July 2025

Kevin Ross has earned a major milestone with his latest single “Love in the Middle” reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay chart dated July 12. The Louis York-produced track climbs from No. 4 to the top spot in its 20th week on the chart — a testament to its steady and growing radio presence. This marks Ross’ second No. 1 on this chart, following his 2016 hit “Long Song Away,” which he released while signed to Motown Records. “Love in the Middle” adds to Ross’ growing reputation as a consistent voice in the adult R&B space, now operating under his own label, Art Society Music Group.

Few groups in the history of R&B and funk have managed to leave a mark as distinctive and lasting as The S.O.S. Band. Emerging from the vibrant music scene of Atlanta in the late 1970s, the band fused soul, funk, disco, and early electronic production to create a sound that not only defined an era but also influenced generations of artists that followed. Origins and Breakthrough The S.O.S. Band, an acronym for Sounds of Success, was formed in 1977. Their big break came just two years later when they released their debut single, “Take Your Time (Do It Right),” in 1980. Produced by Sigidi Abdullah, the song was a massive hit — reaching No. 1 on the R&B chart and No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. With its hypnotic groove, sultry vocals, and polished production, it became a dancefloor staple and a defining anthem of early 1980s R&B. This early success set the tone for what was to come: a decade-spanning career filled with soulful ballads, funky basslines, and genre-blending innovation. The Jam & Lewis Era While their debut put them on the map, it was the partnership with legendary production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis in the mid-1980s that elevated The S.O.S. Band to iconic status. Jam & Lewis, fresh from their days with The Time and on the cusp of producing Janet Jackson’s “Control,” brought a slick, futuristic sound to the band. They helped create some of the group’s most enduring hits, including: “Just Be Good to Me” (1983) – A moody, minimalist groove with haunting synth lines and rich vocals from lead singer Mary Davis. The song has since been sampled and covered by numerous artists. “Tell Me If You Still Care” (1983) – A slow-burning ballad that showcased the band’s emotional depth and vocal prowess. “The Finest” (1986) – Featuring background vocals by Alexander O’Neal and Cherrelle, this track encapsulated the lush, romantic side of the band’s sound. These songs defined The S.O.S. Band’s mature period, cementing them as forerunners in the use of synthesizers and drum machines in R&B music. A Sound That Endures While the band saw lineup changes and eventually faded from the mainstream spotlight in the early 1990s, their music never truly went away. Their influence can be heard in the work of countless modern artists, from hip-hop producers who sample their tracks to contemporary R&B singers inspired by their soulful delivery. Mary Davis’s voice remains one of the most recognizable in R&B, and her reunion with the group in later years sparked renewed interest among longtime fans and new listeners alike. Legacy The S.O.S. Band’s impact goes beyond hit singles. They were part of a transformative era in Black music — a bridge between the lush arrangements of the 1970s and the electronic, groove-heavy future of R&B and funk in the 1980s. Their music continues to resonate because it speaks to universal themes: love, resilience, pleasure, and longing — all wrapped in rhythms that make you move. Final Thoughts Whether you’re revisiting their classics or discovering their catalog for the first time, The S.O.S. Band offers a masterclass in timeless groove. Their sound, forged in the heart of Atlanta and polished with cutting-edge production, remains as vibrant today as it was decades ago. So next time you’re curating a playlist or looking for a soundtrack to a soulful night, don’t forget: just be good to The S.O.S. Band — and they’ll be even better to you.

Melanie “Mel B” Brown officially tying the knot with Rory McPhee after six years together is such a full-circle moment for fans who’ve followed her journey. The fact that the ceremony was held at The Crypt of St. Paul’s Cathedral adds such a regal, historic touch — it’s not every day someone gets married in one of London’s most iconic cathedrals. Her MBE honor clearly opened some unique doors! And then, to top it off with Victoria Beckham designing her wedding dress and one for her mother? That’s some Spice Girl sisterhood at its finest. It’s a meaningful, stylish nod to their history — and to how deep that bond still runs. The romantic proposal at Cliveden, rose petals and all, sounds straight out of a movie. Mel’s had her share of ups and downs over the years — from high-profile relationships to co-parenting challenges — so it’s heartwarming to see her find happiness and love on her terms. Also, kudos to her for balancing such a personal life highlight with her career. Between judging on America’s Got Talent and delighting fans with surprise Spice Girl moments, she hasn’t missed a beat. A huge congratulations to Mel B and Rory — here’s to love, resilience, and always keeping it spicy.

The devastating Texas floods have turned parts of the Lone Star State into a tragic scene, with authorities confirming at least 59 people dead as of Sunday morning. As rescue teams continue to search for an unclear number of missing individuals, including a group of around 27 young campers, questions are swirling about preparedness and whether enough was done to brace the area for such catastrophic flash flooding. Texas Governor Greg Abbott reports that more than 850 people have been plucked to safety across Kerr County amid the Texas floods, which bore the brunt of the disaster, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Coast Guard and over 1,000 first responders from Texas state agencies. The search for the missing campers from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp, continues along the banks of the Guadalupe River, which experienced “catastrophic level floods,” according to an email the camp sent to parents, cited by The New York Times. The Guadalupe has a notorious past with floods, including a prominent incident in 1987 that claimed 10 lives. However, attention has turned to the National Weather Service’s role in the preparation for this storm. According to Forbes, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, when pressed on why camps along the Guadalupe weren’t evacuated, told reporters Friday, “I can’t answer that, I don’t know,” before stating the county had “no reason to believe that this was going to be anything like what’s happened here.” Yet, W. Nim Kidd, director of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, openly “faulted the National Weather Service for not predicting the amount of rain we saw.” Texas Floods: Was the National Weather Service Properly Staffed and Equipped? While the NWS did issue a flash flood watch Thursday afternoon that specifically noted Kerr County as a “particularly vulnerable area,” along with more urgent flash flood emergency alerts in the overnight hours as the disaster hit, questions persist about their capacity. A representative for the union for NWS employees told CNN that the offices in Austin and San Antonio had “adequate staffing and resources,” but notably added that the San Antonio office was missing a “coordination meteorologist to work directly with emergency managers.” The agency was one of several federal bodies targeted by the controversial cost-cutting efforts of the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency. The NWS recently laid off nearly 600 employees — reportedly “around the same amount of staffers it lost in the 15 previous years,” the Texas Tribune reported. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, when asked if the government’s preparedness was a “failure,” said the Trump administration was trying to “upgrade” the NWS technology, calling their existing setup an “ancient system has been left in place with the federal government for many, many years.” Noem added, “For decades, for years, everybody knows that the weather is extremely difficult to predict, but also that the National Weather Service has done well… And at times we have all wanted more time, and more warning, and more alerts, and more notification.” Meanwhile, President Donald Trump himself commented on the Texas floods, stating Friday that the deaths were “shocking” and confirming the government would work with Governor Abbott to provide federal aid. He reiterated in a Truth Social statement Saturday morning that his administration is assisting state and local officials. However, Trump has also previously insisted states should play a larger role in handling their own weather disasters, saying last month his administration intends to “wean” states off help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA itself has lost hundreds of employees since Trump took office and ended its Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, which awarded around $4.6 billion to communities to prepare for future disasters. As Central Texas remains under another flood watch through Sunday evening, with flash flood warnings for parts of Bosque, Hill, Johnson, and Somervell Counties. With an above-average Atlantic hurricane season predicted, the region’s challenges may unfortunately continue.  

Tiny Harris is publicly supporting Sean “Diddy” Combs following the surprising verdict in his racketeering and sex trafficking trial, brushing off the charges as nothing more than him “being freaky.” As previously reported, on Wednesday, July 2, Combs was acquitted on racketeering and sex trafficking charges, though he was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. The Bad Boy founder is facing a maximum sentence of 20 years in jail and was denied bail as he awaits his sentencing. Despite the disgraced music mogul not being completely innocent, a lot of fans and friends are celebrating the outcome, happy to see Diddy won’t be spending his life behind bars. One of the people to celebrate was Tameka “Tiny” Cottle-Harris, who commented on a post from a close friend of the late Kim Porter to share her thoughts. Internet personality Eboni Elektra, who was close with Diddy’s ex before her death, posted about the musician’s fate a few hours after the verdict was read. She shared a post featuring a photo of Combs along with a spiritual message on “God’s will,” for Diddy’s life. “PRAISE GOD,” Elektra began in her caption. “GOD’S WILL…is higher than any opinion, mistake, judgement, or gossip. If this is God’s will for Puff / diddy , than that’s His will. In the end, what we think does not compare to His will. WHO ARE WE TO JUDGE??? That’s God’s job. It’s all in His hands. U never know. #isallintheword #readyourbible … my opinion.” Her post got a lot of negative attention because of Eboni’s relationship with Porter, who was allegedly abused by Diddy throughout their relationship. But things got even weirder when Tiny Harris jumped in the comments, celebrating along with Elektra and claiming the charges against Combs were about nothing but him being “freaky.” “Yeah!!!!!” Tiny wrote. “Ppl wanna charge you so bad for being freaky…nasty work!!” Amid backlash over her comment, Harris deleted her response. But it still got a lot of people talking, especially since she and her husband, T.I., have faced legal trouble of their own for being “freaky.” In August 2024, a judge officially dismissed a sexual assault lawsuit filed against the couple by a woman identified as “Jane Doe.” She allegedly accused the couple of sexual assault and battery back in 2005, per TheShadeRoom. The woman also brought forth claims including false imprisonment and emotional distress—allegations that had already sparked a 2021 LAPD investigation. The case was dropped due to the 10-year statute of limitations. Back then, T.I. and Tiny vehemently denied numerous sexual assault allegations after several women came forward with accusations. According to attorney Tyrone A. Blackburn, who represented multiple alleged victims, one woman claimed the couple had drugged her at a Miami nightclub in 2010 and later assaulted her at a hotel while she was incapacitated. Two other women shared similar experiences, alleging they were drugged, raped, and even sex trafficked across multiple states. In response, the couple’s lawyer, Steve Sadow, dismissed the anonymous claims as lacking credibility and called for the accusers to reveal their identities so the Harrises could properly refute the allegations. Throughout the controversy, the couple maintained their innocence and denied all claims of sexual abuse, drugging, and trafficking. Diddy’s legal team focused heavily on the idea that his sexual preferences aren’t a crime, which seems to be what other people are latching onto following the trial.