U2, Metallica Bring History-Making Collaborations To Rock Hall Concert
October 31, 2009
Fellow headliners Aretha Franklin and Jeff Beck, along with guests like Mick Jagger and Ozzy Ozbourne, celebrate night two of Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary.
By Saimon Kos
U2's Bono and Black Eyed Peas' Fergie
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/ Getty Images
NEW YORK — For the second night in a row, Tom Hanks walked onstage at Madison Square Garden to do the introduction for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Concert, and for the second night in a row some of the greatest rock acts of all time shared the stage. Performances varied from classic hits to once-in-a-lifetime collaborations as Aretha Franklin, Jeff Beck, Metallica and U2 all brought out big-name guests.
Jerry Lee Lewis got things started again, this time performing "Great Balls Fire" and literally kicking down his seat before exiting to make way for the rest of the acts. Franklin took the stage in a red dress that was outshined only by the sound of her voice as she opened the night with "A Natural Woman." Her set included a collaboration with Annie Lennox and one with Lenny Kravitz, who added his voice to her classic hit "Think." When asked afterward how her duet with Lenny came about, she said it was due to his friendship with her son, who also happened to play lead guitar for her band that night.
Next, one of the all-time great guitar players performed as a replacement for a reportedly ailing Eric Clapton. This seemed fitting, since in the 1960s, Jeff Beck was Eric's bandmate in the Yardbirds with Jimmy Page. Jeff was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame this year, and on Friday night he reminded everyone why it was an honor that was well deserved. Sting, Buddy Guy and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top each took a shot at matching their voice to Jeff's guitar, and each felt like a an experiment in music that went terribly right, especially when Beck and Gibbons recreated Jimmy Hendrix's masterpiece "Foxy Lady." No voice was needed for Jeff's final performance of the night, as he paid tribute to the Beatles with an instrumental version of "A Day in the Life." It was one worthy of the highest allowable score on "Beatles Rock Band."
Metallica brought more than just metal when they hit the stage. Starting off with "For Whom the Bell Tolls," the boys were then joined by Lou Reed, before succumbing to the Prince of Darkness himself, Ozzy Osbourne. Together they paid tribute to Black Sabbath by performing "Iron Man" and "Paranoid." Then things took an unexpected turn when Metallica teamed up with the Kinks frontman Ray Davies, giving a metal edge to the punk classic "You Really Got Me." Before calling it a night, the boys ended the show with one of their biggest hits of all time, "Enter Sandman." This had its own unexpected twist, as Yankee footage began to play on the monitors above them for no apparent reason. Then again, this is New York during the World Series.
The final and maybe biggest act of the second night at MSG was U2. First, they shared the stage with Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith, performing "Because the Night," a song Bono said his band only wishes they could have written. His passion for the track became even more apparent when he decided to do it a second time because it was clean on the first take. Bruce stayed on for one more song, lending his voice to the classic U2 song "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." The next collaboration was one that included a much younger act, by Hall of Fame standards, when the Black Eyed Peas came out to sing "Where is the Love." Fergie stuck around when Mick Jagger came out to perform "Gimme Shelter." Mick and Bono kept the energy high, turning "Stuck in a Moment" into a duet. And finally, U2 performed "Beautiful Day," bringing the night to a beautiful end.
Related Photos Related ArtistsDrake Says He’ll ‘Keep The Brand Strong’ During Lil Wayne’s Sentence
October 30, 2009
Young Money MC says Weezy is staying positive despite impending jail time.
By Shaheem Reid
Drake and Lil Wayne
Photo: John Shearer/Wireimage
Drake says he's going to do what he's supposed to do: hold the fort down for Lil Wayne. Drizzy spoke to Rap-Up.com about Wayne's impending jail sentence next year. Last week, Wayne pleaded guilty to gun charges stemming from a 2007 arrest. Weezy is expected to be sentenced to one year, though he could be out in eight months for good behavior.
"I'll just do what I can to keep the whole Young Money/ Cash Money team going," Drake told the Web site. "I just want to play my part as a team member and keep the brand strong until the boss gets home."
Although no one from the camp wants to see the acclaimed lyricist and charismatic performer leave for even one day, Drake says that Weezy has been keeping positive and making sure that fans will hear plenty of new music, even while he's in prison.
"He's kinda more concerned about getting as much music as he possibly can, so that when he's in there, people are still satisfied musically with Lil Wayne product," Drake explained. "That's just the mind of a true businessman."
Wayne's next body of work will be a freebie for the people: His No Ceilings mixtape comes out on Halloween. Meanwhile, he has yet to release his long-delayed LP Rebirth, which may drop on December 15, the same day as Young Money's album. Drake appears on the latter and also plans to release his debut album, Thank Me Later, early next year.
Related Photos Related ArtistsBeanie Sigel Explains Jay-Z Dis Track
October 30, 2009
'I'm not really dissing Jay,' Beanie claims after dropping 'What You Talkin Bout (I Ain't Your Average Cat).'
By Shaheem Reid
Beanie Sigel and Jay-Z
Photo: Getty Images
Hip-hop fans' heartbreak: One of the greatest dynasties in rap history, Roc-A-Fella, is having its dirty laundry thrown onto the street by the Broad Street Bully. Beanie Sigel is giving the world a very sobering take on his split from Jay-Z in a song called "What You Talkin Bout (I Ain't Your Average Cat)."
"I'm a grown-ass man, I don't sit on n---as' laps/ I ain't looking for no gifts out of Santa Claus' sack," he raps. Sig dropped those same lines during the Powerhouse Concert last Friday in Philadelphia when he came out as Jadakiss' guest. The words were obviously a response to Jay's lines on "What We Talkin' About" off of The Blueprint 3.
Still, fans were confused about Bean's intentions. Sigel was quiet until Thursday night, when his new song dropped.
"How it feel to get exposed?" Sigs rhymes. "Don't you feel naked?/ I was a fly on the wall, sh-- I witnessed/ I can say sh-- that will make B look at you different."
Beanie goes on to say that Jay-Z called the police to get him out of the recent Powerhouse concert in Philadelphia.
" 'F' you two and 'F' Bleek three," Beans says. The song ends with the once-loyal Roc-A-Fella sergeant-at-arms saying that he brought the "fellas to Roc-A-Fella." He gave the label street cred. He fought all the battles: Nas, Jadakiss and the Diplomats.
Friday morning (October 30), Sigel called up Philadelphia radio station 100.3 and spoke with Charlamagne Tha God about how hard he used to ride for Jay and how Hov disappointed him.
"I backed all his plays without even asking him. Jadakiss is not no walk in no park. Nas is not no walk in no park. These are dudes that could have ended my career," he said, referring to former Roc-A-Fella rhyme wars that have long since been buried.
Beanie got into the heart of his falling-out with Jay during his interview with Charlamagne, saying that he hasn't spoken to Jay in more than two years.
"I'm not really dissing Jay," Sigel explained."It's certain parts in there where my emotions ... it's an emotional record for me. When I listened to The Blueprint 3, I heard a lot of shots directed towards people.
"I feel he gave out a lot of pairs of shoes on that album," Beanie added. "I felt my feet was meant for a couple of them."
Beanie specifically mentioned the line "I heated up the Roc already, why can't y'all get hot already?" from "Already Home."
"I understand Jay, you at a certain place in your career where everyone can't go," Sigel said. "You don't need Beanie Sigel in the building with a pre-perception that 'this crazy dude might do anything.' ... We taint his image, State Property and the place that he's at."
Sigel also told Charlamagne that neither Jay-Z nor Dame Dash were fair when it came to paying State Property during their time on Roc-A-Fella Records.
"I love the way 50 [Cent] did with his dawgs," he said. "If you look at it, them dudes got more money and more bread than anybody in State Property 'cause 50 made sure of that. 50 went on tour and paid them, not [telling] them 'it was a good look for them to be on the tour' and things like that. True story, I'm sitting on house arrest and the Young Gunz call my phone 'cause Jay-Z is only paying them $1200 a show and they had to split it."
Beans' last official Roc-A-Fella release, The Solution, came out in December 2007.
Related ArtistsJohn Legend ‘Feels Like The Luckiest Kid In The World’
October 30, 2009
Legend sang the national anthem at the World Series and performed with Stevie Wonder on the same night.
By Kyle Anderson
Stevie Wonder and John Legend perform onstage for the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert on Thursday
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
NEW YORK — For any singer, performing the national anthem at a World Series game is a pretty big deal. Getting to share a stage with one of your idols is also a rare and spectacular occasion. So how did John Legend feel about singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" to open Game 2 of the Yankees/ Phillies series before heading downtown to play two songs with Stevie Wonder at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th anniversary concert Thursday night?
"I feel like the luckiest kid in the world," Legend said. "I was able to do both the Yankees game and then come here with all these amazing artists."
Wonder brought Legend onto the stage about halfway through his set at the Madison Square Garden show. They tackled two covers together, Marvin Gaye's "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" and Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel." During the latter, Wonder emotionally freestyled, "Long live Michael Jackson," during an extended jam.
"Stevie's emotion for Michael is very heartfelt," Legend said. "You can see it and you can feel it, and I was honored to pay tribute to Michael's legacy."
Despite the fact that he was surrounded by legends at the Hall of Fame show, Legend said the earlier performance was far more nerve-racking. "It was harder at Yankee Stadium," he said. "The national anthem is a fundamentally harder song to sing than 'Mercy Mercy Me,' and it's also harder when you're just naked out there by yourself, and it's just you and millions of people around the world watching."
Related Photos Related ArtistsAdam Lambert Debuts New Single, ‘For Your Entertainment’
October 30, 2009
Singer describes track as 'dance music with a glam rock shuffle beat' on Ryan Seacrest's radio show.
By Eric Ditzian
Adam Lambert's "For Your Entertainment" single cover
Photo: RCA
After unveiling his debut-album cover earlier this week — which depicts a look he called "deliberately campy" — Adam Lambert made an appearance on "On Air with Ryan Seacrest" to present his first single, "For Your Entertainment," and chat with the host.
"I am so excited, I popped right out of bed," he said. "Turn it up really loud, guys! I know it's really early, but turn it up!" Seacrest then hit play. "For Your Entertainment" is a synth-heavy pop club tune or, as Lambert put it, "dance music with a glam rock shuffle beat." There are echoes of Lady Gaga, countless '80s tunes and, during the chorus, "Fame." He doesn't show off his vocal range until the end, when he unleashes some of his signature yells.
The single was produced by Dr. Luke, who has worked with Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Daughtry and Mos Def, and written with Claude Kelly, whose credits include collaborations with Spears, Clarkson and Miley Cyrus.
The album, also titled For Your Entertainment, is due November 23. According to Lambert, the disc will feature some songs with an "electro pop feel" and others that combine "guitar, live drums, a real rock sound." He added, "It's fun to create an eclectic collection."
Writers on the album include Pink and Max Martin, who wrote a tune called "What Do You Want From Me?"; Muse, who wrote a song called "Soaked"; and Justin Hawkins (formerly the lead singer and guitarist of the Darkness), who contributed "Music Again." Lambert himself wrote or co-wrote four songs: "Strut," "Aftermath," "Broken Open" and "Down the Rabbit Hole," which will be an iTunes bonus track. While Lady Gaga did write a song for Lambert, she did not contribute vocals. "Hope you're gonna wanna blast it while you're gettin ready for Halloween!! Then at the club!!!" Lambert tweeted just before playing "For Your Entertainment" on Seacrest's show.
Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
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Britney Spears Debuts Sexy ’3′ Video
October 30, 2009
New track will appear on The Singles Collection, out next month.
By Jocelyn Vena
Britney Spears in "3"
Photo: Jive
After a series of sneak peeks and teases on her Web site and Twitter, Britney Spears officially debuted the music video for her hit single "3" on Friday (October 30). The sexy, fast-paced clip for the song, which will be included on The Singles Collection when it's released next month, made its big debut on her site.
The video, shot by director Diane Martel earlier this month, is a series of glamour shots and dance breaks. The video opens with Britney in a sparkly little black dress, spritzing herself with perfume and putting on mascara. Then it cuts to a shot of her holding her hair up provocatively and singing the song's sexy opening lines: "1,2,3/ Not only you and me/ Got 180 degrees/ And I'm caught in between."
The video quickly becomes a montage of Britney doing what she does best: being sexy. Shots of the singer in black and white, wearing a halter-cut leotard in a steam-filled room, are cut with images of just her legs in lacy tights walking across the screen.
Britney also does a lot of dancing in close-up shots, where you can't fully see her whole body. In some of the dance sequences she's flanked by male dancers or standing in a lineup of sexy women who do acrobatics on a raised ballerina bar as she sashays around. There are a few moments in the video where Britney's personality shines. She smiles at the song's tongue-in-cheek lyrics, particularly when she finishes the song's bridge about loving multiple people at once.
The video ends with Britney looking directly into the camera before it fades to black. Late Thursday, before the video premiered, she tweeted, "Can't wait for ya'll to see my new video tomorrow morning. I think you're really going to like it!"
See what Britney fans had to say about the video here. And share your own reviews of "3" in the comments section below!
Related Photos Related Artists‘Twilight’ To Be Re-Released In Theaters Night Before ‘New Moon’ Premiere
October 30, 2009
One-night-only showings will whet 'Twilight' fans' appetites for sequel's debut on November 20.
By Adam Rosenberg
Robert Pattinson in "Twilight"
Photo: Summit Entertainment
In what might be the no-brainer move of the year, it's looking like "Twilight" fans will get to see Bella and Edward meet for the first time on the big screen all over again before the latest chapter of their tragic tale unfolds. So, if you're a Twilighter who somehow boarded the train after the first movie left theaters, here's your chance to catch up, as the original "Twilight" is scheduled to hit theaters the night before its "New Moon" sequel debuts.
Summit Entertainment is currently negotiating with theaters across the country to gauge on how many screens a "Twilight" re-release could open the night before the premiere of "Twilight: New Moon" on November 20, according to the Los Angeles Times. The one-night-only bid would come in the thick of Oscar-bait season, which might explain why some theater owners would be unwilling to tie up screens with a year-old movie for more than one night, even with the die-hard nature of "Twilight" fans.
Coming on the heels of what is promising to be a record two-week-only engagement for "Michael Jackson's This Is It", the "Twilight" refresh might also help build even more anticipation for the "New Moon" release the next day, extending opening night into a sleepless 48-hour marathon of all things "Twi."
Summit intends for the "Twilight" tickets to sell at a lower price at some theaters, but an unnamed source is cited as saying that other theaters may charge full price for the second go-round, according to the Times.
The repeat roll-out of "Twilight," which took in $383.7 million worldwide since its release last year — and which is already available on DVD — is expected to be shown in more than 2,000 theaters nationwide, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Check out everything we've got on "Twilight: New Moon."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related PhotosLady Gaga To Be Honored With Stylemaker Award
October 30, 2009
Diane von Furstenberg, Barbie, Burberry will also receive ACE Awards.
By Jocelyn Vena
Lady Gaga
Photo: Florian Seefried/ Getty Images
Lady Gaga has left her mark on the fashion world thanks to her fashion-forward and sometimes kooky sense of style. She definitely knows how to stand out in a crowd. And come next week, she'll be an official Stylemaker.
On Monday night, Gaga will be honored by her good friend and über-designer Marc Jacobs with the Stylemaker Award at the 13th annual Accessories Council Excellence Awards. The ACE Awards will be held at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City and will also honor design icon Diane von Fürstenberg with the Accessory Visionary Award, Barbie as a Fashion Icon, and British fashion house Burberry as Brand of the Year.
According to UsMagazine.com, ACE President Karen Giberson released a statement saying, "[Gaga is] well-appointed in accessories. Just when you thought you saw everything in originality, there she is again. People anticipate what she's going to wear, and it's exciting to see accessories as such a meaningful part of someone's wardrobe."
Jacobs won't be the only A-lister there handing out awards. Other presenters for the night include Calvin Klein, Betsey Johnson, Nina Garcia, Molly Sims and "Gossip Girl" costume designer Eric Daman.
Last month, celebrity stylist Robert Verdi, who will be hosting the event on Monday, spoke to MTV News about Gaga's sense of style. "I actually love her," he said. "I think there have been these moments in the canon of fashion history and music history that have been very important and are marked by Cher, Madonna and now Lady Gaga."
Related Photos Related ArtistsBruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder Steal Rock Hall Of Fame Show
October 30, 2009
Tom Morello, John Legend, Sting brought out as special guests at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th anniversary concert.
By Kyle Anderson
Bruce Springsteen and Tom Morello perform onstage at the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert on Thursday
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/ Getty Images
NEW YORK — During his introduction at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night (October 29), Tom Hanks brought up a good question: "Does rock and roll need a hall of fame?" He immediately arrived at his answer. "Yes. After 50 years of rock and roll, yes." The next five hours were spent backing up Hanks' statement, with performances by Crosby, Stills and Nash, Stevie Wonder, Simon & Garfunkel and Bruce Springsteen (plus a bevy of special guests), all saluting the now-storied history of rock and roll.
Ostensibly, the theme of the night was to bring together seminal rock acts and their influences for a series of greatest hits and all-star jams (Paul Simon brought out old-school bopper Dion for a trip through "Runaround Sue," while Springsteen welcomed legendary singer and bandleader Sam Moore), but the most inspired moments from the show came when artists decided to look to the future (or at least the present) rather than salute the past. Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello joined Springsteen for a loud, thumping electric version of "The Ghost of Tom Joad" (complete with Morello's signature guitar scratching), while Wonder brought out John Legend for a trip through Marvin Gaye's "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" and an extended tribute to Michael Jackson on "The Way You Make Me Feel."
Following Hanks' introduction (his production company, Playtone, was producing the show for HBO, which will air the concert on November 29), the curtain rose on Jerry Lee Lewis, the 74-year-old rock legend who sat behind a piano to pound out "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On." He was followed by the first of many montages of moments in rock history (Woodstock, Jimi Hendrix burning his guitar, Elvis Presley on "The Ed Sullivan Show") mashed up with signature moments from the 20th century (Martin Luther King, Vietnam).
Crosby, Stills and Nash ran through a workmanlike set of their own hits and covers, bringing on contemporaries Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt and James Taylor for a few collaborations (including a blistering run through the Allman Brothers Band's "Midnight Rider" and an all-hands-on-deck jam through "Teach Your Children"). Paul Simon's set was more straightforward: He kicked it off with "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" and didn't stray far from his jukebox full of hits for the next 45 minutes. Longtime collaborator Art Garfunkel harmonized with Simon on classics like "The Sound of Silence" and "The Boxer," and while their individual voices sounded weathered by age, the harmonies remained as sweet and haunting as ever.
Stevie Wonder overcame technical difficulties at the beginning of his set (nobody could seem to provide him with a microphone that worked) to deliver a hit-filled, star-studded performance that stole the evening. In addition to his team-up with Legend, Wonder also brought on Smokey Robinson (whose sweet croon infused "The Tracks of My Tears" with a stunning grace) and B.B. King (whose run through "The Thrill Is Gone" proved that his voice still has that perfect combination of gravel and honey, even at 84 years old). Perhaps the evening's most surreal moment came when Wonder introduced Sting, who played bass and sang with the R&B legend on an inspired mash-up of Wonder's "Higher Ground" and the Police's "Roxanne."
The night closed with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's typically epic set. Following a sweaty "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out," Springsteen just kept hitting peaks: Duets with John Fogerty and Darlene Love, a cover of the Clash's "London Calling," a surprise appearance by Billy Joel (who jammed on three songs) and a final, everybody-and-their-mother grand finale "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher." It was well after 1 a.m. by the time Springsteen bid the crowd goodnight, but the case had been made long before that: Yes, rock and roll does need a hall of fame, and the evening's performers proved that they were the reason why.
Related Photos Related Artists50 Cent And Polow Da Don Create A ‘Hit Record’ With ‘Baby By Me’
October 30, 2009
'That was the first joint I played him,' Polow says of Fif instantly loving the beat.
By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Shaheem Reid
50 Cent
Photo: Michael Caulfield/ WireImage
If at first you don't succeed, try, try (and try and try and try) again.
It took five attempts before 50 Cent and producer Polow Da Don could finally lock into a studio session together for the G-Unit superstar's "Baby by Me" track, but once they connected, their chemistry was instant. Polow said Fif knew right away they had a hot one on their hands.
"He came in the studio, we had some time set up — we had, like, five sessions; the other four fell through," Polow told MTV News. "The fifth one, we got together, he came in and that was the first joint I played him. He said, 'That's a hit record.' "
The Atlanta-based beatsmith said Fif only needed 20 minutes to craft the track. The song is the lead single for 50's forthcoming album, Before I Self Destruct, and features Ne-Yo on the hook. Polow said he and 50 settled on a hook for the song but after sending the track over to Ne-Yo, the songwriter reworked it into its current incarnation.
"We had the record done," Polow said. "What's so crazy [is] we had a different hook on it. We went back and forth with the hook, but then we sent it to Ne-Yo and he wrote his own hook and that was that."
"When [50] first sent me the joint, I was like, 'You don't need me for this,' " Ne-Yo told MTV News recently during the video shoot for the song. "I thought the beat was hot, what he was talking about was hot — I just tried to add to the hotness."
There are two versions of "Baby by Me," one featuring Ne-Yo and another with newcomer JoVan Dais. But despite the syrupy single, 50 has said his next album will be his most aggressive yet, even more so than his debut.
"Before I Self Destruct is absolutely harder than Get Rich or Die Tryin' or other projects in between," 50 said.
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