Carly Rae Jepsen Quits Boy Scouts Concert Over Anti-Gay Rule

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Concerts / Tours, Performances, Pop,

Carly Rae Jepsen has pulled out of a Boy Scouts of America concert over its anti-gay policy.

The "Call Me Maybe" hitmaker was due to perform at the organization's summer festival, the National Scout Jamboree, in July, but has cancelled her appearance because the youth organization doesn't allow gay scouts and leaders.

In a statement on her Twitter account, she wrote, "As an artist who believes in equality for all people, I will not be participating in the Boy Scouts of America Jamboree this summer. I always have and will continue to support the LGBT community on a global level and stay informed on the ever changing landscape in the ongoing battle for gay rights in this country and across the globe."

The 26-year-old singer was due to perform at the concert in Mount Hope, West Virginia, along with "Hey, Soul Sister" hitmakers Train, who have also pulled out of the gig after a petition by a gay former boy scout gained support from rights group, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).

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Gotye Has Biggest Selling Song of 2012

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, The Charts, Alternative, Rock,

Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" was the biggest selling song of 2012 in the US. The Belgian-Australian singer's track sold 6.8 million copies, beating Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe," which was second, with 6.4 million sales.

"Somebody That I Used to Know (Featuring Kimbra)" became a phenomena in 2012, catapulting the previously unknown artist to the spotlight. The song has sold over 10 million copies worldwide and reached number one in more than 23 national charts, becoming the fourth most downloaded track of all time.

Speaking of the track, Gotye - real name Wouter De Backer - said he doesn't mind if it's his only successful single: "I would take a sort of perverse pleasure if a certain part of the public think of me as a one-hit-wonder. I'd be in some good company."

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Justin Bieber Triumphs at American Music Awards

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Awards, Alternative, Country, Electronic, Hip-Hop & Rap, Pop, R&B / Soul, Rock,

Justin Bieber won three prizes at last night's American Music Awards.

The 18-year-old singer - who was accompanied to the bash by his mother Pattie Mallette - was the big winner at the ceremony, taking home pop/rock male artist, pop/rock album for Believe and the evening's final accolade, the coveted artist of the year award.

Accepting pop/rock male artist, he said, "I want to say this is for all the haters who thought I was just here for one or two years. I feel like I'm going to be here for a very long time."

For his third win, Justin brought his mother on stage with him and told her, "I wanted to thank you for always believing in me... This is my mom. She's little, but she's beautiful."

The Believe star also performed twice at the ceremony, duetting with Nicki Minaj on their track "Beauty and a Beat" and a stripped-back solo acoustic performance of "As Long As You Love Me."

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Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber Sweep MTV EMAs

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Awards, Music Videos, Alternative, Country, Dance, Hip-Hop & Rap, Pop, Rock, New Releases,

Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber were the big winners at the MTV Europe Music Awards earlier tonight.

The 22-year-old "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" singer and the 18-year-old Canadian popstar scooped three awards each at the star-studded event hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum in Frankfurt, Germany.

Performer Taylor - who made her first appearance at the annual awards ceremony and recently released her new album Red - picked up awards for Best Female, Best Live and the debut Best Look award. "I am so excited about tonight. It doesn't even feel real, to get to my first EMAs and to win three awards is unbelievable, I am blown away. I had a blast during the performance that was the most production I've ever got to do during a performance with all the circus acrobats it was so much fun," she said.

"As Long As You Love Me" singer Justin - who was unable to attend the event as he has a concert in Brooklyn tomorrow and is due to meet Selena Gomez for crisis talks following their split last week - picked up Best Male, Best Pop and Best World Stage.

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Carly Rae Jepsen Sued

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Gossip, Pop, New Releases,

Carly Rae Jepsen is being sued over "Call Me Maybe."

A Ukranian singer, Aza, is filing a lawsuit in Los Angeles, claiming the Canadian star's mega hit copies her track, "Hunky Santa." The lawsuit claims the festive themed song - recorded in English - has the same lyrical basis as Carly's track, and was taken without consent.

"I'm shocked and surprised that these people wanted to sample my lyrics on their song. They didn't ask me for permission, they just took it. That's why I filed this lawsuit. When I first heard it on the radio, I was driving and almost got into an accident. I couldn't believe what I was hearing," former Miss Ukraine Aza told TMZ.com.

The lawsuit is seeking substantial damages to compensate Aza.

Representatives for Carly, 26, deny her track is in any way related to "Hunky Santa." A representative said, "This is completely false and Carly's lawyers will deal with this. Everyone knows Carly is a songwriter. She is not spending a lot of time listening to Ukrainian radio."

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Nicki Minaj and Rihanna Lead AMA Nominations

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Awards, Country, Electronic, Hip-Hop & Rap, Pop, R&B / Soul, Rock,

Nicki Minaj and Rihanna lead the nominations for the 2012 American Music Awards (AMAs).

The two singers are each in the running for four awards, with Drake, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, One Direction and Usher following narrowly behind with three nods apiece.

Justin, Rihanna, Maroon 5, Drake and Katy Perry will battle it out for the coveted Artist of the Year prize, while J. Cole, fun., Gotye, Carly Rae Jepsen and One Direction are all up for New Artist of the Year.

Nicki's four nominations are for Favorite Female Artist - Pop/Rock, Favorite Artist - Rap/ Hip Hop, Favorite Album - Pop/Rock and Favorite Album - Rap/ Hip Hop for Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. As well as Artist of the Year, Rihanna is also up for Favorite Female Artist - Pop/Rock, Favorite Female Artist - Soul/R&B and Favorite Album - Soul/R&B for Talk That Talk.

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Heidi Klum to Host MTV Europe Music Awards

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Awards, Alternative, Country, Dance, Electronic, Hip-Hop & Rap, Pop, R&B / Soul, Rock,

Heidi Klum is to host the MTV Europe Music Awards.

The German supermodel will take control of the ceremony when it takes place in Frankfurt, Germany, on Sunday, November 11 and can't wait for the event to take place in her home country. "I'm honored to host the 2012 MTV EMAs in its return to my home country of Germany. The MTV EMAs are one of the biggest nights in global music, fashion and culture, and I'm thrilled to play a part in bringing this one-of-a-kind show to audiences all over the world. We're going to have a blast!" she said in a statement.

Rihanna is the most nominated artist for the ceremony with nods in six categories, including Best Pop Act, Best Look, Biggest Fans and Best Female. Taylor Swift follows with five nominations for prestigious prizes such as Best Live Act and she will battle Rihanna for the Best Female statuette as well as Katy Perry, Pink and Nicki Minaj. Justin Bieber and Katy received four nods each, while several acts picked up a hat-trick of nominations including Nicki, Lady Gaga and Carly Rae Jepsen.

The event takes place at the Festhalle Frankfurt and fans can vote for the winners by visiting www.mtvema.com.

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Carly Rae Jepsen Stunned by VMA Nomination

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Awards, Pop, New Releases,

Carly Rae Jepsen thinks her VMA nomination is "crazy."

The "Call Me Maybe" singer is stunned at how much her life has changed since her sudden rise to fame and says discovering she was up for the Best New Artist award at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards was the most surreal feeling ever.

"I have to pinch myself. I mean, a year ago I was touring Canada in a soccer mom van, and all of the sudden, my life's just taken off in a completely different direction. Moments like that just let it really sink in. It's crazy," Carly, 26, told MTV News.

The Canadian starlet thinks even being considered for the title is an honor because of the stiff competition from international acts One Direction with their chart-topping tune "What Makes You Beautiful," Frank Ocean with "Swim Good," The Wanted with "Glad You Came" and Fun with "We Are Young" featuring Janelle Monae.

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Justin Bieber Impressed Protege with Writing Skills

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Collaborations, Pop,

Justin Bieber surprised Carly Rae Jepsen with his songwriting abilities.

The "Baby" hitmaker has championed the Canadian singer/songwriter, even appearing in the music video for her song "Call Me Maybe," and while Carly was a fan of Justin's music, she had no idea what a prolific songwriter her is.

"[Justin's" extremely talented -- and, I mean, obviously that's pretty well-known -- but in ways that I didn't realise. I knew that he sang, I knew that he was sort of infectious in his personality, I knew that he danced, but I didn't know how strong of a songwriter he was, and my first introduction to him was actually in his studio and he played me a couple songs he had written, and I was really impressed and I was so glad, because I really, really liked him," she said, speaking in an MTV Twitter chat with fans.

Carrly also admires Taylor Swift and would love to work with her:

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