September 08, 2008

T-Pain, Tokio Hotel, Fall Out Boy Arrive At VMAs Via Elephant, Monster Truck And More

By Shaheem Reid (MTV.com)

Bentley coupe, Phantom Rolls, Maybach, stretch limo? Those cars will never be played out, but they've been done time and time again. If you want to stick out when arriving at the VMAs, you have to do it in style, but you also have to be different. It's not just about what you wear on the red carpet, it's also about how you got there. This year we had a few guests that made sure nobody would forget their initial appearance.

Artists: Tokio Hotel
Mode of transportation: Monster truck
Method behind the madness: We couldn't clear the airspace for the helicopter from Monsoon. Or maybe it was the only vehicle that could accommodate Bill's hair. Rimshot! Seriously, guys and gals, when have you ever known the Kaulitz clan to play by the rules or give good reasons for their rock-star antics?

Artist: Young Jeezy
Mode of transportation: Presidential motorcade
Method behind the madness: Cocaine and diamonds definitely aren't all that Young Jeezy rhymes about. The Snowman's repertoire has expanded, and on his latest album, The Recession, he talks about one of the biggest problems facing the country and gives his cosign to the man he thinks can guide the US to more fruitful days, Barack Obama. Jeezy's entrance - complete with a chauffeur wearing a John McCain mask - is not only a nod to what he sees as the future but a pat on the back to himself as well. He's the street's commander in chief.

Artists: Fall Out Boy
Mode of transportation: Horse and carriage
Method behind the madness: This madness has nothing to do with their upcoming album Folie à Deux (The Shared Madness of Two) or its Election Day release date. FOB, never at a loss for ideas, are using their VMA grand entrance to give props to an upcoming movie they're in: Sex Drive features a scene where star Josh Zuckerman runs across a farmer played by Seth Green in Amish country.

Artist: T-Pain
Mode of transportation: Elephant and accompanying circus acts
Method behind the madness: Teddy Pain tried out a few VMA-arrival vehicles. But he's promoting his third album, Thr33 Ringz, like crazy, and what better way to get the message out that you're music's new ringleader than to show up to the VMAs with your own band of big-top freaks?

Artists: Paramore
Mode of transportation: Smart Cars
Method behind the madness: Have you checked the price of gas lately? Even platinum groups are feeling the need to be more efficient when they can. The Tennessee group thought it would not only be a riot (OK, bad joke) to show up in one of these babies, but it would also set a great example for their fans. Besides, Hayley Williams looks perfect riding in a car as small as she is.