Kevin Ross is a singer/songwriter recently signed to Motown Records. The above clip contains a powerful, uplifting message sure to inspire all who hear it.

Happy birthday

Singer/songwriter Rev. Willie Ray “Smokie” Norful Jr. 41

Singer/actress Willow Camille Reign Smith 16

Rapper/songwritet Robert Matthew “Vanilla Ice” Van Winkle 49

Remembering singer/songwriter/producer/bassist Bernard Edwards (October 31, 1052-April 18.1996- Chic)

Rapper/songwriter/guitarist King Adrock (The Beastie Boys) 50

It looks like singer Mariah Carey is looking to change the laws of girlfriend/boyfriend relationships. According to TMZ, the superstar songstress wants billionaire ex-fiancé James Packer to pay her $50 million after their recent split. According to the gossip site, Carey says Packer got her to move from New York to Los Angeles, uprooting her life, so that he could be near his children. Packer hasn’t commented publicly regarding Carey’s demands. There’s no telling how this will  pan out. Stay tune.  The Philadelphia 76ers organization has issued an apology to R&B singer Sevyn Streeter over the controversy surrounding their decision to bar her from performing the national anthem  due to a shirt she wore. They’ve even invited her back to perform at the game of her choice. As previously reported, Streeter was scheduled to perform the national anthem at an Philadelphia 76ers/OKC Thunder game, but the performance was cancelled because she wore a t-shirt that read “We Matter.” She later spoke with the Associated Press and explained the entire ordeal saying that about two minutes before she was to go on, she was told she couldn’t wear her shirt while performing. In addition to the singer/songwriter, many Sixers players voiced their displeasure over the organization’s decision to cancel the performance. At any rate, it’s nice to see  both sides working things out and moving forward. Motown Record’s rising star Kevin Ross has released the visual for his single “Be Great.” The singer/songwriter walks through the streets of Washington DC while belting out the inspiring song. Special guest Chaz French joins him on the same streets later to spit his socially conscious verse. The song is definitely worthy of a listen. To say that 2016 has been good to Anderson .Paak would be an understatement. The Los Angeles based rapper/singer  began the year be releasing his sophomore effort “Malibu” in January, followed be “Yes Lawd!” earlier this month, which was a collaboration with producer Knwledge, under the name NxWorries. Now, he’s released the visual for the single “Come Down.” The clip takes place somewhere in Malibu with .Paak and the Free Nationals hyping up an already electrified party of dancers. In between the moving and grooving, the camera follows other party goers, including two domino players in an argument with a man who can’t hold his liquor while .Paak drums along onstage. According to Complex magazine, the Los Angeles native wanted to channel the greats with the new clip, trying to create a vibe not unlike the one Ernie Barnes’ “Sugar Shack”  and Marvin Gaye’s cover for his classic album “I Want You.”

Happy birthday

Singer/actress Telma Hopkins 68

Rapper/singer/songwriter Christopher Francis Ocean (Frank Ocean) 29

Following her jaw dropping performance in Kanye West’s “Fade”, Teyana Taylor has announced a dance and fitness program titled “Fade 2 Fit.” Along with the announcement, the G.O.O.D. Music First Lady released a video of herself oiled up and dancing, much like she did previously. The company’s website revealed that clients can enjoy workouts in the comfort of their homes and it’s safe for pregnant women as well. In a video released today, singer Alicia Keys collaborated with MoveOn.org Political Action to urge fans, and all Americans, to “Vote Love” this year by supporting Democratic presidential candidate Hilary Clinton for the highest office in the land. The video continues Keys’ work to engage and inspire voters, including her performance at the Democratic National Convention. Radio station WQHT and Hot 97’s “Ebro In The Morning With Laura Stylez & Rosenberg announced that R&B star Usher along with Hip Hop artist T.I and Lil Yachty will join the lineup of Hot 97’s star studded Holiday concert. Other artists slated to perform at the event include Travis Scott, Young Thug, Joey Bada$$, Jidenna and KehLani . The Hip Hop and R&B concert is scheduled to take place on December 3 at the Prudential Center in Newark New Jersey. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com and the Prudential Centet box office. Boost Mobile, SJ Presents, MetroPlus Health Plan and EXPG and Tito’s Vodka are sponsors of the event. Fans will be happy to know that Joe’s 12th studio effort “#MyNameIsJoeThomas” will be released on Nov. 11 and he’s preparing for the event. In what appears to be a fitness inspired teaser clip, a woman is shown on a bicycle in a gym and turns on Joe’s single “Don’t  Lock  Me Out.” Joe then approaches her. They stare at one another and Joe smiles before looking at the camera. The clip is a well put together one. Young MA released the single  “Ooouuu” on Soundcloud in May, and New York radio latched on to the track not long after. A few high profile remixes and several superstar endorsements have turned a local hit into a top 40 smash, which has gone on to hit No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. It began when DJ Enuff began playing the record. Later, French Montana offered an early remix of “Ooouuu” followed by Beyoncé playing the track in an Instagram post. She certainly deserves the success she has achieved of late.

Tinashe Jorgenson Kachingwe is a singer/songwriter/producer/dancer/actress/model from Lexington KY. She began her career modeling and acting at age 3. She released two critically acclaimed mixtapes “In Case We Die” and “Reverie”. She a made her acting debut on the television series “Cora Unashamed” in 2000 and appeared in the box office hit “Bipolar Express” with actor Tom Hanks in 2004. In 2007, she joined the girl group The Stunners before going solo. She has since released the albums “2 On”, “Aquarius”, “Amethyst” and “Joyride.”