1997 saw a massive expansion of hip hop. After the unjust murders of Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G., tons of artists expressed themselves creatively. Missy Misdemeanor Elliot redefined hip hop and R&B with her album Supa Dupa Fly. Her fashion, videos, and lyrics were ahead of their time, and fans loved her performances. From her large suits to her swagger, people admired her artistic fearlessness. She worked with Timbaland, Aaliyah, Magoo, Guinwine, and other legendary artists to execute music that is timeless. Missy is from Portsmouth, Virginia. That's in the 757. I'm from the 757, so Virginia is always in the house. Missy continues to break barriers, and she is the highest selling woman rapper of all time. While this was going on, Interscope Records sold its interest in Death Row Records and end ties with the label. Death Row was in a tail spin of going down because of scandals, people leaving, and the death of Tupac Shakur. Dr. Dre was building his Aftermath label, and it struggled in the beginning. In 1997, Chicago MC Juice defeated Eminem in a 1997 hip hop rap rap battle of the Scribble Jam competition. That was the largest showcase of underground hip hop in America. MC Juice and Supernatural are some of the greatest MC battlers of all time. This was when Eminem wasn't too known by the public. Years later, Eminem would be beaten again in a rap battle against the Chicago MC Rhymefest (who knows Kanye West). He had his 1996 album Infinite (which copied Nas' and AZ's rhyme style), and he would go on to be one of the most controversial hip hop artists of all time. In 1997, Roc A Fella sold a 50 percent stake to Island Def Jame for $1.5 million. In 1997, B.I.G.'s Life After Death sold tons of records. Scarface's The Untouchable was released. By mid 1997, artists like Artifacts, Boot Map Clik, KRS-One, Esham, and other people established music. One of the most influential albums of that year of 1997 was Wu Tang Clan's Wu Tang Forever. It debuted number one at Billboard with 612,000 copies sold at one week. Their signature song of Triumph was popular especially with Inspectah Deck's opening verse. That opening verse was one of the most lyrical opening verses in hip hop history. The album had Method Man, Ghostface, and others at their finest lyrical performance. This album established them as probably the greatest hip hop group in history. In the Summer of 1997, artists like Capone N Norega, Lil Keek, The Lost Boyz, The Beanuts, Canibus, Cru, Twista, and Craig Mack made music in albums or various songs. Also, the summer of 1997 saw a transition to see more movements and Southern artists shine like Bad Boy with No Way Out, Mia X, The Lady of Rage, Bone, Rampage, and Trick Daddy. Master P progressed as an industry powerhouse.
The end of 1997 saw music from a diverse amount of musicians from Jay Z with In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, Jedi Mind Triacks, Mase (with Harlem World), Luniz, Salt-n-Pa, LL Cool J, Jurassic 5, Common, Busta, EPMD with Back in Business, Hot Boys, and others. By the end of 1997, Eminem would release Slim Shady EP. Eminem wouldn't be extremely popular until late 1997 and early 1998. Eminem would go onward to have a massive following, especially among white youth. It is obvious that I don't agree with Eminem for his words disrespecting his mother, disrespecting black women (then made a record Yellowbrick road calling women of all colors the h word which is wrong and nonsense), and on other issues. I cite him, because all types of hip hop artists must be discussed even those that I disagree with. Eminem would make a vulgar reference to our late elder C. Delores Tucker. It's one thing to disagree with Tucker on some issues. It's quite another to slander the woman by calling her out of her name, and Eminem is wrong for that. Ironically, C. Delores Tucker was right. Gangsta rap readily glamorizes disrespect of especially black women, nihilistic violence, drug dealing (for the sake of harming people for profit), and total hatred of our people by repeating the n word constantly. That is wrong. Tupac had unreleased music of R U Still Down? (Remember Me) being released on November 25, 1997. 1997 saw the Hype Williams type of larger than life videos. In 1998, Lauryn Hill would released the classic album of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. It talked about Blackness, consciousness, love, romance, etc. She won 11 Grammy nominations, won 5 awards including Album of the Year and Best New Artist. Lauryn Hill is so loved by us, because she stood up for us, she refuted colorist lies, and she is extremely talented on her terms. Dr. Dre signed Eminem on his Aftermath label. Jay Z's Hard Knock Life song saw Jay Z go into the mainstream level. His album of Vol. 2. It had lyricism, popularity, and commercial aspects. The late 1990's had commercial records, but they were extremely lyrical. Shyne or Jamal Barrow signed with Bad Boy Entertainment. 1998 in hip hop had the perfect blend of East Coast, Midwestern, Southern, and other forms of hip hop. If you like Southern classic hip hop, there was Outkast's Aquemini in 1998. If you like a more backpack vibe, there was Mos Def & Talib Kweli's Black Star album. Tribe released music along with Big Pun, Juvenile's 400 Degrees, Gang Starr, etc. 1998 saw DMX reached a new level of power with 2 albums of It's Dark and Hell is Hot along with Flesh of Flesh, Blood of My Blood being platinum in the same year of 1998. Goode Mob, Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Canibus' Can-I-Bus, Lyricist Lounge, and other music were common place. Xzibit, Beasite Boys, Pete Rock and a young Black Eyed Peas were in the music industry. From Ice Cube, Master P., Kurupt, the LOX, and other artists, 1998 was a dynamic year of music. 1999 was the last year of the 20th century.
It ended with a bang. Dr. Dre had his comeback album of 2001. He worked with Snoop, Eminem, Nate Dogg, Kurupt, and others to prove that he wasn't washed up. He came back to his old formulas of West Coast beats and lyricism. Nas made the introspective album of I Am with the most respectful tribute to Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. Mobb Deep, Phraoahe Monch, Q-Tip released music. B.G., Slick Rick, Jay Z, Prince Paul, MF Doom (who has a massive underground fan base), Nia, Soundboombing II, etc. had songs. Jean Grae in 1999 shown music too. Jean Grae is one of the greatest MCs of all time. Eve released her album of Let There Be Eve to represent Philly and her talent. Ja Rule had Venni Vetti Vecci. Ja Rule worked in the industry during the 1990's. He made music with Jay Z, DMX, Mic Geronimo, and other people. By this time, Snoop was in No Limit Records to leave Death Row. 1999 was a time of releasing new projects and older rappers establishing their marks as legends from Rakim to Gang Starr. Tech N9ne established music to make him one of the greatest lyricists of all time. E-40, Public Enemy, and 8Ball and MJG expressed themselves. In 1999, Eminem made the Slim Shady LP. This was his 2nd album from Aftermath. Back in 1999, many people didn't know what to make of Eminem. People questioned whether this guy was for real or whether he was putting on an act. His biggest support was the late Proof. Proof was not just one of the most powerful people in Detroit in the hip hop world. He was a peacemaker who wanted to put Detroit rappers on. He was the bridge that allowed people to appreciate Detroit hip hop on a regular basis. He opened shows to allow hip hop artists in Detroit to show their skills and represent their life. Eminem was born in St. Joseph Missouri. Later, he lived in Michigan. He was bullied and beaten up massively. He lived in Detroit. His 1999 album had graphic imagery. Slim Shady as his alter ego. This album was about his life, his fantasies, and his imaginations (filled with tales of graphic details). Eminem is lyrical, and even the most strongest hater of Eminem admits to this. Yet, many times, Eminem lacks the soul to let the music to come to him. He usually allows to try to beat the music. By 1999, he reached a new era of massive popularity. His early songs of My Name I and Guilty Conscience was heavily influenced by Dr. Dre beat wise. With out Dr. Dre, there is no Em as he is today.
The year of 2000 witnessed both major artists releasing album like OutKast with Stankonia, Ghostface's Supreme Clientele, Common's Like Water for Chocolate, Jay Z's The Dynasty, COP Warriorz, Slum Village, Snoop's The Last Meal, and Canibus's 2000 B.C. Also, it saw newer artists having their shine like Nelly's Country Grammar, Ludacris's Back for the First Time, Beanie Sigel's The Truth, Black Eyed Peas' Bridging the Gap, Ja Rule's 3:36, etc. Many artists who have performed for years have continued ot make music like Wu Tang Clan, Jedi Mind Tricks, Xzhibit, Ice Cube, Lil Kim, Dead Prez, Nature, Cam'ron, Cypress Hill, Jungle Brothers. 2000 also saw Eminem's most controversial album called The Marshall Mathers LP. It was released in May 23, 2000. It talked about school shootings, censorship, Bill Clinton, and other issues. His album was protested by many groups. It was filled with the old school horrocore sub genre of hip hop along with satirical music. It had many people from D12, Snoop, Nate Dogg, Xzhibit, RBX, Dido, etc. It won awards, and his supporters cite it as his best album. It sold over 25 million copies worldwide. The album criticized the pop groups of NYSNC and Backstreet Boys. Many of these pop group tried to mimic establish legendary groups like Backstreet Boys and SWV. Middle America in many cases hypocritically criticized rap music, but some of them loved movies with violence, torture, profanity, and other disturbing imagery. I certainly don't follow Eminem's agenda or views on mocking Michael Jackson, MC Hammer, and other black performers. Em a'int no King of hip hop. Rakim saying that if Em was black, he will be Muhammad Ali was disappointing. Em never apologized for mocking Michael Jackson and MC Hammer. Eminem lied about Lauryn Hill as calling her hating white people, when Lauryn never said those words. His song role model shows his mentality. Eminem also made sexual allegations against the legendary Mariah Carey that Mariah has always denied. I believe Mariah Carey. During the Up in Smoke tour back in 2000, there is video evidence of Em saying the n word. He has gone out of his way to admit that he wants to be like Elvis to make black music to make himself wealthy. Em is like the other gangster rappers who glamorized violence, drug abuse, and straight nihilism. Some black people have to get over their fears of this false white god and speak truth to power. Another vulture is Post Malone. Rap is about allowing the flow and rhythm to speak your mind. Hip Hop deals with soul, funk, and poetry with rhythm. Even as a child, I know this. You can make a case that hip hop is a cousin to disco. That is why the powers that be wanted to destroy disco and exploit hip hop for nefarious purposes. That is why we will always defend black music.
2001 saw the battle of Jay Z and Nas coming in public view. Back in the 1990's, Jay Z admired Nas and was in one song with Lord Tariq. Nas was cool with Jay z, but Nas wasn't obsessive with the man. Jay Z wanted Nas to be on records, but Nas declined. Later, Nas made a subliminal shot at Jay Z in the song We Will Survive saying it's not about being New York's King. Later, Jay Z responded with words in Is That Your Chick song talking disrespectful about Nas' on and off girlfriend Carmen Bryant. Memphis Bleek criticized Nas and Nas responded with Queens artists in one song. Jay' Z's Blueprint album came in 2001.
Before it came bout, Jay Z overtly criticized Nas and Mobb Deep in a song Takeover. Nas was dealing with his mother dying. At first, Nas made a response, but it wasn't powerful enough. Then, Nas made Ether, and it was game over. Nas won the battle, because Ether was personal despite the claims. It was charged and lyrical. Jay Z responded with Suger Ugly, but Super Ugly was forced, didn't have the power, and was too late. Both would take shots against each other until they ended their feud in 2006. Jay Z's Blueprint album solidified Jay Z as one of the 10 greatest rappers of all time. Before, people knew that Jay Z was a great rapper, but people were in denial if he was the man who would gain the ring of the legends. With that album, Jay Z became a legend. A young Kanye West worked on that album too. Nas made the classic album of Stillmatic in 2001 too. D12, Ghostface, Redman, Beanie Sigel with the Reason, Wu Tang Clan, Eve's Scorpion, Aesop, Cormega, De La Soul, Busta Rhymes, DMX, and Hi Tek made music. Missy Elliot's So Addictive was an album with beats, imagery, lyrics, and creative power. Pete Rock , Ludacris, Lil Jon, Foxy Brown, Fab, Jadakiss, Ja Rule, Dilated Peoples, TechN9ne, Mobb Deep, and other artists made sounds that were powerful. Tupac's posthumous Until the End of Time in 2001 was very influential. It showcased Tupac's emotion and lyrical power. P. Diddy released the Saga Continues. It was the album that showed the influence of the Bad Boy legacy. 2002 in hip hop was another year that had a balance of East Coast and West Coast hip hop along with the growing power of Southern hip hop that would dominate hip hop in general. Jay Z released Blueprint 2 that focused on his life, his fued with Nas, and other topics. Nelly released Nellyville, and Eminem released the Eminem Show. Scarfare, The Clipse, Nas' God's Son, Eve's Eve-Olution, Cam'ron, and the Roots had music. Missy had Under Construction. The Lost Tapes was released by Nas. Music from Wyclef, 8Mile, Nappy Roots, and other people were abundant. Lil Wayne with 500 Degreez increased his power in the industry. Lil Jon, Snoop, Busta Rhymes, AZ, Ying Yang twins, Ja Rule, Canibus, GZA, Big Tymers, etc. shown that hip hop is alive.
2003 was the year with some of the greatest hip hop albums and movements around. OutKast released The Love Below/Speakerboxx. That albums was about the respect shown to Andre 300 and Big Boi. Both men had different styles, but they unified to make music come alive. Hip hop is not just about one thing or one concept. Andre 3000 showed the truth that hip hop is multifaceted in its composition. Jay Z released The Black Album in 2003 which further made him a legend. The Black Album was one of his greatest albums. Ludacris, Canibus, Obie Trice, TI's Trap Muzik, Freeway, the Diplomats, Gang Starr, and other musicians focused on their music. 50 Cent released Get Rich or Die Tryin' in 2003. 50 Cent was a man who lived a rough life from being shot 9 times, battling foes, knowing Supreme McGriff, and hustling, etc. His life wasn't an easy situation. He formed G-Unit to show their music. People know about their feuds with Murder Inc and other people. Back in 2003, 50 Cent exploded in the scene with funding from Dr. Dre and Eminem. I don't agree with 50 Cent's pettiness, putting his hands on women, and on other issues. The Neptunes, Lil Kim, Killer Mike, Bubba Sparks, Sole, Missy, Jedi Mind Trick, YoungBloodz had music back then too. 2004 saw the increase of trap and crunk music in hip hop. It saw Kanye West releasing his first album of The College Dropout. His famous song of Jesus Walks sparked debate and made people aware there there is nos shame in being spiritual. The Tipping Point of the Roots was a very lyrical album. Murs, Madvillain, Beastie Boys, Masta Ace, MF Doom, Nas's Street Disciple (when he was dating Kelis), De La Soul, Young Buck, De La Soul, Eminem, Cam'ron, Royce, Brand Nubian, Mos Def, LL Cool J, Twista, Talib Kweli, R.A. the Rugged Man, TI, Ludacris, Nelly, and others showed their music to the world. 2005 saw hip hop increasingly embrace the Texas sound of chopped and screwed music. Mike Jones and Paul Wall were popular. Lil Wayne released the Carter II. The Game and Kanye West made albums. Beanie Sigel, Ying Yang Twins, Common, Chamillionaire made songs. Krayzie Bone, MIA, 50 Cent, Bleek, Guru, and Missy Elliot were on the charts. Jeezy made the 2005 album of his story. Public Enemy made their comeback album. By the year of 2006 in hip hop, it was a new era. Legends continues to spread their talents along with new artists. One of these new artists was Lupe Fiasco who made the album of Food and Liquor. Lupe was born in Chicago and his relatives were involved in the black consciousness movement. Nas made Hip Hopis Dead. TI made the King album. The Roots, Ghostface, J Dilla, Luadcris, The Game, Murs, Rick Ross, and others
*That is why I always mention that the greatest rappers not only can rhyme words together. They have the perfect combination of pitch, flow, rhythm, and content (from speaking about conscious issues, love, the streets, dance, etc. The most versatile rappers in my view are the greatest. How you say the words and how you move the crowd matters. I have to feel what you say). You can't say words that promote nihilism and no upliftment of especially black people and be considered the GOAT.
One of the most wickedest, racist, and hypocritical movements in American history was the Reagan Conservative Revolution. The problem with that movement is that it believes in the lie that someone's background determines inferiority or superiority. Even before the tapes have shown Reagan making a racist remark about black Africans to Nixon, we, as black people, already knew that Ronald Reagan was a racist, an extremist, and a person who was wrong ideologically. To understand the Reagan Revolution, we have to go back. A very long time ago, Americans debated on the role of government. Some Americans wanted a strong central government to protect human rights, and others wanted a weak central government to protect the interests of farmers, slaveowners, and others. The Constitution is explicit that the government has every right to promote the post office and other infrastructure. Thomas Jefferson was clear that he wanted states' rights and a weakened central federal government. Jefferson owned slaves and believed in the myth of black intellectual inferiority that Benjamin Banneker rightfully refuted him on. Jefferson even wanted France to dominate Haiti, and he never recognized Haiti's independence in 1804. Later, the U.S. Civil War happened. The Confederacy wanted to not have a strong federal government, but they desired slavery to exist under the guise of "state's rights." Others inspired Lincoln to promote the Union and defeat the Confederate enemy. Then, racists used the guise of "state's rights" in depraving black Americans voting rights and other fundamental human rights during Reconstruction, Jim Crow apartheid, etc. Today, we have the same far right states' rights folks want to deprive human beings of federal protections dealing with health care, immigration rights, gun regulations, and other matters via the Tea Party movement, Trump supporters, etc. Many of the same ones who supported Jim Crow and no civil rights are many of the same ones who ally with Trump. We know about how a tree is know by its fruits. A rotten tree of reactionary extremism came from a rotten ideological root. This is the bigoted foundation of the Reagan Revolution. Ronald Reagan ironically was once liberal being for FDR until the 1950's. Reagan became an anti-Communist zealot, he was governor of California by 1966, and he ran for President in 1968 and 1976. He lost in both years. He won in 1980. First, he used the Southern Strategy and galvanized support among anti-communists, Evanegelical conservatives, neo-cons, and other people on the right. The Southern Strategy was a coded strategy where GOP members exploited divisions in America (including scapegoating black people and other minorities) to gain support of southern whites to vote for Republicans. Reagan used the welfare queen stereotype in trying to get votes in 1980. Reagan said that the federal government was overspent,overstimulated, and overegulated. Reagan defeated George H. W. Bush in the primary, and later Bush Sr. was his Vice President. After his October 28, 1980 debate with Jimmy Carter, Reagan 's popularity soared. He widen his lead to win the election. He had 44 states. The GOP had the Senate and the Democrats had the House. Reagan kept a diary. He believed in individual freedom, expanding the military, and an end to the Cold War. Reagan wanted school prayer to exist in schoola. He was nearly killed by John Hinckley Jr. James Brady was paralyzed. This contributed to the Brady bill that related to gun control legislation. Reagan fired striking air traffic controllers. Reagan used Reaganomics and neoliberal policies. Reagan was in support of tax cuts, but he raised taxes in certain instances. He was filled with austerity promoted by cutting federal assistance to local governments, cutting housing budgeting, and eliminating the Community Development Block program. This increased economic inequality among the rich and poor. Reagan tired to purge many people with disabilities from the Social Security disability rolls which was cruel. Reagan expanded the U.S. military and was aggressive in order ot end the Soviet Union. To him, communism was an enemy that must be defeated as agreed to by Margaret Thatcher. Reagan used the CIA to fund anti-Communist movements. He helped to fund the Mujahideen in Afghanistan to defeat the Soviets. He promoted the SDI in space. After he defeated Walter Mondale in 1984, he saw a new era. Reagan opposed diverstment from South Africa, because he believed in the myth that gradually talking with the oppressive regime would make apartheid end gradually. Freedom is not up to a clock. Freedom is meant for all ASAP. Reagan vetoed an Anti-Apartheid Act with sanctions. Congress overwritten that veto. The Golden Rule or loving your neighbor as yourself is righteous, but the Reagan Revolution harmed the lives of the poor and the oppression. Being a peacemaker is important, but the Reagan Revolution would risk war against the Soviet Union as a means for them to promote political agendas.
By 1985, the Soviet Union was rapidly declining in power politically, socially, and economically. America has grown its military exponentially. The Soviet Union's problem was that they focused too much on military expenditures without developing their domestic economies greatly. There was inefficient planned manufacturing, collectivized agriculture, and oil prices fell in 1985. Oil was the main source of Soviet export revenues. This caused a stagnant Soviet economy. Reagan made a speech in 1983 to religious fundamentalists on the means to defeat the Soviets. He called the Soviet Union the evil Empire. He wanted an arms buildup in order for the Soviets to renegotiate a deal. He praised liberal democracy as a way to end Soviet Communism. Gorbachev rose up in the Soviet Union, because the Soviets were in a desperate situation. Mikhail Gorbachev wanted more compromise, and Reagan soon appreciated this policy shift. Reagan and Gorbachev worked on their relationship to make four summit conferences between 1985 and 1988. The first was in Geneva, Switzerland, the second was in Reykjavik, Iceland, the third was in Washington, D.C., and the fourth one was in Moscow. Reagan wanted the Soviets to allow more democracy and free speech in order to end Communism. No deal was reach at Reykjavik in October of 1986.Yet, Reagan and Gorbachev agreed to abolish all nuclear weapons which shocked conservatives. Reagan didn't want to end SDI claiming that it was defensive only. Gorchaev was the Communist Party General Secretary in March of 1985. Gorbachev was a person of the new generalization who wanted political and economic liberalization along with better relations with the West.
By 1985, the end was coming. The question was that whether the end would be peaceful or violent. By 1985 to 1991, surprising events happened. The end of the Cold War was not peaceful. It ended with much violence.Yet, millions of people would be free from the bondage of Soviet styled Communism. After the tyrant of Stalin died, tons of people have the misconception that all forms of socialism is equivalent to the views of Stalin. That is a lie, because dedicated socialists believe in democratic rights, but Stalin and Soviet Union readily used policies that violated the democratic rights of human beings. Trotsky warned that Stalinism would cause the Soviet workers to end in a catastrophe. He was proven right. The USSR after the rise of Joseph Stalin, on which the Eastern bloc satellite regimes were modeled--were ruled by a small minority, while the experience of the working majority wasn't of freedom and democracy, but of exploitation, oppression and alienation from any kind of social and political control. When you strip away the rhetoric of how the rulers of the East described themselves, what you see are systems that reflected the basic features of capitalism as we know it in the U.S.--with a small minority having preemptive control over what happened in society, what resources were used, and who enjoyed greater privileges and power. Gorbachev would use policies of perestroika which was bourgeois changes to compromise. The bureaucracy of the Soviets ultimately caused Eastern European nations to be integrated into the world capitalist economy with the restoration of capitalism. Peterestrokia and glasnost promoted by the Stalinist bureaucracy was the beginning of the end of the Cold War plus of the Soviet Union as we know it. As early as 1987, many propped up Yeltsin. So, from 1985 to 1991, a new era existed.
The late Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth was a giant of social activism. He fought to defeat Jim Crow apartheid. He preached at Birmingham, Alabama. As a co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, he worked in the Birmingham Campaign of 1963 and in the Selma movement. By 1961, he worked in Cincinnati, Ohio to fight poverty and homelessness. He lived form 1922 to 2011. He was born in Mount Meigs, Alabama. He was a pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church in Birmingham in 1953 and was part of the Alabama state chapter of the NAACP. He and Ed Gardner formed the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights (ACMHR). Shuttlesworth was threatened by racists in the 1950's. Also, His home was blown up. Her earned a B.A. in 1951 from Selma University. He worked with Joseph Loery, T.J. Jemison, Ella Baker, Dr. King, and other leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. He was in the sit ins and the Freedom Rides. He worked with Diana Nash. Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth worked in Greater New Light Baptist Church in 1966. He helped families to find housing. He received awards too. He loved his wife and children. He married Sephira Bailey in 2006. He retired, and later he passed away on October 5, 2011 at the age of 89 at Birmingham, Alabama. His flags were flown half staff in Alabama. He was buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Birmingham. He was a hero and an icon.
The judge Amy Coney Barrett is Trump's Supreme Court nominee. She graduated from Notre Dame. It is clear on what she wants. Barrett and her family are part of the People of Peace group. This group is a secret ultra conservative group that wants a loyalty oath to promote men as heads of the family and submissive roles for women. Amy Barrett is a Catholic, but there should be no religious test in public office. In other words, a qualified non-Catholic or a Catholic person shouldn't be discriminated against in holding office if he or she is qualified to have that office. The problem is that Barrett has written before that she believes that Catholicism should affect a judge's jurisprudence. We have a separation of church and state for a reason. I believe in God, but I won't impose my religious views on another person unjustly. We don't use coercion in expressing our faith. She was a former law clerk to conservative Justice Antonin Scalia. She was only a judge for three years. Barrett criticized 2 Supreme Court decisions that largely upheld Obamacare against partisan attacks. That is why some speculate that if she is in the Supreme Court, she could vote to undercut the Affordable Care Act. That can strip health care from millions of Americans during a pandemic. She will deal with questions on Roe v. Wade and on other issues. Barrett believes in an expansion of the 2nd Amendment.
This form of music was iconic. Some of the most powerful, inspirational forms of music existed during the 1990's. I love 90's music. The 1990's was a time where most of my childhood existed. It was a time of a Golden Age of R&B music. Pop music was very popular along with teen pop and dance pop music. Also, music merged the styles of soul, funk, and jazz into creating new jack swing, neo-soul, hip hop soul, and g-funk. House, techno, and wave were in abundance. The 1990's had many classic soloist musicians. Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Deborah Cox, Toni Braxton, Mary J. Blige, CeCe Peniston, Boyz II Men, Prince, Anita Baker, Babyface, Montell Jordan, Jodeci, Dru Hill, TLC, Mariah Carey, etc. dominated the charts. From I Will Always Love You in 1992 to the Soundtrack of the movie The Preacher's Wife, Whitney was that legend. Mariah Carey shown quiet storm songs in the early 1990's and became more diverse to incorporate more hip hop elements in her music with songs like Honey. Mariah made hit after hit like Vision of Love, Daydream, etc. The 1990's R&B sound was heavily influenced by the gospel tradition. Harmonies were common with Boyz II Men and Michael Jackson. R&B artists like Mark Morrison, Faith Evans, 112, Toni Braxon, En Vogue, and others had shown outstanding music. From TLC making huge records about romance and self respect and Aaliyah making love songs with soul, it was not a dull time. Groups had great genius. The neo-soul movement stood out with D'Angelo, Luaryn Hill, Maxwell, Meshell Ndegeocello, and Erykah Badu. The sounds of Dionne Harris, Groove Theory, and Kenny Lattimore were definitely unsung. This time of music was just soulful and magnificent. People danced and enjoyed their lives. The crime rate started to decline. Flavor was diverse in fashion. Also, it was a time where people debated racial issues, economic issues, and other political matters. Sports dynasties like the Chicago Bulls made us honor athletics. A large amount of diverse, creative African American TV shows and movies shown a fair picture of black American life from Roc to A Different World. To understand R&B music is to honor the creative power of the 1990's.
The era of 2006 to 2012 focused on many themes of hip hop. This time saw a temporary decline of hip hop sales. Snap music was popular with Dem Franchize Boyz, D4L, and Soulja Boy. Many people criticized these forms of music for various reasons. Young artists self published songs in the Internet. In 2006, no rap albums were among the top 10 sellers. Digital music increased. There was a lack of sampling during 2006 too. This decline was done in part of it being too expensive for producers. Styles changed. This time saw the continuation of artists like The Black Eyed Peas, Rick Ross, and other people. Ringtones, blogs, and other sources of media allowed artists to creatively gain influence in the music industry. Later in that era of time, hip hop and innovation grew in the form of alternative hip hop. Gangsta rap declined its commercial value. This was shown on how Kanye West's Graduation won out against 50 Cent's Curtis. Innovative rap like Kanye's 808s and Heartbreak would influence more artists. This time saw music from Jay Z, K'naan, Kid Cudi, and Drake. Also, emerging artists like Wale, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Lupe, Jay Electronica, and B.o.B shined. T-Pain promoted auto-tune. By the year of 2010, we saw a new generation of hip hop artists coming up like Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, Nipsey Hussle, Pill, Freddie Gibbs, Jay Rock, Asher Roth, Logic, and other people. This time was a mixture of legendary artists and new innovative artists who carried hip hop into the 2nd decade of the 21st century.
By Timothy
