When summer approaches, it is marked by the advent of some truly tremendous blockbusters, and everyone is taken back to the good memories of summer fun when they hear the song they listened to on repeat during the hottest months of the year. So as we say good-bye to summer, we present you with a combination of these two worlds, and give you the best music videos of the summer. Some you may know by heart, some may be brand new to you, but each deserves a place on your YouTube playlist to remind you of the warmth of summer as the winter months get closer.

“American Boy” - Estelle featuring Kanye West

The US and the UK haven’t been this tight since the American colonial era. Besides being a British/American mix, “American Boy” also fuses pop and rap that will make you pine for an international love affair of your own. So even if you don’t have someone with an accent for you to sing this for, you can still watch the video and wish you had a shadow that moved independently from you.

“My Drive Thru” - Pharrell, Julian Casablancas, and Santogold

The brilliant collaboration put on for Converse’s Centennial “Three Artists, One Song” campaign is so fresh and smart that you’ll want to put on your Chucks and start rocking out as soon as you hear it. The equally awesome music video features the three artists in an animated, paper cut-out form. Check out the music video below, and after you fall in love with it, go download it for free at the Converse site.

“Do I Have Your Attention?” - The Blood Arm featuring Anaïs

Another international mix; this time American meets French. The L.A.-based Blood Arm joined forces with Anaïs, a French singer known for her powerful vocals. The animated video is fanciful and creative, and will make you want to sing in bilingual fashion.

“I Kissed a Girl” - Katy Perry

Don’t deny it–even if the song premise makes you a little nervous, you know you’ve caught yourself humming (if not full out singing) the “scandalous” chorus of Katy Perry’s hit single. The Zooey Deschanel look-alike uses girls in skimpy costumes to drive the point home, but ironically enough, never actually kisses a girl in the video… much to the disappointment of teenage boys across America.

“Viva la Vida” - Coldplay

The modern kings of piano rock resurrected a new sound with their CD “Viva la Vida” or Death and All His Friends.” Can these guys get any better? It doesn’t seem possible, but they always seems to surprise me.

“Chasing Pavements” - Adele

Never before have car crash victims been so romantic. This video is lovely and melancholy, and makes you want to try slow-dancing while lying down. The British soul songstress captures that feeling of romantic uncertainty in both her song and her video.

“Young Love” - Mystery Jets featuring Laura Marling

Though not well known in America, the English Mystery Jets bring fun and color back into pop/rock. With an appearance by the young and soulful Laura Marling, this song makes you want to happy to remember all your lost loves. This song is the cutest, catchiest song I’ve heard all summer, and will remind you of every crush that made your heart beat faster this summer. After you watch the video, be sure to also check out Laura Marling’s solo efforts, because she will blow you away with her deep melodies and wistful prose.

MGMT - Kids

While the video is not actually of the band MGMT, it is a favorite of the band (who have not officially released a video for this song). The song itself is bittersweet (like the end of summer!), and makes you want to both dance and reflect on things past. This video is fun and silly, with just a touch of the serious. Watch it and sing along!

“Disturbia” - Rihanna

The Babe from Barbados dominated the airwaves last summer with the anthem of love and friendship, “Umbrella.” This summer she came back with a dance hit that was hotter than the summer nights themselves. Rihanna once again shows in her latest video that she is young, hot, and fierce.

“Paper Planes” - M.I.A.

With the sound of gunshots and cash register dings marking the chorus, M.I.A. can be hard to categorize. But her fresh sound and look sets her apart from her other peers. This song might also remind you of “Pineapple Express”; the hilarious summer movie that borrowed this song for its preview.

That concludes my list of summer music videos, just in time for you to watch as summer leaves and fall arrives. Are there any songs that remind you of summer? If so, let us know, and perhaps we can make a new list for the winter!

Not too long ago, my roommate had a celebrity encounter at the movie theater. Whilst in line, she and another fellow friend, racked their brains to determine which star waited in front of them and slowly it came to them…it was Fonzworth Bentley sans the signature umbrella and accompanying spiffy fit. Knowing his resume boasted hip-hop artist, author, entertainer, fashion designer, and former personal assistant to Sean “Diddy” Combs, they wondered if he was up to anything at the moment… As of last week, it was clear the man was employed and they could now add TV host to his resume.

Last week, MTV premiered their new show From G’s To Gents. With Jamie Foxx as executive producer and Chris Abrego, known for hit shows such as I Love New York and Flavor of Love, working behind-the-scenes as well, it was really of no surprise that the first episode landed itself in the #1 spot for its time slot. The premise of the show can be likened to VH1’s Charm School, but instead of “ladies” the show subjects 14 young G’s (standing for gangstah’s just in case you didn’t know) to a series of tasks on style, etiquette, chivalry, business and more.

Bentley has been known for his impeccable style and demeanor and it’s no wonder that he was sought to host the show. Furthermore, he had the experience, having worked on such transformations off-camera for quite some time. I mean the man even wrote a book about it entitled Advance Your Swagger. On the show, not only does Bentley serve as host but also as mentor, life-coach and confidante to the contestants, roles which he seems to take very seriously, a point evident in his initial hesitation to take on the project.

“I wanted to meet with them [Foxx and Abrego] and make sure that they were on the right tone and the right message. If it was going to be something where we throw these guys in and watch them crash and burn, then I didn’t care if they offered 10 million dollars; I wasn’t going to be part of it and align my brand with it. Once I saw that the tone was there, and that Jamie Foxx and Cris Abrego really wanted to make changes and show these guys going through the transformations, I knew it was something that I wanted to be a part of. I said no to other offers of reality shows over the last three years – this is not a game for me.”

If you missed the premiere, check it out here or make sure to watch episode #2 this Tuesday from 10-11PM EST.

Do you think the project will meet Bentley’s expectations or will it follow the same fate of fellow reality shows and take a nosedive into the currently deep pool of trashy, yet scarily addicting projects? As you ponder over that one, check out Bentley’s new video for his the first single of his upcoming album (set to drop later on this summer) C.O.L.O.U.R.S. (”Cool Outrageous Lovers Of Uniquely Raw Style”).

With a smooth beat, some pretty sick styling from the likes of Andre 3000 and some hook bits from Kanye himself, the single just might be hit. If anything though, the video is funny and adorable thanks to a hint of Motown moves choreographed and taught by Bentley himself—truly a man of many talents.

On Friday night, June 20th, Boost Mobile RockCorps’ national youth movement concert tour made a stop at the Gibson Amphitheatre on Universal Studios’ City Walk.

The concert was organized by Boost Mobile RockCorps (BMRC) to reward thousands of young people for their service to the Los Angeles community.

While I was backstage I talked with one of the organizers for the concert and they are going to be starting RockCorps concert over in the U.K.

So it was exciting to know that in the future even more entertainers will be supporting and rewarding kids who help out in their communities.

Just a quick refresher - we told you guys about this concert last week - with headliners including musical acts like Akon and Puddle of Mudd.

Well, it turns out that Boost Mobile had a few more surprises for the crowd Friday night!

Busta Rhymes and Spliff Starr showed up and performed a few songs.

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt (The Hills) also came out to show their support for the volunteers, and Heidi joined host Tracy Morgan on stage to help introduce the acts. I don’t know how many people actually knew who she was (or even cared) because I saw a lot of curious/confused looks when she came on stage.

But even though I joke about the audience not knowing who Heidi was, it really was great to see all these celebrities come out to show support for such a great cause.

It was definite that many of the kids RockCorps members look up to people like Common, Juicy J, DJ Paul, and Three 6 Mafia, and to have their idols thanking them for their hard work is something you don’t see often, and will resonate with them.

Not only were all the famous people kind enough to perform backstage, they were all really nice to the press backstage.

They took time out either before or after their performance (and some even both times) to pose for pictures, and talk about why they think the BMRC is important.

There was one universal answer throughout the night from everyone- volunteering and helping the community is important, and it’s necessary to teach these values to people at a young age.

Needless to say, I had a lot of fun.

The concert was so awesome– Akon was the best of the night in my opinion. He jumped off the stage and was singing in the crowd…

It was the high energy that kept the crowd pumped and excited until the end of the night.

Personally, there is nothing greater than a celebrity using their star power and influence to support a good cause. And I think the audience members felt the same.

If you want to learn more about RockCorps, visit the BMRC website.

Miley Cyrus is using her next album, ironically titled Breakout, to break away from her Disney image.Maybe I should give the 15-year-old star more credit for that title, I think it’s more strategy than irony.  Smart, Miley, very smart.Okay is it me, or does that microphone look like a curling iron too?  At first I thought it was a cute pun– like a girl singing in the mirror to her brush type thing.  I don’t know, call me crazy.This is Miley’s first solo effort to bear no trace of Hannah Montana, but she’s still workin’ the Disney-related promos.  Ain’t no shame in that!We’ll have to wait until July 22nd to hear how her debut will be.  Maybe it will be the beginning of bubblegum rock?

Earlier this week a small sample of Lindsay Lohan’s new single was released online.

Now the full audio of Lohan’s new single, Bossy, is on the internet. It was produced by Ne-Yo, so let’s hope he cranks out another hit.

This song will just be one of the tracks on her upcoming album, it’s her third, believe it or not! But it will be the actress’ debut album with Motown Records.

Motown!? I didn’t know Lohan had it in her!

Listen To Lindsay Lohan “Bossy” Full Audio

What do you all think?

Is Lindsay back or should she go back to the studio?

Rapper THE GAME revealed to XXL magazine that he almost tried to CTRL-ALT-DELETE out of life.
Continue Reading

Herbie Hancock - Album of the Year (River: The Joni Letters)

Amy Winehouse- Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album (Back to Black), Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Vocal Performance (all for “Rehab“),

Kanye West- Best Rap Solo Performance (”Stronger“), Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (”Southside” w/Common), Best Rap Song (”Good Life“), and Best Rap Album (Graduation).

Alicia Keys- Female R&B Vocal Performance and R&B Song (both for “No One”)

Carrie Underwood- Female Country Vocal Performance and Country Song (both for “Before He Cheats”)

Justin Timberlake- Best Performance and Male Pop Vocal Performance (both for “What Goes Around…Comes Around”), and Best Dance Record (”LoveStoned/I Think That She Knows”)

Other top category winners:

RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION
”Umbrella,” Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z

ROCK ALBUM
Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace, Foo Fighters

ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM
Icky Thump, the White Stripes

COUNTRY ALBUM
These Days, Vince Gill

R&B ALBUM
Funk This, Chaka Khan

CONTEMPORARY R&B ALBUM
Because of You, Ne-Yo

POP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCAL
”Makes Me Wonder,” Maroon 5

SOLO ROCK VOCAL PERFORMANCE
”Radio Nowhere,” Bruce Springsteen

ROCK PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCAL
”Icky Thump,” the White Stripes

HARD ROCK PERFORMANCE
”The Pretender,” Foo Fighters

ROCK SONG
”Radio Nowhere,” Bruce Springsteen, songwriter (Bruce Springsteen)

MALE R&B VOCAL PERFORMANCE
”Future Baby Mama,” Prince

R&B PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCALS
”Disrespectful,” Chaka Khan Featuring Mary J. Blige

MALE COUNTRY VOCAL PERFORMANCE
”Stupid Boy,” Keith Urban

COUNTRY PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCALS
”How Long,” the Eagles

BEST COMPILATION SOUNDTRACK ALBUM FOR MOTION PICTURE, TELEVISION OR OTHER VISUAL MEDIA
Love, the Beatles (George Martin and Giles Martin, producers)