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Usher’s new album is finally out and it’s packed with all of the sexy, swag that he exuded even as a 16-year-old crooning “Can U Get Wit It” on his first album, Usher, only now it’s OK for ladies to pine for the 31-year-old R&B king.
Raymond v. Raymond, the sixth album for the five-time Grammy winning singer whose birth name is Usher Raymond IV, was released in stores today after being delayed since last November because the album was leaked early over the Internet and issues with Usher’s management.
The album’s release is timed perfectly because Usher has been helping the top 10 finalists on “American Idol” prepare for “R&B Night with Usher” tonight, which is the perfect setting to plug the R&B star’s newly released album.
Read a review and listen to Usher’s new album.

By Teneshia LaFaye

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Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade put on quite a show for the record crowd at the 2010 NBA All-Star Game at Texas Stadium on Sunday. Wade was named MVP after scoring 28 points, 11 assists and 5 steals in the East’s 141-139 victory over the West.
But five-time Grammy winner Usher stole the show before the game even began.
With moves reminiscent of his idol Michael Jackson and an array of pyrotechnics bursting from the stage, Usher treated the largest crowd (108,713) in basketball history to a lively performance of his NBA anthem “More” and his 2004 No. 1 hit “Yeah” to open the All Star game.

Shakira and Alicia Keys also gave great halftime performances.

By Teneshia LaFaye
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If you don’t have a boo or plans for Valentine’s Day, snuggle up with a pillow and tune into the NBA-All Star game this afternoon.
Usher and Alicia Keys, who sang the No. 1 hit “My Boo” in 2007, are scheduled to perform along with Shakira on Valentine’s Day today during the NBA All-Star game on TNT and NBA Network.

Usher, who has been featured in commercials leading up to the game, will perform his new song, “More”, from his soon-to-be-released album, Raymond v. Raymond before the game. He is a part owner of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers featuring 2009 MVP LeBron James and four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal.

During halftime, Alicia Keys will sing her past hit songs and selections from her new album, The Element of Freedom during halftime. Shakira also will perform at halftime.

By Teneshia LaFaye
Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/teneshialafaye
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Usher Raymond IV’s new album, Raymond vs. Raymond, was supposed to be released before Christmas, but an Internet leak of the album forced his record company to delay the release until some time in the New Year.
Usher’s management anticipates the electric performer’s album to be well worth the wait.
Usher’s last album, Here I Stand, was a disappointment as a followup to his widely successful 2004 Confessions album that sold more than 20 million copies worldwide to be the second-best selling album in the first decade of the new millenium.
Confessions was so popular because of speculation that the songs were about his breakup with TLC singer Chilli, whose real name is Rozanda Thomas.
So considering Usher’s recent divorce from the mother of his two sons, his upcoming album should be a smashing success.
View the trailer and cover for his new album, due out in March.

By Teneshia LaFaye
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I wonder if fighting over closet space sparked the friction that caused Usher to leave his wife Tameka Foster and their two sons midway through their two-year marriage that has led to the hip hop singer’s divorce filing.
According to the UK’s Merry Media News, Usher owns 10,000 pairs of shoes, which he admits is “ridiculous”. But he said he can’t resist the urge to buy shoes.
However, the Guiness Book of World Records lists Imelda Marcos as the record holder for the most pairs of shoes with 3,400 pairs.

Imelda is a former beauty queen and widow of former Philippines dictator Ferdinand Marcos, and she has her own shoe line. She made Newsweek magazine’s 2009 list for “Greediest People of All Time” because of her penchant for hoarding shoes, gowns and jewelry.
Yet it seems that Imelda has met her match with Usher, and Newsweek should consider adding the singer to their most greedy list next year.

By Teneshia LaFaye
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Can we all admit that we abandoned Michael Jackson before his sudden death two weeks ago?
He announced his comeback tour in March, and it was barely covered in the U.S. media. Americans overlooked him so much in the last decade that he had to go to Europe to try to regain the spotlight.

He flew to London to announce his “This Is It” tour.

Did you catch that?
Michael Jackson had to leave his country to make a comeback because his countrymen abused and abandoned him after continual changes to his face and skin and two separate child molestation charges.
Americans had turned their attention to younger and fresher talent, such as Britney Spears, Usher, Beyonce, Kanye West and Justin Timberlake who all admit to being inspired by Michael Jackson.


The King of Pop’s style is evident in their style and performances even if they hadn’t admitted it.
MJ paved the way for all of these artists and many more, including Rihanna, Ne-yo and Chris Brown, when he blazed a trail with Thriller, the world’s top selling record, that begin a revolution of short-film music videos and singers leading group dance routines.

Even NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson said the singing, dancing MJ inspired him to a higher level of play and enabled him to have crossover appeal among basketball fans of all races.
But where were all of these celebrities when Michael’s Neverland Ranch faced foreclosure and while he was on trial for being accused of molesting a cancer-stricken teenager, which ended with the pop star being found not guilty on all 15 charges?
Usher felt so guilty that he could barely contain his tears while singing MJ’s “Gone Too Soon” at the public memorial to the pop icon last Tuesday at L.A.’s Staples Center.
I must admit that Michael Jackson was an afterthought for me, too even though he was my first crush and I watched all of his videos and bought all of his CDs, except the latest “Blood on the Dance Floor” and “Invincible”.
When my 15-year-old son brought along MJ’s “No.1s” CD for a road trip to Miami, a week before the King of Pop’s death, I moaned and groaned and so we listened to Katy Perry instead. Katy Perry is talented and original, but she can’t touch Michael Jackson. Too bad I didn’t realize that when he was still living.
Like most fans who learned of the pop icon’s death, I jumped back on MJ’s bandwagon and didn’t hesitate to insert Michael’s “No.1s” into my car stereo on the night he died, and of course I’ve written nearly two dozen articles about how inspirational MJ was.
I’m not alone. Most of us forgot about Michael, and now that he’s dead, we’re all rushing to get a piece of his greatness.
But it’s too little, too late, and all we have left are our memories and his classic hit songs that now have shot back up to the top of the record sales charts now that the King of Pop is dead.

By Teneshia LaFaye

Keep Michael Jackson’s memory alive. Buy a limited edition I Was There, King of Pop Commemorative Journal featuring many of these stories to remember the positive side of Michael Jackson’s life. The journal went on sale at the pop icon’s public memorial in L.A., and a limited supply is left over. Don’t let this moment pass you by. Get the journal while supplies last as a keepsake for MJ’s passing with spaces for your personal experience and pictures.

To receive your copy, please send $8 per copy in cash or money order to King of Pop Journal, 3832-10 Baymeadows Rd., Suite 205, Jacksonville, FL 32217 and make sure your name and address is on the envelope.

Or you can buy now for $7.35:

Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/teneshialafaye
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The BET Awards was billed as an all-night tribute to the King of Pop. The show even was extended by 30 minutes, and awards were given out to some winners on the Red Carpet to allow more time during the actual show to pay homage to Michael Jackson, who died of cardiac arrest at the age of 50 three days before while preparing for a comeback. Iconic singer Janet Jackson saved the night when she made her first public appearance at the end of the show to mourn her big brother.

During the live broadcast, there were no magnificent tributes or eccentric dancing, unless you count the doo-wop routines of New Edition and the O-Jays, who performed their own hits “Back Stabbers”, “For The Love of Money” and other songs after being awarded BET’s Lifetime Award.

The show looked more like The Funk Fest with the O’Jays, BBD, Guy and Keith Sweat performing their old hits.
Host Jamie Foxx wore throwback MJ gear throughout the show and moonwalked across the stage earlier in the broadcast. He continually remarked that the night belonged to Michael Jackson while simultaneously plugging his own upcoming Las Vegas concert.

The best performances of the night had nothing to do with Michael Jackson. Best New Artist Keri Hilson, Soulja Boy Tell’ Em, Jay Z, Keisha Cole and Monica had rocking performances of their own songs. Even Foxx’s performance of his hit “Blame It” was electric with Blink 182’s Travis Barker banging on the drums.
Maxwell looked dapper while singing his new single, “Pretty Wings”, and feathers fell from the ceiling and onto the L.A. Shrine Auditorium audience as he closed the song. Beyonce sang “Ave Maria” beautifully in English and Spanish wearing a sheer white umbrella-like ballerina dress.

But why didn’t B sing one of her more popular songs? Someone on Twitter wrote that his niece was disappointed that Beyonce didn’t perform “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” in which she wears a shiny metallic glove reminiscent of MJ’s glittery glove. She accepted awards for Best Female R&B Artist and Viewers Choice, and she thanked Michael Jackson and also the legions of fans who posted their own version of her “Single Ladies” routine on YouTube.
Singer/pianist Alicia Keys and producer Wyclef Jean received Humanitarian Awards. Wyclef said no one has an excuse because he started out in a hut in Haiti and moved to the projects and now lives in a mansion. Alicia lavished praise on Michael Jackson, who had 14 No. 1 hits and 13 Grammys, and she remarked about all of the energy in the atmosphere.
Too bad none of the energy was used for MJ-inspired dance sequences.
What happened to the all-night performance tributes to the man who inspired them all? The man who Best Male Hip Hop award winner Lil’ Wayne said paved the way for all of the artists before his profanity-filled song about hooking up with a bunch of females while underage-looking girls pranced around the stage.
Where were Usher, Chris Brown and Justin Timberlake — all electric singers and dancers who have made a career of copying Michael Jackson? Ciara, another MJ singing-and-dancing machine, sat on a stool to wail the King of Pop’s humanitarian anthem, “Heal the World,” while wearing a Jackson-inspired military jacket.
BET’s tribute was mainly in the first 30 minutes of the three-and-a-half hour show with New Edition’s rendition of The Jackson 5’s hits, Jamie Foxx’s brief “Beat It” routine and moonwalk across the stage, and Ne-Yo holding his composure while sitting on a stool to sing MJ’s “The Lady In My Life”.

Foxx and Ne-Yo closed the show with a duet of “I’ll Be There”. Mariah Carey would have been more appropriate considering she brought The Jackson 5’s 1970 No. 1 hit back to life with her 1992 version that became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard charts.
Most of the show kept Twittering-viewers wondering when an artist was going to perform a memorable Michael Jackson routine.
The show got weird when the cast of BET BlackBuster movie Baby Boy, which included Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson, Transformers co-star Tyrese Gibson and Ving Rhames, argued with each other while in character. Then, Rhames turned to the audience and told them to repeat over-and-over something about guns. MJ fan and multiple Grammy Award winner Kanye West, who had a front row seat with model girlfriend Amber Rose, looked stunned and squirmed in his seat.
How embarrassing for this to be part of a tribute to the greatest performer of our time while the world is watching.
Up until the show’s final six minutes, Twitter folks wondered when Chris Brown was going to perform. But Janet Jackson rescued the show by taking the stage in her first public appearance since her big brother’s death to thank everyone for their support.
“My entire family wanted to be here tonight, but it was just too painful,” Janet said while holding back tears. “So they elected me to speak with all of you. To you, Michael is an icon. To us, Michael is family. And he will forever live in all of our hearts.”
View the final minutes of BET Awards, including Janet Jackson’s appearance and Ne-Yo and Jamie Foxx’s “I’ll Be There Duet”.

The family patriarch Joe Jackson sat in the front row during the entire show, and he had to be disappointed, especially after Lil’ Wayne, Young Money and Canadian rapper Drake’s profanity-laced performance in which whole verses were bleeped out, right before Janet walked up to pay tribute to her brother and bring the Shrine Auditorium audience and viewers on Twitter to tears.
The BET Awards would have been satisfying if it hadn’t been billed as an all-night MJ love fest. So it ended up taking a Jackson to fulfill the promise of properly honoring the late legendary Michael Jackson.

By Teneshia LaFaye

Buy a limited edition I Was There, King of Pop Commemorative Journal featuring many of these stories to remember the positive side of Michael Jackson’s life. The journal went on sale at the pop icon’s public memorial in L.A., and a limited supply is left over. Don’t let this moment pass you by. Get the journal while supplies last as a keepsake for MJ’s passing with spaces for your personal experience and pictures.

To receive your copy, please send $8 per copy in cash or money order to King of Pop Journal, 3832-10 Baymeadows Rd., Suite 205, Jacksonville, FL 32217 and make sure your name and address is on the envelope.

Or you can buy now for $7.35:

Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/teneshialafaye
Add me on Myspace: www.myspace.com/tlafaye

Michael Jackson’s influence is so vast that he is admired by musical icons in their own genres. Legends from Madonna to Tina Turner to Celene Dion to Diana Ross to Mariah Carey to Britney Spears to Paul McCartney to Whitney Houston to Usher to Beyonce and more paid their condolences to the late pop star, who died of cardiac arrest on Thursday.

Many of them have emulated MJ’s music, style and dance moves, like Rihanna who used the “Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa” chorus of Jackson’s 1983 hit “Wanna Be Startin’ Something” in her 2007 song, “Please Don’t Stop the Music”.

Various music icons voiced their respects to the unanimous King of Pop. But when death comes knocking at their doors, none of them will be as widely celebrated by their peers and as many races, genders and generations of people as Michael.

Here are some of the musical icons’ reactions to Michael Jackson’s death in alphabetical order by first name:

Alicia Keys: “There is no one in the world like MJ. Never has been. Never will be. We all know him in one way or another. In some way he has touched us, been the voice of one.”

Berry Gordy: “I am shocked beyond words. It’s like a dream – a bad dream. This cannot be! How can Michael Jackson not be here? As a kid, Michael was always beyond his years. He had a knowingness about him that was incredible. When I first heard him sing Smokey’s song, “Who’s Lovin’ You” at 10 years’ old, it felt like he had lived the song for 50 years. Somehow, even at that first meeting with him, he had a hunger to learn, a hunger to be the best and was willing to work as hard and as long as it took. I extend my sympathies to Joe, Katherine and the entire Jackson family. My prayers are with them.”

Beyonce: “The incomparable Michael Jackson has made a bigger impact on music than any other artist in the history of music. He was magic.

“He was what we all strive to be. He will always be the King of Pop. For anyone who has ever seen, felt, or heard his art, we are all honored to have been alive in this generation to experience the magic of Michael Jackson. I love you Michael.”

Britney Spears: “I was so excited to see his show in London. We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time and I was going to fly in to see him.

“He has been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I’m devastated he’s gone!”

Ciara: “He was part of the reason why for me. Whenever someone asks me who inspires me to do what I do, I always say Michael. That’s it for me. “He’s everything to me. He’s really a part of the reason why. He’s going to be remembered in so many ways for me. I feel it’s important for me to continue to let my generation know how important he was to music.”

Celine Dion: “Michael Jackson was not only an extremely talented person, he was unique. He was a genius. I was very privileged to work with the same record company as him. And I did have the privilege of meeting with him a long, long time ago. He will never die. He will never, ever die.”

Cher: “God gives you certain gifts.

“This child was an extraordinary child.”

Chris Brown: “Michael Jackson is the reason why I do music and why I am an entertainer.

Chris Brown ended his 2007 MTV VMA Awards performance with an on-point duplication of Michael Jackson’s famous “Billie Jean” performance at Motown Records’ 25th anniversary celebration.
VMA’s 2007 Chris Brown Rihanna

“I am devastated by this great loss, and I will continue to be humbled and inspired by his legacy. My prayers are with his family. Michael will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. He’s the greatest, the best ever. No one will ever be better.”

Diana Ross: “I can’t stop crying, this is too sudden and shocking. I am unable to imagine this.

“My heart is hurting. I am in prayer for his kids and the family.”

Justin Timberlake: “I can’t find the words right now to express how deeply saddened I am by Michael’s passing. We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only pop music but of all music.”

View the rest of Justin’s comments and his tribute to MJ, which includes videos of The Gloved One.

Kanye West: “Thank you for everything, Mike.”

Lil’ Wayne: “I personally can’t believe it. But it’s more unfortunate for the world of music. My love goes out to his family. A sad day in history, not (just) music.”

Liza Minnelli: “He was also one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived.

“I loved him very much and I will miss him every remaining day of my life.”

Madonna: “I can’t stop crying over the sad news. I have always admired Michael Jackson.

“The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever! My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless.”

Paul McCartney: “It’s so sad and shocking. I feel privileged to have hung out and worked with Michael.

“He was a massively talented boy man with a gentle soul. His music will be remembered forever and my memories of our time together will be happy ones. I send my deepest sympathy to his mother and the whole family and to his countless fans all around the world.”

Quincy Jones: “I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news. 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. He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I’ve lost my little brother and part of my soul has gone with him.”

Mariah Carey: “My prayers go out to the Jackson family, and my heart goes out to his children. Let us remember him for his unparalleled contribution to the world of music, his generosity of spirit in his quest to heal the world and the joy he brought to his millions of devoted fans throughout the world.

“I feel blessed to have performed with him several times and to call him my friend. No artist will ever take his place. His star will shine forever.”

Slash of rock band Guns N’ Roses: “Michael Jackson was one of the most talented and dynamic performer/singer/songwriters I ever had the pleasure of working with, he was amazing.

“Unfortunately, the controversy surrounding his personal life in recent years overshadowed his unparalleled contributions to the music world, which is a tragedy in and of itself. But his music will live on forever no matter what and his memory will be adored and admired for years to come.”

Smokey Robinson: “It is always hard to lose a friend. I will miss Michael and all that he brought to the world through his music and his creative genius. I know that his legend will live on and that the world will miss him dearly.”

Tina Turner: “I am shocked and saddened by Michael’s passing.

“I, along with his millions of fans, looked forward to seeing him tour one more time. Now, may he rest in peace.”

Usher: “This loss has deeply saddened me. With a heavy heart I composed this statement. May God cover you Michael. We all lift your name up in prayer. I pray for the entire Jackson family, particularly Michael’s mother and all his fans that loved him so much. I would not be the artist, performer, and philanthropist I am today without the influence of Michael.

“I have great admiration and respect for him, and I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to meet and perform with such a great entertainer. In so many ways, he transcended culture. He broke barriers. He changed radio formats. With music, he made it possible for people like Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama to impact the mainstream world. His legacy is unparalleled. Michael Jackson will never be forgotten.”

Whitney Houston: “I am full of grief.”

By Teneshia LaFaye

Buy a limited edition I Was There, King of Pop Commemorative Journal featuring many of these stories to remember the positive side of Michael Jackson’s life. The journal went on sale at the pop icon’s public memorial in L.A., and a limited supply is left over. Don’t let this moment pass you by. Get the journal while supplies last as a keepsake for MJ’s passing with spaces for your personal experience and pictures.

To receive your copy, please send $8 per copy in cash or money order to King of Pop Journal, 3832-10 Baymeadows Rd., Suite 205, Jacksonville, FL 32217 and make sure your name and address is on the envelope.

Or you can buy now for $7.35:

Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/teneshialafaye
Add me on Myspace: www.myspace.com/tlafaye

What goes on between a husband and wife is nobody’s business, but since Usher put his relationship out there, his marriage is fair game.
Usher, 30, sure looks like a hypocrite after filing for divorce from 38-year-old, Penta-mom Tameka Foster Raymond, the mother of his two sons who already had three children of her own, after less than two years of marriage.

Just a year ago during an appearance on MTV’s Total Request Live, Usher rambled on and on about loving his wife “to death” and his aggravation with all of the divorce rumors and talk about his wife forcing his mom out as his manager so she could run his career. The five-time Grammy Award winner also said “pay attention, fellas” to his example of living with and loving the mother of his kids.

Well, it turns out the rumors were true and he and his wife have been living separately for awhile. Usher has been staying and partying in Vegas while working on a new album while Foster and the kids have been living in Atlanta.
Either Usher is a liar or a hypocrite, but he will have to live with his decisions.
However, the fellas, including his sons, are paying attention to his example.

By Teneshia LaFaye
Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/teneshialafaye
Add me on Myspace: www.myspace.com/tlafaye.

The Lakers aren’t the only NBA team that attracts celebrities.
Stars came out in droves Sunday for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals featuring the Magic and Cavaliers in Orlando’s Amway Arena.
Tiger Woods showed up on Amway’s Jumbotron early in the game. Then, right after halftime, Grammy Award winning R&B singer Usher walked to his courtside seat across from the Magic’s team bench. A minute and a half later, hip hop heartthrob-turned-bad boy Chris Brown was escorted to a spot two seats away from Usher followed closely behind by Rush Hour funnyman Chris Tucker and Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade and a couple friends to fill in the rest of the instant celebrity row. Utah forward Carlos Boozer was already seated earlier in the game and was a section over from the bunch under the basket near the Magic’s bench. Across the floor, Grammy Award winning rapper Lil’ Wayne sat with a female friend underneath the basket near Cleveland’s bench. The crowd gave loud ovations for Boozer, Lil’ Wayne, Woods and Usher when their faces appeared on Amway’s Jumbotron. Beyonce and Jay-Z, my favorite and my teen son’s favorite artists respectively, were rumored to be in the arena, but we didn’t spot them.
Usher, who also sat courtside two days earlier to witness LeBron James’ buzzer-beating game winner in Cleveland, switched seats with one of two guys in between him and Chris, and the throwback Michael Jackson singers chatted shoulder-to-shoulder through most of the third quarter and almost the entire fourth quarter. Since Usher is part owner of the Cavs, I wonder if he got the tickets for Brown, Tucker and Wade? And what were Usher and Chris talking about? Maybe Usher was apologizing for saying the younger singer needed to show more remorse instead of being photographed jet-skiing in Miami Beach in February shortly after being arrested for assaulting his pop star ex-girlfriend Rihanna and a photo leak of her battered face. And why was Usher wearing dark black sunglasses after 10 p.m. on a rainy night?
Usher left in the final 36 seconds with his Cavs down by eight and Cleveland starters Anderson Varejao and Zydrunas Ilgauskas fouled out of the game. Then, Chris Tucker slid over to talk to Brown, and when the final buzzer sounded, they shook hands and walked across the court with Boozer and Wade to exit through the VIP Entrance.
The Magic-Cavs game was Brown’s first public appearance since the jet-skiing photos. He privately celebrated his 20th birthday earlier this month and has been in seclusion for the last three months with the exception of courtroom appearances for the felony charges involving his then-girlfriend Rihanna. Brown’s preliminary hearing is in three days, but he is not expected to appear in court, and his attorney is trying to get the case tossed because of the leaked LAPD photos of Rihanna. But of course, Brown managed to appear on the Magic’s court Sunday in a black hoodie and blue jeans to see Orlando take a 2-1 series lead over Cleveland in the Magic’s first East Finals in 13 years.

By Teneshia LaFaye
Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/teneshialafaye
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