Yung Berg

Yung Berg Talks Dropping Mr. Ward After 'Falling Back'

21 Mar 2011 18:39:02 EDT

'I took a little break to get my production right,' the 'Sexy Lady' MC tells MTV News about his new mixtape.
By Jayson Rodriguez

Yung Berg
Photo: MTV News

Yung Berg's been a big hit on the blogs during his career, but not always for having big records (though he has more than a couple of those on his musical résumé). The Chicago rapper arrived on the scene with his breakout number "Sexy Lady," but then found himself making a series of headlines for all the wrong reasons: feuding with people over jewelry or ill-advised comments.

Berg shied away from the spotlight, working as a songwriter (Diddy, Leighton Meester) before finally returning from his hiatus with his new mixtape, Mr. Ward. "I been falling back, I took a little break to get my production right," he told MTV News recently. "A lot of people didn't know I was producing those records, 'Sexy Lady,' 'Sexy Can I,' 'The Business.' I was producing those records, [but] people didn't know. I fell back and just went back in with a bunch of different people. Right now, I got the new mixtape, Mr. Ward, and I thought the best thing for me to do is to collaborate with people that I work with behind the scenes and let people know the alliance." He recruited a slew of artists to join him on the project, from longtime go-to guy Ray J to Shawty Lo to Young Chris. In spite of the number of names on his guest list, Berg insists Mr. Ward is still his party. "It flows right; it's not like it's overcrowded," he said. What do you think of Yung Berg's new mixtape? Share your reviews in the comments!

Related Artists

Yung Berg

Yung Berg Says Robbery Story Is A 'Lie'

25 Feb 2010 18:24:00 EST

'It's crazy to me how one lie ... could do these type of things,' he says of tabloid reports.
By Shaheem Reid

Yung Berg
Photo: MTV News

Yung Berg says it wasn't him this time. TMZ reported that Berg was one of the victims robbed for over $10,000 in cash and jewelry at a home in L.A. over the weekend. On Thursday (February 25), Berg told MTV News he has not been robbed and hasn't even been in Los Angeles.

"No, I been in Las Vegas," Berg, born Christian Ward, said flatly. "It's crazy to me how one lie from one person when you in the limelight and got this type of shine, one lie could do these type of things. I wasn't going to speak about it because it was lie — the unfortunate thing is I got a family [that worries]. So my mom start calling me, my dad start calling me, 'Are you hurt? Something wrong with you?' There's nothing wrong with me — I'm pretty as a newborn baby." According to LAPD spokesperson Richard French, a home invasion and robbery happened around 1 a.m. at a house party in the 2200 block of Mulholland Drive in L.A. Four suspects — two males and two females — came to the party with handguns and robbed the partygoers of cash and jewelry. Police said that of the eight victims, two were pistol-whipped. French said there were multiple witnesses but added that he could not name the victims or the owner of the house. Multiple reports have claimed that the home in question was either owned by Interscope Records or one of their marquee artists, Diddy. The reps for the label and Diddy refuted the claims in Monday's edition of the Los Angeles Times. "As far as we have been able to tell in this short time, we have never owned or rented a house at this address for any purpose," Interscope publicist Yvette Gayle told the publication. The Times also reported that Diddy's publicist Keesha Johnson said it was "completely inaccurate" to link Combs to the house. "Sean is not affiliated with the property in any capacity." Ironically, Berg says his production work is going to be featured heavily on Diddy-Dirty Money's upcoming Last Train to Paris LP. Berg claims to have helped producer Rob Holladay produce the single "Love Come Down." [Hip-Hop editor's note: Holladay is the only producer credited on the song, according to Interscope Records.] The young rapper said TMZ contacted him before their story went out and he told them it was untrue. "I don't know if it's somebody I know that called them and trying to do some fraud stuff," Berg said. "They called my phone — they called my line the day before they put it out. I'm thinking it's a prank. How did they get my phone number? I'm playing along, laughing with them, then I'm like, 'I been in Vegas, dog. Don't put that out.' They were like, 'I got a deadline.' It was crazy. It was like a movie. To be in the Palms [hotel] recording, then get a phone call, 'This is such and such.' It is what it is. I'm blessed. I'm healthy, I'm doing my thing." (A spokesperson for TMZ had not returned our calls as of press time.)

Related Artists

Yung Berg

Yung Berg Denies Being Robbed

24 Feb 2010 14:56:00 EST

'I'm fine; I'm good,' rapper says in video blog dispelling rumors that he was beaten and robbed in L.A.
By Jayson Rodriguez

Photo: Neilson Barnard/ Getty Images

"Sexy Can I" rapper Yung Berg has taken to Twitter and YouTube to dispel rumors that he was beaten and robbed at gunpoint in Los Angeles last weekend. On Wednesday morning (February 24), TMZ reported that the Chicago-born lyricist was "violently beaten" during a house party after four assailants entered the premises. The gossip site said that Berg and another person were attacked, and the suspects made away with $10,000 in cash and jewelry. But police told MTV News on Wednesday that there was no police report on file that mentioned the rapper (born Christian Ward). Berg himself denied the report on Wednesday afternoon in a two-minute video blog he posted on YouTube. The rapper looked directly into the camera and displayed no traces of having been assaulted. "I'm fine; I'm good," he said. "There's nothing wrong with nobody. I'm still gorgeous. I love you, Mom. Thank you for these good genes." Yung Berg's reps had not responded at press time to an inquiry made by MTV News, but TMZ reported that a rep for the rapper indicated he wasn't even in California when the crime was allegedly committed. Instead, Berg was in Las Vegas, and in the YouTube clip he says he's been there recording music. News of the alleged incident made #YungBergsChain one of the top trending topics on Twitter and Yung Berg became a top Google search term. "Shout-out to TMZ," Berg said in his video. "Thank you for the free promo and publicity — it's just not the right publicity. I wish I was talking about the album or the mixtape." The rapper has been subject to numerous robbery hoaxes after reported altercations occurred between the upstart artist and Detroit underground act Trick Trick, and after a separate incident involving Maino. But Berg urged his Twitter followers to dismiss the latest rumors. "PLEASE BELIEVE HALF OF WHAT U SEE," he wrote in all caps. "AND NONE OF WAT U HEAR!!!! : )"

Related Artists

Yung Berg

Ne-Yo Kills Potential Beef With Yung Berg: 'That Ain't My Lane'

16 Oct 2008 18:10:00 EDT

Berg posted a scathing video blog after Ne-Yo accused the rapper of copying Lil Wayne and T-Pain.
By Shaheem Reid

Photo: MTV News

NEW YORK — Ne-YoNe-Yo is still Ne-Yo. He's not GameGame, he's not 50 Cent50 Cent — he doesn't want a battle record on his stat sheet. On Wednesday, the singer insisted there will be no back-and-forth with Yung BergYung Berg. In case you're just tuning in, Ne-Yo appeared on the L.A. morning radio show "Big Boy's Neighborhood" a few days ago, and Big asked him what person he would want to slap with three fingers. Ne-Yo said Yung Berg, for not being creative and for biting T-PainT-Pain and Lil WayneLil Wayne by using the Auto-Tune effect on his song "The Business."

Berg responded to the comment soon after with a video blog, in which he questioned Ne-Yo's sexuality and even referred to the hitmaker as "Miss Independent." Berg also said Ne-Yo's girlfriend wanted him. On Wednesday night at Gotham Hall in Manhattan — before Ne-Yo's big Hennessy Artistry party and concert, which featured FabolousFabolous and Leona LewisLeona Lewis performing for UsherUsher, Aubrey O'Day, LudacrisLudacris, Brooke Shields and New York Knicks Stephon Marbury and Nate Robinson — the singer said he didn't see Berg's response but laughed off the situation. "Response for what?" he said about going back at Berg. "That ain't my lane, dude. I don't beef. I don't do that. That ain't my thing. I don't do dis records. I don't do beef. I don't do any of that blogs talking about cats. I don't do that. That ain't my thing. I'm a grown man. I got money to make. "I can't work with people that's doing this for the fame element or the money element," he continued. "I think that's what's destroying music. You got cats out here that are copycatting and doing stuff that's popular. You know, doing it because that's what's in right now, whatever the case may be — but basically what you're doing is killing music. You're killing the creative element of what this is, which was the basis of this whole thing, which is self-expression." Expect a lot more to be coming in for Ne-Yo — his next big writing assignment is the new Usher album, and Whitney Houston and Michael JacksonMichael Jackson are still on tap.

Related Videos

Ne-Yo On Yung Berg: 'I Don't Do Beef'

Related Artists

Travis Barker, DJ AM Visited In Hospital By Jermaine Dupri, Mandy Moore

22 Sep 2008 11:58:00 EDT

The Game, Paul Wall send prayers to the drummer and DJ after Saturday's crash.
By Gil Kaufman

Photo: Infphoto.com

As friends and family rush to Augusta, Georgia's Joseph M. Still Burn Center to be with Travis Barker and DJ AM (born Adam Goldstein) — who are recovering from serious burns they suffered in a plane crash on Friday night — thoughts and prayers continue to pour in from other friends and peers, such as Paul WallPaul Wall, the Gamethe Game and Yung BergYung Berg.

Producer Jermaine DupriJermaine Dupri visited Barker in the hospital on Sunday, according to UsMagazine.com, and said that though the situation was very serious, the former Blink-182Blink-182 drummer was doing well. "It's a seriously sad situation," Dupri said. "He's doing good ... but I really hate to see my friends go through this." Barker's ex-wife, Shanna Moakler, flew in on Saturday, and AM's former girlfriend Mandy MooreMandy Moore was also spotted at the burn center on Sunday. An unnamed source told TMZ.com early Monday that AM is "ambulatory and in good spirits." While Barker is best known as part of the punk-pop band Blink-182, his formidable drumming and production skills have earned him deep respect from the hip-hop community, thanks to his energetic beats on remixes of songs by Soulja Boy Tell'emSoulja Boy Tell'em and Flo RidaFlo Rida. Speaking on Cincinnati urban radio station 101.1 the WIZ on Saturday night, Yung Berg paused to send out condolences to those killed in the crash and best wishes and prayers to Barker and AM. Fall Out Boy, Beanie Sigel, Lindsay Lohan and other celebrities have also sent out messages over the weekend. The Game also weighed in, telling AllHipHop.com that he was "deeply hurt" by the news of the deadly crash. "Travis Barker has always been there for me when I needed him creatively. We've done many songs together," the Game said. "Just recently he appeared in my video ['Dope Boyz'] that he featured on. I respect and love him. My prayers are with him and his family in this difficult time for his speedy and complete recovery." Barker is also close with rapper Paul Wall, with whom he formed an all-star group called Expensive Taste. "It's so shocking and unexpected. Travis and AM are such generous people. They would literally give you the shirt off their back," Wall told AllHipHop. The rapper also commented on Chris Baker, one of four people killed in the crash, saying, "And Lil Chris was such a great friend. He was down for life. I feel so bad for his wife and son that are going through such a hard time right now. Family is something very important to Travis and Chris. We all gotta pull together right now." As of Sunday, AM and Barker were still in critical but stable condition after the crash, which officials say may have been caused by a blown tire. Doctors said that they suffered second- and third-degree burns but are expected to recover fully. Barker sustained burns on his torso and lower body, and AM was burned on his arm and head. An official at the hospital said that neither sustained any other physical injuries, but they could be hospitalized for weeks. "Anybody who can survive a plane crash is pretty lucky," Dr. Fred Mullins, medical director of the Still Burn Center told reporters during a news conference Sunday morning. Killed in the crash were pilot Sarah Lemmon, 31; co-pilot James Bland, 52; Barker's assistant and close friend Chris "Little Chris" Baker, 29; and security guard Charles Still, 25. In addition to friends and family, The Associated Press reported that several fans visited the hospital over the weekend. "I was just shocked when I first heard it, and I knew that I had to do something," said Ryan Meadows, a 19-year-old college student from Augusta. A statement from the families of both artists thanked fans and friends for their support. "The families wish to thank fans from all over the world for their prayers and concern," the statement read. "Deepest sympathy is expressed to the loved ones of those who perished in the crash." If you'd like more information on the memorial funds set up to benefit Chris Baker's and Charles Still's families, visit the Famous Stars and Straps Web site.

Related Videos

Travis Barker, DJ AM Escape Plane Crash

Related Artists

Yung Berg Raps -- And Sings -- With Eve, Trey Songz, Lloyd On Star-Filled Debut

14 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EDT

Artist hopes to build on momentum from Ray J's 'Sexy Can I' with new LP, which drops August 12.
By Jordan Upmalis and Shaheem Reid

Yung Berg
Photo: MTV News

He already scored with "Sexy Lady," but that was last year. In a world where you can be hot one minute and virtually unknown the next, you've got to live up to — and hopefully exceed — the hype. So as he unveiled tracks from his debut LP, Look What You Made Me, last week at Legacy Recording Studios in Manhattan, Yung BergYung Berg knew that the stakes were high. He's kept his momentum rolling with a spot on Ray JRay J's "Sexy Can I" this year, and he credits Ray for the song that "changed his life."

But Berg is out to prove he's here to do more than churn out catchy hooks. As he unveiled his debut album, he boasted that at just 22, he has his own label (Yung Boss) and he writes, raps and produces music for himself and others. "I don't know nobody that's signed to their own label," he said. "Twenty-two years old and producing their own records with their tight buddies and [has] millions of downloads." He's also revealing himself to be a singer. Many of the cuts on Look What You Made Me are slower and feature some of the most prominent names in the genre. Trey SongzTrey Songz lends his vocals on "One Night," and LloydLloyd turns up on "Manager." He even uses his next single, "The Business," to get some shine for Casha, the first artist signed to his label. "Its called 'One Night,' " he said of his collabo with Songz, which is a strong contender to be the single. "It's produced by me and my boy J.F.K. It's a real big record. One of them joints that's about the ladies, but all my dudes gonna feel it. All the dudes gonna rock with it. It's got a lot of live instrumentation. Me and the boy J. took it to a whole 'nother level, brought to you by [samples of] Wah Wah Watson. It's a whole 'nother level showing that young-boss swag." But Berg mixes it up, seemingly having a song (and guest artist) for every occasion. AmerieAmerie helps out on the club banger "Get Your Number." "Do That There" is his self-proclaimed "street anthem," and the reggae-influenced "Victory Lap" features EveEve and Collie BuddzCollie Buddz. But Berg said his favorite song on the album may be "Outta Space," an almost hypnotizing voice-box-drenched track reminiscent of songs by T-PainT-Pain and Lil WayneLil Wayne. "I'm an R&B dude at heart," Berg revealed. "And I like rap. I started with [DMX]. My craft has evolved. I try to be a jack-of-all-trades where I can sing R&B and write R&B as well as me doing my rap thing and producing as well. I'm multitasking." But the party didn't end after the new tracks got their world premiere. Berg worked the room, relaxed and in good spirits, soaking up the atmosphere and encouraging everyone to enjoy themselves (imploring guests to stick around and "enjoy the Hennessy"). The party continues when Look What You Made Me drops August 12.

Related Videos

Yung Berg Talks Dating And Diamonds

Related Artists

Marilyn Manson Countersues Bandmate; Plus Chingy, DMX, Yung Berg, Jordin Sparks, Mario, Kid Rock & More, In For The Record

22 Dec 2007 08:42:00 EST

Chingy shoots second Hate It or Love It video; DMX inks new record deal; Yung Berg arrested on set of Ray J video shoot.
By MTV News staff

Photo: Vince Bucci/ Getty Images

Marilyn Manson has fired back at Stephen Gregory Bier Jr. — known to fans by his stage name, "Madonna Wayne Gacy" — by countersuing his former keyboardist for breach of contract, according to The Associated Press. In court papers reportedly filed in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Manson claimed Bier did not fulfill his obligations to take part in master recordings, concerts and the selling of his band's merchandise. The suit came in response to a breach-of-contract suit Bier filed against Manson back in August that sought more than $20 million in damages. Bier charged Manson shorted him on salary and medical support, and instead used the band's profits to fund his lavish lifestyle. The suit claimed Manson used the money to pay for his lavish lifestyle, drug habit and the production of his upcoming film, "Phantasmagoria: The Visions of Lewis Carroll," among other things. According to Manson's countersuit, the pair's business partnership was dissolved in 1996, once Manson became the clear leader of the band. While Bier has been paid income for CD sales, live gigs and merchandise sales, the suit alleges he had "failed to render services to the best of his ability and in a practical and cooperative manner." The suit further claims Bier was often tardy for band recordings, performances and promotional appearances, and that he had provided confidential band information to the media and other people without Manson's consent. Manson's suit seeks unspecified general and special damages, and he's also seeking a court order to prevent Bier from releasing more confidential band information. ... Chingy recently shot the video for his second Hate It or Love It single, "Gimme That," in Los Angeles. The track feature fellow Disturbing Tha Peace members Ludacris and Bobby Valentino. "Gimme That" follows the Amerie-assisted "Fly Like Me," the lead track on his recently released album. "It's a club song, about partying, having fun and just kicking it," the St. Louis rapper told MTV News. "Just one of them type of songs." ... DMX, who once considered changing his name to Dog, will release his next two albums through Bodog Entertainment, according to Billboard.com. The rapper recently inked a deal with the Canadian online gaming company's music division and plans to put out both discs, Walk With Me Now and You'll Fly With Me Later, next year. Bodog recently nabbed the international distribution rights for the new Wu-Tang Clan album 8 Diagrams. ... Yung Berg was arrested Friday in Miami Beach, Florida, on the set of Ray J's video shoot for "Sexy Can I." The upstart rapper is featured on the track and, according to his rep, he was taken into police custody after authorities discovered him smoking marijuana. A publicist for Berg confirmed to MTV News that he is still in custody and is waiting to be released on bail. ... Jordin Sparks, Mario, Backstreet Boys, Teddy Geiger and others have teamed with mobile-media company Mozes for "Voices of America," a campaign that allows people to send well-wishes to soldiers overseas via voice messages. People can call the toll-free number 888-312-2612 to send messages to troops, who will have access to them through Armed Forces Entertainment. Hinder, Five for Fighting, Switchfoot's Jon Foreman and others are also participating in the campaign. ... Kid Rock busted out a cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama," a song that appeared on his recent Rock'n'Roll Jesus LP, for 500 U.S. troops as part of a United Service Organizations tour stop staged Thursday in Kabul, Afghanistan. Robin Williams, Lance Armstrong and Lewis Black also participated in the all-star event, which was part of a six-day, 14-show tour. ... Amy Winehouse is finally getting some good news — Back to Black is likely to become the year's best-selling album in the U.K., according to BBC News. The effort, which was issued in the U.S. in March, actually dropped across the pond late last year. Back to Black also recently helped the troubled singer earn six Grammy Award nominations. Leona Lewis' Spirit and Mika's Life in Cartoon Motion currently follow behind Winehouse's album in terms of 2007 sales, BBC News says. ... Rap rules ringtones, according to AT&T. The cell phone provider released its best-selling list for the year-end and hip-hop artists accounted for eight of the top 10 numbers. Shop Boyz's "Party Like a Rockstar," Mims' "This Is Why I'm Hot," and Soulja Boy's "Crank That" topped the list. Nickelback's "Rockstar" and Akon's "Don't Matter" rounded out the top five. Also making the cut were T-Pain, Hurricane Chris, Sean Kingston, Huey and Fergie. ... Feist, Eddie Vedder, the Arcade Fire, Björk and M.I.A. are on the long list of nominees for the seventh annual Shortlist Prize, with the announcements of the finalists and winner to be made early next year. Wilco, Animal Collective, Against Me!, Klaxons, Puscifer, PJ Harvey, Spoon, the Hives, Of Montreal, LCD Soundsystem and Serj Tankian are also among the 54 artists who are in the running. Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody and the Killers' Ronnie Vannucci are on the panel that picked the nominees. ... Dwight Schrute is taking over the Spirit Awards — Rainn Wilson, who plays the power-hungry character on "The Office," will host the indie-film-hailing ceremony on February 23. The ceremony will be held the day before the Oscars and feature writing contributions from Wilson, even though he is a member of the Writers Guild of America. The WGA, which is on strike, granted a waiver to the Spirit Awards organizer to hire writers for the event. ... In some crumbelievable news for Stephen Colbert, newspaper editors and broadcast producers have voted him as AP's Celebrity of the Year, the news service announced Friday. He beat out J.K. Rowling, Al Gore, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, Judd Apatow and Kanye West. "In receiving this award, I am pleased that I was chosen over two great spinners of fantasy — J.K. Rowling and Al Gore," Colbert, who launched a presidential bid earlier this year, told AP. "Best of all, this makes me the official front-runner for next year's Drug-Fueled Downward Spiral of the year. P.S. Look for my baby bump this spring." "The Colbert Report" and "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" will start up production again on January 7, albeit without their writers, it was announced Thursday. ... Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco is getting pressure from members of the Congressional Black Caucus to pardon the Jena Six, according to AP. In a letter that was reportedly mailed to the governor this week, Texas Representative Sheila Jackson Lee said Mychal Bell, the other teens and their families "have suffered enough, as has the State of Louisiana and the town of Jena." According to AP, Blanco's press secretary said Friday that she cannot grant a pardon or commutation without the state Pardon Board, which has its next meeting on January 17, recommending to do so. Blanco leaves office three days before that. Lee is joined by 14 other members of the caucus who are asking Blanco to support releasing Bell, who was sentenced to 18 months in a juvenile facility after a plea deal was struck earlier this month. ... Score one for Nick Lachey — the choir he put together from his Cincinnati hometown won NBC's "Clash of the Choirs" contest Thursday night. "I've been blown away by my choir's poise," Jessica Simpson's ex said on the show. "It's made up of amateur singers. They've never done this before." The 20 singers are taking home a quarter-million dollars for the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. ... Megadeth have heart — the metal band's frontman, Dave Mustaine, and his wife recently organized a Toys for Tots donation drive for families affected by the wildfires in his native Southern California. The toys were delivered to Camp Pendleton, the North Coast Church — which the Mustaines go to — and the town of Fallbrook. "We live in a little town, and this is nothing any neighbor wouldn't do for another neighbor," he said in a statement. ... Eddie Van Halen's divorce with Valerie Bertinelli, his wife of 25 years, has been finalized. The ex-spouses have one son, Wolfgang, who is touring with the reunited Van Halen. 12.20.2007 Remy Ma's European tour plans appear to have fizzled — a New York judge has denied her request to travel overseas for a trek that was supposed to begin December 31 in Paris, The Associated Press reports. A lawyer for the rapper (real name: Remy Smith) argued Thursday (December 20) that his client needed to tour to earn money because she hasn't been getting enough bookings in the U.S. since she was arrested in July for allegedly shooting a friend over missing money, but the judge said she couldn't leave the country due to the seriousness of the charges. Remy Ma was ordered earlier this month to stand trail on charges of gang as