African Americans in the 1980s

There’s no racism in the 80s, right? Nearly 20 years after the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, African Americans (and other minorities) still experienced discrimination and racism throughout the U.S. There were concerted efforts throughout the 1980s to change this: – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day signed into law (Reagan, 1983) – The Cosby Show ( ) aims to change the way that African Americans are portrayed on television

Michael Jackson

P.Y.T. Michael Jackson Released 1982 on Epic Records – Thriller (album) This was the 2 nd to the last single off the album (7 top 10 singles, 9 songs on the album!) Janet & LaToya Jackson sang backup on this Remixed in 2008 by will.i.am or the Black Eyed Peas (available on Thriller 25) Rock With You (no video for P.Y.T.)

Prince

The Purple One Prince Prince Rogers Nelson (b. 1958) Fiercely protective of his image/product Long dispute with former label Warner Bros. over creative control Pioneer of the “Minneapolis Sound” Has fostered the careers of: – The Bangles The Bangles – Sinead O’Connor Sinead O’Connor – Vanity 6/Apollonia 6 Vanity 6/Apollonia 6 – Morris Day & The Time Morris Day & The Time – Sheila E. Sheila E. Genre mixing/crossing: – Funk, R&B, rock, jazz, blues, New Wave, Pop, Rap Multi-instrumentalist: – Guitar, bass, drums, keys, vocal, & more

1999 Prince Released 1982 on Warner Bros. Records – 1999 (album) This is actually a protest song about nuclear weapons This was Prince’s breakout album, followed by the massively successful Purple Rain (1984) This helped put Minneapolis on the map Video 1982

Rick James

The Funk Rick James James Ambrose Johnson, Jr. ( ) Worked as a songwriter for Motown before signing with Gordy Records (a subsidiary of Motown) Prolonged struggle with drugs led to his death at 58 Considered a “hitmaker” for many established acts – Eddie Murphy Eddie Murphy

Give it to Me Baby Rick James Released 1981 on Gordy Records – Street Songs (album) This song combines funk, R&B, and disco James (singer, bassist) wrote the song’s bass “hook” (memorable part of a song) Video 1981 Has been sampled by: (not this song) – MC Hammer MC Hammer – Public Enemy – Common – Jay-Z

Living Colour

Metal. Funky, funky, metal Living Colour After the death of Jimi Hendrix (1970), African Americans had less of a presence among mainstream “Rock” audiences Reid (guitar) helped found the “Black Rock Coalition” for African American musicians interested in playing rock The band crossed genres such as jazz, hip hop, rock, metal, blues, and funk

Cult of Personality Living Colour Released 1988 on CBS/Sony – Vivid (album) Founded by jazz/fusion guitarist Vernon Reid The band’s funk/metal was influenced by jazz, R&B, rock, metal, and funk The lyrics mention several political leaders & describe how societies have viewed/treated them Video 1988

Def Jam NYC Hip-Hop Founded by Rick Rubins & Russell Simmons – Simmons is the brother of Run (of Run DMC) Island Def Jam Music Group has worked with: – Rihanna – Jay-Z – Kanye Signed and/or produced: – Run DMC – Beastie Boys Beastie Boys – Danzig Danzig – Johnny Cash Johnny Cash

Rick Rubin: Producer One of the earliest and most influential hip-hop producers in NYC Has worked with: – Run DMC – The Beastie Boys – Slayer – Metallica – LL Cool J Rubin’s list of accomplishments: – American producer – Former co-president of Columbia Records – Co-founder of Def Jam Records – Founder American Recordings

Rick Rubin

Run DMC

The Kings of Rock Run DMC Firsts: – First hip-hop/rap act to earn a platinum record (King of Rock, 1985) – First hip-hop/rap act to earn a multiplatinum record (Raising Hell, 1986) – First hip-hop/rap act to have videos played on MTV – First hip-hop/rap act to appear on the television show American Bandstand – First hip-hop/rap act to be on the cover of the magazine Rolling Stone Joseph “Run” Simmons, Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels, & Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell ( ) are, arguably THE most influential hip-hop/rap act EVER. Arguably created the blueprint for rap/rock hybrid of the 90s

It’s Tricky Run DMC Released 1986 on Profile Records – Raising Hell (album) – This album went 3x Platinum (3 million copies sold) – Gained critical acclaim at a time when hip-hop was still largely ignored by critics & audiences This album featured the rap/rock prototype “Walk This Way” with Aerosmith Produced by Rick Rubin Features a sample of The Knack’s My SharonaMy Sharona – Run DMC were sued for sampling the song without permission Video 1987

Public Enemy

Public Enemy Number 1 One of the most political, aggressive, hip- hop/rap acts of the 1980s Helped bring “scratching” to the masses (Terminator X) Voiced the frustrations of African Americans in the US Their collaboration w/Anthrax furthered the creation of rap/rock

Bring the Noise Public Enemy Released 1987 on Def Jam Records – It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (album) Founded by Chuck D. (rapper) Video 1987 PE later re-recorded the song with Anthraxre-recorded The song features: – “shout outs” to other rap acts & to thrash metal’s Anthrax – An endorsement of Louis Farrakhan’s Nation of Islam – A combination of noise, drum machines, scratching, and samplesscratching – Flavor Flav (YEAHHH, BOYYYYYYYY!)

LL Cool J

Ladies Love Cool James… One of the most prolific rappers/MCs of the 1980s His 1985 debut featured “Rock the Bells,” where he rapped over a rock/metal sample Has re-invented himself from aggressive MC, to romantic songwriter, actor, entrepreneurromantic songwriter Knocked out a home intruder in 2012: – Mama Said Knock You Out Mama Said Knock You Out

Going Back to Cali LL Cool J Released 1988 on Def Jam Records – Walking with a Panther (album) “LL,” James Todd Smith, helped pioneer NYC hip hop before moving on to more romantic R&B/Hip-Hop & TV/film projects Helped found the clothing brand FUBU Has just been nominated for inclusion in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame Video 1988

Queen Latifah

All Hail the Queen Dana Elaine Owens, Queen Latifah (b. 1970) Singer-songwriter, rapper, actress, author, & model Known for championing women’s rights, minority rights, & body image issues Has branched out into television hosting and producing, & record producing

Ladies First (feat. Monie Love) Queen Latifah Released 1989 on Tommy Boy Records – All Hail the Queen (album) The album featured the production talents of many of Hip-Hop’s top talents (KRS-One, Prince Paul, etc) Video 1989 Considered a feminist anthem – Rap/Hip-Hop has long struggled (through the present) with misogyny and abusive language towards women

Salt n Pepa

Salt n Pepa The Showstopper(s) The original all-female rap crew “Whatta Man,” a cover of a 1968 hit by Linda Lyndell, & “Let’s Talk About Sex” addressed issues such as masculinity/healthy relationships, safe sex & censorshipLet’s Talk About Sex Disbanded in 1999, but reformed in 2007

Push It Salt n Pepa Released 1987 on Next Plateau Records – Hot, Cool & Vicious (album) This was their breakthrough hit – They went on to have more, many that encouraged strength and independence among women Salt n Pepa were one of the 1 st all-female rap crews – Cheryl James: Salt – Sandra Denton: Pepa – Deidra Roper: DJ Spinderella Video 1987

Tina Turner

The Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll Anna Mae Bullock, “Tina Turner” (b. 1939) Gained fame in the 1950s as part of ex- husband’s “Ike Turner ‘s Kings of Rhythm”Ike Turner ‘s Kings of Rhythm After their divorce, Turner began a solo career Influenced by R&B, blues, gospel, rock, and jazz Has sold over 100 million units worldwide(!) “Best legs in rock ‘n’ roll”

What’s Love Got to Do With It Tina Turner Released 1984 on Capitol Records – Private Dancer (album) Her most successful single Features influences from R&B, jazz, and reggae This single (& album) re-established Turner as a headlining act – this time without her ex- husband (Ike Turner) Video 1984