Today is Toni Braxton’s 54th birthday, so we’re gonna celebrate her by revisiting one my favorites from her catalog, “How Could an Angel Break My Heart.” Released as the fourth single from Braxton’s sophomore LP, Secrets, the song was written by Babyface and the singer herself. It is a beautifully sung lamentation about a cheating lover, and it has Kenny G on the horns for extra drama.

“How Could an Angel Break My Heart” never charted in the US because a physical single was never issued stateside, rendering it ineligible for the Billboard Hot 100. Outside the US, however, a CD was issued, and it included a remix featuring Babyface. On this version, Babyface sings as the cheating lover pleading his innocence and denying every claim made by Braxton. It is the superior version by far.

The music video for “How Could an Angel Break My Heart” matches the drama of the song perfectly and almost makes you wish it was an actual movie. Click play.

Following days of internet speculation, it is really starting to look like a new Adele album might be on the way.

The first presumed “sign” was Taylor Swift moving the re-release of her fourth album, ‘Red,’ from November 19 to November 12, leading people to believe that her team is aware of an impending Adele release and don’t want no smoke.

The second sign is a collection of projected images of the number “30” at historical sites all over Europe, including the Eiffel Tower. Per a three-year old caption by Adele herself, ‘30’ is the title of her highly anticipated next album. Also, all the projections are in Adele-ish font.

The third sign is that Adele’s friend, Jedidiah Jenkins, has liked a few tweets about the projections seen all over Europe.

We’ll concede that signs No. 1 & No. 3 are dubious, but them projections? Something’s coming.

Most TBT selections are inspired by it being the artist’s birthday or just sheer love for the song. Every now and then, however, a selection is made as a matter of duty.

Earlier today on Twitter, a (presumed) Zoomer tweeted (with apparent surprise) that “that ‘Milkshake’ song” was sung by a Black woman.” As someone who was almost an adult when “that ‘Milkshake’ song” song dropped, I was taken aback. How was this not common knowledge? And how has “Milkshake” become one of those ever-present-yet-old songs that people know by heart and yet couldn’t pull its performer out of a lineup? What kind of dream is this?

I went from being enraged and embarrassed and disappointed to seeing this as the teachable moment it is. It’s gonna be alright. And to be honest, it does kinda sorta sound like it was sung by a non-Black woman. In fact, the song was initially offered to Britney Spears, who passed on it — and whose voice I could totally hear over that beat.

Released on August 25, 2003, “Milkshake” turned 18 years old a month ago. In other words, babies born at that time can now vote. It has been that long, so yes, I can imagine anyone under the age of 23 knowing the song and not the singer. Once upon a time, I couldn’t identify a single member of Journey, but best believe I knew all the words to “Open Arms.” It really do be like dat.

Anyway, back to “Milkshake.”

Written and produced by the Neptunes, the song was the lead single from Kelis’ third album, Tasty. The song was released at the height of Neptunes fever, and while it did have all the markings of a Williams/Hugo production, it was decidedly different from much of their other creations. The song would go on to become a global hit and Kelis’ biggest single by far, peaking at No. 3 in the US, No. 2 in the UK and Australia, and No. 1 in Ireland.

You know a song has taken on a life of its own when people know it by heart and yet can’t name its singer. We’re here to fix that. Click play.

In a post made a few hours ago, The Wendy Williams Show announced that the 13th season premiere is being postponed from October 4 to October 18. This season was initially scheduled to begin on September 20.

The announcement explains that Williams is “still dealing with some ongoing medical issues.” Word on the curb is that Wendy Williams may quit the show, with The Sun quoting sources that say she is “over it.” According to Page Six, the decision to postpone the season premiere for a second time was made within the last 24 hours.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was arrested last Friday in Las Vegas for allegedly physically abusing his fiancée. According to authorities, they were called to Caesar’s Palace around 5am for a domestic disturbance, where they found Jones’ fiancée and mother of his three kids, Jessie Moses, bleeding from her nose and mouth. Jones was found walking near the hotel when he was arrested, after which he became irate and headbutt the cop car so hard that he left a dent and chipped some of the paint. He then reportedly threatened to sue the police department for arresting him on the biggest night of his life — one of his matches was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame just hours earlier.

Jessie Moses reportedly told authorities that Jon Jones only “touched the back of her head” and “pulled her a little bit,” and that her lips were bloody and swollen because they were dry. Fix it, Jesus.

Cops reportedly saw blood on Moses’ sweatshirt and on the bedsheets. Jones was arrested for misdemeanor domestic battery and felony tampering with a vehicle. He is due in court next month.

In case you were wondering, the cops were called after Jon Jones’ youngest child told hotel security to call the cops.


Jones has since released a statement of sorts via IG story, where he seemingly swears off alcohol and says that he will “turn this nightmare into the best thing” to ever happen in his life.

Another week, another Jermaine Dupri production. This time, however, JD plays artist as well as producer.

Last week, we were motivated to honor JD due to Diddy’s disrespect. This week, we are motivated by the fact that today is JD’s 49th birthday.

In May of ’98, JD linked up with Jay-Z to make “Money Ain’t a Thang,” a timeless chune that samples Steve Arrington’s “Weak at the Knees.” From the ’80s sample to the boastful lyrics about money and material things, “Money Ain’t a Thang” is peak late-’90s hip-hop. Even its music video — which features former Miss USA and current Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore — is also very representative of that era.

“Money Ain’t a Thang” only managed to reach No. 52 on the Billboard Hot 100, but was nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the Grammy Awards the following year. Unforunately, it lost to “Intergalactic” by Beastie Boys, which was literally the worst song nominated in that category that year. Take all of this as more evidence that chart performance and — to a greater extent — Grammys don’t always say much about the quality of a song or how long its legacy will be. Click play.

In protest of the vaccine mandate for school staff in Oregon, a special education assistant at Mabel Rush Elementary School in Newberg, OR, came to school in blackface and explained that she was portraying Rosa Parks. She darkened her face with iodine.

According to a statement from the school, the staff member — named Lauren Pefferle — has been put on administrative leave.

File this one under IKYFL.