Ke$ha Calls Bob Dylan Cover 'An Emotional Purging'

Pop singer sings 'Don't Think Twice, It's All Right' for Amnesty International anniversary album.
By Jocelyn Vena


Ke$ha
Photo: Getty Images

<P>It's hard to associate Ke$ha with songs about anything other than hot guys, body glitter and partying. But she's defying her usual topics of interest for human rights organization Amnesty International. The singer is one of the many musicians on the org's <i>Chimes of Freedom</i> compilation of Bob Dylan's music, out January 24. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:720838" width="240" height="211"></div><p> When MTV News spoke with K-Dollar Sign last week about her all-star remix of "Sleazy," she also opened up about switching gears vocally and emotionally for her version of Dylan's classic "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right." "I mean, I think it's pretty well known that he's one of, if not my most, favorite artists of all time and ... one of the most amazing lyricists as well &#8212; the original storyteller," she explained. "So I love Bob Dylan and this was just, like, a dream. When they asked me to do a cover, I was just, like, salivating and going through all my records. It was so fun. It was the best homework assignment you could possibly have." K's version of Dylan's song is a slow-burning, heartbreaking ode to the already heartbreaking classic, where she channels Dylan through lyrics like "Still I wish there was somethin' you would do or say/ To try and make me change my mind and stay/ We never did too much talkin' anyway/ So don't think twice, it's all right." </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:642810" width="240" height="211"></div><p> Ke$ha had originally intended to record another Dylan track, but when she heard that someone else had their sights set on it, she settled on "Don't Think Twice," prompting a catharsis she could never have imagined. "This song was kind of an accident. I sat down and this is the first take that I ever sang," she recalled. "I just sat down on my bed for the first time after months of being on tour and I just started crying, and it was kind of like an emotional purging, and you can hear it on the record." In addition to Ke$ha and her contribution, the album will feature 75 other Dylan classics recorded by nearly 80 artists including Adele, Miley Cyrus, "Glee" star Darren Criss, My Chemical Romance, Evan Rachel Wood and Sugarland. The album pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International.</p>

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Ke$ha Celebrates National Coming Out Day

'We R Who We R' T-shirts support the Human Rights Campaign.
By Jocelyn Vena


Ke$ha design of t-shirts National Coming Out Day
Photo: Ke$ha

<P>Kesha has joined forces with the Human Rights Campaign to help celebrate National Coming Out Day on Tuesday (October 11). The pop singer created a special message T-shirt, featuring a purple zebra, that proclaims "We R Who We R," the title of her hit anthem about individuality. The shirts sell for $35, with all proceeds supporting the HRC's work to achieve equality for the LGBT community. According to the HRC website, only 1,000 shirts will be produced. Others are also using the day to bring awareness to LGBT issues. Several notable celebrities will be honored by the Equality Forum, which is hosting an event and profiling notable LGBT members in pop culture. As LGBT History Month rolls on throughout October, Ricky Martin, Wanda Sykes, "Glee" creator Ryan Murphy and Pedro Zamora, a former "The Real World" castmember turned AIDS activist, all will be profiled by the organization. "We're the only minority worldwide that's not taught history at home, in school or religious institutions," said Malcolm Lazin, Equality Forum's founder and executive director. "Like every group that's been marginalized, it really helps to make the case why we should take real pride in ourselves and our community." Since launching the program five years ago, over 200 icons have been profiled, including Jane Lynch, Lady Gaga and Neil Patrick Harris. Lazin called LGBT month "empowering and life affirming." The message comes amid increased awareness about young people being bullied, including MTV's A Thin Line campaign. The MTV film "DISconnected," which premiered Monday night, focuses on issues in a world where technology controls personal lives. "I see the viciousness of people every day," said "Jersey Shore" star Vinny Guadagnino on the "DISconnected" after show. "I kind of want to be a soldier in the field, so to speak, and try to combat the negativity with a positive message. I want to help open people's eyes up, like this movie does, to the negativity." <b>Check out the Facebook page for "DISconnected."</b></p>

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Lil Wayne, T.I., Wiz Khalifa To Get 'Sleazy' With Ke$ha

Tip confirms second remix in the works for track, which previously featured a remix verse from Andre 3000.
By Jocelyn Vena


Ke$ha
Photo: MTV News

<P>Ke$ha's already gotten "Sleazy" with Andre 3000. Now, a few more rappers want to get dirty with the glittery pop singer. XXLmag.com reports that T.I. plans to jump on the track, and Lil Wayne and Wiz Khalifa will also be joining Andre and Tip on a new version of "Sleazy." Weezy should be a welcome addition to Ke$ha's dance tune, as it sounds somewhat like Wayne's single "A Milli." And while not much else is known about the remix, T.I. promised that he's going to go big with his verse. "I haven't heard anybody but mine. ... I'm gonna put my money on mine," the newly freed rapper, who ended an 11-month prison sentence in September, told the website. The Andre 3000 remix dropped earlier this year and appears on K-Dollar Sign's album <i>Cannibal.</i> The guys will have a lot of swagger to compete with because when Andre appeared on the first remix, he had this to say: "We start out so cute in our baby pictures/ That mama shot for our daddy so that he wouldn't forget you/ He forgot anyway, but hey, one day he'll remember/ If not, he's human, I'm human, you human, we'll forgive him/ I call her Keisha, she like it because it's 'hood to her/ She call me Andre 6000 because I'm good to her." Tip told XXLmag.com that his appearance on the Ke$ha song is just one of many remixes he's amped about. He has also worked on remixes for Meek Mill and Rick Ross's "Ima Boss," as well as Jay-Z and Kanye West's <i>Watch the Throne</i> song "N---as in Paris." "I'm looking for some more records to jump on," he said. "That's what I'm doin' right now. I'm commandeering hit records right now. I'm hijacking hit records. If you got a hit, I'm on it." <i>Are you looking forward to the new "Sleazy" remix? Tell us in the comments!</i></p>

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Usher And David Guetta 'Proud' Of 'Without You'

'When you see R&B and pop and house, as well as electronic, come together, that's the reality of what music is,' Usher tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena, with additional reporting by Jim Cantiello


Usher
Photo: MTV News

<P>When Usher and David Guetta hooked up for the French DJ's latest album, <i>Nothing but the Beat,</i> the two superstars created a chart-topping smash, "Without You," that combines Guetta's ear for house beats and Usher's ability to convey a range of emotions with his voice. It's a song that has really stuck with fans of all genres of music. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:713197" width="240" height="211"></div><p> The track &#8212; a swirling pop ode to not giving up on love in the face of adversity &#8212; struck Usher with its emotional core. "David Guetta is an amazing artist," he told MTV News last week at a Pencils of Promise charity event. "We talked for many years about working together, and we found a record that was incredible." Usher said it was a song that resonated with him personally. "I think the world wanted a record like that. That [song] really spoke to the journey that I've actually been on in the last three years," he said. "Traveling all around the world, music sounds different. There's many different genres, and when you see R&B and pop and house, as well as electronic, come together, that's the reality of what music is." </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:688619" width="240" height="211"></div><p> When MTV News talked to Guetta on the American Music Awards red carpet Sunday, he said "Without You" is a standout track on the album. The LP dropped earlier this year and also includes Nicki Minaj, who performed with Guetta at the AMAs. "It's one of my favorite songs," he said. "It's just, I'm a DJ, so I want to make people dance always, but I also want to give emotions. When it comes to that, 'Without You' is probably one of the most emotional songs that I've done, and yes, I'm very proud of that record." <i>What do you think about "Without You"? Share your reviews in the comments!</i></p>

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Justin Bieber, Ke$ha, Lea Michele Up For PETA Awards

Peta2 is bestowing awards including Most Animal-Friendly Pop/Hip-Hop Artist to celebs for their support of animal rights.
By Jocelyn Vena


Justin Bieber arrives at the "Never Say Never" L.A. premiere
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

<P>PETA's youth division, peta2, is giving props to celebs like Justin Bieber, Ke$ha and "Glee" star Lea Michele at this year's Libby Awards for their efforts in support of animal rights. The Biebs, who appeared in a campaign for the organization at the top of the year using Bieber-fied catch-phrases like "My world includes passion for animals, yours should too" and "Animals can make u smile. Adopt from your local shelter," is taking on fellow animal-loving pop star Ke$ha and rappers k-os and Waka Flocka Flame in the Most Animal-Friendly Pop/Hip-Hop Artist category. Ke$ha appeared in an ad campaigning against the slaughter of Canadian seals. Michele, who speaks out against the mistreatment of carriage horses in New York City, faces off against "Jackass" star Steve-O, Cobra Starship's leading man and peta2's Sexiest Vegetarian Gabe Saporta, and "Victorious" star Daniella Monet in the Top Animal-Friendly Celebrity category. The Ready Set, Tokio Hotel, Hellogoodbye and the Swellers are all up for Most Animal-Friendly Band. Ke$ha and Tokio are also up for Best peta2 ad along with Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness and Yelle. The Libby (as in "Liberation") Awards will be decided on January 17 by fan votes as well as peta2. Voting ends December 23. "Our nominees have all worked hard to shine their spotlights on a variety of important animal issues," peta2 Division Manager Marta Holmberg said about the nominees, which honors animal-friendly people and products. "As our accomplished stars demonstrate, compassion isn't just a virtue &#8212; it's also a road to success."</p>

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