May 4, 2024

Review Category : TMZ Music News

‘Amazing Spider-Man 2′ Composer Hans Zimmer Asked Pharrell To ‘Write An Opera’ For Electro

by 04/30/14

With reporting by Josh Horowitz

Hans Zimmer and Pharrell Williams‘ theme for Electro in “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” is insane… in all the right ways.

“It started with going, I wanted to put some voices into Jamie’s head,” Zimmer said when MTV News caught up with the composer on the film’s New York red carpet. “And so I said to Pharrell, hey, why don’t we write an opera? And I don’t think anybody’s ever said to Pharrell, ‘let’s write an opera.’ ”

If we can get more crazy music like Electro’s theme, which includes a rhythmic chant repeating all the things that make Electro angry over an ominous but driving bass riff by legendary guitarist Johnny Marr, then Zimmer and Pharrell should start writing a few more superhero operas. Though if they did, it might drive them as insane as Electro himself.

“We were all in the room and it was buzzing like crazy,” Zimmer explained, “until Pharell finally said ‘Stop, stop! I gotta walk around the block. I think my head is exploding.’ ”

And what fancy recording equipment did the composer use for this epic, operatic theme?

“It’s just my iphone, of us recording us as we’re writing it,” Zimmer added.

“High technology. No expense spared,” Marr joked right back.

“The Amazing Spider-Man 2″ opens May 2.

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The-Dream Goes ‘Black’ After Donald Sterling’s NBA Ban

by 04/30/14

On Tuesday afternoon, Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling received a lifetime ban from the NBA, after admitting that it was his voice in a leaked conversation with his ex-girlfriend, making outwardly racist statements. Rappers like Plies and Cassidy have already dropped dis tracks, and The-Dream follows up with the song and visuals for “Black,” addressing racism, classism and other forms of human rights violations.

The clip features images of Sterling and the Clippers players in protest, in addition to glimpses of the civil rights movement, Occupy Wall Street and more. The-Dream’s lyrics flash across the screen, emphasizing the chorus “I feel real black right now.”

The singer-songwriter and producer ends the video for “Black” with a special note.

“Black isn’t just a color. Black isn’t just a race anymore,” he writes. “It’s a feeling and a place from which one feels isolated by the world of the governing elite. Classism is the new racism. This is what black feels like.”

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Why Isn’t Naya Rivera In The ‘Glee’ Season Finale?

by 04/30/14

Rumors of Santana Lopez’s fictional demise are, like, totally exaggerated. Despite reports that Naya Rivera‘s “Glee” character is done and gone, reps for the singer/actress deny that she has been cut from the show.

Following allegations in the New York Daily News of on-set tension between Rivera and castmate Lea Michele, a spokesperson for Naya told the Hollywood Reporter that there is no feud and no truth to the reports that she’s been booted from the show.

“Any reports or rumors circulating that Naya Rivera was let go or fired from Glee are absolutely untrue. End of story,” a Rivera spokesperson told the Reporter. Like a number of castmembers, Rivera has been featured on-and-off during season five, mainly because her character moved to New York, where she was rooming with Michele’s Rachel Berry. “Glee” producers wouldn’t comment to the Reporter on Rivera’s future with the show or the speculation on a rift with Michele.

According to E! Online, Rivera’s character has reportedly been written out of the May 13 season finale, where she was expected to share a song with co-stars Heather Morris and Amber Riley.

Rivera, who has been on the show since its first season, is reportedly on a scheduled hiatus and has not received any notes from producers about her on-set behavior. For her part, Rivera seems to still love her “Glee” club, posting numerous tweets this week praising the show.

E! reported that it is currently unclear if Rivera will return for the sixth and final ...

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Need To Know: Usher’s ‘Good Kisser’ Proves He’s Still Got It

by 04/30/14

I Bet Usher Is A ‘Good Kisser’
The “Voice” coach released a teaser video for his new single. “Good Kisser” takes inspo from the Ying Yang Twin’s 2005 hit “Whisper Song” (are we seeing a pattern here?), while Usher proves he’s still one of the best dancers in the game.

Miley’s Backyard Looks Like Paradise
Cyrus’ friend Katy Weaver shared an Instagram video of the singer’s backyard that features a personalized Hollywood sign, a gigantic teepee and a life size statue of a horse, all nestled around a serene pool. Invite me over, Miley!

Ludacris Came To Party
Wiz Khalifa, Jeremih and Cashmere Cat are featured in the video for Luda’s latest bangin’ ballad, “Party Girls.” Jeremih’s hook features a “Barbie Girl” sample and Wiz’s style is as enviable as ever (give me all the white leather vests).

More ‘Problem’ Please
Ariana Grande and Iggy Azalea will drop their lyric video for “Problem” today. We’ve gotten previews on Instagram but after listening to the song approx. 1000x since it came out on Sunday, I’m really looking forward to some accompanying visuals.

Busta Rhymes Hops On “Move That Dope” Remix
Future’s latest hit gets an upgrade with a fire verse from Busta and some slick lyrics from Genasis.

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‘Fault In Our Stars’: See What Shailene Woodley Had To Say On Our Set Visit

by 04/30/14

Reporting by Josh Horowitz

As popular as “The Fault In Our Stars” is, one must admit that a love story starring two cancer-ridden teens doesn’t sound like the cheeriest of films. The ever-chipper Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort, who star in the movie as Hazel Grace and Gus, a star-crossed and cancer-diagnosed duo, recognize that.

On a visit to the film’s Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, set earlier this year, Woodley told MTV News’ Josh Horowitz that she had a strategy for pitching the movie to audiences.

“I say it’s a cancer movie that’s not about cancer,” Woodley noted. “It’s a love story about two kids with cancer but it’s not about cancer.”

To find out how Woodley and Elgort feel about making John Green, the author of the young adult novel the movie’s script was adapted from, cry, and to hear about the stolen kisses the pair have shared, check out the clip above.

“The Fault In Our Stars” opens in theaters on June 6.

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Katy Perry’s New Favorite Lullaby Will Haunt Your Dreams

by 04/30/14

It’s not often you hear a grown man insist that you call him Katy Perry. But when Lil B says it on his just-dropped single honoring the ultimate California Gurl, he really sounds like he means it.

The brooding, ominous song from the BaseGod features the spooky refrain, “Call Me Katy Perry” over horror show keyboards. And while the verses don’t have much to do with KP (focusing mostly on partying, hooking up and B’s untouchable levels of swag), he does give a shout out to “all the girls that kiss girls.” So that counts.

Katy was definitely psyched for the shout out, calling it a “lovely #rare lullaby.”

It’s not he first time B has paid tribute to a pop idol. Back in 2011 he gave a shout to one of his other inspirations on with “Justin Bieber”.

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‘Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ Achieves ‘Iron Man’-Fueled Awesomeness

by 04/30/14

Tony Stark. Pepper Potts. Maria Hill. Man-Thing. Frickin’ Man-Thing. These are the man things that got name-checked on last night’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” titled “Nothing Personal,” which was anything but.

It was yet another rock-solid episode of the Marvel TV series, a show that struggled and struggled to find its footing in the first half of its inaugural season. But ever since “T.R.A.C.K.S.,” and especially since “Turn, Turn Turn,” the Clark Gregg-starring series has delivered the goods week in and week out — and this week was no exception.

To begin with, “Nothing Personal” brought Cobie Smulders back into the fold as Maria Hill, retired from “S.H.I.E.L.D.” due to the events of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” and now working for Stark Industries. We even see Maria field a phone call from Pepper Potts, and she name-checks Iron Man himself numerous times throughout the ep. On top of that, Maria gets her very first Marvel fight scene, and it’s a good one.

It’s an especially good fight because it’s against Glenn Talbot, the mustached jarhead played by “Heroes” expat Adrian Pasdar — yet another character from the Marvel Comics catalogue. And speaking of Marvel lore, Maria drops an outrageously obscure reference to Man-Thing. A clue that we’ll be seeing the Marvel Universe’s answer to Swamp-Thing on the small-screen, or just an Easter egg for comic readers? Either way, it was the best.

Fan service aside, “Nothing Personal” paid off hugely personal promises for longtime viewers of ...

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Make Room, Daisy Ridley: There’s Another ‘Star Wars’ Female Lead

by 04/30/14

If you thought we were finished with “Star Wars” casting news this week, you were sorely mistaken.

When Disney and StarWars.com officially revealed the “Episode VII” cast list on Tuesday, fans couldn’t help but notice the overwhelmingly male-driven roster. Only Daisy Ridley, a total newcomer, stood out as the lone female actor announced as part of the film’s cast, aside from franchise veteran Carrie Fisher’s confirmed return as Leia Organa.

But that’s not the end of the story, it seems. As Yoda once famously promised, there is another.

According to Heat Vision, director J.J. Abrams still has “another substantial role to fill — and it’s a female part.” There are no details on who the character is, or why she hasn’t been announced yet. One can assume that there is no deal with any actresses just yet. Or perhaps whoever is behind the character simply couldn’t attend the London table read, for whatever reason.

Regardless, it’s a welcome sign that the cast of “Episode VII” is a bit more diverse than we were initially led to believe, even if there’s still room for improvement. Now the question evolves: who is the other female character, who is playing her, and when will we find out? Perhaps there’s still hope for the rumored Lupita Nyong’o

and Maisie Richardson-Sellers

after all.

What do you think of the latest “Star Wars” casting buzz?

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‘The Voice’ Recap: See Who Made The Top Eight

by 04/29/14

By Emilie Cruz

“The Voice” said goodbye to Bria Kelly and underdog Tess Boyer Tuesday night (April 29) as America chose to instantly save Team Adam rocker Kat Perkins.

Although the all-female bottom three were teary-eyed as they gave their last-chance performances, Team Shakira’s Tess Boyer, Team Usher’s Bria Kelly and Team Adam’s Kat Perkins pulled through with stellar vocals to receive standing ovations from all three of their coaches.

But before their backs were against the wall, Usher, Kelly and Josh Kaufman hit the stage with a rocking performance of Lenny Kravitz’ “Always on the Run” that was nothing short of powerful, and Shakira, Boyer, and Kristen Merlin gave a girl-power performance of Shakira’s “The One Thing,” a song off her latest album.

For her last chance performance, Kelly let her raspy voice rock the house with Heart’s “Crazy For You,” getting a standing ovation from Usher, and praises from Shelton. Boyer gave a heartfelt performance of Pink’s “Who Knew” that got a standing ovation from coach Shakira, and had Levine admitting that it’s “bizarre” that such a great artist as Boyer winds up in the bottom so often.

Perkins received enormous applause from the audience after her performance of Grace Potter & the Nocturnals’ “Paris (Oh La La),” and coach Levine assured the crowd that if America saves his singer, she will break the trend that typically finds the artist saved one week going home the week immediately after, and will instead go all the way to the finals.

It’ll be interesting ...

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