Women's History Throwback Jam: "Natural Woman" - Aretha Franklin

 

We will never classify Aretha Franklin as anything less than the greatest singer of the 20th Century. Her voice transcends genre and set the bar for vocal performances.

Without Aretha... there would be no: Whitney, Chaka, Anita, Luther, Toni, Beyonce, Mary J., Faith, Kelly, Fantasia, Jennifer... and so on.

Her magical performance of legendary songwriters Gerry Goffin and Carole King's "(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman" has to be one of the most classic songs of the 20th Century.

The 1967 production, from the Lady Soul album, is one of Aretha's best know signature songs next to "RESPECT", "Never Loved A Man" and "Chain Of Fools".



Since '67, it has been boldly recorded by both Celine Dion and Mary J. Blige. The versions do not compare to the original, but are great attempts by two fabulous singers.

However, Whitney Houston's live performance of "Natural Woman" from The Bodyguard Tour is still renowned as the next best to the original. Seems fitting, seeing that her mother, Cissy Houston, arranged the background vocals on the track. Whitney is also Aretha's goddaughter.

Nonetheless, Aretha is an amazing vocal powerhouse and has unequivocally earned the title of "Queen of Soul".

Check out this live performance of "Natural Woman":

Twenty-First Century New Negro Spirituals: "Hold On, Help Is On The Way"

From the first words.... "take the shackles off my feet so i can dance... i just want to praise you" - we know that the Negro Spiritual is alive and well... still.

In the seventeenth century, African slaves knew how to pass time working in the cotton and tobacco fields of the southern states. The Negro spiritual grew out of a quiet resistance to colonial oppression.

The African slave community was collectively responsible on the plantation: feeding the large group chiltlins and grits, celebrating new life and death, stealing away to freedom, and maintaining a cohesive spiritual wholeness.

And the Negro Spiritual (and dialect) was there along for the ride. “Go Down Moses”, “Ezekiel Saw De Wheel”, “Ev’ry Time I Feel The Spirit”, “I’ve Been In The Storm Too Long” are all songs which had healing and sustaining powers for Africans trapped in the fields.

Now in the twenty-first century, we freed-slaves look to our new spirituals to guide us over into the Promised Land. We are still living amongst a power structure which is still disproportionately unequal in terms of accessing services, wealth and power on a large scale.

Total Praise - Richard Smallwood (Performed brilliantly by Fantasia)

Never Would Have Made It - Marvin Sapp

Hold On, Help Is On The Way -Whitney Houston

Speak To My Heart by Donnie McClurkin (performed by Faith Evans)

 

His Mercy Endureth Forever - Richard Smallwood (performed by Karen Clark Sheard & Dennis Sawyard)

Open Up My Heart -Yolanda Adams (gospel's leading lady)

I Need You To Survive - Hezekiah Walker (Performed by Juanita Bynum)

Melodies From Heaven - Kirk Franklin & The Family

Shackles (Praise You) - Mary Mary

These New Spirituals are songs which can be sung at any occasion and represent the ones we would turn to with no music, no direction… much like the spiritual “We Shall Overcome” in the 1960s.

Hopefully, this newest generation will continue the legacy of spirituals to guide us closer to the nationalism which sees Black people utilize their strengths to support and sustain a community of viable collective responsibility.

His Mercy Endureth Forever!

Women's History Month: Top 5 Feminist Anthems of the 2000's

#1 - Independent Women - Destiny's Child (2000)

#2 - Video - India.Arie (2001)

#3 - Can't Hold Us Down - Christina Aguilera feat. Lil' Kim (2003)

#4 - Good Woman Down - Mary J. Blige (2005)

#5 - Superwoman - Alicia Keys (2008)

*Bonus - If I Were A Boy & Single Ladies - Beyonce (2008)

Should We Wear Green On St. Patrick's Day?

We have often wondered why there are seemingly meaningless holiday's in America and around the world. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a must. Memorial Day is a must. Easter....must.

But, St. Patrick's Day?

America has a pseudo-diverse approach to programming.

We've decided to  once again capitalize off of colors and symbols where everyone wears green and shamrock necklaces. And only recently (1700s) did the actual holiday color turn from blue to green.... based on an ARMY tradition... not because it was St. Patrick's favorite color or the color of the shamrock.

And if anyone pinches us today... we'll have to defend ourselves physically!

What about leprechauns? Why? Why? Why must we continue to embarrass Ireland by allowing the leprechaun to be their national image?

The image of St. Patrick's Day only reinforces two very wrong messages:
1) Irish are drunk leprechauns, and 2) we celebrate diversity.

Truth be told, we do NOT celebrate diversity... we make excuses to satisfy our ignorance pertaining to other nationalities and cultures. St. Patrick is a "saint" in Ireland who died AD-461 after a life of helping to strip peoples of their religious identites by imposing Catholicism on them.

If we wanted to simply celebrate Ireland... then why is it the norm to drink excessive amounts of alcohol until speech is slurred? And when will we actually learn somthing about Ireland in advertisements and classroom programs for St. Patty's Day?

Once again, American advertising has commodified an entire culture by bastardizing their traditions and painting them in a way that "makes us happy". Ireland is one of the most beautiful places in the WORLD with one of the greatest groups of people living.

It would make sense that Ireland has been celebrating the holiday since the 1600's, but the also fully understand their culture... given how much it is taught in their grade schools. American grade schools do not meet the mark.

And... is it okay for us to wear green if we have NO CLUE what the un-holiday stands for? We think not.

So, you will not see us wearing green today....we wore it yesterday on accident.

5 Reasons Why Janet Jackson Is The Greatest Pop Star Ever

#1 - The Concert

We've seen many of the greatest artists on stage including Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, P. Diddy and so many more exhilarating concerts over the years. We figured that after seeing Beyonce hit the stage in 2007 for her three-hour set that we had seen the best. It wasn't until we were sitting in boxed seats near Jermaine Dupri and Bow Wow watching the final Janet Jackson Tour that we realized she is the greatest performer on stage.

Every single one of her tours has set unmatched records, selling out major arenas everywhere! No one on earth performs with as much presence and sheer energy.

Watch this clip from The Velvet Rope Tour:

 

#2 - The Velvet Rope

If Thriller is Michael Jackson's career defining piece, then  The Velvet Rope is that and so much more for Janet.

DON'T ACT LIKE EVERYONE YOU KNEW DIDN'T HAVE THIS CD IN THEIR CAR ALL THE TIME!

Rope could arguably be the greatest R&B album of all time, spawning a slough of classic jams: "Go Deep", "I Get So Lonely", "Together Again", "Ropeburn", "Got Til' It's Gone", and the most beautiful on the record "Everytime".

The Velvet Rope redefined R&B by accomplishing what so many pop singers in the 1990s hoped to attain.... authentic soul. Each of the songs combines brilliantly to produce a body of work that has been matched by few and trumped by none.

If ever an album represented 1990s Soul, The Velvet Rope is it....

Watch this clip of "Everytime":

 

#3 - The Video

Janet's videos have always been thought provoking and forward thinking. She was awarded the first MTV Icon award and completely defined what videos looked like in the 1990s, carrying the tourch that was lit by Michael in the 80s.

Our favorites: "Alright", "Rythm Nation", "If", "Together Again", "Runaway", "All For You", "Scream", "What's It Gonna Be", "Call On Me", and "Make Me".

Watch this clip of "If":

#4 - The Dance

If one thing is clear.... No One.... No One.... Dances like Janet.

Her moves were actually given a kickstart from major 80s icon Paula Abdul... who choreographed many of Janet's early videos and taught her fundamentals of dance performance.

Watch this clip of Paula teaching Janet in the 80s:

 

Each of her tours, videos, and performances feature dance routines which are still borrowed from even today. Aaliyah, Beyonce, Mya, Britney, Ciara, and Rihanna have all channeled Janet's performance essence in their dance routines.

Some of the most memorable routines are: "Pleasure Principle", "If", "Alright", "When I Think Of You", "Miss You Much", "All For You", and "Feedback" among so many.


Watch "When I Think Of You" feat. Paula Abdul:

#5 - The Message

Overall, Janet's greatest contribution to Pop Music is that she sucessfully made message music mainstream. If it wasn't self empowerment in "Control", racism/sexism in "Rhythm Nation", domestic violence in "What About", it was grief and living through pain in "Together Again".

Watch one of our favorite songs ever "Together Again":

Janet has given us so much music... far more #1 hits than most artists including her brother Michael. She revolutionized and defined pop music and continues to be The Greatest Pop Star Ever.


Look for Janet in the upcoming film "Why Did I Get Married Too" released on April 23, 2010!

Donnie Come Back!

This morning... we are missing R&B singer Donnie.

We need him to release another album sooner than later! His last album The Daily News and our favorite album of all time The Colored Section have been instrumental in creating a sense of self-pride.

We have overcome so many obstacles listening to "You've Got A Friend", "Cloud 9", "Turn Around", "If I Were You", "Do You Know", and "911". He needs to come back NOW!

To find out more about Donnie... check outDonnie on Myspace

Check out some of our favorite cuts from Donnie:

"911"

"Cloud Nine"

Throwback Gospel Song: Ride On King Jesus

This morning, we are missing those old standards that we used to hear growing up at Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church in Salinas, CA. "Ride On King Jesus" is our absolute favorite gospel song.

It helms from the plantation as one of the original Negro Spirituals. It can often be heard early on Resurrection Sunday morning in Black churches around the world.

We haven't heard songs like this sung in church since we were younger. Hopefully churches will start to ressurect "Take Me To The Water", "Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit", "Goin Up Yonder", "Be Grateful" and other gospel classics.

For now, enjoy our favorite performance of "Ride On King Jesus" by the Apostolic Tabernacle Mass Choir:

Ride on King Jesus
No man can-a-hinder me
Ride on King Jesus
Ride on
No man can-a-hinder me
No man can-a-hinder me
In that great getting up morning
Fair thee well, fair thee well
In that great getting up morning
Fair thee well, fair thee well
Ride on King Jesus...

New Video: Monica - Everything To Me

Anyone who knows us, knows that one thing is true: we KNOW R&B like no other. We can unequivocally attest to the fact that this is the best R&B of the year.

Monica is simply classic and the video to Everything To Me is intriguing. It is very reminiscent of the film Obsessed starring Beyonce Knowles and Idris Elba. Nonetheless, Monica is back... and we're so glad that she is!

Enjoy the video:

5 Reasons We Love Chipotle Mexican Grill: Food With Integrity

FOOD WITH INTEGRITY

Many people gripe about unauthentic cultural cuisine... and we usually do too. But we can no longer help but give a special shout-out to the only fast food restaurant that makes us feel happy each and every time.

Chipotle creator Steve Ells recently appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show to discuss how his vision of a restaraunt is completely revolutionizing the way we eat fast food. We decided to pinpoint the 5 most intriguing reasons that Chipotle is the food God.

When we were a Chipotle Virgin, we didn't understand how healthy and tasty Mexican food could be. We were so used to intestine-killing Taco Bell, El Pollo Loco and Jack N The Box Tacos.

Although we grew up in the City of Salinas which houses some of the most authentic Taquerias around, we needed a quick fix in Los Angeles. Chipotle Mexican Grill appeared one day across the street from our univeristy and our lives were never the same.

#1 - All Animals Are Farm Raised

All of Chipotle's chicken and pork are naturally raised – defined by the company as open-range, antibiotic free, and with a vegetarian diet – as well as 65% of the beef. Chipotle advertises its support of family farms, such as Niman Ranch, a California "natural" meat producer that contracts with farms in the Midwest to raise pork and other livestock.

#2 - Vegan Options

Vegans can definitely get full eating those delicious black beans, succulent rice, grilled peppers/onions, corn, fresh tomatoes, lettuce and guacamole. Our absolute favorite meal on top of a soft taco shell.

#3 - Guacamole Never Tasted Better

We can honestly say that this is the best guacamole from a food chain. The consistency is perfection!

#4 - They Support Local Farmers Markets

The company pledges to use more local produce when possible, using "35 percent of at least one of its produce items for every restaurant sourced from small and midsize local farms throughout the growing season."

#5 - Fresh Goes Better

There is no canned, preserved or frozen food on the assembly line. At times, the corn is frozen, but all other veggies and meats are fresh sliced, diced and grilled. This means we're eating more natural, freshness.

Check out this clip from Food Inc, which includes Chipotle:

Cab Calloway: No One On The Corner Has Swagger Like Us!

We recently watched classic Black early Hollywood film, Stormy Weather (MGM, 1943). Once again, we were captivated by the one and only Cab Calloway. His swagger rivals that of any performer since his iconic performance of Minnie The Moocher.

The zoot suit, the baton, the derby, THE MAN! Cab was one of the coolest brothas on the circuit.

He was a protege of the legendary Louis Armstrong...who taught him how to scat up and down the scales, a trait which would make Calloway famous. In the 1930s, The Cab Calloway Orchestra had a co-hosted night with The Duke Ellington Orchestra at The Cotton Club in New York.

Interestingly enough, Cab's appearances in many short films saw him "moonwalking" decades before Michael would do it. Cab also performed the music to the classic Betty Boop cartoons as well as voicing some characters.

Cab was also a linguist, producing a book entitled The New Cab Calloway's Hepsters Dictionary: Language of Jive. The book offered dialectic help to those who didn't understand some of the terminology associated with jazz.

After performing a 1950s run of Porgy & Bess, and a 1967 run of Hello Dolly! on Broadway, Cab took a break from show business glitz and glamor.

We still remember seeing him perform Minnie The Moocher for the film The Blues Brothers (1980). Performances of this caliber are the very reason that Black entertainers have been recognized as trend-setting players in the arts.

 Our final memory of Cab was him strutting in one of our favorite Janet Jackson videos, Alright (Rythm Nation, 1990), which was a dedication to Mr. Calloway by the leading female entertainer in the world.

God bless the memory of such a legendary man. May we forever sing "Hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-ho!"

Watch some videos of Cab below:

Minnie The Moocher

Betty Boop

Alright (Janet Jackson)

Women's History Month: Top 5 Feminist Anthems of the 1990s

#1 - I'm Every Woman - Whitney Houston

#2 - You Oughta Know - Alanis Morissette

#3 - Man! I Feel Like A Woman -Shania Twain

#4 - U.N.I.T.Y. - Queen Latifah

#5 - Just A Girl - No Doubt

Reflecting on the Magic of Michael Jackson: Have You Seen My Childhood

So.... we're simply missing Michael today...

Whenever we think of Michael, the man, we immediately revert to his classic "Have You Seen My Childhood". The song is easily the most beautiful of his entire musical catalog - rivaling "I Just Can't Stop Loving You", "You Are Not Along", "Human Nature, and "Liberian Girl".

This is by far his most personal song with the biggest reflection of his perception of how the world viewed him outside of his musical genius. And then we ran across these drawings by Michael himself.... and it all came together.

The lyrics in the song are heartbreaking and straight-forward "people say I'm not okay, because I love such elementary things...". Michael was crying out for someone... anyone to understand his interior workings.

We have always been a huge fan of the MAN. The LEGEND. The GENIUS. Our thoughts of Michael prompted us to share this song and video with you. Enjoy the magic of Michael.

"Before you judge me, try hard to love me."

Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for the world that I come from
'Cause I've been looking around
In the lost and found of my heart...
No one understands me
They view it as such strange eccentricities...
'Cause I keep kidding around
Like a child, but pardon me...

People say I'm not okay
'Cause I love such elementary things...
It's been my fate to compensate,
for the Childhood
I've never known...

Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for that wonder in my youth
Like pirates in adventurous dreams,
Of conquest and kings on the throne...

Before you judge me, try hard to love me,
Look within your heart then ask,
Have you seen my Childhood?

People say I'm strange that way
'Cause I love such elementary things,
It's been my fate to compensate,
for the Childhood I've never known...

Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for that wonder in my youth
Like fantastical stories to share
The dreams I would dare, watch me fly...

Before you judge me, try hard to love me.
The painful youth I've had

Have you seen my Childhood...

5 Reasons We Love Diana Ross

No performer in the music industry has transformed traditional soul music into a global pop phenomenon the way that Diana Ross did in the 1960s and 1970s. Her immersion in Motown's coveted Soul Sound inspired generations of singers to come including: Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Rihanna among many.

These 5 "Reasons" stand as a testament to the validity of Diana Ross' unique ability to turn what some would call a mediocre voice into one of the most classic in the history of recorded sound.

 #1  - Lady Sings The Blues (film and album): One of the finest soundtracks ever created. It reestablished Diana as a viable Jazz singer with a triumphant approach to old standards. The film garnered her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. 

#2 - The Glamor: Whitney Houston has often cited Diana as the most glamorous of the Soul Tradition. She set the bar for female entertainers with her class, poise and brilliant delivery of her wardrobe.

#3 - The Supremes: Still recognized as the most successful female group of ALL time trumping Destiny's Child, TLC, En Vogue and SWV. If it had not been for Diana Ross and The Supremes, perhaps the concept of the female group would have died with the Motown Era. They still have a record 17 #1 hits on the Billboard Charts and can be heard singing our favorites "Come See About Me", "I Hear A Symphony", "Remember Me", "Where Did Our Love Go", and "You Can't Hurry Love" daily on the airwaves.

#4 - The Collaboration: The many collaborations that Diana had with Marvin Gaye were magic. Although Tammi Terrell had classic duets with Marvin, Diana solidified just how perfectly a man's soulful voice can merge with a woman's. See: "My Mistake" and "You Are Everything". But our favorite Diana collaboration is with Motown hitmakers - The Temptations. "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" is still one of the most classic records from the 70's Soul Era.

#5 - "Do You Know Where You're Going To" Theme From Mahogany: This could be considered one of the greatest songs ever created. The vocals on this song are unmatched and solidify Diana as a genius musician who's career could rival Aretha, Chaka, Gladys and Tina purely on the quiet delivery which has made her a National Phenomenon.