Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday,” from his 1980 album Hotter than July, was a pivotal anthem in the successful campaign to make Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a U.S. federal holiday, a goal achieved in 1983 after years of activism, rallies, and petitions led by Wonder and others like Coretta Scott King. The song, with lyrics celebrating King’s legacy and advocating for his recognition, became a powerful tool for social change, turning a simple birthday tune into a civil rights landmark that helped establish the first national holiday honoring a Black American.
The LATE great Aaliyah would have turned 47 today!
Last year, In celebration of Aaliyah‘s birthday, Barbie is paying homage to the “princess of R&B” with a stunning new doll. Part of Mattel‘s growing Music Collector series, the iconic doll brand honors the late singer’s unforgettable talent and timeless influence on music and fashion that has helped shape ’90s hip-hop culture.
The Aaliyah Barbie doll is inspired by her iconic “One in a Million” music video. The figure is dressed in a black faux leather ensemble with several accessories that scream ’90s, including studded lace-up details, sleek black shades and her signature hairstyle, with hair swooping over one eye. The Barbie team worked closely with Aaliyah’s brother, Rashad Haughton, to develop the concept for the doll and ensure the result was true to Aaliyah’s legacy and persona.
“I can vividly remember my sister playing with her favorite Barbie dolls for hours when we were kids. She would make them sing, dance, and perform little concerts,” said Haughton in a statement. “It’s clear to me now that she was imagining dreams that would eventually become reality when she embarked on a career in entertainment at just fifteen years old.”
Aaliyah broke out onto the R&B scene in 1994 with her incredible debut single “Back & Forth.” She would go on to earn numerous accolades, including three American Music Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and five Grammy nominations during her career before tragically dying in a plane crash in 2001.
Celebrate Aaliyah’s iconic legacy with her well-deserved Music Collector series Barbie doll available now for pre-order through Target, with a general release on Jan. 26
Happy Birthday in paradise Aaliyah! Gone but not forgotten… your legacy will live on FOREVER!!!!!
Today we celebrate the ‘Queen of Disco’, Donna Summer’s birthday!
Summer was a singer, songwriter, and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer who rose to fame in the 1970s disco era. Earning the title “Queen of Disco”, Summer sold over 100 million records worldwide and had 16 number one US Dance Club Songs hits. Her hits include “Last Dance”, “Hot Stuff”, “On the Radio”, and “She Works Hard for the Money”. Born Donna Adrian Gaines in Boston, she developed her voice in a church choir and later led a rock band.
Happy Birthday to the undisputed Queen of Disco and Mother of Modern Pop and EDM, Donna Summer! Today, she would have turned 77! 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/BA8y5cR0jj
Today we lost a gospel ICON! Richard Smallwood has passed away….
The Grammy-nominated singer, pianist, and composer behind hits like ‘Total Praise’ and ‘Center of My Joy’ passed from kidney failure complications in Maryland.
This is one of my FAVORITE renditions of ‘Mary Did You Know’. The Braxtons all got together and sang their face off on ‘The Real’ and it has been a TIMELESS clip at Christmas ever since…..