Friday Facts

The Grammy awards will air on Sunday and Frank Ocean, Kanye West and Rick Ross are among the many nominees up for awards. West has been nominated for Best Rap Album, among others along with Ross, The Roots and Drake. Frank Ocean says after the ceremony he will pack his bags and head to Chang Hi where he will work on new music. He also has a book coming out soon, but is tight lipped regarding what the book is about. Rumors have begun swirling regarding whether or not Chris Brown and Rihanna will perform together, which is anyone's guess. Rihanna is scheduled to perform, along with Alicia Keys, Miranda Lambert and more. LL Cool J will host the ceremony, which airs on CBS on Sunday at 8 p.m. Don't miss it. Rap fans will be happy to know that Mystical will release his first album in quite some time this year. Tyga will release new music soon as well. The man who brought sexy back has returned to music by preparing his third album. Singer Justin Timberlake is readying his new album "The 20/20 Experience" for release on March 19. The singer revealed the album art work and it's track list. Lead by the Jay Z assisted first single "Suit & Tie", the album includes ten tracks with production from Timbaland and Pharrell Williams. During an interview with Ryan Seacrest, Timberlake said his ideas more or less came from playing things for friends and asking their opinions. Recording of the album began secretly last summer. It should be a hit with fans. While preparing for a concert celebrating the 20th anniversary of So So Def Recordings, producer Jermaine Dupri stated during an interview that he and Usher would have to sit and talk about collaborating again in the future. Dupri worked on Usher's "Confessions" album and no doubt there would be an enormous amount of pressure on the two to follow it up. Sad news out of the world of music. Jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd, who was one of the most influential artist of the art form has died. He was 80. He began playing as a child and later went on the teach at Howard University, among others. The group The Blackbyrds, which included Howard students he taught went on the have such hits as "Happy Music" and "Walking In Rhythm". His legacy will live on. In theaters this weekend: "Identity Thief" and "Side Effects". On the tube: "Touch" on Fox, "The Job" on CBS, "Last Man Standing" on ABC and "Dateline NBC" on NBC. Make it a weekend!