Daily Archives: February 10, 2012

‘Now that so many eyes are on me, I feel I have to deliver,’ rapstress says in interview with Paper magazine.
By Tomika L. Anderson

Nicki Minaj


Photo: Getty Images

Fame is beginning to go to Nicki Minaj‘s head, but not in the way you might think.

The Grammy-nominated rapstress revealed to “Paper” magazine that the more successful she becomes, the more pressure she feels to deliver — and that all that stress is taking a psychological toll.

“Ugh! I have been working so much,” the 29-year-old tells interviewer Simon Doonan, Barneys New York’s creative ambassador at large. “Success came, and now that so many eyes are on me, I feel I have to deliver. And it’s a business. No joke. I guess I’m stressing more than I should be, and I think I am becoming more guarded.”

To relax, Ms. Minaj admits to indulging in reality TV — and apparently, a lot of it. “I love ['Mob Wives' star] Big Ang … And I love the way those girls talk to each other: ‘Don’t YOU be coming at ME!!!’ I love every freakin’ moment. And I watch ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ and ‘[The Real Housewives of] Beverly Hills.’ ”

Music, of course, is also an emotional outlet for the rap star. She says the process of recording her upcoming album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, made her feel “very free.”

“The album is like a collage of all my emotions. I’m not sticking to any particular style. I am doing what I feel without restrictions. So it’s very free and very me.”

The issue hits stands on February 20.

Meanwhile, look for Minaj this Sunday at the Grammys, where she is expected to perform her new single “Roman Holiday.” She is also up for Best New Artist and Best Rap Performance for “Moment 4 Life” with Drake.

Are you excited to hear “Roman Holiday” at the Grammys? Leave your comment below!

Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don’t miss Sway and James Montgomery live from the Grammys red carpet this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn’t end Sunday: MTV News has you covered until the Grammy hangover wears off!

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Skrillex, Avicii, Duck Sauce, Swedish House Mafia and Robyn also contenders for Best Dance Recording at Sunday’s show.
By Adam Stewart

David Guetta


Photo: Larry Marano/ Getty Images

Kudos to the Academy. They’ve pretty much nailed it when it comes to the Grammy nominees in what’s arguably the most-important dance-related category Sunday night: Best Dance Recording. In 2011, the U.S. EDM market saw an explosion the likes of which hadn’t seen since the punk rock revolution back in the ’90s, and those given the nod are a testament to its abounding success.

A category once graced by Madonna, Britney and Gaga is now overrun by the Prince of Dubstep, a monstrous mouse, a turntable whiz and his NYC cohort, three rock stars of house, a Frenchman with a Swedish prodigy and a girl who originally showed us love in the ’90s. Each one of the nominees was not only at the helm for producing a killer track, but was at the forefront of a movement that is changing the tastes of the American mainstream and truly defining cool culture.

In further recognition of EDM’s explosion, the Grammys have lined up an all-star crew for a dance-music performance Sunday night in a tent outside Staples Center. Chris Brown, the Foo Fighters and Lil Wayne will join EDM superstars deadmau5 and David Guetta for a genre-busting performance that will highlight dance/electronica music. This marks the first Grammy performance to shed light on the increasingly popular genre, which has recently seeped into every form of music.

For anyone still getting their feet wet in the scene, fear not: We’ve broken down the Best Dance Recording noms, put together a little prediction of who will probably win, based on how these things have gone in the past, and who should win — as in, what might best be accepted and respected by the EDM masses. It could very well be a pivotal year for the Grammys — if they get it right.

Best Dance Recording Nominees
deadmau5 and Greta Svabo Bech, “Raise Your Weapon”: deadmau5 went dubstep with this little experiment, and it earned him high marks. The angelic vocals of Bech, juxtaposed with signature ruff and rugged dubstep riffs, this track catapulted itself into a monster. deamau5 again showcased his versatility while (for the most part) maintaining that signature deadmau5 sound, but was it original enough for what we usually expect from this seemingly unconquerable musical madman?

Duck Sauce, “Barbra Streisand”: In 2009, iconic NYC house-music icon Armand Van Helden paired up with Canadian spin master A-Trak in a collaborative effort named after the most popular of all condiments in pan-Asian cuisine. Since then, they’ve become one of the most popular dance acts around, in large part due to this crossover smash that pays homage to one of America’s most beloved entertainers. The tune is decked out with a spirited house groove and a vocal hook that everyone knows the words to. You’d have to have lived on the moon to not have heard this one, and have no soul to do anything but love it.

David Guetta and Avicii, “Sunshine”: True EDM fans can’t complain on this one. It’s progressive house at its finest. EDM loyalists all the world over were ecstatic to see Guetta distancing himself from the Peas and picking up on Avicii, who is simply one of the most insanely talented producers out there. Try listening to this tune and not smiling ear to ear. It combines Avicii’s signature piano riffs and progressive charm with Guetta’s thunderous big room house and ability to produce bangers at a moment’s notice. The production value of “Sunshine” is precise, clean and harmonious. If the Academy is properly tuned in, this thumper has a good chance of coming out the victor.

Robyn, “Call Your Girlfriend”: Taking nothing away, this is a killer tune by one of the key players in the dance-music crossover. However, it was Kaskade’s remix (un-nominated) that truly resonated with the EDM masses. Regardless, the original was a monster in the mainstream, and the killer cut off the third installment of Body Talk has absolutely taken Robyn to new heights and solidified her place as one of the all-time dance-music greats.

Skrillex, “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites”: This track was Dubstep 101 to anyone who’d never heard the genre. Call it “brostep” if you will, but you can’t deny that it expanded the sonic pallet of anyone who dared to listen to it. Some would say EDM noobs as a whole probably think the track defines the movement as a whole, which is less than accurate. Never the less, Skrillex and “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” is a very fitting example of what helped push dance music into the spotlight in 2011. Don’t be surprised to see Skrillex walking away with the golden gramophone.

Swedish House Mafia, “Save the World”: The year 2011 was perhaps an incubation period for the rock stars of house. Having released just a pair of tracks in the calendar year, the Swedes went a little more pop on this than they had in the past, but nevertheless, still gave their loyal following what they wanted with a killer hook and an impossible-not-to-sing-along vocal provided by fellow Swede John Martin. If videos were involved in the selection, this would certainly take the prize. Heroic puppies and house music? A match made in heaven.

Who Should Win
David Guetta and Avicii, “Sunshine”

Who Probably Will Win
Skrillex, “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites”

Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don’t miss Sway and James Montgomery live from the Grammys red carpet this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn’t end Sunday: MTV News has you covered until the Grammy hangover wears off!

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• 2012 Grammy Nominees
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Lionsgate hopes the trailer will draw even more fans to ‘Hunger Games,’ the biggest investment in the company’s history.
By John Mitchell

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson in “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1″


Photo: Summit Entertainment

Fans of YA-book-to-blockbuster-film adaptations rejoice; you’re in for a treat! Lionsgate Entertainment has announced that the trailer for the fifth and final film in the “Twilight Saga,” “Breaking Dawn – Part 2,” will debut exclusively before “The Hunger Games” when it hits theaters on March 23.

The synergistic trailer release marks Lionsgate’s first big move to court the rabid fanbase that’s turned the “Twilight Saga” into a $2.5 billion-grossing worldwide box-office phenomenon.

” ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2′ trailer will debut exclusively on every ‘Hunger Games’ print on its opening night for what will be Lionsgate’s largest release ever,” Lionsgate chief executive Jon Feltheimer said (via the Los Angeles Times) in a conference call Friday (February 10).

Lionsgate acquired Summit Entertainment, the production company for “Twilight,” in January. The hope appears to be that excitement over the “Breaking Dawn – Part 2″ trailer will draw even more people in to see the already much-anticipated “Hunger Games,” which, with its $100 million production budget and three planned sequels, is the biggest investment in Lionsgate’s history.

Fans of Suzanne Collins’ bestselling YA trilogy are counting the days until the release of the first Jennifer Lawrence-starring film, though its stars are trying to avoid all the pre-release buzz. “It was crazy. It had so much buildup for something I’ve done so many times before,” Josh Hutcherson recently told MTV News. “Every other time it’s been, ‘Oh, another movie.’ This time, it had so much going on before the production even started.”

“Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2″ hits theaters on November 16.

Will you be catching the “Breaking Dawn” trailer at the “Hunger Games” premiere? Let us know in the comments!

Check out everything we’ve got on “Breaking Dawn – Part 2.”

For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

Don’t miss the premiere of Taylor Swift’s “Safe & Sound” video during “MTV First: Taylor Swift” at 7:54 p.m. ET on MTV, followed by an exclusive chat with Swift about her “Hunger Games” clip on MTV.com.

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Castmate Deena tells MTV News she’s ‘annoyed’ with Sitch but he’s ‘part of the family regardless.’
By Christina Garibaldi

Snooki in “Jersey Shore”

We are more than halfway through season five of “Jersey Shore,” and it seems like things are just heating up on the boardwalk.

On Thursday night’s episode, the housemates found themselves dealing with stalker problems, relationship problems and, of course, meatball problems. Yet it seems like their biggest dilemma is lurking right inside their house, and he goes by the name of Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino.

“I think he just kind of likes to stir up problems,” Deena told MTV News Thursday at a “Jersey Shore” viewing party.

Sitch has been on his best behavior over the course of the past few episodes, but behind the facade, it seems like the Situation is ready to cause some serious drama.

“He was being really nice to me, and then some things I was like, ‘Really?’ ” Deena said of the Situation’s behavior. “But that’s Mike, he’s like part of the family regardless.”

In the latest episode, the Situation is looking to cause more problems for Snooki and her boyfriend Jionni, but in the process finds out from his sidekick, the Unit, that his brother, Frank, has begun hooking up with Deena’s sister, Joanie.
Pretending to be excited about the potential couple, the Situation decides to stir up trouble, telling Deena’s sister that his brother is much more interested in her than he actually is.

“That I was annoyed with because, like, I don’t talk bad about his family,” Deena said. “And I thought he was genuinely being nice to me about my sister, but clearly he wasn’t.”

What do you think of the Situation’s behavior? Let us know in the comments!

Don’t miss “Jersey Shore” every Thursday at 10 p.m. ET on MTV. For continuing “Shore” coverage, be sure to check in with MTV’s Remote Control blog.

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Get a sneak peek at the ‘Hunger Games’ soundtrack video before it premieres Monday at 7:54 p.m. ET on MTV.
By Jocelyn Vena

Taylor Swift in her “Safe & Sound” video


Photo: Big Machine

On Monday, Taylor Swift will debut the video for “Safe & Sound,” her Civil Wars-assisted single from the “Hunger Games” soundtrack, during “MTV First: Taylor Swift” at 7:54 p.m. ET on MTV, followed by an exclusive chat with Swift herself on MTV.com. But you don’t have to wait until Monday to catch a sneak peek of the emotional video.

In a mini-tease, Swift is wearing a long, white dress. Her hair and makeup are not done — it’s a far cry from the red-carpet-ready Taylor fans are used to seeing. She sings the moody track while she walks through the woods — an obvious connection to the “Hunger Games” film and book that inspired the track.

After Monday’s video premiere — which will also air live on MTV’s channels in Canada, Europe, Latin America, Australia, Asia and Africa — the Grammy-nominated singer will sit down with MTV News’ Sway Calloway for a 30-minute interview on MTV.com. Fans of the superstar can get in on the action by submitting questions via Twitter @MTVNews with the hashtags #AskTaylor or #MTVFirst.

CMT will air “Safe & Sound” at 8 p.m. ET, the same time the music video will debut exclusively online at MTV.com, CMT.com, VH1.com and MTV’s international sites. On Tuesday morning, VH1′s “Big Morning Buzz Live” will feature the video at 10 a.m. ET/PT.

The “Hunger Games” soundtrack, which also features Arcade Fire and the Decemberists, drops March 20; the movie hits theaters days later, on March 23.

And for those non-Swifties wondering why Taylor chose Monday to drop the video, it’s the 13th and that happens to be the star’s lucky number.

Don’t miss the premiere of Taylor Swift’s “Safe & Sound” video during “MTV First: Taylor Swift” on Monday at 7:54 p.m. ET on MTV, followed by an exclusive chat with Swift about her “Hunger Games” clip on MTV.com.

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Legendary producer Clive Davis agrees, calling this ‘the year of Adele.’
By Kelley L. Carter

Adele


Photo: Jon Furniss/ WireImage

No doubt about it, it’s been the year of Adele.
And when one of music’s most respected figures says it, you can’t help but agree.

Legendary record producer and music executive Clive Davis sat and talked with R&B singers Brandy and Monica on Thursday, and they were all on the same page when it came to who they wanted to see take home the big prizes at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night.

They’re fans of Rihanna, but they’d love British singer Adele to win the Grammy for Album of the Year. Both singers are up for the big prize, along with Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and the Foo Fighters.

“You know, it’s so hard because to me you can’t really choose one person when you know about both of their journeys. Rihanna is somebody I love because she’s OK with self. That’s something that’s always been resonated through her and her music,” Monica said. “I play ‘You Da One’
all day. When I think about my husband I play ‘You Da One.’

“But Adele’s voice is so amazingly beautiful,” Monica continued. “And the fact that she embodies the soul that you [talking to mentor Davis] used to tell me in the early ’90s not to be afraid of … He used to say, ‘Sing it big, sing it strong.’ Looking at her, she does that every time she hits the stage.”

Davis added that Adele brings back that old soul, and he appreciates her big voice and style of music.

“All the nominees — it’s a worthy thing to get nominated, but this has been the year of Adele,” Davis said. “No disrespect to any other nominee. In this era where there is perhaps too much electronica and dance music … I love it. It’s inventive, but it should not be the totality of what is exposed. She has just come back with pure music.
Just throwing her head back and singing out with full voice, but songs that resonate as well.”

Davis continued, saying, “It’s been an incredible impact on music and worthy of being singled out, as I’m sure it will be.”

As for Brandy, she’s tossing her support behind the singer that her daughter Sy’rai adores. Naturally, it’s Adele.

“My daughter is in love with Adele. She listens to her every day,”
Brandy said. “To see someone with that much passion and soul move a 9-year-old is amazing and it’s magical.”

Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don’t miss Sway and James Montgomery live from the Grammys red carpet this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn’t end Sunday: MTV News has you covered until the Grammy hangover wears off!

Related Videos

• A Guide To The Grammys 2012

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• 2012 Grammy Awards Pre-Parties

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• Adele
• Monica
• Brandy

Continue reading →