#musicedition

Chicago native and poet, Gil Scott-Heron... My favorites, "We Almost Lost Detroit" and probably his most notable piece, "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." I lifted his album, "Pieces of a Man" from my father's coveted record collection while looking for samples one day. I couldn't help but noticing how much he looked like my homeboy Harvey. I can't remember if I found any samples, but that was a day well spent... Listening to THEE POET!!! 👊🏾 ✌🏾 #BlackHistoryMonth #musicedition #GilScottHeron #poeticjustice - SIDE NOTE: How bad does one have to be to obtain a M.A. in creative writing despite not having obtained a Bachelors!?!? (at Detroit, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZvzgd2uSKL/?utm_medium=tumblr

"Forget Me Nots", "Remind Me", "Settle For My Love", "Haven't You Heard"... music by the multi-talented singer, songwriter, producer and musician... Ms. Patrice Rushen. Songs from my childhood... The 70's & 80's. Who can forget these joints!?!? All familiar sounds to the younger generation thanks to the dope samples they spawned, but there's NOTHING like the original!!! If you don't know... go find out!!! 👊🏾✌🏾🎹 #randbhits #BlackHistoryMonth #musicedition #patricerushen - BOOTLEG UNSUNG: youtu.be/lLcjDqhs-tQ (at Haven't You Heard) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZydaoEOswH/?utm_medium=tumblr

So dope they made a movie about her. Growing up, Roxanne Shanté was my favorite female MC. Not only did she have a mean flow, but she was an important force behind the legendary "Juice Crew" rap collective. Post Roxanne battle records, the 'Queen of Rap' can be heard weekdays at 4pm on LL Cool J's "Rock the Bells Radio" on Sirrus XM. "Just go about your way and have a nice day..." #BlackHistoryMonth #musicedition #roxanneshante (at Queensbridge Houses) https://www.instagram.com/p/CafpUoMpRth/?utm_medium=tumblr

"All of these beats and my rhymes attached form a new creation called the Marley scratch..." ~ MC Shan. Roxanne Shanté, Biz Markie, LL Cool J, Eric B & Rakim, Shan, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane... Biz Markie... and on and on... The 80's belonged to Marley!!! I mean dude kept churning out hits like they were going out of style. He was the producer's producer. I always thought I had his sound figured out... Until he reinvented himself... Over and over again. So, I don't know if it was the dope ass MCs that got me hooked or Marley tight beats!?!? All I knew was I wanted to do THAT!!! #BlackHistoryMonth #musicedition #marleymarl #juicecrewallstars (at The Symphony) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaZO61JOQSH/?utm_medium=tumblr

Little Stevie Wonder Signed with Mowtown Records when he was only 11 years old. He's now 71. The child prodigy and legend, now simply known as Stevie Wonder, boast a total of 25 Grammy awards, a lifetime achievement award, a Presidential Medal of Freedom given to him by President Barack Obama, a few honorary degrees, and a key to the city of Detroit... Just to name a few. What blew me away as a child was his unbelievable talent and skill on the harmonica and keyboard. So much so that for Christmas I asked for a... #BlackHistoryMonth #musicedition #steviewonder (at Mon Cherie Amour) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaZM4XNOdFb/?utm_medium=tumblr

The Wheel of Fortune answer would be... "SMOKING A BOB MARLEY!!!" Easily one of the most recognizable faces in the world... Who doesn't know about Robert Nesta Marley and his contributions to his country 🇯🇲 and the reggae culture!?!? I think I was 15 when I was first introduced to Bob Marley. VH1 ran a Bob Marley music marathon. I watched out of curiosity, but I was too caught up in hip-hop at that point to be converted. However, I've always been amazed at the musical accomplishments he left behind as well as his children's love and passion for the art and preserving their father's legacy... #BlackHistoryMonth #musicedition #bobmarley (at Bob Marley's House) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaW7C99OrGL/?utm_medium=tumblr

Dedicating this one to the man I by got my name from, inherited my extreme love for the arts... My musical talents from. The senior Andre Bazemore. Out of all of his records, George Benson's music graced the speakers and notes of my father's guitar strings more days than I can remember. Some of the early riffs and chords I learned to play were by this brother. Of the few takeaways I have from my childhood, I guess "Breezin", "On Broadway", "Give Me the Night" and "This Masquerade" will always be a huge part of those Saturday afternoon memories. Unfortunately, my little hands and his lack of determination, at that time, kept me from learning to play the guitar the way I wish I had. Oh well that's what samplers are for!!! 👊🏾✌🏾 #BlackHistoryMonth #musicedition #jazzmusic #georgebenson (at On Broadway) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaTCY-SpqA0/?utm_medium=tumblr

🌞🐝🌼 "Everybody loves the sunshine... Folks get down in the sunshine... Just bees and things and flowers" ~ Roy Ayers. If you don't know, you just don't know. But... that song alone made its way to The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul herself, Mary J. Blige, by way of her hit single, "My Life." Better yet, to keep it hip-hop, it opened the 2015 NWA biopic, "Straight Outta Compton." You know the part... when Dre was on the floor listening to this record and his mom cut it off. Reminded me of mine at times way back when. Run a quick check through Who Sampled and you'll see that Roy Ayers has to be one of the most sampled Jazz musicians ever. Bottom line... his music is just dope!!! #BlackHistoryMonth #musicedition #royayers #maryjblige #hiphophistory (at The Sunshine) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaTB5NuJhPM/?utm_medium=tumblr