NEWS: MTV celebrates Yo! MTV Raps 20th anniversary

MTV is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Yo! MTV Raps — a show that brought hip-hop to the world and that they perhaps rightfully claim to be "the most influential music television series of all time!" (Does Dick Clark know about that boast?)

Here's what to look forward through this month of April:

• MTV/MTV2 hip-hop show Sucker Free becomes Yo! MTV Raps all month long. Also, a mix of countdown shows are scheduled for April 28/39/30 @ 4:30ET that will highlight the all time Top 20 Yo! MTV Raps videos, the Top 20 rappers with the most longevity, the top 10 episodes ever and the Top 20 moments from the show. Many other MTV properties — ranging from MTV Tr3s to On-Demand to Mobile — will also be spotlighting special Yo! content.
• MTV.com has set up a Yo! MTV Raps 20th Anniversary hub at www.mtv.com/music/yo_mtv_raps/. It's got collections of classic videos broken down by year and theme, plus retrospectives that highlight the show's archives — including a tribute to host Fab 5 Freddy, The Ed Lover Dance and a collection of artist Yo! debuts.

To get you started, here's a list of The Top 20 Yo! MTV Raps videos with Dr. Dre at #1 and De La Soul at #2. Check them all out with commentary at Yo! MTV Top 20 Videos...

1. Dr. Dre "Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang"
2. Run-DMC "King Of Rock"
3. 2Pac" I Get Around"
4. The Notorious B.I.G. "Warning"
5. Public Enemy "Fight The Power"
6. Ice Cube "It Was a Good Day"
7. Salt N Pepa "Push It"
8. Eric B. and Rakim "Microphone Fiend"
9. Rob Base & D.J. E-Z Rock "It Takes Two"
10. KRS1 "My Philosophy"
11. LL Cool J "Mama Said Knock You Out"
12. Beastie Boys "Hey Ladies
13. Big Daddy Kane "Ain't No Half Steppin'"
14. NWA "Express Yourself"
15. 2 Live Crew "Move Something"
16. Naughty by Nature "O.P.P."
17. Stop The Violence Movement "Self Destruction"
18. Geto Boys "Mind Playing Tricks on Me"
19. M.C. Hammer "Turn This Mutha Out"
20. De La Soul "Buddy"

NEW RELEASE: Holy Fuck "Lovely Allen"

Welcome to a fine "revolving around the band in power circle formation" video, in the tradition of  Pantera "I'm Broken." Despite the steady orbiting — and the edits to make it seem like Holy Fuck is surrounded by projection walls — director Drew Lightfoot captures all the little details in the instrumental band's performance. And did I mention they're called Holy Fuck, a fine "fucking" band name on par with Fuck Buttons and The Fucking Champs. Perhaps they can all tour together… with The Jonas Brothers. --> watch "Lovely Allen" via MySpace

Holy Fuck "Lovely Allen" (XL)
Drew Lightfoot, director | Merrie Wasson, producer | The Revolver Film Co, production co | Marc Bachli, DP | Drew Lightfoot & Marc Bachli, editors

NEWS: Bros. Strause Sign With Lanette Phillips

Lanette Phillips Management is now representing directing/creative team The Brothers Strause through Hydraulx Filmz for music videos.

Videos for The Brothers Strause include:

• A Perfect Circle "Weak And Powerless"
• Flyleaf "I'm So Sick"
• Linkin Park "Crawling"
• Nickelback "How You Remind Me"

The Bros. recently finished two videos for Usher — "Love In This Club" and "Movin' Mountins" — and are due to be released soon.

NEW RELEASE: Will.I.Am "Heartbreaker"

This has been the year of indie type directors getting shots with big stars. First, we had Saam and his "Feedback" and "Rock Wit U" videos for Janet Jackson. Now, Toben Seymour gets his shot with Will.I.Am and he seems to be as orb-obsessed as Saam was with Janet. Will goes on a date and then performs in a  space where he plays around with a glowing red sphere that presumably represents her soon to be broken heart. Other touches include spotlights that dart around in the background and a group of dancers that are seen only by the glowing dots  worn like the balls on old-fashioned motion capture suits. --> watch "Heartbreaker" via Yahoo.com

Will.I.Am  "Heartbreaker" (Interscope)
Toben Seymour, director | Justin Benoliel, producer | DNA, production co | Ross Riege, DP | Logan Hefflefinger, editor

BOOKED: MGMT - Ray Tintori, director

artist: MGMT
song: "Electric Feel"
label: Columbia
director(s): Ray Tintori
production co: Partizan

Ray Tintori directed the previous MGMT video, "Time To Pretend."

BOOKED: Flight Of The Conchords - Nima Nourizadeh, director

Flight Of The Conchords are back and ready to shoot a video for their sexytime anthem, "Ladies Of The World." Here's a spoiler: Ladies will be involved.

artist: Flight Of The Conchords
song: "Ladies Of The World"
label: Sub Pop
director(s): Nima Nourizadeh
production co: Partizan

BOOKED: Okkervil River - Ghost Town, directors

artist: Okkervil River
song: "A Hand To Take Hold The Scene "
label: Jagjaguwar 
director(s): Ghost Town
production co: Partizan

NEW RELEASE: Cavalera Conspiracy "Sanctuary"

French filmmaking and heavy metal video usually don't mix. But, this video from directing team Rozan And Schmeltz is an unexpected surprise. Things start with a cinema verite  — that's a French term for "yawn inducing," I think — depiction of a photo shoot in Paris, France for Cavalera Conspiracy, the new outfit from Sepultura/Soulfly frontman Max Cavalera. Nothing weird about it, except for the grunting chained beast that was presumably supposed to appear in the photos with the band and has busted loose in order to maul the crew. Video obsessives should take note of the Justice T-shirt worn by the band drummer: It's just may be a sly reference to Rozan & Schmeltz's award winning and just as twisted Justice vs Simian clip, "We Are Your Friends." --> watch "Sanctuary"

Cavalera Conspiracy "Sanctuary" (Roadrunner)
Rozan & Schmeltz, director | Olivier Bassuet, producer | Partizan, production co | Laurent Tangy, DP | Julian Desplanques, editor

QUICK CLIP: King Diamond "Give Me Your Soul"

Heavy metal icon King Diamond and his band haunt a castle as spectra figures in this creepy send-up of old fashioned movies complete with intro credits. It's like The Sound Of Music, but even more Satanic. --> watch "Give Me Your Soul"

King Diamond "Give Me Your Soul" (Metal Blade)
Bill Schacht, director | Aestheticom, production co

BOOKED: Kardinal f/ Akon - Gil Green, director

artist: Kardinal Offishal feat. Akon
song: "Dangerous"
label: Konvict/Geffen
director(s): Gil Green
production co: 305 Films
rep: Labuda Management

note: Gil Green is signed with Merge @ Crossroads