While they may be mini-celebs with multimillion-dollar trust funds reportedly waiting for them when they turn 30 – their father’s estate earned $445 million in the past two years alone, according to Forbes – the kids are leading relatively normal lives.

The children do indeed sound like average kids. Michael Jackson’s mom Katherine holds the fort down at 81 years of age!  Prince and Paris attend a private school and are enjoying the social side of life.  Blanket, described as “shy” is home schooled and  has taken to cooking. Only time will tell but things sound like they are off to a great start.

What are your thoughts on the future of Michael Jackson’s kids? What would you want them to know the most about their dad? Post your ideas below.  See the entire story in People magazine.

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Murray is charged with causing Michael Jackson’s death by administering an overdose of a surgical anesthetic, and Prince was called to Michael Jackson’s room during the overdose.

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The New York Post reports:

Prince Jackson, 14, who witnessed the scene in the bedroom where the pop legend died, said he did not want to testify in the trial but would if needed, to get justice for his father, TMZ reported.

Sources close to the teenager told the website he was “nervous” and worried that he might “mess up” if prosecutors called him to give evidence.

Read More At The New York Post

The list includes some notable celebrities involved in name switch a roos, such as Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, who changed his last name in 2008 and later back to Johnson, Sean “Diddy” Combs, who frequently changes his stage name, and Prince who infamously changed his name to the “symbol of love,” causing the world to refer to him as “the artist formerly known as Prince.”

See The List In Its Entirety On TheDailyBeast.com

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Who knew you can have people banned from your shows?

Well Prince had reportedly done just that after Whitney was reportedly bombarding him with ticket requests and behaving erratically at his shows.

But the “Purple One” has now spoken saying his reps banned her and not him.

He released a statement saying she is always welcome at his shows.

Read more at NYDailyNews

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Whitney Houston reportedly spending $300k a year on drugs

Minnesota– Prince almost suffered what many Americans have gone through when his house went into foreclosure and he stepped up and paid the mortgage in full.

The property reportedly fell into foreclosure after he allegedly failed to keep up with mortgage payments

Read more at EURWeb

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On the extended version of his 1988 single “I Wish U Heaven,” Prince sang “Take this beat / I don’t mind / Got plenty others / and they’re so fine!”

Apparently a few hip-hop producers got the message and began mining Prince’s catalog for samples!

Here are a few of our favorites!

Kanye West “Big Brother”

DJ Toomp produced Kanye West’s ode to his “big brother,” Jay-Z. The song replays a riff from Prince’s “It’s Gonna Be Lonely” from his 1979 self-titled album.

2Pac “Heartz Of Men”

Taken from the last album Tupac released before he was murdered, “Heartz Of Men” samples the end of Prince’s “Darling Nikki,” that creepy backwards bit that probably scared Christian parents all over the country.

2Pac “What’z Ya Phone #”

The raunchy closing song on disc 1 of 2Pac’s All Eyez On Me album is built off of a loop from The Time’s “777-9311.” The Time was formed by Prince as an outlet for his funkier material. Prince produced, wrote, and performed most of The Time’s material with his friend Morris Day handling vocals.

Jay-Z & Beyoncé “’03 Bonnie & Clyde”

The Jiggaman launched The Blueprint 2 album with this Kanye West produced single featuring his then-girlfriend Beyoncé. The song features Beyoncé singing lyrics from Prince’s 1987 classic “If I Was Your Girlfriend.”

MC Lyte “Paper Thin”

MC Lyte’s classic “Paper Thin” features a sample from Prince & The Revolution’s “17 Days” which was the b-side of “When Doves Cry.”

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The superstar was supposed to perform Friday night at TheEvent, a concert with Erykah Badu that was to be a fundraiser for The Goss-Michael Foundation, the art group founded by George Michael and his longtime partner, Kenny Goss.

But the performance never happened, and the circumstances surrounding the cancelation were as mysterious as the Purple One himself.

Things started falling apart early Friday, when a statement of disappointment was sent by the foundation saying the concert was canceled.

“It is our understanding that River Alexander Group, the event organizer, was unable to fund and produce the evening,” the statement said. “The organizer came to The Goss-Michael Foundation, invited us to be the beneficiary and receive some of the proceeds which would have gone to our high school scholarship program.”

Then the statement was rescinded shortly after that, saying the concert was back on: “Prince has arrived in Dallas and will perform this evening.”

But the concert, recently moved from a tent in downtown Dallas to a hotel just north of the city, never materialized Friday night, and a source close to Prince, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the source was not authorized to speak publicly, told The Associated Press on Saturday that he never came to Dallas.

Prince’s camp said the organizers never arranged for transportation for him and his band. Prince was also worried that the disorganization meant the organizers would not have the technical aspects necessary for him to put on his performance, the source said.

“Prince is extremely disappointed that the organizers, the Meridian Entertainment Group and the River Alexander Group … were unable bring him and his band to Dallas,” the source said. “They say that apparently they lost their investors and were unable to adequately fund the event. Prince was looking forward to performing in support of the Goss-Michael Foundation.”

Dallas radio and TV personality Chris Arnold, the event’s emcee and organizer, insisted Prince’s band arrived and set up at the hotel in the afternoon, but Prince never made it to Dallas.

Arnold said people didn’t know the event was canceled until they showed up, and he apologized for that.

“I just want to let everybody know that I am truly sorry,” Arnold said.

He said people who bought tickets to the show – which cost up to $1,500 – would have their money refunded at the point of purchase.

“It was a very, very exciting thing that didn’t happen unfortunately,” Arnold said.

We racked our brains trying to come up with a list of the greatest music videos of the 1980s. While some of our picks are painfully obvious, there are a few that we felt flew under the radar.

9. Public Enemy “Night Of The Living Baseheads”
More effective than any D.A.R.E. class you were forced to sit through, Public Enemy’s “Night Of The Living Baseheads” video managed to both make you laugh, while scaring you away from the evils of freebasing cocaine. “Night Of The Living Baseheads” was a rather unorthodox video, cleverly interrupting Chuck D’s performance scenes to a mock newscast (Flavor Flav as co-anchor? Genius!).

8. L.L. Cool J “I’m Bad”
LL Cool J’s girl gets kidnapped while posting anti-drug flyers on the street. LL assembles his posse who take out the bad guys (who all just so happen to be rich white guys… MESSAGE!). The video’s narrative, coupled with LL’s iconic performance scenes make this one of the best videos of the 1980s. “Gimme that walkie talkie!”

7. Prince “When Doves Cry”

Is there a more iconic moment in a music video than a camera passing through two stained glass doors into a room with flowers scattered about the floor and doves flying around while a man sits in a bathtub? Prince & The Revolution’s “When Doves Cry” music video is one of the few truly memorable videos that the Minneapolis genius ever released, not to mention a hell of a song.

– When Doves Cry
Uploaded by tressage. – Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

6. Run DMC “King Of Rock”
Two black men wearing all black leather and white adidas walk into the Museum of Rock N Roll and are told immediately as they enter that they “don’t belong in here.” Run DMC’s “King Of Rock” video served as a powerful statement of hip-hop’s arrival and intent to takeover mainstream American culture. 22 years after this video’s release, the first rap group, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, were inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Run DMC to be inducted 2 years later.

5. Janet Jackson “Pleasure Principle”
The public had already fallen in love with Janet Jackson by the time her “Pleasure Principle” video debuted. We all knew that Janet could had some moves, but it wasn’t until she flipped the light switch at the beginning of this video that we all learned that Michael’s little sister could give him a run for his money.

4. Janet Jackson “Rhythm Nation”
The black-and-white “Rhythm Nation” video was a dancer’s wet dream. The tightly choreographed military-inspired dance routines coupled with the song’s message helped establish Janet Jackson as an artist whose music video releases became events, just like her brother.

3. Michael Jackson “Beat It”
The red jacket. The knife fight. Need we say more?

2. Michael Jackson “Billie Jean”
If anything planted the seed for Michael Jackson’s almost superhuman persona, it was this video. Only a man that was 100% magical could dance like Michael did, not to mention cause the sidewalks to light up with each step he took.

1. Michael Jackson “Thriller”
In the 80s, the music video experienced a period of rapid growth and innovation as musicians pushed the limits of what could be done in the span of a three and a half minutes, or in the case of Michael Jackson’s Thriller, fourteen minutes. There’s a reason why “Thriller” often takes the number one spot on lists of the greatest music videos of all time. To repeat these reasons would be overkill. All it takes is one viewing to know that this was a monumental moment in music and film history.

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Related: Top 9 Music Videos of the 1980s!

Prince pretended to bolt from the stage when he mentioned Sheppard’s name, but then slyly told her: “Come on, Sherri. Dance with me, please. I wanna see what you really do.”

Prince recently made a surprise appearance on “The View” that left Sheppard swooning.

Of all my super intelligent friends, only me and my buddy N’Gai Croal have been rocking with Antoine Dodson from Day 1.

Our arguments in favor of the man that has become an internet sensation have been virtually the same: here’s a guy that was rightfully outraged that his sister had been attacked and nearly raped and his response was, well, emotional to say the least.

The response of a greater part of the Black community to Antoine was, well, I think the word “mixed” might be the most fair.

Now, whether you agree with me and N’Gai, or if you’re on the side of the argument that suggest that Mr. Dodson is a disgrace that reinforces negative stereotypes about Black people—Black men in particular—allow me to offer a few more things to consider.

If you listen closely to Mr. Dodson’s tone in the news clip (not the video produced by those two white boys that turned the whole thing into a really catchy song), you can easily detect that Mr. Dodson is not only outraged about the attempted rape of his sister, but also at the conditions in which he and his family live.

The line, “We have a rapist in Lincoln Park,” is a shot at, not a shout-out to his hood.

Then later, when he challenges the attempted rapist with the now famous “You don’t have to come and confess, we’re looking for you. We’re gonna find you.” He’s subtly expressing a frustration and lack of faith in American law enforcement that every Black American should be familiar with.

Then there’s the issue of Mr. Dodson’s sexually which, though unknown, seems heavily implied.

He’s “sweet” to say the least.

And while I know or know of more than a few “sweet” dudes that are actually hetero (Walter Payton, Mike Tyson, Prince, ect) and I also know or know of a few really thugged-out homosexuals, I will say this: gay or not, I’d much rather have that “sweet” Mr. Dodson coming to have my back if there’s beef than some macho prick that runs in the opposite direction at the first sign of trouble.

I’m happy that Mr. Dodson has profited so well from the download proceeds of that catchy song that he bought his family a house.

That means that he doesn’t have to complain about living in Lincoln Park anymore.

Now if he could only do something that would straighten out American law enforcement and at the same time, modernize the often archaic opinions of his own people, he’d really be on to something!

It’s around this time every year that I make my annual Smokey Fontaine joke, but being that this year Smokey donned a pencil-thin mustache and appeared onstage as El Debarge, I’ve decided to cut him some slack.

Nice try Smoke, but everybody knows that El Debarge died horribly in a do-rag factory explosion over 25 years ago.

If he hadn’t, it would be the perfect time for him, a la Maxwell, to make a BET Awards Show inspired comeback that would return him to the top of the charts and make grown folks music a premium again.

Wishful thinking, I know.

Latifah was a good host, wasn’t she? She poked fun at all of previous incarnations from both stage and screen and even had a little fun with the notion that she’s (hint, hint) a hint, hint—if you know what I mean.

I couldn’t understand a word from Drake or Eminem and wanted them both off the stage.

I’ve hated that song by Monica right up until the moment that she brought Denise Williams up onto the stage.

Now I love it.

Is Alicia Keys pregnant or do none of her dresses fit?

What exactly is “Dirty Money” and why must anybody watch it televised?

Trey Songz’s mom is a good-looking woman and Nicki Minaj is a bona fide superstar—haters!

How does DJ Khaled keep getting the cream of Hip Hop’s crop to perform on his weird, self-aggrandizing songs?

I wanted to feel for Chris Brown, but the last time I witnessed somebody crying through a performance of any kind it was Oliver McCall as he got beat senseless by Lennox Lewis for the heavyweight title.

Somebody needs to tell John Legend that a true humanitarian wouldn’t force us listen to hour-long acceptance speeches.

I’m glad that Prince is Black. I’ve always suspected that he was, but now I’m sure.

All in all, it’s great (to me at least) that a network—which admittedly has its flaws—consistently outshines the Oscars, Grammys, MTV and everybody else when it comes to putting on award shows.

Outstanding job, BET.

Anybody beg to differ?

NEW YORK — This month’s BET Awards will be a royal affair: Prince is getting a lifetime achievement honor.

The 51-year-old joins the likes of James Brown, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross and Al Green in being honored by the BET Awards, which will celebrate its 10th year in Los Angeles on June 27.

BET says the Prince tribute will stand out. Stephen G. Hill, president of programming, music and specials for the network, said BET will celebrate the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s “unique style.”

Text continues after gallery …

“Prince is dynamic. Prince is genius. Prince is music,” Hill said of the performer, who has 10 platinum albums and 30 Top 40 singles to his name.

The BET show will be hosted by Queen Latifah and include performances by Kanye West.

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Prince Owes More Than $225K In Back Taxes

VIDEO: Jamie Foxx, Mariah Carey And Prince Honor The Apollo

CHASKA, Minn. — Prince looks like a pauper in a list of delinquent taxpayers in Minnesota.

Carver County tax records show the musician’s PRN Music Corp. owes more than $227,000 for 2009 taxes to the state and other government bodies. The county is southwest of Minneapolis.

PRN Music houses Prince’s Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen. County records list several other properties under his full name, Prince R. Nelson, as delinquent.

County taxpayer services manager Laurie Engelen estimates PRN Music and Prince’s other properties owe about $450,000 in taxes.

Text continues after gallery…

PRN and Prince’s studios don’t have listed phone numbers. A talent agency that has represented Prince didn’t immediately respond to e-mail seeking comment.

The delinquency list was published last week in the Chaska Herald.

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A bunch of friends of mine got into a big online argument about which singer’s death, if any, would be as big a worldwide phenomenon as the passing of Michael Jackson. While, for the most part, we all agreed that Mike’s death will probably be the biggest we’ll see for a while (if we ever see another one this big again), one point that I found particularly interesting was when my man John Simons suggested that the age at the time of death and circumstances of the death would play the determining factor on how big a phenomenon the celebrity’s death became.

I just did what I usually do which was make a list. Here’s how I figured it would go as far as global importance. If I’m wrong, tell me.

• 1. Paul McCartney-if you front on the Beatles, you can’t front on Wings. If you front the Beatles and Wings, you don’t know music.

• 2. Prince-He rivaled MJ in life and he’ll probably come close to rivaling him in death. Though “Purple Rain” never reached the summit that “Thriller” did, it came close enough. Also, Prince made more good albums than MJ and stayed much more active.

• 3. Madonna-We’ve long passed the point where it was cool not to like her. Now if you diss her, you just look like you’ve got bad taste. She’s made too many hits, mothered too many styles and in her own way, inspired as many biters (Britney, Xtina, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, etc) as MJ.

• 4. Stevie Wonder/Diana Ross-Theirs will be the final death knell to the Motown powerhouse. Our parents (and in some cases, grandparents) got their hair hot-combed and picked to this stuff. Get ready to listen to a lot of long, sad stories by the rocking chair.

• 5. Jay-Z-The only rapper to “rewrite history without a pen” might not even make this list at the rate he’s going. Still, he is the greatest to ever do it and real rap fans would be devastated by his loss.

From TMZ

We’ve learned Michael Jackson was not the biological father of any of his children. And Debbie Rowe is not the biological mother of the two kids she bore for Michael. All three children were conceived in vitro — outside the womb.

Multiple sources deeply connected to the births tell us Michael was not the sperm donor for any of his kids. Debbie’s eggs were not used. She was merely the surrogate, and paid well for her services in the births of Michael Jr. and Paris.

In the case of Prince Michael II (the youngest), we’re told the surrogate was never told of the identity of the “receiving parent” — Michael Jackson. Three days after Prince was born at Grossmont Hospital in San Diego County, Jackson’s lawyer came to the hospital to pick the baby up and deliver him to Michael.

Read The Whole Story

MJ’s Mom Wants Custody Of The Kids
Given the secrecy surrounding Michael Jackson’s children throughout his life, it’s no surprise that there are lingering questions about who will care for them after his death. What is almost certain is this: Their fate will be decided in a courtroom, with several people possibly vying for custody.

Experts say the person who has the strongest legal claim to Jackson’s two oldest children is their mother, Deborah Rowe. As for the youngest child, Jackson’s wishes will be more influential.

It remains unclear who Jackson designated as potential guardians for his children. Those details — likely contained in the 50-year-old singer’s will — have not been released.

Rowe’s attorney, Marta Almli, wrote in a statement Saturday that “Ms. Rowe’s only thoughts at this time have been regarding the devastating loss Michael’s family has suffered. Ms. Rowe requests that Michael’s family, and particularly the children, be spared such harmful, sensationalist speculation and that they be able to say goodbye to their loved one in peace.”

Jackson never told his family who he had in place to handle his business affairs, a person close to the family told The Associated Press on Friday. The person, who requested anonymity because of the delicate nature of the situation, said they were told by the singer’s phalanx of advisers that he likely had a will, but it may be many years old.

The person also said that the children are still in the care of the extended Jackson family for the moment.

Jackson left behind three children: Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., known as Prince Michael, 12; Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11; and Prince Michael II, 7. The elder children were born to Rowe, while the youngest is his biological son, born to a surrogate mother.

Prince Michael II’s mother has never been identified, and while she may surface, it is likely that she signed away her rights, said Stacy Phillips, a Los Angeles divorce attorney who has represented numerous high-profile clients.

Jackson was by several accounts an attentive and loving father.

“He was a great father,” said Raymone Bain, Jackson’s former publicist and general manager. “Those kids knew three and four languages. Even the little one. They were well mannered and sweet. I can’t imagine these children without him.”

He was extremely protective of his children, who weren’t often seen in public, and were photographed wearing veils, masks or other items covering their faces when they were.

Rowe, a former nurse for Jackson’s dermatologist, married Jackson in 1996 but filed for divorce in 1999. She later gave up her custody rights to the children, but petitioned to have those rights restored in 2003 after Jackson was arrested on child molestation charges, and an appeals court sided with her.

Jackson and Rowe apparently agreed in 2006 regarding her rights, but the terms have never been disclosed. The couple’s divorce case that was heard in Los Angeles Superior Court remains closed.

Phillips said if her parental rights remain intact, she’s presumed to be first in line to receive custody of her two children. “That could still be contested,” she added.

Rowe would have to undergo an evaluation by the court to determine if she’s the best person to care for Jackson’s children. So, too, would anyone else who applies to become the children’s guardian — some of whom may have Jackson’s blessing.

“If he did indicate a preference, that will be given great weight, but that will not be determinative,” said Los Angeles attorney Gloria Allred. “Children are not property, they cannot be willed to another person.”

Allred agreed that Rowe has better legal standing than others who apply for custody of Jackson’s eldest children. “She’s definitely going to havean advantage.”

But judges in California often take into account who is left in the children’s lives with a strong bond, said Charlotte Goldberg, a family law professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.

“It’s really a balance between continuity and stability and a biological relationship,” Goldberg said.

A judge deciding the matter may even seek input in chambers from Jackson’s children about who they feel comfortable with, she said.

But a court will also take into account with whom the children have a relationship bond, and that may not work in Rowe’s favor. She wrote in a 2001 petition to sever her parental rights that she thought Jackson was doing a good parenting job.

“Michael has been a wonderful father to the children, and I do not wish to share any parenting responsibilities with Michael because he is doing so well without me,” Rowe wrote. She also indicated in court filings during the 2006 custody struggle that she had not seen the children since 2005, shortly after his trial ended in acquittal on all charges and Jackson moved the children overseas.

It is unclear how often Rowe has seen the children since Jackson returned to the Los Angeles area in recent months to prepare for a 50-show concert engagement in London. It is also unclear what role the children’s godfather, British child actor Mark Lester, may play in the proceedings.

Whoever wins custody of Jackson’s children won’t automatically gain control of their inheritance, Phillips said.

“For many people, the person or persons who are taking care of their kids are not necessarily taking care of their money,” Phillips said. “There’s a benefit to that — a sort of a check-and-balance.”

Rowe, or whoever is designated the children’s guardian, will receive payments based on Jackson’s estate, Phillips said.

More clarity about the fate of Jackson’s children will likely come once court proceedings start.

Phillips said the custody issue will now be handled by a probate court. If it is filed at Los Angeles’ main downtown courthouse, Phillips said it will be handled by judges with significant family law experience.

Phillips said the looming custody fight could be unlike any other.

“In all the cases I’ve read all over the country,” she said, “I’ve never seen a fact pattern like this.”

Several stars came out to the Apollo Theater 75th Anniversary Gala. Here’s a video of some of them paying tribute to the legendary Apollo Theater.

Apollo Theatre Celebrates 75th Anniversary

Watch The Video

From Showbiz411

Prince was on the prowl again last night, making an unscheduled appearance at the Apollo Theater’s 75th anniversary celebration to toast Patti LaBelle.

But the real buzz on Prince is that his much reported hip problems of the past have now turned into need for a double hip replacement.

Unfortunately, thanks to his practice as a Jehovah’s Witness, Prince still refuses surgery. JW’s don’t believe in blood transfusions.

“He’s in a lot of pain,” said a source who was backstage with him last night at the Apollo. “He’s popping pain killers and hoping it will all go away.”

But it won’t. Back in 2005 reports surfaced that Prince needed one hip replaced. He declined. Then again in 2007 and 2008 came more reports that he’d finally agreed to “secret surgery.”

Now the diminutive R&B star is walking with a diamond-studded stick to keep him upright.

The question is: if it gets worse, will he go to a wheelchair?

Read Whole Story

10. Lew Alcindor as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – The Los Angeles Laker and NBA legend had been cultivating a champion’s career since he was a skinny New York kid at Power Memorial Academy. He won championships at every level, and received the highest accolades in every sector. He is a best-selling author, a lecturer, an influential coach and a puzzlingly complex celebrity athlete. When he converted Islam in 1971, mostly private about his choices, the sporting world responded with some shock. Of course, his accomplishments overwhelmed any criticism of his brooding spirit.

9. Isaac Hayes the Scientologist – Isaac Hayes was one of the rich 1970s era Soul Men who came to define several genres, including hip-hop. Hayes was responsible for one of the greatest records in Black music history, Hot Buttered Soul, and penned the theme song for Shaft while acting as a leading artist for Stax Records. When Hayes, known more for his sexualized smoothness, announced a conversion to Scientology in 1995, it was met with quizzical reply. For one, few people understand the cultish rituals of Scientology, and certainly there weren’t any black celebrities linked to the Hollywood “it” religion. Hayes reportedly was helped through his bankruptcy and bad investment period by accepting speaking appearances at Scientology events. He battled with South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker after he left the show citing their religious mockery as part of his reasoning.

8. Whitney Houston – The pop diva made waves when she married her heartthrob and enabler, Bobby Brown. She had enjoyed a lucrative career as a powerful voice in both the urban music genre and elsewhere. She even made some headway as a part-time movie actress as her career headed to the skids. Houston’s behavior began to deteriorate after her marriage to Brown, and she went as far as saying she did not do crack cocaine because that was for “poor people” (as if to say her abuse of powder cocaine put her at least in the right class). While searching for the inspiration for a Christmas album, Houston and now ex-husband Bobby Brown made a 2003 pilgrimage to Israel. There they were embraced by the Black Hebrew Israelites, a sect of African-Americans who claim to be descendents of the first Egyptian Hebrews. Houston also embraced the religion in a ceremony held there, in full garb. The announcement did not do much to calm the frenzy around Houston concerning her career. Her career in serious decline, family members and fans questioned her direction with Bobby Brown and her commitment to any religious values in view of her magnetic attraction the the pipe.

7. Mike Tyson – The former heavyweight champ and all-time boxing crazy has claimed many things throughout his erratic journey. Tyson has been the subject of media scrutiny since the age of 19, which drove him to seek the trust of several unreliable patrons. After serving a prison sentence for a rape conviction, Tyson converted to Islam while incarcerated. Unfortunately, the newfound religious commitment did not prevent him from intentionally biting off Evander Holyfield’s ear in the infamous title fight. As with some of the others on the list, Tyson’s conversion came as he faced bankruptcy after his spending habits and addiction to antidepressants spun out of control. Even so, he fought with several of his opponents and managers publicly and railed against the press with the fire of a true madman. Tyson also recently tattooed the left side of his face to complete a string of odd behaviors.

6. Ma$e – The rapper-turned-pastor went from Murder Mase to Ma$e, but that was only the first of his conversions. The release of Ma$e’s first album Harlem World brought him unthinkable success at the peak of the Bling Dynasty in hip-hop. His mentor, Sean “Diddy” Combs had a reputation for being the life of the party, and promoting the excitement of luxury cars and clothing. Filling the shoes of the late Notorious B.I.G. as a swinging bachelor began to affect Ma$e however, and his second album Double Up was the reflection of an uninspired Harlemite surrounded by yes-men and climbing relatives. Years of partying dried up Mason Betha until he linked with famous twins Tia and Tamera Mowry, who introduced him to their Christian fellowship. Within a year, Pastor Mase was ordained and preaching at his own Atlanta church. The hip-hop world was momentarily surprised, but realized Mase had only established himself as a public figure in another arena. 50 Cent then signed the baptized soul to G-Unit Records where he rapped again about the girls, money, guns and other rap favorites in the name of the Lord.

5. Prince – Don’t be surprised if the next time you get an unexpected Sunday morning bell-ring — one touting the benefits of the Good Word — you see a five-foot, fair-skinned rock star. It’s not Britney this time either. Prince revealed to the New Yorker that his devotion to the Jehovah’s Witness sect of Christianity has become a full-on investment. He even took some time in his comments to denounce homosexuality (maybe to add that extra righteous religious flavor?). Since the ban on gay marriage erupted in the Prop 8 controversy, it seems curious timing for a man who once claimed himself bisexual, among other things. That Prince has reversed course so quickly indicates that we must be in a post-identity era if an androgynous, oversexed rocker from orgies past sees fit to pass holy judgments on others. We wonder if his ministry presides over the Erotic City.

4. Tina Turner – Little is known about Tina Turner’s personal life besides her relationship with ex-husband and former manager Ike Turner. But Ms. Turner has been a practicing Nirichen Buddhist for over 20 years. Unlike her peers in conversion, it’s arguable that her allegiance to the faith has helped propel her career rather than stagnate it. This particular group of Buddhists believes in self-improvement and accountability being the main tenets of growth, and of creating world peace. Although her life was tainted by violence, it seems that her sense of peace is everlasting.

3. Michael Jackson – Speaking of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Michael Jackson’s main traumas probably stem from his family’s untiring loyalty to the Church. When fame swept up the Jackson 5, and MJ specifically, the Church was extremely watchful over his standard of behavior. Two child abuse investigations later, it seems as if Michael has had a change of heart about his preferred spiritual advisers. Conventional wisdom says that he won’t find many sympathizers to his alleged boy-crazy ways among Islamic leaders. Still, the former King of Pop could use as much help as he can get in avoiding the perils of the Jesus Juice and sleepover party combo.

2. Muhammad Ali – Ali was and is the greatest boxer of all time. His dominance of the ring was evident in his epic battles with champions like George Foreman, Joe Frazier and Sonny Liston. Born Cassius Clay, Muhammad Ali became a member of the Nation of Islam in 1964. More than that, his storied career also gives a template to athletes who have trouble avoiding the public eye. He simply turned the media on its head with lyrical limericks, and struck a chord with many Americans who wanted to voice dissent while still supporting their country. When Ali refused to be drafted for the Vietnam War, citing his religious beliefs, he was brought to trial, and faced prison time for draft dodging. The battle against the censorship of free speech won him many admirers, though, in a time where African-American citizens were afraid to speak out against an unpopular war. Ali’s status as an Olympic champion, Southern hero and fighter for free speech vaulted him into American lore for years to come. Although he eventually split with NOI, he was never shy about using his platform to express his views.

1. Malcolm X – Also known as “Red” and later El Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, Malcolm X laid the foundation for spiritual awakening among Black men in the United States. By breaking with the traditions of Christianity, the ones that had been so prevalent in the struggle for human rights, he helped realize the dream of the founders that included a diverse set of beliefs. Malcolm X discovered the Nation of Islam in prison, as well as the leadership principles that would make him a profound speaker and thinker for time to come. His time with the NOI is often sullied by their reported involvement in his assassination plot. Nevertheless, he converted twice, essentially, looking to explore his relationship with Islam after a trip to Mecca illumined just how broadly inclusive Islam was.

In a recent interview with New Yorker magazine, Prince discussed his views on politics and gay marriage. Although what he was saying was not clear, it seems as if he was voicing his disapproval of gay marriage and alternative forms of sex.

Prince told the New Yorker:

“People with money—money like that—are not affected by the stock market, and they’re not freaking out over anything. They’re just watching. So here’s how it is: you’ve got the Republicans, and basically they want to live according to this.” He pointed to a Bible. “But there’s the problem of interpretation, and you’ve got some churches, some people, basically doing things and saying it comes from here, but it doesn’t. And then on the opposite end of the spectrum you’ve got blue, you’ve got the Democrats, and they’re, like, ‘You can do whatever you want.’ Gay marriage, whatever. But neither of them is right.”

“God came to earth and saw people sticking it wherever and doing it with whatever, and he just cleared it all out. He was, like, ‘Enough.’ ”

Is Prince using religion to condemn gay marriage and sodomy? It isn’t clear but it seems as if he following the same religious principles that may Christians use to call homosexuality a sin.

There have been recent reports that Prince ras returned to his Jehovah’s Witness roots and is even going door to door to recruit new members in LA.