The 2010 MTV Video Music Awards Recap

Usher - Medley



Ciara & N.E.R.D. "Hot & Fun"



Mary J. Blige, Drake, & Swizz Beatz "Fancy"



Rihanna & Eminem "Love The Way You Lie"
I feel like a broken record saying that the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards paled in comparison to the years when, say, Britney was on top of her game, but, uh, it's the truth. I do have to give them props for the stage though cause that thing was insane--it stole the show imo! Usher arguably put it to best use during his performance of "DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love" & "OMG". He & his dancers were working it! MTV pissed me off though when Ciara ended up just taking over for Nelly Furtado during N.E.R.D.'s performance, which was sponsored, aired during a commercial break, & cut short. GAAWWW!!!! Mary J. Blige looked & sounded on-point when she opened Drake's performance with Swizz Beatz singing what I believe to be the song that "Fancy" samples before they all got into it. And, back at the start of the show, Rihanna joined Eminem (following his own performance of "Not Afraid") for the first live performance of their #1 hit. As far as the actual 'award show' part was concerned, things were pretty lame. Beyonce shared in one of Lady Gaga's way-too-many wins for Best Collaboration for "Telephone" & Alicia Keys joined Jay-Z in picking up Best Cinematography for "Empire State Of Mind", but that's about it... HERE are all the winners.

Nicki Minaj & Will.I.Am Perform On 2010 MTV VMA Pre-Show

Nicki Minaj took over the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards pre-show when she kicked off her performance with a little "Your Love" before jumping into her new single "Check It Out" with will.i.am. I love when Nick acts nuts, so I loved this performance! However, I do wish she would've gotten to the rap part of "Your Love"... & I don't hate it, but "Check It Out" is a lil' lacking (listen to it below if you haven't heard it yet). Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed her performance, so yay Nicki! Sure wish she coulda done it on that big, supafly stage...

Pink Friday = November 23rd

Melanie Fiona On Rising Icons

Melanie Fiona returned to BET's Rising Icons for its second season to perform an acoustic set that played not unlike an episode of VH1's Storytellers. The set included "Monday Morning", "Somebody Come Get Me", "It Kills Me", & "Ay Yo", & if you like how Melanie sounds here, then you'll love her new acoustic EP, which you can buy HERE. Acoustic works for some people & Melanie is one of those people! I looove when she slows down "Monday Morning", so that was a highlight for me + the ending she gave that song = LIFE!! I've never heard the studio version of "Somebody Come Get Me", which was released before & not included on her debut album The Bridge, but I enjoyed that performance as well. And, of course, she killed "It Kills Me" & "Ay Yo" was nice too. I'm excited to hear what she has up her sleeve for her sophomore album The MF Life, which drops next year.

Shontelle Performs On Jimmy Kimmel

Perfect Nightmare



Impossible
Shontelle kicked off some early promo for her upcoming sophomore album No Gravity (September 21st) with awesome performances of her new single "Perfect Nightmare" & hit single "Impossible" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! I dunno, y'all... seems like No Gravity >>> Shontelligence... might just have to pick it up!

Esmee Denters "Gravity" Video Premiere

"Gravity" is the latest single off Esmee Denters' debut album Outta Here. This video is most likely a reflection of her album sales, the poor thing. But, at least she got some kinda new video!

Stand Up To Cancer Performance Highlights

Natasha Bedingfield & Stevie Wonder "With You I'm Born Again" + Leona Lewis & Others "Unchained Melody"



Leona, Natasha, & Others "Sweet Dreams"



Leona, Natasha, & Others "Stand Up To Cancer"
Friday night, this year's Stand Up To Cancer telethon aired & stars like Leona Lewis & Natasha Bedingfield, among others (I see you, Kelly Price!), took to the stage to perform in support of the cause. They both sang with Stevie Wonder, Natasha on a rusty "With You I'm Born Again" & Leona amongst a group on "Unchained Melody". In addition, both of them, though primarily Leona, joined in performing both the Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams" & during the finale. Definitely a good look. I've gotta add that I've been really into Leona's Echo era lately--the album, leaked material from around the same time, even Ryan Tedder's demos. If you can get past "Happy", there's some really good music to be uncovered there!

*UPDATED* Nicki Minaj Does Out Magazine + More

Nicki Minaj is featured on the colorful cover of the October issue of Out. While we're on the subject of her fabulousness, Nicki received eight nominations (including one with Young Money) for the 2010 BET Hip-Hop Awards, which go down on Tuesday, October 12th @ 8/7c. Congrats, HB! Speaking of award shows, an extended version of her VMA promo has surfaced & it's much better:

UPDATE: Please. Surely you didn't think I would pass up an opportunity to post a fabulous new Nicki photoshoot:

Pink Friday = November 23rd

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Fantasia On Wendy Williams

"I'm Doin' Me"



Interview (Pt. 1)



Interview (Pt. 2)
Fantasia stopped by The Wendy Williams Show to perform "I'm Doin' Me" & sit down for an in-depth chat. The interview's a good one, definitely a worthwhile watch. As for the performance, nothing against Fantasia cause she brought it, but the ending they've been using this promo round bugs me! The important thing however is that her new album Back To Me is out now.

Shontelle "No Gravity" Tracklisting

Now that the September 21st release date for Shontelle's sophomore album has finally stuck, No Gravity is fast approaching, with it's tracklisting having just been unveiled. Take a look:

1. Perfect Nightmare
2. Impossible
3. No Gravity
4. Take Ova
5. Say Hello To Goodbye
6. DJ Made Me Do It
7. Love Shop
8. Helpless
9. Kiss You Up
10. T-Shirt (Radio Killa Remix)

Altogether now: O_o . Not only has a solid majority of the 10-song set already leaked, but... an old "T-Shirt" remix? As one of the *whopping* TEN tracks?! Also, note the absence of "Licky (Under The Covers)". Strange...

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The Caffeine Patch: New Megamind Trailer & Poster

Another new trailer for Dreamworks Animation's upcoming film "Megamind" recently surfaced & I must say, it's the best one yet. This actually tells you what the movie's about & it looks good (finally)--I'm even getting "The Incredibles" vibes, although I wouldn't be too quick to raise my expectations that high. In addition, check out the latest poster for the November 5th 3D release, a spoof of the similar famous Obama posters, below:

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Billboard Update

^#1 Album #1 Single^

The uplifting sounds of Disturbed's Asylum land atop this week's Billboard 200 album chart, where the Goo Goo Dolls debut @ #7 with Something For The Rest Of Us following first-week sales of 34,000 copies. Meanwhile, Katy Perry switches to the top of the Hot 100 singles chart with "Teenage Dream".

See full charts HERE

(Photo Credit: Wikipedia)

Fantasia On Regis & Kelly

"I'm Doin' Me"



Interview

Fantasia gave another sizzlin' performance of "I'm Doin' Me" off Back To Me following an interview, only part of which is featured above (sorry!), on Live With Regis & Kelly. Don't forget the premiere of Fantasia For Real on Sunday, Setember 19th @ 10/9c on VH1!

Janet Jackson "For Colored Girls" Poster

Janet Jackson is looking Fab.U.Lous. in this new character poster for her upcoming movie "For Colored Girls" (they appear to be using the shortened title). The Tyler Perry film recently got pushed UP from the top of 2011 to a November 5th release!

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Preview David Archuleta's "The Other Side Of Down" (Pt. 1)

In the first of many videos to come, David Archuleta previews & discusses tracks from his upcoming sophomore album The Other Side Of Down (October 5th). This part includes the title track "The Other Side Of Down" as well as the previously heard "Elevator", his origin story for which is toootally giving me "Inception" vibes.

JoJo "In The Dark" Video Premiere

"In The Dark" is the first single off JoJo's mixtape Can't Take That Away From Me. This is my favorite song on the mixtape, followed closely by "Pretty Please". I think the video's cool. It's not the most entertaining thing I've ever sat through, but for a viral video, it's good.