Posted 2/15/12
Posted 2/15/12
Posted 2/15/12
Posted 2/15/12
Posted 2/15/12
Posted 11 hrs ago by Nicole James in Celebrity, Music, Videos

Buzzworthy's been paying respects to the late Whitney Houston since the tragic news of her death this past Saturday, Feb. 11. We've shared our writers' favorite Whitney moments, including her performance of the national anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl, and her hit song from "The Bodyguard" soundtrack, "Run To You." Tonight, MTV is paying tribute to the music legend with the special "Whitney Houston: In Her Own Words."
The show, hosted by Sway Calloway, will include interview footage of Whitney Houston dating back to 1986 all the way up to her final interview. Musicians and celebrities also will share their thoughts on Whitney's impact on the industry and just how special that voice of hers was.
MTV's 30-minute "Whitney Houston: In Her Own Words" special airs tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET simultaneously on MTV and MTV.com, and will be available on demand immediately after it airs.
+ Watch a preview of "Whitney Houston: In Her Own Words" MTV special below, and tune in tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on MTV and MTV.com.
Posted 19 hrs ago by Althea Legaspi in Buzz Bites, Celebrity, Music

Kevin, Nick and Joe Jonas planning new album within year.
+ ATTN JoBro fans: Jonas Brothers' next album is coming soon. "We have plans that nobody really knows about yet, performances that are already lined up and we have music already recorded... our [aim] is probably close to the end of the year or next year," revealed Joe Jonas. (MTV News)
+ Beyoncé's a busy momma. Somewhere between giving birth and looking fabulous, she's planned not one, but TWO albums. "The conversations about her next album literally just started, and there [are] two projects," says OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder, who's working with Bey. (RapFix)
+ Whitney Houston has sold nearly 1 million singles since her death. (MTV News)
+ Watch "Glee"'s Amber Riley cover Whitney Houston's signature song, "I Will Always Love You." The tune, originally written by Dolly Parton, and the episode were recorded prior to Houston's passing. (Just Jared)
+ Sleigh Bells' sophomore album, Reign of Terror, gets its official release on Feb. 21, but you can stream it in its entirety here. (New York Times)
Photo credit: Getty Images
Posted 2/14/12 3:43 pm ET by Jenna Hally Rubenstein in Celebrity, Music
For my seventh birthday, my parents bought me a top-of-the-line, in-home karaoke machine. (They realllly love me, OK?) What is basically the only song I ever wanted to sing? Whitney Houston's "Run To You." Maybe I threw in some Mariah Carey "Hero" for good measure but mainly, it was a Whitney-only zone. Sure, I couldn't hit the big notes ('cause who can, it's WHITNEY), and maybe I didn't get that the song was a poignant love ballad at the time, but I still connected to the record in an inexplicable way.
Flash-forward to today -- I'll be 26 tomorrow, and "Run To You" still gives me chills. I fall a little bit more in love with it every time I hear its deliciously retro, synth-tinted piano intro. While "Run To You" features several of Whitney's signature belting notes, it's also shows an airier, more vulnerable side to her vocals. And let us not forget that the record was nominated for an Academy Award in 1992 for Best Original Song. (It lost to "A Whole New World" from "Aladdin," ugh.) And did you guys also know this song almost didn't see the light of day? "The Bodyguard" director Mick Jackson loved the melody but needed a love ballad for the film. The entire record was rewritten, and only then did it make it on to the famed "The Bodyguard" soundtrack. Close call, guys. Close call.
Read more about my love for Whitney Houston's "Run To You" after the jump.
Posted 2/14/12 9:00 am ET by Althea Legaspi in Buzz Bites, Celebrity, Music

Nicki Minaj's 'Starships' single cover.
+ Fresh off her Grammy performance, Nicki Minaj's cover art for new song "Starships" was revealed. The song also debuts today. "Oh my god, this is gonna be big," Ryan Seacrest tweeted yesterday. "Premiere tmrw @onairwithryan." (Just Jared)
+ Taylor Swift gave MTV News the scoop behind "Safe & Sound," her song with The Civil Wars from the "Hunger Games" soundtrack. "I just knew that I wanted it to deal with the empathy, sort of the more sensitive side, the bittersweet side of this story," she said. (MTV News)
+ Selena Gomez and The Scene are no longer together... for now. But don't worry, Sel fans, it sounds like an amicable split. She says she wants to focus on films, and "I want my band to play music wherever and with whoever. We will be back, but it will be a good while." (E!)
+ Watch Ashanti pay tribute to Whitney Houston yesterday on "Good Morning America." Her impromptu tribute included "I Have Nothing" and a snippet of "I Will Always Love You." (Billboard)
+ Are Kanye West and Odd Future headed for a collaboration? If these photos of Kanye, Frank Ocean and Tyler the, Creator are any indication, it's possible. Ocean is reportedly already on board for Kanye's G.O.O.D. compilation. (Pitchfork)
+ Rihanna kept on rocking directly after her Grammy performance. Ri hit L.A.'s House of Blues with deadmau5, Calvin Harris and Swedish House Mafia's Sebastian Ingrosso for a charity event. Peep the photos. (Rap-Up)
Photo credit: @nickiminaj
Posted 2/13/12 9:42 am ET by Althea Legaspi in Buzz Bites, Celebrity, Music
+ Last night, Adele swept several of the big Grammy Award categories, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for 21 and Song of the Year for "Rolling in the Deep." Other big winners included Bon Iver, Skrillex, Foo Fighters and Kanye West. (MTV News)
+ The Grammys also marked Adele's welcomed return to performing after her throat surgery. Watch her gorgeous performance of the Grammy Award-winning "Rolling in the Deep." (Mediaite)
+ Peep Jennifer Hudson nailing "I Will Always Love You" during the Grammys in a lovingly rendered tribute to Whitney Houston, who passed away Saturday. (MTV News)
+ Etta James' passing was also remembered at the Grammys. Check out Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt perform James' "Sunday Kind of Love." (Rap-Up)
+ There were also a couple songs debuted at the Grammys. Katy Perry performed "E.T." and also premiered the empowering new song "Part of Me." Nicki Minaj debuted a bangin' "Roman Holiday." (Rap-Up)
+ Rihanna turned "We Found Love" into a dance party and then joined Coldplay for "Princess of China." Watch both of their Grammy sets here. (Rap-Up)
+ Sinead O'Connor will release her 10th (!!!) album, How About I Be Me (And I Be You)?, on March 5. Stream the album here in advance of its release. (NPR)
Photo credit: Getty Images
Posted 2/13/12 2:28 am ET by Nicole James in Celebrity, Music, Photos

Nicki Minaj arriving at the 2012 Grammys
We were all anxious to see what the 2012 Grammys would have in store after we heard of the tragic, shocking death of one of music's greatest legends, Whitney Houston. But as many of her peers suggested, Whitney would have wanted the show to go on. While there was a bit of a dark overtone to the Grammys, it wasn't without proper celebration and must-see moments.
From Nicki Minaj's pope sidekick to Katy Perry debuting her new single (and burning her old flame to the ground) to Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl sticking up for old-time rock and roll, the 2012 Grammys had more than a few moments to remember. Take a look at the most-talked-about moments from the show below, and be sure to check out all of MTV's 2012 Grammy coverage for more information, a complete winners list and video highlights from the show.
+ Nicki Minaj arrived wearing that red thing with someone dressed like the pope: Definitely a daring move on the night after Whitney Houston passed away. I know they don't have anything to do with one another, but that kind of showy ostentation is usually frowned upon after such a tragic event.
+ Bruno Mars' splits on stage during his James Brown-inspired performance of "Runaway": Whoa, Bruno. Didn't know you could get down like that... literally.
+ Kelly Clarkson's continued reign of Supreme Flawlessness: The woman does no wrong, let's just face facts. Her performance of "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Jason Aldean was like, perfection. Objective perfection.
Get more of the craziest and best moments from the 2012 Grammys after the jump.
Posted 2/13/12 1:17 am ET by Tamar Anitai in Celebrity, Music, Must See
The long list of performers at the 2012 Grammys was as vast, varied and random as putting your entire music collection on shuffle and setting it on stage. The 2012 Grammy performances spanned an exhaustive array of musical genres, making clear that in the year 2012, pop music is more democratic and less limited than ever before. Jazz standards can share the same stage as Dubstep, and artists as young as Taylor Swift or as established as Glen Campbell and Tony Bennett all belong equally at the same ceremony. Here's a top-to-bottom recap of all of the performers and performances at the 2012 Grammy Awards.
Bruce Springsteen: Backed by Steven Van Zandt, Patti Scialfa and the the E Street Band, Bruce Springsteen opened the Grammys by tearing through "We Take Care Of Our Own," his new single from his upcoming Wrecking Ball album. It was an on-message salute both to Americans and, more topically, to the music industry and fans mourning Whitney Houston. Paul McCartney and Lady Gaga cheered him on. Also, let me go on record as the 50,045,492th person who notes that Bruce Springsteen does not age. He actually makes me look forward to being, like 50 something. Oh wait. He's 62? WHAT DOES HE EAT? HOW DOES HE LIVE?

Bruno Mars: Glad to see Bruno Mars is no longer a one-man piano-moving company and instead a consummate old-school band leader with his own onstage theater marquee. He channeled James Brown, Cab Calloway, Chuck Berry and the Four Tops with his golden, shimmering, blowout rendition of "Runaway."

Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt: Smart, unexpected pairing -- the ever-radiant Alicia Keys and country legend Bonnie Raitt pay tribute to the late, great Etta James with a country-blues rendition of "Sunday Kinda Love."
+ Check out more Grammy performances after the jump!
Posted 2/12/12 3:07 pm ET by Nicole James in Celebrity, Music

Whitney Houston performing the national anthem at Super Bowl XXV in 1991
I was 8 years old when Whitney Houston sang the national anthem at Super Bowl XXV in 1991. I don't remember watching it. The only thing I remember about the Gulf War, which would end that February, was that my babysitter's sister was a servicewoman stationed in Saudi Arabia. We met her at the airport the day she returned from duty, and she handed me a Saudi riyal from her wallet. It was, to me, at 8, the most exotic relic I'd ever seen.
When I heard that Whitney Houston had passed away, her national anthem immediately came to mind. During a friend's barbecue in Chicago a couple years ago, a few of us ended up gathered around a laptop in the kitchen after drinking just the right amount of beers to make sharing YouTube videos seem like a good idea in the middle of a summer party (100 percent of Chicago summers should be spent outdoors, not on the internet). We found our way to the clip of Whitney Houston's national anthem, and we replayed it several times, surprised by the visceral, physical reaction we all experienced while watching it. While I've read that Whitney's anthem was a triumphant moment for America during an uncertain time of war, what sticks out to me and the rest of my peers who might not connect with the symbolism behind the performance is her raw, unwavering talent. Hers was truly a voice you only hear once in a lifetime.
+ Read more about Whitney Houston's national anthem performance after the jump.
Posted 2/11/12 9:31 pm ET by Tamar Anitai in Celebrity, Music, Must See

The legendary Whitney Houston, photographed in 1980.
Whitney Houston, the unstoppable vocal powerhouse, who ruled MTV, radio and the recording industry throughout the '80s and '90s with her melismatic, gospel-infused R&B/ pop crossover hits such as "Greatest Love Of All" and "Saving All My Love For You," died today at the age of 48.
Equally capable of deftly belting a showstopping power ballad or infusing an uptempo dance-pop track with passion and making it look exuberantly effortless, Whitney Houston started her musical career in her church choir, became a backup singer (singing backup on Chaka Khan's "I'm Every Woman," which would later become a staple in her own songbook), a model and eventually a solo artist after landing a contract at Arista Records with Clive Davis. Her 1985 debut self-titled album -- coupled with her stunning Barbie Doll-like beauty, charisma and her limitless vocal talent -- catapulted her into the highest, most prestigious echelon of musical aristocracy.
Over the course of the next 20 years and seven albums (in addition to soundtracks for "The Preacher's Wife" and "The Bodyguard," the latter which became the best-selling soundtrack of all time), Whitney Houston would become one of the top-selling female solo artists of all time and one of the biggest musical acts ever. Whitney Houston has been awarded more than 400 awards, including six Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards and an Academy Award.
Despite her international renown (and well-publicized struggles with substance abuse and tumultuous relationship with Bobby Brown), Whitney Houston was one of those rare singers capable of concurrently conveying both innocence and wisdom, and whose swelling voice could fill an entire arena and, at the same time, make you feel like she was singing to you and you alone. Whitney Houston sang songs about love, loss, enduring hope, a fearless refusal to settle and a battle cry of female empowerment. She equally influenced everyone from stars like Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson and Christina Aguilera to everyday individuals nursing heartache and sorrow. Songs such as "Saving All My Love For You," "Didn't We Almost Have It All," "You Give Good Love," "I Have Nothing," "All The Man I Need," "One Moment In Time," "All At Once" and "I Will Always Love You," some recorded decades ago, transcend musical trends, technology and time, leaving only emotion and inspiration behind.
To say that Whitney Houston influenced everyone who writes for this blog -- and probably everyone we write about -- is an understatement. It is our hope that this legendary woman who sang so bravely and so vulnerably about love will be remembered and celebrated with love, too.
Watch one of Whitney Houston's most powerful videos, "Greatest Love Of All," watch Whitney Houston's last performance on Thursday, Feb. 9, and see how Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Christina Aguilera and Rihanna are remembering her. And leave your thoughts and Whitney Houston memories in the comments.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Posted 9/30/11 12:30 pm ET by Nicole James in Celebrity, Music

Credit: PictureGroup
We recently told you about the weirdly perfect Tyler, The Creator/Tegan And Sara mashup by The Jane Doze, "Tegan The Creator." But the New York-based remix duo has outdone themselves, like times a bajillion. No seriously, there are like, a bajillion songs in their latest mashup, "Young Hearts Wanna Beat On Their Own." And it's SO PERFECT.
The Jane Doze turned to some of today's biggest pop princesses for their latest remix, and we couldn't have created a better menu. You guys ready for this list?
+ Katy Perry, "Hummingbird Heartbeat"
+ Robyn, "Dancing On My Own"
+ The Naked And Famous, "Young Blood"
+ Whitney Houston, "I Wanna Dance With Somebody"
+ will.i.am featuring Nicki Minaj, "Check It Out"
+ Ke$ha, "Your Love Is My Drug"
The Jane Doze combined ALL OF THESE SONGS to make ONE BIG SONG, and it might be THE BEST SONG EVER!!!! Katy Perry's "Hummingbird Heartbeat" and The Naked And Famous' "Young Blood" own most of the mid-tempo track, as Ke$ha's "Your Love Is My Drug" closes it out. And basically, this is what we want every song ever to sound like. P.S., Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" is THE TRUTH!!!!
+ Listen to The Jane Doze, "Young Hearts Wanna Beat On Their Own."
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Posted 2/15/12
Posted 2/15/12
Posted 2/15/12