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Goin out with the bangers

Today, June 21st, marks the last day of Gemini as we move into Cancer.
Like I said.  I'm a Gemini, and I got lots of pride.
And today, we're goin out with a super bang!

Let's celebrate the birthdays of...

Brenda Holloway.
A very little known name from the Motown label but she made some great tracks. 
Beautiful woman with a beautiful voice.
She often opened for the Beatles, and had a handful of songs written by Smokey Robinson.
Apparently, the general trend of the music industry and Motown didn't bode well for her, and she felt that she should follow a more spiritual path, eventually retiring from music.  She returned in the 80s doing more gospel music.  For most of her years she was a background singer with her sister.  You might be interested to know that it is Brenda and her sister Patrice who "backed Joe Cocker and the Grease Band on the 1968 cover version of The Beatles' "With a Little Help from My Friends", later the theme song to the 1980s television series The Wonder Years."
Here she is, solo dolo, singin Just Look What You've Done. 

Next, legendary Jamaican musician Augustus Pablo.  Most notably known for his influence on dub reggae and introducing reggae music to the melodica.
If you are into reggae, especially dub, be sure to get his stuff.  Here's one of my favorite tracks by him "King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown".  That little harmonica like sound you hear is the melodica.

And finally, to cap off why Gemini IS the best zodiac sign in the astrology chart...

Legendary producer Pete Rock.
I mean...I really don't know what to say.  He defined a large part of my youth growing up, loving Hip Hop.
When They Reminisce Over You.
Just about everything Pete Rock and CL Smooth did...incredible duo.
His Soul Survivor albums (this one and this one).
Production he's done for everyone from the Wu-Tang Clan, Common, Talib Kweli, Slum Village, Pharoahe Monch, and the list goes on.
Peep the first vid, as he shows you how he samples, chops, and creates.  SICK!

And finally, one of the greatest songs ever made in history.
Peace.

 

I need a Claire Huxtable.

I really do...

Gotta play some catch up on the Gemini tip!
June 19th was about the ladies.

First up!

Phylicia Rashad aka Claire Huxtable.  She played a loyal, loving, yet fierce and sexy wife of Heathcliff Huxtable in the Cosby Show.  A show that really defined a generation.  You could call it, the 80's version of the Obamas.  Smart, great family, educated, classy, all that.
Yesterday was her birthday. 
Now aside from Pam Grier, I have to say Phylicia is also one of the baddest.  She had the dope mom game on lock, WAAY before homechick on Fresh Prince of Bel Air (see I even forgot her name). 
I need a Claire Huxtable in my life.
If you feel me, then check this site out.  I'm gonna be gettin one of those shirts PRONTO!
What many do not know is that Phylicia Rashad, formerly Phylicia Allen (sister of Debbie Allen), is also a VERY talented singer.
Here she is, straight SANGIN', on a little known disco album she made in the late 70's.

Next up, everyone's favorite judge from American Idol, Paula Abdul!
Former Laker girl who made it as a pop star in the late 80's and early 90's.  And now you see her on ya tv screen.
Here she is, stylin on you.  Straight up.
I'd still do her by the way.
And yes, that's Arsenio.

On to today...

Errol Flynn!  Australian actor.
Now, you might ask, why in the hell would I mention him?
Well, first, because his name is awesome.  It's where we get the term "In like Flynn" from.
Second, it's the name of a popular gang in Detroit!
There is also a dance called the Errol Flynn, which, similar to the Crip walk or Blood walk, would signify the affiliation of the gang member to that gang.
Looks somethin like this...

Next up, saxophonist, flautist, and bass clarinet player,  Eric Dolphy.
Very unorthodox style were he used harmonies and discords, similar to Monk and Coltrane. 
Peep him in action.  He's got incredible skills.

And last...Lionel Richie!
First establishing himself with The Commodores, then branching out as a solo artist, he has sold more than 100million records world wide.  Interestingly enough, he's especially popular in the Middle East.  Let's take it back to the 80s real quick with All Night Long.  You know it's a party when the cop has to get hyphy.  Doesn't get much happier than this I tell you.

Shout out to Zoe Saldana...with her fine ass.  Ohhwee!

Home stretch

The time of Gemini ends on June 21st.  As we enter the home stretch, let's hit em with some more of that hotness!

First up, Nathan Morris of Boyz II Men (he's the one with the glasses)!
He is actually the founder of the group.  The man who put it all together!  One of the greatest R&B groups.  Definition of the 90s R&B.  And them boys can sang!
Let's take it back to where it all started...MOTOWN PHILLY!

Next...Sir Paul McCartney of The Beatles. 
I mean come on dude...The Beatles are legends.  Straight up.
The Beatles wrote a song a song called Birthday, with Paul singing lead vocals.
And here he is...booyaow!

And finally, the homeboy Tunji! Here he is rippin the first verse with the home doggie Toby and that talented ass guy Noah King with Hip Hop Soul.  These are legends on the come up right here!

A Lesson in "Gangsta"

Did a lot of running arund so I'm playing catch up.

Yesterday, was the birthday of legend Ice Cube. 

People can say what they want about "old" vs "new" Ice Cube.  Bottom line though, he laid the foundation for a great many of the cats in  Hip Hop.

I guess this is some kind of Dutch documentary on him from around 1991.  You can agree or disagree with his views...but at the end of the day, respect is in order.  Some live footage of him alongside Yo-Yo too!

And finally, no other than the late, great Tupac Shakur, who was born today!

Here he is sitting with Bill Bellamy gettin his interview on.  Also, Dr. Dre steps in, and they talk about the music they created.

Special shout outs to Geronimo and Femi Kuti.  Holla!

Culture clash

Birthday of 2 very different artists...

First...Gemini big ups to Jamaican dancehall artist Bounty Killer.
His voice is vicious.
If you got ganja on hand, then let this be your anthem.

And finally, the legendary Chic Corea.
Jazz Pianist. 
Chick+ Miles Davis= The Jazz Fusion movement.
His style is totally his own. 
Here he is, utilizing every part of the damn piano, with his own piece, Armando's Rhumba.
If you smoked something to that song up there, this will surely take you somewhere else!

Special selections

Man there are a lot of musicians born on this day.  I could only pick the best of the best though.

First:
The legendary João Gilberto.  Brazilian guitarist and singer.  He is basically the man responsible for  Bossa Nova, a style of music that blends samba and jazz.
Why is that important?  Well...without Bossa Nova, Runnin by The Pharcdye would never exist!
Here is João playing one of his best known songs, Desifinado.  I don't know what that word means in Portuguese, but I expect that it means something beautiful by the sound of this!

Next up...one of Erykah's baby daddy's, THE D.O.C. !
Man...Had he not been in a terrible car accident that damaged his vocal chords, I am MORE than sure that he would have been considered one of the biggest legends in the game.  His flow and lyrics were way ahead of its time.  Here he is droppin flows on Funky Enough, produced by that guy Dr. Dre..

And finally, Miss Faith Evans.  Widow of Notorious B.I.G.  (who had a birthday not too long ago).
When she first came out I remember how often people would remark how soothing and beautiful her voice was.  It was so soft and innocent.  Ah yes.
Here she is, looking oh so delicious and sexy in I Love You, one of my personal favorites from her....

damn she looks good...
Oh, special shout outs to Maxi Priest, Flesh-N-Bone (He's gettin out soon!) and John Edwards! (BE THE VP!)

Where would we be without them?

Today, we celebrate the birthdays of two people who helped music evolve into the next levels.

First, great guitarist and inventor, Les Paul.
Les Paul is extremely important for you to know, because this man revolutionized music by MAKING the solid-body electric guitar.
Oh but it doesn't stop there.
He also INVENTED:  overdubbing, delay effects such as "sound on sound" and tape delay, phasing effects,  multitrack recording, and reverb effects.
So...because of him, we have Rock N' Roll music.
Peep this mini-documentary, made in '05, celebrating his birthday.  Take note of some of the cameo appearances too.

AND!
Jackie Wilson. 
This man helped define part of our parents' generation.   He was one of the important figures that transitioned Rhythm and Blues music into Soul music.  He's often cited by Michael Jackson as one of his influences.

Here's the man himself breaking it down with the song "Lonely Teardrops".

 

TRIVIA TIME!!!

I have a special prize for you if you can tell me what 80's film this other Jackie Wilson track is featured in.
Just type your email address in the comments box if you get it.
And no, there is no time limit.  And yes, this is an open book quiz!  Use your resources!

Oh yeah, shout outs to Michael J. Fox, Johnny Depp, and Natalie Portman.  Holla!

Keenan and Kanye

Gemini connect gang.

Birthday shout to...

Keenan Ivory Wayans.   Producer, writer, actor, and comedian.  He made a lil tv show called In Living Color.  Maybe you heard of it.  It put some of the biggest names in comedy on the map: Jim Carrey, Damon Wayans, Jamie Foxx, Marlon Wayans, and more.
He was also in a great blaxploitation parody called I'm Gonna Get You Sucka.
Check out the theme song Jack of Spades with the Blastmaster KRS-1 and The Boogie Down Production crew.  Does that beat sound slightly familiar to you?

And finally...
The already legend, KANYE WEST.
He came out about 4 years ago and set the game on fire.  He's a legend.  There's not a doubt in my mind.

Here's 'Ye freestyling an entire song.  I dunno where the hell this is from, but I hope to find out so I can find more gems like this!

Will it ever stop!? Hell no!

Can't stop the Geminis.

First, let me take a moment to say an ultra happy belated to songstress Sparlha Swa.  I saw her when she came to LA last year and stopped in the Poetry Lounge.  The second she hit a note singing, she completely captured the whole room.  Her birthday was May 25th, and I didn't know til recently when I hit up her myspace page.  PLEASE check her music out.  Peep the vid.

Now, back to today.
Happy birthdays are in order to the following!:

Mark Wahlberg.  Before Mr. Wahlberg was doing his acting thing, rackin up money at the box office and working with reknown directors, he was Marky Mark of Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.  Here's his hit, Good Vibrations.  SO DAMN 90S! ...I kinda hope this sound does NOT make a come back lol

Next, Freddie Stone, guitar player for Sly & the Family Stone. Co founder of the group, guitarist, and vocalist, and brother of frontman Sly Stone.  Legendary group.  Peep this gangsta ass video and learn somethin ya bums!

Next, Brian McKnight! 
I decided to put up this here video with Justin Timberlake and another fellow Gemini (who celebrated a birthday recently) Wayne Brady.  Pretty funny!

And lastly, and huge power fist soulful birthday shout to BOTH Gold medalist Tommie Smith and Bronze medalist John Carlos. 
And if those names aren't familiar, then watch this video and learn.

Over and out.

What more can I saaaayyyy?!

I'm makin this quick because I have some VERY important thoughts to share.
I'm keepin all the music celebratory today!
Now, because this blog is mainly dedicated to musically centered things, I'm just gonna throw a shout to my fellow June Gemini sis Angelina Jolie!

Now...I need some HYPE shit on right now before I bust into my commentary...
Let's bring it on with some other fellow Gemini peeps having a birthday today...

First...Learn some Chinese with Jin

Next- Jazz saxophonist, clarinet player, and composer Oliver Nelson.  I just so happened across his name in the Wikipedia search of this day...this song is beautiful!  Stolen Moments

Next, singer Nikka Costa.  This was the first song I heard from her and really the only one I knew of for a long while.  She's actually been around for a quite a while.  I expected her to be more of a recognized name.  Like A Feather from her 2001 album.

And FINALLY...EL DEBARGE!  Rhythm of the Night.  All my 80s heads, GET HYPE!
One thing about 80's videos...when it was a party song, EVERYBODY is partying.  Break-dancers, ballet dancers, mimes, random businessmen in the street....all of em! haha

And lastly, let's say farewell to legend and pioneer, Bo Diddley.  The man who turned the Blues into Rock n Roll!  He passed 2 days ago.  He's in heaven having a party just like this...

And now, for my commentary.

Yesterday marked history.  Barack Obama was nominated as the Democratic nominee to run as President of the United States of America.  The highest a Black person has ever gotten to becoming president thus far.
Some years and years from now (I pray), those sentences above will be read with a smile, but with some slight confusion.
A smile, to the person who reads when history was changed...a dominating mental oppression was lifted from many.  A collective consciousness of doubt was broken.
And the confusion...on why the hell it took so long for that change to come!

About a month ago I wrote my rant on why Jeremiah Wright was an idiot. 
I was not mad because of the things he said, at least not entirely.  Because he said many of the things that people in the Black community believe...the fear, doubt, and general distrust for the system of American politics.
But it was THE TIMING of when he said it. 
It was clear that the media was linking all of Wright's words to Barack Obama in order to discredit Obama.  And rather than being a player for the team, for the overarching goal of AT LEAST having a very QUALIFIED Black man to possibly reach office...instead of that, he decided to dance around and let the cameras shine on him, and say whatever he wanted, with complete disregard.

I volunteered a few times at some call centers for Obama to talk to undecided voters.  And the only thing those people could debate with me on was Obama's affiliation with Wright.  Otherwise, they could not cling on to anything else wrong with him.

Some of you out there may disagree with Obama's political stances on certain policies.  I can dig that.
Some of you believe that as great of an orator Obama is, that does not necessarily make him qualified to be president.
...Ok.
Some of you may think that voting for him just because he is Black, or to get a Black man in office, is not a smart thing to do.
That is where I will have to draw then line.   You're just wrong.
As I said before in my other entry, and as I told a friend:
There will be a Black child somewhere in this country that will say "I want to be the President of the United States." and that sentence will be completely legitimate and NOT A FANTASY or a WISH.
Black Americans, and actually Black people in many other countries, have never believed that a Black person could become the president.  Such a title would NEVER be bestowed on a Black person, EVEN if they were qualified.  There aren't a whole lot of things that are referred to in absolutes.  One is that you have no choice but to die one day.  The other, would be "A Black man will never be President."  and just maaaybe a Black Woman would be before a male.

And before I start hearing anything from the ladies, I completely agree that there is a gender bias in this country and there is a deep layer of sexism in this country.  But Hillary didn't lose by a blowout mind you.  And, she didn't lose because she is a woman.  In my eyes, she lost because...we'll...she's just not as dope as Barack!  In the beginning, they were very formidable opponents to each other.  And she even won the the actual popular vote.  But Hillary stayed on fear, playing the old politics game, and not just backing on out of the race when people started getting tired of her.  So please, don't use her as too definite of an example...cause she's good...but she's not as good as Barack!

  But back to the self hate tip.  We (Black people) are so used to oppression that we define ourselves by it.  And in that mental slavery, we enslave others.  We enslave each other by telling our children that they CAN NOT become president.  We enslave each other by saying that in such a case that person would be killed immediately.  We enslave ourselves in fear and ignorance and loss of faith.
I chose not to walk that path.
If I totally disagreed with his policies, I would never vote for him.  Nor would most of this country.  Other Black people have run for president before, but they didn't get far enough most especially because when it comes down to it, they just didn't have that extra quality of spirit that Obama has brought.
Today I felt a deep sweeping change of thought in this country happen.
When we have him in office, we will now say that while there are still problems, and certain problems may persist for a little while, but things CAN CHANGE.
No, Barack can not end racism by himself.  He couldn't even get to where he is now just by himself.  He got there through the strength and tenacity of millions of people who believed and had faith. 
If we all moved like that more often to see things become different, just imagine how drastically and how fast it could turn.
Now let's turn those dreams into reality.
November will be here soon!  Let's get  him in there!
Witness history right here.