Podcasts about best rap performance

Mix engineer and recording engineer Jayda Love, along with Dolby Atmos® mix engineer Juan Razuri, join guest host Ben Givarz to discuss their work on Doechii's Grammy®-winning mixtape, “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” which took home Best Rap Album at the 2025 GRAMMY Awards® and earned nominations for Best Rap Performance and Best New Artist. In this episode, Jayda and Juan break down their creative process — from initial recording sessions in Los Angeles to the immersive final mixes in Dolby Atmos.“A lot of the vocal production stuff — as a recording engineer — I'll help with layering and blending. That's a big thing for her. But a lot of the time, in terms of volume and placement and stuff, she's very hands-on. She'll be like, ‘I need those higher.' And naturally, as an engineer, ‘I'm like, these are a little too loud.' But then I'll finally get an ear break or hear it take a step back and I'm like, ‘oh, she's very particular about this stuff, especially the presence of her voice.' And so I can definitely credit a lot of that to her.”—Jayda Love, Mix Engineer, “Alligator Bites Never Heal” by DoechiiStay connected!- You can listen to Doechii's “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” as well as many other classic and contemporary artists in Dolby Atmos, on enabled streaming services.- Follow Doechii on Instagram- Follow mix engineers Jayda Love and Juan Razuri on Instagram- Follow Top Dawg Entertainment on InstagramInterested in creating content in Dolby Atmos? Check out our FREE resources to give you a jump start!- Dolby Atmos Music Accelerator: https://www.dolby.com/creator-lab/music-accelerator/- Dolby Atmos Essentials Course: https://learning.dolby.com/- Dolby Atmos Music Support: https://professional.dolby.com/music/Professional-resources/Please subscribe to Dolby Creator Talks wherever you get your podcasts.You can also check out the video for this episode on YouTube.Learn more about the Dolby Creator Lab and check out Dolby.com. Connect with Dolby on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

Grammy Award, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ~My Tribute Chris Jasper. I am a Major Fan of this Award-Winning Talented Vocalist, Musician, Family Man, Man of Faith!Rest on Power!Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, CHRIS JASPER, an integral member of THE ISLEY BROTHERS during the 1970s and 1980s—their gold and platinum years—from the 3+3 (1973) to Between the Sheets (1983) albums. These were the years when THE ISLEY BROTHERS were a self-produced, self-contained group. If you are familiar with THE ISLEY BROTHERS, then you have heard the music of CHRIS JASPER, who was primarily responsible for writing and producing all of THE ISLEY BROTHERS music during this time, including such beautiful love songs as “For The Love of You” and “Between the Sheets” and uptempo funk such as “Fight the Power.” His arrangements and instrumentation as a classically-trained musician, and his expertise on the keyboards and synthesizers, are the foundation of the legendary “Isley Brothers Sound.”Re-recorded elements of "That Lady" are incorporated in "i", the lead single of Kendrick Lamar's 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly. The song won the awards for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song at the 2015 Grammy Awards.Marvin and Ernie Isley joined CHRIS and formed ISLEY-JASPER-ISLEY. Without this crucial musical component, They were no longer a self-produced, self-contained group. BUT they topped the charts with Chris singing lead vocals on “Caravan of Love” (1985)  It was also used in commercials as part of a Dodge Caravan advertising campaign. He was also awarded a CEBA Award For Excellence for a Miller Brewing Company commercial. His music has also been used in radio and television commercials,  He continues to write songs and produce his own R&B/Gospel music (www.goldcitymusic.com).His music has been covered and sampled by hundreds of new and established recording artists, including Whitney Houston, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Fantasia, Will Smith, Alliyah, Queen Latifah, Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, Natalie Cole, and the list goes on and on. In 1992, CHRIS along with the other members of THE ISLEY BROTHERS, was inducted into the ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME.Chris studied music composition at the Juilliard School of Music & received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in music composition from C.W. Post College in New York, where he studied under noted jazz pianist and composer, Dr. Billy Taylor. He received a J.D. degree from Concord University School of Law.Chris formed his own record label, Gold City Records, and released two albums as a CBS-associated label. His debut single as a solo artist, “Superbad” reached #1 on the R&B charts & has worked with such notable artists as Chaka Khan, writing and producing a song for her CK album (“Make It Last”).In 2016, Chris was awarded the National R&B Society Lifetime Achievement Award, Songwriters Hall of Fame. He's received numerous ASCAP awards.. Chris lives in New York with his wife of 50 years, Margie, and his three sons, Christopher, Nicholas and Michael. - chrisjasper.com© 2025 Building Abundant Success!!2025 All Rights ReservedJoin Me on ~ iHeart Media @ https://tinyurl.com/iHeartBASSpot Me on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/yxuy23baAudacy:  https://tinyurl.com/BASAud

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/AnalyticIn this segment of Notorious Mass Effect, Analytic Dreamz unpacks the extraordinary journey of Doechii, born Jaylah Ji'mya Hickmon in Tampa, Florida, who has rapidly ascended from viral fame with "Yucky Blucky Fruitcake" to becoming a Grammy winner in 2025. Doechii's groundbreaking win for Best Rap Album with "Alligator Bites Never Heal" marks her as only the third woman to achieve this accolade, following Lauryn Hill and Cardi B. Her first Grammy nominations in 2025 included Best New Artist and Best Rap Performance, underscoring her rapid rise in the music industry. Her hit "Denial Is a River," released on January 2, 2025, explores deep themes of betrayal and self-discovery, resonating with audiences and sparking conversations about mental health in music. This track not only debuted at #65 on the Billboard Hot 100 but also experienced a significant streaming surge post-Grammy performance, peaking at #25. Doechii's Grammy performance was a highlight, transitioning from "Catfish" to "Denial Is a River" with a visually and musically compelling act alongside DJ Miss Milan. The performance's impact was evident in the immediate boost in sales and streams, particularly following her appearance in the Best New Artist medley. With "Alligator Bites Never Heal," Doechii has not just won a Grammy but has also proven her unique blend of hip-hop, R&B, and pop, establishing her as a pivotal figure in contemporary music.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/analytic-dreamz-notorious-mass-effect/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Angel Reese paid off her mom's mortgage so she can retire for her Birthday. Kanye West's wife Bianca Censori really pulled up to the Grammys in her birthday suit LeBron told this fan to look more presentable Had him take his hoodie and headphones off I'm on episode 3 of Harlem and it's p**sing me off. Like, why is Camille pregnant with this man's child? Why does she think keeping it is a good idea? Why is Ian planning another pregnancy with his new girl?? Beyoncé just announced The Cowboy Carter Tour!! LiAngelo Ball Claims He Raps "Colder" Than Cam'ron Amidst Feuds A whole bunch of Black women educators created Hillman Tok University on TikTok, and they are teaching whole courses. Rico Recklezz revealed that he had been shooting his shot in Summer Walker's DMs for 8 years straight before she finally gave him a chance, only pausing when he kept going to jail!! Kendrick Lamar wins Best Music Video for "Not Like Us" at the Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" wins Best Rap Performance at the "Saturn" by SZA wins best R&B song at the 11:11 (Deluxe) by Chris Brown wins the Grammy for Best R&B album Best R&B Performance Winner: Made for Me (Live On BET) by Muni Long Larry June, 2 Chainz and the Alchemist join forces on the first single for their collab album, and it makes good on its potential. Massive anti-illegal immigrant deportation protests have broken out across several cities in the USA. Rod Wave has been cancelling shows left and right, and now the rapper is letting fans in on why with a lengthy Instagram rant. Latto & Playboi Carti - "Blick Sum (Remix)"Netflix's W.A.G.s to Riches reached a boiling point in its third episode as social media influencer YesJulz and former agent Kenea Danair, Papoose made sure his new girlfriend Clareesa Shield's timberlands were tired right before her weigh-in. Kevin Durant responds to a fan with a reference to Latto's song "Brokey" Two women are suing Top Dawg Entertainment and several of its employees and executives for alleged sexual harassment and assault. Kanye West posts apology to Kamala Harris after saying he wanted to sleep with her The Dallas Mavericks are trading Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick Deiondra Sanders Drops THIS Response After Being Questioned About Her Absence from Jacquees & Dej Loaf's Pics A man arrived at a Popeyes in Philadelphia at 10 AM for their Don Julio collaboration, and almost everyone in there was drinking Don Julio with their chicken sandwich and chicken A Small Plane Crashed in Northeast Philadelphia, Causing an Explosion, Fires, and Multiple casualties. Will Smith To Present at the Grammys, His First Major Awards Show Appearance Since the Chris Rock Slap Juelz Santana recently voiced strong opinions on drug-related crimes, calling for harsher penalties for those who lace drugs with fentanyl YFN Lucci embraced his kids, family, and friends for the first time in years as a free man Lizzo has revealed that she's reached a new weight loss goal and that this is the lightest she's been since 2014.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/AnalyticIn this segment of Notorious Mass Effect, host Analytic Dreamz delves into Kendrick Lamar's remarkable achievements at the 2025 Grammy Awards. Lamar clinched five awards for his track "Not Like Us," including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video, bringing his career total to 22 Grammy Awards, tying him with U2 and Vince Gill. His track also became only the second hip-hop song to win both Record and Song of the Year, following Childish Gambino's "This Is America." Analytic Dreamz explores the implications of these wins, discussing Lamar's upcoming Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in New Orleans with expected setlist predictions, from the certainties like "Not Like Us" to the less likely "Euphoria." The segment also covers the ongoing feud with Drake, highlighted by the diss track's accusations and its cultural and legal ramifications, including Drake's lawsuits against Universal Music Group and Spotify. Additionally, Analytic Dreamz touches on Lamar's new album "GNX", his tour with SZA, and the symbolic elements of his Grammy night attire and acceptance speeches, emphasizing Lamar's commitment to his roots and the art of hip-hop. This segment provides a comprehensive look at Lamar's current status in music, his historic Grammy night, and what to expect from his future performances.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/analytic-dreamz-notorious-mass-effect/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

After finding success with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Krayzie Bone recorded his solo debut, Thug Mentality 1999, in 1999. The album was released as a double disc set, featuring a large selection of guest appearances, including Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Mo Thugs, Mariah Carey, ThugLine, The Marley Brothers, Big Pun, Fat Joe, Cuban Link, Gangsta Boo, E-40, 8 Ball & MJG, Kurupt, Naughty By Nature and Snoop Dogg. The album was largely produced by multi instrumentalist Romeo Antonio and was certified platinum by the RIAA. In 2001, Krayzie Bone released Thug On Da Line, which received generally positive reviews from music critics and went gold. In 2005 Krayzie Bone was featured in the song "Ridin'" by Chamillionaire. "Ridin'" was awarded "Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group" at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards. It was also nominated for Best Rap Song. It became number one in December on the Pop Chart 3 months after its physical release. The song also topped the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart when it was released there. The song ranked #3 on Rolling Stone's "100 Best Songs of 2006" and #91 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop". It was the best selling ringtone in 2006, with 3.2 million sales, certified by the RIAA as the first multi-platinum Mastertone artist in history. It was also awarded the last Best Rap Video at the MTV Video Music Awards, which was awarded in 2006. Krayzie Bone comes from a fourth generation family of Jehovah's Witnesses, and as such does not celebrate Christmas. He believes many rappers are unintentionally following the agenda of the Illuminati.[9] On September 24, 2023, Krayzie Bone was admitted to a hospital in Los Angeles after coughing up blood in his sleep, what was later attributed to sarcoidosis. Doctors were unsuccessful in an emergency surgery. On September 26, he was sedated due to a main artery in his lung leaking. However, on October 3, he announced he had recovered from the ailment. Krayzie Bone also has a thriving foundation called "Spread The Love" that mentors and teaches at risk youth life skills and about the music business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TODAY exclusively reveals TIME's Athlete and CEO of the Year. Also, how to identify online scams this holiday season and what you need to know to protect yourself from them. Plus, Common joins to discuss his latest album, ‘The Auditorium, Volume 1,' which has earned two Grammy nominations, including Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance.

On this episode of Bulture Podcast - Lil Baby's first baby mother, Ayesha Howard, revealed that she's suing the hospital for revealing her pregnancy with Anthony Edwards -Space for Super Bowl LIX Ads have reportedly already been sold out, with a record price tag of $7 million for 30-second spots -Jake Paul is set to make $40 million & Mike Tyson is estimated to make around $20 million in their boxing match next week -Deion Sanders Jr. I spoke to Young Thug & his sister about attending a Colorado football game & he said it's happening -Lyrics from Lil Durk's with BabyFace Ray will reportedly be used in court to prove that he conspired to Kill Quando Rondo. Lil Durk's DJ says that the lyrics being used as evidence by the Feds in his murder-for-hire case were recorded before the incident -Karlous Miller disagrees with Shannon Sharpe that $300 is enough for a date in Atlanta -Waka Flocka speaks out after his meet and greet was canceled for endorsing Donald Trump -Trick Daddy says he doesn't identify as African American: “I have never been to Afro-ca. I have never been to Africa. Afro- or Afri-ca. Never been there. I'm not from Africa -NBA analyst Michelle Beadle accidentally says the N-word while talking about the Nuggets -Congrats are in order for tennis super star Coco Gauff -Maryland is going viral for being all black -The DDG and Halle Bailey drama continues. She deactivated her social media accounts after calling out her baby daddy for livestreaming with their son without permission -Shaq believes NBA viewership is down because everyone wants to shoot threes now -Glorilla didn't recognize Runaway… what hip-hop artist doesn't know Runaway -Idc what other female rappers win Grammy awards they not real if Nicki Minaj don't have at least 1. It's like if Michael Jordan never would've won MVP before -Did you know you had to have certain plan on Netflix to watch “Bad Boys” movie -Lamar Odom buys $8,000 custom sex doll, models it after ex-wife Khloé Kardashian -Young Thug calls out Gunna in a since deleted tweet: “Gunna stop acting like we friends on the internet, I don't know u my guy.” -Bronny James's G-League debut is already sold out, with the cheapest ticket priced at $200 -Drake allegedly flew out to give 1 MILLION dollars to Young Thug, only 2 hours after he was freed -Doechii earns the FIRST 3 GRAMMY nominations of her career BEST RAP ALBUM, BEST RAP PERFORMANCE, BEST NEW ARTIST HER & J.Cole are the first artists since Chance The Rapper to have mixtapes nominated for Rap -Kendrick Lamar is the MOST nominated rapper at the 2025 #GRAMMYs — (7x) Song of the Year Record of the Year Best Rap Song (2x) Best Rap Performance (2x) Best Music Video -Diddy's 'Freak-Off' party NDA allegedly prohibits guests from revealing anything about him while he is alive and for 20 years after his death, via TMZ -43 monkeys escape from South Carolina research facility, Police warn residents not to interact with them and to secure doors, windows -The Cavs are the 12th team in NBA history to start a season 11-0 -Celebrity chef Tobias Dorzon & his female companion were attacked by gunmen -Logic says he's dropping Playboi Carti-type music in 2025 because his current music isn't paying the bills -List of the top 20 Realest Street Rappers Ever Trends on Social Media -Judge Paige Reese Whitaker has apologized for saying the N-word while reading aloud Instagram conversations during the YSL RICO trial -Young Thug's son was making sure that Mariah the Scientist wasn't talking to any other men on Live, besides his dad -Shannon Sharpe shares experiences explaining why he chooses not to sleep overnight at women's homes -McDonald's is offering a 10-piece chicken nugget for $1 until December 2nd - Quanny calls out Boston Richey and says he should rename his album "snitchy snitch."

Sean Combs, also known by his stage names Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, and Diddy, is a multifaceted American entertainment mogul whose influence spans music, fashion, and business. Born on November 4, 1969, in Harlem, New York, and raised in Mount Vernon, Combs has been a defining figure in the hip-hop industry since the early 1990s.Combs began his career as an intern at Uptown Records where he quickly rose to the position of A&R executive. He played a pivotal role in developing and promoting the careers of Mary J. Blige and Jodeci. His remarkable acumen in identifying and nurturing talent became evident early on. However, his journey at Uptown was cut short after he was fired, which led him to establish his own music production company, Bad Boy Entertainment, in 1993.Bad Boy Entertainment soon became a powerhouse in the music industry under Combs' leadership. The label was instrumental in the careers of some of the biggest names in hip-hop and R&B, including The Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, Mase, and 112. Combs himself also released several successful albums, such as "No Way Out" (1997), which featured hits like "I'll Be Missing You" — a tribute to his friend and artist Notorious B.I.G. This song, a collaboration with Faith Evans and 112, showcased Combs' ability to blend hip-hop with heartfelt emotion, helping it to win a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.Beyond music, Combs has made significant strides in other industries. In fashion, his clothing line, Sean John, launched in 1998, has been praised for its style and innovation. It successfully bridged the gap between streetwear and high fashion, receiving critical acclaim, including a Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Award in 2004.In addition to his fashion line, Combs has ventured into the realms of reality TV, beverages, and fragrances. His entrepreneurial spirit saw him creating the Sean John fragrance in collaboration with Estée Lauder and the premium vodka brand, Ciroc, in partnership with Diageo, which he helped to transform into a globally recognized brand through his marketing prowess.Philanthropy is also a significant aspect of Combs' career. He has contributed to various causes and launched initiatives such as the Sean Combs Scholarship Fund, which aims to help underprivileged students attend college. His commitment to education was further highlighted when he opened Capital Preparatory Harlem Charter School in 2016, demonstrating his passion for education reform and community development.Despite controversies and challenges, including legal issues and feuds within the hip-hop community, Combs' impact on music and culture remains undeniable. His work has not only shaped the landscape of hip-hop and R&B but has also influenced the broader culture of fashion and entrepreneurship.In summary, Sean Combs is not just a rapper or producer; he is a visionary entrepreneur who transcends music and embraces a range of industries, from fashion to spirits and beyond. His legacy is characterized by his relentless innovation, influential artistry, and philanthropic contributions, making him one of the most impactful figures in the world of entertainment and business.

Jaden & Ryder break down the major winners and losers at the 2024 Grammy Awards. Check out their thoughts on Taylor Swift, SZA, Miley Cyrus, Travis Scott and more! (02:28) - Record of the Year (08:45) - Album of the Year (14:17) - Song of the Year (18:29) - Best Pop Solo Performance (20:28) - Best Progressive R&B Album (24:24) - Best Rap Performance (29:31) - Best Melodic Rap Performance (31:21) - Best Rap Song (34:03) - Best Rap Album (46:32) - Grammy Snubs

Todays NewsKiller Mike just won 3 Grammy's Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song & Best Rap Album then Arrested Right after. w/ Ugly Money Niche https://vinoshipper.com/shop/shoe_cra... Discount code "UME" Merch https://shopuglymoney.com/ Steaming Rumble- https://rumble.com/account/channel/li... KICK - https://kick.com/uglymoneytv Twitch -   / uglymoneytv   Facebook - Uglymoneyniche Follow the Ugly Money team: Follow Ugly Money Niche -   / uglymoneyniche   Follow Stan Da Man-   / darealstandaman   Follow Slump -   / slumpsterverse   Follow Bizz -   / bizzjustchill   --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/uglymoneypodcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/uglymoneypodcast/support

Todays News on The Biggest Stream Ever Killer Mike just won 3 Grammy's Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song & Best Rap Album then Arrested Right after. w/ BizzJustChill Stan Da Man https://vinoshipper.com/shop/shoe_cra... Discount code "UME" Merch https://shopuglymoney.com/ Steaming Rumble- https://rumble.com/account/channel/li... KICK - https://kick.com/uglymoneytv Twitch -   / uglymoneytv   Facebook - Uglymoneyniche Follow the Ugly Money team: Follow Ugly Money Niche -   / uglymoneyniche   Follow Stan Da Man-   / darealstandaman   Follow Slump -   / slumpsterverse   Follow Bizz -   / bizzjustchill   --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/uglymoneypodcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/uglymoneypodcast/support

Killer Mike just won 3 Grammy's Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song & Best Rap Album then Arrest Right after. w/ Ugly Money Niche https://vinoshipper.com/shop/shoe_cra... Discount code "UME" Merch https://shopuglymoney.com/ Steaming Rumble- https://rumble.com/account/channel/li... KICK - https://kick.com/uglymoneytv Twitch -   / uglymoneytv   Facebook - Uglymoneyniche Follow the Ugly Money team: Follow Ugly Money Niche -   / uglymoneyniche   Follow Stan Da Man-   / darealstandaman   Follow Slump -   / slumpsterverse   Follow Bizz -   / bizzjustchill   --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/uglymoneypodcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/uglymoneypodcast/support

Find us on social media for daily content and information regarding all things music industry Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundcentricmus Instagram:https://https://www.instagram.com/soundcentricmusic/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soundcentricmusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundCentricmusic Website: https://soundcentricmusic.com Podcast: https://www.soundcentricmusic.com   00:00:00 - Intro  00:01:00 - Eminem is biggest rapper in Portugal  00:02:15 - General thoughts on the Grammys  00:04:55 - Best Rap Performance award and the issue with "The Hillbillies" 00:06:15 - Why aren't rap albums nominated for album of the year? 00:08:20 - Should Travis Scott be placed in the pop category? 00:11:20 - Grammy voters are inconsistent  00:12:00 - Should there be hip-hop subgenre awards like trap album of the year? 00:13:00 - Best melodic rap performance award 00:14:05 - Best rap song award  00:16:10 - Jay-Z's speech 00:17:30 - Flowers for Killer Mike 00:18:40 - Nas's latest run with Hit-Boy  00:19:30 - Will Drake's For All the Dogs be nominated next year? 00:20:20 - Ranking the albums nominated for rap album of the year  00:22:00 - Weekly playlist title  00:23:35 - How Mavi interviewed Rome Streetz backstage in Portugal  00:31:50 - How Mavi connected Rome Streetz to ScHoolboy Q  00:33:50 - ScHoolboy Q announces new album 00:36:10 - Mysterious artists are annoying  00:39:00 - Our excitement level for Kanye's "Vultures"  album  00:41:50 - Freddie Gibbs is a top 5 rapper for Adam 00:42:30 - Is Kanye following trends? 00:44:00 - Our top 5 rappers 00:45:30 - Our favorite J. Cole albums  00:47:00 - KOD is over hated and very underrated  00:49:10 - Back to Mavi's top 5 after that J. Cole detour  00:51:50 - Put Freddie Gibbs in the 90s and he would be looked at as a GOAT 00:52:20 - Why coke rap is so interesting to listen to 00:55:30 -  Closing thoughts   

Grammy Award, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ~Hits "That Lady" & Chris's Solo Ballad "Still In Love" Start of Our Weekend!!If you are familiar with THE ISLEY BROTHERS, then you know Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, CHRIS JASPER, an integral member of THE ISLEY BROTHERS during the 1970s and 1980s—their gold and platinum years—from the 3+3 (1973) to Between the Sheets (1983) albums. These were the years when THE ISLEY BROTHERS were a self-produced, self-contained group. If you are familiar with THE ISLEY BROTHERS, then you have heard the music of CHRIS JASPER, who was primarily responsible for writing and producing all of THE ISLEY BROTHERS music during this time, including such beautiful love songs as “For The Love of You” and “Between the Sheets” and uptempo funk such as “Fight the Power.” His arrangements and instrumentation as a classically-trained musician, and his expertise on the keyboards and synthesizers, are the foundation of the legendary “Isley Brothers Sound.”Re-recorded elements of "That Lady" are incorporated in "i", the lead single of Kendrick Lamar's 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly. The song won the awards for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song at the 2015 Grammy Awards.Marvin and Ernie Isley joined CHRIS and formed ISLEY-JASPER-ISLEY. Without this crucial musical component, They were no longer a self-produced, self-contained group. BUT they topped the charts with Chris singing lead vocals on “Caravan of Love” (1985)  It was also used in commercials as part of a Dodge Caravan advertising campaign. He was also awarded a CEBA Award For Excellence for a Miller Brewing Company commercial. His music has also been used in radio and television commercials,  He continues to write songs and produce his own R&B/Gospel music (www.goldcitymusic.com).His music has been covered and sampled by hundreds of new and established recording artists, including Whitney Houston, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Fantasia, Will Smith, Alliyah, Queen Latifah, Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, Natalie Cole, and the list goes on and on. In 1992, CHRIS along with the other members of THE ISLEY BROTHERS, was inducted into the ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME.Chris studied music composition at the Juilliard School of Music & received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in music composition from C.W. Post College in New York, where he studied under noted jazz pianist and composer, Dr. Billy Taylor. He received a J.D. degree from Concord University School of Law. Chris formed his own record label, Gold City Records, and released two albums as a CBS-associated label. His debut single as a solo artist, “Superbad” reached #1 on the R&B charts & has worked with such notable artists as Chaka Khan, writing and producing a song for her CK album (“Make It Last”). In 2016, Chris was awarded the National R&B Society Lifetime Achievement Award, Songwriters Hall of Fame. He's received numerous ASCAP awards.. Chris lives in New York with his wife of 50 years, Margie, and his three sons, Christopher, Nicholas and Michael. - chrisjasper.com© 2024 Building Abundant Success!!2024 All Rights ReservedJoin Me on ~ iHeart Media @ https://tinyurl.com/iHeartBASSpot Me on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/yxuy23baAudacy:  https://tinyurl.com/BASAud

In 2003, It is fair to say that rap duo Outkast were at a bit of a creative crossroads. Their 2000 album Stankonia had people rethinking what hip hop music could be - with songs such as B.O.B., Ms. Jackson, and So Fresh, So Clean winning them Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Album. “Ms. Jackson”; their Billboard hot 100 hit from Stankonia was a sultry, tongue in cheek affair that gave the duo of Andre 3000 and Big Boi a rare trifecta of accolades in pop culture: Hip Hop Cred, Mainstream Pop Appeal and Hipster Acknowledgement all at once. But Andre 3000 was looking for new avenues to express himself creatively, and moved from Atlanta to Los Angeles to begin his acting career. When acting didn't work out, Andre 3000 envisioned a new kind of project- a solo project, one influenced by, but also completely different than the Outkast records before it - a pop record, a jazz record, a funk record all in one; A record and a concept that would come to be known as “The Love Below”  Originally written as Andre 3000 and his guitar, and inspired more by bands like The Ramones, The Hives and The Smiths than by what was going on in hip hop; Hey Ya! Was part of the grander cinematic vision of The Love Below and the complexities and frustration with modern relationship dynamics. Or, as Andre 3000 would day in the song:  "Don't want to meet your daddy, just want you in my Caddy." This is the true story of Outkast's Smash Hit 'Hey Ya' with newly unearthed audio from Andre 3000 in 2003. Listen to NEW Episodes of Encore: The Stories Behind The Songs You Love every Thursday on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your Podcasts.

Krayzie Bone is a member of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, an American hip hop group from Cleveland, Ohio. Bone Thugs started performing together in 1991 and is still actively touring and recording. He started a solo career in 1998 with his debut album Thug Mentality. This double disc set featured such well-known artist's as Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Mo Thugs, The Marley Brothers, Mariah Carey, Big Pun, Fat Joe, Cuban Link, Gangsta Boo, E-40, 8Ball & MJG, Kurupt, Naughty By Nature, and Snoop Dogg. His second album Thug On Da Line debuted in 2001, however it was not as big of a success as his first album, which was ultimately certified platinum by the RIAA. The second album went gold and according to Amazon.com it was named one of the best albums of 2001. Krayzie Bone was featured in the 2006 song "Ridin" by Chamillionaire, this song won the "Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group" at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards. Also in 2006 it won the last Best Rap Video at the MTV Video Music Awards. Bone is a founding member of the Cleveland based record label Mo Thugs Family which is a collection of Cleveland based rap and Hip-Hop musical acts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Krayzie Bone is a member of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, an American hip hop group from Cleveland, Ohio. Bone Thugs started performing together in 1991 and is still actively touring and recording. He started a solo career in 1998 with his debut album Thug Mentality. This double disc set featured such well-known artist's as Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Mo Thugs, The Marley Brothers, Mariah Carey, Big Pun, Fat Joe, Cuban Link, Gangsta Boo, E-40, 8Ball & MJG, Kurupt, Naughty By Nature, and Snoop Dogg. His second album Thug On Da Line debuted in 2001, however it was not as big of a success as his first album, which was ultimately certified platinum by the RIAA. The second album went gold and according to Amazon.com it was named one of the best albums of 2001. Krayzie Bone was featured in the 2006 song "Ridin" by Chamillionaire, this song won the "Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group" at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards. Also in 2006 it won the last Best Rap Video at the MTV Video Music Awards. Bone is a founding member of the Cleveland based record label Mo Thugs Family which is a collection of Cleveland based rap and Hip-Hop musical acts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Smith began his entertainment career as the MC of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. The duo won the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989 for their hit song Parents Just Don't Understand. Will then transitioned into television, starring in the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The breakout role launched Will into becoming one of the highest-grossing actors in Hollywood, with numerous blockbuster hits to his credit: Men in Black (and its sequels), Independence Day, Bad Boys, I, Robot, Hitch, and Hancock, to list a few. ------- Thank you to the sponsors that fuel our podcast and our team: LMNT Electrolytes https://drinklmnt.com/tetra Get a free LMNT Sample Pack with your order. ------- House of Macadamias  https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/tetra Get a free box of Dry Roasted Namibian Sea Salt Macadamias + 20% off Your Order With Code TETRA Use code TETRA for 20% off at checkout

The Roots Picnic was loaded with legends and Black-owned businesses! Creative ambassadors Tina Dixon Spence, Shanti Mayers, Thomas (Tom) Davis and Kimberly McGlonn join Justin and Laiya for Philly trivia live on the Roots Picnic podcast stage. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, we had to ask questions around Philly's musical influences. Can you finish the lyrics to Eve's Grammy award winning “Let Me Blow Ya Mind?” Can you name the song that won the first award for Best Rap Performance presented to DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince? And it wouldn't be Philly trivia without asking one of our audience members to list three of the best cheesesteak spots in Philadelphia. 

"Ni**as in Paris" (edited for radio as "In Paris" or simply "Paris"; censored on the album as "Ni**as in Paris") is a song by American rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West from their collaborative album Watch the Throne (2011). The song is built around a synth bell loop from the Dirty South Bangaz music library[1] and also contains vocal samples from "Baptizing Scene" by Reverend W.A. Donaldson, an interpolation of "Victory" by Puff Daddy featuring The Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes, and dialogue excerpts from the 2007 film Blades of Glory.[2] On the week of the album's release, "Niggas in Paris" debuted at number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100 eventually peaking at number five. Outside of the United States, "Niggas in Paris" peaked within the top ten of the charts in the United Kingdom. As of 2018, it has sold 6.7 million archetype digital units in the United States.[3] The song won Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.[4]full song: (36) [A.I] Biggie & Tupac - Niggas In Paris - YouTubeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/analytic-dreamz-notorious-mass-effect/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Grammy Award, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ~Hits "That Lady" & Chris's Solo Ballad "Still In Love" Start of Our Weekend!!If you are familiar with THE ISLEY BROTHERS, then you know Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, CHRIS JASPER, an integral member of THE ISLEY BROTHERS during the 1970s and 1980s—their gold and platinum years—from the 3+3 (1973) to Between the Sheets (1983) albums. These were the years when THE ISLEY BROTHERS were a self-produced, self-contained group. If you are familiar with THE ISLEY BROTHERS, then you have heard the music of CHRIS JASPER, who was primarily responsible for writing and producing all of THE ISLEY BROTHERS music during this time, including such beautiful love songs as “For The Love of You” and “Between the Sheets” and uptempo funk such as “Fight the Power.” His arrangements and instrumentation as a classically-trained musician, and his expertise on the keyboards and synthesizers, are the foundation of the legendary “Isley Brothers Sound.” Re-recorded elements of "That Lady" are incorporated in "i", the lead single of Kendrick Lamar's 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly. The song won the awards for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song at the 2015 Grammy Awards.When the six members of THE ISLEY BROTHERS disbanded (1984), Marvin and Ernie Isley joined CHRIS JASPER and formed ISLEY-JASPER-ISLEY. Without this crucial musical component, THE ISLEY BROTHERS were no longer a self-produced, self-contained group. CHRIS JASPER brought his “unique sound” and musical talents to ISLEY-JASPER-ISLEY, and topped the charts singing lead vocals on “Caravan of Love” (1985), a song that was covered by English recording group, the Housemartins, an international #1 pop hit. “Caravan” was also used in commercials as part of a Dodge Caravan advertising campaign. He was also awarded a CEBA Award For Excellence for a Miller Brewing Company commercial. The music for that commercial formed the basis for “Brother to Brother” from the “Different Drummer” album, which supported the anti-apartheid struggle going on in South Africa at that time. His music has also been used in radio and television commercials, most recently “Who's That Lady” (Swiffer) and “Between The Sheets” (L'Oreal). When ISLEY-JASPER-ISLEY disbanded (1987), CHRIS JASPER brought his “unique sound” to his own solo projects, topping the charts with “SuperBad,” a song promoting the value of education. CHRIS JASPER has continued to write songs and produce his own R&B/Gospel music, as well as other artists, for his independent record label, Gold City Records (www.goldcitymusic.com). CHRIS JASPER's music has been covered and sampled by hundreds of new and established recording artists, including Whitney Houston, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Fantasia, Will Smith, Alliyah, Queen Latifah, Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, Natalie Cole, and the list goes on and on. His music has also been used in television and radio commercials. In 1992, CHRIS JASPER, along with the other members of THE ISLEY BROTHERS, was inducted into the ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME. Chris Jasper was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on December 30, 1951, the youngest of seven siblings. While growing up in Cincinnati, Chris studied classical piano starting at the age of 7 years old. After graduating from high school in Cincinnati, he moved to New York to study music composition at the Juilliard School of Music. Chris received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in music composition from C.W. Post College in New York, where he studied under noted jazz pianist and composer, Dr. Billy Taylor. He subsequently received a Juris Doctorate degree from Concord University School of Law. THE JASPER/ISLEY CONNECTION The Jasper and Isley families lived in the same apartment complex in Cincinnati, Ohio. Chris's older sister, Elaine, married Rudolph Isley. The three older Isley brothers, Rudolph, O'Kelly and Ronald, formed a vocal trio (“The Isley Brothers”) and relocated to Teaneck, New Jersey. While temporarily living in New Jersey as a teenager, Chris and the two younger Isley brothers, Marvin and Ernie, formed a band, “The Jazzmen Trio”, that played locally in New Jersey. Chris played keyboards, Ernie played guitar and Marvin played the bass. Along with Chris, Ernie and Marvin also attended C.W. Post College in New York. While in college, Chris, Marvin and Ernie played on the older Isley Brothers recordings, including “It's Your Thing”. SOLO CAREER In 1987, Isley-Jasper-Isley disbanded and Chris and Ernie embarked on solo careers. Chris formed his own record label, Gold City Records, and released two albums as a CBS-associated label. His debut single as a solo artist, “Superbad” reached #1 on the R&B charts. Eventually, Marvin and Ernie returned to record under the Isley Brothers group name, and Chris continued his solo career, releasing a total of 9 solo albums to date, including 4 urban contemporary gospel CDs. Chris has also produced a number of artists for his Gold City label, and has worked with such notable artists as Chaka Khan, writing and producing a song for her CK album (“Make It Last”). Chris's music has been covered and sampled by numerous new and established recording artists, including Whitney Houston, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Fantasia, Will Smith, Alliyah, Queen Latifah, Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, Natalie Cole, and the list goes on and on. The most recent addition to Gold City is Chris's son, Michael Jasper, who released his debut album “Addictive” on the Gold City label in 2010 at the age of 16. “Addictive” was written and recorded by Michael, and co-produced by Chris, who accompanies Michael on the talkbox and background vocals. Michael's is called CD "Dreams". Chris has received numerous gold and platinum albums and music industry awards, including the BET lifetime achievement award. In 1992, Chris, along with the other members of The Isley Brothers, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2016, Chris was awarded the National R&B Society Lifetime Achievement Award, Songwriters Hall of Fame. Chris also received numerous ASCAP awards.. Chris lives in New York with his wife of 40 years, Margie, and his three sons, Christopher, Nicholas and Michael. - See more at: chrisjasper.com © 2023 Building Abundant Success!!2023 All Rights ReservedJoin Me on ~ iHeart Radio @ https://tinyurl.com/iHeartBASSpot Me on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/yxuy23baAmazon ~ https://tinyurl.com/AmzBASAudacy:  https://tinyurl.com/BASAud

On this day in 1989, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince's “Parents Just Don't Understand” became the first hip-hop song to win a Grammy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

B. Cox looks back at hip-hop trio Digable Planet's debut album Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space) as it turns 30. The Brooklyn-based group made up of emcees Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler, Mariana "Ladybug Mecca" Vieira and Craig "Doodlebug" Irving met through what seemed to be fate in the late 80s. After signing to Pendulum Records in 1992, they began crafting their debut album under the production supervision of Butterfly and the likes of Shane "The Doctor" Faber and Mike "Lanching An Attack" Mangini.Using the resources available to them in two makeshift studios in apartments, Butterfly and his cohorts utilized samples from jazz records exclusively, gleaning from Butler's father's collection of jazz records. What followed suit was a project filled with lively jazz notes and deep bass complimented by crisp drum patterns and percussion. This provided the landscape for the three emcees to spit lyrics based around politics, freedom, explorations of expression, black culture and fringe philosophical views with dexterity.Over 57 smooth, yet captivating minutes, the trio developed a unique sound in a hip-hop year full of groundbreaking material. The album's lead single "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" became a top 15 Billboard Hot 100 hit and is the group's signature song. It garnered the group a Grammy in 1994 for Best Rap Performance by A Duo or Group. The album was certified gold and served as the introduction to this unique trio that would have a successful, yet brief time in the spotlight.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comCheck Out Our Clothing and Merch Shop and Cop Some Gear!www.vaultclassicpod.com/storeBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodShow NotesAlbumism: Digable Planets Reachin' ( A New Refutation of Time and Space) Turns 30 | Album Anniversaryhttps://albumism.com/features/digable-planets-debut-album-reachin-a-new-refutation-of-time-and-space-album-anniversary Pitchfork: Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space) https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/digable-planets-reachin-a-new-refutation-of-time-and-space/ClassicAlbumSundays: Forgetting Classic: Digable Planets (A New Refutation of Time and Space). https://classicalbumsundays.com/forgotten-classic-digable-planets-reachin-a-new-refutation-of-time-and-space/RiotFest: Cool Like Dat? Check Out Where the Digable Planets Samples Came Fromhttps://riotfest.org/2018/08/17/digable-planets-reachin-samples/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The most star-studded event in music finally happened, and Sam and Adam are here to breakdown all the best moments! Should hip-hop care about the Grammys? Who should have been nominated? Was the 50 anniversary celebration of hip-hop executed well. All this and more is answered in episode 35! Make sure to subscribe and rate us on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcast, and Sound Cloud! We truly appreciate your support.   Find us on social media for daily content and information regarding all things music industry Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundcentricmus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soundcentricmusic Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soundcentricmusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundCentricmusic Website: https://soundcentricmusic.com Podcast: https://soundcentricmusic.com/listen  0:23 - Intro 0:50 - Playlist Names 3:05 - Grammys Intro  6:00 - Best Rap Performance  8:30 - Best Melodic Rap Performance  10:40 - Should They Air More Rap Categories? 13:15 - Beyonce Breaks Grammys Record 16:55 - Hip-Hop 50th Year Celebration 21:20 - Should Hip-Hop Care About The Grammys 25:35 - Best Performances 27:00 - Use of Autotune 28:50 - Dr. Dre New Award 29:40 - Closing Remarks

Inspired by the provocative lyrics of the influential hip-hop group NWA, an adolescent Ben Haggerty immediately fell in love with the genre, and soon became laser-focused on a career as a rap artist. Under the alias Macklemore, he slowly gained a loyal following through an emerging underground Seattle hip-hop scene and exposure through the local independent radio station KEXP. In collaboration with friend and producer Ryan Lewis, Ben's career reached an entirely new level after the release of their massively successful album The Heist. Ushered by the viral music video for their hit song "Thrift Shop" and assisted by alt radio DJs across the US, Macklemore and Lewis launched to the top of the Billboard charts and won multiple Grammy Awards for Best New Artist, Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance. Ben has continued to grow and collaborate with some of the industry's top talent, expressing gratitude for his platform to speak about important issues and opportunities to make a positive impact on his community. In our conversation, Ben talks about the intensity of immediate fame, the absolute joy of performing, and the inherent entrepreneurial spirit responsible for his success. And on a surprisingly related tangent, you golfers out there can thank him for creating a whole new aesthetic to brandish out on the green. Thanks for tuning in to episode 26. We hope you enjoy it! Did you know that YOU can be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn't just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: 206.594.0526, or send an email to nordypodcast@nordstrom.com to be a part of the conversation!

In this session of Derapy, be a fly on the wall as my dear friends Jordan and Fred join me to discuss the 2023 Grammy nominations for Best Rap Performance. Intro instrumental: https://youtu.be/ii9XxJJKliQ Outro song: https://youtu.be/MrytARdrZZQ God Did: https://youtu.be/QugLZCp74GE Vegas: https://youtu.be/QZp2biJul1c FNF: https://youtu.be/ww6ykF2ktaI The Heart Part V: https://youtu.be/uAPUkgeiFVY Pushin P: https://youtu.be/9g08kucPQtE Subscribe to my YouTube: https://youtube.com/user/Dbux23 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The nominations for the 2023 Grammy Awards are in, and they are not without controversy. Some of Rap's best artists have been snubbed, and the stage is set for an epic clash of the titans between JAY-Z and Kendrick Lamar. On this episode of Ambrosia For Heads' What's The Headline, we break down each of the categories featuring Rap artists, assessing the nominations, discussing the snubs, suggesting who should win and predicting who the eventual winner will be. 0:00 Intro 3:57 Best Rap Performance 6:38 Was “The Heart Pt. 5” Kendrick Lamar's best song this year 19:52 Who will win the night between Kendrick Lamar and JAY-Z 24:34 Best Melodic Rap Performance 28:40 Best Rap Song 34:40 If "GOD DID" were to win, should this count as a first Rick Ross Grammy 36:05 Song Of The Year 41:20 Kendrick Lamar and JAY-Z are competing in four categories. There is a lot of history and a Grammy rivalry here 42:40 Could Kendrick Lamar's The Heart Part 5 take Music Video Of The Year 44:10 What's the difference between Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year 45:00 Record The Year 46:40 Song Of The Year 48:00 Album Of The Year 52:20 Will Kendrick Lamar attend the Grammy Awards this time 53:25 Best Rap Album nominations 54:40 Does Kanye West's role in Pusha-T's It's Almost Dry album make it a Grammy liability 55:00 Predicted winner of Best Rap Album 57:00 Joey Bada$$'s 2000, Black Star's No Fear Of Time, JID's The Forever Story were snubbed by the Grammys 59:05 Tobe Nwigwe, Freestyle Fellowship, Questlove, Boi-1da, DJ Dahi, Robert Glasper, Terrace Martin, Dave Chappelle, and others received noteworthy nominations 1:05:50 Song Of The Week from a Grammy-nominated project

Notorious Academy Award assailant Will Smith was once a very popular and successful musician. Not only is he a pioneering figure in the now burgeoning genre of assaulting comedians on stage, Smith was also once a trailblazer in the genre of Rap music - winning the first ever Grammy award for Best Rap Performance. Now that the 'Ali' actor's film career appears to be on the ropes, perhaps he'll turn his attention to his long neglected musical talent. With that in mind we take a listen to the multi-decade spanning album discography of the Fresh Prince.  

The guys are back, this week they discuss one of the most influential cities in hip-hop, Atlanta. The hip-hop capital of the south. This installment is the second part of a 3-part series that highlights different aspects and eras of Atlanta. Part two, covers the R&B side of Atlanta (Jagged Edge, 112, Ciara, and more). Drop in to hear their thoughts. It's another episode that you do not want to miss! Join in on the discussion. This week's cover groups are two of the most legendary R&B groups 112 and Jagged Edge. Jagged Edge is an R&B group from Atlanta, Georgia. The group, initially signed to record producer Jermaine Dupri's So-So Def Recordings, is best known for their string of hit singles including "Let's Get Married" and "Where the Party At" (featuring Nelly), most of which were produced by Dupri. The group's members include identical twin lead singers Brian and Brandon Casey as well as Richard Wingo and Kyle Norman. The group's debut album, A Jagged Era (1997), performed poorly at the time of its release; however, their subsequent albums until 2007 all became commercial successes—debuting within the top 10 of the Billboard 200. 112 is an R&B group from Atlanta, Georgia. Formerly artists on Bad Boy Records. They had great success from the late 1990s into the early 2000s with hits such as "Only You" (featuring The Notorious B.I.G.), "Anywhere" and the Grammy Award–nominated single, "Peaches & Cream". The group most notably won a Grammy Award in 1997 for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, for featuring on the single by label boss Puff Daddy, "I'll Be Missing You" (alongside Faith Evans). Follow the podcast on Instagram @FaceTheMusicNC. Face The Music covers music, artists, hip-hop culture. They give an everyday millennial perspective. Follow us on Instagram: Justin Vickers @Vickisback Jelan Abrams @JelanAbrams Tony Sumter @Tonysustainsme The show releases every single Friday night. Artwork by Tony Sumter. Music by Jelan Abrams. Produced & edited by Justin Vickers. #HBCUAlum --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/facethemusicnc/support

Two-time Grammy winner (the first ever for Best Rap Performance) – and host of the web series 'Vinyl Destination' – DJ Jazzy Jeff digs into the crates sharing his early days of a FIRST JOB frying chicken at Roy Rogers restaurants, his love of music, and his lack of hobbies. Are the Grammys and other music award shows a SCAM? Jeff details the ways the music industry and radio stations have done a disservice to truly original music and how DJs and musicians can breakthrough now. @Rod4Short addresses the ways you can tastefully navigate Will Smith conversations at the job without being sent to HR. He also rains praise upon the unsung heroes of the nightlife – women security guards.   Watch 'Roy Wood Jr: Imperfect Messenger' NOW available on iTunes and streaming NOW on Paramount+  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jon returns this week to recap on the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards results. We also touch on U.K. Hip-Hop albums that should have been considered for a GRAMMY. (00:00) Intro; Spotlight Series #76: Amindi (05:35) UK Albums that deserve the Grammy nomination New releases: (14:17) Kehlani: Up at Night (ft. Justin Bieber) (17:50) Joyner Lucas: Ye Not Crazy (22:10) Vince Staples: ROSE STREET (25:39) Freddie Gibbs: Ice Cream (ft. Rick Ross) (27:44) Ella Mai: leave You Alone (29:46) City Girls: Top Notch (ft. Fivio Foreign) (30:36) Lupe Fiasco: 100 Chicagos (31:51) Dreamville: D-Day - The Mixtape Main discussion starts here: (36:36) GRAMMY's intro (39:02) Record of the Year (44:13) Album of the Year (47:54) Best New Artist (51:53) Best Rap Album (56:20) Best Rap Performance (58:10) Best Rap Song (01:02:48) Best Melodic Rap Performance (01:05:05) Best R&B Performance (01:16:01) Best Traditional R&B Performance (01:19:52) Best R&B Song (01:21:47) Best Progressive R&B Album (01:26:17) Best R&B Album (01:30:49) Summary (01:32:55) Closing, Now and Then playlist

After making progress in recent years, the 2022 Grammy Awards dropped the ball again when it came to Hip-Hop. We break down their misses, the new Dreamville mixtape, Freddie Gibbs and Benny The Butcher's feud and more on episode #79 of AFH's What's The Headline. 0:00 Intro 1:00 Last thoughts on Will Smith x Chris Rock 4:20 Reviewing the 2022 Grammy Awards for Hip-Hop 9:44 This was one of the most disappointing Grammys for Rap in years 14:37 J. Cole continues to be disrespected 18:00 Best Rap Performance - who won and who should have won 26:36 Best Melodic Rap Performance - who won and who should have won 30:45 Best Rap Song - who won and who should have won 36:54 Best Rap Album - who won and who should have won 42:45 How the Grammy Awards show should change in the future 45:50 Nas stole the night with a statement performance 54:00 Discussing new music by Cypress Hill & Black Milk, Elzhi & Georgia Anne Muldrow, Marlon Craft, Phife Dawg, Buddy, and more 58:48 Dreamville is staking its claim as Hip-Hop's best collective with a new mixtape 1:03:30 Freddie Gibbs and Benny The Butcher are feuding --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/whats-the-headline/support

NWA mastermind Eazy-E plucked Bone Thugs-N-Harmony out of obscurity as they were wasting away in Cleveland, Ohio, in desperate need of discovery. This now-legendary group has consisted of five key members over the years, Flesh-N-Bone, Layzie Bone, Wish Bone, Krayzie Bone, and Bizzy Bone, all of whom hit the big time when their tribute song to Eazy-E, “Tha Crossroads” would go onto win the Grammy for Best Rap Performance. But only a handful of years afterward problems would emerge as each member attended to their solo careers at the expense of the group. The group would reunite in the new millennium but their roster continued to rotate in and out thanks to personal disagreements and even prison time. Ever wonder what really happened to one of the most legendary hip-hop groups of all time? Then check out this episode of Where Are They Now!

Sometimes the albums we discuss are deemed classic by the masses; sometimes they are deemed classic by a Matt (singular). Sometimes those albums are classic ...question mark? In the case of Arrested Development's debut album, "3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life of ..." (so-called because that was how long it took the group to land a recording contract), the question is not really whether it's a classic album or not. It's not. But it is an important album. When it was released in 1992, it was unleashed on a world that was coming to grips with gangsta rap. White America, in particular, wasn't sure what to make of it all. Arrested Development came along and offered up pro-African and pro-family beats and rhymes that came across as a more positive (if, in the long run, a milquetoast) version of hip-hop that still hit on uncomfortable topics like America's racist past, homelessness, the hypocrisies of faith, and so much more. They just did it with far fewer curse words. "Tennessee," "Mr. Wendal" and (the now cringe-worthy) "People Everyday" were some of the biggest hits of their era, landing the group millions in record sales and even a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Rap Group ("Tennessee"). Oddly enough, they are seemingly forgotten these days ... unless you are a middle-aged white person.

Mr. Kim Nazel (also known by his stage names "Arabian Prince" or "Professor X") is a rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, DJ, founding member of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame rap group N.W.A., as well as burgeoning, technologist, venture capitalist, startup mentor, and business advisor. Mr. Nazel has wide ranging interests in Animation, 3D FX, Music and Computer Digital Technologies. He is CEO of Mik Lezan Music, Owner of Hypnotic FX and One Fader, President of LA First Tech Challenge Southern California Robotics Competition, and Founder / Chief Innovator at Inov8 Next (https://www.inov8next.com/), a Silicon Beach, CA based product innovation incubator and technology center designed to empower the brightest inventors by leveraging the power of industry experience, strategic resources and advanced mentoring. Additionally, Mr. Nazel is also President of Gametime Brownies and Founder/CEO of the Streaming PC Manufacturer - Fear The GGGOAT! Some of the other publically disclosed investments in Mr. Nazel's portfolio include Streoapp, a live streaming app from nightclubs, bars & festivals, Advrtas, an AI (artificial intelligence) driven VR/AR/360 video ad platform, and Covitech, a cloud-based suite of apps helping small-to-medium size businesses access to COVID-19 screening, testing resources and often hard-to-procure protective equipment. His passion for technology led to him create a 3D animation and special effects studio in the 90's working with companies like Saban Entertainment and Fox; including 100+ video game titles for Fox interactive and Vivendi Universal. Mr. Nazel also produced the hit single and album for J.J. Fad, "Supersonic" - The single was certified gold by Recording Industry Association of America, and also got nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989, making them the first all-female rap group to be nominated for a Grammy award. Silicon Beach is part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area, which is home to 00's of technology startup companies, becoming known as one of the most prominent technology hubs in the world, as well as home to many major technology companies in the region including Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Snapchat and Tinder. 

This episode the crew is talking music. They start the conversation off discussing the artist formerly known as Kanye West's ongoing divorce battle and how it has influenced his music. The crew then starts talking about the Grammy Nominations and predictions. They discuss Rap Album of the Year,(8:22) Best Rap Song,(19:14) Best Rap Performance,(26:05) Best Melodic Rap Performance,(30:56) Album of the Year(34:30) and Best Music Video.(45:26) They end it off with some new music. Give us some Feedback! Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, Facebook & Youtube @Code99Podcast

On this episode we discussed a few Grammy topics: Best Rap album and Best Rap Performance. We also discussed potential Verzuz matchups, along with the most recent match between Bone and Three 6 Mafia. Ending out the show was a conversation around people's Top 5 rappers, and we discussed the unfortunate loss of Virgil Abloh.    Beer(s) of the week   - Straight Jacket - Barleywine Ale - ABV: 15% (Revolution Brewing) - Deth's Tar - Imperial Stout - ABV: 14.8% (Revolution Brewing)   Follow us everywhere @beerzandbarz 

Is Drake way 2 sexy for awards? In a surprise move, the rap superstar withdrew his nominations from the 2022 Grammys yesterday. The reason? Drizzy's not saying. And that's left fans hanging – and speculating why. We know for years Drake has targeted the music industry's biggest award for being out of touch, unfair, and possibly racially biased. But pulling your noms now? Come thru, Drake. We need to know why!Listen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week Demar and Adriel discuss the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, who they think will win and who they want to win each category. Timestamps: Record Of The Year ( 00:02:23 ) Album of the Year ( 00:09:00 ) Song of the Year (00:14:30 ) Best New Artist ( 00:18:35 ) Best Pop Solo Performance ( 00:20:50 ) Best Pop Duo/Group Performance (00:24:25 ) Best Pop Vocal Album ( 00:27:25 ) Best R&B Performance (00:30:25 ) Best R&B Album ( 00:33:30 ) Best Rap Performance ( 00:36:15 ) Best Melodic Rap Performance ( 00:41:35 ) Best Rap Song ( 00:47:55) Best Rap Album ( 00:51:55 ) P.S. Shoutout to our biggest snubs: Vince Staples, Arlo Parks, Dave and Unknown T Follow us: Twitter / Instagram: @AlbumModePod @AdrielSmileydotcom @DemarjGrant Clubhouse / Greenroom: @demar @adrielsmiley

The 2022 Grammy nominations have arrived, and the year's best album wasn't even nominated. Here are the biggest misses and predictions for the winners. On this week's episode of AFH's What's The Headline, we discuss all of the Rap categories, make our picks and predict who will win the awards. This installment was recorded prior to the death of Virgil Abloh. AFH's offers its condolences to his friends and family, and there is a tribute to him on ambrosiaforheads.com. 0:00 Intro 6:20The 2022 Grammy nominations have been announced 7:00 The biggest Hip-Hop snubs by the 2022 Grammy nominations 20:58 Certain artists were placed in the wrong Grammy categories 23:20 J. Cole is getting much deserved recognition from the Recording Academy 25:38 The 2022 nominees for Best Rap Performance; AFH's picks and predictions of the winner 33:12 The 2022 nominees for Best Melodic Rap Performance; AFH's picks and predictions of the winner 37:10 The 2022 nominees for Best Rap Song; AFH's picks and predictions of the winner 41:45 The 2022 nominees for Best Rap Album; AFH's picks and predictions of the winner 51:40 Kanye West's Donda is a contender for the 2022 Album Of The Year Grammy 1:00:10 Kanye West's extensive history with the Grammy Awards 1:06:38 November was National Hip-Hop Month 1:11:00 The legacy of Young Dolph 1:16:19 New music of the week by Apollo Brown & Stalley, Freddie Gibbs & Jadakiss, Redman & Method Man, and CRIMEAPPLE. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/whats-the-headline/support

Topics: Y2K Bug, Eminem, The Best Man, 90's TV (Bonus Artist: Rocky Mtn. Rhyme Posse)   1999 Notes   Snapshots   1.    Bill Clinton President   2.    Jan – A snowstorm leaves 14 inches (36 cm) of snow in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and 21 inches (53 cm) in Chicago, Illinois, killing 68.   3.    Jan – The adult animated sitcom Family Guy debuts on the Fox network after Super Bowl XXXIII.   4.    Feb - Impeachment of Bill Clinton: President Bill Clinton is acquitted by the Senate.   5.    Mar - A Michigan jury finds Dr. Jack Kevorkian guilty of second-degree murder for administering a lethal injection to a terminally ill man.   6.    Apr - Columbine High School massacre: Two Littleton, Colorado teenagers, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, open fire on their teachers and classmates, killing 12 students and one teacher, and then themselves. It would be the deadliest shooting at a high school in U.S. history at the time. The shooting sparks debate on school bullying, gun control and violence in the media.   7.    May - The animated children's TV series SpongeBob SquarePants debuts on the cable network Nickelodeon.   8.    May - Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace is released in theaters.   9.    Jun - Texas Governor George W. Bush announces he will seek the Republican Party nomination for President of the United States.   10.    Jun - Napster Released. It was mainly used by people who shared MP3 music and digital audio files. As the laws about file sharing and copyright regarding the internet were just newly established, the service soon ran into legal troubles dealing with copyright infringement.   11.    Jul - U.S. soccer player Brandi Chastain scores the game winning penalty kick against China in the FIFA Women's World Cup. Briana Scurry, goalkeeper, was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2017. She was the first woman goalkeeper and first black woman to be awarded the honor.   12.    Jun - Lance Armsrong wins the Tour de France. The United States Anti-Doping Agency announced in August 2012 that they had disqualified Armstrong from all his results since 1998, including his seven consecutive Tour de France wins from 1999 to 2005 (which were, originally, the most wins in the event's history)   13.    Sep - The West Nile Virus first appears in the United States. The disease spread quickly through infected birds. Mosquitoes spread the disease to mammals.   14.    Dec - Boris Yeltsin resigns as President of Russia, replaced by Vladimir Putin. Yeltsin has been describes as,  "Russia's first modern leader" and has been compared to Nelson Mandela.   15.    Top 3 Pop Songs   16.    #1 "Believe"    Cher   17.    #2 "No Scrubs"    TLC   18.    #3  "Angel of Mine"    Monica   19.    Record of the Year: "Smooth" – Santana featuring Rob Thomas   20.    Album of the Year: Supernatural – Santana   21.    Song of the Year: "Smooth" – Santana featuring Rob   22.    Best New Artist: Christina Aguilera (Note: Beat out Brittney Spears)   23.    Best Female R&B Vocal Performance: "It's Not Right but It's Okay" – Whitney Houston   24.    Best Male R&B Vocal Performance: "Staying Power" – Barry White   25.    Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal: "No Scrubs" – TLC   26.    Best R&B Song: "No Scrubs" – TLC   27.    Best R&B Album: FanMail – TLC   28.    Best Rap Solo Performance: "My Name Is" – Eminem   29.    Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: "You Got Me" – The Roots featuring Erykah Badu   30.    Best Rap Album: The Slim Shady LP – Eminem   31.    Top 3 Moives   32.    #1  Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace   33.    #2 The Sixth Sense   34.    #3 Toy Story 2   35.    Notables:  Office Space, Analyze This, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, The Matrix (3/31/1999 - 20 days before Columbine), Life, The Mummy, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Wild Wild West, American Pie, The Blair Witch Project, Eyes Wide Shut, The Wood, The Iron Giant, The Sixth Sense, The Thomas Crown Affair, Bowfinger, Three Kings, Fight Club, The Green Mile, Any Given Sunday   36.    Top 3 TV Shows   37.    #1 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire — Tuesday   38.    #2 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire — Thursday   39.    #3 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire — Sunday   40.    Debuts: The PJs, The Parkers, The Queen Latifah Show, Judge Mathis   41.    Economic Snapshots   42.    Income = 40.8k (Previously 38.1k)   43.    House = 131.7k (129.3k)   44.    Car = 21kk (17k)   45.    Rent = 645 (619)   46.    Harvard = 31.1k (30,080)   47.    Movie = 5.06 (4.69)   48.    Gas = 1.22 (1.15)   49.    Stamp = .33 (.32)   50.    Social Scene: Y2K Scare   51.    The Y2K problem and the millennium bug was the most important thing on most companies minds in 1999. This fear was fueled by the press coverage and other media speculation, as well as corporate and government reports. All over the world companies and organizations checked and upgraded their computer systems. Problems were anticipated, and arose, because many programs represented four-digit years with only the final two digits – making the year 2000 indistinguishable from 1900.   52.    (Audio Clip)   53.    Music Scene   54.    Music Scene: Black Songs from the Top 40   55.    #2 "No Scrubs" - TLC   56.    #3 "Angel of Mine" - Monica   57.    #4 "Heartbreak Hotel" - Whitney Houston featuring Faith Evans and Kelly Price   58.    #9 "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" - Deborah Cox   59.    #11 "Where My Girls At?" - 702   60.    #12 "If You Had My Love" - Jennifer Lopez   61.    #14 "Have You Ever?" - Brandy   62.    #16 "I'm Your Angel" - R. Kelly and Celine Dion   63.    #19 "Smooth" - Santana featuring Rob Thomas   64.    #20 "Unpretty" - TLC   65.    #21 "Bills, Bills, Bills" - Destiny's Child   66.    #24 "Fortunate" - Maxwell   67.    #27 "What's It Gonna Be?!" - Busta Rhymes featuring Janet   68.    #28  "What It's Like" - Everlast   69.    #29 "Fly Away" - Lenny Kravitz   70.    #31 "Lately" - Divine   71.    #33 "Wild Wild West" - Will Smith featuring Dru Hill and Kool Moe Dee   72.    #35 "Heartbreaker" - Mariah Carey featuring Jay-Z   73.    #36 "I Still Believe" - Mariah Carey   74.    #39 "Can I Get A..." - Jay-Z featuring Amil and Ja Rule   75.    #42 "Mambo No. 5" - Lou Bega   76.    #43 "Sweet Lady" - Tyrese   77.    Top Rnb Albums   78.    Jan Ghetto Fabulous - Mystikal   79.    Jan Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood - DMX   80.    Feb Made Man - Silkk the Shocker   81.    Feb Chyna Doll - Foxy Brown   82.    Feb The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - Lauryn Hill   83.    Mar Da Next Level - Mr. Serv-On   84.    Mar FanMail - TLC   85.    Mar Bossalinie - C-Murder   86.    Apr The Slim Shady LP - Eminem   87.    Apr I Am… - Nas   88.    May  Ryde or Die Vol. 1 - Ruff Ryders   89.    May No Limit Top Dogg - Snoop Dogg   90.    Jun In Our Lifetime - 8Ball & MJG   91.    Jun The Art of Storytelling - Slick Rick   92.    Jun Venni Vetti Vecci - Ja Rule   93.    Jul Da Real World - Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott   94.    Jul Beneath the Surface - GZA/Genius   95.    Jul Street Life - Fiend   96.    Jul Can't Stay Away - Too Short   97.    Aug Guerrilla Warfare - Hot Boys   98.    Aug Coming of Age - Memphis Bleek   99.    Sep Mary - Mary J. Blige   100.    Sep Forever - Puff Daddy   101.    Oct Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady - Eve   102.    Ocy Blackout! - Method Man & Redman   103.    Nov Only God Can Judge Me - Master P   104.    Nov Tha Block Is Hot - Lil Wayne   105.    Dec 2001 - Dr. Dre   106.    Dec Born Again - The Notorious B.I.G.   107.    Featured Artist: Eminem   108.    Childhood & Early Life: Born Marshall Bruce Mathers III in St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1972, to parents who were members of a band that used to perform at the hotel 'Ramada Inns.' He grew up in a predominantly black neighbourhood, where he was often bullied. As a child he showed affinity toward comics and music, particularly rapping. He had a difficult childhood and he was never on good terms with his mother. He was, however, close to her half-brother, Ronnie. Marshall's education suffered as a result of constant troubles with his mom and he dropped-out of 'Lincoln High School,' when he was seventeen.   109.    Career: When Marshall was fourteen years old, he started rapping and attenditg contetst with his friend DeShaun Dupree Holton, who later became famous as rapper Proof. The two friends formed their own group called 'D12' or 'The Dirty Dozen,' in 1996. Also in 1996, Eminem (@16) brought out his first album titled 'Infinite.' The album was recorded under the banner of 'FBT Productions,' and included songs that spoke about the struggles he faced after the birth of his daughter, at a time when he was financially unstable. His financial condition had worsened and by 1997, he was forced to live in his mother's house with his family. During this time, to let go of the frustration building inside him, he created an anti-social alter-ego named 'Slim Shady.' He even recorded his first extended play by the same name in the same year.   110.    After he was fired from his job and evicted from his home, Eminem went to Los Angeles to compete in the 1997 Rap Olympics, an annual, nationwide battle rap competition. He placed second, and an Interscope Records intern in attendance called asked Eminem for a copy of the Slim Shady EP, which was then sent to company CEO Jimmy Iovine. Iovine played the tape for record producer Dr. Dre, who recalled sayingd, "In my entire career in the music industry, I have never found anything from a demo tape or a CD. When Jimmy played this, I said, 'Find him. Now.'" Although Dre's friends criticized him for hiring a white rapper, he was confident in his decision: "I don't give a fuck if you're purple; if you can kick it, I'm working with you."   111.    In February 1999, Dr. Dre helped Eminem release an album titled 'The Slim Shady LP,' which immediately catapulted him to fame. With hits like 'My Name Is,' '97 Bonnie and Clyde,' and 'Guilty Conscience,' it was one of the most successful albums of the year.   112.    Movie Scene: The Best Man   113.    Harper Stewart (Taye Diggs), a commitment-shy writer and the best man at the wedding of Lance (Morris Chestnut) and Mia (Monica Calhoun), is nervous-and with good reason. His steamy new novel hits bookstores soon, and when his friends finally read it he knows they will notice more than just a passing resemblance to the characters depicted in the book.   114.    Director: Malcolm D. Lee, Debut film [Undercover Brother (2002), Roll Bounce (2005), Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (2008), Soul Men (2008), Scary Movie 5 (2013), The Best Man Holiday (2013), Girls Trip (2017), and Night School (2018)]   115.    Cast: Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, Harold Perrineau, Terance Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Monica Calhoun, Melissa De Sousa, Terrence Howard, Regina Hall [*Film Debut]   116.    'The Best Man': A Joyous Occasion [By Lonnae O'Neal Parker Washington Post Staff Writer, Oct 1999]   117.    This smart debut from filmmaker Malcolm D. Lee, cousin to the film's producer, Spike, centers around a group of old friends who reunite in New York for a wedding. Tapping into the Zeitgeist of young black professionals starving to see themselves on film, it hits all the right cultural touchstones: from BET to Stevie Wonder, Chubb Rock to bid whist. Although the film is produced by Spike Lee, don't expect racial politics. And while comparisons to another black wedding-themed movie starring Taye Diggs, "The Wood," are bound to come up, resist.   118.    James Berardinelli - Reelviews   119.    The Best Man is not what it initially seems to be. Despite starting out with all the earmarks of a fairly ordinary romantic comedy, the project develops into a surprisingly effective look at a man's quest for rebirth after events topple him from a pedestal of arrogance. And, while there are plenty of laughs to be had, The Best Man functions better as a light drama than a straight comedy, with several scenes packing a punch because they're played straight. The film is the directorial debut of Malcolm D. Lee (Spike's cousin), who may have gotten this chance because of family connections but shows enough promise to earn further opportunities on his own.   120.    The Best Man (1999) - 1½ Stars [Reviewed by Dustin Putman, October 1999]   121.    As with 1997's melodramatic, corny "Soul Food," and last summer's "The Wood," which also starred Diggs in a story set around a wedding(!), "The Best Man" aspires to be something more than it actually is. Kudos to Lee for trying his hand at a more knowledgeable picture that all audiences (not just African-Americans) might enjoy, but he also gets more than his share of debits for its severely flawed treatment. At over two hours in length, "The Best Man" thankfully never overstays its welcome and goes by fairly fast, but by the time the Electric Slide was carried out by everyone at the wedding reception over the end credits, I realized that the actors deserved far better. As is, the conclusion plays like an excuse for each of the cast members to give themselves a pat on the back, when they really didn't earn that pat to begin with.   122.    Denzel Washington, film debut in Carbon Copy (1981) and in 1982, Denzel made his first appearance in the medical drama St. Elsewhere as Dr. Philip Chandler. The role proved to be the breakthrough in his career.   123.    Nominated for Best Supporting Actor: Cry Freedom (1988) and Glory (1990)(*won)   124.    Nominated for Best Actor for Malcolm X (1993)   125.    1981 Carbon Copy / 1984 A Soldier's Story / 1986 Power / 1987 Cry Freedom / 1988 For Queen and Country / 1989 The Mighty Quinn / 1989 Glory / 1990 Heart Condition / 1990 Mo' Better Blues / 1991 Mississippi Masala / 1991 Ricochet / 1992 Malcolm X / 1993 Much Ado About Nothing / 1993 The Pelican Brief / 1993 Philadelphia / 1995 Crimson Tide / 1995 Virtuosity / 1995 Devil in a Blue Dress / 1996 Courage Under Fire / 1996 The Preacher's Wife / 1998 Fallen / 1998 He Got Game / 1998 The Siege / 1999 The Bone Collector / 1999 The Hurricane - [25 films]   126.    Samuel L. Jackson.   127.    Nominated for Best Supporting Actor: Pulp Fiction (1994)   128.    1981 Ragtime / 1987 Magic Sticks / 1988 Coming to America / 1988 School Daze / 1989 Do the Right Thing / 1989 Sea of Love / 1990 Def by Temptation / 1990 A Shock to the System / 1990 Betsy's Wedding / 1990 Mo' Better Blues / 1990 The Exorcist III / 1990 Goodfellas / 1990 The Return of Superfly / 1991 Strictly Business / 1991 Jungle Fever / 1991 Jumpin' at the Boneyard / 1991 Johnny Suede / 1992 Juice / 1992 Patriot Games /1992 White Sands / 1992 Fathers & Sons / 1993 Menace II Society /1993 Loaded Weapon / 1993 Amos & Andrew / 1993 Jurassic Park / 1993 True Romance / 1994 Fresh / 1994 Pulp Fiction / 1994 The New Age / 1994 Hail Caesar / 1994 Assault at West Point: The Court-Martial of Johnson Whittaker / 1994 The Search for One-eye Jimmy / 1995 Kiss of Death / 1995 Die Hard with a Vengeance / 1995 Losing Isaiah / 1995 Fluke / 1996 The Great White Hype / 1996 A Time to Kill / 1996 The Long Kiss Goodnight / 1996 Hard Eight / 1996 Trees Lounge / 1997 One Eight Seven / 1997 Eve's Bayou / 1997 Jackie Brown / 1998 Sphere / 1998 The Negotiator / 1998 The Red Violin / 1998 Out of Sight / 1999 Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace / 1999 Deep Blue Sea - [50 films]   129.    Question: DW vs. SLJ?   130.    Television Scene:   131.    18 Black Sitcoms of the '90s That Changed the Game: Published Jan 24, 2020 - By Damarys Ocaña Perez   132.    Black sitcoms have been popular since classics like Good Times, The Jeffersons, and Sanford and Son hit television screens nationwide in the '70s. But it wasn't until The Cosby Show became a ratings juggernaut in the mid '80s that networks finally saw the potential in investing heavily in sitcoms with black leads.   133.    And so the '90s became a decade in which more black sitcoms than ever made it onto TV   134.    Naturally, given the success of The Cosby Show, a lot of shows that followed featured families. But they didn't just simply copy the formula.   135.    The lives of younger people took center stage as well in the '90s. So, instead of being the token black friend within the larger context of a show, black teens, college students, 20-something professionals became the vehicle for funny and even poignant stories.   136.    The '90s turned hugely talented black comedians and actors into stars who remain household names to this day, and it goes to show the impact that being given a seat at the table and a voice on prime time television can accomplish.   137.    Here are 18 black '90s sitcoms that we love do this day for the impact they had on our lives then and now.   138.    'A Different World' (1987-1993): One of the show's major accomplishments was being among the first to tackle real issues like date rape, racism, and HIV, things that the Cosby Show had avoided. A Different World is the gem that created a bridge to the '90s black sitcom boom.   139.    'Family Matters' (1989-1997): The longest-running sitcom about a black family (it spanned nine seasons to The Cosby Show's eight), Family Matters was not only funny -- especially after introducing super-nerd Urkel -- but managed to balance big laughs with more serious moments. There were episodes that centered around civil rights history and police mistreatment of young black men, and a wide-ranging audience got to see them, thanks to the show's across-the-board popularity.   140.    'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' (1990-1996): Nestled between Will Smith's rapping days and his status as one of the world's most bankable A-list movie stars was The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which made his a household name and produced one of the longest-running fan debates in TV history on which of the two actresses who played Aunt Viv was the best one.   141.    'Roc' (1991-1994): Before Charles S. Dutton went on to win three Emmys for his work on other shows, he starred in this underrated and brief series that was fairly typical sitcom until the second season, which aired each episode live. Roc was a treat because Dutton and several of the other cast members were trained stage actors.   142.    'Martin' (1992-1997): Martin Lawrence was all edge when he wasn't doing Martin. (One of his stand-up specials was slapped with an NC-17 rating, and he was banned from Saturday Night Live for delivering a hilariously raunchy monologue.) That makes it all the more interesting that on the show Martin, he played a lovably manic man-boy. We lost count of how many characters Martin played on the show (in disguise), each one of them hilarious in their own specific way.   143.    'Hangin' With Mr. Cooper' (1992-1997): This sitcom had a great cast, including comedian Raven-Symoné, Holly Robinson Peete, and Mark Curry.   144.    'Living Single' (1993-1998): The show marked the first time that we saw young black women portrayed as professionals and given well-rounded personalities, have healthy relationships, and pave the way for black female-centered shows - nlike Girlfriends and Insecure.   145.    'Sister, Sister' (1994-1999): There are so many reasons why we loved Sister,Sister, and one of them was that the show would occasionally break the fourth wall and talk directly to the audience, which made us feel part of the action. But the show also had layers that deepened its story: The girls had been the product of an interracial relationship between a black mom and a white dad who never had the chance to marry before being separated in tragic circumstances.   146.    'In The House' (1995-1999): It wasn't the world's best sitcom, but hey, LL Cool J has always been a snack.   147.    'The Parent 'Hood' (1995-1999): One of the four original Wednesday night shows that helped launched the WB (The Wayans Bros was another), what sets the show apart are the whimsical fantasy sequences that the dad dreams up to help him solve family issues in a creative and unexpected way.   148.    'The Wayans Bros.' (1995-1999): In Living Color, it's not, but this sitcom from younger Wayans siblings Shawn and Marlon is still simple fun that doesn't require too many brain cells -- and that can be a good thing.   149.    'Moesha' (1996-2001): Moesha centered around a black teenager diving into deeper explorations of all kinds of relationships and left cliffhangers in several story lines dangling when it was canceled.   150.    'The Jamie Foxx Show' (1996-2001): Fresh off the groundbreaking comedy sketch show In Living Color and before he becoming an movie star, Jamie Foxx starred as an aspiring actor who works at his relatives' hotel.   151.    'Kenan & Kel' (1996-2000): Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell were Nickelodeon's first black sitcom stars, having landed their own show when producers saw them joking around on the set of All That when they were series regulars.   152.    'The Steve Harvey Show' (1996-2002): A big highlight is the constant guest star roster that's a who's who of black TV stars and musicians -- like Snoop Dogg, Diddy, Kim Fields, and Ja’Net DuBois of the classic sitcom Good Times.   153.    'The Hughleys' (1998-2002): Two decades before Black-ish tackled a similar premise, The Hughleys featured a family that lives in a predominantly white neighborhood.   154.    'The Famous Jett Jackson' (1998-2001): This show had just 65 episodes but has a special place in our hearts as the first Disney Channel show to feature a black actor as the lead. The immensely talented and magnetic Lee Thompson Young starred as Jett Jackson, a kid who tries to live a normal life when he's not filming. Thompson tragically died at age 29, after struggling with bipolar disorder and depression, but the heartwarming show lives on.   155.    'The Parkers' (1999-2004): It's no surprise that one of the most down-to-earth black sitcoms from the '90s starred Mo'Nique as a single mom who dropped out of high school to raise her baby.   156.    Question: Most Liked Show of the 90’s?   157.    Vote: Best/most important/favorite pop culture item from 1999

Topics: Monica Lewinsky Scandal, Jay Z, Beloved (Film), 90's Tech (Bonus Artist: hidingtobefound and Luck Pacheco)   1998 General Snapshots   1.    Bill Clinton President   2.    Jan - Paula Jones accuses U.S. President Bill Clinton of sexual harassment.   3.    Jan - Smoking is banned in all California bars and restaurants.   4.    Jan - Super Bowl XXXII: The Denver Broncos become the first AFC team in 14 years to win the Super Bowl, as they defeat the Green Bay Packers   5.    Jan - Lewinsky scandal: On American television, President Bill Clinton denies he had "sexual relations" with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky. The next day, Hillary Clinton appears on The Today Show, calling the attacks against her husband part of a "vast right-wing conspiracy".   6.    Mar - The Food and Drug Administration approves Viagra for use as a treatment for erectile dysfunction, the first pill to be approved for this condition in the United States.   7.    Apr - The unemployment rate drops to 4.3%, the lowest level since February 1970.   8.    Apr - The Dow Jones Industrial Average closes above 9,000 for the first time.   9.    Apr - Teletubbies begins its U.S. television debut on PBS.   10.    Apr - Inflight smoking is banned on all commercial passenger flights in the United States,   11.    Jun - The Chicago Bulls win their 6th NBA title in 8 years when they beat the Utah Jazz. This is also Michael Jordan's last game as a Bull, clinching the game in the final seconds on a fadeaway jumper.   12.    Aug - The bombings of the United States embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya kill 224 people and injure over 4,500; they are linked to terrorist Osama bin Laden. Two weeks later. The United States military launches cruise missile attacks against alleged al-Qaeda camps in Afghanistan and a suspected chemical plant in Sudan.   13.    Oct - College student Matthew Shepard is found tied to a fence near Laramie, Wyoming. His death became a symbol of gay-bashing and sparked a national debate on homophobia in the U.S.   14.    Nov - Jesse Ventura, former professional wrestler, is elected Governor of Minnesota.   15.    Nov - America Online announces it will acquire Netscape Communications for $4.2B as the “Dot.com” bubble heats up. Between 1995 and 2000, the Nasdaq Composite stock market index rose 400%.   16.    Dec - Lewinsky scandal: President Bill Clinton is impeached by the United States House of Representatives. (He was later acquitted of any wrongdoing.)   17.    Open Comments   18.    Top 3 Pop songs   19.    #1 "Too Close", Next   20.    #2 "The Boy Is Mine", Brandy and Monica   21.    #3 "You're Still the One", Shania Twain   22.    Record of the Year: "My Heart Will Go On", Celine Dion   23.    Album of the Year: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Lauryn Hill   24.    Song of the Year: "My Heart Will Go On", Celine Dion   25.    Best New Artist: Lauryn Hill   26.    Best Female R&B Vocal Performance: "Doo Wop (That Thing)”, Lauryn Hill   27.    Best Male R&B Vocal Performance: "St. Louis Blues”, Stevie Wonder in Herbie Hancock's Gershwin's World   28.    Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal: "The Boy Is Mine", Brandy & Monica   29.    Best R&B Song: "Doo Wop (That Thing)”, Lauryn Hill   30.    Best R&B Album: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Lauryn Hill   31.    Best Traditional R&B Vocal Album: Live! One Night Only, Patti LaBelle   32.    Best Rap Solo Performance: "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It", Will Smith   33.    Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: "Intergalactic", Beastie Boys   34.    Best Rap Album: Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life, Jay-Z   35.    Top 3 Movies   36.    #1 Armageddon   37.    #2 Saving Private Ryan   38.    #3 Godzilla   39.    Notables: Dr. Dolittle, Half Baked, The Wedding Singer, The Big Lebowski, Primary Colors, The Players Club, Suicide Kings, He Got Game, Bulworth, The Truman Show, Mulan, There's Something About Mary, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Blade, Rush Hour, Antz, Beloved, Belly, The Waterboy, A Bug's Life, A Simple Plan, You've Got Mail   40.    Open Comments   41.    Top 3 TV Shows   42.    #1 ER   43.    #2 Friends   44.    #3 Frasier   45.    Debuts: Judge Joe Brown, The Hughleys   46.    Open Comments   47.    Economic Snapshots   48.    Income = 38.1 (Previously 37.5K)   49.    House = 129.3 (124k)   50.    Car = 17k (17k)   51.    Rent = 619 (576)   52.    Harvard = 30,080 (28.9)   53.    Movie = 4.69 (4.59)   54.    Gas = 1.15 (1.22)   55.    Stamp = .32 (-)   56.    Social Scene: Monica Lewinsky Scandal (Highlights)   57.    Born in San Francisco in 1973, Monica Lewinsky was raised in a well-off family in the Los Angeles area. In the summer of 1995 (@ 22 yrs. old), after graduating from Lewis and Clark College, she landed an unpaid internship in the White House chief of staff’s office.   58.    In November 1995, during a federal government shutdown, Lewinsky flirted with the president and the two had their first sexual encounter. Later that month, she took a paying job in the Office of Legislative Affairs.   59.    They had seven more encounters in the White House and her visits started drawing notice from people. In April 1996, a deputy chief of staff had her transferred to a job at the Pentagon.   60.    The president and Lewinsky had two more encounters, the last was in spring 1997, and stayed in touch by phone.   61.    At the Pentagon, she befriended a coworker, Linda Tripp, and she confided details of her affair with the president. Tripp in turn shared the story with an anti-Clinton conservative literary agent she knew. That person urged Tripp to secretly, and in violation of taping laws, record hours of her phone conversations with Lewinsky.   62.    Word of Tripp’s tapes made it to lawyers working on behalf of Paula Jones, a former government employee who had filed a lawsuit against the president for alleged sexual misconduct that took place in 1991, when he was governor of Arkansas.   63.    In December 1997, Lewinsky was subpoenaed by Jones’ attorneys and, after the president allegedly suggested she be evasive, the former intern denied in an affidavit that she had had a sexual relationship with Clinton.   64.    Around the same time, independent counsel Kenneth Starr, who had been investigating Clinton and his wife Hillary’s involvement in a failed business venture called Whitewater, found out about Tripp’s recordings. Soon afterward, FBI agents fitted Tripp with a hidden microphone so she could legally tape her conversations with Lewinsky.   65.    Then Starr expanded his investigation to include the president’s relationship with Lewinsky and told her that if she did not cooperate with the investigation she would be charged with perjury.   66.    When Clinton was deposed in January 1998 by Jones’ legal team, he claimed he had never had sexual relations with Lewinsky. (The Big Lie)   67.    On January 17, 1998, the Drudge Report, a conservative online news site, published the accusations against the president and the next day revealed Lewinsky’s identity. The mainstream media picked up the story a few days later, and a national scandal Erupted. Clinton refuted the allegations against him, famously stating at a press conference, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.”   68.    That July, Lewinsky’s lawyers announced she had been granted immunity in exchange for her testimony. She also gave Starr’s team physical evidence of her affair with Clinton: a blue dress with an incriminating stain containing the president’s DNA. At the suggestion of Tripp, Lewinsky had never laundered the garment.   69.    On August 17, 1998, Clinton testified before a grand jury and confessed he had engaged in “inappropriate intimate physical contact” with Lewinsky. However, the president contended his actions did not meet the definition of sexual relations used by Jones’ attorneys—so he had not perjured himself. That night, he appeared on national TV and apologized for his behavior but maintained he had never asked anyone involved to lie or do anything illegal.   70.    In September 1998, Starr gave Congress a 445-page report. The Starr Report was soon made public by Congress and published in book form, becoming a best-seller   71.    In December, the House approved two articles of impeachment against him: perjury and obstruction of justice. He was only the second president in U.S. history to be impeached (after President Andrew Johnson in 1868).   72.    On February 12, 1999, following a five-week trial in the Senate, Clinton was acquitted. (During his impeachment proceedings, he agreed to settle the Paula Jones lawsuit for $850,000, but admitted no wrongdoing.)   73.    Open Comments:   74.    Question: Impeach? (Y/N) (Can you imagine if Barack did this to Michelle!)   75.    Music Scene: Black Songs from the Top 40   76.    #1 "Too Close" - Next   77.    #2 "The Boy Is Mine" - Brandy and Monica   78.    #6 "Together Again" - Janet   79.    #7 "All My Life" - K-Ci & JoJo   80.    #9 "Nice & Slow" - Usher   81.    #12 "No, No, No" - Destiny's Child   82.    #14 "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" - Will Smith   83.    #15 "You Make Me Wanna..." - Usher   84.    #16 "My Way" - Usher   85.    #17 My All" - Mariah Carey   86.    #18 "The First Night" - Monica   87.    #19 "Been Around the World" - Puff Daddy featuring The Notorious B.I.G. and Mase   88.    #24 "Body Bumpin' (Yippie-Yi-Yo)" - Public Announcement   89.    #26 "I Don't Ever Want to See You Again" - Uncle Sam   90.    #27 "Let's Ride" - Montell Jordan featuring Master P and Silkk the Shocker   91.    #30 "A Song for Mama" - Boyz II Men   92.    #31 "What You Want" - Mase featuring Total   93.    #33 "Gone till November" - Wyclef Jean   94.    #34 "My Body" - LSG   95.    #36 "Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)" - Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz   96.    #39 "They Don't Know" - Jon B.   97.    #40 "Make 'Em Say Uhh!" - Master P featuring Fiend, Silkk the Shocker, Mia X and Mystikal   98.    Vote:   99.    Top RnB Albums   100.    Jan - R U Still Down? (Remember Me), 2Pac   101.    Jan - My Way, Usher   102.    Jan - Money, Power & Respect, The LOX   103.    Feb - My Balls and My Word, Young Bleed   104.    Feb - Anytime, Brian McKnight   105.    Mar - Charge It 2 da Game, Silkk the Shocker   106.    Mar - My Homies, Scarface   107.    Mar - Life or Death, C-Murder   108.    Apr - The Pillage, Cappadonna   109.    Apr - Moment of Truth, Gang Starr   110.    May - There's One in Every Family, Fiend   111.    Jun - It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, DMX   112.    Jun - MP Da Last Don, Master P   113.    Jul - El Nino, Def Squad   114.    Jul - Am I My Brother's Keeper, Kane & Abel   115.    Aug - N.O.R.E., Noreaga   116.    Aug - Jermaine Dupri Presents: Life In 1472, Jermaine Dupri   117.    Aug - Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told, Snoop Dogg   118.    Sep - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Lauryn Hill   119.    Oct - Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life, Jay-Z   120.    Nov - R., R. Kelly   121.    Dec - Tical 2000: Judgement Day, Method Man   122.    Dec - Doc's da Name 2000, Redman   123.    Vote:   124.    Featured Artists: Jay Z   125.    Childhood & Early Life: Shawn Corey Carter was born in Brooklyn, New York City in 1969. He is the last of the four children. When he was only 11 years old, his father abandoned the family. They lived in the drug-infested ‘Marcy Projects’, where violence and gun-culture were also prevalent. He soon became so imbibed the gun-culture that he allegedly shot his elder brother in the shoulder for pocketing his jewelry. His interest in music was sparked from early on when he received a boom box for his birthday from his mother. He began free styling, scripting lyrics and copied the music of many popular artists of the time. He studied at several local high schools, where he was classmates with future performers, Busta Rhymes and The Notorious B.I.G., before ultimately dropping out and selling drugs.   126.    Career Highlights   127.    1989 Jaz-O (@19yrs): Hooked up with local star and fellow project inhabitant, Jaz-O, who became his guru and taught him the industry basics. In order to pay homage to his mentor, he changed his name to Jay-Z, since Sean was known as ‘Jazzy’ in his neighborhood. Jaz-O’s “Hawaiian Sophie” is one of Jay-Z’s earliest appearances on wax. - Key development: He saw Jaz-O get jerked over by the record business. No record deal and he return to selling drugs.   128.    1992 Big Daddy Kane (@22): BDK records a mixtape with Jaz-O and Jay-Z. Eventually, BDK and Jay start working together and during BDK’s time with the Patti LaBelle tour he had Jay-Z performing for him while was in the back changing clothes. Key Development: Exposure and experience, but no deal. Back to the streets.   129.    1994 Original Flavor/Clark Kent/Damon Dash (@24): Original Flavor was one of rap's middle school crews headed by Ski, an MC/producer. They were also the first group managed by future recording industry executive Damon Dash. Although Ski worked with legendary New York DJ Clark Kent for the groups debut project, the album fizzled. For their follow-up, Ski enlisted the aid of a few more MCs including a young Brooklynite with some experience in the rap field, Jay-Z. Original Flavor was Jay-Z's training ground and it served as a catapult for his future endeavors. Flavor's sophomore release was released in 1994 and again fizzled. However, the lead single "Can I Get Open" features Jay-Z in impeccable pre-Jayhova form. Jay-Z's skills far surpassed those of the rest of the crew and his solo career would begin soon. Key Development: Local buzz, regional tours, several singles and videos but no deal. Starts transition from the streets.   130.    1995-96 Roc-A-Fella Records (@25): Frustrated with being turned down by several major labels Carter, Dash and Kareem Burke started their own label, Roc-A-Fella, as an independent outlet for Jay-Z's music. After becoming a local sensation, Jay-Z turned into Jigga and adopted the Tony Montana-styled persona. He would continue to work with his Original Flavor partner Ski after the group disbanded, making him a member/producer of his Roc-a-Fella staff. Jay-Z was also supported by The Notorious B.I.G.'s producer DJ Clark Kent. Key Development: Debut album, ‘Reasonable Doubt’ released in 1996. It did not immediately attain commercial success, but it spawned several hits, and established Jay-Z in the hip-hop community. No more streets.   131.    1997 Def Jam (@27): Roc-A-Fella Records agreed to a 50/50 partnership and distribution deal with Def Jam. His second studio album, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. Is released. The album debuted at #3 and most of the production is handled by Puff Daddy's production team giving the album a glossier sound than its predecessor. It was a shift from the mafioso rap themes of his first effort to a more popular sound. Critical reviews: "Though the productions are just a bit flashier and more commercial than on his debut, Jay-Z remained the tough street rapper, and even improved a bit on his flow...he struts the line between project poet and up-and-coming player" while balancing "both personas with the best rapping heard in the rap game since the deaths of 2Pac and Notorious B.I.G." (Also, in response to the sellout charge, Roc-A-Fella Records released the movie Streets Is Watching.)   132.    1998 Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life: The third studio album was released on September 29, 1998, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. Key Development: He cracks the code. This album went on to become his most commercially successful album to date, selling over 5 million copies. Critics review: Q magazine called it "the epitome of mainstream hip hop".   133.    Audio Clip   134.    Open Comments:   135.    Question: Everybody knows someone who overcame the “streets” and is a success or should have overcome the “streets” and been a success. Who is your personal “Jay-Z”?   136.    Movie Scene: Beloved   137.    Summary: In 1873 Ohio, Sethe (Oprah Winfrey) is a mother of three haunted by her horrific slavery past and her desperate actions for freedom. As a result, Sethe's home is haunted by a furious poltergeist, which drives away her two sons. Sethe and her daughter (Kimberly Elise) endure living with the spirit for 10 more years, until an old friend, Paul D. Garner (Danny Glover), arrives to run it out. After Garner moves in, a strange woman named Beloved (Thandie Newton) enters their lives, causing turmoil.   138.    Accolades: Academy Awards, Best Costume Design: Colleen Atwood (Nominated), Chicago Film Critics, Most Promising Actress: Kimberly Elise (Winner), NAACP Image Awards, Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: Danny Glover (Winner)   139.    Review: Demme's direction tells the story through mood and accumulation of incident, rather than through a traditional story line. His editor, Carol Littleton, takes on the difficult task of helping us find our way through the maze. Some audience members, I imagine, will not like it--will find it confusing or too convoluted. And it does not provide the kind of easy lift at the end that they might expect. Sethe's tragic story is the kind where the only happy ending is that it is over. - Roger Ebert   140.    Review: No Peace from a Brutal Legacy.  "Beloved" works on its own but is much enhanced by familiarity with the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. In so ambitiously bringing this story to the screen, Ms. Winfrey underscores a favorite, invaluable credo: read the book.  - By Janet Maslin. NY Times   141.    Fallout: 'Beloved' Tests Racial Themes At Box Office; Will This Winfrey Film Appeal to White Audiences? - By Bernard Weinraub   142.    Answer: No. Winfrey has gone on public record stating that she ate 30 pounds of macaroni and cheese when she was informed the Saturday after the movie opened that "we got beat by something called Chucky." Oprah also claimed that Beloved's failure at the box office was the worst moment in her career and brought her into a major depression. "It was the only time in my life that I was ever depressed, and I recognized that I (was) depressed because I've done enough shows (on the topic). 'Oh, this is what people must feel like who are depressed.”   143.    Open Comments   144.    Question: Favorite book-to-movie?: Call Me By Your Name/The Princess Bride/12 Years a Slave/Little Women/Mean Girls/The Shawshank Redemption/Harry Potter/Gone Girl/The Color Purple/The Wizard of Oz/Jurassic Park/The Lord of the Rings/The Godfather/THE /COLOR PURPLE/ROOTS/WAITING TO EXHALE/BELOVED/WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT/THINK LIKE A MAN/THE WIZ/THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES/The Help/THE HELP/MALCOLM X/LADY SINGS THE BLUES/HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK/PRECIOUS/DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS   145.    Technology that changed us: The 1990s, from Worldwide Web to Google - By David Gewirtz, ZDNET   146.    1990: The First Web Browser - Of all the technologies that changed our lives, perhaps the most profound of the last 50 years has been the web. But it was not the ability to hyperlink documents that made the most impact. Instead, it was the application that presented all that information to users, the browser. English scientist Tim Berners-Lee invented and wrote the first web browser in 1990 while employed at CERN near Geneva, Switzerland. Notables: Adobe released the first version of Photoshop in 1990.   147.    1991: Linux - On August 25, 1991, Linus Torvalds typed the following to the Minix Usenet newsgroup, and it changed everything, "I'm doing a (free) operating system (just a hobby, won't be big and professional..." Today, Linux runs in everything, from light bulbs to cars, to almost all TVs and phones on the market. Notable: Second generation (2G) cell phones. 2G service used digital transmission instead of analog and paved the way for SMS messaging.   148.    1992: The First Sms Text Message - December 3, 1992 engineer Neil Papworth sent a message to Richard Jarvis on a Vodafone Orbitel 901 handset. It said, "MERRY CHRISTMAS".   149.    1993: Mosaic Web Browser - It was the first browser that could display images. Mosaic was created by grad students at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) located at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Mosaic eventually became Netscape, which dominated the web (for a while, at least).   150.    1994: Amazon Founded - It started as a source for books. Notable: Sony's first PlayStation   151.    1995: Windows 95 And Ie 1.0 - Windows 95 was the first version of Windows to include IE, which would become the dominant browser for more than a decade. Notable (1): E-commerce: While the concept of e-commerce existed loosely for a few years, it was not until the 1990s that modern e-commerce was born. In 1995, both Amazon and eBay launched, and in 1999 Alibaba made its debut. Notable (2): JavaScript. SSL, and eBay   152.    1996: Palm Pilot Handheld - The first successful handheld PDA. Notable: DVD, & USB   153.    1997: Steve Jobs Returns To Apple - Apple would soon utterly transform music and telephones. Notable: MP3 players, Netflix, and Wi-Fi standard adopted.   154.    1998: Google Founded. Notable: Windows 98 and first iMac introduced.   155.    1999: The digital video recorder (DVR) was born. Notable: BlackBerry and preparing for the Y2K bug.   156.    Question: Best 90’s tech:   157.    Vote: Best/most important/favorite pop culture item from 1998?

Check out my conversation with Michael Keith of R&B Group 112. The makers of hit songs like Cupid, Anywhere, Peaches and Cream, etc. They have a new EP called 112 Forever. We discuss their hiatus from releasing new music, Michael's recent battle with Covid-19 and their new EP ';112 Forever'. The group met while attending high school. The original group consisting of Daron Jones, Michael Keith, and Reginald Finley sang together while Jones and Keith were in middle school and Finley was in high school. Once all three were in high school, they met fellow schoolmate Aldon Lagon who was working at a local McDonald's in Atlanta and added him due to his deep bass voice. They met a high tenor vocalist Marvin Scandrick who sang with them in the school chorus. They recorded their debut album, 112. Released in 1996, the album eventually went double platinum. The album which was primarily produced by Tim & Bob entered into the top 5 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart, and went on to sell over two million copies. It featured the hit singles "Only You" and "Cupid", both of which peaked at #13 on the Hot 100 and #3 and #2 on the R&B charts respectively.[1] The group also contributed to records by artists including The Notorious B.I.G., Sean Combs (as Puff Daddy) and Mase. The group eventually went on the road as the opening act for the Isley Brothers at Ron Isley's request, the first of four separate tours that saw the group criss-crossing the U.S. with Keith Sweat, New Edition and finally Puff Daddy and the Family, over an 18-month period. In the years that followed, they toured with other performers such as Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson. They had great success in the late 1990s and early 2000s with hits such as "Only You", "Anywhere" and the Grammy Award-nominated single, "Peaches & Cream". The group most notably won a Grammy Award in 1997 for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, for featuring in the song "I'll Be Missing You" with Sean Combs and Faith Evans. Follow 112 on online:Website: http://112Forever.com Facebook @112OfficialInstagram @theofficial112 Twitter @theofficial112 [7]For more information and news, check out our website at BringBackSoulMusic.com.Support our channel by purchasing merch @ Bringbacksoulmusic.comCOPYRIGHT © 2020 Bring Back Soul Music.

Topics: Biggie death, Erykah Badu, Eve's Bayou, Miss Evers' Boys (Bonus Artist: Luck Pacheco)   Notes 1997   1.    President: Bill Clinton   2.    Feb -A Santa Monica jury finds former football legend O.J. Simpson is liable for the deaths of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman.   3.    Feb - North Hollywood shootout: Two heavily armed bank robbers conflict with officers from the Los Angeles Police Department in a mass shootout.   4.    Feb - Miss Evers' Boys airs on HBO. It is a made-for-TV adaptation of David Feldshuh's eponymous 1992 stage play, and was nominated for eleven Emmy Awards and won four, Outstanding Made for Television Movie / Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie – Alfre Woodard / Editing / Cinematography   5.    Mar - Brooklyn rapper The Notorious B.I.G. is killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles at age 24 before the release of his second album Life After Death. The album was released on March 25.   6.    Mar - In San Diego, California, 39 members of  Heaven's Gate, a UFO religious cult, commit mass suicide.   7.    Apr - The Ellen episode, "The Puppy Episode" is broadcast on ABC, showing for the first time the revelation of a main character as a homosexual.   8.    May - U.S. President Bill Clinton issues a formal apology to the surviving victims of the Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male and their families.   9.    Jun - During the Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson II boxing match in Las Vegas, Mike Tyson bites off part of Evander Holyfield's ear.   10.    Jun - The base version of the standard WiFi was released   11.    Aug - Diana, Princess of Wales died in hospital after being injured in a motor vehicle accident in a road tunnel in Paris.   12.    Sep - www.google.com is registered by Google.   13.    Nov - Mary Kay Letourneau is sentenced to six months imprisonment in Washington after pleading guilty to two counts of second-degree child rape. Letourneau gave birth to her victims' child and the leniency of her sentence was widely criticized.[3]   14.    Nov - The Emergency Broadcast System is replaced by the Emergency Alert System and it continues to this day. - "This is a test. This station is conducting a test of the Emergency Broadcast System. This is only a test."   15.    Open Comments:   16.    Top 3 Pop Songs   17.    #1-"Something About the Way You Look Tonight" / "Candle in the Wind 1997", Elton John   18.    #2-"Foolish Games" / "You Were Meant for Me", Jewel   19.    #3-"I'll Be Missing You", Puff Daddy featuring Faith Evans and 112   20.    Record Of The Year, Sunny Came Home - Shawn Colvin   21.    Album Of The Year, Time Out Of Mind - Bob Dylan   22.    Song Of The Year, Sunny Came Home - Shawn Colvin Colvin)   23.    Best New Artist, Paula Cole   24.    Best Female R&B, On & On - Erykah Badu   25.    Best Male R&B, I Believe I Can Fly - R. Kelly   26.    Best R&B Duo Or Group, No Diggity - Blackstreet   27.    Best R&B Song, I Believe I Can Fly - R. Kelly   28.    Best R&B Album, Baduizm - Erykah Badu   29.    Best Rap Solo, Men In Black - Will Smith   30.    Best Rap Duo Or Group, I'll Be Missing You - Puff Daddy & Faith Evans Featuring 112   31.    Best Rap Album, No Way Out - Puff Daddy & The Family   32.    Top 3 Movies   33.    #1-Titanic   34.    #2-The Lost World: Jurassic Park   35.    #3-Men in Black   36.    Notables: Rhyme & Reason, Gridlock'd, Rosewood, Good Burger, Def Jam's How to Be a Player, Hoodlum, Kiss the Girls, Gang Related, Boogie Nights, The Devil's Advocate, Good Will Hunting, Jackie Brown, Love Jones, B*A*P*S, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, Booty Call, Donnie Brasco, Soul Food, Gang Related,   37.    Open Comments:   38.    Top TV Shows   39.    #1-Seinfeld   40.    #2-ER   41.    #3-Veronica's Closet   42.    Debuts, The Chris Rock Show   43.    Open Comments:   44.    Economic Snapshots   45.    Income = 37.5 (Previously 36.3K)   46.    House = 124k (118.2)   47.    Car = 17k (16.3)   48.    Rent = 576 (554)   49.    Harvard = 28.9 (27.5)   50.    Movie = 4.59 (4.42)   51.    Gas = 1.22 (-)   52.    Stamp = .32 (-)   53.    Social Scene: Death of Christopher George Latore Wallace, aka ‘Biggie Smalls,’ ‘The Notorious B.I.G,’ or ‘Biggie,’   54.    Childhood & Early Life: Born on May 21, 1972 in Brooklyn, New York, to Voletta Wallace and Selwyn George Latore. His mother was a Jamaican preschool teacher and his father was a politician and welder. His father left the family when he was two years old. He attended the ‘Queen of All Saints Middle School’ where he excelled in English, won many awards,  and was given the nickname ‘Big.’ because of his weight, around the age of 10 (1982).  He started dealing drugs as early as 12 while his mother went out for work, and she says he adapted a ‘smart-ass’ attitude, while attending high school, but he was still a good student. He dropped out of school at 17 (1989) and gradually got involved in criminal activities. Shortly after dropping out, he was arrested on weapon charges and was sentenced for probation of five years. He was again arrested in 1990 for violating his probation and again a year later for drug dealing in North Carolina. He stayed in jail for nine months.   55.    Career: As a teen, he began exploring music and performed with local groups, such as ‘Techniques’ and ‘Old Gold Brothers.’ He made a casual demo tape titled ‘Microphone Murder’ under the name ‘Biggie Smalls.’ The name was inspired from his own stature as well as from a character of a 1975 film ‘Let’s Do it Again.’ The tape was promoted by Mister Cee, a New York based DJ and was heard by the editor of ‘The Source.’ In March 1992 (@19), he was featured in the ‘Unsigned Hype’ column of ‘The Source,’ magazine. Shortly thereafter, he was signed by ‘Uptown Records’. In 1993, when Sean 'Puffy' Combs, a producer/A&R with ‘Uptown Records’ was fired, Biggie Smalls signed with Combs’ ‘Bad Boy Records.’ In August, 1993 (@21), he had his first child T’yanna.  To financially support his daughter, he continued to deal drugs. Also in 1993, he worked on the remix of Mary J. Blige’s ‘Real Love.’ While working for ‘Real Love,’ he used the pseudonym ‘The Notorious B.I.G.,’ the name he used for the rest of his career. He followed up with another remix of Blige's ‘What’s the 411’. He debuted as a solo artist in the 1993 film ‘Who’s the Man?’ with the single ‘Party and Bullshit.’   56.    As a solo artist he hit the pop chart in August 1994 (@22) with ‘Juicy/Unbelievable.’ His debut album ‘Ready to Die’ was released in September, 1994, peaked at number 15 on the Billboard 200 and was subject to critical acclaim and soon a commercial success. Three singles were released from the album: "Juicy", "Big Poppa", "One More Chance". "Big Poppa" was a hit on multiple charts, peaking at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and also being nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 1996 Grammy Awards.  At a time when West Coast hip hop was dominating the mainstream, this album became a huge success, making him a prominent figure in the East Coast hip hop scene. [Side Note: 2 months later in November, Tupac was shot five times in a NYC recording studio].  In July 1995 (@23), the cover of ‘The Source’ magazine featured him along with the caption ‘The King of New York Takes Over.’   57.    Recording of his second album, ‘Life After Death,’  began in September 1995 but was interrupted due to injuries, hip hop disputes, and legal squabbles (much like his friend Tupac). He was in a car accident which hospitalized him for three months. He had to complete rehabilitation and was confined to a wheelchair for a period. The car accident had shattered his left leg and made him dependent on a cane. He was arrested outside a nightclub in Manhattan in March, 1996 (24), for manhandling and threatening to kill two of his fans who were seeking autographs, and again in the middle of the year, he was arrested from his home at Teaneck, New Jersey, for possessing weapons and drugs. On September 7, 1996, Tupac Shakur was shot in Las Vegas, Nevada, and he died six days later. Rumors of Biggie Smalls’ involvement in Shakur’s murder were doing the rounds and were reported immediately. In January 1997, he faced an order to pay 41k for a dispute that occurred in May 1995 where a concert promoter’s friend accused him and his entourage of beating him up.   58.    Death: In February 1997, he went to Los Angeles to promote his upcoming album ‘Life After Death’ which was scheduled for March 25th release. On March 7, 1997, he attended the 1997 ‘Soul Train Music Awards’ and presented an award to Toni Braxton. On March 8, he attended the after party at ‘Peterson Automotive Museum,’ hosted by ‘Quest Records’ and ‘Vibe’ magazine. While leaving the party, his truck stopped at a red light, and a black Chevy Impala pulled up alongside it. The Impala's driver, an unidentified African-American man dressed in a blue suit and bow tie, rolled down his window, drew a 9 mm blue-steel pistol, and fired at Wallace's car. Four bullets hit Wallace, and his entourage subsequently rushed him to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where doctors performed emergency procedures, but he was pronounced dead at 1:15 a.m. He was 24 years old.   59.    16 days after his murder, his double disc album ‘Life After Death’ was released. The album peaked at No. 1 spot on the U.S. charts, ultimately went 11× Platinum, was nominated for Best Rap Album, Best Rap Solo Performance for its first single "Hypnotize", and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for its second single "Mo Money Mo Problems" at the 1998 Grammy Awards. In 2012, the album was ranked at No. 476 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Biggie has been described as ‘the savior of East Coast hip hop’ by some and ‘greatest rapper of all time’ by others.   60.    Tupac and Biggie Best Frenemies: Biggie's first single, “Party and Bulls**t” came out in 1993. By that year, Tupac was already a platinum-selling artist, so Biggie asked a drug dealer to introduce him to Tupac at a Los Angeles party, according to the book 'Original Gangstas...' by Ben Westhoff. An intern who worked with Biggie recalled the meeting. “'Pac walks into the kitchen and starts cooking for us. He's in the kitchen cooking some steaks,”.  “We were drinking and smoking and all of a sudden ‘Pac was like, ‘Yo, come get it.’ And we go into the kitchen and he had steaks, and French fries, and bread, and Kool Aid and we just sittin’ there eating and drinking and laughing...that's truly where Big and ‘Pac’s friendship started.” There was mutual respect between the two and Biggie would crash on Tupac’s couch when he was in California and Tupac would always stop by Biggie’s neighborhood when he was in New York. In essence, they were like any other pair of friends and both of them respected the other's talent. At the 1993 Budweiser Superfest at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, they freestyled together. Biggie often turned to Tupac for advice in the business, and even asked him to manage his career. But Tupac advised him to, "stay with Puff. He will make you a star.”   61.    The first big fallout happened when they were scheduled to work on a project together for another rapper, Little Shawn. Tupac arrived at Times Square’s Quad Recording Studios on November 30, 1994, and was getting ready to head upstairs to where Biggie and Combs were. But instead, Tupac was gunned down in the lobby and shot five times. Tupac reportedly believed that Biggie had prior knowledge of the attack and that he also knew who was behind it. "He really thought when he got shot the first time, not that Big set it up or anything, just Big didn't tell him who did it," Tupac's friend and Naughty by Nature frontman Treach told MTV News in June 2010. "In his heart, he was like, 'The homie knows who did it.' Biggie might have wanted to just stay out of it, like, 'I don't know nothing.' [Tupac] was like, 'Yo, man, just put your ear to the street. Let me know who hit me up.'" Despite Tupac's claims, Biggie remained adamant that he had been loyal to his friend. "Honestly, I didn't have no problem with [Tupac]," Biggie previously said. "I saw situations and how sh*t was going, and I tried to school [Tupac]. I was there when he bought his first Rolex, but I wasn't in the position to be rolling like that. I think Tupac felt more comfortable with the dudes he was hanging with because they had just as much money as him."   62.    Still, Tupac's suspicions were only heightened when Biggie released "Who Shot Ya?" a month after Tupac's attack. Biggie claimed that he wrote the song "way before Tupac got shot," but the rapper took it as Biggie's confession. "Even if that song ain't about it, you should be, like, 'I'm not putting it out, 'cause he might think it's about him,'" Tupac said in an interview with Vibe while incarcerated for an unrelated charge.   63.    When Tupac joined Death Row Records, the East Coast-West Coast rivalry was cemented. While Tupac was incarcerated for another incident, he came to believe Biggie knew about the attack ahead of time. The west coast rapper reached out to Suge Knight, who offered him a place on his Death Row Records roster. Tupac accepted, cementing the rivalry between Knight's label and Combs’ Bad Boy Records. “Any artist out there that wanna be an artist, stay a star, and won’t have to worry about the executive producer trying to be all in the videos, all on the records, dancing—come to Death Row!” Knight proclaimed at that 1995 Source awards show.   64.    There was never proof that Biggie or Combs knew about the incident. But a couple of months later, Biggie’s B-side single was a track called “Who Shot Ya?” which led to Tupac’s response with the song, “Hit ‘Em Up.” In it, Tupac claimed he slept with Biggie’s wife, Faith Evans. According to Vibe, Evans denied the claim, saying, “That ain’t how I do business.”   65.    Open Comments:   66.    Question: What Notable deaths hit you pretty hard? [Aaliyh/Al Jarreau/Andre Harrell/Areatha Franklin/Bernie Mack/Bill Withers/Bob Marley/Chadwick Boseman/Diahann Carroll/Donny Hathaway/Eazy-E/Florence Ballard/Florence Griffith Joyner/Fred “Curly” Neal/Heavy D/Jam Master Jay/Jimi Hendrix/John Lewis/John Singleton/John Thompson/Kobe Bryant/Left Eye/Little Richard/Malcolm X/Martin Luther King, Jr./Micgael Jackson/Muhammad Ali/Mya Angelou/Ol' Dirty Bastard/Otis Redding/Prince/Sam Cooke/The Notorious B.I.G./Toni Morrrison/Tupac/Walter Payton/Whitney Houston]   67.    Music Scene: Black Songs from the top 40   68.    #3-"I'll Be Missing You", Puff Daddy featuring Faith Evans and 112   69.    #4-"Un-Break My Heart", Toni Braxton   70.    #5- "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down", Puff Daddy featuring Mase   71.    #6-"I Believe I Can Fly", R. Kelly   72.    #7-"Don't Let Go (Love)", En Vogue   73.    #8-"Return of the Mack", Mark Morrison   74.    #13- "For You I Will", Monica   75.    #14-"You Make Me Wanna...", Usher   76.    #16-"Nobody", Keith Sweat featuring Athena Cage   77.    #20- "Mo Money Mo Problems", The Notorious B.I.G. featuring Puff Daddy and Mase   78.    #23-"No Diggity", Blackstreet featuring Dr. Dre   79.    #24-"I Belong to You (Every Time I See Your Face)", Rome   80.    #25-"Hypnotize", The Notorious B.I.G.   81.    #26-"Every Time I Close My Eyes", Babyface   82.    #27-"In My Bed", Dru Hill   83.    #30-"4 Seasons of Loneliness", Boyz II Men   84.    #31-"G.H.E.T.T.O.U.T.", Changing Faces   85.    #32-"Honey", Mariah Carey   86.    #33-"I Believe in You and Me", Whitney Houston   87.    #34-"Da' Dip", Freak Nasty   88.    #37-"Cupid", 112   89.    Vote:   90.    Top RnB Albums   91.    Jan - The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, Makaveli   92.    Mar - Baduizm, Erykah Badu   93.    Mar - The Untouchable, Scarface   94.    Apr - Life After Death, The Notorious B.I.G.   95.    May - Share My World, Mary J. Blige   96.    Jun - God's Property from Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation   97.    Jun - Wu-Tang Forever, Wu-Tang Clan   98.    Aug - Supa Dupa Fly, Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott   99.    Aug - No Way Out, Puff Daddy and the Family   100.    Aug - The Art of War, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony   101.    Sep - Ghetto D, Master P   102.    Oct - When Disaster Strikes, Busta Rhymes   103.    Oct - Evolution, Boyz II Men   104.    Nov - The Firm: The Album, The Firm feat. Nas, Foxy Brown, Nature and AZ   105.    Nov - Harlem World, Mase   106.    Nov - The 18th Letter, Rakim   107.    Nov - Unpredictable, Mystikal   108.    Dec - Live, Erykah Badu   109.    Dec - R U Still Down? (Remember Me), 2Pac   110.    Vote:   111.    Music Scene: Erykah Badu, Queen of Neo-Soul   112.    Childhood & Early Years: Born as Erica Abi Wright on February 26, 1971 in Dallas, TX. Her father spent a considerable period in jail, vanished altogether in 1975, and only returned twenty years later. Her mother, a much respected actress in the local theatre, raised the children with the help  of her own mother and her mother-in-law. Erica spent a lot of time with these ladies while her mother was busy on the stage. Erica was born the eldest of 3. Although they were comparatively poor Erica never realized that because everything was neat and clean. Despite the absence of her father, she had a very happy childhood, surrounded by uncles, aunts, grandmothers and cousins. Her mother imbibed in her daughters a love for music, playing the songs of Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder to them. Erica inherited her mother’s artistic traits and a desire to perform. She would often sing in front of the mirror pretending that she was a background singer for Chaka Khan. She would also make her grandmother sit up and watch her while she sang, danced and acted. In 1975, Erica first appeared on stage, performing with her mother at Dallas Theatre Centre and by seven, she started learning to play the piano. Her favorite song was ‘The Greatest Love of All’. Another important aspect of her character was that from her childhood she loved to be in control of the situation around her. Therefore, when it was time for elementary schooling, she refused to continue her education there, mainly because she found that in school she was no longer in control. She began her formal education at a grade school, where her talent was quickly recognized. In her First Grade, she appeared in ‘Annie’, skipping and singing the song ‘Somebody Snitched On Me.’ During the summer vacations, she sang at the choir of the First Baptist Church, honing her choral skills.Along with acting and singing, little Erica also began to expand her cultural horizon, attending different festivals, especially Harambee Festival in South Dallas, slowly developing an interest in African culture and dress. The tall headgear she would wear one day originated from these visits.   113.    In 1980, she was enrolled in a dancing troupe. Later she also learned formal ballet. By 1982, she had also started rapping. When it was time to attend high school, she chose Dallas' Booker T. Washington High School, an arts-oriented magnet school. While studying there she rejected what she considered to be a slave name, changing the spelling of Erica to Erykah and replacing Wright with Badu. After graduating from high school, she enrolled at the Grambling State University, a historically black institution in Grambling, Louisiana, studying theatre until 1993. Thereafter, she returned to Dallas without completing her degree, mainly to concentrate on music.   114.    Career: In 1993, Erykah Badu started her career as a music teacher in Dallas. For a time, she also taught drama and dance at South Dallas Cultural Centre. To augment her income, she also served as waitress. She also formed a hip-hop duo with her cousin Robert Free Bradford, calling it ‘Erykah Free’. Very soon, they started going on musical tours and earning local opening slots. Her big chance came when in 1994 (@23), Erykah opened a show for D’Angelo. Through him, she caught the attention of Kedar Massenburg, an American record producer and founder of Kedar Entertainment. Impressed, he set her up to record a duet, ‘Your Precious Love' with D'Angelo. In 1995, she signed a contract with Kedar Entertainment and moved to Brooklyn. In January 1996, she made her debut with ‘On & On’, which remained at the number-one position on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for two weeks. In 1996, Erykah also recorded her debut album, ‘Baduizm’. Released on February 11, 1997 by Kedar Records, The Grammy award-winning album received universal acclaim from critics, who not only praised the musical style of the album, but also her ‘artistic vision’, establishing her position as the torchbearer of soul music. Her next album, ‘Live’ was a live album released on November 18, 1997, barely a month after the release of its lead single, ‘Tyrone’. It was also a huge hit and reached number four on the US Billboard 200 and number one on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. While ‘Live’ was being recorded Badu was pregnant with her first child. After its release, she took some time off to raise her child, not returning until 1999.   115.    Open Comments:   116.    Question: What is neo-soul and why don’t I like it?   117.    Movie Scene:Eve’s Bayou, Written and directed by Kasi Lemmons; produced by Caldecot Chubb and Samuel L. Jackson - Starring: Samuel L. Jackson (Louis Batiste), Jurnee Smollett (Eve Batiste), Lynn Whitfield (Roz Batiste), Debbi Morgan (Mozelle Batiste Delacroix), Vondie Curtis Hall (Julian Grayraven), Meagan Good (Cisely Batiste) and Diahann Carroll (Elzora).   118.    Review #1: “...As these images unfold, we are drawn into the same process Eve has gone through: We, too, are trying to understand what happened in that summer of 1962, when Eve's handsome, dashing father--a doctor and womanizer--took one chance too many. And we want to understand what happened late one night between the father and Eve's older sister, in a moment that was over before it began.   119.    We want to know because the film makes it perfectly possible that there is more than one explanation; "Eve's Bayou" studies the way that dangerous emotions can build up until something happens that no one is responsible for and that can never be taken back.   120.    All of these moments unfold in a film of astonishing maturity and confidence; "Eve's Bayou," one of the very best films of the year, is the debut of its writer and director, Kasi Lemmons. She sets her story in Southern Gothic country, in the bayous and old Louisiana traditions that Tennessee Williams might have been familiar with, but in tone and style she earns comparison with the family dramas of Ingmar Bergman. That Lemmons can make a film this good on the first try is like a rebuke to established filmmakers..."Eve's Bayou" resonates in the memory. It called me back for a second and third viewing. If it is not nominated for Academy Awards, then the academy is not paying attention. For the viewer, it is a reminder that sometimes films can venture into the realms of poetry and dreams. - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times   121.    Review #2: Kasi Lemmons’ fluid, feminine, African-American, Southern-gothic narrative covers a tremendous amount of emotional territory with the most graceful of steps. Young Jurnee Smollett plays 10-year-old Eve, struggling to understand the womanizing of her adored daddy (Samuel L. Jackson in easy, sexy command) and the passions of her big sister; Debbi Morgan, in a blazing performance, plays Eve’s vibrant aunt, infused with good-witch spiritual powers. The film’s dream-state visual elegance is matched by a great soundtrack. Grade, A-. -  Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly   122.    Review #3: First and best, it's got a rip-roaring story. It sweeps you along, borne effortlessly by believable if flawed characters, as it flows toward the inevitable tragedy. But it's also got a heart: It watches as a child harsh of judgment learns that judgment is too easy a posture for the world, and it's best to love with compassion. - Stephen Hunter, Washington Post   123.    Review #4: “You don't have to believe in magic to be gripped by the psychic forces that the characters' sorcery unleashes. Sibling rivalry, sexual jealousy and anxiety are all feelings that, when heated to the boiling point, have incendiary, semi magical powers. And as the psychosexual forces that bind but also threaten the Batiste family heat up, you can feel the lid about to blow. Every element of the film -- from the turbulent, stormy performances to the rich cinematography (which includes black-and-white computer-enhanced dream sequences) to the setting itself, in which the thick layers of hanging moss over muddy water seem to drip with sexual intrigue and secrecy -- merges to create an atmosphere of extraordinary erotic tension and anxiety.   124.    At the center of it all, exuding a dangerous magnetism, is Jackson's Louis, a swashbuckling, flashing-eyed, slightly oily lightning rod of a charmer whose charisma conveys a warning electric buzz. Jackson has never played a character quite this avid. And in a performance that requires him to infuse the role of perfect father and dream lover with a demonic charge, Jackson makes Louis at once irresistibly lovable and slightly terrifying. - Stephen Holden, New York Times   125.    Open Comments:   126.    Question: Are our family dynamics still suffering, internally, from the legacy of slavery or we closer to moving past it.   127.    TV Scene: “Miss Evers’ Boys”: Powerful, haunting and artfully mounted, “Miss Evers’ Boys” is a docudrama of uncommon quality and clarity. The acting is exceptional, the characters vivid, the presentation balanced. Original films for television rarely aim so high as does this HBO NYC production...And cinematographically, it is a revelation, with director of photography Donald M. Morgan lending the production a strikingly dingy, washed-out look that blends perfectly with the piece’s bleak sensibility. The story as told here centers on nurse Eunice Evers (a dynamic, layered performance from Alfre Woodard). Evers went to work at Alabama’s Tuskegee Hospital in 1932 to assist a certain Dr. Brodus (brilliant work from Joe Morton) in caring for poor black men (sharecroppers mostly) who have been stricken with syphilis. Enter Dr. Douglas (Craig Sheffer), a white doctor who brings with him a fully funded program to treat syphilis at the hospital, offering free treatment to any man who tests positive for the disease. A few months pass before Brodus travels to Washington to meet with Douglas and a government panel of doctors who tell him the funding for treatment has dried up. However, money is available for a study of the syphilitic African-American men. The catch: They can receive no medical treatment initially as a way to establish whether syphilis affects blacks and whites differently. Brodus initially is outraged, but acquiesces in the belief the study will disprove the racist notion of physiological inferiority in blacks. Evers also reluctantly follows along, lying to the men while giving them only vitamins, tonics and liniment rubs. But as the months turn into years, it becomes clear that the afflicted men will never receive treatment. Only with their deaths is the study of how the disease runs its course made complete and viable….[the movie] switches gears during its second hour to become an examination of Evers’ gut-wrenching moral ambiguity in sticking around to help perpetrate this ghastly fraud over 40 years. Woodard movingly conveys the conflict weighing down Evers’ guilt-riddled soul, giving a profound resonance to the disturbing ethical questions raised by her dedication in the name of lending the men comfort and a form of loving (if deliberately ineffectual) care….the overall tone and tenor of “Miss Evers’ Boys” is one of subtle brilliance, bolstered by an exquisitely detailed period sheen that screams excellence. After it’s over, you sit disbelieving that such an inhumane, insidious experiment designed to reduce black men to the level of laboratory animals could ever have been conducted in the United States of America — much less gone undetected until 25 years ago. It went far beyond mere institutional racism. It was pure evil. — Ray Richmond Vanity Fair   128.    Open Comments:   129.    Vote: Best/most important/favorite pop culture item from 1997?

Topics: Tupac death, Fugees, Set It Off, Moesha (Bonus Artist: hidingtobefound) http://afropopremix.com 1996 Snapshots 1.    President: Bill Clinton 2.    Jan - Whitewater scandal: U.S. First Lady Hillary Clinton testifies before a grand jury. 3.    Feb - Daniel Green is convicted of the murder of James Jordan, the father of basketball star Michael Jordan. 4.    Mar - Lyle and Erik Menendez are found guilty of first-degree murder for the shotgun killing of their parents. 5.    Apr - Chicago Bulls set a new NBA record for the most wins in a season, 70. 6.    May -? 7.    Jun - The Colorado Avalanche wins their first Stanley Cup in their first season based out of Denver and The Chicago Bulls win their fourth NBA Championship by defeating the Seattle Supersonics. 8.    July - The Centennial Olympic Park bombing at the 1996 Summer Olympics kills 2 and injures 111. 9.    Aug - Tiger Woods makes his professional PGA Tour debut. 10.    Sep - Tupac Shakur dies. 11.    Oct - The Fox News Channel is launched. 12.    Nov - Bill Clinton defeats Republican challenger Bob Dole to win his second term. 13.    Dec - Death of JonBenét Ramsey: A six-year-old beauty queen is beaten and strangled in the basement of her family's home in Boulder, Colorado; her body is found the following day. 14.    Open Comments: 15.    Music Snapshots 16.    #1 Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix), Los del Río 17.    #2 One Sweet Day, Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men 18.    #3 Because You Loved Me, Celine Dion 19.    Record of the Year: Change the World – Eric Clapton 20.    Album of the Year: Falling Into You – Celine Dion 21.    Song of the Year: Change the World 22.    Best New Artist: LeAnn Rimes 23.    Best Female R&B Vocal Performance: You're Makin' Me High – Toni Braxton 24.    Best Male R&B Vocal Performance: Your Secret Love – Luther Vandross 25.    Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal: Killing Me Softly – Fugees 26.    Best R&B Song: Exhale (Shoop Shoop), Babyface, songwriter (Whitney Houston) 27.    Best R&B Album: Words – The Tony Rich Project 28.    Best Rap Solo Performance: Hey Lover – LL Cool J 29.    Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: Tha Crossroads – Bone Thugs-N-Harmony 30.    Best Rap Album: The Score – Fugees 31.    Movie Snapshots 32.    #1 Independence Day 33.    #2 Twister 34.    #3 Mission: Impossible 35.    Notables: Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, The Birdcage, Fargo, A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, The Nutty Professor, Kazaam, Set It Off, Space Jam, Jerry Maguire. 36.    TV Snapshots 37.    #1 - ER 38.    #2 - Seinfeld 39.    #3 - Suddenly Susan 40.    Debuts: Moesha, The Daily Show, Kenan & Kel, The Steve Harvey Show, In The House, Malcolm & Eddie, Homeboys in Outer Space, The Jamie Foxx Show 41.    Economic Snapshots 42.    Income = 36.3k (Previously 36K) 43.    House = 118.2K (113) 44.    Car = 16.3k (15.5) 45.    Rent = 554(550) 46.    Harvard = 27.5k (26k) 47.    Movie = 4.42 (4.35) 48.    Gas = 1.22 (1.12) 49.    Stamp = .32 (-) 50.    Social Scene: Tupac Killed 51.    Childhood: Tupac Shakur, born Parish Crooks, was born on June 16, 1971, to Black Panther activist parents in New York City. Thirteen days later, his mother, Alice Faye Walker (Afeni Shakur), changed his name. The parents wanted to avoid him being targeted by Black Panther-affiliated enemies. His mother was imprisoned while she was pregnant with him. Tupac's father, Billy Garland, was also a Panther but lost contact with Afeni when Tupac was five years old. The rapper would not see his father again until he was 23 - I thought my father was dead all my life. 52.    Early Life: He had a difficult childhood, as he grew up in the company of criminals, militant activist, violence, and a drugged addicted mother with a transient lifestyle. Art became a constructive and safe escape. His first acting stint was in 1983 (@12 yrs. old) with the Harlem’s 127th StreetRepertory Ensemble when he performed in a play ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ at the Apollo Theater. In 1984, Tupac's family moved from New York City to Baltimore, Maryland.There he studied poetry, jazz, acting, and ballet at the Baltimore School for the Arts and befriended Jada Pinkett. The family later moved to Marin City, California, across the bay from Oakland, in 1988 (@17 yrs. old). They went to the home of a woman Afeni had been close to during her Black Panther days and lived in a poor housing complex, referred to as ‘the Jungle.’ 53.    Early Career: While attending high school he participated in a poetry workshop known as The Microphone Sessions, organized by Leila Steinberg, who would eventually become his first manager. She introduced 19-year-old Tupac to Atron Gregory, a manager for the World Class Wrekin Cru’ and tour manager for NWA, who had just returned to the Bay Area, started TNT Records, and quickly gained attention by signing Digital Underground.  Gregory matched Tupac with Digital Underground as a roadie and backup dancer. Tupac’s talent was soon recognized by the group, and he began rapping in some of their songs. He debuted on ‘Same Song,’ which was featured in the 1991 film Nothing But Trouble. (@20 yrs. old) 54.    Solo Career: He released his debut solo album ‘2Pacalypse Now’ in 1991. (Big hit - 'Brenda's Got a Baby') Also in 1991, Shakur filed a $10-million lawsuit against the Oakland Police Department for allegedly brutalizing him over jaywalking. The case was settled for about $43,000. (1992 - Juice, first starring role) His second album, ‘Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z’ came out in 1993. It was more successful than its predecessor and contained the hits ‘Keep Ya Head Up’ and ‘I Get Around’. (1993 - Poetic Justice, co-starred with Janet Jackson) In 1994, he formed a group Thug Life and they released one album ‘Thug Life: Volume 1. (1994 - Above the Rim, Co-starred with Duane Martin) During this period he had several brushes with the law (he was associated with the shooting of a 6 yr. old Qa'id Walker-Teal in Marin City / shooting two policemen / various physical assaults) and was shot in an armed robbery case. After recovering from the shooting, he was sent to prison on a sexual assault charge. He released the album ‘Me Against the World’ in 1995 (@24) while serving his prison term. The album was an immediate hit and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. 55.    Final Album: During 1995, while imprisoned, impoverished, and with his mother about to lose her house, Tupac had his wife get word to Marion Suge Knight, in Los Angeles, boss of the Death Row Records, at the time a verry successful company, and asked for a meeting. Tupac's mother received $15k, Suge paid Tupac's $1.4m bail, signed the rapper, and went to work on the album ‘All Eyez on Me’. The album was recorded in two weeks! In a matter of two weeks, Tupac recorded and completed the double-disc album, completing two out of three albums he owed Death Row. (The third release would end up being the posthumously released The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory) Released in February of 1996, the album featured five singles and went multi-Platinum in just a few months after its release. 56.    Death: Seven months later, in September 1996, Tupac was killed in a drive-by shooting. He was 25 years old. 57.    Open Comments: 58.    Question: Confused young man or someone to be taken seriously? (What did he represent?) 59.    Music Scene: 60.    Black Songs in the Top 40 61.    #1 Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix), Los del Río 62.    #2 One Sweet Day, Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men 63.    #4 Nobody Knows, The Tony Rich Project 64.    #5 Always Be My Baby, Mariah Carey 65.    #6 Give Me One Reason, Tracy Chapman 66.    #7 Tha Crossroads, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony 67.    #9 You're Makin' Me High / Let It Flow, Toni Braxton 68.    #10 Twisted, Keith Sweat 69.    #11 C'mon N' Ride It (The Train), Quad City DJ's 70.    #14 Exhale (Shoop Shoop), Whitney Houston 71.    #16 Sittin' Up in My Room, Brandy 72.    #17 How Do U Want It / California Love, 2Pac featuring K-Ci and JoJo 73.    #20 Hey Lover, LL Cool J 74.    #21 Loungin, LL Cool J 75.    #23 Be My Lover, La Bouche 76.    #27 I Can't Sleep Baby (If I), R. Kelly 77.    #32 Not Gon' Cry, Mary J. Blige 78.    #33 Gangsta's Paradise, Coolio featuring L.V. 79.    #34 Only You, 112 featuring The Notorious B.I.G. and Mase 80.    #35 Down Low (Nobody Has to Know), R. Kelly featuring The Isley Brothers 81.    #36 You're the One, SWV 82.    #37 Sweet Dreams, La Bouche 83.    #38 Before You Walk Out of My Life / Like This and Like That, Monica 84.    #40 1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New), Coolio 85.    #42 No Diggity, Blackstreet featuring Dr. Dre 86.    Vote: 87.    Top RnB Albums 88.    Jan - Waiting to Exhale, Soundtrack / Various artists 89.    Feb - Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton, Eazy-E 90.    Mar - All Eyez on Me, 2Pac 91.    Mar - The Score, Fugees 92.    Apr - The Coming, Busta Rhymes 93.    Apr - The Resurrection, Geto Boys 94.    Jun - Gettin' It (Album Number Ten), Too Short 95.    Jun - Legal Drug Money, Lost Boyz 96.    Jun - The Nutty Professor, Soundtrack / Various artists 97.    Jul - Secrets, Toni Braxton 98.    Jul - Keith Sweat, Keith Sweat 99.    Jul - It Was Written, Nas 100.    Aug - Beats, Rhymes and Life, A Tribe Called Quest 101.    Sep - ATLiens, Outkast 102.    Sep - Home Again, New Edition 103.    Oct - Another Level, Blackstreet 104.    Nov - Bow Down, Westside Connection 105.    Nov - Ironman, Ghostface Killah 106.    Nov - The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, Makaveli 107.    Nov - Tha Doggfather, Snoop Dogg 108.    Dec - Hell on Earth, Mobb Deep 109.    Dec - Muddy Waters, Redman 110.    Vote: 111.    Featured Artist: The Fugees 112.    Lauryn Hill (@21 yrs. old in 1996) was born in 1975 to a high school teacher and computer expert in New Jersey. Her mother played piano and her father sang in nightclubs. Young Lauryn sang in church choirs, gospel groups and showed a strong voice. She loved '60s and '70s soul and by age thirteen, she was playing the amateur night showtime at the Apollo, doing a cover of Smokey Robinson's "Who's Loving You". Hill nabbed minor roles on television's As the World Turns and in the film Sister Act II: Back in the Habit. Her work with the Fugees began in 1987 in high school with friend Prakazrel Samuel Michel. 113.    "Pras" (@23 in 1996) was born in Brooklyn in 1972 and raised in New Jersey. He showed an early interest in music and attended Rutgers University and Yale University, pursuing a double major in Philosophy and Psychology. 114.    Wyclef Jean (@27 yrs. old) was born in 1969 in Haiti, the son of a minister. When he was nine, he moved to the projects of Brooklyn, and later New Jersey, where he took up guitar and the study of music. 115.    The trio formed in the late '80s, named themselves the Tranzlator Crew and used Hill's soap opera acting proceeds to pay for equipment. They toured the tri-state area and were signed to major label Ruffhouse/Columbia in 1993. Hill was still a minor. Shortly thereafter, they renamed themselves Fugees, a derisive slang term for refugees, and released a debut 12-inch Fugees (Tranzlator Crew) "Boof Baf" to no notable sales. 116.    Their 1994 debut LP Blunted on Reality, stylized in a fashion like A Tribe Called Quest, Poor Righteous Teachers, and Digable Planets, did better. However, it was the remixed versions of "Nappy Head (Mona Lisa)" and "Vocab" that earned the group another budget for a follow-up album. (Also, notable, in later interviews Pras would say that a married Wyclef and the underage Hill were having a clandestine relationship at the time) 117.    Combining a mix of conscious hip hp, soul, and reggae, with a homemade basement studio, sampled melodies, live guitars, bass, keys, "The Score" arrived in 1996, filling the void between gangsta and glitter. It became an instant classic, ultimately selling over 18 million copies. 118.    Open Comments: 119.    Internal "Affairs": In the summer of 1996, on the Smoking Grooves Tour, Hill met Rohan Marley, (one of Bob Marley's kids) and even though the former University of Miami football player was initially rebuffed, because Hill was still seeing Jean, , no one knew who the child really belonged to. 120.    In the summer of 1996 Hill had met Rohan Marley, a son of Bob Marley and a former University of Miami football player. Hill subsequently began a relationship with him, while still also involved with the married Wyclef. She soon became visibly pregnant. Marley and Hill's first child was born the following summer. 121.    Soon after Zion was born, she learned that Marley already had a wife and two children from another marriage. 122.    Amid newfound international fame and baby Daddy drama, Wyclef did not support Hill's solo desires (she had made appearances on Wyclef's solo project), thus leading to the group splitting up. 123.    Hill started work on The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill; blocking out Wyclef Jean from any type of production help after he had snubbed her. Her old-school takes on "Doo Wop (That Thing)" helped it rule the charts in 1998 and win five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song, and Best R&B Album -- the most ever for a woman. 124.    Meanwhile, Hill was having more of Marley's children and becoming close with Brother Anthony, a spiritual adviser who studied the Bible with her several times per week. In 2001, she recorded an MTV Unplugged session where she broke down in tears and admitted to being deranged and emotionally unstable. Rolling Stone called the session "a public breakdown", though it debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 and went platinum. 125.    She has been a sporadic and reluctant public figure ever since. 126.    Question: Have you ever had an affair with a co-worker? How did it turn out? 127.    Movie Scene: Set It Off. [Directed by F. Gary Gray Action, Crime, Drama, Romance, Thriller. Starring Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett, and Vivica A. Fox] 128.    Rotten Tomatoes, Critics Consensus: It may not boast an original plot, but Set It Off is a satisfying, socially conscious heist film thanks largely to fine performances from its leads. 129.    Emanuel Levy, Variety 11-1996: Influenced by "Thelma & Louise" and "Waiting to Exhale," F. Gary Gray's "Set It Off" is a well-crafted girls-n-the-hood actioner, with an acute social conscience and plenty of soul. A tale of female bonding and empowerment, this relevant film boasts a terrific cast, headed by Jada Pinkett and Queen Latifah in career-making performances. 130.    Stephen Holden, New York Times 11-1996: Just Trying to Get Even While They Get Rich. On the long list of Hollywood heist movies that make you root for its criminals to steal a million dollars and live happily ever after, F. Gary Gray's film ''Set It Off'' is one of the most poignantly impassioned. If this messy roller coaster of a film often seems to be going in several directions at once, it never for a second loses empathy for its quartet of black female bank robbers who grew up together in a Los Angeles housing project and earn meager wages working for a janitorial service... A pop psychologist might translate the story into a fable called ''Women Who Rob Banks and the Society That Hates Them.' 131.    Roger Ebert 11-1996: “Set It Off” is advertised as a thriller about four black women who rob banks. But it's a lot more than that. It creates a portrait of the lives of these women that's so observant and informed; it's like “Waiting to Exhale” with a strong jolt of reality. The movie surprised and moved me: I expected a routine action picture and was amazed how much I started to care about the characters. 132.    Kent, Entertainment Weekly 09-2019: Why Set It Off is an era-defining film that shouldn't be remade. We are clearly in the age of reboots and remakes, but the '90s heist film is irreplaceable. 133.    Question 1: Remake or Sequel? 134.    Question 2: Do we really want more black female action heroines/stories? (i.e., women of Black Panther, "Breaking In" movie, Berry, Valkyrie, Guardians...etc.) 135.    TV Scene: Moesha 136.    Screen Rant: No show lasts for six seasons without making a cultural impact; Moesha was nominated for 32 awards and won three: two NAACP Image Awards and one SHINE Award. The series was syndicated, and still airs around the world. Netflix picked up streaming rights to the series in 2020, which became available to US subscribers on August 1, 2020. As new viewers will discover, however, despite how influential the show was, it ends abruptly after a significant cliffhanger for the main character in the season 6 finale. Despite the recognition, the show steadily declined in ratings, leading to its cancelation. 137.    Moesha Mitchell went through quite the journey on Moesha. At the beginning of the series, Moesha was still dealing with her mother's death a few years prior and learning to come to terms with her new stepmother, Deirdre "Dee" Mitchel (Sheryl Lee Ralph) — who just happened to be the vice principal at Moesha's school. The final season sees Brandy experiencing the trials and tribulations of being a young adult, complete with an engagement to long-time on-again, off-again boyfriend Quinton "Q" Brooks (Fredro Starr) and attending college. The final episode ends with the reveal of a positive pregnancy test in Moesha's dorm — who it belongs to, however, is a mystery. Since the show never got another season, the storyline was never resolved. 138.    According to EW, at the time, UPN's plan was to address the pregnancy cliffhanger in the spin-off series The Parkers, which premiered on the network in 1999. The Parkers followed Moesha's "boy-crazy" friend Kimberly Ann "Kim" Parker as she navigated attending college with her mother, who has decided to enlist at the same time as her daughter. For unknown reasons, however, the planned resolution never took place, despite The Parkers running until 2005. With there being reports of a possible reboot series in the works, perhaps this Moesha storyline — as well as the question of what happened to Moesha's brother Myles, who disappeared in the finale — can finally be laid to rest." 139.    Question: Is it reboot worthy? / Is any classic black TV show reboot worthy? 140.    Vote: Best/most important/favorite pop culture item from 1996?

Topics: Million Man March, TLC, Friday, UPN (Bonus Artist: Luck Pacheco) http://afropopremix.com   1995 Notes   1.    Snapshots   2.    President: Bill Clinton   3.    Jan - The WB Television Network and The United Paramount Network (UPN) launches.   4.    Mar - Yahoo! was incorporated and soon became the first popular online directory and search engine on the World Wide Web.   5.    Mar - Mississippi ratifies the Thirteenth Amendment, becoming the last state to approve the abolition of slavery. The amendment was nationally ratified in 1865. Until February 7, 2013, the state of Mississippi had never submitted the required documentation to ratify the Thirteenth Amendment, meaning it never officially abolished slavery.   6.    Mar - Eric Lynn Wright (September 7, 1964 – March 26, 1995), known professionally as Eazy-E is suddenly hospitalized, diagnosed with AIDS, and dies due to its complications.   7.    Apr - Oklahoma City bombing: 168 people, including 8 Federal Marshals and 19 children, are killed at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Timothy McVeigh and one of his accomplices, Terry Nichols, set off the bomb.   8.    May - In Culpeper, Virginia, actor Christopher Reeve is paralyzed from the neck down after falling from his horse in a riding competition. [See - “Superman Curse”]   9.    Sep - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame opens.   10.    Oct - The Million Man March is held in Washington, D.C. The event was conceived by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.   11.    Dec - The presidents of Bosnia, Serbia, and Croatia sign a peace treaty in Paris, ending a three-and-a-half-year war.   12.    Music Snapshots   13.    #1 "Gangsta's Paradise", Coolio featuring L.V.   14.    #2 "Waterfalls", TLC   15.    #3 "Creep", TLC   16.    Record of the Year: "Kiss From a Rose", Seal   17.    Album of the Year: Jagged Little Pill, Alanis Morissette   18.    Song of the Year: "Kiss From a Rose", Seal   19.    Best New Artist: Hootie & the Blowfish   20.    Best Female R&B: Anita Baker for "I Apologize"   21.    Best Male R&B: Stevie Wonder for "For Your Love"   22.    Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group: TLC for "Creep"   23.    Best R&B Song: Stevie Wonder (songwriter) for "For Your Love"   24.    Best R&B Album: TLC for CrazySexyCool   25.    Best Rap Solo: "Gangsta's Paradise", Coolio   26.    Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By", Method Man featuring Mary J. Blige   27.    Best Rap Album: Poverty's Paradise, Naughty by Nature   28.    Movie Snapshots   29.    #1 Die Hard with a Vengeance   30.    #2 Toy Story   31.    #3 Apollo 13   32.    Notables: Higher Learning, Major Payne, Bad Boys, New Jersey Drive, Friday, Braveheart, Batman Forever, Pocahontas, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, Clueless, Waterworld, Mortal Kombat, The Tuskegee Airmen, The Usual Suspects, Seven, Dead Presidents, The American President, Casino, Money Train, Heat, Waiting to Exhale.   33.    TV Snapshots   34.    Top TV Shows   35.    #1 ER   36.    #2 Seinfeld   37.    #3 Friends   38.    Debuts: The Wayans Bros. (WB), The Parent 'Hood (WB), Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (still airing), In the House   39.    Economic Snapshots   40.    Income = 35.9k (Previously 37K)   41.    House = 113.1K (119)   42.    Car = 15.5k (12.5)   43.    Rent = 550 (533)   44.    Harvard = 26.2k (24.9)   45.    Movie = 4.35 (4)   46.    Gas = 1.12 (1.09)   47.    Stamp .32 (.29)   48.    Social Scene: Million Man March   49.    A political demonstration in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 16, 1995, to promote African American unity and family values. Estimates of the number of marchers, most of whom were African American men, ranged from 400,000 to nearly 1.1 million, ranking it among the largest gatherings of its kind in American history.   50.    Several African American leaders did not support the march, including Mary Frances Berry, chairman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and Rep. John Lewis, the latter of whom saw Farrakhan’s message as an effort to “resegregate America.”   51.    Comments:   52.    Featured Speaker: Louis Farrakhan, @62 yrs old   53.    Born Louis Eugene Wolcott on May 11, 1933, in New York City, New York, to Sarah Mae Manning and Percival Clark. His parents separated even before he was born.   54.    He did not know his biological father and was brought up by his stepfather Louis Wolcott. The death of his stepfather in 1936 led to the relocation of his family to Boston, Massachusetts.   55.    From an early age, he received rigorous training in violin, so much so that by the time he turned 13 he had mastered the instrument and was playing along with the ‘Boston College Orchestra’ and ‘Boston Civic Symphony.’   56.    In his first year as a teenager, he became one of the first black performers to appear on the ‘Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour. ‘The following year, he had two national level victories under his belt.   57.    He attended the prestigious ‘Boston Latin School’ after which he was admitted to ‘English High School. ‘After graduating from ‘English High School,’ he enrolled for a three-year course at the ‘Winston-Salem Teachers College’ on a track scholarship.   58.    Starting from the 1950s, he pursued a career in music. He recorded several calypso albums under the pseudonym ‘The Charmer. ‘He toured frequently since the release of his first album. In 1955, he organized a show titled ‘Calypso Follies’ in Chicago.   59.    Interestingly, one of his songs remained a chartbuster and on top of the ‘Billboard Chart’ for five years in a row.   60.    It was while pursuing his professional music career that he was first exposed to the teachings of ‘Nation of Islam’ through his friend and saxophonist Rodney Smith.   61.    Later, Elijah Muhammad invited him to attend the Nation of Islam’s annual ‘Saviours' Day’ address. Inspired by the discourse, he resolved to be a member of ‘Nation of Islam’ (NOI) in 1955. (@22)   62.    He fulfilled all the requirements to become a registered Muslim/ registered believer/ registered laborer of NOI. Subsequently, he received an approval by the NOI headquarter in July 1955.   63.    Initially known by the name Louis X, his name was later changed to the ‘holy name’ Louis Farrakhan. A derivative of the Arabic word furqan, which means "The Criterion". He gave up on a music career and dedicated his life to the ‘Nation of Islam.’   64.    Within a span of nine months, he worked his way up and started serving as the assistant minister to Malcolm X, who was heading the Muhammad’s Temple of Islam in Boston at that time.   65.    He was soon made the minister as Malcom X was shifted to the Temple of Muhammad in Harlem, New York. Farrakhan replaced Malcom X as the minister at the Boston Temple.   66.    Malcolm X was assassinated on 21 February 1965 and Farrakhan profited from it as he was appointed to two prominent positions in NOI. (@32)   67.    He was appointed to the chair of the minister of the influential Harlem Mosque in 1965, a position which he held until 1975. Furthermore, he became the national spokesman and representative of NOI and served in this position until Elijah Muhammad’s death in 1975.   68.    In 1975, the Nation's leadership chose Wallace Muhammad, also known as Warith Deen Mohammad, the fifth of Elijah Muhammad's sons, not Farrakhan, as the new Supreme Minister.   69.    Though Farrakhan remained a loyalist of the Muhammad clan for some time, in 1977 he withdrew his support from the organization and rebuilt the original ‘Nation of Islam’ which had been established by its founders.   70.    Soon after its foundation, he started a weekly newspaper by the name ‘The Final Call, Inc.’ The objective of this initiation was to communicate his views and thoughts to the supporters and members.   71.    Two years later, along with his supporters, he organized the first ‘Saviours’ Day’ convention in Chicago. His group promised to walk by the principles of Elijah Muhammad.   72.    Throughout his leadership, he blamed the Jewish community and other ethnic and racial groups for the sufferings endured by African Americans.   73.    In October of 1995, he planned a broad coalition, intending to assemble about one million men in Washington DC for the ‘Million Man March.’   74.    At the convention, he was the keynote speaker along with distinguished African American intellectuals, such as Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King III, Cornel West, Jesse Jackson, and Benjamin Chavis.   75.    Question: Who else could pull this off today? Where have our leaders gone? (Besides Obama)   76.    Music Scene   77.    #1 "Gangsta's Paradise", Coolio featuring L.V.   78.    #2 "Waterfalls", TLC   79.    #3 "Creep", TLC   80.    #4 "Kiss from a Rose", Seal   81.    #5 "On Bended Knee", Boyz II Men   82.    #6 "Another Night", Real McCoy   83.    #7 "Fantasy", Mariah Carey   84.    #9 "Don't Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days)", Monica   85.    #10 "This Is How We Do It", Montell Jordan   86.    #11 "I Know", Dionne Farris   87.    #12 "Water Runs Dry", Boyz II Men   88.    #13 "Freak Like Me", Adina Howard   89.    #15 "I Can Love You Like That", All-4-One   90.    #18 "Boombastic" / "In the Summertime", Shaggy   91.    #20 "You Gotta Be", Des'ree   92.    #21 "You Are Not Alone", Michael Jackson   93.    #23 "One More Chance", The Notorious B.I.G.   94.    #24 "Here Comes the Hotstepper", Ini Kamoze   95.    #25 "Candy Rain", Soul for Real   96.    #27 "I Believe", Blessid Union of Souls   97.    #28 "Red Light Special", TLC   98.    #29 "Runaway", Janet Jackson   99.    #31 "Colors of the Wind", Vanessa Williams   100.    #32 "Someone to Love", Jon B.   101.    #34 "If You Love Me", Brownstone   102.    #36 "I Got 5 on It", Luniz   103.    #37 "Baby", Brandy   104.    #40 "He's Mine", MoKenStef   105.    Vote:   106.    Jan - My Life, Mary J. Blige   107.    Feb - Cocktails, Too Short   108.    Mar - Safe + Sound, DJ Quik   109.    Apr - Me Against the World, 2Pac   110.    Apr - Friday, Soundtrack   111.    Jun - Poverty's Paradise, Naughty by Nature   112.    Jul - HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, Michael Jackson   113.    Jul - Operation Stackola, Luniz   114.    Aug - The Show, the After Party, the Hotel, Jodeci   115.    Aug - E. 1999 Eternal, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony   116.    Sep - The Show, Soundtrack   117.    Oct - 4,5,6, Kool G Rap   118.    Oct - Daydream, Mariah Carey   119.    Oct - Doe or Die, AZ   120.    Nov - Dogg Food, Tha Dogg Pound   121.    Dec - R. Kelly, R. Kelly   122.    Dec - Waiting to Exhale, Soundtrack   123.    Vote:   124.    Featured Artists: TLC   125.    Tionne Tenese Watkins (@25) was born on April 26, 1970, in Des Moines, Iowa, into a family of African American, Native American and Irish descent. Both her parents, James and Gayle Watkins, were musicians and singers.   126.    Her parents divorced when she was three years old. Thereafter, she was raised by her mother, who taught her to be “confident and independent”. At the age of nine, they moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where her maternal grandmother used to live.   127.    As a child, she was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia (SCA), as a result of which, she had to spend a lot of time in hospitals.   128.    As a teenager, she began working as a hair model, eventually serving as a manicurist and shampoo girl at a popular Atlanta hair salon.   129.    In 1990, (@20) Tionne Watkins heard that a teenager named Crystal Clear was planning to open an all-girls group like Bell Biv DeVoe, having a tomboyish, hip-hop image. Eventually, she appeared for an audition and joined the three-member band, the third one being Lisa Lopes.   130.    Calling themselves ‘2nd Nature’, they soon started working with Jermaine Dupri and Rico Wade on demo tape material.   131.    Meanwhile, Watkins met Perri "Pebbles" Reid, the owner of the management and production company, Pebbitone, and managed to arrange an audition with her.   132.    Impressed by the girls, Reid arranged an audition with the local record label, LaFace Records, co-founded by her then husband Antonio Reid and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmund. She also changed the group’s name to TLC with ‘T’ representing Tionne, ‘L’ Lisa, and ‘C’ Crystal.   133.    Although Antonio Reid was impressed by Watkins and Lopes, he did not approve of Clear, who was eventually replaced by Rozonda Thomas in April 1991. Very soon, Watkins became "T-Boz", Lopes became "Left-Eye", and Thomas became "Chilli”, so that ‘TLC’ continued to be the acronym of their names.   134.    Their debut album, 'Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip' was released on February 25, 1992, by LaFace Records. It peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard 200, selling six million copies worldwide, and was certified quadruple platinum RIAA.   135.    'Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip' scored three top-ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Baby-Baby-Baby’ peaking at number two, ‘Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg’ at number six and ‘What About Your Friends’ at number seven. Moreover, ‘Baby-Baby-Baby’ also peaked at number one at Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.   136.    In 1993, the group started working on their second album, ‘CrazySexyCool’. But because of Lisa’s personal problems, it took time to complete and was ultimately released on September 15, 1994.   137.    Certified Diamond, the album was a huge success, peaking at the 3rd position on the US Billboard 200. It sold over 11 million copies in the United States alone. The album was nominated for six Grammy Awards, out of which it won two and helped TLC to become the second-best selling girl group of all time.   138.    Billboard named them the ‘Artist of the Year’ at the Billboard Music Awards. The album also appeared on Rolling Stone Magazine’s ’500 Greatest Albums of All Time’.   139.    Despite the success, TLC was forced to file for bankruptcy because of poor contracts they had signed in 1991. Eventually, the group signed a new contract with the same company and went back to work.   140.    Rozonda Ocelian Thomas (@24) was born on 27th February 1971 in Atlanta, Georgia to Abdul Ali and Ava Thomas. Her mother is of African American as well as Native American descent, while her father is of East Indian and Middle Eastern Background. She was raised by a single mother and did not meet her father until she was 25.   141.    Thomas studied at Benjamin E. Mays High School, from where she graduated in 1989. Soon she started working as a back-up dancer for the R&B group Damian Dame.   142.    In 1991, (@20) Rozonda Thomas joined the pop group TLC.   143.    Lisa Nicole Lopes (@24) was born on May 27, 1971, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her father was Ronald Lopes Sr., a staff sergeant in the US Army, and her mother was Wanda Denise, a seamstress. She was of Cape Verdean, Mexican, American, African and Portuguese descent. She was the eldest of three siblings. Her parents divorced when she was in school. Following this, she was raised by her paternal grandmother.   144.    At the age of five, she began playing the piano and eventually started composing songs over the next few years. She studied at the Philadelphia School for Girls.   145.    In late 1990, having heard of an open casting call for a new girl group through her then-boyfriend, Lopes moved to Atlanta to audition.   146.    Lopes’ personal life, though, was marred by her rocky relationship with football great Andre Rison, and in 1994, she was arrested for burning down his home.   147.    In 2000, she began her solo-project ‘Supernova’ which was set to be released in August 2001. However, the date was postponed repeatedly. It was eventually broadcast over the internet in 2002. The album was yet to be released formally and a fourth TLC project was in the making, when Lopes met with a tragic car accident in 2002 which unfortunately put an end to her life.  she was just 30 years old.   148.    Question: Is the WAP controversy justified?   149.    Movie Scene: Friday 1995 film   150.    (Links and Resources: Strong Black Legends: John Witherspoon; "John Witherspoon's Style of Comedy was Timeless," Justin Tinsley, The Undefeated; Gene Siskel's review, Chicago Tribune; Desson Howe's review, Washington Post; "After 20 Years, Friday Is (Still) The Most Important Film Ever Made About The Hood," Kelley L. Carter, BuzzFeed; "John Witherspoon Made Every Scene Better," Rembert Brown, New York Times; Review by Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly. - Find additional episodes, leave a comment, or make a donation to support the podcast at unaffiliatedcritic.com.)   151.    Reviews:   152.    Gene Siskel: For all of the shouting, mugging and rap music, a surprisingly dull comic yarn about a young man (Ice Cube) trying to survive in the 'hood. Colorful characters abound, but nothing ties them together. I knew the picture was in trouble when its first gag involved an old lady spewing obscenities. (Rating: 1 star)   153.    By Desson Howe, Washington Post Staff Writer - April 28, 1995: "Friday," a comedy starring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker, is dirty, offensive, infantile and may launch a few sanctimonious opinion columns. And I mean that in the nicest way. The movie, which shamelessly hawks its own "Friday" music video at the beginning and eschews political correctness whenever possible, happens to be incredibly funny.   154.    After 20 Years, “Friday” Is (Still) The Most Important Film Ever Made About The Hood: - Kelley L. Carter, BuzzFeed News Reporter. Posted April 20, 2015.   155.    “...Todd Boyd, a professor at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts as well as screenwriter and producer of the 1999 coming-of-age drama The Wood, says that Friday didn't just add an element of comedy to depictions of everyday life in black neighborhoods, it spawned a new genre — the hood comedy.   156.    “The film demonstrated that black life was not all drugs, violence, dysfunction, and pathology — yet instead of offering a Cosby Show-like fantasy, Friday put these issues in context, finding humor in the everyday lives of regular black people,” he explains. “Since the 1970s, Hollywood has always looked favorably upon low-budget black films that produce high profit margins at the box office. Friday expanded the representation of the hood into the realm of comedy and achieved box office success at the same time.” 157.    Other hood comedies that followed include: 1996’s satire Don’t Be a Menace While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, 1998’s The Player’s Club (Cube wrote and directed it), 2001’s How High, and 2002’s Barbershop, the latter of which Cube starred in.   158.    Question: Friday or Carwash? - Chris Tucker or Mike Epps?   159.    TV Scene   160.    “Was UPN Black America’s Last Hope for a Black Sitcom-Friendly Broadcast Television Network?” April 20, 2017 - https://shadowandact.com   161.    “...Since ABC’s "Black-ish" debuted this fall, it has drawn numerous comparisons to "The Cosby Show" — and I have questions. I wonder why the majority of essays and critiques jumped to a show that has been off-air for 22 years. Although few television shows rivaled the mainstream popularity of Bill Cosby’s chef d’oeuvre, plenty of Black sitcoms have filled its gap since its 1992 finale. Does no one remember the quasi-Black glory of United Paramount Network (UPN)? And can there ever be another like it?   162.    From 1995 to 2006 UPN was the home for over 10 concurrently running Black sitcoms (and a handful of dramas). Given the sheer volume of programming, that’s remarkable in and of itself. But perhaps what is more noteworthy than the number of shows is the range of Black life they displayed.   163.    "All of Us," produced by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment, centered on a blended family of two divorced spouses and their significant others. The Essence Atkins and Rachel True-helmed "Half & Half" explored the relationship between two estranged half-sisters. "Moesha" was UPN’s most successful sitcom during its five-year run and introduced America to another beloved, nuclear Black family besides the Huxtables. Other notable UPN sitcoms included "One on One," "The Parkers," "Eve," and "Malcolm & Eddie."   164.    UPN actively sought programming aimed for Black audiences at a time when Black mainstays from the Big Three networks (ABC, CBS, and NBC) were waning. "Family Matters" was cancelled from ABC’s coveted TGIF lineup in 1998. Fox declined to extend Martin Lawrence’s eponymously named sitcom the previous year. The major networks were beginning to narrow their viewership to exclude all-Black casting on their sitcoms. Not only were Black actors finding work on shows sold to UPN, but established Black producer-writers like Eunetta T. Boone and Ralph Farquhar found a home as well.   165.    Despite—and maybe because of—its friendliness to Black programming, UPN suffered from a reputation as a sub-par network. The ratings for their sitcoms often scraped the bottom of the Nielsen barrel. UPN is remembered more for its utter failures ("Homeboys in Outer Space") and ignored when we fondly recall the glory of "Girlfriends."   166.    “UPN took the rejects. UPN was 'the Black channel,'” we joke. UPN may not have been perfect, but it gave Black audiences so much to choose from without feeling as if one show had to represent the totality of Blackness.   167.    Accordingly, "Black-ish" has a lot riding on its success. Black audiences tune in hoping big wigs take notice and order more Black sitcoms. But it is telling that major networks began a “blackout” of successful Black cast shows in the late 90s and The CW essentially did the same a decade later.   168.    "Black-ish" could be the start of another heyday for Black sitcoms. We reach backward to "The Cosby Show" because we love it best and we always will. But in doing so, we ignore the stable of Black shows that kept us laughing long after The Huxtables faded to black. However, the success of "Black-ish" will remain singular until executives reexamine their beliefs about African American audiences; we need them, like UPN once did, to give us a chance. I just hope it doesn’t take another decade.   169.    Other Notable UPN Shows: Everybody Hates Chris 2005 / Girlfriends 2000 / All of Us 2003 / Moesha 1996 / The Parkers 1999 / Malcolm and Eddie 1996 / In The House 1995 / Between Brothers 1997 /   170.    Other Notable WB Shows: The WB The Wayans Brothers 1995 / The Parent 'Hood 1995 / Steve Harvey Show 1996 / The Jamie Foxx Show 1996 / Smart Guy 1997 / MIB Animated 1997 / The PJs 1999   171.    Question: What the hell is wrong with BET?   172.    Vote: Best/most important/favorite pop culture item from 1995?