Psy's 'Gangnam Style' Reaches Incredible YouTube Milestone, Crushes Justin Bieber's Record

South Korean pop star Psy introduced us to 'Gangnam Style' back in July 2012. His invisible horse dance (and whatever else he's doing in that video) instantly captured the attention of millions of people.

The video went viral on YouTube and - good, bad, or indifferent - the song was stuck in everyone's head for months. A lot of naysayers thought it was just a fad and that the song would fizzle out quickly.

In fact, back in September 2012, E! Online declared that 'Gangnam Style' was "officially over," and the video only had 220 million views at that point. Well, there are now about 1,782,522,204 reasons that declaration might have been a bit premature.

That's right, 'Gangnam Style' has just reached an unprecedented 2 billion views on YouTube. Yep, BILLION with a "b."

Justin Bieber's 'Baby' is the only vid that had ever even gone into billion territory on YouTube and Psy has doubled the video view record formerly held by the Biebs.

With the renewed focus on 'Gangnam Style,' we had to watch it again and for some weird reason, it's mesmerizing. It's annoying, sure, but it's one of those things you just love to hate. To save you the trouble of searching for it again (cause you know you were going to), we've included it below.

Fun Fact: If you DO go to YouTube to watch, click the little Psy guy dancing next to the video view number and you'll get a cool surprise.


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Billboard Music Awards 2014 Nominations Announced - See the List!

Check out the full list of nominations for the upcoming 2014 Billboard Music Awards!

A ton of our favorite artists got nods! Miley Cyrus is set to battle it out for Top Female Artist with Lorde, who is also up for Best New Artist against Ariana Grande.

Meanwhile, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Miley, and One Direction are all going head-to-head in the Top Social Artist category.

Ellie Goulding is up for the Milestone Award too!

Tune into the 2014 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, May 18 on ABC!

2014 Billboard Music Award Nominations

Milestone Award Presented by Chevy
Luke Bryan
Ellie Goulding
Imagine Dragons
John Legend
OneRepublic
Carrie Underwood

Top Artist
Miley Cyrus
Imagine Dragons
Bruno Mars
Katy Perry
Justin Timberlake

Top New Artist
Bastille
Capital Cities
Ariana Grande
Lorde
Passenger

Top Male Artist
Luke Bryan
Drake
Eminem
Bruno Mars
Justin Timberlake

Top Female Artist
Beyonce
Miley Cyrus
Lorde
Katy Perry
Rihanna

Top Duo/Group
Florida Georgia Line
Imagine Dragons
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
One Direction
OneRepublic

Top Billboard 200 Artist
Beyonce
Luke Bryan
Eminem
One Direction
Justin Timberlake

Top Hot 100 Artist
Miley Cyrus
Imagine Dragons
Lorde
Katy Perry
Justin Timberlake

Top Digital Songs Artist
Miley Cyrus
Imagine Dragons
Lorde
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Katy Perry

Top Radio Songs Artist
Imagine Dragons
Lorde
Bruno Mars
Katy Perry
Justin Timberlake

Top Touring Artist
Beyonce
Bon Jovi
P!nk
Rihanna
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band

Top Social Artist
Justin Bieber
Miley Cyrus
One Direction
Rihanna
Taylor Swift

Top Streaming Artist
Miley Cyrus
Imagine Dragons
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Katy Perry
PSY

Top R&B Artist
Beyonce
Pharrell
Rihanna
Robin Thicke
Justin Timberlake

Top Rap Artist
Drake
Eminem
Jay Z
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Pitbull

Top Country Artist
Luke Bryan
Florida Georgia Line
Darius Rucker
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift

Top Rock Artist
Capital Cities
Fall Out Boy
Imagine Dragons
Lorde
Passenger

Top Latin Artist
Marc Anthony
Gerardo Ortiz
Jenni Rivera
Prince Royce
Romeo Santos

Top Dance/Electronic Artist
Avicii
Daft Punk
Calvin Harris
Lady Gaga
Zedd

Top Christian Artist
Mandisa
Skillet
tobyMac
Chris Tomlin
Matthew West

Top Billboard 200 Album
Beyonce, “Beyonce”
Luke Bryan, “Crash My Party”
Drake, “Nothing Was The Same”
Eminem, “The Marshall Mathers LP 2”
Justin Timberlake, “The 20/20 Experience”

Top R&B Album
Beyonce, “Beyonce”
R. Kelly, “Black Panties”
Robin Thicke, “Blurred Lines”
Justin Timberlake, “The 20/20 Experience”
Justin Timberlake, “The 20/20 Experience (2 of 2)”

Top Rap Album
J. Cole, “Born Sinner”
Drake, “Nothing Was The Same”
Eminem, “The Marshall Mathers LP 2”
Jay Z, “Magna Carta…Holy Grail”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, “The Heist”

Top Country Album
Garth Brooks, “Blame It All On My Roots: Five Decades of Influences”
Luke Bryan, “Crash My Party”
Florida Georgia Line, “Here’s To The Good Times”
The Robertsons, “Duck The Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas”
Blake Shelton, “Based On A True Story”

Top Rock Album
Lana Del Rey, “Born To Die”
Fall Out Boy, “Save Rock And Roll”
Imagine Dragons, “Night Visions”
Lorde, “Pure Heroine”
Mumford & Sons, “Babel”

Top Latin Album
Marc Anthony, “3.0”
Alejandro Fernandez, “Confidencias”
Jenni Rivera, “1969- Siempre: En Vivo Desde Monterrey: Parte 1?
Prince Royce, “Soy El Mismo”
Romeo Santos, “Formula: Vol. 2”

Top Dance/Electronic Album
Avicii, “True”
Daft Punk, “Random Access Memories”
Lady Gaga, “ARTPOP”
Lindsey Stirling, “Lindsey Stirling”
Zedd, “Clarity”

Top Christian Album
Alan Jackson, “Precious Memories: Volume II”
Skillet, “Rise”
Third Day, “Miracle”
Chris Tomlin, “Burning Lights”
Various Artists, “WOW Hits 2014”

Top Hot 100 Song
Miley Cyrus, “Wrecking Ball”
Imagine Dragons, “Radioactive”
Lorde, “Royals”
Katy Perry, “Roar”
Robin Thicke Featuring T.I. & Pharrell, “Blurred Lines”

Top Digital Song
Imagine Dragons, “Radioactive”
Lorde, “Royals”
OneRepublic, “Counting Stars”
Katy Perry, “Roar”
Robin Thicke Featuring T.I. & Pharrell, “Blurred Lines”

Top Radio Song
Avicii, “Wake Me Up”
Lorde, “Royals”
Katy Perry, “Roar”
Robin Thicke Featuring T.I. & Pharrell, “Blurred Lines”
Justin Timberlake, “Mirrors”

Top Streaming Song (Audio)
Daft Punk Featuring Pharrell Williams, “Get Lucky”
Imagine Dragons, “Radioactive”
Lorde, “Royals”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Ray Dalton, “Can’t Hold Us”
Robin Thicke Featuring T.I. & Pharrell, “Blurred Lines”

Top Streaming Song (Video)
Baauer, “Harlem Shake”
Miley Cyrus, “We Can’t Stop”
Miley Cyrus, “Wrecking Ball”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Wanz, “Thrift Shop”
Katy Perry, “Roar”

Top R&B Song
Beyonce Feat. Jay Z, “Drunk In Love”
Drake Featuring Majid Jordan, “Hold On, We’re Going Home”
Pharrell, “Happy”
Robin Thicke Featuring T.I. & Pharrell, “Blurred Lines”
Justin Timberlake Feat. Jay Z, “Suit & Tie”

Top Rap Song
Eminem Featuring Rihanna, “The Monster”
Jay Z Featuring Justin Timberlake, “Holy Grail”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Ray Dalton, “Can’t Hold Us”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Wanz, “Thrift Shop”
Pitbull Featuring Ke$ha, “Timber”

Top Country Song
Luke Bryan, “Crash My Party”
Luke Bryan, “That’s My Kind Of Night”
Florida Georgia Line Featuring Nelly, “Cruise”
Darius Rucker, “Wagon Wheel”
Blake Shelton Featuring Pistol Annies & Friends, “Boys ‘Round Here”

Top Rock Song
Capital Cities, “Safe And Sound”
Imagine Dragons, “Demons”
Imagine Dragons, “Radioactive”
Lorde, “Royals”
Passenger, “Let Her Go”

Top Latin Song
Marc Anthony “Vivir Mi Vida”
Daddy Yankee “Limbo”
Enrique Iglesias Featuring Romeo Santos “Loco”
Prince Royce “Darte Un Beso”
Romeo Santos “Propuesta Indecente”

Top Dance/Electronic Song
Avicii, “Wake Me Up”
Daft Punk Featuring Pharrell Williams, “Get Lucky”
Icona Pop Featuring Charlie XCX, “I Love It”
Lady Gaga, “Applause”
Zedd Featuring Foxes, “Clarity”

Top Christian Song
Building 429, “We Won’t Be Shaken”
Mandisa, “Overcomer”
Sidewalk Prophets, “Help Me Find It”
Chris Tomlin, “Whom Shall I Fear (God Of Angel Armies)”
Matthew West, “Hello, My Name Is”

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Justin Bieber, Macklemore dominate YouTube nominees

Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, One Direction, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Miley Cyrus and One Direction will tussle for top honors at the first-ever YouTube Music Awards show, which plays out Nov. 3 on the video-sharing site.

Avicii, M.I.A., Earl Sweatshirt, Tyler the Creator and Walk Off the Earth have been added to the lineup, joining previously announced performers Eminem, Lady Gaga and Arcade Fire.

Nominees are drawn from YouTube's most watched, shared, liked and subscribed-to artists of the past 12 months. Winners will be chosen by fan voting, which opens today at youtube.com/musicawards.

The nominees are:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Barack Obama vs Mitt Romney, Epic Rap Battles of History

Demi Lovato, Heart Attack

Girls' Generation, I Got A Boy

Justin Bieber (featuring Nicki Minaj), Beauty and A Beat

Lady Gaga, Applause

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (featuring Mary Lambert), Same Love

Miley Cyrus, We Can't Stop

One Direction, Best Song Ever

Psy, Gentleman

Selena Gomez, Come & Get It

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Eminem

ERB

Justin Bieber

Katy Perry

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Nicki Minaj

One Direction

Psy

Rihanna

Taylor Swift

RESPONSE OF THE YEAR

Boyce Avenue (featuring Fifth Harmony), Mirrors

Jayesslee, Gangnam Style

Lindsey Stirling and Pentatonix, Radioactive

The Piano Guys, Titanium/Pavane

Walk Off the Earth (featuring KRNFX), I Knew You Were Trouble

YouTUBE PHENOMENON

Diamonds

Gangnam Style

Harlem Shake

I Knew You Were Trouble

Thrift Shop

YouTUBE BREAKTHROUGH

Kendrick Lamar

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Naughty Boy

Passenger

Rudimental

INNOVATION OF THE YEAR

Anamanaguchi, Endless Fantasy

Atoms for Peace, Ingenue

Bat for Lashes, Lilies

DeStorm, See Me Standing

Toro Y Moi, Say That

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TOP PICK: Psy on Fans and Haters of "Gentleman," Plus Being Upstaged by "Harlem Shake"

Korean rapper Psy rose to fame with his hit "Gangnam Style" in 2012 and proved he's here to stay with the release of his uber successful single "Gentleman" this year, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and garnered 70 million views in three days when the music video for the song premiered.

Psy's success has earned him six nominations for the 2013 Billboard Music Awards including Top New Artist, Top Streaming Artist and Top Rap Artist--and he is also set to present at the show.

And Cambio will be right there in Las Vegas with Psy and the rest of the nominees, live from the blue carpet with a video livestream on Sunday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by a backstage livestream at 8 ET.

Before Psy takes the stage at the BBMAs Sunday, he caught up with Billboard.com's Ray Rogers, for a quick Q&A, which they've shared with us below:

What was the highlight of your year in music?

PSY: It was really hard to pick just one scene because there were too many to remember. If I gotta choose one, I might say the American Music Awards. I closed the show and the closing of the show was a very big piece and another big piece was Hammer.

What song really made an impact on you this year?

I really like the P!nk song with the guy from fun., "Just Give Me a Reason." Last February I did a seven-city tour in Australia. I was in Melbourne after one show, and the weather was so hot. I was moving out of my hotel and the song was on the radio. The first time I heard it, that song healed me. That and the Bruno Mars song "If I Was Your Man," a very touching soul song for me.

What was your favorite music-related meme or viral video this year?

I've gotta talk about my new video, "Gentleman." It has a lot of likes and a lot of dislikes [on YouTube] at the same time-a lot of fans and a lot of haters. You can't make everybody feel inspired. Both sides should exist. But with "Gangnam Style," most of the country didn't have any haters with the video, with the music and with the dance moves. That was abnormal. So literally, I was used to an abnormal situation, and one day I considered the abnormal situation to be the normal situation. I was spoiled with all of the likes and fans. Then I released the "Gentleman" video and the first day, second day, third day everybody seemed to like the video. So the spoiled side of me was like, "OK, this one works." But on the fourth day, as is normal and understandable, given that it's a culture product, there were a lot of dislikes. So, now things are back to normal for me. And I really like this situation.

I was shocked with the "Harlem Shake," because at that time I was preparing a new single. Most artists feel the same way when they are preparing something, because they are not doing anything: "I'm down, I'm nothing, and I'm stuck." At the same time "Harlem Shake" came out and everyone did the "Harlem Shake" dance, every media outlet kept saying, "Goodbye 'Gangnam Style.' Hello 'Harlem Shake.'"

How has social media affected the way you engage with your fans?

I was not familiar with the internet thing. Honestly, you know with all kinds of internet media, I was not that familiar. I was not that kind of guy. Accidentally "Gangnam Style" happened and you have YouTube and all other sorts of stuff like Facebook and Twitter and so on. So after that I learned and learned. So after that I learned how to use Facebook, how to use Twitter and how to use YouTube and how to use all those platforms with each other. By this time I've realized like, wow this really is a big deal. This is another kind of a new show. I'm kind of a classic guy. I really play for old school songs, older songs and the platform and media. I was that kind of person.

How do you live like a high roller when you're in Las Vegas?

I want to live like a high roller, so why do I live life as a workaholic?

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TOP PICK: 5 Things to Know About Psy (His Name Translates to Jason Park)

When Psy's "Gangnam Style" caught on in America via Youtube, the South Korean rapper became a household name in the states. The catchy K-pop tune shot to No.1 on the iTunes music video chart and became the most "liked" video in YouTube history with a billion-plus views.

Check out our five things to know about Psy!

5) The 35-year-old rapper has been making music for over a decade. He released his debut album, "PSY...From the Psycho World!" in 2001 and has been a popular entertainer in Korea since then. "Gangnam Style" is actually from his sixth album, "Psy's Best Sixth."

4) Psy's real name is Park Jae-Sang, which translates to Jason Park in English. His friends and family used to call him Sai, according to EllenTV.com, but he changed that to Psy when he became a singer, to give it the meaning of psycho.

3) Psy attended Boston University and Berklee College of Music in Boston, but dropped out because of the early class times. "I was at Berklee College of Music in Boston, but [I was] a freshman for four years," he told Ryan Seacrest on his radio show last year. "Class was too early for me."

2) How was Psy discovered? On a bit of a fluke. His manager Scooter Braun found out about Psy when his friend from Korea sent him the "Gangnam Style" video with a note that said, "Isn't this hilarious?" After Scooter watched the video (and noticed the million-plus views it racked up after nine days), he told his friend to find Psy, adding "I want to sign him." Scooter also manages Justin Bieber and Cody Simpson.

1) He was afraid his latest hit, "Gentleman," would be a flop. "I honestly changed this song so many times," Psy told MTV. 'I was so nervous. My only goal was to avoid being called a one-hit wonder." "Gentleman" has been anything but a flop, however. The music video has already garnered over 265 million views on Youtube and the song landed in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 11 charts last week.

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2013 Billboard Music Awards Nominations Announced!

The nominations for the 2013 Billboard Music Awards are in and there is a three way tie between Taylor Swift, Maroon 5, and fun. for the most noms!

The three artists are all nominated in a whopping 11 categories, with Taylor and Maroon 5 also nominated for the coveted Top Artist of the Year award.

Rihanna, Carly Rae Jepsen, and One Direction are up for 10, nine and eight trophies, respectively.

The nominees in the Top Artist category are Taylor, Maroon 5, One Direction, Rihanna, and Justin Bieber. Check back soon for a complete list of nominees, but in the meantime, check Billboard.com for all the details!

WHAT DO YOU THINK of the nominees for the 2013 Billboard Music Awards?

2013 Billboard Music Awards Nominations

Top Artist
Justin Bieber
Maroon 5
One Direction
Rihanna
Taylor Swift

Top New Artist
Gotye
Carly Rae Jepsen
The Lumineers
One Direction
PSY

Top Male Artist
Jason Aldean
Justin Bieber
Drake
Flo Rida
Bruno Mars

Top Female Artist
Adele
Carly Rae Jepsen
Nicki Minaj
Rihanna
Taylor Swift

Top Duo/Group
Coldplay
Fun.
Maroon 5
Mumford & Sons
One Direction

Top Hot 100 Artist
Flo Rida
Fun.
Maroon 5
Rihanna
Taylor Swift

Top Billboard 200 Artist
Adele
Justin Bieber
Mumford & Sons
One Direction
Taylor Swift

Top Pop Artist
Adele
Justin Bieber
Maroon 5
Bruno Mars
One Direction

Top R&B Artist
Chris Brown
Alicia Keys
Ne-Yo
Rihanna
Usher

Top Rap Artist
Drake
Flo Rida
Nicki Minaj
Pitbull
PSY

Top Country Artist
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Hunter Hayes
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Top Rock Artist
Coldplay
Fun.
Gotye
Mumford & Sons
Bruce Springsteen

Top Pop Album
“21,” Adele
“Overexposed,” Maroon 5
“Take Me Home,” One Direction
“Up All Night,” One Direction
“Believe,” Justin Bieber

Top R&B Album
“Fortune,” Chris Brown
“Girl on Fire,” Alicia Keys
“Channel Orange,” Frank Ocean
“Unapologetic,” Rihanna
“Looking 4 Myself,” Usher

Top Rap Album
“Based on a T.R.U. Story,” 2 Chainz
“Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City,” Kendrick Lamar
“The Heist,” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
“Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded,” Nicki Minaj
“God Forgives, I Don’t,” Rick Ross

Top Country Album
“Night Train,” Jason Aldean
“Tailgates & Tanlines,” Luke Bryan
“Tuskegee,” Lionel Richie
“Red,” Taylor Swift
“Blown Away,” Carrie Underwood

Top Rock Album
“Some Nights,” Fun.
“The Lumineers,” The Lumineers
“Babel,” Mumford & Sons
“My Head is an Animal,” Of Monsters and Men
“The World From The Side of the Moon,” Phillip Phillips

Top Pop Song
“Lights,” Ellie Goulding
“Call Me Maybe,” Carly Rae Jepsen
“One More Night,” Maroon 5
“Payphone,” Maroon 5
“Locked Out of Heaven,” Bruno Mars

Top R&B Song
“Girl on Fire,” Alicia Keys feat. Nicki Minaj
“Adorn,” Miguel
“Thinkin Bout You,” Frank Ocean
“Diamonds,” Rihanna
“Heart Attack,” Trey Songz

Top Rap Song
“Wild Ones,” Flo Rida feat. Sia
“Whistle,” Flo Rida
“Mercy,” Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T, 2 Chainz
“Thrift Shop,” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz
“Gangnam Style,” PSY

Top Country Song
“Drunk on You,” Luke Bryan
“Springsteen,” Eric Church
“Cruise,” Florida Georgia Line
“Wanted,” Hunter Hayes
“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” Taylor Swift

Top Dance Song
“Titanium,” David Guetta feat. Sia
“Harlem Shake,” Baauer
“Starships,” Nicki Minaj
“Gangnam Style,” PSY
“Where Have You Been,” Rihanna

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TOP PICK: Psy: 'Gentleman' Music Video - Watch Now!

Psy rocks a bold suit while dancing in the newly released music video for his track “Gentleman,” available on iTunes now!

The 35-year-old Korean rapper just wrapped up the music video earlier this week.

“Gentleman” is the follow up single to Psy‘s viral hit “Gangnam Style,” which has raked in 1.5 billion views on Youtube.

Also pictured: Psy attending a press conference before his concert to introduce “Gentleman” at Olympic Stadium on Saturday (April 13) in Seoul, South Korea.


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TOP PICK: Psy to Release First Single Since 'Gangnam Style' Friday

The South Korean YouTube sensation finished shooting the music video for “Gentleman” on Tuesday and will simultaneously release the track in 119 countries.

SEOUL — South Korean pop star Psy will release his new song, “Gentleman,” in 119 countries around the world on Friday, his management agency announced Wednesday.

The YouTube sensation had originally planned on unveiling the follow-up to his infectious “Gangnam Style” in Korea on Friday and then the rest of the world the following day. But he reset the time to midnight Thursday (GMT +9 hours) on iTunes and local music websites to lessen confusion for fans and onlookers, said YG Entertainment.

The 35-year-old finished shooting the music video for “Gentleman” on Tuesday. It was shot in various locations around Seoul, much like “Gangnam Style,” which famously became the most watched video ever on YouTube and the first to garner over one billion views.
Earlier Psy was quoted by YG Entertainment as saying that the new song will have “a fast, exciting tempo” and be accompanied by a dance that will “be largely in a Korean style.”

He will hold a concert dubbed “Happening” at a sports stadium in western Seoul on Saturday before going on an international tour to promote the new track.

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Taylor Swift, Psy, Mayor Bloomberg help New Yorkers ring in 2013

A million or more revelers rang in 2013 under a blizzard of colorful confetti amid wishes for a less violent, turbulent New Year as the shimmering crystal ball dropped in Times Square — and the curtain dropped on 2012.

The teeming throng greeted 2013 with a roar, but the annual New Year’s Eve extravaganza made for mediocre T.V., with Mayor Bloomberg hemmed in by high-kicking Rockettes and a stage full of pop stars — and MC Hammer — bobbing to the strains of “Auld Lang Syne.”

Hizzoner danced a few steps and blushed, his cheek smeared with red lipstick — planted there by a Rockette imitating his 2012 smooch partner, Lady Gaga. Far below in the Midtown crowd, lovestruck Daniel Mulligan clutched his sweetheart, fellow Staten Islander Jaclynne Castellano, and looked expectantly toward 2013.

“We want to spend the new year together because I love her to death,” the 22-year-old Mulligan gushed.

Many in the Times Square crush used their feelings about the tragedies of 2012 to motivate their New Year’s Eve celebration.

Castellano, 22, prayed for recovery in Staten Island and other areas ravaged by Hurricane Sandy.

“In the New Year we want to rebuild our relationships, our businesses, our homes and our families,” she said.

Others in Times Square recalled the spate of mass shootings that gripped the nation in 2012.

“We have to savor the moment — every moment,” said Marri Marcarelli, who snagged a spot near the countdown ball at 10 a.m. in tribute to her relatives in Newtown, Conn.

“The only thing you can do is make this year better than the last one,” said Marcarelli, 20, of Branford, Conn.

“My cousin (in third grade at Sandy Hook Elementary School) heard the whole thing over the intercom. We didn’t know if she was dead or alive. It really hit home.”

Marcarelli’s pal, Kate Waterbury, was excited about what 2013 could bring.

“I’m not going to waste any time,” the 20-year-old said.

“I want to do everything ... while I’m still healthy and young.”
Of course, not everyone who traveled to the Crossroads of the World had a connection to tragedy from the bygone year.

Kara Schaefer journeyed from Alaska for the street spectacle, arriving in Times Square at 7:30 a.m.

“The flight took 12 hours,” said Schaefer, 18, a freshman at the University of Alaska. “I wanted to do it just once.”

Schaefer added that the experience was worth it — and wasn’t even bothered by the near-freezing air. “This isn’t cold,” she said. “I’m from Alaska!”

The annual Times Square countdown featured host Ryan Seacrest and a lineup of star musical guests that included Taylor Swift, clad in black leather pants, Korean rapper Psy, resplendent in white fur, has-been rapper MC Hammer, Carly Rae Jepsen and Pitbull.

Revelers sporting jaunty blue foam hats and supersized 2013 glasses waved blue balloons handed out by organizers and made do without public bathrooms.

Hours before the party kicked off, NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly predicted Times Square would be the “safest place in the world” for the annual festivities. Everything went off without a hitch.

Rookie cop Burim Kadrijaj was in awe of his festive assignment. “It’s exciting — the crowd, the people, the lights,” said Kadrijaj, shivering in the frigid night air. “I feel like a rock star.”

Asked about his wishes for the new year, Kadrijaj didn’t flinch: “I want to be a good cop. I want to get a lot of arrests. I want to help people. It sure isn’t for the money.”

It was the first Gotham countdown in decades without legendary host Dick Clark, who died in April, at age 82.

The 2013 ball boasted 288 new Waterford crystals, and confetti included shredded slips of paper inscribed with wishes by visitors to Times Square.

Fireworks lit up a smaller celebration at Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza, while 5,000 merrymakers at Webster Hall in Greenwich Village were showered by 100,000 balloons at the stroke of midnight.

Celebrations began in Asia and Australia even as revelers were gathering in Times Square. In Australia, a record $6.9 million pyrotechnic spectacular sprinkled colorful sparks above Sydney, while tens of thousands of people lined the docks of Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong to witness an astonishing fireworks show.


Good vibes traveled across the Far East, especially in Myanmar, which joined the world party for the first time in decades.

Roughly 90,000 people in the long-oppressed nation turned out for a New Year’s Eve countdown in the metropolis of Yangon, the first after nearly five decades of iron-fisted military rule.

“We feel like we are in a different world,” said Yu Thawda, a university student thrilled to greet 2013 with three of her friends.

But the new year came with last year’s troubles still lingering.

Celebrations in the Indian capital of New Delhi were canceled after the death Saturday of a young gang-rape victim raised concerns about women’s safety.

And in restive Russia, hours before fireworks exploded above Red Square in Moscow, about 25 people were arrested for an unsanctioned political demonstration.

Amid the joy, fear and injustice in the world, Pope Benedict XVI, celebrating the New Year at the Vatican, said goodness will prevail.

New Year’s Eve fetes were more subdued in parts of the West, as economic anxieties dampened the spirits of some partygoers in the United States — where Washington lawmakers wrangled over a deal to stave off spending cuts and tax increases — and in austerity-weary Europe.

In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel warned her citizens to tighten their belts, and Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, canceled its 2013 blowout in light of widespread hardship.

It donated $21,000 saved from the event to 320 needy schoolchildren.


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TOP PICK: Obama to attend 'Gangnam Style' rapper concert despite protests

US President Barack Obama will reportedly attend a charity concert where South Korean rapper PSY is scheduled to perform, who had participated in anti-American protests several years ago.

A spokesman said that the Obama family will attend the December 21 Christmas in Washington concert, as is custom, The Telegraph reports.

According to the paper, news reports cite two instances of the 34-year-old "Gangnam Style" rapper participating in concerts protesting the US military presence in South Korea during the early stages of the war in Iraq.

In a 2004 concert, PSY performs another act's song about killing "Yankees" who have been torturing Iraqi captives and their families "slowly and painfully,” the paper said.

PSY, whose real name is Park Jae-sang, had, however, apologized and said the protests were part of a "deeply emotional" reaction to the war and the killing of two Korean school girls, it added.

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Justin Bieber and Psy to Collaborate on New Track?

How has this happened? Psy has gone from being a huge hit in Korea, to household name all over the Western world. And talking of household names, a certain Justin Bieber falls into that category, so pair them up, it all makes perfect sense!

The South Korean hitmaker - who took home Best Video for the track at the MTV Europe Music Awards last night - said his next single will feature more English lyrics and a huge guest star. Asked if he would work with Justin, with whom he shares manager Scooter Braun, Psy said: "So, I already have done with the next track already. I cannot tell you about who it's gonna be with but I'm working with someone else right now and it's going to be huge. I'm working on my next album and single, and it has more English so you can get it. I feel happy and sorry because when I perform the song they look so happy, but they don't have any idea what I'm talking about. So we're gonna have some English in it."

And on the ridiculous propulsion from continental reputation to worldwide fame, Psy said: "I've done this for 12 years in South Korea, I did the exact same thing I did before, and it just happened so what can I say? It's so great, so great."

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MTV EMA 2012 Complete Winners List

Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber brought home the gold Sunday (November 11) at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Frankfurt, Germany.

Upon hearing three gong crashes, signifying her three big wins, Swift practiced her German while humbly exclaiming, "Drei? Drei? I can't believe you gave me three awards!" Swift, who looked stunning walking down the red carpet in a beaded J. Mendel gown, cleaned up at the awards show, winning Best Female, Best Live and Best Look.

Bieber, who was not in attendance but made plenty of headlines over the weekend due to his reported breakup with Selena Gomez, won Best Male, Best Pop and Best World Stage. Bieber's pal Carly Rae Jepson, who was the first artist signed to his Schoolboy Records, took home two trophies: Best Song for her hit "Call Me Maybe" and Best PUSH. She celebrated by crowd-surfing during her electrifying performance.

No Doubt, PSY, Pitbull, the Killers and Swift each graced the Frankfurt stage with performances of their hits. The late Whitney Houston, who passed away last February, was honored as a Global Icon and is the third artist to receive the honor after Bon Jovi and Queen.

Full list of winners from MTV EMA 2012:

Best Female
Taylor Swift

Best Male
Justin Bieber

Best New Act
One Direction

Best Song
"Call Me Maybe," Carly Rae Jepsen

Best World Stage
Justin Bieber

Best Video
"Gangnam Style," PSY

Best Rock
Linkin Park

Best Pop
Justin Bieber

Best Look
Taylor Swift

Best Alternative
Lana Del Rey

Best Hip Hop
Nicki Minaj

Best Live
Taylor Swift

Biggest Fans
One Direction

Best PUSH
Carly Rae Jepsen

Global Icon
Whitney Houston

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TOP PICK: PSY Takes Over EMA 2012 With Army Of 'Gangnam Style' Clones

Oppa Frankfurt style! PSY brought his double-platinum hit "Gangnam Style" to the international MTV Europe Music Awards 2012 stage on Sunday (November 11).

The South Korean singer lived up to his reputation for whimsy and eccentricity with a crazy performance featuring a David Hasselhoff appearance (on a toilet!) and a background with thousands of dancing cartoon PSYs that soon turned into a real-life crew of backup dancing PSY look-alikes. PSY and his slew of backup dancers had the crowd going wild throughout the entire performance. Following the mesmerizing show, PSY asked his fans for their opinions regarding the performance, tweeting, "How was it!? Am I #EMAzingPSY!!???" We'd say so.

PSY's outrageous and viral music video for "Gangnam Style" isn't just the most-watched K-pop video on YouTube; the Korean wonder also crushed Bieber and LMFAO on Thursday, earning a Guinness World Record title for "Gangnam Style," which is now the most "liked" clip ever on the video-sharing site.

In September, PSY shared his thought process for the "Gangnam Style" video with MTV News. "With this video and director we kept on focusing on to be ridiculous as possible, that was our point," PSY said. "So we were so serious thinking to be ridiculous."

If we had to guess, we'd say the singer probably had similar intentions for his ridiculous EMA performance.

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