Usher Says New 'Rev Pop' Project Is A 'Movement'

Singer teases his new project by pointing to past hits like 'Yeah!' and 'OMG.'
By James Montgomery


Usher
Photo: MTV News

With the success of songs like "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love," "Hot Tottie" and "OMG," Usher had himself a fairly massive 2010. But rather than rest on his laurels, he's looking to build on his big year, not with an album, but with a "movement."

It's something he's calling "Rev Pop" — or, simply, "Rev" — and though he's already teased his idea in a video with David Guetta (Akon is also involved), he has yet to speak in full about it. So when MTV News caught up with Ush before the 53rd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles at the (Belvedere) RED launch party, we asked him about his next musical endeavor. And though he didn't reveal much, he did let it be known that "Rev" isn't exactly something new. In fact, he's been doing it for a while now.

"I'll give it to you this way: At a later date, I'll tell you more about Rev Pop, but if I were to give you a flash: I've done it before, I did it with 'Yeah!' " he said, "taking a cultural experience, and also worldwide recognition of a feeling, and putting the soul in the middle of it. Not allowing it to shift heavily to R&B genre, or pop. I did it again with 'OMG,' once again putting the soul in the middle of it, which was an electric-pop experience, with the soul.

"It's bringing those elements together to tell a story, that was born here," he said, gesturing toward his heart, "And that's what Rev Pop is. There's more, I mean, I could really elaborate, but that's just what I'm going to tell you right now. 'Rev' is what it's called ... the movement is called Rev."

Usher wouldn't say just when his fans would be getting their first taste of Rev, but whenever they do, it sounds like they're going to be impressed ... if not a little shocked.

"Stay alive," he smiled, "Because you're definitely going to be in for a surprise."

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Justin Bieber, Chris Brown Spotted In Studio Together

Pair has previously worked on two tracks together, 'Up' and 'Next to You.'
By Jocelyn Vena


Justin Bieber and Chris Brown
Photo: Getty/WireImage

Pals Justin Bieber and Chris Brown were spotted heading into a studio together on Monday. According to Rap-Up.com, the singers met up at the Record Plant in Hollywood.

"Studio. #NEWMUSIC," Bieber tweeted early Tuesday morning, leading us to believe the session was for his next album.

Previously Bieber told MTV News that he wanted to focus less on features for his next album, but given the fact that Brown recently wrote a track for Joe Jonas, it's possible he may have just been assisting with some writing.

The rumored session marks the latest collaboration for the pair, who have appeared on two tracks together in the past. First, they remixed Bieber's slow jam "Up," then Bieber jumped on Brown's ballad "Next to You."

Bieber's producer, Danja, told Rap-Up.com that he's aiming for an "edgier" sound for the 17-year-old's next release. "What I'm creating for him I think is definitely a more mature sound. That's where he's headed now," he explained.

Earlier this year, Bieber's manager, Scooter Braun, revealed some other names the pop star hopes to get into the studio with, including Drake, a collaboration Bieber hinted at last year.

Bieber is also reportedly working with Kanye West. "Him and Kanye [West] had a call today about a song they're trying to work on together," Braun said. "Kanye wants to produce a bunch of songs for the new album."

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Justin Bieber Urges Fans Not To Text And Drive

Pop star joins new campaign to encourage fans to download PhoneGuard app that locks smartphone when car is in motion.
By Gil Kaufman


Justin Bieber
Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Justin Bieber likely spends way more time on private jets and international flights than behind the wheel of a car. But the teen pop sensation knows one thing about driving: You shouldn't text when you're behind the wheel. That's why Bieber, 17, has signed on to a campaign urging his fans to lay off the smartphone while they drive.

"We need to change the attitudes in our society toward texting and driving and I am making it one of my personal goals to make this happen," said Bieber in a statement released as part of his endorsement of PhoneGuard's Drive Safe software, which disables the texting, email and keyboard functions of mobile phones while a car is in motion. "Every night we perform, we have a banner that goes up that says 'Don't Text and Drive' so it really means a lot to me," he said.

Bieber has been pushing his fans to give up texting while driving since earlier this year when he made a surprise appearance on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" to promote the efforts of Wellman, Texas' Brown family, who have been raising awareness about the dangers of the practice since their daughter, Alex, was killed in a texting-while-driving incident. Bieber's anti-texting campaign will provide some funds to the Remember Alex Brown Foundation charity.

The singer joins a number of other major figures who've been working to get the word out about the dangerous practice, including the Jonas Brothers, who have been outspoken advocates with Allstate's "X the Text" campaign. Others who've signed on for that effort include former "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks and "Camp Rock" star Meaghan Martin. "Glee" actress Jane Lynch has also filmed public service announcements, as her TV alter ego Sue Sylvester, on behalf of LG Mobile Phones to highlight the dangers of texting while driving.

Among the biggest names to endorse the end of the practice is Oprah Winfrey, who has been asking her followers to take the No Phone Zone Pledge since 2009, in which more than 423,000 people to date have vowed not to text while behind the wheel.

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