Music has the power to take you places, you didn’t think it could. It evokes emotions like happiness, sadness, love and confusion. Another thing music does is to inform. If you listen to socially conscious songs you will definitely get an education.
Music genres like jazz, Reggae, neo-soul, R &B, Rap/Hip Hop, House, gospel, funk and Disco all reflect a time that most can relate to. I will focus this post on Reggae and Disco.
Did you know that International Reggae Day is celebrated every year in Kingston, Jamaica on July 1? Reggae is a combination of R&B, African, calypso and Latin music. While this style of music started in Jamaica it is popular in the United States, Africa and Great Brittain.
On this day you might want to cook some Carribean food and try a new recipe. Watch a movie or documentary inspired by and about Jamaica and its culture. Play your favorite Reggae music.
Who are some of your favorite Reggae artists? What does Reggae music represent to you?
July 2
National Disco Day
Music makes you smile, cry, dance, sing, and nod. You know those days when you need a little pep in your step, just play something up-tempo, like Disco.
National Disco Day is July 2. Disco was popular during a time of crime, political unrest, gang violence and a time of rising homophobia.
Disco was a time of bell bottom pants, platform shoes, afros, the club scene with strobe lights and disco balls. It was an era with a lot of partying happening. This partying provided a way to take your mind off of some of the social plights going on at the time.
It’s Women’s History Month. Let’s talk about a female hip hop and funk group who was pivotal in these genres of the music.
What do you get when you add Angie B, Blondy and Cheryl the Pearl? Drumroll please… meet The Sequence. A trio of women from South Carolina who performed a fusion of hip hop and funk music. Angela Brown, Gwendolyn Chisolm and Cheryl Cook made up the first female group to release songs under Sugar Hill Records.
The most notable song by the group is “Funk You Up”, which came out in 1979. You may also remember the song, “Monster Jam with Spoonie Gee”. In the 90s Angela Brown aka Angie Stone later joined the music group Vertical Hold before going solo in 1999. She has also performed in theater, TV and movies.
Angie Stone-Mahogany Soul Album
Gwendolyn “Blondy” Chisolm and Cheryl “The Pearl” Cook released a single in 2011 titled, “On Our Way to the Movies”. The Pearl also wrote songs for the Sugar Hill Gang and scores of other artists. She went on to start her own company called Black Bottom Entertainment.
The Sequence is very important in the history of women, music and hip hop. Their first single topped the music charts for three weeks and went Gold. Other artists have sampled their music. Even though the hip hop genre is more prominent in NY, The Sequence held their own and made their mark being from the South. They have helped to lay the foundation for subsequent female hip hop groups and solo MCs, that we know and love.
The influence of The Sequence can still be felt and heard, even today. Give them their due for what they have laid down for women groups who came after them. For whatever reason, The Sequence has not been given the credit they deserve. When I think of The Sequence I think of a trio of inspiration and talent.
November is the month to remember for many reasons. It’s the eleventh month and one more to go to see the new year in 2023!! Wow, where has the time gone? We have Thanksgiving, a time to give thanks and reflect on all our blessings. A time to be with family, friends and loved ones. Veterans day to also give thanks to the ones who fought for the country. Read on for more.
Men Make Dinner Day
Man getting his cook on Image by Sasha Kim on pexels
November 3– This day is for the men who do not usually cook dinner. It is a chance for the man to make a meal and dive into an area that they may not have before. Let the man make the meal for the family or just for himself. Some men may not have ever considered cooking for many reasons. Some feel that this is strictly for women, some may not have had anyone in their lives to teach them how to cook. This is definitely a skillset that all men should have. Get your burn on!!
Daylight Savings Time Ends
Waking up from that extra hour of sleep Image by Miriam Alonso on pexels
November 6– Daylight savings time is when the clocks are moved ahead one hour. This allows for more daylight hours during the springtime. Hence, the term spring forward. November is when we set the clocks back one hour. There has been debate about this since it negatively affects sleep for a lot of people. During the Fall season, most of the day is dark. Depending on what state you live in, you don’t have to be concerned with this at all. Not all of the United States take part in DST.
November is now declared hip hop history month. Hip Hop has influenced the cultures of art, fashion, and music. Although, hip hop has changed over the decades it is still relevant and has shaped many of us who have grown up listening to hip hop music. It is arguably one of the most influential genres of music. Check out Know Ya Hip Hop – Universal Hip Hop Museum (uhhm.org) and learn more about the artists who made this form of music so popular.
November 8-Election Day is your chance to make your voice heard. This is your chance to exercise your right as a citizen, taxpayer, etc. I hear some people say that voting doesn’t matter and their one vote does not count. Your vote most certainly does matter and it does count! It is too bad that there is voter fraud going on and people trying to dissuade certain groups away from the polls. It is just the world we live in today. Do not be discouraged. Get your vote in. If you do not participate, don’t complain later about the outcome of who gets elected.
Veteran’s Day
November 11-Veteran’s Day is a day of thanks and recognition to all military members who have fought for our country. Some have lost their lives in the fight for many freedoms we enjoy today. Let’s give praise and thanks to those who have selflessly given so much. Also, lets remember the families of military members. It can be very challenging and also rewarding for them as well. They deserve recognition too.
World Kindness Day
November 13– Show the kinder side of yourself. We all have one. Remember to be kind and maybe you want to show random acts of kindness. It does not have to be anything fancy. Consider saying something nice to someone, maybe opening a door for someone, write a nice sticky note with a few words. Keep it simple. It is the thought that counts. Taking time to acknowledge or think of someone else is a good feeling. Being kind is also contagious and it might start a trend and make people smile more and lift up the mood of many. What do you have to lose? While you are being kind, don’t forget to also include yourself. We can be hard on ourselves at times.
Peanut Butter Lovers Month
Peanut butter is versatile. You can eat it any time of the day. It comes in the smooth variety or with peanuts (chunky). You can also buy it with the jelly mixed in already. It also is good for the heart and full of potassium and protein. If you love peanut butter there are many recipes out there to try. Peanut butter can be eaten plain, or in candy, ice cream, cookies, etc.
What do you call the fear of getting peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth? Arachibutyrophobia. Try saying that fast, five times.
Black Marketers Day
Black marketers in a meeting Image by Christina Morillo on pexels
November 16– National Black Marketers Day gives credit to often overlooked marketers in the black community. The success and efforts of black marketers often goes unnoticed. There are over 60% of black people in the marketing industry. On this day you can show support by shopping with black businesses. Despite the worth of the black consumer, underrepresentation still exists in areas of healthcare and banking. The magazines, Jet and Ebony were published through the Johnson Publishing Company, which is one of the first media businesses by black people.
November 24– The Thanksgiving holiday is a chance to bring families together over a meal. Usually, the main course is a turkey, but some families make ham or a roast. You decide, there is no right or wrong answer. We can also enjoy some good desserts like sweet potato pie, apple pie, ice cream, cobbler and cake. On Thanksgiving there are sports playing on television and classic holiday movies to enjoy. Give thanks on this day and enjoy a meal with friends, family and loved ones. Think about your blessings and all the people in your life and things that you are thankful for. Thanksgiving is truly a day of reflection.
Sweet Potato Awareness Month
Sweet potatoes are a healthy, starchy vegetable. What better time to bring awareness to sweet potatoes then the month of November; think Thanksgiving and sweet potato pie and yams. These potatoes can be cooked in many different ways. You can fry, bake, mash or boil them. They are often used as a healthier alternative to regular potatoes. The sweetness of them also means that you don’t need to add any additional sugar to give them flavor. The health benefits include vitamins A and C. They are also good for anyone trying to lose weight. Full of antioxidants and other nutrients, you can see why they are such an appealing food source.
Pomegranate Season
It is pomegranate season, and this fruit is packed with healthy nutrients. They are a tasty fruit but do require some work to eat. Be aware that if you spill any of the juice from a pomegranate, clean it up quickly. The juice from this fruit will stain your countertop, cutting board and clothing. Pomegranates are low in fat and calories but have high fiber content. The edible seeds of this fruit are sweet and juicy. Get some pomegranate in your life.
For anyone who missed the show, Da Hip Hop Barbershop Presents on iHeart Radio- WDRB Media- The Voice of the Community. You can check it out here. Thank you all for listening!
The host, Ock the Barber will be interviewing me to promote my blog, Inspire By O’Nika. Topic discussion will include my posts on Hip Hop Music Culture of the 80s and 90s, Gun Violence- We Can Do Without It, Self Esteem and Why It’s Important and a host of other things.
A little about the show, Da Hip Hop Barbershop Presents. The host is Ock the Barber and he is also the owner of a mobile barber shop. As the name of the show indicates, the show is related to Hip Hop. You will hear Ock along with Louis Hicks, Jr. tackle some subjects like stress, ghostwriting and a tribute to DJs. Even if you do not listen to Hip Hop, you will hear about other things happening in the community. The show will not disappoint. If you want to hear some grown up, clean discussions and music which also includes other things going on take a listen to this radio station.
Da Hip Hop Barbershop Presents airs on Sundays at 12:00 am on iHeart Radio-WDRB Media- The Voice of the Community.
I want to give a big thank you to Ock the Barber and Louis Hicks, Jr for making this opportunity possible!
If you are from the Jersey or New York scene and of a certain age, then you know there was a lot of great music from those times. Also, some movies influenced and helped bring recognition to the hip hop culture of the 80s and 90s.
Think back to Krush Groove, Breakin, Juice, Beat Street, Wild Style, New Jack City just to name a few. Back in the days of the 80s and 90s we also had break dancing, roller skating, and a host of other things that came together with the music. I mean skating with 4 wheels, 2 in the front and 2 in the back. Not the in-line skates. We listened to music on a beat box- a big radio that had a handle on top to carry around on the block or to take outside and sit on the steps. Also, we had what was called a walkman- which was a portable music player. We played music on cassette tapes and vinyl records. CDs came on the scene later on down the line.
When I think back to hip hop music of the 80s and 90s these names come to mind:
LL Cool J-14 Shots to the Dome
MC Lyte-Lyte As a Rock
3rd Bass-The Cactus Album
De La Soul- 3 Feet High and Rising
Chubb Rock- And the Winner is
EPMD- Strictly Business
Channel Live ft. KRS One- Mad Izm
Big Daddy Kane-Ain’t No Half-Steppin’
Mobb Deep-Survival of the Fittest
Cypress Hill-Black Sunday
Special Ed-I Got It Made
Big Pun -Still Not a Player
Queen Latifah-All Hail the Queen
King Sun- Righteous But Ruthless
Mad Lion- Take It Easy
Salt N Pepa-Hot Cool Vicious
Lil Kim-Hard Core
Foxy Brown- Ill Na Na
Brand Nubian-One For All
Nice and Smooth-Nice & Smooth
Run DMC-Tougher Than Leather
Onyx-Bacdafucup
Method Man- Tical
Public Enemy-Don’t Believe the Hype
Fat Joe- Jealous One’s Envy
DMX-It’s Dark and Hell is Hot
Mary J Blige-What’s the 411?
Missy Elliott- Supa Dupa Fly
The Notorious BIG- Ready to Die
Craig Mack- Flava in Ya Ear
The Lox- Money Power Respect
Nas- It was Written
Eric B and Rakim-Paid in Full
Jay Z-Reasonable Doubt
Snoop Doggy Dogg-Doggystyle
Tribe Called Quest-Bonita Applebum
KRS One-Return of the Boom Bap
Dr. Dre- The Chronic
Eminem-Slim Shady LP
Back in those days there was a sense of community. You could go out for the day with your family and hear some good music in the street. People would be on the train and bus with their boom box and you can jam all day long, no matter where you went. In Washington Square Park in NYC, you would see people out there skating, some with their headphones on and others listening to people playing music on buckets with their sticks. Families just out taking in the sounds and sights.
Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ was another place where you could go and chill with your family. Take in the view of the water, Staten Island Ferry and Lady Liberty. You could also find good street food back in those days too. Think Sabrett Hot Dogs and Grape soda.
Another place to go to hear good music was Exchange Place or the Waterfront in Jersey City. Also, on the water. It was much smaller but still you could get a good vibe and hear people playing music out there too.
Lastly, Central Park in NYC you could go there and walk around. Hear music, see people on their skates and riding bikes. Just having a jam session all day.
You didn’t even have to get on the train or bus, you can go on the block and hear some head bangers. If the music wasn’t coming from somebody’s radio you would hear it in cars driving by. It was an experience back in the 80s and 90s.
If you don’t know these artists, please look them up and listen. A lot of this music is still relevant today.
Hip hop music today is not the same. There is a lot of what I call “mumble rap”. Not to say that there aren’t some new artists out there that are good but it is just not the same.
RESPECT
Rest in peace to the ones who left their stamp on the Hip Hop Music Culture:
Jam Master Jay
Prodigy
ODB- Ol’ Dirty Bastard
Craig Mack
Biz Markie
Biggie
2 Pac
Big Pun
Phife Dawg
DMX
My memory is only but so long, so no dis to anyone that I forgot. If you can think of someone not on the list, leave a comment and let me know.
