Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on Idolator.com

Adam Levine Gets Punched By Terry Richardson (PHOTOS)

2012-02-09T19:48:22Z

Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine is the pop star du jour to drop by Terry Richardson's studio. Unlike the photog's latest shoot with Lady Gaga, the Voice coach remained fully clothed (a pity, that). The dapper singer kept things casual in a t-shirt and jeans and didn't seem to mind all that much when Terry socked him one right in the kisser (for the sake of art, of course). Check out the Grammy nominee's shoot, but be warned there is one pic where Adam holds up M.I.A.'s favorite finger. Then tell us below, or on Facebook and Twitter, what you thought of the "Moves Like Jagger" singer's shots. More »

Lana Del Rey Has ‘Lovecat’ Covered

2012-02-09T19:25:22Z

This week’s chart upstart Lana Del Rey graces the front of model fanzine Lovecat’s Women Who Rock Issue. Ellen Von Unwerth snapped the pics, and Born To Die songstress Lana had the following to say: “My biggest indulgence is being an artist. I still think it’s beautiful that I make music for a living. The music videos that I make myself are expensive and it takes money to clear all the copyrights… My second indulgence is diamonds. I have a jeweler in Brooklyn named Uri and he makes me all my custom gold and diamond pieces-grills, triple rings etc.” Catch more of bling-loving LDR’s chat with the zine at MTV Style.

Kanye West, Jay-Z, Chris Brown, Rihanna & Lana Del Rey Nominated For MTV Woodie Awards

2012-02-09T19:01:36Z

What good timing for The Throne to drop their visually bonkers live concert video for “Ni**as In Paris” today, as Kanye West and Jay-Z have been nominated for a Performing Woodie at the 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards. Elsewhere on the nominees list is Chris Brown and Rihanna, who compete against one another for the EDM Effect Woodie for their electro collaborations with Benny Benasi on “Beautiful People” and Calvin Harris on “We Found Love”, respectively. And it looks like college kids have got a soft spot for Lana Del Rey, as the nearly-chart-topping chanteuse is up for a Breaking Woodie. Check out all the nominees below.

For those attending the South By Southwest fest in Austin next month, you’ll be able to enjoy the mtvU Woodie Awards in a bigger and better way than ever before. The awards (which recognizes “the music voted best by college students”) will put on a day-long festival at SXSW on March 15, culminating in the mtvU Woodie Awards. For those stuck at home, you can experience all the fun by watching the show live on Woodies.mtvU.com.

Woodie of the Year
» The Black Keys
» Foster the People
» Frank Ocean
» Mac Miller
» J. Cole
» Skrillex

Performing Woodie
» Alabama Shakes
» The Black Keys
» Kanye West and Jay-Z (The Throne)
» Mac Miller
» Skrillex
» Swedish House Mafia

Best Video
» Battles, “My Machines”
» Best Coast, “Our Deal”
» Duck Sauce, “Big Bad Wolf”
» Gotye, “Somebody That I Used to Know”
» M83, “Midnight City”
» Major Lazer, “Original Don”

EDM Effect Woodie
» Chris Brown and Benny Benassi, “Beautiful People”
» Flo Rida and Avicii, “Good Feeling”
» Flux Pavilion and the Throne, “Who Gon Stop Me”
» Martin Solveig featuring Kele, “Ready 2 Go”
» Laidback Luke and Steve Aoki, “Turbulence”
» Rihanna and Calvin Harris, “We Found Love”

Breaking Woodie
» A$AP Rocky
» Azealia Banks
» Charli XCX
» Childish Gambino
» Cloud Nothings
» Cults
» Electric Guest
» Fake Problems
» Fun.
» Future
» Iggy Azalea
» Kendrick Lamar
» Lana Del Rey
» Meek Mill
» Porter Robinson
» Machine Gun Kelly
» Sleeper Agent
» T. Mills
» Tune-Yards
» Walk the Moon
» Wallpaper
» The Weeknd

Gorillaz Collaborate With Andre 3000 & James Murphy On “DoYaThing”

2012-02-09T18:41:54Z

Just when it was looking like we’d maybe heard the last of Gorillaz for the time being, now that Damon Albarn is back in action with his old Blur bandmates, along comes news of “DoYaThing”, a new track from the virtual act that Converse is offering up via it’s Three Artists, One Song series. The other artists involved: Andre 3000 and James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem.

A press release notes that Gorillaz co-founder Jamie Hewlett collaborated with Converse on four different designs for the shoe company’s spring line, which “combine the iconic Chuck Taylor All Star silhouette with the band’s legendary graphic images.”

And as for “DoYaThing”, the artist-packed tune will be be available for download at www.converse.com on February 23. Two days before that, Albarn and Blur will be feted with the Outstanding Contribution To Music award at this year’s BRITs.

President Obama’s Campaign Playlist Includes No Doubt, Jennifer Hudson & Al Green

2012-02-09T18:24:06Z

President Obama has shared his re-election campaign playlist — the songs that the he and his team will be playing to get pumped up on the campaign trail from now til November — and there’s no denying the President has eclectic tastes. Included on the list: No Doubt’s “Different People”, an album cut from their breakout album Tragic Kingdom; Obama’s fellow Chicago natives Jennifer Hudson, Wilco and The Impressions; and, of course, Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together”, a song we already knew the President was fond of. Check out all 24 songs after the jump.

There’s something for everybody on this mix — indie (Arcade Fire), R&B (Raphael Saadiq), and country (Sugarland)… and yet, no Jay-Z? We thought he was a fan of Hova!

Listen to the President’s re-election campaign playlist over on his Facebook page.

Jay-Z, Kanye West, Will Ferrell & Flashy Effects Fill “Ni**as In Paris” Video

2012-02-09T18:15:10Z

If you were expecting some fancy scenery from the City Of Lights to play into the video for Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Watch The Throne hit “Ni**as In Paris”, then you’re out of luck. The clip for the often-performed song is instead comprised mostly of footage shot last December during the hip hop duo’s final Staples Center gig in Los Angeles. Some headache-inducing (or, as the intro warns, epileptic fit-inducing) camera effects and a cameo by Blades Of Glory star Will Ferrell are mixed in for the heck of it. Watch below.

Jay-Z & Kanye West — ”Ni**as In Paris”

Given West’s penchant for and forays into fashion in recent years, we’d by lying if we said we aren’t a little disappointed that the “Ni**as In Paris” vid doesn’t have some sort of francais-themed narrative. After all, live videos are always a snooze, no matter how much you try to jazz them up with the bright, tricky camera shots.

It’s also interesting that the Throne MCs waited till this long after the fact, now that “Ni**as In Paris” has seemingly already had its heyday in the Top 10 and on radio, to offer up a video.

What do you think of Jay and Yeezy’s new video? Let us know below, or by hitting us up on Facebook and Twitter!

Win A Guitar Signed By Javier Colon!

2012-02-09T18:26:58Z

We decided to really get into the spirit of love this February 14, and helping us win your hearts is The Voice Season 1 winner, Javier Colon. You could be the proud owner of an acoustic guitar — signed by Javier himself! All you have to do is pay tribute to his Valentine’s Day-ready song with Natasha Bedingfield, “As Long As We Got Love”. Don’t worry, you don’t need to know how to play a single chord. Jump below for details on how to enter.

ONE GRAND PRIZE WINNER WILL RECEIVE:

An Epiphone acoustic guitar signed by Javier Colon

HOW TO ENTER:

First, like this post on Facebook (if you haven’t already).
Next, in 100 character or less, describe what “having love” means to you via Twitter. In order to qualify you must begin your tweet with: “Hey @idolator & @javstwtr, #lovemeans” (And if “having love” means several things to you, feel free to enter as many times as you’d like.)
Then email us (idolatordotcom@gmail.com) with your full name, date of birth, phone number and a direct link to your tweet. Be sure to use “Javier Colon Contest” in the email subject.
You must enter by Thursday, February 16, 11:59pm PST.
We’ll pick our favorite submission and contact the winner via email on Friday, February 17.

RULES: Contestants must be 13 years of age or older as of the date of entry.

Below see Javier signing the guitar that could be all yours!

Good luck! We can’t wait to read your 100 character odes to amore.

Kelly Clarkson Covers Madonna’s “Crazy For You”

2012-02-09T17:13:08Z

Current chart ruler Kelly Clarkson was apparently in the mood for a little old-school Madonna recently. (Not surprising, given that the two performed at the Super Bowl on Sunday.) During a tour stop in Bossier City, Louisiana, the Stronger singer took a fan request and belted out a cover of Madge’s ballad “Crazy For You”. Kelly said of the audience pick, “We’ve been doing this on tour, because I got here from fans voting for me ten years ago. So it’s still cool that you all are involved in my show.”

“This is like a couples skate song,” Clarkson said before launching into the second verse of “Crazy For You”. Actually, Kelly, we remember it most from the Sunday night request and dedication on the local Top 40 station.

Not a bad job. We can actually see Kelly turning out a decent recorded cover version of Madonna’s ballad — and now we’re wondering why more people haven’t tackled this song!

What do you think of Kelly’s rendition of “Crazy For You”?

[Via Digital Spy]

Nicki Minaj & LL Cool J Ham It Up In Grammy Promos

2012-02-09T19:43:10Z

After getting snippy with Taylor Swift in a set of promo spots for this Sunday’s Grammy Awards, host LL Cool J is now having a few faux-testy exchanges with Best New Artist nominee Nicki Minaj. In one clip, LL gushes that the Harajuku Barbie is an artist he loves. Much to his dissatisfaction, Minaj replies that she’s been listening to him since she was “a baby.” Ouch! In the second promo, the “Going Back To Cali” MC beatboxes while Nicki dances around. Finally she stops and chides, “You gotta speed it up! What’s up?” Seems poor LL can’t catch a break with anybody. Watch below.

Nicki Minaj & LL Cool J Grammy Promo — ”Love”

Nicki Minaj & LL Cool J Grammy Rap

Can’t get enough Grammy Awards news? Follow @idolator on Twitter for the latest Grammys updates, predictions and photos. Plus watch along with us as we live-tweet the show starting at 5 p.m. EST on Sunday, Feb. 12!

The Wanted Get Grilled On ‘Chelsea Lately’

2012-02-09T15:49:01Z

Last night, Chelsea Handler couldn’t help firing off a barrage of tongue-in-cheek questions at UK boy band The Wanted, who just wrapped up their inaugural US tour. “The five of you are all of age? I just want to make sure you’re legal to penetrate,” is how the blonde hostess started things off. Later she asked, “Were you arranged by some sort of Simon Cowell?” And then there was this one: “You guys are obviously all straight?” Oh, Chelsea.

Handler asked the band about their hit single “Glad You Came” being featured on an upcoming episode of Glee. “My sister went mental. She went absolutely crazy,” said Wanted member Nathan Sykes. “She was screaming down the phone and everything.

Ever the sly fox, Chelsea asked if they penned “Glad You Came” themselves. (They didn’t.) She then quipped, “Oh, I can’t believe you guys didn’t write it all together.” Nathan, in his best mock-dejected tone, said, “We’re a boy band.”

This week “Glad You Came” climbed to #30 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.