream House" ($8.1 million). " 'Hotel Transylvania' should make more than those three 2011 openers combined," Simanton predicted. "Hotel Transylvania" is an animated romp featuring the voice talents of Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Andy Samberg, Steve Buscemi and David Spade. It's absolutely on track to demolish the poor performance of the last Sandler/Samberg team-up, "That's My Boy." The last time Sandler shared billing with James and Spade, in 2010's "Grown Ups," resulted in $40 million opening. "No doubt 'Hotel Transylvania' will bite — in a good way," Bock said. "This has been a troubled and long-gestating project at Sony, but it looks like they've finally assembled a product worth seeing. Whereas 'ParaNorman''s dark sensibilities had families wary, 'Hotel Transylvania' looks like more typical kiddie fare that should attract a sizable amount of tweens, too." Simanton predicted a $28 million opening for "Hotel Transylvania," with "Looper" settling for #2 in the $14 million range. " 'Looper' plays well, but it's two hours long and very much R-Rated," he noted. "Looper" does bear the distinction of being the best reviewed of the weekend's new films. "But just ask 'Dredd 3D' how much solid reviews helped its cause," Bock joked. "Still, [co-star] Bruce Willis is a big draw in the right type of film and this is definitely a role his fans will flock to. Expect a gross in the high teens, maybe even the low twenties, as buzz has been building." Much further under the radar is the Fox drama "Won't Back Down," starring Maggie Gyllenhaal. Her brother Jake's "End of Watch" topped the box office last weekend, but expect her movie to come and go. "It's a film that's getting swept under the rug by the studio, as advertising has been nearly non-existent," said Bock. "It likely won't debut in the top five." "Solomon Kane" seems doomed as well, particularly given that it's debuting in a paltry 15 theaters. "It had a pre-theatrical release on sites like Amazon and from that I'd hear good things about it," Simanton said of the fantasy action flick. "However, it's only in a baker's dozen of theaters, so it's unlikely to make much of a dent in the top 10." Speaking of limited releases, "Pitch Perfect" is opening in 335 theaters, but Universal plans to expand it to 2,700 locations the following weekend, hoping that word-of-mouth and positive reviews give it some momentum. Check out everything we've got on "Hotel Transylvania" and "Looper." |