Black music by the decades. Each season will deconstruct the most popular Black music of the decade, including what was happening in Black America at each moment in time. Each episode of this audio docuseries focuses on a single song that defined a decade and changed the world. This music series explores cultural, political, and creative change one decade at a time. The first season will explore the Black music of the 80s and the sociopolitical roots of that music. Each episode looks at a single song from the era and what was happening socially at the moment that led to that song. We tell the story of each decade through music. Our host and lead writer Touré, interviews experts, cultural commentators, academics, and political thinkers, who will leave you feeling like you learned more about the music of the period.
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Black music by the decades. Each season will deconstruct the most popular Black music of the decade, including what was happening in Black America at each moment in time. Each episode of this audio docuseries focuses on a single song that defined a decade and changed the world. This music series explores cultural, political, and creative change one decade at a time. The first season will explore the Black music of the 80s and the sociopolitical roots of that music. Each episode looks at a single song from the era and what was happening socially at the moment that led to that song. We tell the story of each decade through music. Our host and lead writer Touré, interviews experts, cultural commentators, academics, and political thinkers, who will leave you feeling like you learned more about the music of the period.
“I’m Coming Out” was meant to be a gay liberation song but the song’s writer and producer Nile Rodgers didn’t tell Diana Ross that. Which led to a whole thing. It’s a crazy story. The origin of the song is fascinating but more interesting is how disco in general was part of the gay rights movement. We chart the rise of disco and look at the way it dovetailed with the struggle for LGBTQ rights and how being gay is so different for Sylvester than for Tyler the Creator.
Guests:
Wesley Morris, Critic, New York Times
Craig Seymour, Music Critic and Activist
Nile Rodgers, Record Producer and Chic Founder
Bill Coleman, Artist Manager
DJ Jellybean Benitez, Deejay
Nelson George, Filmmaker and Author
Credits:
Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out
Writer: Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers
Label: Motown Records
Publisher: Chic Music, Inc
Chic - Le Freak
Writer: Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers
Label: Atlantic Records
Publisher: Chic Music & Cotillion Records
Sylvester - You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)
Writer: Sylvester & James Wirrick
Label: Fantasy
Publisher: Bee Keeper Music, Tipsyl Music
Barry White - You’re The First, My Last, My Everything
Writer: Peter Sterling Radcliffe, Tony Sepe & Barry White
Label: 20th Century Fox Records
Publisher: SaVette Music Co.
Diana Ross - Love Hangover
Writer: Pam Sawyer & Marilyn McLeod
Label: Motown Records
Publisher: Jobete Music Co. INC
A Taste of Honey - Boogie Oogie Oogie
Writer: Perry Kibble & Janice Marie Johnson
Label: Capitol Records
Publisher: On Time Music, INC
Donna Summer - Love to Love You Baby
Writer: Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder & Pete Bellotte
Label: Casablanca, Oasis
Publisher: Saturday Music and Cafe Americana
Grace Jones - Pull up to the Bumper
Writer: Sly Dunbar, Alex Sadkin, Chris Blackwell, Sly & Robbie & Grace Jones
Label: Island
Publisher: EMI Music Publishing Ltd
Candi Stanton - Young Hearts Run Free
Writer: Dave Crawford
Label: Warner Bros.
Publisher: Ghati Music Inc
Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive
Writer: Dino Fekaris & Freddie Perren
Label: Polydor Records
Publisher: Perren-Vibes Music Co.
Tyler the Creator - I Ain’t Got Time
Writer: Tyler, The Creator
Label: Columbia Records
Publisher: Columbia Records & Sony Music Entertainment
Tyler, The Creator Used To Be Accused of Homophobia, Now Raps About “Kissing White Boys”, Genius
Tyler The Creator And Funk Flex Have an Honest Conversation Plus, Hot 97
Being Black- The '80s
Black music by the decades. Each season will deconstruct the most popular Black music of the decade, including what was happening in Black America at each moment in time. Each episode of this audio docuseries focuses on a single song that defined a decade and changed the world. This music series explores cultural, political, and creative change one decade at a time. The first season will explore the Black music of the 80s and the sociopolitical roots of that music. Each episode looks at a single song from the era and what was happening socially at the moment that led to that song. We tell the story of each decade through music. Our host and lead writer Touré, interviews experts, cultural commentators, academics, and political thinkers, who will leave you feeling like you learned more about the music of the period.
