Matthew McConaughey surprised his long-term girlfriend, Camila Alves, with a gift on Sunday that she might not have been expecting: an engagement. The couple has been together for five years, complete with their two children, Levi and Vida.

McConaughey posted the news publicly through his twitter, writing “Just asked Camila to marry me, #MerryChristmas”.

Alves is a model and recently hosted the third season of Bravo network’s “Shear Genius”.

McConaughey will be appearing in Steven Soderbergh’s film “Magic Mike” as Dallas, the owner of a male strip club. “Magic Mike” is due in theaters June 29, 2012.

Blast had the opportunity to listen and learn a bit with musical artist Mishka, winner of the 2009 iTunes Best New Artist award.

His new album, "Talk About," (out March 30) which he describes as an “album of movement,” integrates steady beats, bright sounds, and lyrics woven together by consistent themes. And after a delightful spin of the newest tracks, Blast asked the artist a few questions-from working with Butch Walker, teaming up with Matthew McConaughey, and just plain musical inspiration.

BLAST: Congratulations on the iTunes Best New Artist award! How would you describe the past year for you in terms of your music career?

MISHKA: Fulfilling, with a lot of personal and musical growth.

BLAST: Was growing up around Bermuda an influence in your music? What impacted you most in becoming a musician and songwriter?

M: Bermuda, an inspiration! The people, the beauty of the place. Music and musicians have had a huge impact on me from as long as I can remember. I just love it.

BLAST: What swayed your musical tastes toward reggae?

M: The relevance of the message and the feel of the music…..I personally find it to be a complete kind of music, spiritually, historically culturally … in so many ways.

BLAST: You and your sister are both involved in music, correct? Was your family as a whole very much into music? I ask because I see so many music programs being cut now due to funding, and am wondering what you think about music being introduced at an early age.

M: Yeah, Heather [Heather Nova] is my big sister singer songwriter. We were brought up listening to a lot of good music, nothing really formal as far as music education, but I think it’s great for kids to get involved with music and making music at a young age…it helps you stay connected to the creator. It’s your heartbeat.

BLAST: Reggae has been used as a powerful tool, as music in general often has, in relation to politics and social issues. What do you think about using music in this way? We saw in an interview you mentioned thinking of future generations. Do you think this is something that has been ignored for too long? What do you think is something we need to focus on in order to help future generations?

M: It’s a duty to sing or write with conscience . Political is a very broad term, but I think people can find the truth of a situation if they check a musical vibe as it relates to any given situation.
Future generations are all we have and all that we are, we are telling them of a time that we are living in. I listen to the music of those gone before us and the relevance of the message still stands today, maybe even more than it did at the time. So yes, it’s important to keep the future generations in mind… what (will) they make of us or our works? Only time will tell.

BLAST: I see Matthew McConaughey has been a major help with your label-what has working with him been like?

M: Matthew is a big part of the label, he started it and is the head of it (record label, j.k. livin). Working with him has been really good in that he really wants to get the music out to as many ears as possible, and he is a big fan of my music.

BLAST: How was it to collaborate with Butch Walker? How was his musical approach different?

M: Really cool. Easy going guy, but very focused and professional as a producer.

BLAST: What is your songwriting approach?

M: It just flows when it flows, sometimes, it’s a pen and paper, sometimes it’s a guitar and a melody… inspiration.

BLAST: Do you have any aspirations for future projects?

M: Just to keep on playing music, maybe work with some other artists on collaborations…

BLAST: Anything else you would like to add?

M: Thanks and praises to the most high. Jah rastafari live!

Photos: Getty Images

You can watch the whole CES keynote address here. Also Gizmodo has a better quality video than most.

Bill Gates put together a funny, fitting farewell video starring Matthew McConaughey, Brian Williams, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Jay-Z, Bono, George Clooney, Al Gore and more.

In one scene, Gates cell phones Bono during a show and tries to get in the band. Bono says to Gates,”Yeah, I know, I know, but I can’t just replace The Edge because you got a high score in Guitar Hero.

The video and keynote were given in front of 4,000 people Sunday night at the Venetian Hotel’s Palazzo Ballroom in Las Vegas.

Not a bad start to CES this year.