Paramount + Music Docs Wishlist

 

Paramount Plus has recently released a documentary about Boy Bands and the chokehold they have had on pop culture throughout the years. It's a very interesting documentary that I really enjoyed. Paramount Plus can be a frustrating streaming service, but one thing it has going for it is the amazing music focused docs they have been produced. 

The latest one joins a growing list of Paramount Plus produced docs such as the Milli Vanilli doc which helped people realize how great they were and how wronged they were. Cyndi Lauper, 80's hair metal genre, and how napster and downloading music blew up. After watching the doc, I did my usual and started thinking about subjects I would like to see Paramount Plus do documentaries on.

10.Ashlee Simpson Lip-Sync Scandal

Ashlee Simpson has never been considered a strong vocalist. Yet on October 26th, 2004 during an appearance on Saturday Night Live, she became the subject of mass scrutiny when a recording track played before she took the microphone.

It led to wide confusion before she did an awkward dance and left the stage. Accusations of lip syncing spread out and it took her some time to recover. It'd be nice to hear the whole story behind this mishap and the ensuing issues it caused.

9.B2K

One group that wasnt mentioned in the Paramount doc was B2K. In the early 2000's the popularity of B2K rivaled that of a Backstreet Boys and Nsync, especially in the Black community. Debuting in the fall of 2001, the group released their self-titled debut album in March of 2002 and the train known as B2K went full speed ahead from there. From that point on they headlined scream tours, made music videos for what seemed like every song they had. And stole the stage when they performed.

In early 2004 just as their debut film You Got Served was about to be released, the group broke up. With three members separating from Omarion and more importantly their manager Chris Stokes. Allegations and finger pointing presumed from there. Omarion went on to have a successful solo career, and the group reunited in 2019 to go on tour. They just can't seem to get out of their own way as a unit, and are holding back their legacy. Time for everyone to express the reasons why.

8. Latin Pop Craze of the 90's

During the late 90's while the pop Craze led by Boy Bands and teen sensations was taking the world by storm. There was another genre ruling the airwaves, the Latin Pop music scene exploded. Led by Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, and Christina Aguilera pulling double duty. Other stars such as Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez who released her debut album in 1999, helped the genre gain crossover appeal. 

The Latin Pop Craze story has never been told fully from its fruition to the flame out. It's time it is given it's due.

7. Dixie Chick's exiled 

This moment in music history was covered in the 2006 film Dixie Chicks: Shut up and Sing, but it's been over 20 years since the whole ordeal happened and needs to be revisited. In 2003 the Dixie Chicks were one of the most popular music acts in country and music overall. That was until they publicly denounced President George Bush and the Iraqi war.

It seemed like they lost just about everything when that occurred. And they had to wade through death threats and such. They were able to eventually move past that controversy and the journey needs to be shared.

6. Regional Music

This topic would need to be a docu-series more than a documentary so that each subject would get their proper due. That is region based genre's of music, sounds that are unique to certain areas and usually only natives to that area appreciate it for what it is. Baltimore club music, D.C. go-go music, Chicago House Music, New Jersey Club, Miami Bass, crunk music the list goes on and on. These sounds are unique and speak to people in different ways, time to really spotlight these various genres.

5. Emancipation of MiMi

2025 marks the 20 year release of Mariah Carey's album The Emancipation of Mimi. This was her comeback album that bought Mariah back to her chart topping ways, after the much publicized mental health breakdown she had during the release of her Glitter album and film. During the production of this album Mariah enlisted the aid of producers such as Babyface, Jermaine Dupri, Pharrell Williams, and Kanye West among others. It paid off big time.

The album's top single We Belong Together you could not escape that year. It went 7 x platinum and was nominated for 10 Grammy's, winning two. It was even rereleased with additional songs and the public still ate it up. The Emancipation of Mimi reminded people that Mariah is a legend, and it's time the backstory of that album is shared to celebrate it's greatness.

4. M.C. Hammer

I wrote a blog about M.C. Hammer and his rockstar status earlier this year. Hammer's story has been covered in a VH1 Behind The Music episode and a 2001 TV movie on VH1. And then the story kind of stopped there, he went from the highest of the highs to the lowest of the low's after he squandered his money and the rap industry turned against him. He eventually found happiness and Christ, became a tech investor and even had a reality show in 2009 on A&E dubbed Hammertime. He's also starred in several commercials in the 2000's and 2010's starting a second career as a endorser.

There have been reports the hip hop industry has been trying to give Hammer his flowers every chance they can in the last few years, yet he constantly turns them down. A documentary for him to explain his reasonings and how he feels about the newfound appreciation for him would be amazing TV.

3. One-Hit Wonders

One-hit wonders are probably the most consistent thing in music. All genres have them, and all eras have them. There's also no rhyme or reason or "science" to what makes a one hit wonders. Here today, gone tomorrow is often the story of one-hit wonders. A fun introspective documentary covering some of the biggest acts that had one hit and was gone in a blink of a eye, would probably help some of these acts get introduced to a new generation. 

2. Spice Girls

Formed in 1994 and hailing from London, England five young ladies burst onto the U.S. music charts in 1996 with their hit single Wannabe. From there Sporty, Scary, Ginger, Baby, and Posh Spice took over pop culture screaming Girl Power. For the next year and a half, the Spice Girls released their debut album Spice and a follow up Spice World. They starred in a film carrying the same name, had dolls and young girls aspired to be them.

Then suddenly in May of 1998, member Ginger Spice left the group and things spiraled from there. The group's popularity tail spined, and just like that it was over. They released one more album as a quartet in 2000, Forever. Since then the group has gotten back together and broken up more times than one can count. Yet their legacy is still as strong as ever, as the 90's nostalgia cycle is still running. It's time all 5 women tell their side of the experience and bring fan's in on the wild ride...which hopefully leads to a reunion tour. 

1. New Jack Swing

To me New Jack Swing is the one of the greatest genre's of music ever, that still does not receive the full credit it deserves. Merging the styles and sounds of hip-hop and r&b, the sound of New Jack Swing still influences both genres as well as pop music to this very day. Founded by producer Teddy Riley in 2018, New Jack Swing became more than music. It became clothing, lingo, and a way of life it was a certain style.

Record labels such as Uptown Records headed by Andre Harrell were built off of the new jack swing era. Television series like New York Undercover were birthed from the culture of new jack swing. As tastes changed in the mid-90's the sound kind of faded away, but it's legacy lives on and it's time the entire story of that era is told.

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10 Cartoons Starring Celebrities You Don't Remember

 Late last month was the 10th anniversary of Mike Tysons Mysteries. An animated cartoon that aired on cartoon networks adult swim, that made Tyson the center point of the cartoon.

                                  

The anniversary of the show made my brain start rattling through the archives of when cartoons were created just for celebrities. After all big name celebrities themselves are a brand, and they work to sell their brands. Usually these cartoons were nothing more than publicity and cash grabs, but some of them were quite entertaining. 

We remember Life With Louie and Jackie Chan Adventures. Here's a list of celebrity starred cartoons for lack of a better way to word it, you likely dont remember. Away we go.

10. Mister T

In the early 1980's fresh off his run as the villain in Rocky III and his role on the NBC hit A-Team, Mr. T was on top of the world. People were enamored with the gravel voiced, mohawk sporting, covered in jewelry Mr. T. Since his popularity was at a all-time high, he even had his own cereal and comic book. To continue to ride the wave, he was given his own cartoon debuting in the fall of 1983. 

The cartoon featured Mr. T  as a gymnastics coach who travels the world with his crew solving mysteries, pretty straight forward concept for a cartoon. It lasted for 3 seasons and featured interludes in the beginning and end of each episode featuring Mr. T in the flesh.

9. Karate Kommandos

Karate Kommandos was an attempt to cash in on the G.I. Joe craze that all the kid's loved in the mid-80's. Created by Chuck Norris and featuring a interpretation of him, this 1986 cartoon followed Norris is a covert ops government agent alongside his team of operatives all of different races. Facing off against a super villain by the name of Claw and his organization Vulture. Sound familiar? 

Since this cartoon was produced by the same company that produced Mr. T's cartoon, the format was the same. Episodes opened with Norris explaining the premise of the episode and closed with Norris talking to the audience providing a lesson learned that episode. The cartoon only lasted one season, but if interested a few episodes are on YouTube.

8. Hammerman

I previously wrote about how M.C. Hammer was a rock star in the early 90's, the man was truly everywhere. Commercials, dolls, soundtracks, sitcom appearances, you could not turn on the TV during that time and not see Hammer. So no surprise he received his own cartoon in 1991, Hammerman. Starring Hammer as Stanley a meek young man who has a pair of talking shoes in his possession, which once he wear's them he becomes the neighborhood superhero Hammerman.

Following the trope well known at that time, Hammer had a message at the beginning and end of each episode. The cartoon only ran for one season as Hammer's popularity was starting to wane and he no longer was considered "cool".

7. Kid 'N Play

Debuting in 1990, I'm kind of shocked this one was ever green-light. It followed rap duo Kid 'N Play, along with their producer Hurbie and DJ, DJ Wiz (both voiced by Martin Lawrence) and friend Jazzy. They would go about their day as teenagers trying to become musicians, getting into their teenager mischief. 

    
                                    
 

The cartoon get's brownie points for having the duo's hit single Rollin' With Kid N Play be the intro. The two would also appear live during interludes of episodes, to promote positivity to the audience.

6. New Kids on the block

Another musical act that was everywhere you turned in the late 80's and early 90's was New Kid's On The Block. The king's of boy band's during that era, they too had dolls, cereal, and lunch boxes. So it's no surprise following the trend in 1990 they were awarded their own cartoon. Following the band alongside their tour, they stumble upon an adventure at each tour stop. A bit different format from the norm in this genre that was actually different.

It's everything you'd think it would be, campy, maybe a little over the top, but it got the job done of selling the brand known as NKOTB.

5. Wish Kid

In the 1990's Macaulay Culkin had a run that made him arguably the biggest child star in film history. Fresh off his starring role in Home Alone and before his wave of mid-90's hits, Macaulay starred in a cartoon for NBC debuting in 1991. Following a young boy Nick who clearly is based on Culkin, who has a baseball glove that could grant wishes. It came with limitations, but granted enough wishes to get him in trouble.

The cartoon only lasted one season like most of its counterparts, but it was enjoyable while it lasted.

4. Camp Candy

Late comedian John Candy's cartoon debuted on NBC in 1989. It followed Candy as a camp counselor alongside fellow staffer Nurse Molly, teaching the kids attending his camp about the outdoors. At the same time staving off his arch nemesis Rex Deforest from destroying the camp at all costs. 

The show aired for two more seasons in syndication, and it wasn't until the third and final season that Candy began appearing in live segments for the show.

3. Mary-Kate And Ashley in Action

When I spoke about celebrities being brands earlier, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are the personification of that idea. As they gained popularity from their joint role as Michelle Tanner on Full House, they branched out into TV-movies and straight to home video specials, along with another sitcom. It was only fitting to target their pre-teen market, they would venture into cartoon land which they did in 2001 on ABC.

The cartoon followed the duo as teenage special agents traveling the globe to support their mission. It only lasted one season, and in a break from the norm did not include the sisters in live action segments. Except for the intro which helped explained the double life nature of the storyline.

2. Jackson 5ive

If you're a 70's kid you remember this show, if you're a 80's/early 90's baby chances are you remember this show from the early days of the Cartoon Network. The animated series debuted in 1971 when the group were at their peak of popularity. It followed the brother's on tour with their manager Berry Gordy getting into several misadventures while on the road. An fictional animated version of Diana Ross would also appear in the cartoon from time to time.

The cartoon also featured live action concert footage of the band and the intro included photos of the brothers morphing into their animated counterparts. In addition, the intro was a medley of four of their biggest hits Stop The Love You Say, ABC, Mama's Pearl, and I Want You Back.

1. Pro Stars

Probably the best cartoon from the era of celebrities starring in cartoons. Pro Stars followed three of the greatest sports players to ever play their respective games. Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, and Bo Jackson who doubled as secret agent heroes alongside being pro sports stars. They were usually called to action by a child in danger and would save the day by episodes end.

The cartoon debuted in September 1991 on NBC and didnt even make it an entire season. Ending in December 1991, not sure what caused the early cancellation but it was a missed opportunity.

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M.C. Hammer: Rap's First Pop Star

 

Two things sparked this article, first watching peacocks Run-DMC documentary King's From Queens. Another spark I was randomly YouTubing old Super Bowl commercials and revisited M.C. Hammer's Cheetos popcorn commercial for the 2020 Super Bowl. The ad used nostalgia to tap into folks trying out a new product, but it led me down a Hammer rabbit hole.

I came to the conclusion M.C. Hammer regardless of how people feel about his rapping skills, or whatever else that led to the rap industry turning against him. Was Hip-Hop's first real pop star. Sure Run-DMC were the first cross-over stars due to their collaboration with Aerosmith on Walk This Way. But Hammer took what they did and ran off with it. His album Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em went diamond (10 million copies sold.)

He was an amazing showman with his high energy footwork that was James Brown inspired. To my knowledge, he was one of the first hip hop stars that truly believed in a full production for his concerts. Lights all over the stage, full band with backup singers and back up dancers. Along with his clean image we soon saw Hammer everywhere.

He hosted Saturday Night Live in 1991 to help promote the Addams Family movie, which he had the lead single on. Made guest appearances on sitcoms such as Amen and Out All Night. Not stopping with guest appearances, he was all on TV screens with endorsements.

Pepsi commercials , Taco Bell commercial , a sponsorship with British Knight sneakers complete with an ad. A few KFC commercials one of which Paul Mooney famously ripped on. It didn't stop there though with Hammer.

He had his own Saturday Morning cartoon Hammerman. Which ran for a season on ABC in 1991. And had lunchboxes released in conjunction with the show. There was even M.C. Hammer dolls made by Mattel, which are probably a fortune now if someone still has one in its original packaging. I'm honestly surprised he didn't have a video game similiar to Michael Jackson's  Moonwalker on Sega with his likeness.

We can't forget his trademark pants that were synonymous with him. That in itself was a marketing tool. From 1990 to probably 1992 Hammer was everywhere. While he may have mismanaged his money, and gotta ridiculed for it. He paved the way for other rappers to get money in various ways. 

Come on. Would artist like Snoop Dogg, Megan The Stallion or Drake have some of the endorsements they've had if not for Hammer? Following the Run DMC documentary, we need a true M.C. Hammer documentary.  It's time Hammer is properly given his flowers for his contributions to hip hop. Acknowledging him as the first real rock star of rap is a step in the right direction.

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