Slain Rapper Proof Mourned

More than 4,000 mourners paid their respects to Detroit rapper Proof on Tuesday, walking by his gold-toned casket at the Fellowship Chapel on the city's west side, with many sporting T-shirts bearing the late D12 member's likeness, according to MTV News. Eminem remembered his best friend and fellow rapper Proof during the emotionally charged funeral service, telling hundreds of mourners packed inside a Detroit church that “without Proof, there would be no Eminem, no Slim Shady,” Ireland On-Line said. Proof, real name Deshaun Holton, was shot in the head several times after a row at the C.C.C. bar, located on Detroit's Eight Mile Road, last Tuesday, Tonight.co.za said. The strip, which lies along the city's northern edge, was immortalized in Eminem's 2002 movie of the same name.

Violence continues to scar the rap industry. I was very surprised when I heard that Proof had been killed. It is very sad to see someone with so much talent leave this world way too soon. I hope that the rap industry can come together and work to stop the violence.

Beatles Music Going Digital

After years of sitting out the digital music revolution, the surviving members of the Beatles have finally decided to let it be and begin selling online downloads, according to USA Today. Neil Aspinall, who runs the Beatles' Apple Corps., made the announcement in a written statement to a London court earlier this month, where Apple Corps. is suing Apple Computer in a trademark dispute. Aspinall said that the company was digitally remastering the entire Beatles catalogue, which would pave the way for selling the songs online, The Boston Globe said. ''I think it would be wrong to offer downloads of the old masters when I am making new masters," Aspinall said in a written statement submitted to the High Court in London this month. The Beatles have been high-profile holdouts from the booming online music sector, which saw sales triple to $US 1.1 billion ($1.51 billion) in 2005, News.com.au said. Apple Corp., owned by Beatles Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono and the estate of George Harrison, have accused Apple Computer, Inc. of violating a 1991 agreement by using the Apple name and logo to sell music downloads through its market-leading iTunes Music Store. The trial ended on April 6, with a decision from the judge due after Easter.

As far as The Beatles' music being released through the internet, it doesn't affect me very much, as I already have all of their albums on my iPod. I am surprised that it took this long for their songs to be sold online. I think that the internet has had a very positive impact on the music industry, despite piracy issues. As far as Apple Corps. suing Apple Computer, Inc., I think Apple Corps. will have a hard time winning the case against the almighty Apple Computers, Inc.

Bonds Investigated by Grand Jury

A federal grand jury is investigating whether Bonds committed perjury when he testified in 2003 that he never used steroids, a person with knowledge of the probe told The Associated Press on Thursday night, according to ABC News. The panel has been hearing evidence for more than a month about whether the Giants' slugger lied to a different grand jury that was investigating the BALCO scandal, according to reports filed on both CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle's website, The Toronto Star said. Bonds was granted immunity when he testified to the BALCO grand jury in December 2003, as long he told the truth. According to excerpts of the testimony previously reported by the Chronicle, Bonds testified that he used a clear substance and a cream given to him by a trainer who later pleaded guilty in a steroid-distribution ring, but said he didn't know they were steroids. Depending on the findings of the grand jury, federal prosecutors could choose to initiate a perjury case against Bonds, who was implicated during the investigation of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative that resulted in jail time for the company's founder and Bonds' personal trainer, according to The Los Angeles Times.

Once again controversy surrounds Barry Bonds. What a surprise! I think it is obvious that he lied to the grand jury in 2003. He knew that he was taking illegal steroids. He needed them to compete with players like McGwire and Sosa, who also took steroids. Baseball in the late '90s was scarred by rampant steroid use throughout Major League Baseball. I personally do not like Bonds and hope he goes down. Confess liar!