The flamboyant Will.I.Am gallantly strode into MTV this week to face some tough questioning from my good self.

This guy has class... a true gentlemen from head to toe - trilby included. He was recently spotted having a bit of a tongue marathon with the gorgeous Natalie Imbruglia but when I asked him about having fun out in London he was quick to deflect the question.

I’d also recently heard the Black Eyed Peas member may be working with a certain, rather famous, Irish rockband, so of course I had to ask him if there was any truth to it.

Not one to answer a question straightforward, the hat loving producer told me it would be a dream come true to work with U2 but seemed more interested in talking about Bono’s missus’ home made pasta. Good pasta is important I guess.

He also said “It’s Bono- you just wanna ask him a whole bunch of questions about the world. Like ‘Is it gonna end?’”

I knew Bono knew a lot but maybe that’s taking it too far Will.I.Am!

And he was all praise for his Heartbreaker singer Cheryl Cole. Besides the fact he thought I came from the same place as Cheryl because of my accent – Ireland/Newcastle, yup same thing apparently - he thinks she makes a great X Factor judge and even used MTV News as a platform to ask her straight – ‘Cheryl- we need to go do something in the studio together. It would be dope. We’d smash it.”

Will.I.Am has just released ‘It’s A New Day’ celebrating Barack Obama’s Presidential election win. Check it out :
Laura:)x

I've been a supporter of Irish alternative rock, electro, punk * insert some other generic class here* band ‘Fight like Apes’ ever since I first saw them play back in Dublin about three years ago.

Having done the rounds with The Tings Tings, We Are Scientists and Kasabian, Fight Like Apes will now tour with The Prodigy in their upcoming UK tour. Not too shabby AND I’ve heard Keith, Liam and Maxim asked for the four piece to support them personally – which is always a good sign!

My favourite FLApes song is' Lend me your Face' but have a peek at their first official video 'Jake Summers', which is taken from their debut album 'Fight Like Apes And The Mystery Of The Golden Medallion'..

For those of you silly people who don’t know the Jake Summers reference think 90’s post Saved by the Bell, California Dreams leather jacket wearing guitarist. Hmmmm… those were the days.

The album will be released in the UK on Monday 26th January 2009 on Model Citizen Records.

L:)x

With the switching on of Oxford Street’s Christmas Lights this week, and enough DVD boxsets on the market to insulate your whole house with, it’s not surprising for musicians to jump on the ‘greatest hits’ bandwagon in the hope of being a worthy stocking filler.

But what makes a change is for a band to be actually deserving of a greatest hits album. Stereophonics launched their new greatest hits album ‘A Decade in the Sun’ this week with an intimate gig at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith and I was there with my MTV News Crew to check it out.

We were given a taster of some of the gems these boys have thrown our way in the last ten years. Stereophonics have always been one of my favourite bands to see live. They ooze just enough coolness, nicely welded with some high rockin energy, and an honesty in their lyrics that fires up the coldest heart.

THE HIGHLIGHTS:

The Bartender and the Thief –The guys opened the show with this all time favourite - Guitarist Adam Zindani named this as his fav Stereophonics track. Good choice!

It Means Nothing – Kelly slowed things down with his acoustic guitar giving his bandmates a rest and a chance for us all to get all lovey dovey. Ah bless.

Dakota – The boys only no. 1, finished off the night and kept many a crazy hopping audience member very happy.

You can’t see a decent rock show these days without someone bearing a bit of flesh – too right! Usually this is the job of the drummer - Cue Javier Weyler. I love a bit of heckling, and a few rowdy members of the crowd screamed for Mr. Jones to ‘take it off’ but Kelly rightly pointed out that’s what Jav is there for.

Kelly and co. are due many pats on the back for their jam-packed greatest hits album of 20 tracks (plus a double CD version with another 20!) So I guess as a band their answer to choosing what singles make the album is – ah feck it! Stick them all on!

And they’ve still got it. Two newbie songs grace the album -'You're My Star' and 'My Own Worst Enemy' (which the lads performed at the launch) and before the show the guys told me they have lots of other new material on the way with a new album out next year – fingers crossed.

It’s not easy to last a decade in this business, there are a lot of ‘rockbands’ who just don’t have the stamina, and of course talent, to survive. Thankfully Stereophonics have a long time left in the sun - once they remember the sunscreen!

Last week at the MTV EMA's the Holloyaks team and MTV NEWS hooked-up for the collaboration of the Century! While Myself and The Whitmore (aka Laura) had a bit of down time from filming our news and back stage shows during the build up to the awards we filmed a scene for Hollyoaks.

Just in case you missed the episode (which went out last week Friday, as well as this week Monday) the story line was that Characters Gillie and Rhys aka Anthony Quinlan and Andrew Moss sneak back stage after blagging there way into the awards show! Whilst backstage they interupt our 'LIVE' MTV NEWS coverage and try and chat up The Whitmore!

If you missed it, watch the omnibus this Sunday on C4. If you dont catch it then, keep an eye on the MTV NEWS blog because I've got a bit of exclusive behind the scenes footage of us filming the scene!

Have a Great Weekend

RICKIE_MTV NEWS

This week I interviewed Kanye West- someone who I admire very much on a musical level. Both the College Dropout and Late Registration would figure in my Top 20 albums of all time. To me they prove you can make intelligent, musically diverse, heartfelt hip hop that still sells a shitload of copies.

Going to meet Kanye was worrying at first though. A few friends who had already interviewed him didn’t find him very friendly. To make things worse at the album playback on Tuesday he slagged off MTV claiming our award shows are fixed. And he still makes ridiculous egotistical comments like this: “All you critics who gave me one star less than full marks should eat shit and die.”

But West was a gent when he met us (me, Dael, Caitlin and Adam above) introducing himself to everyone in the room and then answering most of my questions eloquently. He made some spot on comments about hip hop too.

Kanye also claimed that he wants to compete with acts like Portishead, Radiohead and U2 with new album 808s And Heartbreak. He doesn’t rap at all on the record instead choosing to sing- he is certainly brave to change his style so much. I’m still unsure on the album having only heard it once but two of the tracks that have leaked Amazing (featuring Young Jeezy) and Heartless are well worth downloading. Get them.

A few weeks ago Tinchy Stryder asked me to be in his video for the new track 'Rollin'. Have a look and see if you can spot me in the vid! Blink and you'll miss it!

New Tinchy Stryder - Video

... Well I have. I bumped into the absolutely fabulous Grace Jones backstage at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Liverpool last Thursday. I love this lady - she breathes style and the right amount of craziness to intrique yet not make you fear for your life. This is me doing my impression of the stylish singer/actress/model/legend. Sadly, I can't quite pull it off!

Last week, I spent the whole week hanging out in Liverpool and it's definitely been the highlight of my time at MTV so far. Rickie and I even managed to wangle our way into an episode of Hollyoaks. Nice work! Check out www.hollyoaks.com.

L:)x

Last night, ‘Does it Offend you yeah?’ played a bloody good set in front of a roaring crowd (which also included lil auld me).

The location: Electric Ballroom, Camden.

The guys pumped up the energy of the audience with their infusion of new wave, electro rock and dance punk. The band, whose name originates from the wise words of David Brent in The Office, are one of those annoying bands you can’t help but love.

The highlight for me by far was ‘Let’s make out’ which is still playing away in my head as I write this – it’s just that catchy god dammit! What I loved about the band was that they even took a break to speak to the audience about the whole Russell Brand/ Jonathan Ross fiasco -ooohh controversial - and dedicated a song to poor Kerry Katona. How sweet!

Their debut album 'You Have No Idea What You're Getting Yourself Into', which came out earlier this year, is loaded full of great beats that had everyone in Electric Ballroom jumping in the air and waving their arms around their heads as if detached from their bodies. I suppose you could say the atmosphere in Electric Ballroom was em… ‘electric’ – ooh cheesy! I apologise for that. Actually no, no I don't.

‘Does it Offend you yeah?’ repeatedly mentioned throughout the night how great it was to be back in London. Well lads, we were delighted to have ya!

Laura:)X

Ok guys, here at MTV news we have our ears pretty close to the ground as to what’s going on in the music world and what artists are up to. I’m not one to repeat things so listen carefully... I’m only saying it the once!

Tomorrow (Thursday 30th) I’ve heard a feisty young lady by the name of Michachu will be popping into the studios. The hotly sought after 21 year old British MC is signed to Accidental Records and we’re expecting great things from her debut album 'Jewellery'.

Next Tues 4th November, when Rickie and I are in Liverpool preparing for MTV EMA’s, a certain Irish band who I’m a big fan off will be coming into Camden studios for a Gonzo interview with Zane Lowe (The pic kinda gives away who it is. Oops! Ah well). And also on the same day Mr Minelli’s ex, David Gest is in Camden Studios. 'What for?' I hear you ask? I couldn’t possiblily tell – haven’t I already given away enough!! Our concoction of guests should make for an interesting sight in the MTV Canteen though.

Laura:)x

Early this morning I layered on my winter woollies, along with obligatory ear muffs, and trotted along to the Jubilee Gardens in London. There, I was bombarded by 100 ‘FanWalkers’ from across Europe who were preparing for the first day of their 9 day hike to Liverpool for the EMA’s. Setting off on the 400 km journey to the Echo Arena in Liverpool on the 6th of November, I have to admit these fans are hard core!

This morning was a VERY cold morning and with many fans dressed as their favourite music icons, – I use the term ‘dressed’ loosely, as many were barely dressed at all- teeth were chattering and bare skin turned a rather nice shade of blue.

For the nine day adventure-packed days the FanWalkers will go through many challenges. Watch them as they go through crazy hair-cuts, drastic make-overs and other exciting challenges to prove why they are Europe’s biggest music fans!

One lucky FanWalker will even have the honour to get on stage at the MTV EMA's ’08 to hand over an award - how jealous am I?!

Check out to catch up with the guys: http://www.fanwalk.tv/en_en/main.jsc#home/0