Fannie Lou Hamer also used her spiritual faith to inspire her to fight for freedom. She was a leader who was courageous in every sense of the world. She fought for voting rights and the rights of women. She worked in the community and stood up against the Democratic establishment when she wanted the Freedom Democratic Party to have fair representation at the 1964 Democratic National Convention. She also organized Mississippi's Freedom Summer along with the SNCC. Fannie Lou Hamer was born in Montgomery County, Mississippi. She experienced racism and sharecropping. All of the time she used spiritual hymnals and quotes to led the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi. Hamer never backed down. She was as aulted by racists and the police. She was harassed, shot at, and lied about. Yet, the spirit of a heroic black woman can never be broken. She flew with power, eloquence, and black Southern determination to bear witness for the truth and to fight for human justice simultaneously. Fannie Lou Hamer loved to promote cooperatives. Also, she fought against the Vietnam War as an unjust war. She loved to read and recite poetry. She was a victim of a forced hysterectomy by a doctor without her consent. In other words, she was a victim of forced sterilization. Her and her husband adopted 2 black girls. Malcolm X always praised Hamer including Gloria Richardson, because Malcolm X knew that black women being leaders for our freedom must always be respected plus recognized. Fannie Lou Hamer fought for agricultural development, housing rights, and nutrition for Americans. She was a powerful warrior for freedom.
Rev. James Lawson Jr. has lived on this Earth for 92 years on this Earth. He was an university professor who for over 60 years fought for freedom and justice. She believed in the nonviolence tactic of the Civil Rights Movement. Even during the funeral of the late John Lewis during the Summer of 2020, Rev. James Lawson never backed down from his commitment to nonviolent resistance. Later, he was a mentor to the Nashville Student Movement and the Student Nonvilent Coordinating Committee. His activism caused him to be expelled from Vanderbilt University in 1960. Rev. James Lawson was born in 1928. He has been a pastor in Los Angeles for 25 years. The Bible does cite helping the poor, standing up for justice, and believe in rejecting injustice. He was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Massillon, Ohio. Rev. James Lawson worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on many endeavors from protests to the 1968 Memphis Sanitation strike. The 1968 Memphis strike was about black sanitation workers being tired of lacking wages and human dignity. They were discriminated against, mocked, and hated on, but they had every right to protest for union rights and just plain human rights. The reactionary mayor Henry Leob refused to unionize the workers, but the Memphis workers won the battle after the evil 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Rev. Lawson studied theology all throughout his life. He trained many of the future leaders of the Civil Rights Movement at Nashville like Diane Nash, James Bevel, Bernard Lafayette, Marion Barry, and John Lewis. Rev. Lawson has worked in the labor rights and other movements too. He certainly educated many people to fight for our rightful liberation.
The 1980's had the flourishing of legendary R&B singers. The group Midnight Star were formed in 1976 at Kentucky State University. They are based at Frankfort, Kentucky. Their original members were Reggie Calloway, Belinda Lipscomb, Melvin Genry, Kennerth Gant, Bill Simmons, Bo Watson, and Jeff Cooper. They were made with help from SOLAR Records leader Dick Griffey. Their debut album was The Beginning in 1980. Their songs like Midas Touch, Love Song, You're Star, etc. was clear on its expression. Also, one of the greatest entertainers of all time was Michael Jackson. He dominated the 1980's with albums, hits, and awards. His albums of Thriller and Bad influential modern day videos and music to this very day. Michael Jackson helped to break down racist barriers in music as a pop icon. He popularized the moonwalk and the robot. Michael Jackson is the most awarded artist in the history of popular music. One of the most powerful singers of the 1980's was Phyllis Hyman. She was a legend from the 1980's and beyond. She was a singer, songwriter, and actress. Phyllis encouraged the development of more black owned businesses and more black representation in the music industry. She loved theater as she was in the Broadway 1981 musical that was based on the music of Duke Ellington. The musical was called Sophisticated Ladies lasting from 1981 to 1983. Phyllis Linda Hyman (1949-1995) was born in Philadelphia. The man from the Cosby show named Earle Hyman is her cousin. Phyllis' father was a World War II veteran named Phillip Hyman and her mother was Louise Hyman. Her hit song of Can't We Fall in Love Again? was a classic with Michael Henderson. She also loved opera, jazz, and other genres of music. She was on films like School Daze in 1988 that exposed colorism and other divisions as evil. By 1991, her album Prime of My Life was the biggest album of her career. She was a kind soul and a gentle spirit. She will be missed. A person with one of the greatest voices of all time was Mary Vesta Williams. Vesta Williams had a four octave vocal range. Her songs of Sweet Sweet Love (1998) and other music remain part of iconic status. She was born in Coshocton, Ohio. Artists like Al Jarreau, George Duke, James Ingram, Angela Boifil, Luther Vandross, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Teena Marie, and El Debarge are legends who made the 1980's one of the most talented decades in human history in terms of music.
The music of the 1980's was a golden age of creativity and power. Massive new experimentation of sounds and technologies were abundant. People wanted to use drum machines, synthesizers, and other devices to perfect their expression. Also, there were diverse singers like Sade, Anita Baker, and Miki Howard. People loved talent and wanted to dance too. Disco never died, as their descendants like house music was available. Also, by the 1990's, disco inspired songs would make a huge comeback. The 1980's also saw the internationalization of popular music with the advent of people like Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, and Prince. From Lionel Richie's ballads to The Pointer Sisters, there is that massive creativity involving 1980's music. Music videos became more complex and unique. Prince's When Doves Cry showed imagery. Michael Jackson's videos of Thriller and Bille Jean exciting audiences and were ahead of their times too. Sade's music videos showed a mystique about her personality. Chaka Khan's and Patti Labelle's music videos were like massive events on the screen. There was the style of singers like Vesta Williams and the soulful sounds of Stevie Wonder. As this was going on, the public saw the rise of Reagan and Bush Sr. as Presidents. Both men were Republicans, and the conservative movement dominated the politics of American society. A lot of people forget that the 1980's wasn't all peaches and creams. There were the War on Drugs, the crack epidemic, and the growth of the prison industrial complex, racist hate crimes, etc. that harmed the lives of many black people. We know that Reaganomics doesn't work to economically develop society collectively. Yet, people never gave up in promoting progressive values. The 1980's R&B chapter was all about dreams coming true. It showed the lives of men and women who wanted to ascend into more heights filled with soul and inspiration.
Southern hip hop from 1997-2006 was all about respect and growth. For decades, many people disrespected and stereotyped Southern hip hop as not real music or totally insignificant. We know that to be a lie. The words from Outkast in 1995 saying that the South has something to say would prove prophetic. Tons of people should realize that the origin of a large portion of black Americans is the South. The South is home to some of the greatest slavery liberation revolts in history. The Deacons of Defense and the original Black Panther Party of Alabama came from the South. Therefore, you reap what you sow. The South has worked hard in their craft in Atlanta, New Orleans, Houston, Memphis, Miami, Charlotte, Tampa, Nashville, and in other places. After those years, Southern hip hop became very dominate in the hip hop industry. By 1997, groups like the Geto Boys, UGK, 8Ball and MJG, PKO, and other groups were universally respected in the hip hop community because of their talent and merit. By 1997, Goodie Mob (who were friends with Tupac Shakur) and OutKast dominated Southern hip hop too. Goodie Mob also wanted to promote messages in their raps to make people think. Goodie Mob was based in Atlanta, and they were created in 1991 with members like Big Gipp, Khujo, Cee-Lo, and T-Mo. Khujo met with Tupac Shakur before in 1996, and Tupac knew of Goodie Mob's music. Their album of Soul Food in 1995 had conscious lyrics with music with Big Boi, Cool Breeze, and Andre 3000. Cell Therapy is one of their greatest records. Their album of Still Standing made known their lyrical power. They continue to make music into the 2010's. Outkast just went into another stratosphere of power and influence. By 1998, they made the album Aquemini which one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. They had collaborations with people form the Goodie Mob and Erykah Badu. Their next albums would be Stankonia (2000), Apeakerboxx/The Love Below (2003), and Idewild (2006). Andre is more of the conscious type, while Big Boi is more of the rapid fire lyrical person. Hypnotize Minds came out of Memphis with music. Also, No Limit Records was created by Master P and his family. Master P was from New Orleans, moved into Richmond, California, and made his career about building a business. Through ups and downs, Master P is one of the most influential hip hop businessmen of all time. Many of the people at No Limit Records at its prime were Snoop, Mercedes, SIlkk the Shocker, Mystikal, Mia X, Mac, C-Murder, Magic, Short Circuit, Lil Soldiers, Romeo Miller, Fiend, Kane and Abel, Soulja Slim, CFO, Jefferson Macks, and others. The song Make Em Say Uhh! was made in 1997, but it became a huge success in early 1998. The prime of No Limit Records was from 1997 to 2000. No Limit Records has an all star roster, but legal troubles, disputes over money, and creative differences cause No Limit to lose its influence in the industry later on. Cash Money was another movement in New Orleans hip hop. By 1998-1999, they started to dominated the hip hop world. They were run by Bryan William and Ronald Williams. They were created in 1991. They had Juvenile, Lil Wayne, Turk, Mannie Fresh, and B.G. along with others. The most talented artist in the crew was Lil Wayne. He had God-given talent of lyricism, charisma, and power of voice. Therefore, he just came into having more success and being one of the greatest hip hop artists of the 21st century. Lil Wayne is a man who survive a lot. By 2006, Lil Wayne was already created multiple Carter albums and became very well known. From working with TI to Destiny's Child, he set his legacy up. During this time, other Southern artists like TI, Lil Flip, Ludacris, Lil Jon, Young Jeezy, Trick Daddy, Rick Ross, Chamillionaire, Mike Jones, Paul Wall, and other people made their way in expressing themselves. From crunk to alternative music, Southern hip hop remains a big part of overall hip hop culture.
The end of the hip hop era from 1997 and 2006 saw a new era. This era ended with the end of Napster as we know it, and the rise of social media like Myspace helped to grow the music careers of previously unsung people. Stores selling CDs increasingly declined, because there was the advent of electronic sells. Previously, many artists were showing advanced lyricism years ahead of its time like Kid Wizard aka Rakim performing live at the Wyandanch High School Jam in 1983. By 2006, ringtones and Internet services propelled the career of new artists. Also, hip hop names like Kanye West and Lupe Fiasco saw their musical influence reach the world. From 2006 to 2012, we saw the future existence of snap rap, a temporarily decline in hip hop sales, and the rise of alternative hip hop movement artists like Kid Cudi, Kendrick Lamar, Jay Electronica, B.o.B., and J Cole. Previously from 1997 to 2006, we saw the development of many movements and artists after the unjust murders of Tupac and Biggie. During the late 1990's and early 2000's, hip hop was the most dominant musical genre in the world. Commercials, movies, and TV shows used hip hop slang and music as soundtracks, etc. Movies like Belly and Brown Sugar (of the late 190's and early 00's) either had hip hop artists as actors and actress or were heavily influenced by hip hop culture. This time was not without controversies. New rivalries (like between G-unit and Murder inc) along with debates about lyrics consumed the time. BET shows and other forums debated the many forms of content in hip hop music. The legacy of the time was that this period allowed old and new artists the range to express themselves along with the expansion of the commercialism of hip hop music. We saw massive changes and a mixture of lyrical sounds along with club anthems. We saw a mixture of celebrations of consciousness along with some artists trying to be fun. It was combination of many things during the early era of the war on terror.
By Timothy
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