Michael Jackson Funeral: Paris Jackson and Usher cry at Final Tribute to King of Pop

(BlackPress.org) - You know you're bad when you can make a grown man cry in front of nearly 1 billion people, but Usher Raymond's love for his musical idol Michael Jackson was so strong that he couldn't hold back tears during his moving rendition of "Gone to Soon" during the Michael Jackson funeral at the Staples Center on July 7, 2009 in Los Angles, CA.

One of Jacksons later ballads, the song appeared on 1993s Dangerous and was among the albums final singles. Usher, in black, oversized aviator sunglasses, was accompanied largely by organ and brief orchestral flourishes, but he didnt let the sparseness keep him confined to the stage.

Usher wandered close to Jacksons casket, just off to the side, covered in roses. As the song winded down, Usher lost his composure, took off his sunglasses and broke into tears.

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BREAKING NEWS: Ciara breaks down over Michael Jackson's death, Black media outlets cry foul at BET Awards 09

(BlackPress.org) - To be sure, this year's BET Awards was an emotional night for all who attended but for some celebrities and Black media outlets, June 28, 2009 was more emotional than ever.

Many Black-owned media outlets complained that Black Entertainment Television's owner Viacom, Inc. either blacked them out of the opportunity to cover the historic tribute to Michael Jackson or didn't give them fair treatment at the event.

Outlets like Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, People and Billboard magazine all had access to rehearsals, celebrities, special events, after parties and more, claim the Black media outlets. The Chicago Defender, which is 5 minutes away from Jackson's hometown of Gary, IN, did not have a representative at the event.

This isn't the first time that BET was accused of playing racial favorites at the awards show. At the inaugural BET Hip Hop Awards show in Atlanta, GA, Black journalists were so enraged with BET's alleged treatment toward White-owned and mainstream media outlets that some actually packed up their gear and left before the event was over.

"As managing editor for the Historical Black Press Foundation and the host of BlackPressRadio's podcast series, I'm often caught in the middle," said DC Livers who regularly covers events hosted by Black-owned or oriented media outlets like the BET Awards. "Once it was announced that BET was reformatting its show to acomodate the Jackson tragedy, my phone blew up with text messages, calls and Tweets asking why members of the traditional Black Press weren't being allowed to cover the event."

During the first week of May 2009, BlackPressRadio contacted the media department for BET and was told that the company was "making some changes" and that the media credentialing process for this year's event would done "by invitation only."

"I knew that would mean trouble for our membership, but BET pays millions to pull this event off. It's their party and they can kinda invite who they want. But, if the company can rip apart an entire stage, revamp an entire awards show and pull off the music industry's first tribute to Michael Jackson in 48 hours, it ought to be able to find a way to make sure Black-owned media outlets have a seat at the table," Livers said. "Black journalists repping White-owned and mainstream media outlets is not the same as making sure that America's Black Press has equal access to that historic event."

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Smokey Robinson, Alicia Keys honored at ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards, Michael Jackson led topic discussion
Sidebar: BET AWARDS 09 will alter show to honor the King of Pop



(BlackPressRadio.com) - The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) hosted its 22nd Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards last night at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. BlackPressRadio provided LIVE red carpet coverage of the event. Photos and video will be available at noon today at BlackPressRadio.com and www.youtube.com/blackpress. You can follow the coverage at www.Twitter.com/blackpressradi o.

The star-studded event, which was attended by over 650 leading songwriters, recording artists and music industry notables, paid special tribute to Smokey Robinson and Alicia Keys, and honored the songwriters and publishers of the most performed ASCAP songs on the 2008 R&B/Hip-Hop, Rap and Gospel charts.

Sidebar: BET AWARDS 09 will alter show to honor the late King of Pop



None of the stars at ASCAP could wait to discuss their love for the late songwriter/singer Michael Jackson.

To pay tribute to Jackson's life and career that has influenced generations, BET Networks will be airing special programming to honor him throughout the upcoming weekend. BET's MICHAEL JACKSON: IN REMEMBRANCE tribute began airing Thursday, June 25, and will continue through Sunday, June 28.

MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE CD hailed by Rolling Stone as best ever!
To see the interview with Rhymefest for the Michael Jackson tribute CD, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =qmU0ZzhvDBI

Top awards were handed out to: Click here for the complete list of winners.
Songwriters of the Year: Mikkel Eriksen & Tor Hermansen and C. "Tricky" Stewart & The-Dream
Publisher of the Year: EMI Music Publishing
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song: " Like You'll Never See Me Again"
Top Rap Song: "Lollipop"
Top Gospel Song: "I Trust You"
One of the evening's highlights was a special tribute to music legend Smokey Robinson, who was honored with ASCAP's Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award in recognition of "his achievements as a songwriter and artist who has written an enduring chapter in American musical history and whose songs have inspired generations." Following a video presentation illustrating Robinson's outstanding career, Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson and ASCAP President and Chairman

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WAS IMUS RIGHT?
An examination of Black popular culture in the new millennium (Part One of Six)
by DC Livers for BlackPressMagazine.com

(BlackPressMagazine.com) - A lot of ink has been given to Don Imus this year.

What should have surely been a million dollar marketing bill turned into a free publicity windfall for the comedian and radio show host who was pulled from radio only to return on another network.

But with all the talk about Imus' decision to call the women from Rutgers University's basketball team "nappy headed hos" critics have turned the tables on the Black community itself.

During an exclusive interview and video series on the Black Press Channel on YouTube, celebrities like BET co-founder Dr. Sheila Johnson, BET CEO Debra Lee and Grammy Award winning rapper Rhymefest, who co-wrote "Jesus Walks" weigh in with surprising results.

To hear the interview visit BlackPressRadio.com. To see the video sneak peeks, visit http://www.youtube.com/blackpr ess. To read more about this topic visit http://www.blackpressmagazine. com

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BET cofounder Dr. Sheila Johnson discusses Nappy Headed Hos

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Activist Dick Gregory who many rappers, authors and civil rights leaders say inspired them, celebrates his 75th Birthday with a special private gala. In this exclusive podcast, hear a special song "WARRIORS RISE" written for Gregory by his children.

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It's the interview most of America has been waiting for.

In a no holds barred, unedited podcast interview with Black Press Magazine, TANGO whose real name is Patrick S. Hunter, tells all: What was real? What wasn't? Did he really have love for New York" or was it all just a game?

During the unprecedented 30 minute interview, Tango lets loose and provides never before heard comments on why he went on the show, how he's mending his broken heart and what he's up to next. Plus, he chooses Black Press Magazine to announce that he will have his own show.

"I Love New York" was a spin off of the reality shows "Flavor of Love" that made the VH1 Network the most popular cable network in African American households throughout its season run. The show is a dating show where men competed for the attention of "New York," a self-professed ghetto fabulous woman whose real name is Tiffany Pollard. "I Love New York" took the number spot and "Charm School," the network's newest reality offering benefited from its lead-in to capture second place.

But there's more than meets this eye with Tango.

He's a busy record label executive who enjoyed a successful career as an accomplished ghostwriter for rap, alternative and R&B artists. He has performed and recorded with several well-known artists including Busta Rhymes, Wu-Tang clan, Fat Joe, Naughty by Nature, and his good friend and mentor "Shock-G." He was also the front man for the disbanded rap group Digital Underground. During the interview, Tango doesn't flinch when his lyrical skills are put to the test and spits out a freestyle flow to showcase his talent.

There may be no stopping the evolution of Hip-Hop or prevent the invasion of those who would rather see its demise. But, Tango hopes that he will be given the chance to stand up as its front line of defense and lead the charge in Hip-Hop's "New School" Era.

King of new media

Within 48 hours of the taping, the interview was already national news and burning of the Internet message boards and websites like MySpace.com, VH1 blog spot and Sister2Sister.

"It was amazing how quickly people found out about the interview and how intensely they reacted," said DC Livers who conducts the interview.

During the interview Tango expressed regrets of some of the things that happened on the show.

"I had no idea that he'd say some of the things he said, but I can certainly see why New York chose Tango instead of Chance or Mr. Boston," said Livers who is managing editor for Black Press Magazine. "He was one of the most challenging, unpredictable people I've interviewed. Most people from these types of shows have short shelf live, but if he keeps it up I wouldn't be surprised if he's here to stay."

To read more about him visit http://www.blackpressmagazine. com/tango.htm

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http://MySpace.com/New_JerZ

Some deleted clips from the Reunion. At the end, Pumkin comes is and her and New York stay goin at it

~ New Jer-Z

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DEELISHIS: Get to know the ups, the downs and the in-betweens on the Flavor of Love Show as well as the enemies and friends she made in the process. Plus, in this exclusive interview SNEAK PEEK you'll get snippets from the 78 minute interview from BlackPressRadio.com including hearing about her new single, "Groove with you." This is Part one of six. Deelishis exclusively discusses her upcoming second single, "Groove with you," addresses the rumors about her pregnancy and her marriage. This is an official Interview : Rumpshaker Chandra "Deelishis" Davis aka London Charles

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Harlem Community members fight back gentrifying developers and city planning commission sell-outs in the corporate takeover of Harlem.

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Inviting Mayor Bloomberg, Columbia University President Lee Bollinger, CEO of JP Morgan Chase Bank, and Governor Eliot Spitzer to a Thanksgiving Celebration.

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speaking out for Black Farmers at USDA

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