“I think that one of the cool things about the album is that it is an album,” said Adam Lambert when we spoke to him about his new Trespassing album. It’s true. Critics are saying that Lambert’s second disc not only boasts soaring vocals and hard-hitting music, but holds together thematically. It rewards a full listen.

There’s lots of notice about this one. Billboard broke it down it down track by track, and Entertainment Weekly broke Lambert’s typical day down hour by hour. The Village Voice has a sharp Q&A with him as well. We’ll be premiering his video for “Never Close Our Eyes” next week. Until then, check Adam explaining his latest creation.

WATCH ADAM LAMBERT VIDEOS

Tom Cruise belting out Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive,” Catherine Zeta-Jones growling her way through Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.” Russell Brand and Alec Baldwin connecting on REO Speedwagon’s “Can’t Fight This Feeling.” Making the move from Broadway to the silver screen, Rock of Ages is about to drop its costumed cast in CD player near you. The story of a girl from the sticks meeting up with a dude from the Sunset Strip turned many heads as a musical. With Hollywood stars tackling pop nuggets from the ’70s and ’80s, the film version, which has got quite a buzz behind it, premieres June 15.

The soundtrack is all about the hits. Cruise plays the central character, stadium superstar Stacee Jaxx. As such, he gets to romp through “Paradise City,” “I Want To Know What Love Is,” and “Pour Some Sugar On Me.”

“It’s an enormous thrill to introduce the soundtrack to Rock of Ages to the world,” says the project’s Executive Music Producer Adam Anders. “While re-imagining these songs for the film, it was important for me to present them in a way that would not only tell the story, but transcend generations by making these songs relevant for today’s audience.”

The first video from the movie finds Mary J. Blige, Constantine Maroulis, and Julianne Hough connecting on Journey’s “Any Way You Want It.” Watch how Mary schools those pals of hers down at the exotic dancers emporium.

WATCH ROCK OF AGES SOUNDTRACK VIDEOS BY THE ORIGINAL ARTISTS

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Add another bash to the summer festival season. Philadelphia is the place for Jay-Z fans to be on Labor Day Weekend. The famed MC took the mic at a press gathering at the Philadelphia Art Museum of  Art yesterday, announcing a two-day, three-stage, 30-act affair that “pushes the culture forward.” The Budweiser Made In America Festival will be held in Philly’s Fairmount Park. Its dates are Sept 1. and Sept. 2.

Jigga is the curator of the festival as well, and it should be interesting to see what kind of breadth he brings to those three stages. The line-up is scheduled to be announced on May 21.  Tickets go on sale on May 23. A partnership with the United Way will help support local charities around the city and southern New Jersey. Mayor Michael Nutter (above with Jay-Z) helped Hova with the announcement duties.

WATCH JAY-Z VIDEOS

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It gets hot in Manchester, Tennessee in June. But multitudes of fans come from around the world, because the attractions of Bonnaroo are irresistible. The sweat, the dust – all worth it of course. But it sure would be nice to have a bit of pampering while you’re down South for the kick-off of the summer festival season. You know, some special seating with great sight lines, a chauffered golf cart to get between the various stages, a little gourmet catering, and hey, would an on-call concierge make your Bonnaroo any better? Thought so.

VEVO and StubHub are giving you the chance to win this kind of package, plus a bit more (we’re assuming “total access credentials” would be helpful). Head over to the submission page, fill out the info, and cross your fingers. You could be living large from June 7 -10. This year’s artist list includes everyone from Radiohead to Phish to the Red Hot Chili Peppers to the Avett Brothers (above).

WATCH VIDEOS BY ARTISTS PLAYING AT BONNAROO 2012

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VEVO Go Shows Presented by ckone Shock – are coming to a town near you! This month, we get set to launch VEVO’s Go Show series in the UK – which sees your favourite artists pitch up and perform in some of the most unusual places.

We’re launching the series on Monday 21st May with none other than the man with the ‘Remedy’ – Professor Green. Yep, in true Pro fashion we’re going to bring the Remedy to some very unsuspecting Londoners in a very public location!

We want to give one Pro Green fan the opportunity to ride along with us. You’ll be invited to come along to the Go Show shoot, so you’ll be right in the heart of the action. And just because we can, you’ll then get a private meet and greet with the man himself; plus get your hands on a goody bag with some treats from VEVO, Pro and our friends at ckone Shock! That’s “enough for anyone to get gassed up” right?

To be in with a chance to join us at the show and meet Pro Green, just follow and Tweet @VEVO_UK and  #GimmeGuestlist. We’ll pick one lucky winner at random and 10 runners up will also get a VEVO/ckone Shock goody bag. Check here for full T&Cs.

So what are you waiting for? It’s a Go Show!

You know we like to address all sorts of music at VEVO, so it’s no surprise that in recent interviews about Mother’s Day we connected with a variety of artists. It’s a big jump between Lamb of God’s metal, Carrie Underwood’s country pop, and Romeo Santos’ bachata, but they all have one thing in common. Here’s a bit of personal testimony about the deep love each of the has for their mom.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD

My mom and I are very close. She’s been in a couple of my videos, and she comes to awards show with me occasionally. She’s just fun to have around and she’s always there for me. I call her every day. These past two days have been busy, and I haven’t called her today yet, but I’m sure I will later on. We talk about everything, and just knowing that I have that constant in my life is important. I don’t know if my mom could give me that much advice on what I do now, and I appreciate the fact that she doesn’t try to. She doesn’t meddle, she’s not thinking she knows everything about the music business, what song I should release next, and that kind of stuff. But she’ll give me her opinion when I ask. Like, “Mom, what do I do, I have all these options in front of me, I need help making decisions.”  She’s always there to talk to about that.  She supports from a safe distance, and I appreciate that.

LAMB OF GOD

Mark Morton: I think the best thing my mom ever did to help me out, besides giving unconditional love and being supportive of everything I wanted to get into, was that she took me to guitar lessons when I first started. I’d shown interest in guitar and was picking it up, so my folks decided I could take lessons to speed things along. She’d sit there in her car in the summer sun waiting for me for sometimes an hour to take my lessons. I think she was thrilled that I was into something that she considered positive and a good use of my time, not knowing that it would turn into a career for me. I don’t think anyone expected that – not even myself.  Now, as I look back as a parent myself, I think about her sitting in the car sweating, bored, waiting for me to learn a D chord. I think it’s pretty awesome. Thanks mom!

Randy Blythe: I love my mom to death. She’s a real sweetheart – this little southern mama. Besides unleashing me on the world, for which I repaid her by breaking her tailbone on the way out – natural birth and all that stuff – I think the greatest thing she ever did for me was buying me my first skateboard. That was a huge huge deal when I was a kid. It was part of my escape, and part of my entry into a subculture that in part is responsible for where I am today. And of course I love her for just accepting me for who I am.

ROMEO SANTOS

One way that my mother has helped me, besides giving me life, is that today I’m able to write great Spanish lyrics because my mother put me in bilingual class. At first I was all like “that’s not cool. I want to be in a regular program.” At that age I didn’t think it would be useful. But today I’m able to write well in Spanish. When I’m thinking in Spanish the words flow so easily. Even though I was born and rasised in the Bronx, I feel like that when I’m speaking in English, there are things that don’t come right away. Like, how do I say this? In Spanish I don’t have that situation. I’m way more educated and eloquent in Spanish. That’s because of my mother.

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It isn’t every day that Adam Levine gets costumed as a nebbish bank clerk. The Maroon 5 singer has a rep as a studly dude, so his character in M5′s new “Payphone” video is a blow against type. Or at least the first part is. By the time the rest of the band bust into a bank with automatic weapons blazing, Levine’s milquetoast side disappears, and a badass emerges. He grabs the girl, takes on the cops, and turns downtown L.A. into the Indy 500.

The band has released three discrete items for this song. The “Payphone” clip itself, a rather cool animated video, and a behind-the-scenes piece that explains how that bank heist and car chase went down. We thought it would be good to see it all together.

WATCH ALL THREE MAROON 5 VIDEOS TOGETHER

Their new Overexposed album hits on June 26. “It’s definitely our most diverse and poppiest albums yet,” Levine has said. “We had a great time recording it. I can’t wait for our fans to hear the record, as well as hitting the road to play it live for everyone later this year.”

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Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and we of course salute mothers everywhere. Nurturing a family, teaching and protecting kids – not an easy job. Hats off to all the women in the world who take on that responsibility.

From a music perspective, we likes to celebrate it in a fun way, so we connected with People Magazine to come up with a list of artists that keep the fiesty side of motherhood alive. “People’s Most Rockin’ Moms VEVO Playlist” is the result, a parade of great videos by women with kids who manage to keep the youthful, sexy, and creative side of themselves in the forefront.

As you can see in the photo above, Madonna made the list. Britney and Mariah are included as well. Want to see who the top 10 rockin’ moms are? Of course you do. Happy Mothers Day!

WATCH PEOPLE’S MOST ROCKIN’ MOMS VEVO PLAYLIST

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What’s Rihanna’s best video? You tell us. For the past few days our Rihanna Video Battle has been clocking lots of activity – hardcore members of RiRi‘s Navy and ordinary fans alike voting for their favorite clips. We started with 16, and we’ve whittled it down to eight. “We Found Love” beat “You Da One.” “Man Down” beat “SOS.” “Rude Boy” beat “Hard,” and so on. This is where it starts to get intense. There’s been plenty of voting going on, and now that we’re down to four contests, things are really picking up.

This is all in celebration of Battleship’s arrival. Rihanna’s action flick opens on May 18, and if you want to see another side of her artistic personality, her role as a navy weapons officer named Raikes will open some eyes.

Until then, vote away. As you’re reading this, you could be deciding the fate of “What’s My Name” or “Only Girl.”

VOTE IN THE RIHANNA VIDEO BATTLE 

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It didn’t take long for her name to be everywhere. Carly Rae Jepsen is kicking off the summer of 2012 with a radically catchy song, “Call Me Maybe.” Katy Perry has  sang her way through it at a party, James Franco made a feeble lip-sync of it on YouTube, and half the world has its fingers to its ears a la the Canadian pop star’s “call me” pose. Speaking of Canadians, Justin Bieber, along with Selena Gomez and Ashley Tisdale also threw a party while getting their lip-sync on. Long story short? The whole world is watching.

Carly Rae is our latest “Detected” artist. We connected with her for a chance to find out where the song came from, and how it went from 0-100 in just a few weeks.

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Big K.R.I.T. has always been proud of his Dirty South roots, and on the new “I Got This,” he takes us on a tour of his stomping grounds – Meridian, Mississippi.  Throughout the video, which boasts a big-ass banger of a track that features a super sweet Chevelle SS and plenty of other vintage whips, a series of numbers point out specific people, places, and things. What did they mean? Only K.R.I.T and his crew knew for sure.

But the MC has just provided a breakdown. Check the clip and then head over here to crack the code – especially if you want to see where he was born.

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Every month we recommend an array of acts to catch on the road. This time around the list stretches from Tenacious D’s hilarious return to Avicii’s mammoth dance pop. Pick a favorite and grab up some tickets quick.

Maroon 5

Maroon 5′s fourth album might be called Overexposed, but it seems the world has yet to have their fill of Adam Levine and company. In what promises to be their most “diverse and poppiest albums yet,” (as Levine explained to Rolling Stone) the band sets the bar sky high with the disco-pop lead single “Payphone” (featuring Wiz Khalifa). You can and should experience the rest of Overexposed live, especially if you enjoy watching Levine channel Mick Jagger’s hip shake. TOUR DATES

The Band Perry

Seems like the Tennessee family act emerged from nowhere to dominate the country and pop charts, and songs such as the pensive “All Your Life” and spiritual “If I Die Young” have made their way into millions of lives. The group’s commitment to the stage is clear: “Last year we spent 19 days at home,” singer Kimberly Perry told Broken Records magazine. “We just try to challenge ourselves creatively to be true to our own life experiences, and then we can really respond honestly through our music.” Happily, they’re also known to get a little rowdy during their shows. TOUR DATES

Neon Trees

In the video for “Everybody Talks,” Neon Trees bravely stand their ground against an army of zombie bikers. Thankfully this addictive pop act, who first found fame opening for the Killers, has less gruesome plans for the tour supporting their new album Picture Show. As frontman Tyler Glenn explains, “We get all ages at our shows and all kinds of backgrounds. It’s weird because I wonder if they know who they are watching. I am this dorky, awkward and overly artistic guy dancing onstage.” TOUR DATES

Spiritualized

Be grateful that Spiritualized frontman Jason Pierce is still floating in space after all these years, though now with a new backing band. While Pierce’s voice is as mesmerizing as ever on Spiritualized’s 7th (!) album, Sweet Heart Sweet Light, he truly shines in a concert setting. With howling backup singers, sprawling feedback, and a (nearly) seizure-inducing light show, the band’s onstage presence captures Pierce’s opulent rock ‘n’ roll vision. TOUR DATES

Alabama Shakes

The only thing louder than the deafening buzz around the soul-rock band Alabama Shakes is the voice of their enigmatic frontwoman, Brittany Howard, who channels both Janis Joplin and Otis Redding when she belts out songs like “Hold On.” The Shakes’ quickly assembled Boys & Girls debut has rocketed up the Billboard charts. We’re hoping their future holds many sold-out shows, gold records, and mantles stacked with Grammys. TOUR DATES

Daughtry

Chris Daughtry first appeared on TV in 2006, and barely one year later his music was an FM radio staple. The former American Idol contestant seamlessly leaped to the big time with a debut that sold nearly five million copies. Now touring their Break the Spell album, Daughtry’s brand of epic rock-and-roll and soul-shattered ballads bring a huge sound to the stage. Chris takes his passion seriously. TOUR DATES

Tenacious D

If their hilarious “To Be the Best” video is to believed, Tenacious D has overcome plenty of obstacles – everything from a trip to the psych ward to the accidental murder of Val Kilmer – in their brief downtime. Now Jack Black and Kyle Gass are back with Rize of the Fenix, a reunion tour and accompanying recording that, as they so humbly put it, promises to be “the greatest album ever record by anyone, ever.” It would be silly to question that statement. All hail The D! TOUR DATES

Santigold

Unless you are one of her big-name co-producers (namely Major Lazer, John Hill, or Switch), odds are good that you’ve been waiting years for a chance to hear Master of My Make-Believe. Well, the wait is finally over: Santigold’s sophomore release is pure ear candy; an inspiring collection of pop hits and a bold statement from an outspoken singer who has publicly denounced the current the state of music. Get your first earful when she takes kicks it live. TOUR DATES

Avicii

Swedish DJ phenom Avicii packs up his decks and crosses the pond for a series of large-scale shows in America this month. His crisp and infectious electronic dance-pop has linked the Stockholm DJ to everyone from David Guetta to Madonna. Avicii’s series of hit club bangers and ambitious gigs – at Coachella, he DJ’d atop a massive glowing head – proves that he’s is no longer just the darling of the dance-music community. TOUR DATES

M83

M83’s exquisite Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming was heavily influenced by leader Anthony Gonzalez’s relocation from France to Los Angeles. Soaked in a gorgeous haze of swirling sounds, especially the stunning “Midnight City,” Hurry Up marks a big-step forward for the group, and it’s perfectly timed with Gonzalez’s new role as the band’s undaunted frontman. “During the last two years I’ve been…putting my shyness away,” he has said. “The experience of me touring brought a lot of confidence in myself.” Wonder how aggressive he’ll be on stage…

TOUR DATES

- written by Ezra Caraeff

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She made her impressive first album at the of 19. She made her masterpiece of heartache at the age of 21. We can’t say what Adele has planned for her 24th year, but it’s sure to be impressive. We’re helping her blow out the candles today, her 24th b-day celebration. Here are a few choice quotes, and several of her best clips.

ADELE QUOTES

“I was always the joker at school,” she says. “But I didn’t really realize I had a natural sense of humor until I started telling stories onstage. You get the timing down. Also, people laugh when I open my mouth anyway, even if I don’t tell a joke, because they are laughing at my accent.” VOGUE

“The way I write my songs is that I have to believe what I’m writing about, and that’s why they always end up being so personal—because the kind of artists I like, they convince me, they totally win me over straight away in that thing. Like, “Oh my God, this song is totally about me.” I have to feel that about my own songs for me to be happy with them and to be able to let them go. So I think people can relate to them because I’m so honest in them. It’s warts and all in my songs, and I think that’s why people can relate to them. I don’t write songs about a specific, elusive thing. I write about love and everyone fucking knows what it is like to have your heart broken.” INTERVIEW

“I didn’t want to call this record ‘21’ at first; I thought it was really obvious, I thought everyone would be like, ‘Ooh, she ain’t got much of an imagination, has she?’ I was trying to come up with something else, but in the back of my mind was always ‘21’ as a title, but I just kept swerving it. Then I listened back to ‘19’ and read reviews from live shows and stuff like that, and suddenly felt like that it is properly two years later, and twenty-one is really an official age, and I do feel like I’ve really become an adult in those last two years. So it was really an obvious title, but I think being obvious sometimes is right, rather than trying to be clever.” CLASHMUSIC

WATCH 10 ADELE VIDEOS

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There will be a little bit less fun in the world. Adam Yauch, founding member of the Beastie Boys, and gloriously imaginative rhymer, has passed at the age of 47. Yauch had been undergoing cancer treatments since 2009. The trio – our sympathies go out to Adam Horowitz (Ad-Roc) and Mike Diamond (Mike D) as well as Yauch’s family – gave hip-hop innumerable exclamation points when they moved from a hardcore punk outfit celebrating ice cream cakes (time to respin “Cookie Puss”) to a crazy clever rap crew making at least two of the music’s stone cold classics, Liscence To Ill (1986) and Paul’s Boutique (1989).

Wit was everywhere in the Beasties sound, from the samples they used to the rhymes they wrote. Celebrating the brattiness of their characters, they brought a new sense of humor to the table while delivering some superb beats.

The crew was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but Yauch wasn’t able to attend due to his health issues.

Here’s a clip of Coldplay celebrating Yauch and the Beasties at the Hollywood Bowl.

Here’s a clip of Jay-Z celebrating Yauch and the Beasties when he stepped onto the 2009 All Points West festival after the trio had to cancel their show because of Yauch’s cancer treatments.

WATCH BEASTIE BOYS VIDEOS

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We tallied, and then we tallied some more. Then, of course, we tallied the tallies to be sure. The results are in. Rihanna’s “Where Have You Been” now owns VEVO’s title for the most viewed video in a 24-hour period. As superfans may recall, Nicki Minaj captured the position back in January when her great Hype Williams clip for “Stupid Hoe” clocked 4.8 million in a mere one-day stretch. At the end of last week Rihanna tweeted to her legion of followers that she wanted to trounce that, and lay claim as the victor herself:

“Yo on some legit #NAViSHIT we breakin dat VEVO record the SECOND #WHYBvideo drops on Monday mornin! Show da phuck OUT! #WHYBvideo24hrRECORD”

“It’s time for #WhereHaveYouBeen! Can we get da most @VEVOvideo views EVER in 24 hrs starting NOW! RT meif ur wit me.”

Her Navy rocked the house and from Monday noon to Tuesday noon, the video clocked 4,937,281 views. Now the singer, in rehearsals for her Saturday Night Live appearance this weekend, is celebrating. Her latest hashtags include #eliteNaviShit #WeBadTheyMad #WePhuckedVevoUP and #WHYBeffect. The victory has become a worldwide trending topic on Twitter. Congrats to Team RiRi!

The Rihanna madness continues tomorrow, when our Rihanna Video Battle begins. To celebrate her upcoming role in the the film Battleship, we’re giving fans a chance to vote on which of RiRi’s clips is top dog. We start with 16 and work our way down to one. More info coming tomorrow.

And of course a question arises: who’s the next artist to break the 24-hour record. Seems like Justin Bieber could be a contender. His much anticipated video for “Boyfriend” premieres on VEVO tonight at 7:50 pm ET (prep by watching his behind-the-scenes stroll). Think his fans can rally to claim the honor from Rihanna? It’s game time.

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You know her stage shows are the shizzle. You know you want to go. Better whip out the wallet right now and grab up some tickets. Nicki’s concerts have a tendency to sell out in a flash, and you’ll never be able to live with yourself if you don’t catch “Beez In The Trap” or “Starships” live.

She spends June in Europe, but heads home for a string of July and August dates. Between the dates listed below, you can find Lady Minaj doing business at the summer concerts of several radio stations, including the Bay Area’s KYLD WiLD Jam 2012 on May 10, Los Angeles’ PowerHouse on May 12, Hot 97′s Summer Jam in New York on June 3 and WZMX’s July 20 show in Hartford.

Tickets go on sale on May 4.

WATCH OUR NICKI MINAJ PLAYLIST

U.S. Tour Dates

7/16 – Chicago, IL @ The Chicago Theatre

7/17 – Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre Detroit

7/19 – Cleveland, OH @ State Theatre at Playhouse Square

7/22 – Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre Atlanta

7/24 – Miami, FL @ James L. Knight Center

7/26 – Birmingham, AL @ Boutwell Auditorium

7/28 – Houston, TX @ Bayou Music Center

7/29 – Dallas, TX @ Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie

7/31 – St. Louis, MO @ Peabody Opera House

8/2 – Denver, CO @ Wells Fargo Theatre

8/4 – Las Vegas, NV @ Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

8/7 – Phoenix, AZ @ Comerica Theatre

8/11 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre

8/12 – Vancouver, BC @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre

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Indie artists now enjoy more options to have their work seen and heard. The innovative Ditto Music service is partnering with VEVO in an agreement that “unlocks a new source of revenue for thousands of indie and unsigned acts.” With the arrival of this new alliance, artists and labels who distribute content via Ditto Music are now able to set-up their own VEVO channel and receive royalties for any music videos viewed via the platform. This includes an array of acts on both sides of the pond, from Britain’s Maverick Sabre (above) to California’s Finch.  The partnership allows musicians to have their music videos viewed by the millions of VEVO users throughout the US and Europe.

“VEVO supports independent artists and we’re thrilled to team-up with Ditto Music to help new acts reach global music fans,” said Rio Caraeff, President and CEO of VEVO. Jay Kerr, CTO of Ditto Music, concurred. “We’re really proud to be able to offer this. VEVO is an incredible service and this means that a whole new wave of indie artists will be able to take advantage of video monetization.”

Access to the new service is available to all Ditto Music users at no extra cost. Registration is now available.

VEVO provides premium music video programming  for everything from the Web and smartphone apps (iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Phone 7, BlackBerry PlayBook) to connected televisions (Xbox, Boxee).

We’ve been bringing you lots of behind-the-scenes action, candid interviews and acoustic performances from our current LIFT artist, Graffiti6. Jamie Scott has really been revealing himself, and he wants to do more. Our ASK: REPLY series lets you do your own interview with artists, and Jamie invites you to send him any questions you have. Yours may be one those that he answers. If you’re following VEVO on Twitter already, you may know that #ASKREPLY is the hashtag that gets the job done. You can do the same thing on our Facebook page. Ask your question today!

UPDATE: WATCH CARRIE UNDERWOOD’S LIVE ON LETTERMAN SHOW

Carrie Underwood is a country superstar, but she’s been doing a convincing job of rocking lately.  ”Good Girl,” the lead track from her “Blown Away” album (released on Tuesday, May 1), has a little bit of AC/DC in it, and Underwood brings a big splash of sass to the table in the song’s sexy video. Bet that aggressive attitude is fully in place when she kicks off her Live On Letterman performance tonight at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT. Underwood likes to keep everything bubbling on stage.

The Webcast will be available live on VEVO and its mobile apps, with subsequent on-demand performances available across the entire VEVO platform including VEVO.com and its mobile and connected devices.

Underwood stopped by VEVO offices last week to talk about the new disc. She says she can’t wait to play the new tunes on stage. “[Songs] always take on a whole new life when we start playing them live. A lot of times there’s more in-depth feeling, and you start feeling cool, cause you’ve figured out all the grooves.”

And there are a variety of grooves on Blown Away. Dramatic pop ballads like the title cut, country ravers like “Cupid’s Got a Shotgun,” and sentimental reflections like “Thank God For Hometowns” add up to show the breadth of Underwood’s rather expansive approach to music. It seems she’s got a way with variety, sounding eloquent in each of the above styles.

Her Live On Letterman Webcast follows the taping of her performance on the Late Show with David Letterman, which will be broadcast later that evening on CBS.

WATCH CARRIE UNDERWOOD VIDEOS ON VEVO

WATCH LIVE ON LETTERMAN SHOWS BY ADELE, KATY PERRY, FOO FIGHTERS AND OTHERS

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It was all about Don Omar and Prince Royce at last night’s Billboard Latin Music Awards. Each artist walked away with eight victories apiece. Congrats to both! Here’s a list of 2012 winners in the high-vis categories. There’s more info on the big night at Billboard.

Artist of the Year: Prince Royce

Artist of the Year: La Adictiva Banda San Jose de Mesillas

Song of the Year: Don Omar & Lucenzo “Danza Kuduro”

Song of the Year, Vocal Event: Don Omar & Lucenzo “Danza Kuduro”

Song Artist of the Year, Male: Pitbull

Song Artist of the Year, Female: Shakira

Song Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Mana

Album of the Year: Prince Royce “Prince Royce”

Album Artist of the Year, Male: Cristian Castro

Latin Pop Song Artist of the Year, Solo: Don Omar

Latin Rhythm Song Artist of the Year, Duo or Group

Tropical Album Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Aventura

Julion Alvarez y Su Norteño Banda: “Olvidame”

Latin Rhythm Song Artist of the Year, Duo or Group

WATCH VIDEOS BY LAST NIGHT’S WINNERS 

WATCH “SIXTEEN SALTINES” FROM FRIDAY NIGHT’S SHOW

He rocked it out and laughed it up with Stephen Colbert last night, and he’s going to destroy NYC’s Webster Hall tonight in a live Webcast that streams on VEVO and VEVO mobile apps for iOS and Android systems at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT. Jack White is out and about these days, celebrating the arrival of his new Blunderbuss album, a storm of a disc that moves all over the place sound-wise. From bone-rattling rock ‘n’ roll to cooing soul motifs to giddy sing-along moments, White has banked his first solo album on scope. Critics are loving the disc, and it’s been seated at the top of the iTunes charts since its release on Tuesday.

The American Express Unstaged concert finds White in cahoots with actor-director Gary Oldman, and it looks like their collaboration has been a blast so far.  They’ve made a series of promo clips that show their camaraderie, whether it’s wrestling with each other, or chatting it up while driving around Nashville. Sometimes it simply comes to crazed cackling. Bet tonight’s live romp through the Blunderbuss material will be just as inventive. We’re waiting for the killer version Little Willie John’s “I’m Shakin’.”

The difference between Blunderbuss’s first two videos helps explain the scope mentioned above. “Love Interruption” is a tender R&B throwback. “Sixteen Saltines“ is vicious garage rock futurism. Team White performed both of them on Saturday Night Live recently.

At least we now know how Ms. Minaj gets around. The video for Roman Reloaded’s “Starships” arrived in the middle of the night, and it starts off with an alien craft beaming the self-proclaimed “bad bitch” down on the sands of a lush volcanic island of waterfalls and rain forests, which of course becomes party town in an instant. Producer RedOne’s beat drives the groove, and Nicki spends lots of time getting down in the waves and the beach.

Is this her summer song? All signs point to yes, because by the time the psychedelic fire dance starts up, everyone is shaking their collective a$$es and Big Barbz is looking happier than she has in ages. And hey, wasn’t it David Guetta who first told us Nicki was an alien?

Kip Moore’s “Something ‘Bout a Truck” feels like a summer song, like it could jump-start the season a month or so early. We’ve been pushing its video for awhile now, and lately it seems lots of others are catching a bit of the fever. The song has cracked the top ten of the country charts, and his Up All Night album dropped this week, too. Moore is our current “Detected” artist, so we got with him to have him explain himself. He’s got a string of live shows scheduled in May. Here are the dates. 

We’re still loving the fact that People magazine named Beyoncé the most beautiful woman in the world. Hey, we think she’s beautiful, too. But of course, we’re a bit more taken with her music. Here’s a playlist of 10 superb Beyoncé videos.

WATCH 10 GREAT BEYONCÉ VIDEOS 

Watch out, it just might be a big night for Pitbull and Don Omar at the Billboard Latin Music Awards in Miami tonight. Each of the artists nabbed over a dozen nominations at this year’s event. Romeo Santos and Prince Royce are also up there, as well. Each as clocked 10 or more noms.

Daddy Yankee, Juanes, and Jenni Rivera are among those scheduled to perform. The high-vis nominees list is below.  For the full list, head to Billboard Latin Music Awards site.

WATCH VIDEOS BY ALL BILLBOARD LATIN MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES 

Artist of the Year:

Mana

Prince Royce

Romeo Santos

Shakira

New Artist of the Year:

Calibre 50

Il Volo

La Adictiva Banda San Jose de Mesillas

Volento

Song of the Year:

“Danza Kuduro” by Don Omar and Lucenzo

“Taboo” by Don Omar

“Give Me Everything” by Pitbull and Ne-Yo

“Corazon Sin Cara” by Prince Royce

Male Song Artist of the Year:

Enrique Iglesias

Don Omar

Pitbull

Prince Royce

Female Song Artist of the Year:

Alejandra Guzman

Jennifer Lopez

Jenni Rivera

Shakira

Duo or Group Song Artist of the Year

Julion Alvarez y Su Norteno Banda

La Adictiva Banda San Jose de Mesillas

Mana

Wisin Y Yandel

Airplay Song of the Year

“Te Amo y Te Amo” by La Adictiva Banda San Jose de Mesillas

“Taboo” by Don Omar

“Give Me Everything” by Pitbull and Ne-Yo

“Corazon Sin Cara” by Prince Royce

Digital Song of the Year:

“Danza Kuduro” by Don Omar

“Bon Bon” by Pitbull

“Rabiosa” by Shakira and El Cata

“Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” by Shakira and Freshleygound

Obie Trice’s new album is called Bottoms Up, and the Detroit MC insists he hasn’t bottomed out, he’s simply going through a rebirth. The former Shady artist’s last disc, Second Round, came out way back in 2006 – yep, he stepped off for a bit. Obie says during his hiatus he focused on raising his two daughters (13 year old Kobie and five year old Chloe) and dealing with the death of his mother.

It was back in 2008 when Obie came to career crossroads, leaving Interscope, the only recording home he’s ever known and the place he dropped the classic “Got Some Teeth,” due to business and artistic differences. Now with the independent label Ingrooves, he says he wants to give fans a refill of his music.

Writer Shaheem Reid recently got on the phone with him to talk about the new disc (which features the video “Spend The Day“) and the conversation veered off towards reconnecting with Eminem and Dr. Dre (they each help out on a pair of Bottoms Up tracks) and sharing a drink with President Obama. He even reveals a secret about his sexual interests and the album title’s alternate meaning.

Vevo:  Welcome back. You have the late great MC Breed on the album. He passed away in 2008. How long did it take you put this project together?

Obie: It took me eight or nine months to make the album. The verse with MC Breed is a few years old. He was a real good friend of mine, and he shot me that verse before he died. I just wanted to put him on there. He told me a lot of stories from back in the day of when he used to roll with Tupac. I never got a chance to see Tupac in concert or meet him, but Breed used to put me up on game about how Pac was.

You and Eminem connect on “Richard.” The hook is hilarious but the bars are ferocious. What was it like going in with Em again, somebody you’ve made countless records with?

Obie: It was cool. It was real retrospective. We got it in, talked about the old days. Talked about what’s going on in each other’s lives. We joked around and we created. That’s my brother.

You also were able to secure Dr. Dre for the title track/intro. 

Obie: Dre sent me the beat. I wanted to open the album with a Dre track. Dre was real receptive to that. I wanted to vent a little bit [on the track]. That feeling of the beat took me to the depths of what you hear.

“Ups and Downs” is the track that probably contains the most venting. You touch on lots of personal subjects.

Obie: Yeah. Just a lot of things that went on in my personal life: chicks lying, my man Carlos Powell just got indicted on some conspiracy shit, dudes telling on him. He’s about to do life. I talked about the marketing situation [in the business] and if you’re not targeted as something that’s popular, then they don’t go full-on like they should. I would never ever get another major record deal, never. I will definitely put music out on my own. I feel that’s the only way.

All of your albums have a drinking theme to them. What rapper can drink you under the table?

Obie: Probably Kurupt. Xzibit used to drink heavy. I don’t know if he still does. He’ll get it in with you. Proof used to get it in. That’s about it man.

If you could have a drink with President Obama, what are three questions you would ask him?

Obie: What types of books does he read?  How does his wife handle him being the President, the top man in the world?. What are some of the ways he raises his two daughters and how does he handle that? I have two daughters myself.

Your daughters are keeping up with your career, but do you keep up with stuff they like? Do you know how to do the Dougie? Do you listen to Diggy Simmons?

Obie: (Laughing) Yeah. I fuck with them on that. My oldest is a real Big Sean fan. My little mama just likes hip-hop music. I joke around [and dance], but you won’t catch me on TV doing that shit.

Tell me about using your baby picture for the album cover.

Obie: My mother died from breast cancer last year. I had to go to the crib and clean out her house, get photo albums and get paper work together and all of that stuff.  [My album cover photo] was the picture hanging over her bed for years. I was coming out with Bottom’s Up and I didn’t have artwork for it. I was like ‘I’m just going to use this. This is my new beginning.’ I have new album coming out on my new imprint, and this is my new birth.

You have a track on the album called “Secrets.” What’s a secret about yourself you can reveal to the fans who read this?

Obie: I’m an ass fanatic! I go crazy for a black woman, white woman or whatever. I’m ass crazy. Ass and hips! I’m socially sick with that shit. I be with my girl and turn around on her and look back at that ass. I’m bad with it. – Shaheem Reid

UPDATE: WATCH NORAH JONES’ LETTERMAN PERFORMANCE

Norah Jones isn’t afraid of switcheroos. Her new Little Broken Hearts album moves away from the gentle singer-songwriter sound that made her a superstar, and tilts towards a more experimentally textured stance. The songs, most of them centering on the headaches and heartaches of a breakup are gorgeous. Jones collaborated with Danger Mouse for the writing and producing work. We can’t wait to hear what the music sounds like when she takes the stage for her Live On Letterman show on Wednesday, May 2.   The performance will be Webcast on VEVO at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT.

Jones will be playing songs from her entire career, including her latest single “Happy Pills,” in addition to other tracks from Little Broken Hearts. The new album will be released the day before the show. The Webcast will be available live on VEVO and its mobile apps.

“The new album has an otherworldly haze that’s not exactly retro but not aggressively modern,” declared the New York Times in an recent profile of Jones and the album. “Standard instruments are deflected through reverb and other effects, each placed in its own sonic domain; the arrangements outline clear pop structures yet register as ghostly backdrops.”

Listen to an advance stream of Little Broken Hearts.

Her Live On Letterman Webcast follows the taping of her performance on the Late Show with David Letterman, which will be broadcast later that evening on CBS.

WATCH LIVE ON LETTERMAN SHOWS BY ADELE, KATY PERRY, FOO FIGHTERS AND OTHERS

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Our heads are still reeling from Wednesday night, when VEVO hosted a secret performance with Swedish House Mafia at The Belasco Theatre in L.A.  The event, sponsored by Absolut Vodka, brought to life the “Greyhound” video, featuring models in masquerade costumes and a light show that would make a blind man see. Axwell, Steve Angelo, and Sebastian Ingrosso walked onto the stage to thunderous applause, and opened their set with ”Greyhound.” The superstar DJs, who normally play to festival-sized audiences, catered to 1000+ dancers like it was Coachella, rocking their hits and destroying the place with a 10-min rendition of “Save The World.” Pink confetti blasted through the air for the entire set. – Derrin Woodhouse

A little bit of rock history is up for grabs. Many critics claim that Janis Joplin’s “Pearl” is her masterpiece. The iconic ’60s hippie chick was a powerhouse vocalist who, fueled by blues and R&B forebears such as Big Mama Thornton and Etta James, brought a serious jolt of soul to rock, first with Big Brother and the Holding Company, then with the Full-Tilt Boogie Band. It’s the latter that backed Joplin on the 1971 “Pearl” (the singer’s nickname), a classic disc that was issued after Joplin’s death in October of 1970. The music crackles with authority. From “Move Over” to “Cry Baby” to “Me and Bobby McGee,” the band and its leader ride groove after groove. Before this, Janis was praised for her raw passion. The music on “Pearl” is a bit more polished, a bit more focused, and fully eloquent.

Legacy is reissuing the original music and a wealth of outtakes and live cuts in an extensive overview entitled “The Pearl Sessions.” We’re giving away a copy of the whole shebang, along with other treats, including:

(1) Limited Edition “Highlights From The Pearl Sessions” on Double 10″ vinyl -Exclusive for Record Store Day 2012.
(1) copy of “The Pearl Sessions” – 2CD collection of never before heard studio outtakes, live recordings, and other rarities.
(1) Janis Joplin complete vinyl collection which includes all 4 studio albums in a box.

HEAD TO THE VEVO FACEBOOK PAGE TO ENTER THE JANIS SWEEPSTAKES

Yep, you can download all you want – it’s a digital world, no doubt. But on Saturday, April 21st, record stores all over the world are celebrating the kind of music culture you indulge in when you walk into a brick-and-mortar shop as opposed to mousing around iTunes. Each year presents a treasure trove of awesome Record Store Day goodies for those looking for offline grooves.

Oddities are a part of the annual fun, and though we’re sad not to see anything approaching the radness of, say, the KISS coffin, there’s still some weirdness to be had. Check out RPM: This adorably mean-looking figurine, designed by the legendary graphic artist Frank Kozik, comes in four different models and is limited to a run of 5000. (We’re hoping we get the hairy-chested “Party Naked” guy, but we’d settle for snaggletoothed Mr. Anarchy too.) And there is Jack White’s vinyl version of “Sixteen Saltines” with “wonderful psychedelic liquid” inside the disc. But even the normal stuff looks fun for fans. There are plenty of exclusive-to-RSD records to buy as well as bands playing in-store sets. Here are five hot items on our wish list:

Grace Potter & The Nocturnals

Live at the Legendary Sun Studios LP
Potter’s powerhouse vocals are steeped in southern-fried soul, which makes her Vermont origins all the more remarkable. This limited-edition album was recorded for PBS’s Live From the Sun Studio show. It spotlights seven unreleased originals, connecting the dots between Potter’s rootsy vibe and the Memphis-based Sun Studio’s history as a launching pad for the careers of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and other icons. Here’s a taste of the Nocturnals’ midnight magic.

Sara Bareilles
Stay / Beautiful Girl
7″ vinyl
The “Love Song” siren has teamed up with Ben Folds for this limited edition release. These two previously-unreleased tracks are sure to please both hardcore Bareilles fans and newcomers alike. Only catch is, you need a record player to listen to this 7″ vinyl-only release. If you’re lacking in the hardware, here’s consolation in the form of Bareilles’s “Gonna Get Over You.”

Janis Joplin
Highlights from The Pearl Sessions
2 x 10″ LP
Known informally as Joplin’s “farewell” sessions, the original Pearl album was released three months after the singer’s death in October 1970. This is the only studio session to feature Joplin backed by her funky Full Tilt Boogie Band. This RSD highlight – 2 x 10″ LPs that feature rare and unreleased studio and alternate outtakes culled from recently discovered Pearl studio recordings – is sure to sell out quickly, so you should set the alarm and get to your local outlet when it opens.

Bruce Springsteen
Rocky Ground
7″ vinyl
It wouldn’t be a real music celebration without a contribution from Bruuuuuce! And this one’s a no-brainer: on top is the gorgeous “Rocky Ground” from Springsteen’s new album Wrecking Ball; the B-side is a romp through his iconic “The Promise,” recorded at the Carousel in Asbury Park. Enough to give you chills.

Jimmy Fallon
Tebowie / Reading Rainbow
7″ vinyl
One of the better mash-ups of recent memory, Jimmy Fallon’s “Tebowie” draws from the best of both characters – Bowie’s pipes and Tebow’s Jesus obsessions. This very funny performance, set to the music of “Space Oddity,” is available for the first time ever on high-quality 7″ vinyl. On the flip is Fallon as Jim Morrison, backed by “The Doors,” singing the theme to “Reading Rainbow.” – Adrienne Day