The "KING OF POP " dies at age 50

Music icon Michael Jackson, whose fame spanned from his childhood with the legendary Jackson 5 to a superstar solo career that earned him the nickname 'King of Pop,' died Thursday afternoon at a Los Angeles hospital. He was 50.
His brother Jermaine Jackson confirmed Jackson 's death from suspected cardiac arrest at a press conference Thursday evening.
Jermaine Jackson said his brother's physician was with him at his home at the time of his suspected cardiac arrest, and both the physician and the paramedics who transported Jackson to the UCLA Medical Center attempted to resuscitate him.

"Upon arriving at the hospital at approximately 1:14 p.m. a team of doctors, including emergency physicians and cardiologists, attempted to resuscitate him for a period of more than one hour, but they were unsuccessful," he said.

 

 South Africas Rockers set for Overseas Success

South African, US-based rock act BLK JKS, are poised for mainstream recognition through the release of their highly anticipated full-length debut album “After Robots” on acclaimed American independent record label Secretly Canadian this year. This follows a lucrative licensing deal that offers the act an opportunity to release their music worldwide.

Formerly based in Soweto, BLK JKS (pronounced “black jacks”) launched a promising international career in 2007 after a chance meeting with US producer and DJ, Diplo while he was on tour in South Africa. 

In March this year, BLK JKS debuted their EP titled “Mystery” in America and Europe. The EP was warmly received both in London and New York and earned them a following, being able to attract critical praise from The New York Times, SPIN, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, LA Weekly, Time Out New York, New York Daily News and Under the Radar, among others.

This act is surely doing SA proud oversees; their gig guide reflects massive touring in America, Europe and other African countries as far as Morocco. They have shared stages with recognizable artists like Femi Kuti, Santigold, Dirty Projectors, Michael Franti, Cody Chesnutt, among others.

“BLK JKS music is a collision of township blues, fringe jazz and renegade dub…” According to a US Magazine, Fader last year, “Music from Africa has never sounded like this; BLK JKS bring the concept of afro-futurism into a new century.” 

BLK JKS’s album will be released on the 8th of September 2009.

“After Robots is an original BLK JKS affair—a distinctly South African vision of rock’s global travel and the possibility of what it can sound like from here on out.” Says BLK JKS on Blogspot.com.

BLK JKS consists of childhood friends Lindani Buthelezi and guitarist Mpumi Mcata who grew up on the same block in the East Rand where they taught themselves guitar. After the band's current lineup took shape with the addition of bassist Molefi Makananise and drummer Tshepang Ramoba, both from Soweto, they embarked on a schedule of heavy touring throughout South Africa that earned them a loyal national following.