MMVA 2011: ULTIMATE SPOTLIGHT ON JRDN.

His name is JRDN and was born Jordan Croucher. He grew up in the 416 at Jane and Finch and then off to the 902 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. JRDN is a phenomenal R&B singer that relatively entered the music in 2010 releasing a new album, his first "I AM JRDN." The album was released in November 2010 and two singles were laid in the charts right away namely "Like Magic" and "U can have it all." These radio favorites were really the hottest sounds to touch my IPOD. OMG, Jordan is like magic with talents in professional basketball and wanted to go to the NBA when he really made another dream come true as that was what he wanted to do. He is an alumni of Canadian Idol's third season and though he did not advance to the finals he continued to pursue his dreams and look what we have now.

JRDN is now the sexiest, awesome R&B crooner we love in Canada right now. I caught up with him at so many events this year including the Canadian Radio Music Awards above pictured with with Reema Major and I, the Stylus awards and now the MMVA's this weekend. JRDN spoke to me about the anticipation and road to the MMVA's Listen below.

MMVA 2011: “ICON THE ANOMALI” OF THE CANDY COATED KILLAHZ BECOMES THE FIRST NIGERIAN TO BE NOMINATED FOR THE MUCHMUSIC VIDEO AWARD.

MMVA nominee Icon the Anomali of Candy Coated Killahz

Icon and I during our interview on 6/15/11

Nigerians have been making musical waves once again here in Canada lately. Di'ja was the first to be nominated for a Canadian Radio Music Award in 2008 for "Rocksteady", then Stevano Ugo of the U.G.O Crew who was nominated for a 2010 Juno Awards for the remix of "I'm still Fly" and a 2011 Canadian Radio Music Award for "Change feat Sean Kingston."

Now meet Michael Akinlabi aka ICON THE ANOMALI, hailing from Nigeria where I am from. He moved to Canada eight years ago. Akinlabi is one half of the electro pop music duo of Candy Coated Killahz. Canada’s national newspaper The Globe and Mail cited CCK as the band responsible for Toronto’s emergence as an “Electronic music capital.” CCK is “Icon the Anomali” and “Tasha” Schumann who was a friend he met when they were students working in a Toronto restaurant. Tasha was away when we did this quick historical making interview but after the MMVA's, we will have a full CCK interview on their tour and more.

The video nominated is titled “Neon Black” and it’s going for the Best Post Production trophy making Akinlabi the first Nigerian in the history of the awards to be nominated. The MuchMusic Video Awards is Canada’s music video awards put together by the music channel MuchMusic. It is well known as the “MMVA’s.” We met downtown at the Dark Horse bar this week and I asked him how he came up with the group name. He told me it was a lyric in another song. The video is very addictive. KJ also did a mini photo shoot with him outside the Dark horse which you could view at his fan page here.

He told me that he’s always been a great dancer back home in Nigeria and started making beats when he arrived in Canada. Their music has appeared in the blockbuster movie by Tyler Perry “I can do bad all by myself.” He also draws cartoons and designs video games. Icon also told HipHossip that his sister “Zeal” is an emerging female music artist based in Nigeria. CCK will be touring this summer and will make a stop at the Calgary Stampede Fest performing alongside other notables artists like Classified and Rapper Flo Rida. The MMVA’s airs live on Sunday June 19^th 2011 on the MuchMusic channel. You can visit their site to watch their videos and listen to their music at www.candycoatedkillahz.com.

Photo Credits: Jennifer Conley Photography

THAT NEW MMVA TROPHY LOOKS HEAVY AND SPIFFY!

MMVA nominees Icon and Tasha of Candy Coated Killahz show the new MMVA trophy on CP24 (photo credits-CCK website)

The big party is this weekend and an all-new shape, all-new MMVA. With the hottest street party just days away, MuchMusic reveals a new design for the MuchMusic Video Award. The new trophy coincides with the clean and structured look of the new Much logo, weighing 10 lbs and made out of aluminum alloy. The re-imagination of the award is the fourth incarnation of the trophy in the history of the MMVAs. The newly designed hardware will be handed out live from Much HQ on Sunday, June 19, airing at 9 p.m. ET on MuchMusic in Canada , and on Fuse in the U.S.

“Over the last year, MuchMusic was rebranded,” said Peter Moller, Creative Director, Design. “Along with a fresh, optimistic, clean and structured look and feel came a new brand logo, which was implemented everywhere. MuchMusic’s biggest event of the year, the MUCHMUSIC VIDEO AWARDS, wasn’t spared. The heavy-weight trophy was meant to materialize the impact, significance, weight and profoundness of receiving a prize. Therefore picking up one of the statues always leaves a surprise and clearly elevates the moment.

The simple yet stylish shape is timeless and is meant to be on a shelf of a proud MMVA winner for many years without becoming dated. The reduced, right-angled shape reflects MuchMusic’s brand values and aesthetics. It also allows for bigger ownership for the winners, as their names are printed directly on the trophy rather then on a plaque attached to the statue. ”The award was designed by the CTV Creative Agency and produced by Society Awards.

NEW "SCOOP" ON DRAKE AND RIHANNA SPOTTED TOGETHER IN MONTREAL.

Rihanna arriving at the Terrasses Bonsecours in Montreal, Canada last night.
(Photo credit: Ahmed Qadri)

Drake texting someone whose name starts with the letter "R"
(Photo credit: Ahmed Qadri)

Rihanna is still checking out the flavors of ice cream on the wall.

Oh nana what is this? Our pal Vanessa fed the latest scoop to HipHossip FIRST about last night's preps for the Montreal Grand Prix. Oh my! Drake and Rihanna hit Terrasses Bonsecours, that trendy bar/restaurant/club/ice cream parlour joint in the MTL. The cool venue kicked off things for the Formula 1 Montreal Grand Prix weekend in a gig called "A night hosted by Drake in Old Montreal."

Let me tell you, as the "suspect" lovebirds arrived at 1am in that hot steamy Montreal summer evening, they were ushered to their VIP seats and of course RiRi had to cool things off first as seen in one photo here getting her flavor in at the ice cream counter. I say RiRi's fave flavor is strawberry! Just a guess. She is on tour and was just here in T-Dot last week. Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett was also in the house, so I hear. Vanessa owes KJ and I three scoops of ice cream and a whole entree on the house when we hit the MTL in August after Caribana. MTL is where we are going this summer. I feel like speaking a l'il French.

Advice to Drake seen texting and being low profile in that picture, we know it's RiRi you were texting within inches of each other. No wonder you didn't pick up my phone call during that 1am hour. Snag that gal Rihanna now. She is sweet as hell. Trust me Drake, there ain't gonna be any "man down" except on the BED! At 47, 23 y/o Robyn Rihanna Fenty is the daughter I never had. I could trade my 24 y/o son right now for her. He's too busy idolizing Playboy and reality show Queen Jayde Nicole. My older son thinks Jayde and not Holly should rule the world. lol. LOVE Drake and Rihanna! Can't stand the haterz!

Pour nos lecteurs du Québec belle

Oh quelle est cette nana? Notre Vanessa pal alimenté les derniers scoops à HipHossip d'abord à la nuit dernière se prépare pour le Grand Prix de Montréal. Oh mon! Drake et Rihanna a frappé Terrasses Bonsecours, qui bar à la mode / restaurant / club / salon de crème glacée dans la commune MTL. Le site cool a débuté les choses pour le week-end de Formule 1 Grand Prix de Montréal dans un concert intitulé «Une nuit animée par Drake dans le Vieux-Montréal."

Permettez-moi de vous dire, comme le «suspect» tourtereaux sont arrivés à 1h du matin dans cette chaude soirée d'été chaude et humide à Montréal, ils ont été conduits à leurs places VIP et bien sûr RiRi avait pour refroidir les choses hors d'abord comme vu dans une photo ici obtenir sa saveur en moins le comptoir de crème glacée. Je dis saveur fave RiRi est fraise! Juste une supposition. Elle est en tournée et a été seulement ici, en T-Dot la semaine dernière. Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett a été aussi dans la maison, ce que j'ai entendu. Vanessa doit KJ et je trois boules de crème glacée et une entrée sur l'ensemble de la maison quand nous avons touché le MTL en août, après Caribana. MTL est l'endroit où nous allons cet été. J'ai envie de parler a l'IL français.

Conseils aux Drake vu SMS et être profil bas dans ce tableau, nous savons que c'est RiRi vous envoyer des SMS à quelques centimètres les uns des autres. Pas étonnant que tu ne capte pas mon coup de téléphone pendant cette heure 1h du matin. Publier gal que Rihanna maintenant. Elle est douce comme l'enfer. Croyez-moi Drake, il ne va pas y avoir de "l'homme vers le bas", sauf sur le lit! A 47 ans, 23 y / o Robyn Rihanna Fenty est la fille je n'ai jamais eu. Je pourrais échanger mon fils 24 y / o en ce moment pour elle. Il est trop occupé à idolâtrer Playboy et reality show Reine Jayde Nicole. Mon fils aîné pense Jayde et non Holly doit gouverner le monde. lol. Drake LOVE et Rihanna!Je ne supporte pas l'haterz!

Meanwhile, if you are in Montreal, better click this picture and go have fun at the Terrasses Bon Secours in Old MTL The address is below. You can also follow them on their brand new Twitter at twitter.com/TerrassesVIP.
They also have a brand new FB page too. Spread those social media links pls..

Quays of the Old Port
Montreal, Quebec, CanadaTel.: 514 288 9407
Cell: 514 969 9716
Fax: 514 221 4718
info@terrassesbonsecours.com

WILLOW SMITH CONGRATULATES HER BROTHER ON HIS GRADUATION AND LETS US KNOW IT!

So maybe someof you didn't know that Will and Jada were my childhood friends in the Philly and Baltimore days. Will had Trey with his first wife in their short lived marriage. Trey is now graduating HS and it's time for college. Below is a photo of Jada and I on the set of that fat family movie "The Naughty Professor" and also Jada on our morning radio show later that day on the now defunct V103FM Baltimore.

The kid Jada's posing with is my now 20-year-old son, One picture there was from the movie premier of Will's movie "Wild Wild West." Jaden is the baby Jada was carrying and Trey is the one in the dapper white suit. Better click or download that pic and flip it upside down as I labelled it in 1997!! Oh lawd and there was no WILLOW in that picture as she was born in 2000, the same time as KJ. CONGRATS TREY!!

PATTI LABELLE TO BE HONORED ALONGSIDE STEVE HARVEY AT BET AWARDS.

Patti LaBelle will be recognized for her five decades in music and Steve Harvey will be honoured for his philanthropic contributions at this year's BET Awards.BET says LaBelle will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award and Harvey will accept the Humanitarian Award at the annual ceremony, which honours actors, athletes, musicians, movies and music videos.

This year's top nominee is Chris Brown, who is up for six awards and is set to perform on the live show. Jill Scott and Alicia Keys are also slated to perform.The BET Awards '11 will air live June 26 from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on BET.

SNOOP DOGGY DOGG TO PERFORM AT THE MMVA'S!

Above, that's how close I got to Snoop at the BET HH awards in 2009. Lets hope I get closer at the MMVA's lol...

MuchMusic announced today additional presenters for the biggest party of the year, the 2011 MUCHMUSIC VIDEO AWARDS. Golden Globe® winner Colin Farrell, Godfather of Rap Snoop Dogg, sassy starlets Cassie Scerbo (MAKE IT OR BREAK IT) and Kat Graham (VAMPIRE DIARIES), along with brooding hearthrob Munro Chambers(DEGRASSI) are set to take to the MMVAs stage on June 19.

Snoop Dogg will perform on the MMVAs stage. (YAY!!!!)

Also announced today as presenters are surfer stud Trevor Donovan (90210), singer Karl Wolf, Canadian rockers The Midway State, Foster the People and MMVAs nominees Alyssa Reid, Danny Fernandes, Neverest, and David Guetta. The night gets started with the 2011 MMVAs RED CARPET SPECIAL on Sunday, June 19 at 8 p.m. ET, followed by the main show at 9 p.m. ET. Viewers in the U.S. can watch a simulcast on Fuse. Staying true to its essence, the 2011 MMVAs will showcase the hottest stars of film, TV and music.

See full list of presenters below.

The 2011 MMVAs list of presenters includes:

• Golden Globe® winning star of FRIGHT NIGHT, Colin Farrell
• Multi-platinum superstar Producer/DJ David Guetta (1 nomination)
  
• DEGRASSI actor Munro Chambers90210’s Trevor Donovan
• MAKE IT OR BREAK IT gymnast Cassie ScerboIan Somerhalder, Kat Graham, and Nina Dobrev from THE VAMPIRE DIARIES
• Canadian singer-songwriter Alyssa Reid (1 nomination)
• R&B artist Karl Wolf
• Recording artist and SYTYCDC judge, Blake McGrath (2 nominations)
• Canadian hip hop artist and MMVA winner Classified (1 nomination)
• Australian singer-songwriter Cody Simpson
• Pop/R&B singer and MMVA nominee Danny Fernandes (3 nominations)
• THE BIG BANG THEORY’s favourite geek Johnny Galecki
• American electro party rock group LMFAO
• Nikki Reed from the Twilight saga
  
• Canadian PRETTY LITTLE LIAR Shay Mitchell
• R&B artist and MMVA nominee Shawn Desman (4 nominations)
• Power pop band These Kids Wear Crowns (2 nominations)
• Canadian pop boy band Neverest (1 nomination)
• Epic Canadian rock band The Midway State
• LA rockers Foster The People
• AND, THANKS TO THE MMVA PUBLICISTS Alison and Theresa for keeping us in the know.
  

TAYLOR SWIFT TAKES HOME BIGGEST TROPHY AT CMT AWARDS.

Ludacris made a surprise appearance, as did Sheryl Crow's underwear. Lady Antebellum laid down a funky beat with Charles Kelley doing a Don Henley impression. And a sassy Wynonna Judd put Kid Rock in his place.Actress Kristin Chenoweth's first CMT Music Awards left quite an impression Wednesday night."This show is entertaining," Chenoweth said. "I think the Oscars could learn something from it."

Recent trends continued as Taylor Swift's fans gave her the night's top honor — the fan-voted video of the year award for "Mine" — Miranda Lambert's "The House That Built Me" continued its extraordinary run and Lambert's new husband, Blake Shelton, was the night's only multiple. winner. More of the CMT awards here.

RAPPER JA RULE STARTS JAIL SENTENCE FOR GUN CHARGES.

Ja Rule began a two-year prison sentence Wednesday on gun charges, becoming the latest in a long line of rappers to get in trouble for firearms possession. Ja Rule, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, pleaded guilty in December to attempted criminal possession of an unregistered, .40 caliber handgun and was sentenced to two years behind bars and 18 months of supervised release.The rapper was caught with the pistol in his sports car after a 2007 concert in Manhattan.

He had been performing alongside rapper Lil Wayne, who was also charged with gun possession in a separate arrest and spent much of 2010 in prison."Carrying an illegal gun in New York City puts the safety of all New Yorkers at risk," said District Attorney Cyrus Vance."Whether you are a Grammy-nominated musician or a teenager carrying a gun for a friend, justice is blind. This sentence should put all illegal gun owners in New York on notice."A more severe punishment could have been expected had Ja Rule gone to trial and been convicted.

RAPPER FLO RIDA ARRESTED FOR DUI IN MIAMI BEACH!

(Booking photo courtesy of Miami-Dade Department of Corrections)

Our friend rap artist and entertainer Flo Rida was arrested early Thursday in Miami Beach on a drunk driving charge, according to Miami-Dade jail records.The 31-year-old singer whose real name is Tramar Dillard, of Miami Gardens, was arrested onSouth Beach on charges of DUI and driving with a suspended license. Bond for each charge was tentatively set at $1,000 according to the records.

The entertainer was driving onSouth Beach in a 2008 Bugatti, worth more than $1M, when he was stopped by Miami Beach police about 3:30 a.m., the entertainment site TMZ reported.Quoting from a police report, TMZ also reported that bystanders attempted to get the officers to let Dillard go and some offered to give the entertainer a ride home. Dillard's blood alcohol limit was found to be .185, more than twice Florida's legal limit, the report said.

We met Flo Rida at the MMVA's in 2008. He's such a nice guy. Even gives fans his phone number to call him anytime.