Happy birthday

Rapper/actor Todd ” Too Short” Shaw 51

Rapper Big Gipp (Goodie Mobb) 44

All hail the Queen! Today, singer Mary J. Blige released her highly anticipated thirteenth studio effort “Strength Of A Woman.” The project was a  long time coming and arrives just as the songstress is dealing with a nasty divorce from former husband/manager Kendu Isaacs. The 14 track project features guest appearances by Kanye West, Quavo (of Migos), DJ Khaled, Missy Elliott, Prince Charlez, KAYTRANDA and BadBadNotGood. The album is lead by the singles “Thick Of It” and “U + Me (Love Lesson)”. Blige wrote on Instagram that this is one of her most powerful albums and is pleased to share it with fans. Referring to the album previously, Blige stated that the project’s title is meant to symbolize power in the mist of tribulations. In addition to the album, Blige will also chronicle the emotional journey toward completing the album with the documentary “The Making Of: Strength Of A Woman.” The documentary will air on May 2 at 11 pm on VH 1. One of the most mysterious new R&B artist of 2016 has returned. H.E.R. released her self-titled debut EP in September and it quickly rose to the No. 1 spot on iTunes. It was discovered that the woman behind the voice is actually singer/songwriter Gabi Wilson, who continues to hide her appearance behind the new persona. That may change, as she has just released the single “Say It Again”, taken from her highly anticipated follow up EP “H.E.R. Vol. 2” The sleek, soulful slow jam is incredibly sultry as Gabi rides the track with a seductive delivery, promising to show her lover how naughty she can be when she wants it. “H.E.R. Vol. 2” will be released on June 2. “Say It Again” will be received when fans pre-order the EP on iTunes. A week after releasing his “That’s What I Like” remix pack, singer Bruno Mars receives a feature from rapper Ludacris in addition to PARTYNEXTDOOR and Gucci Mane for an all star remix for his latest smash single. This week, “That’s What I Like” helped Bruno tie singer Justin Timberlake for the most No. 1 singles on the pop chart as a male solo artist. Congratulations Bruno. Although Nas’ next project isn’t complete, that hasn’t stopped the legendary rapper from dropping some bars. In light of the season four premiere of the HBO series “Silicon Valley”, Nas has teamed up with DJ Shadow on the single “Systematic”, the lead single from the show’s soundtrack. Nas delivers a vicious verse over the old school themed track. “Silicon Valley: The Soundtrack” will be released on June 16 via Mass Appeal Records. Since his appearance on the DJ Khaled hit “Nas Album Done” in 2016, Nas has teased fans with new releases. Prior to the release of the single Systematic”, Nas released the single “Angel Dust”, taken from the “Get Down” soundtrack. According to DJ K haled, Nas will also appear on his tenth album “Grateful.”

Happy birthday

Remembering singer Cuba Gooding Sr. (April 27, 1944-April 20, 2017-Main Ingredient)

Singer Herb Murrell (The Sylistics) 68

Singer Michelle “Mica Paris” Wallen 48

Singer Ann Peebles 70

It was requested by fans, now Top Dawg Entertainment has released Sza’s new Travis Scott featured track “Love Galore.” Following the 2017 single “Drew Barrymore”, the songstress regrets being addicted to a sexual relationship with a man who has another woman at home. Over production by thankgodforcody and Carter Lang, Sza knows it’s wrong, but she finds the pleasure endless and anything is possible when the two are together. Travis Scott adds a sexual verse to the track as well. Sza’s long awaited debut album “CTRL” is still awaiting a release date, which shouldn’t take much longer. Top Dawg Entertainment CEO Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith revealed that “CTRL” will be the label’s next release. To say that singer Tamar Braxton has been through a great deal since the release of her 2015 album “Calling All Lovers”, would be an understatement. Between leaving the day time talk show “The Real” and rumored infidelity in her marriage, Braxton seems ready to seek therapy through new music. Today, the songstress debuts the emotional ballad “My Man”, and it may sound like she’ s speaking of her relationship, but that may not be the case. The single’s art work features a photograph of her parents, who wrestled with issues of infidelity in their own marriage, which is addressed in the reality series “Braxton Family Values.”  In fact,  in the song, which was composed by TC and Corey Rooney, Braxton might be channeling her mother’s experience with finding out about her father’s mistress and their divorce. “My Man’ is the first single from Braxton’s latest studio effort on her own Tamartian Land Records. R&B singers Kelly Rowland and Robin Thicke have signed on to perform at the second annual VH1 special “Dear Mama: An Event To Honor Moms.” Thicke will honor his mother Gloria Loring. while Rowland, who lost her mother Doris Rowland Garrison in 2014, will perform for a surprise guest. The event will be hosted by actor Anthony Anderson and LaLa Anthony. You can catch “Dear Mama: An Event To Honor Moms” on VH 1 on Monday, May 8 at 10 PM EST/PT on VH1. A month after the release of his latest effort “Rather You Than Me”, rapper Rick Ross kept the momentum going with a performance on “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon.” Joined by Wale and Young Thug, he delivered a high octane performance of the single “Trap, Trap, Trap.” In front of a red backdrop, Ross delivered his thunderous verse, a short time later, Young Thug snuck on stage in a glittery jacket. Wale followed with a hood on his head, joining the MCs from the audience. While the Maybach Music CEO continues promoting his latest studio effort, Wale and Young Thug are preparing their own solo projects, respectively. Yesterday, Young Thug announced via Twitter that Drake will executive produce his next project, while Wale will release his fifth studio effort “Shine”, ahead of schedule.

Atlanta rap trio Migos deliver rapid fire rhymes on this funky tack. The track rocks hard enough to make speakers pop.

Singer/songwriter Khalid continues to solidify his position as one of the hottest new artist in the industry. Thus far, he’s appeared on “Ellen” and “Good Morning America” among others and shows no signs of slowing down.

Happy birthday

Singer/songwriter Myron Avant 39

Singer/songwriter/actress/poet/author Tionne “T Boz” Watkins (TLC) 47