Back in the day...when things was coo'...
If you know me at all, you know that I have an addiction to VH1 Soul…that is the BEST channel ever made! It features a truly eclectic mix of conscience hip-hop, neo soul live music and OLD school videos from WAY back in the day! I’m talking videos from the 80’s and 90’s, stuff you haven’t seen or even thought about in YEARS!!! It is honestly nothing for me to sit and watch this channel and literally fall out from the tomfoolery that it constantly brings! I love it! For example, last night, the run down featured, “Superwoman” by Karyn White, “N.E. Heartbreak” by New Edition, “Dial my heart” by the Boys and” One more chance” by Biggie…Yes, quiet the eclectic mix. But it made me start to really miss music. I remember in high school, anytime a Biggie record came on, it was OVER! The whole party would go crazy! OR making up dance routines on Nana’s stereo to the new New Edition tape, or singing my heart out with Mom’s favorite brush to the new DeBarge record. Man, those were the days! Now days, people have to hold national caucus’ to figure out how to take our music back. Back from the materialistic, disrespectful, degrading place it has drifted down to! I’m not sure when we as a people became so over sexualized and single minded, but I don’t even bother listening to the radio any more. I’m tired of being yelled at and made to feel like I am less of a woman for not giving it up at the first sight of gold teeth! I know I’m getting old because I’ll hear someone singing something, or mention a new artist, and I have no clue who they are talking about. So, instead, I get all my new music tips from VH1 Soul and I’m cool with that. I just got my new favorite CD by a new artist Corrine Bailey Rae (GREAT CD!!!) and I’m content with that. I miss those days of choreographed routines and matching outfits. I miss the harmonies and lyrical ingenuity. I miss live music and the possession of the ability to not only sing live, but to just blow the audience out of the water!!!! I know we have a small handful of artist who are actually fighting to remain true to their roots and not what’s popular, but it’s because of that they are not as big as they should be. We should be seeing more Jill Scott’s and India Arie’s and Bilal’s on MTV and mainstream media. All we have right now is Christina Aguilera holding it down for all of the TRULY talented people out there! (Don’t make that face! That girl is awesome and count me in as a fan! THANKKKK YOUUUUU!!!) But honestly, the portrayal of who we are through music is just as bad as the portrayal through literature. While the fashion sense was all things questionable, (MC Hammer pants and mismatched shoes, silk button down shirts and cross colors) the 90’s were a great time for music. The 80’s were a great time for Hip Hop. When did things change? When did gold chains and teeth begin to take the place of the message? When did hair weaves and asses hanging out take the place of actually being able to sing? There have been PLENTY of times where I have been excited about an artist and then went to see them live and heard howling dogs going crazy in the background! Anyone can sing in the studio!! All those buttons and knobs you see on the soundboard are for a reason! They are there to manipulate the voice to make it sound better then it does…and trust me, A LOT of manipulation can take place…CLEARLY!!! I truly do miss the old days…probably because the future is not looking especially bright… I guess until things start to change, VH1 Soul will be my place of refuge! But a change is gone come, some day!!
