Young artists have went retro. They are mixing their voice with the culture, dress, and sounds from the 1920's - 80's. With the recent passing of our brother, Michael Jackson, we are really going to see a resurgence of the past.
As a lover of art and not frequent enough attender to live performance venues (and here in Philly, the live events are off-the-charts), I've been blessed to watch this retro phenomenon unfold.
A three piece female trio who incorporate the sound and moves of the Supremes, "Boy Wonder" barely 21 kills the guitar with blues and soul so good he gets the 'old heads' on the floor, "Government Cheese", an old school hip hop rock band whose name reminds us of the days of creativity...and to top this off, more and more younger people (age 28-35) are at the oldies parties! Go figure.
Hezekiah w-Jafar Baron & DJ Statik
But, this didn't just happen. It's been a few years in the making. Old becomes new. Well, new to the younger generation. Maybe its the grace, sophistication, and commitment of previous eras may be the attraction.
Pictured: Janelle Monáe, a Chief Founder of The Wondaland Arts Society, an independent record label and mystery school that designs capes for superheroes and art for aliens, which has a current deal with Bad Boy Records. Ms. Monáe states, "With regards to the way that I dress, to the things that come out of my mouth, I'm really trying to give a different perspective." Considering for a moment, she adds, "and I think there are a lot of young girls out there who are like me."
In 2006, Melanie Heimberg, a staff writer for the Golden Gate Xpress, states, "In an act of rebellion, music listeners everywhere are turning their backs away from their own generation's music..." in an article entitled Retro Music Has Modern Appeal. Melanie further shares San Fransisco State humanities professor Saul Steier's statements, "This phenomenon is particularly strange because nostalgia is usually reserved for old age. No prior generations have been more consumed with the past than today's college population."
Just think about it, Outkast bringing the 20's to hip hop, Erykah Badu brought popularity back to jazz and blues for many younger artists who are reflecting this influence in their music. Jazmine Sullivan, Jill Scott, Rihanna, and on...
Philadelphia's own, HEZEKIAH, a 20 something year old producer, emcee, musician with vocals, and Cody Chestnutt**, reminding you of Marvin Gaye, brings you right back to the 60s. Their collaboration, "WHAT KINA COOL", is an epitome of today's retro.
This conscious cool 60s throwback will get you to thinking as well as help garner a new audience for young Hezekiah. While, he is definitely hip hop, his mixing of live instrumentation, use of horns, jazz undertones, and more conscious diverse content definitely garners him a significant 30-45 year old audience.
"What kina cool will we think of next to hide behind?" THE YOUNG & THE RETRO.
Check-out the "making-of-the-video"
I am currently reviewing Oscar Micheaux and what I call The Legacy Films he created and left for this and all generations to come. The Oscar Micheaux film showings held periodically in various museums, not-for-profit and educational venues are important as they inform the public of this great film maker and writer. However, I advocate that we should look at The Legacy Films and his books as the foundation from which to re-build and control a the unique segment of the film industry he pioneered.
We must understand the State of Black American Film and what it was; has become; and what it is not. All of this must be carried out within the context of what Mr. Oscar Micheaux produced in his life time and the depth of the subject matter. We all have heard the term ‘legacy software’ and how new versions are built on the ‘legacy software’ and millions of dollars spun. Black Independent Film Producers must embrace what I’m calling The Legacy Films of Oscar Micheaux and build – establish and control our place in the industry!
Many Black American film makers remember Oscar Micheaux, the greatest Black American Filmmaker to have ever set image to celluloid. Now is the time for our Black film makers and actors to revisit his great films and the books he wrote; it for us to revive remake and expand on his great body of film and literary works. I dare say Black Film makers have a duty to do so, if only for the sake of correcting OurStory and American History. America is ready to embrace the hidden reality of OurStory whether we or they know it or not! Reality check: Over 50 percent of the popular vote went to an African-American for President – that is a significant critical mass of minds thirsting for change and truth!
The subject matter of Mr. Micheaux’s films and his books offers a truly rich bounty of inspiration for new films and powerful subject matter for remakes which will provide parts for our Black actors, entertainers, and work for all our people involved in the industry at every level. There will be no need for Black actors to beg for parts or hope for ‘green lighting’ if those among us of like mind truly plan and come together to reap the Harvest of OurStory! We will be able to create our own awards and spend our money on empowering ourselves! America will walk the Red Black & Green Carpet – and love it!
We see the White American film makers and Television show producers time and time again retell the history, ad nauseam, of how the Caucasian European immigrants came to these shores and took life and built and destroyed empires. Epic films depicting the Jewish, Italian, German and Irish stories and how they fit the tapestry that was to become America and TheirStory spun and told to all – from The Birth of a Nation to The God Father – The Gangs of New York and the thousands of hours of TV shows and mini-series aired over the years!
Reality check: Oscar Micheaux’s 1920’s film titled Within Our Gates, was a direct response to, and repudiation of the above mentioned D.W. Griffith’s 1915 film, The Birth of a Nation, in which Mr. Micheaux provides the real truth repudiating Giffith’s depiction of the Ku Klux Klan as heroic figures in white sheets. There is a need for a whole lot more Reality checks!
Hollywood and America showered billions of dollars and hundreds of awards upon film makers TV show producers past and present. However, all of the accolades will be put into a new Black and White American Perspective when our Independent Black Film producers roll the cameras to bring to light the missing chapters of real American History and OurStory – as told in and inspired by the great Oscar Micheaux in The Legacy Films he left for us to build on. Do not worry about producing and creating block busters or winning ol’ Oscar! If we plan; form collectives and do the work the money and accolades will come. More importantly truth will be told and our children will know their worth and that the beauty and pride of Black America did not begin with winning the White House nor will it end their!
Reality check: The records and milestones set by athletes when Black America was intentionally prevented from competing are all of less value because of this racial exclusion – there was no true competition! The same is true for all areas of industry, the arts and sciences where Black America has been excluded and discriminated against and not allowed to grow and shine – posthumous awards do not validate past wrongs or records! I watched Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson on the British bloke’s American Idol show. Query: how is it that this British guy came to rule America and not a is not a Quincy Jones - Stevie Wonder - Berry Gordy - Michael Jackson – Motown – OurTown! When will we flip the script or better yet take control of the script as Oscar Micheaux did!
I would like to here from Black Independent Film Makers, artists, entertainers that are interested in breaking the chains and truly being independent of the Hollywood plantation.
I am currently at my international office located in the Red Sea Port city of Jeddah Saudi Arabia, gateway between Asia and Africa. I am putting together a Plan B – BlackStar Rising™ - my services are available to indies, business consultants, project developers and artist groups of like mind interested in building collective efforts for mutual benefit and the greater cause. I will undertake representation of qualified projects seeking equity funds and make presentations on their behalf to my interested international clients.
Peace, Power & Blessings
Dr. F. A. Young, Esq. Executive Director [click here]
