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DJs Beware: ?uestlove's Coming For Your Gig

Posted 3/27/09 5:33 pm EST by in Live Music


By Kathleen Newman-Bremang

That's it — I'm never going to another party where ?uestlove isn't spinning. Yes, the Roots figurehead was that good DJing last night at Le Poisson Rouge in New York. If you missed it, don't fret — this week marked the first of many Thursday-night shows ?uestlove will be headlining at the venue.

The thing is, though, it wasn't even about the amazing rap/jazz mash-ups or the classic hip-hop songs blaring from the sound system — it was about the energy. ?uest was headbanging and feeling the music just as much as the rest of us on the dance floor. The The 'fro-sporting drummer seemed to switch between an introspective and focused music lover to a giddy kid playing on his iTunes, rocking out with the rest of us. There was just something about looking up and seeing the legendary drummer bobbing along to the beat — I'm telling you, it made the best songs even better.

So what songs did ?uest decide to bust out during his long-running set? Well, let's just say he kicked it old school.

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Eating Pizza -- That Costs A Dollar -- With Asher Roth

Posted 3/27/09 3:53 pm EST by in Asher Roth


Asher RothWEST CHESTER, Pennsylvania — Most rappers rap about expensive cars and houses. Asher Roth raps, "I can get pizza a dollar a slice." I wondered if that was really true — and if it would be edible, let alone good.

Literally 25 steps from the door of Asher's old address here on Matlack Street is Jake's Bar and Riggtown Pizza. You may never have heard of it, but Asher promised me it's not called "The Epicenter" for nothing, and he was right.

A small bar with $5 pitchers and a shuffleboard table was enough to make the next two hours go by smoothly. Asher might be "the champion of beer pong" but Nick and I beat him and his boy — and it was my first time playing! Read More...

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An Introduction To DJ Scream

Posted 3/27/09 3:31 pm EST by in dj scream


DJ ScreamBy DJ Scream

Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am yours truly, DJ Scream — known to some as Mr. Heavy in The Streets and to others as the Hoodrich General.

I'm a native of the A-Town and have been creating mixtapes for close to a decade now. Some of the names that I have put on in the area include Shawty Lo, Rocko, Crime Mob, Yung Ralph, J Money, Soulja Boy and some others. Working with these artists has been a pleasure, and the fact that we have dropped street classics that people still bump is even more of a thrill.

What has separated my movement from others has been work ethic. I am constantly either on the phone or in the studio with the artists I work with. I go as far as seeking beats and sometimes even hook-writers to make sure my projects come out as quality as possible. There is NO pressing "burn" on the CD drive until these projects display the maximum of the artists' potential.

Look for more Atlanta artists to catapult into the mainstream from the "Heavy in the Streets" movement this year. I'm putting the house on J Money, F.L.Y and the Duct Tape Ent Squadron.

Farewell 'til next time, from the 2009 SEA Mixtape DJ of the Year!

Headlines Of The Day: Britney Spears, 50 Cent And More

Posted 3/27/09 2:39 pm EST by in Britney Spears, Headlines Of The Day


By Rya Backer

So today's HOTD went a little bit differently. See, I'm usually the gal who writes and produces the segment (which is shot at my desk), but today, after finishing the script, I stepped away from the prompter and in front of the camera. It was very nerve-racking, and I promise, if I ever do it again, I'll look straight into the camera instead of, well, everywhere else. Anyway!

Two members of Britney Spears' tour crew got into some trouble yesterday, and in addition to Ms. Spears speaking up about it, our own Jocelyn Vena offered a few words.

And do you read Britney's Twitter? How about 50 Cent's? Well, yeah, they're not written by the actual celeb.

Have a great weekend!


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Fonzworth Bentley Tells You Where To Shop In Atlanta

Posted 3/27/09 1:24 pm EST by in Atlanta Week


Fonzworth Bentley stays sharper than a preacher on Sunday morning. Way before he started hosting MTV's "From G's to Gents," Atlanta native Bent became a fashion and manners guru, styling a bevy of celebs and releasing his own etiquette book, "Advance Your Swagger: How to Use Manners, Confidence, and Style to Get Ahead." The Fonz, born Derek Watkins, insists you shouldn't be fooled by his gentlemanly demeanor — he still knows the 'hood! Here Mr. Bentley switches it up; instead of telling you all the high-end places to go clothes-shopping in the A, he runs down some of the 'hood favorites.

"You got Walter's, which got all your sneakers and fitted caps, etc. ... South Dekalb Mall — the whole mall in general you need to keep your eyes peeled for. Hairstyles, flame, ringtones and any underground music that's about to break ... you'll find all the above, basically. So all of them stores in South Dekalb Mall — the whole mall is bumping — but USA Boutique, specifically, you need to go.

"The thing about Atlanta is that people stay in different areas when they come — friends of mine just went down there and they was staying in Sandy Springs. So you need to go to the West End, you need to go to Accent — that's the 'hood spot to go to at the West End Mall. At Greenbriar Mall, you need to go to Trends. Trends has all 'hood stuff and exclusive stuff. You might find some high-end 'hood, like some Sean John.

"Then, if you downtown, you need to go to Underground, the Balboa — that's all 'hood sh--. And then BTLR — that's just everywhere, they're all over the place. They downtown, they South Dekalb, I think they got one in Greenbriar ... they're everywhere."

Did You See This?! Big Boi, "American Idol," 50 Cent And More

Posted 3/27/09 12:55 pm EST by in Did You See This?


By Melanie Wolfson

Check out what Outkast's Big Boi has to say about his native Atlanta, a city full of Southern hospitality, great restaurants and nightlife that is cheaper than New York or L.A.!

The number of "American Idol" finalists dwindled to single digits last night, as Texan Michael Sarver got the boot after failing to impress during Motown Week. Before the pool was cut to nine people, several guests performed on the show. Be sure to look at our full coverage of the night.

With "The Haunting in Connecticut" out today, MTV News already has an opinion on the latest horror flick to hit theaters. See it for yourself, but here's a heads-up on what to expect.

Horror-comic series "The Goon" is on its way to becoming an animated film. Comic writer Eric Powell dished on why he is more than pleased with the Dark Horse Entertainment film so far.

What do you get when you mix a former WWE world-heavyweight champion and rapper 50 Cent? If wrestler John Cena has his way, there could be a future collaboration with the artist that will give us an answer.

President Barack Obama Probably Not Going To Pass A Puff-Puff-Give Initiative

Posted 3/26/09 7:41 pm EST by in Barack-Obama


President Barack Obama By Rya Backer

President Barack Obama had an online town-hall meeting today, during which a wealth of causes and dilemmas alike were discussed, namely many of the issues that had been discussed during Tuesday’s televised press conference. However, what made the event unique was that anyone was welcome to ask a question — a liberty that prompted over 100,000 submissions. It was an accomplishment that didn't go unnoticed by the commander in chief, as he stated, "When I was running for president, I promised to open the White House for the American people. This is an important step toward achieving that goal."

We tuned in and, honestly, it seems like a good amount of our fellow Americans would rather, uh, tune out. Regarding people's suggestions to bolster our terrible economy, Obama explained:

"We took votes about which questions were gonna be asked, and I think 3.5 million people voted. I have to say that there was one question that was voted on that ranked fairly high, and that was whether legalizing marijuana would improve the economy and job creation ... and I don't know what this says about the online audience, but ... this was a fairly popular question. We wanted to make sure it was answered. The answer is no, I don't think that's a good strategy to grow our economy."

Sorry, guys. Guess you'll have to wait around for President Snoop Dogg for that sort of economic improvement and job-creation strategy. Until then, keep buying Funyuns and playing Wii!

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We're Back In College With Asher Roth!

Posted 3/26/09 7:26 pm EST by in Asher Roth


Asher Roth
WEST CHESTER, Pennsylvania — This week we went back to college with Asher Roth! Fresh from mtvU Spring Break, he's back on the grind: He's finished his latest album, Asleep in the Bread Aisle, and we joined him for a trip down memory lane here in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

After setting things up with Asher — who performed at our offices just yesterday — we drove to West Chester to get a tour of his college town and find out how much, as his hit song says, he really did love college.

First stop: West Chester University, where Asher studied "Education." (He majored in elementary education and wanted to be one of those "close the book and really teach" kind of teachers.) Seeing the university was really my first look at American college life. Loads of people turned up to see Asher: Someone told the local radio station and the paper that we were bringing Asher back to shoot a documentary — which we're not really, but it's funny how even here, the news got distorted in the press.
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Headlines Of The Day: 'American Idol' And Asher Roth!

Posted 3/26/09 3:37 pm EST by in American Idol, Headlines Of The Day


Adam LambertBy Rya Backer

So, we're running a little late today — sue us, we've been busy! In any case, a lot has happened since yesterday, so here are Thursday's headlines of the day!

Jim Cantiello live-blogged "American Idol"'s Motown Week — check it out here!

Steven Roberts got an invite to the listening session for Asher Roth's Asleep in the Bread Aisle album, and gave us a play-by-play of the event.


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Woodstock 40th-Anniversary Show: I'm Not Ready To Go Back To The Garden ... Ever

Posted 3/26/09 3:01 pm EST by in Woodstock


I got a cold, creepy chill the other day when I read that the organizers of Woodstock were thinking about pulling the once-venerable hippie love-fest out of mothballs again to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original show.

You see, as much as I love Demetri Martin (if you haven't seen his Comedy Central show, something is wrong with you), and as much as I’m looking forward to his leading-man debut in Ang Lee's "Taking Woodstock," resurrecting Woodstock for a fourth time is the absolute worst idea ... ever.

Back in 1999, the last time organizer Michael Lang had the bright idea to give the once-in-a-lifetime event a makeover, I had the misfortune of being on site at a decommissioned airbase in Rome, New York, where, frankly, I'm lucky I didn't die.

Imagine the worst show you've ever been to. Now, multiply it by 10,000, crank up the temperature to 110 degrees, picture yourself driving to a remote town for three days and then having to dump out all your water, beer, food and other party supplies before entering the squalid campground and spending $4 for each small bottle of water, add in the creepy factor of celebrating the nadir of the peaceful hippie movement in a place that was a government superfund site and Air Force base, and then throw the whole thing on the bonfire, because that's what happened last time. Read More...

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