Happy birthday

Keyboardist Lawrence Waddell (Mint Condition) 53

Last night, Grammy award winning singer Anthony Hamilton and his group the Hamiltones appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” to perform a hilarious rendition of their You Tube video “Whose Billy Goat Is This.” Kimmel took Hamilton and the rest of the group to each table to sing to unknown animals. The guys soulfully serenaded a rabbit, armadillo, hedgehog, bearded dragon and baby chick, who hilariously jumped off the table while they sang. For quite some time now, Hamilton and the Hamiltones have been creating a buzz with their viral videos covering such songs as “Watch Out Lil B***h” by 2 Chainz, “Hotline Bling” by Drake and also poked fun at the argument between Birdman and Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club with “Put Some Respeck On It”. The Hamiltones also appear on Hamilton’s latest album “What I’m Feelin.” The drama continues for singer Chris Brown. The pop star was reportedly arrested and released on a $250,000 bond stemming from an assault with a deadly weapon charge after a woman claimed he drew a gun on her in his home. According to TMZ, Brown and his entourage emerged from the home to talk to police before Brown was taken into custody. Baylee Curran told TMZ that a member of Brown’s entourage wanted her to sign a non-disclosure agreement, but she refused and made a run for it. When asked if drugs and alochol were present, Curran became uneasy, smirked and refused to answer the question, saying that she wanted to focus on what happened to her. As expected, media reports mentioed Brown’s 2009 assault against ex-girlfriend Rhianna , and now, they’re digging into Curran’s unsavory past. TMZ is reporting that Curran is a wanted woman in New York City stemming from an incident at the Plaza Hotel in 2013 where she allegedly snatched a friend’s purse after an arugment. The Louis Vitton bag was valued at $1000. Police documents state that she dropped the purse and ran off the its contents: credit cards and a Michael Kors wallent containing $200 in cash. It’s also been rumored that Curran is friendly with the mother of Brown’s child, fueling suspicions that Brown may have been set up. Reality television star Ray J, who was reportedly present during the incident, posted a video on Instagram with a caption that read “Thingz gotta change man! This ain’t kool! much support @chrisbrownofficial and the whole team! #StayPositive #Don’tLetTheDevilWin. The country is hurting in many ways and the Black Eyed Peas want to help heal it. Thirteen years after the inital release of their single “Where Is The Love?”, the Grammy award winning group has rerecorded the song featuring some very famous friends. In addition to will.i.am, Fergie, apl.de.ap and Taboo, the star studded lineup includes Diddy, Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx, Nicole Scherzinger, The Game, Jesse J., Andra Day, Tori Kelly, Ty Dolla $ign, Usher, DJ Khaled, A$AP Rocky, Jaden Smith and Justin Timberlake, who appeared on the Elephunk original. Fans who have been praying for more Rick Ross and Skrillex collaborations will be happy to know that their prayers have been answered. While the film “Sucide Squad” has been panned by critics, the soundtrack’s breakout single “Purple Lamborgini” has become a  critic and fan favorite. Ross confirmed during an interview with Billboard magazine that the two will collaborate again. Ross is still savoring the success of his latest project “Black Market” while reflecting on the recent certified platinum status of his debut album “Port Of Miami.” He celebrated the album’s 10th anniversary with a star studded performance, which was lived streamed via Tidal on Monday. Rapper Kanye West continues to preach a message of love following his six minute monologue during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday. During his speech, the rapper/designer tackled such issues as the “Famous” video controversy, and even shouted out ex-girlfriend Amber Rose as well as wife Kim Kardashian’s ex-boyfriend Ray J, who reportely wasn’t happy about the name dropping. Always one for tangents, West also dicussed his desire to make uniforms in his hometown Chicago. We’ll wait and see what, if anything at all, come of that.

Happy birthday

Singer/guitarist Aaron Barrett (Reel Big Fish) 42

Singer/keyboardist James Lloyd (Pieces Of A Dream) 52

Those who enjoyed singer Patti LaBelle’s “Patti Cakes” will be happy to know that the soul legend is bringing five more deserts to her line of delectable delights. The singer is expanding her collection of sweets to include a berry cobbler, apple cobbler, peach cobbler, apple pecan cake and sweet potato loaf. All the deserts will be available at Walmart. With the cobblers costing $6.98 and the pecan cake costing $9.98, they should do well, especially if You Tube star James Wright is involved with the marketing. Singer Cassie is preparing for a comeback. More than three years after the release of her mixtape “RockaByeBaby”, the singer/actress/model has announced a new single titled “Makeup.” While on the red carpet at the MTV VMAs, the singer revealed that she worked on her latest project with producer Detail. Fans can catch Cassie in the new film “Honey 3”, which also includes new music from the songstress. In today’s music industry, few true divas remain and even fewer have gone on to achieve the success of singer Toni Braxton. As the voice behind such hits as “Breathe Again”, “You’re Making Me  High”, “He Wasn’t Man Enough” and “Unbreak My Heart”, Braxton has established herself with a distinctive sound and style that crosses all genres, making her one of the most successful female recording artist of the 90’s, having won 7 Grammys and sold over 40 million albums. Braxton has also branched out as an actress, producer, philanthropist and reality television personality. She was also the subject of a Lifetime biopic “Unbreak My Heart: The Toni Braxton Story.” There’s no doubt that Braxton still has much more ahead of her personally and professionally. There were so many unanswered questions after the premiere of Kanye West’s visual for the single “Fade” during the 2016 MTV VMAs on Sunday.  Chief among them, why did star Teyana Taylor go from flashdancing her way through a workout routine in a deserted gym to suddenly having a feline face as she leans on her fiancé, NBA star Iman Shumpert in a field with a baby surrounded by sheep. Chorographer Jae Blaze explained that it was to show that she’s an amazing woman, is on the rise, has been working hard and has now blossomed into a fierce cat. He added that the lioness always protects her baby and she’s coming into her fierceness. He went on to say that the moves in the video were inspired by a Jamaican dancehall routine called “bruk back”, which was created by Outshine Crew along with Blaze’s suggestions regarding incorporating some popping and locking into the mix as well. He added that Taylor was phenomenal to work with and brought various elements in her chorography from the  old school to the new school.

Happy birthday

Celebrating singer/songwriter Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958-June 25, 2009)

Singer Carl Martin (Shai) 46

Rhianna was the recipient of the Video Vanguard Award during last nights 2016 MTV Video Music Awards. During the show, the singer performed many hits from her extensive catalog, kicking off her first set with the smash singles “Please Don’t Stop”, “Only Girl (In The World)”, “We Found Love” and “Where Have You Been.” For her second set, she performed the hits “Rude Boy”, “Pon de Replay”, “What’s My Name” and “Work.” Wearing probably the longest durag ever, she was joined onstage by 200 of her dancehall friends for an onstage dancehall party, an ode to her island roots. For the third set, she performed the hits “Needed Me”, “Pour It Up” and “Bitch Better Have My Money.” For her fourth and final performance, Rhianna delivered the ballads “Stay”, “Diamonds” and “Love On The Brain.” She was presented with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award by none other than Drake, who declared his love for the songstress and also revealed how the two met on the set of her video “Pon de Replay”, which was filmed in his hometown of Toronto. Not to be outdone, Beyoncé showed the audience whose boss by performing a five song medley from her “Lemonade” album. Her set took place during mid show, but probably should have been scheduled toward the end because the caliber of her performance left viewers wanting little else. Introduced by tennis star Serena Williams, Bey opened her set with “Pray You Catch Me”, later making sure to introduce her friend Hot Sauce for the single  “Hold Up” and smashed the MTV camera, just as she had done during the visual album. She trekked across the stage during “Don’t Hurt Yourself”, and the heat continued with “Formation.” In other awards news, Kanye West was granted 4 minutes of air time during the 2016 VMAs, in which he sprouted off a mirage of things, including his video “Fame” and crime in his hometown of Chicago. He later introduced his video for “Fade”, a song from his latest album “Life Of Pablo.” The visual stars G.O.O.D. Music signee Teyana Taylor in a workout room barring her abs and fit physique as she busts a sweat with some energetic, sensual chorography. Toward the end, the scene changes to Taylor in the shower with fiancé, NBA star  Iman Shumpert as the two enjoy a sensual moment under the spray. What happens next is perplexing, to say the least. The clip pans out on Taylor as a cat like woman standing behind Shumpert, their baby girl in tow. They later stand in an exercise room behind a herd of sheep. Go figure. Rapper Lil Wayne threw his annual homecoming show in his hometown New Orleans for Lil Weezyana Festival at Champions Square over the weekend, where he lead the crowd in a “Black Lives Matter” chant. The rapper saluted the activist movement that has campaigned for social change, particularly after the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Eric Garner, among other victims of police brutality. Before he exited the stage, Tunechi delivered a special message for Cash Money Records. Weezy is currently embroiled in a $51 million lawsuit with the label. This year’s Lil Weezyana included performances with 2 Chainz, Yo Gotti, Migos, Mystikal, and Chris Brown.

Happy birthday

Singer/actress Lauren Keyana “KeKe” Palmer 23

Singer/songwriter/producer Valerie Simpson (Ashford & Simpson) 70

Singer Kimberly Burrell 42

Happy birthday

Singer Walter Williams Sr. (The O’Jays) 73

Singer/actress China McClain 18

Singer Alexandra Imelda Cecelia Ewen Burke 28

Canadian singer PARTYNEXTDOOR, government name Jahron Brathwaite, has debuted at No. 1 on the R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart with his third studio effort “PARTYNEXTDOOR 3”. It sold 28,000 copies during the week ending Aug. 18, according to Nielsen Music. The OVO Sound signee first appeared on the charts with his self titled mixtape in 2013. His first official studio album “PARTYNEXTDOOR2” followed in 2014, landing at No. 1. The new disc currently sits an No. 3 on the Billboard 200, with 42,000 units sold thus far. This entrance beats his previous peak at No. 15 on the all genre chart, which  he achieved with his second charting effort. In addition, PARTYNEXTDOOR is the third Canadian to land at the top of the R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart in the past year, following OVO Sound label co-founder Drake and The Weeknd. Erykah Badu has earned her 10th top ten single on the Adult R&B Songs Chart with “Phone Down” as of Sept. 3. It rose from 11-10 with a 6 percent lift in plays at the format as of Aug. 21, according to Nielsen Music. This marks the first time in sic years that Badu has been in the top 10, which she last achieved with “Window Seat” when it top the charts for two weeks in a row. Back in May, Heather Headley signed on to play Suge Avery in the Broadway production of “The Color Purple”, and now it’s another powerhouse’s turn. According to The Playbill, former “Dreamgirls” alum Jennifer Holiday will take over the role starting October 4. Headley’s final performance will be October 2. In 1981, Holiday played the role of Effie White in the Broadway production “Dreamgirls.”  The role won Holiday a Tony Award for Best Actress In A Musical. To celebrate it’s 20th season, daytime talk show ‘The View’s” theme song got a personal makeover by Mary J. Blige and a fun video featuring “The View” hosts Whoopi Goldberg,  Raven Symone, Joy Behar, Candice Cameron Bure, Paula Faris and Sara Hines. Written by Diane Warren, the song is titled “World’s Gone Crazy” and the visual showcases everyone getting their party on, an idea that Goldberg presented to Blige.