MTV News |
- Michael Jackson Fan On Memorial: 'I Can't Believe I'm Going'
- B.o.B On Name Changes, Collabos With Eminem
- Madonna Salutes Michael Jackson At London's O2 Arena
- Michael Jackson Fans Await News On Memorial Tickets
| Michael Jackson Fan On Memorial: 'I Can't Believe I'm Going' Posted: 06 Jul 2009 04:53 AM PDT Longtime fan was among the 8,750 people to obtain tickets.
LOS ANGELES -- For years, Michael Soleta dreamed about seeing Michael Jackson perform onstage, but he was never able to land tickets. Now, Soleta, 19, at least will be able pay his final respects to the late singer. The California native was one of the 8,750 people to successfully obtain tickets for the public memorial taking place at Staples Center on Tuesday. More than 1.6 million people registered online for the opportunity to attend the service, according to reps for the Jackson family, and a computer-generated program selected who will either see the proceedings live at the Staples Center or in a simulcast across the street at the Nokia Theater.
"I can't believe I'm actually going," Soleta told MTV News not long after he was notified via e-mail, at approximately 6 p.m. PT on Sunday. "Because for most of my life, I always wanted to go to a Michael Jackson concert. And I realized his last tour would be in London, so I wasn't going to that. I was pretty bummed about that, actually. So this is the only way I can be close to him." Soleta and his mother -- who will be joining him at the memorial -- will be among the thousands heading to the Staples Center on Tuesday. City officials have warned ticket-less fans to stay away from the area, as only those with tickets and the corresponding wristbands will be permitted entry. Reports of a live broadcast outside the arena are false; the best way to view the service is from home, the Los Angeles Police Department has repeatedly urged fans. Soleta however will be traveling from Fairfield, California, approximately 50 miles north of San Francisco, to see the proceedings. The avid MJ fan (he dressed up like Jackson twice for Halloween, he said) will make the trip to Los Angeles on Monday afternoon, where selected registrants were directed to pick up their tickets at Dodgers Stadium between the hours of 8am and 6pm PT. According to CNN, fans_have already began picking up their tickets and wristbands, one of which is blue and one gold. Fans were active on social-networking sites like Twitter and Facebook on Sunday as they awaited notification. Posted messages of joy soon began appearing for those receiving tickets; messages dismay for those who didn't. Soleta was no different. The odds of securing a ticket were estimated at 1 to 182, according to a release sent out by Jackson family reps over the weekend. "I just printed my voucher" Solet Tweeted. "I'm still in shock I was selected." Additional plans for the public service and a private memorial taking place beforehand were still being developed at press time. For complete coverage of the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit "Michael Jackson Remembered." Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| B.o.B On Name Changes, Collabos With Eminem Posted: 06 Jul 2009 03:51 AM PDT 'You make the best music when you're going through the hardest situations,' Atlanta MC tells Mixtape Daily.
The mixtape game is looking real big out there — street CDs are getting cats big free-agent deals, superstars are warming up the terrain for their albums and, in the case of Bobby Ray, the circuit is a way to release frustration and connect with fans while he waits for his debut to finally be released. He already has Tip's ear, and Eminem is checking for his music now as well. We got the goods all week — stay locked. This Week's Main Pick Street King: Bobby Ray Holding It Down For: ATL Street Album: B.o.B vs. Bobby Ray Real Spit: No matter who wins in B.o.B vs. Bobby Ray, the artist who is known by both names insists neither one will die — they will simply merge. His debut, once known as The Adventures of B.o.B, will now be named The Adventures of Bobby Ray. "I'm merging the B.o.B element to what I'm doing now," Bob told us recently in Atlanta.
The album still doesn't have a release date, but Bobby is keeping busy, playing on the road and dropping mixtapes. We broke the news of Bob's musical evolution and moniker switch a few months back. "The mixtape really comes from just the obvious idea of during this transition — musically, name-wise, style, everything — to do a mixtape where you compare and contrast what's the difference, and emphasize the direction I'm going in. I feel really good about it. I feel like it's an album. There's a lot of music we're putting on there — 18 songs. We're doing two versions. One version with no DJ drops — it's set up like a two-sided album — and then we have one with DJ Don Cannon and DJ Green Lantern where they mix it up DJ style." Bob says the growth into Bobby Ray is all about his coming of age. "The difference between B.o.B and Bobby Ray is ... when I was signed under B.o.B, I was really young and didn't understand the type of business I was getting into," he explained. "[I didn't understand] how free I could be with the music. I felt like I had to play this person, play this certain character — talk a certain way, dress a certain way, rap a certain way. Now that I look back on it, I don't really feel that way. I don't really believe it. I wouldn't do that now. I wanted to break away from that and not box myself in. Bobby Ray isn't a character — he's really me. At the same time, it's so different, it's like a snake shedding its skin. Shed the old and onto something new. When I feel that's had its run, I don't think I'll do another name-change, but you're constantly evolving and that's where the inspiration from that came from. ... Moving forward, I'll officially be Bobby Ray." Bobby Ray/B.o.B recently met with Eminem and Slim Shady in the studio, where the artists collaborated on a couple of tracks. "We were in the studio ... we actually made a couple of productions, orchestrations," he said. "I'm real excited to see how people feel about it. For me it's a dream come true." Joints to Check For » "One." "The song features Big Kuntry and MacBoney from Grand Hustle," Bob explained. "The song uses a Beatles sample. [Editor's note: Bob probably meant Three Dog Night's cover of Nilsson's "One."] They say, 'One is the loneliest number.' It doesn't necessarily mean being one by yourself or one at the top -- it's just that motivation and energy you get. Just understanding that in any situation, it's really just you, whether you're at the top or the bottom. I'm venting on it. We all got some things to say. I impressed myself with that verse." » "My Sweet Baby." "I don't know exactly where the sample came from," Bob said. "I'm trying to show my lyrical finesse. There nothing too deep on it, but I'm putting some thoughts out there I want to express. This mixtape, for me, is release therapy." » "No Man's Land." "I'm excited about this song," Bob boasted. "It's got a good mix between B.o.B and Bobby Ray with this song. I'm excited ... just about this musical energy behind it ... and what I was going through when I made the song. It came from that period of frustration I went through, when there were rumors about me quitting. You make the best music when you're going through the hardest situations." For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Madonna Salutes Michael Jackson At London's O2 Arena Posted: 05 Jul 2009 01:59 AM PDT Material Girl gives an emotional tribute at the venue were Jackson was scheduled to perform 50 concerts.
They both ruled the '80s, redefined themselves in the '90s and, as this decade draws to a close, they remained the two biggest pop stars of this generation. But now there is only one. Madonna honored the late King of Pop Saturday night at the O2 Arena in London, the very same venue where Michael Jackson was scheduled to perform a 50-show run beginning later this month. Jackson's series of concerts were being billed as his farewell tour. Instead, MJ suddenly passed June 25 after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Halfway through Madonna's set — which kicked off the second leg of her Sticky & Sweet tour — the Material Girl halted the regularly scheduled show. One of her dancers, whom she later identified as Kento, made his way across the stage, wearing MJ's trademark fedora, fitted slacks, white socks, white glove and penny loafers and mimicking Jackson's spinning, gyrating and moonwalking. A medley of Jackson's hits then played, from "Billie Jean" to "Wanna Be Startin' Something." From the stage, Madonna lead the cheers for one of the only other '80s icons who could eclipse her. She clapped her hands, swayed from side to side and jumped up and down while images of Jackson over the years flashed on a big screen. "Let's give it up for one of the greatest artists the world has ever known," Madonna urged the crowd. "Michael Jackson!" Toward the end of her show, according to a report on Hollywood.com, Madge honored Jackson by wearing a black armband and a white glove while the lyrics to one of MJ's most touching hits, "Man in the Mirror," flashed on the screen behind her.
In addition to their professional connection, the two superstars had been longtime friends. They took turns alternately ruling the Billboard charts and MTV airwaves in the mid-'80s. And in 1991, the superstars memorably attended the Academy Awards as each other's dates. According to a Hollywood.com report, Madonna was also set to join Jackson at one of his O2 Arena shows. In an interview before the concert, Madonna expressed her dismay over Jackson's death. "I am so terribly sad about Michael Jackson's death," Madonna said. "I don't know what artist wasn't inspired by him." For complete coverage of the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit "Michael Jackson Remembered." Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Michael Jackson Fans Await News On Memorial Tickets Posted: 05 Jul 2009 05:16 AM PDT Thousands have already made their way to the Staples Center to honor Jackson.
LOS ANGELES — Over 1 million fans who registered online for the chance to attend Michael Jackson's public memorial woke up Sunday morning (July 5) awaiting e-mail notification on whether they were selected for two tickets to the service, to be held Tuesday at the Staples Center. According to representatives for the Jackson family, close to 1.6 million fans from around the world registered for the 17,500 tickets that will be made available to the public; 11,000 selected registrants will enter the Staples Center, while the remaining 6,500 chosen will be ushered just across a small street to Nokia Theater for a live simulcast. Bogus reports have been circulating online, falsely attributed to The Associated Press, saying that the notification has been delayed until Monday because of the overwhelming demand. But Shawn Sachs, a publicist working with the Jackson family, told MTV News via e-mail that "nothing has changed," and fans will still be notified on Sunday between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. PT. Ticket pickup will then take place on Monday, at a location away from the Staples Center. Two tickets and two corresponding wristbands will then be given to 8,750 computer-selected fans. Are you one of the fans selected to attend Michael Jackson's memorial? Tell us about it via Twitter.com/mtvnews or Your.MTV.com. While millions anxiously await notification, a slew of Jackson fans had already made their way to the Staples Center by Sunday. A banner honoring Jackson that was erected on Star Plaza just in front of the center has become a makeshift memorial. Many visited the site during the holiday weekend and signed the banner with messages, placed drawings of the King of Pop nearby or laid down flowers honoring the late musical icon. "I just wrote, 'Michael, you brought so much happiness to the world. May you rest in peace,' " Los Angeles resident Jessica Rendon told MTV News. Rendon, along with her boyfriend and his cousin, waited in line for 30 minutes to tag the sign. Representatives from the Staples Center allowed fans into the barricaded area for five minutes each to take pictures or leave a message. A Staples Center rep told MTV News that fans have been signing the banner since late Friday afternoon. On Sunday morning, the line to see the banner had stretched back to approximately 75 people. Vendors hawked King of Pop six-packs of soda, framed Los Angeles Times front pages reporting Jackson's death and other assorted items. Just across the street, workers were building risers in front of the Nokia Theater in preparation for Tuesday's event. Officials have urged fans to stay away from the area if they do not receive tickets. But tourist organizations and previous reports suggested that as many as 750,000 people will be arriving in Los Angeles to attend the Jackson memorial. According to the AP, a private memorial for Jackson's family will take place before Tuesday's public service. LAPD Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell would not provide details on the private event beyond confirming the location at the Forest Lawn cemetery in the Hollywood Hills. As of press time, plans for the services — from special guests to whether Jackson's body will be brought to the Staples Center — were still being finalized. For complete coverage of the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit "Michael Jackson Remembered." Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
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