Music Blog News

Shakira - Music news -

Shakira in Lead With 5 Latin Grammy Nods

NEW YORK -- Shakira led the Latin Grammy pack Tuesday with five nominations, while Ricardo Arjona, Gustavo Cerati and Julieta Venegas received four each.

Shakira, the hip-shaking international superstar from Colombia, was nominated for record of the year, song of the year and best short form music video for "La Tortura," as well as album of the year and best female pop vocal album for "Fijacion Oral Vol. 1."

Guatemalan singer Arjona is up for record of the year and song of the year for "Acompaname a Estar Solo," best pop vocal album for "Adentro" and best short for music video for the song "Mojado."

Argentina's rocker Cerati took nominations for best rock song for "Crimen," album of the year and best rock solo vocal album for "Ahi Vamos" and album of the year as producer of Shakira's "Fijacion Oral Vol. 1."

Mexico-born Venegas was nominated for record of the year and best short form music video for "Me Voy," and album of the year and best alternative album for "Limon y Sal."

The seventh annual Latin Grammys, featuring 47 categories for Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking artists, will take place Nov. 2 at Madison Square Garden and will be broadcast on the Univision Network.

Ciara Talks Single Life - Music News -

Music News: Ciara Talks Single Life

Spankin' Free LP Preview: Ciara Talks Single Life, Dreams Of Acting Like A Boy On The Evolution

"I want to bring you into my world, that's what I really want to do with this one," the "Goodies" singer said of her upcoming sophomore album, contradicting the message of her standoffish breakthrough single.

After playing MTV News a few songs, however, it seemed Ciara is not exactly welcoming in everyone.

Take the tentatively titled "I'm Doing Me Tonight," for example. "With girls, we have a tendency to alter our schedule for guys," Ciara said during a break from recording the song with producer Lil Jon recently. "So the whole thing is, 'I'm doing me tonight. I'm going to make changes. I'm going to go out and have fun with my girls. It's all about me.' "

Then there's "Like a Boy." "I think a lot of women can relate to this, the whole thing about when a guy does certain things, it's cool, but when a girl does certain things, we look crazy," she explained, referencing lyrics like "Pull up your pants just like him/ Take out the trash just like him/ Getting your cash like him/ Fast like him/ Girl you better act like it then." "Sometimes I wish I could act like a boy," she said. "Like, that's so real to me."

So maybe there's a bit of the same you-ain't-gettin'-none Ciara we came to love on Goodies, but she swears it's a new direction. The LP is even called Ciara: The Evolution.

"It's just a perfect way of summing it up," she said of the title. "It's definitely a transformation from the first album to this one. This is my first time co-producing, which is really exciting for me. I've been learning a lot throughout this whole recording process. And I'm thankful to just be in my second album. But it's all about where I'm going next" (see "From Crunk To Yeek — Ciara Steps In A New Direction For Goodies Follow-Up").

Ciara wrote or co-wrote every song on the album, due December 5, and co-produced almost every track. Some of her Goodies collaborators returned, including Jon and mentor Jazze Pha, but there's also a new slate of both bigwigs (Pharrell, Will.I.Am, Rodney Jerkins) and newcomers (Brian Kennedy).

Musically, Ciara: The Evolution blends Miami bass with Atlanta crunk, with some ballads and old-school homages tossed in. On the Will.I.Am-produced "Do It," for instance, she samples Salt-N-Pepa's "Push It." "I feel like that's one of my responsibilities as an artist, to remind you of those that paved the way for what we do," Ciara said.

The album's first single, "Promise," was a joint effort between Ciara and Polow Da Don (Fergie's "London Bridge," Pussycat Dolls' "Buttons"). " 'Promise' basically is saying just how I'm single right now and ... I don't even want to explain too much because when you hear the words you can put it together," Ciara said, confirming her separation from Bow Wow. "I'm someone that goes hard for a guy that I like, and this record is saying there's nothing I want to do but spend my life with you, whoever that guy is that I envision."

Over a dance beat, Ciara sings, "Opened my heart/ Gave it you/ Told the whole world that I'm in love with you," leading into the chorus, " 'Cause baby, there is nothing I won't do/ To spend my life with you/ I'll give my all to you/ I promise that I will never lie to you."

"She's coming into her own," Pha said of his protégé. "And I think that's what's most important for her, growing up and becoming a woman."

"She was 17 years old when we started working together," Lil Jon added. "She was this shy, quiet girl in the studio. She is a woman now."

Maybe so, but Ciara is still 20 years old and speaking to a fanbase that is largely younger. "It's very important to me in the writing of the record [that it] be relatable to every demographic," she said, citing the Jon-produced "Crush" as an example. "Even if you're 21 and older, 21 and younger — even if you're still in elementary school — a crush is a crush, period."

So does that mean Ciara has a new crush? "I'm not saying that, it's just a great topic for a song," she replied, laughing. Another great topic is apparently the importance of self-confidence, something Ciara addresses on at least two songs: the Pharrell-produced "I'm Just Me" and the Will.I.Am-produced "Get In, Fit In."

"To me, everyone wants to be like the other," Ciara explained. "My whole thing is find yourself, love you for who you are and do what you do your way."

Beyonce, Jay-Z, Christina Aguilera - Music news -

Music news: Beyonce, Jay-Z, Christina Put The Rock in Fashion Rocks Concert

NEW YORK — Fashion Rocks definitely lived up to its name Thursday night at Radio City Music Hall. As the kickoff event of New York's Fashion Week, the action in the high-couture audience was as eye-grabbing as the happenings onstage as Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, the Black Eyed Peas, Elton John, Nelly Furtado and others served up brief but exciting performances.

While 30 Seconds to Mars performed a short set atop Radio City's marquee, the red carpet filled up with designers, "Devil Wears Prada"-type magazine editors, musicians and pop stars galore, including Eva Mendes, Drea de Matteo, Joshua Jackson, Seth Green, Carmen Electra, Eve, Scott Weiland and Rachel Bilson (who's chopped off her long locks and was sporting a new bob hairdo). Master of ceremonies Jimmy Fallon was a highlight of the evening, cracking jokes about Paris Hilton's DUI arrest and celebrity name-dropping in between performances.

(Click here to view photos of Jay-Z, Beyonce, Rihanna, and more at the Fashion Rocks concert.)

The show kicked off with Fergie, who did a solid, sexy "London Bridge" in a glittery mini-dress that was much less revealing than her body-baring VMA ensemble. The booty-shaking dutchess was then joined by the rest of the Black Eyed Peas for "Pump It."

The Peas were followed by the First Couple of country music, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, who performed the ballad "I Need You." Their performance went smooth as silk, although their exit didn't: McGraw tripped while walking offstage, prompting many "oohs," "ahs" and "Is he OK?"s from the crowd.

The Pussycat Dolls switched from the vintage Herve Leger dresses they'd worn on the red carpet into much skimpier outfits for their performance of "Buttons" (something their onstage gear was notably lacking), for which they were joined by rapper Jibbs. Head Doll Nicole Scherzinger told MTV News earlier in the evening that hitmaker Scott Storch will be producing tracks on her forthcoming solo LP.

The main look for the evening's ladies, however, paid tribute to jazz singers and legendary musical icons. Beyoncé's performance of "Deja Vu" was billed as "a tribute to Josephine Baker," and both her stage set and outfit were in homage to the legendary early-20th-century singer/dancer. The set was designed like an old cabaret club, complete with male dancers bearing saxophones, and both B and her female dancers wore Baker's trademark mini-hula skirt embellished with fake bananas.

The crowd went wild as Jay-Z descended a black staircase, rapping his part of the song while looking sleek in a white tux with black lapels, although he and B didn't get as much time onstage as the audience evidently would have liked.

The dynamic duo were followed by fashion designer Donna Karan and Elton John, the event's curator, who introduced Bon Jovi. The singer delivered "Livin' on a Prayer" accompanied by a violinist before being joined by the rest of the band for "Who Says You Can't Go Home." Earlier in the evening, Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora walked the red carpet hand-in-hand with Denise Richards.

Jay wasn't the only star to break the "Don't wear white after Labor Day" rule: Christina Aguilera sang her new single, "Candyman," in a white sailor suit with cap, accompanied by dancers and a photo montage of jazz legends that appeared on the video screen behind the stage.

A brief interlude followed, wherein Scott Weiland and Drea de Matteo presented the winner of the Best Music Look contest. The pair had to re-do their dialogue four times, eliciting boos from the crowd. The nominees were the "schoolgirl look," the "grunge look," the "heavy metal look," "the 'Saturday Night Fever' white suit" and "heavy-metal hair," with schoolgirl taking the honors.

Denise Richards and designer Max Azria then introduced an exhilarating performance by Kanye West and Fonzworth Bentley, the latter of whom also wore all-white and dazzled the crowd with his dancing skills. Next, Kimora Lee and Russell Simmons presented Jamie Foxx, who sang "Can I Take U Home" as three "Dreamgirl"-like ladies stood beside the piano.

The crowd got on their feet for Nelly Furtado — rocking bangs, black pants and a tight mesh top — who was joined by Timbaland for "Maneater."

The evening was capped with a performance from Elton John, who launched his set with a song from his forthcoming album, The Captain and the Kid, accompanied by the Scissor Sisters. Rihanna then joined him for "The Bitch Is Back," dancing around his piano throughout the song. Finally, in a comically inappropriate moment, the Pussycat Dolls bumped and grinded around the openly gay (and married!) singer as he sang "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting."

Still, it was all in good fun, as you can see for yourself when the show airs on CBS at 9 p.m. ET on Friday night (September 8).

Party week - Music News -

Music New: VMA Party Week Kicks Off With Diddy, Jay, Beyonce, Kanye And, Er, Rod Stewart

NEW YORK — If Diddy's party on Monday night was any indication of what VMA week holds in store, don't expect to see many stars out walking around during the day. They're going to need plenty of sleep, because the nights are already getting pretty wild.

Diddy hosted the week's first major jump-off, celebrating the launch of superstar stylist June Ambrose's book, "Effortless Style," which comes out on September 26. Ambrose, of course, has helped just about all the big names in hip-hop and R&B get fly. Held at Tenjune (get it?) in Manhattan's Meatpacking District, the party's guest list included hip-hop and R&B's two most famous power couples, two of the genres' greatest producers, and also the rocker who brought sexy back almost 30 years ago. Who's that? Sing along now: "If you want my body and you think I'm sexy ..."

"Rod Stewart is in the house!" called out MC Frank Jugga as his partner in crime, DJ Goldfinger, spun Jay-Z's "I Just Want to Love (Give It to Me)." "Yes, I said Rod Stewart is in the house!"

Meanwhile, the Jiggaman and Beyoncé sat in the VIP section with Kanye West. Timbaland, dressed to the nines in a flashy suit, came in moments later to join his pals.

Then it was Diddy's turn to take the spotlight. He grabbed the mic and let everyone know that his group Danity Kane will be coming in on the top spot of next week's Billboard albums chart. He also congratulated the crowd on being invited to the party, for which the dress code was "Sexy & Flawless."

"If you were chosen to be here, it means you exude 'Effortless Style,' " he said, adding that although the evening was a celebration of opulence and decadence, no one should take it all too seriously.

"Ladies and gentlemen, report to the dance floor," he commanded.

Soon, the floor was packed to grinding-room-only status as Goldfinger threw on Diddy's "Come to Me," which he brought back several times.

"It feels good to be back," Diddy, still holding the mic, said. "I missed you. Just rock now, don't stop now. We Bad Boy baby, you ain't gotta play the wall. You can dance again. Ask a young lady, 'Would you like to dance?' "

As the night progressed, more stars trickled in and the partygoers got more uninhibited. You could see New York Knick Stephon Marbury on the dancefloor, Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri standing on the sidelines and a woman who was so amped to hear Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack" that she jumped on top of a table in another VIP section, dancing over a bottle of vodka and carafes of orange juice and cranberry juice. A man in her entourage was unfazed and continued pouring drinks. Just then, another man in her entourage grabbed the lady by the waist and hoisted her up on his shoulder just like pro wrestler Randy "Macho Man" Savage did to Miss Elizabeth when he won his first world championship at Wrestlemania IV.

More hits, more stars. As "Promiscuous" blasted out of the speakers, the hulking Busta Rhymes was seen walking in the crowd wearing a rope chain thicker than Wonder Woman's magic lasso.

During the old-school section of the set, Diddy jumped on the dance floor and got down to Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative." Even the usually reserved Timbaland got up and danced with his hands in the air to Guy's "I Like."

Earlier in the night, Jermaine Dupri hosted his own get-together at Show in Times Square. It was a showcase for So So Def singer Johnta Austin, whom you may not know by name, but he's been one of the most prolific R&B songwriters of the past few years. Besides his work on several songs from Mariah Carey's Emancipation of Mimi, he's penned Mary J. Blige's "Be Without You" and Chris Brown's "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)."

With people like Janet Jackson and underground MC Red Café looking on, JD introduced his artist who sang several songs from his upcoming LP, Ocean Drive.

For more visit www.mtv.com

Cristina Aguilera - music news -

Music news: Christina Clip Got A Boost From Outkast, Role-Playing Dancers: VMAs Behind The Camera

Outkast are partly to thank for Christina Aguilera's Video of the Year nomination.

She borrowed more than just the look of the duo's new movie "Idlewild" for the "Ain't No Other Man" clip — she also borrowed their director, Bryan Barber; their production designer, Charles Breen; and some of their props.

"I had seen a trailer of the movie," Aguilera said, "and it intrigued me that this man, Bryan Barber, had been very locked into and had surrounded himself with this whole world of the '20s and '30s era, and it made me think that he could understand what I'm trying to do conceptually. I needed to get the right director who shared my vision."

"And what Christina wants, Christina gets," Barber said. "I had just finished the film, she had just finished her album, so it was a perfect match. The stars were definitely aligned."

Though Aguilera had a whole team aboard, she was very involved in carrying out her vision. She met with Barber as well as choreographer Jeri Slaughter to explain her ideas, using her fireplace as a makeshift stage.

"She did a whole one-woman show at her house," Slaughter said. "She was like, 'OK, so I was thinking of having a vanity set up here while we're getting dressed. I just came off tour, and now I'm back at a juke joint and back onstage with the people who used to jam with me, then we'll switch to backstage when I'm about to perform again.' I'm like, 'OK,' trying to write it all down."

Aguilera had researched some of the dance moves she wanted to emulate, showing Slaughter steps from old black-and-white movies. "She had a few moves, a hip here, a head roll there," Slaughter said. "For the breakdown, she wanted to drop down. And we mapped it out lyrically: 'OK, second verse, hip, breakdown, drop.' But these were little steps, and not fully done."

So Slaughter did his own research and put together a routine for Aguilera and her backup dancers, including a few strategic flips off the pool tables. Then Slaughter, inspired by "Idlewild" as well, took an extra step typically reserved for larger productions. Instead of having the singer and dancers working in a bare-bones rehearsal space, the choreographer got the set dimensions and props from Barber and Breen so Aguilera and her dancers could get into the whole vibe and feel like they were doing a movie instead of a music video.

"I made up a vanity scene, a table with the light bulbs," Slaughter said. "And I brought in the props, the hairbrushes, the lipstick, the boas for them to play with, the shoes, the mirror. For the pool table, I just brought in a long table, and for the hallway, I set up two ballet bars next to each other to create the space. It just sets everything up."

When Barber came to dance rehearsal to see what was going on, he came up with one more idea to help everyone get into character: He gave the dancers roles to play and names to go by. Barber e-mailed a list of names to Slaughter on his Sidekick, and the choreographer assigned accordingly.

Monique, who was more curvy, became the sexy Gigi. Kiki, who had an apple bottom, became Apples. Curly haired Tiana, who was always cracking jokes, became life of the party Dirty Diana. Stephanie, who was more laid-back, became Misty. Nicki, who was fast on her feet, became Susi Hotstep. As for Christina, she already had her nickname — Baby Jane, a nickname Nelly once gave her (and she won't reveal why).

"Bryan's original idea for the names was because it made it easier to remember who was who, but we then incorporated it into the choreography," Slaughter said. "For instance, I would tell Gigi to be sultry — because every guy wants her in the club — to give them a wink or a kiss or whatever. It gave each of them their own identity, and if you notice, every girl is doing something slightly different than the other. It made it easier to come into this world we created."

Those assumed identities continue through the end of the video, when Aguilera performs "Trouble" while lying on top of a baby grand. "I put everyone on acting mode," Slaughter said. "So one guy and one girl had to be the drunken couple, Dirty Diana's pushing away her man, Gigi's taking a guy's hat off and putting it on her. We just thought it fit with the vibe — that after the club is done, everyone's lounging around, like a last-call kind of feel."

"Ain't No Other Man" was a risk for Aguilera, who will perform at the VMAs on August 31 (see "Christina, All-American Rejects, Pharrell To Perform At VMAs" and "Shakira, Chili Peppers, Madonna, Panic! Lead List Of Nominees For MTV Video Music Awards"). Besides the aspect of emulating a bygone era, Aguilera was determined not to overshoot her scenes. Usually for a music video, the singer performs the whole song straight through for each setup, so there's more to work with when editing. Not Christina. Since she already knew which lyrics she wanted in which scenes, she was economical with her performance, only doing the parts she wanted for each setup and no more. "I look at every shot and do my own bit of directing," Aguilera said.

"That's very unique," Slaughter said. "It was very scripted and shot lyrically, and it could have backfired. We didn't have any backups for a lot of shots. But I got to give it to her — it worked."

So much so that Barber predicts big things — other than a Moonman — for Aguilera's future: "I'm sure she will be directing her own video in the near future."

For more visit www.mtv.com

Jay-Z Teams With U.N

Jay-Z Teams With U.N., MTV To Bring Attention To World's Water Crisis

NEW YORK — When Jay-Z talks, his words reverberate all around the world. And on Wednesday morning (August 9) at the United Nations building, he held a press conference with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and MTV President Christina Norman and others to announce a partnership aimed at bringing attention and relief to the many parts of the world where lack of safe drinking water is destroying communities and lives.

On his international tour, which begins next month, Jay will travel to several areas affected by the water crisis. His experiences will be documented by MTV for a special, "Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life," which airs on November 24.

The special will follow Jay's learning process as he meets people who are among the 1 billion worldwide without access to safe drinking water. It will also follow Jay as he visits places where sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions are underway to bring fresh water to devastated communities.

"It's a huge responsibility, and humbling at the same time," Jay said, after the conference, about the role he's taking on. "I wanted to go to these [countries I've never visited before] to just tour and play music. Of course, I can't go to any place without touching the culture and seeing what's going on. When you start getting down to Africa and places like that, you see that billions of people don't have access to water."

(Click here to watch the press conference on UN.org.)

The special will also encourage young people to take any of the 12 steps associated with "Break the Addiction," MTV's yearlong campaign to engage young people to help reduce global warming, which has exacerbated the world's water crisis. Beginning in September, Think.mtv.com will feature a special section dedicated to the project.

"It's a basic thing to us," Jay said. "If you bring awareness to other young people, they're gonna see [that] and want to be involved. I'm not a politician — I'm just a regular person with a heart. If you see a problem like that and do nothing about it, there's something wrong with you."

Jay said that when he in fact heard the statistics, he wanted to get involved right away.

"I'm very excited to go and not only be a rock star in these countries, but to help," he said while seated next to Annan. "I'm excited. Thanks to the U.N. and MTV."

Annan began the conference by citing statistics showing that more than 4,500 children die each day from preventable diseases caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation. Jay said he has donated money to help build "play pumps," a merry-go-round-like structure that pumps clean, safe drinking water from a deep borehole every time children spin it. He added that he's mailed letters to his friends in the entertainment industry encouraging them to get involved as well. He said he hopes 1,000 pumps can be built.

Although the itinerary of Jay's tour has not yet been announced, it will begin on September 9 in Poland, and MTV's cameras will catch up to him shortly after in Turkey. Initially, Hov said he wanted to go to places he never touched before but where he has a fanbase.

"I wanted to get out and play places I haven't seen. See people who have a connection, people who have been listening to my music for 10 years and never got to see me," he explained after the conference.

Although he acknowledged that it might be difficult to shake off the sadness of seeing so much human tragedy during the day and become a fun-loving showman at night, he said the shows will not be melancholy.

"Music is escapism," he said. "Also, I'll take joy in the fact for that two hours or however long I'm playing, everyone can enjoy themselves and forget about the issue we're talking about."

Mariah Turning Into Superhero

Mariah Carey is reinventing herself again. Actually, to be exact, nine more times.

The sexy songstress will play a handful of roles when she kicks off her new tour Saturday in Miami.

Think superhero-meets-modern-James-Bond-meets-old-Hollywood.

For the jaunt — Adventures of Mimi: The Voice, the Hits, the Tour — the R&B sensation will at times tone down her sometimes over-the-top style, wearing flowing gowns and menswear-inspired tuxedo styles designed specifically for her by celebrity stylist June Ambrose.

(Click here to see sketches of Mariah's red-hot tour fashion.)

"The show starts off very 'Blade Runner,' with black-and-white, racy looks where [Mariah] looks like an R&B superhero," said Ambrose, who cites Gianni Versace and Roberto Cavalli as inspirations. "And then her lightness comes out and she is emancipated with bright colors, showing off her great goddess legs, ready to celebrate and party."

Carey will have nine outfit changes throughout the show but only brief interludes in which to morph into them. "My inspiration was creating an R&B hip-hop musical," Ambrose said. "The show is cabaret-like: fun, racy, sexy, but subtle. I designed the outfits [to look] theatrical. [The concert] starts out like a black-and-white affair, and then she strips away all the rumors and she's born again."

Ambrose said Carey will be wearing things you "wouldn't normally see her in," like a white men's blazer. "When would you ever see Mariah in a men's blazer?" she said. "This is to give her a James Bond look. It's very mod, very sleek."

Ms. Carey will shake off that blazer real fast for "Breakdown," at which point she'll reveal garters and a black off-the-shoulder leotard encrusted with Swarovski crystals.

Ambrose calls a similar outfit, which Carey will wear toward the end of the show, one of her favorites. "It's dyed perfectly to her skin, but it looks like she's naked," Ambrose said. "It looks like there are stones bouncing off her flesh. She looks like a million bucks." And let's not forget those blinding, one-of-a-kind legs. Don't worry, guys: There will still be lots of skin. "She does this really burlesque, fiery number that's very sexy," Ambrose said.

Other sultry costumes include a sky-blue, Halston-inspired goddess gown; a sunflower-colored chiffon floor-length stunner; and a wine-colored Diana Ross-style gown, worn with a $10 million Harry Winston brooch. "Mariah's body is voluptuous," Ambrose said. "It's about her finding her sexuality and nothing else."

Also added to the mix are 7-inch stiletto high heels in black patent leather designed by Paris shoemaker Courtney Crawford. "They're super-high, super-sexy, but she can definitely jump around in them," Ambrose said.

We'll be seeing a little old-school Mariah when she transforms into a superhero-like costume that features a long silver cape with the word "Mimi" displayed on the back, blindfold and platform heels. She'll then take off the cape and reveal a pair of cute knickers (with butterflies on the back pockets, natch) and a crop top. "That's the round-the-way girl look," Ambrose said. "She's the most accessible in those looks."

While this may be Ambrose's first time styling one of Mariah's tours, it's not her first time at the rodeo. She's already worked on tours for Diddy, Missy Elliott and R. Kelly. Ambrose was the inspiration for Diddy's red metallic suit in the Notorious B.I.G.'s "Mo Money, Mo Problems" video, Missy Elliott's signature blinged-out Adidas tracksuits, and Jay-Z's first suit for the "Can't Knock the Hustle" video.

"I was there when hip-hop went from black-and-white to color," said the Antigua-born designer, who started out in the promotions department 15 years ago at Uptown/ MCA Records and later styled bands like the Backstreet Boys.

Ambrose will also design Jay-Z's costumes for his upcoming world tour and said she's looking overseas for inspiration.

"I want to look at some European designers, maybe some Japanese hip-hop and animation looks," she said. "It's going to be more melodic. It's him coming back, from executive to hip-hop. I'll be going into the styling lab."

And check it out: Ambrose will reveal her industry-insider secrets in her book "Effortless Style," in stores October 1.

For more visit www.mtv.com

'NSYNC's Lance Bass Reveals He's Gay

'NSYNC's Lance Bass Reveals He's Gay: 'I'm Not Ashamed ... I Don't Think It's Wrong'

After years of speculation, Lance Bass has confirmed the rumors and told People magazine that he is gay.

"The thing is, I'm not ashamed — that's the one thing I want to say," the 'NSYNC singer told the mag in the issue that hits newsstands Friday. "I don't think it's wrong. I'm not devastated going through this. I'm more liberated and happy than I've been my whole life. I'm just happy."

The rumors started during 'NSYNC's heyday (the group is currently on hiatus) but heated up in the last few months as he was spotted frequently with gay-rights activist and reality-TV personality Reichen Lehmkuhl, who won the $1 million prize on "The Amazing Race 4" with his former partner Chip Arndt. Lehmkuhl has since appeared on other reality shows such as "Fear Factor" and hosted a talk show on the now-defunct Q Television.

After tabloids and gossip sites started tracking Bass and Lehmkuhl's public appearances together, Lehmkuhl responded in mid-April by posting on his Web site that he likes to keep his personal life private. "As for the rumors about me and Lance, please continue to remind people that things that I do not discuss anymore, such as the private and personal relationships that I have, are just that — private — unless I choose to open up with details to my family and close friends for reasons of support and love," he wrote. "I wish people could allow that part of me for, well, just me and who I choose to share my life with and love ... and to leave it well enough alone."

Despite this wish, Bass told People that the rumors about the two being a couple were "really starting to affect my daily life," so he decided to come forward and confirm that they're in a "very stable" relationship. "Now it feels like it's on my terms. I'm at peace with my family, my friends, myself and God, so there's nothing else that I worry about."

It also helps that Bass no longer feels compelled to hide his private life to protect his bandmates, since the band has been on hiatus for four years. When 'NSYNC were in full swing, he worried that coming out would hurt the band. "I didn't know: Could that be the end of 'NSYNC?" he told People. "So I had that weight on me of, like, 'Wow, if I ever let anyone know, it's bad.' So I just never did ... I had four other guys' careers in my hand, and I knew that if I ever acted on it or even said [that I was gay], it would overpower everything."

Bass said he's known that he's gay for his "whole life ... from childhood on," but struggled because he knew it would be "something that I would have to hide my whole life." Bass hid it from his bandmates — who suspected anyway "because we were like brothers," he said, and they wondered, " 'Why aren't you hitting on women all the time and acting like a rock star?' Because I was a good Christian boy, that's why."

Their suspicions were also complicated by the fact that Bass was dating women until he was 22 (he's now 27). "I've definitely, you know, been with women," Bass said. "And I've had great relationships with them where I was definitely in love. It's just I grew to a point where deep inside I knew that I could never truly have a relationship with a woman. I don't know if they ever suspected. It was never brought up."

"He took years to really think about how he was going to tell everyone," Joey Fatone told People. "I back him up 100 percent."

"I've know Lance for more than 10 years," JC Chasez told MTV News. "We have been through so much together. He is family and I support him unconditionally."

Fatone was the first 'NSYNC bandmate Bass told about being gay, after Fatone walked in on Bass and a male date at his house in Orlando, Florida. Fatone's response at the time? "Dude, I don't care," Bass recalled him saying. Chris Kirkpatrick found out last summer and JC Chasez three months ago.

"Very few people have the guts to come up to you and say, 'Hey, are you gay?' " Bass said. "I'm pretty sure they all knew and they probably all talked to each other, but they had the respect to let me tell them. I haven't had the conversation with Justin [Timberlake] yet. I know he knows, but I've never really sat him down and said it." I will be calling him."

"Lance is one of my great friends," Timberlake told MTV News Wednesday (July 26). "I support him and wish him all the happiness in the world."

Telling his bandmates has been easy, but telling his family was another matter. His sister became pale and started crying when he told her, while his mother "broke down." "The worst part about it was my mom found out not from me," Bass said. "She found out on the Internet, and that's what just killed me. ... It destroyed her for a little bit." His father, in the meantime, was concerned about diseases, telling Lance that "It's much easier for gay people to get AIDS," and "Statistics show that these relationships don't last. You know it's not going to last." "I was like, 'Dad, wow!' "

In Bass' hometown of Clinton, Mississippi, where his mother is a middle-school teacher and his father works in real estate, being gay is "not looked at very highly," he said. But as worried as he was that his grandparents would take it even worse, his maternal grandmother, who was told last week, handled it "so well," he says. "She was like, 'You know what? I may not agree with it, but I love you just the same and you're welcome in my house anytime.

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Marilyn Manson's Film

Marilyn Manson's Film: Who Needs Special Effects When You Can Hire A Magician?

ANAHEIM, California — Marilyn Manson is one weird dude — but if you didn't already know that, well, you haven't been paying attention.

"Do these glasses make my butt look fat?" he joked last weekend as he made a rare appearance at, of all places, Disneyland. "I really want a pirate hat."

Longtime pal and part-time pirate Johnny Depp could likely fulfill that request for Manson, who was walking the red carpet at the premiere of Depp's "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest." As the aspiring filmmaker later revealed, however, he wanted more from Depp than just a black felt chapeau.

"In less than two weeks, I'm going to France to start production on my film, 'Phantasmagoria,' " Manson said from behind his enormous shades. "And maybe I'll convince Johnny to be in it — I'll extort him to be in it."

Adding, "I don't pressure him," Manson was as sincere about pitching his dream project to Depp as he was while discussing their lengthy friendship. "[British fashion designer] John Galliano said I was one of the true great pirates, and I told Johnny that," Manson laughed. "So it's like me, Johnny and Cap'n Crunch. I have hung out with Jack Sparrow, because Johnny is Jack Sparrow. We drink absinthe; that's what we do."

So over a few glasses of heaven-knows-what, Manson planned to talk Depp into joining several other recently cast stars. "I'm directing and playing ['Alice in Wonderland' author] Lewis Carroll, with Tilda Swinton and hopefully Evan Rachel Wood. Lily Cole, the model, is playing Alice" (see "Marilyn Manson Finds Creepy Soul Mate In 'Wonderland' Author").

Manson has appeared in small roles previously in films like "Lost Highway" and "Party Monster," but this film — its full title is "Phantasmagoria: The Visions of Lewis Carroll" — would mark his biggest role yet and his first attempt at a Rob Zombie-like career as a film director. "It's about the period in his life where there was a real split," Manson said of the script, which he wrote alongside producer Geoffrey Cox. "It's a very Jekyll-and-Hyde sort of story. It's based on his diaries, and it's all very factual."

When asked about his directorial style, Manson cited the atmospheric directors behind the unsettling classics "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Seventh Seal." "I'm a big fan of [Roman] Polanski and of Ingmar Bergman, and I wouldn't say it will be like a modern horror film," the rocker insisted. "It wouldn't be like what people are used to seeing today. But I think by being traditional, sometimes like a Hitchcock, it's almost modern, because people are so used to seeing special effects."

Such a statement may make Manson seem less like the weird dude he so eagerly aspires to be. What he had to say next, however, seems certain to get some Hollywood suits scratching their heads. "I have a magician that I've hired to do my special effects," Manson grinned. "I don't want any CGI. I want only in-camera, so I have a magician who's my special-effects man."

Manson insisted: "I just want to be unconventional by being traditional."

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Pete Wentz Says

Pete Wentz Says: Don't Expect A Fall Out Boy Album This Year

There's an old adage that says, "The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry."

Or, as Pete Wentz puts it, "We tried, but there was just too much sh-- going on."

He failed to mention anything about a mouse, but his meaning is clear: Despite his band's promises to the contrary, there will not be a new album from Fall Out Boy in stores this year. And believe us: You're not half as bummed out by that news as Wentz is.

"We're still definitely pushing for it, but I don't know if we're going to be able to get the album out by the end of the year," he sighed. "We'd really love to do it, but in order for us to, things would be absolutely insane. The turnaround time would be insane. There will definitely be a single out by year's end though."

So what's the reason for the delay? Well, it's certainly not a lack of preparation on Fall Out's end. They've been talking about From Under the Cork Tree's follow-up since May 2005 (see "Fall Out Boy Nearly Done Writing 'Way Different' Next LP") and started dropping Babyface's name as potential producer in November (see "Fall Out Boy Want Babyface To Produce Their Next Album").

As it turns out, it had nothing to do with the band and everything to do with shakeups at its label, Island/Def Jam.

"We've been ready to record for about the last three weeks, but there's been, um, if I go into specifics, I'll get into trouble," he said. "There have been some changes at our label, a little bit of strangeness there. Half the phone numbers I have for people at the label don't have people on the other end of them anymore. It slowed us slightly, but we're getting back up to speed."

And while things were shaking down at his label, Wentz tried to keep his mind off things by spending serious loot: on a house in Los Angeles and an English bulldog named Hemingway.

"He's pretty much the raddest thing ever," Wentz laughed about the dog. "Except all he does is eat, poop and ruin things."

He has also continued writing songs with FOB frontman Patrick Stump, and Wentz said the tracks reflect the frustrations he's been feeling as a result of the delay.

Tour bassist Pete Wentz's bedroom and favorite café in this revealing interview, only on Overdrive.
"Everyone loves you when you're hot, but the people you really want around you are the people who are going to love you when you're not," he said. "They'll return your calls and give a sh-- about you. And to some extent, we need to find a new group of people like that. And that's a scary thing, no matter if you're selling 2,500 albums a week or 45,000. And so a lot of that is showing up on the new album.

"And in a way, it's liberating," he continued. "Because we need to go out and remember the reasons we're doing this in the first place. And we're not going to go out and grow hippie beards. We need to make music for all the right reasons."

Despite all his frustrations, Wentz said everything appears to be pointing toward FOB hitting the studio with producer Neal Avron by the end of the week, with 20 songs in tow. He said the album is shaping up to be less of a kiss-off to the whole message-board scene — regardless of what he may have said back in April (see "Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz Asks Killers Singer On Dinner Date") — and more a reflection of how he and the rest of the band are progressing as musicians.

He singled out one track in particular as a particular favorite — but not for the reasons you'd think.

"There's a song we're calling 'Me and You,' and in it, Patrick is doing things that are straight-up Motown," Wentz said. "If there wasn't a rock band playing, it'd be straight R&B, and he'd go on tour with just an upright bass and a drum and open up for R. Kelly. And as far as lyrics go, I've been taking a lot of influence from the best lyricist of the past year: Lil Wayne. He's insane. There's this one song ['Hit 'Em Up'] where he goes, 'I eat up catastrophe/ Swallow the truth/ And belch reality,' and I'm like 'Wow.' "

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Avril Lavigne Marries

Avril Lavigne Marries Sum 41's Deryck Whibley

In the end, there were no baggy bondage pants, ironic metal T-shirts or "Imperial Death March" strolls down the aisle. No, when reformed snotty teen Avril Lavigne and metal-loving Sum 41 singer Deryck Whibley got married Saturday afternoon at a private estate in Montecito, California, it was a surprisingly traditional affair.

According to People magazine, the outdoor, non-denominational ceremony had Lavigne, 21, escorted down the aisle by her father, John, to the strains of Mendelssohn's "Wedding March," a classical wedding staple. Lavigne, who broke through four years ago sporting baggy pants and men's tie, wore a flowing Vera Wang gown and carried a bouquet of white roses.

The Canadian Press Association reported that the couple exchanged vows beneath a crystal chandelier and four-post gazebo covered in white roses. An unidentified witness to the wedding told the CPA, "It was a short, classy ceremony with the sound of helicopters droning overhead carrying photographers trying to get a shot of the newlyweds, and most of the people there were friends and family. ... They both seemed really happy." Sum 41 drummer Steve Jocz was Whibley's best man.

People reported that after reciting their vows in front of 110 friends and family, Whibley, 26, kissed Lavigne, and guests tossed rose petals at the newlyweds as they walked back up the aisle.

The ceremony was followed by an outdoor cocktail hour, with a light jazz band playing tunes in the background, and dinner under a tent on the estate. The reception had an all-red, semi-gothic theme to contrast with the wedding's all-white theme, the CPA reported, and People said the couple's first dance was slated to be to the Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris."

The CPA also reported that a DJ provided the reception's music, and Lavigne producer Butch Walker also performed a few songs near the end of the night.

Lavigne and Whibley, who've been dating for two years, got engaged in Venice, Italy in June 2005 (see "Avril Lavigne Engaged To Sum 41's Deryck Whibley"). It's unknown how long a honeymoon the pair will take, but Lavigne is likely to get back to work on her third album soon. Walker recently told MTV News to expect it to be "really fun, crazy, cool and pretty rockin' " (see "Butch Walker Works With Avril, Hot Hot Heat, Says Solo LP Won't Be 'Emo-Tastic' ").

Writing with Lavigne and her former guitarist, Evan Taubenfeld, Walker said that he's completed half the record, and so far it's a testament to the singer's maturity. "She's growing up and maturing gracefully," he said. "It's gonna be a lot of fun."

On July 11, Lavigne posted a note to fans on her official Web site, which read in part, "I hope your summer is going good. It's my favorite time of year. I'm working on my songs. It's all coming along great. I'm just taking my time. It's nice not being under pressure. ... That's the way it should be." 

50 Cent, LL Cool J

50 Cent, LL Cool J Team Up To Prove NYC Reigns Supreme On Todd Smith Sequel

LL Cool J recently revealed that 50 Cent will executive-produce his next LP, Todd Smith, Part 2: Back to Cool, which is due in the fall.

"It's my last Def Jam record so I wanted to make it something special and something really unique and kinda get back to my roots a little bit," LL said. His debut album, 1985's Radio, was the label's first-ever full-length release. "50 reminds me a lot of the things that I used to do and the places I used to be in my life, and I think we can have a good time together.

"He's talented and I feel like I have something I want to say — I think he can help me get it off my chest."

LL and 50 can currently be heard together, along with Lloyd Banks and Hot Rod, on the remix of LL's "Freeze," which he's calling "You Can Bump This." The two are still working out how much 50 will rap on the new album, and whether anyone else from G-Unit will appear.

"I don't know if I'm gonna do as many collaborations on this record," said LL, whose most recent release, April's Todd Smith, is packed with stars (see "With Blige, J. Lo, Foxx On Board, LL Cool J's New LP Is A Guest Fest"). "I think that me and 50 is enough."

The two Queens-bred MCs have yet to start recording but have talked at length about the music. "We're definitely putting our heads together, we definitely have subject matter in mind and I'm definitely focused on making it as hot as it can be," LL said.

LL was in Los Angeles to collect the Golden Note Award at June's American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers' Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, which is given to songwriters who have achieved extraordinary milestones. His 21-year career has yielded nine platinum LPs and two Grammys.

"I'm a blessed guy, I'm lucky," LL said. "I didn't know it would end up like this. It's pretty wild." 

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Lil' Kim Released From Prison

Lil' Kim, who had been serving a 366-day prison sentence for federal perjury since September 19, was released from Philadelphia Federal Detention Center on Monday (July 3), looking surprisingly glamorous in a cleavage-showing white get-up.

The rapper, wearing sunglasses and carrying a balloon and bouquet of white roses, waved and blew kisses to dozens of fans, telling them, "I love you," according to The Associated Press.

Some fans reportedly stayed up all night to see the star, whose real name is Kimberly Jones, while others made a sign that read "Welcome Home, Queen Bee."

Lil' Kim left the prison and went to an undisclosed location in a silver Rolls Royce. She will remain under house arrest for 30 days and is on probation for three years.

"I am thrilled to be coming home," Kim said in a statement. "I thank all my fans for all their letters, as well as my family and friends for all their support throughout the past 10 months."

Kim's early release was announced Thursday (see "Lil' Kim To Be Released From Prison Early"), although rumors had been swirling since the BET Awards, where the rapper's mother told reporters she expected her daughter to be released shortly.

"We are pleased that Kim is coming home to start the next phase of her life," Kim's attorney, L. Londell McMillan, said in the Thursday statement. "She has accepted responsibility and handled herself in an exemplary manner."

Kim was convicted on three counts of perjury and one count of conspiracy in March 2005 in connection with the trial of the 2001 shooting incident outside New York's Hot 97 radio station (see "Lil' Kim Indicted For Lying About Hot 97 Shootout With Capone" ).

Kim maintained throughout the trial that Damion Butler, one of her co-managers at the time of the incident, was not by her side when shots rang out in front of the radio station. Security-camera footage later proved he was — a direct contradiction of what she'd told a federal grand jury (see "Lil' Kim Found Guilty Of Lying To Grand Jury, Investigators").

Rapper left Philadelphia Federal Detention Center Monday.

Kim had also told the court she was unable to positively identify a photo of another man who was believed to be involved in the shooting. Both that man — Suif "Gutta" Jackson, a member of her former group Junior M.A.F.I.A. — and Butler later confessed to firing on rap group Capone-N-Noreaga, and pleaded guilty to gun charges as part of a plea bargain (see "Lil' Kim's Bodyguard Sentenced To 12 Years For His Role In Shootout").

Other members of Junior M.A.F.I.A., including Antoine "Banger" Spain and James "Lil' Cease" Lloyd, took the stand during the trial and testified for the prosecution that they too had witnessed Butler and Jackson with Kim at the time of the shooting (see "Lil' Cease Says He's No Snitch For Testifying Against Kim"). Kim was sentenced last summer.

Testing Day

It's HIV Testing Day: Eve, Furtado, Navarro, Pamela Anderson Urge All To Get Tested

Nelly Furtado might be a "Promiscuous" girl, but that doesn't mean she can't be safe, too.

Furtado, along with several other entertainers who play with risqué imagery and lyrics, hopes sexy subject matter can also be educational — especially this week, since National HIV Testing Day is Tuesday (June 27).

"When I was a little kid, Salt-N-Pepa's 'Let's Talk About Sex' came on the radio, and my mom was like, 'What's this?' " Furtado recalled. "And with my song, 'Promiscuous,' certain moms and dads are going to hear it and ask, 'What's this?' And kids are going to ask questions about sex. It can only encourage the conversation."

Eve hopes that the conversation goes even further — that talking about sex and its possible repercussions will lead people to protect and test themselves. "In my perfect world, people would hear about this and go out and get tested," Eve said. "People would start talking about it and stop being scared."

Granted, HIV can be a very scary topic: Over 39 million people worldwide are living with the deadly virus, and an estimated four million more became infected last year, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. "What I find the most alarming is that every 15 seconds, someone is infected with HIV," Avril Lavigne said.

An estimated 250,000 Americans are unaware of their own HIV infections. But knowing whether you're one of the infected helps you get treatment and helps stop the spread of the disease.

The process of getting an HIV test is as easy as asking your doctor for one, going to a clinic, or using an at-home kit. Rapid HIV antibody tests can generate results in five to 60 minutes with a simple finger-stick blood sample. And if you're nervous about needles, you can even get tested by swabbing the inside of your gums.

"It's quick and easy and it can make a difference," said Pamela Anderson. "I have Hepatitis C, and there's no cure for Hepatitis C or AIDS, so it's really important to stop the spread of the disease since there is no cure."

"The reality is that people get sick," Furtado added. "But Magic Johnson showed that it's not the end of your life, but the beginning of awareness. When Magic contracted HIV, that was a pivotal point in AIDS awareness. It showed that anybody could get this disease."

"Somebody close to me was infected with AIDS, and I actually watched them die," Kelly Rowland revealed. "That was painful to watch, and I think that once you see something like that, it definitely becomes real — it definitely becomes something that you want people to know about."

Today, thousands of HIV-counseling and testing sites, state and local health departments and community-based HIV/ AIDS service providers are holding health fairs, hosting special testing-related events and operating extended hours. At some clinics, the tests are free or can be paid for on a sliding scale, based on income.

"You know, I've been through a lot of situations in my life where my behavior put me at risk by intravenous drug use and unprotected sex," Dave Navarro said. "Especially starting out back in the late '80s when awareness wasn't so great about this disease. But it was there, and we didn't know a lot about it. I've been saved by the grace of God, and for whatever reason, I'm still here. And if we're going to survive as a people, we need to share information. The coolest thing that you can do is get educated, get protected, get tested."

"I waited a while before I had sex," Furtado said, "because sex is serious. There are serious consequences. But at the same time, you can't expect people not to have sex. Love happens, and experimentation happens. And the more we talk about sex, the more awareness there will be. It doesn't have to be a mystery."

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Busta Rhymes

Busta Rhymes Opens With A Bang, Scoring His First #1 LP

Chopping off his signature dreadlocks probably had nothing to do with it, but perhaps aligning with Dr. Dre's Aftermath imprint did the trick. Whatever the reason, Busta Rhymes should be sporting the widest grin he can muster today as the latest SoundScan totals show that The Big Bang will open at #1 on Billboard's album chart, marking a first in a career that spans 15 years, seven solo albums and a stint with Leaders of the New School.

Week-one sales of The Big Bang, Busta's first collection of fresh material since 2002, topped out at nearly 209,000 copies — more than enough to earn Rhymes his inaugural chart-topping debut. The success has to taste sweet for Busta, especially after his last release, 2002's It Ain't Safe No More, opened at #43 with 62,000 scans — the rapper's first LP to debut outside of the top 10.

Rhymes' current retail dominance helped him usurp the Billboard crown from previous champs AFI. Second-week sales of the rockers' Decemberunderground slipped 43 percent to finish the week with 104,000 sales and the chart's #3 ranking. The Dixie Chicks' Taking the Long Way spends a second-straight week at #2 after selling 130,000 units.

There's no stopping the soundtrack to the Disney Channel original movie "High School Musical," which climbs one spot to #4 with 79,000-plus scans after 23 weeks in stores. The #5 slot belongs to a newcomer: One-X, the second LP from Canadian rockers Three Days Grace, which sold 78,000 copies its first week out. The soundtrack to the animated feature "Cars" follows at #6 with 75,000 scans, just in front of Stadium Arcadium, the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Rick Rubin-produced double album. During its sixth week of release, Arcadium sold another 74,000 copies to finish at #7.

Rascal Flatts' Me & My Gang holds at #8 with 73,000 scans, followed at #9 by Yung Joc's New Joc City, which slides six spots with nearly 70,000 sales. Ice Cube's Laugh Now, Cry Later drops to #10 after selling 64,000 copies during its second week in stores.

Busta and Three Days Grace led a total of 13 new releases that will crack the Billboard 200. Billy Joel's 12 Gardens Live, a two-disc souvenir from the Piano Man's recent 12-show stand at Madison Square Garden, opens at #14 with 44,000 scans. Widespread Panic's Earth to America put up first-week sales of close to 21,000 for a #48 bow. Sonic Youth's Rather Ripped debuts at #71 with 16,000 sold, while Shadows Fall claim #83 after first-week interest in the New England metallers' Fallout From the War turned into 13,000-plus sales.

Regina Spektor debuts at #135 after selling nearly 8,000 copies of Begin to Hope. Anatomy Of, an album's worth of covers from Ozzfest 2006 performers Between the Buried and Me, finishes at #151 with sales just shy of the 7,000 mark. Keb' Mo's Suitcase claims the #176 slot, selling close to 6,000 copies, and Frankie J just makes the cut at #198, selling 5,000 copies of his new Spanish-language album, Un Nuevo Dia.