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By Danielle Genet

Britney Spears’ Femme Fatale tour kicks off tomorrow in Sacramento, California. MTV News has been following Britney since the beginning but we’re so excited for one of this summer’s most anticipated tours, we’ve decided to look back at some of Britney’s hottest dance hits and help you relive some of Britney’s most memorable routines. Britney doesn’t just do the jazz square, she takes it to the next level.

Baby One More Time

Watching the “Baby One More Time” video stirs nostalgia inside us and her choreographed dance moves remain vivid in our memories. Britney even shows off her acrobatic skills around 2:19, doing a round-off back handspring. The video is one of many that showcases Britney in front of a pyramid formation of synchronized back-up dancers (around 2:41). One of the main purposes of a pyramid formation is to focus the audience’s attention on the dancer in the center, which gives Britney the chance to shine. It also gives the back-up dancers the opportunity to improvise for a few counts and then everyone can join back together at a specific count without looking sloppy.

Read on for more. Read more...

Tags britney spears

A year ago, MTV News production assistants Rya Backer and Steven Roberts realized that their devotion to chasing stories was seriously getting in the way of their love lives. That's why they dreamed up "First Date," a regular feature that allows them to get up close and personal to some of our favorite hot new artists.

By Steven Roberts

I first caught wind of Kreayshawn nearly a month ago when most of the blogosphere caught wind of her, but I had actually come across the Bay Area rapper a few times before. I first saw her "dancing" in a video with former First Dater Lil B the Based God. But I thought nothing of it other than “those two are crazy high. I wish I was that high.”

I would see her again opening for Andre Nickatina this past April. If you don't know who Andre Nickatina is, don't worry, just Google "AYO for Yayo" and enjoy. Again, I thought nothing other than she's pretty dope, and people from the Bay Area are both weird and awesome.

It wasn't until her video for "Gucci Gucci" dropped that I put two and two together. I loved the song and video and instantly thought she'd be perfect for First Date.

Apparently half the music business thought she'd be perfect fit on their label too. Once the bidding war for her services was done, we were able to set up a shoot. We decided to shoot with Kreayshawn at SoHo Billiards downtown.

If you watch closely you'll see that neither of us could actually play billiards (fellas, never let ladies pick the first date location). She claimed her mom was a pool shark, and I used to actually own a pool table, but yeah we would've been better served getting drunk at the bar. All in all, it was a good time, so be sure to check it out below.

Tags First Date, kreayshawn

Madonna’s manager, Guy Oseary, took to Twitter yesterday to announce that the Queen of Pop would be hitting the studio next month to begin work on her twelfth studio album – her first since 2008’s Hard Candy. “Madonna goes into the recording studio next month to begin work on new album,” he wrote. Soon after, a fan asked who M would be hitting the studio with, and Oseary responded, saying, “She has a good idea on which producers she will be working with.”

He did not elaborate further.

Which got us thinking about what we’d like to hear from the pop trendsetter who’s done it all. More than 28 years into her record shattering career, Madonna really doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone – she’s the top-selling female artist ever, has had more top ten hits than Elvis (or anyone else, alive or dead) and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. But with Lady Gaga hotter on her heels than any other diva who’s made a play for her throne, Madge does have a reason to put out a killer album.

As longtime fans, we know what has and hasn’t worked for Madonna over the years. Read on for our thought on how she should approach her next record. Read more...

Tags Madonna

By Morgan Schwartz

If you’ve turned on the radio in the last few months and had a major case of déjà vu, you’re not alone. While it could be that you’re hearing Katy Perry’s “E.T.” for the fourth time in an hour, it could also be due to a rising trend in pop music: the borrowed melody. Many artists are taking a cue from Vanilla Ice (who’s iconic song “Ice Ice Baby” features the bass line of Queen’s “Under Pressure”) and starting to take old melodies, alter them or add new lyrics, and incorporate them into their singles. The end result? A jam that is somehow familiar, new and exciting – and an instant hit.

The newest song to draw from a well-known tunes is Jason Derulo’s “Don’t Wanna Go Home.” Derulo is no stranger to borrowing a refrain and reworking it to create a pop-y hit – just think back to his debut single, “Watcha Say.” The haunting harmonies from Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek” provided both the chorus and title for the song and helped Derulo catapult his way into the spotlight.

Now, he’s done it again. In his new single, Derulo combines well-known Jamaican folk song “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” with the catchy 90’s dance hit, “Show Me Love” by Robin S. Although “Show Me Love” has withstood the test of time and can still be heard occasionally on a night out, by adding his own spin on the tune, Derulo has given the tune a more contemporary feel. Although we’re huge fans of the originals, “Don’t Wanna Go Home” sure gets us moving.

It’s also not the first track to get inspiration from a past hit. Let’s take a look at some more. Read more...

Tags Jason DeRulo, lupe fiasco, The Black Eyed Peas

No tour is complete without some antics, and it seems that the men of NKOTBSB are not immune to pulling pranks. In fact, they seem quite into the idea of putting one another in uncomfortable situations.

When MTV News caught up with New Kids Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood, as well as Backstreet Boys Brian Littrell and Howie Dorough backstage during their tour stop in New Jersey on Monday, the guys shared what they've been doing to one another to keep themselves entertained and keep their counterparts on their toes.

"I was told night after night to look down during 'Hangin' Tough' cause there's a glass floor on part of the stage and I keep forgetting cause it really is one of the most special moments for me in the show," Donnie warmly recalled. "Well, I finally looked down and I saw Nick Carter's naked bum. He mooned me from below the stage. Very pale bum."

Jealous and afraid you're missing out on something? Well, he added, "I think some people are high enough in the seats that if they thought to look down they could probably see it…"

That's not the only time male nudity has happened whilst on the road. Howie shared, "They got us pretty good one time too…"

Want to know how? Read on to check out the video! Also, shout out to R_A_M_89 for the fan-submitted question! Read more...

Tags backstreet boys, NKOTB, NKOTBSB

Judging by the sexed-up trailer to 'Friends with Benefits,' Justin Timberlake doesn't hold a lot back. He continues that trend when sitting down with Playboy for a revealing interview. Timberlake's candid details would probably have gotten him kicked out of the Mickey Mouse Club, including details that he kicks back with pot every once in a while. Timberlake doesn't shy away from the question when asked if he smokes. "Absolutely," he says.

Our friends at MTV Buzzworthy sent us their 10 favorite reveals from the interview, on newsstands now.

1. On managing personalities: "Some people are just better high."

2. On marijuana: "The only thing pot does for me is it gets me to stop thinking."

3. On his need to chill: "I feel I'm just getting to a point in my life where I'm looking around, going, There's a lot to enjoy if I can just sit still, actually stop and take more time."

4. On how he chooses his friends and relationships: "You probably gravitate toward people who understand your scenario."

5. On sex scenes with the stunning Mila Kunis: "I'd be lying if I said it wasn't completely awkward. I couldn't tell you the number of people in the crew watching me and my bare a**, but it was a lot."

6. On real-life "special friend" scenarios: "As corny as it sounds, the 'friends' part counts just as much as the 'benefits' part, if not more."

7. On when you can expect a new Justin Timberlake album: "Music is not my focus right now. It may be someday. It could happen next month or next year, but right now it's not where it's at for me."

8. On "Jersey Shore": "Awkward in an awesome way. I've never seen the show, but I met them backstage at the MTV awards and they were this fearsome group, storming around the hallway. That looked pretty awesome."

9. On Old Britney vs. New Britney: "In Britney's defense, if you pulled up a video I did from 2003, I
couldn't do the s*** I did then either."

10. On the music on his iPod: "Radiohead has the ability to make you feel you're cramped up in a closet and then, all of a sudden, you burst out into an open wheat field and everything turns sepia or something."

Tags Justin Timberlake

E Street Band saxophonist Clarence “The Big Man” Clemons is said to be in “responsive and stable condition” after suffering a stroke earlier this week. Now, one of his most recent collaborators, Lady Gaga, has posted a 13-minute compilation of well wishes to her official YouTube channel.

Gaga has been tweeting her love for the acclaimed musician since news of his health problems first surfaced. On Monday, she asked her legion of fans to “make some get well videos” for Clemons, who she calls “my very close friend.”

Later that same day, she tweeted, “In bed with Mommy thinking about Clarence, I can't wait for you to see the beautiful video we made together. He's a really special person.”

Clemons lent his talents to two tracks – “Hair” and the current Billboard top 10 hit “Edge of Glory” – on Gaga’s mega-selling album Born This Way. Of working with Gaga, Clemons told Rolling Stone, "It was a day I'll never forget. When I left the studio, it took me a few days to come down. What she does, man, it just blows my mind.”

It seems she feels the same way.

Check the video out below. Read more...

Tags clarence clemons, Lady Gaga

By Meg Jones

Seventeen-year-old YouTube sensation Christina Grimmie was in the MTV newsroom Monday and had everyone remembering MTV Iggy's look at the Top 10 People Most Likely To Become The Next Justin Bieber.

Since we listed her a year ago, she has quadrupled the number of subscribers on her YouTube channel, zeldaxlove64, to over 920,000 people, and her career is taking off with the release of her debut EP Find Me, which was released yesterday.

She’ll also be hitting the road this summer opening for Selena Gomez. The punk-rock pianist and singer told MTV News about how she was discovered on YouTube by Gomez's parents (talk about a Bieber connection!).

Read more...

Tags christina grimmie, Justin Bieber, mattyb

Jason Derulo is riding high with a new single “Don’t Want to Go Home” from his upcoming sophomore album Future History. The “Whatcha Say” star will be revisiting hits while previewing his new club-heavy record with a concert at New York City’s Webster Hall, and MTV News is giving two fans and their friends the chance to attend.

Want to win tickets? All we need you to do is follow us on Twitter and tweet at us with: “@mtvnews I want my Jason Derulo tickets. Pick Me!” More of a Facebook fiend? No problem! Just go over to our Facebook page.

Derulo’s show kicks off AT&T’s Music for You concert series, designed to bring different genres of music to music lovers – especially young ones! – across the country. Fans unable to attend the live performances can still connect with the artists on Facebook via live chats and other exclusive content at facebook.com/att.

The contest is open to all Derulo fans in the tri-state area. Get official rules here.

Tags Jason DeRulo

By Danielle Genet

Rockin’ the pixie haircuts, tattoos and facial piercings, comparisons between music artists Dev and Kreayshawn are inevitable. Strong and edgy yet feminine, Dev and Kreayshawn create catchy songs guaranteed to get the party started.

Kreayshawn's first single, "Gucci, Gucci," was released on iTunes today, and the accompanying music video has been blowing up on YouTube. Dev can be seen opening for Usher on the second leg of his OMG Tour. She is also currently teasing us with short promos for her newest single “Dance in the Dark,” which will be featured on her debut album The Night the Sun Came Up when it’s released on Sept. 20.

Both artists have mass appeal and share a similar club energy that really gets us moving. Below, check out our breakdown of how both artists are carving out their places in pop culture.

Read more...

Tags Dev, kreayshawn