Brandy - "I Wanna Be Down (Remix) (ft. MC Lyte, YoYo, & Queen Latifah)"

In honor of Black History Month all of February’s posts will feature black artists and artists of color.

Brandy Rayana Norwood (born February 11, 1979), better known by her mononym Brandy, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, actress, and businesswoman. Born into a musical family in McComb, Mississippi, Norwood was raised in Carson, California, beginning her career as a backing vocalist for teen groups. After signing with Atlantic Records in 1993, she released her self-titled debut album the following year, which sold six million copies worldwide. In 1996, Norwood began starring in the UPN sitcom Moesha as the title character, which lasted six seasons and resulted in numerous other roles. She resumed her music career in 1998 with the wildly successful duet with fellow R&B contemporary Monica, "The Boy Is Mine", which went on to become one of the best selling female duets of all time. Her second album, Never Say Never, featured two number one singles, and earned Norwood her first Grammy Award.

Throughout the 2000s, Norwood held a precarious position in the pop industry. In 2002, she starred in the reality series Brandy: Special Delivery, documenting the birth of her daughter. Her third and fourth albums, Full Moon (2002) and Afrodisiac (2004), were released to critical success. She served as a judge on the first season of America's Got Talent before being involved in a widely publicized car accident in 2006. After several lawsuits stemming from the accident, Norwood's fifth album, Human (2008), was released to commercial failure.

In the 2010s, Norwood experienced a critical and commercial resurgence. In 2010, she returned to television as a contestant on the eleventh season of Dancing with the Stars and starred in the reality series Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business. In 2012, she became a series regular in the BET series The Game, and released her sixth album Two Eleven to critical praise. In April 2015, Norwood made her Broadway debut in the musical Chicago. She starred in and executive produced a sitcom titled Zoe Ever After on BET which premiered in January 2016. In July 2020, Norwood released her seventh studio album, B7, also her first project as an independent artist, to critical acclaim.

As of August 2020, she has sold over 40 million records worldwide, with approximately 8.62 million albums sold in the United States alone. Her work has earned her numerous awards and accolades, including a Grammy Award, an American Music Award, and seven Billboard Music Awards. She has become known for her distinctive sound, characterized by her peculiar timbre, voice-layering, and intricate riffs, which has earned her the nickname "The Vocal Bible" from industry peers and critics.

So today, trying to be, I choose Brandy’s "I Wanna Be Down (Remix) (ft. MC Lyte, YoYo, & Queen Latifah)" as my, where I want to, with me and you, on a walk with Arthur, song for a, little dreams, small amends, one more try, Wednesday.

Saweetie - "Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat)"

In honor of Black History Month all of February’s posts will feature black artists and artists of color.

Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper known professionally as Saweetie is an American rapper and songwriter. After the release of her debut single "Icy Grl", she was signed to Warner Records and her manager Max Gousse's record label Artistry Worldwide. She released her debut extended play, High Maintenance on March 16, 2018. Her second EP, Icy was released in March 2019, and spawned the top 40 single "My Type". Her debut album, Pretty Bitch Music is expected to be released in 2021 and was preceded by the singles "Tap In" and "Best Friend" featuring Doja Cat.

Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini known professionally as Doja Cat, is an American singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she began making and releasing music on SoundCloud as a teenager. Her song "So High" caught the attention of Kemosabe and RCA Records where she signed a joint record deal at the age of 17, subsequently releasing her debut EP Purrr! in 2014.

After a commercial hiatus, Doja Cat released her debut studio album, Amala (2018), to commercial failure, but later earned viral success as an internet meme with the single "Mooo!", which appeared on the deluxe version of her debut album along with singles "Juicy" and "Tia Tamera" in 2019. Doja Cat's second studio album, Hot Pink (2019), reached the top 10 of the US Billboard 200 and spawned the single "Say So", which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart following the release of two remixes featuring Nicki Minaj.

Doja Cat is known for creating music videos and songs that achieve popularity on social media applications such as TikTok and YouTube. Doja Cat has been nominated for three Grammy Awards and has won two American Music Awards in addition to the MTV Video Music Award for Push Best New Artist and its European counterpart.

Not every choice needs to be an act of defiance or rebellion, to quote "Dear White People”:

“Sometimes being carefree and black is an act of revolution.”

So today, feeling myself, I choose Saweetie’s "Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat)" as my, be you, stay true, shine on, song for a, this is me, you’re welcome, deal with it, Tuesday.

Queen Latifah - "U.N.I.T.Y."

In honor of Black History Month all of February’s posts will feature black artists and artists of color.

She is an icon, an advocate, and a trailblazer.

Dana Elaine Owens (born March 18, 1970), known professionally as Queen Latifah, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, actress, and producer. Born in Newark, New Jersey, she signed with Tommy Boy Records in 1989 and released her debut album All Hail the Queen on November 28, 1989, featuring the hit single "Ladies First". Nature of a Sista' (1991) was her second and final album with Tommy Boy Records.

Latifah starred as Khadijah James on the FOX sitcom Living Single from 1993 to 1998. Her third album, Black Reign (1993), spawned the single "U.N.I.T.Y.", which was influential in bringing awareness to women's rights and towards raising the perspective of women in communities worldwide. The record won a Grammy Award and peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. She then starred in the lead role of Set It Off (1996) and released her fourth album, Order in the Court, on June 16, 1998, with Motown Records. Latifah garnered acclaim with her role of Matron "Mama" Morton in the musical film Chicago (2002), receiving a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Latifah released her fifth album The Dana Owens Album in 2004. In 2007 and 2009, she released two more studio albums – Trav'lin' Light and Persona. She created the daytime talk show The Queen Latifah Show, which ran from late 2013 to early 2015 on CBS. She has appeared in a number of films, such as Bringing Down the House (2003), Taxi (2004), Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2005), Beauty Shop (2005), Last Holiday (2006), Hairspray (2007), Joyful Noise (2012), 22 Jump Street (2014) and Girls Trip (2017) and provided voice work in the Ice Age film series. Latifah received critical acclaim for her portrayal of blues singer Bessie Smith in the HBO film Bessie (2015), which she co-produced, winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie. From 2016 to 2019, she starred as Carlotta Brown in the musical drama series Star. In 2020, she portrayed Hattie McDaniel in the miniseries Hollywood.

She has been described as a "feminist" rapper. Latifah received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006. Latifah's work in music, film and television has earned her a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, two NAACP Image Awards, an Academy Award nomination and sales of over two million records.

So today, looking towards each other, I choose Queen Latifah’s “U.N.I.T.Y.” as my, find the space together, hold space for each other, create space for the other, song for a, look beyond what you know, continue your growth, behold the world and all it’s splendor, Monday.

Lena Horne - "Stormy Weather"

In honor of Black History Month all of February’s posts will feature black artists and artists of color.

Rule breaker. Earth shaker. Ground taker. She was more than the movie industry could handle, and she didn’t let that stop her. A force of nature and a talent that would not be stopped.

Lena Mary Calhoun Horne (June 30, 1917 – May 9, 2010) was an American singer, dancer, actress, and civil rights activist. Horne's career spanned over 70 years, appearing in film, television, and theater. Horne joined the chorus of the Cotton Club at the age of 16 and became a nightclub performer before moving to Hollywood.

Returning to her roots as a nightclub performer, Horne took part in the March on Washington in August 1963 and continued to work as a performer, both in nightclubs and on television while releasing well-received record albums. She announced her retirement in March 1980, but the next year starred in a one-woman show, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, which ran for more than 300 performances on Broadway. She then toured the country in the show, earning numerous awards and accolades. Horne continued recording and performing sporadically into the 1990s, retreating from the public eye in 2000. Horne died of congestive heart failure on May 9, 2010, at the age of 92.

She made her debut at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in Panama Hattie (1942) and performed the title song of Stormy Weather based loosely on the life of Adelaide Hall, (1943), at 20th Century Fox, while on loan from MGM. She appeared in a number of MGM musicals, most notably Cabin in the Sky (1943), but was never featured in a leading role because of her race and the fact that her films had to be re-edited for showing in cities where theaters would not show films with black performers. As a result, most of Horne's film appearances were stand-alone sequences that had no bearing on the rest of the film, so editing caused no disruption to the storyline. A notable exception was the all-black musical Cabin in the Sky, although one number from that film was cut before release because it was considered too suggestive by the censors: Horne singing "Ain't It the Truth" while taking a bubble bath. This scene and song are featured in the film That's Entertainment! III (1994) which also featured commentary from Horne on why the scene was deleted prior to the film's release. Lena Horne was the first African-American elected to serve on the Screen Actors Guild board of directors.

So today, looking for the clouds to part, I choose the iconic Lena Horne’s “Stormy Weather” as my, little miracles, surprise love letters , wishes on stardust, song for a, the next right thing, a little more hope, close your eyes and leap, Friday.

Hazel Scott - "Foggy Day"

In honor of Black History Month all of February’s posts will feature black artists and artists of color.

Hazel Dorothy Scott (June 11, 1920 – October 2, 1981) was a Trinidadian-born jazz and classical pianist, singer, and actor. She was a critically acclaimed performing artist and an outspoken critic of racial discrimination and segregation. She used her influence to improve the representation of Black Americans in film.

Born in Port of Spain, Scott moved to New York City with her mother at the age of four. Scott was a child musical prodigy, receiving scholarships to study at the Juilliard School when she was eight. In her teens, she performed in a jazz band. She also performed on the radio.

She was prominent as a jazz singer throughout the 1930s and 1940s. In 1950, she became the first black American to host her own TV show, The Hazel Scott Show. Her career in America faltered after she testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1950 during the McCarthy era. Scott subsequently moved to Paris in 1957 and began performing in Europe, not returning to the United States until 1967.

She was luminous, and all too often overlooked for her incredible achievements.

So today, with more light, I choose Hazel Scott’s “Foggy Day” as my, chin up young person, one more small miracle, hold your boundaries, song for an, accountable to be held, lines to be drawn, agreements to be made, Thursday.

Additionally, I’m adding in some other incredible performances and most importantly there is a video telling you a bit of her history and happened to her.

The Ink Spots - "If I Didn't Care"

In honor of Black History Month all of February’s posts will feature black artists and artists of color.

The Ink Spots were an American vocal jazz group who gained international fame in the 1930s and 1940s. Their unique musical style presaged the rhythm and blues and rock and roll musical genres, and the subgenre doo-wop. The Ink Spots were widely accepted in both the white and black communities, largely due to the ballad style introduced to the group by lead singer Bill Kenny.

In 1989, the Ink Spots (Bill Kenny, Charlie Fuqua, Deek Watson, Jerry Daniels and Orville Jones) were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 1999 they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Since the Ink Spots disbanded, in 1954, there have been well over a hundred vocal groups calling themselves "The Ink Spots" without any right to the name, and without any original members of the group. It has often been the case that these groups claimed to be "2nd generation" or "3rd generation" Ink Spots.

So today, caring deeply, I choose The Ink Spots’ "If I Didn't Care" as my, find the everyday romance, look to the little skies, minor miracles, song for a, follow the sun, sing to the birds, be grateful, Wednesday.

As a treat, I’m giving you two different amazing versions of this song from two separate iterations of the group.

Shirley Bassey - "Where Do I Begin"

In honor of Black History Month all of February’s posts will feature black artists and artists of color.

A world-famous singer with a big voice and a glamorous reputation, Shirley Bassey has recorded numerous hits, including three James Bond theme songs.

“The Tigress of the Thames” Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey, DBE is a Welsh singer, whose career began in 1953, well known for her expressive voice and for recording the soundtrack theme songs to the James Bond films Goldfinger (1964), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), and Moonraker (1979).  In January 1959, Bassey became the first Welsh person to gain a No. 1 single.

In 2000, Bassey was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to the performing arts. In 1977 she received the Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist in the previous 25 years. Bassey is one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain.

A singer since childhood, Shirley Bassey's bold voice, along with her perseverance, helped her move beyond her impoverished upbringing. Of mixed-race heritage (with an English mother and a Nigerian father), Bassey reached a level of international acclaim that few other Black British performers had seen before her.

Bassey released her first single, "Burn My Candle," when she was 19 years old. In 1957, she had her first hit with "Banana Boat Song." Her worldwide popularity took off when she sang "Goldfinger" for the 1964 James Bond movie of the same name. She also sang the theme songs for two other Bond films, Diamonds Are Forever and Moonraker. These Bond songs, along with her interpretations of numbers like "Big Spender" and "I Am What I Am," made Bassey's career an unmitigated success.

So today, from the beginning, I choose Shirley Bassey’s “Where Do I Begin” as my, tell your story, let no one silence you, listen to others, song for a, breathe hope, sing love, weep joy, Tuesday.

Ann Peebles - "I Can't Stand The Rain"

In honor of Black History Month all of February’s posts will feature black artists and artists of color.

She was born in Kinloch, Missouri, the seventh child of eleven. As a child she began singing in the choir of her father's church and with the family's group, the Peebles Choir, who regularly opened shows for gospel stars including Mahalia Jackson and the Soul Stirrers featuring Sam Cooke. She was also influenced by R&B performers, including Muddy Waters, Mary Wells and Aretha Franklin.

She began performing in clubs in St. Louis, and in the mid-1960s joined a revue led by bandleader Oliver Sain. While visiting Memphis in 1968, she sang in a club with trumpeter Gene "Bowlegs" Miller, a popular local bandleader known for helping other musicians, such as the members of the Hi Rhythm Section who played on Peebles' recordings, get their start in the Memphis music industry. Miller introduced her to Hi Records producer Willie Mitchell, who quickly offered her a recording contract.

Her first record, "Walk Away", written by Sain, reached the R&B chart in 1969, as did the follow-up, "Give Me Some Credit", and she released an album, This Is Ann Peebles. All her early records on Hi were produced by Mitchell, and featured the signature sound of the Hi Rhythm Section and Memphis Horns. In 1970, her single "Part Time Love" - a version of Little Johnny Taylor's 1963 hit - reached no. 7 on the R&B chart, and no.45 on the pop chart, and she began working with the Hi label's songwriter Don Bryant. One of the first songs he wrote for her was "99 Pounds" in 1971 – "Good things come in small packages/ You'll have to agree to that" – in 1971; they married in 1974.

"Why gritty singing like this can't be heard on 'progressive' radio when a borderline hysteric like Lydia Pense is an automatic add ought to be investigated by the Civil Rights Commission."

–Review of Straight from the Heart in Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981)

She continued to have R&B hits in the early 1970s, including "I Pity the Fool," "Slipped, Tripped and Fell in Love," "Breaking Up Somebody's Home" (a Hot 100 hit in 1973 for Albert King and later recorded by Bette Midler), "Somebody's on Your Case," and "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down" (later a hit for Paul Young). She was also the only female singer on Hi to release a string of albums, including Straight from the Heart and I Can't Stand the Rain, which contained many tracks that she co-wrote with Bryant. The title track of the latter album, written by Peebles and Bryant with DJ Bernard Miller, was her biggest commercial success, reaching no. 6 on the R&B chart and no. 38 on the pop chart in 1973.

Although she continued to have hit R&B singles and to release albums on Hi, none matched the success of "I Can't Stand the Rain". Mitchell later said: "She was the girl with the big voice who could have really gone further... But I don't think Ann spent enough time thinking about what she needed to do. I don't think she put as much energy into her career as a singer as some of the rest of these people."

After Hi Records closed in 1979, and with the rise of disco music, Peebles took a break from the music industry to spend more time with her family. She returned in 1989 with the album Call Me, again produced by Willie Mitchell and released on his own Waylo label. During the 1990s, she released albums on Rounder Records' Bullseye Blues subsidiary label. She continued to perform, and in 2006 she released the album Brand New Classics, which consisted of re-recordings of some of her songs in an acoustic style. Peebles also joined Cyndi Lauper on a recording of "Rollin' and Tumblin'" on Lauper's 11th studio album, Memphis Blues.

She gave up performing after a stroke in 2012. Peebles has been sampled by many hip-hop artists, in particular Missy Elliott, RZA and the Wu-Tang Clan.

So today, with clouds parting, I choose Ann Peebles’ "I Can't Stand The Rain" as my, diamonds in the dustbin, gold in the sky, unopened bottle, song for a, get back up, sigh and sing, there you are, Monday.