Saturday, August 27, 2011
Watch Out, Kim: Molly Sims Planning "Wedding of the Century!"
Unless you live under a rock, you've heard about the upcoming A-list affair that is Kim Kardashian's Aug. 20 wedding.
Supermodel-actress Molly Sims is in the midst of planning...
Friday, August 26, 2011
Usher Says New 'Rev Pop' Project Is A 'Movement'
Singer teases his new project by pointing to past hits like 'Yeah!' and 'OMG.'
By James Montgomery
Usher
Photo: MTV News
With the success of songs like "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love," "Hot Tottie" and "OMG," Usher had himself a fairly massive 2010. But rather than rest on his laurels, he's looking to build on his big year, not with an album, but with a "movement."
It's something he's calling "Rev Pop" — or, simply, "Rev" — and though he's already teased his idea in a video with David Guetta (Akon is also involved), he has yet to speak in full about it. So when MTV News caught up with Ush before the 53rd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles at the (Belvedere) RED launch party, we asked him about his next musical endeavor. And though he didn't reveal much, he did let it be known that "Rev" isn't exactly something new. In fact, he's been doing it for a while now.
"I'll give it to you this way: At a later date, I'll tell you more about Rev Pop, but if I were to give you a flash: I've done it before, I did it with 'Yeah!' " he said, "taking a cultural experience, and also worldwide recognition of a feeling, and putting the soul in the middle of it. Not allowing it to shift heavily to R&B genre, or pop. I did it again with 'OMG,' once again putting the soul in the middle of it, which was an electric-pop experience, with the soul.
"It's bringing those elements together to tell a story, that was born here," he said, gesturing toward his heart, "And that's what Rev Pop is. There's more, I mean, I could really elaborate, but that's just what I'm going to tell you right now. 'Rev' is what it's called ... the movement is called Rev."
Usher wouldn't say just when his fans would be getting their first taste of Rev, but whenever they do, it sounds like they're going to be impressed ... if not a little shocked.
"Stay alive," he smiled, "Because you're definitely going to be in for a surprise."
Related ArtistsBlake Shelton, Incubus Take Over Billboard Chart
Beyonce's 4 knocked down to #5 in third week out.
By Gil Kaufman
Blake Shelton
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/ Getty Images
Blake Shelton was already a beloved country star before he became a reality-TV double-threat. But thanks in part to his breakout role on "The Voice," Miranda Lambert's better half is reaping plenty of benefits, including a #1 debut on the Billboard 200 charts next week for his new album, Red River Blue.
According to figures provided by SoundScan, Shelton's sixth studio album, his first #1 debut ever and highest-charting album to date, sold 116,000 copies last week. Just behind was the first album in five years from floaty rockers Incubus with If Not Now, When, which debuts at #2 on sales of 80,000. They lead a parade of new faces in the top 10 that also includes country singer Chris Young, whose Neon hit #4 in its first week (73,000), pop smoothie Colbie Caillat's All of You (#6, 66,000), head-bangers Theory of a Deadman's Truth Is (#8, 38,000) and the debut from the rebooted Sublime with new singer Rome, Yours Truly (#9, 35,000).
The rest of the top 10: Adele's 21 (#3, 77,000), Beyoncé's 4 (#5, 72,000), Jason Aldean's My Kinda Party (#7, 42,000) and Selena Gomez and the Scene's When the Sun Goes Down (#10, 33,000).
A couple of former top 10 dwellers fall to the second rung, including Eminem's Hell: The Sequel project under the Bad Meets Evil banner (#11, 30,000), Lady Gaga's Born This Way (down five to #13, 25,000) and Jill Scott's Light of the Sun (#14, 21,000).
The soundtrack to "Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows, Part 2" comes in at #25, while indie darlings Washed Out crash in at #26 with the excellent Within & Without (#26, 15,000). And it was a short trip to the top 10 for R&B crooner Lloyd, who plummets 39 spots to #49 in the second week for King of Hearts (9,000).
Over on the iTunes chart Caillat sits atop the album tally, followed by Shelton, Incubus, Adele, Sublime, Chris Young, Theory of a Deadman, Beyoncé, Bad Meets Evil and the unstoppable Mumford & Sons' Sigh No More.
LMFAO continue to rule the iTunes singles chart with their summer hit "Party Rock Anthem," which beats out Demi Lovato's "Skyscraper," Katy Perry's "Last Friday (T.G.I.F.)," Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass" and Hot Chelle Rae's "Tonight Tonight." Rounding out the top 10 at #6 are Lil Wayne's "How to Love," Pitbull's "Give Me Everything," Adele's "Rolling in the Deep," OneRepublic's "Good Life" and Aldean's "Dirt Road Anthem."
Things should be fairly static next week, with the only new titles including a new Kidz Bop Kids title and albums from 311, 3 Doors Down and DJ Khaled.
Related ArtistsRyan Reynolds & Sandra Bullock On Vacation, Take a Hike in Wyoming
Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds hooked up ... for a friendly hike in the Wyoming wilderness -- along with Sandy's adorable son Louis Bardo . Ryan carried Louis in a backpack during the nature walk through Grand Teton National Park last weekend. The…
Katy Perry, Lil Wayne And More (Possible) VMA Winners
Bigger Than the Sound guesses who will take home Sunday's biggest Moonmen.
By James Montgomery
Katy Perry
Photo: Graham Denholm/ Getty Images
The 2011 MTV Video Music Awards will air live on MTV this Sunday at 9 p.m. ET, but if you're a Katy Perry fan, well, you probably knew that already. After all, the California Gurl is the most-nominated artist at this year's VMAs, leading the pack with an eye-opening 10 nods, including Best Female Video, Best Pop Video and the biggie, Video of the Year.
Following closely behind her are the likes of Adele, Kanye West and Bruno Mars, but really, all eyes will be on Perry. Will she take home her first-ever Moonman? Will she sweep the night's major categories? And, most importantly of all, what color will her hair be?
Of course, KP's not the only story line heading into Sunday's show: Can Gaga win the only major award she's up for? Can Tyler, the Creator shock the world? Luckily, I'm here to provide answers. Much like I've done in previous years (and mostly because I have a rather insatiable gambling addiction), I'm throwing on the old prognostication cap and trying my hand at picking the winners in all the major VMA categories. Of course, while I can't guarantee my accuracy, I can promise you that I spent, like, 25 minutes on this, which is a pretty thorough investment.
Oh, and for the record, I'm going with "puce" for Katy's hair color. The rest of my picks right now:
Best Male Video
» Bruno Mars, "Grenade"
» Cee Lo Green, "F--- You"
» Eminem (featuring Rihanna), "Love the Way You Lie"
» Justin Bieber, "U Smile"
» Kanye West (featuring Rihanna and Kid Cudi), "All of the Lights"
My Take: In a year so thoroughly dominated by the ladies, I'm surprised they didn't find a way to sneak Adele or Katy Perry in here. As it stands, five worthy videos will rep for the Y chromosome, and, to be honest, each has about the same shot of winning (though it would be fitting if one of the two clips featuring Rihanna got the W).
My Pick: Whenever things are this close, always go with the old awards-show adage: "If they show up, they'll go up." I can't vouch for the Sunday night plans of Cee Lo, Em, Bieber or Kanye, but I do know Bruno will be in the house, which means he'll probably be making at least one trip to the podium. Pencil "Grenade" in as my favorite to win here.
Best Female Video
» Adele, "Rolling in the Deep"
» Beyoncé, "Run the World (Girls)"
» Katy Perry, "Firework"
» Lady Gaga, "Born This Way"
» Nicki Minaj, "Super Bass"
My Take: Almost by default, it's the night's biggest award — or at least the most hotly contested. All five females have done big things on the charts, and all five would be considered legitimate front-runners in any other year. But this is 2011 ...
My Pick: ... which means that, essentially, this is down to a three-woman contest: Adele, Katy and Gaga (in a big year for female artists, you've gotta go with the biggest of them all). I suspect Katy will triumph elsewhere, and Adele, well, she'll have the Grammys. So let's go with Gaga; it's the only major award she's up for, and if she didn't win something, the Little Monsters would riot in the streets.
Best Rock Video
» Cage the Elephant, "Shake Me Down"
» Foo Fighters, "Walk"
» Foster the People, "Pumped Up Kicks"
» Mumford & Sons, "The Cave"
» The Black Keys, "Howlin' For You"
My Take: As I was writing this, the MTV Newsroom started shaking, a residual tremor of the earthquake that hit Virginia on Tuesday afternoon. And if that isn't a sign that God isn't happy with this year's Best Rock Video noms, well, then I don't know what is.
My Pick: No pick, for fear of Divine Retribution.
Best Hip-Hop Video
» Chris Brown (featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes), "Look at Me Now"
» Kanye West (featuring Rihanna and Kid Cudi), "All of the Lights"
» Lil Wayne (featuring Cory Gunz), "6 Foot 7 Foot"
» Lupe Fiasco, "The Show Goes On"
» Nicki Minaj, "Super Bass"
My Take: Nicki's nod for "Super Bass" makes her the first female to be nominated in Best Hip-Hop Video since Mary J. Blige's "Just Fine" in 2008, which doesn't really mean much, but should still be noted. Also for the first time since 2008: Eminem will not win, since he didn't get nominated.
My Pick: I think it boils down to Weezy and Nicki, though given that fan voting will help determine the winner, you can't discount Chris Brown's chances either. In a pinch, I'll say it's Wayne, especially given everything he's got planned during — and immediately following — the VMAs.
Best Pop Video
» Adele, "Rolling in the Deep"
» Britney Spears, "Till the World Ends"
» Bruno Mars, "Grenade"
» Katy Perry, "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)"
» Pitbull (featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer), "Give Me Everything"
My Take: Another knock-down, drag-out category, featuring three of the biggest female stars on the planet — plus Bruno Mars and Pitbull.
My Pick: Katy Perry. The coronation begins here and (quite possibly) picks up steam later in the night.
Best New Artist
» Big Sean (featuring Chris Brown), "My Last"
» Foster the People, "Pumped Up Kicks"
» Kreayshawn, "Gucci Gucci"
» Tyler, the Creator, "Yonkers"
» Wiz Khalifa, "Black and Yellow"
My Take: Perhaps the oddest assortment of BNA noms since 2004 (in which Kanye West and Maroon 5 went head-to-head with the Darkness, Jet, JoJo and Yellowcard), it's another take-your-pick tossup. So, in that case ...
My Pick: ... I'll go with Tyler, the Creator. He'll be in attendance, and they're gonna want to get him up onstage somehow. So if he doesn't win here, that only leaves ...
Video of the Year
» Adele, "Rolling in the Deep"
» Beastie Boys, "Make Some Noise"
» Bruno Mars, "Grenade"
» Katy Perry, "Firework"
» Tyler, the Creator, "Yonkers"
My Take: The night's biggest award and one that can go two ways. Either voters keep with recent history (the last four winners: Gaga, Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Rihanna) or they decide this is the year to shake things up (see: 2006's Panic! at the Disco triumph). Which way will they go? You may be surprised.
My Pick: Much like when I sorta called Arcade Fire's shocking Album of the Year win at the Grammys earlier this year, I can't seem to shake the fact that VMA voters seem to have a soft spot for the underdog, which is why my first pick is Tyler, the Creator. Of course, I can't overlook the fact that Katy Perry has never won a VMA (she's definitely the Susan Lucci of the awards), so I'm making her my alternate pick. Remember, folks, you heard it here first. Sort of.
The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards will air live Sunday from Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET/PT, following the Selena Gomez-hosted pre-show at 8. See the list of nominees, revisit last year's highlights and vote for your favorites in the general categories by visiting VMA.MTV.com.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)