Happy birthday

Musician Stanley Clarke 66

Singer Billy Brown (The Moments/Ray, Goodman & Brown) 71

Singer Fantasia Barrino 33

Singer Richard Pratt (Blue Magic)

Remembering singer Florence Ballard (June 30, 1943-February 22, 1976)

Following the 2017 BET Awards performance of her single “My Man”, singer Tamar Braxton is sharing music from her forthcoming album with fans. She invited talk show host Wendy Williams into her home studio to listen to the song “Rather Go Blind.” The listening session was filmed and posted online and fans get an opportunity to hear nearly the entire song. The track showcases Braxton’s vocal ability in an emotional declaration. The track is one fans should check out. TLC fans, rejoice! The legendary R&B group has finally released their highly anticipated self-titled final album. Featuring the single “Way Back”, a collaboration with Snoop Dogg, the 12 track project also includes the previously released single “Haters” along with “It’s Sunny” and “American Gold.” In keeping with their affinity for socially and culturally conscious lyrics, the album also includes the tracks “Perfect Girls”, “Joy Ride” and “Aye Muthafucka.” The album was crafted within two years and was crowd funded via a successful Kickstarter campaign. Fans of the iconic R&B group raised over 430,000 to fund the album. In return for their donations, fans received a TLC digital scrapebook, autographed lyrics, a photo shoot and listening party. Marking the group’s first release without member Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, who passed away in 2002, the album features one interlude with the late singer/rapper. T-Boz told Billboard magazine that Lopez’ family held on to other things. In the meantime, TLC will begin promoting the album by hitting the road on the “I Love The 90’s: The Party Continues Tour”, which starts on July 7 and includes Naughty By Nature, Biz Markie, Montell Jordan, Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath and more.

Happy birthday

Singer Stedman Pearson (Five Star) 53

Singer KeKe Wyatt recently posted an Instagram photo of herself sporting a newly shaven head. The bold move wasn’t for fashion, nor was it to channel her inner Amber Rose. The move was in support of her child who lost all of their hair due to a battle with cancer. The R&B singer revealed the news last week in an Instagram video. On Monday, Wyatt posted a selfie of herself rocking a baldie. Yesterday, Wyatt posted another selfie along with an update on her child’s condition. Even Wyatt’s mom got in on the action in support of her grandchild. Wyatt, who’s currently expecting her ninth child, has requested that fans donate to www.choa.org to help children suffering from various health issues. Fans of rapper/songwriter/producer Pharrell Williams have been blessed with new music from the hit maker via the soundtrack for “Despicable Me 3.” However, for those wanting to hear more PG rated material from the star, great news! During an interview on NBC’s “Today Show”, Williams revealed that he won’t be returning to “The Voice” because he has a lot of work to do. He then revealed that he has new albums by Ariana Grande and Justin Timberlake due. He added that there’s also a mystery project in the works, which may or may not be a new N.E.R.D. album. Rising Atlanta bred Motown Records signee Malachiae Warren has been keeping a low profile since the release of his 2016 EP “Heard You Was In My City.” With a substantial social media following, the singer/songwriter has been teasing fans with his forthcoming project for several months, sharing video clips and snippets of studio sessions. This week, he surprises fans with the release of  “The Wake Up EP”. The nine track project features the singles “The Latest”, “Ooo” and “Swisher Sweet.” Fans unfamiliar with Warren’s work should check out “The Wake Up EP.” Without question, rapper Kendrick Lamar’s latest studio effort “DAMN” is one of the best albums of the year with an iconic title. During a recent interview with Big Boy on Los Angeles radio station 92.3, the Compton native revealed that he initially planned to title the album “What Happens On Earth Stays On Earth”, a line uttered by DJ Kid Capri on the tracks “Element” and “Duckworth.” Lamar added that the long title didn’t feel right and he settled for damn because there are many ways to put it in his head. He also addressed the rumor that “DAMN” has a companion album, although there’s no confirmation on this and the impressive amount of unreleased material he’s recorded.