Technology Stuff

Monday, April 4, 2011

Mary J. Blige Dishes On Her 'Crazy' Led Zeppelin Covers

'I've listened to their music since I was a child,' says the R&B diva, who recorded 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love.'
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Larry Carroll

Mary J. Blige
Photo: MTV News

You wouldn't peg Mary J Blige as the black-light-and-tapestry sort, but, as has become readily apparent in recent weeks, she absolutely loves Led Zeppelin.

In early February, reports began circulating that Blige had re-recorded Zeppelin's classic "Stairway to Heaven," working with Travis Barker, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson and guitarist Steve Vai on the track, which is slated to appear on the international reissue of her Stronger With Each Tear album, due Monday.

But after she had recorded "Stairway," Blige continued to get the Led out, covering another Zeppelin classic — the thunderous "Whole Lotta Love" — for the album too. And when MTV News caught up with her on the Essence Black Women in Hollywood red carpet, she told us all about channeling her inner Robert Plant for the tracks, a process that came much easier than you'd probably imagine.

"I did Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love' — it's crazy," she said. "I am a Led Zeppelin fan. I'm not going to say I've been to their concerts, but I've listened to their music since I was a child, and it's always moved me, especially 'Stairway to Heaven,' and 'Whole Lotta Love' is just fun."

Blige also said she recorded another new song — a "club record" called "I Can't Wait" — for the re-release. And while it's only slated to hit shelves outside the U.S., she hopes her fans will get a chance to hear all the new songs pretty soon.

"I want y'all to hear it," she laughed.

Anna Friel Norah Jones Naomi Watts Christina Milian Donna Feldman

Britney Spears - 3

Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive, Jive Label Group
Director: Diane Martel

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=501686&vid=452061

Daniella Alonso Kat Von D Hayden Panettiere Leslie Bega Shannyn Sossamon

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Exclusive: Ke$ha Talks Writing Britney Spears' 'Till The World Ends'

'It's an honor to write for one of pop music's biggest icons,' she tells MTV News.
By Kelley L. Carter, with additional reporting by Jocelyn Vena

Britney Spears "Til The World Ends" cover art
Photo: Jive

Britney Spears' new single, "Till the World Ends" is dance-floor ready — just ask Ke$ha. The pop star in her own right wrote the just-released track, which was produced by Dr. Luke and Max Martin.

"I consider myself a songwriter before and above everything else, so it's an honor to write for one of pop music's biggest icons. And I hope it gets everyone's ass on the dance floor cuz y'all know that's what K-Monay does best!" the singer said in an exclusive statement to MTV News.

The single was posted by Perez Hilton on Thursday afternoon (March 3), after speculation earlier in the day that it would hit radio next week.

"Till the World Ends" is a swirling, "beat the beat" track, ready for late nights spent "dancing till the world ends" as she sings on the fast-paced party jam. "This kitten got your tongue tied in knots I see/ Spit it out 'cause I'm dying for company," a confident Spears purrs.

Later in the song, she sings: "See the sunlight/ We ain't stopping/ Keep on dancing till the world ends/ If you feel it/ Let it happen/ Keep on dancing till the world ends."

Last month, Ke$ha talked with Spin.com about the song, saying it's about the power of an artist performing a great gig. "That song is me imagining her and any female musician touring the world," she said. "You know, when you go out, and you're having an amazing, magical night and you don't want to go to sleep and you want it to last until the world ends."

This new track is the latest single from Spears' forthcoming Femme Fatale, which drops March 29.

What do you think about the latest Britney song? Let us know in the comments!

Sarah Shahi Rose McGowan Zoe Saldana Kim Smith Desiree Dymond

Robert Plant And Alison Krauss Win Grammy Album Of The Year

Raising Sand, from Led Zeppelin vet and bluegrass superstar, wins five Grammys on Sunday night.
By James Montgomery with MTV News staff

Alison Krauss and Robert Plant accept the award for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards on Sunday
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

"I'm bewildered," Robert Plant said onstage as he accepted the Grammy Album of the Year award with Alison Krauss on Sunday night. "In the old days we would have called this selling out, but it's a good way to spend a Sunday."

He was probably one of the few who were surprised, because Raising Sand, which won five trophies at Sunday night's show, is in many ways the perfect Grammy album. It features two respected veterans, a critically lauded producer, some sandpaper-and-velvet vocals and a baker's dozen of time-tested standards.

You're probably familiar with Robert Plant from his Led Zeppelin days, and you might be aware of producer T-Bone Burnett's work on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack (it won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2002). And if you don't know who Alison Krauss is, she possesses a haunting set of pipes and is one of the meanest fiddle players in the world. Oh, and she's won 21 Grammys, more than any other female artist and the seventh-most in history.

Really, she's the key to Sand's success, and not just because of her voice (or her fiddle playing). She and Plant first met in 2004, at a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tribute to legendary bluesman Leadbelly, and the former Zeppelin man was amazed by her knowledge of American Roots music — so much so that they began kicking around the idea of recording an album together. Three years later, Sand was released.

And while Plant possesses the more famous voice, the album's finest moments radiate from Krauss. Whether she's getting bluesy on Little Milton's "Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson" or entwining with Plant's husky voice on songs like "Please Read the Letter" and Roly Salley's winsome "Killing the Blues," she more than carries her end of the bargain.

And perhaps that's also due to producer Burnett, who handpicked the 13 songs the duo cover on Sand. His arrangements are sparse — giving the two voices ample room to breathe — yet dense, warm and crackling at the same time. It's a testament to his work that he's often given just as much billing as Plant and Krauss on the project ... and it's certainly justified.

To date, Sand has sold more than 1 million copies, heaped tons of acclaim and actually earned a Grammy last year — "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" took home the award for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals.

One expert was surprised not by the album's success, but by the fact that it's actually quite a good album.

"At first, the album seemed like a vanity project. ... Two names, clearly a one-off record, didn't have to be any good, you know?" New York Times music critic Jon Caramanica said. "Led Zeppelin fans would buy it because of Robert Plant, Alison Krauss would get a check. But it actually turned out to be a really thoughtful, really good record. So when you combine all that with the fact that the Grammys love to lionize one of their own, I could really see it taking home some awards."

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Beyoncé - If I Were A Boy

If I Were A Boy

Artist: Beyoncé
Label: Columbia/Music World Music
Director: Jake Nava
Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=288236

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'Justin Bieber: Never Say Never' DVD Coming May 13

Bieber announces release date Wednesday on Twitter.
By Jocelyn Vena

"Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" DVD
Photo: Paramount

On Wednesday (March 30), Justin Bieber shared with his fans the DVD release date for his flick, "Never Say Never." So, when will fans be able to experience Bieber in 3-D in the comfort of their own homes?

"So here is the big news they were waiting for me to announce to u once off stage ... Thanks to everyone for seeing #NSN3D around the world! so we are ... OFFICIALLY getting #NEVERSAYNEVER3D to Blu-ray & DVD May13th," he tweeted. "Preorder NOW."

He also had another special announcement for a few lucky fans who purchase a special version of the flick, adding, "And I'm signing some for my fans! #MUCHLOVE."

Aside from what fans already saw in theaters, the Blu-ray/DVD combo features a dance-off between Bieber and his crew, the full-length performance of "Favorite Girl," Bieber's team surprising fans with free tickets and a sendoff for JB's old swoop hairstyle.

Fans already came out to see the flick when it hit theaters in February, helping to solidify its status as one of the highest-grossing documentaries of all time. This will mark the third release for the film, which hit theaters twice already.

Regarding the film's message, Bieber explained to MTV News, "People didn't really know, they didn't understand that I've been playing music ever since I was born, and it's always been in me. And this movie is really going to show that I'm not just some packaged thing that some A&R put together. It was actually just me living my dream and just making music.

"Fans will be really excited to see that I'm just a regular 16-year-old having fun, just living my dream," he said. "And it's possible for anyone to live theirs."

The film shows Bieber skillfully playing piano, drums and guitar. It is part concert film, part documentary, complete with interviews from some of the people closest to the teen phenom. It features cameos by Miley Cyrus, Usher and Ludacris, among others, in interviews and concert performances filmed at Madison Square Garden last year.

Check out everything we've got on "Never Say Never."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and Justin Bieber updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

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