The legendary “Godfather of Soul” James Brown was ecstatic when saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis blew his horn. But, perhaps just as important, without this 77-year-old style-defining composer, song writer and arranger, the exciting “Funk” sound of the late 1960s would … Read More
Valerie Simpson-songwriter-producer-singer-musician-performer. And, with her husband, lifetime partner, and soulmate—the late Nickolas Ashford–she is also one half of the dynamic duo known as Ashford & Simpson—perhaps the music world’s most applauded husband-and-wife team ever. With an unrivaled track record, this … Read More
In my post on February 27, 2017, In Defense of Rachel Dolezal—white woman who identifies as black, now jobless, may soon be homeless, I described my uneasiness with which both black and white communities have spoken ill about Rachel Dolezal. Up until reading … Read More
In 1992, I was very busy working on a career and Hip Hop was not on my radar, and consequently, I didn’t listen to a Tupac Shakur. I had no idea who Tupac was. It’s only within the past two … Read More
“Voguing” — House of Ninja — International Choreographer’s Showcase • Remember Willi Ninja of The House of Ninja? Here’s also the 1990 film Paris Is Burning
In a Rolling Stone interview published in the latter part of December 2016, John talks about his friend Kanye West and the coming Donald Trump Presidency. Rolling Stone: You were outspoken in your opposition to Trump. What are your thoughts … Read More
Some 43 years ago, Muhammad Ali participated in a heated panel discussion about the plight of African-Americans on the Mike Douglas Show. How times have not change! The discussion is relevant on the eve of Donald Trump‘s ascendcy to President of the United States. I … Read More
If you are unfamiliar with the works and thoughts of Kerry James Marshall, writer Randy Kennedy provides us with more than a brief read. Mr. Marshall speaks about the absence of African-American artists in most major Museums and their presence in the future. “The … Read More