Titans of Their Time

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Like so many other major events surrounding someone’s familiar name, they were on my mind beforehand. Such as with now, Quincy Jones had been on my mind frequently between talking points in regard to Music Producers with real merit (I was comparing him and Barry White not long ago- knowing who had the bigger body of work but they were both brilliant), and I asked myself a couple weeks ago if he was still here with us in regard to the passing of Aretha Franklin and much of his music peers, alongside other Black legends that have died in recent times.

At the time, not only was I writing an eerie list of celebrity deaths and the pattern of

the months that they tend to pass away, but as it was also Black History Month (last month in UK) I was considering mentioning him in a new poem of mine. The point is that his

name came up alot, and coincidentally I was wondering to myself why he popped

into my mind while I have been stressing away on my complicated yet wonderful

Wizard of Oz food project that I have embarked upon, and of course today I realise

that it was because of his work on The Wiz! Having come to this recollected

realisation of the few things that he and I have in common (including our passion for

entertainment and media production), it has further encouraged me to get past the

sweat and vexation, and just focus on the my art as opposed to my labour.

Only around 12pm GMT today did I find out that he died lastnight. As sad as it was

and is to hear, considering his age of 91 and him being in my thoughts of late, I

wasn’t surprised. Yet another magnificent legend who has touched many of our lives

(entertainment-wise), has gained their wings to leave us, spiritually speaking. The

past two months have been on some madness in this regard, as mentioned in my

unfinished poem.

Seeing all the footage of Quincy (I’m not just going to refer to him in the formal

manner of “Jones” as that’s far too common of a name which takes away from his

individualism in my opinion) of his incredible career and long life, leaves me stunned

at the resemblance he has to legendary Footballer Cyril Regis. My mother has

always pointed this out which I never really noticed until I watched the Quincy

documentary on Netflix a couple of years ago.

Only from writing this extended piece that was meant to just be a minimal amount of

time given to post a tribute on my IG a few hours prior, and having looked up

pictures of them in order to prove my point, I can’t help but think of how that green-eyed

Actor from CSI (Vegas), also resembles Quincy. Specifically when they smile,

due to their dimples, complexions and coy expressions. Both he and Cyril could

easily pass for his sons or have portrayed a younger him in a biopic. Larenz Tate

had no business trying to pass for Quincy Jones in the film Ray! I don’t care how

likeable he is, only his size made that almost comprehensible.

In regard to the documentary, it was also a pleasure to have seen him get to tell his

story, in his words, from his perspective, while he was still alive, as opposed to

having to witness a questionable unauthorised biopic or documentary narrated

through speculation, which tends to happen after one is deceased. I also love that

Quincy got his well-deserved star on the Walk of Fame when they were still given out

to "real stars," who paid their dues with artistic impact and longevity. Considering all

the arguable late inductees such as the honourable Cher this year, I am more so glad that he got

inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame a little earlier.

There was a beautiful picture that I came across today of him posing alongside Dr

Dre, Snoop Dogg and a former MBA Player whose name I keep forgetting, when he

did his hand printing ceremony into the concrete of the famed Chinese Theatre. An

unexpected group, who I am unsure if they were there all to support him or if they

were also getting their handprints cemented? The picture was joyful, unanimously

harmonious and a great freeze frame in time (all the laughs, pride and big smiles).

Additionally, I found another picture of Eddie Murphy, Ice Cube, John Singleton and

Quincy Jones that was taken about three decades ago. Looking at it was bittersweet

and made me sigh, as not only has Singleton died (one of my favourite Director’s as

I am sure I have mentioned on here and elsewhere), but Gregory Hines was in the

background watching them, looking like he felt left-out of their picture or the fun

altogether so it seemed. Both passed away some years ago and were both much younger than

Quincy but now he’s joined them. I would have sworn that they were at Cannes Film

Festival or other, where Singleton was promoting Boyz N the Hood. Again, a great

freeze frame of a beautiful moment in time, featuring legends no less. So heartbreaking

yet heart-warming at the same time.

I have mentioned Cyril on my blog before, at the time of his death. Someone I can

comfortably refer to by first name since I knew him personally as he was a

family friend. Being a child when I met him, I had no idea that he was a celebrity nor

athlete as I could care less for football but as I got older, more exposed to the world,

my local history and local pride of successful individuals that came from my borough

(London Borough of Brent), as well as the many documentaries about Black British

Footballers, I came to learn and appreciate his greatness and fame. Before, I just

always thought of him as a nice man that was kind to me, not many adults

acknowledged or were particular nice towards children when I was growing up,

therefore I valued that about him.

Additionally, despite being good-looking and successful, he was far too humble to

take seriously as a “celebrity,” even after confronting the fact. The impact of Cyril’s

death in the football industry thus across England, did take me by surprise and bring

me to tears even though I didn’t spend a significant amount of time with him. Thus all

the footage behind the news of Quincy’s death today, is bringing back those sentiments.

I have been locked into all the breaking news stories for the past few hours while

multi-tasking and I just love that much of the video clips on YouTube by the likes of

ABC, Good Morning America, The Hollywood Reporter, ITV News and so on, often

begin by referring to him as “A Titan of Music…” Indeed he was.

Out of all the video news reports that I have watched, only Carson Daly (former TRL

Host) and Joe Levy (Contributing Editor for Rolling Stone magazine), mentioned the

important fact that Quincy Jones headed the ever impactful VIBE magazine (a staple

in Hip Hop)! No one else felt the need to mention this important fact to enlighten the

public. Even I could not believe my eyes when I was reading VIBE magazine about

15yrs ago, and saw his name as either the Founder or Editor-in-Chief, it

nearly knocked me out because that was so "unfounded” and “off brand,” but I was

impressed nonetheless. It showed his business acumen, as well as what I saw to be

some sort of appreciation for the genre/culture, outside of the instant financial

opportunity.

I relished at this eventual acknowledgement because it was a big deal, him getting

into publishing and supporting Hip Hop. Yes he was a big wig in Pop (popular music

of the 80’s and prior), Jazz (including his solo albums), and did ground-breaking film

score’s for the likes of Italian Job, the iconic TV series Roots, The Wiz of course,

my favourite being Austin Powers (the theme song that he produced beforehand as

part of a previous compilation, that later got featured in the film’s opening credits).

However, he expanded his repertoire and I think it gets undermined in mainstream

news because of the “non-VIBE mag demographic” news outlets, are likely to be

much more familiar and captivated by his blockbuster work on Michael Jackson

albums, various film work and Grammy Awards (and for the life of me I don’t

understand how Kanye West can possibly have around the same amount, as if their

careers were on par). Therefore, only people directly from the world of music such as

Daley and Levy, are likely to know or show interest and take it seriously enough to

mention in their commentary. It’s all politically annoying.

This almost upsets me as much as the two interviews I watched and read this past

year; one being an online article about Salma Hayek’s career and one video

recorded interview of Vivica A. Fox celebrating her career having turned 60 this year.

On both so called researched pieces by huge media outlets, the Writer’s and

Interviewer’s conveniently left out or disconcertingly reduced their accomplishments

as Film Producers and Founders of their own production companies!! What on earth

are these Journalists thinking?! To praise and promote someone’s career in a

feature, is to not be selective about their success and multi-faceted body of work,

thus you must mention every relevant success that got them to where they are dammit.

I was left aghast to learn that Quincy not only did the music for the original The

Colour Purple but it was him and NOT my wonderful Spielberg, who bought the film

rights to the book’s adaptation in the first place!! This finding, mentioned a few times

on the news today although the focus was more on the score itself as opposed to his

corporate ownership on the project, was reminiscent of finding out that it was Debbie

Allen who first began the development of Amistad as an interested party turned

Producer of the project, who then brought the idea to Spielberg who naturally got all

the credit KMBT. I wonder if Quincy’s musical genius was involved in Oprah

Winfrey’s recent remake, or how he felt about the overall film if he did not participate

this time around….? Controversies aside of course. I have yet to see it myself to

comment further.

It interests me a great deal knowing that Quincy’s love of where he began his artistic

expression (with Swing and Jazz) would always be his first love however, in his

unique way he loves Hip Hop without being an overt Hip Hop/Rap fan for obvious

reasons considering his generation. On the same hand, it took him seeing the

potential of a young Rap star in the making (Will Smith) and taking his youthful

energy, charisma and commercial music appeal of reaching a wide audience, along

with the storyline influenced by Benny Medina, to create The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

under his entertainment company. It was only years after re-watching the show in the

early 2000’s, as an unbeknownst soon to be Media student that I realised from the

closing credits of where they would show the logos of the production and distribution

companies involved, that it read Quincy Jones Entertainment proving that he was

indeed producing for film and TV.

Although it was commonplace (and extremely exciting back then) for sitcoms to

feature the odd celebrity cameo most of which were Musicians, I personally think that

it was Quincy’s clout and connections in the music world that made it more inevitable

for all the cameos in Fresh Prince e.g. Boys II Men, Tom Jones, Al B. Sure, Heavy

D, Bill Bev DeVoe, Tevin Campbell etc. I grew up in SUCH A GREAT ERA (blissful

smile emoji).

From all the tributes that I am hearing today, as well as all the positive mentions I

have heard his industry peers (young and old) speak of in his regard over the years,

I really loved that Quincy seemed to always show younger Musicians love and

encouragement, regardless of their creative and cultural differences which is rare

between generations. Many of them have said how he always stopped to make time

for them, show love, respect or mentorship.

I also like how many people, including Whoopie Goldberg, stated that he was just

“always there.” As in there for her to talk to and would not rush away at a moment in

passing as he was a conversationalist, and cared to interact properly. I know these

claims to be true because even an acquaintance that I met in Johannesburg, told me

a funny story about the celebrities that he met on first class flights as an international

businessman (he volunteered this information as I didn’t ask), and how much Quincy

Jones stood out to him because he had so much to say despite that my friend didn’t

understand his accent much lol. Ahhh Quincy, undoubtedly was a very social and

personable man.

Another point in regard to his love for people, aspiring creatives and close association with Hip Hop, is

the way that he personally came to know my beloved Tupac Shakur. Which started

off as a beef (on Tupac’s end of course), then a confrontation, to respect and

admiration, to then almost becoming his father-in-law since one of his youngest

daughters was engaged to Tupac- the biggest Rap star ever! That’s kind of like

Michael Jackson’s jaw dropping engagement to Lisa Presley, I mean the music

royalty of it all! I'm sure that Tupac’s wedding to his daughter would have been a

huge, high security, amazing affair that would have had me crying my eyes out being

that I would have wanted to marry him myself- at the time of naïve infatuation!

Anyway, I always loved the way that Quincy spoke of Tupac, the love and respect

felt real to me.

And I also loved Quincy’s genuine love for music across genres and his personal

versatility. The man’s professional ascension is absolutely astonishing. Like any

other successful Black person from his era he broke barriers, but unlike anyone I've

ever seen he crossed and broke unforeseen barriers and bridges. Much like some of

the other people that I have written about including David Bowie, Aretha Franklin and

so on, he really is the epitome of an icon without that word being used loosely.

The few new things that I have surprisingly learned today from all the reports and

tributes, about this unique, sweet soul and creative genius, just makes me adore him

more and makes my heart break further for the loss. I can’t imagine how his loved

ones must feel, my condolences.

Quincy Jones has done his time here, he seemingly lived his life to the fullest, given

all he could give artistically and this is even after his aneurysms my word! Quincy

became a family man, as well as an exceedingly accomplished Musician and

Businessman, and all with very little scandal. I don't see how he could have given

anymore as he was of a very old age with health problems, and only from seeing his

cover of Ebony magazine from the 70’s that they posted on IG today, that I knew of

his brain surgeries. In only the way that he would, he still managed to persevere

against the odds, remain fully coherent, humble, charming and continue to achieve

his many goals. WOW….truly amazing.

I mean this respectfully when I say, now he could do what his children in particular

have been begging him to do as seen in the documentary, which is to rest. No longer

trying to fight against time, age or obstacles. Just "sekkle," as us West Indians say.

Rest in Power Quincy- and Cyril for that matter since you’re on my mind too.

Love Lauren

Hip Hop Mourns DMX

I'm still mourning from the death of Rap legend DMX, as I'm sure most of his fans are since the news broke yesterday afternoon. Although I knew I would feel this way, I didn't shed a tear until I began to see everyone's tributes; all the fans and fellow Musicians alike. The touching ones were of fans saying how certain songs (e.g. Slippin') and of course his well known powerful prayers, saved them or helped them get through some of their darkest times due to the relatable content of personal struggles. I loved reading the social media posts from fans regarding their experiences of meeting him in passing, random moments of his generosity such as a man saying that he paid for their shopping at a store and a woman saying that X helped her carry her things from a laundromat (launderette) to her car. The lady expressed that he nor she stated the obvious by acknowledging who he was out aloud, he didn't want to be noticed as a celebrity but just helpful as a man. 

What really had me balling (pronounced "barlin'" for us West Indians) was seeing Roxanne Shante on YouTube, express her bittersweet connection to X. That was just too much and far too real in the saddest sense of the word. I know that it is typical for everyone to act like they were such good friends or caring of the deceased when it is breaking news or the topic of discussion however, in this case DMX was truly adored and admired as an Artist among his peers and certainly as a troubled man who continued to fight his demons openly, and support others along the way through his humility and faith. Of which was regularly referenced by the likes of Fat Joe, Snoop Dogg, Swiss Beatz, T.I, Busta Rhymes and quite notably to me The Game in regard to his sentimental Instagram post. Everyone was crying out their sadness in direct regard to personal feelings and not popular feelings for the sake of public appearances, it was beautiful. The video footage of his Verzuz with Snoop, as well as the recorded times that he bumped into Busta were particularly beautiful. The brotherhood and love was evident and fun to watch.

As a die-hard Hip Hop fan growing up with all of their music it meant the world to me to see them interacting like friends (past and present) and not competitors, enemies or simply dry industry associates. As seen on their social media accounts, all said Rappers show each other so much love and respect, holding each other in high regard both artistically and personally, while referring to each other (him in this case) as "King" AND MEAN IT. We all want to see our favourite Artists collaborate, have fun together, support each other and rate each other in public as well as private, it's like we're at the party with them enjoying the positive vibes! Seeing all that from my many hours on Instagram last night (first time in ages) really pleased me and soothed my soul with sweet nostalgia.

As stated on Facebook via my professional page regarding how I felt about X's hospitalised vegetative state at the time, that post was very time-dependent. Like what alot of other people felt, I just knew that he was going to die in a matter of days and I did not want to jump on the bandwagon of posting about him on the day that it would've been annouced. Firstly I didn't want it to appear "follow-fashion" and secondly I didn't know if I'd be emotionally capable of doing so being a big fan. Yet here I am posting about my fandom and grief like I intended not to do.

I said, naturally DMX has been on my mind since the news broke out over Easter wkend. I've always been a real fan (albums on CD, his films on VHS & DVD). I know he's long struggled with drugs like most entertainers but it really saddened me last year while watching Ruff Ryder Chronicles on BET, to see all of his pain on display. DMX has always been upfront, transparent and emotional between his performances and interviews however, that docuseries was the most open I have seen him be regarding his troubled childhood at the hands of his mother. Many people are haunted by their past and hold resentment from certain events and mistreatment in their lives which would explain some of their behaviour as an adult. Some deal with it much better than others and he clearly does not and has not dealt with it well at all which is incredibly sad. 

I truly felt all of his pain while watching that, I just wanted to give him a hug and slap his mother for being so rotten. Despite creating a loving family of his own, having a beautiful relationship with his paternal grandmother, realising his creative potential and being successful from it, coming out of poverty on his own merit and being loved by so many, all that doesn't seem to mean anything when he thinks about his mum and certain other people in his life that made him feel less than as a child, who still makes him feel less than as an adult despite coming so far. That's painful to see, not with just him but a lot of other talented, beloved entertainers who kill themselves slowly with drugs, self-hatred and irresponsible management of dealing with past trauma (Eric Clapton for example). His tears brought me tears. Especially each time that I saw him cry when he reflected on how he got introduced to crack by a deceitful adult who he looked up to! "That's when the demon was born" he said on the docuseries, in regard to his split personality of the angel and devil that emerged from then. That life-altering betrayal as well as his mother's constant rejection and abuse mashed him up for decades to come. X wore both his heart and his demons on his sleeve and it showed 😪.

Whatever resolve X wants to come out of this is what I want for him. If he wants his Lord Saviour to finally welcome him into what he believes will be heaven then I want that for him. No one wants to live in a vegetable state, crippled, dependent and unrecognisable (mentally or physically) and no one wants to live everyday depressed, angry and in emotional turmoil. If he was able to fix up, get clean and live a healthy happy life then of course I'd want that for him instead but it's unlikely as he is obviously not strong enough for that. Furthermore the worldwide circumstances (if I use the word it'll get flagged and all of this will get deleted) is not making that very possible in general anyway.... I feel for his family, his soul and especially his children during this time 😔. 

Interestingly enough, last week I spontaneously kept reciting his poem The Industry that he so eloquently and authentically performed at Def Poetry Jam many years ago. The subject matter is a discussion that I have often and I think that his poem summed it up perfectly from someone in his shoes. That was one of my favourite celebrity appearances on that show.....My dear thoughts and good wishes are with him.....

Re-reading what I wrote (the above quoted post) prior to his death hurts my throat. The past couple of weeks I have seen a numerous amount of tributes to Nipsey Hussle, along with Kobe Bryant and his daughter as it was the anniversaries of their tragic deaths. I keep reflecting on how the news hit me of Cicely Tyson's death a couple of months ago but she was of age, however Chadwick Boseman's unforeseen death from his well hidden Cancer was just unbearable and isn't escaping my brain. As well as all the other deaths of non-famous people who I know personally and know of passively, who have died at the hands of this worldwide crisis. It's all unbelievable 😪. My heart has been so heavy from all the death, fear of death and global chaos over the past thirteen months.

I found out about DMX's passing just an hour after learning that Prince Philip had just died too! For reasons obvious to some, I'm not in pain about Philip's death as he got to live a very full, privileged royal life all up till 99yrs old, while expressing alot of offensive opinions during his time as a public figure/face of the British people and benefited from alot of other people's pain (African and Caribbean country people, do your economic history) thus my feelings are not as dear. Although I am sorry for how his loved ones must be feeling, I always sympathise with anyone who loses a loved one. The UK (those who care) are mourning and Hip Hop fans everywhere mourn. Furthermore, the day before the news  broke I went to visit my grandfather's gravesite of where he was buried two weeks ago to the day, of which there were many upsetting feelings and sadness to bear. It was alot.

Yet another musical icon dies....which continues to be such a stab in the heart because like I always express in anger of this occurrence; we are just left with all the sh*t of talentless, egotistic, gimmicky, recycled or merely unoriginal, commercial and independent/social media Artists who unfortunately dominate pop culture today as well as the industry!!! Award shows and music video channels are so difficult to watch now as it's pure cringe and cussing at the TV screen as far as I am concerned.

I was happy to screenshot what Tribeca tweeted because I feel like they had the most tasteful and true to the Artist headline. Everyone else including music media outlets (MTV etc, although I have yet to read anything from Rolling Stone) just copied and pasted from each other with little thought, clearly uneducated about who DMX was as an Artist. Which, as seen in many of the comments, just offended fans. Some media outlets, specifically E! Entertainment and of course Billboard, finally began to mention his historic significance in music being that he was the first Rapper to have five albums in a row debut at no.1 on the Billboard charts!! THAT'S HUGE and should never be undermined! No it wasn't Drake, Nicki or Jay-Z or the other more commercial people who get more conversation and credit than they're worth (talent-wise), it was Ruff Ryder's DMX!

I hated it when most media reporting his hospitalisation only mentioned just two of his big hits (none that I rated) and three of his multi-platinum albums like any other Rapper. You have to say what makes him significant and different not what makes him the same or just successful for being so. Journalism has so fallen off KMT.

I included the pictures with Aaliyah because as I posted on one of my other Facebook pages, although I would expect his grandmother to be the first familiar face to welcome him into the afterlife (however you want to imagine it), I can imagine DMX and Aaliyah giving each other a sweet embrace with all their cuteness. Purely because of how cute they looked (in a platonic respectful way) in the music video Back in One Piece. RIP Icons! I love and respect you as unique influential Artists who positively impacted my life, my partying days (What's My Name especially), music video recording (especially Aaliyah's videos for choreography sake) and my overall CD collection (f*ck downloads). I will celebrate you by continuously playing your music, reflecting on your greatness through archive footage when I can, not just for my own entertainment but also to educate the younger generation about what the REAL DEAL really was in music!

Y'know what was nice, it was nice to see the unexpected appearance of DMX's notorious album cover of Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood feature in the Music Icons photography docuseries on Sky Arts recently, about the lives and iconic work of Music Photographers. I had already watched one or two episodes of the series and was getting frustrated that they were only featuring Rock and Pop Artists, I was deepening my tone through grinded teeth talking to the screen like "Where the f*ck are the Black Artists? Of all Industries! And why have I not seen ONE Rap album or famous magazine cover yet?!?" Then by the third or so episode I got my wish and Hip Hop Artists were featured. 

I have always remembered and dreaded the sight of this album cover as it's too damn scary for me but I never doubted its artistic value. As a creative person myself, I knew that the imagery was significant and symbolic to the songs and message of the album title therefore I was intrigued to hear of it from the main source. It was relieving to hear the Photographer explain and share his experience of presenting his idea to X, initially being worried that he wouldn't like it but was pleased that he trusted his vision and went along with it. The Photographer said that not only was DMX the ultimate professional who took direction well but till this day it is one of his favourite photoshoots that he's most proud of.

Well, the light at the end of the tunnel here is that Earl's soul can finally rest in peace as peace was clearly something that he did not have. Years ago on his reality show, I saw that spending time in Arizona relaxed his mind and it was very detoxifying for him whenever he touched down with his quad bikes, dogs and all. I myself am actively seeking peace in an idyllic rural setting, so I completely understand how the contrast of Arizona suited the needs of his wellbeing. Even more so, all of his temptations and negative distractions were in a city environment of where he would be surrounded by vultures, groupies, Yes Men and enablers. Factoring in his work and the majority of the people in his life, all of the above made it inevitable for him to keep coming back to the City, New York in particular despite the better judgement of the people who cared about his wellbeing the most suggesting otherwise. A part of me wishes that he simply retired earlier in Arizona and stayed away from all of his anchors. Not only is that unrealistic it's selfish of me and I shan't be that.

Ending on my good note; X gets to reunite with "Grandma" (listen to his song I Miss You ft Faith Evans) and anyone else that he lost, and like I posted regarding my wishes for his wishes being met, he now gets to be with his Lord Saviour after taking on the pain of so much and so many. His "mission" if you will, was carried out. Therefore these are happy tears......I am happy for him. Rest peacefully my fellow Sagittarian, fellow Poet and one of my favourite Rappers (happy tears emoji).

Long Lives the Queen of Soul, Gospel and Swag

I've been up all night distracted from my much needed sleep with the infatuation of Aretha Franklin's funeral. It is really sad that celebrity deaths have become so frequent and expected now that I fear we are becoming impervious towards it per se. I just can't believe that within five years we've lost such huge icons being the likes of Whitey Houston, Bowie, Prince, Muhammad Ali and the list sadly goes on.

However now with the likes of Aretha Franklin, yes she was of age, yes she died of the ever common, ever devastating widespread disease of cancer, so with that said we saw this coming but nevertheless it is still a great heart dropping loss to those who grew up on her music and to the music industry on a whole. I can't stand to be left with less and less, meaningful music legends as we won't have much after left them truth be told. That statement is me reiterating the lack of quality as opposed to the obvious lack of quantity.

From all the footage that I have seen and read about Aretha these past couple weeks, most of which I already knew, it is great to be acknowledged of how powerful she really was up till her dying day and not just in her 'heyday'. Did you know that she owned most of her publishing!? That's practically unheard of especially for an Artist of her time. Her business of her entire estate was on point which I suppose explains why she persevered so well throughout the decades. As debatable as it may be, I only know of Cher and Barbara Streisand to have ongoing profitable and high in demand careers that have surpassed each decade from as far back as the 60's. That's amazing.

Her estate is estimated to be worth near a billion dollars- and I should hope so if Jessica Simpson's and Kylie Jenner's brands are of that amount (according to Forbes) within such a short space of time and to a smaller audience. Most people would only think of Michael Jackson and The Beatles when it comes to that kind of money for a Musicians catalogue of work, understandably.

I never knew she could play the piano up till now either. I have found that many other Singers have that hidden talent but show it less such as Toni Braxton and Mary J Blige, George Michael could play the piano too.

The songs I will always remember Aretha for is R.E.S.P.E.C.T, Natural Woman of course and A Rose Is Still A Rose which I think is written by Lauryn Hill well she featured on the track anyway. The message behind the song and music video (when music videos had more integrity) stood out to me so much when I was coming of age, and no doubt contributed to my attitude towards males at the time and assisted with abstinence quite well. It is a story and rule that all women have been told but that video is one I paid great attention to. That was her targetting a younger audience quite adequately at the time I might add.

Only now did I realise that R.E.S.P.E.C.T was more of a Black pride anthem than a feminist anthem. I always saw how the message crosses over because many people (mostly Black women I recall) used that specific chorus as a reference in regard to both race and gender relations but overall, as a child listening to it I just saw it as a female empowering song. Through all the archives coming to surface I have been so elated to see her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, it reminds me of Nina Simone and other courageous and righteous Black celebrities who overlooked their 'Hollywood' likability to fight for equality.

I love all the pictures of her with her afro and African inspired clothing, very much of the time and statement making. For her in particular I mean, as I know that this particular look is also increasingly popular today, contemporary in many ways in many locations and African fashion can be found anywhere any day without it having to be a political statement.

All the love and out-pour between eulogies and memories have me weeping. Smokey Robinson's eulogy touched me the most because his was so personal. Aretha meant so much to so many and was in a complete league of her own. I don't know anyone else who so effortlessly crossed between Gospel, Soul, R'n'B, Pop, Jazz and Opera! I hated that it took forever for people (news outlets) to mention when she stepped in for Pavarotti as that performance was huge!!

Many Artists have broken through Gospel to do the Blues then consequently Soul as that was the 'movement' or should I say 'reoccurring struggle' at the time e.g. Ray Charles and Al Green, but to do it, do well and go beyond while being believable is a whole 'nother ball game and she achieved that. Aretha succeeded in crossing over while sticking to her roots and continuously bringing it back to Gospel. I love that Aretha made the album Amazing Grace in 1972 and that it did not break or deter her career but in fact became the biggest selling Gospel album to date at the time of its release!!! C'mon!

Typical of my generation I didn't realise just how sampled her music was. I knew she re-recorded fellow Artists records herself but I did not quite realise how much of her music has also been used particularly in modern day R'n'B and Hip Hop, no doubt some Pop songs too. En Vogue's Something He Can feel stands out to me the most as my mother is a huge En Vogue fan, thus making me a fan and I remember singing that song aloud at their concert as a child which I had no business singing at that age but I knew the lyrics word for word and loved their voices and glamour.

Aretha Franklin's career, ongoing work ethic and swag leaves me in awe. There's a great video clip, kind of like a meme that I saw on Twitter the day the news broke of her death, where she walks onto a stage with a fur coat on making her presence felt with each strutted step and she shrugs her luxurious (sorry PETA) fur off her shoulders and onto the floor as she grabs the microphone- like a BOSS. That clip was so swaggerlicious it's not funny.

Rest In Power Queen of Soul.