When we think Somaya Reece, we think of a strong woman, a boss b—h who will go head to head if she must. Which is why it’s so cute to see her freak out on her blog after having a Twitter conversation with her favorite artist, Missy Elliott. Somaya wrote a blog post last week detailing the situation. The Love And Hip Hop star explains:
My 2012 highlight moment: Missy Elliott is my musical inspiration, she broke down all the barriers that Hollywood built, she is an inspiration to the youth and her story is touching, she has overcome so much I just love and relate to her so much. I was on Twitter late last night writing to fans and I tweeted her. I seriously had NO IDEA she would even read to or have any clue who little ole me was. To my SHOCK she tweeted me back, I literally shed a tear and screamed. I am so humbled and still smiling so big right now.
She wrote to Missy “I can’t wait for @MissyElliott to tearrrrrr up 2012! I FRIKKIN <3 U!" and Elliott wrote back "Aww so sweet of you! I am humbly grateful 4 your kind words it means more than u could ever know! Thank u!" Somaya even grabbed the screenshot (above). We love how excited Somaya is, and we love how grateful and gracious Elliott is. Somaya also writes on her blog about her absence on the show this season and gives a detailed explanation about what she's been up to. Fortunately, she will be on the season finale which airs Monday night at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
There might not be anyone who is as endearing, fashionable, and well-connected as La La Vasquez. Yes, she’s a humble “basketball wife,” but she’s spent years as a radio DJ and later a VJ at MTV, and she’s now an actress and style icon in her own right. Basically she’s done it all, worn it all, and hung out with some amazingly cool people at the same time. As a tribute to her evolving style and her lasting friendships in show business, we’ve created a mega-gallery of La La through the years, from her early days at MTV where she was a jeans and t-shirt gal, to her Full Court Wedding, to today, where she can hold her own at Fashion Week with the best of the best, like her pals Beyonce, Russell Simmons, Kelly Rowland, and of course, Po and Dice.
We’ve been anxious to hear Unbroken, the forthcoming album from September’s VH1 Posted artist Demi Lovato, for some time, and one track in particular had us very curious: “All Night Long,” a song produced by, and featuring, Missy Elliott and Timbaland. Now, less than a week before the album’s release, the track is streaming via Unbroken 9/20.net, a splash page for DemiLovato.com with a handy release-date reminder address.
Lovato gave a good capsule summary of the collaboration when she spoke to MTV News two weeks ago: “It’s about staying up all night long and singing it to the boy that you like, and it’s flirty and fun and it’s not too grown-up, but it’s grown-up enough.” Despite the heavy-hitters’ contributions, Lovato is indisputably the star of the show, and she’s certainly got her pop-song flirt-mode on lock (“I like you, put your number in my phone/ Yeah, you heard me right, so call me when you’re all alone”). Missy Elliott, who has always had a knack for being raunchy yet radio-friendly (remember the elephant noise on “Work It”?) nevertheless dials it back for her verse (“Will you be my type by the end of the night?/ We can pillow fight”) in order to match that vibe without compromising her voice. Timbaland’s highly processed vocal contributions provide the hook and various interjections for Lovato to play off. In short? It’s super fun.
Aaliyah’s mystique was transcendental even before she tragically passed ten years ago today, so it’s not surprising that the impression she left and music she made continues to cause a rippling impact on music culture. For fans, her music was the backdrop to their lives, scoring everything from fun-filled rooftop dance parties to the moments when boots were knocked. Her peers in the music industry held her in the highest of regards, and those close to her have, for years, commented on her spirit’s ability to penetrate and inspire.
Having never met R&B’s trail-blazing beauty, Young Money’s Draketweeted to Aaliyah just last night, nodding at his belief that she is, like an angel, actively guiding him through his career. But Drake is certainly not alone in sending messages out into the ether to celebrate the late singer; in an era where grieving is often done in a public forum, we’re lucky to be privy to a layer of digital mourning that, before social media, we may not have experienced. We’ll be adding to this post throughout the day, so take a look at the tweets and iconic photos below from the likes of close collaborators like Timbaland, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, and more. And please, by all means, feel free to share your memories and tweets of Aaliyah with us in the comments as well.
When Monica and Rick Ross talked to MTV a year ago about collaborating, their mutual admiration society vibe didn’t exactly lend credence to the possibility. Yet here we are! Missy Elliott, reinvigorated after being away from the game to attend to her health issues, flips another Notorious B.I.G. track, and once again, Lil’ Kim is also on board. (In 2007, it was a “Juicy” sample for Keyshia Cole‘s “Let It Go”; this time around Missy reworks “Who Shot Ya.”)
We were pretty disappointed to report that Watch the Throne won’t be released on Monday, so we thought, since you might feel the same way, we’d offer a few listening alternatives:
The false rumors had it that Watch the Throne would have a surprise digital release, which actually isn’t a bad strategy, as far as avoiding leaks is concerned. In fact, Lil B did exactly that two days ago; his new album I’m Gay showed up for sale on iTunes late Wednesday night. “I Hate Myself,” the album’s eighth track, samples a monster hit from a 1998 soundtrack. See if you can guess it without clicking. (Hint: the song holds the record for most weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart.)
For more thoughts on Lil B, click over to The Awl, where Dave Bry used “three makes a trendpiece” logic to talk about how young rappers like Lil B, Tyler the Creator, and Drake are referencing Marvin Gaye in order to permit themselves to talk about their feelings (while punning on the Motown legend’s last name). Or check the rave review penned by Lupe Fiasco, whose video for “Out of My Head,” featuring Trey Songz, premiered yesterday on MTV.
MISSY ELLIOTT SPEAKS ON HER BEHIND THE MUSIC EPISODE: “I THOUGHT, ‘LET ME REINTRODUCE MYSELF’” Missy Elliott talked to Gerrick D. Kennedyat Pop & Hiss about her ongoing collaboration with Timbaland, the legacy of Aaliyah, and her Behind the Music episode, which premieres tonight at 10PM ET/PT. Also check out our sneak peeks of the episode, which will get you excited for the episode, and also remind you that Missy looks like a Gmail Robot in the video for “Sock It 2 Me.” [Pop & Hiss/LAT]
Missy Elliott Shares Graves Disease Diagnosis Billboard reports that in an interview with the upcoming issue of People, Missy Elliott reveals that she was diagnosed with the thyroid disorder Graves disease in 2008, the aggressive treatment plan for which left little time for music. Elliott speaks about her battle with the autoimmune disorder in the season premiere of Behind the Music, airing Wednesday, June 29, at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Justin Bieber And His Security Team Attack A Plainclothes New York City Cop
Ninety minutes ago, at an appearance at Macy’s in Herald Square in Manhattan, Justin Bieber went outside, reportedly to apologize to the massive crowd that could not come inside due to fire code. As the throng of screaming Beliebers pressed against the barriers, an undercover cop ran towards Bieber to protect him—only, neither Bieber nor his security knew the guy was a cop. Onlookers across the street caught the incident on film and, naturally, uploaded it to YouTube, so one and all can see Bieber coming to blows with a cop. [Sound of the City and TMZ]
Behind The Music, one of the most beloved series in the history of our network, is celebrating its 14th anniversary this August. Next month, a brand new cycle of shows debuts, featuring intimate looks at the lives and careers of some of the biggest stars in the music industry: Adam Lambert, Ice Cube, Missy Elliott, Ricky Martin, Mary J. Blige, Enrique Iglesias, and Miranda Lambert. What you’re about to read is a press release that’s just hitting the wires … NOW!
VH1’S ICONIC MUSIC SERIES BEHIND THE MUSIC RETURNS WITH SEVEN ALL NEW EPISODES BEGINNING IN JUNE
FEATURED ARTISTS INCLUDE RICKY MARTIN, ADAM LAMBERT, MARY J. BLIGE, ENRIQUE IGLESIAS MIRANDA LAMBERT, MISSY ELLIOTT AND ICE CUBE
Behind The Music: Missy Elliott Kicks Off The Season on Wednesday, June 29 at 10 PM ET/PT
SANTA MONICA, CA – May 23, 2011 – VH1’s most celebrated music documentary series Behind The Music returns with seven of today’s most successful and celebrated artists. The five-time Emmy® Award-nominated series gives viewers a front row seat to the most exclusive and intimate interviews with the artists as well as their families, friends and colleagues. Featured this season are Missy Elliott, Ice Cube, Miranda Lambert, Mary J. Blige, Enrique Iglesias, Adam Lambert and Ricky Martin. Beginning on Wednesday, June 29 at 9 PM ET/PT with Behind The Music: Missy Elliott, the series will bring viewers never-before-seen footage of these talented musicians and the people who know them best.
