MTV Newsroom › Usher

Which Justin Bieber Christmas Song Are You Most Excited For?

Posted 10/14/11 2:58 pm EST by in Music


Justin Bieber is just a few weeks away from dropping his holiday album, Under the Mistletoe, and he's getting his fans hyped for its release with the premiere of his "Mistletoe" video next week on MTV.

Oh, and did we mention that he'll be sitting down with MTV News for a 30-minute interview after Tuesday's premiere? As we amp up for what will certainly be one very awesome chat, we're looking forward to the superstar collabos Bieber has promised on the upcoming album.

The teased team-ups from the November 1 release have yet to drop, but there's a good chance they'll start to roll out soon. Today, Bieber tweeted, "Spoke to bday boy @usherraymondiv - he says if we get #MISTLETOE to #1 on ITUNES we can release our DUET from the album the next week!!!!!"

Well, we certainly can't wait to hear that. But we want to know: What song from the holiday album are you most excited for?

Tags , , ,

Usher And The Case Of His Mystery Collabo

Posted 8/16/11 3:00 pm EST by in collaborations, Usher


By James Dinh

Collaborations are all the rage these days, and Usher appears to be stirring the pot big-time. On Monday, the R&B crooner teased the Twitterverse about a mystery team-up, offering fans with just one cryptic clue – “YO WHAT UP NY!!...I bet you'd never guess who I'm in the studio wit right now? A Clue. Borough starts wit a B! The record is CRAZY!!”

Now, Usher has a long history of star-studded team-ups, including tunes with Alicia Keys (“My Boo”), Ludacris (“Yeah!”) and Mary J. Blige (“Shake Down”), but the chart-topper has the Newsroom pondering who exactly his secret studio partner is. Assuming that his subliminal clue indicates that the collaborator’s name begins with a B, take a look at some our guesses (and wishes) for Ush’s hush-hush matchup.

Beyoncé
With her string of “intimate” New York shows lined up this week, King B serves as our first guess for Usher’s secret collabo. Not only have these two hit the studio together before for a remix to the R&B singer’s slow jam “Love in This Club Part II,” but they’ve also sizzled in front of the cameras for Bey’s “Naughty Girl” clip in 2004. Call us Team Sherlock Holmes, but why does Usher tease NY boroughs that begin with a B? Brooklyn stands as the most populous borough in the city with the simple BK abbreviation, which also remains the initials for the pop queen.

Read More...

Tags , , , ,

For Rihanna, Pink, Usher And Others, Mid-Concert Accidents Happen

Posted 7/11/11 11:42 am EST by in Concerts, Music, Rihanna


Rihanna’s weekend show in Dallas was canceled mid-show when a fire broke out above the stage after a pyrotechnic unit set a chair on the catwalk above the stage ablaze. Fans initially thought the fire was part of the show, only realizing the flames were not intentionally set when smoke began to fill parts of the American Airlines Center arena and the lights came on. Dallas firefighters evacuated the arena and no injuries were reported.

After the show, Rihanna tweeted her displeasure with having to end the show and promised to return to the Texas city, saying, “DALLAS!!! We set the stage on FYAH tonight!!! LITERALLY!!! I'm so pissed, I was havin so much fun wit yall too!!! I gotta come back man!!”

The (literally) show-stopping event got us thinking about other concerts that have come to an abrupt end after the show was already underway. It takes a lot to stop a large-scale pop show dead in its tracks. Here are a few examples. Read More...

Tags , , ,

Justin Bieber, Usher Throw Scooter Braun A Birthday Bash

Posted 6/20/11 9:08 am EST by in Justin Bieber, Usher


Justin Bieber and Scooter Braun

Justin Bieber, Usher and Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine came out to party together on Saturday night. And just what occasion were they celebrating? Well, they were all on hand as Bieber's manager, Scooter Braun, celebrated turning the big 3-0. The par-tay took place in Los Angeles, where Braun was roasted by his pals, including the night's MC, Usher.

Other attendees included Asher Roth, Kim Kardashian, Mary J Blige, Paris and Nicky Hilton, Jaden Smith, Wilmer Valderrama and Rita Wilson. Those who couldn't make the party but recorded well-wishes for the music mogul included Will Smith, Diddy, Ludacris and Keri Hilson.

Not only was there food and revelry, but there were also some A-list performances from The Dan Band, Usher and, yes, Bieber, who played drums and performed "Baby," as well as "Never Say Never" with Jaden.

But who turned up for the night's big surprise? Read More...

Tags , , ,

Lady Gaga's Grammy Night In Photos: Eggs, Costume Changes And Willow Smith

Posted 2/14/11 10:00 am EST by in Grammys


Lady Gaga was nominated for half a dozen prizes at Sunday night's (February 13) 53rd Grammy Awards, and the envelope-pushing pop star walked away with three victories. Her incredible single "Bad Romance" scored two wins (for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Short Form Music Video) while her album The Fame Monster picked up the gold for Best Pop Vocal Album.

(Click here for pictures from Lady Gaga's night at the 53rd Grammy Awards, including her eye-popping entrance and her photo ops with Usher and Willow Smith!)

But in between receiving awards, Gaga kept busy. After making the evening's biggest red carpet entrance (which saw her carried into the Staples Center in an egg-shaped vessel that was carried by a series of scantily-clad servants), Gaga took the stage during the show's first hour to deliver an electric version of her just-released new single "Born This Way." Surrounded by dancers, Gaga found the song's heavy groove and even added a pipe organ solo for good measure.

While she was in the audience, there always seemed to be a flurry of activity surrounding her. In between meeting Usher and Justin Bieber (who gave her a hug following her victory for Best Pop Vocal Album), she managed to squeeze in a costume change and even found time to bond with Willow Smith.

(Click here for pictures from Lady Gaga's night at the 53rd Grammy Awards, including her eye-popping entrance and her photo ops with Usher and Willow Smith!)

Though she came up short on three awards (most notably losing Album of the Year to Arcade Fire), Lady Gaga certainly walked away from the Grammy Awards a winner. And with Born This Way on the horizon, those victories will keep on coming.

What was your favorite Lady Gaga moment of the 53rd Grammy Awards? Let us know in the comments!

Tags , , , ,

Spotted: Chris Brown Heads Downtown For Some Modern Art

Posted 2/11/11 12:30 pm EST by in Music


Every day a multitude of stars wander through the halls of MTV News to talk about their latest projects and goof around with our intrepid correspondents. But sometimes we catch stars elsewhere, and that's why we put together Spotted!, a daily compendium of stars in the wild.

It's a busy weekend for star-studded affairs and red carpets, as there are a number of events and parties surrounding both the Grammy Awards and Fashion Week in New York. But there were also plenty of events that don't have anything to do with either of those tent poles. For example, R&B singer Chris Brown — whose new track "Look at Me Now" is storming up the charts — headed to the gallery at 560 Washington Street in New York for the "RETNA: The Hallelujah World Tour" art show (with new pieces by the titular Marquis "RETNA" Lewis). He hit the show wearing a throwback Charlotte Hornets hat, one of the coolest accessories you'll see at a red carpet event.

Brown wasn't the only star hitting the streets, as Usher threw a party for the launch of Belvedere (RED) in Hollywood, while Jessica Alba and Joan Jett helped celebrate Brooklyn Academy of Music's tribute to Susan Sarandon (which ended with a party at Sarandon's ping-pong club SPiN). Click here for these photos as well as the entire "Spotted" archive, which features over 500 candid shots of stars like Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Eminem, Miley Cyrus, Beyoncé, the Jonas Brothers, Lady Gaga, Jay-Z, Katy Perry, Madonna, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Madonna and Kanye West!

Tags , , ,

Justin Bieber's 'Never Say Never' Finally Arrives, Bringing Usher, Miley Cyrus And Ludacris

Posted 2/11/11 10:30 am EST by in Music


After months of anticipation, the day is finally here, as "Never Say Never" — the documentary/concert film about the rise of Justin Bieber — is finally here. The 3-D spectacle hits theaters today in a weirdly busy weekend at the movie theater, as this Friday also marks the release of the Adam Sandler romantic comedy "Just Go With It," the animated front lawn fantasy "Gnomeo & Juliet" (featuring the voice talents of James McAvoy and Emily Blunt), the Ed Helms breakout indie comedy vehicle "Cedar Rapids," the historical action epic "The Eagle," compilations of the short films and animated shorts nominated for Oscars and the sex toy documentary "Orgasm Inc."

But of course, "Never Say Never" is the main event, as it stars perhaps the biggest pop sensation of the last 18 months and features never-before-seen behind-the-scenes looks at his early life, his musical beginnings, his connection with his fans and the swirl of activity that always surrounds him. It's a lively, kinetic movie that appears to be taking a genuinely clear-eyed look into the life of a superstar.

Obviously, you can properly prepare for "Never Say Never" by spinning your copy of Bieber's My World 2.0, but in case you need a boost, there's the playlist below. In addition to Bieber songs and tracks that prominently feature the word "never," there are also entries from the film's special guests, including Ludacris ("My Chick Bad"), Miley Cyrus ("Party in the U.S.A.") and Usher ("DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love"). Kick things off with "Eenie Meenie" (which features Sean Kingston, another special guest in the film) and fire up your purple 3-D glasses.


Tags , , , , , ,

Usher Reinforces The Greatness Of 'OMG' During Super Bowl Halftime Show

Posted 2/7/11 10:30 am EST by in Music


In the history of halftime entertainment at the Super Bowl, Sunday night's (February 6) presentation by the Black Eyed Peas was absolutely the most hit-heavy of all time. Part of it had to do with sheer density, as the group managed to cram eight songs into their set (tying a record previously set by 2004's performance, which featured a lot more artists). And because just about everything will.i.am touches turns to gold, nearly every one of those eight songs was a huge hit ("I Gotta Feeling," "Boom Boom Pow," "OMG" and "Sweet Child O' Mine" were all chart-toppers, while "Let's Get It Started," "The Time (Dirty Bit)," "Pump It" and "Where Is the Love?" were all in the top 25). Such is the power of will.i.am and his shrewd, ever-shifting production.

Though Slash's drop-in was a thrilling highlight, Usher's energetic, dynamic performance of "OMG" drove home just what a spectacular song it was. Full of jittery dance beats, a subtly shifting groove and one of Usher's most unusual (but excellent) vocal performances, "OMG" not only dominated pop radio in 2010 but continues to resonate in 2011 as a highly influential track (many artists are still trying to harness European dance music the way he and will.i.am did).

In fact, the greatness of "OMG" was so overwhelming that MTV News voted it the number one song of 2010, beating out hits by Eminem, Kanye West, Jay-Z and Cee Lo for the top spot. As writer Jayson Rodriguez notes in the video below, "OMG" represented the reinvention of Usher, and the performance at the Super Bowl solidified its place as not only one of the best songs of the past year but also among the greatest tracks of all time.

What did you think of Usher's performance at the Super Bowl? Let us know in the comments!

Tags , , ,

Justin Bieber, Usher And B.o.B Are In, So Who Needs To Be Added To The Grammy Awards?

Posted 1/20/11 1:30 pm EST by in Music


The 53rd annual Grammy Awards are only a few weeks away (the whole party goes down on Sunday, February 13), and the performance lineup just got an incredible boost from a six-pack of top-shelf performers. The telecast will feature two trios who will share the stage, including Justin Bieber, Usher and Jaden Smith (who will probably deliver some combination of "Never Say Never" and "Somebody to Love") as well as B.o.B, Bruno Mars and Janelle Monae (expect "Nothin' on You" and a second blast of pop mastery). Today's announcement also introduced multi-platinum country band Lady Antebellum and modern rock titans Muse.

(Click here for photos of the 2011 Grammy Awards performers, including Eminem, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and Katy Perry!)

The Grammy Awards would have a pretty killer show even if those names were the only ones booked, but the newcomers are joining an already crowded field of performing superstars that includes Eminem (who leads the field with the most nominees of any artist with 10), Lady Gaga (whose new single "Born This Way" is set to debut during Grammy weekend), Katy Perry, Arcade Fire, Cee Lo Green and Miranda Lambert.

That's a fantastically eclectic batch of performers that hits on most of the major headlines from the past year, and more performers are expected to be announced before the show goes live on Sunday night, February 13. With so many big names already announced, who else should be added to the live show? It seems like it could use another nod to the hip-hop world (perhaps Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj or Drake can represent for the years they have had; the Grammys should also embrace Rick Ross sooner or later) and the rock universe seems slightly under-represented (though that could be because of the middling year that rock had — still, you could probably give Florence & the Machine, Kid Rock or the Black Keys a call). And of course, it's not really a show without Kanye West, right?

But we'll let you pick. Of all the acts left, who should be added to the performers list at the Grammy Awards? Vote in the poll below and sound off in the comments.

(Click here for photos of the 2011 Grammy Awards performers, including Eminem, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and Katy Perry!)

Tags , , , , , ,

'Season Of The Witch' Finds An Evil Mood With Usher, Bloc Party

Posted 1/7/11 9:30 am EST by in Music


After a deluge of populist, crowd-pleasing films mixed in with the usual year-end awards bait, the first Friday of 2011 finds an awfully unusual lineup of cinematic offerings at your local movie theater. Gwyneth Paltrow's music-centric road movie "Country Strong" goes wide today, which will give more people the opportunity to enjoy Paltrow's refreshingly excellent singing voice. If you prefer your music films a little more political, this week also marks the release of "Phil Ochs: There But For Fortune," a sharp documentary about the extremely popular and influential protest singer. (It's a fascinating, clear-eyed portrait of an underrated artist and a complicated man.) But if you find yourself in the mood to watch Nicolas Cage spit lines like "I have no such yearnings for home" while making his way through the Crusades, then "Season of the Witch" will cure what ails you.

Directed by Dominic Sena ("Gone in 60 Seconds," "Swordfish"), "Season of the Witch" casts Cage as Behmen, a legendary soldier of God who is excommunicated after walking out on a battle he finds morally corrupt. He and companion Felson (played with grim humor by Ron Perlman) try to make good with the church by agreeing to transport a woman they think is a witch to a monastery, which will theoretically end the plague that has swept through the country. It's a nutty little movie that is long on charm and has some killer action sequences.

In order to properly prepare yourself for "Season of the Witch," take a spin through the playlist below. It features 13 songs about witches (Clinic's "The Witch") and their punishments (Usher's "Burn," Spoon's "Small Stakes"), evil spirits (Kyuss' "Demon Cleaner") and the plague (Tad's "Plague Years," Slipknot's "My Plague"). Get everything started with Bloc Party's "Hunting For Witches," a jittery gem from their underrated second album A Weekend in the City.


Tags , , , ,

Page 1 of 812345...Last »
SPONSORS
AD:
©2012 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. MTV and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.