Monthly Archives: September 2012

A Huge Night of Musical Firsts at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards

The “2012 MTV Video Music Awards,” broadcast live this evening from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, was a night of musical firsts with the debut TV performances of new songs by Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys, Lil Wayne, P!nk, Green Day and more. First-time host Kevin Hart set the lively tone for the evening the moment he emerged with his own unique security detail, while One Direction, Frank Ocean, 2 Chainz and Calvin Harris marked their first-ever VMA performances.

Rihanna, who took home the biggest prize of the night, “Video of the Year,” for “We Found Love,” opened the show with a sultry performance of “Cockiness (Love It)” featuring A$AP Rocky. She then turned the arena into a huge dance party, performing her VMA award-winning song, “We Found Love,” with mega-hit producer and “2012 VMA house D.J.” Calvin Harris, who won a VMA of his own for “Best Electronic Dance Music Video.”

Chris Brown won two VMA Moon men for “Best Male Video” and “Best Choreography” for “Turn up the Music.” Tying Brown with two wins for the night was M.I.A., who took home “Best Direction” and “Best Cinematography” for “Bad Girls.” The Young Money crew also had a night of successes, as Nicki Minaj won “Best Female Video,” and Drake featuring Lil Wayne scored “Best Hip Hop Video.” Coldplay garnered “Best Rock Video,” and VMA pre-show performer Demi Lovato took home “Best Video with a Message.”

A gravity-defying P!nk got the party started from a flying trapeze, performing her chart-topping hit “Blow Me (One Last Kiss).” Rising R&B singer-songwriter Frank Ocean took the stage for an intimate performance of his single “Thinking Of You,” off his debut album. Accompanied only by a guitarist, it was an enchanting performance by the VMA newcomer.

U.K. sensation One Direction, took home three Moon men for “Best New Artist,” voted on live throughout the show, “Best Pop Video,” and first-time VMA fan voted social media category, “Most Share-Worthy Video” presented by Bing, ascended from beneath the stage to a throng of screaming fans, and performed their hit single “One Thing” on a platform high above the audience.

Hip-hop rising star 2 Chainz took to the VMA stage for the first time ever, and together with Lil Wayne, ignited the audience with a performance of “Yuck,” followed by Lil Wayne’s new single “No Worries,” from his highly anticipated mix tape, “D4.” In a pulsating performance from the center of a writhing human mosh pit, Green Day rocked out to their new song “Let Yourself Go.”

Alicia Keys’ performance of new single “Girl on Fire” featured a surprise appearance by Nicki Minaj, and was accompanied by U.S. Olympian Gabby Douglas, who performed her gold medal-winning moves on stage.

Taylor Swift closed out the evening with a fun performance of her new smash single, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” that brought the entire crowd to their feet. Starting the song in a recording booth, Swift was soon draped by a team of backup dancers as they paraded down the stage with a shower of flower petals raining on the wall of hi-def screens behind them. Swift then crowd dived into the crowd at STAPLES Center amid a sea of confetti.

Presenters at the”2012 MTV Video Music Awards” included Katy Perry, Emma Watson, Mac Miller, the “Fierce Five” 2012 Gold Medal-winning U.S. Women’s Olympic Gymnastics Team, The Wanted, Wiz Khalifa, Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, Andy Samberg, Rashida Jones, 2 Chainz, Ke$ha, Tyler, the Creator, Rita Ora, Dwight Howard, Rebel Wilson, Zoe Saldana and worldwide Korean hip-hop viral sensation Psy.

#VMA2012 has persistently been trending as the #1 organic topic since the beginning of the show. @mtv’s most popular tweet was announcing One Direction’s win for Most Share-Worthy Video.

The “2012 VMA” award winners are:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR:
Rihanna f/ Calvin Harris
Title: “We Found Love”

BEST NEW ARTIST
One Direction
Title: “What Makes You Beautiful”

BEST MALE VIDEO
Chris Brown
Title: “Turn Up the Music”

BEST FEMALE VIDEO
Nicki Minaj
Title: “Starships”

BEST HIP HOP VIDEO
Drake featuring Lil Wayne
Title: “HYFR”

BEST POP VIDEO
One Direction
Title: “What Makes You Beautiful”

BEST ROCK VIDEO
Coldplay
Title: “Paradise”

BEST ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC VIDEO
Calvin Harris
Title: “Feel So Close”

BEST VIDEO WITH A MESSAGE
Demi Lovato
Title: “Skyscraper”

MOST SHARE-WORTHY VIDEO (Presented by Bing)
One Direction
Title: “What Makes You Beautiful”

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES:

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Chris Brown
Title: “Turn Up the Music”
Choreography by Anwar “Flii” Burton

BEST EDITING
Beyonce
Title: “Countdown”
Editing by Alexander Hammer & Jeremiah Shuff

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Skrillex
Title: “First of the Year (Equinox)”
Visual Effects by Deka Bros & Tony T. Datis

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
M.I.A.
Title: “Bad Girls”
Cinematography by Andre Chemetoff

BEST ART DIRECTION
Katy Perry
Title: “Wide Awake”
Art-Direction by Benji Bamps

BEST DIRECTION
M.I.A.
Title: “Bad Girls”
Direction by Romain Gavras

Photos from MTV

Kendrick Lamar’s Debut Album Set For October 22nd Release

The official release date for the highly anticipated debut major label album from rising rapper Kendrick Lamar–crowned the “new King of the West Coast” by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg at an L.A. concert last year–was announced today. good kid, m.A.A.d city (Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope Records) will be released October 22, 2012. Featured will be the single “Swimming Pool (Drank),” which was released July 31 ^stand is produced by T-Minus. Lamar will introduce the album by headlining a nationwide tour that also includes the BET Music Matters Tour beginning September 7.

Lamar’s indie-issued Section.80 ranked as one of the top digital hip-hop albums of 2011. Despite not having a physical release, Section.80 cracked Billboard’s R&B/Hip-hop Top 25, Rap Top 15 and Top 200 Albums charts. The Compton, California native has since been racking up the praise. After his Bonnaroo performance this year, esteemed critic Jon Pareles wrote in the New York Times (June 8): “Instead I prefer Kendrick Lamar… (who) instead of directing his anger at the police, women or outsiders, he criticizes himself and his environment, and he projects far more ambition than victimization (with) tales of striving, self-improvement and overcoming a rough past, delivered with a cutting rasp and fast, complicated meter shifts.”

Lamar first drew the attention of Dre with his 2010 mixtape O(verly) D(edicated). This year, he performed alongside Dre and Snoop as they co-headlined the Coachella Music & Arts Festival. good kid, m.A.A.d city also features “The Recipe” with Dr. Dre and was released in the spring and reached the Rap Top 25.

Tour Dates:

Date	City	Venue
9/7	Norfolk, VA	The Norva
9/8	Richmond, VA	The National
9/11	Charlotte, NC	The Fillmore
9/12	Baltimore, MD	Rams Head
9/13	Philadelphia, PA	TLA
9/14	Washington, DC	Howard Theater
9/15	New York, NY	Terminal 5
9/16	Boston, MA	The Wilbur Theater
9/19	Toronto, ON	Sound Academy
9/20	Detroit, MO	Royal Oak
9/21	Minneapolis, MN	Epic
9/22	Milwaukee, WI	The Rave
9/23	Chicago, IL	The Congress
9/25	Tallahassee, FL	The Moon
9/26	Tampa, FL	The Ritz Ybor
9/27	Miami, FL	The Fillmore
9/28	Orlando, FL	Plaza Live
9/29	Atlanta, GA	Tabernacle
9/30	New Orleans, LA	House of Blues
10/1	Baton Rouge, LA	Varsity Theater
10/6	Fresno, CA	Big Fresno Fair
10/7	Pozo, CA	Pozo Saloon
10/8	Denver, CO	The Ogden Theater
10/9	Blacksburg, VA	Burruss Auditorium – Virginia Polytech University
10/10	San Diego, CA	SOMA
10/11	Phoenix, AZ	Celebrity Theater
10/13	Portland, OR	Roseland Theatre
10/14	Seattle, WA	The Neptune
10/16	San Francisco, CA	Regency Ballroom
10/17	Los Angeles, CA	Club Nokia
10/18	Pomona, CA	Fox Theater
10/19	Las Vegas, NV	Hard Rock Cafe
10/20	Salt Lake City, UT	The Depot
10/26	Morgantown, WV	WVU Collisuem – West Virginia University

For the latest Kendrick Lamar news, please visit http://www.topdawgmusic.com and twitter @KendrickLamar

A3C Hip Hop Festival 2012

Now in its 8th year, Atlanta’s annual A3C Hip Hop Festival will be held October 11-13, 2012.

Not only has the event become the largest Hip Hop festival in the southeastern United States, drawing over 15,000 people in 2011, but it is the premier gathering place for MCs, DJs and producers that create Hip Hop music as well as participants and fans of the culture.

In addition to headliner Twista, King Louie, GLC and Mikkey Halsted will represent the Midwest in the Taste of Chicago showcase presented by Xtreme Promo and Fake Shore Drive. Taste of Chicago also features YP, Mush Millions, Fresh, Squart and others.

Continuing to showcase regional Hip Hop sounds, A3C’s Texas showcase presented by Pushamania includes Paul Wall, Killa Kyleon, A.Dd+, The Niceguys, League of Extraordinary Gz, Doughbeezy, Kydd and Worldwide.

Long time A3C Partner, Fadia Kader returns to the festival with Perfect Attendance presented by LiveMixtapes all three nights at Little Five Point’s Five Spot. Saturday night, hosted by Dirty Glove Bastards, features Devin The Dude, Don Trip, Starlito, Young Scooter, SL Jones, Cory Mo, OG Ron C and DJ Burn One. Thursday Night will be hosted by Good Music All Day and Friday will be hosted by The Smoking Section with artists still to be announced for both evenings.

A3C alumnus 9th Wonder also returns with his independent label Jamla Records and performances from artists Big Remo, Actual Proof, Rapsody and others.

Creative Revolution Union (CRUx) and EarMilk join forces to present Right Brain headlined by Ab-Soul. Sponsored by Rocksmith Clothing, the Right Brain showcase also features Ducko McFli, FKi, Zip, Kenney and Mach Five.

A3C is still accepting artists’ submissions through ReverbNation and Sonicbids until August 31. A3C staff listen to every submission and are looking for talented artists from across the country who can bring something unique to the festival. All artists that submit, regardless of selection, receive a 3-day festival pass through Sonicbids or a code to purchase discounted tickets through ReverbNation.

Tech N9ne, Freeway, Gunplay, CunninLynguists and Hopsin are just a few of other artists confirmed to perform at the 2012 event in addition to a special appearance by Ghet-O-Vision/Shady recording artist Yelawolf.

For a complete list of 2012 performing artists visit www.a3cfestival.com/artists.

In addition to more than 200 live performances and showcases, the A3C Hip Hop Festival features turntable, emcee, producer and breakdance competitions as well as educational and community programming including panel discussions and workshops. Specific showcase, panel, artists and event updates will continue to be announced through the A3C website through the start of the festival on October 11, 2012.

BET Networks Celebrates The 25th Anniversary Of Michael Jackson’s “BAD”

On Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. ET*, BET Networks will premiere BET Presents: BAD25 – The Short Films of Michael Jackson, a two-hour tribute to the industry-redefining short films emanating from the landmark Michael Jackson album, BAD, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The TV special airs the same day as the release of BAD25, available in multiple formats, which will include CDs of the original album plus rare and previously unreleased audio as well as the first ever authorized DVD and CD release of a concert from the record breaking BAD World Tour.

Partnering with Sony Music and The Estate of Michael Jackson, BET has created a unique and spectacular televised tribute to the short films from Michael Jackson’s BAD. Through photos, visuals and interviews with celebrity fans, cultural critics and contemporary artists who have been influenced by Michael, the special will take viewers on a fascinating journey celebrating the everlasting influence on the music video artform by one of the most historically significant works of modern music, BAD. The special will include interviews with Ne-Yo, Ashanti, Michael Eric Dyson, A$AP Rocky, Beverly Johnson, Affion Crockett, Al Sharpton, MC Lyte and others.

BAD is not only a multi-platinum album; it is a cultural phenomenon. The album was #1 around the world, made history with five consecutive #1 singles on the Billboard chart, and produced nine chart-topping singles, and nine groundbreaking and iconic short films, including Smooth Criminal, The Way You Make Me Feel and Bad. To date, the BAD album has generated over 45 million units in sales. The BAD World Tour was Michael’s first concert tour as a solo artist, and his only North American tour, and included 123 concerts attended by more than 4.4 million fans over sixteen months. When it concluded, the tour had shattered all previous touring records for attendance and total gross revenue.

Behind The Music Celebrates 15th Season With New Episodes

VH1’s five-time Emmy Award-nominated documentary series “Behind The Music” returns to focus on eight of today’s most influential icons in the music world. The series launches its landmark 15th year since inception with a roster of top artists including: NE-YO , Nicole Scherzinger , Gym Class Heroes , Toni Braxton , T.I. (updated), P!nk (updated) and the previously announced Carrie Underwood and Train .

The franchise is also expanding on VH1.com with the addition of “Behind the Song,” a companion series of original, standalone mini episodes where select artists discuss the inspiration behind a signature song. The new season will premiere Sunday, September 16, 2012 at 9pm ET/PT.

“Behind The Music: NE-YO” Airs Sunday, September 23 at 9pm ET/PT. “Behind The Music: NE-YO” will show exclusive footage of the young singer/songwriter performing on Showtime at the Apollo as a member of the boy band Envy. The band opened up for then up-and-coming R&B girl group Destiny’s Child. Years later, after getting career-making breaks from Jay-Z and LA Reid (who is interviewed in the episode), NE-YO would go-on to write one of Beyonce’s biggest hits, (“Irreplaceable”) as well as write and/or produce for Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Rihanna and others. He is one of the last artists to work with Michael Jackson, his idol. Additional topics in the episode include past heartbreaks, his current relationship and his love of fatherhood.

“Behind The Music: Nicole Scherzinger” Airs Sunday, October 7 at 9pm ET/PT. On “Behind The Music: Nicole Scherzinger,” the singer discusses the road to stardom and the struggles along the way, including her relentless lifelong drive to be successful. She will open up for the first time about the behind-the-scenes tension that came with the mega success of the Pussycat Dolls. She also shares how her relationship with current boyfriend, race car driver Lewis Hamilton has changed her life.

“Behind The Music: Gym Class Heroes” Airs Sunday, October 14 at 9pm ET/PT. In “Behind The Music: Gym Class Heroes” Alternative/hip-hop group Gym Class Heroes first catapulted to international stardom in 2007 with their #1 hit “Cupid’s Chokehold/Breakfast In America,” which set the record for holding the top spot on the Top 40 radio charts for the most consecutive weeks by a band, and helped earn them the “Best New Artist” award at the MTV Video Awards that same year. As a solo artist, Gym Class Heroes frontman Travie McCoy was responsible for one of the biggest songs of 2010 with his smash single “Billionaire (featuring Bruno Mars).” Last year, Gym Class Heroes scored their second #1 hit with “Stereo Hearts” (featuring Adam Levine), the lead single from their fourth Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen release, The Papercut Chronicles II. The album also spawned the Top 5 smash “Ass Back Home (featuring Neon Hitch)” and their current single “The Fighter (featuring Ryan Tedder)” whose companion music video features Olympic gymnast John Orozco.

Behind The Music: Toni Braxton” Airs Sunday, October 28 at 9pm ET/PT. In “Behind The Music: Toni Braxton,” the ultimate R&B icon and survivor speaks candidly and openly for the first time about her roller coaster career journey: her health struggles, including her diagnosis with lupus and her son’s autism, and sets the record straight on her two bankruptcy filings. Despite the setbacks, her career accomplishments are phenomenal and this compelling, eye-opening story will be one that viewers will never forget.

“Behind the Music: T.I.” (Updated) Airs Sunday, November 4 at 9pm ET/PT. In “Behind the Music: T.I.” (aka Clifford Harris Jr.) will catch up with the prolific rapper in the eventful 3 years since his last “Behind the Music” special. T.I. ‘s update will include the artist and wife Tiny discussing both stints in prison and lessons learned. He also discusses his wedding to Tiny, their hit reality show, “T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle,” (returning to VH1 September 3 at 9pm ), his life as a husband and father, as well as his growing acting career, the publication of his book and the upcoming release of his highly anticipated 8th studio album.

“Behind The Music: P!nk” (Updated) Airs Tuesday, November 13 at 10pm ET/PT. In “Behind The Music: P!nk” will discuss how motherhood has changed her life as well as her continued career success since her previous “Behind the Music” special. The show will also include new interviews with P!nk and her husband, Carey Hart.

VH1.com will also be home to extended interviews and footage from each episode, including “Behind the Song,” a series of stand-alone webisodes and interviews that tell the story behind the making and/or meaning of specific songs by select artists. Follow @VH1 on Twitter and use hashtag #BehindTheMusic to discuss the series. “Like” VH1 on Facebook for updates, bonus video and other exclusives.