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Michael Jackson, M. Night Shyamalan, Jay-Z And Eminem: Three To See

Posted 6/22/10 1:30 pm EST by in Music


Every morning, MTV News delivers the top news stories in music, movies and pop culture hot and fresh for your reading and watching pleasure. We then bring together a trio of the biggest headlines for "Three to See," the daily digest of the top stories making noise on our site and across the Internet. This morning, stories about Eminem and Jay-Z's performance on top of the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater for "The Late Show with David Letterman," the restrictions on Michael Jackson memorials and the cast of M. Night Shyamalan's next film project lead the way.

Michael Jackson Fans Face Restrictions Over Memorials
The one-year anniversary of Michael Jackson's death is coming up this Friday, June 25, but fans seeking to memorialize the late singer at his final resting place in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California are facing strict guidelines. Fans will be allowed on the grounds but will not be permitted to go near the mausoleum (where Jackson's body is). They will also not be allowed to let loose doves, release balloons or perform songs or dance routines.


Eminem And Jay-Z Hit The Roof For "The Late Show With David Letterman"
On the day of his new album's release, Eminem headed to the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater to perform with friend and collaborator Jay-Z. The duo performed three songs, which will air on this Friday's (June 25) episode of "The Late Show With David Letterman."

Bruce Willis, Bradley Cooper Sign On To Next M. Night Shyamalan Film
Though his new blockbuster "The Last Airbender" opens next week, director M. Night Shyamalan is already getting a cast together for his next project. "The Hangover" star Bradley Cooper, Gwyneth Paltrow and Bruce Willis are all "loosely attached" to headline Shyamalan's new movie (the title and plot details of which remain mysterious).

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Eminem And Jay-Z Hit The Rooftops For 'David Letterman' Performance

Posted 6/22/10 12:30 pm EST by in Music


Last week, Drake released a high-profile hip-hop album to a ton of fanfare and a day full of fan-friendly, headline-grabbing events. This week, we're seeing more of the same, but this time we're seeing it from industry veteran Eminem. His Recovery hit the streets on Monday (June 21), and it already comes armed with a lot of positive buzz and a chart-topping single in "Not Afraid." And while at least one of Drake's big events (a free concert at New York City's South Street Seaport) was shut down due to crowd control issues, Eminem's two big events went off without much of a hitch.

There were two huge events. First, Eminem teamed up with Jay-Z to hit the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater to tape a series of performances for an episode of "The Late Show With David Letterman," which will air on this Friday's (June 25) episode of the CBS late-night show. As the sun set over Manhattan, Em and Hova busted out "Not Afraid," Jay's "On to the Next One" and the team-up track "Renegade" (which happens to contain some of the more savage verses of both of their careers). An intimate crowd of about 100 people (and Diddy) crowded onto the roof to catch the show, and hundreds more gathered on the street around the theater to catch a glimpse of the two as they exited.

(Click here for more photos from the rooftop performance by Eminem and Jay-Z!)

Following that, Slim Shady headed downtown to New York's Bowery Ballroom, where he took the stage in the wee hours of Tuesday morning (June 22) to spit some rhymes at the Red Bull EmSee: The Road to 8 Mile freestyle rap battle. Eminem freestyled for a while over the beats to Drake's "Over" and Lloyd Banks' "Beamer, Benz or Bentley" before moving into "On Fire" and "Won't Back Down" (one of the harder tracks from Recovery). He ducked out after those songs, leaving the crowd of 600 pleading for an encore. But Eminem stands by a singular show business rule: Always leave them wanting more.

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Happy Birthday, Cyndi Lauper!

Posted 6/22/10 12:00 pm EST by in Music


Today is a big day for Cyndi Lauper. Not only does her latest album Memphis Blues (a covers album featuring classic blues licks) hit stores today, but it also happens to be the day she turns 57 years old. It's her birthday, and there are any number of ways for her to celebrate.

Throughout her career, Lauper has proven herself to be incredibly versatile and adaptive. After spending her youth singing in clubs in New York City, Lauper scored a big splash with her 1983 album She's So Unusual. She presented a unique, impressive style, as she was performing bubbly pop songs while retaining a low-fi approach and a fashion sense that borrowed from the punk, glam and dance worlds. The single "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" made Lauper a household name, and the video (which co-starred professional wrestler Captain Lou Albano) was an early MTV staple. The hits from She's So Unusual kept coming, including the moving ballad "Time After Time" and the caustic "Money Changes Everything."

Lauper kept a high profile throughout the '80s, participating in a handful of events around professional wrestling, getting involved with the film "The Goonies" (which resulted in the classic tune "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough") and lending a hand to Live Aid. Her second album True Colors kept things going for her, as the title track became her second chart-topping single. She also remained an in-demand collaborator, dropping in on Billy Joel's "Code of Silence," the theme song to "Pee-Wee's Playhouse" and the film "Vibes," an off-beat comedy that also starred Jeff Goldblum.

She has continued to produce well-received albums and has stayed on the road for most of the last 15 years. Recently, she was one of the most entertaining cast members of "The Celebrity Apprentice" and teamed up with Lady Gaga for an anti-AIDS campaign with MAC Cosmetics (and like Gaga, Lauper is a defender of gay rights). Though she had many great songs, "She Bop" is probably the most eye-raising of her career, as it's probably the catchiest and most successful tune about self-pleasure in the history of radio pop.

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MTV's World Cup Of Rock: Mexico Vs. Uruguay

Posted 6/22/10 11:00 am EST by in Music


It's MTV's World Cup of Rock! The World Cup is the greatest sporting event on the planet, a super-sized stage where legends are born with every strike of the ball, where infamy is just a moment away and where the dreams of millions live or die by the minute. That's why, in the spirit of the 2010 MTV Musical March Madness competition, we've created "The World Cup (Of Rock)," a FIFA-style tournament that takes 16 of the biggest nations — rock-wise (sorry Algeria) — and pits them against one another to determine just which is the most rockingly awesome. Heavyweights like the U.S.A., England, France and Germany are all here, but so are a handful of surprisingly strong sleeper countries. As the Cup progresses, we'll be unveiling the match-ups, and it's up to you to vote your favorites through. In the end, only one nation will be left standing: the world champion of rock.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup is starting to wrap up its first round today. Group A will begin its final march to the finish today, with Mexico and Uruguay going toe-to-toe and France and South Africa both looking for a way into the next round. The MTV World Cup of Rock is similarly intense, with a key match-up kicking off today's action.

Mexico vs. Uruguay
These two teams are playing for dominance in Group A of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but which of them will stand tall in the World Cup of Rock's Group A? Will the collective power of Carlos Santana and the strong Mexican rock contingent be enough to overpower Uruguay's killer striker Gabe Saporta? It's a classic contest between a dominant team and a singular powerhouse. Who will win? Only you can decide!

Be sure to vote in all the games in the MTV World Cup of Rock! Which nation's stars rock the hardest and best? Only you can decide!

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The Flaming Lips Get Soft: Wake-Up Video

Posted 6/22/10 9:00 am EST by in Wake-Up Video


Is there a success story in rock as unlikely as the one owned by the Flaming Lips? The Oklahoma-based outfit began as a noisy, low-fi, psychedelic experiment in weirdness, and rather than soften up their sound, they made the mainstream come to them. Though they scored their big breakthrough with the freaky single "She Don't Use Jelly" and had perhaps their biggest crossover success with "Do You Realize??" (from 2002's Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots), the group's best work remains 1999's The Soft Bulletin, which was released on this date in 1999.

Though "She Don't Use Jelly" (and Transmissions From the Satellite Heart, the album from which the song came) made the Lips famous for a hot minute, they spent most of the rest of the '90s going back to their roots (1995's loud, static-filled Clouds Taste Metallic) and experimenting with different formats and communal exercises (1997's Zaireeka, an album spread across four discs designed to be played simultaneously).

But The Soft Bulletin was something different. Frontman Wayne Coyne had always had a knack for melody, but The Soft Bulletin is loaded with sweet, lush hooks crooned in Coyne's particular tenor. And the band surrounded Coyne's voice with a gorgeous blend of rock guitars, thick strings, electronic noises and absolutely laser-sharp drumming care of Steven Drozd. It's an album full of the Lips' unique blend of melancholy and joy — something they would perfect on later albums but feels fresh and raw on The Soft Bulletin.

Back in 2006, I was invited on stage to dance with the Flaming Lips while they performed at Lollapalooza. It was 90 degrees and I was dressed in a sweaty, disgusting Santa Claus costume, but as soon as the first song kicked in and we all locked into an incredible, euphoric groove, everything else faded away. That first song? "Race for the Prize," which also kicks off The Soft Bulletin and remains one of the finest moments in rock of the past 25 years.

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Hanson Make A Case To Represent The United States In The MTV World Cup Of Rock

Posted 6/21/10 5:30 pm EST by in Music


If Hanson could be any team in MTV's World Cup of Rock, they would be America. Why? Well, they are the band that seemed to go from the Middle of Nowhere to find fame and fortune and lasting success in the fleeting world of pop music. And in a current pop climate dominated by Auto-Tuned divas and shaggy-haired pop princes, Hanson are managing to release catchy pop rock albums on their own terms. Just this month, they released the incredibly infectious Shout It Out. So, who what team does Zac, Taylor and Issac believe they would be if they were a World Cup team?

"If we weren't rooting for America then we'd be total jerks, wouldn't we?" Zac joked to MTV News, making his plea to be the rock version of the team. "I think as a band we've always been based out of middle America and were I think identify with at least the independent spirit of America and the fundamentals of what this country is founded on: the idea of kind of breaking loose of things that are holding you back and going out there and forging your own path."

That's super deep, Zachary! Oldest brother Issac reiterated that like America in the world of soccer, Hanson underdogs of pop music, adding, "[We're] like the little engine that could!"

You know what? We think they can, we think they can, we think they can ...

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Why The 'American Idol' Age Limit Change Is A Bad Idea

Posted 6/21/10 5:00 pm EST by in Music


Earlier today, "American Idol" announced that they were lowering their age limit to allow 15-year-olds to audition. Well that makes sense, since season nine's youngsters — Aaron Kelly, Haeley Vaughn and Katie Stevens — all exuded professionalism and mega-talent under pressure. (Rolls eyes.)

I don't mean to slam Aaron and Katie personally. In fact, both of those recent contestants have knocked my socks off post-"Idol." Aaron displayed some legitimate songwriting chops and Katie's vocals during the finale were as good — if not better — than her co-star Christina Aguilera. But during the competition, both of those contestants received criticisms from the judges that suggested they should have honed their craft and experienced life for a few more years before standing center stage in front of 30 million people. It's hard to get judged when you're 25, and it's a hundred times harder when you're a sensitive 15-year-old.

"But Jim," you might argue, "some of the show's most-beloved contestants were only 16 years old when they auditioned! What's another year?" You speak the truth. However, for every Jordin Sparks, David Archuleta and Allison Iraheta (who flourished on the show despite their youth), there were two dozen Kevin Covaises, Paris Bennetts, Lisa Tuckers and John Stevens who choked in front of the bright lights and TV cameras. (See also: Will Makar, David Radford, Ayla Brown, Janay Castine, Leah LaBelle, Alaina Whitaker and literally countless others.)

The last time "Idol" tweaked its age range was season five, where they upped the limit to 28 years old. The result? Taylor Hicks, a dude who looked 58, ended up winning. So if "Idol" is going the opposite route, does that mean America might be crowning a 15-year-old who looks seven come next May? In a year, will America be tired of pop stars who look like zygotes?

Given the recent mega-success of Justin Bieber, I can understand why the producers of "Idol" are tempted to discover the next great talented ninth grader. But it's important to note that Justin Bieber was discovered on YouTube covering contemporary pop and R&B hits, songs that "Idol" theme weeks rarely allow. (Would Usher and Justin Timberlake have noticed the Biebs if he had been crooning "Mandy" by Barry Manilow? Doubtful.) If "Idol" wants to make a change to help make the show become relevant again, they might do better by making the song choices and theme weeks younger, rather than the talent pool.

But what do you guys think? Was this a good choice? Are you more likely to tune in if there are 15-year-old contestants? What other changes would you like to see in season 10? Leave a comment below and for more "Idol" insanity, follow me on Twitter @jambajim!

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Lady Gaga's Next Album Is Already Done: The MTV News Quote Of The Day

Posted 6/21/10 4:32 pm EST by in Music


"I think I'm gonna get the album title tattooed on me and put out the photo. I've been working on it for months now, and I feel very strongly that it's finished right now. It came so quickly. Some artists take years; I don't. I write music every day."

-Lady Gaga, revealing to Rolling Stone that her new album is essentially finished and should be out some time next year. The current plan is that she will reveal the title on midnight this New Year's Eve — apparently in the form of a permanent mark. She promises the new work will be sharper and more acerbic in tone. "I have been for three years baking cakes — and now I'm going to bake a cake that has a bitter jelly," she teased. "The message of the new music is now more bitter than it was before. Because the sweeter the cake, the more bitter the jelly can be."

In a revealing interview in the magazine, Gaga talked about her music, politics and her own personal insecurities. "When I wake up in the morning, I feel just like any other insecure 24-year-old girl," she said. "Then I say, 'Bitch, you're Lady Gaga, you get up and walk the walk today.'" That sort of walk isn't always easy, especially considering the size of the heels she normally wears.

Gaga, a great champion for gay rights, also touched on the current debate about the U.S. military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. "Why are we still talking about 'Don't ask, don't tell'? It's like, what f---ing year is it? It makes me crazy!"

The new issue of Rolling Stone, which features Gaga on the cover, hits newsstands this Wednesday (June 23).

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MTV's World Cup Of Rock: Argentina Vs. Italy

Posted 6/21/10 3:30 pm EST by in Music


It's MTV's World Cup of Rock! The World Cup is the greatest sporting event on the planet, a super-sized stage where legends are born with every strike of the ball, where infamy is just a moment away and where the dreams of millions live or die by the minute. That's why, in the spirit of the 2010 MTV Musical March Madness competition, we've created "The World Cup (Of Rock)," a FIFA-style tournament that takes 16 of the biggest nations — rock-wise (sorry Algeria) — and pits them against one another to determine just which is the most rockingly awesome. Heavyweights like the U.S.A., England, France and Germany are all here, but so are a handful of surprisingly strong sleeper countries. As the Cup progresses, we'll be unveiling the match-ups, and it's up to you to vote your favorites through. In the end, only one nation will be left standing: the world champion of rock.

Today's World Cup action has been intense, from Portugal's absolute dismantling of North Korea (they won 7-0; we hope you took the over) to Chile's nail-biting victory over Switzerland (which makes Group H awfully interesting). As Spain and Honduras battle it out for survival, let's take a look at the latest World Cup of Rock match-up.

Argentina vs. Italy
Argentina desperately needs a win, as they are currently trailing Denmark and Australia in other match-ups. But the power of the Argentinian sound may not be enough to overcome Italy's World Cup of Rock team, which is lead by awesome metal mavens Lacuna Coil and Starf---ers. Will they turn it up to 11 for their first victory, or will Argentina make like their soccer counterpart and pull out a victory? Only you can decide!

Be sure to vote in all the games in the MTV World Cup of Rock! Which nation's stars rock the hardest and best? Only you can decide!

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Lil Wayne's Plea Deal, Radiohead's New Album And Michael Jackson's Estate: Three To See

Posted 6/21/10 2:30 pm EST by in Music


Every morning, MTV News delivers the top news stories in music, movies and pop culture hot and fresh for your reading and watching pleasure. We then bring together a trio of the biggest headlines for "Three to See," the daily digest of the top stories making noise on our site and across the Internet. This morning, stories on a new film role for Miley Cyrus, some interesting casting in the upcoming Taylor Lautner-led film "Abducted" and the latest on embattled Michael Jackson physician Dr. Conrad Murray lead the way.

Lil Wayne Cops Plea In Arizona Case
Though he is currently incarcerated in New York, Lil Wayne appeared in a Yuma County, Arizona courtroom via live video feed to change his plea from not guilty to guilty on one count of possession of a dangerous drug. In doing so, he will likely avoid jail time in the state of Arizona. The case stems from an arrest in January of 2008 that saw Weezy's tour bus get stopped near the Mexican border. A search yielded several drugs and a .40 caliber handgun.

Radiohead Guitarist Says New Album Nearly Complete
In an interview with the BBC, Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien said that his band's new album is almost done and it could be out by the end of the year. The as-yet-untitled album will be the group's first proper album since 2007's In Rainbows, which was the first major release to establish the "pay what you want" model for music.

Jackson Estate Has Generated Nearly $1 Billion Since Michael's Death
Though Michael Jackson was deeply in debt when he passed away nearly a year ago, the barrage of licensing deals and the spike in album sales and publishing opportunities has swung the pendulum in the other direction. According to Billboard, the estate has pulled in nearly $1 billion since Michael's death, largely based around album sales, singles downloads and the film "Michael Jackson's This Is It."

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