11/13/14 O&A Throwback Thursday: Outkast

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Outkast (stylized as OutKast) is an American hip hop duo formed in 1992, in East Point, Atlanta, Georgia, composed of Atlanta-based rappers André André 3000 Benjamin (formerly known as Dré) and Antwan Big Boi Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group’s name to OutKast. The group’s original musical style was a mixture of Dirty South and G-funk. Subsequently  funk, soul, rock, electronic music, spoken word poetry, jazz and blues elements have been added to the group’s musical palette. Continue reading

10/6/14 O&A Throwback Thursday: Dusty Springfield

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Dusty Springfield was born Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O’Brien on  April 16 1939. She was an English pop singer and record producer whose career extended from the late 1950s to the 1990s. Springfield was renowned for her distinctive sensual sound, and was dubbed “the blue-eyed soul singer“.
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10/31/14 O&A Throwback Thursday Halloween Edition: Michael Jackson’s Thriller

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Michael Jackson’s Thriller is an American 13-minute music video for the song of the same name released on December 2, 1983. It was directed by John Landis, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Jackson. It was MTV’s first world premiere video.

Voted as the most influential pop music video of all time, Thriller proved to have a profound effect on popular culture. It was named “a watershed moment for the music industry” for its unprecedented merging of filmmaking and music. Guinness World Records listed it in 2006 as the “most successful music video”, selling over nine million copies.

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10/23/14 O&A Throwback Thursday: En Vogue

Throwback Thursday logo 2En Vogue

Assembled in Oakland, California in July 1989, En Vogue launched with original members Cindy Herron, Maxine Jones, Dawn Robinson and Terry Ellis. The inspiration for the group came when production duo of Foster and Mc Elroy envisioned a modern-day girl group in the tradition of the 1950s/1960s female trios. The blueprint was based on the plan of recruiting singers who possessed strong voices, noticeably good looks, and intelligence. Continue reading

10/16/14 O&A Throwback Thursday: Diana Ross- Standing Room Only Live At Ceasar’s Palace (1980)

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The HBO special, first aired in early 1980 as part of the network’s Standing Room Only series. It was taped in 1979 at Caesar’s Palace as Ross promoted her then-current album, The Boss. The album, featuring writers/producers Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, featured songs that showed off a range and power that many had forgotten Diana Ross possessed. This was a peak time in the diva’s career; Ross dazzled audience around the world with her demanding, Tony Award-winning An Evening With Diana Ross stage show, and starred with protege Michael Jackson in the 1978 film The Wiz.  Continue reading

10/9/14 O&A THROWBACK THURSDAY: JODY WATLEY (Repost)

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Jody Vanessa Watley  is a singer, songwriter, record producer, music maverick and one of music’s defining artists. Her music crosses genres from Pop, R&B, Jazz, Dance and Electronic Soul. In 1987, she won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist.  Watley ranks as one of MTV Video Music Awards most nominated female artists ever, with six nominations for her Real Love video. Continue reading

10/9/14 O&A Throwback Thursday: Jody Watley

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Jody Vanessa Watley  is a singer, songwriter, record producer, music maverick and one of music’s defining artists. Her music crosses genres from Pop, R&B, Jazz, Dance and Electronic Soul. In 1987, she won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist.  Watley ranks as one of MTV Video Music Awards most nominated female artists ever, with six nominations for her Real Love video. Continue reading

10/2/14 O&A Throwback Thursday: Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds

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Babyface (Kenneth Brian Edmonds) is a multi-platinum selling R&B singer, songwriter and record producer. He has written and produced over 26 No. 1 R&B hits for artists such as Whitney Houston, Karyn White, Johnny Gill, Vanessa Williams, Pebbles, Madonna and Boyz II Men, and has also worked on various film soundtracks in his successful career. Babyface has won 10 Grammy Awards.

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9/25/14 O&A Throwback Thursday: Sylvester

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Sylvester James, Jr. better known as Sylvester, was a disco and soul singer-songwriter. Known for his flamboyant and androgynous appearance that exemplified the era. Sylvester was often described by the mainstream media as a drag queen, but he repeatedly rejected such a description. Responsible for a string of hit singles in the late 1970s, Sylvester became known in the United States under the moniker of the “Queen of Disco.” Continue reading