Will B.o.B's 'Airplanes' Soar Past Rival Video Of The Year Nominees?
ATL MC and Hayley Williams, who shot brooding clip without ever meeting, will perform the smash at VMAs on September 12.
By Jayson Rodriguez
B.o.B in his music video for "Airplanes"
Photo: Rebel Rock
B.o.B has racked up a bevy of hits from his freshman effort, The Adventures of Bobby Ray, but so far the Atlanta upstart's awards haul doesn't match his Billboard tally.
Maybe his luck will change at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards?
Among his five chances to score a Moonman on September 12, the melodic MC will vie for the night's biggest prize, the coveted Video of the Year award for his Hiro Murai-directed "Airplanes." If the clip wins, it certainly would have one of the more unique backstories of late.
B.o.B and the song's guest, Paramore's Hayley Williams, actually shot their parts separately at two different times (scheduling conflicts caused them to spread the production over three months); the pair also recorded the song at different times as well. In fact, the two artists — labelmates at Atlantic Records — will meet for the first time during the VMAs when they perform "Airplanes" together for the first time.
Despite the fact that B.o.B and Williams don't appear in any scenes together, visually they deliver just as well as they do vocally on the smash single. The dark tone of the record is represented in the clip. Light is used sparingly throughout the video, as B.o.B's punching lyrics about fortitude cut deep.
Production for the video was done in an abandoned warehouse and a dead-open space, which underscore elements of the song's lyrics, particularly the themes of emptiness. Williams can be seen in CGI-like Polaroid photos, generated from a rave of lurking party-goers; the singer's image flashes across the pictures.
B.o.B's defiant lyrics are in contrast to the subtle cues in the clip, creating a visual marriage that's as powerful as any of the other nominated candidates. And he certainly seemed to think so. The rapper was excited about his nominations when he spoke to MTV News. In particular, B.o.B was ecstatic about being recognized for accomplishments that reach beyond his chart-topping hits.
"It's very special to me. I think it's a lot more special than the success of the singles, because this reflects the work I've put in over the years and the word of mouth I've helped create," he said. "It's definitely amazing. I'm trying to find the words to explain it, but I can't. It's inexplicable. I'm a real simple man, so, you know, I accept every gift with generosity and gratitude."
What's your favorite B.o.B video? Tell us your pick — and why — in the comments!
The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12. The party starts with MTV News' VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through September 12.
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Nicki Minaj Calls Twitter Marriage To Drake 'Mischievous'
'Drake is just my little brother, and I kid with him all the time,' Minaj says.
By Shaheem Reid
Drake and Nicki Minaj
Photo: Getty Images
Nicki Minaj promises there were no "Drickis" born in the 24 hours she and Drake were "married." This past weekend, Nick called into Atlanta's Hot 107.9 and spoke to DJ Drama about a myriad of topics, including her recent Twitter marriage to (and divorce from) her fellow Young Money rapper.
"Drake is just my little brother, and I kid with him all the time," said Nicki, who will be performing at this year's VMA pre-show. "We were just being crazy. I think we were a little bit bored. There's really never a dull moment. I wouldn't say we were bored; I would say we were being mischievous.
"I was doing an interview, and every day, I see some things written about me that aren't true," she added. "I wanted to give the blogs a bit of payback and put my own story out."
When asked if she were still single, Nicki coyly answered, "I'm always single. I don't date boys. I don't like boys. It's true. I don't change. I think boys are yucky, and that's it. Nothing more to say."
When it comes to the kings of hip-hop, however, Minaj had plenty to say — especially when she's on a track with them. Nicki recently appeared on the Kanye West/ Jay-Z collaboration "Monster," which also guest-stars Rick Ross and Bon Iver. Minaj has gained a swell of support from fans who say she has the song's show-stealing verse.
"I've just been blessed to be on a song with two living legends. In my book, Jay and Kanye are icons, and I never in a billion years would have thought I would be on a song with one of them, let alone both of them," she said. "I'm happy people think I murdered the record. It just feels exciting to be a part of that collab. Seriously."
Nicki also revealed that she has moved to Los Angeles and is still hard at work on her debut LP, Pink Friday. That means no days off — even on Labor Day.
"I know a lot is riding on this album," she said. "I wanna make everybody proud. There are some people that are rooting for me out there. I wanna go in."
What did you think of Nicki and Drake's Twitter "marriage"? Let us know in the comments!
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Kara DioGuardi's 'American Idol' Exit: Experts Weigh In
'She just came off as someone who was in love with the sound of her own voice,' one 'Idol' watcher says.
By Gil Kaufman
Kara DioGuardi
Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/ Getty Images
One of the summer's most popular parlor games came to a quiet end Friday night when "American Idol" announced that Kara DioGuardi would, as rumored, be leaving the show after just two seasons behind the judges' table.
Entertainment Weekly's Michael Slezak said — as painful as it is to admit, given his criticism of DioGuardi's first year on the show in 2009 — if "Idol" was determined to keep one veteran judge on the panel, it probably should have been Kara.
"I think she's a significantly better judge than Randy [Jackson], because she gives specific critiques and doesn't rely on the same clichés over and over again," he said. "There were definitely times last seasons where she was more insightful and paying more attention than Simon [Cowell], but that was a pretty checked-out panel."
Her problem, Slezak said, is that the veteran producer/songwriter was just not a great television personality. Her onscreen persona never really jelled, and she didn't find a unique way to engage the audience. "Part of that was her desperately trying to find an angle, with Paula [Abdul] as the wacky one and Simon as the tough one, she just came off as someone who was in love with the sound of her own voice," he said, noting that DioGuardi didn't seem to get much help from the show's producers in honing that persona.
Employing a tactic favored by politicians in Washington, the DioGuardi release dropped on the eve of a long holiday weekend and was filled with platitudes about her rocky tenure on the most popular show on TV.
"I felt like I won the lottery when I joined 'American Idol' two years ago, but I feel like now is the best time to leave 'Idol,' " DioGuardi said in the statement announcing her departure. "I am very proud to have been associated with 'American Idol' — it has truly been an amazing experience. ... I look forward to my next challenge and want to thank everyone who has supported me." DioGuardi, who has written songs for Ricky Martin, Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani, Adam Lambert and Miley Cyrus, didn't specify what her next step would be.
"Kara had some solid, useful critiques for the Idols, but unfortunately, she came across grating and condescending on television," said MJ Santilli, founder of the popular "Idol" fan site MJsBigBlog.com. "It didn't matter that the content of what she had to say improved a lot in the second season — she still annoyed."
Like Slezak, Santilli said it didn't help that DioGuardi never really developed an independent, discernible voice in her critiques on the show. "She was so eager to be liked, she was only too willing to turn herself into a reality-show cliché," Santilli said. "Between her shameless flirting with Simon and behaving like a crazed cougar with contestants, it was like she felt compelled, for some reason, to take on Paula Abdul's least flattering personality traits but without any of her warmth or sincerity."
If only Kara had calmed down a bit and focused on delivering her critical appraisals in a "smart, authentic, straightforward" manner, Santilli speculated that she might still be around.
"Idol" execs were complimentary in their announcement, also not citing any reason for the change. "Kara is one of the world's best songwriters," "Idol" creator Simon Fuller said in the release. "She has been passionate and committed to 'Idol' over the last two seasons. I will miss having her on the show, but I look forward to working with her in music for many years to come."
"As one of the most proclaimed songwriters in the U.S., Kara brought a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to 'American Idol,' " "Idol" executive producer Cécile Frot-Coutaz added. "We are very grateful for the time she spent on the show, and we wish her nothing but the best in all her future endeavors."
Slezak said he's still mystified by reports that Jackson is the one judge staying on the panel. "Assuming Randy is staying, which seems quite likely, that's a head-scratcher," he said. "Randy has had nine seasons to get it right and learn how to be funny, articulate and constructive, and he's never succeeded at that. His critiques from last season were terrible. You could drag the average person off the street in and put them on a panel, and they wouldn't do much worse."
Looking at the majority of other reality contests with judging panels, Slezak said most hew to the unspoken rule of two men and one woman. If reports that Jennifer Lopez is joining the cast are true, that would automatically eliminate DioGuardi and save Jackson due to what Slezak called the "antiquated" logic of such shows. "I feel a bit bad for her," he said of DioGuardi. "She did improve, and I feel like she made an effort to improve her performance."
The announcement confirms months of rumors that DioGuardi would not return for the show's upcoming season. In July, reports surfaced that "Idol" producers were dropping the songwriter and mounting a return to a three-judge panel. In August, DioGuardi's father said she heard the news that she was being edged out of the show the same way millions of "Idol" fans did: through the media.
DioGuardi is the latest judge to exit the Fox ratings magnet. In January, outspoken longtime judge Simon Cowell announced his departure to helm the American version of the British talent show "The X Factor." In July, Ellen DeGeneres jumped ship after one season, citing a packed schedule, among other issues.
Though Jackson appears to be the only holdover from season nine, an "Idol" spokesperson could not be reached for comment on whether the producer/ bass player is locked in for season 10. The spokesperson has also declined to comment on rumors that Lopez and Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler would be stepping in as the new judges.
Who do you think should sit behind the "American Idol" judges' table? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
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Heidi Montag's 'Just Go With It' Cameo Is 'Super Funny,' Co-Star Says
'She was appreciative and nice, and there's no reason to hate on her,' Nick Swardson tells MTV News.
By Eric Ditzian
Heidi Montag
Photo: Jason LaVeris/ Getty Images
"This is one of the best days of my life!!! Getting icecream to celebrate!" Heidi Montag tweeted in March.
The cause for sweet celebration was a new job for the "Hills" star — a film role, in fact, albeit more of a cameo, in "Just Go With It," a comedy starring Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston and Nicole Kidman. Sandler plays a plastic surgeon who convinces his office manager (Aniston) to pose as his soon-to-be-ex-wife so his younger girlfriend (Brooklyn Decker) won't want to start a serious relationship.
Co-star Nick Swardson told MTV News that Montag was very professional on set and that he didn't understand all the Web hate thrown at the reality star after the casting news.
"It was funny. They announce that Heidi did this cameo, and people just got so upset," the comedian said. "My buddy said he was on the Internet and saying all these people were furious she did a cameo. But she's super cool. She's really nice."
While Montag had tweeted that she would be filming "all week," Swardson said she filmed for just one day, with Spencer Pratt accompanying her to set.
"She played Kevin Nealon's wife, and Kevin Nealon has a ton of plastic surgery," Swardson explained. "It's super funny. She did a day, and she was really cool. She was appreciative and nice, and there's no reason to hate on her."
"Just Go With It" shot in Los Angeles and Hawaii and marks Sandler's sixth collaboration with director Dennis Dugan ("Grown Ups," "Happy Gilmore"). The film is set for release February 11.
Check out everything we've got on "Just Go With It."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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Rihanna Reveals Title of New Album: Loud
Singer's fifth disc, due out in November, will have a few 'surprise' collaborations.
By Gil Kaufman
Rihanna
Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images
Rihanna already gave us her "Rockstar 101" best on last year's Rated R, so this time she's turning it up with a new CD whose title says it all. The singer revealed in a chat with fans over the weekend that her fifth studio effort will be called Loud.
It's due out on November 2 and is preceded by the single "Only Girl (In the World)," which premiered on Ryan Seacrest's radio show early Tuesday (September 7).
"I'm done recording the whole album," Rihanna revealed during the chat, which took place on the official fansite Rihanna Daily. "I made sure not to let you down with my music! You guys are always defending me, so now you've got some great songs to justify it. I didn't want to go backward and remake [2007's] Good Girl Gone Bad. I wanted the next step in the evolution of Rihanna, and it's perfect for us."
The singer said she's never been this excited about any album she's done, urging the members of her RihannaNavy to "get LOUD everybody, get crazy, get excited, cuz I'm pumped. I'm just gonna be ME, cuz that's what u guys love the most, and that's what makes me feel best.
Just being normal, normal for me is LOUD! Sassy, fun, flirty, energetic."
While Rihanna said she'll miss the Rated R era, she promised that one year after that dark, emotional effort, "nothing compares to the album I just made." She also teased some "surprise" collaborations on the disc, though she didn't reveal any names during the chat.
"Girl" is produced by Stargate, who also collaborated with Rihanna on such early hits as "Don't Stop the Music," "Hate That I Love You" and the R banger "Rude Boy."
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