Obsessively blogging about pop music, pop videos, pop stars, and pop culture from inside the MTV headquarters in Times Square. We also have a slight Jonas Brothers problem. And a little fixation with Tokio Hotel.
Here we have everyone's favorite R&B singer with a flair for haberdashery -- that's hats, to you Curious Georges -- Ne-Yo and his video for "Never Knew I Needed."
In this clip, taken from the soundtrack to Disney's upcoming animated film, The Princess And The Frog, Ne-Yo longingly wanders around New Orleans' French Quarter recalling a past love.
There's a nice symmetry to the video's setting and the funeral march tumble of the beat. The whole soundtrack -- which features songs from Anika Noni Rose and soundtrack maestro Randy Newman -- shares the N.O. vibe. The Princess And The Frog hits theaters on November 26th, while the soundtrack's out on the 23rd. Check out Ne-Yo's video and The Princess And The Frog trailer below.
50 Cent so crazy, I think he wanna have your baby! No really, 50 Cent is ready to be your baby daddy and make you really really rich.
Watch the exclusive premiere of 50 Cent's new video, "Baby By Me," directed by Chris Robinson, featuring Kelly Rowland and Ne-Yo, produced by Polow Da Don, off 50's upcoming album, Before I Self-Destruct, set to be released on November 16, 2009. Oh yeah, and don't worry -- that crying infant and those dirty diapers won't stop 50. He's still gonna keep it freaky.
50 Cent sure has changed his tune, hasn't he? Used to be, he just wanted to meet you in the club and do it. Then he just wanted to take you to the candy shop. Now he's ready to be your baby daddy! Hey, he's financially secure and can afford the kind of diamond-encrusted baby shoes that is the birthright of every infant. Of course, 50 Cent still really really really wants you to know how good he is at pleasin' you. Just because he's a dad doesn't mean he's not still totally into pleasing you. Don't get it twisted.
Watch the exclusive MTV sneak peek of 50 Cent's "Baby By Me" video, directed by Chris Robinson -- the hook and the video feature Kelly Rowland and Ne-Yo too. "Baby By Me" is produced by Polow Da Don, off 50's upcoming album, Before I Self-Destruct. If you're following that epic release-date saga, 50 Cent's next album SHOULD be released on November 23, 2009.
Rihanna's back! Like she never left! And when you take a step back and think about it, you'll notice she never really did leave, did she?
Good Girl Gone Bad came out in the sepia-toned, black & white era of 2007. 2007! But, despite having last released an album almost three years ago, Ri-Ri has pretty much stayed up in our business, right? Running the proverbial town, running around assorted fashion weeks. Well, now she's officially back. Rated R is due November 23rd, and the first single, "Russian Roulette" dropped today.
Written by Ne-Yo (who had a hand in "Unfaithful" and "Take A Bow"), "Russian Roulette" is a slow building, creeping track that some have said betrays the influence of the British electronic sub-genre of Dubstep. To my ears it sounds more like mid-period Massive Attack (especially the bassline). What say you?
Yesterday we featured David Guetta's video, "Sexy Chick." Lest we leave you in a lurch wondering who, exactly, David Guetta is, here's some backstory.
David Guetta is essentially Supreme DJ Overlord of Europe's dance circuit (unofficial title); so while David doesn't have to impress anyone over here, he's been winning over U.S. audiences all summer.
Do I need to ask if you're familiar with Guetta's summer jam, "When Love Takes Over," with vocals by Kelly Rowland? How about the Black Eyed Peas number,"I Gotta Feeling," which Guetta produced and co-wrote? So yeah, whether you knew it or not, your summer's been Guetta-rrific.
DJ Guetta's name may come to the U.S. forefront soon enough, though, thanks to latest album, One Love; Guetta has a ridiculous set of collaborations: Of course there's Kelly Rowland -- as well as a remix of "I Gotta Feeling" -- on the album, but he's also got will.i.am, Estelle, Ne-Yo, Kid Cudi and Akon (on "Sexy Chick.")
A little back story on Guetta? He was born in Paris, and he began remixing vinyls and throwing parties by age 15. Guetta became club king a few years later, DJing blowouts in Paris and Ibiza. His renowned "F*** Me, I'm Famous" party in Cannes actually hosted Guetta's initial meeting with Kelly Rowland -- who was shaking her booty to Guetta's mix 'til the wee hours, until she approached Guetta in the DJ booth for a collabo. So nice when they come to you!
Yes, the song heavily samples Right Said Fred's "I'm Too Sexy."But Sugababes came up with their version they were 14, OK? And I know, girl groups are SO '90s anyway, but let me throw some credentials at you, because I'm kind of a Sugababes expert (not to brag or anything)...
The British pop-for-pop's-sake group -- Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah and Keisha Buchanan (the group’s only original member, due to some Destiny's Child-style lineup changes) -- has released seven albums. Five have gone platinum in the U.K. They've put out 23 singles, and six went to #1. So they must be doing something right.
I will cop to the fact that any Sugababes song sounds like it could've been on The Pussycat Dolls' PCD or Doll Domination albums and no one would have said anything (if they even noticed). But that shouldn't deter you from blasting “About You Now” and “Push The Button” alone in your room. On your iPod. While wearing headphones.
Or just jump straight to Sugababes' latest single “Get Sexy.” The level of camp makes “When I Grow Up” sound solemn. You can pretty much put me to bed after “Silly boys!” And Amelle's “Shut up and watch me walk!” It's like RuPaul bodysnatched her or something.
"Get Sexy" is the lead single off Sugababes' seventh album, Sweet 7. The last single Sugababes released in the U.S. was “Hole In The Head” in 2004 –- even though they've had four albums in the U.K. since then. For Sweet 7, the trio (wisely) collaborated with RedOne and Ne-Yo; it will be released through Island in the U.K. in November, but through Jay-Z’s label Roc Nation in the U.S.
+ If you really must, watch Right Said Fred's "I'm Too Sexy" video after the jump... Read more...
+ We're having (slightly nightmarish) flashbacks to our uber-Christian, ultra-conservative childhood after stumbling upon this gem, a duet with gospel group Mary Mary and R&B songmaster Ne-Yo. (Rap-Up)
+ Celebrity Twitter fights are fun for the whole family, especially when they're brought to you by parenting gurus Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler. (Evil Beet Gossip)
+ If you haven't seen the VMA promos that MTV has been running for this year (the full-length West Side Story-themed ones that feature Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Cobra Starship, Leighton Meester, and Russell Brand all singing their own verses...) then stop what you're doing right now (unless you're searching YouTube looking for fan vids of Britney's performance last night at MSG like we've been doing all morning) and WATCH the full length version here!
+ Oh -- and how cute are Katy and Taylor having dinner together the other night in England?? (Socialite Life)
+ It was just announced today that Paula Abdul's first post-Idol gig will be hosting VH1 Divas later this month, which will star Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis and more. (Pop on the Pop)
+ And in case you missed yesterday's totally fun NYC scavenger hunt hosted by Britney via Twitter, check this out! (Perez Hilton)
+ File this one away in the "Whitney, what were you thinking?" category: Until the August 31 street release date, Whitney Houston is leaking her entire brand-new CD on, QVC.com??????
Now watch them all salute Broadway in the big finale! It's the full-length version of "VMA Side Story." Straight backs! High kicks! Pointed toes! Big smiles! Big finish! The old lady in the back of the house should be able to hear you!
Big news out of camp VMA 2009! Two new performers were just added to the 2009 VMA lineup today -- Green Day AND Pink!
Pink blew up the 2008 VMAs -- literally -- with her fiery performance of "So What" -- and while I hope she doesn't burn down Radio City this year, she'll definitely bring down the house with whichever song she performs off of Funhouse.
Green Day, who've been blowing minds on tour this summer, will perform a song off of their latest album, 21st Century Breakdown. It'll be their first VMA performance since 2005.
But don't tune in just for the performances! (That'd be like watching MTV just for the videos.) 2009 VMA presenters/ pretty people will include Katy Perry, Ne-Yo, and Chace Crawford. And you know you wanna see which hat Ne-Yo's gonna wear, and if Katy Perry will make her entrance in a giant sparkly bowl of fruit. It could happen.
Watch Pink perform "So What" at the 2008 VMAs, and tune in to the2009 VMAs live from New York City's Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, September 13, 2009.
If there's one thing life continues to teach, it's that through Usherand YouTube all things are possible. Fifteen-year-old Justin Bieber may have a fancy record deal now, but growing up in Stratford, Ontario where did a meeting with L.A. Reid fit in?
Well, this Canada teen is one of those effortless talents: Justin posted to YouTube his informal Usher, Ne-Yo and Justin Timberlake covers; unlike the multitudes of copycats, however, Justin raked in Leave-Britney-Alone-level views -- which quickly led to a manager phone call and a face-to-face with Usher.
Hence the cameo for Justin's first video and lead single, "One Time," which you can check out below. Hey, when Usher's away, the kids will play? ... or at least throw family-friendly house parties. Alongside "One Time," Justin's debut album features production from The-Dream and Tricky Stewart -- and dude hasn't even graduated high school.
Does Justin's rise remind anyone else of Esmee Denters? YouTube covers sent the wannabe singer from Oosterbeek, Netherlands on a similar path; although Esmee signed with Justin Timberlake's label, while (according to Justin Bieber himself) Justin passed up J.T.'s offer to work with Usher and L.A. Reid. Battle of the YouTube finds!
