- Artist: Akon
- Label: Nappy Boy Digital
- Director: ME, YOU
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1240040&vid=369748
Monday, June 20, 2011
Cali Swag District's M-Bone Remembered By B.o.B, Jermaine Dupri, Red Cafe
'He brought a lot of the life with the dance moves,' B.o.B tells MTV News of his 'Teach Me How to Dougie' remix collaborator.
By Rob Markman
Cali Swag District's M-Bone
Photo: Getty Images
Cali Swag District's Mante "M-Bone" Talbert had his life and career tragically cut short when he was killed in a drive-by shooting in Inglewood, California, on Sunday. M-Bone may have only made his rap debut last year, but the 22-year-old has left a lasting impact on those he collaborated with.
B.o.B, along with Jermaine Dupri, Red Café and Bow Wow, appeared on the official remix of Cali Swag's platinum hit "Teach Me How to Dougie" and remarked on M-Bone's positive demeanor. "You know, just from me, the time that I did work with him and just being around him, they definitely had a really good vibe," Bobby Ray said. "He was the one; he brought a lot of the life with the dance moves. He was really innovative in that aspect of it. Initially, when I heard about the news — when you hear it, it's almost like, damn, you don't even want to believe it."
Red Café echoed a similar sentiment for the fallen hip-hop star. "It was just a lot of fun, especially shooting the video. It was a whole lot of fun," Red said of the "Dougie" remix clip. "And M-Bone, he was killin' the dance, he was tryin' to teach me how to Dougie. He was definitely the dopest one, dancing-wise."
"I believe that he was the one that they all looked to, to learn how to do the Dougie," Dupri said. "Everyone was about it, but he was the one who went hard with it."
M-Bone hasn't rapped on any of Cali Swag's released material but provided the quartet with much of its energy, according to JD. "He was instrumental at showing people the dances," Dupri said. "He was the main inspiration behind the creative dances that ultimately defined the group. He was the fourth member, who didn't rap, but played his position by taking the lead on creating unique dances."
Police are still investigating Talbert's murder. TMZ reported that Bone was possibly murdered by a "jealous man" who threatened Talbert over Twitter. An unnamed woman claiming to be M-Bone's girlfriend told the site that the man lived in their apartment complex and was envious of the success M-Bone had with Cali Swag District.
As of Tuesday morning (May 17), the Inglewood Police homicide division could not confirm any of this information to MTV News, and at press time, the Los Angeles Times reported that detectives had no solid motive for the murder or clear suspects, though they have talked to several witnesses.
The Inglewood Police Department is asking anyone with information to come forward and call its homicide division at (310) 412-5246 or its 24-hour anonymous hot line at (888) 41 CRIME, or (888) 412-7463.
Stay tuned to MTV News for further details as this story develops.
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664065/cali-swag-district-m-bone-shooting-death.jhtml
B.o.B - I'll Be In The Sky
- Artist: B.o.B
- Label: Rebel Rock Entertainment / Grand Hustle / Atlantic Records
- Director: Gabriel Hart
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=3238990&vid=331708
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' Shows 'Depth Of Gaga As A Songwriter,' Akon Says
'Unfortunately, people pay more attention to what she is wearing,' adds Gaga's label boss.
By Jocelyn Vena
Akon
Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
It's here, little monsters. On Friday morning (February 11), Lady Gaga debuted her highly anticipated new single, "Born This Way," a funky, fun dance tune about loving yourself for who you are. Akon, who signed Gaga to his Kon Live Distribution label in 2008, opened up about the pop star's latest dance opus, admitting that he thinks it will finally show off Gaga's full capacities as a musician and songwriter, and not just a pop ingenue.
"I think 'Born This Way' is the kind of record that if you are really paying attention you will get the full depth of Gaga as a songwriter. Sometimes the creative image hides the element of her lyrical content," he told PopEater.com. "That's why she wanted to give people a better idea of what she was saying outside of her image when she dropped those lyrics."
The track has a clear message: Everyone should be treated equally no matter who they are or what they believe in. "Gaga says a lot of stuff in her records," Akon added. "But I know these parents and critics are not really listening to her lyrics. I know that for a fact. She's singing about a lot of adult subject matter. She's not just making dance records. Unfortunately, people pay more attention to what she is wearing."
The song is the lead single off the album of the same name, which will drop in May. Akon revealed that there are a few more touches that need to be added before they reach their deadline. "We are finishing up the album now," he said. "She's about to go back on tour later this year. There's a lot going on."
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657734/lady-gaga-born-this-way-akon.jhtml
Cali Swag District's M-Bone Remembered By B.o.B, Jermaine Dupri, Red Cafe
'He brought a lot of the life with the dance moves,' B.o.B tells MTV News of his 'Teach Me How to Dougie' remix collaborator.
By Rob Markman
Cali Swag District's M-Bone
Photo: Getty Images
Cali Swag District's Mante "M-Bone" Talbert had his life and career tragically cut short when he was killed in a drive-by shooting in Inglewood, California, on Sunday. M-Bone may have only made his rap debut last year, but the 22-year-old has left a lasting impact on those he collaborated with.
B.o.B, along with Jermaine Dupri, Red Café and Bow Wow, appeared on the official remix of Cali Swag's platinum hit "Teach Me How to Dougie" and remarked on M-Bone's positive demeanor. "You know, just from me, the time that I did work with him and just being around him, they definitely had a really good vibe," Bobby Ray said. "He was the one; he brought a lot of the life with the dance moves. He was really innovative in that aspect of it. Initially, when I heard about the news — when you hear it, it's almost like, damn, you don't even want to believe it."
Red Café echoed a similar sentiment for the fallen hip-hop star. "It was just a lot of fun, especially shooting the video. It was a whole lot of fun," Red said of the "Dougie" remix clip. "And M-Bone, he was killin' the dance, he was tryin' to teach me how to Dougie. He was definitely the dopest one, dancing-wise."
"I believe that he was the one that they all looked to, to learn how to do the Dougie," Dupri said. "Everyone was about it, but he was the one who went hard with it."
M-Bone hasn't rapped on any of Cali Swag's released material but provided the quartet with much of its energy, according to JD. "He was instrumental at showing people the dances," Dupri said. "He was the main inspiration behind the creative dances that ultimately defined the group. He was the fourth member, who didn't rap, but played his position by taking the lead on creating unique dances."
Police are still investigating Talbert's murder. TMZ reported that Bone was possibly murdered by a "jealous man" who threatened Talbert over Twitter. An unnamed woman claiming to be M-Bone's girlfriend told the site that the man lived in their apartment complex and was envious of the success M-Bone had with Cali Swag District.
As of Tuesday morning (May 17), the Inglewood Police homicide division could not confirm any of this information to MTV News, and at press time, the Los Angeles Times reported that detectives had no solid motive for the murder or clear suspects, though they have talked to several witnesses.
The Inglewood Police Department is asking anyone with information to come forward and call its homicide division at (310) 412-5246 or its 24-hour anonymous hot line at (888) 41 CRIME, or (888) 412-7463.
Stay tuned to MTV News for further details as this story develops.
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664065/cali-swag-district-m-bone-shooting-death.jhtml
Akon - Who Dat Girl
- Artist: Akon
- Label: Poe Boy Entertainment
- Director: Ray Kay
- Album: Only One Flo, Pt. 1
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1240040&vid=602322
B.o.B Calls New Album 'A Real Special Project'
Sophomore set is halfway done, 'Airplanes' MC tells MTV News.
By Rob Markman
B.o.B
Photo: Mindy Small/ FilmMagic
Bobby Ray is about to embark on a new adventure. After making his mark in 2010 with his debut #1 single "Nothin' on You," B.o.B is in the studio working his magic, recording his sophomore album. The "Airplanes" MC told MTV News that he is about 50 percent done with his follow-up on Atlantic Records.
"I feel like I'm about halfway through it, and I wouldn't even say because of how many songs I have," said B.o.B, who was nominated for several BET Awards on Tuesday. "It's kinda like as an artist you absorb, it's like a sponge, you absorb it and then you gotta give it back out. I still feel like I got more to put out. I got more to say. So I can record songs all day, but until I get everything out that I want to say, that's pretty much what the wait is."
B.o.B isn't ready to reveal the album's title just yet, but he does say that he's been working on the LP for quite some time. "I feel like it's all about timing," he said. "It's the right timing and I haven't revealed the name of the album yet, but I've been working on this since before The Adventures of Bobby Ray, so it's a real special project."
While there is no set release date for his sophomore set, B.o.B is hopeful that music will start to materialize before the year's end. "With this one, it's definitely like the next step and progress of what's coming out, and I would definitely look forward to music this year," he said.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664103/b_o_b_new_album.jhtml
B.o.B - The Other Side
- Artist: B.o.B
- Label: Elektra Records
- Director: Nick Bilardello, Cameron Duddy
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=3238990&vid=548563
Tech N9ne Bringing Lil Wayne, B.o.B Into His World
'Different artists are supposed to hook up and make something beautiful,' the underground MC tells MTV News.
By Rob Markman
Tech N9ne
Photo: MTV News
Among his underground following, Tech N9ne can do no wrong. But his fans, appropriately dubbed the Technicians, did get a little uppity when news broke that the Kansas City, Missouri, rap veteran would be collaborating with the likes of Lil Wayne on Tech's recently released All 6's and 7's.
"No, I was not afraid of the backlash because I was getting it when Wayne said he wanted to work with me to [Hot 97 DJ] Funkmaster Flex when he was in Rikers," Tech N9ne told MTV News during an intimate sit-down at his Strange Music headquarters in Lee Summit, Missouri. "All of my fans, a lot of my fans were like, 'Oh no, don't f--- with Wayne. No, no, no, he's mainstream and you're underground — it don't mix.' "
In October 2010, while still serving his eight-month prison bid for gun possession, Weezy revealed to Flex that he would like to work with Tech. For Tecca Nina, Wayne's name-drop was an introduction point for new and curious fans, but for his long time die-hards, there was some skepticism.
"Different artists are supposed to hook up and make something beautiful, that's what makes music wonderful, I think," Tech said, defending against criticism that he was selling out. "I already knew what I was gonna do. When I get with these [well-known collaborators], the beats gotta say their names."
The resulting collabo is "F--- Food," a raunchy track that not only features Weezy, but T-Pain on the hook as well. The song's lyrical depiction of explicit sex acts will make it a hard sell for radio, but then again according to Tech, airplay was never the point of the union. "Everybody else is just going to try to put it on radio and big hit, boom and get their money off these cats. Nah, I just want to do beautiful music," he said.
The Young Money CEO isn't the only popular rapper to appear on All 6's and 7's, Atlanta's B.o.B also lends his production and lyrics to the project on "Am I a Psycho?." The dreary track is a far cry from Bob's 2010 radio hits "Nuthin' On You" and "Airplanes." Tech remembers the feeling he got when he first heard the beat and often reminds fans of B.o.B's oft-overlooked lyrical prowess.
"I chose it like, 'Whoa,' he did the beat and he did the chorus and I said, 'That's my world right there,' and he wrote a verse for it. He's a lyricist," he said before citing Bob's very first single, 2007's "Haterz Everywhere," as further proof. "That was thugged-out; that was gutter. I ain't forgot B.o.B; he supposed to expand. But I know he can go, so we did 'Am I a Pyscho?' with Hopsin."
Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Twista, Yelawolf, Kendrick Lamar and Stephen Carpenter of the Deftones also appearances on All 6's and 7's, but Tech N9ne puts any notions that he's going mainstream to rest. "I brought people into my world," he said.
What do you think of Tech N9ne joining forces with Lil Wayne? Tell us in the comments!
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1665673/tech-n9ne-lil-wayne-b-o-b.jhtml
Dr. Dre's 'Kush' Premieres: The Party Can Finally Begin
Video featuring Snoop Dogg and Akon shows revelers frozen in time until the Doctor arrives.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Dr. Dre
Photo: Johnny Nunez/ WireImage
Detox is on the way. And as the latest proof that Dr. Dre's long-awaited album will see the light of day soon, he premiered the video to the first single, "Kush," co-starring Snoop Dogg and Akon, on Friday (December 10).
The video, directed by Joseph Kahn (Eminem, Britney Spears), begins as Dre is seated in a sleek, black Lamborghini, attempting to flick a lighter. Once the Left Coast maestro ignites it, the beat drops, and he exits the car.
Dre approaches the club in a setting similar to "The Next Episode," one of his past hits. But the festivities around him are ice cold; the club patrons are statue-like, frozen in the parking lot and inside, in mid groove. The good doctor's last project was 1999's 2001, and perhaps things haven't been quite the same without him, the video suggests.
Snoop Dogg kicks things off on the second verse, and the lanky L.A. rhyme spitter is surrounded by a bevy of beautiful, frozen women. They're smiling, drinks are pouring, but they're also statues compared to the rapper.
As Dre makes his way into the club and to the bar, however, the party livens up.
Dre pulls out his lighter, engraved with the song's title, and holds it to the sprinklers overhead, setting them off. As water rains down on the partygoers, they come back to life, gyrating to the thumping track's production. Later, Dre and Snoop leave the club, and Dre drives off into the night on an empty highway, surrounded by the streaking lights of cars that are no longer there.
Recently, Eminem told his satellite radio station, Shade 45, that he and Dre have been in the studio wrapping up Detox. "Kush" and "I Need A Doctor," featuring Eminem, leaked back to back in November.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1654012/dr-dres-kush-premieres-party-can-finally-begin.jhtml
Akon - Who Dat Girl
- Artist: Akon
- Label: Poe Boy Entertainment
- Director: Ray Kay
- Album: Only One Flo, Pt. 1
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1240040&vid=602322
Saturday, June 18, 2011
B.o.B Calls New Album 'A Real Special Project'
Sophomore set is halfway done, 'Airplanes' MC tells MTV News.
By Rob Markman
B.o.B
Photo: Mindy Small/ FilmMagic
Bobby Ray is about to embark on a new adventure. After making his mark in 2010 with his debut #1 single "Nothin' on You," B.o.B is in the studio working his magic, recording his sophomore album. The "Airplanes" MC told MTV News that he is about 50 percent done with his follow-up on Atlantic Records.
"I feel like I'm about halfway through it, and I wouldn't even say because of how many songs I have," said B.o.B, who was nominated for several BET Awards on Tuesday. "It's kinda like as an artist you absorb, it's like a sponge, you absorb it and then you gotta give it back out. I still feel like I got more to put out. I got more to say. So I can record songs all day, but until I get everything out that I want to say, that's pretty much what the wait is."
B.o.B isn't ready to reveal the album's title just yet, but he does say that he's been working on the LP for quite some time. "I feel like it's all about timing," he said. "It's the right timing and I haven't revealed the name of the album yet, but I've been working on this since before The Adventures of Bobby Ray, so it's a real special project."
While there is no set release date for his sophomore set, B.o.B is hopeful that music will start to materialize before the year's end. "With this one, it's definitely like the next step and progress of what's coming out, and I would definitely look forward to music this year," he said.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664103/b_o_b_new_album.jhtml
Akon Recalls Meeting Michael Jackson For The First Time
Before recording 'Hold My Hand,' the two spent quality time together.
By James Montgomery
Michael Jackson in the video for "Hold My Hand"
Photo: Sony Music Entertainment
In 2007, long before Michael Jackson's death and everything that proceeded it (including the just-released "Hold My Hand" video and the upcoming Michael album), Akon met with the King of Pop in Las Vegas to work on a batch of songs, then intended for MJ's comeback album.
To date, only two of those songs have ever been released: a remix of Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' " that appeared on the 25th-anniversary edition of the Thriller album, and, of course, "Hold My Hand." And with the Thursday (December 9) premiere of that song's video — and the pending release of Michael — MTV News went back to our August 2009 interview with Akon, to get the inside story of what it was like to work with MJ. And though the two men recorded "days" of music, what Akon remembers most about those sessions was getting to know Michael Jackson, the man.
"My favorite moment was the day we actually met, because I didn't expect him to be that cool," Akon said. "I expected him to be this diva — just hard to deal with, rarely speaks, got to send his message through someone else, you know? Because these are the stories you hear."
But, as Akon quickly learned, Jackson wasn't a diva — quite the opposite, in fact.
"So I'm going upstairs [to meet him], I knock on the door, his bodyguard opens and says, 'OK, he's waiting to meet you.' I walk in, and [Michael's] in this spinning chair, but it's facing backwards," he said. "So I walk in the room, but his back is turned, and the guard says, 'Hey, Mike, Akon's here.' So he spins around, like it was all choreographed — so, off the top, I'm like, 'Oh boy.'
"But as soon as he turns around, gets up, 'Yo, what up, man?!' and I was like, 'What up, Mike?' and he gave me a pound, we hugged each other," he continued. "He's like, 'Yo, I've been waiting to meet you for so long, this is a great honor, thanks for showing up, thanks for making the time.' And in my mind I'm like, 'You know, I should be thanking you for making the time.' "
And though "Hold My Hand" was born out of the sessions that would soon follow, Akon's greatest memory from meeting MJ was that initial meeting, when all his preconceived notions melted away and he got to spend real time with the legend.
"It was the craziest thing, because we sat down, we talked about Africa, we talked about my foundation, we talked about the music, we talked about girls. We had a great, incredible time that day," he said. "He was extremely funny, he told jokes, and he liked to have fun."
What do you think of MJ and Akon's collabo, "Hold My Hand"? Share your reviews in the comments.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1653929/akon-recalls-meeting-michael-jackson-first-time.jhtml
B.o.B - Put Me On
- Artist: B.o.B
- Label: Reebok Classic Remixes
- Director: Isaac Klotz
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=3238990&vid=406319
B.o.B - Magic ft. Rivers Cuomo
- Artist: B.o.B
- Label: Atlantic Records
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=3238990&vid=557817
Michael Jackson 'Hold My Hand' Video Tugs At Heartstrings
Posthumous clip mixes classic footage of Jackson with newly shot film of fans.
By Gil Kaufman
Michael Jackson in the video for "Hold My Hand"
Photo: Sony Music Entertainment
In addition to his flawless vocals and mind-bending footwork, one of the things Michael Jackson was best known for was his drive to create the most elaborate and cinematic music videos the world had ever seen.
"Billie Jean," "Thriller," "Black or White," "Remember the Time" and "Bad" are just a few of the landmark clips the late King of Pop gave the world during his 1980s and early-'90s hit-making peak. Which is why fans and critics alike were eager to get a glimpse Thursday morning (December 9) at the first music video in the singer's career that was created without his firm guiding hand and vision.
After teasing the clip earlier in the week, the official MJ site debuted on Thursday the full video for the stirring ballad "Hold My Hand," the first single from the upcoming album, Michael. The clip for MJ's duet with Akon is not unlike the first posthumous vids from the likes of other contemporary fallen stars such as Tupac Shakur or the Notorious B.I.G., in that it mixes classic footage of the artist performing with newly shot images of fans young and old paying homage to their hero.
It opens with a crowd of people standing in front of a large airplane hangar and unleashing a flood of white balloons as they say "Thank you, Michael" and "We love you, Michael," while a gigantic image of the singer in silhouette appears on the side of the structure.
If nothing else, the "Hold My Hand" video is a kind of MJ greatest-hits montage, intercutting images of the singer in his prime in some of his most beloved stage outfits with glimpses of children wearing the same garb, a young boy holding a red plastic heart in his hands and Akon dancing on a pure white background as MJ hoofs beside him.
As Michael begins to sing the first verse, we see a variety of different hands — old, young, holding babies, reaching up to the sky, down into a bathtub, etc. — as well as a series of women crying, the infamous glittering glove and a woman in a hospital bed seemingly dying of cancer, all intended to pull heartstrings and stir emotion.
It continues on like that, with most of the video consisting of shots of hands (some trailing a kind of glittery pixie-dust vapor) doing various things, children breakdancing and popping, and various images of angels, as the edits of stock-like footage of sunny skies, forests and adorable babies pile on so quickly it's almost hard to keep up.
Jackson, frankly, is hardly in the video, making sporadic appearances courtesy of some iconic footage of him in concert, a curious choice given the reported dozens of hours of HD footage shot of the singer while he was preparing for what was slated to be his big comeback tour in England last year.
The duet with Akon was recorded in 2007 and, as a message on MJ's site points out, "a handwritten note from Michael belonging to his estate indicated his desire that 'Hold My Hand' be the first single on his next project." After an unfinished version leaked in 2008, Akon recently went back into the studio to complete production on the track.
Instead of the eye-popping special effects and intricate choreography of the past, the "Hold My Hand" video goes for a simpler, more predictable sentimentality. Without Jackson around anymore to call the shots and push the video envelope, it also signals a quiet, uneventful end to a career of constant reinvention and visual ambition via music video.
In a statement to MTV News, director Mark Pellington explained what he was aiming for with the posthumous clip. "We shot the video in a variety of locations in Los Angeles, including a blimp hangar in Tustin. The attempt was to create a celebratory, positive, healing music video honoring Michael's legacy," he said. "And for me personally, if his fans like it, that's all I really care about."
What do you think of the "Hold My Hand" video?
Related Photos Related ArtistsB.o.B - So High
- Artist: B.o.B
- Label: E1 Music, Boss Hogg Outlawz
- Director: Parris
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=3238990&vid=593385
Akon Recalls Meeting Michael Jackson For The First Time
Before recording 'Hold My Hand,' the two spent quality time together.
By James Montgomery
Michael Jackson in the video for "Hold My Hand"
Photo: Sony Music Entertainment
In 2007, long before Michael Jackson's death and everything that proceeded it (including the just-released "Hold My Hand" video and the upcoming Michael album), Akon met with the King of Pop in Las Vegas to work on a batch of songs, then intended for MJ's comeback album.
To date, only two of those songs have ever been released: a remix of Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' " that appeared on the 25th-anniversary edition of the Thriller album, and, of course, "Hold My Hand." And with the Thursday (December 9) premiere of that song's video — and the pending release of Michael — MTV News went back to our August 2009 interview with Akon, to get the inside story of what it was like to work with MJ. And though the two men recorded "days" of music, what Akon remembers most about those sessions was getting to know Michael Jackson, the man.
"My favorite moment was the day we actually met, because I didn't expect him to be that cool," Akon said. "I expected him to be this diva — just hard to deal with, rarely speaks, got to send his message through someone else, you know? Because these are the stories you hear."
But, as Akon quickly learned, Jackson wasn't a diva — quite the opposite, in fact.
"So I'm going upstairs [to meet him], I knock on the door, his bodyguard opens and says, 'OK, he's waiting to meet you.' I walk in, and [Michael's] in this spinning chair, but it's facing backwards," he said. "So I walk in the room, but his back is turned, and the guard says, 'Hey, Mike, Akon's here.' So he spins around, like it was all choreographed — so, off the top, I'm like, 'Oh boy.'
"But as soon as he turns around, gets up, 'Yo, what up, man?!' and I was like, 'What up, Mike?' and he gave me a pound, we hugged each other," he continued. "He's like, 'Yo, I've been waiting to meet you for so long, this is a great honor, thanks for showing up, thanks for making the time.' And in my mind I'm like, 'You know, I should be thanking you for making the time.' "
And though "Hold My Hand" was born out of the sessions that would soon follow, Akon's greatest memory from meeting MJ was that initial meeting, when all his preconceived notions melted away and he got to spend real time with the legend.
"It was the craziest thing, because we sat down, we talked about Africa, we talked about my foundation, we talked about the music, we talked about girls. We had a great, incredible time that day," he said. "He was extremely funny, he told jokes, and he liked to have fun."
What do you think of MJ and Akon's collabo, "Hold My Hand"? Share your reviews in the comments.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1653929/akon-recalls-meeting-michael-jackson-first-time.jhtml
Friday, June 17, 2011
Akon - Day Dreaming
- Artist: Akon
- Label: Atlantic Records, Grand Hustle
- Director: RAGE
- Album: Gangsta Grillz: The Album, Vol. 2
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1240040&vid=344721
Eminem And B.o.B Collaboration Leaks Online
The track, 'Things Get Worse,' features Em revisiting his Slim Shady persona.
By Jayson Rodriguez
B.o.B
Photo: Atlantic
Holy split personality!
An unreleased Eminem and Bobby Ray collaboration was unearthed online Thursday (February 24) that finds the two MCs tapping into their respective manic alter egos, Slim Shady and B.o.B
The mid-tempo track, "Things Get Worse," harkens back to Em's early days and his button-pushing rhymes.
"Note to Jessica Simpson, let's go with the tuna casserole," Eminem raps in one of the verses. "'Cause I used to love her hooters, now Carmen Electra's cuter/ Strap an extension cord to her arm and electrocute her/ I'm off my f---ing meds but I'm on an electric scooter/ I might just scoot by and shoot my mom in the neck with Rugers/ Spit in Jason's face while I vomit on Freddy Krueger/ They can't even get Jeffrey Dahmer to pet the cougar."
"There's no need to say sh-- you already know, the question is just how far will this go," B.o.B chants on the chorus. "'Cause I will never lay down and I will never let up."
"I guess things are gonna get much worse 'fore they get better," Em chimes in.
The song appeared on the blog of one of B.o.B's managers, but there was no message indicating where the track will wind up or how long ago it was recorded.
After scoring three top 10 hits on the pop charts with his debut album, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray, the rapper/singer said he wanted to return to his more lyrical roots before starting his next project.
In December, he released a mixtape, No Genre, that reminded his early supporters of his abilities, which he displays capably on "Things Get Worse."
"I pass by people on the street, they seem like sleeping zombies," he raps. "Stiffer than a therapeutic pair of jeans you running/ So can you hear me coming?/ Eminem, this beat is absolutely disgusting/ It's probably got diseases on it."
It's not the first time the two stars have appeared on the same track, as Eminem also was featured on B.o.B's Grammy-nominated "Airplanes, Part II" remix.
Have you heard Eminem and B.o.B's "Things Get Worse" collaboration? If so, share your opinion in the comments.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658606/things-get-worse-eminem-bob.jhtml
B.o.B - So High
- Artist: B.o.B
- Label: E1 Music, Boss Hogg Outlawz
- Director: Parris
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=3238990&vid=593385
Akon - Wake It Up
- Artist: Akon
- Label: BME Recordings/Reprise
- Album: The Ball Street Journal
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1240040&vid=272732
Akon On Lady Gaga And Michael Jackson's New Albums
The singer has nothing but praise for the two artists.
Photo: MTV News
Related Artists
Thursday, June 16, 2011
B.o.B - Don't Let Me Fall
- Artist: B.o.B
- Label: Atlantic Records, Grand Hustle, Rebel Rock
- Director: Ethan Lader
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=3238990&vid=598044
Lady Gaga's Born This Way Will 'Grab All The Monsters,' Akon Says
'She is amazing when it comes to just taking things to the next level,' label boss says of Gaga's 2011 release.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Kelly Marino
Akon
Photo: MTV News
Earlier this year, Akon teased that Lady Gaga was working on "crazy" new tracks for her forthcoming Born This Way album. Now, Gaga's label boss has a few more details to share about the hotly anticipated LP, due in 2011.
"Well, Gaga and her follow-up, I've definitely heard [it], and what I can really tell you about it is the fact that I'm excited — and I'm hard to excite," he laughed to MTV News about the release. "I'm really hard to excite, 'cause my big question was like, 'Wow, how are you going to outdo yourself on this one? Do you realize how big you are? Do you know how big you really are? How are you going to outdo yourself?' "
Akon has no real worries about how Gaga will top herself since she's managed to do it so many times already, sonically and visually. "She's very creative. She will always find a way, always," he said. "Honestly, I think these are just appetizers as to what's to come, because what's to come, if you haven't been following her up to this point, you're going to get completely lost. Like, she is amazing when it comes to just taking things to the next level, [and] from what I've heard so far, I think she's going to be all right."
With tracks like "Telephone," "Bad Romance" and "Paparazzi" under her belt, Akon wants her fans to know that things are about to get even more epic on this new album. While he didn't say whether the album would have any Beyoncé-like collabos, he did say "maybe" when asked if he might appear on it.
"If I was going to compare it to her previous work, I would definitely say it's a notch up," he said. "It's like she's slowly taking you on to this journey down this road. If she were to just drastically do it, she probably would have lost everybody from the first album, but once the sound was created and established, now we can use that as a tool to grab all the monsters and walk them down this graveyard. It's crazy. It's amazing."
What are you expecting from Gaga's next album? Let us know in the comments!
Related Videos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1652537/lady-gagas-born-this-way-will-grab-all-monsters-akon.jhtml
Bruno Mars, B.o.B, Janelle Monae Turn In Throwback Grammy Set
Pompadour-sporting stars rock medley of 'Grenade,' 'Nothin' on You' and 'Cold War.'
By Mawuse Ziegbe
Bruno Mars performs during the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards
Photo: The Recording Academy/CBS
Bruno Mars headed into Grammy night on top, with seven nominations under his belt for his singing and songwriting efforts. He has already scored snaps for his studio work, but on Sunday night, the 25-year-old Doo-Wops & Hooligans crooner showcased his stage skills with fellow promising genre-bending stars B.o.B and Janelle Monáe.
Following a string intro, Mars helmed the keys and gently crooned a softer version of his #1 smash with B.o.B, "Nothin' on You." The ATL hitmaker then took the mic, rocking a dapper old-school look and adding a scholarly touch with a monocle as he sang and rhymed the lyrics. Monáe kept the menswear theme going in a voluminous cape, quietly chiming in at a clear podium as B.o.B turned to croon to her.
Check out pictures from the Grammy show here.
Suddenly, a faux mid-century black-and-white broadcast introducing Mars took over the screen, and then the live telecast switched to a retro two-tone look. Mars looked perfectly in place as he belted a slowed-down yet soul-injected version of his own #1 single "Grenade," with B.o.B on the piano. A crew of background singers helped transform the pop hit into a doo-wop effort, complete with a few stuttering dance steps; Mars even got on his knees during the bluesy arrangement in a move that would have made legendary funkateer James Brown proud.
Then Monáe stepped up for her ArchAndroid cut "Cold War" in her trademark button-down shirt-and-slacks outfit. Mars hopped on the drums as the lights flashed, fog rolled in and Monáe added her own vocal pyrotechnics to the mix. The songstress then took the performance from retro to rowdy by sailing into the audience for a brief crowd-surf as B.o.B strummed away on the guitar. The upstart trio's upbeat set scored a standing ovation.
Last year, Mars was floored when he first heard he'd racked up seven nods, but added that scoring accolades isn't even his favorite part of his hitmaking gig.
"The funnest part of our job is that we don't know who we're working with next," Mars told MTV News in December about working his songwriting and production crew the Smeezingtons. "We're fans and students of music, and we just love to work with whoever wants to work, whoever wants to write a song. Rock, hip-hop, R&B — we just want to do music. And we're happy just doing that."
What did you think of Bruno Mars' Grammy performance? Let us know in the comments!
For Grammy Awards winners list, analysis, interviews, fashion and more, stick with MTV News during the big show and beyond.
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657854/bruno_mars_b_o_b_janelle_grammy_performance.jhtml
Dr. Dre's 'Kush' Premieres: The Party Can Finally Begin
Video featuring Snoop Dogg and Akon shows revelers frozen in time until the Doctor arrives.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Dr. Dre
Photo: Johnny Nunez/ WireImage
Detox is on the way. And as the latest proof that Dr. Dre's long-awaited album will see the light of day soon, he premiered the video to the first single, "Kush," co-starring Snoop Dogg and Akon, on Friday (December 10).
The video, directed by Joseph Kahn (Eminem, Britney Spears), begins as Dre is seated in a sleek, black Lamborghini, attempting to flick a lighter. Once the Left Coast maestro ignites it, the beat drops, and he exits the car.
Dre approaches the club in a setting similar to "The Next Episode," one of his past hits. But the festivities around him are ice cold; the club patrons are statue-like, frozen in the parking lot and inside, in mid groove. The good doctor's last project was 1999's 2001, and perhaps things haven't been quite the same without him, the video suggests.
Snoop Dogg kicks things off on the second verse, and the lanky L.A. rhyme spitter is surrounded by a bevy of beautiful, frozen women. They're smiling, drinks are pouring, but they're also statues compared to the rapper.
As Dre makes his way into the club and to the bar, however, the party livens up.
Dre pulls out his lighter, engraved with the song's title, and holds it to the sprinklers overhead, setting them off. As water rains down on the partygoers, they come back to life, gyrating to the thumping track's production. Later, Dre and Snoop leave the club, and Dre drives off into the night on an empty highway, surrounded by the streaking lights of cars that are no longer there.
Recently, Eminem told his satellite radio station, Shade 45, that he and Dre have been in the studio wrapping up Detox. "Kush" and "I Need A Doctor," featuring Eminem, leaked back to back in November.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1654012/dr-dres-kush-premieres-party-can-finally-begin.jhtml
Akon, Jason Derulo Make 2010 The Year Of The Self-Referential Song
Lady Gaga, Janet Jackson, Eminem also among the artists who have shouted out their own names in their tunes this year.
By Jocelyn Vena
Akon
Photo: Matt Jelonek/ Getty Images
This past weekend on "Saturday Night Live," Akon joined the Lonely Island guys in a hilarious video for a new song called "I Just Had Sex," in which the singer proudly sings his own name, as well as the group's.
Chelsea Handler, meanwhile also got self-referential at the VMAs, when she Auto-Tuned her way through a pre-taped bit with Best New Artist nominee Jason Derülo. And, to be fair, we here at MTV News have been obsessed with pop stars singing their own names in songs for the bulk of 2010, prompted by Derülo's epic use of the device in several of his hits.
Folks like Derülo, Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj ("Right Thru Me"), Kanye West ("Dark Fantasy") and, obviously, Akon join a list of two decades' worth of pop artists who have taken it upon themselves to brand their tracks with their own names. In the '80s, stars like Janet Jackson, Beastie Boys and New Kids on the Block proudly proclaimed who they were in their songs.
Moving into the '90s, "TRL" staples such as the Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Lopez, Kid Rock and Eminem all blasted their monikers on their tracks, letting fans know just who was singing or rapping through hits like Rock's "Bawitdaba" and BSB's "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)."
As the new millennium approached and the musical landscape became more and more flooded with pop stars, it became a regular practice, with everyone from Ciara to M.I.A. to Fergie to Beyoncé to Shakira giving shout-outs to themselves in their songs.
With this practice more common than ever in 2010, MTV News has approved the following rules for self-referential shout-outs. One, you get famous. Two, you brand yourself in song. Three, you put your name in the chorus, or in many cases at the very beginning of the tune. And, four, you name-drop like it's hot. Repeat offenders observing the final rule include Lady Gaga ("Just Dance," "Bad Romance"), Derülo ("Whatcha Say," "In My Head") and Akon, who most recently called out his own name and Michael Jackson's on "Hold My Hand."
What do you think of pop stars singing their own names? Who pulls it off and who doesn't? Tell us in the comments!
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1654659/akon-jason-derulo-make-2010-year-selfreferential-song.jhtml
B.o.B Goes After Tyler, The Creator In 'No Future'
Bobby Ray's track comes in response to Odd Future MC's 'Yonkers' dig.
By Jayson Rodriguez
B.o.B
Photo: Frank Mullen
Not everyone is amused by the antics of Odd Future's Tyler, the Creator.
B.o.B took aim at the upstart on Friday (March 25) with a fiery dis track titled "No Future," a response to a line the California rapper issued on his breakout "Yonkers." "What you think of Hayley Williams?/ F--- her, Wolf Haley robbing 'em," Tyler raps on the song. "I'll crash that f---ing airplane that that f----t n---a B.o.B is in/ And stab Bruno Mars in his goddamn esophagus."
The line is characteristic of Tyler and his crew's shocking rhymes; the collective are, in part, inspired by Eminem and works like his Relapse album with its slew of serial-killer references.
The "Airplanes" star, however, isn't a fan.
"If I was you I would be a little more cautious," Bobby Ray raps on "No Future." "I'm way too high for you to look at/ The future ain't looking promising for these rookies/ This is target practice but I don't even pull the f---ing trigger anymore, 'cause it's just a waste of bullets/ Come and get this pu---, wipe them off the floor/ I'm guessing they was hoping for some different results/ I'm guessing they was guessing 'cause they wasn't really sure/ But f--- it, I guess I'mma have to let these n----s know.
"Keep f---ing with me, you ain't gon have no future," he concludes.
Tyler responded via Twitter. Perhaps taking the high road after driving too close to the edge, the 20-year-old wrote that he didn't think "No Future" was a dis track. He even gave B.o.B props on the rhyme.
"Whoa," he wrote in his first message. "I don't think the 'No Future' song is even a diss. But I've never heard him spit like that. Took me by surprise, cus it's tight."
A second message took a swipe at producer Alex Da Kid over "Airplanes" and "Love the Way You Lie" sounding too similar.
What do you think of B.o.B's response to the "Yonkers" track? Sound off in the comments!
Related Videos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1660657/bob-dis-tyler-the-creator-no-future.jhtml
B.o.B Calls New Album 'A Real Special Project'
Sophomore set is halfway done, 'Airplanes' MC tells MTV News.
By Rob Markman
B.o.B
Photo: Mindy Small/ FilmMagic
Bobby Ray is about to embark on a new adventure. After making his mark in 2010 with his debut #1 single "Nothin' on You," B.o.B is in the studio working his magic, recording his sophomore album. The "Airplanes" MC told MTV News that he is about 50 percent done with his follow-up on Atlantic Records.
"I feel like I'm about halfway through it, and I wouldn't even say because of how many songs I have," said B.o.B, who was nominated for several BET Awards on Tuesday. "It's kinda like as an artist you absorb, it's like a sponge, you absorb it and then you gotta give it back out. I still feel like I got more to put out. I got more to say. So I can record songs all day, but until I get everything out that I want to say, that's pretty much what the wait is."
B.o.B isn't ready to reveal the album's title just yet, but he does say that he's been working on the LP for quite some time. "I feel like it's all about timing," he said. "It's the right timing and I haven't revealed the name of the album yet, but I've been working on this since before The Adventures of Bobby Ray, so it's a real special project."
While there is no set release date for his sophomore set, B.o.B is hopeful that music will start to materialize before the year's end. "With this one, it's definitely like the next step and progress of what's coming out, and I would definitely look forward to music this year," he said.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664103/b_o_b_new_album.jhtml
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