First of all, this is the ONLY thing I’m posting about the Billboard Music Awards because I personally thought the whole show was a damn snoozefest.

Anyway, John Legend and Jordin Sparks took the stage at the MGM Grand this evening to honor the late, great Whitney Houston. John performed “The Greatest Love of All,” and Miss Sparks tackled the iconic “I Will Always Love You.” Neither singer did a bad job, but all-in-all I’d call the tribute average. Jordin’s definitely no J-Hud or Amber Riley, but she held her own covering the classic.

After the performances, Billboard honored Whitney with their Millennium Award, and a teary-eyed Bobbi Kristina accepted on her mother’s behalf. (I swear I don’t know how that girl keeps it together so well, ’cause I’d be a hot ass mess still.)

Hit the break to check out the full tribute.

It’s a very sad day in the world of hip hop, as the genre has lost one of it’s pioneers. After a long, hard-fought battle with cancer, Adam Yauch aka MCA of the Beastie Boys has died at the age of just 47.

Adam Yauch aka MCA of the Beastie Boys, passed away this morning after a long bout with cancer.

Yauch was a member of the groundbreaking, incredibly innovative and creative group, The Beastie Boys, with his two friends, Mike D and Ad-Roc, which changed our culture forever [...]

In 2009, Yauch was treated for a cancerous parotid gland and a lymph node and underwent surgery and radiation therapy. He later made a video announcement about his diagnosis.

He is survived by his wife and daughter. He was 47. [SOURCE]

RIP MCA. The game would have never been the same without you.

I’ll be completely honest, I’m usually not the type to get emotional when a celebrity passes; but Lord, the death of TLC‘s Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes was definitely the exception to that rule. Like many other girls my age, I grew up on TLC and Left Eye was hands down my favorite member of the group. From the ridiculous hats I wore to emulate her style, to learning every word to all of her raps, and even the eyebrow piercing I eventually rocked, she influenced the sh*t out of me. As crazy as it sounds, she really helped shaped who I was and who I am today, and I’ll never forget that.

It’s hard to believe that it’s already been ten years, but today marks the anniversary of her untimely passing in that tragic car crash in Hondruas. And although it’s a sad day for TLC fans, T-Boz and Chilli have released some news that may put a smile on your face. According to TMZ, the group is set to tour and may incorporate a hologram of Left Eye (similar to the Tupac likeness recently used at Coachella).

For the first time in nearly a decade, TLC will be reuniting for a U.S. concert tour later this year — and TMZ has learned, the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes will be making a special appearance.

The group’s rep tells us, Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas are currently in the planning stages of a massive 2012 reunion tour in the U.S.

So far, we’re told 5 major cities have already been booked — and even more are in the works.

But the big surprise … we’re told the group plans to pull a Tupac — incorporating their deceased former member Left Eye in the shows, projecting her image on a big screen and working her vocals into the live performances.

Now as much as I’ve said I hope we don’t start seeing hologram tours, I still think I’d be buying a ticket for this one. What do you guys think, would you be down to see this “reunion” tour?

All I can say is WOW!

I woke up this morning to see a Twitter feed full of Tupac tweets, and then found out the legendary, deceased rapper was a special guest during Dr. Dre and Snoop‘s Coachella set. Yes, you absolutely read the correct: It’s 2012 and TUPAC hit the stage last night.

With some crazy, space age shit out-of-this-world technology, a hologram of Pac performed his classic “Hail Mary” and his duet with Snoop, “2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted.” I’ve watched this video over and over again, and it just BLOWS MY DAMN MIND. I was already hating that I wasn’t at Coachella, and as a huge Tupac fan, I would’ve killed to have witnessed this performance. When he said “What the f*ck is up Coachella?” I about fell out! It definitely gave me a goosebump or two.

Hit the jump to check out Pac rise from the dead.

What do you think of this whole performance/concept? Are you feeling it like me, or do you think folks should just let Pac rest in peace?

In what was by far the highlight of the evening, Jennifer Hudson took the Grammy stage to pay tribute to the legendary Whitney Houston. Although the tribute was a lot shorter than I had hoped it would be, J. Hud’s rendition of “I Will Always Love You” definitely did Miss Houston justice.

In case you missed it, check out the full performance below, and make sure to post your thoughts.

[Props - Mr. World Premiere]

When the news hit yesterday of Whitney Houston’s unexpected and untimely passing, social media outlets were flooded with condolences, well wishes, and information updates. Just logging onto facebook and scrolling through my feed, it was clear that Whitney’s impact crossed all boundaries. Regardless of race, gender, age, etc. everyone truly loved “the girl from Newark.”

The same goes with celebrities as well. Whether they knew Whitney personally, or were just a fan themselves, they took to twitter to share their reactions to the tragic news. From pop superstars to athletes, and even those just of reality fame, the tweets were coming fast and furious.

Check out a handful of them below.

With her upcoming film role in Sparkle and rumors buzzing about joining the X-Factor cast, it seemed as if a huge comeback may have been on the horizon for Whitney Houston in 2012. Unfortunately, we will never get to see that comeback, because multiple sources are reporting that the superstar singer died this afternoon.

Whitney Houston died this afternoon … a rep for the singer told the Associated Press.

According to our sources, Houston died at the Beverly Hilton hotel. A police crime lab vehicle was seen outside the hotel just moments ago.

So far, the details surround Houstin’s death are unclear. The singer famously battled drug addiction for years.

Houston won two Emmy Awards, six Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards during her record-breaking career. Her album “Whitney” was the first female album to ever debut at #1 on the Billboard Charts. She has sold 200 million albums world wide.

Houston holds an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from Grambling State University in Louisiana.

Houston had one child, Bobbi Kristina, with husband Bobby Brown. Houston and Brown were married from 1992-2007.

Story developing … [SOURCE]

This new is just shocking, devastating, and flat out sad. Another über-talented artist gone way too soon.

-RIP Whitney-

I’m just getting a chance to blog about it now, but all day long my facebook and twitter feeds have been filled with tributes to the late Don Cornelius. Sadly, the genius behind Soul Train took his own life today during the early morning hours.

Via TMZ:

Don Cornelius – who famously created “Soul Train” was found dead in his Sherman Oaks, CA home this morning … and law enforcement sources tell us it appears he committed suicide.

We’re told cops discovered the body at around 4 AM PT. Law enforcement sources tell us … Cornelius died from a gunshot wound to the head and officials believe the wound was self-inflicted.

We’re told Cornelius was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

“Soul Train” changed the landscape of television when it debuted in 1971 and ran until 2006.

Officials have notified Don’s family.

Cornelius was 75.

During Don’s bitter divorce proceedings in 2009, he told an L.A. judge he was suffering from “significant health issues” and wanted to “finalize this divorce before I die.”

Cornelius was arrested in 2008 for beating up his wife. He pled no contest to misdemeanor domestic violence and was placed on 3 years probation. His probation just terminated.

The divorce was granted in 2010.

Sources close to Don tell us … the TV icon was plagued with health issues for years … including a stroke and a condition that required brain surgery.

For you young’ns out there that aren’t familiar with the legend (and yes, I saw your tweets today), back in 2010 VH1 did a pretty good documentary on the legacy of Soul Train. Hit the jump to check out a clip.

In the past Drake has been very open about his love for the late R&B singer, Aaliyah; writing her a 4 page letter on the anniversary of her death and rockin’ custom in-ears with her face on them at recent concerts. If Drizzy didn’t come across borderline obsessed with all of that, he has now taken it to a whole other level.

That’s right, apparently Drake wanted Aaliyah to look down from Heaven and “know it’s real,” because he went and tatted a portrait of her on his back. This pic of a shirtless Aubrey, post-tennis match, has hit the web, and there’s “Baby Girl” plain as day.

What do you guys think about it? Would you ever tattoo a celeb on your body? And more importantly, do you co-sign me giving Drake official Stan status?

It’s a sad day in the world of comedy, as the hilarious Patrice O’Neal has passed away at the age of only 41. It’s said that Patrice died of complications from a stroke he suffered back in October.

If you’ve ever watched a roast on Comedy Central or any of the random VH1 countdown specials, chances are that you’re familiar with Patrice’s work. He also appeared on episodes of The Office and Chappelle’s Show, and was a staple on the “Opie & Anthony” radio show.

A rep for Patrice, Matt Frost, issued the following statement:

It is with terrible sadness we must report that Patrice O’Neal has passed away this morning at 7:00 AM due to the complications of the stroke he suffered on October 19.

Many of us have lost a close and loved friend; all of us have lost a true comic genius. His mother, who was also his best friend, was at his side.  Patrice is survived by his wife, Vondecarlo; his step daughter Aymilyon, sister Zinder, and his mother Georgia

The family wishes to thank all of the fans and friends who have expressed an outpouring of love and support for Patrice these past weeks. We ask that you please respect the family’s request for privacy at this difficult time.

41 is definitely just way too young to go. RIP Patrice.