Drake, Big Sean Look To 2012 At Cali Christmas Concert

Drake preps intimate 'Club Paradise' Tour as Big Sean finishes Finally Famous Over Everything mixtape.
By Felicia "The Poetess" Morris


Drake performs at Power 106's Cali Christmas 2011 on Friday
Photo: David Livingston/ Getty Images

L.A. Power 106's Cali Christmas Concert on Friday night got fans in the holiday spirit as headliners Drake, Big Sean and J. Cole took the stage alongside newcomers Audio Push, LoveRance and YG.

Drake, who had a stellar 2011, told MTV News that 2012 will be more about "growth" and "challenging" himself. He's gearing up for his upcoming "Club Paradise" Tour, his first headlining run, which will take place at smaller venues around the U.S. and bigger arenas in the U.K. Drizzy said he loves performing for intimate crowds. "I just like the energy. I like people to feel close to me," he explained.

The Toronto rapper will play for about 6,000 to 9,000 people every night, mostly college students, a demographic he said he feels most loyal to. "I chose to do that because I just feel like those are the kids that downloaded So Far Gone off of October's Very Own that night and have been riding with me ever since," he shared. "I don't want them to ever feel like I left them or like we're disconnected, so I'm just gonna go back and I'm gonna bring them a real tour into those college spaces."

As the second wing of the tour expands overseas to the U.K. toward the end of March, so will his audience size. The 25-year-old admitted he's not yet confident about playing the bigger arenas. "Watching me from a 500-level of an arena, I don't know if I'm mentally there yet," he confessed. "I don't know if I can mentally accept that."

Joined by Kendrick Lamar and A$AP Rocky, Drake's North American tour is scheduled to start February 14.

For Big Sean, 2011 was one of the best years of his life. "It's definitely a breakthrough year for me," the Detroit native told MTV News, sporting white mink headgear. "I had my first songs on the radio; I got my first gold and platinum plaques. I've been really having a great time."

Big Sean promised fans that his Finally Famous Over Everything mixtape will be completed near the top of the year. "It's just about done," he said. "Give it a couple more weeks just to shoot some videos, really get it prepared for the people and just really take over."

In addition to the FFOE mixtape, Big Sean will touch down on a couple of songs on Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music compilation, also featuring labelmates Common, Mos Def, John Legend, Pusha T, Kid Cudi, Cyhi the Prynce and Mr. Hudson.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676178/drake-big-sean-j-cole-power-106-cali-christmas.jhtml

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Country Star Rodney Atkins Arrested for Domestic Violence

Country singer Rodney Atkins has filed for divorce from his wife of more than a decade, Tammy Jo Atkins. But what's even sadder are the events leading up to the divorce: Tammy claims that Rodney tried to smother her with a pillow, then attacked her in front of their 10-year-old son, Elijah.

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/country-star-rodney-atkins-arrested-domestic-violence/1-a-411381?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Acountry-star-rodney-atkins-arrested-domestic-violence-411381

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Britney Spears Fans, Friends Celebrate Engagement

Ryan Seacrest tweets he 'can't think of a better guy' for the pop star than fiancé Jason Trawick.
By Kara Klenk


Jason Trawick and Britney Spears in the "Criminal" music video
Photo: Jive

Britney Spears is officially off the market. Reports were confirmed Friday (December 16) that the singer is engaged to Jason Trawick, her boyfriend of two years and "Criminal" video co-star.

Fans of the pop princess sent their love and congratulatory wishes online shortly after the story surfaced. Everyone loves a comeback, and Britney Spears' fans are no exception. After a rough period in 2007 that included losing custody of her children and an infamous public head-shaving, Spears has spent the past three years getting her life together, and fans have taken notice.

Take a walk down memory lane with this timeline of Britney and Jason's relationship!

Facebook user Rosanna Principessa Fabbro wrote, "So happy for her. She really nailed it, turned her life way around, and look — now with a good man :)" Other fans gushed, while Zakir Khan wrote simply on Facebook, "Best of luck."

On Twitter, @Elina_BS made a Twitpic card for the singer wishing her and Jason well.

Many of Britney's fans have been listening to her music for almost their entire lives, so news of her engagement felt especially personal for them. @mollypannell1 tweeted, "Is it weird how happy I am for @britneyspears? So cuuute. I still remember when her first video came out. I was 7!"

Celebs also took to Twitter to send their love. Ryan Seacrest tweeted his approval of the union, "I used to work w/ Jason Trawick and can't think of a better guy and more perfect match for @BritneySpears. Congrats guys." Nick Cannon also tweeted "Congrats @BritneySpears is engaged" and included a link to a post from his website that included a family photo of Britney, Jason and her two sons.

If nothing else, this milestone in Britney's personal life has renewed her fans' love. @Mae_tweet wrote, "You can't help liking @britneyspears! With Britney's infectious, resilience & strength. Born survivor. Credits to her X."

Share your well-wishes for the newly engaged couple in the comments below!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676171/britney-spears-engagement-fan-reaction.jhtml

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Black Keys Go Big On El Camino, In Between Chick-Fil-A Visits

Keys scored highest chart debut of their career earlier this week, when El Camino opened at #2.
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Matt Elias


Black Keys
Photo: MTV News

Earlier this week, building on the breakout success of their Brothers album and powered by current single "Lonely Boy," the Black Keys' El Camino roared to a #2 debut on the Billboard albums chart, by far their biggest bow to date.

And though many were surprised by the first-week numbers, the Keys themselves weren't. After all, they've known the stakes were higher from the minute they started recording El Camino — even though they tried very hard to ignore that fact.

"We were aware that more people were paying attention to us than ever had, but we tried not to let it get into our heads," drummer Patrick Carney told MTV News. "It definitely didn't affect the making of the album, but, you know, we were trying to take advantage of the situation, because we've been a band for a decade and the whole point, for us, was to play to as many people as possible without compromising. So we put a lot of time and effort into the new record. We've made records in 14 hours before; this one we spent 40 days on."

Of course, that extended stay in the studio had just as much to do with the band's increased stature as it did with El Camino's expanded scope. From its skuzzy, fuzzy guitars to the pealing organs and keening backing vocals, it packs a whole lot into just 38 breakneck minutes, taking the Keys' signature two-man racket to newfound places and spaces.

"When we started the songs, it was completely organic, but once we start going, and we get the foundation done, we really start to concentrate on the little details that sort of make it what it's going to be, because sometimes those little details can be really impactful," frontman Dan Auerbach said. "And that's why it took us longer than it's ever taken us to make a record."

Though most are quick to chalk that expansion to the band's work with producer Danger Mouse (whom they've collaborated with since 2008's Attack & Release), the Keys say that it was mostly due to them wanting to take full advantage of everything Brothers provided. In fact, the majority of their conversations with the Mouse involved nothing more than chicken.

"Most of our discussions were about Chick-fil-A," Carney laughed.

"Yeah," Auerbach added. "The distance to and from Chick-fil-A."

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676170/black-keys-el-camino.jhtml

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