MTV Newsroom ›

Amy Winehouse may still be taking some time off, but the Dap-Kings — who helped craft the modern soul sound of her last album, Back to Black — have kept hard at work in their Daptone Records studios in Brooklyn, where they write and play for a variety of other artists. Unfortunately, that work (including an upcoming session with Rod Stewart) may have to be put on hold because the studios were broken into over the weekend.

"There was a lot of equipment (mics, pre-amps, monitors, turntables, guitars, amps, computers, etc.) stolen and damaged," label co-founder Gabriel Roth wrote in an e-mail to bloggers. "It is going to take us a while to go through everything and take full stock of what was stolen, and we are not supposed to touch anything until the cops come back to collect fingerprints, so we can only guess what's missing from some mic drawers and cabinets. ... And no, we did not have insurance." Read more...

Tags Amy Winehouse, Daptones

When Katy Perry and Good Charlotte rocker Benji Madden were spotted in the same place, at the same time, over Valentine's Day in Las Vegas, rumors began circulating that the pair was canoodling. However, Katy has taken to her blog to insist that's not the case.

In a blog post titled "I Wanna Be Like Grace Kelly," Perry, who broke up with Gym Class Heroes frontman Travis McCoy earlier this year, insisted that she and Madden are nothing more than friends. "Oh kittens! It's two pseudo-famous people sitting next to each other … doesn't mean we were bumping uglies!" she wrote. "You know I don't just do that with anyone! That's just how the media works, as you can tell.

"I was there celebrating a really fun show and a boozy Valentine's with all my good friends. We were like a group of 25." she continued. "Benji is a nice young fellow, but my heart really belongs to [my cat] Kitty Purry," she wrote, adding that it also belongs to her friend, actor Markus Molinari.

And in case you're wondering why Perry wants to be Grace Kelly, well perhaps her trip to Monte Carlo, where Kelly happened to be a crowned princess, has something to do with it. "Oh shayth do I have frequent flyer milez for days," she wrote. "I wonder if you can cash in frequent flyer miles for a boyfriend rather than just dinners and gift certificates for Starbucks? 'How many miles for Brad Pitt, pls?' "

Tags Benji Madden, Dating, good charlotte, Gym-Class-Heroes, Katy Perry, Travis McCoy

By Adrienne Day

MTV News delves into the big issues surrounding music's headline-dominating couple in "Chris Brown & Rihanna: Love in Trouble." Plus: Chris Brown apologized on Sunday, and Rihanna's father spoke up.

Kanye West discusses hip-hop's fashion rules and explains "Jockin' Jay-Z" in Mixtape Monday.

In other fashion news, "Project Runway" winner Christian Siriano doles out advice to Academy Awards attendees. (One finer point: "Who cares if you look like a big bush? Just wear something crazy!")

Will a certain blood-sucking hottie present at this year's Oscars? MTV Movies Blog weighs the odds of a Robert Pattinson sighting on Sunday night.

The Multiplayer blog gives a snap judgment of "Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned."

Tags Chris Brown, Kanye West, oscars, Rihanna

LONDON — Tim Kash and I are here on a visit to the set of Big Pak's new video, and I decided to take in some of the local music scene. Unfortunately — according to many of our MTV U.K. counterparts — there wasn't much to see this week, but luck struck!

A look at a gig calendar at a local pub revealed a surprise: Baltimore experimental rockers Ponytail were playing just down the street at the small-but-legendary 100 Club, the self-proclaimed "oldest live-music venue in London," where the Rolling Stones and even the Sex Pistols played in their early days.

The crowd loved the band (which rolled out a great new song) and was as energetic as any we've seen at Ponytail gigs in the States. Openers Future Islands were also excellent; both bands are currently on separate tours throughout Europe but will be back Stateside soon.

If you haven't heard Ponytail, check out John Norris' article on the band.

Six of one, half a dozen the other. Good news, bad news. Take the bulletin that Ozzfest is going on hiatus however you like, but when one door closes, Limp Bizkit apparently sneak in the other one and trash your house.

Yes, kids who insist on wearing their black, long-sleeve Cannibal Corpse T-shirts, ghoulish face paint, black wool bondage pants and heavy stomper boots when the mercury tips 110 degrees are just gonna have to find something else to do this summer, since Ozzy is taking a break from his festival to work on his new album.

Read more...

By Adrienne Day

Single on Valentine's Day? So are Robert Pattinson, Chace Crawford and three other very eligible bachelors. Plus, Demi Lovato and Miley Cyrus share their V-Day plans, and the Jonas Brothers reveal who's really number one in their hearts.

How did Jesse McCartney get Ludacris aboard for the remix and video for "How Do You Sleep?" (Hint: Fast cars and hot women were part of the deal.)

We invited Mastodon to the Russian Tea Room, where they explained the inspiration behind their most personal, and most out-there, album to date, Crack the Skye.

Watch an exclusive "Confessions of a Shopaholic" clip, featuring music by Lady Gaga, the Pussycat Dolls, Akon and more, in the MTV Movies blog.

Get to know the "American Idol" Top 36 here — in 140 characters or less!

Multiplayer blog reveals best-selling Wii games for January — and #1 may surprise you.

Tags Jesse-McCartney, Mastodon, robert-pattinson

By Emily Donahue

Picking Hollywood's finest for our Valentine's single teen heartthrob list turned out to be more of a challenge than I thought it would. There were so many guys that came to mind, but not all could be included. Some were cut simply because they have a significant other and "single" was a key criteria, but some were for other reasons. Here's who didn't make the cut:

Corbin Bleu - Yes, Corbin is a cutie. He can sing, he can dance — he is even single! And I apologize to all you Bleu birds out there, but I have to say this: Corbin is just plain boring. Come out with a steamy music video, CB! It takes more than a pretty smile to be a heartthrob these days.

Ed Westwick - Oh Chuck Bass, with your red velvet suits and penchant for burlesque shows, who doesn't love you? Apparently your castmate Jessica Szorh (Vanessa to those that go by character name only) feels the same — last week while courtside at a Knicks game you engaged in a PDA-session that crushed the dreams of many, present company included. I think the CW needs to implement a rule in which there can only be one inter-show romance at time and Penn and Blake got there first.

All of the Jonas Brothers - Every Jonas has a girlfriend! I would've bet money Kevin was single, but alas, a search showed that he too has a female to accompany him on triple-dates with Joe and Camilla and Nick and Selena. Love bugs indeed.

Anyone we missed that puts you into cardiac arrest? Let us know!

Tags corbin bleu, Ed Westwick, Gossip Girl, high school musical 3, Jessica Szohr, Jonas Brothers

By Saimon Kos

At Wednesday night's New York premiere of "Two Lovers," Joaquin Phoenix avoided any and all questions as he rushed past reporters on the red carpet. This being his last movie, many people are wondering if Phoenix will actually turn his full attention to the rap game.

Shedding some light on the situation was "Two Lovers" director James Gray. The two have worked together on a number of movies and are good friends. Gray confirmed that Joaquin is taking music very seriously, saying, "All I know is that the guy built a studio in his house, and it's not some halfway job. He built this recording studio." James went on to say that he "hadn't heard fully produced stuff yet," but that "he was sort of working on it the last time I was at his house." When he'll actually release anything is anyone's guess, but with his latest movie hitting theaters this Friday, he can now fully dedicate himself to laying down some hot tracks. Read more...

Usually, when I'm invited to go listen to an album, it's a bit of a drag: Walk over to major label offices, make small talk with wary publicist ("You can't write about this until next month, OK? OK?"), sit in conference room by myself, drink bottle of water provided by intern, scribble down notes about "chugging guitar," repeat one week later, only at a different office for a different album and with a different publicist.

But last night, when the folks from Warner Bros. offered to play me six songs from Green Day's upcoming 21st Century Breakdown album, it was a totally different game. For starters, they brought the album to me — and about 30 of my co-workers — right here at our offices. No trekking necessary. And they brought mini-kegs of beer, too! Read more...

Tags 21st Century Breakdown

By Nick Neofitidis

Lily Allen is looking for love. Lucky for her, so am I! OK, more like lucky for me. Truth is, I've always had a little crush on Lily, but it wasn't until she showed up yesterday for an interview did I realize that this girl is freaking awesome. Down to earth, cute as a button and just overall a really cool, honest woman. How refreshing!

Anyway, James did the interview, and I did the boyish giggling in the corner, managing to man up only at the end to ask for a photo. I have to admit we look pretty good next to each other!

But let's not go by looks alone. After all, Valentine's Day is coming up. And though Lily isn't husband-hunting, as so many tabloids claim, she is looking for L-O-V-E, dammit! So, Lily, I'll break it down for yah!

· I'm 6'1. OK, fine, I'm 5'10. Read more...

Tags Lily-Allen