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.
Spankin' New Music Week is coming to MTV November 23 through 27. It's a celebration of five new mega-albums that are all being released in one big mega-week.
Beyonce has the Deluxe Edition of I Am, and on Tuesday, Britney's releasing the Deluxe Box Edition of The Singles Collection.
So what's in store? We have interviews with Gaga, Shakira and Rihanna, MTV News sat down with some of the girls as well, and we'll have performances, videos, and more. It's an unofficial "ladies week," but because we're not biased we're not forgetting that 50 Cent also recently dropped his fourth LP, Before I Self Destruct and we sat down and talked to him too.
Check in next week for more Spankin' New stuff on MTV, and, until then, watch Rihanna's "Wait Your Turn" video.
Shakira's equal parts step-dancing soldier, Jamaican dancehall diva, and classical Thai dancer (with Lady Liberty leanings) in her brand-new video, "Give It Up To Me," directed by Sophie Muller, produced by Timbaland, and featuring Lil Wayne. You won't get the supernatural otherworldly occurrences of her "She Wolf" video, but you will get a healthy dose of pelvic thrusts.
Watch Shakira's "Give It Up To Me" video, off her upcoming She Wolf album, now.
Soooo.... Shakira. I am looking at your two latest videos -- the already classic "She Wolf" and the newly released "Did It Again"-- and I am wearing my trope-detector, and I am detecting some tropes.
One: Shakira likes Sapphic spas. She also like floor exercises. That's not a euphemism. I mean she seems to really dig some Shawn Johnson/Nadia Comaneci-style tumbling.
Two: Shakira likes to take said floor exercises and other sorts of gymnastics and whatever and take it to the bedroom, be it literally (as in the new clip) or metaphorically (as in the sustained writhing of "She Wolf").
Now I feel weird saying this out loud (so thank God I'm just writing it on the Internet) but I suppose I find "She Wolf" a bit more alluring. I know the obvious reason is right there for all to see: she is doing suggestive moves in a flesh-colored body suit...in a cage!!!). BUT! I gotta say, I am not a fan of the Parkour-as-foreplay thing going on in the "Did It Again" video. What's that all about? Love him or leave him alone, 'Kira. But you don't have to do somersaults and leg-sweeps. That's beyond playing hard to get.
Which Shakira video do ye, the readers find more alluring? Settle this national debate in the comments!
The 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards are just around the corner. If you haven't booked your ticket to Berlin, well, you're probably screwed. But fortunately Buzzworthy's gonna give you a first-hand look at all of the international stars, performers and performances, and fan-picked awards on Thursday, November 5.
Here's what you need to know about the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards in Berlin.
I feel pretty bad for Ciara, Rihanna, and Beyonce right now. I thought Ciara and Justin Timberlake in Ciara's "Love, Sex, Magic" video was hotter than hell. Then Rihanna was tipped the sexy scale in that little black naughty number in Kanye's "Paranoid" video. When Beyonce busted out her "Sweet Dreams" video, I was like, okay, we're done. We're done here. What's gonna get hotter than Beyonce jiggling in a jumpsuit? But Shakira, you did dat with the Brigitte Bardot hair and the... the no clothes basically in your new "She Wolf" video.
Honestly, I have NO clue what wolves in the closet means (lost in translation?), and Shakira still sorta sounds like she swallowed Kermit The Frog after he swallowed a bag of Auto-Tune chips.
But the Jake Nava-directed video (he directed Britney's "If U Seek Amy" and Beyonce's "Single Ladies" videos) is so hot that the next lady who wants to make a sexy video is pretty gonna have to take off her pants and just film her crotch the entire time. Oh wait...
Awoooooo! Talk about barking (and perhaps salivating) at the moon. Shakira's new single, "She Wolf," is a downright libidinous new jam, replete with heavy breathing and panting, but maybe it's just a bit sexier then Ozzy Osbourne's similarly-themed '80s song about wolves and cutting loose. OK, waaaay sexier. Yes, the Colombian pop singer is hot. But no really. Take a closer look -- it's like she's getting even hotter.The video, which features the temptress swinging around in a cage, seems sweaty, balmy ... must stop ... impure ... thoughts.
Check the lyrics: "Theres a she wolf in the closet, Open up and set it free / there's a she wolf in the closet / Let it out so it can breathe." What do they mean? Are we catching a sexual liberation theme perhaps?
The sexiness factor doesn't hurt when you consider the single is a propulsive electro-disco jam seemingly made for a sweaty dance session at da club (as Fiddy might say).
Also, here's an interesting, "did you know?" This track was produced by some unlikely collaborators, Sam Endicott of The Bravery and John Hill, who has turned producer knobs for Santigold. The song will appear on Shakira’s newest English-language album, set for worldwide release in October. The album, her sixth studio effort, was written and produced by Shakira, and features guest collaborators that include Pharrell and Wyclef Jean. A tour is expected to follow in 2010, along with a new Spanish-language album.
Check out this 15-second sneak peek at the "She Wolf" video to hold you over until tomorrow, when MTV and MTV.com will premiere the smokin' new video in full at 8 p.m. ET.
Asher Roth, your new video "Be By Myself" is so great that I wrote you a letter by hand, mailed it and then transcribed it here from memory. Please write back ASAP so we can become best friends.
Dear Asher Roth,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for "Be By Myself," the new video that you have just now released, featuring his soulfulness Cee-Lo Green on the hook. To be greeted first thing on a three Advil morning by such sultry, grooving wonders as your beats, and then by the painted bikini ladies dancing along with them, was an unexpected joy. Next time you see your co-stars (the aforementioned paint-dripping swimsuit models) please pass on my most enthusiastic compliments. As the great artist Shakira once put it, they "make a man wanna speak Spanish."
Furthermore, your video's director, John Christopher Pina (Kanye West's "Champion," Common's "The Game"), has elevated their talents to new heights with his visionary camera work. His use of supersaturated colors and overlapping images -- simultaneously retro and next-level futuristic -- does stunning justice to your mellow but funk-a-fied new jam, my friend.
And finally we come to you, emerging rap artist Asher Roth of Morrisville, Pennsylvania. This is the third single from your debut album, Asleep In The Bread Aisle, and once again you have outdone yourself. Laying that lazy new-school swagger of yours over a deeply vintage loop was a very good idea. Tricking it out with a little Cee-Lo soul was an even better one. Your batting average is astounding, Asher Roth. The only downside to "Be By Myself" that I can think of is that, with a single this sweet, ain't nobody gonna leave you alone. OK, talk to you later Asher Roth.
+ Our cube mate swears he saw Mandy Moore on the street today (trust me, I was miffed that I missed it), but these ultra-hot photos of her somehow suffice. (Details)
+ We can't tell if this new report about Leona Lewis being a diva is true or just nasty. What do you think? (Allie Is Wired)
+ Attention all pop tartlets who can't carry a tune: take a note from the Kelly Clarkson tip sheet, 'cause girl can SING! Check this vid of Kelly nailing the National Anthem today at the new Yankee stadium. (MJsBigBlog)
+ Shakira never had a problem stripping down to nearly nothing -- now she's doing it for a good cause. (Blogamole)
... At least that's what Paris told The Sun. I mean... Who am I to go around pointing the finger, but isn't that kinda like saying Pamela Anderson "kinda" had her boobs done? Amy Winehouse "had a bit" of a drug problem? Nick Jonas' hair is only "kinda nice?" Miley Cyrus "kinda" has a lot of money? Onch was "kind of" a tranny? Also, once you've had sex with Rick Salomon and Joe Francis, you can multiply that number exponentially until you can no longer multiply and your calculator blows up.
Anyway, please, take a minute to appreciate the handiwork of my cohorts at Scandalist -- they expertly crafted the coLOLage-o'-shame above.
Then, BECAUSE I COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY RANDOMLY felt like posting it and IN NO WAY, SHAPE OR FORM AM I IMPLYING ANYTHING, watch Shakira and Beyonce's "Beautiful Liar."
