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US rapper to host MTV Awards

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US rapper and former Fugee Wyclef Jean has been named as the host of the 2008 MTV Australia Awards. His announcement follows previous international hosts including The Osbournes (2005), Ashlee Simpson (2006) and Fergie (2007).

Last time MTV tried to bring a rapper to their ceremony in Snoop Dogg he was banned from entering the country by the Howard government.

“Look out, I am bringing the Carnival down under for one whirlwind MTV ride” said Jean. “You already know that MTV Awards Shows around the world know how to bring the house down….and with me who knows what will happen!”

Press Release:

MTV Networks Australia today announced Hip-Hop legend Wyclef Jean as the host of the new ‘MTV Australia Awards 2008’ (MTVAAs). He joins a growing list of talented performers and presenters including 50 Cent, Juliette Lewis, Eve and ex-pat Lyndsey Rodrigues who are set to launch the first ever reversion of MTV’s flagship awards show. The MTV Australia Awards 2008 will broadcast on MTV Saturday April 26 from 7:30pm with an encore screening on FOX8 Sunday April 27 from 6pm.

“Wyclef’s charismatic flavour is sure to make the first year of the MTV Australia Awards one for the history books.” Said MTV Networks Australia Executive Producer Ean Thorley. “He is an innovative, amazing artist who has been an integral part of the creative formation of the show. Wyclef will definitely bring an unprecedented element of style, humour and unquestionable talent to his role as host.”

The Haitian-born Grammy Award-winning artist is known for many things: musician, rapper, producer, social activist – and his list of artistic endeavours will no doubt grow as he does. With a career that has seen him join forces with some of the biggest names in the business including Lauren Hill (fellow Fugees member), Destiny’s Child, Timbaland, Cypress Hill, Missy Elliott, Bono, Mick Jagger and Tupac Shakur, Wyclef is on the top of everyone’s wish list.

The former Fugees member’s new album Carnival Vol. II: Memoirs of an Immigrant was released in US to critical acclaim and is set to hit the top of the Australian charts when it is released in Australia on April 19 2008. Wyclef collaborated with a huge array of talent on this album including Paul Simon, Norah Jones, Shakira, Mary J Blige and Akon, who also features on the first single ‘Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)’. The single has already created a huge buzz amongst viewers since its debut on MTV Australia in early March.

“Look out, I am bringing the Carnival down under for one whirlwind MTV ride” Said Wyclef Jean of being this years Host of the all new MTV AA’s. “You already know that MTV Awards Shows around the world know how to bring the house down….and with me who knows what will happen!”

The MTV Australia Awards 2008 will feature eight live musical performances and eleven awards presented across music, film, television, sport, viewer-generated content and topical pop-culture moments. Eight categories will be viewer-chosen with voting open from now until April 25, 2008. The remaining three categories – favourites in sports, film/tv actor and international music act will be selected by MTV Australia as a way of acknowledging those who have had a significant influence on the Australian MTV audience and are yet to be announced.

Viewers can have their say at the MTV Australia Awards 2008 by voting for their favourite nominations on line at www.mtv.com.au/awards. Viewers will also be eligible to win tickets to the show simply by having their say online or on mobile.

2 Responses

  1. Dree, as someone who’s worked for many, many years in and around Australian music, all I can say is…

    *Applause*

    You summed it up perfectly.

  2. Unbelievable!!
    How much money are they going to pump into overseas artists before they realize how badly our local ones need it! The major labels are going to have to realize that although this country buys a ton of RnB music, that we aren’t an RnB producing Country, our biggest exports are not rappers or RnB artists. (And I have nothing against RnB I love it just like all music styles)
    If we really want to establish our own musical identity in the world we have to understand what our strengths and weakness’ are. We cant keep trying to mirror the American market which constantly rejects our artists and is 99.9% fueled by its own artists.
    With the line up they have now it seems hundreds of thousands of dollars are heading over to the US when we could pump that money into our own industry and get some great un-recognized acts of the ground.
    Dumb! Dumb! Dumb!

    🙂

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