Compton, California rapper The Game has sparked controversy in rap circles, after a performance in Bordeaux, France, last night (July 5), where he called out Jay-Z.
The rapper, flanked by two members of his entourage, stormed onto the stage during his performance at the Le 4 Sans, where he immediately took aim at Jay-Z, one of rap’s biggest stars.
"I’ma tell you like this. I don’t care what a n***a say. This is how I am coming out today. F**k Jay-Z. Straight up. And if you don’t like that, I am pretty sure you can find an exit some where. This is a Blackwall Street party. We sayin’ f**k Jay-Z."
The rapper and the crowd repeated the explicative six times in unison, before The Game labeled the Roc-A-Fella founder an "old ass n***a."
As the crowd began to chant, Game launched into an impromptu freestyle over Jay-Z’s "Death of Autotune" instrumental.
The Game’s scathing diss to Jay-Z comes just days after the Brooklyn-bred emcee dropped a freestyle at The Palms in Las Vegas concert last Friday (July 3), which name checked The Game, Jim Jones, Damon Dash and Jaz-O.
"I ain't talkin' about gossip, I ain't talkin' 'bout Game/I ain't talkin' about Jimmy, I ain't talkin' about Dame/," Jay-Z rapped.
The Game is currently touring across Europe until August 15, with confirmed dates in Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Australia and other countries.
He is also working on a new movie titled House Arrest starring Stacey Dash, the cousin of former Roc-A-Fella CEO, Damon Dash.
Under the ruling, the two men will hold their temporary powers until August 3. McClain and Branca’s estate control allows them to negotiate a settlement with concert promoter AEG Live over Michael Jackson’s now aborted 50 concert comeback tour.
Additionally, the co-estate holders can begin the arduous process of reviewing Jackson’s assets, which include a 50% stake in the Sony-ATV Music Publishing catalog (worth $1.5-$2 billion), and his own Mijac Music Publishing.
The latter contains the late star’s music library which is reported to have hundreds of unreleased songs and videos.
Katherine Jackson applied to be sole administrator of her son’s estate shortly after his death, but before the emergence of a 2002 will.
The document names Branca and McClain as administrators. However, Katherine Jackson’s attorney’s argued against the appointments based on concerns about the “financial leadership” abilities of the two men.
Branca had previously been fired by Michael but was reinstated just days before his sudden passing.
After August 3, another hearing will be scheduled to determine who will oversee the estate going forward.
L. Londell McMillan, attorney for Ms. Jackson, shot down reports that the legal dispute would turn into a bitter, public sideshow.
“We have no reason to believe this is going to turn into a nasty fight over millions and millions of dollars,” McMillan told the Associated Press. “We will be working to ensure that Mr. Jackson’s legacy will be treated with dignity. Mr. Jackson’s life and legacy will be memorialized tomorrow, and we will move forward.”
Today at noon, a public memorial service for Michael Jackson will commence in Los Angeles at the Staples Center.
The service is expected to be shown through closed circuit in over 100 theaters in the Midwest and South.
Of the 1.5 million that registered online, 8,750 names were selected randomly to receive a pair of tickets to attend the service.
Expected participators for the funeral include Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, John Mayer, Rev. Al Sharpton, Martin Luther King III, Magic Johnson, and Kobe Bryant.
The event will also be broadcast on all major news outlets such as CNN and Fox News.
Last week Michael Jackson’s music posted 2.3 million downloads, making him the first artist to exceed 1 million downloads in 7 days.
Hip-Hop star Lil Wayne has hired a former FBI geneticist in his attempt to avoid being prosecuted in New York on a gun charge.
The rapper has enlisted Bruce Budowle to challenge DNA results linking Lil Wayne to a .40 Caliber handgun found on his tour bus following a performance with Ja Rule at The Beacon Theater in New York in July of 2007.
According to The New York Post, Budowle will argue that Manhattan prosecutors used an unreliable testing method in their attempt to link Lil Wayne’s DNA to the gun.
Budowle testified on behalf of prosecutors in the murder trial of Scott Peterson, who was convicted of killing his wife Laci Peterson.
Defense lawyers for Lil Wayne have dismissed the arresting officer’s allegation that she smelled marijuana emanating from the bus, resulting in the search which uncovered the gun.
Lil Wayne’s lawyers also maintain is a legal firearm registered to his manager, Cortez Bryant.
Lil Wayne has pleaded not guilty to two felony charges of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.
If convicted, he faces up to three and half years in prison under recently passed New York gun laws
Drake Talks to The 'Plex about BET Awards, Torn ACL, Signing a Deal and Best I Ever Had Video
Complex: Everyone’s been waiting on this video. Can you take us through the making of it?
Drake: Yeah. The video is directed by Kanye West. Basically we decided, as opposed to taking ourselves super serious, we just wanted to have some fun with it. Myself, being a young man, a young single man at that, I kind of wanted to be real about the way I function with women at this current point in my life. Which is, I don’t have one woman that I call my girl. There’s different girls in my life that play different roles and I see at different times, but collectively they kind of make up the roster of happiness for me [Laughs].
Complex: Understandable. So what’s the concept?
Drake: The concept of the video is, I’m a coach at a high school and the girls of my life are all on my high school basketball team. Throughout the video you see us prepping for this big championship game, and my team ends up losing. You see the looks on their faces at the end of the video, but the moral of the story, I guess, is win or lose, you can still be the best to somebody. When women see the video and see all the breast and ass, hopefully they don’t take offense. Hopefully they see the real meaning.
The death of Michael Jackson has inspired a return to rap by rapper-turned-preacher Mase.
"I'm excited. Mike [Jackson] passed away. It lit a fire under me and made me want to go in the studio and do something," Mase told DJ Self of New York's Power 105 FM after the legendary pop singer died.
Still, Mase said that he knows nothing of about contemporary rappers and needed help finding out Hip-Hop's top talents.
"I asked my lil' nephew and said, 'Who is the hottest thing out there?' He said 'Drake, Drake.' I said I gotta see what record he got and I said I'm going to jump on a joint."
He said he eventually got the re-make to DJ Self to break the record.
"You know I stay with a couple [rhymes] under my sleeves. I just need a place to play them," Mase said.
"I just love both of them. I know we had a lot of bad altercations and stuff like that. I got love for the family, man," the Harlem-bred artist said. "At the end of the day, my kids are supposed to know their kids. Their kids are supposed to know mine.
Jim Jones called into the station and apologized to Mase for their past exchanges which were very public.
"I just wanted to tell you I tip my hat to you. I apologize to you for anything I ever done when I was younger," Jim Jones said in a brief conversation with Mase. "I'm good like a fresh pair of [Air force] 1's," Mase concluded.
The lawyer defending Jay-Z against a lawsuit filed by former employees is seeking to withdraw from the lawsuit, claiming the mogul has failed to pay the legal firm for their work.
According to The New York Post, Michael DiMattia recently wrote a letter to Manhattan Federal Court Judge Loretta Preska, who is presiding over the case.
Certain employees of Jay-Z’s 40/40 club claim they were denied hourly wages and were compensated only by tips.
In July of 2008, Judge Preska ruled that the club owners violated New York labor laws after reviewing the earning reports for various employees, who showed they were not paid for working over time.
Almost 400 employees could be eligible to collect money should the 40/40 club eventually lose the lawsuit.
Rex Burch, a lawyer representing the workers, was shocked at the mogul’s lack of payment, which does not stem from financial hardship, as Jay-Z earned over $82 million dollars from 2007- 2008.
"It's astounding," Burch told the New York Post. a lawyer for the workers. "For rap's biggest mogul, you'd think this amount of money would be chump change."
According to Billboard, the rapper’s new solo album The Blueprint 3 will be distributed by Atlantic, although that deal is only for the third installment of the rapper’s Blueprint series of releases.
Jay-Z offered to have the Roc Nation imprint be distributed through his longtime home Def Jam over four years ago.
Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJ) also distributes Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella imprint, which has such superstar artists as Kanye West, Jadakiss, Beanie Sigel and others.
“You have to figure, this is like four years ago, and to them it was just like, 'Are you crazy? No! Make a song,' " said the mogul, who bought his way out of his Def Jam contract for an estimated $5 million.
The rapper also revealed that executives at IDJ were not fully capitalizing on Jay-Z’s entrepreneurial abilities.
"To me it was like, I've sold companies for huge amounts of money. I'm an entrepreneur - that's what I've been all my life,” Jay-Z told Billboard. “I can't just sit here and make records and not do anything else. Why wouldn't you want to do this with me? I felt under-utilized.”
On the management side, Roc Nation handles the careers of Wale, Melanie Fiona, Mickey Factz and others.
As the release date of their joint LP (Survival Skills) approaches, Buckshot and KRS-One have declared their single "Robot" as the official "Death of Auto-Tune" track. KRS-One made the bold statement this past week in Chicago at a Rock the Bells tour stop.
The duo’s lead single is a scathing critique of the deluge of Auto-Tune inspired songs that have dominated the airwaves over the last few years. The title is a direct indication of what the artists feel is a lack of human creativity and drive in urban music.
Despite this, Buckshot and KRS are quick to clarify that their song is not an attempt to piggyback off Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 lead single. The duo point out that their single was released six weeks prior to Jay’s through iTunes and other digital outlets.
"I don’t want people to get the averaged clichéd version and thinking that we’re dissing people,’" Buckshot explained to AllHipHop.com. "What we’re calling out here is the biters, the people that feel like because this guy sold X amount of records doing this, that I’m going to turn around and do it as well."
The group felt the need for clarification was necessary, as the past several years have seen Jay-Z release material similar to both KRS-One and Buckshot. In 2003, Black Moon released the song "Stay Real." Six weeks later, the song’s sample ("Seed of Love," Little Boy Blues) was heard prominently as the musical backbone of Jay-Z’s "Public Service Announcement," off the critically-acclaimed Black Album.
Back in 2001, Jay-Z seminal Blueprint album held a similar title to boogie Down Production’s Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop. In the same year, Queens lyricist Nas would use that fact to disparage Jay-Z during their famous lyrical battle.
Aware that accusations of a publicity stunt for album sales would be leveled, Buckshot dismissed the notion and stated the focus was to give factual information to the fans. Additionally, the Brooklyn emcee explained that a "beef" would be antithetical to the purpose of the LP.
"We are not manufacturing a beef with Jay. There is no love lost," Buckshot told AllHipHop.com. "We are just merely stating facts and people can take them for what they are worth. From an artistic standpoint it is important for people to know what came first… Hip-Hop was started as an option to not killing each other. We were in the ghettos and we were real f**ked up. We created Hip-Hop so we didn’t have to do that anymore. The album is called Survival Skills, because that is what it takes."
Survival Skills hits stores on September 15. It features appearances from Mary J. Blige, Slug, Talib Kweli, Immortal Technique, Naledge (Kidz In the Hall), Sean Price, Smif N Wessun, and Rock. Production contributions include Havoc, 9th Wonder, Black Milk, ILL MIND, Nottz, Marco Polo, and Khrysis.
Fans can catch KRS-One and Buckshot at these select dates:
KRS-ONE & BUCKSHOT Upcoming Tour Dates:
Rock The Bells
Toronto, ONT, CAN - Sunday July 5th
Molson Amphitheatre
Washington, DC - Sunday July 12th
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Boston, MA - Saturday July 18th
Comcast Center
New York, NY - Sunday July 19th
Jones Beach Theater
Vancouver, BC, CAN - Saturday August 1st
Deer Lake Park
Calgary, AB, CAN - Sunday August 2nd
Shaw Millennium Park
Denver, CO - Thursday August 6th
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Los Angeles, CA - Saturday August 8th
San Manuel Amphitheatre
San Francisco, CA - Sunday August 9th
Shoreline Amphitheatre
Myspace Album Release Show
New York, NY – Friday September 11th
Instead of scrambling to dismiss Jay-Z’s claims on “Death of AutoTune,” the technology’s creator Antares Audio is using the superstar’s stance for product advertisement.
Dubbed the “next generation” of professional pitch correction, Antares Audio has created Auto-Tune Evo.
The new technology immediately deciphers the pitch of any inputted information, and finds the closest match in the scale the user specifies for pitch correction.
Included are minor, major, chromatic, and 26 other historical and microtonal scales.
Other new features for the product are real-time pitch shifting, throat modeling (vocal character modification), a redesigned user interface, and many more.
Hailed as a breakthrough upon its 1997 release, the Auto-Tune primarily was utilized to correct pitch and phrasing mistakes made by singers in their vocal performances.
Through other settings, the device can also be used to create dramatic distortions of the human voice such as echoing, and the now-famous computerized vocal effect first heard on Cher’s 1998 hit “I Believe.”
In recent years, the device has come to dominate the charts after prominent use from hit songwriter T-Pain and Kanye West on his multi-platinum album 808s & Heartbreak.
The Auto-Tune is often confused with its predecessor the talkbox (used by Roger Troutman, Peter Frampton, and Bon Jovi).
That device modifies the sound of instruments when a musician uses different speech sounds via a tube inserted in their mouths.
Jay-Z has stated his new single was created due to the Auto-Tune’s oversaturation, culminating with the mogul hearing the effect used in a Wendy’s commercial.
In a new press release, their new product is dubbed the “unequivocal response” to Jay-Z’s claims, asserting the Auto-Tune effect will remain a staple of the music industry.
However, the company does not address whether their creation will continue to have a future as a robotic vocal effect, or simply return to its original use of pitch correction.
At press time, Jay-Z could not be reached for comment.
Representatives for R&B singer R. Kelly have responded to recent media reports claiming the singer was involved in another scandal, this time allegedly with a 17-year-old girl.
Reports had stated that the singers home in Olympia Fields, Illinois had been raided the day before Kelly’s first ever tour of Africa.
Police were allegedly seeking a girl who was 16-years-old at the time, who was rumored to be staying with Kelly.
Internet reports stated that anonymous sources claimed police were “gathering evidence that included signed affidavits from several witnesses within R. Kelly’s circle.”
Police Chief Jeff Chudwin confirmed that they investigated Kelly, but “found there to be no crime and the matters have been closed.”
Representatives for Kelly also shot down the report, labeling it “wildly exaggerated and inaccurate.”
"No police ever showed up at Kelly's house with a search warrant nor was his house ever searched," a rep for Kelly said in a statement. "It is also not true ... that any such girl ever stayed overnight in Kelly's house or that she had been there but left shortly before some mythical police search."
In June of 2008, Kelly was acquitted of child pornography charges, after he was accused of videotaping himself engaged in sexual acts with a minor, including allegedly urinating on a 14-year-old, between 1998 and 2000.
New Orleans Hip-Hop star Lil Wayne has postponed his upcoming European tour on doctors orders. Lil Wayne was slated to kick off the tour today (July 2) in Paris France. The rapper, who is famous for his rigorous tour schedule, was scheduled to play ten dates in throughout Europe, including two in the United Kingdom. Wayne, 26, was ordered to rest by doctors, due to an unknown illness. “Lil Wayne regrets to announce the postponement of his forthcoming European shows due to illness. Wayne, his band and crew arrived in Europe with full intention of performing but were forced to cancel the dates due to doctor-mandated rest.” Fans are being advised to hold on to their tickets, as dates are currently being rescheduled.
Eminem will give his first full concert-performance this October, when he headlines the Voodoo Experience Festival this October. Eminem’s headlining performance at this year’s Voodoo Experience Festival marks the rapper’s first full performance in four years. The event, which takes place from October 30-November 1, also includes headliners Kiss and Jane’s Addiction. Rappers like Cool Kids and D12 are also on the bill, while the concert is rounded out with performances by Wolfmother, Flaming Lips, Justice and others.
According to reports, chart-topping rapper Kanye has gone back to the basics to study fashion, as an intern at The Gap. A source told US Weekly that West is reportedly interning at The Gap’s New York offices, where he is attempting to learn “the fashion business from the inside.” Kanye West is currently preparing for a show in London’s Hyde Park this Sunday (July 5).
BET has expressed remorse over a performance by Lil Wayne, Drake and Young Money Records that involved underage girls during songs "Best I Ever Had" and "Every Girl."
The songs, which have overt sexual references, were performed during the Sunday BET Awards '09 show as a bevy of young girls danced on stage. The group of girls consisted of Lil Wayne’s daughters and her friends.
In an exclusive statement, BET has responded to the criticism and the public outcry over the segment.
“BET Networks deeply regrets the performance by Young Money at the BET AWARDS ’09 (featuring Lil Wayne, Drake, Gudda Gudda and Mack Maine),” a BET representative told AllHipHop.com exclusively. “Elements of the performance were unplanned and should not have happened.”
In the aftermath of the show, many have expressed outrage over the outing by Young Money, which was set amid a show dedicated to the late Michael Jackson.
Activist and filmmaker Byron Hurt lambasted the network earlier in the week in an open letter to Debra Lee, the President and Chief Executive Officer of BET Holdings, Inc.
“In a culture where one out of four girls and women are either raped or sexually assaulted - and where manipulative men routinely traffic vulnerable women into the sex industry - it is not okay that BET allowed this to happen,” Hurt said. “BET owes its entire audience - particularly girls and women around the world - an apology for its failure to intervene.”
A representative said generally the company has found such opinions useful.
“We value and appreciate the feedback from our viewers and have edited Young Money’s performance for all BET Awards ’09 encore presentations.”
Drake has apologized and taken responsibility for the performance, admitting it was in poor taste.
"That...was a terrible idea that I'll never do to myself again. But I was being pressed from different areas to perform, and I think what really happened at the BET Awards is with the passing of Mike, the climate really changed, as far as the award show goes,” he told Complex. “I don't think it called for us to perform "Every Girl" and "Always Strapped," and I think it was an award show filled with tributes and music and these genuine heartfelt speeches. And to sort of climax out of a very tongue-n-cheek point, and then people misconstruing Wayne's daughters and her friends coming out on stage -- it was just timed very poorly and it definitely wasn't planned like that, but with that being said, it is what is. I believe in Wayne and myself and it's nothing we can't bounce back from. To anyone who was offended, my personal apologies, it wasn't intended to offend anybody."
An edited version of the show will re-air on Monday July 6. The BET Awards saw a 61-percent increase in viewers this year fueled by the sudden death of Michael Jackson. Ten percent of all turned on television sets watched the show Sunday, a remarkably high number.
VIBE magazine has shut down.
The magazine was launched in 1993 by music industry legend Quincy Jones and it served as as widely revered urban magazine.
"On behalf the VIBE CONTENT staff (the best in this business), it is with great sadness, and with heads held high, that we leave the building today," said Danyel Smith, former Chief Content Officer of Vibe Media Group and Editor in Chief of Vibe.
"We were assigning and editing a Michael Jackson tribute issue when we got the news," Smith said in a statement released to AllHipHop.com. "It’s a tragic week in overall, but as the doors of VIBE Media Group close, on the eve of the magazine’s sixteenth anniversary, it’s a sad day for music, for hip hop in particular, and for the millions of readers and users who have loved and who continue to love the VIBE brand. We thank you, we have served you with joy, pride and excellence, and we will miss you."
In the 90's, VIBE experienced meteoric success as a business and an outlet for urban journalism.
It has ailed under the ownership of private equity firm Wicks Group of Companies, AOL reported.
The magazine had seen a dramatic reduction in ad pages and circulation.
Earlier this year, employees were put on a four-day workweek and other cuts were made such as scaling back to 10 issues per year.
There is speculation that the magazine will transform into an online-only entity.
Michael Jackson's body is set to be returned to Neverland for a public viewing, which will take place this Friday (July 3).
A private funeral for the pop legend will take place on Sunday (July 5) with family members and numerous celebrity mourners who are said to be in attending.
The legendary singer’s body is currently traveling in a 30-car-motorcade to a secret location.
The family, however, is still unsure of where to bury Jackson.
When Jackson's father Joe Jackson was asked if the singer would be buried at Neverland, which Mr. Jackson stated that it was too early to talk about funeral plans, as the family was awaiting the results of a second autopsy.
However the mayor of Gary, Indiana, the town where Jackson grew up, has stated he hopes that the singer would be buried there.
Mayor Rubin Clay said he believed "that his body will lie in state in Gary, Indiana. "Now, it may not happen, but I believe it will."
Mayor Clay is planning a citywide memorial that he labeled "fit for the greatest entertainer that ever lived," to honor the singer on July 10th.
The public viewing is set to draw tens of thousands of fans from around the world.
In related news, more details are emerging about Jackson's death.
Last Sunday, a registered nurse and Nutritionist Cherilyn Lee, received a call from Michael Jackson last Sunday.
She said three months ago Jackson allegedly sought a powerful drug Diprivan, because he could not sleep.
Jackson was allegedly seeking to gain eight straight hours of sleep, because he could not sleep consistently.
Jackson had taken the medicine in the past, since it was prescribed by a previous doctor, although the drug commonly used in surgical procedures.
Against Lee's will, Jackson allegedly continued to ask about the drug.
Lee told Anderson Cooper's CNN Show Anderson Cooper 360, that she warned Jackson, at least three months ago, about the dangers of Diprivan.
Lee claims someone on Jackson's staff called her last Sunday (June 21), possibly because Jackson recalled the symptoms she warned the drug would call.
She said that Jackson called her and complained that half of his body was hot, and the other side was cold.
Diprivan is a power drug that should be administered in a hospital setting.
According to sources, Los Angeles County coroners know what drug was in Jackson's body already, but have not revealed the details.
A will Jackson made in 2001 has also been discovered
Initially reunited for a one-off performance back in May, D12 will officially hit the road together for the late summer Dazed and Dirty Tour.
Though Eminem will be not be involved, Shady revealed on BET’s Rap City recently that the Detroit collective would be recording their third album sometime in the near future. “It’s like, as far as the future of D12, we’re gonna be back in the studio soon,” he said.
The “Dazed and Dirty” tour will be the first time the group has hit the road together in the U.S. since central member Proof’s passing in 2006. Also featuring Humboldt County hip-hop duo Potluck, the tour kicks off in Scottsdale on August 16 and winds down in their hometown of Detroit on September 26
Just two days after news outlets revealed the sudden and unexpected passing of pop icon and humanitarian Michael Jackson, new information concerning Jackson’s estate is coming down the wire. In breaking news today, Source Owner and Executive Publisher L. Londell McMillan has been named the official Michael Jackson legacy attorney and spokesperson. Over the years McMillan has impacted the careers of many acts within Hip-Hop and R&B and has long represented a slew of premier entertainers including everyone from Prince to Lil Kim. For those close to Jackson, the news about McMillan’s major appointment over the Michael Jackson family should come as no surprise, as McMillan has represented Michael Jackson for the past three years.
He said today with regard to Jackson and his estate: “Michael Jackson’s passing is a devastating loss for all of us. It is like a constellation has darkened in the night sky. His incomparable legacy of music and caring manner will eternally shine bright. He was a special client and friend whose soul may now rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers go out to his children, family and friends around the world.”
Less than 24 hours after the tragic death of Michael Jackson, fans around the world are beginning to ask what could've caused the music legend's sudden passing at the age of 50.
Yesterday (June 25), a non-responsive Jackson was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital after collapsing at his home.
Initial reports have stated the music icon succumbed to cardiac arrest.
With a staggering amount of written tributes filtering the net, and the singer's music once again dominating the airwaves, Jackson family spokesman Brian Oxman released a statement hinting at what possibly brought about the singer's untimely passing.
"Michael appeared at rehearsals a couple of times, he was very seriously trying to be able to do those rehearsals," Oxman told CNN of Michael's rigorous sessions for his highly anticipated 50 concert tour. "His use of medications had gotten in the way, his injuries which he had sustained performing, where he had broken a vertebrae and he had broken his leg from a fall on the stage, were getting in the way."
An autopsy has been scheduled for today, and normally takes several weeks before a definitive cause of death is determined.
While the toxicology tests begin, the entertainment world remains in shock, as Michael Jackson was for many the epitome of their profession.
"Michael Jackson showed me that you can actually see the beat," said Bad Boy CEO Sean "Diddy" Combs. "He made the music come to life. He made me believe in magic. I will miss him."
"Some people say that Michael Jackson was just a Pop Icon. Don't get it twisted. He was THE POP ICON and his music didn't just inspire me," added Harlem emcee Juelz Santana. "His music moved and inspired MILLIONS. He is a legend to be remembered."
Longtime fan Fabolous took the news hard, and reminisced on his time as a child imitating the King of Pop.
"[This was a] bad day, got to turn this around. [I'm] feeling real disappointed right now. [I’m] not ashamed to say I had the red Thriller jacket on Easter one time, or [that] I use to do the moonwalk in the hallway. had the glove toy that you put glue on the Glove and put glitter on, had the doll with the Cap N' Crunch suit. Real Michael Jackson fan as a kid."
Legendary producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, who worked with Michael on the Jackson’s LP's Going Places and The Jacksons, feel privileged to have helped cultivate the singer's rise to stardom at a young age.
"We are very honored to have been a part of Michael Jackson's music and creative career in helping to write and produce his own music with his brothers," Gamble and Huff explained tol AllHipHop.com in a statement. "We know his music and legacy will live on for a very long time."
Although several news outlets are reporting Jackson's death may have been due to an injection from the potent painkiller drug Demerol, brother Jermaine declined to speculate.
Instead, he highlighted a spiritual message to his departed sibling, possibly verifying a rumor that Michael converted to Islam several months ago.
"We believe he suffered a cardiac arrest at his home, however the cause of his death is unknown until the results of the autopsy are known," Jermaine stated. "The personal physician who was with him at the time attempted to resuscitate him.Please respect our privacy during this tough time. May Allah be with you Michael, always. I love you."
Close friend Reverend Al Sharpton framed Michael's contributions as a civil rights trailblazer that broke down cultural barriers.
"Michael Jackson made culture accept a person of color. Way before Tiger Woods, way before Oprah Winfrey, [and] way before Barack Obama," Sharpton said. "No controversy will erase the historic impact."
Michael Joseph Jackson is survived by three children: Prince Michael (12), Paris Michael (11), and Prince Michael II (7).
Jackson family patriarch Joe Jackson was in attendance, stating that despite his immense grieving it was important to witness and celebrate his son’s achievements.
The original New Edition lineup kicked off the show with a medley of Jackson 5 hits, including “I Want You Back” and “The Love You Save.”
Host Jamie Foxx presented through the night in various MJ outfits from signature videos, such as “Beat It.”
Foxx even completed the famous “Smooth Criminal” lean before kicking off the show.
The multi-talented entertainer also took time to address the importance of Michael Jackson being honored first in the African-American community.
“No need to be sad. We want to celebrate this black man,” Foxx stated to the crowd. “He belongs to us, [and] we shared him with everyone. Down in New Orleans, when someone dies it becomes a celebration.”
Lil Wayne reiterated that point after receiving the award for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist.
“None of us would be here without Mike,” he stated. Best Male R&B Artist winner NeYo delivered an exceptional musical tribute in his rendering of “Lady In My Life.”
The talented crooner and songwriter was able to effortlessly replicate Jackson’s notable falsetto for one of the night’s highlight performances.
Later, the singer took the crowd down memory lane by brining out three of the most popular New Jack Swing acts of the late 80s and early 90s.
Keith Sweat kicked things off with his Top 5 Billboard single “I Want Her.”
Second was New Jack Swing pioneers Guy, who with keyboard guitar in tow delivered an inspired rendition of “I Like.”
Closing the set with their marked Hip-Hop edge was Bell Biv DeVoe, who performed their biggest hit “Poison.”
NeYo joined in their dance routine, and handled the song’s memorable bridge to close out the set.
The night also had several humorous moments, with Oscar-nominee Taraji P. Henson, Ving Rhames, and Tyrese reprising their characters from Baby Boy.
Jamie Foxx and Martin Lawrence also delivered a faux trailer (“Stank Robbers”) for a Thelma and Louise-inspired movie with their 90s characters Wanda and Sheneneh.
Beyonce took home Best Female Artist and Video of the Year (“Single Ladies”), and showcased a dramatic offering of “Ave Maria.”
With stained glass props and a resplendent, see-through wedding dress, the superstar songstress interpolated lyrics from Sarah McLahlan’s “In the Arms of An Angel.”
In her acceptance speech, an emotional Beyonce dedicated her award to MJ, referring to the King of Pop as her “teacher” and “hero.”
The seminal O’Jays were also honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their 50 plus years in the music industry.
Younger acts Tevin Campbell (“Forever Mine”) and a surprisingly powerful singing trio of Tyrese, Trey Songz, and Johnny Gill had no issues handling the group’s classic material (“Backstabbers,” “Darling, Darling Baby,” and “Stairway to Heaven”).
The O’Jays later took the stage, but not before imparting some very important wisdom for all the younger acts in attendance.
“It’s great to have a hit record, but it’s more important to have a hit act,” they stated.
During their set, the veteran group blessed the audience with flawless dance steps and renditions of “Let Me Make Love to You,” “For the Love of Money,” and “Use ta Be My Girl.”
For their philanthropy work regarding disadvantaged children and outreach in Haiti, Alicia Keys and Wyclef Jean received Humanitarian Awards.
“He (Michael Jackson) has truly inspired me to use music in a way that serves the world,” stated Keys.
A visibly shaken Janet Jackson made a surprise last-minute appearance to address the crowd and make an official statement for her family.
“My entire family wanted to be here tonight, but it was too painful,” explained Janet while fighting back tears. “To you, Michael is an icon. To us, he is family and will forever live in our hearts. We miss him so much. Thank you for all of your love and support.”
The night was closed with NeYo and Jamie Foxx performing a soulful offering of Michael Jackson’s “I’ll Be There.”
Additional performances throughout the night featured Soulja Boy (“Turn my Swag on”), Maxwell (“Pretty Wings”), Jay-Z (“Death of Autotune”), Keri Hilson (Turnin’ Me On”), Keyshia Cole/Monica (“Trust”), Drake (“Best I Ever Had,” “Every Girl”), and Mary Mary (“God In Me”).
A full list of the award winners is available at www.bet.com.
While awaiting sentencing in Bergen County Jail for murder and manslaughter charges, a spirited Max B recently phoned into G-Unit Radio on Sirius XM to speak on the status of his appeal and his lawyer.
Last week, Tony Yayo spoke to mtvnews.com about Max’s outspoken attorney Gerald Saluti, saying he might not have been the best choice to handle his case. “It’s an unfortunate thing that happened to Max B,” the G-Unit soldier said. “He just had a kid. I fuck with Max. I think he had bad representation with his lawyer. What lawyer do you know that’s gonna do a blog with you,” Yayo questioned referring to a video clip the two posted online before trial. “That’s when I think everything got messed up. That blog fucked it up. You know I’m always in trouble. When I have a case, I don’t do no press, nothing. If you don’t got a lawyer there telling you, ‘Shut the fuck up,’ you’re fucked up. The lawyer was wack. Your lawyer wants to sit there and do a blog with you? [Max's] lawyer may not have been the one to handle a homicide.”
During the course of the short interview, radio host Miss MiMi echoed Yayo’s sentiments on air, asking the Harlem MC if he will be sticking with Saluti in his appeal. “I don’t know yet,” Max said, giving a shout out to his lawyer. “We’re gonna see what’s up. I’ma keep that anonymous [for now].” [Listen below]
Despite the shaky response, Max told MiMi that he doesn’t believe it was Saluti’s fault that he lost the case. “It wasn’t the lawyer, it wasn’t the defense, it’s God’s will,” he said. “You know they got me here for a minute but I’m about to get that appeal so fast your head’s gonna turn.“
Biggavelli also took the time to promote his new projects, including his upcoming OFO mixtape with Big Mike and a free event surrounding the release. “We throwing a party on Saturday July 18 at the City College Campus,” he plugged, “[It’s] running from six to midnight [and] after that [there’s gonna] be another party.”
As XXLMag.com previously reported Max was found guilty on June 9 for his involvement in a deadly robbery in New Jersey. He faces life in prison after a jury convicted him of aggravated manslaughter, two counts of felony murder, three counts of armed robbery, and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery.
Max, who is facing life behind bars, will officially be sentenced in the case on July 31
The charge is possibly tied to a brutal stabbing incident last week that left one man seriously injured, and an 18-year old teen dead.
As reported police were initially investigating Tru Life’s brother for a retaliation attack in the non-fatal shooting of Michael Slater.
The individual, whom police suspect is a drug dealer, was shot in the stomach outside of club Pacha.
Several hours after the crime, police claim five gang members ambushed 30 year old Jason Black and the unnamed teen at a Manhattan apartment complex.
Both men were stabbed repeatedly in the chest and face. Black survived the assault, while the unidentified teen succumbed to his wounds.
At the time, police theorized that the back and forth violence was the result of a feud between Jason Black and Tru Life’s brother.
A 1st degree murder charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison under New York law.
If an official or witness is not the victim, the distinction can also be decreed for murders involving multiple parties or tortuous killings.
Tru Life’s last music effort, “Wet ‘em Up,” was heard as a selection on the soundtrack to Grand Theft Auto IV.
At press time, Tru Life could not be reached for comment.
AllHipHop.com will continue to update this breaking story as more information emerges.