Happy birthday

Happy birthday

Singer Erica Atkins-Campbell (Mary Mary) 44

Singer Tamera “Taj” Johnson (S.W.V.) 45

Rapper Master P. 46

Last week,  Chris Brown released the new single “Shut Down”, featuring rap collective OHB. But it appears that venture isn’t all Brown has on his to do list. A few days ago, Brown took to Twitter with a list of things he intends to do. First on the agenda is to release an OHB mixtape today. Next, he plans to release a single titled “Whippin” with the Section Boyz and Quavo. Third, he plans to release his own solo single on May 5. Finally, he’ll begin the European leg of his “One Hell Of A Night Tour” on May 20. Later, he plans to deliver his autobiographical documentary “Welcome To My World”. What’s next? World domination of course. If you’ve ever wondered why Prince didn’t appear on the star studded charity single “We Are The World” back in 1985, wonder no more. According to Lionel Richie, one of the curators of the song with Michael Jackson, Prince didn’t want  to participate. Richie told Access Hollywood that he spoke to Prince regarding the matter, but Prince chose to decline appearing. He even chose to skip the American Music Awards when Richie hosted, although he was a big winner. Doing things on his own terms was definitely Prince. Rapper Drake was an open book during his interview with Beats 1’s Zane Lowe. Before his listening party kicked on Apple Music last night, Drake spoke about his admiration for Kanye West and his “phenomenal pool”. He also mentioned that  a collaboration is in the works, but the two have tracks stashed away that may be released. He later discussed listening to Stevie Wonder’s “All I Do” and Alabama Shakes “All Your  Love” during the creation of “Views From The 6”, Birdman and Lil Wayne’s business dispute, working with Rhianna and the best lessons he’s learned from his mother and father as well. It was definitely a candid interview. A new show will join the Revolt programming lineup titled “Global Spin: Respect The DJ”. Premiering May 5 (7 p.m. ET , encore at 10 p.m.ET), the show looks at the personal and professional lives of the music industry’s top flight DJs. DJ Envy, host of Power 105 New York’s The Breakfast Club, will be the focus of the first 30-minute episode of “Global Spin: Respect The DJ”. With cameras following him over a 48 hour period, Envy provides an intimate look at how he balances his morning show duties in tune with his work as a DJ and his family life. Revolt noted that the show “will reveal to viewers the influence and impact the modern DJ has on music and culture.”. It should be worth watching.

Happy birthday

Rapper Too Short 50

Rapper Big Gip (Goodie Mob) 43

Beyoncé advised us all in her single “Formation” to “Always stay gracious. The best revenge is your paper.” The singer showed she lives by those words when she pulled a bawse move recently. Back in February, it was reported that protesters would descend upon the NFL Headquarters in  New York City to boycott Beyoncé in  protest of  what they called a “race baiting stunt” with her Black Panther themed performance at the Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show. It bombed when only two people showed up. In addition, the Miami Fraternal Order of Police also threatened to boycott for what they deemed an “anti police” message. That was later countered by Miami Police Department spokesman Major Delrish Moss who stated that Bey and Marlins Park, the venue where she was scheduled to perform, would be protected by police presence. Well, last night marked the opening night of the “Formation World Tour” in Miami and she had the last laugh. The “Lemonade” songstress is selling “Boycott Beyoncé” merchandise on the tour and fan Twitter accounts Bey Legion and Bey Capital have been posting updates and revealed that Beyoncé is poking fun at her critics and laughing all the way to the bank with the merchandise. Singer DeAngelo paid a moving tribute to Prince during a performance of “Sometimes It Snows In April” with the help of Maya Rudolph and Gretchen Lieberum’s cover band Princess, for “The Tonight Show” audience. Sitting at the piano while surrounded by purple lighting, DeAngelo tenderly sang the Prince classic. He even altered some of the lyrics in remembrance of the music legend. It’s difficult to watch without getting teary eyed. Rapper G Easy will be crowned the first homecoming king of Billboard and 1800 Tequila’s upcoming three part concert series “Back To The Block”, which will feature some of today’s biggest hip hop acts returning to their  hometowns for intimate shows. The Bay Area native, whose sophomore album “When It’s Dark Out” reached the No. 1 spot on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums Chart last December, will return to his old stomping grounds on in Oakland CA. on Monday May 2 for a sure to be epic concert. Fans can enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win tickets to see the rapper at billboardsweeps.com. The sweeps close tonight at 11:59 p.m.

Happy birthday

Singer Tionne “T Boz” Watkins (TLC) 46

Singer/songwriter Myron Avant 38

Maurice Williams (Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs) 78

Two months ago, it was announced that Fantasia and Anthony Hamilton would be bringing loads of soul to fans across the country on a joint tour. They’ve completed a few dates, but today, Fantasia added many more and Maxwell has been added to a few. The old schedule consisted of only ten dates until May 20th, but the revised schedule now extends until July 30th with more dates in between. Maxwell will appear on five dates toward the end of the trek in mid summer. Fans can go to Fantasia’s official web site for information on tour dates and purchase tickets. Singer Kevin McCall has been very busy lately, which means he’s more than likely preparing a new project. Last week, he released the Notorious B.I.G. assisted “The Love Of Money”. Now, he’s released the soulful ballad “Drive Me Crazy”. Produced by Tha Bizness, the song is  a throwback to southern soul as the crooner wails about not being able to live or live without the woman in his life. He really sings his heart out on this one! Last weekend marked the end of the  Coachella Music Festival, and it also marked the weekend after the untimely death of music icon Prince. Usher and Jhene Aiko are just two of the stars who performed at Coachella, and they took time to honor The Purple One during their sets. Usher got together with electronic music group Major Lazer for “I Would Die For U” and “1999”, two of Prince’s classics. Jhene Aiko also honored the icon by adding his 1991 single “Diamonds And Pearls” to her set along with producer Gallant. Ellie Goulding covered the Prince hit “When Doves Cry”, breaking it down to a piano laden ballad. A fitting tribute to a true genius who will never be forgotten. Rapper/producer Wyclef Jean was returned to the music scene with the single “My Girl”, featuring Sasha Mari. The track is a an incredible blend of Wyclef’s recognizable voice and newcomer Sasha Mari’s silky tone over a bright dancehall inspired beat. “My Girl” is Wyclef’s first single since his 2014 collaboration with Avicii “Divine Sorrow”. Wyclef’s forthcoming project “Carnival 3” will be released later this year. Those who don’t want to leave Hard Summer won’t have to. Hard Events flagship music festival has announced it’s 2016 lineup and transitioned to a two day camping festival, which will run from July 30-31 at the Auto Club Speedway in Southern California. Headliners Ice Cube and Major Lazer will be  joined by Flosstradamus, Dillon Francis, Porter Robinson and Travi$ Scott. The festival seeks to bounce back from the deaths of two attendees last year, which prompted the Los Angeles county task force to explore banning dance music festivals on public land and issue recommendations for tighter security measures and increased education. Tickets for the event are on sale  now.

Happy birthday

Drummer Steven “Steve” Ferrone (Average White Band) 76

On April 23, singer Beyoncé released the visual “Leomonade” on HBO, followed by the album after an hour long presentation. The visual featured Serena Williams, Zendaya, Amanda Stenberg and other black women, continuing the theme of her “Formation” video. Beyoncé also seems to be  angrily venting after discovering that her man cheated on her, lending merit to the rumor that husband Jay Z cheated during the Jay Z/Solange elevator fight. Some within social media speculate that Beyoncé is merely channeling her parents infidelity. Others liken “Lemonade” to  how black women are viewed and survive in society. “Lemonade” is the singer’s sixth studio album and features guest appearances from Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, Jack white and James Blake. Tidal has described the album as “a conceptual project based on every woman’s journey of self-knowledge and healing.” “Lemonade” can be streamed on Tidal. As the days following the untimely death of Prince march on, the world will get a glimpse of what could have happened during his final days. Several sources have reported that he nearly overdosed on the pain killer Percocet, six days before his private jet had to make an emergency landing in Illinois following an Atlanta concert. It was reported that the singer took the drug to help his chronic hip pain following hip surgery six years ago. Now, it’s been reported that his body was secretly cremated and a small, intimate ceremony was held at his compound. Percussionist Sheila E and bassist Larry Graham were among those seen entering the entertainer’s home for the ceremony. An autopsy was performed on Friday and results will be released in a few weeks. Rapper Drake made everyone’s Sunday much more interesting after sharing the artwork for his forthcoming album “Views From the 6”. Social media site Twitter was flooded with reactions as excitement continues to build for the release of the album. The image, featuring Drake perched on top of the iconic Toronto CN Tower, was posted to the rapper’s social media pages yesterday. Robert Diaz, known professionally as Punkinhead aka PH, has graced concert posters, albums covers and You Tube links as well. But, over the weekend the late rapper made his biggest headline yet. A street named in  his honor in his old neighborhood. Over 100 friends, family and admirers gathered at the corner of DeGraw Ave. and 4 Ave. in Brooklyn’s Park Slope on Saturday morning. The block of DeGraw Ave. between 4 and 5 Ave., where PH grew up, has been officially renamed Robert “PH” Diaz way, after the Brooklyn MC who died in June 2015. Diaz’s gruff voice and comical punchlines made him a staple of the underground and battle rap scenes. During his nearly 20 year career, he worked with Talib Kweli, Jean Grae, Immortal Technique, Murs, Del The Funky Homosapien and others. He is best remembered for the 2005 album “Orange Moon Over Brooklyn”, which was released on Rawkus Records.

Happy birthday

Singer Vernon Sawyer (Blue Magic) 74

Singer Mel Carter 73

Sad news out of the R&B world. According to website TMZ and his publicist Yvette Noel Schure, who confirmed the information with the Associated Press, Prince Rogers Nelson, known professionally as Prince, has died. He was 57. TMZ reported that his body was found at his Paisley Park estate in Minnesota early yesterday morning after authorities responded to a medical emergency. No further information has been given regarding cause of death. The devastating news comes after reports that the singer was rushed to the hospital on April 15 after his private jet was forced to make an emergency landing. His crew reported to TMZ that he had the flu and that he was fine. He appeared at a concert the following day to reassure that he was fine. Before that, he cancelled two concerts due to health issues. Prince’s illustrious career began in Minneapolis Minnesota, his hometown, where he formed his first band as a teenager. He released his debut album “For You” in 1978 followed by a self titled sophomore album in October 1979. While he became a huge star after the release of those albums and subsequent albums, the soundtrack  and film “Purple Rain” catapulted him to superstardom. The soundtrack earned him two Grammys and an Academy award. In the early 1990s, Prince protested against his record label Warner Brothers by referring to himself as “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince” and used the infamous Love Symbol. It wasn’t until the release of his 1996 album “Chaos And Disorder” that he was released from his contract with the label. He released 39 studio albums over his 35 year career and never stopped recording and releasing new music. Since September 2014, he released  four full length albums with his new band 3rd Eye Girl, and was also planning to release a memoir titled “The Beautiful Ones” in 2017. In February, he mourned the lost of ex-girlfriend and protégé Denise “Vanity” Matthews, to whom he paid tribute during several concerts. In December, he released a surprise album “HITNRUN” on Tidal. Prince was an innovative singer/songwriter/musician who did things on his own terms no matter what the cost. He also stood up for himself in terms of dealing with the politics of the music industry and was an advocate for artists owning their work. He has left an incredible musical legacy that will last a lifetime. May he rest peacefully in paradise. In preparation for the release of her forthcoming album “Vivid”, singer Vivian Green worked on a visual for the album’s first single “Grown Folks Music”. The track is an uptempo number produced by Kwame Holland which finds Green doing something she’s never done previously, dance. Green says it’s something she didn’t want to do, but reports say the video looks like it will be amazing. The video will be released next week. Bay Area rap veteran Mistah F.A.B. has taken a break from commercially releasing new music, instead releasing a few mixtapes and returning to the battle rap scene from which he emerged more than a decade ago since his last album, 2012’s “Da Yellow Bus Rydah”. Today, the MC announces that he will release a forthcoming album “Son Of A Pimp Pt. 2”, the sequal to 2005’s “Son Of A Pimp” on May 27. The album’s lead single “What Yo Hood Like” features Jadakiss.