Black Jesus .com

Levi Stubbs of The Four Tops Was One Of The Best

 

Growing up in Harlem, the Four Tops were the epitome of excellence when they performed at the famous Apollo Theatre. As talented, well groomed entertainers, many young Black boys wanted to look and dress like them. You would hear their songs at all of our dances and family gatherings. They had positive lyrics the entire family could sing. But they were equally as popular among whites the world over, because excellence has no color. Levi Stubbs was the ultimate crooner. Married for over 48 years, he was also a strong family man. I and my wife had the privledge, 15 years ago by chance, meeting Levi after his show in an elevator in Las Vegas. He was a true gentleman. Levi, the world is going to miss you but you're singing with the angels now.

 

The Four Tops Performed Together For Over 40 Years.

Why Some Hip Hop Music Poisons The Mind: Bridget Gray

Over the past few years, my teenagers and I have had a debate about some Hip Hop lyrics which are demeaning, especially to young Black women. They have heard me repeatedly say that the mind is like the body. When you feed your body good nutritious food, you continue to grow healthy and stong, helping you to avoid serious medical issues. But when you eat poor quality, high caloric foods, or listen to negative, deragatory music, your thoughts , your actions and how you see yourself and others,  start to reflect this poison. When my kids get in my car, they know they are going to take a trip to Motown, or a walk with Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, Nancy Wilson or Country Music singer Rissi Palmer. I'm poud to share with them the rich history of Black Music. But early this morning my daughter came running into me saying Daddy you need to hear this. Since she knows how I feel about most hip hop music, I took the time to listen and I was pleasantly surprised.

Just maybe a change is coming before it's to late. Before we loose our mucical roots altogether and someone else claims they were the creators of what is ours.

Michael Jackson: What He Means To Black America

Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five represent yet another example of Black excellence emerging against the odds. Barry Gordy started Motown with nothing more than a dream, desire and hard work. Young Black entertainers came to him with the same and together with trust and committment in themselves and one another they were able to tear down the walls of racism that had divided the music industry with segregated audiences and the limiting of Black entertainers access to the marketplace.  Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 were at the forefront of this sweeping change.

After hearing of the death of pop star Michael Jackson, three people hug as they sing songs in front of the Apollo Theater in the Harlem, NYC Photo: AFP

Twenty years ago in America every black girl wanted to marry Michael Jackson

By Leonard Doyle in Washington
Published: 11:30AM BST 26 Jun 2009

As a young black performer Micahel Jackson's songs communicated emotions far beyond the grasp of an adolescent boy and black America swooned.

When he burst on the scene in the 1970s at the heart of his family group the Jackson 5, he seemed like the boy who knew too much.

When the band first toured the Mid West it often opened for down-at-heel striptease acts on what was known as the "chitlin' circuit". The Jacksons eventually signed with the black record label Motown in 1968.

As a dancer and a performer, Jackson was an androgynous boy-man figure who broke down racial barriers becoming the first black performer on MTV. He turned the music video into an art form, giving modern pop music a huge space in which to flourish.

Jackson's signature ethereal dance move became known as the Moonwalk. His stage presence was extraordinary and he could create delightful confusion about race, gender and age.

Though derided by many for his high pitched tones and foppish style, Jackson's music and vocal range helped shape hip hop, pop and contemporary R&B artists from Mariah Carey to Justin Timberlake.

With his signature single white glove and red leather military cut jackets Jackson also influenced the world of fashion.

When the album Thriller was released in 1982, it was played endlessly on MTV turning Jackson into a true crossover artist, straddling the world of black and white music in ways that millions could could relate to.

Thriller was his masterwork and it transformed mainstream pop. As the world's best selling album ever, it knocked down boundaries between black and white music and brought the sounds of the dance floor into millions of living rooms.

As one critic said: "Executives hummed it, the poor danced to it. Blacks enjoyed it, white kids from the suburbs loved it."

Jackson transcended boundaries not just in America, but across the world. He became the biggest star in the pop universe, developing new sounds with producer Quincy Jones based on funk, soul elements of jazz, disco and Beatles-style rock.

It was, music critic Ann Powers said, "a smooth mix that created new possibilities for crossover pop."

"The news of his death was like losing a long-lost lover, someone you remember differently, adored innocently."

There Are Real Consequences When Black Hip Hop Rappers Use The N Word Nigga (Nigger)!

If you're an African American visiting this site for the first time, read this first on why the use of the N word by anyone is the least of our problems (ClickHere)

 

While there has been an ongoing debate about black rappers use of the N word, with the majority defending it as a term of endearment, it appears now that some white rappers have decided that its finally ok for them to use this negative term too, especially since white kids are the number 1 buyers of rap music.

For smother viewing hit the start button and allow the red line to fill to the far right, then hit start.

As we look at the state of young Black America today we see increasing high school drop out rates, low test scores, poor language skills , high unemployment and incarceration rates. But among our youth, rappers are held in high esteem.

Actor Alec Bladwin even defends his use of "Niggas." Click Here

Rappers, a few who have become quite wealthy selling this angry black man, tattooed thug, baggy pants image on a global basis to the detriment of Black Youth.But Why And How Has Rap Been Allowed To Prosper And What Has Been The Immediate And Long Term Effect On How Black People See Ourselves And How The Rest Of The World Sees Us? Listen To What Noted Psychiatrist, Dr. France Describes What's Happening.

 

Noted phyciatrist, Dr, Frances Cress Welsing says above it is not by chance that the greater media likes to hold up a handfull of rappers like Jay-Z, Sean Diddy, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and 50 Cents as primary examples of Black success, while intentionally over looking successful Black doctors, lawyers and business owners.

This is a must see video that every Black youth needs to see to get a perspective on what is happening to our people and in some cases what we are doing to ourselves.

A War For Your Soul-Birmingham version from Erisai Films on Vimeo.

For smother viewing hit the start button and allow the grey line to fill to the far right, then hit start.

Filmmaker and public speaker Reggie Bullock is one of the most sought after motivational speakers in the United States, traveling to over 60 cities in the past two years.

Reggie’s short film "A War For Your Soul" is a stirring, inspirational video for today’s generation. Over 10 million internet viewers have watched “A War For Your Soul” in 2 years.

The video has garnered praise from mayors, city leaders, youth and civic organizations and almost every major country around the world, sparking dialogue in encouraging adults to play a more active role in educating children.

On Oct. 14th, Popular radio host Michael Baisden said "This is a must see film".

Reggie has received the "key to the city" award from the cities of Macon GA., Riviera Beach Fl. and Corpus Christi TX.

Reggie is currently active as a noted speaker, conducting speaking engagements throughout the country. For speaking engagements contact warforyoursoul.com or [email protected]

This video was created to inspire young at-risk African-Americans not to fall prey to some of the problems they face in society. The "Master of Darkness" represents that abstract concept of evil that has the potential to reside in the consciousness of mankind.

The use of the images of Richard Pryor and NAS, were used to show how we have publicly displayed the "N" word over the course of time. Richard Pryor, before his death, had gone on record to publicly denounce his use of the word, and the Rapper NAS ( one of the few socially conscious rappers ) intentions of wearing the jacket had nothing to do with the glorification of the word. I have enjoyed some of Pryor's masterful story telling and I have also enjoyed some of the thought provoking music from NAS.

This video should not to be used to divide people (Black & White).
This video should not be used to criticize all aspects of hip-hop culture.
This video should not be used to allow the rest of society to escape from their responsibility, to help with financial & academic support.

If used properly, this video will allow our youth to see some of the horrific conditions that their ancestors fought through and some of the horrific conditions they face today.

An extensive commentary about the film can be seen at warforyoursoul.com

**THIS VIDEO IS NOT FOR SALE & I AM NOT ACCEPTING DONATIONS FOR THE FILM, I ONLY WANT THE MESSAGE TO REACH AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT ANY HIDDEN POLITICAL OR FINANCIAL AGENDA.