The sudden death of pop royalty such as Michael Jackson or more notably the King of Pop has sent shockwaves throughout the world.

Here at MTV News, we are still in disbelief that the great Michael Jackson had passed away and his death will inevitably change the world of music as we know it.

He was one if not, the most influential superstar in the world, an inspiration to many and was an artist whose music has touched the lives of millions of people globally.

Those people include admirers of his success like you or I, to the hundreds of stars in the making such as Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and P Diddy to name but a few who have all claimed Jackson was their greatest influence and inspired them to be who they are today.

From the time when we first saw a young Michael as part of the Jackson 5 to when MTV became the first music channel to play his iconic Thriller music video, Jackson was and always will be a musical legend.

To the fans that had tickets for his This Is It tour, to the lifelong Jacko lovers or just those who can appreciate what Jackson achieved in his short life – It is a very sad day for pop music as we mourn a legend who has left behind a legacy that will never die.

From today, MTV will pay tribute to the man that was Michael Jackson.

Check out MTV's Michael Jackson page where you can leave tribute messages, view the star's videos and get the lastest news on his tragic death at http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/michael-jackson.

By Joanne Dorken

The JLS Boys passed by MTV Towers this week. I put all the questions to the fellas for MTV NEWS and found out what they're really like behind all the hype and the screaming fans.

Firstly, the boys are really happy with their first single 'Beat Again' which is out on Epic records and also said that as far as music videos go, theirs didnt take that long to film, just 12 HOURS!!!! Lol (...that is pretty short to be fair).

They spoke about a chance meeting in a club with RNB superstar Neyo who sang there praises and might be working with them soon too.

Things are definitely looking bright for the Jack the Lad Swing quartet and they might even have a number one with this...

Check out LOAD at the Royal Albert hall Museum this Monday 22nd June. It’s an exclusive one day exhibition so you’ve gotta be quick to see this one!

And when we say Royal Albert Hall we’re not talking classical string quartets and soprano vocalists we mean an edgy exhbition with graffiti and street artwork.

For the first time ever graffiti artists have been commissioned by the Royal Albert Hall in partnership with creative pioneers Daydream Network. They will turn the walls of the historic venue’s loading bay into a gallery of graffiti depicting the life story of the Royal Albert Hall’s 138 year history,

LOAD will take a graphical journey through some of the Hall’s most memorable moments displaying 10ft high murals of the most iconic musicians to have graced the famous stage, including incredible images of Jimi Hendrix, Pavarotti, Eric Clapton, The Killers and Frank Sinatra. A third space in the loading bay will be dedicated to its urban roots with graffiti interpretation in keeping with the timeless and classic theme of the exhibition.

If you’re not already putting LOAD in your diaries and calling your friends to head down there, then let me tell you this, it’s free!...What more can you ask for!

By Katrina Hession.

Check out this club night it should be absolutely banging. The new Kitsune Maison album (7) is great too. My fave tracks are chilled remixes of James Yuill and Phoenix.

It's a great label that is well worth checking out.

with guests Ornette Coleman, David Murray and Vernon Reid. June 13th 2009

Shove over Ghandi; I’m going to need a bit of extra room at my dream dinner party table: Questlove from The Roots is coming over for lasagne.

I thought I loved the enigmatic drummer and figurehead of the hip hop funk collective enough already, but after this special gig at the Royal Festival Hall, he’s getting extra garlic bread...

Put on as part of Jazz legend Ornette Coleman’s ‘Meltdown’ event this was more of a jam session than a promo tour for their new record ‘Rising Down’. With guest lead guitar, bass and three legendary saxophonists including Coleman himself joining the band on stage, there was the slight feeling of chaos associated with improvisation.

Certainly if you had booked your tickets expecting only to hear all the big tracks, the lengthy live solos mid-gig might have challenged your expectations, but let’s not forget this is a hip hop collective that has always had live instruments at it’s very core, and Questlove’s inspired musicality on the drums kept the night moving when at points it felt like the soloists seemed to be playing to their own tune.

Kicking off with a lyrical journey through Hip Hop as a warm up, lead MC Black Thought took us through some of his favourites including Run DMC and Wu Tang before launching into new material. However it seemed to me an apt start to an evening where the emphasis was more on appreciating where hip hop and indeed jazz has come from rather than where it’s going - a night where the name ‘The Roots’ couldn’t have made more sense.

Our afro haired drummer conducted and lead from the back through classics like ‘The Next Movement’ complimented and enhanced by Frank Knuckles’ witty percussion, but I missed a female vocalist on stage when it came to ‘You Got me’ and their new lead single ‘Rising Up’

Overall I came away feeling that The Roots’ willingness to play such humble hosts for what was a pretty significant jazz interlude on their billing proved them worthy bookings as part of this season.

This band’s ability to look back with grace and respect proves that will always strive to move forwards, and do it in style.

…Now someone pass the salad.

BY LUCY YOUNGMAN

If you've watched the critically acclaimed tv series 'The Wire' (I need this in your life if you havent!) then you'll know who Idris 'Stringer Bell' Elba is. Not only is he on the BBC and in the cinema playing Mr Beyonce Knowles in Obsessed, the Hackney boy has even found time to try his hand at music! Going by his DJ name Driis, he's releasing a Pete Rock-produced reggae track called Please Be True next month. Smooth and laid back, it's perfect for those lazy summer days - check him out www.myspace.com/idrismusic

If you havent seen it already, here's a reminder to his lastest film Obsession which also stars Beyonce Knowles.

Check out his music when you can, I'll blog the video for it once it's finished

Have a great weekend peeps

Ricks

MTV's Dee Morrison headed down to The Official Soundclash Championships 2009 last night at Bloomsbury Ballroom.

It was always going to be a serious night of music considering the winners last year - M.I.A & Friends and the line up for this year’s battle including Toddla T, Sinden, MistaJam and Bugged Out! Armed with just the comfort and reassurance of their MP3 players, first-rate music was guaranteed.

The night kicked off with “Thriller” by Michael Jackson as a procession of the ipod battlers took to the stage flanked by all manner of costumes and colourful antics. First battle up to the neon lighted fighting cage commenced with Sinden, Martelo, Toddla T & Oneman vs Skill Wizard & Shitting Fists. With Sinden blasting Queen’s “Don't Stop Me Now” and dropping dollars into the crowd (nice touch guys), Skill Wizard and Shitty Fists dealt out their dose of rock disco. Come decibel meter reading time, the crowd only wanted to hear more Sinden & co.

Next up were Crookers & friends vs Zezi Ifore, Mistajam, Raf Daddy & Brains. Crookers had a slow burner of a start, but come back with “Sweet Child Of Mine” sending the already overhyped crowd into a frenzy and knocking Zezi and co for six. Crookers nailed it!

Good start in the 3rd round from Henry Holland, Nova Dando & Anna Trevelyan, but as soon as they churn out East 17 “House Of Love” things go downhill from there and Girlcore stepped up to the mantle with tracks like “Firestarter” and win by a clear and easy country mile.

4th and final round was Milo, Matt Walsh, Tayo for Bugged Out! vs Todd Hart & Matthew Stone. Reasonable start for Todd as Mylo pulls out Dizzee Rascal. But wait I hear "Like A Prayer" from Todd and Matthew and all bets are off...until Mylo goes with MJ "Wanna Be Startin Something" and instantly a sea of hands rise up into the air and Mylo and friends stroll out of the fighting cage all conquering.

The Final saw Mylo and Bugged Out! Vs Girlcore battle tune after tune. At the end of the brilliantly fought combat, the decibel meter reads…drum roll…louder please…GIRLCORE! Taking the trophy to crazy cheers, the girls find in MTV new followers of the Girlcore message. Triumphant and well deserved winners and what a night…

To find out more hit http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/cassie/news/124367-cassie-speaks-about-nake...

Not completely won over by this song by Mz Bratt- but she certainly shows potential. Plus there just aren't enough female grime/ UK rap MCs out there so I hope she finds some success. It's a world dominated by blokes- many of whom seem to appear in this vid!