Black music icons of the 1960s look the most different from how they do now. In the 1960s there was Motown, miniskirts, beehive wigs and sharp suits. Take a look at what some of the decade’s biggest stars looked like then…and what they look like now: Are These BP Artists Good Enough to Get Signed? […]
We all know the queen is blessed with many different talents which is why she is always working. Queen Latifah started out beatboxing for a female rap group Ladies Fresh. Later she became an original member of Flava unit, a crew of MCs and a producer named DJ Mark the 45 King who recorded Latifahs […]
Where: (click below to visit venue on Foursquare) Polaris High School10701 Kilpatrick Avenue Oak Lawn, IL When: Summer, 1995 What: The pop icon, rapper, super-producer and controversy-starter grabs his high school diploma, and embarks on the journey that will define his life and career. Not long after graduation, he links up with mentor No I.D., […]
Where: (click below to visit venue on Foursquare) Lincoln Center 10 Lincoln Center Plaza New York, NY 10023 When: August 1981 What: B-boy pioneers the Rock Steady Crew battled their rivals, the Dynamic Rockers, to a packed crowd of fans and passersby alike, and news crews captured the heavily self-promoted event. « PREVIOUS NEXT » In celebration […]
Where: (click below to visit venue on Foursquare) The Hitsville Museum 2648 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48208 When: April 14, 1960 What: Originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr., “Hitsville” became one of the first black-owned record labels. With its iconic artists and songwriters like Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, The Supremes and The Jackson 5, […]
Queen MJB started out singing back up for Father MC. Mary J. Blige signed with Uptown in 1989, becoming the company’s youngest and first female artist. In Blige’s career early years she worked as a background vocalist for Jeff Reed. A year later, she sung the hook on Father MC‘s hit “I’ll Do 4 U” and was […]
Where: (click below to visit venue on Foursquare) Odyssey Records1012 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112-2506 When: 1992 What: Using a “call and response style” party vibe, Mardi Gras Indian chants and dance call-outs, TT Tucker and DJ Irv’s single helps to launch the N’Awlins sound known as “Bounce.” « PREVIOUS NEXT » In celebration of Black […]
Where: (click below to visit venue on Foursquare) Rick Rubin’s dorm room11 University Place, New York University When: 1984 What: The future mogul and aspiring record producer agree to join forces, signing their first act, a sixteen-year-old from Queens named LL Cool J. « PREVIOUS NEXT » In celebration of Black Music Month, TheUrbanDaily’s “It’s All Black […]
Before Big Pun was considered a legendary rap artist, the Bronx MC took on the nickname Moon Dawg back in the 80’s. I wonder how the hip hop community would have responded to Pun with the name Moon Dawg. Big Pun would go on to team up with Fat Joe and The Terror Squad and […]
Where: (click below to visit venue on Foursquare) East River AmphitheaterCherry Street/Jackson Avenue & FDR When: October 10, 1981 What: For the climactic scene in Charlie Ahearn’s classic film, a veritable “Who’s Who” of hip-hop pioneers perform a free concert. « PREVIOUS NEXT » In celebration of Black Music Month, TheUrbanDaily’s “It’s All Black Music” presents 100 Rewarding […]
Where: (click below to visit venue on Foursquare)Haight & Ashbury, San Francisco, CA When: 1967 What: In 1967 Sylvester ‘Sly’ Stewart formed the Family Stone with Cynthia Robinson on trumpet, Rosie Stone on piano, Greg Errico on drums, Jerry Martini on saxaphone, Fred Stewart on guitar and Larry Graham on bass. The multiracial and co-ed […]
Where: (click below to visit venue on Foursquare) Canton, OH 44702 When: 1958 What: Formed in 1958 in Canton, Ohio, the O’Jays were inspired to start their singing group after seeing a performance by Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers. First calling themselves the Triumphs and then the Mascots, they made their recording debut in 1961 […]
