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| Keri Hilson 'Grateful' For Debut LP's Many Delays
March 24, 2009 at 12:09 pm
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| Lil Wayne, Ne-Yo, Keyshia Cole, Timbaland lend a hand on In a Perfect World....
By Shaheem Reid 
Keri Hilson
Photo: MTV News On Tuesday (March 24), Keri Hilson finally gets to release her debut album, In a Perfect World.... The sexy singer said the date has great karma because fellow Atlanta native Usher dropped his Confessions LP five years ago this week. He sold a few copies — i.e. a few million! — of that one. Hilson says the wait for putting out her record, which was supposed to come out last year, is well worth it. The delays gave her ample opportunity to make sure everything came out to her liking. "It's kind of been a little Detox-y," Hilson laughed, comparing the wait for her debut to Dr Dre's years-in-the-making LP. Keri and the Doc share a similar trait. "I'm just a perfectionist," she said. "I have had many [release dates], but it's all for a good cause. The label wants to make sure the album has its proper release, and I'm thankful for that. Very grateful, even though fans look at it like it's a bad thing." Perfect World... is packed with power players, from Lil Wayne, Keyshia Cole and Ne-Yo to its two main producers, Polow Da Don and Timbaland. "Polow absolutely leans towards urban-sounding records like 'Turnin' Me On,' " she said. "Timbaland leans towards the 'Energy'-sounding records, the more world music. I'm always in the middle, and I mean that businesswise and creatively. Because when Polow brings me a more urban-sounding record, I bring it back to the middle and go a little pop with it. When Timbaland brings me a world track, I pull out something emotional and raw. I'm always the balance between those two. It works for us. They're polar opposites and I'm in the middle." Although both beat masters were working toward a common cause, Hilson said they didn't want to get outshined by the other. "It's a silent battle between the two of them," she smiled. "It's just a natural, they both wanna give their best, and I'm very glad that two of the great producers have come together on my project. Of course, I'm their baby and they want to give me their best. I'm in the middle like, 'Thank you, Lord.' " Hilson slowed down her writing for other artists to concentrate on the new album, but now that it's in stores, she's unleashing her pen again. The singer will be working on tracks for Omarion's new Timbaland-helmed project, as well as Tim's Shock Value 2. Her new video, "Knock You Down," features Kanye West as Hilson's ex who messes up and Ne-Yo Related Artists |
| T.I.'s Fate Will Be In The Court's Hands On Friday
March 24, 2009 at 10:02 am
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| While the rapper made a plea deal, his sentencing isn't set in stone.
By Jayson Rodriguez 
T.I. in "T.I.'s Road to Redemption"
Photo: MTV On October 14, 2007, on the eve of the BET Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta, T.I. was arrested after attempting to illegally purchase weapons, and a search of his home turned up even more firearms. He was convicted on the felony weapons charges, and it seemed as if his career could be in jeopardy and he would be sentenced to years behind bars. But Tip was able to secure a plea deal last March that suggested if he completed 1,000 hours of community service before sentencing, paid a $100,000 fine and agreed to complete another 500 hours of community service after his jail time, he would be sentenced to a year and a day in prison. The sentence is notable, according to legal experts, because of the specific length. If T.I. were to be sentenced to one year in prison, for example, he would be required to complete the entire sentence. But, similar to Lil' Kim's case a few years ago, a sentence of one year and one day could allow T.I. to be released earlier for good behavior, if warranted. From the series finale of Tip's MTV show "Road to Redemption," which aired on Tuesday (March 24), we know that his upcoming sentencing on Friday isn't a slam dunk — and we don't know what will follow immediately afterward, either. According to Vibe's April cover story, Tip will most likely report to jail within a 30- to 60-day time frame. Nothing is guaranteed Friday beyond Tip's appearance in court. What allowed T.I. to strike his unique deal in the first place was a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in January 2005 that said federal sentencing guidelines were suggested and not mandatory. It's not the ideal situation to be in, but T.I. seems to be handling it well. Late last year, he told MTV News he was mentally preparing for his prison time. He said he would spend his incarceration planning his activity after his release, which is expected to include writing rhymes. Earlier this month, he said he has at least 19 new songs recorded already for his next album. "Presumably, while I'm there, I'll be able to strategize my comeback," Tip said in 2008. "All those days will be spent speaking to people who are interested in being in the T.I. business. Preparing myself for the days those doors open, when I put my feet back on the ground of the free world. It's just months of planning. It's just a long time to roll the project out. I ain't gonna just be sitting still doing nothing. The wheels will be turning, just the car ain't going nowhere." Related Photos Related Artists |
| T.I. Says It's A 'Great Pleasure' To Help New Atlanta Artists
March 24, 2009 at 7:54 am
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| 'I think they all represent different movements,' T.I. said of the next wave of Atlanta rappers.
By Shaheem Reid 
Yung L.A. and T.I.
Photo: MTV News Atlanta may just be the hottest city in hip-hop right now. T.I., Young Jeezy and Ludacris all stand on top as kings of the game right now. Love him or hate him, ATL transplant Soulja Boy has already tapped into the young-listener market like no other, and his "Turn My Swag On" is probably the biggest rap record in the clubs right now. The veteran Gucci Mane is now out of jail and has the streets screaming for him. And let's not forget Andre 3000 — whenever he steps out of the creative hideout he's lounging in, a classic verse is a forgone conclusion. And while other cities certainly have their share of heavyweights, Atlanta keeps turning out young talent who make themselves immediate heavy-hitters in local clubs and on the radio. Def Jam has just inked the trio F.L.Y., who are stirring up a dance movement with the song "Swag Surfin', " and T.I. is championing two of the city's brightest prospects: Yung L.A. and B.o.B. "I think they all represent different movements," Tip told us recently about the next wave of Atlanta artists. "B.o.B from Yung L.A., they're light years away. ... I think that it's great that the city is still growing, that the movement is alive and well. It gives me great pleasure to be able to present so many of these acts and to be responsible for the cultivating of their careers." Here are five Atlanta rap acts to look out for in 2009: OJ Da Juiceman - The Juice says that the project he put out in January — The Otha Side of The Trap ... — wasn't an actual LP, it was more like a mixtape album. The big hit of the CD, "Make Tha Trap Say Aye," featured Gucci Mane and became a street smash. Cam'ron recently laid vocals for the remix and it sounds like another winner for OJ. But now that his teammate Gucci Mane — who's as popular in the streets as any MC right now — has been released from prison, it seems like the tandem will have no problems making waves in Atlanta and busting out mainstream-style in 2009. B.o.B - Signed to T.I.'s Grand Hustle, just listen to the guy's creativity — he can flip lines on a Beatles sample, sing an irreplaceable hook on a duet with superstars T.I. and Ludacris or drop some dangerous verbiage with other blue-chip abstract MCs such as Charles Hamilton and Asher Roth. B.o.'s been getting busy for a year now, gaining popularity on the Net and the mixtape circuit. "Haters" and "I'll Be in the Sky" were the big introductions, and the sky's the limit for the fly GA weirdo in 2009. F.L.Y. (Fast Life Youngstaz) - Trio Mycko McFly, Lil V and Mook have taken the word "swag" to a new level. F.L.Y. have made up the dance and song "Swag Surfin'." (In the ATL clubs, people actually act like they are on an invisible surfboard when the record comes on!) The Youngstaz just signed to Def Jam and should have their first album out this summer. Yung L.A. - "Ain't I" was huge for the mohawk-sporting MC. Featuring T.I. and Yung Dro, the tune came out last year and is still buzzing in Hotlanta. L.A. and Dro have shown a keen chemistry for feeding off of each other, especially on their acclaimed joint mixtape Black Boy Swag, White Boy Tags. L.A. (Leland Austin) is getting ready to drop another single called "Futuristic Elroy" — which expounds on his own slanguage — and the album Futuristic Leland is slated for June. Fonzworth Bentley - While his fellow rap acts need that mainstream recognition to truly get large, Bent is on TV several times a week on top-rated MTV series "From G's to Gents" and has been highly recognizable for years. Being known for so many things other than rapping (fashion police, etiquette books, umbrella line, video guest appearances, etc.) has hindered his behind-the-mic transition. We've heard some music, and the Fonz has some joints — so don't snicker. Andre 3000 and Kanye aren't co-signing him just because they're his friends, you know. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Jim Jones' Court Date Set
March 24, 2009 at 7:01 am
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| The rapper is due to appear in court on April 21 for charges related to an alleged altercation with Ne-Yo's entourage.
By Gil Kaufman 
Jim Jones (file)
Photo: MTV News Jim Jones had an eventful Tuesday (March 24). In the morning, the Diplomat crew boss started out with a visit to the Manhattan Criminal Court in connection with his alleged altercation with Ne-Yo manager Jayvon Smith at a Louis Vuitton store in Manhattan over Christmas. Then, later in the day, the MC was scheduled to do an in-store at the soon-to-be-shuttered Virgin Megastore in New York in support of his just-released fourth album, Pray IV Reign. Though details about the incident are still a bit sketchy, police believe that Jones and/or some members of his crew got into a physical altercation with some members of Ne-Yo's entourage at the LV store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan on Christmas Eve. Jones' attorney, Scott Leemon, told MTV News on Tuesday that the rapper appeared in court briefly as the prosecution turned over medical records that allegedly catalog Smith's injuries. Leemon said Jones was offered and turned down a plea deal down to a misdemeanor assault charge that would have come with 10 days of community service or 15 days in jail. "There are witnesses who've stated that Mr. Jones did not start the physical altercation," Leemon said. "This is clearly a setup for a civil suit." In fact, Jones is not only facing criminal charges for the alleged incident, but also reportedly a $7 million civil lawsuit brought by Smith, who claims the rapper seriously injured him in the alleged fight. Leemon said he's read about the suit, but has not yet seen any paperwork related to it. Jones pleaded not guilty to the assault charges on February 4. The trial is scheduled to begin on April 21. Related Artists |
| Jennifer Hudson Reportedly Returning To 'American Idol'
March 24, 2009 at 4:43 am
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| Grammy- and Oscar-winning actress will tape her performance Wednesday.
By MTV News staff 
Jennifer Hudson
Photo: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage Jennifer Hudson will be performing on an upcoming installment of "American Idol," an unnamed source reportedly told The Associated Press. The Grammy- and Oscar-winning actress, singer and "Idol" alum is scheduled to tape a performance in front of the studio audience on Wednesday after the live broadcast has ended, AP reported, citing "a person close to the show who did not want his or her name used because the person was not authorized to speak to reporters." A representative for the show had not responded to MTV News' request for comment at press time. Hudson's appearance will air on an upcoming segment of the show, the source said. It seems likely that Hudson will sing a song from her self-titled debut CD, which won the Grammy for Best R&B Album in February; she also performed on the show and sang the National Anthem before the Super Bowl, and will begin her first national tour — a co-headlining jaunt with Robin Thicke — on March 31. "I am so grateful," Hudson said in a statement from her record label about the tour, which will stop in cities like Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles before ending May 8 in Houston. "My first Grammy and my first tour, it doesn't get any better than this!" Just days before Hudson took home the Grammy, label head Clive Davis told MTV News that the singer, whose mother, brother and nephew were murdered last fall, was ready to get back to work. "She's coped internally. She's coped with her family," he said. "I'm sure she's coped within her religion. I was there at the funeral. I think that she has ... to dig down deep, because this has been an indescribable tragedy." Hudson was a finalist on the third season of "American Idol." Related Artists |
| Jennifer Hudson Reportedly Returning To 'American Idol'
March 24, 2009 at 4:43 am
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| Grammy- and Oscar-winning actress will tape her performance Wednesday.
By MTV News staff
Jennifer Hudson
Photo: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage Jennifer Hudson will be performing on an upcoming installment of "American Idol," an unnamed source reportedly told The Associated Press. The Grammy- and Oscar-winning actress, singer and "Idol" alum is scheduled to tape a performance in front of the studio audience on Wednesday after the live broadcast has ended, AP reported, citing "a person close to the show who did not want his or her name used because the person was not authorized to speak to reporters." A representative for the show had not responded to MTV News' request for comment at press time. Hudson's appearance will air on an upcoming segment of the show, the source said. It seems likely that Hudson will sing a song from her self-titled debut CD, which won the Grammy for Best R&B Album in February; she also performed on the show and sang the National Anthem before the Super Bowl, and will begin her first national tour — a co-headlining jaunt with Robin Thicke — on March 31. "I am so grateful," Hudson said in a statement from her record label about the tour, which will stop in cities like Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles before ending May 8 in Houston. "My first Grammy and my first tour, it doesn't get any better than this!" Just days before Hudson took home the Grammy, label head Clive Davis told MTV News that the singer, whose mother, brother and nephew were murdered last fall, was ready to get back to work. "She's coped internally. She's coped with her family," he said. "I'm sure she's coped within her religion. I was there at the funeral. I think that she has ... to dig down deep, because this has been an indescribable tragedy." Hudson was a finalist on the third season of "American Idol." Related Artists |
| James Hetfield Talks About 'The Oyster That Took Down Metallica'
March 24, 2009 at 3:23 am
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| Frontman explains the illness that led to the cancellation of a Stockholm, Sweden, gig.
By James Montgomery 
Metallica's James Hetfield at SXSW 2009
Photo: MTV News Earlier this month, Metallica were forced to cancel a show in Stockholm, Sweden, when frontman James Hetfield was hospitalized with a stomach bug and dehydration. A few days after the cancellation, Hetfield posted an apologetic message on Metallica's Web site, explaining that he was taken down by — of all things — "a bad oyster." It all seemed rather humorous (especially since he's fully recovered), so when MTV News sat down with Hetfield last week at South by Southwest — hours before Metallica stomped through Stubb's for a not-so-secret "secret" show — we had to ask about that oyster. Because, wow, that must've been one monstrous mollusk. "The oyster that took down Metallica," Hetfield laughed. "Well, yeah, it was at the very last show of the very last leg [of Metallica's European tour], and there's a few places where we're able to do doubles, which is awesome, and this last one was in Sweden, in Stockholm. "We had done the first show, and there's not many times where all the support acts — we've got Machine Head, we've got the Sword out with us — there's not many places where we're all in the same town, at the same day off, together," he continued. "So there was a night where we went out and had a celebration between shows, and there was a bunch of food that was laid out that was maybe laid out a bit too long, I don't know." Het said he downed a few oysters and continued celebrating. He felt fine all night, but when he woke up the next morning, something was different. "I just started to feel really bad. And man, I tried so hard to not cancel the show. It's so lame. It's tough to call in sick to our gig, and I don't want to disappoint people, and we're already there, the gear's there, but I was so sick I swear I could not stand without falling over," he said. "I was so dehydrated. The doctor came in, took my blood pressure — which was, like, 80 over 60 — and he had an IV of saline in his car, and he brought it in, he taped it up to the lamp next to the bed and plugged me in. But of course, the stuff's supposed to be at room temperature. It was freezing, and I went into this — my teeth were chattering. It was an event." So, with their frontman doubled over and shivering, Metallica were forced to cancel the Stockholm gig, leaving some 16,000 fans totally bummed. But they've already announced a makeup date for the Stockholm show (April 5), and Hetfield said he's determined to take the stage that night. "I'll be there. For sure. No oyster can stop me," he laughed. "The last time, it was a combination of, I think, bad food — salmonella — along with the stomach flu, and it knocked me out, man. Won't happen again." Related Artists |
| Ashley Tisdale Reveals Her 'Dancing With The Stars' Picks
March 24, 2009 at 3:05 am
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| 'High School Musical' star's money is on gymnast Shawn Johnson, but she calls Julianne Hough and Chuck Wicks 'so cute.'
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Kim Stolz 
Ashley Tisdale
Photo: Michael Caulfield/Getty Images Ashley Tisdale knows a thing or two about dancing, thanks to her work as the catty Sharpay in the first three "High School Musical" movies. So it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that the singer/actress follows "Dancing With the Stars." This season, Tisdale is banking on an Olympic athlete to take home the gold. "I think Shawn [Johnson] is a really good one. I think Shawn is good," she told MTV News about the 17-year-old gymnast. "I think [she could win], and [her partner] Mark Ballas is a really good dancer as well." But Tisdale isn't counting out any of the contestants, including Steve-O and Lil' Kim, adding, "I love Julianne [Hough] and her boyfriend [country singer Chuck Wicks]. They're definitely so cute, and they're really sweet in real life." In the past, Disney acts like the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus have performed on the show, and some Disney stars have even been part of the cast. Cheetah Girl Sabrina Bryan, "High School Musical" actress Monique Coleman and "Hannah Montana" star Cody Linley have all competed. Tisdale, who's busy promoting her album Guilty Pleasure and the movie "They Came From Upstairs," isn't quite ready to make the leap into competitive dancing. "I don't know," she said. "Not yet!" Related Videos Related Artists |
| Nicole Scherzinger Says She Originally Didn't Want To Cover 'Jai Ho'
March 24, 2009 at 2:45 am
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| Pussycat Dolls leader was very nervous about rewriting 'Slumdog Millionaire' song.
By James Montgomery 
Nicole Scherzinger
Photo: MTV News In a story published on the Desi Hits! Web site on Friday, Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger admitted that she initially "kind of didn't want to" re-record an English-language version of A.R. Rahman's "Slumdog Millionaire" hit, "Jai Ho." "I was really scared and I kind of didn't want to do it," she told the site. "I heard the song and fell in love with it ... and I was scared to death to touch it. I was afraid for people to hear it before I even wrote it." But she said her producers and label exec gave her the courage to see the project through. "Every night I would pray" for it to turn out right," she said. "If people like it, then I'm really grateful." Last month, when MTV News spoke with Scherzinger at the kickoff to Britney Spears' Circus tour, she detailed the long and fairly complicated process of making "Jai Ho," while not being quite so outspoken about her anxiety. "The people at the label, Jimmy Iovine and Ron Fair, asked me to see the movie and listen to this new producer, A.R. Rahman, so I studied him, and I saw the movie and was captivated and thought it was the most genius thing ever," Scherzinger explained. "And they said, 'Well, that's good, because you're going to have to rewrite it and do your own version of it.' "So, we were on tour at the time — we were in London, and we all went to go see the movie — and while we were doing our shows, I just worked on the song," she continued. "It's an honor to be part of this project in any way, before all the Oscars happened, because the story is unbelievable." So after finding out she would have to not only rewrite the song's Hindi lyrics, but do it while PCD were wrapping their Doll Domination tour, Scherzinger had no choice but to buckle down and work. "It's crazy how the whole thing came about," she said. "It just happened so quickly. I'm a writer, and I've been fortunate enough to write for the Dolls, but when they asked me to look at the movie and do my own version, I was really afraid to take on the task of rewriting the lyrics," she said. "Because I thought the movie was so profound, I didn't know how to make sure I kept the integrity of the movie and the love story, but also make it cool enough for the Pussycat Dolls and for people all over the world to connect to. "I just followed my heart and I came from a very spiritual place," she continued. "I just wanted people no matter where they are, whatever relationship they're in — be it spiritual or a guy/girl relationship — to be able to connect to the song. So it was kind of unbelievable to be able to do that. I hope people don't hate it!" Related Artists |
| Damon Dash Set To Divorce
March 24, 2009 at 2:11 am
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| Mogul's wife, fashion designer Rachel Roy, files papers in Manhattan Supreme Court.
By Shaheem Reid 
Damon Dash
Photo: Andrew H. Walker/ Getty Images Damon Dash is headed to divorce court. The New York Daily News has obtained papers that Dash's wife, fashion designer Rachel Roy, has filed to terminate their four-year marriage. The two met when Roy was an intern at Dash's Rocawear clothing line. In 2004, she launched her own line. According to New York magazine, Roy counts Oprah Winfrey and Ivanka Trump among her list of clients. When Dash and Jay-Z severed their Roc-A-Fella Records ties officially in 2004, Dash began to focus heavily on fashion. Last year he resurfaced, jumping back into music by working alongside Jim Jones, advising his fellow Harlem native. Dash devised a Jones business plan, which included music, movies and a musical. "We doing something called 'The Hip-Hop Monologues,' " Jones explained to MTV News last year. "For the most part, when you're an artist, you do the conventional thing, like hold a listening session for the media. ... So, I was trying to think of something new, now that I had a deal from Columbia. The look of it is supposed to be that much bigger, because I'm jumping from Koch to a powerhouse. I was just thinking of new ways and new advances and the play was one of them. I'm like, 'Yo, Dame, I got an idea. You think we can pull this off?' You know, Dame thinks he can pull anything off." Dame is also featured in a documentary he produced for the Diplomat Capo called "This is Jim Jones." The doc is set to be released on May 19. |
| Shawty Lo Stays In His Atlanta 'Hood To Record Sophomore LP
March 24, 2009 at 1:14 am
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| 'I thought it was luck, but I was inspired to keep writing,' rapper says of debut's success.
By Shaheem Reid 
Photo: MTV News ATLANTA — How smart is Shawty Lo's marketing plan? His D4L Studio is right on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, better known as the Bankhead Strip, and you can hear his music blasting all hours of the day and night. So anybody coming in or out of the 'hood hears what he's cooking up. You can get some fried chicken at the restaurant across the street or get your car fixed at the store right next to it. A strip club is down the block; so is the housing project where Lo grew up, the Bowen Homes. It's all boarded up now, and most of the residents have moved out. Right outside the D4L Studio doors, there's a barbecue brewing. A grill is being put together, and the food is on deck. Inside, Lo isn't grilling anything — he's baking. "I had to stop doing shows for a minute," said Shawty, wearing all white except his red Louis Vuitton scarf, which matches the walls. "I'm not a freestyle [artist]. I take my time and write. So I had to stop doing shows and dedicate myself to being in the studio and making quality music, what people wanna hear. I call it putting it in the oven. I bake my music and put it out." The popularity of Lo's 2008 debut, Units in the City, caught everyone off guard — including Shawty himself. He hurled three club bangers with "Dey Know," "Dunn Dunn" and "Foolish." The night wasn't complete if a DJ didn't play a mini Lo set. He's been in demand for live performances for more than a year. Now, the trick is doing it all over again so he's not a three-hit wonder. "I was a new artist," Shawty said. "I hadn't been rapping no longer than three years. People took to it. People was going crazy and I thought it was luck, but I was inspired to keep writing." Lo's new album, I Am Carlos, is due in June. "What everybody knows in the streets of Atlanta is Carlos from Bowen Homes," he continued. "It is more than Shawty Lo the rapper, and I'm finnin' to let the rest of the world know that it was more than Shawty Lo the rapper. I'mma give them a little more of me, like my negative side when I was a D-boy. I'm giving them my story of how I've been able to turn a negative into a positive." Since L.O. is still recording, he hasn't chosen his first single yet, but he played MTV News a gaggle of tracks. The first, "About My B.I.," features Mya on the hook. "I'm not really good with the computer; I'm good with the pad," he said as he pulled up the track. "One of my fellow members from my projects, Bowen Homes, he just died. He was murdered. I gave him a shout in the song: 'Rest in peace, Marlo.' " "It's Miss M.Y.A.," we hear Mya belt to start off the record. "I'm about my B.I./ I be on the grind, steady pushin' all the time, OK?/ I'm about my B.I." "I've been a fan of Mya for long time too," he said after the record played. The two met at the Ozone Awards, and Mya sent Lo the track with the hook on it. "She had the concept and everything. I thanked her for the record. It's a song called 'About My B.I.,' and I'm just telling the story why I'm about my B.I., my business." Rick Ross, Bun B, Lil' Kim, T-Pain and Gucci Mane also appear on the album. "It means a lot. I grew up listening to them," the father of 12 said about working with some of his more tenured guest stars. "I was listening to UGK when I was coming out seventh or eighth grade. Lil' Kim is a diva. I messed with her from long ago. Ross is my man — the boss! We been doing it since day one. When he brought out 'Every day I'm hustling,' that's when I brought out 'I'm the Man.' We connected off the rip like brothers." On "Sick of Myself," Lo stays connected to cash. "What's happ-ninnnnn?" he raps on the lead verse. "I hear you talking/ Your baby mama, bi--- still stalkin'/ I'm in the Lambo, bi--- still walkin'/ Ice got my chest cold, I'm coughin'." "I'm talking about [people] being sick of me," he smiled. "Like, 'Yo, boy, I'm sick of you, you doing too much. Ballin'!' " Related Videos Related Artists | | |  |
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