A Dynamic Duo: Music and TV

By J9 of J9's MusicLife


The radio isn't the only place to discover new music. . .sometimes the best place is on your very own TV screen!  All of my life, I've enjoyed watching TV shows not only because of its great content but also because of the music that was showcased.  Usually these songs appear at a pivotal point in the episode, capturing the mood of that particular scene.

Back in the day, it was difficult for me to find the song I heard.  Luckily, in this day in age, I have Google or Shazam to help me find the song's name and artist to then download.  Some shows even do the work for you and display the song information during or at the end of the program.
 
Today, I thought I would feature some of my favorite TV Shows throughout the years that incorporated some great music:


1.  The Cosby Show

Oftentimes music would be heard during special family occasions such as anniversaries or birthdays.  The whole family would perform their own interpretation of a song together.  Songs showcased were mostly jazz, blues or R&B classics.





2.  Beverly Hills 90210

Music became more prevalent towards the later seasons.  Music artists would perform at a nightclub called "The After Dark," which was attached to the gang's famous spot the "Peach Pit."  They would feature current music of that time as well as independent and up and coming artists.








3. New York Undercover

Famous music artists would perform at "Natalie's," a nightclub where the two detectives would come to unwind after work or music would be played during a important moments of the episode.  The show did a great job mixing old and new R&B. 








4.  Nip/Tuck

The best tracks came on when the plastic surgeons were about to begin surgery on a patient.  Most of the time, the song directly related to the particular patient's storyline.  A wide variety of music could be heard from artists like Billy Idol, Frank Sinatra, Bach, Teena Marie, and Kanye West.






To check out the rest of the list, click here.

Does It Take a Whole Gay Village to Raise Our Own Youth

It takes a whole village to raise a child is an old African Proverb that I would love to see reflected upon all youth. Growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas I was perceived as a young heterosexual man for my entire time living there and it was a lie that I was living, I had known since I was a little boy that I was different and that I felt an attraction toward other boys; however I did not want to be rejected from the village that I was being raised in. In our society we actually teach our children that it is not okay to be different without even realizing it, youth everyday are denying who they are just to fit in. Where is the village that is there to raise our young LGBT youth, since they are being forced out of this other village that society has created?

Earlier this year I heard two horrifying stories about two little boys who took their own lives because their classmates where bullying them because they thought they were gay and I was deeply hurt, because I felt like I was letting down my own. Although I did not personally know either one of these children I saw so much of a young Dwight in them and that was a connection I could not let go of. As I sat on my couch watching Oprah the tears began to run down my face and I revisited the memories I had of children teasing me and the many prayers that I sent up to God asking him to make me normal, this village that I was being raised in had brainwashed me into thinking that there was something wrong with me and that I would go to Hell for me being the way that I am. In my adult life I want to be that support system that teaches youth through my example that it is okay for you to be different, it is okay that you may not want to play sports with the other boys or with baby dolls with the other girls, God created each of us all differently.

As a young person it is very important to see role models that you admire, so that they can aspire to be great, it was not to long ago that some of the first black shows reached television and people of color old and young were very excited to see themselves on TV. One show in particular that comes to mind was The Cosby Show that showcased a very successful African American family that reflected the African American community positively, as a young black boy that meant a lot to me and I wanted to be just as successful; however I began to get sad as I struggled with my sexuality and had no one to see in a positive light to help me with those difficult feelings, questions, or curiosities. This is why I have put so much effort in my own work, such as my series targeted at young LGBT Christopher Street (which has been tagged as a gay 90210), my reality dating show Dating Dwight (which shows that gay men do more than just have sex), and my blog Dishin’ It with Dwight (which highlights different topics from entertainment, fashion, and self empowerment topics) powered by The Future Forward.net. I have put so much effort in all of these works to create positive images of gay men of color, so our youth can see themselves in the media doing great things. I want to be their gay Michael Jordan, Madonna, or Beyonce’ I want gay youth of all colors to look at me and say if Dwight Allen O’Neal can do it, so can I.

The catch phrase for my series Christopher Street is “How many people does it take to hold a street together.” By saying that we are recreating the old African Proverb and urging the LGBT community to come together and mold our youth, because our mainstream community many times fail them and if they do fail them we should be there to help our own and offer them love, support, and most importantly acceptance.

The Artist Leroy Campbell

THE FUTURE IN ART

Simply put, Leroy Campbell is a quintessential artist. His work, created in a variety of mixed media and reflective of the African-American experience, evokes an unexpected range of emotions. He becomes a griot, telling stories of hard work, dignity, love and caring: stories which are at times haunting and painful, yet hopeful and inspiring, and bring to life folks who are proud, god-fearing and self-reliant.

He is best known for his silhouetted elongated figures with long necks. He paints them without eyes or noses; with mouths only, which he says leaves it up to viewers’ interpretation. His work embodies a universal message yet remains an extension of his southern roots. Campbell, born in Charleston, South Carolina, a city particularly rich in African-American history, culture and traditions, is a self-taught artist who began the serious pursuit of his craft in 1984 while living in New York City. As he has grown, so has the intensity of his artistic expression. Artistically, he captures the spirit and flavor of African-American life in the south by employing his rich multi-media collage techniques including a mixed-media of vintage clothing, quilted fabrics, burlap, needles, thread, elements of southern terrain, newspaper and the skillful use of color.

His most recent series “The Newspaper Series” features news print as its most dominant feature. His use of newspaper signifies more than one denotation. On one hand, it represents the Gullah rituals of witchcraft to who by papering the walls of their houses with news print protected them against and rid of curses and dangerous spirits. On the other hand, the newspaper serves as a time capsule, since upon a closer glance the newspaper articles triumphantly detail the palpable, unwavering strength and perseverance of people of African ancestry from slavery to present day.

His newest works interpret present day by his characterization of people painted blue. The color blue emanates an energy that allows us to look beyond and increase our perspective outward. It contains a cool vibration that is helpful to communication. It counteracts chaos or agitation, and provides protection, health, confidence and strength.

“I am an artist who believes that art can influence, inspire, and encourage dialogue. I believe art heals, breaks down stereotypes and advocates diversity. My new works proclaim a spirit of universality that will hopefully open the lines of easy communication and promote peace.”– Leroy Campbell

Campbell's artwork is sold to contemporary galleries and collectors internationally. His work is displayed in corporations, universities and private collections. Campbell’s distinctive art has been seen on hit television shows "Martin", "Fresh Prince of Bel Air", "Living Single", "The Jamie Foxx Show", "The Cosby Show", "In the Heat of the Night", and in feature productions like "The First Wives Club" and others.

The Cosby Show celebrated 25 Years since Debut

'The Huxtables Changed Not Television or Politics But the Idea of Black Family'

The Cosby Show celebrated 25 years since its debut on Sunday. In her article for The Root, senior culture writer Teresa Wiltz writes that even though the Huxtables were far from the first black family on screen, they normalized "black excellence and black achievement" for American TV viewers.










The Huxtables: (clockwise from left) (clockwise from top left) Tempestt Bledsoe as Vanessa, Malcolm-Jamal Warner as Theo, Lisa Bonet as Denise, Phylicia Rashad as Clair, Keshia Knight Pulliam as Rudy, and (center) Bill Cosby as Dr. Heathcliff 'Cliff' Huxtable.

When it came to illustrating the world of a happy, well-established, black family Bill Cosby showed — he didn't tell, Wiltz says. But along with folksy humor and colorful sweaters, the show was a platform for Cosby's particular brand of activism.

"Beneath the laughs and good times of The Cosby Show beat the heart of a propagandist," Wiltz writes. "This was the world according to Bill Cosby, where there was no room for slacking, Ebonics, baby mamas or anything else. This was activist television, agitprop theater disguised as sitcom."