mtv

Music News You Can Use: I’m Thankful For…

Friday, November 28th, 2008

I’m thankful for a No Doubt reunion… The awesome ska-pop quartet released the good news via IM transcript on their Web site, as lead singer Gwen Stefani tells her bandmates to “pack up the babies” and “get a bunch of nannies” while on tour. Despite Stefani recently giving birth to her second child in August, the claim seems legit – they are headlining this year’s Bamboozle in New Jersey and have been working in the studio.

I’m thankful for iTunes gift cards… And it seems to show. Atlantic Records announced this week that their digital sales have surpassed physical sales of music (gasp, like we didn’t know this was going to happen). But despite the recent switcharoo, there are still doubts that the digital purchases will fully compensate for CDs. Maybe a digital music magazine sponsored by U2, Coldplay, and the Killers will help?

I’m thankful for more Obama news in music news… And you thought it was over? MTV plans to celebrate the Prez-Elect’s inauguration January 20, which will be taking place at the Ronald Reagan Center and International Trade Center. Though no names have been dropped, you can bet on “leading artists, celebrities, and government officials” to show up.

I’m thankful for good, free music… My favorite Bay Area Hip Hop duo Zion I has released a hot mixtape that features artists like Del the Funky Homosapien, Talib Kweli, the Grouch, and more. Mixes with MGMT and Muse are also included. Don’t sleep on this one, go get it!

I’m thankful to see they’re thankful…. Check here to see what you’re favorite artists and celebs are thankful for, and check here for a quick list of “thankful” songs.

Daily News Roundup: Obama’s pooch and Clinton in the cabinet

Monday, November 17th, 2008

Hillary Rodham Clinton may be the next secretary of state. Obama’s team has begun to scour former president Bill Clinton’s financial ties for signs of conflict of interest, signaling to some Democratic insiders that the new administration is considering his wife for the cabinet post.

President-elect Barack Obama appeared on 60 Minutes yesterday to discuss the transition to the White House from both political and personal standpoints. He stressed the need to quickly assemble a national security team to prevent vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks during the transition, and he said it would be his job to restore confidence in the financial and consumer markets. Of course, he also had to address the issue of picking the presidential pooch. Also yesterday, Obama officially resigned from the U.S. Senate.

Watch CBS Videos Online

Democratic National Convention protesters are being vindicated. Seven of the first nine defendants to face trial for participating in “anarchic demonstrations” have been cleared. One was convicted, and the other faces a retrial after the jury deadlocked. In all, 106 people were arrested in Denver on the opening night of the convention, and 50 of those eventually pleaded guilty. Defendants and their attorneys are calling the acquittals an embarrassment to Denver and are calling for the remaining cases to be dropped.

Dan Rather’s quest to clear himself may be paying off. The former CBS Evening News anchor had been pushed out after it came out that an investigation on 60 Minutes relied on false documents to show that President George W. Bush was given special treatment by theTexas Air National Guard during the Vietnam War. Rather has invested $2 million of his own money into a lawsuit against his former employer, and he has uncovered some documents that suggest CBS actively sought G.O.P.-approved panelists to investigate how it handled the Bush segment, apparently so the network could stop Republican criticism.

MTV’s Total Request Live had its final show on Sunday, but not without a three-hour star-jammed celebration featuring live performances by Beyoncé, Ludacris, Nelly, Snoop Dogg, Backstreet Boys and 50 Cent. Many other stars attended. Eminem and Christina Aguilera called in their congratulations. The show spanned a decade and 2,500 episodes.

TRLMTV Shows

Music News You Can Use: Pop-Rock and Cheap Tix

Thursday, November 13th, 2008

Calling all Parawhores… Pop-punkers Paramore might be winding down from their exhausting year-round tour for Riot!, but that doesn’t mean jack. Fiery frontwoman Hayley Williams and the studs are releasing a live CD/DVD set, promoting their cuts on the Twilight soundtrack (including the very epic “Decode“), and just won mtvU’s Woodie of the Year. We could care less about some blood-thirsty teeny-bop flick and MTV’s sorry attempt at an “indie” college station, but a little more of Paramore never hurts.

Speaking of that one “music” network… ‘Tis a pop killer’s dream come true: TRL is finally coming to an end, which leaves us wondering what trashy reality TV show is lined up to take its slot. The upside: time to shed those memories of watching hormonal teens cutting class to hold up signs in front of Times Square, promising nothing but shoulder cramps and a quick glimpse of your favorite popstar (he actually waved at me). Question is, was it worth it?

Probably not, but I know what is… Concert tickets! Ticketmaster is finally dropping those scandalous convenience fees that we all cringe over (*shudder*). As an “experiment,” the ticketing giant is hoping to boost sales after a 76% decrease in earnings since last year. So no need for the double take, the price you see on the drop-down menu is the exact price you pay! Yay!

Oh yeah, about the music… Emo-esque pioneers Jimmy Eat World will be celebrating their 10-year anniversary of album Clarity in a tour starting Febuary 2009; Say Anything’s lyrically-gifted singer Max Bemis and Saves The Day’s Chris Conley and David Soloway are collaborating for a new band project dubbed Two Tongues, which will also be released in February; New artist Santogold is pulling a Puff Daddy and is dropping her name to only Santi; And Mitch Mitchell, the acclaimed drummer of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, died of natural causes Wednesday.

And last but not least… South African singing legend Miriam Makeba died Sunday after collapsing during a benefit concert in Italy. The songstress, also known as “Mama Africa,” is widely recognized as the anti-apartheid activist who was exiled from her country, and later returned as a United Nations goodwill ambassador. Makeba was 76. To hear what singer Harry Belafonte and P+P founder Farai Chideya have to say, check here.

Lil Wayne: King of the BET Hip Hop Awards Show

Tuesday, October 21st, 2008

.

The BET Hip Hop Awards on Saturday could have been called Mr. Weezy’s Hip Hop Awards because the rapper Lil Wayne stole the evening. Nominated for 12 awards, Lil Wayne picked up Lyricist of the Year, MVP of the Year and People’s Champ, with the help of his hits, “A Milli,” “Lollipop,” “Got Money” and his recent single “Mrs. Officer.”

“These awards have been wonderful, especially when they call my name,” Wayne told MTV News. “That’s the best part about them. Twelve nominations—I think the only categories I’m not in are the female categories.”

Although the numerous awards may make his accomplishments seem easy, Lil Wayne beat out T-Pain (who he collaborated with on “Got Money”, DJ Khaled, T.I., Kanye West and Jay-Z for MVP.

And Weezy F. Baby, the rapper from the 17th Ward in New Orleans, announced he is expecting another son in “a couple of days” during his Lyricist of the Year award acceptance. Quite the family man, MTV reported that he dedicated the MVP award to his daughter.

According to all accounts, the show was full of surprises like T-Pain replacing comedian Katt Williams as host. And there were numerous performances by hip hop greats like T.I., Ludacris, Nas and Young Jeezy. The women also got into the mix. In an old school tribute, female rap icons, MC Lyte, Yo-Yo, the Lady of Rage and Salt-N-Pepa, whose 1993 classic “Whatta Man” song was dedicated to presidential candidate Barack Obama.

The show was pre-recorded last Saturday at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center but will air this Thursday, October 23 on BET. So, check out the show to find out the other big winners.

If you don’t know the song, “Lollipop,” what’s below is for you!

watch?v=740d8sTpM7U

VMAs 2008: A “Resurrected” Britney, Electric Kanye Return

Monday, September 8th, 2008

MTV’s done it again. Or should we say (oops) Britney did it again? Redeeming herself from last year’s embarrassing opening act, pop veteran Spears shocked this year’s MTV Video Music Awards as the stunning singer swept all three of her nominated categories, including Video of the Year.

Beyond Spears’ shocking cleanup, the VMAs lived up to its hype with hot performances throughout the show, including a showstopper from Kanye West.

(more…)