Whitney Houston's Voice Will Never Be Forgotten...By: David Bauder

Whitney Houston's downfall was so long and sad that, in an impatient public's mind, it overshadowed her many accomplishments. Those achievements can be checked off easily in numbers - Grammy Awards, records sold, the string of seven consecutive No. 1 singles. Yet if there's any solace to her passing, it is that people will revisit recordings, videos and films to rediscover the majesty of her work. Look up the video for one of those hits, "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)." The arrangement and instrumentation - cheesy synthesizers, booming drums - date the recording immediately in the late 1980s. It's a pop confection that could have been sung by any singer who might have been forgotten in a couple of years. Houston lifted it above the average with a voice that could just as easily be found on a gospel record or opera stage. She danced through it with a bearing that made you think of Michael Jordan stopping off at a schoolyard basketball game, knowing that she had far more talent than anyone around her. The daughter of Cissy Houston and cousin of Dionne Warwick, Houston had talent that surpassed each of them. Her godmother was Aretha Franklin - how's that for pressure? - but in her prime, Houston's voice could match the Queen of Soul's. "Didn't We Almost Have It All" and "How Will I Know" were other standouts, evidence that Houston could master balladry and up-tempo songs. She was one of longtime music executive Clive Davis' greatest signings, and although Davis may not have challenged Houston enough, he at least put her in position to shine. Anyone who saw Houston perform "The Star Spangled Banner" before the 1991 Super Bowl will always remember it.

The 1992 film "The Bodyguard" and its soundtrack will remain her signature achievement. She portrayed a superstar singer, alternatively tough and vulnerable, guarded by a former Secret Service agent played by Kevin Costner. For the soundtrack, she took a little-known Dolly Parton song, "I Will Always Love You," and made it her own. And then some. Again, there are the kudos - it won the Grammy Award for record of the year.

The performance itself was remarkable. Houston's voice soared with the power of a jet engine and kept perfect tone for the quieter, tender moments. Every artist has a defining song; if they're lucky, it also shows the peak of their powers. The hits didn't dry up immediately, but they became less frequent. Her marriage to singer Bobby Brown was ill-fated and she descended into drug abuse. In September 1997, I had an interview scheduled with Houston as she was promoting a concert being televised on HBO. It was by phone, but the appointed hour of her call came and went. No Houston. The next day a huge floral arrangement was delivered to

The Associated Press office addressed to me with a note of apology attributed to Houston. When the interview was rescheduled, I thanked her for the arrangement and said it wasn't necessary. She had no idea what I was talking about. One suspects there were many years and many other examples of instances like that, of covering Houston's tracks as she became increasingly unreliable. The years of abuse took a terrible toll on her talent. She made a comeback in 2009 with a "Good Morning America" concert that was sad to watch.

She went through the motions and played hard to the crowd, but her voice could no longer hit the notes that once seemed effortless. During that 1997 interview, Houston deflected talk about a life and marriage that was already clearly troubled. "I didn't get in the business to talk about my personal life," she said then. "I got in the business to sing, to try to make music and to try to make people happy ... if I can. "My life doesn't go on record. My voice does." It is the only thing to be thankful for with this sad story.

Fashion Brands & Fashionistas “Flaunt It” at Temple Muse

Love is all around this season and Temple Muse celebrated Valentine's Day early this year with their Flaunt It! event.

This season of LOVE, Temple Muse transforms itself into an abode of confidence where you can all come and FLAUNT IT!

Launched at an uber cool event at the Temple Muse Flagship, guests were welcomed with a special photoshoot in the FLAUNT IT! Booth, Male Models Clad in skimpy GREY branded shorts and Hot Red Lips that adorned the whole store.

Moet&Chandon's Bar that is now a permanent fixture at the Temple Muse Flagship created Champagne Cocktails with names such as The Mimosa'Muse, Tijani Bellini and Temple Royal, while mini Pink Signature Cupcakes and Cool House Tunes set the mood for LOVE!

The FLAUNT IT! Event also doubled up as the launchpad of the GREY brand being introduced into Temple Muse. Known for their fun, affordable and funky designs, the GREY brand wowed the crowd, many of whom were seen posing with the Models clad only in their Ankara Print Shorts. The brand will have a Pop Up shop for the month of February and thereafter take a space sitting next to some of the best brands from Africa and the Globe instore.

The event also showcased the New Season collections from Tiffany Amber, LDA, Odio Mimonet, Amrapali, Lara Bohinc, Givenchy, Zooni and many more.

It's the season of LOVE, so make sure you all come to Temple Muse and FLAUNT IT!

Whitney Houston -- Dead at 48

Whitney Houston died this afternoon ... a rep for the singer announced. She was 48. Our sources tell us a member of Whitney's entourage found her in her 4th-floor room at the Beverly Hilton hotel ... and called hotel security -- who then dialed 911. When paramedics arrived Houston was found unresponsive. We're told police arrived to the scene within minutes and fire was already there on an unrelated call. According to our sources, paramedics performed CPR but it did not work and she was pronounced dead at 3:55 PM. 

Our sources say there were no obvious signs of foul play, but BH PD detectives have begun a full investigation. We're told she was ID'ed by family and friends.L.A. County Coroner Ed Winter told our photog at 7:09 PM that it is too early in the investigation to tell what happened (see below).The singer famously battled drug addiction for years (see related links below).Houston was seen out in Hollywood Thursday night for a Grammy party ... and she did not look well (below). She even briefly took the mic and performed a song while she was there -- what would become her last performance. See the video here.Houston won two Emmy Awards, six Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards during her record-breaking career. Her album "Whitney" was the first female album to ever debut at #1 on the Billboard Charts. She has sold 200 million albums worldwide. Houston had one child, Bobbi Kristina, with husband Bobby Brown. Houston and Brown were married from 1992-2007. Sources tell us, Whitney Houston "partied heavily" last night at the Beverly HIlton hotel where she was staying, drinking and chatting loudly with friends in the bar -- but Cissy Houston and Dionne Warwick claim the singer sounded fine just hours before her death. We're told Bobby Brown is distraught over Whitney's death -- going "in and out of crying fits." His band New Edition tells us, they are "shocked and saddened."Clive Davis' pre-Grammy party -- which Whitney was supposed to open -- is going on as scheduled this evening, though Clive will not be in attendance. Law enforcement sources tell us, police are currently seeking a search warrant to investigate the hotel room where Whitney was found dead. One item they'll be looking out for -- drugs

Lil Wayne Breaks Down Latest Skateboarding Injury

Lil Wayne has always put his music first, but Weezy's passion for his skateboard may come in a close second. Tunechi was pretty bummed when he learned he had to stay off the ramps for a week after injuring his shoulder in a skateboarding accident at his Miami home.

"Unfortunately I was skating and I tried to do an ollie down one of my banks and I tailed out at the end of it," Weezy said in a clip from DJ Scoob Doo's upcoming "The Nino Brown Story" DVD that was given exclusively to MTV News.

On Sunday, Weezy put out the third installment of his viral video series "Weezy's Sports Corner," sitting in front of the camera with his arm in a sling. In the clip provided to MTV News, the Young Money boss broke down the injury. "I kinda didn't separate it — hopefully I didn't separate my shoulder, but if it was separated I wouldn't be able to move it," he said, showing off his new Trukfit tee for the camera. "I probably strained a muscle. I don't know the name of the muscle, my therapist told me the name of it — I'm not sure. We were thinking I probably sprained the muscle, which is like a slight tear, which will probably take a few days to heal. A few days and I'll be back."

Looks like Wayne is already back. On Wednesday Justin Bieber tweeted a picture of him and Wayne standing by a skating ramp, though it is unclear whether Weezy actually got on a board or whether he is wearing his sling.

It's not the injury that has him down. In August 2011, Weezy had to get nine stitches after a skating accident in St. Louis during his I Am Still Music Tour. But that spill didn't keep Weezy off the ramps. "I ain't worried about the pain, it hurts like hell but the worst thing is that I couldn't really skate," he said. "I always get injured but I never get an injury where I can't get back on the board. Remember we had the nine stitches? That didn't mean we couldn't skate the next day, so we skated the next day.

Okereke Speaks: ‘I’m not getting married in February’

After so much ruse and speculation about her upcoming wedding and the annulment of her marriage to Chikelue Iloanusi, Nollywood star actress, Stephanie Okereke has come out to the clear the air.

In a short interview with YNaija, the Kanakelon brand ambassador says she's not getting married to Linus Idahosa in February. 'I'm not getting married in February, very untrue, please tell them.' However, she made no comment when asked if the upcoming wedding will take place in Paris as reported.

Speaking on the issue with Okereke's publicist, Yetunde Taiwo of ICY Public Relations, she made this comment,

'Thank you for reaching out to clarify any news you may have heard about Stephanie and the wedding. There is no update about the wedding at this time and unless it is coming from our press office, it is simply all speculations from interested media. Once we have the information that is needed we will send it to you as always in our press release.'

The actress also revealed that her marriage to Super Eagles player Chikelue Iloanusi was never valid.  'I sought for annulment and I got it. I never sought for divorce. The court cannot grant annulment unless I had proof. The case has been on since 2007 and been dragging because of our court system.'

There was also additional report from the judge who was on the case. According to him, 'the marriage never existed and couldn't have been valid as Iloanusi was married to another woman in the US at the time he wedded Okereke.

RMD celebrates wife @ 40

Veteran Nollywood actor, and the incumbent  Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State,Richard Mofe-Damijo who survived a ghastly car accident recently in Warri, is in a happy mood again.

The actor is celebrating his wife, Jumobi who turned 40 years of age on January 27. He took to twitter  to mark this special day in honour of his wife.  Twitting he said " my wife, Jumobi turned 40 today and it's a happy day for the entire family.

Please quell the rumours. Have a good night."

It would be recalled that former Miss Jumobi Adegbesan, was the presenter of Lunch Break on AIT, before destiny brought her together with RMD, in 2000 after the death of  the actor's former wife, May Ellen in 1996. Interestingly, only last year,  the actor himself clocked 50, making him eleven years older than his second wife, Jumobi.

MTV’s Cynthia Okpala delivers baby boy

MTV Base's Nigerian VJ Cynthia Okpala better known as C-Von and husband, Ozoemena Mbanefo have taken delivery of a baby boy in far way Unite States of America.

The 27-year-old Cynthia  had been in the US for several months waiting for her EDD.

We hear Ozoemena who works at advertising agency 141 Worldwide and is currently in Lagos is quite excited about the news. On Saturday, October 23, 2010, C-Von exchanged wedding vows with her partner Ozoemena Mbanefo in Lagos.

The wedding, which held at the Sheraton Hotels, in Ikeja, was attended by very close family members and friends.

C-von was in 2007 announced winner of the national MTV VJ Search. She has over the years established herself as one of the most prominent VJS across the continent. The Ebonyi State University graduate has also had a few stints acting, starring as 'Ify' in 'Tinsel', the MNet TV Series

Boko Haram: 6 killed as multiple blasts rock Maiduguri

MAIDUGURI- No fewer than six persons were confirmed dead following early Thursday morning multiple bomb blasts in Shehuri north area of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of Joint Military Task Force, JTF, Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Mohammed said the six persons may have been slaughtered by people suspected to be Boko Haram members.

According to the statement, JTF believes the killings could be as a result of a division amongst the sect members.
The JTF said the bombs were Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, adding that  some of the unexploded IEDs have been defused by the taskforce.

Meanwhile, the Borno State Police Command has debunked a story published in some national dailies that a "soldier and policemen were killed in fresh Borno attacks".

In a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Samuel Tizhe, said the correct version of the event was  that, "on 30th January, 2012 at about 19:30 hours, three unknown gunmen attacked the house of one Abubakar Gaji of Old Gomari Airport few metres away from the mini- Airforce Barracks in Maiduguri and shot two people.

Tizhe said, the gunmen who were yet to be identified snatched a Honda Accord car with registration number AR 428 MAG, and while on their way out of the area, shot dead a man in mufti alleged to be a military personnel who resided in the mini – Airforce barracks.