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We know one thing for sure: Lady Gaga will not take the stage alone on Sunday night at the Grammys. Not that she ever does, what with her attendant army of Gollum-like backup dancers, flaming pianos and other vaguely S&M set pieces. But this time we're hearing she's actually going to perform live with another singer, something she hasn't done very much (if at all). There's probably a good reason for that. Unlike country cutie Taylor Swift (who will also perform a duet on the program), Gaga is a force of nature whose giant bag of crazy would conceivably overwhelm anyone who dared to step into the spotlight with her. That said, we've got some suggestions for who we think she should perform with on the telecast. Beyoncé: If for no other reason than to redeem the rinky-dink video for the "Videophone" remix. These two (in theory) know each other and have recorded two songs together ("Videophone" and Gaga's "Telephone"), so a live hook up is not out of the question. Elton John: He loves pianos, she sets them on fire, bashes them with bottles and fills them with smoke bombs. A match made in heaven! Plus, Elton performed at the 2001 Grammys with Eminem, so he knows how to get down with the kids. Pink: We've had dreams about the two most dynamic female performers on the planet sharing the same airspace for the past year. Who knows what they might perform, but you can guarantee it would be bananas. Eminem/Lil Wayne: Both rappers are already going to be in the house to perform with Drake, and lord known Weezy never turns down a chance to hop on a track. Gaga's music is aching for a bit of hip-hop flavor, and either one of these guys could smash a guest verse. And then there are the ones who aren't officially booked on the show yet, but who we'd love to see go horsehair shoulder pad to horsehair shoulder pad with Gaga. Adam Lambert: They were both in the house at the American Music Awards (where Lambert stole Gaga’s thunder, somehow, by kissing boys and such) and a collabo would likely send their large gay audiences into cardiac arrest. Plus, they collaborated on "Fever" from his debut together, so they already have a connection. Madonna: It's a mutual admiration society. Plus, Madge is probably one of the only musical forces who could hold her own next to Gaga's tornado of bizarre. Kiss: Not terribly likely, though who else could match Gaga for sheer spectacle? Gwar: See above. Iamamiwhoami: We still don’t know who the hell this is, but what better place than the Grammys to pull back the curtain while providing what could only be a spectacle for the eyes and ears? David Bowie: This one would never happen, but trust me, it would be spectacular. She’s said she was totally influenced by Queen and Bowie growing up, so it seems natural that she would share a stage with the ultimate performance art rock icon. Meat Loaf: Okay, now we're just guilty of wishful thinking. Who do you think Gaga should perform with at the Grammys? Leave your suggestions in the comments!
By Akshay Bhansali It's been almost a week since the "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon, and it may be fair to say that viewers have resoundingly picked their favorite song. Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris have held the top spot on the iTunes singles chart with their powerful rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" since the Hope for Haiti Now compilation album dropped earlier this week. Not a bad way to introduce an artist, JT (Matt is signed to Justin's Tennman labell). Morris' debut record When Everything Breaks Open dropped a few weeks ago, and MTV News' Steven Roberts and I had a chance to catch up with the Denver, Colorado-based recording artist to talk about the album and his plans for the future. Matt hasn't gotten around to picking a lead single from his album yet — in fact, he has found fans are responding equally well to a few of his songs (namely "Love," "The Un-American" and "Money," which features a guest spot from Timberlake), she he has kept his options open. But he was kind enough to grace us with a performance of two songs when he stopped by Newsroom a few weeks back. Enjoy "The Un-American" and "Love," and be sure to stay tuned to MTV News for more on Morris' budding career.
Not unlike yesterday's Buzz On artist, Nneka, Debi Nova draws on a diverse musical and cultural background to make a seductive sound all her own. The Costa Rican singer has been a staple of the Los Angeles music scene for a couple of years now, adding her alluring vocals to tracks from Ricky Martin, Sean Paul and Black Eyed Peas. She made an intoxicating collaborative EP with the late J. Dilla's brother, Illa J (Sounds Like Love, released last May), before moving on to begin recording solo material in earnest. On her debut solo album, titled Luna Nueva, due out in March, Nova makes what she describes as, "Tropical Soul." Indeed on songs like "Drummer Boy," the usual beats of R&B and pop are subverted by the energy of Latin rhythms, while "Need 2 Be Loved," shows off her incredibly playful vocal dexterity. Check out music from Debi Nova at her MySpace, follow her on Twitter at @Debinova and watch the video for her song with Illa J, "Sounds Like Love," below.
Every day a multitude of stars wanders through the halls of MTV News to talk about their latest projects and goof around with our intrepid correspondents. But sometimes we catch stars elsewhere, and that's why we put together Spotted!, a daily compendium of stars in the wild. It's sometimes a shame that Solange has such a fantastically famous sister, as the younger Knowles has made some incredible records (including 2008's Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams) and has managed to cull together an incredible amount of indie cred. (Check out her performance of Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody" with the Wale-lead house band at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.) She also is in demand as a DJ, and she plied those skills on Tuesday night (January 26) at a party at the Eldridge, a New York City hot spot. She did an excellent job moving the crowd, which included sister Beyoncé and brother-in-law Jay-Z. Solange even got her big sister to get on the microphone and sing along with one of the tracks on the PA. They weren't the only pairs bonding this week, as Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz worked on their latest project in Long Beach, California, while Cory Monteith and Mark Salling from "Glee" attended the RIMOWA Rodeo Drive Boutique launch party in Beverly Hills. Click here for these photos as well as the entire "Spotted!" archive, which contains over 300 candid shots of stars like Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, Adam Lambert, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Madonna, the Jonas Brothers, Katy Perry, Kanye West and Lady Gaga!
+ More news on the Haitian relief front: Legendary producer Quincy Jones will be re-recording the groundbreaking charity single, "We Are The World" to benefit the earthquake-ravaged country. The recording will happen next week and rumored participants include Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Will Smith and many more (E! Online) + You may have noticed bearded man onstage at the Hope For Haiti Now benefit show performing Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah." No, not Justin Timberlake...the other guy. That was former Mickey Mouse Club member Matt Morris, an artist signed to Justin's Tennman Records. Learn more about Morris, what it was like to perform at the benefit, and when Timberlake is getting back in the studio. (EW) + Country star Leann Rimes spent this past Saturday night doing what a lot of other people probably did: having some drinks and singing Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" at a karaoke bar. (TMZ) + "Tony and Gwen are rocking the synth." So tweeted No Doubt guitarist Tom Dumont, about the progress of No Doubt's (apparently, reggae-flavored) new album, which they're currently recording. (MTV News) + You should never question a mother's love for her daughter, even when she puts herself through the humiliating process of getting a tramp stamp so that said daughter can go see Justin Bieber. (DListed)
Album Breakthrough - Colbie Caillat
Already mentioned this week Colbie Caillat will be releasing sophomore album "Breakthrough" on August 25th!!...View more and download