Beyonce Shares Her Love For Frank Ocean, Kanye West

B shares how Jay-Z and his collaborators influenced her chart-topping 4.
By Jocelyn Vena


Beyoncé in <i>Complex</i> magazine
Photo: Thierry Le Gou&#232;s/ Complex

Beyoncé has said that she was "inspired by every type of genre" of music while making 4. But in a recent interview, she spoke in detail about how husband Jay-Z and other hip-hop artists became sonic touchstones while she recorded her fourth solo album.

"Jay had a CD playing in the car one Sunday when we were driving to Brooklyn," she tells Complex about hearing Odd Future's Frank Ocean, who co-wrote the 4 track "I Miss You." "I noticed his tone, his arrangements, and his storytelling. I immediately reached out to him — literally the next morning. I asked him to fly to New York and work on my record."

She also chose to work with Kanye West (who eventually produced "Party") after she heard "Runaway," which she admits, made her cry. "The fact that he's belting out his pain, his confusion, and his anger, with no pre-written lyrics, was so moving," she explained of her husband's frequent collaborator. "He's singing his heart out for five minutes. He is so vulnerable. I love when an artist can be so honest."

Of course, B acknowledged the direct influence of Jay's own work too. "Jay's music is more than music. His lyrics have fathered generations," she told the magazine. "All that he has overcome gives millions so much hope. There are moments when I see his lips moving, and I can see lyrics floating above his head, and I think, 'Wow! How did I get so lucky to be able to witness this level of genius so closely?' "

Beyoncé released her album in a season dominated by strong female voices, but she doesn't want any part in conversations that pit her against other divas.

"There is room on this earth for many queens," she said. "I have an authentic, God-given talent, drive and longevity that will always separate me from everyone else. I've been fortunate to accomplish things that the younger generation of queens dream of accomplishing. I have no desire for anyone else's throne. I am very comfortable in the throne I've been building for the past 15 years.

"I just want my legacy to be great music," she later added. "Someone who was a risk taker and someone who had songs that struck conversation and emotion."

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667490/beyonce-complex-frank-ocean-kanye-west.jhtml

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Demi Lovato To Release New Album September 20

Singer also hints at tour plans and reveals Spanish-language version of 'Skyscraper' during live chat with fans.
By James Dinh


Demi Lovato
Photo: Hollywood Records

Dark days seem to be a thing of the past for Demi Lovato. Just a week after topping the iTunes chart with her power ballad "Skyscraper," the 18-year-old Disney starlet appeared ready to get back into the swing of things by catching up with some of her loyal Lovatics during a live chat with fans. On Thursday night, the comeback kid answered a number of questions about her new single and touring plans and made a special announcement regarding her forthcoming album.

"I hope you're screaming and jumping down in your room right now because I'm about to tell you when my album is releasing," a giddy Lovato said from a Los Angeles recording studio, before revealing the September 20 release date.

When asked about details regarding the sound of the project, the singer admitted she's left behind her days of pop rock to focus more on a vibe that will showcase her vocals, as heard on "Skyscraper," adding, "I'm feeling really, really comfortable on what we have so far."

With "about 20-something" new tracks already recorded, it's expected that the teen star will hit the road for a tour to promote the album. Lovato dropped a few sly hints, saying, "If I was to tour, I would announce it soon and maybe, possibly, I'm in the works of putting together a tour. Maybe. And maybe it'll be all around the world. I don't know. I'm just saying."

Lovato also opened up about her Mark Pellington-directed visual for "Skyscraper," where she emotionally belts out the tune in a bright desert. "I had to go to that place in my mind that I was in when I recorded the song, so it was very emotional. It was actually a very intimate set. There wasn't very many people there. We took a plane with about 15 people and that was it. We went to the middle of a desert and shot this music video. ... It turns out to be my favorite video I've done and hopefully you guys feel the same."

Like teen counterpart Selena Gomez, Lovato has decided to tap into her heritage by recording a Spanish-language version of her new song "Skyscraper."

Are you excited for Demi's new album? Tell us in the comments!

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Katy Perry's Blonde Hair: Likes or Yikes?

Katy Perry's Blonde Hair: Likes or Yikes?

Katy Perry is known for rocking rainbow-colored wigs -- but lately it's her real hair that's been changing colors.

Last month, she took to Twitter to let her fans in on her dye-job disaster. "So I didn't get to the exact color I wanted from being black for so long!" she wrote. "2get to goal I have 2b GINGER for 3WKS!." The pop star, 26, was later spotted sporting brand-new, copper-colored locks instead of her previous jet-black waves.

But now it seems that Perry has finally reached her hair-color goal. The singer, who's actually a natural blonde, debuted her newly lightened locks on MTV News on Thursday.

So do blondes really have more fun? In Katy's case, we're guessing yes!

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Taylor Lautner Names Tom Cruise, Matt Damon As 'Abduction' Inspirations

At Comic-Con, 'Twilight' actor says he and John Singleton studied film.
By Terri Schwartz, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Taylor Lautner
Photo: MTV News

SAN DIEGO -- Taylor Lautner is ready to abduct the title of Hollywood's resident action star when "Abduction" hits theaters September 23, but he didn't get there without a little inspiration from some of the genre's greatest actors.

When MTV caught up with the "Twilight Saga" star at Comic-Con 2011 this week, he revealed that he did more than admire the top action actors: He studied them. Considering "Abduction" is being described along the lines of the "Bourne" movies and "Minority Report," it makes sense that Tom Cruise and Matt Damon are among Lautner's biggest role models.

"I studied film with John Singleton while preparing for the movie, and I chose Tom Cruise, Matt Damon, Denzel Washington, Harrison Ford; we just went down the list," Lautner explained. "It would be an honor to have a tenth the career that those guys have."

Having spent so much time watching the movies, Lautner said he sometimes found himself copying their moves during his takes. It took him time to take a step back and figure out how to tailor -- or "Taylor" -- their concepts to his own acting style.

He got a chance to meet Cruise while filming a promo for the 2010 MTV Movie Awards, and though their work together wasn't action-oriented, Lautner said working with the "Mission: Impossible" actor was "surreal."

But was he able to hold it together around his idol? "I definitely played it cool," Lautner said with a laugh. "It was hard."

Check out everything we've got on "Abduction."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more -- updated around the clock -- visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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