My Underrated Black Music Artist List (It's Black Music Month)

Yep, it is Black Music Month! To commemorate I decided to make two opinionated list. The Underrated music artists.

Now, let me define Underrated.The artists that pop culture just plays with and never give them shine. Some of you guys see them but because you have to move from the machine that tells you what is cool, sometime you ignore them. Oh, the video on top? That's just my latest overplayed song on my playlist. It is called
Purse First" by Bob the Drag Queen. He won this past season on RuPaul's Drag Race. He's black. And I am a fan.

My grandfather told me a story of a church musician that really challenged them to sing. Her complaint was, "All y'all wanna do is pat your a-word and holler". Isn't that what go goes for today's music. Well, 'Purse First" does that to me so, Enjoy!!!

5. Kem  I can't explain why he is underrated. He has a nice voice and his music seems very universal. I love" I Can't Stop Loving You" & "Share My Life". It was weird when I heard him more as a ringtone on my sister's phone than I did on the radio. Now, I am feeling him as a feature on Gregory Porter's song Hold On.

4. Tweet This past week she was the topic of this week's Being. I missed it because I was out but everyone I asked about was so eager to talk about who she is currently dating. Umm excuse my gossip craze, she has a new album out called Charlene. And Won't Hurt Me is great. So many (included me) have said, we wished Tweet come out with one more good album. Tweet is good. I knew it when I heard her harmonize some lyrics in "Motel".

♫Go to hell baby

Cause I know I saw you go into a motel♫

OMG, I was a fan. Now, she has a new album. ♫Do whatever you feel you gotta do it♫ but stop sleeping on Tweet.

3. Raheem Devaughn Y'all are funny. He sings the perfect balance of sex & love. He had song called "BOB" (Battery Operated Boyfriend) on an album. He even had a real raunchy video to the song, "Single" come out a few years ago. Even K. Michelle put you guys onto When You Love Someone and thought y'all loved her whatever popular reality show she is on. Maybe he's going to ditch the love stuff, smack the "Customer" on her butt while she is a BOB. But then I won't like her. Don't change Raheem, never mind.

2. Corinne Bailey Rae All music can't make you feel good. I feel like that church musician for earlier, Yes, I a fan from the start with "Put Your Records On". My rollers sets were called The Corinne Bailey Rae at that time.

I loved that she melodically sung her pain in "Do It All Again". Her husband had just die and I understood. While she telling people even though all this happening, she is still not giving up on love, folks were complaining that it was to dark. *sigh*  Rae went away and while the masses are sipping Lemonade, she is dropping music. Have you seen Green Aphrodisiac? No, you haven't because nobody is wondering why she is wearing or holding a gold marijuana plant. I have and I have questions. I think the song is about being high on life.

1. Lalah Hathaway Let this woman win another Grammy in ceremonies earlier than the live show and I will scream. I know "But she has the awards". Lalah Hathaway should be winning the awards that are seen by the masses. Y'all know my favorite singer is Twinkie Clark. Lalah Hathaway is next. Her song is pure & innovative. Y'all know I love that in an artists. I have been a fan of her since the 90's when, she came out with Baby Don't Cry. Back when she snapped her fingers & did the side to side step the whole video. Her voice is hear in some many genres from Gospel to Jazz. Have you heard her version of "Ultimate Relationship". You will cry out "My God". Lalah's voice should be heard on not just Adult Contemporary radio but Pop radio. Mirror is out, now. I wish the masses would stop hiding their ears, so they could hear her.

If I could have honorable mentions, it would be Luke James & Michelle Williams. 

So, this is my list of the Top 5 Underrated Black Music Artists that I Love. I hope you guys go listen to them, if you don't already. Who's on your list? Leave then in the comments below.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Oh I'm Eclectic Now But... (African-American Music Month)

As Kerry Washington’s character in the “I Think I Love My Wife’ might have said, I used to have N-word Ears when I was younger.

And though I may be eclectic now, I will Always Love Black music. I don’t ever remember not Loving Black music. I grew up in a home & a community where music was played all the time. Most times (except Saturday afternoons when Lawrence Welk reruns and A Gaither (The daddies to the Oak Ridge Boys) Gospel Hour came on) it was Black music. We got dressed to it. We cleaned to it. We got our hair done to it. It was played at all the picnics, luncheons & barbecues. In my home we even slept to it. There was a blues juke joint on the corner of my street. My Foundation church is a 6 minute walk from my home. Across the street from it is a COGIC church. I was in the 6^th grade with the little girl who was their drum player. You could hear her play all outside of their church. She was good. (I’m going to ask her on FB does she still play sometimes) I grew up surrounded by black music.  My first memories of loving a song was a black song.

When I was preschool age, you couldn't tell me I was not Evelyn Champagne King. I knew all the words to Love Come Down. I could dance like her on the video. Yes, I had the two two-step sway down. Matter of fact I still do that move. At school while the radio was playing, I would sing along happily to this song.

I said at school because unlike parents now my mother didn't take kindly to children signing “Adult” songs out loud. She would ask in a minute “So what does that song mean” in a minute. My siblings and I would never be on YouTube, World Star, or Ellen singing “Super Bass”. We would be signing “Let It Go” or “HAPPY”. To my mom, Children should sing children songs, gospel included. Back then we had soulful children singers and somgs so we didn't lack in that experience. Oh but I loved that song. King had a pure voice that was telling a story (That I didn't know the meaning of until I was a teenager. Yes, I was Shocked too) about love whole heartedly.

Black music still plays a significant role in my life. Even the newer stuff out. Happy by Pharrell makes me Happy like everyone else. Oh and Drake is turning the rap game around for me. Yes, Jimmy of Degrassi: The Next Generation has my ear. I get dressed to Fancy and Worst Behavior just like these young girls, too. The guy has flow. Then there is Jhene’ Aiko with a song called The Worst. As the kids say, that song gets me all in my feelings. The hook says:

I don't need you

I don't need you

I don't need you

I don't need you

I still want you

I don't mean to

I don't mean to

I don't mean to

I don't mean to

But I love you

Oh I like it. This Picture Quote describes my feelings for the song perfectly.

Oh I love to hear new music by the older artists. The new Michael Jackson (without Justin Timberlake version) Love Never Felt So Good http://youtu.be/GJDdBbgJafU is a banger. Some company has it in a commercial and I stop and bop around every time I hear it. LoL Then there is Prince with Breakdown http://youtu.be/iE6g-jnEhew & Breakfast Can Wait http://youtu.be/GHbyNrGXpAA. I don’t know a Prince song I dislike. You know “Purple Rain” is 30 years old. Once I was old enough to understand the lyrics to Purple Rain & Darling Nikki 

 I declared him The Musical Genius.   

Love Come Down can come on now and instantly I turn into that little girl in day care. Swaying thinking I had a flower in my hair and a flowing dress. That’s the kind of feelings Black music gives me.

My N-word Ears still left me a memory clone or two of themselves as I ventured into other music. I’ll never abandon them as the music has never abandoned me. Bobby Womack passed this weekend. RIP He sang a song called No Matter How I Get http://youtu.be/4cvQMmsGkLg. It’s my favorite song by him. Well, Black Music that song is for you. No Matter How High I get…

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Help Me Understand: The Proud Songs of Adultery (African American Music Month)

Now you guys know I can’t go without fussing at people at some point. African-American Music Month is No Exception. Hey, if you didn't want me to “Soap Box” you, then “Make It Stop”!!! Thanks to one of my Favorite web show commentary shows, “Things I Learned This Week”, I learn "Dumb B-word" maybe subliminally said in Piece of My Love by Guy. You can hear it at 3:17 - 3:23 on this video. I believe it. I Loathe this song. The first verse starts with

You can have all of me. 

But I’m not going to be free

As my grandmother says, “He’s bad news”. I Loathe all songs of its genre I call, “Adultery Music”. If you follow me on Twitter you know I down right Detest “Adultery Music”. It’s very easy explain with one question. “What is so Melodic about having an affair”?

Oh I don’t blame Guy for putting out a song of such stature because there many songs, many made in the 70’s - 80’s, which promote such behavior. As young child, I heard the song You, Me and He by Mtume. The chorus said:

You, Me and He

What we gonna do, baby

Clearly there are too many people in this relationship. Then the female lead sing,

There's somethin' I wanna say

Try and understand

There's another in my life

He's my lover and I'm your wife

Do what? Did she tell her Husband that she is sleeping someone other than him and to be cool about it? Later in the song you find out it is about a husband and wife discussing their issues so they can eventually work them, okay. But the song walks a slippery slope in my mind. Then I started paying attention to the Saturday Morning Housework/At the Salon Old School mix and my eyebrows would raise up more. Billy Paul’s Me and Mrs. Jones and Luther Ingram’s (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right would be playing, I would listen and my mouth would drop. They said “Learn to Listen and Listen to Learn” so that what I was doing. I was learning the people lived so foul lives and liked bragging on it. What is the craziness is people adore these songs. (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right was even used a clever quip in a few sermons I have heard over the years. Why be upset with Pastor Jamal Bryant for using Loyal by Chris Brown in a sermon? Clearly he was in good company when using foul lyrics to make a good point. Oh wait I’m getting sidetracked.  I’m talking about “Adulterous Music” not “People who like to jump on Christian preachers for Everything they do Not So Right”. No Plans for a blog on that but be warned.  I am still wondering how many crazy “Mr. Jones” out there thought Billy Paul was talking about loving on their wives in 1972. How many if any, "Mr. Jones" committed acts of domestic violence because of this crazy song? Frightening to think about. Adultery can be dangerous.

Those are not even the songs of Adultery that Grate my nerves the most. Two songs make me give the world side eye. Poor Whitney Houston! She couldn't rest in peace the day after we found out she left this world without me rolling my eyes at her. Why did I roll my eyes at her? The song Saving All My Love was being played. Oh I know Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr first recorded it but the song is one of Houston hits, so she gets the blame. The songs says she is waiting for a man who is already someone else’s husband & father. What? The lyrics of the first verse clearly say,

A few stolen moments is all that we share

You've got your family, and they need you there

Though I've tried to resist, being last on your list

But no other man's gonna do

So I'm saving all my love for you

Sound like the woes of the side piece, to me. We detest side pieces. That’s why folks hate “Scandal” and “Being Mary Jane”. Oh but it okay for folks to belt out this song. This is disturbing. I remember when Steve Urkel sung it to Laura Winslow on the American sitcom "Family Matters". I felt like I was the only person who thought this song was wrong. Still there is another Adulterous song, you guys love the Belt Out even more. As We Lay has to be the most Beloved Adulterous song known to man. Well, at least in the realm of Black Music. I only know one person who is disgusted by this song like I am. My mother will change the TV or radio when this song comes on. When Kelly Price remade this song originally sang by Shirley Murdock and she was livid. “Why would that girl waste her voice on such a gross song”, my mother said. The song is gross and folks love to sing it. No, people love to sing the heck out of this song. So many talent shows with such graceful and melodious voices have been marred in my eyes with this song. I would hear someone perform this song on the Amateur Night section of Showtime at the Apollo and I wanted to act like my mother and change the channel. Fun Fact: The lyrics “We should have counted up the cost but instead we got lost” was added by Shirley Murdock during recording the song. She didn't think the song was remorseful at all.

I just don’t understand the craze of songs that are about Marital Affairs. I also don’t understand the lesser amount of songs telling married folks off in music. Husband by Shirley Murdock on a later album (http://youtu.be/SYyVMFgsW68) is a Clear example of what you say to some of these low down People that want to creep. You be straight with these married people wanting to be in a relationship with you. Oh because noticeably thanks to Aaron Hall they are still quietly calling you a Dumb B-word when you date them despite their marital status. Ooh I'm going to make a song "Out my Face, You're Married". Going to be a Chart Banger. LoL

Songs of Adultery or Cheating are dying down. The only “current(ish)” song by black singers I could think of is Unfaithful by Rihanna. Y’all are free to tell me more of them in the comments. The song topic can die and not resurrect. There are enough out there and no more room is needed for any more.
Oh and Pop & Country music, this not you month but, the message of the post is for you also. Stop Proudly signing about Cheating and having an Affair like it is something cute. And Don’t shake the Scandal finger at me, go take that some finger and click on one of my blog posts about Scandal.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Choir Music (African-American Music Month

If you asked me what my Favorite style of Gospel music is, it would be Choir Music. If you could be a fly on the wall of my life, there will be many times you will see me playing director and/or lead singer while listening to Choir Music. Matter fact if there is a movie based on my life that needs to be a scene.

Okay I may have made the “style term" up but some of you that know what I am talking about. I Love a true Choir Song. Choirs sing lots of stuff but a true Choir Song only sounds good with a choir.

When I a child, I sang in the Junior Choir at my foundation church. I actually can't sing. Well I sing okay. So, I never lead a song. We used to tear the church up with a song by Deleon Richards called “Move on up the Mountain (http://youtu.be/jJQMjrcw0TE). I know this is solo track but in my heart this is choir music. I loved singing this song. When I got to be 9 years old I was finally was old to sing in the Dallas Baptist Ministerial Alliance Youth for Christ for the City Wide Revival. In the 80’s and 90’s that was the thing for us little church kids to do. For six weeks at the beginning of the year that was our social scene. I loved Youth for Christ. Even when I joined the Youth Ushers at Foundation church at age 11, I still sang in Youth for Christ. I sang until I was 15. Singing song like “Send Your Anointing” by TM Mass Youth Choir gave me great joy.

If you asked me the best choir music were written by three men. The late Milton Brunson

the late Walter Hawkins

and Hezekiah Walker wrote many of my favorite Choir songs.

Well indulge me a little bit and act like we are at a good ol’ church musical and click & listen to some of my favorite Choir songs (a few new ones but mostly old one) I have provided. I’ll admit, I had a great time finding this tunes too.

Processional Song
He's Worthy
http://youtu.be/guV94dARrgc

The Anthemn
Keep You Lamps - These kids remind me of my childhood
http://youtu.be/nC7RHZuP_Yw

Yes Lord - As Football Nerd said once "You have to be a heathen not to know this song" LMBO (You had to be there)
https://youtu.be/mqrH6C-3G1M

There is No Failure
http://youtu.be/Wz7BnJtDZiM

I'm Still Holding On
http://youtu.be/kN6Xt0o4cLQ

Fully Commited
http://youtu.be/qCV6kZY4Pv4

Call Him Up
http://youtu.be/KQdZIqTsOm0

There is No Greater Love
http://youtu.be/QVbThm_CzTE

When The Battle is Over
http://youtu.be/kL7xRI3_p58

God Will Take Care of You
http://youtu.be/HP2n9nDn7Oc

Jerusalem - My Foundation Church is one of the choirs featured on this song. The soloist was member and a family friend. RIP Thomas Wade
http://youtu.be/dPHT8KKU-Uo

The Vision
http://youtu.be/opawDQcMVzQ

Same God
https://youtu.be/80Dpek7qK08

Everybody Clap Your Hands
http://youtu.be/MDOhwnzbeJQ

Every Praise
http://youtu.be/UuuZMg6NVeA

Oh in the comments let me know what some of your favorites are. Share with me. LoL

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Twinkie Clark - Awesome (African- American Music Month)

Let's kick off African-American Music Month with one of my favorite songs. It is my favorite song by this artist. We always say God is Awesome. This song is a perfect testament to how Amazing we should feel about God being Awesome. Listen to this song.

Oh I know you are not shocked I kicked off  African- American Music Month with Gospel. That's cute!!! LoL

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms