Blog sidebar

(ThyBlackMan.com) When we talk about the soul of Atlantic Starr, it’s impossible not to talk about Wayne Lewis. As one of the band’s co-founders, main songwriters, keyboardists, and occasional lead vocalists, Wayne’s fingerprints are all over some of the smoothest love songs and R&B grooves ever made. His gift for melody, his subtle yet masterful touch on the keys, and the sincerity in every note helped define the soundtrack of […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) None of us should be silent about the recent use of federal agents by this administration to bully, arrest, and investigate political opponents. Just as none of us should accept as normal or okay its use of the military against Americans exercising their First Amendment rights. Donald Trump’s gleeful embrace of fascist tactics is on display almost daily. As he tries to run roughshod over the courts and sics […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) Everywhere you look, humanity is on the search for the utmost, the best, the maximum, the record, the furthermost, the ultimate. There are even books, like the Guinness Book of Records, that exist to deal with nothing except the finding, and recording, of such achievements. Every sportsperson dreams of being in the record books, as being the ultimate in his sport; some even do dishonest and dangerous things, like […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) Wilson Pickett’s voice grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go. He could make you dance, make you shout, make you feel like you were right there in the studio with him, sweating out every note. For me — and for so many who love soul music — Pickett’s best songs are more than old hits; they’re living, breathing proof that raw emotion and a tight groove can […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) When I think of Barry White, I think of that unmistakable baritone — the kind of voice that could turn a simple “hello” into an invitation to fall in love. For years, people have leaned on the same handful of Barry White classics when they want to set the mood. But if you only stick with “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe” or “You’re the First, the Last, […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) If you came of age in the ‘90s or early 2000s, chances are Jesse Powell’s voice found its way into some of your most tender memories. Maybe it played at your cousin’s wedding, or during those late-night radio slow jams that made you believe love could really last forever. His four-octave range, gospel-trained heart, and honest delivery gave us songs that still linger like perfume on an old letter. […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) The BBB of politics, Donald J. Trump has lashed out at Spain allegedly because it refuses to commit to NATO’s 5 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) for defense spending quotient by 2035. Trump threatened to make Spain pay by doubling tariffs on the country. His wannabe tough guy act is just another reason why people of conscience cannot wait until January 2029, if not sooner, for his […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) Walter Scott, one-half of the iconic vocal duo at the heart of The Whispers, has sadly passed away—and for those of us who grew up on his voice, it feels like losing a trusted companion in love, heartbreak, and everything in between. While Scotty often took center stage with his soaring tenor, it was Walter’s buttery baritone that grounded The Whispers in warmth and quiet strength. He didn’t need […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) Few groups in R&B history have left as lasting an impression as Jodeci. Rising to prominence in the early 1990s, the group revolutionized the genre by blending gospel-rooted harmonies with rugged hip-hop aesthetics. With their distinct sound, bold fashion, and emotionally raw performances, Jodeci bridged the gap between traditional soul and the modern edge of urban music. Their catalog is rich with songs that speak to love, heartbreak, vulnerability, […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) As a Black man and as a baby boomer, I have become very concerned for young people of color in our nation. A person from my generation has an advantage that many of today’s teenagers and young adults may not possess. Life has afforded my generation the benefit of witnessing first-hand our nation’s social and political progression throughout the last five decades. With it comes a sense of appreciation […]