28 Random Things That Define The Culture

It's Black History month and while Black History is 365 days a year, it's important to showcase all the culture has to offer in February. This blog cover's 28 random things that define the culture, other than the top 10 the listing has no real merit. It's just random stuff that came to mind while writing the article, so here we go.

28. Lunch Time Rap's

Lunch Time cipher's in schools across America are a staple and has not skipped an generation. There's always a "DJ" banging on the lunch table making the beat, while two aspiring rappers battle each other until a hating ass administrator or teacher comes along and puts a end to it.

27. Motown Records

We listened to it as our parents and grandparents cleaned the house, and now we jam to the classic Motown sound. It carried Black People throw the civil rights era and provided hit after hit. Judging by how everyone was on their feet during Stevie Wonder's Motown Medley at this year's Grammy's. Its clear Motown music is timeless.

26. Def Jam

The house that Russell built it, it's far from the powerhouse it once was. However Run DMC, LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy and many more Def Jam artist really were the first hip-hop artist to cross over. Many of their hits still load our playlists. 

25. Ginger Ale

Try to dispute all you want, but when your stomach just ain't right Ginger Ale can solve most of your problems. It's a reason it's a Black Household staple.

24. Fubu

Fubu (For Us, By Us) was a 90's clothing staple, it means so much more now especially on the renewed focus to keep Black dollars within the company. Time for a major comeback.

23. Essence

A staple of Black household book shelves and coffee tables, Essence has been telling important stories within our community since 1970.

22. Essence Fest 

Essence fest is a full weekend of parties, concerts, and celebrating the Black culture. The festival covers a lot of ground over the weekend from Black Health to Black Wealth, food, music and everything in between.

21. Jet magazine

Much like Essence and Ebony magazines, JET magazine is a Black community hallmark. Telling stories since 1951, it was an outlet for Black people during a time when our stories weren't told. This clip from Boomerang gives an idea on just how revered JET was.

20. BET

When MTV still wasn't trying to play Black artists, Robert Johnson started Black Entertainment Television. Initially known for playing music videos all the time, it's programming trajectory has changed but the mission of showcasing Black Excellence has not.

19. Apollo Theater

The mecca of Harlem, The Apollo Theater has been instrumental in showcasing Black artist since the 1930's. It's history is now, then, and forever.

18. Bad Boy Records

If Motown was the sound of Black America in the 60's and 70's, Def Jam was the voice of the youth in the mid 80's to early 90's. Bad Boy Records was the Black voice from the mid to late 90's, highlighting success, flashiness and just a good time.

17. 106 & Park

In response to MTV's wildy popular music video countdown show Total Request Live (TRL), in 2000 BET debuted 106 & Park. Which an entire generation grew up on watching the top ten countdown, waiting for the throwback of the day, and of course Freestyle Friday.

16. Yo! MTV Raps

Before 106 & Park there was Yo! MTV Raps, MTV's and the mainstream media's acknowledgement that Hip Hop was here to stay and couldn't be stopped. The show ran for five seasons and opened so many doors for so many artists. 

15. Jordan Sneakers

Since their release in 1985, Jordan's also called J's have been a must have in any sneakerhead's collection. 

14. Strawberry Filled Candy

If you went over grandma's or any older relative's house, chances are you found a bowl or jar full of Strawberry filled candy.

13. Crown Royal Bag

Once you finish that Crown Royal bottle, what to do with the bag is the next question. The answer whatever you need to store in it. Change, important documents, loose bills whatever it's better to repurpose than throw away.

12. Spades

Want to get a good time at the family function going, and possibly cause an argument. Play some spades. 

11. Uno

Maybe the only other card game that will have Black folks side eyeing you, throwing up their hands, and debating about how the game is supposed to be played.

10. Hennessy

                            Have no idea what's in it that's so addicting, Black People just love Hennessy. 

9. Plastic Market Bags

They serve so many purposes, protecting valuables and folks hair, sometimes their shoes in inclement weather. Something to carry the plates you took from the family function, dumping smelly food or diapers to mask the smell.

8. Spaghetti

If Black People having a gathering for a large group or just tryna make something that will stretch for the week. They gon make a large pot of Spaghetti, may even fancy it up a bit and put some shrimp in it.

7. Drawer full of Condiments

No matter how many we already have in the house. If some takeout food provides some condiments, we saving them for later.

6. Sunday Dinner

After a long week of work and running errands, Black folks look forward to a good Sunday Dinner. Sometimes the meal rivals that of a Thanksgiving spread. 

5. Fraternities & Sororities 

Seen all around college campuses and often pillars of community service. Fraternities and Sororities are a huge part of the Black culture.

4. HBCU's

The halftime show's, The Marching band's, Greek life, and just a sense of family. HBCU's play a important part in educating the future and celebrating the culture.

3. Frankie Beverly and Maze Before I Let Go

You cannot attend a Black function without someone playing Before I Let Go. Once it come's on even those not on the dance floor will be singing along, waiting for that moment to scream at the top of their lungs "Before I Let You Goooooooooooooo".

2. Line Dances

The Electric Slide, The Cha-Cha Slide, Cupid Shuffle, The Wobble and many more. Black people love love love a good line dance.

1. Family Reunion

Life get's busy a Family Reunion is always a good opportunity to get everyone together near and far to enjoy each other's company, and celebrate love and family.

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Super Bowl Halftime WishList

Rihanna shut down the Super Bowl last night, love it or hate it there is no doubt Rihanna did one of the many things she does best. That's get folk's talking, whether it was her song selection, lack of guests, or the subtle reveal that she is expecting again (congratulations to her). 

Now that the Super Bowl is over for the year, Rihanna's performance is still talked about and we can pretty much acknowledge we are not getting a album or new tour for a good while. It is time to look ahead to next year's Super Bowl and the halftime show. Although the exact length has not been disclosed, Roc Nation entered a multiyear deal in 2019 with the NFL to produce the halftime show.

Roc Nation has done a great job of the halftime performers chosen since then, but they also have a delicate balance of making sure the artist selected has crossover appeal. The artist selected also has to be on a certain "level" so to speak, with that here are 5 artists I wouldn't mind seeing performing at the Super Bowl.

5. The Chainsmokers

The Chainsmokers are a duo who music covers multiple genres EDM, Hip-Hop, and pop. I saw them perform live at the Made In America Festival in 2017. They definitely have the crowd engaged during their performance. Their biggest hits are Something Just Like This, # Selfie, Roses, and one of my favorites Closer. If they were chosen for next year's Super Bowl it would help promote their space endeavor in 2024.

4. Ariana Grande

When Ariana Grande debuted back in the 2010's all I heard was a young lady who starred in a Nickelodeon show trying to be a singer. I did like her song with Mac Miller The Way, other than that I was eh on Ariana. As my wife played more song's of hers in the car, I thought damn Ariana can sing. She is one of the biggest artists of the past decade and has some certified bangers like 7 Rings, Break Up With Your Girlfriend (Cause I'm Bored), Baby I ,Problem and one of my favorites One Last Time among others. Let's give Ariana, her time on the grand stage of The Super Bowl.

3. Bad Bunny

I'll admit I had never heard of Bad Bunny until he showed up on WWE TV to perform his song based on the legendary wrestler Booker T. He then followed up with an amazing in-ring debut at WrestleMania in 2021. Little did I know how big of a star Bad Bunny is with his music fusing Reggaeton and Latin Trap, he is also known for having his concerts seem like a party.

Bad Bunny speaks English but performs all his songs strictly in Spanish, which caused an uproar with captions at the Grammy's this year with basically those of a certain tone slow or outright refusing to get with the times. A Super Bowl performance would be another step in making people realize how much the world has changed.

2. Usher

One of the biggest artists of the past 25 years, at one time the heir apparent to Michael Jackson's throne. Usher Raymond is a megastar but above that he is a performer that is going to give you a show. He participated in The Black Eyed Peas halftime show at Super Bowl XLV in 2011, but the man deserves the stage all to his own. From You Make Me Wanna to My Way segue into a little U Remind Me before bringing the moves for U Don't Have To Call, Caught Up, and of course Yeah! and OMG. Usher would take full advantage of his 15 minute set and leave an impression that properly would put his show in the conversation as one of the best Super Bowl shows ever.

1. Chris Brown

This one will probably never happen due to many sitting on their high horses choosing to hold a serious mistake he made at 19 years old against him. Make no mistake about it Chris Brown can sing and dance as he too is a performer. The only man who could reasonably challenge Michael Jackson or Usher for their spots. I've never seen him live but my understanding is that he give's his all for each show. He has been a mainstay of the R&B/hip-hop game for nearly 20 years growing and perfecting his craft with each album. If he wanted to go full pop he can pull Run It, Wall To Wall, Turn Up The Music or Yeah Yeah Yeah! out his catalogue. Want to be a little rugged he can throw some Loyal in there Party or Go Crazy. Either Way when his set would be over everyone would be exhausted from dancing and moving so much.

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Top Twenty Black Sitcom Theme Songs

 Sitcom theme songs we as fans love them. It helps set the tone for the show and often gives a brief synopsis of the show's overall story.

There are some undeniable classic sitcom theme songs in the world. The ones you will hum out of nowhere or sing just cause it popped in your head. Within the Black culture we love our classic sitcom themes, in my opinion here are the top ten Black sitcom theme songs.

20. Thea

The show itself only lasted for a season and wasn't very popular, but the theme song to the 90's sitcom Thea deserves to be in the conversation of best Black Sitcom themes. Thea Vidale herself sang the theme song and she bought the soul out of her to perform it.

The sister also starred Brandy and Jason Weaver who both could have contributed to make the theme song even better.

19. Sister, Sister

Debuting in 1994 and starring twin sisters Tia and Tamara Mowry, along with sitcom legends Jackée Harry and Tim Reid. Sister Sister is a true 90's sitcom and the theme song is a representation of the time period, colorful and upbeat. You'll be singing it and not even realize it, as the characters aged the show updated the theme song with a slowed down R&B edge to remind audience these were now young woman. 

I Prefer the original theme but they are both good intro's and worthy of the top twenty list.

18. Smart Guy

Following right behind the Mowry Sister's is their younger brother Tahj Mowry and his show WB show Smart Guy. Sung  by Kristian Rex the theme song is light hearted and catchy enough to have audience members singing the jingle while the show is airing and afterwards.

17. Amen

The theme song to Amen could get you ready for Sunday service or get you through a rough day with a little inspiration. Sung by Gospel singer Vanessa Bell Armstrong she put her whole soul into this song, thus you feel "Shine On Me" soon as the beat drops.

16. Kenan & Kel

For 90's kid's Saturday Night's were reserved SNICK on Nickelodeon. Along with All That and Are You Afraid Of The Dark? a major reason for the popularity of Snick was Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, and their show Kenan & Kel. Their theme song rapped by Coolio (probably the safest rapper from a content perspective they could find.) is infectious and while follows the same rap melody as other Coolio joint's. Make's you rock your head back and forth as you wait for the laughs to begin.

15. Sanford & Son

Probably the only theme song on this list that doesn't have any lyrics. The intro to the 1970's sitcom Sanford and Son is that infectious. Produced by Quincy Jones you hear the jazz influence all over the track and it plays nicely over images of Fred and Lamont Sanford, their junkyard and their red truck.

50 Year's later hum Sanford & Son and someone will join along.

14. Family Matters

To be honest I kind of was on the fence about adding this one. I had to relisten to it several times and realized it absolutely belonged on this list. Family Matters was a staple of ABC's TGIF lineup (man I miss those days) and  in many Black families home's. The theme song "Day's Go By" sang by Jesse Frederick makes even more sense the older you get. It 100 % is a top twenty them for Black Sitcoms.

13. Girlfriends

This Theme song is perfect because it get's right to the point of the show. If the title wasn't enough of a hint one of UPN's rare classics, Girlfriends focuses on a quartet of friends and the bond they have through their up's and down's in life. I had no idea Angie Stone sang the theme song, listening back I definitely hear her voice and it fit into the neo-soul vibe that was popular during the show's run.

12. Martin

Honestly Martin is my favorite sitcom of all-time and there's not much to the theme song. Damnit if it isn't catchy though.

11. 227

"Well There's No Place Like Home". 227 followed the tight-knit residents of a apartment complex in Washington D.C. The theme song was sang by none other than Marla Gibbs and it give's off a welcoming vibe. I feel like 227 often get's lost in the conversation of top tier but not quite classic Black sitcoms and the theme song is right up there with it deserving more flowers.

10. One on One

One on One is a good but not great sitcom, it's typical early 2000's UPN fare. Not a bad show but not a great show, a little cheesy but you were going to watch the whole half hour. That theme song however is top notch in my opinion. I don't know what it is but it just hits and is very catchy.

9. In Living Color

We owe the Wayans Family so many flowers for how they've entertained us over the year's. The classic 90's sketch show is not only hell of funny to this day, that theme song by Heavy D is a classic as well. You could play that joint at a party and I'm sure the dance floor will fill up, the song is more than a show intro it's a vibe.

8. Good Times

Good Times, ain't we lucky we got them? This sitcom is still relevant today as it was in the 1970's when it aired. When you hit road bumps you think about the Good Times you've had which is what Good Times is all about. The song is catchy with a message and is a top ten theme song.

7. Half & Half 

Another UPN sitcom theme Half & Half intro simply HIT'S, maybe more so than other UPN shows and one I've yet to mention. This theme has R&B and Gospel blended very well in this intro, and the video help's cause it looks like the cast were having the time of their lives performing it. 

I've heard conflicting stories on who actually performed the intro, some sources say Melodie Daniels others say Shanice (I love Your Smile fame). Either way this song deserved to be longer than 40 seconds. We need a full 3 minute's of this song.

6. Diff'rent Strokes

"Now the world don't move to the beat of just one stroke." even if you've never seen Diff'rent Strokes you have heard that opening line. You may or may not be shocked to learn that Alan Thicke (Dad on Growing Pains, Robin Thicke's father) actually sang the theme song. The lyrics are simple, the melody is simple and it get's to the point. Which makes it one of the top theme song intro's ever.

5. A Different World 

A Different World the show itself is a classic, but on matter how you slice it A Different World the theme song may be more popular than the show. Longtime fans of the show randomly sing the lyrics and the beat can be infectious enough to get you to dance. Now the question often becomes which version of the theme song is more beloved? There were three versions throughout the six season series all performed by legends. Season 1 was sung by Phoebe Snow, Seasons 2-5 were sung by the Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin. Then the last season got a New Jack Swing infused intro sung by Boyz II Men. Truth of the matter is you can't go wrong with any of them. 

4.  Moesha

Mo-to the E to the..Moesha. Probably UPN's first hit Moesha debuted in 1996 and ran for 5 season's. Since Brandy is a real singer who else would perform the intro but her? Produced by Kurt Farquhar who also produced intros for other favorites on this list One on One, Sister Sister, Girlfriends. As well as some that didn't make the cut like Cousin Skeeter. 

Moesha is probably one of the biggest theme song's to come out of the 90's. It was remixed a few times throughout the show's run to coincide with Moesha getting older. Either way it is a bonafide hit.

3. The Jeffersons

The Jeffersons debuted January 18th, 1975 almost fifty years later it's theme song is still beloved. "Well we're moving on up" is one everyone says when they come across a come up in life. I never knew this but Janet Du'bois of Good Times fame actually sang the theme song. She put her whole soul into the song as well, and it show's because Decades later it is woven into pop culture.

2. Living Single 

This theme song hit's on absolutely all cylinders, the beat, the dancer, and of course a rap by show star Queen Latifah. Living Single is just as beloved today as it was back in the 90's, besides the good material the theme song has a lot to do with why it's still a staple on streaming services and cable TV. Go to a 90's party and the DJ is likely to blend it into their set, the intro is just that damn good. 

1. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Come on, could anything else be number one? If someone randomly yell's out "In West Philadelphia Born and Raised", there is surely going to be someone if not everyone who chimes in and finishes the rest. This theme song actually gets performed at karaoke bars that's how popular it is. Rapped by none other The Fresh Prince himself Will Smith, the intro gives you a quick run down of the show's plot and with it's upbeat demeanor let's fans know out the gate the show is lighthearted and funny.

There's an extended version that was obviously cut for time, but every and now then during a rerun it's played and the song slaps even more as the kids say. 

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