RIP / Stereohyped

Smiling In A Gap Ad, Crying On The Inside

As the murder of her mother, brother, and nephew goes technically unsolved and her brother-in-law remains in jail as a "person of interest," Jennifer Hudson took to MySpace to tell her fans how much she appreciates their support. "I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time," she wrote in a post titled "Thank You All." Hudson and fam are currently staying in the Trump International Hotel in Chicago free of charge — thanks Donald! — in order to maintain some semblance of privacy.

In the meantime, life and business go on. The ad campaign for GAP that she shot before the tragedy is being rolled out as we speak.

Nov 14, 2008 · posted by Lauren Williams, Stereohyped · Link · 2 Responses

South Africa Mourns Its "Mama"

R.I.P. Miriam Makeba

Miriam Makeba, a legendary South African singer and activist, died yesterday at the age of 76. Makeba was a symbol of the anti-apartheid movement and was known internationally for hits like "The Click Song" and "Pata Pata." She collapsed during a concert in Italy and died at the hospital of a heart attack.

"She was South Africa's first lady of song and so richly deserved the title of Mama Africa," Nelson Mandela told the AFP. "She was a mother to our struggle and to the young nation of ours."

Nov 11, 2008 · posted by Lauren Williams, Stereohyped · Link · 5 Responses

» Jennifer Hudson Lays Family To Rest

The private memorial service for Jennifer Hudson's slain brother, mother, and seven-year-old nephew was held in Chicago yesterday after an earlier public memorial attended by about 2,500 people. At the private service, Hudson's fellow American Idol cast member Fantasia Barrino sang "Your Grace and Mercy" and Mayor Richard Daley, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger and Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke. Oprah Winfrey, Missy Elliott, and Clive Davis were also in attendance. [CT]

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Obama's Grandmother Dies Just One Day Before Historic Election

R.I.P. Madelyn Dunham

When Barack Obama put his campaigning on hold to go visit his ailing grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, in Hawaii a little over a week ago, it was clear she was gravely ill. She died today of cancer at the age of 86. If Dunham, whom Obama affectionately called "Toot," had lived just one more day, she might have seen her beloved grandson become President of the United States. Obama and his sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, released this statement:

"It is with great sadness that we announce that our grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has died peacefully after a battle with cancer. She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility. She was the person who encouraged and allowed us to take chances. She was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and left this world with the knowledge that her impact on all of us was meaningful and enduring. Our debt to her is beyond measure.

Our family wants to thank all of those who sent flowers, cards, well-wishes, and prayers during this difficult time. It brought our grandmother and us great comfort. Our grandmother was a private woman, and we will respect her wish for a small private ceremony to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to any worthy organization in search of a cure for cancer."

Nov 3, 2008 · posted by Lauren Williams, Stereohyped · Link · 6 Responses

» Def Jam Exec Commits Suicide

Shakir Stewart, Jay-Z's 34-year-old successor at Def Jam, died Saturday of a self-inflicted gun shot. He was found in the bathroom of his Atlanta-area house. Saturday night, Def Jam released this statement about Stewart, who was responsible for signing Young Jeezy and Rick Ross, "Shakir was an amazing man, in every sense of the word. A truly incredible friend and father who was an inspiration to not only our artists and employees, but to his family and the many people who had the privilege of counting him as a friend. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family at this very difficult time.” [AJC]

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» Obama's Condolences

Barack Obama, who personally requested that fellow Chicagoan Jennifer Hudson sing the National Anthem before his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, issued a statement in support of the Hudson family over the weekend: "Michelle and I were absolutely heartbroken to learn about this unimaginable tragedy, and we want Jennifer to know that she is in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. We also pray for the swift and safe return of her young nephew." Unfortunately, a body that will likely be identified as Hudson's 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, was found this morning. [E!]

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Jennifer Hudson's Family Tragedy

Murdered Mother and Brother; Missing Nephew

UPDATE: Police have found the body of a young boy inside a 1994 white Suburban, which is the same car that was missing from the scene of the crime. Police have not officially identified the body, but it matches the race and age of Julian King, Hudson's missing 7-year-old nephew. The SUV was found a few miles from where police apprehended William Balfour, Julian's stepfather.

UPDATE 2: The body has been identified as Julian King, Hudson's nephew. He had been shot in the head at least once.

The tragedy that befell Jennifer Hudson and the rest of her family Friday afternoon got worse and worse as more information came in over the weekend. After Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, and brother, Jason Hudson, were found shot to death in their home on the South Side of Chicago, police launched a massive hunt for Hudson's nephew, 7-year-old Julian King, who was missing from the scene. Julian's mother is Hudson's sister, Julia. William Balfour, Julia's estranged husband and a convicted felon, is in police custody, but the child was not with him when he was apprehended. There have been rumors that there was some sort of family fight over a car, and a relative threatened that he would kill Julia's family.
CONTINUED »

Oct 27, 2008 · posted by Lauren Williams, Stereohyped · Link · 41 Responses

» R.I.P.

Rudy Ray Moore, the star of the infamous 1975 blaxploitation flick Dolemite, has died at the age of 81 in Akron, Ohio. [EUR]

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Rewound

Motown Greats

This one's for Four Tops lead singer Levi Stubbs, who died last week at the age of 72.

Oct 20, 2008 · posted by Lauren Williams, Stereohyped · Link · Respond

» R.I.P.

Levi Stubbs, the lead singer of the Four Tops, died today in Detroit at the age of 72. Tubbs and his three group members are responsible for classic Motown hits like "Baby, I Need Your Loving" and "I Can't Help Myself." [USAT]

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» R.I.P. Norman Whitfied

The writer/producer responsible for "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "Just My Imagination," and many others died Tuesday at the age of 65. Norman Whitfield had suffered from diabetes complications for months. In a statement, Smokey Robinson said that Whitfield was ""one of the most prolific songwriters and record producers of our time. He will live forever through his great music." [MTV]

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» R.I.P. Andre Young, Jr.

Andre Young, Jr., the 20-year-old son of hip hop impresario Dr. Dre, was found dead in his bed Saturday. He returned home from a late night out with friends at around 5:30am, and his mother found him unresponsive at around 10am. Officials are awaiting the results of a toxicology report to determine the cause of death. [AHH]

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Rewound

Are You That Somebody?

Yesterday was the seventh anniversary of Aaliyah's untimely death, but it certainly doesn't seem like it happened that long ago. In tribute, here's one of my faves.

Aug 26, 2008 · posted by Lauren Williams, Stereohyped · Link · 7 Responses

» R.I.P.

LeRoi Moore, saxophonist and founding member of the Dave Matthews Band, died yesterday of complications from a June 30th ATV accident. He was 46.

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» Fond Farewell

Thousands and thousands of mourners, including Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Don Cheadle, Chris Rock, and Samuel L. Jackson, showed up at Chicago's House of Hope Church Saturday for the Bernie Mac's public memorial service. "That dude is a very popular guy," Cedric said of his Kings of Comedy costar. "You know y'all were like 'let me get four tickets to the funeral!' He's still the hottest ticket in town." In tribute, snippets of Mac's comedy routines were shown to the audience with songs by Isaac Hayes, his Soul Men costar who died last Sunday, in the background.

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