Michael Jackson, the First King of Pop Music Has Passed On

Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958–June 25, 2009).


Yesterday was one of the saddest days in America since 9/11 in 2001 and the catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans on August 29, 2005, when the shocking news of the sudden death of the awesome Michael Jackson shook the United States of America and echoed all over the rest of the world within seconds. Hope Obioma Opara, the Publisher of Supple magazine woke me up at about 2 am Nigerian time to break the sad news to me in tears. His younger brother Outragiouz, a Nigerian Hip-hop artiste based in America had called him to tell him that MJ was no more among the living mortals on earth. I felt feverish and sat up in bed and could no longer sleep.
It could be a hoax, I said to Hope.
No Mike, Michael is dead! He said.
Hope is a fanatic of MJ since his teens and in fact his parents stopped him from going to America to prevent him from following in the footsteps of his idol.
We kept vigil to mourn MJ and listened to more news on him on the radio.

We are still mourning Michael Jackson when the news of the death of Farrah Fawcett, (February 2, 1947 — June 25, 2009) hit me this morning. She was one of my favourite actresses of all time and one of the most celebrated pin-up sex symbols on TV. What a weekend of sorrows in America.

Michael Jackson was phenomenal and like Elvis Presley who was the indisputable King of Rock 'n' Roll, Michael Jackson was the first King of Pop Music and there can never be another Michael Jackson.

Farewell in eternity, Michael Jackson.


26 Jun 2009 05:08 Africa/Lagos


Sony Comments on the Passing of Michael Jackson

NEW YORK, June 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Jackson, one of the most widely beloved entertainers and profoundly influential artists of all-time, leaves an indelible imprint on popular music and culture.


Commenting on his passing, Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President, Sony Corporation, said: "Michael Jackson was a brilliant troubadour for his generation, a genius whose music reflected the passion and creativity of an era. His artistry and magnetism changed the music landscape forever. We have been profoundly affected by his originality, creativity and amazing body of work. The entire Sony family extends our deepest condolences to his family and to the millions of fans around the world who loved him."


Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, CEO, Sony Music Entertainment, said: "Michael Jackson's unsurpassed artistry and beloved music brought joy to every corner of the world. We join today with his millions of fans in expressing our profound sadness and we offer our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. It was a true privilege for all of us in the Sony Music family to work with one of the most talented superstars in the history of music. We will miss him greatly."


Martin Bandier, Chairman & CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, said: "Michael was the kind of amazing talent that comes along once in a lifetime. He was an incredible recording artist, an insightful businessman, an unmatched performer, and a true icon. To all of us at Sony/ATV Music Publishing, he was also a trusted and passionate partner, who was very proud of our accomplishments. He will be dearly missed. We wish his children and entire family our deepest condolences."


Five of Jackson's solo albums - "Off the Wall," "Thriller," "Bad," "Dangerous" and "HIStory," all with Epic Records, a Sony Music label - are among the top-sellers of all time. During his extraordinary career, he sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide, released 13 No. 1 singles and became one of a handful of artists to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized Jackson as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time and "Thriller" as the Biggest Selling Album of All Time. Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards and received the American Music Award's Artist of the Century Award.


Michael Jackson started in the music business at the age of 11 with his brothers as a member of the Jackson 5. In the early 1980s, he defined the art form of music video with such ground-breaking videos as "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and the epic "Thriller." Jackson's sound, style and dance moves inspired subsequent generations of pop, soul, R&B and hip-hop artists.


Source: Sony Corporation

CONTACT: Sandy Genelius of Sony Corporation of America, +1-212-833-6975;
Liz Young of Sony Music Entertainment, +1-212-833-8558; Jimmy Asci, Sony/ATV
Music Publishing +1-212-833-4513


Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
26 Jun 2009
05:26
SIRIUS XM Radio to Pay Tribute to Michael Jackson with Special Programming Across its Music Channels
05:08
Sony Comments on the Passing of Michael Jackson
04:11
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation Mourns the Loss of Michael Jackson
02:05
American Heart Association Extends Sympathy to Family of Singer Michael Jackson
00:56
Tributes.com Establishes Online Memorial for Michael Jackson: A Place to Share Memories and Condolences
00:53
Congressman Chaka Fattah Responds to Death of Michael Jackson
00:24
Michael Jackson's Death Underscores the Tragedy and Impact of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Michael Jackson Dies at 50


Farrah Fawcett Dies at 62
President Obama, LAUSD Board of Education Recognize California Academic Decathletes
PepsiCo Opens First Overseas 'Green' Plant in China as Part of $1 Billion Investment Effort
First Lady Michelle Obama Celebrates the National Design Awards with Public Programs and White House Ceremony
Independence Day
Workplace & Careers II Feature Package

Too Many Fine Babes for Lagos

Too Many Fine Babes for Lagos

I was born and bred in Lagos state and I have been privileged to travel all over Nigeria since my childhood to date. And I can confirm that there are too many beautiful and physically well endowed young women in Lagos, from the nubile teenage girls to the older young women from different tribes in Nigeria and from other countries.

This morning, this first phone call came from one of them, Funke who looks like the Barbadian R&B, reggae, and pop singer Rihanna intoto and she wants to see me. Then later, I found myself sitting beside another beauty, a mulatto, who looked like an angel in human flesh. She was looking as I typed a text message to tell Funke that I was already scheduled to go straight to MultiChoice/DSTV on Victoria Island before coming to the office of Supple magazine in Shomolu. Then as she was leaving, she turned to look at me straight as if to tell me “I know you know that I am an eyeful of beauty, Look at me well well.” Boy! I was dazed as I gazed at her from her long silky black hair she knotted into a ponytail and her sleeveless black blouse and blue denim pants and heelless sandals; she was too fine from the crown of her head to the toes of her beautiful golden feet. I swallowed lumps of saliva. Then I saw more pretty and sexy babes appearing from left and right on the street and I thought I was in a romantic dream or what could be going on!
My conclusion is, the most beautiful women in Nigeria have invaded Lagos for the summer.

Let me go and see Funke!

Notes from the Heart of Lagos City

Christabel Momodu on the yellow motor bike for a photo shoot.

Work has become very challenging and even success can come with stress as I have discovered working for Supple magazine in Lagos. We have been working all days, including on Sundays since the beginning of this year 2009.
The third issue of Supple magazine is going to be worth celebrating for many reasons. Three members of Nairaland Forum who responded to our open invitation for contributors have been published and one of them is a very brilliant young woman whose two articles were irresistible and the humorous title of one of her articles is even making the cover of this special international edition of Supple magazine. Supple magazine was the only Nigerian news media accredited at the 30th Festival of 3 Continents in Nantes, France, and for the 81st Academy Awards in the U.S. and we are organizing the First Supple Magazine Forum on Nollywood and the Cannes Film Festival before going for Cannes in May.

I am also busy writing and preparing three unpublished volumes of my writings for publication. The most important volume is my book on the presidential campaign, nomination and election of Barack Obama as the first Black President of the United States of America. The book is in the good and safe hands of my American Editor Pamela and I have appointed the Publisher of Supple magazine as my manager in Nigeria and abroad.

I have not been with my Sweetest since last August and I am missing her. I appreciate the company of Linda Ikeji, the beautiful model and Publisher of the FM&B magazine, Funke, Vicky Charmy, Christabel Momodu and other beauties who have been making my life in Lagos exciting. Christabel is one of the hottest models in Nigeria today and you can see her in the latest edition of True Love magazine. She is hottie on the motorbike in the picture above. Isn’t she dark and lovely?!


But yesterday, I was heart broken by the predicament of a 13 year old house girl who was lured away Friday night and raped till day break. She could not even tell the location of the man who abducted her and raped her in the suburb of Shomolu in Lagos, Nigeria.
The girl is from Togo where many housemaids hired by Nigerian families come from.
Many young girls and women are abused and raped daily in Nigeria and the rapists often escape from prosecution. This is the subject of the new novel of Bisi Daniels, The Girl From Nigeria.

She is Black and Beautiful

I never heard of her until I came to Lagos last August and saw her photographs in the new Supple magazine and I was impressed. But when she came to say hello to the Publisher and Managing Editor, I did not pay attention to her, because I was very busy. Then when she came around again, I had time to talk to her.

Christabel is tall, dark and lovely and a beauty queen in Lagos. She understands English, French and Yoruba and some Igbo and Hausa.
She has been the only female I welcome to sit and chat with me in the office and seeing her on the cover of Allure magazine of The Vanguard newspaper in Nigeria was cool as she came yesterday looking like she just stepped out of the cover of Vogue, in long wavy black har and tight fitting black skirt. She interrupted my work, but I did not mind.
I gave her my popular love book before she left and I am looking forward to seeing her again.
Christabel is an epitome of beauty with dignity.

Presently Between Lagos and Nantes

The Publisher of Supple is in far away Nantes in France, representing Supple magazine at the 30th Festival of 3 Continents. I have to direct the management of his office while he is away.

The heat in Lagos is not good for me.

I am working on the publication of three of my unpublished books and composing new poems for the next collection of my poems.

I Thank God for Supple Magazine!

It has been quite a challenging week for us at Supple magazine in Lagos.
The Publisher is going to represent us at the 30th Festival of 3 Continents in Nantes, France. Supple is the only Nigerian magazine with official invitation and accreditation for the coverage of the international film festival and the organisers have provided four days and four nights accommodation for our Publisher.

I am glad and grateful to the Almighty God Jehovah for the awesome things He is doing for us.

Michael Okon is Hot and You Are Not!

Michael Okon is one hot Nigerian actor and he makes others to look ordinary!
Read the exclusive interview in the latest edition of Supple magazine.
The Nigerian movie star is going places.

Lady Irene and Other Things You Should Know About Me

As one of the hit songs of the Nigerian singer 9ice was playing in the press, the Publisher of Supple magazine was dancing and the young printers were amused. I was gyrating as well. We were glad and grateful to the Almighty God to see the printing of the second edition of Supple magazine in progress. Supple magazine is going places and will be seen at the next Festival of 3 Continents in Paris from the last week of November to the first week of December.

It has been a beautiful day and I am fine, because I did not allow the delay in some business transactions to upset me. I have financial commitments I cannot ignore and I have to keep my word, because my word is my bond.

Would you like to know why Edgar Allan Poe's "Lady Irene" will be offered for auction in New York City on December 4th? Or Can You Spell 'Nirvana'?



I need a commission or a grant to write my next book, The Metamorphosis of a Love Affair, a true love story. I welcome all inquries.

Love Lives On Even When Nothing Else Matters

I have to cope with the stress of the megacity of Lagos since I returned after staying long on Bonny Island. I have been busy doing my best for the public appreciation of the new Supple magazine. I am glad and grateful to the Almighty God for the corporate and general public acceptance of the magazine. My commitment to the progress and success of Supple is a labour of love as illustrated in the following poem I composed out of my love for the magazine.
The success of the Publisher is my success.

I was captivated by her lithe supple body
As she swayed to the rhythm of my melody.
She smiled at me with glints in her bright eyes
As she greeted me with her sparkling white teeth.
I stretched out my hands to welcome her into my heart and soul
She sauntered into my loving arms and we locked in the communion of love.

I gave a young woman named Peace, the opportunity to work, but she lied that she could operate a PC. The Publisher of Supple tested her and she failed. She did not report for work today. She was recommended by Chichi, the secretary of the Publisher.
Later Chichi told me that she was in a bad mood and she was looking drepressed. I asked her what was troubling her and she told me that she was sad, because her family had no money to pay for her compulsory matriculation examination. She told me the examination fee and I said that was not a problem, because she would get the money for it from me. She smiled and was now looking happy. Charity is the greatest love. Charity should not be a difficult task. Be happy and merry in caring and sharing.

Love inspires me to act or react in response to what I see, hear or feel. Love keeps me going even when other things no longer move me. I live and work for love and love is the elixir of my life.

Nadia Buari and Veronique Pierre In Supple Magazine

Nadia Buari

The pretty and sexy Ghanaian-Lebanese actress Nadia Buari is the cover story and the beautiful and multi-talented French Canadian born actress and singer, Veronique Pierre is writing a column called Hollywood Insider for the new Supple magazine published by one of my highly recommended publishers, Hope Obioma Opara in Lagos, Nigeria.


Veronique Pierre

The production of Supple magazine was part of my working visit to Lagos and I stayed with the publisher and worked in his office. He is like a brother to me than being my publisher and business partner. We are partners in progress. The Language of True Love published by Hope Opara's Flonnal Limited is still the best selling book of romance in Bonny Kingdom and a collectors item.

I had a great time doing my best for the editorial board of Supple magazine in Lagos.
I contacted my beautiful friend Veronique and we spoke on phone whilst she was in Canada. She is someone I truly admire, appreciate and I love, for the hallmarks of her unique personality. Her natural beauty, dignity, humility and integrity. I want to bring her to our Nollywood and she wants me to come to Hollywood where she believes I would be more appreciated. She has already written and sent the first article for her column.

I am glad and grateful to God for knowing someone as special as Veronique Pierre.
She is Wow!

Supple magazine will be the first Nigerian magazine to be distributed by Amazon and you can order for copies right here on Kisses & Roses.