Paul McCartney Defends Miley Cyrus Over Racy Performances

Former Beatle Paul McCartney has come to the defense of Miley Cyrus over her recent performances, saying that we’ve all “seen worse than that.”

McCartney told Britain’s Sky News that he saw Miley’s MTV Video Music Awards performance and thought it was only “mildly shocking”.

“You know what, I don’t think it was explicit at all,” he says. “You couldn’t see anything! I watched it just as an experiment, to check. But obviously you look at it and you go, ‘What’s everyone shouting about?’.

“Someone said to me that the world that a lot of those people like Miley live in is all noise, and they’ve got to get above the noise. So they have to do something,” McCartney added.

“I think it was only mildly shocking. She’s dancing with Robin Thicke, so what? Come on, we’ve seen worse than that!” he said.

McCartney has been making the rounds promoting his 16th solo album, appropriately titled “New”.

Justin Timberlake’s ‘The 20/20 Experience: 2 of 2’ Review: Album Of The Year?

Not many musicians would release a second album just six months after a massively successful one and a sold-out stadium tour with the reigning King of Hip Hop, Jay Z. But most musicians aren’t Justin Timberlake. “The 20/20 Experience: 2 of 2” unfathomably tops its predecessor with an operatic exploration of soul, country, funk, R&B swaddled in JT’s legendary charisma.

If “The 20/20 Experience” was about the simple act of falling in love, 2 of 2 encapsulates the complicated work of sustaining it. The initial seduction is explored in the “Thriller”-esque “True Blood” and the ode to bedroom stripteases “Cabaret” featuring Drake. The darker times when love and hate are one in the same are referenced in the pain-smudged bluesy stunner “Drink You Away” and the scathingly badass rock-soul hybrid “Only When I Walk Away.” The sunny “Not A Bad Thing” details the happily ever after.

As with Experience, most songs are at least five minutes long with extended outros, which can enhance a track’s strengths or exaggerate its weakenesses. The last minutes of “Only When I Walk Away” is the audible equivalent to cubism, a raw, wild exploration of sound with robust drums and a funked up vocals. The closing riffs of “Not A Bad Thing” is another song entirely about flitting off in a cocoon of love, featuring Timberlake’s caramel voices, an acoustic guitar and a lush orchestra. On the flipside, the additional minutes renders the monstrous banger “True Blood” a little anemic.

Timberlake may rely a little too heavily on uber-producer Timbaland’s mad-scientist production, however, he also proves that beyond the smoke and mirrors burns an inferno of talent. 2 of 2 features Timberlake’s freest and strongest vocals of his career. The frills-free “Drink You Away” is unabashed Memphis soul steeped in a gritty country riff. And “You Got It On”-a showcase of Timberlake’s golden falsetto that rivals that of Maxwell and even the King of Pop himself-is a throwback to classic babymaking R&B. Along with the haunting “Amnesia,” these songs provide the ballads and slow tempos that the breezy “The 20/20 Experience” lacked.

As a whole, “The 20/20 Experience” is undoubtedly a platinum gem in Timberlake’s treasure-trove of a career, and more than likely the best album of the year. It also emphatically solidifies JT as an iconic musician among the greats that influenced him. Most artists directly reference their idols, but Timberlake’s varied inspirations resonate in the space between beats and the breaths between notes. While the musicality and vocals pay homage to Michael Jackson, Queen, Al Green, Marvin Gaye and others, the provocative execution is entirely Timberlake.

Grade: A+

Check out Timberlake’s video for “Take Back The Night.” “The 20/20 Experience: 2 of 2” is available on iTunes and in stores now.

Photo Credits: RCA Recrods

Justin Bieber’s Pimped-Out Van Involved In Bong Scandal

Justin Bieber is entangled in another controversy after a member of his entourage was purportedly photographed dumping bong water out of the singer’s custom van.

The Baby singer has been spotted travelling around in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a group of friends this week, and a photo has appeared online showing a mystery passenger in the van holding what appears to be a bong out of the window.

The picture, obtained by TMZ.com, shows the person, whose face cannot be seen, tipping water from the pipe. However, the hand does seem to appear to be Caucasian.

It is not known whether Bieber was present, but the van is said to have been en route to a music studio, and the singer later posted an Instagram picture of himself recording. He also updated his Twitter.com followers about his time at the studio.

The 19 year-old’s wild antics have made him a regular in the headlines over the last few months. He recently faced a police investigation over allegations his entourage was involved in a nightclub fight in New York, while last week he was allegedly embroiled in an altercation in Toronto, Canada.

Photo Credits: PRPhotos

Music Wrap-Up: Tupac Shakur Musical Coming Soon, Young Jeezy Changes Name, And More

It’s Friday and here’s your music news happy hour. Here’s the news you may have missed this week.

Tupac “2Pac” Shakur musical coming to Broadway

You read that right! According to the Wall Street Journal, well known stage director Kenny Leon (“A Raisin In The Sun”) is gearing up to bring a musical based on the late west coast rapper Tupac “2Pac” Shakur called “Holler if Ya Hear Me.” Though the musical doesn’t have a theater yet, Kenny confirmed that 2pac’s family are in support of the musical and are on board with the project with 2pac’s mother, Afeni Shakur, standing as a producer. Kenny describes the musical as being an “unconditional love story” and insists that the musical will not be about 2pac’s life but more so his music. September 13 will mark the 17th anniversary of Tupac Shakur’s passing.

Miley was just being herself and making history, geez

Miley finally spoke out earlier this week regarding her much-publicized twerking in nude underwear while doing suggestive moves with a glammed up foam #1 finger. The interview was posted on MTV’s website and in the video Miley explained that she and Robin Thicke were looking to make history with their performance. She was even surprised that people were still talking about the performance days later saying that people were thinking about it more than she did when she decided to take the stage. “I didn’t even think about it because that’s just me,” she said. I can say with 100% certainty that everyone safely came to the conclusion that Miley wasn’t thinking, no confirmation needed on that.

Rapper Jeezy isn’t so “young” anymore

Southern rapper Young Jeezy has announced that he will be dropping the “young” moniker from his name. Jeezy spoke with MTV’s Sway Calloway for RapFix Live and explained that time has led to growth and that he no longer needs the “young” in his name. “It sounds good because when I came in the game that’s who I was and that was my state of mind, but I’m a grown man. Jeezy explained. “Those zeros get to adding up, you gotta drop the ‘young.'” Jeezy joins a long list of rappers who have opted to switch up their names including Diddy who changed his name from Puff Daddy in 2001 and most recently Jay Z who dropped the hyphen from his name.

Katy Perry premiere’s video for ‘Roar’

In Katy Perry’s new video, the singer gives us a cross between “George of the Jungle” and ‘Survivor.” She crashes in an intimidating jungle but soon learns to adapt to her surroundings and become the queen of it. She makes all types of friends including an elephant along with a capuchin monkey who in my mind is the chain-smoking drug dealing monkey in Hangover 2. Katy’s “Roar” is currently #1 on Billboards Hot 100.

Fin!

Chime time! Are you looking forward to a 2pac musical? Are you over Miley Cyrus yet? What do you think of Katy Perry’s new video?

Photo Credits: MTV Networks

Katy Perry Dethrones Robin Thicke On Billboard Hot 100

Well done KatyCats and Kitty Purry for replaying “Roar” over and over. The fans and the radio stations across the nation have placed Katy Perry’s single “Roar” at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

As everyone should already know, “Blurred Lines” was the summer jam. The single held the top place on the Hot 100 chart for 12 weeks. I mean, Robin Thicke’s voice just makes any day better. Am I right, or am I right?

But, everyone’s time on the throne must come to an end, and Perry has nudged Thicke aside.

This record breaker puts Katy Perry at 8 Hot 100 No. 1 singles. As a gift to her KatyCats, I assume but most likely was pre-planned, Perry has released the official music video to “Roar.” The video is as fierce as the girl empowerment lyrics. Perry is shown surviving a plane crash and fearlessly fighting jungle creatures. While doing so, Perry looks ravishing in minimal clothing, the usual, with prints that imitate the life of George (from the jungle) who is stranded on a Hawaiian island.

In an interview with Ryan Seacrest, Perry said the song is “about speaking up for yourself …Sometimes you can feel burdened by people or a thing or a relationship and it causes you to go inside yourself versus say ‘Hey! No, this isn’t okay.'”

Intrigued? Watch the video below to understand what Perry is trying to portray through “Roar.”

Photo Credits: Katy Perry YouTube

Motley Crue’s 2014 World Tour Will Be Its Last

Motley Crue star Vince Neil has confirmed reports the band’s 2014 tour will be its last – for some time.

The singer insists the rockers may reform for gigs in the future but he feels it’s time to take a long break from each other – and allow bassist Mick Mars “time to relax” as he battles ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis.

Neil tells Billboard.com, “I think we’ll start the tour around May… and we’ll do one more time around the world and kinda call it quits.

“It’s just that time. We’re going out on top. We don’t want to be some band that people are like, ‘Oh, they’re playing a club now,’ that kind of band. We still sell out arenas, have stadium stuff and things like that, so let’s go out when it’s a big deal.

“I’m sure in five, 10 years from now we’ll probably do something again together, if other people’s careers don’t get in the way, but it’s not gonna be like a Kiss farewell to the farewell to the farewell to the farewell tour. It won’t be like that. We’re not going to say farewell and then try to get people to come back again in a little while.”

The singer and his bandmates are currently preparing for U.S. dates in September and have another 12-date residency planned at the The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas.

A.M. Roundup: Leah Remini Vs. Scientology, Lady Gaga Goes Nude Again, Kate Upton: ‘I’m Not A Toy’

Actress Leah Remini, who recently split from the Church of Scientology, reportedly filed a missing persons report for the wife of church leader David Miscavige. Shelly Miscavige hasn’t been seen in public since 2006, prompting questions about her whereabouts and speculation over whether or not she’s being punished or held somewhere by the church against her will. Police confirmed an investigation last night but wouldn’t say whether or not Remini had anything to do with it. Mrs. Miscavige was later found by police, who closed the case and called the report “unfounded” according to TMZ. The church subsequently blasted Remini, calling the report “an inexcusable distraction for the LAPD.” (story)

Lady Gaga has a new album coming out this fall, and to create buzz for it she’s posed nude for the third time in the last two weeks. This time around she bares all, leaving nothing to the imagination, for artist Marina Abramovic’s new fundraiser. The artist hopes to spread her physical and mental workout regime by raising $600,000. Gaga hums while walking through fields and hugging giant crystals in empty rooms. Is it “ARTPOP”? (story)

Actress Karen Black, who was nominated for an Oscar for her role in 70s film “Five Easy Pieces”, died on Thursday at the age of 74. Black had been battling ampullary cancer, which affects the bile duct, since 2010 and succumbed in a nursing home in Los Angeles. Her husband broke the news on Facebook, thanking fans for support and prayers. Earlier this year the couple raised money via Kickstarter.com to pay for an experimental treatment in Europe, but she never made it there because her failing health prevented her from traveling. (story)

Kate Upton is September’s ELLE magazine cover girl, showing off her gorgeous curves in a classy set of photos. The model talked about subjects ranging from religion to how she’s treated, saying after her first Sports Illustrated cover that she was constantly pursued by married and engaged men. “I’m not a toy, I’m a human,” she says. (story)

Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth showed up to the premiere of new film “Paranoia” together Thursday night. The couple hasn’t been seen in public together for a long time, and they put rumors of their split to rest once and for all. (story)

Check out five fun facts about “We’re The Millers” star Will Poulter. The actor, known for his role in “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader,” plays the pretent son of a drug dealer to help smuggle a shipment of marijuana into the U.S. from Mexico. (story)

“District 9” writer/director Neill Blomkamp’s latest film, “Elysium“, which hits theaters today, is a “thought-provoking Sci-fi, fantasy, action film,” according to our reviewers. Matt Damon stars in the film, which takes place 150 years from now when Earth is polluted and the rich live in a lavish space station while the poor suffer below. (Review.)

Beyonce shocked the world by giving herself a makeover and cutting her hair short, just like Miley Cyrus. The singer now sports a pixie ‘do and she showed it off in a series of pics on Instagram. She recently completed the North American part of her “Mrs Carter Show” World Tour by biking to the Barclay’s center in Brooklyn, New York, from her apartment in Manhattan. (story)

Usher‘s ex-wife Tameka Foster is looking for full custody of the couple’s son, Usher Raymond V, after the child got his hand stuck in the drain of the singer’s swimming pool and had to be rescued and given CPR to revive him. The boy was reportedly trying to get a toy from the bottom of the pool when he got his hand stuck. (story)

Miley Cyrus Can’t Stop: Poses For Risque New Magazine Shoot & ‘Bangerz’ Promos

Miley Cyrus still can’t stop. Following her controversial performance at Sunday night’s MTV Video Music Awards, the singer has now gone on to promote her upcoming album, “Bangerz”, with some racy new photos, along with a risque new shoot for Notion magazine.

To help promote her fourth album, out October 8, Miley squats on a chair in a pair of black and white checked leather pants while grabbing her crotch, ears a daring see through top and stands looking over her shoulder while wearing no pants in three of the images released by RCA to promote the new disc.

Miley’s Notion shoot features the singer in a very risky pvc cutout dress leaving little to the imagination, and, of course, bending forward to show off her behind.

Following her much-criticized performance Sunday night, her father, Billy Ray gave her some words of encouragement. She tweeted what he said…

“Mile, if twerkin woulda been invented…. And I had a foam finger…. I woulda done the same thang you did. – DAD,” she posted on her twitter page Thursday.

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Lil Wayne Claims He Was Banned From NBA Games, Slept With Chris Bosh’s Wife

Lil Wayne claims that he has been banned from all NBA games following his alleged ejection from a Miami Heat game.

Last week Lil Wayne tweeted, “So I’m @ da Heat game right, rootin 4 da Lakers kuz dats my team & would u believe they got police 2 make me leave?! Wow! F# k da Heat.” Miami Heat representatives have denied they kicked him out, saying he left on his own accord.

However, Lil Wayne isn’t letting the issue go. During an NBA All-Star event in Houston, the rapper goaded the crowd into bashing the NBA. According to TMZ, he started the chant “When I say f–k, you say NBA! When I say f–k, you say Miami Heat!”

He added, “F*–k LeBron. F–k She Wade. F–k Chris Bosh. F-k all y’all.” Before walking off the stage he got one last dig in: “I f–ked Chris Bosh wife.”

Well, if he wasn’t banned before… he may be now.

Are Katy Perry & John Mayer Engaged?

Reports have surfaced that Katy Perry is engaged to boyfriend John Mayer, and her publicist is neither confirming nor denying them.

On Valentine’s Day, the pop star was spotted with a ruby ring on her wedding finger during a romantic night out with the singer/songwriter, suggesting he had proposed. She was wearing the ring as they left Vicenti restauraunt in Brentwood, Calif.

Perry’s people aren’t commenting on the rumors.

The singer split from her husband, British actor and comedian Russell Brand, at the end of 2011.

Meanwhile, Mayer has opened up about his past womanizing ways, saying he regrets kissing and telling about past relationships to stars such as Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston.

He told CBS Sunday Morning: “I was just a jerk. And it’s hard for people to process that.”

Watch "John Mayer Sees Himself Settling Down"

Photo Credits: PacificCoastNews.com