Robin Thicke

Whitney Houston 'So Special,' Robin Thicke Says

21 Feb 2012 18:36:01 EST

Singer opens up about the late pop icon as he releases his cover of her track 'Exhale (Shoop Shoop).'
By Jocelyn Vena

Just days after a number of A-listers paid tribute to the late, great Whitney Houston at her funeral on Saturday in New Jersey, R&B crooner Robin Thicke decided to pay homage to the singer in his own way.

The singer dropped a cover of Houston's classic track "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" over the weekend, arranging the song with a piano and his own sweet falsetto voice. Released in November 1995, the original version was the lead single off Houston's "Waiting to Exhale" soundtrack. Thicke's soulful version definitely calls to mind Babyface, who wrote and produced the song for the late star. Noticeably, Thicke changed the song from the third person to the first person, making it a bit more personal.

"I was thinking about Whitney and how incredible she was and remembered I had recorded this song years ago but never released it," Thicke said on Tuesday (February 21) in a statement to MTV News. "When I listened to it again, I was overcome by emotion, because the lyrics express everything I'm feeling right now."

He continued that the song reminds us what was unique about the late singer, who died over Grammy weekend in Los Angeles. "That's what was so special about Whitney, she had an amazing ability to connect to all of us and at the same time make us feel inspired," he said. "We love Whitney Houston and always will!"

Over the weekend, in a sea of moving tributes to the star from her closest friends — including Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, R. Kelly and gospel greats BeBe and CeCe Winans, Donnie McClurkin and Kim Burrell — Kevin Costner's speech about his "The Bodyguard" co-star stood as one of the homegoing's stand-out moments.

"Off you go, Whitney, off you go, escorted by an army of angels to your heavenly father," Costner told the room in tears. "And when you sing before him, don't you worry — you'll be good enough."

What do you think of Robin Thicke's version of "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)"? Leave your comment below.

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Robin Thicke Arrested For Marijuana Possession In NYC

17 Feb 2012 18:01:59 EST

'Lost Without You' singer was held for 15 minutes at the police station and signed autographs for the staff, according to reports.
By Sowmya Krishnamurthy

Robin Thicke was arrested for marijuana possession in New York City on Friday (February 17), according to reports.

The 34-year-old "Lost Without You" singer was apprehended near Manhattan's Madison Square Park after he was pulled over for throwing something out of the window of his Cadillac Escalade, a source told Access Hollywood. Police reportedly opened the cigarette box in the vehicle and found an unknown amount of marijuana. Thicke was taken to a police station and issued a summons before being dismissed. He was reportedly held for 15 minutes and signed autographs for the staff while in the station.

No official statement has been made from Thicke or his reps on the charges.

Thicke released his fifth studio album, Love After War, in December. His single "Pretty Lil' Heart" featuring Lil Wayne was released in November. The duo had previously collaborated on "Shooter" and "Shoot Me Down," from Wayne's Tha Carter II and Tha Carter III albums, respectively. Thicke and his wife, actress Paula Patton, had their first child, Julian Fuego, in April 2010.

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Robin Thicke Brings Soul To Hard Rock Hollywood Opening

22 Oct 2010 17:17:28 EDT

'I just wanna keep it Hard Rock Cafe, not soft rock café,' crooner tells MTV News before his energetic, sweat-filled set.
By Matt Elias

HOLLYWOOD — Rock returned to Hollywood with the grand opening Thursday night of the Hard Rock Hollywood Cafe. It marked a fitting return to a city rich in rock history, boasting hometown heroes like the Doors, the Runaways, Mötley Crüe and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Nestled between the iconic Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Kodak Theatre, the venue itself is fit for rock royalty, with a full stage in the middle of the café and music memorabilia adorning the walls. Some key pieces of memorabilia in the Hollywood collection include a Michael Jackson fedora that he wore in the '90s, a suede jacket worn by John Lennon for the Beatles' Rubber Soul album cover and a sheer nightgown worn by Gwen Stefani in her "Wind It Up" music video. But the coolest of all might be the Microsoft 2.0 Touch Wall that allows users to virtually interact with memorabilia from Hard Rock Cafes all over the world.

Celebrating the opening in grand style, celebrities and VIPs were treated to a performance by R&B crooner Robin Thicke. And while not necessarily a rocker, the singer clued MTV News into what his plans for the performance were before he took the stage.

"I just wanna keep it Hard Rock Cafe, not soft rock café — that's what I'm thinking," Thicke joked. "But really, we just do what we do. We like to bring a lot of musicality and have a great time."

Thicke, who said he used to sport some Jim Morrison-inspired long hair, talked about his longstanding love of rock music and his admiration for the Hard Rock.

"When I went to Tokyo, the place I went to eat was the Hard Rock, listening to rock and roll," Thicke said. "And you realize that the Hard Rock is a worldwide staple of memorabilia and music and history, and all the greatest artists who have ever been a part of music have been through the Hard Rock Cafe in some way."

Thicke later made his own contribution with an energetic, sweat-filled performance on the Hard Rock Hollywood stage. Introducing the soul singer, host George Lopez declared, "It's about to get Thicke in here!"

Backed by a live band, Thicke ripped through a set that included "Magic" and "Shakin' It 4 Daddy." To make his contribution more permanent, Thicke donated the suit he performed in to the Hard Rock's collection — let's just hope they send it to the dry cleaners first.

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Game Releases New Song With T.I., Robin Thicke On Twitter

04 Jun 2010 16:04:37 EDT

MC posts a link to a mixed and mastered version of his latest single, 'Pushin' It.'
By Jayson Rodriguez

The Game debuted a new track featuring T.I. and Robin Thicke from his forthcoming The R.E.D. Album via Twitter on Friday (June 4). The track, "Pushin' It," actually leaked to the Web on Thursday, but the Compton rapper released a mixed and mastered version of the song.

The sexy number finds the rappers trading verses trumpeting their credentials with the ladies while Robin Thicke croons the chorus.

"I'm a rude boy, so I'm gonna get it up/ Rihanna post-Chris, Matt Kemp, baby, this is us," Game raps. "So talk to me, have you ever been to Cannes?/ Yeah, south of France/ Next stop Japan, let's go."

"Pushing it, your lips/ 'Cause my drug, it's your lips," Thicke sings.

The song follows his street single "Shake" and Game's lead offering from The R.E.D. Album, "It Must Be Me."

The video for "Shake" premiered on MTVNews.com in April, and the clip for the Neptunes-produced "It Must Be Me" is slated to premiere Friday on BET's "106 & Park."

The former G-Unit cohort recruited a bevy of high-profile producers to man the boards for the project, and reunited with mentor Dr. Dre.

"I feel great about this album," Game told MTV News earlier this year. "It's back full-force Aftermath and I'm conjoined with Star Trak." (Pharrell Williams is one of the LP's executive producers.) "I got this colorful movement over here where it's beautiful music on this side [with Star Trak] — then when I need to go dark or super grown and sexy, I got Dre over here. The combination is crazy — mixed in with a Cool & Dre track and RZA track and all the sh-- I been doing. The only person I'm upset I didn't work with on this album is DJ Premier. I feel his sh-- would have been perfect for this all-star producer cast that I have. One Premier track would have did me just fine. I would have murdered that sh--. But we ain't get it in, 'cause he was doing a whole bunch of sh-- for Christina Aguilera. I'm just Game. So I gotta just wait for the next album."

What do you think about The Game's new track? Let us know in the comments!

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Robin Thicke, Paula Patton Welcome Son

07 Apr 2010 09:55:00 EDT

Julian Fuego born on Tuesday in Los Angeles, rep confirms.
By Jocelyn Vena

Robin Thicke and wife Paula Patton welcomed their first child into the world on Tuesday. Their son, Julian Fuego, was born in Los Angeles, a rep for the pair confirms to People.com, adding that "mother, father and son are all doing well."

Thicke, who will celebrate his five-year wedding anniversary with Patton in June, canceled his show in L.A. on Tuesday night, citing "personal reasons." His tourmate Alicia Keys gave the new dad a shout-out onstage.

In an interview with Women's Health, Patton, who appeared in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" and stars with Queen Latifah in the upcoming "Just Wright," spoke about becoming a first-time mom. "You can get into that cycle of 'What's next? What's next?' But I thought, I want to have children, and I'm not getting any younger. I didn't know if it would be hard for me to get pregnant," she said, adding of Thicke, "He's so proud of himself, it's ridiculous."

Thicke, whose most recent album, Sex Therapy, was released last year, also spoke about the anticipation of becoming a parent in an interview with Essence.com in December. He said, "You can't have the amazing joy a child brings without work, like you can't have a great woman or man unless you put in work. I'm afraid of not being patient enough, but most of the time that's when I'm scared or worried about the future. I want to work on that. But my biggest fear is being able to be there, because I don't know if kids ever think their parents were there enough."

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Jay-Z And Beyonce Join Alicia Keys During New York Concert

18 Mar 2010 10:59:00 EDT

Swizz Beatz, Melanie Fiona and Robin Thicke also performed at Keys' hometown show.
By James Dinh

It was a night of soaring vocals, positive messages and surprise guests when Alicia Keys' Freedom Tour stopped in her hometown of New York City on Wednesday evening at Madison Square Garden. The singer, who was joined onstage by Jay-Z, Beyoncé and Swizz Beatz, performed a string of songs from past to present and even showcased some of her dance skills.

Before the songstress emerged onstage, fans were treated to the soulful sounds of opening acts Jermaine Paul, Melanie Fiona and Robin Thicke. Paul, who has previously served as a background singer for Keys, was enthusiastic in his efforts to hype up the audience. Fiona kept the momentum moving with her powerful vocal range and charismatic smile while she performed songs like "It Kills Me" and new single "Ay Yo."

When Robin Thicke made his way to the stage, it was clear he was aware of his legions of female fans. Decked out in a dark suit and sunglasses, the singer crooned his way through his set, which included the thumping "Shakin' It 4 Daddy" and "Lost Without U." Thicke remained playful as well by ending his set with a sing-along to Lil Wayne's "A Milli."

Shortly after 9:30, the lights went out and the beginning of Michael Jackson's "They Don't Care About Us" filled the air. The drums of the 1996 track intensified as the night's main attraction appeared before fans on towering video screens. "I'm a renegade. I'm a truth seeker. They told me I would never make it and I did. They told me I wasn't strong enough but I am mighty. The element of freedom is tattooed on my heart," Keys announced.

Alicia Keys appeared in a chain-wrapped cage amid the smoke that slowly flooded the stage. She began the show with a medley of her track "Caged Bird" and "Love Is Blind." She whipped her hair from side to side until she made her way out of the spinning entrapment and happily towards the front of the stage.

"New York, you feeling good?" she asked the roaring crowd. There was no hesitation — the jam-packed arena was ready. Dressed in a tight black top, sparkling pants and a red coat with tails, Keys made full use of the stage by fluttering from side to side with her dancers during "You Don't Know My Name." She continued with songs like "Fallen," which she changed around vocally, and her rocking Jack White collaboration "Another Way to Die."




	Alicia Keys, Beyonce, More In Concert

Opening act Jermaine Paul took the stage once again when Keys sat down at her piano for "Diary." While the two played vocal acrobatics around each other during the song's bridge, it was evident that they shared onstage chemistry. After a quick costume change into a sleek white dress, she performed "Superwoman" and "If I Can't Have You." The songstress took several moments throughout her show to explain the importance of believing in yourself.

But after another outfit change, it was her performance of "Put It in a Love Song" that really got fans riled up. Keys performed her way through the dance number, then introduced Beyoncé, who descended from a staircase and joined Keys for the remainder of the song, ending with a dance breakdown. This marks the very first time the two artists have ever performed together onstage. Keys slowed things down after the powerhouse female duet with songs like "Unthinkable" and "Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart."

And with Beyoncé making a surprise appearance onstage, it was only fitting that her husband do the same. As Keys momentarily stopped playing piano, Swizz Beatz ran onstage and was soon followed by none other than Jay-Z. Times Square and the city skyline engulfed the arena as scenes of the city shined brightly for the sea of people. There's something especially moving about listening to the ode to New York City "Empire State of Mind" while actually in the city itself.

Keys is always a master on piano, but her evening in New York proved her ability to put on a show with massive vocals, strong imagery and a powerful message.

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Alicia Keys Brings Jay-Z, Beyonce, More To MSG Concert

18 Mar 2010 10:49:11 EDT

The songstress had A-level support for her hometown concert.
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Tiger Woods Apology Mash-Ups Include Ke$ha, Robin Thicke

25 Feb 2010 12:13:00 EST

Woods apology mash-ups go viral online after he holds press conference last week.
By Jocelyn Vena

It seems that Tiger Woods' public apology last week has gone viral — and in ways that he may not have expected. During Woods' press conference, he addressed the controversy surrounding him, defended his wife Elin and also apologized to his fans and family for his infidelities. And some enterprising individuals have taken his words and mashed them up with tonally complementary songs.

In one remix, OneRepublic's "Apologize," which is about not accepting someone's apology, weaves back and forth between Woods' words and lines from the hit song answering him back.

While Ke$ha is teaching boys lessons in the video for "Blah Blah Blah," it seems in the only person she's teaching a lesson is Woods: The only person saying a lot of blah, blah, blah is the embattled golfer.

During his press conference, Woods announced he was receiving sex therapy treatment — and inevitably, someone has paired those lines with Robin Thicke's recent "Sex Therapy." Like the other mash-ups, the track has been remixed with Woods' speech and opens with the golfer saying, "Starting tomorrow, I will leave for more treatment and more therapy."

When news first broke of the scandal, several remixes began making the rounds. Voicemails allegedly stemming from the scandal were parodied in a "Slow Jam Remix," which also features a voicemail that Woods allegedly left for one of his mistresses. Another remix meshes together the Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling" with the voicemail. The person who made the song adds his own spin, changing the lines to "Tiger's been cheatin'/ Now tonight's gonna be a bad night."

Another slow jam not only includes Wood's apology, but also a number of apologies from other celebrities who have been "deeply sorry" for their infidelities, including Kobe Bryant and David Letterman.

There are sure to be more to come before this particular trend has run its course.

Have we missed any? Which Tiger Woods apology mashup is the best? Tell us in the comments below!

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Robin Thicke Rides 'Rollacoasta' With 'Amazing Talent' Estelle

08 Feb 2010 06:45:00 EST

'We're just talking about the roller coaster of romance,' Thicke tells MTV News on the video's set.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Kelly Marino

Robin Thicke isn't shy about hooking up with the ladies to make soulful, sexy duets.

Having already worked with Leighton Meester and Nicki Minaj, it was time for Thicke to recruit some vocals from across the pond. For his song "Rollacoasta," Thicke brought British chanteuse Estelle along for the ride.

The collaboration was a perfect fit, Thicke said, especially since he had Estelle in mind when he started working on the Sex Therapy song. Plus, the pair have a history, having performed several shows together in the past.

"She's just an amazing talent," he told MTV News on the set of the music video for "Rollacoasta." "She's a rapper. She's a singer. She's a writer. So it was really meant to be, and when I had this record, I was thinking to myself [that] it was perfect [for Estelle]."

The song is all about the ups and downs of love, as the title suggests. And while the song's subject matter is deep, Thicke wanted to keep the video's vibe a little lighter.

"The song is about the roller coaster you go through in a single relationship, but in this video, we're just talking about the roller coaster of romance," he explained. "We're trying to throw a nice little house party that's representative of the house parties that I have at my house, which is classy, sexy, wild, naughty all at the same time."

Thicke also recently released a provocative new video for "Sex Therapy."

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Keri Hilson, Robin Thicke Say 'SOS: Help For Haiti' Was About 'Spirit Of Giving'

05 Feb 2010 23:43:00 EST

'Do whatever is in your means, but do something,' Hilson urges backstage at BET telethon.
By Shaheem Reid, with reporting by Jayson Rodriguez

Stars from Chris Brown and Mary J. Blige to Ludacris and Diddy came to Miami's American Airlines Arena for BET's "SOS Save Ourselves. Help for Haiti" telethon on Friday (February 5), expressing the extreme need for aid to the country that was devastated by a 7.0 earthquake last month. Backstage, the message was just as powerful.

"Tonight is definitely about the spirit of giving," Keri Hilson told MTV News backstage. "No one is paid to be here. We're all here because it was in our spirit. We felt compelled to do something, do what was in our means. We're performers. We get up there and perform for Haiti. Whatever is what you do at home, you can do for Haiti. If you have pennies in your change tray — you don't have to be rich. People have a misconception that only the wealthy can help Haiti. But no, you can devote your time, do whatever it is you can do. That's why I'm here. I would love to spread that message. Do whatever is in your means, but do something."

While Hilson performed her hit single "Knock You Down" during the relatively upbeat telethon, Robin Thicke went with a record that spoke directly to the situation in Haiti.

"The song is about controlling the world you live in," Thicke explained of performing "Dream World." "Obviously, if you had control, we wouldn't let the devastation happen in Haiti. We would prevent that. We would stop that. We would do whatever we could to make sure that didn't happen. Unfortunately, all we can do is dream that we can save it. We can help; we can be a part of the solution. The most important thing as artists, after we spend all of our time trying to take care of ourselves and our own families and we finally have a chance to do some real good, this is the best reason to get dressed up we can think of."

Thicke also performed a cover of Marvin Gaye's "Mercy Mercy Me" with India.Arie.

Learn more about what you can do to help with earthquake-relief efforts in Haiti, and for more information, see Think MTV. Visit HopeForHaitiNow.org or call (877) 99-HAITI to make a donation now.

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