Blogamole › Música

By Michael Lopez

Ok, so maybe being a pop singer didn't quite work out for Paris Hilton. That doesn't mean she's done with the music world. In fact, the 31-year-old socialite is planning her DJ debut this summer in Brazil.

Hilton has confirmed her performance at Sao Paulo's Pop Music Festival in June. The massive concert will also feature appearances from Jennifer Lopez and Kelly Clarkson, though not behind the DJ booth.

Paris will reportedly be the one spinning at the event and she's actually got quite a good coach. Her current boyfriend is Swedish House-master Afrojack, who gave her a taste of the turntables at this year's Miami Ultra Fest.

"I have been a part of the music scene and club scene since I was 15,” Hilton said when asked about her new career. "It's something I have been passionate about and have come to respect very much. I am very excited to share all of my hard work with the world."

Do you think Paris would make a good DJ? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Afrojack, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Brazil, Celebrities, DJs, Música, Paris Hilton

By Michael Lopez

Ever since his concert in Mexico last Sunday, Sir Paul McCartney has been building a ton of buzz in the mariachi world. A video of him jamming with Mariachi Gamma has already gotten thousands of hits, particularly for their lively rendition of "Ob-la-di, Ob-la-dah."

Amazingly, over 200,000 people attended McCartney's Mexico show. The massive set included solo hits like "Jet" and "Live and Let Die" mixed with Beatles classics like "Let It Be" and "Hello Goodbye."

Paul actually hit quite a few Latin American stops with his On The Run tour. Back in April, he made his way through Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia and Brazil. Mexico City's Zócalo venue was his final epic stop.

And McCartney certainly made that show a memorable one. Clearly the Mexican horns and accordions were a highlight and perhaps they’ll influence him to incorporate mariachi sounds into his next album.

What's your favorite Paul McCartney song? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Mariachi Gamma, Mariachis, Música, Mexico, On The Run Tour, Paul McCartney

By Michael Lopez

Students at New York's Celia Cruz High School got quite a thrill this week. In between Math and History class, they were treated to a live performance from the one-and-only Juanes!

The Colombian rocker dropped by to play some unplugged songs and promote the importance of education. His appearance worked in conjunction with the Latin Grammy in Schools Program.

"Keep studying, that is the key to everything," he told the cheering teens. "You have the opportunity to change the world. The world is completely crazy, so art is so important. Everyday is a great opportunity to create something different."

Over 100 students got to see El Rockero strut his stuff. Throughout the brief set, he broke into acoustic performances of "Me Enamora," "La Camisa Negra" and his newest hit, "La Señal." Thankfully for the rest of us, there is still a fantastic opportunity to see Juanes go Unplugged again.

Have you ever seen Juanes perform live? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Agentes De Cambio, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Celia Cruz High School, Hot Stuff, Juanes, Latin Grammy In Schools, Música

By Ikam Acosta

Attention all aspiring Latino recording artists, Dame Un Break is back and looking for fresh new talent. If you or someone you know would like to get discovered and receive a chance to get their music video promoted by MTV Tr3s, you won't want to miss this opportunity.

All you have  to do is submit your track to Dame Un Break on Tr3s before June 18, 2012 for a chance to win a one-day recording session with a Grammy-winning producer. Winners will also have a chance to get their own music video filmed in Los Angeles, with round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, and ground transportation included.

All artists are encouraged to enter Dame Un Break and upload their best tracks. Fans can also visit the Dame Un Break page and vote for their favorite artists. Registration is required, but don't worry, it's free. All you have to do is join as an artist or a fan, and go from there.

The voting period for audition videos will take place from July 2 through July 16, but make sure you get your tracks uploaded by June 18 in order to qualify. Contest winners will be announced in late July. Muchísima suerte!

Do you know any aspiring artists who would make kick-ass rock stars?

Tags Blogger: Ikam Acosta, Contests, Dame un Break, Música, Tr3s

By Omar Paredes

Chuck Brown, the Godfather of go-go funk music, died Wednesday (May 16) at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore after suffering complications from pneumonia. He was 75.

Brown is considered the man that pioneered go-go, a unique mix of funk, soul and Latin party sounds that became synonymous with our nation's capital.

Particularly hip-hop artists have embraced the art form through the years. Wale, a rapper on Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group and DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) native, used to rap heavily over go-go beats.

In the late ’80s the group EU (Experience Unlimited) released the song “Da Butt” which was huge among hip-hop fans. The song is go-go at its finest.

Addressing the loss of Brown, Gregory "Sugar Bear" Elliott, lead singer of EU said,

"Chuck Brown is going to live on forever. I'm going to make sure of that. When they see me, I want them to see a reflection of Chuck because he inspired me so much."

As a member of ‘70s band The Soul Searchers, Brown made music that would serve as inspiration to many in the future.

Super-producers The Neptunes sampled Brown’s 1978 hit song “Bustin’ Loose” to produce Nelly’s 2002 smash single, “Hot In Herre”.

And in 2007, Swizz Beatz sampled another of Brown's classics "Blow Your Whistle," to craft rapper Eve’s hit single "Tambourine".

Chuck Brown may be gone, but his music will continue to play on.

What is your favorite Chuck Brown song?

Tags blogger: Omar Paredes, Chuck Brown, Eve, Nelly, Rick Ross, Swizz Beatz, The Neptunes, Wale

By Omar Paredes

If you’re a hip-hop fan like I am, you’ve probably asked yourself at some point, “Whatever happened to DMX?” Plagued by legal issues and jail stints over the last few years, DMX has pretty much remained absent from the rap game. That is, until now.

On Tuesday (May 15^th), Dark Man X released The Weigh In EP in form of an online download. It’s really the first source of music we’ve heard from the Yonkers rapper since he dropped his last album Year of the Dog… Again, six years ago.

Speaking with MTV News over the phone, DMX commented on his return saying,

“The focus is on taking the music seriously, as a job, and less trouble.”

The Weigh In serves as a warm-up to DMX’s full-length album Undisputed scheduled to release on June 26^th. “Everywhere I go people are like, ‘When’s the album droppin’? When’s the album droppin’?’ So I was just like, lemme hit ‘em with something, let them know, give them a little appetizer of what it’s gonna be like,” he said of The Weigh In.

The 11-track EP features guest appearances by Snoop Dogg and Tyrese, while Lil’ Wayne even makes a cameo on an interlude. It’s good to know DMX can still call in a few favors from his industry pals. He said,

“I appreciate the fact that the love is still there. I look forward to working with more artists. I normally don’t work with too many artists, but these have always been friends of mine.”

With five consecutive albums having debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, the title for his highly anticipated Undisputed album seems quite fitting. We’ll have to wait and see if DMX can earn another notch on his belt when the album drops, but for now The Weigh In is in session.

Do you think DMX still has enough bark in him to make a successful comeback?

Tags blogger: Omar Paredes, DMX, Lil Wayne, MTV NEws, Snoop Dogg, The Weigh In, Tyrese, Undisputed

By Ikam Acosta

Little Monsters in Indonesia will be disappointed that Lady Gaga will have to cancel a June 3 concert in Jakarta because she was denied a permit to perform by several religious and political leaders.

Conservative politicians are uniting with Islamic leaders to protest Gaga's performance, citing the suggestiveness of her clothes and dance moves as the cause for their dislike of the artist. The political and religious protesters fear that Gaga might taint the moral fabric of Indonesia and corrupt their nation's youth.

There were threats of physical force to keep Lady Gaga from even setting foot off the plane. Police were worried they were unable to guarantee the singer's safety, causing them to suggest the best thing for Gaga's well-being was for her concert permit to be denied.

One ticket-holder lamented how the government caved into social pressures, saying,

"I'm very disappointed. We are mature enough to be able to separate our own moral values from arts and culture."

Lady Gaga has also faced opposition from other groups, such as conservative Christians, forcing some of her shows to be adults-only. She faced protests during her kickoff of the Born This Way Ball in South Korea, but went forward with the show after abiding by the adults only rule.

Have you ever seen Lady Gaga in concert? Is she too risque?

Tags Blogger: Ikam Acosta, Lady Gaga, Música

By Ikam Acosta

Singing legend Barbara Streisand just signed a $30 million Sony contract and there is word that she might be teaming up with Rihanna and Adele for future collaborations.

According to a source,

"Streisand has been approached by label execs to record an album of duets with young, hip artists, including Adele and Rihanna. Industry sources say the move would aim to [boost] Babs' appeal with more youthful record buyers beyond core Streisand fans."

A duet with RiRi and Adele could give Babs just the revival she needs by appealing to a younger generation and help her break through hipper social media outlets and the realm of mp3s used by a different audience. Collaboration could bring great things for Barbara, and also for the other artists as well, who may be gaining an older more mature fan base.

This type of collaboration was successfully accomplished by Tony Bennett back in 2011, when he released duets with Amy Winehouse, Mariah Carey, and Carrie Underwood. Joining a music legend with a fresh new sound brings music lovers the best of both musical worlds.

Who would you want to hear Babs do a duet with?

Tags Adele, Amy Winehouse, Babara Streisand, Blogger: Ikam Acosta, Carrie Underwood, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Tony Bennett

By Omar Paredes

Maná is undoubtedly the greatest Latin rock band of all time. Fans of the Mexican group may even argue that they are the best rock band period. After seeing them perform live this past weekend, I can see why.

Maná made the last stop on their Drama y Luz tour a memorable one at the American Airlines Arena here in Miami, FL. It was the perfect venue to close out the U.S. leg of their tour that kicked off back in April in Hidalgo, TX, making stops in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Denver along the way.

With thousands of fans in attendance, Maná played hit song after hit song, opening the show with "Oye Mi Amor", one of their most popular songs from their early album Donde Jugaran Los Niños?

Accompanied by fellow band mates Alex Gonzalez (drums), Sergio Vallín (lead guitar), and Juan Calleros (bass), lead singer Fher Olvera played to the crowd like a true performer, engaging them every so often with shouts like "Que viva Miami!" and "Dónde está mi gente de latinoamérica?" to which the crowd would roar. At one point, Olvera even challenged the crowd to scream louder saying "Es verdad que Miami hace más bulla que Los Ángeles y Nueva York?” On cue, the crowd erupted.

The show included fireworks, flames, and very impressive solo numbers on behalf of the drummer and lead guitarist. Also, as part of a contest one lucky fan got the chance of a lifetime and performed alongside the Maná with his guitar in hand, garnering cheers from the audience.

One of the highlights of the performance was when Olvera proclaimed loudly "Maná está en contra de la ley de Arizona!" then proceeded to unroll a flag that at first appeared to be the Mexican flag, but as he kept unrolling and waving it in the air, you can see that it included all the flags of Latin America. There wasn't a silent mouth in the place.

The crowd throughout the entire show seemed to sing back up to all of Maná's hits. The depth of the group's music catalog was impressive. They dug deep into their repertoire of hits and with each number the crowd cheered with approval. From classics like "De Pies a Cabeza", "Clavado En Un Bar" and "Rayando El Sol" to their latest smash single "El Verdadero Amor Perdona", Maná delivered a show for the ages.

My personal favorite part was the encore. As the crowd waited in anticipation, Maná ran back on stage to the melody of "Corazón Espinado", a song off of Carlos Santana's Multi Grammy-award winning album Supernatural, which Maná was featured on. With that right there, Maná sealed the deal, turning the concert into an absolute 'fiesta'.

A stellar performance by a legendary group. Three decades worth of music and Maná shows no signs of slowing down. With too many hit records to count and a devoted fan base of millions all over the U.S. and Latinoámerica, Maná may very well be the best rock band out there. Period.

What's your favorite Maná song?

Tags blogger: Omar Paredes, Carlos Santana, Drama Y Luz, Mana, Rock

By Ikam Acosta

Country singer Loretta Lynn announced that the lovely singer/actress Zooey Deschanel will be portraying Lynn in the Broadway play Coal Miner's Daughter.

Deschanel would interpret Lynn's dramatic rise to stardom all the way back from her beginnings in backwoods Kentucky. Sissy Spacek played the same role in the 1980 film, and it earned her an Oscar. Maybe Zooey will nail it and get an Academy Award as well.

Lynn announced Deschanel's role in the Broadway play while the two met onstage to sing Loretta's signature song, 'Coal Miner's Daughter.' Lynn made the announcement in Nashville's Ryman Auditorium in front of a large crowd. There is still no official word on how the two connected and decided to go forward with the Coal Miner's Daughter role.

Zooey also broke the good news by posting an Instagram photo of herself and Loretta, with the caption,

"Loretta Lynn asked me to do "coal miner's daughter" on Broadway! I said YES!"

Congratulations, Zooey! That must be exciting. Deschanel currently stars in the hit FOX sitcom, New Girl, which has had amazing success in its first season.

Are you excited to see Zooey Deschanel star in a Broadway play?

Tags Blogger: Ikam Acosta, Broadway, Coal Miner's Daughter Sissy Spacek, Loretta Lynn, Zooey Deschanel