Beyonce Inspired By Michael Jackson, Lauryn Hill For New Album

'I'm mixing every type of genre that I love,' singer says of follow-up to I Am ... Sasha Fierce.
By Jocelyn Vena


Beyoncé
Photo: MTV News

Recently Beyoncé revealed that she wants to make her "own genre of music" for her next album. So when MTV News caught up with the singer at the New York screening of her concert special, "I Am ... World Tour," we asked her to clarify what exactly it is that she's creating in the studio.

"Well, I wouldn't say I'm inventing a new genre," she said. "I'm mixing every type of genre that I love and I'm inspired by every type of genre."

Beyoncé went on to say that people should throw any preconceived notions about the follow-up to 2008's I Am ... Sasha Fierce out the window. "I'm not in a box," she said. "It's not R&B. It's not typically pop. It's not rock. It's just everything I love all mixed together in my own little gumbo of music."

The singer says that quite a motley crew of musicians have inspired the album. "Definitely Fela Kuti, the Stylistics. How random, right?" she laughed. "So many people ... Lauryn Hill, Stevie Wonder, of course, Michael Jackson's Off the Wall ... all of those things I'm kind of mixing together."

For the album, Beyoncé has been hitting the studio with many of her usual collaborators including Ne-Yo, Sean Garrett and Jim Jonsin. And her mom, Tina Knowles, has given the tracks she's heard so far her seal of approval, saying, "Of course [I heard it]. It's amazing. It's so amazing!"

Are you looking forward to new music from Beyoncé? Let us know in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1652928/beyonce-inspired-by-michael-jackson-lauryn-hill-new-album.jhtml

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Usher's 'OMG' Gets Celeb Endorsement As Song Of The Year

'It's undeniable,' Travie McCoy says of the track that topped MTV News' Top 25 Songs of 2010.
By Jocelyn Vena


Usher
Photo: Getty Images

2010 had some great jams, and all week, MTV News has been counting down some of its best. Everything from Lady Gaga's "Telephone" and Rick Ross' "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)" to two of Kanye's West's killer My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy tracks, "Power" and "Runaway," made the top 10. But it was Usher's bombastic party jam "OMG" that rose to the top and came in at #1.

So what made that song such a party anthem? "Oh my God! That's exactly what I would say! Oh my God!" Pauly D joked about 2010's top party jam. "Dope, dope track. I love playing it. The crowd goes crazy when I play it. Usher's the man!"

Travie McCoy added: "It's a great song. It's undeniable, you know what I mean?"

"Dancing With the Stars" pro Lacey Schwimmer admitted that "OMG" was the track that got dancers, both professional and amateur, on the dance floor. "You guys got a great dance anthem," she said. "So be prepared for people who do not know how to dance just going to town!"

Producer Alex Da Kid gave props to will.i.am for the song's epic beat. "I love 'OMG.' I think it's definitely something different for Usher," he said. "And it still has all the dance performance elements Usher's known for, but it's something slightly different and done in a will.i.am kind of way, and it's different and that's why it connected to so many different people. It's a great song."

Celebrities also weighed in on their favorite jams of 2010, choosing everything from Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" and Willow Smith's "Whip My Hair" to B.o.B and Hayley Williams' "Airplanes."

Why did you love "OMG" in 2010? Tell us in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1653966/ushers-omg-gets-celeb-endorsement-song-year.jhtml

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Lady Gaga's Best Awards-Show Arrivals: From Kermit To The Egg

Gaga has always graced red carpets in completely over-the-top ways.
By Jocelyn Vena


Lady Gaga arrives at the Grammy Awards on Sunday
Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Lady Gaga arrived at the Grammy Awards red carpet on Sunday night in an egg designed by powerhouse fashion houses Hussein Chalayan and House of Mugler. And we'd expect nothing less from Gaga, who has a long list of unusual and over-the-top awards-show entrances in her short career.

Check out photos of Lady Gaga's most memorable entrances.

Back in September, Gaga hit the white carpet of the 2010 VMAs in a gown designed by late friend Alexander McQueen and was joined by several servicemen and women who had been discharged from the U.S. Air Force and Army for being openly gay or bisexual. "These soldiers that are with me today have all been discharged from the Air Force or Army, or opted to leave on their own. ... Their stories are truly inspiring, and in my opinion — and as so many young people around the world believe — 'don't ask, don't tell' is wrong, it's sick, it's immoral," she explained of her choice to include them in her appearance.

Later in the night she appeared in the press room wearing the now-famous meat dress and pointed out its connection to her earlier companions. "If we don't stand up for what we believe in and if we don't fight for our rights, pretty soon we're going to have as much rights as the meat on our own bones," Gaga explained. "And I am not a piece of meat."

At last year's Grammy Awards, Gaga was out-of-this world in a sparkly lavender and silver dress that looked like a planet with orbiting rings. What did the spacey outfit mean? "The series of pieces Mr. Armani created for me are truly iconic; they represent not only beautiful fashion, but my spirit and essence as an artist," she said. "Mr. Armani is a fashion legend, and tonight would not have been the same without his touch, and his wonderful team."

Gaga, who once wore a dress made of Kermit the Frogs, arrived at the 2009 VMAs with Kermit himself as her date for the big show. It was the first time that Gaga had created such a major spectacle for herself at an awards show. "He's been a really good date," Gaga joked to MTV News. "It's our first date, but we've been eyeing each other for a while."

And on Sunday night, though she didn't do interviews as her egg was being carried into the Staples Center, the art piece spoke for itself.

"She's born this way, so maybe she's being born again!" MTV News red-carpet correspondent Snooki noted after Gaga waved to her from inside her shell. Of course!

What's your favorite of Lady Gaga's many awards show fashion statements? Share your thoughts in the comments.

For more Grammy Awards analysis, interviews, fashion and more, stick with MTV News!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657931/lady-gaga-egg-arrival-grammys.jhtml

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Justin Bieber Reveals His Valentine's Day Plans

The Grammy nominee has been surprising fans in movie theaters since the weekend.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Sway Calloway


Justin Bieber
Photo: Michele Crowe/MTV

While the jury's still out on whether or not Justin Bieber has a Valentine (we're looking at you, Selena Gomez!), the pop star did reveal to MTV News how he planned on celebrating the most romantic day of the year. Hint: It involves his very, very loyal fans.

"On Valentine's Day, I don't know, I think I'll be in L.A.," he said. "So, I might go to a random movie theater [playing 'Never Say Never'] and surprise my fans. I think I'm just gonna do one."

video he posted on Twitter of the encounter. "Me and the last golden ticket winner. #shameless i know. Lol," he wrote of the clip in which he and a fan named Lily exchange a hug and slow dance.

Before heading to the Grammys he had this final reminder for his fans, "Who is in? take the fam...take the friends...spread the word and let's shock the world....make it a sunday afternoon #NEVERSAYNEVERSUNDAY."

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657940/justin-bieber-valentines-day.jhtml

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Will you McMarry me? Couple opt for McDonald's engagement party

While some people on the other side of the planet are beheading Ronald McDonald statues, here in Hong Kong the fast food chain is still a symbol of joy and plentitude. At least for one couple, who had their surprise engagement party at McDonald's.

And it was on Valentine's Day. That's a double "cheese" burger, for sure.

Kelvin Kwong and Ashley Tse have been together for nine years and recently decided to get married. But Tse has always regretted that Kwong never formally proposed to her.

read more

Source: http://www.cnngo.com/hong-kong/life/mcengagement-party-valentines-day-033103

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Eclipse' Director David Slade Returns To Vampires With 'The Last Voyage Of The Demeter

There are many people out there complaining about vampire fatigue. Between the massive success of franchises like "Twilight," "True Blood" and "The Vampire Diaries," it's not hard to see that those pesky bloodsuckers have their fangs firmly buried into the popular consciousness' collective jugular vein. But is there really such a thing as too many vampires? [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/02/14/eclipse-david-slade-the-last-voyage-of-the-demeter/

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