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Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown pleaded not guilty on Friday to two additional charges stemming from a 2023 nightclub assault in London involving a music producer. The 36-year-old artist had previously denied the more serious charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm during a hearing last month. At Southwark Crown Court on Friday, Brown also pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm to producer Abraham Diaw. The incident allegedly took place in February 2023 at Tape, a high-end nightclub located in London’s upscale Mayfair district. Wearing a light brown suit, Brown appeared composed during the short court hearing, where he also denied possessing an offensive weapon — identified as a bottle — in a public space. The courtroom was filled with around 20 fans seated in the public gallery, several of whom audibly gasped as the singer — known for hits like “Go Crazy,” “Run It,” and “Kiss Kiss” — entered. Brown’s co-defendant and fellow musician, 39-year-old Omololu Akinlolu, also pleaded not guilty to a charge of actual bodily harm. According to prosecutors, the alleged attack was captured on surveillance cameras inside the club, which was crowded at the time. Brown was released on bail in May, with conditions including a £5 million (approximately $6.75 million) bond. The release allowed him to continue his “Breezy Bowl XX” tour. After performing across Europe, he is scheduled to return to North America later this month, beginning with a show in Miami, followed by a U.S. tour that includes a two-night stop in Toronto. Chris Brown rose to fame as a teenager in 2005 and has since become a prominent figure in R&B. He won his first Grammy Award for Best R&B Album in 2011 for F.A.M.E. and earned a second Grammy earlier this year for 11:11.

When you think of R\&B grooves fused with jazz-funk flair, the unmistakable trumpet tones of Tom Browne instantly come to mind. Born in Queens, NY, on October 30, 1954, Browne began on piano at age 11 before finding his true voice on trumpet—and what a voice it is! Tom Browne’s breakthrough came in 1980 with the iconic single **“Funkin’ for Jamaica (N.Y.)”**, taken from his second album *Love Approach*. A tribute to his Jamaica, Queens roots, the track soared to #1 on Billboard’s R\&B chart for four weeks and cracked the UK Top 10—fueling dance floors and house parties worldwide. The momentum continued in 1981 with **“Thighs High (Grip Your Hips and Move)”**, peaking at #4 on R\&B charts—underscoring Browne’s ability to craft seductive, groove-laced bangers. With a discography spanning over four decades, Browne has released more than 20 solo projects. Notable highlights: Browne Sugar** (1979): Debut album reaching #6 on Billboard’s Jazz Albums. Love Approach** (1980): Spawned *“Funkin’ for Jamaica”*, topping R\&B and hitting #1 on Jazz Albums, peaking at #18 on Pop. Magic** (1981): Featured *“Thighs High”* (#4 R\&B), along with jazz cuts and a soulful *Billie Holiday* cover. Later albums include *Yours Truly*, *Rockin’ Radio*, *Tommy Gun*, and genre-expanding releases through the ’80s and ’90s. Tom Browne excels at blending jazz improvisation with funk rhythms and R\&B melody. Collaborating with jazz titans—**Dave Grusin**, **Marcus Miller**, **Omar Hakim**, and others—he helped pioneer the contemporary jazz-funk movement. His signature style mixes: Explosive, melodic trumpet solos, deep, irresistible grooves, and smooth, soulful vocal hooks (featuring Toni Smith on hits like “Funkin’ for Jamaica”) His impact echoes through modern R\&B, with his signature riffs sampled, interpolated, and celebrated by artists across genres. Today Browne remains active as both a solo artist and session musician. His trumpet has graced stages alongside jazz legends—**Bob James**, **Roy Ayers**, Joe Sample**, **Najee**—and he’s performed worldwide, with upcoming dates at major jazz festivals and iconic venues. * *Love Approach* (1980) * *Magic* (1981) * “Funkin’ for Jamaica (N.Y.)” * “Thighs High (Grip Your Hips and Move)” * *Legacy* (2016) * *Come What May* EP (2019)

Embrace, the 2025 album by Change featuring Tanya Michelle Smith.Embrace was released on May 23, 2025 Change originated in 1980 with hits like The Glow of Love. After a long hiatus following 2018’s Love 4 Love, Embrace marks their next major studio album Initially conceived as Tanya Michelle Smith’s solo project in 2019, it evolved into a Change album following approval from founding producers Davide Romani and Mauro Malavasi Singles like “Sunrise Forever” (Jan 10) and “Got 2 Get Up” (Apr 4) gained traction in Europe, with “Sunrise Forever” remixes topping Traxsource dance charts Embrace Stands Out because of it’s artistic continuity, it seamlessly bridges the classic dance-soul vibe of Love 4 Love with modern production, spotlighting Tanya Michelle Smith’s vocals.

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.

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.