Blogamole › B.o.B.

By Michael Lopez

Sure Madonna is great and all, but what about those of us who like a little reggaeton during our football games? Not to worry, Don Omar and Larry Hernandez are hitting Indiana too, to perform at the pre-game Fan Jam.

Sponsored by the NFL and Pepsi, the Fan Jam is expected to build quite a bit of hype before "the big game." El Don and Larry will headline the event on February 1, four days before Sunday's Super Bowl kickoff.

And they won't be holding court just by themselves. Both Alejandra Guzman and Moderatto have agreed to participate in the show, which will be broadcast live for TV. The following day, Fan Jam will continue with performances from Gym Class Heroes and B.o.B.

The best part of all is, tickets for the concerts are absolutely free! If you ask us, that's a lot more economical than the price that the actual Super Bowl is charging. If you want to get a premium seat at Lucas Oil Stadium, it's going to cost you up to $3,000!

Have you ever been to a Super Bowl? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Alejandra Guzman, B.o.B., Blogger: Michael Lopez, Don Omar, Football, Gym Class Heroes, Larry Hernandez, Música, Moderatto, NFL, Sports, Super Bowl, Super Bowl Fan Jam

By Michael Lopez

You know you've arrived when your face gets plastered on one of the music world's most influential magazines. This week, it's Tr3s fave Bruno Mars getting the cover treatment on Billboard and he revealed quite a few tidbits during his in-depth interview.

"It's a rare thing," Bruno confessed about his newfound fame. "Especially in this day, where it"s real hard to sell albums. I'm traveling to places that I've never even heard of and there are all these people singing the songs back."

There is no doubt that Mars is riding high at the moment. His Doo-Wops & Hooligans album is a platinum smash, his singles are dominating the U.S. and Europe, and he's been working with some of the heaviest hitters in the music biz. But Bruno (aka Peter Hernandez) was very open about his early "dues-paying" years.

"There was a lot of rejection," he said.

B.o.B’s 2010 classic "Nothin’ On You" changed all that. After listeners got a taste of Mars' smooth vocals, the buzz began to build. Roughly a year later, he's got a Grammy under his belt and over two million Twitter followers clinging to his every word.

But Bruno was quick to point that all of this success is not going to his head.

"OK. Now I'm here, what's next? A clothing line?", he jokingly said. "That's not what I'm trying to do. It's like, 'Don't be a slut. Remember your dream. Do your music and keep it special.'"

Mars even addressed the notorious drug bust that made tabloid headlines last fall.

"It's something that I wish would go away. It's a cloud that constantly follows me no matter how many achievements. I'd like to move on. To show that I'm here for my music. Not to be in a tabloid."

We couldn't agree more about Bruno's musical talents. Now if only he would get back in the studio and record that Doo Wops followup album!

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

Tags B.o.B., Billboard Magazine, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Bruno Mars, Hot Stuff, Música

By Sugey Palomares

The 53^rd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday featured plenty of OMG moments (and even a few yawns) from our favorite pop stars, rockers, and hip-hop royalty.

Christina Aguilera, Martina McBride, Florence Welch, Yolanda Adams and Jennifer Hudson jumpstarted the celebration with a spectacular tribute to the queen of soul, Aretha Franklin. Newly divorced diva X-Tina dominated the montage, which included such classic divorcée anthems as "Respect" and "Freedom," before slipping and falling on stage (after screwing up the words to the National Anthem at the Super Bowl last Sunday, this hasn't been her best week.)

But while Christina paid homage to old school soul, Lady Gaga, who won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album, channeled her pop predecessor. In a golden latex outfit and high ponytail reminiscent of Madonna's "Express Yourself" attire, Gaga hatched from an egg onstage to perform her latest single "Born This Way."

With performances like these, we almost didn't notice that only one Grammy had been given out in the first 45 minutes.

But we really didn't care when Bruno Mars, B.O.B. and Janelle Monae hit the stage. The breakout stars earned fourteen nominations combined and embodied the modern day rat pack with a soulful rendition of "Grenade." Janelle rocked the stage with her fresh style and energetic performance of "Cold War."

Justin Bieber and Usher kept the energy going with a collaborative performance of The Biebs' new track "Never Say Never" accompanied by blazing fireworks, acrobatics a cameo from Karate Kid star Jayden Smith. Bieber's novia Selena Gomez even presented the award for the Best Pop Vocal Album, for which Justin was nominated. New Kids on the Block member Donny Wahlberg playfully hinted about the young couple's secret romance, but Selena managed to play it off pretty well.

Between Cee Lo Green's peacock outfit (inspired by Lady Gaga perhaps?) and a band of crazy dancing muppets, we weren't really sure where to direct our attention during Green and Gwyneth Paltrow's unexpected performance of "Forget You." And Katy Perry surprised us with a relatively tame Valentine-themed performance of "Teenage Dream."

Hip-hop heavy hitter Eminem and Dr. Dre hyped the doc's new album "Detox" with a chronic performance featuring Rihanna and Skylar Grey. Rihanna shined a second time around with a tropical hip-swaying rendition of "What's My Name," by far the evening's liveliest performance.

In case you missed it, here's a quick recap of the 2011 Grammy Award winners:

Record of the Year: Need You Now, Lady Antebellum

Album of the Year: The Suburbs, Arcade Fire

Song of the Year: "Need You Now," Lady Antebellum

Best New Artist: Esperanza Spalding

Best Pop Vocal Album: The Fame Monster, Lady Gaga

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance: Lady Gaga, "Bad Romance"

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance: Bruno Mars, "Just the Way You Are"

Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals: Train, "Hey, Soul Sister (Live)"

Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals: "Imagine," Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No. 1, Jeff Beck and Oumou Sangare

Best Dance Recording: "Only Girl (In The World)," Rihanna

Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals: "Tighten Up," The Black Keys

Best Hard Rock Performance: "New Fang," Them Crooked Vultures

Best Rock Song: "Angry World," Neil Young

Best Rock Album: "The Resistance," Muse

Best Alternative Music Album: Brothers, The Black Keys

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: "Wake Up! Everybody" John Legend, The Roots, Melanie Fiona and Common

Best Rap Song: "Empire State of Mind," Jay-Z & Alicia Keys

Best Rap Album: Recovery, Eminem

Best Country Collaboration with Vocals: "As She's Walking Away," Zac Brown Band and Alan Jackson

Best Country Song: "Need You Now," Lady Antebellum

Best Country Album: Need You Now, Lady Antebellum

What was your favorite Grammy moment? Tell us in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags 53rd annual Grammy Awards, B.o.B., Bruno Mars, Cee Lo Green, Christina Aguilera, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Grammy Awards, Gwyneth Paltrow, Janelle Monae, Jennifer Hudson, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Selena Gomez, Usher

By Michael Lopez

With countless award shows now honoring pop, rap and rock stars, the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards is asserting its dominance as the biggest music event of them all. This week the Grammy folks announced live performances by the industry’s heaviest hitters, including Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars.

This year's Grammys are expected to be an over-the-top affair. The live event will take place at L.A.’s 20,000-seat Staples Center on Sunday, Feb. 13. And with this line-up, it's sure to be the hottest ticket in town.

Grammy nominees Justin Bieber and Usher will perform with Jaden Smith (sorry, his sister Willow isn't on the roster). Nominee Bruno Mars will make his live Grammy debut, joined by fellow nominees B.o.B and Janelle Monáe. And nominated groups Muse and Lady Antebellum will join a performance roster that already includes nominees Eminem, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Cee Lo Green, Miranda Lambert and Arcade Fire.

See all of this year's Grammy Award nominees.

Who are you most excited to see perform at the Grammys? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Award Shows, B.o.B., Bruno Mars, Celebrities, Eminem, Grammy Awards, Hot Stuff, Janelle Monae, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Música

Tags Alyson Hannigan, B.o.B., Bruno Mars, Chelsea Handler, Conan O'Brien, Courtney Cox, Demi Lovato, Ellen DeGeneres, Enrique Iglesias, Eva Longoria Parker, George Lopez, Jane Lynch, Jonas Brothers, Justin Bieber, Ke$ha, Lopez Tonight, Oprah Winfrey, People's Choice Awards, Selena Gomez, Tina Fey

By Michael Lopez

It looks like it’s going to be quite an eventful week for singer Bruno Mars. Not only is his highly-anticipated debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans getting released, but he was also hit with a serious cocaine charge.

Image: Getty Images

We all got news of his Las Vegas bust a few weeks ago and now it looks like the consequences of that incident are coming into full view. Charged with possessing 2.6 grams of cocaine, Bruno could face a maximum of four years in prison!

Of course, we know celebs usually can work a plea deal and this being his first offense, it’s more likely that Mars will wind up having to pay a stiff fine. Nevertheless, according to the report Bruno (who was booked under his real name, Peter Hernandez) was pretty remorseful, confessing to officers that this was the first time he ever tried the drug.

But enough with the lows, how about some highs? Elektra Records is heavily hyping Bruno’s Doo-Wops release and the success of his chart-topping single, “Just The Way You Are.” In a statement, they said, “We congratulate Bruno Mars on his chart-topping success, and provide him with our full love and support.”

With an album guest list that includes B.o.B. and Cee Lo from Gnarls Barkley, we have the feeling Doo-Wops will Doo just fine regardless.

Doo-Wops & Hooligans dropped this Tuesday (October 5).

Source: [Yahoo]

Are you going to buy Bruno Mars’ “Doo-Wops & Hooligans?” Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags B.o.B., Bruno Mars, Chisme, Doo Wops & Hooligans, Hot Stuff, Música

By Michael Lopez

First Paris Hilton, now this! We’ve got to tell the celebs to keep away from Vegas, because lately Sin City is really living up to its name. Just this past weekend, Latino songwriter and pop singer Bruno Mars got arrested for cocaine possession at the Hard Rock Hotel.

photo via Getty Images

Known his high falsetto and memorable turns on B.o.B. (“Nuthin’ On You”) and Travie McCoy (“Billionaire”) hits, Bruno is rising fast in the music world. His solo single “Just The Way You Are” is currently #3 in the Billboard Hot 100 Charts. Could a setback like this create major rifts with the fans?

So far, he hasn’t addressed the arrest on Twitter and was quick to direct attention to his next gig in Texas. He’s also keeping to his “Saturday Night Live” performance on October 9. In fact, Bruno didn’t even look phased in the notorious mugshot hitting the web:

But the truth is, the charges are serious. Mars was caught with 2.6 grams of cocaine and supposedly got turned in by a Hard Rock bathroom attendant. This appears to be the first time Bruno (aka Peter Hernandez) has had a brush with a law, so it’s unclear what kind of penalties he’ll face. Mars is due back for arraignment on November 18. Stay tuned to Blogamole for all the up-to-the-minute Chisme!

Source: [Billboard]

What do you think about Bruno Mars’ arrest? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags B.o.B., Bruno Mars, Chisme, Dirty Chisme, Hard Rock Hotel, Música, Travis McCoy, Vegas

This year’s MTV Video Music Awards promises to be an epic event! Tienen dudas? Well, adding to the already heavily armed line-up, we’ve got Mr. OMG himself, Usher, coming through to really set it off!

Photo via Getty Images

Usher se une al elenco de grandes artistas who will be performing at the 2010 VMAs, including Kanye West, Drake, Justin Bieber, Paramore, B.o.B, Florence and the Machine, and Eminem. If this isn’t a powerhouse of music superstars, we don’t know what is! You can watch it all go down live on September 12 @ 9pm on MTV.

Y no se olviden, this year’s award for Tr3s Latino Artist of the Year is up for grabs! Choose and vote for your favorite nominee from Aventura, Camila, Daddy Yankee, Pitbull, Shakira, and Wisin y Yandel. You can cast your votes now, y verán el resultado on September 18 @ 5pm when the VMAs will air on Tr3s.

Así que apoyen a su artista favorito, and go cast your votes now!

Excited about catching Usher’s performance at the VMAs? Share your thoughts in the comments below or @MTV3!

Tags 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, Aventura, B.o.B., Camila, Daddy Yankee, drake, Eminem, Justin Bieber, Kanye West, Music, Paramore, Pitbull, Shakira, Tr3s Latino Artist of the Year, Usher, VMAs, Wisin y Yandel

By Simone Hilliard

Has Bieber fever died down? Looks like another young protégé of a big Atlanta star owned the No. 1 spot on the Billboard album chart last week.

B.o.B, a smooth-voiced 21-year-old crooner under the wing of rapper T.I., reached the top spot with his debut album, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray, which sold 84,000 copies according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Thanks to the success of his singles "Nothin' on You" and "Airplanes" (currently at number 2 and 7 on Billboard's Hot 100 list respectively), B.o.B is only the second hip-hop artist to debut in the top spot in 2010 (Ludacris did it back in March with his Battle of the Sexes album) and only the third since September of last year, when Jay-Z's The Blueprint 3 dominated the landscape.

B.o.B, whose real name is Bobby Ray Simmons, is certainly on a roll right now, but the upstart hip-hop star, almost didn't get his hands on the Bruno Mars-assisted "Nothin' on You."

The record, produced by the Smeezingtons (Bruno Mars and songwriting partner Phillip Lawrence), was originally slated for Lupe Fiasco, B.o.B's Atlantic Records labelmate. According to producer Jim Jonsin, who signed B.o.B to his Rebel Rock imprint, he was responsible for redirecting the record to his artist.

"I was actually working on a session in Chung King [Studios], and [Atlantic Records chairman] Craig Kallman called me during that session with that particular track, to work on it for Lupe Fiasco. I told Craig, 'I like the song a lot. It's a smash and could be somebody's single. But it's not Lupe's record. I need this record for B.o.B. Please give this record to B.o.B.' I guess they went through whoever they went through, convinced whoever they needed to, and it got to B.o.B."

We've got more on B.o.B's rise to the top, after the jump! Read more...

Tags B.o.B., B.o.B. Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray, Billboard, charts