Conrad Murray faces another hearing in January to potentially provide more than $101 million in restitution to the Jackson family.
By
Photo: Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1673923/michael-jackson-doctor-conrad-murray-sentenced.jhtml
From New York to L.A., celebs have plans to ring in 2012 with a bang.
By Jocelyn Vena
Kim Kardashian celebrate New Years Eve at TAO Nightclub at the Venetian on December 31, 2010 in Las Vegas
Photo: Denise Truscello
New Year's Eve is the last chance you'll have to party in 2011. And as the days to plan out your big night begin to dwindle, MTV News is rounding up some of the biggest parties on the planet. From Los Angeles to New York, there's something for everyone. The Kardashians will be hosting several parties all over Las Vegas. Kim will be at Tao (for a fee of reportedly $600,000), Kourtney, along with the Madden Brothers, will party it up at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at Paris while Rob has it on lock at Tryst.
Other big Sin City parties include Chris Brown's shindig at Pure, Mary J. Blige's bash at RPM Nightclub, Bruno Mars at The Bank and B.o.B at LAX (the club, not the airport). Fergie and will.i.am will both be in Vegas to ring in 2012. The Black Eyed Peas' leading lady will be at 1OAK, while will.i.am be DJing at Surrender. Professional party rockers LMFAO will be shufflin' all night long at Haze Nightclub at Aria. Newly engaged John Legend will perform at the Palms with T-Pain and Paul Oakenfold. As celeb-filled as it may seem, not all the stars will be in Vegas. In Los Angeles, Mario Lopez is hosting a party at Hollywood & Highland that boasts performances by Lupe Fiasco and Cobra Starship. And in Chicago, "American Idol" alum Lee DeWyze will be at the Hard Rock Hotel with DJ Chris Kennedy (Chris Masterson) spinning tunes. Kanye West's plans have yet to be determined, but he recently tweeted he's looking for a place to DJ right into 2012. We're sure someone will find a place for him at their party.
New York is the home of all things New Year's. Lady Gaga has been booked to perform on two NYE specials: the 40th annual "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" and the Japanese program "Kohaku Uta Gassen." For those who want to snuggle up on their couch and avoid all the partying madness, MTV has your back. This year Demi Lovato, Mac Miller, Selena Gomez, J. Cole, Jason Derulo and more will be on hand for "NYE in NYC 2012," which will air live at 11 p.m. ET on Saturday (December 31) from Times Square, where the famous ball drops on, you guessed it, MTV. What are your New Year's Eve plans? Let us know in the comments!
Related ArtistsSource:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676540/new-years-eve-party-kim-kardashian-lady-gaga.jhtml
Having made the trip down south earlier in the week, Jessica Alba enjoyed the day at the beach with her two precious daughters in Cabo San Lucas on Friday (December 30).
The "Spy Kids" actress donned a grey fedora and a multi colored beach dress as she watched Honor and Haven play in the sand in front of her luxury Mexican resort.
Joined on the south of the border getaway by husband Cash Warren and a few friends, Miss Alba tweeted during the course of the day, "Gd times in Cabo w @kellysawyer"
The brunette beauty later posted a pic of herself, Cash and Miss Sawyer engaging in a pillow fight while writing a simple yet insightful message reading, "It's the simple things in life that make us happy"
Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/jessica-alba/jessica-albas-mexican-beach-playdate-haven-honor-572649
Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/12/29/mtv-movie-smackdown-2012-announcement/
Brittany Murphy Cameron Diaz Carrie Underwood Danica Patrick
From 'Harry Potter' to 'Drive,' MTV News mourns — and praises — the year's best fictional deaths.
By Kevin P. Sullivan
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"
Photo: Warner Bros
It is traditional at the end of the year to look back on those we have lost in Hollywood. Usually this means a poignant montage of actors, actresses and crew members during the Academy Awards, but it should also be noted that plenty of fictional passings occurred in 2011 as well.
They may have been memorable, sad, thrilling or even funny, but each movie death meant something, and if we were to look back on the characters that passed away this year, these are the five that would get the biggest applause.
It should noted that this article contains nothing but spoilers.
Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon in "X-Men: First Class")
All it took was a coin through the skull to remind us why Kevin Bacon should be in more movies. His character, Sebastian Shaw, lived large and in style, choosing a submarine as his method of world travel and double-breasted suits as his villainous costume. When Magneto finally met up with him to serve up some revenge extra cold, Shaw ate it in one of the most memorable scenes of 2011.
Fred Weasley (James Phelps in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2")
Many characters didn't live to see the end of the Battle of Hogwarts, but none hurt as much as the demise of one-half of the ginger-haired duo. George may have lost an ear in Part 1, but he lost a twin brother during the series finale, and we were there with him. At the very least, we can all remember the fun times we had together and rest assured that there is still one genetically identical person walking Diagon Alley.
Beth Emhoff (Gwyneth Paltrow in "Contagion")
The look of terror on Paltrow's face from the trailer may rank among some of the year's most horrifying movie images. Beth Emhoff's death early in the film starts the chain reaction that sets the film's wheels in motion, but none of the millions of deaths caused by the virus are shown with as much intimacy. She may have been patient zero, but she'll always be #1 in our hearts.
Shannon (Bryan Cranston in "Drive")
Bryan Cranston's Shannon didn't have much time to accept his fate, and neither did we. Before we knew it, Bernie Rose (played by Albert Brooks) had declared it "over." Even the toughest of moviegoers had to flinch at the sight of the razor blade cutting through the neighborly mechanic's arm. Shannon added both comic relief and charm to a movie that benefitted so greatly because of it.
Planet Earth in "The Tree of Life" and "Melancholia"
The character we're all closest with bit the dust not once but twice this year at the movies. It's never an easy thing, watching the planet you've grown up on destroyed — just ask Princess Leia. But never has the destruction of our home world been shown with as much stunning cinematography as it was in mouth of these art house hits.
Stick with MTV News as we count down the Best of 2011, including the top Artists, Songs, Live Performances and EDM Artists of the year.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related PhotosSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676612/best-movie-deaths-2011-harry-potter.jhtml
The What's Your Number? premiere is tonight in Los Angeles! I have my dress and I'm super excited!
I'm gong to be tweeting live from the red carpet at 6:30 PM PST for US Weekly magazine, so make sure to follow them and me on Twitter:
Source: http://www.prettyinthecity.com/blog/2011/9/19/whats-your-number-premiere.html
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http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=702484
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http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1270&vid=703211
The American affinity for British music continued in 2011 with Adele, whose album 21 sold more copies than any other in the USA.
The ?Someone Like You? songstress moved an impressive 5.6 million units to date, more than any other artist since Usher?s 2004 release Confessions.
Even more impressive, Adele?s worldwide sales numbers have topped 15 million copies, making this her most profitable year to date.
Additionally, overall music sales are expected to have grown by 3 percent by the end of the year, a boost the industry needs desperately.
Source: http://gossipcenter.com/adele/adele-scores-2011%E2%80%98s-highest-selling-album-usa-572243
Ashton Kutcher hasn't lacked for female company since his split from Demi Moore. But is he already getting serious about another woman?
Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=3187077&vid=666238
The hunky star and his model girlfriend are ready to walk down the aisle after four years! See more stars who are planning to tie the knot
Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger reunited again for another family holiday this weekend to celebrate Christmas with their children.
Jay-Z and Kanye West's VMA set, 30 Seconds to Mars' 'Unplugged' and Beyoncé's big reveal made our top 16 — now you decide on the best.
By Gil Kaufman
Kanye West and Jay-Z perform at the 2011 VMAs
Photo: WireImage
When's the last time Beyoncé came to your job and revealed that she was pregnant with her first child? Or Jay-Z and Kanye West dropped by your party to perform live on TV for the first time as the Throne?
Those are just two of the 16 awesome moments compiled as part of a list of our Best MTV Live Performances of 2011. As the year draws to a close, the music experts at MTV News, MTV.com, Buzzworthy and MTV's music and talent department have narrowed down hundreds of live musical performances from 2011 to a carefully curated 16. Now, it's up to you to vote and decide on the Best MTV Live Performance of the year. Voting is under way now and will remain open through Monday, December 12, at noon ET. The choices are pretty amazing and they include Grammy nominee Adele's mesmerizing "Someone Like You" from the VMAs, Odd Future's mayhem-filled performance of "Sandwitches" and "Yonkers" at the 2011 mtvU Woodie Awards and Paramore's set at the "Fueled by Ramen 15th Anniversary Concert."
Also on the list is Mac Miller slaying the crowd during "Knock Knock" at "Mac Miller: Live in Chicago," MTV exclusives like 30 Seconds to Mars' MTV "Unplugged" show, Jack's Mannequin's rooftop take on "Release Me" and other memorable moments from Chris Brown, Pitbull, Wiz Khalifa, Lupe Fiasco, Lil Wayne, Foster the People, Robyn and Two Door Cinema Club. Check out the nominees, watch show highlights and vote for the Best MTV Live Performance of 2011. Stay tuned for the results on Monday, December 12, at noon ET!
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http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1675391/best-performance-2011-jay-z-kanye-west-beyonce-adele.jhtml
'Jersey Shore' star teases his gig with Spears this weekend in Puerto Rico.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Sway Calloway
Pauly D
Photo: MTV News
Pauly D has a lot of experience playing shows with Britney Spears. He not only opened for her in Las Vegas earlier this year during the taping of her "I Am the Femme Fatale" MTV special, but he later hit the road with Spears for her Femme Fatale tour.
So opening for the princess of pop as she wraps up her world tour this weekend won't be too difficult for the "Jersey Shore" star. He's slated to appear with her on December 10 in Puerto Rico. It's the very last stop on the months-long, sprawling trek around the globe. Since Pauly last hit the road with pop's ultimate femme fatale, he told MTV News that he has been keeping in touch with his pal. "Yeah [we keep in contact], oh yeah, for sure," he said. "A lot of tweets." While Pauly played it coy during our chat about the upcoming gig, he did give us just enough hints to let us know that the show is indeed all set for Saturday. "There's rumors; rumors have it that I might be on that tour," he joked. "I'm not sure. I'd love to. I hope so. I like Puerto Rico and it's nice this time of year." Is there any chance that Britney might make an appearance on Pauly's in-the-works solo reality show while he's out there with her? "She's busy. She's really busy and I'd love to link up with her and get her on this 'cause doing her tour, that was another dream for me, to do an artist's tour. I've been a fan of Britney my whole life, so it's been great for me." "She was happy for me," he continued. "She was like, 'Oh you're going to be fist pumping on the show.' She gets a kick out of the fist pumping." If that appearance doesn't pan out, DJ Pauly D needn't worry too much. He just announced his deal with 50 Cent's G-Note Records, a step that should help to take his DJ career to the next level. 50 spoke to MTV News about the deal earlier this week, teasing some big things. "Pauly's project is not all his performance on the actual records," Fif explained of the "hit record" he hopes to make with the DJ, set for release in 2012. "It's more like what you would get from a DJ Khaled or DJ Drama but also what you would get from David Guetta — so it's a cross between those two worlds, and I think it's exciting." Fans of Pauly D are also pumped for the latest season of his hit MTV series "Jersey Shore." Just this week, a season 5 trailer dropped and there seems to be enough drama, GTL and smushing to go around for everyone. "There was a lot of tension in [Italy], because we were away from our friends, away from our family, so all we had was each other — that's it," Pauly said. "So now we literally ran to Jersey, because we missed it so much, and we just shared that bond, because we've been there before, so we enjoyed it with everybody this year. It was really one of my best years, I think." The fifth season of "Jersey Shore" premieres Thursday, January 5, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. For continuing "Shore" coverage, be sure to check in with MTV's Remote Control blog.
Source:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1675665/britney-spears-pauly-d-jersey-shore.jhtml
Scarlett Johansson Shakira The Pussycat Dolls Sandra Bullock
Thursday night, one of the three remaining contestants on The X Factor will walk away with a record-setting $5 million recording contract. Simon Cowell's search for the next "global superstar" has come down to Virgin Islands R&B crooner Melanie Amaro, 19, soulful Ohio rocker Josh Krajcik, 30, and Californian hip hip artist Chris Rene, 28. So after Wednesday night's final performance, how are the odds looking for these three very different musicians?
Battle of the Hot Ryans: Who Had the Best Year Ever? - Celebuzz
Ridiculously Awkward Holiday Photos - iVillage
The 50 Best Celebrity Baby Moments of the Year - lilSugar
The Most Common Sex Dreams Decoded - iVillage
Celebrity Mini-Me! These Kids Look Just Like Their Famous Parents - HollyBaby
Best Celebrity Bikini Bodies of 2011! - Celebuzz
The 8 Cutest Viral Kid Videos of the Year - lilSugar
Source: http://celebritybabyscoop.com/2011/12/26/latest-dish
Making the long trek back from Finland just in time for Christmas, Adam Lambert and Sauli Koskinen were spotted arriving into LAX Airport in Los Angeles on Sunday (December 25).
The ?Better Than I Know Myself? musician and his Finnish reality TV star beau were exhausted as they hit the exits with Lambert quickly draping a sweater around his face.
Adam managed to muster up a smile and mumbled an ?everything?s great? when the photog asked, but wouldn?t reveal anything else other than, ?I?m tired, Merry Christmas.?
As previously reported by Gossip Center, Adam and Sauli were arrested last week after getting into an alcohol-driven argument, but were released shortly after, with no charges against them.
Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/adam-lambert/adam-lambert-back-states-after-finnish-brawl-571756
We told you earlier about NeNe Leakes landing a recurring role on"Glee" and now we have a first look at her in "character." See the pic inside.....
NeNe Leakes is headed to the primetime lineup of FOX as a recurring character on the hit "Glee."
She will play Roz Washington, the coach of the school's synchronized swim team, and will star in two episodes, (including the Grease and Michael Jackson-themed shows) set to air next year.
She tweeted her excitement saying,
Then she added,
Studying lines now! My memory is just gone LOL! Gotta head right back 2 the Glee set after the holidays.'
NeNe also tweeted a mock poster of herself with the cast. Work.
Source: http://theybf.com/2011/12/25/first-look-nene-leakes-as-swim-coach-roz-washington-on-glee
Things seem to be getting pretty serious between Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. Reynolds brought his Green Lantern costar and current girlfriend to his Canadian hometown of Vancouver for a visit this week, and reportedly even took her to meet his family!
Source: http://www.celebritygossiphollywood.com/celebrities/jessica-alba/jessica-alba-instyle-australia/
Bieber debuts 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' video (and performs with Busta Rhymes and Usher) during 'Christmas in Rockefeller Center.'
By Jocelyn Vena
Justin Bieber at the Christmas Tree lighting in New York City
Photo: James Devaney/ Getty Images
Deck the halls! The holiday kicked into high gear Wednesday night (November 30) when New York's massive Christmas tree was lit during "Christmas in Rockefeller Center." Plenty of A-listers were on hand, including Justin Bieber, who premiered his highly anticipated video for "All I Want for Christmas Is You," featuring Mariah Carey.
Before the strings of lights were illuminated, performances from Michael Bublé, Katharine McPhee, Big Time Rush, Tony Bennett, Carole King and Neil Diamond warmed viewers up. But Bieber was the headline act of the night, giving fans some big performances and an even bigger video premiere.
Bieber amped up the energy with his hip-hop-ified take on the Christmas classic "Little Drummer Boy," which included him spitting a holiday-themed rhyme. Decked in all black, the teen star had the crowd screaming. He was even joined by Busta Rhymes, who appears on the Under the Mistletoe cut.
JB then slowed things down with "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)," leaving his female fans swooning as he crooned the holiday standard. He was joined by his mentor Usher for the track.
"God bless and Merry Christmas," Bieber told the crowd before tossing to the "All I Want for Christmas Is You" video. The clip features Mariah Carey dressed in a sexy Santa Claus outfit standing in a department store as she dances around singing the track, almost as if she's on display for holiday shoppers. It also sees Bieber and his pals shopping for some choice holiday gifts like high-top kicks.
In between performance shots of Bieber and Mariah, a street-corner Santa Claus hands out envelopes to shoppers on the street, teasing an inevitable yuletide party scene. The shoppers are then welcomed into the department store, where Justin and Mariah hand out gifts to everyone. The duo tease and flirt with each other as everyone around them unwraps their gifts.
Bieber and Carey re-recorded her classic holiday tune for his chart-topping holiday album, which also features appearances from the Band Perry and Boyz II Men. They filmed the video earlier this month, just in time for the holiday season.
Did Bieber get you in the holiday spirit? Let us know in the comments!
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Bieber's holiday special airs December 22 and will raise money for his Believe charity drive.
By Jocelyn Vena
Justin Bieber
Photo: WireImage
Justin Bieber has helped light the tree in New York's Rockefeller Plaza and sang Christmas carols with the president. Now, MTV News has confirmed that the pop star will celebrate the season once more with his very own special, "Justin Bieber: Home for the Holidays."
Bieber will tape the fundraising special at a secret Toronto location before it airs December 22 on MuchMusic and CTV. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Bieber said, "The holidays are a very special time of the year for me and I'm looking forward to coming home and ringing them in with my friends and family."
Funds raised at the show will benefit Bieber's Believe charity. Portions of the proceeds raised by his holiday album, Under the Mistletoe, also went to the nonprofit. Believe raises money for organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Pencils of Promise, Musicians on Call, Project Medishare for Haiti, City of Hope, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Grammy Foundation.
"I am launching the Believe Charity Drive because I know firsthand that if you believe in your dreams, everything is possible," Bieber said in a statement about the initiative. "The Believe Charity Drive directly benefits charities that are making a difference in the world. You can ... donate as little as one dollar, or even donate your time, because everything will make a difference. Please join me in our quest to raise millions of dollars by the release of my new 2012 album, Believe. I know that with your help, we can make a change."
On Monday (December 12), in addition to announcing the holiday special, Bieber's manager Scooter Braun also tweeted about the overwhelming success Under the Mistletoe has had since its November debut.
"@JustinBieber's christmas album 'Under The Mistletoe' is the biggest selling International Christmas album for UMG in a decade!!" he tweeted. "That makes it the biggest selling holiday album on Universal in the last decade moving ahead of Andrea Bocelli. very proud and at this rate by Christmas @justinbieber's 'Under The Mistletoe' will be the biggest 4th qtr album release of the entire UMG-EMI system!"
Bieber recorded several classic tunes for the album, as well as original songs, including lead single "Mistletoe." He worked with artists like Mariah Carey, Usher, the Band Perry, Busta Rhymes and Boyz II Men on the project. "Thank u to everyone supporting this incredible album," Braun added. "All the stats are amazing but what Im most proud of is the music. REALLY GREAT MUSIC."
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsSource:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1675811/justin-bieber-home-for-the-holidays.jhtml
Go see Captain America this weekend! Support our Colin!
I went to the premiere on Tuesday and it was the coolest thing ever. First, the movie is AMAZING and Chris Evans is a superstar. Second, there were so many damn people there it was insane. I have been to movie premieres in New York before and they were nothing like this. I mean, they closed down Hollywood Boulevard. I would've taken photos to show you, but the invite said to leave phones in the car. But here's a photo of me in my cool Captain America 3D glasses:
(Sit down, stop jumping around, it's an awesome picture, I know. And the quality is amazing. It's not grainy or reddish... it's perfect.) (No, it's not.)
(And you can totally see the Captain America logo on the side of the glasses.) (No, you can't.)
Anyway, Captain America is pulling a strong 71% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes right now so GO SEE IT! IT'S FANTASTIC!
Source: http://www.prettyinthecity.com/blog/2011/7/22/captain-america.html
Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=501686&vid=703015
Brittany Murphy Cameron Diaz Carrie Underwood Danica Patrick
'Adventures of Tintin' and 'War Horse' director tells MTV News, 'I don't feel any different than when I was 12 years old making movies.'
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Steven Spielberg
Photo: MTV News
In looking at Oscar-winner Steven Spielberg's résumé or IMDb page, it's the stuff of two or three careers, not just one. Who knows when the man sleeps, as he has not one but two highly anticipated, expected-to-be-blockbuster films in theaters this holiday season: "The Adventures of Tintin" and "War Horse."
Not that we anticipate he'll slow down anytime soon, with "Lincoln" and "Robopocalypse" set to hit theaters in 2012 and 2013, respectively — not to mention the slew of films on which he serves as a producer, plus the constant rumblings about the possibility of more "Indiana Jones" and "Jurassic Park" movies.
When MTV News sat down with the prolific director recently during the press day for "Tintin," we asked his thoughts about slowing down.
"I never think about being tapped out or retiring. Even though I'm turning 65 in a matter of a week, I never think about that; it just doesn't occur to me," he replied. "I just love so much the work and the discovery: the whole process of discovering a new story, a new way to shoot a film, working with new actors I've always wanted to work with and never got a chance to until now. And so, for me, every day is a new day, every day is exciting.
"And I don't feel any different than when I was 12 years old making movies with my dad's 8-millimeter movie camera: I've got that same kind of percolation every time I get onto a set."
Check out everything we've got on "The Adventures of Tintin" and "War Horse."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related VideosSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676394/steven-spielberg-war-horse-adventures-of-tintin.jhtml
Lady Gaga, Ludacris, Lupe Fiasco and the Band Perry also scheduled to perform at November 30 event.
By Jocelyn Vena
Rihanna performs in concert (file)
Photo: WireImage
Rihanna and Usher have been added to the performance lineup for "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! Countdown to Music's Biggest Night," set to go down November 30.
They join already announced acts Lady Gaga, Ludacris, Lupe Fiasco, Sugarland and Jason Aldean. Country crossover act the Band Perry will perform a full concert of their own after the Grammy nominations concert wraps up at L.A. Live's Nokia Theatre. LL Cool J will again host the show, which will air at 10 p.m. on CBS, Billboard.com reports. This marks the fourth year the Recording Academy had held one of these concerts.
As some of music's biggest names take the stage during the special, the nominations for major Grammy categories will be announced. The awards ceremony will go down February 12 at the Staples Center, and will air live at 8 p.m.
Over the course of her career, Rihanna has taken home four Grammy Awards including Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Umbrella," two trophies for "Run This Town" (including Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration) and Best Dance Recording for "Only Girl (In the World)." Rihanna is currently riding high on the forthcoming release of her new album, Talk That Talk, and two buzzworthy singles, "We Found Love" and "You Da One."
In the thirteen years he's been nominated for Grammys, Usher has amassed seven, including wins for Best R&B Vocal Performance Male for "U Remind Me," Best R&B Vocal Performance Male for "U Don't Have To Call," Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Yeah," Best Contemporary R&B Album for Confessions, Best R&B Vocal Performance By a Duo/Group for "My Boo," Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "There Goes My Baby" as well as Best Contemporary R&B Album for Raymond v. Raymond.
Recently, he has been taking over airwaves with his David Guetta track, "Without You."
Related ArtistsSource:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1674539/usher-rihanna-grammy-nominations-concert.jhtml
Last night at the House of Blues, Common fans were treated to a special walk-on performance from Stevie Wonder during the concert. Watch the video inside and see J. Cole perform "Work It Out" on "The Late Show" and listen to Trey Songz "Shot Caller" freestlye......
During his House of Blues concert in Los Angeles last night, rapper Common was joined by the legendary Stevie Wonder. As Stevie began to sing, Common burst out in a freestyle that began with the line, “We got the greatest singer and a poet...” The crowd went crazy!
Watch Stevie Wonder join Common on stage at HOB here:
And on television........
Rapper J. Cole performed "Work It Out" On "The Late Show With David Letterman." And after the performance, David gave J. Cole a HUGE wrapped Christmas box. I wonder what was inside......
And in other music news......
"Mr. Steal Your Girl" Trey Songz has dropped another freestyle to shake up the rap game and show folks he wants to wear the crown for R&B and Hip Hop. Check out his latest, "Shot Caller."
Them Crooked Vultures make their debut with a post-Lollapalooza set.
By James Montgomery
Photo: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images
Officially, Lollapalooza ended Sunday night in Chicago's Grant Park, with dueling sets from the Killers and Jane's Addiction. Unofficially, it ended very early Monday morning, across town at venerable rock club the Metro, with a surprise show by Them Crooked Vultures.
To the unfamiliar, the Vultures might seem like an odd choice to close out Lolla weekend ... until you realize that they're made up of Foo Fighters frontman/ former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, Queens of the Stone Age mastermind Josh Homme and Led Zeppelin legend John Paul Jones. And their gig at the Metro was their world premiere.
According to some reports, the Vultures actually turned down Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell's request to replace the Beastie Boys as headliners at the festival, opting to debut in front of some 1,100 super-psyched fans at the Metro, rather than 75,000 in Grant Park (tickets for the gig were announced via Foo Fighter/ QOTSA fan clubs). Meaning that, in a lot of ways, this was the most sought-after ticket in town.
Taking the stage just after midnight, the Vultures — Grohl on drums (of course), Homme on guitar and vocals, Jones on bass and keys and frequent QOTSA contributor Alain Johannes on guitar — ripped through 12 songs in 80 minutes, all taken from their upcoming debut, which may or may not be called Never Deserved the Future, and may or may not be hitting stores on October 23 (early "promo" videos touting both those facts were revealed over the weekend to be hoaxes perpetrated by QOTSA fans).
The songs, with appropriately Homme-ian titles like "Scumbag Blues," "Mind Eraser (No Chaser)," "Caligulove" and "Interlude w/Ludes," sounded pretty much how you'd expect, given the band's pedigree. They rocked, hard — Chicago Tribune critic Greg Kot described them as "fresh, invigorating and just plain nasty" — delving off into psychedelic, reverb-filled excursions and exploring proggy territory, "both of the old-school Yes variety, and the more modern Tool flavor," according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Jim DeRogatis.
It's not known if Monday's Metro performance was a one-off event for the Vultures — there have been whispers of a full-blown tour, but a spokesperson for Homme had not responded to MTV News' request for comment at press time. Nor was it clear whether or not they'll have an album out in October.
Early Monday, a Crooked Vultures Twitter account, which had previously posted links to the band's official-looking Web site and the Metro's online ticketing site — posted a link to what appears to be the group's first bit of official merchandise: a Deserve the Future T-shirt. Cost: $30.
Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists We count down the year's most memorable musical moments, in Bigger Than the Sound.
By James Montgomery
Britney Spears on the cover of "Till the World Ends"
Photo: Jive
In 2011, we shuffled and shook it out. We found love and decided to dance until the world ends. We rolled in the deep and celebrated the boys with the booming systems. Shoot, at one point, we even went to Paris with Will Ferrell. It was, to say the very least, an interesting 12 months.
So, how else to sum up the year than with my picks for the 25 Best Songs of 2011: odes to partying and pumped-up kicks, songs of sadness and beauty, tunes about getting loaded and getting revenge. Pop, hip-hop, rock, bed-tronica, they're all here, and they're all important in some way, mostly because they all helped guide us through a rather tumultuous time. But that's enough from me, let's get to the songs. Oh, and I'd like to hear your picks too — drop me a line in the comments below. So now, on with the countdown.
25. Nicola Roberts, "Beat of My Drum": Supremely saccharine single from erstwhile Girls Aloud member mashes together every notable pop moment in recent history, yet somehow manages to be better that the sum of its parts. That's thanks mostly to the supercharged, sing-a-long chorus, where the whole thing comes together in a head-spinning rush. She should go solo more often.
24. Against Me!, "Russian Spies": Searing, surging punk from Gainesville lifers proves their time on Sire Records didn't soften them one bit. It only made them more resolute. And, strangely, sadder too.
23. Kreayshawn, "Gucci Gucci": Either the smartest song of 2011 or the dumbest, the beauty of "Gucci Gucci" — and Kreayshawn, for that matter — is that the answer is probably both. The goofy, horror-movie synth squiggle, the dollops of low-end whomp, the part where Kreay claims to have swag coming out her ovaries ... it's all good. Even if it's not.
22. Gospel Music, "This Town Doesn't Have Enough Bars for Both Of Us": Peppy, poppy, pocket-rock that laments the lack of quality drinking establishments in Owen Holmes' hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, and dares to ponder one of life's great post-breakup quandaries: When does our place become just my place? He's not smart enough to know the answer; instead, he spends his genius on barroom bon mots like, "I'm not drinking anymore/ But I'm not drinking any less." Works for me.
21. Demi Lovato, "Skyscraper": For about a week, this was the biggest song in the world (or the Internet), a fact that had nothing to do with irony, our nascent sense of superiority or kittens, and everything to do with the startling connection Lovato makes with the track itself. Oh, and the fact that she sings the absolute beejezus out of it. Given everything that's happened in Lovato's life, that connection makes sense, but it's the maturity she shows on the song — and that final, chill-inducing chorus — that opened eyes, and served notice. Welcome to the club, Demi.
20. Lykke Li, "Get Some": Overlooked, otherworldly single off Li's equally overlooked (and otherworldly) Wounded Rhymes album, this one is very much about sex. Thumping, bumping, panting ... and then Li pushes it all over the top with her smoldering, sumptuous vocals. The kind of song that requires a cigarette and a cold shower after repeat listens.
19. The Black Keys, "Lonely Boy": After spending portions of their breakout Brothers album getting slightly contemplative, the Keys roar back with "Lonely Boy," a song that only contemplates how best to make a guitar rev like a V-8 engine. A hard-charging, and even harder-chugging treat (with an equally hard-partying music video), it's the kind of classic claptrap you always knew they were capable of making.
18. Chris Brown, "Beautiful People": Folks can talk about Brown's hip-hop turn on "Look at Me Now," but this single represents his biggest reinvention to date. A slippery, shiny club track helmed by Benny Benassi, like most of Breezy's work it is undeniably sexy, but it's also subtly smart too. And that's where he made his biggest strides. Also, unlike "Look at Me Now," he doesn't even mention Mr. Miyagi once.
17. YACHT, "Dystopia (The Earth Is on Fire)": Every day the sky gets lower (lowerlowerlower!) And every day the flames get higher (higherhigherhigher!) So, with apologies to Rock Master Scott and the Dynamic Three, this disco duo just decide to let the motherf---er burn.
16. Washed Out, "Eyes be Closed": Massively ebbing and echoing bed-tronica (or, you know, "chillwave") from some dude in Perry, Georgia. Bonus: Sounds nothing like Perry, Georgia.
15. Lil Wayne, "6 Foot 7 Foot": Weezy and producer Bangladesh may still hate each other (or maybe they've made up, I can't remember), but there's no denying that both men are better off together. "6 Foot" starts with Harry Belafonte's "The Banana Boat Song," then twists it into something else entirely. Knotty and slightly seizure-inducing, it's like "A Milli" times, well, a million.
14. Nicki Minaj, "Super Bass": The unlikely champion of the Summer Jam Sweepstakes, it started life almost as an afterthought (a bonus track on the Pink Friday deluxe edition) and ended up being Nicki's breakthrough hit. Sometimes things just work out that way. Here's to the guys with the booming systems.
13. LMFAO, "Party Rock Anthem": It's either the stoopidest song in recent memory, or perhaps LMFAO's magnum opus (or maybe both), but why ponder points like that when the end result is this good. From its ebola-catchy hook to party-hearty machinations, this one is just begging to be blasted ... and shuffled to.
12. Foster The People, "Pumped Up Kicks": The year's catchiest rock tune was actually last year's catchiest too — it just took folks a while to realize it. Hazy, loping and scratchy like a mohair sweater, it recalls a headier era when bands wrote ultra-hooky singles about ultra-dark things (Eels' "Novocaine for the Soul," the Smashing Pumpkins' "Today," etc.) and earned repeated spins on radio as a result. Also known as the 1990s.
11. Rihanna, "We Found Love": A few weeks ago, someone told me that this would ultimately end up being Rihanna's signature hit and, at the time, I sort of laughed him off. I mean, did he remember "Umbrella"? But, the more I think about it, he may be right. Or at least on the right track. From the icy synth strains to Calvin Harris' hard-charging pre-chorus, it most certainly is the song that best represents pop, circa 2011, and given RiRi's standing in the field, perhaps in time, it will become her set-closing number too. For now, at least, I'm content to bask in "Love's" masterful mix of the carnal and, well, the club.
10. Britney Spears, "Till the World Ends": I have been accused (many times) of being a Brit basher and, sure, that's probably true, but not even I could deny this song. Super-charged star-burst synthesizers, robo-vocals and, of course, that iconic "Woah-Oh-Oh" chantalong, it's the party jam for the post-apocalyptic future. And because of all that, it's also an important song; not only a reminder that Britney is still capable of making truly terrific pop music, but that, really, she never stopped. And coming from one of her most ardent critics, that's high praise indeed.
09. Beyoncé, "Love on Top": You wanted a throwback jam, you've got a throwback jam. Big, bold, brassy and blissed-out, it represents everything B was going for on her 4 album, recalling roiling old R&B classics and the supreme diva-tude of the all-time greats. Sure, I could've gone for something like "Run the World (Girls)" or even "Countdown," but "Love on Top" is where it all clicks, sublimely so. Joy for days, which, given our dire times, made this one an absolute lifesaver. Oh, and as is the case with all of her best tunes, Beyoncé belts here. And really, what else do you need?
08. Nickelback, "Bottoms Up": Take away my cred card, but I am unapologetically in awe of this song. I wrote an entire column about its boozy brilliance earlier this year, but suffice to say, it is without a doubt the greatest thing Nickelback will ever do, in that they are first and foremost a party band, and this is their ultimate party jam: a song about getting supremely sh--faced, about drinking everything from Jim Beam to "straight gasoline," complete with a crushing, ALL-CAPS chorus and appropriately chugging riffs. Oh, and at one point, Chad Kroeger rhymes "bar" with "fire," mostly because he can. Hammer down, now and forever.
07. Bright Eyes, "The Ladder Song": For as much noise as Conor Oberst is capable of making, it's often the quieter moments where his rickety, ramshackle genius shines brightest. And "Ladder Song" — a heartbreakingly raw tribute to a friend who committed suicide — is not only his quietest, it's one of his best. Backed by little more than a piano and a handful of otherworldly room tones, Oberst plumbs the depths of despair, his voice reedy and wavering, and, when he reaches bottom, discovers there are small beauties that make life worth living. It's too bad, he ultimately laments, that his friend didn't discover them too. The year's most achingly beautiful song, by a hair-raising mile.
06. Drake, "Take Care": There are no short
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