In case you haven’t heard, L.A. Reid released a memoir titled, “Sing to Me: My Story of Making Music, Finding Magic, and Searching for Who’s Next,”  a few years ago. In it, explained how he and his production partner, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, got caught up in a longstanding battle between Jermaine and Michael Jackson that many of us never knew knew about.

L.A. Reid said that while he and Babyface were producing an album for Jermaine Jackson (who was signed to their record label, LaFace Records, at that time), they’d suddenly received a call from Michael. MJ asked them if they would be interested in meeting with him to discuss working together on some new music. L.A. and Babyface agreed, but decided not to tell Jermaine until after they saw where the convo’ with MJ would lead to.

After the three of them met up, L.A. and Babyface decided to begin working with Michael three weeks later.

What Happened Next Was What They Totally Weren’t Expecting

Jermaine found out about L.A. and Babyface’s plans to work with his brother and to say he was livid is an understatement. According to L.A. Reid, Jermaine immediately demanded to be released from their label. L.A. and Babyface didn’t want Jermaine to leave, but they also didn’t want to NOT work with Michael Jackson- the greatest entertainer of all time.

Since they were in a pickle, they went back to MJ and told him that his brother was pissed. Then something else happened that shocked them.  L.A. said Michael gave them the most cold-hearted response to ever, regarding his big bro’:

‘“He’ll get over it,” [Michael said].

‘That’s not really the problem,’ I said. ‘The problem was that he wants off the label now.’

“Did he sign a contract?” asked Michael.

‘Yes,’ I said.

“Then he’ll have to live with it because those are the rules,” Michael said and walked out.

That Michael Jackson was one shrewd man. He was not wrong, but you didn’t expect that from Peter Pan. You expect a little compassion or something. No. Cold as ice.’

Jermaine Dissed The Hell Outta Michael In The Worst Way

Then Came Jermaine’s DISS RECORD About His Brother…
L.A. says things got really messy when Jermaine told him and Babyface this:

“I want to make a song about my brother. I want to talk about how he’s treated me through the years, like how every time I find producers like you guys, he takes my producers. He doesn’t care about his family or anybody but himself.”

L.A. and ‘Face were surprised that two brothers of soul music royalty, were about beef on the radio, like they were on a hip hop mixtape.

Nonetheless, they still allowed Jermaine’s creative expression flow, no matter how much they disagreed with his diss record request- and produced the track, “Word to the Badd!,” which was aired on radio stations nationwide.

Michael was pissed off with all three of the men. So, he called up L.A. to give him a few choice words:

“ ‘You have to stop this,’ he said. ‘You’re the head of the label. You have to kill this. This isn’t good.’ ”

L.A. said MJ and Jermaine met up at their Mom’s house to talk it out, but that two days later, he got two very different phone calls. Jermaine called L.A. and said the song is gonna stay on the radio; MJ called and said ‘You’ve gotta put a stop to this.’

They were right back where they’d started, but L.A. said this is what happened next:

“The record disappeared off the air, as if it had never been there in the first place. I don’t know what Michael did. I don’t know if Michael did anything, but it went away in a flash.”

Check out Jermaine’s diss record about his MJ here:

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The post L.A. Reid Explains How He Got Caught In Michael & Jermaine Jackson’s Very Heated Feud appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Thanks to L.A. Reid’s memoir, ‘L.A. Reid: Sing To Me,’ we now know that his marriage to “Mercedes Boy” singer, Pebbles, was filled with drama, screaming matches, cheating allegations and of course, love. And after you read what L.A. revealed about a dispute involving the beloved Whitney Houston, himself, and Pebbles, you can add jealousy to that list as well.

PEBBLES WAS READY FOR ATTACK AFTER L.A. TOLD HER THIS…

According to L.A. Reid, one day Pebbles found out that Whitney was spending the night at her and L.A. Reid’s house while she was out of town. BUT, Pebbles was like ‘Nuh-uh, NOT TODAY!’ There’s far more to it than that though…check out what L.A. wrote:

Whitney came back to Atlanta one week later and she knocked out these two songs like they were nothing—pow, pow—only now we were used to it. She came back a third time to do some fixes. Aaron had been born and Pebbles was out touring behind her new album. Whitney called from her hotel to tell me her room had been broken into and she felt uncomfortable at the hotel. Could she use the guesthouse? She showed up with her manager and running partner, Robyn Crawford. It was late. I put on a movie in the theater to watch and the phone rang. It was Pebbles, who quickly became upset when she learned Whitney was there.

“Whitney’s in my house?” she said. “We’re not having that. My husband is not going to sit in my house late at night watching a movie with another girl.” I tried to explain, but she threw a tantrum and I started to get angry. I told her she had nothing to worry about, this was completely safe, platonic, and just us musicians. I got loud and Whitney overheard.

“She’s trippin’, huh?” she said. Whitney offered to leave, but I told her my responsibility was to take care of her and everything would be fine. “I don’t want to be in the middle of y’all’s mess,” she said.

Pebbles kept calling back and finally I took the phone off the hook. I was embarrassed. I pride myself on being a professional. I was starting a business, and was now working with—and entertaining—major celebrity superstars. I didn’t need this bullshit. Whitney went to the guesthouse to sleep.

The next day, Pebbles came home and had attitude with me. She tried having attitude with Whitney, too, but Whitney put out that fire in, like, two seconds. I don’t know what she said, but everything quickly was cool. Whitney invited us all—me, Pebbles, Babyface and his new girlfriend, Tracey (he and his wife had divorced)—to her place, so we all piled on a Delta jet and spent the weekend in New Jersey.'” – L.A. Reid’s “Sing To Me”

Celebrities- they’re just like us…regular folks with regular problems…and baby mama dramas.

On a side note, Pebbles and Whitney eventually became the best of friends. They were even in each other’s weddings- Pebbles was a bridesmaid in Whitney’s marriage to Bobby; Whitney was a bridesmaid in Pebbles’ marriage (after L.A.) to baseball legend, Otis Dixon.

The post LA Reid Says Ex-Wife Pebbles Once Angrily Flipped Out On Him And Whitney Houston, Details Why appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Singer, Pebbles, may have seemed like ‘Ms. Prim and Proper’ back in the day, but don’t let her gitty ’80s jam, “Mercedes,” fool you…there’s apparently a hint of hood in her! Her ex-husband, L.A. Reid’s, recollection of what Pebbles did when she walked in on him and Paula Abdul proves that.

WHAT HAPPENED WHEN PEBBLES CAUGHT L.A. REID & PAULA ABDUL

In L.A. Reid’s book, “Sing To Me,” he let a whole bunch of cats outta the bag about their past drama-filled marriage. One of them is when L.A. says Pebbles had already suspected something was up between he and Paula Abdul when they worked on a song together. But Pebbles flipped out when she later caught them at his house, so says L.A. Reid:

L.A. Reid- “We asked if [Paula] would choreograph a music video for Kenny  [Babyface] … and she said she would trade us for a song. We wrote ‘Knocked Out’ for her and we took [her] into Studio Masters, where it took a long time to cut her vocal. … We didn’t work on the [Paula] album — Pebbles saw to that…

BUT THEN THINGS GOT UGLY…

L.A.REID ‘PROTECTED’ PAULA ABDUL, WHILE PEBBLES FLIPPED OUT ON THEM BOTH?

“Paula and I started to be friendly. We didn’t have a relationship, but one night Paula came to my house and it was after midnight. We stood on the balcony listening to ‘Man in the Mirror.’ … The phone rang. It was Pebbles wanting to know what I was doing. … Suddenly someone was knocking on my door, hard. I opened the door and there was Pebbles. Never taking her eyes off me, she walked past me into the kitchen, grabbed a broom, and shattered all my glass furniture. It was like slow motion, tearing sh*t up. I smiled and loved it. She never looked at Paula, who was trembling in fear.” -L.A. Reid

Poor Paula, she probably thought Pebbles was dam near ’bout kill her — not literally, of course. But did L.A. really just say he “loved it”? Wow. WAIT THERE’S MORE…

L.A. REID ADMITS TO CHEATING SOON AFTER MARRIAGE

Pebbles may have been a lil’ insecure in her marriage to L.A., but she probably had good reason to be. In his book, L.A. also confessed to cheating on Pebbles soon after they wed, with his then-secretary, whom he got freaky-deaky with in his office bathroom. After that, L.A. says he cheated with several other women.

BUT scroll down to see which legendary singer L.A. confessed to getting a lil’ too close for comfort with..even though she was his BROTHER’S GIRLFRIEND!

L.A. ADMITS TO FLIRTING WITH TONI BRAXTON

When Toni Braxton was signed to LaFace Records back in the day, Reid said that he and Toni flirted with each other all the time, but they kept it playful and platonic because Toni was L.A.’s brother’s girlfriend at the time. I tell ya,’ we learn something new around here everyday!

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The post L.A.Reid Claims Then-Wife Pebbles Did The Most After Walking In On Him & Paula Abdul appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Usher dropped a few unknown tidbits of old school facts about his personal life and his career, which seemed to kinda all be intertwined together. In a previous interview with The Roots’ drummer, Questlove, on his Pandora radio show, Questlove Supreme, Ebony Magazine reported how Usher chopped it up about everything, from how he got caught up in music legends, Antonio ‘L.A.’ Reid’s and Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmond’s beef back in the day, to how Tevin Campbell ended up getting work that was originally meant for him; to issues with his ex-wife/mother of his two kids, Tameka Raymond, and also his mother/ex-manager, Jonetta.

L.A. Reid & Babyface Drama Led To Tevin Campbell Taking Usher’s Songs

It turns out “Can We Talk” was originally Usher’s song, until…

Usher: “When I first signed to LaFace Records, I wanted to do an album with Babyface and LA Reid, right? I signed specifically for that reason. So LA Reid wanted Babyface to work on me and they were going through, you know, a lot of drama at the time. They were kinda severing their ties…he got mad…And he built an entire album for me, and he gave the whole album to somebody else…Tevin Campbell! ‘Can We Talk’…was my song…”

“Can We Talk” ended up being the biggest song of Tevin’s career. It stayed at #1 on the R&B charts for weeks and the entire album, I.m Ready, sold 2 million+ albums. By the way, I dig Usher and Tevin, but I gotta admit that after the way Tevin killed it on “Can We Talk,” I couldn’t imagine ANY other singer recording that song…not even Usher.

Usher Also Detailed Past Issues With His Mom & His Biggest Regret>>>

The post Usher Revealed Babyface Gave Away His Whole Album To Tevin Campbell To Spite L.A. Reid appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

PEBBLES WAS READY FOR ATTACK AFTER L.A. TOLD HER THIS…

https://youtu.be/BGmiD-kFKA8

According to L.A. Reid, one day Pebbles found out that Whitney was spending the night at her and L.A. Reid’s house while she was out of town. BUT, Pebbles was like ‘Nuh-uh, NOT TODAY!’ There’s far more to it than that though…check out what L.A. wrote:

Whitney came back to Atlanta one week later and she knocked out these two songs like they were nothing—pow, pow—only now we were used to it. She came back a third time to do some fixes. Aaron had been born and Pebbles was out touring behind her new album. Whitney called from her hotel to tell me her room had been broken into and she felt uncomfortable at the hotel. Could she use the guesthouse? She showed up with her manager and running partner, Robyn Crawford. It was late. I put on a movie in the theater to watch and the phone rang. It was Pebbles, who quickly became upset when she learned Whitney was there.

“Whitney’s in my house?” she said. “We’re not having that. My husband is not going to sit in my house late at night watching a movie with another girl.” I tried to explain, but she threw a tantrum and I started to get angry. I told her she had nothing to worry about, this was completely safe, platonic, and just us musicians. I got loud and Whitney overheard.

“She’s trippin’, huh?” she said. Whitney offered to leave, but I told her my responsibility was to take care of her and everything would be fine. “I don’t want to be in the middle of y’all’s mess,” she said.

Pebbles kept calling back and finally I took the phone off the hook. I was embarrassed. I pride myself on being a professional. I was starting a business, and was now working with—and entertaining—major celebrity superstars. I didn’t need this bullshit. Whitney went to the guesthouse to sleep.

The next day, Pebbles came home and had attitude with me. She tried having attitude with Whitney, too, but Whitney put out that fire in, like, two seconds. I don’t know what she said, but everything quickly was cool. Whitney invited us all—me, Pebbles, Babyface and his new girlfriend, Tracey (he and his wife had divorced)—to her place, so we all piled on a Delta jet and spent the weekend in New Jersey.'” – L.A. Reid’s “Sing To Me”

Celebrities- they’re just like us…regular folks with regular problems and baby mama dramas.

On a side note, Pebbles and Whitney eventually became the best of friends. They were even in each other’s weddings- Pebbles was a bridesmaid in Whitney’s marriage to Bobby; Whitney was a bridesmaid in Pebbles’ marriage (after L.A.) to baseball legend, Otis Dixon.

The post LA Reid Exposed Why Ex-Wife Pebbles Angrily Flipped Out On Him & Whitney Houston appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Jermaine Dupri’s ‘Facts’

Dupri: “As far as culture, me, I brought people to Atlanta that had never seen Atlanta. I showed everybody in the world Magic City – I was the first person to start throwing money in the club. I had to pay for all the magazines to come to Atlanta – no one was paying attention to what’s going on – as far as culture goes and having parties, bringing Puff, bringing Envy and Clue to Atlanta, that was all me.”

Dupri’s So So Def label didn’t pop off until 1993, but it made an impact with Atlanta’s music scene through his So So Def imprint, with artists like Bow Wow, Da Brat, Xscape, and Kris Kross. However, there’s no denying that his claim of pretty much being the pioneer of Atlanta’s music scene is like a slap in the face to LaFace Records.

Babyface & .A.Reid’s Actual Facts

Babyface and L.A. Reid were the first to put ATL on the map in 1989, when they relocated to the southern city and did what no one had done at that time- build a multiplatinum selling music empire from the ground up. With artists like TLC, Goodie Mob, Outkast, Usher, Toni Braxton, Jermaine Jackson, Pink, Kenny Lattimore & Chante Moore, Shanice, Donell Jones, and many more, LaFace went on to garner major appeal across the United States and internationally. They were also able to break their artists in crossover markets, which meant even bigger paydays. LaFace reportedly grossed approximately $500 MILLION, far more than Dupri’s So So Def label reportedly did. That is not a diss by far though, just the actual facts.

It was also the success of LaFace Records that sparked the initial excitement about Atlanta’s potential. Many people from all over the country started relocating to the ATL, after LaFace’s artists made the city so mainstream. Atlanta’s real estate began to flourish and so did the music scene, with labels such as So So Def capitalizing off of the newfound hype of the city that LaFace Records sparked.

So I said all of this to say, that we should always pay homage, where homage is due…first.

The #1 spot for ATL’s music scene must go to Babyface’s and L.A.Reid’s LaFace Records and their dynamic artists. The #2 spot must go to Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def label and his dynamic artists as well. They’re all legendary, but there are levels to it. No shade, just actual facts.

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ILOSM family, if you didn’t know by now, you gon’ learn today. Learn what, you ask? Learn that T-Boz is not one to bite her tongue for nobody- not even her former boss and mentor, Antonio ‘L.A.’ Reid.

T-Boz and her TLC group member, Chilli, recently did an interview with Billboard to promote their new album titled, TLC. While discussing everything from their T-Boz/Snoop Dogg written single, Way Back (which is FIRE by the way), to Instagram hustling, the topic of the recent sexual allegation claims against L.A. Reid also came up.

Chilli went mute on the topic- which was a smart move, especially after L.A.’s ex-wife/former singer and label exec, Pebbles, accused her of having an affair with L.A. during their marriage (something L.A. and Chilli denied). However, her girl, T-Boz had a lil’ something to say- she is NOT shocked by the fact that Reid’s former female employee at Epic Records is reportedly claiming he sexually harassed her repeatedly on the job.

T-Box & Chilli (Photo by Everett Collection/REX)

Sexual Harassment Claims Against L.A. Reid

In case y’all missed those allegations, here’s a quick breakdown of why L.A. Reid suddenly stepped down as CEO of Epic Records in May (2017):

Via Billboard– In a letter to Sony, the claimant’s attorney detailed alleged harassment his client had faced on a daily basis, which included alleged inappropriate remarks about her appearance and clothing and alleged propositions that caused her embarrassment and distress, making it impossible for her to continue working at the label. The letter — the contents of which were relayed to Billboard — threatened litigation if a settlement wasn’t reached. It wasn’t clear if Sony’s investigation had confirmed any of the letter’s allegations, and one person in Reid’s camp said the letter contained inaccuracies.

T-Boz’s Reactions To Sexual Harassment Claims Against L.A.

Via Billboard: Watkins and [Rozonda “Chilli”] Thomas have seen the best and the worst of the music industry, and while they’re not bitter, they’re honest in a way that some of today’s big stars, who thrive on an air of opaque mystery, perhaps cannot be. There is, for one, their reaction to Reid’s exit from Epic amid sexual harassment allegations. “I hear more people are coming out saying stuff,” says Watkins, as Thomas buries her face in her hands. “I was surprised he was fired, but [the accusations] didn’t come as a surprise. I don’t wish him anything ill. But surprised? No.”

Again, it was best that Chilli did the smart thing of just remaining quiet. But it’s great to see that T-Boz isn’t on some politically correct superstar tip…sometimes that gets old and fake after a while. Now, whether or not L.A. is guilty of what he’s being accused of? That is something to be determined by those involved in the situation. We’ll sit back and see how this all plays out

The post T-Boz Tells Why She’s ‘Not Surprised’ By Sexual Harassment Claims Against L.A.Reid appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Via Billboard: That means Thriller…has earned 33 million equivalent album units in the U.S. That sum blends traditional album sales (one album sale equals one unit), tracks sold from an album (10 tracks sold equals one unit) and on-demand audio and/or video streams (1,500 streams equals one unit).

A plaque commemorating the milestone was presented at the home of Epic Records chairman Antonio “L.A.” Reid over Grammy weekend, where Sony Music CEO Doug Morris, Columbia Records chairman and incoming Sony Music CEO Rob Stringer, Sony president, commercial group Richard Story, attorneys Karen Langford and John Branca toasted the certification.

Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Extends Reign as Highest Certified Album in U.S. History https://t.co/fgsjwlebri via @billboard

— LA Reid (@LA_Reid) February 16, 2017

In case you’re wondering how the legendary L.A. Reid got thrown into the plaque ceremony shindig, it’s because he’s currently chairman and CEO of Epic Records, a division of Sony Music.

Anywho, we’re giving a big hand clap and an Old School fist bump to the spirit of Michael Jackson for this one! Greatness never dies…

The post Michael Jackson STILL BREAKING RECORDS w/Thriller, Sony Makes BIG Announcement appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

[kkgallery kid=”2664″ title=”Laaaawd! L.A. Reid Exposes Why Pebbles Was PISSED w/Him & Whitney Houston”]

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[kkgallery kid=”2298″ title=”L.A.Reid Says Pebbles Did WHAT After Walking In On Him & Paula Abdul?!!”]

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