Monday 29 June 2009

Michael Jackson Tribute : BET Awards pay homage to the King of Pop.

It was a night the great, the good and the not so good of Black Entertainment gathered at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles to honour the memory of Michael Jackson and despite have only a few days, what a show it turned out to be. There were moving performances at the BET Awards from a host of performers as they sang the classic which over the years have made Michael Jackson a legend




New Edition pay homage with a medley of Jackson hits






Ciara & Ne-Yo (Heal The World & Lady in my Life)




Janet Jackson thanks BET on behalf of the Jackson family. Ne-Yo and Jamie Foxx (I'll be there)

Sunday 28 June 2009

Michael Jackson Tribute : BET awards ceremony honours the King of Pop

As I suspected in my last post, tonight's Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards night 2009 has been substantially re-written to honour the legacy of Michael Jackson who passed away last week.

A host of celebrities have been drawn in to star in a three and half hour show of which large parts will be dedicated to the memory of Michael.

Bobby Brown will reunite with New Edition to perform a Jackson 5 medley at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles tonight, other performers scheduled to honor Jackson with performances of his songs include Beyonce, Jamie Foxx, Ne-Yo and Maxwell.

These are all in addition to previously confirmed appearances by Jay-Z, Kanye West, Queen Latifah, Soulja Boy, Keri Hilson, Mary Mary, Fabolous, T-Pain, Keyshia Cole, Monica, Young Jeezy, Trey Songz and Tyrese. Also schedule to appear are the O'Jays, Alicia Keys, Wyclef Jean, Tyra Banks, Taraji P. Henderson, Idris Elba, Sherri Shepherd, Anthony Anderson, Paula Patton, Estelle, LeToya Luckett, Nichelle Nichols, Keke Palmer, Ray J, Snoop Dogg, Ving Rhames, Zoe Saldana and Marlon Wayans.

BET Awards 2009 Nominees : Beyonce, Lil' Wayne lead the pack

The nominees for the BET 2009 awards to be held this Sunday night are out. Topping the nominees list are Lil’ Wayne and Beyonce lead with 5 nominations. Keri Hilson, T.I and T-Pain, each with four nominations, Rihanna, Jamie Foxx, Kanye West and Jazmine Sullivan all got 3 nominations.

If it has not been taped already I would expect there to be a huge tribute to Michael Jackson as well.

Nominees

Video of the Year
Beyoncé – “If I Were a Boy”
Watch Video - Download MP3

Beyoncé – “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”
Watch Video - Download MP3

Jamie Foxx featuring T-Pain “Blame It”
Watch Video - Download MP3

T.I. featuring Rihanna – “Live Your Life”
Watch Video - Download MP3

Kanye West – “Heartless”
Watch Video - Download MP3



Best Male R&B Artist
The-Dream
Jamie Foxx
Ryan Leslie
Ne-Yo
T-Pain

Best Female R&B Artist
Beyoncé
Keyshia Cole
Keri Hilson
Jennifer Hudson
Jazmine Sullivan

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
Lil Wayne
Rick Ross
T.I.
Kanye West
Young Jeezy

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Lil Mama
M.I.A.
Trina

Best Group
Day26
GS Boyz
N.E.R.D.
The Roots
Three 6 Mafia

Best New Artist
Keri Hilson
Kid Cudi
Ryan Leslie
M.I.A.
Jazmine Sullivan

Viewer’s Choice
Beyoncé – “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”
Watch Video - Download MP3

Keri Hilson featuring Lil Wayne – “Turnin’ Me On”
Watch Video - Download MP3

Lil Wayne – “A Milli”
Watch Video - Download MP3

Soulja Boy Tell’em featuring Sammie – “Kiss Me Thru the Phone”
Watch Video - Download MP3

T.I. featuring Rihanna – “Live Your Life”
Watch Video - Download MP3

T-Pain featuring Lil Wayne – “Can’t Believe It”
Watch Video - Download MP3

Kanye West – “Love Lockdown”
Watch Video - Download MP3


Best Collaboration

Jamie Foxx featuring T-Pain “Blame It”
Watch Video - Download MP3

Keri Hilson featuring Lil Wayne – “Turnin’ Me On”
Watch Video - Download MP3

Jim Jones featuring Ron Browz and Juelz Santana – “Pop Champagne”
Watch Video - Download MP3

T.I. featuring Rihanna – “Live Your Life”
Watch Video - Download MP3

Yung L.A. featuring Young Dro and T.I. – “Ain’t I”
Watch Video - Download MP3


Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Rik Cordero
Gil Green
Chris Robinson
Hype Williams

BET J Award
Musiq Soulchild
Raphael Saadiq
Seal
Solange
Jazmine Sullivan

Best Gospel Artist
Regina Belle
Shirley Caesar
Mary Mary
Smokie Norfu
Trin-I-Tee 5:7

Best Actor
Common
Idris Elba
Samuel L jackson
Will Smith
Samal Woolard

Best Actress
Beyonce
Taraji Henson
Rosario Dawnson
Jennifer Judson
Angela Bassett

Best Female Athlete
Tamika Catchings
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
Lisa Leslie
Candace Parker

Best Male Athlete
Dwyane Wade
Tiger Woods
Kobe Bryant
James Lebron
Reggie Bush


Performers
Beyonce
Drake
Keri Hilson
Soulja Boy
Ne-Yo
Jay Z
Mary Mary
Maxwell
Fabolous
Keyshia Cole
Monica

Saturday 27 June 2009

Michael Jackson Tribute : Lisa Marie Presley

Theirs was a marriage so unusual yet in some way so expected. The daughter of "The King", Elvis Presley, and the King of Pop, it was a fusion of America's musical royalty.

Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson got married in 1994 just twenty days after Lisa Marie had divorced her first husband. Their marriage came at the height of the controversy surrounding Michael Jackson and in many ways Lisa Marie served as the crutch he needed through those trying times. The strain of the accusations eventually took their toll on the marriage and January 1996 they divorced.

Many people had claimed it was a sham, but lisa marie ahd come out time and again to stress it was a real marriage between tow people forced to live unreal lives. During the marraige the memorably appeared in Jackson video "You are not alone".




On Friday she gave a statement on her love for Michael and her regret she could not have done more.

"He Knew.

Years ago Michael and I were having a deep conversation about life in general.

I can't recall the exact subject matter but he may have been questioning me about the circumstances of my Fathers Death.

At some point he paused, he stared at me very intensely and he stated with an almost calm certainty, "I am afraid that I am going to end up like him, the way he did."

I promptly tried to deter him from the idea, at which point he just shrugged his shoulders and nodded almost matter of fact as if to let me know, he knew what he knew and that was kind of that.

14 years later I am sitting here watching on the news an ambulance leaves the driveway of his home, the big gates, the crowds outside the gates, the coverage, the crowds outside the hospital, the Cause of death and what may have led up to it and the memory of this conversation hit me, as did the unstoppable tears.

A predicted ending by him, by loved ones and by me, but what I didn't predict was how much it was going to hurt when it finally happened.

The person I failed to help is being transferred right now to the LA County Coroners office for his Autopsy.

All of my indifference and detachment that I worked so hard to achieve over the years has just gone into the bowels of hell and right now I am gutted.

I am going to say now what I have never said before because I want the truth out there for once.

Our relationship was not "a sham" as is being reported in the press. It was an unusual relationship yes, where two unusual people who did not live or know a "Normal life" found a connection, perhaps with some suspect timing on his part. Nonetheless, I do believe he loved me as much as he could love anyone and I loved him very much.

I wanted to "save him" I wanted to save him from the inevitable which is what has just happened.

His family and his loved ones also wanted to save him from this as well but didn't know how and this was 14 years ago. We all worried that this would be the outcome then.

At that time, In trying to save him, I almost lost myself.

He was an incredibly dynamic force and power that was not to be underestimated.

When he used it for something good, It was the best and when he used it for something bad, It was really, REALLY bad.

Mediocrity was not a concept that would even for a second enter Michael Jackson's being or actions.

I became very ill and emotionally/ spiritually exhausted in my quest to save him from certain self-destructive behavior and from the awful vampires and leeches he would always manage to magnetize around him.

I was in over my head while trying.

I had my children to care for, I had to make a decision.

The hardest decision I have ever had to make, which was to walk away and let his fate have him, even though I desperately loved him and tried to stop or reverse it somehow.

After the Divorce, I spent a few years obsessing about him and what I could have done different, in regret.

Then I spent some angry years at the whole situation.

At some point, I truly became Indifferent, until now.

As I sit here overwhelmed with sadness, reflection and confusion at what was my biggest failure to date, watching on the news almost play by play The exact Scenario I saw happen on August 16th, 1977 happening again right now with Michael (A sight I never wanted to see again) just as he predicted, I am truly, truly gutted.

Any ill experience or words I have felt towards him in the past has just died inside of me along with him.

He was an amazing person and I am lucky to have gotten as close to him as I did and to have had the many experiences and years that we had together.

I desperately hope that he can be relieved from his pain, pressure and turmoil now.

He deserves to be free from all of that and I hope he is in a better place or will be.

I also hope that anyone else who feels they have failed to help him can be set free because he hopefully finally is.

The World is in shock but somehow he knew exactly how his fate would be played out some day more than anyone else knew, and he was right.





I really needed to say this right now, thanks for listening."


~LMP

Friday 26 June 2009

Michael Jackson Tribute : Berry Gordy father of Motown pays tribute

Berry Gordy was the man who turned five kids from Gary Indiana and turned them in to stars - the Jackson 5, and this lay the foundation for the emergence of Michael Jackson. Like many across the world he feels a sense of loss over the death of Michael Jackson, however unlike many he knew the man not just the legend personally and shares his sorrow on this video.

Michael Jackson Tribute : Fans memories send Jackson back to No1

As fans around the world struggle to come to terms with the loss of one of the world's greatest musical icons they are latching on to mementos and keepsakes as a way of preserving the memories.

One side effect of this is that Michael Jackson's music is seeing a huge resurgence in sales with his singles and albums taking top spots on iTunes, Amazon.

On Amazon the current top ten best sellers are

  1. Michael Jackson 25th Anniversary of Thriller

  2. Off the Wall - Michael Jackson

  3. Bad - Michael Jackson

  4. Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection

  5. Number Ones - Michael Jackson

  6. Dangerous - Michael Jackson

  7. The Ultimate Collection - Jackson 5

  8. The Essential Michael Jackson

  9. Michael Jackson - Vol. 1-Greatest Hits History

  10. Invincible - Michael Jackson
and things are no different on Amazon (UK) as memories of Michael Jackson also dominate.
  1. Off the Wall: Special Edition

  2. Bad - Michael Jackson

  3. Thriller - Michael Jackson

  4. Thriller [25th Anniversary Edition CD + DVD ] (Original Cover)

  5. Dangerous - Michael Jackson

  6. The Essential - Michael Jackson

  7. King of Pop, Best Of Michael Jackson

  8. Invincible - Michael Jackson

  9. The Best Of Michael Jackson, The Jackson 5ive

  10. HIStory - Past, Present and Future Book 1









Fans pay tribute to Michael Jackson outside the Apollo Theatre, Harlem

The Apollo Theatre Harlem, New York is the spiritual home of African American music and today thousands of fans gather to pay homage to Michael Jackson King of Pop.


RIP : Michael Jackson 1958 -2009

...you've gone too soon.


Quincy Jones pays tribute to Michael Jackson

Quincy Jones the legendary producer who together with Michael Jackson created three of the world's most phenomenal music albums - Bad, Thriller and Off the Wall has released a statement


"I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news. For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words.

Divinity brought our souls together on The Wiz and allowed us to do what we were able to throughout the 80's.

To this day, the music we created together on "Off The Wall," "Thriller" and "Bad" is played in every corner of the world and the reason for that is because he had it all...talent, grace, professionalism and dedication.

He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever.

I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."

Thursday 25 June 2009

Reports: TMZ says Micheal Jackson is dead

Breaking news just coming in suggests that Michael Jackson has had a cardiac arrest and has died.

Reports are coming in from the entertainment website TMZ

I am in total shock !

Update 23:11 GMT


There is a lot of confusion. Most major news outlets are holding back from confirming or denying the story but they are all quoting TMZ extensively.

Update 23:27 GMT


The LA Times is reporting

Pop star Michael Jackson is in a coma and his family is arriving at his bedside, a law enforcement source told The Times.

Jackson was rushed to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center this afternoon by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics.

Fire Capt. Steve Ruda said paramedics responded to a call at Jackson's home at 12:26 p.m. He was not breathing when they arrived. The paramedics performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation and took him to the hospital, Ruda told The Times.



Update 23:24 GMT

It looks like our worst fears are confirmed the LA Times has joined TMZ in reporting that Michael Jackson is now dead.


Pop star Michael Jackson was pronounced dead by doctors this afternoon after arriving at a hospital in a deep coma, city and law enforcement sources told The Times.]

May his soul rest in perfect peace.



Update 23:36 GMT
Confirmation now coming in from several news sources including AP, CBS and the BBC.

Update 00:44 GMT
The Los Angeles Coroner has confirmed his death.


.

Tuesday 23 June 2009

Boom Boom Pow: Paris Hilton in rumble with will.i.am

A major spat has broken out between celebrity blogger Perez Hilton and Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am. News of the spat seeped into the public domain early yesterday when Perez Hilton wrote on twitter at 12:34 that

I'm in shock. I need the police ASAP. Please come to the SoHo Metropolitan Hotel now. Please.

12:34 AM Jun 22nd from Sidekick


and two minutes later he sent the message

I was assaulted by Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas and his security guards. I am bleeding. Please, I need to file a police report. No joke.

12:36 AM Jun 22nd from Sidekick


Not to long after Perez allegations were sternly denied by will.i.am as he also went online to twitter to refute the allegations. His reponses were

I hit you Perez? Come on dude! I didn't hit you. Instead of calling police, you Twittered that I assaulted you. Sounds like somebody wants mad attention.


He then added

He added: 'They are lies. Shame on you. Shame on your behaviour. That's just messed up.'


It has been reported the spat originated from Perez's constant criticism of the Black Eyed Peas, with one report stating

Perez has frequently criticised Fergie's fashion sense on his blog, labelling her 'fugly', which mean 'fucking ugly', and has slammed the Black Eyed Peas' latest album The E.N.D. and track Boom Boom Pow
.

Later that evening, Will.i.am allegedly approached Perez outside the Cobra club, telling him 'never write things about my band on your website again'.

Openly gay Perez admitted he hit back with several slurs: 'I told him, "And you know what, I don't need to respect you. And you're a f**got. You're gay and stop being such a f**got.'


The alledged assualt is said to have occurred outside the Cobra nightclub following the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, Canada on Sunday night.

Monday 22 June 2009

Chris Brown gets suspensed sentence for assualt on Rihanna

A court in Los Angeles has sentenced R&B Singer to 5 years probation for felony assault. The charge arose over an incident in February this year in which Chris Brown was alledged to have attacked his then girlfriend Rihanna.

The judgement passed by L.A. Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg leaves Chris Brown facing a 4 year jail sentence if he violates the terms of his probation which includes 180 days doing community labor (8 hours a day : 1440 hours total) and maintaining a minimum distance of 50 yards away from Rihanna at all times – except at industry events, when it's reduced to 10 yards, He will be required to come back to court every three months and must enroll in a domestic violence counseling program.

The judgement came after a plea bargain by Chris Brown's team. This brings an end to a saga that shocked the entertainment world when it broke. They seemed to be the perfect couple and now both parties are left trying to rebuild their lives again.

Thursday 18 June 2009

Ronaldo and Paris Hilton what gives?

He is famous for his dazzling skills on the football pitch and she is famous for ...well for being famous for reasons no one has fully worked out, and the unlikely 'friendship' between ex-Manchester United striker Ronaldo and heiress and party girl extraordinaire Paris Hilton is setting the celebrity circuit alight.

Ronaldo and Paris met up as Ronaldo celebrated his world record £80m transfer from Manchester United to Spanish giants Real Madrid at the posh My House night club on Hollywood Boulevard, LA. Witnesses in the club on the night said the the spark between the two was instant, with one clubber who was quoted in the The Sun newspaper describing the meeting

"Ronaldo and Paris were all over each other, kissing in a VIP booth. They were kissing on the lips and meeting people as a couple, holding hands or with his arm around her. Her hands were all over his lap. There was a lot of very suggestive body language."

"They looked adorable together. It was as though they'd been dating for ages. He was reclined all the way back in a chair with his legs spread wide open. It looked almost pornographic."

"Paris's black minidress was getting higher and higher as the night wore on. At one point people on a neighbouring table threw silver confetti at them. A bunch stuck to Paris's upper thigh, which she draped over Ronaldo's lap."


They met up again the next day for a private party and now Paris says she ready to jet over to Madrid to meet up with Ronaldo. Gushing over her new beau she has vowed that “I am totally going to Madrid to see him,”

Looks like we may have the making of a new WAG. Paris is currently in Dubai for the filming of her BFF (Best Friend Forever) Dubai show.

Saturday 13 June 2009

She's back! Susan Boyle takes Birmingham by storm.

Susan Boyle (SuBo) is back and what a roller coaster she's been on. Heavily tipped to win the TV reality show Britain's Got Talent (BGT) after her performance in the shows auditions wowed millions of TV viewers across the United Kingdom and the world. Her explosion into the spotlight saw her gathering many celebrity fans including Oprah Winfrey, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and US President Barack Obama.

As we all know (or should know) there is an ugly side to fame, the lack of privacy, the pressure, the media intrusion, the self-questioning, the critics. All these seemed to come together in an assault on Susan and she reacted badly, allegedly enduring a series of mini-breakdowns in the run up to the finals of the show.

Her mental state, a growing public backlash all seemed to come to a head in BGT final which saw a surprise victory by dance group Diversity with Boyle as runner up. The drama didn't end there as the next day the news came out that Doctors were assessing her under the "mental health act" and she was later admitted to the famed (or should that be infamous) Priory Hospital in North London.

Cue a media frenzy over a whole range of issues, exploitation of reality TV contestants, is Susan Boyle's career over, did the British public build her up just to knock her down, etc.

Last week Susan Boyle was released from the Priory and there were lingering concerns as to whether she'll ever get back onn track and in particular will she make the BGT Winners tour but the woman it seems is more resilient that we have been led to believe as she not only made a appearance at the first date of the 29-venue tour, but put in a show stopping performance.

Reviews of her performance were overwhelmingly positive.

“She came out and did great — she really was fantastic. She performed brilliantly and it was such a good night. After I heard she had come out of rehab, I had no doubts that she wouldn’t turn up.”


“I’m a massive fan, I think she is fantastic and I think she should have won. After the concerns that she might not turn up, everybody was so pleased to see her. She looked more confident than usual, but compared with others out there she didn’t look that comfortable — she still looks very aware of the stardom.

“She was first on after the interval and she got a standing ovation. All in all, it was a really good night.”


Even more importantly after cynical TV bosses had forced her to maintain her dowdy Scottish spinster look through out the competition this was the first opportunity for fans to see what a rejuvenated Susan Boyle could look like and it was an incredible transformation, she si almost unrecognisable.



Tuesday 9 June 2009

Adam Lambert : Yes I Am Gay !

.....Ok it is probably one of the the biggest non-secrets in celebrity history. I doubt you would be shocked if I reveal that Adam Lambert runner up in 2009 American Idol series has come out and confirmed that he is gay.

The fabulously talented soon to be mega star (in my opinion) revealed all in an exclusive interview in the current edition of the Rolling Stone magazine.

Speaking about his sexuality Adam said “I don’t think it should be a surprise for anyone to hear that I’m gay". He stresses he was proud of his sexuality and embraces it, saying "It’s just another part of me.” but adding that “I’m trying to be a singer, not a civil rights leader,”.

He talks about his experiences on American Idol and what effect his sexuality may have had on the final showdown between Kris Allen and him.

Adam Lambert's first single No Boundaries reached only No 72 in the US Charts finishing way behind the version of the same song by AI winner Kris which reached no.11. As they say it's a marathon not a sprint.

Sunday 7 June 2009

Yasmina Siadatan is the new Apprentice.

Yasmina Siadatan has won the TV reality show to become the new Apprentice to Sir Alan Sugar. She beat favourite Kate Walsh in the final task shown tonight.

The Press Association reports

The 27-year-old restaurant owner was hired by Sir Alan on what she described was the businessman's "gut instinct" despite rival Kate Walsh being in a good position to win.

Yasmina triumphed after the final task which saw the women battle it out to create a new brand of chocolates which they had to pitch to a roomful of industry experts.

Kate and her team, which was made up of former contestants Debra Barr, Ben Clarke, Kimberley Davis and Rocky Andrews, designed a box of chocolates for couples. The concept was praised by Sir Alan but he said charging £13 for a box was not commercially viable.

Yasmina's team, made up of Howard Ebison, Phil Taylor, James McQuillan and Lorraine Tighe, created a brand called Cocoa Electric which was designed to 'shock' with flavours such as basil and strawberry, and chilli-flavoured popping candy.

Sir Alan told her the branding and pricing were excellent but that the taste - which even caused one model to spit out a chocolate after filming the advert - needed work.

After winning this year's series of the TV show, Yasmina said: "I don't feel like I've beaten Kate because I feel we both deserved that job, and we feel we just had different qualities and Sir Alan needed my qualities over hers.

"(Sir Alan) described it in a nutshell when he said, 'I can't put it into words why I chose Yasmina, it was just a gut instinct'."


Sir Alan revealed that Yasmina will be working in his Digital Display division supplying display units to be used in the health care industry.

Nas and Kellis to split

The milkshake seems to have gone sour between Kelis and hip-hop star Nas. Court records show Kelis Rogers filed for divorce Thursday in Los Angeles citing "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the split. She's expecting the couple's first child in July.

Documents show the couple was married in July 2003 and separated in April. Rogers is seeking to have her hip-hop husband pay her attorney's fees and spousal support.

Nas' (real name Nasir Jones) is considered one of rap's best artists and received a Grammy nomination for his latest Untitled album. R&B Singer Kelis is best known for her hit singles "Caught Out There" and "Milkshake".

Saturday 6 June 2009

Susan Boyle is discharged from hospital

It seems Susan Boyle is ready to face the world as it was announced she has been discharged from the Priory Hospital this weekend. Her brother confirmed her discharge and said Susan was "happy and relaxed"

Susan Boyle rocketed to fame after her appearance in the show Britain's Got Talent (BGT) which she was hotly tipped to win. The resultant media storm and her eventual failure to win the show led to events that triggered her being admitted into the Priory Hospital in Southgate, North London suffering from what was described as "emotional exhaustion".

Speaking to reporters Susan's brother, Gerry Boyle said Susan is happy that her dream has been realized and she has the opportunity to become a real singer. Despite her recovery it is unknown whether she will finally participate in the BGT tour which begins on June 12 in Birmingham.



View Larger Map of Priory Hospital

Monday 1 June 2009

Diversity fans can't get enough of Perri Luc Kiely,

For many fans of Diversity, the winners of Britain's Got Talent (BGT) 2009, the faces of the group are Ashley Banjo the lead dancer and choreographer and the little guy with the frizzy afro Perri Luc Kiely.

Perri in particular has captured the public's imagination with his confident style off and on the dance floor and his frizzy mop,and this interview gives an insight into why he is attracting a growing fan base, as his local newspaper caught up with him outside his school, the Gable Hall School, Stanford-le-Hope, Essex.


Perri and Terry Smith (Left) at a press conference

He talks about how he joined Diversity and his experiences on BGT.