Fashion Highlights

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Looks Like No One Is Buying Kanye West?s ?Fatburgers?

One of Kanye West’s Fatburger fast food restaurants has closed in Chicago, Illinois due to disappointing sales figures. The rapper expanded his empire last year after buying 10 more franchises of the diner through his KW Foods LLC holding company. But West’s Fatburger eaterie in Orland Park, which he opened in 2008, has closed its [...]

Vanessa Minnillo Vanessa Simmons Veronica Kay Veronika Vaeková Victoria Beckham

MSNBC Commentator Rachael Maddow Gives Props to Florida Death Metal

When political commentators mention extreme metal on the air it's usually in reference to something tragic like a school shooting, church burning or suicide pact. But when MSNBC liberal correspondent Rachael Maddow invoked the names of Cannibal Corpse, Six Feet Under, Obituary, Death and Deicide it was mostly to take a stab at Republicans, not [...]

Ana Ivanovi Ana Paula Lemes Ananda Lewis Angela Marcello Angelina Jolie

Usher - Spotlight

Spotlight

Artist: Usher
Label: Warner Bros. Records, Asylum, Mizay Ent
Director: Benny Boom
Album: The State vs. Radric Davis

Brittny Gastineau Brody Dalle Brooke Burke Brooke Burns Busy Philipps

Grammy Hits And Misses: Ke$ha Shut Out, Bruno Mars Cleans Up

Big Boi and Alicia Keys are also left out, but Florence and the Machine and Ray LaMontagne get some much-deserved love.
By Gil Kaufman

Ke$ha
Photo: Kristian Dowling / PictureGroup

What would the annual Grammy nominations announcement be without the next-day quarterbacking and bellyaching about who got dissed and who got just the right amount of Academy love?

While this year's batch of contenders is mostly devoid of the WTF factor of past nomination seasons, when veteran acts such as Steely Dan, Robert Plant and Herbie Hancock sucked most of the air out of the room, there were still plenty of surprises, omissions and flat-out questionable choices to go around.

The one most people were buzzing about Thursday (December 2) was the blank delivered to Ke$ha, who earned a grand total of zero nominations for her debut, Animal, despite launching several hits and earning a major spot in the pop-culture universe in 2010. The snub was even more noticeable because one of her producers, Dr. Luke, was nominated in the producer category and four of the eight songs that earned him that spot were from Ke$ha's debut.

We spoke to Entertainment Weekly music critic Leah Greenblatt about that oversight and many others in this year's nominations. She said the Ke$ha situation was surprising, especially considering the love that the similarly poptastic Katy Perry got for Teenage Dream, which has sold well but, like Animal, was not critically adored upon release.

"But I think it's really cool to see Florence [and the Machine] get that nomination [for Best New Artist], and I think it's awesome that Esperanza Spalding also got nominated [in that category]," she said of the little-known jazz singer who likely sent many people to Google on Wednesday night.

Greenblatt was also excited that raspy-voiced singer Ray LaMontagne snagged a spot in the Song of the Year category for "Beg Steal or Borrow" and another in the Best Contemporary Folk Album category.

"As fogie-ish as the Grammys are, it seems like this year they went more towards a Teen Choice Awards direction with a noticeably younger group of nominees," she said, wondering if it was a conscious decision to try and make the show hipper or if it's a signal of the changing demographic of Grammy voters. "And I think Bruno Mars deserves all of his nominations," she added about the singer/songwriter/producer who scored seven nods. "He only had one hit, but he really shaped popular music this year with the songs he did for Travie McCoy, B.o.B and Cee Lo. He brought so much musicality to R&B and pop. He's making music and playing instruments and he's insanely melodic. He's not just jacking samples."

As for how Eminem ended up with the most nominations at 10, she chalked it up to the "Sandra Bullock factor," speculating that Grammy voters might have just thought it was Marshall Mathers' time to shine again. "He's not universally liked for his sparkling personality, but it seems like it's his time," she said of the rapper, who had the year's best-selling album with Recovery and stormed back with some of the most melodic, accessible music of his decade-plus career. "It almost seemed like he was deemed safe enough for the Grammys this year ... and the album is so incredibly commercial. It's as safe as Eminem gets."

As for who got left off, Greenblatt said she was surprised at the lack of "American Idol" names on the list, with season-eight winner Kris Allen getting shut out and that season's runner-up, Adam Lambert, only getting a bid for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "Whataya Want From Me."

And for a song that was one of the best-selling singles of the year, it was surprising that Train's "Hey, Soul Sister," Grammy bait if there ever was, managed only one nod for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals — for a live version of the tune.

There were other glaring omissions to be sure: no love for rappers Rick Ross and Big Boi, just a pair of nominations for last year's big winners Kings of Leon, a shutout for Lady Gaga's smash "Bad Romance" in the Record and Song of the Year categories (it did show up in Best Female Pop Vocal Performance) as well as for B.o.B and Hayley Williams' mega-hit "Airplanes," which scored only a Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals acknowledgment.

Greenblatt was also disappointed that Alicia Keys' The Element of Freedom got blanked, despite the handfuls of Grammys the singer has taken home in the past. And considering its major impact on the pop-culture landscape, "Glee" only got noticed in the Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media category and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals for "Don't Stop Believin'," which Greenblatt said may have had something to do with the fact that the songs on the show are covers and not original compositions.

In the end, though, she said this year's Grammys were mostly devoid of the giant head-smacking omissions and inclusions of past years and with the strong recognition to a new generation of singers, another potential sign that the show might be inching in a new direction.

Which artists or albums do you think got too much (or not enough love) this year? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Related Videos

2011 Grammy Nomination Reactions

Related Photos

Justin Bieber's Never Say Never - The Remixes Due Valentine's Day

Rascal Flatts, Chris Brown are among special guests featured on seven-track CD.
By James Dinh

Justin Bieber
Photo: Getty Images

Justin Bieber knows how to make his legion of Beliebers swoon on Valentine's Day. Come February 14, the pop megastar will release Never Say Never - The Remixes, the musical counterpart to "Never Say Never," his feature-film debut. As teased a few weeks ago, the limited-edition CD will feature a brand-new track and remixed tunes with features from Rascal Flatts, Chris Brown and more.

The seven-track CD, which includes a 12-panel official movie-poster foldout, begins with his Jaden Smith-assisted "Never Say Never." In addition to the film's trailer theme song, the project also features remixed collaborations with Rascal Flatts ("That Should Be Me") and Brown ("Up") and a live duet with Miley Cyrus ("Overboard"). The disc also includes the new Diane Warren-penned track "Born to Be Somebody." Fans can begin to pre-order the limited-edition CD for $9.99 on the Biebster's official online store.

The cover art for Bieber's remix project is the same photo featured on the 16-year-old's first movie poster for "Never Say Never," which he unveiled via a Twitter puzzle in October. In a dark varsity jacket, Bieber offers a side profile in front of a white backdrop. The 3-D movie hits theaters nationwide on February 11.

The singer's manager, Scooter Braun, hinted about some star-studded collaborations during a recent online fan chat. "Yes, Justin is working on new music," he said. "He's been talking to Drake about new music. [Bieber] and Kanye had a call today about a song they're trying to work on together. Kanye wants to produce a bunch of new songs for the new album. He's talked with Rascal Flatts. Him and Chris Brown have been sending stuff back and forth to each other."

The Never Say Never - The Remixes track list, according to Bieber's official website:

1. "Never Say Never" (featuring Jaden Smith)
2. "That Should Be Me" (remix featuring Rascal Flatts)
3. "Somebody to Love" (remix featuring Usher)
4. "Up" (remix featuring Chris Brown)
5. "Overboard" (live featuring Miley Cyrus)
6. "Runaway Love" (Kanye West remix, featuring Raekwon)
7. "Born to Be Somebody"

What song are you looking forward to hearing the most? Tell us in the comments!

Check out everything we've got on "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

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.

Ana Hickmann Ana Ivanovi Ana Paula Lemes Ananda Lewis Angela Marcello

Nicki Minaj, Lil Kim Feud Is 'Harmless,' 50 Cent Says

'Kim is the original, I believe, and Nicki is the right now,' G-Unit MC says on Shade 45.
By Jayson Rodriguez

50 Cent
Photo: Jordan Strauss/ WireImage

Lil Kim and Nicki Minaj's war of words has died down considerably in the new year, following months of fiery sniping in interviews and songs.

Queen Bee collaborator 50 Cent ("Magic Stick"), not one to shy away from differences with others, downplayed the rift between the feuding female MCs. In an interview on Shade 45's "G-Unit Saturdays," he spoke via phone about the beef with DJ Whoo Kid.

"When I look at them actually competing, I don't see anything," 50 said. "I think it's harmless. It adds an interesting story and other interests to them, 'cause Kim is the original, I believe, and Nicki is the right now."

When the pugilistic rapper was told his answer was surprisingly neutral — in addition to working with Kim, 50 is from Queens, New York, as is Nicki — he joked he didn't want to get involved in their battle.

"How do you get in the middle of a girl fight?" he responded.

Since New Year's Eve, when Kim fired the last salvo at Nicki during a performance, the two Big Apple rappers have remained quiet regarding one another.

Veteran MC Rah Digga recently headlined an all-lady lyricist concert in Los Angeles, and the former Flipmode Squad member said the feuding isn't necessary.

"To be honest, if you're an artist and you're just into the music, all that stuff is irrelevant," Digga told Mixtape Daily. "All that stuff they're fighting for has nothing to do with making good music or being an artist. It is what it is. It's a fight about being a popular celebrity. It has nothing to do with music. And I don't get caught up in that and I don't deal with anybody in it."

Do you think Kim and Nicki have a reason to feud? Sound off below!