Another hit single from the ingenious duo of writer, Rod Temperton and producer, Quincy Jones, Off The Wall‘s Rock With You proved to be an illustrating moment for Michael in the early 80′s. Echoing the dance floors of Studio 54 with its moving bass line, flowing string arrangements, and synthesised sound of disco, this single captures a sensual playfulness fused with a joyous spirit in Jackson’s voice. Released November 3, 1979, Rock With You became a defining tune for Michael landing him in the #1 spot on Billboard’s pop and R&B single charts and later becoming the 4th biggest single of the 80′s decade. From a perspective of resilience, the staying power of this single beneath the backdrop of industry changes due to the declining taste for disco and a resurgence of rock makes its chart topping endurance and platinum certification very impressive.
While Rock With You is 31 years old, its ripple effect in song and video is still felt in many contemporary artists like Chris Brown, Kelly Clarkson, Chuck Loeb and many, many others. Here’s a couple of of examples to show the single’s reach and influence: (more…)
From the album “Never Too Much”, “Don’t You Know That” has such a strong groove that it’s impossible to listen to this one without starting a strong head bop.
This editorial comes to us from Al-Lateef Farmer who has written articles for written for SoulTrain.com and Eurweb.com to name a few as well as his own blog which you can find at WorldAccording2Teef.com We’re looking forward to seeing more of Al-Lateef’s writing here at GFM in the future.
My earliest recollection of Hip-Hop is “The Message” from Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. There was something hypnotizing about the beat and the chorus ingrained itself in your mind, but it was Melle Mel’s last first that really drew me to the song. Yeah, I was like four-years-old, but the authority in which he spit his rhyme really made me listen. I didn’t understand 99% of what he was talking about, but the way he was saying it, made me believe it to be powerful. Nearly thirty years later it is still my favorite verse, you know, it’s the one that starts, “A child is born with no state of mind/Blind/To the ways of mankind…”
I’ll give you a few seconds to finish the rhyme… (more…)
Got Me Waiting
Big Daddy
We Write The Songs feat. Biz Markie
Uptown’s Kickin It!
The Overweight Lover’s In The House
Just Coolin feat. LeVert
Blue Funk
Black Coffee
Dem No Worry We feat. Supercat
Truthful
Who’s The Man?
You Can’t See What I Can See
You Ain’t Heard Nuttin’ Yet
Candy Rain feat. Soul IV Real
Is It Good To You
Don’t You Know
My Love feat. Mary J. Blige
Yes Yes Y’all
The Basement
Gyrlz They Love Me
Mr. Big Stuff
Moneyearnin’ Mount Vernon
Big Tyme
More Bounce
Alright feat. Janet Jackson
Jam feat. Michael Jackson
We Got Our Own Thang
In Living Color
Don’t Curse feat. Kool G. Rap & Grand Puba
Peaceful Journey
Editor’s Note:This wonderful tribute to the legacy of Heavy by Natosha Morris comes to us via GFM Team Member Kimberly Kennedy Charles affectionately known around these parts as DJ KKC. Natosha reminds us of how fortunate we were to have someone like Heavy represent that alternative voice in the far too often uber misogynistic lyrical content in Hip Hop.
byNatosha Morrison Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 2:37pm
Years before Rick Ross gave us Maybach music, and Biggie had us singing’ “One More Chance”, Heavy D had already paved the way for these heavy hitters with a style nothing short of classic, iconic Hip Hop. He was one of my favorite rap stars and I want to pay homage with this little note. Although there have been many deaths in Hip Hop, I still take for granted that the old school stars will always be around. The first time I saw Heavy D was in the Big Stuff video back in the day. I had never seen anybody in Hip Hop dance that way before. After I watched the video like 100 times, I remember trying to learn the moves myself just to be cool. I don’t think rap stars had choreographers back then, just talented backup dancers who knew how to do all the latest dances and keep the crowd hype. The Hip Hop dance classes they teach now mostly all came from the dances of that era. I wonder how many people today know that or even care for that matter.
Aside from the dancing and party jams Heavy made, there’s something else that really hit me with the news of his death: He was one of the FEW if any, mainstream male rappers who sincerely shared his love for women in his songs. Nah, it wasn’t that “I’m a pimp and all the girls love me” lines the other rappers were talking. He was grown man with it. Nothing sounded corny or fake when he poured his heart out in “Don’t You Know” or when you bobbed your head to the funky remake of “Now that We Found Love.”
In short, Heavy had a style and appeal that made you believe he was the type of rapper you could take home to meet your family. Of course that was back in the day before hating on women was the norm in rap music. We’ll probably never get another debonair don like him on the mic again. Someone who not only made you dance but actually feel good when you listened to his songs. He made Janet Jackson and Michael relevant to the Hip Hop fans. I’m happy I was born in this generation to witness his work. If it wasn’t for Heavy D back in the day, I probably wouldn’t even be able to tolerate that ‘smash-and-dash’ garbage these dudes kick on commercial urban radio today. Thank goodness the rap world was blessed with Heavy D. He was rap royalty for REAL.
It’s definitely true how you never miss a good thing until it’s gone. And Heavy D will certainly be missed. I still have a mix somewhere with songs by him, Red Head Kingpin, Three Times Dope and some other old school songs in my crates. “We Got Our Own Thang” will always be my Hip Hop anthem and no song but that one could describe Heavy’s style and mark as an icon so well. He truly had his own thing. Heavy D was an original and in a class by himself.
When I first heard the news of Heavy D’s passing it was met with that feeling that I can best describe as huh? Huh as in: This can’t be real? My immediate reaction was to think about the first time I heard Heavy’s music. I could almost mark it with a calendar. It happened to be around this time of year 25 years ago. This was long before the days of the ‘net when music was instant to everyone worldwide with a mouse click. This was when music was still somewhat regional and records would hit major markets first and then work their way to smaller markets.
I happened to be away from home and as was my custom at the time, I would always take my boombox with me whenever I went out of town to record the local station wherever I was. This time I was at my grandma’s house in Charlotte, NC and it seemed like every 1/2 hr. or so the station was rockin’ this joint by Heavy D. and the Boyz. I kept saying to myself who are these dudes and it may have been the first time that I thought about the use of a sample so prominently. I was very familiar with “Mr. Big Stuff” and what really caught my ear was the drum roll which was one of the core rhythms from 80′s Go-Go which was my beloved music at the time.
I had not given it a thought in a longtime to how much Heavy’s music was a part of the soundtrack of those formative years for me but that sound, the positive energy, the dancing, the progressive production, the humor, it was an incredible influence on me and my circle of friends. Late high school, the college years, the young adult years… his music was ever present in the playlist. The lyrics and the feeling of the music just always sent such positive vibrations into the world.
Hard to express or to explain unless you experienced it but it’s just a very different feeling to have gone to the party and danced to the music of artists like Heavy D. and that whole movement of artists between 86-93/94 for me. This is purely personal but in some ways as new styles and voices began to gain favor it just didn’t feel the same. Heavy D. made it cool for a big man to dance, he was comfortable with himself on record and on screen that was contagious. Fashion forward, lyrically progressive, funny, in many ways a stark contrast to what the Emcee has become in this uber corporate era. Heavy D’s musical legacy reminds us of a time when you didn’t have to be hard to get respect. A time where lush melodic lines and harmonies could combine with hard hitting beats that would make you move to the floor. It seemed like everytime there was a new album you could hear where the sound had developed. Heavy D. and the Boyz truly had their own thing and we fans are eternally grateful for all the wonderful memories and special times your music, Heavy D., truly represents.
From the entire GFM Family I would like to extend the most heartfelt condolences during this most difficult time. Rest In Peace….
Dwight Arrington Myers May 24, 1967 – November 8, 2011
I’m sure the Tweeter above was only Joshing when he put this out into the Twitterverse but way up on the list of rules, you know like 4079 spots above that other rule, you don’t ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, *Smokey voice* ask someone for their sounds. For the record please do not send the politically correct sampling police to execute a search warrant on me, I meant every word of what I said when I said his sounds and I will gladly welcome any debate on the merits of sampling/digital production vs. traditional any day of the week. But I digress… (more…)
Favorite
Retweet
Reply
