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Is Mariah Sporting A Hand-Me-Down Engagement Ring?

Posted 5/1/08 1:37 pm EST by in Mariah Carey, Music, Weddings


mariah.jpgOK, brace yourselves — this post is a little touchy.

So when we asked Nick Cannon about his rumored involvement with La Diva Mariah, he got all nervous and giggly — kind of like we do when we're fibbing. And now the talk is all over the place: Are the two engaged? (UPDATE: Are they married?) She's certainly sporting a heavy piece of jewelry on her ring finger.

But wait! Whoa. Could Mimi be sporting a hand-me-down?

It certainly looks that way. Last weekend, Mariah was wearing a major rock to her premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. But that bling she was proudly displaying appears to be the SAME ring Nick gave to his former fiancee, Victoria's Secret Model Selita Ebanks. Ouch.

Mariah does not seem like the kind of girl that would accept a re-gift. Compare with the ring on Nick's ex's finger, after the jump. Read More...

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50 Cent Meets Mandela -- And We Are There

Posted 5/1/08 11:38 am EST by in Activism, MTV News, Music


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This in from MTV News producer Joseph Patel, who’s currently on assignment in Africa with 50 Cent. That’s right: Africa. The rest of us are either at our NY desks, in LA traffic, or otherwise chained to the Tri-State area. (We hate you, Joseph.) Here's his report on just one of the incredible moments MTV News has captured in South Africa this week:

It's a crazy thing, my job.

Yesterday, super-production manager Phoenix Higgins, super-camera guy Nick Neofitidis, and I flew 18 hours from NYC to Johannesburg, for an assignment documenting 50 Cent and G-Unit's tour of South Africa and Tanzania.

This isn't JUST a tour. 50 is here to see and learn about the region and continent in a way that perhaps he didn't appreciate the last time he was here, in 2004. This morning, for example, we rushed to Hector Pieterson Memorial museum in Soweto to meet up with 50 and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, who was giving 50 a lesson on Apartheid and its effect on South Africa. Mandela's grandson is the spitting image of a young Nelson, and has a lot of his grandfather's austere diplomacy -- except he's young enough to know who 50 and Jay-Z are. After the tour, guided by Mandela's grandson, 50 gave out 20 dollar bills to the local kids before his car got mobbed and his manager made him speed away.

The picture above is a shot of the younger Mandela and 50, mobbed by some local Soweto kids outside the old Mandela family home. Everyone here knows who 50 Cent is, and is in a state of suspended disbelief that he is in their country.

We were on our way to the Apartheid Museum, at the entrance, in fact, when we were told by 50's tour manger that we had to turn around and head straight for Madiba's house.

(Find out who Madiba really is, after the jump...) Read More...

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Pete Wentz Slapped With Lawsuit For Alleged Bar Beatdown

Posted 4/30/08 6:06 pm EST by in Music


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Hey, remember that punch-up Pete Wentz got into last summer at a SPIN magazine party in Chicago? You don't? Why, we were all over it back then.

Anyway, now the dude allegedly on the receiving end of Wentz's fury -- a gentleman named Andy Kallas -- has filed suit against both the Fall Out Boy bassist and Chicago rock-spot Schuba's Tavern (where the beatdown took place), seeking unspecified damages. In the suit, Kallas alleges that he suffered "serious injuries to his head, mouth, and face" after being attacked by Wentz and as many as ten other individuals, and that said attack was totally unprovoked.

When we first covered the story back in June, one Schuba's patron said that Kallas was "calling Pete a sell-out, asking him 'Where's [girlfriend] Ashlee [Simpson]?' and making fun of his hoodie." Wentz himself said that he only punched Kallas because he grabbed him, and that he was only acting in self-defense.

When contacted for comment on the lawsuit by MTV News today, Wentz would only offer a "no comment."

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Atmosphere's In the Top Five: Indie Hip-Hop Justice?

Posted 4/30/08 1:12 pm EST by in Charts, Music


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The latest SoundScan figures are in, and, for a second straight week, the nation’s best-selling LP – by a long shot -- belongs to Miss Mariah. The hilariously named E=MC2, sold nearly 182,000 copies. But, let’s face it -- La Diva’s run at the top will almost certainly be cut short next week, when Madonna’s Hard Candy enters the Top 200. Madge could take on Mariah on the shelves and on the mat.

But the most interesting thing about next week’s chart, though, has to be Atmosphere, whose latest set, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That S--- Gold, enters the chart at #5. Considering the Minneapolis hip-hop duo’s still on the fringe, it was surprising to see that their record sold 36,400 copies in its first week -- not shabby at all for MC Slug (above) and producer Ant, who’ve thrived on their underground cred since getting together back in the mid-90’s.

Maybe their hipster cred has finally reached a boiling point? Or maybe it’s the guest-vocal props from Tom Waits and TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe? Then again, Atmosphere’s long been a slow burn -- they’re one of the best-selling indie hip-hop acts of the last decade, rebuffing a few major-label offers in their day. Or maybe it’s Slug’s completely tripped-out lyrics.

What do you think helped Atmosphere break through?

Check out Slug talking about the making of the album, after the jump. Read More...

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Radiohead Are Over Pay-What-You-Will, Want Fans to Pony Up

Posted 4/30/08 12:28 pm EST by in Music


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Remember all that talk about how offering music at pay-what-you-want prices was the wave of the future? Sorry -- Radiohead now say it was a one-time-only deal.

Thom Yorke told The Hollywood Reporter, “I think it was a one-off response to a particular situation…It was a moment in time.”

All of Williamsburg is weeping.

So what was the problem with pay-what-you-want? Does this mean that the numbers for In Rainbows weren’t as healthy as reported? And what effect will this have on other name-brand artists who have been experimenting – or considering experimenting – with new models? Will this discourage Metallica, who said they were inspired by Radiohead, from going down that road? What about Trent Reznor, who’s been releasing new NIN material for free? For chrissakes, even the none-too-cutting-edge boys of Coldplay are giving away their single.

Thom Yorke, we don’t understand!!

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Madonna Fans Already Lining Up, Scaring Us a Little

Posted 4/29/08 6:23 pm EST by in Music, New Music Update


(by Sarah Muller)

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We here at Newsroom have learned how intense Madonna fans can be. So we were not surprised to find hardcore devotees of La Dance Diva lined up in the rain for the chance to see her shake her frighteningly toned booty. That's what you get when Madonna is not only performing, but she’s giving a free performance of Hard Candy (out today) -- tomorrow night at NY's Roseland Ballroom. It's her “way of saying thank you” to fans yadda yadda, and the tickets are first-come, first-serve starting 6 a.m. tomorrow morning.

So, obviously, lifers are taking no chances.

Dana Spera, the first person in line, arrived outside of the club Monday at 10 a.m. -- that's right: Monday. Others arrived soon thereafter. As of 2 p.m. this afternoon, the line wrapped around the corner of 52nd and Broadway.

Armed with food, clothes, camping gear, flannel blankets, plastic tarps, trash bags, and anything to keep them warm on this freakishly wintry day (though thankfully no leg warmers or bows, because that would be so mid-80s), the crowd came prepared to wait...and wait…and wait...

But they weren’t expecting the cops who arrived to hassle them after neighbors complained. Jack Murray, numero dos in line, says the police made them take down a self-made tent covering the barricades while it was pouring outside. So mean, NYPD!

Despite the crappy weather, the group remains united in their mission to see Madonna. They’re helping each other out by holding spots if someone needs to get out of line for a few minutes to grab food or find an available bathroom. Though, one man -- let’s just call him “Russell Jones” -- said he was a little bummed out. He hasn’t been able to buy the new album yet because he’s been holding a spot near the front of the line. Russell politely refused to be identified for fear of being “reprimanded” by work for playing hookie. For chrissakes, it's Madge!

Others played it safe. Chris Barone from Connecticut took three days off from work. That's three vacation days. To him, the chance to see Madonna is priceless. “Too much time has been invested,” said Chris.

Um, we're not sure if he means love hours or actual wait time.

More pics of the Madonna devotees straining their sanity after the jump. Read More...

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Did Clay Aiken Come Out Through Song on QVC?

Posted 4/29/08 5:40 pm EST by in Music, Television


ClayBlog

An MTV News producer who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of incurring the wrath of the always-intense Claymates just sent this in:

So I watched Clay on QVC last night (it was worth it for the studio audience alone), and he debuted a bunch of new tracks from his super-anticipated-by-very-particular-people upcoming album.

Anyway, during his final song, I'm pretty sure he came out of the closet.

I give you the lyrics to the song "THE REAL ME." [Ed: This is Clay's cover of a Natalie Grant song.] Note the second verse especially...

Foolish heart looks like we're here again
Same old game of plastic smile
Don't let anybody in
Hiding my heartache, will this glass house break
How much will they take before I'm empty
Do I let it show, does anybody know?

[Chorus:]
But you see the real me
Hiding in my skin, broken from within
Unveil me completely
I'm loosening my grasp
There's no need to mask my frailty
Cause you see the real me

Painted on, life is behind a mask
Self-inflicted circus clown
I'm tired of the song and dance
Living a charade, always on parade...

Hmmm...what could he be talking about???

Tragically, the broadcast ended about 90 seconds into this performance, so I have no idea how the song ends. But my jaw hit the ground when I heard those lyrics.

A clip of Clay singing the (cough) provocative tune after the jump. Read More...

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Miley Cyrus: Dirty Minds Say What??

Posted 4/29/08 1:20 pm EST by in Music, Television


Miley

Today's MTV News morning meeting (at 9:30am -- way too early!) was set adrift by a free-for-all discussion of Mileygate. And after 20 minutes and no conclusions about what new angle could possibly be taken on this obsessively reported story -- is she the new Britney Spears? the new Shirley Temple? an underage victim or a savvy young woman? -- intern Jackie chimed in with some common-sense thoughts. So we're turning the Newsroom floor over to Jackie. Her thoughts on Miley, and what it's really like to be fifteen, after the jump. Read More...

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Nine Inch Nails, Stone Temple Pilots, R.E.M. Head Voodoo Fest

Posted 4/28/08 5:28 pm EST by in Festivals, Music


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Trent Reznor's reunited Nine Inch Nails, Scott Weiland's reunited Stone Temple Pilots, and the amazingly-still-together R.E.M. are set to headline this year's Voodoo Experience in New Orleans.

Also appearing, for the first time, are the Neville Brothers. Check back for more details on the lineup.

The festival was originally put together in the wake of Hurricane Katrina as a way of reviving local tourism and showcasing local talent, who always make up a big chunk of the bill.

And get ready to buy tickets here after May 2nd.

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From Prince to Korn: A History of Weird Radiohead Covers

Posted 4/28/08 4:49 pm EST by in Festivals, Music


princecoachella

Prince has made a habit of busting out the odd cover now and then during his shows, from the Foo Fighters (“Best of You”) at the Super Bowl to Joan Osborne’s “One of Us,” you just never know what he’s going to hit you with. He pulled a major surprise over the weekend during his headlining set at Coachella, though, covering not only the Beatles’ “Come Together” but also Radiohead’s 1993 debut single, “Creep,” which he flipped from a grungy anthem of angst and self-loathing into a towering soul jam about longing that sounded like it could have been on his seminal Purple Rain album.

That got us thinking about all the other oddball Radiohead covers out there. No, not the cheesy business like Korn’s lounge-pop version of “Creep,” but things like Bilal and the Roots funking up “Everything In Its Right Place” at Clive Davis’ Grammy party last year, jazzer Brad Mehldau getting all meditative on “Exit Music (For a Film)” and Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante taking “Lucky” to the acoustic side.

Hell, everyone has taken a swing at “Creep” -- from Moby to Tears For Fears -- but one of the weirdest, non-hit-single covers is the glam-metal, high-kicking falsetto-rama of “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” unleashed by late, lamented English rockers the Darkness. The boys made it sound like a lost Judas Priest single from the early 1980s. And remember Panic at the Disco’s Queen-like emo take on “Karma Police,” complete with xylophone and cello?

Certain Radiohead tracks have been covered to death by a wide swath of pop and rock singers: “Fake Plastic Trees,” Alanis Morissette; “Karma Police,” Howie Day; “Knives Out,” Flaming Lips; “No Surprises,” Iron & Wine. But covers have also emerged from artists of just about every genre, perhaps taken with the English band’s majestic arrangements. From NPR-favorite classical piano player Christopher O’Riley, to string quartets, bluegrass pickers, and even dub reggae fanatics. (Awkward? Yes.)

And then, of course, there’s John Mayer, who not only raved about Radiohead’s “Kid A” but covered it and put it on the bonus disc of his Heavier Things album. That surely gives the kid more cred than that tattoo sleeve.

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