Jay-Z, Kanye West Accused Of Copyright Infringement

R&B artist Syl Johnson alleges Watch the Throne track samples his 'Different Strokes' without permission
By Alvin Blanco


Jay-Z and Kanye West
Photo: Johnny Nunez/ WireImage

Def Jam's lawyers are about to get busier. According to a post on "archival record label" and publisher the Numero Uno Group's blog, acclaimed R&B/soul singer Syl Johnson is considering a lawsuit against the Throne (Jay-Z and Kanye West) for an uncleared sample of one of his songs on their album Watch the Throne. A sample of Johnson's 1967 song "Different Strokes," which appears on the track "The Joy," was allegedly never properly cleared.

"Two decades and several lawsuits later, Syl Johnson is a veteran of copyright infringement cases, and has done very well for himself clearing samples from his fertile catalog (we're glad to say we've helped him with a few) for use in numerous tracks," reads part of the post. "He's been amply paid, as he is quick to boast in his concerts, by acts like Wu-Tang Clan, Kid Rock, and Michael Jackson. Other performers ... have not been so respectful."

The post, titled "Syl Johnson vs Kanye West/Jay-Z," goes on to say that the Numero Uno Group reached out to Def Jam's business department about clearing "The Joy" after Syl Johnson had gotten wind of the song. Last year, the Pete Rock-produced tune (Kanye West is credited as producer along with Mike Dean and Mike Bhaskar) was part of the G.O.O.D. Fridays series of leaks. Although originally intended to be included on West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, the sample was unable to be cleared in time to make the album (though an agreement was apparently reached for its use). Negotiations stalled due to the fact that the song was not actually being sold. However, "The Joy" recently reappeared as a bonus cut on the deluxe edition of Watch the Throne.

The Numero Uno Group points out that in the credits for Watch the Throne, they are erroneously identified as the publishers of Syl Johnson's "Different Strokes." "Wondering why we weren't consulted on this new use, and baffled why we appear in the credits, for which we never asked, we contacted the sample clearance house," continued the post. "Even they cannot get a response from their own clients. Island Def Jam seems to think that Syl doesn't have any fight left in him. We're betting otherwise."

Since the song appears on an album that is being sold — Watch the Throne has already gone gold, selling more than 600,000 units to date — Johnson is expected to be properly compensated for the use of his song, whether via a lawsuit or some sort of settlement. Messages to Def Jam representatives for comment were not returned as this story went to press.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1669585/watch-the-throne-def-jam-accused-copyright-infringement.jhtml

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Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez Nude Statue: What Does It Mean?

'Teenage celebrities [are] exploited early, earlier than what is legal, and the media fuels that,' artist Daniel Edwards tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena


Daniel Edwards' "Justin and Selena as One" sculpture
Photo: Daniel Edwards/ Cory Allen Contemporary Art

The Internet was abuzz this week when controversial artist Daniel Edwards released his latest piece of art: a nude statue of Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez with the words "Justin & Selena Forever" inscribed at the base of the statue.

The bronze statue, called "Justin and Selena as One," plays on the idea of Adam and Eve, with Bieber wearing a strategically placed maple leaf and Gomez wearing a strategically placed Texas Lone Star — references to Justin's native Canada and Selena's home state. But Edwards told MTV News the images aren't meant to be provocative for the sake of being provocative.

"Really, can you think of any teenage couple that's bigger or been bigger than them? Also, for my point of view, when I look at it, there's a lot of interesting components to it," he said of the piece, which will be on display at Dallas' New Fine Arts. "That was pretty much the obvious point of entry. She is 19, so that takes away a little bit of the edge, I think, but the fact that he's 17, that was totally the point of it.

"I tried to find my entry into making a comment on that very thing that happens time and again to teenage celebrities, where they're kind of exploited early, earlier than what is legal, and the media fuels that as best they can," he continued. "I guess I'm making my commentary about that particular thing that happens."

The statue also comments on the "double standard" for males and females in the industry. "It only seems to hit the young ladies a lot worse than the men. It's still there. You see all those beach photos of the two of them. My children are young, but I think I would be freaked out if I saw images of them like that on the Internet," he said, noting that being a father definitely informs his work.

"If I hadn't had kids, I think the work would be a lot more provocative, visually," he said. "But with kids, I always have to make sure it's something I'm comfortable with them seeing. There's a certain line I'm not willing to cross with my kids in the house."

Of all the ways to portray the two teen superstars, Edwards felt that the biblical reference was the perfect way to make his commentary work. "It's not for the sake of presenting religion. ... I think it's mostly because, from an art-history standpoint, a young couple is always Adam and Eve," he said. "And so I always try to position my work in historical reference. ... It's a way of giving it a bit of a historical context."

What do you think of the statue? Let us know in the comments below.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1668791/justin-bieber-selena-gomez-nude-statue.jhtml

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Kim Kardashian on Wedding: "We Were in Heaven"

Kim Kardashian on Wedding: "We Were in Heaven"

The wedding of the year -- at least, the wedding of the year on American soil -- is now over: Reality star Kim Kardashian, 30, and NBA star Kris Humphries, 26, are officially man and wife, after being hitched in a lavish Aug. 20 ceremony at a private estate in Montecito, Calif. So, after all the media frenzy leading up to their nuptials, was the big day somewhat of a letdown? According to the newlyweds, not in the slightest!

"It was like we were in heaven," Kim gushes to People. And her newly minted hubby concurs. "I'm going to remember how perfect it was," says Humphries.

Sharon Sacks, the wedding planner, tells People that the couple wanted the wedding to be a blend of glamour and tradition; judging from the early photos, Sacks achieved just that. "Kim loves black and white and so does Kris," says Sacks. "They have this Hollywood royalty feeling, and the black and white represented formality. But tradition was very important to them."

For Kardashian, choosing the perfect dress was also key. And, donning a custom-made Vera Wang gown, Kardashian says she "felt like a princess."

Still want more details about the wedding? You're in luck; the whole thing was taped for a two-part special, Kim's Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian Event, which will air on E!, on Oct. 9 and 10.

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/kim-kardashian-wedding-we-were-heaven/1-a-375892

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Amy Winehouse Had 'No Illegal Substances' In Her System

Citing toxicology results, Winehouse family says 'Rehab' singer's cause of death remains inconclusive.
By James Montgomery


Amy Winehouse
Photo: Getty Images

No illegal drugs were found in Amy Winehouse's system when the "Rehab" singer died last month, according to a statement from her family.

Spokesperson Chris Goodman said in a release on Tuesday (August 23) that "toxicology results returned to the Winehouse family by authorities have confirmed that there were no illegal substances in Amy's system and the time of her death."

Goodman added that while toxicology results indicated that alcohol was present in Winehouse's system, "it cannot be determined as yet it if played a role in her death."

The statement concluded, "The family would like to thank police and coroner for their continuing thorough investigations and for keeping them informed throughout the process. They await the outcome of the inquest [into Winehouse's death] in October."

A spokesperson for Winehouse could not be reached for comment by MTV News at press time.

Winehouse, 27, was found dead in her Camden, London, home on July 23, and after an initial autopsy proved inconclusive, London police announced that additional toxicology tests would be needed to determine the cause of death. According to several reports, those close to the singer believed that alcohol withdrawal may have been to blame, as Winehouse had recently given up drinking cold turkey. Furthermore, "[Amy's father, Mitch] said doctors had told Amy to gradually reduce her intake of alcohol and to avoid bingeing at all costs. Amy told him she couldn't do that ... and she gave up completely. Mitch said the shock of giving up, after everything she had been through over a bad few years, was just too much for her to take."

Winehouse had famously struggled with drugs and alcohol during her meteoric rise to fame, but following her death, Mitch Winehouse said that his daughter had been free of drugs for nearly three years.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1669512/amy-winehouse-toxicology-report.jhtml

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Photos | 2009 American Music Award Nominees

Kid Cudi Gives 'Fright Night' The Music Video Treatment

"Fright Night" doesn't hit theaters for another week still, but that doesn't mean you can't sink your teeth into the vampire thriller a little bit early. Kid Cudi's "No One Believes Me" music video made its grand premiere today, a video that's directly pegged to next week's "Fright Night." Not only does Cudi's latest deal with [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/08/12/fright-night-kid-cudi-no-one-believes-me-video/

Jennifer Garner Jennifer Gimenez Jennifer Love Hewitt Jennifer Morrison Jennifer ODell Jennifer Scholle Jennifer Sky Jenny McCarthy Jessica Alba Jessica Biel Jessica Cauffiel Jessica Paré Jessica Simpson Zooey Deschanel Aaliyah Abbie Cornish Adriana Lima Adrianne Curry Adrianne Palicki Aisha Tyler Aki Ross Alecia Elliott Alessandra Ambrosio Alexis Bledel Ali Campoverdi Ali Larter Alice Dodd Alicia Keys Alicia Witt Amanda Bynes Amanda Detmer Amanda Marcum Amanda Peet Amanda Righetti Amanda Swisten Amber Arbucci Amber Brkich Amber Heard Amber Valletta America Ferrera Amerie Amy Cobb Amy Smart Ana Beatriz Barros Ana Hickmann Ana Ivanovi Ana Paula Lemes Ananda Lewis Angela Marcello Angelina Jolie Anna Faris Anna Friel Anna Kournikova Anna Paquin AnnaLynne McCord Anne Marie Kortright April Scott Arielle Kebbel Ashanti Ashlee Simpson Ashley Greene Ashley Olsen Ashley Scott Ashley Tappin Ashley Tisdale Asia Argento Aubrey ODay Audrina Patridge Autumn Reeser Avril Lavigne Bali Rodriguez Bar Refaeli Beyoncé Bianca Kajlich Bijou Phillips Blake Lively Blu Cantrell Bonnie Jill Laflin Bridget Moynahan Britney Spears Brittany Daniel Brittany Lee Brittany Murphy Brittany Snow Brittny Gastineau Brody Dalle Brooke Burke Brooke Burns Busy Philipps Cameron Diaz Cameron Richardson Camilla Belle Carla Campbell Carla Gugino Carmen Electra Carol Grow Carrie Underwood Cat Power Catherine Bell Chandra West

'The Muppets' New 'Green Album' Streaming Free Online

The Beatles had "The White Album," and now the Muppets have "The Green Album." NPR premiered a first listen of the album today, available for free streaming online at their website. Loaded covers of the show's classic songs by popular musicians Weezer, OK Go, The Fray, My Morning Jacket and Amy Lee, the album gives fans [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/08/15/muppets-green-album/

Alecia Elliott Alessandra Ambrosio Alexis Bledel Ali Campoverdi Ali Larter Alice Dodd Alicia Keys Alicia Witt Amanda Bynes Amanda Detmer Amanda Marcum Amanda Peet Amanda Righetti Amanda Swisten Amber Arbucci Amber Brkich Amber Heard Amber Valletta America Ferrera Amerie Amy Cobb Amy Smart Ana Beatriz Barros Ana Hickmann Ana Ivanovi Ana Paula Lemes Ananda Lewis Angela Marcello Angelina Jolie Anna Faris Anna Friel Anna Kournikova Anna Paquin AnnaLynne McCord Anne Marie Kortright April Scott Arielle Kebbel Ashanti Ashlee Simpson Ashley Greene Ashley Olsen Ashley Scott Ashley Tappin Ashley Tisdale Asia Argento Aubrey ODay Audrina Patridge Autumn Reeser Avril Lavigne Bali Rodriguez Bar Refaeli Beyoncé Bianca Kajlich Bijou Phillips Blake Lively Blu Cantrell Bonnie Jill Laflin Bridget Moynahan Britney Spears Brittany Daniel Brittany Lee Brittany Murphy Brittany Snow Brittny Gastineau Brody Dalle Brooke Burke Brooke Burns Busy Philipps Cameron Diaz Cameron Richardson Camilla Belle Carla Campbell Carla Gugino Carmen Electra Carol Grow Carrie Underwood Cat Power Catherine Bell Chandra West Charisma Carpenter Charli Baltimore Charlies Angels Charlize Theron Chelsea Handler Cheryl Burke China Chow Chloë Sevigny Christina Aguilera Christina Applegate Christina DaRe Christina Milian Christina Ricci Chyler Leigh Ciara Cindy Crawford Cindy Taylor Cinthia Moura Claudette Ortiz Coco Lee Connie Nielsen