MICHAEL JACKSON: REMEMBERING THE KING OF POP.

By Friday this week [ 25th June 2010 ], It will be a year since we lost the extraordinarily gifted and lovely entertainer, Michael Joseph Jackson. I don't think there is any country in the world where Jackson is not known. His music is embraced by people all over the world irrespective of their race, ethnic leanings, religion or political beliefs. He died when we least expected him to, but he has left a legacy that is really outstanding. RV will be doing a series of stories on him starting from tomorrow. However, we have two of his great quotes for you to savour. Cheers.

'Being onstage is magic. There's nothing like it. You feel the energy of everybody who is out there. You feel it all over your body. When the light hits you... I could stay up there forever.'
- Michael Jackson

'If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.'
- Michael Jackson

Rest In Peace, Great One.

Kush - Angels

RV is happy to bring you this video of KUSH performing their hit single ''Angels'' back in 2003. The three KUSH ladies, Lara George, TY Bello and Emem Ema Obasi are in the video. We are grateful to Google and YOUTUBE for allowing us use this material on this blog. RV is working hard to keep this blog updated consistently. Cheers.

Contact Tolu Ihidero: tolukandi@yahoo.com, tolu.ihidero@gmail.com

THE KUSH CHRONICLES: EMEM EMA OBASI'S UNIQUE STAND.

Emem was the official rapper of KUSH on the group's album '' The Experience ''. I was really impressed with her delivery, and it was not hard to tell that she made tracks like ''Tic Tac Toe'', ''Lets Live Together'' and ''La La'' sound very interesting. I've since discovered that Emem Ema Obasi is much more than thrilling us with the microphone. Since the break-up of KUSH, she has been making giant strides as a music entrepreneur. Emem graduated from the University of Lagos in 2001 with a Law degree. She attended the Nigerian Law School between 2002-2003. Since then, she's had her hands in various pies in the Media business. She is a co-founder and a leading light at Vzhun Media, and the Executive Director of One Integrated Management Services, a consultancy outfit that assists creative artists with a bid to make their dreams come true.

Emem's parents were staff of the Nigerian Television Authority [ NTA ], so she could be said to be a chip off the old block. Emem was also the Associate Producer ( PR&Marketing ) of NOKIA First Chance/Reflex Media& DaWorks Records/Squirt. She's also the producer of ''Sights and Sounds of Bonny'' a documentary commemorating ten years of the King of Bonny's [ Bonny is in Rivers State, Nigeria ] coronation. It is also pertinent to note that Emem was involved in the production of Kunle Afolayan's landmark movie ''The Figurine''. Apart from helping out in promoting the movie, she was the one that gave Afolayan's work its title. Through O.N.E Management, Emem [ She's fondly called Mem'O these days ]is managing the careers of upcoming Nigerian artists like Ibiyemi [ Her video is on YOUTUBE ], Provabs and Drae. She's putting her energy into music production and management while maintaining a different angle to music and entertainment.

Emem Ema Abasi is also the first Nigerian to win the British Council International Young Music Entrepreneur Award in 2006. She was also the Future Awards Young Entrepreneur of the Year, 2007. You might be tempted to believe that Emem has lost her vocal chords due to her foray into Music Entrepreneurship. Nope. She has a single ''Greenlight'' which is a very inspirational song. Emem talks about the inspiration behind the song- ''You've got a situation where life throws lemons at you. One person sees it as an opportunity to make lemonade and another sees it as a reason to go on rampage as to why life is so unfair. 'Greenlight' was for me as much as it is for everyone out there who has heard it. We can be anything or anyone we choose to be. It starts with determination. I can do all things through Christ. That's where it came from.'' When asked about a possible reunion for KUSH, this is what Emem had to say:

''I'm one part of KUSH. It would have to be a collective decision.'' she said. RV really wants to see this hugely gifted lady team up with Dapo, Lara and Toyin for a second experience as KUSH.

Sources: www.linkedin.com, google.com, one1mgt.com

Where to find Emem Ema Obasi online: twitter.com/vzhun/status/12665889904

Guru Ft Angie Stone - Keep Your Worries

Guru A.K.A Keith Elam [ 17 July 1962-19 April 2010 ] came from a middle class family in Roxbury, Massachusetts, to New York in pursuit of his dreams to make it in the Rap Game. He met DJ Premier and they recorded some albums together. GURU means '' Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal ''. After splitting from DJ Premier, Keith Elam put out some Jazzmatazz albums and he collaborated with other artists including Chaka Khan, Erykah Badu and The Brand New Heavies. He also toured with his new sidekick and producer, MC Solar. According to Guru, his first solo album was ''Version 7.0: The Street Scriptures (2005)''. The album had the imprint of Solar on it. Guru's last projects were the instalments in his JazzMatazz series [ A new genre of Rap Music in which Elam fuses Jazz with Rap ] which were released in June 2007 alongside ''Guru 8.0: Lost And Found'', released May 19,2008. Though there were consistent rumours about a Gang Starr reunion, Guru maintained that he did not want to work with DJ premier again.

DJ Premier has however issued a statement in which he mourned the death of his ex-colleague. According to him, '' It was a sad day for me to get confirmation on the death of a man who I'll continue to call my brother, Keith Elam, better known as Guru of the Legendary Gang Starr...,''. Premier also touched on the issue of the letter allegedly written by Guru [ And which was produced by MC Solar after the rapper's death ] in which his late friend slagged him- ''All I will say is that our time together was beautiful. We built a hip-hop legacy together, and no one can re-write history or take away my love for him. I love you Goo...DJ Premier.'' RV has gathered that Guru's family have said they do not believe he wrote the controversial letter. Keith Elam is survived by his son, KC.

Sources: aceshowbiz.com, Wikipedia, RV.

Contact Tolu Ihidero: tolukandi@yahoo.com

RV NEWS DIGEST: GANG STARR FRONTMAN, GURU, IS DEAD.

Guru, the front man of Hip-Hop/Rap Group, Gang Starr, is dead. He died yesterday after battling with cancer for a year. Guru [ Keith Elam ] suffered a heart attack on February 28 2010 and subsequently slipped into a coma. 43 year old Guru formed Gang Starr in 1985 with DJ 1, 2B-Down and several producers including Donald D, J.V, and DJ Mark helped out. It was not long before this gifted assembly broke up with Guru deciding to continue his career under the name, Gang Starr. He teamed up with DJ Premier [ Christopher Edward Martin ] in 1989 and the duo put out their first single, ''Words I Manifest'' alongside the album ''No More Mr. Nice Guy''. The group's other albums include ''Daily Operation'' (1992), Hard To Earn (1994) and ''The Ownerz (2003). Gang Starr's style combined elements of New York Swing Jazz and Hip-Hop.

RV gathered that Guru wrote a letter before his death, in which he stated that his producer, Solar, should take care of the elements of his character after his death, and to also ensure that his ex-Gang Starr partner, DJ Premier is not allowed to operate under the group's name. RV will produce an article on Guru's life along with good videos that tell stories. We commiserate with Guru's family, friends and the Amercan Hip-Hop community.

Sources: cnn.com, www.nme.com, RV

Bone Thugs N Harmony "Rebirth" (Official Video)

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's new album ''Uni-5: The World's Enemy'' will hit music stores on May 4, 2010. ''Rebirth'' is one of the songs on the new album. RV is happy to share this video with you courtesy of YOUTUBE. Keep visiting this blog. Cheers.

RV NEWS DIGEST: FLESH-N-BONE DENIES ASSAULTING HIS MOTHER.

Bone Thugs N Harmony's Flesh-N-Bone has railed against charges that he assaulted his mother in 1998. The 36-year-old Rapper claimed that he cannot remember the incident. Flesh, whose real name is Stanley Howse, was arrested last month while performing at a Reunion Concert in Ohio with other BTNH members. He is accused by the Police of hitting his mother with a gun and leaving a 1-inch gash on her head. John O'Brien, a Sherrif's Deputy, revealed that Flesh-N-Bone's Mother and two witnesses have described the incident.

However, while chilling with Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone and Wish Bone [ Fellow group members ], Howse denied the allegations. According to him: '' I will never do anything like that to my mother. Anyone that thinks I would do something like that need to check themselves ''. Flesh-N-Bone also maintained that he has a solid relationship with his mother. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony are on a promotional tour for their new album, ''Uni-5: The World's Enemy'' which will be released on May 4, 2010. The group won a Grammy in 1997 for Best Rap Performance with the song ''Crossroads''. RV will keep you informed and updated on news concerning Flesh-N-Bone and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

Sources: The Associated Press, Google Images, RV.