This will be the first Father’s Day that I have no one to celebrate the day for. I dedicate these songs in the memory of my dad, Lloyd Goss (1996) and grandfather, JC Hogan (2007):

Dance with My Father Again - Luther Vandross

It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday - Boyz II Men

Bye Bye - Mariah Carey

Amazing Grace - Mahalia Jackson

There’s a song out there to fit almost every occasion.

All Cried Out - Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam featuring Full Force

Is This the End - New Edition

Another Sad Love Song - Toni Braxton

End of the Road - Boyz II Men

Not Gonna Cry - Mary J Blige

Can you think of any other break up songs?

Even after the ceremony burying the use of the “N” word, I see it used more often than before. Nas even stirred up some controversy because he was adamant about his CD title being the ”N” word. He has since changed his mind because he probably realized that if he wanted his CD on the market, he needed to change his way of thinking.  Kudos to the record company for standing their ground on this issue.

I was at the store recently looking for me a pair of heels to go with a dress when out of the blue this guy uses his cell phone (don’t you just hate it when folks talk on their cell phones out in public and are LOUD). He’s calling one of his friends. Here’s the conversation from his end (he’s at the front of the shoe store and by now I’m going down one of the aisles, but yet I can still hear his conversation):

“What’s up N****?”

Apparently his friend doesn’t hear him the first time, so he says again, “What’s up N****?”

I’m like, dang his friend must be D-E-A-F.

Now by now I’m walking down another aisle passing by this blond haired white woman trying on shoes. A cute pair of shoes catch my eye and they happen to be right across from the white woman. The guy says again, “What’s up N****?”  I do a side glance at the woman to see if she heard him (I know she did because he was talking loud). She looks embarrassed. I don’t even look directly at her.

It was obvious the dude didn’t think anything of it. He could care less he was in public. The friend finally heard or understood what he said, so he stopped using the “N” word and they went on to talk about the basketball playoff games.  Now if the white woman would have used the “N” word in greeting, he and everybody else Black in there would have been quick to whoop her behind.

My thing is if you don’t want other folks to call you what is a derogatory word then why use it in the first place.

Do you use the “N” word and if so when or when isn’t it appropriate?

The Against All Odds 2008 Virtual Book Tour is stopping here today.  Niambi Brown Davis, debut author of From Dusk to Dawn, is our guest author/blogger today.  She has written an article titled I Love Music – Any Kind of Music that she is sharing with readers. She will also be dropping in during the day to leave comments, answer questions and find out what’s on our play list.  Additionally, check out her blog to find out how you can enter to win prizes including the beach bag created by main character, Ayo, FREE BOOKS and a few other prizes.  Click links to visit Niambi’s website and blog.

I Love Music – Any Kind of Music by Guest Blogger Niambi (Brown) Davis

For Christmas 2006 my family created a monster. They presented me with an I Pod Nano. That thin silver rectangle and I are joined at the hip – I do not leave home without it. In the vinyl, reel-to-reel and eight-track era, music lovers had to suffer through an entire album even if only two songs were worth listening to. But it is the 21^st century, and thanks to I Tunes and MP3 magic, all it takes is click and pay to build a custom play list.

Back in the day, the Ojays sang “I Love Music.” And I do – any kind of music. There is a little bit of everything on my play lists. I remember crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge on a bright and beautiful day with the sounds of Dizzy Gillespie and Sonny Stitt blowing in my ear. Did I really play my main man Luis Miguel 85 times in one month? And Russell Watkins, putting his glorious tenor to the classical “Nella Fantasia.” He is called “The Voice” for a reason! When I want to imagine myself in Old Havana, I mix a mojito and listen to the late Ibrahim Ferrer. That man’s voice was smooth like golden, aged rum. Cannot miss reggaeton or the Delta blues of Howlin’ Wolf and Son House.  I do love the harmonica and slide guitar.  Sometimes I am in the mood for the boisterous call of DJ Khaled or the Eastern-flavored rhythms of Panjabi MC. Of course, I love calypso, (Byron Lee wit’ de band) but the most-played of all are the Latin, from the old-school Hector Lavoe and the Fania All-Stars right up to the stars of 2008.

I listened to all of this while writing From Dusk to Dawn. And then I had a thought – instead of simply writing to music, why not create a musical journey through the lives of my characters – a play list that speaks to the love story of Ayo and Bilal at their happiest, through their challenge, the most trying and the happiest times of their lives. The idea turned into a CD that became part of my promotional give-away at Romance Slam Jam.  It was a real labor of love – after all, there are only so many songs to fit on one CD – maybe I should have made a double set! I left off Edith Piaf (whose story was one of this year’s Oscar-winning movies). But I did include The White Stripes – gotta give it to the white boy – he knows his way around a blues guitar! There’s some Jill Scott, some Etta James, some Phyllis Hyman and Wynton Marsalis, that genius with the golden horn. And I could not make a mix without Alex Torres y su Orquesta!

This is becoming a habit; I have got two books to follow – and I am already planning the next play lists!

But, enough about me–Shelia and readers, what’s on your play lists?

Niambi was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She and her family lived for many years in Washington, DC and for three and a half years, made the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago their home. She has written for Bronze Thrills, True Confessions and Black Romance Magazines. Niambi indulged her passion for sailing and travel by serving as publicist for the Black Boaters Summit and as a member of the National Association of Black Travel Writers. A script for her first digital novella has been accepted and published by Arrow Publications, LLC. Presently, Niambi writes for Travel Lady Magazine. Aside from travel and writing, Niambi is an avid reader of historical fiction, and deeply involved in tracing the history of both branches of her family tree. Her day job is running the business of Sand & Silk / Soleful Strut, her own line of handcrafted bath and body products.

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