Friday, May 25, 2012
Beyonce's 'Back To Business' With Memorial Day Concerts
'Yes, I had a baby, but it just made me more grounded,' singer says in behind-the-scenes video.
By James Dinh
Beyoncé
Photo: Getty Images
Time is ticking. It's only a matter of hours until Beyoncé makes her post-Blue Ivy Carter performance comeback with her string of Memorial Day weekend shows at Atlantic City's recently launched Revel entertainment center. And with anticipation high, the pop titan is giving her fans a small taste of the behind-the-scenes action it took to transition back to her stage show ways.
In the first of a two-part video montage segment that was posted on the singer's website, Queen B is seen working hard almost two months prior to the gigs on everything from choreography to show concept and vocal rehearsing.
Despite admitting a few nerves and her inclusion in the pop-star-turned-mom club, Beyoncé remained adamant about her return to the stage, "I'm enjoying being a mother, so it's like going back to my old job. It's a little strange, but it's important that you don't lose yourself and have your own passions. I'm back to work. I'm back to business."
It's the first of many candid moments in which the singer opens up and allows camera lenses to document the planning of the concerts. And by the looks of it, the chart-topper will be giving it her all. At one point, Beyoncé is seen sitting on the floor with her crew of dancers conceptualizing the event. "What I'm trying to say with the show ... yes, I had a baby, but it just made me more grounded," she says.
In comparison to her intimate four-night affair at New York's Roseland Ballroom in August 2011, the Revel shows are expected to be much more of a grand spectacle, with high-tech LED, intense choreography and video backdrops.
Positivity goes a long way, as her choreographer Frank Gatson Jr. co-signs the singer's intent to create a stellar event. "I think this show has the potential to be one of the greatest shows we've done. People, re-sit and listen to Beyoncé, we will have a brilliant show at Revel," he said.
Will you be seeing Beyoncé in concert this Memorial Day weekend? Tell us in the comments!
Related ArtistsJustin Bieber Gets His Own Graduation On 'Ellen DeGeneres Show'
Singer dons cap and gown on episode of the talk show airing Wednesday.
By Jocelyn Vena
<P>A few weeks back, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/bieber_justin/artist.jhtml">Justin Bieber</a> officially became a <a href="/news/articles/1684665/justin-bieber-graduates-high-school.jhtml">high school graduate</a>. But given that he was schooled on the road, the 18-year-old didn't have the pleasure of donning a cap and gown at an official graduation ceremony.</P><P>So when he stopped by <a href="http://ellen.warnerbros.com/" target="_blank">Ellen DeGeneres' talk show</a> on an episode airing Wednesday (May 23), the comedian attempted to rectify the situation.</P><P>Finally getting the chance to wear a gown and a custom-made cap that hovers over his hair so as not to muss it up, Bieber was handed a diploma by DeGeneres, who told the room, "Good afternoon. Today is an important day. It's Dollar Taco Day at the Warner Bros. cafeteria. We're here to honor the accomplishment of the Biebs, a great American who happens to be from Canada. Justin, you finally made it. You're graduating and I'm so proud of you. Today you're a high school graduate; you've accomplished so much in a short time."</P><P></p><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://c.gigcount.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.11NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEzMzc3ODQ4NTAwNTUmcHQ9MTMzNzc4NDg1Mjc1MSZwPSZkPSZnPTImbz1mYmQ*ZGRhOTBmNjI*Y2YzYWFjZGQyMTBm/MTYwYzFiNSZvZj*w.gif" /><object name="kaltura_player_1337784520" id="kaltura_player_1337784520" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="always" allowNetworking="all" allowFullScreen="true" height="265" width="415" data="http://cdnapi.kaltura.com/index.php/kwidget/wid/1_scrlcsql/uiconf_id/6995152"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowNetworking" value="all" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000" /><param name="movie" value="http://cdnapi.kaltura.com/index.php/kwidget/wid/1_scrlcsql/uiconf_id/6995152"/><param name="flashVars" value=""/><a href="http://corp.kaltura.com">video platform</a><a href="http://corp.kaltura.com/video_platform/video_management">video management</a><a href="http://corp.kaltura.com/solutions/video_solution">video solutions</a><a href="http://corp.kaltura.com/video_platform/video_publishing">video player</a></object><p></P><P>Bieber then asked for a chance to "say a few words." He joked, "I'd like to thank my sponsors, BF Goodrich tires, Little Debbie snack cakes, and of course Drakkar Noir [and] Ticonderoga pencils #2 and #3."</P><P>In addition to his own private graduation, Bieber also performed <a href="/news/articles/1684454/justin-bieber-boyfriend-mature-video.jhtml">his single "Boyfriend"</a> and had this special announcement for his fans. "Guess what I'm announcing? I'm announcing my tour! We have the dates," he told the room.</P><P>The <a href="/news/articles/1685633/justin-bieber-believe-tour.jhtml"><i>Believe</i> tour</a> kicks off on September 29 with a show in Glendale, Arizona. The trek will hit 45 cities before wrapping up in Miami on January 26, 2013, with protégé Carly Rae Jepsen onboard as the opening act for the entire run.</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Justin Bieber Promises 'Believe' Tour Dates Will Drop Soon" id="vid:770752" width="415" height="255"></div><p></p>
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Rita Ora 'Happy To Be Compared' To Rihanna
Roc Nation singer jokes to MTV News about what a Rita/Rihanna video would look like.
By Rebecca Thomas
<P>A girl with a foreign accent inks a Roc Nation deal, teams up <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnEiLQkwYQU" target="_blank">with Drake</a> and leans on Jay-Z to kick-start her Stateside career. Can't <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/rita_ora/artist.jhtml">Rita Ora</a> get on her grind without inviting <a href="http://allhiphop.com/2012/04/29/hip-hop-rumors-rita-ora-is-following-rihannas-blueprint-faithfully-rita-now-linked-to-drake" target="_blank">comparisons</a> to <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/rihanna/artist.jhtml">Rihanna</a>?</P><P>OK, granted, the Kosovo-born newcomer has a few things in common with the Grammy-nominated Bajan pop princess. As he has for Rih, Drake picked up the pen for co-writing credit on Ora's U.K. hit "R.I.P." (a song reportedly intended for Rihanna, who turned it down). And as he did for the "Umbrella" singer, Hov is playing mentor to the upstart. But Ora, with her soulful growl and West London upbringing, has her own lane. And she's decidedly blasé about those bloggers busy tallying the similarities between the two 20somethings. In fact, she's <i>flattered</i> by your parallels.</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Rita Ora Takes Rihanna Comparisons As A 'Compliment'" id="vid:765076" width="415" height="255"></div><p></P><P>"I take it as a compliment, the comparison is a great one," the <a href="/news/articles/1684173/rita-ora-how-we-do-video.jhtml">"How We Do" singer</a> told MTV News recently. "It's not like it's someone I'm not a fan of, so I'm happy to be compared to someone like that."</P><P>In February, Roc mogul Jay accompanied his U.K. signee to iHeartRadio's Z100, where the station's DJs played her raucous "(Party)" single on the air and clinked glasses to toast her arrival on the scene. Now, the blond beauty is hard at work on her album. So, having set the record straight about those pesky comparisons, we had to ask: Would she be up for a Rita/Rihanna collabo?</P><P>"Doing a feature with her would be so cool," Ora said without hesitation. The idea of going half on a track was so appealing that she even came up with a possible video treatment, complete with dialogue.</P><P>"The video would be kinda hot," she laughed. "I'd be, like, chasing Rihanna the whole time. ... I'd be like come on, man, give me a shot, man! Let me just take you out!' " she dramatized with overeager arm gestures. Then, of course, she burst into giggles, "No, I'm joking; I'm very, very much straight."</P><P><i>What do you make of comparisons between Rita Ora and Rihanna? Tell us in the comments!</i></P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Rita Ora Expresses Admiration For Biggie Smalls" id="vid:764593" width="415" height="255"></div><p></p>
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