T.I. Thanks Fans For Supporting No Mercy

'I love hearing your opinions on what songs you like most for the next singles,' incarcerated MC tells fans in message on his website.
By Mawuse Ziegbe


T.I.
Photo: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images

T.I. may be locked up, but he's still keeping tabs on his fans.

In a message posted on the ATL MC's website Wednesday (December 15), Tip thanked followers for the #4 debut of his latest effort, No Mercy, and added that he's taking fan opinion into account when choosing upcoming singles from the project.

"What up world? First off I'd like to thank everybody again for going out and supporting the 'Hustle' yet again with No Mercy last week. I can't say enough on how much I appreciate the support and all the positive feedback. I read so many tweets, letters, reviews and comments that spoke volumes to how much love was still out there and how much respect still exists for my art and my passion. I put so much of myself into what I do," he said. "I even read over the negative comments cuz' that's the kind of energy I feed off of to adjust, evolve and improve my craft until it manifests into the closest thing to perfection on the next go-round. I love hearing your opinions on what songs you like most for the next singles. We are taking all of them into consideration as we decide right now on which direction to head in."

Tip also urged followers to stay positive despite his time behind bars and sent out some cheery holiday greetings.

"I know this seems like an unfortunate set of circumstances to endure for a career with so much potential but remember adversity builds character and character takes you places money can't. I know what's in store for me in the future so I ain't trippin' and neither should you," he said. "For now all my love and best wishes to you and yours for the holidays. Y'all hold it down out there and I'll do the same in here. And continue to spread the word about No Mercy & Team T.I."

The upbeat missive comes around the same time that longtime T.I. crony DJ Drama said the "Get Back Up" spitter might have been disappointed in his first-week sales because he wasn't physically on the scene.

"Tip is the type of guy that, I'm sure, no matter how high it debuted, he might feel disappointed, because he's not here, [and he might] feel like he could have done better," Drama told MTV News. The mixtape king also added that he feels the drama surrounding Mercy may be a turning point in a career plagued by run-ins with the law — a sentiment that T.I. has also echoed.

"If it does whatever numbers it does, with him being here, it might have done double that. I think this [release] is the toughest one for him. I been a part of his career for the last 10 years, and I seen him in and out of legal problems. But I think this one is a little bit different. Hopefully, this one is the most life-changing one for him," he said. "I listened to the album, and I watched it being made, and it's some quality work. You know, at the end of the day, it's about the music. And he still comes with that music."

What do you think of T.I.'s latest message? Let us know in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1654377/20101215/t_i_.jhtml

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Ronald Isley, Anita Baker Honored At Soul Train Awards

Rihanna, Eminem, Usher, B.o.B, Alicia Keys among winners at event celebrating 40th anniversary of classic music show.
By Joel Hanek and Gil Kaufman


Anita Baker at the 2010 Soul Train Awards
Photo: Moses Robinson/ Getty Images

Only at the Soul Train Awards could you have a tribute to R&B icons such as Anita Baker and Ronald Isley alongside a segment in which rap legend Doug E. Fresh attempts to teach CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer how to do the Dougie.

It was that kind of night at the 2010 Soul Train Awards, as rookies, veterans and legends came together in Atlanta for the second annual event — which was taped November 10 and aired Sunday night on BET. The show, hosted once again by Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, featured a night of performances from some of the biggest names in soul and R&B.

Host Howard told MTV News that the show is meant to be an extension of the long-running and legendary '70s TV series that brought soul, disco, R&B and rap stars into viewers' living rooms. "It reminds me of the advancement black people have made over the years because 'Soul Train' really was the beginning of that Black Power movement when we could actually see ourselves — and to have an awards show based upon that 'Soul Train' — it's headed somewhere," Howard said. "We have a black president now. The country seems to be more tolerant towards the diversity inside of it so it seems like the train is moving well down the tracks."

The awards show marked the 40th anniversary of the classic music showcase hosted by Don Cornelius, and celebrated the careers of Baker and Isley, while handing out trophies to such contemporary stars as B.o.B (Song of the Year for "Nothing on You"), Melanie Fiona (Best New Artist), Eminem and Rihanna (Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year for "Love the Way You Lie"), Usher (Album of the Year for Raymond vs. Raymond) and Alicia Keys (Record of the Year for "Unthinkable [I'm Ready]" and Best Female R&B Soul Artist).

Though top winners such as Trey Songz, Usher, Ciara, Eminem and Rihanna were not in the house, Blitzer graciously agreed to accept Slim Shady's award for him, joking, "Who better to accept this award on behalf of Eminem ... I know he's thrilled."

Weaving through a series of skits involving magic tricks and jovial bickering by the hosts, the performance-heavy program delivered on talent. R. Kelly opened by teasing the crowd with his classic "Bump n' Grind," then diving into his new single "When a Woman Loves" — transforming the song from a slow jam into an all-out '50s rock-and-roll epic. Ne-Yo kept the show moving with a showcase of his singles from this year, including "Champagne Life" and "One in a Million."

The tribute to Baker featured an all-star cast, with artists like Chrisette Michele, Goapele, Lalah Hathaway, Dionne Farris, Kem, Tamia, Faith Evans and El DeBarge covering a medley of the singer's greatest hits. Baker told the crowd that the biggest honor of the night for her was that real musicians were performing live with an actual band. "It's amazing because you've got children behind you singing 'Rapture' — it's lovely," she said, adding, "Let's do it again!"

Ronald Isley, co-founder and lead singer of the Isley Brothers, also received a special homage that featured Jeffrey Osborne, Freddy Jackson, DeBarge, Tank, Eric Benet, Bilal and Peabo Bryson. Isley also came out to perform his own medley of hits and was joined onstage by Chanté Moore and R. Kelly for a rendition of "Contagious," their 2002 single that featured the Isleys. In addition, Cee Lo Green closed the show with a duet on the Isleys' classic 1959 hit, "Shout."

Among the event's other highlights was Cee Lo's performance of his smash "Forget You," which took place on a golden stage that resembled a cross between Kanye's Egyptian fusion and an OK Go video, and found the singer gliding down conveyor belts while belting his number.

Erykah Badu delivered a stripped-down version of her 2010 breakout "Window Seat" that featured the singer perched on the floor over a web of lights while appearing to orchestrate the vibrations of light flickers with her hands.

Soul singer Eric Benet performed "Sometimes a Cry" — a song that Lil Wayne cited as one of his favorites while in prison — bringing down the house with a soaring falsetto that bested his studio rendition of the track.

The evening's other performers included Bruno Mars, who sang his new hit "Grenade," and Jazmine Sullivan, who did a medley of "10 Seconds" and "Holding You Down (Goin' in Circles)."

Did you watch the 2010 Soul Train Awards? Tell us about your favorite highlights in the comments.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1653131/20101129/rihanna.jhtml

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Gary Bettman Talks Shootouts, Head Hits and Coyotes Sale

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NEW YORK -- According to Gary Bettman, the shootout is here to stay in the NHL, while the league's attempts to curb hits to the head "will continue to evolve."

The commissioner met with with reporters in Palm Beach after the league's two-day Board of Governors meetings. Showing off league corporate partner Cisco's latest advancement in video conferencing, called "Telepresence," Bettman was also able to speak face-to-face via video monitors with writers in New York and Toronto.

As the league looks forward with its technology, it is not looking back on its decision to go to a shootout to determine the outcomes of games tied after 60 minutes of regulation and five minutes of 4-on-4 overtime.

 

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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/07/gary-bettman-talks-shootouts-head-hits-and-coyotes-sale/

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Justin Bieber Cancels German TV Appearance After Stunt Accident

Singer apologizes to fans for postponing after man was injured jumping over a car in stilts.
By Gil Kaufman


Justin Bieber (file)
Photo: Larry Marano/ Getty Images

A TV appearance in Germany by Justin Bieber was canceled on Saturday night after a stunt went drastically wrong during the live broadcast. Grammy nominee Bieber was slated to sing live on the popular German show "Wetten Dass..?" but had to pull the plug just before he took the stage because 23-year-old Samuel Koch was severely injured while attempting to jump over a moving vehicle.

Bieber tweeted to his fans about the incident, writing, "Just want to let my people in Germany know I won't be on 'Wetten Dass..?' tonight as an accident has taken place and we all don't think it is right to continue. ... Please pray for Samuel Koch & his family as we wait and hope for his health and safety. I'm sorry we couldn't perform tonight but some things are more important than putting on a show."

Koch, who was wearing spring-powered stilts known as "powerbocks," failed in his attempt to jump over the car, which was being driven by his father, according to BBC News. The daredevil underwent surgery on Sunday after suffering multiple back injuries and fractures. While he was reported to be in an "extremely critical stage," his condition was not believed to life-threatening after the surgery.

"Wetten Dass..?" (which translates to "Wanna Bet?") has been on the air for nearly 30 years and draws an audience of about 10 million viewers a week. U.K. superstar Robbie Williams and former Genesis drummer Phil Collins were also slated to be on Saturday night's episode of the show.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1653582/20101206/bieber_justin.jhtml

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Heat Using Criticism as Fuel

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SALT LAKE CITY -- If there's some paranoia with the Miami guys about what might be the latest national Heat hammering, it's understandable.

Following a Miami practice Tuesday at the Utah Jazz's complex, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was debating whether naysayers have motivated his team.

Suddenly, Spoelstra said, "Is there something new?''

Relax, coach. With the Heat (14-8) having won five straight heading into Wednesday's game at Utah, the team actually is hearing the most positive comments it has all season.

"I didn't mean to be funny with that. It's just that there's been so much,'' Spoelstra, following laughter by the media, said when told that there was no reason to panic and the Internet wasn't full of any further Heat bashing.




 

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Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/07/heat-using-criticism-as-fuel/

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Marvin Miller's Continued Exclusion From Cooperstown a Travesty

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The biggest travesty in the Hall of Fame was perpetuated again Monday.

Marvin Miller, the first director of the players' union, came up one vote shy of being elected into the Hall of Fame by the Expansion Era Committee.

All Miller did in his almost two decades at the helm of the union was to completely change the landscape of the sport. Other than Babe Ruth, perhaps, no man has had a greater impact on the game.

And at its core, that's what Cooperstown membership is about -- being a game-changer and a dominant force in the sport.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/06/marvin-millers-continued-exclusion-from-cooperstown-a-travesty/

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