40. 19. 46. He continued with, “It accompanies us in our daily lives, and it has rung out at turning points in our history and demonstrated how our achievements as a culture go hand-in-hand with our progress as a Nation. ", 49. DuBois. 4. 7. 48. We hold major institutions accountable and expose wrongdoing. He binged and purged with the help of laxatives; he was often pictured with his laxative of choice, Swiss Kriss, and recommended it to his friends with the catchphrase "Satch says: Leave it all behind ya!". was a shout-out to her former job as a directory assistance operator. 6. James Brown's dance moves don't mean what you think they mean. Reporting on what you care about. Stevie Wonder led the campaign to have Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday designated as a national holiday. Whitney Houston nearly became a member of the Huxtable clan. 14. 43. 26. 45. 38. 36. Using a modified board with elevated squares, Ray Charles frequently played chess with friends and band members. 11. On June 7, 1979, President Jimmy Carter signed the first proclamation deeming June as Black History Month. At the height of its popularity, Chubby Checker's "The Twist" was explicitly forbidden in New York City Catholic schools because of the song's "un-Christian" nature. 30. Contrary to popular belief, Jay Z's stage name does not come from the J and Z lines that run by his childhood home in Brooklyn's Marcy Projects. All persons inside were evacuated, but King ran back into the burning building to rescue his $30 Gibson guitar. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Ol' Dirty Bastard once saved a 4-year-old girl who was trapped under a car that hit her; Dirty and his friends lifted the car off the girl, who was then rushed to the hospital for her injuries. February is recognized as Black History Month in the United States. Two men had a physical altercation over a woman named Lucille; during the scuffle, they knocked over a barrel of kerosene that heated the venue and subsequently set the venue on fire. Fact #114: In 1926, Carter Godwin Woodson established Negro History Week, which later became Black History Month. Missy Elliott accidentally filmed "Work It" while drunk; director Dave Meyers forgot to replace the wine glass in the restaurant scene with water. Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton recorded "Hound Dog" and "Ball 'n Chain" long before Elvis or Janis Joplin did. Despite his lyrics to "In Da Club" and "P.I.M.P.," 50 Cent abstains from alcohol and drugs, citing a "bad experience" with alcohol and an outsider's view of what drugs can do to a person. 10. June marks the month-long celebration of African-American Music Appreciation Month, which focuses on the musical contributions of African-Americans. Since the country’s bicentennial in 1976, ... Music – Black Voices Lead The Way. 24. Lil Wayne's debut album The Block Is Hot, released when the rapper was only 17 years old, is nearly profanity-free because of his mother's wishes. 1. The month was initially started in 1979 as Black Music Month, and has since put its focus on primarily on artist that hail from the United States. The Ten Most Interesting Little Known Black History Facts, Trump Supporter Who Killed Black Lives Matter Protester Dies By Suicide, Andrew Gillum And Wife Open Up To Tamron Hall About Hotel Incident, Marriage And More, Who Is Jessica Betts? Gloria Gaynor won the first and only Grammy for Best Disco Recording with "I Will Survive"; the recording academy discontinued the category after disco fell out of public favor. Janet Jackson initially balked at the idea of collaborating with brother Michael, citing a desire for her own fame separate from the Jackson name, but eventually caved in. She auditioned for the role of Sondra Huxtable, the eldest daughter on The Cosby Show, but lost the role to Sabrina LeBeauf. 33. 12. 2. 21. Getting fired from Office Depot inspired Janelle Monae to write "Letting Go," the song that would reach the ears of OutKast's Big Boi and launch her career. All Rights Reserved. In The Last Days of Left Eye, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes of TLC voiced her objection to the glorification of revenge-cheating in the group's hit single "Creep." Turner, who had Keys' old number (albeit a different area code.). Kanye West was ~internationally famous~ before The College Dropout hit store shelves. After the shot had been filmed seven times, Missy was thoroughly inebriated. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. 50. Something for everyone interested in hair, makeup, style, and body positivity. Latinx Heritage Month; ... 2020. 29. Nat King Cole was the first black American to have his own television show. Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in U.S. history. The event grew out of Negro History Week, the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. During African-American Music Appreciation Month, we honor the artists who, through this music, bring us together, show us a true reflection of ourselves, and inspire us to reach for the harmony that lies beyond our toughest struggles.”, Like BlackAmericaWeb.com on Facebook. 5. 17. Black History Month honors the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history. Before her rap career blew up, Nicki Minaj pursued acting and was cast in the off-Broadway play In Case You Forget. Nas almost had Jesus in a headlock on the cover for his 1994 album Illmatic. Obsessed with travel? Discover unique things to do, places to eat, and sights to see in the best destinations around the world with Bring Me! 27. Copyright © 2020 Interactive One, LLC. The month was initially started in 1979 as Black Music Month, and has since put its focus on primarily on artist that hail from the United States. Badu intended her nudity to be a statement of liberation against groupthink. Biggie Smalls learned that another rapper had trademarked the name "Biggy Smalls" years earlier, so he changed his moniker to The Notorious B.I.G. Jimi Hendrix often switched up the frequently misheard lyrics to "Purple Haze" in his live performances; he swapped out "kiss the sky" for "fuck the sky" during a Seattle rainstorm, and for "kiss this guy" during another performance as he pointed to drummer Mitch Mitchell. Remember that video of a fresh-faced Nicki Minaj acting out a monologue? 13. 39. 44. 41. Mariah Carey's high school nickname was "Mirage," thanks to her many absences. 31. Self care and ideas to help you live a healthier, happier life. The guitar thus became known as Lucille, as a reminder to King never to run into burning buildings or fight over women. Snoop Dogg reportedly sold weed to Cameron Diaz back when the two attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School. “A vital part of our Nation’s proud heritage, African-American music exemplifies the creative spirit at the heart of American identity and is among the most innovative and powerful art the world has ever known,” President Obama wrote. 16. Mary J. Blige's debut album title What's the 411? Producer Hurby Azor came up with the synth line: Salt-N-Pepa's Cheryl James and Sandra Denton found it "corny" and added the now iconic "Ooh, baby, baby" to mock it. 3. At the height of McCarthyism in the '50s, Lena Horne was blacklisted as a Communist over her participation in the Civil Rights Movement and her friendships with fellow activists Paul Robeson and W.E.B. On June 7, 1979, President Jimmy Carter signed the first proclamation deeming June as Black History Month. Billie Holiday was inspired to write "God Bless the Child" after she and her mother had an argument over money. 34. B.B. Beyoncé, who is now recognized as a style icon for her red carpet looks, was a staunch tomboy who refused to wear dresses as a child. 47. Dizzy Gillespie's signature cheek pouches, caused by his blowing techniques, are now considered a medical condition. UPenn graduate John Legend turned down admission offers from Harvard and Georgetown at the tender age of 16. The phone number in Alicia Keys' "Diary" was her old phone number, which led to a number of headaches for Georgia resident J.D. In spite of his fame and wealth, Ludacris drove his '93 Acura Legend for over a decade, racking up over 244,000 miles on the vehicle. Chuck Berry supplemented his musician's income by working as a trained beautician. 50 Surprising Facts In Black Music History. 42. and "Try Again," Aaliyah initially didn't like them, but recorded the songs. Search, watch, and cook every single Tasty recipe and video ever - all in one place! Jay Z had been known as Jazzy, but he adopted his current moniker after Jazzy became too "glittery. He lived in China for a year as a child — his mother Donda was a visiting professor. 35. 9. 25. Thank you for subscribing! Jazz legends Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, and Illinois Jacquet were all arrested for gambling in a racially motivated sting set up by the vice squad of Houston's police department. Prince reportedly sent Weird Al Yankovic a telegram back in 1986, commanding the comedian to avoid eye contact with him during the entirety of the American Music Awards show. Though little was known about eating disorders in his heyday, Louis Armstrong showed signs of bulimia. Other countries around the world, including Canada … 15. King named every guitar he owned Lucille after an incident at one of his performances. Meet Actress Niecy Nash’s New Wife, Pastor John Gray Apologizes For Alleged Affair, Says He’s Seeking Guidance, Missing HBCU Student Adam Dowdell Found Dead In Alabama, Tamar Braxton’s Boyfriend Reportedly Files Restraining Order Over Domestic Violence, She Says He Was The Aggressor. Miles Davis performed with his back to the audience; it made it easier for him to give his band signals. The Nat King Cole Show ran without national sponsors on a network-supported basis, and was eventually done in by a lack of financial support. Smokey Robinson got his stage name from his childhood nickname Smokey Joe, a "cowboy" nickname bestowed upon him by his uncle. Frank Ocean credited his Bernese mountain dog Everest as the executive producer of his critically acclaimed album Channel Orange. 32. Posted on Feb 25, 2015. Aretha Franklin's fear of flying kept her from attending her Rock And Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.