Leighton Meester

The ‘Gossip Girl’ star revealed her latest collaboration to MTV News before performing at the new American Eagle store in Times Square on Tuesday night, where she sang a medley of cuts off her yet-untitled album, including a remix of the Cobra Starship track.

“I met [Wayne] a few months ago, and he’s honestly — I don’t even know if he’ll want people to know that he’s incredibly polite and respectful,” she said about the hip-hop wunderkind, with whom she actually presented the award for Best Song From a Movie at the 2009 MTV Movie Awards. “He’s so talented and very funny. And really optimistic, and super supportive of me, which I’ve really, really appreciated so much.”

It seems that since their meeting a few months back, Wayne’s been a fan of Blair Waldorf’s budding discography — and even picked which track he’d be featured on. “I sent him a couple of my songs,” she said. “He’s been diggin’ on them for a while. Then he heard ['Make It Rain'], and he was like, ‘All right, I’m gonna kill it!’ ”

While many musical partnerships can be conducted without both artists being in the studio together, Meester and Weezy got some face time during the song’s recording — a feat for any artist, considering Wayne’s notorious nocturnal office hours.

“It was like, literally, 4 o’clock in the morning,” Meester said of the time she showed up at the studio to watch Wayne work himself into her song. “He was so sick — he didn’t even write anything down. He just, like, vibed to the music and dances. I don’t even know how he does it; he’s amazing.”

Article Courtesy of MTV.com, Written by Rya Backer

The band’s electrifying set list will spotlight classic hits and new favorites, including new single “Your Decision,” which impacts radio on December 7th. The band recently shot a video for the song with director Stephen Schuster, who they previously worked with on the video for “A Looking In View.”

Los Angeles-based AIC fans can catch the band performing at the KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas show at the Gibson Amphitheatre on December 12. Tickets will go on sale Saturday, November 21 and proceeds will benefit two local charities, Para Los Ninos and the Al Wooten Jr. Heritage Center. On November 24th, the band will also perform three songs acoustically for a special Yahoo! Maximum Performance, which can be seen on Yahoo! Music.

The band (guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell, guitarist/vocalist William DuVall, drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Inez) is currently touring Europe and recently performed on the UK television show “Later … With Jools Holland.” The international dates followed a sold-out U.S. buzz tour and performances on “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” and back-to-back nights on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” All three shows saw AIC perform chart-topping lead single “Check My Brain,” which hit No. 1 on the Modern, Active and Rock formats and was hailed by Spin magazine as “one of the catchiest songs of Alice In Chains’ history.”

Don’t miss your chance to catch Alice In Chains live. Tour dates are as follows:

Date City Venue

Nov. 20 Antwerp, Belgium Trix Zaal

Nov. 21 Weisbaden, Germany Schlachthof

Nov. 23 Dortmund, Germany FZW

Nov. 24 Prague, Czech Rep. Lucerna

Nov. 25 Warsaw, Poland Stodola

Nov. 27 Budapest, Hungary Petofi Csarnok

Nov. 29 Vienna, Austria Gasometer

Nov. 30 Munich, Germany Thearterfabrick

Dec. 2 Milan, Italy Alcatraz

Dec. 3 Fribourg, Switzerland Fri-Son

Dec. 4 Paris, France Bataclan

Dec. 6 Nottingham, UK Rock City

Dec. 7 London, UK Brixton Academy

Dec. 11 Las Vegas, NV The Joint (KXTE radio show)

Dec. 12 Los Angeles, CA Gibson Amphitheatre (KROQ Acoustic Xmas)

Feb. 2 Vancouver, BC Orpheum Theatre

Feb. 4 Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre

Feb. 6 Salem, OR Salem Armory

Feb. 11 Oakland, CA Fox Theatre

Feb. 17 Phoenix, AZ Dodge Theatre

Feb. 19 Denver, CO Fillmore

Feb. 21 Kansas City, MO Midland

Feb. 22 St. Louis, MO Pageant

Feb. 23 Louisville, KY Louisville Palace

Feb. 25 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle

Feb. 27 Myrtle Beach, SC House of Blues

Mar 1 Nashville, TN Municipal Auditorium

Mar 2 Charlotte, NC Fillmore

Mar 3 Washington, DC DAR Constitution Hall

Mar 5 Richmond, VA The National

Mar 6 Mashantucket, CT Foxwoods

Mar 8 New York, NY Terminal 5

Mar 12 Atlantic, City, NJ Borgata

Mar 13 Philadelphia, PA Tower Theatre

Mar 14 Boston, MA Orpheum

Mar 16 Montreal, QC Metropolis

Mar 17 Toronto, ONT Sound Academy

Mar 19 Detroit, MI Fillmore State Theatre

Mar 20 Chicago, IL Aragon Ballroom

Mar 21 St. Paul, MN Roy Wilkens Auditorium

David Guetta

David Guetta continues to reach new heights around the world since the August release of One Love. The album reached #1 in Europe has sold over 900,000 copies worldwide. Both “Sexy Bitch” and the album’s first single “When Love Takes Over” featuring Kelly Rowland were both #1 songs on the European airplay and sales charts and both hit #1 on the U.S. Billboard dance chart. As a producer, Guetta produced one on the year’s biggest hits, The Black Eyed Peas “I Gotta Feeling.” He was recently named the European ambassador and spokesperson for DJ Hero. The game features 3 tracks from One Love, “Sexy Bitch,” “When Love Takes Over” and “On the Dancefloor” – in an exclusive download package format. One Love’s 3rd single, the title track featuring Estelle, is currently climbing the charts overseas and with a stellar remix package including re-rubs by Calvin Harris and DJ Chuckie, will impact U.S. clubs and dance radio next week.

Guetta released One Love, a non-stop, party-thumping musical hybrid of dance beats and hip-hop/R&B vocals to rave reviews in August. People Magazine called ‘One Love’ “a party-rocking album” and the Associated Press agreed, “Guetta’s CD is one big party,” The album features vocals from some of music’s biggest names that includes Akon, apl de ap, Estelle, Kid Cudi, Ne-Yo, Novel, Kelly Rowland, will.i.am and Chris Willis. One Love, Guetta’s fourth studio album has already reached platinum in France, Gold in Canada, South Africa and Belgium…to name a few.

Leona Lewis

After proving her commercial potency on the three-time Grammy-nominated Spirit, which entered both the U.K. and U.S. album charts at No. 1, spawned the best-selling single of 2008 (“Bleeding Love”), and sold more than six million copies worldwide, ECHO gave Lewis the opportunity to take a few chances. “I knew that I had evolved as a singer, songwriter, and performer,” she says, “so it was important to me to take the songs on ECHO to the next level and show what else I could do.”

To that end, Lewis co-wrote nine songs on the album, collaborating with a host of A-list songwriters and producers, including re-teaming with One Republic frontman and “Bleeding Love” co-writer/producer Ryan Tedder on three tracks, including the first single “Happy.” She also worked with Swedish studio vet Max Martin and songwriter/producer Novel, as well as new collaborators Justin Timberlake, multi-platinum Bon Jovi/Kelly Clarkson producer John Shanks, and in-demand hitmakers Evan Bogart and Kevin Rudolf. Each helped Lewis deliver raw emotion through the melodies and lyrics and make full use of her “titanium-caliber voice” (as the New York Times has described it). Once again, Clive Davis and Simon Cowell joined forces to co-produce ECHO.

ECHO also finds the 24-year-old London native expanding her palette and exploring adventurous sonic territory. The dancefloor-friendly “Outta My Head” is sleek, stylish electro-pop, while the rock-driven “Love Letter” and “I Got You” show an edgier side of Lewis. Then there’s “Brave,” which soars with a Middle Eastern influence and pounding timpanis, and the sultry, synth-driven “Fly Here Now.”

“I really wanted a dramatic, almost cinematic quality to the songs,” says Lewis, a self-described “film nerd” who namechecks ’80s fantasy film The Labyrinth as her all-time favorite. “We would even put on movies in the studio to inspire us; it was a cool way of writing. I’m always thinking of scenes in my head.” Of course, ECHO features plenty of epic, lush ballads to satisfy Spirit fans, including the uplifting first single “Happy,” which Lewis says is “about overcoming obstacles and striving for happiness,” and People magazine called “passionate and soul-searching.”

It’s that passion and soulfulness that permeate ECHO, which Lewis can’t wait for the public to hear. “I’m actually more confident with this album than the last,” she says. “I’ve taken more control this time and I feel more at ease with everything. To me, it’s all about great songs. I hope they move people as much as they move me.”

Lewis was “discovered” in 2006 after auditioning for The X Factor, a British talent show executive-produced by American Idol’s Simon Cowell, who is also a judge. The then-22-year old — who attended performing arts academy The BRIT School, and famously worked as a Pizza Hut waitress to support her fledging music career — won the competition after endearing herself to fans week after week with her soaring voice, down-to-earth personality, and striking beauty. Certain he had a superstar on his hands, Cowell phoned legendary music executive and J Records founder Clive Davis, who teamed up with Cowell to sign Lewis to J Records/Syco Music, Cowell’s joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment in 2006.

The track-listing for ECHO is as follows:
“Happy”

“I Got You”

“Love Letter”

“Can’t Breathe”

“You Don’t Care”

“Outta My Head”

“Brave”

“My Hands”

“Alive”

“Don’t Let Me Down”

“Fly Here Now”

“Broken”

“Lost Then Found” (with One Republic)

Waking Up, recorded in their hometown Denver, is the band’s most sweeping, cinematic effort to date, with even more strings and movie-like moments, thanks in part to the use of the same children’s choir and orchestra used by Batman and Edward Scissorhands composer Danny Elfman (with whom Tedder has shared ideas). Plus, OneRepublic has recently added co-writer and bass and cello player Brent Kutzle to its lineup. “All he listened to before getting into this band was soundtracks,” Tedder says. “He can name every score and soundtrack guy from the last 15 years.”

In celebration of the release, PRETTY RICKY is set to hit the road with Mario on the BET 106 and Park Tour. The group will go on tour starting on Thursday, November 26th in Anaheim at The House of Blues and ends on Sunday, December 13th in Orlando at The House of Blues. They will also be doing in-store events in Atlanta and their hometown of Miami prior to going out with BET. The in store and tour information is as follows:

Atlanta In-Store – Tuesday, November 17

5PM – 7PM with WVEE’s Lil Bankhead Live on Greg Street

Wal-Mart @ 6149 Old National Hwy in College Park, GA 30349

Miami In-Store – November 20

6PM – 8PM with WEDR’s DJ Khaled

Brandsmart @ 4320 NW 167th Street in Miami, Fl 33054

BET 106 & Park Tour Dates:

Thu, November 26 Anaheim House of Blues

Fri, November 27 San Diego House of Blues

Fri, December 4 Philadelphia TLA

Mon, December 7 NY Fillmore

Tue, December 8 Boston House of Blues

Sun, December 13 Orlando House of Blues

The Miami born and bred group consists of four members: Diamond Blue who writes and produces all of the songs for PRETTY RICKY as well as holds the position of President of Bluestar Entertainment International, Spectacular, Slick ‘Em and new member Lingerie. The new single, “TIPSY IN DIS CLUB” has received more than 5 million plays on iMeem to date and the group is currently on promotional tour going out to more than 50 cities across the country. The video for the new single, “SAY A COMMAND” will debut on YAHOO on November 17th.

LMFAO

The Party Rock Tour, produced by Live Nation and Moodswing360, is not just a show; it’s a completely new concert experience. For their first U.S. headlining tour LMFAO are creating a non-stop party of continuous music open to all ages. Million $ Mano will be spinning in between sets so the party never stops. Tickets for most shows go on sale Saturday, September 19th, and you won’t find a face value ticket price higher than $20. For more information and to purchase tickets for LMFAO’s Party Rock Tour visit www.partyrocktour.com.

LMFAO released their full length set “Party Rock” on July 7th where it debuted at # 33 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. Party poppin’ tunes “I’m In Miami Bitch” and “La La La” are hit singles and songs the duo performed on MTV’s Real World Cancun, America’s Got Talent and more. Foo and Sky (as they refer to each other) are long time producers having done remixes for Kanye, Fergie, Katy Perry, Crystal Method, Black Eyed Peas and more.

The Party Rock Tour Schedule

November 2009
17 – Englewood, CO – Gothic Theatre
18 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre
19 – Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater
20 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
21 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
22 – Chicago, IL – Congress Theatre
24 – Des Moines, IA – People’s Court
27 – Pontiac, MI – Clutch Cargo’s
28 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
29 – Pittsburgh, PA – Diesel
30 – State College, PA – The Cell Block

December 2009
1 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of the Living Arts
3 – New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place
4 – New York, NY – Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza
6 – Farmingdale, NY – Crazy Donkey
8 – Richmond, VA – The National
9 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
10 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore
11 – Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues
14 – Orlando, FL – Firestone
17 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
18 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues
19 – San Antonio, TX – The White Rabbit
20 – McAllen, TX – Las Palmas Event Center

“Spaceship” is the first single from Volume 4: Songs In The Key Of Love & Hate and is currently on the rise at rock and alternative radio. Volume 4: Songs In The Key Of Love & Hate hits stores December 8th.