On July 5th, in 1969, seminal producer, hip hop icon, MC, film scorer, actor, keyboardist, author, sampler/sequencer user, filmmaker, guitarist, solo recording artist, businessman, zither player founding member of the Gravediggaz and Wu-Tang Clan-RZA (Robert Fitzgerald Diggs) was born in Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York City, New York. RZA is most known for the tracks he produced for fellow Clan members. He has a unique sound that comes from Southern Soul during the 60s and 70s. Labels like Stax, Truth, Volt, Hi, Atlantic and Alston tended to host that gritty and soulful edge that RZA preferred, in stark contrast to the polished Motown and Philly Soul. He has an interesting background, living in several states during his childhood: NY 1969-1972, 1976-1990, 1991-1998;, NC 1972-1976; OH/PA 1990-1991.
This introduced him to different styles of artistic expression (i.e. graphic art, music, fashion, film/tv, etc). When he returned to NYC in 1991, he was able to incorporate those influences into his music. He started a hip hip trio with his cousins Ol' Dirty Bastard & GZA called All in Together Now. They were a local unsigned success that led to RZA getting a deal with Tommy Boy Records. He released an EP that same year-Ohh I Love You Rakeem. The EP didn’t sell, and RZA lost his deal. He formed Wu-Tang Clan in 1992. They released Protect Ya Neck later that year and it took the world by storm. The B-side-Method Man was another classic that set the Clan up to make a business move that no other hip hop crew had made before. Each member got a separate solo deal as well as the group deal. The RZA is 50 today.
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On July 5th, in 1973, 90s R&B musician, guitarist, songwriter, pianist, composer, singer, arranger, producer and multi-label recording artist-Joe (Joseph Lewis Thomas) was born in Columbus, Georgia. He’s most known for his collaborations with others like Chico DeBarge, Jon B and Big Punisher. He got his professional start in 1992 after Polygram Records heard his demo. He released his debut LP later that year-Everything. It produced a top 20 single-I'm in Luv. This led to his appearing on the soundtrack for Don’t Be a Menace in South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood-All the Things (Your Man Won’t Do). Joe caught the attention of classic soul artists-Barry White and Tina Turner, remixing their 1996 hit-In Your Wildest Dreams. He released his second LP in 1997-All That I Am. It produced another hit-Don’t Wanna Be a Player.
The song was featured on the Booty Call soundtrack. Joe continued to flourish as a producer, working with Xscape and Hi-Five. In 1998, he collaborated with Brandy on her single-Never Say Never. He also sang a duet with Mariah Carey-Thank God I Found You. Joe released his third LP in 2000-My Name is Joe. The album was his biggest success to date, earning him two Grammy nominations. It was certified platinum in the US and silver in Canada. His follow up LP released in 2001-Better Days flopped. However, 2003’s-And Then…was certified gold. It featured appearances by R Kelly and G-Unit. Joe recruited several rappers for his sixth album-Nas, Young Buck and Fabolous. As a result, Ain’t Nothin' Like Me (2007) was his second best selling album. He’s 46 today.
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On July 5th, in 1976, hip hop musician, actor, rapper, comedian and original member of D12-Bizarre (Rufus Arthur Johnson) was born in Detroit, Michigan. He’s most known for his association with Eminem through the hip hop crew-D12. Members include: Proof, Fuzz Scoota, Eminem, Karnail Bugz, Kuniva and Bizarre. He grew up in Detroit and started rapping when he was 10. He got the nickname Bizarre from an incident at school where an adult though this was talking to himself (called him Bizarre). He went to school and lived in the same area as most of the members of D12. In 1995, he joined the crew. They'd battle other crews at the Shelter located in Detroit’s Saint Andrew’s Hall. It’s the club the movie 8-mile is based on.
In 1996 they released their recording debut-The Underground EP. It sold moderately well which led Bizarre to securing a deal to release a solo project in 1997-Attack of the Weirdos. He toured with D12 and Eminem for the next four years before D12 released their full-length LP-Devil’s Night. In 2004, they released a follow-up-D12 World, but Bizarre only appeared on a few songs. Later that year he started his own label-Redhead Records and released his first LP-Hannicap Circus. He worked with Eminem in 2006 on his compilation album-Eminem Presents: The Re-Up. The following year, Bizarre released his second LP-Blue Cheese & Coney Island. He rounded out the decade being featured on two mixtapes-D12’s and The Davidians, along with releasing his third solo LP. He’s 43 today.
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HONORABLE MENTION: On July 5th, in 1913, innovative soul musician, songwriter, guitarist, singer and NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana) legend-Smiley Lewis (Overton Amos Lemons, Smiling Lewis) was born in DeQuincy, Louisiana. He got his start singing and playing guitar in the French Quarter during the early 30s. He played in the house band at the Boogie Woogie Club in the 40s. In the 50s, he started working as a songwriter and producer for Imperial Records. He made his solo recording debut in 1952-The Bells Are Ringing. He was a bitter rival of Fats Domino who had an uncanny ability to slightly alter or directly cover Smiley’s singles and make them hits. He was 53 when he passed.
On July 5th, in 1950, seminal 80s rock musician, singer, harmonica player, actor, songwriter and producer-Huey Lewis (Hugh Anthony Cregg III) was born in NYC, NY. He’s most known for being the bandleader of Huey Lewis & The News. They had several hits that shaped the sound of 80s rock like-The Heart of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Do You Believe in Love, If This is It and Heart & Soul. In 1985, he released a solo cut-The Power of Love. It went to #1. He made his film and soundtrack debut in the Michael J. Fox 1985 movie-Back to the Future. He played the role of a judge for band auditions. He toured and recorded for the duration of the 80s/90s, and also started getting into acting. He’s 69 today.
On July 5th, in 1961, pioneering soul musician, pianist, singer, composer, drummer, producer, bassist and pop culture icon-Ray Charles released his groundbreaking single-Hit the Road Jack b/w The Danger Zone in the UK. The song had great reception in the states and the label felt it fitting to release it overseas with Unchain My Heart. Both songs feature the Raelettes on backing vocals, with Hit the Road Jack having Margie Hendrix on co-lead. It was one of the funkiest songs that Ray ever recorded, created after he and Margie had a romantic disagreement. It won a Grammy for Best R&B Song and was ranked #387 on Rolling Stones magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
On July 5th, in 2001, we lost a seminal 60s R&B musician, NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana) staple performer, former member of The Blue Diamonds and frequent collaborator with Allen Toussaint-Ernie K-Doe (Ernest Kador Jr.). K-Doe is most known for singing the Allen Toussaint produced track-Mother in-Law (Minit Records, 1961). He made his recording debut with the Blue Diamonds in the mid 50s. They were a doo wop/soul vocal group. In the 70s, he continued to record and tour off the popularity of his 60s singles. In the 80s, he started working at radio stations as an announcer and energetic DJ. He was 68 when he passed.
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