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By Steven Roberts

So last night, my boy Alex and I attended a listening session for Asher Roth's debut album, Asleep in the Bread Aisle. MTV chose Asher as one of the MCs to Watch in 2009 and, judging by his reception at mtvU Spring Break and SXSW, he has been the breakout star of the bunch.

Alex is a bit of a superfan. Alex and Asher are both from PA — that's how cool people say Pennsylvania — and if Alex had a few more inches of height and hair and a quick-witted flow, I'm pretty sure he'd be Asher Roth.

To be honest, we went mainly for the free food. Hungry from a day of working hard for the man, we raced over to the studio to preview the album. When we walked upstairs, however, we were handed a single slice of white bread on a white paper plate and, yeah, we got it — he's white.
We grabbed a seat among bloggers, journalists and cool kids alike and waited for the man of the hour, and Asher soon walked in with his casual bed-headed bop. He shook a few hands, kissed a few babies and made his way to a podium, telling us how happy he was that his album was able to unite so many people and thanking everyone for coming out. One thing I love about Asher is that he's a man of the people — I've interviewed him a few times, and he's always saying he wants to bring about change through his music. (A writer at the listening party told us he didn't like Asher's frat-boy image, and I told him he should definitely listen with an open mind. "I Love College" is just one single after all.)

He let his entire album play and, despite the terrible sound, I was impressed. People are going to make the Eminem comparison — they do sound a lot alike — but the content is different. Both have a manic lyrical flow, but Roth doesn't carry around the same baggage — he's just an average kid from the suburbs of PA.

Tags Asher Roth

This year's "American Idol" has already seen the return of the show's two biggest stars — Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood — and tonight, season-two winner Ruben Studdard is slated to grace the stage again.

The show has spawned a legion of popular singers over the years, from "Celebrity Rehab" star Nikki McKibbin to Broadway babe Frenchie Davis and country rocker Bo Bice. But we're curious...

"Shawty Redd on the track!" The man is so nice with beats, Young Jeezy had to shout him out on the chorus of "Who Dat." Atlanta's Redd is one of the city's main producers, working with everyone from the Snowman to Snoop Dogg. He can make that riot music for the club, or smooth it out for universal airplay like he did on Snoop's “Sexual Eruption.” Here, Redd tells us his top five instrumentals by an Atlanta rap act:

Outkast - "Da Art of Storytellin' "
Young Jeezy - "Trap or Die"
Goodie Mob - "Soul Food"
T.I. - "Still I Stand"
Pastor Troy - "No Mo Play in GA"

This isn't a spoiler-filled recap of last night's "Lost" (but, seriously ... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! WTF!?!?) so you can read on without fear. But, this is a blog post about one rather key line from the episode, and how it relates to my boyhood indie-rock hero, so, if you're not a fan of slight spoilers (and nostalgia), well, then you might want to turn away now.

Anyway, there was an exchange on last night's "Lost" between Ben and Sayid, where B is asking S to start killing again, telling him "It's in your nature; it's what you are," to which Sayid, in full-on "repentant killing machine mode" answers: "I'm not what you think I am."

It's a pretty powerful moment ... a man coming to terms with his past, wrestling with his inner identity, trying hard to change ... blahblahblah. But of course, it stuck out to me for another reason: this was "Lost's" none-to-subtle nod to Stephen Malkmus.

How? Well, read on Read more...

By Rachel Josue

Isn't that the question on everyone's mind after watching the sexual tension between Ms. Carr and Dan turn into full-on make-out sessions on the past few episodes of "Gossip Girl"? I asked the source herself, Laura Breckenridge — better known as Rachel Carr — at Wednesday night's Gen Art Film Festival launch party in SoHo.

"Well, he's a very handsome guy and he's a very sweet guy. I do have to say that when you're doing that on set, it doesn't sound very sexy. You're in a scene, and it's very technical, so it's not necessarily a steamy make-out scene, as much as it seems ... but he's very nice. I've got to say, those scenes sometimes are more awkward than sexy, but it was fun." Read more...

Tags dan humphrey, Gossip Girl

Resident "American Idol" expert Jim Cantiello brings you a minute-by-minute recap of every episode right here! Keep checking for updates throughout the show, and don't miss out on his previous live blogs and other "Idol" news.

It's time to live-blog another "American Idol" performance show. But it's a Wednesday! Usually we watch a performer's dreams get crushed on Wednesday. Thanks to our "Idol"-hating President, we're going to watch ten singers (well, nine singers and one blind dude) compete tonight instead. This is the second time that Obama has toyed with our beloved "Idol" schedule this season. Economy my ass! Doesn't he understand that we like watching "Idol" to forget that we have no money? He would have been better off leaving "Idol" alone and issuing a press release. Or better yet - I can't believe I'm about to say this - he should have taken a page from the Bush II presidency and just appeared on "Idol!"

Tonight will feature the music of Motown, which is an absolute minefield. For every amazing "Misery" by Barrett Strong there are three obvious stinkers like "Sugar Pie Honeybunch" waiting to take down a contestant. Provided "Idol" didn't severely limit the song list, there's no excuse for anyone to sing a classic we've heard 400 times before on this show. I swear to Seacrest, if anyone sings "Aint No Mountain High Enough" I think they should automatically be booted. Even if it's my girl Megan Joy (Corkrey).

Before I get to live-blogging, a quick shout-out to MTV.COM user Trixie who had me rolling with her comment on last week's live-blog: "Was it ugly ass jacket night? WTH Danny and Anoop?" Let's face it though, if ever there was a time to wear an ugly jacket on "Idol," wouldn't it be on Grand Ole Opry night?

But enough about the past! Let's look to the present! Motown Night live-blogging begins NOW.

7:55 pm - Did you miss last week's Alexis Grace shocker? You still have time to check out the latest "Idol in 60 Seconds" recap here before we dive in to tonight's episode.

7:58 pm - "Now That's What I Call Power Ballads?" Now that's what I call hell.

7:58 pm - OMG you guys I'm so excited. I'm going to Disney World with Team Detox this weekend for a quick, random impromptu getaway and I'm totally going to try the new "American Idol" ride/show/attraction thingamajig that just opened. CANNOT WAIT!

8:00 pm - And so it begins. The top 10 looks miserable on stage during Ryan's dramatic intro. I know they're trying to look "tough" and "serious," but instead they all look like they're about to vomit. Wait, maybe they all caught Megan's bird flu from last week.

8:02 pm - The judges are all kissing Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson's butts while Seacrest is asking them questions. Hey guys, remember how you're supposed to be on television right now? [Slaps forehead.]

8:04 pm - Spoiler alert: The Funk Brothers dummer died yesterday.

8:05 pm - "Idol" Road Trip!! They went to Detroit to visit Motown's HQ, and the screaming fans are all there to greet them. Woah, Detroit "Idol" fans are not an attractive bunch.

8:07 pm - Trip's over, back to work. Smokey Robinson is coaching this week. I would not do well under his tutelage. I'd be constantly distracted by his tight face and green eyes.

8:08 pm - Matt Giraud's doing "Let's Get It On." This is either going to be really awesome or really icky.

8:09 pm - He's playing the piano and things are going well.

8:10 pm - Uh oh. The band kicked in and now he's walking around the stage. Holy tight pants alert! Dude, we don't need to actually be able to see that you wanna get it on, if you catch my drift. Matt's pants are to dangly bits what Megan's previous dress were to breasts.

8:10 pm - Matt just sang this line to a super-young girl in the audience: "There's nothing wrong with me loving you." It depends on the state, buddy.

8:11 pm - It was okay, but I wish he kept it focused at the piano. Once he stood up, it was a little cheeseball.

8:12 pm - The judges loved it. Paula likened his performance to a pair of "great, worn in jeans." She noticed his tight pants, too, evidently.

Read more...

Tags American Idol, jim cantiello, Live Blog, Motown Week, MTV News, the best american idol live-blog

By Jenna Talavera

John Cena is a wrestler, actor and hip-hop musician, but is he adding "ice cream connoisseur" to his résumé? Cena closed down Cold Stone Creamery on 42nd Street for a sit-down interview with MTV News about his upcoming movie "12 Rounds." Although ice cream has nothing to do with the film, Cena was game to take on 12 rounds of Cold Stone's creations and 12 rounds of MTV Movies Editor Josh Horowitz's questions — as long as it didn't mess up his clothes. (Wearing a white button-down, fitted blazer, jeans and white sneakers didn't help much!)

It started with one scoop on a cone, which led to cupcakes and shakes. With each round, I was learning more and more about Cena. He loves playing video games but hates losing. "I want someone to play me but lose so I can have status," Cena said. As much as I laughed, I thought to myself, "Did he really just say that?"

(Check out the "12 rounds" of treats Josh and John consumed, plus more interview details, after the jump!)

Read more...

Tags 12 Rounds, Interview, john cena, movie

by Emily Donahue

We all know Selena, Tay-Tay and Miley, but the latest girl to nab a Jonas is a bit of an unknown. Sure, 17-year-old singer/songwriter Jordan Pruitt might top the charts on Radio Disney and has toured with other Mickey favorites like Corbin Bleu and Raven-Symone, but it must have taken more than a performance of her single "My Shoes" to catch Nick's eye.

So what else is there to know about Jordy? In an interview with JustJaredJr.com last year, she revealed she is into recycling, spending time with her family and basketball. Boring.

What else?

She is a nail-biter (but trying to quit), she rides dirt bikes and recently started an entertainment company to discover other up-and-coming talent. Props to an adventurous spirit, but is this enough to keep the attention of superstar Nick? Or the Jonas fans? Only time will tell, and hopefully Camilla has some tips.

Check out photos of Jordan from her red-carpet appearance at "Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience."

Tags Camilla Belle, Disney, Jonas Brothers, Jordan Pruitt, Miley Cyrus, nick jonas, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift

By Melanie Wolfson and Lindsay Wallace

Whoever said that skinny white boys from suburbia can't rap? Anyone on the 24th floor of the MTV headquarters on Tuesday could surely vouch that the fresh beats from Asher Roth suggest otherwise.

The 23-year-old redhead from Pennsylvania broke it down for MTV Networks employees on Tuesday afternoon, pouring his rhymes and wit into a performance that left audience members impressed if not stunned. (Check out photos from the event!) Roth forced even the most timid of audience members to clap and sing along to his beats. This forced audience participation made for an entertaining sight — the floor was shaking from the drum beat, and Asher's constant jumping up and down had everyone dancing and clapping.

Roth kicked off his shoes (literally!) and played four songs, saving his hit single "I Love College" for last. He also told a handful of stories about everything from "not" smoking weed, to releasing his album on 4-20 (i.e. April 20) to his low tolerance for alcohol.

He laughed, "These 18-year-olds are crazy! I have all these college kids come up to me and challenge me to games of beer pong, but I can't drink like I'm 18 anymore. It's like, one glass of wine and I'm f---ed up for the night." Read more...

By Rya Backer

Yesterday was a slowish news day, but oh — how we've been compensating all day!

Looks like Rihanna might have helped create a new law — find out what "Rihanna's Law" could entail.

Kelly Clarkson's album is #1 again! The "Twilight" soundtrack climbed back to #2! But who were this week's big SoundScan surprises?

And finally, Barack Obama got good ratings! Well, we've yet to hear about how last night's press conference did, but you guys seem to really like what he's up to.

More stories to come! Keep checking in, and we'll talk to you tomorrow.