"It's Raining Men" was for Donna Summer but as a born-again Christian she thought the song was "blasphemous."
Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Cher and Barbra Streisand would all decline this song before The Weather Girls recorded it and made it a hit.
When Vickie Winans got in the pulpit and was asked to speak about her ex-husband Marvin Winans.
Gagged the audience, the father, the son, AND the holy spirit!
Karen Clark-Sheard would pursue a solo career in 1997.
Her debut album, "Finally Karen" charted on the Gospel, R&B, Hip-Hop and Pop Charts.
The lead single, "Balm In Gilead" written by Twinkie earned Karen her first gold record.
#TheClarkSisters
The Clark Sisters cite Aretha Franklin as one of their biggest musical influences.
In September 1994, Aretha sang at Mattie Moss-Clark's funeral.
#TheClarkSisters
In November 1993, Mattie Moss-Clark directed a choir for the last time with help from her daughter Dorinda.
The soloist Dr. Bettye Ransom-Nelson was also a student of Mattie Moss'.
#TheClarkSisters
Y'all consistently undermine the importance of the clubs in creating music and artists with longevity.
The core of hip-hop, rnb and dance music artist’s fanbases were built in the clubs. Lil Kim and Biggie with platinum records and top 10 hits were still performing in clubs.
In November 1994, two months after their mother's death The Clark Sisters sang with Twinkie for the first time in 5 years at Holy Convocation.
The sisters each give Twinkie a kiss as they walk off stage.
#TheClarkSisters
Little Richard going to The Grammy Awards and reading the ENTIRE music industry for not crediting him for his musical and cultural contributions will forever be iconic.
RIP 💔
In conclusion, Venus Williams is THE blueprint. She changed the way the game is played and how it looked in the process.
It is also because of Venus that athletes are more comfortable venturing out into business ventures outside of tennis.
Give Queenus Williams HER THINGS! 💐
Many people don't know this but while being the
#1
ranked tennis player in the world, Venus still managed to find to go to school for fashion and interior design!
Thankfully, Venus didn't listen to the critics.
In 2000, Venus Williams and her backless dresses won 2 grand slam championships, 2 Olympic gold medals, and set open era record of 35 consecutive wins! A record that still stands today!
One of Venus' most iconic looks is the backless dress from her 1998-99 season. Outside of being criticized for her braided hair, this dress was criticized for being "too revealing" for the sport.
In 2003, Venus took tennis into the world of high fashion when she collaborated with Diane Von Furstenburg to create collection.
This dress from Wimbledon, is considered one her greatest on-court outfits.
She made shockwaves in tennis not only because she hit harder and moved faster than all the girls. But she looked different. She was unashamedly black in her appearance.
Before her, black women in tennis assimilated to the white culture of the sport.
Always pushing the boundaries of tennis fashion, Venus unveiled the, "peek-a-boo" to much public criticism at the 2001 Australian open.
It has since become a fan favorite.
Outside of tennis, Venus runs a successful interior design firm, “V Starr Interiors.” Some of your favorite favorite commercial hotels have been designed by Venus and you didn’t even know it!
Early in her career, she began breaking the mold of how women in tennis dressed.
At the age of 15, she wore DENIM skirt and jumper set! This look would famously be re-created by her sister nearly a decade later!
Outside of being experimental with designs. Venus also experimental in textiles, trying how different fabrics and blends to see how they’d hold up in an athletic environment.
This romper is from her 2011 Wimbledon run.
One of my IG followers posted a selfie with the caption, "10 situps for every like, 15 pushups for every comment."
She got, 475 likes and 30 comments and changed the caption to, "Ready for the weekend ✨"
When y'all talk about key changes make sure to put Vickie Winans and her 18 modulations in, "I Hear Music In The Air," right up there in the discussion with Beyoncé and, "Love On Top."
Outside of her fashions, Venus’ hair has garnered attention in the recent years. From sporting natural up-dos to multi-colored braids, Venus always gives the people something new!
Venus had commentators confused when she took the courts with an “Afro puff” in the mid 2000s.
"Aaron stop it. Stop calling them ,'those things.' They are people and they are called transgender. God, I have so much to teach you."
An LGBTQ+ advocate!
Y'all need to stop the ,"whitney didn't write.." "beyonce didn't write.." Nonsense...
Whitney's contemporary Miki Howard says all of them wrote, produced, and arranged, but, "they didn't call you that back then ... bc you did what you needed to get the song done."
Outside of design, Venus has successfully broken into the skincare and health industries with a line of sunscreens and protein drinks.
Her “Happy Viking” protein drinks sold 24hrs after launch!
Outside of wearing her own designs, Venus and her clothing brand have branched out and have begun sponsoring other players on the tennis circuit.
Here, Nadia Petrova is wearing EleVen.
The clubs would get music FIRST, and many artists across genres will tell you that if it weren't a hit in the clubs, it would not be a hit with the general record-buying public.
This shoot was interesting.
A few times men drove by whistling out the window and even tried filming her.
It was my first time witnessing the objectification of a woman.
But, Sydney didn't flinch. She kept a smile on her face and did her thing.
I'm proud of these shots.
Three weeks ago, I moved to New York with my my hopes, dreams, goals and some nerve. Today, I officially started my career as a filmmaker in the music industry!
Today's Black History Fact:
In the 1970s singer Sylvester burst onto the music scene. He's credited for introducing gender fluidity into the mainstream.
His songs "You Make Me Feel" and "Do You Wanna Funk" pioneered musical genres known today as "Electronica" and "Hi-NRG."
In the fall of 1967, Harry Belafonte and Aretha Franklin. gave an 11-city FREE concert tour to fundraise for the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Foundation!
"That's why I got ME a nursing job! So no matter what kind of FOOLISHNESS happen with yall.. I can still get up, go to work, and GET A CHECK!" - Jacky Clark
#TheClarkSisters
Rest In Peace Ja'Net Dubois (1945-2020).
- Willona from "Good Times."
- Sang the theme song to "The Jeffersons" television show.
- Voiced Mrs. Avery on "The PJs."
Here is the official trailer for my directorial debut, 'Challenging The Call.' It will begin its film festival run in the fall.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible.
"I've been locked up before for disturbing the peace. I know you got to disturb the peace when you cant get no peace." - Aretha Franklin (speaking on bailing Angela Davis out of jail.)
#BlackLivesMatter
Y'all, my 16 year old sister got her a job at Wendy's and changed her IG name to "paper chaser" and added booking info to her profile.
I had to block her.
Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin were going
#1
when they were close to 50. Patti's career peak was in her 40s and 50s. Up until the 90s or so, careers had a much longer life span.
2024 marks 20 years since Gwen Stefani’s solo debut. I find it interesting that she reached her apex as a pop during her mid 30s. The following year, Mariah and Mary made huge comebacks and they were the same age (35). Was society less ageist 20 years ago?
It’s a lot of Venus Williams slander happening on the timeline, particularly from Serena fans.
Let the record show both of them missed shots on big points tonight.
They are a team.
You can't have a discussion about long nails in Pop Culture without mentioning Glodean White.
She was the lead singer of the popular early 70s girl group, "Love Unlimited" and married to legendary singer Barry White.