Rap icon Lauryn Hill was amongst the high profile celebs of the hip hop community who attended the homegoing services for Chris Lighty today.  See pics of Nick Cannon, 50 Cent and others paying their last respects inside………..

Rapper 50 Cent joined celebs like LL Cool J, Missy Elliot, Russell Simmons, Grandmaster Flash, and Mary J. Blige at the Campbell Funeral Chapel in Manhattan today where the body of Chris Lighty (dressed in a black suit) was laid to rest.  50 was Chris’ long time client and very close friend.

Diddy attended the services.

Lloyd Banks was on hand to pay respects.

Nick Cannon was also spotted arriving at the memorial.

Warner Music executive Lyor Cohen, Busta Rhymes and Q-Tip were among the speakers at the funeral. Also, his brother Dave Lighty tweeted, My greatest hero is laid to rest. Darrell "Baby Chris" Lighty

And Cormega, one of Chris’ rap proteges said, He was a leader. A true leader is measured by the success of those he leads and Chris led a multitude of artists, producers, and DJs to success."

Also…..

Watch a clip of the pallbearers (including  DJ Red Alert & D-Nice) carrying the casket above……
 

Also, R&B singer Mashonda wrote a touching letter to Chris Lighty’s son J (who is close friends with her son Kasseem).  Here’s it is in full:

Dear J,

By the time you are old enough to read this letter you might have asked a thousand questions or maybe even figured a few things out on your own. My intentions here are not to write about what happened to your father, but instead to help you to understand what might possibly be happening to you.

It’s important that you know your dad adored you. I can still see him smiling at you as you ran towards him, leaping into his arms and I remember the way your eyes lit up when he entered the room. Baby boy, be brave. And being brave means letting the tears flow and being able to ask for help. There might be an empty space that will take time to fill. Please never be afraid to talk about it; it is important that you do.

Your father has left you a village of strong men and women – and you must know that they will always be there for you and your brother and sisters. On the days when you feel sad and confused, don’t be afraid to draw a picture or listen to your favorite song. Call a friend or one of your beautiful siblings, you will need each other to grow through this. Never hesitate to communicate what you feel. I guess what I’m trying to say J is; express your feelings in a positive way. Never bottle them up.

Grown ups have a way at hiding their pain and not talking about it, not expressing it in a positive way and ultimately it hurts and destroys us, individually and as a community. I want you to know that this can be avoided. There are things that have happened to me as a child and it took me years to realize that my prayers, the grace of God and talking to the right therapist helped me begin to heal.

You are always in my prayers.

Love Always,

Mashonda and Kasseem

Photos via Turgeon / Steffman / Splash News

A somber Rihanna was in Barbados today where she attended the second funeral for her Gran Gran Dolly. See the pics inside and watch the trailer for RiRi’s new reality show.

Rihanna put on her  attended the funeral of her Grandmother in Barbados yesterday.  She wore a little black dress, Tom Ford shoes and her hair upswept and managed to keep it togetehr as much as possible.

The funeral obviously took a toll on the pop star…..

She just posted this on Instagram (where she looks wasted and holds a beer bottle) and said, I had to!!! Sorry granny. 

Perhaps it’s time for someone to step in and make her take a mental & emotional break.  Clearly she still needs time to heal…..in private.

Also……………..

We told you earlier about Rihanna producing a fashion-forward reality show for the Sky Living Channel abroad, and now we have the trailer.

Will you be watching?

Photos via Splash News

Yesterday, Rihanna was spotted at her grandmother’s funeral. See the pics inside…..

Rihanna was spotted leaving her hotel in NYC to attend her the funeral of her grandmother Clara ‘Dolly’ Brathwaite in Brooklyn yesterday.

She chose a navy blue dress and strappy gold heels for the service, and still kept her composure for the sad events of the day.

The starlet seemed overcome with emotion as she headed towards her limo.

After the funeral, she boarded a plane to London where she will headline Wireless Festival 2012 on Sunday. She tweeted, "#takeoff."

She also revealed her vulnerable side yesterday as she posted an Instagram message about how things have changed since Gran Gran Dolly died saying,

Photos via Splash/FameFlynet Pictures

The "TODAY" show aired the second part of their exclusive Bobby Brown interview earlier this morning.  And in his first in-depth chat since the death of Whitney Houston, Bobby talkedabout what happened on the day of the funeral, his DUI and if he thinks Bobbi Kristina is an addict.

Bobby Brown sat down with Matt Lauer this morning for his first interview since the death of Whitney Houston.  He began by discussing why he left the funeral of his ex-wife…..before it began.

He said that security (not the Houston family) asked him to move his "entourage" (which he says were his children) to make accomodations for other guests.  Bobby said by the third time, he’d had enough.

"I decided that, you know, it’d be best if I just left.  I kissed the casket, and me and my children left the building."

Matt then asked him about his recent DUI arrest and Bobby claimed that he has been "clean and sober" from narcotics for 7 years but still had an cocktail every now and then.  Sigh….Bobby – alcohol is your drug!  You are not clean and sober.

Bobby addressed rumors of Bobbi Kristina’s drug use and rumored relationship with her "adopted" brother in a very vague manner.

"I know what she is actually doing," Brown said. "I think people are, you know, making assumptions of what my daughter is and how strong she is. People tend to want to control strong-willed people. And that’s what I see. … I am her father. She talks to me about everything."

He never denied her drug use…..past or present.

Then he was joined by his three oldest children who did a good job of backing up his claims of being a good father.  Both daughter LaPrincia and son Landon say his bad boy image has followed him throughout life, but that’s not who he really is as a father.

In one very candid moment, LaPrince revealed that she and Bobbi Kris had always been close, but lately their relationship has grown apart.  She fought back tears while saying this.

Bobbi Kristina declined the interview.

Watch the interview here:

Miguel Villagran, Getty Images

The drama continues surrounding the Whitney Houston photo leaks. The Star-Ledger reports that the owner of the funeral home where Houston was laid to rest knows wholeaked her open casket photo.

The National Enquirer published the now infamous photo, and speculation has been rampant as to who leaked it ever since. The pool of candidates isn’t very large, as Houston’s funeral and burial were both private affairs. In addition, Houston’s casket was under extremely tight security leading up to her burial.

Now, the owner of Whigham Funeral Home, Carolyn Whigham, has come forward an announced that she knows who leaked the photo. “I want to clear my name and my funeral home,” Whigham told reporters. Whigham claimed that she’s received death threats and damage to her personal and business reputations following the publication of the picture.

Whigham’s claims were backed by Rev. Ronald Slaughter of the nearby St. James AME Church, who stated, “The Whigham Funeral Home is not responsible and had no role in this shameful betrayal.” Both Slaughter and Whigham are demanding retractions and apologies from the media outlets who claimed that the funeral home was behind the leak.

Whigham also revealed that while the Houston family has no plans to investigate the leak further, the funeral home is conducting its own investigation into who was responsible for taking and leaking the photo. Whigham said the funeral home’s investigation revealed that the photo was taken on Feb. 17, the day before funeral services for the singer began. She also pointed out that a security details from Houston’s management company was present with the body and casket at all times.

Whigham didn’t wish to go into further detail regarding the findings. Whigham informed reporters that she is considering legal action against whoever released the picture to the National Enquirer — but she won’t say who that person is. Rev. Jethro James of the local Paradise Baptist Church put it simply: “It’s up to the Houston family to release the name.”

The randomness:

1.  Is Vanessa Bryant buying an apartment in NYC?  Story.

Whitney Houston funeral invitation has been revealed and we have it inside.  Also, find out with Aretha Franklin and Ray J had to say about their dear friend.

The funeral invitation for WhitneyHouston "Home Going Service" has been revealed along with infomation about the services’ coverage.

Fans of the singer will be able to watch a live stream of the services beginning at 11:30AM ET/8:30AM PT on BET News and CENTRIC.

And on tv, 

Whitney’s godmother, Aretha Franklin, who’s also singing at the service, opened up to Al Roker on the "TODAY" Show where she revealed how she got the news.

"I had just finished watching George Clooney in ‘The Descendants,’ and I flipped back to the regular TV and maybe two minutes after I did it came across the screen.  I just jumped up off the side of the bed."

And when commenting on Whitney’s life struggles, she added,

"Parents have to really talk to their children before they leave home.  She left home with all the right things; she just kind of lost her way along the way somewhere."

Also, Ray J has also broken his silence saying,

"Over the past few days, I’ve tried to process the emptiness that I am experiencing.  What my heart feels cannot be expressed in words.  The world lost an icon, but I lost my close friend  Nippy, I miss you so much!  You were so happy and full of love.  Your smile will live in my heart forever."

YouTube

Merely hours after leaving the funeral of ex wife Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown took to the stage in Connecticut for a concert with New Edition.“This is part of the cap off of what’s tocome in my life,” Brown said as he walked onstage. “I want to give blessings to my ex wife,” he said, pointing at the sky. “Whitney Houston. I love you. I want to give blessings to my kids, my fiancee, my brothers.” Brown then introduced himself as “bada– Bobby Brown.”

While Brown has come under flak for his continuing to perform so soon after Houston’s passing (he also performed the night of her death, merely hours after finding out), a friend previously explained that performing is therapeutic for the ‘My Prerogative’ singer. He previously has paid tribute to Houston onstage since her death on Feb. 11.

What may rub some the wrong way about Brown’s performance is that he left Houston’s funeral early and abruptly before his Connecticut show. While initial reports suggested Brown was upset that he couldn’t invite his “entourage” to sit with him, Brown later released a statement explaining that he was neither allowed to sit with his family nor to see his daughter with Houston, Bobbi Kristina.

While we can understand the frustration at Brown’s behavior, we can also understand Brown’s under frustration. Everyone grieves and mourns differently, and no one should judge how another reacts to such a sudden, tragic event. Our hearts go out to all who knew and loved Houston. May she rest in — and may her family find — peace.

Watch Bobby Brown Onstage After Whitney Houston’s Funeral

Paul Zimmerman, Getty Images

In yet another sad turn of events in the light of Whitney Houston‘s death, her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, allegedly got high following her mother’s funeral.The DailyBeast reports that while Houston’s family and friends gathered a restaurant following the memorial service, it was all too much for Bobbi Kristina, who “simply disappeared,” and was found later on in her hotel room “getting high.” It is unclear what drugs she may have been using.

“Everyone was freaking out and calling Bobbi Kristina’s cell,” a family friend told the Daily Beast. “It was so much commotion and activity after the funeral that Bobbi Kristina just slipped away. Ms. Cissy [Houston, Whitney’s mother] was beside herself.”

A family spokesperson denied the claims, but admits Bobbi Kristina slipped away. “There was some confusion about Bobbi Kristina’s whereabouts last night for a short time, but she’s OK,” the rep said. “She needed some time alone.” The rep said that Bobbi Kristina isn’t on drugs, but is understandably emotionally fragile. “She is going through a very hard time as you can expect.”

While we certainly hope Bobbi Kristina is on the straight and narrow, recent reports have suggested otherwise. Family and friends desperately want Houston and Bobby Brown’s daughter in rehab, but are giving her time to grieve her mother before beginning an in-patient treatment.

Bobbi Kristina was hospitalized twice immediately following her mother’s death, once for stress and once for mixing alcohol with prescription sedatives — the same combination that likely killed Houston. There were even reports that Bobbi Kristina had an eerily similar bathtub incident before her mother’s passing.

Bobby Brown released a statement on his Bobbi Kristina’s health following her hospitalizations. “Today my daughter did visit with doctors at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles,” he said of her hospitalization. “She has been released and is presently with my family, including her siblings. Obviously the death of her mother is affecting her, however, we will get through this tragedy as a family. Again, I ask for privacy during this time.”

One good thing Bobbi Kristina has to her benefit? Her grandmother, Cissy Houston. “She had the people she loved and love her the most around,” a source said of Bobbi Kristina at the funeral. “Ms. Cissy was holding on tight and watching her every move.”

“It’s a horrible situation for everybody,” the family friend continued. “They tried to save Whitney, and it didn’t work. Now with Bobbi Kristina, they fear the same thing is happening again and they won’t be able to stop it either. Bobbi Kristina is all Ms. Cissy has left of Whitney. She’s so tired, but she’s ready to fight again to save her grandbaby.”

Bennett Raglin / Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

Aretha Franklin canceled her performance at the funeral of her goddaughter, Whitney Houston, yesterday. While Franklin’s rep told CNN the Queenof Soul had fallen ill, Franklin was well enough to perform at Radio City Music Hall later that same night.Leg spasms were the cause of Franklin’s cancellation, according to TMZ. Franklin released a statement saying that her “heart goes out to my dear friend Cissy, Dionne, Bobbi Kristina and the rest of the family. May God keep them all.” Franklin did sing a tribute to Houston on Friday (Feb. 17) at Radio City Music Hall the night before her memorial ceremony.

While we’re sure Franklin was missed, the funeral was a star-studded yet somber affair nonetheless. Moving speeches from Tyler Perry and Kevin Costner, as well as riveting performances from R. Kelly, Alicia Keys and Stevie Wonder all moved audiences. The funeral, held at Houston’s childhood New Hope Baptist Church, was invitation-only but streamed online and aired on CNN for fans.

Houston was buried today, Feb. 19, at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, N.J. in a private, family-only ceremony. May she rest in peace.