2/8/24 O&A NYC VALENTINE BLACK HISTORY MONTH THROWBACK THURDAY: Billy Preston & Syreeta Wright- With You I’m Born Again

With You I’m Born Again a 1979 duet performed by Motown recording artists Billy Preston and Syreeta Wright (credited as Syreeta) and written by Carol Connors and David Shire. The song was originally featured on the soundtrack of the 1979 motion picture Fast Break. It was became an international hit for the duo, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the UK singles chart.  Continue reading

5/29/23 O&A NYC MEMORIAL DAY SONG OF THE DAY: Marvin Gaye- American National Anthem

Marvin Gaye, The Prince of Motown brought attention to the NBA and helped boost its image. Gaye pioneered singing the national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner, in own rendition during the 1983 NBA All-Star game Continue reading

10/13/22 HALLOWEEN THROWBACK THURSDAY: Torture- The Jacksons

Torture” is the second single released off the album Victory by the The Jacksons. Written by Jackie Jackson and fellow Motown veteran Kathy Wakefield,  the song is about someone ending a relationship and the torture you feel when you’re still in love with the other person. Continue reading

2/10/22 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: The Jackson 5- I’ll Be There

I’ll Be There is the first single released on Third Album by The Jackson 5. It was written by Berry Gordy, Hal Davis, Bob West, and Willie Hutch.
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4/8/21 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: The Four Tops – I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) 

I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) is the 1965 Four Tops classic hit.
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10/13/20 O&A NYC INSPIRATIONAL TUESDAY: Diana Ross – Marvin Gaye Tribute At The 12th American Music Awards (1985)

American music superstar Diana Ross host a moving tribute to her  friend and fellow Motown legend Marvin Gaye at the 1985 12th American Music Awards. Continue reading

1/9/20 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: War – Edwin Starr

On the day that Edwin Starr’s War was released in June 1970, two Detroiters in their twenties were jailed for five years for ransacking a Chicago draft board office and burning its records – yet another example of the anger and rebellion which America’s prosecution of the Vietnam war was continuing to stir among the country’s young. The artists of Motown were hardly known at that time for social commentary and controversial material, but Starr had no superstar reputation to put at risk when he cut the song in May 1970. Continue reading

3/23/19 O&A NYC THEATRE: Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations

Tracy Smith (CBS Sunday Morning) visits the cast and creators behind the new musical Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations, which recreates the music of the legendary Motown group, and talks with Otis Williams, one of the founding members of The Temptations. Continue reading

10/18/18 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY- HALLOWEEN: Rockwell- Somebody’s Watching Me

Somebody’s Watching Me by Rockwell, released by the Motown label on January 14, 1984, as the lead single from his debut studio album of the same name. Rockwell’s debut single release, the song features guest vocals by brothers Michael Jackson (in the chorus) and Jermaine Jackson (additional backing vocals). Continue reading

6/13/18 O&A NYC WALESTYLEZ HIP HOP WEDNESDAY: Drake & LiL Baby – Yes Indeed

Yes Indeed is by two hip hop artist Drake, Lil Baby released by 4 Pockets Full, Wolfpack Music Group, Quality Control Music, Motown and Capitol Records on May 15, 2018 as the second single from Lil Baby’s debut album Harder Than Ever. Continue reading