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Justin Bieber's Monkey Now Belongs to Germany

As you may recall, Justin Bieber was forced to leave his monkey, Mally, in the care of German customs officials in late March, when he tried to bring the pet into the country without the proper paperwork. Bieber was given four weeks to put together the documents needed to claim the now 20-week-old  capuchin, but it seems that he simply did not care to do so: the deadline expired at midnight last night. Mally is now property of the German state, and will likely be sent to live in some kind of primate rescue facility "because a zoo might publicize" the already traumatized creature. Meanwhile, Bieber still owes "several thousand euros for food, care and vet visits" provided to the monkey since it was seized. "You can bet we are going to ask for that money back," said a German customs official, who does not sound like much of a Belieber.

10 Pop Culture Questions Answered by Vulture This Week

Every week, Vulture faces the big, important questions in entertainment and comes to some creative conclusions. This week, we gave you the lowdown on upfronts, a farewell to The Office, and much as we can to feed your Arrested Development appetite. You may have read some of these stories below, but you certainly didn’t read them all. We forgive you.

The Office ended and Arrested Development is coming back, how do you celebrate each? »

ODB’s Widow Has Some Concerns About That Hologram

Hologram enthusiasts the world over were delighted to learn that this year's Rock the Bells would feature two ghost rappers — Eazy-E and Ol' Dirty Bastard (in reunion with Bone Thugs and Wu-Tang). Except ODB's widow was apparently not consulted, and she has now filed a cease and desist. "I am looking forward to talking to Wu-Tang about this matter and coming up with a positive solution in order to bring my husband to the stage once again,” it reads. Okay, but does "positive solution" mean "hologram"?

Listen to Britney Spears’s New Song From The Smurfs 2

The Smurfs sequel, smartly named The Smurfs 2, may star (the voices of) Katy Perry and Neil Patrick Harris, but it also will include a new, PG-rated track from Britney Spears. Recently departed from the set of The X Factor, Brit's got the likes of will.i.am on her side, and is reportedly back in the studio. Movie's out July 31 and "Ooh La La" is undeniably reminiscent of "I Wanna Go," with a little Ke$ha influence thrown in there. She raps! Well, actually, she speaks: "Turn it up till the speakers pop." Go ahead, do it.

Hey, Here’s a Brand-New Weeknd Song

"Kiss Land" is the title track of his upcoming-slash-first-proper album, and it is nearly eight minutes long. The Weeknd seems slightly happier about saying creepy things to women in the middle of the night, no? (This is a relative judgment.)

Saabs, Croesus, and Pre-Wars: A Glossary for the New Vampire Weekend Album

Steve Buscemi — Vampire Weekend's spirit guide of late — said of the band's new album: “I’m listening to the lyrics and then you go ‘Peter Gabriel, too’ or, uh, ‘Louis Vuitton’ out of nowhere, and I’m lost.” Vampire Weekend uses a lot of references! And sometimes they require a little Googling. So in order to aid your listening experience, Vulture now presents a glossary of the many references on Vampire Weekend's Modern Vampires of the City.

19th Nervous Breakdown, Angkor Wat, crise cardiaque... »

Kanye Performed in a Pyramid, Yelled About Kissing Babies

Kanye West was the fake-surprise performer at last night's Adult Swim upfront, and because he is Kanye, he had a lot to share. (He also brought a super-cool light pyramid to stand in, because why not.) On the new-music front: he performed "Awesome," his love song for Kim Kardashian (most of the videos have been pulled at this point, but here is a sample lyric: "I'd rather do nothing with you than something new with somebody new"). And then for the Kanye Rant portion of the evening, he went in on the paparazzi, probably because he is still mad about the street-sign incident. A highlight: "I ain't no motherfucking celebrity. I ain't running for office. I ain't kissing nobody's motherfucking babies. I drop your baby and you sue me and shit." Also, he will not be doing any "humanizing" skits on SNL this weekend. Full video below.

Frank Ocean, James Blake Playing Drake’s OVO Fest

Four years in, Toronto's OVO Fest is as known for its cameos as it is for being a festival by Drake, for Drake, about Drake. This year will feature Frank Ocean and James Blake on Aug. 5, and DRIZZY HIMSELF plus secret special guests on Aug. 6. Past performers include Jay-Z, Eminem, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, the Weeknd, A$AP Rocky, and 2 Chainz, so that's where the expectations bar sits. Tickets will start at $50 and go on sale May 24.

Listen to T-Pain and the Lonely Island’s New Song: ‘I F*cked My Aunt’

Last week, the Lonely Island launched Wack Wednesdays, a promotion where they'll release a new video or song every Wednesday until their new album, The Wack Album, comes out on June 11. This week is the guys' reunion with T-Pain. The "I'm on a Boat" collaborators are slowing it down this time with "I Fucked My Aunt." It's about the politicization of Benghazi — just kidding, it's about aunt-fucking.

Eazy-E and ODB Are Getting Holograms

As you all know, Coachella marks the official start of Hologram Season, and so here is your 2013 ghost-rapper announcement: Eazy-E and ODB will be giving "original virtual performances" (with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and Wu-Tang Clan, respectively) at Rock the Bells. Also on the lineup: Earl Sweatshirt; Tyler, the Creator; Danny Brown; Juicy J; Big K.R.I.T.; Hit-Boy; Common; and more. Welcome back, holograms!

Kelly Rowland Reveals a Troubled Relationship With Beyoncé in ‘Dirty Laundry’

Right after two super-sexy singles, Kelly Rowland's newest, "Dirty Laundry," certainly airs just that. Produced by The-Dream and laid over a sparse track, this confessional speaks of everything from a troubled relationship with former bandmate Beyoncé ("When my sister was on stage killin' it like a motherfucker / I was enraged, feelin' it like a motherfucker /Bird in a cage") to an abusive relationship with an ex ("He hit the window like it was me, until it shattered"). You probably won't hear this on the radio, but it's a good one.

Why You Should Care About (and Watch!) This Year’s Eurovision Contest

It's that time of the year again: Eurovision! Held in Malmö, Sweden, this year (related: Sweden took the gold home last year with Loreen's "Euphoria"), the international song competition is not just about the music: It's a matter of national pride. However, we Americans usually just see the cheesy side, with the train wrecks sent our way via the World Wide Web. But isn't that the way all American singing competitions are? A mix of talent (or, rather, "talent") and absurdly deluded William Hung–esque weirdos? So why not tune in, even if you don't have a home country to root for? (You can watch the show live online; today's first semifinal starts at 21:00 CEST, or 3 p.m. EST.) Here are two tastes from each end of the viable-comical continuum to get you hooked.

From Around the Web: Rodham, the Hillary Clinton Biopic Script, Already Seems Incredible

Our friends should be your friends, especially when it comes to entertainment news. So what are Vulture's perferred partners (that's Web Speak for "friends") chatting about this week? The insanely entertaining script for the Hillary Clinton biopic, Rodham; the hopeful return of Ghostbusters 3 (minus Bill Murray, says Dan Aykroyd); which of his own films James Franco hates the most; and more than 30 reasons why you might just be Chandler Bing. Check yourself:

44 Reasons Why You're Chandler Bing. »

  • Posted 5/14/13 at 12:04 AM
  • Taxman

Beyoncé’s Dad Owes $1.2 Million in Taxes

TMZ is reporting that the IRS has filed a lien against Mathew Knowles for $1.2 million in unpaid taxes from 2010 and 2011, when Knowles was still managing his daughter, Beyoncé. The situation looks similar to the one that just landed Lauryn Hill a three-month prison sentence and a $60,000 fine, despite Hill nearly settling her full bill prior to her court date. Beyoncé fired her father in 2011, amid serious allegations of theft. At the time, Beyoncé said, "I've only parted ways with my father on a business level. He is my father for life, and I love my dad dearly." Still, we doubt that she'll get in touch with the Obamas on his behalf.

We Finally Know Who Killed Kendrick Lamar’s Vibe

If you guessed Kendrick Lamar's "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe" video would open on a tiny girl in a big church, you've won something. Of course, the song is more contemplative and nuanced than its bitchin' title suggests, so Kendrick sitting in the pews and spitting in a field, dressed in all white, works well. The clip isn't set to to Lamar's recent remix with Jay-Z, but both versions are great — one's peanut butter, one's jelly. As a bonus, good kid, m.A.A.d city fans will finally learn exactly who was doing the vibe-killing all this time.

The Fall’s Mark E. Smith on Re-Mit, Playing for German Lawyers, and H.P. Lovecraft

Post-punk warhorse the Fall releases its 30th record, Re-Mit, today. As per most great Fall albums, Re-Mit is equal parts brilliant and confounding. Up-tempo garage-rock stompers, like lead single “Sir William Wray,” are balanced by inchoate noodling (one of said tracks is aptly titled “Noise”). The group is led by Mark E. Smith, the outspoken and cantankerous visionary and sole constant member since the group’s formation in 1976. Smith still churns out scalpel-sharp lyrics, this time focusing his wit and zeal on such topics as a Hittite corpse rising from the grave and wreaking havoc and Italian laziness on Sundays. We spoke to him by phone from his home in Manchester about the new album, playing for 6,000 German lawyers, and H.P. Lovecraft.

"He’s not very bloody recognized where you live, is he? It’s disgusting." »

Here Are 15 Seconds of a New Daft Punk Song

If you were good at math, you'd know how to do the division that proves the next eight days are just a fraction of time — so close to zero! almost nothing! — compared to the eight years since the last Daft Punk album. We are almost there. It is so close. So yes, it seems silly to obsess over another mysterious video that features a spaceship and a quick snippet of new music, but also, what are you going to do for the next eight days? (P.S. That might actually be a time machine, if the music is any indication.)

The ‘Hot Cheetos & Takis’ Kids are Back!

The Y.N.RichKids, who created the immortal "Hot Cheetos & Takis" — "Snack! Snack! Snack! Crunch." — are back with not one, but two delightful videos. The first is called "My Bike," and it is about being an awesome child while riding around on a bike. Swerve. 

Read More  »

Listen to Prince’s Original ‘Manic Monday’ Demo

Prince is such a fountain of perfect pop songwriting that artists like
Sinead O' Connor and Chaka Kahn have been able to have giant hits covering his unreleased song and random album tracks. Another example is the Bangles, whose breakthrough hit "Manic Monday" was originally penned by Prince for Apollonia 6. (Though it could've also worked for Garfield the cat.) Well, the originally demo has been making the rounds, and it's some really good stuff. Especially because it makes you realize the verse's melody is basically identical to "1999." Listen below, it will make today your funday.