On August 18th, in 1953, singer and bassist for the Isley Brothers-Marvin Isley was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He joined the group in the early 70’s, after being mentored by older brother Ernie (guitar) and Chris Jasper. The three would leave the Isley brothers and form Isley-Jasper-Isley, before they reunited with brothers Ronald and Rudolph.
The entire crew we know as the Isley Brothers, represented that T-Neck Sound (Englewood, New Jersey). They recorded several hits from the 60’s through the 2000’s. They collaborated with many notable artists throughout those decades like-Jimi Hendrix, R-Kelly, and Angela Winbush. Marvin died from diabetes in Chicago, Illinois (56).
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On August 18th, in 1969, Masta Killa of the Wu-Tang Clan was born in East New York, Brooklyn, NY. He’s most known for his delivery and lyricism on Enter the 36 Chambers.
However, he spit plenty heat on other joints with featured members solo projects like Inspectah Deck, Method Man, Raekwon & Ghost, RZA, GZA, and Cappadonna. He also put out solo LPs of his own. Probably one of the best at keeping it intricate and insightful out the crew. He’s 49 today!
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On August 18th, in 1979, Chic’s song Good Times was number one on the US singles chart and No.5 on the UK chart. Good Times was a staple break, up to the point that the Sugarhill Gang had Positive Force-the back up band for the Sugarhill Gang that made the deep house classic We Want the Funk-reinterpret the original.
Chic had several hits during the disco era, but Nile Rodgers went on to work with several acts following its demise. They have some b-sides that are very funky and regarded as classics on the underground dance scene.
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On August 18th, in 2005, Kanye West was on MTV doing an interview. He took a social-political stance for gay rights when he demanded that his family, friends and fans in the Hip Hop community, to put an end to the homophobic underpinnings in Hip Hop…pause…let me not misquote him:
“‘Hip-Hop was always about speaking your mind and about breaking down barriers, but everyone in hip-hop discriminates against gay people. Not just hip-hop, but America just discriminates, I wanna just, to come on TV and just tell my rappers, just tell my friends, 'Yo, stop it'."(...Blank stare…) Crickets.
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On August 18th, in 1948, Geoffery (Joseph Marcell), the butler on the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, was born in Castries, Saint Lucia. ‘G’ is 70 years old today. Big up to him for adding humor to the show.
On August 18th, in 1970 the Gordon Gartrell shirt wearer-Theodore Huxtable (Malcom-Jamal Warner) was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. Denise!!!! Denise!!! He played the 3rd eldest and only male child of the Huxtables on the infamous Cosby Show.
On August 18th, in 1990, The King of Pop-Michael Jackson took 130 kids from the local YMCA to the Neverland Ranch. They went on rides, played arcade games, watched movies, went to the zoo, and had an all around fun time.
On August 18th, in 1992, Courtney Love & Kurt Cobain became parents. They brought their first-born child into the world-Frances Bean Cobain. She was born in Los Angeles, California. She’s 26 today.
On August 18th, in 1992, recent grandmother at age 39-Chaka Khan and El DeBarge performed live at the Beacon Theater in New York. Both were well-known artists with unique voices. Chaka charted often i the 70s and 80s, while El DeBarge had hits in the 80s and 90s.
For more information on any musician or event reviewed in posts, or for additional information on The Wandering Eyes Blog overall, use the search bar and search the artist or event using keywords. It’s like a Google search for the site. A wide variety of information, covering several topics exists on this site going back to 2013 when it was created. PEACE