Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Beat.
Nicki Minaj and All Her Sons
Onika Tanya Maraj was born in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago, on December 8, 1982. The rest is history. I'm drafting this post because it has become apparent, at least to me, that the more female rap continues to evolve, it's becoming less and less acceptable to spotlight Nicki Minaj. Lately, speaking on her music is often met with irritation, shade and attempts to downplay her various music industry accomplishments. Admittedly, I'm not a barb (fan name for Nicki's fans), but I am an avid music consumer who values talent, longevity and impact. At least 20% of my love for Nicki Minaj can also be attributed to the fact that she is Trinidadian, and as a fellow Trini, my heart swells with pride thinking about all that she has achieved. The genre of rap, scratch that, the music industry as a whole, has been transformed by her artistry, advocacy and pen game. She is the queen of rap. This statement may draw controversy, but, in my opinion, there are multiple queens of rap. A plethora of queendoms. Different hypothetical countries ruled over by mistresses of their own craft, experts in distinct styles of rap. This particular story is just focused on the generous queen, Nicki Minaj.
Laquesha BaileyPublished 3 years ago in BeatCelebrating the Vocals of Lisa Fischer
When we think of all the dominant African American female voices in music, the mention of first names like Aretha, Whitney and Tina get instant recognition. The truth is that there is a powerhouse of other female singers providing background vocals who do not receive the same consideration as their frontrunner counterparts... Today, I am recognizing a woman spending years in the music industry both as a backbone for other artists, and as an incredibly fierce soloist. Join me as I celebrate the vocals of Lisa Fischer.
Marilyn GloverPublished 3 years ago in BeatDreamgirls
The summer of 1984 found me in the sweltering heat of the Big Apple. I arrived in the bowels of Grand Central Station after a three-day trip by train from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Temperatures that summer soared above 38C (100F) and I emerged from below ground covered in a thick layer of sweat and grime. A 19-year-old girl with stars in her eyes.
Anita ReffPublished 3 years ago in Beat"Big Wheels Keep on Turning"
“And we’re rollin’, ohhhh, rollin’ yea.” The slow and steady, tsss, tsss, tsss from the drum hat and the strum up and down across the strings of the guitar. In the middle of the 90s, in the middle of my living room, there I was blaring Proud Mary on my mothers Sony shelf style stereo system, while “What’s love got to do with it” (Touchstone Pictures 1993) played on the T.V. in the background. Most nights I spent doing this, at all hours of the night. Re-enacting scenes from the movie and performing for my 4-year-old sister, newborn brother and my entire collection of stuffed animals. Sifting through my mothers’ exotic wardrobe and costumes, I would find the outfit that would match as close to what she was wearing on the covers of her albums or herself portrayed in the movie. A red pants suit and black heels, stumbling into the living room/ stage, “They call it Nutbush, Nutbush city limits, owwwweeeee, Nutbush city limits.” I would tie sheets together to make the white dress with slits up the sides. “Rivvveerr deeeep, mountain higgggghhhhh.” I would shake it like a tail feather until my siblings and stuffed animals were finally asleep. Being careful to put my newborn brother in his crib and under the light that made him glow in the dark. I would climb into the big chair in the living room and listen to Tina until I eventually fell asleep. My mother worked a 9-5 during the day and she would come home make us dinner and tuck us in and leave again for her other job at night.
Tarah TownsellPublished 3 years ago in BeatMollie's Story
Mollie’s Story Smash goes the bar. I swing my sledgehammer again and slam it into the bar again. I’ve got the Trousers latest album playing in the background and I’m humming along to their current number one hit “Love Gets Me”. Demolishing the bar and putting the new one in is the last thing I need to do before the last finishing touches go up and Mollie’s can open on time. This has been my dream forever. To have a bar where people can come and listen to great music, hang out with friends, and have a great night out. I give the sledgehammer a few more swings and the job is done. I wipe the sweat from my brow and sigh. Now to take all this junk outside to the bin, then I can call It a day. I’ve been doing all this work myself to save some money and to prove to myself that women can do anything they put their minds to. As I’m hauling out the smashed bar pieces I notice a strange looking floorboard. I bend down for a closer inspection and realize it’s loose. I manage to take out the piece of floorboard and discover a secret hiding place. Inside is a metal box and I pull it as curiosity takes over me.
Sade and Shade
“Oh, like the singer? Smoooth operatorrr.” Every time I introduce myself to someone, they inevitably say something like that. You could swap the song for “The Sweetest Taboo”, or any one of Sade’s hits, but the reaction is almost always the same. I have the same name as one of the most famous singers from the late 80s and early 90s.
Rachelle Farrell
She is the one, who has kind of, flown under the radar. If you don't already know to search for Her, then you would probably never experience Her. Funny that same thing can be said for acquiring inspiration.
(Catzisms) Cat Collier ScottPublished 3 years ago in BeatWe all are born naked, the rest is Drag
Music shapes our lives. Whether we liked it or not, it does. That’s why every sport club have songs, every politician use uplifting songs before a rally or every single product advertised on TV have a jingle song. It sends a subliminal message, and those messages will eventually push us to buy the product. So, when it comes to music, there’s always songs and musicians that shape our lives. A song can encourage you to do that little project you have been leaving for later, or make you say yes to that guy that have been calling you for weeks asking for a date, if you are a romantic like I am.
Sammi GarciaPublished 3 years ago in BeatSuperwoman
A Woman’s Worth Commencement of the twenty first century. Alicia was sitting by her Baldwin piano – inherited after her classical background – and pounding on the keys from A minor scale. All crucial instruments and equipment were already assembled at the avenue and halt in handy help to support the artist. But the artist, even though seemed so sincere, young, and unexperienced, possessed superpowers. After rejection of her lyrics and music for her debut album and unmoral propositions from the major Columbia Records, she strongly stated that she has to do it on her own. Ah, not quite alone. With the help of the Brothers. That was the reason of all those unfamiliar to her equipment, apart from the piano, gathered in a small apartment and in waiting to contribute one-of-a-kind part to her first release to the world.
Mescaline BrissetPublished 3 years ago in BeatShake Your Thang
The word kismet in Turkish means fate and sometimes it means chance. The only word to describe Salt ‘N’ Pepa’s breakout success, ‘Push It’, is kismet. That does not mean they were lucky, fate involves a lot of hard work and determination. It involves vision and the ability to take control and the ability to see what you want and grab it. There is definitely an element of all the right pieces coming together at exactly the right time.
The Formidable Eartha Kitt
Like many people, I got introduced to Eartha Kitt a few years back, when a video clip of her was making rounds on Instagram.
Punk Rock & BIPOC Representation
Like most people, my teenage years were drowned in broken hearts, lost friendships, and fashion trends that changed quicker than the seasons. Whenever I play my "feeling nostalgic" Spotify playlist, a playlist consisting of bands such as Sugarcult, Motion City Soundtrack, and Fall Out Boy (the early work), I get transported back to my jelly bracelet wearing days of scribbled notebook covers and home haircuts.