Get ready to watch and re-watch this year’s concert movie event of a lifetime: Michael Jackson’s This Is It will come to TV via MTV Networks in 2011. Check the press release below for more info:

MTV Networks has acquired the exclusive United States television rights to air one of the most anticipated films of the year — Michael Jackson’s This Is It.

The critically acclaimed and commercially successful film becomes available to MTV Networks in 2011, and continuing through the entire six-year network window. The deal includes all domestic channels under the MTV Networks umbrella, including MTV, VH1, VH1 Classic and Palladia and rounds out the music networks’ commitment to celebrating the life and legacy of Michael Jackson. The arrangement also extends to Viacom’s BET Networks, including its newest channel, Centric. Channels and premiere dates will be announced at a later time.

“The film is a true testament to Michael’s musical genius, passion and commitment to his craft,” said Van Toffler, President of the MTV Networks Music Group. “Michael Jackson has always been inextricably tied to our viewers as they witnessed his evolution from a talented performer to a global icon who redefined music. Now, with this film, we can help give his fans a chance to see his final performance.”

This Is It, premiered nationwide on October 28, earning the No. 1 box office spot for the weekend and offering Jackson fans and music lovers everywhere a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer as he developed, created and rehearsed for his sold-out, historic comeback concerts that would have kicked off this past summer at London’s O2 Arena. Chronicling from March through June, 2009, the film is produced with the full support of the Estate of Michael Jackson and drawn from more than one hundred hours of behind the scenes footage, featuring Jackson rehearsing numerous songs for the show. Audiences are given a privileged and private look at Jackson as he was never before seen. In raw and candid detail, Michael Jackson’s This Is It is the last documentation of Michael Jackson at work, capturing the singer, dancer, filmmaker, architect, creative genius and great artist at work.

Kenny Ortega, who was both Michael Jackson’s creative partner for the concert tour and the director of the stage show serves as the film’s director, and Randy Phillips, Kenny Ortega and Paul Gongaware are producers. Executive producers are John Branca and John McClain. The film is being distributed worldwide by Sony Pictures Releasing. One of the best reviewed film of the year, Michael Jackson’s This Is It has already reached $222.6 million in box office receipts worldwide.

The deal was brokered by Sony Pictures Television and Ben Zurier, Executive Vice President, Program Strategy, VH1, VH1 Classic & Palladia for MTV Networks. MTV Networks will also collaborate with Sony Pictures Entertainment in marketing the DVD release of the film in early 2010.

Get it while it’s hot! The extended music video for Beyonce’s latest single, “Video Phone,” debuted this morning at 12:01AM. Enjoy lots of slithering and shaking by B in a variety of belly-baring ensembles, as well as a cameo chair dance by a svelte Lady Gaga in a white leotard. We can’t think of a better way to kick off your Tuesday.

We’ve got it - your first look at Beyonce’s new video for “Video Phone,” featuring Lady Gaga. Watch the 30 seconds of goodness above, and then check VH1.com tonight at midnight for the world premiere of the entire video.

VH1 favorite Shakira is premiering a new video for her single “Give It Up For Me” before her album She Wolf is released on Nov. 23. The video is all about dancing, mixing an unlikely combination of Jamaican dancehall, stepping and traditional Thai dance. This polyglot of styles may not seem surprising coming from a Colombian-born pop star of Lebanese, Italian and Spanish descent who speaks five languages.

But what’s unusual — and smart, too! — is that Shakira’s debuting her new video simultaneously on her Facebook and Ustream, allowing her social media-savvy fans to chat via Twitter (use @shakira), Facebook, MySpace or AIM. Huge props to the record label for allowing unfiltered comments to be posted to the singer’s Facebook — because not 100% of them are positive.

Produced by Timbaland, “Give It Up For Me” features Lil Wayne. Watch a 15-second sneak peek of the video above and join the conversation after the jump. Plus, check back here at 3pm to watch the live premiere.

Read the rest of this entry »

Calling all wannabe DJs! Do you want to work with Will.i.am on the official remix of LMFAO’s electro hit “La La La”? A few weeks ago, we told you to enter the Pepsi Refresh Studio to create a mix and one of our favorites to come from that is embedded above.  Below, watch the music video for “La La La” after the jump, then enter the Refresh Studio here.

Read the rest of this entry »

CLICK HERE to check out our new interactive timeline of Music Milestones: 1985 - 2009, presented by AT&T. From the ascent of The Boss through the grunge revolution, the  Brit Pop Revival and the death of The King of Pop, see important moments in music history!

In the pop music universe, a Beyonce/Lady Gaga collaboration is like two supernovas colliding. We’re scared that such a project would spark a spontaneous black hole and suck the whole world into one of Lady Gaga’s giant hats. Turns out, the two megastars have already secretly shot a video for Beyonce’s “Video Phone (Extended Remix)” in Brooklyn last week — and not even the paparazzi got close enough to snap pics of the costumes or the set. It’s rumored that Beyonce wears a “feathered dress” and Gaga sports “something wild” (shocker!). Tune in to VH1 at 6PM on Thursday or check back here  to watch the music video premiere.

If you’re a bedroom DJ who wants to take it to the next level, try working your magic on LMFAO’s club banger “La La La” in Pepsi’s Refresh Studio. Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas will review submissions and pick his favorite to create one official remix. One of our favorite remixes so far is by ENZ, a duo combining funky keys and fearless vocals. Think you can top it? Enter the Refresh Studio here.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and one of the most interesting and poignant survivor stories we’ve heard comes to us by way of VH1’s That Metal Show, and Kiss drummer Peter Criss (aka, the one with the painted-on cat face). Breast cancer is commonly known as a women’s cancer, but Criss is part of the 1% of men who get the disease each year. In this clip, he discusses his diagnosis, surgery and his commitment to raising awareness about the disease among men.

“That’s pretty much why I’m here,” he tells the Metal Show guys.  “I’d like to see some kind of change for guys. It’s 1 percent now, but trust me, if you don’t pay attention to this, [it'll be] 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent and that just keeps going up. It’s a horrible disease. It’s nothing to fool around with.”

Watch above.

Many of you in our Hip Hop Honors Live Blog Party are asking questions about the show, sometimes the same questions, and sometimes three or four or 15 times! So we’ve compiled this cheat sheet to hopefully answer your every curiosity.

Q. When is the show?
A. Tonight (10/13) at 9PM EST on VH1.

Q. Can I watch it online?
A. You’ll be able to watch the full show online starting at 2AM EST tonight (10/14).

Q. Will the red carpet be televised?
A. No. The red carpet will not be televised. But you can check out photos from the red carpet here.

Q. Who are this year’s performers?
A. The Roots, Ludacris, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Rick Ross, Ja Rule, Gym Class Heroes, DMX, Redman, Method Man, ONYX, Public Enemy, Foxy Brown, Ashanti, Warren G, Kid Rock and others.

Read the rest of this entry »

VH1 is teaming up with Fab 5 Freddy, Amerie and Global Grind to live blog tonight’s VH1 Hip Hop Honors (9/8c). Hosted by Tracy Morgan (a.k.a. Scoopy “Dumplin Butts” Giles), this year’s show pays homage to Def Jam’s 25th anniversary. So it goes without saying the lineup will be hot! Performers include The Roots, Ludacris, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Rick Ross, Ja Rule, Gym Class Heroes, DMX, Redman, Method Man, ONYX, Public Enemy, Foxy Brown, Ashanti, Warren G, Kid Rock and others. Join our live blog party  at 8/7c.