Marvin Gaye - Got To Give It Up (Soul Train Appearance)

Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" Behind "Got to Give It Up"

The most popular song of 2013 was Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" a song about partying, sex, and drugs this has been the one of the largest hits of Robin Thicke's career next to "Lost Without You." I have been a fan of Robin Thicke since I was in middle school because that is when his first album dropped although it wasn't successful he eventually would achieve commercial success with the release of his sophomore album The Evolution of Robin Thicke, One thing I have noticed on every album Robin draws inspiration from artists like Prince, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. The first time I heard "Blurred Lines" I thought it was a new Marvin Gaye song or a sample from his mega hit "Got to Give It Up." I am going to play the Soul Train performance to the song and you will hear and see why Robin Thicke is getting sued by Marvin Gaye's family.

Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams, and Clifford Harris Jr. aka T.I. are going to court to secure their profits and ownership from the song "Blurred Lines" they claim that Marvin Gaye's family and Funkadelic's rights owner who have asserted that the song wasn't original.

Toni's Thoughts: I have been a fan of Robin Thicke, T.I. and Pharrell for years but right is right, and wrong is wrong with that being said they need to pay the royalties and the Gaye family deserves an apology. It does not take rocket scientists to know that this comes from Marvin Gaye and Robin has been using his style for years. I have a couple of questions. Why is Robin Thicke offering Marvin Gaye's family six figures? Why did they file the lawsuit first? The next post is Marvin Gaye's Soul Train performance of Got to Give It Up.

Let's Get It On...... 40 Years Later

On August 29, 1973 Marvin Gaye released his twelfth studio album Let's Get It On. He recorded the album from 1970-1973 in Detroit, Michigan and Los Angeles, California.  This would be the first time Marvin explored new territory from a musical stand point he ventured into funk and romance themes with sexual lyric content. The album included the timeless hits "Let's Get It On", " Come Get to This" and " You Sure Love to Ball." This was the most commercially successful album of Marvin's career and this ushered in creative control at Motown which is something Marvin fought for against CEO Berry Gordy Jr.

Inspiration Behind the Album: Marvin had been suffering from writer's block and was uncertain as to how he follow the successful 1971 album What's Going On and the 1972 Trouble Man soundtrack. At this point he was dealing with issues professionally with Berry Gordy and Motown, emotional issues in his marriage to Anna Gordy, and dealing with certain traumas from his childhood. Marvin learned how to cope with these issues by a newly found spirituality and he would use this inspiration to help him grow as an artist.


Marvin's Gaye views on Love & Sex Themes of the Album:  "I can't see anything wrong with sex between consenting anybodies. I think we make far too much of it. After all, one's genitals are just one important part of the magnificent human body ... I contend that SEX IS SEX and LOVE IS LOVE. When combined, they work well together, if two people are of about the same mind. But they are really two discrete needs and should be treated as such. Time and space will not permit me to expound further, especially in the area of the psyche. I don't believe in overly moralistic philosophies. Have your sex, it can be exciting, if you're lucky. I hope the music that I present here makes you lucky."

Toni's Thoughts: I love Marvin Gaye's music I can listen to any song he has recorded and fall in the love with lyrics, vocal skills, instruments, everything about his art touches my soul. My favorite Marvin Gaye albums are What's Going On, Let's Get It On,  I Want You and Here, My Dear.

Back in the Day When I Was Young

As I have said many times before I'm a 90's baby and I'm proud that I was born and raised in that decade. When music and television still reinforced positive messages singers could really sing, and actors could really act. As a little girl I have crushes on guys like Usher, Ginuwine, Tyrese, and Lee Thompson Young although from 1998-2002 I knew him as The Famous Jett Jackson. I am sad to say that he died today from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Lee Thompson Young was born on February 1, 1984 in Columbia, South Carolina at the age of ten he decided that he wanted to become an actor. In June of 1996 he moved to New York City a year later he auditioned for the role of The Famous Jett Jackson and the pilot was shot in 1998.  The show was a huge success he also starred in the film Johnny Tusnami. After The Famous Jett Jackson ended he made guest appearances CBS's The Guardian, he appeared in the film Friday Night Lights, Akeelah and the Bee, Redemption: The Tookie Williams Story, he also had a recurring role on the show Small Ville, UPN's drama South Beach. He was currently starring on the show Rizzoli & Isles.

Lee Thompson Young was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi and graduated with honors in Cinematic Arts from University of  Southern California. He was 29 years old may he rest in peace. I know we all die one day but it comes as a surprise because he was apart of my childhood. He was a handsome and talented actor with so much promise he will be missed.

50 Years of Whitney

Yesterday marked a milestone it would have been the 50th birthday of the late great Whitney Elizabeth Houston on August 9, 1963 she was born Newark, New Jersey we love you and miss you. She touched us with her mezzo soprano gift there will never be another Whitney.  I truly believe she is at peace now.

Saluting Mr. Julius Chambers

 

 

Civil Rights Attorney & Former Chancellor @ NCCU Julius Chambers has passed away. He made a significant impact on Civil Rights law served the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, opened the first racially integrated law firm in the South (1964), one ...his landmark civil rights cases was Swann v. the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education in 1971, which led to cross-town student bus transit that helped to integrate local schools. He was 76 years old. He will be missed.

Julius Chambers was born and raised in Montgomery County, North Carolina he grew up during the Jim Crow era. As a young boy he witnessed racial discrimination at his father's auto repair business was often a target for racial discrimination, a white man refused to pay his father for the services that were being provided, his father could not afford to sue the man because he did not have a lawyer. This event inspired Chambers to become a lawyer and fight for racial and civil rights.

Chambers gradated from high school in 1954, attended North Carolina Central University he was student body President, graduated summa cum laude with a degree in History. He attended graduate school from the University of Michigan with a degree in History in 1959. He enrolled at law school at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was the first African American editor-in-chief for the school's law review and graduated first in his class of 100. Chambers also became the university's first African American to gain membership in honor society Order of the Golden Fleece, he was also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. In 1964 he earned his  L.L.M from Columbia Law School. From 1963-1964 he served on the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in New York he was selected by Thurgood Marshall.

In June of 1964, he opened his own law firm which would eventually become the first integrated law firm in the South. Chambers and his fellow founding partners  James E. Ferguson II & Adam Stein, as well as lawyers from the LDF (Legal Defense Fund) were able to successfully argue cases against the US Supreme Court that would influence American civil rights law with landmark cases such as:  Swann v. Charlotte -Mecklenburg Board of Education ( 1971),  Griggs v. Duke Power Co. ( 1971),  and Albemarle  Paper Co. v. Mo0dy (1975).


Thank you for all of your hard work Mr. Chambers.

Let's Talk About Violence & Hypocrisy

"The country uses violence for it's justice, but then the country gets mad when we use violence for our justice."
Ice Cube (1992)
Discussing the LA Riots

"I ain’t draft-dodgin.’ I ain’t burnin’ no flag. And I ain’t runnin’ to Canada. I’m stayin’ right here.
You wanna send me to jail? Fine, you go right ahead. I’ve been in jail for 400 years. I can be there for 4 or 5 more.
But I ain’t goin’ no 10,000 miles to help murder and kill other poor people. If I wanna die, I’ll die right here, right now fightin’ you — if I wanna die.
You my enemy. Not no Chinese, no Viet Cong, no Japanese.
You my opposer — when I want freedom.
You my opposer — when I want justice.
You my opposer — when I want equality.
Want me to go to somewhere and I fight for you. You won’t even stand up for me right here in America for my rights and my religious beliefs. You won’t even stand up for me right here at home."
Muhammad Ali (1967)
Discussing the Vietnam War


Toni's Thoughts: I posted these quotes as Food for Thought and somehow I feel as though history is beginning to repeat itself.

Remembering Emmett Till.... Are We Going Back In Time?

Yesterday would have been the birthday of Emmett Till; well he would have been 72 years old if he was not brutally murdered in Mississippi. It is very disturbing that African American parents are once reliving the pain of their sons being murdered by racists White Men and Hispanic men. Last year two Florida teens were murdered Trayvon Martin and Jordan Davis. This summer Darius Simmons 13 year old boy was shot and killed outside of his Wisconsin home he was shot by his 76 year old neighbor John Henry Spooner, the man claimed he believed the boy was a robbery suspect. That was not the case he taking out the trash Spooner also attempted to shoot Darius's brother as he tried to pull his brother to safety. The point I am trying to make is it seems as though America is moving back in time and it seems as though certain people are trying to send a message. Emmett's death is what some people called the catalyst to the Civil Rights Movement his death sparked outrage and made the country realize the brutality of the American South and face the issue of race head on. Yet in 2013 people are surprised that race is still a factor.

ADE' Performance Saturday @ the Presidential Inaugural Ball

Been Waiting On It... Introducing Ade'

I love music and I love supporting artists with real talent and my boy Ade' is no exception although I know him as Elliott Nichols we met in elementary school and played on the basketball team together back in the day. I am so proud of Ade' because he is pursuing his dreams the first I heard him sing was back in high school we were seniors at the time. It was Derby Weekend 2009 we were at a fabulous Cocktail Themed Party so you know everyone was looking fresh and Ade' was no exception he sang Musiq Soul child's "Love" needless to say he gave me chills. He has a beautiful voice, handsome, and educated.

He is a diverse artist that writes and sings R&B, Neo-Soul, Rock-Blues, Pop, and Hip/Hop Soul. Today he has released a new mix tape check him out on ITunes & Reverb nation. His first mix tape was just a prequel because he will have fans especially female fans begging for more "The Elliot Nichols" Mix tape can be downloaded @
 http://www.reverbnation.com/ade'music my favorite song there is "Waiting" that mix tape was filled with club bangers. Ade's has already made major moves last summer he was the opening act for the legendary group New Edition and he sang at Howard University's Presidential Inaugural Ball he sang Sam Cooke's " A Change Is Gonna Come" if you know anything about Sam Cooke you know that song is amazing so captivating it makes you shed tears. Ade' sang with so much passion I know Sam Cooke would have been proud he sang this song with so much vulnerability.

Getting to Know Ade' From a Personal Perspective.... He was born and raised in Louisville, KY attended and graduated from Ballard High School, attend NKU ( Northern Kentucky University). He speaks three languages English, Greek, & French. Also he is a devout Christian.


Access Granted
adencre ( Twitter)
http://www.instagram/adencre
http://www.facebook.com/adencre


I'm going to post the video of him singing
"A Change Is Gonna Come" Sam Cooke
Be sure to download today  Ade' new mix tape  Me So Far

Gutting the VRA ( Voting Rights Act)

VRA Long Title: An act to enforce the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and for other purposes.

Enacted by: 89th United States Congress

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965. This act was a landmark piece of legislation in the United States that prohibits discrimination in voting.

Medgar Evers

Fifty years ago on June 12, 1963, Civil Rights activists Medgar Evers was gunned down in the driveway of his Mississippi  home. Evers fought to secure Blacks full access to voting, education, and equality. A year later following his death three young civil  right workers were lynched for registering voters during the famed Freedom Summer.  The deaths of Medger Evers, Andre Goodman, James Cheney, and Mickey Schwerner fueled the Civil Rights Movement to move forward. As the movements continued to gain momentum legislation was passed to affirms African American citizenship.

What has the Supreme Court done to affect this legacy in a negative way? The Supreme Court  struck down the pre-clearance formula ( Section 4) the Court effectively aborted the Section 5 requirement that certain jurisdictions gain federal approval before changing voting procedures. This does not mean that African Americans will not be able to vote, because their right to vote is protected and guaranteed by the Constitution's Fifteenth Amendment. Although without an affirmative right to vote states are free to adopt electoral plans that could compromise this access.


The Lone Star state also known as Texas has previously authorized a controversial set of plans previously blocked by the Department of Justice. Other states such as Georgia, Arizona, South Dakota, South Carolina, and Alabama have similar plans currently pending. This is a slap in the face because " Voter ID Laws" often disenfranchise the elderly, the poor, and people of color specifically Black and Brown. A strategy that will be used to enhance this process is redistricting; redistricting makes it difficult to elect Black candidates  and also places a limit on the number of polling places in highly populated urban areas.





Sources
Ebony Magazine Article: What Does the Supreme Court's Decision Mean for Blacks
Date: June 26, 2013
Author: Dr. Khalilah L. Brown, Associate Professor of Political Science @ Quinnipiac University where she writes about American Politics, Political Psychology, and punishment
Her Blog: kbdphd.blogspot.com

Watch Your Mouth

Last year Legendary Actor & Activist Harry Belafonte criticized Jay Z and Beyonce' in a nutshell he accused them of  social and political apathy.



What did he say? " I think one of the greatest abuses of this modern time is that we should have had such high-profile artists, powerful celebrities. But they have turned their back on social responsibility," he accused. "That goes for Jay-Z and Beyonce', for example. Give me Bruce Springsteen, and now you're talking. I really think he is black."  Harry Belafonte




What Did Jay-Z say? Recently Jay-Z responded to Mr. Belafonte's remarks on his the song "Nickles & Dimes" from his latest album.

"For Mr. Belafonte come and chop a nigga down
Respect these youngins boy, its my time now
Hublot homie two door homie
You don't know all the shit I do for the homies"

"Nickles & Dimes" Jay-Z





Toni's Thoughts: I understand why Mr. Belafonte would  be upset with this generation of African Americans a lot of my peers and associates have social, political, and racial apathy. We live in a society with less morals the wrong thing to do is not only embraced it is celebrated. Although I think he was being a little unfair Jay-Z and Beyonce' have done a lot of charity work away from the media. I just feel as though they have  not done everything in front of a camera they are very private about everything. Beyonce' handled Mr. Belafonte's remarks with class and respect she apologized promised to do more and had her team send him the work she has done thus far. As for her husband Jay-Z  I will say he was wrong to address Mr. Belafonte in the manner that he did. Jay-Z in his forties therefore he could have contacted Mr. Belafonte and sat down with him and had a personal conversation. You still have to respect your elders I understand why Jay-Z would be pissed off because its like if you don't know me or my personal affairs don't judge me but he should have handled this with more class Mr. Belafonte is in his 80's he should be addressed at "Sir" or "Mister."


Harry Belafonte is an activist and entertainer, from the entertainment aspect if wasn't for him people like Jay-Z and Beyonce' would not be here today. His work laid a foundation for them even though I don't  agree with everything Mr. Belafonte has said or done he deserves the up most respect at all times. I didn't think it was right for him to accuse them for not being black enough I mean back in the 1960s Malcolm X criticized Harry Belafonte and many other famous African Americans of the time for being sell outs. His argument was they wanted integration because they had white spouses and one of the people he was referring to was Mr. Belafonte so that is something to think about. I still love the "King of Calypso."

From Trayvon to Jordan

In the wake of Trayvon Martin case and the conclusion of the Zimmerman Trial another African American teenage martyr has lost his life in the state of Florida.


On November 23, 2012, another 17-year-old African American named Jordan Davis was shot to death following a verbal argument over loud music coming from Jordan's car, according to Jacksonville, FL authorities.



Michael Dunn, a white, 46-year-old software developer, has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Davis.

Dunn claimed he saw a gun in Jordan's car Dunn felt threatened and shot him at least 8 or 9 times killing Davis.

Dunn reportedly drove off and stopped to buy a slice of pizza. He claimed that he was unaware that his shots killed the young man.

What Has Happened So Far... Well one judge has removed herself from the case. Dunn has been charged with first-degree murder and three counts of attempted first-degree murder.

Jordan Davis's parents wait for answers and still hold onto hopes that there will be amendments made to Florida's "Stand Your Ground" Law, which allows citizens to use force in self-defense if they feel threatened. The same law that was examined in the Trayvon Martin case as well as the Zimmerman Trial.


Toni's Thoughts: I have been reading many blogs and news coverage and people are asking why hasn't this case got as much press as the Trayvon Martin case. It is not that people do not care, many people are just speaking about the case because his parents are reaching out to press. They have been grieving and building a bond with Trayvon's  parents. As an African American woman I can say this hurts  my heart I cried before I typed this blog post. This hits close to home I have a brother and many teenage cousins that are African American men that could be potential targets you never know. America does not want to deal with the race issue in the once upon a time it was blunt, then it became covert, but now its blunt all over again.

Zimmerman....Not Guilty

Shooting of  Death Trayvon Martin
Date: February 12, 2012
Location: The Retreat of Twin Lakes in Sanford, FL
Time: 7:00 PM
Shooter: George Zimmerman
Chargers: Second-Degree Murder
Death: Trayvon Martin
Verdict: Not Guilty

 

The jury in Florida has made its decision that has left our nation in shock many people are divided because of race, injustice, etc. My heart goes out to the dearly departed teenager Trayvon Benjamin Martin and his family sadly I had a feeling they would allow George Zimmerman to walk the streets again. But to be honest let's keep it real race is a factor because Zimmerman had a ill will and dislike for African Americans he was wrong for stalking, attacking, and killing an unarmed teenager. Florida is a beautiful place with corrupt legislation this is like Emmett Till and the Rodney King verdict all over again. The image below is something I have seen all over social networking sites. We live in a country where if you kill a dog will go to prison, yet an unarmed teenager is murdered and the killer is found not guilty.

If people decide to riot in Florida can we blame them although it won't solve anything and it won't bring Trayvon back. I think another thing that made people upset was the arrogance of Zimmerman, his family, and the attorney.

It's Like That.... The Real Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi was born as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as Mahatma Gandhi or Bagu, he was the leading figure in India's struggle to gain independence from its oppressor Great Britain. He was admire and loved for his nonviolent philosophy passive resistance. He began his activism as an immigrant in South Africa in the early 1900s.




While in South Africa Gandhi was fighting discrimination against his fellow Indians, but not the native Africans. He had a strong dislike for the native Africans. He often called them "Kaffirs" which was a local racial slur that would be equivalent to the N-word, Coon, Sambo, etc.

"A general belief seems to prevail in the colony that the Indians seems to prevail in the than the savages or natives of Africa. Even the children are taught to believe in that manner, with the result that the Indian is being dragged down to the position of a raw Kaffir."  
Mahatma Gandhi

Reference: The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, Government of India (CWMG) Vol 1, p.150


"Only a degree removed from the animal. Kaffir are as a rule uncivilized the convicts even more so. They are troublesome, very dirty and live almost like animals."    Mahatma Gandhi  

Reference: CWMG Vol VIII, pp. 135-136 March 7, 1908

Toni's Thoughts: I never really cared about Gandhi anyway and I wonder if Martin Luther King Jr., ever knew if this is how Gandhi felt about Black people or people of African descent. I say this because  Dr. King said he admired Gandhi and followed his philosophy. I believe that Gandhi was no different from the arrogant and greedy people of Great Britain that assumed that they were better than the native Africans of South Africa and took over their country and enforced discrimination as well as racial segregation. His comment about the natives is rude and stupid. It was their country they had the right to be there it was their home.

Black Belt Jones aka Jim Kelly

"Man you come straight out of a comic book." Jim Kelly ( Enter the Dragon 1973)

James M. Kelly  also known as Kim Kelly was born May 4, 1946 in Paris, KY he began his athletic career in high school a true natural athlete he competed in track & field, football, and basketball. He earned a football scholarship to University of Louisville, he left after his freshmen year and began studying Shorin-ryu Karate. He was also trained in Okinawa-te-Karate under the leadership of Shihan Gordon. In 1971 Jim Kelly won the Long Beach International Karate Championships he opened his own dojo and credited Gordon for making him a world class fighter. Jim Kelly taught Joe Lewis karate and trained actor Calvin Lockhart for the thriller film Melina; a film Kelly also starred in.

Jim's most notable films are: Enter the Dragon (1973),  Black Belt Jones (1974), Three the Hard Way (1974), Take a Ride ( 1975), and Black Samurai(1977) just to name a few.

Other Facts: He was married once and divorced, he was professional tennis player for the UTSA Senior Men's Circuit. In 2004 he appeared in the Le Bron James's Nike Commercial "Chamber of Fear," a spoof of the Bruce Lee film Game of Death.

Jim Kelly died on June 29, 2013 at the age of 67 I was not alive in the 70's and 80's but I have had the chance to watch his films he was really talented and very handsome. RIP you will be missed.

That Hot Ish... Born Sinner

[Verse 1: J. Cole]
Ey yo, I walked through the valley of the shadow of death
When niggas hold tec’s like they mad at the ref
That’s why I keep a cross on my chest, either that or a vest
Do you believe that Eve had Adam in check? And if so
You gotta expect that to sip juice from the forbidden fruit and get loose
Cole is the king, most definite
My little black book thicker than the old testament
Niggas pay for head but the pussy sold separate
Same bitch giving brains to the minister
The same reason they call Mr. Cee “the finisher”
Forbidden fruit, watch for the Adam’s apple
Slick with words don’t hate me, son
What you eat don’t make me shit and who you f-ck don’t make me come
Put a price on my head won’t make me run, try to kill me but it can’t be done
Cause my words gon’ live forever
You put two and two together Cole here forever

"Forbidden Fruit" J.Cole feat. Kendrick Lamar

"It was just time for something new. I wouldn't have minded doing it again but I felt that I closed that story. "That metaphor and that storyline had really ended. Metaphorically I was just a kid working to get on this basketball team, got cut — that was The Come Up, then The Warm Up was like, alright I made the team, I'm on the team, now what? I'm not in the game, I'll just ride the end of the bench. Then Friday Night Lights was like 'come on man, you're still not gonna put me in the game? What I gotta do? Here, I'm gonna kill it in practice.Sideline Story was like, Wow, I really am starting now, and I feel like I ended that chapter when it's all said and done. Plus, this new theme is really more reflective of where I'm at and where I've been at for the past two years, so it was just perfect to move on." J. Cole

Track List

1.	"Villuminati"

2. "Kerney Sermon (Skit)"  
3. "LAnd of the Snakes"
4. "Power Trip." feat Miguel
5. "Mo Money (Interlude)"
6.  "Trouble"
7. "Runaway"
8.  "She Knows ( Amber Coffman)"
9. "Rich Niggaz"
10. "Where's Jermaine ( Skit)"
11. "Forbidden Fruit"
12. "Chaining Day"
13. "Ain't that Some Shit" (Interlude)
14. "Crooked Smile" feat. TLC
15. "Let Nas Down"
16. "Born Sinner" feat. Faunterloy

Toni's Thoughts: I love Kanye West but J. Cole was on to something when he wanted to release his album the same day as Kanye. I will purchase the album later this week he is really onto something. When you think about it we are all "Born Sinners" the concept is very creative and the lyrical content is strong. I love it.

The One That Started It All..... Dangerously In Love

Ten years ago this summer there was a song burning up the airwaves "Crazy In Love" I remember it like it was yesterday because I was in middle school. Beyoncé's first solo album was released and became a monster hit her record label said she would not have one hit from the album. Well instead she has five #1 hits she brought down the house at every award show,  she set trends,  and she set standards. Even though I was 11 almost 12 at the time the album was a wonderful piece of Contemporary R&B.  I was young but I was able to understand the lyrics and arrangements because I was writing songs and had my first puppy love at this time.I understand that one must evolve and reinvent themselves but I really want Beyoncé' to return to this genre of music. I'm still a fan but in my opinion this album and B'Day were her best pieces of work. The lyrical content was intimate and alluded to her relationship with Jay-Z who was her boyfriend at the time; I mean with songs like "Speechless" and "Gift From Virgo" you know who she is talking about.

Hit Singles: " Crazy In Love," "Naughty Girl," "Baby Boy,"  "The Closer I Get to You," and "Me, Myself, and I."

Grammy Awards: She earned 5 Grammy Awards for this album and she did an amazing performance with Prince that night.

Oh Paula

I know that is Black Music Month but I felt as though I would share my thoughts on this whole Paula Deen scandal. Here is the thing I do not believe Paula Deen should have admitted to using the infamous "N-word" and other racial slurs but then again at least she was honest. Paula Deen is an elderly white woman from Albany, GA why in the hell are people so surprised. I use profanity but I do not use the "N-word" and I think that is foolish that many people use the word especially my fellow African Americans say the word and then get mad when people use the term against them. Another thing for all of the Black people that say they like her recipes you should because they come from your ancestors kitchen.  You damn well her family owned slaves wake up. Like Paul Mooney said " During slavery these folks couldn't boil but now they got all these cooking shows. "Paula Deen is no different and she also admitted that she wanted her sons "Southern Plantation Style Wedding" to have all the Black people be servants. Yes this  is racist, but I'm not mad because she is a product of the Deep South. My advice to her is to retire or try to write books she has  enough money to sit down and live out her golden years. I guess sometimes honesty isn't the policy.

The Grandfathers of Rock N Roll

Little Richard

When you the term Rock N Roll what do you think of? The Beach Boys or The Rolling Stones.
Rock N Roll is an art form of music created by African Americans this genre of music was stolen from African American musicians with white musicians and singers such Pat Boone, Elvis Presley, singing the music of Little Richard and Chuck Berry without their permission. Pat Boone stole Little Richard's music and Elvis Presley used to attend Black clubs in the South and steal the singing and dancing styles of Black people and took it to the mainstream. He would often steal the performing style of Jackie Wilson known as "Mr. Excitement." He even had the nerve to call Jackie Wilson "The Black Elvis."

"It started out as rhythm and blues. There wasn't nobody playing it at the time but Black people myself, Fats Domino, and Chuck Perry. White kids started playing more attention to this music, white girls were going over to this music, they needed somebody to come in there like Elvis."

Chuck Berry

African American recording artists that wanted to sing and perform Rock N Roll instead of Doo-Wop, Soul, Funk, Pop, and Disco music have faced a hard time gaining support from the recording industry, this industry is bittersweet the marketing style tends to pigeon hole black and white artists but especially Black artists. Most people do not know that The Rolling Stones got their name from an old Muddy Waters song and borrowed a lot of their swagger from Black artists; although I respect The Rolling Stones because they admitted it. Many African Americans that want to embrace and perform rock music are met with dislike and hostility.

"When I was shopping my tapes around in my late teens, record companies would automatically send me to the guy in the black division, they would listen and say, "We hear your talent, but you really can't make this music." Lenny Kravitz


Toni's Thoughts: I really like rock music my favorite Rock artists of my generation is Lenny Kravitz as well as Prince because Prince gets down on that guitar. More people need to know that African Americans created this genre of  music. Just trying to keep you informed.

Hip Hop What Happened to You?

“The people in control of Hip Hop are so f___ing white and so f___ing Jewish, they don’t give a f__ about what the culture is about. I want to make this as offensive as possible for the old ass punks who are running the record labels…and dictate what the black community hears. I hate that s__t it pisses me off. There no f___ing way you can tell me it’s not a conspiracy. You put out a bunch of records that make us look dumb and stupid. You brainwash a generation of Hip Hoppers with this f__ing crud. Hip hop is white now.”

May 7, 2013 Scarface

Hip Hop has been stolen like Rock N Roll

 

I will be writing a post about Hip Hop at another time this month but for what it is worth I agree with Scarface's comment. Today J. Cole and Kanye West dropped their new albums. I love Yeezy but I feel J. Cole will get the critical acclaim he deserves for this new album Born Sinner this album is a Grammy winner.

Jazzin It Up

"Jazz is restless. It won't stay put and it never will." J.J. Johnson

Jazz music is a genre of music created by African Americans in the Southern region of the United States. Restrictions along with the lack of opportunities due to segregation made Blacks find another avenue for employment, which was entertainment. African American musicians were able to provide what was considered "low class" entertainment through  minstrel shows, dance, vaudeville most of their audiences in bars, clubs, and brothels. The genre known as ragtime was the predecessor to Jazz and appeared as sheet music African Americans made this genre popular. Scott Joplin would become known as the "King of Ragtime."

 

Down to the Bayou....New Orleans
The brothels and bars n the red-light district around Basin Street also known to New Orleans's natives as "Story Ville," this neighborhood was significant to the early days of New Orleans jazz. Marching bands and dance band instruments would become the basic instruments of jazz.

These instruments include brass and reeds used  by the European 12-tone scale and drums small bands mixing self-taught and well educated African Americans, most of them performed in the lavish funeral-procession role in the development of early jazz, traveling throughout Black communities in the Deep South and, from 1914 on Afro-Creole and African American musicians that performed in vaudeville exposed jazz music to Western and Northern regions of the United States. Jazz has created many sub genres within the genre and Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong are jazz music favorites.