Thursday, April 01, 2010

Flashback Fridays: Happy Birthday, Marvin Gaye

Yesterday marked the 26th anniversary of the day that we bid a tearful farewell to one of our greatest talents. All of these years later, Marvin Gaye's untimely passing still saddens us. It still doesn't seem fair. Thankfully, he left behind a trove of timeless classics as a reminder of how much his music touched us. Today, we celebrate the life and music of Marvin Gaye, who would have celebrated his 71st birthday. We're still loving you, Marvin. Happy birthday. Read more: Commentary: Where's Our Socially Conscious Music Today?Frisky Friday: Favorite Crush Songs of All Time

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Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Flashback Fridays: 'In Living Color'

It seems like just yesterday that Homey D. Clown, Fire Marshall Bill and Wanda bumrushed their way into our living rooms on Sunday nights. Oh, and who can forget Benita Butrell, Cephus and Reesie or Men on Film's resident cinema critics, Blaine Edwards and Antoine Merriweather?  Next month marks 20 years since the ground-breaking sketch comedy show premiered and we still crack up at about the antics they pulled, on network television no less! Today, we take a look back at "In Living Color." Check out our favorite videos... Read more: Flashback Fridays: "Family Matters" 20th AnniversaryFlashback Fridays: 40 Years of Sesame Street

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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Flashback Fridays: 'Sparkle'

Three singing sisters. One aspiring songwriter. A corrupted business. Those were the main ingredients of the 1976 cult classic, "Sparkle." One day following the birthday of Irene Cara--who starred and sang, beautifully, in the title role--we press rewind to reminisce about one of our favorite films of yesteryear. Read More: Flashback Fridays: Love JonesFlashback Fridays: Hattie McDanielFlashback Fridays: the Arsenio Hall Show

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Flashback Fridays: 'Love Jones'

Almost 13 years ago to the day, we met Nina and Darius. She was a budding photographer and he was a first-time author putting the finishing touches on his novel. They fell in love, out of love, and a year later, found each other again. Of course, there was a lot of drama that went down in-between. We couldn't turn away. We wanted them to win. Today, we take a look back at one of our favorite on-screen romances...and man, what a soundtrack! Read more: Flashback Fridays: Black Love On The Small ScreenFlashback Fridays: "The Color Purple"

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Friday, March 05, 2010

Flashback Fridays: Hattie McDaniel

Long before Sidney, Lou, Denzel, Whoopi, Halle, Jamie and Jennifer won and nominations were bestowed upon Mo'Nique and Gabby, Taraji and Viola, Angela and Laurence, Ruby, Cicely, Diahann and Dorothy, among them, we had Hattie McDaniel. As we're all anticipating the 82nd Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday night, we take a look back at Ms. McDaniel who, seventy years ago, became the first Black performer to be nominated for - and win! - an Oscar. Read more: The Oscar Nominations Are In!10 Black Actors Who Should've Won An Oscar

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Thursday, February 25, 2010

Flashback Fridays: 'The Arsenio Hall Show'

"The Arsenio Hall Show" was the place to be during the early 90s. To call it just a show is an understatement. It was a celebration. It was a cultural phenomenon, one which we've yet to experience again since the late-night talkfest ended its five-year run on May 27, 1994.   Today, we take a few moments to reminisce about the time when Arsenio Hall ruled the world. Read more: Flashback Fridays: 'Soul Train'Flashback Fridays: Black Love on the Small Screen

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Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Flashback Fridays: DeBarge

Twitter and Facebook were all aflutter when El Debarge hit the stage at LA's Live Conga Room last week. His performance was broadcast on Jamie Foxx's Sirius Radio show, "The Foxxhole" and he did not disappoint. Needless to say, he had all of the ladies swooning and swaying, just as he did over two decades ago. Until this day, no other group has been able to recapture the harmonious magic that DeBarge brought us back in the 80s. Marty, Bunny, James, Randy and El sure did make some beautiful music. Today, we honor DeBarge. Read more: For more Flashback Fridays stories, click hereRobin Thicke's Favorite Love Songs

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Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Flashback Fridays: 'The Color Purple'

This week, Fantasia heads back to the stage to reprise her role as Miss Celie in the Hollywood production of "The Color Purple."  The show, which runs through February 28 at the Pantages Theater, got us to thinking about the nearly 30-year journey of Alice Walker's literary masterpiece. Read more: Flashback Fridays: Black Love On The Small ScreenFor more Flashback Fridays stories, click here.

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Thursday, February 04, 2010

Flashback Fridays: 'Soul Train'

Maybe you've caught a glimpse of the show on Youtube or while watching "Crooklyn."  Or perhaps you remember sitting in front of your television set every Saturday, to see who was wearing what and how they grooved down the Soul Train line. Either way, we doubt if many people know the real story behind one of the longest-running, syndicated shows in television history. Thankfully, VH1 will bring us all up to speed tomorrow night when they air the hour-long documentary, "Soul Train: The Hippest Trip in America," featuring the show's infamous conductor, and creator, Don Cornelius. Read more: For more Flashback stories, click here.

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Friday, January 22, 2010

Flashback Fridays: 'We Are the World'

When Quincy Jones calls, the music industry answers. Twenty-five years after Jones orchestrated the first recording of "We are the World" to benefit USA for Africa, he's calling upon his friends to help earthquake victims in Haiti. The new version of the song is scheduled to be recorded at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on February 1, the day after the Grammy Awards. Read More See how stars came together to raise money at the "Hope for Haiti" telethon. How can you help in Haiti relief efforts, click here.

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