Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Slash Light Up Super Bowl XLV Halftime Show

Foursome is joined by special guests and tons of lights for smash-hit medley.
By Mawuse Ziegbe


Black Eyed Peas perform during the Super Bowl XLV halftime show
Photo: Getty Images

The Black Eyed Peas promised a party at the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday (February 6), and the pop supernovas definitely delivered, with a performance teeming with lights, dancers and surprise appearances from celebrity pals.

Following a Chatter.com commercial that showed animated versions of the Peas showing off their social-media skills, the group kicked things off with their 2009 smash "I Gotta Feeling," descending from the ceiling on illuminated platforms onto a stage surrounded by a cluster of dancers clad in white bodysuits. The foursome led the team of fist-pumping troops in "Tron"-like getups, with Taboo sporting an outfit covered in flashing lights, will.i.am rocking a shiny hairpiece, Apl.de.ap wearing huge bright studs and Fergie vamping it up in bling-laden shoulder pads.

When the speaker-busting bass of "Boom Boom Pow" dropped, the dancers dispersed across the field to create arrow-shaped formations as the glow-in-the-dark lights on their suits illuminated the stadium. Then rumored surprise guest Slash of Guns N' Roses rose from below the stage for a "Sweet Child O' Mine" duet with Fergie. The GNR great rocked a finger-searing solo in a studded version of his signature black top hat as more angular platforms and dancers moved across the gridiron. The platforms were bearing scores of marching-band musicians who blasted their horns and pounded away on their drums as the Peas went into "Pump It" and blue lights splashed across the production.

Quick streams of fog heralded the arrival of the Peas' second surprise guest, Usher, who swooped in on a long chain to bust out his will.i.am-assisted joint "OMG." Rocking a sparkly collar on an otherwise all-white ensemble, the R&B hitmaker cranked out several counts of energetic choreography, enlivening moves from his "OMG" video and at one point jumping over Will and landing in a split.

A spray of pyro ushered in the collective's breakout 2003 hit "Where Is the Love?" as the oddly shaped platforms spelled out the word "Love" in bright-red letters. The team of dancers, which appeared to have multiplied to over 100, formed hearts across the field as will updated the lyrics of the smash with lines like, "Obama, let's get these educated."

Then the group jumped ahead to their most recent single, 2010's "The Time (Dirty Bit)," as several back up hoofers rocking cubed helmets joined the Peas onstage and dancers lined up along the gridiron to simultaneously bust out the Running Man, a move which drew cheers from the crowd.

The platinum-selling Peas wrapped up the performance with a reprise of "I Gotta Feeling," as the quartet triumphantly signed off amid of blitz of fog, firepower and flashing lights.

Ripping the halftime show was clearly a touching moment for will, who tweeted beforehand, "Me and apl started the peas when we were 16 yesterday we were dreamin now were livin it. Wow. I'm not crying out of sadness or nervousness its joy and pride and memories and the journey."

And once the crew left the stage, the frontman was not only proud, but pumped. "That was so freakin sick," he wrote. "Wow...!!!"

What did you think of the Black Eyed Peas' Super Bowl performance? Let us know in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657356/black-eyed-peas-usher-slash-super-bowl.jhtml

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Lady Gaga Designs Japanese Tsunami Relief Wristband

Mother Monster tweets that all proceeds from sales of prayer bracelets will go to those affected by Friday's tragic disaster.
By Jocelyn Vena


Lady Gaga's Japanese tsunami relief bracelet
Photo: Bravado USA

Lady Gaga is doing her part to help those affected by the 8.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan on Friday (March 11). The devastating quake triggered a 10-meter tsunami and now threatens Pacific coastal areas, including Hawaii and the West Coast.

The star tweeted on Friday that she has designed a special wristband with all of the proceeds going to benefit those affected by the disaster.

"I Designed a Japan Prayer Bracelet. Buy It/Donate here and ALL proceeds will go to Tsunami Relief Efforts. Go Monsters," Gaga wrote.

She then shared a link with more information about the red-and-white bracelet on which the words "we pray for Japan" are written along with an image of a hand making Gaga's signature monster paw gesture. "Little Monsters, show your support for Japan with this 'We Pray for Japan' wristband! Choose your price to add an additional donation with your wristband," the description for the bracelet reads. "All proceeds go directly to Japan relief efforts."

Gaga is the latest celebrity to reach out and help shed light on the devastation left by the tragic events in Japan. Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Adam Lambert, Diddy and many more sent their prayers to those affected via Twitter. Britney Spears encouraged fans to donate to relief organizations, tweeting, "So tragic. My heart is breaking for Japan."

"Just heard about the huge earthquake and tsunami in Japan," Kim Kardashian wrote. "My prayers are with everyone in Japan. Seeing all of this footage in Japan is devastating! Please help the people of Japan by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation."

For more information on what you can do to help with earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan head to MTV Act, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659769/japanese-tsunami-bracelet-lady-gaga.jhtml

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Lady Gaga Designs Japanese Tsunami Relief Wristband

Mother Monster tweets that all proceeds from sales of prayer bracelets will go to those affected by Friday's tragic disaster.
By Jocelyn Vena


Lady Gaga's Japanese tsunami relief bracelet
Photo: Bravado USA

Lady Gaga is doing her part to help those affected by the 8.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan on Friday (March 11). The devastating quake triggered a 10-meter tsunami and now threatens Pacific coastal areas, including Hawaii and the West Coast.

The star tweeted on Friday that she has designed a special wristband with all of the proceeds going to benefit those affected by the disaster.

"I Designed a Japan Prayer Bracelet. Buy It/Donate here and ALL proceeds will go to Tsunami Relief Efforts. Go Monsters," Gaga wrote.

She then shared a link with more information about the red-and-white bracelet on which the words "we pray for Japan" are written along with an image of a hand making Gaga's signature monster paw gesture. "Little Monsters, show your support for Japan with this 'We Pray for Japan' wristband! Choose your price to add an additional donation with your wristband," the description for the bracelet reads. "All proceeds go directly to Japan relief efforts."

Gaga is the latest celebrity to reach out and help shed light on the devastation left by the tragic events in Japan. Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Adam Lambert, Diddy and many more sent their prayers to those affected via Twitter. Britney Spears encouraged fans to donate to relief organizations, tweeting, "So tragic. My heart is breaking for Japan."

"Just heard about the huge earthquake and tsunami in Japan," Kim Kardashian wrote. "My prayers are with everyone in Japan. Seeing all of this footage in Japan is devastating! Please help the people of Japan by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation."

For more information on what you can do to help with earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan head to MTV Act, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659769/japanese-tsunami-bracelet-lady-gaga.jhtml

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Michael Jackson's 'Moonwalker' To Get U.S. Theater Debut?

A Hollywood cinema is searching for a print of MJ's 1988 film with plans to give it a 'one night only' screening.
By James Montgomery


Michael Jackson's "Moonwalker"
Photo: Warner Bros.

Michael Jackson's short-film anthology "Moonwalker" may finally get a debut theatrical screening in the United States more than 20 years after it was released.

Back in 1988, MJ first unveiled the ambitious project, which contained several long-form videos for songs off his then-just-released Bad album, including his famous 25-minute clip for "Smooth Criminal." The film had been scheduled to be released in U.S. theaters that Christmas, but for whatever reason, that plan was scrapped. The movie was released on VHS early in 1989, and — surprise, surprise — became a massive success. But now, more than two decades after its debut, one theater is planning to give "Moonwalker" a proper premiere here in the States.

According to TMZ, Hollywood's Arclight Cinemas is actively searching for a print of the film, with plans to show it on the big screen ... for one night only.

The idea came after Jackson fans flooded Arclight's Facebook page with requests to show "Moonwalker," and the theater is now on the hunt for a copy of the flick. Even if the search is successful, there's no word on when the premiere would occur. The theater had not responded to MTV News' e-mail seeking a comment by press time.

However, Jackson fans might not want to hold their breath. In a follow-up story, TMZ reported that the late singer's estate had blocked Arclight's attempts to secure a print of the film, with a spokesperson for the theater telling the website: "We contacted the film's directors and producers and were finally directed to MJ's estate attorney [who] let us know the estate has the [film's] rights but have no plans to make ... prints available for rent at this time."

"Moonwalker" features videos for Jackson tracks like "Speed Demon" (directed by Claymation innovator Will Vinton), "Leave Me Alone" (which was released as a promo and won Jackson a 1989 Grammy for Best Music Video, Short Form) and, as mentioned, the iconic "Criminal," which features Jackson battling a group of mobsters led by Joe Pesci.

The flick also served as the inspiration for the super-awesome Sega game "Moonwalker, which featured a digital MJ morphing into a laser-blasting robot with the aid of his chimpanzee pal, Bubbles.

Would you go see a theatrical screening of Jackson's "Moonwalker" film? Tell us in the comments.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1656298/michael-jackson-moonwalker.jhtml

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Michael Jackson Doctor Pleads Not Guilty To Involuntary Manslaughter

Conrad Murray's trial slated to start March 28.
By Gil Kaufman


Dr. Conrad Murray appears in court on Tuesday in Los Angeles, California
Photo: Irfan Khan-Pool/ Getty Images

Michael Jackson's former personal physician Dr. Conrad Murray entered a plea of not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter in the June 2009 death of the pop star at his arraignment on Tuesday morning (January 25).

According to the Los Angeles Times, when asked by judge Michael Pastor how he pleaded to the charge, Murray said, "Your honor, I am an innocent man." When Pastor interrupted and asked Murray what his plea was, the cardiologist said, "Therefore, I plead not guilty."

The brief hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court ended with Pastor setting a March 28 date for the start of a trial in the case. Murray faces a maximum of four years in prison if convicted, and the Times noted that he surprised the judge by invoking his right to a speedy trial, which meant the case would have to begin by late March. Pastor noted the rarity of a defendant asking to have a speedy trial, then set jury selection for the week of March 28 and said he was inclined to allow television coverage of the trial that the defense expects will last two months.

Lawyers for Murray have maintained his innocence all along, saying he did not do anything that "should have" caused the 50-year-old pop icon's death. The Los Angeles County Coroner's office determined that Jackson died of an overdose of the surgical anesthetic propofol mixed with a cocktail of other sedatives.

Murray has admitted to administering propofol to Jackson in the hours before the singer's death, but the defense appears to be gearing up to claim that it was Jackson who administered the final, fatal dose of the drug after he woke in a panic from a fitful night of sleep.

During a preliminary hearing earlier this month to determine if there was enough evidence to hold Murray over for trial, the physician's attorneys said that there was evidence Jackson injected or drank a fatal amount of the drug when the doctor was not looking.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1656619/michael-jackson-doctor-conrad-murray-pleads-not-guilty.jhtml

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Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj Tapped For Japan Aid Compilation LP

U2 and Bon Jovi will also be featured on digital-only album from Universal Music.
By James Dinh


Justin Bieber
Photo: George Pimentel/ WireImage

Some of pop music's biggest artists, including Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Nicki Minaj, are lending their tunes for a good cause. On Monday (March 21), it was announced that Universal Music is rushing out a digital-only compilation album to raise awareness and funds for those affected by the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan.

While the lineup and track list have yet to be finalized, other chart-toppers expected to be featured on the release include U2 and Bon Jovi. Lady Gaga may also appear on the album. Proceeds from sales will go to the Japanese Red Cross.

"We are doing it only digitally because it is faster, and this will be a worldwide release. The plan is to have it available later this week," a spokesperson for Universal Music said.

In order to maximize proceeds, the record label plans to find more acts willing to waive royalties that would have come from having their tracks appear on the compilation.

Universal Music is not the only music-industry player reaching to support Japan disaster relief. Most recently, the Black Eyed Peas announced that the music video for their tune "Just Can't Get Enough" would be used to promote awareness and funds for victims of the tragic event. The clip, which was shot in Japan one week before the earthquake and tsunami hit, finds the BEP bandmates traveling throughout Toyko.

Earlier this month, Lady Gaga designed a special prayer bracelet with all proceeds going to relief efforts. In just two days, the pop singer and her legion of little monsters raised more than $250,000.

For more information on what you can do to help with earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan head to MTV Act, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1660377/justin-bieber-japan-aid-compilation-lp.jhtml

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