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From Saturday morning to Saturday night Frankie Beverly and Maze had you covered

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Growing up in black America makes you accustomed to certain things, almost by default. Of course, I can not speak for all black Americans, however it looks as if a lot of us share common experiences of laughter, spice, head nodding, and a bunch of other cultural minutiae that, I do not know, make you realize that even when we do not know the main points of one another’s every day lives, we’re all on this together.

One such cultural touchpoint that connects just about all of black America was Frankie Beverly, who died on September 10 on the age of 77. Frankie Beverly & Maze, or Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, or just Maze, seems to have been an element of just about every black person I do know growing up. Frankie was definitely an element of my life; I actually don’t know after I was introduced to Frankie Beverly & Maze’s music; they were just, in a way, all the time there. I remember listening to “Joy and Pain” ad nauseam – my father loved this record. It was the identical with “Happy feeling” AND “The golden time of day.” Frankie Beverly’s music just kept playing, which is form of crazy because searching through his discography since his death, I can not even pretend to know all of the songs or album titles, although I distinctly remember album covers that featured Maze’s hand, which you either know or you don’t.

The undeniable fact that Frankie’s music was all the time playing is considered one of my primary memories from my youth. I associate Frankie Beverly & Maze with my youth, after I was a child growing up into my teens in Frankfurt, Germany. Stereotypically, music was all the time playing on Saturday mornings. I’m sure they cleaned up, how much probably depends upon whether you ask my siblings or my parents, but I remember my dad turning on the stereo and different artists playing through the speakers – artists from Kiara to Hall & Oates, to Janet Jackson, to, in fact, Frankie Beverly & Maze. Based on conversations I’ve had over time, Saturday mornings in lots of, many black homes were devoted to cleansing, but that cleansing all the time had a soundtrack. And it looks as if the soundtrack to sweeping included a number of Frankie Beverly.

The interesting thing is that Frankie Beverly followed just about all of us into maturity. There is a certain barbecue soundtrack that black people gravitate towards. While creating the final word barbecue playlist is a idiot’s errand, I can guarantee without absolute certainty that each single considered one of them incorporates no less than one Frankie Beverly & Maze song, “Before I Let Go.”

I don’t know when “Before I Let Go” became ubiquitous in black America and a staple of black cultural expression, but at this point it’s essential listening. I’m 45 years old and “Before I Let Go,” Maze’s ode to lost love, is played at almost every event I’m going to, whether it’s a club to let people comprehend it’s time to go, a white party, or a backyard barbecue. The undeniable fact that you can hear “Before I Let Go” in a nightclub that also plays songs by Future, Meg Thee Stallion, and “Insert Latest Fad Song Here” is telling. Frankie and Maze have created a song that can outlast their careers and be certain that they survive perpetually. It’s funny that when the tributes to Frankie Beverly began pouring in on social media, my first thought was that Frankie won’t ever rest because I guarantee they play that song in heaven when God needs a moment to himself; No other song evokes more emotions than “Before I Let Go,” and actually not after a bunch of line dancing.

That’s the second thing: next to Cameo’s “Candy,” “Before I Let Go” is a song that will certainly kick off a round of “Electric Slide.” Do you understand how vital your music has to be to be synonymous with a line dance that, just like the song, will outlive everyone who ever did it? I’m convinced that when the world finally explodes, the very last thing that can occur will probably be a cockroach doing the Electric Slide to “Before I Let Go.”

Music

I ponder what Frankie Beverly felt in his later years. For many artists, flowers often appear after they’ve passed away. Frankie could see his influence live. Beyoncé cover “Before I Let Go” It’s popular, but I’m undecided it’s surpassed the unique, or if it ever will — I’m undecided anyone would allow it. The respect that the black community has for that one song is unmatched. We argue about whether it’s the true black national anthem; imagine that — Frankie lived to see people have real, actual debates about whether the song he created together with his group is an important song within the black community. While a lot of us were annoyed that the NFL decided to play “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before the primary game of the previous couple of seasons, I do not think any of us had any problem with “Before I Let Go” since it’s a jam. and it’s that good.

It have to be nice to create something culturally significant—an actual cultural touchstone. The black community is really higher off due to music that Frankie Beverly & Maze is making; a number of groups can say that, but not everyone has songs which have had such generational traction over time. It’s special, and I’m grateful for each memory I even have with my family, friends, and community through the sounds of Frankie Beverly & Maze. It really transported me from my Saturday mornings to my Saturday nights in black America.

You’ve made us pleased, Frankie… before you allow us to go.


This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Marjorie Harvey’s Ex-Husband Says She and Steve Harvey ‘Deserve to Be Sucked In’ in Refreshed Clip a Year After They Pledged to ‘Tell Everything’

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Jim Townsend, the ex-husband of Marjorie Harvey, has a lot to say to his former “Lady Heroine.” People heard a lot of controversial stories concerning the former lovers’ time together when Townsend spoke out about their relationship in 2023.

Last yr, he also released his first memoir, Snakes in the Garden, a first-hand account of how he became one in every of Memphis, Tennessee’s notorious drug lords with Marjorie by his side.

“I’ll say anything. I’ll say anything, y’all,” he joked in an explosive interview with beleaguered blogger Tasha K. He and Marjorie were married in the ’90s but divorced in 2002 after Townsend was sentenced to life in prison for his illicit dealings. He was released in early 2019.

Jimmy L. Townsend, Marjorie Harvey’s ex-husband, criticizes her and her recent husband, Steve Harvey, after the publication of a book in which he reveals all of the facts. (Photo: Instagram/ @jim.l.townsend) and Steve and Marjorie Harvey (Photo: Instagram/ @marjorie_harvey)

In September of this yr, Townsend released the second book in a trilogy of books about his untold story. As interest in the book, which details how he modified his life, has grown, videos of him warning Marjorie and her husband, Steve Harvey, have gained recent views.

The Harveys have been married for 17 years, but for much of the past yr the couple have had to cope with rumours accusing the style star of cheating on the comedian with one in every of his bodyguards and his personal chef.

Steve has vehemently denied the allegations. But when Townsend was asked for his thoughts on the matter, it was obvious he didn’t care if the Harveys’ pristine image was tarnished.

“I don’t care about Steve Harvey or Marjorie and what they’re going through, you know, publicly,” Townsend said in a video shared on his YouTube page. “I’ll say it here, whatever happens, however it gets them involved, they deserve it.”

Moreover, he continued, “What she needs to be called is what she did to this family. She is — she has completely destroyed our family structure. Completely.”

Marjorie Harvey’s ex-husband Jim Townsend believes she and her husband Steve Harvey deserved to be at the middle of divorce rumors. (Pictured: Jim, Majorie, their daughter Morgan and son Jason; Photo: jim.l.townsend/Instagram.)

Townsend and his ex-wife had two children, a son named Jason and a daughter named Morgan. Marjorie would welcome a daughter named Lori Harvey along with her second husband, Donnell Woods, also a convicted drug dealer. All three were adopted by the “Family Feud” host 20 years ago.

He particularly disliked Marjorie’s “Girls Who Rule the World” mentoring program, one in every of the pillars of her and Steve’s foundation.

Townsend refused to go public along with his grievances against the comedian, calling him irrelevant and “irrelevant.”

Marjorie’s ex-husband accused her of disrespecting her grandchildren, who were then aged 2 and 8. In total, Marjorie is the “glam-ma” to seven children, thanks to her son Jason, who has 4 children, and her daughter Morgan, who has two daughters.

Steve’s daughter Karli, who has a twin sister named Brandy, is the mother of a son. Marjorie has shared a few photos and videos of herself spoiling Jason’s kids in the past, but posts with Morgan or her children are less common.

“You treat them like person non grata, while you give all this attention to my son and his children,” the two-time creator said. “My little 8-year-old Elle is crying and you just completely ignore her, and you finally broke up the relationship between the cousins. … They grew up together,” the reformed baron continued.

“What you did a few months ago was unacceptable and you should be punished for your actions. … What you did, you woke up a sleeping dog, and you know the old saying, ‘Let dogs sleep,'” Townsend, 74, added.

Finally, he sent an ominous message, saying, “I’ll deal with it in my book and everything else, and that’s it. You can say I’m vindictive or whatever.” The response to his comments read: “Majorie will regret all her evil deeds if she does not repent and turn from them.”

Marjorie has never addressed her former partner’s allegations in the past and has seemingly maintained that very same stance despite the clip’s renewed popularity.

Part two of “Snakes in the Garden” is now available and available at www.jimltownsend.com.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mMFIOGsIdA


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Outraged ‘Family Matters’ Fans Discover Jaleel White and His Co-Star Were Nominated, But Never Invited to Emmy Awards

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It’s Emmy Awards season, where dozens of actors receive awards and accolades for his or her performances on among the hottest shows on television.

Actor Jaleel White, 47, played the long-lasting character of Steve Urkel on Family Matters for nine seasons. The series was a rankings hit for ABC, however the sitcom never won a Primetime Emmy.

The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences nominated “Family Matters” for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Visual Visual Effects in 1996. The “Perfect Strangers” spin-off lost to NBC’s miniseries “Gulliver’s Travels” on the ceremony.

The forged of “Family Matters” (clockwise from left) Michelle Thomas, Jaleel White, Darius McCrary, Jo Marie Payton, Reginald VelJohnson, Kellie Shanygne Williams; Orlando Bloom, Rosetta LeNoire and Bryton James were never invited to the Emmys. (Photo: Warner Bros. Television)

White spoke concerning the Emmy shutout in a rehashed 2021 interview with Yahoo Entertainment, comparing his show’s lack of ATAS recognition to the critical success of “The Wonder Years,” starring fellow child actor Fred Savage.

“You were made to feel like you were African-American,” White said of being missed by Emmy voters. He noted that individuals like “The Wonder Years” star Fred Savage, who “was always invited to the Emmys” and “always treated like a lover of his time.”

As for himself, “I was never invited to the Emmys, not even to present,” White said. “We were basically told I would be wasting my time even if I entered for nomination.”

Additionally, the Culver City, California native continued, “I’ve always been incredibly proud of how many different people from all walks of life have come up to me and recognized ‘Family Matters.’ I’ve always been really, really proud of that because it was the complete opposite of the way our TV elite treated me.”

The Wonder Years was a five-year run, and the coming-of-age comedy won 4 Emmy Awards and 28 nominations. Fred Savage earned two nominations, for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, in 1989 and 1990.

Jaleel White’s Conversation with Yahoo Entertainment Resurfaces Stories of the Golden Age Instagram page on August 2, 2024. Social media users reacted to White’s comments regarding the Emmy Awards.

“Family Matters” star Cherie Johnson, who played Maxine “Max Johnson,” shared her experience of never being honored on the Emmy Awards. The 48-year-old actress stated, “I was nominated for Punky, but I wasn’t invited.”

According to the official Emmy Awards WebsiteCherie Johnson was not nominated for her role within the series “Punky Brewster”, which aired from September 1984 to March 1986. However, the show did bring three nominations between 1985 and 1986.

“Punky Brewster” actress Cherie Johnson says she was nominated for an Emmy but wasn’t invited to the ceremony, however the Emmy Awards website doesn’t list her as an official nominee. @goldenerastories/Instagram

Another Instagram commenter asked Johnson if she had been invited to any awards shows, to which she replied, “(The) Daytime Emmys invited me to the Punky reboot a few years ago, but I decided not to go.”

Additionally, White’s supporters expressed their appreciation for his work as Steve Urkel. One person wrote, “My man was the gas pedal the ENTIRE TIME on the show!”

Another fan wrote, “Don’t worry. You still did your thing, bro. And you know what? Fred Savage never had a doll. We had an Urkel doll.” A 3rd sponsor added, “Jaleel is the GOAT. Urkel is perfect.”

An outraged fan said: “Wow!!! That’s a bright slap in the face.”

In a May 2024 interview, Tisha Campbell, the black actress who played Gina on the classic ’90s Fox sitcom “Martin,” spoke about why she was not honored on the Emmy Awards.

According to the actress, who starred within the “House Party” film franchise, a white spokesperson suggested that Campbell’s race prevented her from earning an Emmy nomination.

“Back then, we didn’t look at things to get accolades. We were just trying to feed our families and we had to take away from ourselves the fact that we would be appreciated for the things that we did,” she explained.

Family Matters debuted on ABC on September 22, 1989. After moving to CBS for its final season, the series concluded on July 17, 1998. The forged also included Reginald VelJohnson, Jo Marie Payton, Darius McCrary, Rosetta LeNoire, Telma Hopkins and Kellie Shanygne Williams.

With 215 episodes, “Family Matters” became one in every of the longest-running black sitcoms in television history. “The Jeffersons” reached 253 episodes between January 1975 and July 1985. “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” passed the 358-episode mark in August 2024.

The Wonder Years, starring Fred Savage, aired for six seasons from January 1988 to May 1993. A remake of the series, based on the story of a middle-class black family, debuted in September 2021 but was canceled after two seasons.

Punky Brewster starred Soleil Moon Frye. The show originally aired on NBC from September 1984 to March 1986. The series was revived on the Peacock streaming service in February 2021, but was canceled after one season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mMFIOGsIdA


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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5 Questions for Mamoudou Athie

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Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright James Ijames stars in his recent play, “Good bones.Actor Mamoudou Athie, who will play Travis, stopped by theGrio for our latest “5 Questions” series to discuss his upcoming play, how he brings his character to life, essentially the most difficult role he’s ever played, and more.

When asked how he describes “Good Bones,” Athie said, “James is an incredible playwright, a truly incredible playwright. The way he’s able to constantly formulate and rework some of these scenes that we’ve been working on, based just on conversations, is really mind-blowing, because I’ve never seen anyone work so quickly, except for, you know, television, but he does it with such a deft hand and such clarity and such intelligence.”

Tickets for “Good Bones” can be found now through October. Athie has credits in movies like “Black Box,” “Uncorked” and shows like “Archive 81” and “The Get Down,” so which role do you’re thinking that was essentially the most difficult? Watch the total interview below and head to theGrio.com for more “5 Questions.”

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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