BEATS and RANTS

He's Out Of My Life

And I don't know whether to laugh or cry

I don't know whether to live or die

And it cuts like a knife

Michael Jackson -- the King of Pop -- is out of my life

Can we please have a momment of silence . . . 

for the iconic singer and dancer Michael Jackson who passed away on June 25 after possibly suffering a heart attack. He was 50 years old. According to his brother, Jermaine, the singer's personal doctor and paramedics attempted to resuscitate the singer at his home in Los Angeles. Michael was then rushed to UCLA Medical Center where doctors there performed CPR for more than one hour but was unsuccessful. Michael was declared dead at 2:26 p.m. PST. An autopsy is being conducted and a police investigation is underway to find the exact cause of death.

Undoubtedly, his music also touched his fans as well as his fellow peers. "I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news," said studio maestro Quincy Jones, who produced Michael's best-selling album of all time Thriller. "For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words. To this day, the music we created together on Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad is played in every corner of the world and the reason for that is because he had it all . . . talent, grace, professionalism and dedication. I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."

Michael Jackson -- "She's Out of My Life" (Music Video)

I would never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be reporting on the tragic death of the "King of Pop" Michael Jackson. I have done many R.I.P. tributes here on Beats and Rants, but this one really, really hurts. I have never met Michael Jackson but I feel like I lost a family member.  I have been listening to Michael's music non-stop. It is so hard to fathom that he's gone. Why did he have to go so soon? I was hoping that his This Is It Tour in London this summer would bring him back to prominence and get the gears moving for one more album from the pop sensation. Michael deserved to have one more album -- just for his fans. But, alas, this is not going to happen. 

The Internets (©Dallas Penn) are flooded with MJ tributes. There are so many, but here are a few that caught my eye:

Losing Our Vibe

Is this the end . . .?

 It seems so. After 16 years of reporting on hip-hop, R&B and fashion, Vibe magazine has ended its publication run. The magazine has succumbed to the recession, declining readership and even more declining music and fashion industry. It's so sad. We have lost our (urban America) voice in the publishing world.

I'm not going to front -- magazines like the Source and Vibe magazine inspired me to write about hip-hop and R&B music. I have always dreamed that one-day I would joined the staff of Vibe. I even sent my resume and clips to their offices (circa 1998-1999) with the hopes of getting some freelance work. No dice. 

Nevertheless, what I will remember fondly about Vibe is their eye-popping covers. I still have -- in mint condition -- Vibe's first-issued newsstand copy, which is the one with Treach (from Naughty by Nature) on the cover with his arms folded. And I have other cover stars: Rosie Perez, an Afro-ed Ice Cube, Aaliyah tribute, Biggie tribute, Tupac Shakur (but the cover is ripped up -Ugh!) and a slew of others.

And of course, Vibe magazine also will be remembered for its journalism. Their controversial coverage of the East Coast/West Coast hip-hop rivalry had me running to the newsstands monthly without fail. And their "Revolutions" album reviews section was always on-point. I loved reading what cultural critic/author Scott Poulson-Bryant had to say about a particular album. 

 And much like Michael Jackson is/was the King of Pop, Vibe magazine is/was the King of Urban Magazine. The publication's influence and journalistic impact on the hip-hop and R&B industry is forever etched in popular culture. 

Unfortunately, Vibe magazine shuttered its doors just as they were assigning and editing a Michael Jackson tribute issue. And so, there won't be a MJ Tribute from Vibe. Damn.

From the Web: 

Quincy Jones is in the process of buying back Vibe magazine and turn it into an online magazine. "You better believe it, I'mma take it online because print and all that stuff is over," he told Ebonyjet.com. (Source) 

RapRadar Makes It Official:  R.I.P. Vibe Magazine (press release from former Vibe Media Group Content Officer Danyel Smith)

XXL.com columnist Bol is dancing on Vibe's grave 

Journalist Aliya S. King Remembers Vibe

(R.I.P.) Rest in Power Vibe magazine! Thank you! 

Holla!

Trent's Daily Twit Hits

 

10:39  Good morning Tweeters! A (1/2) week of work and then fireworks. Let's get it crackin'! R.I.P. to MJ  #

10:41 RT  @nelsongeorge 'Invincible' MJ's last full studio album, is worth a listen now. "Butterflies" & a few other gems on it. But is bloated.  #

10:45  Clips of BET Awards performances: Beyonce, Ne-Yo, Jamie Foxx, Ciara, Jay-Z --  www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00025344.html   #

11:25  RT @BKWheresMars Working on a master plan. You thought it was over You thought wrong! --  A Spike Lee Block Party in BK would be nice  #

11:27  RT @BKWheresMars Working on a master plan. You thought it was over You thought wrong! --  Or a "Do The Right Thing" showing in Prospect Park.  #

11:47  Ch eck out my blog post: Five Thrilling Michael Jackson Covers" (twitthis.com/zutta6) #

12:57  RT @QueenEnvy My dream is to one day be able to watch an award show w/ my daughter that truly reps us & not be completely embarrassed. -- Agreed!  #

13:12  New Blog Post: "Five Thrilling Michael Jackson Covers" (twitthis.com/zutta6) #

13:20  Wow! People are dying left and right. Please make it stop! -- Celebrity Impressionist Fred Travalena Has Died  tinyurl.com/koz6zw  #

14:06  It's scary how TMZ is on top of the journalism game with their Michael Jackson updates. It would be nice if they would do this all the time  #

15:01  RT @AquaAHH Ma$e hoppin on a Drake remix reeks of desperation. As if that's going 2 make people forget his last album was buttocks ~>Agreed!  #

15:16  #musicmonday: Listening to Maxwell's CD BLACKsummer'snight --> tinyurl.com/nse3zx  #

16:17  RT @foliomag Michael Jackson Cover Blitz: Jackson commemorative issues could set record total sales for weeklies:  tinyurl.com/mqltos   #

16:22  The Hottest MILF in America Right Now --> tinyurl.com/n7ab6t  Taraji P. Henson. Good Lawwd! Holla! (aside from @vasbestkept -*wink*)   #

16:30 This trailer is funny as hell --> "Skank Robbers" (starring Martin Lawrence & Jamie Foxx) www.twitvid.com/DE575.  Heeey!   #

17:18  RT @vasbestkept Michael Jackson Tribute tee by DC's own . . . pretty hot! RT @clockwisedc bit.ly/A0FKl reserve yours now!  #

17:20  RT @LaBlaxicana LA, DC, NYC --> new event flyers  tinyurl.com/nofrtw . . . Women in Hip Hop! #

17:22  #musicmonday Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year: Listening to Maxwell's CD BLACKsummer'snight --  tinyurl.com/nse3zx    #

Holla!

Trent's "Twitterings" are automatically shipped by LoudTwitter.  And eff yo Twitter.

Five Thrilling Michael Jackson Covers

While I was surfing the Internet and listening/watching several Michael Jackson tributes online, I stumbled across the Daily Swarm's article Five Atrocious Michael Jackson Covers, which lists five of the worst MJ covers songs performed by music artists. Fall Out Boy's punk-rock "Beat It," Chris Cornell's acoustic take of "Billie Jean" and Alien Ant Farm's guitar-charged "Smooth Criminal," among others are featured on the list.

But then it hit me that '90s R&B crooner Al B. Sure! recently sung a cover of Michael Jackson's touching ballad, "Lady In My Life,"on his just-released new album, Honey, I'm Home. "Lady In My Life," which was penned by songwriter Rod Temperton (of Heatwave fame), appears on Mike's best-selling-album-ever 1982's Thriller.  Al B. Sure!'s remake is elegant as the original version and his falsetto gives the song a nice tender touch.

So I was inspired by the Daily Swarm's piece, to put together a list of the  Five Thrilling Michael Jackson Covers:

As I explained above, Al B. Sure did a great job reworking Michael's classic ballad from the Thriller album. I'm quite sure Al B. Sure was shook when he heard the news that MJ has passed away -- especially since it happened just two days after he released his album. What a sad twist of fate.

**ADDED BONUS: Check out Ne-Yo's version of "Lady In My Life" at the BET Awards this past Sunday, right HERE.

KT Tunstall - "I Want You Back" (Jackson 5 cover)

I watched KT Tunstall performed on PBS' SoundStage and she was phenomenal. I was surfing on YouTube for some old KT clips and found this gem -- her acoustic flip of Jackson 5's "I Want You Back." She added a little country twang to the Jackson's Motown classic.

Tarrus Riley -- "Human Nature" (MJ Cover)

Tarrus Riley is a wonderful roots-reggae crooner that is mostly known for his reworking of John Legend's ballad "Stay With You." His take on Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" originally appeared on a reggae charity album, and it will also be featured on his upcoming disc, Contagious (due Aug. 4).

Maysa Leak -- "I Can't Help It" (MJ Cover)

 

Maysa Leak is the wonderful vocalist from the U.K. jazz troupe Incognito. And if you don't who Incognito is -- get familiar, google them. This MJ cover is from Maysa's 2007 covers album Feel the Fire. The collection boasts Maysa's reinterpretation of such classic gems as Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" and Chaka Khan's "Feel the Fire," among others. Here, she offers a nice smooth jazz reworking of Michael's "I Can't Help It."

Marsha Ambrosius -- "Butterflies"

Floetry originally penned this song in 1997 and held on to it. Fours years later, they gave it to Michael Jackson and he recorded it for his final album, Invincible (2001). Then, in 2003, the duo flipped the song for their live album Floacism. I actually prefer Floetry's version better -- maybe it's Marsha's angelic falsetto that appeals to me. 

R.I.P. Michael Joseph Jackson. We Love You!

 Holla!

Hey! Hey! Hey!

If you could bring back a canceled tv series, which would you choose?
Submitted by The Good Girl Gone Blog.

Hey! Hey! Hey!

What's Happening!!

In my humble opinion, it is one the greatest black shows to ever grace television. I think this show is actually better than Good Times. There aren't alot of black television series today that young teens can relate to that are not only funny but offers a sense of reality to what's going on in the world today .

A What's Happening!!-style sitcom is what we need right now on network television. 

Holla!

Trent Daily Twit Hits: (6-25) Edition

18:13 RT   "Internets" blogger Dallas Penn is right. The Roots grind superfluously. Peep their summer tour dates --> http://tinyurl.com/ny7xof  #

18:20 RT  @foliomag GQ on Bruno Cover Flap: 'Now We Know What it Feels Like to Work at Juggs': http://bit.ly/xieq5 | Back Read: http://bit.ly/PCCz8  #

18:48 RT  @JLBarrow @cthagod: I'm happy Jill Scott single, that's who I really want. That's how I like them, big and earthy. ~> Agreed! She is a big and earthy MILF! Ha!   #

09:55   To @LaBlaxicana --> DJ Diamond Kuts Covers Philadelphia Weekly: Super Kuts - A Philly Diamond Shines On.  http://tinyurl.com/meu55q   #

10:07   A Fashion No-No: Ladies, I know it's hot 2day, but plz don't walk out of da house w/ hole-y spandex pants near ur butt cheeks area. Thank you.   #

10:45   Brooklyn Honors Spike Lee This Week/End - For More Information: http://tinyurl.com/msz64k & http://tinyurl.com/bkhslnbc (props to @BKWheresMars) #

11:26   Tanya Morgan / Marco Polo & Torae Take Over Brooklyn @ Southpaw July 8  http://tinyurl.com/laycxq (props to @hiphoppress)  #

11:29   Watching The Roots performing their new single "How I Got Over" (on Jimmy Fallon Show)      http://tinyurl.com/mgp8la  #

11:48   Like two piranhas/Like two Obamas/We unfold the drama ~>RT @RapRadar: Nas/Damaian Marley "Distant Relatives" Preview   http://tinyurl.com/ms5mdc   #

12:11 Summer Soul On A Hot Day --> New Song: Ledisi -- "Goin' Thru Changes"  http://tinyurl.com/mbqgtu (props to @soulbounce)   #

12:21  Rapper Hurricane Chris performed "Halle Berry" for the Louisiana House of Representatives. No Joke.  http://tinyurl.com/mjwfex [One question . . Why?]   #

12:31 UPDATE: Hurricane Chris performed for the La. House of Representatives because was being honored for his musical achievements  http://tinyurl.com/kof7s8  #

12:38 RT  @Jeremih: Preview My Self-Titled Debut Album (in Stores Tuesday) Now! (via MySpace)  http://www.myspace.com/Jeremih "WorldWide Exclusive!"  #

13:23   R.I.P. Farrah Fawcett --> http://bit.ly/HtW3f #

R.I.P.  Michael Jackson

Holla!

Trent's "Twitterings" are automatically shipped by LoudTwitter. And eff yo Twitter.