VMA 2009 Post Coverage

Another September, another MTV Video Music Awards broadcast. I'm sure MTV execs long for the days when an audience can be shocked by a pop star in a wedding dress writhing on the floor making sexually suggestive moves. Or even for the days when that same pop star can wow audiences by kissing two women. Alas, those days are gone. Our generation is perpetually unimpressed. But, here's what might have caught your attention this year.

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Of course, no award show could have ignored the biggest thing to happen to pop culture this year: Michael Jackson's death. The tribute to the King of pop was thorough and momentous including a grand speech by Madonna, choreography to some of Michael's greatest hits including Thriller and Bad, and, an icon in her own right, Janet Jackson performing Scream alongside Michael. Say whatever you will, and much has been said, but there will never be another.


The night took a negative turn shortly thereafter when Taylor Swift was awarded Best Female Video. Kanye West took Taylor's win over fellow nominee Beyoncé as a personal affront and took it upon himself to interrupt her acceptance speech, grab the mike from her hands and proclaim that Beyoncé had one of the greatest videos of all time. While what he said was 100% right, how he went about it was 100% wrong: it was incredibly disrespectful to everyone involved, but especially to 19-year-old Taylor. Kanye is an insufferable piece of shit.


Beyoncé later went on to win Video of the Year for Single Ladies and allowed Taylor another shot at her acceptance speech. Leave it to Kanye to make me feel sympathetic towards Taylor Swift (I really don't like that little girl very much).


The Twilight cast (who all looked absolutely miserable) was in attendance to premiere the extended trailer for their impending sequel, New Moon. Not gonna lie, it looks great. Can't wait to see the scenes with the Volturi. And, dear me, did you SEE Edward with his shirt off?! Good heavens.


Finally, Lady GaGa's performance, even after all the hype, was absolutely incredible.
Her vocals were the best I've ever heard them, the set was amazing, the concept brilliantly executed. Awesome, awesome. It's crazy to think that this is her first VMAs and she's only been in the spotlight for a year's time. She's so ahead of the game.

That's pretty much it for this year. Not the worst, not the best. Kinda meh. Below is a list of winners.

Video of the Year: Beyonce Knowles – Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
Best New Artist: Lady Gaga – Poker Face
Best Hip-Hop Video: Eminem – We Made You
Best Male Video: T.I. ft Rihanna – Live Your Life
Best Pop Video: Britney Spears – Womanizer
Best Rock Video: Green Day – 21 Guns
Best Female Video: Taylor Swift – You Belong With Me
Best Video (That Should Have Won A Moonman): Beastie Boys – Sabotage
Breakthrough Video: Matt And Kim – Lessons Learned
Best Art Direction: Lady Gaga – Paparazzi
Best Choreography: Beyonce – Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
Best Cinematography: Green Day – 21 Guns
Best Direction: Green Day – 21 Guns
Best Editing: Beyoncé - Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
Best Special Effects: Lady Gaga – Paparazzi

Newsweek Interviews Lady GaGa

Regular nodnarb readers are well aware that the man behind the blog is completely enamored with Lady GaGa. I believe that she is the future of pop music; a powerful combination of talent, daring, focus, and artistry. She is experiencing great success with her debut album, The Fame, and is distinctly ahead of the curve in every move she makes. Love her or hate her, Lady GaGa demands your attention.

Above is the first, ferocious shot from Lady GaGa's upcoming spread with British Vogue, discernibly inspired by the impending rerelease of her debut, newly titled The Fame: Monster. Below is a recent interview with Newsweek in which GaGa explains her concept of fame, what she hopes to accomplish with her updated debut album to be released this fall, and her upcoming VMA performance, which with she intends to "inspire a movement." Read on...

Congratulations on your nine nominations. Have you always been a fan of the VMAs?

When I was younger, I used to wrap a big blanket around myself, an afghan my grandmother knitted, and I would wear it like a gown. I would run around the basement with popcorn and I would scream in excitement waiting for them to come on. I used to love the big pop acts. I remember Alicia Keys gave a beautiful performance and Michael Jackson with 'N Sync.

Have you figured out what you're going to perform?

I'm going to be performing one of the most recent singles off my album. But it's going to be a different and more dramatic interpretation. And it is most certainly rooted in New York-style performance art.

What does that mean?

It's less of me singing the song, and more of an art installation. A performance-art piece. It's very well-designed and thought out, and we've been planning it for months and months. It is for me a very meaningful performance, [for] where I am in my career, as well as the experiences I've had, as well as the co-headlining tour I'm going on in the fall.

Do you think it will be one of those defining moments people will remember at the VMAs?

I know it will. I sort of have this philosophy about things: there's never a reason to do something unless it's going to be memorable, unless it's going to change things, unless it's going to inspire a movement. With the song and with the performance, I hope to say something very grave about fame and the price of it.

Something grave? What?

You'll have to see.

What are you going to wear?

I would say that the fashion for the performance is a representation of the most stoic and memorable martyrs of fame in history. It's intended to be an iconic image that represents people. I think after watching the performance and maybe studying it after you watch it on YouTube, you'll see the references and the symbols come through.

Do you watch yourself on YouTube?

I like to watch my performances sometimes. I'm always trying to improve on choreography and the stage shows. I like to watch the lighting. I often argue with my lighting designer on the show; as much as I like to light the show for the room, it's important to light the show and design the sound for YouTube. In truth, lots of my fans can't make it to my shows in Israel or Germany or in Paris, so they go online to watch them.

How do you light a show differently for YouTube?

I like it to be moody. I like it to evoke an idea more than light my face. It's not about what you see. It's about what you don't see, and sometimes that vacant space can be very scary.

Everybody knows you now, but if somebody didn't, how would you describe your music?

It's New York pop. The music reflects the lifestyle of me and my friends living in downtown New York, with no money but a dream and fervor for fame and to be a star. And it was through a constant devotion to our work, as well as a relentless pursuit of our dream, that we are here today. For myself, the Haus of Gaga is not a marketing tool. It's a group of friends and young designers that I wish to use my fame to propel them forward. So it's music in tandem with art.

How old were you when you first wanted to be famous?

I think I was in my mother's womb. But it's not about fame, you see. It's about "The Fame." It's about a life of glamour. I believe in a glamorous life.

What's the difference?

Fame today, the stereotypical idea that we have about fame, is that cameras follow you everywhere and everybody is talking about you and you can't go anywhere. The "it" girl. [With] The Fame, I'm talking about the inner sense of confidence.

So you can be a non-famous person and still have The Fame.

I prefer non-famous people who have The Fame. I myself don't like celebrities. It's the idea that you can be whoever you want to be. You don't have to be a victim of your environment. You can become the image of yourself you project, [that] you could become in the future.

Why don't you like celebrities?

I just haven't had an excellent personal experience with celebrities. But I'm sure there are a few lovely ones. I have made a few friends, of course.

You wore a jacket made entirely of Kermit the Frogs. Were you a fan of the Muppets?

I do love the Muppets. It is a wonderful childhood memory I share. That particular jacket, we had no idea it would make such a splash. That jacket is very famous now. We're excited that it's famous. It's by a designer we wanted to support. I thought it was comical because I don't wear fur. But there was something morbid and hilarious and wearing a jacket made of lots of Kermits. Dead, dead Kermits.

Did you still have the jacket?

I sent it back to [the designer]. I imagine he would like to have it. Maybe some amazing fashion model will wear it on the cover of Italian Vogue.

I read that Madonna came to your concert?

Yes. She did.

Did you meet her?

No. I didn't. But we have exchanged messages [through] mutual people that we know. She is very kind to me and supportive. I appreciate her support very much.

I read on your Twitter they tried to arrest you in Russia.

They did. I was wearing my outfit from my performance at this nightclub in the middle of Moscow. I was in the car going back to the hotel. I asked them to pull over in Red Square so I could take a picture. I was out there for about five minutes, and I guess they thought my clothing was inappropriate.

You Tweet in German a lot. Do you speak it fluently?

I don't speak German, but my favorite writer is German, Rainer Maria Rilke. I just got a tattoo of this book he's very famous for, Letters to a Young Poet. I got the tattoo on my bicep.

How many tattoos do you have?

Six.

You recently wrote a song for Michael Bolton?

I love Michael Bolton, and I always have. The record label called me and said, "Michael is doing a new album, and who better to write an '80s love song than Lady Gaga?" I said, "You're absolutely right." I looked at it as an exciting opportunity, especially after I wrote "Just Dance" and I was writing for other artists, everybody wanted me to write them the next "Just Dance." It was always dance music. It was an exciting opportunity to work with someone as timeless as Michael and do a ballad. Do something that I'm really good at that I don't get to show very much. Or that I haven't shown on this record. But I will be showing on the rerelease, which is coming out this fall.

Would you be interested in writing for other artists?

I am working on other people's work right now. I'm always writing.

Can you tell me who?

No. I couldn't do that. I like to honor the artists. Some artists don't like other people to know they're collaborating. So I want to be honorable and take care of the artist. When I'm a writer, it's not about me. It's about them.

Do you ever ghost-write a song?

I prefer not to say.

Listen to the track Lady GaGa wrote (and sang backing vocals) for Michael Bolton below.

Murder My Heart
Michael Bolton featuring Lady GaGa
One World, One Love

P.S. It was just announced that Lady GaGa is the songwriter and performer behind the #1 and #3 most downloaded songs in UK history! Poker Face has amassed an astounding 779,000 downloads in a year's time, followed closely by the 700,000 downloads of her debut single Just Dance. Incredible. Congratulations.

Janet on Michael, Chris Brown v. Oprah!, Lady GaGa's Hot Vag

A mum Janet Jackson has decided to pierce her silence regarding her brother's untimely death. The icon is set to cover the next Harper's Bazaar issue with an exclusive interview. Jackson is also working on her next film, Tyler Perry's How Did I Get Married, Too and is reportedly in the early stages of recording her 11th studio album, the follow-up to last year's Discipline. I'll be interested to hear the differences in her new material now that she has split from Def Jam and boyfriend Jermaine Dupri. At the very least, we can hope that Janet finds a label willing to promote more than one single.

Michael Jackson, who passed away over two months ago, was finally laid to rest yesterday, September 3rd. The lavish ceremony was befitting the king of popular music, whose legacy will undoubtedly continue to influence and inspire aspiring musicians for decades to come.

An audacious Chris Brown, apparently unimpressed with the pity party following his abrupt and much deserved fall from grace, has gone on record against Oprah in a recent interview. When asked about his feelings regarding Oprah's show focusing on abuse shortly after his assault against Rihanna, the brazen buffoon had the blazing gall to say this:

"I commend Oprah on being like, 'This is a problem,' but it was a slap in my face. I did a lot of stuff for her, like going to Africa and performing for her school. She could have been more helpful, like, 'Okay, I'm going to help both of these people out.'"

Ummm, how about "no," bitch.

Of course, this little stunt didn't elicit a direct response from the Big O herself, but her people quickly responded:

"Oprah is very appreciative that Chris Brown performed at her school but she takes domestic abuse very seriously. She hopes he gets the counseling he needs."

Yes. Get help, asshole. Singing for children in Africa may sound like the ultimate tool for exoneration, but it doesn't mean the most influential woman in America should condone your disgusting behavior. Go get that counseling -- and stay off our radios and television sets in the meantime. Dick.

Lady GaGa is quite busy kicking ass and taking names, thank you very much. While making the rounds promoting her solo tour in Australia, our fair Lady was queried about the hermy rumors on a morning show in Brisbane. When asked about the "tiny penis issue" and whether the rumors offended or embarrassed her, GaGa retorted with:

"My beautiful vagina is very offended. I'm not offended — my vagina is offended. I've sold four million records in six months. I'm not embarrassed about anything. Those rumors [are based on] society's reaction to a strong woman — the idea that we equate strength with a man and a penis as a symbol of male strength."

Sadly, while her response was more than a little pretentious, feminist, and self-important, she's probably right. And I still love her.

I♥GaGa - Lady GaGa Performs Paparazzi

Fantastic performance. I live for the outfit, the vocals were on point -- just spectacular. Paparazzi just keeps sounding better and better to me. Wouldn't it be nice if this were the standard for pop acts? Live instrumentation, live vocals, and, of course, fierce fashion? No one in the pop game right now can touch GaGa when it comes to artistry.

Oh, and our fair Lady made history again -- this time on the Mainstream Top 40 Chart when current single LoveGame, like Poker Face and Just Dance before it, hit the top spot. Congrats, GaGa.

More GaGa!

GaGa discusses her influences while wearing a ferocious mask

Watch the Paparazzi music mini-movie

Watch a live, acoustic version of Paparazzi

They don't call this bitch GaGa for nothing...

She's mad. She's mad in such a creepy, weird, awesome way. Love it.

There are no words... - Lady GaGa: Paparazzi Music Film

Super Duper Uh-Maze-N - Lady GaGa: Paparazzi (Live Acoustic)

This is incredible. Like, try and forget that I have an IV constantly feeding me GaGa Kool-Aid for a minute and allow yourself to enjoy the magic. Seriously, who else does this? You have all the cookie-cutter pop acts who don't write any of their shit, desperately trying to remain current by shaving half their heads or showing their cho-chas (or, in one particularly desperate case, both) and can't actually sing when they finally do get up on stage. And then you have GaGa. I hate when people call her the next Britney or Princess of Pop. Britney never had a fraction of GaGa's talent. Ever. And she damn sure doesn't have it now. Britney sold a lot of records. Period. And it's debatable how much of that even had anything to do with her. Anyway, let me cut myself off before this becomes any more scathing. Check out the live, acoustic version of Paparazzi from Lady GaGa's debut album, The Fame, below.

Because the ice is just another place for ferocity...

Damn, this sh*t is so fabulous...

Lady GaGa wants to bring back the "super-fan." I think she's already got some on her hands...

New HBIC - Lady GaGa Tops the Charts Again

Lady GaGa’s second single, Poker Face, has reached the pinnacle of the Billboard Hot 100 making her the first artist in nearly a decade to have their first two singles reach #1. Mmhmm, right. Another level. Meanwhile, her first chart-topper, Just Dance, is still holding strong at #9. With this accomplishment, GaGa shares a record with Christina Aguilera, who had a pair of #1 singles, Genie in a Bottle and What a Girl Wants, with her debut in 1999. However, with the even hotter track, LoveGame, slated as the next single, our Ferocious Lady may be coming up on Mariah Carey territory. Mariah, famously, had her first five singles hit the #1 spot.

'Purple Teardrops I Cry' - Lady GaGa: AOL Sessions

Lady GaGa recently did her AOL Sessions and surprise, surprise -- b*tch shut it down. I've played her more popular songs like Poker Face and LoveGame to death and resurrection at this point, but some of the songs I used to skip over from her debut The Fame are now my new favorites. Her performance of Beautiful Dirty Rich was super dramatic, but really engaging and I actually like the song now. Now that I hear Just Dance four times a night when I go out, it's nice to listen to Paparazzi and pretend I'm the only one who loves GaGa. Creepy lyrics, but catchy. Is it 'too much' to call an artist iconic if they've only released one album? I mean, damn, I say it over and over but, she really is on another level.

It's Official: GaGa is ferocious - Lady GaGa LoveGame Video

OK. This b**** is officially on another level. I didn't even know this was coming! Apparently, GaGa has decided to drop LoveGame instead of Eh Eh as the next single in the US and Europe and here's the feeh-uhce video. Love the Michael and Janet references. She really does look like Christina in some of these shots. (And, no, b****, I didn't mean that the other way around). Adore her. Yes, yes, yes.

This makes me happy - John Mayer & Ellen DeGeneres Sing in the Bathroom

I love Ellen. She always gets me to smile. So, she's doing this "Bathroom Concert Series" on her show, one of the cutest concepts ever. This time, she invited John Mayer in the bathroom with her to sing Lady GaGa's ubiquitous hit, Just Dance. Even though John Mayer's currently deluded enough to be dating Jennifer Aniston, I've got love for him. He's dreamy and he makes good music (John snagged two more Grammys to add to his collection on Sunday). And, he's really tall. Check out the Grammy-deserving duet.

Going Gaga over GaGa - Lady GaGa Eh Eh Video Premiere

While Americans are just learning to appreciate Lady GaGa's fabulous first single, Just Dance, Madonna's heir is pushing her third single down under. GaGa premiered the music video for Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say) in Australia today and I've already watched it six times. LoveluvLOVE it. Eh Eh is the song with the most plays on my iTunes from GaGa's debut albumThe Fame, and I'm excited that the girl is not only fierce, but knows how to pick a single. After the crack and sizzle of her first two singles, Eh Eh is the perfect choice.

Lady GaGa on Top - Just Dance at #1 in US & UK

Some seven months after I first heard Just Dance, it surpasses Beyoncé's Single Ladies to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Better late than never! 2008 put GaGa on the map, but be prepared to see a lot more of her in '09. I predict big things once Poker Face is released as a single in the States. Check out Lady GaGa stripped down a bit during this live performance of her new #1: