What a long, strange two-and-a-half decades of music-making it's been! From the grunge rock-inspired flannel shirt movement to the popularization of gangsta rap, we've seen everything from Bret Michaels to the Backstreet Boys to the Black Eyed Peas. And in honor of MTV's Top Pop Group kicking off next week (September 11th, 9pm!) we've decided to take you on a short but semi-educational stroll down pop culture memory lane.
First there was the early-mid 80's, characterized by awkward techno-infused pop (think Devo's "Whip It" and Soft Cell's "Tainted Love") linebacker-esque shoulder pads and Madonna in her pre-Kabbalah/conical bra phase.
Then it's onto the late 80's, a decade marked by hair bands (like Journey and Motley Crue) one-gloved wonders (Michael Jackson pre-Dr. 90210) and the emergence of the compact disc (or "CD").
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With MTV's Top Pop Group kicking off in less than two weeks, we figured it was time to round up a list of our all-time favorite pop princes and princesses. So here, in no particular order, is a list of the six musical acts who once had us shelling out our hard-earned allowances for a newfangled technological marvel commonly known as the "CD."
New Kids on the Block - These guys were the first -- and, some say, the best -- boy band racket in town. They had it all: the moves, the girls and, of course, the over-the-top merchandising (NKOTB lunch boxes, action figures and onesie pajamas? Seriously??) Yeah, we're gonna ignore their unsolicited comeback and focus on the happier times instead. As in, the days when Donnie Wahlberg was actually considered "the famous one."
Backstreet Boys - Remember when Paris Hilton had her heart broken by Nick Carter? Neither do we! But it, like, totally happened. That said, we'll best remember the Backstreet Boys for embodying all the classic b-band characteristics: the matching outfits, the cheesy choreography, and the requisite "edgy" one (who wore weird hats and had crazy highlights and appeared to the pseudo-rebellious mainstream teenybopper).
The Spice Girls - Before she was the lovely/robotic Victoria Beckham, you knew her as Posh Spice, the girl best known for never smiling, wearing ridiculous clothes and mugging for the camera. (Apparently, some things never change). And despite embracing "girl power," you never did figure out what the hell "Wannabe" was really about. Although you did (eventually) stop coveting Scary Spice's abs...around the same time you found out she got knocked up by professional babymaker Eddie Murphy.
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Breaking: Heidi Montag has stepped into a time machine and accidentally come back as Cyndi Lauper, circa 1985! Either that or an American Apparel store (tragically) exploded on The Hills star. How else to explain why the normally fashion-forward pop singer is suddenly rocking a skintight leotard, neon tights and dangerously crimped hair?
Well, turns out Heidi didn't whip out the flux capacitor after all -- she's just getting into character for her new 80's-inspired video, "Overdosin.'" And since we know you want to see what Heidi looks like in her lucky legwarmers -- and a shiny Olivia Newton John onesie -- we suggest you tune in today at 1pm, when the future Mrs. Pratt premieres the vid on her website, HeidiMontag.com.
Meanwhile, have a listen to her controversial new song (Kidding! She's "overdosin'" on love, people!) and then check back this afternoon and tell us what you think of Heidi's new music vid.
• Heidi and Spencer are angling for a primetime TV wedding. (NYDN)
• Meanwhile, if you liked "Fashion," you'll love Heidi's new single! (Best Week Ever)
• A behind-the-scenes look at Audrina's pre-premiere primping ritual. (Audrina's blog)
• Guess which Hills star might be adopting a third-world orphan! (E! Online)
• Lo is belatedly pissed at Audrina for calling her "super bitchy" three months ago, or whenever last night's episode was actually filmed. (Usmagazine.com)
• Of course, maybe that's because she's sick of being portrayed as the villain. (LA Times)
• If Lauren ever decides she's done with The Hills, Heidi and Spencer are ready to take over full headlining responsibilities. (People)
Certain fashions never go out of style. Like, for instance, little black dresses, high-heeled strappy sandals and, of course, Run DMC. Which explains why Run's House's rapper-turned-minister Rev Run (who recently hit the road with Kid Rock) is now getting a shout-out from the Jigga man. MTV News reports:
Jay-Z's first record from The Blueprint 3, "Jockin' Jay-Z (Dope Boy Fresh)," has hit the airwaves [and] the first verse starts with Jigga giving a tip of his blue New York Yankees cap to Run-DMC. The hook uses Run's voice and takes us back to the late '80s when the Kings from Queens dropped "Dumb Girl." Run rapped, "Seen you jockin' J.C./ 'Cause he got a Mercedes/ And you know about his ladies."
Even better? Jay-Z kicks off the track by asking the eternal question: "Whooooooose howwwwwwwse?" In this instance, however, the answer ("Duh, Run's House!) is purely rhetorical.
Remember that episode of Real World: Hollywood when Will told Bri that she needed to ditch the tongue ring in order to jump-start her singing career? Well, it turns out, he was wrong. Ever since she collaborated with Alex from The Calling, Brianna's music has been on the up and up. We saw her light up the stage at Canal Room last month, and now the reality star-turned-chart topper has gone and scored herself a top twenty iTunes hit. (Tongue ring and all).
Anyways, check out the video to "Summertime" here -- and if the track sounds familiar, that's probably cause you already saw her laying it down on this season's Real World.
Problem: There are six excruciating days standing between us a new episode of Run's House. So we figured, what better way to pass the time than by taking a "sneak" peak at sneaker designer Angela Simmons' debut single, "Center of Attention?" BONUS: Besides being catchy, the song actually helps promote the girls' new attention-grabbing "Glam Pie" kicks. (Sneaky!)
Yep, from the looks (and sounds!) of it, Angie's finally starting to come into her own this season. But what do you think? Will she be able to steal the spotlight for herself every now and again? Or in a family the size of The Brady Bunch, is everyone just part of the ensemble?
Though Heidi can rarely be spotted clubbing it up these days -- the Hills star regularly boasts disdain of drugs and alcohol -- she doesn't shy away from the topic in her latest single, "One More Drink." Check out Heidi's "accidentally leaked" song on Perez Hilton (who calls it "Eurotrashy deelish") and tell us what you think of the tune. Is she getting closer to realizing her full pop singer potential?
After checking out Heidi's single, "Fashion," the other day, I decided to investigate and find out the truth behind those highly touted French lyrics. Armed with three years of high school French -- and way too much time on my hands -- I went ahead and took another listen. Unfortunately, as it turns out, en actualité, it's not so much français as it is Heidi chanting designer's names (Gucci! Fendi! Et Prada!) in a faux accent she borrowed from Pepé le Pew.
Sheesh...I haven't been this disappointed since my French class went to Quebec and learned -- from a bunch of smirking, chain-smoking Canadians, no less -- that "Zut alors!" was really just lame 50's-era slang for "Gosh, darn it!" (Thanks for nothing, "French in Action!")
...And by "single," of course, I mean "the first track off Heidi's upcoming new album." (See what I did there?) Anyhow, the ever-subtle Spencer makes sure to totally underplay it, telling Usmagazine.com "It's the greatest song of my life." (Click HERE to listen and decide for yourself!)
• Tori Spelling's well-polished hubby is officially putting the "man" in "manicure." (Dlisted)
• Talk show host/serial coffee table humper Ellen DeGeneres gives gf Portia de Rossi a princessy pink diamond engagement ring. (People)
• Bethenny, a.k.a. everyone's favorite (unmarried) "Real Housewife of New York," has just come out with a healthy dessert line featuring...vegan cupcakes? Holy inappropriate! (E! Online)
• The View's Sherry Shepherd says she's supporting Michelle Obama for first lady because "she's intelligent" and has "fabulous" hair. Strangely, frizzy-haired simpleton Cindy McCain was reportedly unavailable for comment. (Usmagazine.com)
