Santigold Gets Real On Master Of My Make-Believe

New album is about 'accepting that your fantasy is actually your reality,' Santi tells MTV News.
By James Montgomery


Santigold

When it came time for Santigold to begin work on the follow-up to her breakout self-titled debut, she had to change more than just her name; she had to readjust her entire view on reality.

"I really had to get a grasp on what the process was for this record ... and what I was experiencing. And, really, the process for me of making this record was mastering my make-believe," she said. "It was really about navigating through my own reality; navigating through my mind, my emotions and realizing that I was in control. I had to trust my vision and my creativity and really own the art I was making and own my experience in life, and claim it. I really do believe that our view on the world is what the world is; how we view ourselves is what we are ... we really are in control of our lives and ourselves and our world, but only if we take control."

And take control she does on the upcoming Master of My Make-Believe, an album that is, first and foremost, a mission statement, Santi's ode to self-empowerment and self-awareness. But despite what the title may suggest, it is most definitely not an escapist fantasy. Rather than withdraw from the increasingly surreal times in which we live, she's suggesting we do the complete opposite.

"It's about accepting that your fantasy is actually your reality, and trusting your imagination, and trusting that your imagination is actually a real sense of knowing," she explained. "It was my second record, so I really wrongly thought I had it all under control going into it. I was like, 'OK, I got this, I know how to make a record, I know who I'm working with,' so the first thing was to realize that was completely wrong. The other thing was, last time I had John Hill sort of as my partner throughout the record; I worked with a lot of people, but John was always there. This time, the only person that was always there was me. That was a big change, and I had to grow into accepting that. It took a tremendous amount of trust in myself."

While all that may lead you to believe that Make-Believe is all heady and conceptual, well, take a listen to first single a staggering, swaggering slab of electro strut (courtesy of producer Ricky Blaze) and guitar stabs (courtesy of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Nick Zinner) that is — as Santi put it — very much "for the clubs." But it's also a lot more.

"That song took me, like, three months to write the lyrics. First, Ricky sent me a track that was amazing, and visually, it reminded me of this day when me, Diplo and John Hill went out on this boat, and John was seasick; he was throwing up over the side," she laughed. "And we were going really fast on this speedboat, and I was just holding on, sitting cross-legged on the very front of the boat, and my body was just, like, flying, like I could have been thrown off at any minute. And this guy was playing this old reggae through these little speakers, and it was blown out and distorted, and it was such a visual memory that stayed with me, and this song kind of felt like that.

"But lyrically, I was trying to talk about what I want for the world and what I want people to be," she continued. "The youth are the hope of the future, and I want people to have the courage to trust their own vision and instincts and make up the truth for themselves and question what's told to them."

Will you check out Santigold's new project? Let us know in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1680359/santigold-master-of-my-make-believe.jhtml

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Cee Lo Green Announces Las Vegas Residency

'The Voice' judge will headline 'Cee Lo Green Presents Loberace' at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino starting in August.
By Kara Warner


Cee Lo Green
Photo: Getty Images

As if Grammy-nominated recording artist and "Voice" judge Cee Lo GreenCee Lo Green didn't already have enough on his plate, the man is taking his act to Las Vegas, where he will headline "Cee Lo Green Presents Loberace," at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino beginning August 29.

The "F--- You" singer announced via his website Friday (March 2) that his show will "take you on a ride through the colorful decades of music, stopping at legendary moments in time, from Prince to Blue Magic to The Rolling Stones, new wave to disco and beyond," according to the news announcement on the site. "Visually, the production will combine Cee Lo's flamboyant sense of style & over-the-top creativity, magnified and intensified, with his soulful voice covering some of his favorite music, as well as original songs. Part dance party, part live intimate concert, this energetic, exotic show will be as inspired and visually alive as Cee Lo Green. There will be mind-twisting magic and sexified showgirls, and the larger-than-life wardrobe and impressive stage design will out-glam and out-clever anything you've seen from this Muppet-ized, sequin-styled international Lady Killer to date."

Cee Lo's "alter ego" is a nod to legendary and flamboyant showman Liberace, a world-renowned vocalist and pianist famous for both his talent and his outlandish fashion. The Goodie Mob rapper and Gnarls Barkley singer has been front and center in the world of music and pop culture over the past couple of years thanks to the success of his hit single "F--- You" and the subsequent duet with Gwyneth Paltrow that was born on "Glee" and received special "Muppet-ized" treatment at the Grammys last year.

And don't forget the success of "The Voice" and Cee Lo's recent involvement in the Super Bowl halftime show with Madonna.

"Cee Lo Green Presents Loberace," begins its first of 28 shows on Wednesday, August 29, and goes through December 9.

Will you check out Cee Lo's Vegas show? Let us know in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1680374/cee-lo-green-las-vegas-planet-hollywood.jhtml

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Alessandra Ambrosio & Anja: Coldwater Canyon Cuties

Expectant model Alessandra Ambrosio and her adorable 3-year-old daughter Anja were spotted spending the day at Coldwater Canyon Park in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Thursday (March 1). The mother-daughter duo spent the whole afternoon at the playground to the stars and enjoyed time on the swings and climbing frame. They also displayed some fancy footwork in a friendly soccer game. Judging by Anja's big smile, I'd say she had a great time.

After a fun-filled afternoon in the sun, the pretty pair stopped for a cool treat of Menchie's frozen yogurt before they headed home.

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Source: http://celebritybabyscoop.com/2012/03/02/alessandra-ambrosio-anja-parkin-it

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Reese Witherspoon Talks To Her Kids About Chris Brown And Rihanna To Teach Them About Domestic Violence

Reese Witherspoon is a big supporter in the fight against domestic violence. This week she appeared at the World Conference of Women’s Shelters in Washington, D.C., as part of her partnership with the Avon Foundation. She candidly discussed the issue, and told everyone how she talks to her two children, Ava who is 12, and [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/pinkisthenewblog/~3/rS-bOaYaQ7Q/

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Nicki Minaj Promises Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Is A 'Doozy'

'It's gonna be important for just hip-hop culture and pop culture,' Minaj tells MTV News.
By Rob Markman


Nicki Minaj
Photo: MTV News

Playtime is over and on her latest single, "Roman Reloaded," Nicki Minaj returned to the rapid-fire rhyming that first got her noticed on hip-hop's mixtape circuit.

The Rico Beats-produced banger features pounding drums, well-timed gunshot effects and plenty of tough talk from Nicki and her Young Money boss Lil Wayne. It's a far cry from last year's "Super Bass" and the Harajuku Barbie's RedOne-produced pop-affair "Starships."

"That's just a preview of what's to come on the album. I know what people need right now," Nicki told MTV News in her dressing room at the Amway Center after her NBA All-Star Game performance on Sunday.

Anticipation is building for Nick's sophomore LP, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, and with a little more than a month left before it is released, many are still unsure which direction the Young Money star will take. Will the album sound more like the title track or "Starships"? Of course, there is always a middle ground. "April 3 is gonna be a doozy. It's gonna be crazy," Nicki said of her album release date. "It's gonna be important for just hip-hop culture and pop culture. It's gonna be very big."

On Thursday (March 1), Nicki unveiled her Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded album cover via Twitter. The colorful album art shows the reigning rap queen with blond hair and a mix of pink, purple and green paint covering her face.

What are you expecting from Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded? Tell us in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1680274/nicki-minaj-roman-reloaded-release.jhtml

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Scarlett Johansson Signs On for ?Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho?

She?s always up for a challenge, and Scarlett Johansson will play actress Janet Leigh in ?Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho.?

The ?In Good Company? cutie is the perfect choice for the part, especially given Leigh?s legendary nude shower hacking scene.

Also on board for the Sacha Gervasi-directed, John J. McLaughin-written project are Anthony Hopkins, James D?Arcy, and Helen Mirren.

?Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho? will look at the filmmaker?s decision to self-fund ?Psycho? and the process by which the movie was created.

Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/scarlett-johansson/scarlett-johansson-signs-%E2%80%9Calfred-hitchcock-and-making-psycho%E2%80%9D-590965

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'Jersey Shore' Spin-Off -- Baby Stores Put on Snooki Alert

Forget boozy nightclubs and bar fights -- mama Snooki's new "Jersey Shore" spin-off will be all about the guido growing in her uterus ... in fact, one Jersey City baby store has already been contacted by producers about shooting on location.The…

Source: http://www.tmz.com/2012/03/02/jersey-shore-snooki-spin-off-baby-stores/

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