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In Honor Of Steve Jobs' Resignation, We Pick The Best Songs From Apple Ads

Posted 8/25/11 1:22 pm EST by in Retirement


Steve Jobs

By Ali Semigran

In the wake of the news that Steve Jobs has stepped down from his position as CEO at Apple, it's difficult to truly measure just how much he has influenced and changed all of our lives. Between MacBooks and iPods and iPhones and iPads and the phrase "There's an app for that," the world would have been a very different place without Jobs and what he did during his 35 years as Apple co-founder.

In honor of his resignation from the technology behemoth (there's no official reason or explanation as to why Jobs opted to leave yet) we wanted to pay homage to another great thing Jobs provided us with: A soundtrack. And we don't just mean the play lists we've all created on our iTunes accounts!

We’re talking about the killer songs that were used in Apple ads that had us bobbing our heads, tapping our toes, singing along to the television and finding new, exciting artists in addition to some of our old favorites (not to mention, getting tempted into buying all the products that were being advertised). Here now are our top five favorite songs that were featured in Apple commercials. We dedicate this one to you, Steve! Read More...

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What's Going On Here? Hotel Windows Being Blacked Out In Preparation For VMAs

Posted 8/25/11 10:30 am EST by in VMAs


As if daily announcements about live performers and presenters weren't getting us pumped up enough for the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, the excitement is continuing to build in downtown Los Angeles, where tons of people are running around all crazy putting the big show together!

The Newsroom Blog is behind the scenes, poking around to get exclusive looks in and outside of the venue and black carpet area, plus spying on celeb interviews and more. While trucks unloading equipment and workers flying high in the air on pieces of machinery is pretty standard around here, we did notice that the windows of the hotel where the celebrity arrivals will take place are being carefully blacked out. Very curious.

What don't they want us to see?! We’re not sure what’s happening but (holds magnifying glass to eye) we’ll get to the bottom of it!

Read on for another behind-the-scenes pic! Read More...

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Lady Gaga Lives To Give And Other Artists Should Be Very Thankful

Posted 8/25/11 9:02 am EST by in Lady Gaga


By James Dinh

Just about a year ago, Lady Gaga walked up to the podium at the 2010 Video Music Awards to accept her Video of the Year Moonman for "Bad Romance" from the one and only Cher. Not only was it an evening highlight because Mother Monster was decked in her meat dress when she gave fans a quick listen to her then-unheard "Born This Way," but also because the stage was graced by two of the biggest pop icons around. Fast-forward roughly a year later and it's been confirmed that the duo hit the studio together to duet on a song called "The Greatest Thing" for Cher's upcoming album.

While the collabo remains highly-anticipated, Little Monsters have already gotten a taste of the track as it's a song Gaga recorded a few years back, which ended up on the Internet. "I wrote that song a long time ago, and I've never put it on one of my own albums for, really, no particular reason," the pop star recently told MTV News. "I always write these concept records, and it just didn't fit in. But it's always been, like, this big, massive, beautiful hit record and everyone always says, 'Why don't you put that on your album?' And I said, 'I don't know, it just doesn't fit with everything else.'"

With "The Greatest Thing" now in Cher's hands, this marks just another Gaga-penned tune that has made its way to other artists. The duet is expected to be released in September, so in anticipation of its release, we here at the MTV Newsroom have decided to take a look back at some of the other songs that Gaga has passed along. Read More...

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Poll: Best VMA-Winning Video Of The Year Of All Time

Posted 8/24/11 6:00 pm EST by in Newsroom Poll, VMAs


Hey guys, just one more thing!

Your support of our Ultimate VMA Showdown turned the MTV Newsroom upside down. Let’s just say the response was pretty overwhelming and we couldn’t be more thankful for all the support. We’ll have the results for you in the lead-up to Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards.

But in the meantime, we have one final poll for you. You already told us who you thought had the best video of the 1980s (INXS, "Need You Tonight), 1990s (TLC, "Waterfalls") and 2000s (Panic! At the Disco, "I Write Sins Not Tragedies"), but now we want to find out which one you think is the best VMA-winning Video of the Year of all. Vote in our poll below.

Poll closes Saturday, August 27 at noon! Results will be announced in the lead-up to the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, which air live from Los Angeles on Sunday, August 28 at 9 PM on MTV. Don't forget to tune in!

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Beyonce Is Going To Tear The Roof Off The VMAs And Here Is The Evidence

Posted 8/24/11 3:45 pm EST by in Beyonce, VMAs


Beyonce

By Morgan Schwartz

The 2011 MTV Video Music Awards are only a few days away, and the announcement of the newest performer has just made our excitement level spike. Beyonce, who was announced today as a VMA performer, has given some of the most electric live performances in recent memory. We can’t wait to see what she’s got planned for Sunday (although we’re sure it will include some killer dance moves and awesome riffs), so in preparation we decided to take a look back at some of our other favorite Queen Bey performances of all time.

“Run The World (Girls)” - Billboard Music Awards, 2011
With an introduction featuring people like Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga, Barbara Streisand, Stevie Wonder and Bono, there was no way Beyonce’s performance at the Billboard Music Awards this year was going to be anything less than spectacular. The organization honored B with its Millennium Award, so it seems fitting that her performance of “Run the World (Girls)” was one of the best of the century. Beyonce’s performance, which was supplemented by some killer effects, dancers and massive LED screens, truly brought the girl power out in full force.

Beyoncé - Run the World (Girls) Animation for Billboard Awards from Ron Winter on Vimeo.

“The Star-Spangled Banner” - Super Bowl, 2004
In our opinion, Beyonce is the queen of amazing, high-octane performances, but we always forget just how incredible her voice is even without the awesome outfits and large-scale sets. We were reminded just how much Beyonce can hold her own vocally without all the extras in 2004 when she took to the 50-yard line to sing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl. Not only did she look gorgeous, Beyonce sang a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” that likely brought even the most manly football players to patriotic tears.

Read More...

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Lady Gaga Joins A Long List Of Musical Icons To Appear On 'The Simpsons'

Posted 8/24/11 2:45 pm EST by in Lady Gaga, Television


Lady Gaga

By Zachary Swickey

Sure, Lady Gaga may have plenty of Grammy Awards, number one hits and a Weird Al parody to boot, but there is one pivotal milestone that she has yet to achieve – a voice appearance on Fox’s “The Simpsons." Well, that’s finally about to change – this week, Mother Monster recorded her lines for an episode titled “Lisa Goes Gaga” that is set to air next spring.

Gaga talked with Entertainment Weekly about how excited she was to be a part of the iconic show, saying, “I make music, but I don’t do voice-overs every day of the week, and their characters are so awesomely convincing and sincere and wild and funny, I had to remind myself constantly of the sincerity of the humor.”

Series creator Matt Groening had nothing but praise for Gaga. “Since the very beginning, I’ve always wanted to have the most iconic personalities of our time, and she’s it.” He continued, “It’s very hard to top reality with her, but I’m sure we’ll come up with something that is going to be as improbable as her usual wardrobe.”

If you aren’t aware how big a deal it is to appear on the classic animated show (currently in its astounding 23rd season), then take a gander at this list and see what other musicians have stopped by Springfield.

Paul McCartney
The living legend appeared alongside his wife Linda (three years before her death in 1998) in an episode appropriately titled “Lisa the Vegetarian.” It was the perfect vehicle for the Beatle – for those unaware, McCartney is a vegetarian and staunch animal rights activist. The star’s condition for appearing was that Lisa remain a vegetarian for the rest of the season, and the show obliged. (Seriously though, who would say no to Paul freaking McCartney?)

Britney Spears
At the peak of her early career, Spears appeared on the program in 2000 during the 11th season in an episode titled “The Mansion Family.” Her likeness – donning classic pigtails and a tube top – hosts the Springfield Pride Awards, and after awarding a character the title of “Oldest Man in Springfield,” the star accidently kills him with her “kiss of death” when she presents the award.

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365 Days Of Katy Perry's 'Teenage Dream'

Posted 8/24/11 1:25 pm EST by in Katy Perry, VMAs


Katy Perry, Twitpic

Katy Perry, Twitpic

By James Dinh

It's been exactly one year since Katy Perry released her sophomore album, Teenage Dream, and the pop titan still isn't ready to wake up. After selling over 1.7 million copies across in the U.S., spawning five No. 1 singles and breaking just a few records, the California Gurl just keeps on marching forward and doesn't appear to be stopping -- especially with her leading nine nominations for this Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards.

Naturally, the always-colorful pop star took to Twitter early Wednesday morning to rejoice in the project's one-year anniversary, and of course, show off some goodies. No, we're not talking about her whipped-cream bra, but a sugary-sweet album birthday cake. "Happy 1 year birthday to Teenage Dream! We made history, it's been a beautiful year! SO thankful!" she wrote alongside the above Twitpic.

No word on whether Mrs. Russell Brand will release another track from the mega-successful album, which could drive the singer past the record she now shares with Michael Jackson after sending five songs from one album to the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100. (We’re hoping for “Peacock.”)

In honor of Perry's massive yearlong Teenage Dream takeover, the MTV Newsroom wants to know what’s your favorite single from the LP? Do you prefer the bouncy West Coast-repping anthem "California Gurls," the celebratory weekend tune "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)," the diversity-celebrating “Firework” or any of the tunes in between? Vote in our poll, after the jump. Read More...

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Best New Artist VMA Winners: Where Are They Now?

Posted 8/24/11 11:52 am EST by in VMAs


It’s one of the biggest categories of the night. Previous winners include Eminem, Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, 50 Cent, Justin Bieber and Nirvana. We’re talking about the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist, and as usual, this year’s nominees represent some of the hottest new acts in music.

With talent this diverse vying for the Moonman, it’s anyone’s guess who will walk away from the Aug. 28 ceremony victorious. Will voters opt for Big Sean’s smooth R&B hit “My Last” or will they lean toward the harder hip-hop of Tyler, The Creator’s “Yonkers” or Wiz Khalifa’s “Black and Yellow”? Will they prefer Kreayshawn's fun and funky “Gucci Gucci” to Foster the People’s fresh rocker “Pumped Up Kicks”?

We have not idea who’s going to take the prize, but you can cast your vote here.

What we do know is that many of the winners of this prize have gone on to enjoy enormous fame and great success on the charts. In fact, two of the biggest stars in the world right now are our two most recent winners. With the big show just a few days away, we thought we’d check in on the last five winner to see how things are going! Read More...

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Bands We Like: Mariachi El Bronx

Posted 8/24/11 10:13 am EST by in Bands We Like


Mariachi El Bronx

By Zachary Swickey

Mariachi El Bronx is a band you need to hear to believe. Never in my life did I think that I would find myself jamming along to a kickass mariachi record. Leave it to Los Angeles punk vets The Bronx to create an alter ego that is completely atypical of their usual style but equally as amazing.

You see, The Bronx are a top-notch hardcore punk act known for putting on bats**t crazy live shows, resembling the closest thing we have to the raucousness of Black Flag in their heyday. The Bronx’s three self-titled albums are a greatest hits package of what I like to call “manthems” (songs that make you want to punch something yet have an inexplicable bouncy quality). On the heels of their last effort in ‘08, they announced the impending release of a mariachi record. Say what?

I thought it was some type of joke at first … until I heard the music. My first taste, “Cell Mates,” was a fun, catchy track with piping trumpets and all the typical mariachi elements, but it seemed like a one-trick pony. Then I heard the mellow, heartfelt “Holy,” which slowed things down and blew me away, instantly converting me into a true mariachi music fan in the process. Matt Caughthran’s vocals have always had a great intensity and emotion to them with The Bronx, and that quality remains with El Bronx, yet in such a different way. His voice can be surprisingly soft and delicate on tracks like “My Love,” which undoubtedly leaves woman swooning. Every track on the album is worth a listen and will make you feel like you’re partyin’ south of the border. Read More...

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Celebs React To East Coast Earthquake On Twitter

Posted 8/23/11 3:54 pm EST by in Tweet Beat, Twitter


Snooki is worried it’s a sign of the impending apocalypse. It made Elizabeth Banks, who is in North Carolina filming “The Hunger Games,” feel like she’s at home in LA. Former New Yorker and “TRL” host Carson Daly sympathizes (kind of). Ian Somerhalder thinks it might have had something to do with Mother Earth being mad at us. And Royce Da 5’9” does not think the magnitude was a coincidence.

Everyone is tweeting up a storm about the big East Coast earthquake. Here are a few choice ones.

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