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.

Your thoughts?

While its lead single, ‘Cardigan,’ is expected to take a massive drop from its Hot 100 perch (as we reported here), ‘Folklore’ – the eighth album from Taylor Swift – is staying put.

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Lamorne Morris, T.Murph, Sasheer Zamata, and Blake Anderson topline the new HULU original series ‘Woke.’

Set for a September 9 debut, the comedy – inspired by the life and work of visual artist Keith Knight –  is one of many highly anticipated new shows the streaming giant is rolling out for fall.

Plot:

“…’Woke’ takes an absurdly irreverent look at identity and culture as it follows Keef (Morris), an African-American cartoonist finally on the verge of mainstream success when an unexpected incident changes everything. With a fresh outlook on the world around him, Keef must now navigate the new voices and ideas that confront and challenge him, all without setting aflame everything he’s already built.”

See the trailer inside:

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Fat Joe is renown for being a straight shooter and has a penchant for saying what he feels – even if it goes against the grain.

The latest in his long line of memorable comments came this weekend during a live Instagram Q&A.

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Kanye West‘s US presidential campaign may have many raising their eyebrows, but he appears to have support from his wife’s ex-boyfriend Nick Cannon. 

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Concerns are growing for rapper Azealia Banks, after she shared shared worrying sentiments about wanting to end her life.

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Could a Brandy and Solange collaboration be incoming?

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Normani made jaws drop with her surprise appearance in  Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion‘s scorching ‘WAP’ music video.

And it’s amplified buzz for the ‘Motivation’ singer’s long-awaited solo album debut.

One of the names most hyped for Normani is Cardi herself.

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Simon Cowell has broken his back after a shocking accident.

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It appears as though Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion have a hit on their hands.

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Despite releasing his T-Pain-assisted tune, ‘Can You Hear Me?,’ in February, R&B stageblazer Omarion was forced to put promotion of it and its parent album, ‘Passport,’ on hold due to the global health crisis.

Nearly 6 months later, the GRAMMY-nominated star is revving up the campaign around the song by unleashing its official music video.  Putting on his dancing shoes, O used the clip to ode dance communities across the U.S. that showed off their best footwork to the energetic song.

Via an official statement to accompany the visual, the 35-year-old stated:

“In these unprecedented times during Covid-19 and social injustice, I wanted to offer a reprise via spiritual nourishment. Through the unifying language of dance is joy. Members of the dance community put this video together on their own, and i’m honored to present it as the official video for ‘Can You Hear Me?”

See the finished product inside:

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If industry analyst prediction is to be believed, the future is clear for new song ‘My Future’ as the Billie Eilish tune is projected to debut inside the top 10 on next week’s Hot 100.

Announced July 24, the song – co-written and produced by her brother Finneas O’Connell – made its way to digital platforms July 30.  Within hours, it had not only shot to the top of real-time sales tallies but it later followed that success by becoming Pop radio’s most added new song of the week.

While its radio response, digital downloads, and solid streaming figures are all adding to spell a handsome premiere on next week’s main hitlist, chart watchers will find ‘Future’ won’t be the only newbie making moves into its top 10.

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