Tyler the Creator, Kreayshawn, Sabi take spotlight at 2011 MTV Video Music Awards – New York Daily News
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Tyler the Creator, Kreayshawn and Sabi all took the spotlight at the MTV Video Music Awards.
There were plenty of big-name stars at Sunday night’s Video Music Awards, but more interestingly were the new names and faces: Tyler the Creator, Kreayshawn and Sabi.
Tyler, of the hip-hop group Odd Future, took home Best New Artist for his video “Yonkers,” a simple black-and-white one-take clip in which he eats a bug, throws it up and then hangs himself.
In his acceptance speech, he said he was on the verge of tears for the honor. “It was really hard, but [the tears] came out when I fell offstage into Kanye‘s arms,” Tyler said.
Growing up in Los Angeles, the alternative rapper — who has received criticism for using homophobic slurs in his lyrics — dreamed big of being successful. He would often create covers and tracklists for imaginary albums.
In 2009, he released his first album, “Bastard,” at the age of 18. Now at 20, he’s set to release his third, “Wolf,” next year.
Tyler beat out another Southern California rapper, Kreayshawn, for title of Best New Artist.
ALL THE GLITZ AND THE THE GLAMOUR OF THE 2011 MTV VMAS
The 21-year-old White Girl Mob member — whose “Gucci Gucci” video has accumulated more than 13 million views on YouTube — has similarly faced criticism for her explicit lyrics and slurs.
In addition to her music career, Kreayshawn — whose eccentric style is heavily influenced by Disney — also directs music videos. Her latest: Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie.”
Another up-and-comer who debuted at the VMAs made her entrance before the ceremony even kicked off.
Sabi performed with Cobra Starship on their song “You Make Me Feel” during the VMA Pre-Show.
“Like, someone needs to pinch me,” Sabi told MTV before the performance. “Just know that the guys and the one girl, we’ve all performed a bunch of times with each other and just know that this is going to be different than anything I’ve ever done.”
The singer, who burst onto the scene in 2009 as half of the L.A. duo The Bangz, is currently on tour with none other than Britney Spears, who she also collaborated with on the pop star’s track “(Drop Dead) Beautiful,” from her latest album “Femme Fatale.”
After the tour wraps, Sabi will be finishing up her debut album, which she’s working on with some of the best in the business, including Diplo.
“I want to be able to address real issues in my songs, but still keep it sounding fun,” she says. “It’s okay to have party songs, but I don’t want to make cookie-cutter music. I’m looking forward to everyone hearing what I can do.”