Childish Gambino Makes First Date Dreams Come True For MTV Newser

Posted 5/1/12 11:10 am EST by in First Date


By Rya Backer

Childish Gambino was something of a brass ring for First Date. There was a point when I was so desperate to be face to face with the multi-talented star that I took to annoying an intern at the time (HI, TRAVIS!) who once performed with him at the Long Island City venue The Creek and the Cave. When luck there had dissipated, I did the only thing I knew to do: wait very patiently for the next opportunity.

When he was in town recently to shoot episodes of "Hip Hop Squares," I got aggressive once again.

We locked in a date, and fresh off of a viral campaign (first popularized by MTV Splash Page, no less) for him to be Donatello in the upcoming live action revamp of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," we thought it would be only fitting to test his Ninja acumen while getting to know each other better. And where better to pick up on his skills than a restaurant called … wait for it … Ninja? There, we were met with mediocre-at-best food and terrifying-to-say-the-least thrills from the myriad ninjas dedicated to serving and scaring us (you’ll see what they offered up).

Between finally resolving that he’d make for a great live-action ninja and discussing our mutual admiration for the '90s classic "Blank Check," I resolved that any lady would be lucky to have Childish Gambino in her life. He’s hilarious, creative and made me feel safe enough from all the harm that a flying water balloon could offer.

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Is John Mayer's 'Shadow Days' About Jennifer Aniston?

Posted 5/1/12 10:03 am EST by in Celebrity, Music


John Mayer

Despite officially breaking it off for good three years ago, there's a rumor that John Mayer's new single, "Shadow Days," is about Jen Aniston.

A source tells Usmagazine.com that the lead Born and Raised single is about the Hollywood A-lister and their on-again, off-again relationship. "'Shadow Days' is about Jen. It really took him a long time to get over her. He really loved her a lot," the source tells the website about Mayer's relationship with Aniston.

"He wrote the song as a farewell letter knowing [Jen] would hear it," the source added. "Ultimately he's done a lot of self reflection though and he realizes they weren't right for each other."

Mayer is no stranger to high-profile relationships (see also Minka Kelly, Taylor Swift, Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Love Hewitt for just a sampling of the ladies he’s been linked to), but it seems these days he’s focused on finding love and perhaps a new musical muse with someone who isn’t famous.

"[John and Jen] weren't right for each other, but he is really a good guy," the source continued. "He's looking for a nice, non-famous girl he can relate to. . . He loved [Jen and Jessica] both but it really affected him emotionally and it wasn't worth it."

Regardless of who "Shadow Days" is about, fans should look forward to more great music from John when he drops Born and Raised on May 22.

Listen to "Shadow Days" below and let us know in the comments if you think it is about Jennifer Aniston. Read More...

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Jack White Brings Blunderbuss To Life At LA Gig, Revisits White Stripes Fan Favorites

Posted 5/1/12 9:07 am EST by in Music, Tour Dates


Photo by Zachary Swickey

By Zachary Swickey

LOS ANGELES – Jack White already had two dates booked at LA’s iconic venue The Wiltern for the end of May when he suddenly added a date at the Mayan Theater for April 30.

Hitting the stage in a jet black long-sleeve shirt and black jeans to match, White brought out a group of six females as his new backing band: a wild-looking drummer, a flapper-esque violinist, a stand-up bassist (who was pregnant), a Dutch slide guitarist, a ravishing backup singer who doubled as tambourine master, and finally a cute young woman on keyboards.

White wasted no time diving right into material from his brand-new debut solo effort, Blunderbuss, which is expected to take Billboard’s #1 spot when the charts are revealed tomorrow. Our first taste was the album’s opening track, “Missing Pieces,” which the crowd had clearly already memorized as they sang along to every word. White’s latest single “Sixteen Saltines” was next and it whipped the crowd into a frenzy as they chanted along, “Who’s jealous, who’s jealous, who’s jealous of who?”

Next up was an old-school White Stripes track, “Hotel Yorba,” the first single from their ’01 effort White Blood Cells and their last as a little-known band – "Fell In Love with a Girl” what their next release. White next represented his outfit The Raconteurs with a cover of their tune “Top Yourself.”

Blunderbuss got some more representation as White ripped into “Love Interruption,” which enjoyed one of the more boisterous sing-a-longs of the evening. We were then treated to one of the album’s finest tracks, “Weep Themselves to Sleep,” which sounds like a number out of an Old West saloon (with a bit of grungy guitar added for modern flavor). Next up was “I’m Slowly Turning Into You” from the Stripes’ Icky Thump before White broke into his Dead Weather outfit's rocking “Blue Blood Blues.”

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Here's The Bon Iver Erotic Fan Fiction You've Been Waiting For

Posted 4/30/12 3:19 pm EST by in Music, The Interweb


Bon Iver

Yeah, you read that correctly. It's also the funniest thing you will read today.

We were recently alerted to the existence of Bon Iver Erotic Stories, a fan fiction Tumblr about having sexytimes with Justin Vernon. Now, before we go any further, let us start by saying that the whole thing is quite safe for work. This is more a work of comedic genius than a "50 Shades of Grey"-like exploration of anyone's darkest, dirtiest urges for the rugged guitar strummer from the Wisconsin wilderness.

The blog's creator is clearly out to have a bit of fun at Bon Iver/Vernon's expense. But fans shouldn't fret, the ribbing is gentle, we swear … just the way Vernon would no doubt like it.

Like the best Tumblrs (we're looking at you, #whatshouldwecallme … we always are!), the idea is simple – just pictures of Vernon matched with short quips about frolicking sexily with the singer or the various oh-so-hipster romantic things he's done for the object of his affection. The captions play so perfectly into the super sensitive man of nature persona that Vernon has going on that it's impossible not to laugh.

Nothing has ever so accurately reflected our feelings about a musician! After the jump, check out our 10 favorite quips at Vernon's touchy-feely expense.

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Usher Can't Stop Releasing Awesome New Songs

Posted 4/30/12 1:51 pm EST by in Usher


First there was the sexy sex beast slow jam "Climax." Then there was the beat-driven thumper "Scream." Now, it's "Lemme See" featuring Rick Ross. All three songs are featured on Usher's new record, Looking for Myself, due June 12 … so, well, at least we already know what we'll be doing that day.

>> It's Time For An Usher Greatest Hits Album

"This album has many different views and many different perspectives," Usher recently told MTV News. "Whereas the first song ['Climax'] was a little bit more artistic and a little bit more soulful, and it has done everything, it probably exceeded my expectations, I mean, from the moment I was able to give it away. I was able to kind of be reintroduced in a way musically, and thank you to [producer] Diplo, but 'Scream' is really like the next step. It's just in time for summer and the type of experience that I want people to get out of the album."

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Listen to "Lemme See" below! Read More...

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Kelly Rowland Exits UK 'X Factor' After Just One Year On Panel

Posted 4/30/12 12:53 pm EST by in Kelly-Rowland, the x factor


Kelly Rowland

By Zachary Swickey

Kelly Rowland has been charming fans overseas for the last year as a judge on the UK’s “The X Factor"; however, her days on the panel are unfortunately over, she just confirmed.

Rowland blamed “scheduling issues” and “global commitments” for her exit from Simon Cowell’s hit. The singer released a statement, saying she was unable to find a “workable solution” after discussing it with the show’s producers for a number of weeks.

“I love the UK and being part of the show last year. Mentoring the girls was such an incredible experience I will never forget. I would like to thank Simon for the great opportunity and asking me to be a judge last season,” Rowland said.

Rowland joined the revamped panel in 2011. Danni Minogue (pop star sister of global megastar Kylie Minogue) – who was a judge on the program from 2007-10 – is already rumored as Rowland’s replacement.

After being a dominant force in UK television for several years, “The X Factor” suffered low ratings last year as it slowly shed viewers in the weeks following its season premiere. Likewise, “American Idol” and new hit “The Voice” have created some very strong competition for the US iteration of the program, which didn’t connect with audiences last year and is also on the lookout for a new panel of judges itself.

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Bob Dylan To Receive Presidential Medal Of Freedom

Posted 4/30/12 11:22 am EST by in Barack-Obama, bob-dylan


Bob Dylan

By Zachary Swickey

Bob Dylan has received plenty of awards and accolades for his many noteworthy contributions to the music world and now President Obama will be handing Dylan one of the most post prestigious awards around: a Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award given in the United States.

As reported by the New York Times, the White House released a statement naming 13 individuals who will receive the honor, which granted to “individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

The statement from the White House called Dylan one of the “most influential American musicians of the 20th century,” thanks to his “rich and poetic lyrics” and for his catalog that has “had considerable influence on the civil rights movement of the 1960s and has had significant impact on American culture over the past five decade.”

Other recipients to be awarded include astronaut John Glenn, author Toni Morrison and former Secretary of State Madeline Albright.

Dylan was previously awarded with a National Medal of Arts in 2009.

We reported earlier this month that Dylan’s classic 1975 album Blood on the Tracks is set to be adapted into a feature film. A release date has yet to be determined on the film, which is based on one of Dylan’s most personal, autobiographical records of all time.

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MIA Teases New Track

Posted 4/30/12 9:24 am EST by in MIA


Super Bowl middle finger-giver MIA is in the studio hard at work on her fourth album and released a short video clip of an unreleased track, "Come Walk With Me," from the sessions … but not before declaring her desire to just upload all of the tracks and disappear for a bit of R&R with her uniquely named three-year-old son, Ikhyd.

The clip (which you'll find after the jump) features several people dancing wildly to the beat-driven track. MIA is reportedly collaborating with a host of high profile names, including Swizz Beats, Cataracs and Chris Brown, on her new album, which is expected later this year. Read More...

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The Reviews Are In! What Are Critics Saying About Jack White's Blunderbuss

Posted 4/27/12 12:32 pm EST by in Music, reviews


Jack White

By Zachary Swickey

There are extremely few artists in the music industry that can be considered living legends at the spry young age of only 36, but Jack White has easily earned such distinction with his guitar prowess and impressive catalog of music with the White Stripes, the Raconteurs, the Dead Weather and now his own solo career.

>> Jack White Teases Gary Oldman-Directed Live Stream Concert

White’s solo debut, Blunderbuss, came out earlier this week and is positioned to take the #1 spot on the Billboard charts when the numbers are tallied next week. Clearly, the public is a fan of White’s first offering out on his own, but what have the critics got to say about the album? We rounded up some major reviews of the disc and it appears that White has (unsurprisingly) won the hearts of critics as well. (Billboard and Rolling Stone basically consider it a modern classic.)

>> Jack White Makes Live Solo Debut On 'SNL'

Read on for the reviews! Read More...

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Lady Gaga Giving Away 'Monster Pit Key' To Hardcore Fan At Each Tour Stop

Posted 4/27/12 9:46 am EST by in Lady Gaga, Tour Dates


Lady Gaga has a gift for whichever intrepid fan finds him or herself first in line at her "Born This Way Ball" world tour.

Mother Monster is giving away a ''Monster Pit key'' to the first fan waiting at each of the "BTW Ball's" 110 dates and is having that fan sign the real key to the Monster Pit, an enclosed general admission area around the stage reserved for hardcore fans, which she is collecting for … um, something. (Herself? Perhaps to remember the tour by?)

Tweeting a picture of a skull-like mock up of herself with her ponytail serving as the "key," she wrote, "This is a necklace I'll give to the first monster in line every night at the Ball. It's a symbol of the 'key' that opens the pit every night."

Lady Gaga, Twitter

She's keeping the real key to the pit for herself though. In a follow-up tweet, she elaborated: "The real monster pit key will be signed by this fan and returned to me. There'll be 110 necklaces & signatures Mar. 2013."

The "Bad Romance" singer kicks off her world tour today (April 27) in Seoul, South Korea. Late last night, she tweeted about being nervous for the start of the tour. ''This is a very special moment for Haus of Gaga. We thank you so much. Enjoy our music, fashion installations & pop performance art tonight," she wrote. ''Nervous for tonight. Hope I make little monsters happy and proud."

Don't worry, Gaga, we're certain they will be falling all over themselves the second you hit the stage!

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