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Caresse Henry, Madonna’s Former Manager, Found Dead

She also managed Ricky Martin, Jessica Simpson, Joss Stone and Paula Abdul. By Jocelyn Vena Madonna Photo: Valery Hache /Getty Images Madonna’s former manager, Caresse Henry, has died at age 44, CNN reports. Henry worked with Madonna for about a decade, up until 2004, and has also managed a number of other artists, including Ricky Martin, Jessica Simpson, Joss Stone, Paula Abdul and Andrew Dice Clay. She is survived by her two children, Honour Kristen Norman and Ava Caresse Hinojosa, who both live in Los Angeles. Madonna’s publicist, Liz Rosenberg, released a statement to CBS News explaining that Henry “died suddenly” in Irvine, California, where she lived, on Wednesday. Funeral services will be held April 9 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Church in Westwood, California. “Despite rumors to the contrary, the cause of death has not been determined and is currently under investigation,” the CBS statement continued. In a statement to CNN, Rosenberg said, “The family has requested that their privacy be respected during this difficult time.” Henry also reportedly worked as a personal assistant to Madonna, and she’s credited as an artistic manager and executive producer on Madonna: Drowned World Tour 2001. According to various reports, Henry and Madonna parted ways in 2004 after rumors spread that Madonna fired Henry due to the pop star’s faith in Kabbalah; at the time, it was also reported that Henry quit. Musician Jimmy Demers, who was managed by Henry, wrote a piece for the Huffington Post remembering his pal. “I’m not sure what details led her to this dark moment of hopelessness, and I’m not sure there was anything anyone could have done to save her,” he wrote in response to reports that Henry had committed suicide, which has not been confirmed.

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Caresse Henry, Madonna’s Former Manager, Found Dead

Eminem’s New Music Will ‘Surprise A Lot Of People,’ Just Blaze Says

Producer also talks about the possibility of reuniting with Jay-Z. By Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Adam Stewart and Akshay Bhansali Eminem Photo: Universal It seems like the only time Just Blaze isn’t in the sky these days is when he’s working. Blaze has been DJing at places like the Winter Music Conference when he isn’t busy traveling back and forth and producing for people such as Jay Electronica and Eminem . “I’m working on Eminem’s album still, so I’ve gotta hurry up and get back to Detroit,” Just said. He was fresh off the turntables at club Grand Central during the Fool’s Gold party in Miami, where he spun a two-hour house set. “I’ve been back and forth — Detroit, New York, Detroit, New York, Miami, back to Detroit — for like the past two and a half weeks. [The album], it’s getting there, but we still got a lot of work. So I wish I could stay [in Miami] longer.” Blaze says he’s sworn not to reveal too much about Eminem’s album, but he’s already calling it a classic, one of the ultimate efforts in Slim Shady’s storied catalog. “As far as what’s going on in Detroit, a lot of good music is being made,” Blaze said of Em. “He’s really back spitting. The wordplay is crazy, the metaphors are crazy. He’s really back on his game. He had his ups, he had his downs, he’s back way, way, way up. This is definitely going to be up there with the best of his albums, for sure, for sure. The fact that he’s branched out working with a lot of different people now, collaborating in a lot of different ways that he never has before, I think he’s going to surprise a lot of people.” Other than Em, Blaze has Jay Electronica on his plate, but what about the super-producer linking back with the other Jay, as in Young Hova? Just says he talked to the Jiggaman right before the U.S. leg of the Blueprint 3 tour ended. “Maybe,” he answered with a sly grin about whether or not he and rap’s G.O.A.T. would collaborate again. “You never know.” Related Artists Eminem

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Eminem’s New Music Will ‘Surprise A Lot Of People,’ Just Blaze Says

MTV’s Musical March Madness Final Four Preview: My Chemical Romance

After a hard-won victory over 30 Seconds to Mars, MCR face Muse in the Final Four. By James Montgomery My Chemical Romance Photo: Chapman Baehler/Getty Images/MTV News Who : The last band standing in the certifiably wild West region in MTV’s Musical March Madness tournament , My Chemical Romance have to be considered the favorites to win it all at this point, based on the bands they’ve bested and the help they’re getting from their friends in 30 Seconds to Mars (more on that in a bit). Up until the departure of drummer Bob Bryar , My Chem were one of the few bands in the tournament who could field an actual basketball team (there were five of them) but even when playing a man down, they’re a formidable squad, with the Way brothers running the show from the guard positions, Frank Iero scoring from the wing, and the indomitable inside presence of Ray Toro. Dude can totally dunk. How They Got Here : My Chem’s tournament was really a story of two halves — everything leading up to their Sweet 16 tilt against 30 Seconds to Mars and everything after it. MCR entered the field as a #5 seed and bounced opening-round opponent Gorillaz with relative ease. In the second round, they were pitted against formidable #4 seed Pearl Jam, and to the surprise of pretty much everyone, they positively rolled them, winning 63-37. That set up the now legendary Sweet 16 bloodfest against 30STM, a battle of bands with unyielding, fervent fanbases (the MCRmy and the Echelon, respectively). It was a back-and-forth affair, and in a fitting twist, it ended up tied, with each band grabbing 50 percent of the vote. After more than 50,000 ballots were counted, MCR were declared the winners (by a scant 327 votes). Though defeated, 30STM threw their support behind My Chem, which resulted in them absolutely destroying Panic! at the Disco in the Elite Eight. The Outlook : With the power of 30 Seconds to Mars behind them — not to mention the might of the MCRmy — there’s really no stopping My Chemical Romance, and a trip to the championship game seems a mere formality at this point. It almost doesn’t matter that they haven’t released a note of new music in more than a year or that their still-untitled fourth album has been in the works for nearly as long (or that they might not have a drummer right now). MCR are balanced, determined and tournament-tested. They’ll face off against Muse in the Final Four and, call us bandwagon-jumpers, but we like their chances. Throughout the day, we’ll be breaking down the four bands still standing in MTV’s Musical March Madness tournament. Voting on the Final Four opens Friday (April 2) on the Newsroom blog and runs until Sunday night. Related Photos Who Will Win MTV’s Musical March Madness?! MTV News’ Band Bracketology Related Artists My Chemical Romance

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MTV’s Musical March Madness Final Four Preview: My Chemical Romance

Michael Jackson Doctor Conrad Murray Fights To Keep Medical License

Murray is charged with manslaughter in the pop star’s 2009 death. By Kelley L. Carter Conrad Murray Photo: Toby Canham/ Getty Images Dr. Conrad Murray, who is being charged with manslaughter for the death of pop superstar Michael Jackson, has said in court papers that he must be granted the right to continue practicing medicine, otherwise, he won’t be able to pay for his defense in the case. Murray was responding to a bid by the California attorney general to suspend his license pending trial, The Associated Press reports. Attorneys for the doctor say if that were to happen, the results would be devastating for the financially strapped Murray. “He is, without fear of overstatement, hanging on by a thread,” the attorneys wrote. “His ability to pay for his own defense depends almost entirely on his ability to continue to treat patients.” Murray, who is due back in court on Monday, has pleaded not guilty to the involuntary-manslaughter charges brought up against him in Jackson’s death; the singer was administered anesthetic propofol and other drugs by Murray. Should he be suspended in California — where he no longer practices — his lawyers fear there might be a domino effect in Texas and Nevada, where the bulk of his practice is. “If Dr. Murray is unable to practice medicine in Texas, and especially Nevada, he will likely be faced with the inability to adequately defend himself of the charges facing him in the Superior Court of California,” his lawyers wrote. “The case with which he is charged will require intensive attorney work and fees. In light of the fact that much of his defense will be scientifically based and involves the death of an internationally famous decedent, expenses for his defense will be considerable.” Lawyers for Murray also say that should he be suspended, he’d struggle to pay child support. The AP also reports that court records show financial woes aren’t new to Murray, and they date back to when he signed on in May at $150,000 per month to keep Jackson healthy through a series of comeback shows planned in London. At that time, he owed at least $780,000 for settlements against his business, outstanding mortgage payments on his house, delinquent student loans, child support and credit cards. He also faced near foreclosure on his Las Vegas country-club home. In January, he made a payment of $1,003 on a $15,500 child-support debt involving a California woman and her 11-year-old son. The next month, he failed to appear at a Las Vegas court proceeding and was found in default on a $132,000 debt related to office and medical equipment and services. Related Photos Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos Related Artists Michael Jackson

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Michael Jackson Doctor Conrad Murray Fights To Keep Medical License

Paul Oakenfold On Working With Madonna, Brittany Murphy

Veteran DJ/producer has Cee-Lo, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ryan Tedder lined up for next LP, Pop Killer. By Akshay Bhansali Madonna Photo: PictureGroup/ Evan Agostini When MTV News caught up with British DJ and producer Paul Oakenfold last weekend in Miami, he was right where we expected him to be: poolside at the Raleigh Hotel, both a fan and an artist amid the many revelers and dance-music industry types making their annual pilgrimage to the Winter Music Conference. Even for a dance-music icon, Oakenfold has seen and done it all: He’s toured around the world and worked with U2, Madonna, Justin Timberlake, New Order and dozens of other stars. He’s scored films and video games; he’s held club residencies in England, Spain and now Las Vegas. Still, with such a rich past, it was pleasing to hear Oakenfold say how exciting dance music is these days. “The great thing about Madonna, when I produced ‘Celebration,’ she understood that the way forward was through electronic music,” Oakenfold said. “Hats off to her for realizing that. With the rock singers, we’ve always been involved in some respect, because a lot of rock records have been remixed and done really well in Europe and the rest of the world. It’s more the urban world now is knocking on the DJ’s door.” For proof of the latter statement, look no further than the work of French DJ/Producer David Guetta, 1634864 who’s recently worked with the Black Eyed Peas (“I Gotta Feeling”), Akon (“Sexy Chick”), Kid Cudi (“Memories”), and Kelly Rowland (“When Love Takes Over”). For Oakenfold, it’s all par for the course. Over the years he’s worked on songs with Nelly Furtado, Pharrell Williams, Ice Cube and even the late, legendary writer Hunter S. Thompson. And he’s got a similar team of A-listers on his forthcoming album, Pop Killer. “I have some interesting people, actually,” he said. “From the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Ryan Tedder, the lead singer of OneRepublic, and Cee-Lo, who’s in Gnarls Barkley.” Not appearing on the album but certainly another notable name that the producer worked with is the late actress Brittany Murphy , whose Oakenfold-helmed dance hit “Faster Kill Pussycat” (from the producer’s 2006 Lively Mind LP) was a showcase for the actress’ largely overlooked talent as a singer. “That song did really well,” Oakenfold said. “It’s a shame, because she was not only a wonderful person but a fantastic vocalist. She was very open to embracing someone else’s material, and she was the first actress I had worked with in terms of directing and producing a piece of music. She was very open-minded. The world never got to hear how good of a singer she really was.” Related Videos Sights And Sounds From Winter Music Conference 2010 Related Artists Madonna Paul Oakenfold

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Paul Oakenfold On Working With Madonna, Brittany Murphy

Jennifer Hudson Is Weight Watchers’ Newest Spokesperson

‘I feel empowered with what I’ve learned,’ Hudson says of working with the weight-loss company. By Jocelyn Vena Jennifer Hudson Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage Jennifer Hudson is joining a long line of celebrities who have served as spokespeople for Weight Watchers. The Oscar-winning singer and actress announced that she is the newest face for the weight-loss company. “With Weight Watchers, I am enjoying the weight loss because I’m doing it the right way — I feel empowered with what I’ve learned, everything from portion control to what foods will help keep me satisfied,” the 28-year-old former “American Idol” contestant told People.com . “It’s a lifestyle change, not a diet.” Hudson, who has a 7-month-old son , David Daniel Otunga Jr., with her fianc

Justin Bieber’s Best Funny Or Die April Fools’ Day Videos

Bieber pokes fun at his fame, soothes his hardworking fans and battles ‘OMG Cat’ on the video site. By Jocelyn Vena Justin Bieber on Funny or Die Photo: FunnyOrDie.com For Justin Bieber’s epic April Fools’ Day takeover of Funny or Die, the 16-year-old created a slew of new videos for the site, which he has renamed Bieber or Die. And while none see him meeting up with mortal enemy Aziz Ansari’s alter ego Raaaaaaaandy , they do display Bieber’s comic chops and ability to poke fun at himself. On the site, he spoofs several viral video sensations, including “David After Dentist” and “Dramatic Chipmunk, and takes a hilarious tumble from his coffee table, but there are a few clips that really earn that Funny rating — or, sorry, Bieber rating. “Bieber Takes Over” Bieber explains his plans for taking over the site, because now that he’s famous, he can pretty much do whatever he pleases. For instance, he explains, “I’m a star. I do what stars do. I ride on yachts. I autograph lady lumps. And I pay people to slap them.” Among his other privileges, the diminutive star boasts that he can get rides on very large people instead of walking. “I talk loudly in libraries, and I swim directly after I eat. I don’t care,” he says defiantly. “I once ran into a club. They said, ‘Sir, you’re not old enough.’ So bought the club and I made it a Chuck E. Cheese. Now who’s old enough, bitch?” “OMG Bieber vs. OMG Cat” In a simple little video, Bieber making his best astonished face is edited together with shots of the famous “OMG Cat.” Nothing else happens, but it still manages to be one of the funnier and more understated videos that he made for the site. Similarly, “OMG Bieber vs. Chuck Norris vs. Bear” pairs footage of Bieber making his “OMG” face with footage of Chuck Norris fighting off a bear. OMG cat makes a cameo too, obviously. Justin Bieber Screensaver While Bieber sits at his computer and pretends to type, he looks to the camera and shares sweet nothings with his fans, in a trope familiar to Funny or Die fans. “Oh, hey! I didn’t see you there,” he says. “I love you. Your eyes are so gorgeous. You should buy my album My World 2.0. ” And before long, he’s giving somewhat strange compliments to his fans. “Your body resembles a wild hyena,” he tells them. “Roses are red. Violets are blue. I love you. … “Hey, just working — working hard so I can please you. … I hope your parents like me. Shhh! Close your eyes, go to sleep, you sweet thing.” And the video ends with Bieber just looking at the camera. Cue the squealing. What’s your favorite Justin Bieber Funny or Die video? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos The Diary Of Justin Bieber Related Photos Justin Bieber Takes Over The Bodies Of Other Teen Idols Behind-The-Scenes Of ‘Diary Of Justin Bieber’: Paris Behind-The-Scenes Of ‘Diary Of Justin Bieber’: Chelsea Piers Justin Bieber Live On MTV.com | Photos Related Artists Justin Bieber

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Justin Bieber’s Best Funny Or Die April Fools’ Day Videos

Coldplay, Adam Lambert Announce Huge News … On April Fool’s Day

Coldplay announce ‘Angst’ fragrance; Lambert to star in ‘Wizard of Oz’ remake … yeah, right! By James Montgomery Coldplay’s Chris Martin Photo: Dave M. Benett/ Getty Images For some reason, April 1 seems to be the day some of the biggest acts on the planet decide to make some of the strangest announcements ever. Why, just last year , Kid Rock made it known that he had acquired the naming rights to the Detroit Tigers’ stadium, Coldplay revealed plans to record an album in zero gravity and Trent Reznor unveiled his Timbaland -produced Strobelight project. Oh yeah, and Bj

Justin Bieber, Sean Kingston Throw Pool Party For ‘Eenie Meenie’ Video

‘The video is basically about this girl trying to play both of us,’ Kingston explained about new video with Bieber. By Jocelyn Vena Justin Bieber on the set of his and Sean Kingston’s “Eenie Meenie” video Photo: RapUp.com Following this week’s release of the video for his new song “Never Let You Go,” Justin Bieber is already hard at work on his next clip from My World 2.0, “Eenie Meenie,” featuring Sean Kingston. Kingston explained the plot of the video during a set visit with Rap-up.com . “The video is basically about this girl trying to play both of us and at the end … we end up both at the same place at one time, and she’s left with a stupid look on her face,” he explained. The video was shot at a house in the Hollywood Hills, and in it, Bieber is seen at a pool party holding hands, goofing around and dancing with a girl. Kingston, who has confessed to having “Bieber fever,” explains how he came to work with the chart-topping pop star. “I met Justin about two years ago before he was the teenage phenom that he is now,” he said. “I don’t really have that same chemistry with some celebrities. God just made it happen.” So, what kind of advice does Kingston have for his pal? “I tell him stay humble, keep God first and at the end of the day you’re a role model,” he advised. But that doesn’t mean he won’t let Bieber play around with his Ferrari. “He’s Justin Bieber. If he wrecks it, I’m sure a check won’t be a problem,” Kingston joked. Are you excited to see Bieber’s new music video? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Justin Bieber Sean Kingston

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Justin Bieber, Sean Kingston Throw Pool Party For ‘Eenie Meenie’ Video

Why Google Is Now Topeka

The search engine continues its proud tradition of April Fools’ Day jokes. By Eric Ditzian Topeka Photo: Google Early-morning Web surfers woke up Thursday (April 1) to a strange sight: Google was no longer Google, but a multicolored search engine called Topeka. Say what? Oh, Google, you and your Internet hoaxes! Following in a long line of elaborate pranks, Google decided that for April Fools’ Day , the company would change its name to Topeka, brand equity be damned. The purported name change followed an actual March decision from the town of Topeka, Kansas, which declared its intention to change its name to Google in a bid to become one of the cities in which the company plans to build high-speed broadband networks. On the first day of April, Google repaid the compliment. “We’ve been wondering ever since how best to honor that moving gesture,” the company announced on its official blog . “Today we are pleased to announce that as of 1 a.m. (Central Daylight Time) April 1st, Google has officially changed our name to Topeka.” The hoax is merely the latest for a company that prides itself on a having a sense of humor and famously trumpeted its founding edict: “Don’t be evil.” For April Fools’ Day 2006, the company announced the launch of Google Romance , a send-up of online dating services. A year earlier, Google proudly revealed its intention to sell a line of “smart drinks” to “maximize your surfing efficiency.” In 2004, the search company started advertising for jobs located on the moon . In its most recent announcement, of course, Google gave no indication that the name change was anything less than a verified fact. The decision to switch to Topeka, it seemed, had not been made lightly. “Google employees once known as ‘Googlers’ should now be referred to as either ‘Topekers’ or ‘Topekans,’ depending on the result of a board meeting that’s ongoing at this hour,” read the company’s blog post. “Whatever the outcome, the conclusion is clear: We aren’t in Google anymore.”

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Why Google Is Now Topeka