| Jadakiss Brings Streets To The Ballroom For New York Show
April 9, 2009 at 12:00 pm
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| Busta Rhymes, Ryan Leslie, Swizz Beatz and Sheek Louch make guest appearances at the Highline Ballroom. 
Jadakiss performs at New York's Highline Ballroom
Photo: MTV News NEW YORK — Jason "Jadakiss" Phillips couldn't have picked a better venue to show his skills on Wednesday night than the Highline Ballroom. Though it's in a trendy Meatpacking District hotel, it's also next to a large housing project. Undoubtedly, the people in the PJs have been some of the Yonkers rapper's main supporters during his almost 15-year career. That 'hood love is what keeps him afloat. Heck, he's given away way more songs on the mixtape circuit than he's sold with two group albums and three solo LPs (including The Last Kiss, which dropped on Tuesday). Jada gets some mainstream recognition here and there, and the respect he has from his peers is reserved for a select mic-elite few. He's rocked with the best of them: Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Eminem, Nas, Snoop Dogg, DMX, all the way to Young Jeezy and Lil Wayne. Jada's charisma is such that even people with whom he's had bitter feuds — 50 Cent, Beanie Sigel, Diddy, DJ Green Lantern — have turned the other cheek and reconciled any differences. And then there's his lyrical talent. At Wednesday's show, one young woman was reciting Kiss' words so vehemently, you could envision empty Dutch Masters boxes lying at her feet, the smell of chicken patties in the air and the sounds of car engines as they drive by. "Just something about my sh--, you'll never figure out./ It's hot, it's burning my mouth, that's why I spit it out." You couldn't tell this fan she wasn't standing in front of a corner store in a rap cipher but rather crammed into a ballroom for a show put on by MySpace. Jada started with a very blunt fan favorite "F--- You," one of the highlights from the LOX's We Are the Streets LP. LL Cool Kiss excited the fans, who put their fingers in the air for the bullying chorus, "Only my man's blood is sacred, c---sucker, f--- you." Like many of Kiss' most popular records, this one didn't exactly become a radio darling. But that's not where you listen to him. You buy the CD, or cop the mixtape, and you play it in the car. You listen to every acidic line on your headphones while riding the bus or taking that walk across campus. Because trust, you will be replaying songs to make sure you hear every line correctly. You can't do that while listening to the radio. Jadakiss continued with "Put Ya Hands Up," and the spectators raised the roof. The gunpowder-fueled "Show Discipline" and a Jada verse from the "Made You Look" remix followed. "Money, Power, and Respect," "All for the Love" and "Wild Out" came next. Kiss has verses. He could do it all night. Shortly after "Knock Yourself Out," Jada brought out Ryan Leslie for the singer's brokenhearted love jam "How It Was Supposed to Be," on which the "Black Babe Ruth" guest-stars. Sheek Louch came out for self-explanatory banger "Kiss Your Ass Goodbye" and their crew anthem "Mighty D-Block (2 Gunz Up)." Ruff Ryder family member Swizz Beatz made a short appearance while Kiss took a break. The producer performed a medley of his own records, such as "It's Me Bitches" before Jada returned for his new Swizz song "Who's Real." The last surprise was Busta Rhymes, who was accompanied by Spliff Star. All three guys performed "Conglomerate," the next single from Busta's B.O.M.B. LP. "It's my pleasure to say that Jadakiss is not just one of my favorite MCs," Bus boasted. "But we're officially giving Jadakiss a new nickname for tonight. He's the new 'Hitman' for New York." Jada enforced his rep, going with no beat to end The Last Kiss' "Pain and Torture." "Get my insight from an OG with a good job and all that/ But he loves sniffin'/ Sh-- talker, playboy British Walker/ Rappers be home like, 'God, please get him off us.' " Other records Kiss played from his new album were "Things I've Been Through," which samples Luther Vandross, and "What If." The latter features Nas, but Mr. Esco was back in California. Jada's show ended with the Grammy-nominated "Why." Related Artists |
| Rihanna Visits Sick Fan In New York Hospital
April 9, 2009 at 12:00 pm
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| Singer spends time with 6-year-old girl fighting leukemia.
By Jocelyn Vena 
Rihanna
Photo: Samir Hussein/ Getty Images Although she has kept a relatively low profile since her alleged altercation with Chris Brown in February, Rihanna made a special visit to a 6-year-old fan, Jasmina Anema, on April 2 in New York. The singer surprised the girl, who is fighting leukemia at NYU Medical Center, after learning about her story back in February. Rihanna saw a video made by the girl's best friend and her mother in an effort to find a bone-marrow donor for the young girl. Rihanna followed up their video with her own video helping to find a donor. Last March, the singer helped find a bone-marrow donor for 41-year-old lawyer Lisa Gershowitz-Flynn, who also had leukemia. "She's really here!" Jasmina exclaimed when Rihanna walked into her room last week, People magazine reported. The singer told the girl, who has a rare and aggressive form of the disease, "You are such a beautiful little girl." Katharina Harf, the executive vice president of DKMS Americas, the donor registry that is helping Jasmina find a match, told the magazine that usually Jasmina is tired due to high doses of chemotherapy. "But when Rihanna walked into the room, there was no sign of that at all," she said. "Jasmina loves Rihanna. And Rihanna fell in love with Jasmina." The two spent more than three hours together talking, playing and having pillow fights. They even danced around to a few of Rihanna's songs, including "Umbrella" and "Please Don't Stop the Music." "Jasmina showed Rihanna all her special 'moves,' " Harf said. "And tried to teach her how to do them. ... Rihanna stayed until 8 o'clock that night. She would have stayed longer if Jasmina didn't have to go to sleep." Not only did Rihanna hang out with Jasmina, but she also gave the girl a bag of CoverGirl products and gave her a little makeover. "Rihanna asked me if it was OK to put makeup on Jasmina," the girl's mother, Thea Anema, said. "I said, 'Of course!' She's so thrilled with makeup and anything girly." Rihanna talked to People about the visit to Jasmina, who she calls "an amazing little girl." "It breaks my heart to see her go through this difficult sickness," she said. "Jasmina still hasn't found a match and she is just one of 6,000 people suffering from leukemia or other blood cancers who search the registry every day for a life-saving match. We can take action and sign up to be bone marrow donors. We can save the life of Jasmina and others like her." Related Videos Related Artists |
| Eminem's 'We Made You' Video Slammed By Bill O'Reilly
April 9, 2009 at 12:00 pm
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| Fox News correspondent calls video's dig at Sarah Palin 'misogynist.'
By Shaheem Reid 
Eminem in the music video for "We Made You"
Photo: Interscope Controversial Fox News host Bill O'Reilly took aim at Eminem's new video for "We Made You," Slim Shady himself and the rapper's fans Wednesday night on "The O'Reilly Factor." "Few Americans take the vile rapper Eminem seriously," O'Reilly said. "He represents the lowest form of entertainment in this country and is a publicity hound to boot." O'Reilly took issue with the lyric and video segment regarding Alaska Governor and former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin that he slammed as misogynist. "I'll invite Sarah Palin out to dinner, nail her/ Baby, say hello to my little friend," Em raps on the song. The talk-show host called the Palin reference an "attack" that was "crude." "It's so crude what he does," O'Reilly elaborated. "Kids see it, not adults." He also claimed that "no one over 25 listens to him" (which may be news to some of the veteran rapper's older fans). Citing the attacks he received from women's groups for his criticism of veteran reporter Helen Thomas' views on terrorism, O'Reilly said he was upset that women's group are not protesting Slim Shady, adding that "left wing" media outlets such as NBC News, The Los Angeles Times and The New York Times have not taken the rap icon to task. O'Reilly accused them of being biased against Palin and opined that if a singer such as Travis Tritt made a derogatory reference about Hilary Clinton or Michelle Obama in one of his records, the outlets would "kill him." O'Reilly's guest, feminist Tammy Bruce, declared that Em's "objectification of Palin meant that all women can be used." "Eminem is obviously on an obscene rant about Sarah Palin, it's totally obscene, totally inappropriate," O'Reilly continued. "All I want to do is repeat that Eminem means nothing," he ended. "The video means nothing. It's played for kids that are confused." At press time, a rep for Eminem had not responded to MTV News' request for comment. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Who Is Frankie Avalon And Why Was He On 'American Idol'?
April 9, 2009 at 10:55 am
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| Fifties crooner/actor made surprise performance on Wednesday's elimination show.
By Gil Kaufman 
Frankie Avalon performs on "American Idol" on Wednesday
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images/ Fox "American Idol" loves surprises, whether it's finding new ways to torture the contestants as they await their fate, wacky themes — like next week's " 'Idol' at the Movies" show with Quentin Tarantino — or throwing new twists into the mix, like this year's one-time-only judges' save. But on the "Idol" elimination show Wednesday night, host Ryan Seacrest pulled out a true head-scratcher during one of his latest bouts of teasing directed at judge Simon Cowell. Tuesday night's "songs from the year you were born"-themed show featured a cute segment in which Seacrest showed off some pictures of the judges when they were children, during which he ribbed Cowell about an embarrassing kiddie pic in which the acerbic British judge was seen wearing a spaceman costume while unsmilingly pointing a toy gun at the camera. Well, Wednesday night, Seacrest continued the teasing, saying that after doing some digging about the year Cowell was born, he wanted to share the song that topped the charts that year. The big onstage screen then filled with black and white footage of 1950s crooner Frankie Avalon singing his indelible homage to female beauty, "Venus." That gave way to the real-life, still-youthful-looking Avalon sauntering out on the stage and finishing the tune. Cowell gave him a standing ovation, as Kara DioGuardi and Paula Abdul swayed along like moon-eyed bobby soxers. And while the judges were clearly enamored, many younger "Idol" viewers might have been wondering: Who was that guy? The 69-year-old Philadelphia-bred singer, born Francis Thomas Avallone, was a child star who morphed into one of the biggest teen idols of the late 1950s and early 1960s, just before the explosion of the rock-and-roll era sent Avalon and many of his contemporaries to music's back pages. Encouraged by his parents to pursue music, Avalon was tutored on the trumpet by his father. After winning some local talent shows, he began getting booked for national TV programs like "The Jackie Gleason Show." By age 12, he had joined the group Rocco and the Saints, led by drummer and teen heartthrob Bobby Rydell. Soon enough, Avalon had signed on with a pair of Philadelphia songwriters who earned him some minor teenybopper hits with songs like "Cupid" (later recorded by Sam Cooke) and "Teacher's Pet." In 1959, they switched up his formerly bouncy, happy sound with a more produced, orchestral backing for the breakthrough hit "Venus," which sold more than a million copies and launched a string of smash platinum singles to follow, including "Bobby Sox to Stockings," "Just Ask Your Heart" and "Why." Though he launched a total of 31 chart singles between 1958 and 1962, Avalon's recording career began to fade by the early 1960s, at which point he turned to movies, appearing in dramatic roles in genre flicks like "Guns of the Timberland," "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" and John Wayne's "The Alamo." His career hit a brief peak again in the mid-1960s when he jumped on the craze for surfing movies, appearing alongside Annette Funicello in "Muscle Beach Party," "Beach Party," "Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine," "How to Stuff a Wild Bikini" and "Beach Blanket Bingo." His music career would never peak again, but Avalon continued releasing singles, scoring a minor hit in 1976 with a disco version of "Venus." He gained his most lasting fame with a new generation when he appeared as Teen Angel in the 1978 hit "Grease," in which he crooned "Beauty School Dropout." In later years, he would also make numerous cameos in movies like "Troop Beverly Hills," "The Stoned Age" and "Casino." These days, he continues to perform and has launched his own line of natural health and beauty products, including Frankie Avalon's Twilight Tanning Lotion Touch Up Spray and a line of arthritis remedies and homeopathic anti-itch creams. And though his star has faded somewhat, Avalon has remained on the musical radar by popping up in bizarre lyrical cameos by contemporary bands, including System of a Down, who name check him in "Old School Hollywood" (which is seemingly about an all-celebrity baseball game) and the Wu-Tang Clan's "The City," in which they drop the reference, "ride the wave like Frankie Avalon." Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Miley Cyrus Aims For 'Smarter' Image
April 9, 2009 at 10:08 am
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| 'Hannah Montana' star says she's wizened up about the 'mind game' of fame.
By Jocelyn Vena 
Miley Cyrus
Photo: Gabriel Bouys/ AFP/ Getty Images It's "Hannah Montana" Week here at MTV News! Check back here every day leading up to the flick's Friday opening for exclusive Miley Cyrus interviews, videos and more. At the ripe old age of 16, Miley Cyrus has shared her fair share of drama in the spotlight. Whether she's being criticized for what guy she's dating, or how she looks or if a photo spread is too mature for a girl of her years, the "Hannah Montana" star insists that she isn't naive about just what is going on, even if the public thinks she is. "I almost feel like people think of me as dumb," Cyrus told Reuters. "I'm like, I'm smarter than you think. You know, I understand what you're trying to do. It's all a mind game and what not." Cyrus said she fears that people "will almost think of me as a joke" because of her start as a fresh-faced Disney star and hopes that future roles will help her prove that she's not just some girl who can play a hyper-stylized version of herself. Her first step in that direction will be the Nicholas Sparks movie written especially for her. Despite her desire for more grown-up big-screen roles, Cyrus isn't exactly ready to grow up in real life. And she isn't shy to admit that there are times when she needs the support of her parents, including her famous dad, Billy Ray. "At times I feel I'm very mature for my age, but other times I feel very immature. I still like to sleep with my parents sometimes," she told Glamour. "I'll go into their bedroom and snuggle with my mom, because I've been working all day and haven't seen her. Or my dad will give me a piggyback ride. I'm not around other people my age that much, so I don't know how 16-year-olds are supposed to act! I just do what feels right." Check out everything we've got on "Hannah Montana: The Movie." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Artists |
| 'American Idol' Recap: Scott MacIntyre's 'Search' Is Over
April 9, 2009 at 9:12 am
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| Frankie Avalon, Kellie Pickler, Flo Rida perform before elimination.
By Gil Kaufman 
Contestants say goodbye to Scott MacIntire on "American Idol" on Wednesday
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images/ Fox What's the use of having a "save" card in your pocket if you never pull it out? That was the question some "American Idol" fans might have been asking on Wednesday night, when one of this season's most beloved contestants, Arizona's Scott MacIntyre, 23, faced elimination. But, once more, the judges said this was not the week to use the one-time-only reprieve after the good-natured visually impaired singer failed to impress them with another weak performance. With only three more weeks left to employ the save, it's becoming clear that the judging panel is holding on tightly to it, just in case they're presented with a Chris Daughtry/ Jennifer Hudson-style surprise. Before breaking the bad news to Scotty Mac, the show opened with the latest burst of passive-aggressive teasing between judge Simon Cowell and host Ryan Seacrest. Seacrest capped off his jokes about Simon's age introducing a special guest appearance from legendary 1950s crooner Frankie Avalon, who came out at the top of the night as part of a tribute to the year Simon was born, 1959, singing his signature hit, "Venus." That was followed by the weekly lip-synch-along. The remaining eight contestants performed Kylie Minogue's "Can't Get You Out of My Head," which came out the year the American version of "Idol" was born, 2002. Adam Lambert was the first to stand up, and for the first time, his fate could have been put in jeopardy when Tuesday's show went nearly eight minutes over, causing many viewers who recorded the show to miss his stunning performance. He was joined by Kris Allen and Anoop Desai. Lambert wasn't standing long, though, thanks to a stunning performance of which drew what is believed to be the first-ever standing ovation from Simon Cowell in the show's history. Also sitting down was Kris Allen, safe despite a harsh rebuke from Simon for his funked-up cover of Don Henley's "All She Wants To Do Is Dance." Desai then made the walk to the bottom three once again, after the audience decided his cover of Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" didn't wash with them. The next to stand up was Danny Gokey, who made it through another week with a decent response to his cover of country singer Mickey Gilley's version of the Ben E. King classic, "Stand by Me." Also safe was Matt Giraud. But it was another trip to the bottom for MacIntyre, who got his first universally bad marks for a truly shambolic, off-key stumble through Survivor's "The Search Is Over." It seemed a safe bet that teenager Allison Iraheta would skate through after the judges rained more kudos on her for a mature, powerful version of Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me," and she did. The news was not so good for one-time front-runner Lil Rounds, who got bashed for her karaoke-like take on Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do With It," landing her in the bottom three for the first time. With the time running out on the judges' save, Cowell looked at the bottom three and said, "I don't think it mattered before, but I think this is the first week where it probably does matter," adding that the judges would definitely consider saving one of the bottom dwellers. Rounds was sent back to safety, at which point Seacrest noted that 34 million votes came in on Tuesday night and that the bottom two vote-getters were separated by just 30,000 votes. Once Desai was spared again, MacIntyre was left to sing for his "Idol" life. With no electric guitar in hand this time, MacIntyre reprised the turgid power ballad, pouring his heart into the cliché-ridden lyrics, but hitting a truly bum note near the end that appeared to seal his fate in the competition. Paula and Kara were on their feet cheering him on, and when it came time to render a verdict, Simon admitted that the panel was split. Following more deliberation, Simon shrugged his shoulders and said, unlike last week, when he had no qualms about sending home Megan Joy, this decision was tough. I really, really like you, Scott," Cowell said. "I'm looking over there, and I think there's a bunch of talented singers, so this decision isn't just based on you. It's whether I think somebody, or we think somebody, is more talented over there." After another awkward pause and some hemming and hawing from Paula and Kara about how Mac had gotten it right in the past but had made a poor song choice this week, Seacrest pressed Cowell for a definitive answer. "You want me to make a decision?" Cowell asked the rest of the panel. "You want me to make it? Scott, someone's got to make a decision here, and I'm going to say it's the end of the competition. Sorry." Seacrest and the rest of the cast gathered to give MacIntyre a hug as the show's first visually impaired contestant was sung off, but not before Paula told him, "You've been an inspiration to the entire world through your commitment, through your talent. And we all watch 'American Idol' so that we as an audience get to witness unique and gifted artists as you, Scott. ... You are one classy gentleman. God bless you, we love you." Season-five sixth-place finisher and country sensation Kellie Pickler returned to the show on Wednesday to sing her current single, "Best Days of Your Life," co-written by good pal Taylor Swift. The spunky blond singer had some fun on her return trip, stopping by the judges' table to do a little playful flirting with Simon and Randy as she worked the crowd. The show also featured the "Idol" debut of rapper Flo Rida, who performed his #1 hit single, "Right Round." Flanked by a female back up singer, a hype man and four female dancers in spangly booty shorts and tank tops, the rapper sang an unedited version of the tune, which, depending on how you choose to interpret it, is either about watching a stripper slide down a pole or receiving oral sex from a woman, or both. Either way, the song is about as far as the family-friendly show has ever pushed the musical envelope. Next week promises a return to G-rated territory, when former "Idol" cast-off and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson makes her long-rumored return to the show, which will also feature a performance from Miley Cyrus and guest mentoring from avowed "Idol" fanatic director Quentin Tarantino for the week's " 'Idol' at the Movies" theme. Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Taking Back Sunday Join The Online Haters Instead Of 'Sitting Back'
April 9, 2009 at 6:56 am
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| Rockers make light of their revolving-door lineup by sending out T-shirts that say 'I Used to Be in Taking Back Sunday.'
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Steven Roberts 
Taking Back Sunday on the “Sink Into Me” video set
Photo: MTV News Taking Back Sunday have gotten used to silencing critics. That tends to happen when you shed five different bandmembers (including two singers) over the course of a decade. So, when their latest departure — guitarist Fred Mascherino, who split in 2007 — had the detractors squealing once again, they decided it was time to try a new silencing strategy: They made T-shirts. More specifically, they made yellow T-shirts, emblazoned with the slogan "I Used to Be in Taking Back Sunday." They've been sending them out with copies of their new album, New Again, due June 2, as a rather ingenious way of heading off haters at the pass. You gotta admit, it's sort of brilliant. "We figured if you can't laugh at yourself, then you can't laugh at anything. We are from the school of not taking ourselves too seriously. So we've been sending out this shirt that says 'I Used to Be in Taking Back Sunday,' " TBS frontman Adam Lazarra laughed. "Because we've gone through some lineup changes, and you go on the Internet on blogs and things, and there's a lot of people who have a lot to say about that. So we figured that rather than sitting back, why don't we join the fun and also make fun of ourselves?" There's a lot at stake with Again, which not only serves as the big unveiling of new guitarist Matt Fazzi, but pushes the musical boundaries into areas they've never explored. There are glockenspiels involved. And a flautist. "When we went in to start writing for New Again, Matt joined the band and helped us out a lot with the writing process, and a lot of the things he brought to the table were a lot of the things that make the record so special, as far as it's clearly a growth to what we've done in the past," Lazarra said. "Experimenting ... a lot of different instruments, horns, glockenspiels, there's a flautist on the record. And it's stuff we never would've tried before. Him coming into the mix really helped us to grow as a band, both musically and personally." That growth is evident on first single "Sink Into Me," for which the band shot a video earlier this week in New York with director Travis Kopach. It's immediate, fist-pumping and powerful, a song that — unlike some of TBS' earlier tunes — doesn't mess around when it comes to getting to the hook. "I kind of like to equate it to a freight train. ... Like, if you were to stand in front of it, you would get pummeled. And that's what the chorus sounds like to me," Lazarra explained. "We wanted to come out of the gates swinging, and 'Sink' is one of the songs that sort of represents the direction that Taking Back Sunday is going. Plus, it has a little bit of flavor from where we've been. I think people will be pleasantly surprised. If not, they're a--holes." Related Videos Related Artists |
| Black Eyed Peas Enter 'Digital Afterlife' In 'Boom Boom Pow' Video
April 9, 2009 at 6:51 am
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| 'We ain't never breaking up, but we ain't staying the same either,' Will.I.Am explains of The E.N.D. album title.
By Jocelyn Vena 
Black Eyed Peas
Photo: Chris Gordon/WireImage The Black Eyed Peas are back with "Boom Boom Pow," and the group doesn't want to give you the same old thing. With this single, from their forthcoming album The E.N.D., they hope to prove to everyone they're not the same band who gave the world "My Humps." "It's not your typical first single," Fergie said. "It's basically kind of to the left. The song is to the left, and it works, 'cause we're being true to ourselves." Fergie, who describes the group as "misfits," hopes the video catches people's attention. "The concept of the video is the Peas' birth into the digital afterlife," Fergie said. "So the transformation is us going into a sort of birth or cocoon and coming out the other end as forms of energy. It's a parallel to the music industry. Now everything is downloaded." Will.I.Am said the video was inspired by how digital the world has become and hopes the video portrays "what it would be like if we were actually in the computer, if art was fused in it," he said. "[It's] analog life from a digital perspective becoming technology." The group might hope the song shows fans a new beginning, but the name of their album, The E.N.D., has everyone wondering if it means the group is calling it quits. "We ain't never breaking up, but we ain't staying the same either," Will.I.Am said. "The E.N.D. stands for 'The Energy Never Dies.' So The E.N.D. is our version of embracing change and celebrating the new. "It's the end of a lot of things, and I'm very proud to be bringing forth the new," he added. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Gospel Legend David 'Pop' Winans Passes Away At 76
April 9, 2009 at 5:28 am
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| Wife Delores 'Mom' Winans was by the singer's side in Nashville.
By Rahman Dukes 
Pop Winans in 2003
Photo: Steve Grayson/ WireImage The world of gospel music has lost one of its leaders. David "Pop" Winans Sr., of the Grammy-nominated group the Winans, passed away Wednesday at the age of 76. The patriarch of one of the most-respected gospel families died at a Nashville hospice following complications from a stroke and a heart attack he suffered last October. According to reports, his wife Delores "Mom" Winans was at his bedside at the time of his passing. "Pop" Winans made a name for himself following his first Grammy nomination for his 1999 solo CD, Uncensored. Winans and his wife Delores recorded a joint disc together, Mom & Pop Winans, which was also nominated for a Grammy. A native of Detroit, Winans began singing with a gospel quartet at the age of 18. He was the father of popular gospel singers BeBe and CeCe Winans, who scored hits with "Addictive Love" and "I'll Take You There." Four other children — Michael, Marvin, Carvin and Ronald — performed as the Winans, with other family members joining in from time to time. Winans later worked as a car salesman, taxi driver, custodian, barber and also was a preacher; he also managed his childrens' group for a time. A statement released by the family read, "The Winans family wishes to thank everyone for their prayers and continued support, but would appreciate privacy at this time." |
| Adam Lambert's Early 'Ten Commandments' Clip Surfaces
April 9, 2009 at 4:26 am
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| Val Kilmer starred in the musical, but the 'American Idol' front-runner stood out.
By Gil Kaufman 
Adam Lambert
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images There are a few things we've learned about "American Idol" front-runner Adam Lambert over these past few months: The 27-year-old Los Angeles musical-theater actor loves to switch it up and do unusual takes on songs you know; he's very comfortable on the stage; he's got a jet-engine screaming falsetto wail; and he may have gotten the first-ever standing ovation from sourpuss judge Simon Cowell this week.
But here's something you might not have known about Lambert: He once starred in a stage production with none other than Val Kilmer. Do a YouTube search for Lambert and you'll find dozens of clips of him performing at Upright Cabaret in Los Angeles alongside tons of generic bits from his demo reel.
The crowning piece of video, though, is Lambert in frayed, dingy brown sackcloth and a ratty long wig, crooning "Is Anybody Listening" in a 2004 production of "The Ten Commandments" at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. As an Egyptian slave driver cracks the whip at him, Lambert, playing the slave Joshua, emotes his way through the tune from atop a ladder and slowly makes his way across the stage toward a buff Kilmer, who is done up in a headdress and loin cloth as Moses.
In the midst of Passover — which celebrates the Jewish people's exodus from Egypt — the Los Angeles Times Culture Monster blog dug up some information on the show and reported that the multimillion-dollar production was produced by BCBG fashion design house founder Max Azria and was, for the most part, not so well received during its short run. The Times theater reviewer did, however, write at the time that the then unknown Lambert "does the best in 'Is Anybody Listening?' It is also the best song." That's high praise, given that the critic said the entire cast was beautiful, but "few singers or dancers distinguish themselves with a personal sound or style." Lambert's performance in the lavish Biblical epic is a colorful element of the "Idol" and religion connection that has emerged during a season in which more than half of the finalists have strong ties to their churches back home. MTV News could not reach Lambert, who is locked inside the "Idol" bubble at the moment, and calls to Kilmer's manager were not returned at press time. But it's worth noting that Lambert told reports last month that though his theater training might help him on the show, it's not the vibe he's going for. "I'm not going for a Broadway sound," he said. "But the cool thing is that this is finally allowing me to be myself. I mean, I don't listen to show tunes in my spare time, I can assure you. ... The musical thing was kind of the way that I was paying the bills. I mean, we all gotta have a job right? But now I get to finally sing the kind of music I like to listen to." Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Kanye West Responds -- Humbly! -- To 'South Park' 'Fish Sticks' Slam
April 9, 2009 at 3:50 am
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| 'I'm not a douche,' West insists in contrite blog post.
By James Montgomery 
Kanye West in "South Park"
Photo: South Park Studios It appears that being depicted as a gay fish might actually turn out to be a good thing for Kanye West. For those who missed it, West was positively slammed on Wednesday night's episode of "South Park" — which centered around a baldfacedly juvenile joke about the term "fish sticks" — coming across as an egotistical jerk who is masking deep-ceded desires to live life as, uh, a "gay fish." At the end of the episode, after denying his latent feelings, West — dressed in a green vest and skin-tight fish-scale pants — finally realizes that he can't keep his inner fish closeted anymore, tells his crew "It's time for me to stop running. A gay fish just cant live in the outside world forever," then leaps off a pier and launches into an Auto-Tuned song while humping various fish. Now, we're fairly certain that the Kanye of old would've flown into a fit of rage over his portrayal on the show. But, on Thursday (April 9), West took a different tact, posting a link to the show his blog, and writing (in ALL CAPS, of course) that he wasn't upset, because he used the episode as motivation to display some new life skills. It would seem that Kanye has turned over a new ... er, fin. " 'South Park' murdered me last night, and it's pretty funny. It hurts my feelings, but what can you expect from 'South Park?'" he wrote. "I actually have been working on my ego. ... Having the crazy ego is played out at this point in my life and career. I used to use it to build up my esteem when nobody believed in me. Now that people do believe and support my music, the best response is 'Thank you' instead of 'I told you so!' "I just wanna be a doper person, which starts with me not always telling people how dope I think I am. I need to just get past myself. Drop the bravado and just make dope product," the post continued. "As long as I act like a b---h, this type of sh-- will happen to me. ... I'm not actually a huge douche. I'm sure the writers at 'South Park' are really nice people in real life. Thanks for taking the time to draw my crew. That was pretty funny also." Perhaps someone should've called him a "gay fish" sooner. Related Artists |
| Lindsay Lohan Gets New Tattoo, Dyes Hair Red
April 9, 2009 at 2:58 am
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| Actress broke up with girlfriend Samantha Ronson recently.
By Jocelyn Vena 
Lindsay Lohan
Photo: OutOfSightMedia/ Getty Images Lindsay Lohan was seen Wednesday night getting herself a new tattoo after news broke earlier this week that she and her DJ girlfriend, Samantha Ronson, broke up. The actress was seen smiling when she arrived at the Shamrock Social Club tattoo parlor in Los Angeles at around midnight. Her teenage sister, Ali, was by her side. It's the same tattoo parlor where Lohan and her pal, Lily Allen, got "Shhhh" finger tattoos, according to UsMagazine.com. The site also reported that Lohan got the new ink on her wrist. There's no word on what Lohan got tattooed, but the pair reportedly left at around 3 a.m. In addition to the ink, Lohan was also seen on at Byron & Tracey Salon in Beverly Hills dying her hair back to red. Before she made her way over to the tattoo parlor, Lohan, Ali and their mom Dina were seen dining at Nobu. Sources tell the magazine that the "wafer-thin" Lohan appeared "stressed out and anxious but didn't drink any alcohol, instead opting for a few edamame and bites of a cucumber salad." Sources added that before the Lohans left, "The Hills" star Frankie Delgado, who recently denied he was flirting with Rihanna, was seen flirting with Lohan, but she "seemed uninterested as Delgado attempted to give her an awkward smooch on the cheek. He ended up kissing her hair instead." On Wednesday, E! News crews caught up with Sam Ronson, who flatly denied reports that she is seeking a restraining order against Lohan, telling them that there is "no truth to that." Related Photos Related Artists |
| Katy Perry Gives Up Kissing Girls On Next Album
April 9, 2009 at 2:49 am
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| 'I can't be that grown-up Shirley Temple girl wearing the stupid strawberry in her hair,' she says of more mature sound.
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Kim Stolz 
Katy Perry
Photo: MTV News Attention fans of strawberry hair accessories: You're about to lose Katy Perry forever. Well, actually, you'll probably have her in your camp until about October, because that's when she'll begin work on the follow-up to her breakthrough One of the Boys album, which she pledges will be a strawberry-free affair. "I definitely want to make a follow-up pop, fun record. I'm not looking to alienate my fans, but I can't be that grown-up Shirley Temple girl wearing the stupid strawberry in her hair all the time ... because I'd kill myself or someone else would for me," Perry laughed. "So I'm really excited to always be evolving, and changing; with my look, with my music, it keeps me entertained as well." And she's not stopping with the haberdashery, either. From the sound of things, Perry might be moving away from a lot of what made Boys a platinum success. You know ... all the kissing of the girls and whatnot. Which means fans should prepare themselves for Katy Perry, the semi-adjusted sorta-adult. "[Boys] was like my 'Dear Diary' album, from when I was like 17 to 23. ... It was my perspective then, and it was so widespread, and some of the things that really meant a lot to me at 17, you know, they change. They evolve," she said. "So this record will be a very present record for me. It will be me now. It won't take five years — hopefully. It will be Katy Perry as a young, 25-year-old woman." And one aspect of that young woman's life that will definitely be covered on the new album is the near-constant tabloid attention. From digging into her past to covering her breakups and speculating on her spats, it seems the paps have been working overtime to make Perry's life a nightmare. But, as a burgeoning pop star, she's learning to take it all in stride. And keep it balanced. "Well, all of this is new. You're not born into all of this attention. So I'm learning how to deal with it all. And I was in a relationship prior to all of this, and so, unfortunately, when it didn't work out, it just became public," she said. "It's one of those things where I try to keep it pretty level. I think people are naturally interested in the details of someone that's living an extraordinary life, and I appreciate that. But I think, not only are people like, 'What's she wearing?,' but I think they're also interested in, like, 'What's waking up in Vegas like? What's the tour like? What's the next record going to be like?' So I'm trying to keep the flow and the balance." Related Artists |
| Scott MacIntyre Played Guitar On 'American Idol' To 'Shock America'
April 9, 2009 at 2:36 am
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| 'I'm so happy I brought my shredder out, to go out in a blaze of glory,' castoff laughs.
By Katie Byrne 
Scott MacIntyre
Photo: F Micelotta/ American Idol/ Getty Images Scott MacIntyre inspired "American Idol" fans with his story then wowed them with his piano playing and smooth vocals. But his "Idol" journey was over after singing Survivor's "The Search Is Over" during "songs from the year you were born" night. While the judges went back and forth about whether to save the visually impaired 23-year-old from Scottsdale, Arizona, they ended up cutting him loose. We caught up with Scott to talk about the judges' save, ditching the piano and what's next. Q: What were you thinking when the judges were wrestling over possibly saving you? A: I have to say, that was one of Seacrest's most agonizing pauses. He's getting a little too good at that. [Laughs.] I was actually very thrilled to know that it was a split decision between the four judges, and that was something very nice for me to walk away with. ... Even talking to Simon after the show, he told me — and I also sensed — that there was some inner turmoil in him in making that decision. ... I stand by my performance on Tuesday night. You never know what the judges are going to say, but I think if people watch the performance back, especially in the context of everything else that went on that night, it was a good, solid performance. It's a television show, I always remind myself, so you can expect the unexpected. If the chips would have fallen a little differently, I think I could have gone on for a number of more weeks. Q: What did you think about only 30,000 votes separating you and Anoop? A: I thought a couple more people should have voted! [Laughs.] In all seriousness, I thought it was just amazing, because at this stage of the game, everyone has won in their own right in this competition, and there's not much difference between finishing eighth and finishing third. ... It's really what you do with the opportunity you've been given, and I have this incredible platform now, and America knows a little bit about my story, and I'm going to do everything I can to make the transition from being known as Scott on "American Idol" to, in a couple years, being known as Scott MacIntyre the singer/songwriter. Q: Were you surprised when Paula suggested you come out from behind your piano a few weeks ago? A: Simon said it all that night. ... He replied, "I don't think you'd ever see Billy Joel come out from behind his piano." ... That's really where my heart is, when I'm at the keyboard, and it's not that it takes the place of my vocals. It's actually just another layer of expressivity that I can place beneath my vocals and carry my vocal with it. My decision to play the guitar this last week was more based on the fact that I wanted to shock America a little bit than Paula's comment about coming out from behind the piano. [The judges] tell you one thing one week, and they tell you the opposite the next week. I don't take what the judges say to heart. I actually stand by my performance. ... Some of the criticism is undue, but I respect the judges, and I'm so glad at least two of them were tempted to keep me on yesterday. I have no regrets leaving the show. I'm so happy I brought my shredder out, to go out in a blaze of glory the last night. [Laughs.] It's all good things from here. Q: Why did you want to be on "American Idol"? A: From the very beginning, I've felt like I have a story to share through my music and because of my life story and what I've overcome and that I've pursued music as my main passion, vocally and pianistically, and all of that combined. I felt like it would have been a shame not to share that with the world. And "Idol" has given me the platform I've been hoping for for many years. ... If I can get to this point out of almost 110,000 auditioners and end up in eighth place, I hope it encourages everyone to reach for their dreams. Q: What kind of music do you see yourself putting out? A: I have a huge, vast catalog of original music ... along the lines of John Mayer, Gavin DeGraw, Bruce Hornsby, Vanessa Carlson, a little bit of Mark Schultz. It's very pop-rock singer/songwriter-meets-adult contemporary. A lot of the music I write is more introspective and the lyrics are very meaningful, and I try to tell a story with my music always, and a lot of it has a harder edge and is a little bit more radio-friendly. Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos | | | 
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