Mac Miller Racks Up Huge Wins In His Breakthrough Year

Blue Slide Park MC earns a spot on MTV News' 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MC list — vote now!
By Rob Markman


Mac Miller
Photo: Getty Images/ MTV News

Mac Miller showed promise when he dropped his attention-grabbing K.I.D.S. (Kickin' Incredibly Dop Sh--) mixtape in 2010, and throughout 2011, the Pittsburgh MC has fully capitalized on his rap buzz, proving that he is a musical force to be reckoned with. Now Miller, who, as an independent artist, earned the #1 album in the country when he dropped Blue Slide Park last month, stands as one of the nominees in MTV News' list of 2011's Hottest Breakthrough MCs.

After deciding he wanted to be an MC at 15, Mac used hip-hop influences like Big L, OutKast and A Tribe Called Quest as well as rock greats like the Beatles, Sublime and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to craft his sound. "My whole thing is being super genuine and being myself," Mac told MTV News. "Being an MC is a huge part of who I am, but it's also that other stuff too, like playing instruments and getting into music like that."

There was some early work as part of local group Ill Spoken, but when Miller dropped K.I.D.S. right after graduating from high school, things really began to take off. Anchored by party tracks like "Knock, Knock" and the Lord Finesse-nod "Kool-Aid & Frozen Pizza," the Rostrum Records spitter started to rack up a series of wins, including his sold-out Incredibly Dope Tour and his appearance on XXL magazine's 2011 Freshman cover.

His next mixtape, Best Day Ever, surprised K.I.D.S. in terms of download numbers, and his first EP, On and On, proved that Mac Miller fans not only would download free projects from the 19-year-old rapper, they'll also pay for product. Then Mac did the unthinkable when his debut album Blue Slide Park was finally released on November 8, 2011. After selling more than 144,000 copies, BSP became the first indie debut to hit #1 on the Billboard albums chart since 1995's Dogg Food by Tha Dogg Pound. The album's accompanying tour was a success as well, selling out every stop along the way.

Yes, 2011 may have been his breakout year, but considering all of his accomplishments, Mac Miller is doing better than some vets in the industry. Still, does he have what it takes to win MTV News' 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MCs contest? Only time will tell.

Hottest Breakthrough MCs was established by MTV News in 2010 as a fan-driven initiative that spotlights, celebrates and cultivates new talent. MTV News chose a pool of young rappers and urged fans to vote for their favorite. When it was all said and done, Wiz Khalifa emerged as the Hottest Breakthrough of last year. The competition was tough, but the Taylor Gang General beat out runner-up Nicki Minaj, ATL group Travis Porter, Diggy Simmons and J. Cole. This year, you can vote for Machine Gun Kelly (or your favorite up-and-comer) over at RapFix.MTV.com, and be sure to check back for daily updates and poll results.

Each day, we'll spotlight a new Hottest Breakthrough MC before we conclude on December 13 when the polls close at 11:59 p.m. ET. The 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MC will be revealed during December 14's "RapFix Live," during which the winner will appear as our in-studio guest. There will also be a special announcement about MTV News' upcoming Hottest MCs in the Game list and debate.

To be considered a Hottest Breakthrough MC, an artist cannot have released a major-label full-length album. Finalists from 2010's Hottest Breakthrough MCs poll will not be eligible for 2011 consideration, so unfortunately, Diggy Simmons and Travis Porter won't be part of this conversation.

Who do you think should be 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MC? Share your picks in the comments!

Stick with MTV News as we profile the 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MCs before announcing the winner December 13 on "RapFix Live" — vote now!

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Christopher Nolan Unveils 'Dark Knight Rises' Prologue

A lucky audience got a glimpse at director's nearly seven-minute clip, in which Bane proves as fearsome as Batman fans have hoped.
By Kara Warner


"The Dark Knight Rises" movie poster
Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures

LOS ANGELES — If you happened to be in or around the IMAX theater at Universal City Walk Thursday night, there's a decent chance you may have been privy to the collective fangasm (some shock and awe) generated by the lucky audience invited to screen the prologue for Christopher Nolan's third Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises."

Nolan was on hand himself to introduce the nearly seven-minute clip, which he described as, basically, the opening sequence, with a few out-of-order bonus shots thrown in at the end. The director also emphasized his love for IMAX technology, explaining that even though it was probably developed before he was born, it is "far and away the best imaging format created," and it's one that allows fans to experience the grandeur of old Hollywood films, which Nolan said is "slowly being chipped away." At the special screening, he encouraged fans to seek out official IMAX screens for a fully immersive experience when "Rises" opens next summer, but not to inquire about the plot of the film.

"I've barely started to edit, so don't ask me about the ending," he joked just before the lights in the theater dimmed.

Check out "The Dark Knight Rises" Viral Survival Guide!

In the interest of preserving the mystery of the movie, Warner Bros. politely asked journalists in attendance to refrain from giving blow-by-blow reactions, a request MTV News is happy to heed. What we can say is that the action in the opening sequence occurs mostly on a plane and that it features several high-flying, mind-blowing special effects of the practical, not the CG, variety. The sequence seems to pick up right where "The Dark Knight" leaves off — Gotham District Attorney Harvey Dent's funeral — and, most important, features one of the more memorable character introductions we've seen of late as viewers got the first look at Tom Hardy in action as Bane, complete with creepy leather face mask.

There are government agents, military personnel and civilians involved in the setup, but it's all eyes on Bane. And if what we see him say and do in the first few minutes is representative of his villainous arc in the full-length feature, it's clear that Nolan is venturing into more ominous territory in "Rises." Where Heath Ledger's unforgettable Joker was dark, twisted and almost whimsically crazy, Hardy's Bane is a horrific, maniacal force. That's apparent whenever the camera locks onto his eyes or when he speaks for the first time, revealing a garbled, aggressive German accent. Bane will no doubt prove a formidable force to be reckoned with, and we can't help but anticipate his first meeting with Batman.

Speaking of Batman, the caped crusader, played of course by Christian Bale, makes his first appearance in a few quick clips at the very end, along with new additions Catwoman/Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway) and cop John Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt).

Check out everything we've got on "The Dark Knight Rises."

For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

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Tom Cruise Credits Katie Holmes For 'Rock Of Ages'

'You're just as surprised as I am,' actor tells MTV News about being in the movie musical.
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Tom Cruise in "Rock of Ages"
Photo: Courtesy Tom Cruise

When the cast announcements started pouring in for the big-screen adaptation of hit musical "Rock of Ages," we were surprised by how many A-listers director Adam Shankman and company lined up, including Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Mary J. Blige, Paul Giamatti and Julianne Hough.

And as it turns out, no one was more shocked to find himself in a movie musical than Cruise himself.

"You're just as surprised as I am," Cruise told MTV News while promoting "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol," adding that his wife, Katie Holmes, was the driving force behind his consideration of the role. "Kate kept saying, 'You've got to make a musical.' The dancing of ['Tropic Thunder' character] Les Grossman is inspired because Kate is a dancer, she sings, and she would take us to [dance classes]," he revealed. "[She would say] 'I've got this dance class for the family, come on we've got to do it, we've got hip-hop class, we've got to do it.' "

Cruise went on to say that he put a lot of research into his character Stacee Jaxx and that he is not based on any one person. "I just kind of studied the whole time period and read a lot of books," he said.

While Cruise might still be a little coy about the role, Shankman told us recently that we're going to see a completely different side of the action star in this film. "For Tom, well, I would say he does an insane version of 'Pour Some Sugar on Me,' that every time I show it to people, they're like, 'Can we see that again?' He and Malin Akerman do one of the most outrageous interpretations of 'I Want to Know What Love Is'; I just hope I get it past the ratings board."

Check out everything we've got on "Rock of Ages."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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The Darkness To Reunite, Tour In 2012

Hey, remember in the early 2000s when the band The Darkness came out of nowhere and became inexplicably popular with their exuberant mishmash of Queen and ‘80s hair metal (just go with pretend you remember, and say “yes,” ok?).  Well, two albums, an obligatory trip to rehab, and an even more obligatory messy breakup later, [...]

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Tom Cruise Reflects On 'M:I' At 'Ghost Protocol' Debut

Actor also gives MTV News a Les Grossman update at Dubai premiere.
By Kevin P. Sullivan, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Tom Cruise at the Dubai premiere of "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol"
Photo: MTV News

After four "Mission: Impossible" films, Tom Cruise has seen his fair share of action sequences as special agent Ethan Hunt. So many of the series' famous set pieces come to mind almost instantly: infiltrating Langley in "Mission: Impossible," climbing a rock face freestyle in "M:I 2" and now the stunt outside Dubai's Khalifa Tower in "Ghost Protocol."

When MTV News' Josh Horowitz caught up with Cruise at the latest film's premiere in Dubai, he asked the actor which famous action sequences he looks back on with the most fondness. "It's hard to say, because each one has been so different, and each had different kinds of challenges," Cruise said.

But few will deny that the iconic rappel into the heart of CIA headquarters is the series' defining moment. Cruise recalled the challenges he had filming that scene. He credits director Brian De Palma for the scene's success.

"I remember when I was doing it, my head kept hitting the floor. ... I was running out of energy, and we were running out of time," Cruise said.

De Palma said if they didn't get the stunt on the next take he would be forced to pull it off with tricky editing. "To one of the stunt guys, I said, 'Give me your pound coins out of your pocket,' " Cruise said. "I put the pound coins in my shoes, the tips, so that's what allowed me to be able to balance and keep off the floor for that whole shot. That kept my face from hitting the floor."

That wasn't the end of it, though. Cruise needed to maintain that position for the rest of the take. "De Palma knew that we had the shot, and he just held it and held it. I was like, 'How long can I hold off the floor?' Brian had a fantastic laugh, and then he said, 'All right, cut.' "

One of the projects Cruise has been attached to for a while is the long-gestating "Tropic Thunder" spin-off for his scene-stealing character Les Grossman. There have been no signs of progress toward production, so Cruise updated us on its status.

"It's not where we all want it to be," Cruise said, suggesting that Internet shorts may be the way to go. "[Les Grossman] is so much fun to do. There are all different kinds of things we're thinking about."

Check out everything we've got on "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Conrad Murray Not Expected To Serve Full Four Years

Legal expert Mike Cavalluzzi tells MTV News he isn't surprised by sentence but doesn't think it's justified.
By Gil Kaufman


Dr. Conrad Murray in court on Tuesday
Photo: Mario Anzuoni-Pool/ Getty Images

Though he dodged a potential four-year prison term, former Michael Jackson physician Conrad Murray was sentenced to an equal amount of time in Los Angeles County Jail on Tuesday (November 29) in the death of the pop singer.

But the same overcrowding problems that spared the cardiologist from doing time in a federal pen might also save him from serving his entire sentence in county as well. Shortly after the sentence was handed down by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor, Los Angeles Sheriff spokesman Steve Whitmore told E! News that Murray would likely end up serving "a little less than two years." Due to overcrowding, most county jail sentences are immediately cut in half, and given the 46 days credit Murray has already been given, he is looking at even less than that.

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Murray's lawyers said afterward that they believed the sentence was unnecessarily long. "Yes, of course [Judge Pastor] was harsh. He gave the stiffest penalty he was entitled to give under the law," Murray's attorney, J. Michael Flanagan, told reporters. "He was openly hostile. ... [Murray has] led 56 years of exemplary life. He was really dreading [sentencing]. I think anybody would dread going into it. He's an honorable man, and he'll get through this. The family is suffering more than Dr. Murray is. ... Dr. Murray is the provider in that family."

Pastor had leeway in the sentencing, with options ranging from probation to the full sentence, but in a lengthy ruling from the bench, he said Murray's lack of remorse and negligent behavior called for the highest possible penalty. "He is and remains dangerous ... the request of probation is denied, the court imposes the high term of four years imprisonment in this case," Pastor said during the 90-plus-minute hearing.

Los Angeles-based criminal defense attorney Mike Cavalluzzi told MTV News that he wasn't surprised by the sentencing but that he didn't believe it was justified. Cavalluzzi said Pastor had incentive to give the full sentence because of the prominence of Jackson and his family and to create the perception that he is tough on crime. "He gets that perception by sentencing him to the max while not having to surrender the defendant to the full sentence," said Cavalluzzi, who was not involved in the case. "He gets the self-satisfaction of being perceived as being tough on crime and making the Jackson family happy, but I don't think it was a fair sentence."

Cavalluzzi said when deciding prison versus probation, judges have to look at someone's criminal history and whether a person is likely to complete the terms of their probation, which he believes Murray would. "I'm not seeing aggravating factors here, and I think it was just a chapter in [Murray's] life and he does not have a history of being a mercenary doctor always after money, but of being a good, responsible doctor who was seduced by the celebrity and money that Jackson offered," he said.

As to why Pastor gave such a dramatic, lengthy explanation for why he was sentencing Murray to the max, Cavalluzzi said the judge has to have a justification for his actions in the public record. "Because he doesn't have the discretion to give a high prison term, [Pastor] has to justify his sentence in the record and have very specific reasons for it. I don't think there's any way that anyone truly believes that from this day forward Dr. Murray truly represents a threat to society. That's just ludicrous."

And while he doesn't agree with the four-year term, Cavalluzzi said the high-profile nature of the case and the glare of the media could have played into the sentence. "It probably gives [Jackson's family] great comfort to have someone to blame," he said. " 'If not for this awful man, my son, brother, father would be alive.' But it's not fair to do that and it feels like a capitulating judgment in favor of feeding the emotional needs of the family."

Upon leaving the courthouse, Michael's brother Jermaine, when asked if the four-year sentence was enough, shook his head and said, "No." Mother Katherine Jackson told local TV station KTLA, "Four years is not enough for someone's life. It won't bring him back. But at least he got the maximum, and I thought the judge was very, very fair."

The prosecution, however, was satisfied with the ruling.

"We're pleased. That's what we thought was appropriate. The judge obviously agreed with us," deputy district attorney David Walgren said. "It was our position that it was not a simple, one-time mistake; it was a series of mistakes culminating in the abandonment of Michael Jackson when he died ... the judge agreed with that sentiment. A brother and a son and a family member was killed, and whatever the sentence may be, the family of the victim deserves justice. And we did everything to bring them that justice."

As for how much time Murray will spend locked up, Cavalluzzi said it is likely to be less than two years and, frankly, he predicted, the doctor could be out even sooner than that. "He might be eligible for house arrest very quickly," he said.

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