Source: WENN

Back in June of 2011, two men, Junior Bradshaw, 35 and Kevin Liverpool, 32, were arrested very close to English soul singer Joss Stone’s home. The authorities were called by neighbors who grew suspicious of the men and they were detained before they could reach the singer’s house, reports the Guardian.

In their car, police discovered a samurai sword, knives, a hammer, black bags, gloves and an arsenal of other weapons, along with notes that read “Jocelyn RIP,” “Once Jocelyn’s dead … find a river to dump her.”  Notes with references to the word “decapitate” and were also recovered. On Monday during the trial, prosecutor Simon Morgan told the jury that Bradshaw and Liverpool were plotting to rob and decapitate the 25-year-old recording artist, who’s real name is Jocelyn Stoker. Prosecutors also suggest that the two suspects were a part of a larger gang, with whom they conspired the murder plot. Their co-conspirators, however, could not be traced.

To make matters worse, Jocelyn was actually home at the time that the incident occurred and more than likely had her doors unlocked and her security system deactivated.

“Apart from someone [the police] coming around to say someone is trying to kill me, it was a really nice day,” she told the courts.

“I had an alarm but I did not really turn it on very much. I didn’t really have a lock on my door … But I do now.”

“At the time I had a gate. To get in, they [visitors] would just open the gate, drive in with their car, get up to another gate, shut the gate hopefully so the dogs don’t get out, then say hello.”

Investigators are not completely sure of the exact motive for the plot, but are led to believe that Jocelyn was not only targeted for her money or celebrity, but also because of her relationship with the royal family. Another note recovered from the assailants’ car read:

“I don’t kill just for dollars, only for good cause or reason.”

“But she [the Queen] likes Joss Stone… Invited to Will’s wedding by Queen. Where’s the sense in that?”

Bradshaw and Liverpool are denying all of the charges being brought against them.

Unbelievable.

FayesVision/WENN.com

Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but unfortunately some truly talented individuals fell victim to some really subpar musical tributes to their favorite artists. Whether it was age, nerves or just a mismatch between honorers and honorees, these performances fell pretty short in their aim to salute the works of music’s greatest talents. Though many of the musicians being saluted took their lackluster tributes in stride, we can definitely say one woman who may just happen to be the Queen of Soul certainly didn’t look amused. So without further adieu we bring you 15 of the worst musical tributes to ever hit the stage. OK, that was dramatic.

Nikki Nelson / WENN.com

Trey Songz Takes On Prince

In theory this could have been a great match. Here you have incredible hot, wonderfully talented Trey Songz tapped to salute the one and only Prince at the 2010 BET Awards. Though a cliché choice, you can’t go wrong with “Purple Rain.” Well, that was until Trey Trey got a hold of it. Doing this weird fusion of “Yo Side of the Bed” and “Purple Rain” – not to mention the atrocious American Idol-esque, amateur oversinging — not only made Prince give the stank eye, but everyone watching had an undeniable look of the WTF variety. Come on, man. You don’t mess with a classic and you certainly don’t mess with Prince.

Surprise, surprise…celebs hook up while they work together! I mean, why not? Don’t some people at our jobs hook up on the low (or not so low, lol)?  Anyway, here’s a list of a few former and current couples who have hooked up (some have never spoke on it but the rumor mill has always buzzed about it)! Who else can you think of?

Read the rest of this entry »

With the release of Adele’s sophomore album 21 the influx of light skinned soul singers has never been more apparent. In fact we posted on this very topic not too long ago. There’s Joss Stone, Amy Winehouse and the list goes on. I mean the Aretha Franklin Grammy award tribute featured more white singers than black.

While many, even a healthy number of black people, are celebrating and supporting these new artists, others aren’t so convinced. In a 2008 interview Estelle had this to say to The Guardian:

“I’m not mad at them, but I’m wondering — how the hell is there not a single black person in the press singing soul? Adele ain’t soul. She sounds like she heard some Aretha records once, and she’s got a deeper voice — that don’t mean she’s soul. That don’t mean nothing to me in the grand scheme of my life as a black person. As a songwriter, I get what they do. As a black person, I’m like: you’re telling me this is my music? Fu** that!”

Ooo man! Sounds like someone is a little perturbed. Check out the blue eyed soul phenomenon and the rest of Estelle’s comments over at the Grio.

While there is no such thing is “talking white” it would be hard to deny the fact that there is such a thing as “singing black.” Sure the logic is a little backward and potentially racially elitist but truth be told, historically, there is a soulful tone associated with music performed by black artists. Do we agree? Good. But as with every law of the universe, there are exceptions. Here are some women, past and present, who may lack melanin but certainly not soul.