The As-I-Amber Podcast & BlogThese super producers have created some of the best songs from the 90s and the 2000s! I would love to see them in a Verzuz Battle. Here’s a playlist I created below on Spotify. Click here for Apple Music and click here for Tidal.
It has been 14 years since Michael Jackson passed away. I’ll never forget when I heard the news on the radio as I was picking up my brother from baseball practice and all the pop and r&b stations started playing Michael Jackson’s 🎶 catalog. I had a chance to write about Michael’s song “Stranger in Moscow” from the HIStory album. Click here to read it. What are some of your favorite Michael Jackson songs or albums?
Check out my Michael Jackson playlist available below on Spotify and click here for Apple Music.
Spotify Users:
House music has been around for years, but often times the powerhouse voices singing the songs have been forgotten about. In honor of June being Black Music Month here’s a playlist featuring House Music from Black women.
Click below for Spotify and here for Apple Music and here for Tidal.
My friend Zac and I went to see the theatrical performance of “SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical” at The River Center in Columbus, Georgia back in January of 2022 and it was good!!! This is coming from someone who doesn’t really like musicals, but I liked some of the songs and learning about the life and times of the “Disco Queen.” The musical was about an hour and thirty minutes with no intermission and masks were required for audience members. The cast did a great job singing and portraying the different phases of her life. Also, the stage, set design, and lighting were nice too.
Donna Summer was a groundbreaking Grammy award-winning artist who paved the way for lots of women and broke barriers as a Black woman singing pop, electronic, and house music in the ’70s and ’80s. Born on December 31, 1948, LaDonna Adrian Gaines grew up one of seven children to a schoolteacher and butcher in Boston and sang at church growing up. As a teenager, Donna would skip school to go on auditions and eventually drop out of high school to do theater in New York. She eventually moved to Germany as a young adult to do theater there too and became fluent in the language.
While overseas in Europe Donna started recording demo records. In the 70’s one of the sensual and provocative songs she recorded overseas, “Love To Love You Baby”, became a smash hit at discos in the U.S. and around the world. The song was banned from some radio stations due to the sexual moaning in the song, but it was still a top hit. Eventually, Donna went on to get married and have three daughters and still make hit records like “Bad Girls,” “Hot Stuff”, and “She Works Hard for the Money”, which have been used in various films and commercials throughout the years.
Donna battled with depression, domestic violence, racism, prejudice, sexism, and shady record deals, but found her faith in Jesus Christ to be her solace. In 2012, after battling cancer Donna Summer passed away, but her musical legacy and influence are felt throughout multiple generations. In later years younger artists such as Beyoncé went on to sample the song “Love To Love You Baby” in the 2003 hit single “Naughty Girl.”
Even if you’re not as familiar with Donna Summer’s music you’ve probably heard her songs before and didn’t realize she sang them. If you remember watching the film “Selena” starring Jennifer Lopez Donna Summer’s songs “On the Radio” and “Last Dance” were played in certain scenes in the film. I learned a lot from the musical and I think in the future there should be a Donna Summer biopic and actress-singer, Kelly Rowland, who has a striking resemblance to disco diva, should be cast as Donna.
In the meantime if you have a chance to see the musical in a city near you I recommend going! For more information go to https://thedonnasummermusical.com/tour Also, check out the #LovetoLoveYou documentary about Donna Summer’s life coming to HBO May 20, 2023.
I have also created a Donna Summer Spotify playlist below. Click here for the playlist on Apple Music.
Before “reality tv” and Instagram models took over our screens these actresses graced our televisions and magazines playing iconic roles from some of our favorite childhood shows. Whether you wanted to be the Pink Power Ranger on the playground or have your hair straightened like “Ashley Banks” these characters left a mark on us 80’s and 90’s babies. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and also see what these actresses are up to now.
6. “Tiffany Warren” the daughter on the NBC Sitcom “In the House” was played by actress and model Maia Campbell. After the series ended Maia went on to be in the music video for Tyrese’s “Sweet Lady” and films like “Trippin” and “Seventeen Again.” More recently Maia appeared on the reality series “Iyanla Fix My Life” a few years ago to get some guidance with her battles with drug addiction, parenting, and mental health issues. Keep her in your prayers.
7. “Hilary Banks“, cousin Will’s at times ditzy, yet fashionable cousin on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” was played by actress Karyn Parsons. Karyn went on to be in 90’s films like “Class Act” and “Major Payne.” More recently Karyn is a mother, wife, and now an author of the children’s book “How High The Moon” and creator of “Sweet Blackberry“, a line of animated films about unsung Black heroes.
8. “Kelly Kapowski” the popular high school student from the NBC sitcom “Saved by the Bell” was played by actress Tiffani Theissan. After “Saved by the Bell” ended Tiffani went on to star in “Saved by the Bell: The College Years” and the FOX series “Beverly Hills: 90210.” Tiffani went on to star in the 2020 “Saved by the Bell” Reboot and is the star of the MTV comedy clip food show ‘Deliciousness.
9. “Lisa Turtle” the wealthy and fashionable friend on NBC’s “Saved by the Bell” was played by actress Lark Voorhies. After the series ended Lark made appearances in movies such as “Civil Brand“, “How High“, and “How to be a Player“, more recently she appeared on the Dr. Oz show talking about her issues with her mental health, and will be making appearances on the 2020-2021 reboot of “Saved by the Bell“
10. “Denise Huxtable” who was the free spirited rebel character from “The Cosby Show” & “A Different World‘ sitcoms was played by actress Lisa Bonét. After those shows ended Lisa was married to rock star, Lenny Kravitz and had their daughter, actress Zoe Kravitz. After Lisa and Lenny divorced she married actor Jason Mamoa and had two other children. Lisa appeared in 90’s films such as “Enemy of the State“, “Biker Boyz“, and “High Fidelity“, but hasn’t really acted in a while.
Who were your favorites growing up? Comment below.
It has seven years since the legendary musician, Prince, passed away. He may be gone, but his music and legacy continues to live on. Here is a playlist with some of my favorite songs of his. Click below for the Spotify Playlist, Click the underline for the playlist on Apple Music, and Click the underline for the playlist on Tidal.
The As-I-Amber Podcast & Blog 