'He always wants there to be the soul in there,' Cruz tells MTV News about his 'Without You' collaborator.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Matt Elias
<P>Usher is hard at work on his next album. Set to work with fellow hitmaker Taio Cruz, the two already cooked up some magic with their David Guetta anthem "Without You," and it seems they are hoping to recapture that spirit for Usher's follow-up to 2010's <i>Raymond v. Raymond</i>. </P><P> </P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Taio Cruz's Collabo With Usher Is A 'Secret'" id="vid:717257" width="240" height="211"></div><p> </P><P> </P><P>"I saw Usher a few times, but I spoke to him at length at David [Guetta]'s house when we were in Ibiza [Spain]," he told MTV News in L.A. after his Jingle Ball set. "He has very specific ideas of where he wants to go musically and sound-wise." </P><P> </P><P>Given that Usher has never shied away from exposing a bit of himself in his music, while also keeping the party going, Cruz wants to make sure they can connect the mind, body and soul for this next release. "He always wants there to be the soul in there," he explained. "I'm kind of, not the opposite, but I'm always like, 'Let's get straight to the point and be really clear with the message and be simple.' </P><P> </P><P>"So we try to match those two worlds together: being soulful and, at the same time, catchy," he added. </P><P> </P><P>Cruz can't yet discuss what they're working on: Besides "Without You," he said, "Everything else is secret." </P><P> </P><P>Usher said he was drawn to the Guetta hit because he connected to it emotionally, explaining to MTV News recently what an important part that plays in his musical philosophy. "I think the world wanted a record like that. That [song] really spoke to the journey that I've actually been on in the last three years," he said. "Traveling all around the world, music sounds different. There's many different genres, and when you see R&B and pop and house, as well as electronic, come together, that's the reality of what music is." </P><P> </P><P><div style="background-color:#000000;width:428px;"><div style="padding:4px;"></div></div></p>
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Amy Cobb Amy Smart Ana Beatriz Barros Ana Hickmann Ana Ivanovi
Gwyneth Paltrow might think that The New York Times' "facts need checking" -- but the venerable newspaper is quite happy with the facts they have, thank you very much. And so the Times is standing by a story it ran in the dining section last week claiming that Paltrow and other celebrity chefs -- including Jamie Oliver, Rachael Ray and Mario Batali -- have used a ghostwriter to pen their cookbooks.
Denise Richards Desiree Dymond Diane Kruger Dido Diora Baird
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Blake Lively Blu Cantrell Bonnie Jill Laflin Bridget Moynahan Britney Spears
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Jaime King Jaime Pressly Jamie Chung Jamie Gunns Jamie Lynn Sigler
Band set to release title track from Some Nights as the follow-up to chart-topping hit.
By James Montgomery
Andrew Dost and Nate Ruess of Fun.
Photo: MTV News
There probably is no real downside to having the #1 song in the country. Though, as the guys in Fun. are quickly finding out, there is one particularly unique challenge: Namely, following up that chart-topping song.
Sure, this is definitely a good problem to have, but it's a problem nonetheless. As Fun. told us backstage at the mtvU Woodie Awards during South by Southwest, they're already making plans to keep the momentum of "We Are Young" going with the title track from their Some Nights album. And by all accounts, it's going to be pretty epic.
"The song's going to be 'Some Nights,' which, for us, is the song we always dreamed would be a single and never thought it would happen," frontman Nate Ruess said. "We're talking about videos right now. The video's going to be amazing, and we haven't even decided on anything yet. ... But just from the early stuff we've discussed, it's going to be phenomenal."
And it'll have to be pretty phenomenal to match the eye-popping video for "Young," though, to be honest, Fun. aren't necessarily worried about all that. They're more excited to be able to make a video for the track they feel best represents not only their entire album, but where they're at as a band.
"I think that the song 'Some Nights' just kind of sums up who we are as a band, and while it's über-personal, I think it gives people a lot of stuff to relate to. It's not a love song; it's a song about being an underdog and trying to figure out where you fall into that situation," Ruess said. "And so, for that to be kind of the mission statement for the whole entire album, and for that to be a song that people are really responding to, and now we get to make a video for it? That is perfection for us."
Are you looking forward to more Fun. music? Let us know in the comments!
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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1681455/fun-some-nights.jhtml
'Truly gone too soon,' Usher tweets Tuesday.
By James Dinh
<P>Hip-hop lost a rap icon when Heavy D died Tuesday afternoon (November 8) at age 44, and the music industry is clearly mourning the loss. A string of stars, including Usher, Timbaland and Nicki Minaj, have shared their memories of the late MC on Twitter. </P><P> </P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Heavy D Passes Away" id="vid:709301.id:1674015" width="240" height="211"></div><p> </P><P> </P><P>Usher offered his sympathy to the family of the Jamaican-born rap heavyweight, tweeting, "This is too heavy, I can't believe it. HEAVY D was just here. Truly gone too soon. My heart and support goes out to his family. R.I.P HEAVY." </P><P> </P><P>Mega-producer Timbaland couldn't even process the announcement, writing, "I'm at a loss for words rip heavy d." </P><P> </P><P>After re-tweeting the late-MC's last message ("BE INSPIRED"), hip-hop's Harajuku Barbie also weighed in on the news. "We'll never forget you babe! #hiphopelite #RIPHeavyD," Nicki wrote. </P><P> </P><P>From one raptress to the next, Missy Elliott shared her thoughts: "U will be missed Heavy D so many laughs we've shared but your Music is Timeless and will Always be Around 4ever Love u Heav..." </P><P> </P><P>Ciara described the MC as "a really nice man. Sending my condolences to him and his family!" </P><P> </P><P>DJ Drama and Nick Cannon reflected on the icon's impact. "Heavy D 'Who's The Man' was one of my 1st pieces of vinyl when I first started djayin," DJ Drama wrote. "Def 1 of the first 5 records I spent $ on. RIP." </P><P> </P><P>Cannon said he had "just talked" to Heavy D, adding, "He was just encouraging me about life." </P><P> </P><P>"RIP TO A REAL HIP HOP LEGEND HEAVY D!" Nas chimed in. </P><P> </P><P>Juelz Santana recalled the rapper/actor's recent BET Hip Hop Awards performance. "RIP Heavy D. He was a Hip Hop Legend," he shared. "Crazy how sh-- happens. I was late 2 da BET Awards & Heavy D's Performance was 1 of da only 2 I got 2 see. Blessed 4 dat opportunity. RIP." </P><P> </P><P>Boyz II Men, who shared the '90s spotlight with the MC, sent condolences to his family, writing, "UGH...heavy d..always cool as hell with us..just a sick feeling....praying for his little daughter and family." </P><P> </P><P>Share your memories of Heavy D on Facebook. </P><P> </P><P><center>
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Kicking off her morning with an intense workout, Kim Kardashian was spotted exiting a boot camp fitness class in Toluca Lake, California today (March 20).
Sporting a black zip-up jacket, black leggings, and a white tank top, the ?Disaster Movie? dame strolled back to her car while shutterbugs swarmed nearby.
During her recent interview with Ryan Seacrest, Kim set the record straight on the rumors that are circulating about her these days.
Regarding her supposed tryst with Kanye West, Kim shared, ?I think I?m still married. I?m really not dating right now at all. I?m really just focusing on work. I know I always say this, but I?m trying to just get through my situation and just have fun.?
Ms. Kardashian also denied that she?s looking to adopt a baby. ?I don?t even know where that came from. What?s so crazy is?the magazines could easily call and ask, and we would say yes or no. But no, that?s not true. I?ve heard so many ridiculous things and to be honest I used to read all the magazines and watch things. I don?t even look at any of that anymore. I?ve taken my Google alerts off my phone!?
And as for her media exchange with Jon Hamm, Kim explained, ?I just feel like, to be honest, it?s all about trying to stay focused and keeping everything positive. It really takes a lot more energy and effort to be harsh than to say something nice and be positive.?
Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/kim-kardashian/kim-kardashian-tired-toluca-lake-596334
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