Backstreet Boys Announce First Reunion Show

Posted 7/17/12 10:03 am EST by in Bands We Like, boy bands, Music

Backstreet’s Back! Alright!

The Backstreet Boys (all FIVE of them!) are hard at work on their new album, and, hot off the presses, are set to appear on “Good Morning America” on August 31 for a comeback performance that includes the recently reunited Kevin Richardson.

In addition to that highly-anticipated performance, the fivesome are in London right now recording a brand-new album. Don’t believe us? Check out the photo (below) we got out hands on of Nick, Kevin, Howie, Brian and A.J. looking as fine as ever in the studio. They are there working with producer Martin Terefe, who has cooked up hits for the likes of Train, Mary J. Blige and Jason Mraz.

"We all discussed, we want this to be a personal record," Kevin Richardson told MTV News earlier this month. "We want it to be authentic to us and who we are and where we're at in our lives. ... We want to talk about the things that are relevant in our life, and we want to be authentic and make a great record that we're proud of, and that's kind of where we're starting."

The album will hit stores sometime in the spring, just in time for the guys to celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2013. Yes, BSB has been BSB for 20 years. Deal. With. It.

The group will also be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame next year. We’re already booking our tickets.

So, if you can’t tell we’re really excited about all of this. Like, really excited!

Get More: Music News

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Pink Reveals Album Artwork For The Truth About Love

Posted 7/16/12 5:00 pm EST by in Pink

Pink

Pink is ramping up for the release of her sixth studio album, The Truth About Love, and today (July 16) revealed the album's cover. Check it out (right)!

Looking great in a short black top and even shorter black shorts, with red heels and her hair giving off a soft, signature pink glow, the singer has already released the set's lead single, "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)."

Produced and co-written by Greg Kurstin, who is experiencing quite a run of success lately, having produced and co-wrote Kelly Clarkson's smash "Stronger," which has gone on to become the biggest hit ever for an "American Idol" contestant, the track is quintessential Pink – heavy on the attitude with a big beat and a catchy chorus. The song is one of several collaborations between Kurstin and Pink on her upcoming album.

In addition to his work with Clarkson and Pink, Kurstin is reportedly working with Lily Allen on her comeback album.

The Truth About Love is Pink's first studio album since 2008's Funhouse The pop star did, however, score two back-to-back smash singles, "Raise Your Glass" (#1) and "F**kin' Perfect" (#2), from her 2010 best-of package Greatest Hits…So Far!

What do you think of Pink's "The Truth About Love" album cover? Let us know in the comments below!

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Mandy Moore To Collaborate With Husband Ryan Adams On Upcoming Album

Posted 7/16/12 4:00 pm EST by in Music

Mandy Moore

By Zachary Swickey

Mandy Moore is looking to make a comeback and she's enlisted her prolific (and much-acclaimed) singer-songwriter husband, rocker Ryan Adams, to help her out.

Moore revealed her plans for her new studio album in an interview with CBS News, saying, "I'm probably going to work with my husband on this album. I'm not sure necessarily in what capacity, but we've been writing a little bit together. He has a studio, so I definitely want to make my record there.”

We can’t blame Moore for seeking her hubby’s help; Adams is certainly one of the more heralded songwriters of his generation.

"He certainly inspires me. There's tremendous influence right now around the house - from the music I've been introduced to, and being very happy and in a healthy, happy relationship. I think that still garners a lot of material to write about," Moore continued.

The upcoming effort follows Moore’s ’09 album Amanda Leigh, which already found the singer drifting away from her pop sound in a favor of a more folk influence – a sound Adams will likely help her explore further on her new record.

Moore will hit the studio at the end of this year with a spring 2013 release date currently being eyed.

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R3hab Drops His Chainsaw on Jay Sean's 'I'm All Yours'

Posted 7/16/12 3:10 pm EST by in dance

By Akshay Bhansali

Chainsaw madness strikes again! After a slew of successful remixes for the likes of Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry and Madonna, unstoppable Dutch electronic music phenom R3hab, one of MTV's EDM Rookie's to Watch in 2012, re-works Jay Sean's "I'm All Yours," featuring Pitbull. Jay Sean's next single, "So High," features production by R3hab pal and mentor Afrojack.

Since a video doesn't exist for the remix, to whet your appetite we took some great shots of one of the "Sending My Love" producer's epic sets at Las Vegas dance music Mecca XS Nightclub and laid it over a teaser of the remix. Enjoy!

Get More: Jay Sean, Music News

"I like the original a lot," R3hab told MTV News over the weekend. "It has a good vibe, and that's why I really wanted to do this project. The idea came quickly because I like Jay Sean a lot and really wanted to use vocals throughout the entire remix!"

"I Love how R3hab flipped my single, 'I'm All Yours,'" Jay Sean gushed to MTV News this weekend. "I'm always impressed by how producer/DJs are able to take a song and flip the production to take it to a whole other place. He really took it there and made it sound like a club smash. I can't wait to hear how this sounds on those main-floor club speakers!"

Read More...

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Beyonce's Letter To First Lady Makes It Into Re-Election Campaign Video

Posted 7/16/12 2:19 pm EST by in Barack-Obama, Beyonce

Beyonce

By Elizabeth Lancaster @lizzydl

President Barack Obama’s latest re-election campaign video has been released, and it’s all about who runs the world—GIRLS.

In the clip, Beyoncé reads from a letter she wrote to the First Lady Michelle Obama. She first posted the letter on her Tumblr as a way to tell the first lady, and the world, how grateful she is for everything Mrs. Obama has done for this country and for women everywhere. This is definitely not the first time Beyoncé or Michelle Obama have expressed their mutual adoration for one another, but it is the first time their affections have made their way onto the campaign trial.

Beyoncé describes the first lady as “humble, loving and sincere” in the campaign video, reading aloud from her handwritten letter. Queen B's daughter Blue Ivy even entered the conversation near the end of the video with Bey adding, "I am proud to have my daughter grow up in a world where she has people like you to look up to."

The video ends with information on how to contribute to the Obama/Biden campaign, so while it may seem like a Beyonce/Michelle love fest, the clip is really an official part of the president's re-election campaign.

What would you like to see Beyonce and Michelle do together next? Let us know in the comments below!

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Mumford & Sons Reveal Details Of New Album, Babel

Posted 7/16/12 1:30 pm EST by in Music

Mumford

By Zachary Swickey

At long last, British folk band Mumford & Sons have provided details on their sophomore album, which the band has dubbed Babel and now has an official release date of September 25 through Glassnote Records.

Babel follows the band’s multi-platinum-selling debut Sigh No More. Sigh garnered the band two Grammy nominations – Best New Artist and Best Rock Song for “Little Lion Man” – and while the band lost both, they still got to perform with music legend Bob Dylan at the Grammy ceremony.

While their release is still a few months away, the band has not shied away from debuting some of the new material during their live show: both “Lovers’ Eyes” and “Ghosts We Knew” have been featured on recent tours.

"We are more than excited to release 'Babel' into the world. We had started writing new songs well before we got into the studio to record,” the band said on their website. “At first, we peeled ourselves off the road quite reluctantly. We love playing live, obviously, but it had also become an important part of our creative process, we had been writing and rehearsing in soundchecks, and sort of 'roadtesting' new songs on our very gracious audiences.”

The band recorded Babel with famed producer Marks Dravs, who helped carve their sound on their debut album and also produced Arcade Fire’s most recent smash The Suburbs.

"But then we fell in love with recording again. The album started to come together, and with the help of Markus Dravs once more (and engineer Robin Baynton), we started to relish the challenge of making this album,” the band continued.

Mumford & Sons also stated they can’t “wait to take it out on the road.” The band will resume their “Gentlemen of the Road Stopovers” tour of “mini outdoor fests” in August and also have a series of stateside dates planned ahead of the album's release.

Check out the full Babel tracklisting below! Read More...

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An Essential No Doubt Playlist As They Premiere Their New Single, 'Settle Down'

Posted 7/16/12 12:35 pm EST by in no doubt

No Doubt

By Bryant Gilmore

No Doubt dropped their first new single and video in almost 10 years today (July 16), and we can hardly settle down here in the MTV Newsroom. To prepare ourselves for their glorious return with "Settle Down," we decided to compile an essential playlist of the five No Doubt songs that should get everyone super excited for their comeback.

"Don’t Speak"
That opening guitar riff is unmistakable. You never skip it on your iPod; you turn it up and scream alongside Gwen as she lays out her heartbreak. Inspired by her break-up from Tony Kanal, "Don’t Speak" was a monster hit, spending months at the top of the charts. Its video was simple yet epic as it told a behind-the-scenes story of the boys in the band's dissatisfaction at the time with Gwen getting all of the attention. "Speak" has grown into a go-to song when that special someone shatters your heart into a million pieces. Just remember, it’s going to be OK. Things worked out for Gwen and Tony, and they will for you, too.

"Sunday Morning"
Another tune inspired by Gwen and Tony's break-up, this song hits like a full frontal assault of awesome-ness. The drums pound, the horns blow and the guitars chug along as Gwen ferociously dismisses a guy who comes crawling back after daring to break her heart in the first place. But as we see in the video, there’s no problem too big that can’t be solved with an epic back-yard food fight.

"Just a Girl"
Look out, America, Gwen and the boys are tired of your unfair treatment of women and they’re not going to take it anymore. The first single from their big breakthrough album Tragic Kingdom shot up the charts and put the band at the forefront of the ska revival at the mid-90s. The song was also featured in the in girl-powered flicks “Clueless” and “Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion.”

"Simple Kind of Life"
This ballad from the band’s 2000 album Return Of Saturn finds Gwen wanting a life on simpler terms. The song was one of two tracks on the album that Stefani composed solely. On a side note, we applaud the video and Gwen’s pink hair, but we are appalled at its treatment of perfectly good wedding cake.

"Underneath It All" feat. Lady Saw
Sure, “Hey Baby” and “Hella Good” made us get up and dance, but on this sweet, reggae-tinged jam, Gwen finds herself content and at peace with a man who is, perhaps despite appearances, “really lovely.” This valentine to Stefani’s husband, Bush singer Gavin Rossdale, was the third single off their album, Rock Steady, hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2002 and won a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by Duo or Group.

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'MDNA Tour' Update: Madonna Flashes Paris, Conservative Politician Promises Lawsuit

Posted 7/16/12 10:46 am EST by in Madonna, Tour Dates

Madonna

Madonna kicked up controversy again this weekend as her wildly successful "MDNA Tour" hit Paris for a provocative show, where she again flashed her nipple and backside and held her ground against a conservative political leader, leading to reignited threats of a lawsuit.

Madonna played France's national stadium, the Stade de France, on Saturday in front of more than 70,000 fans and showed a talked-about video montage, set to her song "Nobody Knows Me," that features right-wing Front National party leader Marine Le Pen with a swastika superimposed on her face before cutting away to an image of a man resembling Adolf Hitler. The clip also includes images of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Pope Benedict and Sarah Palin.

>> 'Turn Up The Radio' Needs to Be Madonna's Next MDNA Single

The video has been shown during each of Madonna's "MDNA Tour" shows. Le Pen said after the tour's kickoff in Tel Aviv, Israel, that she would pursue litigation if Madonna played the clip during either of her shows in France, and is now expected to take legal action.

"We can’t accept this. Marine Le Pen is defending her own honor, but also that of the Front National’s members, its supporters and its millions of voters," Front National party vice-president Florian Philippot told the French press (via The Hollywood Reporter).

Lawyers for the FN party say a case for public insult will be brought to the Paris courts as early as this week.

>> Madonna's 'Turn Up The Radio' Video: Superstar Gone Wild

At her Paris show, Madonna also continued another "MDNA Tour" trend by stripping down onstage. This time, Her Madgesty bared both her breast and backside, trumping her Istanbul nipple-flash and mooning her audience in Rome.

The very busy Queen of Pop also dropped the video for her latest single, "Turn Up The Radio," earlier today (July 16). The clip features Madonna cruising around Rome and the surrounding countryside in a convertible with several of her back-up dancers.

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Rock Stars Who Should Take Up Acting (But Only On The Side)

Posted 7/13/12 4:00 pm EST by in Justin Timberlake, Movies

Justin T

By Zachary Swickey

It seems a tad bit ridiculous that one of the most naturally talented musicians of my generation, Justin Timberlake, has not released an album in nearly six years (his last being ‘06’s FutureSex/ LoveSounds, of course). The guy is missing out on what would be the prime of his music career. With that said, there’s got to be something to this acting business that keeps driving musicians – rockers and rappers alike – to the medium.

Timberlake’s undeniable good looks and wealth of talent help make him a perfect candidate for a career in film career, but there are plenty of other rockers who we feel would be right at home on the silver screen.

Here are the six rock musicians that we want to see take up the acting game the most. Read More...

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In Celebration Of No Doubt's Return to Music: The 7 Other '90s Bands That Need To Make A Comeback

Posted 7/13/12 1:00 pm EST by in no doubt

No Doubt

By Bryant Gilmore

Now that their comeback has been officially sanctioned by Mother Monster herself, No Doubt should not have a problem reclaiming the top of the charts.

The first single, “Settle Down,” from their highly anticipated sixth album, Push and Shove, will be released on July 16 with the album dropping just two short months later, on September 25. To refresh your memory, it’s been almost 11 years since the band released their last studio album, Rock Steady, and in the time since, they've released a greatest hits album, lead singer Gwen Stefani was sweetly inescapable as she embarked on a massively successful solo career and bassist Tony Kanal produced hits for artists including Pink, Shontelle and even Gwen. Guitarist Tom Dumont and drummer Adrian Young settled down and had a couple of children, as did Gwen and Tony, but apparently there are only so many times a rocker can watch "The Wiggles" with the kids before the urge to hit the stage takes over.

Now that No Doubt, who first rose to prominence in the '90s, is on the comeback trail, we at MTV News sat down and pondered what other artists and bands from that era we would like to grace us with sweet music once again. Read More...

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