Friday, September 4, 2009 |
Sundance Channel’s new documentary series, Brick City, executive produced by Forest Whitaker, takes an in-depth and no-holds-barred look at the immense challenges facing the city of Newark, New Jersey and its outspoken and charismatic mayor, Cory Booker.
Premiering Monday, September 21, at 10:00 and airing for five consecutive nights, the series puts an illuminating spotlight on the lives of Mayor Booker intertwined with citizens on the front lines and key figures re-making the city.
Friday, September 4, 2009 |
In a private ceremony at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, on Thursday, family and friends gathered to say their final goodbyes to pop superstar Michael Jackson, 10 weeks after his death.
Although the service was initially scheduled for sunset, the late arrival of Jackson’s family made it a nighttime affair with Quincy Jones, Elizabeth Taylor, Berry Gordy, Lisa Marie Presley and Chris Tucker in attendance, among others.
Shortly before 10 p.m., Jackson’s brothers carried his casket in for the ceremony upon which his children placed a crown, marking their father’s status as the King of Pop. They also wrote letters to him that will lie with him alongside one of his signature white gloves saying: “Daddy, we love you, we miss you.” Gladys Knight sang “His Eye is on the Sparrow”, and Clifton Davis sang the Jackson 5 hit he wrote, “Never Can Say Goodbye.”
The Jackson family issued the following statement to the public:
“Once again thank all of Michael Jackson’s fans around the world for their generous outpouring of support during this terribly difficult time. Their expressions of love for Michael and his music have sustained the Jackson Family.”
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Friday, September 4, 2009 |
Spelman College student Jasmine Lynn was killed by a stray bullet early Thursday while walking near Clark Atlanta University.
Although no arrests have been made, police have questioned a witness who was taken to the hospital after being chased down and beaten by bystanders who saw the shooting, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
“He has some knowledge about what was going on,” Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington said. “We can’t say he’s the suspect. We can’t say if he was the actual triggerman. He’s a person of interest.”
Two weeks into her sophomore year, 19-year-old Lynn and some friends were walking down the street when they saw a group of men fighting. One of the men had a gun in his pants, ran around the corner and began shooting behind him.
Lynn, a 2008 graduate of Lincoln College Preparatory Academy in Kansas City, Mo., was majoring in psychology and minoring in business.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jasmine’s friends and family.
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Monday, August 31, 2009 |
Virginia native and R&B singer Trey Songz returns after two years with his third offering, Ready. Following the release of two mixtapes earlier this year—Genesis, which included music he recorded before his debut album, I Gotta Make It, and Anticipation, which helped occupy fans a couple of months before his new album was released—Trey Songz is letting the world know he’s ready.
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His previous albums included a little baby-making music, but this album takes it to another level. Citing R. Kelly as an early influence when he first appeared on the scene and later calling him out for attempting to remain relevant to younger listeners on “D.O.K (Death of Kellz)”, Trey sounds a little like him on the album intro, appropriately titled “Panty Droppa”, and “Neighbors Know My Name”, a slow jam on which the 24-year-old reflects on his sexual prowess and what that means for the neighbors during his sexual exploits. The album continues with “I Invented Sex”, again reiterating what he said before but this time with Drake on the track. Teaming up again with Stargate who produced “Can’t Help But Wait” (his most successful single yet) on “I Need a Girl” was genius as they delivered another hit which also served as the album’s lead single. Here, the album shows another side of Trey as he contemplates commitment and carries it over to the rock-tinged ballad “One Love”, produced by Brian Michael Cox. But he’s not done with sex just yet.
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Monday, August 31, 2009 |
50 Cent poses with kids from his G-Unity charity before his concert during a “Family Day” weekend at Six Flags Great Adventure on Saturday in Jackson, New Jersey.
Since 2005, the G-Unity Foundation has provided grants to nonprofit organizations that focus on improving the quality of life for low-income and underserved communities.
( Photos: GETTY IMAGES )
Monday, August 31, 2009 |
Check out the new video from Drake & Trey Songz for “Successful”, directed by Jake Davis. Drake’s debut album, Thank Me Later hits stores later this year and Trey’s album is IN STORES NOW.
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Monday, August 31, 2009 |
Although it seems longer, it’s been nearly seven years since we’ve heard anything new from Whitney Houston. After spending the last three years recording, she’s back with I Look to You, and she sounds better than ever.
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Whitney explained the title saying, “The last several years spiritually, this song says all I wanted to say. There are times in life when we go through certain situations - some not so good. You have to reach for a higher strength, you have to reach deep inside yourself, spend time with yourself to make some corrections that go beyond your own understanding and lean on a higher understanding, for me this song puts it all in check. If I did not have my faith I wouldn’t be as strong today.”
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