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 magazine.
“This case has been closed, it’s been ruled an accident due to morphine and heroin intoxication,” coroner spokesman Larry Dietz told the magazine. 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.

“Dr. Dre is mourning the loss of his son,” the rapper’s publicist Lori Earl previously said in a statement. “Please respect his family’s grief and privacy at this time.”

Another instrumental voice to soul music’s foundation has passed away. Dee Dee Warwick (at right), an accomplished solo artist and session singer, died Saturday at a New Jersey rest home. Read the rest of this entry »

After a long string of illnesses, the Four Tops’ Levi Stubbs (second from left) passed away in his sleep in Detroit today. Everyone knows that the Tops, next to The Temptations and The Supremes, were one of Motown’s most successful acts. Here are four other things about Stubbs and the group you might not know… Read the rest of this entry »

Dr. Dre’s son, Andre Young Jr., 20, was found dead at his home in Woodland
Hills, Calif., on Saturday morning.

“Dr. Dre is mourning the loss of his son Andre Young Jr. Please respect his
family’s grief and privacy at this time,” rep Lori Earl said in a statement.

L.A. Weekly reports
that Young was out the previous night and returned home around 5:30 A.M., according
to L.A. County Coroner Assistant Chief Ed Winter. Young’s mother went to check
on her son in his bedroom around 10 A.M., found him unresponsive, and called 911.

“Police arrived and declared him (deceased),” Winter said, adding there
was “no visible trauma or the like.”

The precise cause of death won’t be known for up to eight weeks, when toxicology
tests are completed, according to reports.

Dr. Dre also has a son Marcel, born in 1991, from singer Michel’le; a son
Curtis McClemore (aka rapper Hood Surgeon) from Cassandra Joy Greene; and two other
children, son Truth (born 1997) and daughter Truly, from wife Nicole.

Our prayers go out to Dre and his family.

Saxophonist LeRoi Moore, a founding member of the Dave Matthews Band and a key part
of its eclectic jazz-infused sound, died yesterday at the age of 46. But the band
played on last night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

A statement on the band’s website reads, “We are deeply saddened that
LeRoi Moore, saxophonist and founding member of Dave Matthews Band, died unexpectedly
Tuesday afternoon, August 19, 2008, at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in
Los Angeles from sudden complications stemming from his June ATV accident on his
farm near Charlottesville, Virginia. LeRoi had recently returned to his Los Angeles
home to begin an intensive physical rehabilitation program.”

According to reports, LeRoi was seriously injured in an ATV accident June 30 outside
Charlottesville. He had a punctured lung and broken ribs. He was later discharged
and had recently returned to his Los Angeles home to begin a physical rehabilitation
program when complications forced him back to the hospital on July 17.

Saxophonist Jeff Coffin, who played with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, had been
sitting in for Moore during the band’s summer tour. The band is scheduled
to perform at the Staples Center again tonight.

Bernie’s widow Rhonda is comforted in front of poster of him at memorial

height="277" /> alt="Bernie Mac waves" />

Leave it to Cedric “The Entertainer” to get the estimated crowd of 7,000
to laugh at the beginning of a touching public memorial for comedian/actor Bernie
Mac Saturday in Chicago.

“This dude is a very, very popular guy,”
Cedric told the throng of fans, actors and dignitaries gathered at the House of
Hope on the South Side, according to the
Chicago Tribune. “You know y’all were like, ‘Let me get
four tickets to the funeral!’ He’s still the hottest ticket in town!”

Some people slept outside the church to guarantee a place inside. Others began arriving
about 7:45 a.m., nearly four hours before the service, which lasted nearly four
hours and was described by the Tribune as “part late-night Saturday
comedy show, part early morning Sunday church service.”

Bernie, a native of Chicago, died from complications from pneumonia at the age of
50 on Aug. 9. Cedric, D.L. Hughley and Steve Harvey, the three remaining stars of
the 2000 documentary The Original Kings of Comedy, took the stage together.

D.L. recalled that he and the others eagerly awaited Bernie’s stage attire each
night. He said: “Bernie would wear colors that crayons hadn’t even thought of yet.”

Steve appeared solemn one moment—”You tell jokes for a living, you dig? Sometimes
it’s just not funny”—and in another he would unleash hilarious tales
about working with Bernie. He told how Bernie, formidable at 6-foot-3 and built
like a football player, would pat the guys on their butts to encourage them before
performances.”But Bernie was heavy-handed. He had real strong hands, and they
were cupped all like this,” Steve said, demonstrating Bernie’s hands
while the audience howled in laughter.

“Bernie always said that he walked alone. I don’t think that he was
alone. I think he was walking with Jesus. I’ll see you soon, Bernie,”
Harvey said, looking upward, then with perfect timing: “Well, I don’t
want to see you too soon.”

Also on hand: Samuel L. Jackson, Don Cheadle, Salli Richardson, Chris Rock, Tom
Joyner, Jeremy Suarez, Kellita Smith, basketball player Juwan Howard, producer and
writer Ali LeRoi, comedians Mike Collier, Bruce Bruce and George Wallace, Chicago
Mayor Richard Daley and Rev. Jesse Jackson.

The Mayor recalled that Bernie was in his office recently asking how he could help
fight violent crime in the city.

”He wanted to help get children away from a life of crime and violence,”
he said. ”That’s why he’s the king of comedy. He never lost his
soul in Chicago.”

Those not in attendance—such as Oprah Winfrey, Sen. Barack Obama, Maxine Waters,
the O’Jays and actor Andy Garcia—sent notes that were read at the ceremony.

“Michelle and I were so deeply sad to hear about your loss. . . . He . . .
[made] us laugh and laugh hard,” Barack’s statement read. Bernie caught
flak recently when he joked about menopause, sexual infidelity and promiscuity at
a July fundraiser for the presidential hopeful.

During Saturday’s service, Barack went on to write that Bernie could say things
others couldn’t. “Bernie Mac will be sorely missed,” he wrote.

Others not in attendance sent condolences to Bernie’s widow, Rhonda (pictured
above), and daughter, Je’niece Childress, who attended the service.

Bernie’s beloved Chicago White Sox organization presented Rhonda with a No.
1 jersey bearing his name. The service also included a tribute from Rachelle Ferrell,
Bernie’s favorite singer, and a video tribute to Bernie and Isaac Hayes, who
also died last weekend. Sam, who stars with Bernie and Isaac in the upcoming flick
Soul Men, scheduled for a Nov. 15 release, recalled how he and Bernie talked
about the loss of privacy when a person becomes famous. Samuel said that although
he gets bothered by fans coming up and invading his space, it never bothered Bernie.

“He never lost being that kid from Chicago who wanted to make you laugh. He
never said, ‘Back off,’ Sam said, then, drawing laughter: “I don’t
have a problem with doing that.”

Sam also talked about working with Bernie on Soul Men.

“It was a real joy. I knew he was having some health issues, and I was concerned,”
he said. “But he would say, ‘I’m good. Let’s hit it.’
”

Bernie had been hospitalized at Northwestern Memorial Hospital since mid-July. A
few years ago, he disclosed that he suffered from sarcoidosis, a rare autoimmune
disease that causes inflammation in tissue, most often in the lungs.

The family requests that donations be made at
www.berniemacfoundation.org, which aims to find a cure for sarcoidosis.

To view photos from the memorial, click
here.

Music legend Isaac Hayes’
sudden death on Sunday was felt throughout the entertainment industry. A
number of stars, including Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick and Gloria
Gaynor, and colleagues reflect on the life of the influential career of the 65-year-old
Hayes, whom Patti calls “the man.”

“I last saw Isaac a while back in Washington , DC at a concert where we were both
performing,” Patti said in a statement to BET.com. “Although he was
under the weather, he was still performing. He was the man- he had “the show must
go on” spirit. In his absence, he will be remembered through his great music. He
will forever be in our hearts and souls. God bless his family.”

Dionne, who recorded the album, “A Man And A Woman,” with Hayes in the 1970s said
she would miss Hayes’ friendship and his unique musical voice.

“I’ve lost one of my best buddies and it is not easy to reckon with,” she wrote.
“I know one can never put a question mark where GOD puts a period, so I will not
question the Almighty’s decision to call him home. We all know when that call comes
we all will answer… Personally, my buddy will be missed for many reasons by me.
He was ‘family.’ He will be a part of my musical life each time I sing the song
‘Deja Vu’ as this was a birthday gift to me from him. His renditions of songs that
I had recorded especially ‘Walk On By,’ in my opinion, ‘the definitive version’
will always be another memory each time I sing it, and the humorous side that he
showed few (that I knew so well). My family and I send sincere heart felt condolences
to his family for their enormous loss, and we will hold them in continuous prayer.”

Aretha said in a statement, “It was so sad to hear about Isaac Hayes. (He
was) so musically advanced and timeless in his compositions. He was loved and appreciated
by so many. He was an enduring symbol of the struggle of the African-American man
and was a shining example of soul at its best. God bless.”

Gloria was taken aback by the double loss of Hayes and Bernie Mac.

“I am shocked and deeply grieved at the news of the passing of comedian/actor Bernie
Mac and singer/actor/songwriter/producer, Isaac Hayes,” the “I Will
Survive” singer said in a statement. “I never had the pleasure of meeting
Bernie Mac in person, but I certainly enjoyed, along with millions of others, many
of his performances in movies and in television. He was a greatly talented artist
and I, for one, will truly miss him from the entertainment scene,” her statement
read. “I did know Isaac Hayes personally and in 1985, had the pleasure of recording
one of Barry White’s songs (‘You’re The First, The Last, My Everything’) with him
for my CD. He was a gentleman and an extremely warm and talented artist whom I respected
and admired. I will miss him and his contribution to the entertainment world and
to human kind. I send my condolences to the families, friends, and fans of both
of these icons of the entertainment family.”

Isaac makes a cameo appearance in director Malcolm D. Lee’s movie Soul Men,
co-starring Bernie and Samuel L. Jackson and scheduled for a Nov. 14 release.

“Isaac Hayes was a musical genius whose music has and continues to inspire me as
a person and a storyteller,” Malcolm said in a statement. “A warm spirit
and an egoless talent, Isaac was as tireless on the film set as he was in the studio.
Working with Isaac has been one of the highlights of my career. The world has lost
a true music legend whose influence on all of us is immeasurable. I will miss him
and am grateful that I was blessed to have been in the presence of greatness this
past year.”

Neil Portnow, President of The Recording Academy also mourned the loss of Hayes.

“Three-time Grammy winner Isaac Hayes was a true renaissance man — singer, songwriter,
producer, session musician, actor, activist and more. After laying the groundwork
for the Memphis soul sound through his work with Stax Records, his groundbreaking
theme song and score for the movie ‘Shaft’ cemented his status as a musical icon,”
Portnow’s statement read. “He was actively involved with our Memphis Chapter, sharing
his creativity with established professionals and up-and-coming musicians alike.
The world has lost a true creative genius and a passionate humanitarian, but his
indelible legacy will remain ever present. Our deepest sympathies go out to his
family, friends and all who were inspired by the man and his music.”

Rev. Al Sharpton’s statement read, “I am deeply saddened by the loss
of Isaac Hayes, a true historic world music figure. Isaac Hayes was the first African-American
to win an Oscar for a music score but never lost sight of his commitment to his
community and the betterment of mankind. He was more than an artist, he was a trailblazer.
He was an innovator. He was a creative genius. I shall never forget how in the height
of his career he still had time to work and lend his celebrity to those of us much
younger and at that time who were totally unknown. Even in his later years he never
hesitated to appear for a cause or endorse something that he felt was for the good
of mankind. He will be sorely missed.”

Lisa Marie Presley wrote: “Isaac was one of the more genuine and beautiful souls
I have had the privilege to cross paths with and befriend in this life,” her statement
read. “He was an incredible friend. This is a tragic loss. My heart goes out to
his wife and children. Wherever he is going to just became a brighter and more beautiful
place, and I will miss him dearly.”

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Sam Moore, for whom Hayes penned songs and a longtime
friend, wrote: “I owe so much of my fame and success to Isaac Hayes as it was Isaac
who wrote, produced and actually invented what is known as the ‘Memphis Sound.’
His nickname for me was ‘Blessed’ and I truly know I was blessed to have had his
presence in my life and career when I was the lead voice of Sam & Dave. Fortunately
for us all, Isaac’s talent will continue to be recognized and live on as a result
of his enormous musical contribution.”

And from Jim Henke, Vice President of Exhibitions and Curatorial Affairs and the
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: “Isaac Hayes was a multi-talented artist whose body
of work had a tremendous influence on the music of the last 40 years. In the 1960s
and early 1970s, he was a songwriter, producer, pianist and vocalist for Stax Records,
and he played a crucial role in the development of Memphis soul music. Among his
many accomplishments, he helped write such classic hits as ‘Soul Man,’ ‘Hold On,
I’m Coming’ and ‘B-A-B-Y.’

“His solo career included such classics as ‘Hot Buttered Soul’ and the soundtrack
to the movie ‘Shaft’. His work as a solo artist laid the groundwork for disco and,
eventually, rap and hip-hop. Later, he embarked on a successful acting career. He
was a truly talented artist and he will be sorely missed.”

Tommy Davis, from the Church of Scientology, Intl., the church Hayes was a part
of, released a statement saying, “He was an incredibly generous man, had an
enormous love for his fellow men, was a remarkable humanitarian and he will be greatly
missed.”

Details concerning yesterday’s tragic death of actor/comedian Bernie Mac,
50, are revealed on People.com,
which reports that the actor/comedian was admitted to a Chicago hospital, not on
Aug. 1 as first reported, but on July 24 and that his wife and daughter were by
his side until the very end.

Mary Ann Grossett, the younger sister of Bernie’s wife Rhonda, spoke to People
about her brother-in-law’s final days. According to his publicist, he
died of complications from pneumonia. The night before he died, “He struggled
for his life,” Grossett is quoted as saying. “He couldn’t breathe.

“He opened his eyes on his own and looked at Rhonda. She called his name,
and he opened his eyes and nodded to her. She smiled at him and told him, ‘Don’t
leave me …’I’m waiting for you to come back.’ He shrugged his shoulders,
and she said that’s when she knew he was tired. He signaled to her that his
body was tired.”

Rhonda, Bernie’s wife since 1977, and their 30-year-old daughter, Je’Niece,
were with him when he died, the website reports. “(The doctors) were working
on him,” Grossett told People. “They tried to resuscitate him
two times. One time he came back for about an hour. Then he went into cardiac arrest
the second time.”

The story on People.com continued:

Prior to that, the couple had last communicated on July 31. “He told his wife
(non-verbally) that he could breathe on his own, and he wanted the ventilator out.
He motioned that he wanted it out,” says Grossett.

The sister-in-law says Mac’s inflammatory lung disease contributed to his
death. “He had sarcoidosis, but it was in remission,” she says. “But
because he had it, his immune system was compromised. He had an infection …
He was on a new medication that suppresses the immune system, and that’s where
the pneumonia came from.”

She reveals that Mac – having trouble breathing and running a fever – was actually
hospitalized on July 24, eight days before the date given for his admittance. The
actor was diagnosed with pneumonia and immediately placed on a ventilator.

“He was critically ill when he was in the hospital,” says Gossett. “He
was in intensive care the whole time.”

She adds that doctors kept the star sedated, although he was conscious at times
and he contracted a second strain of pneumonia while in the hospital.

Of her widowed sibling (like Mac, Rhonda is 50), Grossett says, “She’s devastated.
However, she’s at peace about his transition because of her faith in God.
Her faith is what is sustaining her.”

She says of the couple’s enduring union, “They had 30 years of marriage.
That’s unprecedented in today’s time, particularly for celebrities.
That brings joy to her.

They loved each other and respected each other on a daily basis. She was by his
side to the very end.”

Recalling the couple’s early years, when they were still in their teens, Grossett
says, “When they started dating, he said, ‘Girl, you better come on
board this train, because I’m going to be rich.’ And her response was,
‘Okay,’ and they were married. That’s how he charmed her, with
his sense of humor.”

She adds, “When they got married they were kids. He was 20 and she was 19.
They both grew up together, and they both matured in this marriage.

“What she will treasure the most is the fact that she was his wife for 30
years – and not only was she his wife, but she was his best friend. She’s
going to miss him dearly.”

Mac’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16, at an undisclosed location. The
family requests that donations be made to the Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoidosis,
40 E. Ninth St., Suite 601, Chicago IL 60605.