There’s a love fest going on between Ellie Goulding and Fun. and we kind of dig it. In their world on some nights, anything could happen. See what we did there? Read more…
Grammys 2013: Skrillex’s Grammy Weekend Included Checking Out Ex Ellie Goulding’s Show
Every artist has a different pre-show ritual. While some opt for a quiet night in and gallons of coconut water to look red carpet ready, Skrillex isn’t afraid to mix business with pleasure. The annual Clive Davis party is the place to be come Grammy weekend, but Mr. Moore just revealed he skipped out early Saturday night to catch ex-girlfriend Ellie Goulding‘s L.A. show. Say what?
Enjoy The First Great Celebrity YouTube Of 2013, Courtesy Of David Guetta, Ellie Goulding, One Direction And More
Last year was dominated by celebrities, athletes and even politicians miming the lyrics to an undeniable musical force known as “Call Me Maybe.” The first few spoofs were cute–dare we say entertaining?–but after a while the sheer ubiquity forced us to temporarily break up with Carly Rae Jepsen and her infectious piece of pop perfection. It was for the best! Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Psy‘s “Gangnam Style” stepped in toward the end of 2012, but which act and his or he super duper catchy track will receive the same treatment in the new year?
These trends start with the kids, but often get the biggest boost once celebrities get involved. James Franco made a case for Justin Bieber’s “Boyfriend” last week, which was interesting (as all things Franco tend to be) but covering a song that’s nearly a year old feels like too little too late; there are more important Bieber topics to discuss nowadays. The latest entry vying for most shareable proof of celebrity goofiest comes courtesy of BBC Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw, and features a bevy of British acts giving their best G.O.O.D. Music audition. Oh, God!
Former Flames Ellie Goulding And Skrillex Get Together For “Summit”
When electro-producer Skrillex and ascendent pop star Ellie Goulding split, most of all what wanted to know was: will we still get to hear any of those bed-room style collaborations they’ve been teasing? Goulding has insisted in interview after interview that “we’re still big fans of each other, and nothing changes that,” and we got a taste of what the two could do together with “Bittersweet,” their dreamy contribution to the Breaking Dawn — Part 2 soundtrack. And last night the visual for “Summit,” the song that supposedly first brought the two together for the first time, arrived.
The video is comprised mostly of his exceedingly attractive friends (none of whom seem to have Skrillex-ed their hair) running around barefoot at night, playing with black-lights, eating glow-in-the-dark cotton candy and just generally goofing off. Skrillex makes a few brief appearances — hanging at a bonfire; dj-ing, duh – but Goulding doesn’t show. We can’t help but wonder when Ellie sings sort of mournfully about how “If you can hear my now, why don’t you recall / I was the one who cared after all,” if it might really mean something now.
Now, as for the rest of those collaborative tracks, guys…
12 Songs From 2012 That We Hope We Never Hear In 2013

As Times Square gets ready for the influx of hundreds of thousands of revelers here to celebrate the arrival of 2013 Anno Domini, the Korean sensation PSY is plotting to retire his massive YouTube hit, “Gangnam Style.” “Being in Times Square on New Year’s Eve is already special — it’s the biggest stage in the universe — plus it’s my birthday, so, with all that, it may be the ending of ‘Gangnam Style,’” PSY told our friends over at MTV News. “I mean, what better way to do it?”
We couldn’t agree more! As much as we loved “Gangnam Style” when we first saw it appear on YouTube, we have no reservations whatsoever about retiring the song in 2013 because, let’s face it, the song is #PLAYEDOUT. In that spirit, here’s our list of other songs from 2012 that we hope to hear tonight and will always recall fondly, but honestly hope to never hear again once the sun rises tomorrow morning.
12 SONGS FROM 2012 THAT WE HOPE WE NEVER HEAR IN 2013
12. The Lumineers, “Ho Hey” – After thousands of listens, “Ho! Hey!” is starting to turn into “No! Way!”
11. Neon Trees, “Everybody Talks” – It started with a whisper, but when we hear this song on the radio now, it makes us wanna shout “CHANGE THE CHANNEL!”
10. One Direction, “Little Things” – We can’t remember a more passive-aggressive song ever getting this much airplay. #cringeworthy
Read more…
Music’s Biggest Breakout Stars Of 2012
We’re three days away from ending 2012– the year the Mayan’s math didn’t quite add up–with a bang. Before we bid this year adieu we’ve documented the Best Ofs for the past 12 months; so during the next predicted Apocalypse rears its false head, we’ll reminisce on the Crunkest Songs of 2012 or 2012′s 8 Most Underated Singles or the Best Songs of 2012.
Our countdown continues with the 12 of Music’s Breakout Stars of 2012. It’s been a glorious year musically with diverse projects by promising new artists. While Frank Ocean‘s stardom is no surprise, who would’ve expected PSY to sing with Bieber‘s manager Scooter Braun? Meek Mill sketched his name in cement as one of hip-hop’s brightest stars this year transitioning from mixtape storyteller to mainstream success. How good 2013 will treat these breakout stars is unforeseeable, but with raised glasses let’s all toast to the year of stars coming out (no pun intended). Read more…
VOTE: What Video Will Reign Supreme On Saturday’s Top 20 Year End Countdown?
On this week’s episode of the VH1 Top 20 Countdown, we’re rolling out the Top 20 videos of the year from Herald Square, New York City. That’s right, all the videos that have led the countdown throughout the different seasons of the year will now battle it out for Top 20 supremacy. But before the show airs on Saturday at 9am EST, you can still cast your vote for the video you think should take the crown for 2012. Who will it be? You’ll have to tune-in and check back with us on Saturday to find out!
The Best Songs Of 2012 (According To Your Friendly Neighborhood VH1 Staffers)

When we began compiling our Best Songs of 2012 list, there were many differing opinions, and after briefly toying with the idea of pitting all our staff against one another in a Hunger Games fight-to-the-death scenario against the backdrop of Times Square, we conceded that the most diplomatic and least murderous thing to do would be to each submit our own list. You know, in the name of preserving a civil work environment and whatnot (not to mention our longstanding policy of avoiding contact with the human resources department). So while we didn’t battle it out in a conference room or some such nonsense, each one of us faced an internal battle — choosing our favorite songs of the year.
As far as consensus is concerned, there were 21 songs that appeared on multiple ballots, but only eight that appeared on three or more lists: Carly Rae Jepsen‘s “Call Me Maybe” (4 ballots), Frank Ocean‘s “Pyramids” (4 ballots), fun.‘s “We Are Young” (4 ballots), Gotye‘s “Somebody I Used To Know” (3 ballots), P!nk‘s “Just Give Me A Reason” (3 ballots), Usher‘s “Climax” (3 ballots), Azealia Banks‘ “212″ (3 ballots), and Miguel‘s “Adorn” (3 ballots).
(Btw, before we get into this, we’d like to note that we put together the following Spotify playlist for your listening pleasure: VH1 Staffers Pick Their Favorite Songs Of 2012. It’s sequenced in alpha order by artist first name, so we wholeheartedly recommend you hit Shuffle while listening to this 92 track playlist. Now, on with the show…)
Gotye Leads The Way In Our Countdown Of The Top 15 Best Voices Of 2012
2012 has been an interesting year for the music business. As chart genres shift and technology continues to influence how and what we consume, in-flux trends seem to fly in out of nowhere.The viral sensation breakout star, for example. But can we go back to basics for just a moment? These people are here to entertain us and sing, right? Like, into microphones and send sound waves into the universe. Whether their songs permeated the charts all year or their pipes are ones to keep an eye out in the future, the following 15 voices were the most noteworthy in 2012.
1. Gotye
Having created what’s sure to be a sing-along bar anthem for years to come, Gotye’s “Somebody I Used to Know” is a monster. Shout out to Kimbra for the solid assist, too!
2. Sia
In addition to being the voice behind David Guetta’s “Titanium” and Flo Rida’s “Wild Ones” this year, Sia also wrote the lyrics and melody for Rihanna’s “Diamonds” and her talent should be recognized, damn it.
3. Kendrick Lamar
Through storytelling, K-Dot has the versatility to sound nervous, vulnerable and shrieky, macho and intimidating, soft and robotic, Compton tough, and instructively monotone.
PopDust Artist Of The Year Taylor Swift Looks Back At Her Best Year Ever

2012 was the year that Taylor Swift made her first (mostly) adult record, hosted a VH1 Storytellers, sold 1.2 million albums in a week, broke iTunes records, dated a Kennedy, covered all the magazines and pizza boxes, earned herself $57 million dollars, and — and well, you get the point: Taylor had a tremendous year. In order to properly celebrate her 2012, our pop blogging friends over at Popdust have declared Taylor to be their Artist of the Year. But before she was allowed to claim her crown, she had to answer a few questions about what made 2012 so special for her.
Here is how Taylor’s 2012 — which she says “was more like a two-year process, actually, culminating in a surprisingly pleasant reception for Red” — breaks down:






















