Happy Birthday to baseball MVP Albert Pujols (1980), R&B singer Aaliyah (1979; d. 2001), waifish model Kate Moss (1974), Nigerian born jazz/soul singer Sade (1959), "Fame" choreographer/actress Debbie Allen (1950), horror film director John Carpenter (1948), country singer Ronnie Milsap (1944) baseball player Dizzy Dean (1910; d. 1974), and actress/singer Ethel Merman (1908; d. 1984).

Entertainment highlights during the week of Aug. 26-Sept. 1: 1961: Motown released its first No. 1 hit, ''Please Mr. Postman'' by The Marvelettes. 1968: The Beatles released ''Hey Jude'' as a single.

Entertainment highlights during the week of Aug. 19-25: 1956: The Five Satins made their debut on the R&B charts with ''In the Still of the Night.''

His name is already familiar to record buyers who make note of the songwriting credits on major hit records by such superstar artists as Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige.

Rapper Missy Elliott is still hurt by a review she received more than six years ago - because it questioned her friendship with late R&B star Aaliyah. The young singer, who worked closely with Elliott on several occasions, died in a plane crash in the Bahamas in August 2001 after shooting the video for her single Rock the Boat.

(New York, NY) - As the singular most successful songwriter at work today-– whose tunes have been brought to the top of the charts by Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, and at least 50 more artists over the last decade, including Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson, Jessica Simpson, Usher, Chris Brown, Toni Braxton, Tyrese, Enrique Iglesias, Aaliyah, Faith Evans, B2K, Ciara, Ruben Studdard,

On April 6 the ultimate dance off hit television screens nationwide with the premiere of BET's Top 25 Dancers. Hosted by R&B phenom and #4 on the top 25 list, Chris Brown with choreographer extraordinaire, Fatima Robinson, this sizzling addition of the countdown series put an end to the battle of ages by crowning James Brown the undisputed top dancer of all time.

Timbaland is already acknowledged as one of music’s most inventive and distinctive creators. Yet the artist/producer’s forthcoming album, just his second solo album, promises to shock the world. Timbaland Presents Shock Value (Mosley Music Group/Blackground/Interscope) is set for release March 27. The first single, "Give It To Me," featuring Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado, launches February 1.

Happy Birthday to baseball MVP Albert Pujols (1980), R&B singer Aaliyah (1979; d. 2001), waifish model Kate Moss (1974), Nigerian born jazz/soul singer Sade (1959), "Fame" choreographer/actress Debbie Allen (1950), horror film director John Carpenter (1948), country singer Ronnie Milsap (1944) baseball player Dizzy Dean (1910; d. 1974), and actress/singer Ethel Merman (1908; d. 1984).

Before music was all about overnight pop stars and monster-selling albums, there was an unwritten rule in the record business that true artistry takes time to cultivate. You pay your dues, hone your craft, and weather the inevitable storms. Such was the formula for career longevity.