Breaking: MIchael Jackson’s Death Now Being Treated As A Homicide

Breaking: MIchael Jackson Death Now Being Treated As A Homicide
Newswire’s around the world are abuzz tonight following the confirmation that Michael Jackson’s sudden death is now being treated as a homicide by police. Check out the report below:
Michael Jackson’s death is being treated as a homicide by the Los Angeles County Coroner, it has emerged tonight.
A law enforcement official in Los Angeles confirmed this evening that a ruling from the coroner’s office has deemed Jackson’s death to be a homicide.
An investigation is ongoing to determine whether anyone is to blame for Jackson’s death and to what extent, although homicide is not necessarily equivalent to murder and can include manslaughter.
In an affidavit unsealed today in Houston, it was also revealed that Jackson had lethal levels of the powerful anaesthetic drug propofol in his body when he died on June 25 and had been taking a “cocktail” of sedatives.
The court documents also revealed that Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray, told detectives that he had been treating Jackson for insomnia for about six weeks. Court records showed that Mr Murray had been giving Jackson 50mg of propofol intravenously every night.
Propofol is a powerful sedative drug usually used as an anaesthetic during surgery and also by dentists and veterinary surgeons.
Though the results of Jackson’s autopsy have not yet been unsealed, Dr Murray told police that he had feared that Jackson was developing an addiction to propofol. He said that he had been trying to wean the singer off the drug by lowering the dosage to 25mg and mixing it with other drugs.
On the night of the popstar’s death, Mr Murray said that he had tried to get Jackson to sleep without using propofol and had instead administered valium at 1.30am and then lorazepam at 2am.
When the singer was still awake at 3am, Dr Murray gave him midazolam, another sedative. Dr Murray said that Jackson was demanding propofol, which he then administered at 10.40am.
Although Dr Murray admitted prescribing propofol, the Los Angeles Times today reported that the LA authorities had found no record of Mr Murray purchasing or ordering the drug under his medical license or official tracking number.
In the affadavit, Dr Murray also explains that propofol had been administered to the singer by a number of other doctors, in Las Vegas, Germany, and in his cosmetologist’s office. Jackson reportedly admitted to Dr Murray that he had been given a “cocktail” to help him.
On the day of Jackson’s death, Dr Murray said he had left Jackson to make phone calls to his Houston office and returned to find the singer was not breathing. He perfomed CPR while Jackson’s staff called the emergency services. Jackson was pronounced dead at the UCLA Medical Centre later that day.
An investigation is ongoing to ascertain whether Dr Murray’s actions in administering propofol to Jackson amount to negligence, which could lead to an involuntary manslaughter charge.
However, although Dr Murray has been interviewed twice by police, he has not been named as an official suspect. {Source}
SMH. Some two months later, I still find Michael’s death so surreal. So, so surreal. As a fan, it’s been hard to come to the realisation that Michael clearly had a self-destructive streak which I guess culminated in his untimely death. That said, these doctors know better, hence too have blood on their hands. Here’s hoping justice is served.
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X Factor 2009: Auditions – Week 1 – TGJ ‘2 Pence’

X Factor 2009: Auditions - Week 1 - TGJ '2 Pence'The first week of X Factor 2009 audition stage aired tonight here in the UK. Check out my 2 Pence below:

{For those unfamiliar with the show; The X Factor is the UK’s version of American Idol – with a twist in that groups and over 25’s are eligible to enter. The show also birthed the career of a certain Leona Lewis, as well as Alexandra Burke}

With it seeming like just yesterday that Alexandra Burke was crowned X Factor winner, it feels kinda weird that we’re already into the next season of the ever-popular show. Starting our coverage earlier this year (at the audition stage, as opposed to the live shows), each week I will give my favourite picks from the auditions (and later the live shows, and so forth)
This week, former contestant Duane Lamonte made a return, in a bid to last the distance this go round. A somewhat comical (‘Happy Birthday’ LMAO), yet warming audition. Soulful singer Danyl also left a lasting impression. Check out their auditions below:

Duane Lamonte

Danyl

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New Song: Omarion – ‘I Get It In (ft. Lil’ Wayne)’ (1st Single)

Omarion - 'I Get It In (ft. Lil' Wayne)' (1st Single)

After a brief hiatus from the industry, Omarion is back. Having made the transition from Columbia Records to Lil’ Wayne’s Young Money imprint over at Cash Money, O is set to release ‘I Get It In’ as the lead single from his as-yet-untitled 3rd studio album. The single, which you can listen to below, features Lil’ Wayne, as expected.
About the track, I’m on the fence with this one. While it’s refreshing to see O switch it up musically and serve up a cut with some grittiness to it, the fact he is a ’singer’ yet is talking on autotune all the way through is quite worrying. I mean this could easily have been a Lil’ Wayne track and sounded almost identical. Speaking of ol’ Weezy, these features are becoming kinda tiresome. Hell, at this rate even I will have a track out with Weezy!
Hit or Miss?

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New Song: JoJo – ‘Forever In My Life’

JoJo - 'Forever In My Life'
As JoJo’s battle with her label Blackground rages on over the release of her ‘All I Want Is Everything’ album, a new cut presumed to be for the recording sessions for the LP has surfaced. ‘Forever In My Life’ is mid-tempo R&B/Pop fusion, with a great vocal performance turned in by the 18 year old. That said, there’s not much to scream about with this one. Album track, at best.
Hit or Miss?

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Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West On The Set Of ‘Run This Town’ Video

Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West On The Set Of 'Run This Town' VideoMy goodness has it been a slow news-day today or what. Anyway…

Check out these brand spanking new shots from the set of the video for Jay-Z’s new single ‘Run This Town’ – featuring Rihanna and Kanye West. The clip for the all-star song was directed by Anthony Mandler.
While I continue to question the idea of one of the song’s ultra-nasal feature artists running anything (I wonder who?), these pics have me feeling like the video may just be a winner.
Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West On The Set Of 'Run This Town' Video
Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West On The Set Of 'Run This Town' Video
Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West On The Set Of 'Run This Town' Video
Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West On The Set Of 'Run This Town' Video
As well, of course, your take on the pics, That Grape Juice wants to know…
Do you feel Jay-Z, Kanye, and Rihanna ‘run’ the industry?

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Joe Jackson: "Michael Did Have Another Child!"

Since the tragic passing of the King of Pop Michael Jackson last month, I have made a particularly conscious effort to not indulge in the media circus and exploitation of what is a very sad situation. For this reason, the rumour of Michael having an unknown child wasn’t reported here.
However, in an interview with NewsOne, the ever-controversial Joe Jackson revealed that the child (now a man) in question is in fact Michael’s biological son!
While I will reserve judgement until the facts surrounding this surface, this really is quite shocking.
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Solange Goes Bald!

Solange Goes Bald!

I was looking to take today off to soak in my graduation celebrations, however my mailbox is being hotted up with this new pic of Solange…bald. No word on when exactly this shot was taken, but it’s clear to see the youngest of the Knowles’ is without her staple weave or any hair.
While it actually works in a ‘kinda-sorta-ish’ way (primarily because of Solange’s ‘eccentricity’), however I’m undecided as to whether I feel this is a case of attention-seeking or simply artistic expression.
What do you think of Solange’s bald look?

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Jordin Sparks Performs ‘Battlefield’ On Jimmy Fallon

American Idol season 6 winner Jordin Sparks stopped by The Jimmy Fallon Show to perform her current single ‘Battlefield’. Ms. Sparks nailed it. Great song, great vocals, great performance!
Jordin’s album ‘Battlefield’ is out now!
What do you think of the performance?

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New Song: Monica – ‘Let Me Know’ (First Single)

monica New Song: Monica   Let Me Know (First Single)
Monica has been in the studio for the better part of 2 years cooking up her latest LP ‘Still Standing’ (due October 13th via J Records). Today, saw the surfacing of the record’s first single ‘Let Me Know’ – which was produced by Missy Elliott and written by Monica’s label mate Jazmine Sullivan.
As regards the track itself, it has pleasant ‘groove’ to it, which makes it’s debut on the brink of summer oh-so apt. That said, I’m not really sure it’s lead single worthy…or even single worthy to be frank. Missy’s banshee screaming is the epitome of hot mess. Totally unnecessary. I’ve been hoping the otherwise awesome Elliott would have stopped it ever since I heard her scream all over poor Tweet’s ‘Turn The Lights Off’ 4 years ago. SMH…
Hit or Miss?

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50 Cent To Go Head-To-Head With Jay-Z?

50 Cent To Go Head-To-Head With Jay-Z?Not content with losing out to Kanye West 2 years ago, rapper 50 Cent has once again laid the gauntlet down to one of his contemporaries – this time in the form of Jay-Z, new reports are claiming. The G-Unit general is set to release his long delayed LP ‘Before I Self Destruct’ on the same day Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, releases his eagerly anticipated ‘Blueprint 3′ record: Peep the report below:

Rapper 50 CENT is preparing to go head-to-head with JAY-Z – he’s reportedly releasing his new album on the same day as the hip-hop heavyweight.

The In Da Club hitmaker has been locked in the studio putting the finishing touches to his fourth studio release, Before I Self Destruct, with his mentors Eminem and Dr. Dre.

But he’s setting his sights on a challenge with the Big Pimpin’ superstar and according to reports, plans to drop his album on 11 September (09) – the day Jay-Z’s long awaited Blueprint 3 is due in stores.

Ironically, 50 released his third album Curtis on the same day in 2007 when he went up against Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella signee Kanye West – and lost.

West’s Graduation outsold Curtis by an estimated 266,000 copies in the U.S. to snag the number one spot, while the Stronger star also came out on top in the U.K. {Source}

I actually feel quite embarrassed for ol’ Curtis. After all it doesn’t take a genius to see whose gonna come up short in this one. For, by and large, folk just aren’t checking for 50 like that anymore, while Jay’s popularity continues to soar – even at this late stage of his career. If there was ever a time to sit down and fall back for the once noteworthy 50, it would be now. SMH…

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Nia Long Lashes Out At Singers Who Turn To Acting

Nia Long Lashes Out At Singers Who Turn To Acting

In the latest issue of Pride Magazine (the UK’s version of Essense), noted actress Nia Long takes aim at the ever-growing list of singers who are turning to acting for the sake of it. On the topic, long said:

“I didn’t see (Beyonce’s) ‘Obsessed,’ so I can’t comment” she says “but it’s just not about how talented you are anymore. It’s about, ‘How much box-office revenue will this person generate?’ When you see certain people – we won’t name names – they just don’t have the skill, and no one in their team has said, ‘You need acting classes’”

As blunt as she sounds, it’s hard to deny that she’s preaching the truth. Besides the countless black acting enthusiasts struggling to get their foot in the industry, there’s the many black actresses like Nia (see: Sanaa Lathan and co) who are known but severely underrated and overlooked in favour of artists whose foray into acting is solely to enhance their ‘brand’. Often these artist don’t get shining reviews for their performances, effectively closing the door for more opportunity for legit up and coming black actors and actresses. I mean my girl really has a point.
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New Song: Pixie Lott – ‘Band Aid’

pixie New Song: Pixie Lott   Band Aid UK singing sensation Pixie Lott has been riding high on the charts as of late with her single ‘Mama Do’. As the 18 year old signee preps her debut album ‘Turn It Up’, which features production from Red One (‘Just Dance’, ‘Pokerface’), Toby Gad (‘If I Were A Boy’), for a September release, That Grape Juice wants to introduce her to our audience, as you’ll be hearing a lot more from her around these sides!
Signed to Island Def Jam by none other than L.A Reid at just 15 years old, Lott (now signed to Mercury in the UK and Interscope in the US – all under the Universal umbrella) is tipped to be the next major International star.
Amidst the great material which has surfaced from her album thus far, ‘Band Aid’ serves as an outstanding example of what talented Ms. Lott is working with. In possession of a soulful, raspy tone, her voice and delivery really put her head and shoulders above many her age and older. Great track.

Hit or Miss?

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Drake – ‘Best I Ever Had’ Video

Review up momentarily (aka I’m watching this now LOL)

In the meanwhile…
What do you think of the video?

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BET Awards 2009: Your Shout!

BET Awards 2009: Your Shout!As the much anticipated 2009 BET Awards are about to get underway live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, That Grape Juice’s ‘BET Awards 2009: Your Shout!’ area goes live right now! Tonight’s show will be a special dedicated to the late King of Pop Michael Jackson.
Here you can post your views on anything and everything regarding the show. Pre-show rumors…Who you’re looking forward to seeing… Who you feel rocked the red carpet, who should have skipped it altogether LOL…Who deserved to win what…and all that good stuff. This is your shout!

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Kelis: "Nas Left Me High & Dry"

Kelis: 'Nas Left Me High & Dry'

If you thought the Nas and Kelis divorce was going to be a mess-free affair, think again! According to TMZ, Kelis has lifted the lid on the nitty gritty of the couple’s separation…and it’s not a good look for Nas:

Kelis claims estranged hubby Nas has left her high and dry … not offering her a penny in the wake of her impending birth … and she says she’s broke — “I have run out of money.”

Kelis filed legal papers claiming Nas isn’t paying her support, pre-natal expenses — nothing, even though she claims he is filthy rich.

Kelis is asking the judge to order Nas to pay for spousal support, child support, all pregnancy-related expenses, and one-half of all medical expenses after the child is born. She also wants $3,500 for the baby nurse after the child’s birth, and $20,000 for strollers, cribs and other baby supplies.

Kelis says, “My survival is based on [Nas'] will at this time. If he does not want to pay for an expense, it does not get paid.” The couple was married in 2003. The baby is due this month.

Kelis says she’s entitled to maintain the lifestyle to which she became accustomed during their marriage — they have 5 homes, fly first class, go to fancy restaurants, and on and on. Most interesting — “There were many expensive pieces [of jewelry] such as a princess-cut diamond tennis bracelet that was recently appraised for $190,000. My engagement ring is an approximately nine-carat cushion-cut diamond solitaire. I have numerous watches…such as Cartier, Rolex, Frank Muller and Chopard.”

Her lawyer, disso-queen Laura Wasser, says in a separate declaration she’s asked Nas to ante up some $$$ for Kelis and the unborn baby but he hasn’t responded.

Wow. Can you say ‘drama’ or what! While there are three sides to every story (hers, his, and the truth), this really doesn’t bode well for Nas in the court of public opinion. Nonetheless, the whole situation is real, real unfortunate.

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Beyonce Covers Forbes; Earnings Double Jay-Z’s

Beyonce Covers Forbes; Earnings Double Jay-Z's

Check out Beyonce on the cover of the June issue of Forbes magazine. The publication recently published their annual ‘Forbes Celebrity 100′ list, in which Beyonce came in at #4 with estimated earnings in excess of $87 within the last year (Angelina Jolie topped the ). Besides Bouncy’s album sales and tour earnings, a large proportion of this whopping figure comes from her endorsement deals with Nintendo, L’Oreal, Samantha Thavasa, Giorgio Armani fragrances, among others. {Source}
Interestingly, hubby Jay-Z slid down the list this year, sitting at #32. Turns out HOV is making roughly half of his missus. That said, while I’m sure this will get folk talking, it’s hardly unexpected. After all ‘Beyonce’ is more than an artist, she is a brand; a brand which has a major machine behind it. Nonetheless, it’s hardly a bad thing; both Bey and Jay are financially secure for life – individually, so I doubt they are loosing any sleep.
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