FROM MARTIN TO ANOTHER MARTIN: REST IN PEACE TO A PEACE LOVING CHILD WHO MADE A SIGN FOR TRAYVON MARTIN>> MARTIN RICHARDS

Martin Richard's sign for Trayvon Martin

“My dear son Martin has died from injuries sustained in the attack on Boston. My wife and daughter are both recovering from serious injuries. We thank our family and friends, those we know and those we have never met, for their thoughts and prayers. I ask that you continue to pray for my family as we remember Martin. We also ask for your patience and for privacy as we work to simultaneously grieve and recover. Thank you.” -Bill Richard on the death of his son, Martin Richard, 8.

What has society become? 

#MsKemi

KOO

@HipHossip on twitterbost

NEWTOWN CONNECTICUT TRAGEDY: SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN TO COME UNTO ME, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

One lucky mom

A mother's grief!

Photos of the tragedy via AP, Reuters and CNN

It was a SHOCK to me even as a Gun Victims Advocate. I was there during Columbine, Virginia State, even Canada's Danzig street and Eaton Center. I even saw the Adamawa student massacre in Nigeria in October 2012 with 40 dead, 23 gunned down and the rest throats slit. Mass shootings are killing the world and our families. Lets all END GUN VIOLENCE!

Connecticut State Police have released the names of the 26 victims. All 20 of the children who were killed were ages 6 and 7 and among them were 8 boys and 12 girls. The victims' names and ages are:

Dawn Hochsprung (principal), 47

Mary Sherlach (school psychologist), 56

Victoria Soto (first grade teacher), 27

Charlotte Bacon, 6

Daniel Barden, 7

Rachel Davino, 29

Olivia Engel, 6

Josephine Gay, 7

Ana M. Marquez-Greene, 6

Dylan Hockley, 6

Madeline F. Hsu, 6

Catherine V Hubbard, 6

Chase Kowalski, 7

Jesse Lewis, 6

James Mattioli, 6

Grace McDonnell, 7

Anne Marie Murphy, 52

Emile Parker, 6

Jack Pinto, 6

Noah Pozner, 6

Caroline Previdi, 6

Jessica Rekos, 6

Avielle Richman, 6

Lauren Russeau, 30

Benjamin Wheeler, 6

Allison N. Wyatt, 6

As we remember the victims, it is also clear that there a number of heroes as well. First grade teacher, Victoria Soto threw herself in front of her first grade students to protect them from Lanza. Although those students witnessed their teacher, who they adored, tragically shot in front of them, they were able to run out of the room and survived.

HipHossip send our deepest thoughts and prayers to the victims and their friends and family

With Files from Global Grind

ROCK GROUP RADIOHEAD LOSES A MEMBER OF THEIR FAMILY IN THE TORONTO STAGE ACCIDENT.

Investigators combed through the wreckage of a Toronto stage collapse Sunday, trying to determine what caused the structure to come crashing down hours ahead of a Radiohead concert, killing the band's drum technician and injuring three other people.

Radiohead representative Laura Eldeiry confirmed the man killed was Scott Johnson, the drum technician for the British band. Toronto Police spokesman Tony Vella said the British man was in his mid-30s. He was trapped under the rubble and pronounced dead at the scene.

The band released a statement Sunday, saying they were "shattered" by Scott's death.

"We have all been shattered by the loss of Scott Johnson, our friend and colleague. He was a lovely man, always positive, supportive and funny; a highly skilled and valued member of our great road crew. We will miss him very much. Our thoughts and love are with Scott's family and all those close to him."

Officials from the Ontario Ministry of Labor searched through the wreckage for clues to the cause of the collapse Saturday in Downsview Park. They were also investigating whether safety regulations and standards were followed and if staff were properly trained.

Ministry spokesman Matt Blajer said the massive structure is "still fairly unstable" and work is under way to make it safe.

He said the investigation is "fairly complex" and it could take some time to figure out exactly what happened.

Source

R.I.P: FANS REMEMBER AWARD WINNING TORONTO MICHAEL HENRY GEORGE "MEYEND TRICKS" ON THE RELEASE OF HIS FIRST ALBUM.

The LATE RAPPER Michael George's "Meyend Tricks" Album release is on LIVE now online!!! Pls log in!! It is called 4 Ever. He was the winner of the BEST RAP artist 2007 Toronto Independent Music Awards. He never made it to collect it. He was GUNNED DOWN in front of his girlfriend's house. No arrests, Michael had NO criminal record and not known to police. HipHossip is proud to present you "4Ever." LISTEN TO THE SHOW NOW AT twostonethrow.com

If you have any info about this young man's murder, Detective Dan Nielsen would like to hear from you at 416-808-7400 or you can call Toronto Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

If you missed the release, you can view it below in the recorded version. The music that ended this release party deserves a honorable radio play. A song Michael wrote for his mom Scherry. She spoke on the track....after he was gone....R.I.P. Our thoughts and prayers are with the George family. Pls join them on Friday July 23rd at a news conference to introduce the album to the media and a Crime Stoppers appeal.




If you have problem loading this video, click here to watch.

TRAGEDY: DAGRIN, ONE OF NIGERIA'S MOST AWESOME RAPPERS DEAD.

Olaitan Oladapo Olaonipekun was his real name and we hear DaGrin dies yesterday afternoon after a ghastly car crash. he passed away at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria where employees were on strike reducing patient care staff. Awful! Nigeria has bred so many rappers in the last decade grabbing mainstream awards like MTV Europe and MTV Africa trophies. The industry will sure miss him.

WEEK OF TRAGEDIES: RAPPER GURU WILL BE MISSED!

The family of Gang Starr rapper Guru have questioned the validity of a letter he supposedly wrote on his deathbed, in which his supposed last wishes were outlined.

The 47-year-old, real name Keith Elam, died on April 19 from cancer. He had been in a coma since February.

Elam's family released a statement to DJpremierblog.com, the website of his former Gang Starr partner DJ Premier. In it, they stated that Guru was in a coma from mid-February until his death – making it unfeasible that he could have written a letter from his deathbed. Producer Solar made the supposed Guru letter public after his death.

The letter released by Solar stated that DJ Premier should not be allowed to trade under Gang Starr's name in future. In March, Guru's nephew released a video saying Solar had "completely cut us off" [his family] from seeing the rapper.

Referring to Guru's condition before he died in their letter, the family wrote: "Guru suffered from multiple myeloma for over a year. Accrued complications from this illness led to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. As a result, Guru was in a coma from mid-February until his death and never regained consciousness."

They added: "The Elam family wishes to thank the fans of our son/brother/father/uncle/nephew/cousin Keith, aka Guru, for the outpouring of love, concern and support. Our hearts are broken by the loss of someone we loved so much. Guru was devoted to his young son, who will most keenly feel his absence."

An "all-inclusive memorial event" is being planned for the near future by Guru's family, according to the letter.

SFTC TRAGEDY: YSP-WSD DRUMMER DEVON WILL BE MISSED. DIED DURING JUNO WEEK!

Devon Clifford, the drummer of Canadian alt-rock act You Say Party! We Say Die!, has died aged 30. He collapsed during the band's Vancouver show at the Rickshaw Theatre venue on Friday (April 16).

Singer Becky Ninkovic reportedly asked fans at the gig to call 911 after he collapsed. He underwent emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage, but died April 18.

The band's record label Paper Bag has posted a statement from his family online:

YSPWSD's Devon Clifford experienced a massive brain haemorrhage resulting from congenital defects while on stage in Vancouver on Friday night and fell into a coma. A surgery was performed but sadly doctors were unable to save his life. He was 30.

Devon Clifford was an extremely gifted drummer and determined character. He loved his family, loved his band, loved traveling, loved being on stage and loved meeting people around the world. He was smart, witty, passionate, and music meant everything to him. He was also incredibly generous with his love and respected everybody he came into contact with. This was underlined by his work with the under privileged at the Portland Hotel Society.

The Clifford family would like to take this opportunity to remind young people to have the courage to follow their dreams like Devon did.

The family would also like to take this opportunity to thank everybody around the world for their kind words and stories about how Devon impacted their lives.

The band also paid tribute to their drummer via Twitter. Their post simply said: "DEVON CLIFFORD 1979 - 2010 R.I.P."

Source: Billboard

When I heard this, I was telling Jon Gallant who plays bass for Billy Talent as we met at the Pepsi commercial taping the very next day in St Johns, New Foundland during JUNO week. It was too premature as nobody knew Devon's condition.

We were all praying for him and then on Sunday I was told on the red carpet. KJ and I at HipHossip's thoughts and prayers are with his family. Above is John and I later that evening Sat April 17th at the JUNO gala where 37 awards were given away. R.I.P DEVON...

Coroner: Dr. Dre's Son Died From Overdose of Heroin and Morphine.

Dr. Dre's son, Andre Young Jr., died from an overdose of heroin and morphine, the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner confirmed to PEOPLE on Friday.

"This case has been closed, it's been ruled an accident due to morphine and heroin intoxication," coroner spokesman Larry Dietz told PEOPLE. The drug test results had been pending for four months.

Young, 20, was found unresponsive by his mother, Jenita Porter, 40, in their Woodland Hills, Calif., home on the morning of Aug. 23.

Source: PEOPLE

It is so sad and ironic that the album Dre was working on and now has been halted until further notice was titled "Detox." The Eminem one is called "Relapse." See how art mimics life! Too scary!

R.I.P: JAMAICAN SONGWRITER VINCENT FORD DEAD AT 68!

The AP is reporting that Jamaican Vincent Ford, a songwriter credited with composing the Bob Marley reggae classic "No Woman, No Cry," has died in Jamaica. He was 68.

Ford died Sunday at a hospital of complications from diabetes, said Paul Kelly, a spokesman for the Kingston-based Bob Marley Foundation.

The song, which appeared on Marley's 1974 "Natty Dread" album, was inspired by the Kingston ghetto of Trench Town where Marley and Ford lived in the 1960s.

Ford is credited with the tune. However, some critics contend that Marley wrote it himself but gave Ford the credit to help his friend support himself with the royalties.

Ford, who ran a soup kitchen and lost both his legs to diabetes, is also credited with three songs on Marley's 1976 album "Rastaman Vibration."

Marley died of cancer in Miami in 1981 at age 36 and remains one of this Caribbean island's most beloved national heroes.

TRAGEDY: LITTLE GIRL RUN OVER BY FATHER'S CAR AT RAPPER L'IL BOOSIE'S HOUSE DIES!

In what deputies say was a horrible accident, a man backed his car over his own little girl Tuesday afternoon. It happened just before 5:00pm. She died an hour later at a local hospital. The accident happened on Pompey, in Centurion Place subdivision. Neighbors say it is the home of local rapper Lil' Boosie. They say he often has fun gatherings for kids. The child was reportedly at the home to play on a trampoline.

Reportedly, the girl's parents have five children and after loading them in his car, the girl's father backed out of the driveway and unknowingly hit his little girl. Deputies did not release the name of the driver or the victim and say no charges will be filed in the case."

HERE'S THE TRAILER OF THE NOTORIUS B.I.G MOVIE.

Rock songwriter Delaney Bramlett dies in Los Angeles at 69.

Singer-songwriter-producer Delaney Bramlett, who penned such classic rock songs as "Let it Rain" and worked with musicians George Harrison and Eric Clapton, has died.

He was 69. His wife, Susan Lanier-Bramlett, says he died Saturday shortly before 5 a.m. at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center in Los Angeles as a result of complications from gallbladder surgery. Born in Mississippi, Bramlett enjoyed a career in the music business that spanned 50 years.

With his then-wife Bonnie Lynn, he created the Southern blues-rock band Delaney & Bonnie & Friends.

The group opened for Blind Faith, which featured British guitarist Clapton, in 1969.

He is perhaps best known for standards such as "Superstar," co-written with Leon Russell, which was recorded by Usher, Luther Vandross, Bette Midler, The Carpenters and most recently, Sonic Youth, in a version featured on the Grammy-nominated soundtrack of the movie "Juno."

He co-wrote "Let it Rain" with Clapton, who also recorded it, and "Never Ending Song of Love," which was recorded by more than 100 artists including Ray Charles, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Patty Loveless and Dwight Yoakam.

During his career, he performed, co-wrote or recorded with stars such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, John Lennon, Dave Mason, Billy Preston, the Everly Brothers and Mac Davis. He also produced artists including Etta James and Elvin Bishop.

He recently released an album, "A New Kind of Blues," on independent label Magnolia Gold Records.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Susan and the whole family.......

Source: AP

NOT SURPRISING: DJ AM HAS SUED TOO FOR FIERY PLANE CRASH!

ADAM 'DJ AM' GOLDSTEIN is taking legal action against the aviation company he holds responsible for his near-death plane crash in September (08). In a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday (23Dec08), Goldstein accuses the pilots of deciding "to abort and/or reject the take-off in a negligent manner" despite allegedly being aware one or more tires had blown as the jet reached take-off speed.

As a result, the plane overshot the runway and exploded into flames, costing two friends and two airplane staff their lives. Goldstein and rocker Travis Barker were the only survivors of the crash. The DJ is suing the estates of the two late pilots, Sarah Lemmon and James Bland, along with Clay Lacy Aviation, Global Exec Aviation, Inter Travel & Services Inc, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co, and Learjet.

Goldstein, who suffered severe burns, is seeking compensation for pain and suffering, lost earnings, property damage, past and future medical and health-related expenses, and punitive damages, according to TMZ.com. Drummer Barker and the mother of his bodyguard, Charles Still, both filed separate but similar lawsuits last month (Nov08).

JUSTICE FOR PHILANT!!!: (MF) HOSEA THOMAS GETS 66 YEARS FOR KILLING T.I'S ASSISTANT PHILANT JOHNSON.

Photo: Ray Tamarra/Getty Images

A man convicted of killing a friend and assistant of T.I. has been sentenced to 66 years to life in prison.

A jury in Cincinnati last month convicted 34-year-old Hosea Thomas (right) of murder, felonious assault and illegally having a gun after a felony conviction.

Philant Johnson died in May 2006 during a running gun battle on Interstate 75 that followed a T.I. concert in Cincinnati. Three others were injured.

The rap star, whose real name is Clifford Harris, took the stand during Thomas' trial and said he believed the shots fired at his entourage were really meant for him.

The Grammy-winning rapper was not hurt.

Source: AP via Yahoo News

I heard about Philant's death while I was in Africa and it really saddened me. Some have speculated that his death was the reason why T.I amassed such big weapons in case they tried to kill him too! Mmmm......Wanna know how sad it is, check out Philant's funeral here and viewing. He was a real cool guy. Imagine, the guy on the left is his brother named...."Pardon" Thomas. There will be no pardon till Hosea is 100 years old meaning he may just die in jail!

CORINE BAILEY RAE UNAWARE OF HUSBAND'S METHADONE USE!

British soul star CORINNE BAILEY RAE's late husband often used drugs during nights out, the singer has told an inquest into his death. Saxophonist Jason Rae died in a Leeds, England flat in March (08) and an hour-long court session heard on Monday (22Dec08) that his death was caused by alcohol and methadone poisoning. A post-mortem revealed the 31-year-old drank methadone prescribed to his friend James Sheasby, a former heroin addict, before falling into a deep sleep and never waking.

Rae, whose band Haggis Horns has backed Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson, also had traces of ecstasy and cocaine in his blood. The singer, who was not present for the inquest, acknowledged her late spouse's long-standing battle with addiction in a statement. She says: "It was not unusual for Jason to drink heavily then seek out drugs like cocaine and ecstasy and take it as a part of a night out. He has not to my knowledge tried methadone." Coroner David Hinchcliff told the inquest there was no evidence Rae had used methadone before, recording a verdict of misadventure.

Bailey Rae also paid tribute to her spouse, branding him her "first and only true love." She adds:

"He was a loyal and devoted friend. He is a faithful son and loving brother. He is very open and honest to a fault. He is not a hedonist, he is a deep thinker. My husband is my first and only true love. He is the most beautiful and complex person I have ever known."

PILOT'S FAMILY DENIES LACK OF TRAINING CAUSED FATAL BARKER/GOLDSTEIN CRASH.

The family of the pilot killed in the plane crash that left TRAVIS BARKER and ADAM 'DJ AM' GOLDSTEIN severely burned and three others dead has shot back at reports his lack of training caused the tragic accident. The estate of pilot James Bland was targetted in a recent suit, filed by the widow of Barker's assistant, Chris Baker, who was killed in the South Carolina crash in September (08).

The lawsuit alleges pilots Bland, 52, and Sarah Lemmon, 31, also killed in the incident, were "poorly trained" and "negligently decided to abort and/or reject takeoff". Bland's younger sister, Laura Martz, 47, tells People.com, "We know the investigation will eventually show they weren't negligent. James took piloting very seriously. If he felt the plane wasn't maintained properly, he would've refused to fly that day.

"Whatever happened on the runway, I'm sure it was beyond (the pilots') control. "James was such a meticulous person, he was the type who wouldn't pay his bills even a day late. He also had total confidence in the abilities of Sarah. "I don't blame them for suing. It was to be expected; that's just the way our society functions. In fact, I'd love to be able to talk to Travis Barker and DJ AM about my brother's final moments.

"This was just a complete tragedy all around, and I just want to know what happened from (Barker and DJ AM's) perspective." Barker filed his own lawsuit last month (Nov08), against companies Clay Lacy Aviation, Goodyear Tire and Rubber, Bombardier Inc., Global Exec Aviation and Inter Travel & Services. He did not name Bland's estate in the suit.

Commenting on the investigation, National Transportation Safety Board spokesperson Peter Knudson says, "It's far too early to say who or what is to blame in this crash. We're still in the fact-gathering stage regarding this case."

Everyone in that plane HAS to collect! The damages were too great!

JENNIFER HUDSON CANCELS VIDEO SHOOT!!

JENNIFER HUDSON has cancelled the shoot for her new video - just days after she announced she was ready to go back to work following the murder of three members of her family. The Oscar-winning actress/singer was due to start shooting the promo for her latest single, If It Isn't Love, in October (08) but was forced to scrap the plans and return to her native Chicago, Illinois after her mother, brother and nephew were killed.

Darnell Donerson and Jason Hudson were found shot dead at their home in the city. Hudson's nephew Julian King, seven, was found dead three days later. The star's estranged brother-in-law has been charged with all three murders. Earlier this week, Hudson announced she would begin filming the postponed project next week (beg15Dec08), but has now reportedly put the plans on hold once again, after deciding she is not yet ready to face work.

A source tells Usweekly.com, "The video was set up before the tragedy and she felt like she should finish what she started, but she's realised that she's not ready to go back to work. It's too early." A representative for Hudson has confirmed the shoot will not be taking place, but insisted that plans to start filming next week were never finalised, saying: "The video shoot was never confirmed."

R.I.P to her family. That kinda tragedy takes a long time to heal.

Wife of Travis Barker's assistant sues over plane crash that killed husband!

The wife of Travis Barker's assistant has sued over the South Carolina plane crash that killed her husband earlier this year.

Otilia Villar Baker, wife of Chris Baker, sued several aviation companies and the estates of two pilots in Los Angeles, alleging negligence and wrongful death. The lawsuit was also filed Tuesday on behalf of the Bakers' young son, Sebastian.

The suit claims the companies contributed to the Sept. 19 crash that also killed the two pilots and Barker's bodyguard. Barker and musical collaborator Adam Goldstein, known as DJ AM, were severely injured.

The suit seeks damages for pain and anguish Baker suffered before his death, loss of earnings, companionship, repayment of funeral and other costs.

So what is wrong with that? Good for her! R.I.P Chris Baker....

ALLEGED HUDSON FAMILY KILLER'S MOM VOWS HE'S INNOCENT!

This is a mother and I will support mine too if I KNOW they were innocent! Personally, I don't think he did it. I think he was the target and drugs and money had something to do with it. Late Jason Hudson was into drugs, that was Jason's gun and someone may have owed money and took the kid for ransom/revenge.....My 2 cents! R.I.P. I don't even know why Chicago cops waste their time because there is a Hollywood connection.

SAD NEWS: BASSIST FOR PLATINUM BLONDE KENNY MCLEAN FOUND DEAD IN TORONTO STUDIO!

Photo: Peter Walsh/Canadian Press

Kenny MacLean, who rose to fame as bassist in the 1980s Toronto-based new wave band Platinum Blonde and had just released his third solo album, was found dead yesterday in his Yonge St. recording studio-apartment.

"This is devastating," said Mark Holmes, former lead singer of Platinum Blonde who performed with his old friend Friday night at the Mod Club at a showcase for MacLean's new album, Completely.

"He was incredibly happy – everything was going well for him," Holmes said in an interview last night, adding the Scottish-Canadian musician's mother and sister were at the CD release party.

"Kenny and I even got together on the stage and sang three songs from old times. It was one of the happiest nights. It was kind of like a send-off. It was a big and successful party."

Platinum Blonde had a string of hits including Hungry Eyes and Crying Over You.

Friends said MacLean's sister Pamela had been unable to contact the musician, who was in his early 50s, and, along with his publicist and personal assistant, got the landlord to let them into his studio and living quarters on Yonge near Wellesley St.

Pamela found her brother collapsed in the bathroom holding a toothbrush with the tap running, Holmes said. MacLean had another home in Yorkville but likely stayed at the studio after the Friday night party, friends said.

The cause of death is not yet known.

Shocking! Our thoughts and prayers are with his family!!

Source: Toronto Star