News

H-Town’s Kirko Bangz takes us to the tity bar in a not-so-safe-for-work clip for “Pole” off his Progression 2: A Young Texas Playa mixtape available for free download now.

PREVIOUS: Kirko Bangz – What Yo Name Iz (rmx) f. Big Sean, Bun B & Wale (Video)

Yeah, I’m gonna need for this Wu-Block project to come out. Speaking of albums that haven’t seen the light of day, where the hell is the new LOX album?

DOWNLOAD: Sheek Louch & Ghostface Killah – Hands Up | Mediafire
PREVIOUS: The LOX, Ghostface Killah & Raekwon – Wu-Block (prod. The RZA)

There will also be a talk about a certain list they came out with a few days ago. Currently in progress.

Early projections of Tyga’s debut album Careless World: Rise of the Last King are out and it is expected to sell approximately 70,000 to 80,000 copies in its first week of (digital) release.

All sales of the album, which were pulled from retailers due to an uncleared Martin Luther King, Jr. sample, come from digital sales. Tyga appeared on V-103′s Greg Street to discuss the recall of the album in a recent interview. “Basically, [the stores and label] recalled them,” Tyga explained.

“I’m looking on my Twitter and fans are hitting me up all day like, posting pictures of [the album] and they have some in stores, but then they have a piece of paper next to them saying ‘Recalled – can’t sell.’ I’m like, ‘Yo, this is crazy.’ My fans are going crazy, like, ‘I have it in my hand, I’m thinking about just stealing it, but I wanna buy it though,’ and I’m like, ‘Nah, just go back tomorrow,’ so they’re going to get a lot shipped today [Monday February 20], and it’ll be in stores tomorrow.”

[via]

We first caught wind of this collaboration a couple weeks back when Converse announced the latest installment of their Three Artists. One Song campaign. And while the official song drops for the free tomorrow at Converse’s official website, here goes a (great quality) radio rip courtesy of FADER.

Le$ has been steady promoting his upcoming project, Menace. But for his latest set of visuals, the Boss Hogg Outlaw takes it back to Settle 4 Le$ 2. Either way, the grind continues..

PREVIOUS: Le$ – Doing My Thang f. Slim Thug, Mac Miller & Dom Kennedy

Tuge links up with my man Sha for a new one off that Ignorant Elegance, dropping soon.

The second single from the mysterious duo Sandie Black is here.

DOWNLOAD: Sandie Black – Is You Rolling?
PREVIOUS: Sandie Black – Gotta Get Free

Well, that’s the word on the streets internets as of late. Obviously nothing is concrete and everyone is just going off talk, but how dope would this be? I mean, we haven’t heard shit from Common and Q-Tip since they announced The Standard back in ’07, but that doesn’t mean it’s never gonna happen. Imagine a 10-track project with the quality of Ghetto Dreams. Yeah that…

Directed by Edgar Esteves

Ace Hood, over a boom bap-styled track that doesn’t sound like anything from the MMG camp? Who’da thunk it.

PREVIOUS: Ace Hood – Realist Livin’ f. Rick Ross (Video)

21 sets a new high mark for post-Grammy sales.
By Gil Kaufman

Adele at the 2012 Grammys
Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Adele is starting to make this look a little too easy. And also, who out there doesn't own 21 already? After all, they've had a full year to get their act together.

In the same week that she celebrates 52 weeks on the Billboard 200 albums chart, all of them spent in the top 10, the singer set yet another high-water mark when she notched the biggest sales week yet following her Grammy Awards comeback. In the wake of her six-for-six night at the awards show, Adele rolled up her biggest sales week to date, moving 730,000 copies, more than doubling her previous high mark of 399,000 for the week ending December 25, 2011, according to figures provided by Nielsen SoundScan.

The last album to sell more copies in a single week before Adele's big jump was Lil Wayne, whose Tha Carter IV moved 964,000 in August 2011. To put her giant leap into perspective, in her 52nd week on the charts, Adele moved the third-highest amount of product of any artist in the past year, surpassed only by Lady Gaga's Born This Way (1.1 million) and Weezy, and coming in ahead of highly anticipated chart bows by Drake (631,000), Coldplay (447,000), Jay-Z and Kanye West (436,000), Lady Antebellum (347,000), Beyoncé (310,000), Britney Spears (276,000) and Chris Brown (270,000).

Among the other records Adele set with her massive week:

» The biggest weekly sales increase following a Grammy win in the, um, 21-year history of SoundScan. With her 207 percent bump, Adele beat the previous record holder, Norah Jones, who sold 621,000 (a 331 percent increase) following her five Grammy wins in 2003 for Come Away With Me.

» With her massive sales hike, Adele became the first artist to go double-platinum on iTunes.

» With 21 non-consecutive weeks at #1, Adele now holds the record for the longest #1 album by a woman in Billboard history, beating the record formerly held by the late Whitney Houston's soundtrack to "The Bodyguard."

And it wasn't just 21 that got the Grammy love. Adele's debut, 19, zoomed up five spots to #4 thanks to a 144 percent sales increase, with 87,000 copies sold, setting another one-week sales best by eclipsing its previous high of 71,000 units shifted for the week ending December 25, 2011.

In the first full chart week after her death, Houston's only greatest-hits collection, Whitney: The Greatest Hits, saw a sales increase of 174 percent, shifting 175,000 copies to move up four spots to #2.

The rest of the top 10: Now 41 (#3, 94,000), 2012 Grammy Nominees (#5, 85,000), Van Halen's A Different Kind of Truth (#6, down 69 percent in its second week on sales of 58,000) and Paul McCartney's Kisses on the Bottom (#7, 58,000).

A number of acts also got a significant Grammy boost, including performer Bruno Mars, whose Doo-Wops & Hooligans rose 133 percent on sales of 38,000, bumping it up 22 spots to #8; Lady Antebellum, whose Own the Night was up eight to #9 (37,000, up 47 percent); and the Civil Wars, who rocketed up 31 spots to #10 with Barton Hollow (36,000, up 178 percent).

Coldplay got a more modest boost from their performance, as Mylo Xyloto inched up three spots to #11 on a 26 percent sales increase to 35,000, while Grammy winners Foo Fighters were up 134 percent and 28 spots to #21 with Wasting Light (23,000).

Further down the line, two other Houston albums, her self-titled debut and the soundtrack to "The Bodyguard," both sold more than 17,000 copies, seeing respective sales increases of 113 and 123 percent.

Over on the iTunes charts, Grammy performer Katy Perry topped the singles tally with her new single, "Part of Me," followed by Houston's iconic cover of "I Will Always Love You," Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" and "Set Fire to the Rain" and Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)."

Coming in at #6 were buzz band fun. with "We Are Young," Nicki Minaj with "Starships," Brown's "Turn up the Music," Adele's "Someone Like You" and One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful."

21 was at #1 on the iTunes albums chart, followed by Houston's greatest-hits comp, the Civil Wars' Barton Hollow, Adele's 19, Coldplay, the Grammy compilation, Mars, Clarkson's Stronger, the Fray's Scars & Stories and Grammy winner Bon Iver's self-titled album.

With Houston's chart record in the rearview, next up for Adele is the 24-week #1 reigns of the "Saturday Night Fever" and "Purple Rain" soundtracks. She should be safe for another week, as the only competition coming up in the next chart frame is from Sleigh Bells, Tyga and fun.

• Adele

'I believe that reaching out for help is the bravest thing a person can do,' the 'Harry Potter' star says in the 30-second spot.
By Kara Warner

Daniel Radcliffe in the Trevor Project PSA
Photo: Trevor Project

As if we needed more reasons to love and respect Daniel Radcliffe.

The "Harry Potter" actor successfully carried a history-making franchise on his shoulders for more than a decade, charmed audiences on the Great White Way with his critically acclaimed performance in "How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" and is making great post-"Potter" career choices. Not only is he generally talented and charming, but he has also put his star power behind the Trevor Project, which is a nonprofit organization that offers support to sexual minority youth, particularly those experiencing emotional difficulty dealing with their sexuality who need someone to talk to. The Trevor Project also endeavors to foster safe and inclusive environments in homes and schools.

Radcliffe's latest work with the organization is a 30-second PSA that aired Tuesday night during "Glee" and MTV News now has exclusively online. In the spot, Radcliffe addresses the very important issue of supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.

"I'm Daniel Radcliffe, and I believe that reaching out for help is the bravest thing a person can do," Radcliffe says in the PSA. "If you are struggling and need support, call the Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386. It's free and confidential, and trained counselors are there to listen 24/7 without judgment."

The 22-year-old said in a statement that his work with the Trevor Project has taught him the importance of being a straight ally and offering his support. "When we let someone know that we accept them for who they are and that we are safe to talk to, we can help save lives," he said. "It's as simple as that."

Radcliffe has been involved with the Trevor Project since 2009, appearing in public service announcements for the group's prevention hot line and speaking out in support of LGBT youth. Radcliffe has called his work with the Trevor Project "one of the most important, if not the most important, thing that I'm associated with."

Brown reacts to Rihanna-related criticism from the singer and the wrestler on Twitter.
By Jocelyn Vena

Chris Brown
Photo: Mindy Small/ FilmMagic

It's an interesting time for Chris Brown. With several career highs, which include a Grammy win and performance at the show earlier this month, come several personal lows, including feuds with two other celebrities.

On Tuesday, Brown took to Twitter to address some comments made by WWE wrestler CM Punk in a video he released on TMZ, which itself came in response to an ongoing Twitter feud the guys have been having.

"I'm a lifelong proud, drug-free, straight-edge individual, so Chris and I come from two completely different worlds," Punk said in the video, referring to a previous tweet Brown had posted accusing Punk of taking steroids. "I don't have a manager, I don't have a bodyguard, I don't have an assistant, I have no need for a PR team what to tweet or when to delete tweets, and I don't hit women. Period. In my world women are to be revered and respected and I firmly believe that in this life there are consequences and repercussions for people's actions, and I don't think Chris has paid for what he's done. Picking up trash on the side of a highway does not make amends for repeatedly striking a woman in her face and sending her to hospital.

"So if Chris wants to throw stones my way now, I say that's fine. Let's put some gloves out and get in the ring and I will choke you out and I will make you feel as weak and as powerless and scared and alone as any woman who has had the misfortune of knowing a sad, cowardly, little boy such as yourself. And all proceeds can go to a women's shelter of my choosing ... Chris Brown isn't a man and that's fine. I just know that someday, somewhere, somehow, somebody will put Chris Brown exactly where he belongs and that obviously doesn't have to be me, I would just really like it to be."

After the video was released, Brown responded, "@cmpunk the video u just posted was cute! It's so funny how defensive u are. And the fact that I really don't know who you are and could give a sh-- is the funny part! I miss the real wrestlers! (Hacksaw Jim duggan, Brett the hitman heart, coco beware, rowdy roddy piper) #Notnopunks."

Several tweets later, he brought it back to Punk, but noted that he would no longer be addressing the issue. "Note: today will be the last day I bring @cmpunk existence up! The confrontations that people continuously bring my way are very amusing," he wrote. "Cuz honestly, that sh-- is too time consuming to argue wit every person who has their own issues to deal with!"

It all started on February 20, when Punk tweeted about Brown's 2009 assault of his then-girlfriend Rihanna. From there, the two became involved in a Twitter back-and-forth. Since Brown's last tweet about the video, as of press time, Punk has not tweeted about it again.

This is hardly the first bit of criticism that Brown has received since his Grammy win on February 12. While a number of celebrities tweeted their criticisms of Brown's win and performance that night, country star Miranda Lambert has been the most vocal about it.

Brown responded to her post-Grammy tweets, writing, "Using my name to get publicity? I love it! Perform your heart out! Go buy Miranda Lambert album! So motivational and 'PERFECT'!"

Not only did she tweet about it, but in concert last week Usmagazine.com reported Lambert addressed the issue further, saying, "I just have to speak my mind, because where I come from, beating up on a woman is never OK. So that's why my daddy taught me early on in life how to use a shotgun."

• Chris Brown
• Miranda Lambert

MTV News joins Spidey supporters to spread the friendly neighborhood web-slinger's insignia all across Manhattan.
By Josh Wigler

Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker in "The Amazing Spider-Man"
Photo: Marvel / Columbia Pictures

NEW YORK — Spider-Man needs support. Sure, he's better off than most: Spinning webs and climbing walls does have its perks. But a strong superhero is nothing without a strong base of supporters championing his every move — something that isn't exactly easy for Spidey to accomplish with the Daily Bugle painting him as a menace on every other front page.

Perhaps MTV News can show the hero in a different light. Last Friday, we were invited to join a small group of passionate supporters to spread the mark of Spider-Man all across New York City. Our mission: to travel to predetermined locations throughout Manhattan to tag specific walls with the Amazing Spider-Man's famous insignia. "That's kind of odd," you might be saying to yourself. But there was nothing odd about it to Abigail Flynn, one of the carefully selected Spidey supporters out in full force on behalf of the amazing web-slinger.

"We're supporting Spider-Man," Flynn told MTV News of the campaign. "We're putting up the mark of the Spider-Man around the city to spread awareness and spread his message."

Fellow web-head Walter Sojda added, "He's fighting for the little guy. We have to show that in New York, we care about Spider-Man. We're supporting him here."

New York isn't the only place Spider-Man has recently found support. All last week, the superhero's message was spread throughout five other American cities, including Los Angeles, Seattle and Atlanta. Clearly, the hero's national awareness is on the rise — good timing, no doubt, considering he has a movie on the way!

Spreading the mark of Spider-Man isn't the only thing that has our spider senses tingling here at MTV News. Early last week, MTV Splash Page received a mysterious backpack in the mail, with no explanation as to its origin other than a haphazardly attached piece of duct tape reading "Property of Peter Parker." Spidey's supporters were tight-lipped when asked about Parker's identity, so the connection between the two remains unclear for now.

Here's something that is clear: Despite what the Bugle says, there's a whole lot of love out there for your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man — and Manhattan has the mark to prove it.

Are you following the mark of Spider-Man? Let us know in the comments or hit me up on Twitter at @roundhoward!

Check out everything we've got on "The Amazing Spider-Man."

For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

• MTV Rough Cut: Andrew Garfield

Singer flipped the bird after her acceptance speech was interrupted by host James Corden.
By Jocelyn Vena

Adele at the Brit Awards
Photo: Jon Furniss/ WireImage

Adele showed her saucy side at the Brit Awards on Tuesday night in London when she flashed her middle finger.

When the 21 singer took the stage to accept her second award, for Album of the Year, she was interrupted by the night's host, British TV presenter and actor James Corden. He was ready to introduce Blur, who were set to perform right after Adele accepted her award, the Daily Mail reported.

"Nothing beats coming home with six Grammys and then coming to the Brits and winning album of the year," she told the room, filled with A-listers like Coldplay, Rihanna and Bruno Mars, before Corden stepped onstage beside her. His appearance was reportedly met with boos.

"Are you about to cut me off? Can I just say then, goodbye and I'll see you next time round?" she asked him before flipping him the bird, causing the room to cheer.

After the interruption, a rep for ITV, which aired the awards show, said, "The Brits is a live event. Unfortunately the program was over-running and we had to move on. We would like to apologize to Adele for the interruption."

As for Adele, she (sort of) apologized in a statement after the broadcast. "I was about to thank the British public for their support," she explained. "They cut me off, sorry if I offended anyone but the suits offended me."

Earlier in the night, Adele had not only performed her track "Rolling in the Deep" but had also taken home the prize for Best Female Artist. It's been a big month for Adele, who won six Grammys earlier this month and celebrates the one-year anniversary of 21 on Wednesday (February 22).

As for that gesture at the Brit Awards, it marks the second time this month a middle finger has been in the news. After M.I.A. flashed hers during Madonna's Super Bowl performance, the gesture made headlines for days afterwards, with fellow performer Cee Lo Green and even Madge herself commenting on the action by the London-bred MC.

• Brit Awards 2012: Highlights
• Infamous Middle Fingers

• Adele

March mall tour including Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson announced as advance tickets for flick go on sale.
By Jocelyn Vena

Josh Hutcherson and Jennifer Lawrence
Photo: MTV News

With "The Hunger Games" just four weeks away from hitting theaters, the cast will embark on a mall tour starting next month.

Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson all will make the rounds during the trek, kicking off March 3. The tour will hit eight cities over the course of a week with stops in Atlanta, Dallas and Los Angeles.

In addition to meet and greets with the big three and other castmembers from the highly anticipated flick, the mall stops will include Q&A sessions and giveaways. The first stop, March 3 at the City of Angels' Westfield Century City, will feature director Gary Ross as well as Lawrence, Hutcherson and Hemsworth.

March 6 at the JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead in Atlanta, Hemsworth will be joined by Leven Rambin, Dayo Okeniyi, Amandla Stenberg and Jack Quaid. There will be two stops March 7: Hemsworth, Rambin, Okeniyi and Quaid will appear at Scottsdale Fashion Square in Scottsdale, Arizona, while the Westfield Fox Valley in Aurora, Illinois, will host Hutcherson, Isabelle Fuhrman and Jacqueline Emerson.

The following day, March 8, Lawrence, Alexander Ludwig and Stenberg are scheduled for the Westfield Broward Mall in Plantation, Florida, and Hutcherson, Fuhrman and Emerson will be on hand at Galleria Dallas.

Lawrence, Ludwig, Stenberg, Hutcherson, Fuhrman and Emerson will greet fans March 9 at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. The final stop, March 10 at Seattle's University Village, will feature all three of the film's top stars: Lawrence, Hemsworth and Hutcherson.

In addition to the announcement of the mall tour, Wednesday (February 22) marks the first day fans can buy advance tickets to the flick, which opens March 23.

Check out everything we've got on "The Hunger Games."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

• MTV Rough Cut: Jennifer Lawrence And Josh Hutcherson
• MTV Rough Cut: 'Hunger Games'

• The Hunger Games

Crow will star in Nickelodeon musical comedy pilot and release album on Columbia Records.
By Gil Kaufman

Contestant Rachel Crow appears on "X-Factor"
Photo: Fox

After one of the most famous elimination breakdowns
 in reality singing competition history, "X Factor" finalist Rachel Crow has bounced back in a major way. The curly-haired cutie who charmed America during her run on the first American season of the Simon Cowell-created show has not only landed a record deal, but she's also prepping her TV series debut.

Though she went out in fifth place on "Factor," Crow has become the sixth top finisher from the show to land a recording contract, following in the footsteps of $5 million winner Melanie Amaro,
 Chris Rene, Astro,
 Marcus Canty and runner-up Josh Krajcik.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Crow has signed a talent deal with Nickelodeon (which, like MTV, is owned by Viacom Inc.) that will have her starring in her own as-yet-unnamed musical comedy series pilot. She's also signed a recording deal with Columbia Records. "It's been amazing," she told the Reporter about her post "Factor" ride. "A couple days after the elimination I just found myself sitting home asking myself, 'What am I going to do now?' And I never would've thought that this is what I was going do now. So, it's pretty amazing. I'm very thankful and I feel very blessed to have all this."

In addition to the Nickelodeon pilot, Crow has also been given a recurring role on the network's new series, "Fred: The Show," which stars Lucas Cruikshank. She's already begun filming scenes as the character Starr, described as "an eccentric girl who acts and sings and, as her name indicates, wants to be famous." She's slated to appear in at least five episodes that will air in the spring.

Crow plans to begin recording her debut album later this year. In the meantime, the singer said she's just overjoyed to be on the same label as such major stars as "Beyoncé Adele and Celine Dion.

"Columbia was awesome for me. This is the top, which is really cool," Crow said. "Beyonce and Adele. And I'm in the same family as them, which is really awesome." She promised that her disc would be "spunky" and that "it's just gonna be me."

'Justin Bieber: Just Getting Started' is due for release in September.
By Gil Kaufman

Justin Bieber
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

While they eagerly await the release of his upcoming album, Believe, Beliebers will have to make do with Justin Bieber's upcoming photo book.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, "Justin Bieber: Just Getting Started" is scheduled for release in September. The singer's second official photo book comes on the heels of "First Step 2 Forever: My Story," which was released in October 2010 and sold more than one million copies in 25 languages.

The new book will include information about the 17-year-old singer's most recent tour and the making of his record-breaking concert documentary, "Never Say Never," as well as the sessions for Believe. Among the bold-faced names that have popped in so far to lay down tracks for that album are fellow Canadian Drake,
 who has long wanted to work with the pop star.

Kanye West
 is also reportedly slated to contribute to the disc, which is scheduled for release later this year. Super-producers Pharrell, will.i.am
 and rapper Lil Wayne are among the other names that have been tossed about as possible collaborators. Believe is the follow-up to the Christmas-themed Under the Mistletoe, which was released in late 2011.

Given his advancing age and the influence of a new group of collaborators, the effort is promising to be a step in a new direction for the multiplatinum teen idol. "The only conversation we've had about Justin's album that we're about to do is it's really important that it's the proper transition, because we've seen him [with] 'Baby,' now we're watching him grow up," Bieber's longtime vocal producer, Kuk Harrell,
 told MTV News in November. "And we can't just throw him into the adult game right away. It has to be the proper transition. There's a record in between."

In the meantime, fans will have to settle for watching Bieber help re-launch MTV's iconic "Punk'd"
 hidden-camera show, which relaunches next month with a rotating slate of guest hosts.

• MTV First: Justin Bieber

• Justin Bieber

'I want people to know that we all have personal strength and can lean on each other,' singer says about MTV special, airing March 6.
By Jocelyn Vena

Demi Lovato in the "Stay Strong" trailer
Photo: MTV News & Docs

Demi Lovato is giving fans an insider view of what life's been like for her since leaving a treatment center last year, documenting it for the MTV special "Demi Lovato: Stay Strong," debuting Tuesday, March 6, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.

The special will follow the singer in her most private moments, as she deals with her very public recovery from personal issues, including an eating disorder and cutting. "Stay Strong" shows her confronting these problems while still working on her career, including going back on the road for a tour. Since leaving a trek with the Jonas Brothers in the fall of 2010 to enter treatment, the singer has leaned on the support of her family, friends and devoted fans, known as Lovatics.

Lovato will go into detail about the events that caused her to seek treatment and how she decided to share her personal struggles and journey with the world.

"I wanted to share my story but I knew it had to be honest, it had to be real," Lovato said in a statement. "I have daily challenges but so do many kids who are struggling to feel comfortable in their own skin. If opening up and sharing my story inspires even one person to stay strong or to get the help they need, I've succeeded."

Fans will get to hit the road with the singer, as well as travel home with her to Dallas, Texas, to see her family. She will also head back to the Illinois treatment center she entered in November 2010.

Lovato first teased the project on Tuesday when she tweeted a photo of her tattooed wrists reading "Stay Strong." "Lovatics-I wanted to tell you FIRST about a special I worked on with @MTV," she tweeted. "It premieres March 6th at 10pm!! #staystrong"

Lovato hit the road late last year for a solo trek shortly after dropping her third album, Unbroken. The personal record included the chart-topping hit single "Skyscraper."

The special will air on MTV channels internationally starting in the spring. For more information, head to StayStrong.MTV.com.

Don't miss "Demi Lovato: Stay Strong," debuting Tuesday, March 6, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.

• Exclusive Previews Of 'Demi Lovato: Stay Strong'

• Demi Lovato

Photo: Radical Media/ MTV