Signature Songs
This week’s passing of two noteworthy artists, Percy Sledge (April 14) and Johnny Kemp (April 20) got me thinking about music artists like those two who, despite decades in the…
The “Drake Fourteen” – So Exactly When Did Rap Become Mainstream?
(Note: this is the first in a multi-part series on the evolution/devolution of rap and hip-hop over its nearly four-decade history) Many of you have read or heard by now…
A History of Black-Owned Record Labels – Part II
Last week, I wrote about how the FOX TV network drama “Empire,” a show about a fictional black-owned music company, has touched the collective nerve of a nation, particularly the…
Empire Records…More Fact Than Fiction? A History of Black-Owned Record Labels – Part I
As fictional character Cookie Lyon (played by actress Taraji P. Henson) of the hit Fox TV series, “Empire,” embarrassed herself in the most recent episode by showing up at the…
Grammys and Records and Songs…and Charts!
Grammys and Records and Songs…and charts! On Sunday night, February 8th, at 8pm, the 57th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony will take place in Los Angeles. It will air on CBS…