These ladies careers have expanded over several decades (starting in the 1960s/early ’70s).  The Living Legends not only had hit songs during the early stages of their career, but they are still putting out hit songs.

DIANA ROSS

Diana Ross started off in the group The Supremes but eventually made a career as a solo artist.  Ms. Ross is one of the original Divas of music.  I have yet to see anyone top the concert she recorded for HBO years ago. 

TINA TURNER

If I could only have legs like Tina Turner. Ms. Turner overcame adversity and became a living legend. I’ve had to quote the lyrics from her song  - “What’s Love Got to Do With it?” on several occasions.

GLADYS KNIGHT

Gladys Knight, whether with or without the Pips, has a voice easily recognized by the young and old.  Her music is timeless. Anybody headed on the “Midnight Train to Georgia?”

PATTI LABELLE

Whether she’s singing R & B or Gospel, Patti Labelle gives it her all.   “If Only You Knew” is one of my favorite songs by Patti-Patti.

ARETHA FRANKLIN

Aretha Franklin isn’t known as the Queen of Soul for nothing.  She not only demands “R-E-S-P-E-C-T,” she gets it–her career has expanded over four decades just like the other ladies mentioned above. 

Honorable Mention - NATALIE COLE

When I get married, Natalie Cole’s song “Inseperable” will be played at my reception. 

These living legends are still going strong. Do you have favorites from those decades that are still putting out music that I didn’t mention here? 

Double Platinum

It’s Day 4 of music dedication week. Today’s feature - Divas from the 80’s & early 90’s - Are they Still Around or Did they Disappear?

ANITA BAKER

This songbird disappeared off the radar. I remember my first Anita Baker concert. I can’t remember who else performed but I can remember her sounding just as good in person as she did on her records.  

Toni Braxton

Toni Braxton has been performing in Las Vegas. I read on Eurweb.com that she had gotten sick so hopefully, she’s doing better.  I hope to catch one of her shows the next time I go to Vegas.

Sade

Sade’s music is still soothing to the soul. The Best of Sade is something I play on a regular basis. 

Whitney Houston

I can’t have a list of Divas from the 80s & 90s list and not mention Ms. Houston. Her voice couldn’t be touched back in the day.

Jennifer Holliday

Jennifer’s rendition of  ”And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” is still one of my favorite songs. This original dream girl can still blow.

Honorable Mention - Oletha Adams

Oletha Adams might not have been as mainstream as some of the other Divas, but she has a voice that sets her apart from some of the other women of her day.

Who were some of your favorite Divas from the 80s and early 90s?

Double Platinum

It’s Day 3 of music dedication week. Today’s feature - female rappers or rap groups from the 80’s & 90’s.

Salt N Pepa

I think it was 1985 or 1986 when I first heard about this rap duo who had young ladies around the world wanting to be just like them.

Queen Latifah/Yo-Yo/MC Lyte

Queen Latifah’s U.N.I.T.Y. and Ladies First became the women’s anthem for the day. Who can forget “Don’t mess with my yo-yo?” MC Lyte was clever on the microphone and had hits like Cappuccino and Ruff Neck. All three of the ladies collaborated on the Brandy “I Wanna Be Down” remix.

Lil‘ Kim/Da Brat/Angie Martinez/Missy Elliott/Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez

This video collaboration features rappers who were never afraid to push things to the edge and all rapped to their own beat. 

EVE

Eve’s been acting so some folks may have forgetten she started off as a rapper. Here’s Eve with Alicia Keys.

Mia X

It’s not surprising that this Louisiana rapper, Mia X, liked to get her ”shine” on like the man who helped put her on the map–Master P. Foxxy Brown joins her on this video.

Honorable Mention: Roxanne Shante came on the scene with the “dis record” Roxanne’s Revenge. For those who like hip-hop, you have to check out the full DVD of this clip.

The rap category for women was slim. Who was one of your favorite female rappers past or present?

It’s Day 2 of music dedication week here on the blog. There’s so much music out there that I’ve decided to split it up into two parts. This week it’ll be all about us ladies and the next time I do a music dedication week, it’ll be all about the men. Highlighted today are five female groups from the 80s & 90s.

TLC

T-Boz, Left Eye and Chili were the group to beat back in the day…they were hip and they were trendsetters. Left-Eye is missed.

EnVogue

This was probably one of the best girl groups of the time.  When this group broke up it shocked everyone. I would love to see a reunion CD with all the original members.

Klymaxx

We all paused when we saw a group of women who not only sang but played all the instruments in the band. Whether they were singing “The Men All Pause” or my other favorite “Divas Need Love Too” Klymaxx is one of my top favorite groups from this time.

Xscape

These Jermaine Dupree proteges were hip and could sang their butts off.  This is another group I hate broke up. Tiny’s been in the news because of her famous rapper boyfriend TI and one of the other ladies has been doing well as a songwriter. This is one of my favorites-Am I Dreaming - a collaboration with the group Ol’ School

Mary Jane Girls 

I had to add this group because me and high school friends performed one of their songs in a talent show. I thought I was grown.

Honarable Mention - Total

Members want to go solo. You hear maybe one CD and then nothing from them or the rest of the group. That’s been the fate of quite a few of the groups out from this period.

Who are some of your favorite girl groups from the 80s and 90s?

Double Platinum

This week will be music dedication week on the blog. So drop on by and take a trip down memory lane. To start it off, I’m posting my theme song and a song by a lady who shares my first name.

Double Platinum By Shelia M. Goss

Dear Shelia,

I recently heard from an old flame.  We went out a few times and had a good time. He’s suggesting we give it another try, but I’m not so sure.  For me the chemistry is no longer there. He is really nice and I can tell that he’s changed so I don’t want to hurt his feelings. What should I do? 

Signed Confused

Dear Confused,

I can understand you not wanting to hurt someone’s feelings. If you have no intentions of getting back with your ex and he’s trying to rekindle old flames; it’s best to be blunt and honest. Otherwise you risk giving off mixed signals which could lead to more hurt feelings. Explain to your ex, you wish him nothing but the best; however you’ve moved on and suggest he does the same. Do it tactfully and hopefully you guys can continue to hold civil conversations. If he gets too emotional about it, you may have to cut all ties, more for your sake than his. My motto is “An Ex is an Ex for a Reason and shall remain an ex.”

But then again, it doesn’t mean things might not work out if you do decide to give him another try. Either way, honesty is the key. Be honest with yourself first and by all means be honest with him.

Thanks for reading today’s question at advice corner. I’m not a relationship expert, just a writer who writes about relationships. Feel free to add on your own opinion.

Dear Shelia,

I think I’m in love with a guy I just met. I’m thinking about telling him how I feel but don’t want to ruin our relationship before it really gets started.  Before now I didn’t believe in love at first sight.  Have you ever experienced it?

Woman from the East Coast

Dear Woman from the East Coast,

I think there’s “lust” at first sight. Love might develop from those lustful feelings eventually, but it’s hard to truly love someone when you don’t know anything about that person; when you don’t know any of their characteristics; when you haven’t had any type of interaction with a person. I’ve seen surveys that both men and women believe there is “love at first sight” and in fact, I asked this question to a few males myself and out of the males asked, 95 percent agreed that “love at first sight” exists.

After reading your question, I tried to recall if I had ever fallen instantly in love.  I came up with zilch. Now lust, yes. Just yesterday, I crossed paths with a man with the prettiest smile and could fill out a pair of levi jeans. He was sexy and I was immediately attracted to him, but love, “no.”

I guess you have the answer to the second part of your question. No, I have never met a man who I instantly fell in love with.

Love is hard enough after you get to know a person. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a “hopeful” romantic and would love to meet a man and him and I instantly fall in love like in the movies or some of the romance stories I write. But in reality I don’t see it happening.

In reality, I think there can be an immediate attraction. In reality, I think love can develop from that attraction. In reality, I think when both adults feel the same way about each other,love is a beautiful thing.

One question to ask yourself, would you believe a man if he told you after meeting you a few times that he was in love with you?

Readers, have you ever experienced “love at first sight?”

Thanks for reading today’s question at advice corner. I’m not a relationship expert, just a writer who writes about relationships. Feel free to add on your own opinion.

Today marks the last day of poetry month. I wanted to highlight one of my favorite modern day poets - Marc Lacy.

Poet Marc Lacy was born in Huntsville, Alabama. He is the 2nd child and eldest son born to Walter and Julianne Lacy. After Graduating Alabama A&M University, Lacy worked as an engineer for several corporations and is currently a government contractor. He spent numerous years heavily involved in organizational work and anchoring various community service projects within the North Alabama area. Lacy has been writing poetry for about 17 years; of which he has performed on tour for the past 5.

By 2001 Lacy had co-founded The Legendary ArtNSoul Society of Expression. Via the local open mic circuit, Lacy transformed from a serious written poet, into a phenomenal spoken word artist. By 2004, Lacy published his first book The Looking Heart, and co-produced his first spoken word cd REFlux (Charles Owens, Touchzone Production & Publishing). Both aforementioned works were the recipient of several independent publishing/performance awards. By 2007, Lacy released his second book of poetry Rock & Fire; which propelled him to the nomination of “Poet of the Year” – Open Book Awards along with Nikki Giovanni. He has traveled the nation engaging in various spoken word/literary endeavors. Lacy has shared the stage/platform with many notable spoken word artists and renown authors. Spring 2008 will manifest his follow up spoken word cd “Trying to be a Spoken Word Artist.”

Peaches & Lyrical Cream

Thoughts of sweet
amenities often
accent prospects
of hooking up…
Everything from
lotions to potions
and creams
following game schemes
kicked
heard
thus the target party is now convinced…
PM wine consumption
body rubs
Kenny G. head bobs
followed by
more body rubs…
Leads to inevitable
actions that are
unspoken of…
But telepathic minds
are hopin’ of…

A good soothing for dinner
and a momentous bang for dessert
configure the proverbial
mack down
rub down
lay down
and let down
flowchart…

Everyone picks
up the pieces
’til the feelings are gone
then the cycle begins again…
But sometimes one
can still win
when the right things are said
yielding proper thoughts…bred…
full is achieved
because the mind
has been fed…
The physical fiendin’
may be achieved later on…
But the mental food administered
properly will always provide
enough to cerebrally, chew on…for a while…

So before you choose to fall
for the loose lines stated within your fantasies
and dreams…
Try consuming peaches and lyrical cream…
Let the words fill the hungry spirit
and allow your “mind” to fiend…
fiend for more knowledge of self…

When you sleep with good knowledge…
…that’s the healthiest “set” of one night stands
one can have…

(c)2008 Marc Lacy
http://www.marclacy.com   

Marc Lacy’s books, Rock and Fire: Love Poetry from the Core, The Looking Heart: Poetic Expression from Within, and REFlux: Poetic Spirit and Spoken Soul, are available online via his website: http://www.marclacy.com/product.php

Dear Shelia,
My girlfriend told me I wasn’t being sensitive to her needs. I’m a man, so I don’t know what she means. Help!

Sensitive in Maryland

Dear Sensitive in Maryland,

Since you didn’t elaborate more on why your girlfriend would say that, it’s difficult to answer. There could be a number of reasons. Do you find yourself “going through” the motions? Do you really listen to her when she’s talking or is your mind a million miles away because you assume she’s saying the same old thing? Does she need more romance?

It doesn’t make you less of a man to show that you care. Pay more attention to her. Really listen and try to cater to some of her needs.

Thanks for reading today’s question at advice corner. I’m not a relationship expert, just a writer who writes about relationships. Feel free to add on your own opinion.