HRS News

Amidst the somewhat manufactured controversy surrounding the alleged competition between mega-star Janet Jackson and singer/actress Beyonce (check the firestorm over at Sohh Soulful blog), MTV announced today they’ll drop the bootylicious one’s “Deja Vu” video simultaneously on both “Total Request Live” and MTV Overdrive on Wednesday, July 12th.

The tune is the first single from her upcoming CD B’Day currently being primed for worldwide release on September 4th, (her 25th birthday) and September 5th in the US. Although some people think Beyonce rushed the release of the set in order to compete with Janet’s (also due in September), many don’t see the connection between the timing of the two releases, the dropping of the two singles at the same time, or even the two artists themselves, especially since the veteran Jackson’s career has spanned four decades as compared to the fabulous nine years Ms. Knowles has invested in the business.

Milan Williams, one of the founding members of the legendary group passed away July 9 in Houston after losing a bout with cancer. He was 58 years old and had made his mark as the band’s keyboard player. The group, whose most famous member is Lionel Richie, signed to Motown in 1972 after touring as the warm-up band for the Jackson Five.

The seven-member lineup scored with a string of 70′s “Brick House,” “Just To Be Close to You,” “Easy,” “Nightshift,” “Three Times a Lady” “Jesus Is Love” and “Still.” Richie later went on to a successful solo career in the 80s, write hits for other artists (namely Kenny Rogers’ “Lady”) and of course is daddy to Paris Hilton co-star Nicole Richie.

Williams is survived by his wife, two sons, two brothers and a sister. Services will be held July 14 in Okolona, with a Los Angeles memorial service scheduled for August.

“He was once, twice, three times a brother and we love him,” said the group’s drummer, Walter “Clyde” Orange. “He gave all that he could give to the Commodores. He’ll always be remembered.”

Soul Tracks Commodores bio

Friday (July 7) saw Death Row Records go out of the grip of CEO/founder Marion”Suge” Knight and into the hands of a bankruptcy trustee.

Knight had previously admitted to notreviewing the company’s financial statements in over a decade.

“It seems apparent there is no one at the helm,” Bankruptcy Judge Ellen Carrol declared.

After having to pony up $107 million to Lydia Harris for helping to start the label, Knight filed chapter 11 earlier this year. The West Coast label was once home to acts such as Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and the late Tupac Shakur.