Michael Jackson, I Cannot Say Goodbye

Millions of the fans of Michael Jackson should stop sobbing and mourning him, and start celebrating the beautiful and wonderful memories of his awesome life from childhood. Michael Jackson, I cannot say goodbye. Tweet

Michael Jackson, the First King of Pop Music Has Passed On

Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958–June 25, 2009).


Yesterday was one of the saddest days in America since 9/11 in 2001 and the catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans on August 29, 2005, when the shocking news of the sudden death of the awesome Michael Jackson shook the United States of America and echoed all over the rest of the world within seconds. Hope Obioma Opara, the Publisher of Supple magazine woke me up at about 2 am Nigerian time to break the sad news to me in tears. His younger brother Outragiouz, a Nigerian Hip-hop artiste based in America had called him to tell him that MJ was no more among the living mortals on earth. I felt feverish and sat up in bed and could no longer sleep.
It could be a hoax, I said to Hope.
No Mike, Michael is dead! He said.
Hope is a fanatic of MJ since his teens and in fact his parents stopped him from going to America to prevent him from following in the footsteps of his idol.
We kept vigil to mourn MJ and listened to more news on him on the radio.

We are still mourning Michael Jackson when the news of the death of Farrah Fawcett, (February 2, 1947 — June 25, 2009) hit me this morning. She was one of my favourite actresses of all time and one of the most celebrated pin-up sex symbols on TV. What a weekend of sorrows in America.

Michael Jackson was phenomenal and like Elvis Presley who was the indisputable King of Rock 'n' Roll, Michael Jackson was the first King of Pop Music and there can never be another Michael Jackson.

Farewell in eternity, Michael Jackson.


26 Jun 2009 05:08 Africa/Lagos


Sony Comments on the Passing of Michael Jackson

NEW YORK, June 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Jackson, one of the most widely beloved entertainers and profoundly influential artists of all-time, leaves an indelible imprint on popular music and culture.


Commenting on his passing, Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President, Sony Corporation, said: "Michael Jackson was a brilliant troubadour for his generation, a genius whose music reflected the passion and creativity of an era. His artistry and magnetism changed the music landscape forever. We have been profoundly affected by his originality, creativity and amazing body of work. The entire Sony family extends our deepest condolences to his family and to the millions of fans around the world who loved him."


Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, CEO, Sony Music Entertainment, said: "Michael Jackson's unsurpassed artistry and beloved music brought joy to every corner of the world. We join today with his millions of fans in expressing our profound sadness and we offer our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. It was a true privilege for all of us in the Sony Music family to work with one of the most talented superstars in the history of music. We will miss him greatly."


Martin Bandier, Chairman & CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, said: "Michael was the kind of amazing talent that comes along once in a lifetime. He was an incredible recording artist, an insightful businessman, an unmatched performer, and a true icon. To all of us at Sony/ATV Music Publishing, he was also a trusted and passionate partner, who was very proud of our accomplishments. He will be dearly missed. We wish his children and entire family our deepest condolences."


Five of Jackson's solo albums - "Off the Wall," "Thriller," "Bad," "Dangerous" and "HIStory," all with Epic Records, a Sony Music label - are among the top-sellers of all time. During his extraordinary career, he sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide, released 13 No. 1 singles and became one of a handful of artists to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized Jackson as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time and "Thriller" as the Biggest Selling Album of All Time. Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards and received the American Music Award's Artist of the Century Award.


Michael Jackson started in the music business at the age of 11 with his brothers as a member of the Jackson 5. In the early 1980s, he defined the art form of music video with such ground-breaking videos as "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and the epic "Thriller." Jackson's sound, style and dance moves inspired subsequent generations of pop, soul, R&B and hip-hop artists.


Source: Sony Corporation

CONTACT: Sandy Genelius of Sony Corporation of America, +1-212-833-6975;
Liz Young of Sony Music Entertainment, +1-212-833-8558; Jimmy Asci, Sony/ATV
Music Publishing +1-212-833-4513


Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
26 Jun 2009
05:26
SIRIUS XM Radio to Pay Tribute to Michael Jackson with Special Programming Across its Music Channels
05:08
Sony Comments on the Passing of Michael Jackson
04:11
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation Mourns the Loss of Michael Jackson
02:05
American Heart Association Extends Sympathy to Family of Singer Michael Jackson
00:56
Tributes.com Establishes Online Memorial for Michael Jackson: A Place to Share Memories and Condolences
00:53
Congressman Chaka Fattah Responds to Death of Michael Jackson
00:24
Michael Jackson's Death Underscores the Tragedy and Impact of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Michael Jackson Dies at 50


Farrah Fawcett Dies at 62
President Obama, LAUSD Board of Education Recognize California Academic Decathletes
PepsiCo Opens First Overseas 'Green' Plant in China as Part of $1 Billion Investment Effort
First Lady Michelle Obama Celebrates the National Design Awards with Public Programs and White House Ceremony
Independence Day
Workplace & Careers II Feature Package

Michael Jackson is Still the King of Pop!

Michael Jackson sold 50 shows in one single day! This is It for sure!



MJ will perform 50 concerts to over one million people from July 8, 2009 to February 24, 2010 at the famous O2 arena in London.



He is still at the top of his game in Pop music and you can't stop the music!
View the video splash and you cannot help loving MJ all over again!

Kisses 'n' Roses Entertainment Update: Michael Jackson Comes Back and Seal Performs "Crazy"

The Sound That Changed America: Motown Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary

The Supremes

THE SOUND THAT CHANGED AMERICA: MOTOWN CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY



SANTA MONICA, CA January 28, 2009 /PRNewswire/ — As an irresistible force of social and cultural change, Berry Gordy's legendary Motown Records made its mark not just on the music industry, but society at large, with a sound that that has become one of the most significant musical accomplishments and stunning success stories of the 20th century. Diana Ross & The Supremes, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations,, the The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5, Lionel Richie & The Commodores,, The Contours, and Martha and the Vandellas., Gladys Knight & the Pips, their music communicated and brought together a racially divided country and segregated society, around the world, touching all people of all ages and race. No other record company in history has exerted such an enormous influence on both the style and substance of popular music and culture. With more than 180 No. 1 hit songs worldwide and counting, that influence is still being felt today, from pop to hip-hop, Motown celebrates the 50th anniversary of the company's founding.



Motown, of course, stands for more than just the historic music. The label and its remarkable legacy is a reflection of the hard work of dedicated individuals overcoming incredible obstacles to achieve great success. Nearly a half-century ago, on January 12, 1959, to be exact, a young African-American songwriter named Berry Gordy founded Tamla Records with a loan of $800 from his family, marking the birth of the "Motown Records Corporation." A man of vision, drive, talent and determination, Berry Gordy was also a producer, innovative entrepreneur, and teacher. The phenomenal success of Motown Records is a tribute to all that he embodies and all the talent that he brought out in others. Under his leadership, and through determination and support of the Motown family of artists, Gordy forged new grounds for minorities and made the "Motown Sound" a worldwide phenomenon beloved by millions.

Berry Gordy always learned from all his experiences and applied them to his business. He put the tedious time he spent working on the assembly line at Detroit's Lincoln-Mercury automobile plant to good use: "Every day I watched how a bare metal frame, rolling down the line would come off the other end, a spanking brand new car. What a great idea! Maybe, I could do the same thing with my music. Create a place where a kid off the street could walk in one door, an unknown, go through a process, and come out another door, a star." That little thought that came to him while running up and down that assembly line became a reality we now know as "Motown."
When Motown was housed in its famed "Hitsville U.S.A." offices at 2648 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit, it was not just a location; history would be made there. In fact, Berry Gordy created a twenty-four hour hit-making and artist development factory, nurturing the artistic talent of the singers, writers, producers, as well as, corporate executives. Today, Motown is not only the greatest pop music hit factory ever heard, but an institution, a state of mind, a way of life, a style, the "Sound of Young America." The distinctive, upbeat and uplifting music brought together pop and soul, white and black, old and young, like never before and continues to this day. Regardless of race or social background, teenage girls admired Diana Ross and teenage boys pretended to be Smokey Robinson. Motown became the heartbeat of American pop music. With multi-platinum artists ranging from the Miracles, Temptations, Four Tops and Supremes to Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Jackson 5, the House That Gordy Built had and has no rival. Motown defined the term "crossover" not only on record and stage, but also behind the scenes. After breaking down barriers and having pop radio embrace Motown artists, Berry Gordy set his sights on television. He booked his artists on popular shows such as American Bandstand and the Ed Sullivan Show, making history as the first African-American artists on these shows. After captivating national audiences with repeat performances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Supremes were the first R&B act to play the country's most prestigious night club, New York's Copacabana, which paved the way for other R&B acts into the top cabaret circuits around the world.
Motown was the first African-American-owned record label to reach widespread national acclaim, Motown broke down racial prejudice by becoming the most successful independent record company in history and the most successful African-American owned business in America.

After Gordy purchased that first Detroit property, he converted the garage into a small recording studio and the kitchen into the control room. The company's first signing was the Miracles, led by Smokey Robinson, and its first release was Marv Johnson's "Come to Me," January 21, 1959. But its first major hit was Barrett Strong's "Money (That's What I Want)," a song co-written by Gordy himself, which reached #2 on Billboard's R&B chart in 1960. A year later, the Miracles would score the company's first million seller with "Shop Around." That same year, teen girl group the Marvelettes landed the company's first pop No. 1, "Please Mr. Postman," while the label signed two young groups, the Supremes and the Temptations. Within three years, those two groups would lead Motown into the mainstream, when the Supremes launched an unprecedented string of five consecutive No. 1 hits, starting with "Where Did Our Love Go," while the Temptations released the eternal Motown classic, "My Girl." In 1968 the company had five records out of the Top 10 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart and accomplished another unprecedented feat by seizing the top three spots for a full month.

Upon his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, Motown's founder was given the following tribute: "Gordy endeavored to reach across the racial divide with music that could touch all people, regardless of the color of their skin. Under his tutelage, Motown became a model of black capitalism, pride and self-expression and a repository for some of the greatest talent ever assembled at one company… Motown's stable of singers, songwriters, producers and musicians took the concept of simple, catchy pop songs to a whole new level of sophistication and, thanks to the music's roots in gospel and blues, visceral intensity… After Motown, black popular music would never again be dismissed as a minority taste… Aesthetically no less than commercially, Motown's achievements will likely remain unrivaled and untoppable."
Today, the label is part of the Universal Music Group, with its classic recorded music catalog managed by Universal Music Enterprises (UMe). The timeless songs from Motown between 1959 and 1985 are represented by EMI Music Publishing.
From late 2008 to the end of 2009, Universal Music Group and EMI Music Publishing will mark the historic Detroit label's musical achievements with a series of initiatives. Notably, Universal Music Enterprises will issue monthly music releases in both physical and digital formats, with bonus tracks enhancing these packages. Details will be announced as each new package approaches.

Also upcoming throughout the celebration are releases of classic Motown Television specials in a series of DVD collections and INSIDE MOTOWN, a multi-part documentary on how the company was built.

Press Contacts:
Sujata Murthy
UMe
sujata.murthy@umusic.com
310-865-7812
Jonathan Wolfson
Wolfson PR
wolfsonpr@hotmail.com
818-615-0499

Profitable And Unprofitable Relationships

Profitable and Unprofitable Romance

As I was editing this article, I read that Michael Jackson has started battle between Facebook, MySpace, Bebo users, but what you should consider is the success story of Bebo, the social networking website that began from the romantic relationship of Michael Birch when he met the American brunette Xochi at a college bar in London and their loving relationship produced the idea for Bebo in January 2005 and was bought by AOL on March 13, 2008 for $850m (£417m)! This is an illustration of the whole point of this topic on profitable and unprofitable relationships.

We have profitable and unprofitable relationships in life.
Some are caused by unforseen circumstances and others are entirely our choices.
The most important priority is to beware of unprofitable relationships and to end any unprofitable relationship.

Whatever you spend your time or money on is an investment.
How you spend it can make you successful or unsuccessful in life.
Your relationship is an investment.
Whether it is important to you or not does not change the fact that it is an investment.
Whether you like it or not, it is an investment.
It is either a good investment or a bad investment of your time and resources.

You need to sit down for once and evaluate or re-evaluate your relationship with the opposite sex.
Is it worth the time and money you are spending on it?
What are the "pros" and "cons" of your love affairs?
Is she worth it?
Is he worth it?

What are you gaining from dating him or dating her?
Sex apart, what is the benefit?

A very well known Christian minister died in a plane crash in Nigeria whilst visiting his other "wife" that was not known to his legitimate wife. His infidelity cost him his precious life and made his innocent children fatherless and miserable.

How many men have been wasting their time and money on extra-marital affairs?
In fact, many childish and foolish husbands have wasted their monthly salaries on pampering their girlfriends or mistresses.

Most girlfriends going out with boyfriends for the financial benefits can claim that they are having profitable relationships.
But are the boyfriends having profitable relationships?

In Nigeria, unprofitable relationships are responsible for the poverty plaguing the majority of Nigerians and making Nigeria one of the poorest countries in the world in spite of the enormous human and mineral resources.

Millions of Nigerian men waste their quality time and financial resources on unprofitable relationships with girfriends who are not contributing anything at all to their succcess.
A well paid Nigerian man often spends more money monthly on his girlfriend than his wife and children.
An unfaithful Nigerian wife spends more quality time and money on her boyfriend than the time and money she spends at home.
A sugar mummy buys a brand new jeep for her younger lover while one of her children needs medical treatment overseas.
A Nigerian husband buys a brand new car for his girlfriend, but his wife has to take public transport buses, taxi cabs and motorbikes to take their children to school and go to the market to buy foodstuffs for the family. She is risking her life daily for the love of her family, but her husband is wasting his life sleeping with a girlfriend whose high-risk behaviour in the city makes her a possible HIV/AIDS carrier.
The list of such unprofitable relationships is endless.
The relationships are useless.
If they confess what they go through in the course of chasing and dating another woman or another man, you would be shocked.
In fact, many of them have died in horrible and terrible ways.

Let me not prolong this issue, because every wise man and wise woman perfectly understands what is profitable and what is not profitable. Therefore, the choice is yours. I am only addressing this issue, because many of us are ignorant of the great damages such unprofitable relationships have done to individuals, families, communities and even to the rest of the country.

Public officials are misappropriating public funds to pamper and "spoil" their unprofitable girlfriends or mistresses who do not pay tax! Who do not even contribute anything to Nigeria than the fact that they are expendable liabilities.
They have been found guilty of breaking up marriages and leaving children in dire straits in broken homes.
They have given birth to millions of illegitimate children Nigeria did not ask or plan for and creating chaos in dysfunctional familities, committing thousands of abortions of unwanted pregnancies as they are perpetrating and perpetuating rampant corruption and wide spread poverty and also spreading contagious diseases all over Nigeria.
The sooner we get rid of these cankerworms, the better and safer we would all be.
If we do not destroy these evils, these same evils will destroy us eventually.
That is why those engaged in these unprofitable relationships in Nigeria must stop now before it too late.

The men should sit them and sum up the time and money they have spent so far on girlfriends who are not adding any value to your life.

Have you heard of a value-added life?
Any romance that does not add to your life anything of benefit to your family, is unprofitable and not worth it.
End it now.

Mama needs more attention and welfare at home, and you are here spending your precious time and money on shagging your so called girlfriend we all know would not even touch you with a ten feet pole if you could not afford her price.
Hello bro, wake up!
Can she discuss the routines of your daily log in the office?
Can you really sit down and ask for her advice on that memo you received?
Can she do more for you than going shopping, partying and shagging?
Is she your housekeeper and commercial sex worker or a true helpmate/partner?

You have spent N100, 000, N500, 000 or N1, 000, 000 on chasing and dating girlfriends while you have not contributed anything tangible to your poor village where only N500, 000 can give them a borehole for regular water supply or pay the school fees of poor boys or girls in your church or community.

America was not built on unprofitable relationships!
Go and read the history on how America went through The Great Depression and became a super power.
They spent more time and money on profitable relationships.

We are aping the America of today, but we forget that most Americans have paid their dues to their nation, but most Nigerians have not paid their dues to Nigeria. They are busy destroying Nigeria by their unprofitable ways of life, doing us more harm than good.

Is your relationship doing you more harm than good?
Then it is an unprofitable relationship.
End it and you will have a better and safer life.

How many times have you sat down with your sweetheart to plan for the future?
How to manage your salary?
How to manage your shares and other financial interests?
How to manage your health insurance and life insurance?
How to move on to the next level on the ladder of progress and success?

Has she asked you about any of the above?
Besides the cliché of "How now?", "How was today?" or "I hope you are fine?"
Any dummy can ask similar questions.
Has she asked anything more than that on your progress report at work compared to how many demands she has made for her selfish gratification?
She eats into your budget until your budget is no longer worth it.
She gives you stress until you lose focus and may even have premature hypertension at 35!
Hello bro, wake up!

My sweethearts and aunties need to ask themselves similar questions.
Does he care about your welfare and the welfare of your family?
I know boyfiends who do not even know where their girlfriends live!
They simply pick her up and drop her off after having their so called "Good Time".
I was guilty of this many years ago.

Forget all the lovey-dovey mannerisms, because in most cases they are mere impressionism or a game of wits to see who would outsmart the other eventually.
The lovey-dovey ends the day he has had enough and once to move on to the next target or the day she has had her fill of you and she wants to hook a richer target at first sight.

How much a man cares about you depends not on the time or money he spends on you, but on how much interest he has in your health, education, career, family, security and future.
He must want the best for you and he must prove his love for you by doing his best for you.
If he is not committed to the above top priorities, he does no love you.
End the unprofitable relationship before you are trapped.

"Only the best is good enough for us."
~ Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther

Michael Jackson's Children

Michael Jackson's kids, Paris, 9, and Prince Michael, 10.
As seen on January 31, 2008.

The Dangers of Cosmetic Surgery

It would be like searching for a needle in a haystack if you are searching for any of the celebrated beauties in Hollywood who has not done cosmetic or plastic surgery. The quest for the perfect or ageless beauty has made thousands of self-conscious celebrities to make surgical modifications to their faces, because their faces are their means of fame and fortune. But if we see what cosmetic surgery has done to the face of Michael Jackson, you need to think twice before attempting to do yours.

The following video is a must watch.

N.B:
I have been on and off, because of disruptions of the Internet connection in our estate since last weekend. The ISP has technical problems. If the disruptions continue, I have to use public cyber cafes outside the estate and in Nigeria, public cyber cafes are not conducive to your health and safety.