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Retro Music:
A musical trip down memory lane...
I am guilty of liking pop music when I was a young kid. Hey, I am not proud, but it was so damn cheery. It was also very indicative of the cheesy 80s. As I grew older, I started to broaden my tastes and I began to appreciate different genres of music (well, mostly R&B).Here are a few artists and songs that had an impact on me.
Janet Jackson (debut 1982)
True, Ms. Jackson is a little freaky now, but in the 80s her image was quite innocent and squeaky clean. She released songs like "Let's Wait Awhile," "When I Think Of You," and "Escapade." Even though she released "Nasty" on the album Control, it was more bubblegum and less dirty. I liked her music because she mixed dance songs with deep meaningful songs. Her Rhythm Nation 1814 album contained songs on racism, drugs and violence. I admired her for having such positive vibes. I thought that she had the best videos back in the day. I can't tell you how many times I tried to perfect the routine to "The Pleasure Principle" video in my basement. She consistently released great songs, and has inspired current acts like Britney and Christina.Whitney Houston (debut 1985)
Am I the only one who thinks that Whitney Houston is the most talented crackhead??
Her transformation from virginal pop princess to ghetto-thug-loving diva is very funny to me. I remember being moved by "The Greatest Love of All" and memorizing all the words. She was such an inspiration. She came off as being so nice, humble and down to earth - possessing everything you could possibly want from an idol.
Enter Bobby Brown. What the hell did he do to Whitney Houston? Well, even to this day I question their twisted union, but she still manages to release great music (except for her latest song). She was without question talented, but sometimes she would release a single that was way too sappy or bizarre for me, i.e. "I'm Your Baby Tonight" and "My Name Is Not Susan" (???). I actually like Whitney more than I ever did because I think she's the true definition of a diva. She's talented, but like most tragic characters, she has her demons - drugs and Bobby.
Check it: Debra Wilson of "MAD TV" does the best impression of Whitney Houston.
Bell Biv DeVoe (debut 1990)
What can I say? I loved New Edition, and when Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe merged to create another group, I became a crazed love-struck teenager. I loved their songs and bought Word Up and Right On magazines just to plaster their picture on my walls. I just wanted a piece of them. I suppose that I liked them because they were "very sexual and bad" - basically the type of guys my mother wouldn't want me near. But you already know that those are the type of guys that I like!!! I'm not even sure if they released any more music. I guess Michael Bivins spent all his time on ABC (the kid group Another Bad Creation) - hmm, I wonder whatever happened to them?? [I think it's called puberty - Chris]) - and Boyz ll Men.Favourite BBD song: Poison
Arrested Development (debut 1992)
I do like to chill to music, but sometimes I am moved by the actual words of a song. When Arrested Development came out in the early 90s, I loved their rap infused R&B, and was deeply moved by the message of their music. They were conscious, they were spiritual, and they were deep. They weren't gangsta rappers, R&B artists or pop stars; they were just different. They were very much on that hippie tip that I was just starting to appreciate.
I loved the track "Tennessee." It was filled with beautiful thought provoking imagery. As much as I liked poppy songs like "Finally" from Ce Ce Peniston (I will still dance to this song [I can vouch for that - Chris]), this single struck a chord with me. It was telling a story. I bought their tape and played it until it broke. Even though some of the members have tried to release solo projects, they should be proud that they had the chance to release the album 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of… back in '92.
Mary J. Blige (debut 1992)
Mary J. Blige gave the R&B scene a hard b-girl persona. She sang about being being crazy in love, being hurt, and being dumped. Her music combined phat hip-hop beats with soulful words. Who could forget her collabo with Method Man on "All I Need." It's still one of my favourite jams. She poured her heart and soul into her music and did not sugar coat her feelings at all.But it wasn't just her music; I loved her image too. She let her audience know that she was no pop princess, but a true ghetto girl. She was notorious for giving interviewers a hard time and was known to have some anger issues. But I didn't care. Her drama added to her mystique. Her personal style went hand in hand with her music. She had the cool, cropped, platinum blonde 'do and rocked the bigass gold earrings. She was the original ghetto-fabulous chick. I am still a Mary J. Blige fan. She has grown as an artist and a person, and I feel that she truly deserves the title of queen of hip-hop soul.
Favourite songs: "I'm Going Down" and "Be Happy." ¤ Michelle
[ Find out what Christine thought of music back in the day. ]