Mechanical Animal: Lady Gaga's Insane Album Wrap Is the Best Part of 'Born This Way'

Steppenwolf's "Born to Be Wild" is very closely linked with the motorcycle road movie Easy Rider. That's the main clue we're working with today in our study into why Lady Gaga decided to make her Born This Way album wrap an odd mix of a calendar hanging in a mechanic's office crossed with the roaring jaguar on the cover of Roxy Music's For Your Pleasure.

Obviously some of Gaga's fans don't care for the cover, but it's our favorite part of Born This Way yet by a long shot. Little Monsters are so upset, there's in fact a theory circulating that Gaga is revealing her fans three times, and that the cover she tweeted is a fake.

Here are their primary complaints:

It looks like it Cost $2 and a Photoshop Intern to Make: "Love you Gaga-always will but this album cover is just........cheap looking," tweeted Cristink3. "Gaga I really love u but this cover is awful, very mediocre and unprofessional...I'm in shock. Please do not dissapoint your fans," added Iotiprego.

It Lacks Certain... Je Ne Sais Quoi: "wait, is this serious? With all due respect, i expected something ... classier?" complained Cglink. "I think this looks like random fan ar," Alan_PB wrote.

It doesn’t seem to relate to the Music: "Gaga I'm so disappointed! I love u but this cover is not pop, rock or even 70's metal. It sucks. :S," sniffed Thisislordl. "No graphic designer in their right mind would approve of such an atrocious font, and not only that, It has an awful metallic- looking bevel and emboss! It is terrible," wrote bleakc.

Gaga tweeted the artwork with a note that referenced a "highway unicorn" and implored fans to "'get your hot rods ready to rumble." Make of that what you will. But the good news is plenty of people are making something out of that ludicrously incredible album cover, like Rolling Stone did when Adam Lambert released his similarly wackadoo For Your Entertainment artwork. Gawker put together a small gallery of great Born This Way parodies, and we highly recommend you check that out.

Lil Wayne Brings His 'Whole Clique' On I Am Music II Tour

Lil Wayne is a superstar act, but the New Orleans MC isn't just a solo wrap up. When he hits the stage at his I Am Music II showcase, he has his Young Money crew in tow, counting Nicki Minaj, Lil Twist, Mack Maine, Jae Millz and Shanell.

It's a lesson the Cash Money Records artist erudite from watching Bad Boy and Roc-A-Fella treks in the past.

"That's where I get my little vigor from, when I bring my whole group out there, and I want them to be heard," Wayne told. "I keep in mind when [Bad Boy] had Total, Biggie, Ma$e, Junior Mafia, all of them other people. Then you think of the Roc. We're more so like the Roc. 'Cause Jay always had artists the world didn't know, but he put them on the proper song and everyone knows the song. But this time approximately, I want you to know the song, I want you to know the person, I want you to know us. And it's no secret about it; I got the toughest team in the game right now and later."

On Wednesday, Weezy kicked off the follow-up to his winning I Am Music Tour. The show is set to run for 31 days, and all through, he'll be joined by Rick Ross and Travis Barker with DJ Mix Master Mike. Drake, Tyga and the rest of Wayne's YM family are predictable to drop in for select dates.

Wayne is touring in support of his approaching Tha Carter IV album, which he says is due in stores and online May 16.

MGMT to winner the Future Music Festival

New Yorkers MGMT are set to winner the Future Music Festival with their psychedelic sound. By Craig Mathieson.

Most days now, it's far easier to be in MGMT. The panic-stricken highs and unforeseen lows of 2008, when the New York duo of Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden were alternately celebrated and savaged as the future of pop music, have dissipated.

Their much-scrutinized debut, 2007's Oracular Spectacular, now has an heir, last year's gladly eccentric Congratulations, and the pair can now enjoy the prospect of a long-term career making music.

''We never determined that this is what we're going to do,'' Goldwasser says, calling from Manchester in Britain the morning after a sold-out gig. ''But something occurs and one thing leads to another and one day you realise this is your career.''

The band, who play the Future Music Festival on Saturday next last night's show at the Enmore Theatre, are comfortable in their own communal skin. Their three on the road musicians - bassist Matt Asti, drummer Will Berman and guitarist James Richardson - are now fully fledged band members, lightening the communal burden.
''We'd have driven each other wild if we hadn't added some more people to the band,'' Goldwasser sighs. ''They add to the nature of the band and we're all on the same page imaginatively.''

''One of the hardest things is that at this point in my life, I don't have that many things I feel that way about - you lose that sense of the supernatural,'' Goldwasser says.

''One of the things we do again to ourselves is that kids really do know what's going on in so many ways.

''We didn't really appreciate what Oracular meant when we put it out, or even when people started act in response. But from meeting people at shows, particularly younger people, it was clear what it meant to them.''

Hip-Hop Marketing Guru Blasts Grammys Over Bieber slight

Hip-hop marketing expert Steve Stoute took to the New York Times over the weekend to blast the Grammys for slighting artists like Justin Bieber. He also spoke out against recent losses by Kanye West and Eminem.

In a full-page ad in the newspaper, Stoute wrote "I have come to the end that the Grammy Awards have clearly lost touch with modern popular culture."

He added, "The awards show has become a series of insincerity and disagreement, leaving me to question why any contemporary popular artist would even participate."

About Bieber, Stoute wrote, "How is it that Justin Bieber, an artist that defines what it means to be a modern artist, did not win Best New Artist?" Justin Bieber lost the Best New Artist Grammy to Esperanza Spalding.

Neil Young wins first Grammy for music

A year after he won the first Grammy of his career, eclectic rocker Neil Young dual his tally on Sunday. The win marked the first recognition for his musical skills, since last year's honor was for his work as an art director on the wrapping of a boxed set.

This time he won a statue in the best rock song category for "Angry World," a tune from his album "Le Noise."

"This is my first Grammy for music, and it's valued greatly," Young said.
He lost another race to Paul McCartney, and remains in argument for best rock album.

Young, now 65, is often nominated 11 times since 2006 alone but his musicianship evidently was not forceful enough for Grammy voters, who now number about 12,000 music industry professionals.

Young, in turn, has made no secret of his scorn for the Grammys, declaring that he was "not Grammy material" in a 1987 interview told in the authorized biography "Shakey." But his look at both this year's and last year's events appears to point to a softening of his approach.

The Canadian singer-songwriter has confounded fans over the past 40 years with an idiosyncratic output spanning folk, rock, grime, soul and country. "Le Noise," his 31st studio let go since 1969, debuted at No. 2 on the Canadian albums chart and at No. 14 in the United States.

Black Eyed Peas underwhelm at halftime

On second consideration, maybe Escort should have been the headliner for the Super Bowl halftime show.
The superstar had only a brief cameo in the glass case, but his tightly choreographed moves and acrobatics marked the brief exciting moment of a surprisingly stale medley from the normally frantic headliners, the Black Eyed Peas.

The Super Bowl presentation was debatably the biggest stage yet for the quirky quartet, whose fusion of pop, dance and hip-hop have made them global superstars. But in the huge Cowboys Arena, the group appeared to be as stiff as frontman will.i.am's plastic hair hat.

It started out with a wow factor: will.i.am, Taboo, Fergie and apl.de.ap go down from atop the stadium, outfits glittering, bewildered outfits, singing (with the help of auto-tune) the party anthem "I Gotta Feeling" with hundreds of dancers channeling in step on the field.

But the Peas didn't match the energy of the song; they seemed hesitant, and tense. It didn't help that Fergie's mic didn't kick in until she was midway through her first verse.

If the clarification for the Peas' flatness was nerves, those nerves never settled, as they trudged through such songs as "Pump It" and "Boom Boom Pow." strictly, they were fine Fergie's voice soared, the raps were performed right. They didn't excite. Even former Guns 'N Roses guitarist Slash seemed bored as he joined Fergie for a short snippet of "Sweet Child O' Mine," an needless cameo that failed to add any sizzle to the set.

So it fell to Usher to breathe some life into the halftime show, and he didn't let down as he appeared in all white with a side of dancers. Although Usher seemed to dance more of his No. 1 hit "OMG" with will.i.am than sing it, his syncopated moves and flips provided the power jolt that the Peas lacked.

The Black Eyed Peas brought the youth, but little else. "I Gotta Feeling" the NFL will be looking to try and find a better balance in time for Indianapolis next year.

Don't miss the 'Kids Day Out Music Festival'

The Kids Day Out Music Festival features a line-up of some of Australia’s most popular children’s entertainers and live stage shows, as well as giving your children the chance to meet their favorite characters.

Held at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre on February 26, the headliners include Hi-5, Ben 10, Yo Gabba Gabba, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Bob the Builder, Go Diego Go, Nickelodeon’s Slime Time Live, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Powerpuff Girls, The Simpsons and many more.

The kids will sing and dance along with their idols in three huge stadiums, with backstage meet-and-greets included in the ticket price. There will also be action centres, workshops and rides.

We are giving away six double passes to the event. Just tell us in 25 words your child’s favorite character and why. Entries close February 8. Winners will be notified mail.               

Shania Twain named into Canadian Music Hall of Fame

Newlywed Shania Twain has one more reason to smile -- the Timmins, Ont., native has been proclaimed as the 2011 inductee to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

The 12-time Juno Award winner will be privileged during this year's award telecast in Toronto on March 27, marking her first return to the Junos since hosting the 2003 bash in Ottawa.

Twain married Swiss businessman Frederic Thiebaud on New Year's Day in Rincon, Puerto Rico in face of 40 family members and friends.

The 45-year-old Twain is getting ready to launch a TV show on Oprah Winfrey's cable channel, OWN, called "Why Not? With Shania Twain," and has plans to issue a memoir.

With over 80 million albums sold worldwide, the five-time Grammy-winning Twain places among the best-selling artists of all time.

The 40th Juno Awards ceremony will be hosted by 24-year-old Toronto rapper Drake. Nominations will be announced on Feb. 1.

"Shania Twain revolutionized the look and sound of country music, and truly is one of the most accomplished and famous music artists of her era," said Melanie Berry, president and CEO of Junos organizer the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, in a statement.

"Her authenticity as a songwriter and performer has made her a global basis of power, and we're so proud to honour her at home in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame."

Warner signs fresh publishing chief EMI signs Pink Floyd – again

Warner Music signs issuing exec behind Cee Lo’s “F*** You”

Warner Music Group has signed up a fresh publishing chief Cameron Strang as CEO of Warner/Chappell Music, its music publishing unit. The world’s No.3 music company said David Johnson, who previously held the joint title of chairman/CEO of Warner/Chappell, will carry on as chairman until July at which point Strang will take on the additional role of chairman as well.

Johnson, who was before the company’s general counsel, has led Warner/Chappell since 2006.
Strang, 44, founded New West Records and Southside Independent Music Publishing in 1995. As part of deal Warner/Chappell has obtained Strang’s Southside whose songs include 2010 hits like B.oB.’s Nothin’ on You and Cee Lo Green’s “F*** You” (pictured left) both nominated for Record of Year 2011.

Music publishing has usually been the unfashionable arm of the music industry when compared to the label side. But in recent years it has become more and more valuable part of the business because of its steady cash flow from a variety of revenue sources beyond decrease CD sales.

Song publishers are usually run by some of the veterans of the business like Marty Bandier, 70, at Sony/ATV Music Publishing who have great skill at extracting value out of songs for decades after they were first released. Strang’s knowledge of today’s hit music could put him in good stead for both short and the long-term.

When is the new Britney Spears single being free?

She’s keyed up for her new album to drop in March and in the interim Britney Spears has a hot new single on the way.

And in spite of the report from New York’s Z100 that “Hold It Against Me” was scheduled to release on January 7th, the “Baby One More Time” singer’s manager Adam Leber says nothing is in stone yet.

Leber tweeted, "Lot of misinformation out there regarding the release of Brits 1st single. Don't believe everything you read. Unless of course it's an official declaration coming in January. STAY TUNED....."

"That said, the single is absolutely coming in January. PS- happy new years people. Sorry guys, but never pay attention to unofficial announcements. Just trying to clarify. Please don't 'hold it against me.' "

Lady Gaga Publicize Release Dates For Born This Way, First Single

The clock struck midnight and fetched good news for Lady Gaga fans.

As promised, the pop superstar tweeted a big statement with regard to her forthcoming album, Born This Way. While others were tasting champagne to trumpet in the New Year, the Gaga faithful were pending news from their beloved. And at midnight, the singer tweeted that her third album will be free in stores on May 23 and the first single from it will be released on February 13.

"THE SONG 2 13 11 THE RECORD 5 23 11," is all she wrote.

Along with the statement, Gaga tweeted a new black-and-white photo in which she is nude from the waist down, with her hair blowing about, and sporting a jacket with the album's title emblazoned in what look like dazed jewels.

Before she made the statement official, she teased her Twitter followers with lyrics from Born This Way, writing, "I'm beautiful in my way, 'cause God makes no mistakes/ I'm on the right track baby, I was born this way/ Don't hide yourself in regret, just love yourself and you're set/ I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way."

This could be one more stellar year for Gaga. Her last album, The Fame Monster, was the best-selling album of 2010 worldwide, selling nearly 6 million copies. She also has had seven successive singles that have been top 10 hits, with two of them hitting no. 1.

New Justin Timberlake Song 'Take You Down' Leaks

Justin Timberlake has said over and over again that he's not set to record a new album. However, that hasn't stopped the pop star-turned-actor from hitting the studio for collaborations with other artists and doing some recording here and there for him. His latest musical serving to mollify his hungry fans is a track called "Take You Down," which leaked online Thursday (December 30).

"I've seen my magic/ What's your looks and your religion?/ And I want you to understand that I can make you feel better/ So it's me and you, my place, sexiness all day/ I'mma do whatever you like, if you cater to me all night, girl," he sings during the second poetry.

In addition to production credits, various Internet blogs have reported that "Take You Down" may in fact be a demo as opposed to one of the 29-year-old's own songs.


Timberlake recently spoke to the Los Angeles Times about fans who feel like the star has neglected his musical calling. "They're looking at me like, 'Why aren't you waiting with one path?' “he said. "They look at me like I'm ungrateful for my music career because I want to do film."

Until JT feels ready to hit the studio to record the follow-up to 2006's FutureSex/LoveSounds, fans will have to make do with the singer's scarce musical ventures. His next offering may be a collaboration with Drake, who recently revealed, "I've always wanted to work with him, and it's in the works right now: Me and Justin Timberlake will probably have a song soon."

What do you think of "Take You Down"? Give us your review in the comments section below!

Billy Ray 'sad' about images of Miley smoking salvia

Miley Cyrus' father Billy Ray Cyrus has expressed his displeasure with her for being seen smoking a legal high.

The 'Achy Breaky Heart' hitmaker - who is currently divorcing wife Tish - took to twitter following the video of 18-year-old Miley smoking salvia from a bong.

He wrote: "Sorry guys. I had no idea. Just saw this stuff for the first time myself. I'm so sad. There is so much further than my control right now."

Anthony Adams - a former California State Assemblyman who previously tried to ban the drug in his state - believes salvia, which is legal in a number of U.S. states, can make people do "crazy" things and has annoying her for being irresponsible to her legions of young fans.

He said: "You do very crazy things. Miley is a star and young kids are going to imitate her behavior."

In the video taken of Miley smoking the drug, she is seen confusing a party guest for 'Last Song' co-star and ex-boyfriend Liam Hemsworth as well as sniggering uncontrollably.

She said: "OK, I'm about to lose it now. I'm having a little bit of a trip right now.

"Oh my God! He looks so much like him! He looks so much like Liam. Is that me tripping? He doesn't look like Liam at all? Dude, that looks just like Liam!"

American Ballet's 'Nutcracker' Opening

Just before Christmas, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, more than 100 American Ballet Theatre supporters are there a "family friendly" pre-show gala on opening night of the company's new production of "The Nutcracker." Notable guests included David Koch, Blaine Trump, Ana Gasteyer and Veronica Webb.

Many carried their children, who were well-dressed and well- behaved. They queued for a photo-op against a fake snowed-in forest with the production's adorable scene-stealer, the three-foot tall, skinny-limbed, pot-bellied mouse, played by 10-year old Raju Sawak.

No child complained of hunger, thanks to two food stations. One featured Russian-themed snacks like blinis, pierogies and chicken soup. The other: fudge, cheesecake popsicles, wrapped chocolates, and donuts. The actress Mary-Louise Parker stacked a dozen treats on a plate and brought them to her mother sitting on a nearby couch. "I mean, who doesn't like candy?" she asked. The actress had taken dance classes from the age of 4 to 17, but, she said, "I was not very good." She makes the Nutcracker an annual tradition for her two children, who were off coloring marionette.

With New York City Ballet running its own Nutcracker at Lincoln Center, who better to sift through the dissimilarities between productions than 10-year-old Sara Rose Shannon, who last year performed with NYCB and now appears in one of the irregular casts at BAM. "This one's a little more modern," she said.

"Did she tell you she's understudy for the mouse?" asked her mother, Jennifer. "And that little mouse has a very big role." When Sara Rose was then asked if she'd ever daydream about debilitating the dancer whose role she understudied, she very sweetly and firmly said no. Apparently, she hadn't seen "Black Swan."

Britney Spears Is A "Professional" In The Studio

A producer working with Britney Spears on her new album has admired the pop star.

Swedish hitmaker Shellback - who co-wrote her song 3 - has been collaborating with the Toxic singer on the follow-up to the Circus, and admits he's impressed by her devotion to her music.

"[Britney]'s actually damn professional," he revealed. "You read a lot on the internet that Britney is not singing and mimes, but she is actually damn professional.

"She's done it since she was 16. And just rhythmic way, she is f**king awesome!," he enthused. "And you do not have to go through and talk about the rhythms and stuff that you sometimes have to do. She's very easy in the studio."

Britney releases the album in March 2011. Other producers working on the record include Dr Luke, Max Martin, Rusko, Labrinth, Chase & Status and Fraser T Smith.

Toronto’s Marian Cheney awarded music teacher of the year

 

Toronto citizen Marian Cheney has received the teacher of the year award from MusiCounts, a musical education charity.

For the past 20 years, Cheney has taught at Queen Victoria Public School in the Parkdale neighbourhood in Toronto's west end. Her policy is that children should be able to join band or choir regardless of musical aptitude or financial situation.

She's also credited with co-writing the school's current theme song. Hard-rockers Billy Talent presented Ms. Cheney with the award at an occasion on Thursday.

Ms. Cheney and her school each received $10,000, sponsored by the band.

“Having lived in the west end of Toronto ... this is extra special,” Billy Talent singer Ben Kowalewicz said in a release. “Having teachers like Marian gives us all hope that the kids of tomorrow are in good hands.

“Our music class in high school [where we met 17 years ago] had a huge impact on the band as we got to meet like-minded people and start the creative process of learning our instruments.”
Said Ms. Cheney: “Music has the power to change lives.”

Google Music Streaming Plans Halted Because of Internal Politics

In a report by Business Insider, Google was close to buying subscription-based streaming music service Spotify or Rhapsody, but the deals were shelved because of internal politics. Three different groups were fighting for organize and ownership inside Google, and couldn't agree on an approach. Instead of a streaming service, Google is now looking to build a digital locker, which will store user-owned music and allow users to stream their own content to a device.

MTV Unveils Music Meter: A Hot 100 for the Social Media Age

 

Today, MTV launches its Music Meter, a new artist ranking service aimed at turn over traditional music charts. Rather than simply track CD sales (who buy those anymore?) and radio airplay, Music Meter ranks the top 100 artists bubbling up on a variety of non-traditional platforms.

By tracking an artist's social media buzz (tweets, blog posts, articles) and streams (YouTube, Vevo) in addition to purchase data, MTV's chart shows a more real-time representation of up-and-coming artists. It will revive daily. The chart is based on velocity rather than total popularity, so it will only show artists who are raising quickly not those who are sitting in the No. 1 spot.

"Let's not always have the big guys on top let's invite users to discover performers that they may not know they love yet," says Shannon Connolly, VP of Digital Music Strategy at MTV Networks. "We chose to strip out the most popular artists that you see dominating all lists so you won't see Gaga or Bieber."

Instead, users will find an eclectic mix of rising stars--those buzzing on the indie scene that has yet to go main stream. Each artist is featured in a widget-style box that provides news, tweets, videos and song previews and purchases via Rhapsody.

Lady Gaga Wants To Be A Design Teacher

Anyone who’s ever sat through a college class knows it’s hard enough to pay attention without the added distraction of a professor who’s dressed like amazing from one of Tim Burton’s acid flashbacks.

In spite of, Lady Gaga has applied for a teaching job at New York University, and I say it’s about time. If more of my professors had lectured while hanging from the upper limit in full leather bondage gear, maybe I would’ve actually learned something in school.

Yesterday, a friend of Gaga’s exposed that the freaky singer is actively seeking a position at NYU’s Parsons School for Design. “She wants to use her fashion sense and avant garde art obsession to launch an academic career,” the friend told a UK newspaper.

“Nothing has been finalized yet, but she’d like to teach in the fashion design program. She thinks teaching would make people see she is much more than just a flamboyant pop star.”

B2ST displays dominance over Asian music fans through their first solo concert

Although they debuted only last year, B2ST was able to confirm their command of the Asian music market through their first-ever solo concert, held recently on December 12th.

B2ST opened their ‘Welcome to B2ST Airlines’ concert at the Jamsil Olympic Stadium, where fans from not only Korea, but also from Japan, China, Hong Kong and Thailand came together to form the 8,000-member audience for the event.

But that’s not all – according to a representative from their agency, Cube Entertainment, both Korean and overseas fans who were unable to grab a ticket stood outside the venue in the cold, listening to the music and waiting for the concert to end so that they may catch a glimpse of their idols’ faces as they walked out.

The representative stated, “The day before the concert (11th), 5-6 fans from Taiwan who were unable to buy a ticket came to the company building and asking if there was any way for them to purchase a ticket. These fans prepared themselves with blankets so that they could wait outside the venue in case somebody would come and say that they weren’t able to attend, and were consequently looking to sell their tickets.”

In the end, there were about 10 people who came to the venue trying to sell their ticket, and 5-6 of those tickets were bought by international fans. It wasn’t confirmed whether those fans were the same Taiwanese fans who came to the company building.

After the concert, B2ST headed off to a restaurant with their guest performers and fellow agency artists (G.na and 4minute) to celebrate the end of the concert. The fans somehow found out which restaurant they went to and waited outside once again just to see their faces. Around about 100 fans were still waiting, even past midnight.