Chuckie Will Debut Michael Jackson Remix In Miami

Official 'Hollywood Tonight' remix coming to Miami Music Week.
By Akshay Bhansali


Chuckie
Photo: Jason Ano/ One and Only Productions

Leaving the South by Southwest festival, Lavo New York and Las Vegas' Marquee in his wake, house DJ Chuckie has his sights set on the week ahead. With Miami Music Week now upon us, Chuckie plans to seize the opportunity to debut new material. Fans will be tickled to know the Dutch producer has tracks in the can with Kelly Rowland and T-Pain, but when MTV News caught up with him Friday in New York, Chuckie shared the achievement of which he's most proud.

"I did a Michael Jackson remix, which was really scary — to touch Michael Jackson vocals," Chuckie said. "I did this remix for this track 'Hollywood Tonight.' I couldn't say it for a minute: The label called me, and they said, 'You can't say nothing about this. It's kind of a secret project.' It's gonna come out anytime now."

"Hollywood Tonight" was originally produced by Teddy Riley for Jackson's posthumous Michael album, and Chuckie's mix of the song will be the sole official remix of the track.

"I will play it Miami," Chuckie revealed. "I told them this is the best week to launch the remix. So it feels really good. I'm the only one remixing that Michael Jackson track, and they are considering it a single. For me, especially, it's an honor to remix the King of Pop because he died on my birthday."

So, will the mix be a thundering Chuckie Dutch house banger or will it have a melodic progressive house feel, like his Marquee remix of Diddy-Dirty Money's "I Hate That You Love Me"? Well, according to the "Let the Bass Kick" producer, fans will be getting a healthy dose of both.

"I had to bring in the raucous," Chuckie confessed. "Yeah, I did the Chuckie flavor, but then again, I wanted to make it really musical, so I went progressive (house) on it."

Chuckie will be performing twice at Miami Music Week: at the Cr2 Records Party at Wall Lounge on Wednesday, and then headlining "No Sugar Added" at Nikki Beach on Friday.

Are you excited to hear Chuckie's remix of Michael Jackson's "Hollywood Tonight"? Let us know in the comments below!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1660345/michael-jackson-chuckie-remix.jhtml

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The Black Eyed Peas Are 'Attached' To 'Just Can't Get Enough' Video

Don't miss the Peas' performance tonight at midnight ET on MTV.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Sway Calloway


The Black Eyed Peas' Fergie performs "Just Can't Get Enough"
Photo: MTV News

For latest single "Just Can't Get Enough," the Black Eyed Peas ended up making a video love letter to Japan. The group had shot the clip — complete with glitzy shots of the Asian country — just before an earthquake and tsunami struck. The sentiment they feel for the video very much mirrors the emotion that went into making the song.

"We're emotionally attached to it because we recorded the video in Japan five days before this whole thing went down, and it's like the type of song that gets to you in your heart," Taboo told MTV News when we caught up with the group at Terminal 5 in New York, where they were taping a show set to air tonight at midnight ET on MTV.

The song is a sugary-sweet dance track about being infatuated with that special someone. "The message is knowing that when you're gone from somebody, especially when you're on tour, you can't get enough of them or you're just thinking about them and you just want to let them know that you're always there for them," Taboo explained.

The band released the video last month, and they say they could never have known how much it would mean to them. "It was the easiest video I ever shot, because it was us living our lives," Fergie said at the time. "I love that it's showing a true perspective of how it can sometimes be lonely on the road away from our loved ones. It also demonstrates the love and connection we have with Japan. Our heart goes out to all of the Japanese people who have been affected by this natural disaster."

Don't miss the Black Eyed Peas' performance tonight at midnight ET on MTV.

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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


Mary J. Blige
Photo: MTV News

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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Usher Gets Sick, Walks Offstage Mid-Show In Berlin

Singer cancels kick off date of European leg of his OMG Tour due to illness.
By Gil Kaufman


Usher (file)
Photo: Michael Caulfield/ WireImage

Usher was forced to delay the kick off of his European OMG Tour on Wednesday night in Berlin because of illness. In a statement released to fans, the singer apologized for the last-minute scratch, saying he felt he was suffering from a "sinus complication." Although the gig was rescheduled for Thursday night at the O2 World arena in Berlin, his German fans apparently weren't appeased by his effort.

"I am truly sorry to all my fans in Berlin who were inconvenienced by tonight's postponement of the show," the singer said in a statement about Wednesday's aborted concert. "I was ill and felt that I would not have been able to give them the show that they properly deserve. ... I am looking forward to performing tomorrow and giving Berliners a great show."

According to the statement, the singer received treatment from doctors for a sinus issue that affected his balance, but a visibly still-ailing Usher was unable to finish the Thursday make-up show, reportedly abandoning the stage after just five songs.

On Friday (January 14), a follow-up statement from his spokesperson confirmed that he was too ill to play Thursday night's Berlin date and has been forced to reschedule the next three dates on the tour as well. The Rotterdam show originally scheduled for this week has been moved to March 1 and a show in Antwerp, also slated for this week, has been bumped to March 7.

The statement also updated the singer's condition: "Usher is suffering from upper respiratory illness, which is currently preventing him from performing a proper show. After consultation with doctors, he has been advised to reschedule the upcoming dates in order to get the rest he needs to ensure a complete recovery."

Footage posted on YouTube that was purportedly taken at the make-up performance in Berlin shows Usher standing silently at the microphone seemingly unable to sing, with fans booing him at first and then chanting, "Usher, Usher," as he approaches the microphone and apologizes to them for his struggles. "I appreciate your support," he told the fans wearily.

"I have been very excited about my European Tour and I deeply regret having to reschedule the shows," the singer said in the new statement. "I am truly sorry for any inconvenience I have caused my fans. My fans are the best in the world and I am looking forward to getting better so that I can give them the show they deserve."

Usher wrapped up the North American leg of his tour in December and his overseas dates are slated to last through the spring.

What do you think of the fans' reaction to Usher's walking offstage mid-show? Tell us in the comments.

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Tyga Wants Careless World Debut To Tell 'A Story'

The New West frontrunner tells MTV News, 'A lot of people they just know me based off of verses, features.'
By Alvin Blanco, with reporting by Sway Calloway and Rob Markman


Tyga
Photo: MTV News

As MTV News' New West Week comes to a close, the question is: which of the myriad of MC talents coming out of the L.A. hip-hop scene is most likely to enjoy mainstream success?

While the acts we've covered — Kendrick Lamar, Pac Div and Nipsey Hussle, to name a few — all have solid chances, the artist with the track record and best tools in place to succeed is Young Money's Tyga.

The Compton rapper already has certified hits under his belt. Even before making his YMCMB affiliation official, Tyga scored a hit with "Coconut Juice" in 2008. Then he made sure he wasn't forgotten among the Young Money pack by dropping guest verses on hits like "BedRock" and "Roger That." But it was last year's collaboration with his buddy Chris Brown on their joint Fan of a Fan mixtape that spawned Tyga's biggest hit to date, the Grammy-nominated "Deuces."

Now Tyga is prepping his forthcoming album, Careless World, which he told MTV News is about 75 percent done.

"You're going to see more of a story and more into Tyga's world and what I represent, the story that I'm trying to tell," Tyga explained about the album. "I feel like a lot of people they just know me based off of verses, features, heavy rap songs, mixtape stuff. Which is cool because I love to do that — this is rap music — but at the same time, I make a lot of real good music also.

"I don't think a lot of people are on to that yet," Tyga added. "I just dropped a mixtape, Black Thoughts 2, that was I say, maybe 25, 35 percent of what my album is going to sound like."

In the meantime, before Careless World gets its release later this year, Tyga is taking his music to the people. Although he isn't a part of the Weezy-headlined I Am Still Music Tour, he's currently on Diddy-Dirty Money's Coming Home Tour.

Diddy thought enough of Tyga to bring him on his tour, and on Thursday MTV News spoke to Young Money president Mack Maine, who told us he's excited about pushing the Cali MC's project forward.

"I'm definitely looking forward, his buzz is up, it's ridiculous," Mack said. "We're about to drop this single soon, it's called 'Far Away,' featuring Chris Richardson and from there it's basically, we need to capitalize. He also has another song that I'm waiting for Nicki [Minaj] to do her verse on. We'll try to drop that single. From there, let's just see when the people are ready for his album. But he got a lot of songs done so we're definitely trying to put him out before the end of the year."

When Careless World does drop it will surely have plenty of YMCMB participation but Tyga assures it won't be a scattershot compilation. "I just like to make the music organic," Tyga said.

"If I feel like, 'This person on this will be real dope,' then I'mma reach out and get the feature. But it's all about making great music. If there's features on every track but it's great music, I mean hey ... either you love it or you don't."

Stick with us all week as MTV News turns the spotlight on the New West, the next wave of hip-hop acts helping restore faith in the L.A. rap scene. From groups like Odd Future to rising MCs like Dom Kennedy, we'll bring you up close and personal to these artists as they carve their own lanes in the post-gangsta rap era. Keep it locked here for the next week for more on the West Coast up-and-comers!

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Ke$ha Postpones Japan Tour Dates

Ne-Yo, Cyndi Lauper continue to perform in the country following earthquake.
By Gil Kaufman


Ke$ha
Photo: Noel Vasquez/ Getty Images

As the people of Japan continue to struggle with recovering from the nation's devastating earthquake and tsunami, some artists are being forced to cancel their tour dates in the nation. Ke$ha released a statement on Monday announcing that she would have to postpone her upcoming dates in Japan.

"My heart is with Japan right now through this disaster and these hardships," the singer wrote on her website. "I genuinely don't think right now would be appropriate timing for me to perform in Japan given the content and the spirit of my show, which is all about feeling exuberant, rowdy, and wild. ... I plan to bring my party there and to that part of the world when we are all ready to dance and Get $leazy together again. In the meantime I am going to do everything I can to help relief efforts and I encourage everyone in the world to do the same."

In the meantime, Ke$ha has a string of North American dates kicking off on April 1 with a show in Clarion, Pennsylvania, and running through early May.

According to Billboard, the promoter of the scotched Japanese tour, Creativeman Productions, also announced that it would be canceling a pair of its annual spring festivals. The Springgroove, an R&B, soul and hip-hop festival scheduled for April 2 near Tokyo and April 3 in Osaka, would have featured Nelly and Flo Rida, among others. Also called off was then annual hardcore Punkspring festival on April 1 and 2 in Osaka and Nagoya with headliners Good Charlotte and Hoobastank.

Ne-Yo continued with his planned dates in Japan over the weekend, performing a show in Nagoya on Friday and launching a charity initiative to help the people of the country. Called "Spread Love Through Music," the show included donation boxes at the concert to help those in need and the sale of a special wristband with proceeds going to earthquake relief. He plans to do the same during his shows on Tuesday (March 22) in Yokohama and Thursday in Tokyo. "You can absolutely spread love through music, and I think that's what's absolutely called for in this time of crisis," he said in a video on his website.

Also currently touring Japan is Cyndi Lauper, who is slated to play a show in Osaka on Tuesday and was in the country promoting her Memphis Blues album when the quake hit on March 11. She's been tweeting about her experience all along, and on Monday, she wrote about the healing power of music in the shattered country.

"Miss my family but have my music family and the warmth of the peeps I sing to. Tonight I will lose myself in the music and the rhythm," she wrote. Like Ne-Yo, she is asking fans to donate cash at the shows to earthquake relief and is donating all royalties from sales of her Blues album in Japan to the Japanese Red Cross.

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Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, John Paul Jones Unveil Supergroup

Them Crooked Vultures make their debut with a post-Lollapalooza set.
By James Montgomery


Dave Grohl (file)
Photo: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images

Officially, Lollapalooza ended Sunday night in Chicago's Grant Park, with dueling sets from the Killers and Jane's Addiction. Unofficially, it ended very early Monday morning, across town at venerable rock club the Metro, with a surprise show by Them Crooked Vultures.

To the unfamiliar, the Vultures might seem like an odd choice to close out Lolla weekend ... until you realize that they're made up of Foo Fighters frontman/ former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, Queens of the Stone Age mastermind Josh Homme and Led Zeppelin legend John Paul Jones. And their gig at the Metro was their world premiere.

According to some reports, the Vultures actually turned down Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell's request to replace the Beastie Boys as headliners at the festival, opting to debut in front of some 1,100 super-psyched fans at the Metro, rather than 75,000 in Grant Park (tickets for the gig were announced via Foo Fighter/ QOTSA fan clubs). Meaning that, in a lot of ways, this was the most sought-after ticket in town.

Taking the stage just after midnight, the Vultures — Grohl on drums (of course), Homme on guitar and vocals, Jones on bass and keys and frequent QOTSA contributor Alain Johannes on guitar — ripped through 12 songs in 80 minutes, all taken from their upcoming debut, which may or may not be called Never Deserved the Future, and may or may not be hitting stores on October 23 (early "promo" videos touting both those facts were revealed over the weekend to be hoaxes perpetrated by QOTSA fans).

The songs, with appropriately Homme-ian titles like "Scumbag Blues," "Mind Eraser (No Chaser)," "Caligulove" and "Interlude w/Ludes," sounded pretty much how you'd expect, given the band's pedigree. They rocked, hard — Chicago Tribune critic Greg Kot described them as "fresh, invigorating and just plain nasty" — delving off into psychedelic, reverb-filled excursions and exploring proggy territory, "both of the old-school Yes variety, and the more modern Tool flavor," according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Jim DeRogatis.

It's not known if Monday's Metro performance was a one-off event for the Vultures — there have been whispers of a full-blown tour, but a spokesperson for Homme had not responded to MTV News' request for comment at press time. Nor was it clear whether or not they'll have an album out in October.

Early Monday, a Crooked Vultures Twitter account, which had previously posted links to the band's official-looking Web site and the Metro's online ticketing site — posted a link to what appears to be the group's first bit of official merchandise: a Deserve the Future T-shirt. Cost: $30.

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Justin Bieber's 'One Less Lonely Girl' Focus Of Royalty Lawsuit

Managers of the A-Rex songwriting team are looking for $200,000 they claim that they are owed from the hit song.
By Gil Kaufman


Justin Bieber
Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images

Justin Bieber's hit anthem "One Less Lonely Girl" has a couple of music managers feeling a bit left out in the cold. Vance Tate and Thomas Oliveria, who represent the songwriting team A-Rex — composed of Sean Hamilton and Hyuk Shin — have filed a lawsuit seeking additional royalties from the tune, which appears on Bieber's hit 2008 debut, My World.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the managers claim that the A-Rex team created "Lonely Girl," which is credited on My World to Hamilton and Shin, along with Ezekiel Lewis, Bieber mentor Usher and Balewa Muhammad.

Tate and Oliveria allege that they are entitled to 10 percent of the publishing royalties tied to A-Rex's share of the song, an amount they peg at around $200,000. They are seeking damages for breach of contract, fraud, conversion and copyright infringement. A spokesperson for Bieber's label could not be reached for comment on the lawsuit at press time.

The suit not only names Hamilton and Shin, but also EMI Music Publishing and the L.A. Reid Music Publishing Company, which is connected to Bieber's former label boss, Antonio "L.A." Reid, who recently stepped down as chairman of Island Def Jam Records to be a judge on Simon Cowell's upcoming "X Factor" reality show.

Another Bieber song, "Pray," meanwhile, is included on a just-released all-star charity benefit album Songs for Japan, proceeds from which will aid the victims of the earthquake/tsunami disaster in Japan. The Bieber track appears alongside tunes from Lady Gaga, Eminem, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Madonna, the Kings of Leon and Katy Perry.

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Lady Gaga Feels She's Been 'Probed Endlessly' About Who She Is

'Judas' singer goes on curse-filled rant in new issue of NME.
By Jocelyn Vena


Lady Gaga
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Lady Gaga is on the defense these days. Fans aren't sure how they feel about her Born This Way cover art, and in the new issue of British music magazine NME, the singer felt the need to let the world know that she's not some gimmick and her shtick is the real deal, protruding face bones and all.

"Let me tell you something. If you f---ing rip my hairbow and my wig off my f---ing head, my shoes, my bra, every single thing on my body, and you throw me on a piano with a microphone, I will f---ing make you cry," she proclaims in the magazine, which hits newsstands on Tuesday (April 19). On the cover, Gaga appears in a see-through body suit, with zippers over her lady parts, wearing heavy eye makeup, her now signature "BTW" prosthetics and a wig she wore in the "BTW" video.

"I feel I have been probed endlessly about who the f--- I am," she continues. "I have been quite open about it. And still nobody seems to have a clue."

Gaga recently unveiled her second single, "Judas," off her May 23 album release. Parts of the song may pay homage to some of her past hits, but it is certainly not the type of pop song that Katy Perry or Britney Spears would record. "I'm not going to start churning out what you expect," she said. "If you want me to be a manufactured act, you can f--- off."

The star also defended her prosthetics recently in Harper's Bazaar. "Well, first of all, they're not prosthetics. They're my bones," she said in the issue. "They've always been inside of me, but I have been waiting for the right time to reveal to the universe who I truly am. They come out when I'm inspired."

She mirrored that sentiment on her Twitter page on Tuesday, writing, "Born This Way is who I am. An artist in a constant state of half-fantasy/half-reality at all times."

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