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Young The Giant Talk Making It Big Over Pizza Slices On First Date

Posted 4/4/12 2:45 pm EST by in First Date, Music, Video

By Rya Backer

Young the Giant first crept up on my radar around the same time they did for most of you: at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.

There, at our annual Super Bowl of music and spectacle, sandwiched somewhere between Lady Gaga’s (I mean, Jo Calderone’s) monologue and Lil Wayne’s shreds were a group of young guys from Irvine, Calif., making their television debut with a whole gang of fans bused in from their fair city to cheer them on.

Young the Giant steamrolled through their standout single, "My Body," making the whole of the room (and those watching at home) believers in their mission of delivering anthemic rock, heavy on melodies and choruses you’re itching to sing along to (listen to their other single, "Cough Syrup" for further reference).

I’d wanted to talk to them further ever since I saw that performance, replete with frontman Sameer Gadhia’s well-choreographed falls into the crowd. And I’m so happy I was able to, as these five guys are much more than a band. They’re best – and I mean best – friends, even admitting to having lived together for the past five years in various houses. Their last one also housed a Jacuzzi tub that some members embraced and others (namely, guitarist Jacob Tilley) very vocally avoided – a fact I only know because offering the five some downtime to just be themselves rendered a lightning in a bottle/secret sauce concoction that was so exciting to watch. They were honest, open and so excited to sit down and share some slices before soundcheck. Not unlike the fans in the audience on VMA night, I was so happy just to be there.

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Kids These Days Stand Up For Music Programs In Schools (Video)

Posted 4/3/12 10:03 am EST by in Activism, Video

By Vaughn Schoonmaker

In today’s world of music entertainment, it's often easy to associate musicians and bands with a genre, even if the artists like to mix it up every now and then. Kids These Days, a seven-member band of teenagers from Chicago, have defied my ability to do this.

Three of the band's members dropped by MTV News recently while in town for a show to give us a chance to understand what lies behind their unique jazz-meets-alternative rock-meets-funk-meets-soul-meets-hip-hop-meets-pop sound.

"Traphouse Rock" vocalist and keyboardist Macie Stewart specified. "That's what we call our music. We just started jamming in [guitarist] Liam's basement. I don't think we ever consciously said let's put this all together, jazz, soul, rock. I think it just kind of came through because that's what we listen to, that's what we're a part of, and that's what came out in our playing."

I found myself contemplating how this group of kids found themselves in a band together in the first place. The members include a trombone player, a rapper and both a male and female ready to take over the vocal load. Besides all being from Chicago, I wondered, what was the connection between these seemingly unconnected kids?

"A lot of us come from a jazz background," trumpet player Nico Segal explained, referring to a genre where improvisation and jamming sessions are considered the norm. "A lot of us come from Chicago-sponsored after school programs where we got to play music."

A big part of the band's "message," as Nico put it, is to keep the spirit behind such programs in Chicago (and the rest of the country). "A lot of arts programs are getting cut all over the United States," he cautioned. "Music is always the first thing to go in these schools that don't have what they need. That's a big part of Kids These Days is to stand up for that."

The Kids have played all over the country and opened for all kinds of bands, but their biggest highlight so far was playing Lollapalooza last August.

"We've got some really dope stuff coming up," assured the rapper of the band, Vic Mensa. "We're playing The Roots' Block Party in June. That's a dream come true for us."

If you're curious about the band's unique, almost collective approach to music, then check out the video for their latest single, "Summerscent," to see just how well they pull off their different sounds and talents when they come together as one.

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Check Out The Exclusive Kings of Ace Pool Party At Miami Music Week (Video)

Posted 3/23/12 4:45 pm EST by in dance, Music, Video

By Nicholas Philippou

"Wow!" That’s the simplest and best way to sum up the Kings of Ace Pool Party at the National Hotel.

The party delivered on everything you would expect from a trip to Miami Music Week – beautiful weather, beautiful people and big beats combined with a cornucopia of celebrities, DJs and EDM fanatics.

Where do I start? The scheduled acts included the marvelous Nervo sisters, Bassjackers, Quintino, Bobby Burns and Sidney Samson, who brought King of Krunk Lil’ Jon with him to perform their remix of “Mutate.” The party rose to a frenzy when Ultra Fest main stager Afrojack smashed the stage with his Wall Recording’s label-mates, Shermanology, for an energizing rendition of “Can’t Stop Me.” He later shared the stage with R3hab, firing up the crowd with favorites like “Prutataa” and “Sending My Love.”

The music was the main event, but there was certainly a steady buzz in the crowd for some of the celebrities who turned out, including Afrojack’s friend and recording partner, Paris Hilton, who took pictures of the raging crowd from onstage during his set, and NBA Hall-of-Famer Dennis Rodman, who seemed to be anything but retired from the Miami party scene.

The vibe was steady cool and the energy from the crowd was high throughout the day. Besides a huge line outside, the music attracted a swell of people from the beach just outside the party doors. They didn’t even need to come inside to get their party on!

A special thanks to Pacha NYC for helping us skip the line and Andrew from Third Day Productions for bringing you a very exclusive sneak peek of the party that you’ll only see on MTV News. Check it out below:

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Are you in South Beach for Miami Music Week? Tell us where you’re going this weekend in the comments section so maybe we can hook up.

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Blake Shelton And Adam Levine: Breaking Down Their Love

Posted 3/21/12 9:24 am EST by in Television, The Voice, Video

The world seems to be obsessed with the bromance friendship (that’s the term they prefer, it seems) between "The Voice" judges Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. We here at MTV News have been aware of it for some time, which is why when we caught up with Shelton at a recent event we asked him all about it.

So, imagine our my surprise when I headed over to People.com on Wednesday morning and read that my question had left such a stamp on Shelton’s life that he was still talking about it in interviews weeks later.

Here’s the direct quote from Shelton in People, making reference to this article I wrote a couple weeks back where he jokes about wanting to kiss Adam: "A few weeks ago somebody asked me, 'What about you and Adam's bromance. Is there anything to it?' And I sputtered off, 'Yeah, I'm going to make out with him.' The next thing you read is, 'Blake wants to kiss Adam.' Man, I can't believe how ... How honest I was. But it's fun. It's just like we're sitting around the bar, making jabs at each other."

Now, I find it totally flattering that Mr. Shelton would remember my question and our encounter with such accuracy when asked about it. And, perhaps, in the end, the romance is not with him and Adam, but with him and, well, someone else…

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Check Out A Pre-Fame Adele Jamming With An Acoustic Guitar

Posted 3/19/12 9:21 am EST by in Adele, Video

Adele

Just a few years ago, Adele was another high school kid with a dream. Of course, she also had a once-in-a-generation voice and a charisma to spare, so it's only natural that she went on to become a superstar.

And now we have proof that the powerhouse voice that blew everyone else off the stage at last month's Grammy Awards has been there all along. Video shot by a high school friend of a 16-year-old Adele singing an early, acoustic version of her song "Daydreamer," which appears on her hit 2008 debut 19, was provided to Britain's The Sun and showcases her amazing voice … and a bit of the fun-loving attitude that makes Adele such a fun-favorite.

"It was clear she was going to be a star. Some people were that step above everyone else. And Adele was one of them," Allan Rose, a classmate at London's BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology, told The Sun. She's clearly stayed grounded. She was bubbly, fun, outgoing and popular at school. ... Everyone is proud we spent time with this amazing talent."

The BRIT School for Performing Arts has a long history of producing top-notch talent. Amy Winehouse, Leona Lewis, Jessie J and Kate Nash all attended BRIT and it is where the band The Kooks came together.

Check out video of 16-year-old Adele performing a stripped-down, early version of a song that would go on to be one of her first hits, after the jump. Read More...

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Nick Jonas Breaks Down His Life In New York City (Video)

Posted 3/16/12 4:44 pm EST by in Broadway, Jonas Brothers, Video

Nick Jonas moved to New York City earlier this year. The move was prompted by his starring role in the Broadway smash "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying."

For some a move to the Big Apple can be a bit of an overwhelming experience. But Nick is a New Jersey native and a longtime theater kid, so his return to the East Coast, after putting up home bases in Dallas and La La Land, has been quite the fun change of pace.

"I’m living here in New York. I have my dog with me, Elvis. I live In Chelsea and I love living there and I love my place," he told MTV News during a recent stop by the Newsroom, where he also dished all about his run on the Great White Way. "It is such a major life change coming from L.A. … and really setting up my world here has been a really interesting experience."

So, what does Nick love most about the Big Apple? "Favorite thing about New York? I think the fact that it's all here all on this island — well in Manhattan, at least — and it's just an amazing city," he said. "The energy here is unlike anywhere in the world, and [there are] so many creative and talented people in this city and so many people that are passionate about theater and the arts and the things I'm really passionate about. Being around those people inspires me in so many ways. I think it's one of those places that you have to live in once in your life and I'm blessed to be here."

Hear more about Nick’s life in NYC and what he does now that he lives here below!

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Nick Jonas Breaks Down His Dream To Write A Broadway Show

Posted 3/15/12 3:38 pm EST by in Jonas Brothers, Video

Nick Jonas is no newbie when it comes to starring in Broadway shows and big, splashy musicals. He’s already got quite the resume for a 19-year-old.

Currently he stars as the lead in “How To Succeed In Broadway Without Really Trying,” but this is not Nick’s first rodeo. Previously, he appeared in “Les Miserables” (Twice! Once in NYC and again in London), “Hairspray,” "A Christmas Carol," "Beauty and the Beast" and "Annie Get Your Gun."

Additionally, his musical theater chops have been tested on the small screen in two uber-successful “Camp Rock” flicks and a two-time role on the NBC musical drama “Smash.”

With all that experience to draw from, Nick recently told MTV News that he wouldn’t mind, perhaps, working on his own musical. He explained, “I’ve had a couple ideas as to what that could be, but I feel like that’ll be sort of a life project,” he explained. “I’d be willing to take my time on that and make sure it’s great.”

He'd love to adapt a few movies for the stage, explaining that he’s already worked on getting the rights to some of those films to possibly put his Nick stamp on. Then again, he wouldn’t mind starting from scratch.

He breaks it all down in the interview segment, which we included for you below.

What do you think of Nick’s dreams to produce original content for the Great White Way? Let us know in the comments below.

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Nick Jonas Set To Return To 'Smash'

Posted 3/13/12 10:10 am EST by in Jonas Brothers, Television, Video

Only weeks ago, Nick Jonas stopped by the MTV Newsroom and shared that he wanted to return to the NBC hit musical drama, "Smash." Well, it seems, his wish is now coming true.

Nick will tackle his bad boy character, Lyle West, once again when he appears on the May 14 season finale of the show, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He really stirred the pot when he first appeared last month, chewing scenery alongside screen legend Angelica Huston and now, it seems, he’ll get to flex his acting muscles one more time.

"He's a fun character," the Jonas Brother told MTV News in February about hoping to return to the show. "Lyle is very precocious and definitely a bit different than I am in reality. But there are a lot of similarities too: Lyle started off in musical theater [and so did I]. That's how he knows all the people involved in 'Marilyn' [the musical at the center of the show]. ... He's a fun character; I hope he can come back again."

"Smash" revolves around the drama of staging a splashy Broadway show. In real life, Nick currently stars in one, as the lead in "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying."

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Hilary Duff Takes On Pregnancy-Related Hair Growth In Funny Or Die Vid

Posted 3/7/12 4:11 pm EST by in hilary duff, Video

It's been a very busy day on the celebrity pregnancy front.

The big news, of course, has been that MTV's own Snooki is expecting her first baby with new fiancé Jionni LaValle. And now, about-to-burst Hilary Duff is starring in a very funny new FunnyorDie video warning of an, um, unexpected side effect of pregnancy. Take note, Snooks.

(Also, Jessica Simpson posed nude for a Demi Moore-reminiscent Elle magazine cover. Unfortunately for her, it's not exactly the first thing that comes up when you Google "pregnant stars" today.)

Anyhow … In "Hilary Duff's Pregnancy Secrets," the "So Yesterday" songbird sings the praises of a new product called No-Groactive, which will help you deal with the "rampant, excessive hair growth" associated with pregnancy. "Seriously, who has time to shave their back twice a day?" Duff asks. Who indeed?

Watch:

And lest you think it is only for pregnancy-related hair growth, think again. Regardless of whether your hair is from a rare genetic disorder or you hit an old lady with your car and had a gypsy curse put on you that caused hair to grow all over your body, No-Groactive will take care of all your problems.

You know it works because it's from the makers of Proactive. Just watch out for the side effects.

Check out Hilary's tips on how to have the perfect celebrity pregnancy, including advice on live tweeting the birth (sponsored by Red Bull, of course), unique names and whether you should have a Kardashian be the godparent, in a behind-the-scenes featurette after the jump.

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The Black Keys Used To Lament Lack Of Mainstream Success, Have Little Love For The Grammys Or Justin Bieber

Posted 2/13/12 3:39 pm EST by in Music, Video

By Zachary Swickey

The Black Keys had a hell of a year in 2011, finally getting some much-deserved attention (selling out Madison Square Garden in the process), but frontman Dan Auerbach is the first to admit that it used to piss him off that they weren’t bigger.

We can’t blame Auerbach (I was notably confused when I saw them play for just a couple hundred people in 2004), as the band has the catchiest, most dynamic blues-pop combination sound out there today. In an interview with the Sun, the singer said that he had grown frustrated with their lack of mainstream success, but claimed that he and his drummer bandmate Patrick Carney now appreciated it more because it took them longer to achieve.

“Stuff used to piss me off and I'd moan about it. Like, 'Why aren't we up here on the bill? Why aren't we playing a higher festival slot?'” stated Auerbach.

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