On Monday, rival social networking services Facebook and MySpace announced that members will be able to get online video of Tuesday’s public memorial for Michael Jackson. Read the rest of this entry »

R&B diva Beyonce honored the late Michael Jackson at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans over the weekend, performing a special version of her song “Halo” for the King of Pop.

Before breaking into her tribute song, Bee played a home video of herself as an excited 5-year-old getting ready to attend her first MJ concert.

“That night I saw my hero perform… when I saw Michael Jackson hit the stage, that’s when I decided who I wanted to be,” Beyonce told the crowd as the video played.

UPDATE: CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO!
The Jackson family has chosen American Idol alumni Jennifer Hudson to perform a solo at the King of Pop’s memorial service, sources tell CNN. The service will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The network is also reporting that the event will be produced by Ken Ehrlich, who has previously produced the Grammy Awards. The director of the Jackson memorial will be Kenny Ortega, who was set to co-direct the singer’s O2 shows in London later this month.

Akon was one of the last people to work closely with Michael Jackson before his death nearly two weeks ago. The pair collaborated on MJ’s ’80s hit “Wanna Be Startin’ Something” for last year’s Thriller 25th Anniversary Edition.

The Grammy-nominated vocalist spoke of his memories with the music legend — his mentor — in a chat with The TODAY Show’s Meredith Vieira on Monday.

Erykah Badu and The Roots have teamed up to create a cover of the late Michael Jackson’s 1972 hit, “I Wanna Be Where You Are.” The original song was featured on MJ’s debut album, Got To Be There.

Listen To “I Wanna Be Where You Are” By Erykah Badu & The Roots

Lordy….In a controversial interview with the new issue of Details Magazine, legendary music producer Quincy Jones remembers Michael Jackson, the man he calls his “little brother.” MJ recorded three platinum-selling LPs under QJ’s tutlege; 1979′s Off The Wall, 1982′s record-breaking Thriller, and Bad, 1987. And while Quincy admits he loved Michael, he speaks candidly about what he perceives as the tortured genius’ obsession with race and his poor self image.

(Much respect to Quincy Jones for his pioneering work in the recording industry, but he has a lot of nerve talking about someone else wanting to be White when he has a history of dating only White women.)
Read the rest of this entry »

The public farewell service for pop legend Michael Jackson will take place on Tuesday, July 7 at 10AM at The Staples Center. The program will be simulcast at Los Angeles’ nearby Nokia Theatre.

No word on where the late King of Pop will be buried.

The child star turned musical genius died on Thursday, June 25 on cardiac arrest. He was 50.