Rest In Peace Michael Jackson!

Days like yesterday seem like a bad dream. We lost the Greatest Entertainer/Performer of All Time with the death of Michael Jackson at the age of 50. I guess Michael was ready to take a rest from all the pressure that he was probably under, and decided to head to a much better place.

All of our lives are much brighter for having witnessed your talent Michael. Please have a good rest, and know that you will be missed by all of us. Special prayers go out to your family, especially your beloved mother. Such a tragedy when a parent has to bury a child, but you made both of your parents proud. There will never be another performer like you.

Shaq & "The King"

The Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers consummated the long rumored trade sending Shaquille O'Neal to the Cavs for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic a 2nd round draft pick and cash. This is a solid move by the Cavs and probably gives them a decent chance to come out of the East if Shaq can stay healthy. They probably need one more perimeter player and of course a new coach to win the championship.

Evander Holyfield Could Lose Estate!

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is in danger of losing his Fayette County, Georgia estate to a foreclosure sale on July 7th. The lien holder is demanding full payment of the original $10 million loan. Holyfield was able to stop foreclosure proceedings last June after reaching an agreement, perhaps he will be able to do the same this time.

Holyfield has made an estimated $248 million in the ring, however two divorces, failed businesses and an estimated $500,00 in annual child support payments have depleted his fortune. The estate is worth $20 million, perhaps Holyfield can stop the foreclosure, sell the property and downsize to a reasonable level.

Can Ebony and Jet Survive?

Recent revelations that Ebony Magazine's parent company Johnson Publishing is in trouble shouldn't be surprising in this economic climate, but it's hard to believe that CEO Linda Johnson Rice would allow her father's company to go under without making prudent moves to keep it afloat. Chicago Business reports that advertising revenue and circulation have dropped to alarming levels and creditors are beginning to position themselves against the company's assets. Long term employees have also begun to leave in droves.

Unfortunately for Johnson Publishing the Internet has probably taken a major toll on the mainstays of Ebony and Jet. Hopefully moves will be made that will keep the magazines afloat and viable as the number of magazine targeting African Americans is already pretty scarce.

Is Rev. Run Being Real?

Last night MTV televised the "Run's House" episode in which JoJo Simmons was arrested on marijuana possession charges a few months ago. A very good and honest episode, but perhaps Rev. Run needs to realize that he created this reality for his children in terms of opportunities and extravagance. None of the trappings of the Simmons family are real in the average African American young adult's life.

Yes JoJo made a mistake, but Run being more concerned with the family name is a bit disconcerting when he admittedly "smoked" like a chimney as his brother Russell had to remind him. Russell simply told JoJo, that pot smoking makes you "slow and stupid" and asked him if he wanted to be that way. JoJo is in a family with nothing but success around him. Hopefully he finds his niche and is comfortable with who he is and what the Simmons name represents.

4 Books By MLK Jr. To Be Republished!

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that 4 books authored by Martin Luther King Jr. will be republished by Beacon Press in a deal brokered by his son Dexter King. The books to be republished are listed below:

_ "Stride Toward Freedom," first published in 1958, King's memoir of the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955 and 1956;
_ "Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?," first published in 1967, King's last book and an analysis of the state of American race relations and the movement after a decade of U.S. civil rights struggles;
_ "Trumpet of Conscience," first published in 1968, containing five lectures King gave in 1967;
_"Strength to Love," first published in 1963, a volume of his most well-known homilies and the book in the civil rights leader's briefcase when he was killed on April 4, 1968.

The books and other writings are scheduled to be released on January 18, 2010. I know the King children are feuding, but Dexter is making deals to keep his father's legacy alive and relevant for future generations.

No Jail Time For Chris Brown!

Ok, now that Chris Brown got off light for his assault of Rihanna, the world can go back to being normal. Brown plead guilty yesterday to felony assault and received 6 months of "community labor" with no jail time. He will also be on probation for 5 years, so if he has another incident similar to this one, he will likely do jail time if found guilty. Hopefully all parties involved have learned a lesson, and Brown's star has dimmed considerably for such a young man in the music industry. He's probably lost an enormous amount of earning power during these peak years in terms of his talent level.

Perez Hilton Alleges Assault By Will.I.am And His Bodyguards!

Gossip Blogger Perez Hilton went to Twitter when he was allegedly being assaulted this morning by Black Eyed Peas front man Will.I.am and his bodyguards in Toronto. The Detroit Free Press reports the following posts by Hilton regarding the alleged attack:

• PerezHilton: I'm in shock. I need the police ASAP. Please come to the SoHo Metropolitan Hotel now. Please.
• PerezHilton: 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.
• PerezHilton: Still waiting for the police. The bleeding has stopped. I need to document this. Please, can the police come to the SoHo Met Hotel.
Hilton is in Toronto where he presented at Sunday night’s MuchMusic Awards.


As of this morning the assault has not been confirmed.

Rihanna Expected To Testify Today Against Chris Brown!

Rihanna is expected to testify today against singer Chris Brown in a preliminary hearing on Brown's assault charges in Los Angeles. Requests for cameras in the court room have been denied, and Brown's request for postponement were also denied by the Supreme Court last week. It's funny that Brown has been parading around at various events as if he's not facing potential jail time. Should be interesting in the courtroom if Rihanna does indeed testify.