Mary J. Blige Dishes On Her 'Crazy' Led Zeppelin Covers
'I've listened to their music since I was a child,' says the R&B diva, who recorded 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love.'
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Larry Carroll
You wouldn't peg Mary J Blige as the black-light-and-tapestry sort, but, as has become readily apparent in recent weeks, she absolutely loves Led Zeppelin.
In early February, reports began circulating that Blige had re-recorded Zeppelin's classic "Stairway to Heaven," working with Travis Barker, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson and guitarist Steve Vai on the track, which is slated to appear on the international reissue of her Stronger With Each Tear album, due Monday.
But after she had recorded "Stairway," Blige continued to get the Led out, covering another Zeppelin classic — the thunderous "Whole Lotta Love" — for the album too. And when MTV News caught up with her on the Essence Black Women in Hollywood red carpet, she told us all about channeling her inner Robert Plant for the tracks, a process that came much easier than you'd probably imagine.
"I did Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love' — it's crazy," she said. "I am a Led Zeppelin fan. I'm not going to say I've been to their concerts, but I've listened to their music since I was a child, and it's always moved me, especially 'Stairway to Heaven,' and 'Whole Lotta Love' is just fun."
Blige also said she recorded another new song — a "club record" called "I Can't Wait" — for the re-release. And while it's only slated to hit shelves outside the U.S., she hopes her fans will get a chance to hear all the new songs pretty soon.
"I want y'all to hear it," she laughed.
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Watch: Britney Spears Walks Down The Aisle As A Bridesmaid
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China scientists claim 1,200 kph train
Scientists in China have developed a model Maglev train that can allegedly travel as fast as an airplane, Chinese media has reported.
The Global Times reported yesterday that a vacuum magnetic suspension train was able to run from 600 up to 1,200 kilometres per hour at the Traction Power State Key Laboratory at the Southwest Jiaotong University. That's the speed of a plane, according to the university's Traffic School vice dean Shuai Bin.
Shuai said that with the new technology, passengers can travel from Beijing to Guangzhou in less than two hours. The same journey takes three hours by plane.
Source: http://www.cnngo.com/shanghai/life/china-maglev-train-hits-1200-kph-636051
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Japanese royals plan to attend British royal wedding
The British royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton continues to grab headlines worldwide as the Imperial Household Agency in Japan announces the intention of Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako to attend.
The royal household in Britain extended an invitation to the wedding on April 29 at Westminster Abbey to Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the Queen's request last week, according to Kyodo News.
Source: http://www.cnngo.com/tokyo/life/japanese-royals-plan-attend-british-royal-wedding-350995
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Beyonce Jokes She's Been Pregnant With Concert Special
'I was pregnant with this DVD,' she laughs to MTV News as 'I Am ... World Tour' is set to air Thanksgiving Day on ABC.
By Jocelyn Vena
Beyoncé never really seems to slow down, so when the time came to choose a director for her concert special DVD "I Am ... World Tour," the singer decided to take on those duties too. It's an accomplishment the singer jokes may have sparked those pregnancy rumors.
"I was pregnant with this DVD, yes!" she joked to MTV News.
The DVD hits stores on November 30, but fans can catch the 90-minute "I Am ... World Tour" TV special when it airs on ABC Thanksgiving night at 9:30 p.m. ET. Beyoncé opened up about what it was like to sit in the director's chair.
"Well, I've done some co-directing for music videos [but] this was definitely a big step for me, and I'm so thrilled," she said at the New York City screening for the flick.
Beyoncé said she was completely hands-on, deciding which moments made the final cut and which ones wound up on the cutting-room floor. "It was hard work," she said. "I learned so much. I have a new respect for directors and I think I would like to do more of it."
Her parents, Mathew and Tina Knowles, who also attended the screening over the weekend, said the film gives B the recognition she deserves after years of collaborating on many of her own videos.
"I'm really excited about this because Beyoncé has been making little short films and really helping to direct her videos," Tina told us. "So it's nice that she'll get credit for doing something that she really loves doing and that she's very talented at."
Dad Mathew recalled all of the effort his superstar daughter put into the special. "I'm so proud," he said. "I had an opportunity [to see the film], I've been to Houston with a screening; I've been to Bentonville, [Arkansas], with a screening, and to see the excitement from the audience, what an incredible job Beyoncé did as a director in the editing, I'm just so proud. Hopefully, all the fans go out and get the DVD and soundtrack and look at that ABC special coming on Thanksgiving."
Are you excited to see Beyoncé's concert special? Tell us in the comments!
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Les News, 013111
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Will Justin Bieber Die On 'CSI'?
'CSI' star George Eads teases the pop star's fate on the show.
By Jocelyn Vena
Justin Bieber
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/ WireImage
Sorry Beliebers! It doesn't look like Justin Bieber's character on "CSI" will live to see another day, according to co-star George Eads. Bieber shot his second episode of the show, scheduled to air in February, earlier this month.
"He's a cool kid," Eads told E! Online. "He's in the eye of a hurricane and I think he handles himself really well ... We had a lot of intense scenes together. We got along really well. I really respect the kid."
Eads goes on to tease that Bieber's character meets his fate at his hand. "One of my crew guys goes, 'Man you're going to split the country down the middle — half of them are going to hate you and half of them are going to love you,' " Eads said. "In the context of the story, he deserved it. I think in a way I was also at fault for killing Taylor Swift, too. Man, I'm going to have to stay away from a lot of people. Tell Miley Cyrus not to come on our show."
So, what did Eads think of Bieber's thespian skills? "I think he has a lot to learn, but he was just fine for what he was doing there," Eads explained. "You know, it's not 'Gone With the Wind.' It's 'CSI'! It's four or fives lines. I mean, it's not a Rubik's cube."
Bieber first appeared on the show in September as the tricky Jason McCann, a teen who may have a homicidal side. At the time, the show's executive producer Carol Mendelsohn told MTV News that Bieber impressed her with his acting.
"It's hard for any accomplished, mature actor to come on the set and fall right into character and do your work, so kudos to Justin," she said, adding that he did a "really good job."
Bieber's 3-D movie "Never Say Never" comes out February 11.
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Halle Berry Backs Out Of 'New Year's Eve' Due To Custody Battle
Actress' rep tells People she has 'serious concerns for her daughter's well-being' while in the care of ex Gabriel Aubry.
By Kara Warner
Halle Berry
Photo: Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images
Early Monday (January 31), it was announced that Halle Berry had dropped out of the upcoming "Valentine's Day" sequel "New Year's Eve" and would be replaced by Katherine Heigl. Hours later, Berry's rep told People magazine that the Oscar winner's departure is due to Berry's upcoming custody battle with model ex Gabriel Aubry over their 2-year-old daughter, Nahla.
"Halle has serious concerns for her daughter's well-being while in the care of her father for any extended period of time and is prepared to take all necessary steps to protect her," her rep told the magazine. "She has attempted to resolve these custody issues amicably with her daughter's father, Gabriel Aubry, directly, but given his lack of cooperation, Halle has no choice but to seek swift judicial intervention."
Berry's rep did not divulge what prompted the dispute, only that the "Frankie and Alice" actress is concerned for Nahla's well-being. "Halle has always made the needs and safety of her daughter her first priority," the rep added. "Both while Halle and Gabriel were a couple and since their breakup, Halle has only acted in her daughter's best interest."
Berry and Aubry met at a Versace event in 2006 and were together for four years before splitting in April 2010. Both have seemingly moved on, with Berry reportedly dating "Dark Tide" co-star Olivier Martinez and Aubry rumored to be seeing Kim Kardashian back in the fall.
Check out everything we've got on "New Year's Eve."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657009/halle-berry-new-years-eve-custody-battle.jhtml
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