mello1
Proud Member
Hey folks. Let me first apologize for accidentally deleting today's News thread. A shout out to Rasta who started it and had it fixed up all so pretty. So sorry.
And sorry about all of the posts that was merged from EC's thread that were lost as well.
And sorry about all of the posts that was merged from EC's thread that were lost as well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On to today's top news story, this one coming from Billboard Magazine itself:
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003824224
Michael Jackson Cameo Shocks Akon Songwriter
Akon
July 03, 2008 , 10:25 AM ET
Mariel Concepcion, N.Y.
Up-and-coming singer/songwriter Claude Kelly wrote the recently leaked Akon song "Hold My Hand" featuring Michael Jackson, but he confesses hearing the legendary singer's voice on the track the first time was a total surprise to him.
"I wrote the song and gave it to Akon with the intention of it going to maybe Whitney Houston, but Akon said he wanted to cut it himself. I thought, 'It doesn't get any bigger than this'," the 27-year-old New York native tells Billboard.com. "A few months after, Akon plays the song for me and all of a sudden I hear Michael Jackson's voice. I was literally shaking by the time the song was over."
The track, which is in contention to be the first single from Akon's new album, due late this year, has since been pulled off the Internet. As per when an actual Michael Jackson album will be released, Kelly says a date hasn't been set yet. What has been confirmed, as per Kelly's manager Michael "Make" Mentore from Star Power Media/Make Moves Management, is that the track will appear on both Akon and Jackson's albums.
Since penning the collaborative track, Kelly has been tapped to work not only with Akon and Whitney Houston but also with Jennifer Hudson, Frankie J, Brandy, New Kids On The Block, Toni Braxton, recent Def Jam signee Unique and Leona Lewis, including the latter's second single, "Forgive Me," which will be released in the coming weeks. He also wrote the entire debut solo album for Corbin Bleu from "High School Musical" fame.
As a child, Kelly took piano and flute lessons and sang with local choirs. He attended Brooklyn College of Music in 1999, and in 2002 wrote his first song, which was placed in a Bathing Ape compilation released in Japan. His first major placement came with "Daddy's Little Girl" from Frankie J's 2006 album "Priceless."
In the future, Kelly says he hopes to work with the likes of Beyonce, Rihanna, Usher, Chris Brown and Kelly Clarkson, among others. He also plans on delving into country and rock music as well.
Today in
Michael Jackson History
2000 - Tina Turner announced her retirement at a concert in Switzerland. She said, "I can't keep up with Janet Jackson." Michael Jackson History
2002 - The movie "Men In Black II" opened in the U.S. Michael Jackson played a small role in the film.
2006 - In Los Angeles, Debbie Rowe, the former Mrs. Michael Jackson, filed a suit against Michael Jackson claiming that he had failed to pay her what he had promised when the two divorced in 1999.
[SIZE=+2]Michael Jackson Quote
[/SIZE] Get me out
Into the night-time
Four walls won't hold me tonight
If this town
Is just an apple
Then let me take a bite
- Michael Jackson, Human Nature
Into the night-time
Four walls won't hold me tonight
If this town
Is just an apple
Then let me take a bite
- Michael Jackson, Human Nature