Chris Brown Appears on Dancing With The Stars

Clearly Chris Brown’s legal issues and controversies haven’t affected his ability to draw in a crowd, whether it’s because people are genuinely interested in him or if it’s because of the “train-wreck syndrome” he has ignited in people. Yes, people are fascinated with the young r&b star, to the tune of 19 million viewers tuning in to watch his Dancing With The Stars appearance on Tuesday, Brown incited a 31% increase in viewers since the season opener last year. Brown was on his best behavior during the show and earned two standing ovations following his performances.

            There is little question that the singer has the Midas touch, turning anything he touches into gold, but will Brown’s latest album draw an audience as large as the one he attracted on Tuesday? Thus far, the album has received mixed reviews from critics despite rocketing to the number one slot on Billboard’s Top 200.

Elton John Week on American Idol

            Last week on American Idol the contestant with the lowest number of votes, Casey Abrams was all set to get packing and head home when the judges chose to save him and use their only save of the season. Abrams was so shocked that he repeatedly said “why would you do that? Why would you do that?” as he sank to the ground and put his face in his hands. This week on Idol, due to Casey’s save last week there will be two contestants sent packing.

            Last night we saw American Idol’s top 11 perform…again. This time they sang Elton John songs, and we saw some interesting performances this week with Scotty Mcreery singing (of course) Elton John’s lone country song, and Naima Adedapo turning Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” into a reggae tune, Paul McDonald toned down his usual hyperactivity to deliver a nice rendition of “Rocket Man” and Casey Abrams, the receiver of the seasons only save performed a redeeming performance of “Your Song”. There will be a bottom four tonight, with two people eliminated, was Casey saved last week only to be kicked off again?

New Details In The Case Of DJ's Murder

More details in the case of the murder of Corey McGriff, have unfolded. McGriff was better known as DJ Megatron, a successful DJ who hosted an online BET segment and made the occasional appearance on BET’s countdown show “106 & Park”, the DJ was gunned down early Sunday morning. No assailant has yet been caught, but there have recently been new developments in the case.

As police investigate the crime and attempt to find the cause for such a violent attack they’ve been weighing several options. Most people believe that the crime was a random attack, but because of some details that have recently come to light police are wondering whether or not this murder was the result of a drug deal gone bad. McGriff had only one dollar in his pocket and had left his four year old son alone, police say that despite his frequent work deejaying, a girlfriend had been paying the bills at Megatrons apartment. Police say that the tv and radio personality had driven to buy a cigar and a small amount of marijuana and that he was on the phone with someone as he drove to buy the drugs. He is survived by three children, including the one he’d left home alone the morning of his murder.

Beyonce and Manager Father Split

              Singer Beyonce and father Matthew Knowles have parted ways professionally. The singer’s career has been managed by her father since her days as a part of Destiny’s Child, but his influence on her career dates back to childhood when Matthew encouraged and managed her interest in music and helped to get her involved in an all girls singing group called Girl’s Tyme. Matthew managed the careers of his daughter and Kelly Rowland, he eventually became manager to two other girls in the group (LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett) who would all four later go on to become members of Destiny’s Child.

            Both Beyonce and her father maintain that the split was completely amicable and in the best interest of both parties. Knowles ceased to be manager to Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams (ex-Destiny’s Child members) last year, and says he will now pursue a career managing a record label associated with gospel music. There is no word yet as to who will manage Beyonce’s career from this point on.

DJ Megatron Gunned Down in NYC

            Corey McGriff, better known as DJ Megatron, an occasional segment host on BET’s “106 & Park” was found dead today on the streets near his home in Staten Island, New York. McGriff (32 years old) died of a single gunshot wound to the chest, and it has been speculated that it could have been the result of a robbery, or an attempted robbery. Family and friends have expressed shock that anyone would want to hurt a DJ known for being friendly and happy.

            McGriff had worked for several hip hop and r&b radio stations in New York, Philadelphia and Boston, including WBOT-FM in Boston which was previously called Hot 97.7 and WKRS-FM in New York. He had recently worked on “106 & Park” interacting with the audience and viewers, and had also been doing work for BET’s website on a segment called “What’s Good” where the DJ went around the streets of New York asking people about their thoughts on topics ranging from music to sports.  McGriff is said to have been on the way to a store close to his home at 2am Sunday morning, no arrests have been made.

Chris Brown and publicist part ways

Troubled singer Chris Brown and his publicist Tammy Brook have parted ways, Brook says it was a mutual parting and says that her duty was only to help Brown promote his new album and that after she had done her job the two mutually decided to part. It has been speculate however, that Brook’s departure was in response to Brown’s recent violent episode after an appearance on Good Morning America. Brown later made the following statement on BET:

"I just let off, like, steam in the back. I didn't physically hurt anyone. I didn't try to hurt anyone. I just released the anger that I had inside me. I want to apologize to anybody who was startled in the office, or anybody who was offended or really disappointed in my actions, because I was disappointed with the way I acted, with the opportunities and the gifts that God has blessed me with, I'm just going to try and use them and hopefully touch people and inspire kids that being yourself goes a long way," he told the countdown TV show, adding, "I'm not saying do all the messed up stuff that I did or do the mistakes that I've done." ABC has stated that they will not press charges against the singer and have invited him back onto Good Morning America.