As we are all pretty much aware by now, the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards were handed out at Radio City Music Hall here in NYC last night in a ceremony that was mired in controversy but also featured heartfelt tributes to the late Michael Jackson as well as a few spectacular performances and on stage appearances. Here are a few photos from the red carpet arrivals last night:

But for a few exceptions, most everyone looked amazing on the red carpet. I loved all the shiny bling that some folks were wearing … particularly Kristin Cavallari who wore a simple vintage dress and looked absolutely amazing in it. The show itself was really fun .. the opening tribute performance to MJ was really very cool and except for Kanye West’s douchey behavior, the show was very entertaining. Here are a few pics from the show and some deets about what went down:

Planned and random acts of kindness reigned at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday night. Among the planned acts: Janet Jackson’s opening tribute to her brother Michael, whose death at age 50 on June 25 rocked the music world. The production began with Madonna recalling her encounter with Michael and reminding the audience that “Michael Jackson was a hero.” And while “he seemed otherworldly,” she added, “he was also a human being.” And then, the performance began. Dancers crept up on stage with original Thriller video airing in the background. The dancers’ moves duplicated the ones being performed on the video. Then a sequence of Michael’s hits played. Bad and Smooth Criminal led to Scream, his duet with Janet, who broke through glass to make her way onstage and sing along with the video. The loud, almost angry performance had the audience on its feet. After the tribute, Madonna said backstage that “it was good to finally get to say my piece.” And then near the end of the show, in a gracious act of kindness, video-of-the-year winner Beyoncé offered young country music star Taylor Swift a second chance to say her piece with an acceptance speech. The moment came after Kanye West took everyone by surprise early in the show when he went onstage to interrupt Swift’s acceptance speech for best female video for You Belong With Me … The teen country star returned for her live performance of You Belong With Me later in the show. Celebrities reacted backstage. Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong said, “Well, you know, she’s young, I think she’ll get over it. I think he needs to get it over it also. It was very uncomfortable sitting there.” “I feel bad for Taylor,” said Kristin Cavallari. “I think it was really disrespectful” … Other music-related news items had guests talking at the awards show, too. American Idol’s Kara DioGuardi was asked about her new colleague at the judges’ table, Ellen DeGeneres. “I feel fantastic. I feel ecstatic. I can’t wait for January, when we can all be on the panel.” DioGuardi added that she has been in touch with former judge Paula Abdul. “I’ve spoken to her, and she seems to be doing really well, and that’s what matters.” Abdul is set to play host at the VH1 Divas special on MTV’s sister network on Thursday night (9 ET/PT). Faye Dunaway had two divas she was looking forward to seeing on Sunday at the VMAs. “Lady Gaga and Beyoncé. How could you not love Beyoncé?” Dunaway asked. Ne-Yo echoed Dunaway’s sentiment. When asked who he was rooting for, he replied, “Besides myself?” and then added, “I’m here to see Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Pink, everyone. I’m here just to enjoy the electricity.” And the atmosphere was electric, with returning host Russell Brand doling out his brash brand of humor. Among the stars: Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys, Eminem, Jermaine Jackson, Katy Perry, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner.

For me, the live performances were the highlight of the entire night. After the jump, check out a few photos from the press room and watch a couple of my fave performances from the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards …

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Try as I might, I cannot seem to avoid posting about the Jonas Brothers … well, the Jonas brother … Joe, in particular. Last month, I had to succumb and post a photo of middle Jonas brother Joe from his appearance in In Style magazine where the lad confessed that his celebrity crush is, of all people, Daniel Craig. Today, it would seem that Joe has outdone himself with his latest antics … in an effort to call attention to the fact that the Jonas Brothers are releasing a new album in a couple of weeks, Joe created a You Tube video wherein he performs a dance routine to Beyoncé’s big hit song Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It). As you can see from these screencaps, Joe really dressed the part:

First the lad confesses to have a crush on Daniel Craig, then he shows us that he is a Beyoncé fan of the strongest magnitude … is he trying to tell us something? I mean … dancing around to Single Ladies is funny and cute and all … but to do so in a leotard and high heels seems to be taking things a bit far. But, you know what? More power to him!! You do your thang, Joe Jonas! Ain’t no shame in your game. After the jump, check out the video in full and judge for yourself …

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Here is my list of my top picks in music for 2008 … sadly, this wasn’t a great year for music. As I sat down to go over my fave releases of the year, I found that there wasn’t much to choose from. But, even tho the pickin’s are slim that doesn’t take away from the quality of the music that was released this year. Here, in reverse order are my fave albums of the year:

In the #10 position, Beyoncé’s I Am …:

Altho I didn’t love every single track on this album, much of it is really fun and very memorable. Honestly, for Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) alone the album is a hit. I may not be totally on board with the whole Sasha Fierce thing but as long as Beyoncé keeps bringin’ the jams like the ones on this album, I think I can get used to it.

At #9, Jason Mraz’s We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.:

I’ve been a minor Jason Mraz fan for a while now but this album really won me over to Team Mraz. I must admit, I didn’t really pay that much attention to him before he started blogging on My Space but once he got my attention, I was hooked. I’ve yet to listen in full to Jason’s other albums but if this one is any indication, I think I’m gonna like what I hear. Additionally, Mraz just published his own book of Polaroid photos … which wins my heart in other ways as well.

At #8 is Juliana Hatfield’s How To Walk Away:

Juliana always comes at us with great music and this album is proof positive that she’s still got it. For me, this album was an even better treat because I ordered it from her official website and it came packed with a bonus disc of demos that were recorded with the album. I really wish more people knew about Juliana … I think she appeals to so many people. I’m just glad that she continues to make music because discs like this one are always welcome on my iPod.

In the #7 position is the Ryan Adams and the Cardinals album Cardinology:

Ryan Adams releases music almost on a daily basis and, amazingly, it’s all good. While I wasn’t too crazy about Easy Tiger, I really loved Cardinology. My only regret is that the album is too short. I wish there were about 3 more songs on the disc but, knowing Ryan, I’m sure it won’t be long before we get a whole new disc of stuff to enjoy.

At #6 is the new Leona Naess album Thirteens:

I was SHOCKED when I learned that Leona Naess had released a new album months before I heard about it … but was very happily surprised. Thirteens is a great album of somber and poignant tunes … and comes with 13 bonus tracks that are still downloadable HERE. One can never have too much Leona Naess … the hits just keep on comin’.

After the jump, check out my Top 5 Fave Albums of 2008 including my fave of the bunch AND my list of Top 10 Singles of the Year …

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Last night, despite the cold rainyness, I made my way out and met up with Jordan for a quick bite to eat at Fat Fish in West Hollywood, CA. We planned on meeting up with Darion and Josh at The Abbey to catch Candis Cayne’s weekly show there so we picked Fat Fish as our meeting/dining place. Randomly, the contestants (and the main trainer lady) from this season of The Biggest Loser had taken over the place and kept bumping into me as they gathered together to take photos. It was a bit annoying but they all seemed so happy so … meh, I didn’t say anything and let them continue on their raucous way. After dinner, we went over to The Abbey for Candis’s show … here are a few pics from last night’s performance:

Candis did an amazing performance of Heart’s song Alone with a Fatal Attraction intro … it was hilarious. She also performed Gimme More by Britney Spears but, unfortch, her stage kinda broke and she kinda took a spill — but ever the pro, she got right back up and finished the song. Afterward, she claimed it was the best impersonation of Britney Spears she’s ever done ;) She also preformed a medley of Here Comes The Rain Again by Eurythmics which segued into Beyoncé’s Single Ladies. She was tres fierce last night. After the jump, check out videos of each of these performances …

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Last night I met up with Steph, Alek and Darion for a little din-din at Fat Fish on Robertson Blvd. in West Hollywood, CA before we went over to Eleven to have a drink with a friend of S&A who works there. Then we all made our way over to The Abbey to watch Candis Cayne (one of the stars of the late Dirty, Sexy Money) perform her weekly show. I’ve heard many great things about Candis’s show and once I heard she was doing a performance of Beyoncé’s Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It), well, I just had to see her for myself. Here are a few pics from her show last night:

Folks … she was amazing. She told some really funny stories, broke the news that she will be appearing on 2 eps of Nip/Tuck next year and, of course, put on a few performances that were just … amazing. After the jump, check out Candis’s performance of Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) …

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Last night the American Music Awards were handed out on live TV at the Nokia Theater here in Los Angeles, CA. Stars of varying importance made their way into downtown LA last night to walk the red carpet, participate in the show or mug for the cameras in the press room afterward. Chris Brown was one of the night’s big winners … Kanye West was one of the night’s biggest wieners … and Beyoncé, bless her heart, gave the best live performance of the night. Here are a few pics from the red carpet arrivals last night:

Here are a few pics from the show itself:

Here are a few pics from the press room and some deets about what went down at this years AMAs:

Chris Brown was the big winner at the American Music Awards on Sunday night, surprising himself most of all. “I don’t know what to say. I would have given it to Coldplay,” said Brown, who won artist of the year, male pop/rock artist and male soul/R&B artist. Kanye West, still sore at losing male rap/hip-hop artist last year, won the trophy this time – then said Lil Wayne deserved it more. “I want to give this award to Wayne,” he said. “If it was last year it would have been my award.” It was West’s second trophy of the night, following his win for rap/hip-hop album, for Graduation. “It’s our responsibility as musicians to push music to the point it was in the ’60s and ’70s,” he said. “I want to be Elvis.” Host Jimmy Kimmel, who had made West’s ego a running joke, quipped: “Elvis died on the toilet with half a jelly doughnut in his mouth. You may want to rethink that.”

Um, why does Kanye have to be so douchey? I mean, seriously. It’s like he just cannot stop himself from acting like a total a-hole on the public stage. I just don’t get it.

The show climaxed with Keys performing “Superwoman” with Queen Latifah and opera star Kathleen Battle, and ending with a large photo projected on a screen of incoming first lady Michelle Obama. In a big night for American Idol alums, Daughtry – winner of three trophies last year – picked up another this year for pop/rock group, while former Idol champ Jordin Sparks won for adult contemporary music, and Carrie Underwood won for country album for Carnival Ride. Taylor Swift, uncomfortably sharing L.A.’s Nokia Theatre auditorium with ex-boyfriend Joe Jonas, won for female country artist, and Rihanna got two awards for pop/rock female artist and female soul R&B artist … Music’s A-listers were out in force as the show featured blockbuster performances by Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Rihanna, West, birthday girl Miley Cyrus and Jonas Brothers, who also won the breakthrough artist award. And Justin Timberlake made a surprise appearance to introduce award of merit recipient Annie Lennox.

Much congrats to all the winners this year but, I gotta say, the “prestige” associated with winning an American Music Award seems to have diminished a bit — after all, the soundtrack to the movie Alvin and the Chipmunks took home an award last night.

For me, tho, the highlight was Beyoncé’s live performance of her hit single Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It). Homegirl turned that mutha OUT! After the jump, watch video of her performance in full …

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Last Saturday we got our first look at Beyoncé’s new music video for If I Were A Boy and today we get our first look at her other new music video for Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It). Each video has a very distinctly different message but they deffo show that Beyoncé is more than just a crooner or a dancer … she’s also a schizophrenic:

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Beyoncé has two new songs on the radio — and two new videos as well. Why two, you might ask? Because one of them is not really Beyoncé: It’s Sasha. As B hinted in a letter to fans earlier this month, she wants to show “the many sides” of herself, and she’s doing that via two completely different videos, even if they are both in black and white. One video is pure Sasha — her onstage persona — and the other is stripped-down Beyoncé. “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” is an upbeat dance track, and as such, the video is about dancing. B is joined by two look-alike dancers, befitting her alter-ego theme. They click their heels, almost as if they’re tap dancing, to give the song some extra beats, but despite all the hip-and-leg shaking going on, they want you to look at their hands. More specifically, their ring fingers. And since Beyoncé didn’t even want an engagement ring, according to what she told Essence magazine, this is your first clue that this song is really from Sasha’s heart, not Beyoncé’s. The video for “If I Were a Boy,” the Beyoncé side of the two, however, is the more meaningful one — and it comes with a twist that requires repeat viewing. Beyoncé and her boyfriend say a few words (”intimacy,” “honesty,” “commitment”), and then they start saying the words together: “You.” “Me.” “Us.” … The message might hearken back to what Ciara sang when she and B were going through a tomboy phase in their video clips, but this time, Beyoncé makes you feel it. Without the video, you might not.

In case you missed watching If I Were A Boy the first time around, you can watch it online right here as well. After the jump, check out B’s video for If I Were A Boy …

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