Seminal hip hop star Biggie Smalls, a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G., a.k.a. Biggie, a.k.a. Big Poppa, a.k.a. Christopher Wallace, was slain 15 years ago this weekend. His murder, by drive-by shooting, remains unsolved. Biggie was shot and killed outside the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997, leaving a legacy rivaled by few artists of any genre. The Notorious B.I.G. (May 21, 1972-March 9, 1997). When B.I.G. released his debut album Ready to Die in 1994, he became a key figure in the East Coast hip-hop scene at a time when the movement was seeded. His double-disc set Life After Death , released 15 days after he died, hit #1 on the U.S. album charts and was certified Diamond (10 million copies sold) in 2000. He has influenced artists such as Diddy, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Alicia Keys, Fat Joe, Nelly, Ja Rule, Eminem, Lil Wayne, Game, Clinton Sparks, Usher and many others.
Family and friends said their final farewell to the iconic singer who was buried at the Fairview Cemetery. By Sowmya Krishnamurthy Whitney Houston Photo: WireImage NEWARK, New Jersey — Superstar singer Whitney Elizabeth Houston was laid to rest in a private ceremony in Westfield, New Jersey today. She was buried next to her father John Houston at the Fairview Cemetery. According to reports, fans and onlookers lined streets with memorials and signs, watching as the police-escorted motorcade and the hearse carrying her casket drove to the cemetery. The 48-year-old died on February 11, 2012 . She was found dead inside her Beverly Hilton hotel room at approximately 3:55 p.m. PT in Los, Angeles. The official cause of death is still being investigated. She was at the Beverly Hilton in preparation for mentor Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy party. Houston was memorialized in a grand ceremony yesterday at the New Hope Baptist Church, the same church she grew up singing in as a child in Newark, New Jersey. The “homegoing” ceremony, marking the singer’s spiritual return “home”, lasted some five hours and was conducted in the Baptist tradition. Although invite-only, it was nationally televised and streamed on Livestream for fans. It featured family friends, professional colleagues and dignitaries from all walks including daughter Bobbi Kristina, cousin Dionne Warwick, actor/filmmaker Tyler Perry, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Newark Mayor Cory Booker. Flags in New Jersey flew half mast in Houston’s honor. Bittersweet, the ceremony celebrated Houston’s amazing life and accomplishments and guests shared personal anecdotes about their Nippy, her nickname. Clive Davis mused, “You wait for a voice like that for a lifetime. A face like that. A smile like that. A presence like that for a lifetime. And when one person embodies it all — well, it takes my breath away.” Bodyguard costar Kevin Costner fought back tears as he said, “Go sing for your heavenly father, Whitney.” Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, the Winans family and R. Kelly were among those who gave Houston a musical send-off. Stevie Wonder personalized the lyrics of his classic “Ribbon In The Sky” to “There’s an angel in the choir of love” for Whitney while R. Kelly performed a moving rendition of “I Look to You”, a song he penned that Whitney featured on her 2009 album of the same name. The proceedings ended in a fitting manner with Whitney’s most famous song, “I Will Always Love You,” playing as her casket was somberly walked out of the church. Whitney was at her peak the definitive pop diva that all others were measured up to. Her phenomenal vocal range and gorgeous looks made her a multi-genre sensation. The daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston, her pristine voice ruled the 80s and 90s with a slew of chart-topping albums and memorable songs like “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” and “The Greatest Love of All”; she broke the chart record with seven consecutive Billboard #1 songs. Her promising film career included roles like 1992’s The Bodyguard and 1995’s Waiting to Exhale and her rendition of “I Will Always Love You” from the former film stands as one of the most recognized and beloved songs in pop history. Houston’s artistic influence is indelible still on subsequent generations from Mariah Carey to Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Hudson. Despite a long-standing public battle with addiction and a tumultuous relationship with then-husband Bobby Brown , Whitney was working on staging a personal and professional comeback at the time of her death. She had wrapped filming on the movieSparkle with Jordin Sparks and was working on new music. Since her untimely passing, Whitney has sold over 1 million albums and singles . The diva lives on. Related Videos Farewell To A Legend: Whitney Houston’s Funeral Related Artists Whitney Houston
‘She meant a lot to us, she never forgot where she came from,’ a fan tells MTV News on the day of her funeral. By Rob Markman Whitney Houston in East Orange, NJ in 1987 Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage NEWARK, New Jersey — It was a day of both sadness and celebration as Whitney Houston ‘s fans gathered in her birthplace to mourn the death of the fallen pop diva on Saturday (February 18). Police set up blockades on the streets surrounding New Hope Baptist Church , keeping the public several blocks away from the private funeral in every direction. On the corner of Orange and Nesbitt streets, a group of fans gathered to sing some of Houston’s biggest hits like “The Greatest Love of All” and “I Will Always Love You” . On Sussex Avenue, about four blocks from the church, another group of fans gathered. A Philadelphia artist who goes by the name Mark G. drew a portrait of Houston, which he had fans sign. By the time MTV News interviewed him he had gathered hundreds of loving notes and signatures, and the artist said he plans to give the portrait to Whitney’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina, as a present through a connection he said he has with the family. “Whitney was connected to the fans, and when she left, she shined her light and this is something creatively that I did that connects the people to Whitney,” Mark G. explained of the artwork he created in ballpoint pen. “My heart goes out to the Whitney Houston family,” Miami native Karin Collins said. “I feel so bad, I was crying all last night. I’m blasting her music in my car everyday and I just feel so bad and my heart goes out to Bobbi Kristina as well as her grandmother [Cissy Houston].” While fans were mostly upbeat and positive, some Newark residents were upset by the decision to keep the service private without holding a bigger public send-off at the much larger Prudential Center, as was first rumored. “It was sad that they didn’t have it in the Prudential Center, I don’t know why they didn’t do that,” Brian Collins said. “All the fans in Newark could’ve came out and just gave their all in all out to her, pay tribute to Whitney Houston. She meant a lot to us, she never forgot where she came from and I love you Whitney.” With things as they were logistically, fans might have been more comfortable watching the invite-only funeral from home anyway. But the crowds that assembled at each police check-point wanted to feel closer to the ceremony. On Norfolk Street off Central Avenue, about 75 people surrounded a CNN transmission truck and watched as R. Kelly sang a spirited rendition of “I Look to You,” a song that he penned for Houston in 2009. After the funeral an excited group waited on Central Avenue hoping to see some of the ceremony’s high-profile guests as they filed out. There were no sightings of Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys , Kevin Costner or any other celebrity from the fans’ vantage point, but when Whitney Houston’s golden hearse turned onto Central, fans gave the musical icon one last cheer. Share your thoughts, memories and comments on our Facebook page. Related Photos Friends, Family And Fans Show Love At Whitney Houston’s Funeral Related Artists Whitney Houston
Family, friends and celebrities packed into the Newark church where Whitney Houston grew up and remembered the late singer’s voice, love and — most of all — faith at her homegoing service Saturday. The nearly four-hour service featured performances from Alicia Keys, R. Kelly, the Winans family, Stevie Wonder and others. Many of the performers adapted lyrics in tribute to Houston, including Kim Burrell and Stevie Wonder, who altered his version of one of Houston’s favorite songs, “Ribbon in the Sky.” Houston died a week ago at age 48 in Los Angeles. Many of the speakers spoke about Whitney Houston’s Baptist background and her strong faith in God, including an emotional Tyler Perry, who received a standing ovation. “I am completely thankful to God for all he has done her life,” Perry said. “There is a grace that kept on carrying her. … Whitney Houston loved the Lord.” Actor Kevin Costner also received a standing ovation after he spoke of Houston’s courage when she tried out for a starring role with him in the 1992 movie “The Bodyguard.” Oprah Winfrey, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Spike Lee, Roberta Flack, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton and Houston’s former husband, Bobby Brown, were among those in attendance. Brown and his entourage later left the church during the service, but there are conflicting reports as to why he left. Check out photos and video from the service: RELATED: Whitney Houston Obituary Released [PHOTOS] Ray J To Whitney Houston: “Your Smile Will Live In My Heart Forever” Chaka Khan Questions Why Pre-Grammy Party Was Held After Whitney Houston’s Death [VIDEO] Bobby Brown Dismisses Reports He’s Unwelcome At Whitney Funeral, Says Daughter Is “Doing Better” Aretha Franklin Sings Tribute For Goddaughter Whitney Houston [VIDEO] Celebrity Atlantans Remember Former ATL Resident Whitney Houston Whitney Houston May Have Died From Combination Of Xanax & Alcohol [REPORT] Jennifer Hudson Sings Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” At Grammys [VIDEO] New Edition On Whitney Houston’s Death: “We Are Shocked And Saddened” Bobby Declares Love For Whitney On Stage [VIDEO]
Keys, who shared a mentor with Houston in Clive Davis, performs ‘Send Me an Angel’ during Saturday’s funeral in New Jersey. By Rebecca Thomas Alicia Keys, Clive Davis and Swizz Beatz attend Whitney Houston’s funeral Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images After a stormy 14-year marriage to bad-boy singer Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston decided to end that chapter in 2006. Three years later, Houston had aligned again with mentor Clive Davis, the music industry impresario who first discovered a teenage Whitney belting out tunes in a nightclub and signed her to his Arista Records. Their final collaboration, I Look to You, was set to launch her on a the “comeback” trail. Live broadcasting by Ustream Like so many young singers, Alicia Keys — also a Davis acolyte — had long looked up to Houston. But the gifted songwriter cemented her connection to Houston, who was found dead at 48 a week ago, by writing the album’s hit single, “Million Dollar Bill.” On Saturday afternoon (February 18), Keys honored Houston in song once again, but instead of a dance-floor-filler, the “Unbreakable” singer took to the piano for an emotional farewell at New Jersey’s New Hope Baptist Church. Keys, dressed in a dark suit, first happily recalled Houston as a “beautiful human being, [who would] call you for no reason at all but to say, ‘Hi.’ ” Keys, who co-wrote “Bill” with husband Swizz Beatz, said Houston also made it a habit to nurture the female singers who were following in her superstar footsteps. “She reached back to so many people; she reached back to me, to Monica and Brandy … all these beautiful young artists, and just made us feel strong and capable and loved.” “So she’s an angel to us, and has been an angel to us,” Keys added before performing a moving “Send Me an Angel.” Keys wasn’t the only singer to pay soulful tribute to the “How Will I Know” star. Stevie Wonder, R. Kelly and gospel greats BeBe & CeCe Winans, Donnie McClurkin and Kim Burrell were among the performers at Houston’s Going-Home ceremony in Newark, where her “Bodyguard” co-star Kevin Costner delivered a heartbreaking eulogy. Stay with MTVNews.com all day Saturday for continuing coverage of Whitney Houston’s funeral services. Related Videos Live From Whitney Houston’s Funeral Whitney Houston: In Her Own Words Related Photos Friends, Family And Fans Show Love At Whitney Houston’s Funeral Related Artists Alicia Keys Whitney Houston
Hundreds of people lined up on Martin Luther King Boulevard this evening, gathering nearby the Whigham Funeral Home in Newark, New Jersey while those closest to Whitney Houston – including her daughter and mother, who exited a limo holding hands – held a wake for the late artist. This private memorial precedes tomorrow’s funeral Houston, which is scheduled for noon EST. It will be held at New Hope Baptist Church and has been the subject of controversy all week, with Bobby Brown not cleared by his former in-laws to attend until the last moment ; and with Governor Chris Christine ordering flags to be flown at half-staff . With Whitney’s cousin, Dionne Warwick, and former co-star, Kevin Costner, scheduled to speak at the invitation-only funeral, the guest list also includes: Forest Whitaker Chaka Khan Ray J Aretha Franklin Kim Burrell Clive Davis Stevie Wonder Rickey Minor Alicia Keys Following the funeral, Houston will be interred on Sunday, laid to rest alongside her father at the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, NJ.
Alicia Keys and Swizz Beaks did it up Grammy style stuntin in the purple velvet. You likey?? Wiz Khalifa and his lovemate Amber Rose were in the building as well. See more pics below:
Clive Davis discovered Whitney Houston at a NYC nightclub when the singer was 20 years old. It was therefore eerie and appropriate that the artist passed away, possibly from an overdose on prescription drugs , just a few hours prior to the music producer’s annual pre-Grammy Awards party at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel. The somber event did proceed as scheduled – with attendees including Britney Spears, Miranda Lambert, Brandy, Tom Hanks, P Diddy, Kim Kardashian and Mary J. Blige – and Davis opened the shindig with remarks abut Houston. “So, by now sadly, we have all learned of the unspeakably tragic news of our beloved Whitney’s passing. I don’t have to mask my emotions. Not in front of this room full of so many dear friends,” Davis said. “I do have a very heavy heart and I am personally devastated by the loss of someone who has meant so much to me for so many years. Whitney was so full of life. “She was so looking forward to tonight… She loved music and she loved this night that celebrates music.” A moment of silence followed, with Diana Krall, Tony Bennett and Alicia Keys later performing. On tonight’s Grammys telecast, meanwhile, Jennifer Hudson will perform a tribute to Whitney.
