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Black Music Month Inspirations
05/03/2007 9:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Billy Johnson Jr
Artists Tell Us Their Favorite Songs From Black Music History
Nathan Morris PhD of Boyz II Men
Favorite Song: "Change Gone Come"
Performer: Sam Cooke
Reason: I love this song first of all because Sam Cooke is my favorite singer. The song itself is very inspirational with strong motivating lyrics. At the time the song was written, we as Black people, were going through a lot of racial discrimination in the United States. So it was really a song that gave us hope that a change was coming."
Baby Boy Da Prince
Favorite Song: "Right And A Wrong Way"
Performer: Keith Sweat
Reason: "It’s a popular wedding song where I’m from and a lot of peeps in my family got married when I was growing up. It’s been in my heart for years."
Raven Symone
Favorite Song: "Strange Fruit"
Performer: Nina Simone
Reason: "She loves it because she poetically tells the story of racism and how African Americans were treated. They used to hang them from trees and they were called "strange fruit."
Dave Hollister
Favorite Song: "A Song For You"
Performer: Donny Hathaway
Reason: "The song speaks to and about my life. When I listened to it at a young age I felt I wanted to experience what that song represented and I did. There are so many memories when I just either listen to it or sing it....LOVE U DONNY!"
Lil Mo
Favorite Song: "We Must Praise"
Performer: J. Moss
Reason: "It is a constant reminder that I'm not perfect. So that's proof I'm human. But no matter what, I still must praise God, who is the love of my life."
Tonex
Favorite Song: "Rhythm Nation"
Performer: Janet Jackson
Reason: "It sounds like Public Enemy in its approach, almost scary. Industrial New Jack Swing. Janet really decided to sing on this one and in full voice as opposed to falsesetto. This song and video is her Thriller. This was her acme."
Consequence
Favorite Song: "Nasty Girl"
Performer: Vanity 6
Reason: "Hands down this is the most underrated club record of all time. To this day, if "Nasty Girl" comes on in the spot you know it's time grab someone to groove with. Not to mention Vanity was the Kim Kardisan of my childhood. I just wish she woulda had a sextape! Lol."
Felecia
Favorite Song: "There Goes My Baby"
Performer: Donna Summer
Reason: "Everytime I think of that song, I think of my family, whenever they are going off on a journey of any kind."
Kia Shine
Favorite Song: "Love And Happiness"
Performer: Al Green
Reason: "My mom used to play it for us back in Memphis when she was ready for us to clean the house. It made her feel good, so it made me feel good."
Mopreme Shakur
Favorite Song: "The Payback"
Performer: James Brown
Reason: "Bullies used to pick on me when I was a kid and that song made me feel better. Besides the Late Great JB himself says he digs rappin in that song!"
Tum Tum
Favorite Song: "Ain't Nothin' But A G Thang"
Performer: Dr. Dre
Reason: "I think it is the beat and the way they wrote it. It was like nothing I had ever heard before."
Bosko
Favorite Song: "Heaven Helpt Us All"
Performer: Stevie Wonder
Reason: "Growing up I loved to sing, but was drawn to hip hop lyrically. Stevie Wonder’s political commentary in this song showed me that an R&B singer can talk about more than just romance and inspired me to combine singing with my rapping."
Cool Nutz
Favorite Song: "Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay"
Performer: Otis Redding
Reason: "I grew up on this song with my grandfather, and he was from the same city in GA as Otis Redding, so he would always give a history lesson when this song was on."
Jeff Black
Favorite Song: "I'll Take You There"
Performer: Staple Singers
Reason: "I believe this is the sexiest and most soulful song about heaven I will ever hear. I was 10 years old and to this day, I would still go anywhere with Mavis. I didn't know what she was talking about then. But, I do now."
Robert Glasper
Favorite Song: "Someday We'll All Be Free"
Performer: Donny Hathaway
Reason: "I love the chord progressions in this song as well as the message. I also love the tone, power and sincerity in his voice."
B5
Favorite Song: "Will You Be There"
Performer: Michael Jackson
Reason: "The song has a real melodic flavor to it and really is a soothing song to relax to! Michael has real passion and captures the real essence of friendship."
Johnta Austin
Favorite Song: "What's Goin On?"
Performer: Marvin Gaye
Reason: "Being a Black man with the confidence to speak out against the Nixon administration's refusal to end an unjust war took courage and commitment to uphold his beliefs.
Cormega
Favorite Song: "Hey Young World"
Performer: Slick Rick
Reason: "It's a magical record that entertains and uplifts without sounding preachy! Plus the vibe of the record is unmatched!"
Kenna
Favorite Song: "Love's In Need"
Performer: Stevie Wonder
Reason: "Stevie begs everyone for their involvement in giving what everyone has in order to affect change and the embitterment of the world. That thought and spirt is just my speed and taught me that you can speak to the world through music."
Planet Asia
Favorite Song: "Rock The Bells"
Performer: LL Cool J
Reason: "When I heard "Rock The Bells," it topped Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." The way the guitar rift kicked in the intro...”LL Cool J is hard as hell...”
Stat Quo
Favorite Song: "What's Going On?"
Performer: Marvin Gaye
Reason: "That's one of my favorite songs because it is timeless and describes what plagues our community."
Cashis
Favorite Song: "The Way I Am"
Performer: Eminem
Reason: "It's my favorite because it chronicles my life, people have a lot of different feelings about me because of the way I am. But I'm not going to change now that I'm steppin' to the forefront of the rap game. I'm never going to change who I am. That's how I'm going to keep my audience. I'm not going to out grow them. I'm going to give them what they want, me. A lot of artists change who they are because of their change in revenue. Me, I'm going to stay the same."
Dre (of Cool & Dre)
Favorite Song: "Being With You"
Performer: Smokey Robinson
Reason: "It’s got such an incredible vibe. Music at it's finest. Smokey's falsetto was magnificent and the verses were so incredible. My pops used to play that for my mom when I was barely old enough to understand it. I fell in love with it though. That's that real R&B."
Kenny Barron
Favorite Song: "Chasin' The Trane (Live at the Vanguard)"
Performer: John Coltrane
Reason: "It is raw energy. It's just wild and I love it!"
Mistah F.A.B
Favorite Song: "Dear Mama"
Performer: Tupac
Reason: "My favorite song would have to be "Dear Mama," by Tupac, the greatest artist of our time. The reason why I love that song is because in the midst of the height of the gangsta rap period, this guy, who the world considered to be this cold hearted thug, did a song about his mother. He showed her the utmost respect by bearing his soul on the track. It took a lot of courage and guts to do so...Me being a momma's boy, you know how real it was to me."
Terence Blanchard
Favorite Song: "Alabama"
Performer: John Coltrane
Reason: "As an artist, your music should always comment on your environment, and make us reflect on our culture and society. "Alabama" puts me back in that space and time of when those little black girls were killed in the bombing of the 16th Street church in 1963 in Birmingham Alabama. John Coltrane's performance also tells me how they all were affected by this event. To me that's what art should always be about."
Big Ced
Favorite Song: "Big Ballin' With My Homies"
Performer: E-40
Reason: "This song is hella tight, and it brings me back to my days in Northern Cali when hip-hop still influenced me."
Christopher Surratt
Favorite Song: "A Song For You"
Performer: Donny Hathaway
Reason: "The passion and the total emotional commitment that is displayed in both the lyrics and Donny's voice are captivating. It is that which we as musical students and artist all strive to project, Donny was, and is the teacher!
Jeff Black
Favorite Song: "Everyday People"
Performer: Sly And The Family Stone
Reason: "One chord, one groove and a world of self-realization from an artist whose clarity still shines despite demons who overstayed their welcome. I always think of him as a visionary who was affected by the times and how they really never changed. The convergence of funk, soul and compassion in his work will always take me away from what the mainstream squeaks out to have us suffer through now."
Ricky Dillard
Favorite Song: "Seasons"
Performer: Donald Lawrence
Reason: "Donald's song couldn't have come at a better time. I was experiencing a great deal of transition and transformation both personally and professionally, and the words of his song became my personal inspiration as I progressed through those situations."
8Ball
Favorite Song: Here My Dear album
Performer: Marvin Gaye
Reason: "I don't have a favorite song. This was my favorite album because he wrote and produced the whole album and it was filled with so much raw emotion."
David Banner
Favorite Song:" Hey Ya"
Performer: Andre 3000
Reason: "It is good to see a young Black man transcend race, age and gender like he did in this one."
Sterling Sims
Favorite Song: "Let's Get It On"
Performer: Marvin Gaye
Reason: "My Mom told me it's one of the reasons I am here."
Elisabeth Withers
Favorite Song: "Never Gonna Break My Faith"
Performer: Aretha Franklin
Reason: "This is from the Bobby Kennedy soundtrack sung by Aretha Franklin and Mary j. Blige. Simply put, I love this song 'cause it speaks to my soul. The vocal performance is TEXTBOOK!
Myxx
Favorite Song: "I Was Made To Love Her"
Performer: Stevie Wonder
Reason: "We fell in love with this song because it was infectious! Everytime we hear the song we want to hear it over and over again. It is such a feel good song and makes you want to fall in love again and again! Stevie is just incredible!"
"1964"...The Tribute
Favorite Song: "Twist And Shout"
Performer: The Isley Brothers And The Beatles
Reason: "This song always gets a crowd on its feet. We have played Carnegie Hall 7 times, Shea Stadium, Red Rocks etc. 2964 shows in 24 years. The Isley Brothers brought an amazing energy to live performance with this song. The Beatles memorialized the song, and it's now played at every sporting event in the world--at least once a night. We've performed it over 3,000 times live and every night people stand and sing."
David Hollister
Favorite Song:" Song For You"
Performer: Donny Hathaway
Reason: "The song speaks to and about my life. When I listened to it at a young age I felt I wanted to experience what that song represented and I did. There are so many memories when I just either listen to it or sing it....LOVE U DONNY!"
Keith Sweat
Favorite Song: "Outstanding"
Performer: The Gap Band
Reason: "It was a song I used to get a lot of requests to sing when I used to perform in a local band in New York doing the Chitlin' Circuit. I admired Charlie's vocal ability. When I would do the song, the crowd would always get so hyped. This made me really determined to give my all to succeed and make it in show business."
Marc Broussard
Favorite Song: "To Be Young, Gifted And Black"
Performer: Donny Hathaway
Reason: "It’s such an inspiring song, and to think it was written in such a tumultuous time…If I were a young, Black man in the '70s I would have definitely heard that song and thought about what I wanted out of my life."
Tabi Bonney
Favorite Song: "Makes Me Wanna Holler"
Performer: Marvin Gaye
Reason: "Timeless and still relevant to what's happening today. He's also from DC and was saying "holler" before it was popular hip hop slang."
Abra Moore
Favorite Song: "For All We Know"
Performer: Billie Holiday
Reason: "She captures this song with such soul and depth. She's one of my true favorite singers of all time. Another reason this tune is so special to me is that it was my mother and father's love song."
Christopher McNeal
Favorite Song: "I Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer"
Performer: Stevie Wonder
Reason: "This song doesn't have a format, just a reoccurring theme. I like that because he showed there's no rule book when it comes to true musical expression. It was a time when Steve's voice was completely intoxicating and educational. Then the story is so sad, yet moving. It takes me to a time in my life when the words failed me about how heartbroken I was. Steve wrote the words for me in this tune."
Izzy
Favorite Song: "Hallelujah Anyhow"
Performer: Thomas Whitfield
Reason: "This song was and still is a song that encourages the soul. Even when all else seems to be failing around you, sickness and poverty, or something as simple as not getting the job, the song keeps repeating and breaking down barriers of doubt and despair. Hallelujah anyhow. Just keep on praising him anyhow, anyhow! I praise God for the greats like Thomas Whitfield and Richard Smallwood for their countless contributions that still prove themselves to be timeless."
Pam Tillis
Favorite Song: "Love And Happiness"
Performer: Al Green
Reason: "Because it's got that skink on it."
Unique of the G.R.I.T BOY$
Favorite Song: "Mind Playin' Tricks On Me"
Performer: Ghetto Boys
Reason: "At the time that song was out, I was going through the same type of situation, and this song made me feel like someone else was going through the same thing. I didn't feel like I was 1 deep!!"
Click here to see Yahoo! Music's tribute to Black Music Month.
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