Posts Tagged ‘Whitney Houston’

Mo’Kelly has no comment.

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“Rhythm of the Night” singer El DeBarge was arrested for drug possession in L.A. yesterday … and cops believe El may have been trying to deal the junk.

El was popped around 2 PM in Encino, CA … after LAPD officers observed him participating in what appeared to be a drug deal with another man near the 101 Freeway.

DeBarge was arrested for possession of narcotics with intent to sell. It’s the 3rd time El has been arrested for drug possession since 2001.

He was hauled to a nearby jail where he was booked and released on $30k bail.  El is due back in court next month.

Fun Fact — El’s brother James is currently serving time behind bars after being arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and drug charges. 

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Story HERE.  And HERE.

RELATED: Dear El DeBarge Fans, It’s – Full-Time Sobriety or Death

The Mo’Kelly Report is a syndicated politics and entertainment journal. Visit http://mrmokelly.com for the latest from Mr. Mo’Kelly. Contact him at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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Some have emailed and queried wondering what a “substantive” conversation on

Whitney Houston means…how it matters given she’s already gone.  Well below you will find it.  Recently I participated in an extended conversation with Scotty Reid of BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com to discuss the issues of addiction, mental health, entertainment and their intersection.

Granted, we can’t save those who are already gone but maybe, just maybe we can highlight the larger issues and better understand what needs to be done to save those still with us.  The death of Whitney Houston was not just an entertainment issue, but healthcare, addiction and mental health issue that impacts the whole of the African-American community.

Instead of simply praising the quality of the funeral service or pointing the finger at Bobby Brown, let’s get to the heart of the matter.  THIS is why The Mo’Kelly Report exists, to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse.  We must fundamentally change the way we look at addiction, mental health and addiction or invariably we will lose more and more of our treasured artists…unnecessarily so.

To hear Scotty Reid’s program in its entirety or learn more about BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com, please click HERE.

The Mo’Kelly Report is a syndicated politics and entertainment journal. Visit http://mrmokelly.com for the latest from Mr. Mo’Kelly. Contact him at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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(If this sounds eerily similar to everything Mo’Kelly has been saying…it’s not your imagination.)

From E!

A recovered addict herself, the “I’m Every Woman” singer explained how she would never arrive for a performance a week before the scheduled date, like Houston did. And since Whitney did, Khan noted, someone should have been there to supervise.

“I stand on, whoever flew her out to perform at that party, should have provided someone to be there,” she said, “To somehow, keep the riff-raff out of the situation. To keep the dangerous people away.”

Khan also shared Sharon Osbourne‘s sentiments of confusion and disapproval concerning Clive Davis‘ decision to move forward with his Grammy party after Houston’s death, and described how the music industry can become a bad influence on stars.

“I think we all, as artists, because we’re highly sensitive people, and this machine around us, this so-called ‘music industry,’ is such a demonic thing. It’s sacrifices people’s lives and their essences at the drop of a dime…I had a manager once say to me, ‘ You know you’re worth more money dead than alive.’

“I mean, I’ve cried for her, a lot over the years, so many times,” the singer said. “In a way I’ve mourned her, because I felt something was gonna happen because she was so close to the wire.”

Full story HERE.

The Mo’Kelly Report is a syndicated politics and entertainment journal. Visit http://mrmokelly.com for the latest from Mr. Mo’Kelly. Contact him at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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A number of people emailed Mo’Kelly and SPECIFICALLY asked for me to re-post the following editorial regarding El DeBarge, given how perfectly it fits within the discussion of Whitney Houston’s passing.  In fact, mentally remove the words “El DeBarge” and insert “Whitney Houston.”  It’s all-the-way accurate and uncanny in its import.  In video below, Whitney and El share a tearful reunion…hours before her death.

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Keep the hate mail coming. I don’t care what you think about me. I really, really
don’t. It is not my job to be a fan in my work, only to tell the truth. There are larger, more important issues to address. If you are a “fan” of El DeBarge, then you need to hear this, because it’s time to get down to brass tacks.  This is for the ones more concerned with the singer making a comeback and less with a full recovery.

There is an order to be followed. Recovery first and foremost, with a recording career coming in a distant second.

It does not matter what any reader may think of me, my supposed motivations or even the history between El DeBarge and myself over the years. There is nothing I can say, will say or have said that will ever be the ultimate decider in whether DeBarge maintains sobriety or makes a full comeback.

Nothing.

Any anger with me along those lines is clearly misplaced. I don’t have that much power. I appreciate the credit but it is undeserved. Nevertheless, the following must be said.

When I sat down with El’s people in September of 2010, they articulated the need to surround him 24/7 in terms of prayer and personnel to help El stay on the path of sobriety.

24/7. Meaning...ALL of the time. Meaning…his sobriety ALL of the time was key. El said that he’s battled the demon of crack for more than 25 years, the hedge was required.

If you don’t know or understand the realities of crack addiction or health implications of long-time cocaine/drug use, then let me assist. Any user of such longevity will tell you that the demons will ALWAYS remain.

ALWAYS. One can be sober and off the substance but it is a day-to-day fight for the rest of one’s life.  After age 50, substance abuse increases the likelihood of sudden death at an exponential rate.

This is not about resuscitating anybody’s career, it’s about saving someone’s life.

El DeBarge can’t be sober “some of the time.”

El DeBarge can’t be sober for “most of his performances.”

El DeBarge must be sober ALL OF THE TIME, or he is coming home in a box…nice performances or not.

The music business (of which I am a veteran) affords too many obstacles, too many enablers and too many avenues which threaten sobriety.

If by his management’s admission, El DeBarge required round-the-clock assistance and still he is not sober ALL OF THE TIME, then it is time to discuss whether his sobriety and singing career can co-exist any longer. Otherwise, El DeBarge is coming home (sooner not later) in a box…nice performances or not.

Rick James

The question for you fans is simple. Do you want an alive El DeBarge or do you want him to go the route of Rick James, found dead at the age of 56. His autopsy yielded the following…

“The coroner’s office officially ruled James’ Aug. 6 death “accidental,” but also noted that no fewer than nine drugs were found in his system, including methamphetamine and cocaine.

As E! Online exclusively reported Aug. 7, James was spotted just days prior to his death at a Hollywood party using cocaine, and many of his friends privately were concerned that the former “Superfreak” was back to his partying ways before his untimely death.

James and his family had maintained that the R&B/funk star successfully kicked his cocaine habit and was sober after years spent battling a crack addiction.”

Story HERE.

Somehow, I’m not sure if Rick James’ final performances (great or not) are of any solace or consequence.  Rick is dead.  Do note the obvious parallels of the final sentence.

“James and his family had maintained that the R&B/funk star successfully kicked his cocaine habit and was sober after years spent battling a crack addiction.”

Substitute “James” for “DeBarge” and you’ve quite possibly found a looking-glass into the future. Despite what mother Etterlene DeBarge will tell you, the videos I’ve posted are clear. El DeBarge is under the influence.  Firsthand accounts of the performance agree, he was under the influence.  Maybe it’s just a mother’s job to see the best in her child, but the man was under the influence and would have failed any field sobriety test. He couldn’t even successfully navigate an interview, much less an automobile.

No number of “great” performances, Essence Festival or otherwise changes this fact. Either El DeBarge can remain sober all of the time or you can  await the celebrity-laden funeral and email the funeral program to all of your friends as you did with Michael Jackson.

Historically there has been this strange connection between substance abuse, comebacks and death.

Elvis Presley died from an overdose while crawling away from his toilet and miles away from his dignity…yet in the midst of a musical comeback.

Michael Jackson, cardiac arrest from the combination of injected prescription drugs and a history of abuse. And oh yeah, he too was readying for a comeback.

El DeBarge has already undergone two rehab stints in the past two years. Appearing seemingly under the influence is not a red flag? Are you crazy?  He JUST left rehab!

El DeBarge is coming home in a box and very soon if his addiction is not fully addressed. If maintaining sobriety means the end of his historic music career, so be it. I’d rather he live to the age of 80 substance-free, than die at 56 like Rick James who was still performing and partying.

David Ruffin

Or maybe El DeBarge fans would rather he die at age 50 of an overdose as did former Temptation lead singer David Ruffin.  Or like Michael Jackson who also died at age 50.

Just FYI, DeBarge celebrated his 50th birthday last month.

Has it sunk in yet?

Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I’m the only one who cares more about his health than his hits and chart position. I just might be, because I’m the only one talking about this in terms unrelated to his vocal prowess or musical legacy.  Members of his family are complaining about not being on stage with him and gauging by the silliness of his fans, it’s ok if he’s inebriated on stage every once in awhile, no big deal.

How much clearer must I be?

You, the fans are more concerned with unflattering videos being posted on a blog and less concerned with the dreadful reality in which they confirm.  This man is on the path to death.

As a “recovering” crack addict, you can’t be sober “some of the time.” You can’t be sober “most of the time.” You must be sober ALL of the time. Even alcohol inebriation through decreased inhibition risks crack demons having their way.

Charlie Wilson

Check out what recovering addict Charlie Wilson (formerly of the Gap Band) had to say in response to El re-entering rehab this past February (and canceling his tour).

“Wilson says DeBarge needs to take a break when he gets out of rehab. He says the demands of the industry can put you under a lot of pressure. That’s the last thing a recovering addict needs — even after years of being sober.

‘I was still working on myself,” he says. “You have to work on yourself first. That’s more important than relationships, and it’s more important than your career. Your life has to matter more than sitting on the cover of a magazine.”

I am working on myself every single day. I am just one drink from catastrophe,” he says. “One hit away from losing everything I have.“

Story HERE.

So don’t take my word for it, take Charlie’s. ONE drink, ONE hit. Recovering addicts MUST be sober ALL of the TIME. The music industry is not a place in which to teeter. If Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin were still here, they would explain how the mixture of alcohol and any narcotic is deadly.

But alas…THEY’RE DEAD.

Whitney Houston was a crackhead for a decade before she hit rehab and everyone knew it. But as long as she was churning out hits, her public fans and private enablers were indifferent. Now that her career is over, her “fans” seemingly couldn’t care less and have moved on…

Nevertheless…she’s alive.

At best, DeBarge will suffer a “Whitney Houston fate” if he continues on this path. At worst, he’s Rick James, Michael Jackson, David Ruffin or Jimi Hendrix. The body can only take so much.

Take your pick fans, which will it be?  Whitney Houston or Rick James? Open or closed casket? Old age or autopsy?

I am working on myself every single day. I am just one drink from catastrophe,” he says. “One hit away from losing everything I have.”

- Charlie Wilson

If you want to pray for El DeBarge to make a comeback, you’re better off not praying at all on his behalf. A comeback without a full recovery only ensures an untimely death. El had used crack for more than 25 years (his own admission) and surely will not survive 25 more if he continues.

Appearing seemingly under the influence four months after a second rehab stint is far more significant than any other recent performance in which he did not.

Ask yourself fans, what are you really wishing for El DeBarge…and in what order? If it has anything to do with his career, you are only hastening his death.

So who really is the hater?  I want him to live.  I will love his music regardless of whether he ever picks up another microphone.  His musical legacy is safe.

For El DeBarge the man, it must be full-time sobriety, or it will be death.  Somebody has to “love” him enough to make it plain.  It clearly is not his family or his fans as their agendas and motivations are quite questionable.  It might as well be me and you can be mad all you like.  I want him to live and will in no way be party to the enablers.

Now go play that on your iTunes.

The Mo’Kelly Report is a syndicated politics and entertainment journal. Visit http://mrmokelly.com for the latest from Mr. Mo’Kelly. Contact him at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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From TMZ

Whitney Houston was found in the bathtub of a Beverly Hills hotel yesterday … with her face underwater … people close to Whitney tell TMZ.

According to our sources, her stylist, hairdresser and two bodyguards were among the people in the room at the time. We’re told they became worried about Whitney because she had been in the bathroom for over an hour and it was time to start getting ready for the Clive Davis party.

Our sources say they began to knock on the door and there was no answer. We’re told the hairdresser, who is female, went in to check on Whitney. She immediately screamed and, according to our sources, one of the bodyguards came running in and pulled her out of the tub.

We’re told Whitney’s face was below the water and her legs were up … like she had slid down the back of the tub.

According to our sources, her body was very cold and the bodyguard attempted CPR. That’s when hotel security was called.

Paramedics arrived shortly thereafter, but Whitney was pronounced dead at 3:55 PM.

TMZ has also reported that her death may have been a fatal combination of alcohol and Xanax.

The Mo’Kelly Report is a syndicated politics and entertainment journal. Visit http://mrmokelly.com for the latest from Mr. Mo’Kelly. Contact him at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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Publicist Kristen Foster said Saturday that the singer had died, but the cause and the location of her death were unknown.

At her peak, Houston the golden girl of the music industry. From the middle 1980s to the late 1990s, she was one of the world’s best-selling artists. She wowed audiences with effortless, powerful, and peerless vocals that were rooted in the black church but made palatable to the masses with a pop sheen.

(Early reports from Mo’Kelly’s friends in the industry say that Ray-J (Brandy’s little brother) was with her and found her in a Beverly Hills hotel room.)

Mo’Kelly can not confirm this…just what’s been said to me.

More HERE.

The Mo’Kelly Report is a syndicated politics and entertainment journal. Visit http://mrmokelly.com for the latest from Mr. Mo’Kelly. Contact him at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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Whitney Houston’s finances are hitting rock bottom, and RadarOnline.com has the exclusive details about her dire situation.

The Bodyguard star, 48, who sought help for her crack addiction last year, has lost her fortune, a source close to the singer exclusively revealed.

“Whitney’s fortune is gone,” the source said. “Music industry heavy hitters are supporting her and her label is fronting her cash against her next album, but no one knows when that will be released.”

The six-time Grammy winner has blown through an enormous fortune that she amassed over decades of stardom.

STORY HERE.

The Mo’Kelly Report is a syndicated politics and entertainment journal. Visit http://mrmokelly.com for the latest from Mr. Mo’Kelly. Contact him at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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It is not uncommon in the Black church tradition these days to take an originally secular song and then reshape it with a sacred message. Songs written wholly unrelated to the Word of God are sometimes given a “church remix” if you will. Miki Howard, Musiq Soulchild…even Snoop Dogg; it doesn’t matter the artist.

Today Mo’Kelly is going to do his own church remix, just for the remaining members of New Birth Ministries. Mo’Kelly won’t bother with all the verses and even much of the chorus, just one simple phrase, once sung by Whitney Houston.

“How will I know?” Keep Whitney’s melody in mind as Mo’Kelly speaks on behalf of those of New Birth who will be in service this Sunday and each one after as Eddie Long preaches from the pulpit.

Hit the music…

Here are some questions every remaining New Birth member could, should and must ask their “pastor” and not settle for “pray on it.”  The Lord made you the members the head and not the tail (Deut 28:13).  Eddie Long may not be able to discuss the specifics of the settlement, but he surely can be forced to discuss members’ general uncertainty going forward.

Bishop Long, how will I know?

Bishop Long…how will I know given this settlement you are not one of the “workers of iniquity” as mentioned in Psalms 6:8, Matthew 7:23 or Luke 13:27?

How will I know?

How will I know that my faith in God isn’t telling me the truth about you, given this “secret” agreement? Since faith is the substance of things hope for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1), this secret settlement could be the very “evidence” of what you truly are.

How will I know?

How will I know ignoring my spiritual discernment makes good sense by remaining in your congregation? (Colossians 1:9)

How will I know if you remember Titus 1:7 does apply to you Bishop? “For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre”

How will I know that as a steward of God’s church that we shouldn’t throw you out as Jesus once did the moneychangers?

How will I know?

How will I know there aren’t other boys/men who may come forward in the future with similar allegations? How will I know you won’t also settle secretly with them? How will I know if  we will ever get the truth as to whether you are a sexual predator?

More expressly, how will I know that my own son doesn’t secretly have a similar story about you?

How will I know?

How will I know when to stop mentally sub-titling all of your sermons as “Do as God Says…Not as I Do and Have Done?”

How will I know?

How will I know when to heed any of your marital advice, given I don’t have 15 million dollars available (allegedly) to deal with issues of infidelity?

How will I know?

How will I know what to say to other believers who will tell me that Bishop Eddie Long is one of the “grievous wolves” who has entered the church and not spared the flock (Acts 20:29)?

How will I know?

How will I know whether this settlement means you broke more than 5 or fewer than five of the Ten Commandments?  What is your over/under?

Before you seek to offer “wise counsel” to my family, how will I know if your own family at least learned the truth of these matters, for their sake?

How will I know?

Most importantly, how will I know my spiritual livelihood is safe in the hands of Bishop Eddie Long, when his own is in tremendous jeopardy?

How will I know Bishop…how will I know? Because right now, the Lord seems to have already answered all of those questions the moment the settlement was finalized.

(Readers: What other “Whitney Houston” questions would you have for your “pastor” if you were still a member of New Birth?)

The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published at The Huffington Post and EURWEB.com. For more Mo’Kelly, http://mrmokelly.com. Mr. Mo’Kelly can be reached at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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