Posts published in “Hip Hop/Rap”

MUSIC MONDAY: “Everyday People”: The Essential Sly and the Family Stone Collection (LISTEN)

MUSIC MONDAY: “Everyday People”: The Essential Sly and the Family Stone Collection (LISTEN)

By goodblacknews on April 7, 2025

by Marlon West (Bluesky: @marlonweststl.bsky.social, Spotify: marlonwest)

Greetings! It’s your friend and selector, Marlon, again.

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s joyous, crisply edited and well observed documentary about Sly Stone dropped in February on Hulu and Disney+.

SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) is a worthy follow-up to the Oscar-winning documentary Summer of Soul, and examines the life and lasting legacy of Sly & The Family Stone.

It was the inspiration of this playlist about the groundbreaking band led by the enigmatic and charismatic Sly Stone.

This wonderful film captures the Sly Stone’s rise, reign and subsequent fadeout, and as the subtitle suggests, sheds light on the unseen and often unspoken burden that comes with success for Black artists in America.

This collection, Everyday People: The Essential Sly And The Family Stone, celebrates one of the authors of modern funk. Stone led a pioneering fusion of soul, rock, psychedelia and gospel.

Here are songs from across Sly and The Family Stone’s ten studio albums, their live records, and a fraction of the hit songs that sample this legendary group.

From LL Cool J to Janet Jackson to Beastie Boys to Jungle Brothers, there are tracks included that are driven by grooves of Sly Stone.

Please enjoy this 100 song collection of essential tracks by and featuring Sly & The Family Stone.

And as always, stay safe, sane and kind. See you next month!!

Marlon West (photo courtesy Marlon West)

MUSIC MONDAY: “Running Away: The Essential Roy Ayers” Playlist (LISTEN)

MUSIC MONDAY: “Running Away: The Essential Roy Ayers” Playlist (LISTEN)

By goodblacknews on March 10, 2025

by Marlon West (Bluesky: @marlonweststl.bsky.social, Spotify: marlonwest)

In 1945, Lionel Hampton spotted a five year-old boogying so hard during his concert in Los Angeles, that the legendary the vibraphonist handed young Roy Ayers his first pair of mallets.

Roy Ayers went on to establish himself as a pioneer of jazz-funk and soul. He was hugely influential on the neo-soul and hiphop movement.

As a solo artist, Roy Ayers released dozens of albums over the years, dating as far back as 1963. His last release was in 2024.

Ayers’ biggest hits were “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” and “Running Away” with his group Roy Ayers Ubiquity.

Though over his decades-long career he collaborated with scores of musicians including the Roots, Guru, Fela Kuti and Rick James.

The musician’s songs have been sampled by everyone from Mary J. Blige and Common to Tyler the Creator and Kanye West.

There are 21 tracks that sample “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” alone.

According to Ayers: “Well, I have more sampled hits than anybody,” he said in a 2004 interview with Wax Poetics magazine. “I might not have more samples than James Brown, but I’ve had more sampled hits. Oh, man, and there’s a few I don’t know about.”

Please enjoy this collection of tracks by Roy Ayers Ubiquity and his many collaborations. A brotha was duty-bound to include some of those sampled hits too.

Until next time! Stay safe, sane and kind.

MUSIC MONDAY: Celebrating the “Afroclectic Best of 2024” on MLK Day (LISTEN)

MUSIC MONDAY: Celebrating the “Afroclectic Best of 2024” on MLK Day (LISTEN)

By goodblacknews on January 20, 2025

by Marlon West (Bluesky: @marlonweststl.bsky.social, Spotify: marlonwest)

Happy January Music Monday and MLK Day here at Good Black News!

It’s your friend and selector, your sonic chauffeur, your groove conductor, Marlon, back again.

I’m delighted to offer up this first of likely 12 GBN collections of the year. This is an “afroclectic” collection of tracks released in 2024.

It is more than half a day of excellent music to provide the soundtrack to your Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. (You might be like me, and also taking 10 minutes of meditation at 12 Pm PST, in honor of legendary filmmaker, David Lynch, on what would have been his 79th birthday, had he not passed away last week.)

I have done a few civil rights-centered playlists in honor of this day. Though here is celebration of Dr. King having “been to the mountain top”, featuring dozens of artists performing any number of genres and styles.

R&B, hip-hop, classical, jazz, reggae, afro-beat, and more examples are included in this 13-hour collection of music from 2024.

I have gathered some of music’s biggest names with marquee releases, like Beyoncé and Jon Batiste.

There are plenty of newcomers and underground darlings, including Victoria Monét, Raveena, tendai and so many others, staking their claim among those giants.

I’ve offered an avalanche of new songs from last year. Some are even posthumous recordings by Alice Coltrane, Wayne Shorter and Prince.

There’s new tracks from quiet-for-a-minute artists like Sade, Stevie Wonder and Erykah Badu. Please enjoy the globe-trotting and genre-hoping collection. See ya next month!

And as always, stay safe, sane, and kind.

MUSIC MONDAY: “Ultimate Soul of the Season” – The Black Christmas Soundtrack for 2024 (LISTEN)

MUSIC MONDAY: “Ultimate Soul of the Season” – The Black Christmas Soundtrack for 2024 (LISTEN)

By goodblacknews on December 16, 2024

by Jeff Meier (FB: Jeff.Meier.90)

Hey Good Black News Fam – it’s time for a bonus playlist – this year’s edition of “Ultimate Soul of the Season – The Black Christmas Soundtrack 2024 Edition,” which you can click here: Ultimate Soul of the Season – The Black Christmas Soundtrack – Expanded for 2024

Each year, we’ve updated our popular holiday music song mix by adding a selection of new releases and new discoveries, and though we’re a little late this year, better late than never.

Now reaching over 45 hours long, it’s intended to be a mainstream background for your Christmas season – like those radio stations that turn holiday music 24/7 – except that all the music is done by Black artists (with an occasional duet with a soulful ally).

The big new Black holiday release this year comes from Jennifer Hudson (from her album The Gift of Love), but there are also new yule tunes from Mary J. Blige, Kanye West’s Sunday Service Choir, H.E.R., and other American Idol vets like Ruben Studdard and Jordin Sparks, modern jazz master Robert Glasper featuring Wicked superstar Cynthia Erivo, ‘it’ girls Coco Jones and Saweetie.

Broadway stars Norm Lewis and Ariana DeBose are also represented, along with veteran Black Brits Rebecca Ferguson, Craig David and Deniece Pearson (of Five Star fame), Tower of Power, Eric Roberson and gospel stars Anthony Evans, Jonathan McReynolds, Naomi Raine, BeBe Winans and CeCe Winans.

MUSIC MONDAY: “The Essential Quincy Jones” Playlist (LISTEN)

MUSIC MONDAY: “The Essential Quincy Jones” Playlist (LISTEN)

By goodblacknews on November 11, 2024

by Marlon West (FB: marlon.west1 Threads: @stlmarlonwest IG: stlmarlonwest Spotify: marlonwest)

Happy Music Monday, you all. It’s your pal and selector, Marlon.

I’m back with “The Essential Quincy Jones”, a comprehensive tribute collection devoted to the legendary Quincy Jones. The tributes and celebrations of this giant have been rolling in from all corners, and I am here to offer this humble tribute to the brotha.

Next Sunday Jones was to receive an Honorary Oscar, for his decades of impactful work in motion pictures. He was nominated in 1967 for his score for “In Cold Blood” and “In the Heat of the Night.”

Quincy Jones would go on to write iconic themes for “The Pawnbroker”, “The Italian Job”, “The Wiz” and others. He was nominated for seven Academy Awards. The Governors Awards will be the first of many star-studded celebrations of the life of one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.

Quincy Jones worked with some of the greatest stars in music history, including Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, Betty Carter and countless others.

He produced tracks for Lesley Gore, including “It’s My Party”. He produced the huge albums by Michael Jackson: Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad.

Jones produced and conducted the charity single “We Are the World” to raise funds for victims of famine in Ethiopia.

On the small screen, he’d create memorable themes for “Sanford and Son,” “Ironside,” “The Bill Cosby Show” and “Roots”.

It is nearly impossible to overstate the impact of Quincy Jones on popular culture for six decades. Here are hours of his music across various genres including jazz, film scores, TV show themes, and pop songs.

Do enjoy. And always stay safe, sane, and kind.

MUSIC MONDAY: “Alright: The Essential Pharrell Williams” Playlist (LISTEN)

MUSIC MONDAY: “Alright: The Essential Pharrell Williams” Playlist (LISTEN)

By goodblacknews on October 7, 2024

by Marlon West (FB: marlon.west1 Threads: @stlmarlonwest IG: stlmarlonwest Spotify: marlonwest)

Happy Music Monday, you all. It’s a friend and selector, Marlon again. The upcoming U.S. release this Friday, October 11 of PIECE BY PIECE, the animated biopic/documentary/musical about prolific producer/artist Pharrell Williams, served as a nice reminder of just how much work and influence Williams has had from the 1990s to the present.

Veteran documentary director Morgan Neville crafted a freewheeling narrative that follows Williams’ humble beginnings in Virginia Beach, Virginia to becoming one of the most influential music producers of the 21st century.

I’ve gathered hours of tracks in “Alright: The Essential Pharrell Williams” playlist that feature production work by Pharrell and Chad Hugo as The Neptunes. I have included their work with N.E.R.D., alongside Shay Haley.

Of course, there are dozens of hits that he produced, wrote, and sang on. Not to mention his solo work that includes five new tracks for the new film.

Here’s Pharrell Williams’ writing of Teddy Riley‘s verse on Wreckx-n-Effect‘s hit “Rump Shaker”. There are cuts produced by the The Neptunes for a multitude of artists, including Busta Rhymes, Clipse, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Robin Thicke, Gwen Stefani, Kelis, N.O.R.E., Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Nelly, Ludacris, T.I., Snoop Dogg, and so many others.

You’ll find Williams’ debut single, “Frontin'” (featuring Jay-Z), him and T.I. on Robin Thicke’s 2013 single “Blurred Lines”, and guest appearances alongside Nile Rodgers on Daft Punk‘s “Get Lucky” and “Lose Yourself to Dance”.

Please enjoy the eclectic playlist of tracks by Pharrell Williams in his many modes. Look for a repost of Halloween music later this month for your candy-slinging pleasure.

As always, stay safe, sane, and kind.

MUSIC MONDAY: The “Say It To My Face/Mind Your Own D*mn Business” Playlist (LISTEN)

MUSIC MONDAY: The “Say It To My Face/Mind Your Own D*mn Business” Playlist (LISTEN)

By goodblacknews on August 12, 2024

by Marlon West (FB: marlon.west1 Threads: @stlmarlonwest IG: stlmarlonwest Spotify: marlonwest)

Happy Music Monday, you all! Once again it’s your friend and selector, Marlon West, with another collection for listening and, this time, voting pleasure.

That is unless you are the kind of voter more inclined towards the guy that inspires a playlist featuring Kid Rock and Ted Nugent. Though if you were, I doubt you would be here on GOOD BLACK NEWS.

So, if you are like me, Vice President Kamala Harris’ and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s campaign and the excitement around it is welcome good news.

While some dismiss these heady days as a “sugar rush” and “media honeymoon”, Senior Editor and Correspondent for NPR News, Ron Elving, likened it to what Wall Street brokers call a “relief rally”.

This is coming after months of democrats being in the throes of ill-ease after President Biden’s debate performance. Weeks of record-breaking fundraising and huge rallies, has made for a decidedly more hopeful mood. One that I hope is here to stay.

To that end, here is a collection of tracks inspired by these more heady days to take us through the election season. Some of these songs are taken from the playlist for Harris/Walz rallies, like Mary J. Blige’s “Work That”, Leon Bridges’ “Smooth Sailing’ and, of course, Beyoncé‘s “Freedom”.

While others just seem quite timely again, including Billy Paul’s “Am I Black Enough For You”, The Staple Singers “If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me)”, and Funkadelic’s “One Nation Under A Groove”.

With Governor Walz dedicating a highway to “The Purple One”, there are more than a few Prince tracks thrown in as well.

So here’s the “Say It To My Face/Mind Your Own D*mn Business” playlist. It is 8 hours of music to strengthen your resolve and bolster your soul. Do enjoy.

And as always, stay safe, sane, and kind.

MUSIC MONDAY: “MLK Day 2024” – A Celebration Playlist (LISTEN)

MUSIC MONDAY: “MLK Day 2024” – A Celebration Playlist (LISTEN)

By goodblacknews on January 14, 2024

by Marlon West (FB: marlon.west1 Twitter: @marlonw IG: stlmarlonwest Spotify: marlonwest)

Happy MLK Holiday and Music Monday. Here is our first playlist of 2024.

“MLK Day 2024” is a collection of songs and music from across the globe. They are tracks devoted to struggle, liberation, and celebration.

I’ve included songs like “You’re A Winner,” “How I Got Over,” and “A Change Is Gonna Come” that were the real-time soundtracks to the America’s civil rights struggle in the 1960s.

There’s tracks from the turbulent 1970s and ‘80s from Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Freda Payne, Gil Scott-Heron and others.

We got new and old school hip-hop by Lupe Fiasco, KRS-One, M.I.A. and Kendrick Lamar to name a few.

This 13-hour exploration on shining a light into our societies dark places and making the world a better place features jazz, soul, reggae and afrobeat.

Nina Simone and Max Roach are here beside Uganda’s Bobi Wine and Ivory Coast’s Alpha Blondy.

Please enjoy this daylong celebration of tenacity and hope. See ya next month!

And as always, stay safe, sane, and kind.

MUSIC MONDAY: “AfroBeatles” – A Soul-Filled Beatles Collection (LISTEN)

MUSIC MONDAY: “AfroBeatles” – A Soul-Filled Beatles Collection (LISTEN)

By goodblacknews on November 20, 2023

by Marlon West (FB: marlon.west1 Twitter: @marlonw IG: stlmarlonwest Spotify: marlonwest)

Happy Monday, y’all!

I’m back with another collection in my “Afro” playlist series — “AfroBeatles.”

Earlier this month the first new Beatles song “Now And Then” dropped with the help of master filmmaker, Peter Jackson, and the surviving members. It is the first new release from the group in 45 years.

The Beatles are rightly known for the unmatched songwriting partnership of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Towards their later years, George Harrison and Ringo Starr also pitched in with originals. Together, the group created a body of work that inspired no shortage of covers.

Few songwriters have been so thoroughly covered as Lennon/McCartney, and the diversity of Beatles covers is a tribute to their indelible mark on pop music. Here at Good Black News, we are going to focus on the covers by Black artists around the world.

The Beatles (and The Rolling Stones) cut their teeth opening for Little Richard; both bands came away forever altered by his singing style and stage presence.

Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger have made no secret of biting his vocal stylings and dance moves. When it came to doing covers they overt about acknowledging it.

On their first five albums of 1963-1965, almost all of the covers were originally recorded by Black soul artists, including Arthur Alexander’s “Anna (Go To Him)”, The Cookies’ “Chains”, The Shirelles’ “Boys” & “Baby It’s You”, The Top Notes’ “Twist & Shout”, The Marvelettes’ “Please Mr. Postman”, The Miracles’ “You Really Got A Hold On Me”, The Donays’ “Devil In Her Heart”, Barrett Strong’s “Money (That’s What I Want)” and Larry Williams’ “Dizzy Miss Lizzy.”

They are all included here, including their versions of Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and other greats of Soul giants, though the lion’s share of the collection is devoted to R&B, reggae, ska, and jazz covers of Beatles songs.

Here are hours of Beatles music by Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Nina Simone, Marica Griffiths, Gary Clark, Jr., and so many others. Please enjoy AfroBeatles!!

And as always, stay safe, sane, and kind.

MUSIC MONDAY: “AfroZeppelin” – A Rhythm & Blues-Filled Led Zeppelin Collection (LISTEN)

MUSIC MONDAY: “AfroZeppelin” – A Rhythm & Blues-Filled Led Zeppelin Collection (LISTEN)

By goodblacknews on September 4, 2023

by Marlon West (FB: marlon.west1 Twitter: @marlonw IG: stlmarlonwest Spotify: marlonwest)

Happy Labor Day, y’all! It is no toil for me to offer up another playlist on this holiday Monday.

After June’s AfroBowie collection, our editor-in-chief, Lori Lakin Hutcherson, suggested a few more in a series of collections of rock musicians inspired by and in collaboration with Black artists.

So here is the second offering: AfroZeppelin. While David Bowie championed and collaborated with Black music-makers throughout his long career, Led Zeppelin’s connections were not as overt.

[spotifyplaybutton play=”https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0QkE8My0fAKL099UNg0n0m?si=d44ac4291a2449bb”]

Outselling the Beatles and toppling them as icons of a new era of rock and roll, Zeppelin was the perfect combo of the Delta blues, London’s swinging scene and the myriad of cultural influences.

The influence of the street-tough Chicago blues of Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf taught them much about swinging boogie. Over the decades many of their famous riffs and lyrics would come under fire. The allegations have brought several lawsuits as well, most of them settled out of court discreetly.

In the case of “Whole Lotta Love”, the song credits were later amended to include Willie Dixon, who claimed Robert Plant used his lyrics from “You Need Love”.

“The Lemon Song” is an expansion of a musical phrase featured in Robert Johnson’s “Traveling Riverside Blues”.

I’ve gathered many of the songs covered and referenced by Led Zeppelin, and their own versions of said tracks. Of course, they have been covered many times themselves.

I’ve included Zeppelin covers by Mary J. Blige, Lizz Wright, and Stanley Jordan. You’ll also find many classic cuts that feature Led Zeppelin samples too.

Here’s Beyoncé, Ice T, Jurassic 5, D12, Dr. Dre, Beastie Boys and many others.

This collection of great tracks stands as another example that no artist creates in a vacuum. Whether the influences are readily acknowledged, each creator makes offerings informed by what came before.

Do enjoy! Until next month! Stay safe, sane, and kind.

Posts published in “Hip Hop/Rap”

MUSIC MONDAY: “Everyday People”: The Essential Sly and the Family Stone Collection (LISTEN)

Like this:

MUSIC MONDAY: “Running Away: The Essential Roy Ayers” Playlist (LISTEN)

Like this:

MUSIC MONDAY: Celebrating the “Afroclectic Best of 2024” on MLK Day (LISTEN)

Like this:

MUSIC MONDAY: “Ultimate Soul of the Season” – The Black Christmas Soundtrack for 2024 (LISTEN)

Like this:

MUSIC MONDAY: “The Essential Quincy Jones” Playlist (LISTEN)

Like this:

MUSIC MONDAY: “Alright: The Essential Pharrell Williams” Playlist (LISTEN)

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MUSIC MONDAY: The “Say It To My Face/Mind Your Own D*mn Business” Playlist (LISTEN)

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MUSIC MONDAY: “MLK Day 2024” – A Celebration Playlist (LISTEN)

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MUSIC MONDAY: “AfroBeatles” – A Soul-Filled Beatles Collection (LISTEN)

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MUSIC MONDAY: “AfroZeppelin” – A Rhythm & Blues-Filled Led Zeppelin Collection (LISTEN)

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Posts published in “Hip Hop/Rap”

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