Debi Nova’s intoxicating, self-described “tropical-soul” sound has been something of a favorite around these parts for a while now. Back in January, we introduced you to the L.A.-via-Costa Rica singer and learned all about her background in backing vocals by working on records by Sean Paul and the Black Eyed Peas. Then we got a good look at her outdoor dance party in the video for “Drummer Boy.”

Well, now it’s time to get to know her a little better with this episode of “The 5.”

The main thing to take from the interview is that Debi Nova seems like a cool, laid-back lady. She talks about her home country of Costa Rica and the peaceful feeling of coming from a country without an army. She also muses on how her fluency in English and Spanish (as well as playing multiple instruments) influenced the sound of her debut album, Luna Nueva. Plus, she’s a surfer!

Check out the entire episode of Debi Nova’s “The 5″ and revisit her “Drummer Boy” video, both below.

(Credit: Michele Crowe/MTV)

According to the BBC, Dan Black makes something called “Wonky Pop.” What’s Wonky Pop? Think of it as genre-bending, dance-friendly electro-pop—much like the music of Little Boots, La Roux, Sam Sparro and New Young Pony Club—that happens to be currently emanated from similarly themed club nights in London.

As for Black, this particular British singer/producer has recently been making a big noise outside of the Wonky Pop scene with his song “Symphonies,” which combines the always fun ingredients of hip-hop drums and classical strings.

With all this hype, we had to find out more about this enigmatic new artist. In this episode of “The 5,” Black talks about his adopted hometown of Paris and the attitudinal similarities between Parisians and New Yorkers. He also muses on the role computers play in the way he shapes, creates and records his music, recalls an amazing trip to Senegal and waxes nostalgic about his time in dysfunctional bands.

Check out Dan Black’s episode of “The 5″ as well as his video for “Symphonies (Remix),” featuring Kid Cudi.

+ Click here to see all of MTV’s exclusive Dan Black photos

When it comes to Chris Brown, you think you know—but you have no idea. Thankfully, Pretty Boy stopped by the MTV studios recently and cleared the air in a little platform we have called “The 5.”

In this episode of “The 5,” Chris Brown explains the inspiration behind his latest album Graffiti, how he’s trading in his classic cardigans for something a little more couture, and his posi-core message for the future. Plus, hear how Orlando became his home away from home. (Sorry, Atlanta. Try not to get too jealous!) And, finally, Chris reveals why this album is his most personal yet.

Check out the MTV Buzzworthy interview with Chris Brown and watch his “Crawl” video below.

We already know two things about the Bay Area punk rock six-piece Set Your Goals: 1.) Their mosh-ready video for “This Will Be The Death Of Us” (the title track from their 2009 album) rules, and 2.) They are do a mean kazoo-fueled cover of Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance.”

But that’s not enough, right? Right. So we sat down with Set Your Goals to learn five more things about the band. Luckily we have a platform for such investigations; it’s called “The 5.”

In this episode of “The 5,” Set Your Goals talk about their humble beginnings as a competitive kazoo sextet (LOLs!), their roots in the Bay Area hardcore punk rock scene (and their time spent in earlier hardcore outfits like  Sworn Vengeance). Later, vocalist Matt Wilson talks about faking his own death (!) and the whole band pledges their allegiance to a certain Southern mall smoothie operation. And then things get REALLY hairy.

Check out the MTV Buzzworthy interview with Set Your Goals, and watch their “This Will Be The Death Of Us” video below.

John Mayer addressed the growing outrage over his racially and sexually charged interview with Playboy on Wednesday afternoon, posting a series of messages on Twitter that started off with an apology for his use of a racial slur.

(Credit: Liza Chrust/MTV)

The Florida band Shinedown rock hard. Check the evidence: their ‘09 album The Sound of Madness, or their video for “If You Only Knew.” Boom, the prosecution rests.

As you might have guessed, if you’re a band that rocks as hard as Shinedown, it requires that you live hard as well. This, fair readers, is the overarching theme of the chat we had with drummer Barry Kerch and singer Brent Smith, on this new episode of “The 5.”

This interview doesn’t rock so hard at the beginning, with Kerch and Smith claiming that Shinedown is the shortest rock band in world, but then things get turned up when the reveal that the only band that might be shorter is…AC/DC! Now we are rocking again.

Then comes the hard living part:  They talk about the percentage of alcohol found in Trappist ales, producer Rob Cavallo’s cook-off’s that would take place during the making The Sound Of Madness and the weight they gained from said cook-off’s and finally the “SD” Shinedown tattos. Hard. Living.

Check out the interview below. The Sound Of Madness is available now.

(Credit: Liza Chrust/MTV)

Chicago band The Audition channel the mighty noise and bright melodies of their Midwestern forefathers Cheap Trick with great aplomb. Their 2009 Self-Titled Album (clever, clever) is a relentlessly pleasing slab of harmonies, distortion, emotion and volume in the red. And with their new album, Great Danger due out on March 16th, we can expect more of the same.

The Audition sat down with us recently for a quick chat on an episode of “The 5.” Guitarist Seth Johnson gives the reason why the band produced Great Danger themselves (apparently they took their recording budget and blew it on roulette in Vegas). Singer Danny Stevens recounts a particularly special Bone Thugs-n-Harmony show he witnessed in Detroit, which unintentionally led to the formation of The Audition. We also get a funny anecdote about drummer Ryan O’Connor “borrowing” a golf cart at a music festival.

Hear about all that and more in the below episode of “The 5,” and while you’re at it check out their video for “Warm Me Up,” from their 2008 album, Champion.

If you aren’t hip to Just Kait, the short version is as follows: teenaged multi-instrumentalist who makes punky, spunky, straight-talking pop-rock; recorded a version of the Parental Control theme song that made its way on to the show itself; is finishing up debut album for release this year.

With her talent at multiple instruments you might be tempted to call Just Kait something of a teen prodigy. But in songs like the kids-are-alright anthem, “Sick,” and the glam-rock of “U Suck,” she shows herself to be just one of the girls; despite her undeniable talent at playing rock music, she radiates a really nice normalcy.

This same normal, approachable charm is evident in this episode of “The 5.” In this chat the singer talks about a variety of pet peeves and unknown talents. Kait enjoys recording songs (like “Hot Stuff” which will be featured in MTV’s Turn The Beat Around soundtrack), beatboxing and playing the drums as an act of catharsis. She does not enjoy white socks.  The more you know…

Check out Just Kait’s episode of “The 5″ as well as the clip for “Sick” below.

Meet the fresh-faced young guys of Nickelodeon’s new how-stars-are-born show, Big Time Rush. The show follows the fortunes of four best friends from Minnesota as they move to California to make it in the music biz as the Next Big Boy Band.

In these exclusive interviews, we get to know Kendall, James, Carlos, and Logan. We also get a peek inside Carlos’ wallet, Logan endures some good-natured razzing, and the guys discuss getting recognized for the first time as Big Time Rush. The guys also share their musical favorites and influences (unsurprising: Justin Timberlake, surprising: Taking Back Sunday).

Enjoy these video interviews and be sure to tune in for the premiere of Big Time Rush TONIGHT — Monday, January 18th at 8:30 on Nick.

Photograph by Art Streiber

It’s been a wild week in the world of network television: Simon Cowell confirmed his departure from American Idol and NBC execs floated a plan to push The Jay Leno Show to 11:35 pm, bumping back Conan O’Brien’s The Tonight Show to 12:05 am. O’Brien released a firm statement today revealing that he would not, under any circumstances, be a part of a later Tonight Show, saying the move would blemish the show’s 60-year legacy and negatively impact Jimmy Fallon, who took over Late Night.

Before Leno relocated from the Tonight Show to 10 pm — a move that rankled NBC affiliates who needed a stronger lead-in to their local news — Rolling Stone talked to Leno about passing the torch to O’Brien. “I didn’t want to go through the same situation they went through with Letterman,” he said. “You know, taking over these shows is like czarist Russia. There’s too much bloodshed and anger.”

In his statement, O’Brien expressed disappointment that NBC wasn’t patient with his Tonight Show and sought a change just seven months after his takeover. “Here at NBC, they have this thing that they like you to leave before you peak out and you’re over the top. And that’s what they wanted to do with me,” Leno told Rolling Stone in May 2009. “I said, ‘Guys, whatever you want to do.’ I’ve never been one of these guys that breaks up with a girl and goes, ‘But why? If I do this, will you go out with me?’ I’m more like, ‘Babe, if you don’t want to see me, I’m gone. It’s over. Thank you.’ ”

Read Leno’s full Rolling Stone Interview here:

• Jay Leno: The Rolling Stone Interview

Plus, read David Letterman’s reflections on late-night’s big shakeup:

• Dave Letterman at Peace: The Rolling Stone Interview

(Credit: Liza Chrust / MTV)

A star as bright as Ke$ha’s clearly didn’t come about by way of earthly pursuits. Aside from making questionable lifestyle choices — passing out in the bathtub, brushing her teeth with Jack, puking in Paris Hilton’s closet, continually mistreating her speakers, not wearing a seatbelt, and generally not getting enough sleep — the secret to be being Ke$ha actually lies in the supernatural… and scuba diving… And Ke$ha’s had plenty of experience with both.

In this new episode of “The 5,” Ke$ha reveals what she inherently knew you were already wondering about — her psychic powers. You’ll also hear about her hardcore, unbridled enthusiasm for scuba diving. And then things really start to get weird. See, Ke$ha’s a haunted woman. Some annoying-ass ghost has been boo-ing and woo-ing her every night in her dreams. (Sounds like a Beyonce song to me.) Thing is, the ghost clearly HATES long flights. Which means if Ke$ha moves to London at some point in the near future, it’s probably because she’s doing some ghostbusting.

Watch Ke$ha’s new interview to see what the hell I’m talking about.

With American Idol’s 9th season debuting on January 12th, what better time than now to sit down with last season’s fourth-place finisher, Allison Iraheta, and throw some MTV Buzzworthy Blog fan-submitted questions her way?

In this fan interview, Allison, who released Just Like You just last month, answered all sorts of queries.

Allison talks about which song on Just Like… she connects with most on a personal level (“No One Else”) and how she feels about the album as a final product. She also gets tested on the topic of crazy fan encounters, touring plans, body image issues (she used to be insecure but then she realized how awesome she is…which she is), and her beloved leopard-print Snuggie.

Check out the entire Allison Iraheta Buzzworthy Blog fan interview, and re-fall-in-love with Allison’s video for “Friday I’ll Be Over You,” below.

I feel almost embarrassed to presenting in Robin Thicke in such drab settings. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with our “The 5″ set; nothing at all. It’s just not very sexy.

For a dude like Thicke, a dude who released an album called Sex Therapy, a dude who channels some of the great bedroom-centric crooners in the history of pop, you’d think we could have conjured up some nice black velvet curtains, some candlelight…maybe some Nag Champa smoke billowing in the background.

Unfortunately all you get is the concentrated sexiness of Thicke and his words of revealing wisdom. In this episode of “The 5,” the pop-soul singer talks about working with Jay-Z on the Sex Therapy track “Meiple,” what women need at the end of the day (I’ll give you a hint: two words, rhymes with Dex Perapy), working with The Game on the song “Diamonds,” and much more.

Check out this episode of “The 5″ below. Sex Therapy is currently in stores now.

Before Shania Twain guest judges “American Idol” auditions later this month, on Friday (Jan. the country star will grab a Canadian Broadcasting Corp. radio mic in Toronto to interview Queen Rania of Jordan.

We last heard from neo-soul crooner Raheem DeVaughn when we checked out his sultry, socially conscious track,”Bulletproof,” featuring Ludacris.

So after hearing a bit of his music, it’s time to hear a bit about the man behind that music. In this episode of “The 5,” DeVaughn describes himself as, “the R&B hippie, neo-soul rockstar.” He quickly gets down to brass tacks, telling fans that if they’re bring him gifts, make sure they’re coming with a cool pair of sneakers (size 9 1/2).

He goes on to talk about his forthcoming album, The Love & War MasterPeace, and his plans to be his own biggest supporter.

Check out this episode of “The 5″ and watch Raheem DeVaughn’s “Bulletproof” video below.

When the dynamic duo of Shwayze, made up of Cisco Adler and group namesake Shwayze, aren’t making sun-baked, California-style mellow-hip-pop, they’re taking part in any number of hobbies and side hustles.

Nice bros that they are, Cisco Adler and Shwayze sat down with us for a new installment of “The 5” to explain all about their lives inside and outside of music.

First off, it may come as something of a surprise to find that they are rather accomplished basketballers (we’ll have to take their word for it). They even welcome all on-court challenges, sparking this writer to imagine a White Men Can’t Jump remake starring the pair.

When they’re not hustling fools on the court, they enjoy a good meal; that’s where Adler comes in, proclaiming himself a lamb chop master and corned beef and cabbage wizard.

Hear all about the secret lives of Shwayze in this episode of “The 5.” And, as a bonus, zone out to their video for “Get U Home” (taken from their November-released Let It Beat album).

Never Shout Never’s Christofer Drew stopped by Buzzworthy HQ to answer some of your questions and we documented this momentous occasion on camera.

Based on the rather nautical nature of his attire, you might have thought Drew was just back from hanging with Ahab, hunting the great white Whale out there on the Atlantic. But you would be incorrect!

Drew was just feeling kinda maritime-y as he hit the pause button on prepping his upcoming What Is Love? album to answer some of the fan-submitted questions we collected.

Drew responds to queries on organized religion, his parents’ reaction to his music, the personal meanings of some of his tattoos and what he’s been reading recently.

Check out the entire Never Shout Never Buzzworthy Blog Fan Interview below!

(Credit: Liza Chrust)

Last month we told you all about how Mayday Parade were taking some time out of their busy lives or rocking out and promoting their recent album Anywhere But Here to answer your questions for Buzzworthy.  Well, deep breath, that day has finally arrived.

Hovered over the official Buzzworthy Fan Question Machine 6000 (a.k.a. a laptop), the Florida emo-pop band got down to business.

Answering a wide range of questions, Mayday talk about how the band has changed in the time between 2007’s A Lesson In Romantics and Anywhere…, some embarrassing on-stage moments, pre-show rituals, the respective merits of waffles versus pancakes and tons more.

Check out this epic Mayday Parade Buzzworthy Fan Interview. After all you guys did all the heavy lifting, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor!

We’ve spent so much time with Kris Allen he seems like an old pal at this point. We watched him grow up and blow up on the 8th season of American Idol (which he won, duh). But, as this episode of “The 5” will attest, there’s still so much to find out.

In this exclusive chat, Allen breaks it all down. From his anatomical anomalies (he is short one rib!), cinematic faves (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), his first instrument (viola) and the first time he ever wore a cardigan (the day of the interview).

Most intriguing though is Allen’s admission that he never watches footage of his own performances, due to being such a stringent self-critic. I guess that’s what it takes to be a champion.

Kris Allen’s debut, self-titled album is available now. Check out his episode of “The 5,” as well his clip for “Live Like We’re Dying” below.

Leighton Meester is the target of loose lips both on her show, Gossip Girl, and in real life, as a an object of paparazzi fascination. But who is the real Leighton Meester?

With her music, Leighton seems to be trying to answer that question, somewhat obliquely, on her own, with her burgeoning music career. “Somebody To Love,” her new single and video featuring Robin Thicke, is a sultry dance-pop jam that introduces us to Meester, the woman and artist.

In this episode of “The 5,” Leighton talks about how the extreme emotions of love and hate have informed her music thus far. She gives some insight into her song “Love Is A Drug,” which will be featured on her yet-to-be-titled album, due next year. And She also talks about some of the artists she’s been collaborating with recently; namely, Thicke and Lil’ Wayne.

Check out this episode of “The 5,” as well as Leighton’s video for “Somebody To Love Below.” XOXO-GG