Amerie

Mixtape Monday: Amerie Drops Mixtape 'Love'; Styles P Goes It Alone

22 Jan 2007 06:01:00 EST

Photo: Columbia

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50 Cent Enlists The R&B Flair Of Beyonce Hitmaker Rich Harrison

20 Nov 2006 06:01:00 EST

'I'd [wanted] to do some more hip-hop stuff, but someone's got to trust it,' says producer behind 'Crazy in Love.'
By Jayson Rodriguez

50 Cent
Photo: Garreth Cattermole/ Getty Images

Poor Rich Harrison.

Although the songwriting producer crafted hits such as Amerie's "1 Thing" (see "Amerie Shoots Down Goody-Goody Image, Says 'I'm Not A Prude' ") and Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" (see "Road To The Grammys: The Making of Beyonce's 'Crazy In Love' "), he still finds he has to prove himself over and over again — even to Beyoncé. The former Destiny's Child singer invited Harrison to work on her B'Day project, but this time B pitted him against Pharrell and Swizz Beatz in adjoining studio sessions.

So imagine what crossed Harrison's mind recently when the not-as-pleasant-as-Beyoncé 50 Cent called him. According to Harrison, the G-Unit general told the producer he was interested in working with him for his next project. Though Harrison had been interested in delving into hip-hop more, did the battle-tested beatsmith think twice about the prospect of working with an arduous artist again?

"Hell nah," he exclaimed, laughing. "Not at all. I'd [wanted] to do some more hip-hop stuff, but someone's got to trust it. Someone's got to believe."

And apparently that person will be Fif. Harrison believes it's 50's penchant for musical hooks and melodies that attracted the rapper to the producer's style, which features dramatic breakdowns and large choruses. Despite Harrison being recruited by 50, the rapper hasn't formally announced that he's working on a new LP.

If it's up to Harrison, soon he'll take his native D.C. sound to Motown-like heights. He recently launched Richcraft Records in a partnership through Atlantic Records and hopes to create R&B's next dynasty, similar to LaFace Records in the '90s. The producer said R&B hasn't had its just due lately with hip-hop dominating the charts so much.

"There's been some really successful labels, but most of them are rap-based," Harrison said. "I really want to bring back the LaFace model. Rap just took over the world, dude. It's so prevalent, and from a label standpoint so much cheaper to make. The business model is just easier. But R&B has been practically watered down by pop. There used to be black music, but that doesn't exist today like it used to do.

"R&B has kind of been forgotten about," he added, while still crediting Ne-Yo and Chris Brown as a few of the pop artists who retain a soulful sound.

So far Harrison has signed former Roc-A-Fella singer Young Steff and Jaiden James (not to be confused with Britney Spears' second son) to his label, and he also has plans to build an all-girl group named Rich Girls. Harrison expects to release a Steff single by the end of the year and albums by both solo artists midway through 2007.

Although Harrison said he's dedicated to his label 100 percent right now, he also admitted if he gets another unexpected call — from, say, Usher, who, along with Missy Elliott, Harrison is slated to be working with shortly — he's definitely going to be ready and willing, no matter the circumstances.

"If I jump in, I'm going to give it my all," he said. "Who doesn't want to give Usher a smash?"

Even if it means being put to the test once more.

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For The Record: Quick News On Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Kevin Federline, Jessica Simpson & More

7 Sep 2006 06:12:00 EDT

Lohan robbed at London airport; Federline marvels at Spears' career; Simpson chooses next single.
By MTV News staff report

Kevin Federline
Photo: Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images

Lindsay Lohan was robbed of a handbag at London's Heathrow Airport on Thursday (September 7), BBC News reports. The actress/singer noticed that the Hermè's Birkin handbag was missing from her luggage cart when she was exiting the terminal. Police said the bag contained "a quantity of jewelry," and Lohan's publicist said the actress' much-needed asthma medication was also inside. According to her representative, Lohan "is begging for the return of the items." Lohan has been in Italy promoting the Emilio Estevez-directed flick "Bobby," which premiered Tuesday at the Venice Film Festival.

Britney Spears is a tough act for husband Kevin Federline to follow — "all of her music is just hit, hit, hit after hit," he said on Wednesday's "Ellen DeGeneres Show" — but K-Fed said he's not competing. "Maybe other people are putting it in that perspective, but I don't see it like that at all. I just have fun." Federline performed "Lose Control" on the show and revealed that he'd like to gain control of his smoking and put quitting on his to-do list now that another baby is joining the family. He revealed that Britney is craving ice chips as her due date draws near, and went home with a ton of baby gifts from DeGeneres, including a mini motorcycle for Sean Preston with a sidecar for the new addition, dubbed "Lil' Fed" by the talk-show host. ...

Jessica Simpson has chosen "I Belong to Me" as the second single from her A Public Affair album. Last month, the singer asked fans to vote on a handful of songs from the LP on her Web site. ... Afeni Shakur has postponed her trip to South Africa to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Tupac's death to June 16, the 30th anniversary of the Soweto uprising as well as Tupac's 36th birthday. ... Stevie Wonder, Joss Stone and Natalie Cole are among the artists performing Friday and Saturday at the United Negro College Fund's annual An Evening of Stars. This year's show is a tribute to Aretha Franklin. ...

Amerie is in the middle of recording her next album, which she's working on in a small studio in Jersey City, New Jersey, with producers including Brian Michael Cox (Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey). "I have another song to record, and then it's done," she told MTV News. She describes the music as her signature style infused with '70s funk and '80s new wave. "I have to say it's hot, and not just because I did it," she said. The singer also revealed that she's taking aim at lipstick on one track, titled "Crazy Wonderful." "My sister and I were talking about how you put it on because you want to look cute when you go out, but then you kiss someone and it's all coming off. So for a six-month period, I swore off lipstick." Amerie anticipates that the still-untitled album will be out next spring. ...

Thrice recently updated their fans on the progress they've been making in the studio on their four-disc concept album. "Each disc [will be] themed sonically and thematically to correspond with the four natural elements — earth, air, water and fire," reads an online post from the band. "The album will have somewhere between 20 and 25 songs, divided between the four discs. We are approaching the whole project in a new way for us, both writing and recording. Writing with these elements in mind, we are letting them shape the direction of the songs sonically and thematically. And for the first time, we're recording the record ourselves as we write it, freeing us up to change things as we go." ... The soundtrack for Playstation 2's "Guitar Hero II" has been revealed. Look for the game to boast Nirvana's "Heart Shaped Box," Mötley Crüe's "Shout at the Devil," Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child O' Mine," Avenged Sevenfold's "Beast and the Harlot," Alice in Chains' "Them Bones," Stone Temple Pilots' "Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart," Lamb of God's "Laid to Rest" and Every Time I Die's "The New Black." The game is scheduled to be released in November. ...

R.E.M. will get back together with original drummer Bill Berry, who retired from the group in 1997, when the band celebrates its induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame on September 16 in Atlanta. The group will play three to-be-announced songs, Reuters reports. ... Black Crowes' manager Pete Angelus announced on the band's message board Wednesday that guitarist Marc Ford has quit the band effective immediately. Angelus said the band received a fax on Tuesday — two days before the start of its fall tour — saying Ford was terminating his agreement with the Crowes, despite a clause in his contract that Angelus said stipulates he must give three months notice. Ford played with the Crowes for more than five years in the '90s and was fired in 1997, rejoining the Crowes in 2005. Paul Stacey will step into the breach for the tour while leaders Chris and Rich Robinson interview other guitarists. The split with Ford came less than a week after longtime keyboardist Eddie Hawrysch left the band, which is working on its first studio LP in six years. ...

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers are branching out their Highway Companion Tour — as well as the eclectic list of acts that will be supporting them. Beck will do the honors at a San Diego gig on September 27, while the Dandy Warhols will kick off shows Tuesday in Madison, Wisconsin, and at the last of three Berkeley, California, gigs on October 27. The Black Crowes will open the Sunday show in Raleigh, North Carolina. ... Former New Kids on the Block member Jordan Knight will be promoting his latest solo album, Love Songs, Friday on QVC. The disc, due in stores Tuesday, will feature new music along with covers of the Wham! hit "Careless Whisper" and Foreigner's "Waiting for a Girl Like You." Why launch the LP on a TV shopping network? The singer said it's an opportunity to "reach a wide variety of fans in a meaningful way." ...

WOXY.com — the online indie radio station that had been using "The Future of Rock and Roll" as its motto — is shutting down after two years of operation, barring help from a "significant partner." "It's become pretty clear that operating WOXY.com as a standalone Internet 'radio station' is not going to cut it," reads a post on the station's site. "Our operating costs are higher than you might think, and the revenue we were able to generate from advertising isn't close to supporting what we're doing. ... When your business doesn't make money, you eventually go out of business." The broadcasts will be silenced on September 15. ... Director/screenwriter Rémy Belvaux died Monday in Orry-la-Ville, France, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He was 38. Belvaux scored a cult hit with his controversial debut film, "Man Bites Dog," a faux documentary about a film crew following a serial killer. "He leaves us one masterpiece and tons of regrets," Belvaux's family said in a statement. No cause of death was given.

09.06.2006

It was one swanky soiree Tuesday night at New York's Capitale as Guess celebrated its 25th anniversary, one of many Fashion Week kickoff parties. (Feast your eyes on the smokin' snaps right here.) Kristin Cavallari and DJ AM mingled together in the VIP area, while Nelly Furtado made the rounds, posing for the paparazzi in a not-so-promiscuous outfit: a black dress covered by a bulky white jacket. Brit beauty Natasha Bedingfield gave a strong solo acoustic performance, and KT Tunstall sang her heart out to the chichi crowd, admitting that she's always been a "black horse" when it comes to fashion. "After being penniless for 10 years, this is very educational," she said. "I don't know much about fashion really. Some ladies are really tall, though. I'm not tall." Speaking of tall, statuesque models posed in front of blown-up Guess images of Carrie Otis, Claudia Schiffer and Anna Nicole Smith, re-enacting sultry black-and-white ads from the past. One model, who was sitting atop a huge pile of hay for three hours in nothing but a slinky dress, told MTV News she was a little uncomfortable and "itchy." Ah, what some women will do for fashion. Jimmy Fallon, Denis Leary, Eva Mendes and others will be presenting at the Fashion Rocks concert, airing Friday on CBS. ...

30 Seconds to Mars have beat out Angels & Airwaves, Blue October, Ima Robot, the Pink Spiders and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus for a Radio City Music Hall gig. After scoring the most text-message votes in the Want You to Sound Off contest, the band will play a set from the marquee of the legendary New York theater at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday to kick off the Fashion Rocks festivities, featuring live performances by Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Christina Aguilera and many others. ...

Xzibit, Jaime Pressly, Shannon Elizabeth and Elisha Cuthbert were a few of the celebs who turned out to party with Tommy Lee and Papa Roach at their three-day Bacardi Global Gathering party last weekend in Las Vegas. Damien Fahey of "TRL," Melinda Clarke ("The O.C."), Roger Cross ("24"), Kelly Carlson ("Nip/Tuck") and Stacy Keibler ("Dancing With the Stars") also made the afterparty, held Sunday in the Real World suite at the Palms casino and hotel. Xzibit joined Papa Roach for an impromptu collaborative performance as well. ...

They don't holla back, but they look a lot like Gwen Stefani. The No Doubt singer announced Tuesday she's releasing a series of eight limited-edition dolls named after her debut solo album, Love, Angel, Music, Baby. Each 10-inch doll represents Stefani or one of her Harajuku Girl dancers dressed in costumes from the singer/designer's tour, and will be available for $24.95. Stefani isn't just focusing on toys — the singer has also been recording new music, according to a statement posted on her Web site. ... American Eagle Outfitters is dishing up songs and videos on its Web site, Aerie.com, as part of the urban mass-market label's new Artists Music Series. On Wednesday (September 6), the site premiered Ben Lee's new single, "Since I Met You," and a new cut by Zero 7 collaborator Sia, "Pictures." Lee is performing Wednesday night at the Union Square store in Manhattan, New York, and his Awake Is the New Sleep and Sia's "Colour the Small One" LPs will be released as special editions through AE. Videos for both artists, as well as interviews, live performances and more content, will be unveiled in AE stores and on the company's Web site. ...

After five months of speculation and rumor, Suri Cruise finally made her public debut on Tuesday. The offspring of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes is featured with her parents on the October cover of Vanity Fair, as revealed by Katie Couric on her first night hosting the CBS Evening News. The infant — who has a head of remarkably thick dark hair — was shot by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz for a 22-page spread and is seen on the cover cradled inside Cruise's leather jacket, with Holmes looking over his shoulder. ... Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson amassed $36 million in assets during their three-year marriage — and since Simpson refused to sign a pre-nup, Lachey can claim approximately $18 million of that under California law. But according to TMZ.com, Lachey has agreed to less than his fair share in the couple's divorce proceedings in order to avoid a messy court fight. He will reportedly take more than the $1.5 million he was originally offered by Simpson, but considerably less than the 50 percent he's entitled to by law. ...

Death Cab for Cutie have scheduled yet another tour in support of Plans and their latest single, "I Will Follow You Into the Dark." The trek begins October 26 in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, and ends November 30 in Houston. ... The Pussycat Dolls casting call continues, with open tryouts being held Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. at CBS Studio Center in Los Angeles. Final contenders will face off on the CW series "The Search for the Next Pussycat Doll." Visit CWTV.com for an application and audition requirements. ... Nine Inch Nails mastermind Trent Reznor has started working on new material for the follow-up to 2005's With Teeth. There's no official word yet on the album's title, but the LP could be out later this year or early 2007. ...

Michael Jackson will have to pay ex-wife Debbie Rowe $60,000 in attorney fees as she continues pursuing a custody case against him, The Associated Press reports. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert A. Schnider said Jackson must pay Rowe by September 28, although he did not rule on whether Rowe can have visitation rights to their children, Prince Michael and Paris. ... In related news, the man who won a multimillion-dollar settlement from Jackson in 1993 after accusing the pop star of molestation has won a permanent court restraining order against his father, according to AP. The unnamed man, now 26, said his father "struck him on the head from behind with a twelve and one-half pound weight and sprayed his eyes with mace or pepper spray and tried to choke him," according to an appellate court ruling. He was granted a temporary restraining order against his father in August 2005, but the judge refused to issue a permanent order at the time, a ruling a two-judge appellate panel said was a mistake. ...

A Kurt Cobain action figure, inspired by Nirvana's 1993 appearance on "MTV Unplugged," will be released this December. The 7-inch figurine will feature Cobain with his acoustic guitar, a chair, microphone and music stand. The toy will carry a $16 price tag. ... Willi Ninja, the New York dancer who inspired Madonna's song and video "Vogue," died Saturday at age 45 of AIDS-related heart failure, according to The New York Times. Ninja (born William R. Leake) — called the Grandfather of Vogue — helped popularize the dance style on the New York club scene in the 1980s, taking the strutting, posing gestures to the big screen in the acclaimed 1990 documentary "Paris Is Burning." He began dancing at age 7 and by the early 1980s he was vogueing all over New York in his signature style, which included swift, sharp arm movements inspired by martial arts. He later modeled in runway shows for designers Jean Paul-Gaultier and Thierry Mugler, and gave models including Naomi Campbell advice on how to strut on the runway, most recently working with Paris Hilton on her red-carpet sashay. ...

The cop is avoiding the slammer. Victor Willis, the former "policeman" in the 1970s disco band the Village People, was sentenced by a California judge on Tuesday to three years probation on drug and gun possession charges, according to a Reuters report. Willis, 55, who co-wrote such hits as "YMCA" and "In the Navy," pleaded no contest and got a suspended three-year, eight-month prison sentence on condition that he complete a 30-day drug treatment program at the Betty Ford Center in Southern California, followed by at least six months in a treatment program in Long Beach, California. The judge warned that Willis would go to prison if he violated his probation.

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DJ Premier's Resume Gets Even Hotter: Collabs With Aguilera, Amerie, Nas On Tap

12 Jun 2006 06:00:00 EDT

Legendary producer says Christina is 'mad cool, man.'
By Shaheem Reid

DJ Premier
Photo: Getty Images/Steven Henry

NEW YORK — One of hip-hop's greatest producers says he's come up with some classic material not just for the rap community, but for pop and R&B fans as well — and it's coming from Christina Aguilera.

Gang Starr's DJ Premier — who's worked with everyone from Notorious B.I.G. to Common, from Jay-Z to D'Angelo, from Nas to the LOX over his two-decade career — has been locked in the studio with Christina for months and he says watch out: The girl's singing better than ever.

"She's mad cool, man," Premo said last week. "She really represents true music and true singing. She can belt out notes. She has true lungs."

Premo's and Christina's first collaboration, "Ain't No Other Man," is already out, and finds both singer and producer trying out something new: soul.

"It' a jump off," he said. "So far, so good. We do it for the money and the sales but we don't focus on that: We focus on 'Can you feel it?' If you can't feel it, it ain't real. Bottom line! You should be able to judge for yourself if it's real, not 'cause it's crammed down your throat on radio. She took a risk and did a whole new style. I appreciate what she's doing, giving me a chance to rock."

Premo said there's a lot more soul to come on Aguilera's forthcoming album, Back to Basics, which is due in August.

"She described to me what she wanted out of the album," he said. "I'm good at tailoring my music to the description somebody wants. Jay-Z used to do that, like, 'I got a record called this, I want it to do this, then I want it to break down and do this and do this,' then I would bring him exactly what he described. She did the same thing. She gave me CDs of joints to listen to, like Al Green and Aretha Franklin. She wanted to shape the style around what I do. I'm from that era and I respect music, and it's always good to work with somebody else who respects music."

Another leading lady Premier will be working with soon is Amerie. She's currently in the lab constructing her next album. "She's funky, got a new style that's dope," Premier said. "I like all her harmonies, and she writes her own stuff."

However, hip-hop fans will be most excited to hear the producer's take on records he's made for Nas' upcoming LP, Hip-Hop is Dead ... The N (see "Nas Says Hip-Hop Is Dead — New Album Due In September").

"Oh yeah," Premier said. "It's on and poppin'. We're just cutting tracks, cutting tracks, cutting tracks. Whatever works, we keep. Whatever don't work, we don't keep. That's always been our formula. It's real fun with Nas. Just like a day hanging out, but a good joint comes out of it. We ain't never did a dud. Every one's been a banger."

Premier says that fans will be pleased at the level of Nas' focus.

"Nas knows what he has to do," Premier explained. "He knows it's a lot of, 'He's older,' or '[Can he still] do it?' or 'That's not my generation.' He knows what he gotta do. I told him, 'If you don't know, let me know. I'll make sure you stay guided,' 'cause I really am a fan of his and I wanna buy a Nas album.

"We always switch up the formula," Premier added. "Guru [Premier's MCing partner in Gang Starr] used to say we update our formula. Nas played me some joints that Salaam Remi [produced]. Tight! He's flowing like crazy. That inspired me to go in there and really hammer something out. I don't like nobody to outdo me on tracks — I'm inspired by other people that do hot tracks. If it's banging, I give it up. I don't care if Mickey Mouse did it."

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Amerie Dolls Up For The Grammys With Diamonds, Pearls And Pizza

8 Feb 2006 11:15:00 EST

'I like bling, but not too much bling,' she says.
By Dana Meltzer

Amerie gets ready for the 48th annual Grammy Awards
Photo: Jenn Kennedy

LOS ANGELES — It's nearly noon when Amerie settles into her two-story penthouse suite at the W Hotel to prepare for the 48th annual Grammy Awards. Flanked by her makeup artist and hairstylist, the two-time nominee relaxes in her gray Juicy Couture tracksuit and bare feet before donning a Giorgio Armani gown for the big night.

(Click here for photos of Amerie getting ready for the big show.)

"This is my first time at the Grammys," she says. "It's exciting."

Although this New Jersey native is "just happy to be nominated," she's also looking forward to getting all dolled up. "It's fun to get dressed up," she says. Designer duds, diamonds and pearls may not be part of Amerie's everyday wardrobe, but "borrowing clothes is like having a really big closet," she jokes.

After selecting her champagne-colored Armani gown at a fashion show in Milan, Italy, Amerie headed to Fred Leighton to finish her look. When she saw a freshwater pearl ring and diamond-and-pearl earrings at the Beverly Hills jewelry store, she knew she'd hit the jackpot. "I like bling, but not too much bling," she says, drizzling garlic oil on top of her mushroom, pepper and black olive pizza. "I usually go a little sparse on accessories."




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Getting her face touched up by makeup artist AJ Crimson, Amerie is equally easygoing about her beauty routine. "I try to drink a lot before an event," she says. "You need a lot of water because your makeup won't go on well if your skin isn't moisturized."

To overcome jet lag, Amerie — who's in the midst of recording a new album in New York — always makes sure to get plenty of rest before hitting a red carpet. "I tried to get eight hours last night," she says. To help her relax, she lit a vanilla-scented candle for "a familiar scent," to make her feel at home.

Home, however, is 3,000 miles away. So, win or lose, the singer plans to celebrate in a big way. "I have two dresses," says Amerie, who came prepared with Armani and Jenny Packham sheaths for Kanye West's and Sony's afterparties. "I haven't decided which one I'm going to wear yet."

Until then, she's content to slip into the hand-beaded Armani gown that she says "fits like a glove." Sashaying across the room in the plunging dress, she pays tribute to Christina Aguilera, singing, "I feel beautiful!"

One last glimpse in the mirror, a hair touch-up by stylist Stephanie Pohl, and she's ready to go. "It's a good thing I didn't eat an extra piece of pizza," she jokes. "This dress is so tight that I could jump up and down and do cartwheels and it still wouldn't move!"

The show's over, but there's still plenty of Grammy goodness right here on MTVNews.com. Check out photos of the hottest green-carpet and onstage moments, find out what went down at the celeb-packed parties, and share your thoughts on the performers, winners and losers.

Plus watch videos of all the nominees on MTV.com and check out exclusive video footage from the big night on Overdrive.



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Amerie

Mariah Wins Big, Mary J. Gets Emotional At Peaceful Vibe Awards

14 Nov 2005 08:11:00 EST

Carey took four trophies; Blige was presented with the V Legend Award.
By Corey Moss

Mariah Carey at the third annual Vibe Awards on Saturday
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

CULVER CITY, California — Seriously, don't call it a comeback.

"In the immortal words of LL Cool J, 'I've been here for years,' " Mariah Carey said backstage at the Vibe Awards on Saturday, where the singer won four trophies, including Album of the Year for The Emancipation of Mimi, her smash rebound after the relatively disappointing Glitter (2001) and Charmbracelet (2002). "If they want to say 'comeback,' that's cool, [but] I've been making music my whole life. I started singing when I was four years old. I will make music forever; that's what I do."

Carey was the night's only multiple winner, also taking home awards for Artist of the Year, R&B Voice of the Year and Best R&B Song for "We Belong Together." And while she described the sweep as rewarding, she was just as excited to see another R&B singer honored with the V Legend Award.

"I was supposed to be in my trailer getting a touch-up, which I desperately needed, but I had to come out and see Mary," Carey said of Miss Blige. "I was so proud and happy for her that she was receiving the legend award because she's a true person and real artist."

Mary J., whose touching acceptance speech was the night's emotional climax, described receiving the lifetime achievement award as historical.

"I started so young doing this and I'm still young," she said backstage, where celebrities were lined up to sing her praises. "I'm just so happy I can be in a state of mind where I can receive it."

The third annual Vibe Awards marked a stark contrast from 2004's event, which was marred by a melee that broke out after Dr. Dre was slapped by a man who was then stabbed (see "Dr. Dre Attacked, Man Stabbed During Melee At Vibe Awards"). Only the Game's haircut — which featured "G-Unot" shaved into the side of his head — even hinted at any beef during Saturday night's celebration. The rapper won the first award of the night, Hottest Hook for "Hate It or Love It" — which features now-rival 50 Cent. The Game avoided what could have been an ugly acceptance speech and kept the trash talking backstage.

"We know what happened last time, so I just hope everyone gets out safe," he said, adding, "I wish all them [G-Unit] guys the best of luck 'cause they got problems when my new album comes out."

Co-hosts Tracee Ellis Ross ("Girlfriends") and Anthony Anderson ("Hustle & Flow") cracked a few jokes about last year's violence, but otherwise it was a distant memory as the ceremony celebrated the many breakout performers of 2005 and some veteran favorites.

No-shows Kanye West and R. Kelly won Best Rapper and Reelest Video (for the "Trapped in the Closet" series), respectively, while T.I. won Street Anthem for the second year in a row (for "U Don't Know Me") and Ludacris and Ciara won Coolest Collabo (for "Oh").

Keyshia Cole and Young Jeezy tied for the Next Award, while fellow newcomer Amerie won Club Banger (for "1 Thing"), Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley won the Boomshot Award (for "Welcome to Jamrock") and the Diplomats won Best Group.

"Green Day Clean Up, Kelly Clarkson Gets Wet, 50 Rips Into Fat Joe At VMAs"). "It makes you feel good as an artist, 'cause I put so much work into it."

Along with snagging an award, Ciara also had the honor of opening the show, which her co-winner Ludacris closed out. In between, Pharrell got everyone dancing with "Can I Have It Like That" (sans Gwen Stefani), while Chris Brown showcased his own moves with a sizzling rendition of "Run It."

"He definitely got some fire underneath his belt," Juelz Santana, who joined Brown on the song, said backstage. "He's not just a one-song wonder either. I heard some of the next couple records and it's real hard."

The show also featured a tribute to the regions hit by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, with Paul Wall and Mike Jones representing for Texas, Lil' Wayne for Louisiana and David Banner for Mississippi.

"It was a blessing because, to see all of us three years ago, we could barely get in the building," Banner, who changed into four different suits from his own line throughout the night, said backstage. "So for us to have a medley and represent a place that has been hit so hard ... "

"America used Katrina as a fad," he added. "And my people are going to go through this for the next 10 years."

On the red carpet before the show, artists used the celebrity traffic jam as an opportunity to both network and pay their respects.

As Blige proved her admiration for Mike Jones by serenading him with "Still Tippin'," "Hustle & Flow" star Terrence Howard told George Clinton, "I'm the biggest fan of your music."

Cleavage was the hot fashion accessory, with Mariah, Keyshia and Remy Ma among those showing some serious skin. As for the gentlemen, some wore T-shirts and others suits, but mostly all sported gear promoting a clothing line, an album or, in Juelz Santana's case, a signature catchphrase: "A!"

The Vibe Awards air Tuesday on UPN.

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Pharrell, Mary J. Blige, T.I., Game, Remy Ma, Nick Cannon At The 2005 'Vibe' Awards Red Carpet

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For The Record: Quick News On Young Buck And Lloyd Banks, Courtney Love, Ciara, Eminem, Amerie & More

10 Aug 2005 05:17:00 EDT

Buck, Banks due in court in December; bench warrants issued for Love; Simon Cowell sued.
By MTV News staff report

Young Buck (file)
Photo: Jason Campbell

G-Unit rappers Young Buck and Lloyd Banks are continuing to perform on the Anger Management 3 Tour as scheduled despite their run-in with the law Monday night in New York. The MCs were arraigned in Manhattan Tuesday and told to next appear in court on December 1. Buck and Banks, along with 11 others, were arrested Monday for gun possession after police searched their van. ...

Two Los Angeles judges issued bench warrants for the arrest of Courtney Love on Wednesday (August 10) but are holding them until her next hearing, after the Los Angeles district attorney's office asked that her probation be revoked at her two status hearings Wednesday. Prosecutors are alleging that the singer's fainting spell and subsequent visit to a hospital on July 21 were drug-related after all, and that Love violated her probation by being under the influence of a controlled substance. An earlier status hearing on July 22 — with separate prosecutors from the Los Angeles city attorney's office — had determined that her drug-rehabilitation efforts "seemed to be on track," since she had completed her program and passed all drug tests. But there were no drug-counselor reports ready on Wednesday to indicate a similar status, the district attorney's office said. Love's next status hearing is set for August 19. ... The man suspected of shooting Grammy-winning singer Marc Cohn in the head during a carjacking attempt Sunday night was arrested after a standoff at an abandoned house in Denver, police said Tuesday, according to Reuters. Joseph Yachteen, 26, was taken into custody around 11:30 p.m. Monday night, a Denver police spokesperson said. Meanwhile, Cohn was released from the hospital Monday morning after doctors removed a bullet that was lodged in his skull. ...

Ciara leads the list of nominees for the 10th annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards with five nods. Destiny's Child, Amerie and Fantasia scored four apiece, while Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott and Nina Sky earned two each. The show will tape September 7 in Pasadena, California, and air in syndication the following week. ... Would you fork over $685 for a brick — a single brick? Well, someone living in Nebraska did just that this week, purchasing the last of 30 bricks autographed by Eminem in an eBay auction benefiting his Marshall Mathers Foundation, which helps troubled youths, and the Eight Mile Boulevard Association. The bricks, according to the Detroit Free Press, were recovered from the demolished Detroit Artillery Armory on Eight Mile Road in Em's Oak Park neighborhood. All told, sales from the 30 bricks raised close to $8,600 for the nonprofits. ...

Simon Cowell's idea for the "Million Dollar Idea" reality show? Not his, according to a federal lawsuit filed on Wednesday in Los Angeles, which also names ABC for allegedly stealing a trademarked brand, copying an entire premise of a show already airing in syndication, and marketing it as the network's own. The suit was filed by Jean Golden and Todd Walker, who claim that they are the original creators/hosts of "Million Dollar Idea," a reality show ABC announced on July 13 and which was picked up for nine episodes. "Can you imagine stealing an idea and not even bothering to change the name of it?" Golden said. "Each and every detail of Simon Cowell and ABC's mock 'Million Dollar Idea' is a patent rip-off of Todd and Jean's four-year labor of love," their attorney Pierce O'Donnell said. They're seeking damages in the tens of millions of dollars. A spokesperson for ABC said that the network has not yet been served with the complaint, so therefore has no comment. ... Ricky Martin has a few friends joining him on the first single and video from his upcoming album Life, due October 11. Fat Joe and Amerie both guest in the "I Don't Care" clip, which was shot Thursday in Brooklyn, New York, with director Diane Martel. ...

The debut from Big Boi's Virgin Records imprint, Purple Ribbon, will be a compilation called The Purple Ribbon All-Stars, featuring the label's roster, due October 4. Signees to the label include Killer Mike, C-Bone and Rock D, who are featured on the first single, "Kryptonite," as well as Bubba Sparxxx, Sleepy Brown, Janelle Monet, Scar and Koncrete. ... According to a spokesperson for the Used, Veteran New York hardcore act H20 have been tapped as the replacement opener for the upcoming Used and 30 Seconds to Mars tour, following last week's announcement that Glassjaw had been forced to pull out of the nationwide run due to frontman Daryl Palumbo's Crohn's Disease relapse. Palumbo remains in an undisclosed hospital, where he's been undergoing treatment. ...

Louis XIV taped a guest spot Monday for a new UPN show called "Sex, Love & Secrets," which stars Denise Richards and is about a tight-knit group of hipsters living in Los Angeles' Silver Lake neighborhood. Louis XIV appear and perform as themselves on the new series' fourth episode, to air in late October. "Sex, Love & Secrets" premieres September 27 at 9 p.m. ET. ... Ray J — who's releasing his new album, Raydiation, on September 20 — is one of five new cast members on the fifth season of the UPN show "One on One" this fall, along with Kel Mitchell, Nicole Paggi, Camille Mana and Jonathan Chase. Brandy's brother plays D-Mack, a hip-hop-obsessed college student from the suburbs, while Mitchell plays the landlord Manny, a washed-up former child star who spends his days watching reruns of his old TV show. The season premiere airs September 19 at 8 p.m. ET. ...

Classic hits and new music from the Rolling Stones' forthcoming album A Bigger Bang, due September 6, will be used through the 2005 season of ABC's "Monday Night Football" promo campaigns and in-game highlights packages. The band will also perform as part of the "NFL Opening Kickoff" on September 8, which airs at 8 p.m. ET, before the season opener between the New England Patriots and the Oakland Raiders. The Stones' tour kicks off August 21 at Boston's Fenway Park. ... Ron Isley suffered a stroke last summer and the Isley Brothers had to cancel a few shows while he recovered, but one promoter isn't having it. Ronnie Perkins filed a federal lawsuit in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Monday seeking $65,000 in damages lost from three shows the Isley Brothers canceled: August 5 in Shreveport, Louisiana; August 6 in Jackson, Mississippi; and August 8 in Baton Rouge. ...

311's eighth studio LP, Don't Tread on Me, hits stores on Tuesday, but fans of Omaha, Nebraska's favorite sons who want to listen to the disc before its release can experience all 11 of the album's tracks — including "Thank Your Lucky Stars," "Solar Flare" and "Long for the Flowers" — at the band's MySpace page, myspace.com/311. ...

08.09.2005

Thought it was out of character for Good Charlotte to work with Hilary Duff on new material for her album Most Wanted? Well, the Madden brothers are about to begin work on another unexpected collabo — this time, they're teaming with Miami hip-hop producers Marcello "Cool" Valenzano and Andre "Dre" Lyon, better known for their work with Fat Joe, Ja Rule and 50 Cent. Cool & Dre are also lining up work with Shakira and Trina, according to the producers' rep. ...

Destiny's Child will make their last televised appearance as a group at the second annual Fashion Rocks concert September 9 at New York's Radio City Music Hall. The show, which will kick off New York's Fall Fashion Week and air live on CBS, will also feature Alicia Keys, Nelly, Gwen Stefani, Shakira, Rob Thomas, David Bowie, Duran Duran, Billy Idol, Tim McGraw, Joss Stone and the Arcade Fire. ... With 50 Cent battling so many of New York's MCs, chances of him bringing out surprise guests for his Big Apple Anger Management show Monday night at Madison Square Garden seemed slim to none. However, Fif pulled it off. During the G-Unit's set, Young Buck brought out Mase and Busta Rhymes. ...

Paul Wall's The People's Champ, due August 23, will feature collaborations with T.I., Bun B, B.G., Lil' Wayne, Freeway and Big Pokey, who is featured on the first single, "Sittin' Sideways." "We've been putting in a lot of hard work and the work ain't gonna stop," Wall said of the sudden emergence of Houston as a hip-hop hot spot. "We on the grind trying to make it happen and we look forward to bigger and better years to come." ... Fat Joe has selected "Listen Baby," his duet with Mashonda, as the next single from All or Nothing. ...

Foo Fighters and Weezer have just added four more dates to their co-headlining tour, with Kaiser Chiefs opening all four. The newly announced dates are September 27 in San Diego, September 28 in Phoenix, October 2 in Minneapolis and October 3 in Chicago. ... Contrary to a report run in this column on Monday, Christina Aguilera is not named in her songwriter Matt Morris' recently filed lawsuit to receive payment for the work he did on her album Stripped; he is seeking damages from his publishing company. ...

Radiohead, Bloc Party, Gorillaz, Razorlight and the Coral have all signed on to contribute tracks to Help: A Day in the Life, a compilation disc to benefit War Child, a nonprofit that helps children affected by war. According to the organization's Web site, all of the bands will record a single song in a single day, much like 1995's War Child Help album, which raised more than $1.5 million for children distressed by the Bosnian conflict. The album will be available for download starting September 9. ... A coalition of musicians has banded together under the name Operation Ceasefire to organize a free music festival as part of a four-day anti-Iraq-war protest in Washington, D.C. The concert, to be held at the Washington Monument on September 24, will feature sets by Thievery Corporation, Le Tigre, Bouncing Souls, Steve Earle, the Coup, Head-Roc, Ted Leo & the Pharmacists and Wayne Kramer with the Bellrays. Ex-Dead Kennedys singer Jello Biafra will host the event. ...

Gucci Mane will follow up his breakthrough single, "Icy," with "That's All," according to the rapper. ... Frankie J is planning to re-release The One this fall; the new version of the LP will include his latest single, a cover of Extreme's "More Than Words." ... Miri Ben-Ari, Kanye West's violinist, will release her major-label debut on August 23. The Hip-Hop Violinist features Styles P on the first single, "We're Gonna Win," as well as West, Twista, Mya, Anthony Hamilton, Scarface, Musiq, Fabolous and more. "It's like a Santana project, but it's street vibe meeting classical music," Ben-Ari said. ...

Lil' Mo will release her Cash Money Records debut, Syndicated (The Lil' Mo Hour), on Tuesday, according to the singer. Tracks include "Hot Girls" with Lil' Wayne, "Dem Boys" and "Motha of Your Child." "It's just like telling people to respect your baby mama, don't be tryin' to dis her or nothin'," Mo said of the latter. "I just had a baby and that postpartum and dealing with the C-section, that's not a game." ... The album art for Disturbed's third LP, Ten Thousand Fists, will be unveiled next week on Spawn.com, which wouldn't make any sense at all unless Todd McFarlane had something to do with it, right? Well, it turns out the comic-book illustrator and artist Greg Capullo worked together on the album's cover. For the LP, frontman David Draiman wanted to revive an icon from the band's first record: the demonic smiley face they've dubbed "the guy." "We wanted to have a three-dimensional embodiment of 'the guy' leading an army into battle, so to speak," Draiman said. "You see 'the guy' as a central image, and he's surrounded by thousands of people. They all have their fists raised in unison, tattered clothes, determined faces, some spots of blood here and there, as if they'd just come in from battle." Ten Thousand Fists hits stores September 20. ...

New York's Snitch, a favorite haunt of Marilyn Manson, Dave Navarro, Sum 41 and Metallica, as well as the hot spot's celebrity owners, Velvet Revolver's Scott Weiland and Duff McKagan and Fuel's Brett Scallions, could be getting the reality-television treatment. Executive producer Charlie Corwin is currently shopping the idea, and said a handful of channels have expressed strong interest in adding the series to their lineups. The series, he said, will focus on the rock club's employees and ownership, both inside and outside of Snitch. Each episode will feature an impromptu musical performance from a top rock act, he promised. ... Gavin Rossdale's new band Institute's first single, "Bullet-Proof Skin," is on the "Stealth" soundtrack, so the video for the song has a need for speed — but it's cars, not jets, that provide it. The clip was shot at the end of July at the Sepulveda Dam in Los Angeles with director Kevin Kerslake, and yes, Rossdale is behind the wheel, according to the band's label rep. ...

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Amerie Goes With Her Favorite For Next Single

4 Aug 2005 11:58:00 EDT

Director Chris Robinson will likely helm clip for 'Talkin' About.'
By Brandee J. Tecson, with reporting by Yasmine Richard

Amerie
Photo: MTV News

HOLLYWOOD — Amerie knows that when you have a good thing going, you shouldn't mess with it. That's why the R&B beauty will once again be collaborating with director Chris Robinson, for her video for "Talkin' About," the third single off her LP Touch.

" 'Talkin' About' is one of my favorite songs on the album — actually, it might be my favorite," the 25-year-old songstress said backstage at the BET Awards in June (see "Destiny's Child Give Lap Dances, Fugees End Feud At BET Awards").

"I have some ideas for the video and I will probably work with Chris again since we've already been doing the co-directing thing with these last two singles," she said.

Robinson helmed the clips for the crooner's latest offering, "Touch," featuring dirty South rapper T.I.; and for "1 Thing," the lead track off the follow-up to her 2002 debut disc, All I Have. "1 Thing" nabbed two nominations for this year's MTV Video Music Awards, for Best Female Video and Best Choreography in a Video (see "Green Day, Gwen, Missy Nab Most Nominations For MTV Video Music Awards").

But music isn't all that's been on Amerie's mind. The singer-turned-actress, who scored a prime role in 2004's "First Daughter" alongside Katie Holmes and Michael Keaton, has been thinking about her next big-screen endeavor.

"I had a great chance to get a lead in [that movie], so ever since then, I'm just seeing what's out there," she said. "I'm still reading scripts, and while you can't do them all on tour, you always [have to] know what's going on."

Currently, the singer is touring with labelmates Destiny's Child as part of their swan-song trek, the Destiny Fulfilled ... And Lovin' It Tour, which wraps September 10 in Vancouver, British Columbia. After that, Amerie will head overseas to tour Europe and Japan.

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Amerie

Game Ends 50 Cent Truce With Verbal Attacks At Summer Jam

6 Jun 2005 09:15:00 EDT

Game's set will be most discussed, but Jay-Z appearance was the show's high point.
By Shaheem Reid

The Game performs at Hot 97's Summer Jam 2005
Photo: Getty Images

To say the truce between the Game and 50 Cent came to a screeching halt Sunday night would be an understatement. Think more along the lines of a major derailment, much like the big scene in "Speed," when the subway train carrying Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock crashes through the pavement and lands above ground.

For weeks there had been rumors that Game was making unfavorable remarks about 50 and the G-Unit while performing on the How the West Was One Tour. It was fodder for Internet message boards and made radio gossip reports, but the rumblings never materialized into anything substantial. G-Unit members haven't exactly given props to Game in some of their recent interviews either, but everything had been relatively calm.

During Summer Jam, the New York tri-state area's biggest hip-hop concert of the year, the Game's frustrations boiled over while onstage in New Jersey's Giants Stadium, and he took several verbal shots at the G-Unit. The rapper also had people dressed up in a gorilla suit and a rat costume — representing 50's alleged snitching — both wearing G-Unit T-shirts and getting beaten in a mocking manner by Game's clique.

From the onset of Game's set, the Compton, California, native let it be known he would not be in Jersey with his "tail between his legs" backing down from his problems with 50. He performed "Hate It or Love It," rapping 50's verse as well as his own, switching up a line here and there to relay anti-G-Unit sentiment, such as "I ain't f---ing with five-0/ It's all starting to make sense."

Later Game introduced a new slogan, "G-G-G-U-Not!"

There was a slight undercurrent of booing when Game voiced his feeling towards the G-Unit, and that's when Dr. Dre's protégé really expressed himself.

Game explained that he had love for New York, but he was kicked out of the G-Unit because "they were hating." He said the crowd shouldn't hate him because he hates 50. Game even yelled "F--- 50" while holding his son in his arms before performing "Dreams."

The crowd started to warm up to Game more and more as he continued to use his platform to try and humiliate his former business associates. The lanky MC even threw a G-Unit chain he once wore proudly into the audience like it was nothing more than a used tissue going into a garbage can.

"I don't follow suit like f----t ass Yayo," Game roared. He later threatened to "knock out" Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks.

It became evident that Game's set was more therapy than performance — and that he had been waiting to get a lot off of his chest. Game even started to detail the infamous night at Hot 97's station, when a member of his crew was shot (see "50 Drops Game From G-Unit; Shots Fired At Radio Station"), accusing 50 of being scared to come outside and saying the G-Unit general was rushed out of the back of the building.

"Jay-Z's Special Guest A Thriller For Summer Jam Crowd").

Jay came out this year as a special guest of scheduled act Kanye West — who also brought out Cam'ron and Common in separate instances. The Roc was definitely in the building, as tens of thousands of fans immediately yelled at the top of their lungs when Jay arrived during "Diamonds." For several minutes, Jay stood onstage while the crowd used their voices, letting him know they were grateful that he was hitting the Summer Jam stage. The ovation was so overwhelming that you can bet they wouldn't be too upset if he announced that he is calling the whole retirement thing off. Jigga then performed both "P.S.A." and "Encore."

A couple of the night's most anticipated performances were called off before completion by Hot 97. Jadakiss, who many fans felt should have been appearing a lot later on the bill than his #3 slot (same goes for the heavily popular hometown crew the Diplomats, who hit the stage second), got his mic cut off just as he was about to perform his 50 dis record, "Checkmate." Let's just say Kiss didn't feel "marvelous" after that.

The night's headliner, Snoop Dogg, also got caught up in the mismanagement of time. By the time Doggy jumped onstage at close to 11 p.m., a large faction of the crowd was filing out.

It's not like Snoop isn't loved in New York, but after several hours in a stadium, fans are naturally tired. By the time Snoop brought out his guest Cassidy midway through his set, the crowd was so thin, it looked like Snoop was opening the show rather than closing.

Capacity doesn't matter to the Dogg, though. He was determined to give whoever was there a great show and was prepared to go all night if he had to. At one point, his mic was cut off and so was the power to his band and DJ. After a couple of seconds elapsed, the juice was back on, but Snoop told his security people to stand by the "power man" just in case he wanted to cut the power again.

Halfway through "Gin and Juice," all the lights in the stadium went up. Snoop was able to get through that song and tried to perform "Drop It Like It's Hot" next, but that was all she wrote. Shortly after 11:30 p.m., both Snoop's set and Summer Jam '05 were over in a disappointing, anti-climatic manner. The crowd didn't even get one "Snooooooooooop" off. And Snoop had just barked about flying all the way to New York to give a good show, saying Hot 97 shouldn't give him time constraints.

Ciara, Amerie and Ludacris and his guest Bobby Valentino also hit the Summer Jam stage, as did Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz, joined by guests Elephant Man, Pitbull, Ice Cube, Lil' Scrappy, Trillville and the Ying Yang Twins (and you have to believe you've heard it all once you've witnessed over 30,000 men and women yell in unison "Wait till you see my di--!").

For more sights and stories from concerts around the country, check out MTV News Tour Reports.

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