MusicExperienceMagazineJune2018

MI CHAELJACKSON -For everandAl ways BLACKMUSI CMONTHLETTERTO CHANCETHERAPPER

JACKI EW I LSON DEVAMAHAL MI LES DAVI S MOMENTS I N BLACKMUSI CHI STORY Phot osbyRAYMOND BOYD © CoverPhot obyRaymondBoyd

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JOHNCOLTRANE THELOSTALBUM Av ai l abl eJ une29,2018 CD/2CDDel ux e/Vi ny l /Doubl eVi ny l Del ux e Avai l abl eatTheMusi cExper i ence

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MAGAZI NE

PUBLI SHER T heMus i cE x per i enc e WEBSI TEDESI GN T MEMedi a PHOTOGRAPHER L a udOk oh

EDI TORI NCHI EF Dedr yJ ones ARTDI RECTI ON T MEMedi a PHOTOGRAPHER Ra y mondBoy d www. r a y mondboy d. c om

Bel i ev ei tornot ,t hi si s s ueoft hemagaz i newasal mos tdonewhenabi gbr ouhahaappear edi nsoc i almedi at hatr eal l ydi s t ur bedme.Af t ergi v i ngi tmuc ht hought ,Ideci ded t ot ak et hi si ssuei nanot herdi r ec t i onwhi l ec el ebr at i ngwhatmos tpeopl enol ongerr emember …J unei sBl ac kMus i cMont h.

Bl ac kMusi cMont hi sundoubt edl yanol dconc eptatt hi spoi ntes pec i al l ys i nc er ec or d l abel snol ongerpr omot ei t .Butl i k eBl ac kHi s t or yMont h,ev er ymont hi sBl ac kMus i c Mont h( atl eas ti nmymi nd) .Wedugi nt oourmagaz i near c hi v eandr epr i nt edt woar t i c l est hatmak es ensef ort hi sver ys pec i al t i me-oneonMi l esDav i sandoneon Jacki eWi l son-t woi c onsi nt hemus i ci ndus t r y .

Ohy eah,andonef r om 2010onTheKi ng. . .Mi c hael Jac k son.

Thepr ec i pi t at i ngsoci almedi af r enz ywast heChanc eTheRappers t at ementgi venata col l egegr aduat i onc er emony .I ns i det hi si s s ue,wewi l l t al kaboutt hat .

Wehopet hi si s s uei ns pi r esy ouons omel ev el .

Wehopet hati tpl eas esy ouonav i s ual l ev el .

Wehopet haty ouunder s t andourpoi ntofv i ew.

Wehopey our ec ogni z et hatever ymont hi sBl ac kMus i cMont h.

Pl eas eenj oy .

F orl et t er s , c omment s , t hought s , s ubmi s s i ons , et c : t hemus i c exper i enc e@gmai l . c om Webs i t es : ht t p: / / www. mus i c exper i enc emagaz i ne. c om ht t p: / / www. amus i c exper i enc e. c om Pr i nt edi nt heUSA

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Nopa r toft hi sma ga z i nema yber epr oduc ed, s t or edi na nyr et r i ev a l s y s t em ort r a ns mi t t ed, i na nyf or m bya nymea ns , el ec t r oni c , mec ha ni c a l , phot oc opy i ng, r ec or di ngorot her wi s ewi t houtt hepr i orper mi s s i onoft hepubl i s her .

Or i gi nal l yWr i t t enByRober t“ Scoop”Jackson ForTheMusi cExper i enceMagaz i ne Sept ember2010I ssue

ScoopJacksoni st heaut horofTheLastBl ackMecca:Hi pHop, f oundi ngexecut i veedi t orofXXL andf or mercont r i but or / col umni stf orVi be, TheSour ce,RapSheet ,RapPages,Ar enaandScr at chmagaz i nes.

August29,2010.Thequest i onwasasked,onwhatwoul dhavebeenhi s52ndbi r t hday ,doyoul oveMi chaelJacksonmor enow t hanyoudi dbef or ehedi ed?

I t ’ sani nt er est i ng,r at herdeepquest i ont ohavet oanswer .Evendeeperonet ot hi nk about .Becausef ormost-aswi t nessedbyt hewayt hewor l dcl oset ol i t er al l y st oppedwhenhepastaway-t hel oveal r eadyhel df orMi chaelJacksonwassouncondi t i onalhi sdeat hwasn’ tsomet hi ngt hatt r i gger edanew f oundappr eci at i on;i t wasanaf f i r mat i on.

Yethi sdeat hdi ddosomet hi ng.Event ot hosewhowor shi ppedhi mi nwaysEl vi sor t heBeat l eswoul dnevercompr ehend,t hel ossoft he“ Ki ng”( dr opt he“ ofPop” )conj ur edupanew emot i on.Wi t ht hesoundofhi svoi ce,t hevi ew ofhi smovement ,t he aur aar oundhi scr eat i vi t y ,anew f eel i ngwoul dt akeover .Thequest i oni s:I st hatf eel i ngl ove?

Canyouf eeli t ?Thewayyoupausenow i nt houghtormot i onwhenoneofMi chael ’ s songscomesont her adi o,i nami x,onsomeone’ si Podoratacl ub.I t ’ sdi f f er entt han bef or e,i sn’ ti t ?Adi f f er entf eel i ng.Deat husual l ycausest hi s,especi al l ywheni ti sat t achedt obr i l l i anceandgeni us.I tof t enevent ual l yshapesi t .Becomest hef i nalwor d.

Thewor dsofgr eataut hor ’ swor ksort hecar vi ngsofagr eatar t i st ’ sscul pt ur est ake onnew meani ngsoncet hecr eat ori sgone.Especi al l ywhengonet oosoon.I t ’ sasi f ani nnat ef eel i ngofdi scover ycomesoverusandover comesussi mul t aneousl y .

Thei rwor kal lofasuddenmeansmor e.Songsi nt hekeysofourl i vest hatweknow ever yl yr i candever ynot esoundnew.I t ’ st hepost humousnessofgr eat ness.John Lennon.Ji miHendr i x.DonnyHat haway .Lut herVandr oss.Bi ggi e.Pac.Jani sJopl i n.

Mi nni eRi per t on,Mar vi nGaye.

Ther esur r ect i onof“ We’ r eAl mostTher e”and“ For everCameToday”byDJ’ scr at e di ggi ngpast t het ypi cal ,ont hesur f acecl assi cs,t he72hourmar at hononSi r i us/ XM SoulTown( t heappar ent48hourmar at honbysomer adi ost at i oni nTexast hatnever pl ayedt hesameJ5/ TheJacksons/ Mi chaelJacksonsongt wi ce) ,r ewat chi ng“ The Wi z ”overandover ,exper i enci ng“ Thi sI sI t ”f ort hef i r stt i me.Al lar esmal laf f i r mat i onst ot hei nt er nalf i ghtwi t hi neachofusofwhet herornotwe’ vef oundanew l ove f orMi chaelorar ewesi mpl ycaughtupi nt hemomentofhi snol ongerbei ngwi t hus?

Adi f f er entquest i onwasaskedyear sago:Who’ st hegr eat estsoulsi ngerofal l t i me.

Att het opofmyl i stt heusualsuspect s,Mar vi n,Lut her ,Ar et ha,Phi l i pBai l ey ,Eddi e Kendr i cks,Ani t aBaker ,Gl adys,Russel lThompki ns,AlGr een,Ronal dI sl ey ,et c.Mi chael ,ofcour se,wasi nt her et oo.Thenhepastaway .Andal lofasuddenever yt hi ng he’ ddoneandsangsoundedandseemeddi f f er ent .Cel est i al .Spi r i t ual .

Ir edi dmyl i st .Guesswho’ sNo. 1?Iwasi nl ove.

TheMusi cExper i enceCel ebr at esRealMusi c

LONG LI VETHEVI NYLALBUM Theot herdayIf oundapi nf r om Rhi noRecor dst hatwas madei nt he90' st hatsai d" SaveTheLP" . Funnyhow t he wor l dt ur ns,i ncaseyoudi dn' tknow Iwor katavi nylr ecor d pr essi ngpl ant .Ist i l lbuyvi nylandCDsandIhaveast r eami ngser vi ceonal mostal lday . Il ovemySpot i f yaccountand bei ngabl et ocheckoutanal bum bef or eIspendmoneyona physi calcopyorj usthavi ngi ti nt hebackgr oundwhenIam payi ngbi l l sori nvoi ci ngcust omer sorbei ngabl et o send/ r ecei veal i nkofsomet hi ngt hatr eal l yexci t esme. Di f f er entf or mat sser vedi f f er entpur poses,andIgetr eal l yf r ust r at edatani ndust r yt hatof t enl i kest ot hr ow al lt hei reggs i nt oonl yonebasketatagi vent i me.

Whatal wayssur pr i sespeopl ewhenIt el lt hem whatIl ove aboutvi nyli sn' tal wayst hesoundqual i t y . Don' tgetme wr ong-awel lr ecor ded,wel lmi xed,wel lcut ,wel lpl at ed,wel l pr essed,wel lassembl edal bum,f r om agr eatbandsounds amazi ng,buti t ' st hei nconveni enceoft hef or mati swhat makesi tspeci al .Not hi ngf or cesmyl i st eni ngat t ent i onbet t er t hanhavi ngt ogot hr ought her i t ualofput t i ngonar ecor d andar ound20mi nut esl at erhavi ngt of l i psi dest ol i st ent o t heot hersi de.I t ' sal soar oyalpai ni nt heasst ogetupand ski pasongt hatmaybeyoudon' tappr eci at et hef i r stt i me ar ound. Themostendur i ngar t i st sdeser vel i st eni ngt oaf ul l al bum andt hatal bum deser vest obel i st enedt oi nt hemost i nconveni entyett hought f ulwaypossi bl e. . .

Longl i vet heVi nylal bum. . .

WRI TTENBYSEANRUTKOWSKI

ALETTERTO CHANCETHERAPPER f r om Dedr yJones

“ Li vei nt oyourgr eat nesswi t houtf ear . ”

DearChancel l or : Whatbet t erwayc oul dIhav ec hos ent owr i t et hi sl et t ert oy out hanwr i t i ng whi l et heMi c haelJ ac k s onLi v ei nBuc har es tDVDpl ay s .Thef i r s tei ght mi nut es ,Ic oul dn’ twr i t e.Ic oul dn’ twr i t ebec aus eIwasac t ual l ys t andi ngi n f r ontoft hes c r eenmesmer i zed.

Agai n.

Dedr y“ar eyouokay?Ar eyouokay”Dedr y?

Il ostcountofhowmanypeopl ewer et ak enoutt het heat erdur i ngt hatf i r st ei ghtmi nut esi nv ar i ousst at esofc ons c i ous nes s .Mybodywasl i t er al l y t i ngl i ngl i k eIhadnevers eenanyoft hi sbef or e. “ Youbeenhi tby… asmoot hcr i mi nal . ” Chance,youar eanAr i es.Iam anAr i es .

Youar e25year sol d.Iwasonc e25.Manyy ear sago Youar eachampi onoft hepeopl eofChi c ago.

Youngpeopl ei npar t i c ul ar .AndIc anhones t l ys ayIadmi r ey ouf ort hat .

Amul t i pl eGr ammyAwar dwi nner .Amus i c i an.Aphi l ant hr opi s t .Youar ea bl es s i ngt ousal l .

Iam gr at ef ulf oryouandIam gr at ef ul t haty ourpar ent sr ai s eds uc ha s t el l arhumanbei ng.

Youar eal s os omeonet owhom Iwoul dl ov et or el ayames s age…

Speak i ngi nabsol ut esatay oungagec anbeal i t t l edi c ey .

Ac t ual l y ,s peak i ngi nabsol ut esatanyagec anbeal i t t l edi c ey .

Andwheny ous peaki nabs ol ut esaboutav er yper s onal s ubj ec tt hat ever y onehasanopi ni onon( l i k emus i c ) ,i tc anbec omeal i t t l ec r az y . “ TodayIwantt ot al kyouaboutgr eat nessandwhati tmeanst ol i ve i nt oyourgr eat nesswi t houtf ear .I nor dert odot hatIneedt ot al kt o youaboutt hegr eat estper f or manceofal lt i meputonbyt hegr eat est per f or merofal lt i me. ”

“ …i nt hati nst ance,Ir eal i z edsomet hi ng.Ir eal i z edt hatal lofushave ar esponsi bi l i t yt obegr eat ert hant hepeopl ewhocamebef or eus.We havear esponsi bi l i t yt obenotasgoodast hem orl i veupt ot hei r exampl ebutt oact ual l ysur passt hem,evenwheni tseemsscar y.We havet oover comet hatf earandbegr eat ert hanourr ol emodel s.

Beyonce’ sper f or mancewasbet t ert hananyper f or manceMJeverdi d.

Thatwoman,bet t ert hanMi ke.Bl ackwomanbet t ert hanMi ke.Isai d i t …”

Ev ennow,af t erhear i ngt hat ,Is t i l l saywow! ! !What ’ smos ti nt er es t i ng aboutyourdecl ar at i oni sn’ tr eal l yt hewhol eBeyonc eper f or manc et hi ng; i t ’ st hest at ementt hatpr ec ededt hatut t er anc e.Thewhol epoi ntoft he s peechwasov er l ookedbecaus eoft heBey onc edec l ar at i on.Idoubtt hat manywoul dar gueaboutyourov er al l mes sagebutt hatones t at ement ac t ual l yobs cur edt hepoi ntt haty ouwer et r y i ngt omak e.

“TodayIwantt ot al kyouaboutgr eat nessandwhati tmeanst ol i ve i nt oyourgr eat nesswi t houtf ear . ” Ther ei sonet hi ngt hatIhav el ear nedt hr ought hey ear s .AndIl ear nedi tby l i s t eni ngt oaver ygoodf r i endwhowoul dr evi ewmyemai l st omus i c i ndust r ypeopl eatmyr eques tbec auseIk newt hatt hi sAr i esc oul dbea l i t t l eext r aatt i mes .Inowt y peemai l sandr er eadt hem s ev er al t i mes bef or epr essi ngs endbec aus ewhenandi ft hi ngsar es ai dorwr i t t enf r om anemot i onalvi ewpoi nt ,t hemes s agec anbel ost .Andunf or t unat el yal otof peopl ewhoof f er edt hei ropi ni onons oc i al medi aabouty ours t at ementon s oci al medi adi dnotact ual l yl i s t ent oy ourent i r es peec h.Thatonemi nut e pl usst at ementf uel edt hef i r e.

Thespeec hatDi l l ar dUni v er s i t ywasy our“f i r stt i meeverbei ngata col l egegr aduat i on. ” “ Hi ghschoolgr aduat i on… t heydi dnotl etmewal kbuti n1997…( I per f or medt he)onl ysol oont hegr aduat i onpr ogr am t hatday… Thi s momentwasbor nf orme.Theyaskedmet obeMi keandIdel i ver ed…

Icopi edwhathedi dper f ect l y. . .Hewast hegr eat est … MJ’ smovement wasal lhi sown… She( Beyonce)woul ddomor et hancopyMi ke.She woul dsur passhi m.Andnow I ’ m goi ngt ot el lyouaboutt hegr eat est

gr eat estper f or manceofal lt i meandi twasn’ tMi ke…I nonef el lswoop shesur passedMi chael … Anyper f or mancesi ncet hebegi nni ngof t i mei nconcer tbecameout dat edandobsol et e.Andt hi swas Cochel l a… I nherper f or manceshewast hecul mi nat i onofever ybl ack chi l dt hathasdedi cat edt hei rl i vest oar tandper f or mancet oshi ne andr el i shi nt hei rexcel l ence…”

Butt ome,yourf ol l owi ngs t at ementwast hepoi ntt hatwasmi s s eddur i ng t heaf t er mat hoft hest at ementt hatBwasbet t ert hanMJ … “ Wi t ht hatper f or manceIr eal i zedt hatt hegr eat estcanneverbe st agnant ….Thehi ghestr espectwecangi vet ot hepeopl et hatcame bef or eusi st obebet t ert hant hem… Dr .Ki ng’ sser vi cet ot he movementwasmovement … wehavet ocr eat enew moves.Wecannot r ever eanyonesomucht hatwebecomeaf r ai dt or eacht hei rhei ght s andgr ow f ast er … Dr .Ki ngneverwant edt obeaki ng… hewant edt o ser ve…”

Andt hatmyf r i endi sagr eatpoi nt .Thati sawonder f ul wayt oappr oac hl i f e.

Unf or t unat el yIt hi nkt hepoi ntwasl os t .Butwi t hal l t hats ai dandaddr es si ngt hepoi ntt hatever y oneseemedt oget ,Idon’ tk nowi faf t eral l myy ear s ofl i vi ngIc ans ayoneper f or manc ewast hebes tofal l t i mebec aus eIhav e notseenev er yone.ButIhav es eenenought ok nowt hat ,i nmymi nd,i fI c anl i st ent oanar t i s t ’ s“ l i v e”per f or manc ewi t hnovi s ual s ,not heat r i c s ,no s pec t ac l eandc anst i l l f eelt heper f or manc edeepdowni nmys oul ,t hati sa t r ul ynot ewor t hyper f or mance.Li s t eni ngt oDonnyHat haways i nganyt hi ng “ l i v e”t el l smeal lIneedt ok nowaboutper f or manc eper f ec t i on.No100 dr ummer s .Nodanc er s .Nost agi ng.J us tas ongandav oi c e.

WhenIt hi nkaboutt hear t i s t st hatIhav ehadt hegr eatf or t unet oex per i encei nal i v es et t i ng,Ihav et ot hi nkaboutwhaty ous ai daboutt hegr eat est per f or mancebyt hegr eat es tper f or merofal l t i meandj us ts hak emyhead.I haveseenBey onc e“ l i ve”asas ol oar t i s t .Ihav es eenDes t i nyChi l d“ l i ve” .

I nf actBey onc e( ac t ual l yt hr eemember sofDes t i ny ’ sChi l d)v i s i t edmyr et ai l out l etl ongbef or ey ougr aduat edf r om gr ammars c hool .Soi fIt hi nkabout t hegr eat es tper f or manc eev erbyt hegr eat es tper f or merev erIhav et o c ons i deraf ewoft hepeopl et hatIhav es een. . .

Sar ahVaughn,Leont ynePr i ce,Kat hl eenBat t l e,Pl ac i doDomi ngo,St evi e Wonder ,Lut herVandr os s,Whi t neyHoust on,Her bi eHanc oc k ,Ser gi o Mendes ,As hf or dandSi mpson,Label l e,Ar et haFr ank l i n,Nas ,ATCQ,Pat t i Aust i n,Tr amai neHawk i ns ,TheHawk i nsFami l y ,Fr edHammond,Ki r k Fr ank l i n,Phyl l i sHy man,Pr i nc e,Gl ady sKni ght ,Sade,Seal ,LenaHor ne RayChar l es …andsomanymor e Andofcour s et het wowomenwhopav edt hewayf ort het y peofs howt hat Beyoncedoest ot hi sday… Ti naTur nerandJ anetJac ks on.Andt henadd t ot hatl i st ,t hegr oupTheJ acks ons( wi t hMi c hael J ac k s on)andMi c hael J ack sonasas ol oper f or mer .Iabs ol ut el yk nowIhav ebeenbl es s edby bei ngmyage.IknowIhav ebeenbl ess edt os eet hi samaz i nggr oupof ar t i st swhi l eknowi ngt hati ti sonl yapar t i al l i s tasIt hi nkaboutot her swhi l e t ypi ngl i ke… BBKi ng,TheT empt at i ons ,Mar yWel l s ,TheFourT opsf eat ur i ngt hei ncompar abl eLev i St ubbs ,Di anaRossandmor e.Ic oul dgoonand onbutt osayt hatoneoft hem wast hegr eat es tper f or merofal l t i meand gavet hegr eat estconc er tofal l t i mei smor et handi f f i c ul t .

Icanpr obabl ys ayIk nowwhi c hc onc er twaspr obabl ymyf av or i t e( St ev i e Wonder ’ sJour neyThr oughTheSec r etLi f eofPl ant sTour )butt henot her memor i esc r eepi nt omymi nd.Li k eLabel l eatt heChi c agoOper aHous e.

OrLeont y nePr i c ei nr eci t al .OrTheJ ac ks onsVi c t or yT ouratComi s k ey Par ki nChi c agoi nOct ober1984( ni ney ear sbef or ey ouwer ebor n)or Mi c hael Jac k s on’ sBADTouri nApr i l 1988atRos emont( f i v ey ear sbef or e y ouwer ebor n) .I tj ustbecomesdi f f i c ul t .Es peci al l yatat i mel i k et hi s .

I t ’ sBl ackMus i cMont handIc an’ thel pbutt hi nkoft hej oyIhav er ec ei ved f r om ar t i st swhoj ustst oodt her eands ang.

St oodt her ebec aus et heyhadt hes ongs .

St oodt her ebec aus et heyhadt hef r i ggi ngt al entt oc ommandt hes t age, y ourat t ent i onandyouremot i ons .

Theydi dnotneedt hes pect ac l eort heat r i c st ol eav ey out ot al l yent r anced.

Al loft hem wer et hebestatt hatmoment .

SoIr ef r ai nf r om t hatbes tofal l t i mek i ndofdi s c us s i onbec aus eInev ergot t osee/ hearBi l l i eHol i dayi nper son.OrMar v i nGay e.OrDonnyHat haway .

OrEl l aFi t z ger al d.OrMi l esDav i s .OrJ amesBr own.Myonl ypoi nti s-as

br i l l i antasIknowyouar e,t ak et het i meandex pl or et hemus i cofy ourpr edeces sor s.Asmanyaspos s i bl e.Letgooft hegenr es .J us tex pl or et hei r mus i c .Iguar ant eey out hatopeni ngupy ourmi ndandy ourhear tandyour ear swi l l hel py ouunder st andwhatIam t r y i ngt os ay .I nf ac tIwi l l gi v eyoua l i s t .Ever yonef r om t hegr oupCol dBl oodt oZul emaSus s eauxt oJ i mi Hendr i xt oBar br aSt r ei sandandmor e.

Anumberofy ourf r i endsandas s oc i at esk nowme.Imety ourgr andmot her att heCi t yWi ner ywi t hanat t or neyy ouk now.T el l anyofy ourf r i endst oput y oui nt ouchwi t hme.Iwoul dl ov et oj us tt al kmus i cwi t hy ou.I twoul dbe mypl eas ur eandmyhonor .

Mus i c al l yYour s ,

Bec omi nganadul ti nt hi sdi gi t al ageIal way swonderwhyandhowmy peer sdi s c ov ermus i ci fi ti s n’ tpumpedi nt oourbr ai nsbyr adi oandt el ev i s i on.I not herwor dshowdowedi s c ov erwhatwec anc al l “ newol d” mus i c ?Inat ur al l yas s umei fnotf orourel der sandourpar ent s ,mos t peopl eofmy gener at i onwoul dnotbeex pos edt ot hi s“ newol d”mus i c onourownunl es sac ur r entar t i s ts ampl esi ti ns omes or tofgenr e bendi ngpopi nf us i on.

Myaf f i ni t yf ormus i ci sonl ys ur pas s edbymyaf f ec t i onf orf i l m.Goi ng bac kt oanol di ebutgoodi eIf oundmy s el fwat c hi ngEddi eMur phy ’ s c omedi cmas t er pi ec e“ Comi ngt oAmer i c a”f ort he42ndt i mei nmyl i f e whenIs t umbl edac r os sac er t ai ns c enei nt hemov i et hatf orwhat ev err eas onInev erpai dmuc h at t ent i ont oi nt hepas t .Eddi e’ sc har ac t er ,Pr i nc eAk eem,andShar i Headl ey ’ sc har ac t er ,Li s a Mc Dowel l ar ei nadi ml yl i tr es t aur ants har i ngal ov el ymeal anddec i det oheadt ot hedanc ef l oorf or ar omant i cs l owdanc e.Suddenl yt hemos tuni quev oi c eI ’ v ehear di nqui t es omet i mebr ok et he s i l enc ewi t ht her i c hnot esof“ ToBeLov ed! ”Myat t ent i oni ns t ant l ypeak ed.Suddenl y ,Idi s c ov er ed s omet hi ngInev erc aughti nt hepr ev i ous41t i meswat c hi ngt hec omedy .Notk nowi ngwhot hi s gol denv oi c ebel ongedt ot hatwasc apt i v at i ngmyear s ,Idi dwhatany bodywoul ddoi nas ear c hf or s ongi nf or mat i oni nt hi sday ;Iwentt oYouTube.It y pedi n“ ToBeLov ed”anddowndr oppeda numberofopt i onswi t hanar t i s tnamedJ ac k i eWi l s on.Ic l i c k edt hel i nkandt her ei twas ,abl ac kand whi t egr ai nyv i deoofabl ac kguywi t hanEl v i sl ook i nghai r s t y l e,s i ngi ngt hes ong.Thi si showIdi s c ov er edt hewonder f ul v oc al ar t i s t r yofJ ac k i eWi l s on.Andf ort hatIs ay … Thanky ouEddi eMur phy !

Thef eel i ngofdi s c ov er i ngJ ac k i eWi l s onwasawonder f ul t hi ng.Themomenty our eal i z et her ei s s omet hi nggr eat ert hanwhaty ou’ v epr ev i ous l yex per i enc ed,y ouc an’ thel pbutwonderi ft her ei s ev enmor e.Mr .Wi l s onpr ov i dedt hatmomentf ormet hei ns t anthi sr obus tv oc al sc ol l i dedwi t hmy ear dr ums .Ial mos tf el tasi fI ’ m notex per i enc edenoughordes er v i ngenought ol i s t ent os uc ha s oul f ul s ound.I twasasi fhi smus i cwasawel l guar deds ec r ett hatwasmeantf orhi sgener at i ont o enj oyandIbr ok ei nt ot hater a’ smus i c al v aul twi t hmynewdi s c ov er y .I nt hi smundaneer aofmus i c i t ’ shar dnott odr i f tbac ki nt ohi s t or y-hopi ngt obei ns pi r edbyf or mergr eat sofamor euni quel y t al ent edt i me.

Li s t eni ngt ot her epet i t i v er adi or ec y c l i ngofTr eySongz ,Dr ak e,andot her R&Bs i nger sofmyt i me,Ic an’ thel pbutwantmor et hant hec ont i nuous t opi c sofs exandmoney .Ihav eabs ol ut el ynot hi ngagai ns tt hos epar t i c ul ar ar t i s t sbec aus eIam awar et heyar ef i l l i ngamar k etdemandandar edoi ng t hei rj ob.Howev er ,t hel ac kofak owl edgeabl e“ y oung”demogr aphi ci snot anex c us ef ort heabs enc eofc r eat i v i t yandmeani ngf ul c ont ent .Ther ear e s t i l l peopl eoutt her ewhowantmor eandneeds omet hi ngmor et hans uc h s hal l ows ubj ec tmat t er .Theonl yways omeonewi t hmyl i mi t edex pos ur e andex per i enc et or eal mus i cc anhav et hi sneedf ul f i l l edi st ot r av el bac ki n t i met ot hegol dener aofs oul s i ngi ng;bac kt oat i mewhenar t i s t sl i k e J ac k i eWi l s onbet t erk nownaswer epr omi nent .

J ac k i eWi l s onak a

Mr.Ex c i t e me n t

Af t erhear i ng“ ToBeLov ed”t her ewasnot hi ngl ef tf ormet odoot her t hangodi ggi ngf ormor eofJ ac k i eWi l s on’ sgol denv oc al s .Is t umbl ed ac r os sa c ompi l at i onofs omeofhi sgr eat es thi t sonanal bum ent i t l ed “ Or i gi nal Br uns wi c kHi tRec or di ngs ”t hatIdec i dedt ogi v eaf ul l r unon myi Phone.Now,I ’ ms ur eJ ac k i eWi l s onnev eri magi nedhi smus i cbei ngpl ay edonadi gi t al dev i c es uc hasani Phonewhenhewast our i ng ar oundt hewor l dper f or mi ngwi t hs uc hpas s i onands oul .AsIs t ar t ed t opl ayJ ac k i e’ shi t sonmyi Phone,Iwentdi r ec t l yt ot he5t ht r ac kont heal bum j us tt ohear“ ToBe Lov ed”bef or eIj our ney edi nt ot heamaz ementt hati sJ ac k i eWi l s on…

“Someonet ocar e,someonet oshar e,l onel yhour sandmoment sofdespai r / To bel oved,t obel oved,ooooohwhataf eel i ngt obel oved.Someonet oki ss, someoneonet omi ss,whenyou’ r eawayt ohearf ormet oday/ Tobel oved,t o bel oved,oooooohooohwhataf eel i ngt obel ooooooved.Somewi sht obea ki ngoraqueen,somewi shf orf or t uneandf amebutt obet r ul y,t r ul y,t r uuuuuuul yl ovedi smor et hanal loft heset hi ngs. ” Thos el y r i c sc oul dn’ thav es ai di tanybet t er .

Thos el i nesc oul dn’ thav ec apt ur edwhat ’ smi s s i ngf r om t oday ’ smus i canybet t er .J ac k i eWi l s on s l owl yc r oonst hel y r i c al des c r i pt i onofwhatl ov et r ul yi swi t hs t unni ngv oc al st hathy pnot i z e.

Af t err el i v i ngmyi ni t i al i nt r oduc t i ont oJ ac k i et hr ough“ ToBeLov ed” ,Is t ar t edpl ay i ngt heal bum f r om t hebegi nni ng.Theal bum begi nswi t honeofJ ac k i e’ ss i gnat ur et unes ,“ ReetPet i t e” .Is uddenl y r eal i z edt hatev ent hough“ ReetPet i t e”woul dhav ebeenapops i ngl ei nt oday ’ sage,i ts t i l l managedt ohav eauni quel ys oul f ul s t y l i ngper f ec t l ydel i v er edbyJ ac k i e.Thes ec ondt r ac k ,“ Lonel y Tear dr ops ”wasc owr i t t enbyBer r yGor dyandputt hef ul l bodyofJ ac k i e’ sv oc al si nt hef or ef r ontas hemani pul at edhi sc r ooni ngmagi ci nt oanot herhi t .I ns t eadofgoi ngt her out eofwhatmos tdef i ni t el ywoul dhav ebeenawomani z i ngc hanti nt oday ’ sc l i mat e,J ac k i es howedhi semot i onal s i de,a s i det hatbodeswel l f orhi st al ent s .Keepi ngt r uet owhatwor k edf orhi ms owel l ,“ That ’ sWhy( ILov e YouSo) ”mak esi tc l ear l yev i dentt hatat r uear t i s tc anc ar r yas ongwi t honl yhi ss i ngi ngt al entev en wi t ht hemos ts i mpl i s t i ci ns t r ument al ar r angement .

“Justaki ss,j ustasmi l e,hol dmyhandbabyj ustoncei nawhi l e,t hat ’ sal lI need,t hat ’ sal lIneedandI ’ l lbesat i sf i ed.Thi nkofmewhenyou’ r eaway,cal l medar l i ngj ustonceaday,t hat ’ sal lIneed,t hat ’ sal lIneedandI ’ l lbesat i sf i ed. ” Ahi s t or i c al l ymor ei nnoc entt i mei sappar entont hes ong,“ I ’ l l BeSat i s f i ed. ”I ti sex t r emel yr ef r es hi ngt ohears uc hmas t er f ul har moni z i ngwi t hc ont entabs entofex pl i c i tl y r i c sandov er ts ex ual s ugges t i on.

On“ Doggi nAr ound”J ac k i es i ngsaboutbei ngwr ongedbyaf emal ec ompani on.You r ar el yhearamal ear t i s tc onf es st obei ngdi s t r es s edaboutbei ngc heat edonbyaf emal e par t nerbutc l ear l y ,dur i ngJ ac k i eWi l s on’ ser a,t her ewasnos hamei ns howi ngt heemot i onal pai ns uc henc ount er sc anc aus eaman.

J ac k i et hengoesf oramor eupt empof eel wi t hhi sc har tt oppi ngs ong,“ BabyWor k out ” .

Somewoul dpr obabl ys ayt hi st r ac kwoul dbeonBET’ s106&Par kt odayc ons i der i ngi t i saf ul l f l edgeddanc es ong.Wi l s onc ont i nuesasher ef l ec t sonal ov el os twi t h “ Whi s per s( Get t i n’ Louder ) ”andt hehaunt i ngf eel ofar el at i ons hi pt hatmayhav eended j us tat adbi tpr emat ur el y .Nomat t erhowt oughy oumayc ons i dery our s el f ,weal l c an r el at et ooneper s onget t i ngawayt hatmeantohs omuc hmor e.

“Now onceIwasdownhear t ed.Di sappoi nt mentwasmycl osestf r i end.

Butt henyoucameandhesoondepar t edandyouknow henever showedhi sf aceagai n.That ’ swhy… Yourl ovekeepsonl i f t i ngme hi gherandhi gher ! ” Nomat t ery ourageormus i c al gener at i on “ Hi gher&Hi gher ”i saf ami l i art unemos t hav ehear dont el ev i s i onorf i l m.I t ’ st he qui nt es s ent i al f eel goodt r ac kpl ay edon mos tev er yr omant i cc omedys i nc et he i nv ent i onoft hec ol ort heat r e;j us ts i mpl y ac l as s i c .ThenasIpl ayt hef i nal s ongI s ayt omy s el fwai t …t heex ac tt hought sI hadf or“ Hi gher&Hi gher ”c omet omi nd f ort hi ss ong,“ IGetTheSweet es tFeel i ng” .

“Mmmmmmmmmm, Thecl oseryouget ,t hebet t eryou l ookbaby.Thebet t eryoul ookt he mor eIwantyou.Whenyout ur n onyoursmi l eIf eelmyhear tgo wi l d.I ' ml i keachi l dwi t habr andnew t oyandIgett hesweet est f eel i ng. ” Suddenl yI ’ v ec omet ot her eal i z at i onI ’ v ebeenaf anofJ ac k i eWi l s ons i nc eIwasa c hi l d.Ij us tdi dn’ tk nowi t .Myl ov ef orf i l m hasc ont i nuous l yex pos edmet os uc hagr eat t al entIhadnoc ons c i ousi deaev enex i s t ed.Per hapsi ns t eadoft hank i ngEddi eMur phy Is houl dt hankHol l y woodf ori t sus ageofc l as s i cmus i ci ni t sf i l msasoppos edt ot he neut r al l ybl andaudi oofourex i s t i ngc l i mat e.I t ’ sf unnyhowl i f eal way sbr i ngsmat t er sf ul l c i r c l e.

Theonepas s i onIhav et hati ss t r ongert hanmypas s i onf ormus i cbr i ngsmebac ki nt o t hepas s i onIhav ef ormus i c ,t obel ov ed…     Thi sar t i cl ewasor i gi nal l yr uni nt heApr i l2012i ssueofMusi cExper i enceMagazi ne Ar t i cl ewr i t t enbyJosephAndr ew Har di ng

Mr.Ex c i t e me n t

Ourphot ogr apherRaymondBoydwi t h

Bet t erLoveYour sel fTr unkShow Tour

Cl evel andJul y22nd  St .Loui s Jul y15t h Chi cago Jul y29t h  Monr oe August5t h

Whi l es c r ol l i ngs oc i al medi aonedaya30s ec ondc l i ppoppedups t at i ng“ Debut Al bum OutNow! ”ofa“ new”ar t i s twi t hapower f ul s oul f ul s ounds i ngi ngas ong t i t l ed‘ I t ’ sDownT oYou’ .But ,wheny ouar eDevaMahal( pr onounc edDi v a)and y ourgr andf at herwasageni usj az zpi ani s t ,y ourf at heri saGr ammyawar dwi nni ng bl uesar t i s tandy ouhav eper f or medatv ar i ousj az zf es t i v al sy our“ newnes s ”i sonl y t ot hos ewhohav en’ tex per i enc edy ourmus i c .Sev er al v i deosar ec i r c ul at i ngwi t h per f or manc esofDev awi t hherf at herT aj Mahal wi t hwhom s hec owr ot e‘ Nev erLet YouGo’ onhi sGr ammynomi nat edal bum Maes t r o.Thusbegi nsmydi s c ov er yof “ RunDeep” ,t hef i r s tLPr el eas edbyDev aMahal .

I nani nt er v i ewDev ades c r i besherCDasac ol l ec t i onofl et t er s ,“ …l et t er st omy s el f ( bot hpas tandpr es ent ) ,t opeopl ewhohav emeants omet hi ngmeani ngf ul i nmy l i f e,t ot hewor l dandt het hi ngsabouti tt hatIf i ndf r us t r at i ng,andt oal l oft hegr eat l ov esi nmyl i f e. ”AsIl i s t ent ot hes ongs ,i t ’ sl i k ebei ngpr i v yt oc onv er s at i ons .

Thef i nal s ongont hedi s c ,‘ T ak eAGi antSt ep’ i sDev a’ si nt er pr et at i onoft heCar ol e Ki ngandGer r yGof f i nhi tc ov er edbyTajMahal .I ti st heonl ys ongont heCDt hat was n’ twr i t t enbyDev abutf i t swel l ,ohs owel l ,i nt ot het hemeoft heal bum.Dev a s i ngsames s ageofhopet oev er y one,per hapsev enher s el f ,t oheal f r om pas t hur t ( s )t ot r av el onaj our neywher et het as t eofl i f ei sgr een.

Iam s t i l l t r y i ngt of i gur eoutwhi c hoft heot hert ens ongsIl i k et hebes t .‘ Super man’ i sf or t ys ec ondsofhandc l appi ngandf oots t ompi ngf unandIenv i s i onofDev a hav i ngac onv er s at i onwi t hhergi r l f r i endsendi ngwi t haguywhoappr oac hedt he gr oupoff r i endsandt hei rgi ggl esashewal k saway .

Ineedmeasuper man,f l yi n’r oundasf astashecan/ Ineedmeabi gol ’ daddy,knowsj ustwhatt odowi t hhi st wohands/ ’ CauseIam super woman,I needmeamanofst eel / Soyoubet t ercomef orr eal ,Ineedmeasuper man.

Thebounc i ngbas sdr um wi t hhi hatands oul c l apdomi nat et hef i r s ts i ngl e‘ Can’ t Cal l I tLov e’ andt hi sc onv er s at i oni st heper f ec tbr eakupORf r i endswi t hbenef i t s s ong.Oneoft hec ool l y r i c si nt hes ong; Chemi st r yi sdynami t e,l i keVogelBr eadandMar mi t e( Iguesst hat ’ st heNew Zeal andequi val entofbagel sandcr eam cheese)Butwhati fwecol l i del i ke Super manandKr ypt oni t e?Wecool ,Il i keyoual ot ,It hi nkyou’ r ef eel i ngme, wecangeti tpoppi n’butwej ustcan’ tcal li tl ove.

Theof f i c i al v i deof or‘ Snak es ’ wasr ec ent l yr el eas ed.Thes ong’ sv i s ual i st hatofa c onv er s at i onwi t hal i t t l egi r l t obeawar eoft heper i l soft hi smeanwor l d.Dev aal s o

r ec ent l yr el eas edav i deof ort hes ong‘ Fi r e’ .I nt hi smel anc hol ybal l adt he c onv er s at i oni st her et el l i ngoft hebat t l ewi t hone’ si nnerdemons .I nt her unni ng f oroneofmyf av or i t esi s‘ Dr eam’ .I nt hi sbal l adDev adet ai l sal ov et hatj us tdi dn’ t wor koutbut ,s hef i ndst hes t r engt ht omov eonandf i ndherownc l os ur e.What ’ s bet t ert hanget t i ngt oapoi nti ny ourl i f ewheny ouc ant el l s omeone, See,myhear tf or gott oski pabeat ,whenIment i onedyout heot herweek.I nol ongerf eelI ’ mi ncompl et e,wi t houtyou?

Whi l e‘ Dr eam’ mi st hatc l os ur es ong‘ Shar ds ’ i sav ul ner abl ebal l adwher eDev ai s openi ngupaboutt hepai nt hatr emai nsaf t ert her el at i ons hi pdoes n’ twor kout .I am af anofAl l enSt oneandwhenIs awhewasf eat ur edon‘ Tur ntUp’ t hatwas i nt heear l yr unni ngf oraf av or i t e.Theopeni ngr emi ndedmeoft hei nt r oofa D’ Angel os ongandt hec al l andr es pons ebet weenDev aandSt onei sav oc al danc et hatr es ul t si nas ex y ,c ons ens ual oneni ghts t andant hem!‘ Wi c k ed’ c oul d s er v east het hemes ongf oranydef i antgr oupf i ght i ngf ort her i ghtt obej us twho t heyar e!

The30s ec ondi nt r oduc t i onIhadt oDev aMahal s i ngi ng‘ I t ’ sDownT oYou’ was t hebes tpos s i bl et eas erandt hef ul l v er s i ondoes n’ tdi s appoi nt !Whi l et hel y r i c s di r ec t l yment i onanot herpar t y ,i thasanunder t oneofac onv er s at i onwi t hone’ s s el fi nr egar dt ot hedes i r et obehappyandhav el ov e.Thi si st hats ongt hat s howc as esal l herpowerandr angei nonehear t f el tbal l ad.

CauseIgat her edmyar mour ,andI ’ mr eadyf orbat t l e/ I ’ vegotmyweapons dr awn,t aki n’t her oadl esst r avel ed.AndI ’ mr eadyt odot hi s,andnobody canst opme.

I nc l udedi nt heal bum i ns er twasaquot ef r om J amesBal dwi n;“ Lov edoesnot begi nandendt hewaywes eem t ot hi nki tdoes .Lov ei sabat t l e,Lov ei sawar ; Lov ei sagr owi ngup. ”I nt heaf or ement i onedi nt er v i ewDev as t at est hati tt ook herwhol el i f et omak et hi sCDands hewant edt omak eanal bum t hats howed s t r engt hi nv ul ner abi l i t y .Wel l Dev a,wef eel y ourl ov eandIbel i ev ei tr unsdeep!

Wor dsbyMi chaelNewki r k

RUN DEEP

I fs omeonepos edt heques t i ont ome,“ Whats ong( s )woul dbet hes ongst odes c r i beDev aMahal andt het y peofar t i s ts hei s ?”Iwoul dqui c k l yr epl y‘ Opt i mi s t ’ andt het i t l et r ac k‘ RunDeep’ !Ther oc ks t y l ei nt r os pl i t st i mewi t has oul f ul beat t hatdes pi t eal l t hehear t br eak ,upsanddownst her ei sanunder l y i nghopeand bel i eft hatev er y t hi ngi sgoi ngt obeal r i ght .Thet i t l et r ac ks er v esasac onf i r mat i onofheropt i mi s m ashers i s t erc ont r i but esaf ewbar st hatc oul dbeanar t i c l e oni t sown.It hi nkIc oul d’ v epr i nt edt hel y r i c sandt hatc oul dbet het es t i monyor r al l y i ngc r yf ormos tany one’ st r ut h.