Black Women in Music

Straight through the gate... Aye!! I choose Janet Jackson, one of Motown's very own. My girl Janet Jackson her voice says it all, along with her multi-Platinum achievements. She is a singer, songwriter, actress, dancer and record producer.

Janet Jackson didn't always have it easy growing up in a divided household with her parents Katherine & Jo Jackson. I was once an active Jehovah's witness understanding, honest Christian value and practices. This gave me a clear view of what Janet was going through.

My Spouse in the early 90's was big on discipling and teaching my son's the opposite. I was teaching my children to be fishers of men, learning about God. And he was busy taking my boys to Kenpo karate classes.

Janet's mom Katherine was an active Jehovah's witness teaching her children about the kingdom of God and his righteous. While on the other hand. Their dad Jo, disciplined them all, if they had a dog, I'm more than sure the dog got the business too. later Janet was managed as a singer by her dad Jo. Janet was the youngest of all her siblings.

Janet inspires me because although, she was the youngest she did not let the things she been through stagnate her chance to sing and write her own music. I'm so inspired because, I am a music writer as well. I don't want to really toot my own horn but, I am pretty good at what I am gifted to do.

Janet also was a dancer. I love to dance.... if only you could understood being an artist, music is your life! I can relate music to being my lifeline, with every waking beat of a song. I will not miss a beat as if my life depends on it.

When you saw Gladys Knight you knew that the Pips were sure to follow. Gladys was known for her famous singing, writing, and acting. As a writer, once again speaking from experience; It's not always easy to just write an entire song and place it with music all in one day. Gladys has recorded two number one Billboard Hot 100 singles. "Midnight Train to Georgia" and "That's What Friends Are For" 11 number one R&B singles and 6 number one R&B albums. She's won 7 Grammy Awards. 4 as solo and 3 with the Pips.

Gladys loyalty to her family is what stood out to me, her being related to the Pips. Gladys could have selfishly took all the fame for herself going solo however, she choose not to do so.

I consider myself a loyal person especially, when it comes to my family. I am close to my family and we build each other up. Having a strong support system matters a lot.

Her great achievements has got her placed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Gladys Knight among the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.

Aretha Franklin was a singer, songwriter, actress, pianist, and civil rights activist. Aretha started her career as a child she would sing gospel at a Church by the name of New Bethel Baptist Church, located in Detroit, Michigan. Aretha's father C. L. Franklin was a Minister. 1966 is when Aretha's career flourished she recorded hit singles like... " I Never Loved a Man ( The Way I Love You )" Respect", ( You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman", " Chains of Fools", "Think" and " I say a Little Prayer" By the end of the 1960's Aretha became known as the Queen of Soul".

In the 1970's Young , Gifted and Black. Aretha left Atlantic Records to sign with Arista Records in 1979. In the 80's she appeared in a film " The Blues Brothers" Before releasing her successful albums "Jump to It", "Who's Zoomin' Who"? In 2015 she paid tribute to honoree Carole King by singing" You Make Me Feel Like ) A Natural Women" at the Kennedy Center Honors. Aretha recorded 112 charted singles on Billboard including, 77 Hot 100 entries, 17 top-ten pop singles, 20 number one R&B singles, 18 Grammy Awards. Including the 1st 8 given for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance 1968-1975.

Aretha received numerous honors throughout her career. National Medal of Arts, Presidential Medal of Freedom, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, UK Music Hall of Fame, Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Rolling Stone magazine ranked her 100 Greatest Singer and Artist of All Time. Definitely the best in her time. And to think her writing her own music lead her down the path to place herself in a position to accomplish her greatest achievement.

I can truly relate to Tina in the early 90's until 2010. I myself had a spouse that put me in the mind of Jo Jackson or an Ike.... Lol he was something else. While our children were small. I was an at home mom while I worked 3 jobs and went to school. No one knew about the verbal, emotional, and something physical abuse I would endure at home.

I had to focus to being the best. My circumstance went from and Educator explaining that I hadn't accomplished anything but, a GED and all F's on my college records. After feeling as if the counselor had called me stupid. I realized it all at that moment that's how I felt... Stupid.

I enrolled in college trades, CNA, EMT-B, Phlebotomy, EKG. Those simply small course while caring for the needs of my small children. Homework, giving my kids baths making sure they were in bed before it was time for me to go to work. washing, Ironing, making sure my kids got to school in the morning before I could go to sleep, and cooked meals everyday, It was back to work and school again. All while I was still in school for EMT-B. While working at RCH as a CNA. I was one day pulled down to the emergency room to work and train to immediately switch job positions, After I begged to take a ACLS class at Roseland my job. I was only pending my EMT License. When I was allowed to take the exam. With a room full of Doctors, Nurses and respiratory therapist. That day only one of the Doctors, a few nurses, and I passed that advance cardiac life support class.

My day to day wasn't bad all the time. While helping others at work. This was my get away from the trouble at times I'd faced at home. I knew I had 3 boys of my own and a sept-daughter looking up to me. When I finally decided to take my education seriously. I enrolled in MXC and transferred my electives . I took up all the courses to get my associates in Applied Science Degree.

I made it to the Honor roll, with a GPA of 4.5. I then enrolled in the Paramedic class and tw0 graduations in 2007. One was for Paramedic and the other was for my degree. I was so proud for my children to see my accomplishment and even though I was dealing with infidelity in my marriage, he was there to see me shine. My mom had an illness and she was running the streets poor baby... just couldn't be there for nobody if they paid her to. I clearly understood and accepted the truth for what it was. I had my grandmother the women who raised me to be the women I am today. She got to see me walk across the stage twice that year. The next year, on February 4th, 2008 she passed away. I was raised by a strong Black & Indian women, I really.....truly miss her. Mann !! I'm Okay just had to fix my crown just now. W0o!

We all heard the stories of Tina Turner and her husband/ Manager Ike. Boy.... can I relate to the domestic abuse mental, emotional, physical, and verbal abuse that Ike would present to Tina.

Tina still proved her determination and capability to put up a fight with Ike, then cover her bruises and strut them heels on to that stage to perform. I did quite the same at home. Just a remarkable women being able to shake Ike off as if nothing ever happened.

You definitely couldn't tell by her performance. Tina was a singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress. In 1978 Tina broke free from Ike. Tina career began to soar in the 80's. One of the greatest come backs in music history.

1983 single " Let's Stay Together" again a release of 1984 multi-platinum album, "Private Dancer", "What's Love Got to Do with it". During her Break Every Rule World Tour she set a Guinness World Record for the largest paying audience 180,000 for a solo performance. Having sold over 100 million records, 12 Grammy Awards. Oh honey they didn't call her the Queen of Rock "n" Roll for nothing, need I say more???

Whitney Houston was dearly loved for her beautiful soul and spirit. When she'd sing a song. The Melody just went straight through you. Although she had her fair share of ups, and downs. She too suffered emotional, substance abuse, and domestic violence, in her marriage to R&B singer Bobby Brown.

What inspired me about her is that with all she struggled she had. Whitney didn't just give up she was a warrior, a true fighter.... She did not give up. Whitney was a singer and actress. She was certified as the most awarded female artist of all time by the Guinness Word Records as the best selling recording artist with over 200 million records worldwide sold. This definitely an example of a strong black woman who fixed her crown and inspired me. RIP Whitney Houston... Bravo!!! Well done.

M.J. Blige.... Mary Jane! As a child growing up, Mary would watch as her dad who was a veteran and suffered from PTSD would beat her mom. When her mom decided that she had, had enough. She found a low income project to live in.

Mary explained in an interview how all the women where she lived was surrounded by domestic abuse. Mary mother was a nurse and worked. There were times when Mary was exposed to being sexually abuse due to Mary's mother having to work and leave her with strangers.

By the time Mary J was 16 y/o she had stopped singing in church and dropped out of school. Mary f0und herself a product of her own environment. She stated she thought she was ugly, and turned to drug, sex, and alcohol as an escape.

While never totally given up on herself, God had other plans. Mary went to a place she would do karaoke and recorded a cassette of herself singing Anita Baker...Aye!! "Caught up in the Rapture", After 4years Mary managed to get her record deal with Uptown records, signed in 1992.

13 Albums of which 8 was Multi-Platinum worldwide sales. 9 Grammy Awards, 4 American Music Awards, 12 Billboard Music Awards, 3 Golden Globe Awards, 4 major Annual Entertainment Awards in film, Emmy Awards Television, and Tony Awards. Just because she became successful doesn't mean the things she went through just goes away. Certainly not.... but, again another successful black woman who fixed her crown and inspired me..... Go Mary, Go Mary, M.J. Blige baby!!!

Last But, definitely not the least.... Give it too a Queen, Latifah has paved a way for black female gifted rap artist, such as myself. I started writing rhymes and rapping in 1988. My voice rumbled many crowds, in rap battles and contest, to recording my music in professional studios. My Children's dad was musically inclined.

My 2nd Ex-husband.... My Jo Jackson/ Ike. He was a rapper and music producer. After my children was born I never gave up on my dream. I just simply put it on a back burner. My rap music was not paying my bills. I had my priorities on point. My children came 1st. This hasn't changed my mind one single bit. You will here some of my Music one day.

Queen is an Awesome female Artist. She could have stuck to singing Blues & Jazz. Her voice is simply amazing in every way. But, she didn't.... this phenomenal beautiful black woman is a lyricist. And a jack of all trades. from singing, to rapping, to dancing, to acting... Hail to the Queen, give it to her!!

Now Janet, Gladys, Aretha, Tina, Whitney, Mary, and Queen Latifah are all black beautiful women that are artist. In the light of it all. We all share a few common ground. In life sometimes all you have is 5min. to pull it all together before the world starts watching you, while making there Judgement. What inspired me about these ladies. Is the fact that despite all of their endeavors. These women fixed there crown and kept right on going.

Whether the world stood still or kept moving. I'm sure they realized like I do. If you remain focused on your goals no matter how reachable or unreachable they may be. You too can have a share in Inspiring other by never folding or giving up on your dreams.