Throwback: Happy Black History Month: Billy Ocean

Today is the thirteenth day of Black History Month. Because the current administration is racist, fascist and wants to deny the existence and histories of anyone that isn’t cis-het and white, there are some important things everyone should remember during this month — and every single month: 

• You can’t love Black artists and their work, and not see them as people 
• Black lives — and Black art matters 
• Black culture is American culture 

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 the following: 

• Big Boi, who celebrated his 51st birthday on February 1
•  Rick James, who was born 78 years ago on February 1
• Sudan Archives, one of the most talented and dynamic artists performing out there today
• The Temptations‘ second and longest tenured lead vocalist Dennis Edwards who was born 83 years ago on February 3 
• Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, bassist and JOVM mainstay Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner
• Bobby Brown, who celebrated his 57th birthday on February 5 
• The legendary Bob Marley, who was born 81 years ago on February 6 
• Natalie Cole, the daughter of the legendary jazz singer and pianist Nat King Cole, who was born 76 years ago on February 6
• J. Dilla, who was born 52 years ago on February 7
• The pioneering Sister Rosetta Tharpe
• The uncompromising and trailblazing Tracy Chapman
• The legendary Roberta Flack, who was born 89 years ago on February 10
• D’Angelo, who was born 52 years ago on February 
• Bad Brains‘ founder and frontman H.R., who celebrated his 70th birthday on February 11
• Brandy, who celebrated her 47th birthday on February 11

Between 1976 and roughly 1988, Billy Ocean amassed quite a bit of international success, including “Love Really Hurts Without You,” which was a Top 40 hit in the States and a Top 10 hit in the UK; “Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run),” which was his first #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Black Singles — and the accompanying album Suddenly debuted on the Top 10, peaking at #9 on the Billboard 200 and UK Albums Chart. That album was certified double platinum by the RIAA and gold in the UK. “Caribbean Queen” also received two Grammy Awards, with a win for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. “Loverboy,” which is accompanied by what I think is one of the worst videos ever made, landed at #2 on Billboard, and “Suddenly” peaked at #4 in the US and UK. The Jewel of the Nile theme song “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going” landed at #1 on the UK charts and #2 here in the States. 

The height of his popularity seemed — to me, at least — to be between roughly 1982-1986. At that point, he seemed to be as omnipresent as Michael Jackson or Janet Jackson. If you were around and conscious at the time, you heard his song relentlessly played on the radio.

By the time he received a Brit Award nomination for Best British Male Artist, Billy Ocean was the most popular and most commercially successful British R&B singer/songwriter of the 80s. 

For me, many of these songs bring back some fond memories of a time that felt and seemed so much easier, even when it wasn’t.

___

The Joy of Violent Movement is a completely independent and completely D.I.Y. media outlet. Over the course of this site’s 15+ year history, I’ve used my fiercely independent stance to cover music with an eclectic and global perspective that a lot of other publications just don’t have — and will likely never have. 

To that end, I could use your support to continue to keep bringing you my unique global perspective on music. There are a number of ways that you can support this work. 

I’ve been told that some people would prefer to make a one-time donation because it’s easy and less of an obligation. So, if you’re able to make a one-time donation, there’s a donation box below.

Anything you can give is very much appreciated. It can and does make a real difference, y’all. 

I know that a lot of folks are struggling to make ends meet in an uncertain and tumultuous economic climate. So there are other, non-financial ways in which you can support this work. 

You can follow me on the following social platforms:

X/Twitter: @yankee32879 and @joyofviolent 

Instagram: @william_ruben_helms

Threads: @william_ruben_helms

Bluesky: @williamrubenhelms.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement

As always, if there are posts that you dig, share them with your friends. The more eyeballs on my work, the better.