Don't Forget: Kanye West 'Runaway' Film Debut To Premiere This Saturday on MTV

Kanye West My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy on Roc-A-Fella/Island/Def Jam arrives November 22nd.

Rihanna: MTV & VH1 To Premiere "Hard" Video Dec. 17

Rihanna ft. Young Jeezy "Hard" sneak peek

via the press release

MTV AND VH1 TO HOST WORLD PREMIERE OF RIHANNA'S "HARD" VIDEO, FEATURING JEEZY, ONLINE, ON MOBILE AND ON-AIR, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17 AT 4:00 PM ET

Rihanna to Participate With Fans in Multi-Screen Video Premiere Through Online Chat Feature

VH1 and MTV will premiere Rihanna’s video “Hard,” featuring Jeezy, on multiple screens including, VH1, VH1 Soul, MTV, MTV2, MTV Hits, MTV Jams, MTVU, MTV Tr3s, VH1, MTV.com, VH1 and MTV Mobile and the two networks’ Facebook and Myspace pages on Thursday, December 17 at 4:00 PM ET. The video will also premiere simultaneously on Rihanna’s official site, rihannanow.com, as well as her official Facebook and Myspace pages.

Rihanna will also be on hand to participate in the video premiere, by sending messages to her fans, which will appear alongside the video online. Fans are also encouraged to submit their messages via the online player.

Additionally, both MTV Mobile and VH1 Mobile are offering one exclusive Rihanna ringtone each. Monthly VH1/MTV mobile ringtone subscription holders can access the ringtone by going to m.MTV.com or m.VH1.com.

In its 4-star review, Rolling Stone called Rated R “one of the best pop records of the year.” The Chicago Sun Times called it “by far the best, most layered and most heartfelt effort of the 21-year-old artist's career.” Critics and fans alike have been raving about Rihanna’s new album, which made its debut atop the Billboard R&B Albums chart at #1. With over 182,000 copies in its first week of release, Rated R stands as the biggest first-week Soundscan tally of Rihanna’s career. Already exploding at radio, "Hard" was the #1 most added record at both the pop and urban formats, and was the greatest gainer at rhythm.

Rihanna: MTV 'Rated R' Album Preview

MTV News previewed the album on Tuesday (November 10) and Rihanna's description is certainly accurate.

After the intro, Rated R kick starts with "Wait Your Turn" and the Young Jeezy-assisted "Hard." The material matches the artwork that's been released for the project so far, with Rihanna posturing as the bad chick.

"Tougher than a lion/ Ain't no need in trying/ I live where the sky ends, yup, you know this," Rihanna sings in a near-rap flow on "Hard." "Never lying, truth telling/ That Rihanna reign just won't let up/ The hottest bitch in heels right here."

In what will probably be referred to by fans as the "Chris Brown song," Rihanna reveals a softer side of herself on the ballad "Stupid In Love."

"I still love you, but I can't do this/ I may be dumb but I'm not stupid," she sings on the Ne-Yo-penned record.

"Stupid In Love" recounts a story of distrust over lies, raging emotions, and lamenting a lost love.

"The dunce cap is off/ You don't realize what you lost 'til I'm gone/ I was the one," Rihanna croons.

The pulsating "Russian Roulette" follows, but it's the next series of selections — "Rock Star," "Firebomb," and "Rude Boy" — that fit the Rihanna archetype of big, bombastic tracks that flaunt her sex appeal.

"Rock Star" features former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash. With its mix of drum kicks and guitar licks, Rihanna revels in her rebellion. "I got my middle finger up/ I don't really give a f---."

"G4L" is another posture record (the acronym is short for "gangster for life"), while "Te Amo" is the Barbados singer's paean to her international audience.

The album once again turns somber, with the Will.i.am-assisted "Photographs," where Rihanna laments over a lost relationship.

"It shoulda been me and you/ now all I got is these photographs," she sings.

"The Last Song" is just that, after the Justin Timberlake-helmed "Cold Case Love."

"Love" begins with a sparse melody and gradually builds through each verse before it crescendos with a full production flourish.
(source)

Track list for Rated R:

01. "Mad House"
02. "Wait Your Turn"
03. "Hard" ft. Young Jeezy
04. "Stupid In Love"
05. "Russian Roulette"
06. "Rock Star" ft. Slash
07. "Firebomb"
08. "Rude Boy"
09. "Photographs" ft. Will.i.am
10. "G4L"
11. "Te Amo"
12. "Cold Case Love"
13. "The Last Song"

Travis McCoy To Release Charity Track On World AIDS Day

via the Reuters press release

LONDON, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- MTV Networks International's Staying Alive Foundation today announced the launch of Travis McCoy's charity track, One At A Time, which is set for release on December 1st to coincide with World AIDS Day.

McCoy, lead singer of alternative hip hop collective Gym Class Heroes and special ambassador to The Staying Alive Foundation, exclusively wrote the track for the Foundation which is MTV's global HIV and AIDS awareness charity, funding and supporting youth-led grassroots HIV prevention projects around the world.

Available to download on iTunes from December 1, World AIDS Day, all proceeds from sales of the track will benefit the young people and projects supported by the Foundation.

The track was written after the 10-day journey McCoy took as Staying Alive Foundation Ambassador to South Africa, India and The Philippines, during which time he visited some of the inspirational projects funded and supported by the charity. His journey enabled him to meet with some of the young people who have dedicated their lives to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic in their own communities.

The track, which draws on McCoy's experiences while on the trip was recorded in Miami and produced and co-written by The Smeezingtons.

"This track comes straight from the heart," said McCoy. "It encompasses everything that I saw and felt on the trip. I met some amazing and inspiring young people - and this track is dedicated to them and their tireless and selfless commitment to the fight against HIV and AIDS. I just hope that it'll inspire others out there to get involved in whatever way they can. It really doesn't take much to make a difference."

"Travis' commitment to The Staying Alive Foundation has enabled us to reach young people around the world in a truly innovative way," said Georgia Arnold, Executive Producer of The Unbeaten Track and Senior Vice President, Social Responsibility, MTV Networks International/ Executive Director, Staying Alive Foundation.

"Through this track, Travis will be sharing his experience and amplifying the HIV awareness message to MTV audiences, globally, in a creative and memorable way. We are delighted with the track and can't wait for the world to hear it."

In addition to the One At A Time track, an accompanying music video will be aired on MTV from November 9, 2009 and will be available to watch online on MTV websites. The video features footage of Travis in the studio, as well as clips from 'Travis McCoy's Unbeaten Track', the documentary that charts Travis' tri-continental journey and is set to air on MTV channels on December 1, coinciding with the track release.

The philanthropic effort behind One At A Time is the result of a partnership between MTV Networks International, The Staying Alive Foundation, Atlantic Records and Fueled By Ramen.

One At A Time will be available on iTunes from December 1, 2009. From December 8, 2009, the track will also be available via other major online music retailers.

Donations can be made directly to The Staying Alive Foundation here by visiting:
Staying Alive Foundation

Check out Unbeaten Track for more details on McCoy's trip, including the inspiration behind the track and the Foundation-funded projects (Travis) McCoy visited:
Unbeaten Track

source

Rodney Jerkins Explains "Darkchild" Sound for P.Diddy TV Show

P.Diddy's Starmaker airs on Sunday Nights on MTV.
P.Diddy's Starmaker

(video courtesy of Wink Sound)