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| Britney Spears Case: Restraining Orders Extended
February 26, 2009 at 12:44 pm
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| Order came on same day paparazzo ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib pleaded not guilty in assault case.
By Gil Kaufman 
Britney Spears (file)
Photo: Soul Brother/ FilmMagic A judge ruled on Wednesday to extend the restraining orders against Britney Spears' former self-proclaimed manager, boyfriend and lawyer. According to a Reuters report, after hearing claims from Spears' father and the singer's hairdresser that the three men tried to undermine father Jamie Spears' control over the pop star's affairs, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Aviva K. Bobb extended a temporary restraining order against former manager Sam Lutfi and paparazzo ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib. The order is now in place until March 18, while another restraining order, against lawyer Jon Eardley, who also once claimed to represent Spears, was extended until April 1. Earlier in the week, Jamie Spears had testified that Lutfi and Ghalib allegedly conspired to sneak a cell phone to Britney in violation of the court order to stay away and not interfere with the conservatorship that gives him control over Britney's affairs. In testimony in the restraining-order case, E! News reported that hairstylist Roberta Romero, who reportedly found and turned over the surreptitious cell phone, claimed that she received several "harassing" text messages from Lutfi in December in which he sought to get back in touch with Spears. One of those texts allegedly said, "So please just relay to [Britney] the truth so she can free herself," while another read, "I'm very close to getting her free now ... her family sent her to the hospital." Romero testified that Britney eventually asked her to stop contact with Lutfi. One of the singer's bodyguards said that Romero and Spears informed him of the texts, which had reportedly frightened Spears and which led to a beefing up of the singer's security team. Bobb will rule on March 18 and April 1 whether to extend the restraining orders. Spears, who is gearing up for the launch of her Circus tour, was not present for the rulings. The rulings came on the same day that Ghalib turned himself in to face felony charges for allegedly hitting a process server with his car; the server was reportedly trying to present the tabloid photographer with a restraining order from Spears' family. Ghalib, 36, pleaded not guilty to one count of assault with a deadly weapon, battery and hit-and-run in the alleged February 11 incident. He was booked and released without posting bail. If convicted he faces up to seven years in jail. Related Artists |
| Danity Kane's Dawn Richard On Chris Brown And Rihanna: 'It's Their Business'
February 26, 2009 at 12:38 pm
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| Singer says she hasn't spoken with either artist but she's 'praying for them.'
By Jocelyn Vena 
Dawn Richard
Photo: MTV News Dawn Richard has been living her life in the public eye since she made her reality TV debut on "Making the Band" as one of the five ladies of Danity Kane. After the group's very public split over the last few months, Richard knows what it's like to be in the media spotlight. While she said she hasn't spoken to either Chris Brown or Rihanna since their alleged altercation before the Grammy Awards — "I've seen then a couple times before all this stuff, but I don't know them like that," she said — she is "praying for both of them. "I think they're both great artists," she said. "It's a shame and I think it's their business and it sucks that it has to be out there. [The media attention is] like a microscope — everybody's in your stuff. It's their business and whatever they choose to do with it, I wish them luck. It's not my business." Ne-Yo, who said he's spoken with Rihanna, and Bow Wow recently spoke with MTV News about the situation. Even with all of Richard's experience of being scrutinized by the public, she says she can't offer Brown and Rihanna much advice. "I can't give them anything 'cause I went through my thing and it went all wrong," she said. "You just pray. I do wish them luck. I wish that everybody would back off and let them deal with it the way they deal with it. I can't give advice. I can say positivity is the best thing you can do right now. Just stay positive and just surround yourself with people who are positive." Get resources and information about domestic violence, or check out Think MTV for a video handbook on spotting the warning signs of abuse. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Faith No More Bassist Talks Reunion, Reveals Lineup
February 26, 2009 at 11:35 am
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| Band's Bill Gould confirms lineup also includes Mike Patton, Roddy Bottum, Mike Bordin.
By James Montgomery 
Faith No More circa 1990
Photo: Paul Natkin/WireImage Earlier this week, we learned that Faith No More will be reuniting. Now, we know just who will be taking part in that reunion. In an e-mail to metal site Blabbermouth.net, FNM bassist Bill Gould revealed the lineup for the 2009 version of the band, and, well, it looks a whole lot like their last incarnation, circa 1997. Obviously, frontman Mike Patton is in, as is Gould. Founding members Mike Bordin (drums) and Roddy Bottum (keyboards) will be back for the reunion, as will guitarist Jon Hudson, who joined FNM for their last album, 1997's Album of the Year. The band's mid-'80s frontman, Chuck Mosely — who was replaced by Patton after being ejected for erratic behavior — and iconic guitarist Jim Martin — who split (or was fired) in 1993 — aren't mentioned in the e-mail, though Gould does hint at their rather tumultuous exits from the band. "Faith No More has always stood out as some sort of unique beast; part dog, part cat — its music was almost as schizophrenic as the personalities of its members," he wrote. "When it all worked, it worked really well, even if the chemistry was always volatile." Gould also explained that the members of Faith No More didn't speak much following their split in 1998, but that after having a decade to cool off and look back on the band's legacy, they all sat down last year and decided that 2009 (the 20th anniversary of the release of their most successful album, The Real Thing) was as good a time as any to reunite. "Throughout our 17 years of existence, the mental and physical energy required to sustain this creature was considerable and relentless. Though amicable enough, when we finally split, we all followed paths seemingly destined to opposite ends of the universe," he wrote. "Yet during the entire 10 years that have passed since our decision to break up, we've experienced constant rumors and requests from fans and promoters alike. Nevertheless, for whatever reason, none of us kept in regular touch, much less to discuss any possibilities of getting together. "What's changed is that this year, for the first time, we've all decided to sit down together and talk about it. And what we've discovered is that time has afforded us enough distance to look back on our years together through a clearer lens and made us realize that through all the hard work, the music still sounds good, and we are beginning to appreciate the fact that we might have actually done something right," he continued. "Meanwhile, we find ourselves at a moment in time with zero label obligations, still young and strong enough to deliver a kick-ass set, with enthusiasm to not only revisit our past but possibly add something to the present. And so with this we've decided to hold our collective breaths and jump off this cliff.... BACK, GOD FORBID, INTO THE MONKEY CAGE!!!" A spokesperson for Patton told MTV News on Tuesday that Faith No More only plan to tour Europe — where they enjoyed a huge following during their heyday — and that no U.S. dates are planned. Related Artists |
| DMX Could Face Eight Years In Prison After Alleged Assault On Guard
February 26, 2009 at 11:28 am
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| Rapper reportedly threw food tray at guard in Arizona prison.
By Gil Kaufman 
DMX
Photo: Johnny Nunez/ WireImage Troubled rapper DMX may have put a damper on his plans to become a pastor upon his release from prison. According to The Associated Press, X (born Earl Simmons), is facing an additional eight years in jail after he allegedly threw a tray of food at a Maricopa County detention officer. The incident resulted in X being booked on felony aggravated assault charges on Wednesday. The 38-year-old rapper, who is serving a 90-day jail sentence after pleading guilty on December 30 to felony charges of theft, drug possession and a misdemeanor animal-cruelty charge, reportedly became upset on Sunday when he was told he couldn't have a meal he took from a serving tray. Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said DMX threw the tray at an officer, who was not injured in the incident. Though he didn't physically strike the guard, the act meets the jail's definition of assault. X was already on a bread-and-water diet after being punished for an earlier rules violation at the jail on February 8. The Arizona Republic reported that earlier this month, X refused to report for a work assignment and didn't respond to calls for his medication later in the day. When he reportedly became agitated later in the day after not receiving his medication, a supervisor attempted to intervene and was said to be the subject of a "profanity-laced tirade" from the rapper. Thereafter, X was placed in lockdown. The Phoenix New Times reported that once in lockdown, inmates don't get normal jail food but something called "Nutra-loaf," a "gross slab of mystery food." According to the paper, when an officer went to pass out the evening meal on Sunday, X allegedly grabbed a meal that wasn't his. When the officer told him to hand back the food, DMX reportedly responded by throwing the tray and yelling, 'F--- you!' " In addition to 90 days in prison, DMX was sentenced in late January to serve 18 months of supervised probation, but a conviction on the new assault charge could jeopardize the terms of his probation and add a significant amount of additional jail time. According to TMZ, DMX released a statement on Wednesday, in which he wrote, "Many of you know me as DMX, but right now I am speaking to you as Earl Simmons. Just a man trying to serve my time peacefully in order to put all this behind me, so I can carry on with my normal life. The truth of the matter is, in the eyes of many, I am not just a normal man but rather a celebrity, which can be a blessing and a [curse]. Since I have begun to serve my sentence, I have not been given any special treatment but it has actually been the opposite. For the record, I want to state 'I Did Not' physically touch or hit an officer. This is just another attempt to destroy my credibility." DMX's lawyer could not be reached for comment at press time. Related Artists |
| 'American Idol' Recap: Allison Iraheta, Adam Lambert, Megan Joy Corkrey Heat Up Competition
February 26, 2009 at 10:22 am
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| Nick 'Norman Gentle' Mitchell continues to ham it up and annoy Simon.
By Gil Kaufman 
Allison Iraheta performs on "American Idol" on Wednesday
Photo: Michael Becker/ Getty Images/ Fox If "American Idol" wannabes don't know by now that song selection is more important than finding just the right sparkly shirt to wear on TV, then there's nothing the judges can do to help them. But, apparently, most of the second group of 12 who performed on Wednesday night in still haven't gotten the memo, because Simon, Paula, Randy and Kara called them out for picking songs that did nothing to help their chances of advancing. With contestants again picking from the Billboard Hot 100, it was a night with just a few highlights, and several judges' favorites crashed and burned. (Check out last night's live "Idol" blog for a full recap!) But first the good news. Under-the-radar 16-year-old Allison Iraheta, in the words of Randy Jackson, "just blew it out the box." The spunky, flame-haired wonder exploded on Heart's "Alone," tearing into the classic rock nugget with her husky, powerful Kelly Clarkson-esque voice. "You don't even know how good you are," Kara DioGuardi told Iraheta. Paula Abdul said the teen could "sing the telephone book," and though Simon Cowell told her to work on her personality, he added, "It's like the competition just started right now." Also killing it was show-closer Adam Lambert, 27, the musical-theater junkie who surprised everyone by bringing some Billy Idol/Axl Rose/ Elvis lip-curling swagger to the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction." Shaking his hips and sporting an all black ensemble pimped out with a fingerless glove and a neck full of chains, Lambert worked the stage like a pro, gave the camera a longing stare and ended his performance with a lens-shattering falsetto scream that got Cowell's attention. Paula busted out a standing ovation and said she felt like she wasn't watching "Idol," but an "Adam Lambert concert." Simon said parts were "excruciatingly bad," but others were "brilliant." And Randy just loved it, calling Lambert the most current artist ever on "Idol." He compared Lambert to a mash-up of Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, Fall Out Boy, "Twilight" star Robert Pattinson and My Chemical Romance. And then, there was jokester Nick "Norman Gentle" Mitchell. The most improbable "Idol" top 36-er ever delivered on his promise, once again busting out "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," dressed in his signature silvery shirt, cargo pants, running shoes, brown socks and red headband, accessorized with a white tuxedo jacket with tails and two red wristbands. "And I am telling you, I hope I'm not going. ... I'm staying. ... I'm not waking up tomorrow and finding out there's no 'Idol," Mitchell warbled as he writhed on the stage, tossed his glasses, touched hands with screaming girls in the crowd, nuzzled the "Idol" logo and ended by holding a long, off-key "Youuuuuuuuuuu!" and staring into the camera in all his baggy-eyed glory. Cowell couldn't help but laugh. "I hope I'm speaking on behalf of America when I pray you don't go through to the next round," he said, calling Mitchell's comedic throwdown "arguably one of the most atrocious performances we've ever had at this stage of the competition." Mitchell stared back and snapped, "Takes one to know one, sassy pants!" as he unleashed a high karate kick. Randy called it one of the most entertaining performances ever on the show. Kara said Mitchell will always be remembered, and Paula called it an Olivia-Newton-John-meets-Jerry-Lewis mash-up that was a lot of fun. But perhaps the night's biggest breakout was tattooed 23-year-old mom Megan Joy Corkrey. Wearing a sassy, white high-waisted dress, with her long hair done in waves, the runway-ready Corkrey showed off her 1,000-watt smile and wowed the panel with Corinne Bailey Ray's "Put Your Records On," while doing a cutesy hip-swiveling dance she called "the Corkrey." "You picked the right song. ... The camera is in love with you," Paula enthused, calling Corkrey "interesting, relevant, hip, cool, beautiful." Simon agreed, and Randy compared her to Grammy-winning British singers Adele, Duffy and Amy Winehouse. Kara said Corkrey could easily be a "breakout hit artist on radio" with the right song. For the most part, the rest of the contestants struggled. Jasmine Murray, 17, bombed with her Alicia Keys-ified soul version of Sara Bareilles' "Love Song," which the judges said was not the right choice. Dueling-piano player and Justin Timberlake wannabe Matt Giraud, 23, struggled through a feathery, Blake Lewis-esque run through Coldplay's difficult "Viva la Vida" that Simon said was "horrible." And bartender Jeanine Vailes, 28, got mad props for her mile-long legs, but that's about all the judges had to say about her messy take on Maroon 5's "This Love." Kris Allen, 23, forgot the cardinal "never cover Michael Jackson" rule, earning the judge's ire for his gospel-meets-Jack Johnson cover of "Man in the Mirror," which Simon praised for showing some personality, but which Kara said was "completely" the wrong song. Judge favorite and 28-year-old welding dad Matt Breitzke likely punched out his time card with an awkward soft-rock tumble through Tonic's "If You Could Only See" that Cowell called "boring" and "quite uncomfortable." The judges were split on the remaining contenders, including single mom Jesse Langseth, who did a jazzy version of Kim Carnes' "Bette Davis Eyes," which Randy called "OK," Kara and Paula really liked and Simon said suffered from the singer's "forgettable" personality. Nice-guy Kai Kalama sang a tame take on Jimmy Ruffin's nugget, "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted," which most agreed was too old-fashioned and safe, though they praised his likability. Former child actress and season-seven Hollywood washout Mishavonna Henson confused everyone with an Adele-style soul trip through Train's "Drops of Jupiter." Paula thought it was the wrong song. Simon liked it but said Henson was too serious and acted "like a 50-year-old," and Kara urged her to loosen up. The top male and female vote-getters — plus the next-highest vote-getter, regardless of gender — will advance into the top 12 on Thursday (February 26) night's results show. The final group of 12 will perform next Tuesday, followed by a results show on Wednesday. Then on Thursday, March 5, is the still-confusing wild-card round. Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Photos |
| Bun B And Too Short Support Dallas Like The City Supported Them
February 26, 2009 at 7:50 am
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| 'A lot of artists in Houston got broken in Dallas first,' Bun says of his Texas neighbor.
By Shaheem Reid 
Too Short and Bun B
Photo: MTV News DALLAS — Bun B has simple but perfect advice for all the artists in Dallas trying to blow up and put their town on hip-hop's national radar: "Just rep for your city," the Port Arthur, Texas, rapper said from Maximedia Studio. Bun was recently working on UGK's final LP with one of the record's guests, Too Short. Bun and Short were in town working with producers Play N Skillz on different tracks. While Dallas' support of hip-hop has been a staple, Bun said the city's artists haven't gotten their proper shine. "Dallas has always been a big supporter of Houston hip-hop," Bun said. "A lot of us would not have broken on a major scale if Dallas hadn't been there to be that second major market to pick up on us and help break us. A lot of artists in Houston got broken in Dallas first before they got broken in Houston in a major way. A lot of people will be surprised that Dallas has always been the number-one market for UGK. Dallas has always bought 10 to 15 more copies of every UGK album than Houston." "I probably did more [shows] in Dallas than Houston," Short added. "You can come out here every two weeks, and you gonna sell out." Bun said part of the reason Dallas' hip-hop scene hasn't gotten bigger is that the artists have been trying to find their identity. At times, they've tried too hard to distinguish themselves from Southern neighbors Houston and have lost a bit of focus. "Dallas' scene and the Houston scene is really only different because [of] the geography," Bun said. "[Houston] is a little closer to the water. We're a little bit more flatland. It's a different mentality that comes with that. We get a little more sunny weather, a little bit more wind. You come up to Dallas, it gets a little colder. They got a lot of hills, so they ride a little different. It's just a different mentality. Houston people and Dallas people talk different." "Hold up, they talk a lot different," Short corrected his friend with a smile. "It's a totally different Southern slang." "But they sound just like St. Louis people," Bun added. Short and Bun are pleased to see that Dallas in on the upswing, with Play N Skillz winning a Grammy at the past ceremony and Trai'D and the GS Boyz signing major-label deals recently. Both acts have been fast-tracked to drop LPs this year, especially with the GS Boyz's "Stanky Leg" looking to be this year's "Crank That." "I'm happy to see my region is showing up for them in numbers like they showed up for us," Bun said. Dallas has a lot to offer! In the coming days, we're bringing you details on the city's burgeoning hip-hop movement — from dances to fashion to hairstyles and, of course, the music. We got it all, so keep checking back for more during Dallas Week. Related Videos Related Artists |
| T.I., Akon Reveal How They Ended Up 'Day Dreaming' With DJ Drama
February 26, 2009 at 4:28 am
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| 'Three international superstars, so we definitely had to make it major,' Drama says of song, which also features Snoop Dogg.
By Shaheem Reid 
Snoop Dogg and T.I. on the set of "Day Dreaming"
Photo: MTV News HOLLYWOOD — While T.I. loves DJ Drama, that doesn't mean Dram gets any preferential treatment. "Drama is Grand Hustle," Tip said on the set of Drama's "Day Dreaming" video. "Grand Hustle is me all day. I don't do Drama's records for him more than I do any of my other artists' records for them. If it's a record they have an idea for me being on, I wait for them to do all their [other] records. The record they approach me and say, 'Hey, this the one I think I need you on,' I listen. At the end of the day, I defer to their comment. 'Is this the one? OK.' And we do it." Tip joins Akon and Snoop Dogg on the record with vocal performances. "Drama called me up and was like, 'Yo, 'Kon, what's the deal?' " Akon recalled of how he got on the song. "I said, 'What's up, bro?' He said, 'I ain't talking to you no more. Can I get my record?' I stopped everything I was doing to make sure he got it." Akon was on tour in Canada at the time, so he took awhile laying his part for "Day Dreaming," but Drama got it right on time. "It's a big song," Drama boasted during lunchtime on the set. "Three international superstars, so we definitely had to make it major. It's about when you might see a young lady and you get some thoughts in your head or some visions or some dreams." "It's pretty much about being enticed by a go-go dancer," Akon elaborated. "There's always that one [you see in the club] that makes you be like, 'Why is she in here? I wanna take care of that one.' So it's that vision of what that is right there. "This is nothing like what [Drama] is normally pushing [on Gangsta Grillz mixtapes]," Akon continued. "I think he's at the stage now where he realizes that as a DJ, he has to grow and take himself to the next level." Drama is feeling very presidential these days. In the video, he sports his new "Barack O'Drama" iced-out piece. "I've been calling myself that since about February '07," Drama said. "It's a beautiful thing that I can rock the name proudly, and Barack Obama is president of the United States right now. "I'm the mixtape president," he added. "I've been the king. There have been other kings, but after what I went through with the raid situation and what I accomplished in the mixtape game and what I've done since then, I feel I need to be the president. I may not be the last. Right now, I'm in office and I'm standing in front of you moving the mixtape game forward." Drama's official LP, Gangsta Grillz 2: The Album (The Mixtape President), is in stores May 19. In addition to Snoop, T.I. and Akon, it features guest spots from Lil Jon and Dram's Aphilliates Music Group family, such as La the Darkman and Willie the Kid. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Bow Wow Says Chris Brown Is Only Human: 'We're Not Perfect'
February 26, 2009 at 4:09 am
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| 'We put our pants on the same way everybody else puts their pants on,' MC says of his fellow celebrities.
By Steven Roberts 
Bow Wow
Photo: MTV News A number of questions have been raised in the wake of the alleged altercation between Chris Brown and Rihanna on February 8. One of the biggest questions has been how Brown's arrest will affect his image and, ultimately, his career. Bow Wow told MTV News on Wednesday that Brown's career shouldn't be of any concern: "I just want people to know that as entertainers, our job is to entertain." He said it's difficult to judge how this will affect Brown's career, but fans should understand that he's no different than anybody else. As artists, they have a responsibility to make records, tour and please fans, but they are still human. "We're not perfect," Bow said. "We put our pants on the same way everybody else puts their pants on." Bow Wow said he's good friends with Brown, but he decided not to reach out to him. "I always like to put myself in people's shoes," he said. "I understand probably what he's going through by the whole world knowing what happened. I don't want to be another [person] calling him and wanting to talk to him." Brown enjoyed a squeaky-clean image and seemed to never be without a smile, and e was a triple threat as a singer, dancer and actor. But the allegations have already affected him professionally. Brown has had to cancel shows and appearances and has lost ads with Wrigley's Doublemint Gum and the "Got Milk?" campaign. Bow Wow said the best thing for Brown and Rihanna is privacy and for fans to pray. "The only thing you could really do is just pray for him and pray for her and hope that they can get back on their two feet and do what we love them for doing," he said. Get resources and information about domestic violence, or check out Think MTV for a video handbook on spotting the warning signs of abuse. Related Artists |
| Why Normund Gentle Is The Greatest 'American Idol' Contestant Ever
February 26, 2009 at 2:13 am
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| But can the polarizing singer/comedian make it to the top 12?
By James Montgomery 
Nick Mitchell performs as his alter-ego, Normund Gentle, on "American Idol" on Wednesday
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images A few weeks ago, after Normund Gentle (or, if you prefer, Nick Mitchell) inexplicably slipped into the "American Idol" top 36, we published a piece in which we called him "either the most annoying contestant in the show's illustrious eight-year history, or the most brilliant." At the time, we weren't really sure which was appropriate. Now, after Wednesday night's vampy, campy performance of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," we've made up our minds: Gentle is the greatest contestant in "American Idol" history. Here's why: For starters, he's infinitely more interesting than anyone else in the "Idol" annals, despite the fact that he isn't even real — or, more specifically, because he isn't real. In Normund Gentle (who has been identified on the show as "Norman Gentle" but, according to his Web site, is actually "Normund"), Mitchell has created a cabaret caricature that pokes fun at everything the show is about: the over-the-top emoting, the cheesy numbers, the fact that this is basically a beauty contest. Gentle is definitely not beautiful: He's gawky, his short shorts ride uncomfortably high, he wears a headband, and yet, he survives. He is cheesiness personified, his performances so overly emotional that they border on being terrible (like, during last night's performance, when he literally got on his knees and begged the audience — and the judges — to let him stay on the show). He is, if one is being generous, an incredible slab of performance art ... either you get him or you don't. He is multifaceted. Complex. Having said all that, you cannot merely write Gentle off as a "joke," despite all evidence to the contrary. This is because Gentle — or Mitchell — can actually sing. For proof of this, check out his version of "Amazing Grace" during the "Idol" auditions, or the extended, lung-sapping "Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!" he capped his performance with last night. Sure, he did this after chucking his glasses into the audience, pawing at the "American Idol" sign and wading into the studio audience like a lost puppy, but still, you cannot deny that he has pipes (and at least he doesn't use them to shatter eardrums like theater-trained emo kid Adam Lambert). He is not merely a one-trick pony. Finally, as if everything he's done up to this point is not proof enough, Wednesday night's performance only proved that Gentle (and, by default, Mitchell) has absolutely no pretenses about actually winning "Idol." In fact, he seems hell-bent on single-handedly destroying it. His routine brought last night's show to a screeching halt, it left the judges agape, and it had the audience in complete hysterics. It's as if, in one moment, everyone watching, judging or producing "Idol" realized, "Wow, this thing really is ridiculous." He blew holes through the show's entire premise. As opposed to going out there and singing for his very life (which everyone else did, with underwhelming results), Gentle took the stage in a white tuxedo jacket and decided to screw around. It was either the work of a madman, a mastermind or both. And here's the thing: Gentle's act could continue. Despite Simon Cowell's urging that he be voted off (or, probably, because of it), Gentle may survive. He's already being championed by the Vote for the Worst folks, and he seems like a shoo-in to receive the votes of every single person in this country who hates "American Idol" and wants to see it brought to its knees. And Gentle could be the person who does just that. Or he may just be sent packing Thursday night (February 26) — who knows? Either way, he's already attained greatness. It just depends on your definition of the word. Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Photos |
| Blink-182's Morse Code Mystery Revealed By Mark Hoppus
February 26, 2009 at 1:12 am
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| Is Hoppus' blog message meaningful, or just messing with fans?
By James Montgomery 
Blink-182
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage If you're an obsessive Blink-182 fan (like some of us around here are), then you probably check out Mark Hoppus' blog on a daily basis. And if you're a Blink-182 fan who's obsessed with all things viral and mysterious (like some of us here), well, then you probably lost your mind on Tuesday. That's when Hoppus posted a series of dots and dashes on his blog, Hi My Name Is Mark, setting off an online stampede that had fans pulling out their hair (and their pocket translators). Were the marks actually some form of MIDI notes? Did they contain hidden information about Blink's much-anticipated new album? Was this some sort of throwback to Coldplay's X&Y Baudot code thingamajig? Just what was Hoppus trying to tell us?!?! Well, as it turns out, he was mostly just messing with us. See, the dots and dashes were Morse code, and when fans plugged them into online translators, they got some form of the following message: "TREADTEINUNEEDTUNDERTANDRECDETLINKTAETII" Clever fans began picking the string of letters apart, and what they discovered had them slapping their foreheads. Hoppus publishes on Wordpress, which converted some of his dots and/or dashes into characters and/or hyphens, therefore mucking the whole thing up a bit, but roughly translated, the message seemed to say, "To Read This, You Need To Understand Morse Code. Blink-182." Now, not only is that brilliant, it's also hilarious. But, was Hoppus's Morse Mystery all just an elaborate prank? To find out, we shot him an e-mail, saying we were confounded and slightly amazed by the whole thing. And he replied with the following: "Awesome. It says something like, 'To read this you need to understand Morse code. Blink-182.' " So, there you have it, Blink obsessives. Straight from the man himself. Feel free to return to your normal lives. Or, you know, your semi-normal ones. Related Artists | | |  |
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