Walt Disney Pictures is continuing plans for live-action remakes of practically every animated feature in their library, and now Deadline reports that the studio is considering a recent pitch for a live-action "The Little Mermaid" film.
The original 1989 animated feature kicked off a renaissance for the studio which had struggled with animated features before that point and then suddenly had a successful run of them afterwards with the likes of "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin" and "The Lion King".
With 'Mermaid,' initial discussions have reportedly taken place with major producers, but the studio has yet to move forward with the idea. One reason is that Universal and Working Title are already developing their own "Little Mermaid" project based on the original Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale with Chloe Grace Moretz set to star and Rebecca Thomas directing from a script by Richard Curtis.
Disney's upcoming live-action takes on their...
The original 1989 animated feature kicked off a renaissance for the studio which had struggled with animated features before that point and then suddenly had a successful run of them afterwards with the likes of "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin" and "The Lion King".
With 'Mermaid,' initial discussions have reportedly taken place with major producers, but the studio has yet to move forward with the idea. One reason is that Universal and Working Title are already developing their own "Little Mermaid" project based on the original Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale with Chloe Grace Moretz set to star and Rebecca Thomas directing from a script by Richard Curtis.
Disney's upcoming live-action takes on their...
- 5/25/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
With the release of Captain America: Civil War less than two weeks off, Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is about to shift into overdrive. It may be a long time before Captain Marvel sees action in 2019, but is it possible that Marvel’s already got the perfect lead actress and director in mind?
During this week’s episode of Meet The Movie Press, The Wrap’s Jeff Sneider had some interesting insight into the forthcoming Captain Marvel flick. Although cryptic, Sneider did offer up a curious possibility.
“There was a rumour about an actress being up for it; an already existing rumour, that’s not new. I’ve definitely heard there’s some truth to that rumour, and that there’s a director with the same first name who has also been eyed. I don’t think that [an announcement] is too far off. If they can make it to Comic Con,...
During this week’s episode of Meet The Movie Press, The Wrap’s Jeff Sneider had some interesting insight into the forthcoming Captain Marvel flick. Although cryptic, Sneider did offer up a curious possibility.
“There was a rumour about an actress being up for it; an already existing rumour, that’s not new. I’ve definitely heard there’s some truth to that rumour, and that there’s a director with the same first name who has also been eyed. I don’t think that [an announcement] is too far off. If they can make it to Comic Con,...
- 4/24/2016
- by Andy L. Kubai
- We Got This Covered
Though Universal.s upcoming live-action update of The Little Mermaid recently landed a star to take the lead in the form of Chloe Grace Moretz, it recently lost it.s director, Sofia Coppola. This is just one of the various bumps the project has experienced along the way to the big screen, but according to a new report, the project may have filled that gaping vacancy. According to their sources, The Wrap reports that Rebecca Thomas is in early talks to take over the helm on The Little Mermaid for Universal and Working Title Pictures. This is preliminary right now, but with an eye on a 2017 release, having a filmmaker on board to guide the picture is going to be a big step forward for the picture. There is a question of timing, however. In addition to The Little Mermaid, Thomas apparently still intends to direct an adaptation of John...
- 12/16/2015
- cinemablend.com
New York — When Nasir Jones was about 13 or 14 years old, his father told him and his brother Jabari that if school wasn't nurturing them, they should drop out. An exceedingly well-read, Mississippi-born jazz musician who went by his "ancestral name" of Olu Dara, the father looked around at the Queensbridge Houses where his sons and their mother had settled and gambled that his boys could do better on their own. A young, ...
By Rebecca Thomas...
By Rebecca Thomas...
- 4/17/2014
- MTV Movie News
When it comes to awards show fashion, we've come to accept that Hollywood treats the Oscars more like a very posh senior prom for grown-ups than the spring/summer collections at Paris Fashion Week: so, generally, "likes" for mermaid gowns and gags for the Osman Yousefzada jumpsuits. But at Sunday night's 86th annual ceremony at the Dolby Theatre, amid the sea of pretty pastels and blue beauties (with all due respect, I am not referring to ...
By Rebecca Thomas...
By Rebecca Thomas...
- 3/3/2014
- MTV Movie News
When Gimme the Loot director Adam Leon touched down at the Austin airport last spring, he brought along with him 18 anxious members of his cast and crew, who slept on various floors throughout the SXSW festival, and all the nerves of a filmmaker getting ready to world premiere his first feature movie. Gimme the Loot, an unexpectedly sweet, even joyful story of two Bronx teenage graffiti artists over a long summer weekend, went on to win the 2012 Grand Jury Prize for Narrative Nonfiction. So who better than Leon to offer this year’s excited, hand-wringing crop of contenders some tips...
- 3/8/2013
- by Karen Valby
- EW - Inside Movies
Although there rarely seems to be much (if any) overlap between the Independent Spirit Awards and the Oscars when it comes to the winners, it's always nice to see some of these movies getting recognition when they will likely be ignored by the Academy. Silver Linings Playbook does not seem to have much of a shot at winning anything tonight (with the exception of Jennifer Lawrence for Best Actress), but it dominated the competition last night winning 4 out of the 5 categories it was nominated in including Best Picture. Jennifer Lawrence also won for Best Female Lead and David O. Russell won Best Director and Best Screenplay. Other winners included The Sessions co-stars John Hawkes for Best Male Lead and Helen Hunt for Best Supporting Female, while Matthew McConaughey won Best Supporting Male for his performance in Magic Mike. Amour took home the Best Foreign Film Award and The Invisible War won Best Documentary.
- 2/24/2013
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
It's one of the biggest night's in the independent film industry, and as the 2013 Spirit Awards come to an end, we grant you with the complete list of winners!
Earlier this evening (February 23), celebrities flocked to Santa Monica Beach for a night of celebrations honoring the best and brightest from the world of independent film.
Taking home the prize for Best Feature was the cast and crew of "Silver Linings Playbook," while John Hawkes (The Sessions) and Jennifer Lawrence ("Silver Linings Playbook") took home the awards for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively.
In addition, Matthew McConaughey ("Magic Mike") scored a win for Best Supporting Actor, while Helen Hunt (The Sessions) took home the prize for Best Supporting Actress.
Meanwhile, David O. Russell ("Silver Linings Playbook") proved victorious in the Best Director category and "Middle of Nowhere" received the John Cassavetes award, which pays homage to the best film created...
Earlier this evening (February 23), celebrities flocked to Santa Monica Beach for a night of celebrations honoring the best and brightest from the world of independent film.
Taking home the prize for Best Feature was the cast and crew of "Silver Linings Playbook," while John Hawkes (The Sessions) and Jennifer Lawrence ("Silver Linings Playbook") took home the awards for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively.
In addition, Matthew McConaughey ("Magic Mike") scored a win for Best Supporting Actor, while Helen Hunt (The Sessions) took home the prize for Best Supporting Actress.
Meanwhile, David O. Russell ("Silver Linings Playbook") proved victorious in the Best Director category and "Middle of Nowhere" received the John Cassavetes award, which pays homage to the best film created...
- 2/24/2013
- GossipCenter
It's one of the biggest night's in the independent film industry, and as the 2013 Spirit Awards come to an end, we are granting you with the complete list of victors!
Earlier this evening (February 23), celebrities headed over to the Santa Monica Beach for a night of celebrations honoring the best Indie films from the past year.
Taking home the prize for Best Feature was the cast and crew of "Silver Linings Playbook," while John Hawkes and Jennifer Lawrence took home the awards for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively.
In addition, Matthew McConaughey scored a win for Best Supporting Actor, while Helen Hunt took was honored with a nod for Best Supporting Actress.
Meanwhile, David O. Russell proved victorious in the Best Director category and "Middle of Nowhere" received the honor of the John Cassavetes, which pays homage to the best film created with a budget under $500,000.
Take a look...
Earlier this evening (February 23), celebrities headed over to the Santa Monica Beach for a night of celebrations honoring the best Indie films from the past year.
Taking home the prize for Best Feature was the cast and crew of "Silver Linings Playbook," while John Hawkes and Jennifer Lawrence took home the awards for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively.
In addition, Matthew McConaughey scored a win for Best Supporting Actor, while Helen Hunt took was honored with a nod for Best Supporting Actress.
Meanwhile, David O. Russell proved victorious in the Best Director category and "Middle of Nowhere" received the honor of the John Cassavetes, which pays homage to the best film created with a budget under $500,000.
Take a look...
- 2/24/2013
- GossipCenter
Some of the best movies from this year are being celebrated on Feb. 23 at the Independent Spirit Awards — and HollywoodLife.com is live streaming the red carpet just for you!
Andy Samberg will host the Independent Spirit Awards on Feb. 23, the awards show that celebrates independent films and showcases the best of the year to a bigger audience. While some A-Listers are such as Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper are nominated, other actors and films that are also nominated will surely be added to your must-see list! Keep reading to watch the live red carpet now!
The Independent Spirit Awards air on Feb. 23 at 10Pm Et on IFC. See the full list of nominations below:
Best Feature
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Bernie
Keep the Lights on
Moonrise Kingdom
Silver Linings Playbook
Best Director
Wes Anderson, Moonrise Kingdom
Julia Loktev, The Loneliest Planet
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
Ira Sachs,...
Andy Samberg will host the Independent Spirit Awards on Feb. 23, the awards show that celebrates independent films and showcases the best of the year to a bigger audience. While some A-Listers are such as Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper are nominated, other actors and films that are also nominated will surely be added to your must-see list! Keep reading to watch the live red carpet now!
The Independent Spirit Awards air on Feb. 23 at 10Pm Et on IFC. See the full list of nominations below:
Best Feature
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Bernie
Keep the Lights on
Moonrise Kingdom
Silver Linings Playbook
Best Director
Wes Anderson, Moonrise Kingdom
Julia Loktev, The Loneliest Planet
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
Ira Sachs,...
- 2/23/2013
- by Christopher Rogers
- HollywoodLife
Now that Sundance and Berlin are over, what do we have to look forward to? Cannes of course. However, in terms of continuing business, I want to put a spotlight on what to look forward to next Sundance (and Berlin) as an example of long lasting effects of filmmakers/ actors/ buyers and sellers. I will begin this depiction of a long journey beginning with my friend, Rodrigo Bellot -- writer, director, producer and casting agent . Rodrigo made his first film, Sexual Dependency, in 2003 with producers Ara Katz and Sam Engelbart who brought us on to find festival and international representation. Rigo was pleased with the work and we have become fast friends since then. When I first spoke with Rigo about We Are What We Are, he referred me to Memento, his international sales agent.
During Cannes 2012, I went to Memento to write more about this film which is the first remake in a long time of a film from Mexico, Somos lo que hay by Mexican director Jorge Michel Grau. At Memento, Tanja Meissner ♀ and Emilie Georges ♀ referred me to their American colleague and producer of the film, Nicholas Shumaker who gave me more of the film's history. During Afm 2011, Rodrigo and his professional partner Andrew D. Corkin who previously produced Martha Marcy May Marlene had come to Memento with the idea of remaking the English language version of this Mexican (Spanish language) film about a family of cannibals. They were, predictably, looking for financial partners. Memento said they would support the remake. They had wanted to work with the director Jim Mickle since seeing the Tiff 2010 Midnight Madness Audience Award winner, Stake Land which has become a cult vampire picture. Mickle has transposed the story to a poor part of the Catskills region in New York State. Memento sees the horror genre as an ambitious genre when it is created with good ideas, not exploitative but an elevated sort of horror, along the lines of Let the Right One In. Memento wants to do horror films only with directors and authors they like. It has taken seven years to establish their brand, and the principals Emilie Georges and Tanja Meissner are not looking for horror per se. They long for smart horror because there is a consistent market for intelligent horror stories. Their horror films will stand out for their buyers because of the director-driven aspect, not for the horror itself. Memento is putting together two other films with bigger budgets for Jim which will go over the next six to nine months. These next two, Night Hunter and Cold in July were announced during by Screen International around the time of Cannes 2012 and are both being produced with Linda Moran's ♀ and Rene Bastian's New York company Belladonna. To hear Jim Mickle speak about the use of Adobe technology in the making We Are What We Are, visit Adobe TV at Sundance. More on Mickle is in Screen. We Are What We Are will costar Ambyr Childers ♀ who was the milk skinned blonde in Gangster Squad and played Elizabeth Dodd in The Master, and Julia Garner ♀, who recently picked up rave reviews for her performance as a naïve Morman girl in Rebecca Thomas’ Electrik Children, a Berlinale 2012 hit. She will next be seen in Stephan Chobsky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower and is in StudioCanal’s The Last Exorcism 2. Film industry veteran Jack Turner is also producing. Mfi chief Emilie Georges and international sales head Tanja Meissner are executive producing alongside Mo Noorali and Linda Moran ♀ of Belladonna Productions, who previously produced Mickle’s other films, and Brett Fitzgerald. Mfi’s Nicholas Kaiser has a co-producer credit. We Are What We Are was shot in the Catskills, starting May 29, 2012 for a January 2013 delivery in time for its projected Sundance premier. With that intent, Mfi began carefully preselling the film, first at Berlin’s Efm 2011 where it was prebought by Entertainment One for U.K, Scandinavia, South Africa and France. Koch Media prebought Germany. New York and Los Angeles-based Three Point Capital and Hsbc provided additional funding. At Afm 2013, the film sold to Transformer for Japan and Zamie for So. Korea. Middle East is also been sold along with Turkey (Callinos Films). Memento's marketing and finance plan allowed for the U.S. to be sold during Sundance 2013 and as we all know now, (From Deadline Hollywood): "In a low seven-figure deal for U.S. rights, eOne acquired the Jim Mickle-directed We Are What We Are, which premiered last Friday at the Library Center Theatre in the Park City At Midnight section. The plot: a devastating storm washes up clues that lead authorities closer to unraveling the dark secrets of the Parker family, who are cannibals. That premise is Not treated as slasher fare, it’s far more stylish and the buyer crowd and audience at the premiere screening ate it up and feel they’ve found a director with a voice worth hearing. The film stars Ambyr Childers, Bill Sage, Julia Garner, Michael Parks, Wyatt Russell and Kelly McGillis. It has gotten strong reviews beyond the genre crowd, and it gives eOne a good theatrical offering. Deal was finished on the flight back to Los Angeles. I’ve heard both the Wme Global and eOne teams were on the same flight back from Park City. They haggled but by the time the plane landed, eOne hit the asks made by the agents, who denied this colorful story. Somehow, it fits with the frenzied pace of deals due to the influx of new buyers. eOne will put it out in a platform theatrical release." Since Cannes 2012, eOne acquired Alliance and is poised to make a very splashy release of this film. EOne had not pursued the film for U.S. until Sundance and the deal was verifiably finalized and upped on the plane as described above. Memento has consistent relations with its directors. It is now transitioning though natural growth into handling larger films. It will still handle about 8 films a year and it will maintain the same strategy, though films of second and third time directors will be larger. Memento still wants newcomers and so it has 2 divisions with Artscope aiming more for the festival circuit for new directors like Natalia Smirnoff ♀ of The Puzzle which premiered in '09 at San Sebastian and was picked up for U.S. by IFC, Circles (see my past blog), In the Name Of by Malgorzata Szumowska ♀ which won the 2013 Teddy Award for daring to “challenge the stereotypes of homosexuality versus religion with a personal story, told in a deeply humane way”. It was picked up in Berlin where it premiered in Competition by Film Movement, and Lore by Cate Shortland ♀.
During Cannes 2012, I went to Memento to write more about this film which is the first remake in a long time of a film from Mexico, Somos lo que hay by Mexican director Jorge Michel Grau. At Memento, Tanja Meissner ♀ and Emilie Georges ♀ referred me to their American colleague and producer of the film, Nicholas Shumaker who gave me more of the film's history. During Afm 2011, Rodrigo and his professional partner Andrew D. Corkin who previously produced Martha Marcy May Marlene had come to Memento with the idea of remaking the English language version of this Mexican (Spanish language) film about a family of cannibals. They were, predictably, looking for financial partners. Memento said they would support the remake. They had wanted to work with the director Jim Mickle since seeing the Tiff 2010 Midnight Madness Audience Award winner, Stake Land which has become a cult vampire picture. Mickle has transposed the story to a poor part of the Catskills region in New York State. Memento sees the horror genre as an ambitious genre when it is created with good ideas, not exploitative but an elevated sort of horror, along the lines of Let the Right One In. Memento wants to do horror films only with directors and authors they like. It has taken seven years to establish their brand, and the principals Emilie Georges and Tanja Meissner are not looking for horror per se. They long for smart horror because there is a consistent market for intelligent horror stories. Their horror films will stand out for their buyers because of the director-driven aspect, not for the horror itself. Memento is putting together two other films with bigger budgets for Jim which will go over the next six to nine months. These next two, Night Hunter and Cold in July were announced during by Screen International around the time of Cannes 2012 and are both being produced with Linda Moran's ♀ and Rene Bastian's New York company Belladonna. To hear Jim Mickle speak about the use of Adobe technology in the making We Are What We Are, visit Adobe TV at Sundance. More on Mickle is in Screen. We Are What We Are will costar Ambyr Childers ♀ who was the milk skinned blonde in Gangster Squad and played Elizabeth Dodd in The Master, and Julia Garner ♀, who recently picked up rave reviews for her performance as a naïve Morman girl in Rebecca Thomas’ Electrik Children, a Berlinale 2012 hit. She will next be seen in Stephan Chobsky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower and is in StudioCanal’s The Last Exorcism 2. Film industry veteran Jack Turner is also producing. Mfi chief Emilie Georges and international sales head Tanja Meissner are executive producing alongside Mo Noorali and Linda Moran ♀ of Belladonna Productions, who previously produced Mickle’s other films, and Brett Fitzgerald. Mfi’s Nicholas Kaiser has a co-producer credit. We Are What We Are was shot in the Catskills, starting May 29, 2012 for a January 2013 delivery in time for its projected Sundance premier. With that intent, Mfi began carefully preselling the film, first at Berlin’s Efm 2011 where it was prebought by Entertainment One for U.K, Scandinavia, South Africa and France. Koch Media prebought Germany. New York and Los Angeles-based Three Point Capital and Hsbc provided additional funding. At Afm 2013, the film sold to Transformer for Japan and Zamie for So. Korea. Middle East is also been sold along with Turkey (Callinos Films). Memento's marketing and finance plan allowed for the U.S. to be sold during Sundance 2013 and as we all know now, (From Deadline Hollywood): "In a low seven-figure deal for U.S. rights, eOne acquired the Jim Mickle-directed We Are What We Are, which premiered last Friday at the Library Center Theatre in the Park City At Midnight section. The plot: a devastating storm washes up clues that lead authorities closer to unraveling the dark secrets of the Parker family, who are cannibals. That premise is Not treated as slasher fare, it’s far more stylish and the buyer crowd and audience at the premiere screening ate it up and feel they’ve found a director with a voice worth hearing. The film stars Ambyr Childers, Bill Sage, Julia Garner, Michael Parks, Wyatt Russell and Kelly McGillis. It has gotten strong reviews beyond the genre crowd, and it gives eOne a good theatrical offering. Deal was finished on the flight back to Los Angeles. I’ve heard both the Wme Global and eOne teams were on the same flight back from Park City. They haggled but by the time the plane landed, eOne hit the asks made by the agents, who denied this colorful story. Somehow, it fits with the frenzied pace of deals due to the influx of new buyers. eOne will put it out in a platform theatrical release." Since Cannes 2012, eOne acquired Alliance and is poised to make a very splashy release of this film. EOne had not pursued the film for U.S. until Sundance and the deal was verifiably finalized and upped on the plane as described above. Memento has consistent relations with its directors. It is now transitioning though natural growth into handling larger films. It will still handle about 8 films a year and it will maintain the same strategy, though films of second and third time directors will be larger. Memento still wants newcomers and so it has 2 divisions with Artscope aiming more for the festival circuit for new directors like Natalia Smirnoff ♀ of The Puzzle which premiered in '09 at San Sebastian and was picked up for U.S. by IFC, Circles (see my past blog), In the Name Of by Malgorzata Szumowska ♀ which won the 2013 Teddy Award for daring to “challenge the stereotypes of homosexuality versus religion with a personal story, told in a deeply humane way”. It was picked up in Berlin where it premiered in Competition by Film Movement, and Lore by Cate Shortland ♀.
- 2/21/2013
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
The tables were turned for Silver Linings Playbook director David O. Russell and his star Bradley Cooper at today's Variety Indie Impact brunch at the Parker hotel in Palm Springs, CA. Last night, David presented Bradley with the Palm Springs International Film Festival's Desert Palm Achievement award for acting, but this afternoon, Bradley honored David with an Indie Impact award for his directing work, calling his experience working with David "magical." Bradley said: "We shot Silver Linings Playbook in 33 days. Many directors would be hospitalized upon just hearing the schedule." All joking aside, the project has been a critical success. Bradley has been racking up nomination after nomination for his role in the film, including nods from the Golden Globes and SAG Awards, and David has been earning plenty of accolades of his own for his behind-the-camera work. Several of the presenters and honorees from last night's Palm Springs International...
- 1/7/2013
- by Lindsay Miller
- Popsugar.com
And just like that, awards season is upon us. I'd like to say that it's a time of year when your chances of seeing a great film in theatres are significantly increased, but I don't know if that's entirely true. Either way, the Independent Spirit Awards kicked things off today with their full list of nominations, which could potentially influence Oscar chances for some filmmakers and actors. I'm guessing that at least a few of these folks will be in the running. David O. Russell's Silver Linings Playbook and Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom led the way with 5 nominations each, while Beasts of the Southern Wild and Keep the Lights On both earned 4. It's awesome to see Matthew McConaughey recognized for both Magic Mike and Killer Joe, but a little disappointing that The Imposter was overlooked for Best Documentary. What do you think of this year's Spirit Award nominees?...
- 11/27/2012
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
Having taken home the Best Picture award at last night’s Gotham Independent Film Awards, Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom finds itself nominated in the same category in the upcoming Independent Spirit Awards, with the full list of nominations announced tonight.
Anderson’s latest film has been nominated in a healthy five categories – Best Feature, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Male, and Best Cinematography – with David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook also racking up an impressive five nominations, adding Best Female Lead and Best Male Lead to Best Feature, Director, and Screenplay.
Also coming in as strong contenders are Jacques Audiard’s Rust and Bone; Mary Elizabeth Winstead in the Best Female Lead category for her performance in Smashed; Colin Trevorrow in the Best First Feature category for Safety Not Guaranteed, and Derek Connolly in the Best First Screenplay for the same film; director Benh Zeitlin and Beasts of the Southern Wild...
Anderson’s latest film has been nominated in a healthy five categories – Best Feature, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Male, and Best Cinematography – with David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook also racking up an impressive five nominations, adding Best Female Lead and Best Male Lead to Best Feature, Director, and Screenplay.
Also coming in as strong contenders are Jacques Audiard’s Rust and Bone; Mary Elizabeth Winstead in the Best Female Lead category for her performance in Smashed; Colin Trevorrow in the Best First Feature category for Safety Not Guaranteed, and Derek Connolly in the Best First Screenplay for the same film; director Benh Zeitlin and Beasts of the Southern Wild...
- 11/27/2012
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The American Film Institute has announced the lineups for the Young Americans and New Auteurs sections at its upcoming AFI Fest. The 26th annual film festival will include new films from Joe Swanberg, Brandon Cronenberg, Antonio Campos, Rebecca Thomas, and more.The Young Americans section, which features work by emerging U.S. filmmakers, includes 11 titles for 2012.“This year we’ve expanded our Young Americans section to accommodate the many great American independent films submitted,” Lane Kneedler, associate director of programming at AFI Fest, said in a statement. “The section features exciting directors and filmmakers like the Zellner brothers and Joe Swanberg, who are returning to AFI Fest with new films. It’s been extraordinary to see the growth and evolution of this section over the past three years.”In addition, nine films have been selected for the festival’s New Auteurs section, which highlights first- and second-time feature film directors from around the world.
- 10/4/2012
- backstage.com
Rebecca Thomas's gauzy debut about a 15-year-old Mormon who believes she's had an immaculate conception is deftly done
The strain of new naive cinema can be so stuffed with quirks, so determinedly guileless that it starts fraying the nerves as well as the seams. But Rebecca Thomas's gauzy debut about a 15-year-old Mormon who believes she's had an immaculate conception after hearing a cover of Blondie's Hanging on the Telephone is so deftly done it's three parts enchantment to one part irritation. Its big draw is Julia Garner – a support in Martha Marcy May Marlene, magnetic in the lead. But the other performances – Aitken as the brother accused of rape, Culkin the rocker she meets in Vegas, even Zane as her sly pastor father – are more finely spun than you'd expect; likewise the portrayal of the community (Thomas grew up Mormon). A genuine nativity, then, rather than just being knowingly naive.
The strain of new naive cinema can be so stuffed with quirks, so determinedly guileless that it starts fraying the nerves as well as the seams. But Rebecca Thomas's gauzy debut about a 15-year-old Mormon who believes she's had an immaculate conception after hearing a cover of Blondie's Hanging on the Telephone is so deftly done it's three parts enchantment to one part irritation. Its big draw is Julia Garner – a support in Martha Marcy May Marlene, magnetic in the lead. But the other performances – Aitken as the brother accused of rape, Culkin the rocker she meets in Vegas, even Zane as her sly pastor father – are more finely spun than you'd expect; likewise the portrayal of the community (Thomas grew up Mormon). A genuine nativity, then, rather than just being knowingly naive.
- 7/12/2012
- by Catherine Shoard
- The Guardian - Film News
Iconic singer says she would have asked Hov to rap on Soldier of Love if she could do it again.
By Rebecca Thomas
Sade
Photo:
Beyoncé, Rihanna and Alicia Keys can each claim at least one, but Sade, an icon for the ages, is still pining for that Jay-z feature. The multiplatinum U.K. songstress says she has few regrets in a career that spans nearly three decades, beginning with her 1985 Diamond Life debut, but in a new interview, she cops to kicking herself over the cameo that wasn't."If I could turn back time? I would have asked Jay-z to rap on Soldier of Love in 2010," the singer said in a talk posted on Hov's website, LifeandTimes.com, on Tuesday. While it's unclear whether Sade was referring to the chart-toping LP or the single of the same name, it's obvious she felt the rap titan would have enhanced the throbbing,...
By Rebecca Thomas
Sade
Photo:
Beyoncé, Rihanna and Alicia Keys can each claim at least one, but Sade, an icon for the ages, is still pining for that Jay-z feature. The multiplatinum U.K. songstress says she has few regrets in a career that spans nearly three decades, beginning with her 1985 Diamond Life debut, but in a new interview, she cops to kicking herself over the cameo that wasn't."If I could turn back time? I would have asked Jay-z to rap on Soldier of Love in 2010," the singer said in a talk posted on Hov's website, LifeandTimes.com, on Tuesday. While it's unclear whether Sade was referring to the chart-toping LP or the single of the same name, it's obvious she felt the rap titan would have enhanced the throbbing,...
- 6/27/2012
- MTV Music News
'I didn't sing on the record at all. It just was a rap song,' budding Mc Breezy tells MTV News.
By Rebecca Thomas
Chris Brown
Photo:
When we caught up with Chris Brown last March, he was still rocking a blond crop (remember that?) and he'd just dropped what he jokingly called his "first rap video," "Look at Me Now." Breezy's bars were cheeky, with allusions to yellow Lambos ... among other things yellow — and surprisingly adept.Still, while featured guest Lil Wayne gave the pop&B singer a co-sign, the Ymcmb captain also famously told Rolling Stone that he would stop at letting Brown spit on his own record, insisting, "I cannot have Chris Brown rapping on Tha Carter IV." Weezy offered this by way of explanation: "Do you know how many rappers would be like, 'I can't get on Tha Carter IV, but this n---a put Chris Brown on that bitch?...
By Rebecca Thomas
Chris Brown
Photo:
When we caught up with Chris Brown last March, he was still rocking a blond crop (remember that?) and he'd just dropped what he jokingly called his "first rap video," "Look at Me Now." Breezy's bars were cheeky, with allusions to yellow Lambos ... among other things yellow — and surprisingly adept.Still, while featured guest Lil Wayne gave the pop&B singer a co-sign, the Ymcmb captain also famously told Rolling Stone that he would stop at letting Brown spit on his own record, insisting, "I cannot have Chris Brown rapping on Tha Carter IV." Weezy offered this by way of explanation: "Do you know how many rappers would be like, 'I can't get on Tha Carter IV, but this n---a put Chris Brown on that bitch?...
- 6/22/2012
- MTV Music News
The big news today is that Ann Curry may be on her way out at "Today," only a year after she became the co-host of NBC's morning juggernaut.
Curry has been on "Today" for 17 years, acting principally as news anchor before assuming the coveted anchor chair beside Matt Lauer when Meredith Vieira exited the show last year. She's also appeared across multiple NBC News properties, from anchoring "Dateline NBC" and filling in on the "NBC Nightly News" to acting as a major international news correspondent.
She has, however, encountered a number at obstacles at "Today." Her talent as a serious news reporter has, ironically, been a point of criticism – she's not easygoing enough to co-host a morning show, which requires a balance of both serious and silly – and some have even blamed her for "Today's" faltering ratings. The show has long been the #1 show in morning television, but was beat...
Curry has been on "Today" for 17 years, acting principally as news anchor before assuming the coveted anchor chair beside Matt Lauer when Meredith Vieira exited the show last year. She's also appeared across multiple NBC News properties, from anchoring "Dateline NBC" and filling in on the "NBC Nightly News" to acting as a major international news correspondent.
She has, however, encountered a number at obstacles at "Today." Her talent as a serious news reporter has, ironically, been a point of criticism – she's not easygoing enough to co-host a morning show, which requires a balance of both serious and silly – and some have even blamed her for "Today's" faltering ratings. The show has long been the #1 show in morning television, but was beat...
- 6/21/2012
- by John Mitchell
- MTV Newsroom
MTV News sat down with Brown hours before NYC melee and caught up with Drizzy before things between the stars turned violent.
By Rebecca Thomas
Drake and Chris Brown
Photo:
The Bronx, New York There was something in the air on Wednesday. In hindsight: a certain electricity. And while we're still patching together the details of what went down between Drake, Chris Brown and their crews in SoHo, we do know that two 20-something millionaires — who have a million reasons to celebrate — went from popping bottles to lobbing bottles.
Members of MTV News' hip-hop brain trust were under the same roof as Drizzy just before he turned up at W.i.P nightclub and things went left. In another coincidence, earlier that day, we welcomed Breezy to the newsroom, where he teased his Fortune LP ... and praised Drake — without any prompting from us. We'd be wrong not to share with you,...
By Rebecca Thomas
Drake and Chris Brown
Photo:
The Bronx, New York There was something in the air on Wednesday. In hindsight: a certain electricity. And while we're still patching together the details of what went down between Drake, Chris Brown and their crews in SoHo, we do know that two 20-something millionaires — who have a million reasons to celebrate — went from popping bottles to lobbing bottles.
Members of MTV News' hip-hop brain trust were under the same roof as Drizzy just before he turned up at W.i.P nightclub and things went left. In another coincidence, earlier that day, we welcomed Breezy to the newsroom, where he teased his Fortune LP ... and praised Drake — without any prompting from us. We'd be wrong not to share with you,...
- 6/15/2012
- MTV Music News
NYPD confirm they were called to scene of a fight at W.I.P. but no arrests were made.
By Rebecca Thomas
Drake and Chris Brown
Photo:
Rappers stay schemin'. And if the reports are to be believed, R&B singers do too. After hitting up the Maybach Music Group listening party in the Bronx, Young Money rapper Drake headed to New York's SoHo, where his camp reportedly got into an altercation with Chris Brown's crew on Wednesday night.According to TMZ, the NYPD has confirmed that Drizzy and Breezy got into a fight at W.I.P. nightclub, where bottles were allegedly thrown. A photo posted to Brown's Instagram showing the singer sporting a bloody gash on his chin quickly made the rounds on Thursday (June 14). But Breezy's timeline had been sanitized entirely at press time.Drake and Brown have been the subject of rumors, particularly in recent months,...
By Rebecca Thomas
Drake and Chris Brown
Photo:
Rappers stay schemin'. And if the reports are to be believed, R&B singers do too. After hitting up the Maybach Music Group listening party in the Bronx, Young Money rapper Drake headed to New York's SoHo, where his camp reportedly got into an altercation with Chris Brown's crew on Wednesday night.According to TMZ, the NYPD has confirmed that Drizzy and Breezy got into a fight at W.I.P. nightclub, where bottles were allegedly thrown. A photo posted to Brown's Instagram showing the singer sporting a bloody gash on his chin quickly made the rounds on Thursday (June 14). But Breezy's timeline had been sanitized entirely at press time.Drake and Brown have been the subject of rumors, particularly in recent months,...
- 6/14/2012
- MTV Music News
After opening for B in Atlantic City, New Orleans newcomer tells MTV News what he's learned from the Queen.
By Rebecca Thomas
Luke James
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ Getty Images
It was the morning after Beyoncé's triumphant second show in Atlantic City when we bumped into Luke James by an elevator bank at the Revel resort. R&B's reigning diva had tapped the New Orleans native to warm up the capacity crowds as she staged her comeback run over Memorial Day weekend, and James had the unmistakable bop of a man who knows he's done something ... special.
Signed to Island Def Jam but still largely unknown to all but soul-music diehards, James had just the night before slayed a roomful of women that included the first lady, Michelle Obama. Armed with a flirty falsetto, James tossed long-stemmed red roses and lines like, "Before I met you, girl, I never knew my...
By Rebecca Thomas
Luke James
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ Getty Images
It was the morning after Beyoncé's triumphant second show in Atlantic City when we bumped into Luke James by an elevator bank at the Revel resort. R&B's reigning diva had tapped the New Orleans native to warm up the capacity crowds as she staged her comeback run over Memorial Day weekend, and James had the unmistakable bop of a man who knows he's done something ... special.
Signed to Island Def Jam but still largely unknown to all but soul-music diehards, James had just the night before slayed a roomful of women that included the first lady, Michelle Obama. Armed with a flirty falsetto, James tossed long-stemmed red roses and lines like, "Before I met you, girl, I never knew my...
- 6/5/2012
- MTV Music News
'You have to build up the tension, because the kiss is the release,' crooner tells MTV News.
By Fallon Prinzivalli, with reporting by Rebecca Thomas
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in "Breaking Dawn - Part 2"
Photo: Summit Entertainment
The Best Kiss award at the MTV Movie Awards is arguably the fans' favorite category to vote on.
For the past three years in a row, the honor has been bestowed upon "Twilight" co-stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart for their smooches as Edward Cullen and Bella Swan. This year, they're up against some hefty competition: Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in "Crazy, Stupid, Love," Emma Watson and Rupert Grint in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum in "The Vow" and, their biggest opponents, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson in "The Hunger Games." While the winner is anybody's guess, we're wondering which couple deserves the award.
By Fallon Prinzivalli, with reporting by Rebecca Thomas
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in "Breaking Dawn - Part 2"
Photo: Summit Entertainment
The Best Kiss award at the MTV Movie Awards is arguably the fans' favorite category to vote on.
For the past three years in a row, the honor has been bestowed upon "Twilight" co-stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart for their smooches as Edward Cullen and Bella Swan. This year, they're up against some hefty competition: Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in "Crazy, Stupid, Love," Emma Watson and Rupert Grint in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum in "The Vow" and, their biggest opponents, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson in "The Hunger Games." While the winner is anybody's guess, we're wondering which couple deserves the award.
- 5/29/2012
- MTV Music News
'You have to build up the tension, because the kiss is the release,' crooner tells MTV News.
By Fallon Prinzivalli, with reporting by Rebecca Thomas
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in "Breaking Dawn - Part 2"
Photo: Summit Entertainment
The Best Kiss award at the MTV Movie Awards is arguably the fans' favorite category to vote on.
For the past three years in a row, the honor has been bestowed upon "Twilight" co-stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart for their smooches as Edward Cullen and Bella Swan. This year, they're up against some hefty competition: Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in "Crazy, Stupid, Love," Emma Watson and Rupert Grint in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum in "The Vow" and, their biggest opponents, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson in "The Hunger Games." While the winner is anybody's guess, we're wondering which couple deserves the award.
By Fallon Prinzivalli, with reporting by Rebecca Thomas
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in "Breaking Dawn - Part 2"
Photo: Summit Entertainment
The Best Kiss award at the MTV Movie Awards is arguably the fans' favorite category to vote on.
For the past three years in a row, the honor has been bestowed upon "Twilight" co-stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart for their smooches as Edward Cullen and Bella Swan. This year, they're up against some hefty competition: Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in "Crazy, Stupid, Love," Emma Watson and Rupert Grint in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum in "The Vow" and, their biggest opponents, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson in "The Hunger Games." While the winner is anybody's guess, we're wondering which couple deserves the award.
- 5/29/2012
- MTV Movie News
Queen B ascends her throne during the second in a four-night run of Memorial Day weekend shows.
By Rebecca Thomas
Beyoncé performs in Atlantic City, NJ
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Atlantic City, New Jersey — The "year of 4" continues.
Four months after giving birth to her first child — an arrival announced last August at the MTV VMAs — Beyoncé returned to the stage Saturday night, on the second of a four-night run in this East Coast resort city. And it was a spectacular fitting her rising icon status.
So what kinds of clues get 20somethings calling you "the greatest performer" of your generation? Well, it's in the details. For one, Revel, the sparkling, 6.3-million-square-foot beachfront destination that played host to Beyoncé's comeback, devoted a channel on its guest-room flat-screen TVs solely to B-related content: no weather broadcasts, nary a "Housewife" and no commercial breaks; just videos, all-star performances and more, all through Memorial Day weekend.
By Rebecca Thomas
Beyoncé performs in Atlantic City, NJ
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Atlantic City, New Jersey — The "year of 4" continues.
Four months after giving birth to her first child — an arrival announced last August at the MTV VMAs — Beyoncé returned to the stage Saturday night, on the second of a four-night run in this East Coast resort city. And it was a spectacular fitting her rising icon status.
So what kinds of clues get 20somethings calling you "the greatest performer" of your generation? Well, it's in the details. For one, Revel, the sparkling, 6.3-million-square-foot beachfront destination that played host to Beyoncé's comeback, devoted a channel on its guest-room flat-screen TVs solely to B-related content: no weather broadcasts, nary a "Housewife" and no commercial breaks; just videos, all-star performances and more, all through Memorial Day weekend.
- 5/27/2012
- MTV Music News
'I ain't gonna lie, it's gonna be the best game show,' DJ Khaled tells MTV News of 'Squares,' premiering tonight at 11 p.m. Et/Pt on MTV2.
By Rob Markman, with additional reporting by Rebecca Thomas
<i>Hip Hop Squares</i>
Photo: MTV2
Rap is serious business, but now hip-hop's brightest have a place where they can cut loose and just have fun. MTV2's "Hip Hop Squares" premieres tonight at 11 p.m. Et/Pt, and you don't want to miss the party.
" 'Hip Hop Squares,' I ain't gonna lie, it's gonna be the best game show," DJ Khaled boasted when MTV News took a tour of the "Hip Hop Squares" set. "Especially because it's representing hip-hop, but it's real exciting. If I wasn't even on it, I'd be watching it myself."
If "Squares" looks familiar to you, then you may remember its predecessor, the iconic tic-tac-toe game show "Hollywood Squares.
By Rob Markman, with additional reporting by Rebecca Thomas
<i>Hip Hop Squares</i>
Photo: MTV2
Rap is serious business, but now hip-hop's brightest have a place where they can cut loose and just have fun. MTV2's "Hip Hop Squares" premieres tonight at 11 p.m. Et/Pt, and you don't want to miss the party.
" 'Hip Hop Squares,' I ain't gonna lie, it's gonna be the best game show," DJ Khaled boasted when MTV News took a tour of the "Hip Hop Squares" set. "Especially because it's representing hip-hop, but it's real exciting. If I wasn't even on it, I'd be watching it myself."
If "Squares" looks familiar to you, then you may remember its predecessor, the iconic tic-tac-toe game show "Hollywood Squares.
- 5/22/2012
- MTV Music News
'She just wanted to clear the air a bit,' finalist says of back-and-forth jabs between the ex-Mouseketeers.
By Rebecca Thomas
Tony Lucca on "The Voice"
Photo: NBC
While we couldn't get enough of the bromantic tension between judges Blake Shelton and Adam Levine during the just-wrapped second season of "The Voice," it was the emphatically awkward tension between finalist Tony Lucca and coach Christina Aguilera that kept us at the office water cooler. But the contentious pair are playing nice now.
According to UsWeekly.com, Aguilera offered Lucca a backstage apology after the competition had ended and backup singer Jermaine Paul was crowned the winner.
"She just wanted to clear the air a bit," Lucca told the magazine, adding that Aguilera expressed regret "that this became much more of a dramatic thing than she ever intended it."
The ex-Mouseketeers were reunited back in February as the NBC show bowed for a second run,...
By Rebecca Thomas
Tony Lucca on "The Voice"
Photo: NBC
While we couldn't get enough of the bromantic tension between judges Blake Shelton and Adam Levine during the just-wrapped second season of "The Voice," it was the emphatically awkward tension between finalist Tony Lucca and coach Christina Aguilera that kept us at the office water cooler. But the contentious pair are playing nice now.
According to UsWeekly.com, Aguilera offered Lucca a backstage apology after the competition had ended and backup singer Jermaine Paul was crowned the winner.
"She just wanted to clear the air a bit," Lucca told the magazine, adding that Aguilera expressed regret "that this became much more of a dramatic thing than she ever intended it."
The ex-Mouseketeers were reunited back in February as the NBC show bowed for a second run,...
- 5/9/2012
- MTV Music News
Roc Nation singer jokes to MTV News about what a Rita/Rihanna video would look like.
By Rebecca Thomas
Rita Ora
Photo: MTV News
A girl with a foreign accent inks a Roc Nation deal, teams up with Drake and leans on Jay-z to kick-start her Stateside career. Can't Rita Ora get on her grind without inviting comparisons to Rihanna?
Ok, granted, the Kosovo-born newcomer has a few things in common with the Grammy-nominated Bajan pop princess. As he has for Rih, Drake picked up the pen for co-writing credit on Ora's U.K. hit "R.I.P." (a song reportedly intended for Rihanna, who turned it down). And as he did for the "Umbrella" singer, Hov is playing mentor to the upstart. But Ora, with her soulful growl and West London upbringing, has her own lane. And she's decidedly blasé about those bloggers busy tallying the similarities between the two 20somethings.
By Rebecca Thomas
Rita Ora
Photo: MTV News
A girl with a foreign accent inks a Roc Nation deal, teams up with Drake and leans on Jay-z to kick-start her Stateside career. Can't Rita Ora get on her grind without inviting comparisons to Rihanna?
Ok, granted, the Kosovo-born newcomer has a few things in common with the Grammy-nominated Bajan pop princess. As he has for Rih, Drake picked up the pen for co-writing credit on Ora's U.K. hit "R.I.P." (a song reportedly intended for Rihanna, who turned it down). And as he did for the "Umbrella" singer, Hov is playing mentor to the upstart. But Ora, with her soulful growl and West London upbringing, has her own lane. And she's decidedly blasé about those bloggers busy tallying the similarities between the two 20somethings.
- 5/3/2012
- MTV Music News
'It's basically a big party with no judgment,' Roc Nation singer tells MTV News of the concept for her 'How We Do' video.
By Rebecca Thomas
Rita Ora
Photo: MTV News
The last time an R&B upstart sampled the Notorious B.I.G. on her debut single, it was the early aughts: Eminem was still cleaning out his closet and Pink and Christina Augilera were pop's reigning bad girls. Amidst all that, Ashanti's Biggie-sampling "Foolish" scaled the charts and spent 10 weeks at #1 on the way to becoming one of the decade's most successful singles. Now, 10 years later, Rita Ora is dipping into Mr. Wallace's vault for her first Stateside release.
But whereas the onetime Murder Inc. princess made a breakup ballad for the ages, Ora's debut single, "How We Do (Party)" — which gets musical inspiration from the late Big's grimy "Party and Bullsh--" — is as bouncy as a box spring.
By Rebecca Thomas
Rita Ora
Photo: MTV News
The last time an R&B upstart sampled the Notorious B.I.G. on her debut single, it was the early aughts: Eminem was still cleaning out his closet and Pink and Christina Augilera were pop's reigning bad girls. Amidst all that, Ashanti's Biggie-sampling "Foolish" scaled the charts and spent 10 weeks at #1 on the way to becoming one of the decade's most successful singles. Now, 10 years later, Rita Ora is dipping into Mr. Wallace's vault for her first Stateside release.
But whereas the onetime Murder Inc. princess made a breakup ballad for the ages, Ora's debut single, "How We Do (Party)" — which gets musical inspiration from the late Big's grimy "Party and Bullsh--" — is as bouncy as a box spring.
- 4/30/2012
- MTV Music News
As one-third of the iconic girl group, the feisty Lisa Lopes blazed a trail for today's rebellious pop sirens.
By Rebecca Thomas
Left Eye
Photo: Getty Images
In an era when being as bold as you wanna be can be good for business, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, one-rebellious-third of the iconic girl group TLC, might not have seemed like an anomaly among the Rihannas, Katys and Britneys. But back in the early 1990s, you were bound to arch a few eyebrows if your thing was to rock condoms as eye patches and spit verses like, "If I need it in the morning or the middle of the night, I ain't too proud to beg."
Philadelphia-born Lisa was just barely out of her teens in 1991, when she joined a trio under the direction of manager Perri "Pebbles" Reid, an R&B singer herself and then-wife of Laface Records co-founder Antonio "La" Reid.
By Rebecca Thomas
Left Eye
Photo: Getty Images
In an era when being as bold as you wanna be can be good for business, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, one-rebellious-third of the iconic girl group TLC, might not have seemed like an anomaly among the Rihannas, Katys and Britneys. But back in the early 1990s, you were bound to arch a few eyebrows if your thing was to rock condoms as eye patches and spit verses like, "If I need it in the morning or the middle of the night, I ain't too proud to beg."
Philadelphia-born Lisa was just barely out of her teens in 1991, when she joined a trio under the direction of manager Perri "Pebbles" Reid, an R&B singer herself and then-wife of Laface Records co-founder Antonio "La" Reid.
- 4/25/2012
- MTV Music News
'I like to talk nasty, I like to talk about love,' Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter opens up to MTV News.
By Rebecca Thomas, with reporting by Kara Warner
Ester Dean
Photo: MTV News
You think you know Ester Dean, but you have no idea.
To eagle-eyed fans who scan the iTunes digital booklets for albums by pop deities like Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson, Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry, the Muskogee, Oklahoma, girl is a (frequently) reoccurring name among the writers' credits. In fact, get-it-girl anthems including, respectively, "Countdown," "Mr. Know It All," "Super Bass" and "Firework" all bear Dean's chart-choking stamp.
But to other folks, Dean is Rihanna's musical alter ego, the saucy scribe who channels the Bajan stunner's carnal appetites and then churns out irresistibly raunchy radio ditties like "Rude Boy" and "S&M." When MTV News asks her about it, decorated songwriter Dean said she understands why Top 40 fans might be confused.
By Rebecca Thomas, with reporting by Kara Warner
Ester Dean
Photo: MTV News
You think you know Ester Dean, but you have no idea.
To eagle-eyed fans who scan the iTunes digital booklets for albums by pop deities like Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson, Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry, the Muskogee, Oklahoma, girl is a (frequently) reoccurring name among the writers' credits. In fact, get-it-girl anthems including, respectively, "Countdown," "Mr. Know It All," "Super Bass" and "Firework" all bear Dean's chart-choking stamp.
But to other folks, Dean is Rihanna's musical alter ego, the saucy scribe who channels the Bajan stunner's carnal appetites and then churns out irresistibly raunchy radio ditties like "Rude Boy" and "S&M." When MTV News asks her about it, decorated songwriter Dean said she understands why Top 40 fans might be confused.
- 4/19/2012
- MTV Music News
K.Ro teases an 'incredible' tour at this weekend's Australian Supafest, as event critics take aim at headliner Breezy.
By Rebecca Thomas, with reporting by Flx
Kelly Rowland
Photo: MTV News
The last time we caught up with Kelly Rowland on the road, she was basking in the success of her mega-single "Motivation" and opening up for her boy Chris Brown on his headlining F.A.M.E. Tour. Now, she's prepping for another jaunt, this time to Australia, with Breezy. But the run is already sparking controversy.
Just days before Supafest kicks off in Oz on Saturday, MTV News caught up with the onetime Destiny's Child princess on the Atlanta set of Trey Songz's "Heart Attack" video. And if she was aware that organizers were catching heat for adding Breezy to the lineup, it didn't show. We found Rowland nothing short of giddy.
"It's gonna be incredible," Rowland said excitedly,...
By Rebecca Thomas, with reporting by Flx
Kelly Rowland
Photo: MTV News
The last time we caught up with Kelly Rowland on the road, she was basking in the success of her mega-single "Motivation" and opening up for her boy Chris Brown on his headlining F.A.M.E. Tour. Now, she's prepping for another jaunt, this time to Australia, with Breezy. But the run is already sparking controversy.
Just days before Supafest kicks off in Oz on Saturday, MTV News caught up with the onetime Destiny's Child princess on the Atlanta set of Trey Songz's "Heart Attack" video. And if she was aware that organizers were catching heat for adding Breezy to the lineup, it didn't show. We found Rowland nothing short of giddy.
"It's gonna be incredible," Rowland said excitedly,...
- 4/11/2012
- MTV Music News
The (musical) couple reunite in eagerly anticipated video to premiere Friday at 7:56 p.m. Et on MTV.
By Rebecca Thomas
Drake in his video for "Take Care"
Photo: Universal
The last time Drake and Rihanna got together, a quick grocery run for a carton of milk turned into a fun, romantic date over white wine in a sun-drenched Manhattan loft. The cross-genre couple is sharing the screen again, following up Rih's "What's My Name?" with the video for Drake's "Take Care." But trust us: The mood is different this time around.
While you'll have to wait until Friday at 7:56 p.m. Et for the eagerly anticipated MTV video premiere, MTV News has your exclusive preview!
The black-and-white teaser opens with Drake, dressed casually in black tee and matching jeans, looking introspective as he spits the first verse of the moody title track: "I've asked about you and they've...
By Rebecca Thomas
Drake in his video for "Take Care"
Photo: Universal
The last time Drake and Rihanna got together, a quick grocery run for a carton of milk turned into a fun, romantic date over white wine in a sun-drenched Manhattan loft. The cross-genre couple is sharing the screen again, following up Rih's "What's My Name?" with the video for Drake's "Take Care." But trust us: The mood is different this time around.
While you'll have to wait until Friday at 7:56 p.m. Et for the eagerly anticipated MTV video premiere, MTV News has your exclusive preview!
The black-and-white teaser opens with Drake, dressed casually in black tee and matching jeans, looking introspective as he spits the first verse of the moody title track: "I've asked about you and they've...
- 4/5/2012
- MTV Music News
Hairstylist behind 'Super Bass' video and many more dishes to MTV News about the Roman Reloaded rapper's otherworldly looks.
By Rebecca Thomas
Nicki Minaj
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/ WireImage
In a way, the evolution of Nicki Minaj from Baisley Blvd.-dwelling Mc to global pop phenomenon begins with her hair.
In 2008, the Southside Jamaica, Queens, lyricist was still on her mixtape grind, and her look reflected that. In fact, the Playtime Is Over rapper looked like a lot of girls from the Q-borough: makeup from Mac, oversize hoop earrings from the Colosseum on 165th Street and down-to-there Remy extensions courtesy of the beauty supply.
But by the time Lil Wayne's protégé dropped her platinum Pink Friday debut in November 2010, it wasn't just her new Mac lipstick that was pink — her locks had taken on the otherworldly candy color, too, giving her a pop finish atypical of female MCs. Terrence Davidson, who...
By Rebecca Thomas
Nicki Minaj
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/ WireImage
In a way, the evolution of Nicki Minaj from Baisley Blvd.-dwelling Mc to global pop phenomenon begins with her hair.
In 2008, the Southside Jamaica, Queens, lyricist was still on her mixtape grind, and her look reflected that. In fact, the Playtime Is Over rapper looked like a lot of girls from the Q-borough: makeup from Mac, oversize hoop earrings from the Colosseum on 165th Street and down-to-there Remy extensions courtesy of the beauty supply.
But by the time Lil Wayne's protégé dropped her platinum Pink Friday debut in November 2010, it wasn't just her new Mac lipstick that was pink — her locks had taken on the otherworldly candy color, too, giving her a pop finish atypical of female MCs. Terrence Davidson, who...
- 4/4/2012
- MTV Music News
'It's very hard for me to accept, but I get it,' singer tells Elle in May issue of public backlash.
By Rebecca Thomas
Rihanna on the May 2012 cover of <i>Elle</i>
Photo: Tom Munro / Hearst Digital Media
Rihanna didn't call her latest album Talk That Talk for nothing. The Good Girl Gone Bad regularly hits Twitter to hash it out over everything from her taste in ink to her take on fellow R&B divas. But the one subject she'd kept off her tongue was ex-boyfriend Chris Brown.
So the Bajan beauty's decision this year to very publicly reconcile with Brown, who served probation for assaulting her in 2009, by teaming up with him in February on a pair of remixes was widely met with shock and, in many circles, outrage. In the new issue of Elle, however, the blond cover girl tells the magazine she understands her decision is a...
By Rebecca Thomas
Rihanna on the May 2012 cover of <i>Elle</i>
Photo: Tom Munro / Hearst Digital Media
Rihanna didn't call her latest album Talk That Talk for nothing. The Good Girl Gone Bad regularly hits Twitter to hash it out over everything from her taste in ink to her take on fellow R&B divas. But the one subject she'd kept off her tongue was ex-boyfriend Chris Brown.
So the Bajan beauty's decision this year to very publicly reconcile with Brown, who served probation for assaulting her in 2009, by teaming up with him in February on a pair of remixes was widely met with shock and, in many circles, outrage. In the new issue of Elle, however, the blond cover girl tells the magazine she understands her decision is a...
- 4/4/2012
- MTV Music News
'No one's exempt from people probing into your life once you get into the game,' Nasty Nas tells 'RapFix Live.'
By Rebecca Thomas, with reporting by Sway Calloway
Nas on "RapFix Live"
Photo: Natasha Chandel/ MTV News
They were rap's royal couple. Nas and Kelis jumped the broom in 2005 after a courtship that included video cameos and public declarations of love.
But the split between the rap legend and his R&B wife four years later was just as public and all too ugly. As the expectant "Milkshake" singer accused her husband of abandoning her mid-pregnancy in legal filings, allegations of infidelity burned up the blogs.
Things got "crazy," the pride of Queensbridge, New York, said on Wednesday's "RapFix Live." The divorce thrust Nas into the New York tabloids, where he was alternately painted as the victim of a gold-digging star and a cheater who callously hid the...
By Rebecca Thomas, with reporting by Sway Calloway
Nas on "RapFix Live"
Photo: Natasha Chandel/ MTV News
They were rap's royal couple. Nas and Kelis jumped the broom in 2005 after a courtship that included video cameos and public declarations of love.
But the split between the rap legend and his R&B wife four years later was just as public and all too ugly. As the expectant "Milkshake" singer accused her husband of abandoning her mid-pregnancy in legal filings, allegations of infidelity burned up the blogs.
Things got "crazy," the pride of Queensbridge, New York, said on Wednesday's "RapFix Live." The divorce thrust Nas into the New York tabloids, where he was alternately painted as the victim of a gold-digging star and a cheater who callously hid the...
- 3/29/2012
- MTV Music News
GQ gives Harlem Mc a splashy look in next month's Style issue, where Banks talks meeting Kanye and getting money.
By Rebecca Thomas
Azealia Banks in <i>GQ</i>
Photo: Matt Irwin/ GQ
Don't be fooled by her Twitter tussles with rap vets: Azealia Banks is on her grind. The Harlem Mc didn't let expulsion from this year's Xxl Freshman Class keep her down. Instead, she's kept up her buzz up, at a noise level guaranteed to pick up a few decibels when she drops a new Ep next month.
Banks confirmed via tweet this week that 1991 is due April 17 and will include the title track, plus "Grand Prix." The project's title is a nod to the year that gave us seminal albums like Nirvana's Nevermind, and artists like the 20-year-old Banks.
As for sonic expectations, we're hoping her brand-new "F--- Up the Fun" is a hint at what's to come. On the Diplo-produced number,...
By Rebecca Thomas
Azealia Banks in <i>GQ</i>
Photo: Matt Irwin/ GQ
Don't be fooled by her Twitter tussles with rap vets: Azealia Banks is on her grind. The Harlem Mc didn't let expulsion from this year's Xxl Freshman Class keep her down. Instead, she's kept up her buzz up, at a noise level guaranteed to pick up a few decibels when she drops a new Ep next month.
Banks confirmed via tweet this week that 1991 is due April 17 and will include the title track, plus "Grand Prix." The project's title is a nod to the year that gave us seminal albums like Nirvana's Nevermind, and artists like the 20-year-old Banks.
As for sonic expectations, we're hoping her brand-new "F--- Up the Fun" is a hint at what's to come. On the Diplo-produced number,...
- 3/28/2012
- MTV Music News
G.O.O.D. Music crooner makes a promise in sexy new video for 'Tonight.'
By Rebecca Thomas, with reporting by Kelly Marino
Photo: MTV News
Admit it, you weren't entirely comfortable with John Legend name-calling and hair-tugging on Kanye West's searing "Blame Game." And we get it: The Springfield native's catalog is the work of a perfect gentleman, not an Ohio player. With his latest, "Tonight (Best You Ever Had)," Legend is ready to make up — all night.
Last month, MTV News strutted onto the Los Angeles set of the "Tonight" video, where Legend opened up about what propels the song. The tune appears on the April 10 soundtrack for "Think Like a Man," a big-screen adaptation of comedian Steve Harvey's runaway best-seller, dating-advice book. (No word yet on whether it will also find a spot on Legend's forthcoming full-length, Love in the Future, tentatively due this summer.
By Rebecca Thomas, with reporting by Kelly Marino
Photo: MTV News
Admit it, you weren't entirely comfortable with John Legend name-calling and hair-tugging on Kanye West's searing "Blame Game." And we get it: The Springfield native's catalog is the work of a perfect gentleman, not an Ohio player. With his latest, "Tonight (Best You Ever Had)," Legend is ready to make up — all night.
Last month, MTV News strutted onto the Los Angeles set of the "Tonight" video, where Legend opened up about what propels the song. The tune appears on the April 10 soundtrack for "Think Like a Man," a big-screen adaptation of comedian Steve Harvey's runaway best-seller, dating-advice book. (No word yet on whether it will also find a spot on Legend's forthcoming full-length, Love in the Future, tentatively due this summer.
- 3/21/2012
- MTV Music News
Upstart designer talks to MTV News about getting the ultimate look after rap titan dons the label's signature cap at Austin concert.
By Rebecca Thomas
Jay-z performs during the "Amex Sync Show in Austin, Texas
Photo: Gary Miller/ FilmMagic
He made the Yankee cap hotter than anyone in pinstripes ever could. But on Monday night in Austin, Texas, Jay-z shelved the New Era snapback and topped his denim ensemble with a printed ball cap by Leroy Jenkins. In a flash, the man who bleeds blue gave the upstart designers the ultimate co-sign — as a packed SXSW crowd (and millions watching Hov's solo show via live stream) took it all in.
On Tuesday afternoon (March 13), MTV News caught up with Leroy Jenkins founder and creative director Ron Upperman just as he headed out to re-up on floral fabric for the company's caps, which were now, of course, sold out. Upperman, who...
By Rebecca Thomas
Jay-z performs during the "Amex Sync Show in Austin, Texas
Photo: Gary Miller/ FilmMagic
He made the Yankee cap hotter than anyone in pinstripes ever could. But on Monday night in Austin, Texas, Jay-z shelved the New Era snapback and topped his denim ensemble with a printed ball cap by Leroy Jenkins. In a flash, the man who bleeds blue gave the upstart designers the ultimate co-sign — as a packed SXSW crowd (and millions watching Hov's solo show via live stream) took it all in.
On Tuesday afternoon (March 13), MTV News caught up with Leroy Jenkins founder and creative director Ron Upperman just as he headed out to re-up on floral fabric for the company's caps, which were now, of course, sold out. Upperman, who...
- 3/14/2012
- MTV Music News
Def Jam singer/producer blazed into New York City on Monday on his Kill the Lights Tour, igniting an R&B beef along the way.
By Rebecca Thomas
The-Dream
Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/ Getty Images
New York — When you think about it, it's only fitting that Maybach Music MCs Wale, Meek Mill and Stalley held court on Monday night as The-Dream rocked the second of a two-night run at Sob's. Among the ranks of R&B crooners, few have more rap swag than Mr. Terius Nash: From the Roc-a-Fella chain to the vintage throwback jerseys, the singer laced up, slinging NBA metaphors like any good rap star. Then, as if to solidify his credentials, he waded into an R&B beef with the Weekend.
When Dream visited our "RapFix Live" late last month, the Love King told host Sway that he had no conflict with Drake's enigmatic homey. "No,...
By Rebecca Thomas
The-Dream
Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/ Getty Images
New York — When you think about it, it's only fitting that Maybach Music MCs Wale, Meek Mill and Stalley held court on Monday night as The-Dream rocked the second of a two-night run at Sob's. Among the ranks of R&B crooners, few have more rap swag than Mr. Terius Nash: From the Roc-a-Fella chain to the vintage throwback jerseys, the singer laced up, slinging NBA metaphors like any good rap star. Then, as if to solidify his credentials, he waded into an R&B beef with the Weekend.
When Dream visited our "RapFix Live" late last month, the Love King told host Sway that he had no conflict with Drake's enigmatic homey. "No,...
- 3/13/2012
- MTV Music News
Ymcmb standout was 'On One' this year, from undeniable features to Take Care.
By MTV News staff
Drake
Photo: Getty Images
Drake says his only cares are money and his native Toronto, but judging from the way he showed out in 2011, you have to figure rap dominance was pretty high on his list too. Drizzy definitely got his money and went to great lengths to put the city where he's from on the map. Those efforts helped Drake clinch the #2 slot on MTV News' Hottest MCs in the Game VII list.
"A lot of times artists are faced with a sophomore slump. I think Drake surpassed it and probably had one of the best hip-hop albums of the year," said Steven Roberts, MTV News producer/writer, about the chart-topping Take Care.
Although Drake didn't drop the November 2011 project until the fourth quarter, he maintained a serious presence all year: whether...
By MTV News staff
Drake
Photo: Getty Images
Drake says his only cares are money and his native Toronto, but judging from the way he showed out in 2011, you have to figure rap dominance was pretty high on his list too. Drizzy definitely got his money and went to great lengths to put the city where he's from on the map. Those efforts helped Drake clinch the #2 slot on MTV News' Hottest MCs in the Game VII list.
"A lot of times artists are faced with a sophomore slump. I think Drake surpassed it and probably had one of the best hip-hop albums of the year," said Steven Roberts, MTV News producer/writer, about the chart-topping Take Care.
Although Drake didn't drop the November 2011 project until the fourth quarter, he maintained a serious presence all year: whether...
- 2/19/2012
- MTV Music News
Chi-Town hero claims the Throne and Hottest MCs in the Game VII's top 3 with a Twisted Fantasy and a groundbreaking joint album.
By MTV News staff
Kanye West
Photo: Getty Images
To be considered one of the Hottest MCs in the Game, a rapper has to build a solid case with lyrics and album sales, but buzz is just as important, and few artists can stir up a frenzy quite like Kanye West, who happens to have the verses and plaques to back it up. But that's just touching the surface when it comes to why the Hip-Hop Brain Trust gave 'Ye the #3 spot on our Hottest MCs in the Game VII list.
The Chicago native set tongues wagging back on New Year's Eve 2010, when he announced at a party in Las Vegas that his joint album with Jay-z would arrive at the top of '11. Although Watch the Throne...
By MTV News staff
Kanye West
Photo: Getty Images
To be considered one of the Hottest MCs in the Game, a rapper has to build a solid case with lyrics and album sales, but buzz is just as important, and few artists can stir up a frenzy quite like Kanye West, who happens to have the verses and plaques to back it up. But that's just touching the surface when it comes to why the Hip-Hop Brain Trust gave 'Ye the #3 spot on our Hottest MCs in the Game VII list.
The Chicago native set tongues wagging back on New Year's Eve 2010, when he announced at a party in Las Vegas that his joint album with Jay-z would arrive at the top of '11. Although Watch the Throne...
- 2/19/2012
- MTV Music News
'In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife and departed as I refused to create a scene,' singer says in a statement.
By Sowmya Krishnamurthy, with additional reporting by Rebecca Thomas
Bobby Brown at Whitney Houston's funeral services in Newark, New Jersey
Photo: Bennett Raglin/ Getty Images
Bobby Brown did not attend the funeral services of his ex-wife, singer Whitney Houston, in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday (February 18). Brown arrived and left after a disagreement with security over his seating inside the New Hope Baptist Church, a source confirmed to MTV News.
In a statement released to the press by his rep, Brown explained, "My children and I were invited to the funeral of my ex-wife Whitney Houston. We were seated by security and then subsequently asked to move on three separate occasions. I fail to understand why security treated my...
By Sowmya Krishnamurthy, with additional reporting by Rebecca Thomas
Bobby Brown at Whitney Houston's funeral services in Newark, New Jersey
Photo: Bennett Raglin/ Getty Images
Bobby Brown did not attend the funeral services of his ex-wife, singer Whitney Houston, in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday (February 18). Brown arrived and left after a disagreement with security over his seating inside the New Hope Baptist Church, a source confirmed to MTV News.
In a statement released to the press by his rep, Brown explained, "My children and I were invited to the funeral of my ex-wife Whitney Houston. We were seated by security and then subsequently asked to move on three separate occasions. I fail to understand why security treated my...
- 2/18/2012
- MTV Music News
Keys, who shared a mentor with Houston in Clive Davis, performs 'Send Me an Angel' during Saturday's funeral in New Jersey.
By Rebecca Thomas
Alicia Keys, Clive Davis and Swizz Beatz (file)
Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images
After a stormy 14-year marriage to bad-boy singer Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston decided to end that chapter in 2006. Three years later, Houston had aligned again with mentor Clive Davis, the music industry impresario who first discovered a teenage Whitney belting out tunes in a nightclub and signed her to his Arista Records. Their final collaboration, I Look to You, was set to launch her on a "comeback" trail.
Like so many young singers, Alicia Keys — also a Davis acolyte — had long looked up to Houston. But the gifted songwriter cemented her connection to Houston, who was found dead at 48 a week ago, by writing the album's hit single, "Million Dollar Bill.
By Rebecca Thomas
Alicia Keys, Clive Davis and Swizz Beatz (file)
Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images
After a stormy 14-year marriage to bad-boy singer Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston decided to end that chapter in 2006. Three years later, Houston had aligned again with mentor Clive Davis, the music industry impresario who first discovered a teenage Whitney belting out tunes in a nightclub and signed her to his Arista Records. Their final collaboration, I Look to You, was set to launch her on a "comeback" trail.
Like so many young singers, Alicia Keys — also a Davis acolyte — had long looked up to Houston. But the gifted songwriter cemented her connection to Houston, who was found dead at 48 a week ago, by writing the album's hit single, "Million Dollar Bill.
- 2/18/2012
- MTV Music News
'The Bodyguard' actor relives pop diva's first screen test in a poignant eulogy on Saturday at New Hope Baptist Church.
By Rebecca Thomas
Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner in "The Bodyguard"
Photo: Warner Bros.
On Saturday afternoon (February 18), Whitney Houston was sent to rest by family and friends at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, during a stirring funeral dubbed her Home-Going. While the pop diva's onetime leading man Bobby Brown reportedly left moments before the noon ceremony began, the pop diva's onscreen leading man Kevin Costner delivered a poignant eulogy in her honor.
In 1992, Houston made her film debut in "The Bodyguard," a star turn that paired her in the lead with Costner in the title role. Written by Lawrence Kasdan and directed by Mick Jackson, the romantic drama followed Frank Farmer, a Secret Service agent-turned-bodyguard tasked with protecting pop star Rachel Marron from a stalker.
By Rebecca Thomas
Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner in "The Bodyguard"
Photo: Warner Bros.
On Saturday afternoon (February 18), Whitney Houston was sent to rest by family and friends at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, during a stirring funeral dubbed her Home-Going. While the pop diva's onetime leading man Bobby Brown reportedly left moments before the noon ceremony began, the pop diva's onscreen leading man Kevin Costner delivered a poignant eulogy in her honor.
In 1992, Houston made her film debut in "The Bodyguard," a star turn that paired her in the lead with Costner in the title role. Written by Lawrence Kasdan and directed by Mick Jackson, the romantic drama followed Frank Farmer, a Secret Service agent-turned-bodyguard tasked with protecting pop star Rachel Marron from a stalker.
- 2/18/2012
- MTV Music News
Legendary Mc teams up with Kanye West for landmark Watch the Throne album and a spot on Hottest MCs in the Game list.
By MTV News staff
Jay-z
Photo: Getty Images
Jay-z's legacy in rap is unparalleled. Hov probably best summed up his career on 2003's "What More Can I Say" when he spit, "There's never been a n---a this good for this long/ This 'hood or this pop, this hot or this strong."
But were the God Mc's past accomplishments enough to rest on in 2011? Over the past year he continued to raise the bar, teaming up with "little brother" Kanye West to drop the groundbreaking Watch the Throne album and earning himself the #6 spot on MTV News' Hottest MCs in the Game VII list.
"If you talk about the Throne, yeah, top five, no question. But Jay himself? From January to August, what was going on?" asked Rahman Dukes,...
By MTV News staff
Jay-z
Photo: Getty Images
Jay-z's legacy in rap is unparalleled. Hov probably best summed up his career on 2003's "What More Can I Say" when he spit, "There's never been a n---a this good for this long/ This 'hood or this pop, this hot or this strong."
But were the God Mc's past accomplishments enough to rest on in 2011? Over the past year he continued to raise the bar, teaming up with "little brother" Kanye West to drop the groundbreaking Watch the Throne album and earning himself the #6 spot on MTV News' Hottest MCs in the Game VII list.
"If you talk about the Throne, yeah, top five, no question. But Jay himself? From January to August, what was going on?" asked Rahman Dukes,...
- 2/17/2012
- MTV Music News
As part of Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group, Meek proves he's a 'Boss' and makes his Hottest MCs in the Game debut.
By MTV News staff
Meek Mill
Photo: Getty Images
Album sales aren't the only measure of a hot Mc. Meek Mill doesn't have a solo LP on the shelf, but the Philadelphia flame spitter has made his presence felt in a variety of other ways.
Thanks to "Ima Boss," his inescapable single with Maybach Music CEO Rick Ross, Meek has maintained a deafening buzz on the streets and impacted the game like no other Mc in his class. Meek Milly meets all of the criteria to be considered one of the "Hottest MCs in the Game." His in-your-face lyrical delivery and fresh-off-the-block style have all helped earn him the #7 spot on the "VII" edition of the list.
Meek started off his year right, landing a spot on...
By MTV News staff
Meek Mill
Photo: Getty Images
Album sales aren't the only measure of a hot Mc. Meek Mill doesn't have a solo LP on the shelf, but the Philadelphia flame spitter has made his presence felt in a variety of other ways.
Thanks to "Ima Boss," his inescapable single with Maybach Music CEO Rick Ross, Meek has maintained a deafening buzz on the streets and impacted the game like no other Mc in his class. Meek Milly meets all of the criteria to be considered one of the "Hottest MCs in the Game." His in-your-face lyrical delivery and fresh-off-the-block style have all helped earn him the #7 spot on the "VII" edition of the list.
Meek started off his year right, landing a spot on...
- 2/16/2012
- MTV Music News
Wiz dukes it out with Big Sean, but the Pittsburgh spitter's gold-selling debut and sold-out tour make him one of MTV's Hottest MCs in the Game.
By MTV News staff
Wiz Khalifa
Photo: Getty Images
Wiz Khalifa stays high, so as expectations for his debut album, Rolling Papers, shot through the roof, the Pittsburgh rapper made good by delivering a gold-selling LP last March — with multiple hit singles to back it. That success and more was enough to take him from MTV's 2010 Hottest Breakthrough Mc to the Hottest MCs in the Game VII list.
Not only did the Taylor Gang general snag the #2 spot on the Billboard 200 in his first week out — behind Britney Spears — he also dropped a collaborative album with Snoop Dogg (Mac & Devin Go to High School), blessed fans with the Cabin Fever mixtape, and sold out shows around the world on his Rolling Papers Tour. When...
By MTV News staff
Wiz Khalifa
Photo: Getty Images
Wiz Khalifa stays high, so as expectations for his debut album, Rolling Papers, shot through the roof, the Pittsburgh rapper made good by delivering a gold-selling LP last March — with multiple hit singles to back it. That success and more was enough to take him from MTV's 2010 Hottest Breakthrough Mc to the Hottest MCs in the Game VII list.
Not only did the Taylor Gang general snag the #2 spot on the Billboard 200 in his first week out — behind Britney Spears — he also dropped a collaborative album with Snoop Dogg (Mac & Devin Go to High School), blessed fans with the Cabin Fever mixtape, and sold out shows around the world on his Rolling Papers Tour. When...
- 2/15/2012
- MTV Music News
Producers Da Internz tell MTV News that cameo on full-length version of the interlude will 'shock' fans.
By Rebecca Thomas, with additional reporting by Kelly Marino
Rihanna performs at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards
Photo: Lester Cohen/ WireImage
It's one of the most-talked about songs on Rihanna's Talk That Talk, and it's barely a minute long. Now, "Birthday Cake" — 78 titillating seconds of school bells, handclaps and engines gunning — is set to get a full-length reboot. But according to co-producers Da Internz, the featured guest on the remix will be more than just icing.
"We got the Rihanna 'Birthday Cake' coming out in a week," a bespectacled Kosine told MTV News on the red carpet of the Pepsi-sponsored Ascap Rhythm and Soul Brunch, held over the Grammy weekend.
"It's gonna be crazy," his production partner, Tuo, said shaking his head.
"And the feature on there is gonna shock the world," Kosine chimed.
By Rebecca Thomas, with additional reporting by Kelly Marino
Rihanna performs at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards
Photo: Lester Cohen/ WireImage
It's one of the most-talked about songs on Rihanna's Talk That Talk, and it's barely a minute long. Now, "Birthday Cake" — 78 titillating seconds of school bells, handclaps and engines gunning — is set to get a full-length reboot. But according to co-producers Da Internz, the featured guest on the remix will be more than just icing.
"We got the Rihanna 'Birthday Cake' coming out in a week," a bespectacled Kosine told MTV News on the red carpet of the Pepsi-sponsored Ascap Rhythm and Soul Brunch, held over the Grammy weekend.
"It's gonna be crazy," his production partner, Tuo, said shaking his head.
"And the feature on there is gonna shock the world," Kosine chimed.
- 2/14/2012
- MTV Music News
There's nothing fresh about a teenage Mormon growing frustrated with her repressed community, but writer-director Rebecca Thomas turns that outline into an unlikely crowdpleaser with her feature-length debut, "Electrick Children." Impressive newcomer Julia Garner stars as soul-searching 15-year-old Rachel McKnight, who flees her fundamentalist surroundings once convinced that a catchy pop rock melody has knocked her up. That's right: Discovering a tape in basement of her extended family's home, Rachel hugs the speaker to her ear and experiences a transcendence so powerful that she asserts, with cheery naivete, that music has provided a line from god to her womb. "It's a miracle!" she announces to her befuddled mother, much to the older woman's chagrin. She receives an easy out from the cold spiritual father (Billy Zane) of the polygamous colony through an arranged marriage. Instead, plucky Rachel nabs the family pickup and heads to Las...
- 2/12/2012
- Indiewire
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