Tina Turner personifies passion, strength and perseverance, and it doesn’t hurt that she dresses it up in a tight mini-dress and pumps, either.
The Queen of Rock & Roll hit bottom in the late ‘70s following a split from her husband Ike Turner. Although her records were going unnoticed, Turner continued performing and eventually got the attention of Roger Davies, who later became her manager. She then experienced an artistic makeover and got signed to a singles deal with Capitol Records. Read More →
There are few releases that have helped change the face of music and inspired musicians of all walks even years later. Purple Rain, the soundtrack to the movie of the same title, continues to be one the most influential musical works of the last 30 years. Prince and the Revolution created an adventurous set of material that remains on the cutting edge of mainstream music because of its unique genre blending and insanely imaginative songwriting. We revisit the ingenious work that cemented him as a brilliant trailblazer. Read More →
A gem that missed the attention of the masses, the true magnum opus of one of the most underrated musicians—Come To My Garden shows the Unsung talent Minnie Riperton poignantly stepping into her own. We take a walk into her garden of love opening with one of the album’s most defining tracks, “Les Fleurs,” French for “the flowers.” Riperton takes form as an alluring flower wanting to be “worn to the fair” and “pinned in a lady’s hair.” The song effortlessly climaxes, courtesy of “orchestral soul” producer Charles Stepney (co-creator of the band that featured Riperton, Rotary Connection) and her husband Richard Rudolph; both who helmed the album’s production. Read More →
Before the ‘Superbasses’ and ‘Starships’, Nicki Minaj was the “hood’s first lady,” spitting bars comparable to that of Lil’ Kim, Remy Ma and Foxy Brown. She has since evolved into an international superstar, firmly standing next to Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. Watch below as the Young Money pop star performs “Dirty Money” and a freestyle. Read More →
Before announcing our former President was a racist or crashing the stage during a country star’s acceptance speech, Kanye West expressed his passion in a more appropriate setting.
While attending Vanderpoel Elementary School, a 12-year-old Yeezy recited a poem dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. titled “His Name Means Love.”
A man who fought for freedom, a man who fought for equality
Those who were against him were too blind to see
This is what this man fighting for
So blacks, Jews, Spanish and Asians can put their foot in the door
Yes, we know that this man was great
That’s why his name we celebrate
And everyone lifts their voices and sing/
For a man who let freedom ring
Martin Luther King is who I’m speaking
A man who’s name means love.
“Hey Ya!” was written, produced and performed by André 3000 for one half of Outkast’s 2003 double album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. The genre-defying record displayed a side of the Hip-Hop legend we hadn’t seen before. The odd production-arrangement and unique vocal deliverance drew comparisons to the legendary Prince.
The video was directed by Bryan Barber, and is solely based on The Beatles’ landmark appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 (although it’s set in London). In the video, André plays eight members of The Love Below: keyboardist Benjamin Andre, bassist Possum Jenkins, vocalist Ice Cold 3000, drummer Dookie Blasingame, three backing vocalists The Love Haters, and guitarist Johnny Vulture. Big Boi and Ryan Phillippe serves as the band’s manager and television representer respectively. Read More →
“What’s It Gonna Be?!” is a single released in 1999, by Busta Rhymes and featured JanetJackson. The song was from Busta’s third studio album, E.L.E. (Extinctino Level Event): The Final World Front and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
During Busta’s prime, he was king for innovative, captivating, and expensive videos. “What’s It Gonna Be?!” was directed by Hype Williams and costed over $2.4 million to create. The extravagant video is filled with sexual innuendos and stunning visual effects to further express the overtones. This video represents a time when major artists created magic, for viewing and listening pleasure.
Can you imagine a time when female R&B singers wore clothes and could actually sing? Well believe it or not there was a time when that existed: the infamous 90s. Xscape was a group who encompassed those exact qualities. “Tonight” was the fourth single from their acclaimed 1992 debut Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha. Watch the video below: Read More →
