by Maurice Bobb 26 mins ago

Think you have what it takes to be the next “Hottest MC”? Well, now’s your chance to prove it. MTV News’ own Sway Calloway announced Monday (September 29) that he and Crooked I will work together for the first-of-its-kind rap competition series, “One Shot.”

Billing itself as a “battle where hip-hop and competition are the stars,” the show will allow MCs to compete for the title of hip-hop’s next superstar, a record deal with SMH Records and $100,000 cash money.

“This is strictly for hip-hop,” Crooked I said on Shade 45′s “Sway In The Morning.” “This right here is to provide a platform for hip-hop, for us. If you’re an up-and-coming artist, I had the same struggle. I had the same everything you got. I’m just like you. This is for us. Strictly hip-hop.”

DJ King Tech of “The Wake Up Show” and SMH Records CEO Mike Smith will join the Slaughterhouse rapper and “RapFix Live” host as they venture to Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami, New York, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco and Los Angeles to evaluate the entrants’ skills on the mic.

In addition to featured industry professionals, a special celebrity judge from each city will contribute to the panel’s assessment of each upstart lyricist’s performance.

The final-four contestants will then be chosen to advance to each city’s main event, where they will work with SMH Records co-founder Jonathan Hay, Mike Smith, Tech and the Apex Predator MC on the songs they will perform. In ...

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by John Walker 23 mins ago

Every morning and every evening this past summer, I saw the same face on the way to and from work: Mapei going in, Mapei going out, Mapei going in, Mapei going out, Mapei going in, Mapei going out and so on. The last block I had to traverse to MTV’s downtown Manhattan office space was plastered with posters for every artist from Ariana Grande to FKA twigs, but it was this one of the mysterious Mapei who always caught my eye.

For all the “Simpsons” fans out there, the effect got kind of “GABBO GABBO GABBO” by the end, though I’m happy to report that the material Jacqueline Mapei Cummings delivered is about a thousand times better than some unsettling ventriloquist act. Her debut album, Hey Hey, was released last Tuesday (September 23), and if you haven’t listened to it yet, here are three standout tracks to convince you to do otherwise.

1.) “Don’t Wait”

It’s like there’s a party on my Tumblr dash, and everyone’s invited. But underneath the super-cute styling of, like, literally everyone in this video lies one of the most intimate, affecting songs I’ve heard in a while. When Mapei says “No one’s got your back like I do,” even the most jaded person in the world would believe her.

2.) “Change”

Lest you think she can’t give you vocals, Mapei absolutely explodes out of the frame on “Change.” Performed live for the YouTube channel Transmitter, this rendition of “Change” suddenly winds ...

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by Jordana Ossad 6 mins ago

Ethan and Amber found everlasting love during their unforgettable adventure on “Are You the One?” and thanks to their sweet success story, the original crew is getting ready to welcome a brand-new addition to the clan.

Related: Here’s What An ‘Are You The One?’ Dream Wedding Might Look Like

That’s right — there’s a baby on board, and in order to celebrate the couple’s impending arrival, the entire “AYTO” gang gathered in Los Angeles for a shower that did double-time as the “Are You the One? Special Delivery” reunion. Because let’s not forget, this bundle of joy is going to quickly become acquainted with a bunch of fun-loving aunts and uncles — sans truth booth and match-up ceremonies.

But on to the first order of business: the baby’s gender. Like most future parents, Amber and Ethan had different preferences: The papa-to-be wanted a boy because in his opinion, they “don’t ever really grow up” and are hence easier to raise; the soon-to-be mom expressed her desire for a mini-me.

So is it a boy or a girl? After welcoming their admittedly “crazy family” with open arms, Amber and Ethan settled into a pool party/gender-reveal bash to finally find out what the stork will be bringing. Armed with bottles of champagne, gifts galore and plenty of cheer, the duo opened a big box featuring a bunch of balloons that revealed the answer:

That’s right, folks, it’s a girl! The emotional couple tearfully embraced after learning ...

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by Maurice Bobb 10 mins ago

The autumnal equinox might be officially upon us, but for DJ Mustard, it’s still all about 10 Summers. In “Ghetto Tales,” the latest video off of his debut album that dropped Monday (September 29), Mustard revisits his Los Angeles roots.

The Alex Nazari-directed clip begins with a police helicopter circling the My Krazy Life producer’s ‘hood before he pulls up in a classic, maroon-red droptop ’64 Chevy Impala to pick up his partner-in-rhyme, Jay 305, from a sea of what appear to be members of the Bloods street gang.

After the first verse, Mustard switches it up and flips in a beautiful blue Chevy with the roof missing to scoop his homie, Tee Cee. Both men continue to elude the chopper in hot pursuit from above, eventually linking up with Jay later down the road.

Watch DJ Mustard’s “Ghetto Tales” video featuring Jay 305 and Tee Cee at Noisey to find out what happens next, and listen to the track below.

by Jessica Hyndman 33 mins ago

In case you haven’t heard about the biggest thing in non-kosher news, Wendy’s just announced a handful of new menu items that are all about that bass. And by “bass,” I mean pig because there are three — yes, three — new BBQ-coated pulled pork items hitting the menu for a limited fall run.

There are few words in this world that can make me smile the way “pulled pork” can. I generally keep a pretty clean diet (veggies and lean meats all day, erryday), but some things you have to make an exception for. Let’s put it this way… I feel about pulled pork the way most people feel about air pizza. It’s my vice. It’s my happy place. And it can do no wrong.

Anyway, here are the three pieces of pulled-pork glory coming soon to a mouth near you. Unless you’re vegetarian/vegan, in which case you probably don’t want to keep reading.

1.) BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich

Price: $4.49
Health Cost: 410 calories, 14g fat and 1,230mg sodium
This traditional sammy is loaded up with hickory-smoked pulled pork, cole slaw and BBQ sauce on a brioche bun. I’ll take two.

2.) BBQ Pulled Pork French Fries

Price: $2.99
Health Cost: 470 calories, 23g fat and 1,020mg sodium
These deep-fried taters come smothered with warm cheddar cheese and pulled pork, topped with your choice of BBQ sauce. Yes, please.

3.) BBQ Pulled Pork Cheeseburger

Price: $4.99
Health Cost: 640 calories, 33g fat and 1,260mg sodium
This beauty ...

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by Jessica Hyndman 25 mins ago

The first trailer for Paul Thomas Anderson’s adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s “Inherent Vice” dropped on Monday (September 29), and it stars Joaquin Phoenix as drug-fueled private investigator Larry “Doc” Sportello.

The film, billed as part surf noir, part psychedelic romp, follows the upside-down story of Doc as he investigates the disappearance of an ex-girlfriend’s billionaire boyfriend in 1970s Los Angeles.

The movie also stars Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson, Katherine Waterston, Reese Witherspoon, Benicio del Toro and Jena Malone.

“Inherent Vice” is set to premiere on October 4 at the New York Film Festival with a wide release to follow on January 9, 2015

by Alex Zalben 21 mins ago

Is The CW’s “Arrow” about to cross over with FOX’s “Gotham?” It seems unlikely, given the different networks and all… But a major plotline on tonight’s (September 29) episode of “Gotham” may suggest that the two shows are more linked than we first imagined.

Before we get into serious spoiler territory, a little bit of background. Though DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. are the companies behind most, if not all of the multitude of DC Comics-based TV shows and movies about to hit your eyeballs over the next few years, they’ve been very clear that the properties won’t cross over.

During the Television Critics Association press tour for “Arrow” and “The Flash” – two shows that do exist in the same, shared universe – DC Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns explicitly stated that the duo of series wouldn’t meet up with Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck in “Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice.”

“It’s a separate universe than film so that the filmmakers can tell the story that’s best for film,” Johns told the press. “While we explore something different in a different corner of the DC universe. We will not be integrating the film and television universes.”

Which is well and good, but what about “Gotham,” not to mention NBC’s “Constantine,” TNT’s prospective “Titans,” FOX’s “Lucifer,” or CBS’ “Supergirl?” It’s not unheard of for networks to cross two shows over, but given the multitude of contracts involved, it certainly seems unlikely.

Except on “Gotham” we get the ...

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by Jessica Hyndman 1 min ago

When life knocks you down, you grab your girlfriend’s hand and stand right back up. At least that’s what ultra-posi ray of sunshine Christina Milian hopes Amber Rose will do in the wake of her divorce from Wiz Khalifa.

“Sending love to my bae @muvarosebud,” Milan captioned a photo of the two ladies on Instagram Monday (September 29). “You are one Cool Fierce Ass Sexy B-tch! I can’t wait to see what your future has in store! So thankful for your friendship and having a REAL Chick to call a friend. GIRL POWER! Get Ya Life Boo!! #Milf! xoxo.”

Who doesn’t want that cheering section 24/7?

Amber is currently dealing with her very sudden, very public divorce the “We Dem Boyz” MC. Early reports cited marital problems, with “irreconcilable differences” listed as the cause for separation on the divorce documents. Adding fuel to speculative fire, Amber Rose tweeted a series of accusational tweets implying that Wiz cheated on her. She could use some good vibes now, non?

Meanwhile, the “Dip It Low” singer has been going through some personal troubles of her own after denying that she was dating Lil Wayne. Weezy’s ex, singer Nivea, put Milian on blast last week by not only confirming the relationship, but revealing that the coupling is not all that popular with the extended Carter clan.

At least Amber and Christina have each other though, right?

by Jessie Peterson 20 mins ago

Jean Paul Gaultier, the French Haute Couture and Pret-a-Porter fashion designer said goodbye during Paris Fashion Week with his Spring 2015 Ready-To-Wear collection. Gaultier’s fashion house said that while it may have hung up its hat on ready-to-wear, its attention would instead be on fragrance and “various collaborations within the industry.” Citing commercial restraints and the breakneck pace in which collections are put out, it makes sense that the revolutionary designer would decide to retreat into the world of haute couture.

Rather than having the show be a sad occasion, Gaultier decided to turn a potential funeral instead into a wake with nary a moment for tears. How? Simple. Gaultier threw a beauty pageant.

“Élection​ de Miss Jean Paul Gaultier 2015″ as it was called opened with models in Gaultier’s signature stripes. There were also several categories different including:

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Miss Femme de Footballeur…

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…Miss Lucha Libre—inspired by Mexican wrestlers…

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(Also of note, these crazy sombreros)

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…and Miss Smoking, with emphasis on tailoring and gender-bending formalwear.

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There was also leather, denim and sportswear, the last of which featured a reworking of the classic “Everlast” logo.

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by John Walker 42 mins ago

On his debut album, In The Lonely Hour, Sam Smith spun heartbreak into chart-topping gold. If anyone’s got a reason to celebrate, it’s probably him, so can you blame him for doing exactly that on “Restart”?

The uptempo, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”-esque follow-up to “I’m Not The Only One” sees the 22-year-old singer not only coming to terms with an unrequited love from his past, but, um, pretty much dancing on its grave.

“The truth is I’m better on my own, and I don’t wanna live in the past,” Sam sings, later concluding that “you’re the one who looks like a fool.” Way harsh, Tai.

The Michael Holyk-directed clip follows that celebratory vibe, showing us what life on the road with Sam Smith is really like. Think lots of laughs, lots of pints and luh-huh-huh-lots of sing-alongs of Beyoncé’s “***Flawless,” and you’ve got the general idea.

Oh yeah, there’s also this one particularly terrifying umbrella. Sidenote: I relate to this screengrab so hard, you guys.

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