Florence + The Machine To Perform At The 2010 MTV Video Music Awards

"Dog Days Are Over" Up For Video of the Year, Best Rock Video, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction

MTV has announced the addition of Florence + The Machine to their list of performers at the 2010 Video Music Awards.  Florence Welch and her band will be performing "Dog Days Are Over" at the Awards, held at the Nokia Theater Los Angeles on September 12th.  The video for the song has been nominated for four VMAs, nabbing the coveted slot as one of six artists up for "Video of the Year", as well as "Best Rock Video", "Best Cinematography" and "Best Art Direction" for what MTV calls "one giant work of avant garde art."

Speaking to USA Today of her performance, Florence Welch said, "To be performing and nominated at this years VMAs is completely amazing and especially for the song "Dog days" as I recorded that song in a cupboard with no instruments and the sound of the drums was me banging my hands on the wall, clacking pens on Mpc's and generally causing a cacophony with anything I could lay my hands on. For this song to be recognized at such an iconic event is a total dream. For me 'Dog days' symbolizes apocalyptic euphoria, Chaotic freedom and running really really fast with your eyes closed..I hope to somehow encapsulate those things in my performance at this years VMA's. I would also hugely like to thank everyone at the VMA's for giving me this opportunity."

In addition to getting recognition for her video, her song "Dog Days Are Over" has been a fixture on in the film and TV world for the past couple of months.  You may have heard it during the trailer for Julia Roberts's Eat Pray Love movie. She also contributed an original track "Heavy in Your Arms" to The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.

Florence really shines with her live shows, which have become the stuff of legend.  Since touring the world nearly constantly beginning last summer she'll be back in the USA soon for another round of dates in North America.

October 30 - New Orleans, LA - Voodoo Music Festival
October 31 - Boston, MA - House of Blues
November 1 - New York, NY - Terminal 5
November 2 - New York, NY - Terminal 5
November 3 - Toronto, ON - Sound Academy
November 5 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theater
November 6 - Los Angeles, CA - Wiltern (SOLD OUT)
November 7 - Los Angeles, CA - Wiltern

Florence's acclaimed debut album Lungs, released in 2009, has been hailed as a breakthrough effort around the world, reaching #1 on the UK charts an impressive seven months after release date and remaining in the Top 40 ever since and has gone on to sell over 1.7 million copies worldwide. The tenacious artist took home a Brit Awards Critic's Choice trophy last year, pegged as 'one of the most exciting new artists to debut in the British music scenes in years.' 

Styx tour the US in the autumn

Styx Set to Launch "The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight" Tour This Fall, Performing Both Albums in Their Entirety

STYX--Tommy Shaw (vocals, guitars), James "JY" Young (vocals, guitars), Lawrence Gowan (vocals, keyboards), Todd Sucherman (drums) and Ricky Phillips (bass), along with the occasional surprise appearance by original bassist Chuck Panozzo—are getting ready to head out on the US concert trail again this year. However, for this round of dates, the band has an extra-special treat planned - it won't be a typical STYX show. Along with the classic hits, the band will be performing 1977's The Grand Illusion and 1978's Pieces of Eight in their entirety. Both albums spawned such hit singles and Classic Rock radio standards as "Come Sail Away," "Renegade," "Blue Collar Man" and "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)."

"This is the most unique STYX concert ever," says singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw. "It's a hybrid experience of enjoying the artistry of the vinyl album and the energy and of our live performance. Some songs have never been performed live!"

Spawned from a suburban Chicago basement in the early '70s, STYX would eventually transform into the virtual arena rock prototype by the late '70s and early '80s, due to a fondness for big rockers and soaring power ballads. Over the course of their 38-year career they've released 15 studio albums, 6 best-of compilations and 4 live albums, garnering 8 Top Ten singles. STYX has sold over 30 million albums worldwide.

On the touring front, STYX has performed more shows since '99 than all of the previous years of its career combined. Two Super-Bowl appearances, Pollstar box office chart-topping tours with Def Leppard, Journey, Boston, REO Speedwagon, Bad Company, Foreigner (to name a few), two more studio albums and no end in sight, STYX continues to conquer the planet, one venue at a time.

Check out the "The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight" at any of the following stops:

10/14 - Evansville, IN - The Centre
10/15 - Merrillville, IN - Star Plaza Theatre
10/16 - Waukegan, IL - Genesee Theatre
10/17 - Columbus, OH - The Palace Theatre
10/19 - Chattanooga, TN - Tivoli Theatre
10/21 - Melbourne, FL - King Center
10/22 - Ft. Myers, FL - Barbara B. Mann Perf Arts Hall
10/23 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
10/25 - Salem, VA - Salem Civic Center
10/27 - Washington, DC - Warner Theatre
10/28 - New York, NY - Beacon Theatre
10/29 - Baltimore, MD - Hippodrome Theatre
10/30 - Albany, NY - Palace Theatre Albany
11/2 - Bangor, ME - Bangor Auditorium
11/3 - Lowell, MA - Lowell Memorial Auditorium
11/5 - Erie, PA - Warner Theatre Erie
11/6 - Toledo, OH - Stranahan Theatre
11/7 - Louisville, KY - Louisville Palace
11/9 - Memphis, TN - The Orpheum Theatre
11/11 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
11/12 - Biloxi, MS - Hard Rock Casino & Resort
11/13 - Atlanta, GA - Cobb Energy Center

**On-sale dates are subject to change.

Get ready for Plain White T's 'Wonders of the Younger'

PLAIN WHITE T’S PUT FINISHING TOUCHES ON NEW ALBUM

“WONDERS OF THE YOUNGER” SLATED FOR RELEASE IN OCTOBER

BAND TO PERFORM FIRST SINGLE “RHYTHM OF LOVE” ON THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO AUGUST 5

GOOD MORNING AMERICA AUGUST 19

VIDEO FOR  “RHYTHM OF LOVE” PREMIERES ON VH1.COM AUGUST 10 AND ON VH1 AUGUST 14"

“RHYTHM OF LOVE” DIGITAL SINGLE AVAILABLE AUGUST 10

  

“It’s all about pushing the boundaries of our creativity and musical  imagination combined with a dose of nostalgia,” notes Plain White T’s frontman Tom Higgenson of the Chicago band’s forthcoming Hollywood Records release, Wonders of the Younger, due out this October.  Higgenson calls the disc, now in the finishing stages of recording and produced by Ian Kirkpatrick, a collection of songs designed to evoke the feeling of awe and the yearning for adventure remembered from youth.

Higgenson says of the album, “It’s still very much a Plain White T’s album.  The songs are sincere and melodic, no matter what the subject matter.  We want to create an experience that takes our fans to an unexpected place while still giving them songs to sing along to.”

As Higgenson points out, the band is in a different place than the one that prompted hits like the twice Grammy nominated “Hey There Delilah” and “1-2-3-4”– and though there’s still plenty of room in their world for romantic pop, among them is the album’s summery first single, “Rhythm of Love” penned by guitarist Tim Lopez (the brightly melodic tune was inspired by a bittersweet

romance) they’re also branching into some adventurous new territory. It was during a

performance of Cirque du Soleil’s “O” he caught during a Vegas visit that the idea for the new set first took shape. “It just woke something up in me – this wonder,” the singer/guitarist/songwriter recalls. “It was dark yet nostalgic.  I thought, I want to make an album that gives people this feeling.” 

Fast becoming the band’s next big hit, the T’s will perform “Rhythm of Love” on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno August 5 followed by a performance on Good Morning America August 19. The video clip for “Rhythm of Love,” directed by the band’s long time videographer Mike Venezia (1,2,3,4) was shot on the beach in Ventura, CA and will premiere exclusively on VH1.com August 10 and will make its television premiere on VH1 August 14.  The single will be available digitally everywhere August 10.

Fans who’ve heard “Welcome to Mystery,” the band’s contribution to the Almost Alice compilation that accompanied Tim Burton’s 3D blockbuster “Alice in Wonderland,” will have an inkling of where the T’s are headed.  The track’s playfully mysterious vibe, sonic grandeur and expansive sense of possibility, Higgenson says, are the essence of the new set’s approach.  It will appear on Wonders… as well.  “We’ve been fans of Tim Burton’s since ‘Beetlejuice,’ so just being associated with the movie was amazing,” he elaborates. “It also offered us the opportunity to give people a taste of what we’re doing now.”  

 “Welcome to Mystery” was produced by Kirkpatrick, with whom Higgenson had collaborated on various projects over the years.  “Ian is just getting established and we had the creative freedom to choose a producer,” Higgenson says.  “After hearing ‘Mystery,’ the label really got it and agreed it was a good fit. He has a unique way of manipulating sounds and has become an ideal collaborator for this album.” 

The album’s concept has exerted such force that Higgenson built and decorated the recording studio in the basement of his Chicago home with Wonders of the Younger entirely in mind.  “I don’t know if this has ever been done,” he muses.  “The studio looks like a haunted mansion – gold chandeliers, red wallpaper with a gaudy fleur-de-lys pattern, a brown couch that looks like something out of Sherlock Holmes.” The overall design of the space, he explains, has helped cultivate an atmosphere of creative exploration.

 “We’re focused on writing great songs that resonate with what the band has become.  If you listen to it in your car or on headphones, we want it to feel like a big, flowing rollercoaster ride – where you never quite know what’s coming next.”

On photo: Tim Lopez, Tom Higgenson, Mike Retondo, Dave Tirio, De’Mar Hamilton

Photo credit: Piper Ferguson

Who are the Top 20 Music Icons of the Last 50 Years? Vote now!

UMG Artists Named in the Top 20 Global Music Icons of the Last 50 Years by CNN

Vote for your top five favourite artists

11 globally renowned UMG Artists have been shortlisted in the Top 20 Global Music Icons of The Last 50 Years by Cable News Network's (CNN) new arts and culture show in conjunction with global music magazine, Songlines.

The iconic UMG artists shortlisted are Juanes, The Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, James Brown, Ceilia Cruz , Gilberto Gil, Leslie Cheung, Khaled, Youssou N'Dour, Asha Bhosle and Teresa Teng.  The list of music legends can be found on CNN's website

Fans will be able to vote for their top five favourite artists out of the top 20 on CNN's website. The results will be unveiled when the new music show "Icon" airs on CNN International on August 25th.

The Secret Sisters' Debut Album is on the horizon!

Oscar Winner & Grammy Winning Producer T Bone Burnett To Release The Secret Sisters' Debut Album on His New Universal Republic Imprint Beladroit Records

Grammy winning producer T Bone Burnett will be presenting and releasing Universal Republic singing duo The Secret Sisters and their highly anticipated, self titled debut album, on a brand new Universal Republic label created by Burnett especially for this release: Beladroit Records. The album will be released in the US on October 5, 2010 (released internationally October 4th).

The Alabama-reared siblings, Laura and Lydia Rogers, whose new album is steeped in the familial camaraderie and mesmerizing harmonies braced by their Mussel Shoals roots, recorded their inaugural musical effort at Nashville's renowned Blackbird Studio. Produced by revered country knob-turner Dave Cobb (Waylon Jennings and Jamey Johnson), and executive-produced by Burnett, The Secret Sisters' sound captured on their debut has been described by Burnett as "as close to 'pure' as it gets, and I've been doing this for forty years."

The multiple-Grammy winner's enthusiasm for The Secret Sisters attests to their burgeoning stature as one of the year's rare musical finds: "In The Secret Sisters, you can hear the history of rural American music from the 1920s and a reverence for every musical genre since," stated T Bone Burnett. "Popular music requires the absolute honesty of The Secret Sisters, and I'm thrilled to be involved in presenting them to the world."

Scheduled to hit stores and online platforms this fall, Silver Threads And Golden Needles was recorded in a marathon two-week recording time frame. The producers also brought in vintage analogue recording equipment and vintage microphones, determined to properly capture The Secret Sisters' magical harmonizing and stunning vocal power.  The duo's signature sound is evident on songs such as "Why Don't Ya Love Me," Why Baby Why," and the lilting anthem "Tennessee Me," among others.

Hailing direct from the fertile musical territory of Mussel Shoals, AL, The Secret Sisters co-wrote several of the songs on the new album. The girls' also re-worked found treasures, including the Frank Sinatra classic "Something Stupid," as well as enlisting the support of legendary country musicians such as pedal steel great Robbie Turner and piano legend Pig Robbins, among others.

Lady Gaga and Eminem Top MTV VMA Nominations

2010 has been the year of Lady Gaga so it's no surprise that she received an astounding 13 nominations for the 2010 MTV VMA Awards. With that count, Gaga makes MTV history, earning the most nominations ever by an artist in a single year. She is also the first female artist to be nominated for two different videos in the Video of the Year category in the same year ("Bad Romance" and "Telephone" featuring Beyoncй.)

Following behind Lady Gaga is Eminem, who received 8 nominations. Eminem has also had a stellar year, his latest album Recovery has stayed atop the US charts since its release on June 21st, quickly becoming one of the biggest records of the year. "Not Afraid" is nominated in 5 different categories including the coveted "Video of the Year" category. It was also nominated for Best Hip Hop Video, alongside "Forever," his collaboration with Drake and Kanye West.

New-comer Florence + The Machine received a nomination for Video of the Year for "Dog Days Are Over" along with 3 other well-deserved including Best Rock Video. Universal Motown artists Kid Cudi and Drake will battle it out for Best Hip Hop Video. Label mate Nicki Minaj will also take on her competition in the Best New Artist category. Other recognized videos included Rihanna's "Rude Boy", Taylor Swift's "Fifteen", Dan Black's "Symphonies", and the smash summer hit Enrique Iglesias' "I Like It".

Congratulations to all in the UMG family who helped contribute to a total of 47 nominations

Full Nomination List Below:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Lady Gaga
Title: Bad Romance
Album: The Fame Monster
Director: Francis Lawrence
Label: Interscope, Cherrytree, Streamline, KonLive

Florence + The Machine
Title: Dog Days Are Over
Album: Lungs
Director: LEGS
Label: Universal Republic

Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncй
Title: Telephone
Album: The Fame Monster
Director: Jonas Akerlund
Label: Interscope, Cherrytree, Streamline, KonLive

Eminem
Title: Not Afraid
Album: Recovery
Director: Rich Lee
Label: Aftermath, Interscope

30 Seconds To Mars
Title: Kings and Queens
Album: This Is War
Director: Bartholomew Cubbins
Label: Virgin Records

B.o.B featuring Hayley Williams
Title: Airplanes
Album: B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray
Director: Hiro Murai
Label: Atlantic, Grand Hustle, Rebel Rock

BEST COLLABORATION

Beyoncй featuring Lady GagaTitle: Video Phone (Extended Remix)
Album: I am ... Sasha Fierce (Deluxe Edition)
Director: Hype Williams
Label: Columbia, Music World Music

Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncй
Title: Telephone
Album: The Fame Monster
Director: Jonas Akerlund
Label: Interscope, Cherrytree, Streamline, KonLive

3OH!3 featuring Ke$ha
Title: My First Kiss
Album: Streets Of Gold
Director: Isaac Ravishankara
Label: Photo Finish Records

B.o.B featuring Hayley Williams
Title: Airplanes
Album: B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray
Director: Hiro Murai
Label: Atlantic, Grand Hustle, Rebel Rock

Jay-Z & Alicia Keys
Title: Empire State of Mind
Album: The Blueprint 3
Director: Hype Williams
Label: Roc Nation

BEST FEMALE VIDEO
Lady Gaga
Title: Bad Romance
Album: The Fame Monster
Director: Francis Lawrence
Label: Interscope, Cherrytree, Streamline, KonLive

Beyoncй featuring Lady GagaTitle: Video Phone (Extended Remix)
Album: I am ... Sasha Fierce (Deluxe Edition)
Director: Hype Williams
Label: Columbia, Music World Music

Taylor Swift
Title: Fifteen
Album: Fearless
Director: Roman White
Label: Big Machine Records, Universal Republic

Ke$ha
Title: TiK ToK
Album: Animal
Director: Syndrome
Label: RCA

Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg
Title: California Gurls
Album: Teenage Dream
Director: Mathew Cullen
Label: Capitol Records

BEST MALE VIDEO

Eminem
Title: Not Afraid
Album: Recovery
Director: Rich Lee
Label: Aftermath, Interscope

Usher featuring Will.i.amTitle: OMG
Album: Raymond v. Raymond
Director: Anthony Mandler
Label: LaFace Records, JLG

Drake
Title: Find Your Love
Album: Thank Me Later
Director: Anthony Mandler
Label: Cash Money Records, Young Money

B.o.B featuring Hayley Williams
Title: Airplanes
Album: B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray
Director: Hiro Murai
Label: Atlantic, Grand Hustle, Rebel Rock

Jason Derulo
Title: In My Head
Album: Jason Derulo
Director: Kai Crawford
Label: Warner Bros. Records, Beluga Heights

BEST HIP HOP VIDEO
Eminem
Title: Not Afraid
Album: Recovery
Director: Rich Lee
Label: Aftermath, Interscope

Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem
Title: Forever
Album: Music Inspired From The Film "More Than A Game"
Director: Hype Williams
Label: Interscope, Zone 4, Harvey Mason Music

Kid Cudi featuring MGMT & Ratatat
Title: Pursuit Of Happiness
Album: Man on the Moon
Director: Brody Baker
Label: Fool's Gold

B.o.B. featuring Hayley Williams
Title: Airplanes
Album: B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray
Director: Hiro Murai
Label: Atlantic, Grand Hustle, Rebel Rock

Jay-Z & Swizz Beats
Title: On To The Next One
Album: The Blueprint 3
Director: Sam Brown
Label: Roc Nation

BEST NEW ARTIST
Justin Bieber featuring Ludacris
Title: Baby
Album: My World Part II
Director: Ray Kay
Label: Island Def Jam, RBMG

Nicki Minaj featuring Sean Garrett
Title: Massive Attack
Album: N/A
Director: Hype Williams
Label: Cash Money Records, Young Money

Ke$ha
Title: TiK ToK
Album: Animal
Director: Syndrome
Label: RCA

Jason Derulo
Title: In My Head
Album: Jason Derulo
Director: Kai Crawford
Label: Warner Bros. Records, Beluga Heights

Broken Bells
Title: The Ghost Inside
Album: Broken Bells
Director: Jacob Gentry
Label: Columbia

BEST POP VIDEO
Lady Gaga
Title: Bad Romance
Album: The Fame Monster
Director: Francis Lawrence
Label: Interscope, Cherrytree, Streamline, KonLive

Beyoncй featuring Lady GagaTitle: Video Phone (Extended Remix)
Album: I am ... Sasha Fierce (Deluxe Edition)
Director: Hype Williams
Label: Columbia, Music World Music

Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dog
Title: California Gurls
Album: Teenage Dream
Director: Mathew Cullen
Label: Capitol Records

Ke$ha
Title: TiK ToK
Album: Animal
Director: Syndrome
Label: RCA

B.o.B featuring Bruno Mars
Title: Nothing on You
Album: B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray
Director: Ethan Lader
Label: Atlantic, Grand Hustle, Rebel Rock

BEST ROCK VIDEO
Florence + the Machine
Title: Dog Days Are Over
Album: Lungs
Director: LEGS
Label: Universal Republic

30 Seconds To Mars
Title: Kings and Queens
Album: This Is War
Director: Bartholomew Cubbins
Label: Virgin Records

Muse
Title: Uprising
Album: The Resistance
Director: Hydra
Label: Warner Bros. Records

Paramore
Title: Ignorance
Album: Brand New Eyes
Director: Honey
Label: Fueled By Ramen

MGMT
Title: Flash Delirium
Album: Congratulations
Director: Andreas Nilsson
Label: Cloumbia

BEST DANCE MUSIC VIDEO
Lady Gaga
Title: Bad Romance
Album: The Fame Monster
Director: Francis Lawrence
Label: Interscope, Cherrytree, Streamline, KonLive

Enrique Iglesias featuring Pitbull
Title: I Like It
Album: Euphoria/Jersey Shore Soundtrack
Director: Mike Baro
Label: Universal Republic

David Guetta featuring AkonTitle: Sexy Chick
Album: One Love
Director: Stephen Schuster
Label: Gum Pod

Usher featuring Will.i.amTitle: OMG
Album: Raymond v. Raymond
Director: Anthony Mandler
Label: LaFace Records, JLG

Cascada
Title: Evacuate The Dancefloor
Album: Evacuate The Dancefloor
Director: Max Nichols
Label: Robbins Entertainment
Production Company: Clark Jackson Productions
Producer: Clark Jackson

BEST ART DIRECTION 
Lady Gaga
Title: Bad Romance
Album: The Fame Monster
Director: Francis Lawrence
Label: Interscope, Cherrytree, Streamline, KonLive

Florence + The Machine
Title: Dogs Days Are Over
Album: Lungs
Director: LEGS
Label: Universal Republic

Eminem
Title: Not Afraid
Album: Recovery
Director: Rich Lee
Label: Aftermath, Interscope

Beyoncй featuring Lady GagaTitle: Video Phone (Extended Remix)
Album: I am ... Sasha Fierce (Deluxe Edition)
Director: Hype Williams
Label: Columbia, Music World Music

30 Seconds To Mars
Title: Kings and Queens
Album: This Is War
Director: Bartholomew Cubbins
Label: Virgin Records

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Lady Gaga
Title: Bad Romance
Album: The Fame Monster
Director: Francis Lawrence
Label: Interscope, Cherrytree, Streamline, KonLive

Lady Gaga featuring Beyonce
Title: Telephone
Album: The Fame Monster
Director: Jonas Akerlund
Label: Interscope, Cherrytree, Streamline, KonLive

Beyoncй featuring Lady Gaga
Title: Video Phone (Extended Remix)
Album: I am ... Sasha Fierce (Deluxe Edition)
Director: Hype Williams
Label: Columbia, Music World Music

Usher featuring Will.i.amTitle: OMG
Album: Raymond v. Raymond
Director: Anthony Mandler
Label: LaFace Records, JLG

Janelle Monбe featuring Big BoiTitle: Tightrope
Album: The Archandroid
Director: Wendy Morgan
Label: Atlantic Records, Bad Boy Records, Wondaland

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Eminem
Title: Not Afraid
Album: Recovery
Director: Rich Lee
Label: Aftermath, Interscope

Lady Gaga
Title: Bad Romance
Album: The Fame Monster
Director: Francis Lawrence
Label: Interscope, Cherrytree, Streamline, KonLive

Florence + The Machine
Title: Dog Days Are Over
Album: Lungs
Director: LEGS
Label: Universal Republic

Jay-Z & Alicia Keys
Title: Empire State of Mind
Album: The Blueprint 3
Director: Hype Williams
Label: Roc Nation

Mumford and Sons
Title: Little Lion Man
Album: Sigh No More
Director: Fred & Nick
Label: Glassnote Records

BEST DIRECTION

Lady Gaga
Title: Bad Romance
Album: The Fame Monster
Director: Francis lawrence
Label: Interscope, Cherrytree, Streamline, KonLive

Eminem
Title: Not Afraid
Album: Recovery
Director: Rich Lee
Label: Aftermath, Interscope

Jay-Z & Alicia Keys
Title: Empire State of Mind
Album: The Blueprint 3
Director: Hype Williams
Label: Roc Nation

P!nk
Title: Funhouse
Album: Funhouse
Director: Dave Meyers
Label: LaFace Records, JLG

30 Seconds To Mars
Title: Kings and Queens
Album: This Is War
Director: Bartholomew Cubbins
Label: Virgin Records

BEST EDITING
Lady Gaga
Title: Bad Romance
Album: The Fame Monster
Director: Francis lawrence
Label: Interscope, Cherrytree, Streamline, KonLive

Eminem
Title: Not Afraid
Album: Recovery
Director: Rich Lee
Label: Aftermath, Interscope

Rihanna
Title: Rude Boy
Album: Rated R
Director: Melina
Label: Def Jam, SRP

Miike Snow
Title: Animal
Album: Miike Snow
Director: Sebastian Mlynarski
Label: Downtown Records

P!nk
Title: Funhouse
Album: Funhouse
Director: Dave Meyers
Label: LaFace Records, JLG

BEST SFX (SPECIAL EFFECTS)
Lady Gaga
Title: Bad Romance
Album: The Fame Monster
Director: Francis Lawrence
Label: Interscope, Cherrytree, Streamline, KonLive

Eminem
Title: Not Afraid
Album: Recovery
Director: Rich Lee
Label: Aftermath, Interscope

Dan Black
Title: Symphonies
Album: ((un))
Director: Chic & Artistic
Label: The Hours

Muse
Title: Uprising
Album: The Resistance
Director: Hydra
Label: Warner Bros. Records

Green Day
Title: 21st Century Breakdown
Album: 21st Century Breakdown
Director: Marc Webb
Label: Reprise Records

BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO

Dan Black
Title: Symphonies
Album: ((un))
Director: Chic & Artistic
Label: The Hours

Gorillaz featuring Bobby Womack & Mos DefTitle: Stylo
Album: Plastic Beach
Director: Jamie Hewlett
Label: Virgin Records

Coldplay
Title: Strawberry Swing
Album: Viva La Vida
Director: Shynola
Label: Capitol

The Black Keys
Title: Tighten Up
Album: Brothers
Director: Chris Marrs Pillero
Label: Nonesuch

Eminem & Rihanna's video "Love The Way You Lie" is out now!

Video for Eminem's Smash Single "Love The Way You Lie," Featuring Rihanna, to Premiere on MTV and VEVO This Thursday, August 5th, at 9 PM EDT

Eagerly awaited clip features Rihanna, Megan Fox, and Dominic Monaghan

Eminem, the Nielsen SoundScan Artist of the Decade for 2000-2009, will premiere the eagerly awaited video for his No. 1 single "Love The Way You Lie," featuring Rihanna, on MTV and VEVO.com on Thursday, August 5th at 9:00 PM EDT.

Shot in Los Angeles, the video was directed by Joseph Kahn, who, in addition to his work on previous Eminem videos, has also directed clips for Lady Gaga, Gwen Stefani, and 50 Cent among many others. Rihanna appears in the video, which also features Megan Fox (Transformers) and Dominic Monaghan (The Lord of the Rings, Lost) playing a couple going through the extremes of an abusive relationship. 

"Joseph and I worked pretty closely together to make sure we got this right," commented Eminem. "Trying to make this tough subject work visually is a challenge. It was great to have Rihanna, Megan and Dominic on board for this….they really brought it and made this video super-powerful."

"Love The Way You Lie" is Eminem's fourth single to top the Billboard Hot 100. It has reigned at No. 1 on the US Digital Songs chart for five consecutive weeks and has sold more than 1.4 million downloads. The track is the second single released from Eminem's latest album Recovery (Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope Records), which bowed at No. 1 on Billboard's US Top 200 Albums chart in June with sales of 741,000 copies, and held the top slot for 5 weeks. The album easily outpaced any other release for this year, and set a bar that no other album has reached for first-week sales in nearly two years.

In May, Recovery's first single, "Not Afraid," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard US Hot 100 — the first rap song to do so in 13 years. Recovery has being hailed as a tour de force for the rapper, earning a four-star review from Rolling Stone, which described it as "his fiercest and most focused work in a long time," while USA Today proclaimed it "a strong return to the form that made him a star in the first place."

Eminem also received 8 nominations for the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. Eminem and Jay-Z will perform co-headlining dates at Detroit's Comerica Park on September 2nd and 3rd and at New York's Yankee Stadium on September 13th and 14th. Tickets for the four shows are sold-out. Eminem will also be performing at the Epicenter Festival in Southern California on September 25th. Tickets are still available from http://www.epicenterfestival.com/

Megan Fox donated her fee for her video appearance to Sojourn, a shelter for abused women. Sojourn provides battered women and their children a safe space to regroup, rebuild, and reestablish their self-esteem and lives. For more information on Sojourn please visit http://www.opcc.net/