Kanye West is insanely vain. But if he were half the megalomaniac he makes himself out to be, the self-proclaimed “biggest star in the universe” wouldn’t have invited marquee acts Lupe Fiasco and N.E.R.D. to illuminate his Glow in the Dark tour.
Before the headliner’s prop spaceship landed on the Tweeter Center stage Thursday, ticket holders got more than two hours of assorted Billboard bangers. As West likely planned, the pre-show got blood flowing, but was hardly enough to exhaust devotees.
Lupe Fiasco’s set was fully loaded, with Chicago’s most fashionable Muslim dashing through major hits, including “Kick, Push,” and less-commercial blasts.
N.E.R.D. exploded unannounced. For a half-hour, the new-age rock-hoppers brought raucous spontaneity, something that their tourmates avoided. As the sun ducked behind the amphitheater, N.E.R.D. frontman Pharrell Williams unwound the frenetic new “Spaz,” smacked some cymbals and invited the bustiest groupie he could find to grind on stage.
cw-5 While the first two acts complemented West’s mission, teen hottie Ri-cw0gfgbugMUSIC REVIEWKANYE WEST, with RIHANNA, LUPE FIASCO and N.E.R.D.At the Tweeter Center, Mansfield, Thursday night.cw-5
hanna served no artistic purpose. Dressed for a gothic wedding with Catwoman undergarments, she smiled through “Work It Up Boy,” “Pon de Replay,” “Umbrella” and a rash of other cuts that sounded as manufactured live as they do on the radio.
For his turn, Kanye delivered the most visually magnificent show in hip-hop history, complete with thegalaxy’s grandest LED display and cotton candy-colored pyrotechnics. His theme - that he’s lost in outer space - provided more of a framework for hits than an actual story line. (Think “Mamma Mia” with some stank on it.)
Performing from atop his spaceship, West essentially kicked an extended version of the set he brought to the TD Banknorth Garden last October, but with harder, better, faster, stronger sounds, concepts and aesthetics highlighting his trite lyrics and sample-heavy production on tracks ranging from the obligatory “Jesus Walks” to “Good Life.”
West might not really be the biggest star in the universe, but there is a difference between him and his opening acts, as well as between him and the underground artists whose ideas he borrows and manicures for mainstream rap fans. For some reason, he’s the one who gets to tour America with an infinitely dimensional luminescent backdrop while 20,000 heads worship his every last line.
Thursday, 12 June 2008
Bill Laswell, Boris Feoktistov
Artist: Bill Laswell, Boris Feoktistov
Genre(s):
Classical
Discography:
Parastas - Russian Chants
Year: 1996
Tracks: 3
R. Kelly trial: More mole testimony expected in prosecution's rebuttal
After the surprising close to the defense case early Monday after just two days, the prosecution will begin its rebuttal to the defense's case Tuesday.
The prosecution plans to again call Grant Frederics, a forensic video analyst who found what appeared to be a mole on the back of the sex tape's male participant.
During opening statements, the defense dropped a potential bombshell when it told jurors that Kelly has had a mole on his back since childhood and that since there was no mole on the back of the male participant in the video, Kelly could not be the man on the tape.
Frederics is expected to rehash some of his earlier testimony and to rebut testimony from the defense's forensic expert, Dr. Charles Palm, who said in his examination of the videotape that he could not find a mole.
The prosecution also plans to call an assistant district attorney from Atlanta. Robert Wolf is expected to deny suggestions that Lisa Van Allen, who testified she had a three-way sexual encounter with Kelly and the alleged underage victim, was given a deal to testify in the Kelly case.
During the trial, the defense not so subtly suggested that Van Allen's boyfriend, a felon who was recently arrested for the possession of a loaded AK-47 and drugs in his suburban Atlanta home, was given probation by the Fulton County district attorney's office because Van Allen testified in the trial.
Court will resume Tuesday with defense motions at 10 a.m., before the prosecution begins its rebuttal.
Azam Ahmed
June 9, 2008 12:28 PM: Much to everyone's surprise, the defense rests
Much to the surprise of the courtroom gallery, R. Kelly's lawyers rested their case Monday morning after three days of testimony in defense of the R&B singer.
For about 15 minutes, attorneys for both sides handled a few housekeeping matters.
Then Cook County Circuit Judge Vincent Gaughan informed the jury that there would be no testimony today. He told them they were free to stay and have lunch on the county's dime or go home. He told jurors that, if the case stays on course, they should expect closing arguments on Thursday.
With the jury dismissed, the judge began hearings on various motions in the case.
June 9, 2008 10:29 AM: Defense to hit 'play' on altered-tape theory?
As part of R. Kelly's defense, his lawyers have floated the idea that someone doctored the sex tape at the heart of the child pornography case by placing the R&B superstar's head on another man's body.
The high-priced defense team likened the film-editing trick to the technology used in "Little Man," the 2006 film in which Marlon Wayans was digitally manipulated to look like a 1-year-old baby. (He actually played a diminutive thief whom Shawn Wayans mistakes as his newly adopted son, but we'll spare you the rest of that painful plot summary.)
MTV News caught up to Shawn Wayans recently and asked him how difficult such an endeavor would be. The actor seemed to agree with the prosecution's expert witnesses, who said the process would be extremely expensive and wholly time consuming.
"It's not easy and it's very complicated," Wayans told MTV. "It takes a lot of special effects guys to plot that out."
Wayans said he didn't want to get involved in the trial and described the so-called "Little Man" defense as "very creative." Indeed, it may be the best press the movie has ever received, given that one critic called the widely panned film "fatuous, unfunny and profoundly unentertaining."
"I just hope Little Man don't get subpoenaed into court," Wayans said, laughing. "He wouldn't be a good alibi."
The prosecution plans to again call Grant Frederics, a forensic video analyst who found what appeared to be a mole on the back of the sex tape's male participant.
During opening statements, the defense dropped a potential bombshell when it told jurors that Kelly has had a mole on his back since childhood and that since there was no mole on the back of the male participant in the video, Kelly could not be the man on the tape.
Frederics is expected to rehash some of his earlier testimony and to rebut testimony from the defense's forensic expert, Dr. Charles Palm, who said in his examination of the videotape that he could not find a mole.
The prosecution also plans to call an assistant district attorney from Atlanta. Robert Wolf is expected to deny suggestions that Lisa Van Allen, who testified she had a three-way sexual encounter with Kelly and the alleged underage victim, was given a deal to testify in the Kelly case.
During the trial, the defense not so subtly suggested that Van Allen's boyfriend, a felon who was recently arrested for the possession of a loaded AK-47 and drugs in his suburban Atlanta home, was given probation by the Fulton County district attorney's office because Van Allen testified in the trial.
Court will resume Tuesday with defense motions at 10 a.m., before the prosecution begins its rebuttal.
Azam Ahmed
June 9, 2008 12:28 PM: Much to everyone's surprise, the defense rests
Much to the surprise of the courtroom gallery, R. Kelly's lawyers rested their case Monday morning after three days of testimony in defense of the R&B singer.
For about 15 minutes, attorneys for both sides handled a few housekeeping matters.
Then Cook County Circuit Judge Vincent Gaughan informed the jury that there would be no testimony today. He told them they were free to stay and have lunch on the county's dime or go home. He told jurors that, if the case stays on course, they should expect closing arguments on Thursday.
With the jury dismissed, the judge began hearings on various motions in the case.
June 9, 2008 10:29 AM: Defense to hit 'play' on altered-tape theory?
As part of R. Kelly's defense, his lawyers have floated the idea that someone doctored the sex tape at the heart of the child pornography case by placing the R&B superstar's head on another man's body.
The high-priced defense team likened the film-editing trick to the technology used in "Little Man," the 2006 film in which Marlon Wayans was digitally manipulated to look like a 1-year-old baby. (He actually played a diminutive thief whom Shawn Wayans mistakes as his newly adopted son, but we'll spare you the rest of that painful plot summary.)
MTV News caught up to Shawn Wayans recently and asked him how difficult such an endeavor would be. The actor seemed to agree with the prosecution's expert witnesses, who said the process would be extremely expensive and wholly time consuming.
"It's not easy and it's very complicated," Wayans told MTV. "It takes a lot of special effects guys to plot that out."
Wayans said he didn't want to get involved in the trial and described the so-called "Little Man" defense as "very creative." Indeed, it may be the best press the movie has ever received, given that one critic called the widely panned film "fatuous, unfunny and profoundly unentertaining."
"I just hope Little Man don't get subpoenaed into court," Wayans said, laughing. "He wouldn't be a good alibi."
Expedition Zero
Artist: Expedition Zero
Genre(s):
Ambient
Discography:
Deep Sleep
Year: 2002
Tracks: 10
Ultra Hi
Year: 2001
Tracks: 10
CSI Star Formally Charged With Drug Possession
Gary Dourdan from television's 'CSI' was formally charged with felony drug possession on Wednesday (May 7), following his recent arrest in Palm Springs, when he was found asleep in his car and in possession of several drugs.A patrol officer spotted the 41-year-old actor's vehicle on the wrong side of the street, and after investigating, found him in possession of cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and prescription pills, according to the police report.At the time, Dourdan released a statement to People.com saying, "Obviously I am embarrassed to find myself in this situation, and I am profoundly grateful to everyone for their support."Michael Jeandron, a representative for Riverside County District Attorney, said, "If convicted, Dourdan faces a probation term and could be required to complete a drug treatment program. If he completes it, the charges will be dismissed.Photo courtesy of CBS.
Trapeze
Artist: Trapeze
Genre(s):
Rock
Discography:
Hot Wire
Year: 1974
Tracks: 8
You Are the Music..We're Just the Band
Year: 1972
Tracks: 8
Trapeze
Year: 1970
Tracks: 14
Wolverhampton, England severe rock outfit Trapeze formed in 1968, teaming lead singer John Jones and guitarist/keyboardist Terry Rowley (both ex-members of the Montanas, famous for the hit "You've Got to Be Loved") with singer/guitarist Mel Galley, bassist Glenn Hughes, and drummer Dave Holland. Signing to the Moody Blues' Threshold Records imprint, Trapeze issued its self-titled debut album in 1970; Jones and Rowley returned to the Montanas before long after, and in 1970 the remaining trio resurfaced with Medusan. The grouping toured extensively both at home and abroad, and although their merger of rock and funk was cited as a prime influence on bands like ZZ Top, their commercial success was minimal. In the wake up of the third Trapeze album, 1972's You Are the Music...We're Just the Band, Hughes replaced Roger Glover in Deep Purple. Guitarist Rob Kendrick and bassist Pete Wright sign-language on for Trapeze's 1974 effort Hot Wire, followed a year later by a self-titled LP; in 1976, the core terzetto of Galley, Hughes, and Holland reunited, although no young recordings were forthcoming. Hughes over again exited prior to 1978's Retain On, which featured Wright in addition to new guitarist Pete Goalby; Trapeze and then disbanded, with Galley connexion Whitesnake (and, later on, Black Sabbath), patch Holland tenured with Judas Priest. Galley, Hughes, and Holland reformed once more in 1991, with a May 1992 London gig yielding the Welcome to the Real World live album.
Kaiser Chiefs pay homage to Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr
Kaiser Chiefs have revealed just how big an influence The Beatles were on their music.
Speaking to 6Music at Paul McCartney's gig at Anfield stadium, Liverpool yesterday (June 1), the Leeds quintet proclaimed the band as one of the most important this century.
The band's bassist Simon Rix said: "I've said this before that I think Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are up there, if not the most influential people who are still alive."
He added: "I don't know who is more influential than those two really, because I think that the influence of The Beatles, the impact that they had on everything at the time, not just music, you know your shoes and clothes and your hair and moustaches, everything, furniture - if The Beatles had never happened then we'd be living in a parallel universe."
The Kaiser Chiefs performed alongside McCartney and The Zutons as part of a Capital Of Culture gig.
Speaking to 6Music at Paul McCartney's gig at Anfield stadium, Liverpool yesterday (June 1), the Leeds quintet proclaimed the band as one of the most important this century.
The band's bassist Simon Rix said: "I've said this before that I think Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are up there, if not the most influential people who are still alive."
He added: "I don't know who is more influential than those two really, because I think that the influence of The Beatles, the impact that they had on everything at the time, not just music, you know your shoes and clothes and your hair and moustaches, everything, furniture - if The Beatles had never happened then we'd be living in a parallel universe."
The Kaiser Chiefs performed alongside McCartney and The Zutons as part of a Capital Of Culture gig.
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