Today is the ninth day of Black History Month. As we go through the month, I’m going to talk about a collection of Black artists. It’ll be fairly comprehensive and eclectic list — although it won’t be a complete list.
So far I’ve talked about:
- Rick James, who was born 76 years ago on February 1
- OutKast‘s Big Boi, who celebrated his 49th birthday on February 1
- Sister Rosetta Tharpe
- John Lee Hooker
- Patti LaBelle
- The Temptations‘ second and longest tenured lead vocalist Dennis Edwards, who was born 81 years ago on February 4
- Tina Turner
- Aretha Franklin
- Bobby Brown, who celebrated his 55th birthday on February 5
- Bob Marley, who was born 79 years ago on February 6
- The Supremes
- J. Dilla, who was born 50 years ago on February 7
- Queen Latifah
- Black Moon, DJ Evil Dee and Buckshot
Since we’re focusing on Black Excellence during Black History Month, the most obvious person I must speak about is the glamorous and incomparable Dionne Warwick.
I’ve said this before but “Walk On By” and “I Say A Little Prayer” are arguably two of the most gorgeous songs ever written and recorded.
My mom had family in Warwick’s hometown of East Orange, NJ. When mom was a girl, she visited East Orange quite a bit. And she often talks wistfully of how at the height of Warwick’s fame and popularity, everyone in town would play the legendary singer’s work with great pride. Black excellence, indeed.