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A Musical Argument For and Against 'Fifty Shades of Grey'

Posted 7/10/12 12:40 pm EST by in The Interweb

Fifty Shades of Grey

By Bryant Gilmore

As the BDSM love story of Christian Grey and Ana Steele continues to cast its spell on the hearts of housewives in America – almost 20 million, in fact – the rumors about who is to bring to life the NSFW tale of true love on the big screen seem endless. At present, some of the hot contenders are "Vampire Diaries" star Ian Somerhalder, who’s been campaigning hard and "True Blood’s" Alexander Skarsgaard for Christian, and for Ana, "Pretty Little Liars" actress Lucy Hale and Emilia Clarke ("Game of Thrones").

Now, author E.L. James has hand-picked the producers behind the Oscar-winning movie "The Social Network" to help bring her bondage dreams to reality.

In the meantime, fans and non-fans alike will have to content themselves with the plethora of Internet goodies the series has inspired, including the comedic "Fifty Shades of Grey – The Musical." Put together by YouTube duo AVbyte, the two-and-a-half minute sing-song clip gives a hilarious perspective on fans and foes of the best-selling series. The video starts off with a hardcore "Fifty Shades" fan literally singing her praises of the book while another woman counter-sings about the series' negative impact on feminism and her hopes that men don’t the wrong idea. Not to be outdone, a down low male fan pops in to profess his love for "Fifty Shades" – secretly, of course.

The video has already gotten over 62,000 hits in just three days and while that may not be on par with a new music video release from Nicki, Rihanna or Justin Bieber, it’s still pretty impressive for.

Watch below and tell us what you think:

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Get To Work! Penelope Disick Is Primed To Join The Kardashian Family Business

Posted 7/9/12 3:44 pm EST by in Television

Kourtney K

By Audrey Cook

Not only does Kris Jenner have a new grandchild, Penelope Scotland Disick, but she may also have a potential new client to manage!

With the birth of Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick’s first daughter yesterday (July 8), Kardashian mastermind Kris Jenner's wheels no doubt started turning over when exactly Penelope would enter the family business. If she decides to get started early, here are some potential ways for the new born to start building her college fund:

Kids clothing line: Penelope could follow in her mother’s footsteps and create her own clothing line. We’re talking bibs, sunglasses, diaper bags, strollers, crib bedding, you name it. It could even be at Sear’s next to the Kardashian Kollection. As they say: like mother, like daughter.

Reality TV: Move over Mason, a new kiddie is about to steal the spotlight. As the Kardashian Klan has signed on for three more seasons of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," it’s most likely that the newborn will make her debut appearance on the reality show next season, filling up her polished piggy bank fairly easily.

Stuffed animal line: Since Penelope is a little young to be wearing perfume, an alternative business venture that seems to be more original, creative and fitting for her age could be a stuffed animal line. What child wouldn’t want to create plush toys for a living?

Endorsements: The Kardashian sisters may be the queens of endorsements, promoting products ranging from jewelry and clothing to nail polishes with colors named after them. The tiny tot could get her start in the spotlight by endorsing Pampers, Gerber or even Mott’s apple juice.

No matter what happens, we’re confident Kris Jenner will take things into her own hands and turn little Penelope into a child star. Kris could even take on the new title of “Grandmanager.”

Do you think Kourtney will put Penelope in the spotlight? Leave us your thoughts below!

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Grizzly Bear Reveal Cover Art For Latest Album, Shields

Posted 7/9/12 2:30 pm EST by in Music

By Zachary Swickey

Last month, Brooklyn indie outfit Grizzly Bear announced their upcoming fourth album’s release date as September 18, but the group neglected to provide even an album title or showcase any cover art. Well, the quartet took care of those things today on their official website, revealing Shields as the official title alongside poker-aesthetic cover art (below).

The album follows the group’s heralded ’09 effort Veckatimest, which was produced by member Chris Taylor. "There's not a lot of songs," singer/multi-instrumentalist Ed Droste told Pitchfork of the 10-track LP, "but they go a lot of places."

The group recorded the album over the last year in New York and Cape Cod after studio sessions in Marfa, Texas, failed to provide anything to their liking.

"We were like, 'We're ready to do this!'" explained Droste, about the aborted Texas sessions. "Then, we got there and recorded 12 songs and were like, 'This isn't quite there.'"

Grizzly Bear reconvened in New York to focus on collaboratively writing songs together as a band. "As we get older, more confident, and more mature," said Droste, "we're becoming more comfortable with stepping on each other's toes."

As always, fans should expect something completely new from the group.

“Everyone keeps getting older and their tastes are constantly evolving, and it's always exciting to see where people are. The good news is we're not doing Veckatimest Part II,” Droste revealed.

For now, fans can stream Grizzly Bear’s single “Sleeping Ute” before Shields officially drops in the fall.

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The Dark, Dangerously Addictive Side of Carly Rae Jepsen's 'Call Me Maybe'

Posted 7/9/12 1:30 pm EST by in comedy, Covers

Carly Rae Jepsen

By Elizabeth Lancaster @lizzydl

Covers of Carly Rae Jepsen's ubiquitous #1 hit “Call Me Maybe” and the song's constant back-to-back radio play have been all fun and games … until now! We all hoped it would never come to this.

>> Jimmy Fallon And The Roots Team Up With Carly Rae Jepsen Herself For The Ultimate 'Call Me Maybe' Cover (So Everyone Else Can Stop Now)

Jared is a sad example of what happens when pop music addiction goes just too far. He showed all the classic signs of being a “Call Me Maybe” addict, so his friends and family came forward to deal with his issues and help others avoid the same fate.

>> Watch President Obama's Cover Of Carly Rae Jepsen's 'Call Me Maybe'

First, the symptoms were mild – he ripped his own jeans (and lied about it) and listened to the track 225 times in 2 days on Spotify (which really isn't all that much, is it?). His brother, roommate and girlfriend all knew the problem was serious when these symptoms escalated. He began to shout, “Where do you think you're goin’, baby?” every time his roommate left the room. Lyrics to the song soon took over his vocabulary, and after his girlfriend broke up with him for offering pennies and dimes for a kiss to waitresses all over town, he would call her screaming, “I miss you so, so bad.”

>> OK, We Suppose Colin Powell's Cover Of Carly Rae Jepsen's 'Call Me Maybe' Is Pretty Good Too

"Call Me Maybe" may seem like bubble gum pop, but it led Jared to beg, borrow and steal from those closest to him.

Watch Jared’s story below, and let him be a reminder to you to not let things go too far. It’s just a song, after all. Say it with me: It's just a song.

Check out the song that started it all, after the jump. Read More...

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Will Lily Allen's Pregnancy Affect Her Return To Music?

Posted 7/9/12 12:28 pm EST by in Lily-Allen, Music

Lily Allen

By Zachary Swickey

Fans of pop singer Lily Allen had plenty to celebrate just a few weeks ago when the English cutie officially revealed she was coming out of “retirement” to work on some new music. However, those plans may be in jeopardy now that the singer – who initially walked away from music, in part, to focus on her young daughter with husband Sam Cooper – is reportedly pregnant with her second child.

Allen and Cooper are reportedly expecting baby number two sometime around the holidays, according to The Mirror. Allen gave birth to their first daughter, Ethel Mary, just last November.

"It was a surprise but Lily and Sam are thrilled," a source revealed to the U.K. newspaper. "The pair of them have loved every minute of parenthood so far and wanted to expand their brood quickly. So it's great timing."

Last weekend, Allen made a surprise onstage appearance in Manchester at the Stone Roses reunion concert during opener Professor Green’s set. Together they performed the Professor’s “Just Be Good to Green” – their joint 2010 single. Allen was noticeably rockin’ a baggy Stone Roses tee, which effectively hid her three-month baby bump and paid tribute to the band.

While we couldn’t be happier for the couple, we can’t help but wonder if this will deter Allen from completing work on her follow-up to her ’09 hit It’s Not Me, It’s You. A source tells The Mirror that Allen plans to complete work on her new album this summer, though its release would have to be delayed until next spring. After weeks of rumors, Allen confirmed rumors that she was finally back in the studio when replying to a pop music website editor’s comment.

"You will be pleased to know that I am currently in the f**king studio with @GregKurstin so SHUT UP PETER!" she playfully wrote on Twitter to PopJustice editor Peter Robinson after he teased Allen about her retirement and no longer making music.

Allen famously retired from the music scene in 2010 when she stated she would be focusing on her family and clothing line, Lucy in Disguise. She never really walked away entirely, however: Allen wrote songs for the upcoming “Bridget Jones’ Diary” musical that will premiere in London’s iconic West End later this year.

Allen has previously worked with Kurstin when he produced and co-wrote her ’08 hit “The Fear.” More recently he co-wrote and produced Kelly Clarkson’s hit “Stronger,” which has gone on to become the biggest hit ever for an "American Idol" alum.

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Lady Gaga As Amped As We Are For The New No Doubt Album, Push And Shove

Posted 7/6/12 2:20 pm EST by in Lady Gaga, no doubt, Tweet Beat

By Zachary Swickey

We’re not the only ones excited about the new No Doubt record (their first in 11 years) – Lady Gaga reveals that she is “freaking out” about the new album.

Gwent Stefani and Co. are currently putting the finishing touches on their upcoming sixth studio album, Push and Shove, which is bound to fly off shelves just like No Doubt’s last effort, ‘01’s Rocksteady.

Lady Gaga hit up her Twitter account today (July 6) to reveal her excitement about the upcoming effort, writing, “Is anyone else freaking out about No Doubt putting out a new album. I can’t wait!”

Gaga will get her first taste of some new ND material soon enough; the band releases their new single, “Settle Down,” on July 16. No Doubt has already wrapped the track's video and recently posted a behind-the-scenes making-of featurette (below), which sadly doesn't give us even a tease of the new song and is set to their hit "Underneath it All," on their Facebook page.

No Doubt will perform the live debut of “Settle Down” July 22 at Nickelodeon’s Teen Choice Awards, which will be the band’s first official performance since their reunion tour back in ’09. They’re also set for appearances on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” on July 26 and a “Good Morning America” on July 27.

Push and Shove is largely produced by Mike “Spike” Stent (Madonna, Lady Gaga, U2), but ND also hooked up with Diplo and Switch (collectively known as Major Lazer), who contributed to the album’s title track.

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Justin Bieber Adds U.K. Tour Dates To Keep Up With High Demand

Posted 7/6/12 1:03 pm EST by in Justin Bieber, Tour Dates

Bieber

By Zachary Swickey

Big surprise here! Due to overwhelming demand, Justin Bieber has extended his U.K. tour to accommodate all the screaming fans who didn’t manage to snag tickets to his highly anticipated roadshow.

The Canuck wonder's U.K. tour kicks off February 19, 2013, in Manchester before concluding in London on March 7. While the tour’s Sheffield date had to be pulled due to unnoticed scheduling conflicts, more dates across the U.K. have been added, according to Ticketmaster. A new performance has been announced for Birmingham’s NIA, which will take place February 28, and two dates have been added to his run at London's O2 Arena, on March 5 and March 7, respectively.

Tickets for the U.S. leg of Bieber’s tour are in equally high-in-demand, as his entire stateside run sold-out in less than one hour – an amazingly rare feat – according to his manager, Scooter Braun.

The demand isn't surprising, given the fact that Beiber's Believe album recently debuted to the strongest first-week numbers of any album so far this year. Nothing can stop the Bieber train!

Check out his full U.K. tour itinerary below. Read More...

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Adele and Gotye Rule The Charts In The First Half of 2012

Posted 7/6/12 12:02 pm EST by in Adele, Charts

Adele

By Meredith Goldberg-Morse

As the first half of 2012 comes to a close (take a moment to let that sink in), Adele’s 21 and Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” reign supreme as the biggest selling album and digital song in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan (via Billboard). This should come as no surprise, given the ongoing ubiquity of Adele’s soul-baring album and Gotye’s can’t-get-it-out-of-your-head refrain.

This marks the second time 21 has topped the charts in the first half of the year—and at this rate, it could be the only full-year top-seller two-peat in SoundScan history. If Adele’s chart-busting pattern continues, her baby could be born into an untouchable musical monarchy. Lucky kid.

While no album can touch the success of 21 check out the ones that came closest:

2. Lionel Richie, “Tuskegee”
With 912,000 albums sold, Lionel Richie’s Tuskegee was his first #1 on the Billboard 200 since his 1986 hit Dancing on the Ceiling.

3. One Direction, Up All Night
The British boy band is first U.K. group to hit # 1 with a debut album, selling 899,000 records in the first half of 2012.

4. Whitney Houston, Whitney: The Greatest Hits
The diva posthumously spent three weeks at # 2 on the charts after her death on February 11, selling 818,000 records.

5. Various Artists, Now 41
Yes, they’re still making these. And apparently 714,000 people purchased one this year.

Following Gotye as the top-selling download song so far:

2. fun., “We Are Young” (featuring Janelle Monae)
This musical celebration of youth is the only other song to surpass 5 million purchases this year, with 5.09 million.

3. Carly Rae Jepsen, “Call Me Maybe”
The song that spawned a million and one YouTube parodies is in its fourth week at # 1 on the Hot 100 and clocks in with 4.06 million in sales at the mid-year mark.

4. Kelly Clarkson, “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”
Clarkson’s motivational tune is still going strong with 3.32 million sales in the first half of the year and is the top-selling song ever for an "American Idol" alum.

5. Nicki Minaj, “Starships”
Nicki rounds out the top five (and monopolizes our radios) with 3.16 year to date sales.

Do you think any albums from this year will be able to stop Adele's "21" from becoming the first two-year top-seller in history? Let us know in the comments below!

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Let's Help Ke$ha Name Her Kitten!

Posted 7/5/12 4:01 pm EST by in Tweet Beat

Kesha, Instagram

By Brandon Specktor

Two things we know for sure: 1) Mama always told us "don't accept gifts that a strange Russian forces through your car window outside a strip club at night, especially if that gift is a live animal," and 2) If anyone's gonna break that rule, it's gonna be Ke$ha.

As K recently tweeted, she is the proud new mama of a kitty "rescued" from a "Russian sketch ball" she met "after hitting a gnarly strip club" two nights ago. As you can see on Instagram, the expat pussycat is pretty adorbs. He is also tragically nameless.

How to go about such an important decision? The pop star posted an impromptu crayon ballot ("Mr. Peep$" and "Dave Grohl" seem to be the front-runners,) but so far nothing's stuck. We could look to other famous furballs for inspiration. It is a matter of public record that Katy Perry's cat companion answers to Kitty Purry. So what would the felinification of Ke$ha's name be? Probably something lame like Kat$ha. So no. We're better than that. Here's five more brilliant suggestions:

1. Meow-gic Mike. Like Channing Tatum before him, this nameless clutch of hungry muscle started his career at a strip club. Let's foster fraternity between nudie bar refugees, and just maybe, with the help of Ke$ha's powerful influence, no cat will ever have to parade itself in a**less chaps for a tin of kibble again.

2. Dollar Sign ("$" to his colleagues). They say that pets adopt the traits of their owners. If that's true, this kitty will no doubt develop a quick taste for the finer things, and for abbreviating his identity with a single number pad keystroke.

3. Dr. Glitterbomb. We like this one because it sounds kind of sinister. Like, if Ke$ha weaponized her glitter bombs on a world-threatening scale, this cat would no doubt be her faithful lap pet/Chief of Evil Party Science. Also, if on the off chance this cat should become a YouTube musical sensation (it happens), maybe he can sign on as a guest producer on Ke$ha's next record. Think about it: "Purrrty All Night (Doc Glitterbomb mix)." Just sounds right, doesn't it?

4. White Russian. Because he was probably rescued from one, and his fur has that succulent cream-and-kahlua tint. The Dude abides.

So what should it be? Let us know in the comments below!

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Kanye West Presents Kim Kardashian With Sentimental Gold Skull Statue

Posted 7/5/12 2:18 pm EST by in Kanye West

Kanye West

By Meredith Goldberg-Morse

Given his penchant for extravagant spending, it should come as no surprise that Kanye West has recently been showering those closest to him with $34,000 gold skull statues. If nothing else, at least we now know that he’s a practical gift-giver!

For Father’s Day, Kanye got pal Jay-Z a yellow gold skull statue with 1,680 star-cut red topaz gemstones set around the head. Good luck topping that one, Blue Ivy.

Kanye, who didn’t trust ordinary shipping services with such an extraordinary gift, chartered a private jet (he must be really into those) in order to hand deliver the statue to the new father.

Lest girlfriend Kim Kardashian become jealous, he gave her one as well — though Kim’s is adorned with white sapphires and reportedly engraved with the letters “KKW” for “Kim Kardashian West.” Awww. Slightly less pricey than the tricked-out Lamborghini Kim bought Kanye for his birthday, but it’s the thought that counts, right?

West apparently found inspiration for the gift after discovering that Michael Jackson gave the same one to Elizabeth Taylor, which is simultaneously sweet and ominous.

Our only question: If red roses mean “I love you,” what does a gold skull statue set with white sapphires mean?

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