The Cool Kids are an underground Chicago rap duo who've been not-so-subtly elbowing their way into rap fans' iPods for a few years now. The laconic, stone-cool of Chuck Inglish and Mikey Rocks' slick rhymes, spotted with sports analogies and nostalgic references, makes for fun and easy, breezy listening.

"Knocked Down," from their Don-Cannon-hosted mixtape Gone Fishing, is a dope introduction to their pass-the-mic charm.

The video is basically a Chi-town hipster version of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's "Nuthin' But A G Thang." People gambling, girls dancing, imbibing of alcohol taking place, raps being rapped. What goes around comes around.

MGMT: You go for the lush, electronic-but-organic instrumentation and bouncy beats, but you stay for the insanely catchy melodies.

Jams like "Kids" and "Electric Feel" have a timeless quality to them; they're just examples of rock solid songwriting. And it's this basic, elemental quality that comes across in this version of MGMT's mega-jam, "Kids," by British band The Kooks. It reminds a lot of the version "Electric Feel" cover that Katy Perry did a while back; with voice, guitar and a little bit of keys for embellishment.

+  Listen to The Kooks' cover of MGMT's "Kids" here (as well as their covers of Peter, Bjorn and John and Gnarls Barkley), and check out the MGMT's "Kids" video, for the sake of comparison, below.

In this MTV News interview with Demi Lovato, Demi recounts the moment in history when the now-solo but not-broken-up Nick Jonas first told her that his rhymes were so fly and his jeans were so tight and that he wanted her to sing the hook on the Jonas Brothers'  rap parody "Bounce." (Not to be confused with The Cab's "Bounce.")

But there's something far more urgent that needs to be discussed here: it looks like Demi's copped the super deluxe version of The Fame: Monster! No, Demi is not rocking one of Lady Gaga's blond locks (yet), but Lovato is GOING HARD in one of those sparkling hoodie things (a staple of Gaga's look). And Demi went ultra metallic at the 2009 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards and at the UK premiere of Hannah Montana: The Movie. And this past week, Demi Lovato showed up to Disney's 2nd Annual Concert For Hope in a gold-and-black metallic top that hearkened back to Lady Gaga's VMA red carpet dress. (Minus the neck brace.)

The Demi interview took place on the set of her "Remember December" video. I'll be rather curious to see if that clip features any walker and crutches-aided choreography.

(Credit: Ryan Russell, Elle.com)

Paramore has always had a cool-kids-next-door charm, and in this new interview with Elle.com, they show us that they're still the same Twilight-reading, punk-rock-loving, R&B-adoring regular Joes (and one Jane) that we know and love.

My favorite part of Paramore's chat with Elle.com covers their love of R&B and their roots as a funk cover band:

"Hayley: Yeah, we did Rufus and Chaka Khan, “Tell Me Something Good,” and a lot of Stevie Wonder, Michael McDonald, the Doobie Brothers. The intro to our show was always Average White Band’s “Pick Up the Pieces.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Paramore talk about being amped to see New Moon opening night (and Hayley's affection for Dakota Fanning). They also show that they keep their ears to the Nashville punk rock streets, big upping bands like Paper Route and  The Swellers.

You can catch Paramore (in something of a New Moon mode) in the below clip from the MTV special "Ulalume: Howling At New Moon" (which airs on Friday, October 30 at 9 PM ET). Until then, watch this brand-new clip of Paramore performing "Decode" live from the Ulalume Festival.

Selena Gomez is really on her world-saving grind today. I mean she's already busy enough wand -and-brooming it up on Wizards Of Waverly Place and making catchy pop-rock records (like her Kiss & Tell album, recorded with her band, The Scene) and all that. But just when you thought it was safe to say, "Yo, there's another tween princess turning herself into a entertainment machine," she goes and does a couple of totally altruistic and genuine things that warm the heart.

As you may have read about earlier, Selena Gomez just visited Ghana as an ambassador for UNICEF. Well, she doubled down in the charity game,  giving a bunch of kids in a L.A. elementary school a great back-to-school present when she showed up at Charnock Road Elementary yesterday to honor a teacher with over $1,000 in school supplies during OfficeMax’s A Day Made Better event.

While most teenage dream queens are planning their new line of leggings or Twittering about their lunch or whatever, Gomez is out there making the world a better place. Clap for that!

Kansas City kids Vedera throw together a couple of different tropes for their "Satisfy" video. I will now enumerate them for you thusly:

1. The bros-hanging-out-at-the-clubhouse vibe of Paramore's awesome "That's What You Get" video.
2. The playing-twice-as-fast/filmed-at-a-slower-speed effect popularized by Spike Jonze and Weezer in the video for "Undone (The Sweater Song)."
3. The appearance of completely inappropriate footwear given the action taking place. Check singer Kristin May rocking the ankle wrap heels while on what can only be described as a hike (one is reminded of Gaga wearing stilettos while using crutches in her "Paparazzi" video).
4. The near-skinny dipping at the end, artfully rendered in R.E.M.'s "Nightswimming" video and playfully played in Jimmy Eat World's "The Middle."
5. Not so much a music video trope as just silliness: May straight chucks her cell phone while hiking. At least take the SIM card, Sis!

Kristin Cavallari, Katy Perry, and Amber Rose picked up Buzzworthy Fashion Awards for the silvery spectacles and primal get-ups they wore to the 2009 VMAs. Now see which fashion honors Buzzworthy has bestowed upon Madonna, Olivia Palermo, Hayley Williams and more celebs for their VMA style!

MOST COMMANDING: TIE! MADONNA & OLIVIA PALERMO
Some stars like Amerie and Cassie opted for full-on color on the VMA red carpet. Madonna and Olivia Palermo, who wore Susan Woo, commanded the carpet in head-to-toe black. How New York of them.
+ Watch Olivia Palermo on the VMA red carpet.
+ Watch Madonna open the VMAs with a tribute to Michael Jackson.
+ Photos: MTV Stars on the red carpet.

ALL-AROUND CUTEST: HAYLEY WILLIAMS
THANK you, Hayley Williams. See, THIS is how you dress for the VMAs. When I chatted with Hayley inside of Radio City that night, she told me that Katy Perry told her about Jeremy Scott, who designed the LP-inspired skirt she's wearing. Hayley's vintage-rock look is spot-on perfect for the VMAs. It's youthful but not ridiculous, fun and dressed up (especially with those heels and the bright pop of color from her lipstick), but it's not over-the-top. Ahhhdorbs.

HOTTEST, MOST MAD MEN-INSPIRED GUY: GABE SAPORTA
Gabe Saporta + Balenciaga = Yeah you did.
+ Watch Cobra Starship on the VMA red carpet.
+ Watch Gabe introduce Lady Gaga's performance at the VMAs.
+ Watch Gabe discuss his VMA Mad Men style.

COOLEST THING COVERING SOMEONE'S BOOB: PINK
The sparkly pink heart covering Pink's boob during her death-defying performance of "Sober" was just one of the coolest elements of her jaw-dropping performance. I don't know what that heart thing was, but I kind of want one to stick on my laptop.
+ Watch Pink perform "Sober" at the VMAs.
+ Watch Pink on the VMA red carpet.

MOST REFLECTIVE/ SELF-REFLEXIVE: TIE! ADRIENNE BAILON & BEYONCE
Get it? GET IT? Because Adrienne, in a Stephen Sprouse dress, used to be in the Cheetah Girls, and Beyonce's wearing mirrors!
+ Watch Beyonce's "Single Ladies" VMA performance.
+ Watch Beyonce on the VMA red carpet.
+ Watch Adrienne Bailon interview everyone on the red carpet at the VMAs!

MOST THOUGHTFUL TRIBUTE TO FALLEN HOMIES: TIE! KID SISTER & DJ PREMIER
Buzzworthy idol Kid Sister took her red carpet fashion opportunity to pay tribute to the late Aaliyah, wearing in a shirt she bought on Aaliyah.com. Later that night at Lyor Cohen's VMA after party, DJ Premier (pictured with DJ Cassidy) remembered DJ AM by wearing a t-shirt with a photo of them together.
+ Watch Kid Sister discuss her amazing nails on the VMA red carpet.

MOST CASUAL FRIDAY ON SUNDAY: TIE! BRENT BOLTHOUSE & ANDY SAMBERG
Lazy Sunday? More like casual Friday. Brent Bolthouse kept it biznass casual like a BAWSE in Vans on the VMA red carpet, and Andy Samberg was his usually perfectly-bedheaded-and-a-little-unkempt-but not-in-a-way-that-he-smells-and-I-wish-all-guys-dressed-like-this self. I digress.

MOST LIKELY TO BE SEEN SPREAD OUT ON TOP OF A CAR ON HER MYSPACE: AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL'S JADE COLE
I mean, I'm just sayin'...

+ Check out more VMA fashion photos and fashion videos, and watch all-star VMA fashion videos after the jump!

Read more...

You were probably too busy a.) praising the Lord for the invention of DVR and then b.) poring over Lady Gaga's bloody "Paparazzi" performance to even notice that she arrived on the VMA red carpet with Kermit the Frog or that she changed costumes more times in one night than most people change clothes in a week.

Lady Gaga's VMA outfits were a Victorian-inspired, high-drama, campy celebration of lace and embellishments -- metal collars, wild wigs, masks, feathers, and a fantastically liberal application of pearls and other appliques in ways they were previously never meant to be worn. (Unless you're the type of lady for whom wearing embroidery loops is commonplace.)

Let's reexamine Lady Gaga's VMA looks -- blood, angel wings, lace body stockings, bloody undies, and all.

Gaga arrived on the VMA carpet looking like she'd attended a Phantom Of The Opera-themed drag show. Positively funereal chic.

As promised, Lady Gaga brought a VIP guest with her to the VMA red carpet: Kermit the Frog. How he was dragged into this, I'll never know. He left before the blood bath.

Lady Gaga accepts the Best New Artist VMA for "Poker Face," and we literally could not see her poker face underneath because someone forgot to cut eye holes out of her dress. You could, however, see straight through to her nips.

Gaga performs "Paparazzi" and she totally phones it in. Zzz. This chick's like watching paint dry... JUST KIDDING. She rocked the Radio City stage so hard she freaking BLED TO DEATH! Side note, these are some of the most bad-ass performance photos since Jimi Hendrix lit his guitar on fire. Here, let's take a closer look at Gaga's bloody show...

+ See photos of bloody Lady Gaga, Lady Gaga and Beyonce, and Lady Gaga's after party outfit after the jump! Read more...

We've taken second helpings of pasta, done our push-ups and fueled up on the Bull, and in just a few minutes all the prep work will pay off. At 9pm sharp, Buzzworthy is taking it to the main event, eavesdropping on all the superstar convos and canoodling (Lady Gaga and Kermit the Frog seem to be getting on well), snapping pics of all the backstage madness and even chattin' it up with a few of The Biggest Names In Showbiz. You know, that sorta thing.

Your tireless blogging crew is Tamar Anitai, Shaheem Reid, James Montgomery and Kyle Anderson. So pleased to serve ya', stay right here for live updates throughout this soon-to-be legendary night!

Need a quick warm-up? Check out our Newsroom's pre-show live blog!

11:58pm -- As an ambulance races by with its lights on, the cop conducting traffic says, "Taylor Swift just beat up Kanye, and here's his ambulance." Kanye West might just be the most hated man in America right now.

11:50pm - On the way to the press room, I run into the young lady of the evening, Taylor Swift. I tell her, "Congratulations!" and she beams and yells back, "Thanks!"

Meanwhile, Beyonce zooms by while Tito Jackson cheers her on.

11:26pm - Jay-Z isn't rapping. He's firing words from his mouth like it's a machine gun. Radio City's never seemed this big.

11:22pm - Time for Jay-Z to take the stage! When Hov's back in town, everything shut down!

11:21pm - Everyone backstage is crowded around the monitor and smiling as Taylor Swift graciously re-accepts her award.

Oh yeah, the angel wings Gaga wore in her paparazzi performance are hanging on a hook nearby.

11:09pm - Pink's acrobatic performance partner just walked backstage, screaming and pumping his fists. Andy Samberg and Jimmy Fallon give him a high-five.

10:57pm - After Kid Cudi performs "Day N Nite," Wale says, "Rest in peace, DJ Am." Fingers form peace signs all around.

10:56pm - Serena Williams comes in really late. She chats on her cell phone while being escorted to her seat.

10:55pm - Kids are laughing at the All-American Rejects and asking why the lead singer is wearing glitter.

10:52pm - Everyone's wishing Pink good luck backstage before her performance. Plus, Eminem wins Best Behaved Celeb -- he's sitting quietly in his seat! (Unlike SOME Hennessy-swillin' rappers we know.)

10:48pm - Aside from Kanye's disturbance of the peace, the big story here tonight is Lady Gaga ... And how strange she's been acting. In addition to wearing a half-Papal/half Ms. Haversham crocheted get-up, Gaga's not really talking -- to anyone -- and now she's walking with an exaggerated limp.

10:34pm - Just talked to a security guard at the stage door where Kanye went to hang out after crashing the stage. The guard told me that Kanye has officially left the building. Meanwhile, dude just got booed HARD when they announced his nomination for Best Hip-Hop Video. ZING!

10:27pm - Backstage: Robert Pattinson is skinny in real life -- vampires really don't eat food, I guess. And Kristen looks like a tiny ice skater.

10:23pm -- After the New Moon trailer airs, R.Patz and crew are whisked backstage, photogs trailing a few steps behind. When Pattinson finally dodges them, he gets a few secs to chug a beer and watch Beyonce's performance, bobbing his head to the beat.

10:15pm - Just saw Beyonce's dancers dressed in silver backstage. Get ready to come to Beysus, y'all!

10:13pm - Kristin Cavallari's posing for the paps like a pro -- and she's being super sweet to all of her handlers. Where's the 'bitch' we all know and love? Also, Gaga just walked by in her feather headdress. She's got an assistant to hold the train of her dress!

10:11pm - Cobra Starship are outraged they didn't win Best Pop Video ... They tore up their tickets in disgust the whole time Britney's acceptance video played. "We woulda at least showed up!" frontman Gabe Saporta shouted. He then pulled a huge-ass flask out of his breast pocket and took a pull.

10:10pm - Billie Joe is helping people crash the stage. Looks like a mob scene. In fact, since the Green Day frontman is pretty short, he's completely eclipsed by the crowd around him.

10:02pm - Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are 12 feet away. I cannot confirm or deny that they will go home together.

10pm - Now Russell Brand's using his hosting skills to hit on Megan Fox.

9:59pm - Chace Crawford and Ne-yo just headed backstage. (Wait up, guys!)

9:57pm - Stage left, I'm watching Nelly Furtado and Kristin Cavallari prep for their upcoming intro.

9:56pm - Perez Hilton and Hayley Williams are both trying to start a #TeamTaylor trend on Twitter.

9:54pm - There will be blood. On Gaga ... and on the audience.

9:47pm - Sean from 3OH!3 jokingly just said to me, "We're up for Best New Artist, but after [Kanye], I'm a little scared to WIN!"

9:44pm - What does Jennifer Lopez do during a commercial break? Same thing we all do: texts her friends.

9:41pm - Taylor's proving how a true lady rolls -- after Kanye's me-me-me moment, she's singing her heart out and havin' a grand ole time. (Hey Kanye, look who's playing on top of a cab in the middle of NYC!)

9:38pm - Fall Out Boy give Green Day a standing-o after their win.

9:31pm - Diddy doesn't have time for a fan photo -- he's a busy mogul with a Twitter habit!

9:30pm - People are going nuts in here. They booed like crazy when Kanye leaped onstage and stole Taylor's thunder. He responded by giving them all the finger on the way back to his seat. During the commercial break, Pink walked by him shaking her head in disgust. Even the show producers gave him a talking to. Not surprisingly, he didn't seem at all bothered by everyone's reactions, grabbing his date Amber Rose and planting a kiss on her lips.

9:25pm - Kanye West ruins Taylor Swift's big moment. Further proof that he's on the Hennessy. (Aside from the pic below.)

9:22pm - Katy Perry just strutted by me. She's wearing a white, studded bustier paired with skintight pants. Hot, not cold AT ALL.

9:20pm - Russell's making good on those Jonas jokes from '08 and turning the hose on Lady Gaga. Shocker! He wants to bone her.

9:15pm - Katy Perry's bowing down to Russell Brand as a team of live drummers bangs out "We Will Rock You." Joe Freakin' Perry's on guitar! Get ready for some lewd LOLs ... Russell Brand's here!

9:08pm - "Thriller" rises again!!! MTV loves you, Michael! (And so does EVERYONE in the audience.)

9:05pm - When Madonna wants to tell a story, you let her tell her story. Especially when it's about the life of Michael Jackson. You could hear a pin drop in here.

9:02pm - Have the VMAs ever started off this serious? Still, Madonna's really nailing it, calling Michael Jackson "a hero."

8:59pm - Nelly Furtado just ran to her seat to catch the Michael Jackson opening tribute. So excited to see it!

8:55pm - Beyonce's making quite a splash on the carpet in a sexy, red ruffle dress and her hair done curly.

8:51pm - Afraid the girl behind me is gonna need EMT assistance: Chace Crawford is standing right in front of her.

8:47pm - Radio City's roaring after Wale announces, "We gonna burn this mother f**ker down."

8:46pm - The house band is getting started.

Gather 'round fashiony friends. It's time to talk brilliant blazers and leather bottoms (again) -- in this case Ashlee Simpson's leather pants! Here's what Alexa Chung wore on today's episode of It's On With Alexa Chung.

Thursday, September 3
+ Cardigan: PPQ
+ T-shirt: J. Crew
+ Skirt: American Apparel
+ Shoes: Marni
+ Stockings: Hue
+ Necklace: Iosselliani

These white blazers with black trim are SO deliciously Gossip Girl gone REAL bad. The cropped tux jacket on the left is by Jaeger London, and it's $371 at My-Wardrobe.com. The mohair jacket on the right is Marc Jacobs, and it's $2002 at My-Theresa.com. (Sorry.)

This American Apparel black circle skirt is $45 and it's almost enough to make me want to learn to ice skate. Almost. (BTW, is that model one of the porn stars? I so can't even keep up.)

Okay, let's discuss Ashlee-Simpson and her LEATHER PANTS! First of all, can you even BELIEVE a human body came OUT of her human body?

Anyway, Pete Wentz's wifey was in some TIIIIIGHT-ass leather pants. Want your own? The leather pants on the left are Preen, and they're $808 at Matchesfashion.com. Saving for college? (Snore!) Get the leather pants on the right at Alloy.com for $39.90. Boing!