The shiny suit era came about in hip hop immediately after the passing of the Notorious B.I.G. It reached its peak from 1997 to 2001. Many people love it or don't like it. Yet, we have to analyze it in order to get a comprehensive look at the legacy of hip hop music. The shiny suit era existed, because people were scared after the murder of 2 hip hop musicians. They were Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. People wanted some scene of relaxing and having a good time. Extravagance characterized this era. With large budgets, larger than life videos, and eccentric suits, this time was very much unique. The head leader of this movement was one man. We know who he is. He is Sean Combs or P. Diddy. Flashy clothes were commonplace. This wasn't the old school hip hop. To be honest, this was the true start of the new school hip hop that we witness in our time in 2020. P. Diddy is not the only founder of this movement. By 1997, Hype Williams was already a legendary video director of hip hop videos. By 1997, he continued to make shiny shit era videos constantly. June Ambrose is one of the greatest fashion designers of our generation. She made clothes that defined the shiny suit time. One video that showed the anthem of the shiny suit era was Mo' Money, Mo' Problems. It had the suits, lyrics, and dancing. One thing about this era was even with the materialism and pomp and circumstance, many artists during that time did had great lyrical abilities. The fashion of Fubu denim suits wss popular during the late 1990's. The style is found in diverse songs like Missy Elliot and Timbaland's The Rain song (in 1997), Jay Z's Sunshine video (1997), Mase's Feel So Good video (1997), P. Diddy and Mase's Been Around the World (1997), Missy ft. Total's What About Us (1997), Bust Rhymes' Dangerous video (1997), Mase ft. The Lox's Feel So Good video (1997), Marey Carey's Honey remix ft. Lox (1997),. The LOX ft. DMX and Lil Kim's Money, Power, Respect (1998), Will Smith's Gettin' Jiggy With It (1998), Busta Rhymes' Gimme Some More (1998), Mase ft. Brandy's Top on the World (1998), etc. R&B singers as diverse as Sisqo, Keith Sweat, 112, and Total showed shiny suit fashion fully. The shiny suit era was an escape from the drama of life. Mase was the hip hop artist who personified that era. He was laid back, had flash, and he knew how to rap lyrically. The positives of that movement was it that it expanded the creativity of hip hop fashion and culture, it allowed artists to talk about diverse issues, and it was highly powerful. Its weakness is that far too often it embraced materialism at the expense of making a legitimate social commentary of society. Life is more than about bread alone. People have to discuss about the conditions of life in order to improve the compositions of life.
The Ruff Ryders' movement was one of the most powerful movements of hip hop. It helped to increasingly popularize the dirt bike and motorcycle culture among African Americans involved in hip hop culture. It allowed very talented people to express their joy, pain, hurt, and experiences in general. The whole movement was started by 3 Northern black Americans. Their names are Chivon Dean, Dee, and Waah. All 3 of them are related to producer Swizz Beats being their nephew. Dee is Darin Dean and Waah is Joaquin Dean. Their family was emerged in music. Their father promoted artists involved in R&B and soul music like Jody Watley, Ray, Goodman and Brown, and Blue Magic. The family was born in the Bronx, NYC. Later, they came into Yonkers, NY. Dee and Waah struggled to make ends meet. They resorted to being street hustlers before joining the music business. They made the Ruff Ryders Management Company by 1988. Later, they discussed a hip hop artist in Yonkers named Earl Simmons or DMX. Back then, DMX made many records in 1991 sounding very lyrical almost like Rakim. DMX lived a troubled childhood and was literally struggling to survived. DMX later took on the opportunities to continue in his gift of expressing music. DMX has been through it all from robbing people, being a victim of abuse by his own mother, being jumped by people, and experiencing many traumatic experiences. His first wife and his later grandmother were anchors in his life for years. Ruff Ryders struggled to gain more artists and to develop their company financially. Later, DMX told Ruff Ryders of another group from Yonkers named the Warlocks. They were made up of Sheek Louch, Styles P, and Jadakiss. This trio could all rap, and they made many records with the Notorious B.I.G. when Biggie was alive. They were in a deal with Mush Men. Later, Ruff Ryders and Mush Men had an agreement to allow them to be managed by Ruff Ryders. Mary J. Blige knew the Warlocks as a friend. So, Mary sent their music to Diddy. Diddy signed them to Bad Boy Records. Their new name was the Lox. The Lox grew to be one of the most respected hip hop groups in history. DMX continued to make music like Born Loser song in 1992. DMX battled Jay Z in a lyrical battle at a pool hall. By 1995, DMX, Ja Rule, and Jay Z including Mic Geronimo had a song named Time to Build. Irv Gotti helped DMX to get a deal at Def Jam. DMX by 1997 changed the game with his music that resurrected hardcore East Coast hip hop music. In 1997, he was on songs like 4,3,2,1, and other songs. In 1998, he released many platinum albums of Flesh of My Flesh, Bloopd of My Blood plus It's Dark and Hell is Hot. In 1998, DMX was on more records like 24 Hours to Live, etc. DMX helped Def Jam to be the most powerful hip hop label during that time. The first lady of Ruff Ryders was Eve. Eve was born and raised in Philadelphia. Eve once signed with Dr. Dre's Aftermath. Eve struggled at first to find her career. She was stripping for a time. Later, Eve came to the South Bronx to sign with Ruff Ryders. Eve was just as good as any artist. She held her own in battles and ciphers. By 1999, she had her debut album of Let There be Eve. Eve would go on to make a huge career in music, fashion, and acting. Her own TV show was called Eve. Ruff Ryders helped to inspire the growth of motorcycle clubs among the black community. Swizz Beats and other producers made some of the most innovative beats of the 1990's and the 21st century. Other artists in Ruff Ryders are Drag-On, Pirate, Parle, Kartoon, Aja Smth, Fiend, Jin, Infra-Red and Cross, Flashy, etc. Complication albums of Ruff Ryders existed form 1999 to the 21st century. Later by 2020, Ruff Ryders Indy is was formed to help young artists and spread the Ruff Ryders brand. Historically, the Ruff Ryders remain a powerful group of hip hop culture.
One important part of hip hop history form 1997 to 2006 was the high level of hip hop and R&B collaborations. Back in the day, many R&B artists didn't like hip hop. As time came onward, music among both genres would merge. By 1997, Missy Elliot changed the game with her fusion of hip hop and R&B in her album of Supa Dupa Fly. She worked with her friends of Total to make classic records. Missy remains one of the greatest artists of hip hop, and she is from the 757 at Portsmouth. Lauryn Hill in her album of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was released in 1998. I was a teenager when it came out, and that album was one of the most powerful albums of all time. It talked about spirituality, life, black culture, and romance. It allowed her to be nominated for 11 Grammys. Lauryn Hill won 5 Grammys including Album of the Year and Best New Artist. In 1999, singer Kelis made a song with hip hop artist ODB on "Got Your Money." Brandy worked with Mase on the song Top of the World. She later worked with Kanye West in the year of 2004 with the song Talk about Us on her album of Afrodisiac. Monica worked with Missy on the song So Gome back in 2003 (on Monica's album of After the Storm).
The decade of the 1980's was filled with great, powerful ballads. Back in 1980, Michael Jackson's Rock Wiht You and Shalamar's Second Time Around dominated the charts. Jermaine Jackson also made Let's Get Serious as a powerful record. Diana Ross made her huge comeback with her song of Upside Down with a disco influence. Stevie Wonder, the S.O.S. Band, Ray, Goodman & Brown, and other artists shown their gifts to the world. By 1981, Yarbrough & Peoples made Don't Stop the Music. Smokey Robinson and Chaka Khan had hits. Evelyn King released I'm in Love. Rick James, The Four Tops, Luther Vandross, Roger Troutman, and Kool and the Gang flourished. Diana Ross had the duet with Lionel Richie with Endless Love. Let's Groove from Earth, Wind and Fire blew crowds away with their sound. 1982 saw the comeback of 1970's and 1960's artists. Daryl Hall and John Oates made the record of I Can't Go That (No Can Do) in 1982. George Benson had the song of Turn Your Love Around. Stevie Wonder's That Girl was a classic too. Jennifer Holiday gave the song of "Am I Am Telling You I'm Not Going." Aretha Franklin, Evelyn Champagne King, and Marvin Gaye made their historic songs. 1983 was the year of my bith and R&B music was strong in its force. Marvin Gaye Sexual Healing was in the charts from 1982 to January of 1983. Michael Jackson had many hits in 1983 like Billie Jean, The Girl is Mine with Paul MacCartney, etc. The Gap Band made Outstanding. New Edition's Candy Girl was very popular. George Clinton and Gladys Knights and the Pips excelled. Juicy Fruit came from Mtume. She Works Hard for the Money was released by Donna Summer in 1983. Rick James had Cold Blooded. Get it Right was made by Aretha Franklin. A'int Nobody was an anthem made by Rufus & Chaka Khan. Lionel Richie made All Night Long. DeBarge was popular with the song of Time will Reveal. 1984 saw the continuation of DeBarge and Kool and the Gang making classic music. Patti La Belle made the song If Only You Know in 1984 too. Cheryl Lynn made Encore, and Somebody's Watching Me was made by Rockwell. Cameo, Lionel Richie, Yarrbrough and peoples, and Deniece Williams made songs constantly. The 1980's music was like a Dream team lineup of artists. O'Bryan's Lovelite and Prince's When Doves Cry certainly were anthems about love. 1984 was a time of Billy Ocean's Caribbean Queen song, Ray Parker Jr.'s Ghostbusters, and Prince and the Revolution making people dancing worldwide. Stevie Wonder's genius was further shown on the song I Just Called to Say I Love You. The beautiful Chaka Khan's I Feel For You was inspirational about romance. New Edition's Cool it Now was about childhood angst and Ashford and Simpson made Solid in 1984. Midnight Star made Operator. 1985 was the year when Whitney Houston grew into another status of legendary artistry. Houston would be the greatest vocalist of our generation. Whitney Houston released You Give Good Love Saving All My Love for You, and other records in 1985. Eugene Wilde, New Edition, and Diana Ross made music. The Commodores, Mase featuring Frankie Beverly had songs like Nightshift and Back in Stride. Rhythm of the Night was a popular song of DeBarge. This year was when the We are the World record was made where musicians raised music to fight the famine in Africa. Fresh was made by Kool and the Gang. Rene and Angela made their song Save Your Love. Freeddie Jackson and Stevie Wonder made hits. The Caravan of Love was a song made by Isley Jasper Isley. Loose Ends had their song called Hangin' on a String (Contemplating).
The quiet storm was part of contemporary R&B. It dealt with a smooth, romantic jazz influenced style. It was named after the song from Smokey Robinson's 1975 album of A Quiet Storm. Its music was pioneered in 1976 by Melvin Lindsey when he was an intern at the Washington, D.C. radio station WHUR-FM. The quiet storm was loved by older music listeners. The songs of the quiet storm from people like Sade and Luther Vandross had a peaceful vibe. The quiet storm existed in the 1970's, but it increased in its power by the 1980's. By 1980, Teddy Pendergrass released the song of Feel the Fire. Patti Austin & James Ingram - Baby, Come To Me from 1981 showcased as a great duet. Ingram would go on to be one of the greatest singers of all time. Patti Austin made an excellent career as a magnificent artist too. James Ingram and Michael McDonald's Yah Mo Be There outlined a harmony of sounds. Sade's Smooth Operator in 1984 was raw with talent, and it was the start of her long career spanning beyond the 2010's even. In the same year, Chaka Khan made Through the Fire that caused audiences to praise her vocal skills. You are my Lady by Freddie Jackson in 1985 shown his range. One of the Queens of the quiet Storm with Anita Baker with her song Caught Up in the Rapture from 1986 including Sweet Love. Her music is the blueprint of quiet storm music. From Roberta Flack's Tonight I Celebrate My Love in 1983 to Lionel Richie's Hello in 1983, the quiet storm is exciting music. Past and artists of genre are Larry Graham, Teenie Marie, Jon B., Brian McKnight, Regina Belle, A B. Sure, Phyllis Hyman, D'Angelo, Babyface, Luther Vandross, Heatwave, Maxwell, Barry White, and other people who had great musical gifts.
After the Vietnam War within 10 years afterwards, the world would never be the same again. The American nation went from the era of Nixon to Reagan. America saw the center right President Gerald Ford and the centrist president Jimmy Carter. The Soviet Union evolved from a superpower in 1975 to a near exhausted, defeated nation. The Soviets had inflation, a weakened economy, rebellious satellite states, and military involvement in Afghanistan that caused its defeat in Afghanistan. America had many changes from the conservative policies of Ford, the moderate policies of Jimmy Carter (who promoted deregulation), and the conservative revolution of Reagan. Ronald Reagan was anti-Communist for decades. He used militaristic rhetoric against the Soviets on many occasions. The biggest irony of him is that he worked with a moderate leader of Gorbachev that caused Reagan to calm down that war mongering rhetoric and focused on ending the Cold War in more peaceful actions. Ford and Carter saw the existence of SALT I and SALT II. They wanted detente to be widespread. The problem was that events existed outside of both Presidents' control that contributed to a massive change in Cold War history. By the late 1970's, the political crises in the Third World, the political persecution of Soviet dissidents like Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and Andrei Sakharov, plus the Iranian Revolution (and the Nicaraguan Revolution) deteriorated relations among America and the Soviet Union. By December of 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, and Carter banned America from being in the Olympics in 1980 at Moscow. The new era of the Cold War started. Reagan at first expanded the military budget, threatened the Soviet Union, and promoted Star Wars in space. Many people were afraid that World War III was coming, but the Soviet Union was dying literally. Reagan worked with the CIA and the Vatican to fund anti-Communist efforts in Eastern Europe. By 1985, the young Mikhail Gorbachev was General Secretary of the Soviet Union in 1985. With him, the Cold War would end in massive developments. By 1985, no one would foreseen that the start of the end of the Cold War would commence.
My journey in life has found even more information about my genealogical family tree. I haven't stopped researching. My great-grandmother was Hollie Ethel Seaborn (1908-1996). She married my great-grandfather Joseph Henry Peeples (1898-1972). They had many children including their daughter Louise Blanche Peeples (born on October 27, 1941 at Southampton County, Virginia). Louise is my great aunt. Louise later moved into New York state where she married Everett Lee Cousins on Stepbember 17, 1962 at New Rochelle, New York. Back in those days, there was the 2nd Great Migration where African American people traveled from the South to the North and other regions of America. They had many children like Lisa M. Cousins (born on December 24, 1963), Everett Lee Cousins Jr. (born on June 29, 1965), and Wanda Yvettee Cousin Thomas (born on December 25, 1966). These 3 human beings are my 1st cousins. Many of the Cousins family lived in Mount Vernon, New York. Lisa Cousins' son is the basketball player Isaiah Cousins. Everett Lee Cousins Jr. married Cheryl Ruth Fuller, and they live in Georgia. Their children are Alex M. Cousins and Avery S. Cousins. One of my great, late relatives is the late Lottie Dorethea Claud Bell. She lived form June 18, 1934 to October 20, 2017. Lottie Bell's parents were Willie Lloyd Claud (1907-1974) and Ruth Jenkins Claud (1908-2006). Lottie Bell was a very religious woman who was baptized at Shiloh Baptist Church at Boykins, Virginia. In real life, I have been to Shiloh Baptist Church on many occasions. She married Willie james Bell Sr. on December 18, 1960. She taught in the Shothampton Public Schools system for 36 years. Her children are Willie J. Bell Jr. (born in 1965) of Dinwiddie, Virginia, Darian Moseley Bell (born in 1969) of COurtland, Virginia, and Prenda Latangie Bell Crocker (born in 1974)of Dinwiddle, Vriginia. These 4th cousins share my ancestor of Zilphy CLaud (1820-1893).
We live in the time of 15 years after the Hurricane Katrina disaster. It felt like yesterday when it happened. Almost a generation ago, Katrina damaged New Orleans and other areas of the Gulf Coast. Whole buildings were destroyed. By August 2005, scientists warned people for years that the Gulf Coast had to improve their levees or face a huge hurricane that will cause massive damage. When Katrina hit, it was unique. We saw FEMA using a lax response in Louisiana. We saw vigilantes preventing mostly black people to escape from New Orleans into other areas for safety. There was the large arena where supplies ran out, and families with their children were crying out for help. In the midst of that tragedy, Bush and his administration flew over the flooded areas while people were drowning to death. I remember that time clear. I was almost 22 years old back then. When Kanye West said that George W. Bush didn't care about black people, his statement wasn't just about one man. It was about the racial and economic oppression that many people have experienced in American society for centuries. Some in the media falsely called the victims of Katrina "refugees' when these victims were American citizens. After the disaster, many people's lands were stolen, privatized schools grew, and other economic problems existed. Also, many activists back then and today in the Gulf Coast region rebuilt homes, saved lives, educated students, and did their part in making the lives of many better.
By Timothy
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