This Throwback Thursday, hip-hop fans revisit “Me, Myself and I,” the groundbreaking 1989 single by De La Soul. Released in March 1989 from their debut album 3 Feet High and Rising, the song became the trio’s only No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart while also topping the Dance Club Play chart. Built around a Funkadelic sample and playful lyricism, the track helped define alternative rap’s creative freedom at the dawn of the 1990s. Written as a response to critics labeling them “hippies of hip-hop,” the song saw members like Posdnuos and Trugoy The Dove push back against industry expectations and celebrate individuality. Producers including Prince Paul crafted a radio-friendly groove sampling Funkadelic’s “(Not Just) Knee Deep,” though the group initially resisted its commercial sound before recording what would become a defining anthem of self-expression. The satirical music video, directed by Charles Stone III, featured cameos from members of A Tribe Called Quest, including Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad, reinforcing the song’s message of authenticity over conformity. Today (February 12, 2026) also marks the third anniversary of Trugoy’s passing, making this throwback a poignant reminder of De La Soul’s lasting legacy and the timeless power of staying true to oneself.

Two-time Grammy Award-winning Jamaican drummer Sly Dunbar, whose powerful rhythms shaped generations of reggae and rock recordings, has died at the age of 73. His wife, Thelma Dunbar, confirmed his passing to the Jamaica Gleaner. As one-half of the legendary rhythm section Sly and Robbie alongside bassist Robbie Shakespeare, Dunbar became one of the most sought-after drummers in modern music, contributing to countless hits across genres. Known as part of the influential “Riddim Twins,” Dunbar and Shakespeare played on classics by Bob Marley, Black Uhuru, Jimmy Cliff and Peter Tosh, while also collaborating internationally with artists including Grace Jones, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and Serge Gainsbourg. Dunbar’s drumming powered tracks such as Junior Murvin’s “Police and Thieves,” Marley’s “Punky Reggae Party” and Dave and Ansell Collins’ “Double Barrel.” He also worked with acts outside reggae, including Joe Cocker, No Doubt, Sinead O’Connor and Carly Simon, helping introduce reggae’s rhythmic innovation to global audiences. Dunbar earned 13 Grammy nominations and won twice — for Black Uhuru’s Anthem, which captured the first-ever Grammy for Best Reggae Recording in 1985, and for Sly and Robbie’s Friends in 1999. In 1980, he co-founded Taxi Records with Shakespeare, nurturing artists such as Shaggy, Shabba Ranks and Beenie Man. Tributes poured in from across the music world, with UB40’s Ali Campbell noting that modern beats “wouldn’t be what they are” without Dunbar’s pioneering influence, cementing his legacy as one of reggae’s greatest drummers.

Sade’s music has long defied easy categorization, blending pop, R&B, soul, and jazz across a celebrated career. While Billboard often associates the band with jazz influences, the group has now achieved a major milestone on one of its R&B charts. Their beloved compilation The Best of Sade has reached a new high, signaling continued demand for the group’s timeless sound. The Best of Sade climbs from No. 12 to No. 10 on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart, marking the band’s first-ever appearance in the chart’s top 10. The compilation, which debuted on the tally in August 2024, reaches the milestone 62 weeks into its run. Notably, it remains Sade’s only project to chart on the Top R&B Albums ranking, making the achievement even more significant for the iconic outfit. The collection is also gaining traction across other Billboard charts. This week, it rises from No. 33 to No. 30 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and jumps from No. 103 to No. 90 on the Billboard 200. Having previously reached the top 10 on both lists, the enduring compilation is now nearing a three-year run on the Billboard 200, further proving Sade’s lasting influence and cross-generational appeal.

PHABO continues his ascent in modern R&B with Before We Get In Here! . On the new project the independent LA singer-songwriter blends church-trained vocals with candid storytelling, reflecting a decade spent refining his sound. Still brimming from his 2021 debut Soulquarius a half-decade later, PHABO delivers a confident, late-’90s and 2000s-inspired sonic world. The project also showcases his range as a writer and collaborator while cementing his status as one of R&B’s most compelling breakout voices.

Toronto-based reggae, pop, soul, and jazz artist Belinda Brady delivers a powerful visual for “Rise Up,” a stirring anthem inspired by the devastation of Hurricane Melissa. Released via Slammin’ Media and Believe Distribution, the Eddie Bullen-produced track channels resilience and unity while supporting relief efforts in western Jamaica. Brady’s commanding vocals and heartfelt storytelling transform tragedy into hope, with the video underscoring a call for solidarity, action, and collective healing through music with purpose.

British R&B singer Naomi Scott continues to preview her upcoming album F.I.G with the emotionally charged single “Losing You.” Following earlier releases “Sweet Nausea” and “Cut Me Loose,” the track finds Scott confronting the unraveling of a once-promising relationship, capturing the uncertainty and ache of impending heartbreak. Through introspective lyrics and vulnerable delivery, she explores distance, doubt and acceptance, further shaping her debut project F.I.G ., an album that sonically embraces the messy, honest journey toward becoming one’s true self.

Alicia Creti unveils a striking new video for “No One’s Business,” directed by Fabrice Rosier, matching the song’s smoldering, classic R&B energy. The Montreal native, now Los Angeles-based, showcases her timeless, soulful voice with poise and emotional depth as the visuals lean into intimacy and mood. Backed by Pop Wansel and Andrew Shadrow’s ’90s-inspired production, Creti’s vulnerable yet powerful performance signals a breakthrough moment in the making.

Dublin-based Nigerian-Irish singer-songwriter F3miii steps into a defining chapter with “Noble,” a self-written, recorded, and produced single showcasing his melodic vocals and emotionally rich songwriting. Blending intimacy and widescreen pop sensibilities, the track highlights his growing momentum following millions of streams and major festival appearances. With dozens of Spotify editorial placements and rising industry recognition, “Noble” arrives as a confident statement of artistry, positioning F3miii as a compelling new voice firmly on the ascent.

Fans are speculating about a possible split between Cardi B and New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs after the pair quietly unfollowed each other on Instagram just hours after the Patriots’ 29–13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX. The mutual unfollow, which happened without explanation, quickly drew attention online, with many noting that such social media moves often signal relationship trouble in celebrity culture. Searches of both accounts confirmed the change, and theories spread rapidly across X and Instagram. Observers also revisited recent moments that now appear significant in hindsight. Ahead of the Super Bowl, Cardi offered Diggs a brief “Good luck” when asked about the game, a message some fans now interpret as distant. Reports that the two spent the holidays apart added to the speculation, especially since Cardi had been a visible presence at Patriots games throughout the season, frequently seated near team owner Robert Kraft. The sudden shift in visibility and tone has fueled online chatter that the relationship may have cooled before the championship matchup. As rumors intensified, fans pointed to other headlines involving Diggs, including legal issues tied to an alleged December 2025 altercation with his personal chef, which he has denied. Unconfirmed speculation about past relationships also resurfaced, though none has been substantiated. The apparent distance stands in contrast to Diggs’ public praise for Cardi just weeks earlier, when he called her “an amazing woman” during a January press conference and hinted that a proposal could be in his future. Neither Cardi B nor Diggs has publicly addressed the unfollow or the status of their relationship.