Nicki Minaj Pulls Double Duty For BET’s ‘Rip The Runway’
February 28, 2010
MC hosts and performs on show, which airs March 15.
By Jayson Rodriguez
NEW YORK — With Lil Wayne scheduled to turn himself in to begin his one-year prison sentence on Tuesday, the rapper's Young Money crew will undoubtedly move into the spotlight as they look to keep their boss' brand burning hot.
Drake is the heir apparent, but YM's lady of rhyme, Nicki Minaj, has proven she's just as capable of being a Weezy ambassador.
On Saturday night, the female MC entertainingly pulled double duty hosting BET's "Rip the Runway" with actor Pooch Hall and performing alongside Ludacris.
"Pooch, you haven't even complimented me on my shoes yet," Nicki said, teasing her co-host as the pair introduced the show, set to air March 15 on BET and Centric.
"The Game" actor quickly made amends, christening his counterpart "Sexy Minaj." She certainly earned the praise: Her hot-pink minidress was hugging her curves like a long-lost relative. The dress was one of many outfit changes for Minaj.
Ludacris got the crowd off their feet for the first of many times throughout the night when he kicked things off with his latest single, "My Chick Bad."
"My chick bad, tell me if you seen her," Luda rapped. "She always bring the racket like Venus and Serena."
Minaj stormed onto the stage for the third verse, much to the delight of her fans — there were plenty of Barbiez on-board — in a snake-print bodysuit and pink wig.
"Trash talk to them then I put them in a Hefty," she rhymed. "Running down the court, I'm dunking on them Lisa Leslie."
Along with the "Rip the Runway" performances, new designers' spring and summer lines were presented.
BET's "106 & Park" co-host Rocsi Diaz, Sean John model Miguel Perdomo and artist Amanda Diva were among those strutting down the catwalk.
Upstart MC B.o.B. a.k.a. Bobby Ray performed his first single, "Nothin' on You," as the Tennille White Chicago line was showcased.
Trina was partnered with Haute Couture during her performance.
Newcomer Roscoe Dash and Soulja Boy Tell'em had the rowdiest performance of the night, hands down, with "All the Way Turnt Up."
The song was paired with sporty clothing line Protege and featured a model in high heels frantically dribbling a basketball to the beat of the horn-laden number.
"We alll the waaaay turnt up," Roscoe sang on the chorus as SB darted back and forth across the stage.
A solo turn by Nicki Minaj and performances by Janelle Monáe and Estelle featuring Kardinal Offishall rounded out the proceedings.
Jennifer Lopez Spoofs ‘We Are The World,’ Olympics On ‘SNL’
February 28, 2010
J. Lo's television blitz continues with 'How I Met Your Mother' cameo, rumored 'Glee' appearance.
By Hillary Crosley
Jennifer Lopez spoofs "We Are the World" on "SNL" on Febuary 27
Photo: NBC
Jennifer Lopez might be between record labels, but her television appearances have been fast and frequent.
After filming an episode of CBS' "How I Met Your Mother" last month, playing a sexy self-help guru who seduces Neil Patrick Harris' character, Lopez hit "Saturday Night Live" for the first time in almost a decade.
"The first time I was on this show was 10 years ago. ... Back then I was single and traveling around with a big entourage," Lopez said, opening the show in a form-fitting black leather dress. "But people grow up; now I'm married with two beautiful children."
The singer/actress went on to have an awkward conversation with comedian and "SNL" cast member Kenan Thompson, who was posing as a discarded member of her 1990s entourage, flanked by two drag queens wearing her infamous green barely-there dress and a denim bodysuit. All ended well as Thompson left the stage with the drag queens in tow and J. Lo began the show.
Another skit portrayed "We Are the World 3," a spoof of the recent remake. Lopez played Rihanna, wearing a black and white Balmain-inspired leather jacket with gold hoops, hipster sunglasses and a blond cropped wig.
"There comes a time, eh!, when we heed a certain call, eh!" Lopez sang, poking fun at the "Rude Boy" singer.
In the next skit, Lopez was part of a Winter Olympics curling team. She played a confused Telemundo reporter covering the Winter Olympics in another.
"We don't understand these, es loca!" said Lopez, wearing an orange blazer.
The strangest clip had to be a mock celebrity news interview in which Lopez was questioned by Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader, leading the Bronx native to scream "paciencia y fe" ("patience and faith") like a madwoman before stomping out of view.
Lopez also performed two guiter-led songs including the Danja-produced, Wynter Gordon-written "Starting Over" from her forthcoming album, Love? Her LP is slated to hit stores this summer. Lopez still has not specified what label she has signed to, but Deadline Hollywood, the blog that originally broke the story of the Sony split, reported that she is in talks with Island Def Jam. Neither she nor her former label, Sony Records, has discussed what precipitated the split, but Deadline speculated that it might have been a response to the poor critical and commercial reception to the album's first official single, "Louboutins," which failed to light up the charts.
Lopez's episode of "How I Met Your Mother" airs March 8, and she is rumored to be in talks for an appearance on the Golden Globe-winning show "Glee."
Related ArtistsNicki Minaj Pulls Double Duty For BET’s ‘Rip The Runway’
February 28, 2010
MC hosts and performs on show, which airs March 15.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Nicki Minaj
NEW YORK — With Lil Wayne scheduled to turn himself in to begin his one-year prison sentence on Tuesday, the rapper's Young Money crew will undoubtedly move into the spotlight as they look to keep their boss' brand burning hot.
Drake is the heir apparent, but YM's lady of rhyme, Nicki Minaj, has proven she's just as capable of being a Weezy ambassador.
On Saturday night, the female MC entertainingly pulled double duty hosting BET's "Rip the Runway" with actor Pooch Hall and performing alongside Ludacris.
"Pooch, you haven't even complimented me on my shoes yet," Nicki said, teasing her co-host as the pair introduced the show, set to air March 15 on BET and Centric.
"The Game" actor quickly made amends, christening his counterpart "Sexy Minaj." She certainly earned the praise: Her hot-pink minidress was hugging her curves like a long-lost relative. The dress was one of many outfit changes for Minaj.
Ludacris got the crowd off their feet for the first of many times throughout the night when he kicked things off with his latest single, "My Chick Bad."
"My chick bad, tell me if you seen her," Luda rapped. "She always bring the racket like Venus and Serena."
Minaj stormed onto the stage for the third verse, much to the delight of her fans — there were plenty of Barbiez on-board — in a snake-print bodysuit and pink wig.
"Trash talk to them then I put them in a Hefty," she rhymed. "Running down the court, I'm dunking on them Lisa Leslie."
Along with the "Rip the Runway" performances, new designers' spring and summer lines were presented.
BET's "106 & Park" co-host Rocsi Diaz, Sean John model Miguel Perdomo and artist Amanda Diva were among those strutting down the catwalk.
Upstart MC B.o.B. a.k.a. Bobby Ray performed his first single, "Nothin' on You," as the Tennille White Chicago line was showcased.
Trina was partnered with Haute Couture during her performance.
Newcomer Roscoe Dash and Soulja Boy Tell'em had the rowdiest performance of the night, hands down, with "All the Way Turnt Up."
The song was paired with sporty clothing line Protege and featured a model in high heels frantically dribbling a basketball to the beat of the horn-laden number.
"We alll the waaaay turnt up," Roscoe sang on the chorus as SB darted back and forth across the stage.
A solo turn by Nicki Minaj and performances by Janelle Monáe and Estelle featuring Kardinal Offishall rounded out the proceedings.
Related Photos Related ArtistsNeil Young’s ‘Long May You Run’: Behind The Olympic Closing Ceremony Song
February 28, 2010
Canadian-born singer/songwriter also performed the song on Conan O'Brien's final 'Tonight Show.'
By Eric Ditzian
Neil Young performs during the Closing Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics
Photo: Cameron Spencer/ Getty Images
At the closing ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics on Sunday (February 28), Canadian-born singer/songwriter Neil Young took center stage -- or, rather, center snow at BC Place Stadium -- for a games-ending performance of "Long May You Run."
Standing beneath the flickering lights of the Olympic torch with his guitar and harmonica, Young's mournful song capped 17 days of world-class competition and might have sounded familiar to TV viewers: He performed the same song a month earlier, during the final episode of Conan O'Brien's run on "The Tonight Show."
While the tune seems to be finding itself a cultural statement in 2010, it's been around for more than three decades. In 1976, the Stills-Young Band -- headed by Young and multi-instrumentalist Stephen Stills, both former members of the folk-rock group Buffalo Springfield -- released the album Long May You Run. Reaching #26 on the Billboard chart, the disc ended up going gold. The album was originally envisioned as a reunion between Stills and Young and former bandmates David Crosby and Graham Nash, but tension between the four resulted in the brief formation of the Stills-Young group. The duo didn't last for long, as Young bailed in the midst of the '76 tour and Stills was forced to finish the remaining dates without him.
The title track is said to be an ode to Young's first car, a 1948 Buick Roadmaster hearse. "Although these changes have come/ With your chrome heart shining in the sun," go the lyrics. "Long may you run."
In January, during O'Brien's final "Tonight" appearance, the late-night host said Young had been the first person to call him and offer support when his battle with NBC management became public. Similarly armed with only a guitar and harmonica, Young offered a soaring take on "Long May You Run" that acted as an emotional counterpoint to O'Brien and Will Ferrell's performance of the Lynyrd Skynyrd rock anthem "Free Bird."
At Sunday's ceremony, Young stood in the midst of the cavernous stadium and belted out a tribute to the spirit of the Olympics. "We've been through some things together/ With trunks of memories still to come," he sang. "We found things to do in stormy weather/ Long may you run."
Related Photos Related ArtistsOlympic Skeleton Racer Katie Uhlaender Gets A Lesson From Carl Lewis
February 28, 2010
Olympic great comforts racer after disappointment in Vancouver.
By Katie Uhlaender
Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Sport
No matter what the results are for an athlete in the Olympic Games, to participate in the Olympic movement is indescribable. To hear "USA" screamed by not only your family but also by other nations' people who you have touched and inspired is an experience that truly teaches you what the Olympic spirit is.
After going through four surgeries (from breaking my kneecap twice) and losing my father less than a year before the Olympic Games, it was a huge accomplishment for me to qualify for Vancouver. It was even more insane to have the fastest starts despite being barely six months from my last surgery. (Too bad I didn't drive down the track as fast as I ran to curve one.) The Olympics is something we work years for, and it is over in minutes — everything has to be perfect.
Nike is the only sponsor I have, and it's a small deal, but they are full of love for their athletes. They noticed that I was unsure of what was next, and that I was a bit disappointed in the way things had gone down leading into my race since I had really wanted to bring home a medal for my country and my father. Nike sought to remind me what I was a part of, so they told me I was going to watch long track with Carl Lewis!
A lot of my disappointment came from how I wanted to walk away from the race prepared, with everything in place, and somehow I allowed that not to happen. I worked so hard for four years, and I walked away wondering what if? Carl listened and said the key to success is finding a support group you can depend on and one person within that group that will look you in the eye and say, "You will be Olympic champion." At this point I could feel my eyes watering up, and I realized that one person had been my father. I was crying in front of Carl Lewis!
I was so embarrassed, but I couldn't help it. He looked at me as though he was about to start crying as well, and told me how he had also lost his father at 23. I was shocked! He assured me it was going to get better, and asked me what I thought my father would say to me now. He told me my father had been around long enough to make sure I was ready to go out and be the woman he raised me to be, to represent my country and my family name, and to know he has left me with the tools and the knowledge I need to win. I need to let go, and once I'm able to do that my father will be even closer to me. I need faith that I am prepared to face life without him. The rest will come. It's about finding that person that I can count on no matter what in this new chapter of life without my father. No one will replace him, but it's time to grow and evolve into, hopefully, that Olympic champion he knew I could be. Carl helped me realize I can't do this alone, and it will be very important to find that key support.
He reminded me what the Olympics are truly about: educating and inspiring those around us to live life with passion and integrity. Those were the basic principles my father taught me, among many other life lessons, and I am honored to be a part of that. There are so many athletes here that have inspired me and picked me up, and not all of them were American. It's not about nation, it's not about glory; it is about inspiration.
Daniel Radcliffe Is ‘Hypnotized’ By Olympic Curling
February 28, 2010
'It's that thing where they go really slow — and then they go mental for a few seconds!' the 'Harry Potter' star explains.
By Larry Carroll, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Daniel Radcliffe
Photo: MTV News
When the Olympics are going on, as they have been for the past few weeks, we are a country torn asunder. Some people watch them, some watch anything but them, and a small-but-increasingly vocal minority would undoubtedly love to have Quidditch included in competition. Recently, we caught up with "Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe who, while discussing his work with the Trevor Project (a nonprofit suicide- and crisis-prevention hotline for gay and questioning youth), was eager to express some thoughts that should delight all three factions.
"As a Brit, the winter Olympics aren't something you get all heads-up about," the London-born star explained. "But I have been watching a bit of the hockey."
Excuse us? The boy wizard is a fan of the blue-collar sport overflowing with bruises, blood and beer-soaked fans? But wait, it gets weirder.
"I've been amazed at how much I've been [enjoying] curling," Radcliffe said of another sport he likes watching, one that is as intrinsically Canadian as it is endearingly silly-looking. "[I like it] just because it demands so little of you to watch it."
Always diplomatic, the 20-year-old star stopped short of dissing curling. "It's a highly skilled thing, I'm sure," Radcliffe said of curling. "But to actually watch it is very easy. It's like you're being hypnotized or something!
"It's sweeping!" he laughed. "It's that thing where they go really slow — and then they go mental for a few seconds! I love it. So I've been getting into the curling; Sweden got caned last night by Canada."
Radcliffe loves the Olympic sport so much, in fact, that he said once Harry's Quidditch days are over, he may trade in his Nimbus 2000 for a different sort of broom.
"I could be [a curling athlete]; yeah, there we go," Radcliffe laughed. "When 'Potter' finishes, I can do that."
Related VideosLil Wayne Talks Seven New Videos, Including One For Drake, In Pre-Jail Clip
February 28, 2010
Rapper also shows off his awards and Twitter T-shirts in exclusive video.
By Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Rahman Dukes
Lil Wayne in "Nino Brown: The Road to Rikers" part 2
Photo: Courtesy Nino Brown
Nino Brown: The Road to Rikers, Part 2
On Saturday night, Lil Wayne and DJ Scoob Doo sent in a video clip featuring footage they shot that afternoon. Among other things, Wayne said it was time to party before he begins his expected one-year prison term at New York's Rikers Island.
But in fact he was doing the exact opposite. Wayne was back at work, filming several more music videos before his sentencing on gun charges on Tuesday.
"I'm shooting seven videos today," Wayne said in an exclusive new clip, shot in his trailer on the Miami video set.
One of the videos of the night was for the Rebirth track "Runnin'."
"I'mma show y'all the [work] ethic of a true artist," Wayne says in the clip. "You know what I'm talkin' about? Seven videos. I shot 10 in two days before. Now we about to do seven in one night. ['Runnin' '] was one. Next we about to do Drake's song called 'Afrika Boombatta.' "
The New Orleans Fireman then began mulling over his wardrobe for Drake's shoot. He was deciding between one of his brand-new tees promoting his Twitter account, @liltunechi, or a funky interpretation of deceased legend Marilyn Monroe.
"Gotta wear one of my @liltunechi shirts on there," Wayne said. " 'Cause that song is a fun song. So I could wear that. Then again it's Drake, so you might wanna get a little fly for his sh--."
Wayne then pulled out a T-shirt featuring Monroe with tattoos all over her arm.
"Yeah, that's stupid," the Birdman Jr. said of the Monroe shirt. "I might have to rock that."
This latest clip of Wayne starts with the acclaimed performer showing off all the BET Hip-Hop Awards in his house. Later he says he needs more VMAs.
"I got a house full of BET Awards," Wayne said with a grin. "I got one MTV award. MTV, holla atcha boy now. I'm not gonna mess up your function. I'm just gonna come get my award, thank God, thank my 'hood, thank my fam. I ain't gotta perform.
"Give me an award for nothin'," he continued with a chuckle. " 'The award for nothin' goes to Lil Wayne.' That's all I need. MTV award for nothin', man."
Wayne and DJ Scoob Doo are also filming the reality DVD "The Nino Brown Story Part 3." The first two installments are available at DJ Scoob Doo's Web site.
Check back with MTV News for more of Wayne's "Road to Rikers."
Related Videos Related ArtistsNicki Minaj Advises Lil Wayne To Use ‘Less Poetry’ On Twitter
February 28, 2010
Rapper's protégé urges him not to quit the social networking service.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Nicki Minaj
Photo: MTV News
NEW YORK — Lil Wayne is having a tough time with Twitter.
The rapper recently joined the social networking service to much fanfare, quickly amassing more than 172,000 followers.
The prolific MC, however, hasn't exactly tweeted with the same fury with which he released countless mixtapes. But his sparse messages have been received well, for the most part. They typically feature poetic refrains without much context.
"If we are all here for a reason, I'm just visiting," he wrote in one message that's been characteristic of his output.
But a backlash was started by some fans and comedian Lil Duval, who created the topic "#LilWayneDeepTweets." The tagged posts poke fun at the overly philosophical nature of the rapper's messages. As a result, Lil Wayne tweeted that if he wasn't wanted on Twitter he would leave.
Lil Wayne protégé Nicki Minaj, herself a healthy Twitter user, has some advice for the "Lollipop" superstar.
"Less poetry," she told MTV News from the red carpet of BET's "Rip the Runway." -> BET's "Rip the Runway."
But the female MC urged Wayne not to quit the service, despite the fact that he only has a few days of freedom left; he's set to begin his one-year jail sentence in New York this week.
"We want to hear what you have to say, Lil Tunechi," she said, using Wayne's Twitter handle.
From the looks of things, it doesn't appear that Wayne will give up on Twitter just yet.
About 12 hours after tweeting that he would leave, the rapper began sending messages again.
"My problem is that I aim to please, and it seems as if [I] need a higher target," Wayne wrote. "But for now, 'Bullseye.' "
Related ArtistsExclusive: Lil Wayne’s New Pre-Jail Video — Check It Out Here!
February 27, 2010
Wayne plans to release lots of videos before he goes to jail on Tuesday -- check out 'Nino Brown: The Road to Rikers, Part 1.'
By Shaheem Reid
Lil Wayne in "Nino Brown: The Road to Rikers, Part 1"
Photo: Courtesy of Nino Brown
Nino Brown: The Road to Rikers, Part 1
"Three days, y'all — let's party!" Lil Wayne said on Saturday (February 27). Now that his dental surgery is done, Weezy is expected to begin serving his year in jail on weapons charges Tuesday, but he's making sure he's seen and heard before his departure. Of late, Weezy has taken to Twitter (much more on that in a minute) and Ustream to communicate with fans. On Saturday evening, Weezy and his favorite videographer, DJ Scoob Doo, sent MTV News a clip we're going to call "Nino Brown: The Road to Rikers, Part 1" (as in Rikers Island, the New York jail that Wayne's heading to).
In the clip, Wayne promises to grant fans a look at what his life is like as he prepares to go to jail.
Shot Saturday afternoon in the guest house of his Miami home, Wayne had the Tennessee vs. Kentucky NCAA basketball game playing in the background on his big-screen TV.
"This is for my real fans," Wayne said. "People who wanna know what I be doin'. I'mma let y'all in."
From there, Wayne, who recently tweeted that he was giving up Twitter (although he's tweeted since then), urged his fans to follow him at his page, "@liltunechi."
"I just opened that up," Weezy said. "I got almost 200,000 followers. I need more followers. I saw Drake had like 400,000 followers. I need more followers than Drake."
Wayne then gave background on his nickname.
"My nickname is Lil Tune — my grandmother named me that," he explained. "She's passed. My grandmother, her name was Mercedes Carter. She named me Lil Tune. We just threw the 'Chi' on there. Like Gucci, I say 'Tunechi!' "
The clip ends with Weezy shouting out all his children, their mothers and his own mom.
Wayne will be shooting footage right up until he goes to court on Tuesday — check back with MTV News for more!
Wayne and Scoob Doo recently released the DVD "The Nino Brown Story, Part 2." It can be found on djscoobdoo.com.
Related ArtistsAndrew Koenig: MTV News Readers React To His Death
February 26, 2010
'Rest in peace, Andrew Koenig. Please, don't let our loved ones slip through our fingers,' Armando writes.
By Josh Wigler
Andrew Koenig
Photo: Zuma Red West Photos
The death of "Growing Pains" actor Andrew Koenig has prompted an outpouring of heartfelt responses from his family members, friends, co-stars and fans, as well as MTV News readers with strong feelings on the matters of depression and suicide.
For some fans, Koenig's passing conjured up old memories of the actor's famous portrayal of Richard "Boner" Stabone, the best friend of Mike Seaver, played by Kirk Cameron on "Growing Pains." Some "Growing Pains" enthusiasts recalled their affinity for the show, while others confessed to their childhood infatuation with Koenig himself. But the actor's suicide also prompted some readers to describe their own experiences with depression.
MTV News readers have shared their memories of the late actor as well. Here is a selection of responses from readers reacting to the news of Koenig's death. Please note that these comments, edited for grammar, do not reflect the opinions of MTV News on the matter. To join the conversation, please head to the comments section below.
"This truly does bum me out," wrote concertconfessions. "I loved 'Growing Pains' in my youth. It is hands down one of my all-time favorite sitcoms. Good vibes to all his friends and family."
June said: "I am sad, so sad. Depression is so overlooked; it is the cloud that darkens one's days."
"I admit that I expected it," confessed Heather. "He sold his possessions, canceled a job and turned off his phone before he left on his 'vacation.' That is someone preparing for an end in my book. Sad. He was my favorite character on 'Growing Pains.' I had a huge celebri-crush on him."
One reader detailed his own personal battle with depression. "[I] used to drink heavily and took pills," wrote David. "Can't explain why one gets depression for really no reason at all. Now I just live one day at a time and count on my wife to help me out. If it weren't for her, I don't know what I would do."
Another reader, Janette, implored others to be on the lookout for signs of depression. "Absolutely pay attention to depression as well as the medications that one takes for depression, as it many times does have a reverse reaction and instead of helping one cope with their depression, it promotes it," she said. "My mother committed suicide about 5.5 years ago and despite my pleas of the doctors not giving her antidepressants, I was told that she was the patient, not I. We as those who try to understand why one takes their life we see the depression but never ever imagine that it is something that would happen to our family; it is something that happens to others, not us. Well, this is not the case. Wake up and pay attention to those around you who are suffering. There are signs. I just thought that it was odd behavior never looking up the signs that one has prior to suicide. Perhaps we all should read those and take heed. My very, very deepest condolences to his family and friends. I believe it is a matter where we try for the rest of our lives to heal our pain and sorrow. After these years past, I don't believe it can be healed, not when you lose someone you love so much."
"Rest in peace, Andrew Koenig," Armando offered. "Please, don't let our loved ones slip through our fingers."
