missngrant – The Black 90s

R and B Takes Over: The Evolution of Rhythm and Blues through the 90s

Every decade has its musical era or movement with which it is equated, and the 90s was no different. From doo-wop and Motown owning the 60s, disco reigning in the 70s, to the dawn of hip hop in the 80s, they all contributed to a new genre and culture of music that would come to be known as rhythm and blues (r&b). The mixture of soul, blues, rock and roll, and disco, and ultimately hip hop shaped r&b as it allowed artists to take different musical avenues and/or combined the sounds to create something new for the next generation. The 1990s introduced another wave of girl and guy groups that skyrocketed to fame by including “ elements of rap—including sampling, scratching (a percussion technique that involves running a record needle manually across vinyl records), and declaimed vocals—had become part of what could perhaps best be described as dance-based, post-disco music” (The History of R&B).

The likes of Jodeci, Silk, Boyz II Men, BellBivDeVoe, Dru Hill, Next, and Mint Condition produced a range of songs from party music to baby makers to “baby, please don’t leave me’s”. These guy groups exhibited soulful sounds and sex appeal that made their audiences swoon. The stacked harmonies made for musical delight, and the half-naked wardrobe was aesthetically pleasing. Songs like Jodeci’s “Forever My Lady” and “Do You Believe In Love” displayed how they were proud to exclaim love and adoration for women, and Dru Hill’s “We’re Not Making Love” that showed heartache at the hands of a failing relationship. However, don’t sleep on the ladies, groups like SWV, TLC, Xscape, Brownstone, and Destiny Child had a following that would make Greek gods jealous. Varying in looks from baggy and oversized to fitted and seductive clothing, girl groups of the 1990s also had something to say about life and love. SWV told us that the love of the right man can make you “Weak” in the knees, and that sometimes women are willing to do whatever it takes to find out if “[He’s] The One”. Xscape helped us find someone “to run to when [we] need love”, and also gave us permission to keep a “Little Secret” but only if he’s worth it. 90s r&b music was so emotionally charged ranging from happy in love to brokenhearted to just getting down to the nitty gritty.

While groups reigned supreme, no one knew how to get down better than Mr. Bump and Grind himself, R. Kelly. The Chicago native ruled the 90s with his seductive slow jams to get you in the mood. With his sexually suggestive lyrics, and powerful tenor/baritone voice, R. Kelly knew how to reach his audience. The ladies loved him with his tall, solid stature and bald head, and the fellas either wanted to be him or beat him for upping the ante of sex appeal and female appreciation. He was just one of many that made women go crazy for their looks and voices, some of his musical peers include: Eric Benet, D’Angelo, Ginuwine, and Maxwell.

The 90s also brought about quite a few female heavy-hitters such Mary J. Blige (who would come to be crowned the Queen of Hip Hop and R&B), Faith Evans, Janet Jackson, Erykah Badu, and Lauryn Hill. Given such the diversified artistry of these women, they were at the top of the r&b charts through their own respectful channels, occasionally joining forces to blow our minds.

Mary J. Blige hit the scene in a major way in 1992 with her debut album “What’s the 411?” This album featured her first single “Real Love” (Bowser). The soulful raspy-ness, pain, and “street” influence of her voice made her relatable to the everyday woman. She spoke about love in a real, raw, and uncut way, all of its ups and downs, goods and bads. In the interim of her developing success she began dating lead singer of Jodeci “K-Ci”. Their love was one of epic proportions, but “crashed and burned” after many years of tumultuous events. There is no doubt that the love was real, K-Ci said so himself- ‘“I was in love with Mary. She never did anything wrong to me. She always gave me my props.”’ But they were self-destructive together and toxic for one another as both struggled with substance abuse. Though it made for good music, both were on a downward spiral until the hit rock bottom, but the love they shared will always be unmatched. —Nikkia Grant

Works Cited

Bowser, Edward. The Kings and Queens of R&B :1990-1999. 18 May 2015. Web. 13 December 2015. <http://www.soulinstereo.com/2015/05/the-kings-and-queens-of-rb-1990-1999.html>.

Hailey, KCi. K-CI OPENS UP ABOUT TUMULTUOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH MARY J. BLIGE: “I’M NOT GON’ LIE, I DID SOME THINGS” The Breakfast Club. Ed. Jazmine Denise Rogers. 2 April 2015. Web. 13 December 2015. <http://madamenoire.com/523153/k-ci-opens-up-about-tumultuous-relationship-with-mary-j-blige-im-not-gon-lie-i-did-some-things/>.

The History of R&B. n.d. Web. 13 December 2015. <http://slambeck.home.xs4all.nl/His/slshis4.htm#_Toc478089277>.

Nelson Mandela Comes to Harlem

Nelson Mandela was an anti-apartheid civil rights leader that was born on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo, Transkei, South Africa. As a young man he became very involved in the anti-apartheid movement according in South Africa. This movement was very much synonymous to that of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s in America. Mandela fought for equal rights and privileges of black South Africans that had been taken at the hand of the predominantly white government.

Mandela was imprisoned in 1963 and remained there until his release in 1990. He then went on to lead South Africa until 1994. On June 21, 1990 Nelson Mandela traveled to Harlem in New York City to deliver a message. His presence ignited hope in a community that was seemingly deteriorating and desperately needed a savior. People gathered in anticipation of what the world leader had to say. The New York Times quoted a mother named Mrs. Valladares as saying, ‘“Nelson Mandela will actually be in Harlem… He reminds me of Martin Luther King… He fought for his people. And he’s not going to give up now. He’s a survivor, just like I am.”’ New York natives waited for hours just for a glimpse of Mr. Mandela. This significant moment is definitely one that stands for me because this happened to be the day that I was born in Harlem, NY. It ties me to history. Mr. Mandela was one to be admired and revered for his efforts in the anti-apartheid movement, and his presence in my hometown as I made my way into the world always keeps me tied to this historical moment. —Nikkia Grant

Works Cited

McCray, Melvin. “Nelson Mandela Visits Riverside Church Harlem, New York.” Vimeo. 21 June 1990. Web. 1 December 2015. <https://vimeo.com/82911147>

Nelson Mandela Foundation. “Biography of Nelson Mandela.” Nelson Mandela Foundation. 2015. Web. 1 December 2015. < https://www.nelsonmandela.org/content/page/biography>

Terry, Don. “The Mandela Visit; In Harlem, a Name to Add to Martin and Malcolm.”The New York Times. 22 June 1990. Web. 30 November 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/22/nyregion/the-mandela-visit-in-harlem-a-name-to-add-to-martin-and-malcolm.html?_r=0>

Female Rap Royalty of the 90s

With the increased popularity of hip hop culture in the 1980s, it was only right that women took their rightful places at this musical table. Many female emcees, or rappers as they would come to be known, saw the 1990s as their opportunity at stardom. They felt that their messages were just as important as those of their male counterparts. From the legendary MC Lyte who rocked the late 80s into the early 90s to Ms. Lauryn Hill whose sultry voice bridged hip hop and r and b, female emcees of the 1990s were a force to be reckoned with. They enlightened the world about important issues such as the respect of women, female equality, sexism, and social injustices in the “hood”, while simultaneously displaying sensuality and sex appeal.

The dawn of the 90s broke with artists like Queen Latifah, YoYo, and Lady of Rage. They spoke out about how women should be treated, and the respect that they deserve as part of society and the rapidly growing hip hop genre. Latifah’s hit record “U.N.I.T.Y.” addressed sexism with lyrics like, ” I had my cutoff shorts on right cause it was crazy hot/ I walked past these dudes when they passed me/ One of ’em felt my booty, he was nasty/ I turned around red, somebody was catching the wrath/ Then the little one said (Yeah me b****) and laughed/ Since he was with his boys he tried to break fly/ Huh, I punched him dead in his eye and said “Who you calling a b****?”‘ (Genius). Lady of Rage let the world know that she ran things and wasn’t a punk or scared rather “[she] rock[s] rough and stuff with [her] Afro Puffs/ (Rage)/ Rock on, wit’ cha bad self.”

Although many of the first female emcees hailed from the northeast of the United States, in 1994 a young woman who would come to be known as Da Brat released her debut album that sold over a million copies making her the first female hip hop artist to go platinum (March). The mid-90s ushered in a much more liberated, coarse, raw era. The likes of Foxy Brown and Lil Kim opened the doorway for female hip hop artists to be as sexually and verbally explicit as their male counterparts. They addressed “street life” from the female perspective. From the hood beat of Kim’s chart toppers to the island vibe of Foxy’s club bangers, these female emcees publicly gave women permission to live life adulterated and unapologetically uncut as they spit lyrics only previously heard by men and dressed in a manner which left little to the imagination.

da brat

lil kim foxy brown

As the new millennium approached, many more artists began to rise to power. Eve: First Lady of Ruff Ryders, Missy Elliott, and Lauryn Hill diverged in different directions as they diversified the hip hop genre. The rough around the edges, Philadelphia native, and only female member of the Ruff Ryders crew immediately came in marking her musical territory. Missy Elliott hailing from Portsmouth, VA arrived on the scene with her futuristic concepts and vivid musical metaphors. Finally, none other than Ms. Lauryn Hill only female member of the group The Fugees (Refugees) that spoke to social consciousness. Her warm, embracing voice and old school hip hop vibe allowed her to bridge the gap between genres and generations. Her debut solo album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” earned her five Grammy awards at the 1999 awards show. Female emcees definitely made their mark on hip hop history and paved the way for artists on the future. –Nikkia Grant

Works Cited

Genius Media Group Inc. Genius. 2012. Web. 28 November 2015. <http://genius.com/Queen-latifah-unity-lyrics>.

March, Chase. The History of Women in Hip Hop. 6 April 2013. Web. 20 November 2015. <http://chasemarch.com/2013/04/the-history-of-women-in-hip-hop.html>.