Thursday, May 3, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Mary J. Blige Dishes On Her 'Crazy' Led Zeppelin Covers
'I've listened to their music since I was a child,' says the R&B diva, who recorded 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love.'
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Larry Carroll
<P>You wouldn't peg Mary J Blige as the black-light-and-tapestry sort, but, as has become readily apparent in recent weeks, she absolutely loves Led Zeppelin. </P><P> </P><P>In early February, reports began circulating that <a href="/news/articles/1631297/mary-j-blige-records-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven.jhtml">Blige had re-recorded Zeppelin's classic "Stairway to Heaven,"</a> working with Travis Barker, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson and guitarist Steve Vai on the track, which is slated to appear on the international reissue of her <i>Stronger With Each Tear</i> album, due Monday. </P><P> </P><P></p><div style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float:left;"><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:491065" width="256" height="223" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashVars="configParams=instance%3Dnews%26vid%3D491065" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed></div><p> </P><P> </P><P>But after she had recorded "Stairway," Blige continued to get the Led out, covering <i>another</i> Zeppelin classic — the thunderous "Whole Lotta Love" — for the album too. And when MTV News caught up with her on the <i>Essence</i> Black Women in Hollywood red carpet, she told us all about channeling her inner Robert Plant for the tracks, a process that came much easier than you'd probably imagine. </P><P> </P><P>"I did Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love' — it's crazy," she said. "I am a Led Zeppelin fan. I'm not going to say I've been to their concerts, but I've listened to their music since I was a child, and it's always moved me, especially 'Stairway to Heaven,' and 'Whole Lotta Love' is just fun." </P><P> </P><P>Blige also said she recorded another new song — a "club record" called "I Can't Wait" — for the re-release. And while it's only slated to hit shelves outside the U.S., she hopes her fans will get a chance to hear all the new songs pretty soon. </P><P> </P><P>"I want y'all to hear it," she laughed.</p>
Related ArtistsTuesday, May 1, 2012
Rihanna Reveals 'Boob' Envy In 'MTV First: Battleship'
Pop-star-turned-actress and her 'Battleship' co-stars premiere exclusive clip tonight at 7:56 p.m. on MTV, followed by a 30-minute interview on MTV.com.
By Josh Horowitz
Rihanna
Photo: Rihanna's Facebook
If there is a downside to what I do (talk to very talented, beautiful people), it's that sometimes you're sitting in between Rihanna, Brooklyn Decker, Taylor Kitsch and Alexander Skarsgård and you realize, wow, I must look like Golem next to them. But let's not harp on my insecurities. Let's instead focus on that genetically blessed quartet who star in the new film "Battleship," opening May 18. I'm pleased to report that they're a great bunch and absurdly entertaining to talk to.
You can catch my full interview with the gang on MTV.com following the premiere of an exclusive action scene from the film during "MTV First: Battleship" tonight beginning at 7:56 p.m. on MTV. Having already seen "Battleship," I can tell you this clip really captures the mayhem in this blockbuster.
Anyway, what did I learn in my chat with this group? Well, no matter how freakishly gorgeous you might be, the grass is always greener on the other side. Rihanna revealed she'd like Brooklyn's boobs (her words, not mine), and Brooklyn retorted that she's envious of Rihanna's um ... well, her ass. As I said at the time, this was the best debate ever.
Movies don't come much bigger than "Battleship." Clearly if you have a "Transformers" itch for spectacle, this is the summer for you. But if there's a side story worth talking about amid the 'splosions, clearly it's Rihanna. I spent a good portion of the sit-down with the cast talking to the pop-star-turned-actor and was duly impressed. Humble, self-effacing and quick to joke, count me in the Rihanna fan club from here on out. She's got the right attitude and knows she has plenty to prove as she makes the move into acting ("Battleship" is her debut).
And if you're not rooting for Taylor Kitsch, you are hereby my enemy. "John Carter" took a lot of knocks (most undeserved in my opinion), but this guy takes his gigs seriously (even if the films don't look all that serious) from a distance.
I know what you're thinking. They're all gorgeous and awesome? Annoying, right?
Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgård, Rihanna and Brooklyn Decker will hit MTV's airwaves Monday, April 30, at 7:56 p.m. ET to premiere the exclusive clip, after which they will stick around for a meaty 30 minutes of Q&A on MTV.com.
Check out everything we've got on "Battleship."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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