Join us as we celebrate the birthday of one of the greatest of all time and a TGJ all-time favorite.

Today’s From The Vault comes courtesy of the incomparable Whitney Houston and her sassy 1999 hit ‘It’s Not Right, But It’s Okay.’

The opening track from Nippy’s big return album ‘My Love Is Your Love’, ‘OK’ was issued as the project’s third single.

Beginning with a now-legendary mathematical equation, the singer exposes her significant other’s infidelity the whole song through, letting him know that she’ll continue living her best life whether he’s included in it or not. Topically, it was in line with the independent women mantra that was rightfully all the rage in the latter 90s and early 00’s.

‘Okay’ was produced and written by brothers Rodney and Fred Jerkins alongside the late great LaShawn Daniels.

By July 1999, the song had peaked at #4 in the Billboard Hot 100 in The US. In Canada and the UK, it managed to enter the Top 3 and was #1 in Spain.

Kevin Bray directed the monochromatic video which presented Whitney as leader to a horde of fed-up women who can be seen reciting the song’s lyrics. Dressed in a now-iconic black leather ensemble, Houston’s ever-present “cool” allowed her to remain hip and trendy looking in the video, while keeping it embracing her maturity.

In celebrating her 57th birthday today, we can’t help but reflect on what a legacy she left behind her. It’s also interesting to point out that, in a world where tastemakers are always looking for “the next” (insert big name), we’re still not in the presence of a vocalist who possessed the set of skills the diva did in earnest. That’s what you call stuff of legend.

Miss Houston, Happy Heavenly Birthday. May your legacy continue to inspire.

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