HAPPY BIRTHDAY to singer, songwriter and actress Monica. Throughout her career, several of Monica's singles became number-one hits on the pop and R&B record charts, including "Don't Take It Personal", "Like This and Like That", "The Boy Is Mine", "The First Night", "Angel of Mine", "So Gone", and "Everything to Me".

Mya is fricking GORGEOUS.

Stephanie Mills says Chris Brown is the closest thing we have to Michael Jackson; dancing and singing.

Dr. Umar slams double standard calling white women “s*xually free” and black women “Jezebels”. He says snow bunnies are still deemed marriage materials no matter how much of a h*e she is.

Dr. Dre’s son says they first met at 20. He learns who his father was at 12 and it was a DNA test that confirmed Dre was his dad.

Journalists are expected to ask tough questions, but Stephanie Mills believes there's a difference between reporting the news and knowing when to show compassion. During her appearance on The Jason Lee Show, Stephanie criticized Gayle King over two controversial interviews involving R. Kelly and Kobe Bryant. Stephanie questioned why Gayle continued filming when R. Kelly became emotional during their explosive 2019 interview. She also took issue with Gayle asking Lisa Leslie about Kobe Bryant's past sexual assault allegation shortly after his death. The Kobe interview sparked backlash, although Gayle later explained that CBS had released a clip that didn't reflect the full conversation.

Stephanie Mills thinks Gayle King was wrong for R.Kelly interview and asking Lisa Leslie about Kobe Bryant’s SA charge after his death.

Missy Elliott, Janet Jackson and Queen Latifah at the Gala of the Stars. Janet presented Missy with the Icon Award.

D.L. Hughley admits comments about Jasmine Guy’s aging are cruel but says they’re true. He says “It’s not nice but it’s not untrue though”.

Fantasia performed a tearful tribute to Aretha Franklin but says after she finished Aretha walked up and told her “You can sing but I’m the b*tch around here”.

A life sentence without the possibility of parole doesn't necessarily mean a convicted murderer can never ask a court to reconsider their punishment—and the man who took Bill Cosby's only son's life recently tried to do exactly that. In January 1997, Ennis Cosby was just 27 years old when he stopped along Los Angeles' 405 Freeway to change a flat tire. While working on his vehicle, he was approached by Mikhail Markhasev, who fatally shot him during an attempted robbery. Markhasev was eventually convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. But nearly 30 years later, Markhasev sought to have his sentence reconsidered. In his 2024 request, he pointed to his rehabilitation, educational accomplishments behind bars, letters of support and plans for returning to society. From a criminal-law standpoint, rehabilitation can sometimes become relevant in resentencing proceedings, but demonstrating personal improvement doesn't automatically entitle someone to a reduced sentence. Courts must have legal authority to reconsider the punishment. In March 2025, a Los Angeles judge declined to act on Markhasev's request, explaining that the law didn't require the court to consider it. His subsequent appeal was dismissed in March 2026.

Bill Cosby’s only son was k*lled in an attempted robbery while changing a flat tire on the 405 freeway. The man responsible just appealed to have life sentence reduced but the judge refused.

Angel Reese says “My mom’s biggest flex is that both of her kids have college degrees and play in the NBA and WNBA”.

Donnie Warwick walked up to Aretha Franklin and asked for a hug after their falling out. Aretha responded “Oh hell, you couldn’t be serious, we’ve never been friends”.

During the height of their beef, Brandy said Countess Vaughn ‘wakes up and looks at herself in the mirror and get disgusted, I don’t’.

MC Sha-Rock helped break ground for women on the mic as a member of the Funky 4 + 1. MC Lyte was 17 when she released Lyte as a Rock, the first full-length album by a solo female rapper. DJ Spinderella joined Salt-N-Pepa at 16, taking her talent on the turntables from Brooklyn to stages around the world. They were learning the music business while helping shape the music itself. Their records, performances and confidence opened doors for generations.

Black teen girls helped build hip hop before Nicki, Kim and Cardi B. Roxanne Shante had a hit at 14.

Busta Rhymes changed his routine and made his health a priority. He says “don’t ever give up on yourself”.

Simply stunning. Trace Ellis Ross reminding us that black really don’t crack 😍

THE GAME cast reunites after 26 years and everyone looks amazing.