A Day in the Life

Posted on Jan 1st 2011 8:35PM by AOL Music Staff
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A Day in the Life is an intimate look at a 12-to-24-hour window into many of the biggest artists making music today. This fun-filled documentary presents a side of a musician's daily ins and outs that is rarely seen by the public. Because of the small size of the crew that captures these stars in action on video, with still photos and in their own words, it's possible to show their most casual and relaxed interactions and adventures.
It's just after noon on Saturday, February 18, a sunny and unseasonably warm day in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where Rascal Flatts will play the last show of their winter tour. As our crew pulls into the Izod Center's parking lot, it's hard to miss all nine tour buses in the Flatts' fleet, along with the big tractor trailers housing their massive set. It's a traveling city hard-earned by the superstar country trio of Jay DeMarcus, Gary LeVox and Joe Don Rooney.

Spend a Day in the Life of Rascal Flatts
Diana Levine for AOL
Diggy Simmons, a New York native who's eagerly spreading the word about his debut album, Unexpected Arrival, which The BoomBox was witness to on March 19, has been confronted with naysayers and skeptics challenging his lyrical abilities all because he grew up with a famous father, Rev Run of Run-DMC, and lives an affluent lifestyle. The 17-year-old rapper has a story to tell like every hip-hop veteran before him. Take a look at how he shares his story.

Spend a Day in the Life of Diggy Simmons
Diana Levine for AOL
"I don't have a home right now," Wale tells The BoomBox. This statement coming from a man who banks big bucks from concert performances and scored opening week sophomore sales of 164,062 units sold for his 'Ambition' LP. "I'm living out of a suitcase literally," he admits. "The suitcase blues." As the 27-year-old Washington, D.C. native begins to comically sing, "I got the blues, suitcase blues," the tone in his voice reveals that there's more beatitude in his life than melancholia, considering he travels nationwide via a mega tour bus doing work that he loves -- spreading his brand of raps.

Spend a Day in the Life of Wale
Wale
Diana Levine for AOL
There's an eerie calm surrounding J. Cole as he makes his way into a black turtle-top van outside Sony Music headquarters in New York City. Today, Sept. 27, 2011, marks a day forever ingrained in his psyche. After two years of beatmaking, networking and lyrical masterminding, his highly anticipated debut album, 'Cole World: The Sideline Story,' is out for mass consumption ...

Spend a Day in the Life of J. Cole
Diana Levine for AOL
It's 8:40AM on Sept. 28, and Jason Derulo has just arrived at the WKTU radio station in New York for his first interview of the day. Come February, Derulo will hit the road, traveling to Europe, Australia and then the U.S. for his upcoming tour. But for now, "I'm in promotion mode," he says while sipping on a venti Starbucks chai latte.

Spend a Day in the Life of Jason Derulo
Jason Derulo
Diana Levine for AOL
"It's a gorgeous Tuesday afternoon in New York City's West Village. At around 4:45 PM, after an hour of strolling around, we figure we're numb to the beauty of our surroundings -- the luxurious townhouses, the leggy model-types -- but then a black SUV pulls up in front of the Marc Jacobs store, and out step the members of Blondie. Our eyes shoot straight to frontwoman Deborah Harry, whose platinum locks are so bright they make us squint ... "

Spend a Day in the Life of Blondie
Blondie
Reid Rolls for AOL
All over the UK, Jessie J is a household name, playing sold-out gigs and raking in awards. Since the London singer has taken over at home, Jessie J is bringing her combination of pop, R&B and soul to the US with 'Price Tag,' featuring B.o.B. PopEater had the chance to hang out with Jessie J in New York as she prepared for her live debut on 'Saturday Night Live.' As she stepped into the offices of Sirius Satellite Radio, Jessie J immediately made heads turn...

Spend a Day in the Life of Jessie J
Jessie J
Max W. Orenstein, AOL
Darren Criss barely has time to think, since the wildly popular 'Glee' star joined the cast in early November. Hustling out the door at a little past noon, en route to a taping of 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show,' Criss looks like any other kid in his young Los Angeles neighborhood. Dressed in a faded grey University of Michigan t-shirt (his alma mater), black cardigan and jeans, he also sports tutti frutti-colored fingernails (a memento from his recent weekend at Coachella in support of his brother's band, Freelance Whales)...

Spend a Day in the Life of Darren Criss
Darren Criss
Joseph Llanes for AOL
It's just past 10AM in the San Fernando Valley, and though neither of those things are very rock 'n' roll, this is where PopEater finds Good Charlotte brothers Joel and Benji Madden starting a jam-packed day to promote their new album, 'Cardiology.' PopEater meets up with the pair at the Sherman Oaks offices of GoTV Networks, where the brothers will start the day with an interview and by hosting a Top 10 playlist...

Spend a Day in the Life of Good Charlotte
Good Charlotte
Joseph Llanes for AOL
When David Archuleta went up against David Cook in the seventh season of 'American Idol,' millions of fans -- and even Cook himself -- thought the then 16-year-old was a shoo-in for the crown. But even though the Florida-born, Utah-raised singer took second place, his growing fan base and a record deal with Jive made sure Archuleta wouldn't leave the limelight anytime soon. As he strolled into Jive studios around noon, he instantly changed the vibe of the room...

Spend a Day in the Life of David Archuleta
David Archuleta
Diana Levine for AOL
It's the morning after Clay Aiken released his new album, 'Tried and True.' Backstage at 'The View,' the singer sits on a plush green sofa in his dressing room, surrounded by others but in his own world, eyes glued to his iPad as he waits for his call to set. Aiken starts his day out in a solitary mode, but perks up when he and his crew mull over which cover he should choose for an upcoming DVD release...

Spend a Day in the Life of Clay Aiken
Clay Aiken
Diana Levine for AOL
It's a little after noon when Mark Ronson pulls up to the brownstone home of Cat Greenleaf, the host of NY Nonstop's Talk Stoop. As he steps out of the car, heads turn -- in the middle of this upscale Brooklyn neighborhood, a tall, bleach blonde-haired man sporting an ensemble straight out of a high fashion magazine naturally stands out...

Spend a Day in the Life of Mark Ronson
Mark Ronson
Diana Levine for AOL
It's not even noon, yet the guitarist is already over four hours into a full day of radio and TV appearances in Manhattan to promote 'Slash,' his debut solo album that came out in April, and a summer tour that will take him around the world. For someone who's written some of the all-time greatest guitar riffs and sold over 100 million albums with Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver, Slash doesn't carry himself like a megastar...

Spend a Day in the Life of Slash
Slash
Jeff Mosier for AOL
Old habits die hard. As Harlem rapper Jim Jones sits behind the wheel of his onyx-colored 2010 Chevy Camaro, parked inside a Washington Heights garage overlooking the Macombs Dam Bridge, a substantial stack of $100 bills rest in a neat pile beside him. He owns the title of a recording artist, yet it's apparent he hasn't ditched all the habits from his days hustling on street corners...

Spend a Day in the Life of Jim Jones
Jim Jones
Diana Levine for AOL
For Atlanta rapper/actor Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, life is constant promotion. Having just released 'Battle of the Sexes,' the Grammy-winning rapper flew to New York last week to promote the record, and took The BoomBox along with him for a day in the life of Ludacris...

Spend a Day in the Life of Ludacris
Ludacris
Diana Levine for AOL
Hopping from city to city, performing for packed venues every night and getting minutes of sleep whenever you can -- welcome to the life of Jason Derulo. The 20-year-old singer-songwriter recently flew to New York City to promote his new single, 'Ridin' Solo,' and invited PopEater along for the ride. Running on three hours of sleep and a couple of Red Bulls, Derulo proved he's a man who'll stop at nothing to bring his music to the masses...

Spend a Day in the Life of Jason Derulo
Jason Derulo
Diana Levine for AOL
New Kids on the Block have been in the game for over 20 years, and though Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood, Joey McIntyre and brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight took a long hiatus in the mid-'90s, the group's comeback in 2008 with its latest album, 'The Block,' proved that this boy band was still "hangin' tough." The guys recently came to New York City to promote their tour documentary, 'Coming Home,' and their upcoming two-night stint at Radio City Music Hall in June...

Spend a Day in the Life of the New Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block
Diana Levine for AOL
Although it seems that many songs today sound so similar that you can't tell one band's tune from another, Australian export the Temper Trap seem to have been able to break that mold. Though they might not have a marquee name just yet, many people will recognize their song 'Sweet Disposition' within seconds of hearing guitarist Lorenzo Sillitto's opening riff...

Spend a Day in the Life the Temper Trap
Temper Trap
Diana Levine for AOL
After meeting Hi-Tek and their young tour DJ, Clockwork, in the swanky lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel at 9 A.M, we left Hollywood in an SUV to pick up Kweli. En route, Tek, who is as humble and easy-going as you could possibly hope, gently ribs Clockwork, who is also a Cincinnati native and self-described "rookie..."

Spend a Day in the Life of Reflection Eternal
Reflection Eternal
Joseph Llanes for AOL
Life for Los Angeles rap duo the New Boyz has changed drastically over the past year. The teens -- Earl "Ben J" Benjamin and Dominic "Legacy" Thomas -- ushered in a new dance and dress craze by way of their hit single 'You're a Jerk' off their debut album 'Skinny Jeanz and a Mic...

Spend a Day in the Life of the New Boyz
The New Boyz
Diana Levine for AOL
Spend more than five hours with Kelis and you'll delve into a personality that is polar opposite of what tabloid magazines and gossip websites have portrayed the 30-year-old Harlem native to be. Contrary to popular belief, she doesn't carry around a gold sack filled with her ex-husband Nas' riches...

Spend a Day in the Life of Kelis
Kelis
Diana Levine for AOL
Jaron and the Long Road to Love's Jaron Lowenstein is a popular guy. The singer's phone rang more than a dozen times during the course of our 'Day in the Life' video shoot, with one very important call coming while he was chatting with his "frans" (combination of "friends" and "fans") on Facebook. "They want me to play this Saturday ... two songs?" Jaron asked the mystery caller, visibly stunned and excited...

Spend a Day in the Life of Jaron and the Long Road to Love
Jaron and the Long Road to Love
Jordan Lynn for AOL
Being part of 'American Idol' will follow you wherever you go, but season five standout Chris Daughtry has managed to shake off the show's stigma and pave his own way toward rock star status. With an arena tour that wrapped last month, Daughtry and guitarist/co-songwriter Brian Craddock flew into New York City to promote the band's latest single, 'September,' and invited PopEater to experience what it's like rolling with the band...

Spend a Day in the Life of Daughtry
Daughtry
Diana Levine for AOL
The Clipse's new album 'Til the Casket Drops' features Kanye West, Keri Hilson and album artwork by graffiti legend Kaws. The inscrutable, hard-boiled Virginia Beach rappers re-popularized coke rap -- thanks in part to a former manager recently admitting to distributing more than a half-ton of cocaine and marijuana -- are the same humble, soft spoken blood brothers who came up with Pharrell "Skateboard P" Williams and now run their own successful fashion line, Play Cloths...

Spend a Day in the Life of Clipse
The Clipse
Diana Levine for AOL
It's a typical sunny day in downtown Los Angeles when we meet with Passion Pit frontman Michael Angelakos and guitarist Ian Hultquist in the lobby of the Bonaventure Hotel. Surrounded by a team of record label representatives and members of their road crew, the Brooklyn, N.Y.-based musicians are warm and friendly...

Spend a Day in the Life of Passion Pit
Passion Pit
Joseph Llanes for AOL
When 'MMMBop' hit the airwaves in April 1997, everyone got their first introduction to a young trio of brothers with long blond hair and high-pitched voices called Hanson. While many pop acts disappear as quickly as they rise, these bright-eyed boys from Tulsa, Okla., have continued to produce a number of albums, start their own record label and even travel to Africa to help the fight against AIDS and poverty...

Spend a Day in the Life of Hanson
Hanson
Diana Levine for AOL
It's been a long few days for Linkin Park vocalists Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda. The band flew from Los Angeles to New York to do a frantic round of print, radio, Internet and TV promotion, play an intimate club show for Best Buy and attend the meet and greet after show party...

Spend a Day in the Life of Linkin Park
Linkin Park
Diana Levine for AOL
"Please welcome to your private train car, Keith Urban," the conductor announced as the country music superstar confidently strolled down the aisle to a blinding sea of camera flashes. Clad all in black – long sleeve button down shirt, jeans and boots – Keith graciously shook passengers' hands and smiled for photos before taking an unlikely stage: the aisle of an Amtrak train...

Spend a Day in the Life of Keith Urban
Keith Urban
Diana Levine for AOL
It was just a little over a year ago that Steel Magnolia won CMT's 'Can You Duet.' Since then, they've scored a CMA Award nomination, two hit singles and an opening slot on one of the hottest bills of the year, Brad Paisley's 'H20 World Tour.' But on this particular day, as they whirl around a friend's kitchen cooking up some breakfast on a rare day off back home, it's fairly obvious that all the fame and success hasn't gone to their heads one bit...

Spend a Day in the Life of Steel Magnolias
Steel Magnolias
Jordan Lynn for AOL
Waka Flocka Flame isn't quite your rapper's rapper. A self-described 'unstoppable force' the 24-year-old, Queens-born rapper is in it for what he refers to as the "Three F's": friends, fans, and family. "They keep me going. They the reason why I make music," Waka Flocka tells The BoomBox...

Spend a Day in the Life of Waka Flocka Flame
Waka Flocka Flame
Daniel Reed for AOL
Dierks Bentley's phone never stops ringing the whole time he's settled in behind a desk in a small studio at the GAC network during our Day In The Life video shoot, and you wonder how the in-demand artist ever sleeps. "Can you hear it buzzing?," he asks, staring in dismay as it vibrates its way frantically across the desk, nearly landing on the floor...

Spend a Day in the Life of Dierks Bentley
Dierks Bentley
Bill Vincent for AOL
When Laura Bell Bundy walks into a room, laughter isn't far behind her. Whether she's doing her best celebrity impersonation or pretending to trip in her four-inch heels, the bubbly blonde is constantly cracking jokes. She seemingly has her "entertainer" face on all day. But with one listen to her music, you'll see this multi-talented star actually has a multi-faceted personality...

Spend a Day in the Life of Laura Bell Bundy
Laura Bell Bundy
Brian Kaplan for AOL
As the piercing sounds of car horns and construction machinery cut through the air on a predictable New York City morning in Times Square, an unexpected figure stands outside of the W Hotel in the summery heat. Sans a glittering chain and rambunctious entourage, Bun B stands in the cool of the shade...

Spend a Day in the Life of Bun B
Bun B
Sebastian Mlynarski for AOL

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